Narrating

''Narrating in conversations''

Ronan realized that since the previous night, he had to consistently deal with dilemmas. Now, he had two to choose between taking Azura's star with him and leaving it here. He felt that there really wasn't any point in taking it with him, except rising suspicions, would anyone find it. Indeed, he was merely going to ask for a spell, and the safest place where he could continue his experiments were at home, where he was standing right now. However, simply leaving such a powerful item here would make him feel uncomfortable during the whole trip. Finally, he decided to hide it here, inside a drawer, behind a number of books, where no one would seek it.

He gathered the necessities for the trip, but quickly realized that they were short on food. Ronan had bought a carriage service, but they still needed more to eat for the entire trip, which would probably take around a day. He had told the driver to station at Falkreath, since he would not use his services very often, and that the city was right next to the mansion. Ronan decided that they were going to pass by the city's shop and buy some more equipment.

Some vegetables and some bread, a torch, ropes, potions, some books… While Ronan was making sure he had everything ready to go, he noticed that Kharara didn't look so confident in his armor, and also looked a little uncomfortable. Leaving the only place he could remember for the other side of the country, Ronan could understand the look on his face.

When he was done, the two of them departed. Locking the door to his mansion, he felt a bit of anguish, thinking about what he had done, and what he was about to do. Hopefully his role as an Arch-mage would give him some other things to think about…

After a short walk, Ronan and Kharara arrived at the city's walls. Right next to the entrance was a stable, where Ronan's carriage was stocked, along with its horse. Inside, Gunjar, the driver, was taking care of the tall and muscular beast's coat. As Ronan was approaching him, the sound of Kharara's armor shaking with his steps got his attention.

"-Arch-mage Ronan! It is good to see you. Are you looking for a ride somewhere?

-Yes, but I have to buy some equipment and food for the trip before, if you don't mind.

-Of course I don't. Where are you hoping to go?

-Winterhold.

-Same as last time. Prepare yourself accordingly. This trip is going to be long! Oh, is that a new friend of yours?

He had noticed Kharara waiting behind the sorcerer. Ronan, a little surprised and anxious, quickly answered to the man.

-Yes! It's, hum, an acolyte, escorting me to the College.

-Really? But you are the Arch-mage! I bet you could burn a man alive by merely looking at him!

-Having some company isn't really bad either, you know…

Ronan didn't really know what he was saying. How was he going to explain Kharara's presence to every person he met?

-Well, I'll see you in a bit. I have to get my carriage ready, too.

-See you, Gunjar."

This conversation left Ronan a little awkward. Or was it embarrassment? Either way, he turned, and they entered the city. He hadn't noticed the guards before, but now their presence felt more menacing than calming. Would this feeling of guilt follow him whenever Kharara was with him, now?

His first stop was the Blacksmith, as he was the closest. Ronan wanted to check if there was any armor Kharara would feel more comfortable wearing. However, the man didn't have anything very sturdy to offer, and the only interesting thing in his possession was an orcish hammer. Ronan was pretty sure Kharara didn't have any experience in such a weapon, and decided that he would see to it later. For now, even though the quality of the equipment he gave to Kharara wasn't really great, he had nothing else to give him, so he had to do with it. Looking for provisions, they entered the general trader's store.

''-Ronan! You finally got out of your little mansion!

-Yes. Duty is calling, again. I'm going to Winterhold, and I need some food to eat during the trip.

-Maybe you should've stayed home, then. I heard the weather's getting even colder up north.

-I gladly would if I wasn't the most powerful sorcerer of Skyrim."

Fifteen minutes later, the awkward duo left the store, bags filled with cake, meat, and even some mead. This time, Ronan didn't feel anxious, rather that his life had not changed much after all. They both joined Gunjar, who was just getting out of the stable. Ronan and Kharara sat on the back of the carriage, and the trip began.

Ronan had brought books to read through the trip, and when he offered one to Kharara, the Khajiit kindly declined it, and instead spent his time, gazing at the nature passing through. However, Ronan needed to give Kharara instructions about how they would deal with any potential threat. He explained that if they were attacked, their first objective would be to protect Gunjar and his horse. Ronan told him that since they were two, in such a case, Kharara would have to stay around the carriage to protect it while Ronan deals with the threat. After all was settled, Ronan opened his first book, "Ahzirr Traajijazeri". Learning about Khajiit wasn't really a necessity, but he wanted to learn more about the land he saw in the memories he destroyed.

The trip was quite boring, as usual, and eventless. Even though Ronan couldn't decide if that was a good or bad thing, he felt great joy once the College appeared into his view. It was quite rare to see a sky this clear in Winterhold, and could see the faint lights along the thin bridge as the sun was setting down. Ronan gave Gunjar a two hundred septims, to make sure his driver could wait comfortably in Winterhold during Ronan's stay. He was tempted to go straight to the tavern and ask for the spell, but a proper entrance as an Arch-mage was needed. He got down, took his bag, and followed by Kharara, started to head to the illuminated fortress.

Faralda was at the entrance of the bridge, where she usually stays several hours a day, to welcome any potential student. She saw Ronan when he arrived on the carriage, and welcomed the Arch-mage with a faint smile.

"-Arch-mage Ronan! Welcome back to the College. Did you have a good rest?

-Yes, thank you very much, Faralda. These few days of resting really were necessary.

-No major problem occurred while you were gone. However, I heard Tolfdir had several things he would like to talk to you about. You know how he doesn't really like having you away from the College for too long. Who is that, by the way?

Faralda was pointing at Kharara. Thankfully, the Khajiit preferred letting Ronan do the talking. The latter having thought about the way to introduce Kharara, he felt more confident this time around.

-He is an acolyte of mine. I saved his life shortly after I arrived home, and he insisted on following me. His name is Kharara.

-Oh. Welcome to the College, Kharara."

Kharara answered with a bow, and followed Ronan on the bridge. The latter deduced that Kharara wasn't fond of talking, which suited the sorcerer perfectly fine. Answering back every welcome, Ronan headed straight to his quarters. If his role as an Arch-mage wasn't going to keep him busy, Ronan felt that he actually could relax in this familiar environment. He was first going to attend to his duties, and worry about his experiments later. He had been Arch-mage for two or three months already, and knew that it required a lot of patience and sometimes energy.

The faint blue light engulfed Ronan as he arrived in his quarters. He went straight to his bedroom to store his heavy equipment, but Kharara stayed a little behind him, amazed by the beauty and serenity of this place. When Ronan had dropped his bag, he turned to look at Kharara. In this blue light, he could barely recognize the Khajiit. At this moment, he thought of him as a stranger more than as an acolyte, contrarily to what he had told the people he met earlier. He still wasn't exactly sure what he was going to do with this stranger, but these feelings made him reconsider the few ideas he had beforehand. Should he really make him an acolyte? Or a slave? Perhaps a friend? Should he simply release him? Before he could think further, however, he heard someone knocking on his door.

"-Arch-mage Ronan? This is Tolfdir. I heard you just came back from vacation."

Well, Ronan thought, might as well get that out of the way. The day wasn't over yet.