Morokei

"By the Twin Moons…" J'zargo whispered in awe as we entered.

"Incredible," admitted Onmund. It was certainly hard to find reasons to disagree.

The huge chamber we emerged into was built to be majestic. I felt so small, as I gazed around at the sheer size of it all. Once again, it was a combination of man-made and nature going into the design, being worked into the natural cave formations all around the cavern.

Elaborate carvings, rows of standing stones and an ancient, stone-built, moss-ridden staircase took up major space on the left side of the area. Growths of deathbell flowers grew in secluded corners and the trickling of a waterfall gave it a strange sense of beauty.

But what really got our attention was the great example of magic that was at work. Two, long beams of light were being focused in one spot. In this spot was a ward bubble, radiating with energy of the spell and containing… something within it.

Whatever it was, I had no doubt that this had been what was calling us to it. It had to be incredibly powerful to have to be contained in something like this, and incredibly dangerous that it should be contained in the first place.

I looked around for any sign of the Staff, but there was nothing majorly distinguishing about the place, apart from the obvious. No significant place where it might be being kept. My biggest fear was that the force inside had the Staff, and we would have to fight it to get it.

"Dovahkiin." The name echoed loudly around the cavern. "Welcome to my domain. Come, let me see the face of my enemy."

"Stay here," I instructed the others. They gave no argument and I proceeded.

Striding as confidently as I could, I followed the stone, up the stairs and up to the dome of magical energy that resided nearby. It was time to see what it was that was sealed here, that Savos and his friends faced all of those years ago. I gazed into the dome and saw what resided within.

It had the form of a man. Two arms, two legs, a head. Except he was also levitating a few feet above the ground. The robes he wore might have once been majestic, but had been ravaged by time. The gold glinted dully against the light and the fine material had been reduced to wispy rags. His face was covered by a mask, a design I'd never seen before, which glowed with magical power. Its hands were thin and bony, in one of which he clutched a staff.

Okay, that complicated things. It turned its head in my direction. It held me in an unseen gaze for a moment, then cocked its head to the left. It raised a thin, withered finger to point at me.

"You? You are the Dovahkiin?" He let out a horrible series of rasps, which I would later find out was laughter. "What jest is this?"

"Hey!" I actually did feel angry at this. "I don't jest! Well, not all the time. Okay, some of the time. Okay, most of the time. Look, the point is, this isn't a joke. I'm the only Dragonborn here. I am Sauron Dredena of Morrowind, student of the College of Winterhold, Harbinger of the Companions and Thane of Whiterun. Now, who are you?"

"Do not take that insolent tone with me, boy!" He flourished his hands. "In the dragontongue, I am Morokei. In your vile language, I am Glorious. I am master of all magic, wielder of the Staff of Magnus and servant of my lords, the dova."

"Ah, so you're a Dragonpriest?" I asked. "I've heard about you lot, mortal men who served the dragons when they were dominant."

"Indeed." He fixed his gaze on me again. "But you know that my lords are returning once more. They shall have dominance again, and when they do I, Morokei, will share in their glory. You will be my subjects, cowering before my ultimate power, mere children compared to the might of-"

"By the gods, you like to go on," I cut him off. "Yes, I do know the dragons are coming back, but guess who's going to stop them. Me. See, I can say it without excessive speeches. Though I must praise you for your eloquence, if not how badly you've aged."

"Your words mean nothing to me," he said decisively. "What is it that you seek here, Sauron? Knowledge? Power? Savos and his friends sought much the same. Now, they are mere dust in the face of my infinite might. "

"Not completely true, because you weren't very thorough. Savos made it out alive."

"But at what cost?" He pointed with the Staff. "Do you not recognise his old friends?"

I looked to where he gestured, to the origin of the magic. I had to squint through the light to see what was casting them. I could make out the illuminated, ethreal forms of two robed figures, one higher, one lower. If Savos had made it out, then could only mean one thing...

"Yes, you see what he has done? He enthralled his friends to cast the ward that keeps me bound. Their physical forms have long since faded, leaving only their magical imprints upon the earth, still casting their blasted spell. He left his friends to slowly whither and die to keep me here. He was too concerned with saving himself to save them. And so will you."

"No!" We both whipped our heads around at the sound of Brelyna's voice. "Sauron isn't like that. I know he isn't. We can stop you, all of us put together are more than a match for you."

"But you are wrong," the vile priest replied. "Savos and his own little band thought much the same. He sacrificed his friends to save himself. Who are you to say that your 'fearless leader' will not do the same? I shall be free of this prison and I shall destroy him and all of you."

"I don't think so!" Onmund yelled, drawing his sword and pointing it at Morokei. "We can stand against you, or die trying!"

"Brave words, Nord." He gave another rasp of a laugh, turning back to me. "Your friends are loyal, Sauron. But is it not misplaced? Can you truly promise you can get them all out alive? Who will you sacrifice to save yourself, when you realise that your resistance is futile? How will you feel when I end their meaningless, pathetic lives?"

I could feel the anger rise in my chest, pure boiling rage. This was what he wanted, to scare or goad me, to make me lose focus. He was trying to make me doubt my abilities, to make my friends doubt my leadership. I was determined that it wouldn't work. he must have noticed some reaction, as he continued on with his antagonization.

"No, wait... I have a better idea. Perhaps I shall not kill you. Perhaps I shall let you live, letting you watch as I kill your companions, one by one. It shall not be painless, it shall not be quick and you will listen to their screams. Helpless, powerless... useless."

"ENOUGH!" Never before had I felt my blood boil like this. All of my rage I focused on the disgusting, aged creature before me. "You have crossed the line, Morokei. You can threaten me all you like, but you will never, ever threaten my friends!"

Morokei was rigid, shaking with rage that someone had spoken to him like this. While he had no doubt tried to get some reaction from me, I think most had revered him in awe. He had never been opposed like this. It would make him angry. I didn't care. So was I.

"You dare-"

"Yes, I dare!" I shouted back, jabbing my finger at him. "I only came here for one reason: that Staff. You can either give it to me willingly, or I can release you, reduce you to dust and pluck it from your dead, decaying hands!"

"You? You would seek to possess the Staff of Magnus for yourself?" He let out another laugh. "You are more foolish than I thought. No man has ever stood against me and lived. Not you, not Aren, not anyone! What right do you think you have to weild such as power as this Staff?"

"I am the Dragonborn!" I spat back. "I have every right! At least I would put it to good use. You, 'Glorious', you would just abuse it, to destroy. You, who betrayed your own kind to lick the claws of the dragons. Now look where you are: stuck down in some crumbling ruin, held in a piece of magic cast by mages who just left College. How long have you been here, Morokei? Because you're looking a little worse for wear."

"Silence!"

"Ooh, touched a nerve? I guess being trapped in a ruin for thousands of years makes you cranky."

"Hold your tongue, Dovahkiin!"

"Hold my tongue? First you insult me, then you threaten my friends, now you tell me to do something that isn't physically possible." I held my tongue between my forefinger and thumb. "Ahke ihs?"

"How long must I endure the torment of your insolent babble?"

"Abble?" I let go of my tongue. "I do not babble! Every word I say has value and meaning."

"You speak so much, yet say so little. Let us see if your actions reflect your words. End the spell that is holding me here and face me in battle. Defeat me and the Staff is yours. When you lose, your power will become mine and you shall die, screaming at the dark."

I glanced back to see J'zargo and Onmund standing behind the mage's specters They had spells ready, ready to cut their link to this world and end their spell, thus releasing Morokei from his imprisonment. I nodded at them, turning briefly back to the Dragonpriest.

"Alright then, Morokei," I said slowly. "But let's make one thing very clear: I will not lose. Now!"

I heard the crackle and flash as the two mages banished the specters to the world beyond. The beams of light faded away and the ward they cast flickered and died. Morokei had been unleashed. Now, what was the next part of the plan?

"At last, I am free!" He levitated higher, the Staff held aloft.

I charged forward, intending to send a few firebolts at him. He whipped his head to face me and raised his hand. As soon as he did, I felt my feet leave the floor, as if some invisible hand grabbed my waste and lifted me up.

He held me there for a few seconds. Then, he swiped the air with his hand. I was flung across the room, like he had just tossed aside a doll. I felt a sharp pain as my body hit the cold, stone floor. I lifted my head up to see him shaking his head condescendingly.

"Pathetic." He began to advance, hovering eerily forward.

"Sauron!" There was the hum of an atronach being summoned and running footsteps approaching. A gentle hand held my side and helped me to my feet. "Are you alright?"

"It's fine, I think the stone broke my fall. Or my back." I turned to Brelyna, who smiled slightly at my comment. "Thank you."

My gaze then shifted to the battle. Brelyna's atronach was hurling firebolts at Morokei. From a singe on his robe, I guessed that at least one had hit him. He was making efforts to block the rest. I thought that, at first, it might be able to keep him on his toes.

Then, he pointed at the atronach, his hand glowing purple. The atronach stopped attacking, standing rigid. After a few moments, it spun around slowly to face us, its hand shining bright.

"Cover!" I grabbed Brelyna and shoved her behind a one of the larger structures beside the bridge. Protecting myself with a ward as the atronach turned on us, I ran to join her. "What just happened there?"

"He must know the Command Daedra spell," Brelyna realised, flinching from the regular whump of firebolts hitting the stone. "It allows a mage to gain control of a summoned atronach and turn it on their conjurer. But only Expert Conjurists would know such a spell."

"Something tells me that he's had more than enough time to practice," I replied, peeking to see it advancing closer. "Can you regain control of it?"

She closed her eyes, her hands radiating with the power of a conjurer. The atronach ceased its attack, shaking violently as the two mages fought to command it. Morokei seemed surprised at the resistance, as he raised his hand again and aimed it at the daedra. Brelyna flinched a little, but was not perturbed.

"Come on," I encouraged, "you can beat him, I believe in you. Come on, fight him. Show him what a Telvanni mage is made of!"

I think that my words gave her a needed push, as she bowed her head lower, whispering arcane incantations. Whatever she said ha a profound impact on the atronach. It suddenly whirled in the air, ceased shaking and fell to the floor. A few seconds later, it exploded a brilliant fireball.

Her eyes then snapped back open and she looked up at me proudly.

"I couldn't regain control of it, so I managed to kill it instead." She sighed and lightly touched her head. "It took a lot of effort, his influence was strong."

"But you managed to beat it!" Before I knew what I was doing, I hugged her and slapped a kiss on her forehead. "Well done Brelyna!"

"Thank you," she murmured, her cheeks flushed. "But, let's save the celebrations until after we defeat him."

"Good point," I agreed. I prepared a pair of firebolts. "Now, my turn."

I dived out of cover, sighted the Dragonpriest still on high and began my own bombardment. I had to strafe to dodge the lightning attacks from the Staff of Magnus, sending bolt after bolt at him. I was satisfied when I heard him cry out from the first few hits. Once I realised what he was doing after, I stopped abruptly.

From the first two hits, every firebolt I had sent at him were now orbiting him like moons. I only just set my ward up in time as he began to fire them back at me. One after another were sent back at me. The constant barrage was too much, I couldn't hold it... it collapsed. I was vulnerable.

I saw Morokei point the Staff of Magnus at me, the crystal glowing brightly. Would I dodge it in time? Then, two lightning attacks struck him dead on, throwing off his aim.

"Impressive, Dragonpriest." J'zargo had his own staff aimed at him. "Now, watch a true mage at work."

Morokei let out an angry roar as two more attacks hit him. He regained his wits and responded in kind. J'zargo, using a level of skill I'd never seen before, aternated rapidly between attacking and defending. However, so did Morokei and the pair seemed to be at an impasse, neither managing to land a hit.

I was certainly amazed at this display. I had never seen J'zargo fight like this before. Once again, he proved that his boasting wasn't unfounded, he truly was a skilled mage. I guess his Khajiit reflexes helped somewhat. For a few minutes, I thought he might be able to hold his own against Morokei.

Suddenly, they attacked at the same time. Their spells made contact with each other, two streams of electricity sparking and flashing. I could see J'zargo straining with the effort, trying to get the upper hand. But the Staff of Magnus was just too powerful for him.

The Staff's beam began to creep along the stalemate. It reached J'zargo's own staff, causing cracks to appear in the wood. Then, it exploded in a bright blue flash, knocking the Khajiit backwards and out of sight.

"J'zargo! No!" Onmund let out a battle cry, furiously sending lightning bolts at the Morokei.

He unsheathed his blade, still sending bolts at him and charged across the bridge to meet him in battle. Morokei was easily blocking the attacks. He seemed to be letting Onmund get close to him, like he was mocking him.

I was about to cry out a warning, but it was too late. Onmund had barely bought his sword down when the Dragonpriest lashed out with his Staff. It smacked Onmund across his face, sending him reeling. Another sent him crashing to the floor. He groaned, but didn't get up.

"You see, Sauron?" He raised his arms in triumph. "You see how you and your pathetic excuses of mages fall to me? None can stand before the might of- AGH!"

He was cut off as an arrow struck him in the chest, embedding itself with a loud thunk. Grunting, he yanked it out of him and turned to see where it came from, only to have another arrow strike him in the chest again.

I looked too and saw Brelyna, standing tall. Her grandfather's bow was in her hands, into which she had already strung another arrow. Her face betrayed no fear, just pure determination.

"You missed one," she said boldly, firing another arrow and pulling a third from her quiver.

"Insolent elf!" He furiously pulled out the arrow, yelling as another hit him. "You think that toy of yours can hurt me?"

"It seems to be doing well so far," countered Brelyna, firing her third. This one, however, Morokei deflected with his Staff.

"Allow me to rectify the error." He began to hover towards her menacingly.

Brelyna continued to shoot arrows at the approaching Dragonpriest, but kept on deflecting the arrows. They bounced harmlessly aside, clattering to the ground. Brelyna stood her ground, but realised that this wasn't working. Casting aside her bow, she tried to get some distance between her and Morokei.

But he pointed his Staff, sending a blast at her. It missed her, but the resulting explosion from the impact caused her to be knocked from the wall and onto the ground. She attempted to scramble away, but Morokei had her cut off. There was nowhere to escape.

I desperately tried to think of a solution. What could I do? What could any of us do? He was too powerful, our attacks did virtually nothing. Then, like a warhammer, it hit me. If I couldn't stop him, I could at least save her. I knew what I had to do.

As Morokei raised the Staff of Magnus to point at Brelyna, I sprinted as fast as I could. I wouldn't be able to reach her time. I had one, last chance. I built up the power of the dragons and shouted out one word:

"TIID!" Time slowed to a crawl, just enough for me to get there. I flung myself in front of the Staff, arms outstreched. He wasn't going to get her. Time sped back up as the beam from the Staff struck me in the chest.

Unimaginable pain erupted all over my body, a burning world of pain. A thousand daggers pierced my flesh all over my body. I heard myself scream, heard Brelyna desperately call my name. I was dimly aware that I felt weaker with every passing second, my strength being drained. All I really knew was that I wanted the pain to end, to embrace oblivion.

Then it stopped. My legs shook, gave way and I fell to my knees. I could barely move, I felt so weak. With what little strength that I had, I lifted my head as high as I could. There was Morokei, still pointing the Staff at me.

"So. The last act of the Dovahkiin; a pointless sacrifice to save a worthless life."

"Worth it..." I replied weakly, determined to resist him to the end.

"Misguided heroism," he said dismissively. "Now, I bring your end."

He raised the Staff up high. As he did, I looked back at Brelyna. Tears were streaking down her cheeks, her beautiful face tainted by a look of distraught and desperation. I gave her my best smile, one that I hoped said 'don't worry, everything's going to be alright.' To my surprise she returned it and I knew that saving her had been worth it.

I shut my eyes, waiting for the final bout of pain, followed by the end of it all. I could hear the Staff crackle with power, Morokei's vile chuckle of gloating. This was it. The final moments of-

"AGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!" Morokei's scream made my eyes snap open.

He was flailing and writhing, his hands were clawing at something that was clinging onto him. That something seemed to be on fire. No, wait, it was on fire. Or at least it was cloaked in fire.

As it clung on, Morokei's strength looked as it was dwindling. His struggles became less frantic, he desecended a little from the air and the glow from the Staff was becoming duller. A simple flame cloak couldn't do that surely. Unless...

The flaming thing then jumped off of the Dragonpriest and landed with grace and style nearby, the flames dying as the spell wore off. It stood to its full height, triumphant and proud.

"It was lucky that J'zargo had that spare scroll," the Khajiit mage said. "He was not sure if it would work on you, but it seems you are as undead as your minions out there."

"You... you will pay for this... infernal cat!" Morokei bought his staff-arm up to bear. J'zargo just grinned.

There was a flash of steel as a sword cut through his flesh. Morokei's screech of pain could have brought the whole ceiling down, as his arm still holding the Staff fell to the floor. He clutched at the stump where it had been, his breathing heavy.

"Excellent swordwork, Onmund," J'zargo said to the Nord.

"Thank you, J'zargo," he replied. "It would seem that we have the upper hand."

"Indeed it does," agreed the Khajiit. "I think that our good friends should deliver the final blow."

I knew who he was referring to. I tried to push on the floor, to get back on my feet. My arms shook from the pressure and gave way. I couldn't get up, at least not on my own. I needed help

Then, I felt a gentle hand on my side as I was lifted back onto my feet. Brelyna placed an arm around my shoulder to support me, with both of us having only one hand free. My strength returning, she and I conjured up flames in these hands.

"Together then?" she asked.

"Together," I affirmed, lifting my hand in unison with hers. Morokei snapped his head up, possibly about to defend himself.

Too late. We unleashed a combined might of two jets of magical fire upon him, consuming him in the inferno. He screamed as the flames ate away at his body, but we kept it up. We let him feel the pain he had caused Savos, our friends. Me. We continued to attack until our magicka reserves became depleted from the effort.

The Dragonpriest was now in a wretched state. His robes were burned to cinders, the golden ornaments blackened and burnt. His flesh was ashen, smoking from the heat we had set upon him. Remarkably, his mask was untouched by the onslaught, unlike its wearer.

"No... it cannot end... like this..." he insisted weakly, his breathing ragged. "I, the great Morokei... defeated by the likes of you. Novices, fools... No! It cannot be! I refuse to believe it!"

I bent low, so my face was levelled with his. "Believe it. Goodbye, 'Glorious.'" I felt the power build in my throat, then I unleashed it. "FUS-RO-DAH!"

"NOOOOOOOOOO..." His scream echoed as he was lifted off his feet.

His body was suspended in the air, glowing brightly. Then, it crumbled into ash, dissolving into a dusty pile on the floor. The robes floated down and rested atop them and his mask gave a loud clang as it hit the floor.

It was over. Morokei was dead. We stood in silence, hardly daring to believe that we, a small group of apprentices, had vanquished such a creature. Surely, it wasn't possible.

Onmund spoke up. "Wow. We did it. We actually did it." He let out a loud cheer and I couldn't help but cheer with him.

"Yes! We did it!" I gave him a handshake and a firm hug. "Well done Onmund, well done! That's the Nord spirit shining through!"

"J'zargo knew he could defeat the Dragonpriest, but he is grateful for your help."

"Oh, come here you cocky cat!" I gave him a hug too. "You damn well saved our lives with that flame cloak of your's. Couldn't have succeeded without you."

"J'zargo knows this, but it is good of you to say so, my friend," the Khajiit replied with a grin.

I returned it, then turned to Brelyna. But she had already flung her arms around me in tight embrace. I returned it as best I could, whilst also still trying to circlate air.

"Sauron..." she pulled back, her face alight with anger, "what were you thinking? Why did you jump in front of that attack meant for me?"

"Well," I said, still smiling despite her temper, "had I not there would have been undesirable side effects from the attack on your erstwhile good self. I personally think that kind of treatment to a lady to be shocking."

"How can you make light of this?" she yelled incredulously, fresh tears glistening in her eyes. "You could have died! Then what? Who would have saved the College? Who would have stopped the dragon's return? What about-" She stopped herself, blushing furiously. Then, more quietly: "What about me?"

She shut her eyes, tears clinging to her eyelashes. I knew, right then and there, there was only one thing I could tell her that would explain my actions in saving her: the truth.

"Brelyna," I started sincerely taking both of her hands in mine, "I would rather watch the College crumble from its very foundations, would rather stand as Alduin devoured the whole world, than spend one second watching you suffer, realising that you were going to die..." I stopped as I felt a lump rise in my throat at the thought of it.

"Being helpless to stop it," I continued, feeling my own eyes tear up, "when I could have done something. Because I wouldn't have cared what would have happened next. I would have lost my whole world."

She stared at me, amazed that I would do such a thing, that I had confessed to that. I think that she was lost for words. The tears began to flow again, but this time... she was smiling.

"Oh, Sauron..." I gazed into her eyes, saw something glowing there. I'd seen it before and I think I knew what it was now. This moment was perfect,

"Um, excuse me." We jumped at the sound of Onmund's voice. He and J'zargo were staring awkwardly. "Not to be rude, but our College is in danger of being destroyed."

"Right, sorry..." With a great effort, I tore my gaze from Brelyna. I expected her to be disappointed that our moment had been interrupted again, but I looked to see she was still smiling. She knew now, even though it hadn't all been said. I grinned back. "Now then..."

I moved to Morokei's severed arm, his hand still clutching the Staff. I bent down, wrenched it from the grip of his brittled fingers and lifted it, gently, to hold in my right hand.

The Staff of Magnus, one of the most powerful magical artifacts that has ever existed, was now mine to wield. It seemed to glow brighter as I gripped it, as if it knew the righteous, true intentions of its new master. I could feel the power that it held, just waiting to be used. And I would certainly put it to good use.

"Thank you, all of you," I said to my friends. "I couldn't have done this without you. We have the Staff of Magnus, at long last. We have vanquished one of the most evil beings that has ever blighted Skyrim. Now, let's run back to our horses, ride as fast as the dragon flies and save our College!"

I raised the Staff aloft and they cheered. Just before we left though, I also stooped to pick up Morokei's mask. It too radiated with power.

I had heard the stories, that the Dragonpriests had been granted masks of infinite power. There were eight of them in all and, it was said, that bringing them all together unlocked something even more powerful.

Maybe I wouldn't go tracking down every other Dragonpriest out there and maybe I wouldn't wear this mask. It felt too much like a part of it's former wearer. But I decided to keep it. It could at least be stored safely at the College.

I slipped it into my travel bag and ran with my companions, leading them up to the top of the stairs, then down again, stopping briefly to rade a nearby chest for gold and valuables (All work and no play, you know.) then through the door next to it.

We sprinted, filled with heart and determination, through the dingy passageways and stairwells back to the top. We didn't care what would get in our way, we had survived the trials of Labyrinthian. Nothing could stop us now. I spoke too soon

As we reached a door, it burst open. Three mages, dressed in the robes of the Thalmor, rushed through it and spread out to block our exit out. They prepared spells to attack, their leader stepping forward.

"Little bit far from your embassy, aren't you fellas?" I said bravely.

"Who are you?" J'zargo demanded. He ignored the question

"So, you made it out of there alive," he said in a slimy voice. "Ancano was right, you are dangerous."

"What, was he too scared to face us himself, so he sent his flunkies?" Onmund taunted. "He's as cowardly as he is power-hungry."

"That is a matter of perspective," replied the Altmer, though he shifted visibly. "I'm afraid we're going to have to take that Staff now. Ancano wants it kept safe. Oh, and he wants you dead. Nothing personal."

I stared at him for a minute. Then, I let out a laugh. I laughed right in his face. I think he was a little unnerved at my reaction, as were his henchmen. After about a minute, I stopped and looked at him, giving my biggest grin.

"And I thought I was the joker here," I said, still chuckling a little. "Now, let me get this straight mister...?"

"Estormo," he said, a little fear creeping into his voice.

"Right, thanks. So Estormo," I continued "you're here to kill us. We, who have just ventured into one of the most dangerous places in Skyrim, fought through skeletal dragons, wispmothers, trolls and a manner of all kinds of vile creatures. We, who have just defeated one of the most powerful magical beings ever to walk this land, retrieved the legendary Staff of Magnus and who outnumber you. You think you can kill us? Really?"

"Well... um, er..." he stammered as what I had said sunk in. I lifted the Staff up, so he could see it.

"My friends here have more skill and talent in magic than you have in your whole embassy. J'zargo, Onmund, show them what I mean."

At my order, the two mages attacked. J'zargo, in a flurry of movement, sent a barrage of lightning bolts at the Thalmor closest to him. Unable to counter from the constant attack, he went down in a matter of seconds, twitching and sparking.

Onmund sent a stream of sparks at his attacker, who juttered and flailed from the attack. He then stopped, closed the distance and drove his sword through the mage's stomach. He slumped on the Nord's shoulder, who pulled out his weapon and let him slump to the floor.

"Brelyna, do you want to help me with this one?" I asked graciously.

"Certainly, Sauron." Smiling slyly, she moved close to my side, raising her hand with flames in it. I parralled by pointing the Staff at him. "A single Thalmor against a mage of house Telvanni and the Dragonborn."

"You feeling lucky, Estormo?" He was shaking, his eyes darting between us all. He shook his head mutely, still shivering. "Good, then I advise you to run. Fast as you can."

He still stood there, so I motioned for Brelyna to fire a shot. That gave him the motivation to scramble back up the passage, whimpering like a frightened puppy. We all laughed at this.

"Good work everyone," I said to them, grinning around at them all. We waited a few minutes, to give the Thalmor time to run, then continued back along the passage.

It led to a ladder, which we climbed up to the surface, coming out back to the main structure of Labyrinthian. Climbing down the ruin, we sprinted through the snow and back out of the entrance, the growls of frost trolls following us as we ran.

The horses were right where we left them, unstolen and unharmed. I ran to the chestnut coloured one that was mine, untied him from the tree and swung up into the saddle.

"Ready guys?" They were all mounted and ready to ride off. "Okay, I have an idea of how to get us back quickly. Everyone group together so you can hold onto me."

We organised ourselves so I was leading, with each person able to at least attach themselves to me somehow. Checking they were all secure, I warned them all to hold on tight.

"WULD-NAH-KEST!" The wind rushed around us as we shot off, the wind whipping around us. Some of my companions screamed at first, but got used to it after a while, whooping and cheering.

We rushed on, as fast as the wind, determination on our spirits and courage in our hearts. We rode with speed, back to Winterhold, back to the College. Ancano was in trouble. The Dragonborn was on his way.