Chapter 21

Lilaena started at the sound of a knock on her door, and then carefully peered through a window to try to make out the identity of the visitor. She wasn't able to see much outside of a shadow and the edges of what looked to be a blue silk doublet, but she cautiously opened the door anyway, bracing herself for what awaited her. 'It's probably just Belvyn…'

It was Belvyn. She let out an audible sigh of relief.

"Hello, Amaire, my lovely lady. Where's the boy?" The old elf glanced around the room.

"Oh, sorry… he's just… off with some mates, you know. Wandering about…" Lilaena lied.

Belvyn chuckled. "Ah yes, hopefully staying out of trouble!"

"Yes, hopefully!"

"Well, I do have some good news for you." He retrieved a rolled piece of parchment from his coat. "My acquaintance has agreed to give our boy a bit of magical training."

"Oh, that's brilliant," Lilaena replied, grinning. "Thank you again for your kindness, sera."

"Ah, don't think of it." The old Dunmer smiled and shook his head. "Now, she does say that she'll just be able to get him started with some basic knowledge. She's not able to offer the college's full complement of courses due to his age; he's not quite old enough yet. Should he prove to be an advanced student, she will consider perhaps breaking the rules, but she'll have to assess the situation herself. She's a great teacher, very well respected, and she should be able to help him with any difficulty he's having."

"I am so thrilled about this, Belvyn. I just don't know how to even express to you how amazing this is. I cannot wait to tell Ri."

"I hope he's equally as pleased about the news," Belvyn said with a laugh. "You may send him as soon as he is ready. My associate's name is Joselin Gane; just have him ask after her when he arrives."

Immediately following Belvyn's departure, Lilaena practically skipped over to the vacant flat to share the news with her son. Unlocking the door and flinging it open, she leaned in on one foot and sang, "Guess who's going to Winterhollllld!"

Rioghnan was sitting bolt upright in the bed with a pillow on his lap, looking a bit stricken. "Gods, Mum, ever heard of knocking? You nearly scared the shite out of me."

"Sorry! Did you hear what I said, though? Belvyn just stopped by. You're going to the College of Winterhold!" She waved the parchment about playfully.

"I heard it... Nice of you to stop by; I ran out of food earlier. And I've barely anything left to drink."

"Ri, aren't you happy? You seem cross with me. What's the matter?"

"I'm fine, Mum. I just… I don't know if I want to go there. I know you want me to go there, but what if I don't want to learn magic? What if I just want to stay here and …work in a shop or something?"

Lilaena sat on the end of the bed. This behavior was very out of character for Rioghnan. She knew he wasn't being entirely honest with her concerning his reasons for reacting as he had. "Ri, what's really bothering you? You've always been curious about magic. You used to beg me to be allowed to learn spells. This is your chance to learn; a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Why are you suddenly so averse to it?"

He was silent for a moment, staring at his hands on top of the pillow. "What if I can't do it?"

"What do you mean? Of course you'll be able to do it. It's in your blood, Ri. There is literally not a chance you'll not be able to learn. You just need a proper instructor. You're an Altmer; the son of two very talented mages. You'll amaze them all, Ri. I'm absolutely certain of it."

"I couldn't put a spell on a bloody moth."

Lilaena gave him a sympathetic look. "Just give it a try, Ri. You've nothing to lose by trying."

He sighed. "I want to see Nilsie first. I want to tell her I'll be gone for a bit so she doesn't think I've died, or that I don't like her."

"You know I'd tell her the truth if she asked."

"I'd rather tell her myself."

"Alright then, I'll go fetch her. You stay here. And tidy up a bit; it looks as if a battle has just happened in here." Lilaena whisked the knapsack off the table on her way out.

Still feeling rather apprehensive for reasons he couldn't quite articulate, Rioghnan set about straightening the room as best he could. He dressed, washed his face and hands and kicked his dirty clothing under the bed.

It seemed to take hours before Lilaena finally returned with Nilsie. Almost reluctantly, as soon as she entered the room, Nilsie said, "She said you're leaving so… goodbye." She waved stiffly, as if she was being forced.

"I won't be gone forever," Rioghnan replied, a bit puzzled by her attitude.

"Well… we only got to …spend time together twice, so… it's not as if I'm going to miss you. I have other friends." She shrugged.

"…Alright," Rioghnan said. "…I suppose I'll be seeing you again when I return, then."

"I reckon. Unless I've moved away or something." She sniffed. "Good luck with your studies."

"Thanks… I'll need it." Rioghnan replied with a good natured chuckle.

Nilsie glanced downward and pressed her lips together into a thin, dark reddish line. "I'm sure you'll do well."

Rioghnan smiled and held his arms out in the hopes of a parting hug, but Nilsie hung back. She shook her head. "I don't know if that would be …appropriate," she said in a low voice, glancing sideways at Lilaena.

"What? No; it's fine." Rioghnan's eyes followed Nilsie's to meet his mother's and he was instantly incensed. "What have you said to her?"

"What do you mean?" Lilaena feigned bewilderment.

"I… I have to go," Nilsie blurted out, sounding a little choked up. She hastily retreated and disappeared through the doorway.

"Nilsie, wait -" He strode after her but found his path blocked by Lilaena. "Move," he snapped, staring down into his mother's face. He saw a hint of fear in her warm green eyes, but she held her ground. He was aware he could easily have shoved her aside and for a moment he considered doing so, before he thought better of it. "Mum, I need to go talk to her. She's upset. I don't know what you've told her… What have you told her?"

"I told her the same things I told you, about how we are expected to only be involved romantically with our fellow high elves. It's not an insult to her, or a punishment. It's a simple fact. I felt I needed to say it; to set her straight before she became too enamored. I know how you two feel about one another. It's to be expected, of course, at your age, but that doesn't make it right. Nilsie is a nice girl. She's a lovely little Dunmer. But you must understand; she can never be more than a friend. I know you're angry with me now, but trust me, Ri, you'll thank me for this one day."

"I doubt that. I need to tell her I'm sorry for what you said. I can't believe you'd go and do something like this. It's pointless. I'm leaving anyway."

"But you'll be back. Let her go, Ri. It's better she's a bit angry. She'll be less hurt by your leaving that way."

"I need to talk to her. Let me make sure she's alright at least."

"Let her go. It's for the best. Come along, we're leaving straight away for Skyrim. I packed your things before I went to fetch Nilsie. It's all waiting outside."

Rioghnan prepared to dispute her plans but he saw the resolution in his mother's face. He knew she was worried about this old mage fellow harming him, and if he was quite honest with himself, he was a bit perturbed over it as well. He wanted to find Nilsie and tell her he didn't share his mother's views, but perhaps she was right, and it would just make Nilsie feel worse about his departure. He followed Lilaena outside to find his belongings stuffed into the old knapsack, which now sported the dusty impression of the sole of a small girls' sandal. Rioghnan smiled when he saw it. Tears briefly smeared his vision before he managed to fight them back. He trudged along behind his mother toward the stilt strider platform.