Briani P.O.V.
I felt horribly exposed. I wondered if telling Cayn about my eyes was dangerous, but he seemed trustworthy. His last comment rang in my ears, and I didn't know why it made me so happy. I blocked it out of my mind, ordering myself to fall asleep. That night no nightmares disturbed me, and when I woke up I felt as if I had slept years instead of only a few hours.
When I made my way to the Hall of Elements after getting dressed, I was shocked to see the artifact from yesterday floating over the center of the room. I could feel the entire hall being buffeted with magic, and the globe pulsed gently with alien blue light. Tolfdir stood studying it, a thoughtful look on his face.
"Good morning." He said absently as I approached.
"Good morning." I mimicked, equally offhand. I studied the globe for a few moments before turning to him. "Did you find anything out?" I asked.
Tolfdir sighed. "We believe it is the artifact called "The Eye of Magnus." We know it holds enormous power- I'm sure you of all people can feel the magicka radiating from it." He said. "We still know so little." He looked tired, but excited at the same time.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" I asked. "There has to be something we can do."
"I don't know." Tolfdir admitted. "But if you want to assist, you can ask Urag gro-Shub if he has any books on it. Or especially the Psijic Order; We need to know their connection to this whole thing. Urag cares for the Arcaneum, but be careful not to anger him. He can be very protective of everything in the library."
"I will." I assured with a small nod. I turned, walking towards the door. Before exiting I turned, going through the side door. A claustrophobic, twisted stairway led up to the Arcaneum: A massive library lined with shelves, with a central reading area in the center. I had a feeling that if I wasn't so busy one day I would enjoy this room. I approached the other end of the room, where an orc stood at a desk, pouring over documents and books.
"Hello? I-" I said. I was cut off by a gruff interruption.
"Oh, I've heard, don't worry. The new mage, and judging by your voice and magicka, you're the legendary one? The magic blessed?" His voice was gravelly and impatient.
"Who told you?" I cried, suddenly horrified. How did he know I was 'blessed'? Did Cayn say anything?
"No one, girl. There's only one way a mage of your age has your capacity for magic. I'm surrounded by books, remember." He glanced up at me now, and while his voice was still gruff I could see a hint of resigned amusement at my shock. "Just don't spoil any of the books, or I'll have to kill you, legendary mage or not."
I stared at him in silence for a moment. "I'm not a legendary mage." I finally managed. This orc was not at what I expected.
He chuckled. "Not yet. What did you want?"
I recollected myself, shaking my head internally. "The Eye of Magnus. I was wondering if you have any books concerning it. Or, more specifically, the connection between 'The Psijic Order' and Saarthal and the Eye."
Urag frowned at that. "Unfortunately, no." I felt my face falling when he spoke up again. "I have an idea where they might be though."
"Where?" I said, ready to run all the way to Winterhold.
"A former apprentice here, Orthorn, took them. The fool thought that he could bargain with the damn freelance necromancers in Fellglow Keep. Well, as you may have guessed, he has not returned." The orc said, anger strong in his voice. I guessed that Orthorn had not asked Urag for any of the books.
"Fellglow Keep? Do you think they're still there?" I asked, letting my hopes rise.
Urag sighed. "I suppose that's our best chance."
"I'm going after them." I said. "If it's our only chance of finding out more… Fellglow Keep is northeast of Whiterun, correct?" I closed my mind, trying to conjure images of old history and geography lessons. "I should be back within a week."
Urag nodded. "I'd be immensely grateful to have those books back. Be careful, and make sure no harm comes to those books!"
I rolled my eyes as I left. No doubt Urag would be more heartbroken over the loss of the books than of my life. I went to my quarters quickly, hastily packing my bags with some extra supplies, and throwing in a few precious coin purses to boot.
I left the College, crossing the bridge, and finding my horse hitched by the inn were I left him. I was preparing the tack and packs when I was startled by footsteps crunching behind me and a low voice calling out behind me.
"Good morning to you too!"
I whirled to see Cayn towering behind me, a firebolt springing into existence in my hand. I extinguished it with a gasp. "Cayn! I nearly killed you! Don't sneak up on me like that!"
He simply frowned. "Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?" He said, an accusatory tone in his voice.
"Cayn…" I sighed. "I just made plans. It was a last-minute thing."
"I know. That's why I already have my things packed." He said, drawing my attention to the stuffed knapsack and sheathed sword at his side.
"Cayn! You don't need to go with me, you know." I had planned to make the journey alone. Truthfully, it would be nice to have him along, but I didn't want to have to slow down.
"I won't slow you down." He said, as if reading my mind. "You can't be completely angry about it." I cringed internally. I had forgotten I'd told him about my eyes for a moment.
I glared at him, trying pointlessly to prove otherwise. "Fine. We're stopping at Nightgate Inn tonight, and will get to Fellglow tomorrow."
He grinned, ignoring my withering look. "So that's where we're going." He said, coaxing a resigned chuckle from me.
He prepared his horse while I finished my own provisions, and soon we were riding casually in the relatively beautiful weather. The clouds had dispelled, leaving the sun to glint blindingly off the fresh snow. The temperature was only slightly below freezing rather than 50 below, and I was actually rather glad to be travelling. Whiterun was a hold I had been actively avoiding, but I was excited to see it at the same time. I had been told of the flat tundra's that were like the grasslands of Cyrodiil, and was feeling pretty homesick.
The day was fairly uneventful, other than a few wild animal attacks that we dispatched quickly. Between idle conversations with Cayn I watched the world crawl by, slowly shifting before my eyes. The mountains began to fall away to our left, the snow thinning until it left bare patches along the road. Soon the sun was slipping beneath the horizon, and right on schedule a lonely inn rose from one of the hills along the road. Nightgate Inn.
We hitched our horses outside. "At least we don't have to sleep on the ground today." Cayn said wryly. We entered the inn, and the smell of cooking fat and roast meat bombarded us.
"And hot food." I said wistfully, approaching the counter where the innkeeper sat cleaning various dishes.
" 'Ello, lass." He said in a barely understandable accent. "What can I do fo' ya?"
"Two rooms and two hot meals, thank you." I said, sliding 40 gold pieces across the counter. Cayn joined me shortly, and soon we had steaming plates of delicious rabbit and venison and stew. We dove into our meals hungrily, and when I finished I sat back feeling more satisfied than usual. I glanced around the inn now, noticing the absence of any other guests.
"No visitors lately?" Cayn asked, sounding somewhat sympathetic.
"Not usually." The innkeeper said, still cheerful. "Lots of imperial couriers running through now, though, what with the recent events." His expression darkened at the last statement, and I raised an eyebrow. What kind of 'events' had we been missing holding up in the isolated College?
"What do you mean?" Cayn's words echoed the question in my mind.
"You haven't heard?" The innkeeper sounded somewhat disbelieving. I felt a bit of annoyance rising in the pit of my stomach. Why couldn't this man just get to the point.
"No." I said brusquely. "What happened?"
"Outside of Solitude last month." The innkeeper shook his head sadly. "The Emperor Titus Mede II was assassinated on his ship in the bay.
What?
I gasped, letting out a small choking noise. Cayn's eyes widened in shock. "No." He whispered. "That's horrible." He shook his head, mimicking the innkeepers expression of sadness. His face was grim.
I stood abruptly, stepping away from the table. Cayn glanced back at me, and I quickly shielded my eyes from his view. "Briani?" He said, concern in his voice. "Are you okay?"
"I-" I began in a hoarse whisper. I stopped, not trusting myself to say anything. "Where is my room?" Is all I managed.
"Over there, but…" The innkeeper said, confused. I shook my head, interrupting his sentence. I retreated quickly, throwing my pack to the side and swiftly shutting and locking the door. I plopped into the bed, my face bland, sinking against the wall. I clenched my eyes shut, not willing to cry. Not willing to do anything else so stupid. I found it difficult to absorb. About a month ago. About a week after I left.
My father was dead.
….x.X.x….
Oooh! The big reveal of Briani's secret!
Yeah, she's on the run from the Imperials, because that's pretty much her family D: Poor Briani. The only reason I'm revealing it this chapter is because I'm sorry for doing such short chapters :/ sorry. That's why this is so soon after the last chapter! See you next chapter!(Oh, and I promised someone a detailed description of characters! Here you go!;
Briani: Average height, long dark brown hair, almond shaped eyes, fair skin, freckles, skinny, arched + strong eyebrows, slightly upturned nose.
Cayn: Tall (even for a Nord), thick blonde hair, pale green eyes, muscular but lean, strong features, handsome face.
Sorry I suck at guy descriptions.
~ElderSkie