The Dragonborn, a hulking mass of flesh, towering above the infamous and undying leader of the rebelling Stormcloaks, Ulfric.

He was at least two heads taller, with width twice what a normal man should have. On his back was an enormous great sword made of a black but sleek substance, giving off faint auras of wrongness.

His whole body was protected by gigantic heavy bones, ones that still emanated lifeforce even when forged and remade into an armor like that.

A helmet with two horns spiraling upwards made of the same bones covered his head, but I could still see the contemptuous gaze he had over me.

A deep cynical voice vibrated the hall.

"So, this is the messenger of the Imperial? They must have run out of men to send this milk drinker"

The Dragonborn bellowed with a laugh while an arm was wrapped around Ulfric, who was smiling.

With a hand raised, Ulfric quieted down his ally's laugh and asked in a polite manner, one I didn't expect from the rebelling king.

"What did Queen Elsif told you boy?"

I took another bow, only slightly higher than last time.

"My King, Queen Elsif proposed a duel, a duel that will determine the future of Skyrim. She sai-"

The Dragonborn laughed out loud again, rudely interrupting my words. He wiped off a nonexistent teardrop on his helmet before speaking,

"I guess that makes the end of the Imperial's reign in Skyrim. Determining the fate of thousands of lives over a simple duel, what nonsen-"

I couldn't control myself when a hot bubbling feeling rose to my throat, my rich magick infused my tongue, silencing his words with two of mine.

"Shut up."

Rage built in my heart, and made it's way to my hand, the ambient mana in the air cackled with ferocity, making sparks fly around me.

I guess it was at a threatening level enough as the Dragonborn withdrew the great sword and held it just above the marble floor with one hand.

At times like this where confrontation was a ninety-nine percent chance of happening, I wondered who would win between us.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Elemental energies peaked with untamed wrath swirled around me, levitating a few things inside the room, the candles flickering bright and low.

On the other side, the Dragonborn wasn't without his own tricks.

The floor cracked as he moved himself into a stance, a killing intent spread, so thick it drowned the atmosphere in it. His aura turned more and more ominous, almost as if you blinked once, he would already disappear.

His aura clashed with my magick, and the two made a clear boundary between physical and magical might, visible enough to be seen by the naked eye.

And then, Ulfric intervened, with a Shout.

"NID GRAH!"

(Stop Fight!)

The force of his Shout sent us staggering, making us unwillingly remember why he was the leader of the Stormcloaks.

His voice blew out our fighting spirits like a candle's flame put out.

With a grumble, the Dragonborn put his greatsword beside him and leaned against the wall. His eyes were closed and his breathing even.

My magick returned to normal, albeit, in an ever ready state to discharge, you never know, after all.

With a snort, Ulfric started the conversation back up.

"A duel? Never knew she had it in her to be involved in one of those, since her husband died by the same thing. But nonetheless, it is an interesting proposal, but, just a duel seems a bit unfair"

Ulfric rested his head on his hand as it was supported by the throne. I could see some interest in his eyes, but also reserved caution. Perhaps my display earlier had left some wariness in these two infamous figures. Great for me, then.

"Does your majesty have any dissatisfaction?"

I asked with an eyebrow lightly raised.

"No, I'm fine with the idea, after all, these needless deaths are taking a toll on Skyrim herself, wives and children are being left everyday, and it's high time this war should end".

With the Imperial's victory, you mean. I kept the retort, since I wouldn't want to slight the ever so rightful king, it would spiral out of my hands if that happened.

Another snort came from the Dragonborn, perhaps thinking he should end me here while he still can.

Speaking of which, I'm still wondering on who would win if the battle did broke out between the two of us.

The Last Dragonborn, or the Envoy of Mara? Though in that wording, it sounded like I would lose...

Snapping back at the matter at hand, Ulfric continued his thoughts.

"I can accept her proposal, if, the duel involves more than a single champions from both sides."

"Does your Majesty mean that a team battle is more suitable?"

Ulfric swatted an invisible fly at his side while answering,

"No, I meant that there would be two duels, taken in the same day, but with different champions, and if both sides have won a single match respectively, then a final round is issued. That, is my proposal, convey it to Queen Elsif"

I bowed, with gears turning in my mind.

"This humble servant pardons himself".

A low whisper, one that came from everywhere at once, but I was the only receiver as Ulfric and the guards seemed oblivious to it.

"Watch yourself, whelp".

Hmph, the basic level threat did nothing to deter me, instead, I countered.

"You too, Argonian Halfbreed".

In a flash, I teleported to the outsides of Windhelm before the Dragonborn had any time to do anything dangerous inside the palace.

Now, to Solitude.