Of Eagles and Dragons, The Children of Kyne, Vol. IV Options

[Kane]

Act I

Prologue (4E 230)
Emperor Titus Mede II is dead. Convicted of Treasonous Sedition against the Empire and a Vassal State, the Elder Council cast his Writ of Execution with a unanimous vote on Loredas, the 1st of Last Seed, in the Two-hundred thirtieth year of the Fourth Era. The High Chancellor Anilay Cato was chosen to oversee the day-to-day administration of the crumbling Mede Dynasty, and the former head of state himself was hung from the gallows on Green Empire Way in the Imperial City for all to see.

It was a time of uncertainty in Cyrodiil, for there was yet to be a clear successor to the Ruby Throne, and rumors of Colovian and Nibenese warlords arming up to seize power for themselves were beginning to circulate among the populace. Many citizens of the Heartland secretly wished the Dragonborn king of Skyrim would lay claim by birthright, but so far there had been little news from the northern kingdom.

And with a patience born of long life, the Thalmor diplomats were content to watch quietly from their Embassy while their handlers ruled the Third Aldmeri Dominion with an iron fist. Altmer agents moved about in the shadows to sow discord and discontent wherever possible and worked tirelessly to keep the Empire from once again rising to prominence.

-----

Queen Penolore of the Summerset Isles strolled through the botanical gardens of Alinor with her royal retainer in tow. The ultimate ruler of the Aldmeri Dominion, Penolore reigns supreme over the Altmer of her homeland, the Bosmer of Valenwood, and the Khajiiti of Elswyr with an unrelenting grip. The Thalmor operate solely under her command, bringing order to her subjects and extending her reach over the rest of Tamriel. But on this day, she felt only contempt for the ineptness of the organization’s recent failures in combating the rise of a new alliance of power to the north.

The shrill fops in her retainer had followed her from the palace, prattling on endlessly about matters far beneath her station in a constant bid to curry favor with the monarch. Seeking a measure of peace and quiet, she finally had enough of the bickering for one day. Penolore came to a halt and raised a hand in warning.

“Shut up. All of you will shut up now or I shall have you thrown from the highest tower of my palace. Begone from here if you value your meaningless existences.�

They fell silent in deference to their queen and filed out of the gardens as quickly as possible. Not a single one of them were keen to be present for her wrath should it need to be unleashed upon whichever poor soul tarried. Only a single Altmer remained, clad in the traditional dark robes of the Thalmor.

“Have you more to say, Lisotel? I would have thought your inability to carry out even a single assassination of those miserable whelps to the north would have stayed your sharp tongue. Tell me what value you could possibly still offer your queen when others have been flayed alive for failures of a far less magnitude than your own.�

“I only offer news that our agents deemed relevant, milady.�

“Very well. Spit it out and remove yourself from my sight.�

Magistrate Lisotel hesitated for the briefest of seconds. It would have to be today of all days that he was assigned to her retinue, and a message from Solitude should arrive to their headquarters by carrier eagle. Penolore was already in a foul temper after his Thalmor compatriots failed to squash another uprising in Anequina, and now he was poised to deliver more unwelcome news to the surly queen.

“It is with great regret that our field agents in Skyrim report the return of the High King’s son to the Blue Palace. He apparently was spotted in the city yesterday morning in the company of an unknown Breton woman. Where he had gone or what he was up to over the last thirteen months is still a mystery, but we fear his arrival and reintegration with the royal family will push the king to finally issue a claim to the Ruby Throne.�

The queen had stooped down to examine a budding rose stem while Lisotel spoke and she snipped it free cleanly from the stalk with her pruning shears as the words tumbled from the Magistrate’s overworked mouth. It slipped free of her grasp, fell to the floor, and Penolore ground it to a pulp with the heel of her boot.

“Tell me, Lisotel, have we not discussed the merits of tending to one’s garden on many previous occasions? See how easily that is done? Pruning an errant growth is a simple task that is abundantly important in maintaining a healthy growth; one of which I know your Order is easily capable of facilitating. I am granting you a second chance to do as I have ordered. Should you fail once again, the citizens of Alinor shall bear witness to your entrails displayed upon the ruins of Crystal-Like-Law. Return to me when the task is completed, and not one second sooner.�

Bowing his head graciously, Magistrate Lisotel took leave of the queen. Penolore continued to care for the overgrown rose shrub, snipping off stray stems with malicious intent.

-----

“What news from Chorrol, Brother Cassian?�

“High Chancellor,� greeted the courier. “Brother Indus’ scouts report little movement from the camps deep in the Great Forest. If they have anything planned, it will likely not be for some time. Indus suspects they are having trouble recruiting loyal men for the cause. Of course, this would all be a lot easier to verify if we are given leeway to operate more independently.�

Anilay Cato set down his quill and pushed aside the letter he’d been penning. This wasn’t the first time Cassian had made a similar remark, and the chancellor was beginning to grow weary of reminding the man just how delicate the situation in Cyrodiil really was. A stronger hand may be required soon.

“This again? We’ve been over it many times already, Brother Cassian. I’m giving you the most resources I can without drawing scrutiny from the elves. If they discover the Blades have secretly been reformed, the Dominion will bring war to our doorstep immediately. Do what you can with what I have given you and let’s not speak of this again. There are plenty of other men who would love to be in your position.�

Brother Cassian recognized his dismissal and saluted smartly as he turned to leave. Anilay continued to stare absentmindedly at the door long after it had closed behind his captain. He again found himself wondering if reforming the Blades had been a wise move on the council’s part. The endgame of the it made sense to all involved, but Anilay felt the interim risk was too high, and he’d unsuccessfully pushed to have the vote temporarily stayed.

“Too late now,� he said to no one in particular. And with a heavy sigh, he returned to his unfinished letter.

There was another knock on the door and it took all of his restraint to not fling the quill at it and berate whomever deigned to bother him again. “Come in!�

An elderly Breton woman with long gray hair tied back in a ponytail, poked her through the partially opened door and saluted. “Is this a bad time, sir?�
“No, no, come on in, Delphine,� said Anilay. “Forgive my exasperated tone, I just got done reminding Cassian of our straits and I fear that I shall never finish this correspondence.� He rolled up the parchment and set it aside until the next day. “What can I do for you?�

“I’d like to request something of you.� Delphine entered the study and took the recently vacated seat across from the High Chancellor. After she settled in, Anilay gestured for her to continue. “Might I be sent back north to Skyrim? I know the High King from our time together during the Dragon Crisis, and I may be able to get a better read on his intentions than some of our other agents have.�

“Oh, really? But as I understand it, your time working together did not end well, no? As I recall, he asserted his authority as Dragonborn over you and walked away from your efforts to rebuild the order. What makes you think he’ll let you into his court after all these years?�

Delphine frowned. She hadn’t expected Anilay to be so well versed on her prior dealings as a rogue Blade in Skyrim. Truth be told, her efforts to kickstart the Blades, along with Esbern, in Sky Haven Temple had crumbled to dust after Kirin Windborne had walked away from them. Further recruiting efforts failed, and the wizened lore-keeper succumbed to illness not five years later. For her part, Delphine had faded into obscurity as a farmhand in the western Reach.

“Heard about that, did you? Well, you’re right in that there’s no guarantee, but I don’t know what else I can offer the Blades, sir. I’m old and my days of fighting are long since passed. This at least feels like something meaningful I can contribute.�

“I see,� replied Anilay. “And would you be up for such a journey, Delphine? Autumn is settling in over Skyrim and our men at Cloud Ruler have reported the Pale Pass is already under several feet of snow. It will not be easy going.�

“I’ll manage.�

The High Chancellor studied her for a moment and then he grabbed a new roll of parchment and dipped his quill in fresh ink. He scribbled away while Delphine waited patiently for his decision, wondering where fate would take her next. She had been so hesitant when the rumors of former Blades officers being brought back into the fold were swirling, and it wasn’t until Brother Cassian himself had tracked her down to a small plantation near Karthwasten that she allowed herself to believe they were true. The reality didn’t truly set in for her until she was assigned a room at Weynon Priory, on the outskirts of Chorrol, and asked to advise the younger Captains leading this new iteration of the fabled organization.

Anilay finished writing his new orders, signed, and stamped the bottom with an Imperial Seal before wrapping it up and handing it to Delphine. “Deliver this to Brother Cassian and return to Cloud Ruler with him to begin your preparations.�

“Thank you, sir,� said Delphine. “I’ll keep in touch.�

“A bit of advice, if I may?�

“Sir?�

The chancellor dug around in his desk for few seconds until he found the dossier he was seeking. Flipping it open, Anilay slid out a sketching of Cain Windborne and handed it to the waiting Breton. “If the High King offers resistance, try speaking to his son. I’ve met the man personally and he’s wise, clever, and kind to a fault. Not to say that his father is an ignorant old man, but sometimes younger eyes see things differently. I’ve gathered that Cain is back home in Solitude after being abroad following the death of his fiancé.�

Delphine bowed her head slightly in acknowledgement. Everyone in Skyrim had heard about his loss, and people across the province had mourned for the young woman from Stonehills. There were even gossiping commoners in the taverns at night saying she had been pregnant at the time, but that was never officially confirmed by the High King’s court. If It were true, Delphine didn’t fault him at all for taking some time away, even if his whereabouts were a mystery.

“I’ll keep that in mind, sir.�

“Excellent. Take care on your trip, and dress warmly. I expect a letter by carrier bird as soon as you get settled in at Solitude. You’re dismissed, Delphine.�

Anilay watched her depart and then he glanced back over at his unfinished letter. Deciding it could wait until the morning, the chancellor left his office in search of a strong drink to end the day with. He wasn’t entirely convinced allowing Delphine to intrude on the High King’s court was a good idea, but he’d expected answers from Kirin Windborne for some time now, and was rewarded with nothing.

If another week passes like this I shall have to contact Cain myself. Perhaps the man would be willing to visit me in person.

The White-Gold Tower still bustled with activity in the evening hours, and so Anilay elected to don his commoner clothes and seek a drink at Luther Broad’s, instead.


This post has been edited by Kane: Jun 26 2025, 03:16 PM

[Kane]

Acadian: I could see her maybe going back to it some day. Gwyn has made a lot of progress but her trauma still influences a lot of who she is. I think if life continues to trend up for her, she'll slowly become more of her old self again. Falkreath was definitely a warmup round, and Markarth will be a tall order by comparison. Might see weaponized Gwyn by that point!

Grits: I think a lot of Cain's family would be envious of her hair. Outside of Kirin being a redhead, the rest of them have deep brown to black hair! Rustic is an understatement for Falkreath, It's a podunk.

|-----------------|

Chapter XVI – The Answers We Seek

A small column of fire twisted idly in the air above Linneá. Her unfocused eyes gazed right through the incendiary magick while her raised hand lazily flicked it about. This went on for nearly thirty minutes until whisking dangerously close to one of the bookshelves, at which point a rush of snow-laden air from Serana extinguished the flames.

“Hey, what’d you do that for?�

“Because we didn’t spend six years collecting those books for you to torch them, Elle. Find another way to focus your thoughts.� Serana went back to reading one of her new spell tomes, but she barely made it through half a page before her face reddened, and she shifted in her seat. “Damn it, not like that! We don’t have time! School lets out in ten minutes, and we need to pick up Salihn!�

“When have I ever needed more than five minutes with you?�

“Not now, Elle!�

“Ah, you’re no fun,� Linneá giggled. “Come on, we might as well go early.�

They departed for the Solitude Schoolhouse, only stopping by their residence to grab warm cloaks for the stroll through town. Mid-afternoon brought bustling streets under a garish sun and a blustery breeze that promised the arrival of an early winter. The schoolhouse was one of the High King’s first initiatives after securing the throne and flexing his new authoritative powers, citing the lack of education in Skyrim compared to its neighboring provinces. The teacher, formal Jarl and High Queen of Solitude, Elisif the Fair, volunteered for her role soon after ceding her throne, and she proved to be a wonderful boon for the budding program. Construction of the new building had begun almost immediately, and the modest stone structure opened just over a year later, tucked between Vittoria Vici’s home and the Temple of the Divines courtyard.

A line of parents formed outside the door, with Linneá and Serana joining its ranks while they waited for the two o’clock bell to toll.

Did the first courier make it back yesterday? Serana asked her wife silently.

Uh uh. Da’s hopeful they will show up this afternoon, but that window is slowly slipping away, too.

What do you think they’ll have found out?

My guy says nothing good.

Mine too. Any new thoughts on all of this?

The bell rang loud and clear from the nearby chapel, cutting their inaudible conversation short. The other parents began to stir restlessly until the arched wooden schoolhouse doors opened with a thud, and children of all ages rushed out to meet their family. Salihn usually exited last and today was no different. She approached them with her hand still held by Elisif.

“Hi, sweetie!� said Serana. “How were your classes today?�

Salihn started rattling off all the things they did, but it went over Linneá’s head soon after she began. A solider bearing the High King’s crest trotted past them at double-time, bound straight for the Blue Palace. It had to be the courier, which meant Kirin would no doubt be summoning them the moment they returned home.

But her attention to the man was quickly broken by her daughter’s arms squeezing around Linneá’s hips. “Hi mom!�

“Salihn! Wherever have you been all day?� Linneá asked her in mock surprise. “Your mother and I were simply fraught with worry!�

“Mooooom! Don’t be silly, you brought me here yourself this morning!�

“Oh, yeah. Well, are you ready to head home, munchkin?�

“Mhm!�

“Then home it is!� said Serana. “You alright there, Elle?� she added in an aside to her wife. “Looked like you zoned out for a moment.�

“Courier went past.�

“Ah. Guess we’ll be headed straight for the study, then.�

The piercing call of a hawk soaring high overhead served to reinforce that estimation as the familiar-looking bird descended towards the palace and disappeared behind the ramparts. Kirin and Kyne would no doubt both be waiting for their arrival to dissect whatever news finally arrived.

-----

“I don’t understand how this is possible,� said Linneá shaking her head in confusion.

She sat in one of the chairs opposite Kirin’s desk and read the initial report from the scouts dispatched to Raldbthar. The vast Dwemer city was empty, save for the ancient automatons still mindless patrolling the metal halls of their forsaken masters. The report indicated that bandits still foolishly inhabited the outer halls, but the Falmer and their pet Chaurus were all gone from the deeper chambers.

“Nor do I,� said Kirin. “What’s more, is that there are no signs of where they could have gone, either.�

“That’s not too surprising. The Falmer are very cunning, and they excel at avoiding detection. If something drove them from their homes, I could see them being very careful about covering their tracks.� Serana opened her eyes after skimming the notes through her wife’s thoughts. “How soon can we expect other reports like this?�

“It’ll take some time. Raldbthar is close to Windhelm but the other well-known locations are harder to reach. I’d guess another week or two before we hear anything about Alftand, Mzark, or Mzinchaleft. And the remote hives like Gloomreach even longer.�

Kyne had been looming nearby silently and fell into her own thoughts on the matter. They were given quite the mystery with these sudden absences of Falmer, and she did not feel comfortable having to wait and see. Neither did Linneá, based on the way her mind raced ahead with ill regard for couching her intentions. If she knew her thoughts were spilling over, she didn’t let it stop her.

“What about Irkngthand?� asked Serana. “It’s not far from Raldbthar – did you dispatch scouts there, too?�

“No need,� said Kirin. “The entrance was buried by an avalanche years ago. I asked mum to fly past, and she confirmed that it’s still inaccessible.�
Linneá tossed the report moodily on the desk and crossed her arms. “I hate sitting around and waiting for answers. I feel nothing good will come of whatever is happening here, and twiddling our thumbs feels like a waste of time.�

She leaned back in the chair and stared aimlessly up at the ceiling while racking her brain for anything she may have overlooked. Nothing came to mind. There were no other places her and Serana could check without being away from home over an extended period of time, and neither of them desired to leave Salihn in someone else’s care for weeks on end while they hunted ghosts across all of Skyrim. Someone had to do something.

And then it came to her… “Do we know where the lovebirds are off to next?�

“Cain and Gwyn?� asked Kirin. “Uh, I think they’ve decided Markarth or Riften would be next on the itinerary.�

“Perfect! They’ll pass within a dozen miles of Gloomreach if they head west next. Let’s have them check it out. Mum can stick with them and report back the moment they surface.�

“Hm. That could work. The scouts weren’t due to get there until after they hit Arkngthamz, so we’ll definitely get another piece to the puzzle quicker. Do we know if they’re back from Falkreath yet?�

“I’m expecting them home tonight, my child,� said Kyne. “I saw them arrive in Falkreath a couple hours ago.�

“Wouldn’t they stay on the road to their next destination?� said Serana.

“Not likely, love,� said Linneá. “Our brother is a practical sort, and he probably saw how much ground there is to cover between Falkreath and the nearest hold capitals. Odds are he’ll want to resupply and depart from Elysium again.�

“Makes sense,� nodded Serana. “Shall we pay them a visit tonight?�

“Tomorrow morning,� countered Kyne. “Let them have the night to themselves.�

-----

Later that night, Linneá and Serana lounged in a hot bath in one of the repurposed dungeons far beneath the ground floor of the Blue Palace while Salihn slept soundly in her bed, their living quarters sealed magickally against anyone but immediate family. Eyes closed, they both soaked quietly in the steaming waters to quell the stress of the ongoing mystery plaguing an otherwise pleasant life. Linneá wished there was more they could do but was content for now to let her father’s men – and her brother – handle the next steps. And there was still the other matter that she, Serana, and Kyne had been dancing carefully around.

“We’ll have to tell dad eventually, Elle. Especially if it becomes relevant.�

“It already is relevant. I just worry that letting the cat of out of the bag means it will stay out. It’s possible that the two of us are the only people alive who are aware of Auri-El’s Chantry and Gelebor. Er, other than mum that is. But she doesn’t count.�

“You do know that means we’ll be the ones that have to go there, right? How is that going to work? The Forgotten Vale is far away, dear. Weeks through rough country on foot.�

“I know,� Linneá grimaced. “As much as it pains me to say, I think only one of us will be undertaking that journey.�

Serana felt the sadness behind that statement and couldn’t help but feel the same way. She thought back to when they first met in Dimhollow Crypt and realized that the longest they’d ever been apart since then was when Linneá had been sent to retrieve the Bloodstone Chalice shortly after becoming a vampire. In the years that followed, they were always together, save for the nerve-wracking hours Serana endured while her wife ventured into Apocrypha alone to rescue Lydia. And now they faced the prospect of being separated for much longer than either of them were comfortable with.

At least we still have our thoughts, Linneá broke in. I’ll miss your touch. The delicate fragrance of your hair. But at least we’ll never be truly apart.

I know that, and I love you, Elle. It’s Salihn I worry about.

Me, too. But she’s strong and she’ll have you and her grandparents to be with. It’ll just make my return all the better.

Linneá slid over to the same side of the deep ovular bath as Serana and leaned her head against her shoulder. “We should probably head up to bed now.�

“Uh uh,� tutted Serana. “You don’t get to flirt with me the way you did earlier and get off scot free. You’re not leaving this tub until I’m satisfied.

-----

Dawn broke the very next morning to screams of surprise that the door to Linneá and Serana’s bedroom door did little to muffle. Kyne had stood impassively in the corner waiting with endless patience for her charges to awaken from their slumber in time to take their daughter back to school. Salihn had awoken and got herself ready under the goddess’ guidance and been whisked off to breakfast by her grandmother. But it was getting late and the two ladies snoring away should be well awake, despite their late-night escapades.

The aforementioned scream was a result of a minor thunderclap summoned directly above Linneá’s head. In hindsight, Kyne thought maybe a more delicate approach would have been more prudent, especially since the resulting jolt into alert wakefulness came with a powerful ward cast instinctually by Linneá to protect herself and Serana.

“WHAT THE [censored], MUM!? ARE YOU TRYING GIVE US A HEART ATTACK!?�

She sat up in bed, panting from the rush of adrenaline and glaring through the shimmering barrier of magick. Serana too looked breathless and wide-eyed by the sudden arousal.

“You two do realize you have less than ten minutes until your daughter leaves for class, don’t you?�

“Damn it,� grumbled Serana, rubbing her eyes. “Did we really sleep that late?�

“Yes, you did. Very unlike yourselves, I might add. Is there any particular reason for it?�

“Nothing you need to worry about, mum,� said Linneá. She dispelled the ward and leapt from bed to get dressed hastily. Serana followed suit under the harried eye of Kyne who watched with an amused smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “Did she at least get something to eat?�

“Don’t fret, Linn, your mother and I took care of it.�

“Knew we kept you around for a reason. We’ll see you at Elysium later?�

“Always.�

The goddess departed at the same time they rushed from the bedroom and headed for their favorite dining room. Salihn was halfway through a plate of eggs and toast when they burst into the room, apologizing profusely to the little girl who simply shrugged and kept on eating.

“Late night?� asked Lydia with a raised eyebrow.

“Sort of,� said Serana. “Thanks for bailing us out.�

“Aren’t you two supposed to go see your brother this morning?�

“Mmf.� Linneá gave up trying to speak round a mouthful of cobbler and nodded instead.

“I’ll take her to school, then. You two eat up and get going – don’t want to miss Cain and Gwyn.�

Linneá thanked her mother profusely and kissed the top of Salihn’s head. “Eat when we get back?� she asked Serana.

“That’s fine with me.�

Goodbye embraces were given and in the blink of an eye there erupted another scream of surprise for the second time in under twenty minutes, followed by a crash and the shattering of a ceramic mug. Gwyn stood unclothed in the kitchen of Elysium Estate, the array of tattoos covering her body glowing a deep scarlet to match the readied spell undulating menacingly in her palms. A half-dressed Cain tore out of the master bedroom seconds later with a dagger in his hand and he stopped short at the scene unraveling in the dining room.

“YOU COULD HAVE GIVEN US A WARNING!� shouted Gwyn, still naked and completely unashamed. “OR AT LEAST RECALLED OUTSIDE OF THE [censored] HOUSE!�

Cain tried his best not to laugh as he ducked back into their room in search of a robe for Gwyn to wear while they apparently had guests in the house. He found one of her old patchy and frayed dresses that made it out of Gwyn’s old cabin before it burned down and returned to the kitchen with it. She snatched it from his hands and pulled it over head and then crossed her arms in a sulking manner.

“You can uncover your eyes now, idiots.� She waited until Linneá and Serana sheepishly lowered their hands before continuing: “Now do you mind telling what the [censored] you are doing here? You do realize Cain and I need to get on the road again within the hour?�

“Uh, good morning, sis,� said Linneá, trying for a disarming smile.

Gwyn wasn’t having it and remained silent.

“We have a small job for you along the way,� offered Serana. “Dad’s orders.�

“Whatever,� said Gwyn. “Come help clean up this mess. And then fix me a tea, since you ruined this one.�