Ulfric didn't have to worry for long- hours later, Svala came strolling into the palace with a bloodied Bosmer woman on her hip.

"Wuunferth!" She shouted, struggling to support the wounded elf's weight. "I need help! Quickly!"

Ulfric was already strolling towards her, ready to assist. The mage came rushing into the great hall seconds later followed by Sofie at his heels, who gasped upon seeing her guardian covered in blood. He too was wondering just how much of that blood belong to Arivanya and how much was Svala's own. "Give her here," Wuunferth said gently, gingerly taking the woman from Svala's grasp. "I will do what I can for her. Are you hurt as well, my lady?"

"No," Svala answered, dazed. Her face was even paler than usual, Ulfric realized. How badly was she injured? He wanted to command Wuunferth to examine her, but didn't want to frighten the child who had wrapped herself around Svala's leg. "I'm alright, Sofie," she told the girl quietly, stroking her hair absentmindedly. "It's okay."

"Mala, I was so scared you wouldn't come back!" the girl wept into Svala's armor. He felt as though he were intruding on something private (which was rather ridiculous considering it was his palace) but still he cleared his throat to get the woman's attention. Her head snapped up at him, green eyes vacant.

"Are you hurt?" Ulfric asked her quietly. She shook her head. "What happened?"

"Sofie, go to our room," Svala said prying the child from her. "I promise I will see you later, but first I must speak with Jarl Ulfric." She sniffled and obeyed (much to Ulfric's surprise) but not before telling her guardian just how much he had "worried" about her.

That child was too damn mouthy for her own good. "I didn't worry," he told Svala immediately once Sofie was out of earshot. "I merely assembled the guard because Ulundil had reported his wife missing. It is my duty as Jarl." Why was he explaining himself? From the bemused look on Svala's face, she seemed to think the same. "Why did you go after a murderer of women alone?"

"To attract less attention," she told him casually. She still had that haunted look on her face and Ulfric didn't care for it all. "The Butcher was Calixto Corrium, by the way. He was killing women for some kind of necromancy ritual. That abandoned house near the Shatter-Shield's place was his lair."

"Hjerim?" Svala nodded. "That was Friga Shatter-Shield's home. She was one of the Butch- Corrium's victims."

"Which reminds me," she continued, placing a small leather pouch in front of Ulfric. "I know you said you wanted him alive, but that wasn't really possible."

"That's Calixto?" his voice rose in disbelief. He turned the pouch upside down, emptying it upon the table. Only ashes spilled out. What had she done to him? Not that Ulfric felt any pity for the vile Imperial, but he was still curious on how he had gone from corpse to dust. "Will you tell me how he became to be this way?"

Her face was impassive. "I don't remember," she told him in an expressionless voice. "You should ask Arivanya once she's recovered."

Ulfric longed to take her in his arms, to kiss and comfort her, but he settled instead on placing a hand upon her shoulder. "You have done me, and the people of Windhelm, a great service." Svala merely nodded staring blankly at the floor. "But I hope it did not come at too great a cost."

She laughed bitterly. "I am a monster, my Jarl. Killing is what I am destined to do, it seems."

He frowned, moving his hand to her chin and forcing her to meet his eyes. "You are not a monster, Svala. You are the most lovely, passionate, fiercest woman I have ever had the pleasure to meet." A pretty pink blush colored her cheeks and life seeped back into her green eyes. "As for your destiny, I suppose it is no one's business but yours on what it contains."

She laughed again, still harsh and angry sounding. "You know nothing, Ulfric. Hell, I've sworn my own life away to you and your war, or have you forgotten?" She was leaning into him now, they were so close their noses could touch. Her breath ghosted across his lips. "You know, these honeyed words are rather wasted on me. If you wanted me in your bed, all you had to do was ask." Her hand was on his thigh. She was baiting him, trying to distract him. He was ashamed to find it was working.

"I want more than that," Ulfric found himself saying. It surprised even him.

She smiled sweetly at him, as though pitying him, before capturing his lips once more with hers. It was not as sweet as the first time they kissed, no. This time Ulfric would not have her fleeing from him; the thought of losing her had shaken him more than he cared to admit. He closed his arms around her, crushing her to his chest, as he kissed her fiercely. She responded in kind nipping at his lips, hands entangled in his blonde hair and pulling roughly. "Take me to bed," her voice purred in his ear as her teeth grazed his earlobe. "Please my Jarl."

Ulfric lifted her into his arms, surprised at her weight; she was honestly heavier than she looked, or had he just grown weaker in his old age? Still, he carried her to his rooms, their lips still moving as one. Once inside, he tossed her softly upon the bed, kicked the door closed, and went to work removing her cuirass and trousers, lips attacking each new patch of bare flesh he discovered. "More," she gasped as his had covered her bare breast, squeezing lightly. It was large enough that it filled his entire palm, he noted with satisfaction. She moaned, lifting her hips against him. Ulfric smiled wolfishly down at her before struck with a sudden inspiration. Carefully, he took her arms and placed them behind her head, fishing for some leather strips from his nightstand with his other hand. Panic flashed across Svala's face.

"Be still," he told her softly. "If it becomes too much, or you wish to stop, you need only say the word. I will never force you. I will never hurt you. I swear this to you."

She swallowed, her eyes still wide, before nodding once. Desire erupted in Ulfric at the trust she placed in him, even stronger than it had been a moment ago, and he felt his cock strain against his trousers as he tied her to his bed. "Trust me," he told her before placing his lips to her neck, mouthing the fresh wound he found there, running his tongue over the broken skin. She gasped, squirming against her bonds. His lips trailed down the expanse of her neck to her collarbone, down the swell of her breast to where it enclosed around a nipple. Her loud moan caused him to thrust against her instinctively, feeling the damp heat reverberating from her center. "You're so wet," he said against her skin, gently brushing against slickness with a finger. Svala moaned again, hips jerking to meet his finger. "You want me, just as bad as I want you, don't you?"

She refused to answer, biting her lower lip and staring at him with smoldering eyes. That wouldn't do. Without warning, Ulfric shoved his finger inside of her. She clenched around him, howling at the sudden sensation. Still, she wouldn't answer his question, her green eyes blazing intensely in defiance at him. He slipped another finger inside of her, scissoring them, spreading her open. He would need to prepare her thoroughly if she were to to take his cock; many women had found it to be too much for them (another reason why he had started favoring whores). But watching as Svala panted and ground against his hand, a third finger joining the other two, Ulfric didn't think that she would have any problems.

He trailed his lips from her nipples down the expanse of her torso, to her stomach, to just above her mound. She thrashed more wildly, trying to press his face to where she wanted it most. "Please," she moaned, her eyes nearly black with lust. He grinned at her before moving his mouth over her, his prominent nose brushing against the tuft of auburn curls. He blew on her wetness lightly, watching as she yelped in surprise and arched her back. "Ulfric!"

"Patience, little dovah," he purred at her before enclosing his lips over her slit. He lapped at her wetness, eyes rolling back in his head at her sweetness. Talos, she was better than any mead he had ever had. He could get drunk on her heady taste alone it was so intoxicating. Svala was screeching and fisting at his head, pulling the wheat colored strands by the roots. It only spurred him on more, and he lightly ran his teeth over her tiny bundle of nerves. Her thighs clasped together around his head, squeezing him tightly (he was sure to have a hell of a headache later) as she came apart, more of her sweet nectar bursting on his tongue. She collapsed against the pillows, breathily heavily, looking down at him as though she wanted to devour him. She reached for him, her hands trying to find his cock, but he swatted her away. "No. There will be plenty of time for that; for now, I need to be inside you." Truthfully, he knew if she touched him he would burst like a youth and he would rather die than find completion outside of her.

"Then what are you waiting for?" She smirked at him, challenging him, pulling his face to hers and kissing him vigorously. Ulfric knew that she would be able to taste herself upon his tongue and the thought alone made him throb. He quickly discarded himself of his clothes before kneeling before her on the bed, pressing her legs as far apart as he could. He could see her staring at his impressive cock, her eyes slightly wider than they were a minute ago. "Bear of Markarth indeed," she hummed to herself, licking her lips in want. Divines, was she trying to get him to cum??

He held his cock in his fist, stroking it a few times, moaning loudly at the sensation. He was already so close, he knew he wouldn't last long once he entered her. As much as he wanted to savor it, take his time with her and make her come undone around him as many times as she could stand, this first time would have to be quick and brutal. He wouldn't be able to be gentle- he wanted her too badly. He positioned his cock at her entrance, running it up and down her slit, feeling the head brush against her clit which made her gasp. His eyes locked with hers, he saw the want and the trust within her gaze, and without warning he pushed inside of her.

Svala screamed, in pleasure or in pain Ulfric wasn't completely sure. "Breathe," he told her through gritted teeth, trying not to spill. Dibella's tits she felt amazing, so hot and warm like damp silk. He could feel his legs shaking with the restraint it took to stay still, to give her time to adjust to his girth.

After a few painful seconds, she nodded at him, pushing her hips up and down his length erratically. "Move," she commanded him, and it took him a moment to realize she said it in the dragon tongue. He pulled out of her completely before snapping his hips back to meet hers, and this time there was no mistaking that the sound she made was one of pleasure. "Harder!" Ulfric's teeth found the junction of where her neck met her shoulder as he pumped his hips in and out of her brutally, feeling his own orgasm approaching faster than he would've liked. However, with each thrust, he could feel her quim tightening around him, and he knew that it wouldn't take her long to finish once more. His thumb brushed against her clit a few times and then she was spasming around his cock with a broken wail of his name, her nails scratching his back so hard he wondered if she drew blood. With one last powerful thrust inside her, he felt his own release crash into him so hard that it stole his breath.

As his wits returned to him, Ulfric pulled outside of Svala and rolled onto his side, breathing heavily. He couldn't ever remember it being that good, with anyone. Given the dazed and blissful expression on her face, he only hoped that she felt the same. He pulled her to his sweaty chest, realizing that at some point she had broken the leather bindings that tied her to the bed. "Did you really think you could chain a dragon?" She teased him when she saw him frowning at the tattered cording that remained wrapped around her wrists. "I could've always broken out of it, but I let you have your fun."

Ulfric harrumphed, swiping a finger around her sensitive channel, before showing her the creamy essence of their pleasure mixing. "I believe I wasn't the only one enjoying myself, dovahkiin."

"How was I supposed to know you have a tree trunk for a cock?" She lightly slapped his breast before enclosing her lips around his finger and sucking it clean. This woman would be the absolute death of him. Ulfric could feel his cock trying to stir and he rewarded her with a gentle swat to her bottom. She gasped and giggled all at once.

A few moments passed between them in comfortable silence, with her lying on his chest and him running a hand through her mussed tresses. He could feel himself growing drowsy, and from the even pattern of her breathing, wondered if Svala had already succumbed to sleep herself. Ulfric murmured her name only to be answered with a light snore. He smiled, feeling more peaceful than he had in years, before placing a light kiss to her temple and joining her in slumber.

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"My Jarl? Galmar has returned and wishes an audience with you at once."

Ulfric groaned and rolled over, reaching blindly for the warmth of Svala's body next to him and pulling her tightly against him. She murmured within her sleep but did not stir, instead nuzzling her cheek against his bare flesh. An amulet of Talos was tangled in her hair; he carefully extracted it and laid it between her breasts. It seemed to be made of dragon bone. She probably carved it herself. "Tell him he can wait. I'm occupied."

"I'm afraid he says it is urgent, my Jarl. It is about Jarl Elisif the Fair."

He would have that guard's head on a stake if Ulfric heard his annoying voice once more. Still, if Elisif was calling on him, it could mean a turning point in the war. Reluctantly, he placed a last lingering kiss to Svala's temple before wrapping her in the blankets and dressing himself. He found Galmar pacing within the war room, his face purple with rage. Lovely. Ulfric's morning was improving second by second. "Ah, good to see you in one piece, my friend. How was your journey?"

"Damn faithless Imperials keep besting us!" Galmar snapped at him, bypassing small talk. "Every time we try to take a fort, they're there before us. They have more coin and more resources- we need to a put a halt on their communications or we don't stand a chance."

Ulfric sighed. How he wished he was still in bed with Svala... "What we need is an advantage. Is there a Jarl or a court member we could...persuade to see things our way?"

"How would killing a Jarl help?" Galmar snarled. Ulfric rolled his eyes. Subtlety was not one of his friend's strong suits. "Oh...you mean...blackmail? Who? Do you have dirt on someone?"

"I have a hunch," Ulfric said, staring daggers at the war map. He pointed to Markarth, his former home. "Raerek was always too cautious for a steward. A man is not that careful unless he has something to hide, no?"

Galmar nodded, brows furrowing as he thought. "But what if you're wrong? What if he's just a cowardly old fool?"

Ulfric smiled darkly. "Then we give him something to hide." He held up his own amulet of Talos from its resting place around his thick neck. "I do not believe his Imperial-loving nephew would care to have a rebel serving him so closely, do you?"

Galmar's bellowing laugh echoed in the stillness of the early morning palace. "Very clever, Ulfric. We'll just need to find the right recruit for such a sensitive mission."

He nodded. He knew exactly who could perform such a task. "Bone-Breaker should do it. She is...familiar in such areas."

"Bone-Breaker?" Galmar stared at him blankly. "Wait...Ice-Veins? She came back?! You mean to tell me that she deserted and you promoted her??"

Ulfric held up a hand to silence the tirade he knew was coming. "She was off finding the Jagged Crown. Captain Ralof should confirm."

Instantly, Galmar erupted into deep laughter once more. "You owe me a drink! Don't think I've forgotten!"

He nodded, chuckling along with his friend. "Aye, but only after we win. Now, I believe you had me so rudely awoken because of Elisif? What does she want?"

All traces of laughter died from Galmar's face at once. "Ah. That. She sent a courier to camp- she's offering her hand to you in order for a swift end to the war. Some kind of treaty, I assume."

"She's what?" Ulfric was stunned. He slumped into a chair, his head spinning. He had killed Elisif's husband, was attempting to usurp her crown, and she was willingly offering herself to him? No. There had to be a catch. "I don't suppose she outlined all the terms for you, did she."

Galmar shook his head. "No. But her correspondence did say she'd be making the trip here in a few moons. I assume she'll want to tell you herself." Ulfric frowned. He did not like this at all. "Look, Ulfric, if I can speak plainly-"

"When do you not?"

"It's a good offer," Galmar finished, ignoring his Jarl. "We're running out of men and they're getting tired. Morale is at an all time low and even if this little scheme of yours with Raerek pans out, that's only buying us time. This dragon threat is putting everyone's teeth on edge and there's just not an appetite for war like there once was. I'd consider it, if I were you."

Ulfric knew he was right, but that didn't change the feeling in his gut that something was off. Besides, him, marry, Elisif? No. He would not take one woman for his wife while his thoughts were with another. However, instead of voicing this to Galmar, he merely nodded and kept silent. He would turn Elisif down when she came to him- such matters were above Galmar's station.

"Hey where'd you-" He froze. Galmar froze. Svala, who had appeared in the doorway from the upstairs entrance (clad only in one of his tunics which ended around mid thigh on her, much to Ulfric's mixed horror and delight) froze. Her long, auburn hair was clearly mussed from sleep and...other activities. "Oh. Shit." She offered a halfhearted salute to Galmar.

For a few awful, tense, moments no one spoke. Then Galmar chuckled darkly, shaking his head at Ulfric. "I trust your discretion," Ulfric said quietly, refusing to meet his eyes. "This was unexpected, and a one time affair." He hoped that Galmar would believe that, and Svala would not.

"Your choices are your own, Ulfric," Galmar's gravelly voice said evenly. "And I have always respected that. Even if I think you're being incredibly stupid and listening only to your cock, I respect your decisions." He turned his attention to Svala, who seemed to be trying to disappear into the floor. If she would only look at him, he would try to convey to her that he was lying to Galmar... "And you- if you think this will give you any special treatment, you're as big a fool as he is. Now suit up and get your things; you've got a job in Markarth."

"Yes sir," Svala whispered, bolting out of the room without giving Ulfric a second glance. He ran a hand down the side of his face, hoping that he hadn't ruined everything with her.