The Unlikely Companions – Chapter 5

Ganir was already up and about by the time Cirilonde woke the next morn. She met up with him at the Forum, initially not recognizing him. She was so used to him being armour-clad and armed to the teeth that it was a strange sight to see him dressed in the same attire as the other, new apprentices. Knowing him, however, she was convinced he had his daggers hidden on his person somewhere.

He was talking with a Wood Elf student who introduced himself as Enthir, a senior scholar and Drevis Neloren, the Dark Elf instructor of Illusion.

While she was glad that Ganir seemed to try and make himself at home, she was disappointed they wouldn't share their first class together. But she was glad she wouldn't be entirely alone as Brelyna accompanied her to Faralda's starter seminar on the arts of Destruction..

"Don't be nervous." Brelyna smiled at Cirilonde. They walked down the stairs and the hallway to the Hall of Elements where the class would be hosted. "Everyone had to start somewhere, so it's not any different for you."

The High Elf nodded and the two of them joined the group of students gathered around Faralda, who sat on the edge of the font in the centre of the room. Some students were sat on the steps with their notebooks in their laps whereas others remained standing while talking to one another.

But the laughter and banter ceased when Ancano made his appearance. Voices lowered into hushed whispers and suspicious and fearful glances were shot his way. The Thalmor had definitely taken notice, but he stood arrogant and proud. He leaned against a nearby pillar and glared anyone down he didn't like the look or sound of. Knowing better, people fell silent and averted their gaze. Smug, he crossed his arms over his chest.

A chill ran down Cirilonde's spine as it was all so familiar to her. Typical Thalmor…she thought, purposely not looking at him. What's he doing here?

Faralda seemed just as displeased with his presence but wisely ignored him. She flipped the hourglass on the edge of the font upside down and got up with the clap of her hands to get everyone's attention.

"Good morning everyone. Welcome. For those who have not met me yet, I am Faralda and today I will be instructing you on the basic techniques for casting Destruction spells." Faralda certainly knew how to keep everyone's attention as she spoke clear and with confidence while pacing back and forth. "Regardless of whether or not you will be focusing your attention on this school of magic, the basic, theoretic comprehension of this discipline's teachings and workings are essential for that of your own and fellow students' safety. Not to mention that all these competences will be put to the test on a yearly basis if you wish to maintain your membership at the College."

There we exams here? Cirilonde swallowed. She barely knew anything about any school save for Alteration, Enchanting and Restoration. She'd have a lot of work ahead of her.

"Who here, of the new faces, has a basic comprehension and experience with destruction spells?" Faralda then asked in conclusion as her dark green eyes scanned the small group of students.

No one was surprised when Brelyna raised her hand, but J'Zargo raised his as well.

"What experience do you have, Brelyna. What spells can you cast?" Faralda asked.

Brelyna clearly hadn't expected to be at the centre of attention so suddenly as everyone looked at her. She fidgeted with her quill. "Well, I can channel all the elements, but the projectiles need…work." Brelyna then nervously laughed. "I nearly set our tower on fire."

The people who chuckled weren't mocking Brelyna, but rather seemed to recall the incidents of their own when they had practiced their skills in the past. "And what of you, J'Zargo?" Faralda needn't raise her voice as everyone went quiet when she spoke.

The Khajiit bared his teeth in a smug grin, "J'Zargo can cast fireballs." Cirilonde would have to see it first before she'd believe it as it would be a very impressive feat.

"I'll look forward to see that," Faralda nodded. "Cirilonde. What about you?"

The battle in the distance was drowned out by the anguished cries of pain and for help. The stench of burnt flesh, blood, death and festering open wounds lingered in the healer's tent. It was a searing, hot summer day near Arenthia's border with Cyrodiil and a battle had raged for days.

But they were breaking through. Not that Cirilonde was happy about any of it as the Imperial City would not be far from this point on. Silently, she prayed for her friends to be safe, as there was a good chance they were on the other side of the battle. But what could she do? Her family would face exile or annihilation if they refused and-,

"More are coming in!" cried one of the fellow healers.

She got so scared when she saw the familiar mane of black hair. "Thorelas, no not you!" she rushed to the High Elf's side and immediately helped him to the cleanest brig she could find. But rather than think of Thorelas, she could only think of him. Anciel! Mara preserve my brother! He was with you, Thorelas. Please don't tell me…!

Her colleague healers tore the shattered cuirass of Thorelas' torso and let Cirilonde work her magic. "Thorelas. Talk to me!" she pleaded while skilfully pulling the shrapnel from his torso and mending the wounds they left at the same time. "Is Anciel-?"

"He's with the Lord Exarch…" Thorelas grabbed a firm hold of Cirilonde's arm. "Don't…worry. I just had some bad luck…"

"Stay with me, Thorelas!" She was so glad when he squeezed her arm.

She healed at countless more battles or dealt with the wounded in the aftermath of and eventually, back home when she could no longer take it.

She hadn't been silent for long, so no one suspected a thing of her memories taking a brief hold of her. "I've mostly focused my studies on the schools of Enchanting, Alteration and Restoration for the past fifty years, but haven't had first-hand experience with Destruction magic." Cirilonde feigned brushing some stray locks of hair out of her face to see what the Thalmor was doing. What was he writing down in that booklet? I really need to watch what I say … "It's why I've come here to learn."

"So you have absolutely no experience with Destruction spells whatsoever?" Faralda didn't offend Cirilonde with this question as it was so common for someone with her heritage to be taught from a young age. "That's perfect, really!" Faralda beamed. "Why don't you come up front for a moment so you can help me?"

Crap…It didn't even have to do anything with Ancano looking on, she hated looking incompetent given that she was one of the oldest, new students. Brelyna grinned at her and gave her an encouraging thumbs up.
Ancano had put his booklet away and to her dismay, she had his full attention.

I'll have to look into this one…
he thought. He'd not only found it distasteful she was in the company of some Dark Elf, but also highly suspicious and strange because of her heritage. And then there had been the state of their attire. Of course, one would come across bandits or dangerous wild-life, but he strongly doubted it would leave them as dishevelled as they had been. He would have to await the return of information about all the students, whose names he'd copied down from the list that had lain on the Arch-Mage's desk. But this Dark Elf was a mystery…for now.

"So you have absolutely no experience at all, right?" Faralda asked when Cirilonde joined her. "Don't worry, it's fine if you don't."

"Little to none," Cirilonde replied. She received no mockery for this whatsoever. Instead, students were eager to see what Faralda would teach.

"Very good." Faralda nodded and turned her attention to the class again. "I don't know if any of you are as versed as Cirilonde in the schools of Alteration or Restoration, but I'm sure Cirilonde can show you that when it comes to the schools, there are different 'stances', so to speak. Your stance isn't required to be as firm and stable when you are healing in comparison to conjuring up a thunderbolt or fire storm."

Cirilonde was unsure of what to do but eventually took the hint and let Faralda position her correctly. She stood more firm on her feet as if she was ready to push a heavy boulder or something else out of the way. "As you undoubtedly know, magicka needs to be channelled through your entire being when you cast. However, with Destruction-based spells, you require restraint and learn your boundaries, lest you burn yourself to a crisp."

The lesson carried on like this where Faralda went on to teach about the importance of stance and how to generate the correct flow of magicka to produce the desired elements of frost, flame or shock.
Faralda was not only knowledgeable, but she was also a great teacher. She guided Cirilonde and the other apprentices through the basics of producing the elements. Under Faralda's guidance, Cirilonde felt far less fearful and actually had fun. She was so concentrated that she completely forgot about Ancano, who watched the students like a moody dragon.

When the session came to its end, the hourglass rung like a clear bell. "All right everyone, for the next session come Fredas, I will want you to have read The Art of war Magic by Zurin Arctus and Response to Bero's Speech by the battlemage Malviser.

"Master Tolfdir should be here shortly to host the compulsory lesson for the new students on magical theory and its applications and Master Sergius will be hosting his enchanting seminar in an hour in the laboratory across the courtyard. Thank you for your time."

"Thank you for your time, Faralda," some students chimed respectfully in return. Faralda left, followed by most of the seniors and Cirilonde had hoped that Ancano would leave as well but he lingered.

"Have you noticed that this Ancano figure has been staring us down the whole time?" Brelyna whispered to Cirilonde. "I swear by Azura, he expects one of us to blow ourselves up."

"Don't. Trust that one." Cirilonde and Brelyna both looked up and behind them at the High Elf who sat behind them a few steps up. She was shorter than Cirilonde, but slender and graceful like a swan. Her long face was framed by her long, dark-blonde hair and thick, long lashes emphasized her big and beautiful sapphire-blue eyes. "That one is up to something, and really, most of us are around here, but for his sort, that's never a good thing. The name is Nirya, by the way."

"We already met last night." The Dunmer's smile was feigned. "I still haven't decided if he wants us to blow ourselves up, or he wants to blow us up."

"You'd sooner blow yourself up by the rate you were going at earlier," Granted, Brelyna had been forced to dispel herself as not to set fire to herself, but Cirilonde didn't like the subtle, demeaning tone from Nirya.

"Very funny." Brelyna rolled her eyes at the High Elf and turned away to look at her notes, shooting Cirilonde a look.

"He is rather handsome though, isn't he?" Nirya whispered to Cirilonde with a coy smile but Cirilonde looked at the other High Elf as though she'd just sprouted two heads. Was she insane? Had Nirya any idea what kind of men and women these Thalmor were, or what they were capable of?

"I have no intention to get anywhere near him," Cirilonde stowed her notebook into her bag and froze when she glanced up. Ancano had just looked away. He had definitely been watching them. She made sure to turn in such a fashion that Ancano wouldn't be able to read her lips as she turned back to Nirya. "What's his sort doing here anyway?"

"Oh, you know, to 'promote relations' with the Aldmeri Dominion," Nirya lilted, ever eager to gossip. "He claims to be here as an advisor to the Arch-Mage but we all know better…" She leaned closer and lowered her voice to a hushed whisper. "They say he's here to spy on us. What for, though…"

"Well, whatever it is, I do not like the way he looks at anyone here, just like Brelyna," Cirilonde said. "And I suggest you stay far away from our 'handsome' advisor and watch your tongue around him."

"Oh, a little competition?" Cirilonde wasn't sure if Nirya was joking or not, but she did not like the way the younger High Elf suddenly carried herself. Nirya stood up and threw her beautiful hair over her shoulder, "That, or you have no taste in men. But I had best be off as Arniel no doubt needs me. Good luck trying to stay awake during Tolfdir's lecture."

"Well, you heard her, Cirilonde. You absolutely have no taste in men," Brelyna said sarcastically. "The ever-wise Nirya has spoken, because who wouldn't want a scowling, hook-nosed fetcher like that for a husband?"

The two elves began to laugh. "Is she crazy? I'm not even joking Brelyna, men like him are dangerous!" Cirilonde shook her head in disbelief.

Brelyna let out a frustrated groan, "Don't even get me started. I met her yesterday after you left. She would just not stop talking to me and shared all the gossip known to man about anyone here."

"Well, that's another one on the list of the people to avoid around here…" Cirilonde said dryly. Their heads shot up to the entrance and Cirilonde's face lit up when she saw Ganir walk into the Hall of Elements with Onmund, J'Zargo and the other students. The two elves waved for their fellow apprentices to come over but Cirilonde noticed right away how Ancano's eyes had locked onto Ganir and how his eyes narrowed into thin slits.

"Yes, I noticed," Ganir whispered for only her to hear as he sat down next to her, referring to Ancano and the both exchanged a subtle nod to one another. "How was your first class? I don't see anything's blown up, so I suppose that's a good sign."

"It was a lot of fun. You should attend the next time. How was your first class?" Cirilonde asked.

"Illusive," Ganir grinned. "Now that's a class you should attend."

"How'd it go for you, Onmund?" Cirilonde then asked the Nord.

"It was all right. Just a lot to take in," he replied. His hands were stained with ink from frantically trying to take notes. But the group of new students and friends looked up when an old man came walking in. This had to be Master Tolfdir.

The elderly Nord's unkempt, grey mane was abound back and charms were braided into his thick and long beard. The green and yellow robes he wore had clearly seen better days. But even if he was old, his grey and green eyes shone with a vivid and youthful energy. The man was kind and had a calm voice, which would pitch whenever he was enthusiastic about something.

"Good morning everyone!" he said excitedly, completely ignoring Ancano. "Welcome, welcome. I am Master Tolfdir, and I am sure I will get to know all of you in due time if we haven't met already. I will be your guide for the school of Alteration and Magickal Theoretics.

"For today, I wanted to delve into the practical applications of enchantments to function as wards or other mechanisms."

None of the new students had expected for Tolfdir to start his lesson so quickly, so the lot of them scrambled to grab their journals, inkwells and quills to take notes. The old Nord proceeded to tell them about the enchantments and wards often found in Nordic burial barrows found across Skyrim's landscape. Ganir's lips curled into a knowing smirk when he met eyes with Cirilonde. Neither of them had forgotten about their 'excursion' to Bleak Falls Barrow.

"Which brings me to an exciting bit of news for those interested." Tolfdir obviously could barely contain his excitement even if Ancano was there. The Thalmor had made no effort to conceal how unimpressed and bored he was. "Master Arniel and his team of seniors have successfully unearthed Saarthal after years of research and he's been so kind to permit any interested students to come and have a look for some hands-on experience."

Tolfdir handed a scroll to J'Zargo. "If you are interested, please write down your name so I know who to expect tomorrow. We will leave early in the morning to travel there. Details are on the scroll. It will take about an hour to get there and while not compulsory, I do recommend it for the novices."

The scroll was passed around and Cirilonde then passed it to Brelyna after signing it. The High Elf wasn't surprised when Ganir raised his hand to decline and Brelyna walked up to the front to hand the scroll back to Tolfdir.

"I've seen enough tombs to last me a life-time," Ganir muttered to Cirilonde.

"I doubt it's anything like Bleak Falls," she whispered back to him, but they couldn't continue the conversation when Brelyna joined them again.

"Very good. That will be all for my lecture for today, everyone. For those who will be coming tomorrow, I can recommend reading up on the ancient Nords. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask me or your peers."

As everyone got up and even Ancano left the Hall of Elements, Cirilonde and Ganir made sure to linger behind a bit so they could talk in peace. "That was all quite interesting, wasn't it?"

"Not really," Ganir stifled another yawn. "Do you really think it's wise for you to go, though, after what we encountered what you-know-where?"

"I honestly doubt that all burials are that dangerous and we're travelling in a group," she assured him. "Besides, you-know-who won't be there, so it's safer than anything."

"You got a very good point there." Cirilonde had been far too engrossed with Tolfdir's lecture to notice how Ancano had watched them far too intently. It was very unlikely the Thalmor would join them to Saarthal but Ganir still didn't really like the idea. "Just…be careful, all right? Things are very…'different' here."

"They are…" The both of them glanced at Ancano on their way out of the Hall of Elements. The Thalmor was talking with Tolfdir.

"Then I'm sure you will be reporting to me directly as well…" was all they caught him saying. They didn't want to linger and arouse any suspicion.

"Nirya told me that he's here as an advisor to the Arch-Mage to promote relations with the Dominion," Cirilonde whispered to Ganir, shooting a quick glance at Ancano over her shoulder to make extra sure he couldn't hear them, or wasn't following them. "But everyone suspects he's here to spy on the College."

"Just avoid him like the plague, though I doubt he can afford to cross any lines." The Dark Elf gave the Altmer's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Cirilonde smiled, having grown fond of Ganir. Though she would be going to this excavation tomorrow, she also was a bit nervous to leave the College grounds without him.

"You know, there's no seminars for a few hours…" she mused. "Maybe we should dig around the Arcaneum and look into…you know…"

"Sounds like a plan."

They received no warm welcome from the Arcaneum's warden, Urag. The Orc was busy dusting the countless shelves and gave them a sharp glare to make sure their boots weren't dirty. Students either climbed the ladders or used magic to levitate the books off or back onto the shelves for their studies. It took Cirilonde considerable effort to get her bearings but once she figured out how Urag operated, it wasn't long before she'd gathered some books.

They climbed up the spiral staircase so they'd have a quiet place to study without interruption or prying eyes and ears. Cirilonde laid out the books she was supposed to read as per Tolfdir and Faralda's instructions, but also about Skyrim's history, the 'Dragonborn' and anything else she thought might be interesting or related. They were surprised to find that the 'Dragonborn' wasn't just a title bestowed upon the descendants of Alessia, which was commonly known as the Septim lineage, but it actually meant more than that.

"Look at this." Cirilonde tapped on the passage of a page in 'The Book of the Dragonborn'. She then began to recite. "-The connection with dragons is so obvious that it has almost been forgotten. In these days when dragons are a distant memory, we forget that in the early days, being Dragonborn meant 'having the Dragon blood'. Some scholars believe that was meant quite literally, although the exact significance is not known. The Nords tell tales of Dragonborn heroes who were great dragon slayers, able to steal the powers of the dragons they killed."

Ganir immediately grabbed the book, not believing what he heard or read for that matter. Granted he had Cirilonde's help and the Arcaneum's vast collection at their disposal, but he had not expected to find such solid information so soon or easily. "Do you think that's what happened in Whiterun?"

"Has to be. But wait, there's more. Look…" She turned the page where large letters spelled out 'The Prophecy of the Dragonborn'. "When misrule takes its place at the eight corners of the world… That refers to the Staff of Chaos that Jagar Tharn used against Emperor Uriel Septim. And this…When the Brass Tower walks and Time is reshaped. They're referring to Numidium and the Warp in the West! Amazing! And look here…When the thrice-blessed fail and the Red Tower trembles…"

There was a particular glimmer in the Dark Elf's eyes. "The Nerevarine prophecies. Dagoth-Ur's demise and Almsivi's fall…"

She so desperately wanted to ask, but Cirilonde wasn't sure if this was a sensitive subject to him. Cirilonde then continued, "When the Dragonborn rules loses his throne, and the White Tower falls. That's the Oblivion Crisis. And this…" Cirilonde knitted her brows together, pondering the meaning of the last passage, "When the Snow Tower lies sundered, kingless, bleeding. The World-Eater wakes, and the Wheel turns upon the Last Dragonborn."

"What do you think that means?" Ganir looked at her, uncertain what to think or how to feel. "I mean, it's a bit too coincidental, don't you think?"

"Yes, but I don't know how old this prophecy is, but if it's older than, then it certainly predicted everything correctly. On top of that, look at this…" Cirilonde slid a book towards him, titled 'Amongst the Draugr' by Bernadette Bantien. "Remember the Draugr we encountered in Bleak Falls? Look here…'I had always wondered why the ancient priests of the dragon cult insisted that their followers be buried with them.' And then this, 'Every day, a different set of Draugr would awaken, shamble their way to the sarcophagus of their priest…' It's like they're taking care of wherever they were laid to rest even long after they had died."

"So, what you're saying is that the whole 'Dragon War' all these scholars thought to be a myth, actually happened? That all these 'dragon cults' existed and that this prophecy might be true?" Ganir felt a headache coming on. There was just so much information in these books Cirilonde had laid out, along with the notes she'd made. "I'm sorry, but that's just too crazy." The Dark Elf frantically shook his head and hands. He didn't want to believe any of this. "Don't give me that look. I know what happened in Whiterun, but what if that's just how dragons die and its spirit just tried to attack me and failed?"

Cirilonde wasn't very sure of what to think either. All these events in this Dragon Prophecy had occurred, even if she hadn't been there herself. And perhaps were even exaggerated. After all, the idea of a human Emperor transforming into the avatar of Akatosh to defeat Mehrunes Dagon was just impossible!
She ran an ink-stained hand through her hair. "Maybe you're right…but just maybe…" Her musings were interrupted by the chime of the Dwemer clockwork that hung from the wall in the Arcaneum. "Have we honestly been in here for that long?!" she exclaimed in a hushed tone, her eyes wide with disbelief. "I promised Brelyna I'd help her so she must've been waiting for hours!"

"Well, how about you go see her then?" Ganir suggested. "I'll clean up and make sure everything gets back to its rightful place."

"Oh thank you so much!" The High Elf gave him an unexpected, quick hug and rushed off after stuffing everything into her bag.

Now that he was alone, Ganir looked at one of the books they'd been reading titled the 'Dragon War' and he wasn't sure what to feel or think about any of this. But that prophecy…He then shook his head and chided himself as well. All sheer and stupid coincidence. Not that it necessarily explained how or why dragons had returned, but there probably was a logical explanation for it like hibernation or…something, right?

Ganir had just put the last book back on the right shelf when his senses suddenly peaked to an alarm. He restrained himself, as he'd been about to pull his daggers on Ancano. The Thalmor's dark golden eyes held a malicious, knowing glimmer.
"Can I help you?" he grit out.

"I believe we haven't met," said Ancano. "Nor was I informed of your arrival here at the College."

"Should you have been then?" Ganir asked with a hostile tone in his voice. "You certainly aren't a teacher."

"Ah, yes, but I am an Advisor to the Arch-Mage on behalf of the Aldmeri Dominion and I feel it's is only adequate that I know exactly who comes and goes here." The Thalmor crossed his arms over his chest. "So would you care to tell me who you are and what you're doing here?"

Ganir grit his teeth in annoyance and bit back as not to let a sarcastic reply slip. The Thalmor back near Falkreath had been after him because they had recognized him for what he was, not who. But still he didn't like the idea of humouring the Thalmor by providing any information. But he had too. "Ganir Mathendis. And I'm putting some books away lest Urag sends his atronachs after me. I'm an apprentice."

"You certainly seem to keep interesting company for a mere apprentice then," Ancano observed casually. "After all, you and the Lady Valanocke arrived in a less than appropriate fashion. To me, it looked like you either ran into, or from trouble."

"Thalmor!" Urag's voice boomed through the Arcaneum and some students leapt from their seats to hide for cover under the table. "Was I not clear the last time? Get your filthy boots out of my Arcaneum!"

Ancano's eyes narrowed into thin slits at the Orc. Who in their right mind had allowed for such an ill-tempered barbaric brute to run an Arcaneum in the first place?! "My boots are clean, thank you very much for noticing, Urag. So I do not see the problem."

"This is also a place of study, where the students are supposed to be able to study in peace without you hassling them." Urag pointed an angry finger at Ancano. "Do I need to make my complaint with Savos again, or what?"

Ancano grit his teeth. Just who did this savage think he was talking to and how dare he talk to him, a Thalmor, like that? And then there was the mention of the one thorn in his side…Savos Aren, the Arch Mage. "I was merely speaking to one of the new apprentices here."

Urag looked at him as if he was crazy. No one was there. That filthy-! He glared at Urag, certain the Orc had indirectly shot to the Dark Elf's aid. Ancano turned on his heel and left the Arcaneum. When I get my hands on that cur...!

"You really need to be more careful, wet-ear." Urag growled at a shadow behind another bookcase.

"I owe you one," was all Ganir said.

Brelyna and Cirilonde had spent a good while discussing the day's lessons and their notes. Satisfied, the High Elf excused herself to retreat to her room to work on her notes and jot some things down in her journal. Her head shot up when a knock came at the door. With the swift flick of her hand, her journal shut itself and briefly glowed. Before she could even answer, Ganir came in and shut the door behind him. "What's wrong?" she grew worried when she saw his expression.

"Nothing big," the Dark Elf reassured her. "I was cleaning up like I said I would, when that Thalmor fetcher showed up, trying to weed his large nose into my business."

"What?!" Cirilonde shot up from her seat. "And that's 'nothing big' to you? What happened?"

The Dark Elf did so and Cirilonde felt a chill run down her spine. That's how it always starts…Just a casual conversation.

"He's been questioning everyone." Cirilonde paced back and forth while fidgetting with the necklace Taurmillan had given her. She had not once worn it, but she had kept on her person. Why, she didn't know. "You're lucky Urag helped you get away for now, but it will only be a matter of time before Ancano will catch me for a 'little chat'."

"Well, you will be at Saarthal tomorrow, so there's that," Ganir tried to be of comfort. "But his favoured tactic seems to corner you when you're alone. So as long as you're not alone…"

But none of that seemed to comfort Cirilonde at all. She stood up and washed her ink-stained hands in the nearby basin. "I get it. You're scared. And I Don't blame you." Ganir put his hands on her shoulders. "But we're going to manage. And while you're off to Saarthal, I want you to keep this on you…" Ganir reached into one of his tunic's sleeves and pulled one of his daggers out.
"I knew you'd have them hidden on you somewhere," Cirilonde couldn't help but smile and she took the dagger from him. She had not had the opportunity yet to study it up close.

"Treat her right, will you? She's been with me a long time."

The dagger was made out of glass, but had been forged the Dunmer way, making the blade more jagged and crude-looking, but all the more deadly and razor-sharp. If that wasn't lethal enough, she could detect the subtle hint of a powerful enchantment like the ones on his armour. "Let's just hope she's not necessary. I'll take good care of her, I promise."

"I hope you won't need her either, but I'd rather have you safe than sorry." Ganir raked a hand through his hair and thought for a moment. "How about you go to bed and get some rest? I need to see Drevis about an assignment he had for me."

"This late?" Cirilonde furrowed her brow.

"Yes, something about cleaning the fonts around the College grounds." Ganir grumbled. "If I'd known that's what I was volunteering for, I never would've raised my hand."

"Just be careful, all right?" Cirilonde bit her lip. "I mean, I don't think Ancano is about to give up any time soon until he has the answers he wants."

"Maybe, with some luck, a dragon will swoop in to eat the rotten bastard," Ganir chuckled. "I'll be fine, all right? I can take care of myself. You just make sure he doesn't get a gold of you."

He then kissed her forehead, something that surprised the both of them, but he had grown protective of her. She knew what he was. She hadn't betrayed him. They'd stuck by each other after being through so much in a short time. First those Thalmor, then Helgen, Whiterun and now Ancano here at the College. She wasn't helpless, but they only had each other all the way out here. "Sleep well."

"Sleep well," she smiled and once he'd left the room, she locked the door behind him.

Ganir made his way out of the Hall of Attainment to the courtyard where Drevis stood waiting for him as they'd agreed. The Dark Elf handed him a pair of leather gloves.
"Heard you ran into trouble with you-know-who." Drevis spoke in the Dark Elven language and he held onto the gloves that Ganir had made to take from him. "Urag wasn't too pleased…"

"I didn't even expect or ask him to help." Ganir shot Drevis a sharp look, snatching the gloves from the other Dark Elf's grasp. "Nor did I expect that fetcher to sneak up on me like that."

"I'm not berating you, I'm warning you." Drevis' crimson eyes locked onto Ganir's. "It's not even a matter of watching your step around that bastard. The last thing we need is the Thalmor legion knocking on our doors. Arch Mage Savos' hands were literally tied as diplomatic neutrality only stretches so far and he was just as eager to receive Ancano as anyone else would be. You're not making it easier on any of us by antagonizing him…out in the open, at least."

"I'll be more mindful then." Ganir grumbled, but it was the only response Drevis needed to hear. "So, what did you need my help with?"

"Now, as you may be aware, these fonts are more than just a fancy way of illuminating the College grounds. They also purify and enhance the natural energies of the world. This helps us strengthen our connection to our flow of magicka. But over time these energies tend to get…polluted." Drevis put on a pair of leather gloves himself as well and he leaned over the ledge of the large font in the centre of the courtyard. He then scooped up what Ganir had thought to be snow or dirt, but in fact was a foul-smelling and thick, glowing goo. He carefully put it in a steel bucket at his feet. "Make no mistake, Ganir, this is not a procedure without possible…consequences. This is some serious, volatile stuff, so be careful. But you'd help me a great deal if you could start on the font in the Hall of the Elements."

"Yeah, sure." Ganir grabbed one of the steel buckets and walked to the Hall of Elements. He wasn't all too pleased about the mediocre task but at the same time it gave him the time to think.

He thought of how he'd met Cirilonde and looked at his claws. She'd known right away, but hadn't told anyone a thing. If anyone else here had an idea, they certainly didn't seem to mind, but she definitely hadn't. Why? He wondered. And what was she hiding that she was both so knowledgeable and afraid of the Thalmor?

But he wouldn't push it. She was helping him with this whole Dragonborn business. Could it be true? It made no sense whatsoever. He wasn't a human and nor had he any of that run through his blood.

And speaking of Thalmor. Whether Ancano was here for diplomatic or other reasons, both his and the Arch Mage's hands were tied in regards to what they could or couldn't do. Ancano was free to question members of the College, but couldn't enforce anything whereas the Arch-Mage couldn't prevent all the same from his members being questioned. How long could he protect Cirilonde for until they were perhaps forced to flee? And what was he going to do with all this information about the Dragonborn?

A small orb lit up and rang until Cirilonde woke to dispel it. The early morning light fell through the tiny, thin window in her room and she had barely tied her hair into a braid and bun when Brelyna knocked at her door.

The two of them made their way up to the Forum for some breakfast after packing their bags with whatever they thought was needed. They weren't alone for long as J'Zargo, Onmund and a few other students came in, one looking more groggy than the other.

"Aren't you used to get up early as a farmer's son?" Brelyna asked Onmund whose shoulder-length, blond hair was a bit of a mess and he had rings under his eyes.

"For your information, I couldn't sleep." He grumbled while picking at his porridge. "I don't even know why I signed up."

"Oh come on, we talked about this yesterday!" Brelyna exclaimed with a sigh.

"You don't get it, Brelyna! How would you feel if I dug around your ancestors' remains?" Onmund asked.

"You'd be busy a while as they're buried under meters of volcanic ash." Brelyna's dry response made Cirilonde nearly choke on her soup from laughter. "Oh, don't give me that look. Besides, how likely is it that they are your ancestors? I really don't see the problem you're making out of all this."

"I just don't know…" Onmund scratched the back of his head. "I suppose you're right though. Doesn't mean I like it, but …"

"You could learn a lot about it," Cirilonde chimed in. "And it's not as bad as you think it is."

"Let's just hope the weather cooperates." It was snowing outside. "J'Zargo does not like the idea of freezing to death, or wet fur for that matter."

"Well, you're in Skyrim, what did you expect?" Brelyna voiced the exact same thought Cirilonde had and the two women chuckled.

"I just hope we don't get into any weird trouble…" Onmund finally admitted what was clearly really bothering him. "I don't know, I just have a bad feeling about it and what if there's Draugr?"

"Unlikely and even then they're hardly any trouble." Cirilonde quickly corrected herself. After all, they didn't know she'd been to Bleak Falls Barrow. "Well, you all read that book by Bernadette Bantien, right?"

"I wouldn't know what to do, honestly. I'd be terrified if I saw one." Brelyna admitted and they all looked at her funny now. "Don't give me that look! Just because I was raised as a Telvanni doesn't mean we had Undead and Daedra for pets!"

"The undead shouldn't be a problem to deal with if we even run into any," Cirilonde assured them. "I mean, judging by the book, they don't seem all that bad or dangerous."

"Not bad?!" Onmund's horrified expression said it all. "I had nightmares for years thanks to my brother who convinced me that Draugrs would steal children from their beds at night and drag them off to their barrows."

Everyone burst out in laughter and even Onmund gave a wry chuckle.

After breakfast, they all gathered their belongings and went up to the Entry Hall where Tolfdir stood waiting for them. Brelyna failed to suppress her urge to groan when Nirya showed up as well and it turned out she was a part of Saarthal's excavation project.

"J'Zargo cannot wait to find all the valuable things. He has a keen eye for that, you know?" The Khajiit said to them as they walked across the bridge. "Maybe he can find something to make him even more powerful."

The Khajiit shrieked when he fell over backwards into the snow. J'Zargo had been walking backwards to talk with them and thus hadn't seen the mound of snow. They all laughed and helped him back on his feet. Cirilonde smiled not only because she was excited to go to Saarthal, but she was having fun, making friends and growing more confident that perhaps she and Ganir would indeed just manage to be fine.

If only they knew what would await them there and how it would change everyone's lives for good.