Author's Notes: Here is another chapter of Dovahsebrom. Now to those that are wondering that Sylphid's cover is blown, just read the author's notes of the last answer lies there. Also, I made a mistake of naming the Elder Scrolls world as "Mundus". It is not. It is actually the name of their world is "Nirn". Well, that is all I have to say so relax and enjoy reading this chapter.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Elder Scrolls Series and Familiar of Zero


Third Contact

Louise hated Arnaud de Gaulle. He thinks that just because Louise cannot perform magic properly, he can already insult the House of Valliere. Now that Louise thought about it, to stop him insulting her family is one of the reasons as to why she wanted to become a mage. However, as much as she hated the man; wanting him dead is another issue. So here she is in Thorkall's room, trying to discourage him.

"Thorkall, there is no need to kill him. Besides, he is one of the most skilled mage in this Academy. It would be bad for the students to lose such a good teacher." Louise said to Thorkall hoping to discourage him to Arnaud.

"Is he more skilled than Colbert?" Thorkall asked as he put his pair of dark leather vambraces on a pentagon-shaped metal plate and a three-eyed horned skull with a crystal on it. An etched star inside an etched pentagon with glowing strange symbols inside the star. Louise is smart enough to know that this is some sort of a complex magical device.

"Well, he is a triangle-class mage and Colbert is a square-class mage. Colbert would be better at him in magic. Anyway, what is that and what are you doing?" Louise said

"I expected as much, this Arnaud is no warrior like Colbert and what I am doing right now would probably be over-preparation on my part but you can never be too careful." Thorkall answered

"Wait, how can you say that when you just beaten colbert with two attacks?." Louise asked

"No, surprise was on my side when I fought Colbert. Colbert is a seasoned warrior as he was able to dodge my axe without extra movement and to be able to cast a fireball with just his mind. Even I have a hard time doing that. If me and Colbert were to fight on fair grounds like this duel, it would be a spectacular battle. However, this 'Arnaud' is another matter. It took him three seconds to draw his wand and point it at me and his posture when he pointed his wand at me is full of openings. That increases the probability that he is not accustomed to battle. He will be killed when he fought a man like Colbert and more so against me since I got more than 70 years of experience in combat." Thorkall replied

Louise is surprised. She knew that this man is old, but not that old! Come on, he has the looks and a body of a healthy warrior at the age of 40. Louise then asked "What! You are that old? Anyway, what is that thing?"

"Ah, good that you notice my apprentice. I shall soon teach you how to use one of these and a how to make one of yours. This is an Arcane Enchanter. Simply speaking, it allows us to imbue magic upon objects thus 'enchanting' those objects with some magic like a sword that will incinerate anything it hits or a necklace that allows the user to breathe underwater." Thorkall said to Louise

"Ah! It's like artifact imbuement, so it can make magical artifacts." Louise said to Thorkall

"Similar, yes but how similar? I won't know until I have read your tomes." Thorkall to Louise while continuing to enchant his equipment.

"Just a question, what are you enchanting to your armour?" Louise asked

"Well, this armour is already enchanted to absorb and withstand a huge amount of damage to protect the user. I am enchanting my Battle-mage armour to be insulated to lightning and this ring to allow me to breathe underwater." Thorkall answered Louise.

Louise is more confused by that answer. Arnaud is a water mage, not a 'lightning mage' there is no need for 'insulating' the armour. The only thing that made sense to her is the enchantment that will be imbued on the ring. Louise then asked him "Insulating is like to protect yourself from lightning, right?" Thorkall then nodded.

"Then, why are you 'insulating' your battle...whatever armour? You are the only mage in this entire academy, no entire country, that can wield lightning!" Louise exclaimed

"Battle-mage armour. It is an armour I designed to increase the defensive abilities of mages while not being too heavy because too much weight would interfere with spell work. I said earlier what is the enchantment of this set of armour but I never told you the other special feature of it. There is the permanent 'damage absorption' enchantment of the armour set that you already know but you can also install another enchantment you wanted and easily remove it whenever you like without destroying the armour. It is a system that my enchantment master, Sergius Turrianus, and I invented." Thorkall said quite proudly to Louise

"But you are putting the wrong enchantment! Isn't it suppose to be something that would defend you against water?" Louise stated as Thorkall just laughed

"I know more about my foe than you think. His title 'Raging Current' already means that he likes using water, not in its ice form, but rather in its base form. Trust me Louise, I am certain to win this battle." Thorkall said as he finished enchanting the items and he then begun strapping on the armour. Like his appearance last night, he is once again not wearing a tunic under his armour and he is still wearing the same leather pants. He strapped on a single shoulder pauldron over his left shoulder and he just put on his knee guards. "I am ready, now where is this Vesti place?" Thorkall asked Louise as he finished tying his hair, giving him a high half ponytail hairstyle.


The Vestri Court has been re-purposed overnight. It used to be an opened field but now, it is has a large arena on it with benches at the each side and a pool of water on each corner. 'The battlefield is on his favor' Thorkall told himself as he is told to wait on this side of the court. All the seats are now occupied with some students saying that Arnaud would win against Thorkall while some are more practical minded, they are now betting on who would win between the two. 'Gambling, a universal element in all the cultures I have seen' Thorkall thought he then noticed a man getting up the arena. "Ladies and gentlemen! Today, you will witness something never done before in this academy for centuries! A no bars hold duel!" the announcer said as the students cheered and clapped their hands. "Now, one of the contenders is an esteemed educator of this academy. He is from the powerful House of de Gaulle and the most popular teacher of this academy, especially to the ladies" the announcer said as a lot of the female population giggled. "Now let me welcome to you all to the one known as the 'Raging Current', Arnaud Elliot de Gaulle!" the announcer said Arnaud entered the arena while most of the students, a lot of them are female students, are cheering him. Arnaud is wearing a beautifully decorated set of full-plate armour with the coats and arms of the de Gaulle family, a tree with its bark submerged on water, stamped in the left chest of the armour, Arnaud looked just like a handsome prince you heard from romantic stories.

"His opponent is a foreigner of this land. A man known to use some strange magic and was said to have hailed from the barbaric lands of Skyrim!" the announcer said as Thorkall just stared at Arnaud. "he claims that he is an Arch-Mage of some college and a leader of a warrior group. Now let me welcome to you all, Thorkall!" the announcer finished as Thorkall is now approaching the arena, slowly. The students are silent, unsure of what to think. They are thinking if he is stupid for not bringing any weapon with him or not. Thorkall just continues to stare at Arnaud as he approaches the arena and then he jumped towards the arena and landed on top of it.

He stood and then said "It seems that his man does not know who am I. Understandable, since I am after all a guest to your lands. So let me just introduce myself to you all, most especially to my opponent." The audience is now just staring at him silently. Louise is amazed to what Thorkall is doing. Unlike Arnaud, he needs no theatrics, no biased audience nor announcers to break the morale of his opponent. His mere presence alone is enough to send a message that he is definitely not a man you would want to trifle with. " I am Thorkall, son of Beowulf Storm-blade. I have slain more than a thousand warriors, either man or elf, with my blade, spell, and my bare hands itself! Forts and armies fell upon my wake! I have slain giants, trolls, werewolves, and so many more countless beast. I have slain the dragons Mirmulnir, Sahloknir, Nahagliiv and many more! I have slain Harkon, Lord of the Volkihar Vampires! Most of all, I have defeated the great dragon ALDUIN! The Bane of the World and Devourer of Souls! Now! I will slay you, Arnaud! So better remember my accomplishments well so you know who your killer is!" Thorkall said with a voice holding great authority as everyone is now terrified, more so Arnaud. In the minds of all, they just now know that Thorkall is a killer of hordes of warrior men, elves, giants, trolls, vampires, and dragons.

'That is how you demoralize an opponent' Louise silently said to herself while Arnaud is trying his best appearing that he wasn't now terrified, with his legs shaking in fear.

"Gentlemen, please go to your corners for final preparations for your duel" the announcer now said to them both as they went to opposite corners of the arena. Arnaud's servants are checking if his armour is secure and then he put on a steel helmet with its visor still raised and armed himself with his metal scepter, more suited to battle than his wand, while Thorkall is just standing on his corner stretching his limbs and then looking at Arnaud.

"Last chance, gentlemen. If any of you value your life, please surrender now and apologize to your opponent and that would end this match. There is no need for bloodshed." Osmond said to them both but looking most of the time at Arnaud. Arnaud noticed this and said "Never! I would never bow down to a barbarian like him." Arnaud said as some people cheered him, hoping to restore his morale.

"Alright gentlemen, this is a no bars hold duel, so you are almost free to do whatever you can but I want to put some ground rules. First, every 5 minutes there would be a one minute break and you must retreat to your corners whenever it is break time. Second, avoid hurting the students at all costs. Final rule, no one is to help you in this match, not even familiars. This is between the two of you alone so it stays there." Osmond said and he then continued "Is that clear?"

"Yes, headmaster" Arnaud said as he closed the visor of his helmet

"Of course" Thorkall said as he position himself in a fighting stance.

Louise is now worried. Thorkall is strong but she still can't believe that he deliberately put the wrong enchantment to his armour. Arnaud is no joke either. He is still a triangle- water mage even if he is no warrior in Thorkall's opinion. How is being a warrior relevant in battle, especially if you are a mage? Louise then finally noticed that beside her, Kirche and Tabitha are also seated.

"Hey, Tabitha. Who do you think would win the duel?" Kirche asked Tabitha.

"Thorkall" Tabitha said as she is now staring at the duel.

"Huh? Why?" Kirche asked Tabitha and she just pointed at Arnaud. This confused Louise along with Kirche. " Well, I guess we will just see who wins in a short while."

"Are you ready?" the announcer asked Arnaud to which he just nodded. "Are you ready?" the announcer asked Thorkall to which he also nodded."Begin!" the announcer said as he jumped down the arena as an almost transparent barrier was erected just outside of the pools of water around the arena just as the announcer was away.

Arnaud started with a wave of his battle scepter as the water from the pool shot straight up and is now gathering in the air violently like Thorkall is about to face the wrath of a water god. The students were amazed by Arnaud's display of his power as they concluded one thing, 'This is why he is called the Raging Current'. Thorkall remains stationary, just changing his fighting stance with his legs apart, his left hand now opened and pointed at Arnaud while his right arm seems to be in a position ready to punch. "Barbarian! Prepare to face divine retribution!" Arnaud said as the water that he collected begun to charge at Thorkall violently and increased in size thus ensuring that no escape is possible.

'Too easy' Thorkall thought as he stretched his left arm towards Arnaud and pulled it back while it also pulled Arnaud from a far now towards him. The raging water then crashed on them both, devouring them in the process. Then flashes of blue light is seen by the audience as the water then exploded, revealing both Thorkall and Arnaud lying on the arena. Thorkall instantly rose like nothing happened to him while Arnaud remains lying, having spasms like an epileptic. Louise suddenly said "I get it!"

"Get what?" Kirche asked

"Well, earlier Thorkall enchanted his armour to be impervious to lightning while enchanting a ring to allow him to breathe underwater." Louise said to Kirche

"Ok, the ring makes sense but what of the armour?" Kirche asked

"Because when the water devoured them both, Thorkall launched a lightning attack that electrocuted everything in the water but Thorkall is the only one protected against it while Arnaud is not." Louise said as she then heard someone clapping and look towards it seeing that it was Thorkall.

"Good. I am glad that you figure it out my apprentice. However, this is not yet over. Wake up!" Thorkall said as he yanked the helmet off Arnaud. He then proceeded to punch him on the gut, which woke Arnaud as he is coughing water out of his body. He lifted Arnaud off the ground and said "Good that you are awake, I hate killing sleeping men" as he launched a straight punch to Arnaud, which sent him flying for a few feet. Thorkall picked up Arnaud's scepter and as Arnaud is standing up, he swung the scepter towards his head like a bat. The strike knocked Arnaud to the ground, with a side of his face swollen and bleeding.

Thorkall then grabbed his neck and lifted him off the ground with just one hand, choking Arnaud in the process. Everyone is now silent as they watch Thorkall choke the life out of Arnaud with just a single hand. They never expected to see this kind of violences and ruthlessness in the duel but most of all, most of the students did not expect Arnaud to be the one experiencing all of it from Thorkall. "Stop! Stop it please! You have already won!" a woman suddenly screamed.

"Why would I stop? I told him I would kill him." Thorkall said as Arnaud is becoming more desperate in escaping from Thorkall's strong grip.

"You did but if you kill him now, he will only be used as some sort of a martyr that died against the ruthlessness and brutality of a so-called 'barbarian' by the House of de Gaulle to gain support against you. You will just gain so much enemies. You may not care about yourself but Louise Valliere will most certainly will be affected. Unlike other noble families, the House of Valliere will never exile Louise for her association with you no matter how much the House of de Gaulle demands it. It can escalate into an armed skirmishes against each of the families that may result into a civil war. A lot of people will die if you kill that man." the woman said

Thorkall then dropped Arnaud as he is now gasping for air. "Ahhh. You just reminded me of when High King Ulfric was not yet the High King of Skyrim. He duelled and killed the previous High King named Torygg. The duel for succession was fair and legitimate but war still broke out since the Empire cannot accept the death of their puppet king. Arnaud! Through the wise woman's words, I shall not kill you but I would give you a reminder that I, Thorkall!" Thorkall said as he grabbed one of Arnaud's legs and raised it up. "Can take your life anytime!" Thorkall finished as he punched Arnaud's knee so hard that it his leg broke into another direction.

"Ahhhhh! Ahhhh! Ahhh!" Arnaud screamed in pain while Thorkall dropped him to the ground, adding insult to the injury. Barrier was then disabled and healers started going towards Arnaud to tend his injuries.

Thorkall jumped down the arena and approached the woman that spoke earlier. The woman has light coloured skin, has a long black hair tied to a bun behind her head, violet eyes, has a slender body and is currently wearing a blue dress with a black corset. She appears to be in her late twenties. "My lady, you seemed to be well versed in the art of politics in this land. I assume you are a teacher here?"

"You assumed correct, sir. I am the new teacher of political science for these young nobility and also in the art of public speaking since the last one has already retired. My arrival was suppose to be announced last night but the students, along with the teachers, barely noticed my presence since their attention is elsewhere, primarily your duel with the now-crippled Arnaud." the woman said

"True, but you have proven your skills in both fields earlier quite well. I assume you and Arnaud knew each other?" Thorkall asked

"Barely. He toured me around the premises." the woman said

"You know that my name is Thorkall, may I know your name?" Thorkall asked

"I was named Celestina Monique Montecalvo. I believe I must leave now, I still got lesson plans to prepare and it seems your apprentice is calling you." Celestina said as she pointed towards Louise and then left. Thorkall just smiled and then approached Louise.

"Unbelievable! After winning a duel and crippling Arnaud, the first thing you would do is flirt while everyone is watching. It seems all men are the same where ever they came from, although you are more bold than most." Louise said to Thorkall

"I am not flirting the woman named Celestina, Louise...not yet anyway." Thorkall said as he walked along side Louise away from the Vesti Court.


The hairstyle of Thorkall during the match would be similar to the hairstyle of Geralt in "The Witcher 2" though the overall appearance of his face in this chapter would be loosely similar to Duncan of "Dragon Age: Origins"