"At last the Dragonborn deigns to grace us with her presence," Ulfric says sardonically. "My courier informed me that you received my summons precisely on time, and yet you manage to arrive a week late. Care to explain yourself?"

Kallista knelt at the foot of his throne. "Apologies, my Jarl," she said. "You know my loyalty to your cause is unwavering, but the title of Dragonborn carries its own duties and responsibilities."

She rose to face him and continued, "Dragons burning down your peoples' villages are the more important concern."

"You think I don't understand that?" he asked. "I give you some leeway to do as you please for that very reason. But there is still a war to fight, and you still have a duty to me. We can't lose sight of that."

"I understand, my Jarl," Kallista said, giving another curt bow. There was always tension in the air when the two were in the same room, but it never amounted to anything more than that. With each visit, it became harder for her to hold her tongue. Cowing herself before him was almost painful. She pushed that feeling aside as best she could. She needed him too much, and he likewise. It was the only way she could see to put the Empire in its place and release her kith and kin from under the heel of a so-called "power" to weak to protect what its citizens most value.

"Good," Ulfric said. "Your heroics are valuable, but have already cost us as much time as we can afford. Come. It's time I tell you your role in our opening move." He rose from his throne and led Kallista to the war room where Galmar Stone-Fist sat with other Stormcloak elites. Upon the table sat a map marked with red and blue flags of different shapes. It was obvious they were preparing to escalate this war.

"I see in your eyes you've already guessed the greater purpose of this," Ulfric said. "I'll get right to the point. I had a 'message' delivered to Jarl Balgruuf the Greater in Whiterun, a man I believe you already know well. His response was... not what we hoped, which makes our first move clear."

"We take Whiterun," Kallista said.

"Yes," Ulfric confirmed, "and I would like you to lead the charge. Taking the city will be a powerful message in and of itself. Add to that the Dragonborn herself fighting to liberate it from Imperial rule, and you have what may well be the tipping point in the hearts of those Nords who may still be unsure. It would bring you glory, and more importantly, bring more able men and women to our cause."

Kallista felt conflict in her heart. She didn't want to betray Balgruuf's trust and spit all over the goodwill he'd shown her as she was just learning of her power. But if he sided with the Empire, then she had precious little choice. This would be more than just a betrayal. This would be the beginning of all out war. She would be playing an integral role in further ripping her beloved home apart, albeit in the hopes of healing her of a greater wound. Even then, the kind of strife she would be unleashing...

"Jarl Ulfric," she began, swallowing her doubt. There was something she had to know. "You know what this will mean for Skyrim and her people. I've heard others talk of the reasons you fight, but I need to hear it from you. I need to know it as only you can tell it."

Ulfric grew visibly tense, balling a fist. The leather of his gloves creaked under the tension.

"I fight... I fight for all those who call Skyrim home, those who have bled and lost for this land. I fight for those who would seek to cast off an Empire too weak to rule them, yet would call them traitors and criminals for wanting to rule themselves. I fight so that all the fighting I and our brothers and sisters have done won't be in vain. I fight... because I must."

"Even for the Dunmer? The Argonians?" Kallista asked. "Nords aren't the only ones who call Skyrim home, after all. Shouldn't the Skyrim we fight for include everyone who chooses to call this land home?"

Ulfric hesitates. "Of course," he finally utters. "I have admitted Dark Elves and Argonians into our ranks before. If they seek to shed blood for our cause, then they are our brothers as much as any Nord.

"But we cannot be ignorant of history," Ulfric adds. "Elves have always hated Men. At every turn in history, they have sought to kill or subjugate us. Even now the Thalmor seek to do the same. They have already succeeded to some degree. We cannot turn a blind eye on the Dark Elves even if some of them are amicable to our cause."

"History also shows us that we are strongest united," Kallista is quick to add. "Look at how long Ysmir's Empire lasted. It took an invasion from Oblivion itself to finally shake its foundation enough to crack it. If history is our guide, shouldn't we model ourselves on what has been successful?"

"History is written by the victors," Ulfric said. "If that is the legacy you wish, then I suppose you had better be victorious."

At Ulfric's words, something clicked into place in Kallista's head. If she was going to realize her dream, then she would have to deal with any threat to it, no matter who or what it was. Her voice was cold and smooth as the words left her lips.

"Yes... I suppose I should."