Disclaimer in Ch. 1
Thanks for all the reviews. I'm pretty sure this is the second to last chapter. I hope you enjoy!
"I do not like it" Vilkas grumbled as the two of them slipped into the back of the Thirsk Mead Hall and dropped their packs next to one of the beds. Elise rolled her eyes before turning to look at him.
"I am not overly fond of it either, but I do not have a choice," she retorted.
"There must be another way. Making a deal with Hermaeus Mora? You have enough debts to the Daedric Princes already," he stated.
She bit back a sigh and pressed two fingers against her temple, wishing not for the first time that she had brought Serana with her. Serana would have understood. She sat heavily on the bed and looked up at him resignedly. "I have already had dealings with Hermaeus Mora," she admitted. "I have had dealings with all of the Daedric Princes."
Vilkas dropped down next to her, jostling the bed some as he did. "All the Daedric Princes?" he asked, clearly shocked.
She nodded. "All sixteen. I have managed to return the artifacts gifted to me by all but a few. One being the knowledge granted to me by Hermaeus Mora."
"And so you agree that going to talk to this Master Neloth about the Black Books will assist you?" he questioned.
"You heard Storn," she answered, pulling off her boots and then turning to lie on the bed. She threw one arm over her face and sighed. "He made it rather clear what needed to be done."
Vilkas frowned but followed her lead, shifting to lie with his side pressed against hers. "I still do not like it," he groused. She laughed and leaned up to kiss him on the cheek.
"There are several things that I have not liked and still had to do. It is an unfortunate part of being me," she responded. He snorted but didn't say anything further and she lie back down and allowed herself to drift into a light sleep.
The next morning found them standing outside the mushroom tower named Tel Mithryn where the Master Telvanni wizard Neloth resided. Elise considered it and then glanced over at Vilkas. "You should wait out here," she stated.
"And why is that?" he asked.
"You are a Nord and a Companion," she stated as if that answered everything, and in her mind it did.
"So?" he asked.
"So Nords are not very open to outsiders, no matter the history of Solstheim, and as for the Companions. Well, we all know the history of Wuuthrad," she stated. He opened his mouth to argue and then snapped it shut, seeming to realize he was not going to win.
"Very well," he said. "I shall wait here."
She kissed him quickly on the lips and then headed inside the tower. A short and intense ride later found her standing in what was obviously a laboratory. She approached the Dunmer wizard who seemed very involved in a book and opened her mouth to speak, only to shut it when he held up a finger.
"A moment, I despise interruptions," he snapped. She raised an eyebrow but waited until he finished and marked his place. He turned and looked her over, nose wrinkling in distaste. "A Bosmer?"
"Last time I checked," she responded.
He frowned at her sass and then waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. "Make it quick, I have things to do."
"I hear you know where to find Black Books," she said.
If he was surprised he did not show it, instead answering with a bored tone, "You refer to the tomes of esoteric knowledge that old Hermaeus Mora has scattered throughout the world? What could you know of them?"
Elise refrained from snorting and instead responded, "I have dealt with Hermaeus Mora before. I have read the Oghma Infinium."
His eyebrows raised in shock. "Have you? The actual Oghma Infinium? That is… I have searched for it myself for many years without success… Well then, you should know better than anyone that Hermaeus Mora is not to be trifled with. But he is subtler than most of the other Daedric Princes, as you would expect the prince of knowledge and fate. You seem to have excaped the fate of many who find themselves ensnared forever by the lure of his secrets. Or… perhaps not." He looked her over again and sneered.
Elise rolled her eyes and growled out. "I have to know what Miraak knows if I want to stop him."
"Miraak?" he asked, tapping his chin in thought, "The one all the townsfolk are always chanting about?"
"Yes." She forced out between her teeth. "You may have noticed he is trying to return to Solstheim."
Neloth shrugged and turned his attention back to the book in his hand. When he answered his voice was filled with disdain. "Well, I knew something connected with Hermaeus Mora was spreading its influence across the island. I was not sure that it was in fact the same entity as this legendary namesake of the central temple. Although the villagers seem quite convinced."
Elise folded her hands behind her back in order to keep from yanking the book from his hands. Master Telvanni Wizard or not he did not have to be so rude. "Do you know where I can find another Black Book?" she asked.
"Oh yes," he stated flippantly. "They are not hard to locate once you know how to look for them. I have one here that I have been using to locate more."
"You have a Black Book?" she asked in surprise.
"Yes. I have not been idle while this fascinating madness engulfed Solstheim. But my book is not what you are looking for. I am quite sure it is unconnected with this Miraak. But I do know where to find a Black Book that can help you," he answered.
"Why will the Book you have here not help me?" she pressed. If it meant that she did not have to wander more of this island she would jump on the chance.
"Oh, it clearly is not associated with the same power that has overtaken the island," he responded, voice toned as if talking to a small child. "And I am not talking about Hermaeus Mora. These Black Books are all his, of course. No, what you are looking for is a specific book. Presumably because Miraak's power derives from it."
"Great, so you will tell me where to go?" She sighed in frustration when he shook his head.
"It is not that simple, or I would already have the book. No, we will go together. Provided you can convince me why I should help you." He idly flipped back open the book he had and placed it on the desk before jotting down some notes in the margins.
Elise smirked behind his back and reached into her pack. This part she had been prepared for. Neloth jumped in surprise when she dropped the large tome down on the desk.
"What is that?" he snarled, eyeing the old and dusty book with distaste.
"Oh that?" she answered airily, "That is the Oghma Infinium. You know, the book you have searched years for."
"What? How did you? I cannot believe you have this." His hands ran along the cover and spine reverently. She snatched it back quickly and held it against her chest.
"A trade," she stated, "One book for another."
Neloth smirked and stood up. "For a glimpse at the Oghma Infinium I would do much more than take you to find a Black Book. If that is all you are asking for though, well I am not noble enough to turn you down."
"Good," Elise responded. "I get enough nobleness from my husband. And I need that Black Book."
"Very well," Neloth said. "Let me get my things together and we will be off to Nchardak."
"I will meet you outside," Elise commented. Neloth did not respond, instead seemed to be busy trying to determine what staff to take with him. Elise shook her head and floated back down to the entrance, moving outside to find Vilkas waiting near the door.
"Well?" he asked.
"It seems we are about to be joined by a Master Telvanni Wizard in our quest," she told him.
"Grand," he muttered under his breath.