14th of Sun's Height
Flawless. Absolutely flawless.
The Argonians, along with several Bosmer, Dunmer, and myself, dove off of the cliffs behind Fort Neugrad and into the small lake that serves as the water supply for the fort.
We entered the Prison through the Cistern and proceeded to take the fort from within.
The Kahjiit, along with the rest of the Bosmer and Dunmer, were able to snipe the sentries and enter the fort undetected.
We managed to strike from above AND below with such speed and precision that we not only caught the Stormcloaks completely unaware, we also caught the attention of General Tullius.
Our platoon is now his “go to" for missions involving Infiltration, Espionage, Sabotage, and Ambush.
30th of Sun's Height
With Neugrad in Imperial hands, the rest of Falkreath Hold followed.
We've reopened Pale Pass, established garrisons, and have begun receiving troops from Cyrodiil.
Intelligence reports that Ulfric has withdrawn most of the Stormcloaks to Windhelm.
4th of Last Seed
The Pale, Winterhold, and Rift campaigns were three of the easiest I've ever seen.
With the bulk of his forces entrenched at Windhelm, Ulfric couldn't maintain his grip on his last remaining allies.
We've already begun a naval blockade of the city.
Winterhold is nearly rebuilt.
All that's left is the last bit of dock at the new naval yard.
18th of Last Seed
I write this as I sit in the Forward Command Post at Kynesgrove.
Seven months.
Seven months and Gods know how many missions, but finally -after ten grueling, bloody years- the Legion has reached, not only Eastmarch, but Windhelm itself.
Tullius wanted to launch a full assault, but Rikke and I managed to talk him down.
Gods, he just LOVES to throw bodies at obstacles.
As if that will magickally solve his problems.
Ulfric has made himself nice and comfortable in the city.
Rikke tells me that the General expects me to find a way to finish Ulfric off, once and for all.
Easier said than done.
31st of Last Seed
Two weeks.
It's been almost two weeks, and I've yet to deliver a plan of attack to the General.
Windhelm, the City of Ysgramor, was built by those with a defensive mindset.
The main approach is a bridge.
Which, for millennia, has been a “bridge of death".
The main approach.
The. MAIN. approach.
Port.
The port is connected to the land by a very small sliver.
If we were to attack the port, we could divide Ulfric's forces, whilst simultaneously establishing a “beachhead" which gives us a small foothold in the city!
It's beautiful.
We'll march a contingent to the north of the city, we're already moving troops to and from Winterhold and Dawnstar, so we can use that to “mask" our movements.
We'll take the road west, then north, and then hump it cross country and strike from the east while Tullius strikes at the main gate from the south.
Intelligence reports that the port was evacuated due to the blockade and news of our recent victories.
I know when, and HOW to strike.
7th of Hearthfire
We've spent the last week moving into position.
I've been given mostly militia to bolster our ranks.
Tullius seems to have a low opinion of militia, especially LOCAL militia.
Let's hope Ulfric feels the same.
I remember Igmund, the Jarl of Markarth, telling us how Ulfric was a militia commander at the time of the “Markarth Uprising".
I pray to Talos that he has forgotten how useful militia can be.
8th of Hearthfire
Somehow Rikke and Björd found out that it was my birthday.
We had to postpone the assault, much to my consternation, due to a blinding snowstorm.
I sense Björd and Proximo are responsible for this.
I pray to my Matron, Nocturnal, that Shadow conceals our plans from Ulfric.
I pray today, for it's her Summoning Day, and her influence in Tamriel is at its peak.
20th of Hearthfire
The storm has finally cleared.
I've had time to look over the plans, and have decided to alter them.
During the blizzard, I sent a message to Winterhold to send an emissary to Solstheim for aid.
Raven Rock, Thirsk, AND the Skaal have answered the call.
They arrived at Winterhold two days ago.
I will join Tullius in the frontal assault, while our new allies assail the city from the East, West, and North.
Myrvano, the commander of the Raven Rock forces will secure the Docks and evacuate the Grey Quarter, while the Skaal and warriors of Thirsk provide cover by engaging the Stormcloaks.
The city will be under constant bombardment from both land and sea.
29th of Hearthfire
Surprisingly, the assault went as expected.
The Docks were taken and the Grey Quarter evacuated with relative ease.
Meanwhile,Tullius and I became bogged down on the bridge.
It wasn't difficult to summon all of my rage and charge the gate, unleashing a Fus shout on the main gate that damaged the entire city.
With the gate decidedly demolished, we swept into the city and engaged in brutal hand-to-hand combat.
Many died.
Even more surrendered.
Thanks be to Talos.
1st of Frostfall
Ulfric seems to constantly underestimate me.
It's become a nasty habit.
And, a mistake that has proven to be fatal.
The Stormcloaks attempted to use the alleyways to halt our advance and slaughter us.
Fools.
I. LIVE. HERE!!
Within minutes of entering the city, we were standing before the Palace of the Kings.
Once again, I unleashed my Fus.
Once again, the doors came off of their hinges.
The Great Hall was filled with Stormcloaks.
Ulfric, you fool, you've given me plenty of time to regain my Voice.
2nd of Frostfall
Whilst the battle was relatively short, it was long enough for me to be able to use my Thu'um.
Ulfric, seeing his forces crushed before him, surrendered and asked that I be the one to take his life.
My response shocked all who heard it.
I claimed my Right of Challenge, in accordance with ancient Nord Law.
He, reluctantly, accepted.
We donned tunics that were roughly spun and laid our weapons aside.
We were allowed the use of a single sword, mace, or axe and three shields.
Once all three were broken, all you had was sword, mace, or axe.
The candle is low, so I'll continue this tomorrow.
3rd of Frostfall
We selected our weapons, an axe for each of us, and readied our shields.
Just not a minute before he launched his attack, I tossed my first shield aside and was quickly given my second.
It was tossed aside a minute later.
Upon receiving my third, and final shield I waited until he attacked, which I easily dodged, and tossed my shield aside.
Everyone; especially Ulfric, Tullius, Björd, Galmar, Proximo, and Rikke; stood starting at me in utter bewilderment after seeing me toss aside my shields.
In all fairness, fighting him without a shield was tantamount to suicide, but I knew that he was mentally unstable and, thus, horribly out of his element. And, I was in no mood to “play it safe". I was resolved to completely destroy Ulfric once and for all, and the only way to do so would be complete humiliation in front of both armies, the gathered militias, and the citizens of Windhelm.
While it's true that I lost 95% of my defensive capabilities, I DID increase my speed and mobility. I also regained my natural agility, which has been said to rival the races of Mer and the Kajhiit. Quite the feat for a Breton.
My axe-work quickly reduced his shields to kindling.
After that, we quickly disarmed one another, bringing our chaotic and combative dance to its climax: a battle of the Thu'um.
He unleashed an Iis thu'um at me. Typical Nord, favoring the brutal cold that they're accustomed to.
Foolish Nord, because fire MELTS ice.
Not only did my Yol negate his Iis, it also slammed directly into him and sent him into a wall.
I closed on him in seconds and was readying the killing blow: my special Soul Rend thu'um.
I gave him the option of unconditional surrender or his soul on my mantle in its very own Black Soul Gem.
He chose the former.
