"Dawnstar, After all it is the closest."

"Do you remember the code to getting through that blasted door?"

"Of course I do, how could I forget such a twisted philosophy?" They were making reference to the black door that guarded the dark brotherhood's sanctuary just north of Dawnstar.

"Before we go, I would like to grab a few things, and oh." The mage looked as if he had just remembered something. "This if for you." He was holding a scroll with a seal that seemed to be made of the same metal used in his safe. "Open it only when you need unimaginable power."

"Thank you my friend, is that all?" Selther shook his head and with a wave of his hands a staff melted through the ceiling and slowly dropped toward them, followed by a number of potions and books. The bretton then stuffed them all into a bag under his arch mage robes. Troy noticed one of the books. It was named Nightingale, Fact or Fiction. "I thought I hade more eagle feathers up there, guess I'll just leave without them."

"Why don't you just pluck some from those robes your wearing?" They both chuckled and began to move toward the staircase again. Selther lifted his mask and put it on. After that he raised his hood and nodded to Troy. As they walked to the door an old man came into the room. He was wearing expert robes of alteration and had a white beard.

"Tolfdeir, I'll be leaving now, look after the college while I'm gone. Make sure the new students don't incinerate one another and keep the midden closed off, I don't want anyone down their while I'm away."

"Of course. So, you're taking the staff of Magnus?" Tolfdeir motioned his hand to the staff Selther was holding. "Are you sure it's safe to use on organic matter?"

"No, and that's the purpose. I'm not taking it to study. I'm using it as a weapon. We're going to Blackreach."

"Oh, can I ask why?"

"One reason is to study the crimson ninroot and the other is best left a mystery until my return."

"Before you go I would just like to remind you of the natural soul gem deposits in that area. The college is running low on them and the new students need training on enchantments."

"I'll remember to grab some when we're done there." Selther glanced at Troy and saw that he was becoming impatient. They went down the stairs and into the courtyard and saw a line of students waiting for them.

"Selther, if I could have but a moment of"

"Not now, I am departing."

Another student stepped forward and asked a question. "Selther, I am running low on ingredients and I need to know whether or not nightshade is able to mix with a deathbell."

"It is, but only if you want to make a poison. In that case, throw in an ingredient that shares at least one trait with the deathbell or the nightshade for an extra effect." Now Selther was trying to push his way through the crowd.

"Arch mage, I need to ask you a few questions before you"

"That's enough! Please ask Tolfdeir these questions, but only if they are serious! Otherwise speak with your teachers!" The students backed away and looked at each other, then they separated and moved into the three buildings.

Troy turned to him and asked, "What was all that about?"

Selther sighed and spoke, "The students feel comfortable asking the most senior member of this college, that is why I usually lock myself in my quarters and only open the door when the matter is serious."

"Then how did you know the matter was serious when I came to your door?"

The bretton smiled under his mask, "Your visit does not need to be of a serious matter."

They had made it to the gate going onto the bridge and Selther lifted his hand and a green light shot at the seal at the gate and it opened. On the way out of the city, Selther began another conversation between the two of them. "I bet you want to see the harbinger in Whiterun, it has been a while since you two have been in contact." The bretton liked to tease Troy about the relationship with the other nord in their group.

"I won't lie, I am excited to see her but we have been in contact." The two nords have been writing to each other but Troy had never mentioned turning Blackreach into another hold, he figured that the news would be better if he told her in person.

"How will you convince the thief?" Selther asked as he turned his head to him on the way out of the city. Troy turned in response and through the eye slits in his mask Selther saw a look of mischief, Troy paused for a moment.

"Greed."

Selther looked puzzled, then recalled the many gems and precious metals he saw while he was in dwarven ruins. He found it so amusing he began to laugh at the thought of the thief bringing a whole cart into the elevator to try and carry heavy loads of dwarven metals and jewelry back to the rift.

"He would need a tarp to cover the wagon to stop the endless waves of bandits from trying to steal one plate of metal." Selther said trying to stop himself from laughing in between words. They joked back and forth all the way to Dawnstar.

They walked along the frozen beach to the black door, many times Troy thought he could feel someone watching him as soon as he entered the hold. He quickly reminded himself where he was and dismissed his instincts. This hold is home to assassins. The question isn't whether or not they were being watched. It was who was watching them.

"You feel it too, don't you?" Selther looked at him and behind his mask was a stern glare. "We're not alone." Selther lifted his hand and waves of blue light circled around it, the eye slits of his mask began to glow as he cast the spell to detect life. He looked around them, when he was turned around a little girl walked in front of them. Troy tapped Selther's shoulder. He spun around and looked in the general direction then looked at Troy. "She's too cold to be alive, don't underestimate her."