Issues with Security
Ian S. McClure
I finished changing into my normal clothes, which once again fit me normally. Curinure had made good on his promise to resolve my transformation issues, and now I had returned to my ordinary self. I neatly organized the women’s clothing I had been wearing previously, and emerged from the room the Magister had let me use to change. Curinure was waiting, along with the others that had been returned to normal—Mastengwe, Suhr and Virkvild.
Curinure handed us simple rings wrought of iron, with runes etched on them.
“These rings contain the magic that was previously affecting you. By siphoning the morphological energy of the Wabbajack into the rings, I have circumvented said energy’s resistance to traditional Dispel magic,” he explained. “If you so wish, you can use the ring to return to your transmorgified forms, though why you would wish that is, frankly, beyond me. That being said, I advise against destroying or abandoning the rings—if you destroy them, the magic will flow back into you, and if someone else were to wear the ring, they would suffer the same effect you went through. Something best avoided.”
Afterwards, I left the Mages Guild hall, along with the others. Mastengwe and Virkvild left for their respective reasons, and I was left with Suhr. After a bit of silence, observing the mages practice spells in the yard, he said, “That was an experience, hmm? This one is glad it is resolved.”
I laughed. “Indeed. Though I must say that your transformation certainly was worse than mine.”
Suhr shrugged. “Perhaps. But, it is over, now… What of your companion, Elereth? This one has not seen her in some time. Is she in good health?”
“I’m uncertain how she’s doing. I haven’t talked to her in a while, myself,” I said, frowning. This was true—ever since that night of rotmeth revelry, where Elereth had revealed her attraction to me in both of my forms, we had not spoken. I actually got the feeling she was avoiding me.
Suhr hummed. “Ah. This one sees. Well, you must inform the Watch Captain here of the Maormer attack at the island, no? This one will accompany you, if you wish.”
I blinked. Amidst the chaos of the magic, I had forgotten about Razum-dar’s request. “I’d appreciate that, yes,” I said eventually, smiling.
The Watch Captain, Astanya, a tall (even by Altmeri standards) woman in heavy armor, nodded as I told her of the attack at Mistral. “Thank you for telling me. We must be constantly wary of the Queen’s enemies, and this information will serve us well… What is your name? I’ll need it for the records.”
“Ardolan Larethbinder,” I said. “And my companion is Suhr.”
Astanya looked at my Khajiit friend, her eyes narrowing somewhat. “I… see,” she said, before returning her gaze to me. “Actually, I have a request for you two, if you don’t mind.”
I looked at Suhr. “Well, I can’t speak for my friend, but I would be happy to assist,” I said.
“Aye. This one is glad to be of help,” Suhr added, smiling.
Astanya nodded. “Good, good. There are two things I’d like to take a look at, but my guardsmen are all tied up. Queen Ayrenn has just arrived to our city, and we must ensure her safety. Would you two talk to the Queen’s advisor, Norion, and the steward, Eminwe? They’ve reported some things that are amiss with her welcome.”
“Of course,” I said, inclining my head. I then turned to Suhr. “You handle the advisor, I go to the steward?” I asked him.
“Yes, that seems good. This one will return shortly,” he said, walking off.
I likewise walked away, going to a storehouse. The steward was there, frantically examining various barrels and crates of food and drink. Without looking at me, she said, “I’m very sorry, I can’t help you at the moment.”
“Captain Astanya sent me,” I said politely.
She paused, then finally turned to face me. “Oh. Pardon me…” she said apologetically. “It’s about the supplies. Two of the cooks took deathly ill, preparing the Queen’s feast. I suspect sabotage—poison. Would you kindly check the supplies in the next storehouse?”
“Of course, I’ll be back shortly,” I replied.
The barrels and crates there held various consumables that were’t poisoned—fresh apples, wine from Alinor, sweets from Dune. Even the wheels of cheese from Grahtwood seemed unpoisoned, though I admit it’s difficult to tell with Bosmer cheese. Eventually, however, I found the disturbing evidence of sabotage—a piece of pork, with a very odd smell I knew was of some venom. Placing it in a container, I turned to leave the storehouse and return to Eminwe.
“Hold it right there,” spat a dark, malicious voice. A man emerged from the shadows, drawing his dagger.
I immediately checked my hip for my blade—alas, it was not there. I quickly looked around the storehouse for anything usable as a weapon. As I did, I said, attempting to distract the other Altmer, “Sir, please. If it’s coin you want, surely we can come to an agreement.”
He snarled. “What I want is for you to die. You’re a damn blood-traitor! Consorting with midget Wood Elves and mongrel Khajiit. You’re an embarrassment to our people!”
I felt rage boil within me at the mer’s racist words, but I did not let it show. Rather, I grabbed a Bomseri cheese wheel, rapidly throwing it at his uncovered face. It collided solidly—a wheel of cheese can be quite durable, if you did not know. As the man stepped back, more surprised than injured, I tackled him. One of his daggers flew out of his hands, though he held on to the other one. We grappled wildly. Many times, his dagger came close to cutting me, but every time I managed to move away. Finally, he rolled out from beneath me as I raised my fist to strike.
He spat. “You sicken me. I’ll cut your damn heart out!” he shouted—before a fireball struck him from behind! As he collapsed, writhing and screaming while the flames consumed him, I saw Lilinastre rushing over, horrified and sickened.
“Lili!” I cried, scrambling to my feet. “You came just in time. He…” I trailed off as the man's screams faded, noting that she did not seem to hear me. Softly, I said, “This was the first time you’ve killed a man, wasn’t it?”
She burst into tears, sobbing. I walked over, embracing my little sister. “You had to do it, Lili. Sometimes, you have to kill to protect what you love. That’s the nature of our cruel, cruel world,” I whispered to her, as she continued to weep uncontrollably.
A guardsman—an armored Altmer—rushed over. “I saw what happened. Damn cutthroats are all over the place, these days. Don’t worry—I know this was self-defence. Not clapping you in irons.”
I broke the embrace, leaving Lili to continue to sob, as I looked at the guard. “Thank you,” I said solemnly. I looked back at Lilinastre. “I found some poisoned meat in one of the crates—could you tell the steward? I need to be with my sister.”
For an hour, Lilinastre cried. From what she managed to say, I understood that she knew it was necessary, yet she was still horrified by her act. However, after an hour of tears, she managed to calm herself, taking several deep breaths. She said, “Thank you, Ardolan. What you said—it’s true. I think… I think I’m better now.”
I sighed. “To be honest, you never fully get over your first kill. I remember mine—an Imperial warrior, during my time in Cyrodiil. I couldn’t sleep for days. Eventually, I realized it was necessary. It was him or me… Do not close your heart to the world—that’s not what I'm saying. But you can’t dwell on these things. It leads only, I fear, to depression and madness,” I told her.
Lili nodded, pensive. Finally, she said, “You should probably find the Watch Captain—Suhr told me before I got here. I’ll be fine, don’t worry.”
I patted her shoulder. “If you say so. Remember, I’m here if you need me,” I said, before leaving to find Astanya.
I found Suhr first, looking a bit afraid. “Suhr. What’s wrong?” I asked.
Suhr sighed, tapping his fingers together. “This one found the advisor—unpleasant man. He told Suhr to find some deployment plans that had been stolen. This one witnessed the thief get stabbed by another Elf, who fled. He recovered the plans, but Suhr is… still nervous, yes?” he said.
I hummed. “I was attacked, actually, doing my errand for the steward… The Captain should hear about this, come on,” I told him, walking to find Astanya.
We didn’t have to walk very long before finding her—along with two of her guards—in front of a house. “Astanya,” I said, rushing over. “We found—”
She interrupted me. “Not now! We have a situation here. One of my men, Heldil, cornered a thug. He’s a threat against the Queen’s safety; that’s all I can say. He threatens to kill himself every time we approach. You need to get him talking before we can arrest him. I need to see to the Queen’s safety—I’ll leave you with Heldil and Faritaale,” she told me, before running off, leaving us perplexed.
I looked at Suhr. “I guess I’m going to talk to this criminal. Coming?” I asked him.
Suhr shook his head, handing me the deployment plans he recovered. “No. This one fears for his safety. He leaves things in your capable hands, yes?” he said.
I nodded, then left him behind as I walked to the door of the house, knocking forcefully. “I’m not with the guard!” I said loudly.
“Why should I trust you?” said a young voice from within.
“Do you want to die? I’m your only choice here,” I responded.
“Fine… Fine. Just don’t try anything. Get in here,” said the voice. Quickly, I entered, where I saw the young Altmer man, clearly scared witless. He looked at me. “Thank the Stars, you’re not a guard! We don’t have much time. The Queen is in danger! Captain Astanya is corrupt. She’s a member of the Veiled Heritance!” he said quickly.
I frowned. “Slow down,” I said. “Astanya’s corrupt? And what in Oblivion is the Veiled Heritance?”
The mer sighed, running a hand through his hair. “They’re a group that wants our Queen dead, that’s all I know. They bribed members of her staff to move her here, where they can get her. You have to confront Astanya, before it’s too late! I…” he said, before being interrupted by the entering guards. He stared at them, his fear now accompanied by anger and hatred. “Traitors,” he spat. “Scum!”
One of them—Heldil—said, “Shut your mouth, you’re under arrest. Faritaale?”
“With pleasure,” the other guard said, knocking out the youth with her armored fist.
Heldil sighed, then turned to me. “Good work, citizen, we’ll take it from here. The Captain wanted to see you—she’s at the manor house. Probably to reward you—you’ve done a good job,” he said with a smile.
I hummed, then nodded, wordlessly leaving the house. Time to see what I could learn about Astanya’s supposed corruption—even if it was just desperate ramblings from a criminal trying to escape trial, what if it turned out he was right?
Astanya looked at me as I found her, her face impassive. “Captain. I’ve returned. The thug is on his way to the cells as we speak. You wanted to see me?” I asked her.
She suddenly snarled, “Stop right there! You’re under arrest, for conspiracy to regicide!” she said loudly.
“Are you mad!?” I asked, indignant.
“It’s no use arguing, scum. You have the deployment plans and poisoned meat on your person—clear signs you meant to assassinate the Queen. To the dungeons with you!” she said, before suddenly launching her armored fist at my head! Too slow, too surprised to dodge or block, I was knocked out, just like the other mer before me.
I groaned as I came to, my head pounding. I rose to my feet, slowly, noting my surroundings—a dim, dank prison cell. “Damn it,” I swore to myself. Just then, a faint chuckle was heard from outside the cell. “Who’s there?” I asked furiously. “Come to gawk at me? No matter what that Captain says, I’m innocent.”
From the shadows, a familiar face emerged, grinning. “Raz must admit,” Razum-dar said, “even he did not think he’d see you again so soon.”
“Razum-dar?” I asked, shocked. “What in Oblivion are you doing here?”
“The captain happened. You met Fasion—he was an agent of the Queen. Much like Razum-dar himself. Fasion did not give up secrets, and so Fasion is dead. Raz has come to rescue you from such a fate,” he said, unlocking the cell door. He removed a scabbard from his hip, and handed it to me. It was my blade.
I received my sword, nodding. “I suppose you want me to deal with her. You have a plan?” I asked grimly.
“Of course. Raz always has a plan. Find Esheba, another of the agents, at the marketplace. She can give you a marine uniform to slip past the guards. Then, warn the Queen and her battlereeve, Urcelmo.”
I stepped out of the cell, staring at Razum-dar. “Before I go, a question. You say you’re an agent of the Queen? Is that why you got me to help the Dominion, back on Khenarthi’s Roost?” I asked curiously.
He nodded. “Aye. Raz is a member of the Eyes of the Queen, a network of agents who work for the good of our Aldmeri Dominion. We watch from the shadows, and strike where is necessary. And now, it is most definitely necessary… Raz would warn the Queen himself, but he is too well-known. You must do it. And quickly, for we do not know when Astanya shall strike.”
I sneaked as best I could through town, avoiding the gaze of the guardsmen who patrolled the streets. At one point, I was actually seen, but the guard thankfully did not recognize me, and so I could continue to the marketplace uninterrupted. There, I met Esheba—a soft-faced Khajiit merchant, who eagerly gave me the armor of the Dominion Marines, as well as a spare shield to compensate for the one I did not have at the moment. Unlike the plate armor I was used to wearing, the leather was easy to move in, yet I knew it offered less protection in the case of a skirmish. Now properly disguised, I could move freely through the city. I moved quickly, moving amidst the crowds, until I heard a strange noise in the bushes.
“Psst!” Elereth whispered again, beckoning me to her. “Over here.”
“Elereth, what are you doing here?” I asked, crouching.
“Raz warned me about the Captain. I’m here to help. Unlike you, I’m good at staying out of sight. I’ll get past the guards, in case you have any problems with the Captain,” she explained. “She’s at the Temple of Auri-El, the building where the Queen is going. Get over there, I’ll join you shortly.”
“Got it. Wish me luck, Elereth,” I said simply, before rushing off again. Eventually, I found the battlereeve, Urcelmo—a stern Altmer armored in impressive golden plate—amidst a large crowd of nobles.
“Excuse me. Who are you?” he asked suspiciously upon seeing me.
“My name is Ardolan. Razum-dar sent me. The Queen is in danger,” I explained, as I looked about for Astanya.
“Of course she isn’t. Watch Captain Astanya assured me all is well,” Urcelmo said, frowning.
Suddenly, a woman stepped forward. She was young, perhaps a year younger than I, with ornamental blue armor that matched the blue of her eyes. Her silver hair was long, obscured only by the regal crown atop her head. This, surely, was Queen Ayrenn.
“A moment, Urcelmo,” she said, with the authority of her position. “Razum-dar was mentioned—I know that name. Go investigate the temple with this Ardolan mer, talk with Astanya. Or, if you don’t, I will.”
Urcelmo sighed, then looked at me. “Yes, my Queen... Come on, we’re going to the Temple,” he told me gruffly.
I followed the mer, where we found the Temple mostly empty—save for the bleeding, gasping woman on the ground. It was Eminwe, the steward I had helped previously. “Mara’s Hands,” Urcelmo said, kneeling. “What happened here...?”
“I… tried to stop them…” Eminwe gasped, closing her eyes from the pain. “They’re going to kill the Queen… It’s Astanya’s doing…”
“Not on my watch, she damn won’t,” Urcelmo said, standing and drawing his mace. I likewise drew my sword and shield, eyes darting about. Suddenly, from the balcony, an arrow struck the steward in the head! Astanya appeared, watching from above, surrounded by Altmer in black armor, one of whom still wielding the bow.
“Traitor!” Urcelmo cried. “Get down here, so I may grant you the death you deserve!”
Astanya scoffed. “Traitor? Me?” she asked coldly. “Our Queen has betrayed us, Urcelmo. I wanted her head… but I’ll settle for yours. Kill them!”
With that, the two black-armored Altmer leapt down from the balcony, their landings softened by magic. They drew their daggers, and rushed us. “I hope you fight well,” Urcelmo told me.
As a mer approached me, I blocked his dagger strikes with my shield, before slicing at his legs, and then his neck. As his head hit the floor with a thud, I grunted. “I’d say I do,” I said, with just a hint of sarcasm.
Urcelmo likewise dispatched his foe, brutally knocking him over with a mace strike to the gut before stomping his head with his armored foot. At this, two more assassins emerged from the shadows. They both rushed me, however, ignoring the battlereeve for the time being. I rolled to the side, dodging their daggers. Urcelmo’s mace struck one in the head, and the other was easily taken out by a blade to the chest.
“Fine!” Astanya cried, from her vantage point on the balcony. “I will kill you myself. For the true Veiled Queen!”
She leapt from the balcony, her landing once again cushioned by magic from an unknown caster. She drew her weapon—a massive greatsword—and rushed us. But unlike her fellows, it was clear that Astanya was no stranger to combat. She fought fiercely, and both Urcelmo and I could do little but dodge and block her mighty onslaught. I began to feel fatigue overtake me, the fight taking its toll, and I was uncertain if I were to survive unscathed.
“Just give up!” Astanya cried, as she once again lifted her weapon to strike at me. “The Heritance is stronger than your—”
She was interrupted, however, by the sound of breaking glass—and an arrow suddenly jutting from her neck! As she fell, gasping and bleeding, I looked out the window to see who had saved me.
“Elereth!” I panted.
She smiled, standing outside the shattered window. “Looks like I came just in time,” she said.
“You know her?” Urcelmo asked, likewise tired.
I nodded, sheathing my blade. “She’s a friend, yes,” I said.
The battlereeve hummed. “Well. The Queen should know about this. Come, you two.”
We listened as Urcelmo gave his report to the Queen, describing Astanya’s betrayal and the subsequent battle. After he finished, she looked at us. I immediately sunk my head, recalling the lessons of etiquette taught to me so long ago.
“Ardolan Larethbinder, are you not?” she asked. “I have heard tales of you, and your companion Elereth. You served me well, not only here but on Khenarthi’s Roost as well. Not to mention how you just saved my life.”
“Of course. You are my queen. I have a duty to our people, and by extension the Dominion,” I said, still staring at the ground.
She was silent for a little while. Finally, she said, “Then Razum-dar was right. You have proven your worth.”
“Forgive me, milady, but what do you mean?” I asked, polite but curious.
“You know Razum-dar is an Eye of the Queen—the agents that do what normal soldiers cannot,” she explained. “What I offer is that you join him. Become an embodiment of the will of the Dominion. You would act not only for our kind, the Altmer, but the Bosmer and Khajiit as well. With your help, I am certain that we can overcome any adversary that threatens us. Do you accept?”
I sighed, thinking about the offer as the crowd of nobles gasped and talked amongst themselves. I was uncertain—I needed purpose, and yet I knew so little of the Aldmeri Dominion. Would I be truly helping the people of Tamriel? Or merely helping the interests of an Altmer queen with aspirations to the throne? It was at this moment that I looked at Elereth. She looked at me in turn, and I saw in her golden eyes excitement and eagerness. I knew that she would accept—and, in the time I had known her, I had grown to see her as, perhaps, the closest friend I had left. Perhaps even more. I wanted to assist her in her journeys, whatever they may be.
And so, I said, “I do, my Queen.”
“Then by what power I hold, I name you two Eyes of the Queen. Stars guide you in your steps,” Queen Ayrenn replied.
“So. Agents of the Queen, huh?” Elereth said, some hours later, as we sat in our room at the Salted Wings. We had received our next task from the Queen. We were to accompany her and her entourage to the ruins of Tanzelwil—a holy site, where the monarchs of our people communed with the ancestors. Elereth continued, “I never thought I’d join the Eyes. I didn’t even know for sure that they existed.”
I smiled, happy at her exuberance. “Aye. Never a dull moment for us, eh?”
She nodded, then yawned. “We should probably get some rest, then. We’ll have to leave tomorrow for Tanzelwil,” she said, laying down on her bed. “Good night, Ardolan.”
So. I am now an Eye of Queen Ayrenn. I do not know what, precisely, the future holds, but at least I’ll have Elereth. And so, I will end this entry. Until next I write…
-Ardolan Larethbinder
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