"Why do these tombs always have these stupid puzzles?" Jaden said to himself as he turned the final pillar into position and pulled the lever in the center opening the gate. The Dunmer took a moment to catch his breath as the gate opened.
He had fought his way past a couple of Draugr to reach this point, only to be stopped for about an hour trying to solve this damned puzzle. On the surface, it was simple. The pillars needed to show the symbol above them, but, when he rotated one of the pillars, another rotated as well, changing the symbol it showed.
Finally, after multiple attempts, Jaden was able to line the pillars up properly and finally get the gate open.
"Hold on, my boy! Hold on!" came a familiar voice as Tolfdir ran into the room. "I thought it high time I caught up with you. Honestly, I'm surprised you only made it this far."
Jaden sighed. "Don't blame me. Blame whoever made this damned puzzle. I've stuck here almost since I went on ahead." His voice was quite irritated.
"It may have taken you awhile, but you still figured it out." Tolfdir responded. "It always pays to take your time with a problem, Jaden."
Jaden nodded. "Of course. Tolfdir."
The old Nord nodded, but then realized what Jaden had just said. "It seems you've finally broken that habit of yours, my boy." He said with a smile.
Jaden broke into a smile of his own. "Trying to, at least. Old habits die hard."
Tolfdir turned to the tunnel that Jaden had unsealed. "Well, lets see where this leads, shall we?"
Jaden nodded. "After you, sir."
The instructor led the way, Jaden following, keeping his spells prepared in his hands as they moved through another narrow hallway. This eventually led to another chamber, but this one was considerable more interesting than the last.
"What is that?" Jaden asked as he squinted at the object.
It was sphere shaped, hovering several feet above the ground. It's surface was glowed green from within as some kind of magic was projected around it, flickering with green light.
"I have no idea." Responded Tolfdir as he stepped down an ancient ramp and into onto the floor.
"This magic surrounding it. It's like a Ward, isn't it?" Jaden asked, watching the magic swirl with interest.
Tolfdir nodded. "It appears so, my boy. But what could be so important that it would need to be Warded like this?"
Jaden put his fist to his chin, as he often did when lost in thought. "Could this be what the Psijic Monk warned me about?"
Tolfdir was about to respond, but a loud growl cut him off. Spinning on the spot, the mages saw that they had overlooked a stone throne sitting in the center of the room as they had approached the object. And rising from this throne was another Draugr. This one wore a helmet of ancient metal with two long horns extending towards the ceiling and it's body seemed to glow with some kind of magic.
"Damn it!" Jaden cursed as he prepared a lightning bolt in his hand and Tolfdir prepared a pair of firebolts.
The Draugr didn't even seem to notice the attacks. It just continued to advance as it drew it's ancient war axe and, judging from the cloud of white fog that gathered in it's other hand, prepared a frost spell.
Jaden didn't let that discourage him. He prepared another spell, firing another bolt of lightning at the approaching undead. It had the same effect as the last one. None whatsoever.
"Ours spells don't seem to hurt it." Tolfdir muttered as he unleashed another volley of firebolts.
"Do you have any other ideas?" Jaden asked as the Draugr moved closer and released it's ice spike. The Dunmer threw up his ward to repel it.
"Keep it distracted. I'll try to drain some of it's power!" Tolfdir told his student as he turned and ran towards the orb.
"Alright then. Distract the undead guy." Jaden muttered as the Draugr came closer. "If my spells aren't working, go for the direct approach." He hand dropped to his hip, grabbing his sword.
With a careful pull, the Dunmer pulled the blade from it's sheath, gripping it tightly in both hands as he held it ready to parry.
Jaden sidestepped the axe as it descended before slashing his bronze-colored blade across the Druagr's back, causing it to stumble forward. It didn't stay down long, however. It forced its way back onto it's feet.
As it lurched forward, Jaden heard a crackle of magic as Tolfdir cast a spell towards the orb. The glow around the Draugr seemed to diminish.
"There! Attack it now!" The old Nord called as he fired Sparks into the Ward.
Jaden released his sword with one hand, preparing another lightning bolt before launching it into the Draugr's shoulder. This time, the bolt did visible damage. The undead lurched backwards, it's shoulder smoking as Jaden built up another spell in his hand. With a flurry of Sparks, the Draugr collapsed to the floor.
"That's the end of that." The Dunmer said as he sheathed his sword.
"Impressive work, my boy." Tolfdir said as he turned to examine the orb.
Kneeling next to the dead Dragur, Jaden picked up it's war axe, examining the blue-white aura surrounding it. Sighing, he shook his head. "Already know this enchantment." The Dunmer set the axe aside and returned his attention to the body.
Something wrapped around the corpse's neck caught Jaden's eye. Carefully, the Dunmer removed the object.
It was an amulet, or at least a piece of one. It looked ancient, at least as old as the rest of ruins. Wrapped in in the amulet's chain was a piece of parchment. Carefully, Jaden removed it and unrolled it, reading by the light of his Candlelight spell.
Be bound here, Jyrik, murderer, betrayer
Condemned by your crimes against realm and lord.
May your name and your deeds be forgotten forever
And the charm which you bear be sealed by our ward.
"Jyrik?" Jaden turned back to the corpse. "Is that what they called you, then?" He shook his head before standing. He slipped the amulet and parchment into his pocket. He might look into this later, but at the moment, he had a more pressing matter to attend to.
"What is this thing?" Jaden asked as he approached his instructor.
"I have no idea." Tolfdir responded. "This is amazing! Absolutely amazing!"
Jaden continued watching the orb as it slowly rotated. "I'm finding it hard to disagree with you, sir."
Tolfdir turned to his student. "The Arch-mage needs to be informed on this, but I wouldn't dare leave this unattended. Can you get back to the Collage and let Arch-mage Aren know about this?"
Jaden nodded. "Of course sir."
Carved into the far wall of the chamber, Jaden found another corridor. As he followed it, he began to hear a slight buzzing in his ears. At first, he dismissed it as nothing, but as he continued walking, the buzzing grew louder and more defined, to the point where it resembled chanting more than buzzing.
As Jaden reached the end of the corridor, he found the source of the noise.
Standing in the center of the room, arching around a chest, was an ancient Word Wall.
Breathing deeply, Jaden approached the wall, his eyes locked on the one word that held power. The word reacted to his presence, emitting blue currents of light towards him as he drew closer.
A single word came into focus in the Dunmer's mind.
He spun, facing a wall as he felt the power build in his throat before releasing it in a single word.
"IIIZ!" Jaden felt a wave of ice-cold air leave his mouth. A grin broke out on his face as the ice coated the section of wall he had shouted at.
"So, first word of the 'Ice Form' shout then?" Jaden said to himself. He couldn't keep himself from grinning whenever he found a new word of power. Every word he found was another weapon he had against Alduin, after all.
Finding another passage, the Dunmer finally emerged into an alcove in the main excavation of the ruins. With a small jump, he was able to reach the floor and ramp that would allow him to leave the ruins.
The tip back to the Collage was uneventful, as was the report to the Arch-mage. Savos had instructed Jaden to do some research and, hopefully, find more information on the artifact that they had discovered.
Jaden entered the Arcanaeum with a hopeful smile. With some luck, he would be able to find what he was looking for.
"So, back already, huh?" came the voice of the gruff librarian. Urag-groShub sat behind his desk, looking over a small pile of books. Jaden had met him during one of his previous adventures, when he had been hunting for an Elder Scroll.
The Dunmer nodded. "I need some help. We found-"
The Orc raised a hand. "I know what you need. Word travels fast. Some big discovery in Saarthal."
Jaden nodded. "I was hoping you would have some information about the place. Anything at all would help."
Urag turned to the shelf, searching for a particular book. "You're lucky. Another apprentice tried to take this book and run." The Orc chuckled to himself. "He won't be back in my Arcanaeum anytime soon. "
Jaden nodded, shifting uncomfortably. "Let me guess, Atronachs?"
The Orc smirked as he continued to chuckle. "I got a little…creative." Finding the book he was looking for, the librarian turned back to Jaden. "Here you are." As the Dunmer accepted his book, Urag's expression changed, becoming close to a scowl. "Remember my warning?"
Jaden slowly nodded, his eyes not leaving the Orc's as he tried not to show how intimidated he really was. "Yes, sir."
The Orc nodded, still giving Jaden his warning stare as he released the book.
Jaden turned to a seat at a table in the corner of the room. It was fairly isolated, so he was unlikely to be disturbed. He placed the book on the table and read the title.
The Night of Tears
Flipping the cover open, Jaden began his research.
"So the Nords who lived in Saarthal found something buried there, but kept it hidden. The Elves found out about it and attacked, in hopes of gaining control of it." Jaden sighed as he finished the book.
"You sound like you don't approve." Came a recognizable voice.
Raising his head, Jaden saw Faralda standing a short distance away, her golden eyes watching him with interest.
"What do you mean?" Jaden asked her, one eye half closed in question.
Faralda shrugged. "I'm just curious as to why an elf like you wouldn't approve of elves taking from men."
A dark fury began to enter the Dunmer's eyes. "What do you mean 'an elf like me'?"
The tall Altmer folded her arms and tilted her head to the side. "Some elves believe themselves to be superior to others. They believe that they deserve to dominate the other races by birthright."
The fury that had been building in Jaden's eyes flashed and he shot to his feet. "I know what you are thinking, Instructor." He seethed, using the title in an attempt to control his anger. "Yes, many elves believe that it is their divine-given right to hold power over others. But I am not like them and never will be."
"What makes you say that?" Faralda asked, not responding to his outburst in the slightest. "You are a Dunmer, after all, and if what Tolfdir tells me is true, you are a very skilled mage."
"Yes, I am an elf." Jaden practically spat. "But before that, I am Jaden Relix. I am a person, not a race. I make my own decisions and I don't care what elven supremacists have to say about it."
A small smile appeared on Faralda's face. "You sound so much like your Grandfather."
Jaden froze, his fury at the Altmer's questions lessening. "My Grandfather?"
Faralda nodded. "You do. He was always talking about how every person is their own and that race holds no sway over character."
What little fury Jaden still possessed quickly vanished, replaced with curiosity. "You knew him?"
Faralda nodded again, her eyes looking up as she reminisced. "I met him when I was younger then you, in fact. He taught me a great deal about magic." The smile she wore faded slightly. "I was greatly saddened when he disappeared. He was a great mer."
Jaden sighed. "I never knew him. He was already gone when I was born."
The Altmer's smile returned. "I know he would be proud of your beliefs. That is why I want to give you this." She pulled a book from her robe-pouch and handed it to him. "Tolfdir tells me you are very skilled at Destruction magic and from what you've told me, you are a kind person. That is why I trust you with this."
Jaden accepted the book and gazed at the cover. "What is this?"
"I have been searching for powerful magic for years, Jaden." Faralda said as placed a finger on the cover. "This book contains the secrets of some of the most powerful spells you will ever find. I know you can decipher them and when you do, use them properly."
Jaden continued looking at the cover for a moment before raising his head to look Faralda in the eye. "I'm honored, Faralda. Thank you."
Hearing Jaden speak her name, Faralda smiled. "You are welcome, Jaden." As she turned to leave, she spoke again. "Ancano is looking for you. Don't let him see that book, and be careful what you tell him." With that said, the Altmer turned and left.
After the Altmer's departure, Jaden looked down at the book he had been given.
"Power of the Elements?"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Juliet carried the unconscious child out of the carriage as Gunjar led the horse back to the stable. The Dunmer quietly pushed the door of her homestead open and made her way inside. Carefully, she made her way to the room in the west wing, where she lay Runa down on the bed, the child still sleeping peacefully.
Sighing, Juliet left the room.
"Juliet?" came a voice from the upper level. Looking up, the Dunmer saw her steward looking down at her.
"Yes, its me, Illia." She called back quietly. "There's a girl sleeping in the west wing. If she wakes up while I'm gone, please take care of her until I return.
Illia nodded. "Oh course. Safe travels." The Imperial turned and disappeared from view.
With that taken care of, Juliet turned and left the manor, walking off into the forest. Hopefully, she wouldn't be gone too long and be back when Runa woke.
"Looky, looky fellas." Came an accented voice from ahead of her. A heavily built Nord emerged from behind a tree. Four more men appeared behind her as surrounded circled her.
"What's a pretty little Dunmer like you doing out here?" The Nord asked as he drew closer, his hands occupied by an Orcish Warhammer.
Juliet folded her arms. "Just out for a walk and now I believe I will be going home."
"Not happening, girly." The Nord said, a sinister smile on his face. "Now, the boys and I are going to have a little fun you, then we're going to slit your throat."
As the Nord had been talking, an Orc had approached the Dunmer from behind intent of grabbing her.
This proved to be a grand mistake as the Dunmer spun, stabbing her black blade into the Orc's heart. The Orc was quickly followed by the other three men as Juliet slashed and stabbed them as they approached.
With the bandits behind her dead, Juliet turned her attention to the Nord in front of her. As he swung his war hammer, Juilet quickly stabbed her blade into his shoulder and, almost faster than the eye could follow, smashed a hand around his neck.
The man's scream died in his throat as Juilet squeezed. She released her blade with one hand and slowly pulled her mask down, revealing her face.
"I'm lucky I ran into you, bandit." She said softly as panic began to rise in the Nord's eyes. This grew even more when she smiled, revealing her pointed teeth. "I was getting quite thirsty." She buried her fangs in the man's neck.