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

[Acadian]

It makes good sense that Linn should have some company for her adventure. Just as it makes sense that Serana really needs to stay home and mind the elf-child. Gwyn makes for a logical choice and I was pleased that she seems to accept the task.

I do find myself wondering what Cain’s role will be during this time. Since he is not going with Gwyn and Linn, is he planning on continuing his royal duty tour of the holds?

I’m looking forward to perhaps seeing some of Gwyn’s magic in action.

[Kane]

Acadian: Gwyn definitely only accepts because they are now linked. She'd have outright refused if they weren't.

I don't typically like to tease, but Cain's role and Gwyn in action are certainly on deck!

{=======================}

Chapter XIX – Many Meetings

“Are you sure I can’t teach you this spell? It’s not exactly hard to master if you put in the time to understand the mechanics.�

“I never had much talent with magecraft,� said Kirin. “Besides, what good are children if we can’t rely on them as we get older?�

Cain laughed heartily while his father stood up to join him in the center of the study. “If anything, I feel like you owe me some favors, dad. I was happily living life as a nobody until your men abducted me and brought me to the palace.� Cain caught his reflection in a mirror on the back of the door and paused to straighten the front of his shirt. “Is mum coming with us today?�

She’ll have to eventually, thought Gwyn. Dunno why she keeps putting it off.

Hey! Are you eavesdropping?

…Maybe.

He didn’t blame her at all. Trudging along the road to Dragon Bridge during the early onset of winter sounded like an awful idea for anyone but a Nord. Gwyn and Linneá had set out the day before with mixed emotions all around, but it seemed like their spirits rose as the hours went on. Cain caught snippets of playful sniping that Serana verified from her end, too. Something told him that that particular journey would end with them being closer than sisters.

“She is, actually,� said Kirin, snapping Cain out of his head. “Ought to be along any moment now.�

As if on cue, the door opened, and Lydia entered the room. Despite being the High Queen of Skyrim, she wore a very simple, yet utterly elegant periwinkle dress that flowed softly down to her ankles. A scarf embroidered with the Windborne Family crest draped over her shoulders, and atop her head rested the floral crown Linneá had crafted and gifted to her for Lydia’s fiftieth birthday. Her long black hair, now streaked with grey, remained unadorned but had been tied up in a braided knot that sat just above her neck.

“By the Nine, how did I get so lucky!� whistled Kirin.

“Hush, husband,� she winked. “I expect you to be on your best behavior today. Is your speech ready? Have you been practicing?�

“I’m as ready as I can be, Lyds. Not every day one gets to speak to the entire Elder Council after all.�

Cain was thankful to have not been invited for that portion of the trip. He planned on finding a nice, quiet corner of the Imperial Library to while away the hours until it became time to return home. It was a nice departure from the routine he had been sharing with Gwyn, but further Holds awaited his arrival, and Cain would be setting out from Solitude tomorrow morning with a new entourage, bound for the city of Morthal.

Jarl Idgrod the Younger had already sent a letter thanking Cain for his imminent arrival. That bit of mail thoroughly confounded him until Kirin explained the legacy of Seers in the Jarl’s family. Apparently, it was trivial to predict that he would be visiting their city.

But for now, his parents had an appointment at the White-Gold Tower, and it was time to depart.

“We’re ready when you are, son,� said Kirin.

Cain offered both of them a hand, concentrated on the talisman they’d given to the High Chancellor at their last meeting, and whisked them away to the Heartland.

Anilay Cato welcomed them into his office once again with open arms and bowed before Lydia with a flourish. “It’s lovely to finally meet you, High Queen Windborne.�

“Please, Mr. Cato, that isn’t necessary. My name is Lydia, and I insist that you use it. And it’s nice to meet you, as well.�

“Very well, Lydia. I see now where your husband gets his wisdom from. I think the Empire shall be lucky to have you both. But the Council awaits – shall we?�

“Good luck, you two,� said Cain. “I’ll be in the library if you need me.�

-----

The Imperial Library was far vaster than Cain anticipated. As he stood among the seemingly endless towering stacks lined with innumerable books, tomes, scrolls, volumes, and journals, he could not help but wonder how long his sisters would be gleefully trapped in such a place for, and he suspected they would insist on having unfettered access to it when their father assumed the Ruby Throne. For now, he settled on gloating inwardly that he was the first of them to witness such a spectacle of knowledge.

That’s unbecoming of you, came Gwyn’s playfully condescending thought. I’m telling your sister.

Go for it. She’s much too far from here to do anything about it.

Don’t remind me.

Sorry, hon. I love you and I miss you. We’ll see each other before long, I promise.

We’d better. You still owe me a child.

Cain smiled to himself and set off to find a nice, private nook from which to read in. Along the way, he grabbed a few books he’d never seen at random and eventually sat down with them in a red leather armchair on the eastern wall. It offered a small side table to set the books down on and had been nestled cozily into an alcove with soaring bay windows overlooking the palace gardens.

He read uninterrupted for nearly an hour until an unexpected figure took the seat across from him.

“Good to see you again, Cain,� said Anilay.

“Likewise. But shouldn’t you be in the council chamber with everyone else?�

Anilay shook his head. “No need. Your father has already told me I’d be kept on as his chancellor, so my presence would just be a formality. It’s the council he needs to present himself to, not me.�

“In that case, what can I do for you?�

“Let us go somewhere more private for a few moments. Please follow me up to my office.�

Leaving the books behind, Cain stood up and followed the High Chancellor away from the library and back into the cathedral-like main hall with its winding grand staircase. Born aloft on the magickal elevator, they reached the highest floor and made for the enigmatic office of the Tamriel’s emperor for the third time. Sitting behind the desk within seemed to be a requirement for Cain’s visits to city at this point and he silently remarked on what a far cry it was from his days as just another rank-and-file member in the Fighter’s Guild of Anvil.

Don’t let it go to your head.

I would never, retorted Cain. Then he focused on the man across from him instead.

Anilay cleared his throat. “Ahem. Now, then… I understand you and your siblings are looking into a matter with the Falmer? Mass disappearances, yes?�

“Aye,� said Cain. “With no leads, I might add.�

“Yes, that’s what your father’s men indicated. I might have something here of note…� He began rifling through the papers on his desk. “One moment, I had the damned thing just an hour ago…� Anilay dug around for half a minute more until he found the document he sought. “Ah, here it is. Some agents intercepted a carrier pigeon two days ago and made a copy of its contents. We can’t make head nor tails of it, but perhaps you can.�

Cain prodded Gwyn’s mind before trying to comprehend the note.


YM,
Proceeding apace. Anticipate adhering to pre-determined schedule. Please advise on timeline for coinciding event.
ML


“Hm. That doesn’t offer too much.�

That’s being generous, thought Gwyn in response. But, hey, it might be something. Although Linn thinks it’s a load of [censored]. You know how she is.

“I wish it were more,� said Anilay. “We aren’t even sure if it has anything to do with the matter, but our analysts haven’t matched it up with anything else we’re aware of either. It could be meaningless trite, but it would have been shared with Kirin at some point regardless.�

“I’m guessing it was caught flying southward?�

“Over Cloud Ruler Temple, in fact,� said Anilay. “It could only have come from Skyrim.�

“Interesting. Thank you for letting me know, Anilay.�

“Of course. We should think about heading back downstairs. The chamber doors ought to be opening again soon.�

-----

Three days later, Cain rode through the gates of Morthal on horseback with six guards flanking him. They boarded their mounts with the stablemaster and promptly headed to the Moorside in hopes of a warm fire and a hot meal. The men Cain had been saddled with were a friendly enough lot, if a bit too uptight about his safety. However, they were not aware of his ability to recall, as the High King still considered that to be a state secret, even if it meant guard duty required a healthy paranoia. The fewer people that could discern their movements, the better he reasoned.

His visit to the town bordering the marshlands of Hjaalmarch officially began the following morning. Cain had a breakfast audience with the Jarl first thing, which meant that tonight promised relaxation and a few pints of mead.

Even the men let down their guard a little bit and ordered a round or two to pass the time. There were not enough beds for them all in the small tavern, so only one would be staying with their charge while the others bunked in the town barracks. After a piping hot bowl of venison stew, Cain turned in for the night and tried reading a book to wind down from the journey.

Gwyn, however, had other plans, and decided the best way to spend their nights apart was to mercilessly tease him with an unbroken stream of desirous imagery and sexual innuendo that Dibella herself ought not be privy to.

You’ve gotta stop doing this to me, dear. I’ll be so pent up by the next time we see each other that I won’t know what to do with myself!

That’s the idea, Gwyn replied in thought. But don’t worry – I know exactly what I’ll do with you. When will you be home again?

Not for another three days at the least. Dad is insistent on hiding our handy-dandy traveling spell, so I’m to ride back to Solitude first and then depart from there.

Handy-dandy? Really? Am I dating a [censored] simpleton from the sticks?

Dating implies you have the option of leaving. You’re stuck with me, Gwyndala Louvain, and you damn well know it.

That’s what I like to hear, Gwyn purred into his mind. Now, if you don’t mind, I would like you to tell me – in great detail – what you plan on doing to me three nights from now.

-----

“It’s an honor to meet you, Jarl Idgrod,� bowed Cain.

“The honor is mine, young master Windborne.�

The High King’s heir and the Jarl of Morthal took their seats at the table arrayed for their meeting in the lofty great room of Highmoon Hall. Pitchers of water and urns of coffee and tea rested among platters of lighter fare than the hearty meals Cain usually preferred, but he graciously thanked his host before making up a plate of eggs, roasted vegetables, and sugared snowberries that had a curious way of warming one from within.

They mostly exchanged pleasantries and discussed the hold’s historic relationship with Solitude and the leaders of days gone, but Idgrod was also the first Jarl thus far to inquire about his past and how he came to be in Skyrim. There were no secrets from the people, so Cain told her the abridged version while omitting his absence last year. That was much too personal for him to share, yet he gathered that Idgrod had insights of her own on the matter, even if she didn’t push him on it.

It was a thoroughly pleasant morning all around, until the dynamic suddenly shifted mere moments before Cain was set to depart. Idgrod fell silent, eyelids fluttering while her mouth murmured inaudibly for several unending seconds. Then she turned the meeting over on its head when she took his hand and peered mournfully into his eyes.

“You must be cautious, my lord. Danger lurks in the black and it slowly reaches forth. The mystery of the Falmer unravels itself with or without your interference. For the sake of us all, you must get to the bottom of it, lest our land be consumed by the evil heart of darkness that encroaches from beyond the veil.�

Idgrod let go of Cain’s hand, and he sat back in stunned silence while she excused herself from the hall. A silence that was not shared by the other voice within his mind.

WHAT THE [censored] WAS THAT ABOUT?!