Chapter 58: Student Housing & Part-Time Work
The new students couldn't help drawing eyes. They appeared unaware or supremely indifferent to the stares and deaf to the whispered comments swirling around them. Winterhold College was not the first choice of young Altmer. But this was a group of middle-aged Altmer seeking special remedial courses in magic.
Many mysteries about them. The seven claim to have come from Solstheim, yet Solstheim was Dunmer land, the territory of House Redoran. They wore the House badge of Mora, a tree (rumored to be the Eldergleam) framed within a circle of precisely shaped paving stones. The family symbol was a three-masted ship sailing in the branches.
House Mora, a new Dunmer-style House born outside of Morrowind and flourishing in the borderland of Eastmarch and Whiterun, was the new House of the Dragonborn. Its bloodline foundation drew from Morrowind, Skyrim, and Cyrod.
In the center of this Altmer group was a half-breed. A tall, beautiful mer. Altmer in overall build with a Dunmer's dark gray skin and crimson eyes. His badge differed from the others by having the Imperial Dragon in the trunk of the tree. Only one sharing the blood of the Dragonborn or Clan Felix was allowed that. His smile made many hearts flutter. And the object of that smile was the Master of Dwemer Studies.
"Hey, Goran, good to see you!" said Curtis. Goranthir Karoodil, ex-prince of Firsthold, Auridon, now went by "Goran."
"Kena," greeted Goran and the other Altmer.
"Glad to hear you decided to join this year. You're really pushing forward. I hope… Oops. Tolfdir's giving me that look. Come see me when you're done with the tour. Are you staying in the college or in town?"
"We were privileged to stay within the College."
"Great."
Curtis left the tour group. He hoped Tolfdir didn't have too much trouble arranging for the Altmer to stay within the college. Student housing was tight. Enrollment had sharply increased, and students no longer had the luxury of individual rooms. The new dorm in the town, built for sixty at two per room, was full. For the first time in centuries the college had to create waiting lists.
And then there were the students of the non-magical community college of crafters. Lucky ones rented all the space offered by townsfolk who had extra rooms. When that supply ran out, cheap camps huddled against the inner walls of the town gates. Winterhold was a booming college town, and such a town had to take into account a large population constantly transitioning in and out.
Curtis had meetings planned with Jarl Korir to discuss town development. King Ulfric had advised the Jarl that Winterhold needed to control and manage growth. A collection of hastily thrown-together hovels was not how the new Winterhold should be rebuilt. Ulfric should know by the massive, hastily thrown-together hovel town huddling outside his city's walls. It was good there were no towns downstream. From Windhelm's docks to the sea, the White River had turned into a stinking sewer from all that was thrown into it. The hovel town was dangerous and an embarrassment. Ulfric told Korir to take advantage of all the available talent in the colleges and set the foundation for water and sewage while the cost could be afforded. The king had spoken from the painful position of his city undergoing retrofitting. Windhelm's treasury was ruthlessly plundered to pay for the work, manufacturing costs, and training while experiencing a tax deficit because the work disrupted commerce, everyone's daily lives, and compensations were being paid for lost homes, lost businesses, and other things.
Windhelm's costs would have been impossible. But a half year ago, a Dragon Cult tomb and its treasure room had been discovered beneath Windhelm. Windhelm's gates weren't locked only to keep out spies after the Candlehearth teleportation gate; it was also to keep the city from being overwhelmed by refugees while the streets were being torn up and exposing the underground tomb of Dragon Warlord Krysuvik that stretched from Windhelm two days south to Kynesgrove. The tomb below the city made it incredibly easier to set up pipelines, cutting out months of excavation work that would have been necessary for such pipes. A previous cave-in that had cut travel to Kynesgrove would be reinforced for Windhelm's safety. The treasure wasn't enough to cover all costs. There would still be a decade of debt to pay off, but that was bearable.
Curtis wouldn't be overseeing Winterhold civil engineering projects himself. At today's meeting, he would introduce Drilira Jhodlin, whom he had chosen for this project. Though her expertise was more with cosmological wormholes than waterlines and sewage tunnels, she should be able to handle the work. And she would also be retrofitting Skytemple to be a teleport node.
She would need a lot of assistants. Smart, motivated people who could keep their mouths shut while they learned basics on the job and handled paperwork and confidential communications. He knew just the people.
X—X—X—X—X—X—X
"Wow, four of you crowding into one room?"
Instead of bunk beds, it was boards anchored to the walls by hinges and chains. Against the wall opposite the door were shelves with four personal chests on the floor and the lowest shelf. Tables and chairs were in the common area that students used for studying. Rooms for experiments or group meetings adhered to strict scheduling rules.
"We're used to sleeping jumbled in a group," said Goran. "Crowding into a room made it easier to keep warm. This is quite spacious."
Curtis nodded. He'd heard the manor of their mountain prison was a fanciful, airy vacation home for summer dwellers with an abundance of magicka to heat the rooms during the night. The prisoners, deprived of their magicka, had lived in the underground food cellar — small, windowless, and protected from wind and rain. Marginally easier to keep warm, which wasn't saying much when the stones sucked in the cold from the upper levels.
"No, it's crowded," said Curtis. "But good on all of you to be willing to give up the personal space you were just getting used to again on Solstheim. So, any other problems you're having adjusting?"
"It would be nice to go into town," someone said, sighing. "But we knew coming here that likely would not be possible."
"It sucks," Curtis agreed. "It's not like you're planning to go back and start a rebellion, but you guys all escaping seriously butt hurt the Dominion's pretentious 'all-seeing' rep. Nothing recapture and an agonizing public execution display won't fix."
"And sending our heads to cousin Felix Mede would make another threat against opposing the Dominion, a repeat of the warning sent to Titus Mede," Goran added dryly, referring to the hundreds of Blades operatives executed in Summerset, Valenwood and Elsewhere, and their heads callously dumped on the floor around the Ruby Throne declaring the beginning of the Great War.
A light knocking on the door preceded three Altmer women crowding into the room. Exiting into the general, open area would have been better, but there were private things to discuss. The conference rooms were all booked, and even Curtis's office was occupied by students studying equipment he was expecting them to use on an upcoming assignment.
"We should be able to do something about your mobility and safety in the future," said Curtis. "I know hiring bodyguards is out of the question on your allowances. But in another month, a security company from The Rift will be arriving to enforce college security, a joint force of Indoril spellswords from Ivarstead and Wolf Company mercs from Goldenglow. They'll accept limited escort assignments of students performing college-assigned tasks."
"Then we're also to work for you now?" asked Goran.
"Yeah, if you want. But also for some of the senior staff. We're desperate for competent and reliable clerical staff. This college hasn't needed one in decades, and the senior instructors have all been doing it themselves. They can't spare the time anymore. They've started hiring clerical staff in the past few years, but the workload has grown faster than they can handle. Temporary staff while you're learning. Option to become permanent admin staff."
"And some of the duties will require business in town or nearby areas, with a guaranteed escort?"
"Yeah. Now I can't tell you exactly where you'll be needed. But if you want to hear more, make time in the next two hours. I'll take you to meet Savela Nethri. She was Revyn Sadri's store clerk apprentice until she decided that she liked working at the college. She's young, not even a full adult, but a whiz at paperwork and organization. The senior staff all back her authority as clerical staff manager."
She had a tray of freshly baked cookies in the center of the conference room table.
"Oh, man. These are to die for," Curtis happily told the Altmer. He didn't hesitate to grab a napkin and load it with cookies.
The Altmer murmured their appreciation of the treats even as they eyed the small Dunmer girl with misgivings.
"Everyone, this is Savela Nethri. Don't be fooled by her looks and her age. She's not yet 20, but she's a rockstar admin and could easily be the future Master of Wizards if she'd bother to learn more magic."
"No, thank you, kena. I'm perfectly content to be the personnel manager," she said primly. "I know my place, and I know my limits."
"You're still a kid," said Curtis, smiling. "You haven't yet tapped your full potential."
"I appreciate your confidence in my potential, kena. However, we're not here for you to poke me until I research another recipe for you." Curtis chucked and retreated to a corner after scooping up more cookies and a cup of tea.
"Please," said Savela, smiling sweetly at the Altmer towering around her, "have a seat, and let's talk about how we can help each other." She opened the thick folder in front of her. "As I call out your name, please hold up your hand. What I have here is a summary of your skills and interests compiled from the observations of several people. I've done my best to match your skills to the needs of the college. These are not set in stone. So, if after a trial period of a month, your job doesn't suit you, I might be able to find you a different one.
"First is Vista and Mystal. You will share secretarial duties for Kena Curtis. Senior student Ilya, as you know, used to do that in addition to bodyguard duties. However, she's had to resign from both duties to further her studies in healing. You two will not be tasked with guard duties. Handling his files, correspondence, and visitors will be enough. Giaelle? Yes, you were in charge of the royal library. Report to Master Urag, the Archimage Pro-Tem. He has specific procedures and rules, and giving up total control of the Arcanaeum has not been easy. You know by now he's an Orsimer. Overlook the growling and heavy-handed threats. Don't be afraid of snapping back or arguing if your reasons are solid. Saurine, Estoril, and Evelamdys? I'm assigning you to Master Drilira. You don't need to know engineering, but you will be helping her sort through work contracts, legal contracts, and other administrative tasks.
"Finally, Goran? Yes, I'm putting you under Master Faralda. She already has a senior student as an assistant. However, because of family problems, she needs an extra helper to deal with non-school matters. And this is an assignment you need to carefully consider before you accept.
"It's come out that her first cousin is Meran Elsinor, the new Dominion ambassador to Skyrim. He's under the delusion that Master Faralda should be pleased to be acknowledged by his higher-ranked family and should cooperate with him. Master Faralda knows you're all political refugees, but she hasn't been officially informed of your relation to Lady Helsette. The reason I'm offering you this position is easy enough. You need to get back into politics, and this is the fastest way I can think of, especially if your future goal continues to be the assistant royal court mage of Windhelm and beyond to advisor to your cousin Emperor Felix Mede.
"If you choose to take this position, I will give more details to Master Faralda about your relation to Lady Helsette. I will also tell her that Lord Revyn asks for her cooperation in maintaining a certain relationship with her cousin because you will be his agent in obtaining information from the Thalmor embassy. That will prevent her from asking you too many questions. However, if you feel this is too dangerous — and it is, I won't lie about that — and you aren't yet up to playing games with an experienced Justiciar, tell me."
"That's throwing him right off the cliff into the breakers, Savela," protested Curtis.
"I know, kena. But not totally. Sera Manolas, Master Revyn's house steward from Solstheim, is being loaned to the college to audit the books and set our finances and investments for future growth. While Summerset and Thalmor scheming and politics are not in his direct experience, he does know finance politics and back-handed schemes. The Destruction department's finances are well-maintained, but it needs expansion and planning to support her ideas. That will require her assistant to meet with Manolas. Sera Manolas is willing to advise on dealing with the Thalmor Ambassador and provide refresher courses in cutthroat politics. He was one of the top securities and fraud investigators before Red Year. He's outmaneuvered Hlaalu nobles who've set the Morag Tong on him, survived duels with furious Redoran nobles, and nimbly dodged pissed-off Telvanni lords. Coaching Goran here on how to dance with a Thalmor justiciar should be doable. I think the only one who could do better would be Sera Adassa.
"Sera Adassa," she explained to Goran, "is publicly the Dragonborn's steward in Whiterun. But she's also Lord Revyn's second in command to handle his financial empire should anything happen to him. She's adept at dealing with Thalmor and their spies. But there's no legitimate reason she would be visiting Winterhold herself, nor would there be any reason for the college to send one of our students to her. If there is a situation you need to be aware of, she'll send her warnings and instructions through Manolas." She smiled at Curtis. "Is that better, kena?"
"Yeah, yeah. Sorry. I should have known you'd have that stuff figured out."
"I'm still learning," she conceded. "Asking Sera Adassa to help with this was suggested by Sera Manolas. The Thalmor sniffing around Solstheim that he's dealt with are of lower grade than the new schemer at the Thalmor Embassy in Solitude. Knowing how the Dominion still plans to firmly embed one of their own in Winterhold, he felt we needed more guidance. And with Lord Revyn, um, on sabbatical, he told me to contact Sera Adassa. Unlike Master's other confidants, she has the authority to use my lord's resources to run interference. Sers Elani and Ambarys agree she's the best one to rely on. She knows the battlefield in Skyrim and the Empire better than they do.
"But, back to getting you lot settled," she announced firmly. "Now, Asril — you? You've studied the written Ayleid language, yes? Alchemy Master Blossoms-of-Winter needs someone to transcribe and categorize books and scrolls she and her late teacher found in ruins an Ayleid group fled to when the Alessians overran their territory…"
They convened hours later in their original sleeping room.
"That is Lord Revyn's apprentice? So efficient and resourceful for one so young," said Goran.
"She credits him for teaching her everything," said another. "I admit, when he came to Tel Mithryn, he was rather underwhelming despite all the stories we heard from Nicholas, Severus, and Taliesin. Gracious and well-spoken, yes. But he presented himself as a tired, elderly shopkeeper whose humble business was in used, pawned goods. In the old days in Summerset, one such as him wouldn't have been allowed even to queue up at the merchants' back door entrance." There were murmurs of agreement and soft, rueful chuckles.
Curtis nodded. "Yeah. He does undersell himself. He's the type of guy who likes walking around in comfortable boots and clothing while hauling stuff around in that beaten, old carrysack. And does his own shopping at the public markets. A nice, quiet guy. It's easy to forget he's an elemental power. And here's something to remember — his patron is the Mad Star. He isn't a worshiper, just someone the Fourth Prince of the House of Trouble likes to watch because his life is amusing. His birth sign is The Ritual. Make an enemy of him at your own peril."
"Such an ominous warning," said Goran. "Yet you seem to have no fear."
"I'm not his enemy. Like I said, he's a nice guy. Fun to drink with, even more fun to follow when he gets an idea to fix a problem. Well, 'fun' is subjective. You risk getting overworked, challenged, maimed, even killed — but it's never boring."
"I always thought 'may you lead an interesting life' was meant to be a curse disguised as a blessing," someone quipped. Curtis grinned.
"Yeah, I heard same. It's funny. He considers himself a boring, sensible businessman and his wife having the exciting, adventurous, and dangerous life of a hero.
"Anyways," Curtis continued, switching the subject, "now you've all got jobs you can earn spending money to hire off-duty college guards for short trips into town. It'll also be a chance to earn the trust of teachers and other students. And don't forget you're of House Mora. My House and the Dragonborn's House. It's not something you can lean on to solve all your problems, but neither is it something anyone in Winterhold should ignore."
"Still sounds too close to Hermaeus Mora," someone grumbled.
"Yeah, I know. Sucks. On the other hand, we could literally say 'tree house' and be mistaken for Bosmer," Curtis offered, drawing laughs from them. "Ask Joric about how Jhunal of Atmora became the lord of Apocrypha. It's a good one." He stood up and stretched. "Well, I gotta go get some sleep. Gonna be hauling my ass and a bunch of equipment and some trainees into the mountains for a survey job. Suppose to be clear weather, but that don't help considering the snow and near freezing temp."
Related story(s): #50 Small Bites
Related Shopkeeper's Wife story(s): #67-70 The Apprentices; #100 7-Year Lich