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]

Chapter XXXII – On the Run


“We can’t just sit here and wait to die, Retnarr!�

Delphine felt she may as well have been speaking to a brick wall for all the progress (or lack thereof) she had made in convincing her cell mate in doing anything other than lying pitifully in the dirt and bemoaning his misfortune in life. She privately scolded him as being the least Nord-like Nord she’d ever met and wondered if the poor sap might have been a beggar in one of the larger cities before trying his hand at living in the wilds.

“Why can’ we?� moaned Retnarr dejectedly. “Gotta die anyway, my’swell get it over with. Ain’t ne’er escapin’ the elves or tha dark, ya old bag.�

“Then you’re a useless fool,� chided Delphine. “I can get us out of this cell at any time, but I need someone watching my back if we are to escape! My reflexes aren’t what they once were.�

“Cuz yer old.�

“Stubborn ass,� she snorted.

Footsteps echoed up the corridor, and they ceased bickering while the guards made their rounds. Delphine feigned sleep until the haughty elf moved on – being awake meant several minutes of gloating that not a single one of the Thalmor troops resisted partaking in over her captivity. It gave Delphine a feeling of satisfaction to know her efforts against The Dominion in her younger days did not go unnoticed, even if it made her current predicament that much worse. Exactly how much worse depended entirely on whether or not she could convince the otherwise useless sack of potatoes that was her cell mate to escape with her.

Maybe the Legion can house him in Solitude. Thinking that might entice Retnarr enough to risk it, Delphine tried a different tack.

“How about this, Retnarr… help me get out of here and I’ll convince the king to find you a place to live in the capital? Sound good?�

“Like I’m ta believe that,� said Retnarr. “Jus’ cuz you have a high ‘pinion of yerself don’ mean his lordship do.�

“I was captured doing reconnaissance for Kirin, you oaf. Even traveled to Dawnstar with his son for a bit. I joined the High King’s court several weeks ago after traveling back here to Skyrim at the Empire’s request.�

“Makes sense why yer so stuffy.�

Delphine groaned audibly and gave up. “Fine, stay here and rot for all I care. I’m leaving after the next shift change and I’m not coming back. If you can figure out where your manhood went feel free to follow me. I’ll leave the door unlocked.�

Retnarr murmured something crude under his breath as Delphine laid down on the hay pile in her corner to rest up ahead of her next task: getting out of the dreadful place she’d been dragged to. She knew it would prove to be a tall order, and that she’d be racing against time the moment she left her cell. Once the guards realized she had flown the coop, all hell would break loose. She needed to find one of the Dwemer lifts to the surface as quickly as she could possibly manage.

She made sure to say a prayer to all nine Divines, hoping that any one of them would take pity on her.

-----

The hour had arrived. Delphine made a final vain attempt to have Retnarr follow her before unlocking the cell door and vanishing alone into the darkness. She passed through the familiar room at the end of the hall and then stole through the heavy Dwemer door and into the massive realm of Blackreach just beyond. Furtive glances at her surroundings revealed two more structures on either side of the one she’d been held in, but the doorways to them were collapsed under rubble. Far off in the distance Delphine could just make out an odd glowing light floating high above the ground.

It suddenly occurred to her that being underground skewed her sense of direction and that she didn’t have any idea of her bearings. Thinking back to her days at Sky Haven Temple, Delphine recalled a handy spell Esbern taught her, and she ducked behind one of the ruined buildings before casting it, lest the glow attract unwanted attention. A summoned compass alighted on her open palm and indicated that the solid rock wall on her left was due west

“At least it’s something,� she muttered.

Dispelling the compass, she fled into the darkness while keeping her eyes peeled for any obvious landmarks to help her stay oriented. Enormously tall mushrooms cast an ethereal glow in faint pockets beneath their caps and Delphine was bathed in the light of one such mycelial outgrowth when hurried footsteps approached her from behind.

“Delphine!� hissed Retnarr in the nick of time. Had he waited even a second longer, the Nord would’ve been greeted with her primed and ready paralysis spell. “Wait fer me!�

“Change your mind?� she asked.

“Aye. They’dve taken it out on me anyhow. Figgered getting’ killed on my feet would make fer a better story in Sovngarde. ‘Ere, take this. I offed the guard to buy some more time.�

Retnarr handed Delphin an elven dagger, and it was then that she noticed the matching sword slung over his back.

“Your confidence is inspiring, Retnarr,� chuckled Delphine. “Thanks for the dagger.�

“Wha’s the plan?�

“Finding a way out of this maze. We’re heading roughly south along this rock wall. Hopefully we find something of note along the way.�

“I knew you was gonn’ say somethin’ like that,� grumbled Retnarr. “ I nabbed a map from the elf I did in. Take it.�

He handed Delphine a worn map frayed around the edges from use. She opened it up and held it under the dim light from the mushroom stalks and tried to get their bearings. There was no way of knowing if the map was to scale, but it did have plenty of markings and notations, including a scribble on top of the three buildings they’d fled from.

“Looks like were held here, in this old Farm Overseers house. So that would mean…� Her finger traced along the outer wall and stopped near a particularly craggy outcropping. “We are roughly here. Hm. I think we have to go in another direction, or we’ll come to a steep cliff. What is… oh! That’s it!�

“Wha’s what, woman?�

Delphine pointed at a marking towards the east. “Mzark. I know that ruin and it comes out in the mountains southwest of Dunstad. If we can make it there, we’ll be able to make a run for the village and talk to the garrison. The guard captain there knows me; he’s the one that outfitted the team that escorted me to Duskglow.�

Retnarr whistled low. “I dunno, Delph. Tha’s at least a day’s walk, and tha’s if’in we had some light!�

“Only one of us has to make it, Retnarr,� she said grimly. “The king needs to know of what’s going on down here immediately. We have a duty to Skyrim, and to the Empire.�

“Bloody die ‘ards,� said Retnarr. “S’pose it’s better than dyin’ unnerground. Ain’t natural, tha’. Lead on, Delph.�

She clasped his shoulder warmly and together they discussed tactics on what to do should they be spotted. It took them about half of an hour to iron out a plan they both agreed to before finally getting underway again.

Staying away from the bioluminescent spore carriers, the unlikely duo slowly picked their way through the grim darkness of Blackreach, taking great care not to trip over large rocks, or tumble down steep slopes. Somewhere in the distance the roar of a waterfall added to their wariness – getting swept away by the current of an underground river meant certain death. They only had the odd rat to contend with until all hell broke loose.

A dozen or so Thalmor troops with torches ablaze suddenly clambered by, coming within fifty feet of where they were crouched against a tall stalagmite, bound for the cluster of Dwemer structures Delphine and Retnarr had escaped from less than two hours ago.

“Damn it!� hissed Delphine. “I hoped we would have had more time! We need to pick up the pace, Retnarr! They’ll be searching for us soon and I don’t know any spells to counter Detect Life. Unless… did you pick out any robed figures in that squad?�

“The wizard types? Nah, they all had clankin’ armor on.�

“We might get lucky, then. Let’s get a move on.�

With the weight of being recaptured and likely tortured or fed to the Dark Heart looming over Delphine and Retnarr’s heads, they doubled-timed their efforts in reaching the Tower of Mzark with its promise of reaching the surface before it was too late. That, unfortunately, didn’t turn out to be very fast with the utter blackness of the aptly named lost Dwemer city hindering their progress at every turn. They soon learned that unless you stuck to the clearly marked roads on the map, navigating the labyrinthian cavern was no small task, whether there were elves nipping at your heels or not.

And Thalmor were indeed doing just that. Torches and candlelight spells blossomed out in the distance, and the barking of dogs echoed off the stone walls and pillars interspersed throughout the colossal underground expanse.

“This isn’t looking good, Retnarr. Look, if things go south, I need you to run for the hills. You’re younger and faster than me – it’s imperative that you make it to Dunstad.�

“Pointy eared bastards ain’t caught us yet, Delph. I know a few tricks to keep the hounds off our scent, too. Hope ya don’ mind muckin’ about in the mud.�

“Whatever it takes, friend. But I think we’re going to have to hide out somewhere for a while. They’ll surely catch us before we make it to Mzark.�

Retnarr fell silent for a few minutes as he desperately tried to recall hazy memories from his time in the Legion. There had been a dark elf colonel commanding another unit with a penchant for alchemy, and she regularly touted the brews and salves she concocted to help with their missions: especially espionage, or courier services. He was almost certain the elf had spoken of an ingredient that masked life signs, rather than turn one invisible. The name eluded him, but it lay on the tip of his tongue.

“Delph, how much do ya know about alchemy?�

“I have a passing knowledge,� she said. “Why?�

“I’m tryin’ to amember the name of an ingredient but it ain’t comin’ to me. There was this elf lass I served with ya see, and she knowed a way to mask ‘er troops from detection and the like.�

“Hm. Well, the only thing I’ve seen around here is a Nirnroot variant, but –“

“Nirnroot, tha’s it!�

“Retnarr, that plant is used for invisibility potions. You can still be detected by other magickal means.�

“She didn’ brew it, Delph!� he exclaimed. “The lass would mash it to a pulp, mix it wit a sorta salty muck, and ‘ave the men rub it over their hearts like.�

“And it made them undetectable?� replied Delphine. The Breton had been around for a long time, and she was a spymaster for much of it. Not once did she ever hear of such a thing. “I don’t know, Retnarr. Seems like a stretch.�

“Whadda’ we got ta lose?�

“Point taken. Hold your breath and don’t move for a few seconds.�

At his pause, Delphine strained her ears for the telltale siren-like wail of the elusive plant Retnarr spoke of. She thought the faintest trill of Nirnroot song emanated from somewhere nearby, but she couldn’t pinpoint exactly where and slowing down to search for it offered ample opportunity for the Thalmor searchers to catch back up with the escapees.

“I think I hear one close by. Are you sure about this? The elves will be gaining on us.�

“I’m sure, Delph. Stake me life on it.�

“Very well. Let’s hunt some Nirnroot!�