Only if…
I slowly packed my books and clothes for my monthly trip to the University, as I exited my house, I was about to look the door, when I say him. The new Town Guard Captain, you could tell by his face and height that he was a Breton, not an Imperial like most guards are.
His hair was dark; his eyes were filled with greed and lust. He looked like he was scanning the town to see who he could make pay the highest of fines.
I walked to the gate, trying to stay as far away from him as I could get. I had that feeling again; I know I'm right about him. It's in his eyes.
On my way I saw poor Aldos Othran, he was so depressed, just last week his wife died, he's never been the same since. Yesterday was her funeral, I never thought that many people in Cheydinhal would go and pay their respects to her. It turned out she died in a bandit raid, no one likes bandits, and according to a rumour I heard that they mangled, her body very badly. But that's just a rumour; bandits aren't the type to mangle their victims' right? I've heard vampires do, but then most of their victims turn into vampires themselves, so that's not true.
I also saw Shelley, she greeted me with good luck, and she too, is still mourned by Ren Othran's death. I gave Shelley my house key, so she can keep it tidy, till the day I come back.
This was no ordinary, trip to the Imperial City.
I was going on a four month, training course, around Tamriel. I really was going to miss her but there's nothing I can do, my tutor set me up with the rest of the class, so I guess I have to.
Outside the city gates, an enchanted carriage was there waiting. The University, take care of their students more since Arch-Mage Traven took over. He doesn't want any student, to die will travelling the roads to the Imperial City, due to factor of more bandit raids, and necromancers attacks on the way to the City than to any other city or town.
The carriage is enchanted with a magical barrier so when moving, it almost becomes invisible and can reflect spells and arrows from hitting the driver. I think it is nearly neat, but time was racing and so I did as I usually did, take one deep breath and enter the carriage.
I saw the cute elf leave for her monthly trip, to the Imperial City, but something was odd, she had more lounge than her usual amount, Shelley told me that she was going on a four month training course around Tamriel. I felt strange when she told me that, like what if she never comes back, I'll never know her name. Before I knew it, I turned and asked "Shelley what is her name?" Shelley stared at me with a shocked look, it like I was the only person in the whole world who has ever asked her that question. Then she started laugh, and replied "Cherri, you dull stone, what did you not know or something?"
My face went red, I always thought that Cherri was her nickname and decided never to call her that, as we barley knew each other.
"Oh, you thought it was her nickname didn't you," she continued "its okay, a lot of people think that is her nickname."
I never got Shelley; at times it was like she could read people's minds or something strange. Then being an inn hand, I guess she is good at telling what's what with people, by their body and facial expressions.
I and Shelley talked for nearly a hour, before my new captain called me to take the castle round. I hated him, I really hated him. If only I was captain, then this place would be, better than he's going to make that's for sure.
I waved bye to Shelley, while on my way to make the castle round, Cherri I hope she is okay, I don't want anything to happen to her, anyway Cherri is a big girl, how old is she, at least twenty-five, twenty-six, but then cute elves, never saw their age, and I've heard they live up to five-hundred, at least but then many people aren't really saw, they mostly die of illness or injury, before they hit that old, right?
I tried to fall asleep, on my way, but no luck. The carriage ride, is always super bumpy, you get shoved and flung around every where. Not very pleased, but least the driver is nice.
It seemed like forever has past before I got there. Maybe I shouldn't of agreed to go on this trip, and stayed home, with a new town captain. I worry too much, they say, I think too much, they say. Maybe I do, by the nine divines, I'm doing it now.
Stop it Cherri! Stop thinking too much!
The gates of the University lay beyond a bridge, outside the main city. But I dare not enter, and look like a fool. I held my bags, not letting them go. My eyes, filled with wonder, The Arch Mage, himself, wondering, greeting, talking. To my fellow classmates, of sorts frozen, I dare not let go, don't want to be known by him, as a clumsy elven girl.
He didn't notice me, I didn't know what to think, sad, disappointed, relieved. Never the less, I didn't mess up. I've always looked up, to Traven, he's like a hero, for many mages. Nor handsome or ugly, his face is old and worn; his eyes twinkled with great power and wisdom. No one would think, he only been Arch mage for a year, or was it two, now?
More grand carriages arrived, bigger than the ones, that take students to the University, and then there was at least thirty, thirty-five of us. From the gifted to the spoiled, I walked over to my mentor, at the University, Raminus Polus, a grand Imperial Sorcerer, one of the mages guild councillors. He's wise yet, so young, well to me anyway. Being ninety does have its weird moments, but I'm just a child in my people's standards. Young, wild and free, doing what the wind tells us. Our group, slit into three and we entered our carriages. I looked out, and started to think, what would happen if I stayed at home, apart from missing amazing trip, if only he notice me….
The horses' hooves started to moves, drawing the heavy load behind, well I guess ten people in each carriage, thirty students, three supervisors, of course they got their, own carriage. Less cramped and whatever the teachers get.