Chapter 1
A Cold Unwelcoming
4E 194, Skyrim. 3rd of Frostfall
The sky was clear, not a cloud in sight. A few auroras could be seen emanating a soft green glow onto snowy mountains in the Eastmarch hold of Skyrim. A gentle breeze wisped against the branches of the pines. Wolves' howls echoed through the forest giving it an eerie feel, yet the smell of pine welcomed any who entered.
A small house sat in the Eastmarch hold next to the Darkwater river. The house looked as if it could be in the Whiterun hold with its quaint cottage appeal and signature yellow rooftop shingles. Thick pines shaded the house from Masser and Secunda's light. Healthy nirnroots grew to the east of the house by the river. Deathbells and other flowers grew on the opposite side in a garden. The house was lit brightly inside and smoke rose from the chimney fading off into the stars. The only other generous amount of light came from the nirnroots growing.
Inside the cottage was just as quaint as the outside. It was a single room home, walking into the home were two chairs placed in front of a fire pit. Bookshelves filled with potions sat up against the walls. In the back sat an Arcane Enchanter, an Alchemy Lab, and a small bed. Tables were scattered around the home filled with an assortment of alchemy ingredients.
A lone Dunmer sat in a chair by the fire. The fire's light illuminated her dark aged skin. The flickering light gleamed in her deep red eyes. The Dunmer charged a lighting spell in her hand. The glow highlighted her traditional Dunmer war paint coming form the wrinkles of her eyes down the side of her face. Her lips were wrinkled and pale. Small scars from old battles were scattered around her face. She wore blue mages robes with a special enchantment on them.
There was a knock at the door. The Dunmer sharply turned her head and released the spell. There was another knock. She got up and cautiously made her way to the door.
A tall young Altmer stood at the other side. His eyes were wide and he was breathing deeply. His short blonde hair blew in the wind and his hands were shaking from the cold. His yellow skin looked untouched, as if he had never seen a battle. He wore faded novice robes that weren't fitted well. The Altmer stumbled with his words unable to get anything out.
"This isn't an inn, leave!" The Dunmer said harshly slamming the door.
"Danya!" The Altmer shouted just before the door shut.
The Dunmer creaked the door back open, "How do you know my name? Who are you?"
"I - I'm Arcatius. I'm looking to become a uh skilled mage and I heard about you." The boy stuttered.
"Yes, yes... Come in. Take a seat." Danya offered.
She walked in and sat down by the fire. Arcatius stood in the doorway in awe. He walked over to a table with a luna moth trapped in a jar surrounded by potions of all types and nirnroots.
"Don't touch any thing! Would ya close the door? You'll let skeevers in," Danya fussed.
The boy closed the door and sat down in the chair beside her. Several moments of silence past before someone spoke.
"Why not The College of Winterhold?" Danya addressed in a serious tone.
"The College wasn't... It's never appealed to me. " Acatius said with a worried look.
"Smart. Where are you from, boy?"
"Valenwood," He paused, his voice was shaky, "My family raised me there, but I left when I was 17. Fled there to come to Skyrim. A years worth of journey later and here I am."
"How was the trip over here, was Cyrodil nice to you?"
"Nice isn't the word." He kept the same blank expressionless stare and shaky voice.
Danya could tell he was timid and something was missing. "How good are you with magic?"
"Uh I- uh..." He stuttered looking around nervously.
"If you're not gonna tell me then show me," A smirk grew across her face. "Cast a spell."
"O-oh okay." Arcatius held up his hand looking at his palm. He charged a purple spell in his hand and his eyes grew wide. He opened his hand and an flame atronach appeared in the room. "T-that was supposed to be a healing spell!" He shouted as the flame atronach floated around the room.
Danya stood up and cast a ice spell killing the atronach bursting it in to flames sending positions and ingredients flying. "No more spells."
Arcatius jumped up and ran over to pick up the mess, and Danya followed him. Arcatius overwhelmed himself with ingredients, potions, and spelltomes that has scattered across the floor.
"Just throw them on the table, I will organize them later," Danya hissed.
Arcatius sat the items on the table closest to him. He walked over to the back picking up potions and ingredients putting them on tables as he grabbed them. He reached under a table against a wall reaching for anything that might of flown under it. His hand hit something warm and soft , some kind of fabric. He grabbed the cloth and pulled it out from under the table.
He turned around to see if Danya was looking then turned back to examine the fabric. It was a worn out set of robes in much need of attention. They were faded brown and red with a large dragon stitched onto the back. The robes had enchantments of all sorts on them. The hood had a large gash in the side from a blade, and the pants were worn at the feet and several more slashes could be found in them.
Arcatius slowly stood up holding the robes. Danya turned around seeing what he was holding, she hurried over snatching it from him.
"Where did you find these?" She shouted.
"I- I was, th- they..." Arcatius grew worried. "They were under the table!"
Danya threw the robes onto her bed, "Go, sit in the chair by the fire."
Arcatius walked over to the chair and sat down resting his elbows on his knees.
Danya grabbed some spelltome books a threw them into his lap. "Read those to completion."
Arcatius sat the books on the table beside him and grabbed one. He slowly flipped through the pages, "Half of this is in Daedra, I don't know Daedric."
Danya walked over to a bookcase searching. She grabbed a book and shoved it into Arcatius' hands. "Use this."
The Daedric letter 'oht' was on the cover. "A translator, oh good good." Arcatius mumbled to himself.
Irritated, Danya said, "I'm going to get some rest now, in the morning I will get you started on your training."
