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Posted March 22, 2014
SUMMARY: Harry and his circle have a conversation with their new 'ally'; Justin ropes in Harry and a few friends to help him test something he's been working on, with fantastic results; and more unwanted visitors at the villa force the Commonwealth to do something drastic...
30: UNPLANNED GOOD BYE
Though they returned to the villa immediately by port key, Mazhe and Harry vanished into the chest as soon as it was produced and set up in Spartacus' cell. The cell's owner was elsewhere, but neither Mazhe nor Harry thought much of it for now, only intent on getting some rest after the insane adventure they'd just been through. A glance outside had confirmed the afternoon training session was under way, though Harry was momentarily surprised to note that Numerius was watching from the balcony.
Just before dinner, Harry was once again up and about. Immediately, he checked in on their captive, but found he was still very much out of it. The first dragonborn looked terribly white, like death warmed over. Of course, that goes with the territory of losing as much blood as he did. The healing charms they'd used were only meant to stabilize him—much more work was needed before he would fully recover. That meant a talk with healer Ferris.
The healer showed up not long after, thanks to a call placed by Justin. Healer Ferris asked no questions, but got to work, assessing the injuries and applying the appropriate remedies.
"The knife wound should have been fatal," she noted, "Under normal circumstances it would have caused him to bleed out in under a minute."
"The circumstances were nothing but normal, madam healer," said Mazhe.
"I see." She pursed her lips again, not really surprised by this point. A house call to deal with Harry or his friends usually meant something beyond normal circumstances.
She had barely left, when Miraak finally stirred. He rubbed his eyes, then glanced around, looking momentarily confused.
"You're in my hidden private quarters," Harry explained.
"You... ah, of course," said Miraak, as everything came back to him. He focused on Mazhe. "Clever of you, bending me to your will. Without Hermaeus Mora, such a feat would not have been possible. Remember, he is a fickle master. He will turn on you, as he did me. Why then. Why would you not see my life ended?"
"Because I need your help," Mazhe answered, simply, "I saw a way to better the odds against Alduin, and give you a chance to return to the path you were meant to follow."
"Perhaps in the course of doing so, you might redeem yourself," Harry added. He sat on the couch opposite.
"I see. And when you finish with me, I am simply returned to the servitude of Hermaeus Mora."
"I think it will be your actions from here forward that will determine your fate, Miraak," said Justin. He sat in one of the chairs, while Tommy chose to stand off to the side. He was unarmed, but it would be a mistake to think he was vulnerable.
"Very well. I concede to the unexpected tactics of your fellow mage." Miraak indicated to Harry. "To have the thu'um silenced so, I believed it impossible."
"He's not from around... well..."
"I'm from a different world," Harry answered, "Our magic is a little different than what you might know."
"Most unexpected. You would have an advantage in many battles."
"As it does play out, yes. Doesn't necessarily guarantee victory though. Arrogance will only eventually lead to defeat. Skill is only one part of an opponent. Tactics, patience, resolve... to know when to lead, and when to follow. It is a combination of those things that victory or defeat rest upon."
"You have fought battles at your age." it was not a question.
"Perhaps you might recognize this..." said Harry, reaching into his rucksack, and drawing out the mask he'd claimed from Labyrinthian.
"Morokei," Miraak whispered, as his eyes fell on the mask. "You defeated him alone?"
"No. The four of us did."
Miraak closed his eyes, then opened them again, seeming to think on something.
"I was one of them. You not only defeat me, but you defeat a former brother."
"Does this upset you?" Harry asked, as he put the mask away.
"It does not. I abandoned the dragons and their cult. Hermaeus Mora promised power the dragons and their cult could not."
"But there is a flaw in that plan, isn't there?" said Justin, "Rather than having the adoration and respect of your fellow man, your very name garners only scorn and fear. That's not power, that's tyranny."
"Our views may differ on what power truly means, but I do concede to your skill and your tactics. Perhaps there we find middle ground."
"We have more than that," said Mazhe, "Power is nothing without a world to harness it from, to enjoy it from. With no people alive, you have nothing from which to obtain your power. You must agree this is so."
"Conceded."
"Alduin has returned."
"Then it marks the end times."
"Unless we stop him. Between the lot of us, there has to be a chance to put an end to his plot for good," said Mazhe, "I was given the blood of the dovah for a reason. This is my path, my fate... and I could really use your help."
"Your words hold truth. I will join you. The first dragonborn... and the last."
Steps coming down the ladder had everyone's attention, as Pietros entered the chest, with Varro following close behind.
"You return to us," said Pietros.
"Of course," said Harry, "It was an adventure today. We needed some time to recover."
"You were injured?" Varro asked.
"Not so much physically. It was draining in other ways," said Mazhe.
"Your number has swelled."
"This is Miraak. He will be joining us from here on out," said Harry. "Uh, Miraak, this is Varro, and Pietros."
"Former foes that now become allies," said Mazhe.
"Fate does tend to create rather strange bedfellows," Justin commented, "Gods, still find it completely nuts that... hours ago we were trying to kill each other."
Tommy let out a snort. "No kidding."
"Be glad that victory did not mean death for the vanquished," said Varro, sadly.
"A conversation with a certain deity made certain that didn't happen... though it nearly did," said Mazhe.
"That topped off the craziest shit I've seen, I think. I mean, uh, riding on the back of a dragon..." Tommy shook his head.
Harry smirked, and summoned a salt-shaker from the kitchen. "So, my mate, my love, my friend... how would you like them?"
"What?"
Harry glanced down at Mazhe's boots. Justin simply smirked, while Tommy nearly fell over, he was laughing so hard.
"I don't understand the amusement," said Miraak.
"Mazhe strongly doubted the strength of the 'bend will' shout," said Harry, smirking.
"So, he promised to eat his boots if it worked," Justin continued.
"That does not sound appetizing," said Varro, looking confused.
"Gods, I was not talking a literal sense!" said Mazhe, rolling his eyes.
"Do not doubt the power of your voice, Mazhe."
Miraak thought for a moment, as he sat up, and planted feet on the floor.
"How many shouts have you learned all of the words to?"
"Unrelenting Force, and Bend Will. That is all."
"Then your knowledge is still limited. That must be corrected, if you are to have any hope of defeating the world-eater."
"I am open to whatever you can teach. Even that which the Greybeards would not."
"In here would not be a wise place to begin such lessons."
"Show him the Virtual Projection Room and explain how it works," said Harry. "Equally, since the three of us have had experience with Hermaeus Mora and his books, we should also seek additional knowledge from them."
"You have read from his books, then."
"Done more than that," said Justin, scowling at Harry, "Gods... you condemned an innocent man to that demon's realm."
"You know how to work the books as a trap."
"Yes, though Hermaeus Mora helped, I think. There was some sort of note in the front of 'Waking Dreams' that explained how."
"How many have you sent to Apocrypha?"
"Only two, so far."
"Then you are both in the service of Hermaeus Mora."
"Perhaps, though not by intention. But a couple of people stomped on my dick nerve, and I thought it rather fitting to use as a punishment."
Miraak simply nodded.
"It now makes sense, as to why he granted Mazhe's request. You have pleased him several times over, gaining favour. What sort of task did he assign that permitted you to reach me?"
"He asked for the secrets of the Skaal, a small tribe of Nords."
"I know of them."
"I knew Hermaeus Mora would probe the shaman's thoughts, but I didn't expect the man to end up dead," said Mazhe, sadly.
"And thus you now know of his depravity," said Miraak, simply.
"A lesson well-learned."
It was then that Justin's mobile rang. He pulled it out, and answered it, moving into his room for privacy.
"You will be conducting the training lesson in the morning?" Varro questioned.
"A bit of routine would be a good thing. Yeah, definitely."
"You are aware the Magistrate's son is a visitor to the villa."
"When did he arrive?"
"During afternoon training, absent his father. His mother was distraught."
"His father went missing the other day. Batiatus received a message at the end of the games," Harry remembered.
"If you will be training with your friends here, then I will work with Miraak in the Virtual Projection Room."
"I'll meet up with you guys during lunch."
As was planned, the group somewhat went in separate directions the following morning. Tommy did stay with Harry as he conducted the morning training session, but Justin left immediately after the morning mental exercises. Given the closer contact they had with the Commonwealth, he was taking advantage of it. Mazhe, meanwhile, disappeared into the Virtual Projection Room with Miraak. Harry did have a bit of concern about Miraak, considering that not too long prior, he had been an enemy. Mazhe, however, was not, and so the issue was dropped.
It was nearly lunch time before Spartacus appeared from his cell, letting his eyes adjust to the bright sun. He at first was about to call out to Doctore, but then realized Harry was running the lesson.
"Harry. I would work the palus."
Harry gave a gesture of assent. "Proceed. Good to see you back on your feet again."
Spartacus began to cross the square to the palus—a large woonden post that functioned as a training dummy, but stopped, noticing Numerius was watching from the balcony.
"Young Numerius. You again honour us with your presence."
Harry glanced up at the balcony. "You're welcome to join us."
The the boy may as well have Apparated, he vanished so quickly. Spartacus, meanwhile, abandoned the idea of working the palus, and instead joined Harry and Tommy.
"Healer Ferris wants you to take it easy, remember," said Harry.
"I have remained on my back long enough."
Only seconds later, Numerius appeared, a guard following a short distance behind.
"Numerius. I offer my condolences for your loss," said Harry, "To lose a parent, it is a heavy thing."
"Gratitude for your words." Numerius thought for a moment. "You speak from experience."
"Regretfully, yes. Count yourself lucky to have known both of your parents—to know that they both love and care for you—to experience that love. I lost both of mine before my second birthday. My mother's touch is absent from my memory."
"Apologies," said Numerius, sadly.
"Right. Enough dark thoughts and memories, the both of you," said Tommy.
Harry rolled his eyes, but brightened. "Numerius, this is a dear friend, Tommy. A good number of things that I have taught the gladiators here, Tommy has taught me. So today, I join you as a student, rather than as an instructor..."
For the next few days, things fell into a bit of a routine. It appeared that Numerius and his mother were staying for the immediate term at the villa, and so he was a frequent visitor to the square during training. Justin, meanwhile, began assessing where Harry was at academically. That was done in the latter part of the afternoon, after which, the group retreated back into the chest for dinner.
Dinner was once again far more appetizing, considered Harry once again had access to Vekel's dishes. He'd missed cuisine from Skyrim. He had no ill will toward the food he'd been getting at the villa, but ancient Roman cuisine was rather different than what he was used to.
Dinner also proved to be a rather noisy affair, since more often than not, Harry played host to some of the gladiators. After all, the chest lid was left open, and there was an open invitation that stood as long as people behaved themselves while in his quarters.
10 September, 2006 / 10 Hearthfire, 4E201 / Unknown dates, 73 BCE
The morning training session had just ended, and Harry had claimed a table in the common area.
"Looks like the skies could open up at any moment," said Mazhe.
"The skies may weep, but it matters not. Training will still proceed," said Varro, taking a seat a little ways down.
"This is true. We've dealt with our share of wet weather," said Harry, as a plate of salad appeared in front of him. He smirked. "Gods, this is one thing I have missed in the year I have been here."
"From where does your meal come?" inquired Duro, as he claimed a seat at the next table.
"I have a... well... a friend prepare it. It started as a safety precaution, but it's now a preference. Back where I'm from, there are people who would do me harm by contaminating in my food... Mazhe... push over a bit." Harry flicked his eyes toward Miraak.
"Oh. Right." Mazhe shifted over, inadvertently squeezing closer to Harry, but making a spot so their new friend could have a seat.
"When the meal is completed, there is something I would share with both of you."
"Something out of the black books," Harry guessed.
"No," Miraak answered, "The Ohgma Infinium."
"Neither of us have looked at it," said Mazhe, "For reasons you are already aware of."
"Reasons which will bring about your end. You stand against the world-eater, and with your limited knowledge, you cannot hope to defeat him, let alone destroy him."
"Who is this 'world-eater'?" Pietros asked. He'd chosen to stand, back against a heavy support post, while he ate.
"A matter we're dealing with in our own world," Mazhe answered, "None of you here need to worry about it."
Harry glanced out at the square just in time to see Justin materialize near the corner where the portal was hidden. He'd likely just come through it. At once, he was making a bee-line for them, and he looked excited.
"Harry. I need your help."
"What's going on?"
"Something I've been working on now for the past couple of years. I mean, there's a number of projects I'm working on, but this... this is one of the more important ones."
"And?"
"Well, the past few days I've been working with the Arcane Sciences Division at their outpost in San Francisco. The satellite office on board the Ragnar's nice, but Cisco Outpost's got better toys and equipment."
"What's the project?" Tommy asked.
"Finish your lunches, guys, and I'll show you. What I need is some assistance testing it out. And..." Justin pointed to Pietros and then Spartacus. "If possible, you guys should come along."
"Batiatus won't like it," said Harry, but then smirked. "You guys are welcome to come, I'll smooth things over later. Just know that... I have no desire to talk to anyone."
"Harry, that's not productive," said Justin, "Whether you believe it or not, the Commonwealth does still have your best interests in mind. Do you think they would have done as they have, spending the amount of time and energy they have, erecting the portal to come rescue you? Just think about that. Stop painting us all with the same brush."
Harry blew out a breath. "Right. I'm not ready to forgive just yet. Neither is Tommy, for that matter. Just... let's finish our lunch, and..." Harry glanced at Tommy, who gave a nod. "We'll help you with your project. How long will we be?"
"Likely the rest of the afternoon."
"Doctore. A word?"
Unlike travelling by port key, the portal was far less of a discomfort. It was just a matter of stepping through, as if passing through a doorway. Harry momentarily frowned, finding himself in the Magnus Chamber, since it was the origin of the gateway. A separate gateway lay open immediately beside it, providing a link back to Skyrim.
Miraak, however, immediately spotted the Orb of Magnus. It hovered above an ornate cradle at the centre of the room, giving off a soft blue-green glow.
"The memory of it pales compared to its literal presence."
"The heartbeat of the Commonwealth," said Justin.
"The pain felt during its summoning is forever burned in our memories," said Spartacus.
"You bear no magic, yet you participated in its summoning."
"One mage, four supporters," said Mazhe, "As long as the mage is powerful enough, it was sufficient."
"This is true."
"Getting off track, guys," said Justin, "Follow me, we'll be travelling the rest of the way by floo powder."
The large group was escorted to an elevator that took them up to the city level—which was still six kilometres underground.
"Where are we now?" asked Pietros. His stomach still felt like it had butterflies in it from the strange rising sensation he'd just experienced, it being his first ride in an elevator.
"This is the headquarters for the Ministry of Science and Technology," said Justin, "Now. We're travelling by floo powder. Uh... three of you haven't done so before, so, the rules. Remain still, and hold on tightly to the person escorting you, and keep your arms tucked in. Otherwise you might get lost and end up spit out of a grate only who knows where. Lastly, keep your eyes tightly closed—unless you want them filled with soot. Do those things, and we'll all get where we're going."
"Is this... safe?" Pietros asked, nervously.
"We've been using this form of transportation for many years. People get misdirected sometimes, but... for the most part it's perfectly safe."
They now stood in front of an enormous fireplace.
"Harry, I'll let you go first, so the others can see it done. You know where we're going?"
"Fox Theatre."
"Right."
"I'll take Spartacus through. Uh... Mazhe, you bring Miraak, and... uh."
"I'll bring Pietros," Tommy offered.
Harry approached the fireplace, and clutched a handful of dark powder from a pot hanging just to the right of it.
"Ready?"
"I am ready," said Spartacus.
"Grab onto my arm, and do not let go of it for any reason."
At the man's nod, Harry flung the powder into the fire, causing it to flare up a brilliant green. Spartacus hesitated a moment, suddenly doubting the sanity of walking into a fire, but Harry dragged him along and stepped into it, while commanding, "Fox Theatre!"
Being around Harry for a year, Spartacus was ready for just about anything when it came to magic. This, however, once again caught him off guard. It felt like he was being dragged down some sort of pipe. He clutched onto Harry tightly, as they spun around madly, a tremendous roaring sound filling his ears... now he regretted lunch, as it was threatening to make an encore appearance, with his stomach doing loop-the-loops. Then... as quick as it had started, he felt himself being pushed out a grate, to topple onto a hard surface.
"Jupiter's cock..."
"All right there?"
"It was an experience I desire to soon forget, Harry."
"It's never agreed with me either."
Harry climbed to his feet, and offered his friend a hand. They had just gotten out of the way, when Tommy and Pietros were expelled from the grate, faring no better. They were quickly helped to their feet, just in time for the fireplace to expel Mazhe and Miraak. They faltered, but did not end up on the floor. Finally, Justin stepped out of the grate without missing a beat.
"I hate you."
Justin only smirked and stuck his tongue out at his young friend, before producing his wand and vanishing the soot from his clothes. Harry picked up on the idea and helped the others.
"Great. Now..."
"Where are we?" Spartacus asked, looking around.
"It's difficult to explain," said Justin, "This is a rather expensive dressing for the real purpose. Just follow me."
He led them through the lobby, to a bank of elevators.
"Right. You'll each be needing these," said Justin, reaching into his satchel and producing a number of plastic tags.
"Hang them around your neck like—"
"Like this," said Harry, accepting one of them and putting it on.
"We travel in the same manner we left the chamber bearing the Orb of Magnus," Spartacus guessed.
"Exactly. Elevators are a pretty important type of machinery in modern society."
"How far down this time?" Tommy asked.
"I think this one goes six kilometres, roughly three and a half miles."
"And the one we travelled by earlier?" asked Pietros.
"That one was actually rather short, only a thousand feet or so."
"For what purpose would one want to travel that deep?"
"To keep our existence secret," answered Justin, as the doors slid open.
The car itself was enormous, looking like it could hold several dozen people easily. It easily matched the decor of the theatre.
"This is truly astounding magic," said Miraak, as they all piled in.
"In this case, yes, it's completely magical. We could quite possibly make hardware and so on to make it work without, but that would make for complications," Justin explained, as he pressed one of the few buttons on the panel inside. He then pressed his thumb up against a small pad, resulting in a soft 'ping'.
"Security requirement. These guys were nice enough to give me temporary clearance, so—"
"We'd best be on our best behaviour," said Mazhe, smirking. The car lurched, and both gladiators suddenly felt as though they were falling rapidly.
"You'll get used to it."
Justin wasn't kidding. The ride itself took several minutes, even though it was accelerated by magic. The car at last came to a stop, and with another audible 'ping', the doors slid open. Two individuals were waiting on the other side. Harry guessed they were security guards.
"Credentials or passes, please," said one.
"Justin Fraser, and these are all in my party. Show your passes, guys."
"Welcome, Doctor," said the other guard, as he glanced at his credentials.
From there, they got a ride to the lab on something akin to a golf cart, save for the fact it could carry more people. In the process, the group all got an idea of the vastness of the facility. It was truly colossal.
"And I thought Ragnar was big," said Harry, as they at last arrived at the lab Justin was working in.
"Cisco is one of the larger facilities," said one of the guards, as he held open the door for the group, "Though I think our facility near Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe might be a bit larger."
"Right. Come on guys, this way," said Justin, as they entered the lab.
"Uh... what are they doing to the T.V.?" Tommy asked, his eyes having instantly found the flat screen device. A number of technicians were working around it, one of them with a wand drawn.
"This is where magic meets technology," Justin answered, "This is where we do some pretty amazing things. They could be doing just about anything."
Harry could only nod, as his eyes took in the room. A work bench in the next cubicle had a component stereo partially disassembled, while a technician was casting some sort of charm on one of the pieces. The next featured a power recliner that was up to this point still in one piece, slowly reclining and resetting, as a pair of technicians observed.
This went on across a number of cubicles and workbenches, until they at last arrived at a larger work bench at about the middle of the lab.
"Dr. Fraser," one of the technicians greeted.
"Angela," Justin greeted.
"These guys are your test subjects?"
"Well, uh, I don't think they appreciate being called that, but... yes, they're willing to help us test out the new prototypes. This is Harry, Tommy, Mazhe, Miraak, Spartacus, and Pietros."
Angela and the other technician both arched an eyebrow at the mention of the famous gladiator. After all, only a very few people had any clue of the Commonwealth's connections to other worlds—or other times.
Justin caught the look, and added, "They are covered by the security and confidentiality agreement, no one can know they are participants."
"Of course, doctor."
She opened a cardboard box, and pulled out a mobile phone.
"These are probably not as nice as the phones you may have now, but we didn't want to waste time and spell work on something only to have it blow up in our face."
"Why do I need a new phone?" questioned Mazhe.
"If you'll let Angela finish..."
"These phones are being used to test a new feature that we'd like to add to the mobile system. You're all aware of the emergency port key feature, of course."
"Life saver two years ago," said Harry.
"The Triwizard tournament," Angela remembered, "Among many examples of how vital and useful the feature is."
"An extension of my research doctorate was the expansion of that feature," Justin picked up, "The ability to port key to any number of pre-programmed locations."
"Such a thing would have been useful a while back when Harry's distress letter arrived. We were all in Solstheim," said Mazhe.
"To see that actually work, would be an incredible feat," Harry agreed, "And I'm guessing that's where we come in."
"Exactly," said Justin, "We're all going to get experimental phones, with the idea that we all try setting destinations, travelling to them, and so on. That means, someone sets a destination, and we all try using the phone to travel there."
"It will equally work for us?" asked Pietros.
"By all accounts, it should. You are non-magical?" Angela questioned.
"No—I mean, yes, Domina."
Angela looked confused a moment, but then simply nodded.
"Pietros, you belong to no one here, not even to me," said Harry, kindly, "Miss, or ma'am would suffice."
"I will try to remember."
"Right. So we should stick together for now," said Justin, as the other technician brought out another box. "Each of you grab a phone, and we'll start with the basics..."
The first part of the afternoon was spent with Justin and the technicians explaining how the new feature worked. The phone's owner could tell the phone to record the current location. The phone would even record a snapshot of the location for easy reference later on. The phone could remember hundreds of locations, accessed much like accessing the phone's address book. Travelling to a location was as simple as opening up the list of recorded places, and making a selection. The phone then functioned exactly like a port key, carrying the owner and any passengers.
The rest of the afternoon was spent with the group testing the phone out, travelling to various places with it and so on. They took a conventional port key to the Ragged Flagon, where everyone programmed the location. Then it was Pietros who recalled the lab's location on his borrowed phone. Then Harry set a port key to the College of Winterhold—though they stayed for a short while to briefly touch base with a few people. Arch-mage Tolfdir was very much impressed with phones, and was more than interested in obtaining one once it was proven stable.
The next stop, thanks to Justin, was the Ragnar, or more specifically, the suite they used. It was still configured for their use. Neither Harry or Tommy were all that impressed, and were only thankful when Spartacus activated the choice on his phone, taking them back to the lab.
Harry's choice dropped them just outside of Hogsmeade. Justin arched an eyebrow as they looked around, but he shrugged, answering, "Outside the Commonwealth but still here in my own world, right?"
"A fair point. Should we try Diagon Alley?"
"No. Not today," said Harry.
Destinations set back to Spartacus and Pietros' time were also more than successful, though once again, Justin had no doubts that would work—it was identical to setting locations in Skyrim. The magic was being funnelled through the portal, and as long as it remained open, everything would work.
As it neared dinner time, they returned to the lab one last time. Surprisingly, Angela only asked for Spartacus and Pietros to return their phones, given they were only visitors.
"Uh, actually, Pietros may keep his as well," said Justin, "Harry has made arrangements for him to join us for good, once the department completes its research into the portal opened into their time period."
"Very well. I do have to again emphasize, be very careful who knows about this technology. As it stands right now, they circumvent just about every security protocol put in place. Given the security of your group, the government will still permit you to keep them and continue to test them, the stipulation that you give us feedback on performance," said Angela.
"The plan is to have these rolled into the next network update in the winter," said Justin.
"That fast?" Tommy looked surprised.
"That's actually slow for us," said the second technician, "This is just something we want to be sure absolutely works before we release it to wide use."
"For anyone to have access to such a tool, it is astounding," said Spartacus.
"Indeed. That's exactly what we have in mind."
Harry glanced at his watch. "All right. Time we get back to Capua."
This time it was Pietros who used his phone, and seconds later, they reappeared in Harry's chest.
"Harry," said Varro, from where he was sitting on one of the couches, "Dominus wishes to break words presently."
"Someone's in shit," said Tommy, smirking.
"It'll be a temporary thing." Harry smirked right back, reaching into his rucksack, and pulling out his invisibility cloak. "I'll be a minute or so. Uh, Justin, you can probably send word that we're ready for dinner now."
"I'll look after it."
Harry pulled the invisibility cloak about his shoulders, then pulled up the hood becoming completely invisible. A soft pop was the only indication he'd left.
"Astounding," said Miraak, staring at the place he'd left from.
"That cloak's been in his family for generations, 'least as he's explained," said Mazhe, as they collected around the table.
"The venture into your world, it was truly fascinating. Your magic has... much more variety than ours."
"But your magic is in some ways stronger," said Justin, as he scribbled out a note, "Never mind your abilities with your dragon blood." He thought a moment. "That... uh, by the way... you should never mention your abilities outside the Commonwealth. It's considered creature blood, and there are a number of magical nations that frown on it."
"Considering how backward-thinking Wizarding England is, I could see them being one of the largest culprits," Mazhe snorted, as he watched Justin drop the note into the post box nearby.
"Try 'the largest'. Think of how Remus was treated a few years ago. Just a hint of his condition, and he resigned, just out of fear of the backlash. As it stands, Sir Malcolm Davis would hire him on the spot, if they had a vacancy on their teaching staff."
Another soft pop announced Harry's return, and his head reappeared.
"Good thing I'm a 'good guy'," he smirked, "As far as Quintus knows, we've already had the conversation about... uh... he was in a twist about us borrowing Spartacus again."
Justin furrowed his brows. "What did you do?"
"Confundus charm. What, you think I'd risk obliviating him? Pass."
"And nothing further will rise from it?" questioned Spartacus, as plates of food appeared.
"Nope. Not a thing."
"Gratitude."
"No, thank you, both you and Pietros," said Justin, "You guys are both purely non-magical, having very little exposure to it. Being able to use the phones proved part of the theory. Up until today, we weren't sure if the phones would work for someone who is completely without magic."
"I was honoured to lend hands to purpose."
"It would be a curiosity, to learn whether your devices would work from Apocrypha," said Miraak.
"We could likely test it," said Harry, "Although I strongly doubt Hermaeus Mora would appreciate us doing so. Access to his realm is severely restricted, and quite honestly, last thing I would want to do is piss him off. Like I said, I still need his assistance."
"This... Apocrypha... the place from which the eyes come," said Pietros.
"Yes," said three voices.
"Hermaeus Mora," said Mazhe. "You saw him, then."
"Harry summoned him through the... one of those." Pietros pointed to the bookshelf, where the pair of heavy tomes rested on the top shelf.
"You would do well to not open either of those," said Miraak, "Reading from either could drive you insane."
"Locked ward at St. Mungo's, here I come!" Harry exclaimed, making a crazy face. Miraak looked at him with a blank look, while Mazhe let out a snicker.
"Uh... okay then." Justin only shook his head at his young friend's antics. "As it stands... it was a very productive day with the promise of nothing short of a technological and magical revolution."
"Calls for a celebration, I think," said Harry.
"Glad you're on the same page. If this goes ahead as planned, I'll be seeing a life-changing payout."
"Not that you really care about that, doctor," Harry smirked, as he summoned some glasses and a bottle of Ogden's Finest.
Harry was awakened in the very early hours of the next morning by the ward he'd erected many months prior. Something was approaching the property, magical in nature. Harry had fine-tuned it the night after the Commonwealth arrived, so they wouldn't inadvertently set it off, so this... whatever they were, they were likely unwelcome.
"Mazhe..."
"Huh?"
"We've got intruders."
It took a half-minute for the pair of them to get up and throw on some clothes, before they woke the others. With sobriety draughts and hangover cures administered, they scrambled up the ladder and into Spartacus' cell. The man was still in a dead sleep, so Harry quickly woke him.
"What is the matter?"
"Intruders. We're about to wake the household. Hangover cure, and a sobriety draught."
"Gratitude." Spartacus downed both potions.
"Set to purpose then?"
"I am ready."
Harry stepped into the square. "Sonorus. Action stations! Intruders approach on the road, action stations."
Once again, like clockwork, the household came awake, thanks to the number of practice drills Harry had insisted on conducting. This time, the S.O.U. Members on watch at the portal also appeared, as did several Aurors. One of them was already on his mobile, likely summoning backup.
Unfortunately, there was barely time to get set up, as a group of black clouds of smoke flashed into being in the middle of the square. Harry remembered the technique far too well—it was the same method by which Voldemort's death eaters had arrived in the grave yard at the end of the Triwizard tournament.
Tommy didn't wait for them to reveal themselves, but unloaded a barrage of bullets into the first target. It dropped where it stood, the cloud dissipating to reveal someone wearing a black cloak that hid their features—not that it mattered, the pool of blood forming under them spelt their end.
The others, however, quickly dropped the smoke screen, and erected shields. Shields which effectively blocked non-magical bullets.
"My weapons have no effect!"
"No shit!"
"Mul... QAH DIIV!" Miraak shouted, and the dragon aspect silhouetted his form. Mazhe quickly followed.
"Mazhe... other side," Miraak directed. Mazhe gave a nod. "WULD!" An explosion of sound sent him a streak across the square, as the intruders all let out blasts of red magic.
"PIETROS!" Harry shouted. Pietros ducked just in time, as a bolt of green magic sailed overhead and into space. Harry answered with an ice spike the nailed the caster in the side, causing him to snarl in pain. Vulnerable without a shield, Tommy pumped the injured intruder full of bullets.
"Fus RO DAH!" Came Mazhe's shout, and with it, the sound of crashing glass as a shield was rendered useless, and another intruder was sent flying over the cliff.
"Hope the wanker knows how to fly," Harry muttered.
This was the cue for the rest of the gladiators to storm the square, lending backup to the rest. Sure, the intruders were now well-aware of the household's much more disciplined defensive measures, but they counted on superior numbers of wands against the lowly non-magical residents. Surely, one magical couldn't be that difficult?
What they hadn't counted on, was the additional magical members that had somehow arrived on scene. And what sort of magic was that, so powerful that only their voices had sent one man to his death?
"Retreat! Fall back!" one of the intruders shouted.
"Fo KRAH DIIN!" Came Miraak's shout, and another intruder found himself quite literally frozen. His last thoughts wished for warmth as the blood literally froze in his veins.
"Sonorus. Intruders, leave this place and never return. Next time we promise to hunt each and every one of you to the ends of the earth if so required, to ensure a swift path to Oblivion. BEGONE!" Harry's words boomed across the residence.
At once, a number of the intruders again turned to smoke, and disappeared.
"And you think you have the means and the magic to stop us, little boy?!" one of the few remaining asked.
A purple arc of electricity answered his question, though the dark wizard easily side-stepped it.
"Why do you come here, to press us—stupefy!" Harry's spell narrowly missed another intruder who was tangled with Agron. The gladiator was giving the dark wizard all he could handle, and more.
A flash from the location of the portal brought activity in the square to a stand still, as a projectile sizzled across it, to impact another dark wizard making for the entrance to the villa. It exploded in a gory mess.
Spartacus, meanwhile, found himself in close combat with two intruders, and was being pushed to his limits. He'd certainly gone one on one with Harry a number of times... but against two? This was new, and frightening. No different than the arena, these monsters played for keeps. One spell connected, he was done. They were all dark curses, each of them leaving terrible evidence on the ground and the walls—one had actually melted part of the post that supported the overhang of the villa. He kept glancing around, hoping someone would see his predicament-
"Crucio."
PAIN. Pain pain pain. He dropped like he'd been shot, as every nerve in his body came alive with the sensory overload brought on by the dark curse. His body was on fire. PAIN. Pain. More pain. It was as if he were being flayed alive.
An explosion of sound brought an abrupt end to it, and Spartacus lay there heaving, as a body fell on top of him.
"He'll be going to Apocrypha, I think," came Harry's voice, although it sounded like he were underwater.
"All right, mate?"
"I... n-n-no... pain... hurts..." Spartacus managed.
"HARRY!"
Harry wheeled to see a purple bolt of magic hurling toward him. A hastily erected shield absorbed most of it, but caused him to stagger.
"Fus RO DAAH!" came Mazhe's voice, and the attacker was slammed against the gates of the square, and glowed, before crumbling to ash.
There were then only a few left of the fifteen or so intruders that had first stormed into the square. Two more vanished in a smoke trail.
"Perhaps you're stronger than expected, with the boon of allies. A thought to leave you with, then... know that we will meet again. The text proclaims it so. Good bye, light wizard."
The rest of them popped away with black clouds.
"Justin!?"
"Eric... Gods... that was nuts."
"We're code four," said Brandon, into his radio, "Healers and Aurors through the portal immediately."
Though Harry had half a mind to complain, he realized they did need as much help as they could get at this point. He gestured with a hand, pulling the unconscious body off of Spartacus, who still lay there, his entire body in spasms. Harry reached into his rucksack, and pulled out a bottle.
"Here. Anti-cruciatus draught. It'll help."
"G-g-gratitude."
"I'll help," said Justin, kneeling, "I'll prop his head up, you help him drink it."
"What is wrong with him?" Doctore asked.
"Exposure to the Cruciatus curse," Harry answered, testily, "Worst sort of curse a wizard can cast on someone. It's pain—like every square inch of your skin is on fire."
"He will recover?"
"Yes. A couple of days' rest—though that's still necessary as is, given his concussion," said Justin, as they helped the gladiator to take the medicine.
"Let's move him to his bed."
The damage to the square had not been as serious as last time, and there were only a few injuries to take care of. The intruders had once again not been able to penetrate the upper part of the villa, thanks to the rapid action of the guards. A pair of Aurors helped to improve the odds, though their participation was ultimately unnecessary.
As the sun was just beginning to cast its rays, and the extra manpower were retreating through the portal, Justin's mobile rang. The group were gathered in Spartacus' cell, the man in question resting comfortably on his bed.
"Dr. Fraser. Uh... WHAT? When? Okay, okay... how long?" He pinched the bridge of his nose and made an angry face. "All right... I'll tell him." He hung up.
"Something's happened," Harry guessed.
"Commonwealth's gone into red alert, activating a lock down protocol. We have to go. Now."
"WHAT?!"
"Harry, I'm sorry. The Commonwealth is closing EVERYTHING. Both portals."
"I..."
"You have to go," said Spartacus, giving a sad smile. "Return to the place you belong. The Gods now will it so."
"I just..." A sob escaped him in spite of his attempts to suppress it.
"Let them close it... they can connect with us again."
"And it be years yet again before they do."
"He's right, Harry. This time it could be a decade before they find us again."
"But we'd be safe here... just like in Skyrim—"
"Where we'll be going. Now collect your chest," said Justin.
Harry wiped his eyes, and went over to his chest, slamming the lid shut. A gesture from his finger reduced it in size so it fit in his pocket.
"You will pass on word to the others. I bid everyone farewell."
"I will see it done."
"I will remember each and every one of you. I hope all of you continue to work on the lessons I have shared here; they have saved your life numerous times already, and they will continue to save your lives in the future."
"Harry... we have but minutes," Justin prodded.
"Farewell, Harry."
"Farewell, Spartacus."
The pair shook by forearms, and the group hurried from the cell and across the square, to the now visible portal. Brandon and Eric stood at either side.
"We could just use the phones—"
"Disabled for now, the entire cell network is offline. Their calling me was one of the last made," said Justin, "Come on."
One after the other, Harry and his friends stepped through the portal, to arrive in the Magnus Chamber.
"All clear, Madam Guardian," said Brandon.
"Shut—"
"Wait," said Harry, forcefully, "We will be returning to the College of Winterhold immediately."
"The portals are being closed—"
"A year passes, and I still have no desire to break words with you lot."
"We are in lockdown, Mr. Potter. No one in or out," said Brandon, gravely. Harry turned to him, giving him a look that would kill.
"Tahrodiis mey. The transgressions of the office you align yourself with are well remembered. Now. The lot of us are leaving."
Brandon moved to draw his wand, but Elaine shook her head.
"Really. The lot of you can piss off," Harry hissed, "Mazhe, Tommy, Justin, Miraak... let us take leave of this place. I seek more-deserving company."
Brandon looked on with a crushed look, as the group passed through the second portal one after another, Mazhe being last.
"Close it up."
UP NEXT: Harry discovers an extra passenger has returned with them to Skyrim; a meeting with the Greybeards sends both Harry and Mazhe to speak with their master, which results in a deadly confrontation with Alduin; a discussion in the chest much later results in unexpected visitors; and Harry is finally emotionally overwhelmed by the series of events which unfolded in short succession...
AUTHOR NOTES: I'd actually wanted to wrap up Harry's business with 73BCE about two chapters ago, when the Commonwealth first made the portal. However, things morphed into what is now presented.
Now, question is, has Harry seen the last of his friends there? Equally important, what's sent the Commonwealth into a panic?