Ulfric looked up as they entered the throne room. Frina thought she saw him smile, but of course in the dim lighting of the old keep it was hard to tell from that far away. She was preparing to be pleased about that until she heard a low rumble from beside her.
“Someone’s glad to see you, Roggi,” Dardeh whispered.
Roggi frowned at him. “Cut it out, Dar. Not funny.”
“Sorry.”
Frina stared at them for a moment, puzzled. What in the world was that about? Maybe he’s just being sarcastic over the fact that Roggi does special work for Ulfric?
She shuddered, and decided that perhaps it was best not to think about that any longer. They’d had plenty of other frightening things to listen to in the recent past without revisiting the horrific sounds of Roggi interrogating a prisoner.
They approached Ulfric and gave him a brief rundown of what had transpired at Fort Neugrad. Each of them had slightly different details to add to the mix; and by the time they finished their report Ulfric was nodding in satisfaction.
“Good, good. This is the news the courier brought, as well. I’m proud we liberated Falkreath from the Empire,” he said. “In many ways, it’s the heart and soul of Skyrim, not to mention its rather strategic position. Reinforcements are going to be harder for Tullius to come by now that we control the Pale Pass. It is a long voyage from Cyrodiil to Solitude. But there is a problem. Before we took Falkreath, a group of Imperials took Fort Sungard, in the Reach. That was supposed to be our territory as a result of the truce.”
He sat forward on his chair and addressed Frina.
“You’ve done well, sister of Skyrim. Some brothers have taken to calling you Bone-Breaker – evidence of your ferocity and determination. A fitting name. So we shall all call you thus,” he said, smiling.
Frina smiled back. Bone-Breaker! This is why I came here. “Thank you, my lord. I will carry this title in honor of my late sister, who loved Skyrim as fiercely as I do.”
Ulfric continued smiling, but she thought she saw a flicker of some other emotion in his eyes for just a moment. He turned to his left.
“Roggi. Thank you for your excellent work both during the battle and before it. That information has proven to be very useful already.”
Roggi swapped a quick, somewhat grim glance with Dardeh. He glanced back at Ulfric and smirked. “I definitely prefer being in the field but it’s good to know I haven’t lost my touch.”
Dardeh cringed, visibly. Ulfric raised an eyebrow and turned to face him.
“Now then, Dragonborn. I understand that you have been indispensible in battle, bringing your particular talents to bear in rallying the troops and fighting as fiercely as officers with many more years of experience. I thank you for that, and so do we all. But now I need you to make your way to our hidden camp in the Rift. I can’t continue to push forward when I’m worried about Eastmarch’s southern border.”
His voice dropped, grew harsher.
“I hold you responsible for this situation,” he said, staring coldly at Dardeh. “So you’d better win me back Riften, or die trying.”
Frina heard Roggi hiss, a quick inhalation of surprise. She didn’t know what the situation was that had caused the Jarl to speak so rudely to Dardeh, but she recognized how distressed Roggi was and that made the hair rise on her arms.
Dardeh stared back at Ulfric, his look equaling the Jarl’s for sheer coldness.
“You never have quite grasped why that was necessary, have you,” he said very quietly.
Ulfric frowned at him. Frina heard him make a sound that was something close to a growl.
“Dar,” Roggi warned.
Dardeh shook his head and waved one hand in the air. “No, it’s alright, Roggi,” he said, addressing his husband but staring at Ulfric with daggers in his gaze. “I will never be able to explain to the Jarl’s satisfaction exactly what defeating Alduin entailed, and since that was the sole reason I negotiated the Rift out of his control, he’s never going to get it. It’s understandable that he continues to hold a grudge. We will, in fact, go do what the Jarl of Windhelm requires. The Rift will be in Stormcloak hands once more before the end of another week, no matter the cost. You have my word on that, Ulfric.”
Without waiting for a reply, Dardeh turned and walked briskly back toward the doors of the Palace. Roggi stood for a moment watching him walk away, his mouth partially open; then he turned to Ulfric and spoke, forcing his voice out from between clenched jaws.
“You truly are an idiot sometimes, Ulfric. You and Dar need to get over this petty pissing contest you’ve been having and get on with the business at hand. I don’t know which one of you is worse. I’ll speak to him on our way to the Rift.”
He then left unceremoniously, not waiting to see whether Ulfric had another assignment for him. He simply hustled down the long room toward the main doors.
Frina’s head swam trying to make sense of it. She was appalled at the tone he’d used, the fact that he’d called the Jarl an idiot to his face, and the fact that both he and Dardeh had left without waiting for Ulfric to dismiss them. She half expected Ulfric to call for guards to bring them back to account for themselves. She watched Roggi’s receding form, nervously, and then turned to find Ulfric smirking. He waved his hand and chuckled.
“Don’t be concerned. Roggi and I have known each other for a long time now and I’m used to his impertinence. It doesn’t bother me. His husband, on the other hand…” He frowned as the door closed behind Roggi, and shook his head. “If he were not so very invaluable, that might be another story. But never mind that. I wanted to speak to you privately in any event. I need capable and loyal warriors close at hand, so I’d like to offer you a home in Windhelm. Speak to my steward, who will make the arrangements.”
Frina was utterly confused. She’d gone from the excitement of reporting their success to being confused by the unexpected confrontation, to feeling nearly fearful for her brother’s safety. And now Ulfric was saying he wanted her near him, or at least that was what it sounded like. She felt almost dizzy with all of it.
“A… home, my lord?”
He nodded. “It requires my permission to purchase property in Windhelm. If you are able, it would be good to have you close at hand, as I said.”
Oh I see. I have to buy it. I thought he was just giving me a place to live near him. I thought… I don’t know what I thought. Just as well.
“Thank you, my lord. If I ever become wealthy enough to buy a home I’ll be honored to do so here.”
“Now then,” Ulfric said, “I need you to get over to our camp in the Reach. As I told you before, Imperials infiltrated the hold before we were able to take back Falkreath. I’ve sent Galmar there. They need every able-bodied soldier they can muster.”
“Yes, my lord.” She started to leave, but then turned back to face Ulfric again. “Sir? May I ask you a question?”
She couldn’t tell whether Ulfric was annoyed or amused. Regardless, he nodded. “What is it?”
“What did you mean by saying you hold Dardeh responsible for the Rift being in Imperial hands? If I may ask, that is. I … haven’t been back in Skyrim that long.”
Ulfric’s brow wrinkled. “There was a truce in place, for a time, one that the Dragonborn arranged with the help of the Greybeards. When we demanded the Reach, the Dragonborn appeased the Imperials by handing over the Rift.”
He frowned more deeply and shook his head. “He said this was necessary to allow him to reach and defeat Alduin, the World-Eater. I have seen no evidence that this happened, though he claims that it did. There were no witnesses. There are no bones or scales of Alduin to prove that our sacrifice was necessary, nor have I seen any reduction in the number of dragon attacks on our lands. So I have sent him to take care of the mess he created in the Rift.”
“Thank you, lord,” Frina murmured. “I couldn’t help but wonder. You and Dardeh don’t seem to like each other very much.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she froze in place. I shouldn’t have said that. Why in the world did I say that?
“That is a matter that is truly not your concern,” Ulfric snapped, glaring at her. Then his expression softened, and he shrugged. “But you are perceptive. It’s true; we do not care for each other. We do, however, respect each other. At least I believe that to be the case. The Dragonborn is a very powerful ally to have. Now go. Get yourself to the Reach. We’ll speak again when you return.”
Frina found herself unable to break herself away from Ulfric’s gaze for a moment. I want to ask you about Briinda. Your reaction when you met me and your reaction when I said I would honor her with the title of Bone-Breaker. What happened between the two of you?
Ulfric didn’t acknowledge her unspoken question, and he didn’t look away; instead he held her gaze intently, asking her something as well – something she could not interpret. Finally, knowing that she’d been dismissed and shouldn’t press the issue further she nodded and began making her way out of the keep. She was just about to push the doors open when it fully registered with her just how presumptuous she had been, speaking to the future High King as she had – and just how lucky she was that he appeared to like her.
“We’ll speak again when you return.” I like the sound of that. I’ll have to make certain that I return.
___
Dardeh hadn’t gotten much beyond the Windhelm Stables when the dragon came soaring over the bridge from the west and landed directly in front of him. He slammed his helmet down over his face and Shouted Dragonrend at it, snarling.
It’s just as well. This will give me something to kill so that I don’t go back in there and completely ruin everything we’ve all been working for. Kill him, you say? Kill him, Dadarh? No. You don’t get to ruin all our lives by using me.
He began raining blows down on the beast, dodging its snapping fangs. He heard Roggi join the battle, the distinctive sounds of his greatsword slicing through scales telling Dardeh that he was standing too close to the thing’s dangerous snout as usual. Timing worked in their favor with this dragon. Dardeh was able to keep it grounded, and nearly every blow from both of them was a solid hit. It was only a few minutes before the beast fell, smoking and burning, and its soul rushed in to join Dardeh’s.
Dardeh closed his eyes and raised his face to the sky. He spread his arms as the energy rushed in; and from some place deep inside him a roar erupted. It wasn’t a word, just a scream. He was so angry. He was so powerful, and so angry, and that constant, insistent voice kept telling him to kill Ulfric. But Ulfric was the man he wanted to see as High King. His entire life made no sense to him at that moment. And so he stood, and screamed.
“Dardeh?” Roggi’s voice was quiet and soothing, and made him open his eyes.
“Yeah?”
“What was that?”
“That was me not taking my anger out on the man who so richly deserves it. Be happy I did this instead.” He turned without waiting for an answer and started jogging down the road toward Kynesgrove, not waiting for Roggi but hearing his footsteps following along behind.
The inevitable came when he sat down at the table in Roggi’s house to have a bite to eat. He hadn’t been able to relax his face out of a frown since they’d walked into Ulfric’s castle, and he hadn’t been able to get himself to look at Roggi.
“Dardeh. What is going on?”
“I’m angry. Isn’t that clear?”
He heard a noise from behind him, almost a snarl, and it was only then that it occurred to him that Roggi angry was as dangerous as many of the other things he faced daily. He sighed and tried to relax his shoulders.
“Sorry, Roggi. I just can’t help it. The man drives me crazy. He dismisses me as if I’m nothing and he refuses to acknowledge what I did for him and everyone else. Thank Frina, sure. Thank you. Turn to me and treat me like a dog.”
“So, you’re jealous? Is that it?” Roggi’s voice was heavy with sarcasm.
Dardeh turned to glare at him, his temper flaring. The sight of his beloved blonde husband made him even angrier.
“Yes. You’re gods-damned right I am jealous. I see the way he looks at you. He didn’t want your wife, Roggi. He wanted you. It’s taken me awhile to figure it out but I’m sure of it. That’s why he’s hated me from the moment he met me. He couldn’t have you back because I was in the way and he saw that before you did, even. He wants you back. And so he’s going to discount everything I do even though he knows perfectly well that the only reason he gets to push forward with his war is because I got rid of Alduin.”
Roggi was angry, too. That was clear from his expression, and it was clearer still when he spoke.
“What Ulfric wants doesn’t make a particle of difference, Dardeh. I’m disappointed that you would even think that. Yes, he probably does. He’s been told to back down.” He nodded when Dardeh’s eyebrows arched in surprise. “He knows I am serious about that. I gave him a small demonstration of how strong I really am.”
Roggi stomped across the room to one of his footlockers and rummaged around in it, finally straightening up with a neatly-wrapped package in his hands. He waved it at Dardeh.
“My backup set of tools. You didn’t really think I’d be able to give up on everything completely, did you? Are you that naïve, Dardeh?” He slipped the package into his pack before turning back to Dardeh. “I made sure that Ulfric knew what I’m capable of and that he’d be on the receiving end of it if he ever touches me again. So cut it out with the jealousy, Dar. Just cut it out. You’ve been jealous of everyone who has ever said hello to me with a smile, ever since we started travelling together. Don’t think I didn’t notice. It’s beneath you.”
Dardeh’s mouth fell open. Not only had he never considered that Roggi might have more tools somewhere, but he also had never thought his jealousy had been so obvious for so long. He felt the sickly heat of embarrassment rising up from his core, into his face; but along with that came the need to express something else.
“That’s not the only thing, Roggi. He’s at me. All the time. ‘Kill Ulfric. Kill him.’ All the time. It eats at me. That’s one of the reasons I was so glad to be at the lake. It’s peaceful there, mostly. This war, this… all of it. He’s at me again. I feel like I’m losing control of it.”
“Your father?”
“Yes. And I don’t know what to do about it.”
Roggi sighed and sat down beside him at the table. He reached out one large hand and covered Dardeh’s with it.
“I don’t know. But maybe Sayma could give you some advice. She knew him longer.” He paused for a moment and looked at Dardeh. “I don’t want this to get between us, Dar. I promise you that there is no reason for you to be jealous. None. I’m yours. I hope you’re mine.”
He hopes? Doesn’t he know?
“Of course I am.”
“Ulfric is a jackass. He’s also a brilliant warrior and a great man. He has the people with him. It’s not just because of what you did that he’s in a position to become High King, Dardeh, no matter how much your dragon blood wants to tell you so. Don’t discount all the decades of battle the man has been in. That’s why people love him. When he’s High King I think he’ll be good at it. We just need to survive his more annoying personal quirks. That’s the price we pay for being in his inner circle.” Roggi grinned. “I’ll bet you never thought you’d end up in Ulfric Stormcloak’s inner circle.”
Dardeh grimaced. “That’s for damned sure. Gods, Roggi. I don’t know how you put up with him back then.”
“Eh,” Roggi said, shrugging. “I was young and foolish.”
Dardeh grimaced as an uncomfortable truth dawned on him. “And now you’re older and foolish. Otherwise you’d never be able to put up with a short-tempered Dragonborn who’s letting the power go to his head.”
“I wouldn’t put it quite that way,” Roggi murmured, failing to contain a grin.
“But it’s the truth, isn’t it. I’m sorry.”
Roggi patted his hand and rose to start rummaging about in the kitchen. “Let’s just get some food and some rest before we head to the Rift.”
Dardeh thought about it as he reached up and ran his hand over his braids, absent-mindedly, as he often did, his fingers playing at the ends of them and working at their strands. What an unfortunate combination I am, he thought. Redguard, stubborn Nord, and Dovahkiin all in one package. Many more dragons and they won’t be able to contain me anymore. It’s been getting worse and worse.
He watched Roggi cooking, and thought about what might happen and what might be done about it, unconsciously fussing with his hair, and by the time he realized what he’d done he’d completely untied it. It felt good. He rubbed his scalp, vigorously, and sighed with relief as the unruly strands relaxed and stood out on his head.
“What’s this?” Roggi asked him, gesturing toward Dardeh’s head with the wooden spoon he’d been using to stir the stew pot.
What is it, indeed? He chuckled. This is my Solstheim look. Which is a bit unsettling, now that I think about it.
“Oh, you know. Swelled head. The braids were getting too tight.”
Fortunately, to Dardeh’s mind, Roggi laughed at him.
___
It was a glorious day as they approached Fort Greenwall, one of those brilliantly clear days that make every color and shape stand out in sharp contrast to those around it. Dardeh crept down from the hillside toward the north gate with Roggi just a few steps behind him. He could hear the battle before he could see it, the sharp clang of metal on metal carrying on the clear air. A lone Imperial soldier stepped out from the gate toward the crude barricades that blocked it; Dardeh drew his bow and took a shot at the man, but missed.
“Damn,” he laughed. “You’re the archer, Roggi, not me.”
“Let’s go get him!” Roggi yelled, sprinting toward the fort.
Dardeh pulled out his swords and took a deep breath as he ran forward. Let’s give them a bit of a surprise, shall we?
“MID- VUR SHAAN!”
He grinned as Roggi dashed ahead of him past the first barricade, and saw the Stormcloak attackers grinning as well, their energy having been bolstered by his Shout. He chopped down the second barricade and the soldier guarding it, and ran forward into the yard, where a lone Imperial archer took aim at him. He laughed at the man as he set on him with both swords, cutting him down with a few massive slashes.
A moment later he gasped as an arrow buried itself in his left arm. Another archer, this one atop the wall of the fortress, had tagged him as he took down the first. Dardeh yanked the arrow from his arm, ran back to the slight protection of the fortress’ gateway and began healing himself, listening as he did so for the familiar sound of Roggi taunting his own opponent.
“I’ll carve you into pieces!”
Don’t tempt him, Dardeh thought, laughing to himself. He might just enjoy doing such a thing.
He took only enough time to stop the bleeding before Shouting again. “MUL – QAH DIIV!” Dragon Aspect wrapped him in its ethereal armor, giving him an edge he could now see would be needed in this setting. Another archer had emerged onto the yard and as Dardeh ran forward to engage him, Roggi rushed ahead of him and took him out with the help of a Stormcloak woman.
Before he could take another breath, and from where he could not have said, there were Imperials on all sides of him. Dardeh swung and slashed and whirled as fast as he could, but he was tiring, and being beaten and cut. Just as he took a ringing blow to the head from the flat of a sword and stumbled to the side, something happened that he had never seen before. An ethereal figure appeared beside him, bearing swords like those he himself wielded.
“MUL- QAH DIIV!” the specter Shouted, and suddenly there were two of them wearing the dragon armor: Dardeh and the spectral Dragonborn.
I must have gotten hit harder than I thought. This can’t be happening.
He didn’t have time to think about it further. At least six Imperial soldiers ran onto the field, along with three or four Stormcloaks. Dardeh heard Roggi engaging another just behind him; he took out the swordsman just in front of him, clearing enough space to run forward and up the stairs toward the fortress’ walls, healing himself as he went. Atop the walls, in the upper courtyard, and near the northern tower more and more Imperial soldiers poured out to engage them.
The battle turned into a horrible set of brief, vivid images in a sea of noise and confusion and pain. Turning to see Roggi skewer an archer. Watching a Stormcloak soldier lose his head to an imperial battleaxe. The spectral Dragonborn rushing up beside him to fend off an attack that would have done the same for him. Shouting when he could catch a breath and watching men fly backward off the walls. Healing himself, just enough to keep going, as his arms and legs began to burn with fatigue. Looking down to find a burned corpse at his feet and once again knowing he had to have done it himself, but not when.
He lost track of how many men and women he killed. He couldn’t remember how many times he had Shouted. All he knew was that the enemy kept coming, and Roggi was still fighting like a demon beside him.
Ulfric was right to be worried, he thought as he delivered a massive overhand blow that finished the soldier in front of him. There are so many of them. They were massing on the border. If we don’t win this they’re going to march on Windhelm.
The ethereal Dragonborn appeared yet again, just as Dardeh was wondering whether his legs would hold him up longer, and took out two of the Imperials nearest them. Suddenly he remembered being in Skuldafn, certain that he was about to die, and feeling as though he was being lifted by his ancestor Jine to continue the battle. He lifted his head and saw three more men coming toward him.
“FUS- RO DAH!”
Two of them flew end over end, back out of the field, and he cut down the third with a flurry of strikes. He bent over in agony, out of breath, trying to recover enough to continue; out of the corner of his eye he saw three Stormcloaks running past him on his left to engage the two men who still hadn’t gotten to their feet yet.
And suddenly, it was done.
He heard the sound of a straggler running from the fort toward Shor’s Stone; he heard the scream as someone caught the man and dispatched him. He gasped for breath, cursing his heavy body once again, and looked around him. Most of the Stormcloaks he could see were bleeding from greater or lesser cuts; many were leaning on their swords, just as winded as he was. And then came the sight he had most wanted to see. Roggi came trudging slowly up the stairs onto the upper courtyard, looking sore and tired but very much alive.
“Roggi,” Dardeh said, smiling and still panting.
“Yup. We did it.”
“We did,” Dardeh said, pulling his husband into an embrace. He pushed Roggi back and smiled. “I’d kiss you but somehow I managed to bite the inside of my lip and my mouth is full of blood.”
“Yeah,” Roggi said, his eyes twinkling. “Let’s leave that experience to our vampiric friends.” He looked around the area and then leaned backwards, groaning as he stretched his shoulders out. “Gods I hurt. I’m getting too old for this, Dar.”
“You enjoyed it more than anyone else here. Admit it. You like making people scream.”
Roggi laughed. “Well. Regardless of that. Let’s get going. We need to get back to Windhelm.”
Dardeh looked out over the walls, down across the brilliant yellow forest, south across the Rift. He shook his head. You’re not going to like this, Roggi.
“No. You go back. Tell Ulfric the Rift is his again. I’m not coming. Not right now, anyway.”
He couldn’t remember many occasions when he’d seen Roggi look as truly shocked as he did at that moment. His mouth hung open, his eyes were round.
“What?”
“I told you,” Dardeh said, casting another healing spell on himself and spitting out a glob of blood. “I’m not coming back yet. Didn’t you see him?”
Roggi frowned, looking truly confused. “Who are you talking about?”
“The spirit. In Dragon Aspect. Didn’t you see him come to help?”
Roggi took hold of Dardeh’s arms and held him still, examining him carefully. “Are you sure you’re ok, Dar? Because there wasn’t anything like that here. You were the only one in Dragon Aspect. Just you.”
Dardeh laughed. “Ok, so I guess I was the only one who saw him. I’m not surprised, really.” He smiled at Roggi. I’m sorry, love, I know you must think I’m crazy.
“Listen, Roggi. No, I’m not ok. This isn’t the first time something like this has happened to me. I’m in a tight spot and suddenly I have – an ancestor, for lack of a better term, helping me out. It happened in Skuldafn, too. It’s strange. It makes no sense. And I think it’s related to why my father is whispering in my ear again.”
“Dar… You can’t just walk away. You’re a Stormcloak now.”
“No, Roggi. If I go back to Windhelm right now, I’m going to kill Ulfric. I know it. I don’t want to do it and I know you don’t want me to do it. But I’m certain of it. I can feel it building in me and it’s going to explode unless something gets done to stop it. I am going to go find Sayma, and see if she can help me. And as soon as I have an answer, I’ll come back.”
Roggi stared at him, his eyes misting up.
“Where you go I go. I’m coming with you.”
“No you’re not. You have to go tell Ulfric that he was right, we needed to take the Rift back. Tell him I said that. Tell him I’m sorry, but that I’ll be back, and I’m looking forward to fighting beside him when we take Solitude. But right now, Roggi, I have to figure out what is going on inside my head before it is too late. Do you understand?”
Roggi shook his head. “No. Yes. I think so, Dar.” He looked down at the ground and hissed. “Damn it, Dardeh, we’re supposed to do this together. If you don’t come back I’m going to end up in the dungeon in Windhelm, carving people up for no good reason. I know it. There’s only so tight a hold I have on this thing. I need you to be with me.”
Dardeh wanted to scream. It was too much like leaving Roggi behind to go to Solstheim. In fact, he thought, it’s just like that. The anger was so high in me that I couldn’t even control it. I feel that way again. I have to do something about it before it’s too late and everybody suffers.
He reached out to cup Roggi’s chin and tilt it up, and smiled as he saw Roggi’s blue eyes.
“I know, love,” he said quietly. “I’m in the same place. I need you. But you’ll hate me if I hurt Ulfric and I couldn’t stand that. You know you would. No matter what happened all that time ago.” He shrugged. “And if the truth be known, I would as well. I hate him, but I don’t. It makes no sense.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Roggi stared at Dardeh for a long moment, searching. Finally his shoulders dropped, and he nodded. “All right, Dar. I’ll go to Windhelm. Don’t be long. He’s going to be livid, regardless. And we need all of us to be in our right minds for what’s coming next.”
Before Dardeh could stop him, Roggi leaned forward and wrapped him up in a long, fervent kiss. Dardeh closed his eyes for a moment and could almost imagine that they weren’t standing in the middle of a warzone.
“Yuck,” Roggi said as he pulled back. “You’re right, blood-mouth. That’s awful. Give the girls my love, Dar. And give Brynjolf my best.”
“I will,” Dardeh said. “I sure will.”
Roggi turned and trudged back down the stairs to head for Windhelm. Dardeh watched him disappear down over them and reached up to scrub the dampness out of his eyes.
I sure do hope I’m not making a mistake. Talos guide me.