Ch. 6: Creature Comforts


A bed is a luxury no one should ever take for granted. The same goes for a warm bath especially when you've a woman to prepare it.

Ralof was generous enough to drag my beaten and broken form down the hill, across the river, through the bowels of that bandit infested cavern, and finally through the wilderness to Riverwood. A small village made from wood with a logging stand and fish flying about upstream.

It's the town of peasants for all intents and purposes with simple folk not worth a single spetim trudging through the mud.

Nords are everywhere with only a single dumner runaway living with what they call N'Wah, and appeared to be trying to court one. If only the Five houses could see their runway now, they'd probably turn him into a pariah. Not that I can place weighted words into it with my mother being as low born as one of the Elvahni can be. She was one of the strongest of her kind and most expressive when father allowed her to punish me; physically especially.

How many years for those humans has it been since I've seen my father. I think two decades. My mother only last year. I'd never admit this to her face but at a time like this I do miss her. Nestling in the warm water of the bath I've bought with looted gold of those poor unsuspecting bandits I used as test subjects, my thoughts turned to the festivities I suffered just hours ago. Unfortunate for them I've a dagger starving for the souls of others. I'm curious just how the witch came across a daedric artifact like this dagger she used to conjure up so many illusions and wards. It's just my luck coming across a dagger that sucks the magicka of those I attack with it. It's almost perfect against mages if not for the short distance required to use it.

Daggers and knives are for bandits, thieves, assassins, and worse, the weak. You'd never see one of the Thalmor with a dagger whether heavily enchanted or not. How can I have a dagger made reminiscent of black soul gems survive constant usage, trapping, and draining? As a practiced daegrologist my pride is wounded by the fact I can't identify whose artifact this belongs to. It's not the Prince of Domination or even Azura who the Dumner pray to, for good reasons I'm sure.

This is a blessing, but not worth losing over a century's worth of knowledge, but such a tool will be useful to acquire my lost abilities faster. Now I need to find a member of the Order here for black soul gems. In the midst of a civil war and the return of dragons I can only imagine how many souls I can claim from hands of the Daedric princes.

I dropped my head back against the rim of the wooden barrel the savages called a bathtub. Not what I'd call suitable for I showed obvious disappoint when I saw thisI, didn't expect much from these humans to begin with, but it does feel nice to get all the mud out my hair through.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

I broke away from my thoughts for the door to the room I was in. A set of imperials, brother and sister, allowed me to stay at their home for 10 gold. Another 10 for the woman to service my whims. They resisted at first but these lower races have greed etched into their very being. Enough gold will have a loyal husband sell his wife every time. I know from experience having tried it once out of curiosity. It was with a Cat of all things known well for their loyalty towards their mates. Little fur shedding fleabags could never resist shiny things, shooma, or moonsugar. Their females are very attentive though if memory serves me well. I had a slave that always did good work and earned freedom and severance pay afterwards from her years of service.

What was her name? I forget.

"Come in," I called out from my comfortable position in the barrel. While I'd rather not be disturbed right now, when a woman is the interloper I can't help but allow it. The inn wasn't up to my standards but what complicates my position isn't my class but my character. It's difficult not to offend these people even without social endeavors on my part. With the fool children that make up the ranks of the Thalmor and war going about many place fault on the Altmer as a whole. It's not wrongly placed, but still not every highborn was involved in their plan. I know I'm not.

The wooden door for my room opened creaking loudly enough to irritate the ears of even the deafest individual in Nirn. It's incredibly easy to place grease or oil at the most on these metal hinges curing this issue but common sense from a human and their establishments shouldn't be expected. Even now I'm positive Ralof and Anya are planning their return to Winterhold to continue this foolish war. Shame really. The nord female would've been a good distraction for a few days. That imperial captain as well if she survived the destruction of Helgen.

"How is the water, sir," the imperial woman with darkened skin somewhat like the Hoonding people couldn't hide the displeasure in her tone at servicing me. Even after accepting the little task of finding a golden claw for them at the old Nordic stronghold Bleak falls Barrow. It was one of my many destinations before getting taken unaware by those blasted imperials anyway so an extra step for coin isn't unattractive to me. Hopefully the claw doesn't weigh much seeing I'm not a pack mule despite the muscles on my body.

I rose up from my bath for the woman to completely turn away from me avoiding any visual of my superior form. My mother's side gave me the physique of a male orc well enough to show. I'm not lean like my father or skinny like my brothers most if all are born pure bloods, yet I was always the better son, fighter, and scholar of the five of us. How amusing that that halfblooded prince of our great house turned out to be the most predominate. Though my brother before me spawned from the womb of one of those Hoonding outclasses me with a blade both one and two handed.

The woman reminded me of one of my brothers by her mannerisms and looks. Carmilia or something along those lines is her name and her brother owns a pawn shop down the road with spell books I found useful to increase my potency in battle. Listening in on her assertive standing during their conversation surrounding that claw of theirs I knew the better of the siblings is her. She's a head in her shoulders and would be better off without her brother I wager. Serving me now even as I approached her in nothing but my skivvies wounded her pride, not that I cared.

"Look at me imperial." The woman hesitated for a moment before turning back to me. She looked up meeting my eyes but uncomfortable with our current situation. I'm practically naked but finished with my bath. The soap they have made from animal fat served me well enough to get the grime from areas of my body that won't be mentioned any time soon. "I require towels to dry. Once you acquire them you'll dry my hair and comb it." My orders came out clear and concise for even Ralof to follow.

"I'm not a maid, sir." The snarl was faint but there. Enough to sneer from the mental break down cursing her mind.

"True, but your servicing me. Services I've rightly paid for on top of accepting your brothers foolish errand. Foolish because he allowed it happen despite your protest." The woman grit her teeth me. That common distaste for highborn beings like myself shown in her eyes. Something lessons from my mother can assist with. I leaned inward, my eyes bleeding into a light reddish hue as just a sliver of her blood excited my mind and body. Enough for my muscles to expanded just enough to be noticeable, veins protruding under my golden skin, and eyes glowing when father's gift flowed down to the tips of even my hair follicles. "If you service me well I'll give bestow you exactly what a woman of your high caliber deserves." My voice flowed past my life as husky as the very hound awaiting my return outside the inn. Releasing pheromones isn't difficult for me same with showing myself male worth sinning with. Sinning because I know women are looked down upon of they perform the act of procreation outside of wedlock.

Humans and their customs I swear never fail to confuse me.

The woman gulped loud enough for even my ears to pick up. "F-Forgive me sir but can you distance yourself from me." Her stammer brought a smirk to my lips. If not an Altmer then it'd be the Red Guard. Height, muscles, and magicka are hard qualities to ignore. Even more when you show you're aware of their struggles and can provide solutions. Her request was humored by me. I gave her a few steps of room towards the door through until within reach of it.

"Tell me Imperial," I slowly closed said door to my room slowly.

"Sir Elf, I'd appreciate if of you…" I turned back and looked through her. A look that silenced her in moments. A silence that persisted as I approached her slowly, my body dripping with the water of the bath, and clean after so much strife.

"Have you heard of that rumor imperial?" I brushed past her shoulder but stopped right behind her.

"Wh-what… rumor?"

"Of what happens to young and beautiful maidens who enter a man's room alone at night," I whispered oh so softly in her ear. She tried to say something until I took her clenched right hand and placed it on my navel. I waited for it to happen and happen it did. Her cheeks reddened despite the tanned skin as her hand opened and palm touched my skin. Unmarried maidens unhappy with life desired a break from the mundane and the forbidden joining with a strong elf isn't easy to resist. Orc kind never go extinct and used to ask myself why as a child. It's because they've the abilities to activate the latent sexuality tensed within and begging to be released. Orcs are compatible with most races for breeding, perhaps thanks to their daedric lord shamed by Boethia ages ago.

The woman quickly pulled away me towards the door. I crossed my arms as she opened it to leave. "Don't forget my towels imperial," I reminded her before she disappeared past the corner. Humans, always the overly emotional race. If she been one of the people I'd be patting my head of the expected flames earned from that insult I've given to that human.

I rose my hands to my hair sparking them with lightning. I silk my hair back listening to the soft crackle of lightning. After two more passes I tested a strand holding it between two finger. "Dry, but puffy." Feeling it now my hair was standing up at its ends. I remember when I could dry my hair with one brush without any remaining charge. Further reminders of my current situation plague me thoughts further damaging my pride. I walked to the small vanity in their upstairs room and grabbed a brush from its top. Under a little inspection I noticed a decent amount of hair already in the bristles of the brush. Some of which looked disgusting with dirt layering the wooden flat. I discarded it to the side to use my hands instead and smooth it down as much as I could without any hair care products I did have in my bag before being captured. Even if I've my knapsack of avarice back it doesn't change the fact that I've lost all my clothes, hair and skin care products – even the expensive bosmer cream for my facial scars. Maybe I can find some more here in this savage land.

Knock. Knock.

Well that didn't take long. I thought it's be at least a day or two of dreams before I could make my move bringing them to life.

"Enter." I snagged a pair of peseant trousers provided for me to wear. They were short and tight around my privates. How bothersome these people can't cater to one of the true Ehlnofey like myself. Part of me believes the typical indoctrinated dribble from our stories, but then I remember I'm part of Malacath the fool, the discarded, and the disgraced. My mother is an orc and one of the greatest savage amongst savages. Strong and fast part of why I've grown voluminous compared the rest of my kin. It's why part of me is wild, untamed, and unsightly. I'm disgusted that I was forced to allow its advent. After centuries of life and un-life it's never been purged from my system. The primal side; animal side; orcish side. The whispers from the Daedric prince at times flow through my ears telling me how to live.

They're louder now.

That annulment purged me of much of my knowledge only further bringing the beast within towards summit of my mind.

"Hey elf," I recognized the voice well. It's the last individual I'd want to have in my room this late at night.

Growl!

The Wolf in the corner snarled at the unwanted guest I've no choice but to suffer for now. I faced Ralof after leaving him to take advantage of his sibling connections to eat out their hands. His sister, married to the Riverwood blacksmith, took him off my hands allowing me time I need to find a place to stay myself and rest. I came across this store owned by imperial dogs, but rather suffer imperials over Nords. The male shop owner happened to have an attractive sister which curbed my veal.

I hoped to get comfortable but that's not my destiny it seems. I grabbed a blouse from the chair in the corner and threw it on next covering my tanned golden skin and scars. The wounds from the fire branded angry red marks upon my visage same with many bruises I've yet to heal fully. My face was restored, for the most part, but enough to be presentable. "What is it nord?" I said sounding as annoyed as possible. Maybe he'll figure out that I don't want company and will leave.

"Ay elf. I've a problem." The nord walked into the room to the middle.

"Of course you do." I sighed harshly. If it's not one thing is another. I faced the nord and waved for him speak but said, "What is it" encase he doesn't understand simply gestures. I can't understand what I could possibly offer more than I have now. I've saved his life and kept him alive many ways now. What more could I do to fix his issues?

"I talked to my sister about you Elf. She's… surprised one of your kind would go so far as to help me get back home. Even more so bedding her blood sister." I can assume he's talking about Anya. His sister and Anya don't look alike so maybe they're sisters by a ritual as foolish sounding as trading blood with each other and called yourselves siblings. Regardless, I didn't see how this involved me.

"We have to returned to Winterhold to continue our fight but someone has to send the Jarl of Windhelm at request for guard with dragons flying about.

"You believe a few men with bows and steel swords would make a difference?" I almost laughed at the pure hubris. Ralof frowned though and shook his head. I rose a brow at him.

"A single dragon destroyed Helgan and killed dozens of imperials. No elf, I don't think it will, but that isn't the point." I followed Ralof as he walked to the window of the room and gazed out. "Hope and security would help."

"Ah," I nodded understand the desire for that pitiful illusion known as hope upon the fearful and uncertain. Hope though drove men out of the darkness many times. That "Champion" from the Oblivion Crisis is one such scoundrel who did what even I dared not to attempt. Maybe that's what humans need in darkest days and bleakest nights. I can't understand such emotions even if I tried. Most have been killed long ago.

"I can assume your sister wishes I deliver this message?" I assumed.

"Anya did," he answered loosely.

"Ah," I rubbed my head. Women are such fascinating creatures. I remembered when my mother believe she could make demands upon my father only because she was his woman. "Does she truly believe I'll take time out of my business to do this?"

"Probably not elf, which is why I have this from them." The nord held up a coin purse for me to take. I walked up towards the much shorter male and took the purse

I gave the purse a squeeze counting out the approximate number of coins within. I could count about 10 which is a decent sum, 2 times the amount a messenger typically earns in a week. A walk to Windhelm would take about half a day to deliver a letter or a message. But that's the cursed side of myself speaking that's humble and modest. Maybe it's why my father performed this experiment leading to my birth. He'd never tell me. The other side would reject such a meager sum, its origins, and tasks associated with it. But I need coin if I'm going to complete my research on dragons here. It's why I came to the land of barbarians and savages known as Skyrim. My research on Mehrunes Dagon is close to complete same with Meridia so dragons appeared the next step. The Hist will come last, I promised myself that.

With a heavy heart I clenched the coins before discarding the purse to the side and turned away. "What's the message? Simply the dragon sightings and requesting aid I suspect."

"Aye Elf." Ralof walked a little closer to me. I just about whirled around with sparks in my hand. How dare this human approach me so little curb. "Here." The man slammed a bottle on the desk I was leaning against. It was corked but could still pick the faint smell of mead within. Honey mead with a hint of berries but which I'm unsure. "A drink for our collaboration and hopefully future one." He placed two cups next to the bottle next and stepped back giving me space.

"Collaboration?" I wanted to scoff at this fool. He's alive simply because he was useful to me. Nothing else.

"Same with the good work yer done for Riverwood." He was mentioning something I couldn't get a lead on. "The bandit were cleared out thanks to you. If we hadn't acted they would have attacked. My sister and her children were saved thanks to you."

"Ah," I nodded my head remembering flying through that cave setting fire and electrocuting everything human that got in my way.

"We even freed those women kept in em cages," Ralof sounded disgusted mentioning. "Damn bastards. To think that was so close to my family." I glanced back to the nord practically feeling his rage towards the dead.

"They are dead Nord. There's nothing to worry about now." I pushed off the desk with the bottle and a cup in hand. I suppose if I'm going to drink might as well do it now that I've a good bath in. The first in what feels like weeks. I stared at the cork thinking back to a spell I used for such. It was simple levitation but not on the self. Before I could cast it without a word, not even a movement of my hands. But now I can't seem to reach it. Curse that human and his…

"Here." The nord took the bottle from my hands and gripped the small bit of the cork poking out. Showing a fair amount of finesse he pulled it out then tossed it over his shoulder. "Hard to uncork with no hands eh elf?" The nord plastered a sickening quirky smile on his lips. I stared down at the bottle he was offering me and sighed. I can lament over my lost knowledge and abilities but to what end. I took the bottle and poured myself a drink. I turned around and did the same for the nord before slamming it down to the desk.

"Ah ha! That's the way elf!" The nord smacked my shoulder. He slammed his cup to mine spilling mead in the floor. I watched it gather below and frowned, and yet I couldn't feel scorn towards this uncivilized behavior. I've researched nords, their history, and their culture before coming here. This wasn't surprising. What did leave me baffled is the fact I can't hate it. It felt… decent. The nord gulping down the mead like an animal was disgusting, but wasn't too distasteful. I tipped the drink over my lips and emptied it in three gulps.

Wasn't half bad.

Knock. Knock.

By the gods I've a lot of people knocking on my door tonight.

"Eh, sir." The voice of the Imperial male was behind the door.

"Come," I beckoned him on. The door opened and the man walked in briskly as if walking on egg shells.

"Just here to grab this." He gestured to the barrel half full of water in the middle of the room.

"What in blazes you even use that for, elf?" Ralof asked to satiate his curiosity. He gave the barrel a look as he walked it but said nothing on it.

"To bathe in Nord. Something you did in the cold river in the middle of winter I'm sure."

"How you know that?"

I rubbed my head. Of course he bathed in and river in the middle of winter at night. It's a nord for Auri-El's sake. Why am I so surprised.

"Please take it," I waved off the human at the door. I've too many in this room as it is.

"Of course sir. I'll just..." The Imperial grabbed the barrel and slid it across the floor loudly. My wolf lifted his head up and stared at the human up until he closed the door behind me then dropped it down to return to his rest.

"Nord, another drink." I shown him the empty cup. He chuckled a bit before filling it once more.

"Anya wanted to give this to you but whatever you did elf, it left an impression on her." He pointed out a red mark on his face the same size as a female's fist. I felt a smirk cross my lips earning a laugh from him. "You gotta tell me the story. I feel you owe." The nord held the cup up and smirked. "While I was risking my life you were in the home hitting the hay with my sister. I feel I should get the know how."

"Hah," I snagged the bottle and poured the drinks. "You believe I'm the sort to just spills such personal information about my dealings with women?" I leaned against the desk resting a bit against it. The nord frowned a bit until I lifted up my cup. We toasted and drank once more for surviving a dragon and a necromancer all within a single day.

"Let me tell you what happened," I decided to let myself go this time around. I know better and am better, but I've lost so much down to even my pride. I've nothing much else to care about at this moment. Ralof's mood completely turned at my words.

"Aye! I have to know. You have no idea how many tried and failed to get with her, elf. She even became a blood sister to get me off her tail. Even then I tried."

"Can't blame you." I sipped the sweet and savory drink once more. I gestured with my cup to single chair within the room. Ralof nodded showing his gratitude and took his seat on the other side of the room with me. I noticed the light from the candles around me beginning to grown a bit bothersome. I rose hand reaching out to the flame. While I can uncork a bottle I can at least put out a candle. Destruction while basic I've always felt a strong synergy with. Maybe it's why I could feel the flame; it's hunger for fuel and desire to grow larger. I clenched my hand around the throat of the flame and watched it squirm and struggle for life until the very end. The flame died not even leaving smoke as evidence of it every being there. I know the heat was siphoned by me as well. The ability to touch elements and take it's energy is lost to the ages. A shame but not for me. I repeated this until only a few candles remained shadowing the three of us in the room.

"I didn't know your kind liked humans like that as well elf. You surprise me."

"It's not as it sounds N… Ralof," I sighed. It's around that time I stopped calling him by race. While he's asavage nord, he's not horrible company.

I took notice of a small smile on his lips once I used his name. He got more comfortable after that. "I figured." He drank from his cup next. "You weren't gone that long. If you had I might have been angry."

I almost chuckled a bit from that. "I would be." I decided to speak my mind without much reservation. I know a part of me desired that more than anything. "What happened was the necromancer was using her as a conduit for their spell."

"A what?"

"Basically a energy source. Like how fire is kept alive with the air we breath and fuel like logs or oil," I explained calmly.

"Damn." Ralof grumbled. He mumbled something I couldn't hear and drank from his cup again. "Ugh." He ran out by the grunt he just made so made. It easy on the two of us. The levitation spell is still in my mind in its bare basic form, but still usable. Purple magicka glowed within my hands for the spell. I spoke the words needed and the directed it to the bottle. Slowly it rose then willed it towards the man. He slowly reached for the bottle to take.

"That's a neat trick. You might have to teach me that. It'd be great at parties."

"Tssk," I scoffed. This was more than a trick not that he'd understand. Still, it's refreshing to see that my spell still works. Haven't really used many levitation spells after the Oblivion Crisis outside Summerset Isle. I returned the bottle to me and filled my cup before slamming it back down to the desk.

"Anya was short with the details of your mind thing together."

"Mind walk, soul excavation, Spirit Reaching, or Soul Trap are all phrases generally meaning the same thing. You bend a soul, or at least piece of it, to your will. That's what I did for both hers and the piece The Necromancer held trapped in her own mind. I've lost the power needed to wake us both up in the Waking World and needed to meld my spirit with hers." I caught an empty look of confusion from the nord and sighed. "I needed to use her Magicka and mine to break the chains holding us both in her mind too."

"She used magic!"

"Ugh, no you fool. Don't you know virtually everyone born in this mortal prison has access to Magicka. Just some use it more than others. Much more in your case," I scoffed.

"Very true," he tipped his cup my way. "I can't do the fancy light shows you and your other pointed eared can as well."

"Good, I'm afraid of what you might do with it," I replied slyly.

"Hahah! Ain't that right. Might set my horse in fire if I did." The nord continued to laugh. A small chuckled escaped my lips as well. "You know elf," Ralof leaned back in his chair and let out a harsh breath. "You're not like the rest of yer elk. That Thalmor especially how they watched you taken to the block without even batting a lash."

I snarled from the reminder. "The Thalmor are a pathetic cult of fanatics. I'd call the Mythic Dawn sane in comparison to them."

"Really? You don't support them at all? Not even their hold on the Empire?"

"I know their objective, for the most part, and want no part of it. But, if you want my take on this war between you Stormcloaks and the Empire, I suggest giving in and finding a solution that doesn't cost lives."

"So you want those damn elves to take away our right to worship our heroes? You want the damn empire to come into my land and force their rule on us?" Ralof rose his voice needlessly not that I didn't expect it. He's a nord after all; they think with muscle before their rational minds like Orcs. "No offense towards you elf," he quickly said as if he hurt my feelings.

I let out a hard breath and leaned forward in my chair. "For five years I've studied Skyrim. I've been alive longer and seen more than three of your lifetimes. I know the trends and the happenings of politics from here to Hammerfell. When I say it's best for your kind to surrender it's not to give up your culture or your desire to worship Shor. I say this so you're not destroyed as Morrowind was because of the shift in powers."

"Shift in powers?" Ralof questioned.

"There's more to this war than you and those above your rank could possibly fathom. It's not my place to say, but you're being played like pawns in another's game. By ine who hides in the shadows watching and waiting like a snake coiled to strike at the right moment. Your war will lead to mutual destruction, but it's not business." I leaned back in my chair back into the shadows of the faint moonlight. "I'm here in Skyrim not for women, mead, war, or coin. I'm an archeologist here for research."

"But wait," Ralof leaned further forwards in his chair. "You're saying what we're fighting for is for nothing. You're saying my brothers and sisters are dying from someone's plan?"

"Something like that. I don't know the full details but know this war is a waste of time and man power needed for a future conflict to come."

"Then how can I trust your words?" He questioned more than just my integrity.

I shrugged. "Trust is your burden not mine. Plus, even if you did believe you couldn't tell your superiors. They wouldn't believe you without solid proof."

"But you know how to get that proof don't you?"

I pondered his questioned for a bit. It's true I could call upon my father or a few of my agents to gather the information I desire, but refuse to place them or their families in danger. I told exactly this to the nord and he frowned at me. There was a level of understanding in his eyes though from my answer. Family and friends are everything to these people. The most honorable warrior support and care for their families before themselves. More honor is earned when you can add more duties upon those, circling around fighting, of course. We sat in silenced for a bit sipping or drinks so he could think for the first time in his life.

I looked down to the corner where the last of my wolf dogs remained. Still can't believe that tame spell worked so well on it after its defeat. He'll been good company while I travel through this world once I get his fur brushed and cleaned, again. Once that's done, I can place a leather collar on him, a vest, and enchant them both. Firstly, I'll need a few soul gems. I prefer black for there's highwaymen and bandits a plenty in any country, but greater or better could manage.

"Hey Elf." I turned my attention back to the nord. "You mentioned Shor. Why?"

I blinked at what sounded like a foolish question until I realized that my common knowledge isn't his. "No reason. Nine Divines and all that, it's what your all believe."

"And you don't believe in Talos?"

"Believe? My grandfather knew and met the man you call Talos in battle."

"What? Really? But that was hundreds of years ago."

"How long do you think a single Altmer like myself can live?" I asked him.

"Uhh, I don't know. 100 years?"

"The eldest of my kind is reaching his 800th soon." I reveled in the look of shock visible despite the darkness. "Elves can live for centuries. Very few have lived for millennium and most are long dead. Although there's one Dumner I know who's still alive after all these years. Reincarnated or something along those lines. The daedric princes love their little pawns. They call them champions to their face though."

"Speak carefully elf. They might hear you and Talos knows what they may do."

"Them? Bah, they can't have free sway over with world or it's races without your Divines intervening."

"Well, I fear what they might do. I don't want them coming for me."

"Heh, very well. I'll cease my prattle until you're out of my presence."

"Thank yer elf." Ralof finished the last of his mead than stood up. "I'll let you rest Elf. It's not every day you brawl with a dremora and live to tell the tale." The nord walked to my door out and leave me alone. He stopped at the door suddenly and looked back. "I'm not sure what force brought you to Helgen, but I'm honored to have fought with you elf." He finished with a nod and left closing the door behind him leaving me alone.

I snagged the bottle from the desk and sighed. I gave it a shake and smirked. "He took the rest and didn't even tell me." I finished the rest of my mead and dropped the cup next to the empty bottle. Best I get some rest in the bed. I've a walk ahead of me tomorrow towards Whiterun and then I can get to work. With dragon's returning I know their magicka will return as well. I've heard of the Grey beards during my studies. Maybe I can learn how to speak these worlds of power myself.

That'll be quite the experience.