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  A few comprehended the sudden appearance of Jon Dare and took a while to realize the situation that was absurdly unfolding into all the wrong directions.

  Jon Dare, safe to say the most infamous person in Skyrim right after Ulfric Stormcloak, is gracing them with his terrible and unwanted presence. Two years ago, this young man was the center of all attention from the houses of politics to the taverns to the gatherings of mages and scholars but most importantly in the Imperial Court.

  Jon Dare the Man, the Myth, and the fucking Legend.

  Jon Dare the Man started his career in the Arena of Skyrim as the Junior Champion of the High King’s Tournament for year 4E 196. Following his winning, he took his reward and became someone important in Winterhold rebuilding the hold from dust. None could have known that the poorest hold in Skyrim would dig out unimaginable riches in the hands of Jon Dare. This caused many to be jealous yet alas, Jon was already too powerful to contain. This and that happened and later Jon Dare was found out to be the Cursed Child of Clan Firemane, a child that was judged to be killed before he was even born, a child whose parents have gone through unimaginable lengths to fake his death for 18 years. Now that he was found alive, the enemies of his clan went out seeking his head to the point where they joined hands with the Thalmor and marched to Neo Saarthal, the city that Jon Dare reconstructed after 4000 years of its destruction. The result was the utter defeat of the allied clans and the death of 10 Thalmor Arch Wizards who were leading it. A massive uproar was bound to hit Skyrim because of that but Jon chose to avoid it and agreed with High King Torygg to be banished from the realm for as long as King Torygg lives. He then disappeared for two years.

  Jon Dare the Myth was much more fearsome than the ones that are known. He is the Labourer of Azura, the Champion of both Azura and Boethiah and the Nephew of Sheogorath. These titles were all associated with a Mercenary that wears a Dragon Priest Mask and calls himself Krilon, little did anyone know that Krilon means Dare in the Dovahzul.

  Jon Dare the Legend turned out to be a Dragonborn but the man himself argues that his legend is his handsomeness and bedroom prowess. The thing is…… many would agree.

  Jon Dare, or the one pretending to be Jon Dare, walked inside the hall of Jarl Balgruuf smiling and acting high and mighty. This seemed like a Jon Dare in a good mood unlike the Jon Dare who starts spouting Thu’um whenever someone angers him.

  "Jarl Balgruuf, I salute you."

  "Thane Jonhild…… we are not seeing things, are we?" Jarl Balgruuf had to verify his sanity to prepare himself for whatever absurdity that may come by out of literal nowhere.

  "Indeed, it is I, Jonhild Firemane. You can call me Jon…… *whispering to Jax* I mean, what kind of a stupid name is Jonhild anyway?" The Pretender said as he barged in with the best impression of Jon he could muster.

  Jon, the real Jon, covered his face regretting that he let Mirren play the role. He could have just asked Wulfur but sadly, Wulfur’s disappearance would cause questions.

  "Hahaha! This is grand! Thane Jonhild himself after two years shows up in my hall. Please, be my guest for the day." Jarl Balgruuf stood up greeting Jon.

  "Thank you, it is my honor." Mirren in Jon’s appearance walked in with Jax following him. Beside the 3 meters tall Jax was the 12 years old Beth who was wearing a long robe covering herself completely.

  Mirren turned to Alina and the rest of Winterhold team then acted as if he was greeting the family with Alina glaring death at him. He painfully acted according to her glares and joined the Jarl later on.

  Meanwhile, there was an uproar with Jon’s appearance. Those who brought gifts to the Dragonborn to sway him to their friendship felt threatened by the appearance of Jon. This walking bank of a man can’t just appear at the same time a Dragonborn appears, there is no way it is a coincidence! Utterly impossible!

  Regardless of Jon’s motive, those politicians had one mutual thought in mind and that is to never let Jon Dare be friendly with the Dragonborn. Both the Stormcloak and the Imperial agents hidden within the crowd of the flocking visitors would spare anything to never let this happen.

  If there is a Dragonborn then this is the only equalizer to the freak of nature that is Jon Dare.

  Those people started polishing their honeyed words and dusting off their treasured coffers to try anything they can to sway the Dragonborn but who would have thought that the next words of Jarl Balgruuf would make them feel like puking blood.

  "Join us, Thane Jonhild. I have already met your protégé here."

  Protégé? Just why was the Jarl saying that to Jon Dare while pointing at the Dragonborn? This is an absolutely uncomfortable thing to hear and they wanted to unhear it if they could but it didn’t feel possible anymore.

  What is the relationship between Jon Dare and the Dragonborn? They all almost felt like their heads were burning from the thought.

  "Indeed, I was supposed to meet him at Helgen but as I crossed the Pale pass two days ago, I saw a great pillar of smoke rising to the sky. Following its source, I saw Helgen being eaten by a terrible Flame……" The pretender regretfully said.

  "It was already too late." The Jarl continued in a heavy tone.

  "It was a tragedy. I tried to help any way I could but there was too much death."

  "It is regrettable indeed. May those who passed away with bravery in their hearts be united in Sovngarde."

  "Amen!"

  The voices of two great men dominated the hall as they had their conversation. The pretender has imitated Jon’s behavior to almost perfection and said all he would say.

  "Speaking of Dragons, I sent my friend here to recover something for me that is related to a Prophecy of Dragons but what are those rumors I heard on the streets?" The pretender asked.

  "Oh! Whatever you have heard, it must be great. The Dragonborn walks among us." The Jarl replied.

  "Truly?" The pretender looked at the Dragonborn acting as if shocked then continued, "Congratulations, my friend. I knew there was something special about you."

  "Thank you." The Dragonborn replied to the Pretender.

  All the others who were watching tried to get a hint from the conversation but the nature of their relationship was still unclear.

  "How do you know one another?" The Jarl asked.

  "We’ve met in Morrowind and traveled for some time. I hired him to do a lot of excavations for me while I was doing some extensive research here and there." The pretender said.

  "Oh! So you’re his employer." One of the attendants asked.

  "Sponsor is the right term." The pretender replied.

  A Sponsor and a Protégé. That’s the image that was delivered on purpose. A relationship of mutual benefit and tact business, it was something a real Jon Dare would do. Yet this is better than the worst cases those people prepared themselves for, if the Empire or the powerful Secret Societies put their weight on it, they can turn the Dragonborn against Jon Dare with enough leverage. Jon Dare is wealthy for sure but even his wealth has its limits.

  It was true, Jon didn’t want himself to be pressured in any case. The Dragonborn is bound to be supported by many forces and as his current official sponsor, he holds too much power that would upset his business rival and political enemies. The Dragonborns across history were people with unfathomable power and that’s the Trump Card he can imagine others would want to use against him.

  Aside from protecting his true identity as the Dragonborn, Jon was making a big juicy bait to see who his enemies are at the moment. With the Thalmor unable to act freely in this War situation, they would surely unleash their pawns to hinder his growth. This is also true for the Empire that keeps a fragile peace with him and the Dragons who are 100% guaranteed to not act like the mindless beasts they were in the game.

  Jon, the real Jon, smiled to himself as he felt a shit storm heading his direction. After all, he’s the Dragonborn who is upon the wheel would turn. All are bound to sway with his actions so he must be in control all the time and plan ten steps ahead of anyone.

  His targets weren’t just those big storm blowers but also the ones who sail the hidden currents. The four factions of Skyrim that he intends to control as soon as possible. The College of Winterhold, the Companions of Whiterun, the Thieves Guild of Riften and the Dark Brotherhood of Falkreath.

  Away from Jon’s inner thoughts, the scene continued as the Pretender held a firm conversation with Jarl Balgruuf while the Dragonborn handled the others who came to make connections with him. It was so laughable to think that those people are not even aware of what is happening and thinking of the short term gains they can achieve by befriending the Dragonborn.

  Balance is the true instrument of Wealth even in the Times of War…… especially in the Times of War.

  The Imperials and the Stormcloaks were on a stalemate for too long until General Tullius was assigned lately. He managed to trap Ulfric Stormcloak in a short time of constant confrontations and almost brought the war to its end but Alduin the World-Eater ruined his plans to keep the war on. Now that Ulfric survived, he is bound to be very cautious and lead the war from a safe distance which means the stalemate is back between two equal and competitive forces.

  The true problem here is with the Neutral Faction which is rather very large, if this faction ends up joining a side then the war would be over but the cost would be too great. Too many will die. The heads of the Neutral Faction are Jarl Balgruuf the Greater of Whiterun, Jarl Idgrod Ravencrone of Hjaalmarch and most certainly Jon Dare of Winterhold, the wealthiest man in Skyrim.

  With Three of the Nine Holds away from the war and the other six split against each other, this meant that there is a large possibility in which the Neutral Faction can be considered stronger than the other two factions.

  More to that, each Faction has an Iconic Hero who are Jon Dare, Ulfric Stormcloak and General Tullius respectively. On this rate, the Dragonborn is a guaranteed candidate to break that balance.

  Some saw this as Fate while others were terrified of the unknown possibilities. Jon used that to gather invaluable intel on those who were trying to end the war and those who were trying to prolong it for their agendas.

  Plans upon plans with ideas upon ideas, Jon perfected many scenarios that can prove useful in the future after meeting those politicians, merchants and emissaries. They soon realized that the one they were speaking to is an up-to-date politician who understands all the political maneuvers and the hidden currents of the market making them more curious than before about the face under the Horned Helm.

  Jon also made sure to feed those people all the false informations he wanted them to know from an estimation of his Fighting Power as the Dragonborn to his personal feelings regarding the War and the pain it caused leaving them with an Alert that the Dragons are far from resting after this first appearance and clarifying that the Dragon that attacked Helgen is not the same Dragon that attacked Whiterun.

  To end this meeting before it takes longer, Jon signaled for Mirren so that he moves to the last phase of his act.

  "My friend! I was looking for you." The Pretender called for the Dragonborn, taking him away from the others politely and speaking a bit loud so it all becomes clear.

  "What is it?"

  "The thing I sent you to recover, remember it?"

  "The stone tablet?"

  "Right."

  "Oh! It’s with the Jarl’s Court Wizard, don’t worry, they promised to give it back." The Dragonborn said.

  "That’s right, my friend. I will send for Farengar to bring it right away." Jarl Balgruuf spoke, "Guard, go tell Farengar to bring the Stone Tablet here."

  "Yes, my Lord."

  The Jarl sent one of his guardsmen to Farengar.

  "Jax, accompany him. The tablet must be quite heavy." The pretender spoke to the Minotaur.

  "Yes, Boss."

  The towering Minotaur, that was standing silently in the background, moved after the guard who was barely half his height.

  The Jarl watched the Minotaur and smiled awkwardly at Jon.

  "Quite the Beast."

  "That’s my Coachman and Bodyguard." The pretender said.

  "Oh! I see…… impressive!"

  There is only one guy who would do that anyway, the Jarl didn’t overthink it for the sake of his peace of mind.

  A minute later, Jax came followed by the Guard and Court Wizard Farengar.

  "My Jarl, I am so very sorry." Farengar spoke amidst all the attention of the room.

  "What happened? Speak quickly." Jarl Balgruuf felt like something bad was going to happen.

  "The Dragonstone, my Lord…… it was stolen." Farengar spoke.

  With the face of Jarl Balgruuf turning cold, all the other people attending the scene felt like something important was happening. That level-headed Jarl is rare to be seen in a fit of anger.

  He walked closer to Farengar.

  "How did that happen? I remember telling you that we were only borrowing the Tablet, it should have been locked in safety. Who took it?" The Jarl asked.

  "It…… the truth is…… when we arrived from the Dragon’s Hunt. I ran to my papers to record the fight. I didn’t know it was missing until the Guard and that interesting specimen……ehem! Minotaur Gentleman came asking for it." Farengar said.

  The Jarl showed an upset face but he turned to Jon and spoke apologetically.

  "My friend, there seems to have been a rather unfortunate event. If the tablet was stolen, there is no way it has gone outside the hold by now. I’ll notify all the guards on the traveling routes to look out for it." Jarl Balgruuf said.

  "That’s really unfortunate." The pretender said not knowing how to react as this situation was a bit off-script.

  "Could it be that Sir Farengar’s associate was the one who took the tablet?" At this moment, the Dragonborn suggested in the form of a question.

  "It…… it can’t be." Flustered, Farengar wanted to defend his associate’s reputation but it seemed that Jon’s words hit the nail on its head, even the Jarl agreed with him.

  "Damn right! By the beard of Ysmir, that woman was reluctant to let go of the stone? Farengar, where is she?" The Jarl asked.

  "I don’t know, my Lord. She wasn’t here once we returned…… damnation!" Farengar seemed frustrated for his own reasons.

  "What are you waiting for then? Disclose her identity at once." The Jarl demanded.

  "But…… I……"

  With the Jarl demanding, Farengar was having a hard time whether to answer or not. With the glares of many pressuring him, he finally spoke.

  "I don’t know her but she seemed like someone who is very knowledgeable about Dragons. She said things that piqued my interest regarding my Dragon Research and I couldn’t resist listening to what she had to say……"

  "Farengar!" At that moment, Irileth almost jumped at Farengar, "You let a stranger into the Jarl’s Court without verifying their identity?"

  "What would you have me do? The Dragon Research is of utmost importance."

  Farengar and Irileth were about to argue but Jarl Balgruuf stopped them.

  "Enough with you two, you want to shame me in front of my guests? Off with you."

  He dismissed them but he was still embarrassed about losing the Dragonstone and intended to recover it in any way possible.

  "I can help with that?" At that time, the Dragonborn, aka the real Jon Dare, spoke up.

  "You can?"

  "I do. Sir Jon has taught me how to put a Magic Imprints on everything I fear to lose. I happened to have put one on the Dragonstone."

  With the Dragonborn saying so, this caused the face of the Jarl to loosen up.

  "Tell us where it is then, I’ll send the guards after it right away."

  "No need, I can summon it here if Sir Jon supports me with his magic." Said the Dragonborn looking at the confused pretender.

  With a slight signal from Jon’s eyes, Mirren understood and stretched his hand forward.

  "Alright, I will assist you."

  Mirren started focusing on an act of magic to impress the others while Jon was letting his senses spread across the Space in an overwhelming manner. Alina was watching from a distance as well as Beth and the two saw a glimpse of the incredible rush of mental power. As the two were the best Diviners on Jon’s side, they were the ones capable enough to see through his Mystic Magic.

  "Heh! This husband of mine……" Alina smiled wryly.

  "Master is incredible." Beth held her breath.

  At that time, Jon was looking through the Space for a specific individual. Someone he could tell that she would act rashly and steal the Dragonstone for sure. One of the last survivors of the Blades, Delphine.

  Delphine is the so-called associate that wanted to use the enthusiastic mage, Farengar Secret-Fire, to get her hands on the Dragonstone, the stone tablet that is fabled to mark down all the dragons’ burial mounds. This stone tablet was not just a map but as Jon understood, it is an artifact with a deep hidden power inside of it. If he wanted a map then he already has all the burial sites mapped down even before he leaves Riften for the first time. However, this stone was a different thing altogether, something the game hasn’t mentioned at all.

  With him looking towards the southeast, Jon could search every caravan traveling across that direction of Whiterun hold and soon he found the mark he left on the Dragonstone near the woods of Riverwood. This was almost the limit of his detection but he was still able to stretch it longer by fueling it with Magicka.

  There, he could spot a rider traveling alone in a riding hood while making sure she is not traced by even beasts or birds. On her back, she was carrying something quite large and heavy for her size as a Breton. Jon never liked that woman ever since he first played the game and so did all the players, maybe that was the only thing everyone agreed on in the game.

  "Let’s see the look on your face now." Jon smiled slyly as he started casting a spell.

  Away from Whiterun city to the south, Delphine was riding on a horse and taking a secret route through the woods towards Riverwood where her hideout is. She was always over-cautious and would look behind her shoulder every minute to make sure that she isn’t trailed. If she ever found herself in such a situation, she would drive her pursuers towards a number of prepared traps she had installed around this area since she planned to nest here.

  Jon was watching from above as he started to create a manifestation of his consciousness in this place, with it he would be able to cast Spells directly in that area. In the sky above Delphine, there was an incorporeal form of Jon Dare, the real one, taking form like a ghost. This was not just a simple spell that Jon would cast with one hand and be done with it, this was the legendary Master-level Mysticism spell, [Astral Projection].

  This projection is not just some ghost of Jon appearing somewhere but rather Jon himself with all his powers and skills.

  Feeling the malice of Jon being directed towards her, Delphine looked up at the sky to meet eyes with the ghost-like Jon. This was not a situation she is even prepared for. Without thinking, she ran.

  "Wise call…… but you shouldn’t have stolen from me." Jon said as he cast [Telekinesis] on the Stone Tablet tied to her back.

  Delphine felt the unfathomable force pulling her back off the horse and even lifting her in the air, this was worse than what she imagined.

  "Let go!" She took out a small flask from her pocket and threw it on the ground causing a sudden cloud of blue mist to manifest.

  "Corrupted Magicka?"

  In a second, Jon almost lost control over his spell but he soon regained it with a little bit of focus. Pulling the stone in one go, Jon found out that Delphine was no longer tied to the stone and disappeared through the mist towards the south. He could spot her running and hiding amidst the trees.

  "Heh! How amusing!"

  Jon’s eyes met with hers. He showed a hint of satisfaction while she showed unrest and fear. Knowing that she is exposed no matter where she went, Delphine finally showed herself.

  "You! Return that?" She called.

  Jon became annoyed by the fact that she bluntly just told him to hand his Dragonstone over after she stole it.

  "Preposterous fool! Why would I?" He spoke with all his haughtiness.

  "You don’t understand…… it is important. The Fate of the world, the Fate of Skyrim and this War, it may all depend on that stone." She said.

  Jon silently looked at her with an unamused face.

  "I know." He said and continued, "That’s why I won’t let the likes of you interfere with such a matter. Begone!"

  Jon intended to cast a Fireball strong enough to blast Delphine to shreds but she intercepted his attack and used three flasks of the [Corrupted Magicka Bombs] to interfere with his spell before running away. Corrupted Magicka is a serious substance similar to Daedric Magic but is considered a taboo and a forbidden item that can only be found in the Black Market. Delphine is dangerous and in Jon’s book, she must be dealt with.

  "Tsk! This will be trouble. I can’t go further than this so I better send someone after her else she will keep getting in my way." Jon thought as he started transferring the [Dragonstone] back with his consciousness to Dragonsreach.

  Once he opened his eyes, he could see the wooden interior of the palace around him and his face being worn by Mirren who was pretending to be Jon.

  "And…… Hahaha! I, Jon Dare, have brought the Stone back." With the Dragonstone’s appearance, the pretender made sure to take all the credit for returning it.

  "So corny!" Alina whispered with a less amused face than those Nords who started complimenting the outstanding skill of Thane Jon Dare.

  "Hey, I think Jon has made some good friends while he was away, don’t you think so too?" The one who spoke her mind just now was Jullanar who was smiling widely.

  Alina didn’t seem to agree with her but she was somewhat okay Mirren who is a dude. However, someone spoke out of their turn and ruined everything for Jon in a swift instant.

  "Thank goodness they are swindling people together. No longer with that scary Gay business they were on about." Isha said quietly as her worries about the two were just a bad joke that kept going for some while.

  "Say what?" While in fact, that was no joke for a certain Alina.

  ***

  *Back to the Present*

  "You almost murdered half of the people who were behind us." Jon said.

  "And you can’t blame a wife for being too careful." Alina said as she was helping Jon dress in his official garments. "Here you go, hubby."

  "To think I was living two years without those caring hands of my beautiful wifey. My soul has grown tired without you." Jon said as he caressed the cheeks of his wife.

  "My my!" Alina smiled faintly and continued, "Says the man who was drinking coconut milk on the white beaches of Summerset."

  Jon went pale all of a sudden.

  "You didn’t……"

  "Oh, I did see everything so cut the bullshit, Firemane. There is a Jarl waiting for you and we girls need the room to prepare. Get out."

  Jon was pushed outside the room which was interesting as the Jarl was also experiencing a similar situation. The two respected gentlemen fixed their appearance and acted in control before heading to the main hall almost at the same time.

  It was almost time to appoint the new Thane of Whiterun.

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