Season Unending, The Children of Kyne, Vol. III Options

[Kane]

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Content warning: this story should be considered 18+. Sexual content is present, but never described, and I don't shy away from foul language (though it seems to be censored). There is also darker content further in regarding sexual assault.

Prologue
It could be said that Skyrim was a cold, harsh land, unforgiving to outsiders and barely tolerant of anyone but a true Nord. Fortunately, those times have passed, and the sun shines brightly upon a healing landscape. The scars of civil war and dragon crises fading to memory as a new High King and his court sought to pull the land up from the depths of a crumbling Empire. An Empire in name only, its once powerful alliance spanning the entirety of Tamriel, now relegated to Cyrodiil (or the Heartland, as the Nibenese and Colovian nobles preferred to call it), High Rock, and, of course, Skyrim.

But now Skyrim stood to rise above the rest, and usher in a new era for a floundering society that still scurried from the inevitable boot of the Aldmeri Dominion. Hope began to inflame the hearts of men, for the Dragonborn King was rumored to be setting his sights upon the Ruby Throne, and the weak Mede Dynasty that occupied it. From his palace in Solitude, forces were directed and diplomats dispatched as the pawns of war moved slowly but surely. The Dominion was forced out of Skyrim with an ultimatum, and the land was finally back under the full rule of the Nords, as it ought to be.

The year is Two Hundred Twenty-nine of the Fourth Era, and the gears of war have started to turn, as the land braces itself for the Second Great War that was always to come. It was also the year that a mid-level member of the Anvil chapter of the Fighter’s Guild was loaned to the storied Companions of Jorrvaskr, in the city of Whiterun. This talented young warrior of Redguard descent suddenly found himself sailing to a strange land and leaving behind the only home he ever knew. Little remained for him in Anvil after the passing of his mother, so he looked forward to a new chapter of his life, far from the painful memories of home.

The first mate, a stout Imperial named Janius, approached the young Redguard with a roll of parchment and a quill. “Name?”

“Cain. No surname.”

“No surname?” inquired the First Mate. “How can that be, young man? I have it here that you were born and raised in Anvil, and joined the Fighter’s Guild when you came of age. Your mother is listed as Ariessa Janeel, also of Anvil. Do you not share her name?”

“In the absence of my father, she did not bestow it upon me.”

“Bastard then, eh? Unfortunate, but I see it all the time. What is your business in Skyrim?”

“On loan to The Companions. For what reason I do not yet know, but I will follow my orders from the guild and my future employers.”

“An honorable attitude for a young warrior, mister Cain. It’s a long voyage to the port of Solitude, so all we ask is that you remain civil and pitch in a helping hand when required.”

Cain nodded and the first mate moved on to speak with a different passenger. It was indeed a long voyage, filled with many sleepless nights while the ship bobbed and rocked on the choppy waters of the sea. The occasional storm would blow in and everyone from the captain to the lowest deckhands were grim-faced and determined as they struggled to keep the passengers safe from the onslaught of high waves and powerful winds. Nearly a full month passed before they sailed beneath the great arch of Solitude and nestled the ship into the port. All hands helped to moor the ship before the passengers eagerly disembarked in a new land.

A tall Dunmer man of middle years stood in wait on the pier, clad in worn hide armors with a longsword slung across his back. Years of experience lined his weathered face, eyes deep set and wary as he scanned the faces off all those who set foot off of the ship. When Cain approached the man, he flagged the Redguard down and directed him off to the side.

“You must be Cain,” he said. “Fresh from Anvil, yes? My name is Athis and I’ve been sent by our Harbinger to retrieve you. The Companions welcome your aid, but we have a long journey to Whiterun yet. Ordinarily I would accompany you south on foot, but we are already short-handed and will be taking a carriage.”

“Nice to meet you, Athis. Lead the way �" this is a strange land for me and I defer to your judgement.”

They shook hands and departed the port at a quick trot. A carriage sat in wait along the road to the capital city, and soon after Athis handed the driver a bag of Septims, the were trundling along the road to Dragon Bridge, headed for the southern road to Whiterun Hold and Jorrvaskr �" the legendary mead hall of The Companions. Despite being in an unfamiliar land, Cain found himself excited at the prospect of these new horizons and the change of pace from the last few months of misery that followed the death of his mother. He bowed his in prayer for her before striking up a conversation with Athis.

“So, what’s it like being in The Companions?” he asked. “Are things much different from the Fighter’s Guild?”

“Oh yes, quite different. Every man or woman in The Companions is their own. We have no leaders, just a Harbinger who is wise in counsel and offers a guiding hand. There are no ranks to elevate to and no coveted positions to fight for. We take the jobs we must and your shield-siblings will be ready to stand with you. Honor is valued above all else.”

“Interesting. I must admit, the lack of politics seems hard to believe. Everything is so much about rank and station in the guild that often times our true purpose is forgotten when the infighting picks up. Jobs go unanswered in the chaos and brawls turn deadly over simple differences of opinion. I might end up staying here for a long time if life is to be more peaceful in that regard.”

Athis chuckled. “While we do strive to rise above such petty squabbles, you’ll soon find that Jorrvaskr is anything but peaceful. However, our brawls usually end with hearty pats on the back and consuming copious amounts of mead, rather than misery and death!”

“Sounds like a dream come true, Athis.”

“That’s a very Nordic attitude, young one. Are you sure you’re a Redguard?”

“The color of my skin betrays that,” laughed Cain. “But who knows, maybe my father was a Nord, whoever he may be.”

The Dunmer smiled and their conversation moved onto other topics. Athis went over the finer points of The Companions with him and eventually moved onto the current political climate and powers that be in Skyrim. Cain listened with rapt attention, absorbing all the he could to avoid any run-ins with local laws and to avoid misunderstandings, no matter how small they could be. Just as the sun began to set, the carriage pulled into a small village and ground to a halt. Orthar, the driver, dismounted and told them they would continue on in the morning. Cain and Athis hopped down from the wagon and followed him into the local tavern, the Frostfruit Inn.

“This is the village of Rorikstead,” said Athis. “A fine place to spend the night. Grab us some mead and I’ll see about getting a meal. No sense in sleeping on an empty stomach.”

He left the inn as Cain was ordering a few pints of mead and a loaf of bread to munch on. Experience had taught the young man never to consume spirits on an empty stomach, and so he found a table off to the side and chewed on the crusty loaf while he awaited Athis’ return. Ten minutes later, his fellow Companion reentered the tavern with a basket of fruit in one hand and a bundle of skewered meats in the other. They ate and drank their fill while continuing to discuss the ins and outs of Jorrvaskr well into the night.

Dawn brought forth cloudy skies and the smell of rain upon the air as the carriage rumbled off onto the road, resuming their journey to Whiterun. By late afternoon, the two men were approaching the gates of the tundra city, and making their way through the bustling marketplace. They passed the local tavern and ascended a flight of stairs whereupon Cain was greeted with a breathtaking sight �" the Gildegreen was in full bloom before his eyes and the immense beauty of the towering tree froze him in his tracks as the wind gently whistled through its branches.

“Aye, a sight to see, eh?” remarked Athis. “Little matches the serene beauty of our mighty tree, blessed by the Goddess Kyne herself. That’s her temple there and the priestess' maintain the tree and those who seek her guidance within.”

“It’s amazing,” sighed Cain. “There is nothing quite as lovely in all of Cyrodiil.”

“Yeah, well, the Imperials already think too highly of themselves. Divines know they don’t deserve such a wonderful symbol as our Gildegreen. Let’s move on now �" Jorrvaskr is just over there.”

Continuing on, Cain and Athis soon stepped through the solid wood doors of the legendary mead hall and were met with the raucous din of the main dining area where shield siblings dined heartily and drank merrily, roaring with laughter and swapping exaggerated stories of their noble deeds. Athis steered him through the hall and down a small flight of stairs to a much quieter living area, with bedrooms lining the underground corridor. The walls were adorned with centuries of decorations ranging from trophy kills to impressive weapons to woven tapestries and ancient, tattered flags. At the far end of the hall two men sat around a small table and were deep in conversation, only noticing their approach at the last minute.

The smaller of the two large men rose to greet them. “Athis, I see you’ve returned with our new shield-brother!” He turned to the Redguard and offered a hand for Cain to shake. “Cain, yes? Welcome to Jorrvaskr! I’m Vilkas, Harbinger of The Companions, and the silent one here is my brother Farkas. He may look intimidating but I promise he is more bark than bite!” Vilkas roared with laughter and sat back down as Farkas greeted Cain.

“Pleasure to meet you, brother,” rumbled the towering Nord. He sat back down and resumed his stony silence while Vilkas spoke again.

“No trouble, then, Athis?”

“None at all. The land seems quiet for a change.”

“Good, I’m glad to hear that. But it’s getting late now �" you two head upstairs and eat. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow!”

Athis and Cain took their leave of the Harbinger, and his silent brother, and headed back to the dining hall for a good meal and plenty of mead. All in all, Cain was looking forward to being counted among the ranks of such proud, jovial warriors. Jorrvaskr was everything the Fighters Guild was not, and his mind was made up in short order �" tomorrow he would pen a letter to his chapter leader and tender his resignation. But the night was still relatively young, and after stowing what little gear he had under a vacant bed, Cain met Athis upstairs in the great hall.

They ate, drank, and sang well into the night as Cain made the rounds and was introduced to his shield-siblings. More than a few were young like him, and he could not help but eye up some of the female warriors among the ranks, especially Thea, a tall blonde Nord that shared the same birthyear as Cain. He lingered next to her the longest and was in awe at how much mead she could knock back with the rest of the burly men seated around Jorrvaskr. By midnight the two of them had slid out the back door and were getting to know each other better in the moonlit gardens.

The next day came earlier than Cain, still sleeping off the merriment and escapades from the night before, had expected it to. Farkas strode into his room just after sunrise and threw a dossier at him before barking out the Redguard’s first orders.

“Read that and then come find me in the mead hall. You’re heading to Falkreath today and we need to find you a shield-sibling to watch your back, and see what you can do. Don’t tarry, it’s a long walk to Falkreath and the sun is already up.”

Cain sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes before leaving his warm bed and heading for the bathroom. He checked himself in the mirror before leaving and sighed at the long scratches Thea had left on the side of his face. Farkas had likely noticed them, too, but it was probably nothing new to the seasoned Companion. He splashed some water on his faced, headed back to general quarters, got dressed, and went upstairs for his first assignment.

This post has been edited by Kane: May 6 2025, 01:14 PM

[Kane]

Chapter XLII – Division

Kirin knocked on the door to his daughter’s living space and waited patiently for an answer that wasn’t coming. He tried the doorknob and found it to be locked, so with a sigh he instead headed for their private library in one of the lower chambers. It was also empty and he returned to his study growing more and more frustrated. Shortly thereafter, Lydia slipped through the door with Salihn at her heel. The little one made for her usual corner of the room where her grandparents kept a small pile of toys, while Lydia joined him behind the desk.

“Something wrong, husband? You look a bit out of sorts.”

“Any idea where the girls went?”

“Linn mentioned something about Cain but didn’t offer any details. I just assumed she’s checking up on him again and that Serana wanted to tag along and see him, too. I thought about asking her to take me to see him tomorrow, if you’d like to join us.”

He took a sip of water from a glass on his desk and considered that for a moment. By all accounts, it would not be a dangerous trip to undertake, and he really did yearn to see his son again. Maybe he could speak to Linneá about it later.

“Any idea when they will be back? I think we should start moving some of the more dangerous items from Elysium, but I’m at a loss as to where we could move them that would still be safe. Certainly not here, that’s for sure.”

“And you’re thinking that Linn may have some secret bolt hole from her time in the guild?”

“Something like that, yeah,” said Kirin. “She knows the land better than any of us.”

“I’m sure they’ll be back soon, dear. His friend seems nice enough, but Linn mentioned she’s very guarded and doesn’t care for the extra company. I must admit, I’m almost equally interested in meeting this woman as I am in seeing Cain again.”

They heard a low rumbling sound and glanced over at Salihn. The little elf had dozed off in her toy pile while they spoke and snored nearly as loudly as Linneá did. Lydia gave her husband a kiss and then went to scoop up their granddaughter. They headed down the hall to her own living quarters and took a nap together while Kirin went back to work.

-----

“There is one other thing I still don’t understand, Cain,” said Linneá. “You mentioned needing my help but I gathered it was for more than just coming to the same conclusion you did. What haven’t you told us yet?”

“Hardly seems to matter now,” he grumbled.

Cain’s mood had grown increasingly dour while they’d been debating the futility of pulling off time travel without thoroughly thrashing the timeline and causing reality to come undone. The coffee helped with the headaches but did little to assuage the feelings of helplessness that were creeping back up from the depths he’d buried them in.

“Yeah, we’re losing him,” said Gwyn, staring worriedly at her friend. She could tell it was time to take the reins and put all their cards on the table. “Look, I’ll be honest… this part scares even me. Practicing some spells outside was one thing, but, well… he wants the three Elder Scrolls your family has hidden away at your old home.”

Nothing but the sound of a gentle breeze across the moor could be heard after Gwyn finished speaking. She had nearly winced when the words came out, half expecting Cain’s sisters to immediately trounce on them for even suggesting something so outlandish. Somehow, this stunned silence was ever worse, but this time Serana broke it first.

“I mean… just no. [censored] no! What the [censored] are you two thinking?! Time Magic is dangerous enough on its own and now you want to add Elder Scrolls into the mix? Are you trying to finish what Alduin started, or are you two really just that [censored] daft?!”

“Look here, princess,” Gwyn fired back. “No one invited you into my goddamn house to insult me. Cain needs your help and if you aren’t willing to give it then you can get the [censored] out before I make you.” Her hair faded from a shimmering azure to deep crimson before their eyes, and the barest flicker of a corrupted spell sparked in her palm.

Cain saw the arcing of red magick and his occupied mind jolted back to the forefront. “Gwyn, no,” he said, motioning to her trembling fist. “She’s not trying to insult you. That was a valid, if rather direct response to a statement we both know is absurd. Just take a deep breath – the last thing we need is to be fighting with each other. Anska and I went down that road once before and it sucked for everyone.”

Gwyn closed her eyes for a moment while her temper leveled off. Afterwards, she retreated to her tiny pantry by the fireplace and pulled out an unlabeled bottle and three dusty glasses. Then she joined them around the table again and poured out a generous measure of the deep caramel liquid for herself, Linneá, and Serana.

“Okay, let’s try this again,” she said. “Take a few sips and we’ll start over without the hostility.” Serana picked up her glass and examined it closely and then set it back down, prompting Gwyn to give her a nudge. “Drink up, girl. I was told you like brandy and this is the good stuff from Daggerfall. It puts that [censored] from Cyrodiil to shame.

“Uh, why exactly was that spell you had primed red?” asked Linneá, pointing at Gwyn’s hand. “I know more about magick than most and the only time I’ve seen variations of that color is when Ana and I were vampires. What kind of magick do you practice, Gwyn?”

“Destruction and that’s all you need to know,” said Gwyn, evasively. “Now, I believe we were talking about Elder Scrolls, yes? I’m not going to beat around the bush… will you help us or not?”

A fleeting look passed between Cain’s sisters. Ah, that would be connection he mentioned, thought Gwyn. I can see the merits of it. And why losing Anska broke him so. Gwyn took a deep sip from her brandy and let her eyes drift over to Cain. Judging by the solemn expression on his face, he’d spotted it too and knew what was coming next.

Linneá sighed and placed a gentle hand on his leg. “I’m sorry, but we can’t. Not in that way. They’re simply too dangerous to exploit in such a manner. We all know what happened the last time people tried using a Scroll to solve their problems, and mum and dad barely survived the end result.”

Cain stood up and headed outside without a word and Linneá followed just behind him leaving Gwyn and Serana in the throes of another uncomfortable silence. Serana had been watching Gwyn closely while her wife had broken the news, and she still nearly missed the playful smile that disappeared more quickly than it had formed. It was the only break in Gwyn’s usually guarded demeanor since they’d arrived, and one that Serana knew all too well. She recalled wearing that same smile plenty of times when Linneá wasn’t looking.

“Gwyn?” she had to be delicate about this. The girl seemed to run hot with her emotions.

“What?” came the waspish reply. “Don’t be bashful, you weren’t before.”

“If that’s how you want to play it, fine,” Serana took a deep breath and after Linneá silently confirmed that she and Cain would be a few minutes, she dove right in. “How long have you had feelings for Cain?” Gwyn began to stammer out a response and her pale face took on a delicate pink hue, but Serana cut her off. “Don’t try to deny it, I saw your reaction when Elle turned you two down. You don’t want this to work, do you? The Scrolls were his ticket to making something, anything, work and now that they aren’t an option, you’ll have more time with him. So, what’s the plan? Stick by his side until he gives up this crusade to rescue Anska, hoping he’ll see you as more than a friend? Or do you have a more direct approach in mind that won’t involve him ditching you for assuming he wants anyone but the woman he’s willing to risk destroying reality for?”

“That’s… your…I don’t… I… [censored].” Gwyn leaned forward with her head in her hands. “How in the hell did you figure all that out from single, half-second slip?”

“I was a vampire in a royal court for a very long time. Studying others is what I do. And I appreciate you not trying to lie about it.”

Gwyn drained the rest of her glass and filled it back up to the top before downing that one, too. The strong brandy scorched her throat on the way down but she savored the burn as a distraction from the conversation she now found herself in. A conversation she never expected to have with anyone.

“You will not say a word about this to anyone, got it?” she said to Serana. “Cain can’t know, not while he’s still so wrapped up in this. When you and Linneá leave, he’s going to fall apart worse than before and I’ll have to help pick up the pieces. Again. It’s gonna [censored] suck, but I managed it before and I can do so again. He’s earned it twice over in our time together.”

“Wow, he really did a number on you, huh? I won’t deny that Cain’s an exceptional man, but what brought this on, Gwyn?”

She thought back over the last few months with Cain and the rocky start their friendship had begun with. Gwyn hadn’t wanted anyone else in her life and barely tolerated his presence after she’d save him from death, and from his alcohol addiction. Here was another man to distrust, like so many others she had come across in her life. Yet, Cain often went out of his way to be grateful for her help that night, even though it had been for selfish purposes. And then he’d saved her life not ten hours after she told him to piss off and never come back. Saved her from the one thing she vowed never to let happen again.

It wasn’t until that same afternoon that they’d truly become friends, and she started to look on him kindlier. Looked past the grieving man to what he could be, given enough time… And then she’d let her curiosity get the best of her. Started asking about his nature as Dragonborn and soon steered them down the path that lay beneath their feet.

Realizing she hadn’t answered Serana, Gwyn let her heart speak. “He was kind to me when he didn’t need to be. When I didn’t deserve it. When I did my best to push him away, and nearly succeeded. Then, he saved me from being raped and murdered by bandits, and just like that, Cain had done more for me than almost anyone in my life ever had. And he didn’t stop there. The final nail in the coffin came last week when he offered something so simple, yet so powerful. Praise. He praised me like know else ever had.”

Gwyn brushed away a tear in a vain attempt to keep her eyeshadow from running. Serana handed her a kerchief and refilled her empty cup once again. She couldn’t help but pity the woman.

“Drink up, dear. I wish I could offer you some advice, but I suspect you’re right about my brother. Elle and I just killed his one desire and one reason for continuing on. The road for his recovery has grown long once again and I doubt he’ll come home to let us help him. He’s going to need your friendship more than ever, Gwyn.”

The door to the cabin opened and Cain trudged in with Linneá right behind him. He looked angrier than Gwyn had ever seen him, and she was shocked to see that Linneá’s eyes were red and swollen. Their talk obviously hadn’t gone very well, for his sister didn’t say a word while she grabbed Serana’s hand and teleported them away. He didn’t say a word to her as he kicked off his boots and climbed into bed.

-----

Morning came when it always did, even though it felt too soon to Gwyn. She didn’t sleep much last night and she wasn’t sure if Cain had either. Her friend hadn’t said a word to her since Linneá and Serana left the night before. Feeling hungry and thirsty, Gwyn kicked off her blankets and started bustling around the cabin in search of a bite to eat while she put the kettle on. With a fresh mug of her favorite tea ready, she went outside and sat on the porch. The activity must have awoken Cain, for he soon joined her with his own cup of the steaming beverage.

They watched the sun rise over the Glenumbra Moors in silence, until Gwyn broke the reverie. “Cain? What happened between you and your sister last night?”

He didn’t answer right away. Anger had gotten the best of him last night and he had said some hurtful things to his sister that he was already regretting. What Linneá had said was right, even if he didn’t want to hear it. The pain of losing their only shot at saving Anska was too much for him and he was barely holding himself together, but Gwyn didn’t deserve to see him like that again.

“Things got heated,” he shrugged. “I tried my best to convince her but Linn is one of the most stubborn people I’ve ever met. Once she makes a decision, she sticks to it no matter what. She’s more than willing to deal with Anska being gone than using Elder Scrolls and time magick to save her. I don’t know what I’m going to do now. “He sipped from his tea again and got to his feet. Gwyn could sense the darkness in him returning full force and it terrified her. “I’m gonna take a walk.”

Cain disappeared into the early morning mist while Gwyn watched solemnly. He needed help now more than ever but she wasn’t sure how to go about it. Would she let it go and try to get him through this? Serana said the road would be long and Gwyn knew deep down it was further than his sister realized. And yet, Gwyn had tossed and turned all night while she wrestled with a new approach to the problem and whether or not she should bring it to him. Or could.

The glum look on his face when returned an hour later answered the question for her. As much as she wanted to be selfish and hold onto him, Cain needed Anska – and Gwyn found that she would rather just see him whole again, even if it meant they’d never be together.

“Want some breakfast?” he asked her. “I’m starving and misery loves company.”

“I could eat,” said Gwyn. “Although, there’s something I’d like to talk to you about first, if can spare a minute.”

“What is it?”

“Um. I was up for most of the night thinking about our efforts. I’d hate to see them be for naught, so I tried to approach the problem from a different angle. One that doesn’t involve the Elder Scrolls.”

“I’m listening.”

“How would you feel about joining the ritual circle with me… and letting me draw power from your dragon spirit?”