Uther II
Followers of Ulfric, who would soon be known as the Stormcloaks, would call what occurred in the Blue Palace as the Duel. It gave their king his right to rule. In world politics anyone can claim to be a king, look in large urban areas there is always a King of Beggars or a King of Thieves. If you want to be recognized as King of a people, a nation, then you need to be recognized by foreign heads of state as well as your people. Ulfric invoked an ancient Nordic rite in order to become King. To any Nord from the Second Era Ulfric would have been made King on the spot.
However this isn't the Second Era. Many people were outraged at Ulfric's actions and no diplomat, advisor, king, or the Emperor would say Ulfric was the High King of Skyrim for killing the current one. That would be like placing whichever Dark Brotherhood assassin killed Titus Mede II on the Ruby Throne. To say it was a fair fight would be a jest at best.
Torygg was around my age. While I had served in the White Company for years Torygg had been pampered and preened throughout his life. The sword he tried to use against Ulfric was the ceremonial Sword of Solitude. I doubt it would have been sharp enough to cut freshly churned butter much less through a man. The side part is that Torygg didn't even pay attention to the fact that his sword may have well been a wooden training sword. His swings were sloppy and while he had been trained to some degree by his father's housecarl the newly wed High King had no experience in a real fight.
Ulfric served in the Great War under General Jonna alongside the Prince Tullius Mede. Stories of what all Ulfric went through went crazier and crazier after the Markarth Incident. Ulfric's popularity grew as his martial prowess did. Since the Markarth Incident Ulfric has been highly focused on the militia of Eastmarch. He would personally train men and ride out with them to fight bandits. The man would make an excellent marshal of an army if he could be kept in check.
Torygg's blows were all easily dodged or blocked by the veteran warrior.
With a grim, determined look Ulfric turned and spoke words unheard of by this generation or the previous. I would later learn what he said, but at the moment I could not fathom how the words from his mouth threw Torygg across the room where he landed at the base of his throne. Ulfric walked forward sword held ready to end the young monarch's life.
Plautis tried to draw his sword but I grabbed his arm. "Get off me peasant." His order was harsh. I guess people born with a silver spoon shoved where the sun doesn't shine have issues taking orders from someone else. The future Count of Bruma tried yet again to draw his steel.
"Look, I know you are ignorant of Nords but you can't draw steel now." I tried to tell him.
"And why the bloody hell can I not?" He sneered.
"Because if you do it means you are interfering with the duel and both you and Torygg are to be put to death."
My words meant nothing. Elisif's brother tried yet again to defend her new husband. When his hand caught the hilt of his sword my gauntlet crashed against the side of his head. Not enough to kill him, just enough to keep him knocked out. Several guards moved in on either side of me, one told me that I would have to be dealt with after the fight.
Ulfric now stood over the High King's unconscious body. "I don't want to kill you, boy, but Skyrim needs a strong king." His sword cut its way through Torygg's chest leaving the throne room a bloody mess. A stream of blood shot out across the room. The High King's heart tried to keep beating. The blood within him pouring out onto the floor of the throne room. At least they had a large carpet.
The guards at my side froze, unsure whether to grab me or to grab Ulfric. Elisif began screaming. The whole court went into a frenzy, Jarls and Counts and everyone who was any type of nobility was trying to get out of the room. The man I recognized as Balgruuf eyed Ulfric and myself, before turning to the guards. "Turn this man over to me. I will make sure he gets the justice for striking the future Count, you need to tend to your new Jarl." He gave Elisif a sad look. Turning he grabbed me rather forcefully and shoved, as he got close he whispered, "Come with me, act troubled."
It took a few hours for us to actually leave the city. Balgruuf had to gather his family and court. His guards had to be recalled from the inns, bars, and brothels of the city. We had a long march through the night. I was kept under close watch with my hands bound by a rope one of the guards had.
The next day Balgruuf called me from the jail to the loft he had in his palace. His brother and steward were seeing to any problems Whiterun would have while I would meet with him in a private audience. I was apparently going to hear what he didn't want looser tongues to hear.
"Might I ask you name, sellsword?" He greeted me with a Nordic handshake. Definitely not a pretentious nobleman.
"The name is Uther, sir." I answered him.
"No last name? You carry yourself like one who has commanded before would. You hold yourself like a warrior. You have the armor of a Cyrodiilic knight. Your horse is one of the finest I have seen and my Hold is known for its horses."
"No, my Jarl. I grew up outside of Bruma. Only saw the city when we went in for trade, taxes, or the Temple. Three T's ma used to call it. After she died I was in the Legion for a short time then went private. I was in the White Company, third in command by the time I left."
"I thought we might could use you." He laughed. "How come you stopped the Count's boy from drawing steel? If you are just a mercenary what would you care?"
"I was taught a lot by the man who brought me into the White. He was a Nord from Windhelm. Never went back after the war until I took his ashes to the Temple." I answered.
"Ah a true Nord, so they say? I am sorry to hear that." Balgruuf's large hand caught my shoulder. Sympathy in his eyes.
"He was a true Son of Skyrim. I'm sure he is drinking and fighting in Shor's Hall now."
"He will soon be joined by many more." The solemn reply left a long, awkward silence in the room. His Dunmer housecarl and I being the only ones there. She had already heard this before I am guessing.
"What do you mean by that, my Jarl?"
"A war's coming, boy. I always thought it would by with the Elves but Ulfric will cause a bloody civil war."
"Won't Solitude execute Ulfric?"
"Even if they had it would have only turned him into a martyr. His son would come rushing in with half of Skyrim calling for revenge. No, Ulfric escaped. One of the guards let him out of the city. His people were apparently already on the way out. Thanks to my daughter having to pack all of her clothes again Ulfric's retinue beat us out of the city.
"So if war is coming who will pick what side?" My curiosity now piqued.
Riften, Winterhold, Dawnstar, and of course Eastmarch for Ulfric. Markarth would be for Solitude, but the Reachmen control that Hold. The government in exile will declare for Solitude's choice though. Falkreath, Morthal and Solitude on the other end." Balgruuf ran his hands through his hair. He was lost in thought.
"Sir, I have two questions." He lifted his head. "What do you mean Solitude's choice?"
"Well, the right thing to do would be to put Elisif on the throne and say she is High Queen of Skyrim and Jarl of Solitude. The political thing would be to marry her to Falk Firebeard and place him in charge. He practically ran everything for Torygg and when Istlod was in poor health. He is far more experienced being head of state than the girl. Who knows what will happen."
"Okay, secondly, where do you stand in all of this mess?"
"I'm not sure. I worship Talos, I let my people worship as they want as long as they don't harm other. I let other races into my city. I believe we need to push the elves back into their islands and out of our courts. I think the White-Gold Concordant is a load. I never signed that agreement. There is a big fucking statue of Talos still in my market place. I know there are Thalmor agents in my city. I am not stupid. One day they will come in and try to take my people away, or me away from them."
"I feel a but here."
"Yes, but I don't completely agree with Ulfric. We need the Empire. What good is a sword without a shield or armor? We can strike all we want to, but what will defend us or our people. When we went away to war last time, the Forsworn rose up against us. We need to be unified like we haven't been since the Dragonborn Emperors died out."
"Sir, you ask for a miracle. Irnskar told me once some old saying. 'I pray for peace, but if war should come, let it come to me, so my children can live in peace.' This war may be hell, but I would rather I fight instead of my children."
"Do you have children?"
"Not that I know of. One day I will, and I would rather there be no war for them to fight."
"Aye, as you said, you ask for a miracle." The Jarl lowered his head.