The Search For Kathea, A Leap Into A Thickening Plot

 The Search For Kathea, A Leap Into A Thickening Plot

      As Iriisii enters the Palace, she sends out a mental call to the Custodian of the 'Fortress'. "Are you in position at this time?"

     "Yes, Goddess. The 'doors' you have requested are now operational, you still have to set a destination for the second Palace door. And the power storage device is being installed as we speak."

     "Good, set security protocols to level 2 immediately and passively monitor all occurrences within the purview of the 'doors' as well as the 'Fortress' itself. I will be assigning access parameters shortly."

     "Everything will be ready for you as soon as you arrive."

     "Thank you, I will likely use the 'door' in the Royal Quarters, set our destination to be the main room, and also send a message to the Krang, I want my Kinja Acolytes to come through and wait in the main room for me, also contact my Feydakeen Commander on Tuo, he is to send a detachment of twenty of those he considers the best, they are to wait in the common room adjunct to the main room. I want them fully kitted out. Start making a list of any support staff needed to turn the Fortress into an operational forward command post in the shortest time possible and make the needed assignments in my name. If you need to, contact me with any problems you think I need to deal with. The situation here is heating up, also I have a list of things I need to acquire. I am sending it to you now, have it placed into storage in the Fortress accessible by me or only someone I expressly designate."

     "Consider it done, Goddess. All will be ready for you at your will and command."

     With that done she goes in search of Lord Blackwell and then to locate Kintyra. Lord Blackwell is in his formal office detailing orders to his subordinates when she walks in. She says nothing, but takes a stance to the side of the doorway, letting him finish handing out assignments. Once they are alone, he closes the door and gestures for her to take a seat.

     "What can I do for you this morning, Your Majesty."

     "I have had the most interesting conversation with a 'Moth Priest', concerning the Synod."

     She sees a visible frown come over his face as he listens to what she has to say before he can answer what he hopes her question will be.

     "What did they previously do that you interrupted? I would otherwise ask why I was not informed of this but I know things have been hectic around here and communication with me has been sporadic. That is going to change, very quickly, but also very quietly."

     "They have been pressing for an audience with you for some time, but would not say directly what they wanted to ask or discuss. As per our last conversation, I have been holding them back until you could come and see to deal with them personally. As to what I may have done to upset any plans they have, I am not aware of anything specific, unless it has been denying their requests. Wait, one thing does come to mind. They asked for permission to go back into Nagasel to conduct research into the 'Oblivion Gates', I told them only you could authorize such action. Then they later came back and wanted me to ask the King of Evermore if they could look into some sites in High Rock. They were not specific, just saying there were several they would like to conduct inquiries into. I sent the King a missive, but asked if he would delay giving them access until I could speak to you."

     "If they want to go into any of the sites in High Rock it is not for anything 'good' for us or the 'Empire', and especially if they want into Nagasel. What I found in those places still causes me concern that things could erupt once more from those depths. The very last thing we need right now is another 'dragon break' happening, especially if it involves Namira in any way. And with Hermaeus Mora pulling their puppet strings, I do not want them anywhere near those places."

     "I understand Your Majesty, and will convey your will in this matter."

     "Wait on that, if you please, they have asked for an audience with me in the morning. I set it for after the morning meal and in the Throne room. They have something planned that would have been better for them if conducted in their Tower. I have plans of my own concerning them and have begun to take steps."

     "If I may ask, what steps?"

     Iriisii smiles, "better to show you, my Lord. But I also wish for Kintyra to accompany us along with all of the guards you have assigned to her. They will need to be aware of what I am going to do, so as not to find themselves in the way and possibly compromise Kintyra's safety. We need to find Kintyra, then retrieve all of the guards assigned to her safety. Then we will go to the Royal Quarters where I have arranged special transport."

     "Is this 'Special Transport' something I should be concerned with?"

     "Look it over, then see exactly what it does. I want your advice on where to set another where we can best utilize its capabilities."

     "Now you really have me concerned, neither you nor High Queen Rigmor ever seek my advice in evaluating something's capabilities. Usually, you simply have it brought in and I have to make it work with everything else we have."

     "Hmmm, has it ever not worked out to the benefit of us all?"

     Blackwell sighs, "no, Your Majesty, it has not."

     "Then take this as an initial gesture of reconciliation on my part. Besides, most of the things I have brought here came from places I would not risk your life going into."

     "And yet, you will risk your own, and should you fail the consequences would be dire indeed."

     "I understand where you are coming from, my Lord, and I do not lay blame at your feet. But it has been given to me to do these things, by those far higher than myself, even now. And the consequences of my failure, are beyond even your most fevered imaginings. If there was anyone else who could do what I am being called to do, know I would relinquish my positions without fail. But all before who were chosen and tried did indeed fail, and now it falls to me for there is no more time to try again. It is do or die, and dying means true death for all, the living and the dead, for if you are wiped from existence, there is no afterlife, not for mortals and not even for Gods."

     Eminently sobered, and wishing he was drunk, Blackwell holds himself quiet and follows his Empress, gathering those she has asked for and proceeds to the Royal Quarters.

     They enter the Royal Quarters and it is Kintyra who first sees the change.

     "Mother! When did you have this put in? Where does it go? Is there a new room behind it?"

     "Try it and see."

     Kintyra grabs the latch, but it does not move. Iriisii gestures for Blackwell to try, and the latch again will not move, no matter how much effort he puts into it.

     "I can only assume this is intentional, I do not think you would put a door here that could not be opened."

     Iriisii reaches between them and calmly turns the latch. The 'door' opens and what is seen beyond shocks all who see it save Iriisii herself. For it opens directly into the main hall of her Fortress, no blackness or smoky gray of a portal, but a view into the destination in real-time. Iriisii steps back and gestures forward, for everyone to enter. Kintyra is the first, running inside with Blackwell close behind to make certain she is safe.

     Everyone else enters and fans out to be certain nothing untoward is waiting. Iriisii then enters and shuts the door.

     "Where are we?"

     "This is my 'Fortress', it is currently sitting in the 'Great Forest'. If I took you up into one of the observation towers you would see the spires of the "White Gold Tower' in the distance."

     "How did you get this here? I mean it has not been nearly long enough to bring it here and assemble everything?"

     "I had it transported as a whole, this is how it was built and meant to be used. I intend to use it as a forward command post. Being able to shuttle from here to pretty much anywhere else I need to go by the use of these 'doors'. And they are 'keyed' to allow passage only to those I assign permission to. No one else can use them, even if they somehow manage to open one. We would be given an alarm in case such would happen.

     I want to place another somewhere in the Palace or its grounds, but I leave it to you as to where it would be of most benefit. I have the capability to direct troops through these 'doors' to wherever I need them. As I am sure you can see the advantage to that by itself.

     "Indeed, but where would you put the troops until you needed them?"

     "There is far more room than I would need to use for barracks. trust me on this. IF I took you on a guided tour, it would take a week or more to see everything this place holds."

     "Amazing."

     "Indeed, but the main reason for bringing all of you here is that this will be Kintyra's home for a time, while I deal with the enemies that have reared themselves up. Looking to Blackwell's guards, "you will remain as her primary bodyguards, and so I needed you to see this as well so that you can travel back and forth with her. Also, it is likely you could encounter enemies powerful enough that you cannot deal with them on your own. So I have asked my Kinja Acolytes to add themselves to the mix."

     As the guards look around, "please look everywhere and try to find them. I assure you they are here in this room with us."

     After a few minutes of unfruitful searching, Iriisii calls out in the Kinja tongue, "kogah reque defus". Over by a window with light streaming inside, on either side out of shadows formed by the light, two upright feline forms walk gracefully out of those shadows.

     "How did..."

     "They are Kinja, bound to me, body and soul by their own decision. I have had them trained as Shadow Claws, elite warriors able to become one with any shadow, They are not to take anyone's place, but rather to stay on the edges. They will be there should you encounter any assailants more powerful than you can deal with."

     "And what if we meet any they cannot handle?"

     Iriisii turns to a large double door in the rear wall, "Feydakeen attend!" The double doors drop silently into the floor as four columns of five warriors march as one into the room. Stop before Iriisii, bow, and kneel before her, remaining so until she motions them to rise. She looks them over and is quite pleased with them now. Wearing a leather armor tougher than heavy steel plate, each column armed with a different set of weapons, she notes almost half armed with Wamphyri War Gauntlets in the style of the ones she forged for herself at the Forge of Stars.

     She thinks, 'good if they already have them then they have excelled in their training with them.'

     "These are my Feydakeen, you will notice the handprint of blood on their armor. I placed that there with my own blood when I accepted their service to me. They are desert-trained warriors of the highest level. Any one of them, I would put up against an entire legion."

     She hears a snicker, and replies, "they live and survive in a deep desert hot enough to bake the brain in your skull in less than an hour unless you know what to do. They ride into battle on the backs of sandwyrms, some hundreds of feet in length. I know this because..."

     "Because the Goddess summoned one of the 'Old Men of the Desert', a sand wyrm over one thousand five hundred feet long. Our entire clan rode with her on its back to the conclave. It took more than two days ride to reach it."

     Iriisii nods her head to the warrior who spoke up for her. "This is my daughter, Kintyra, heir to the throne of my Empire. Your only task is if enemies attempt to take her or her life, and her bodyguards and my Kinja are outmatched. My Kinja will summon you into battle, leave no enemy standing or alive."

     As one, the Feydakeen clench their fists and strike over their hearts, uttering a sharp guttural bark.

     "Kintyra, as of this moment, if it is required, they will gladly give their lives to protect you from any enemy."

     Kintyra looks at them in a new light, seeing beyond the form of their flesh, and seeing the power and resolve of their indomitable spirits. She moves to the one who earlier spoke, taking a small dagger from its sheath at her side, she places the blade edge against the palm of her hand.

Iriisii asks her, "do you truly want to do this?"

     Kintyra replies, "to honor the potential sacrifice they may be called to make, yes."

     As she prepares to cut the palm of her hand, one of her Imperial bodyguards moves to stop her. Iriisii freezes him with a hand outstretched toward him. "It is commendable that you wish to spare her from this, but it is by the choice of her free will that she does this. She shows them the honor in which she holds their commitment to giving their lives in her service. It is something only a true Dragonborn Empress would understand the meaning of and the willingness to accept."

     Kintyra closes her eyes as she draws the dagger across her palm, whispering her intent to the Gods to stand in witness to her act. She then places her bloody palm on top of the bloodstain already placed by her mother on their armor. "Naal fin gods, zu'u aam, witnesse dii sos, offeraan stin, voth zin. Naal dii sil, nii fen kos, Nu ahrk Mahfaeraak!"

     Iriisii echoes, "Nu ahrk Mahfaeraak!"

     Blackwell quietly asks, "what did she say?"

     Iriisii answers, "By the Gods, I serve, witness my blood, offered free, with honor. By my soul, it will be, now and forever." While she was speaking, Kintyra was laying her own blood on the top of her mother's on each of the Feydakeen.

     "They are hers now, mind, body, and soul, and she is theirs, of their own free will. They will now not only protect her in life, but they will also protect her in death as well. If need be, they will return from Death's hand to defend her from any threat. By the blessing of Shai-Hulu'ud, may his passing cleanse the way."

     And as the Feydakeen all repeat Iriisii's words, it seems that the hot breath of the deep desert wafts across them all, and in the distance, they hear the territorial cry of a sand wyrm protecting his land. Kintyra believes she can almost understand the sand wyrm, she thinks it heard her pact even so far away, and it roared its approval of what she did. She quietly thinks to ask her mother later if the same thing happened to her when she did the same to the two thousand who gave themselves to her.

     "Lord Blackwell, I know this is a huge thing to ask that you trust me, but I see no other way to maintain my duties and responsibilities to both the Empire and Creation. From here, I can move about to wherever I need to go and plan my activities accordingly. I want to allow you free access between the Imperial Palace and this Fortress, in this way you have the means to contact me whenever needed. If I am not physically here, the Custodian will know where I am and can contact me to tell me of your need to see me. And also I can spend time with my children, who I have unfortunately had to neglect due to increasing responsibilities.

     And before you ask, yes, the 'doors' are proof against any unauthorized beings gaining entrance. Anyone trying will be rebuffed and denied entry, and they would have to be powerful indeed to even know of the presence of the 'door'. I have guards who are tasked with security both inside and outside. There may be the need for special tasks to be done that require special handling, such as an upcoming recon trip to Akavir. I intend to send a group of scouts to survey what is happening there, and if it would be to our advantage to send a Legion force directly there through a 'door'. This bypasses the problems encountered during the previous disastrous expeditions sent there."

     "How does it do anything differently?"

     "The suddenness of our appearance with no ships visible or even seen approaching. Supplies can be sent through as needed in whatever amounts needed. The numbers of our people can be adjusted at a moment's notice. I also have access to and intend to make available several types of Dwemer automatons, very much superior to the ones left behind in their old ruins. The need for 'magical' communications can be kept to an absolute minimum and even that can be shielded from outside interference from Akaviri mages. They have not had near enough time to replenish their numbers, not just from their stunning defeat on our shores, but their enemies here taking advantage of that defeat.

     I am under no illusions that the other races there will suddenly bend the knee to the Empire. I will give them the opportunity, but I in no way expect that to happen. Of course, if any of the other races are also being exploited by their cousins, perhaps we can be of help to them provided they join with us and become a part of the Empire. Then should the others see we are here to stay, they will come around, especially as they have the example of the Tsaesci to look at what could happen to them."

     "There was a time when I truly wondered if you had it inside you to do what needed to be done to safeguard and rebuild a crumbling Empire. I am glad to be proven wrong, you have everything you need to bring together an Empire like nothing yet imagined. This Empire of Tamriel, I see now was naught but a training exercise for far greater efforts to come. I know with certainty that you are destined, no, that you will send your will out into the vastness of Creation, sweep aside the petty construct we call 'Destiny', and by your choice set your mark upon all existence. I will forever be both proud and humbled to know you gained your start here, with us."

     The leader of the Feydakeen band walks up to Iriisii, "I was instructed to give you this should I have seen you once more." He bows with his right hand outstretched, an ornate scroll sitting in his open palm. Iriisii takes the scroll, breathing in the clean desert dry air surrounding it. As she opens it and reads the flowing script written upon it, she sees with her mind's eye, the deep dunes, the scoured rock ledges, the paths of ancient rivers now not even a memory but for the sands that flow in place of the water. As she rolls the scroll closed, Kintyra asks, "where were you? I sensed you were far away from here."

     "My mind's eye was showing me the Feydakeen homeworld once more. I find that I truly miss that desert world."

     "What did the scroll say?"

     "Something I truly did not expect to hear. The Elders sent out another call for those who wish to join my Feydakeen."

     "How many answered the call?"

     "Over two hundred thousand have gathered in answer. They have taken the blood oath and declared themselves mine. The five hundred that I sent back to guard their home, have already begun to train them."

     "There is more isn't there?"

     "Shai-Ta'an has set aside one thousand sand wyrms to obey and serve my will. He says he has seen what I can do with them, to allow them to move not just in the sand but in any terrain. With my Dragons to rule the air, and my Sandwyrms to rule the ground, I just need to find those who will rule the waters in my name. And I think I know just where to go and who to see about that."

     "Who could that be, pray tell? I cannot think of any who would fit that description."

     "Tiamat. She will know who and where. But that will have to wait for a bit. There is still much I must do before I can pay her a visit."

     "I could send someone to find and ask of her what you would ask."

     "Thank you, but that is not a good idea. She does not think much of those who walk the lands, whose ships sail the seas defying the waves and storms. But I have bested her in battle, after killing the last of her children who gave the Sea of Ghosts its name."

     "And she will speak with you after that?"

     "I still hold the last remains of those children, and I will see if she would help my cause if I return those children back to life and promise them a home of their own, with no human mortals to hunt them."

     "Who is this Tiamat? I remember nothing from my studies of history."

     "You will not find anything in the accepted books. You have to delve deeply into the mysteries, the sailors' rumors, and stories. Many are the things they speak of, are exaggerated, but there is always a kernel of truth for those who will search for it. Tiamat was at one time a powerful natural force given physical form by Kynereth. Neither Aedra nor Daedra, more elemental than anything else. She filled the seas with her brood, and they grew until they became monsters. Something I learned the hard way, so listen that you do not repeat my mistakes.

     The word 'monster' brings fear to the hearts of many because they are different from everything else. But monsters are not good or evil, not by choice anyway, but rather too big, too strong, and that curses them to be feared. And what man fears, he destroys. If they become a threat to people, be it farms or ships, then you have no choice but to kill them. But do not kill it simply because it exists, but when you need to protect your people.

     It was said that Ysgramor fought against one, maybe he did, maybe it is just a story. But the story goes that he took bone from the monster called Coinchenn and fashioned the shaft of his axe with it, Wuuthrad. There may be something to that story, for I have held Wuuthrad in my hands and its shaft is not of wood or metal. There are other stories out there waiting for someone to hear and investigate, maybe you will or maybe you will send someone else to see what is true and what is not."

     "Goddess?"

     "Yes, Custodian."

     "I have a communication from those remaining on Telios."

     "Please tell me what the message is."

     "Piping it through now."

     Much joy, and laughter, is heard in the background as the message is played. "Goddess, if you can hear me from the noise, we have had a breakthrough in treating Rigmor for the leach invasion. Your placing her in deep stasis before you left enabled us to work to remove the leech without triggering its defenses. The stasis field affects it as well as the individual the field is placed on. We can use this to remove the leech from any victim that we can place in deep stasis. She is awake and recovering her strength."

     "Is that my Iriisii you are talking to? Let me talk to her! Iriisii, my love?"

     "I am here, I am overjoyed that we have found a way better way to deal with the leech, but how are you feeling?"

     "Weak wrung out but getting stronger. Where are you now?"

     "Would you believe back on Nirn?"

     "WHAT, WITHOUT ME!"

     "We could not move you in stasis through a portal without undoing everything. Now it is a different story. I have placed my 'Fortress' in the Great Forest and am placing doors where we can go back and forth to wherever we need to go. I already have a door to the Royal Quarters."

     "You have? What of Kintyra, how is she?"

     Iriisii looks to Kintyra, "go ahead and speak, she can hear you."

     "Mother! What happened to you? Are you all right?"

     They can hear Rigmor choke up as she hears Kintyra's voice. "I got stupid and kicked the body of a monster we had just killed. It released an egg, and I did not realize what it was until it had already gotten on my skin and bled through. But thanks to your Mother Iriisii and her healers, I am all right now. Still a bit weak, that thing really takes it out of you fighting it. But what of you, are you ok?"

     "I am fine, although I miss you."

     "I miss you as well, I will come as soon as I can."

     "You get rested up, Mother Iriisii has placed her best bodyguards around me and I now have rooms here in the Fortress."

     "What happened that you need bodyguards that strong?"

     "I will tell you all when you get here. Healer, if she can be transported, I will have the Fortress establish a 'door' to you. You can bring yourself and any others you think you will need. These 'doors' provide direct transport between us. It is just like walking through a door into your own home. I can have anything you require to continue treating Rigmor here and ready for you. 

     Also, the doors can work both ways with clear access granted, so if you are needed back on Telios, you only have to walk back through. Anyone not granted access cannot go through and only the most powerful will even see the 'door'. Custodian set up a 'door' to the camp on Telios and inform me when it is done."

     "At once, Goddess."

     "What do you intend to do in the short term?"

     "I need a few more doors established to a few places that I will need to address very soon. Telios still has ongoing problems, Tuo will need dealing with quite soon, but will not take a long time or huge effort to deal with. I do however have more traveling to do. I have a network of towers being built across all of the Dreamlands and I need them connected here. I also need to access Tanelorn, but I do not know if a 'door' would be the best way. I do not wish to antagonize those who live there.

     I will just deal with this as I can, but I do need to place a 'door' in the Nilfgardian Palace, I have not heard much from there lately and I wish to be certain there are no problems arising. Also, I want another door in the Palace, one where you would have a closer means to come here when needed, so when you decide where it would be suitable, just inform the Custodian and it will create one and assign its use to you."

     "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will do so at once, what do you intend to do about the Synod meeting?"

     "In the Throne room, after breakfast. I want a few of the Feydakeen placed where they would be hard to detect, but can move quickly if needed. I do not want to 'spook' the Synod by their presence, but rather I want them to make whatever attempt they are planning. Then we will have them exactly where I want them."

     "And where is that, if I may ask?"

     "At the least, on their way to the Imperial Dungeons. We will have to see if any need a meeting with the headsman, but I do not think any are going to be let out to go walking around. Also, I will need some guardsmen set up close to their tower in the Library. When I spring their trap for them, I will want the others rounded up. Do not let a single one get loose, we have no idea how many are involved, but I am wagering the greater part of them."

     "I will take care of it, Your Majesty."

     "Once they are in your custody, post a few guards to prevent any of the curious from looking at whatever magical items they have collected. I will want to look and evaluate how dangerous any of the things they have obtained are and properly safeguard them. There are still quite a few Daedric items floating around that should be locked away."

     "Of course. May I say, I am glad to have you back for whatever time we have and I am anxious to see where you will lead us next."

     "I intend to spend as much time here as I can, at least until I hand the Throne to Kintyra. After that, it will be up to her where she leads Nirn."