Updated as of 19-08-2015 to add more content and tweak said, previous content to improve consistency, character development etc.
Please let me know what you think of it because I'm having fun with the challenge of keeping Ancano in character.
The Unlikely Companions – Chapter 12
Despite Arch-Mage Tolfdir's insistence for her to retreat for the night, Cirilonde felt restless and walked up to the battlements of the College to soothe her mind. It had taken her hours to mend Ganir's wound, who had finally laid down to rest. Though the skies had cleared, the icy winds still howled as they swept past her. The moons' reflections shimmered in the now dark waters of the sea.
She wasn't alone for long. From the corner of her eye, she watched Ancano approach her but she refused to acknowledge him. Her anger soon simmered down, however. She had never told him about her brother, so he couldn't have known and he had helped them defeat the dragon.
She heaved an agitated sigh, "What do you want?"
He replied to her in the Altmer tongue, "I would speak with you in regards to what transpired before the dragon's sudden appearance."
"You were grossly out of line and suddenly decide on attempting to be civil?" Her fingers clenched the stone and still wouldn't look at him. "You have no idea how much he suffered. I only meant to help and you threw it in my face."
She tensed when he came to stand by her side and leaned on the stone as well. He also focused his gaze on the view in the distance. It made it easier for him to speak with her. He was never in one place long enough to witness the consequences of his actions to complete a mission so he chose to not give his mind time to dwell on it. "I've wronged you. Greatly. But after everything that's been thrown at me in spite of recent events being beyond my control…I even doubted your intentions. Had I known, perhaps things would have gone differently. However, I doubt that no matter what you intend to achieve with this…ruse, they will find out and they will have my head for my transgressions."
His voice and face didn't show, but she could tell he was deeply troubled by this possibility and understood. "I know you don't want or need my help or protection, but I understand why you lashed out at me. I knew of the consequences, but didn't regard them for you as a person. When the Eye released its hold on you, I saw that same fear I'd seen in my brother's eyes. I just saw history repeating itself and I couldn't let it happen."
There was a calculating flicker in his eyes as he listened to her and tugged at his gloves in brief contemplation. It was only then, that finally, she looked at him. "I've not been exactly considerate of you, either."
"The Augur told…reminded me, rather, of the burdens you carried to save the College. Had it not been for you, we all would have been dead." He reached for a piece of parchment he kept in the inner pocket of his Thalmor robes. "I also understood from the Arch-Mage you still intend to leave…"
She knitted her brow as she handed him the letter and read its contents. It was a report, like they had planned, about the attack from the Fellglow Keep's summoners in an attempt to overthrow the Arch-Mage in revenge. "I insist you reconsider. The College needs a capable advisor."
She glanced up at him and saw his gaze was very different. It was questioning and expectant. His tone had not been the usual, condescending sneer either.
She folded the parchment after checking for any hidden messages or enchantments but pulled it back when he made to take it from her. "What are your terms? You have a lot to make up for."
"Aside from putting up with your sass and ill-temper..." He snatched the parchment from her hand and pocketed it again. Now she was just pushing it! "However, if you were to stay, I will be more mindful and considerate of your efforts."
"I suppose that's as much of an apology I will get from you." She shook her head with a sigh. You'll never change… "But very well, I shall stay."
"Very well. I shall inform the Arch-Mage." She wasn't sure if she had seen it, but was quite sure to have caught the smallest hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth.
Delphine sat in her rocking chair on the Sleeping Giant Inn's porch. It was a perfect spot for her to keep an eye on everything in Riverwood, including her Inn to make sure that Orgnar, the moody cook in her employ, did his chores.
Orgnar wasn't too happy his boss made him do all the work, but while, to the untrained eye, Delphine seemed to be relaxing for a bit, he knew her better. The way her face was set and the storm that seemed brewing in her fierce, blue eyes, something or someone was testing her patience or had crossed her. As long as it wasn't him, he didn't care as it meant she'd be off his back for the time being.
As the sun set, most of the villagers retreated to their homes, though some entered the Inn to enjoy the end of the week's eve.
I doubt he died in Ustengrav. I cleared most of the traps for him…she mused. She sighed, mildly annoyed that she couldn't be sat here longer and returned into the Inn to tend to the guests and make sure everything remained in order.
The sound of Sven's lute and voice rang through the Inn, accompanied by merry laughter as the songs initially were tame heralds to the Empire before turning to inappropriate medleys about fair maidens with large…She cleared her throat, glaring at Sven. "We had this discussion before, Sven."
"Let us have our eve, Delphine. As long as we pay for the drink and food, we aren't that much of a bother." Hod said. He had been playing cards with some of the men and had been singing along, terribly false, like the most.
She sighed, annoyed. "Tell that to your wives when they come knocking on my door." Nevertheless, she didn't want to waste her time on this. She had other matters to attend too. While this…Dragonborn wasn't going to show his face, she had better make preparations and stay alert in the meantime. She retreated to her room in the back of the tavern, to the right, where no one ever came, but sprang to alert when she saw that the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller no longer lay on her nightstand.
Before she could spin around, a sharp set of claws wrapped around her throat from behind and the tip of a razor-sharp dagger pressed against her lower back. She grit her teeth, cursing herself for her lack of caution. "Not a word…friend," said a rough, male voice she immediately recognized.
"You're the Dragonborn… right?" Delphine tried glancing over her shoulder, but he wouldn't permit her. "Look, I mean you no harm. We need to talk, but I can't if you're about to rip my throat out or stab me down."
"Unlike you, I prefer to maintain caution." The Dunmer then snorted. "You're about as discreet as a rampant Kagouti. You want to talk, then we talk."
"Not here. Too many ears and eyes." Delphine pointed at the closet against the far wall. "There's a false panel behind it. We can talk there."
He shoved her towards it and she opened the closet for him, which indeed was empty and revealed a stairway that led down to a cellar of sorts with a table, covered In books and maps on the Empire, the dragons and the Dragonborn. What immediately caught his eye, however, were the Akaviri katanas on the wall to his right. She could've stolen them or obtained them somehow, so Ganir didn't lower his guard, but it was an interesting factor in the theory he and Ancano had.
He didn't follow her further down, leaning against the wall of the stairway so he could keep an eye on any unwanted visitors. "I've got the horn back, which you took, so I hope you understand I'm humoring you."
"You sound surprised I took it," Delphine observed with a humorless grin. "I guess I'm getting pretty good at my harmless innkeeper act."
"By my standards, I'm not impressed." Ganir replied. "Still, I wonder what's up with this whole cloak and dagger game of yours. You could have awaited me in Ustengrav, or elsewhere."
"It was too great of a risk," Delphine shook her head. "Thalmor spies are everywhere."
I'd know it. He thought, refraining from a snort. "And yet, you've reached out to me in spite of them slithering around. So, what do you want from me?"
"I didn't go through all this trouble on a whim," she snapped defensively. "I needed to make sure it wasn't a Thalmor trap. I'm not your enemy. I'm actually trying to help you. Just hear me out."
After glancing up the steps and not sensing any danger, aside from distrust towards her, he looked back at her. "I'm listening."
"Like I said in my note, I've heard you might be Dragonborn. I'm part of a group that's been looking for you…well, someone like you, for a very long time. If you really are Dragonborn, that is. Before I tell you any more, I need to make sure I can trust you."
You can't. He couldn't help but chuckle. "I know what 'group' you're a part of, though I wonder why despite that, you'd be looking for a Dragonborn."
Delphine wondered if he was bluffing or not, but decided to keep the conversation going. He was…interesting to say the least. "We remember what most don't," Delphine said ominously. "The Dragonborn is the ultimate dragon slayer as they can permanently kill a dragon by devouring its soul. I've heard…rumors of such a thing happening near Whiterun. Is it true?"
"I don't see a point in answering this. How do I know you're not a Thalmor spy?" He crossed his arms over his chest. He guessed it unlikely, but there was something about her that he didn't trust. Perhaps it was her despair that made her so callous and careless in her actions. Compared to the Blades he had worked with so long ago, she was a joke.
Her eyes narrowed. "We are very old enemies for obvious reasons, so I assure you I'm no spy for them. Rather, they are after me. And I wouldn't put it past them to have a hand in the return of the dragons. What's most important right now, whoever, is that you might be Dragonborn."
"You're not telling me anything of particular interest," Ganir picked at his sharp teeth. "So unless you're going to start telling me everything, I'll be on my way."
Delphine caught the bait. "Dragon's aren't just coming back…They're coming back to life." Ganir raised a brow. Interesting…or completely insane. "They weren't gone somewhere for all these years. They were dead, killed off centuries ago by my predecessors. Now, something's happening to bring them back to life. And I need you to help me stop it."
We'll see if I help you…"Do tell, what makes you think they're coming back to life?" he asked.
"I know they are." Delphine pushed the map on the table forward. "Remember that dragonstone you retrieved? It was a map to all the dragon burial mounds across Skyrim. I've visited some of them and found them empty. No grave robbers. I've figured out where the next one will be. If you come with me, and kill it, I'll tell you anything you want to know."
Ganir's eye shot back and forth from the map to Delphine. She obviously held knowledge not common to anyone. She'd known about the dragonstone and about the horn's location in Ustengrav. As brazen and unpleasant as she seemed, she had answers the Greybeards had been reluctant to provide. As stoic, strong and determined as she tried to appear, he could see the hope in her eyes.
He sighed, reluctant to have to put up with her, but it was the only lead he really had outside of the Greybeards. "Where are we headed?"
"Kynesgrove. There's an ancient dragon burial near there. If we can get there before it happens, maybe we'll learn how to stop it."
The recent events had caused quite the stir amongst the students, who couldn't stop talking about the showdown against the dragon. But what Cirilonde noticed most, was how they were beyond impressed with Ancano's abilities. She stood in the back of the Hall of Elements to observe Drevis' lesson on Illusion spells to calm or scare potential opponents. It had been quite an amusing sight to behold. Onmund would charge for Drevis, only to run away, scared and screaming from unseen monsters.
"I could watch this all day, to be frank." She couldn't help but giggle. Ancano, who had just come walking in and joined her side, raised a brow at her.
Though he lingered with her for a moment to watch Onmund run from Drevis again, screaming "Get them off me, they're trying to get in my nose!", he told her the Arch-Mage required them and she followed him. Normally, she would either be following as he walked at a steady, fast pace but now he remained at her side.
"People have been quite impressed with your combat skills you showed when you fought the dragon." Her compliment was sincere but made sure to make it out of the students' earshot. They were far too eager for gossip.
"I've spent years honing my skills as I was forced to maintain a high standard as an agent of the Thalmor." He wasn't entirely dismissive of her compliment but he knew he was an utmost capable man. He held the door open for her and they both entered the Arch-Mage's Quarters, where Tolfdir awaited them both.
"I'm glad you could come on such a short notice." Tolfdir said. Even when Savos was Arch-Mage, the desk had always been littered with countless of letters, scrolls and other things, but there was now quite the huge pile. Aside from a lot of correspondence, the recent events had drained the inventory of the College from potions, ingredients and soul gems not only to buy the silence of Winterhold, but also to compensate for the required and urgent repairs.
They wasted no time. Phinis and Sergius had been conjuring and soul-trapping lesser daedra all night while Faralda and Colette had set out in the most early of morning to gather ingredients which were now to be utilized by the two elves and Nord to refill the stocks.
Soon, all that was heard was the scribble of quills on parchment, the bubble of the cauldron and the hum of enchantments.
Ancano ran a hand through his silver-white hair and scratched at the stubble that had graced his jawline since a few days. "According to my calculations, we should be about halfway done."
"We should take a break." Tolfdir rubbed his sore wrists after corking the new batch of potions he'd made. "I certainly could use a meal and some fresh air, if you don't mind. We can continue later this afternoon."
Cirilonde had just swept the enchanting table clean from all magicka residue and soul gem fragments. "I certainly could use a break as well. I'm out of soul gems to begin with, so I'll have to wait for Phinis to come bring the rest. What of you, Ancano?"
"I should be fine," he waved a dismissive hand.
She then looked at Tolfdir. "Would you mind if I studied here while you are off, Arch-Mage?"
"No, no, by all means, child, go ahead." He then stopped midway to the door to turn to her. "Try to not burn anything down."
"I won't," she promised with a nervous grin. "Enjoy your meal and walk." She then turned to gather her notes from Faralda's classes and after reading them through again, she attempted to put the theory to practice.
She had made progress with her studies, but mostly with Conjuration. When it came to Destruction, however, she had yet to successfully harness the elements into a bolt of flame or lightning. She readied her stance, cleared her mind and focused on her breathing while channeling the magicka. The flame crackled in the palms of her hands as it grew in size, and like Faralda had instructed her, she was to restrain her magicka at a certain point and launch it, however, the results for her had remained the same thus far. The ball of fire would remain stable in its growth until it would suddenly burst beyond her control and she was forced to dispel it.
She had been so engrossed with her futile attempts, which frustrated her to no end, she had completely forgotten about Ancano. She hadn't noticed he had laid down his work to pour himself some wine and observe her. Aside from finding it entertaining to watch her fumble at first, he also found himself intrigued with her.
As ill-tempered and difficult as she could be, she had shown compassion; a very unusual trait for a female with her heritage. Not only that, she had applied and attempted everything within her knowledge to mend his wounds and restore his ailments. Not to mention that she had bloomed into a leader, who was struggling to master a simple bolt of flame.
This just wouldn't do. Aside from giving him a headache to watch her stunt with such a simple thing, he had promised her to make amends and be more helpful and considerate of her.
"Enough. Just…stop." Ancano but flicked his hand and dismissed her spell with a swift incantation and rose with a sigh.
Did he just dispel…She had been so engrossed with her futile attempts she had forgotten about him. Had he been watching her?
"It's just painful to watch an Altmer, of all things, to attempt casting in such a fashion. You're going to blow yourself up at this rate, if not the College."
"Well, I'd hate to impede on your department of expertise..." Her green eyes held a sparkle of mischief.
Did you just…?
"So, will you teach me, please, Master Wizard?"
"If you can curb your sass, I intend too." He removed his gloves, tossing them on the desk before walking over to her. "The issue seems to stem from this crude, primal casting method Faralda insists to force upon you."
"Do elaborate, please." I didn't expect him to actually help…
"Restraint is important in the fundamental teachings of the arts in a variety of scenarios, however, you're advanced enough to know your limits, therefor, you ought to be capable of maintaining a steady control and flow of the flames," he said to her and grabbed hold of her shoulders, turning her to face away from him. She cast a nervous gaze at him over her shoulders, which he pushed down. "And your stance is forced. Far too tense." He then reached past her to grab hold of her hands and he noticed she tensed. "I'm not going to kill you," he rolled his eyes. "Now, pay attention." He positioned her in a stance similar to his. Though she had taken a breath to relax, she felt her cheeks grow warm as she was very aware of his body pressing against his. Aside from the wine, she caught the most alluring scent of sandalwood and embers emanate from him. Was it perfume? "If you apply the same theory with this technique, it should be better. Try it."
She did as instructed, but rather than keep the flame in a short distance between her hands, he guided her hands to move more fluently like she would when performing healing spells. It felt far more natural to her because her whole body was in control of the flames as he helped her control the crackling heat around them. "Don't be afraid to get burned. You're fine as long as you maintain a steady rhythm. There's no need for restraint as long as you know your limits."
She swallowed, finding it difficult to concentrate as his words brushed past her sensitive ear and felt his tall, lean body press against hers. His long, slender fingers were wrapped around her wrists and his scent did not cease to tease her senses. Her heart began to pound rapidly and he had barely stepped away from her to let her try on her own when the flames burst out of control and he was forced to step in and dispel them.
He simply took the flames from her flow of magicka and with swirl, he guided them around himself until they dissipated. "I anticipated at much," he said dryly. "We'll try again."
"I've already seen it, but your theoretic knowledge of the arts is very impressive indeed." She looked up at him over her shoulder as he guided her once more. The flames built up again and they repeated the process.
"Focus." He snapped. The moment he had stepped away, he noticed the ripple in the flames as her attention was diverted. Her eyes hardened in concentration on the flames and steered them around herself, slowly making them grow as they moved in circles and eight-figures at a steady pace. "But yes, I've spent years perfecting my abilities. Hence why I'm not too impressed with most of your peers."
"Well, keep in mind that most of them aren't exactly like us." Her eyes never left the flames as she spoke and didn't notice Ancano watched her far more intently. He wasn't surprised that a minor change in stance had done the trick, but he was impressed nevertheless. The flames cast quite the interesting light and shadow patterns, making her smooth, golden skin glow, emphasizing the refined curve of her jawline and cheekbones. The way her chest rose and fell as she bit her lip in concentration to maintain a steady pace. The sensation of his body pressed against hers also lingered and the moment he realized his mind began to wander, he reprimanded himself. No. Don't. Fool.
She continued talking, "I've studied with Masters in the arts in Alinor and at the Arcane University in Cyrodiil for twenty-five or thirty years now or so? Aside from my lacking in the Destruction and Conjuration arts, it's only logical they aren't on par by your standards as they don't share our lifespan."
"And we're superior, whether you share my beliefs or not." Ancano took control of her flow of magicka and pulled the flames too him before sending them back to her. She took the hint and sent the flames back to him. She noticed right away that once the flames left Ancano, they had grown in size and speed. Sweat beaded her forehead as the flames were channeled between the two elves and the heat grew in speed and intensity. It took her more and more effort to keep them away from her and steer them back to Ancano as her strength to do so ran low. When he sent the flames back to her again, she raised a ward, sending the flames brushing overhead by just. The impact almost knocked her off her feet.
Tolfdir had just opened the door and was startled by the gout of flames that forced him to duck back. The flames charred the faceted window with the Arcane Eye black. She took a sharp breath. That could've ended badly…
"I'm terribly sorry about that, Tolfdir. Are you all right?"
"I'm fine, child." He looked at the charred windows. "Though I recommend you take your practices outside in the future."
Kynesgrove was a small mining village with only an Inn aside from some small houses located on the south road from Windhelm, so it seemed like quite an unnecessary 'detour' of sorts, given that he'd gone all the way from Ustengrav, to Riverwood and now to here. Ganir had had half the heart to just bail and return the horn of Jurgen Windcaller to High Hrothgar, but when they closed in on the village, he couldn't believe his eyes, for he had never expected to see the dragon from Helgen again. Yet, there it was, flying overhead, sending the villagers either running away or into their homes. Rather than attack, however, it had flown up to the hill where the dragon burial mound was.
"What are you even waiting for? Get out of here!" One of the peasants yelled at them in passing.
Ganir and Delphine nodded at each other and tied their horses to a nearby tree. They snuck their way up the hill and took cover behind a formation of rocks and bushes where they had a good view on the dragon and the burial mound, where the dragon lingered above in still flight.
The dragon's fiery red eyed flickered, fixated on the stone, carved ring in the ground, which was filled with sand. He didn't just know the bones of his servant lay there, but he could feel them. "Sahloknir, ziil gro dovah ulse!" He took a sharp breath and exhaled, "Slen tiid vo!"
When the last three words were spoken, the earth rumbled and both Delphine and Ganir's eyes widened as they witnessed the unthinkable. Granted, necromancers and conjurers had reanimated the dead; a frowned upon practice, but to actually revive something from death…This feat was unthinkable and never accomplished.
The bones of the dragon that emerged from the mound were initially bound by but the other dragon's voice, before muscle, flesh and scales were restored. The dragon was smaller than the black one; its scales grey and brown and eyes golden. It was unthinkable, given the nature of the beast, but it was submissive to the dragon flying over him. "Alduin, thuri," It said in a motion close to a bow as it lowered its head in respect before looking back up. "Boaan tiid vokriiha suleyksejun kruziik?"
"Geh, Sahloknir, kaali mir." Said the black dragon before its head turned in the direction of Ganir and Delphine, who were both startled. Had he known they were there all along? "Ful, losei, Dovahkiin? Zu'u koraav nid nol dov do hi." The beast's eyes narrowed as a strange sound, like the grinding of rocks, a chuckle, emitted from its throat with disdain. "You do not even know our tongue, do you?" he sneered. "Such arrogance to dare take for yourself the name of Dovah!" He then snapped his head in the other dragon's direction. "Sahloknir, krii daar joorre!"
Though he indeed did not understand the dragon language, Ganir gathered right away that 'Sahloknir' was the name of the dragon who immediately sprang to his master's demands, who flew away. "Yes, my Lord Alduin. I will be happy to oblige…"
I heard that name before…Alduin… "Here we go again." Ganir sighed and unsheathed his daggers. Here's to not getting impaled on anything…again.
"Wait! What are you doing?! Are you mad?!" Delphine exclaimed, immediately pulling her bow and arrows out to fire at the dragon the Dark Elf had rushed towards.
What she didn't know, however, that Ganir had killed two dragons, so he know what to do. This time, however, Ganir knew it would either be easier or more difficult, because Sahloknir was clearly stronger and bigger than Mirmulnir and the dragon he'd faced in Winterhold. He repeated the same tactic he had applied to them, however and outmaneuvered the beast, tearing away at the scales and its throat. It wasn't long before Sahloknir too fell to the Dragonborn's blades.
Delphine stood stunned in disbelief as the dragon fell dead to the ground after Ganir buried his daggers in the beast's skull. The scales and flesh began to smoke before being lit ablaze and she witnessed how the very essence of the dragon became one with Ganir, who stood unmoved with crossed arms over his chest. "Now, would you mind answering me some questions?"
Sahlkoknir, zill gro voah ulse – Spirit bound dragon of eternity.
Slen Tiid Vo – Flesh against Time
Alduin, thuri! Boaan tiid vokriiha suleyksejun kruziik – Alduin, my overlord! An age past, did you not destroy the power of the ancient kings?
Geh Sahloknir, kaali mir – Yes, Sahloknir, my trusted ally
Ful losei Dovahkiin? Zu'u koraav nid nol dov do hi – So, my false Dragonborn, I do not recognize you as dragon!
Sahloknir, krii daar joorre – Sahloknir, kill these mortals
