Kara and I both walked, wide-eyed, behind Cassius and Lydia toward the Palace of Kings. I'd never seen a building so large in all of my life, not even Dragonsreach. I peered up at the flags, adorned with blue wild bears as we climbed the steps.

"It's beautiful." Kara whispered beside me, low enough for only me to hear. I looked down at her, her cheeks rosy in the cold of Windhelm's late afternoon. She had pulled her long hair into a braid over her right shoulder. Pieces of her hair had come out of the braid, framing her face and catching snowflakes as they fell around us.

"And so are you." I said to her, in the same low volume. Her cheeks blushed even more as she beamed at me. She looked toward her brother, who was still walking ahead of us with his arm around Lydia's waist. We had decided to keep our thoughts of marriage a secret for a little while longer, just until things had settled. With all that was happening at home, and all that was about to transpire here, we wanted something for ourselves.

Kara looked back up at me, her eyes content as she mouthed the words 'I love you.' I felt my chest well up, and I brushed a piece of her hair behind her ear as I mouthed the words back.

Cassius spoke ahead of us. "Alright, you all. This is it." He put his helmet on his head, releasing Lydia, and the two were no longer husband and wife. The Dragonborn and his housecarl strolled forward while Kara and I lingered behind. We approached the doors, where two guards stood with folded arms. They turned their heads toward Cassius, then toward each other.

"Dragonborn, it's an honor." One said, though we couldn't see his face beneath the helmet.

Cassius laughed obnoxiously, his Dragonborn bravado making an appearance. "At ease, boys. Just visiting the Jarl."

"Of course, Dragonborn." The other said, opening the doors for us.

We entered the large main room, adorned in the same blue flags as the outside. In the center of the room, a long table of food stretched toward the stone throne at the back. Cassius spared no time being polite, sauntering through the room to a doorway off to the left. We followed along behind him, Kara and I stiff and awkward behind the two who were quite at ease.

As we entered the room, we were greeted by an older Nord with a long beard. He was dressed in an officer's uniform, which was made from a bear's pelt. He caught glimpse of Cassius and let out a loud, booming laugh.

"Well, look what we have here, my Jarl." the man said over his shoulder. Just past him, a large blond Nord was hunched over a table. He looked up, and the stress that was etched into his face was erased. He smiled, walking toward us.

"The Dragonborn approaches." He said, his voice deep and dark. Cassius laughed, removing his helmet. Lydia, too, relaxed her shoulders.

"My Jarl, it's an honor." he said, bowing his head before the blond Nord, who apparently was Ulfric Stormcloak. I had to take a moment to watch him, for he was nothing like I expected him. Ulfric Stormcloak was made out to be a menace, a valiant warrior, a potential king, and a murderer. I don't know what I was expecting him to be, but it wasn't a man who wore such worry between dual blond braids that framed his face.

Ulfric laughed, patting Cassius on the back. "We're far past exchanging titles, Cassius." The officer to his side, a bear in both size and appearance, stood with his arms crossed and nodded, a sly grin on his face beneath his graying beard.

"And he brought an army." the officer remarked. "It's always a pleasure to be in the company of your lovely housecarl, but what's the occasion?"

Cassius grunted in embarrassment and turned toward us. "Actually, Galmar, Lydia is no longer my housecarl. I'd like you to meet my wife." As Lydia and Galmar exchanged a nod of understanding, Cassius extended his arm to us. "This is my sister, Karalissa, and this is Vilkas. They're Companions in Whiterun."

I nodded toward Cassius, but clarified for Ulfric. "Actually, Karalissa is the Harbinger of the Companions." Kara gave me a look, but I ignored it.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both." Kara said, shaking hands with both of the men.

"Harbinger of the Companions, eh?" Galmar said, striding back into the room. He leaned over the table, looking down at a map and laughing to himself. "How ironic."

Ulfric bellowed a laugh, deep and smooth, then walked out of the room slowly toward the main room. We all followed behind him, none quicker than Galmar. As Ulfric sat in his throne, slouching into what seemed to be a comfortable position, he spoke to me and Kara.

"I apologize for my housecarl's demeanor. We were actually just discussing Whiterun." he explained. "Whiterun's Jarl, specifically." He looked at his fingernails, then over to Galmar, who nodded to him. "Though I never turn away an opportunity to make small talk, I imagine you came here for a purpose, Cassius."

Cassius cleared his throat before speaking. "I wanted to bring the news to you, Ulfric. The news about the Emperor."

Galmar and Ulfric laughed. "Ah, we've heard, my boy." Ulfric said.

Cassius' brow furrowed. "Then you know there's been an attempt on his life?"

Ulfric and Galmar stared at him for a moment, their jaws set in confusion. Galmar shook his head. "Have you not heard, Dragonborn? The Emperor is dead."

"Dead?" Lydia asked. "The Emperor is dead?"

"The Dark Brotherhood got to him before we could, I'm afraid." Ulfric said casually. "Not before their sanctuary was burned to the ground."

Cassius turned to Lydia. "We need to become more involved in current events." Lydia nodded, then Cassius turned back to Ulfric. "My Jarl, now is your opportunity. The Empire is weak, and our time to strike is now."

Ulfric cocked his head to the side. "'Our'? You wish to join me?"

Cassius nodded. "I've wanted to fight by your side since long before Helgen, but even more after the Empire sent me to the block without reason."

Ulfric nodded. "And I am forever in your debt for that day, Cassius."

"As am I." Galmar noted, looking up at Ulfric on his throne. The two exchanged a somber look before returning to the conversation. "I side with the Dragonborn. Now is the time to strike. And Balgruuf is standing in the way of that."

"He's a true Nord." Ulfric said to Galmar. "He'll come around."

Galmar snorted. "Don't be so sure of that. We've intercepted couriers from Solitude. The Empire is putting a great deal of pressure on Whiterun."

"And what would you have me do, Galmar?" Ulfric asked, pinching his nose between his index finger and thumb.

"If he's not with us, he's against us."

"He knows that. They all know that." Ulfric said, repositioning himself in his seat.

"How long are you going to wait?"

Lydia interrupted. "Perhaps you need to send Balgruuf a stronger message."

Cassius snorted. "If by message you mean shoving a sword through his gullet."

Galmar laughed, nudging Cassius and nodding in agreement. "I've missed the Dragonborn. He has more sense than the Jarl."

Ulfric laughed too, but remained serious. "I think taking his city and leaving him in disgrace would make a more powerful statement, don't you think?"

Kara and I leaned against the wall in the corner, observing the conversation unfolding before us. It was almost as if we weren't present at all. We were just spectators, and I couldn't help but notice that Ulfric and Galmar acted like an old married couple.

Galmar grumbled enthusiastically. "So we're ready to start this war in earnest, then?"

Ulfric leaned against his fist. "Soon."

"I still say you should take them all out like you did Dead King Torryg." Galmar noted, earning a laugh from Cassius. Kara and I exchanged a look, both equally confused. It wasn't just a story, then. Ulfric Stormcloak had murdered the High King.

Ulfric sighed. "Torryg was merely a message to the other Jarls. And to Skyrim, for that matter." He turned to us. "How can a supposed High King be entrusted to defend the people of Skyrim when he can't even defend himself?" I shrugged, not wanting to be reeled into the politics of it all. He turned back to Galmar. "Whoever we replace the Jarls with will need the support of our armies."

Cassius spoke again, trying to remain involved in the conversation. "We're ready when you are, Ulfric."

Ulfric stood from his throne, making his way down the steps toward the window beside us. "Things hinge on Whiterun. If we can take the city without bloodshed, all the better. But if not…"

Galmar followed behind him, his arms still crossed. "The people are behind you." He gestured to us, and I looked down at Kara. Her jaw was set, but I couldn't quite read her expression.

Ulfric sighed again. "Many, I fear, still need convincing."

Cassius was close behind Galmar, but he leaned against the table in the center of the room. "Let them die along with their false kings."

Ulfric stared out of the window, looking out at whatever scene was below him. "We've been soldiers a long time. We know the price of freedom." He turned back to Galmar. "The people are still weighing things in their hearts."

Galmar was growing increasingly irritated. "What's left of Skyrim to wager?"

Finally, Kara spoke up beside me. "They have families to think of."

"How many sons and daughters follow Ulfric's banner?" Galmar countered. "We are their families."

Ulfric laughed under his breath, striding back to his throne. "Well put, friend." He and Galmar exchanged another look, then Ulfric glanced at Kara and I. "Tell me, Galmar. Why do you fight for me?"

Galmar looked appalled. His eyes darted between Ulfric, who rested back into his throne, and the rest of us. He seemed unsure if he should answer, his face turning a bright red beneath his graying beard. After a moment, he finally did. "I'd follow you into the depths of Oblivion." He spoke lower. "You know that."

Ulfric nodded. "Yes, Galmar. I know that. But why do you fight? If not for me, then what?"

Galmar huffed. "I'll die before elves dictate the fates of men. Are we not one with this?"

Cassius snickered from his place on the sidelines. "I'm with you, Galmar. And with you Ulfric." He gestured to us. "We all are."

Kara stood up straight, walking toward the throne. I followed behind her.

"And what about you, Jarl Ulfric?" she asked. "Why do you fight?"

Ulfric sat up, leaning toward Kara. His face grew angry. "I fight for the men I've held in my arms, dying on foreign soil. I fight for their wives and children whose names I heard whispered in their last breaths. I fight for we few who did come home, only to find our home filled with strangers wearing familiar faces. I fight for my people, impoverished to pay the debt of an Empire too weak to rule them, yet brands them criminals for wanting to rule themselves!" He realized how angry he'd become, and leaned back in his chair. His face became sad, even somber. "I fight so all the fighting I've already done hasn't been for nothing. I fight because I must."

I stared at Ulfric Stormcloak, wide-eyed and utterly inspired. I felt so many things as he spoke, but more than anything, I felt the desire to join. To help. To fight.

Galmar spoke, alleviating the tension in the room. "Your words give voice to what we all feel, Ulfric. And that's why you will be High King."

Cassius nodded. "And we will ensure that it happens. I will fight at your side until I breathe my last breath."

Lydia nodded. "As will I."

I looked at Kara, then set my jaw. I looked back at Ulfric. "As will I." I felt Kara's eyes bore into me, but she said nothing.

Ulfric thought for a moment, then stood from his throne and returned to the room we found him in. He emerged moments later, weapon in hand. He extended it to Cassius. "It's settled, then. Deliver this to Jarl Balgruuf."

Cassius stared at him blankly. "An axe? Do I deliver it with a message?"

"Men who understand each other often have no need for words. There are a few simple truths behind one warrior giving another his axe. Balgruuf will know my meaning."

Cassius nodded. "Then it shall be done."

Ulfric nodded, and extended his hand to all of us again. "I thank you all for your company today. I'll leave you to deliver the axe." With that, he turned back to his throne, and Cassius and Lydia retreated from the palace. Kara and I followed quickly behind.

When they thought we were out of earshot, Galmar spoke to Ulfric in a very low voice. "A fine speech, my Jarl. But the days when words are no longer needed is the day old soldiers like us are no longer needed."

Ulfric laughed quietly. "I'd gladly retire from the world with you, were such a day to dawn."

With that, the door to the palace closed behind us. Cassius and Lydia sprung forward, excited to get back to Whiterun. I looked down at Kara, who had a secretive smile carved into her face.

"What?" I asked her, confused. She had seemed almost angry inside.

She looked up at me. "Did you feel it too?"

"Feel what, Kara?"

She laughed to herself, a quick exhale. "I'll tell you another time."