"What just happened?" Nisfar wondered in confusion. "The book just blew up! This is the reason why spells should be taught practically, knowledge of magic can only be contained within the mind and not some fragile sheets of paper!" the Bosmer ranted. "There's nothing left. No ash, no scrap and not a single burn on my palms, I didn't even feel anything. That was close." a shocked Nisfar commented. "I shall be visiting the Akavir and Tyermaillin, I will be back in a few hours or so. While I'm gone all of you should start building a new ship and gathering essentials for the trip back." Nisfar instructed as he prepares a teleportation spell in the form of a white orb with purple sparks in his hands. He casts the spell on the ground and disappears.
He arrives on a small arched pedestal and was greeted by guards clad in armour similar to the Blades and armed with katanas. "Hello." Nisfar greeted. One guard spoke in a strange language and appears to be talking to Nisfar. Another man who appears to be higher in rank approaches the guards and speaks to them in the same language before the guards return to their original, stiff stances. "My apologies about your welcome, we had never seen some… thing like you before and are afraid of anything that does not resemble normal men. Elder Tachibana appointed me to come to the north gate to escort you. But where are my manners? My name is Spymaster Onodera Hayabusa, Second-in-command of Akavir Espionage and Assassination." the Akaviri greeted.
"My name is Grand Spymaster Nisfar Adlathil. Where is your superior?" Nisfar asked. "Our previous Grand Spymaster was captured and I was about to be promoted until we heard of another Grand Spymaster: you." Hayabusa explained. "Well, my team is leaving in a few months so I can't stay. Consider yourself Grand Spymaster Hayabusa. Now, are we going to wherever your base is?" Nisfar said. "Yes, sir." Hayabusa replied. The two walk down a hallway until they reach a fenced cliff where they find a grand city inside a cavern, the ceiling magically altered to look like a sky.
"This is amazing! Where are we?" asked Nisfar. "We are in Shin Akavir; a city beneath the surface. This is Level One. Our mages created a bubble above the city to show the sky from above the surface. Don't ask me how they achieved this." Hayabusa explained proudly. "In Tamriel, there was once a race of Elves who lived underground who called themselves Dwemer. Funnily enough they are average sized and were called Dwarved by Giants, because… well you can guess." Nisfar commented. "I always dreamed of going to Tamriel. There are descendants of Tamriellics who were captured by the Tsaesci and brought here who live in the lower levels of the city. The Elves always talked about home and what they tell us amazes me. Once this land finds peace maybe that dream will become a reality. Now, if you would follow me…" Hayabusa instructed. The two walk to a glowing purple rune at the edge where they are teleported down to the city.
Nisfar puts on his bonemold helmet to not scare the locals. "Strange helmet, I smell something strange from it." Hayabusa commented. "My armour is made of ground bones mixed with resin that's shaped into armour. It sounds brittle but trust me, it's as strong as steel." Nisfar explained as he knocked on his helmet, making a hollow knocking sound. They walk down a market where they see stands selling potted miniature trees, sacks of white seeds and many unfamiliar vegetables being attended by Akaviri and few Tamriellic races such as Redguards, Nords, and Altmer. "Akavir has strange fauna, especially these miniature trees. It must have been a miracle to miniaturise them." Nisfar commented as he picked up a miniature potted tree at one stall.
"These are called bonsai. They are carefully cut clippings from trees. We consider them an art as they take much effort to make them. Do you want one?" Hayabusa asked. "Sure, how much?" Nisfar asked. "I'll take care of it, sir." Hayabusa said as he took coins with square holes in the centre from a purse. He speaks to the elderly shopkeeper and buys the bonsai. "Here you go. We should not be stalling any longer. We should get to the temple immediately." Hayabusa said as he handed Nisfar a bonsai in a rectangular brown ceramic pot adorned with a leaf pattern in white.
"Where is it exactly?" Nisfar asked as he put the bonsai in his knapsack. "It's at the centre of this level." Hayabusa said. "Please tell me you have some form of public transportation. This place must be huge and we're only at the edge." Nisfar groaned. Hayabusa whistles before a two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage pulls up. He speaks to the carriage driver and sits in one of the back seats.
"Please, sit." Hayabusa offered a seat to Nisfar. Nisfar hops onto the other seat before the carriage drives away from the market. About an hour later they arrive at a temple similar to Cloud Ruler Temple, but larger. "How many people work here?" asked Nisfar as he got off the carriage and Hayabusa paid the driver. "There are about a thousand people, two-thirds being warriors and the others are council members, blacksmiths and others." Hayabusa answered. "Is my friend in there?" Nisfar asked.
"Yes, he's fine. He's in the infirmary." Hayabusa answered. They enter the temple and find a huge circular room with a garden in the centre and many hallways with symbols above them. "Where is the infirmary?" Nisfar asked. "Through the hallway on the middle right but Elder Yoshi wanted to see you first. Oi, get back here!" Hayabusa yelled as Nisfar runs according to his directions. Nisfar races through the hallway and enters a room with several beds with Tyermaillin lying on a corner bed being tended to by a robed Akaviri woman.
To be continued…
