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Chapter 6: The Parting Glass

It was that night, after the promised warm bath, all clean and white-furred, sitting with wet-hair-Delany, eating hot food and some strange drink that made this Solän'cae feel warm and fuzzy and happy, that she heard about them.

The Dark Brotherhood.

There was a boy, a young Imperial child called Aventus Aretino, orphaned when his mother died just a few months ago and sent to Honorhall Orphanage – from where he escaped to return here – who was trying to summon the Dark Brotherhood to kill someone. This Solän'cae had made a promise to search for knowledge about the Septim Dynasty and Al'Kardho, but she had made an oath to find the Dark Brotherhood. The want-thirst-need to kill was rising in this Solän'cae, and she couldn't wait any longer to take the life of another…. And, then it was a cub requesting the murder of another! They were so like Mehrunez – so innocent and foolish, and especially dangerous because of that. I couldn't wait to deal with the Mehrunez-hairless-cub.

This was the chance.

My chance to find them, to prove I was worthy of their ranks and that this Solän'cae would be invaluable to rebuilding the Dark Brotherhood. I would have to leave Delany to find the truth on her own. I could see, when she heard the Dunmer woman talk about it as well, that she knew she would go alone from here on. I would leave to find what I had come looking for.

Even though I would miss my hairless-Breton Delany, I was on the way to fulfilling my purpose here in Skyrim.

Breakfast was tense – we were both avoiding the mammoth in the room concerning the Dark Brotherhood, the Septim Dynasty, and what we were going to do now. I wanted to research what we had found, but I also wanted Solän'cae to come with me. I wanted her to be with me when we found out something new and amazing, and I wanted her to find what she was looking for, what she came to do.

Eventually we wandered the markets, and I bought a simple but sturdy hunting bow to replace my now-ashes-and-dust iron bow. We wandered through the city for a while, and finally ended up outside the Aretino Residence. I looked up to Solän'cae, and offered her a small smile.

"Well, good luck," I held out my hand, and jerked my head to the door. "He's probably waiting for someone like you to walk in and help him. If you ever need anything, or just feel like it, you write to me at the College, and I'll send something your way whenever you're not travelling too much. I'll let you know if I find anything, Solän'cae. And I hope you find them."
Solän'cae grinned, her sharp teeth glinting in the light as she took my hand and shook it firmly, in mock-seriousness. "To you too, Delany. I hope you find what we were looking for, in that College."

We grinned at each other, hands clasped, before embracing.

I turned and left for the stables to book the last cart out to Winterhold, while she turned to pick the lock of the house.

Neither of us looked back.

Windhelm was snowy and windy, but Winterhold was just ice and frozen sea spray. There wasn't much left of the city, and what there was, were ramshackle wooden buildings, stooped under the weight of ice and snow. I hurried down the main street, glancing quickly at a few destroyed shacks before slipping along the ice and skidding into the inn. I shuddered from the sudden change in temperature – the inn was wonderfully warm, and I stumbled to the fire to warm myself better.

A dark chuckle made me turn to a Wood Elf behind me. "I take it you're not from here? Don't worry – you'll get used to the cold and the snow eventually. I think I could help with that, actually…." He trailed suggestively. I scowled at him as best I could, about to snap at him when he waved a hand and stood, walking to me. "I'm Enthir. Boy, bring her some Nord mead for the cold."

I eyed him carefully. He had strawberry blonde hair, shaved at the sides and back, and long down the middle, falling down to one side over his left eye. "What do you want?" I asked coldly, wanting this Bosmer to leave me alone.
He scoffed, looking at me before handing a young Nord boy a handful of coins and taking a tankard of Nord mead and handing it to me. "What I want? The question is, what do you want in Winterhold?"
"I don't see how that's any of your business," I hesitated before taking the mead from him. It was warmed, and from what I could smell, slightly spiced. It would be perfect to chase away the last of the chills I had.
"My business is knowing everyone else's business. There are few reasons people come to Winterhold, and they are: to learn something or buy spell tomes from Nelacar, to do business, or to try and get into the Mages College of Winterhold. Since you frowned when I mentioned Nelacar, you're not here for him; you look confused when I mention business, so that means you're here for the College," he finished. I narrowed my eyes at him, deciding to sip the mead despite my better judgment. He would want a favor if I asked any further questions, and what that favor would be might be something I couldn't afford to give. Enthir sniffed, staring at the fire. "A word of advice when dealing with Faralda tomorrow – choose your words wisely, because it will determine your entrance test to the College. And, I actually have business to attend to…." He turned to leave, walking to a darker corner of the inn.
"What if I told Faralda I only wanted to access the library?" I called.

Enthir stopped, and half-turned to look me over with a smirk. "She'll turn you away without even asking you why you want in."
"And what do you want from me for all this?"
"Information for information. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm late."

Asshole, I thought, drinking the mead more readily as it warmed me a little more. I wandered to the bar, paid for food and board, and spent some time thinking about what kind of answer I would give this 'Faralda' tomorrow. Was she the one to test all would-be students, or was she actually the Archmage? I hadn't even thought to ask that, but then – would I really want to ask Enthir? I supposed he would want the same amount or value of information from me. But how much did I really value what he had told me?
I shook my head and opted for bed – I'd figure it out in the morning.

At least the wind had stopped blowing by the time morning came around. I must have broken my mind, and I had definitely destroyed my appetite thinking about what I might have to say to Faralda to get in. Until I reached the conclusion that she might not even be there, and that had been a tactic to try and dissuade me.

Not that I felt any better about it, though.

I followed the main road through Winterhold to the west, and up a stone walkway up to a tall, narrow arch. An Altmer woman in the dark orange, red and black Master Destruction robes leaned against the arch, her arms crossed as she watched me walk closer. She raised two fingers to stop me, not bothering to move anything else. "Halt. I am Faralda, the Gatekeeper of the Mages College of Winterhold. State your name and business, and what you expect to find within the College."
Shit. Enthir was right – there is a Faralda and she does deal with prospective students. "I'm Delany –" I need to stall for time! "– and I have some skill in magic. I seek to expand on what I know, and use the knowledge I can gain from inside the College to aid me in my travels." I grinned when she looked disinterested. "But…. Mostly, I just wanted to see what it looks like inside."

To my surprise, Faralda laughed. She straightened and smiled at me. "Ah, a sense of humor! That is something we are often in short supply of here. Very well, I require a demonstration of your skills. If I deem it sufficient, you may pass through to the College."
I nodded. "What do I need to do?"
"I would like you to conjure a Flame Atronach, on this College seal," she pointed at the seal on the floor between us.

I nodded again, and took a deep breath. Conjuration wasn't my strongest School, but I had managed Flame Atronachs on several occasions before this, so it shouldn't be much of a challenge. Focus on what you want to summon, I walked myself through the spell. Flame Atronach, from the Oblivion Planes. I charged the purple and black spell in my right hand, curling my fingers around the condensing energy. I felt my magicka flow into the spell, and the scorching heat followed by tingling coolness when I released the spell against the seal.

There was a crack, the dark purple and black growing, warping and solidifying into a Flame Atronach. She rose a little, turned to face me, and turned a loop through the air to stop in front of me. I grinned, heaving out a relieved sigh that I had succeeded. Faralda smiled back when I met her gaze. "Good. Follow me, and I'll take you through to the College."

She dispelled my Atronach – much to my disappointment – and walked up the stone ramp behind her to a stone basin filled with liquid magicka. She charged a white spell in her hands, and threw it at the air above the basin. A light rose from the magicka pool, and she walked up a longer, steeper ramp. "Watch your step from here on – much of Winterhold was destroyed by a storm several years ago, and the College suffered its own damages – particularly on the bridge now spanning a chasm."
I frowned, about to ask when I suddenly saw what she meant.

The bridge narrowed considerably, most of the stone tiles and walls broken off and washed away. A large portion of the bridge wasn't walled, and what remained was uneven and jagged. "For the love of Mara…" I breathed.
Faralda nodded solemnly and took the lead again, another light glowing above the magicka pool. "Yes. It is preferable to stay on one side of the bridge if you even suspect there might be wind while crossing – we have unfortunately lost two students who thought they could cross the bridge despite the ocean wind. Also, when it has snowed a lot, wait for someone from the College to melt the snow – often it creates the illusion of a broader, safer path. Keep your eyes open, focus on where you are going, and neither stop nor run – the key is to find the right speed," she cautioned, and immediately strode towards the College gates at the end. Well, if you can survive a dragon, you can survive a bridge like this, I thought, and made the mistake of glancing over the edge of the wall I was close to. I squeezed my eyes shut, cursing violently to myself about the idiocy of crossing such a dangerous bridge while so high up, opened my eyes and strode after Faralda anyway.

I just reached the basin she stood at when I felt a sudden gust of wind rising from the ocean below. I gasped, my eyes widening on instinct. I hadn't expected it to be so powerful. Faralda half-chuckled. "Now you've managed to safely experience the strength of on ocean wind this high up – remember that when you want to risk crossing it." She lit the final basin, and the College gates' bolts opened and slammed into place.
"Why hasn't the College repaired the bridge yet?" I asked.
"Funding – while we receive a steady income from much of Skyrim and beyond, the truth is that it simply isn't enough to fully repair the bridge. And so it has stayed this way. And using magic to maintain a more permanent barrier would be taxing – how would the spell be powered? Perhaps, one day a mage and adventurer will find some ancient magic we can apply to the bridge to make it safer to traverse. Welcome to the College, Delany. You will want to speak with Mirabelle Ervine immediately – she handles all the new students. As you can see, she's standing in the courtyard with three others who had joined us late yesterday. I'm sure she's giving them a brief tour of the College before sending them to their classes. You're lucky to have made the last of the admissions this semester."

And just like that, she went back to her post at the arch, and I walked through the College gates to join the small crowd. Everyone was dressed in the light blue and beige Novice Mage robes – except for Mirabelle, in the dark violet and blue Master Restoration robes. I felt out of place in my worn leather armor and fur-lined cloak.

"Ah, another prospective student! Welcome, and join us – I am Mirabelle Ervine, as I am sure Faralda has already mentioned, and these are Onmund –" a young Nord man waved awkwardly, "– J'zargo, –" the cream-colored Khajiit scoffed, as if he was sizing me up for potential competition, "– and Brelyna Maryon."

A Dark Elf woman – I've certainly managed to pick an interesting group, I thought, nodding and smiling. The she-elf didn't really acknowledge me – but I wasn't here to make friends, I was here for the library. And, now that I was enrolled, taking classes wouldn't hurt in the slightest. "I'm Delany, pleased to meet everyone."

Mirabelle huffed, pleased that introductions had gone well. "The others have been here since last night, so they already know where the Hall of Attainment is, so we shall begin there for your sake, Delany. You will find clothes more suited to your studies here in your dorm room, as well. Now," she said, walking to a tower on my left, "this is the Hall of Attainment, where all the Novice through Adept mages reside. Study hard and practice often, and pass your examinations and you will soon rise to great heights within the College. This Hall consists of four levels, six rooms per level, with at least one Expert mage residing within the tower at all times to keep order amongst our ranks. While you may come and go as you please, you are expected to be quiet and respectful of your fellows while within these Halls. Not everyone follows the same routines, so many may be awake through the night or at odd hours. Delany, this is your room," Mirabelle showed me to the first room on the right, on the ground floor of the tower. This was a fast-moving tour of the College. I quickly dropped my pack on the bed, noting the Novice Mage robes neatly folded on a dresser. "Sizing shouldn't be an issue – they are enchanted to change to fit the wearer regardless of height and weight, merely give it a few moments to adjust. Once it has adjusted, it will not revert if worn regularly or change unless given to another to wear. You can change your attire as soon as the tour is done.
"Now," she addressed all of us again. "Master Tolfdir is the current, most senior mage to reside within this Hall, and he can be found to the right of the stairs on this floor. Now, let's move on to the Hall of Countenance, the Hall of Nourishment, the Hall of the Elements, the Arcaneum and the Midden."

Wow, thought, shaking my head as I followed the group through the different parts of the College. This is more of a quest than I expected it to be.

I fell onto my new bed some time after lunch. The 'Hall of Nourishment' was something of a joke among most mages here, and I could appreciate it to a certain degree. The Midden was a series of underground research cubicles, somewhat iced over since the Great Collapse, and anyone who wanted to conduct more delicate, private research could officially book out a room with Urag gro-Shub, the Orc scholar in charge of the Arcaneum, the great library here at the College I so desperately wanted to see.

Its size and the number of books within had far exceeded my imaginings – I couldn't believe that even such a small section had such a large collection of books, tomes, scrolls, tablets…. I was sure, if one were to venture into the more disorganized, forgotten parts of the library, one might even be lucky enough to stumble across an Elder Scroll. An actual, legitimate Elder Scroll…. I laughed to myself, shaking my head and pulled the curtain over the archway to my room so I could change into my new robes. I had drifted from my original train of thought.

When Mirabelle had taken us down to the Midden, showing us the two main entrances from both sides, she made it very clear to us – almost to the point of assault – that we were never to go beyond a very clearly marked point in the Midden, ever, on pain of expulsion and memory alteration.

Naturally such a restriction gave me all the more reason to go down there and see what was so completely forbidden, but I would have to wait a while, and establish myself as an upstanding student before I would even begin to book research time in the Midden. I wondered briefly if Urag would allow the removal of books from the Arcaneum…. I doubt it, I thought, tugging the newly-adjusted robes into place a little better. If I want to take books down to the Midden I'll have to steal them out of the library, and I'm quite sure the books I want will either be protected by all sorts of spells, or I will spend so much time looking for them, that by the time I have it, I will need to hand it over for proper restorative work and cataloging.

"I need to get in as a scribe," I breathed, staring at myself in the mirror. I pulled my long black hair back, ran my fingers through it quickly and braided my hair all the way down. Classes started tomorrow, and I would need to sign up for everything I wanted today and make sure nothing clashed.

As much as I distrusted Enthir, I really hoped he would be in the dining hall tonight. I needed to confirm he was here without asking questions – I suspected he appreciated discretion as much as I did, and I really didn't want to raise the wrong sort of attention where he was concerned. I had a feeling he was far more dangerous and connected than he seemed to be.

Call it a thief's intuition.