it took the dominion less than a day to choose the best elf for the job.
They needed an operative who would stay where he was supposed to, spy in the daylight, and be discreet about his real mission.
Most high elves weren't good at discretion, Most wood elves weren't good at magic, and most Khajiit were not allowed in city limits.
Therefore, when the first emissary of The Aldmeri Dominion received the missive from Supreme Ambassador herself, she knew the exact man for the job.
Ancano, a crafty Thalmor operative was not only quite an expert in the clever craft, he was also, to be honest, blunt in his approach. So blunt, in fact, that no one who opposed him ever cared to think if he is in fact, doing anything underhanded. His approach, while a bit…unorthodox…in the general trainings of the Thalmor operatives, had never failed.
And also, First emissary was a bit peeved at him. perhaps a few years in the ice fields would do him good.
When Agent Ancano of the Aldmeri Dominion entered her office, he was not amused.
"First Emissary, why have you summoned me?" said the elf in his aristocratic voice.
The first emissary, a female elf from an ancient line of Dominion leaders, said "you have a new mission, operative."
The other elf did not reply, or act in any manner. So Elenwen smiled, and continued "you are to be placed in the college of winterhold, the only place of study this icy rock has to offer. Stay there and report to us if you find anything important."
Ancano raised an eyebrow. "Skyrim has a College?" he said. The local Nords' distrust of magic was not unknown to him. the other elf smiled coldly, "if you had ever paid attention in your history lessons, you would know that despite the hatred of Magic these…people...are prone to show, there is in fact an ancient college in this land. The college, while not really worthy of its name nowadays, was built by Shalidor, one of the few legendary non-mer mages ever known"
Ancano, who was not really into reading books, despite being a mage, said "and what was he, Breton?" "no, strangely, he was a Nord. Or actually an Atmoran, I'm not quite sure, and the books in the guild just said he was one of the children of the sky." She said, "you are to travel to this so called college as the Dominion's Adviser to their Arch-Mage, a Dunmer known as Savos Aren. Gather all knowledge you can and remain there until you receive a new objective. Auri-El Guide you"
The operative tried to complain, or more professionally, protest, but he failed.
he couldn't find a real logical reason for him not to be in winterhold, and sure enough, bailing was out since it would, at best, be a proof to others that he was a coward, or a bad mage.
He shrugged, said "your will is done, first emissary. for the Dominion" and left.
A month later, the elf, with no other escort with him but a squad of five Altmer soldiers reached the city of winterhold.
If this was what went for city, there was no wonder these people were so backwards in tradition. They had it all wrong.
A few wooden huts with less than a hundred Nords in them walked around, not even working. Not that there was work to be found.
The only place of interest in the entire frozen rock was a castle in the sky. The building was built on a reverse Pyramid that hovered in the sky, connected to nothing. No wonder the College had survived the great collapse. Though 'nothing' was a bit of exaggerating.
Unlike most colleges Ancano had seen all around Tamriel, this one had a door instead of a teleporting rune. Or more accurately, it had a bridge.
He said to the other elves "alright, you may leave. Return to the embassy, and try not to antagonize the locals until the petty skirmish starts" and easily dismissed them, then he walked to the bridge, it seemed like no one even guarded the bridge. Even a rag-tag group of Nordic savages could break into that…
As he was walking, most locals looked at him and looked away in disdain. A few even scoffed. But he paid no attention, all that he had to do was to get to a warm place, and all would be well again.
As soon as he put a foot on the bridge, everything changed. He heard A sound of a illusion spell wearing off, and a woman was in front of him. more accurately, a female Altmer in the local adept robes.
She said "HALT!"
The reaction was involuntary. Ancano stopped where he stood and saluted, as if it was a sentry saying that. Well, he supposed the elf actually was a sentry.
"the way is dangerous, and the gate will not open. You shall not gain entry" she said in a firm voice, even though her face looked like she'd said it a thousand times ago.
Ancano raised an eyebrow, and handed her the letter from lady Elenwen herself.
The letter with the Thalmor Stamp of Approval and imperial seal made the elf suspicious, and right after reading it, she made a disgusted face, and said "alright, the letter is…acceptable, even if the reasoning behind it doesn't seem to be. Follow me, I'll lead you to the arch mage"
And started walking to the college.
When they reached, she opened the gate, and said "the Arch mage is in his quarters, the left door in the hall of elements"
And as the ambitious Thalmor walked to the hall, clearly dismissing her, she said meekly, "welcome to the College of Winterhold"
End of Chapter 0, prologue to Mages of Winterhold.