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Chapter 45 - Succession

Dirsha teleported himself and Umar to the far side of the Nordic puzzle door, then opened it so the other three could rejoin them. "You three might as well go back to your jobs, while I report to Professor Isolde. Karrod, would you reassure the researchers, please? Tell them there's no danger, but the door must remain sealed until Stormcrown and perhaps Jarl Gelebor say otherwise."

"Understood, and I'll pass it along. May we return to our researches on this side?"

"I see no reason why not," Dirsha replied.

When they left, Dirsha and Umar went up to the top floor and found the expedition leader, who looked at them curiously. "what did you find?"

"A religious community of Snow Elves," Dirsha told her. "I've told the researchers they're safe to go back to work, but this is definitely something I need Mother to come look at and make any decisions on, beyond that."

Isolde looked at him dubiously, then grinned. "Very well, my Lord. Go ahead and do whatever you need to do to get her here."

Dirsha wasn't sure if she were teasing him or not, so he took her at her word. "I'll be outside, then."

By the time they were outside and far enough away from the ruins that there was room for a dovah to land, Dirsha had decided his command of Voice wasn't enough to call his mother himself without alarming her, so it was Odahviing he called.

The red dovah landed moments later, in a flurry of sand that had Dirsha dusting himself off and coughing. "I see no danger, fahdoni," Odahviing rumbled. "Why did you summon me, then?"

"Because I need Monahi here, and if I Shout for her, she's going to assume I'm in danger, like you did. But I need her for an Imperial decision having to do with original Snow Elves, and she might want to bring Jarl Gelebor as well."

"Hmm." Odahviing settled into the sand, looking thoughtful. "Tell me about it, kiir do thuri."

Dirsha did so, going into every detail he could remember, dragon-fashion. "And so I decided I had to call on someone more qualified," he concluded.

"A wise decision," Odahviing said. "Your ability to Call is too limited for that. Even a dovah should visit, for something so difficult to explain. I will do so, or I will take you to her so you may."

Dirsha's ear-tips heated. "Uh, I'm really not supposed to call for help during my adventuring year, but since I have to ... would you really mind doing it for me?"

Odahviing gape-grinned. "Child of our Overlord, it is my pleasure to serve. I will convey this to your monah, and bring her reply. If she does not choose to bring it herself."

He was beginning to worry when he heard wingbeats of multiple dovahhe, and looked up to see his mother, Odahviing, and three others coming in to land. Mother was carrying Father and Jarl Gelebor, which explained the delay, as he'd hoped; he'd had to come up from Blackreach. As soon as Father and the Jarl dismounted, Mother shifted to her Khajiit form. Dirsha had asked for her in her official capacity, so he bowed. "Thank you for coming, Strundu'ul. And Jarl Gelebor."

They returned the bow, then Yssha cocked her head at her firstborn. "Odahviing tells me you discovered a group of Falmer that escaped both the Nords and the Dwemer."

"Yes, Majesty. And living in the most marvelous cavern I've ever seen. It's incredible, huge and beautiful!"

Yssha chuckled at her son's enthusiasm. "And you think the Empire should do something about one or both, am I correct?"

"Yes, ma'am. May I show you? And Jarl Gelebor and Father?"

"Please do, then. I suppose I should pay my respects to the expedition leader first, though."

Once that was done, Dirsha led his parents and the Jarl of Blackreach down to the Nordic puzzle door and opened it for them, then followed them inside. "This part runs about five hundred feet, then it turns into the marvelous cave I mentioned."

"This was your discovery, son," Yssha said. "You should lead us, then - as much as possible, your original route."

"Yes, ma'am." Dirsha took the lead, to the river and along it to the hut,dock, and fishing net that had told him it wasn't Falmer. "I was wrong, of course ... but at least it wasn't the Falmer we know in Skyrim. It was escaped Snow Elves - but that was what I thought at the time."

He led them further, along the path to where he'd noticed the hydro-farm. "From here, I had a guide, to the High Temple, but it's easy enough to find once you've been there."

They weren't making any effort to be quiet, so Dirsha wasn't surprised to be met by High Priest Angalmo. He bowed, then introduced the High Priest to the rest, and stepped back to listen.

Angalmo bowed. "You do us great honor, Dovahkiin. How may we serve you?"

Yssha smiled."I believe it is more the other way around. Dirsha tells me you have no objections to living here, as isolated as you are, but when knowledge of your existence becomes known - and that of this beautiful cavern - you may not be able to keep either, without my intervention as Stormcrown. Which I believe is why my son called me in."

The High Priest winced. "Your son was wise beyond his years, then, because we do wish to keep our privacy, and keep our home unsullied. We believe this place to be a gift from Auri-El Himself, and to see it desecrated would be horrifying."

"As Stormcrown, I can do that," Yssha said. "I can make you an Imperial Protectorate, which would give you access to the outside world but keep out anyone you wish to forbid, or a Reserve, which would keep you fully isolated. Either could be changed later to a more inclusive status, should you change your minds. But you cannot go from greater access to lesser."

"Is there a status that would allow us to forbid individuals until we can investigate them for ... how do I put this - those who will not damage what Auri-El has given us? We have seen what some humans and other elves do to unprotected spaces. Perhaps something like a Reserve, but with special permissions from yourself for those you believe would be beneficial for us to meet, but still forbid anyone else?"

Yssha nodded. "I can do that. With your permission already granted, I name this ... ah, Cavern of Auri-El - unless you prefer another name - ?"

"That is most suitable, Dovahkiin," Angalmo replied. "And your decision?"

"That the Cavern of Auri-El becomes a personal Protectorate of the Stormcrown. So you are isolated, except for those I personally authorize to enter, or those you authorize to leave. Is that suitable?"

"Most suitable, Dovahkiin - and we all thank you. We value our privacy, and the restriction is welcome. You and yours will always be welcome, of course."

Dirsha thought for a moment, then cleared his throat softly.

Yssha turned, to him, grinning. "Yes?"

"Ah ... if you and Priest Angalmo wouldn't mind." He hesitated. "I ... ah, I think I'd like to spend the rest of my adventuring year exploring the Cavern of Auri-El, when I'm not needed for the excavation."

Yssha chuckled to herself, knowing that Marcurio shared her amusement. "Neither of those sounds particularly adventurous, son."

"Not in the killing bandits and monsters for bounties or loot sense, maybe," Dirsha admitted, "but I've done those, as part of my training. And for me, both archeology and geology are adventures, just mental rather than physical ones."

Angalmo smiled. "I have no objections, young Khajiit. But if you encounter intruders, you may have to fight ... not bandits, I don't think, but occasional giant insects from the desert, and perhaps the occasional jackal or crocodile. Harpies don't go underground, so you won't encounter them. But you're also unlikely to encounter loot, and we don't offer bounties."

Dirsha shrugged. "I don't need those. My family's one of the richest in the Empire, and I'm Mother's heir. What's valuable to me is the opportunity to learn and explore before I have to take up my responsibilities as Jarl of Skyhold."

"Then be welcome, Dirsha. And I hope you find much satisfaction in your year with us."

Dirsha remembered those words as he was packing to return to Skyhold. He'd found a lot of satisfaction in both the excavation and his exploration of the Cavern, extending the maps of it as he found new areas, sometimes at the cost of broken bones or less serious injuries. He'd already said his goodbyes to everyone by the time he hauled his packs outside and called Odahviing.

When the red dovah landed, he ducked his head to his thur's first offspring. "You are ready to return, then, fahdoni?"

Dirsha sighed. "Ready? No - I could happily spend the rest of my life here. But I have a job to do at home, and Mother ... well, she's never liked being Jarl, and it doesn't really bother me. And I do have a lot of happy memories of this year."

"You will tell them to a Bard, please, that we may share them with you in song?"

Dirsha snorted. "Only if I can find one that won't embellish them. They were interesting, and sometimes dangerous, but nothing at all heroic. But I'll give you the straight story myself, if that wouldn't be too boring."

"Yes, you will tell me, as time allows, and I do not expect to be bored. Mount, and let us take you back home."

Dirsha enjoyed his return home more than he'd really expected. Showing off his collection of artifacts and limestone samples took hours, while he explained where and how he'd gotten each of them. When that tapered off, his mother took him aside, into her private office. "Was it really that nice?" she asked.

Dirsha nodded. "Every bit ... and maybe more so. I didn't want to make it look too good for the others."

"And you want more adventuring?"

"That kind? Of course I do. But I know it's not possible, and I also know you want to turn Skyhold over as soon as you can, so you can move to Skuldafn." Dirsha shrugged. "So do it, Mother. I don't hate the idea of ruling as much as you did - I was raised for it, after all - and I'd love to see you happy."

Yssha's heart caught at her son's words. "Are you serious? I can ... give you as much time as you want." She was immortal, so that was true, but Dirsha's desire for her happiness was almost more than she could stand.

"Of course I am. I'll still get to visit and follow the research, even if I can't take part in it myself, so ... yes, go ahead."

Yssha embraced her son, licking his forehead. "You are ... Dirsha, you are more generous than I deserve. But I accept, and thank you more than you may be able to realize."

"I think I can guess," Dirsha said. "I've watched you do something you really dislike, ever since I could understand what you were doing and that you did dislike it. Yet you were able to raise me to do that job, and I hope do it well, and get some enjoyment out of it." He licked her cheek, accepting her return caress. Then he grinned. "So set it up as soon as you can, okay? Let's set you free to be the dragon you were born to be."

That happened five days later, the earliest High King Balgruuf could be there to officiate. By that time, Yssha had transferred the original Greater Mirmulnir Throne - and most of her and Marcuio's personal possessions - to Skuldafn; the throne in the pavilion now was an exact duplicate, save for Dragonbane in its jaw, but had never been part of a living dragon.

The ceremony began with Balgruuf approaching Yssha, who was sitting on the throne in her plain "working" armor, the only ceremonial gear her Jarl's circlet. He bowed, and she rose to return it, then he spoke. "I have been given to understand that Your Grace wishes to step down from your position as Jarl of Skyhold in favor of your eldest biological son."

"That is correct, Your Highness. With Your Highness' permission, of course. I am firmly convinced that Lord Dirsha is properly trained and suitable for rule, and I petition that he be allowed to replace me."

Balgruuf nodded. "You have carried out your responsibilities as Jarl of the ground part of Skyhold admirably for over twenty years, and for that I am inclined to grant your petition. But Skyhold also includes the air over all of Nirn, and that the High King of Skyrim has no jurisdiction over. Will you retain that part?"

"I must," Yssha replied. "My authority there is as Overlord of Dov, their Dovahjud, which I cannot simply hand over. I ask only to be replaced as Jarl of the ground part."

"Then I may grant your petition." Balgruuf smiled, holding out his hands. "If you would, then, Ysmir?"

"Gladly." Yssha removed her circlet and handed it to Balgruuf, then moved to one side, her part in the ceremony done. Balgruuf had wanted her to make a speech, but she had absolutely refused, and he'd finally agreed that might be just as well.

Balgruuf took the throne, and called Dirsha forward. "Your mother has abdicated, and wishes you to become Jarl in her place. How say you, Lord Dirsha?"

Dirsha went to one knee. "I would be honored, my King. I may never be her equal, but I will do my best to honor her and serve her people as a Jarl should."

Balgruuf leaned forward and placed the circlet on Dirsha's head. "Then rise, Jarl Dirsha, and take your throne." He moved aside to allow the younger Khajiit to do so, then stepped aside himself.

Dirsha seated himself briefly, then rose. He didn't particularly like public speaking, but Mother had taught him it was important, and found him tutors in how to do it. So he smiled at his audience, anyone in Skyhold who could get there.

"This is still the place my mother ruled, and I will change none of her policies without urgent need. But I declare this day one of celebration on her behalf, that she is now able to fly free as the dragon she has always been."

He was going to continue, but the audience began chanting, "Dovahkiin! Dovahkiin! Dovahkiin!"

Epilogue

The move to Skuldafn didn't change Yssha's life as much as she'd thought it might, though with the exterior designed for dovah, she did tend to spend most of her time during the day outside in her dovah shape, basking in the rear courtyard, if it was sunny. She did sky-dance every day or so, usually with Odahviing and whoever else happened to be nearby.

Skuldafn bore little resemblance to what it had been the first time she and Marcurio had been there. Between repairs, cleaning, and Ragnar's additions, only the central temple area was similar, and even there, parts had been remodeled, to turn it from a temple into a palace. The whole thing had grown into a complex that could almost be called a city, while remaining accessible only by dragon. She might have the Mzulft access restored some century, but she had plenty of time to decide on that.

Otherwise she spent the first few years there simply enjoying life with Marcurio and Seridur, who'd become good friends in the intervening two decades. Dirsha's marriage a few months after he'd become Jarl was the first time she left - he'd asked her to officiate as Stormcrown, and it was the first time, at least since the Dragon Wars, that a Skyrim wedding had been conducted in Dovahzul, or by a dovah. The next time was for the Presentation of her first grandchild.

There were occasional visits for other large events in her family's life, but nothing that disturbed her until Fusmulgar reported Balgruuf's death from a sudden heart problem. Her first friend in Skyrim ... and his heir wanted her to conduct the funeral. She sent word that she would, and two days later did so. Later that day, she took advantage of her ability to visit Aetherius, and went to Sovngarde, almost certain he would go there. Tsun greeted her with a smile, and waved her over to where he greeted and tested the newly dead. "Welcome, Dovahkiin. I regret you'll never be here permanently; we could have some munumental bouts."

"We could indeed," she replied with a grin. "But other responsibilities call me. Still, if you would like to spar for a bit, I am willing."

He returned the grin. "I know you're worthy, but such exercise is always pleasant." He unlimbered his battle-axe, and she drew her mace. They traded Shouts, his Unrelenting Force against her Disarm, and he yielded with a laugh. "You are too strong for me, Dovahkiin. Which I have known. We'll have to do this again, with neither of us using Shouts."

"Then it would be too easy for you, if I remain in Khajiit form. An oversized Nord, against a small Khajiit?"

"A good point," the big warrior said. "Perhaps no Voice, but you can use magic?"

"That sounds fair enough. Next time, then. I am looking for Balgruuf the Greater."

"He is within. It was a good battle, with him in his prime."

"Thank you." Yssha was glad to hear it, since after seeing Balgruuf during the Battle for Whiterun, she'd been impressed with his skills in ... what, late forties or early fifties? So late sixties or early seventies at his death. And what must he have been like in his youth, twenties or thirties? Most impressive, she was certain.

She entered the Hall of Valor, smiling when Ysgramor greeted her, then hailed the three Tongues she'd fought beside against Alduin, who hailed her enthusiastically. "It's good to see you again, Dovahkiin," Gormlaith said. "Are you here for any special reason, or just a general visit?"

"A bit of both," Yssha replied. "My first friend in Skyrim died suddenly, and I wish to speak to him, then visit other friends for a time."

"And your friend is?" Hakon asked.

"High King Balgruuf the Greater."

"Ah, yes." Hakon chuckled. "You'll find him at the high table, with Torygg and Ulfric Stormcloak."

"Thank you." Yssha walked to the table on the highest dais, smiling as Balgruuf, his apparent age no more than twenty, rose to greet her, and Ulfric, at the same apparent age, joined him.

"Ysmir!" Balgruuf exclaimed. "What are you doing here? Assassinated again?"

Yssha chuckled, shaking her head. "No, simply exercising a prerogative of mine, to visit anywhere in Aetherius or Oblivion at my pleasure. I did not get to say my farewells while you lived, so I simply came to wish you a pleasant eternity."

"I appreciate that, but I'm not sure it's possible to be otherwise, in Sovngarde. Honestly, I don't know how you were able to return, even once - but then I doubt I'd have dared face Alduin, either."

"You underestimate yourself, my friend," Yssha said gently. "You, and any of those who could win entrance to this hall, would be capable of doing the same. You wouldn't have won, since defeating him required a Dragonborn, but you would have done your absolute best."

Balgruuf chuckled. "Yes, I suppose I would've. Will I see you again?"

"Very likely. I spend most of my time on Nirn, but when I get bored, I tend to roam the rest of Mundus, including Oblivion and Aetherius. Nirn, though, is huge and mostly unexplored - for now - and vodov creativity can be fascinating."

"Do I gather correctly that you plan to do at least some of that exploring?"

"You do indeed, my friend." Yssha smiled. "In fact, I'll probably start fairly shortly, with so little known of Atmora's current state or possible inhabitants. Then there's Pyandonea, and that's as far as anyone's gone, less than a quarter of the way around the globe. I'm sure there's far more, further out."

Balgruuf chuckled again. "Then go explore, and bring your discoveries home to educate those you leave behind."

"My plans exactly, once I'm no longer expected to take a routine part in Imperial or family affairs."

It was almost a century before that came to pass. She wasn't forgotten, exactly, but she was no longer routinely invited to ceremonial things, and no one seemed to care when she didn't bother to show up without the invitation. She had accompanied Marcurio to Stormhaven when he died - rather to his surprise, peacefully in his sleep, which she'd teased him about afterward. Then he'd shooed her away, with orders to give him at least fifty years to get a surprise ready for her.

That promise made, she returned to Nirn, to find Andreius and Sorcalin and begin their first overall exploration - finding any other major land-masses. More detailed exploration could wait, and would be as eternal as she, Andreius, and the dragons, since changes would continue through the ages.

Author's Note: And so ends Yssha's Tale, though she, of course, continues. There will be another tale coming, but set in an alternate universe. I'm not sure just yet when it will actually appear, but I promise that it's coming.

Ignore the following; it's a test of what special characters I can post, for use in the next story.

*asterisk* }curly{ [square] +plus+ =equal= ~tilde~ ***