Part 13 Here
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WARNING: ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM SPOILERS!
Taking the War to Whiterun
In Solitude, having made my decision on who to side with in the Civil War, I thought it might be tactically wise to stop at the Thalmor Headquarters at the Castle before leaving. I may find returning to the city difficult once I had left and while things were amicable now was a good time.
Thinking I might find someone to interrogate I was disappointed when I discovered the place was empty.
I took a look at their warmap.
The Stormcloaks held the area which housed Winterhold, Windhelm and Dawnstar, but the new acquisition of Markarth was cut off by a bulk of Imperial red, comfortably flowing across the country.
The Empire might be fighting on two fronts, but each front was smaller than their bulk. It could swing either way, but somehow I felt it looked as though the Empire had the advantage.
I spared no time in journeying to Windhelm, my decision weighing heavy. The war had to end, and blood had to be spilled, but I was concerned at how many honourable men I may be forced to destroy in the name of the greater good.
Before visiting the palace, I stopped in the Temple to Talos.
This was what many were fighting for. I prayed that he would support us.
I came to the Palace and was to make my intentions known when I found Laila Law-Giver, ex Jarl of Riften, had taken up lodging here.
She felt disappointed that she had let down her people and allowed her city to fall into Imperial hands.
I felt slightly guilty for my part in it.
I made my intentions known and was pointed to Ulfrics second, Galmar Stone-Fist.
He recognised that I was not a Nord and required that I prove my skill and loyalty my completing a test for him.
I was to destroy an Ice Wraith on Serpent Isle and return once done.
I intended to go immediately and get the task done when I was stopped by this guard.
I begrudgingly paid the 40 gold bounty that I had earned from accidentally striking a guard in the process of defending him from an attacking dragon, then she informed me that there had been another murder.
Apparently, my detective skills had not been as exact as I had hoped. Though I do recall at the time doubting whether I had accused the right man…
Oops..
I went to speak to Wuunferth in his cell to apologise, and let him know I was back on the case.
He wasn’t particularly impressed but told me that he had worked out that the killer would strike again that night and I should be on the lookout.
I agreed.
It was before noon, so I chose to hurry to Serpent Isle, defeat the wraith and get back in time to hopefully catch the killer.
Snowberry III accompanied me to the island, and seemed eager to get involved with combatting the monster.
Between the two of us, the one creature was no match so I was able to hurry back to Windhelm.
It had grown dark when I returned, so I put off returning to Galmar until I had patrolled the streets for a while.
Things were quiet for some time. A large crowd left Candlehearth Hall, but there was no suspicious activity among them.
It was not until I wandered into the marketplace that I found what I was looking for.
Too late it seemed.
I believe the victim was Elda Early-Dawn, owner of the Candlehearth Hall, but I had little time to check.
He tried to make his escape but I was too fast for him. I had no choice but to cut him down in the street. I couldn’t risk a capture.
It was Calixto Corrium an artifact dealer.
I returned to Jorleif to tell him what had happened and he immediately released the Court Wizard.
I hope he apologised too…
With that distraction out of the way and the wrongly accused set free, I approached Galmar to inform him I had completed his little task.
He had been speaking to Ulfic about something called the Jagged Crown: a crown worn by those worthy of Skyrims throne. He believed retrieving it would be a symbol of Ulfrics right to become High King.
He had organised a party of troops to find the crown in a tomb he believed it lay and wanted me to join the group. He instructed me to meet him at Korvanjund where we would proceed together.
My journey was eventful. It made me wonder how the men who went before me fared.
Not long after leaving Windhelm, a dragon attacked me and I smote it.
I took a few more steps and saw yet another dragon flying in the distance, in my path…
I continued on my way and as I grew nearer, the dragon saw me and made its attack.
It turned out to be one of Alduins Leiutenants by the name of Viinturuth.
I questioned the wisdom of these dragons who believed that they could take me on in single combat after I had destroyed their leader.
Arrogance perhaps?
I found Galmar and his men waiting close to our destination. He was addressing them and informing them that he had discovered that the Imperials had arrived first.
The Empire had had the same idea of finding the crown and so it seemed I was to face my first real battle as a Stormcloak, letting the Empire know I was against them.
We stormed through the guards with ease and made the entrance without casualty, myself, Galmar and four guards – two men and two women.
We proceeded inside and found that the Empire had attempted entry but faced resistance from Draugr.
One of the women had never seen these walking dead before and became unnerved but we hardened our resolve and pressed on.
We fought through a number of Imperials and Draugr, when we reached a position where Galmar ordered two of the guards to stay and watch our backs.
The rest of us pressed on. We came to a room that seemed to offer no way out.
Galmar stood watch while the soldiers and I searched for a lever to open the gate.
I was concerned for Galmars saftey as he stood on what was clearly a trapdoor.
I pushed him away with a Fus-Ro-Dah shout but he insisted on staying in the central spot of the room.
I finally found a lever and holding my breath I pulled it.
I was momentarily relieved when the trapdoor did not fall open.
However a horde of draugr appeared, some of whom were much more powerful than our group had previously met.
Galmar and I were the only survivors, but he was keen to press on.
As we entered the next room, some reinforcements joined us.
Here we would find the crown, but I had suspicions that we might run into further trouble.
I was right and another battle broke out between us and powerful Draugr deathlords. Once again, only Galmar and myself pulled through with a little help from Stampy.
On the head of one of the deathlords was the Jagged Crown.
Galmar ordered me to return it to Ulfric immediately. We were done here.
Of course, I couldn’t help but try on the helm on the way back.
Ulfric accepted the crown but for some reason was not so keen to don it.
Instead he told me that I was to deliver a message to Jarl Balgruuf. Possibly because he knew we were friends.
He said that I was to give Balgruuf Ulfrics personal axe and he would know what that meant.
I had to enquire and was told that if Balgruuf gave it back it meant that he was accepting a challenge, if he kept it then they would be allies.
I was fairly certain that Balgruuf would be reasonable about it and I took the axe to him.
Balgruuf spoke with his council and made his decision. I was to return the axe. I was quite surprised by this, having believed that Balgruuf would choose his Nord brothers over the Empire.
Perhaps the coin he gained from them had earned his favour.
I left Dragonsreach and stopped at the statue of Talos which stood outside.
Were the people of Whiterun so ready to forget him?
On my return, Ulfric was planning war.
It seemed as though the conflict was further heating. Ulfric was ready for the eventuality of having his axe returned to him and the decision was made to immediately attack Whiterun.
I was told that I was needed on the front line.
With Stampy and Wheezer in tow I set out to meet Galmar outside Whiterun.
The siege had already begun when I arrived. Galmar was once again preparing the troops.
While there I met Ralof again. He had been the man sat with me in the carriage on the way to our executions alongside Ulfric. A reminder of why I was here.
Galmar led the charge and we joined him at his side.
Our army rushed past Louis Letrush magical duplicates, while they seemed oblivious to what was happening.
We fought through the first defenses. The Imperial guards had raised the citys drawbridge to stop us from gaining access, but I was able to climb up some rubble which was no doubt a result of the bombardment. I fought through some soldiers and was able to lower the bridge to allow the rest of the Stormcloaks access.
It seemed that Galmar and Stampy had found their own way up however.
Together we charged Dragonsreach where we were met by some final resistance.
Balgruuf was not pleased about the attack (understandably) and attempted to engage me in combat.
I subdued him but did not kill him. I hoped my friend would see sense.
He called for his men to lower their weapons, and the Stormcloaks did likewise.
I had not known that he was there but Vignar Gray-Mane of the Companions had come and claimed position as Jarl of Whiterun in Balgruufs stead.
Balgruuf was of course furious, but conceded defeat.
Vignar took the throne, Whiterun belonged to the Stormcloaks and I stepped outside.
The sight was not one I wished to see.
Part 15 ‘Of Vampires and Werewolves’ Here
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