The Search For Kathea, A Leap Into Being A Dragonborn Empress Of Nirn

 The Search For Kathea, A Leap Into Being A Dragonborn Empress Of Nirn

     "To she called Iriisii Dovahkiin, once known as 'Darkstar',

     We have searched for you since our arrival back to the shores of our ancestral home, but you were nowhere to be found. No one we questioned knew of your whereabouts or how to contact you. So we took it upon ourselves to send you a message, knowing this should find its way to you.

     You owe us, owe me, for the lives you took, when you killed my sister and those who followed her. And so until you come back and face me for the act you committed, I will take the lives of the most innocent that you left behind.

     I started with this one so that you will know this is not outside my capabilities. That I am not exaggerating when I say I will drain the boy of his life and then take another, and another until you show your face to me. I do not care about what you are doing, I care only that you are not here and that I may have my vengeance.

     The longer you tarry, the greater the cost in innocent lives that will mount up, until the cry of their souls to you, asking why you have abandoned them will force you to come to me. I will be waiting."

     There is no name signed at the bottom of the letter, just a crude drawing of fangs, done in blood. From the faint scent still remaining, a child's blood.

     Iriisii looks up from the letter and into Yennefer's eyes, "if you are ready, then let us go. I will not waste time when innocent lives, your son's life, is at stake."

     "You know what this is about?"

     "It seems an unknown part of my past has come back to haunt me and threaten all who I hold dear."

     "Tell me what you know. I want to know who it is that I am going to send into the depths of the darkest hells of the eternal Abyss."

     "All I can be certain of right now is that it has something to do with the 'Sinister Seven'. A group of mercenary assassins that I destroyed after arriving in Skyrim. They followed me from the island nation of my birth, an island still unknown to most on Nirn."

     "The group that enslaved you to Black Lotus, and trained you as an assassin, who later became known as Dark Star. I remember the story you told about that part of your life. How this ties in, really doesn't matter to me, what does is when I hold the head of this 'son of a bitch' in my hands as I spit in his eyes, and see his life fade from them."

     "You will have that chance if I have anything to say about it. Before we go back, I must set orders to my commanders, this will not take long, I promise."

     "I understand."

     Iriisii starts walking back to where Lilith is supervising cleanup. As she gets in sight of her, a fiery ripping pain, unlike anything she has experienced sets every nerve in her body on fire, staggering her to the ground. Yennefer grabs her as Iriisii yells out, "RIGMOR!". Lilith hears and sends everyone she can to look for Rigmor.

     Someone finds her near the wingless dragon's body, her own body flopping in uncontrollable spasms.  By the time Iriisii is helped to where Rigmor lays, it takes four people to hold her somewhat still. Iriisii with the aid of Dark Star, Shivista, and 'Beast', isolate her from the broadcasting pain, enabling her some semblance of physical control.

     "Did anyone see anything happen?!" 

     "I saw something, but what I do not know."

     "Just describe what you saw, do not try to make sense of it, just step me through what you saw."

     "She was walking around the carcass, kicking at it. I saw something small, like a pearl roll out of the body. She saw it and reached out to grab it. Before she could touch it, it moved toward her really quick. She could not move her hand away fast enough before it rolled onto her hand and seemed to be absorbed. Then she fell to the ground and started shaking like she was when you came."

     "Thank you, I will take it from here."

     Nodens comes up, with Aloridian. "What happened, what can we do?"

     "We have to put her into suspended animation, freeze time and space around her."

     "You know what did this, then?"

     "I think so, yes. But I do not have time to deal with it, another innocent life hangs in the balance, and I must see to it. If she was aware she would agree with me, I know. But we would have to 'freeze' her anyway. It is the only way to stop what is happening until we can address it. Lilith, I will need samples of its body tissues, and bones, to find out how this was done and find a way to reverse it."

     "Will this happen again?"

     "No, it can only happen once from one of these bodies. The damage is already done and cannot be repeated from this one, have Atticus make sure all Wamphyri bodies are destroyed by fire, Dragonfire is best."

     "At once."

     "Nodens, Aloridian, help me put her into a stasis cocoon."

     The three cast spell after spell around Rigmor, weaving each one around and across, until she is completely covered several times over. When they are done, Rigmor does not even appear to be breathing, and her muscles are finally still.

     "Will she be alright?"

     "She will be fine like this for a while, the parasitic invasion is halted and so is its method of gaining control. Once I know more about how this was made I will know how to remove it. But first I have other business to attend to. Dettlaff, look at this and tell me what you think."

     He reads the letter and then looks at Iriisii straight on.

     "Definitely 'vampire', but what clan, species, that I cannot tell, maybe Regis could tell us more."

     "Okay, I will cast a portal for him then, I must find out as much as I can about who wrote that."

     Regis arrives in the midst of people and soldiers going off in many different directions doing a myriad of tasks. Iriisii has delegated everything she could to her Commanders to oversee, while she does what investigation she can into Quintus Vitalis' murder back in Cyrodiil. Then a runner spots him and escorts him to the main tent set up for Iriisii's activities before she returns to Nirn.

     "Regis, thank you for coming so quickly!"

     "Anything I can do to assist, you know this."

     "First, take a look at this and tell me what you think."

     Regis reads the letter twice, the second time going more slowly, considering nuances of writing style, word usage, and the glyph at the end instead of a signature. Then he puts the letter on the table and addresses Iriisii and Yennefer.

     "First, I agree with Dettlaff, this was done by true vampires, not someone acting like one to throw off suspicion. Second, while the blood is that of a child, it is not the child that is being held."

     "How do you know this for certain?"

     "Sorceress Yennefer, your blood has a different underlying scent to it than does the scent from those native to Nirn. The blood used to write the letter matches the scent of a native of Nirn, not your son. I doubt anyone not discerning enough to know this would realize that the scent of the blood used to write the letter could tell us this."

     Yennefer sighs with great relief at the news.

     "Then it is likely for now anyway that he is all right?"

     "Yes, I would surmise so. They want him as leverage to draw the Empress back. They will not endanger that leverage as long as they feel it is viable. And please understand I know he is your son, I speak of him as I am to show what his captors are thinking, thus we are better able to gauge their reactions to what we do."

     "I understand Councilor, please go on."

     "It seems that, yes, the writer has or had a family relationship with the former mistress of the Sinister Seven. How they were able to maintain such a relationship is difficult, to say the least."

     "How so?"

     "The writer is at least a thousand years old, his writing style and word usage are the same that was prevalent at that time on several worlds where vampires lived. For the 'sister' to have been alive at the same time and lived until just recently. Not impossible, but very difficult in any matter."

     "How do you think she managed it?"

     "Periodic blood infusions from the male vampire to his sister. Not directly, that would not work long enough without drastic side effects, but the blood treated with certain alchemical treatments first, then given on a strict schedule could extend the sister's lifespan considerably without causing her to do a partial 'turning'. The Empress did say that she appeared to be of Elven heritage, thus her life span could already be naturally long, depending on the exact race she belonged to. Alas, we do not have any information on that to go deeper."

     "What else can you tell us?"

     "She would have had to make regular trips to the location where the treated blood would be stored, as it would need special requirements not available to the general public."

     "She did make regular trips to the capital, likely mixing business with her infusions."

     "How often did she go?"

     "About once a year if I remember correctly."

     "Then the treatments were beginning to lose efficacy and a fresh supply would be needed to be delivered. This is how he found out about her demise when he showed up to donate more blood and received the news. It is possible based on what I read between the lines, that he has his own band of assassins, likely all vampires. I believe they would have been based wherever he has been residing for the last thousand years or so. Probably keeping a low profile, as vampire assassins would be hunted relentlessly if their presence was detected."

     "Thank you, Regis, I have a different task if you are willing to help."

     "You have but to ask, Your Majesty."

     She explains what happened to Rigmor, even as his face grows pale. "How can I help?!"

     "I am having some others of the Elder Gods more experienced in this kind of investigation, to determine how that thing was created, and how it was able to produce an egg. I need to know everything about it that can be deduced, such that I can find a way to either reverse the process or remove the leech. She will be fine for long enough that I can go to Nirn, deal with this vampire assassin, and then return. But I dare not tarry and give them an excuse to further terrorize the boy."

     "I understand, may I suggest when you get to Nirn, look around the places where you were most highly regarded, and you have friends. They will likely be watched and you may pick up a trail."

     "Thank you, Regis, good solid advice as always."

     "May I travel with you, Your Majesty?"

     "Letho, I had forgotten you were here in all of the..."

     "It is quite all right, Your Majesty, you have had a lot on your mind lately. I have experience in tracking vampires, and still, I am thought highly of by those in the Legion. I can utilize my old contacts for news, and as my network was a bit different from Blackwell's, our efforts will not interfere with each other."

     "Then I welcome you to our task."

     "As soon as the last tasks have been delegated, we will leave. I do not want everyone unprepared if the 'Cold Death' awakens before I return."

     "Before I forget, I was asked to give this to you, that you would understand what it means", as Regis passes a sealed note. Iriisii opens it and sees only the following words, 'Tiid Klo Ul, Tiid Klo Ven'. Still looking at the words, she asks Regis, "how did this come to you?"

     "Some kind of automaton that identified itself as a 'Servitor of the Krang' gave it to me. It said you would call me to go to you, and that you would need this later. Is everything all right?"

     Iriisii looks up at him with a smile, "yes, everything is fine, you did rightly my friend, thank you."

     As he walks away to look at the wingless dragon's body, Yennefer asks if she can see the note. Iriisii passes it over.

     "I do not understand what this could mean that it would be delivered to you this way."

     "The first three words are the three Rotmulag to the Dragon Shout, 'Slow Time'."

     "This second phrase is slightly different."

     "Yes it is, it is a variation of 'Slow Time'. You see 'Slow Time' slows the flow of time by about ninety percent for what would be a short period. I do not experience the slowing, only those in the immediate area of me experience it."

     "And the variation?"

     "If I interpret it correctly, it will speed up the flow of time for me, by the same factor as 'Slow time' slows it for those around me."

     "Merciful Heavens! If used together!"

     "Yes, they would complement each other and turn me into a pure engine of destruction for the short period they are active."

     "But he said it was a 'Servitor of the Krang' that gave this to him, I was not aware the Krang had any servitors."

     "I was not either, one more thing to look into, but that can wait. It seems to be helping me, so for now I will not question it. We have more pressing matters to attend to."

     "Indeed, thank you for taking such swift action."

     "You and yours are 'family' to me, no one and no...one...fucks with my family and lives!"

     The portal opens just outside the city of Cyrodiil, over behind the horse stables. Iriisii, Yennefer, and Letho walk out.

     "Should we not disguise ourselves so as not to draw excessive attention when the people recognize us?"

     "That is exactly what I want. I want the kidnappers to know we are here, that I am here. Therefore they have less reason to harm Yennefer's son, Aretus. I expect we will not get too far before Blackwell intercepts us. When he does, we do not talk about Quintus' murder or Aretus's disappearance. I do not want to give the kidnappers or their agents a clue as to how much we know."

     "Good plan, it keeps them wondering. They will be more focused on us than your son, and that is exactly where we want them. Let them come to us before we have to ferret them out."

     "Ok, let us go."

     They walk at a normal pace around the stables and onto the city gates. A young guard moves to intercept them to ask about their business, Letho moves to step in front but the second guard grabs the young one by his collar and yanks him back. He then bows to Iriisii and reprimands the younger guard.

     "You idiot, can you not recognize your own Empress! Your Majesty, I apologize for the actions of my comrade, he is still wet behind the ears. If you please...?"

     "Of course, Lord Blackwell will not hear of this from my lips."

     "May the Nine bless you, Your Majesty! If there is anything you need, just ask."

     "Quietly spread the word among the other guards and Legionnaires that we are looking into the matter involving General Vitalis, but be very quiet and careful who you speak to. We do not know yet how far others' involvement extends in this. But I want them to know that it is being looked into and not ignored. We take care of our own, once in the Legion, you never leave the Legion."

     The guard, a former Legionnaire whom Iriisii recognized from the battle against the Tsaesci, stands taller and gives her a smart salute. She nods her head to him and speaks to his comrade.

     "Listen to what he tells you and learn from him. He fought valiantly against the Tsaesci invasion and survived, where many others did not. What you learn from him could one day save your life."

     The younger guard still trembling, manages a salute before opening the gates for his Empress and her party. As they pass through, she hears him whispering to his older comrade, "were you really there fighting the Tsaesci?"

     "You heard her say so with her own voice, do you really think she would make up something like that? Maybe I should tell Lord Blackwell after all."

     "NO!, NO!, I will do better, I promise."

     "See that you do, you never know who is going to walk up or come through these gates, remember that and never forget it. And if the big one should ask something of you, you do it, immediately and with no back talk. He saved the life of the High Queen herself in that battle."

     Letho smiles as he hears that, thinking, 'they remember that still'.

     As they walk on toward the palace, the levels of whispering continue to grow as the gathering crowd grows, recognizing that their Empress is among them. That the rumors of her disappearance must be exactly that for here she is, right out in the daylight, asking how people are doing, shaking hands with the older veterans, even asking why the children running around are not in school, as when they heard this, they made themselves scarce.

     It is then that Blackwell walks up with a few of his guards. Iriisii looks at him with a smile, "Lord Chancellor, a pleasure to see you out on such a warm sunny day."

     "Your Majesty, might I escort you to the palace, there are a few matters that need your attention."

     "Of course", turning to the crowd, "I regret having to leave such good company, but the business of the Empire waits for no one, least of all its Empress", and bows to the crowd, taking her leave.

     "Come, Lord Chancellor, we have work to do." As they walk side by side toward the Palace, Lord Blackwell starts to say something, before being quieted by Iriisii. "We will discuss this when we are in a more secure place. There are not very friendly eyes and ears everywhere."

     Lord Blackwell starts looking everywhere as unobtrusively as he can. "You will not see them, but rest assured they are there. They are here to observe if it is truly me that is here and not a double. I am aware of what has happened and am here to deal with it most harshly. In fact for the benefit of those watching and listening, if they wish to live, they should pack their belongings, leave Tamriel now, and do not look back. Otherwise, if they continue in their current activities, what I will do to them will make what I did to their predecessors look like a walk in a rose garden."

     They proceed without incident into the palace, "someplace quiet, where we can talk after I silence ward it."

     Lord Blackwell leads them to a room off of a side corridor. Leaving his guards at the door, they all walk inside. Yennefer lights candles placed in sconces around the room. Letho checks for the known spyholes and makes certain no one is behind them. Then Iriisii casts wards of silence to make sure no sound travels beyond the walls, ceiling, and floor.

     "We are secure, now. Before we begin, let me say to you, Lord Chancellor. That it would take far longer than we have time for to tell you of all that has happened. Events outside of Mundus proceed apace, and they are beginning to quicken. Soon the battle lines will be drawn and the Jihad of Truth will begin. I hope to make certain that Nirn is not drawn into it, and will do all within my power to see to that."

     "Thank you, your Majesty. I take it you know of what befell General Vitalis?"

     "Yes, I do and have some information at least as to who is responsible. You will remember the stories told of the disappearance of the assassin group known as the Sinister Seven some years ago?"

     "I am aware of that, yes. I also am aware that you were involved in that disappearance to some degree."

     "It was me they were hunting. Had they remained where they were, they would still be alive. But they kept coming after me and I had no choice but to take them out."

     "I would ask why they were hunting you, but I think it probably best I do not know that."

     "Indeed, it is likely why they have not already targeted you. Instead, they took Yennefer and Quintus' son a hostage to force me to come here."

     "Why would they do that? I mean..."

     "They could not find me, not in any of the places where they had access. That kind of tells you how far away I have been. It seems that the 'Mother' of the Sinister Seven has a brother, who is also a vampire. A very old one, who had contributed to keeping his sister alive, but still mortal."

     "And now he wants revenge?"

     "Yes, he and his own band of vampire assassins. He has targeted those either close to me or who have close ties to me, who could reach me with a message. Thus Quintus was murdered, his son stolen, and a message delivered to Yennefer to bring to me."

     "I see, with the son as hostage, Yennefer could not go after them herself, and had no other recourse but to deliver the message."

     "You do see how they think and operate, but they made one very terrible error. They threatened those I think of as family, and no one does that without facing my wrath. I still have several homes scattered about Skyrim, likely there will be clues to be found near or within them, as this band will have looked in them for any sign of me. If I can catch one or two, all the better, I will then have better information sources. They will not work as leverage for their leader will write them off once I have them in my hands. He knows this and so do they, that is why they have not gone after anyone else as yet.

     I want to keep them thinking that I am floundering about, looking for an enemy in all of the normal places you would look, while once in a while getting lucky and getting my hands on a lackey. Once I get a 'taste' of them, I can track them, but it needs to be one close to their leader, for that, I need your spy network and for Letho to reactivate his. I want both of you to work together to blanket all of Tamriel with your spies. Then when we have a lead, we will act on it and the hunter will become the prey."

     "I have no idea of what you have had to do and endure, but I have to say whatever it was that has turned you into a force so formidable, they will regret drawing your ire for the short time they have left to live."

     "We will be seen planning Quintus' funeral, I want it to be a proper send-off to a man who deserves the best his Empire can give him. Once this is done, maybe they will slip up and we get our first chance at them. Oh, and you should know, the guard on the left side of the doorway has been recently enthralled. He is your man, so I leave it to you to deal with it. If there will be family left behind, see they are compensated at my expense.

     It might be a good idea to let Valerica know what is going on so that she is not caught up by surprise in this. They may avoid her because her past might aid her in identifying their presence should they get too close to her. But she should know to take precautions in any case."

     "I will so inform her, Your Majesty, and thank you. By the way..."

     "Rigmor is indisposed at the moment. If not for that there would be no way I could have kept her from coming. She has...grown a great deal, I have to say I am very, very proud of how far she has come. She continues to make me and you proud of her accomplishments."

     "She is not...?"

     "No, but we do have a few new additions to the family. We will have to bring them for a short visit to greet everyone before too much longer."

     As they exit the room, Blackwell makes a small gesture to his man on the right side of the doorway. As the guards fall in behind them, the guard on the right slips behind the guard on the left draws a dagger, and slides it across the other guard's throat, keeping his free hand over his mouth to stifle any sound. Iriisii never pauses in her walk, never turns to glance at what happened, and makes no change to her facial expression.

     Blackwell wonders deep in his gut, what has she been through to be able to be so resolved, to quietly order a man's death and know that it will be done. The Gods have mercy on whoever murdered Quintus Vitalis, for she will not. And yet, he ultimately feels that now, as never before, she is every inch a Dragonborn Empress of Tamriel, no, of Nirn.