A/n: Okay folks, I know you are sick of excuses but I don't do well in summer. I get weird skin allergies to both heat and cold so I'm kinda a hamster you need to keep in a safe space. Sorry for being late.
Also, a gift came from Vivec himself (♥️ u E.K.) … I think I should make a new sitting for gift system like each value equals a certain item from the game and say {Vivec gifted us some Ebony Plot Armor} for example, we need that. Anyway, will slam you with an extra later, Vivec.
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*Slam*
The body of Legate Sulla was slammed on the ground with a terrible force slamming his whole being to the ground and pressuring it down. The man could barely breathe let alone speak or cry for help.
"Thane Jonhild, that's enough." The High King shot up from his seat immediately and called for Jon to stop his actions.
Even though Legate Sulla started it, he was an Imperial Legate and Jon shouldn't go too far.
Jon calmly and slowly retreated his force and apologized to the King before returning to his seat. The Imperial soldiers which came with Legate Fasendil walked in and took the unconscious Legate out.
It was tiring to deal with a retainer like Jon. He was too powerful and too resourceful. The only thing that kept Torygg not becoming paranoid towards Jon was how the latter had no ambition in power or throne, he'd rather build an empire of money, business and influence rather than going after titles and high seats.
The tension was high for some time in the hall of Jarl Korir but it was soon cooled down as the High King personally changed the subject a few times. As it seemed from the start, Jon was the center of this meeting and pressuring him too much may give bad consequences.
In Torygg's mind, he was not worried about Jon and Ulfric Stormcloak cooperating to make a move against the Empire. It was pretty untimely and unwise as well as the Empire was in waves of tension right now. More so, Skyrim always had a food problem.
Skyrim may have a lot of rivers and open lands but sadly, not all are suitable for agriculture and the North parts of Skyrim are barely fit for herding cattle. What can be planted in Skyrim is mostly wheat with some potato, cabbage, leak and all that can grow in the cold weather. This all made the Empire a very important trading partner to Skyrim.
If by any chance the Emperor's wrath was directed at Skyrim. The food prices will rise dramatically and this is merely the tip of the iceberg. A King like Torygg would hate to be under the mercy of the Imperials but his hands were tied.
"By any chance, your Grace. Have you ever visited the Abbey of the Synod?" A Synod mage asked.
"No. I haven't been to Cyrodiil in years."
"I see… then this is the right time, Your Grace. The spring and summer are the times when the heartland by the fairest. Us, Synod are known for our grape farms and wine. You should take the chance once, Your Grace."
"I'll try one day."
"Maybe Thane Jonhild can also pay a visit to our Abbey. I am sure our Arch Master will be delighted to have someone with Thane Jonhild's prestigious background in our humble Abbey."
The mage directed an invitation to Jon. By the name and prestige of the Synod for the last 200 years as a large mage faction, even a Thane like Jon should at least honor the invitation. Still, the way the Synod Mage talked made it look otherwise.
Some people were interested in the meaning of those words and definitely Elenwen was one.
"Prestigious background?" She said in a low unbelieving tone.
"Indeed." The mage found the chance to show off his knowledge. "Thane Jonhild Firemane who is famed as Jon Dare is at the center of the limelight to some indoor mage factions and we, the Synod, were lucky to catch wind of the rumors."
The mage smiled then looked at Jon and Alina.
"Thane Jonhild and, of course, Thane Alina are students of the Great Arch Wizard Nurina Aren, student to the great Alfe Fyr, first daughter of the Great Magus and Sorcerer, Lord Divayth of House Telvanni. They are basically Royal Blood in the Magic World."
"Oh boy." Alina held her head while Jon remained expressionless.
Judging by Elenwen's expressions, this was news to her and of course to most of the other people.
It was actually strange that the Thalmor couldn't catch wind of this, the Empire is another story, of course.
"So, Thane Jonhild will you accept our invitation?" The mage said peacefully but it meant 'If you don't come, we have secrets more to let out.'
It was clear to everyone and Tormund Firemane wanted to shout at the insolent mage but this was Jon's reply to speak. Still, the only one who didn't understand the threat was none other than Jon, as far as he is concerned, this was not a secret and all his secrets are only between him, his family and the dead.
"..." So he kept silent and not even looking at the mage.
Everyone was holding their breath patiently looking at Jon and waiting for his reply but not a word came out, he was even staring somewhere in space.
The first one to run out of air was the King, holding his breath was not his best skill.
The Synod Mage felt awkward and spoke again.
"Thane Jonhild… about the invitation from the Arch Master."
"There is no need to repeat yourself. I ignored you fine the first time." Jon casually said with a lazy attitude.
If one could hear the minds of the people inside this hall, one would hear a massive applaud.
"..." The first Synod seemed to have taken some physical damage from the burn.
The other one who was an elderly man took the course from his junior.
"Thane Jonhild, you seem to be unwilling to visit us and I understand it. Still, we of the Synod always look for forging friendships and alliances with all the other factions around Tamriel."
"Thalmor included?" Jon fired back.
"Of course not." The young mage denied.
"Of course, we do." However, the elder mage confirmed.
Jon smirked with an amused face.
"I am listening."
The course of the conversation was getting shrewd and made the non-politicians feel awkward.
"As you seem to be aware, politics and magic are one and the same in Cyrodiil even though the majority frown on the act but the powers of the world always find a way to mock people. Thane Jonhild is indeed a valuable asset to many forces around Tamriel and you will be approached by many in the future near and far. It is very disadvantageous to live in the world alone as some researcher in the car north. You should know that you are a mage, a politician, a noble, a businessman and a man of the Arcane Arts. You are basically sailing our waters but without charts or ports."
"Haha, smart way to put it. But I guess, by charts you mean my methods."
"Hm? I didn't try to say anything that may offend Thane Jonhild."
"Don't give me that, I practiced both Necromancy and Conjuration openly which gets on the nerve of an organization like yours. Well, Necromancy is understandable but Conjuration? I know Oblivion, Daedra and big bad scary other worlds may cause you Imperials to not feel comfortable but it is as you said, wizard. 'The powers of the world always find a way to mock people'." Jon took the cat out of the box with the elderly mage.
He stood up and spoke openly.
"Let's discuss some magic out in the open to tease those Nords. My Great Grand Master wrote books upon books that 'Necromancy' and 'Conjuration' are two separate schools. You can mix between the two well alright by putting the specific runes here and there and rewriting the base of the Conjuration to summon Undead Spirits rather than Daedra by changing the methods and the targeted realms. The debate is basically endless but the practice itself denies the discrimination of Conjuration."
"Fine. I agree with the basic difference between both arts but the moral compass is the issue here. Why do people keep looking at Undead as evil and Daedra as not, I might even argue that the hate of the undead to the living is basic and based on no grudges but the Daedra are pure evil."
"That's the case with sentient Daedra but most Conjurers are Atromancers."
"This is still no good, the Conjuration itself weakens the barrier between Mundus and Oblivion set by Akatosh."
"That's a myth. You can't break something Divine with a mere Daedra creature."
"But the butterfly effect is possible. Also, it is reported that you conjured a dragon-like Daedra Titan."
"Xikil? Come on, my cat can beat that."
"That too, we don't know the origin of such an ever-changing beast which is clearly unnatural, your dealings with unknown forces are dangerous and threatening, you are reported by the Vigilants of Stendarr to have gathered a lot of Dangerous Daedric Artifacts and they can't even challenge you in power. You have had a suspicious escape from the vampires, you are reported to carry weird black matters on you and a whole lot of mysterious artifacts. Junior, these make a mage nothing but suspicious and a fool even though you took a glimpse of what lies beyond the mortal bindings Some already consider you a threat, so it would be wise…"
"Oh, go on." Jon was holding a recording crystal in his hand pointing it to the mage.
The idea was simple, seniors don't like to get challenged in Magic Theory by juniors especially when the senior is an old man. It was etiquette in the Magic Community to not rudely challenge a senior which is something Jon may enjoy.
"What is that?" The mage asked.
Jon manipulated the crystal and played the scene when the mage said "some already consider you a threat."
"You can't stop there, we're at the good part."
"You…"
Recording conversations? Maybe a little too dirty for the current day Tamriel.
"The cat is already out of the box. Regardless of how fluffy the cat is, you may keep going." Jon said.
"This will burn your political future, Jon Dare."
"Oh, please. I'm already infamous." Jon said, "I don't always do the wrong thing but when I do, it is the wrongliest of all the wrongs that were wronged."
"Not funny." The young Synod shot up gazing with hostility towards Jon.
"You know what's funny? Not you. So shut up." Jon glared at him with murderous intent.
"So you will challenge the Empire, Jon Dare?" The Elder Mage said.
"I'm not the kind to hold grudges."
"You are a rogue mage with great potential. That's what the Emperor wants to harness. Three Elder Scrolls and the Tools of Kagrenac are more than what one man can handle."
"Watch me."
"Our point of view is to not let another evil force rise. There was Mannimarco who was just like you, a student of the great line the Psijics…"
"That's enough, you insolent!" Torygg roared.
"Thane Jon is a hero of his people and men. To undermine his efforts and to associate him with the God of Worms is a huge insult to Skyrim. Take it back." Ulfric Stormcloak participated in the discussion for the first time.
Jon was surprised a bit by Ulfric thinking he was holding a grudge.
The Elderly Synod felt the pressure of the Nords around him and realized that he stepped on the tail of the dragon. Jon is their hero after all but there was a clash between the reckless way of magic learning that Jon follows and the safe ways of the Synod. Simply, a clash of faith.
"Listen, Mage. I tried to see things from your point of view but your point of view is stupid."
"So you guarantee that you won't follow the temptation of the evil and harness dark powers to return to the divinity you once attained. Those who come back after losing connection with what is beyond the Aurbis lose sanity and you are questionable."
"Indeed, they lose sanity but is one thing you should know when you deal with me from now on. I may be already insane. And I fear no sin for I accept what I am, a sinnerman. And I promise you that once I bear all the sins, I'll break not just through the binds but from all rules."
"... What… what is that supposed to mean?"
"I guess you should subscribe for Winterhold's Weekly to get updates."
Jon turned around back to his seat but he stopped midway.
"Oh! I think I can just make a headline now while I am at it." He said with a smirk.
"As I have attained a power not ordinary by the standards of men, mer and beasts. I am going to be a burden and cause the scale of power to lose balance wherever I go. Thus, I, Jonhild Firemane known as Jon Dare Thane of Winterhold and CEO of the Dare Dragon Company, announce my retirement and declare myself starting the life of a wandering hermit."
"""""WHAT?""""
The news took all by surprise.
Jon Dare retiring at the age of 18 as a wandering hermit.
Everyone was shocked except for one certain person, High King Torygg.
Jon looked at him and smiled.
"We agreed on this. Come on." He said.
"Indeed." Torygg stood up and everyone else rose up with the king.
"Jon Dare, you are a hero of this land but you are giving me a weight I can't withstand."
"It is for the sake of Skyrim."
"I accept that so help me, Nine. Jonhild Firemane, your retirement is accepted and to seal it, the agreement of banishment from the realm of Skyrim between the Throne and Jon Dare was sealed. During the whole life of King Torygg of Solitude, Jonhild Firemane is banished from Skyrim. Effective in 3 days from today's date."
The bullets were one after the other.
Retirement, become a road Hermit and Exile from Skyrim.
Jon and the High King were in cahoots all along.
Why?
Simple, if the High King exiled Jon, it will make the Empire unable to pressure Jon or Torygg using any sort of politics or economic siege.
Those two were willing to go this far?
But this will damage Torygg's popularity by a lot. Are the two men making sacrifices?
"Thank you! Now that I have three days left in Skyrim, I have one more thing I need to do."
Jon turned around to Alina.
"Girl."
He then opened his robe and spread it wide like wings. The inside of his robe was littered with Amulets of the Goddess Mara, the Mother Goddess of Marriage.
Jon went down on one knee.
"Will you marry me?"