Necromancer's Moon
The icy winds of Winterhold had almost sapped the last of my strength as I dropped to one knee in front of the Frozen Hearth Inn. A burst of adrenalin hit me as I realized I wasn't going to die in that frozen wasteland after all. I scrambled up the porch and practically fell through the door. I couldn't wait to rip my gloves off, and I stumbled over to the hearthfire barely aware of my surroundings. The tips of my fingers were beginning to turn blue, any longer and I might have been in serious trouble. I was an idiot for trying to make the journey on foot. My vision began to darken. So tired… I told Boti that I would be fine, "My Nord blood will keep me warm!" I bellowed with the arrogance of youth as I cursed her and left that thrice damned town. I had never been too far from home in Ivarstead. I grew up working on Fellstar farm after all.
Whatever came before that was lost to my infant memory, but I was told that my parents were eaten by Draugr and I was left for dead, too small to be a good meal. I have never been sure what to make of that story. It sounds like a sick joke meant to torture my dreams, but no one has ever contradicted it, maybe the whole town was in on the joke. I did everything on that farm, but for some reason I was never really welcome. Soon after I turned eighteen I came in from the fields, and after washing the day off myself Boti walked over and handed me a pack with some nice looking clothes and a hundred septims. "Go to college," Boti said, "make something of your worthless self," she said. Well, I knew which college she meant, but I chose another path. I knew what I had to do, after all… He always told me I could be great if I kept pursuing the arcane arts.
Now I was alone in the dark. Rotting corpses were strewn about all around me, gore was all I could see. The rancid stench of decay filled my nose and I didn't bother to hold back the rising sensation. There was so much blood, everywhere. It covered me too. Then the bodies began to rise up and stand once again, they moaned and screamed, they surrounded me, filling my vision. Their shredded flesh wasted away till only shambling skeletons remained. Clawing. Gnashing. Digging into my flesh. I was buried in death and the worms crawled in.
I must have passed out because I woke up in a very warm bed, a comfort that was disturbed by two voices arguing outside.
"He would have died, did you want me to just let it happen?"
"No, Nelacar, of course not, but you know I don't like you using magic in the common room. Try a potion next time maybe?"
Nelacar, I assumed, scoffed a weary dismissal, as though the argument was an old one. "It seems our friend is awake." I could hear footsteps as he approached and forced the last of the sleep from my mind. With some focus of will I sat up in the bed just as a tall elf in shimmering robes came around the corner with a grim smile on his face.
"You nearly died young man." He said it as if he were reading a copy of the Courier. Just reporting a simple and unbiased fact.
"Well, I don't die easy." I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.
"It seems so, yes. I hope you don't mind, I had to use restoration magic to heal the frostbite.
"I don't mind, I know a couple spells myself," He seemed to perk up at this, so I continued, "I came to Winterhold to join the College. Are you a member? Can you help me get in?"
Nelacar looked mildly disgusted for a moment then scoffed, "No, the College and I had a falling out quite some time ago. I stay here to be near my contacts, otherwise finding the necessary equipment and reagents for my experiments would be much too troublesome."
"Alright then, could you at least point me in the right direction?" I asked hopefully.
"Just rest for awhile longer, it isn't quite midday yet…" Before he could finish whatever it was he wanted to say I was already up and running out of the Inn. Too much of the day wasted already. He shouted after me but didn't follow. Good man. I figured I'd have to think of some way to reward him later.
I was there. Finally. I could see the College rising above the ruined hold. It grew as I sped past a surprised looking guard. Just a hundred paces ahead was an archway leading to a bridge. One moment I was running towards my destiny and the next I was looking up at the cloudy sky. My arse ached from the impact with hard ice when the guard grabbed me by the hood of my cloak..
"Hold Citizen, what has you bolting out of the inn towards that place like a thief?" He nodded to the archway. Seriously? This guard just… But before I could properly conjure a response to the bastard, a burst of magic sailed past my shoulder and connected with the Guards forehead. His eyes glazed over.
A female voice accompanied the unexpected spell. "This one is not your concern." She was a rather stern looking high elf, her eyes were a brilliant shade of violet that only accentuated the pale golden skin of her high cheekbones. She was beautiful in a dangerous way, like the icy tundra itself, and her robes were so clean they almost shone, or maybe that was some sort of magic.
The guard seemed to nod off for a moment before catching himself and began to turn away only to look back at me over his shoulder, "If I catch your hand in any pockets I will cut it off." What was with this guy? That power though. That was the sort of power that appealed to me. The power to be unassailable.
"Don't mind the locals... what was your name?" The elf lady asked me.
"I'm Atticus, Atticus Odin. Thank you, I've never seen a guard act like that before." I was puzzled still to say the least.
"Most don't," She replied "But the locals have a deep-rooted hatred for the college and anything associated with it. The usual Nord mistrust of Magicka runs deeper here than anywhere else. What with the Collapse and all…" She explained as though about to begin a history lecture.
"I am here to join the College, may I enter?" I interjected, and suddenly she was focused on me with razor acuity. I felt like she was judging everything about me from my haircut to the now travel worn clothes I got as a parting gift.
"Perhaps, but we don't let just anyone join. What makes you qualified to walk these halls?" Her gaze was as sharp as her words.
"I am not completely unschooled." I told her simply, and, well, as I was always told, 'Actions speak louder than words,' so I focused just like he taught me and grasped onto just enough of my power… There was an explosion of purple energy, then a wash of warmth and light came over us. "Meet Auri, Auri this is…I am sorry, I didn't get your name…?" I thought I heard a woman gasp in shock back along the road. It seemed someone saw my little display.
I could tell the elf was mildly impressed by the ever so slight quirk of her eyebrow, "Not many can control those without a binding focus. I am Faralda, Professor of Destruction, welcome to the College of Winterhold, you may enter." She crossed her arms and her face settled back into its natural resting position. There was no other change in her cold demeanor.
Nodding to the Professor I walked onwards through the archway and onto the path of destiny. Auri flipped and twirled through the air playfully as she followed me. The conjuring of this feisty little fire elemental was my crowning achievement thus far. I could tell she was happy to be free from Oblivion, even for just a moment.
The way across was as beautiful as it was dangerous, fountains of magicka were rising up at intervals along the bridge. They shot blue rays of light towards the heavens like geysers of pure aetherius. They illuminated the sky around the college, highlighting the grand towers that reached to the clouds as a symbol of the power contained within Skyrim.
The bridge though seemed as if it were made of unstable rubble spanning a thousand yards below to a frosty tundra of death. I nearly backed down from crossing if I am being brutally honest. A part of me figuring that the mages here had some trick for not succumbing to the fierce winds that would hurl them to the icy rocks below. Yet, as I placed one foot onto the broken bridge it shimmered and became whole again. I crossed easily and could almost hear Faralda smirking. "Look for Mirabelle Ervine!" She called out from behind me as an afterthought.
I stopped for a moment before the large wrought iron gates, formed within the curving iron was the symbol of the College. A fierce looking eye surrounded by a starburst. He mentioned the symbol once. The courtyard of the College was unlike anything I had ever seen, the central tower seemed to rise endlessly into the sky, upon its height again was that all seeing eye set into stained glass. It was gazing down upon all of Winterhold. No, all of Skyrim. As I walked forward the gates opened then slammed shut behind me as I passed through. I ran back but the gates seemed to open slightly as I neared them. Reassured I wasn't trapped I continued on.
A giant statue of who I could only assume was Shalidor or maybe even Magnus himself stood in defense of the great doors leading into the main spire. Such magnificence could only be created by powerful magic. Alas, I could not enjoy it for long because a heated argument soon filled my awareness. The woman was middle aged by the streaks of white hair across her temples held back into what was a very tight bun, yet had a smooth and ageless face. She wore sensible robes of earthen colors. As I walked off to the side I saw that her bright eyes were focused on the dandy of an Altmer in black robes with gold trim in front of her. It sounded like they were arguing over his level of access to the college. Strange.
She shooed him away after a few platitudes and turned her attention to me. "Who are you? Are you lost young Nord?" I must have scowled because she grew tense and straightened up to her highest height, ready for another argument.
"Sorry, No, I am not lost. I have come to learn. Faralda? She tested me and granted me entrance." I forced my voice to be polite as I answered.
"Truly?" She looked relieved, those bright eyes focused on me now. "Then you have come to the right place, and the right time as well. I am Mirabelle Ervine, Deputy Headmistress of the College. There is about to be a class on defensive magic with Master Tolfdir, don't let him fool you, he is the greatest Alteration Master in Skyrim." She pointed to the great double doors leading into the massive tower. "He should be starting soon in the Hall of the Elements, if you hurry you'll just make it. If you can find me after class I will help you get situated." She didn't need to tell me twice, with a nod I jogged over to the great doors and pushed my way into the Hall.
The Hall of Elements is enormous. You have to see it for yourself in order to understand. Any story, description, or depiction of it's grandeur falls far short of the actual thing. To be standing there in the center of true power. It was intoxicating. What mead could compare to the sweet nectar of pure unbridled magic, power more than ten thousand Nordic warhorses. I drank it in and reveled. In the center of the Hall was the largest fountain of magicka yet. An impressive spiral staircase ascended around the stream of blue light to the higher levels. 'Explore later Atticus.' I said to myself as I dropped my pack and furs in an alcove by the entrance.
I gazed around in wonder at the many orbs of condensed magic that seemed to emanate from plinths along the wall, each orb was being contained by two gyrating rings alight with glowing runes. They were set at regular intervals around the circular hall, aone bricks behind each one were well worn by layers of scorchmarks and potholes. Practice targets maybe.
An elderly wizard with dark gray hair and a beard to match was waving frantically at three students in white mage robes who were talking amongst themselves and ignoring him. "Gather 'round Apprentices! Today we will be covering defensive magic." Finally he spoke loud enough that the other apprentices shut up. "Can anyone tell me the function of a ward?" The old man looked slightly lost, as if he was forgetting something important.
A Khajiit with white and tan fur shot his paw up "J'zargo knows!" he was practically bouncing in place. The old mage sighed.
"Go ahead J'zargo. Gift us with your vast experience." The professor said, somehow managing to sound both interested and condescending at the same time.
What followed was a lengthy explanation that I mostly missed out on, but I perked up when he started talking about his own experiences. "J'zargo knows what he is talking about, when you harness the magicka and begin forming the surface of the ward it can falter and collapse if magicka placement is uneven. J'zargo may have lost a whisker experimenting," His feline face twitched into a slight snarl at the memory, "but if the ward can charge evenly then it will build to greater and greater power. Assuming Shalidor's eighteenth law of…" I missed the rest as I suddenly found myself preoccupied by an idea the catmage had given me.
Thank Magnus for small favors, Professor Tolfdir cut him off after only five minutes, or was it fifteen? "That is enough for now J'zargo, after such a… thorough… explanation of theory I think we are all ready to try something practical. Everyone, grab a partner." Then he turned to me, "You, partner with me for a moment, will you?" He seemed far too eager, "It would be best to demonstrate this. You can cast a ward, can you not?"
"My name is Atticus Odin, and yes sir, I can cast a ward," I said simply. This was my first chance to show I had talent.
"Very good, cast it and hold it up, I want to show the class something very important. Go ahead, just stand right over there and cast it, you wouldn't want to get your eyebrows singed off."
I stood opposite to him and began casting my ward, it put a moderate strain on my power reserves, but I could hold it for a fair amount of time, my mentor made sure of that. Then Tolfdir started talking.
"Continuing with the theme of safety it is important to know the realities of a ward. When your opponent has a ward up, it will put strain on his power. No one has limitless power. The best thing to do when your opponent has a ward up is…"
He let the moment draw out. The modest pool of swirling light and darkness that filled my magicka reserves was seeping away as the moments passed in silence. We all eagerly awaited for him to cast a powerful spell that would shatter my shield into Oblivion.
"…nothing." As he spoke the word the hold I had on my power began to wane. My ward flickered once, then again, by the third time it was too late. His paralysis spell had already slipped into the cracks that formed before I could even blink. Gods, it truly wasn't my day. I began to tip over, quite helpless to stop myself, but he snapped his fingers and I regained control of my body. I stumbled slightly but maintained my footing.
"That was a damned good trick sir, my turn?" It's good to admit when one is bested, but I vowed to get one up on Professor Tolfdir someday.
"Hah!" He sounded amused, "Perhaps, let us see how you all do in this lesson. It is important to realize that we cannot rely on wards alone. At some point the ward will falter and our safe haven will disappear." He took one step back up onto the outer walkway and continued, "Now pair up, one of you will cast a magelight spell and the other will avoid it or block it with their ward. If you don't know how to cast a ward or a light spell you can ask me or your partner. Please carry on." Tolfdir crossed his arms and his eyes glazed over as he muttered to himself about an alembic before walking off. That was ok by me.
I turned to face my classmates and I noticed the big fellow was glowing in various places on his chest and face. He was struggling to charge his ward while J'zargo kept slipping in his spells every time. Then a polite cough caught my attention.
A young-looking, because who can really tell with elves, lady with crimson eyes and skin like the dark blue haze of midnight was now staring me down with a blank expression. It took me a moment to realize what she wanted. I actually had never met an elf before that day and now I had met three, four if you count the gaudy one that ran off sneering.
"Uhh," I stammered, "Would you like to start, or shall I?" I began awkwardly. In response she cast a glowing ball magic at me that struck my brow. I flinched, blinded by the light. If that was how she wanted to play it, I drew up a ward to block her next shot and sent a light of my own in almost the same path hers had travelled. I was rewarded by a grunt of surprise. It sounded like my spell had likewise blinded her. Two faint pops a few moments later and the lights flickered out.
"Not bad Nord. I am Brelyna Maryon, you are Atticus? Yes?" She was silent after that, but our pace never faltered. She attacked twice and then I attacked twice. It went like that back and forth, neither one of us succumbing to our magical fatigue. We were dodging around what we couldn't shield against, twisting and strafing from side to side trying to gain the upper hand.
I am not sure how long we practiced, but we eventually ran out of energy and ceased our dance, panting for breath as we stared into each others eyes. Then we both noticed J'zargo and the other guy watching us…I decided to take the diplomatic route.
"Hello, I am Atticus, who might you be?" I called over to the man who looked like he would have fit in better with the legion than the college.
"Onmund." He was a bit terse, but a fellow Nord then with that name, thought so. "Come on Brelyna, J'zargo, let's go to the Arcaneum and study." That suited me fine, he must have slept with a skeever in his sheets.
"Well, J'zargo is surprised. And pleased! There is real competition here. This is good." The catmage commented as he moved to follow Onmund, his tail swishing back and forth happily.
I was already so lost in my thoughts that I hardly noticed the lingering gaze of Brelyna as they made their way towards what I assumed was the library. I completely failed to notice that Brelyna didn't follow them up.
I preferred to study alone. I've always been alone really, no one in Ivarstead could have possibly understood what it was like for me growing up. Boti called me a freak for all the strange things that seemed to happen around me I got angry or sad, and she only got worse once I learned how to actually control the magic. If it weren't for him I would have gone insane years ago.
He was the only person to understand me. Falion was the only person in my life to see me for what I am. He saw my potential when no one else would. I was lucky enough to meet him when he came through Ivarstead on a Pilgrimage to High Hrothgar. He never did say if he actually spoke with the Greybeards or not, in fact he was oddly silent about his whole journey up the mountain. I never pressed, always afraid that he would realize I was as worthless as Boti insisted I was. He saved me in more ways than one. I grew up in the shadow of the Throat of the World, so sitting outside on the rocks next to the river and passing the time by listening to the Voice of the Greybeards booming down from up high was a daily ritual for me. Thus, I was blessed with childhood dreams that took me far away from the drudgery of farm life. There I was seated in the clouds with my brother monks, like gods, high above mortal concerns, learning the power of the Voice... I knew I never stood a chance though. Everyone knew that they stopped taking in apprentices years ago. Everyone knew why as well, Ulfric Stormcloak was an oathbreaker. Maybe Skyrim doesn't deserve the Voice. After meeting Falion though I have only ever wanted one thing, to master the Arcane Arts, to 'Walk the Path of Magnus' as Falion told me once. Falion did save my life.
I was younger, angry, and very ready for a fight. A growl echoed out of the cave that I was about to enter. It likewise sounded ready for a fight, so I did what any red-blooded Nord would do, I growled back. I could only see a few paces in before darkness consumed my vision. This was My cave. Pinepeak Cavern had been my retreat for years, since I was old enough to go exploring around the village on my own. Well, now I was old enough to use an axe as a weapon. I thought a wolf had gotten separated from its pack and decided to hole up in there. Gritting my teeth until my jaw ached I sparked the flint and lit my torch. "Here it goes" I muttered before stepping in.
Moisture from the Sun's Height snowmelt was dripping in through the cracks in the ceiling forming mud that I carelessly stepped through to go deeper into the dark. It was too dark, but soon I knew the floor would be stone. Even the torch had a tough time keeping up with the dark. Panic shot through me as I spun to my left when another growl roared out unseen. A growl that distinctly did not sound wolfish now that I was closer. The realization scared me out of my mind. I could feel tears in my eyes and a dread creeping up on me, yet I quested on. After only a dozen more paces or so a huge shadow broke free from the darkness and charged toward me. I lashed out with my ax and I felt it stick into something as the mass struck me. I must have flown clear from the cave because when I shook myself back to reality I was in the daylight again. Out of the cave charged a huge bear, and it swiped its giant paw right towards my face.
The paw never connected, all I saw was purple and black light, then a giant icicle was between me and my certain death. As I looked up I noticed that the giant icicle was connected to an even more giant, ice, thing. The Ice Thing shook with anticipation and charged at the bear that had taken a few steps back in surprise, holding its foreleg up in pain, I noticed my axe head was still buried in the bears left shoulder, the shaft snapped clean off.
"Don't worry my boy, Vrangrserker will make short work of that little beastie. You did a number on it yourself." The Redguard began to examine me and asked if I was feeling any head injury. He seemed so unconcerned about the bear that I nearly forgot about the life and death battle that took place a short distance away. "He is a Frost Atronach. Do you know what the Atronach are?" He asked, perhaps to pass the time while he began to do, something, to my head. I shook my head no and immediately regretted the movement, he just smirked and continued. "Well, I suppose no one except the gods know what Daedra actually are, but Atronach are elemental beings that can be summoned from Oblivion. They have minimal intelligence but are capable of intense emotion. Where are my manners?" He laughed a bit as though admonishing himself. "I am Falion, it's a good thing I was passing by on my way up the seven thousand steps." A terrible groan of death made me glance over in time to see the beast collapse into a broken and battered pile. I could have sworn the Frost Atronach looked pleased with itself as it melted back to Oblivion.
Once I was tended he brought me back to Boti's house before continuing his pilgrimage. I was dejected thinking I would never see him again. This man had power. Real power. It was like the old stories of Shalidor come to life! My excitement was only overpowered by the sick feeling that I had missed my chance to learn more about that man who could command Daedra so easily.
To my immense surprise he came back a week later and offered to educate me. He had decided to stay in Ivarstead for a short while, said there was business he had to take care of in Shroud Hearth Barrow, so I asked no more questions - that place was haunted. Over the next few months I read more books than I even knew existed. He taught me many wondrous things. Lore and herbalism, how to summon my will and gather my spirit to shape spells. He called it magicka. I conjured flares of fire and summoned icy winds. I learned the basic theory of healing. He tested my magicka control by having me cast wards. Eventually I even managed to summon a Fire Atronach after much careful study of summoning circles and formulae. At first Falion was angry that I attempted something so advanced behind his back, but then he relented and said he was proud when I showed I could control it without any trouble. It was the best time of my life. One bright afternoon he said I was ready to strike out on my own and left, then I was alone again.
I snapped out of my reverie when I noticed I stood in the middle of the courtyard where I had met Professor Ervine. She was no where to be found now, so I wandered on deciding to explore on my own. The College was truly stunning, both sides of the courtyard were lined by greenhouses that seemed to contain a large variety of magical herbs and fungi. Then I noticed a large wooden door down one of the walkways around the grounds of the college and decided it was as good a direction as any. I made my way over and was about to step through when a voice stopped me in my tracks.
"Not that one, that is the Hall of Countenance where the advanced students and professors work and sleep. You don't want to go poking about in there, you might kill yourself by accident on some random experiment. This way to the Hall of Attainment, it's where we mere apprentices and other guests of the College sleep." I noticed the Dunmer woman from earlier, Brelyna, walking towards me, she waved her hand to follow and turned about without another word or indication whether she actually cared if I followed her or not. We went back around the walkway and through a similarly large wooden door, the first thing I noticed was another beautiful magicka fountain in the center with its billowing power stretching up to the heights of the tower.
She pointed to a door half ajar to our right and said, "This is your room I suppose, it's the only empty one after Gerald jumped from the bridge."
"Uhh, jumped?" I asked dumbfounded.
"Yes, the poor bastard. We told him not to go into the midden." She held her gaze to mine.
"The midden?" What on Nirn was that I wondered.
"Don't go down there. Trust me. It is cursed." That was all she said before gesturing me through the door.
I walked in and the door slammed shut behind me. I spun around and sighed, the doors and gates in this place really had me on edge. I ignored that though in favor of the bed that looked so incredibly comfortable, and it had sheets! Actual sheets, not just old smelly furs on a hard cot… A small end table had a spread of fruits sitting on a platter next to a bottle of mead. I figured that this place was as close to Sovngarde as I would ever likely get. In the corner was a desk with a random assortment of crystals on it. I didn't recognize them, but they seemed to draw my gaze, I found myself staring at one that was pitch black and so beautiful…
A shocking jolt ran through my back and down my leg before grounding into the floor. I jumped and spun back towards the door only to see Brelyna standing there with her index finger pointing up to the ceiling just in front of her face. Weak currents still ran up her hand and curled around her fingertip which was even smoking slightly, she just blew the tendrils away with a slight puff of breath before letting go of the power.
Her face was all poorly hidden amusement, "Be careful, that isn't a normal soul gem, in fact I have no idea why it was left in here. I saw Phinis Gestor, the Conjuration Professor come in to clear out the room weeks ago."
"What? What's a soul gem?" I felt stupid for having to ask. Falion never mentioned them.
If she thought I was ignorant it didn't show, "Soul gems are naturally occurring precious stones that are used to house the vital life essence of creatures that are killed while under the influence of a soul trapping spell. This stored energy can be used for a large variety of magical rituals and operations. We each get an allowance of them when we first join, but not typically those." She nodded toward the dark stone.
"So, what is different about this one?" I glanced to the dark gem that sat among the bright ones. Whirlpools of darkness in the stone drew my gaze yet again.
"That is a 'Black Soul Gem' you see when a Soul Gem of the highest caliber is… altered by certain Dark Arts what results is a gem that is capable of trapping a fully conscious and sentient spirit. No race of man nor mer are immune to this. They are very dangerous - capable of trapping portions of the soul of those who mishandle them." I backed away from my desk immediately. The thought of finding my soul trapped eternally inside a stone was such a horrible fate that it sickened me.
"Take it, get it out of here!" I yelled. It had been trying to draw me in after all.
I looked over and saw she had a small smile on her face, "Don't be such a…what is the term you Nords are so fond of, ah, 'Milkdrinker?' It can't hurt you right now, it is fully empty. It must be partially filled to cause such damage to your soul. As far as I know only one person in this college deals in such items. Best to leave the matter be though."
I felt myself calming down at first, but then I looked back up in anger, "Then why in oblivion did you shock me?"
"It was fun." She simply said before turning around and walking out.
I heard myself muttering curses as I picked up the damned gem and stuffed it into the drawer of the desk then slammed it shut. I pocketed one of the smaller, normal ones and left to go find the library, I knew that I wouldn't survive here if I remained ignorant.
Ravens cawed out into the darkness as they circled high around a tower that seemed to stretch far up into the night. A chorus of chanting voices echoed throughout the forest as a Breton man in well-worn robes of black and crimson cloth with buckled straps across his chest stood before an altar. His eyes were rimmed with exhaustion, he had obviously not slept in days or weeks. Surrounding him and the altar were five men and women in dark robes with faint green skulls painted on them, their faces went unseen with dark hoods pulled low.
Their combined voices reached a crescendo of power and an orb of light began to descend from the heavens, a ray came forth touching the altar with divine power. At this they went silent and he plucked a green potion from his belt and chugged it down before tossing the bottle aside.
"The Necromancer's Moon!" Cried the crazed man as he wiped his mouth with a sleeve. "The Altar of the Revenant is active once again!" His eyes were wide with the furious madness of devotion. "The King of Worms is with us this night! To witness this land as it is quenched by the blood of the innocent. Eternal life is within our grasp!"
Two more large men in robes and hoods that masked their faces dragged a young woman out of the tower and placed her before the altar then retreated away several paces into the night. She struggled but could not free herself from the bindings. Her eyes shone with terror and fate as she beheld the congregation.
"May the light be darkened by your power." He placed a shining Grand Soul Gem onto the altar and the infernal light in the sky surged and swirled, then all were blinded for a moment as lightning flashed down. When the world cleared, upon the altar sat a Black Soul Gem.
The leader of the group took the gem up and raised it high to the sky with both hands before holding it to his chest as if he cradled a precious infant. He looked down at the bound girl, seeming to have just now noticed her. He sneered, and his face went from rapturous to hateful. "The Revenant will take you now!" He snarled at her.
She tried to scream, oh did she try so hard, her throat was raw with pain, but the scream was muffled and not a sound came out, she could only cry and flinch away.
The master Necromancer reached out to his captive with his right hand and conjured a sphere of smooth purple light that began to flow out and settle into her with a crackling hiss. The girls eyes and mouth were still open wide with a silent scream as he ensorcelled her. He knew that she could feel the icy grip he had on her soul, so he closed his eyes and smiled his twisted smile, nodding slowly as a Nord woman to his right pulled back her hood to reveal blonde hair and kind face, one soft hand reached out to stroke the girls hair, tangled and matted from days in captivity.
The kind woman knelt down and smiled at the bound girl as one might smile to a lover, then simply ran a dagger across her throat.
"Shhh, you can sleep now." She whispered as blood poured forth. A booming crack shook the air as the light of the girls soul rushed into the darkened gem. Faint ethereal screams slowly faded into the wind and then all was silent.
The Breton gazed upon his servant as the Necromancer wiped her knife on the girls skirt before sheathing it back up her sleeve. "That one was pretty, can I choose the next my Lord Antioch?" She giggled in girlish delight and skipped off back towards the tower. The other Necromancers followed her inside at a more sedate pace till only he remained.
"Perhaps so." Antioch said smiling down at his filled gem, his treasure. "Soon."