So if 3000 ecu is worth a holiday home and a fully upgraded homestead is around 18000 (I actually counted the total cost of the base value of every building material, unless furnish option was given, to 17759 but rounded it up.) septims, then ecu should be worth more. The blacksmith in volume one stated that an average broadsword was worth 200 ecu but to honest; he was probably trying to swindle a naïve Louise, so I won't take that in account.
However since I have no idea what Louise's idea of a holiday home is, I'm going to assume it's probably going to be a about the same size as a fully furnished Hearthfire homestead. So if 1 ecu is 6 livres (according to the wikia) then one septim should be the rough equivalent of 1 livres.
Anyone else find the Three Billy-Goats Gruff Easter Egg funny or is it just me?
Gah-Ei's ribcage creaked as he limped across the open courtyard. This was why he always wore armour everywhere he went; so surprises wouldn't hurt so much. Back in the old days, when the dragons had only just returned, a man could walk around in full combat gear and no one would bat an eye. Nowadays with decades of peace, walking around in full armour always attracted the attention of guards and people would always eye you suspiciously.
Hearing the dreaded flapping of wings, he froze in place. Turning slowly, he found himself face to face with the same blue dragon as before. Riding it was a small blue haired girl wielding a long wooden staff.
"Fos dreh hi laan nu (What do you want now?)" he asked apprehensively. He had no more meat to give and he definitely wasn't looking forward to another 'hug' from the excitable dragon.
"How?" the petite girl asked from her seat on the dragon's back. How could he speak the rhyme like the Rhyme Dragons?
Gah-Ei was confused. "Landstrider, it's polite to introduce yourself before one starts asking questions." He said.
The girl thought over it for a moment before answering. "Tabitha." She was obviously not the talkative type; using single words to express herself. Patting the dragon's head she uttered "Syphid".
"I am Gah-Ei or Great-Eyes as most call me." He introduced, trying to do a small bow but his damaged body refused to comply. His reptilian eyes focussed on the girl, ignoring the curious eyes of the dragon. "And now; what did you want to know?"
Curiously, the girl lifted her staff into the air and though her lips moved; her words were too soft for Gah-Ei to hear it. A strange sensation jolted Gah-Ei's body as his eyes widened slightly in surprise.
He could not see the effect but he could definitely hear it, or couldn't hear it. He was no real mage, only knowing the most basic of spells, but he was familiar with the majority of known spells; since he was also the one to often be on the receiving end for better or for worse.
This spell was nothing he had ever encountered. It was a form of ward, that he certain of, but wards were usually used to stop physical objects and spells; this seemed to only prevent noise from entering. There wasn't even anything to see that would indicate the use of the ward.
"What is this?" he asked in wonder. He observed how even the whispers of the wind couldn't reach him now.
"Prevents overhearing." replied Tabitha in the usual monotone. Sylphid nodded her head vigorously, as if agreeing with her master.
The Argonian nodded his understanding. So whatever was going to be said; Tabitha wanted it to be quiet. "So what did you want to know?" he asked again.
"Speaking Rhyme. How?" she asked.
Gah-Ei was confused again. He distinctly remembered Sylphid mentioning something about rhyme while she was crushing him with her weight. But because of just that, he couldn't remember exactly.
"What's this rhyme?" he answered with a question of his own. He had a sneaking suspicion that it was the dovahzul they were talking about; but he needed to confirm it.
Tabitha's expressionless gaze homed into his eyes. It was a bit eerie how she stared at him. "Hi tinvaak ko razaan zeyda ruz (You talked in the Rhyme just then)" informed Syphid, in her master's place.
This confirmed his suspicion. The Rhyme was the language of the dragons, just under a different name. "In my world, it is called the Dovahzul; the dragon language." he explained.
Nodding, Tabitha then ventured onto another question. "Common?" she asked. Despite how little she spoke; she still manages to give the meaning behind her questions quite well.
Shaking his head, he answered. "No. Only Dragons and Nord are naturally able to use it; and it's rare to find a Nord that can actually speak it."
Tabitha took a moment to let the information to sink in; her brain developing and comprehending the information being received. It took only a few seconds for her to reach a discrepancy. She knew Nord were essentially bigger humans. And despite Great-Eyes being a lizard; she didn't think he was a dragon.
"How?" she repeated, pointing her staff at the Argonian. If Dragons and Nords are only ones able to inherently speak it, then how was he able to speak Rhyme?
"Ah… I'm a unique case." answered the Argonian, understanding her question, despite its vagueness. "I don't claim to know why the Nine gifted with this though."
"Nine?" inquired Tabitha, her face finally showing some emotion; that being interest. Sylphid, however, appears to have lost interest in the conversation and had taken to seat herself comfortably on the grass. Tabitha seemed undisturbed by the motions of her familiar as the dragon shifted herself.
"The Eight Aedra introduced by Saint Alessia and alongside Tiber Septim, or Talos now, make up the Nine Divines." As a devoted believer of the Nine, he knew far more than what the majority of people knew.
"Aedra?" asked Tabitha. If she had this many questions; then it was going to take a while.
"Louise, my darling! Where are you? "called out Kirche; as she strode along the empty corridors of the girls dorm.
So far the little pint sized girl had proven elusive to her search, but she had no doubt that Louise would eventually be found by her. She had never backed down from a challenge, and finding the missing girl was as good as any challenge.
In truth, she was growing slightly worried about the Valliere. Though many would assume they hated each other; in truth Kirche felt little animosity towards Louise. And Louise had been missing since this morning when she was called up to the Headmaster's office.
Inquiring there, she was turned away by the green haired Headmaster's Secretary; citing their unwillingness to share private conversations.
After a rough search of the crowd outside the Princesses pavilion she sighed in disappointment. Kirche had heard rumours of how Louise and the Tristainian Princess were childhood friends; and she had noticed how Louise had blushed at the sight of the handsome Viscount. So if she was anywhere, then this would be the place.
Unfortunately her theory had proven wrong as the Pinkette had not been mingling with the crowd.
But she would not give up. A Zerbst did not give up that easily, especially if it's related to their rivals; the Vallieres.
But if Louise wasn't in her room or the Alviss Hall; then where could she be? The classrooms were closed to everyone but the teachers and servants; and she just checked outside the Royal Pavillion. That left only the library, Vestri Court and the boy's dorm.
Kirche immediantly ruled out the last; as Louise wouldn't even dare think of joining her… 'Adventures' there. So that left the library and the Vestri Court.
Trying the Vestri Court first; she didn't find Louise, but she did find something. Tabitha was always a quiet type; the exact opposite to her. So it was not often you would find her having a conversation with anyone other than Kirche and occasionally Louise, by extension.
So it was to Kirche's greatest surprise to find Tabitha having a conversation with the lizard that wore demon armour. She couldn't hear the words for some reason but it seemed more like the lizard was doing all the talking with Tabitha saying something every now and then. Still getting Tabitha to say more than a few words was an accomplishment by itself.
"Tabitha, so this is where you hid yourself." she called out as she drew nearer. Tabitha lifted her head slightly and spotted Kirche. Her noise nullifying spell disappeared as Kirche got too close for comfort.
"I need your help finding Louise." Kirche said as she gripped hold of Tabitha's shoulders. Gah-Ei raised his eye lids. He had heard of that name from somewhere.
"Missing?" inquired Tabitha, her small hands prying Kirche off her calmly.
"Haven't seen her since yesterday. So come on, let's go find her." urged Kirche. Taking a look at the lizard, she smirked. "Your new friend can come along too." she added.
Tabitha glanced at the Argonian, the single word question already on her lips. Waving her away, he nodded. "No need to ask. I don't mind helping." Taking a glance at Sylphid, Gah-Ei shuddered. "As long as you keep Sylphid off me." he quickly added.
Sylphid nodded her head in response as Tabitha instructed her to not 'hug' Great-Eyes. With that done, the three plus the dragon set off towards the only plausible place left: the Academy Library.
Louise huddled closer in her little corner of the vast library. Her feet drawn in as she cried her heart out. Her eyes were shot red as they filled with tears.
A failure that's what she was. Just like what her tormenters had always said: A Zero; someone who couldn't do anything right. A Zero that just failed at everything.
She thought everything was going to be alright with the summoning of her ghost wolf, but that was just an illusion she used to delude herself. Making a fake familiar with foreign magic didn't count.
The headmaster had confirmed it himself. She had been kicked out of the Academy. After the dreaded words, she had tuned out the rest of what he had to say. But whatever she missed wouldn't matter. What mattered was that she was going to be sent back home, in disgrace, to confront her mother.
The mention of her mother brought forth fresh tears to her eyes. When she was younger, her mother would don her old armour to scare her for punishment. And while her anger was something Louise still feared; she feared her disappointment even more.
She could already imagine the disappointment on her face for having a failure of a daughter. All the hope and trust in Louise's potential would be betrayed.
She would be disowned and cast off like the failure she was. She deserved no better.
Would her family even miss her? Probably not. Her parents would be glad to get rid of the stain on the Valliere's long shining history and Eleanor had always said she had no talent at magic.
Cattleya might miss her. She always was the kind sister that had always supported her no matter what and she would just be another one that she would disappoint.
She heard the door open, the creaking of the heavy oak door unmistakable. She could make out shadows, illuminated by the sunlight that shone into the dim room.
"Are you sure Miss Valliere is in here, Miss Zerbst." Professor Colbert asked sceptically.
Kirche looked at her teacher in mock anger. "I already checked everywhere else where she could be; so Louise must be in here."
What were they doing here? Haven't they made fun of her life enough already?
Louise moved further into the shadow of the bookcase, the darkness concealing her form. Right now she didn't want to see anyone, especially Zerbst.
"Found you!" Louise squeaked at the sudden cry of victory from Zerbst. How could she have found her that fast?
"I heard a noise from there." someone said in a raspy voice. Though she could see Kirche, Louise just knew she had a cocky smile on her face as she had just tricked her into revealing her hiding spot. Louise had the familiar desire to punch her rival in the face right now.
"I knew that would work! Louise is so predictable sometimes." exclaimed Kirche proudly. With her emotions in disarray; who could fault Louise when she actually lashed out at the one who neared her hiding spot.
Her punch came into contact with the hard scaly skin under the woollen shirt that Gah-Ei wore. Pain exploded in Louise's hand as she quickly withdrew it. "Aaah!" she cried out in pain.
Looking up she found herself facing a large reptilian creature, looking deep into its eyes, she recognized something that looked like concern.
"Are you alright little landstrider?" the Argonian asked. The punch had barely hurt him but looking at Louise's bleeding hand; it appeared the same could not be said for the human girl.
"Of course I'm not!" Louise yelled back, her face distorted with pain. Her hand was a mess, two of her fingers were bent at weird angles and her hand was covered in bleeding cuts. By the Founder; what was that lizard's skin made of?
The rest of her searchers arrived at her hiding spot, their faces concerned; so much for hiding.
"Here, I know some basic restoration." said the lizard, as he stretched out a glowing hand emitting bright orange light. He left his hand on top of her wounded hand as the magic began.
Louise could only watch in surprised fascination as her hand mended itself. It was slow, but her cuts slowly closed itself up; while her broken fingers snapped back into place with a sickening cracking noise. Louise winced at that; not because it hurt but rather because of what she knew had just happened.
It was don't in a matter of moments. Her hand was back to its healthy state; it was like she had never actually punched the scaled lizard man.
Her fascination faded as she remembered the situation she was in right now. Tabitha, KIrche, Professor Colbert and the strange lizard surrounded her little hideaway.
Her negative feelings returned as she observed her searchers. "What do you want Zerbst? Here to laugh at the Zero?" she spat at the Germanian.
Kirche actually recoiled at that. "N..no I'm-" "…just here to tell you I was always right!" finished Louise in anger.
"Well just say it then. I'm the Founder forsaken Zero! The one that can't do anything right!" Louise was shouting now, her anger pouring over boiling point. "What more do you want from me Zerbst? Just leave me alone!"
Kirche Augusta Frederica von Anhalt-Zerbst was unsure of what to do. She hadn't intended any serious bad will on the Valliere scion. And her teasing wasn't intended to actually hurt Louise, just incite her to do better.
As Kirche hesitated, Louise went on. "I hate you KIrche! Go away!"
Kirche then hugged Louise, softly mumbling apologies. "I'm sorry Louise. I'm really sorry." Louise looked surprised at the apology as her teary eyes widened.
"D…Don't think that a simple ap-"stammered Louise. "Hit me." commanded Kirche. Again Louise was surprised, hit her?
Kirche tilted her head towards Louise. The Germanian then lifted Louise's shaking hand with her own towards her own cheek. "Hit me Louise." she commanded again.
"B…bu…but…" stammered Louise. Sure she wanted to hit her and she did just lash out a moment ago in rage; but to actually hit her on purpose.
"HIT ME!" loudly repeated Kirche a third time. A loud smack echoed across the library as Louise's hand connected with Kirche's cheek.
"Owww… You hit harder than I thought." complained Kirche as she rubbed her reddening cheek. Seeing that Louise was now stone stiff in disbelief; she smiled. "Feel better?" she asked.
Louise didn't respond, her face frozen in surprise as she stared at the hand that slapped Kirche. Despite her stinging face, Kirche smiled again at Louise. "Feel better?" she asked again.
When Louise didn't respond a second time; she sighed. Motioning for Tabitha to come closer she whispered something to her. The bluenette nodded and incanted a small spell.
Her hands now freezing cold, Kirche situated herself directly in front of Louise; kneeling down to reach Louise's slumped form. Quickly she placed her shivering hands onto Louise's cheeks; sighing in relief slightly as her hands drew warmth from Louise.
Louise didn't react for a moment; her own hand slowly moving up to touch Kirche's. Once she confirmed that Kirche was indeed doing what she thought she was; she reacted violently.
"Gah! C..Cold! What do you think you're doing… you… you… ?" Louise shouted as she drew back from Kirche's freezing hands.
"Fufufu… looks like the usual Louise is back." said Kirche, a big cocky smile on her face. Louise reacted violently as she continued to shout insults at the Germanian.
"Ahem… We're still here you now." interrupted Professor Colbert; standing in the exact same spot as before. Beside him, Gah-Ei had found a chair from somewhere and was sitting leisurely on it as he waited for them to finish.
"P…Professor Colbert! What are you doing here?" asked Louise in horror. Had he just watched what just happened?
"Well I was looking for you to confirm you moving to the College of Winterhold." Replied Colbert calmly.
Everyone aside from the Professor was surprised. "W… Wh… What?" stammered Louise. When was it decided that she would go there?
"The College of Winterhold? What's that?" asked Kirche in confusion. Oh right; she doesn't know.
"The College is the most prestigious facility to learn magic within Skyrim. Only the most gifted and skilled are able to find entry into its halls." answered Gah-Ei. He stared at Louise, which made her nervous.
That was where he had heard the name Louise before. Arlerus had mentioned her during their short journey. She was the one that summoned the entire hold to this land. Sizing her up; she looked nothing like what he had envisioned.
"Oh… then why's Louise going there?" asked Kirche. Colbert hesitated in finding an answer. Telling Miss Zerbst would ruin the whole point of keeping Louise's summoning a secret; though judging by the knowing look on the Argonian and the narrowed eyes of Tabitha; it was likely they already knew.
"Louise's summoning." hinted Tabitha; her face blank as she looked up to stare at Colbert. "Investigation of summoning held there?" she asked in interest.
Colbert sighed. So much for keeping it a secret. "Yes; Louise's strange summoning will be investigated there." he confirmed.
"Wait, wait, wait. I think I'm missing out on something. What did Louise summon? All her spell brought was snow." interjected Kirche; confusion returning to her as she tried to figure out what was going on.
"She summoned all of Winterhold." stated Gah-Ei. "Though I'm not sure why she needs to go to Winterhold to study her summoning. Wouldn't it be better to work towards a counter-spell here?" he questioned; his eyes shifting to Colbert for answers.
"Old Osmond and your Archmage decided on this, not me. Apparently they thought it was for best that Miss Valliere move to Winterhold for the time being." answered Colbert; resigned to the fact that nothing could be kept secret in this Academy.
"Wait; don't I get a say in this?" demanded Louise, her hands using the cuffs of her sleeve to wipe away what was left of the tears.
Colbert looked at her strangely. "Miss Valliere; you nodded your agreement when we asked in the Headmaster's office. Remember?"
Louise took a moment to recollect her memories and blushed when she realized she hadn't paid attention after the headmaster had mention her leaving the Academy. "Y…Yes I remember now." she agreed meekly.
Colbert looked at her unconvinced. "No one if forcing you to do this Mis- no Louise. If you don't want to we will arrange for transport back to the De la Valliere estates." he assured her.
At the mention of returning home; Louise shook her head quickly. "N…NO, I don't mind." she reassured her teacher.
Colbert nodded. "Well I'll be coming with you so there is no need to worry."
Louise felt slightly better at the admission. At least she wouldn't be completely left alone there.
"So… um why is Louise going there again?" asked Kirche. "I mean you were there when the told her to go to this College weren't you Professor Colbert?" The Argonian nodded, as he also wanted to know.
Colbert cursed inwardly. He had hoped by giving them a vague answer and hurrying on; they would forget about it. Glancing around to ensure the library was empty aside from them, he considered his options.
If it was just Louise and the Argonian here then telling them the real reasons wouldn't be a problem. But both Kirche and Tabitha answered to foreign monarchs' and were liable to tell them.
Especially Tabitha; he had a suspicion that the Gallian was more than she let on. She seemed far too experienced and skilled than even a genius should normally be. It was always the quiet ones that were the most dangerous.
"I'm sorry but this is matter of privacy for Louise." he replied stiffly. Hopefully Miss Valliere would have enough political sense to-
"Um… I don't remember why exactly too. Could you please tell me again?" asked Louise, flushed at her admittance of ignoring their earlier conversation.
Miss Valliere had just failed his expectations for how politically savvy he thought she was.
With Louise more or less wanting him to answer now, and no possible way to discreetly brush the conversation aside, he resigned himself. "Well put simply: we don't know how to teach Louise." he admitted.
The Valliere scion was always a source of confusion for the teaching staff. No one could doubt her dedication to study and her written work was always impeccable. Unfortunately her practical work was always… explosive as a result.
It didn't take much knowledge to realize that she was incapable of casting any of the four elements. Unlike the students; the teachers knew that she could use magic. One couldn't destroy an entire room with a simple transmute spell if they didn't have magic. Some of the other professors had even joked about how she was a void element user.
The Headmaster had, in his eternal wisdom, decided that they should transfer Miss Valliere to the College; on the off chance that they could teach her some of their magic.
Privately Colbert suspected that by sending him along as a 'supervisor' the Headmaster actually intended for him to investigate the foreign magic that these Winterhold mages wielded. And if possible bring back notes and tomes on how to use it; upon his return.
The fact that he was talking with their Archmage about exchanging classes was a testament to this. What better ways to understand Winterhold magic than to have them teach their own students?
"Miss Valliere would be safer there." he finally admitted. He might as well let it all out.
"Safe? From what?" asked Gah-Ei.
"From the… more extreme side of our religion." Colbert answered seriously. The Dragonborn narrowed his eyes. He had more than a few encounters with fanatics though, admittedly, most of them were Daedra worshippers. "And why would that be dangerous?"
"Like your Winterhold; not everyone would take well to your appearance in Tristain. Especially if there were Elves brought in too." the balding professor replied.
Kirche gasped while Tabitha widened her eyes in surprise. Elves? There were Elves where Louise and Colbert were going?
"Miss Valliere, Miss Zerbst, Miss Tabitha. I would consider it a favour to Tristain if you kept this knowledge to yourselves." he warned them.
Kirche nodded but Tabitha hesitated. Thinking it over; she finally slowly nodded her assent.
It was her duty as a Knight of the North Parterre to send this information back to Gallia. She was well aware of what the Gallian King, her uncle: Joseph de Gallia, would do to her mother if he noticed her failure to tell him.
But he would find out eventually; even without her reports. So unless he directly orders her; she'll hold off telling him. Even if it was just for a little bit longer; she wanted to protect the few precious beings that she could call friends.
Does anyone know what Tabitha's last name was? I'm not asking for her real one but the one she used under her alias.