Galmar seemed actually proud of her. Elana was almost enjoying having the approval of an authority figure when Ulfric blazed out of the war room.

"Galmar! You sent men after the Jagged Crown? Why are we wasting time and quickly dwindling resources chasing a legend? We don't even know it exists!"

The second-in-command turned to his general, subtly ejecting Elana from the conversation. She merely took a seat at the long table, snagged a slice of cheese, and waited out the explosive argument.

"The Jarls are upset. They don't all support you."

Ulfric growled, "Damn the Jarls."

"They demand the Moot."

"And damn the Moot! We should risk letting those milkdrinkers put Torygg's woman on the throne? She'll hand Skyrim over to the elves on a silver plate."

The bear nodded. "All the more reason then to find the legend. The crown would legitimize your claim."

"A crown doesn't make a king."

"No, but this one..."

"If it even exists," interrupted the Jarl.

"It exists. And it'll be the symbol of the righteousness of our cause. Think about it. The Jagged Crown! It heralds back to a time before jarls and moots. Back to the time when a king was a king because his enemies fell before him, and his people rose because they loved him. Skyrim needs that king. You will be that king, Ulfric. You must be."

Ulfric sighed in resignation. "You're certain you've found it?"

Galmar nodded. "When have I ever been false with you?"

"Fine. I'll send the Unblooded here with you." Elana looked up in surprise as the general addressed her.
"Fancy a crawl through a moldering dungeon to see if you can't stir up Galmar's Jagged Crown?"

"It'll be there. You'll see."

"If you say so. Unblooded, what say you?"

Elana rose shrugging. "I've already crawled through my fair share of dungeons. What's one more?"

"Don't be too enthusiastic," Galmar began. "Korvanjund is where you and I will meet the forces I've already sent. You know where that is?"

"Aye. I'll meet you there. I will need to exchange a few items in the market first. Oh, and Jarl Ulfric, it is worth investigating a man named Lokor." At the Jarl's blank look, Elana continued, "he's rather scruffy-looking, unkempt, large? Clearly you don't know him and that was a lie as well. Before I volunteered, he spoke of you without the respect due a Jarl, claiming to be your friend. When I angered him, he vowed to personally hunt me down on any battlefield we met on, even after I reminded him doing so would endanger the lives of his fellow soldiers."

"Unblooded, your sense of honor is greater than even mine. In the future, just punch the man."

"What makes you think I didn't?"

Galmar laughed. "That, Ulfric, is why we will be walking out of Korvanjund with the Jagged Crown. Go haggle prices; I'll see you shortly at the ruins."

Elana nodded and left the palace.

Do you think I could get them to stop calling me Unblooded if I told them I was Dovahkiin?

"Cool that dov pride. Your sense of honor is high because when boundaries exist in the air, you must be honorable to stay out of them. You're part of the army, hatchling. You're there as a trainee, not as Thane."

Elana grumbled, acknowledging Mirmulnir's wisdom. I'll just change my title the old-fashioned way then.

"It's good to see you again, Ralof."

"And you Elan. Just wish it wasn't because we're fighting draugr." The blond smiled gamely even in the darkness of the ancient Nordic ruins. "Where's your fellow Companion, Vilkas was it?"

"Back in Whiterun I assume. I was doing solo work and ended up joining the cause." She suddenly hissed in alarm and stopped the trek forward. "Galmar, that one there will wake if we get any closer."

The man nodded and gestured to an archer. The soldier loosed an arrow into the creature. It immediately slumped, collapsing as life was driven from it before it could come back to haunt the current adventurers.

"Good eye, Unblooded."

"Experience is the best teacher."

The bear chuckled and moved on, watching as carefully as possible for the signs of the dead rising to walk. It was hard enough fighting Imperials, as they'd done once discovering the enemy had arrived first. Now it was necessary to corral excited, loud Stormcloaks in a dark tunnel when any sound could bring a draugr around the corner.

At least everyone came equipped with a sharp blade or two.