Not wrong...?

...

Surtr rides towards Falkreath with black plumes drifting into the sky behind him. He knew he hadn't made the right choice, but he was certain he hadn't made the wrong one either. He'd just got back into Skyrim and was expected to make a choice like that?

He had no idea what was going on, but if someone attacks someone else then retaliation is justified... The people in that village were basically asking to be slaughtered, weren't they? Why else would they antagonise an army on their doorstep like that?

That was the right choice...

It was the right choice...

He'd done the sensible thing, he kept telling himself. But it didn't alleviate the guilt he was feeling for walking away...

...

He wasn't going to risk his life for people who wouldn't even contemplate helping themselves... All those people had to do was say they didn't support Ulfric, or allow themselves to be captured until the Tullius was done with them.

Surtr was honestly surprised that Tullius was willing to let him go... Though, that was probably due to the fact that he'd left in the direction of Helgen... He'd circled around and made way for the city of Falkreath afterwards, making the man believe he wasn't a Stormcloak sympathiser or something.

He needed to know what was happening before he took any side. He'd heard mention of High King Torygg being assassinated, but he'd rather hear it from the person responsible himself before he acted either way.

Thankfully, he'd managed to reach Falkreath before Tullius and his men had, many Stormcloak soldiers and Falkreath guards were manning the gates, and he was allowed through once he reported on what Tullius' men were doing.

He was escorted to Ulfric's right-hand man, Galmar to make the full report. Which he did before then questioning the man on recent events.

Surtr was shocked to hear that not only had High King Torygg and Ulfric duelled in the old ways, but that once Ulfric had won he'd been attacked despite fighting honourably and while poisoned.

Sure, Galmar might just be making stuff up, but Surtr was far more willing to listen to this man as opposed to the one who was burning people...

"Sir, if you'll have me, I'd like to assist in the defence of this city." Surtr says after compiling all of his thoughts and weighing the pros and cons.

Galmar chuckles, "Call me Galmar, we're not like those snobs in the Empire. And we'll be happy to have you, Surtr of Stonehills."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two days later General Tullius and his forces had finally reached the city of Falkreath and were beginning construction on their siege weaponry. While Falkreath didn't have massive walls like Solitude, it was still enough to be a massive obstacle to any ground army.

Fortunately for them, the Empire wasn't lacking in Military engineers, allowing Tullius to have trebuchets quickly constructed.

Ulfric and Galmar were pretty confident in their defences along with the obstacle of Falkreath's forests the Imperials had to contend with... The trees would make it incredibly difficult to properly aim and direct the siege engines, along with properly determining which essential buildings needed to be targeted...

Unfortunately for the Stormcloaks however, someone from within Falkreath had been delivering intel to the Imperials, granting them knowledge on defensive placements, exit strategies, and even where the supplies were located.

This became readily apparent once the siege started, trebuchet shots quickly destroying the supply warehouses, archer towers, and even the area that the Stormcloaks were using as a temporary barracks.

Ulfric and Galmar lead the men to sally out of the city to fight the Imperials face to face, unwilling to endure the siege for much longer. But this was expected by Tullius, who had an ambush ready to flank the Stormcloaks once they approached.

With the Stormcloaks caught on all sides with no exit in sight, they could only fight for victory. Surtr stayed close with Ulfric and Galmar, aiding the duo and protecting them from the Imperial onslaught... Until he wasn't. The front lines quickly fell and Surtr charged forward to intercept the Imperials, only to be struck in the chest by a lightning bolt, sending him to the ground seizing, which allowed an imperial to knock him out soon after.

The battle was lost, Ulfric, Galmar, and Surtr were captured and sent to Helgen for a public execution. Jarl Dengeir was also captured, but sent back to Falkreath to help the new Jarl, his nephew Siddgeir run the place. Though, whether or not he'd actually help was another matter entirely.

Why had Tullius chosen a public execution instead of just killing Ulfric there and then? Because he refused to allow the man to become a martyr... Falling honourably in battle would only bolster the Stormcloak agenda... But beheaded in front of a crowd? Some would even say that such a death would deny him Sovngarde, something Tullius was eager to test.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Surtr sits at the back of a horse-drawn carriage with Galmar, Ralof, and a gagged Ulfric. There was also another man who wasn't present in the battle with them but, Surtr didn't care enough to ask him...

"So this is it huh, not two weeks in Skyrim and already headed for the block... The god sure do know how to joke..." Surtr mutters while idly pulling at his restraints.

"When you fight for something worth fighting for, the stakes a higher than some are willing to pay. Just know that Sovngarde awaits us." Ralof solemnly says.

The horse thief sitting with them scowls, "Damn you Stormcloaks, if it weren't for you I could've been halfway to Hammerfell already. Empire was nice and lazy."

Galmar sniffs in annoyance at him, "Yeah, well, if I had my way you'd have had your jaw stapled to the ground to stop you talking. Just be quiet in death and leave the rest of us some peace."

"For what it's worth, it was an honour to fight by your side, Ulfric, Galmar, Surtr... Even if our mission proved impossible." Ralof says.

"W-wait, t-that's Ulfric? Jarl of Windhelm? Leader of the rebellion!?... W-where are they taking us!" the horse thief utters in fear.

Surtr shakes his head, "Where do you think a group of people willing to burn villages and the people in them is going to take us? I told you, we're headed for the block, you too probably, judging by-"

"Hey, you lot be quiet back there! I've had enough of your traitorous babble!" the Imperial coachman states.

"Go fuck yourself, milk-drinker." Galmar growls, and Ralof continues to make small talk with the horse thief, attempting to comfort the clearly agitated man in his last moments...