Vulkhel Guard, Auridon. The warm, salty breeze was far from what 26-year-old Kjoret Snow-Smith was accustomed to. The Nord pulled up the hood of her leather armor which had been dyed a royal blue. White snow bear fur trim surrounded the edge of the hood and epaulets. The gauntlets and boots were enveloped in the fur as well, sewn into the leathers to add a layer of warmth to protect from the brutal winters Windhelm had been known to provide. Several sharp Stahlrim points emerged from the gauntlets and epaulets. In addition, the dual swords and bow she carried were made of the same icy material. The entire look was very different from the typical attire worn by local High Elves, but Kjoret paid no mind. Besides, as an adventurer, she needed to wear something both practical and familiar to her. Leathers and Stahlrim were nothing new to her, and not even the Auridon warmth could melt Stahlrim.
Wooden planks creaked slightly as Kjoret strode across the docks to a High Elf by the name of Captain Astanya, the Watch captain for Vulkhel Guard.
"State your name, newcomer," Captain Astanya said monotone as she approached.
"Kjoret Snow-Smith, arrived here from Sentinel, Alik'r. I finished my tour of the Covenant territories and decided to head south. Besides, I heard the Queen is about to begin her tour here."
"Noted, but I am not here to chitchat, newcomer. I have much to do to prepare for the Queen's arrival," the captain said, sounding uninterested.
"What can I do to help?" Kjoret continued, "I don't travel all of Tamriel just to look around and say I've been there. I enjoy meeting people can getting involved."
"Since you are so insistent, why don't you take this meat and papers to Urcelmo. He is a battlereeve found by the Temple of Auri-El. We found poisoned meat and documents implying a plot to harm the Queen. He is expecting the items, but I have not had a chance to get away from these docks. Go on now, get to it!" Captain Astanya shoved the items into Kjoret's arms and turned away.
Kjoret headed further into town, headed for the Temple District where the Queen was to host a speech. A prominent-looking figure stood at attention near the Temple, and Kjoret approached, assuming it to be the battlereeve.
"Halt! What are you doing here?" He demanded and briskly strode forward. "That bag reeks of meat and alchemy reagents… and what is this? Paperwork about an assassination plot? My, you Nords are as bold and dimwitted as the bards say. You're coming with me."
Kjoret's face twisted into one of confusion, "Captain Astanya sent me! She said you were expecting these items and that she hadn't found time to meet with you. I offered to help deliver these items is all."
"I'm experienced enough to know a lie when I hear one, assassin. Now - come!" he said and tugged at Kjoret's arm.
"Wait! Let this one see," a new voice said. Kjoret turned her head to see a handsome, sleek-looking Khajiit in black leathers and tall metal epaulets approach. "Astanya did not send word of such items, did she?"
Urcelmo looked taken aback, "Erm, no... why would she need to, Razum-dar?"
"Are you blind, Battlereeve?" Razum-dar quipped. "This one does not like this situation. And this fair-skinned five claws looks too confused to be a successful assassin. The Nord is not responsible." He took the paperwork from Kjoret's hand and his eyebrows furrowed. "The handwriting is familiar… this one needs to investigate…"
"Investigate what, Raz?" another voice chimed in, soft as silk. A beautiful High Elf with light golden locks confidently approached. She wore blue armor, trimmed with gold on all the edges. A gilded eagle with wings spread adorned her cuirass. An elegant sword was at her hip, and an eagle-shaped crown on her head. Sky blue eyes acknowledged Battlereeve Urcelmo as he held a fist to his heart in salute. Her gaze settled on Kjoret, whose heart seemed to skip a beat. This woman was gorgeous… and those eyes seemed somehow familiar. She couldn't put her finger on what it was about this woman.
"My Queen, this one thinks you might be at risk, but not at the hands of this Nord, as Urcelmo believes. I have heard reports and rumors. This one will investigate the Temple before your speech."
Queen Ayrenn's eyes had not left Kjoret's. "Citizen, if Raz does not believe you to be a threat, I would have you prove so by going to investigate the Temple of Auri-El with him. What is your name, may I ask?"
"Kjoret Snow-Smith, Your Majesty." Something flickered in the queen's eyes. Did she know something? Recognition? Kjoret did not know. Surely, she would remember meeting a queen, afterall.
Queen Ayrenn kept a serious look on her face, though the corner of her mouth seemed to briefly twitch. "Go on, Raz and Kjoret, look into the Temple and report back with any findings."
"You trust this one, Your Majesty?" Razum-dar questioned. Both he and Urcelmo seemed uneasy yet.
"I do."
They returned after some time to Queen Ayrenn, who had been expecting them. Battlereeve Urcelmo stood guard at her side. "I see both of you have returned in one piece. Tell me, what did you find?" Her gaze turned to Kjoret once again, who, at the Queen's prompting, described how they foiled the assassination plot. Watch Captain Astanya had been behind it. She waited in the Temple of Auri-El, expecting the Queen to enter before her speech. She was shocked to instead find Razum-dar and the Nord she sent off, expecting her to have been imprisoned for carrying poison and illegal documents. The unlikely team of the Khajiit and Nord had slain the Captain and the minions she sent to attack them. Sadly, the day was not without loss. Found dead inside the Temple of Auri-El was Fasion, an Altmer who Razum-dar had worked closely with.
The Queen's gaze fell to the tiled floor as she heard the news, "An Eye is not easy to kill. I mourn at his loss."
"Pardon, Your Majesty," Kjoret began, "An Eye?"
"Ah, my apologies. An Eye of the Queen is one of my best agents, who I select personally to serve my interests." Her voice trailed off, thoughtful. "Kjoret, I am in need of another Eye to work for me, who better to take on that role than the one who saved my life?"
Kjoret's eyes lowered respectfully, to be given such trust and a title was an honor. She dropped to one knee before her own blue eyes lifted meet Queen Ayrenn's, "I accept this honor, Your Majesty. I am yours to command."
Queen Ayrenn broke into a grin and set an armored hand on Kjoret's upper arm and commanded, "I name you Eye of the Queen, an agent in my employ. May Auri-El keep you safe and Xarxes guide your words. Rise! Besides, I'm not one who is fond of such formalities." Battlereeve Urcelmo's head swung around, seemingly appalled by the Queen's comment. If Ayrenn noticed, she didn't show it whatsoever, all of her attention was still on her new agent. "Welcome to the Aldmeri Dominion and to my service, Kjor."
Kjor! Something she hadn't been called in years… Kjor! Incredulous, Kjoret's look intensified at the now smirking Queen Ayrenn. Memories from years earlier began to piece themselves together.