{"id":1377,"date":"2021-12-23T16:35:38","date_gmt":"2021-12-23T23:35:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/?page_id=1377"},"modified":"2022-01-04T15:52:56","modified_gmt":"2022-01-04T22:52:56","slug":"chapter-9-harald","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/volume-ii\/part-i-past-and-present\/chapter-9-harald\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 9 – Harald"},"content":{"rendered":"
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 <\/p>\n

Harald stepped out of the Silver-Blood Inn and blinked into the bright sun. It felt good to be full of decent food, and the mug of ale had helped ease the aches from the battle inside Cidhna Mine.<\/p>\n

And the one outside it.<\/em><\/p>\n

He felt better, physically. His mind, though, was a different story. He couldn\u2019t shed the revulsion of hunting down the nearly-defenseless Grisvar as he cowered in the mineshaft. He couldn\u2019t get the sight of Madanach\u2019s head flying away out of his mind. And then there was the strange sensation he\u2019d had fighting the Forsworn escapees just outside the mine.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It was like I\u2019ve done it before. Somewhere, somehow. But that\u2019s ridiculous. I\u2019ve only seen fifteen winters. <\/em>He rubbed his hand over his chin, through the thick beard. I\u2019ve only had this for a short time. And already I\u2019ve taken the heads of two men.<\/em><\/p>\n

He was conflicted, to put it mildly. He\u2019d come here wanting to delve into a Dwemer ruin. He\u2019d been asked<\/em> to delve into a Dwemer ruin. And yet the experiences he\u2019d had put such a bad taste in his mouth that all he wanted to do was leave.<\/p>\n

On top of all that, he hadn\u2019t reached a satisfactory conclusion about his father. What he\u2019d learned had been completely contradictory. Ulfric was a hero. Ulfric was a monster. Ulfric helped give the city back to its people and yet somehow he simultaneously was guilty of graft and corruption.<\/p>\n

I just wanted to know, for certain. I guess that\u2019s not possible.<\/em><\/p>\n

He shifted his pack into its most comfortable position on his back and breathed deeply.<\/p>\n

So. I guess I\u2019ll head back home. I can take a carriage, and\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWait. I have something for you. I was asked to get it to you, your hands only.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald peered at the dirty man with the scruffy cap and shook his head. \u201cMe? You can\u2019t be looking for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yes. I got your description, and it\u2019s you alright. There aren\u2019t that many people in the world who look so much like Ulfric Stormcloak.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald winced. \u201cKeep your voice down. I don\u2019t want absolutely everyone knowing who I am.\u201d He fished a few coins out of a pocket and exchanged them for the note the courier handed him. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He watched the courier run up toward the main keep and shook his head. It was uncomfortable to know that people \u2013 many people, given the fact that some of the guards had known who he was without his telling them \u2013 could tell he was Ulfric\u2019s son just by looking at him.<\/p>\n

He flipped open the note and took a look at it.<\/p>\n

I hope this letter finds you well, for Skyrim, Morrowind, and the great House Hlaalu are all in need of your strength. A grave threat from my homeland of Morrowind has migrated to Skyrim, and though I nip at its heels, I fear that I cannot bring it down alone. Please, if you care at all for this land and her peoples, meet me at the Sleeping Giant Inn in Riverwood as soon as you can. \u2013 Mandyn Hlaalu<\/p>\n

\u201cHlaalu? And he wants me, of all people?\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald jumped when he realized he\u2019d spoken aloud. A quick and furtive scan of the area told him that nobody had overheard his outburst. He shoved the note deep into a pocket and strode briskly toward the gate.<\/p>\n

Once outside and down the stairs from the city, he took the note out and looked at it again. Riverwood, it said.<\/p>\n

It made no sense that a Dunmer would be asking for his help. After all, the King was infamous far and wide for his supposed horrid treatment of the Dunmer populations of Windhelm.<\/p>\n

And I suppose they don\u2019t have very good living conditions there, do they. That\u2019s why Mother is always after him to improve them. Still, that makes it all the more strange that one of them should be contacting me, of all people. <\/em><\/p>\n

He\u2019d been walking toward the carriage stop, pondering. The driver was looking at him expectantly when he stopped walking, a thought having demanded his attention.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve heard Dardeh telling stories about Solstheim, though he never seems to explain exactly what happened to him there. But I remember hearing about the Dunmer there. There was something about the Hlaalu, I\u2019m sure of it. Maybe he can help me figure out what to do. And I\u2019ll go on to Riverwood from there.<\/em><\/p>\n

He chuckled as he realized he\u2019d already decided to go find the mer behind the note.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s better than having nothing to do. And maybe while I\u2019m there, I\u2019ll ask Roggi what he thinks about my father.<\/em><\/p>\n

He started walking, shaking his head and waving at the carriage driver as he passed. It would take him a lot longer to walk there than it would if he went by way of Whiterun; but the exercise wouldn\u2019t harm him and the time to think would be invaluable.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Harald heard the rhythmic sounds of axe striking firewood long before he could see the path into Mammoth Manor. He smiled. It was always good to see these two men who insisted on being called uncles even though they really weren\u2019t. They had been sources of comfort and support, wisdom and love even during the times when his own father had been distant, far too busy to pay much attention to a young boy running around in his shadow. When his mother had been too lost in grief to give him hugs, Dardeh and Roggi had stepped in. Roggi could always explain his parents\u2019 states of mind to him better than they could, and Dardeh \u2013 well, Dardeh was a bundle of happy contradictions, both fearsomely strong and emotionally soft, a fierce warrior and a loving, sympathetic ear all at once. Harald knew that Chip and Qaralana felt that way about them, too.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d almost always found Dardeh out here, chopping firewood, especially on a sunny day like this was. He was inhaling, readying himself to call out a greeting to Dardeh, when he reached the top of the path and abandoned the breath. It wasn\u2019t Dardeh at the woodcutting block but Roggi, his dragonbone greatsword strapped to his back as always.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

He\u2019d kidded Roggi about that sword once and had been told, in a not-at-all-kidding way, not to laugh about it.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst,\u201d he\u2019d said sternly, \u201cDardeh made this sword for me, from the bones of dragons he took himself. That makes it my most precious possession aside from our wedding band. Second,\u201d he\u2019d said, wiping a hand across his brow, \u201cI\u2019ve learned over the years not to take things for granted. I lost your aunt that way, Harald, and nearly lost my own life. And I\u2019ve had enough dragons drop out of the sky in front of me that I know it can happen at any moment.\u201d He\u2019d grinned at Harald then, as if he knew his words had been overly heavy for a young man. \u201cKeep it in mind. But probably don\u2019t wear a spiked shield all the time. Makes getting a hug a bit of a challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald grinned at the memory as he finished walking up the trail. \u201cUncle Roggi!\u201d he called out. \u201cUncle Dar keeping you busy today?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey there!\u201d Roggi called out, his tone feeling light and welcoming. Sometimes it wasn\u2019t, in Harald\u2019s experience. Sometimes, whatever horrid things had happened to Roggi crept through his defenses and made it into his voice. Not today, though. \u201cGive me just a moment and come sit with me. We have a lot to talk about, young man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Uh-oh. \u201cYoung man\u201d usually means I\u2019m in trouble.<\/em><\/p>\n

I\u2019ll bet Mother has been having an utter fit since they figured out I was gone.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Roggi threw the axe up over his head and brought it down in a single, devastating blow that broke the thick wood cleanly in two. Harald shuddered. Even though he was strong enough himself to remove the heads from two men in less than an hour, he could only imagine what the blow that could split wood that cleanly might do to a man if delivered by that greatsword.<\/p>\n

Roggi propped the axe up against the block and straightened up, leaning back over his fists pressed into his spine, and groaned. \u201cThis back. I\u2019m telling you, I\u2019m getting old.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald chuckled. \u201cI don\u2019t know about old, but you are something like forty-five winters older than I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I feel it, today. Come sit with me. I need to bring you up to date.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald couldn\u2019t help but feel a surge of anxiety as he followed Roggi to the deck and took a seat opposite him. \u201cSo\u2026\u201d he started.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, before you even ask, nothing\u2019s wrong with your parents,\u201d Roggi said. \u201cAnd nothing\u2019s actually wrong<\/em> with anyone else. Dar\u2019s\u2026\u201d He turned and looked toward the house for a moment, before sighing. \u201cRecovering. He\u2019s fine. But you\u2019re going to be startled when you hear him speak, and I want you to be prepared.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Harald stared at Roggi. \u201cI don\u2019t know if you meant to be reassuring, but if you were, it\u2019s not working.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roggi chuckled. \u201cAlright. I\u2019ll try to keep it short.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t hold my breath.\u201d He tried, but couldn\u2019t quite keep the smirk off his face.<\/p>\n

Roggi grinned. \u201cWell the first part of this story happened before you were born\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald settled back. There was no way this would be a short tale. But it never was, when anyone was talking to Roggi. That\u2019s why they missed him in Kynesgrove.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dardeh did sound different. Harald was glad Roggi had prepared him for it; otherwise he might have made a fool of himself. He\u2019d spent his whole life listening to this man with the huge, deep voice that held more power than his and his father\u2019s voices combined, and then some. He\u2019d never seen the entirety of what Dardeh could do. And now, he sounded like\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou really can\u2019t Shout anymore?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dardeh laughed. \u201cDoes it sound like I can? Trust me, Harald, you have a whole lot more power than I do at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow Qaralana, on the other hand,\u201d Roggi shook his head. \u201cWho knows what she\u2019ll be able to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, she brought down a dragon with a Shout the Greybeards don\u2019t even know, Roggi, so I suspect she\u2019s at least as strong as I am. Was, I mean,\u201d he corrected himself with a tiny, sad smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cDar,\u201d Roggi said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething tells me your sword arm is still as strong as it ever was, Uncle Dar,\u201d Harald said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, speaking of being an uncle,\u201d Dardeh said, deftly changing the subject.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. We got a letter from Ulfric,\u201d Roggi said, crossing his arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m in trouble, huh.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not good to run away without letting anyone know where you\u2019re going, Harald,\u201d Dardeh rasped.<\/p>\n

Harald sighed and rolled his eyes. \u201cI didn\u2019t run away<\/em>. I even went to tell them I was leaving and they were having an argument.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roggi and Dardeh exchanged a look, and then Roggi shook his head. \u201cThat doesn\u2019t surprise me. Things seem to be pretty tense there lately, according to your father.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe if you weren\u2019t always there reminding her, Roggi,\u201d Dardeh muttered. Roggi frowned.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? I don\u2019t understand. Anyway, I didn\u2019t run away. I left a note telling them I was going to Markarth to learn about the Dwemer from Calcelmo. Before he\u2019s too old to remember anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

He had hoped his joke might wipe the sour look off Roggi\u2019s face, but it didn\u2019t. \u201cYou need to remember who your father is, Harald,\u201d he snapped. Then he turned to Dardeh. \u201cHe\u2019s\u2026 tired, Dar. I worry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dardeh nodded. \u201cI know. I\u2019m sorry, Roggi.\u201d He faced Harald again. \u201cIt\u2019s not just who your father is, Harald. You need to remember who you are, too. You\u2019re the heir apparent. You\u2019re probably going to be High King when your father isn\u2019t, any longer. You have a lot of responsibility and that includes making sure you\u2019ll be around when you\u2019re needed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBesides,\u201d Roggi grumbled. \u201cYour mother is completely capable of flaying me alive; and trust me, that\u2019s saying something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is indeed,\u201d Dardeh chuckled.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd she\u2019ll do it if I let anything happen to you, Harald.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald was frustrated. \u201cI know all that. Well, I didn\u2019t know Mother could flay a person. But the rest\u2026\u201d He tossed his hands up. \u201cNobody asked me whether I want to be important. What if I just want to explore?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s partly where you went to explore, Harald,\u201d Dardeh said quietly. \u201cMarkarth is dangerous for you. The whole of the Reach is probably dangerous for you. There are people there who really, really hate Ulfric, and they\u2019ll hate you because of him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of them seemed to know me,\u201d Harald admitted. \u201cI was a bit surprised by that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be,\u201d Roggi said. \u201cYou look just like he did when he was young. People will remember, even if many winters have passed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEven more than that,\u201d Dardeh added. \u201cYour namesake, the first King Harald, and his son Vrage took the Reach along with all of Skyrim. We\u2019ve talked about how it was out there when I was a boy. This happened hundreds of years before that and there are still those who resent Harald and everyone in his line for trying to rule them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what am I supposed to do, just wait for Father to die?\u201d Harald knew he sounded like a petulant child by saying that, but he couldn\u2019t help it. \u201cAm I supposed to be bound by duty before I even have a chance to live my own life a little?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dardeh and Roggi exchanged another look that carried meanings Harald couldn\u2019t decipher.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cI would just say yes,\u201d Dardeh said, \u201cif I didn\u2019t know what it feels like to have something just pushed onto you without your say-so. And I\u2019m sorry that\u2019s the way it is for you. I was twice your age when it happened to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBesides,\u201d Roggi added, \u201creports would suggest that you\u2019ve done plenty of living your own life in the past little while.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald felt a flush of alarm flooding him, making his cheeks redden. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

Roggi smirked. \u201cWord travels quickly, Harald, especially if it\u2019s traveling to someone who has a network and is supposed to keep an eye on the High King. I hear that there are a couple of Forsworn who are about a head shorter than they used to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald was mortified. He could feel himself flushing. He couldn\u2019t look either one of them in the face.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I kind of got into a situation,\u201d he said. \u201cI didn\u2019t plan on killing people. But I couldn\u2019t let Madanach and his people get loose. I understand why they\u2019re angry, in some ways,\u201d he said, looking at Dardeh and wishing he had a better way to explain what he\u2019d learned. \u201cBut they\u2019re too<\/em> angry. All they want is revenge. It was too dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dardeh nodded. \u201cRight. And that\u2019s exactly what we\u2019re trying to tell you, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you must have quite an arm, to do what you did, Harald,\u201d Roggi added.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026 wasn\u2019t expecting it,\u201d he answered. They spent a few moments in silence before Harald spoke again. \u201cI have this other thing, and I wonder if either of you has an opinion.\u201d He told them about the message he\u2019d received as he left the city, and showed them the note.<\/p>\n

\u201cDunmer?\u201d Roggi said with a frown, passing the note to Dardeh.<\/p>\n

Dardeh read it and shook his head. \u201cThe great house Hlaalu? Except that it\u2019s not a Great House anymore. Hasn\u2019t been for a long time. I ran across some of them while I was on Solstheim and, well, it\u2019s a lot like the Forsworn. They\u2019re still angry. Too angry. I don\u2019t like it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t either,\u201d Roggi agreed. \u201cEspecially because it\u2019s you they contacted. It could be a trap, now that I think about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight,\u201d Dardeh said. \u201cDraw Ulfric\u2019s son out into the open and take revenge somehow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHostage, maybe.\u201d Roggi shook his head. \u201cIt sounds fishy to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald nodded. \u201cOk. I\u2019ll go home and talk to Father before I do anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a good choice, Harald,\u201d Roggi said. \u201cBut I don\u2019t know that I\u2019d mention the Dunmer thing to him. He\u2019s worried enough as it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Frina Stormblade was pacing in front of her husband\u2019s throne when Harald arrived. He wasn\u2019t certain what the situation was; they certainly didn\u2019t seem to be having an argument of any sort, but she definitely didn\u2019t look happy. He cleared his throat to get their attention.<\/p>\n

Frina turned to see him and gasped. \u201cHarald. Finally. Are you alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine, Mother. I\u2019m sorry to have worried you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

She approached and gathered him into an embrace for a long moment. Then she pushed him back to arm\u2019s length and looked him over again. \u201cAre you sure you\u2019re alright? We heard there was a commotion out in Markarth and when I found your note\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald smiled at her. No, I\u2019m not really alright, but\u2026 <\/em>\u201cI\u2019m completely unharmed. I helped clear the way to Calcelmo\u2019s Dwemer dig site, so the next time I visit maybe I can actually get into a real Dwemer ruin!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what about the Forsworn, son?\u201d the deep voice asked from behind him. Reports have it that Madanach is dead, and his closest advisors as well. Is this true?\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald turned to look up at his father. He half expected to be the focus of the old man\u2019s wrath, which could be considerable. Ulfric had lived too long and shepherded too many soldiers through too many conflicts to put up with much tomfoolery. But to his amazement, his father gazed down at him with an expression of quiet interest, concern, and\u2026<\/p>\n

And something else. I can\u2019t put a finger on it.<\/em><\/p>\n

His father looked\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s\u2026 tired, Dar. I worry.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Harald blinked in surprise at hearing Roggi\u2019s voice in his head, but the memory of it was as sharp as a knife. He considered his words carefully, and then nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it is, and somehow I found myself in the middle of all that. I certainly didn\u2019t intend to be anywhere near Madanach, but I was. I hope you understand, but I couldn\u2019t let him get away.\u201d<\/p>\n

He watched as Ulfric\u2019s eyes closed for a moment and a sigh escaped him. A cold finger of anxiety traced its way up his spine.<\/p>\n

Ulfric opened his eyes then; and Harald couldn\u2019t help but see the deep circles under his father\u2019s eyes, the deep lines all over his face that somehow seemed even deeper on this day. His face looked thinner, more gaunt.<\/p>\n

He does look tired. And old. Roggi\u2019s right to worry.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cYou need to be careful, son,\u201d Ulfric said quietly. There was no trace of anger in his voice, nothing but concern. \u201cMany in the west hate me because of the events of the Great War. They required a focus for their hatred, someone to blame for all of the suffering brought about by the Thalmor. I was, and still am, an easy target because I was, and continue to be, outspoken about the Empire rolling over and showing the Thalmor its belly like a subservient dog.\u201d<\/p>\n

He rubbed his chin for a moment before continuing. \u201cAnd there are still others who hate me because of the situation of the Dunmer and Argonians who live here.\u201d His gaze turned to Frina for a moment, and then returned to Harald. \u201cThere may be some truth in their assessment of that situation, I suppose. I bear them no ill-will, but my mind and my years have been filled with trying to prepare for, and perhaps prevent, the events that you will doubtless have laid at your feet when I am gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

The cold finger of anxiety was more like a clutching hand, now, in Harald\u2019s chest, and for several reasons. He didn\u2019t want to be saddled with the baggage of generations. That was something that might, or might not, be something he could influence when the time came. But something about Ulfric\u2019s tone was frightening him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was exactly what I found, Father,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cSome say you are a hero. Others \u2026 well, a person might expect you to have horns and red eyes, the way they talk about you.\u201d He watched as his father nodded, slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis does not surprise me. And what did you learn?\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald blew out a breath. What had<\/em> he learned, after all? It took him a moment to formulate words.<\/p>\n

\u201cI learned exactly what the carriage drivers told me: it depends on who you ask. I learned that nothing about the situation was clear-cut back then, and it surely isn\u2019t now, either.\u201d He paused for a moment before adding, \u201cI also learned that I\u2019m a lot stronger than I thought, in many ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen your trip will have been worth the effort,\u201d Ulfric murmured, \u201cand your mother\u2019s anxiety well-placed, and understandable, but ultimately unnecessary.\u201d He stared at Harald, as though making certain that he was being heard and understood. \u201cOne of the most valuable lessons you could learn is that there is always more than one way to look at a problem. Always. There is always some element of truth to all of those different ways. Your task, and mine, is to be certain that we thoroughly understand our own motivations and to stand by them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald thought he saw his father wince with pain. He\u2019s probably remembering how hard it was to arrive at that understanding. He was with the Empire, a loyal soldier. It must have been painful to break with them.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cDid I kill Forsworn, directly and indirectly? Yes. Did I do so at the direction of the Empire, thinking that they knew best? Yes. Did I then lead the effort to take back our own rule? Yes.\u201d He took a moment, and continued. \u201cWould I do so again, were I to have the chance to go back in time? Yes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026 don\u2019t know what to say to that, Father. All I can say for certain is that I saw and heard both sides of that old argument and acted out of concern for the people in Markarth, the people of the here and now. Because I can\u2019t change the past.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ulfric smiled. \u201cNo. Nor can I. But you need to be very careful, Harald. I am grateful that you are here, and well.\u201d He chuckled quietly. \u201cYou are more like your mother than you know. Running off to fight battles that are only partially understood, and which are far greater than you should have been able to handle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald heard a snort behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll never let me forget that incident, will you, you stubborn old man,\u201d Frina said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBe careful how you speak to your King, wife,\u201d Ulfric said; but there was no anger in his voice. \u201cBut no. I will never let you forget.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI came home to you, though, didn\u2019t I?\u201d Frina said softly, turning to smile at Ulfric.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo get some rest, son,\u201d Ulfric told Harald without taking his gaze off Frina. \u201cYou have earned it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Harald nodded. He wanted to tell his parents that he might be leaving again, soon. He wanted to tell them about the strange note calling him to Riverwood. He didn\u2019t dare; he didn\u2019t want to bring up the question of the Dunmer once more. But there was something he needed to share.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s something else,\u201d he said, drawing both his parents\u2019 attention. \u201cHave you heard about the situation with Uncle Dardeh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ulfric said. \u201cTell us.\u201d<\/p>\n

He told them the story as best he remembered it. He wasn\u2019t completely certain of all the details; but what had stayed with him more than the details was Dardeh\u2019s conviction that he \u2013 and the Voice in general \u2013 was dangerous. Or had been, at least.<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm,\u201d Ulfric murmured. \u201cI am sorry to hear this. There has always been some speculation that Qaralana was Dragonborn, but neither I nor anyone else knows what it portends.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo is he right, Father? Is Dardeh correct that the Voice is nothing more than a weapon?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ulfric smirked. \u201cThere are certainly those who would say so,\u201d he said. \u201cMany say that about me, and I have only a glimmer of the strength Dardeh has. Had,\u201d he corrected himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to be a weapon in someone else\u2019s hand,\u201d Harald said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy teachers the Greybeards would have you believe that your power to Shout should only be used to contemplate the Divines,\u201d Ulfric said with a smirk. \u201cClearly, I did not see it that way. It is up to you \u2013 and to Qaralana \u2013 to decide these things for yourselves. It will be all the more important for her; for, though I hate to say so, my son, you will never approach the power she now possesses, whether she realizes it or not. I am sorry I cannot give you a clear-cut answer. All I can tell you without doubt is that you must think, and decide, and prepare.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald thought about these things as he rested in his cabin, later. He was confused and he was annoyed. He wasn\u2019t prepared for anything at all, and the fact that his father had suggested such a thing bothered him; but more than that, he resented that he would have to carry the weight of his father\u2019s decisions before he\u2019d had a chance to make any of his own.<\/p>\n

One thing had been clear to him, though, in all of the discussions he\u2019d had in recent days. The High King was in no way the monster people made him out to be. He was a harsh man, certainly. He\u2019d made decisions others would not have made, that too was clear. But he had good, solid, carefully-considered reasons for the things he had done, even though some of them were distasteful.<\/p>\n

But I need a chance to make my own choices, too. And I have at least one opportunity to do that, right this very moment. I\u2019m going to Riverwood.<\/em><\/p>\n

This time, his note merely said that he\u2019d been called away to help with a problem.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

He walked into the Sleeping Giant and smiled at the friendly greeting from Orgnar, the old innkeeper. He scanned the letter he\u2019d gotten once more to make sure he had the name correct, though there wasn\u2019t exactly an abundance of Hlaalus in Whiterun Hold. Most everyone there in the inn\u2019s common room was Nord, except for an Imperial boy and at least one Breton. Seated at one of the tables in the shadows was one Dunmer.<\/p>\n

He approached quietly and stood beside the man, who looked up at him warily.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I help you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you Mandyn? I\u2019m Harald. I got a note from you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I am. And now I am in the presence of royalty. Amazing. You have so much power, and only those who are very familiar with your sire would know by looking at you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald grimaced. \u201cLet\u2019s not discuss that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. My pardons. To business. Skyrim and Morrowind share more than a border. Our fates are intertwined. We must look out for one another.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald peered at the Dunmer, trying to read his face, but he couldn\u2019t. Another drawback to Father keeping the Dunmer in the Grey Quarter. I haven\u2019t spent enough time with them to be able to recognize when someone is being evasive.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always believed that to be the case,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery good. As such,\u201d Mandyn continued, \u201cwhen a famous criminal from Morrowind was spotted in Skyrim, I was dispatched by House Hlaalu to find him. He is too deadly for me to face alone. I need a hero\u2019s help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I wondered about that,\u201d Harald said quietly. \u201cI thought that House Hlaalu wasn\u2019t in good graces any longer. And I\u2019m hardly a hero. But if it\u2019s a criminal you\u2019re after, and it\u2019s a matter of justice? I\u2019ll be happy to help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExcellent. You are as noble as they say.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald blinked. Who has been talking about me, and why would they say I\u2019m noble? I\u2019ve never done anything. Aside from lopping off a couple of heads, I guess.<\/em><\/p>\n

Maybe he just means my lineage.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNonetheless,\u201d the mer said, \u201cI would feel guilty without rewarding such valor. Five hundred septims await you if you succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s nice, but surely he understands that I have access to most of the wealth in Skyrim. If not through my immediate family, then through the extended one. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI tracked the criminal to a village southwest of here called Little Vivec, but after that the trail went cold. However, you may have better luck.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maybe. <\/em>I\u2019m not sure why, but maybe. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAlright,\u201d he said. \u201cDo you have any other information about him?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hlaalu nodded. \u201cNot only is he a fearsome combatant, but he is silver-tongued. If he begs for his life, do not believe a word he says.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNoted. And what will you do in the meantime?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll continue my investigations elsewhere. I have another lead I\u2019d like to explore. I\u2019ll contact you if it bears fruit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well. I\u2019d better get started.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait. Before you go, take this ring. The criminal is known to wield enchanted blades, and this may protect you from them. Happy hunting. And many thanks. You are doing both Morrowind and Skyrim a great service.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald thanked him and left the inn. He wasn\u2019t particularly concerned about enchanted weapons. He just tended to use his spiked shield to block them from reaching him. Roggi, though he used a greatsword, had come from a clan that specialized in shield techniques; and while he had no children of his body to pass them along to he\u2019d insisted on teaching them to Harald.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

There was something about this entire situation that bothered him, though. There was just something off about it. Why would a Dunmer from a disgraced House be hunting a criminal who, if he was from Morrowind, would likely also be a Dunmer? And of all the people in the world, why would he come to Ulfric\u2019s son for assistance?<\/p>\n

It smells funny. I want to help but I\u2019m going to keep my eyes and ears wide open.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Home Previous \/ Next   Harald stepped out of the Silver-Blood Inn and blinked into the bright sun. It felt good to be full of decent food, and the mug of ale had helped ease the aches from the battle inside Cidhna Mine. And the one outside it. He felt better, physically. His mind, though, … <\/p>\n

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