Victory or Sovngarde

Chapter Twenty

"When we seize Windhelm, I promise I'll spend as much time as you want with you. I may be the General, and the Dragonborn, but I'm your wife first."

Smiling, he pressed a kiss to the tip of my nose. I giggled a little, unable to hide the smile on my face.

"Now, dear one," he said, opening the tent flap for me, "shall we greet Ulfric?"

Together, we stepped into the noon sunshine. The camp around us bustled with activity. Men and women carried weapons to be tempered by the smithy, guards patrolled the walls, soldiers sparred with wooden staves as well as real swords, and archers practiced their aim on straw training dummies near the ridge behind the camp. Thankfully, due to the excellent healers in our ranks, everyone within the camp was well enough to march on Windhelm. Everyone would be coming with us when we were ready to go.

Watching over the Stormcloaks in the training yard was none other than Ulfric. Gone were the ordinary clothes I had gotten used to seeing him wear. He was wearing his old armor once again, complete with the long fur cloak draped across his shoulders. Two braids had been styled into his hair, the ends hanging by each ear. His war axe hung at his waist, and his big hands clasped behind his back. He turned as Vilkas and I approached, a light in his eyes as he looked at me.

"Well done, Ylva," he said, clapping me on the shoulder. "You've done a fine job as our leader. I see that the men are already preparing for the march."

"Yes, sir. I ordered them to be ready when you arrived. Time is of the essence, after all."

"Indeed. At this rate, we'll be ready to depart in an hour's time, and we'll be within the city before nightfall."

"That's the hope, anyway."

"Can we go someplace more private to discuss our plan once we get into the city?"

I nodded. "My command tent is this way. If you'll follow me...."

The three of us headed back to the command tent, and I signaled for Marina to join us when I saw her. Together, we convened around the war table, Vilkas and I standing together while Ulfric and Marina stood opposite one another.

"The man who now sits upon my father's throne is a war veteran by the name of Brunwulf Free-Winter," said Ulfric, his hands still clasped behind his back. "A good man, but a weak one. He never wanted to become Jarl, but there were no other worthy replacements. We may be able to intimidate him into stepping down. That would be the easiest thing. How we go about intimidating him, however, is the true question."

"What's your suggestion?" I asked. "I mean, we're going to march straight into the city either way. Whether we do so with an army behind us or just you and me is up to you."

"As I said, Brunwulf is a weak man. He will be intimidated with just you at my side. However... having an army at our back will make our march appear more legitimate. More than likely, a host of thirty or so men will scare him off the throne."

"Or it will anger him," said Vilkas, hand stroking his chin. "You said he is also a good man. If that is the case, then he will believe that your claim to the throne will just usher in more prejudice. He may do anything to stop you from doing that."

"He can challenge me to a duel for all I care. We all know how that ended for Torryg."

Marina huffed. "You killed a defenseless boy in unfair combat. Brunwulf is a hero. He knows how to handle himself in a fight."

"What if he challenges Ylva?" Vilkas glanced at me before taking my hand in his. It was as though he were afraid I would run off if he was not holding onto me.

Ulfric let out a hearty laugh. My face screwed up at the mirthlessness in his tone. "Brunwulf, challenge Ylva, the Harbinger, the Dragonborn, to a duel? He might as well throw himself into the sea with the King's Palace's safe tied to his ankles."

"But if he does," pressed Vilkas, "she will have to accept his challenge. She won't be able to get out of it. She'll have to kill him or die trying. I won't have that."

"Boy, you must not have been listening to me earlier—"

"Do not call me boy, Ulfric." Vilkas's eyes had hardened, and his lips were dangerously thin. "I'm just trying to think through every contingency. That's what I do best."

"Sounds to me like you overanalyze."

Knowing that Vilkas was mere moments away from exploding, I intervened. "That was uncalled for, Ulfric," I said, now feeling just as angry as Vilkas looked. "If you continue to patronize my husband, you'll have to find yourself a new General to help you take Windhelm back."

"Vilkas is right, though," said Marina, and I silently blessed her for taking my side. "To prove his strength, Brunwulf may very well challenge Ylva to a duel."

Vilkas gave Marina a grateful nod. "Thank you, Marina. If that happens, we have to be prepared."

"And we will be," I said. "We'll be ready for whatever comes our way."

Vilkas gave my hand another squeeze. "Anything else?"

Ulfric sighed, knowing that he was outnumbered and overruled. "After we reclaim Windhelm, we should throw some sort of celebration. It will boost troop morale and give them a well-earned night of rest. As long as those dirty Imperials haven't—"

One withering look from Marina, and he stopped himself.

"What I meant was, as long as the Empire's troops stationed in Windhelm haven't depleted the food and drink stores, we will have more than enough for a party."

I nodded slowly, knowing that I had to trust Ulfric's judgement on this. "If that's what you believe will work, then we'll do it." I turned to Marina. "Make sure everyone is ready to move within the hour. We have to reach Windhelm before sundown."

Marina pressed her arm to her chest. "Yes, General."

I gave her a look. "How many times?"

She shook her head. "I mean, of course, Ylva." With that, she left.

Ulfric straightened, then folded his arms across his massive chest. "I should leave as well. There's more of this fort I want to see before we march out. I believe there are improvements that can be made."

I nodded. "Be my guest to look around. No one will stop you."

He, too, then left, making sure to close the tent flap behind him.

Vilkas and I were alone.

My husband turned to me, a smile on his face as he pulled me into a deep, meaningful kiss. I sighed against his lips, arms snaking around his neck, fingers carding through his thick hair. I closed my eyes as he deepened the kiss even more, my heart thumping hard within my breast.

"What in the world are you doing?" I gasped when he finally pulled back for air.

"We have about an hour before we leave, which means about an hour of no interruptions. I intend to make the most of that time."

I rolled my eyes. "Are you that desperate?"

"Like a man dying of thirst." He kissed me again, this time just a peck on the lips. "My dear Ylva, you have no idea how much I've missed you."

Taking him gently by the hand, I led him to my bed in the corner of the tent, and we both sat down on it. "I have an idea, my love," I said as I kissed him back. "Because I've missed you just as much."

"Oh, dear one...." And with that, he wasted no time kissing me again.