DrunkenMage
Intoxicated Arch-Mage
I know that this is a sarcastic response from you, DrunkenMage, and that I shouldn't taken it seriously, but the part where I highlighted in red is an actual a concern for Windhelm.
You're making out the Stormcloaks are incompetent. In your arguing about the Dunmer being a spy, you're destroying any hope of proving the Stormcloaks even stand a chance when the Thalmor turn greater attention towards an independent Skyrim.
I was trying to give the Stormcloaks benefit of the doubt, but you're just aiding the Imperial argument now.
Actually, you have a 50/50 chance there.
On one hand, there's the East Empire Company in Windhelm. They claim that they try not to get involved in politics, but if the payment is high enough I'm sure they wouldn't mind transporting a few soldiers into the port as well to strike right at the origin and heart of the rebellion. And if the guards aren't able to hold up a single murderer in the city, how are they going to deal with a whole group of killers? Ulfric has his troops on battlefields and scattered throughout "his" territories in Skyrim, not at home in Windhelm.
Doubt the EETC would do that, if it fails you're risking their trade agreements with Eastern Skyrim. They care about their money most of all, even to where they're looking at trade deals with the Thalmor.
But I also doubt the Empire would pay for that, the EETC would demand a very high price if they were even willing to do something like that.
Be a lot cheaper to just do a naval bombardment on Windhelm.
But if the Aldmeri Dominion rule Tamriel next game, due to the Stormcloak rebellion weakening the Empire... I will laugh at Stormcloak supporters.