A/N: And here's the next chapter! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own the Elder Scrolls series. I only own my original ideas.
Chapter 20: Putting the Guild to Work
After the meeting, Falcon left the manor, and started making her way back to Riften. What she'd learned had given her much to think of. The Eye of Magnus… an artifact capable of bending reality to its user's will. She could see why the Thalmor might want it, and why those she'd met would seek to prevent this. She was certain that amongst those present, Sunders-the-Heart wasn't the only one besides herself who'd had contact with a Daedric Prince.
She continued along, passing through Ivarstead and making her way around the mountains to arrive at Riften. She entered the city, and made her way through the hidden entrance to arrive back in the Ragged Flagon.
"I see you've made it back," said Brynjolf, "Discover anything interesting?"
"I certainly did," said Falcon, "Brynjolf, I need to ask something of you. I know for a fact that our little group is most likely not to only branch if the Thieves' Guild operating across Tamriel. I think it would be a good idea to contact the heads of other branches involving an… upcoming job".
"I know that tone," said Brynjolf, "what have you got planned?"
"A new conflict will soon be coming to Tamriel," said Falcon, "and I have a feeling that a certain faction will be the main target. I think we can save some lives if we were to… inform those innocent of any this faction's doings what is going on. Rather than stealing a physical item, we'd take from them something far more important: the support of the populace".
Brynjolf smirked at the idea and then replied.
"Which branches should I be contacted?" asked Brynjolf.
"Summerset, Elsweyr, and Valenwood," said Falcon, "those who live in the Dominion should know what their leaders wish to do. Take these papers. They're copies of the core beliefs of the Dominion's leadership. Let's see what the people think of this".
Falcon passed Brynjolf the documents, and then headed for the deeper tunnels where she could commune with her patron. When she arrived, Lady Nocturnal manifested in a cloud of blackbirds.
"Greetings, my Nightingale," said Nocturnal, "I see you have been busy. The Chosen of Azura had recruited you to his cause, where you stand with the Dragon-blooded warrior seeks to who seeks to insure the future".
"My Lady?" said Falcon.
"Listen well, my Nightingale," said Nocturnal, "the success or failure of this movement will decide the future. The moment you became involved, you too became entangled in this web. I shall watch over you, but all that can be done for now is see what will come of these events".
Artaeum
Deep within the heart of the monastery of the Psijic order, hidden from the eye of all but the orders most loyal, the Eye of Magnus sat, sleeping. It didn't like this place, so cut off from the rest of the world. Silently, it fumed at being caged. It wanted to be free from this place, to continue the great work for which it was first build. The plates making up its shell rotated quietly, as it considered its options. Ever since a short time after its creators brought it to this world, those who watched over it had fought hard to keep its power contained, even giving up a portion of their own powers to do so. The closest it had come to true freedom since then was when it had managed to indoctrinate that weak-minded being at what it had overheard being called the 'College of Winterhold', and it might have had its freedom too, if it hadn't been for that dragon-souled one. It hoped to see that one again, the one who stank of the powers of one of its original captors. It whold then show that one its true might.
That one had handed it over to its current captors. It had tried to reach out and command them the same as it had with the other, but its jailors were much stronger minded. Then again, it didn't need a large hole to get in, all it needed was a small imperfection, a minuscule chink in their mental armor and it would get what it wished. Of course, it was in no hurry. After all, those who restrained its power to begin with also caused another effect: stagnation. Their world would be unable to advance while their restriction upon It were in place. It just had to be patient, slowly probe at prod until it found its opening. It had time to spare… all the time in the world.
The Eye's musing were interrupted as some of its jailors came to check on it. It was the one it knew as Quaranir, and another it didn't recognize.
"Are you sure your alright, my friend?" asked Quaranir.
"Yes, just a slight headache," said the other, "I'm certain I can handle guarding the Eye".
"If you say so," said Quaranir, "but inform someone if you start feeling worse, or the Eye does anything out of the norm".
"I'll be sure to," said the other.
Quaranir left, and then other stayed behind, watching the Eye. The Eye had heard this exchange clearly, and refocused its attention on its current observer. All the time in the world… and now was a good time to start.
A/N: Dun Dun Dun! Mysterious happening! Honestly the second part of this chapter just came out of nowhere. But the idea that the Eye is more than just a hunk of metal and intoxicating power seemed interesting. Combine that with the fact that in the Eye's prensence, Ancano went from a rational, albeit unpleasant, person to what we saw of him at the end of the College of Winterhold questline, and you have the makings of a truly dangerous artifact.
Anyway, that's all for now. Next time: the Adventure continues! see you then!