The Wolf Queen Awakens

Chapter 41

Nearly noon, and the camp was getting restless. No word from the city, although the Forsworn were watching. But no envoy, no Kaie Brenyeen coming out to treat with them. No word from Elisif.

Tullius didn't like it at all. Something was up. He should never have let Elisif walk into the place alone. Eight only knew what Madanach had done with her, and despite assurances from Jarl Nepos that Madanach would not have turned against an ally like that, Balgruuf was giving voice to Tullius's own fears and Elenwen had been making pointed comments on the High Queen clearly being rather impetuous and was this really what you wanted in a leader? Rikke had argued back that it was a Nord's right to do what they thought was right, and a High Queen had the right to appoint Jarls with the consent of the Hold's people, which might be true... but Elisif was young, inexperienced, and anyone could trust the wrong people. If Madanach had decided she was of no further use to him and done away with her... Tullius didn't care what Nepos said, he was executing Madanach personally if he'd harmed Elisif.

"Sir!" That was Captain Hadvar. Good soldier, loyal to the last... and the one who'd brought the news of the fall of Windhelm to the Forsworn. He'd been a prisoner in Fort Kastav, taken captive by the Stormcloaks during a reconnaissance mission gone wrong and had been expecting nothing but his own execution... until Forsworn soldiers in fur parkas had crept into the cells one night, silently killed the guard and started releasing prisoners. They'd taken the fort together and then their leader, one Uraccen ap Uailon, had given him a message for his general, telling him Madanach had claimed the Jarldom of Eastmarch in the name of the High Queen and would be willing to discuss terms with the General at his earliest convenience, then sent the Imperial prisoners packing.

General Tullius had barely believed it, but he'd gathered his troops anyway, and seeing as the new Jarl of the Pale had invited the Legion in to garrison her Hold, he'd moved to secure the Pale and once that was done, he'd cautiously moved on Windhelm, not sure what he was going to find. He'd certainly not expected the Jarls of Whiterun and the Reach to turn up, although he wasn't exactly surprised either. Balgruuf had sided with the Legion mainly because of the High Queen, and Jarl Nepos's alleged Forsworn ties made it hard to believe he'd not known anything about this little venture. Still, he'd been able to offer some useful advice, urging caution and saying that if Madanach had wanted to massacre the entire city, he would have done it and moved on – staying on to rule it as Jarl was a sign he wanted peace. Tullius wanted to believe him but in his heart, he wasn't sure the King in Rags even knew what peace meant.

Now here was Hadvar, bringing word again.

"Speak, soldier," Tullius snapped as Hadvar made his way into the command tent, standing to attention as he did.

"Word from the city, sir," Hadvar said nervously, eyes constantly glancing back outside the tent and there was someone behind him, Tullius was sure. "The Dragonborn's sent emissaries. They want to talk to you."

Tullius glanced at Rikke, who looked surprised, but nodded.

"Very well. Send them in," Tullius said, wondering if this was the start of a setup. It certainly didn't sound like Elisif, and she'd promised to bring Madanach out herself to speak to them. Someone had got at the High Queen, and Tullius didn't like that at all.

The entire entrance darkened as Elisif's Nord housecarl entered in his strange steel armour, flanked by two other men, one a Nord woman with dark hair, blue eyes and strange grey armour, and the other the short red-haired Imperial in black and red who'd been with Elisif yesterday, grinning too much for Tullius's liking.

"General," the housecarl announced without preamble. "The High Queen's ready to receive you now. She's persuaded Jarl Madanach to admit a small party of negotiators into the city. You and Legate Rikke are welcome, and up to four Imperial soldiers to serve as honour guard. We're also willing to admit Jarls Balgruuf and Nepos and their personal guards." The man's lip curled on the next sentence. "The Thalmor Ambassador may also enter, if she wishes, although Jarl Madanach would like to remind her he's yet to sign the White-Gold Concordat."