Skyrim is the property of Bethesda Softworks. At this point I'm stretching this out pretty shamelessly. Its given me the time to get the next story 75% done and a chance to mull over the last major events in this story. I want them to be as badass as possible.
Aela and I left our horses gasping and sweating at the gate and bolted up to Dragonsreach. I handed the sealed letter over to Jarl Balgruuf as he sat to his evening meal. The court held its breath as he perused Legate Rikke's tidings. The sheet of parchment trembled in his hands.
"What is it brother?" Hrongar asked. Balgruuf's chief advisors had moved to his place at the table as he handed the letter to Irileth.
"Galmar Stone-Fist marches with 5000 men," Balgruuf announced.
"Our militia cannot hope to repel that many. And these walls..." Caius, the commander of Whiterun's Guard shook his head.
"Irileth, ride to fort Greymoor. Ask, beg the centurion there for aid. Let no one stop you,"
"Never, my Jarl," she replied and ran for the door.
The Jarl then stood and took an axe from his brother. "And you Thane. Your travels are not yet done. This is a war-axe of Whiterun. It is my last offer of peace to Jarl Ulfric. Deliver it to him and return to me with his reply."
"He would allow me to return before the assault?" I asked.
Balgruuf sneered at the thought of Ulfric, "He is a coward, a rebel, and a traitor, but he cannot risk the political repercussions of failing to acknowledge a formal declaration of war."
I remained in Whiterun only long enough to deliver Tullius' letter to Olfrid, pack for our journey, and leave orders at Breezehome.
"Lydia," I said, "Have the Companions and all the Housecarls back to Jorrvaskr. When I return we're having a council of war."
"What do you fear my Thane?" Lydia asked as Aela and I moved for the door.
"The war is coming to Whiterun's walls and the Companions might have to pick a side." I said.
Part of me felt Kodlak and Skjor turn over in their graves.
"There are more than 5000 here," Aela observed when we at last moderated our pace.
The fields south of Windhelm's bridge teemed with movement and sang with the noise of an army camped. Men and women drilled in shield-walls with wooden swords and axes or paraded for review. The rows of soldiers competed with noise of portable forges and the clatter of engineers practicing assembling and collapsing their siege engines.
"They could be marching an hour after the order," I commented.
"You can smell their excitement. Many of them would have made fine shield-siblings."
"What are your thoughts on the war Aela?" I asked.
She grunted, "I worry that we're sitting on our haunches drinking mead in Jorrvaskr while a bunch of snowberries are winning all glory for themselves."
"But what of the Empire? What of Ulfric's cause? Many of his grievances are valid."
"I never cared about the Empire or the Elves. I don't worship Talos and the Thalmor never wronged me. What I don't like Ulfric's way of fighting. How he killed High King Torygg."
I was surprised at that. "Ulfric challenged him in front of his court and killed him in the following duel. I thought a Companion would approve."
"It wasn't a duel," she spat, "It was butchery: A veteran of the Great War in his prime against a man half his age who'd never seen a battle. It was well known how much Torygg looked up to Ulfric. Torygg welcomed Ulfric to the Blue Palace open arms the day they fought. Ulfric Shouted him down with the Voice and used his sword to pin a helpless man to the ground."
That was a rather damning evaluation I thought. "Do I become less to you when I use the Voice?" I asked Aela with worry in my voice.
"It's different with you," she let the edge come off her voice, "I've seen you use the Voice to save an old man, to protect your friends. I've never seen you use your gift to betray and I doubt I ever will.
"Thanks Babe, but it's time to put on our game faces," I turned from Aela and spoke loudly, "I am Ieago, Thane of Whiterun. I bring a message from my master to Jarl Ulfric," I said to the guard who challenged us at Windhelm's gate.
We strode unimpeded into the Palace of the Kings and stood before the Ysgramor's Throne. Ulfric's presence appeared masterful and genuinely regal while seated on the ancient chair. It was a sharp contrast with his deferential officers as he held council. His attention shifted when he noticed us and the crowd parted without a word.
"So you are Ieago Witch-Blade, and Aela the Huntress rides with you," Ulfric acknowledged.
"I am also a Thane of Whiterun. My Jarl sends you his token, Lord Ulfric," I said, holding up Balgruuf's axe for Ulfric to accept.
"You are a very brave man to bring that here," Ulfric replied without moving to take the weapon. "Return it to Balgruuf. Tell him that I will come to Dragonsreach to retrieve it."
"Yes lord," I replied. Aela and I left the city without another word.
I think it's a testament to Skyrim's writers that Ulfric never comes across as cowardly or villainous in the game; which was no mean feat. Let's face it: Ulfric brought a gun to a sword fight and found fault with the loser for not being equally able to cheat.