User:Lonesome Courier/Forge World

Gates of Windhelm, 4E 202

As dawn rose over the city of Windhelm, Darius Stormblade II, the Archmage of Winterhold, and his fellow Nord companion, who he had met in Solstheim, reached the gates.

"About time." Darius quipped.

"So this is where Ulfric resides? Is he compensating for something?" Korgrav Titanborn chuckled.

"As far as I know, no." Darius chuckled as well.

They entered the gates, the citizens of Windhelm looking at them curiously. Before heading to the Palace of the Kings, Darius led Korgrav down into the Grey Quarter to the New Gnisis Cornerclub, for a quick breakfast. "Don't tell Rolff, but the Dunmer's breakfast tastes better than the Nord's."

"I don't care how it tastes right now. I'm hungrier than a sabrecat in Elsweyr deserts." Korgrav laughed, "Ya think Ulfric will accept us?"

"He will. The leader of the Stormcloak Rebellion wouldn't turn down the Archmage of Winterhold and a Werebear." Darius reassured him. "Besides, I have a bargaining chip."

When Ambarys handed Darius Canis Root Tea, the Nord accepted it. Darius then whispered a word, and a wave of frost swept over the bottle, chilling it.

"You've got to teach me how you do that shit." Korgrav stated slamming his fist on the table and breaking a piece off, "Fuck..."

Darius slid a few more septims to Ambarys, to pay for the table. "I could, but it would take years for you to learn one word of the Thu'um. But if you were Dragonborn..."

"Well at least I can turn into a giant Bear man. Sorry about the table. I can't control my strength sometimes."Kor sighed, looking over to some Dark elves looking at him like he was going to break the building.

"We should get going..."

"Aye, we should." Darius slid off his stool, and opened the door for Korgrav. They made their way out of the Grey Quarter, and made a brief stop by the smith, where Darius sold a couple Ingots to Oengul War-Anvil, after that, they headed for the Palace of the Kings.

"Yeah, are you sure he isn't compensating for something?"Korgrav chuckled looking up at the amazing castle.

"Again, I'm not sure." Darius opened the door into the Palace of the Kings. At the end of the hall, in a large throne, sat Ulfric Stormcloak, the leader of the Stormcloak Rebellion, and the Jarl of Windhelm.

"He's got style. I'll give him that." Kor gave a slight cough, "You first..."

Darius smirked, and strode before the throne. "My Jarl."

Ulfric looked at him. "Dragonborn, what brings you to me? Last time you were here, it was due to the peace council that lost me the Rift."

Darius grimaced. "I and my friend wish to join your Rebellion and fight for Skyrim..."

"So you lost the Rift eh? We can help you get it back and more..."Korgrav stated stepping forward.

"There you go." Darius smirked. "And besides my Thu'um, I'm the Archmage of Winterhold, so you'll have plenty of magic on your side if you allow me to join. My friend also has unique skills, which you will find great use for if you allow him to join."

"I could give you a demonstration but you need to tell your guards to stand down before I even do."Korgrav smiled.

Ulfric looked at both of them. "...very well. Since Galmar is in the field trying to recover something, I'l allow you to join. Dragonborn, by right of cleverness, I allow you entrance into the Stormcloak Rebellion at the rank of Ice-Veins. We still remember magic in this land."

He turned to Korgrav. "You, on the other hand, must undergo trial by combat. Normally, I would tell you to go kill an ice wraith, but time is short. Instead, I will ask you to face a few captured Legionnaires in the arena."

Windhelm Arena, a few minutes later

Korgrav was in the Arena, outfitted with Stormcloak armor and his weapons of choice.

Three Legionnaires stood in front of him, wearing leather armor and brandishing Imperial swords.

"You got this, Kor!" Darius called from the stands, standing next to Ulfric.

Ulfric blew his warhorn, letting the battle begin.

Should I bring him out or just fight them like this, Korgrav thought. He soon made up his mind and began to shift.

In a few seconds, Korgrav's place was taken by a hulking Wearbear who gave a mighty roar.

He launched at the Legionnaires, picking one up and throwing him hard into the side of the Arena, breaking almost every bone in his body. The other two quickly stepped in to slash at the Werebear, but both blades missed and one of them would never swing a blade again with that arm because it now laid on the ground disconnected from it's owner. The now one armed man stumbled back, screaming in pain as blood gushed from the socket. His suffering was ended quickly, however, by a swift decapitating claw swipe.

The third and last man dropped his blade and scuttled against the wall. The Werebear walked up to the man who was already crying with fear. He lowered his head to that of the man's and let out a mighty roar in his face. The Legionnaire's heart exploded in his chest from sheer terror.

The Werebear turned to the crowd and Ulfric and gave a mighty roar.

"No further case needs to be made, my Jarl." Darius quipped, clapping.

The clapping soon spread to the rest of the crowd who had gathered to watch, turning into thunderous applause.

Ulfric silenced them. "Korgrav, you have passed the trial. I hereby induct you into the Rebellion, with an rank of Ice-Veins!"

The Wearbear dropped to all fours and began to shift back. Afterwards, The Nord stood up and bowed to Ulfric in gratitude.

Ulfric gestured at Korgrav and Darius to follow him back inside.

After Korgrav had cleaned himself up, the three Nords met in the war room. After both Darius and Korgrav had taken the oath, Ulfric began taking.

"Your first mission for me is simple. My second-in-command, Galmar Stone-Fist, is headed to Korvanjund to get the Jagged Crown. You two are going there to support him."

"Do we expect to meet opposition?"Kor asked.

"Yes, in fact, shortly after Galmar left, I received intelligence from a contact in Solitude that the Legion was headed to the same area. We must not let them get their hands on the Crown. Oengul has your uniforms, Talos guide you." Ulfric saluted them.

Korgrav saluted back.

"I'm itching for a good fight."The Wearbear stated as they turned to embark,"Hopefully these Legionnaires will put up more of a fight than those in the arena earlier."

"They probably will. Their leaders would probably kill them if they didn't." Darius quipped.

Outskirts of Korvanjund, a few days later...

"How far now, Archmage?" one of two battlemages that Darius had picked up at the College asked.

"Not far, in fact, right there." Darius pointed at a gathering of Stormcloaks.

"Finally..."Korgrav grumbled,"Sick of these two whining. Remind me again why you had to bring them along?"

"Tolfdir dumped em on me, so they could get 'field experience'. I think it was so they would quit annoying the crap out of Urag." Darius replied, walking into the camp.

"Hear that kids? Gotta thank Tolfdir for savin your lives. Rookies..."Korgrav laughed,"Never upset an Orc who can wield magic too."

"They're not out of the woods yet. They still have to deal with me." Darius smiled.

Galmar Stone-fist, the second in command of the Rebellion, looked up. "Dragonborn! I was not expecting you to be the reinforcements!"

"Yeah, yeah. I wasn't about to hand Skyrim to Elenwen on a silver platter. There's somebody else here too." Darius indicated Korgrav.