It had been a long trip but Eriah Quintence arrived back at Windhelm, a pair of Ice Wraith fangs in her pack. She made her way to the Palace of the Kings and entered. The throne was empty but she could hear Galmar and Ulfric in the war room, discussing something. She entered and waited her turn. The men were talking about something known as the Jagged Crown. According to Galmar, it was the legendary crown that the High Kings of Skyrim wore before it was lost around the time of the War of Succession. When they were done, they noticed Eriah there and Ulfric exited the room. "Have you got the fangs?" Galmar asked. "Here," she said, handing them over. "Very good. You've done well. I have your next assignment for you but I believe the Jarl has need to speak to you. Before I turn you loose to see him, I will have you recite the Oath if you are ready," he said. Eriah nodded and removed her helmet. She placed her fist over her heart and stood at attention. "Repeat after me," Galmar said. He cleared his throat and began. "I do swear my blood and honor to the service of Ulfric Stormcloak...," he began. "I do swear my blood and honor to the service of Ulfric Stormcloak...," Eriah repeated. "Jarl of Windhelm and true High King of Skyrim...," said Galmar. "Jarl of Windhelm and true High King of Skyrim...," she echoed.

"As Talos is my witness, may this oath bind me to death and beyond...," came the next line. "As Talos is my witness, may this oath bind me to death and beyond...," came the response. "...even to my lord as to my fellow brothers and sisters in arms," said Galmar. "...even to my lord as to my fellow brothers and sisters in arms," Eriah parroted. "All hail the Stormcloaks, the true sons and daughters of Skyrim!" came the last line. All hail the Stormcloaks, the true sons and daughters of Skyrim!" Eriah proclaimed, putting her heart into those words. "And there you have it. From this day, you are a Stormcloak. You hold the rank of Unblooded. Prove your valor to us in battle and you will rise through the ranks." Galmar said. "Thank you, sir," Eriah said. "You're dismissed. Don't forget to speak to Ulfric before you leave. I will give you your assignment later," he said. The Dragonborn nodded and headed to the great hall. Ulfric was seated on his throne and nodded as she knelt before him.

"Welcome to the Stormcloaks. It is good of you to join us. Your passionate recital of the oath proves to me even further than you are serious about this fight," he said. "Thank you, sir," she replied. "Walk with me," Ulfric said, getting to his feet. Eriah waited until he was beside her before walking with him. "Galmar is not fully convinced that you are Dragonborn. I, on the other hand, am. As such, your terms of service will be tailored around that." the Jarl said as they left the Palace and walked the streets of the city. "I remember you saying something to that effect and I was wondering what you meant," Eriah said. "Your hammer will be put to good use in the battles to come. However, I know that your destiny as Dragonborn must take precedence over my rebellion so I'm allowing you to dictate the terms. How can you do your duty as Dragonborn and serve my cause at the same time?" Ulfric asked. Eriah was surprised he was letting her have this sort of power. She then smiled as she realized this was her chance for him to see the real her.

"My Jarl...I believe strongly that three Divines had the most impact on my personality as I grew up. Talos gave me a warrior's heart so I would stand for those who cannot. It's balanced by the compassion given to me by Mara. Between Helgen and coming here to join the cause, I traveled the length and breadth of Skyrim helping anyone I could. This war is wearing on the people and I knew I could no longer sit back and do nothing when I could help assure the freedom of this land. Finding out I was Dragonborn revealed to me that my destiny was given to me by Akatosh, the chiefest and greatest of the Nine. I know the threat we face from the dragons and I am the only one who can stop them. The Thalmor must also be stopped. So, if you are truly giving me free reign, my terms are this: I cannot always be with the other troops. I must do as my heart commands and if it leads me away from the army, I will follow it," she explained.

"So in a nutshell, you're asking me to allow you to operate as you did before joining the army?" Ulfric asked. "Yes," Eriah replied. "That is fair. My only stipulation is that when I summon you, you must answer. Will that be manageable?" he asked. "I can make it work. However, I cannot foresee where I will be at any given time," she replied. "That is no trouble. Couriers are experts at finding people no matter where they are. If you are away from the Stormcloaks when Galmar and I finalize battle plans, we will send an encrypted letter to you with your orders. Depending on those orders, you will have to make haste to your assignment. Do you own a home anywhere in Skyrim? That will be the first place the couriers go," the Jarl said. "I own Breezehome in Whiterun," Eriah replied. Ulfric hummed in reply. He paused and she stopped to look at him. He was considering her closely.

"You joining us will have a three-fold effect on the war. Firstly, when the news you have joined us spreads throughout Skyrim, my troops will gain a much-needed morale boost. Rumors have been flying ever since the Greybeards called for you and morale dropped when the suggestion that the Dragonborn would side with the Empire came up. Secondly, the Empire will know they will be outmatched when facing your Voice. They will know Skyrim has their champion and what she chose. Thirdly, you will be instrumental in breaking the stalemate in Whiterun. Galmar will fill you in on those details," he said. Eriah didn't think that she would be all that game-changing. Her compassionate heart was tempered by a humble attitude. She did what she did out of the kindness of her heart with no thought for reward. "I have my own stipulation for being in your service," she then said. Ulfric looked down at her. "Don't treat me any differently than you do your other troops. I may be Dragonborn but I stand with you as another soldier. Special treatment would dishonor my soul," she said. "That is fair. If I may set your soul at ease, Galmar and I had no intention of treating you any differently. The other soldiers...you may have to earn their respect. Your Voice puts you a cut above everyone else, even me, whether you think so or not," Ulfric said. Eriah just cracked her shoulders. "This is true," she said. "You're dismissed, Dragonborn. It has been a long couple of days for you. Rest up and come to the Palace on the morn for your orders," the Jarl said. "I will be there," she promised.

Eriah headed for Candlehearth Hall, Windhelm's inn. "I somehow sense that Dragonborn is the only way he's going to acknowledge me. I don't know how I feel about that," she thought as she dug into the venison set before her. Taking a drink of mead, the Dragonborn started to think about the past couple of days. Ulfric may have said he was convinced she was what she said she was and he meant it. However, she felt he was selling himself short. He had studied with the Greybeards longer than she had. Her ability to use Words of Power inherently didn't mean she was stronger than he was. On the other hand, when she demonstrated Fus, she had held back a lot of power. She hadn't wanted to accidentally hurt him. She had a sneaking suspicion he knew she was holding back. In the end, it didn't matter. She was a Stormcloak now and she would do her part to throw the Empire out of Skyrim. As long as she could balance her duties to the cause with her ultimate destiny, she would be able to handle anything. Her mind shifted to Alduin. When he appeared in Helgen, he had looked straight at her on the block. Eriah suspected he knew what she was before she did. He had actively tried to kill her but her survival meant she had the gods on her side. The World-Eater may have very well doomed himself from the beginning if the prophecy was anything to go by. She could only hope that if the gods were on her side, that they'd guide her hammer in her quest to bring Alduin down.