Valleri was almost done replacing the wreath on the shrine when she saw a figure approaching the small alcove she made her shrine in. Placing the unfinished wreath on the pedestal, Valleri went out into the road to get a better look at who was approaching. The figure, clothed in light purple robes, waved enthusiastically. The Imperial leaned back against the alcove wall and waited with a grin.

"I didn't think you'd wait months to visit, Aicantar. What took you so long?"

The Altmer pulled his hood down and grimaced as he glanced around the alcove. "Well, no good excuse. Uncle had me working on a new project. Since I was gone for so long…"

"You figured you'd actually finish something without running off?"

"Yeah."

Valleri laughed and gave Aicantar a pat on the shoulder. "Your little project took the entire summer. What was he having you do?"

"Nothing much." He paused, taking in a deep breath as his frown deepened. "I'm actually partly here on business."

"Oh?" the Imperial questioned, then stopped for a moment. She bit her lip, before gesturing for Aicantar to follow her. "I have a better place we can talk then."

Wordlessly, the two of them trekked from Valleri's shrine back to Whiterun. People filtered in and out of town as Valleri led her friend back home. Aicantar stared in awe when he finally saw her and Vilkas' house. Valleri rolled her eyes and opened the door. Almost immediately, Wisp ran at her, almost knocking Valleri to the ground.

"You're back early," Valleri heard a familiar deep voice say from the back of the house. Vilkas started back down the stairs, only to pause when he saw Aicantar.

"I brought a friend." Valleri titled her head towards Aicantar. The Altmer didn't notice as he started petting the rambunctious dog cornering him next to the front door.

"Apparently," Vilas muttered. "Why'd he come all the way to Whiterun for? You could have written a letter."

The Imperial only shrugged as she made her way to the back kitchen to put the kettle on. "Hey Aicantar, come in here. We can talk now."

"Right. So, uh, my uncle heard about what happened at your deposition," Aicantar mumbled as he took a seat at a table in the kitchen.

Valleri laughed bitterly as she rummaged around the kitchen for a few mugs. "I'm not surprised. It was chaotic and I'm sure they have banned from the university me for a while."

Aicantar watched as she started spooning some strange-looking herbs into the mugs. Meanwhile, Vilkas sat down opposite of him and stared intently at the elf. "What have you been doing in the meantime? The Synod provided for a lot of your work, right?"

"Yeah. This is hardly the first time it's happened, though. I've got some freelance work for now." Valleri came back to the table, setting Aicantar's tea in front of him. Taking the last seat at the table, Valleri continued, "Was this the business you mentioned?"

"Well, sort of," Aicantar cringed. He took a sip of tea, thinking for a moment about what to say. "Again, we heard about it in Markarth. My uncle had an idea…"

"Gods, this isn't starting well…"

A desperate smile flashed over Aicantar's face. "No, please hear me out. Calcelmo wanted to extend an offer for you to come into our own research group."

Valleri gaped, exchanging a shocked looked with Vilkas. The Nord only shrugged as he tried to stifle a laugh. Pinching the bridge of her nose, Valleri finally found the words to reply. "Wait, wait, wait. Calcelmo wants me to come work for him?"

"Sort of," Aicantar explained. "It's more like since you're the last member of the Alastarim Archeological group, he wanted to join forces. Especially now that the Synod's kicked you out."

"I thought Calcelmo wanted nothing to do with Alastaros," Vilkas spoke up.

"Okay, look, I don't know why he brought this up. All I know is he felt some guilt about how things ended. I'm not saying this is the way to go about this. But Valleri, answer me another question. If you had unlimited funds and resources, what would you do?"

There was a long moment of silence as Valleri stared at the table. Suddenly, she looked up to Aicantar, fire in her eyes. "Honestly, I'd go back to the library where we learned about Sedor. I only got to pick a few scrolls before we had to leave. I can't even begin to imagine what I left behind."

"What Calcelmo is offering is support to access extensive project like that and maybe get a bit of notoriety back." Aicantar paused, leaning in close to Valleri. "Look, I would understand if you're not intent on working with Calcelmo."

Valleri crossed her arms with a knitted brow. "You're right. I'm not keen on working for Calcelmo. The Dwemer have never been interesting to me."

"Yeah, you might have to help with Nchuand-Zel every once in a while. But we can get you back into that library. Calcelmo respects what you and Alastaros have done for Ayleid research. If not, I can convince him otherwise. Your research will be your own. And if you join us for purely selfish reasons, it's pretty much free support."

Once again, Valleri's eyes turned towards the table. She mumbled to herself, "We'd have to work with the Synod to even get permission to get into the library, not to mention a few people to help secure the ruins. I'd have to be in Cyrodiil for a while. Logistically, its tough."

"But not impossible," the Altmer continued. A flicker of hope flashed over Aicantar's face when his eyes met Valleri's.

Without another moment wasted, the Imperial leaned back in her seat and addressed Vilkas next to her. "Thoughts?"

The Nord perked up, taken by surprise. "I honestly don't see why it shouldn't work. But you're not looking for permission."

"Not at all!" Valleri laughed. Vilkas shook his head with fond exasperation while Aicantar waited for an answer. "Look I still need to go to Markarth to talk about the specifics with Calcelmo. But, you have a good point"

Any signs of nervousness disappeared from Aicantar's face as he shook Valleri's hand to seal the agreement. "I honestly didn't think this would work." He paused for a moment, eyes darting between Valleri and Vilkas. "I am so sorry, but is there any way I can stay at Jorrvaskr for the night?" Aicantar's voice turned meek and uncertain as he continued, "I may have been robbed on the road."

Both Valleri and Vilkas blanched in disbelief as he struck them for a loss of words. "Aicantar, what in Oblivion? What the hell happened?" Valleri finally sputtered out, eyes still wide.

"Where did you get robbed?"

"Between here and Rorikstead," Aicantar mumbled. He watched in horror as Vilkas got up from the table and grabbed his sword from the other room. "Wait, Vilkas, no. You seriously don't have to go out now."

The Nord waved him off, "No, I'll tell some of the others. I'll be back in a few hours. In the meantime, you're staying here for the night." Valleri waved Vilkas goodbye while Aicantar sat dazed in his chair.

"Thanks, I guess."