The Wolf Queen , Book V Series . This book is part of an eight - part series , as follows : Content . From the pen of Inzolicus , Second Century Sage and Student of Montocai : Year 3E 119 : For twenty - one years , The Emperor Antiochus Septim ruled Tamriel , and proved an able leader despite his moral laxity . His greatest victory was in the War of the Isle in the year Year 3E 110 , when the Imperial fleet and the royal navies of Summerset Isle , together with the magical powers of the Psijic Order , succeeded in destroying the Pyandonea invading armada . His siblings , King Magnus of Lilmoth , King Cephorus of Gilane , and Potema , the Wolf Queen of Solitude , ruled well and relations between the Empire and the kingdoms of Tamriel were much improved . Still , centuries of neglect had not repaired all the scars that existed between the Empire and the kings of High Rock and Skyrim . During a rare visitation from his sister and nephew Uriel , Antiochus , who had suffered from several illnesses over his reign , lapsed into a coma . For months , he lingered in between life and death while the Elder Council prepared for the ascension of his fifteen - year - old daughter Kintyra to the throne . Year 3E 120 : " Mother , I can ' t marry Kintyra , " said Uriel , more amused by the suggestion than offended . " She ' s my first cousin . And besides , I believe she ' s engaged to one of the lords of Council , Modellus . " " You ' re so squeamish . There ' s a time and a place for propriety , " said Potema . " But you ' re correct at any rate about Modellus , and we shouldn ' t offend the Elder Council at this critical juncture . How do you feel about Princess Rakma ? You spent a good deal of time in her company in Farrun . " " She ' s all right , " said Uriel . " Don ' t tell me you want to hear all the dirty details . " " Please spare me your study of her anatomy , " Potema grimaced . " But would you marry her ? " " I suppose so . " " Very good . I ' ll make the arrangements then , " Potema made a note for herself before continuing . " King Lleromo has been a difficult ally to keep , and a political marriage should keep Farrun on our side . Should we need them . When is the funeral ? " " What funeral ? " asked Uriel . " You mean for Uncle Antiochus ? " " Of course , " sighed Potema . " Anyone else of note die recently ? " " There were a bunch of little Redguard children running through the halls , so I guess Cephorus has arrived . Magnus arrived at court yesterday , so it ought to be any day now . " " It ' s time to address the Council then , " said Potema , smiling . She dressed in black , not her usual colorful ensembles . It was important to look the part of the grieving sister . Regarding herself in the mirror , she felt that she looked all of her fifty - three years . A shock of silver wound its way through her auburn hair . The long , cold , dry winters in northern Skyrim had created a map of wrinkles , thin as a spiderweb , all across her face . Still , she knew that when she smiled , she could win hearts , and when she frowned , she could inspire fear . It was enough for her purposes . Potema ' s speech to the Elder Council is perhaps helpful to students of public speaking . She began with flattery and self - abasement : " My most august and wise friends , members of the Elder Council , I am but a provincial queen , and I can only assume to bring to issue what you yourselves must have already pondered . " She continued on to praise the late Emperor , who had been a popular ruler , despite his flaws : " He was a true Septim and a great warrior , destroying - - with your counsel - - the near invincible armada of Pyandonea . " But little time was wasted , before she came to her point : " The Empress Gysilla unfortunately did nothing to temper my brother ' s lustful spirits . In point of fact , no whore in the slums of the city spread out on more beds than she . Had she attended to her duties in the Imperial bedchamber more faithfully , we would have a true heir to the Empire , not the halfwit , milksop bastards who call themselves the Emperor ' s children . The girl called Kintyra is popularly believed to be the daughter of Gysilla and the Captain of the Guard . It may be that she is the daughter of Gysilla and the boy who cleans the cistern . We can never know for certain . Not as certainly as we can know the lineage of my son , Uriel . The eldest true son of the Septim Dynasty . My lords , the princes of the Empire will not stand for a bastard on the throne , that I can assure you . " She ended mildly , but with a call to action : " Posterity will judge you . You know what must be done . " That evening , Potema entertained her brothers and their wives in the Map Room , her favorite of the Imperial dining chambers . The walls were splashed with bright , if fading representations of the Empire and all the known lands beyond , Atmora , Yokuda , Akavir , Pyandonea , Thras . Overhead the great glass domed ceiling , wet with rain , displayed distorted images of the stars overhead . Lightning flashed every other minute , casting strange phantom shadows on the walls . " When will you speak to the Council ? " asked Potema as dinner was served . " I don ' t know if I will , " said Magnus . " I don ' t believe I have anything to say . " " I ' ll speak to them when they announce the coronation of Kintyra , " said Cephorus . " Merely as a formality to show my support and the support of Hammerfell . " " You can speak for all of Hammerfell ? " asked Potema , with a teasing smile . " The Redguards must love you very much . " " We have a unique relationship with the Empire in Hammerfell , " said Cephorus ' s wife , Bianki . " Since the treaty of Stros M ' kai , it ' s been understood that we are part of the Empire , but not a subject . " " I understand you ' ve already spoken to the Council , " said Magnus ' s wife , Hellena , pointedly . She was a diplomat by nature , but as the Cyrodilic ruler of an Argonian kingdom , she knew how to recognize and confront adversity . " Yes , I have , " said Potema , pausing to savor a slice of braised jalfbird . " I gave them a short speech about the coronation this afternoon . " " Our sister is an excellent public speaker , " said Cephorus . " You ' re too kind , " said Potema , laughing . " I do many things better than speaking . " " Such as ? " asked Bianki , smiling . " Might I ask what you said in your speech ? " asked Magnus , suspiciously . There was a knock on the chamber door . The head steward whispered something to Potema , who smiled in response and rose from the table . " I told the Council that I would give my full support to the coronation , provided they proceed with wisdom . What could be sinister about that ? " Potema said , and took her glass of wine with her to the door . " If you ' ll pardon me , my niece Kintyra wishes to have a word with me . " Kintyra stood in the hall with the Imperial Guard . She was but a child , but on reflection , Potema realized that at her age , she was already married two years to Mantiarco . There was a similarity , to be certain . Potema could see Kintyra as the young queen , with dark eyes and pallid skin smooth and resolute like marble . Anger flashed momentarily in Kintyra ' s eyes on seeing her aunt , but emotion left her , replaced with calm Imperial presence . " Queen Potema , " she said serenely . " I have been informed that my coronation will take place in two days time . Your presence at the ceremony will not be welcome . I have already given orders to your servants to have your belongings packed , and an escort will be accompanying you back to your kingdom tonight . That is all . Goodbye , aunt . " Potema began to reply , but Kintyra and her guard turned and moved back down the corridor to the stateroom . The Wolf Queen watched them go , and then reentered the Map Room . " Sister - in - Law , " said Potema , addressing Bianki with deep malevolence . " You asked what I do better than speaking ? The answer is : ' war ' . "