Good Intentions

"Ah, here is the founder of our magnificent discovery!" Tolfdir's appraising voice greeted me as I walked into the Hall of Elements. He stood close to the large orb that had taken pride of place in the centre of the lecutre hall.

It certainly was an amazing discovery, there was no denying that. We were in possession of probably the most unique and powerful magical artifacts ever found in Skyrim, perhaps all of Tamriel. Seeing it there, suspended between the air and earth, even I couldn't help but be in slight awe of it.

"Don't try giving him credit sir, I already did." Brelyna gave me a smile as our eyes met, increasing my blush.

"Yes well... I can't take all the credit," I mumbled.

"Credit where credit is due, my boy," the elderly mage replied. "You did a fine job and deserve the praise you get."

"Thank you, sir" I said, conceding.

"Now then," continued Tolfdir, "I understand that you have been doing research on the Eye."

"Yes sir, I have," I confirmed. "I found a book called 'Night Of Tears.' There was mention of an object of great power that men and mer fought and died over at Saarthal. There wasn't any great detail but it can't be a coincidence that we found this at Saarthal and that there's something linked to it."

"Hmm... that is a rather grim discovery," he said somberly. "But still, at least no-one died over it this time. I'm sure that as long as we treat it with respect and caution, everything will be fine."

"I suppose sir," I agreed but inside I felt like this thing was still going to be a problem somehow. Still, I thought to myself, myabe we'll learn something from studying it that may benefit us all. "What have you learned so far sir?"

"Well, why don't you have a look, see what you can tell me." He turned to my fellow apprentice. "Brelyna, you too. Seeing as how you two seem to do well together, you can both take a look at it and tell me what observations you can make."

I felt myself blush again at his words as Brelyna walked over to me. I could see that she was blushing a little as well. What had Tolfdir meant by that? Was it that we just worked well together as friends or was he implying something else about us? I shrugged internally. Best not to think about it for now.

"Okay, well..." I looked it over. "It's big. It's floating. It's glowing. There, our work here is done."

She giggled a little, giving me a playful hit. "Be serious!"

"I am being serious. Seriously stating the obvious," I countered with a smile.

"Okay, okay stop!" She giggled again, calming herself down and looking over it. "In all seriousness, there's some odd things about it."

"You mean odder than your average giant levitating sphere?" I let her laugh at that. "No, but you are right. Like, what are these runes?" I directed to the symbols that decorated parts of the orb. They certainly didn't look familiar to anything I'd ever seen. My companion nodded in agreement

"Yes, you're right," she said, examining them. "They're not Aleyid-"

"-or Dwemer-"

"-or Daedric-"

"-not even Falmer." I finished. Great minds thought alike it seemed. We pointed this out to Tolfdir, who smiled at us proudly.

"Well noticed." He began to walk around the edge of the Eye, taking it all in. "They're unlike anything we've seen before but, then again, this whole object is. Now, I'm not sure if you are as attuned as I am, but can you feel that?"

Cautiously, we walked closer. Brelyna held her hand out to it, not so that it touched it, just hovering above the surface. Realisation dawned on her face after a few minutes and she looked at me excitedly. I could feel it too: a great energy flowing through my veins, like the kind I felt as I cast a spell, but stronger. Did that mean...

"You feel it, yes?" Once again he smiled. "This marvellous object. It practically radiates magicka. And yet it's unlike anything I've felt before."

We spent a few more minutes studying the Eye: what it's purpose was, where it came from, who made it, what could be learned from it. Brelyna had a theory that it had been given, in the early days, as a gift from the gods to mortals. This was where they learned magic from and how the first mages got their powers.

I myself postulated about the Eye's practical purposes. Considering that it seemed to radiate magicka then it stood to reason that, if it were harnessed correctly, it would not only give infinite amount of energy but also increase a mages power tenfold. I also added that such power should be approached with caution and shouldn't be attempted unless in a controlled environment, if at all. Tolfdir agreed with me there.

"Well, this has certainly been interesting," he said, wrenching himself from his work. "But I think you two have studies of your own to be getting on with."

"Doesn't this take priority?" asked Brelyna.

"Arch-Mage Saren and I are working hard on the subject of the Eye. While you are entitled to help as well, it would be advisable for you all to continue with your own work."

Deciding that this didn't sound too unreasonable, Brelyna and I took our leave. We walked in silence until we returned to the dorms in the Hall of Attainment. There, Brelyna invited me to sit with her in her own room, where we could talk a little more to each other.

"It really is incredible, isn't it?" she marveled.

"In a way, yes it is," I agreed. "We should at least be able to learn a lot from it." She nodded. I noticed her body language changed: she was fidgeting with her hands, something she did when she was nervous or apprehensive. "Something wrong?"

"It's just... well... if you have a moment, could you help me with something?" She stared at her feet as she said this, looking up cautiously to see me smiling at her.

"Of course I can. What do you need?" She relaxed a little.

"I just need someone that I can practice a few spells on. Nothing dangerous," she assured me hurridley. "Would you be willing to assist me?"

"Sure I will. I trust you," I told her. Relief broke out on her face.

"Good, I was afraid I would have to ask J'zargo."

"No-one wants to suffer that," I joked. "Where should I stand then?"

"Just over here will do." I crossed to where she indicated and turned as her hands started to glow. "Please hold still and don't move." She raised her hand, summoned the power and cast it at me. I felt a strange tingling where it struck, as well as... well...

"There! Now, I..." She stopped as she realised the mistake. "Oh dear. That wasn't supposed to happen. Do you... do you feel alright, Sauron? You look very, ummm, green."

She was right about that. I didn't know what she did or how she managed to do it but I was suddenly seeing the world in green. I didn't know if my body was green, as I could see everything in green. Why green? I hate green! Not nature, just the colour.

"Brilliant. Now I know how a tree sees the world." I probably sounded rather bitter about it, because she flushed so that I regretted what I said.

"I'm so so sorry! I... I didn't know this would happen, I thought I... I..." She was stuttering and stammering. "I'm really sorry!"

"It's okay Brelyna, it's okay," I assured her calmly. "I'm sure this is just a miscalculation or an anomaly. It's not like this is permanent... right?"

"No, of course it isn't." She didn't sound so sure but I believed her. She was distressed enough already. "I'm sure it'll wear off soon. When it does, we can try again and-"

"I'm afraid I must intrude. I must speak to Mr. Dredena immediately " I already knew before I turned that it was Ancano. His arrogant, slimy tone was unmistakable. "I have no doubt you are engaged in... important research, but this cannot wait."

I saw Brelyna bow her head in embarrassment when he took that mocking undertone about her spells and the effect that it had and I felt anger surge through me. Even if I now saw the world through green, I had to express all self-restraint not to punch him across his sneering face.

"What is it? What's happening?" I asked, keeping my voice level.

"Allow me to clarify the situation," the Thalmor adviser started. "I'd like to know why there's someone claiming to be from the Psijiic Order here in the College. More importantly, I'd like to know why he's asking for you specifically." From the way he spoke, it was like he thought it was somehow my fault but that wasn't my focus.

I'd felt a jolt in my stomach when he'd mentioned the Order. So, I really had seen one of the legendary order of mages down in Saarthal. Now, he was back and looking for me. They'd known about the Eye being in Saarthal and what might happen when we found it. He knew what this was about and may the gods be damned if I wasn't going to get some answers.

Brelyna was rather in awe too. "One of the Psijiics? Here?"

"Yes, are you deaf as well as stupid, girl?" She lapsed once more into embarrassed silence. That was my limit. I stood between them both and looked the Altmer square in the eye.

"Alright, I don't care if you are an important advisor from the Thalmor or how high and mighty you think you are, but you do not talk to her like that. I respectfully ask that you apologise to her or I won't come with you at all. I don't care if all the Divines descend to summon me, I won't go with you until you say you're sorry."

Had I really just said all of that? I had just said all of that to a Thalmor agent and it had quite an impact. He stood staring at me wide-eyed and shocked. I thought he was going to strike me down then and there. His fists were clenched and there was an angry glint in his eyes. But it left and he looked at Brelyna.

"My apologies, Miss Maryon," he said, a very convincing apologetic tone in his voice. "I didn't mean any offence, I'm not the most patient of men." He glanced at me as he said this, that glint returning to his eye briefly.

"Apology accepted, sir," she replied respectfully. "You'd better get going, this no doubt very important." She turned to me with a look that urged me not to argue.

"Yes, indeed. Come, Mr. Dredena." With that, he strode back to the door out of the dorms.

As I made to catch up, I looked back at Brelyna before I left. Even in green, she still looked beautiful. When her eyes met mine, that radiant smile that I always loved seeing formed on her face. I immediately felt proud for standing up to Ancano like that, if it meant that I did it for her. She seemed rather grateful too.

"Thank you." She said simply. "Go on, get going. We'll talk later." I turned around to go. "Oh and I hope my spell wears off soon." With a small laugh, I followed Ancano back into the cold.

We quickly marched across the courtyard to the Hall of Elements again. This whole thing clearly had Ancano very rattled. He, like me, hadn't expected one of the Psijiics to appear here. Now that one of them had, he was in a position of ignorance and he didn't like it. He was the kind of man who preferred to know everything that was going on in the world.

Or at least that's what I could tell from his body language. His pace quickened as we opened the door that went to the Arch-Mage's quarters and mounted the stairs two at a time as we ascended. I didn't say anything for fear that he might do something rash. I think I'd already compromised him enough today.

This was the first time I'd been in Aren's quarters and they were very impressive. The room was grandly sized, aligned with display cases containing soul gems, from small to large. An alchemy table stood here as well, laden with ingredients for the skill of potion-making. At the centre was a tree, with plants like lavender and foxglove growing around it, decorated with glowing mage-lights. Aren and the Psijiic mage stood in front of it, apparently deep in discussion. They turned at the sound of footsteps.

I couldn't be sure, but I thought that it was the same Psijiic I saw in Saarthal. The one who appeared to me and warned me about the consequences of finding the Eye of Magnus. If it was him, maybe I'd finally get some answers.

"Ah, there you are Sauron," Arch-Mage Aren said by way of greeting. His brow furrowed. "Are you feeling ill? Perhaps you should go and see Collette for a healing spell."

"It's nothing, sir," I sighed, referring to my green appearance. "Unforeseen side-effect of an untested spell. It'll wear off... I think."

"Ah, I see." He turned back to the Psijiic. "Now then, shall we-" Whatever he was going to propose, he didn't finish.

My green vision was abated by a stronger purple descending on the world. Both Ancano and Aren and everything else were frozen in place as time stopped, leaving myself and the Psijiic free to move. Seemingly satisfied the spell had worked, the mage looked to me.

"It is good to meet you in person Sauron Dredena," he said to me. "My name is Quaranir of the Psijiic Order."

"Nice to meet you," I said, glancing at the frozen Ancano. "This time freezing thing is getting to be a bad habit."

"I'd simply like to talk to you," he replied, though I think he smiled a little at my joke. "I've given us a chance to speak privately, though it probably isn't what you're used to. I'm afraid I can't do this for long, so we must be brief."

"Okay, shoot." I suspected he didn't need invitation, but he nodded in thanks

"The situation here at you College is of dire importance," he began to explain, "and attempts to contact you, as we have previously, have failed. I believe it is due to the very source of our concern. This object... the Eye of Magnus as your people have taken to calling it, the energy coming from it is has prevented us from reaching you with the visions you have already seen."

"If it's powerful enough to block you guys, I can understand your concern," I voiced. "I felt that it was rather dangerous from the warning you gave me and my own suspicions."

"Your intuition is correct," he commended. "The longer it remains here, the more dangerous the situation becomes. So, I have come here personally to tell you the situation must be dealt with."

"Say no more. Consider me your Dragonborn for hire," I said with a bow. "I want this thing gone if it means it will hurt my friends. What do you want me to do?"

"Very good, I anticipated as much," he praised, before continuing. "Many in the Order believe, as I do, that if the Eye remains here, it will be misused. We believe something will happen soon that cannot be avoided. Your efforts should be directed towards dealing with the aftermath, but we cannot predict what that will be. I fear I have already overstepped the bounds of my Order, but I will offer this: seek out the Augur of Dunlain here in your College. His perception may be clearer than ours."

"Augur of Dunlain. Right." A pause. "Who's he?"

"He was a student at the College. Now he is something... different." I waited for him to elaborate but he didn't. When I asked where I could find him, he seemed a little embarrassed to tell me. "I... I am unsure. He is within in the College. Surely one of your colleagues must know where he is.

"I am sorry I cannot provide further help, but this conversation requires a great deal of effort on my part. Now, I'm afraid I must leave. We will continue to watch over you and guide you as best we can. It is within you to succeed, never forget that."

"You can count on me," I assured him.

"I know we can. Oh and by the way," he added, smiling at me, "don't worry about your friend's spell. It will wear off in about an hour." That was a relief, I thought. The purple glow left as he finished speaking.

"I'm sorry, were you about to say something?" asked the Arch-Mage. He looked rather confused and I didn't blame him.

"There's been a misunderstanding," the monk said innocently. "I clearly should not be here. I shall simply take my leave."

"What?" Ancano looked both bewildered and angry. "You ask for a specific member of the College, I bring him to you and now you simply want to leave? What are you up to? Explain yourself!"

"I am not 'up to' anything," Quaranir replied. He was speaking to Ancano as if he were a child. "I apologize if I have offended you in any way."

"We will see about this..." the Thalmor mage growled, following him as he made his way to the stairs, leaving Arch-Mage Aren and I alone to contemplate what had just happened.

I stood thinking for a while, wishing I had a beard like Aren that I could stroke thoughtfully. Quaranir had mentioned about the Eye being misused if it remained here. It was certainly an item of great power and, in the wrong hands, could be devastating. Only bad things seemed to be around it: men and mer had fought over it and the Psijiics were worried about it. So was I.

I wanted it to be gone and to be gone soon, especially in light of this new information. I didn't want anyone to be getting hurt over something that I had stumbled across in the first place. Especially Brelyna. If anything happened to her because of me, I knew I would never be able to forgive myself.

"I feel so strange..." Aren gazed thoughtfully at the tree in the centre of his quarters. "I'm... I'm not sure what happened..."

"Maybe it was something you ate sir." He chuckled appreciatively. Well, I had to start somewhere with this Augur thing. "Sir, do you know anything about the Augur of Dunlain?"

His expression became more stern at the mention of it. "Has Tolfdir been telling stories again? I thought I made it quite clear that this was a subject inappropriate for conversation. Please don't allow him to continue to discuss the subject."

"Yes sir, I'll do that." Well, I had a lead on something. "Excuse me sir, I have studies to attend."

"Of course..." he said absently, staring off into space. I bowed my head and took my leave, heading back down to the Hall of Elements. I was unsurprised to see that Tolfdir was still present, studying the Eye intently. He really loved this thing.

"Excuse me..." He was so engrossed in it that he didn't hear me. "Sir? Sir!"

He snapped his head around. "Oh, I am sorry my boy. The Eye, it is most intriguing .." He looked like he was going to start again, but he shook himself away. "Now, what do you need Sauron?"

"Well, apart from a bit of stew, I need to find out about the Augur of Dunlain. Do you know anything sir?"

"Now, there's a name I haven't heard in a long time," he said thoughtfully. Then realisation dawned on his face. "My goodness, it's been years since I've spoken to him. I suppose he's still down in the Midden, but I haven't really checked. Are you going to see him? Do tell him 'hello' for me, would you?"

"Of course sir," I agreed, pleased that I was getting somewhere. "Where is the Midden?"

"Underneath the College," he told me. "There's a trapdoor on the right-hand side, leaving the Hall of Elements. It's not the nicest place, so if you do go down there, please be careful."

"Yes sir, right you are," I responded. "I'll be careful and thank you for your help."

"Not at all, my lad," he smiled. I returned it and made to leave, when I saw a familiar figure lurking by the foot of the stairs to the Arch-Mage's quarters. I approached him, his tail swinging lazily about.

"Hello J'zargo." The Khajiit leaped like he'd just been prodded with a hit iron. "What are you up to?"

"Uh.. greetings, my friend." He stopped and had a good look at me. "Sauron, J'zargo knows you are envious of his skills, but there is no need to take the phrase 'green with envy' too literally." He chuckled at his own jest.

"Thanks, I'll bear that in mind," I said, laughing in good grace. "Now, what are doing?"He looked as if he were about to say something to excuse himself, but seemed to realise there was no point.

"Well, between us," he said, leaning close and lowering his voice, "J'zargo heard about the Psijiic at the College. He was hoping to see him, perhaps learn something from him."

"Sorry, he's just left," I informed him.

"Oh well, can't be helped," he shrugged, relaxing a little. "Where are you going to?" I wondered whether I should tell him.

Being a Khajiit they weren't exactly the most trustworthy folks, due to their reputations of stealing and smuggling. But it wasn't fair to tar every member with the same brush and I didn't believe in racial prejudice. I felt I could trust him at least, as far as I was concerned anyway.

"I'm going down to the Midden, to find something important." I didn't need to tell him the whole truth.

"The Midden, you say?" His interest was piqued. "Might J'zargo accompany you? He wishes to try out these..." He pulled out some rolls of paper. Magical scrolls. "You remember in the tomb we all went to, when J'zargo said about creating something to fight undead? Well, J'zargo has created these excellent flame cloak scrolls, with a twist. They should be particularly effective against the undead and should burn them to a crisp in no time."

I whistled in appreciation. "That sounds useful. But you've not tested them, have you?"

"No. J'zargo has been working so hard on creating these spells, he does not have time to test them. But this is an excellent opportunity to do so. Perhaps you could help. I will give you some too and we shall see if there are any undead in the Midden we can test them on. This is a good plan, no?"

"That sounds fair enough." He took three and I took three, placing them in my pouch. "Come on, let's go."

"This will be fun, J'zargo can tell." With my expectant companion in tow, I left the Hall of Elements, turned right outside and began to look around the area.

It wasn't long before we came across a trapdoor tucked away in the corner. When I put my hands on the metal handle, it was ice-cold. I heaved it open and J'zargo climbed down gracefully. I was somewhat more clumsy as I climbed down and fell at the last five rungs. After brushing the snow off my robes and to keep what little dignity I had, I looked at my surroundings.

We'd climbed down into a cave adorned with snow and hung with icicles. Beyond the limit of the cave was a stone room with a door leading to the next area. An eerie, icy mist hung over the ground as we cautiously walked in. A pile of wood was stocked in the corner to the left and, curiously, a sweeping brush in a thatched basket was propped next to the door. Yes, in case someone decided to do a little cleaning up, I thought.

I slowly opened the door and stepped into the room beyond, after walking through a low-ceiling-ed tunnel. I almost banged my head. It was certainly larger, some stairs to the left leading down to the archway beyond. Some more arch-shaped passages were to the right of us, three out of four of them were blocked off by iron-wrought gates. J'zargo slinked over to investigate the one that wasn't.

"There is a small drop down here," he told me, glancing down. "Perhaps we could jump down here to save time. Khajiit always land on their feet, you know."

"I have no doubt," I countered, looking down myself.

It seemed he was right. From an archway I could see, it looked like we would have to go down there ourselves anyway. This would certainly cut off travel time, provided we didn't fall and break our ankles in the process. Still, maybe the risk would be worth it in this case. I was about to jump when-

"Wait!" The Khajiit held up his hand. "J'zargo smells something foul... look, there!" He pointed down as a draugr came shuffling out of the arch we would have come from. It stood there, flexing it's arms and swinging a battle-axe. I had a thought, pulling out a scroll that J'zargo gave me.

"I think we just found a test subject," I whispered, holding it up. "Wait here, I'll go try it out."

"Be careful, my friend," he responded in an equally low voice. "J'zargo would not want to go back and tell Tolfdir you have been hacked to bits."

"Hate to put you through that," I replied, with a smile that he returned.

"J'zargo awaits to see how well his scrolls work." I carefully dropped down, feeling a slight pain as my feet hit the floor. The noise, however, got the undead's attention. It turned to face me, clutching it's axe and glaring at me.

"Hi there." I couldn't turn on the flame cloak until he got close. "It's your lucky day! Free swing at a Dunmer! Come on, come at me and take my head off! Write about it to home, show off to your friends!"

Whilst also making a fool of myself, my true intention was to goad the undead into getting close. If I turned on the flame cloak on before it was close enough, it would do it's very best to keep away. Luckily, it didn't need much encouragement. It began to charge forward, axe raised... then it stopped and cocked it's head curiously to one side. Realisation hit me as to why.

"Okay, really?" I didn't even know they were this aware. "It's just a side-effect. It'll wear off, now hit me!"

It stared for a bit, gave an imitation of a shrug and resumed the charge. I waited, charged up the cloak and felt the flames flicker around my body as it activated. It hit the limit of the cloak... and I hit the stone wall as I was thrown backwards by an almighty bang!

I was blinded by a flash of white light, a loud ringing in my ears. It cleared to give me blurry vision. Everything was unfocused. I felt something trickle down the side of my head. I felt a pain in my back, where I'd smacked against the stone. I tried to stand but I felt a searing pain shoot up my leg when I applied pressure. I saw something bend down to me and heard a voice.

"Can you hear J'zargo, Sauron?" There was worry in his voice. "Give him some sign, anything!" Could I still speak? I decided to try.

"Next time..." I responded feebly, "... you get... to be blown up..." His body seemed to relax the tension.

"J'zargo is so sorry, my friend," he apologised. "That was not meant to happen and he did not mean for you to get hurt. Here, drink this." He passed something up to my lips. From it's bitter taste, I guessed it was a healing potion. I felt a little better. The pain was lessened. I tried to stand again but the shot of pain came back.

"Do not try to move," he told me. "You stay here and rest. J'zargo will go to find what you have come to search for. It is the least he can do." I was touched by this and felt a warm respect for him.

"Augur... of Dunlain... find him..." I informed him, as best I could. He nodded and promised he would be back as quickly as he could. I heard his footsteps, a door open and close, then nothing. I was alone.

The potion began to take effect on me and I gradually felt a little stronger each passing minute. I still couldn't stand, but I had enough strength to give the healing process as little push. I summoned the energy into my hand and began to perform a healing spell. I had a little experience in Restoration magic, enough to know how to do this.

As I performed this accelerated healing, my thoughts turned to my Khajiit colleague. Despite what had happened, I didn't blame him for it. Sure, I had initially felt angry at what had happened but while he was competitive, I doubt he'd go so far as to try and kill someone to get him ahead. It was just an untested spell that had an unforseen side-effect. That wasn't his fault.

On that subject, I noticed that I was mercifully seeing in full colour again. Brelyna's spell had worn off at last. She'd be pleased to see that. I wondered what she still wanted to test out on me and hoped it was nothing that would get be hurt. No, it wouldn't I trusted her that much.

It was after about fifteen minutes that I realised that most of the pain was gone after my own healing spell. This time, when I stood, I could actually put pressure on my leg without falling. I stood up slowly and was soon upright. I checked my reflexes. My right arm twinged a little and my left foot was a little painful but I was otherwise alright.

It was just as I was doing a small circle of the room, hobbling along and limping, that I heard the door open and shut again. I turned to J'zargo had returned from his own little adventure. Even better, like Quranir had promised, Brelyna's spell had worn off and I was seeing in colour again. Another plus side.

"Ah, you are walking again. And you are looking less green." he said, sounding relieved and a tiny bit amused. "How are you?"

"I'll be fine, thanks for asking," I replied, giving him an encouraging smile.

"J'zargo is so sorry, Sauron," he said sincerely. "J'zargo did not know what effect this would have on you. He did not mean to hurt you."

"It's fine," I assured him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It wasn't your fault. I volunteered to help test out those scrolls. Occupational hazard. No hard feelings."

"Thank you." He shook my outstretched hand. "You are a good friend to J'zargo and he will not forget this."

He then proceeded to tell me what he had discovered. He had found the Augur and had been told to relay information to me. It had said that my efforts were in vain and it had already begun, whatever that meant. Some stuff about knowledge corrupting and destroying and that the Thalmor had already been seeking such knowledge.

So, Ancano was already down here, talking to him. While I couldn't prove it, I had no doubt he was asking about the Eye and it's power. Perhaps how to harness it for his own ends. I knew there was something I didn't like about him the minute I'd set eyes on him. When J'zargo told me he was asking about the Eye, that confirmed my suspicions.

He went on to tell me that to see 'through Magnus's Eye without being blinded, you require his staff.' The Staff of Magnus! My father had told me stories of such a powerful staff but that's all they were. Stories. Myths. It seemed that the Augur thought otherwise and the myths were true. If we did get that staff, if it did exist.

No, we'd consider all that later. I knew one thing that the Augur had already told me: we had to relay this information to Arch-Mage Aren as quickly as possible, except the bit about Ancano. I told all this J'zargo and he looked incredulous, like I was insane.

"He may be planning treachery," he said urgently. "J'zargo did not like the scent of that man. There was something off about him. We should tell the Arch-Mage."

"We know he was asking about the eye," I said rationally. "But we have no idea what questions he was asking about it. He could have been asking if it's possible to use it as a decoration to show off to friends. Besides, it would be our word against his. No, we need to wait for him to make the first move. Keep an eye on him."

"J'zargo sees your point," he conceded nodding. "But perhaps we can Onmund and Brelyna about this. They mistrust Ancano as well and we can confide in them. Have them help us watch him too."

"That's not a bad idea," I agreed. It would help to have them on our side. Plus, I trusted them and they me, I hoped.

"Of course it was, it was J'zargo's idea," he said with a grin. "Now, let us get out of here. J'zargo feels uneasy down here and the sooner we leave, the better."

"Agreed. I'll tell the Arch-Mage what we found while you go and warn the others." I began the process of limping back through the underground. J'zargo led the way, having better eyes and feet than me.

"One question." I stopped to listen. "When you are done with the Staff, might J'zargo... borrow it for a while?"

I had to laugh at that. "I'll give you a whole day with it, if you like. Now come on, let's go."

Another chapter done! Just so people know, I'm getting rather bogged down with work at the minute due to my A-Levels. I can handle it, but it means less frequent updates. I may have the next chapter done over Easter but we'll see.

Hope you enjoyed, bye for now! Happy Easter!