Saarthal is the oldest City of men on Tamriel. The City of Ysgramor, the First Atmoran King and Ahzidal, the greatest known Atmoran Enchanter.
Before the Nords become Nords, they came from a continent in the far north known as Atmora. These people came after their continent was torn apart by war and conflict to make a new life in Tamriel. The Atomrans landed on Winterhold and established [Saarthal] while maintaining a peaceful relationship with the locals of the land, the Falmer (Snow Elves).
Year after year, more Atmorans came from their old continent to Tamriel which alerted the Snow Elves to the fast-growing numbers of the humans. Later, the Atmorans discovered a powerful artifact and tried to seal it in secrecy but the Snow Elves found out and coveted it for themselves, that's when the Snow Elves sacked Saarthal and slaughtered all the Atmorans in the event known as the [Night of Tears].
The known survivors were Ysgramor and his two sons Yngol and Ylvar who sailed back to Atmora and formed the [Companions] as well as Ahzidal who was in the heartlands of Tamriel studying magic from the Ayleids (Wild Elves). The Companions followed Ysgramor back to Tamriel and met with Ahzidal then drove the Snow Elves to extinction in the event known as [The Return].
Later, Ysgramor and his men established the first Human Empire and enslaved the Elves to build the mighty city of Windhelm and the Atmorans changed becoming the Nords.
This is one of the most known tales in Skyrim and every child heard it at least a dozen times. Saarthal was always related to the tragedy of the Night of Tears and it became clear evidence to how cruel, barbaric and hateful the Elves can be towards Humans. Also, it showed how a small band of five hundred Atmorans drove one of the most magically advanced civilizations to extinction.
Now, after more than 4500 years, someone rose up to revive the memory of Saarthal once again in a location not too far from the original one calling it [Neo Saarthal].
Rebuilding a new settlement is not something the factions in Skyrim need to concern themselves with but Saarthal of all places… what kind of message was Jon Dare sending?
He made it clear that he doesn't want to enter a conflict and his only purpose was to revive Winterhold once again. Yet, this move will earn him the favor of all Nords and his reputation that Erikur worked so hard to tarnish will soar in one move. Nords love such actions especially when it is related to reviving the tradition and vexing outlanders. Jon may even become more popular than The Bear of Markarth, Ulfric Stormcloak, and even High King Torygg in one go. He will be seen as a Nord Hero whose age is not 18 yet and achieved power in Sword, Magic and Voice as well as Authority and having many beauties around him including the Favored Daughter of Kyne's cult.
It doesn't even end here, this message was also for the Thalmor.
Saarthal was sacked by their brethren, the Snow Elves, and for it, they paid the ultimate price not only dying out and being forgotten by history but their fate was much worse, the beautiful Snow Elves were cursed by the Dwarves to turn into degenerate blind beings and were all turned to slaves.
More to that, Thane Jon Dare said that he will allow the Thalmor to enter Winterhold to enforce the White-Gold Concordat but he won't be responsible for their safety which was a naked threat. Rebuilding Saarthal to the West, where the Thalmor are supposed to be coming from, meant that he was already aiming his arrows at whoever comes.
Thinking of it, Winterhold now was impossible to conquer from the sea as the infamous [Dare Fleet] was simply too mighty to that it has the power to put the Imperial Navy to shame. Also, the west is now fortified by Neo Saarthal and the east is impossible to move an army on. The only road to Winterhold was the south which was a narrow long path that everyone knew how Jon Dare fortified it.
"Hahahaha! What a ballsy move! I am not even angry at all." High King Torygg praised. "The report says that it will be a fortified settlement and its main features will be a mine, a quarry, windmills, an expansion for the [Dare Industries], numerous advanced technology projects, and an outpost for the Companions… oh, he contacted them already!"
The Thanes present in the meeting showed different faces. Erikur's face was black and he talked to his attendant who was standing behind him. It seems that he couldn't spy on the news earlier and it surprised him.
"What else is there, Falk?"
"There are some papers regarding the logistics of building a new town as well as some minor requests."
"Fine, fine. This meeting comes to a conclusion. Send the reports of 'Neo Saarthal' to Imperial Chartmaster and tell our couriars to deliver the invitations of the Assembly that will be held on Evening Star (December). Now, clear the hall." Torygg ordered and all the minor characters, as well as Elisif and most of the attendants, left the hall.
There was only Torygg and Falk Firebeard as well as Erikur and Bryling.
"Now, Erikur. Did your eyes and ears bring us anything useful." Torygg asked.
"Yes, my king. In regards to that matter, it seems that the old Holds excluding Winterhold and including Falkreath are going to be a problem at that rate."
"What about you, Bryling?"
"I agrree with Erikur."
"Well well, ain't this a surprise! And your suggestions are?"
"We need to focus on Falkreath to not lose contact with Hammerfell, Cyrodiil or Orsinium if we needed reinforcements or mercenaries." Thane Bryling said.
"I already reached out to someone in Falkreath from the Jarl's family. A potential ally." Erikur said.
"Good, Keep following that lead, Erikur, and inform Falk with the details… now, Falk, what about our eyes?"
"Hmm… let's see." Falk Firebeard took some small cards from a secret pocket that were mostly reports of the spies of High King Torygg around Skyrim.
"In Riften, some bizarre accidents happened. An infamous thief reappeared after three years of silence, a new breed of Spiders was found, and a Holy Lady of Kyne appeared to punish an evil witch that was posing as Riften's orphanage headmistress."
"A Holy Lady of Kyne? That is unheard of, maybe someone from her cult." Torygg thought. "Let's shelve it for the time being. What else?"
"Jon Dare was sighted in Whiterun." Falk Firebeard said.
"Do you realize that we uttered his name like a hundred times in this meeting alone? It is as if we are living in some sort of novel written about him." Torygg started flipping tables.
"Bear it with me, this is the last one." Falk replied.
"By Akatosh… sigh! What did he do in Whiterun?"
"He met with the Jarl and the Companions and met with the Grey-Manes and the Battle-Borns. Probably and because of his interference, the two big clans of Whiterun came on the same page and there is a marriage happening between their children."
"Oh, Ulfric the Imperials are going to be mad." Torygg said.
"For sure." Bryling confirmed.
"And here comes the 'Dare' part." Falk said.
"You are becoming his fan since that 'General Administration Affairs Department' thingy." Torygg mocked.
"Ehem, he fought with both the [Storm Fangs] and the [Penitus Oculatus]."
"..." "..." "..."
"And that's the end of everything." Falk said.
"You were not joking just now, right?" Torygg snatched the last report from Falk. "Goodness, that son of a… was the Empire trying to prevent a chance to achieve peace in Skyrim? Are they mad?"
"My king, I think they have weighted their gains and losses…" Erikur spoke but was interrupted.
"It seems the Empire is not trying to avoid a clash either… Are they mad?" Bryling said.
"No, it is like what Erikur said, they weighted their gains and losses but only after they realized that the conflict with Ulfric is inevitable." Torygg said.
Silence took over for a while before Torygg speaks again.
"This ends today affairs. Do the tasks I gave you?"
""Yes, my king.""
Erikur and Bryling headed out.
"What do you think, Sybille?" Torygg called.
From a dark corner, a woman clad in long robes came out. Her eyes gleamed bright and her skin was very pale.
"Of what, my king?"
"Winterhold."
"... Nothing in particular. It won't cause a problem any time soon. Actually, as long as Jon Dare is in Winterhold, it will make Ulfric think twice before doing something stupid."
"What about the Thalmor? Do you think they will react?"
"Not so soon, they always keep waiting until they find a chance to detain their foes and make them fight each other."
"So as long as the Thane of Winterhold is careful, there won't be trouble."
"Exactly. Also, I visited Winterhold a week ago and I think I found too many powerhouses there. Something that can even scare the old me."
"But he won't move against us, right?"
"He won't. Also, if he did so, we still have leverage on him. That Dark Elf girl that follows him, we know of her history and can cause him quite the problem with the Thieves Guild and the Dark Brotherhood." Sybille said.
"Let's no go that far. I hate to threaten a man's family."
"By your wish… there was that one last thing."
"Go on."
"Some of the vampires I have a relationship with around the area started to disappear lately. It wasn't any sort of wtich hunt. It was a genocide."
"... Who would do that?" The High King was fully interested.
"My king, I am afraind that this is the most powerful Hidden Clan of them all."