~ Chapter 6 ~

The Staff of Thorns and Roses

"Oh, I can complain, alright," Eda cursed for the fiftieth time since they had left Dragonsreach. "Dang it girl! What did you get me into now?"

"Got you out of more like," Luz said defensively. "I saw the bounty poster, Eda. You said you had a bounty, not that your face was plastered over five thousand gold!"

"If that turns your stomach, kid," Eda said, pausing for a minute to let Martin catch up. "You should see the posters in Windhelm."

They had been walking for a few hours, mostly in silence, and Luz was sure they were almost back to Riverwood.

She posted her hands on her knees and took a breath. "You know, if we'd just helped Lucan-"

"No." Eda scowled at Luz. "I don't want to hear it. We wouldn't be in this shambles if it wasn't for your big mouth."

"I'm not the one who pointed out - near a guard captain! - that we could just leave in the caravan. And now Hooves is all by himself, with strange horses, not knowing when we'll be back."

"That wall-eyed cretin will give bad horses a good name," Eda said, falling into step with Martin, the angry march she'd kept, for a while now, abating. "Sometimes I wish I couldn't understand him. Nothing useful to say. Never seen a creature more obsessed with not being what he is."

"Sounds like you don't like him," Luz said. "Why do you keep him?"

"You know how hard it is to get a good horse, kid?" She shrugged. "Besides, you don't unshoulder a lost bet to a Daedric Prince so easily."

"Wait, what?"

Eda turned to look at Luz, who had stopped in her tracks and was looking at her horrified. "What?"

"No, you what." Luz shook her head. "A Daedric Prince?"

"Come now, Luz," Eda laughed, turning back to the hike. "I'm the most powerful witch in Skyrim - damn, probably from Hammerfel to Red Mountain. Do you think I got it all through hard work? There are a few Daedra out there who would love to have my soul to play with."

"L-like who?"

"Oh, you know." Eda waved a hand. "The usual ones. Azura, Sheogorath. Vaermina that one time. Ho-oh, that was not planned. Barely got away with my literal and figurative skin. Nocturnal, once or thrice, though the second time was only in passing. Sanguine, but that's a jovial arrangement. And… beat Mephala at her own game once. She was not happy about that. Still have that cursed sword somewhere."

"That's… more than I thought you'd say."

"I'm a mage, Luz. A witch! My power isn't in soldiers or gold or land. It's more ephemeral than that. The magicka that flows throughout all the world, Magnus as its source. But just like all power, it can be used to trade and barter. And gamble."

"So…" Luz let the unasked question hang in the air for a minute. "Who did you lose to?"

Eda gave her a look. "Never you mind. You'll not treat with any of them. Much too dangerous for human mages four times your age, let alone a waif like you."

"I know, I know," Luz assured her. "Just… curious."

"Sheogorath," Martin piped up from ahead of them. "She bet him that she could best him in a game of pranks."

"Martin!"

"Oh," Luz said, waggling her eyebrows. "And, these pranks were?"

"Enough to land me in hot water with almost every hold," Eda snapped. "Are we walking or wagging our jaws? Come on, Riverwood's just over the next rise."

Eda stood at the foot of the path, looking at but not reading the sign that pointed to Riverwood - fresh paint white in the evening sun. The one above it, rotting and forgotten, pointed to the right, up a steep and narrow path, strewn with rocks and clear animal tracks.

The setting sun did nothing to ease her mood.

She turned around, looking for Luz and Martin, finding them after a moment's concern, skipping stones into the river.

Eda reached into her tunic, pulling out an owl skull with an amber sphere lodged in its right eye. There was a murky shadow within, moving around like spoiled ink.

She'd be okay for a while longer. Maybe, if she beseeched the Horned Lord, he'd hurry it up a tad. Would make the Barrow easier, considering the presence of bandits and the wayward undead.

Nords didn't leave something like a chieftain and a draconic relic unattended.

"Alright, you two," she said, fishing into a pouch at her side. "The inn is just over the bridge, remember? Luz, take Martin for a hot dinner, and try and grab a room." She gave up her distracted counting and just handed Luz the pouch. "Do not lose that."

Luz took the clinking pouch and put it inside her satchel bag. "Where are you going?"

"To get the stone."

"But, I thought we were doing this-"

Eda snorted out a laugh. "No offense, kid, but you are a child with no training and he is a savage little monster - with no training. Out of the three of us, who do you think is equipped to deal with wolves, bears, bandits, and who-knows-what lurking in that tomb?"

"I'm not a child," Luz said. "And I can look after myself."

"Sure," Eda said, a sly smirk barely seen before she turned away. "But who's looking after Martin?"

"Weh?" the boy asked, looking up from his rock pile. "What's going on?"

"Luz is going to take you to the inn," Eda said, waving over her shoulder. "While I burn some fools alive."

Luz grimaced but reached out to take Martin's hand. "Come on, Martin. Maybe they have some honey tarts or something."

"Woo," Martin said, raising his fists into the air and making for the bridge. "Sweets!"

Luz cast a look over her shoulder before following Martin, watching Eda snap her fingers, sending a shockwave of lime-green energy over her, leaving the already pale skin looking like marble.

The inn was warm, and comfortable, though a little crowded and loud.

Luz sat with Martin against one of the walls, while the blacksmith and his wife danced to 'Redgar the Red,' sung by the bard, Sven.

He'd already winked at her twice, and Luz was about ready to put a knife through his lute.

Martin was enjoying some boiled tarts the inn's chef had made up for the festivities, free of charge, when a familiar face sat down next to Luz.

"Camilla," Luz said, grinning.

"Luz, right?" Camila also nodded to Martin, who smiled through sticky teeth and fingers. "Surprised to see you back so soon. The festival isn't over yet, is it?"

"Ah," Luz started nervously. "No, actually. We were… contracted. By the Jarl. Ironically, to get something from Bleakfalls Barrow."

"Oh?" Camilla nudged Luz with her shoulder. "Not just looking for an excuse to come visit me again?"

Luz's face grew hot as she snorted nervously, an awkward laugh bubbling up.

Thankfully, the sudden appearance of a robed reveler at her elbow saved Luz from drowning herself in Martin's mug of warmed milk.

The man was tall, with luscious black hair and a devilish grin. He was swathed in black robes that simmered with purple hues as he moved. He handed Camilla a tankard of mead, pushing one into Luz's hands as well, before sitting down, hooking a stool with his foot, and propping himself up between Luz and Camila.

"Happy Harvest's End," he crowed, loud enough to cause everyone in the inn to follow him in raising a cup, mug, or tankard. He downed what had to be most of his own mead before wiping his mouth and grinning down at Luz, while an arm fell across the table behind her.

"You're no Nord," he said, grinning. "Though, neither is your friend. Good to see the odd Imperial celebrating like a true son or daughter of Skyrim!"

Another loud cheer echoed through the inn, and Luz pretended to drink from the mug in an effort to hide her flushing cheeks.

"Come, now," the man said, winking at Camilla. "Two fine ladies like yourselves can't hide away in dingy corners all evening. I sense a concerned friend and a friend who is concerning."

He looked Camila up and down animatedly, making her laugh into her tankard, and then his eyes flashed to Luz.

But they didn't rake over her.

They pierced into her, and she felt an uncomfortable pricking at her skin, like the hum of lightning before a strike.

The world fell away, the sounds of ensuing revelry muting for a moment before everything floated back into place.

Her head spun and she felt the man prodding her shoulder with the hand that encircled her.

"My dear, I had no idea you were so worried. Admirable, no doubt, but unfitting the joys of the year's last feasting and rampant drinking. You look piqued. Maybe some air will do you good."

Before she knew what was happening, he had swept Luz away through the crowd of people, music swelling, singing slurring - and then the brisk air of Skyrim's night washed over her.

She gasped, not realizing she'd been holding her breath, and realized she didn't remember walking out of the inn at all, let alone across the cobbled road and over the wall to stand on in the shallows of the river.

Luz looked around, finding her guest a pace away, drinking calmly from his goblet.

Had it always been a goblet?

"What…?" Words failed her. The fog in her head was clearing, but not much. "How-?"

"Don't worry about the details, Luceada," the man said, studying the red wine in his crystal cup, holding it up to the moonlight. His eyes flicked to her and there was a swelling pressure in her head again before he looked away. "So, Edalyn's taken an apprentice? Interesting. Here I thought she was against such archaic tropes."

"What's it matter to you?"

"Here," the man said, scooping up some water in his hand and handing her a still-forming crystal goblet like his. "Have some water."

"No," Luz said, pushing it away and stumbling back. Her senses were returning and in the light of the full moons, she thought she'd seen horns atop his head, a gleam of molten gold in his eyes. "No, who are you?"

The man let the goblet fall, shattering against the moving water, and taking the melting pieces of crystal downstream and out of sight.

"Not nearly as important as what Eda is telling you. Or not, as the case is."

"She's a great teacher."

"I've no doubt she is," the man said, gesturing up at the Barrow's shadow looming over them from the mountain. "What has she taught you?"

"I… I mean, she only took me on yesterday."

"And she hasn't bothered to show you anything? A cantrip, a knack? Nothing?"

"Look, we've been busy."

The man shrugged. "I understand. I'm a busy man myself. I'm sure it has nothing to do with your inability to cast magic."

"But… anyone can learn magic," Luz said, trying to ignore the uncertainty at the back of her mind. "There are whole guilds and universities dedicated to it."

"True. But there are those unfavored few who have stunted wells," the man said. "While Eda is an ocean, you are a puddle."

"How would you even know-"

"Come on, girl." He waved his hand, and with a swirl of purple and a shuddering of air, a staff materalized into his hand. "I'm clearly a powerful sorcerer myself. One with a nose for talent. And an eye."

He grinned, planting the staff between them. It was taller than she was, with a twisted, thorny look to it, what looked like a flower bud at the top.

"This staff of mine is a potent magical artifact. Eda won it from me decades ago, but with the neglect of long lived beings like her, it has returned to my possession. While you will never cast a spell of your own, there is magicka out there for the taking, if you know where to look."

Luz felt her hands move toward the staff, the strange pressure around her causing the world to fall away again. The babble of the river, the night frogs and crickets, all sound became a dull ebb in her ears.

There was just her, him and the staff between. She couldn't even see him fully either, just his burning, golden eyes.

"A wager, a bargain. I will give the staff to you, if you can beat Eda to the Dragonstone. Easier than you might think. With her headstart, there will be less to challenge you. If you succeed, the staff is yours, and its considerable power. You will be a witch in your own right, unbound for the need of any teacher. It will become your destiny. A great fate, like the Champion himself."

Luz found her hands wrapping around the haft of the staff, her vision fuzzy.

"See you soon, Little Light…"

"Mom?"

She started as an owl hooted nearby, causing her to slip in the muddy shallows. She caught herself quickly, and looked in awe at the staff in her hand.

It wasn't the thorny staff the man had held, but a rather a simple rod, with an amber crystal wrapped in gnarled roots for a head. She could feel an ebb of power within it, a… lightness of the heart and mind.

She looked around.

There was no sign of the man, no indication she hadn't just been standing here by herself for who-knew how long, save for the staff now in her possession.

Hurrying back into the inn, Luz found the innkeeper - an older woman with grey-blonde hair and a humourless face - and pulled out her coin purse.

"I need to make sure he'll be okay," she said, counting out ten coins and then another five. "Please. He's just a kid and his mom is in danger and-"

The woman shook her head and pocketed the fifteen pieces. "I am not a babysitter."

"Just make sure he doesn't wander off?"

"We can do that, right Delphine?" The innkeeper's cook - a hulking man even by Nord standards.

Delphine sighed. "I'll make sure he doesn't leave the inn."

"Thanks," Luz called, rushing over to Martin and Camilla. The inn had become warmer somehow, but everyone was gathered around the fire pit or huddled on a chair as Sven regaled with a story of some battle from long ago.

"Hey you," Camilla said, smiling as Luz came over. "Wondered where you went. Martin and I have been chatting a bit."

"Thank you, Camilla," Luz said, looking over at the young boy - sleepily hovering over a partially eaten tart. "Could you just make sure he goes to bed. I bought him a room, but I'm worried about Eda. I'm going to go get her."

"In the middle of the night?" Camilla asked, worry spreading over her face. "Luz, these woods can be dangerous, even during the day."

"Don't worry," Luz said, gesturing to the staff she'd slung over her back. "I'll be okay."

"Not okay, not okay!"

Luz scrabbled over some loose stones, kicking them back at the wolf snapping at her heels.

She shook the staff in her hands, rounding the bend of the vague path. "How do I get you to work?"

Nearly slipping on some ice, Luz shoved herself back into the rocks, watching as the wolf skidded on the same ice and hurtled over the edge of the cliff with a startled yelp.

Luz glanced over the edge, careful to keep her footing.

The wolf, having crashed through several feet of pine branches, got hesitantly to its feet and glared up at her.

"Sorry," Luz called down to it. "But you were trying to eat me."

The wolf snarled at her and limped into the pinewood, intent on easier prey.

Luz took a moment to breathe, before examining the staff in her hands again.

It was simple, with no runes or magical signs. No indication of what it did or how to make it do what it did.

Groaning, Luz looked down the mountain path at the lights of the inn. She could just turn back. She'd made faster progress than she'd thought - being chased by a wolf would do that to you - but it still wasn't too far away.

But the man's words kept floating around her head.

Did Eda think she couldn't do magic?

What would Eda think if she couldn't?

The idea left a larger and more painful hole in Luz's chest than she'd thought it would. The dream of becoming a mage - like Eda, like the Champion - had taken a deeper root than she'd thought.

It wasn't just the idea of failing before she'd begun either, though that stung in its own unique way. It was just the idea that, if she had to give up this path, she couldn't even go to the Temple of Mara. If she couldn't do magic, it didn't matter, she couldn't heal people.

She'd have to return home, and admit her failure to her mother. Her Mami, who had worked so hard to give her a better chance in life.

A chance Luz never had access to in the first place.

She'd been walking, absently, for a while, when her foot caught something in the snow.

Luz knelt down and brushed the drifting snow away, but in the stark moonlight shadows, she couldn't see much.

She looked at the staff again, and growled at it. "If only you were a torch. At least fire-light might have scared the wolf… away…"

She trailed off, studying the crystal.

It had shone.

For just a second, it had shed light.

Luz held the staff out with both hands and focused.

Torch.

Fire.

Light…

A glimmer of pale white light died before it began as Luz gasped.

She focused again.

Torch. Fire. Light!

Another glint of magic, but it too faded before she could think of what to do next.

"One more time," Luz muttered. "Torch. Fire. Light!"

A small globe of white light escaped the staff's crystal, a mote barely the size of her thumbnail, if pure light could have a size.

She reached out a hand, letting the globe of light rest in her hand.

It wasn't warm, nor cold. If she closed her eyes, it was like holding a feather. Weightless, with barely the implication of sensation telling her something was there.

"I can do magic," she breathed. "I can. I will."

Taking a deep, satisfying breath, Luz looked down, using her new light spell to see what she had kicked.

It was the bloody stump of a hand.

Luz screamed, and the light went out.

After a few minutes of deep breathing, Luz was finally able to steady her hands enough to summon another globe of light, and in its pale shine, picked her way through the dismembered corpses of a dozen bandits.

Blood was frozen to mountain walls, dozens of feet tall. Bodies were ripped apart and flung as if by an explosion made of teeth and claws.

There were portions of the mutilation scene that was just red snow, with no bodies to be seen.

Luz made her way through until the snow was white again, and shivered. It was getting colder, and her thin robes were not the best for keeping the chill out, but it was the carnage that had unnerved her.

Had that been Eda? Or was there a bear - or worse, a troll - out here? She hadn't seen any burn marks, so maybe Eda had come after the violence.

In any case, getting into the Barrow seemed like a better idea than trying to make her way back down now. If there was a monster out here, her little light spell wasn't going to do much.

Making her way up the black stone steps of the Barrow, Luz saw more mutilated bandits. It seemed like a dozen or so by now, but it was hard to tell.

Getting through the massive doors was less of an issue as well, seeing as they were shoved open wide enough to let a whole wagon through.

Snow had drifted inside and the occasional gust of wind channeled through the opening, guttering the dying campfire set up at the far end.

Luz's light revealed two more bandits - one smashed into the wall so hard, they hung there still, blood pooling under them.

The other had been broken over the stone steps, massive claw marks raking over his face, chest and legs.

Luz's stomach churned.

She'd seen a dead body once. Old Meric - a travelling bard and adventurer, who had retired to Mami's inn for his twilight years - had passed in his sleep, and she had helped the Arkaian priest prepare the body.

And she had seen an orc stab a man for cheating at cards. The blood had stained the table and chair so badly, Mami had needed to burn them and get new ones.

But she'd never seen a violent death before.

Taking a breath and steeling her resolve, Luz lifted the steel mace from its place by the fire and after getting a feel for its weight, she summoned up another ball of light, and delved carefully into the Barrow's tunnels.