Okay, so I decided to shorten the chapters from 4K words to around 3-2.5K words like before so I can publish more chapters to get more Votes, Views and Collections.
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"Jarl Ulfric…"
"Jarl Ulfric?"
"Jarl… Ulfric!"
Comprehension, Question and Realization. Jon made no sense at first but when a large cloaked man walked through the gate of the Great Hall with one Warrior following him, everyone recognized Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak right away.
"It is very funny indeed, Thane Jonhild." The Unexpected Visitor spoke out with his deep powerful voice.
That's Jarl Ulfric alright.
Why is he in Saarthal?
What is he doing here?
Seeing the Jarl of Windhelm and the Leader of the Stormcloak Rebellion walk into the Great Hall caused a great stir in the Hall. The man walked straight towards Jon causing the Firemanes to feel restless. Just like Jon, Ulfric Stormcloak is unpredictable and immensely powerful.
As he stood in front of Jon, his presence caused Princess Julia of Daggerfall to retreat beside Vittoria while Legate Sulla was helped up from the ground by two servants.
Now, it is Jon Dare and Ulfric Stormcloak all facing each other.
"Been long." Jon spoke first.
"Indeed. I like what you have done with the place. Saarthal is the origin of all Nords." Ulfric replied, making himself comfortable.
"It is not your first time here and… this is my turf." Jon replied with a wide smile.
"Haha! Not going to argue, believe me." Jarl Ulfric smiled calmly as he raised his hands, "Unlike our Imperial overlords, I do not seek what is yours?"
Jon acted being taken aback and leaned forward closer to Ulfric looking at him in the eyes.
"Really?" Jon asked.
"Mhm!" Ulfric nodded.
"Damn! Almost fooled me there."
Ulfric looked at Jon with wide eyes and Jon returned the same look then the two burst out laughing with two terrible voices. Jon's voice was clearly stronger though.
"Welcome to Saarthal, Jarl Ulfric. To what do we owe the pleasure?" Jon stood aside and led Jon towards the high table with the lords and the elders.
"Dragons." Jarl Ulfric replied as the seating of the large table was rearranged for Ulfric to sit beside Jon.
"Dragons, eh? I always told people about 'em Dragons and now they finally listen." Jon said as he walked towards his seat
"We would be appreciative if you could assist us figure out the size of this Dragon Crisis." Ulfric said after he greeted the Lords and the Elders.
"It is not small I'm afraid." Jon said and noticed that Princess Julia is also interested in the Dragon incident and turned to her, "But if you may, I was just finishing with our Imperial friends here."
"Please." Ulfric politely nodded.
Even though his appearance caused a big stir and is still causing judging by how anxious Jonrad was, Ulfric showed utmost respect to the noble figures in this hall especially Jon.
Regarding the Imperials, however, Jon was finally giving them the last piece of his mind.
"Your Highness. I am sorry about earlier. Somehow, I don't really control my voice especially lately." He said and raised his Exclusive Exploit Contract in front of her, "Now let's talk about this."
Legate Sulla Trebatius and Princess Julia seemed to have been hit too hard by Jon's voice as their senses were still going haywire but there is no way they would ignore Jon like that.
"Everyone! This paper forced the Empire to play the State of Emergency card and cost itself very very dearly. It would be rude to not give them some face, right?"
Jon's words were filled with mockery and shrewdness.
"But Winterhold doesn't need to hide behind a mere piece of paper in order to stand on its feet anymore… for Winterhold is far stronger than that."
Not needing it?
Somehow this felt worse to the Imperials than what it already is.
Jon had that casual winner smile as he channeled a tiny bit of his Magicka into the paper and…
*Rip*
… the most important piece of paper in Winterhold was ripped to pieces.
It became no more.
There is no longer an Exclusive Contract.
There is no longer a Monopoly for Jon Dare over Winterhold's resources.
None could predict this. Some were even ready to swear that Jon may trade an arm or a leg for this contract but this is not the case as it seemed.
"You… destroyed the contract?" Legate Sulla was hardly believing what he saw, "You just signed the death of your company."
"Fool." Jon looked at him with pity, "What makes you think I needed that piece of paper? Did you perhaps think that every deep pocket in Skyrim would rush to Winterhold so that they can compete with me for the riches of the hold?"
"Everyone will." Sulla Trebatius insisted.
"I know… the Black-Briar, the Silver-Bloods, the Shatter-Shields or maybe the Imperial Guild of Commerce itself may push a horde of businessmen and wealthy individuals towards Winterhold. And? They'll cause me to go bankrupt? Is that what you're thinking?… Bitch please."
"You…"
"Me? I am Jon Dare. Did you think for one moment that I don't know what you were up to from the beginning, Sulla? You won't find the treasure you seek, you will enter the ruins you were always looking for and you will die. What about me? I will be here in Winterhold waiting for you idiots to do me a very big favor and attract the heaviest purses in the entire continent to my doorstep. I won't be doing any monopoly but Winterhold will achieve diversity and… wait… it already did."
Jon spread his hands left and right.
"Look around you. See the people on your left? These are some of the richest Nord clans. See the people to your right? These are some of the richest individuals that I made very very rich. Do you know why these people are gathered here? To welcome me? Maybe. To eat with me? Possibly. But the real reason these people are here today is because of Money. Investment!
Don't you see? Everybody here is rich and once any piece of land becomes free, they have the right to invest in before any foreigners. But all of a sudden, you Imperials made us even richer by bringing a large amount of money to us which we will accept as investors as well. Legate Sulla, I am deeply thankful for this grand opportunity you presented Winterhold. Truly… Thank you… and Fuck off!"
With the end of the DDC Monopoly, the Real New Phase is investment and Winterhold needed new blood and money. Jon aimed for diversity from the start and as he used his previous act as if Winterhold contains boundless treasures only he was allowed to dig up so that he can attract more attention, everyone now is attracted to Winterhold where there are hundreds of opportunities. Jon even had his first patch of investors ready and waiting after they ate his famous mind-numbing kabab.
He really needed a method to end his monopoly and advertise for Winterhold but who knew the Imperial Legion itself would be doing the advertisement for him no charge required.
Jon was also done with Legate Sulla after foreshadowing his future. In truth, Legate Sulla found proof that there exists a long lost Dwemer City under Winterhold and he coveted the discovery from himself only to end up sending a group of poor people to a horrifying and painful doom. The player can always encounter Legate Sulla Trebatius in the deepest parts of the ruins of Alftand fighting the last of his companions over the credit for the discovery.
Now, the only one left was Legate Julia, the Princess of Daggerfall.
"Your highness, you are welcome to stay in Winterhold for as long as you like considering you are the Princess of a friendly Nation but please deliver a word to your General. Next time he wants something from me, he better come himself."
***
After the Imperials left, many people wanted to hear Jon's thoughts about the Dragons but he dispersed them to meet Ulfric Stormcloak.
It was evening now in Winterhold and Saarthal was lit by torches and magelights. In the Dare Tower middle section, the Quarters, Jon was brooding at a window listening to a report from Jullanar.
"That's all for today."
"Good job. Make sure that our friends understand what they are investing their money into. They are regular investors in the gold's resources, not investors in my company. They should also wait until the Company gives them the money they need." Jon said.
"Alina was thinking of opening the Company for investment but you seem to be strongly against it. Why is that?" Jull asked.
"I am old-fashioned and I don't like trusting investors. My money, my business… I supervise the hold's assets and know its secrets better than most. Leave the farming, mining and quarrying for our friends; I want to play the bigger trades."
"Magic and Industry?"
"Indeed… alongside Finance. I still monopolize more than one-third of the hold after all. With the Firemanes and the Moonblades being the biggest investors after us followed by the Shield-Thanes and the Bannermen, I feel very comfortable about our position."
"Alright… other than that, we have already gathered all the dirt we have on Legate Sulla Trebatius and will present it to the Imperial Legions from various sources. Once he is completely screwed and dishonorably discharged, we will… discharge him for good."
"Sounds like a plan."
"Can I keep his head?"
"Stop acting like a child." Jon flicked her forehead and she smiled.
"Where is Alina?" He asked.
"She will be here… Whoopsie-daisy! Our time is up, your guest has arrived."
Jull retreated after stealing a kiss from Jon then opened the room's door. Ulfric Stormcloak was standing there with his bodyguard looking at her after he was guided in by Wulfur. The room was simply a small cafeteria fancily decorated unlike anything in this world with a bar, many bottles of liquor and an access to the roof of the Great Hall.
Ulfric didn't really understand how Jon designed this strange tower and truth be told, neither did Jon. The Tower's ultimate purpose was to act as a pedestal for the Elder Scrolls but its lower section became a Great Hall for important events, its middle section became a social club for the high society of Winterhold called the Quarters while the upper part was a great Library.
"Jarl Ulfric, it is nice to see you." Jon welcomed him.
"Thane Jonhild." Ulfric greeted him back.
"Please, have a seat."
Jon and Ulfric sat down and started lightly chatting while Jullanar, Wulfur and Ulfric's bodyguard were on standby. The situation was stiff but Jon and Ulfric acted casually.
Jon ordered two goblets and a large bottle of wine from the bars nearby then poured it and put them between him and Ulfric.
Silently, Ulfric observed the goblets and looked at Jon distrustful. Jon giggled while shaking his head and held each goblet once taking sips.
"Fine stuff."
As he put them back on the same distance between him and Ulfric, the latter smiled as well and picked the one on his left.
"Cheers then."
"Cheers."
The two drank their wine and looked at each other once again.
"How is the War?" Jon asked.
"For Skyrim." Ulfric replied.
"Not for its sons and daughters?"
"For them as well."
"What about Talos?"
"For Talos."
"And Honor?" Jon asked.
Ulfric paused and looked in his goblet.
"… There… is no Honor."
"Told you so." Jon couldn't help but say that.
"The Empire had enough with you. I will be blunt, Jon. Join me." Ulfric said.
"You? Not us?"
"Fine… Join us."
Jon looked at him and smiled.
"There is no point convincing me. You can ask Jarl Korir."
"I spoke to him."
"And?"
"He agreed." Ulfric said.
"And?"
Ulfric narrowed his eyes.
"He is your Jarl."
"And?"
"… You won't join us?"
"No."
Ulfric and Jon reached a stalemate without even being bothered by the other's attitude. Maybe Ulfric was bothered a little but he drank it over either way.
"Don't you want the War to end?" Ulfric asked.
"I do. But if I joined your war game, thousands will die." Jon said.
"You still hate War."
"I do… call me a coward, I won't mind it."
"And you think the Imperial Legion will respect your wishes? You've seen what they tried to pull off." Ulfric was finally triggered.
"And they saw what I can do."
"You are no longer the Demigod from the Battle that day. They want to make sure you don't become that again."
"Sure. They would be fools if they let me be." Jon said, "Then again, are you saying that I must be a Demigod to scare the Empire… am I a joke to you?"
Jon asked half kidding but his words were right on spot.
"Heh! You showed them well today. But what of tomorrow? Will you ward the Empire of Winterhold forever?"
"I can. Actually… I did." Jon said and smiled, "General Tullius made a dick move with me. Now he knows that he will be rendered dickless if he tried any dick move ever again."
"How so?"
"Imagine a General of the Imperial Legion declaring the State of Emergency then failing to achieve his goal in the end. He wanted my Contract. Why? He wanted it as leverage. How? He thought I would do anything for him if he takes the contract from me. Now there is no contact, no leverage. What about Winterhold? Richer each second than the one before it. The General? Let's see if he can set one foot in Winterhold."
"But Jarl Korir…"
"He supports you. He will send you his men and his money and that's all. My deal with Jarl Korir extends beyond a mere contract. I build houses, move ships, offer services, make jobs, organize lives. Supporting you is a luxury for Jarl Korir, supporting me is what basically keeps his hold together."
In other words, whether Jarl Korir supports Ulfric or not, it means nothing.
"Winterhold is part of the Old Holds… actually, it is the Oldest Hold. As a wounded Hold that is still being rebuilt, this place will be an asylum for anyone who wants to keep away from the war. The Empire will soon give up on me and so will you. Either way, the result of this War doesn't even matter."
Jon had a great insight regarding the War of Skyrim and he understands how it eventually ends. He didn't need to worry about joining it or not.
Ulfric could see through Jon and how he viewed this war as meaningless. By that, there is no longer a need to press any further. Jon is neither an ally nor an enemy. He at least can be a friendly neighbor.
Ulfric sighed as he no longer needed to pretend. He was indeed frustrated. Still, Jon had a piece of his mind to give Ulfric.
"You fucked up… big time." He said.
"You think so?" Ulfric asked
"I know so… you killed my friend." Jon replied.
"Torygg? He was weak." Ulfric became disdainful.
"Weak? Yes, he was. Annoyingly so." Jon agreed, "He could have done a lot of things but he wasn't the right king for such a period."
"Maybe." Ulfric didn't agree or disagree.
The two became silent in a heavy mood for a while until finally Ulfric brought out the final topic.
"Dragons!"
"Yes, something fun to speak about." Jon also wanted to not speak about politics.
"Fun? Have you seen a Dragon up close?" Ulfric was outraged but Jon's statement.
"Three times." Jon replied.
"You've seen the one in Helgen?" Ulfric asked.
"You have no idea." Jon laughed and nodded.
"Jon Dare, from what we know, you are the only expert about Dragons and you even know the Dragonborn we heard about."
"You heard right." Jon confirmed, "I stumbled upon a certain prophecy a long time ago and I knew there will be Dragons."
"And?"
"Congratulations, Jarl Ulfric. You have survived the World Eater him-very-self. Now, let me truly tell you about them Dragons."
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Ulfric walked out from the Dare Tower with some heavy expressions. What Jon told him made him think twice about the war he already started.
The World-Eater Alduin devours the souls of the dead Nords to attain his former power and bring about the End of the Kalpa. It didn't make any sense but Jon wasn't lying either, Ulfric would have known.
The problem is that Ulfric can believe Jon because Ulfric is a Nord and a believer of the Old Prophecies. Other than that, the Imperial would probably never believe these prophecies and will wage war against Ulfric either way. Ulfric also can't afford to stop the war like this.
"My Jarl, what shall we do?" Ulfric's Bodyguard spoke.
"The War continues and the Dragons are to be avoided once spotted." Ulfric said.
"And Winterhold?"
Ulfric stood in the main street of Saarthal and looked back at the tower thinking of what he heard.
"If you think about it, Jon Dare may have a wild temper but he never really gets angry. He only acts." Ulfric said.
"Acts?"
"His true face is always kept for himself. He doesn't trust people easily and he didn't let any outsiders in his hold unless they were under his control. Lucky for us, Jarl Korir is on our side and unlucky for the Imperials, General Tullius couldn't make friends with Jon."
Ulfric smiled and began walking away. His trip to Winterhold wasn't a victory of a loss but rather a mind-opening one. He asked for Jon's cooperation with the Dragons and promised to support the Dragonborn.
As Ulfric walked away in a good mood, others were in a messy situation and these were Legate Julia and Sulla. Their mission was a sure success according to the information they had on Jon Dare but for some reason, Legate Sulla's involvement proved to be a bad influence on the operation as he rushed it because of his personal grudge against Jon Dare. In truth, the Command Center of the Imperial Legion may have also wanted them to fail so they allowed Legate Sulla to go so that Jon Dare may assault him once his contract is confiscated. Legate Julia was also to be blamed for this failure either way as many officials thought a commoner like her shouldn't be one of them not knowing her true identity that took Jon a few minutes to figure out.
Even though an excellent Diplomat, Legate Julia always had to go through unfair treatment. Jon saw Legate Sulla with her and called her unappreciated right away knowing that she was sent to be a scapegoat.
Right now, Legate Julia was about to have an audience with Jon Dare once again but in the meeting room up in the Quarters, the surprisingly lavish social club of Saarthal.
The Tower's interior is exactly like that of the buildings of Solitude. The rooms are fancy and the hallways are wide. However, after taking the stairway up, the Quarters proves to be a bit of a maze. This place was probably designed to receive high profile guests and trap spies and Intruders. Still, nice service and clean interior, nothing like the old castles and palaces.
There, Jon Dare was waiting for Legate Julia with two women. Jullanar and Vittoria Vici.
"Oh! Princess. Join us please, your highness."
"Thank you, my Lord."
Legate Julia sat exactly where Ulfric sat right opposite to Jon. Vittoria was on a chair really close to Jon and Jullanar was standing behind him. Legate Julia was knowledgeable about Jullanar, a very high profile individual in Jon's entourage and probably his most loyal retainer. Some rumors about them being lovers but the most important piece of information is that Jullanar is probably the key figure behind Jon Dare's secret force, the one called the Black Pigeons by the other agencies.
"I hope that your Highness has found the accommodation to your liking." Jon said.
"Indeed, thank you for the hospitality, my Lord. And please drop the titles with me, I am but a Legate Diplomat on official business at the moment." Julia said.
"Alright, Lady Julia. Please excuse my enthusiasm. It is just that I have met queens before but I haven't met a princess just until today… an official one, I mean." Jon apologized and excluded many characters in that past sentence.
"I see." Julia replied gently as a servant poured her wine and retreated.
"So, Vittoria here told me how good friends you two are. Never expected it to be honest but to make my standing clear, any friends of Vittoria are friends of mine. I apologize for my behavior in the Hall earlier, you see, I am not the kind to take well to threats, especially in public." Jon said.
Julia took a sip of her drink and exhaled.
"Lord Jonhild, I am sure that your intentions about staying off the war are noble and to be admired but the Empire won't take lightly to…"
"What did I just say about threats, my Lady?"
"This is not a threat, my Lord. It is a fact and right now, the Imperial Legion considers you to be completely out of control with a huge potential for disaster. Cooperating with the Imperial Legion is in everyone's best interest to withstand what is to come." Princess Julia dropped the act and spoke bluntly.
Her mission is already a failure and Jon exposed her true identity that she put a lot of resources into concealing. He may be a wild card and all but she had every urge to punch him in the face at least once.
"Well… that is regrettable then." Jon said and made a sad face, "I was hoping to convince our friends from the Imperial Legion to withdraw from Winterhold while they still can."
"Withdraw?" Julia couldn't comprehend what Jon was trying to say.
Currently, the Imperial Legion sent a Declaration of a State of Emergency in Winterhold and this means they can move in with bigger numbers and throw all their weight.
"Julia, please listen to what Jon has to say." Vittoria spoke.
"What?"
"It is regrettable but I am honest when I say that I am very sad to inform you that earlier this morning, Jarl Korir met with Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak and the two reached an agreement after your Imperial Colleagues dropped the declaration over there. I have sent my brother Wulfur to Fort Kastav so that he may inform the Legion force over there of the change of policies and help them to swiftly retreat…"
Jon kept speaking in a formal tone but Legate Julia has lost him somewhere amidst the chaos in her mind right now.
Winterhold… it moved to the Stormcloak Camp.
Until this morning, Winterhold was still considered to be an Imperial Territory. The moment the Imperial Legion declared the State of Emergency was the same moment they were kicked out and had to retreat right away.
If news of this reached Cyrodiil, General Tullius' reputation would turn into an absolute joke.
And there is no way to stop it at the moment.
"… as you can see, it is truly regrettable." Jon finished what he was saying and looked at Legate Julia who was no longer calm.
"Regrettable?" Legate Julia asked in disbelief.
"As I said, it is the Jarl's call, not mine." Jon said.
"Are you kidding me? You are the one who is controlling Winterhold. The Jarl listens to you." She said.
"Are you by any chance suggesting that I am the De Facto Ruler of Winterhold? Lady Julia, this is a very serious crime you are accusing me of." Jon said.
"Are you being serious right now?"
"I am being very serious at the moment, my Lady. There are a lot of things you misunderstand about me. I am not the Puppetmaster you think I am. I am indeed very rich and very able but my role up until today was to act as the Monopolizing Investor of the major resources of Winterhold. My deal with Jarl Korir was to make economical and social reforms in the hold in exchange for Property and Rights. My Political role in Winterhold was to act as the Jarl's advisor and my Military Role was to act as a Thane.
As for being an Investor, you've completely ended my monopoly by forcing me to tear up the contract. As an Advisor, I advised Jarl Korir not to join the senseless war until you came to his doorstep with your brazen declaration of a State of Emergency. As a Thane, I am bound to the Will of the good people of Winterhold. Until this very moment. I haven't broken any law or upset any Divine. My Imperial Constitutional Rights protect me and if you want to take it to a Court, I am very happy to play with you till the end.
Other than that and as a Citizen of the Empire and the Proud Kingdom of Skyrim, I am heartbroken to see the peace I worked so hard to maintain crumble this way and what saddens me more is that I know that I was stabbed in the back by the ones I tried to keep from bloodshed. I have already filed an official complaint to the Elder Council and the Emperor through various connections. Vittoria here has already guided me through the whole legal process."
Jon laid out his threat and this time, there was no escape from the way he slapped the Legion back. As a Diplomat, Legate Julia didn't only fail her mission (which was mostly bound to fail) but ended up returning to her superiors with a curse that will haunt the members of the Imperial Strategic Center for the rest of their careers. Jon even started beating the dead dog and complained about the Legion to the Elder Council of the Empire, the highest authority on Tamriel.
Julia looked at Jon and didn't know what to do. She then turned to Vittoria with glares.
"Don't blame me! I tried to stop you back at Solitude, remember? If you have given me more time, I could have worked something out with the General. Do you have any idea how that move the General took may have cost us? 20% of the East Empire Company's interests exist in Winterhold and the Dare Dragon Company is the only trading entity that can safely conduct business all over Morrowind. There are things we can't simply afford." Vittoria defended herself.
Legate Julia was looking at the pair of snakes with no more tolerance for their bullshit. She knew very well that Jon Dare has the ability to influence the Jarl but he just didn't do anything either on the positive or the negative side which can't be held against him. Legally, he is the most innocent person in the room, he is even tipping off the Legion to withdraw before their supply line is cut from Winterhold.
"Damn you to Oblivion, Jon Dare." Julia said as the stress was killing her.
"Yeah… been there." Jon sarcastically replied, "I understand your frustration and while I want to gloat over the blunder of General Tullius, I want to offer something as a sign of good faith."
Julia looked at him doubtfully and replied.
"The Imperial Legion will hold an endless grudge against you, whatever you do won't be enough to appease the Legion at this point." Julia said while looking away.
"Fuck the Legion." Jon said.
Julia silently looked between Jon and Vittoria feeling something awful at play.
"Vittoria, you are the Emperor's cousin. This man can't be…" Julia spoke angrily.
"Oh, please. Julia, are you listening to yourself?" Vittoria stopped her from continuing, "By now, the Legion will realize that they messed up big time and you guys from the Strategic Center will face the consequences for the whole thing. Jon wants to offer you a way out here."
"Do you think we will act like you traders always switching sides where coins are?" Julia slammed her arm rest.
"The Legion is causing more harm than good with its current policies and you of all people know that without the East Empire Company's money, you guys wouldn't have survived over a month." Vittoria replied.
The relationship between the EEC and the Legion seemed to be worse than Jon anticipated but the worse it is, the greater the reward from what he has in mind.
"Princess Julia, let's calm down for a moment here. You haven't heard my proposition yet." Jon said.
"And why would I accept anything you say?" Julia asked.
"I understand that on a personal level, your relationship with Vittoria is quite good." Jon said.
Julia looked at Vittoria disdainfully before nodding.
"She can be too much most of the time but yes… we are best friends." Julia said.
"Then… are you by any chance interested in saving your friend's life and gaining the favor of the whole Colovian states at the same time?" Jon asked.
"Saving… her life?"
Julia looked at Vittoria who by her part was making a troubled face.
"Jon intercepted an important piece of information that there is someone targeting me…"
"Hold on a minute! Targeting you? Are you serious? You are the Emperor's Cousin and the one in charge of the EEC in Skyrim, who is NOT targeting you?" Julia lashed out.
"I'm afraid this will be coming from the Empire itself. Someone with a lot of money and a seat in the Elder Council will go after Vittoria." Jon said.
"How do… Vittoria, you are not believing him, right? This man is bluntly saying that there is a traitor in the Council."
"I didn't point fingers at anyone. I just happened to know a guy who knows a guy who knows another guy. The information is legit though." Jon said.
"I trust Jon." Vittoria added as she grabbed Jon's hand.
Julia looked at their hands and her eyes widened looking between the two as if she had lost a few brain cells in her most recent realization.
"You two… you're sleeping together?"
Jon and Vittoria looked at each other and laughed.
"Duh! Everybody knows."
"Like… it has been forever now."
Jon and Vittoria have been having an affair for three years and she can be considered the only outside affair Alina barely approved.
"But you're… you're getting married soon." Julia said.
"It is just business. Jon and I are serious."
Julia was baffled by Vittoria and Jon.
"Marriages are business? Affairs are serious? Remind me again why I left Daggerfall?" Julia requested more liquor to drink as she needed to process the current situation.
She looked at Jon Dare and the only thing she could think of is a devil. A devious and dangerous businessman, an influential and sly statesman, a powerful warlord and a dangerous mage; he was ignored long enough by the Empire and it became impossible to contain him now. Not only his power was frightening but he had too many talented people and endless resources around him. Controlling him was impossible as he deepened his own pockets and extended his reaches making himself a necessary person in every field. He killed, stole, cheated and fucked his way to power, the last attempt from General Tullius to contain him ended with a disaster.
Of course Jon had Vittoria on his side so the plan was bound to fail even if his friends in Solitude hadn't tipped him off regarding the plot against him. What the Imperial Legion wanted to do was to take the "Exclusive Exploit & Benefit Contract" from Jon (by Martial Law) and keep it with them to threaten Jon and order him around. Supposedly, Jon would have wanted to preserve his company so he would agree to help the Empire defeat the Stormcloaks.
General Tullius had a more sinister idea and that is to use this chance to make the Penitus Oculatus investigate Jon's illegal Intel Gathering Organisation, the Black Pigeons, and use their existence to charge Jon with Espionage completely discrediting him and pushing him completely out of the political scene.
That devious plan would have certainly worked any day of the week except that Jon didn't really need the Contract anymore. All he did was to tear it to pieces and end his monopoly. He then opened Winterhold for investment. With so many people in the hold that became rich thanks to Jon, he already had his selected and loyal investors ready and waiting.
The Legion? Julia can no longer see anything good happening in that direction. Jon completely obliterated them. Now, he is playing the devil and giving her an offer she can't possibly refuse.
"Before I agree to anything, answer one question." Julia said, "What are you?"
"Me?" Jon smiled, "I am just a Lawyer."
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