Those Whom the Gods Forsake - Chapter 4

• Posted by Accursed August 2, 2015 - 947 views

  Chapter 4: A Confusing Meeting

  Classes seemed to take forever, and they were made especially annoying by Collete's constant reminders to everyone that Restoration was valid of study. When she finally finished instructing us on the importance of non-magical procedures as well as magical, I decided to head into town. The gate opened magically, just as Faralda had said when I first arrived, and I made my way across the bridge.

  I paused at the spot where Thetri had fallen, saying a prayer to Arkay to protect his soul.

  I headed back into Birna's Oddments, hoping to find something new to wear to Ancano's dinner. I only had 10 septims, but this woman would certainly be willing to trade.

  "Oh, it's you. Hi."

  "Hello. I was wondering if you would be willing to trade."

  "Depends on what we're trading." I looked around. I noticed a fine raiment hanging on one wall. It was of a high quality with a fashionable amount of chainmail on the shoulder. It had an interesting pattern stitched in golden threads. Birna followed my gaze.

  “What, you want that old thing? It’s gonna get ruined if you wear it out in this snow.”

  “I know that, but this is for an upper class dinner party. You wouldn’t understand even the basics of it.”

  She walked over to it and tried to decide what a fair trade would be.

  “What’d you have in mind?” I paused. I had expected her to name a price immediately, not ask my opinion. I opened my pack and saw the two golden circlets Father had given me to sell if I fell on tough times as well as a garnet I found on the beach a few years back. One circlet and the garnet would more than pay for the raiment.

  I placed the objects on the counter and watched her as she thought it over. Nodding slightly, she said “It’s yours.” I smiled and took it down from the wall. Quite the bargain indeed.

  I returned to my quarters and put the raiment on. It fit well, and had obviously been tailored for an Altmer. I wondered how many people had owned it before me. I put the second circlet on and looked in the mirror. Not as well as I would dress once I inherited Father’s estate and title, but certainly impressive. I sat down and decided on the rules and etiquette of the part. Eventually I decided on High-Upper Class Formal. Here, using the wrong utensil would be barbaric, and I’d have to remember to fill only the glass of the person to my left, never my own, and to allow Ancano to guide the conversaion. I hadn't had to do this in years.

  I walked over to the Hall of Countenance at seven, but I waited a few minutes to be fashionably late. I headed up the stairs on the other side of the bottom floor. I scanned the second floor, yet I didn’t see Ancano or the table. I went up to the third floor where there was only one open door. I walked over to it and saw Ancano and Erissa sipping Alto Wine at a table, obviously waiting for my arrival.

  “Ah, Caranthir. You’ve arrived.”

  “Indeed I have. How could I not attend?” Ancano and I laughed at bit, mostly as a formality, and I briefly greeted Erissa. We ate, laughed, and talked for hours. At the end of the night, we had all throughly enjoyed ourselves.

  Erissa spoke first. “Well gentlemen, I have had quite the evening. I believe it is time for me to retire to my chambers. Goodnight.” Ancano and I stood as she left, then eased ourselves back into our seats.

  “Caranthir, before you go I’d like to speak with you about a matter of utmost import.”

  “Oh? Do continue.” I was curious as to what he might ask of me.

  “No doubt you support the Dominion. Am I correct in assuming that?”

  To be honest, only partially. I did feel that we had gone to extremes in the sack of the Imperial City and the consequent interrogations that occurred daily, but the rest of their doctrine I whole-heartedly agreed with. However, one cannot express that to a Justiciar, at his own party no less.

  “Of course.” Was my only reply.

  “Excellent. Now then, down to business. I was stationed here in Skyrim only a few years ago, but I was immediately transferred from our Embassy to here for to increase Thalmor control in the Province, as well as in the magical community. I have , however, run into an obstacle. Savos Aren refuses to see sense. He continues to resist the will of my superiors.” At this point I grew worried. If he asked for my help it would go against all my customs to refuse, yet I was loyal to the Arch-Mage and trusted his judgement. My host continued.

  “I request your aid in the matter. As a friend, I implore you to help sway Aren’s mind. If payment is a factor, don’t worry. The Dominion takes care of its own.”

  I quickly had to think of a sensible response as to why I couldn’t.

  “Ancano, I would love to help my great country. The only reason I must refuse this most generous offer is because Savos would not tolerate me speaking to him on the matter. Not only is he senior to me, he would soon realize that you have requested I mention it. I truly hope I have not offended you.” He scowled, and the tone of his voice changed dramatically.

  “Very well. If you’ll excuse me, I feel quite tired. I trust you can find your own way out.” I nodded and stood while he watched my departure through frowning eyes.

  As soon as I closed his door behind me a hand covered my mouth and pulled me into a storage closet.

  “MhmmnHm!”

  “Be quiet!” A familiar Altmer voice commanded in a hushed tone.

  “Erissa? What in Oblivion are you doing?”

  “I listened to Ancano’s proposition to you. I’m glad you refused, but you must be very careful when dealing with him from now on.”

  “Wait a minute, are you the one whose been leaving notes in my belongings?”

  “Notes? What notes?”

  “It doesn't matter, but what is all this about?”

  “Caranthir, I’m scared. Ancano asked me to do the same thing and I refused much the way you did. Ever since that day, he’s been looking at me like he wants to kill me.”

  “I’d believe that. I overheard a conversation between him and Savos where he exhibited violent tendencies. He said he’d kill anyone who tries to stop the Thalmor from taking control of the College

  “I know. Just promise me this: we’ll both keep tabs on him and guard each other. Okay?” While I had wanted a relationship with her, this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. It was a start, at least, even if it was only because of fear of an angry Justiciar.

  “Okay. It’s going to be okay.” I put my hand on her arm to comfort her. She really was terrified of this guy. “If you’re so afraid of him, why did you come to his party?” I asked suspiciously.

  “I thought he might try it on someone else. I had to be here to stop it.” A good enough answer for me.

  We walked back to our rooms and went to bed.

  The hooded figure watched all of this in Savilla’s Stone, a powerful artifact that allowed one to cast his or her gaze anywhere in Tamriel. He sighed. Despite his best efforts, that Altmer had still met with Ancano. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. He wrote a quick note and mounted his horse. Riding from his camp in an ancient Nord mound structure, he headed to Winterhold away from the gaze of the road. He stopped at the base of the ice pillar the College rested upon and entered an easy to miss cave in the North face that took him into the Midden. He snuck through and made his way into the courtyard, making his way to the Hall of Attainment. He opened Caranthir’s door and left his note in plain sight instead of hiding it in his clothes. Then, he left the way he came.

  In the morning I woke up wondering what my daily note would say this time. I still had to ask Enthir about possible authors.

  After going through all my clothing I hadn’t found a single note. I shrugged and walked over to my mirror. There it was, tucked into the frame. A new technique.

  ‘We need to meet. Go to the Journeyman’s Nook’ The Journeyman’s Nook? Where is that?

  I dressed in my usual robes and went to Master Tolfdir’s office to ask for directions.

  Once again I was late for my classes with Colette, and once again I was given the “time is of the essence” lecture I’d received everyday. Today’s class on healing in the middle of combat. Useful information and practicing for once.

  After I finished my healing training for the day I followed Tolfdir’s instructions and found the place after a bit of searching. It was an ancient Nord mound, now covered in snow, with pillars in the front and small window slits on the inner wall, but most had been blocked off by wooden planks. On one of the pillars a horse was tethered to the mound with a small fire nearby to keep it warm. Another fire roared inside.

  I walked in and went around the inner wall, looking for the door.

  “I trust you found the place okay.” A gruff Bosmer voice said. “Come on in. I don’t bite. Not you, anyway.”I did as he said, wanting only to know who was behind this and not taking into account the potential danger.A rather muscular Wood Elf crouched near the fire, fixing a piece of Horker meat to a makeshift spit. He wore dark armor and a hood concealed his features. He spoke again before I had a chance.

  “I suppose you’re wondering who I am, why I called you here, and why I’m writing to you.”

  “Yes. I demand an explanation.”

  “Well, regrettably I can’t tell you the first question, but I will answer the last two to the best of my abilities. I used to be a Ranger in my homeland of Valenwood, protecting citizens, enforcing the Green Pact, things like that. One night, I received a dream. That dream was a vision. A member of the Psijic Order came to me and told me to come here to Winterhold and guide your path. I was also told what your path was, though that I cannot divulge.” The part about the Psijics got my attention. They had been gone a very long time, and it was unlikely that a Valenwood Ranger would know of their existence.

  “I called you here because the notes have not been getting through to you. Ancano is not to be trusted. Expect to hear from the Psijics soon. You must leave now, before somebody begins to ask where you are. I can’t have anyone else find me. Goodbye.”

  “You’re insane.”

  The Bosmer shoved me out the door and locked it.

  I left with more questions than answers.

  TOC