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I rode to Windhelm alone this time, having left Aela and my housecarls behind to begin work clearing and rebuilding Breezehome. I made my way through the highlands south of Lake Yorgrim on my way east through the Pale and Eastmarch. I saw scattered units of Ulfric's army beginning to reform and march in good order to rally at Fort Kastav or further east to Windhelm itself.

I was brought before Ulfric with drawn swords at my back. He was debriefing with some of his surviving officers.

"As you can see, Dragonborn" he practically sneered the title at me, "I have much that requires my attention. If you are inclined to talk, there are some interrogators who would love to interview you."

I resisted the temptation to say something sarcastic in return. "I am here as a messenger from the Greybeards," I said, keeping to my role as herald.

Ulfric's hostile attitude changed to curiosity in an eye blink, "It's about time they turned their gaze from the heavens, back to their bleeding homeland. What do they want?"

"They want a break in the fighting until the dragon problem has been dealt with."

"I have the greatest respect for the Greybeards, of course. And the dragon attacks are a growing plague. But the political situation is delicate. Not all the Jarls are fully committed to supporting me as High King. I can't afford to appear weak.

I tried reminding the Jarl of his best interest, though in hindsight, my choice of words probably weren't the most diplomatic, "But you are weak. As we speak, a rested and supplied legion sits in the middle of Skyrim. A single order could have them march on any city in the Kingdom. What are you going to oppose it with? You need every day you can get to control the damage from the Battle of Whiterun."

The rebel Jarl frowned deeply, "I have more men than you think, Imperial. But I will go. Tullius will get one more chance to quit Skyrim with his tail between his legs."

I stopped at the town stables to have my messages sent to Jarl Balgruuf and General Tullius and went south to wait for them at Ivarstead.

Days later, I arrived to find the prosperous logging village a smoldering ruin. I spent the rest of the daylight looking for survivors that might have fled into the nearby caves or the barrow that overlooked the town. I found nothing but charred skeletons shriveled in the ashes. A discordant howl in the skies to the east told me what happened here.

I slept fitfully among the dead and started up the 7000 steps as soon as the sky began to brighten. I meditated at the nine shrines that dotted the way up. I read with each passing mile of the story of humanity's freedom from the dragons. It was the mercy of the Gods and the wisdom of a single dragon that saved humanity from an eternity of slavery. It troubled the warrior in me that feats of arms were crushed so early and often in the history etched into the face of each shrine.

The delegations passed me as I slowly made my way up the path. I did not feel prepared to face the two warlords yet. I hid in the rocks and scrub the instant I heard each of their parties coming. Inevitably, I came to the doors of High Hrothgar in entered in.

"So you've done it. The men of violence are gathered here, in these halls whose very stones are dedicated to peace," Arngeir greeted me out of the darkness. "I should not have agreed to host this council. The Greybeards have no business involving ourselves in such matters."

"Don't regret this Master Arngeir. We're here to get them to stop fighting." I said.

"Peace? I doubt it. They may put their weapons down for a moment, but only to gather strength for the next bloodletting. They are not yet tired of war. Far from it. Do you know the ancient Nord word for war? 'Season unending,' so it has proved."

"Only the dead have seen the end of war," I quoted an old Nibenese philosopher. "No peace lasts Arngeir, but we must do everything we can to buy even a few days."

"But regrets are pointless," He said into the lingering silence. "Here we are. Take your seat at the council table and let us see what wisdom we can find among these warriors of Skyrim."

I had turned to follow Arngeir to the meeting when the door to the outside opened again. We turned and I saw two familiar shapes enter the darkness.

"You were not invited here. You are not welcome here," Arngeir said menacingly. His lay-brothers emerged from their places in the shadows to surround the Blades Esbern and Delphine.

"We have as much right to be at this council as all of you. More, actually, since we were the ones who put the Dragonborn on this path," Delphine answered.

"We know the path you put him on. But Paarthurnax is still safe from your malice."

"For now. The Blades' memory is long. As you know."

"Delphine, we are not here to rehearse old grudges," Esbern's kindly voice admonished. He strode into the dim light near the middle of the hall. "The matter hand is urgent," he said the Greybeards. "Alduin must be stopped. You wouldn't have called this council if you didn't agree. We know a great deal about the current situation and the threat Alduin poses to us all. You need us here if you want this council to succeed."

"Very well, you may enter," Arngeir replied after a long moment.

I fell in next to Delphine as we walked toward the dining hall the Greybeards had cleared for the council. "We should start quickly, Alduin is only getting stronger," she said.

"I hope you are using the hideout I opened for you well," I said to her and moved up to Esbern.

"We must succeed here today," he whispered to me.

"Keep your saber-cat on a short leash," I warned.

I was surprised to find so many people had come to attend what I thought would be a meeting between only Ulfric and Tullius. I took a slow lap around the room to see who everyone was.

I encountered Ambassador Elenwen first. "And so we meet again. But this time I know who and what you really are," she said.

"I have never lied to you Ambassador," I smiled at her.

Next was Jarl Balgruuf, "If you can arrange an end to the fighting, Dragonsreach is at your disposal," he assured me.

"I'll do what I can to give your people time to rebuild."

Next I found Tullius. He nodded an acknowledgement of my presence, "Is everyone here? Let's get this started."

"Two more to come, sir."

Then came Elisif the Fair, fixated with hate on the man who killed her husband. "I'm here because it is required of me. But there is nothing to be gained by talking to that murderer."

I bowed politely and said nothing.

Last of General Tullius' delegation was Legate Rikke, standing behind her general, "I'm glad I finally got a chance to see this place," she said to me.

I passed over to the smaller Stormcloak delegation. First was a man unfamiliar to me. He was scrawny for a Nord and wore a long black moustache on a clean-shaven face. We bowed cautiously to each other.

"I am Jorleif. I act as the Steward of Windhelm," the lanky man introduced himself.

"Why has Ulfric brought you all this way?"

"I'm out of my reckoning in military matters, but the Jarl has always sought my input in his large policy decisions."

Next was Ulfric's general, Galmar Stone-Fist. "When has any good ever come from talking to the Empire?" He said. I said nothing and moved in to greet his lord.

"I never thought I'd willingly stand in the same room with Tullius again. At least not without a weapon in my hand."

I sighed quietly and sat down in my seat at the foot of the table. This was going to be a long meeting.

Arngeir stood behind his chair at the head of the table. "Now that we are all here, please take your seats so we can begin."

All of us moved to sit except for Ulfric and his delegation. "No! You insult us by bringing her to this negotiation? Your chief Talos hunter?" Ulfric pointed at Ambassador Elenwen.

"That didn't take long," Legate Rikke muttered in her seat to my left.

"I have every right to be at this negotiation," the Thalmor ambassador replied. "I need to ensure that nothing is agreed to here that violates the terms of the White-Gold Concordant."

General Tullius spoke up. He was sitting forward with his arms crossed, "She is part of the Imperial delegation. You can't dictate who I bring to this council."

"Please!" Arngeir said. "If we have to negotiate the terms of the negotiation, we'll never get anywhere. Perhaps this would be a good time to get the Dragonborn's input in this matter." 22 eyes turned to gaze at me and I confess to being more than a little intimidated. I returned Ulfric's stare first.

"By Ysmir's beard, the nerve of those Imperial bastards, eh? To think that I would sit down at the same table as that... Thalmor bitch. Either she walks or I do," Ulfric said to me.

"Concede this Jarl Ulfric," I advised. "Nobody is wild about her being here, but she's a concession I could hold against the Imperials to get you better terms."

He looked long and calculatingly between Tullius and Elenwen before making a decision. "Very well. But she is to be an observer. Nothing more."

"Agreed," I said.

"Ulfric, why so hostile?" Elenwen asked in a tone saturated with sarcasm and contempt. "It's not the Thalmor that's burning your farms and killing your sons."

"She's supposed to be on our side?" Rikke wondered aloud.

Ulfric turned red. "You know exactly... No not this time," he said calming instantly.

"Madam Ambassador," I called across the table. "Three points for you to keep in mind. One: be so kind as to not provoke the negotiators. Two: It is my friends and family the Thalmor have been killing. So three: any further remark and you can wait in the snow," My last point was a low growl.

In the silence that followed, Arngier shot me a significant look. "Now that that's settled, may we proceed?" He asked us all.

Ulfric, still standing said, "I have something to say first."

Rikke and I sighed in unison.

"The only reason I agreed to attend this council was to deal with the dragon menace. There is nothing else to talk about. Unless the Empire is finally ready to renounce its unjust claim over the free people of Skyrim," He continued.

"I knew he wouldn't be able to resist," Rikke whispered.

"We're here to arrange a temporary truce to allow the Dragonborn to deal with the dragons. Nothing more. I consider even talking to the Empire a generous gesture," Ulfric finished.

"Are you done?" Tullius asked. "Or did you just come to make speeches? Perhaps we can get down to business?"

At last Ulfric and his delegation sat down. "Yes. Let's get this over with," he said.

"Are we ready to proceed?" A strained Arngier asked. "Very well. General Tullius. Jarl Ulfric. This council is unprecedented. We are gathered here at the Dragonborn's request. I would ask you all to respect the spirit of High Hrothgar and do your best to begin the process of achieving a lasting peace here in Skyrim. Who would like to open the negotiations?"

Not surprisingly, Ulfric spoke first, "Yes. Let's get down to it. We want control of Markarth. That is our price for agreeing to a truce."

Jarl Elisif was livid, "So that's why you're here Ulfric? You dare insult the Greybeards by using council to advance your own position?"

General Tullius turned to her, "Jarl Elisif, I will handle this."

"General this is outrageous! We can't be taking this demand seriously! I thought we were here to discuss a truce!"

"Elisif! I said I would handle it. Ulfric, you can't seriously expect us to give up Markarth at the negotiating table. You wish to take in negotiation what you can't in battle? Is that it?"

"I'm sure that Jarl Ulfric does not expect something for nothing," Arngier interceded before the hostility grew out of control.

"That would be entirely out of character," Rikke muttered beside me.

"What would the Empire want in return?" The monk pressed on.

Elisif was still angry, "General you can't seriously be about to hand over Markarth to that traitor!"

Jarl Balgruuf had better control, but agreed with his younger equal. "This is how the Empire repays our loyalty?" he demanded.

"Enough!" Tullius snapped, silencing his angry delegation instantly. "Let's be clear. This council was not my idea. I think it is a waste of time. Ulfric, you are a traitor and deserve a tractor's death. But while I am here, I will at least negotiate in good faith." He turned to me, "Since we're here at your request, I'd like to hear what you think Markarth is worth."

I thought for a moment. Going through what I knew of the Stormcloak holds. "Winterhold seems a good price," I said at last.

Tullius almost laughed, "In exchange for most of the silver in Skyrim? I think not. Riften seems a better choice: Well-fortified, easily resupplied-"

"-And a den of corruption and vice. Don't be a fool: I'm giving you control of the Yorgrim River Delta," I finished for him.

"And I thought you were a loyalist. With the Reach in enemy hands, our whole position in Solitude is threatened."

"You wanted my input, now you have it," I said evenly.

"Better than nothing I suppose, but Ulfric will have to offer a lot more if he wants Markarth without a fight."

"The Dragonborn has spoken, Markarth will be ours," Ulfric crowed. "Now we'll see if there is anything behind your talk of good faith."

"I have been trying to make the best of a bad situation," Tullius said slowly. "But I see now that this is not a negotiation at all. I know you Ulfric. When I hand over Markarth you'll be ready with a new demand. You'll never defeat the Empire and you know it. But you're willing to sacrifice thousands for your own ambition. Soon enough I'll have you back under the headsman's axe. And this time there won't be a dragon to save you."

"As always the Empire's fine words are worth nothing," Ulfirc retorted.

Arngeir and I were racing to put the warlords back in line, but with the slap of mottled hands on the stone table Esbern beat us both. "Stop! Are you both so blind that you cannot see past your own petty disagreements? Here you sit arguing about... nothing! While the fate of the land hangs in the balance!"

"Is he with you?" Ulfric asked Delphine who was sitting at his right. "If so I advise you tell him to watch his tongue."

"He is with me. And I advise you both to listen to what he has to say. Before you do anything rash."

"Speak your mind Esbern," I said.

Esbern continued, pacing behind his seat next to Arngier's, "Don't you understand the danger? Don't you know what the return of the dragons means? Alduin has returned! The World-Eater! Even now he devours the souls of your fallen comrades. He grows more powerful with every soldier slain in your pointless war! Can you not put aside your hatred for even one moment in the face of this mortal danger?"

"A very pretty speech. But I'm not sure what..." Elenwen started.

"Elenwen," I cut her off. "Your voice has no place here. You have been warned."

"I don't know about the end of the word, but the dragon situation has gotten out of hand," Tullius conceded. "If this truce will help the Dragonborn deal with the problem, then we both gain. Remember that Ulfric. Now back to the matter at hand."

Esbern sighed feelingly as he sat down again.

Tullius continued, "You and I both know I cannot hand over the Reach on these terms."

"Let's hear it," Ulfric said.

"We want compensation for the Markarth Incident," Tullius said.

Evidently a native of the Reach, it was Rikke's turn to get angry, "You slaughtered the very people you claim to be fighting for! True sons of Skyrim would never do such things!"

"Damned Imperial lies! My men would never to stoop to such methods. Even in..." I didn't give him a chance to finish.

"Stop!" I barked with the same force Tullius had just used. The room froze for a second. "Jarl Ulfric, I could go into Cidhana Mine or any Forsworn camp and come back with witness after witness to your cruelty. When word spreads that you are the master of the Reach, the Drudach Mountains are going to explode with violence. Paying the wergild, however expensive, may alleviate some of what will come."

"For once Ulfric, you'll actually pay for your crimes. This is as fair a deal as I can get." Tullius said.

Angier actually brightened, "It seems we may have an agreement. These then are the terms on the table: Markarth will be given over to Ulfric's forces. In return, Imperial forces will be allowed into Winterhold and the Stormcloaks will pay appropriate compensation for their deeds during the Markarth Incident. Do we have an agreement?"

"I shouldn't agree to terms that so blatantly favor the Empire, but under current circumstances I have little choice. But remember Tullius, the instant the dragons have been dealt with, I will come for you. You've done well for yourself Elisif, as the Empire's pet Jarl. Beware though; the Empire's loyalty is fickle. They will grow tired of this war and then it will be me dictating terms to you."

For a moment, Jarl Elisif just gazed across the room at Ulfric Stormcloak. For just that moment she didn't appear to be a spoiled teenager out of her depth. Instead she looked like a dignified queen at the apex of anger and hate. A lesser man than Ulfric would have withered. I felt very cold looking at that face and was grateful that her ire was not directed toward me.

"I have nothing to say to the murderer of my husband," Elisif said, "General Tullius, you have been a good friend to Skyrim. I continue to trust that you will do your utmost to safeguard our interests."

"Thank you Jarl Elisif," Tullius said. "The Empire can live with these terms for a temporary truce. But after the dragon menace has been dealt with Ulfric, I will march on Windhelm."

It was some minutes before the parties left, leaving the two Blades, Arngier, Jarl Balgruuf, and I alone in the hall.

"Giving up Markarth was a heavy price to pay for this truce Dragonborn, I hope it will be worth it," Balgruuf said to me.

"I assume you are aware of the Dragonborn's plan?" Arngier asked the Jarl.

"Yes. I will begin preparing Dragonsreach upon my return. But the question remains, how to lure a dragon into Dragonsreach at all?"

"I believe I can help there," Esbern said. "After you left us Dragonborn, I went through the library of Skyhaven Temple. Among many things, the ancient Blades recorded the many of the names of Dragons they slew. By cross referencing the names with Delphine's map, I have identified one of the dragons Alduin has raised. If you call him with the Voice, he will come."

"How can you be sure he'll come?" I asked.

"The dragon will not be compelled to, but their prideful nature makes them loath to refuse a challenge. Your voice in particular will be intriguing after your victory over Alduin."

"What's this dragon's name?"

"Od-Ah-Viing. Though I am no master of the Dragon Language like the worthy men here, I make it out to be 'Winged Snow Hunter' in our tongue."

"It seems all is settled then," I said, bowing as my lord stood to depart. "Jarl Balgruuf, I will see you in Dragonsreach. And give Irileth and Aela my best."

"Dragonborn, do us the honor of seeing us to the door," Esbern said as he and Delphine rose. He was using the tone of voice usually associated with someone who is about to deliver bad news.

We were on the steps outside the doors before Esbern spoke again. "I'm afraid there is a further problem. A serious one. In my studies, I discovered who the Greybeards' master really is."

"And he has been a tremendous aid in our quest," I said. I could sense where this was going.

"All well and good, but did you know that he was Alduin's chief lieutenant in ancient times? Responsible for terrible atrocities? It's true that his crimes are long past, but justice does not count the passage of years."

"But he betrayed Alduin. He was the one who led the rebellion against the World-Eater."

"If anything that makes him worse," Delphine said, "We can't afford to give Paarthurnax the opportunity to betray us in turn and return to his old master."

"So you would have me betray the person responsible for our success?"

"His present deeds do not expiate or excuse his past crimes," Esbern said. "Justice demands he pay for his crimes. Paarthurnax must die and it falls on you to do it."

"I cannot do this and you know it," I said to them.

"Then I'm afraid or oaths as Blades prevent us from offering you further aid and comfort," Esbern said.

Make your choice Dragonborn, you are either with us or against us," Delphine said.

I was so shocked by their ultimatum I laughed out loud. "And you were the one at the peace summit talking about setting aside old grudges, Esbern. If you two think for a minute that I am going to kill a man that has been nothing but kindness to me for the sake of an oath I didn't take, you're in for a rude surprise!" I shook my head disappointedly and turned to pass through the doors of High Hrothgar again.

I found Arngeir and his colleagues standing by the door. "Now you know why I warned you against the Blades! Bloodthirsty barbarians!" he said.

"I need to talk to Paarthurnax about this," I said and kept walking.

"The Blades are wise not to trust me. Onikaan ni ov. I would not trust another Dov," the old dragon said to me that night.

"So you did do all that the Blades accuse you of?"

The dragon nodded, "Dov wahlaan fah rel. We Dov were made to dominate. The will to power is in our blood. You feel it in yourself, do you not? Not until Kyne came to me did I learn to let go and not a day goes by where I do not feel the call to return to my nature."

That wasn't what I wanted to hear from the brother of the Nordic god of destruction. "So how do I know that I can trust you?"

"You cannot. Only I know that I can be trusted. But ask yourself what is better: To be born good or to overcome your evil nature?"

I spent the rest of the night hiking back down to High Hrothgar. Try as hard as I might, I couldn't bring myself to the Blades' way of thinking. Whatever wounds Paarthurnax made in the world had scarred or healed over long ago and his demise would never undo wrongs that nobody remembered. In the end, the decision was an easy one to make as I faced the four monks in their dark citadel.

"Paarthurnax is not mine to slay," I said.

A heavy chapter with just a few more to come. Thanks to littleweb for the quick review. I'm glad that folks seem to be willing to dig back a few weeks to find this story. Thank you Chocobonight, OldMasterSaru, Izaz Zaz, Lone Wolf, and VictorD1988 for hitting those fave/follow buttons. It'll be a little bit before I have the time to finish this off, but I hope I vindicate your choice to stick with Ieago's adventures.