Chương 518: Explaining the Politics
A/n: this chapter was added to clarify many political points of view. I'll add a note to its end with a fair argument I read on Reddit.
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At the Great Porch on the back of Dragonsreach Palace, there was a shed installed in the spot where the nice breeze of summer blows moderately. It was an outstanding place to have a table, chairs and some food then invite the guests to dine or drink. Jarl Balgruuf made sure that this place is used for that purpose as its massive size and open nature can't be used for anything else.
"Is the view to your liking, Lady Alina?" Jarl Balgruuf asked.
"It is indeed fascinating. Thank you, my Lord." Alina replied in a cheerful manner.
Many people learned that an upset Alina is a very scary being from the events of yesterday. After Isha's slip of tongue revealing the "little joke" that was between Jon and Mirren, Alina seemed to have not taken it well at all.
Truthfully, no one understood why Alina was so royally pissed at the Dragonborn and Jon Dare all of a sudden but as the two kept appeasing her, it was understood that they must have done something wrong. No one dared to ask especially with the overflowing rage of Alina. That girl has some real anger issues.
Meanwhile, Jon was feeding Nefertiti who was snuggling on his arm.
Not just the four of them who were present but also everyone that knows of Jon Dare's little secret being the Dragonborn. From Whiterun, it is only Jarl Balgruuf and Irileth as from Winterhold, it was basically the whole gang.
"I still don't understand why you are taking it this far with secrets, Thane Jonhild." Irileth, the Jarl's Housecarl, asked Jon directly with an upset face.
"You don't like secrets, Housecarl?" Jon replied without taking his eyes off his playful cat.
"Frankly speaking, we do not understand why you had to twist a lie within a lie?" The Jarl asked.
Jon smiled and nodded.
"You are right, allow me to express my deepest apologies regarding yesterday but as you know of trickery and maneuvers, my Lord, you have to trick those who you are close to in order to trick the rest." Jon said and the rest started remembering the situation that happened last night.
Yesterday, Jon and Mirren were directed by Alina's full anger which was on a party-crasher level. The Jarl dismissed most of the guests immediately to deal with the ticking disaster that is Alina. In a close range, the weak individuals who are directed to her anger may start losing consciousness. No one wanted that woman angry at all costs so they went away without complaining. Once someone reaches a certain level, some things become meaningless besides power and the law of "Might Makes Right" is effective right away. Alina is on that caliber.
Jon and Mirren needed to appease her so it was necessary to cancel their transformation. Jon didn't want to ruin the plan so he asked the Jarl to take them to a quiet place where as he stated "Where the walls don't have Ears". This meant that the Jarl and only his most trusted aides must be witnesses to what comes and no one else.
The Jarl chose Irileth and Farengar to accompany him and to their absolute shock, Jon Dare wasn't Jon Dare but rather an Elf and the Dragonborn was the real Jon Dare. How Jon explained it later took him a few brain cells to make everyone who is raging around just chill. It was safe to say that Irileth was the hardest to convince while Farengar was the best object of proof yet he kept asking far too many questions. Alina on the other hand, understood the situation before Jon explains it now that she got a minute to calm down.
With the messy situation out of the way, Jon made it clear that his identity as the Dragonborn can't be exposed to the other members of Whiterun Court, at least not now anyway.
Back to the present, the Jarl was slowly recovering from yesterday's headache but still asked for Jon's real reasoning to disguise his identity, the question which Jon answered with a sly smile but the Jarl knew there was more. Jon then added some of his own reasoning.
"Winterhold, Whiterun and Morthal are the three cities that will decide the Civil War. Morthal is mostly on the Imperial side, Winterhold has a lot of Stormcloak supporters and Talos worshippers which leaves Whiterun as the ninth hold with no real intention to participate in this madness that is to come. Sadly, Whiterun hold is the heart of Skyrim and many battles have already happened between the Imperial Legion and the Stormcloaks but still, you managed to keep it neutral, my Lord." Jon said.
"Indeed. It took us a lot of effort but on the cost of our economy." The Jarl replied.
"And if only you are aware of how many attempts there were on the Jarl's life." Irileth added.
"I wouldn't try to imagine how difficult your situation is but what I can imagine is how the situation will shift if something happens to Jarl Balgruuf. Who is the successor of Whiterun at the moment?" Jon asked.
"Hrongar, my brother." Jarl Balgruuf replied.
"Too hot-headed that one." Jon said.
"You have no idea." The Jarl said with a tired face, "He may argue with my steward most of the time but the two almost agree on everything that is Imperial."
"You also have the Grey-Mane and the Battle-Born clans in the city. The two have different allegiances but still hold well together after the wedding of Jon and Olfina." Jon added.
"Indeed." The Jarl thought for a while then smiled at Jon, "If I remember correctly, you made sure that the marriage happens no matter the cost. But still, I don't see how any of that related to your secret identity as the Dragonborn."
"Jarl Balgruuf, do you think it is wise for me to reveal it?" Jon asked.
"It would bring you a whole lot of benefits, all the Nords will look up to you, you will be welcomed everywhere, the Thalmor will be forced not to chase you anymore, your standing with the Empire will improve, and…"
"And?"
The two men looked at each other speaking in a language only the two of them could understand.
"So… none of this will serve you any benefit." The Jarl concluded.
"Nope. I don't need any of that." Jon shook his shoulder with a smile.
"True." The Jarl fell into silence before looking at Jon once again, "And your reputation as Jon Dare will harm your identity as the Dragonborn… and the other way around too."
"That's right. It will also make the situation too difficult to beat regarding the war." Jon nodded once again.
The two remained silent for a few seconds until Alina broke that silence.
"So your argument here is that if the Empire found out that Jon Dare is the Dragonborn, they will be threatened? Is it because of the Covenant of Akatosh?" She asked.
"That's a very dangerous thought, Lady Alina." Jarl Balgruuf almost went pale.
"But it is what Jon fears the most right now." The one who confirmed that dangerous fact was Miranda.
This whole situation is now more serious than what it seemed.
The Covenant of Akatosh or what was known as the Covenant of Saint Alessia was the whole basis on which the First, Second and Third Empires were established upon.
The Divine Right of the Dragonborn Emperor.
Saint Alessia is a Dragonborn and the Founder of the First Empire.
Reman Cyrodiil is a Dragonborn and the Founder of the Second Empire.
Tiber Septim is a Dragonborn and the Founder of the Third Empire.
Compared to the weak and failing Mede Dynasty founded by Titus Mede I, the Last Dragonborn who roams the land of Skyrim is a very suitable candidate to replace that dying Dynasty.
Back in the First Era when Saint Alessia led the Slave Rebellion and won Cyrodiil, she had to legitimize her throne by a Divine Right so she made a pact with the Imperial Chief Deity, Akatosh. That pact was that as long as Alessia and her Dragonborn descendants set on the Ruby Throne, wear the Amulet of Kings, and light the Dragonsfire in the Temple of the One; Akatosh will ward Tamriel from the tyranny of the Daedric Lords of Oblivion and their hordes of Daedra. This Pact was a blessing to the whole Tamriel and Alessia was named a Saint for it.
At the end of the Third Era, that pact was broken by the Mythic Dawn cult who worshipped the Daedric Lord Mehrunes Dagon and killed the Septim Emperor thus leaving Tamriel without protection. For that, the Last Emperor Martin Septim sacrificed himself to make the Covenant one more time and this time for good without the need of a Dragonborn Emperor to maintain it.
Now after 200 years, a Dragonborn appears while the Empire is weakened and cracking. Wouldn't the Mede Dynasty feel threatened with the existence of that Dragonborn? Wouldn't the Political Opposers of the Mede Dynasty gather around the Dragonborn as the new symbol of the Dragon Blood Right?
This idea is way more violent than the Civil War of Skyrim but very likely to cause a lot of drama that no one wants at the moment.
There is even more. The Identity of Jon Dare is much more dangerous than just a simple Dragonborn. He is the young Dragon of Winterhold, the powerhouse of the North, the richest man in Skyrim, the husband of the leader of the cult of Kyne, the Taboo Child destined with three Elder Scrolls, the Grand Champion of the Arena, the Second if not technically the First on the Thalmor's Most Wanted List but the most important point is that he is the man who revived Winterhold from dust.
Wouldn't this fearsome man fit to be the One True Emperor of Tamriel?
A natural born Ruler, a real Warlord, a revolutionary Merchant, a terrifying Warrior, a genius Mage. No one here was a fool to not understand all that in one go.
"I don't know, fam, but this whole Emperor business with the Dragon debacle is too much for one guy. I mean… Nefertiti is taking most of my time as it is." Jon shared his thoughts on the matter.
"It is just that his personality is too much." Alina frustratingly said.
It would be a nightmare just imagining Jon as Emperor. Winterhold has risen from the population of a mere Five Thousand to almost Fifty Thousand and has two major cities, a mining town, a new port town, many trade routes and lots of independent villages popping out in the snow as if it is nothing. Even with all that rising population, there is still a huge lack of workers and Jon's final plans for the hold are far from over. Imagine that guy going full sicko mode on an Empire. He even made it look like an RTS game in the system interface he keeps under his house. Thankfully, only Alina and the Augur are aware of that fact.
"So, you are trying to avoid a fight with the Imperial Throne?" The Jarl asked.
"Duh! And if that is not a good enough reason, then imagine the Dragons knowing where the guy who kills them lives and gang up on his town. I mean… Winterhold can handle a Dragon or two but it is not equipped for a Dragon Gangbang, believe me." (Jon)
"What's a Gangbang?" (Jarl Balgruuf)
"…" (Everyone Else)
"It is something if you find out, you'll be surnamed Dare." (Jon)
"Ah! I'll pass." (Jarl Balgruuf)
"Then how will you deal with this mess?" Irileth cut to the chase.
"With the help of a few of my trusted friends and allies like Jarl Balgruuf and yourself, Irileth. I hope our friendship proves most fruitful and shines like the well-tempered metal." Jon replied like a crafty politician.
"And we will put my whole trust in you, my friend." The Jarl didn't want to question Jon more than this but soon a question crossed his mind, "A while ago, you mentioned a number of Dragons. How much are we talking about here?"
This was a very sensitive question that made everyone stare at Jon while holding their breath. As far as everyone is concerned, there are two Dragons thus far. One killed by the Dragonborn and the other one that attacked Helgen.
Jon himself wasn't sure how many Dragons are out there in the wild. One thing can answer that and it is the Dragonstone. To think that idiot woman Delphine wanted to hoard for herself.
Jon retrieved the Dragonstone and kept it hanging midair by Telekinesis in front of everyone and was about to give a small lecture before being interrupted by the arrival of more people from the court of Whiterun. The Jarl's brother Hrongar; the Jarl's children Frothar, Nelkir and Dagny; the Jarl's wife Roset; the Steward Proventus and the Court Wizard Farengar.
"Oh! The Dragonstone!" Farengar saw the Dragonstone hanging midair and almost ran to hug it but Jon retrieved it instantly.
"For Shor's sake!" The Jarl sighed.
"Thane Jonhild, Lady Alina, it is absolutely nice to see you here. I brought the kids." Lady Roset spoke as soon as she saw Jon and the others.
Feeling a sudden strike of goosebumps, Jon instantly tapped to Alina.
"Lady Roset, it is fancy seeing you as well. Look at those cute kids!" Alina perfectly handled the lady talk and looked at Jon.
"It is nice to see you again, my Lady." Jon said as he acted with the utmost respect to the Lady of the Palace.
Nord Noblewomen always had that degree of respect between the men and Lady Roset was one of the few figures who had a lot of power in Whiterun despite the fact that she was never introduced in the game. She was a good looking woman and all but Jon can't handle talkative ladies thus he just left it to Alina and sat beside the Jarl drinking Mead together.
"Father father father, where is that Dragon man?" Dagny, the Jarl's youngest daughter asked.
"Oh! He left, my dear." The Jarl replied gently.
"WHAT? But I want to see him now!" She started stomping on the ground and throwing a tantrum.
Seeing the reactions of the Jarl's children, Jon had a bad feeling about them. From the game, those three were a bunch of spoiled brats that always annoyed the player with their comments but the second child Nelkir was some sort of a dark child. Thanks to Jon stealing the [Ebony Blade] two years ago, that child seems to have survived the dire fate of being enthralled by the Daedric Prince Mephala, the Lady of Whispers.
Actually, the whole palace was affected by the cursed blade but Nelkir was the one who Mephala roamed the palace through making mischief and sowing discord. Still, despite the blade being taken away, the boy seemed a bit distancing himself from the group. Jon could tell as he knew that Nelkir isn't the son of Lady Roset but apparently from one of the Jarl's affairs. Still, it was better to take the blade away and spare the boy from falling to its influence else there would be no healing for those who are kissed by Mephala.
Ignoring the chattering ladies, the parent that was trying to talk his daughter out of her stubborn phase and the other ruckus that kept happening, Jon found himself only drinking alone.
"So… that's how getting invited to a barbecue feels like?" Jon thought to himself.
It was surely a situation where he wanted to bail out from but sadly it was not possible so he could just keep petting Nefertiti like a good Hooman.
After a while, he noticed that Nelkir started to talk to Beth which was somehow strange to see Beth interested in anything. They are both of the same age so it is nice to see Beth talking to someone. Jon had to remind himself to keep taking care of that child as she has no one except him after all.
"Thane Jon, it seems that we interrupted you when you were about to say something important." Lady Roset said as she noticed Jon drinking by himself.
Jon was about to reply but it seemed that Jarl Balgruuf was troubled by the question seeing his children around and he can't just keep talking about dangerous things around those troublesome bunch. Jon knew exactly what to say in that situation.
"You know, my Lady. This Castle has a very important historical value. This Great Porch was actually constructed to trap a Dragon."
"""Wow!""" Everyone reacted.
"Indeed, perhaps you have heard of the Tale of Olaf and the Dragon." Jon said.
"Yes, we heard stories of that." Hrongar said.
"According to the Tale, Jarl Olaf One-Eyed was a terrible man but he trapped Numinex the Dragon by those shackles at the ceiling of the porch." Jon pointed up as he said.
There were indeed some gigantic shackles and a large wooden trap fixed on the ceiling but as far as the Jarls were concerned, this story is just a legend and the Dragon Trap is a mere rusty artifact. On the other hand, all the children around were interested to see the Dragon Trap.
"Hrongar, why don't you show the kids that trap. Don't do something I wouldn't do, alright?" Lady Roset was bright enough to take Jon's hint.
"Alright, sister-in-law." Hrongar to his nephews and niece to show them the Dragon Trap.
Jon returned to his explanation right after it.
"Regarding the question of how many Dragons we are to expect. I hope you will be open-minded about what I discovered during the past two years of research." Jon said and took out the Dragonstone once again.
"This Dragonstone says that in these locations lies the fallen Lords of the Dragon Cults which are the Dragons and they are numbered to be 22 so we are roughly talking about that number…"
"Kyne!"
"Divines!"
"Oh dear!"
"… for just a starter." Jon added.
Twenty-Two Dragons marked on the map was rather a scary thing. Those who were present felt the true threat of the situation.
"But, Thane Jon. You just said those locations are where the Dragons are buried, right? They are dead." Farengar noted something that made the others look at him with hope.
"I am sorry to break it to you, Farengar, but the Dragonborn walks among us for a reason. These Dragons are being resurrected, not coming out from hiding… not all of them at least."
Jon wasn't going easy on them at all.
"Please, elaborate further." The Jarl asked.
"As we know, only our Friendly Neighborhood Dragonborn can kill Dragons and steal their souls. Dragons are Eternal so they don't actually die by normal means, death to them is just a slumber. Those twenty-two Dragons are slumbering at the moment waiting for Alduin the World-Eater himself to resurrect them. By the way, Mirmulnir, the one we faced yesterday was a wild Dragon who survived by himself meaning he is not one of the Twenty Two Dragons we need to kill and there are many like him…"
"Wait! Wait!"
"Hold on."
"Jon, stop."
They were taking this worse than he imagined but it seemed that he needed to emphasize on some terms like the Twenty Two Dragon Lords aren't out yet and there are more Dragons out there in hiding and returning to and most certainly Alduin the World-Eater. It took a while but Jon repeated himself happily.
In the end, Jon came to regret it as those who were not used to him either believed him and became depressed or didn't believe him and called him mad but in the end believed him after he reminded them of yesterday's Dragon and became depressed anyway.
"So… what's the solution?" The Jarl asked.
"Not much. We keep watching out for Dragons and contact our friend the Dragonborn to come if we find any. He will deal with them with the help we can give him. We just have to make sure he kills the Dragon and that's one for the good guys. Once Whiterun and Winterhold are in total cooperation on the Dragonborn's Cause, the other Holds will also join in and we will have a wider network for hunting Dragons and rescuing the world. Meanwhile, I will personally lead the investigation of the Dragon Crisis and figure out more counter plans to share them with the whole of Skyrim." Jon presented his solutions.
He was not just making an official sponsorship to the Dragonborn but also taking a monopoly on the investigation and sending out the news. It may not sound bad as Jon Dare is known to be an excellent mage with a lot of studies regarding Dragons.
Jon wanted those people who are present to hear it very well especially when there are Imperial spies around now.
"And will the War be affected?" Proventus asked.
Jon smiled vividly.
"I hope this crisis brings the sons of man together and to reunite them brothers and sisters against one enemy. This may be our only chance to achieve World Peace." He said.
Such empty words were just a big load of bullshit but who cares, he's right either way.
"And where is the Dragonborn right now?" Lady Roset asked.
"Oh! He's busy, you know, the Greybeards called for him. It may take him a month or so to climb the seven thousand steps so he must prepare." Jon said.
Technically, that was not a lie.
"And we must prepare as well." Alina said.
"Indeed." Jarl Balgruuf agreed, "Thane Jonhild of Clan Firemane, if you may accept, I want to give you the right to operate in my Hold and guide the Dragonborn against any Dragon that may threaten this hold."
"I accept the burden." Jon replied.
The whole gathering stood up as the two most important men were up facing one another.
"In that case, allow me to name you a Thane of Whiterun. It is the highest title within my power to give, I am sure you are quite familiar with the responsibilities." Jarl Balgruuf said.
"Thank you, my Lord." Jon replied.
"I also assign you Lydia to be your Housecarl and gift you this weapon as your badge of office. May it serve you well."
Jarl Balgruuf signaled for one of his Elite Guards to step forward.
It was none other than the Legendary Maiden in Steel, Lydia herself. Jon almost wanted to burst out laughing but barely held himself. Meanwhile, Alina was watching him with warning glares.
With Lydia stepping forward and Irileth passing a large Ceremonial Axe to Jon in a wooden case, Jon stepped forward and picked up the axe.
"I will never disappoint Whiterun, my Lord." Jon said.
"Alright. That is all for now."
Jarl Balgruuf dismissed the audience and Jon took his leave. He led his group of endgame bosses out of the Palace through the city during the sunset and finally exited the Cloud District.
"Back to Winterhold?" Alina asked.
"Finally." Jon was never happier to agree with anyone on anything.
He looked back and spoke to Lydia.
"Lydia, right?" He asked.
"That's right. The Jarl has appointed me to be your housecarl. It's an honor to serve you." She said.
"Do you remember her, Wulfur?" Jon asked.
"Hm? She's quite familiar." Wulfur said.
"Indeed, do you remember me and this guy?" Jon asked her.
"I do, my Thane. Five years ago, we met in the High King's Tournament." She said.
"Oh! That's right. The Warmaidens team." Wulfur recalled right away.
"Indeed." Jon confirmed.
"You have a good memory regarding women, husband." Alina stepped in.
"Jon always does." Isha added.
"Quit it, both of you. Hey, Lydia. What does a housecarl do?" He asked.
"As my Thane, I'm sworn to your service. I'll guard you, and all you own, with my life." She replied.
"That's disturbing." Jullanar commented.
"Wait! Here comes the best part." Jon said and turned to Lydia, "Lydia, I want to trade something with you."
"I am sworn to carry your burdens." She replied.
"… Perfect!"
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A/n: What's up, guys? It's Don here.
Most of this chapter was a bit of me spoiling the political situation as most of you are not really with great memories (not blaming you) but what follows is a bit of Spoiling about the political standing of a Dragonborn.
Another Warning: GAME SPOILER!
Q: Is the Last Dragonborn a legit candidate to the Imperial Throne?
A: My personal opinion is a Yes. He is. Why? Two Reasons.
1) Obviously the Dragon Blood in his veins is something the current Mede Dynasty lacks but think about it. In the Game, you Assassinate the Emperor (he gets assassinated either way even if you annihilated the Dark Brotherhood). There is a big theory about who is actually ending the failing Mede Dynasty here but will leave that for later, the important point of it is that we won't be seeing the Mede Dynasty anymore after this in the history of Tamriel (90% Probability).
2) In the Quest, the [Wolf Queen Awakened]. The player prevents the resurrection of Potema Septim, the terrible Necromancer and the Queen of Solitude. With her defeated, Priest Styrr who sends the player on the quest says an important thing at the end of the quest when you ask him what you need to know about Potema, to which he'll say, "A curious figure. (Skipping ahead…) if she were alive today, she'd be the only living member of the Septim bloodline. By all rights, she would now be Empress." -- The second reason means that despite the Existence of the Mede Dynasty, the Septim Dynasty still has the right for their Dragon Blood Right. If that's the case then who has the strongest Dragon Blood Right and very much alive?
Hope you enjoyed my little Lore over-analyzation. You can always argue with me in the comments. Have fun and stay safe indoors.
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