Storm Hawks Chapter 77: Dawnguard and Brotherhood

Let’s pause and reflect for a moment, shall we?

The past few chapters revealed several big secrets, some of which I’m sure you guessed and a few I hope were still surprises.

First, the runaway prince.

Nigel Willoughby was born Prince Nihyllen o’Berwyn, eldest son of King Berwyn of House Urion of the Firstborn. At a young age, he renounced his birthright and ran away to join the Dawnguard. His younger brother Brynmohr remained at Twelvestones and became king in his place.

As an acknowledged master of disguise and because nenes age more slowly than men/women, Nigel established himself as a long-serving and influential loyalist to the Kingdom of Innis. He is (comparatively) younger than he chooses to appear in his role as King’s Minister. All the while, as the crown has shifted from one head to the next, he has served as a sworn agent of the Dawnguard.

Nigel is not the only King’s Minister with a dual allegiance.

Lord Geoffrey Langdon, respected son of a prominent Surdisi family and the King’s Minister of Coin, is an agent of the Brotherhood. His lover and longtime partner Rene Kerjean is a spy for the Brotherhood in Larad’s navy under the name of Captain Salazar. Rene is the uncle of Briac Kerjean.

Briac Kerjean is Blackheart the Pirate. His wife Melynda is Geoffrey’s sister.

Jules Brunet is their son. The story of how he came to be continues in Chapter 78.

And so, in this most auspicious convergence of spies and secrets, the Dawnguard and the Brotherhood find common cause.

“Your Dawnguard champions the Joining, yes? The merging of nene and men to ensure the survival of both.”

“True,” said Nigel .

Partially true, at best. The Dawnguard advanced more than a single cause. They were shadowy rebels who challenged authority and balanced the scales of power, protecting men and nenes from the harm both races insisted on inflicting upon themselves. The Dawnguard oiled the cogs that kept the cycle turning.

“Our Brotherhood champions the Awakening,” said Blackheart. “We nurture the mindgifts in the Aurels we shelter. We are coming to understand the Joining and the Awakening are somehow entwined.”

Briac Kerjean, Blackheart, is the leader of the Brotherhood. Though Gaurennes founded the group, many others have joined the guardians of the Awakening, including Lothor Camran. The Brotherhood has agents in every royal court, but their privateer fleet commands fear and respect on the seas.

Rotharia, as you had already learned, is leader of the Dawnguard. Originally comprised of rebel Firstborn, their ranks have expanded to included every race, clan, tribe, and creed. They are the guardians of the Joining and their military strength is enough to keep the Firstborn in check.