Tolfdir's bright smile upon beholding the hole in the ground was alarming to say the least. After trekking nearly a day through the white wasteland that was Winterhold, Lili was more than displeased with the so-called archeological treasure-trove that was Saarthal. A peculiar scholar named Arniel Gane had been researching there and sent words that his results were promising. Tolfdir explained they'd recently discovered old magic in the ancient Nordic tomb unlike anything they'd ever encountered, that there was magick within the rock of the crypt itself. So naturally the college, interested in studying such a potentially hazardous find, sent its expendable research students with the scapegoat professor as their supervisor.

Lili sighed impatiently, feeling put-off by the nervous energy of her fellow adept peers. It had been a few weeks since they graduated to adept, (or in her case, as they kindly pointed out, "granted" adept) and she'd already buried herself in alteration studies. It was proving to be hard work, considering the absent-minded ramblings of her mentor—she groaned at the title—Master Tolfdir, and she was not keen on being pulled away. But this excavation, apparently, took precedence, and Tolfdir insisted her talents were needed when she tried to get excused.

The journey at least had been manageable for they'd traveled halfway in carts, and the constant, choking wind dissuaded the crew from idle chatter. And she hadn't been forced to sit alone for Nirya and Rennis had been kind enough to sit by her.

"And here we all are!" Tolfdir crooned, whirling on the dangerously snowy cliff overlooking the pit. "Shall we step inside?"

"Yesss!" Hissed J'zargo, fur bristling against the wind, voicing the rest of the excavation crew's thoughts. "J'zargo didn't come here for the nice weather!"

Lili snorted, a rare sound that earned her a sideways glance from her favorite Nord. Onmund predictably stiffened, always irritated by everything she did. She pulled her fur coat tighter around her face, severing their loathsome glares. Their equal detestation for each other was the only thing they had in common.

"Don't mind him, Miss Lili," Rennis hummed by her side, "You don't have to put on airs for his sake." In the few weeks she'd been at the college it was already common knowledge that the two new adepts did not like each other. Nirya and Rennis, though irksome as they may be, had thankfully continued trying to discover all her secrets. Because of their persistence and eagerness to be her friend, she was no longer alone in facing the brash Nord and his misfit friends.

"Is it, er, particularly safe?" Brelyna squeaked, peering into the pit. Lili looked down as well, eyes following the ice-slick, hastily built scaffolding they would soon descend. Perhaps pit was an understatement, she decided. The site was more like a crater in the mountain's plateau with dark rocks jutting in sharp contrast against the snow, blinding the eyes and creating a world of black and white. At the bottom were the storm blown remains campsite left by the last crew, forming a half circle around the Nordic door that led to the crypt. Lili felt herself swallow apprehensively. Elves weren't meant to dwell underground.

"We'll be perfectly safe, Miss Maryon!" Tolfdir chirped, trudging to the scaffolds. He then proceeded to slip, catching himself just in time at the single barred railing. "Ah, that is, mostly safe. Alright, please stay close to me while we're inside." Tolfdir said, cautiously descending the rickety scaffolds into the pit.

"Yes," Lili groaned quietly. "Nothing would put me more at ease."

XXX

Saarthal was dank, dirty, and crumbling from the inside out. The ancient ruins they were interested in, however, were deeper into the crypt. The area they entered was the second part of the excavation campsite. Unlike its counterpart, this site was held up nicely, though overcrowded with tools and relics as if the first team decided on a whim that it be better to move it all inside. A thin layer of silt covered all the equipment from the constant shifting of the earth.

Tolfdir lit his hand, small embers glowing in his palms, and began lighting the various torches around the circular hall. They descended down the crumbling stone spire, modified with new wooden supports for safety, to the camp. Lili and the others copied the professor, lighting lanterns on the dust covered tables and casting magelight at the parts of walls and ceilings that remained dark.

"As some of you may know, Saarthal was one of the earliest Nord settlements in Skryim. It was also the largest. Sacked by the elves in the infamous Night of Tears, not much is known about what happened to Saarthal." Tolfdir drabbled, leading them deeper underground. "This is an exciting opportunity for us, to be able to study such an extraordinary piece of history. Now, these tombs are vast and for the most part...unknown. We have no idea what we are going to find!" He approached a table and wiped the dirt off what was supposed to be a stack of papers. "We do, however, have some rough maps here that you can reference. Please don't stray too far from the marked paths. The college can't afford to be responsible for the deaths of more of its students! However," looking specifically at Onmund and his crew, "if my message of the dangers of magick should happen to sink in for a few students, that would be a happy coincidence. But safety in numbers, right? I'll have you split into pairs."

All the adepts began to shift, seeking out their desired partners. Nirya scooted over to Lili, a mischievous gleam in her eye, and bumped her shoulder. But all the moving stopped abruptly when Tolfdir started pairing for them.

"Debent, Jadie," he said, "you're together. Drasla and Alammu, Miss Maryon and J'zargo..."

Brelyna quickly shifted over to her partner, eager to not be separated anytime soon. Nyria glanced at Lili with a hopeful smile and whispered, "Don't worry, he usually pairs groups that work well together. I'm sure you'll be paired with me…or Rennis."

Tolfdir paired several more groups and Lili began to look around in alarm as the numbers quickly dwindled. The Nord boy still remained. He seemed equally agitated, for he looked hopefully at everyone but her. She breathed in, reassuring herself that her luck couldn't get any worse. After all, Nirya and Rennis were both still available.

"Onmund and Miss Loreoth!"

Lili and the boy simultaneously shouted in protest, though with very different words.

"In all of oblivion—!"

"Professor, if you'd please reconsider—!"

Tolfdir held up his hands, silencing them with a mischievous smile. "Students, please!" He walked over to them, motioning for them to come close. Nirya, wide-eyed and eager to hear what he was going to say inclined her head in their direction. "I understand you hold grievances towards one another," he whispered knowingly, "but you are my best pupils. If any group will bring this excavation credit it'll be you two. And besides, working together might help melt some of this tension. Just like my tea, I don't like my students bitter."

"Yes, professor." They acquiesced with equally miffed growls.

"Good! Then finally," he continued, stepping back and raising his voice, "We have Nirya and Rennis." The tall elven girl gave Lili a rueful smile and headed over to the whitehaired Breton. Lili snorted noting the slight skip in her step.

Now, if we'd all come around and look at the maps here, I know scholar Arniel Gane is quite interested in several enchanted artifacts we have found in these areas. If you come across any more like it, please bring them back here for the class to look over..."

XXX

"Look, I don't like this as much as you," Onmund started, hiking up in one of Saarthal's many winding tunnels. They'd broken away from the rest of the groups, who seemed inclined on staying close together and following the already lit tunnels and seals they were to observe. Lili had said they should go to the farthest seal on the map first to start their search and Onmund, wanting to match and outdo her boldness, quickly agreed and took the lead.

"But the research comes first." He continued sparing her a glance over his shoulder to make sure she was still following. He suppressed a smirk upon seeing the irritated expression on her face. The princess wasn't used to being a follower, let alone a follower of a Nord.

"And what makes you think I'd be so childish as to put personal matters before an assignment?" She replied haughtily, adjusting that damned Thalmor robe she insisted on wearing everywhere. Though they always seemed to always run into each other at the college, even though they pursued different schools of magick, the dark leather and sharp gilded edges of the Thalmor robes still made him uneasy. It was as if she were one of those nasty justicars herself, always spying on and judging him and his friends.

"Well, I'm not childish either!" He replied, grimacing at just how childish the defense sounded. "Let's just find the seals and get his over with."

"And here I thought you couldn't wait to get out into the field." She mused venomously. "After being trapped behind those cold walls for five years, I'm surprised you haven't gone as mad as Tolfdir."

"Tolfdir is not mad!" He growled defensively. "And—wait, how did you know I've been here five years?" He looked at her in shocked disgust, fearing for a moment with her alter witchcraft she could read minds. He shook the silly thought from his mind and glared at her accusingly.

"Umm..." She stammered, taken aback, as of for the first time at a lost of words. "My uncle—,"

"Arcano." Onmund spat the name like a curse word.

"Yes. He gave me lists of all the students here, asked me to review them."

"And why would that be any of your business?" Onmund seethed. "You and your little cult think they can just come in and take over the college, boss the rest of us 'inferiors' around!"

"It's not like that!" She shouted back, stopping and crossing her arms. He turned to face her expecting to see her withering under his glare. Instead, he met an expression that rivaled his own. "The Thalmor have years if history and talent to offer your school, and as allies with the empire we have the right to be here. As for me reading about you and your peers, that was nothing more than a class list. All that was on there was names, origins, race, school of magick, and date enrolled. It's not like I'm reading a diary log of all your grades and deviances!"

"And you went ahead and memorized everyone's information then?" He spat. "Or am I just special?"

"Special isn't the word I would use." She replied, face reddening but glare remaining even. "And since were on the topic of you, I mind this attitude you have about me. I'm not here to undermine you and your outlandish goals. I'm here to learn and share my talents with the College. The Thalmor want to rebuild the name and power of Skyrim's magicka. You of all people must know how the ungifted treat it like a curse, a taboo? Though you don't believe it, I'm here to help."

"You can't even begin to understand what I've been through." He growled in a low voice, barely able to contain his anger. "Everything I've accomplished I've earned." He turned away and continued down the tunnel.

"Yes, Onmund." She replied with incensed sarcasm, throwing up her dark hood to hide her face. "You're the only one who's been tried in life. We should hail you as a martyr."

As they silently made their way through the catacombs, they were equally startled to find the tunnel opened up to a high ceilinged cavern. All throughout was a maze work of stone trestles, and theirs happened to be the highest.

Gulping slightly, Onmund looked down, feeling the world whirl around him. The dark depths of the cavern seemed only deeper with their candlelight spells, and being able to see just how deep and treacherous the pit was only made the his fear worse. Onmund hated heights and avoided the college's towers whenever possible.

He glanced at Lili. She kept her head forward towards the opposite wall, though her eyes trailed down her sharp nose, judging the pit. Then suddenly she brushed past him, taking the lead and walking across the open bridges as if they were five feet from the ground as opposed to fifty.

With a strained hiss, Onmund gingerly followed. He kept his eyes on her delicate form and plotted on how to reclaim the lead.

When they reached they finally reached the other side Onmund exhaled the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Though the Altmer didn't look back at him, he could tell she was drinking his discomfort in. He could just picture the smug smile on her lips and triumph in her eyes.

And then he tripped.

Falling, he flailed, panicking he would back over the previously conquered edge. He lunged forward, making sure to stay clear of the pit, and slammed right into the elf.

Lili gave a shriek-like gasp and fell under his weight, desperately grabbing at the stony walls to stop herself from falling. She pulled herself away and whirled at him, back against the wall and face incredulous. Her hood had fallen off in their impromptu scuffle, revealing a head of now messy blonde hair.

"What the Oblivion did you do that for!?" She shouted, gathering her bearings.

He pushed himself up from the ground, face blazing from embarrassment. "Watch where you're going!" He managed with a sneer. "You can't just stop walking, especially in an archway like this!"

"I stopped walking?" She fumed, smoothing the blonde mess back into place. "You tripped over those heavy feet of yours."

"Heavy?" He yelled. "What? Just because I'm shorter than you tall, tree huggers doesn't mean I'm a klutz!"

Her nostrils flared and mouth pressed into a tight smile, said ears burning bright red. "What did you just call me?" The coldness in her gold eyes sent a chill down his spine.

"What in the Divines' names is going on back here!"

They both jumped at the sudden voice, nearly falling over each other once again. Their hands both instinctually filled with magick: an ice spike in his and flames in hers. Onmund's heart pounded in his chest, and he breathed slowly trying to calm down. The voice was human, the voice was one he recognized. There was nothing to be afraid of.

"Put that away!" She whispered haughtily, acting as if her own hands hadn't been alight a mere second ago. "Of course there are people back here. It's an excavation after all." She sounded like she was trying to convince herself.

A balding man in orange robes appeared down the dark hall, a candlelight spell hovering in his hand. "I said, what is going on over here!?" He snarled, showing yellowed teeth and a grizzled beard.

"Arniel Gane?" Lili stammered, trying to compose herself. "Are you Arniel Gane?"

"Yeah," he growled, bright eyes flickering between the two, "And who are you?"

"We're adept mages." Onmund cut in before Lili could answer. "Here with Tolfdir to help with the excavation. I'm Onmund, I go to the college."

Arniel's face was blank for a moment as he tried to remember. "Oh, that angry nord kid!" He said, eyebrows raising in realization and snapping a finger. He then turned that finger and pointed it at the elf. "But I don't recognize you."

Lili opened her mouth to answer but Onmund cut her off. "She's new, Acano's niece."

"Acano? That son of a—,"

She glared, lip curling slightly, and spoke for herself. "I've been at the college for two weeks now. And from the way everyone's reacted, it was the biggest thing to happen since its Great Collapse. And that was nearly eighty years ago."

"Sorry, sweetheart," Arniel said tiredly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Wouldn't know. I've been down in Saarthal for about a month now."

"And you haven't discovered anything worthwhile?" she asked jadedly, crossing her arms. "Pardon my bluntness, but we're expected to succeed where you've failed? I'm sorry, but I have lots of alteration research I should be doing instead of mulling around a picked over cave."

Onmund clenched his jaw, forcing himself to hold back a crass reply. It would reflect badly on his character if Arniel saw him scuffle with her again, and he was sure the old man would report to and the college about his immaturity. That was the last thing he needed, people thinking he was a hothead. He winced inwardly. People thinking he was an even bigger hot head.

"I have discovered something worthwhile!" Arniel growled defensively, pulling a coiled, beaded trinket from his pocket. "See this? It's a piece of an ancient Nordic artifact, a necklace or amulet I assume. I have been scouring these halls, looking for the other pieces, but since my original team left a week ago my work hit a standstill."

"And that's what why we're here." Onmund affirmed, forcing a smile. "We came to research the seals, but Tolfdir said to help you find the artifacts as well. So where would you like us to start searching?"

Arniel's anger dissolved to gruff disapproval and he hastily shoved the artifact back into his pocket. "Fine, fine. Just don't make a mess of my work. I've only looked through a portion of this section, thanks to your little commotion. You two…you look around in the chambers just north of here. I'll keep looking around this area."

"Yes, sir!" Onmund said enthusiastically, reclaiming his lead. Lili sighed with frustration at the menial task set before them, making Onmund's ears burn angrily again. Couldn't she just be happy to help for once? Oh no, he'd forgotten. She had much more important things to do.

"And try to be careful, alright?" Arniel called from behind. "We don't want to damage anything!"

They wound their way forward through the other catacombs, taking care to put some distance between them and the cranky scholar, and began scouring the area for pieces of the relic.

"This is ridiculous." Lili complained, lighting more torches and lazily filtering through a burial pot. "The pieces are so small and pointless. We're supposed to be looking for the seals."

"Tolfdir said to help Arniel if we found him." Onmund growled loyally, sifting through the dirt in a small alcove. "And I don't think you'd be so disinterested if it was an elven artifact we were looking for."

She slammed the ceramic pot shut in response. The glazed clink echoed sharply, making Onmund jump. She crossed her arms and stiffly stood beside him, watching his progress.

"You're awfully paranoid." She observed. "That's the third time you've flinched since we've arrived. What do you think is down here?"

"Artifacts." He spat. "Which, if you don't remember, we're supposed to be looking for.

"Oh, like this?"

He spun around in the dust, scrambling up to face her. His mind was spinning with surprise and jealousy. Between two long, golden fingers she held a coiled string with a few bone beads.

"Where did you find that?!" He asked, unable to hide the disappointment from his voice.

"You were sitting on it." She answered wryly, the corners of her mouth twitching. "When you jumped just now, I saw it uncover from under your feet."

He snatched it from her hand. She held them up in mock defeat and stepped back, that coy smile still playing on her face. Turning it over, he thoroughly searched for a mistake. He sighed slightly and handed it back to her. She was right. It was exactly what they were looking for.

"Good find," he grudgingly acknowledged, moving away from the spot. It was likely there were more pieces buried there, but he was too embarrassed to keep searching with her gloating beside him. "How about you take it back to Arniel. I'll keep looking around."

"No." she replied curtly, slipping the artifact into her dark satchel. "I'm going to keep looking around. If it's so pressing, you can take it back yourself."

The thought of claiming the credit flittered through his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. That would be childish and give the elf just cause to look down on him. No, he would outdo her fairly.

They pressed onward through the narrow, cobwebbed tunnels and deeper into the heart of the crypt. Lili pulled her Thalmor hood tighter and bent low, uneager to catch a stray spider on her face. Onmund didn't laugh or take pleasure in her discomfort this time. He hated spiders too. Swallowing his pride, he pulled his adept hood up. The new, creamy material was already dirty from the crypt. He sighed, silently wishing he was better at taking care of his school clothes.

"Look at that." Lili whispered suddenly, pointing a slender arm toward the back of the small alcove the tunnel emptied into. The room itself wasn't a dead end, Onmund observed, for there were two other tunnels just like theirs that led to it. One had a faint light, as if some of the other explorers were down it a ways, and the other had an iron gate. It was dark behind the old, thick bars, and Onmund guessed it'd remained unmoved for centuries.

He looked forward towards the spot the altmer indicated. There, resting in an egg shaped inlet on an engraved pedestal, was an unbroken amulet. The bones of the artifact glinted mysteriously in the unnatural magelight and Onmund could feel the power and wisdom rolling off of it.

He rushed up to it, transfixed and wanting a better look, just as Lili shouted to stop.

The sound of metal pistons whooshed all around them.

Onmund whirled, amulet in hand, to find they were no longer in an alcove.

They were in a cell.

And his cellmate was not happy.