Returning to Candlehearth Hall, Dovida bundled in a brown cloak, joined Skoref and Savos by the upstairs fireplace. Savos arrived shortly after Dovida left, leading a search for the missing elf. Finding her on the bridge, Skoref was an inch away from grabbing her before falling. Savos shot a fireball, softening the ice and Dovida broke through as Skoref dove in with no hesitation. Amazed at how fortunate she was, Dovida thanked them both and provided an update on what happened at the market.

"That's very upsetting. I'm sorry we can't do anything." Said Skoref.

"You've done more than asked of you Skoref. I appreciate it."

"If it's any consolation, my hypothesis on how you ended up as an elf might intrigue you. That's even if you want to hear it." Said Savos.

"Since getting my old body back isn't an option, I'd say its pointless. For clarity's sake, I'd would like to know."

Savos crossed his legs and leaned back in the chair. "I consulted with our conjuration expert Phinis Gestor. A few theories were plausible but one in particular stuck out. Do either of you know about soul gems?"

"My granny told me about soul gems." Answered Skoref. "Those purple crystals that mages use to enchant things right? You can trap people's souls inside upon their death."

"Correct. If the story of your old body being pale white is true, then your soul may have been trapped in a gem. Meaning the suspect used an enchanted weapon or is a necromancer. Summoner of the dead."

Dovida's jaw rolled around. Leaning on being shocked but it was as Edna suspected. "Go on."

"Perhaps this mage extracted your soul from the gem, placing it inside another creature. He or she would have to kill the host without doing too much damage to the body, hence your neck wounds. Another factor being how long can a body last when a heart ceases to beat. There have been stories of conducting such experiments, but there are no records of success. Leaving this theory up to complete speculation."

"That's sounds ridiculous." Said Skoref.

"Quite. Me and Phinis shared the same sentiment but nothing is impossible when it involves magic. What one can achieve by pushing these limits, requires time and a lot of unwilling volunteers."

Dovida listened to the cackling sound of burning wood. Fiddling her fingers. Processing Savos' theory. With all of that in mind, a particular idea came to fruition.

"I have selective memory of my past life. Bits and pieces. The elf's memory is more visual. I can feel it while dreaming. Only issue is that it happens at random. Is there a way to tap into the elf's mind? If so, then I might be able to see the elf's last few memories and find her attacker."

"Hmm, a self induced coma? I don't see why that isn't possible. Although that's not my area of expertise. Nor anyone at the college for that matter."

"My granny could help. She's pretty good with herbals and tonics."

"You think so?" Asked Dovida.

"Sure. Anytime I got sick or hurt, granny had a recipe for it. She can cook something up to knock you out. We can head back tomorrow morning and ask her."

"About that. You need to read this." Savos handed Skoref a small paper wrapped package with a note stuck to it.

Puzzled by the gift, Skoref flipped his letter open. Scanning it from left to right, his face became distraught. Dovida patiently waited for a reaction. Skoref's eyes darted to Savos, forming a comment. Instead he folded the letter and unwrapped the package. Inside were mage robes.

"Skoref Dorn. On behalf of Edna Dorn and my colleagues, I invite you to study at the College of Winterhold. I know this is very sudden. Your grandmother insisted you come to the college for training. I must reiterate that this was her suggestion."

Skoref's frown flipped into a smirk. "No, I understand that. She knew I was never going to leave her side. Granny told me all the time to go out and live my life. She knew about my magic. Waited until I was miles away to get rid of me. Sly old woman."

"So I take it you'll be coming with me on your own will?"

"Well if I travel back home, granny might beat me with a stick for not going. Lets go to school."

"Excellent. I won't have to paralyze you then. Get changed while I speak to Dovida. Afterwards meet me at the stables. I have a horse waiting." Skoref went off as Savos pulled out a bag of gold for Dovida. "A small thank you for bringing Skoref here safely. This should help in your journey."

"Many thanks elf. I hope there aren't hard feelings for who I am and my people."

"For starters, addressing me by name is welcome. Besides that, there are no feelings involved. I'm here for Skoref, not you." Savos rose from the chair, stretching his legs. "I'll leave you and Skoref to say goodbyes. Send him when you're done."

Skoref exited the inn, leaving Dovida by the fire. Other patrons talked amongst each other while the bard strummed her lute. It was comforting for Dovida. She sat there, coming to the realization that life was to start a new. Wrapped in the cloak, she went downstairs and back to the room. Skoref was adjusting to his new robes.

"How do I look?"

"Like a true mage."

"Wonderful." Skoref slapped his legs. "Here to see me off then?"

"Unfortunately I am."

With a raised eyebrow he asked, "Unfortunately?"

"Yes I was starting to warm up to you."

"Well I really wanted to warm up to those women at the Black Cat. Guess I'll settle for straddling a dark elf half way across the country."

Dovida let out a hearty chuckle. "That smart ass wit will be missed. Jokes aside, you're a good kid Skoref, with a good heart. Do me a favor and make sure no one gets over on you. Stand tall in every situation. Most importantly, don't anger the necromancer."

"Good advice...I think. Please do me a favor as well. Keep an eye on granny for me. Drop in and say hello once in a while. Have some tea. She really took a liking to you."

"I'll keep that in mind. Best of luck Skoref. Goodbye."

"Hey! Its not a goodbye. See you later." Bag slung over the shoulder, he and Dovida shook hands. Skoref began walking. He paused at the door. "You know, I do have one question you need to answer."

"Go ahead."

"Am I a boy or a man?"

"A boy...or man. A boy, depends on others for things he should do himself. Not rising to the occasion and letting loved ones falter. A man does the opposite. A man takes care of business. He does not care for the opinion of others. Above all, a man believes in himself. Which one are you?"

Skoref breathed in and deeply breathed out. Giving a stern nod, Skoref figured out the answer. With that, he was gone. Dovida sat on the bed, listening to his footsteps fade until she could hear them no longer. The time for revelations had ended. Action needed to be taken. Grabbing her bag, she decided to visit an old friend.

On the less traveled side of Windhelm, resided the Hall of the Dead. Resting place for all of Windhelm's fallen. No one outside of a priestess and casket makers went inside. Today that changed, as Dovida stepped through the front door. She approached a praying Helgird at an altar. A priestess who gave the dead their last rites.

"Evening lady of Arkay. My name is Eveline. I'm looking for Braxen Thor."

Helgird finished speaking the last few words and stood up. "Hello child. May I ask why an elf is asking for a dead Stormcloak?"

"You see, three years back, I met Braxen in Dawnstar. We had...relations."

Helgird covered her mouth in shock. "Young lady, are you aware that Mr. Thor was a married man?"

"I-I know." Whimpered Dovida. "I made a fool of myself in the market earlier, almost telling his widow of what happened, but I couldn't. We conceived a child that lays back home. I cry at night knowing he'll never see his father. I know this would ruin his reputation, which I won't do. I just want to move on and I just need to say my peace. Please."

Helgird placed a comforting hand on Dovida's shoulder and led her down the dark, damp hallway. Dovida snickered on the inside, surprised that her sob story worked. In the right wing, laid a special reservation for fallen Stormcloaks. Each casket placed in individual shelving.

"Braxen's is on the top. Their names are engraved on the casket. I'll leave you to greave."

"Thank you kind woman." Once Helgird was out of sight, Dovida sprung into action. Using the bottom casket as leverage, Dovida boosted herself to Braxen's spot. Cracking the casket open, a few spiders crawled out. Braxen's body was a now a husk. A dirty bag of bones collecting dust. Respectfully buried in his Stormcloak officer armor. "Hello handsome. If you don't mind, I need a few things."

The armor wouldn't fit coming off a man three times her size, but the spiked gauntlets and boots can be adjusted. Braxen's one handed, Nordic carved axe. A gift from Midan for their last anniversary. Most importantly, the Amulet of Talos. A small piece of his life that can be carried around. As Dovida tried to pull it off, she noticed it became tangled around the corpses neck. She yanked hard, separating the head and falling of the shelf, dropping everything.

"Ow, my ass." Braxen's head rolled over, staring her straight in the eyes. "Don't look at me like that."

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Helgird had returned, hearing the noise. Dovida sucked her teeth and shrugged. "THIEF! I'M CALLING THE GUARDS"

Helgird turned around to leave. Thinking on the spot, Dovida grabbed Braxen's skull and threw it with pinpoint accuracy. Hitting Helgird in the back of her head. She tripped, slamming her head against the wall and went unconscious.

Dovida quickly collected her loot and stuffed in into the bag. She ran for the exit, then paused. She looked at her smelly clothes and back at Helgird. Five minutes later, Dovida left wearing the priestess robes. After a stop for alchemy ingredients, Dovida made her way to the stables where a traveling wagon awaited.

"Where are we headed?" Asked the driver.

"Falkreath."

"Climb in back and we'll be off."