AUTHOR"S NOTES: By mistake I posted chapter 1 of No Man Left Behind instead of the actual chapter 4 of My Own Path. I apologize for the mix up and hope that this will be corrected. seems to take forever when I try and update or correct chapters.
Everyone had their own preferences; destruction, alteration, illusion, but as always, KaNack's focus had been on conjuration.
Phinis had been impressed with the Argonian's natural ability to not only be able to conjure spirits, but control them as well. If there was one thing Phinis enjoyed, it was challenging the student body. He insisted that since the mage was so proficient in conjurations, he should have no difficulty with atronachs. The master conjurer had given KaNack just one week to be able to conjure a flame atronach, not an easy task for an apprentice.
There was very quiet murmuring in the college's library as all the students researched future spells that were to be cast in upcoming lectures. KaNack was off to the side by a table with Brelyna. They had a few open books in front of them, and had been looking up information regarding atronachs.
"Flame….Flame….Flaming atronach! Here it is!" Brelyna exclaimed happily as she pushed her book towards KaNack. He leaned over as he began to read from the passages.
"Flame atronachs are a breed of daedra that prefer range attacks and rely on speed and agility to dispatch their foes," the Argonian read. He looked at a sketch of the conjuration and swallowed.
"It looks really dangerous," the Dunmer commented as she took a closer look at the image.
"Anything related to daedras are dangerous. Is there any information on how to prepare to conjure one up?"
The Dark Elf began to flip through her book as she tried to find out more about the flaming spirit. The Argonian rested an elbow on the table and smiled as his head was supported in a hand. He had been enjoying all the quality time lately with Brelyna, and researching the atronach was just the perfect excuse to get some real one-on-one time with her. Her brow furrowed as she kept flipping through the pages, running a small finger across the worn pages of the tome.
"Has anyone ever told you, you look really cute when you focus like that?" the Argonian asked, still beaming at her. This only made Brelyna smile as she shook her head before turning to look at KaNack.
"Come on, KaNack. You need to be focusing on your work, not me."
"Why can't I do both?" He then sighed. "You're so kind and helpful, taking the time to help me."
"I really should be focusing on my own work. I'm struggling here as it is."
"Tell you what," KaNack started. "How about after this, you and me get something to eat down at the Frozen Hearth. After that, we can head back to the Hall of Attainment, and I'll help you with some of your spells."
"That sounds nice, how about…."
The Dunmer's sentence was cut off when a loud and guttural throat was cleared behind the two. The Argonian and Dark Elf turned around to see Urag Go-Shug glaring at them.
"Elbows," he growled.
KaNack finally noticed that he had been leaning on one of the many tomes spread out across the table. He quickly sat up straight.
"Thank you," the orc grumbled before returning to his desk at the back of the Arcanaeum. The two apprentices stared at each other and then began to snicker and giggle. The Argonian stood up and offered her his arm.
"Come on, let's get something to eat now. I still have five days until my test."
Brelyna took the Argonian's arm and the students left the Arcanaeum. As they were starting for the main doors, an argument was happening close to the large illuminating fountain.
"By Arkay, what do you mean they refuse?" Savos growled as he glared at Faralda. "We need those tomes!"
"The courier got as far as Windhelm before the dragon appeared off in the mountains. He refuses to go any further until the beast moves on."
"Isn't the Dragonborn supposed to be taking care of those wretched creatures?"
"He hasn't been seen for the last week. No one knows where he's gone. Maybe he's dead, maybe he's elsewhere," the High Elf answered.
"Maybe he's just a damned coward," the Arch Mage growled.
Hearing this from the Arch Mage hit the Argonian hard. He cared nothing for the Nords or Greybeards, but having Savos say that, it hurt.
"Regardless, the tomes are being kept at the White Phail in Windhelm, until either someone picks them up or the courier decides it's safe to travel again."
"I could go get them!" Brelyna suddenly spoke up as she made her way over to the two elves. Both Savos and Faralda turned to the apprentice mage. "Windhelm isn't too far from here, I don't mind."
"No," Savos said sternly. "Windhelm is the home of that louse Ulfric Stormcloak. He's rather notorious for his unfair treatment of the Dunmer. Even I have been given quite the cold shoulder in his city." He shook his head. "I appreciate the offer, my dear, but it's just too dangerous for you to go there alone."
"What if I went with her?" The Argonian joined Brelyna's side and stared at Savos. "I'll go with her. Trust me, Savos, I won't let anything happen to Brelyna."
"That would make it even worse!" the Arch Mage snapped at the Argonian. "Ulfric Stormcloak doesn't even allow your race to live within the walls of Windhelm!"
"Sir, I'm not afraid," the female Dunmer insisted softly, "As long as KaNack and I are together, we shouldn't be in any physical danger in Windhelm. Please, let us do this!"
The Arch Mage looked back at the destruction teacher who merely shrugged her shoulders at him.
"They did offer, Savos. It would save us time if we allowed someone younger and faster to go get those tomes. They would also be much safer if they traveled together."
The older Dark Elf released a heavy sigh as he looked at the two protégés. So young and full of life.
"As you wish" he stated in defeat. "Go on to Windhelm. Just pick up the tomes and get out as soon as you can. Do not interact with anyone you do not need to, and whatever you do, don't start trouble."
"I wasn't planning…" started Brelyna.
"I wasn't talking to you," Savos grumbled as he looked at the Argonian. KaNack was insulted, but honestly, the Arch Mage was right to try and drive that into his head. He had a rather quick temper and did not take kindly to insults. "These are dangerous men KaNack. Stormcloak supporters make up Windhelm, and they will not hesitate to find any excuse to take their aggression out on you or Brelyna."
"I understand, I won't make a scene while I'm there," KaNack answered. It was a lie though; he would most likely not hesitate to fight back if someone tried to hurt Brelyna.
"I guess all there is left to discuss is transportation," the High Elf sighed. "Perhaps we could order a carriage from the locals."
"Since when have they ever wished to help us?" Savos hissed bitterly.
"We can take my horse to Windhelm," the Argonian suggested to the Arch Mage. "There isn't a public carriage here for miles, and she's faster anyway."
"Very well." Savos gave the Argonian a slight bow of his head, as though to grant permission.
"Keep to the roads, and be on the watch for bandits and dragons," Faralda warned them.
Savos reached into his satchel and pulled out two small scrolls, and handed them to the Dunmer and Argonian.
"Take these. If you two find yourselves in danger, or if something goes terribly wrong, cast these scrolls. These will return you directly to the Hall of Attainment. They can only be used once, so only employ them if you have no other choice."
"We will, thank you, Savos," Brelyna said softly.
The two apprentices said their farewells to the elves and then hurried out of the building. Both Brelyna and KaNack wasted no time, running to the residential building to pack for their trip.
KaNack carefully listed in his head the items as he packed. Food and water was a must, coin for emergencies or, in some cases, fees for convincing roadside bandits to leave them alone, and healing potions in case, Arkay forbid, something went wrong.
"Running away already?" as familiar voiced hissed. "J'Zargo knew it was only a matter of time."
KaNack's eyes rolled to the back of his head as he turned to the entrance way of his room. The Khajiit was leaning against the frame with his arms folded. He and J'Zargo had definitely gotten off on the wrong foot. Onmund decided to let bygones be bygones, but the cat was intent on keeping the grudge alive.
"You would like to lose the competition, wouldn't you?"
"I would first need competition to lose," the cat growled back.
KaNack threw his knapsack over his shoulder and started towards the Khajiit.
"If you must know, and obviously you must, Brelyna and I are heading to Windhelm to pick up some books for the school."
Hearing this, the Khajiit's ears folded back and he bared his fangs.
"What?! You are taking Brelyna to Windhelm?" J'Zargo grabbed the Argonian by the front of his robes and yanked him close. "What is wrong with you? Don't you know how they treat elf and beast races there? You are going to get her hurt!" The cat's eyes narrowed. " J'Zargo cares nothing for you, but if anything happens to Brelyna…"
The mage shoved the Khajiit away and glared at him.
"Nothing is going to happen to her," the reptile growled. "I'd sooner let Ulfric skin me alive before I allowed some filthy Nord to lay a finger on her."
"J'Zargo is going to hold you to that," the cat uttered in a threatening voice.
"KaNack will hold it," he remarked, mocking J'Zargo's method of speech.
Brelyna stood appeared from the girl's area on the second floor , and made her way over to KaNack.
"Ready. " She looked at the Khajiit. "Is J'Zargo coming with us?"
"My horse can only fit two," KaNack responded rather quickly. He then grinned at the cat. "How about it J'Zargo? Think you can keep up on foot?"
"J'Zargo will pass," he growled. The Khajiit gave the mage one final dark look. "Remember what I said."
The Dunmer and KaNack started out of the Hall of Attainment.
"What was that all about?"
"You know J'Zargo," sighed the Argonian. "Ever since the familiar incident, everything has become a peeing match between me and him."
"That's the truth," Brelyna muttered.
The two apprentices made their way across the long bridge towards the town of Winterhold, their journey to Windhelm was about to begin. No matter what happened on the road or in Windhelm, they would face the odds together.