By: The Orange Mask
“But what should I do, Tolfdir? Claudia’s told me so much about this place, yet I’m not sure if I’m prepared…” I found myself once again talking to a small green sphere, looking like a madman.
“Calm down, boy. Claudia’s chosen her own path; remember how little you came back with when you went on your first trip? Claudia will come up with something if she’s going to Castle Volkihar, though; there must be something worth stealing from centuries-old vampires.”
“But what if she doesn’t come back? What if she-“
“Do you think she’s going to come back?” I thought about that for a few moments before Tolfdir interrupted. “Think on it.” With that, Tolfdir severed the connection, leaving me alone once again. Admetus stood from the table.
“Do not worry, friend; you managed to find this place on your own, did you not? If your friend is even half as capable as you are, she will make it.” I knew Admetus and Tolfdir were right, but I would’ve given anything to be with Claudia at that moment.
“Let us not trouble ourselves with these things,” Admetus said, donning his hood and gathering several potions from shelves. “We have a ruin ripe for the picking, yes?”
I sighed and pointed to the location on the map. “Forelhost, yes. It was an ancient stronghold for the Dragon Cult, and one of their last. Chances are, it’s filled with traps and worse, so best to be prepared. Just remember our deal, Admetus.”
“Yes, yes: you keep the magic, I keep the gold. Understood.” Admetus stepped toward the door. I followed.
A few hours later we were standing in front of a formidable hill, crowned by an equally intimidating stone fortress. The years hadn’t been kind to it, yet it still stood, unbroken. I was tempted to check for enchantments or auras around the temple, but Admetus was eager. He rushed past me, and up to the temple’s entrance.
To both of our dismay, a portcullis was lowered over the door. I began to channel magicka into a fireball spell, only to have Admetus step in the way.
“There is no need for this, my friend. There are… subtler ways.”
“Oh? How do you think we should get in?”
A green vial appeared in Admetus’ hand, glistening in the midday sun. He opened the container and slowly poured a fraction of its contents on each of the iron bars. Steam rose from the bars as they began to deform, and within a minute they fell off completely.
“Impressive, Admetus. You might have to teach me that one.”
“Only if you join the guild, friend.” Admetus stepped through the bars, grinning as he lightly pushed the door open. “Now let us find that treasure.”
I ducked under the remains of the bars and made my way into Forelhost. My eyes quickly adjusted, and I found myself looking at a silent, musty, dingy room smelling of corpses and poison; it was like we’d never left Riften. Still, I saw several books strewn about the room, hinting at the knowledge that may be hidden within the temple.
“Well, Admetus, what do you think?”
“I’ve been in many ruins, friend, and this one looks ripe for the picking. No one has set foot in here for many centuries.”
Why, though? I thought as we proceeded into the next room. It, too smelled of corpses, although here the cause was more evident: bones blackened with rot could be seen everywhere, clutching books in much the same condition. More disturbing, however, were the bodies where skin was still present.
“Draugur,” I whispered with urgency. “We’d best be cautious not to wake them.”
“I agree, friend.”
Admetus and I slowly made our way around the slumbering dead, watching them for any sign of movement. Suddenly, a book caught my eye. Applications of the Alteration School; a rare book that both myself and the College had been searching for many years to find. My excitement got the better of me as I reached to pry the book out of the hands of a skeleton. I kept watching the eye sockets of the corpse, waiting for them to once again glow with the fire of life.
I finally put my hand on the book after what felt like minutes. Firmly gripping the spine, I lightly pulled the book out of the skeleton’s grasp. After what had probably been a century or more, this knowledge will grace the world again…
“What are you doing!?” Admetus’ sharp tone startled me. The book’s pages slammed together as it hit the ground. I froze and scowled at Admetus, then my eyes darted around in fear, searching for light in the blackened pits of their eyes. I saw none.
“Admetus, what are you trying to do?” I whispered, glaring at Admetus. “Because right now, it looks like you’re trying to get us killed!” I picked up the book and crept over to the doorway, where Admetus was waiting.
“Friend, you cannot just take things from the dead, even if they are truly dead. We have not checked all of the bodies, and-“ Admetus stopped speaking.
“Cat got your tongue, Admetus? Were you about to say that there’s honor among thieves? So far, I haven’t seen any of it; trappers, poisoners, and kidnappers are all I’ve seen!” My rage boiled over once again. “You took my friends from me, Admetus! You’re no friend of mine. You took Claudia from me!” I felt a cold hand rest on my shoulder, and I knew that a cat hadn’t taken Admetus’ tongue.
I turned my head to see twin ice-blue fires resting in black pits.
To be continued…
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