"Pack your things Ancano! We're going to be leaving this small village, hopefully, we'll be at the hall of the vigilant before nightfall." a female high elf said packing extra changes of her Thalmor uniform in her bag.
"It's about goddamn time! I didn't think I could stand the smell of cow manure for another day." Ancano said packing his back at a far quicker pace than his companion.
"We should at least thank these people for being kind enough to host us, our relations with these people of this land could stand to be a bit better" the woman quickly commented.
"Master, I'll never understand why you feel the need to show gratitude to our lessers?" It'll only fill their heads with thoughts they shouldn't be having!" Ancano muttered with a tinge of disgust.
"Fine then boy you can take our things to the carriage, while I go mingle with our so-called lessers," the woman said while throwing her stuffed backpack onto Ancano's bed
"Ah, look who's awake!? Did you have a nice rest ?" A well-built Nordic woman asked while mixing a pot of stew.
"I can say it's much better than sleeping on the ground. But it doesn't do my aging body any favors. Where are you husband and son?" Nirus asked noticing the lack of energy in the home.
"Oh, you know how Nordic men get. Can't sit still for even an hour after eating, they decided to head into the mine to get some extra hours," Sorli said with a thoughtful smile. "Hopefully, we'll all bring home enough so we can have better beds made with the more expensive materials." "Oh! care to have a hearty breakfast with us?"
"Hmph as if I would stomach that low-born made slop! I'll stick to my dried fruits." Ancano said with a rather condescending tone. "Oh! And try not to dawdle master, I don't want to get trapped in another snowstorm."
I Apologize for his behavior his family has never been in a high position in our society he's the first and our culture doesn't allow social weakness Nirus said bowing her head deeply.
"Oh, come now! You don't need to do that. I've had my fair share of run-ins with high and mighty nobles. And believe me, they've said a whole lot worse." Sorli said frowning as she recalls the encounters. "Looks to me as though that boy doesn't understand how the world works yet. Reminds me of my boy Sirgar always going on about being a true Nord warrior and the boy doesn't know the first thing about a blade."
"Seems like you certainly have your hands full, and I do as well. Do you mind if I take some of that stew to go?" Nirus said with a polite smile. "I imagine that Ancano must be fuming right about now."
"Not a problem at all!." "I hope it keeps you warm for the duration of your trip. "Sorli said heading towards her kitchen. "Now let me see if I have any jugs or Bowles made for traveling."
"Oh, no need I happen to have brought my own," Nirus said pulling out a thermos.
Nirus lifts her hands and closes her eyes magick energy begins to collect and form a sphere around her right hand as she increases her concentration. A small beaten-up metal thermos floats down the stairs and into her non-glowing hand. Once the magical particles dissipate from her thermos they begin to envelop the stew Sorli was making and after collecting a good bit the stew floats into the opening of the thermos filling it to the perfect amount.
"That was amazing!" Sorli said her eyes full of wonder. "I don't know much about magick, but it's far and away more interesting than any of my ancestors described it"
"It's certainly a study worth your free time if you've got patients to practice it…" Nirus says handing Sorli a small used notebook. "Here think of this as me paying you back for your hospitality."
"Oh, you don't need to do that," Sorli says trying to hand the notebook back. "I was just doing my duty as a citizen of the stone hills. Besides this looks important to you."
"Please keep it! If not as a token of gratitude, then as a way to make your everyday life just a bit easier." Nirus said with a warm smile. "It's filled with practical spells my mother taught me when I was young. Thank you, if fate allows, I hope we meet again."
"As do I ," Sorli said with a bow. "May Stendarr's lucky winds forever grace your every step."
Nirus walks out to the entrance of the small mining community known as the Stonehills. Upon spotting by her apprentice Nirus lets out a sigh hoping that he hasn't caused their carriage driver any trouble. Which quickly turns into a sigh of relief seeing her student with his nose in a book about the political climate of the current Aldmeri dominion. Nirus pays their driver and the shove off to the vigilant Nirus takes this opportunity to drink the body warming stew and enjoy their passing surroundings.
*Half a day later*
"Hey, you two! We're about an hour out." The carriage driver said with an uninterested tone. "We're coming past a giant camp right now so here are the rules, don't make eye contact with them, and don't stare at their mammoths they take that as a challenge."
"Ancano! Since we're an hour out how about we brush up on your casting?" Nirus asked
"I don't see much of a point! But if I say no I'll never finish this book." Ancano bemoaned reluctantly putting away his book. "So what school of magic are we brushing up on?"
"Oh, it's not any school you or anyone else in this world aside from Savos and I would know about," Nirus said taking off one of her gloves.
Since you've been studying under me for so long I think it's only right to pass on my knowledge.
"That didn't answer my question Ancano said," with a hint of condescension.
Patience Ancano! Magick of any school is better shown in demonstration than explanation…" Nirus explained closing her eyes to concentrate. Aside from destruction magic.
Nirus closes her eyes and begins to concentrate. Slowly her hand changes from soft and supple to ridged and thick as though she had been a laborer all her life. She then lifts her pointer finger and the underside of it becomes as sharp as a blade. Ancano tries his best not to be dumbfounded by what he's seen coughs and utters under his breath.
"Is that all?"
"Yes, unfortunately, this school of magic is called flesh magick," Nirus explained through haggard breaths. "According to my old master Savos this is the missing element and one of the hardest to control, just doing what I demonstrated took nearly all my Magicka"
"It certainly is something but considering the toll, it takes on the body it's hardly practical," Ancano said studying her finger.
"Well, it is a powerful type of magic, after all, it's said to be used by Deadra and the Aedra," Nirus explained with trepidation. "At least that's what the scripts Savos and I found told us after we translated it, which was no easy feat let me tell you."
"So how does one begin to learn flesh magic?" Acano asked perking up
"That's the complicated part and something I'll have to teach you when we have more time to ourselves," Nirus said quickly putting her gloves back on. "On a brighter note, you can rest easy now since we've arrived at the hall of the vigilant."
A large hall tucked away on the side of a mountain slowly comes into view as they come around the bend of a not so well maintained road. It's built sturdy and looks to have seen countless years of use judging by the moss on the wooden pillars of its deck.
"Whoa, girl! Alright, you two end of the line! I hope you had an enjoyable trip and will continue to choose the Allen family for all your cross country needs!" The driver said with a serviceman smile before turning his horse toward dawn star.
Ancano packs away his book and grabs his travel heading toward the vigil's base to get out of the cold, nirus takes a moment to look about her surroundings taking note of how little the vigil of Stendarr changed the area in which they live. As she's lost in thought; a calm and yet slightly gruff feminine voice breaks her from her trance.
"Quite the breathing-taking area no?" A Breton woman asked
"It is indeed! Skyrim is such a beautiful place, it reminds me of home" Nirus responded turning to face the woman.
"Allow me to introduce myself, my name's Carcette, my official title is Keeper although it isn't as grand as it sounds," she says with a deep bow "Welcome to the Hall of the Vigilant Madam we've graciously awaited your arrival."
"Nice to meet you Carcette! my name is Nirus. I've served the Thalmor for over 30 years of my life, before that I was an apprentice to the current arch-mage of Winterhold college." Nirus explained with a stern yet respectful tone. "I've come here to inspect your hall as well as Dawnguard to see if they covet magical artifacts that could be a danger to the public."
"Then I take it the male elf who brushed off my earlier introduction is your partner of sorts?" Carcette said pointing at Ancano.
"That is Ancano, a young high elf who's come straight from the isle. Please forgive his attitude." Nirus explained bowing her head "It's hard to hammer out a young Elve's sense of superiority but I think I'm slowly getting through to him."
"Well then now that introductions of through how about I give you a tour of our humble little abode," Carcette said with a smile.
"I would enjoy nothing more," Nirus said following the keeper back into the shack
"Here we have the common room, the largest room in the hall. This is a palace of worship but given our limited space, it also doubles as our kitchen and dining hall," Carcette explained. "We hunt for our supplies, food, and water to better teach new initiates how to survive on their own when on a pilgrimage or a mission of goodwill."
"That reminds me I'll have to teach Ancano how to hunt as well... That's going to be a tough uphill battle," Nirus said with an exhausted sigh.
"I understand where you're coming from. Many new initiates shy away from animal cleaning duties because they can't stand the smell of the blood and fluids. Carcette correlated
"A lot of Thalmor agents don't even know how to properly clean animals in the wild which is why they are never too far from holds or small villages." Nirus correlated further with a sigh that had stories to tell.
"Moving on, here we have an alchemy room we use for making potions and such this also doubles as a training room," Carcette explained pointing out the sections of the room. "During an average day you can find myself or one of the other Vigilants diligently studying, practicing, or making potions, my bedroom is also attached to this room."
"This place is quite a bit more spacious on the inside rather than the outside. I would have never known this room existed had I not seen it for myself." Nirus said taking a look around when a bowl catches her eye. "If you don't mind me asking what's in this bowl?"
"Ah, that is Vampire dust, it's a byproduct gained from slaying a vampire," Carcette explained putting the bowl back on the ingredients shelf. "before I was given notice of your arrival I was attempting to find a use for it. I'm hoping I can make a potion of cure disease with it"
"Do you engage with vampires often?" Nirus asked tilting her head slightly
"Every so often we spot vampires stalk the area around our hall, it seemed as though they were looking for something. I have no idea what it is." Carcette explained her tone harsh yet inquisitive.
"That must be nerve-racking, especially when it's in your backyard," Nirus said a few sweat drops forming on her forehead from thinking about it
"We've tried to capture one alive on a few occasions. Sadly, they kill themselves before giving any relevant information," Carcette informed her face souring recalling the failed capture attempts.
"While I'm here is there anything I can do to help?" Nirus inquired
"There's no need to trouble yourself Lady Nirus! This was our problem, to begin with." Carcette Declared in an attempt to downplay her situation. "It's our duty as vigilant to drive out the spawn of Daedra where ever they are, no matter what form they take!"
A noble cause if I've ever heard one," Nirus uttered before yawning. "If you don't mind could you point me to our rooms I'd like to turn in early so we can inspect the ground as soon as the sun rises!"
"Of course! Follow me, I know the rooms aren't much but I hope they're to your liking," Carcette said with a smile before walking out of the alchemy room and down the adjacent hall.
"Thanks for the tour Carcette it was very informative, I'll be turning in for the night," Nirus said with a smile.
"May Stendarr bless your dreams with fortune, my friend," Carecette said before heading toward her room
"I see it didn't take you long to settle in Ancano," Nirus said with a hint of snark.
"What would I look like mingling with monks of Stendarr?" Ancano said not looking up from his book. That kind of fraternizing is beneath me
"If you take some time to get the know the people around you. You'd come to like them more," Nirus mentioned laying out some magical tomes on a table. "Not all people in Skyrim are bad you know?"
"If you're done trying to convince me to be nice to these people. How about you teach me to do that thing you showed me, flesh magic was it?" Ancano recollected.
"Catch your interest did I?" Nirus said with a cheeky smirk.
"How could I not be interested!?" Ancano exclaimed "You turned your finger into a weapon! Do you have any idea how useful this would be to other Thalmor agents if they learned to master it?"
"I'm fully aware!" Nirus said with a harsh tone. "Which is why I will not be sharing my finding with the dominion"
"Do you seek exile?" Ancano asked Bewildered. "How could you not share your findings?"
"I'm a mage before I'm a Thalmor agent and if you spent half the time trying to practice and perfect your magic rather than studying up on high Elven culture you would feel the same!" Nirus snapped before taking a deep breath to calm down
*sigh* "If I promise to keep my mouth shut, will you teach me?" Ancano inquired.
"I'm sorry Ancano, but considering what's at stake and your propensity for boasting a simple word of mouth promise won't do," Nirus said giving him a serious look. "If you want to learn this ancient magic we need to form a magical contract with serious consequences just as my master and I did."
"And what are the consequences should this contract get broken?" Ancano asked.
"The permanent erasure of everything I would teach you, I do not take this kind of thing lightly Ancano this magic is dangerous. using this could very well attract a Daedric prince to come after you." Nirus elucidated her become the harshest Ancano had ever heard it. "Do you understand!?"
I understand I'm ready to learn master! ancano said bowing before Nirus.
Good, grab my hand we'll need to link our Magicka for this contract to be solidified.
Ancano moves closer to Nirus and grabs her hand they both close their eyes and focus their Magicka into their palms some access mana seeping out surrounding their hands in a blue glow.
"Calm yourself Ancano! You don't need to force that much!" Nirus said in a commanding tone. "Now then, I Nirus of the aldmeri dominion, First student of Archmage Savos Aren hereby swear to pass along all my knowledge of the school of flesh. Under one condition, my student Ancano keeps all knowledge of the school to himself and shares no knowledge of to anyone unless passing it down in a similar fashion. Do you Ancano swear to uphold the condition set?"
"I Ancano child of the Summerset Isle, soldier of the dominion and student to master Nirus do solemnly swear to uphold the conditions set by master lest all knowledge of the school be purged from my mind," he declared trying to match the tone of his master.
"With Kynareth as witness! let this contract be sealed and its punishment carried out swiftly," Nirus' voice resounded as a seal with the symbol of Kynareth is seared on the top of each of their hands.
Alright! the contract is sealed! What do I need to do first!? Ancano implored excitedly
*takes a deep breath* "it's been a long time since I've been a part of a magical contract, I almost thought I'd forgotten the words," Nirus says with a nervous smile hiding how much the contract drained her.
"Come on! I want to learn something for the night is up," Ancano exhorted
"You'll hate this, but you need to learn how to circulate your magic throughout your entire body. Every vein, every strand of hair, up to the tips of your fingernails needs to be able to circulate Magicka," Nirus delineated. "it's not going to be easy by any means you're going to fail a lot it's going to hurt but if you can master this your body will be all the stronger for it. Now sit in a meditative stance in the middle of the room. Like with casting a spell try to draw from your Magicka pool but instead of shooting outward to cause an effect spread it through your body.
Ancano puts all his focus into drawing from his Magicka pool so much so that he begins to sweat the grimace on his face showing his struggle to spread his Magicka across his body but little by little he starts to get the hang of it. While he does that Nirus goes to the desk and begins to look over her magic tome to see if she can derive any new insights from them. About an hour into her studies Ancano falls to the ground howling in pain.
"Arugh! Why won't the pain stop!? Ancano hollers veins bulging to the surface. "my veins feel like they're burning inside me!"
"I told you it would hurt, didn't I? Did you think pumping pure unaltered Magicka through un-strengthened veins would feel pleasant? Nirus questioned condescendingly
"No, but I didn't think it would feel like this" Ancano grimaced after another wave of pain. "please give me a potion or cast healing magic on me this pain is unbearable."
"I can't do that, you have to suffer through otherwise your gains will be minuscule," Nirus said with a suspiciously dry tone "Since you made it to this point you should stop, try to make your way to the bed once the pain begins to subside, and do your best to get some rest."
"Are you not going to help me up?" Ancano asked Astonished.
This is all a part of the process Ancano! I can only point you in the right direction whether or not you walk the path is up to you," Nirus continued ignoring her student's plight. "I'm going to sit this Magicka potion on the nightstand. When you're able to make it into bed drink it before sleeping."
"Argh! I'm going to be here all night at this rate," Ancano angrily yelled.
"if you want a comfortable sleep you'll push through the pain," Nirus said matter of factly. "Good luck Ancano I'm going to sleep."
"How exactly *grunt* do you plan to *grunt* sleep with me making all this noise," Ancano asked trying to move toward his bed
"I can just make a dome of silence around myself so I'm not worried. Good night!" Ancano Nirus in a mocking tone before hopping into bed and casting her dome of silence.
*If I didn't know any better… I'd say she enjoys watching me suffer.* Ancano thought to himself.
Ancano looks up to the nightstand where the Magicka potion was placed and sheds a single tear at the amount of effort he'll have to exude to get a good night's sleep the only thing keeping him going was the thought of how good the bed would feel once he got to it.
*somewhere outside the hall of the vigilant*
"No mistake my lady this is the place! We do have a problem. It seems a hall of stendarr was set up at the end of the path leading to the cave," A deep animalist voice explained "I have no way of knowing if they are aware of what's within."
"It matters not! find some bandits nearby, turn them into husks and eliminate the Vigilants. I don't want anyone finding out we were here understood?" A light feminine voice with harsh undertones commanded.
"As you will! I shall return successful Mother Lamae!" the beastly voice proclaimed
"I know you will or you'll die trying," Mother Lamae knowingly