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]

Oh yes, Kyne and Mara are very much sisters in these tales. They love and adore each other. Mara even wed Kirin and Lydia in The Call of the Wind.

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

Chapter XXIII – The Cold Northlands

Dawnstar is a meager port town on the Sea of Ghosts, roughly midway between Solitude and Winterhold. And as Cain soon came to learn, the citizens that call it home are either salty sailors or miserable miners. Neither group offered much hospitality to travelers, so he kept his identity to himself until it was time to meet Jarl Brina Merilis.

He was alone for the time being, for Delphine had immediately left to find her contact after they disembarked from the Siren’s Song. With little to do until the following afternoon, Cain rented a room at the Windpeak Inn and ordered a warm meal to stave off the icy winds of the sea. The tavern offered their services in a more homely manner than most places he’d visited in Skyrim so far, and the bartender simply handed him a bowl and pointed at the large cast iron cauldron sitting aside the central fire pit. Cain ladled out what smelled like a hearty seafood chowder and tossed a chunk of bread on top before finding a quiet seat in the corner.

I can’t believe you’d eat a proper meal like that while I’m living off of rations. Gwyn had a waspish tone when she spoke into his mind, but Cain recognized the playfulness behind it.

Toss a marker on the ground and come join me. Linn won’t mind if Serana is still there visiting you. I’m sure they’d love another excuse to be in that tent again.

Can’t. She decided it would be a good idea to ask Mara for help, so now the two of us are looking for a secluded place to converse.

Cain nearly choked on a spoonful of chowder. He and Anska had been graced by the Goddess of Love’s presence not long after they began their courtship, but that had been a special circumstance. And with how well his relationship with Gwyn had progressed, he’d never envisioned a second entanglement with her.

What!?

Yeah. I’m honestly not even surprised. This is just so [censored] typical of you people.

I’m coming to your side. I should be there with you. Cain set his bowl aside and began to lace up his boots again, but Gwyn stopped him short of leaving the inn.

You don’t need to, love. I’m a big girl and I can handle this on my own. It’s sweet that you want to, but I’ll be okay.

Are you sure?

Yes. And I have to go. She found us a nice cluster of dead trees to sit under.

Cain wished her good luck and sat back down to finish his lunch. Unsure of what to do after that, he bundled up and decided to take a walk around town to familiarize himself with Dawnstar. Small as it may be, the port remained vital to travel and trade along Skyrim’s northern frontiers. There was little to offer though, and he ended up visiting the Quicksilver Mine to see how Delphine fared.

Not well, as it turned out. When Cain found her, she was sitting on an upturned bucket with a damp cloth pressed to a wound on her forehead.

“Hold still,� said Cain, shaking his head. He cast a quick healing spell on the old woman and then sat on the ground at her side. “What happened?�

“Irvkar isn’t as malleable as he once was. I pushed too hard, and he didn’t take too kindly to that. My reflexes aren’t what they once were either. I should have seen it coming.�

“Don’t beat yourself up about it, Delphine. We all lose a step eventually. It could have been worse, but it wasn’t, which means luck is still on your side. Let’s head back to the inn – they have a lovely pot of chowder that’ll make you feel a lot better about this day.

Delphine eyed him approvingly. “You remind me a lot of your father, Cain. I see why he strives so much to have you succeed him. Your sister on the other hand…�

“Is the best of us,� finished Cain. “Don’t mistake her temper for anything other than a fierce loyalty to those whom she loves. Linneá wears her heart on her sleeve, and she would lay down her life to save this land and everyone in it. She would make an excellent High Queen.�

“I’ll take your word for it, Dragonborn. Enough talk for now; lead me on to this mythical meal you spoke of!�

-----

Early afternoon of the following day came on the heels of another successful introduction to one of Skyrim’s Jarls. Brina Merilis had been much more pleasant to deal with than the lout Cain and Gwyn had met in Markarth; and much less foreboding than Jarl Idgrod of Morthal. How a member of the infamous Silver-Blood family had come to power in that city mystified Cain, especially after learning some of the family’s history in The Reach. And the dire warning given by the Seer loomed over all of their heads like a thunder cloud.

“Were you able to book passage back to Solitude on another ship?� Cain said to Delphine. “I think the Starbreeze is bound to the west.�

“I’m not going back just yet.�

“Delphine…�

“I pried a tip from one of the dockhands this morning. Apparently, there is a Falmer hive to the south of Dawnstar that isn’t on any maps, including your fathers. Travelers who make the journey to Whiterun on foot refer to it as Duskglow Crevice. It’s about a day’s march from Fort Dunstad.�

Cain fished his folded map out of the bag he carried everywhere and smoothed it out upon the tabletop. The fort Delphine spoke of was constructed around a small town, but there were no signs of a nearby cave.

“Are you sure about this, Delphine?�

“Absolutely.� She pulled her own map out and laid it beside his, indicating the ‘X’ marked along the side of a small valley between two rocky outcrops. “It ought to be right here.�

“I can’t come with you,� said Cain. “You know that, right?�

“I do. I plan on hiring some of Brina’s men to escort me to the fort and then gathering a few soldiers to check on the cave with me. I’ll be safe in their care, and I will take a carriage back to Solitude after I’ve explored Duskglow.�

“Then I guess this is where we part ways,� said Cain. “I assume you leaving after lunch? The Siren isn’t going to push off before dawn, so I’m here for another night. Captain doesn’t like the look of the clouds blowing in and thinks we’re in for a bad storm tonight.�

“Safe travels, friend,� said Delphine.

She excused herself and left the inn, leaving Cain to wonder if her plan was the best idea. There were a lot of unknowns to it and as her ill-fated meeting with an old contact had illustrated, the old Blade was not the capable fighter from bygone days. But he’d be keeping tabs on her for the next few hours regardless, just to make sure she got out of Dawnstar and out of his hair. Delphine remained in the dark on how Cain and his family traveled, and she did not know that he would be recalling to a talisman placed at the College of Winterhold in time for dinner with another Jarl.

Three hours later, Cain watched Delphine head south on horseback at a gentle trot. Six other men on horses of their own rode in a box formation around her and by late afternoon they were gone from sight. And so was Cain after he ducked behind the inn before vanishing without a trace.

-----

He reappeared in a small chamber connected to Arch Mage Ervine’s quarters and knocked thrice on the door to announce his presence.

“Come!� Mirabelle Ervine stood hunched over an alchemy lab, peering at him over round glasses perched at the end of her nose. “Ah, you must be Cain. We’ve heard a lot about the king’s son – it’s nice to finally meet you.�

“Likewise, Arch Mage.�

“Please, call me Mira. Do you require any of our services before you depart?�

“No, thank you,� said Cain. “Will you be attending my dinner with Jarl’s court tonight?�

“That won’t be necessary. Jarl Aranea is a friend of the College and will relay anything of importance to us.�

“Then I won’t take up anymore of your time. It was a pleasure to meet you, Mira.� Cain bowed respectfully and saw his way out into the College proper. Appreciative of the warm halls full of knowledge, he took his time descending to the Hall of Elements before heading out into the blistering cold of Skyrim’s harshest city.

Winterhold had been slowly recovering and building up since Kirin ascended to the throne, but the city yet remained a shadow of what it once was. A few new traders had cropped up, and a guarded walkway that led to a new seaport dropped out of sight to the east, but there was still a lack of interest for citizens to repopulate the town. A few Dunmer had made their way north from Windhelm when Aranea Ienith came into power following the former Jarl’s passing.

A well-respected mage who had settled down sometime in 4E 201, Aranea was a near unanimous choice due to her willingness to help the few remnants of Winterhold through the long winters and short summers of the northlands.

You know what… I take it back. I’d rather be here than in that sorry excuse for a hold capital.

Cain chuckled aloud at Gwyn’s silent statement. It’s not so bad and there is still opportunity for improvement.

Good luck getting anyone to move there.

I dunno, hon. These Nords seem to relish a challenge.

And they would do well to exercise their minds instead of chopping wood for eternity just to keep warm. Education is a serious problem in this province, Cain. I’ve got big plans for when you take the reins.

Is that so? I didn’t realize I was dealing with the future High Queen, your majesty!

Shut up, idiot. I know you’ve got a ring in your pocket. Our minds are linked, dumbass.

There’s my girl.

-----

“So, all-in-all another successful trip?� asked Kirn.

“I think so,� said Cain. “Jarls Brina and Aranea certainly know what they are doing and are a positive influence on their cities. I don’t anticipate any issues in dealing with them. “

“Excellent! Go get something to eat and then rest for a while, my son. I’ll let the kitchen staff know you are coming.�

“Actually, I planned on going home to Elysium for a few days. Want to tag along for a nightcap? There should be a case of Juniper Mead waiting for me by the front door.�

Surprisingly, Kirin thought that to be a wonderful idea, and he went off in search of Lydia to see if she would like to join them. Cain busied himself by leafing through a few notes and letters that had arrived by carrier birds and was pleased to see that Delphine had thought to notify her king of the unplanned journey she set out on from Dawnstar earlier that same day.

When Kirin returned to the study a short time later, he did so alone. “Looks like we are going stag tonight, Cain. Lyds is watching Salihn while Serana is away. I didn’t know she left to visit Linn again.�

“Nor did I,� said Cain. “Must’ve been a last-minute idea.�

“Most likely. Those two can be very spontaneous.�

Kirin grabbed his coat and a favorite drinking glass before Cain whisked them away to Elysium for a quiet night at home.