Author Notes
Soundtrack recommendation: Wretch by All Ends
~~-x-~~
20th of Evening Star, 4E 206
Tenaya struggled to bring herself from the ground, clutching tightly to Ivy's helmet. She failed her. She let her die. The burden sunk in the longer she remained against the stone of Azura's statue. Nothing made the feelings vanish, her mind drifting to the battle with Malacath. She turned her back to get away with Azura, something she knew better than to do. In one instant, Malacath brought her back to reality, a reality where she failed people again.
Her struggles didn't go unnoticed. Azura watched intently from the glowing eyes of her statue, seeing her fallen champion, all the confidence she had, vanished. The cursing, the anger, the self-loathing, rolling through Tenaya. She chose her not because of just a prophecy or her past, but because of the person. Now, more than ever, the time came for Azura to bring the truth forward. Tenaya had to learn about her past and the future, even if it ripped the two apart.
Azura walked from her shrine through the barren fields of Moonshadow. Her footsteps brought fresh flowers with each step forward. Seeing her champion suffering, pained her. Both gave so much, Ivy, with her life, Tenaya, with her plight. Now she could do nothing but watch as her champion suffered because they saved her life. This couldn't continue, not at her expense. She walked, continuing her journey to the end of Moonshadow, a place where the heavens and Moonshadow come together. Azura looked out with tired and weakened eyes, calling out to her sister, Nocturnal.
"Nocturnal, speak with me," Azura whispered, the voice at the same time booming through her side of Oblivion.
She waited until a figure appeared in the distance, strolling in her direction. Azura waited patiently for Nocturnal to come. The two wore almost identical clothing, Azura wore a blue dress, whereas, Nocturnal wore a black dress of the same making. Their hands reached out, touching, same features on both.
"Sister, it has been too long," Nocturnal spoke.
"It has, Nocturnal. I grant you passage to Moonshadow. Please, time is short." Azura asked.
Nocturnal didn't hesitate, accepting the gesture, coming through to Moonshadow, as Azura requested. She stood next to her sister, side by side, for the first time in almost two ages. She knew the situation carried urgency to make such a request. Nocturnal remained by her sister's side, the two walking across the scarred lands. This heaven belonged to other Daedra, not Azura. Nocturnal chose not to mention the loss of Moonshadow.
"Our war spills to Nirn sister," Azura said, sensing her thoughts.
"Yes, it does. Rumor of your capture spread quickly. Akatosh and Mara remain silent again, even with Nirn affected." Nocturnal replied, monotone, her emotions never showing, just like the Nightingales.
"I am afraid time is against us. My time as their prisoner, it opened my eyes to the war coming. They developed a weapon powerful enough to kill us. If my champion falls, they can and will use it against us."
"What is it you seek from me, Azura?"
"Will you offer your blessing to Tenaya Darix, my champion? I am not sure it will be enough. Mephala and Namira secretly wait to bless Velatin. The others will remain silent in this war. Without you, Tenaya Darix will fall."
"She has my blessing then. Will it be enough?"
Azura bowed politely to her sister, walking her through the ruins of Moonshadow. Her plan became clear; make Tenaya understand who she is. The words from the Elder Scroll spoke of her, this she knew. The spirit of the moth priest confirmed what Azura needed to know. The missing pieces sit in another Elder Scroll, and to the Daedra, it was referred to as Leh Oht Yahkem.
By the time both returned to her shrine, the path the sisters walked restored to its flowered glory, void of decay. Astronica bowed politely in the presence of Nocturnal before returning to care for Ivy. Azura showed the dire situation, Tenaya trying to move forward through knee-height snow to Frostflow Lighthouse. Both watched the struggle unfold, her crimson eyes glossed over from tears, while the sun beat on her overhead. It seemed Skyrim wanted to make her journey home harsher with the sun's light.
"She must get the Elder Scroll from Julianos. We know her prophecy from the Elder Scroll named Reckon, but Loyalty remains lost." Nocturnal said.
"Leh Oht Yahkem is lost, sister, but the one who last saw it still lives," Azura replied, smiling.
"Durnehviir vanished ages ago. His soul belongs to the Ideal Masters."
"Our champion defeated Durnehviir in battle. His request, while impossible for her to accomplish before, was to fly Skyrim one more time. While not a Dragonborn, if Akatosh wills it, he could grant her the ability to speak their tongue. The time has come for the Divines to choose sides."
"You mean…"
"Yes…"
"Sister, do not go through with this!" Nocturnal yelled, rattling Astronica.
Azura embraced her sister with mixed emotions. The journey she chose came with significant risk in her weakened state. She needed time to regain her strength to recover from the wounds inflicted at Beyond Coldharbour. Choosing to allow Nocturnal passage to Moonshadow served more than one purpose; if Akatosh decided to destroy her on Nirn for reaching beyond the barrier in pure form, Moonshadow had a new keeper.
"If we do not, this war is lost. I chose to stand behind mortals the same as you want to give them luck, and I decided to bring them light and dark. This is my decision," Azura said, not one doubting her choice.
Nocturnal backed away slowly, her sister starting to open a portal to Skyrim, the same as before with Ivy. Azura walked through the gateway, the gateway of her own creation to Solitude. Her physical form transported, from Oblivion to the city, in Skyrim. In an abundance of caution, Azura flipped a hood over her head, keeping the walking staff close by.
She entered the street of Solitude without any problems. The city flowed about its business, no care given to the woman wearing a blue dress with a hood over her head. Everyone kept to their business except one woman, a beggar, standing on the corner. The blackened eyes of the Dunmer woman caught Azura's attention. The necklace of Boethiah hanging from her neck flashed in the sunlight.
"Boethiah," Azura whispered.
"Azura," Zarah the Beggar replied.
"You hide in the flesh?"
"I seek your champion for retribution. The flesh doesn't suit me well…"
"You took her love, did you expect Tenaya Darix to fulfill your request? She fights the one you despise."
"My followers wait for her return. You have been warned…"
Zarah walked backward, returning to the alley she stayed in. The makeshift sleeping tent put into perspective how far Boethiah would go. To pick a beggar of all people. This woman remained so out of sight, a conduit could put Tenaya at more risk than she knew. Boethiah hunted her from every corner along with everyone else.
Azura walked through the city as cautiously as possible, moving from store to vendor to distract anyone who might recognize her. If two Deadra walked the town, having another would not be far fetched. With heavy backtracking and double walking, Azura ducked into the Temple of the Divines, this being the very reason for her visit. The doors closed behind her, priests muddled around their respective shrines. Her eyes fixed on the Shrine of Akatosh ahead.
"Greetings, traveler, for whom do you seek blessings from?" A priest said, approaching. "Does Mara's love entice you? Perhaps a trader seeking the wisdom of work and commerce?"
"Hello, Akatosh," Azura said quietly.
"Beg your pardon?"
Azura walked forward into the middle of the temple. As she entered the chamber, stone walls started shaking with her presence alone. The priests who watched her come, all quickly leaving in mass panic from the trembling walls. Azura didn't move, standing before the Divines. She knew the risk crossing from Oblivion as she did.
"I will not remain for long, and ask you only hear me out," Azura said.
The walls rattled with more force hearing her words. Cracks formed through the stonework across the floor and around the entrance she stood under. Azura remained in place, unshaken. Her eyes traced each shrine, looking over them all.
"Our war spills to Nirn, the barriers no longer hold us away. The strength of mortals is enough to stop this war. I ask you, Akatosh, to give Tenaya Darix the power of Dragon Speak. She will restore the Tempest between our worlds."
Azura stood patiently, waiting for an answer. She lowered the hood from her head, giving respect to her fellow gods. A priest appeared from behind, walking to the middle of the temple. The walls no longer swayed, cracks sealing themselves by the divine powers flowing through such a place. Azura looked to the priest standing before her, the man knowing who she was. His eyes flickered bright yellow and then back to normal just as quickly.
"A sacrifice must be given. Tenaya Darix and Serana Volkihar must be wed under Mara with a Black Soul Gem present. If Serana gives up her immortality, your request will be fulfilled. The Priests will understand with the presentation of the Soul Gem."
Her eyes shifted towards the Shrine of Mara. Azura started at the shrine for a moment, mulling over her words to chose them carefully. "You ask two people who love endlessly to give up their endless love. Of all people, Mara, you decide to rip apart what they fought to keep. It seems all et'Ada change over time."
"We do not seek your assistance. These are the conditions for what you request. Leave Nirn peacefully to your world, Daedra."
Azura walked backward slowly, refusing to turn her back on the Divine. The priest opened the door with glowing eyes. All other priests watched on in confusion, not sure who the woman was. No one spoke as the others started returning to the temple without delay. As she began to leave, the priest gave a smile, not of a welcoming one, but one of reckoning. The look from the priest said it all, things would happen whether she liked it or not.
From the comfort and quietness of an alley, Azura transported back to Moonshadow, where Nocturnal waited for her return. Nocturnal watched the events unfold from Azura's temple, taking in the possibility of the Aedra becoming everything they hated. Mara, of all people, requested love not last forever. She chose to strip Tenaya and Serana of what mattered most, each other. The cost of the request, to stop a war the Aedra never belonged in, would be steep.
"Do you believe Serana Volkihar will accept this proposition?" Nocturnal asked.
"She will. Supporting Tenaya Darix, the love of her life matters most. Tenaya Darix will object," Azura replied.
"Then the choice is yours, sister. We chose to not participate in the creation of Mundus, forever relegating us to Oblivion. Our strength lies here, unchallengeable by the Aedra. Nirn is their world, a world where their rules are supreme. Do you dare stand against the Aedric Order for a mortal to fight our battle? Listen to the words I speak…"
Through the ages, mortals distrusted all Deadra. Only their most loyal followers believed in them. While some were considered for mortals and of the people, it didn't stop discontent. By most mortals, Azura was deemed to be deceitful, like all Daedra, regardless of her intent. Her interventions caused chaos on grander scales, more than most, second only to Mehrunes Dagon. The trust of mortals came at a price for her actions. Nocturnal knew the way of mortals better, choosing to remain silent in all her activities with few exceptions.
"What would you have me do then, sister? That mortal saved my life, even we are not immune from death."
"I cannot join you on this journey. Tenaya Darix has my blessing, but I will do no more. What you ask of me is too much."
Nocturnal embraced her sister one last time before she started to walk down the flower path to her Evergloom. Azura turned to the rose and marble wall, waving her hand again. She watched her champion struggle to return to Frostflow lighthouse. The pain resonated across her face, tears flowing slowly while she pulled her legs tight to her chest. Azura watched in shared agony, walking away from the wall, returning to Ivy for a moment.
She couldn't watch Tenaya anymore, seeing her lost in emotions. Tenaya propped herself against the Dwemer ruins of Alfhand, needing time before returning. The anger and pain brought Tenaya to the ground countless times. She had no idea how to break this news to the others, especially Matria, who formed a kinship. Ivy and Matria became closest of friends during their time together. Now, she had the grim responsibility to tell the one person who cared most Ivy, she wouldn't be returning.
Tenaya eventually found the strength to stand up, venturing into the sunlight again. Her tears amplified with the intense brightness. Sunlight burned against her exposed skin, making the journey so much more agonizing. As she came closer to the lighthouse, a bolt whizzed by her head. Tenaya snapped her neck to the right, seeing the group of three running wildly toward her. None, however, carried the Dawnguard symbol, but all had crossbows raised.
She charged forward, the first pulling his sword to meet hers. The others went to reload their crossbows. His skills were no match, Tenaya slicing down her enemy with ease. The others retreated with her in pursuit, but the tables quickly shifted, them gaining the favor. What started as a weapon fight quickly turned to one of magic only. Lightning crackled to her side, ice exploding in front of her face. Tenaya had no shield to push back any attack. Her ward, barely that of a beginner of magic, formed against the first fireball. Their magic quickly consumed her, the ward she held broken. Fireballs erupted against her armor before she had a chance to escape.
Her hand lit up, throwing fire their direction from the ground. Tenaya scampered across the snow to avoid the oncoming storm. Lightning sizzled against the edge of her armor with enough strength to burn her arm. She found her footing, running towards her sword a distance away. The speed she moved gave away what she indeed was, the two smiling with ecstasy.
"Get her, we need a new subject. Use the Soul Gem before she runs away." The man yelled with another in pursuit.
Tenaya heard the words. Necromancers. No one else dared to use a Soul Gem in battle. A beam of light struck her in the back, sending her through the air. Tenaya shook her head to clear the noise. Both continued their charge with another Soul Gem in the air. How they controlled vampires became clear, but she wouldn't be one of them.
She found her footing and threw the sword with everything she had. The sword jammed through one, dropping the attacker to the ground. Tenaya saw the other running in her direction, waiting as her hands started to crackle with lightning. His ward came up seeing this, her lightning shooting against. They pressed hard against each other, his momentum grinding to a halt, her feet sliding backward, the increasing magic flowing between them.
Both her hands moved together, intensifying the attack. No longer did the lightning come from both sides, the strike melding together into one powerful storm. The attacker's ward started to break, holes appearing a piece at a time. Tenaya surged her magic. Everything she had inside pushed forward. His ward broke down, lightning engulfing him completely.
Tenaya dropped to a knee in exhaustion. She looked to the sky, cursing out the sun, begging for a cloud just one time. Nothing seemed to go her way. Tenaya crawled across the ground to Ivy's helmet, returning to her feet with the only thing of importance. Her fingers wiped the dirt from her helmet, caring only to this.
Whoever attacked her chose the wrong day. She looked at the emblem on their chest, something all of them wore, not knowing it from any travels. The hourglass and bird weren't typical to the best of her recollection. Nothing in Skyrim or Cyrodiil ever carried it. Tenaya ripped the patch from a piece of armor, wanting to take it to the others in the hope of identification. She returned to the path towards the lighthouse, her emotions, and body, both severely exhausted together.
With one last breath, Tenaya opened the door to Frostflow Lighthouse. The noise made everyone come running, everyone waiting for the return of Tenaya and Ivy. Serana ran through the door from the first bedroom, Lydia stepping back from the hearth fire. Dozan and Grelka ran up the steps as quickly as Matria came down. All smiles promptly vanished when they saw what laid in Tenaya's arms, a helmet missing its owner.
"Where's Ivy?" Serana asked prudently, walking forward to Tenaya.
Tenaya didn't do a great job hiding her emotions, tears already flowing out like river rapids, racing across her cheeks. She walked towards Matria, extending the helmet in her direction. No words needed to be spoken for the time being. Matria grabbed the helmet quickly, violent sobs filling the room. She stood in disbelief, more than anyone else. Her friend, the woman she learned to trust with again, now was gone from the world. The emotions pushed her to the point of collapse, her legs growing weak as she collapsed to the ground. For the first time since anyone knew her, Matria broke. She remained inconsolable on the stone floor. Serana lifted Tenaya's hands up, all snapping her back to reality.
"What happened?" Serana said as her voice softened, rubbing her charred fingers.
"She saved my life… It all happened so fast…"
Tenaya wasn't lost to the suffering of Matria. She knelt beside Matria, putting her arms around her. Tenaya gently rubbed against her back, pulling Matria tighter. The sobs shattered any amount of happiness that once existed in this lighthouse. Trying to comfort Matria didn't help, but Tenaya refused to walk away from her friend. She led Matria upstairs to the room her and Ivy took over, helping her sit on the bed in the room. Matria squeezed the helmet with all her force, still unable to stop sobbing.
Downstairs, the door to Frostflow Lighthouse swung openly quickly, Azura walked through with urgency. Everyone pulled their weapons with the same importance, preparing to attack the woman coming through the door. None of them recognized her at first, Serana stepping to the front of the group with a hunch.
"Put your weapons away," Serana said, raising her hand. "Azura?"
"Yes, Serana Volkihar. Where is Tenaya Darix?" Azura asked.
"Azura. As in 'the' Daedric god?" Lydia asked.
Azura nodded her head. Others stepped away, unsure why a Daedra would come here. What was so important? They knew Azura from the stories and how things happened, but no one expected her to physically exist. Lydia challenged Azura, understanding of the Oblivion Crisis, refusing to believe a Daedra walked their plane.
"It is not possible to come to Nirn. The Daedra were banished thanks to Akatosh and Martin Septim. Those barriers prevent this from happening." Lydia said.
"Lydia, she really is Azura. I wouldn't lie to you." Serana replied.
"Azura…" Tenaya said, stepping to the lower room from the stairs.
Azura looked to her champion, tears still evident from her eyes. Tenaya crossed her arms, unsure why she came to Skyrim to speak with her. Something felt off, this time, a different type of tension in the air from Azura. In all their previous moments, Azura oozed confidence, a sense of power and control. The version standing before them appeared to tremble some, her face staring down instead of across.
"I feel my visit will come with more anger than happiness. What I come to say to you, Tenaya Darix, I do not say lightly. I ask for your understanding, before I continue," Azura said, struggling with words.
"What is it?"
Azura stepped forward to the middle of the group, wanting everyone to know the truth, not just Tenaya. When she started to speak, it came out almost incoherent, her words jumping from the Oblivion Crisis to the most recent events. Everything, however, circled around one particular set of circumstances, the ones Tenaya faced now. She wanted to speak the truth to Tenaya before, to let her know who she was, but never had the chance.
"I will provide you with the full prophecy from the Elder Scroll called Reckon. Destiny awaits the one linked to the fallen order, reborn from the fallen dragon's blood. Their power, of the et'Ada, restore order to those born of Anu and Padomay. From the yelling mountain lay four orbs able to defeat those who scorn others. Four orbs lay under four stone with four guardians of four Aedra, sought by one whose name is etched in eternal darkness."
No one understood what it all meant. Azura didn't care to explain it all, pointing her message to a single person, Tenaya. At the same time, Tenaya wondered what the extra piece had to do with her. The prophecy made little sense the first time she heard it, now with having more added to the said prophecy, it only confused her that much more. Tenaya looked to Azura blindly.
"Tenaya Darix, you are the last of your line, taken from your mother to protect you from the Thalmor. Our destinies were intertwined since the Oblivion Crisis when your destiny started. Your family lines started with Jauffre, Grandmaster to the Blades, mentor to Martin Septim, and assisted in defeating the Deadric armies. Delphine watched over you, choosing former Blades for parents, protecting you from the Thalmor. All continued until the day you ventured in the cave to meet the Dragonborn."
Tenaya fell down, the names she knew so well. Delphine, someone she remembered meeting just once, the day she and the Dragonborn went to the Dragon Mound and witnessed his power for the first time. Delphine pretended to not know her so well, acting surprised when she joined them to the Dragon Mound. She shook her head, not believing any of it. All of this would mean the Daedra waited for her, all of them bid their time until she arrived, name on a stupid tablet.
Serana helped Tenaya to her feet, trying to calm her love down. The entire group remained speechless with the revelation. They stood in the presence of Tenaya, descendant to one hero of the Oblivion Crisis, now fulfilling what was spoken of her.
"Another Elder Scroll exists with the missing information. In your tongue, it is called Loyalty. As the prophecy stands now, it is broken words. The second Elder Scroll, with the words spoken of the first, will rearrange and provide true meaning. To get this Elder Scroll would be a sacrifice I cannot ask of you. Instead, I give you my knowledge of the Ideal Masters. You must speak with the dragon Durnehviir about its location."
"Wait, what is the other option?" Serana asked, with Tenaya too consumed in her thoughts to speak.
"Give up your immortality and marry her under Mara. I will not allow you to do this. Instead, I give you my knowledge of the Ideal Masters.
Tenaya trembled, she slowly became enraged by her words. Tenaya sent Azura a deadly glare, one of pure hatred, her parents now meaning something different. "No, we will do this ourselves. All you Daedra can rot on Oblivion."
Tenaya pushed Azura to the ground as she stormed past her and out the lighthouse. Serana ran after her, chasing Tenaya down. The two stood alone in the path, sun burning them both while Tenaya seethed. She grew up thinking her parents abandoned her, a bastard child. The people who raised her said she was left on their doorstep some random night, growing up to resent her true mother and father. She never questioned the people she called mother and father, giving her a warm home and love, now it all changed. Did they know? Who else knew?
Anger turned to sobs, sobs turning to pure hatred. The darkness Tenaya had before came back full force. Not even Serana could talk her down from the emotions pouring out. Darkness consumed Tenaya, her eyes going to the blackened voids like in Whiterun, skin shifting from paleness. Nothing else held Tenaya back anymore. Serana pleaded, pouring her heart to Tenaya, needing her to talk sense again.
Nothing worked. Azura came from the lighthouse, others rushing behind. She yelled for Tenaya to calm down, the same pleading Serana put forth. Nothing. Tenaya unsheathed her sword, turning towards Azura, ready to go after the Daedra. She paced her steps, Serana getting between them. Tenaya threw Serana to the ground, her sword swinging at Azura.
"Stop it, Tenaya. You do not want to do this." Serana yelled, pushing her.
"Get out of my way before I hurt you," Tenaya replied, monotone, a hint of evil in her voice.
"No! She didn't lie to you, Tenaya. Let me give my immortality. If this is how you are going to be, I do not want a forever. Get yourself under control!" Serana pleaded.
"Ivy is dead. Daedra all want me dead. Azura, she manipulated us. Do you not get it? I am walking in death. Everyone will die by the time this is over. Just leave me alone…"
Tenaya sheathed her sword, walking down the path towards Winterhold. She wanted no one around right now. Everyone left her to go out, knowing she sought space. Serana rushed towards Azura, wanting answers. Something about Tenaya didn't make sense, a feeling she had from the beginning. Though there was one question that stood at the forefront of her mind right now. One problem, one that she had to have an answer for.
"Tell me, Azura, what really happened with Molag Bal? Do not give me any skever crap about being an accidental Daughter of Coldharbour now. Two of us are daughters, Tenaya is much different."
"I do not think you want to know the truth, Serana Volkihar. There is much you do not desire to know."
"Give me the answer now!"
Azura pulled everyone back inside the lighthouse, the information not for any ears passing by. Everyone wondered the same from their time in Whiterun. Dozan stood the only one who didn't know her past issue. Her caution made everyone wonder what happened, with some never knowing the details.
"The truth, Serana Volkhiar, is she absorbed a piece of Molag Bal during the rescue. The beam of light didn't just cause a tear to fall, it pulled a part of Molag Bal with it. The ritual he started, we interrupted. She took in his essence. I gave a piece of myself to balance it out, but as you see, the darkness in her is powerful."
"I saw Molag Bal in her, now it makes sense. Why the big secret?" We knew all this," Serana said, shrugging her shoulders.
"What you are unaware of is she must do something. For her to retrieve the Elder Scroll needed, she must free Durnehviir."
"The dragon from the Soul Cairn, I remember him. This does not sound like a problem. He offered to help us." Serana said, unsure where Azura planned to go with this.
"Serana Volkihar, to do this and free him, she must kill your mother, Valerica Volkihar. He is bound to the oath given. This is the only way to release Durnehviir from the Ideal Masters."
Serana stares at her in awe, the statement shocking her. Her expression changed to one of horror. Nowhere in all of this did she think her mother had to die. She knew their relationship was strained, it had been for ages. Even with her trying to help Molag Bal, Serana never wished death upon her mother. Her heart went with hope, the hope her mother would see past the blind teachings she only knew.
"So she really is destined for this," Matri said, somber, coming down the steps.
"Matria Thersos, I do not know how to fully repay you for your loss," Azura said, walking to her, desperately trying to change the subject. "Do you have the helmet?"
She nodded, leaving for her room. Matria looked at the helmet, tears in her eyes from just the mentioning of it. This was the last piece of Ivy she ever had. To lose it or let something happen to it, Matria wouldn't forgive herself. She retrieved the helmet, holding it close as she returned to the lower level.
Azura politely asked for the helmet, Matira stood hesitant. When Azura approached, Matria pulled the helmet back protectively. She stared at the Daedra before her. Had Ivy not left, she wouldn't be dead. Had this Daedra not been captured, her best friend wouldn't be gone.
"Allow me to give you something, Matria Thersos."
Ivy's helmet went to Azura's hands. She gazed at the helmet, only one way to pay her respects to the woman who gave her life. Azura's hands started to glow bright yellow. Everyone in the room turned their head, the light too much for their eyes. The radiance transferred from her hands to Ivy's helmet, both glowing the same for a few seconds. When the light died down, everyone looked to Azura for answers. She chose to speak to an audience of one, Matria.
"This is but the smallest of repayments I can offer. Ivy Starsmith's helmet can now be used to call upon a Guardian of Moonshadow. Use this when you need it the most."
She returned the helmet to Matira. The group stared at Azura, wanting to know so much more, but all refused to speak. Azura bowed to the group before exiting the lighthouse. She knew her time wore thin, and Moonshadow needed her more now than ever. The damage her conversation brought could not be undone. The truth had to be said. Those who needed the message received it. Azura would no longer be the Daedra who failed mortals.
~~-x-~~
Ciphen practiced the enchantments given by his teacher, Sergius Turrianus. The most mundane of tasks each day kept him occupied. The College of Winterhold saw no need to advance his other skills, having assessed him upon entry. His knowledge of Destruction and Alteration spells afforded him the chance to learn something new, but not anything of his choosing.
"Have you finished with the daggers yet?" Sergius asked his student.
"No, I have not. There are a lot of them to complete. The first ten are on your work table." Ciphen replied.
"Very well. Let me inspect your quality."
Sergius strolled over to the table calmly, with everything he did, pure arrogance surrounded him. Ciphen trusted his teachings, the man wrote a book, one that most beginners read to know what enchanting even was. His knowledge came through in a short time, the basics explained so simply. Ciphen felt his experience growing every single enchantment done.
Ciphen returned to his work, taking the smallest of soul gems and another of the iron daggers. He wanted to continue to learn different kinds of enchantments, those he didn't get the luxury of being shown all the time. Thanks to some creative purchasing from Enthir, Ciphen purchased various enchanted items for disenchantment only. The cost was sometimes steep, not just in the form of gold, but in the way of tasks, Ciphen picked up the ones he sought the most.
"Greetings, traveler. How may I be of service to a fellow mage?" Sergius said.
Ciphen looked over to the woman, knowing the answer Sergius would give. He was less than friendly to anyone in the college who asked for his enchanting assistance. She seemed less than happy as it was, surely she knew what he would say when asked.
"I need to get my armor enchanted. I do not have the knowledge to do this on my own." Tenaya asked.
"Maybe a book from Urag, to help you learn then. I'm sure you can figure it out on your own."
The typical answer shocked no one. Whoever the woman was had to know this response. She could walk freely into the College of Winterhold, she knew the people here. For whatever reason, she asked anyway.
"If I had time to study or learn it, then I wouldn't be asking. Time is short, and people will die if you do not help me."
"Ah, yes, the ever-popular answer with you adventurers. This is a place of learning. Why can't the younger generation appreciate discovery?"
"Why can't the older folk not be such condescending scamps?"
"Beg your pardon? I will have you thrown from this college for such words!"
Ciphen picked up on her urgency, refusing to let another student be evicted from the college. He appreciated those who sought help and knowledge, stepping into their argument.
"What enchantment do you seek?" Ciphen asked, walking from the Arcane Enchanter.
"I need the strongest resiste…"
"Enough! We will not help you, end of the story. You may learn what you seek like every other student here!" Sergius interjected.
"You just do not get it, do you, Sergius? People tried to kill me wearing this emblem. I need protection!" Tenaya yelled.
Ciphen immediately knew the logo. The Evergail Order. He looked to the woman, her eyes glowed, although differently than the vampires he saw before. Something wasn't right. A vampire who didn't want death and dismemberment? She casually came in here, asking for help. This wasn't someone who should be feared like they said.
"Sergius, with your permission, I would like to look into this matter. I know of this group, and her story is imperative to the work for Mirabelle."
Sergius looked at the emblem, giving no two thoughts about it. Whatever Mirabelle drug herself into, he wanted no parts of. Ciphen played to their angst, using her name. This woman was important.
"Very well. Report back for more training once finished," Sergius said, walking away.
Ciphen approached Tenaya, cautious at first, waiting for a chance to be free. He watched Sergius leave their area, heading to his quarters. If he intended to speak to Mirabelle, their time was short. He grabbed Tenaya by the arm, pulling her. "Come with me quickly."
Tenaya followed him out of the general quarters and through the courtyard. A group stood in the middle path, speaking with Faralda. The logo on their robes said it all, Evergails. He moved at a quickening pace, heading across the bridges and to Winterhold itself. No mage could be trusted right now. If the Evergails walked freely in the college, they spoke to others. Ciphen didn't put it past Sergius lying either.
"I know the group who was after you. First, I want to know the truth, are you a vampire?" Ciphen asked.
"You know that answer before you asked it. What is all this rushing for?" Tenaya asked.
"Please answer me, I mean you no harm."
"Yes, I am a pure-blooded vampire, not just a regular vampire."
Ciphen took a couple steps back. He managed to find a vampire on his own, but he never expected to hear of a pure-blooded vampire. Rumors in texts, he read all about it. They received the gift from Molag Bal himself, the Daughters of Coldharbour.
"The group is called the Evergail Order. They are taking orders from the Dawnguard and also some guy names Velatin. Does that name mean anything to you?"
"More than you know…" Tenaya pushed out, cringing.
"Let me come with you and explain everything. I ask for only one thing in return," Ciphen asked.
"What is it?"
"Help me find an artifact. I am not strong enough to do it myself. It does not have to be soon or now, but the artifact, it has special meaning to my father."
"If you can complete the enchantments I need, it is a deal."
~~-x-~~
"Velatin, you failed us!" Molag Bal boomed, the coldness of Beyond Coldharbour chilling his body.
"My lord, I failed you not. The Evergails encountered her earlier. Their scouts know where she is, and I plan to crush her there!" Velatin replied, on a knee, respecting Molag Bal.
"She recovered Azura from our grasp. Had you killed her, the other Daedra would fall in line with us!"
"Malacath failed in his fight, not I. Had your Daughter of Coldharbour not pushed Tenaya Darix over the edge, she would be dead."
Malacath jumped from the spire to meet Velatin, his backhand stumbled Velatin only, a smile on Velatin's face. Velatin respected the Daedra, never fearing them, for the Daedra needed him as much as he needed them.
"Do not lecture a god on what he does. She would be dead, had her companion not taken the sword."
Mehrunes Dagon jumped down, placing his axe across Velatin's throat. "You have until the 31st of Evening Star to kill Tenaya Darix."
"Tenaya Darix is a Daughter of Coldharbour, must we tell you how to kill her? Wait for the sunlight," Molag Bal yelled. "Take this scroll and clear the skies. Do not return without her head!"
Velatin picked the scroll up, wiping the dirt off it. He didn't question their rationale. They wanted Tenaya dead, wholly removed from the equation. Velatin had all he needed to do the job. He backed up slowly, keeping his eyes forward to the Daedra, staring him down intently. He had to get back to Skyrim quickly and begin the final hunt.