A Tale of Two Dragonborn

Chapter 5: Preparation

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Beyla was sweating as Kaivar forced her to train. She was meant for the shadows not face-to-face combat. Kaivar had been helping her come to terms that she was a Septim. She revealed she found two word walls in Snow Veil Sanctum and the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary in Falkreath. She knew one word to the Disarm and Marked for Death shouts. Kaivar imparted his knowledge of the rest of those shouts as well as Aura Whisper, Whirlwind Sprint, Unrelenting Force, Become Ethereal, and Dragonrend. She had little magic at her disposal. She could use the Sparks Destruction spell, the Invisibility spell from the Illusion school, the Conjuration spell to conjure a Flame Atronach, and a Steadfast Ward Restoration spell. Kaivar forged, tempered, and enchanted a full set of dragonscale armor as well as a dragonbone dagger, bow, and 50 arrows. She trained at Lakeview while Kaivar gathered numbers. So far he had enlisted the help of the Companions and the College of Winterhold's mages. She memorized the names. The Companions offered their entire force. Farkas, Vilkas, Aela, Athis, Ria, Njada, and Torvar. The College only allowed their masters to assist. The only ones staying back were two resident mages, Urag gro-Shub and Enthir. Now Kaivar was going to meet with a man named Isran to enlist a group of vampire hunters known as the Dawnguard. "We'll help." Isran told Kaivar.

"Only because the Thalmor needs to be stopped. Everyone will be there except our sentries at the gate." he continued.

Kaivar smiled and shook the Redguard's hand. "Thank you Isran."

Kaivar was about to walk out of the fort until a voice rang out. "Wasn't sure you'd convince him."

Kaivar smiled and turned around. "I'm a persuasive man Serana."

Serana smiled to the point where her fangs showed. "I know. Just be careful. You're the only family I have." she replied.

"I'll be ok Serana." he smiled at the woman who had been like a sister to him.

"Who are you going to enlist next?" she asked.

Kaivar sighed. "I'm going to see a woman named Delphine. She's the Grandmaster of the restored Blades. We had a falling out but I'm hoping she'll step up to fight the Thalmor." he explained and left.

When Kaivar arrived at Sky Haven Temple he saw Benor standing guard. "Benor. I need to see Delphine and Esbern." he ordered.

"Go right ahead. But I don't know that Delphine will be happy to see you until Paarthurnax is dead." he replied.

Kaivar climbed the steps and saw Delphine and Esbern at the table with Jenassa and Uthgerd. Kaivar noticed a group of new Blades he didn't recognize. "Dragonborn. Is Paarthurnax dead?" Delphine asked.

"No. I've come to enlist the Blades to fight against the Thalmor." Kaivar replied.

"We hate the Thalmor. Most of these new Blades are leftovers from the Stormcloaks. But we can't serve a Dragonborn who refuses to finish his destiny." she replied.

Kaivar tackled her. "Listen to me! I am not in the mood to watch Skyrim die! If you won't listen to a Dragonborn then listen to a Septim!" Kaivar yelled.

Delphine's eyes widened. "You're a Septim?" she asked.

"One of two surviving lost heirs." Kaivar replied, getting off her.

Delphine stood and everyone stared at the man they believed to be the one Dragonborn outside the Septim bloodline. An anomaly of Akatosh. "So you're one of two people who can remove the Thalmor from the Empire?" Delphine asked.

"Yes. When this war is over either me or my sister will take the Ruby Throne and remove the Thalmor." Kaivar replied.

"If you're a Septim then the Blades stand with you. Kaivar Septim." Delphine replied.

Kaivar nodded and left Sky Haven Temple for Windhelm. When Kaivar returned home he saw Sofie and Hroar playing with their fox and mudcrab respectively. "Papa!" Sofie called.

"Sofie." Kaivar smiled warmly as his daughter hugged him.

"Papa? Mama says you're the next Emperor." Hroar inquired.

"Either me or your aunt Beyla." Kaivar replied.

"Speaking of Beyla, she left this message for you by courier." Sylgja said from her seat on the stairs.

Kaivar walked up to her and took the note while giving her a quick kiss. Kaivar opened the note and read it. 'Kaivar, I took a break from training to check up on some things in Riften and Dawnstar. To keep things simple my friends in the Thieves Guild are going to intercept all supply caravans to the Thalmor and rob them blind. Also I've asked Nazir, Cicero, and Babette of the Dark Brotherhood (the only ones aside from me who survived you) to take out key Thalmor officials in Skyrim. I know your feelings about these groups but I think it would benefit us to have their aid. With love, Beyla.'

Kaivar thought about going to see Beyla and telling her these underhanded groups weren't the answer to the Thalmor threat, but he needed all the help he could get. Tomorrow he was going to ask the Orc strongholds to lend their forces to the war effort as well as finding out the Empire's position in this war from Tullius. He'd also sent letters to a few old friends to assist him. Namely Derkeethus, Mjoll the Lioness, Roggi Knot-Beard, Frea, Talvas Fathryon, and Ralis Sedarys. He already knew that Serana was going to help him. All of his Housecarls had pledged themselves to the fight. His stewards volunteered but he wanted them to watch over the steadings. A thought occurred to him. "Calder." he addressed the Housecarl behind him.

"Yes Thane?" he replied.

"I want you to stay in Hjerim with Sylgja, Hroar, and Sofie wen the fighting starts. I don't want anything to happen to them." he ordered.

Calder was clearly disappointed but simply muttered "Yes Thane."

Kaivar went through the list of Housecarls. He had Lydia, Rayya, Valdimar, Argis the Bulwark, Iona, Gregor, and Jordis the Sword-Maiden. Calder would be the only Housecarl sitting the war out. Calling in Derkeethus, Mjoll, Frea, Talvas, and Ralis would bolster the numbers. With the Dawnguard, the Companions, the College, and the new Blades backing them they were stronger. Hell, even the support from the Dark Brotherhood and Thieves Guild was a bonus. Suddenly a knock came on the door. When he opened it he saw Hadvar and Ogol. "Hadvar! Ogol! What are you two doing here?" he asked.

"Message from General Tullius and the Orc strongholds." Hadvar replied.

"They want to let you know that every warrior in the strongholds stands with you and that the Imperial soldiers here in Skyrim plus another brigade from Cyrodiil will be there too." Ogol finished.

Kaivar smiled. There was hope yet.