Ulfric Stormcloak made Athene wait while he finished business with the line of Windhelm nobles who wanted his ear. It was the same old problems: weather, crops, bandits, dragons. None of which would be solved if he defeated the Empire, Athene noted to herself. What did he do? He gave platitudes and threw a little money around. He remained deaf to the Dunmer slums and blind to the Argonians scrambling at the walls. And without him…
She wasn't a politician. She definitely wasn't Nord. But without Ulfric Stormcloak she knew her path would be clearer, and that was important right now.
So she waited.
When the nobles were finished squabbling he turned to her where she stood in her Stormcloak uniform. He remained slumped on this throne, and pulled at his beard.
"Word from Markarth is the steward has been keeping to his quarters more than usual. Some say he's been scared witless. By what I wonder?"
"It's a lie," Athene said.
"Oh?"
"He isn't even in Markarth."
Ulfric took a breath and for a second Athene wondered if he'd shout at her. But he only leaned forward, still slumped, and shook his head.
"Don't tell me you killed him."
"I didn't. But I did as Galmar instructed me and it worked out beyond our expectations."
This was the part she needed to sell. She looked up with wide elf eyes and said, "Beyond even the Greybeards' expectations."
He paused. He frowned. He finally got up from his throne and came to her, and she forced herself to stand her ground until he grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the main hall, into the alcove that led to his quarters. He studied her face and released her arm, and stayed close to her while he tugged again on his beard.
"So you climbed to High Hrothgar? This is why you left Whiterun, why you sent my axe in the hands of another?"
"I thought you would understand," Athene said.
"Did you tell this to Galmar?"
"I didn't have a chance. He threw me in jail before letting me speak."
"And was your tongue stilled behind the bars of our prison?"
"The Greybeards told me to hold my tongue. They told me the Way of the Voice, that I have a power I must not use, and they sent me away until I'd learned my place. I learned something then."
"Yes?"
"My place is here with you. I did not know how to say this to Galmar."
It seemed to take a moment to sink in. When it did Ulfric hissed and stepped back. But he was near her again in a moment, whispering.
"You don't know what you're playing with, girl. The Greybeards recognized your power and still sent you away?"
"It's as you said. They asked me to lay down my passions. You've likely heard enough about me from Galmar. Do you think it would ever be as easy as that? For me?"
"Not as easy as that for anyone, I'd think."
"Don't be foolish. My King," she added, quickly. "But you're surrounded by soldiers who look to you to tell them where to fight. What to think, even. They start with passion but they give it up to be your arm, your action. I can't do that, and it makes Galmar unable to trust me. But I think you'll understand. You know why I had to go, and why I came back."
"For me," he said.
Athene nodded.
He kissed her roughly. She tasted mead and beef, and his mouth was larger than hers, so she felt devoured. Once perhaps she'd have enjoyed it but today she just waited it out. She was still waiting for him, as she had in the main hall. Waiting for him to catch up and fall into line.
He was a King, in action if not in true power. Yet she didn't warm to him even as he trailed his kisses to her throat and whispered her name.
"Someone's coming," she said.
He pushed her to the wall and stood there, a few feet away. He was flushed and pale at once.
Athene raised her eyebrows.
"Tell me why Raerek isn't in Markarth," he said.
Finally.
"He's come here," she whispered. "Not the city, but close. He has information he thinks can win this war. But he's terrified. He remembers the days of your siege on The Reach, when you pushed out the Forsworn. He knows what you're capable of and he knows what will happen to him if his Jarl discovers his treachery, or if you aren't satisfied."
"So get the information and bring it to me."
"He will tell only you."
"You believe I should march outside my city walls to meet with a traitor who might only be there to murder me?"
"No. I will go there alone, first. I will give a signal that all is well. And then you will come, with any number of guards you think you need, and Galmar if you insist. Whatever will make you feel safe."
"I am a warrior," he said. "I do not need a legion of guards. But I must be careful all the same."
"I understand. Though I don't think this one will be a problem. He has… his own vulnerabilities."
"Oh?"
"A bastard daughter. When I couldn't find evidence of his Talos worship I used her to draw him out. They've both come, and there's no way he's leaving without her."
He looked at her as if just seeing her. "You go to great lengths to serve your King."
"As I said." Athene opened her palms as if showing him everything. "I cannot leave my passions behind so easily."
"I need to speak to Galmar about this."
"Good idea. I'll go back to the barracks."
He paused and might have been about to offer his bed, but Athene turned quickly and pretended not to see.