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Winterhold quest resumes this chapter!

Minerva

The Breton felt dizzy just looking at the mountain. She couldn't see the top, what with it being hidden by the clouds and all.

The Greybears were up there. Waiting for her to come.

Waiting to see her.

Waiting to judge her.

Minerva took deep breaths. "Calm down. It's going to be okay. It's...it's going to be okay. They believe in you. He believes in you."

Another deep breath. "Okay. Here we go." She put her foot on the first stone step. Then the next. "One...two...three..."

J'zargo

It took the apprentices another day to make it back to Winterhold by cart. It was an actual driver this time, not a creepy jester. He wasn't happy about going so far up north, so the apprentices didn't have any more coins by the time they got back to the school.

J'zargo could also tell that Tolfdir wasn't entirely fooled when they said Minerva had left on "family business". But without any other explanation, he'd had to accept it.

"I hope she's able to make it back soon," he'd sighed. "She'll have quite a few lectures to catch up on otherwise."

"I'm sure she will be!" Onmund had protested. J'zargo couldn't help but feel that Onmund was being a bit optimistic, but he decided not to say anything and settled for shaking his head.

It was weird how quickly they settled back in. They each went to their rooms to rest for a bit, then began working on their projects. Brelyna did some more research on the various planes of Oblivion, and Onmund practiced his Alteration magic with Tolfdir.

J'zargo, meanwhile, hadn't forgotten about the other thing they had found in Saarthal. He pulled out the amulet and the "Lost Legends" book he had found earlier.

One brother is said to have perished in Folgunthur, at the Foot of Solitude.

Who knew about Solitude? More importantly, who wanted to go to Solitude. J'zargo doubted either Brelyna or Onmund would want to leave again so soon. Minerva was off...doing whatever Dragonborns did.

So who was left?

Onmund

"You're progressing very well, Onmund," Tolfdir complimented as Onmund concentrated in the Hall of Elements. He was currently attempting to hover several stones in the air around him. Basic Telekinesis technique. Breathe in, breathe out. His head was starting to hurt.

"You there!" Onmund yelped as the stones clattered to ground around him.

Tolfdir turned to glare at the entrance to the Hall. Storming through the entrance was Ancano, a very annoyed look on his face. He strode up to Onmund and grabbed him by the upper arm, starting to drag him out of the hall. For an elf, his grip was surprisingly strong. "You need to come with me, at once!"

"I say!" gasped Tolfdir. "This is most inappropriate!"

Ancano didn't stop walking. "I apologize, but this is a matter that cannot wait."

Onmund resisted the pull of the mage. "W...wait! I don't even know what's going on!"

Ancano turned and glared at the Nord. "Oh, really?" he snapped. "Allow me to enlighten you then." He nodded towards the direction of the Archmage's office. "There is someone claiming to be from the Psijic Order, who just arrived at the college."

"The Psijic Order?" Tolfdir gasped. "Are...are you sure?"

"I'm sure that he claims to be from their order. Whether he is or not is something else entirely. What I do know," Ancano continued, glaring at Onmund. "Is that he's asking for you specifically. So we're going to have a little chat, and find out why a mage from a rogue organization has come here, wanting to talk to you."

And with that, he pulled Onmund through the door, up the stairs, and into the Archmage's Office.

Standing in the Archmage's Office was another Altmer. he was wearing tan robes, and either had very thick eyeshadow or hadn't slept in quite some time. As Ancano entered with Onmund, he looked at Onmund inquisitively.

Ancano shoved Onmund forward. "Go on. Ask him why he's come."

Onmund rubbed his arm, sighing, then looked up at the Psijic mage. The mage gestured for Onmund to step forward. As Onmund did, the colors in the room seemed to shift, and the entire room got very quiet. Even the sound of the wind outside had stopped.

Onmund turned to see Ancano's reaction, but he was still scowling. Onmund realized he wasn't blinking. Or breathing. He was like a statue.

Well, crap.

Minerva:

Minerva cracked one eye open nervously. The troll's fists were two inches away from her face, but they'd stopped. Why?

Well, the entire troll had stopped. The wind had stopped. The snow had stopped falling.

Minerva stood up, with some difficulty. Her bones felt like they were as heavy as stones. It was the same thing that had happened in Saarthal.

Minerva groaned, rubbing the bruise on her head that the troll had left. Well, no reason to look a gift horse in the mouth. She took heavy steps, trying to get around the next bend before the troll unfroze.

Onmund:

"What did you do?" yelped Onmund, frantically waving his hand in front of Ancano. He didn't really like the Thalmor, but he'd never done anything to Onmund personally. Besides, he didn't want to be the one left with the body...

"Do not be alarmed," said the mage quietly. "He and everyone else are unharmed. I have simply given us a chance to speak privately. Unfortunately, I can only hold this for so long. We must be quick."

He took a deep breath. "My name is Quaranir. Actually, I shouldn't be here at all. But attempts to contact you as we did in Saarthal have failed. We believe it is due to the artifact you retrieved. What have your people been calling it? 'The Eye of Magnus'?"

Onmund nodded. "Do you know what it is?"

Quaranir sighed. "It is, in essence, pure, concentrated, magicka, wrapped in a thin layer of reality. That is insultingly simple, really, but it's the best way to explain it in the time we have. Frankly, I'm surprised this college is still standing." He took a deep breath. "The Order will not intervene directly. As I said before, I shouldn't be here at all. You must act to stop this artifact from causing disaster."

Disaster? Wait, who even was this guy? "...and I should trust a complete stranger about this, why?"

To Onmund's surprise, Quaranir actually chuckled. "Ah, you've been talking to Ancano, I see."

Onmund flinched back, aghast. "What! No! I just don't know a thing about the Psijic Order! Who in Oblivion even are you people?"

Quaranir shrugged. "Well, we have a long history, not worth explaining now. Suffice to say, the Thalmor do not like us. We have power, and we do not allow the Thalmor to control us. Thus, they hate and fear us." He smiled. "We mean no harm towards you or your college, I can assure you."

Well that wasn't much help. Still, at least they weren't friends of the Thalmor...or if they were they did a good job of hiding it. And if what he was saying about danger was true... "Alright, I'll help. What should I do?"

Quaranir nodded. "Unfortunately, we cannot employ our usual methods to scry the right path. The overwhelming power of the Eye is making it...difficult, to say the least. I would advise you to seek out the Augur of Dunlain. His vision may be more coherent than ours."

Onmund stared at Quaranir blankly. "The who of Dunlain?"

"From what I understand, he was once a student at this college. Until he...transformed himself. He should still be within College grounds. One of your associates should know his location."

Transformed himself? "Transformed into what?"

Quaranir looked around and shook his head. "I am sorry. I cannot provide any further help. This conversation is taking much out of me as it is." Onmund could see that the mage had gone pale and seemed to be sweating a bit. "I'm afraid I must leave you. But we will continue to watch over you. The future may be obscured to us for now," he smiled. "But we still know it is within you to succeed. Alright?"

And then everything was normal again. The wind was blowing outside, the snow was falling as normal.

"Well? What is the meaning of this?" Onmund jumped. He'd forgotten Ancano had been standing right there.

Quaranir stared blankly at the Thalmor. "I'm sorry? I'm afraid I don't understand."

Ancano strode past Onmund and leaned over Quaranir. "Don't be coy with me. You came here, asking to see a specific student. Now he's here. What do you want?"

Oh, right. He'd been frozen in time, so he hadn't heard any of their conversation. "I'm afraid there's been a misunderstanding," Quaranir said calmly.

Ancano grabbed Quaranir's face and held it close to his own. "Is that so? Well, you're not going anywhere until we've cleared this up. Why don't we go have a little chat? Just the two of us."

With that, Ancano pulled Quaranir out of the office by his sleeve. Onmund gulped. He'd heard horror stories of what the Thalmor did with people who got on their nerves. He shot Quaranir a worried look, but Quaranir simply smiled back. "You can do it!" he mouthed.

Then the doors closed behind them both. Well, Onmund knew what he had to do next. Besides finishing his homework, obviously.

J'zargo

J'zargo walked into the Illusion master's office to find him standing completely still in the middle of the room. "Eh, Sir Neloren?"

The Dunmer's eyes flew open and he jumped. "Huh? You can see me?"

J'zargo stared at him for a bit, then nodded. "Yes, this one can see you quite clearly."

Neloren sighed and stomped his foot. "Oh, blast it! I was sure I was invisible, or at least transparent!" He shook his head. "I have no idea what I could be doing wrong..." He looked at J'zargo again. "Did you need something?"

"J'zargo heard that you were travelling to Solitude in a few days for some research."

Neloren nodded. "Indeed. I'm meeting up with a colleague to study one of the Doomstones near there. Is there something you need help with before I go?"

"J'zargo was...actually wondering if he could come along. This one has heard of several places around Solitude that might be interesting for research."

Neloren looked surprised, then he grinned and clapped his hands. "Of course, of course! Always happy to have a student along. I'm sure Sibelle will be happy to see another mage as well! I'll be heading out in two days if you still wish to come."

J'zargo smiled. He knew there would probably be a catch, but this was still much easier then he'd thought. "Thank you, sir." He gave a polite bow and made to leave. Then he remembered something and turned back around. "If you need help with the Invisibility spell, this one remembers that Onmund turned Brelyna transparent a few days ago."

Neloren stared at the Khajit. "...he what?"

Onmund

Onmund was in the Arcaneum again, searching the shelves. "Alteration history...alteration history...come on, there's got to be something about turning stuff to gold from-oh, here!"

As he finally sat down to read the book he had grabbed, he heard the sound of running footsteps coming his way. Suddenly, he was grabbed by the shoulders and spun around. Staring not an inch from his face was a frantic Dunmer. Somewhere in the back of his mind Onmund realized that it was the Illusion master, Neloren.

Neloren began shaking Onmund. "How? How did you learn the invisibility spell? I must know! Tell me your secrets!"

Onmund tried to speak, but due to the shaking all that came out was "I-i-i-i-i-i-i..."

"No yelling in the Arcaneum!" Urag shouted.

Well, so much for having less perspectives per chapter XD

I was looking for some inspiration on tumblr when I saw a post where someone mentioned that Onmund had the invisibility spell. I'd seen that too but I didn't think much of it until it was pointed out that when you first talk to Neloran (the supposed Illusion expert), he's having trouble with the same spell.

While that's hilarious, it makes you wonder...why would Onmund have mastered that spell, specifically?

Next Chapter: Minerva, having made it past that stupid frost troll, finally makes it to High Hrothgar. How will the Greybeards judge her? And what will the Augur have to say to Onmund?