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

[Acadian]

Both the descriptive approach to Skingrad and mention of Sindorian were nostalgic indeed.

Full bellies, a visit from Mara and clean bodies! I understand Anska’s apprehension about Mara’s cryptic warnings.

Anska dispatches a highwayman while Cain picks flowers. Go figure.

I’m imagining Anska will be more than a little impressed by her initial sighting of the Imperial City.

Meanwhile back in Solitude, the little Ayleid has a name – Salihn - and Serana thinks she may be seeking new parents. Linneá’s reaction is understandable reluctance. Perhaps the little one is better off with Lydia – for now anyway.

[Kane]

She'll come around, it just never occurred to her that something like that would happen. Towards the end of Linn's playthrough, they actually adopted Lucia from the streets of Whiterun. It was unwritten, but this is a nice way to put a bow on that.

[Kane]

Chapter XXX �" A Chance Meeting


“Holy [censored]!” exclaimed Anska. It had been nearly a week since they’d left Skingrad and continued their journey east. The weather had been clear, and the roads were relatively empty, save for the occasional guard patrol. Now they stood in the foothills around the basin of Lake Rumare, staring out over the calm waters and drinking in the incredible breadth of the Imperial City. “I thought you were overselling it, but it’s still bigger than I could have imagined!

“Sorta makes you wonder how Skyrim gets by with its little villages and towns, eh?” said Cain. “Don’t forget, though �" the city has been a major seat of power for thousands of years.”

“And that’s the White-Gold Tower at the center?”

“Aye. Home of the Imperial Library, the Elder Council, and the Emperor himself. Hopefully, we don’t have to go there, but I’m not sure where the Thalmor headquarters are. We’ll have to discreetly ask around town.” Cain kissed Anska on the cheek to break her reverie. “C’mon, milady… if we double-time it, we can make the inn at Weye by sundown.”

Down the road they went, skirting around the ruins of an old stone fort before turning north for the tiny town nestled right by the bridge leading into the city. The roads were more open near the lake shore, and farms were littered about the gentle slopes. The occasional guard patrol or traveler would nod at them in passing, but thankfully no one seemed to be interested in stopping for a conversation.

Cain looked down at his armor cuirass and found that he didn’t blame them; he was filthy from a week of travel with no chance to bathe or even rinse the grime off. He’d forgotten how few streams and tributaries there were in the West Weald. Looking over at his fiancé, he wondered how she’d managed to remain much cleaner than he.

Trust me, I smell worse than I look, she thought at Cain. Do you think the tavern will have a bath like the one in Skingrad? If it doesn’t, I’m not above going for a swim in the lake before we go to bed.

Definitely going to be the lake. It’s been a few years since I was last in Weye, but the inn didn’t have a bath then.

Skinny dipping it is!

The small town of Weye, as Anska soon discovered, was little more than a toll stop with a shabby looking bar. Even Stonehills had been a bustling metropolis compared to the tiny scab of a town she now stood in the middle of. She gazed about at the few denizens going about their business while Cain was booking a room inside the Wawnet Inn, wondering where they all lived. There only seemed to be one house, and there were no merchant stalls or vendor shops.

“How do these people get by here?” she asked Cain. He’d just stepped out of the tavern and handed her a rusty old room key. “There’s nothing to do!”

“Beats me,” Cain shrugged. “I always thought it odd that this place never expanded. Then again, I guess they don’t have to, with the city just across the bridge.”

Together they headed back out of town and made their way down to the lake shore for a twilit swim in the cool waters of the lake. There wasn’t another soul in sight to watch them, so after helping each other remove their armors, Anska waded slowly out from the rocky shore.

“Are you coming or what?” she called back to him.

“Be there in a minute!” said Cain. Rooting through his overstuffed belt satchel, he pulled out most of the lavender he’d picked, along with a few other fragrant flowers and mashed them into a pulp on one of the broad, smooth rocks lying about the shore. Within a couple of minutes, he was able to mix in some water and fine sand to form something that passed for a soap.

“What took you so long?”

After wading out to meet her, Cain handed Anska one of the soap lumps. “Thought we could do better than just rinsing off. If it doesn’t just fall apart, that is.”

“Ooh, it smells lovely.”

They washed and bathed under the moonlight for a while before moving back closer to the beach and sitting down in the calm waters. The Imperial City dominated their vision, looking more foreboding to Anska than she expected it to. She still found it hard to believe she was here, and how much had changed in her life. Feeling her eyelids begin to droop, Anska leaned her head onto Cain’s shoulder, and quietly thanked the divines for bringing him into her life.

Cain smiled and ran his fingers through her long hair, still unbraided from their dip in the lake. Even with the uncertainty of their mission and the dangers that no doubt lay ahead, he couldn’t help but feel at peace in this moment. He’d never have guessed they would share a quiet, romantic night on the shores of Lake Rumare. Then a slight snoring sound escaped her nose, bringing an end to the peaceful reprieve.

Anska startled a bit as Cain scooped her up in his arms. “M’sorry, love,” she breathed. “Such a lovely evening and I can’t stay awake.”

“That doesn’t make it any less enjoyable,” he assured her. He carried her back to the shoreline and helped her get dressed before donning his own trousers and tunic. Together, they shambled back up to the town and headed for their room at the inn. Cain helped Anska into bed and then joined her after locking the door.

Her warm brown eyes, heavy with exhaustion from two weeks of travel on foot, stared into his own the moment he laid down next to her. “I love you so much,” she said to him, her voice barely above a whisper. “Don’t know where I’d be if we had never met. Or if I’d even still be alive.”

“I like to think I would have found you no matter what,” said Cain. “And I love you, too. Go to sleep, hon. I won’t be far behind.”

-----

The Temple District was bustling with the kind of activity that befitted a normal midday in a prominent part of the Imperial City. At the center stood the preserved ruins of the Temple of the One, the massive stone statue of Akatosh’s dragon avatar towering above the collapsed walls of the once dominant cathedral.

Anilay paused for a moment and prayed silently to the Dragon God of Time, willing him to see the Empire through the dark times that lie ahead. Then he was on the move again, striding purposefully towards the City Isle, and its peaceful Waterfront, where he often escaped to for an hour or two of peace and quiet. A linen hood shrouded the High Chancellor’s recognizable face from the citizens of his great city, and the unassuming commoner clothes he wore allowed him to seamlessly blend into the normal crowds.

It looked just like any other summer day in the city; residents shopping for food from grocers, travelers coming and going from various inns and taverns, adventurers haggling with smithys over repair work, and young couples enjoying the safety and tranquility of the fortified capital. He walked past one such couple seated on bench, reading a small bit of parchment, when a vague feeling of recollection tugged at the fringes of his thoughts.

Shaking it off at first, he had one foot through the towering wooden doors to the Waterfront when the rest of his mind caught up. Anilay backtracked a few paces and leaned against a tall beech tree that faced the bench while he tried to place the man’s features. Where do I know this man from? he wondered. A dignitary from a party? Some mugshot on a wanted poster? Hm, no, that doesn’t feel right. Countless memories of men he’d met over the years flitted through his mind until it finally settled on a rough sketch his field agents had mailed to him not three weeks prior.

Anilay looked to heavens and prayed once again to Akatosh. And then he thanked the god for hearing his prayers at all. Keeping his hood tightened around his face, the chancellor calmly approached the bench an sat down next to the stout Redguard.

“How is that you’ve come to be here, Cain Windborne?” he asked quietly. Anilay noticed the immediate shift in the man’s posture and guessed there was a dagger within his grip. “Please, keep your weapon sheathed, lest we draw the attention of the city guard.” He felt the intense gaze of Cain and the Nord woman next to him, who must be Anska, his rumored mate.

“Who are you?” growled Cain. “And how do you know who I am?”

“My name is Anilay Cato, and it’s my job to know such things.”

A sharp intake of breath revealed that the Redguard recognized the name. “…You lie,” said Cain. “What would the High Chancellor of the Empire be doing skulking around the fringes of the city?”

“I assure you this is not a ruse. But you are not safe here and I request that you get off of the streets immediately, for your own well-being. Please make haste to Luther Broad’s Boarding House and rent the basement parlor for the night. I shall meet you there after sunset, for we have much to discuss.”

“How can you possibly think we would trust you on this?” asked the woman.

“Because you have little other recourse if you intend on exposing whatever foul plant has taken root in the Blue Palace. We are on the same side here, Miss Anska. I pray that you will at least here me out tonight.”

Anilay stood up and resumed his walk to the Waterfront while the wary travelers on the bench stared after him curiously. He now had much more to think about, and he hoped beyond hope that the City Isle would indeed be peaceful for an hour or two. The old man didn’t expect him back until dinner hour, but he might have to adjust his schedule now.

-----

“What the [censored] just happened?” asked Anska, incredulously. “Was that seriously the High Chancellor? Isn’t he a big deal around here?”

“’Big deal’ is a bit of an understatement, love,” replied Cain. “He’s essentially second-in-command and is the direct liaison between Mede and the Elder Council itself. I can’t believe he recognized us so easily. Maybe we should get off the streets if we stick out like sore thumbs.”

“No offense, but I’m pretty sure it’s just you that sticks out,” said Anska. “If news of your position in the court has made its way south, then even the public might recognize the High King’s son. So, yes, let’s head for that place he mentioned. Any idea where it’s at?”

“Yeah, it’s over in the Elven Gardens District. I stayed there last time I was in the city.”

Anska grabbed his hand and led them back towards the promenade they’d meandered along before stopping in the Temple District. Passing through the Market District, Cain couldn’t help but stop for some food and drink, despite Anska’s impatient tutting. I’m starving, and the food at Luther’s is less than desirable. Trust me.

Whatever, just hurry it up. I feel exposed now.

An hour later they were seat around a small table in the basement parlor Anilay had instructed them to rent. Anska’s nose wrinkled at the smell coming from the soup she had ordered from Luther himself, while Cain munched on a loaf of bread and some goat cheese.

“I told you the food sucked,” he chuckled. “Do yourself a favor and don’t eat that slop. Here, spread some of the butter he gave you on the bread and make a sandwich. You’ll thank me later.”

She looked around the sparsely furnished room. “What are we supposed to do with ourselves for the next eight hours? This place is dreadfully boring.”
“I can think of one or two things I wouldn’t mind doing,” winked Cain.

Just then, the door at the top of the stairs opened and a light-footed figure descended the stairs and looked around the parlor from beneath a plain colored hood. Cain’s hand was already unsheathing his sword and he heard the button unsnap from Anska’s axe loop when a familiar voice addressed them.

“If you’re going to do that sort of thing, can you please wait until I am gone?” asked Kyne.

Anska got up in a blur and ran over to hug the goddess while Cain shook his head and kept eating his lunch. The ladies joined him back at the table a few seconds later and Kyne helped herself to a green apple while Anska made herself a sandwich. Cain took a swig of water from his mug and then wiped bits of food from around his mouth before drumming up a conversation.

“How the hell did you find us down here, mum?” asked Cain.

“I’ve been keeping tabs on you every day, dear. Your morning prayers kept me apprised of your progress and once you made it to the city, I made sure to keep you in my sights.” She took another bite of her apple and then set it down on a small tea plate. “By the way…who were you speaking with earlier by the temple?”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” said Cain.

“Try me.”

“Very well. It was High Chancellor Anilay Cato, whom, I might add, will be meeting us here later tonight. It was his suggestion to book this room.”

A pregnant pause filled the space between them for a few moments while Kyne’s eyes searched his features. He could tell that she would indeed have never guessed such a thing, and now Cain could practically hear the gears turning in her head. Anska continued to make her sandwich as if this was just another normal conversation in her daily life �" which it very much was these days.

“Goodness, I certainly didn’t expect you to say that name,” mused Kyne. Then she grew more serious: “I don’t like this. How did he even know you were here? What are his motivations for meeting with you?”

“He recognized my face in passing, so they must have a fairly accurate drawing or portrait of me,” said Cain. “As for his intentions… that remains to be seen. My gut tells me we need to hear him out, though. I didn’t sense anything malicious from him earlier, and he seemed genuinely concerned with getting us out of the public eye. So, here we wait.”

“I should like to be present later, if I can manage it,” said Kyne. “And I need to let the girls know of this development.”

“You’re welcome to spend the afternoon with us,” said Anska. “How are they coming along with their investigation anyway?”

“Not well. And now they’ve got another issue to deal with on their plate, albeit a less urgent one.”

At this point, Cain excused himself to go upstairs and use the bathroom while Anska and Kyne got caught up on matters at home. Luther seemed to draw quite a crowd throughout the day, for as soon as Cain stepped onto the main floor he noticed the bar had gotten much busier since they’d arrived. Shopworkers, couriers, tradesmen, and guards all shambled around with cups of wine, not caring who or what they bumped into.

The bathroom was upstairs of all places and was in a sorry enough state that Cain only lingered as long as he had to before heading back down to the basement. Kyne and Anska talking quietly when he returned, announcing himself after setting foot on the top step. He took his seat again and leaned back in the chair casually while sipping from a cup of coffee he procured from the eponymous barkeep.

“So, what’s the plan, mum?” asked Cain. “Are you sticking around?”

“Yes, I want to hear what Anilay has to say.”

“Will you be able to hide yourself? The hawk form you usually take might stick out a bit down here. S’pose you could always become a mouse instead…”

Anska started giggling madly. “I’m sorry, don’t mind me - I just had a mental image of a cat chasing you around in mouse form. Can you imagine the absurdity of that? A little stray bounding after a Divine, dodging the boxes and barrels tucked away in the corners of the room!” She put a hand over her mouth to stifle further laughter while Kyne looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “Whew! Sorry again, mum. I don’t know what that made me laugh so much.”

The goddess shook her head and took another bite of her apple. “It’s no wonder you get on so well with Linneá and Serana. Those two would have been laughing right along with you!”

This post has been edited by Kane: Mar 6 2025, 11:27 PM

[Acadian]

Anska’s first glimpse of the Imperial City did not disappoint. Quite a contrast to the wide spot in the road, Weye. A swim/bath in Lake Rumare with scented soap and, thankfully, no slaughterfish. The interlude was lovely but felt ominously like a calm before a storm.

By Dibella’s silky britches what’s the chance of being spotted and recognized by the High Councilor?! An unlikely alliance perhaps?

A surprising but welcoming visit from Kyne. I’m glad she’ll be sticking around for this meeting to hopefully help Cain and Anska sort out what to make of whatever Anilay has to say. Methinks she’d be wiser to be the cat than the mouse though.

[Kane]

Chapter XXXI – A Tense Meeting


Anilay felt more than a little apprehensive when the basement door of Luther Broad’s Boarding House opened and he began his descent down the dusty wooden steps. He was not at all sure how this encounter would unfold, or if they would even be there, especially since some of his more recent actions directly harmed Cain and his family. But he hoped the man would still be willing to listen, even if he was well within his right to end the High Chancellor’s life right then and there.

Thankfully, they were indeed sitting around a small pub table at the center of the room, with a bottle of wine and three mugs at the ready. Cain watched Anilay closely as he approached while Anska picked at her fingernails, seemingly bored of the entire matter. Glancing around to make sure no one else was present, Anilay gestured towards the empty seat and Cain nodded.

“Thank you for agreeing to meet with me,” said Anilay. “I’m sure my sudden arrival by the temple was a little disconcerting, but quite frankly I was stunned to find you there. There are a lot of men out searching for you since your disappearance and I never expected you to be so far west already. Or that you’d come to such a dangerous place at all. Er, dangerous for you, that is.”

“Why exactly are they, or rather, you, searching for me?” Cain asked. “Is it not bad enough that my own family hunts us down on false accusations? Now I have to worry about the empire gunning for us, as well?”

Frowning, Anilay leaned back in his chair a little bit to entice a more relaxed atmosphere between the three of them. He uncorked the bottle of wine and filled his cup to the brim, and then offered it to Cain and Anska. Two more cupfuls were poured in short order before he took a sip and soldiered on.

“Mede has been after you since you were revealed as Dragonborn,” said Anilay. “At first, he just coveted your power for his own inner circle. Now, he just wants your father’s heir out of the picture.”

A small clatter in the dim corner behind Anilay startled him slightly. Craning his neck around, he noticed a set of calipers had toppled over and hit the stone floor at the base of an empty barrel. Atop the barrel sat a little mouse staring curiously about the room.

“Damn vermin,” said Anilay, shaking his head. “Luther usually runs a tighter ship. I’ll make sure he takes care of that before you go to sleep tonight. Anyway… as you can imagine, the Emperor is sparing no expense to find you. Luckily, I have been working with the Elder Council to locate you first, so it was quite a nice surprise to stumble upon you this afternoon.”

“I see,” said Cain. “So then, are you two also the reason why my sisters were attacked, and why an Ayleid village was burned to the ground with no survivors?”

“The former, no. The latter... yes, unfortunately.”

There was a sudden flurry of movement and before Cain could intervene, Anska had stood up and brought her axe down on the table in a metallic blur, cleaving Anilay’s wooden cup in two and burying the axe head in the table where it stood quivering, only a hair’s breadth from his left hand. Glaring intensely at the chancellor, she plucked her axe free from the table and used it to lift his chin until his eyes met hers.

“We had to walk through that village and pray for the slaughtered and innocent men, women, and children that we found,” she whispered menacingly at him. “Think carefully about what you still have to say or the next thing my axe bisects will be your head pompous Imperial head.” She sat back down and winked at Cain, who sighed and shook his head.

“Look, I’m not proud of what I’ve been forced to do in Mede’s service,” sputtered Anilay. “But an order from the Emperor is not something one can refuse. And even if I did, he would simply have the guards kill me, and then he’d bring in someone who will carry it out. The best I can manage is to mitigate damage when possible. The Thalmor were ordered to stop you from finding the wild elves, and I didn’t think they stood a chance against a Dragonborn. When I’d heard that they instead had laid waste to the village…”

Anska made to rise again, but Cain placed a hand on her shoulder and patted it gently. Then he got up and walked to the small pantry near the stairs, grabbed a new mug, and set it down in front of Anilay. Cain poured another measure of wine for the man, smiled at the mouse in the corner, and took his seat across from Anilay again, this time regarding him more carefully. He’d given a fair answer to a hard question, and he did so without seeming like a prototypical politician.

“We can move on for now,” said Cain. “You wanted to find us? Well, here we are. I’m sure you are wondering what the hell we are doing here in the first place, but you’ll have to explain your own intentions before we go any further.”

The High Chancellor took a much deeper pull from his fresh cup of wine and savored the vintage while pondering on just how much he wanted to reveal. Deciding to start small, he offered something that, unbeknownst to him, Cain and Anska already knew: “Right then. Are you aware that your father’s inner circle has a mole?”

“Quite aware, yes,” laughed Cain. “We are unsure of who it is exactly, but they’ve made things unpleasant for Anska and I. In fact, the only reason we decided to be here for this little meeting is because I intend to root out this mysterious informant, with or without your help.”

“Interesting,” admitted Anilay. “I take it your entire reason for being in the Imperial City is to find that out? I would also assume your next move would be to press me on who it is, but I cannot help you there. Mede has his own personal contacts that even I am not privy to, and he refuses to divulge all of his secrets to anyone.”

“Oho, so it’s the old man himself who seeks to divide us!” Cain grinned, triumphantly. “And here we thought for sure that the Thalmor would have something to do with it. I’m disappointed to hear that, but it doesn’t surprise me. From what I’ve heard, the Emperor has grown very paranoid in his old age.” Cain frowned as the new excitement vanished and was replaced with an even grimmer foreboding. “That makes things all the more difficult now, though. Infiltrating the Dominion headquarters was daunting enough...”

“You’re much braver than I if you planned on strolling into their embassy and rummaging through their files,” said Anilay. “That would have been suicide.”

“Suicide would be ignoring the problem,” said Anska. “You want to help us? Get Cain and I inside your fancy tower, and we’ll put the squeeze on these special agents your boss uses.”

Her last words hung in the air for a moment while Anilay considered the ramifications of aiding them in such a way. Secreting the two most wanted people in Cyrodiil around the White-Gold Tower would be nigh impossible, and would likely cause his own ruin if they were found out. The answers they sought would no doubt be locked within the Emperor’s private study, which only increased the odds of complete failure.

Cain and Anska watched him expectantly, wondering where this meeting would go next. It had been somewhat fruitful already, but they had a feeling that the man sitting before them yearned to be more helpful than he was letting on.

Deciding to try a sweeter approach, Anska cleared her throat and interrupted his reverie. “Hate to break your train of thought, but I feel I owe you an apology for threatening you before.” She smiled brightly at him and made a show of tossing her axe across the room and out of her reach. “You’ll have to forgive me for being a little protective of those that I love.”

“It’s understandable,” he replied, one eyebrow raised slightly at her change in demeanor. “And please don’t take my callousness towards these events as uncaring. I’ve a lot of regrets in my life and that’s why I’m here with you two now.”

“Well, then let’s help each other,” said Anska. “You seem to have an interest in doing right by us, even if you are playing it close to the vest. You’ve already willingly given us some important information that you thought might help us, so why the song and dance? My gut tells me there is far more at work here than Cain and I could possibly know, so if our desires happen to align, why not strike a deal?”

Anilay chewed thoughtfully on his lip. “There is a certain wisdom in that, but I’d have to speak to some friends on the council first. I will make no promises, though.”

“Fair enough,” said Cain. “Shall we meet back here in say… two days’ time?”

“Meet back here? Do you intend on leaving?”

“Oh yes,” answered Cain. “We are not hiding in a cellar like sitting ducks.” Anilay opened his mouth to protest but Cain raised a hand and cut him off. “No one will see us leave, nor will anyone be able to find us. You have my word.”

“Your word it is, then,” nodded Anilay. “This time, two days from now, yes? Very good.”

The High Chancellor rose from his seat and bid them farewell before heading back upstairs and out into the city. Seconds later, Kyne emerged from the shadows and took the vacated seat across from her children and sighed wearily.

“I don’t like the idea of you two infiltrating the Tower,” she admitted. “It’s too dangerous.”

“We need answers, mum,” said Cain. “And this is how we can get them. The man seems genuine and he may be able to help us in more ways than one. It’s like Anska said before: there is a bigger picture we aren’t privy to, and I suspect it involves all of us. Here and back home.”

“I think you are right, dear,” said Kyne. “I touched on his mind briefly and there was no malice towards you. Maybe a touch of hope, I dare say.” She fell silent for a moment and then perked back up again. “So, where will you go, if you don’t plan on staying here? Which is a move I completely agree with, by the way – much too exposed here.”

“Back to Anvil. A campsite on the coastline sounds lovely, don’t you think, Anska?”

“It does indeed, darling.”

-----

A light breeze fluttered through an open window of the Blue Palace, many stories above the highest rooftop in Solitude. Cloudy skies obscured the summer glow of Masser and Secunda, bathing the land in a dim summer night. It was almost midnight but a dull orange light illuminated a spacious bedroom, the flames of a large chandelier dancing in the light zephyr. Two lightly robed women were sprawled across a plush four-poster bed, snoring heavily into the nighttime air.

Linneá awoke with a start when a voice spoke directly into her mind.

Are you awake, child?

I am now, mum. Not so damn loud next time, yeah?

Sorry, but I tried whispering a few times first. That usually works well enough.

Er, Serana and I may have killed a bottle of Firebrand earlier. Keep that to yourself though – dad still won’t legalize it.

Your secrets safe with me, Linn. I just wanted to let you know that your target isn’t a Thalmor operative, but an Imperial agent instead. Their identity is known only to Mede, though. For now.

For now?

Cain and Anska are working on it. Give them time.

Okay. Thank you, mum, and send them my love.

Always.

Their silent conversation ended, Linneá rolled over and fumbled for the pitcher of water left on the nightstand and took a few deep gulps of it. Then she snuggled up to Serana and closed her eyes again, trying to regain the deep slumber the wine had imposed upon her.

“Uh uh, you don’t get to just come in all lovey dovey after you two shouted in our heads for five minutes,” grumbled Serana. “I was having a wonderful dream involving the two of us and a distinct lack of clothing before all of that started.”

“I think I was having the same dream,” sighed Linneá. “Want to recreate it?”

“Thought you’d never ask.”

-----

Breakfast the next morning was a delicious affair, as it always was at their regal home. Linneá and Serana, despite having a late night, managed to shamble in only a few minutes later than usual. They helped themselves to over-sized mugs of coffee while the waiting staff piled up their plates with poached duck eggs, crispy bacon, and freshly baked bread still warm from the ovens. Linneá was slathering honeyed butter over a slice when Lydia cleared her throat meaningfully.

“Morning ladies. Did you remember your promise to me for today?”

Linneá nodded and swallowed a bite of egg. “No, we didn’t forget, mum. We’ll spend some time with Salihn this afternoon – Ana and I are thinking about taking her down to the shoreline to let her splash around in the sea for an hour or two. I think she’ll love that.”

“Good. I take it that was your idea, Serana?”

“Not at all, mum. Elle, was bouncing ideas off of me for a few hours last night before she settled on that one in particular. She’s really come around on this unique situation we’ve ended up in. It’s quite endearing, if I’m being honest.

“I’m right here ya know,” said Linneá. “It’s rude to speak about me as if I’m not.”

“Sorry, sweetie,” said Serana apologetically. “It has been nice to see though, especially since you spiraled a little bit after the little one came to thank us.”

“Can’t be helped,” grinned Linneá. “She is just so damn cute.”

Kirin hadn’t said anything thus far, though he couldn’t help but agree with his daughter’s assessment of the Ayleid girl. “Aye, that she is. You two did a wonderful thing in bringing her back here. I still can’t believe my own son left her there unconscious like that. I expected better of him.”

“We all did, dad,” said Serana. “But I choose to believe that he knew we’d take care of her. Besides, love has a way of blinding us to the obvious sometimes. We’ll find him and Anska, we promise.”

The matter settled, they resumed eating amid a much lighter atmosphere while catching each other up on how life was unfolding in the palace walls. Lydia sat back and couldn’t help but smile gently, her eyes lingering on Linneá. Deep down, she’d always known there was a good mother in there, buried beneath years of staunch independence. She’d just needed a little push in the right direction.

This post has been edited by Kane: Apr 28 2025, 07:21 PM

[Acadian]

Cain and Anska (and KyneMouse) learn much from the High Chancellor. Most importantly is that not all the Emperor’s minions are loyal to Mede. And the High Chancellor even has some potential to be an ally if they read him right. Happily, Kyne is able to confirm it seems they do indeed read him right.

Ferreting out the mole in the Blue Palace is another story though and one rife with danger. Longer term, there is always the shadow of the Thalmor to muck up any alliance between Skyrim and the Empire.

Cain and Anska will spend the two days before the next meeting in Anvil it sounds. I should think mark and recall magic could prove most helpful for this.

Meanwhile, back on the Blue Palace front, there is another conspiracy – Lydia, Kirin and Serana all doing their best to introduce Linneá to motherhood. ‘I found a baby wild elf – she’s so cute! Can we keep her?’

[Kane]

Chapter XXXII �" Revelations


Rain blattered against their tent as a blistering thunderstorm roiled in off of the Abecean Sea, soaking the sandy shore beneath them. Cain and Anska sat cross-legged in the middle while they chatted the dreary afternoon away, secretly wishing Kyne would blow the storm past them in a hurry. After two peaceful and quiet days alone on the beach north of Anvil, they were due back in the Imperial City at nightfall to meet with the High Chancellor once again. Anilay had hinted at a possible alliance, but did so with some trepidation �" especially since he would be aiding two fugitives.

Despite that, Cain couldn’t help but feel the answers they sought were tantalizingly close. And yet he felt uneasy about all of it. Anska had noticed his withdrawal during those moments since they had arrived back here, and finally decided to ask him about it.

“What is it, darling? Something has been eating at you since we left the city…”

“Hm?” Cain murmured, shaking from his reverie. “Oh, just this business with Anilay and how it will shake out. Kyne was right to feel uneasy about how dangerous of an undertaking this might be. Could you imagine if we were caught sneaking around the White-Gold Tower? My presence alone would cause a scandal, let alone the fact that Mede pursues us.”

“I know, but at least we might have help with the matter,” said Anska. “I’m sure he has secret ways in, and to move about the tower. It’ll work out, you’ll see. There is nothing we can’t do together, my love.”

Cain swallowed hard. There was something else he’d been considering, and his fiancé was not going to like it. At all. “Er, about that…”

“About what?” asked Anska, eyes narrowed.

“If Anilay is able to help us, I think I need to go with him by myself. I �" “

“Like hell you will!” shouted Anska, cutting him off. “You are not going in one of the most dangerous places in Tamriel without me you damned lunkhead! Where is this coming from? Some kind of sudden gallantry or worry for my well-being? I can take care of myself, as you damn well know!”

Cain shrunk back a little under the torrent of words that seemed no less intense than the storm engulfing their meager campsite. That had gone about as well as he had expected it to, and he knew from intimate experience that it was best to just wait Anska out. After a few more choice words, she became less verbose and settled for staring daggers at him.

His admonishment now complete, Cain deigned to respond as placatingly as he could. “Hon, I agree with all of that and I always want you by my side. But this time will be different: stealth is the order of the day, and alone I can move faster and more quietly if Anilay is to lead me through tower. And if I somehow do get captured or cornered, I can easily vanish in a flash without worrying about becoming separated from you!”

“Don’t care. I will not leave your side until this is all over. Period.” Then she got up and left the tent, taking a seat outside in the wet sand and bowing her head against the elements. Anska saw the logic in Cain’s reasoning, but Mara’s warning to them in Skingrad echoed over and over again in her mind until it reached a fever pitch.

Annoyed at how poorly that had gone and sensing her distress, Cain soon followed her outside and decided that he’d had enough godsdamned rain for a while. The wind howled around them and the rain poured down in buckets on the Gold Coast until he stared up into the swirling grey clouds and Shouted three ancient Words of Power into the heavens.

“LOK VAH KOOR!”

Startled by the unexpected eruption of noise from behind her, Anska swiftly rose to her feet and spun around to face Cain just as the rain ceased and the massive storm clouds overhead evaporated under the mighty command of a Dragonborn. The sun now blazed down on them as if the rain had never happened, causing steam to rise from their drenched clothing while Anska stared him down.

“You couldn’t have [censored] done that earlier?”

Despite the circumstances, Cain smiled broadly at the woman he loved beyond reason. “I’m not one for showing off. Besides, a good rain is healthy for nature. Can’t just go around turning off the weather all the time.”

“Whatever,” grumbled Anska. She sat down in the sand again and stared out over the now calm sea. Cain joined her on the ground and followed her gaze out over the glistening blue waters and sighed heavily. After a moment of silence, Anska leaned her head onto his shoulder and closed her eyes. “I’m sorry I went off on you. But you are not getting rid of me that easily, Cain Windborne. No matter how strong your reasoning is. Not after what Mara told us.”

“Anska, I will never want to be rid of you. I know you can handle yourself better than most, but that won’t ever stop me from wanting to keep you safe, especially with that little one growing in your belly. And I can feel how heavily her warning is weighing on you and I’m sorry for not considering that. All I ask is that if we do end up sneaking into the Tower, then you must remain as close to me as possible. I won’t hesitate to pull us out at the first sign of trouble.”

“Deal,” said Anska. They laid back in the damp sand and stared up at blue skies now mingled with lofty white clouds soaring high above Nirn. Closing her eyes against the bright sun, Anska breathed in deeply and exhaled slowly. “I long for the day when this is all over, dear. All I want is to spend our days safely within the palace walls, enjoying a quiet life, and raising our child.”

“That sounds idyllic,” agreed Cain. “We’ll get there soon, Anska. I promise.”

“I’m holding you to that.”

-----

Several hours later they were seated once again around the small pub table in the basement room of Luther Broad’s, waiting anxiously for the High Chancellor to return. This time, however, they had eaten beforehand instead of ordering another questionable meal from the barman upstairs. Three more mugs and a bottle of wine rested on the table between them but it had yet to be opened. There was no telling how this second meeting with Anilay would go, and so they waited in relative silence, only thinking the occasional question at each other.

Right on cue, the door at the top of the basement stairs opened and footsteps descended the rickety wooden steps. Cain and Anska watched intently until they recognized the Imperial man’s face illuminated by the torches and candles spread about the room. He strode purposefully towards them and sat in the empty chair, a faint smile touching his lips.

“So, what’s it to be?” asked Cain. “Will you help us? Or turn us in?”

“The Elder Council has agreed to cooperate fully,” he nodded.

Cain breathed a sigh of relief. Getting in to the White-Gold Tower will be much easier with help from the inside, especially if Anilay could help to keep guards occupied with trivial tasks. Still ever cautious, he glanced over at the mouse perched atop a barrel in the corner, and was relieved to see it nod ever so slightly.

“Excellent!” said Cain. “What sort of conditions do you have? And I have to ask… why is the council interested in helping us, and by extension, the High King?”

“I’m curious about that myself,” said Anska. “The Empire has only ever cared about itself since the Septim line ended. The Legion barely helped put down the Stormcloaks.”

“Those are valid concerns, but you already touched on the heart of the matter in our last meeting, Cain. Mede has indeed grown paranoid and fearful �" his old age worries him and he refuses to let go of what his family has achieved. He clings to power and refuses to see the new dawn that approaches.”

A new dawn? What does he mean by that? thought Anska.

I dunno, but it implies that the Emperor’s days may be numbered. Gods, I hope we don’t end up in the midst of a power struggle.

Anilay stared curiously at Cain and Anska. They’d fallen silent when he finished speaking, yet they appeared to be concentrating on something else. Noticing his gaze, Cain played it off by uncorking the wine and pouring glasses for all three of them.

“Well now,” said Cain. “That certainly is some food for thought.”

“Indeed. And there is something else you should know, in the spirit of cooperation. I’m not ignorant to the fact that you and the lovely Ms. Anska here will be the ones undertaking this dangerous task, so I think it’s only fair that I slip a little insider information to you.”

“You have my attention,” said Cain, his left eyebrow raised.

“Mede has been planning an attack on the Blue Palace for some time now. I’m not privy to all the details, but I can tell you that Penitus Oculatus agents have been slowly getting into position over the last few months. I don’t know when the order will be given, but given it will be, and they will swarm the palace in the hopes of overwhelming your exceptionally powerful family and thus eliminating Mede’s largest threat to power. You must find a way to warn them.”

For several long moments, nothing but the rowdy rabble from the bar upstairs could be heard. A pin could have fallen in the basement of Luther Broad’s and the resulting echo would have reverberated throughout the entire building while Cain and Anska sat in stunned silence. Staring open-mouthed at the High Chancellor, they hadn’t even noticed the small mouse jump down from its perch and scurry off into the darkness.

“You… you can’t be serious!” exclaimed Cain. “Can he really be that [censored] stupid? An entire legion couldn’t hope to stand before my father and sisters, yet he thinks his secret police can pull that off? It’s madness! And he’d better hope Anska and I aren’t home by then or he will really regret trying a stunt like that!”

“Cain, we need to go home,” pleaded Anska. “Now. [censored] this quest for information �" there are more important things in life than finding some turncoat.”

“I told you he was fearful,” tutted Anilay. “The council and I both recognize it as folly, but at the end of the day, he is the Emperor and it’s his will to carry it out. But I implore you not to abandon your mission. We can do this as soon as tomorrow night, if you are ready, and we can put an end to his secretive methods. We want the same information �" who are these special contacts and where are they implanted? Let’s find it out and then you can be on your way.”

Cain lowered his head into his hands and glanced sideways through the gap in his fingers. Kyne was gone, which meant she likely already relayed this new development to Linneá. His family would know, and they would be able to shore things up back home. Anialy was right �" there was no reason to leave just yet.

We’re going through with this, he thought at Anska. Kyne’s gone and Linn probably knows what’s happening. One more day won’t make a difference.

Fine. But the moment we find what we are after, you WILL recall us home, Cain. That’s an order.

Yes, boss.

“Tomorrow night it is, Anilay,” agreed Cain, raising his head to meet the Imperial’s eyes. “Tell us where to be and we will see you there.”

-----

It was midnight and yet the dull murmur of voices could be heard from within Kirin’s private study. Had Linneá not casted her room muffling spell, the murmur would sound much more akin to shouting. But the entire palace staff did not need to be aware of what was transpiring in the dead of night, and so they slept soundly while the King and his family talked and argued rather heatedly.

Kirin had resumed his usual pacing behind his ornate desk while he digested the information his daughter had woken him up with. Linneá and Serana occupied their usual seats opposite the desk, while Lydia lounged on her favorite chaise, still trying to shake the grogginess from her tired mind.

“There’s no way he can be that stupid,” said Kirin. “It will be political suicide when he fails. The Elder Council will oust him without a second thought and he’ll be executed for treason against one of the Empire’s own allies. You must have heard wrongly, Linn.”

A fluttering of wings announced the arrival of Kyne herself as she soared through the window and took her human form amid her favorite family. Raising a hand to keep the silence, she addressed Kirin directly and firmly. “The information is valid, my child. I heard it with my own ears.”

Kirin’s eyes narrowed. “Where did you hear it, mum? What is it that you and my daughters aren’t telling me?”

Linneá fidgeted nervously and opened her mouth to speak, but Kyne smiled and shook her head. “It’s okay, dear. It’s time a for a few secrets to be told.” She patted her shoulder reassuringly and then turned back to face Kirin. “The High Chancellor himself, Anilay Cato, gave this warning to Cain and Anska not two hours ago, in the Imperial City.”

Lydia gasped and rose from her seat, the latent sleepiness immediately forgotten. She stepped behind the desk with her husband and glared at the three of them. “How long have you known they were there?” she demanded. “And why did you not bring them home?!”

This time, Linneá would not be silenced. “Because they’re innocent, godsdamnit! We put them through hell, and they’ve done nothing wrong!”

“Elle speaks the truth, mum,” said Serana. “We’ve known since barely a day after they escaped. Kyne has been checking in on them, and we even apologized in person after we learned the truth. They’ve been in Cyrodiil since that ugly day in the Ayleid village.”

Kirin sat down in his chair and stared benignly at the top of his desk. These last few minutes had been overwhelming and he need a few minutes to sort out his emotions. A pending attack on their home and the land he was sworn to protect. The innocence of his son and the woman he loved. The secrets his own daughters had kept from them. And direct communication to the High Chancellor himself.

He looked up at Linneá and asked a single, pointed question. The one he cared about the most: “Why did you not tell me about Cain and Anska?”

“It was his idea, and it was a good one, da,” replied Linneá. “We kept up the pretense here at the palace to distract everyone from our search for the real leak. All the while he and Anska traveled to the Imperial City with the intention of finding out the same thing from that end. How they ended up meeting Anilay Cato, I don’t know. That’s a revelation to Serana and I, too.”

Still standing tensely behind him, Lydia began to relax while the tale unfolded. Then she sat on Kirin’s lap and nodded sagely at her daughters. “This has been weighing on you for some time, hasn’t it?”

“It’s been awful,” said Serana. “And I’m glad the ruse is over �" among us at least. Cain and Anska don’t deserve what’s happened to them, but it’s also made them stronger.”

“They’re even engaged to be married,” winked Kyne.

“WHAT?!” shouted Kirin and Lydia in unison. “I can’t believe we’ve missed that,” added Lydia, looking crestfallen.

“We will make it up to them,” promised Linneá. “Big time. For now, we have a city to defend. And they have a mole to find. Speak no more of this, unless we are all here together as we are now, yeah? There are dark days ahead, but hopefully they can return to us soon.”

“Dare I say we can have a little celebration?” asked Serana. “We can drink to our wayward brother and son, and his future wife. I think we still have a bottle of Firebrand tucked away downstairs…”

“Serana!” exclaimed Kirin. “I ordered you and Linn to dispose of that when it was confiscated!”

“Come on, dad, you didn’t really think we’d do that, did you?” grinned Linneá. “Lighten up and enjoy a drink with us. I think you’ll come to like that stuff!”

Laughter filled the small study as Kirin groaned and buried his face in his hands.

[Acadian]

Well, Cain’s idea to infiltrate the White Gold Tower without Anska went predictably south. No surprise at all that she’s not letting him out of her sight!

Hmm, Mede planning a surprise attack on the Blue Palace? Sounds like it would fail, and almost certain to fail now that the plan is known. As Kirin points out, the failure could give the Elder Council a perfect excuse to oust Mede. The plot quite thickens.

I expect Kirin will be taking defensive countermeasures, even as Cain and Anska snoop around in the White Gold Tower.

[Kane]

Chapter XXXIII – Infiltration


Vilverin is a decrepit Ayleid ruin lying on the outskirts of the Imperial City. Overrun with bandits, most travelers tended to sneak past it under the cover of night, rather than be extorted by the miscreants for exorbitant sums of gold. Unfortunately for said miscreants and highwaymen, it also happened to be located directly across from a nearly forgotten entrance to the Imperial Prison Sewer system. And so, the last of those very same bandits fell to Cain’s sword beneath the ruddy evening skies of another spent summer day.

“Why don’t the guards do something about these scumbags?” asked Anska. “I expected the roads to be safer in Cyrodiil, but at this point I’d rather take my chances on Skyrim’s roads!”

“Most likely because Mede no longer cares,” said Cain. “It takes resources and dedication to improve the lives of his citizens, and that is something he seems to lack. The roads back home are only safer because my father saw firsthand how dangerous the lands were and he actively chose to make things better when he became High King. From what Linn said, riffraff like this was only too happy to sign up for guard duty or enlist in Skyrim’s defense forces. They just needed the opportunity presented.”

“I remember those recruiters traveling around,” replied Anska. “I was tempted to join myself, but life in the village sounded much more peaceful.”

“Well, I’m glad you weren’t tempted. Or we may have never met.”

Anska blushed and gave him a quick kiss before gesturing to the small dock at the edge of Lake Rumare. “Shall we?”

Cain agreed, and together they clambered into the ramshackle rowboat tethered to the pier and shoved off, paddling hurriedly towards the sister dock just across the narrow lake rim. The sun had fully set when they docked near the sewer entrance, and headed back onto dry land. Checking their gear one last time, Anska tightened the strap of her waraxe belt loop, and then they yanked open the rusty grate and climbed inside the foul-smelling tunnel.

Pulling out the map Anilay had given him last night, Cain briefly scanned it under the light of Anska’s torch. “It looks like we have a small cave system to navigate. The actual sewer system ends further in.”

“Where is Anilay meeting us?”

“There’s a secret door in one of the prison cells,” said Cain, pointing at an area circled on the map. “He’ll be waiting on the other side.”

“Alright, then. I’ve got the torch, so you follow me this time. And try to keep up.”

“Oh? This is a new one,” winked Cain. “Do me a favor and hitch up that tasset, yeah? If I’m going to follow you, then I plan on admiring that ass.”

“[censored]’s sake,” sighed Anska, rolling her eyes. “Get us through this alive and you can do more than admire it, you perv.”

She set off confidently into the dark cave tunnel with Cain at her heels. They wound their way through the twisting labyrinth for nearly an hour until they heard odd chattering and guttural noises from a room just ahead. Cain pressed an ear to a poorly constructed wooden door that barred their path and listened to the noises coming from the other side.

“Goblins,” he whispered to Anska. “They aren’t a threat to us, but neither will we be able to reason with them. When you’re ready, kick the door down and charge in with your axe at the ready.”

Anska was raring to go and after a swift kick the door stood forcefully ajar and they rushed into the room beyond. About half a dozen goblins shrieked in alarm and started lobbing roughly hewn spears and wildly swinging their short swords at the two Nords, but they were all cut down in a few moments. Wiping the blood from their weapons, Cain and Anska moved on, rifling through the odd cache of goblin loot illuminated by her torch. The caves were mostly empty after that initial scrap and all that could be heard was their echoing footsteps, and the gentle pitter patter of water seeping down from the earth above.

The caves eventually ended and gave way to a rundown sewer system full of dark corridors and dank cisterns. Only the occasional rusty grate hindered their progress, but they were easily forced open with another kick, or a gently spoken word of Unrelenting Force. Around midnight, Cain and Anska came to a dead-end. A solid block wall stood before them, with no discernible signs of entry stamped into it.

“This must be the place,” said Cain. He withdrew the silver sword from its sheath on his back and rapped on the stonework with the pommel, causing a dull thud to echo around them.

Seconds later, another thudding sound answered in kind, and just after that came the clanking of heavy chains, and the rhythmic grinding of old iron gears. The wall in front of them rumbled once in protest against years of disuse, and then it slowly sunk into an aperture on their left, revealing a narrow passage that led into an empty prison cell. They hurried through it and were greeted by Anilay himself, who waited patiently by the cell door.

“Right on time,” said the High Chancellor. “Let’s move – Mede’s private chambers are near the top of the tower.”

“Won’t the prisoners see us?” asked Cain.

“Not to worry. They’ve all been… persuaded to sleep for a few hours. I’ve also arranged for most of the guards to engage in a friendly sparring competition in the barracks. Only a skeleton crew remains on patrol and they can easily be avoided.”

“What of Mede?” said Anska. “Should we be watchful for him?”

“He’s in Bravil on business for the next three days,” said Anilay. “If all goes well, he’ll never know you were here.”

“Anilay, you still haven’t explained why you need us for this job,” noted Cain. “If the Emperor is absent, why can you not simply sneak in to his study and rummage through his private documents? Are you afraid of being caught in the act?”

“Not at all. Er, one moment please.” Anialy stepped out into the hallway and peered through a few cell doors to make sure the sleeping effect was still in place. Then he returned to Cain and Anska who waited impatiently for him to continue. “I need you because his chambers are magickally sealed against all others. Only the Imperial signet stamped into his ring allows passage through the protective barrier. Or so he believes.”

“I think I see where you’re going with this,” said Cain. “My birthright as Dragonborn will let me pass through, won’t it?”

“That is my theory, yes,” nodded Anilay. “The signet he carries is a relatively new measure to access the chambers. By all accounts, the old magick is still in place, so you simply ought to be able to walk in unimpeded.”

“How convenient,” said Anska. “It’s no wonder you were trying to find us.”

“Indeed. Now, we really must get a move on. Keep a few paces back and watch for my signals.”

They followed Anilay into the dark corridor and made their way out of the prison and outside into the White-Gold Tower grounds. Clouds had moved in during their time underground, blanketing the land in a murky darkness. A ball of magickal energy burst into prominence above the chancellor as he strode purposefully towards the nearest tower door. Cain noted the lack of guards on patrol and prayed silently to Kyne that it would stay that way.
And for the most part, it did. There were only two or three instances where Anilay raised a hand for them to halt while a guard marched down an empty hall and out of sight. The tower was otherwise devoid of activity at such a late hour, and they soon reached the central staircase that led up to the lofty apex that could be espied from just about anywhere in the Heartland. They came to a halt at the foot of that grand staircase and Cain let out a low whistle.

“Um. That’s a lot of stairs,” mused Anska, agreeing with her fiancé’s summation. “Is there not an easier way up?”

“There is, but the magickal lift dissipates at a certain hour to discourage ne’er-do-wells like us from attempting what we are attempting. During the busy times of a normal day, one can step into that sigil on the floor and be born aloft to whichever floor they desire. But tonight, we climb.”

“Are you sure you can’t sprout some dragon wings and fly us up there, love?” Anska asked Cain jokingly.

“Hah. I wish,” he said. “If there is a Shout for that sort of thing, Linn didn’t teach it to me. I’d settle for an actual dragon to ride though. I’ll forever be jealous that she got to experience that twice.”

“As much as I’d enjoy hearing those stories, we really must continue on,” said Anilay. And without waiting, he extinguished his magelight spell and started the ascent with one hand on the ornately carved wooden railing that spun upwards from the center.

Falling in line behind him, Cain and Anska plodded up the seemingly endless stairs to the highest reaches of White-Gold. It took nearly thirty minutes of non-stop climbing up the carpeted stairs to reach the highest floor, and Anilay paused at the top and took a seat on a small bench to catch his breath. Cain glanced down the short hallway at a set of looming doors inlaid with the Imperial Dragon crest. It seemed to him that a shimmering haze awaited their approach.

“That’s our destination,” confirmed Anilay. “But I need a few moments. It has been many long years since I made that climb.”
Anska fished a spare canteen out of her bag and handed it to the winded Imperial. “Here, take a few swigs of this and rest. We’ll go when you are ready.”

A few steps away, Cain continued to stare down the hall at the imposing set of doors. He somehow felt drawn to the energies emanating from the barrier that stood between the three of them and their long sought-after answers. Closing his eyes, he tried to clear his mind the same way he had weeks and weeks ago in Blacklight, when he first connected with his dragon spirit. And then he felt it – a subtle, near undetectable whisper of warning from a force far beyond the mortal realms.

Danger lay ahead, but it was too late to turn back. Of that, he was now certain.

“Listen to me,” he said, glancing at the others. “All is not what it seems. We must go on, but everything will be different afterwards. Anilay, once we enter Mede’s chambers you must stick close to Anska and I at all times. We need to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice if we are all to survive this.”

“Leave?” asked Anilay. “How exactly do you propose we do that?”

“Hon, what’s wrong?” said Anska. She rose to her feet and took his hand in her own. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost. What’s happened?”

“I can’t explain it,” said Cain. “I felt a whisper of sorts, playing at the edges of my awareness. It was a warning… and yet also a reassurance? It started when I was staring at those doors, and the energy around them. This may sound crazy, but I think it was a message from Akatosh himself. There was a certain feeling of kinship within it.”

“Wait, you can actually see the barrier?” Anilay inquired. “If so, you will definitely be able to pass through. It’s invisible to all others.”

“Then it’s time we go,” said Cain. Anska was still gazing worriedly at him, so he leaned in and gave her a reassuring kiss. “We’ll be fine. Just stick to the plan. Anilay, stay as close to us as you can manage once we get inside there. You asked before how we can leave? Well, it’s time we let you in on a little secret: I’ve mastered a Mark and Recall spell that can teleport us away at the first sign of danger. Stay within our reach and we’ll all vanish from here without a trace at the proper time.”

The Imperial nodded, not bothering to hide the impressed look on his face, and followed behind Cain and Anska. The Dragonborn led them purposefully down the hallway to the impressive chamber doors and swung them open easily, as if he was always meant to be there. The empty quarters of Emperor Titus Mede II were sparsely lit in his absence, and linen sheets were draped over the furniture to ward off any accumulating dust.

There were several doors leading off in different directions, so Cain deferred to the High Chancellor on which one to enter. “The one on the left leads to his study,” said Anilay. “We’ll start there.” He led them to the indicated door and pulled it open, ushering them inside.

Mede’s private study was far vaster than Kirin’s humble office in the Blue Palace. A large desk stood at the center, and each wall was lined with towering bookshelves, and beautifully carved wooden cabinets. Another door led out onto a balcony high above the city below, and several windows allowed in what little moonlight penetrated the dark clouds in the sky above. For the next ten minutes, the three of them sifted through the overstuffed cabinets and bookshelves, along with the desk drawers, and a large iron safe clad with a golden alloy.

“There’s nothing here,” said an exasperated Cain. “Nothing but mindless operational and political documents, missives, letters, and notes. I don’t think any of it is even very secretive! Did either of you find anything worthwhile?”

Anska and Anilay both shrugged and said they hadn’t. Feeling even more frustrated, Cain took a break from searching and leaned against Mede’s desk, his eyes scanning around the room for anything they could have missed. He was about to tear through the desk one more time when he noticed something odd about one of the bookcases. It stood slightly apart from the others, and the books and objects lining the shelves seemed more decorative than functional.

Cain was just about to search it again when Anska called over to him. “Don’t bother, I already looked through the few notes laying on those shelves.”

“It’s not the notes I’m interested in,” said Cain. Instead he focused on the wall behind it, and felt a satisfied smile forming on his lips when he noticed the scuff marks on the paint. “Come here you two and help me - I think this bookcase is a false wall.” He started grabbing at random books and decorations while the others joined him and did just the same. A few minutes later, they’d turned up nothing once again. “Damn, I’d have bet a fat sack of gold that we’d find a switch of some kind.”

“Wait one moment, please,” said Anilay. Hurrying over to the desk, the chancellor crawled underneath and examined the area just beneath the writing top. “Aha! There it is!” A small Imperial Signet was etched into the woodwork. He brushed a couple fingers across it and was rewarded by a sharp cracking sound and a whoop of delight from Cain.

“That did it! How’d you know to look there?”

“I noticed the mark earlier,” answered Anilay. “But I didn’t think anything of it at the time.”

He ushered back over to the bookcase and helped Cain and Anska swing it out of the way. It glided effortlessly on well-oiled hinges and came to a noiseless stop, revealing a small antechamber just off of the office. They stepped through and found themselves in a nearly empty room, save for a small table adorned with a mysterious cask inlaid with strange inscriptions that seemed to glow a deep crimson in the dark air around it.

“What is it?” asked Anska.

“I don’t know,” said Cain. “Any ideas, Anilay?”

The Imperial was staring open-mouthed at the object. He had indeed seen this object before, and had even attended several briefings on its origin and how it came to be in the Empire’s possession. But how it got here was a different matter entirely.

“By the Eight!” he exclaimed. “This shouldn’t be here! It was supposed to have been destroyed at the end of the Great War! This explains much about how Mede has managed to operate independently from the Elder Council for so many years…”

Reaching down, Anilay unlatched the heavy clasp holding the box shut and gently lifted it open. Inside rested a shimmering glass orb resting upon a simple wooden cradle. The orb swirled with a mystical energy that seemed to fluctuate between a bright blueish green and the purest white. Nodding a silent confirmation to himself, he closed the lid and secured the latch.

“Our search is over, my friends. There are no missives to be found nor any mysterious agents to root out.” He picked up the cask containing the object and handed it to Cain. “This is the Orb of Vaermina – a powerful scrying tool unlike any others known to Man or Mer. Think of it as a window to view whatever your heart desires to see. With it, Mede can spy on anyone from anywhere with none the wiser. You must take it away from this place at once, for he cannot be allowed to possess it any longer. Do with it what you will, but I implore you to destroy it as soon as humanly possible.”

Cain worryingly looked over the cask, wondering how such a small thing could have caused he and Anska so many problems. He was also beyond pleased that Anilay had simply handed it to him when it could be a very powerful tool for the council. He resolved to never forget this act of trust, and extended a hand to Anilay. “Thank you for all you’ve done to help us,” he said. “This will certainly turn some heads back home. We couldn’t have done this without you, and I hope we can keep in touch.”

The High Chancellor was about to respond in kind when a rustling sound caught their attention. Three men now stood in the small doorway leading to the antechamber: two heavily armored Penitus Oculatus agents and a shorter, much older man dressed in beautifully woven robes bearing the Imperial Seal. Anilay’s shoulders slumped in defeat and Cain exhaled slowly, tensing up for a quick escape. Even Anska recognized him from the countless portraits and newspapers she’d seen or read over the years.

Emperor Titus Mede II surveyed all three of them with utter contempt.

[Acadian]

What fun doing the Oblivion introductory sewer crawl in reverse!

Nice accounting for how to (normally) ascend the great height of the White Gold Tower and avoid the half hour of stair climbing.

We find out why Anilay needs Cain for this mission. It seems Dragonborn is pretty powerful stuff. Speaking of warded doors, a very propitious warning about what is ahead, allowing Cain to include Anilay into his escape plan if needed.

And the mysterious ‘mole’ in the Blue Palace appears to be none other than Mede himself via Vaermina’s Orb.

When Mede and his pair of guards showed up, my first thought was ‘time for a recall’, but after thinking about it, I find myself wondering if Cain and Anska will, instead, match steel with Mede’s guards. Could very well be successful – kill Mede, then port out with that pesky Orb of Vaermina. We shall see.

[Kane]

I had some fun writing the reverse escape from memory. Just had to brush up on the ruin name!

My versions of the Dragonborn are definitely more powerful than what they are in-game. The lore about their power and feats is much richer than what we see in Skyrim.

[Kane]

Chapter XXXIV – Homecoming


The silence in the antechamber was deafening, but Cain found that he was still confidently relaxed for such a dire situation. He noted the two agents and assumed that many more would be waiting for them to try and escape back down the grand staircase. That suited him just fine as they had no intention of leaving that way. Then he felt Anska gently loop a hand through the strap on his bag and hoped that Anilay would remember to do something similar.

What are you waiting for? asked Anska, silently. Get us the hell out of here now!

We can’t leave Anilay behind; Mede will never let him leave this room alive. And I don’t think the pompous old fool knows that we can teleport away at the drop of a hat. I’m going to stall for time… see if you can subtly get Anilay’s attention and make sure he is ready.

Just then, Mede decided to break the ice. “So, have you nothing to say for yourself, Anilay? Years of loyal service and it all ends with treason against your Emperor? The council respects you very highly, but they will not take kindly to these actions.”

“What makes you think he is here of his own volition?” countered Cain. “Perhaps I’ve coerced him into helping us track down your little toy here? He certainly doesn’t have the physical might to stand against a Dragonborn.”

“Be silent, dog,” Mede spat. “Your kind aren’t clever enough to pull of such a stunt without inside help. I can’t believe you were foolish enough to think you’d walk out of here with my orb, let alone with your lives.”

“Ah, but there’s the rub,” said Cain. “You’re smart enough to recognize that no amount of Penitus Occulatus grunts can withstand the Voice. If we wanted to leave, we would tear right through you three and all those that I’m sure are waiting for us beyond your study. Fortunately for you, I have no intention of taking any lives today – I’m not ignorant enough to think killing you won’t turn the entire continent on its head.”

Anilay is ready. He’s tethered to me now.

Good. Be at the ready. This won’t take much longer.

“Then you must surrender,” said Mede. “The game is up and if you truly wish to avoid bloodshed, then I command you to lay down your weapons.”

‘You misunderstand me,” replied Cain. “We have no desire to submit to whatever false promises of fair treatment you will no doubt offer us. I have the orb now, and we hold all the cards. You and your grunts here are the only ones that know of our presence, and I seriously doubt the Elder Council will care about what your indoctrinated soldiers have to say on the matter, which only leaves your account of this event. And when you leave this room empty handed, I doubt any of them will believe the ravings of a paranoid old man.”

“There is no way out, you damn fool!” shouted Mede, angrily. “Only through us can you go, and you’ve already admitted you will not attack me. Lay down your weapons and submit and I will make sure you get a fair trial.”

It’s time to go, love, thought Cain.

“That’s an enticing offer,” said Cain, “But I think we’ll take a different option.”

He casted the recall spell with a destination in mind and tried his best not cackle aloud at the look of shock on the Emperor’s tired face. The familiar vortex of purplish magickal energies enveloped all three of them and within seconds they stood in the basement room of Luther Broad’s Boarding House. Cain felt Anska loosen her grip on his bag and was pleased to see that Anilay looked no worse for the wear.

“That wasn’t nearly as unpleasant as I expected it to be,” said the High Chancellor. He took a seat and poured a large glass of wine from the bottle Cain and Anska had left on the table the night before.

“You should come with us, Anilay,” said Cain. “My family can protect you.”

“I appreciate the offer, my friend, but it’s not necessary. You handled that situation masterfully and painted Mede into a corner. He doesn’t know I had the Council’s backing, nor did he expect to leave empty-handed. No one will believe him that we were ever there and I can stroll back into the Tower tomorrow morning as if nothing happened. I’ll rent a room here tonight and if anyone asks, I’ll just say I had a few too many drinks!”

“Then this is where we part ways,” said Cain. “Please keep in touch – I’m sure we can help each other in the future.”

“Without a doubt,” answered Anilay. “You can expect a frequent correspondence from myself and the council. I’ve no doubt they will seek a direct line of communication with your father, too.”

Cain offered him a hand and Anilay gladly shook it. And then, to the Imperial’s surprise, Anska guided him to his feet and gave him a tight hug. “Thank you for helping us. I’m sorry if I came off as ungrateful at any time.”

“Think nothing of it, miss. Now please, get out of here before a stranger happens along!”

Anska laced her fingers through Cain’s and they disappeared once again.

-----

This time, they materialized hundreds of miles to the north, in a familiar room deep within the Blue Palace. Little had changed from when they’d left long ago, and the ancient scroll of Ysgramor’s lineage still laid unfurled on the table at the center of the room. But unlike last time, the room was empty and all seemed quiet at the late hour it was. Cain felt the adrenaline from their completed quest begin to wear off, and the exhaustion of a long, tense day finally set in.

Anska read his mind and together they decided that news of their return could wait until the morning. They set off through the empty stone corridors for the bedroom they’d shared during a happier time, and were grateful to make it there un-accosted by family, palatial staff, or guards. Their boots still smelling of rank sewer water, Cain and Anska kicked them off outside the bedroom door and left them in the hallway to keep their bedroom from smelling terribly while they tried to sleep.

Cain shut the door and locked it, and after a hasty undressing of their armors, they crashed into the waiting bed and fell asleep almost immediately, the cask containing Vaermina’s Orb shoved into a wardrobe near the window.

Only four hours had passed until a loud commotion outside the bedroom door could be heard, followed by heavy thumps on the stout wooden door. Grumbling and cursing from lack of sleep, Cain got out of bed and pulled on a clean shirt, and fresh trousers before shuffling over to the door and unlocking it.

Linneá bustled into the room right away and nearly tackled him to the ground with a ferocious embrace. “When the hell did you two get back here?!” she half shouted, pounding him on the back in delight. “And why didn’t you wake us up!”

“It was very late, Linn, and we were exhausted,” mumbled Cain. “What time is it anyway? Feels like I was only out for a couple of hours.”

Serana joined them in the bedroom next and offered a gentler hug of her own. “It’s about six o’clock, Cain. And it’s good to see you two back here.” She glanced over at Anska who was still buried deeply in the soft down blanket, refusing to be disturbed. “Don’t we get a hug from you, dear?” Serana called to her.

“[censored] off,” said Anska. “It’s too early for this. I love you both, but if you want a hug then you are going to have to climb in here with me.”

Laughing uproariously, Linneá and Serana took her up on the offer and clambered gracefully into the bed with Anska, lying on either side of her. Shaking his head, Cain gave up sleeping any longer as a lost cause and settled for pouring himself a glass of water. Then he fished the cask out of the wardrobe he’d unceremoniously shoved it into earlier and set it on top for all to see.

The odd markings caught Serana’s eye and she quickly joined him to find out what it was. “What did you bring us, brother? Are there letters, or orders, or something like that in there?”

“I wish it were that simple,” sighed Cain. “But you’ll be pleased to know that there isn’t anyone here who betrayed us.” He unlatched the small clasp holding the cask shut and lifted it open for Serana to see. “The bastard’s been scrying with what Anilay confirmed to be the Orb of Vaermina. Mede was able to spy on us from afar, at any given time.”

Linneá jumped out of the bed to see it for herself and gasped in wonder. “Son of a bitch! It’s no wonder we couldn’t find anyone to blame! This is an incredible discovery you two – dad will be floored when he finds out that you wrestled this from the Emperor’s grasp.”

“I hope so,” said Cain. “Mede certainly wasn’t happy to see us vanish with it.”

“HE FOUND YOU TWO BREAKING INTO HIS PRIVATE QUARTERS?!” yelled Linneá. “That’s… this is… holy [censored]... what are we going to – “

“Relax, Elle,” soothed Serana. “We have our answers and we’ll deal with the fallout later, yeah? Dad’ll know what to do next.”

“Nothing will come of this anyway,” Cain assured them. “Well, except for that attack he still has planned I’m sure. But he can’t do anything about us stealing this out from under his nose. Anilay had the Elder Council’s approval for our little intrusion and the only credible witness to our presence in the White-Gold Tower was Mede himself. He’s boxed in and we took away his last toy.”

“That just makes him all the more dangerous,” frowned Serana. “C’mon Elle, we should go see mum and dad about this. We’ll need to put the guards on higher alert.”

“Anska and I will join you as soon as we can,” said Cain. “As I’m sure you already noticed, we need to get cleaned up first.”

“Come join us in dad’s study when you’re ready,” nodded Linneá. “And grab a bite to eat, too. I have a feeling we’ll be there for a while.”

With their departure, Cain shut the door and climbed back into bed. He laid himself against his fiancé’s prone form and kissed her on the cheek. Anska smiled and rolled over to face him, finally content now that they were back home safe and sound.

“Do we really have to get up already?” she asked him. “I forgot how soft these beds were and we’ve slept on the ground for so many long weeks. Can’t we just stay here the rest of the day and relax?”

“I wish we could,” said Cain. “But Linn’s right; we need to go and see everyone. Let’s go find that bath before we doze off again.”

“Ugh, fine. Toss me a shirt at least, would you? I don’t want the next person to barge in here staring at my chest.”

Cain got up from the bed once again and fished her out a clean blouse from the tall wardrobe near the door, and then set about getting fully dressed himself. A few moments later, they were headed for the nearest washroom, towels and fragrant soaps in hand. They found the nearest to be empty, and Cain locked the door so that they could enjoy the steaming waters alone.

Half of an hour later Cain and Anska donned their clean clothes once again and headed for the kitchens fully clean and smelling much more pleasant than they had for weeks. The enticing aroma of fresh baked bread wafted down the hallway leading to the kitchens and they were just about to see what they could pinch from the larders when a voice called out for them once again.

“Cain! Anska! There you two are!” Lydia bounded towards them at a speed that defied her age and embraced them each in turn. “Linn mentioned you came home last night like it wasn’t a big deal! I’m so happy you’re back and I’m sorry for what you had to go through. I can’t imagine what it was like being so far from home without being able to return! Especially you, Anska! And I heard you’re engaged now! Oh, I’m so happy I could kiss you both – to stay strong and true to each other after everything that was thrown at you. Your father and I couldn’t be prouder!”

“Geez, take a breath, mum,” laughed Cain. “The past is the past, and the girls apologized profusely for their mistake. And I’m glad to see you again, too.”

“It’s lovely to be home again, Lydia, thank you” said Anska. “It’s funny, I don’t even know when I started thinking of this place as home, but now I can’t imagine it being anywhere else.”

“Will you be heading to dad’s study with us?” Cain asked Lydia. “We’ve something important to show everyone from our trip south. And we have some other, um, unrelated news to share…”

“Of course! But you two go ahead and grab something to eat. I need to find Linn and ask her something, so we’ll meet you there later.”

Lydia took her leave and trotted off in search of her daughters while Cain and Anska stepped into the kitchen and loaded up some plates with a few ham steaks, and filled a basket with fresh fruit and two loaves of warm rye bread. Their bedroom wasn’t too far away, so they retreated back to it and ate their breakfast hastily at the small table tucked away in the corner. It was a blissfully quiet meal and the first one they had eaten in comfort since leaving Blacklight in what felt like another lifetime.

And it ended much too fast for their liking. Cain left the room to return their dishes and Anska took the opportunity to braid her hair in its normal fashion, admiring its length in the large mirror bolted to the back of the bedroom door. In the time they’d been abroad, it had grown down past her hips and now dangled just below the seat of her pants. Shaking free from her reverie, she eyed her dirty armor strewn about the floor and debated scrubbing it off and donning it while in the palace.

Cain returned empty-handed while she was debating and settled it for her by starting to wipe down his own armor. “Might as well, eh? I wish we could have it properly cleaned first, but I don’t want to be caught off-guard if Mede is foolish enough to attack us here.”

“Yeah, I guess so,” sighed Anska. “I just wish we could move on from all of this. Feels like it will never end.”

“I know what you mean,” said Cain. “Maybe Anilay and the Elder Council will be able to step in and put a stop to his madness.”

“One can only hope,” agreed Anska. She helped Cain buckle his armor on and then returned the favor. Cain sheathed his silver longsword into the scabbard on his back and handed Anska her waraxe for her to hang off the steel loop in her belt. Armed and ready, they headed for Kirin’s private study for a much-anticipated family reunion.

[Acadian]

Masterfully done, Cain!

Everybody out safely with Vaermina’s orb in hand. I hadn’t thought about their destination but just assumed it would be far away – Anvil or perhaps even the Blue Palace, but Cain was right to recall to a safe spot within the Imperial City and sort out the next move with Anilay. Nice to know that Anilay should be able to manage the Council as well as Mede. Without the Council or his Orb, Mede’s days should be numbered. Hopefully.

Home to the Blue Palace and family! I’m sure Kirin will want to change the palace’s security arrangements – guard postings, routes, timing, etc to remove the accuracy/currency of anything Mede gained from his scrying. Ironically, it seems Cain and his clan now have a great source of intelligence inside the White Gold Tower in Anilay. And possible use of that orb? Oh, and it will be fun to hear all the news, ranging from a wedding and baby Nord on the way, to Linneá’s new little wild elf.

[Kane]

Thanks, Acadian! It was fun to write their encounter and escape from the Tower, but not nearly as satisfying as the return home. So much to catch up on indeed!

[Kane]

Chapter XXXV – Shattered


Cain and Anska had just stepped out into the hallway when a voice called out for them once again. This time it was Linneá flagging them down, with a familiar young elf in tow. The young one stared at Cain with wide eyes, looking slightly apprehensive at his presence.

“Well, you two certainly look much better after a bath and a stout breakfast,” approved Linneá. She bent over and pick up Salihn, holding her close while she properly introduced them for the first time. “You remember this little devil, don’t you? Cain, Anska: meet Salihn. She’s been staying with Serana and I for a little bit now while she acclimates to her new life. Salihn, this is your Uncle Cain and Auntie Anska. Do you remember them from when we found you?”

Salihn buried her face against Linneá’s blouse for a few seconds and then peeked out at them. Cain and Anska both smiled at her and gave a little wave while she looked them over. “You’re the ones I was following in the woods. I remember you seeing me but I ran off and then woke up back here.”

“You bumped into a tree, little one,” said Cain. “I found you and carried you back with me, and then my sisters took you home.”

Linneá lowered her back to the floor and gave her a reassuring pat on the head. “Are you my family now, too?” asked Salihn, her innocent eyes staring hopefully at them.

“Of course we are,” said Anska, kneeling down to meet her at eye level. “We’ll try to be the best aunt and uncle you’ll ever have.”

“Yay!” squealed Salihn, throwing herself into Anska’s waiting arms. They hugged tightly for a moment at the same time Cain caught Linneá’s eye and saw her brush away a happy tear. If he didn’t know any better, he’d have guessed his sisters were well on the way to adopting the orphaned Ayleid as their own daughter, and he couldn’t be happier for them. Their family was growing, bit by bit.

Anska let go of Salihn who then gave Cain a hug too, before Linneá grabbed her hand and led her off in search of Sybille. “I’ll catch up with you in dad’s study, just gotta let Sybille look after the munchkin while we’re in there.”

They waved goodbye to Salihn again and then trudged off towards the upper reaches of the Blue Palace. “You saw it too, didn’t you?” Anska asked him. “The way Linn was doting on her, I mean. I think Salihn wormed her way into your sister’s heart, Cain. Looks like we’ll all be parents soon!”

“Couldn’t miss it,” he nodded. “Do you think we should tell everyone this morning? About your, er, condition?”

“My ‘condition’”? said Anska, rolling her eyes. “That’s seriously how you put it?” I’m pregnant you daft fool, I’m not dying.”

“I know, I know,” chuckled Cain.

“And yes, I do think we should tell them. I nearly blurted it out twice already! Once to Linn and Serana, and then again to Lydia.”

“Today’s the day, then!”

Cain threw his arm around her shoulder and they walked side-by-side up through the now bustling corridors of their cozy home. Palace staff came and went, performing their usual upkeep on the expansive home to Skyrim’s High King. Guards patrolled up and down the wide stone hallways, checking rooms and closets while they went. Cain noticed there were more about than usual, most likely due to the possible attack Anilay had warned them of a few nights ago.

Eventually, they found themselves outside of Kirin’s study, idling nervously. It had been so long since the last time he’d seen his father, and so much had changed. Cain took a few deep breaths while Anska tried to flatten the creases of the cloth fringes lining her cuirass plate. “Are you ready?” she asked him.

“Ready as I’m going to be,” said Cain. He reached for the door knob and gave it a turn. The door was unlocked, so he swung it open and together they stepped into the room, wondering how long this debrief would last.

“There you are!” yelled Kirin. “About time you two sauntered up here to see me!” He came around the desk and Cain found himself in another embrace. The fifth one of the day, and it was barely mid-morning. Kirin released him and offered a hug to Anska, too, who happily accepted it. “And I hear you are going to be my daughter!” Then he stepped back and looked gravely at Cain’s fiancé. “Words can’t begin to express how sorry I am for what we put you through, Anska. Neither of you deserved that.”

“It’s fine, really,” said Anska, brushing away a tear. “The girls made a mistake and they apologized at the first chance they got. I’ve forgiven them and it’s time to move on.”

“You’re wise beyond your years, lass,” said Kirin. “And I’ll expect you to keep my son in line, yeah?”

“Oh, he’s helpless, I’m afraid,” laughed Anska.

Cain shook his head sighed while he sat down in one of the chairs facing across Kirin’s desk, waiting patiently for others to join them. Little had changed since they were last here, having a small get-together late at night before leaving for Stonehills and ultimately Blacklight. He remembered the feeling of anticipation at getting out into the world again but had never dreamed of where it would take he and Anska.

She sat down next to him and Kirin took the seat opposite, staring curiously at him. “Everything alright, son?”

“Oh, yeah, I’m fine,” answered Cain. “Just reminiscing a little.”

Their conversation was interrupted when the door opened again and this time Linneá and Serana entered and took the other two seats near Lydia’s empty chaise. Kirin nodded at them and addressed the former first. “Did you take care of the item?”

“Yep! The orb is safely stashed away at Elysium until we figure out what to do with it.”

“If I may,” said Cain. “Anilay suggested we promptly destroy it and I’m inclined to agree with him. That thing is too powerful of an object to risk falling into the wrong hands again.”

“And we will,” promised Serana. “As soon as we figure out how to destroy a Daedric artifact. That’s not an easy task to carry out.”

“If anyone can figure that out, it will be you two,” said Kirin. “See if Kyne can help out somehow when she returns.”

“Returns?” asked Anska. “Where did she go?”

“Some kind of council meeting in Aetherius. She wouldn’t say what for, but she’s never made us privy to the musings of the other Divines. And for good reason, too. The less we know of what goes on beyond our realm, the better.”

Cain was about to ask his father a question regarding communication with Anilay when an odd noise echoed up the long hallway leading to the study. Glancing at the others to see if they heard it too, he got up from his seat and pulled the door open, straining his ears to pick out the source. All was mostly quiet, and he was about to sit back down when he heard it again.

A panicked scream, coming from somewhere deep in the palace.

“Something is going on,” he said to the others. “Fan out and search for anything out of the ordinary.” Liineá and Serana took the lead and darted out of sight while Anska joined Cain’s side. He looked back at Kirin: “You should stay here, dad. Keep the door locked until we figure out what’s going on.”

“The hell I will,” growled Kirin. “You are all under my protection and I’ll damn well help defend my home!” The High King grabbed his trusty runic sword from its plaque on the wall and followed them out of the room.

More screams could be heard in the distance, causing them to double their pace. Guards started darting to and fro in search of the commotion, and one of them came running up to the Kirin, panting heavily from exertion. “My lord! We’re under attack! Brigands are pouring in the front doors and up from the tunnel systems!”

“Brigands?” said Kirin. “They aren’t organized enough to pull off a stunt like this. You must be mistaken, captain!”

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” said the Captain. “But they certainly are wearing the armor of brigands. They’re all draped in hides and shoddy iron cuirasses, swinging pitted swords about and yelling wildly. Some were even slinging around destruction spells with ill regard!”

“I don’t like it,” Cain frowned. “This screams of someone trying to couch a coordinated invasion under the guise of some sort of bandit uprising. I think we finally pissed off Mede too much and he executed his plan before the Elder Council could intervene.”

“I’m inclined to agree,” said Kirin. “And he’ll come to regret this cowardly move. Captain, have you seen my wife recently?”

“Aye, sir. She was down near the main kitchen with Sybille and the elf girl not five minutes ago.”

Cain turned to Anska shot her an imploring look. “Please go find my mother and get them to safety. Stuff them in a larder or hide them in a wardrobe – just get them out of harm’s way!”

Anska nodded, recognizing that she couldn’t argue her way out of this one. Her fiancé was heir to the throne and he had a duty to defend the palace with his father. It was an order this time, not a suggestion. “I love you,” she whispered, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Then she plucked her waraxe free from her belt and darted down the hall to the nearest stairwell.

“Captain, rally the men and get the palace staff to safety,” ordered Kirin. “My family will make quick work of these invaders, but do what you can to capture a few of them, too. We’ll need to confirm their true identities when this is over.”

The captain moved off and together the High King and his son headed towards the public areas of the Blue Palace, growing closer and closer to the terrible sounds of battle. They crashed through a heavy door into the throne room and were stunned to see the number of attackers filling the lofty space, with more coming in the front doors. At least a score had fallen already to the capable guards defending the throne, but more were well on the way. Cain was about to leap over the banister and join the fray when a powerfully magickal inferno buffeted towards the Blue Palace entrance and immolated the brigands who had been clawing their way through.

Linneá scurried through the mayhem and sealed the doors with a spell before spinning on her heels and diving back into the fray, her dark tanto slashing and thrusting while she unleashed spell after spell on the poorly matched brutes.

“I think she’s got this,” grinned Kirin. “Come, let’s find Serana and see if she needs help. I’d bet anything she is down near the tunnel and sewer entrances.”

They backtracked further into the depths of the palace, descending staircase after staircase. The occasional attacker who’d made it past the initial battle scenes stood before them but were no match for the two seasoned warriors and Dragonborns. Guards were moving about everywhere they looked, ushering staff members and the rare civilian to safe holding rooms and guarding the doors with their lives.

Down and down they went, dispatching more brigands along the way until finally Cain and Kirin reached the bottom floor. Kicking open a heavy door to the main passageway, it was Cain’s turn to grin at the sight that greeted them. Serana’s distinct silhouette was encircled with a thunderous cloak of storms, and both of her hands were summoning ahoard of undead minions, and reanimating fallen soldiers to rejoin the battle. A few palace guards ringed around her for protection but it seemed like there was little for them to do. A score of bodies already lined the hall between them and the tunnel entrance Cain had been brought through the night he learned of his place in the world.

“We aren’t need here, either,” said Cain. “Let’s go check the gardens.”

“Good idea,” said Kirin. “Lead on, my son!”

Back up the stairs they went, heading for the serene palace gardens far above their heads. As a testament to the power of his sisters and the capability of the guards, Cain noticed that fewer and fewer attackers seemed to be crashing down corridors and into rooms. It was only the rare stragglers they cut down now, but the din of another battle could soon be heard ahead of them.

“It sounds like they need help in the gardens after all,” shouted Kirin, picking up his pace. Cain followed suite and they bolted outside to discover the guard contingent being pushed back by invaders that had somehow scaled the walls.

At the sight of their king, the guards rallied around him and regrouped to press forward the attack. Cain and Kirin simultaneously invoked their imposing Dragon Aspect shout, the echo of dual Thu’ums thundering through the air around them and striking fear into the hearts of the attackers. Together, the father and son led the counterattack and all who stood before them were driven back without quarter. Their swords blurred through the air with the unnatural speed and strength of the Shout imbuing their spirits, and within a few minutes every last brigand lay dead on the ground.

The guards cheered and roared battle cries in glory of their victory while Cain and Kirin sheathed their swords and dispelled their fearsome Thu’um aspects. A lieutenant from the dwindled ranks stepped forward and asked what their next orders would be.

“Secure the perimeter and then go assist whoever you can with keeping the staff safe,” ordered Kirin. “My daughters have the entry points contained. Cain and I will comb the palace for stragglers.”

“Aye, sir,” saluted the lieutenant.

They stepped back inside just in time to catch another guard running full tilt down the hallway in search of the King. “There you are, milord. The captain sent me with news – the attack has been broken and the remaining invaders are being rounded up. The city guard is here now too, they’re turning the city upside down to root out any escapees.”

“Excellent news!” shouted Kirin, clapping him heartily on the back. “Did we take any prisoners?”

“Yes, sir. There are reports from other guards on the scene that Mrs. Serana unleashed some sort of wide-range paralysis spell down below. She had to cast the counter-spell on some of our own men, but early numbers estimate at least a dozen attackers were captured and quickly dragged off to the holding cells.”

“That certainly sounds like something she would do,” mused Cain. “What of the queen and her elf charge?” Cain stayed silent while the guard directed his answer to Kirin. In the heat of battle, he’d never thought to probe for Anska to see how she was faring. The adrenaline subsiding, he suddenly found himself fraught with worry.

Did you find them? he reached out. No answer came for a few long seconds and just when he was about to try again more forcefully, he heard her whispered answer.

Cain, I… they’re safe.

His insides froze. Something was wrong and the connection to her felt weak. Where are you?!

Storeroom next to… the… the kitchens. Please hurry, my love. I.. did my best to keep them safe… I need to see you. Please.

“We need to go,” Cain said to his father. “Now. Anska found mum and Salihn but there’s something wrong.”

Hurry, please, came a weak plea from his fiancé.

Anska, take off your ring and toss it away. I can recall to it! Anska? ANSKA?

She didn’t respond and Cain began to panic. With no other option, he grabbed Kirin’s hand and casted the spell, vanishing from the upper reaches of the Blue Palace and rematerializing in a cellar far below. They were standing in a large pantry filled with the bodies of at least fifteen dead brigands. Blood and gore coated every surface and the stench of death nearly doubled them over. A frantic weeping sound came from behind Cain and he spun around to find Lydia kneeling next to Anska.

The head of her waraxe had snapped clean off of the handle and laid on the floor next to her. Anska’s armor was destroyed - torn apart by countless sword strokes, and bludgeoned by fearsome maces, and blood seemed to be oozing from every visible part of her body. Kirin pulled his wife up to her feet and moved her away to let his son take her place.

“What happened?!” Kirin asked Lydia, gently shaking her shoulders to garner her attention.

“She… she found us after some strangers chased us down the hall,” sobbed Lydia. “Anska barred herself in here with us and refused to let any of the monsters lay a finger on me or Salihn. I hid the girl in the cabinet there and tried to help but I was unarmed and there were so many of them!” She put her head in her hands and continued weeping, unable to go on for the time being.

Cain had knelt down next to Anska and was probing her thoughts while he looked over her grievous wounds, and he felt hot tears running unchecked down his own face. Years of training in the Fighter’s Guild allowed him to recognize that no amount of potions or healing spells could replace the amount of blood she’d already lost and continued to lose. He felt the world crashing down around him as he stared helplessly at his dying fiancé and their unborn child. Leaning forward, he cradled Anska’s bruised head and blood-matted hair in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably.

Then he felt her shift slightly, causing him to immediately let go and search her feature for signs of life. Her eyelids fluttered open and the beautiful brown orbs that had first enchanted him in Stonehills looked weakly back at him.

“You… you made it,” she said, her voice scratchy and barely audible. “There were too… too many of them. Are Lydia and…”

“Yes, they’re okay,” breathed Cain. “Hon, I… I can’t…”

“I know. You can’t help me. Just kiss me one last time, please.”

He leaned in and gave her a lingering kiss, afraid to pull back. When he finally did, she smiled warmly at him. “I love you so much, Cain. We’ll see each other again one day in Sovngarde.” Her eyes closed again and Cain placed a hand on her chest, just as a final heartbeat thudded against his palm.

[Acadian]

The Divines have council meetings in Aetherius? Who knew? Makes sense though.

“You should stay here, dad. Keep the door locked until we figure out what’s going on.”
“The hell I will,” growled Kirin.
- - Ha! Kirin’s reaction to Cain’s ‘command’ was absolutely no surprise!

What a formidable family, as they put down Mede’s ill-fated attack.

Anska! Oh no, what a tragic surprise! She died a hero and in the arms of her mate, but that is scant comfort to poor Cain.

[Kane]

I've been dreading this chapter for weeks. I knew Anska's fate when I introduced her to the story and it was frustrating to stick to that while the tale unfolded. Tempted to save her so many times.

[Kane]

Chapter XXXVI – Parting of the Ways


Cain collapsed against Anska’s prone form. The world was spinning around him and he was numb to it all while he grieved for his fiance and unborn child. The arrival of frantic footsteps and the subsequent gasps of horror barely registered to his senses. People around him were also weeping, and when he felt a gentle set of hands guide him to his feet and lead him away, Cain found that he had no strength left to protest against it. Against anything.

His feet carried him unconsciously away from the gruesome pantry. A voice he recognized as Serana’s was talking softly next to him but it might as well have been shouting across an endless meadow for all he knew. Nothing made sense. And nothing would ever be the same.

What felt like both moments and hours later, he found himself sitting at a table somewhere else in the palace with a glass of water placed in front of him. He drank it, if only because it was something else to do. Something else to think of, if only for a few seconds. His heartbeat pounded in his ears and he still heard nothing of what was being said around him. Then a pale hand he recognized as Linneá’s placed a ring on the table in front of him. Their engagement ring.

“No,” he heard himself say. “It’s Anska’s and it stays with her.”

“Cain - “

“I said it stays with her.”

She picked the ring back up and her footsteps faded away. Cain wasn’t sure how long he sat there, but eventually he was joined by Kirin and Lydia. They sat down opposite from him, eyes red and swollen from the aftermath.

“Son, I...” began Kirin. “I know nothing I can say will make any of this easier. But we’re all here for you. Your mum and I will help you get through this, as will the girls. You aren’t alone, even if it may feel like you are. Anska was a wonderful woman who deserved better. You both deserved better. I think we should - ”

“You don’t understand,” said Cain, shaking his head. “Anska and I… we… we were going to share more news with you earlier. Before everything… happened.” He didn’t have any tears left to shed, but Cain rubbed at his eyes anyway. They felt raw and painful but at least it was something he felt - though it wouldn’t make the next part any easier. “Anska was pregnant.”

Lydia gasped. “No! No no no no, godsdammit! Cain, I’m so sorry. I… if I’d known I wouldn’t have let her -”

“There’s nothing you could have done, mum. Don’t blame yourself. I sent her to help you and Salihn. I sent her away from my side even after Mara warned us to stick together.”

“Mara?” asked Kirin, eyes widened with surprise. “You’ve met Mara?”

“Not now, dad. I can’t get into that.” Cain stood up and looked towards the door. “I need to go. I want to be alone for a while.” He started to move off but Linneá grabbed him and held him close. He let her hug him for a moment but he didn’t have the strength to grieve with her. She let go and he headed upstairs to the bedroom he used to share with Anska.

It was still in disarray from their late night arrival and hurried morning. Locking the door behind him, he took a look around the room and saw that one of her few remaining clean blouses had fallen to the floor near the foot of the bed. Cain sat down and picked it up, pressing it to his face. Anska’s floral scent clung to the fabric and the tears began to flow again while he sobbed into it. He laid down on the ground with it for what felt like eternity.

The sun had started to set when he heard a timid knock on the door. He ignored it and soon heard footsteps slowly fading away.

-----

After a sleepless night Cain was wrangled from his self-imposed prison by his family. Linneá and Serana nearly pounded the door to pieces before he opened it and they dragged him downstairs to eat breakfast in a room far from the larder where he’d found Anska. He ate mechanically, nodding at the polite conversations between his sisters, Kirin, and Lydia. They danced around the subject but Cain knew it was coming.

“Look, we need to plan the funeral, my son,” said Kirin, finally. Cain blanched. He set his fork down and tried his best to meet his father’s eyes. “None of us knew Anska like you did. What would she have wanted?”

“I don’t know,” muttered Cain. “It’s not like we ever thought that prudent to discuss.”

“Husband, can’t this wait?” asked Lydia. “Give him time to breathe! Hell, we all need time to breathe!”

“It’s fine,” said Cain. Everything still felt numb. Despite the grief he’d already been through, he felt like the reality of it all was yet to set in for him.“Let’s have her cremated. Then I’ll decide what to do with her ashes some other time.” And then I can move on to… somewhere else. Anywhere else.

The silence in his head was overwhelming and caused more pain than anything else. He’d never hear Anska whispering into his thoughts again and the realization of that took him right back to how he felt kneeling over her lifeless body. Cain broke down again and had to excuse himself from the table. Lydia took his arm and guided him back to the bedroom, but didn’t say anything along the way. She seemed to understand how he felt more than the others did.

Lydia opened the door and gave him a long hug before letting him be alone. “Come help us later if you’re feeling up to it, dear. The palace is a mess and it will take days to get everything back in order. Might help distract you for a while, too.”

“I’ll try.”

He laid back down in the bed for a few hours and tried not to dwell on the deafening silence. At some point, Cain dozed off and awoke feeling somewhat refreshed and decided he would go help out. If only for a distraction, as Lydia had suggested. Turns out he didn’t have far to go. Linneá was hauling a dead invader away just one corridor over. He offered her a fake smile and picked up the dead body’s feet to help carry it out of the palace.

The body tossed onto a pile in the courtyard, they leaned against a stone column to catch their breath.

“Cain, I” began Linneá.

“Don’t bother,” Cain interjected. “I don’t need platitudes and I don’t want everyone doting over me. It won’t help.”

“I wasn’t going to,” said Linneá. “Really. I just wanted you to know how much I miss her, too. I loved her to bits and enjoyed having another sister. Just don’t forget you still have Serana and I, yeah? You’ll always have us.”

Cain nodded. “Better get back at it. I’m sure there’s plenty more to clean up in there.”

They head back inside to rejoin the cleaning efforts but were soon tracked down by Serana. “There you are, Elle! And Cain, too? I’m glad to see you out and about!”

“What’s up, hon?” asked Linneá.

“Dad’s called us all to his study for something. Wouldn’t say what, but it sounded urgent.”

The three of them went back up through the palace to Kirin’s private study. Lydia was already there waiting and just as Cain went to sit down in a chair near the back, a familiar brown hawk soared through the window. Kyne alighted down into her mortal form, her soft face streaked with tears. She nearly tackled Cain with her embrace as she dove into him.

“I just head from Linn what happened! Are you -”

“Not here, mum,” pleaded Cain. “I can’t do this again in front of everyone.”

“Then we’ll go for a walk.” She turned to look at Kirin. “You’ll have to manage without us.”

-----

The door closed with a snap and Kirin sighed while easing himself into his chair. “I guess we will.”

“Should we wait for them?” asked Serana.

“Nah, I can sort it out with Kyne later. And I think Cain needs to take a break from politics and espionage for a while. Anything new today?”

“Aye,” said Linneá. “We found Sybille in one of the cellars... she didn’t make it.”

“Son of a bitch!” exclaimed Kirin. “Two dozen guards and now Sybille as well as Anska? By the Nine, Mede will pay for this. Are we certain he was behind this?”

“Without a doubt,” said Linneá. “Ana and I, er, convinced some of the men we captured to talk this morning. Separate men in separate rooms confirmed it and their accounts of the details matched. These were Penitus Oculatus agents attacking on his orders. We can cart them before the world for all to see.”

“Were they just after us?”

“No, they wanted the orb,” said Serana. “We sort of thought that after seeing how many rooms were ransacked, but we wormed that out of them, too.”

Kirin was pleased to know that Elysium remained off the Empire’s radar. There were far more dangerous objects hidden there than Vaermina’s Orb, and they needed to remain away from prying eyes. But the loss of his court wizard stung. Sybille was wise and powerful, and had faithfully served himself and several other Jarls and Kings. Finding a new one would be no easier matter. Unless…

“Well, the orb is safe, so I guess the next order of business will be finding a new court wizard. Um, Serana?” said Kirin, clearing his throat. “Would you -”

“Absolutely not, dad. There isn’t enough brandy in the world for me to take on that job.”

Linneá giggled and then turned him down, too. “I’m out, too. Sorry, dad, but I’d rather have a dragon bite my other arm off.”

“If I can make a suggestion, though?” offered Serana. “Garan Marethi. Yes, I know he’s another vampire, but you won’t find anyone else in Tamriel more suited for the job. Plus, I’d love to have him around here. Garan is practically my uncle.”

He leaned back for a moment to stew on the idea but decided to give it more thought later. Their home was still a wreck and with Cain’s departure he’d have to cut this meeting short anyway. He glanced over at Lydia who nodded in agreement.

“Right, then let’s get back to it,” he said. “Plenty of work left to do. Go see where the staff needs you.”

Linneá and Serana left and Kirin joined Lydia on her chaise. Everyone had taken Anska’s loss hard, his wife especially. Though she wasn’t Cain’s blood mother, she had come to love him as much as she loved her own children. And Anska had been such a wonderful fit for him. But the unexpected loss of a grandchild seemed to be affecting her most of all.

“We’ll get through this, Lyds,” consoled Kirin. He brushed a new tear off of her cheek. “Together.”

-----

Cain felt as if the bright sun and clear blue skies were mocking him. There was even a hint of brine on the air, wafting high up onto the great Solitude arch and circulating through the flower gardens. He’d spent nearly an hour talking with Kyne and while she did her best to make him feel better, nothing really came of it. The only desire he had anymore was to leave. He couldn’t stay here anymore, in the place where they would have raised a family. It was too hard.

Nor did he look forward to telling his family of his intentions. Kyne had mentioned the funeral service would be tomorrow night, and that she would be by his side for all of it. After that, he was leaving. Cain looked down at his feet where another dead brigand was laying and sighed before stooping over to gather it up.

Delicate footsteps approached from behind and he dropped the body to see who it was. “Why am I not surprised?” he muttered. The otherworldly beauty and radiance of Mara smiled sadly at him, and she raised her palms in a gesture of openness. He grunted and took a seat on earthen floor.

“I won’t bother asking how you are doing, for I know all too well,” said the goddess. “I merely offer this advice: give it time. Time can heal everything, including the sundering of love. I also sense your desire to leave this place, and while I understand, I would just ask that it not be permanent. Your family loves you, Cain. They’ll need you to heal as much as you’ll need them.”

“...I don’t know when I’ll be able to return, ma’am. The thought of being here without her. Or anywhere without her.”

“I know. Just don’t forsake them.”

She rested a gentle hand on his shoulder and then vanished from sight. A guardsman rounded the nearest corner and hesitated at the sight of Cain sitting on the ground. He got to his feet and motioned to the guard. “Give me a hand with this one. I think it’s the last.”

“Aye, sir.”

They grabbed the body, carried it off to the courtyard, and chucked it onto the loaded wagon that had been summoned from the stables. The smell coming from the pile of corpses was vile but Cain was pretty sure his latest contribution to it was the last one. A final walk-through was already underway in the palace and had thus far turned up empty. He thanked the guard and headed back to his room for the night.

-----

He spent the next morning packing up his belongings. Linneá and Serana came by at lunch time to tell him the service was starting soon, and they left him a fresh set of dress attire. They were already wearing black dresses for the somber occasion, but had given up trying to apply makeup.

“There’s no point,” shrugged Linneá. “It just keeps getting smudged and ruined.”

“You’re still beautiful without it, Elle,” said Serana. “Get dressed and join us in the hall, brother. We’ll walk with you to the chapel.”

Cain pulled off his shirt and trousers and slipped on the new clothes. They weren’t really his style but did fit the dreadful occasion. He checked his hair in the mirror above the small wardrobe and stared briefly at the haggard reflection in it. He’d shaved for the first time in weeks this morning, but the bags under his eyes told the tale of how little sleep he was getting. The long nights alone with his own singular thoughts were agonizing and he was tempted to start brewing sleep aids. But he knew they could be addictive over time and was hesitant to go down that road.

A few minutes later he stepped out into the hall and followed his sisters out of the Blue Palace and up the sloping streets of Solitude. The Temple of the Nine was across town, near Castle Dour. A hush fell over the townsfolk milling about while they passed by, some nodding respectfully to them. It was until these moments that Cain often forgot he and his sisters were royalty.

Some citizens joined them as the walked and soon a small procession formed around the three of them. Cain’s already leaden heart grew heavier and heavier when they approached the chapel, and it took several minutes of consoling from Linneá and Serana before he could muster the strength to enter it. Kirin and Lydia waited just inside the doors with another woman Cain vaguely recognized as a disguised Kyne. They ushered everyone in and up to a pew at the front.

Anska’s remains had been placed into an ornate golden urn inlaid with beautifully flowing lines carrying delicate golden snowflakes. Cain felt the world crashing down around him once again and barely heard a word of what the priest of Arkay said during the service. When it came time to accept the urn, it took every ounce of willpower he had left to stand up and take it from the priest. The service ended with his family wiping their eyes and escorting him back to the palace together.

They made their way to Kirin’s study once again to be alone with each other for the rest of the day. Kyne had gone ahead and was waiting for them with an abundance of food and wine laid out on the desk that was normally covered with documents and missives. Kirin made a heartfelt toast in Anska’s honor and for the next hour they spoke in remembrance of her, and recounted stories from their time together. The somber affair was wrapping up for the evening when Cain decided to announce his intentions.

“I’m leaving tonight, after we’re done here.”

“Leaving?” asked a tearful Lydia. “I don’t understand, dear… where else would you go?”

“Anywhere but here. I love you all, but I can’t bear it right now. Not without her. It’s too much.”

“No, you can’t go!” pleaded Linneá. “I feel like you just got here and now you’re going to leave? I know how much you’re hurting but your place is here with us!”

“Elle, don’t do that,” warned Serana. “None of us here can pretend to know what our brother is going through. If he feels needs time alone and away from here then that’s what we should give him.” She stood up and crossed the room to give Cain a hug. “I’ll miss you dearly. Don’t stay away forever.”

Lydia wiped her eyes with a kerchief and then nodded at him. “Whatever it takes, Cain. If you feel this is something you need to do, then we won’t stop you.”

“The hell I won’t!” yelled Linneá. “If you think for five seconds that I’m going to -”

“That’s enough, Linn!” came the stern voice of Kirin. “You’re going to honor his wishes. We may not agree with them, but we have no right to keep Cain here if he wants to leave.” He joined Lydia at his son’s side and they embraced him together. “Come back when you are ready, my son. This will always be your home.”

Cain thanked them and then dried his eyes. He took a step towards Linneá to say goodbye, but she turned on her heel and stormed out of the room with an angry Serana chasing after her. Shaking his head in disbelief, he instead accepted another hug from Lydia.

“Don’t take it to heart, dear,” soothed Lydia. “She’s always had strong emotions. I’m sure Linn will come find you shortly.”

His father clapped him on the back. “Keep in touch, yeah? At least by mail if you can’t pop in. Come, we’ll walk you out – it’s the least we can do.”

“No, I’m fine, really,” said Cain. “I still need to grab my gear from the room.” He caught Kyne’s eye in the corner of the room and tried to smile at her. “You’ve been awfully quiet through all of this, mum. Don’t I get a goodbye from you too?”

“You’ll find I’m not easy to shake off, my child. We’ll see each other again.”

He shrugged and said a final goodbye to his parents before heading off for his bedroom. The halls were mostly deserted this late in the day and he didn’t run into a single person along the way. His bag waited for him at the foot of the bed, along with his sword. He stowed the urn carrying his fiance’s ashes in it and slung it over his back. Then he strapped his sword and scabbard to it and looked around the room one last time. I’ll never forget our nights here, my love.

The door closed behind him with a thud, and a few moments later he was passing by his father’s throne and descended the curved stone steps to the palace vestibule. Before he could place his hands on the door to leave, Linneá stepped out from the shadows and glared at him with her arms crossed.

“You’re seriously gonna [censored] leave? After all we’ve been through?”

“I have to, Linn,” sighed Cain. “It’s too painful.”

“Bullshit! We can help you, Cain! We can help you through this, you just have to [censored] let us! You’re not the only person whose ever lost someone, brother! Throw that damn bag down and stay! Please!”

“You don’t understand -”

“Yes, Cain, I do! We all do, that’s what I’ve been trying to te-”

“NO, YOU [censored] DON’T, LINN!” bellowed Cain. She recoiled in shock at his sudden outburst and was about to speak again when he cut her off. “Try to imagine, for just five godsdamned seconds, what it would be like, Linn, to never hear Serana’s voice in your head again. For your thoughts to be alone, echoing back at you in the void after you entwined yourself so firmly with the one you love. The one who is everything to you. The silence is unbearable, and it’s worse here, mingled with the memories.”

They stared at each other in silence for almost a full minute, until Linneá nodded and approached him again. “You’re right. It doesn’t bear to think about, Cain. I’m sorry.” She wrapped her arms around him and held him close for a while. For a moment, he felt a curious sensation settle deep within him, but he shook it off as exhaustion from a trying day. “I love you, brother. Promise me we’ll see each other again?”

“I promise, Linn.”

“I’ll hold you to it,” They separated and Linneá smiley sadly at him. “Good luck.”

Cain nodded and headed out through the main doors into the exterior courtyard. Without looking back, he raised his hand and cast the recall spell, vanishing into thin air.

[Kane]

Interlude


The moons soared far above the sky when the last shovelful of dirt was returned to the small grave Cain had dug on the Gold Coast overlooking the Abecean Sea. He threw the shovel aside and knelt to place a small marker atop the mound of fresh earth, making sure it was firmly seated and lined up perfectly with his mother’s gravestone. Opening his bag, Cain fished out a rag and wiped down both of them before closing his eyes in silent prayer. Then got to hist feet and read the inscription one last time.

Anska Windborne
4E 199 - 4E 229
Love is eternal and shall never be diminished

“Sovngarde is a long way off, my love” said Cain. “I don’t know if I have the strength to wait that long to be with you again.” He wiped away new tears and trudged off to his nearby campsite. The small fire he’d lit when he arrived had nearly gone out, so he climbed inside the tent and collapsed into his sleeping bag. Despite the misery of the day, he succumbed to fatigue in moments and slept dreamless until dawn.

-----

“I still can’t believe he’s gone,” said Linneá. She was sitting at the breakfast table with her family the very next morning, but her appetite seemed to have vanished. For the last ten minutes she’d been idly rolling a few roasted potatoes around her plate without actually taking a bite. “I mean, I do get it now, but I still hate it.”

“Just give it time, Linn,” said Kirin. “His spirit is broken and he needs to figure out who he can be or what he can do with his life. All of that will be easier without our influence.”

“But what if he doesn’t come back?”

“We just have to have faith, dear,” Lydia chimed in. “Cain knows how much we love him and we know that he loves us just as much. It may be weeks, months, or even years… but he’ll be back. For now, we just have to carry him in our hearts.”

“And in case that isn’t clear, that means no tracking him down you two,” said Kirin, glancing shrewdly at Linneá and Serana. “Got it?”

Serana shrugged her shoulders lazily. “Not like we have a choice, dad. He could be anywhere and I doubt he’s going to be out there garnering attention.”

Linneá nodded her agreement too, not looking up from her plate of cold food. That was one promise she didn’t intend to keep. He couldn’t stay away forever, and despite what the others thought, she did have a way of tracking him down. Sooner or later, she’d be paying him a visit wherever her brother happened to be.

-----

The correspondences had begun to arrive from the northern province. Anilay had a stack of mail to open, but the document his eyes scanned through right now brought a beaming smile to his face. A list of names, detailed sketches, and affidavits filled a lengthy scroll of parchment identifying nearly a dozen Penitus Oculatus agents who had taken part in the attack on Skyrim’s High King at Mede’s behest. He rolled it back up and dashed off to the council chambers at once to share the news with them.

Emperor Titus Mede II’s days were numbered. The evidence to damn him was in-hand, and his ill-fated attempt to retain power had served nothing but to sow further doubt in his ability to manage the Empire. And now Skyrim, their closest ally since the founding of the Septim Empire threatened to sever all ties and recognize Cyrodiil as a hostile state. Anilay had heard news of the attack shortly after it ended and was saddened to hear about the death of the lovely Anska. He wished there was a way to convey a message to his friend, the King’s son, and the man who had risked it all for answers they both sought. But early reports indicated that Cain had left his father’s employ and disappeared into the unknown.

He arrived at the chambers short of breath and bustled quickly through the doors, not caring if they were in session. Anilay gathered the attention of the Elders and laid the scroll out on the table for all to see. “We have what we need to depose him,” he stated confidently. “The attack on the Blue Palace failed and the king’s men took several invaders hostage. They’ve admitted their station and rank, and have corroborated against Mede. The time has come.”

The Elder Council all gathered around Anilay and the document, clamoring noisily, yet excitedly to see the evidence for themselves. The High King even offered to make arrangements for covert prisoner transfers, should the council want to interrogate the attackers in person. Anilay stepped back from the table feeling elated for the first time since his return to the White-Gold Tower. Mede had chosen to outright ignore him since the events with Vaermina’s Orb, but he would not be able to ignore this.

A new day was rising over the Empire.

[Acadian]

Despite the love of his new family, Cain is unable to stay where there are so many memories. Buffy went through a similar process after losing her mate in Kvatch and had to retreat to Valenwood to sort herself out. Good luck to Cain.

Mara’s earlier warning is now clear. Having the kind of thought connection that Cain and Anska had – the same kind that Linneá and Serana have - makes being ripped apart even harder. Yet, something tells me neither Cain nor Anska would do a thing differently even if they knew how it would end.

It seems like Anilay and the Council’s move against the Emperor is ready to go. Hopefully it will succeed and improve things between Cyrodiil and Skyrim. It is encouraging to already see communications between the Blue Palace and the White Gold Tower.