Chapter 12: A Change in Plans
Justiciar Erundil...
"We are on the right path, Corelas."
He rolled his eyes let out a frustrated sigh. "And how on Nirn have you come to that conclusion? There are no footprints in the snow, no indication that the Dragonborn and her companions have even been here. Just because you're a Thalmor Justiciar doesn't mean that you know everything."
"Is that jealousy I hear? Doubt in your Commander?"
He paused for a moment before replying. "Yes."
"Good. Doubt is always a good thing. Stick to your doubt Corelas. One day it may save your life."
He shook his head. "Well?"
"Is there something else?"
"Aren't you going to explain how you know the Dragonborn has been through this way?"
"Oh, I never said that the Dragonborn came through this way. I merely stated that we were heading in the right direction."
His mouth parted and he threw his hands up in the air. "By Magnus you are unbelievable! We have spent two days travelling without rest and it turns out you have no idea where we're heading!"
"On the contrary, I know where we're going."
"And where is that?"
"All in due time, now come on. We're wasting daylight. It would not be wise to travel in the dark, especially with the creatures we have come across."
"Fine, fine but let's hurry. My feet are half frozen. Sometimes I wish I had never followed you and had stayed in the Summerset Isle."
"As do I as I would not have to endure your incessant complaints."
"That's right make jokes about the apprentice... one of these days..." He trailed off.
The truth was I had no intention in following the Dragonborn, but instead, to find the source of the pre-evolved versions of Falmer. They were different from the others I had come across and I intended to find out how and why. I knew enough about Dwemer history to know that they were the ones that imprisoned and changed the Falmer into what they were now, but I also knew that it took many generations before they turned into the sightless beasts. These were newly deformed, maybe a century or two through their evolution. That meant two things, one, that the Falmer had recently been changed, and two, that there may still be remnants of the race before their transformation, one's that may have retained their rationality and may be able to be cured. The Dragonborn was of course important, but a lost race of Falmer was much more valuable. Besides, if my assumptions with the Dragonborn were correct, it wouldn't be long before we met. She had three companions travelling with her as well as powerful magic. I doubted that she would die before we found each other.
I spotted something half-burried in the snow. Curiosity got the better of me, as it usually did, and I wiped some of the snow away. On closer inspection I found that it was part of a stone emblem with writing carved into it, though I could not make out most of what it said a part from three words: 'Dwemer' and 'turn back'. Scraping more of the snow away I picked the piece of stone up and placed it into my satchel. I would have to read over it later.
I motioned the guards and Corelas to follow as I set a new course.
A few hours later the sun had begun to set over the valley. The guards lit a few torches but the main source of light was from my spell.
I heard Corelas cough and mutter something that sounded like: "You're insane, aren't you?"
I quirked an eyebrow and stopped in my tracks. "To be insane one must first be sane, Corelas."
He frowned and shook his head. "You just answered my question. You're insane."
"I may be mad but I am also observant and wise. For example, I'm surprised that you have not noticed that we are currently missing one of our own guards. There were originally six of us, and due to the fight with the creatures, we were left with three. Now there are two."
He looked from left to right and his eyes widened when he realised what I had said was true. "Where did he go?"
"That is what I have spent two hours pondering on. That and why you never noticed the set of footprints leading into the mountains, or that the ledges to our right kept moving."
"You can't be serious-"
"Oh, but I am. We've been followed, and presumably by the beasts we came across back in the cave."
He dropped the tone of his voice so that it was a whisper and took a step closer. "So what do you suggest we do? Let them kill us one by one?"
I stared at the mountain before coming to a decision. "No. We're in their territory. If they wanted us dead, we would be. They're curious about their new visitors, nothing more. For now we continue with what we came here for. If they do decide to attack, we will be ready."