Chapter 9: Magic
Loki's POV
As I awaken, it is to the sound of silence at the sun's first rays. The first thing I notice is my body. It feels as if I am floating in a stormcloud as my body hums with an electrical current. My magic! I sit up quickly, all pain gone, and my strength returned. I open and close my fist, watching as dazzling green sparks dance around my now pale, asgardian hand. I smile in excitement. By the Nine, I missed this feeling. I feel pleased at my quick recovery, and yet, baffled. Even at my level, it should take longer to recover my magic.
I stand and exit the room, searching for Solace. No doubt she will be pleased. The dining room, however, is empty. Looking around, I see many rooms. I call out Solace's name, only to hear silence in return. Where is she? I first check the rest of the main hall, past the fireplace. It has a round table to the left of the area, and what looks to be a cellar to the right. The trap door into the cellar, however, proves to be locked. An easy fix with my magic, but I do not believe that she is down there.
I continue on to the back room, what seems to be a storage room. There are many chests, dressers, and shelves. This must be where Solace retrieved the oil barrel.
Returning to the dining area, I open one of the doors to the wing across from the one I sleep in. The wing is by far the most impressive, an armory. There were multiple stands holding armor of all sorts, and weapon racks lining in between the armor. The room was so crowded with weapons and armor that only two chests fit in the chamber, and yet somehow the armory retained an organised appearance. I find myself wanting to explore what she has in this room; some of the items feeling distinctly magical, but I decide instead to continue my search.
The only areas I have yet to check are upstairs and outside, and seeing as it only makes sense to finish searching the house first, I head up one set of the stairs that are on either side of the main hall.
Upstairs was more cramped, but just as orderly as the other parts of the house. It's structure was built in the shape of a Π,the chimney going straight through the center. Most of the room was taken up by beds and dressers. There were two more single beds on the left side, with matching dressers, and another double bed in the back. There, on the large bed lay, not Solace, but Kriid. He was curled up and deep asleep, his nose resting under his tail. I spare a small smile at the canine. He has grey hair mottled in with his shiny coat, I notice. I did not see it before, distracted by his puppy-like attitude, but as I look at him now, he seems old and fragile. His age is not too great, but he certainly isn't young anymore. Another thing to note is the fierce looking scars. They are all but invisible unless you're up close. I stroke the sleeping canine's back and leave him to his nap, continuing down the stairs. Solace isn't in the house, so I head to the door to check outside.
As I walk out into the yard, I take in the atmosphere for the first time. A wind blows in through the trees of the surrounding forest, carrying a slight bite of chill. There is a lake out front. Not a big one, but rather one small enough to almost be considered a pond. The water is clear, and in it you can see fish, and large crabs the size of which I have never seen. Over to the side, a simple wooden stable stood, large enough to house two horses.
With the mess created from yesterday gone, and without the threat, I realize that this place is quite beautiful. There is something in the air that I cannot name. Something heavy and yet light. I close my eyes and allow my magic to reach out, feeling the trees, the water, the earth, and in it all thrums something great. It is in everything around me, no; is everything around me. It is magic! This world is entirely made of magic!
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
My eyes snap open at I turn to find the one I had been searching for. Now, seeing through magic's eyes, she was magnificent. She wore her same armor, but now I can see the bright enchantments laced over the material, as well as the magic on her sword and bow. Though, none of the enchantments could compare to the astounding magic emanating from Solace herself. It is wild, volatile, and dominating, something to behold with awe. Next to her stood a magnificent beast of a horse, black as the Void, with magic even darker. The stallions piercing red eyes were a pit of lava, burning with wild fury, making the steed unmistakably untamable.
I could feel a tentative strand of Solace's magic coax my own. Walking a bit closer to her, I allow my magic to meet with hers. As our magic flowed together, I can sense that our magic is vastly different. Hers seems to control and command the magic of nature, while mine drew from itself to create whatever effect I desire. I was taught that no one could control magic, and that those who tried were consumed and turned mad. Though more powerful, her magic is not as diverse as mine. She cannot turn one item into another, or summon an object into existence like I.
I realize that I have reached Solace and am standing right in front of her. I remember her question and say, "Yes. Simply stunning." As the statement left my mouth, I found myself not sure to what I was referring.
Solace tilts her head with a smirk that was almost a smile, "I am glad to see you well."
"As am I. I expected it to take longer, but the magic on this realm feeds my own, making it stronger."
"Not many can feel the magic of Nirn, and even fewer can interact with it. You are quite unusual"
"So I've heard."
Solace patted the horse at her side, "This is Shadowmere. He is an extension of the void; everlasting. He has been my friend for quite some time and through many trials."
I reached out a hesitant hand and touched his muzzle. He is soft and warm, so unlike the void that I fell through. Shadowmere sniffed me in curiosity and nuzzled my shoulder.
"Good. He likes you," Solace said, "He will be your ride to Falkreath. I have a steed I can summon from the Soul Cairn."
"The Soul Cairn?" I ask as I stroke the stallion.
"The Soul Cairn is where the souls go when you take them from a body, and lock them in a black soul gem. It is a difficult practice, but very rewarding as it allows you to bind enchantments to items."
I nod in acceptance. Sometimes magic had a high price.
"You skin is now in the likeness of men. What other forms do you possess?"
Shadowmere snorts and walks off to his stable, eating the fresh hay within.
"My forms are only limited by my mind. I have once held the form of a snake, as well as a dragon. Though, I cannot take the form of something I do not know of."
Solace's eyes widened for a moment, "You can take the form of the Dov?"
"Dov?"
"Dragon."
"Yes. I actually first did so to fight off another dragon that my brother and his friends awakened on accident."
"Dragons are feared here. If we are to avoid creating an uproar, we must not fly as a Dovah."
I raised a brow inquiringly, "We?"
Solace straightened in pride. "I too am a Dovah."
My head whirled with the information, making connections. " You are the Dragonborn!"
Her magic swelled, creating an intimidating aura. "I am the Dovahkiin, Thuri, master, to all Dovah."
