Agents of the Queen Part 20: An Elder Scrolls Online tale

  • The Traitorous Kinlady

     

     

    Ian S. McClure

     

     

    I looked at myself in the mirror, making sure I appeared presentable. I was to appear before Queen Ayrenn to receive my new orders soon, and though I knew she cared little, I still had no desire to appear disrespectful. Satisfied with my appearance, I grabbed my sword from the nearby desk, hooking it onto my belt. I knew I was safe in Skywatch, especially now that the Heritance was being purged from the city, but after the ambush in Vulkhel Guard I thought it best to be prepared.

     

     

    The door to our room opened, and Elereth soon strode in, a noticeable bloodstain on her armor, her bow slung on her back. She looked at me guiltily. “Oh—hello, Ardolan.” she said.

     

    Something wrong?” I asked casually, noting once again her abnormal pallor. We both knew we needed to find a cure for her condition, and I was aware, more than ever, how heavily it weighed on her.

     

     

    I just returned from a hunt.” she said simply, eyes downcast. She took a breath, then said: “Hey, have you checked on Suhr recently? How's he doing?”

     

     

    Thankful for the change of topic, I replied: “Ah, Suhr is recovering nicely. He should have full use of his arm soon enough. Frankly, I'm surprised at how well he's taking things.”

     

     

    Elereth nodded. “Definitely...” She fell silent for a little bit, before saying: “Are you seeing the Queen now, Ardolan?”

     

     

    Soon enough. Wouldn't be dressed like this otherwise.” I said, straightening my shirt.

     

     

    I'll leave you to it, then. Need to get out of my armor, and I should probably go check on Suhr.” Elereth replied, offering a small smile. “See you soon.”

     

     

    As I walked out of the room, I idly scanned the people of the manor. Some were nobility—almost exclusively Altmer, though I caught a glimpse of a Khajit dignitary as well. But there were also commoners, servants mostly, of most every common race. I also saw a mer that I was fairly certain was a fellow Eye of the Queen, or perhaps a disguised Marine, for he was scanning the room in the same way I was—perhaps more determinedly so. He could not be Heritance—everybody involved with former High Kinlady Estre had been thoroughly investigated, and it was doubtful any of them escaped scrutiny.

     

     

    There was still quite some time left before I had to meet with the Queen, so I went for a walk through Skywatch. Now that the Defiance Festival had ended, it was a tranquil evening, but the amount of people walking about was still staggering. Eventually, I realized I had reached the docks again, and I decided on finding where the Prowler was anchored—it had been a long time since I last saw Captain Jimila, and I figured it'd be a good time-killer.

     

     

    I didn't get far, however, before I was interrupted. I saw two Altmer from a distance, sitting and talking about something or another. As I walked by, I realized who they were—Lilinastre, and more surprisingly, Mastengwe. Smiling, I went over. “Hello there! It's been a while, hasn't it?” I said to her.

     

     

    Ah! Ardolan! Hello, hello, yes.” Mastengwe said, standing and shaking my hand. “I was just discussing polymorphic applications of magicka with Lili here. Quite interesting stuff.”

     

     

    I frowned. “Wait, you're not dealing with Daedric artifacts again, are you?”

     

     

    What? Oh, no. Stars, no. But it was an inspiring experience.” she replied. “I've found that many lesser- known magical groups—witch covens, certain cults and educational places chief among them—are well-versed in transformative spells and potions. That's why I went for Greenshade—had to meet with a Glenmoril witch over there. Taught me quite a bit on the matter.”

     

     

    I nodded, sharing a glance with my sister. Now that she was back, Mastengwe could surely advise us on a cure for Elereth's vampirism. But we had to tread carefully—the less people that knew about her condition, the better. So, instead of asking her directly, I instead inquired: “So, besides this polymorph business, what have you been studying? Never got the hang of magic, I'm afraid, but… Well, I still have an interest.”

     

     

    Mastengwe hummed. “Research unrelated to polymorphing? Not much, lately. I kind of gave up on my last project—supposedly the witches have a cure for vampirism and lycanthropy, but they wouldn't divulge the information! Annoying, that.”

     

     

    I felt my spirits fall, but soon stopped myself. “If she has evidence of a cure from these witches,” I thought, “then we just have to find a coven. Easier said than done, but we have a lead, now.”

     

     

    Speaking of your research, Masten,” Lili said, returning me to reality, “I'd be willing to be your test subject, if you're paying.”

     

     

    Wait, what? Test subject?” I asked. “That hardly seems safe. What kind of spell would you be casting?”

     

     

    Well, polymorphic ones, of course.” Masten replied. “I have quite a few ideas on the subject, so I'd like to do some research. Don't suppose you'd be willing, Ardolan?”

     

     

    Er… No.” I said simply. After my experience with the Wabbajack mishap, I certainly had no desire to transform into something or someone else. I sighed, and got to my feet. “I should be off. I have a meeting to attend to.”

     

     

    Stars guide you, Ardolan.” Lilinastre said casually.

     

     

     

    Queen Ayrenn paced back and forth as she eyed us. With me were a select few individuals—Battlereeve Urcelmo, Razum-dar, and another Bosmer Eye who I did not know. Eventually, the queen broke the silence. “This will be a short thing, fear not. We all know how the former High Kinlady, Estre, has been unmasked as the Veiled Queen. Therefore, I have missions for all of you, that we may find her and dole out proper justice. Urcelmo, you will go with your Marines to Firsthold, ensure Kinlord Rilis' safety. Razum-dar, you will investigate previous Heritance sites—Silsailen, Mathiisen, Del's Claim and such, make sure she isn't hiding in those places. Cariel, you will head to Elden Root, to ensure the Veil hasn't spread there. And Ardolan, you and your group will head to the town of Dawnbreak. I fear the Canonreeve there, Sinyon, supports the Veil, though I am not certain. I need you to investigate.”

     

     

    Aye. With your leave, Your Highness, we will depart for our tasks.” Urcelmo replied, stern as usual.

     

     

    Go and prepare, then. Every moment is crucial—who knows what Estre will do next. Dismissed.” Queen Ayrenn replied.

     

     

    When I returned to the room where we staying, I saw that everyone was assembled—Elereth, Lilinastre, and even Suhr. To the latter I went, and said, “Hello! Everything sorted out with the healers?”

     

     

    He nodded, grinning. “Aye. This one can go with you, though the poor healers did not truly like it.”

     

     

    I snorted. “In my experience, they never do. But, they're just doing their job.”

     

     

    Suhr nodded. “Aye, that is true… In any event, how did the meeting go?”

     

     

    Went well. We're headed for Dawnbreak. We should be off as soon as we can—as Her Majesty pointed out, we don't know Estre's next move.” I explained.

     

     

    Elereth nodded. “Well, all good things come to an end, I guess. I like Skywatch.”

     

     

    Lili smiled. “Even us Altmer think it's one of the greatest cities we have. Personally, I want to see Valenwood.”

     

     

    Suhr sighed. “It has been many moons since Suhr has seen his homeland. He joined Jimila some years ago, never looked back… He would like to return, one day.”

     

     

    How did you join the Prowler's crew?” I asked, curious.

     

     

    That is a tale for another time, yes? We should rest now.” he responded.

     

     

    Yeah, you're right.” Elereth said. “We'll probably be leaving early tomorrow.”

     

     

     

    Later that night, as I lay in the comfortable bed, I found myself elsewhere. The sounds of battle surround me, steel clashing against steel, shouts of pain and anger everywhere. Commander Walks-the-Wind has been slain, another soul lost in Varen's Rebellion against the Reachmen and their Daedra-worshiping Emperor. I am wounded, but I know I will fight to the last. But as I block a hail of arrows, my memories wander to another place. The screams of Mother ring in my ears as the horrible thing Father had become attacked. I ran as fast as I could, leaving my modest home behind. And I cry, for I know I will never return.

     

     

    With a start, I awakened, confused. The first memory I recognized—I still relived the Rebellion on rare occasions. But the second memory, I had never experienced. My parents were alive and well, and I grew up as a noble. I realized I had been seeing through the eyes of Verolias again—something that had not happened since I absorbed a soul gem during the attack on Veiled Keep.

     

     

    My train of thought was interrupted by Elereth stirring sleepily. “Something up, Ardolan?” she asked, too sleepy to be properly worried.

     

     

    I looked at her, eventually saying, “Not really. Just—A bad dream, is all.” I was unprepared to explain my sudden second personality.

     

     

    She quickly went back to sleep, thankfully. I believe that will suffice for this entry. I will write again when something interesting happens. Until then…

     

     

    -Ardolan Larethbinder

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