A series of knocks on the door snapped the Altmer out of her doldrums. She turned her attention to the door.
"Yes?"
"Arch-Mage, I was... wondering if you were busy?" The voice was that of a woman, one very familiar to the Altmer. She felt a smile creep to her lips at the question, and at the revelation of who was on the other side of the door.
"Not terribly," she replied, looking into the mirror. She began to run her fingers through her pale blonde hair, which hung loose about her shoulders and reached down to her lower back. "Enter."
She watched the door open in the mirror, and watched the reflection of a Dunmer step into her quarters. The young mer's black hair, which typically came down to her upper back, was pulled into a braid over her shoulder. The Dunmer's dark red eyes met the Altmer's green eyes in the mirror.
"You're leaving," the Dunmer pointed out, gesturing to the Altmer's attire.
The Arch-Mage of Winterhold only shrugged in response. It was true that she only wore such formal attire as she now was when she traveled: a blue dress with a soft fur collar that not only hugged her neck comfortably, but also came over her shoulders. A few pieces of jewelry hung about her neck and adorned her fingers, as well. She wore finely crafted black boots that she knew many other upper-class citizens typically wore.
"Windhelm?" the younger mer pressed.
"Windhelm." The Altmer continued to run her fingers through her hair.
A sigh escaped the Dunmer, causing the elder mer's hand to stop.
"You don't approve," the Arch-Mage stated.
"Arch-Mage, with all due-"
"How many times must I tell you? Call me Runael. You may be my apprentice, Elsera, but we were friends before that." She chuckled softly as the Dunmer sighed.
"True, but you are still the Arch-Mage, and I am still one of the students at the College... and your apprentice besides."
"And if I had my way, Tolfdir would be Arch-Mage," Runael said simply. They were quiet for a few moments longer. "Anyway, you were saying...?"
"With all due respect, Arch- Runael," she corrected, noting the Altmer's amused look in the mirror, "is heading to Windhelm truly a good idea? The last time you went-"
"The last time I went, it was a misunderstanding. I have been reassured that the drunken lout that took a swing at me was punished for assaulting a guest of our most esteemed High King."
"Since when have you taken Ulfric's word as fact on any topic?" Elsera asked, brow quirked.
"Never, but he's never misled me. I think. Well, there was that one time, a few years ago... but that was a misunderstanding on both of our parts..." Runael tapped her chin briefly.
"My point," the younger mer said with a small roll of her eyes, "is that Windhelm is still not a haven for anyone other than Nords... now that the war's over, that's never been more true."
Runael gave a small, silent nod. She was thinking about how the civil war had ended four years ago.
With the aid of a rather talented and effective Stormcloak recruit, Ulfric Stormcloak had managed to seize Whiterun. From there, the Empire continued to lose its grip in Skyrim, and the battle came to a close in what she understood to be the bloodiest clash, at Solitude. The promising recruit had lost their life in that battle, but it hadn't stopped Ulfric from defeating General Tullius and ending the Legion's forces in Skyrim. For months following, the Stormcloaks had purged the province of Imperial camps and stamped out any anti-Stormcloak resistance. Ulfric had been named High King by the Jarls, and he relocated the capital of Skyrim to Windhelm.
With their victory over the Empire, the Stormcloaks began to assert their own rule and laws over Skyrim. For the most part, Imperials were forbidden from entering the province unless they had urgent business - which most didn't. Altmer were also forbidden from entering Skyrim anymore, on suspicion of being allied with the Thalmor. Dunmer were permitted into the province, but were treated quite poorly in most cases; many were the Dunmer who chose to travel to Solstheim and make their home in Raven Rock, which flourished once again.
It had not been easy for Runael, living in Skyrim since Ulfric's ascension to High King, but she had endured. She knew she was one of the few Altmer Ulfric trusted, if not the only one; to him, she was not 'Altmer', but rather 'Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold'. He saw to it that anyone who dared insult her based solely on her race was punished.
"Ulfric knows I'm good at getting out of trouble," Runael finally said. She resumed running her fingers through her hair, though it was slower and more absent-minded this time. "I also have his trust, as he has mine."
"Trust between man and mer will only ever be so strong," Elsera murmured.
"So your bond with Onmund is... what, strained?" Runael replied, cracking a grin. The grin grew as she watched the Dunmer's cheeks darken; mentioning the Nord instructor always embarrassed Elsera.
"He's different," she said quickly.
"So is Ulfric," the Arch-Mage replied.
"He may be the High King of Skyrim," Elsera began slowly, "but that doesn't make him any different. Many Nords accept his example, and most of them follow it. Considering what Skyrim's become, can you really say he's different from other Nords?"
"I'm going to Windhelm," Runael said, rising from her seat and facing Elsera directly. "This is not my first visit to the capital since Ulfric became High King, and it likely won't be the last visit, either. I do hear insults here and there, but words only do so much; it's action that I watch for, and never see."
She could see that the Dunmer wanted to continue trying to argue, but also knew that Elsera was on the verge of giving up.
"I still have to teach you all about Labyrinthian," she said with a smile. "Can't do that if I'm being careless in the most xenophobic city in Skyrim."
The Dunmer gave a weak smile, and nodded wordlessly. She stepped forward and gently embraced Runael; the Arch-Mage returned it.
"Make sure none of the other students blow up the College while I'm gone," Runael said. "Especially Nilam; last time he was unsupervised, we had... how many unbound flame atronachs running rampant?"
"Too many," Elsera said with a scowl. "He's too ambitious and too careless..."
"Luckily, the College has you to watch over the others," Runael said, giving the Dunmer a brief pat on the head. "Keep the College intact until I get back, mm?"
"I... don't approve of this, Runael, but... but fine. The College will be fine. Make sure you will be, too."
The sun was rising in Solstheim, casting a warm glow over the Skaal Village. The sunlight, peeking through several other windows, cast its bright glare on the closed eyelids of an Altmer, who groaned wearily and turned away from the sunlight.
"Ya can pretend it ain't mornin', but it don't make it true," an amused voice said.
"I can also pretend I'm not tired, but that doesn't make it true," the mer replied sleepily.
"That ain't no one else's fault but yer own."
The mer opened one eye to regard the woman seated in a chair across from her bed. Long brown hair, typically pulled back into a ponytail, hung loosely about her shoulders - though the band she used to fasten her hair back was in her hand. The woman's blue eyes were half-closed, but the gaze was still upon her.
"Like you're any more wide awake," the Altmer pointed out.
"I just woke up," the woman said with a shrug. "I were gettin' ready t'head outside fer a bit."
The mer took notice of something else, something that made her open both eyes, then blink in surprise, as if she was seeing things.
In the woman's lap sat one of the Black Books, which the mer hadn't seen in the woman's hands in eight years. Her gaze upon the book was noticed by the woman, who looked down at it with a small scowl.
"He... well, came t'me while I slept," the woman said quietly. "Told me there were someone in his realm what all needed t'be dealt with."
The mer pursed her lips, but didn't reply. She knew full well where the woman stood on her service to the master of the Black Book... of the realm of Apocrypha, to which the Black Books were connected.
"He ain't contacted me in eight years, but... guess he ain't forgotten 'bout me."
"Did he say why you have to go?" the mer asked, sitting up slowly. She clutched the blanket to her chest, shoulder-length silver hair falling in front of her face. She reached up with her free hand to push the loose strands away from her green eyes.
"No, and that's what's buggin' me. He just wants me t'go back t'Apocrypha and do whatever he wants me t'do." The woman sounded bitter, and it showed on her face, as well.
"Mia..." The mer sighed quietly. "Don't forget he holds no sway over you here. He can tell you what to do, but he can't make you do it." She smiled faintly. "Whatever happened to 'Defiance'?"
The woman named Mia shifted uncomfortably at the nickname, and the mer began to regret using the term. It served as a sour reminder of Mia's past.
"Sorry," she said softly, looking away from the woman.
"S'all right. I know what ya meant by..." Mia looked down at the Black Book once again, then glanced up at the Altmer. "So... ya really think I should just... ignore him, Adalla?"
"If you don't want to serve him, why give him the chance to dictate what you do?" The mer rubbed what remained of her sleepiness from her eyes.
"What if this is important, though?" Mia asked. "He ain't contacted me in eight years, not since Miraak were killed. What if this has repcuss... reparacc..."
"Repercussions?" Adalla offered.
"Aye, that."
"And what if he's just trying to see if you answer his whims?" the mer replied.
The woman didn't reply immediately. Her gaze went back down to the Black Book, fingers tracing the edges of the front cover. Adalla couldn't see Mia's face, but she knew she was giving serious consideration to going... and simultaneously, serious consideration to ignoring the master of Apocrypha.
"Let's look at this another way. Suppose Frea walks in while you're gone. Do you really think it will sit well with her?" Adalla pointed out.
Mention of the shaman of the Skaal made Mia look up at the mer once more. She opened her mouth briefly, but it closed after a moment; her reply was a shake of her head.
"Damn Hermaeus Mora," Adalla said softly, rising to her feet, blanket still clutched to her chest. "You owe him nothing."
"Nothing but me life," was the grumbled reply. Adalla pretended not to hear it. Even despite the words, Mia picked up the Black Book and set it back in its place inside her pack, indicating her mind had been made up.
"What did he say, though?" Adalla looked at Mia expectantly. For several moments, the woman didn't reply, only continued to settle the Black Book into its place.
"Somethin' along the lines of 'seeker of knowledge invaded my realm; handle it for me'. I don't remember, but it ain't nothin' new for him, aye? He gets all sorts of..."
Adalla nodded at this, and slid her free arm around Mia's shoulders. The motion made the woman face the mer, and the two locked gazes for a time.
"So why would now be any different?" Adalla murmured. "Remind him that you answer to none but yourself."
Though her gaze was affixed upon Mia's eyes, she nonetheless saw the woman's lips shift into a smile. The smile then disappeared from view, but the sensation of lips pressed against her own in a gentle kiss told her exactly why.
"Aye," Mia responded in a quiet murmur. "It's probably nothin' t'worry 'bout." She stood slowly and slid her arms around Adalla in a firm hug. "Thank ya. I really didn't know what t'make of..."
"It's one of the reasons I'm here with you," the mer replied. "There are many other reasons, of course... far better."
"Ya need a reason t'stay with me?" Mia asked, sounding amused. The words made Adalla sigh softly.
"You know what I mean."
The woman let go of Adalla, and glanced down at the handle of the ebony war axe that was otherwise hidden from view by her pack. She bent over to pick up the weapon, and looked back at Adalla.
"Come outside with me?"
"But it's so cold outside," the mer protested. "It's so much warmer in here... with you."
"And this here's Frea's home, don't forget," Mia reminded her, gesturing about with her other hand. "We don't stay here for free, aye? We earn our place here in the Skaal's village."
"Oh, fine. Let me get dressed, though." Mia nodded, and Adalla lowered her arm from around the woman's shoulders. She moved back to the bed and sat upon its edge for a moment.
While she tried to recall where she'd left her armor, she found her thoughts drifting to Mia's self-styled 'master', Hermaeus Mora. Her own experience with the Daedric Prince of Fate and Knowledge had been... tame, all told. Still, she knew full well the horrors he was capable of exacting upon others. She glanced back at Mia, who was now picking up her bow of ebony, and bit her lower lip.
What if Mia was right, though? What if his call for Mia to return to Apocrypha was a herald of something dire? He had left them both alone for the past eight years...
She put the thought from her mind. She was convinced it was no big deal, that Hermaeus Mora only sought to bring someone he thought was his servant under his command.
"Clothes put themselves on?"
"Huh?" The question had caught Adalla off-guard, who blinked and looked at Mia. The woman gestured to her in turn.
"Ya ain't dressed yet," Mia said with a wry grin. "Clothes put themselves on now?"
Adalla sighed and let it taper into a chuckle, and she reached for her own pack, at the foot of the bed. Mia was right about that, at least.
A.N. - Yep, this follows IAD, which followed Flames. I did want to point out that while it's not required to read the aforementioned stories to understand what's happening in Eventide, doing so may answer a few more questions that crop up. I'm likely to give clues and indicators as the story progresses, so as to try and make this story a little more... 'standalone', I suppose.
I had an idea one day, while I was writing IAD. 'What would a Skyrim-under-Ulfric's-rule look like several years after he conquered it?' What was covered in the bit with Runael was meant to be a synopsis of how I envision the province to be, greatly summarized. I'll expand upon it as the story progresses, but 'setting the scene' and whatnot...
I didn't want to be all 'Mia and Adalla got back from Solstheim a few months ago' with Eventide. I wanted some time to pass for reasons that will become obvious as the story progresses. Why did I settle on eight years' time between IAD and Eventide? I couldn't tell you. It just seemed right, is the only 'real answer' I have.
I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to progress Eventide. Not insofar as the story, but insofar as the format. As it stands now, I'm writing the third chapter. It may even be done; I haven't decided yet. I like it, and think it'll be fine with or without anything more... but the present 'format' is 'female bandit centric', then the 'heroes' (Runael, Elsera, Mia, Adalla, a couple more to come), and then back to 'female bandit centric'. So, the question is this... do I spring back to the 'heroes' for Chapter 4, then go 'female bandit centric' for Chapter 5, etc.? The only reason it's anything resembling a concern is that sooner or later, after a particularly notable chapter, it may feel like I'm forcing the focus on the next 'side'. I mean 'forcing'. Like 'stare at the blinking cursor and wonder 'what the fuck am I going to write?' forcing. It shouldn't inhibit the rate at which I'm writing these chapters, by any right; it's just all a matter of the story's flow, I suppose.
...Then again, why am I mentioning it? It's not like I'm hoping for a 'do this format/don't do that format' type of response. ^^;
I'm slowly readjusting to my old Acer. It's hard to type on, because I'm left-handed. Normally that's not an issue, by my Acer's left Shift key is busted beyond repair, as is the left Ctrl key. Meaning to capitalize, or use the old 'Ctrl-I' commands, I have to use my right hand. Which feels so bizarre. I'm getting used to using the right Shift key again (it broke long before I knew the left Ctrl key was busted), but it'll probably be another couple of weeks before it feels... natural? The Ctrl key matter is going to take far longer to adjust to, though. My ability to type isn't drastically affected, but it is a touch slower because of that.
-Spiritslayer