"Kjoret, I am in need of your assistance once again," Ayrenn stated authoritatively. Within Skywatch Manor, First Auridon Marines and Eyes of the Queen had gathered. "I have received reports of Veiled Heritance members being present here in Skywatch. This group tried to assassinate me before, led by Watch Captain Astanya. I am not so foolish to believe that simply because she is gone, that I am safe. If the group is still organized after her death, then she must not have been their leader. Razum-dar has heard whispers of a Veiled Heritance training grounds on an island to the east of the city. I would like you to investigate and see who leads them."
"Yes, my Queen." Kjoret bowed her head in acknowledgment.
"Razum-dar has a small vessel ready to depart on the docks when you are ready to leave. Be safe." The Queen's tone and face were serious, a sharp contrast to what Kjoret was used to when they were in private. Kjoret knew that Ayrenn wanted her to return safely still. Any affections between them had been kept private, both Ayrenn and Kjoret had agreed.
Kjoret took her leave. She went upstairs to grab her weapons and a small pack of potions and salves. Once her things were gathered, she followed Razum-dar to the docks, where a small rowboat awaited them.
"This one sees how the Queen admires you," Razum-dar told Kjoret as she stepped over the side into the boat.
Kjoret cast her gaze his way and responded, "Uh, yeah. We've reunited after years apart actually. Met in Windhelm and were hunting partners several times during the months she stayed there."
"Uh huh," Razum-dar probed, but Kjoret held her tongue. As an experienced Eye of the Queen, he was good at acquiring information. He couldn't possibly have known about the make-out sessions late at night behind closed doors. Kjoret sat silently as the boat glided across the bay's still waters, the only sound were the oars as Razum-dar rowed them to Errinorne Isle.
Sand and rock ground against the bottom of the small rowboat as Razum-dar beached it on the back side of the island.
"This one will meet you here after you find the Veiled Heritance leader. It is hidden by trees and cliffs, making your entry and escape easy."
"Thank you, Razum-dar. I'll hopefully see you soon and report back with my findings."
"Ha! Hasn't the Queen told you? Friends may call this one Raz. Go on now, for the Queen."
With that, Kjoret sprinted off and started climbing the cliff that led to the Ayleid ruin the island harbored. Upon nearing the top, she poked her head up to survey the area before fully climbing over. There wasn't much movement, though several sentries milled about, torches in hand, fending against the dark. Kjoret hugged the stone walls of the Ayleid ruins, staying hidden in the shadows. She crept toward the front of the ruin, where the door was. A single guard stood watch, facing away from Kjoret. Silently, she drew the Stalhrim dagger from its sheath on her belt. A Morag Tong assassin she had seen on occasion had taught her a few tricks of the trade. She thought of Naryu as she covered the guard's mouth and deftly slid the dagger across his throat. The body went limp, and Kjoret lowered it to the ground slowly to avoid any sound. She snuffed out the torch he had once carried and entered the door to the Ayleid ruin.
Kjoret's steps were soft as she descended the stairs. Voices could be heard ahead. "Be on your guard. The False Queen Ayrenn has sent two of her personal agents here in search of me," a woman's voice echoed.
"How do you know that? We haven't seen or heard anything unusual," a male voice asked.
"I was there when she commanded that they leave! Now, stand guard while I go deeper inside the ruins. I will not be caught and exposed!" A traitor! Kjoret realized, blood running hot with anger. Someone who the Queen trusted was behind the plot to harm her. She drew her bow, which was encrusted with Stalhrim. Her fingers drew an ice-tipped arrow from the quiver and guided it into the notch on the bowstring. Kjoret rounded the corner and let loose the arrow. One of the Altmer who the woman had been talking to gripped his neck in sudden shock as the arrow pierced it straight through. He crumpled to the floor, limp. His partner swung her head around and sprinted toward the direction the shot had come from. Kjoret switched her bow out for her swords, more ideal for close combat. There was a whir over her head as the woman swung her greatsword down. Kjoret dodge rolled, standing and facing the woman's unguarded back as she staggered forward from the momentum. She took the opportunity and sliced across the High Elf's torso, killing her.
Keeping her swords drawn, Kjoret pushed onward, deeper into the ruin. Several braziers lined the hallway, casting flickering shadows against the walls. The next chamber held Culanda stones that emitted a beam of golden light. Four of these crystals were on top of carved stone pillars, held in place by metal stands. Kjoret stood on the tips of her toes to reach each stone, in turn, she rotated each to point towards the blue Welkynd stone that was embedded within the gate. When the fourth beam of light hit the stone, it glowed more radiantly than before. With a soft rumble, the gate that had previously barred further passage opened.
She crouched and kept low. Whoever the traitor was would be ahead, she was certain. The chamber at the end of the hall was well-lit and Kjoret could see three Altmer, two males, and one female, facing a fourth Veiled Heritance member at the top of a set of stairs. The fourth member was more elaborately dressed. Her eyes narrowed upon seeing Kjoret enter the space.
"Ohmanir, Nenaronald, Varustante! Kill her! That is the False Queen's new agent!" The woman fled further up the stairs, desperate to make an escape.
The three charged, weapons drawn. Ohmanir swung his sword and clashed against Kjoret's own. With her other sword hand, she swung low, clipped his thighs and brought him to the ground. Varustante shot fireballs at Kjoret from her staff. While finishing off Ohmanir, an abrupt pain arose from the front of Kjoret's left shoulder. There was a sizzle as fire met Stalhrim and leather before it tapered out. She grimaced but looked up at her attacker. Varustante's ranged attacks were dangerous, since Kjoret preferred melee. Quickly, she unsheathed her dagger once again. With a sharp flick of her wrist, she sent the dagger spiraling end-over-end until it caught Varustante between the eyes. The mage fell, which seemed to enrage Nenaronald. He ran towards Kjoret, protecting himself with his shield. A slice of his sword barely missed her, cutting through some of the leather on her thigh. He took the opportunity to bash her with his shield. Dazed, Kjoret swung and missed. Nenaronald lifted his sword, perhaps a bit overdramatically, trying to finish her off. It was her only chance, and Kjoret jammed the sword in her right hand into a weak point in his armor. A cry of pain erupted as the sword entered under the arm, cut through muscle and bone, emerging behind his shoulder. She finished him with a downward pierce through the neck with her opposite sword.
Pushing the body down with an armored foot, she freed both swords and sprinted up the stairs after the remaining Heritance member. Kjoret's shoulder hurt, where Varustante's fire had burnt it. Gritting her teeth, she continued until reaching a closed stone door, which had cornered the leader of the Veiled Heritance. The woman whipped around and flashed Kjoret a hard look, accompanied with a scowl.
"The False Queen's new pet. Hmph! She finally found someone other than that cat to do everything for her," High Kinlady Estre spat.
"Estre! You're the Queen's own sister-in-law!"
"It's Veiled Queen Estre, and my sister-in-law is the False Queen. All this about equality between races, betraying her own people! Ever stop and consider why she sends Khajiit and now a Nord to do all the dangerous work for her? Maggots do the dirty work. She doesn't believe the words spewing from her own mouth. We don't need the cats or you drunkards. A High Elf will get any job done more efficiently. False Queen Ayrenn holds her people back from true potential. As Queen, I will ensure Altmer are the peak of all Tamrielic society, as it has been and will continue to be."
"You know you're wrong. It seems the only people who have betrayed their people are Altmer like Captain Astanya… and you!" Kjoret stepped forward, swords drawn.
"Scum. Mehrunes Dagon gives me power. To Oblivion with you!" Her arms lit up with a fiery glow, eyes glowed an unnatural red, imbued with destructive Daedric energy. "Atronachs protect me!" With that, two flame atronachs emerged from piles of ashes. Spinning, they flung fireballs at Kjoret. She ducked, dove forward, and pierced the first one with a Stalhrim sword. The atronach hissed and returned to ash. Kjoret didn't allow her back to remain exposed to Estre for long, turning to face her opponent again. Estre conjured a fire beam and cast it toward Kjoret. She crossed her ice swords to form as best of a shield as she could. Stalhrim was her best defense against the flames. She took heavy steps forward, blocking flames that licked around her swords and threatened to sear her face. Daedric energy and overconfidence would be Estre's downfall. Once close enough, Kjoret quickly uncrossed her swords in two downward slashes, cutting Estre's chest open. The remaining flame atronach fell to a pile of ash, its conjurer silenced.
Kjoret should have felt relieved but didn't. After uncovering and slaying the traitor behind the attempts on Ayrenn's life… to dethrone her… she felt nothing. The killing of a kinlady would not settle well, especially the Queen's sister-in-law. Sighing, Kjoret pushed the stone button that opened the final stone door and silently slipped outside. The sky was beginning to lighten as Magnus prepared to rise. Climbing down the cliff proved painful after the cuts and burns she sustained, but she returned wordlessly to Razum-dar in the small rowboat.
Queen Ayrenn sat in her throne within Skywatch Manor, pinching the bridge of her nose between thumb and forefinger. "The Kinlady… dead. My sister-in-law. One of my agents killed my brother's wife – my brother's wife!"
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I- "
"No, I – it's not you, Kjoret. You didn't have a choice," Ayrenn sighed heavily. "I just can't believe that someone so close to me would be so treacherous."
"My actions have made your job more difficult, my Queen," Kjoret's gaze stayed on the ground, by Ayrenn's feet.
"Kjor," the Queen's tone softened, despite still sounding pained, "You likely saved my life, again. Estre could not remain alive. Don't regret your actions. I only dread having to explain to my little brother what has transpired. Would you send for Naemon?"
"Whatever you have to say, say it to me directly," Naemon's voice cut through their conversation as he strode into the room, frowning.
"Little Brother," Ayrenn rose, and Kjoret moved aside for Naemon.
"What, dear Sister? You only say that when you regret something. You know, when you snatched the crown for yourself, you never once called me 'Little Brother.'"
She sighed again before responding carefully, "Naemon, your wife… Estre… is – was… a traitor."
His bronze eyes flashed with anger, "Hmph. I'm sure you had your Nord friend here do what she must." Naemon sneered, his cold glare falling on Kjoret as he scowled. "For the Dominion and all." The Prince turned on his heel and walked away before his sister could reply.
"Little Brother…" Queen Ayrenn muttered to nobody in particular. She and Kjoret were the only ones remaining in the room, others had left to give the Queen space and privacy. Ayrenn approached Kjoret and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You did the right thing, Kjor. Raz once told me that to remove a weed, one must pull it out by the roots. Thank you for doing that for me, I know this isn't easy… for either of us."
"Anything for you, my Queen."
Ayrenn placed a gentle kiss on Kjoret's forehead. "Kjor, dear, you've been awake all night. Go on up to my bedchambers and rest. With the Veiled Heritance taken care of, we will continue our tour. Once you are rested, we can prepare to sail to Grahtwood."
"Thank you, Ayrenn." Kjoret gave her lover a reassuring hug and went upstairs, exhausted from the recent events.