Wanderer

Chapter Twenty

~~~~~~~ Galmar P.O.V.~~~~~~~~

I watched Asdis walk out of the hall, her body shaking with anger.

" She's going to get herself killed." I stated, slightly worried. It was unlike the woman to be vengeful.

" She's a grown woman. She can take care of herself." Ulfric replied nonchalantly from the throne.

" What in Oblivion has gotten into you lately? First, you cannot get enough of Asdis, and now you are perfectly content with letting her die?"

" I do not wish for her death, but I cannot stop her from doing as she chooses. She is not a soldier in my army." He said, giving me an icy look.

" What happened? What occurred between you two that made you distant?" I asked, advancing on the king. He looked to the hall full of guards. Security had been doubled since Asdonis' attack. That felt like eons ago.

" You are all relieved. Leave the hall." He commanded, the soldiers saluting before scampering out the door. I looked at him expectantly as he rubbed his face against his hands. " We may have been careless again, and slept together-"

" Again? Well, why don't you just marry the woman, Ulfric!" I railed, unhappy with the younger man. I did not care that he used maids in such a way, but to use a woman like Asdis as a pet? He should be ashamed of himself. " I ought to-"

" I asked her to marry me." He interrupted, not meeting my eyes.

I snapped my mouth shut, waiting for him to continue.

" She refused me."

" Of course she did." I said, slamming my fist down on the table. " Damn that girl." I murmured.

" None of this matters right now," Ulfric said, standing from his throne, " we need to make preparations for the war. Bring me Althea."

" Ulfric-"

" If she wants to go out and get herself killed, there is nothing else I can do. Now bring me the elf." He commanded, walking into the war room.

" Yes, My King."

~~~~~~~Althea P.O.V.~~~~~~~

I crouched against the wall, pulling the fur cloak tighter around me to ward off the cold. Windhelm was much colder than the Summerset Iles, and my body did not appreciate it. I lifted my head up to the sound of foot steps, surprised to see Galmar headed my way.

Galmar and I had grown close during the past few months, sharing mead and laughing for hours. It was like having a brother, the kind that threatens the boy down the road for looking at you too long.

" Althea, Jarl Ulfric wishes to speak with you." He said, a worn down look crossing his face.

" I'm on my way." I said, leaving my station. I did not dare ask Galmar what had him worried, he would just brush it off as if it were nothing.

As I walked through the town, I noticed a definitive difference between how I was treated when I first arrives versus how I was treated now. People would stop me on the street anf have conversations, not just scurry away for fear of the Empire. No one yelled racial slurs from across the commons anymore, and I hadn't been in a good ole bar fight in months as a result of someone claiming I was a " Thalmor Bitch". The change was apparent, and it was clear Skyrim was in good hands. The Grey Quarter had been tended to, and the shops now were filled with merchants of all kinds. It made my heart swell, knowing all people would prosper in Skyrim under Ulfric's rule.

I pushed open the heavy doors to the palace, my small body finding it quite difficult.

" Damn Nords and their impossible heavy doors!" I angrily whispered under my breath.