As we walked through Whiterun's gates, I looked at my husband. Cassius had the hugest grin on his face, gripping the axe in his clenched fists. Vilkas, too, looked rather excited.

I couldn't deny that I was also enthused. While I wasn't sure that I wanted to participate in an actual war, it had been a very long time since I'd been in battle, and I was a warrior at heart. Though we both had enjoyed our time off, I knew Cassius felt the same way I did. We were ready to fight again.

As we climbed the steps to the Wind District, though, Karalissa stopped.

"I'm going to head back to Jorrvaskr. You all go ahead."

Cassius was confused. "What? You don't want to bash Balgruuf, Karl?"

Karalissa shook her head, smiling a little. "It's not my place to fight for the Stormcloaks, and I have no desire to."

Cass grumbled, shifting the axe from hand to hand. "But all those years ago, you said you wanted to join the ranks."

"I only wanted to join to be with you, brother. We're not wanderers anymore." Karalissa explained, earning an understanding look from Vilkas. "My place is to defend the people of the Hold. If Balgruuf the Greater wants a fight, I'll fight. Not for the Stormcloaks or the Imperials, but for the citizens of Whiterun."

Cass sighed. "I understand, Karl." He nudged her shoulder with his elbow. "Sure you don't want to come? The look on his face will be priceless."

Karalissa laughed, but shook her head still. "I'll have to manage with a detailed story." She looked to Vilkas. "Have fun, you all. I'll be at home."

Cassius mumbled his words of departure, then turned back to Dragonsreach. I lingered long enough to see Vilkas kiss Karalissa's forehead, then quickly rejoin us. I put my hand on his shoulder, and the two of us followed behind Cass all the way past the Shrine of Talos.

As we ascended the steps, we passed Nazeem. He gave my husband a once over, then spoke. "Do you get to the Cloud District very often?" He laughed. "What am I saying? Of course you don't."

Cassius turned back to face the Redguard. "Where the hell do you think we're headed? Gods, what a pompous son of a—"

"Let's just focus on the task at hand, Cass." I reminded him as Vilkas laughed.

We reached the doors of Dragonsreach a few moments later, and Cassius led the grand entrance. The three of us waltzed up to the Jarl, no doubt frightening Proventus and irritating Irileth.

Jarl Balgruuf, who sat awkwardly in his throne, seemed thrilled to see us. "Dragonborn! What a surprise." He straightened up. "Is there some matter I can assist you with?"

"Cut the bullshit, Balgruuf." Cass said. He extended the axe toward the Jarl. "Ulfric Stormcloak has asked me to deliver this to you."

I'm not sure what I expected, but it wasn't a laugh. That, however, is what we received. "Has he now? The man is persistent, I'll give him that." He sighed, looking to his steward. "I suppose it's time I give him an answer. Proventus, what do you make of all this? If Ulfric were to attack Whiterun…"

Proventus was a nervous wreck. "As in all things, Lord, caution. I urge us to wait and see…"

Irileth scoffed. "Prey waits."

"I'm of a mind with Irileth." Balgruuf said, looking toward Proventus. "It's time to act."

Proventus was sweating buckets. "You want us to march on Windhelm?"

"I'm not a fool, Proventus. I mean it's time to challenge Ulfric to face me as a man, or to march his Stormcloaks up to the gates."

"He'll do no such thing!" Proventus exclaimed. "A dagger in the back is all you should expect." I noticed Cassius growing increasingly excited. This was exactly what he wanted to hear.

Irileth rolled her eyes. "He was rather straight-forward with Torrygg." Vilkas and I exchanged a look. This was getting intense.

"Torrygg? He simply walked up to the boy and murdered him!" Proventus noted.

"That 'boy' was the High King of Skyrim." Irileth countered, crossing her arms.

Jarl Balgruuf released a great sigh. "I am not the High King, but neither am I a boy. If Ulfric wants to challenge my rule in the old way, let him." He snorted. "Though I suspect he'll prefer to send his 'Stormcloaks' to do it for him, just as he's done today."

Irileth nodded. "He's already proven his personal strength. Now he seeks to prove his army's."

Proventus shifted uncomfortably. "Then might I urge you to consider General Tullius' request? I mean, if you are bent on offending Jarl Ulfric…"

"Ulfric is the one who has offended." Irileth mumbled. "But Proventus has a point. Ulfric has made it clear." She gestured to the axe. "In his mind, to refuse his claim is to side with the Empire."

"And what harm is there is letting a few legionnares die in place of your own men?" Proventus added.

"It seems cowardly." Balgruuf said.

Irileth laughed. "Was it cowardly, then, to accept the White-Gold Concordat?"

"This again?" The Jarl was growing angry. "That was different. Was I given a choice to object the terms of the treaty? No. The Jarls weren't asked. We were told. And we had to like it."

"The chests of gold didn't hurt." Proventus grumbled.

"Damnit! This isn't about gold!" Balgruuf yelled.

"It's time to decide." Cass said, interrupting the dispute.

Proventus looked at us, then back at the Jarl. "Lord, wait. Let us see if Ulfric is serious."

Vilkas snickered. "Oh, he's serious."

"And so am I." Balgruuf the Greater noted, standing from his throne. He pushed the axe back toward Cassius. "You can return this axe to our friend. The esteemed Jarl of Windhelm has my answer. Make sure he gets it."

"As you wish, Balgruuf." Cass said, nodding to Irileth as he turned to leave. "But if I were you, I'd write that letter to Tullius. You're gonna need those legionnaires."

With that, we left Dragonsreach, a fight on the horizon.