Song of the Dragon and the Bear

Chapter 26

A/N I saw Infinity War yesterday. Enough said.

Additional A/N For some reason, this chapter didn't publish when I tried to submit it a few weeks ago and I only noticed just now. I apologize for that!

"You know, I figured that joining the army would mean traveling, but I didn't know that meant that I'd be in three different posts in as many months," a lighthearted voice stated with a chuckle. Vara shook her head with an inward laugh. She didn't need to look behind her to know who had spoken; they had been traveling for almost half the day, and Ralof hadn't stopped talking for more than a few minutes at a time. She appreciated the soldier's chatter though, as it kept her mind off of just what they were marching towards.

Vara was walking at the head of the group of twenty or so soldiers, dressed in her officer's uniform. To anyone outside of the Stormcloak army, it would look like she was marching her men to a nearby fort. They would set up camp at an intersection a little ways from here for the night, and then the group would splinter off into smaller squads and make their way to a clearing in the forests near Darkwater Crossing separately. Hopefully, the smaller groups would be able to avoid the attention of the Thalmor better than a larger group would. They wouldn't be getting too close to Darkwater, but Vara figured it was better to be safe, especially considering what they were going to be doing.

Vara glanced back and caught sight of Ulfric talking to one of the soldiers closest to him. The jarl wore the garb of a common footsoldier, a precaution that Galmar had insisted on. A small smile pulled at Vara's lips as she remembered the argument that Ulfric had had with his old friend. Galmar had won in the end, but Ulfric had grumbled about the uniform for hours, saying that he hadn't been a foot soldier in years. The outfit was far from a perfect disguise, though. Ulfric walked with more confidence than any soldier, he held himself too upright, and there was a calculating look in his gaze as he swept it around the column of men. In short, he looked like a king.

A part of her wanted to fall back and talk to him, they hadn't spoken since they left Windhelm early that morning, but she didn't. There had been a pained look in his eyes ever since she had volunteered for this mission two days ago, and she couldn't help the flood of guilt that washed over her every time she saw it. So she stayed away. It was selfish, she knew, but she also knew that if Ulfric looked at her like that again, her ability to put aside her personal feelings would vanish and she would march everyone right back to Windhelm where it was safe.

Vara was drawn out of her thoughts by a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Rikkria standing beside her. "Report for you, Commander," the red-headed woman said, saluting in a crisp gesture. Vara had sent her and Jorgrek ahead to scout out the road and make sure that there were no nasty surprises waiting for them. "The road ahead is clear, and there are no signs of the Imperials or Thalmor anywhere. We're about an hour from the campsite, but the sun won't set for another two; we've made good time."

Vara nodded thoughtfully. She had marched the men at a fairly quick pace today; with the Thalmor about, she felt it would be unwise to move after night fell. "Thank you, Rikkria. Please inform Jarl Ulfric that we will be arriving at the campsite soon." The soldier nodded, and Vara turned her attention back to the road in front of her.

Ulfric was tired. He figured that he would be used to the feeling by now, but he wasn't. This exhaustion was different from other kinds he had felt though; it was as if his very spirit was drained. Considering the way the past two days had gone, that probably shouldn't have been such a surprise.

He had given up on arguing with Vara—he recognized that stubborn glint in her eyes—which meant he had had to help her risk her life. They had spent the entire day yesterday planning, making sure that they eliminated as many risks as they could. Unfortunately, that still left them with far too many. Risks that Vara would have to take, alone. He and Galmar had spoken last night, and his old friend had done his best to reassure Ulfric.