Surtrified...?

The door to the Blue Palace slams open as Surtr walks inside, his Ebony and Dragonbone armour striking a powerful picture for the guards and servants who look his way. On his back rested Wuuthrad, the battleaxe once used by Ysgramor as he settled Skyrim... It had been in the hands of the Companions when he'd decided to make use of the legendary weapon for himself, much to their reluctant chagrin.

There wasn't much they could do to reject him however, his status as the Dragonborn made it impossible to refuse his request. Especially when considering his status as a Companion... It might even seem like a betrayal to deny him, forcing their hand in the matter.

He takes his helmet off as he reaches the throne, revealing his scarred, battle-worn face and thick beard. "You called me, Ulfric. What is it?" he asks the Jarl, or better yet, High King.

"I'll take your haste as worry for the realm instead of as a slight." he shakes his head, "I have called you here for several matters, some guests apparently have important information concerning the return of the dragons, but before that... Skyrim now belongs to its rightful owners, but threats still linger. Tell me, did you form an opinion on the Emperor during your stay in Cyrodil?"

Surtr crooks a curious brow, "A frail, weak man with little influence and a spine to match it. Is it any wonder that the Elves defeated him?"

Ulfric nods, "My thoughts exactly. Gone are the golden years of the Septim dynasty... But it doesn't have to be that way any longer." he states as he links his fingers shrewdly, unbefitting the Nord's usual temperament. "Arguably, you and Tiber Septim, Talos, share the same lineage, both descendants of Akatosh... Your claim to the Imperial Throne is far stronger than anyone else..."

"And you'd just hand me this?" Surtr challenges, "Isn't your goal the whole of the Empire?" he'd always thought that Ulfric's aspirations were far higher than he implicitly states. A man like Ulfric wouldn't usually just stop where his borders end, and the only real way to get his revenge on the Thalmor was to wipe them out entirely. From both the Summerset Isles and Cyrodil.

Ulfric shakes his head, "You've misunderstood my intentions. I only wished for Skyrim to be able to choose its own laws, gods, and traditions... I'd have stayed my hand had the Thalmor not started kicking at our doors... That was my plan, anyway. Until you appeared. The rightful heir to the Empire, one who would respect Skyrim and fight against our true enemy, the Thalmor."

...

"What would you have me do? Declare myself Emperor and see who rallies behind me? I may find support here in Skyrim but, even I know that isn't nearly enough."

Ulfric nods, "I am aware, but we're just talking about whether or not you'd accept the position. We can talk logistics and securing alliances after that."

...

"Fine, I accept... But first we need to take care of our dragon problem. Alduin is not the World-Eater for his love of sweet rolls."

"Aye, but your guests might be more helpful in that regard. Something about a temple and prophecy." Ulfric shrugs, "You'd know better than I if it's worth anything."

Surtr nods and quietly stomps away, leaving Ulfric alone with his Housecarl, Galmar Stone-Fist.

"You should have asked him, wasting time stepping around it harms everyone." the gruff man states.

Ulfric lets out a sigh. They both knew well what he was talking about, every since their plan to place Surtr as Emperor they'd had spies following him around and tracking him, recording every one of the many women the man had slept with.

Yet... Not a single one had turned up pregnant. They weren't sure if Surtr had a hand in it, preventing this, or if he was just as clueless as them. But whatever it was it spelt doom for their plans should they succeed... Without an heir, Surtr's line would end before it even started, leaving them in the same situation as before.

"It's my folly, but is it strange that I find asking a man if his seed sprouts foul?"

Galmar shrugs, "You'll have to ask eventually... Unless you plan on pinning it on me...?" he grouses, not wanting such a duty.

"Let's just leave it for now... Have some starstruck girls see to him, by gods I'll sheath his cock for him if that's what it takes to get things going!"

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Surtr makes his way into the next room where he finds an armoured Delphine standing next to a skinny old man. He turns and steps to leave but gets stopped by the woman's memorably annoying voice...

"Hold on! We didn't come all this way to have you ignore us!"

"And I didn't come all this way to see your whore-face again, Delphine, or have you forgotten the way you abandoned Ralof and I while we were fighting a dragon? A dragon that you pushed me into pursuing!?" he growls, causing her to bite her tongue to strangle her response.

"Please wait, Dragonborn, we have information that may be the key to defeating Alduin once and for all!" the old man exclaims imploringly.

...

"Say your piece, quickly. I don't have time to entertain every beggar on the street." he states, sending a look at the duo.

Esbern ignores the insults and quickly nods, unfurling a large, ancient-looking map atop the table. "I was an archivist during my time with the Blades, and I've only learned more in my isolation as the Thalmor hunted me... During my research, I managed to trace the location of an ancient Akavari Temple where Alduin's Wall rests!"

"Alduin's Wall...?"

Esbern nods, "It's a mural created in the First Era that foretold of future events... Not much is known of it, but there is a high likelihood of it being the solution to our troubles, or if not that, telling us of the solution."

Surtr hums, "Well, it is called 'Alduin's Wall'..." he looks at the map which notes the locations of various Akavari Temples, one was circled in red around the Reach called Sky Haven Temple. "Do we require a key? There must be a reason why this place was not discovered and looted sooner."