"Dear Keeper Carcette,

it's been only almost two weeks, now, and I'm already writing you a letter. I know, I'm a big baby.

I wanted to know how you're doing so far. Are you all right? You can still write back to me, right? Please do so ASAP. And maybe write to Colette Marence, as well. She was a bit agitated by your lack of communication. "You just don't do that to people!" she said.

Oh, yes. I'm already on my fourth day at the College and things are going well enough, aside from a jealous classmate tripping me down the spiral staircase and a very suspicious member of the Thalmor skulking about the grounds. Thankfully, Mirabelle, our Master Wizard, has been acting like a brick wall in his path. I love it. So much fun to see that arrogant Elf squirm.

I know, I know. I shouldn't be wishing harm or ill unto others, but if you met him you'd set that rule aside too. Everyone here knows he's up to no good. Even High Elf students aren't fond of him. I think he tried to sabotage my schooling by causing myself and another student to fight.

The same student, who, earlier yesterday, jealously tried to frame me for starting a duel in the courtyard in the middle of class to the Master Wizard and Arch-Mage.

...I suppose it hasn't been going well enough after all, if that's the case, huh?

Aside from the nonsense, I've learnt a couple of new Spells so far from professors: Welling Blood and Unbound Fire.

Tolfdir, the Alteration Wizard, insisted we all begin with safety and taught us a Lesser Ward. Thanks to you, I was already waaaayyyy ahead of the class with that.

I spent yesterday in the Arcanaeum - the Library - and I read a few Spell Tomes in my spare time. I learned Lightning Bolt, Telekinesis, and, don't get mad; Conjure Frost Atronach. They had them on bargain.

Colette tortured Lucien in front of the class! She casted Welling Blood on him for the demonstration. I couldn't believe my eyes, even though I knew she was banned from the Temple of the Sacred Light of Stendarr for a mishap involving a Daggerfall Soldier with his insides inverted. Lucien volunteered for the demonstration, despite my warnings, so... I don't know how to feel about it. At least she made him an Apple pie to apologize, I guess.

I hope that things will go a little more smoothly here on out, but being Dragonborn is like a curse to myself and those around me. Wherever I go, trouble seems to follow. Like with all that you've gone through. I'm sorry.

Please, write me back as soon as you're able. I'd appreciate your advice.

with love,

your Vigilant Cura

9th of Heartfire 4E 202 "

A feeling of satisfaction swept the prospective student as she finished writing to her former teacher. Next, she designed one for her other former isntructor.

"Dear Kodlak,

it's me, Cura! How have you been? Are you feeling well? How is it going with everybody over in Jorrvaskr?

Are you rid of your curse now? How did it go with Danica? I'd like to hear about it.

As for me, I've slain the evil Lord Harkon of the Volkihar Court of Vampires. I've heard they were stirring trouble throughout Skyrim, too; everybody is okay in Whiterun, right?

I'm studying at the College of Winterhold, honing my magical skills. I know, I know; magic is for Milk-Drinkers, but if I'm to face Alduin, I'll need all the advantages I can get. It can't hurt. This is no man I'm engaging in combat; it is a fierce Dragon - the World-Eater.

Sometimes it just feels very overwhelming. But I remember what you told me one day during my first month training: "Be fiercer than your opponent, as the mind is half the battle."

I plan to put that into action, even though I know it isn't going to be easy. Being with the Companions granted me the courage to make it this far, and your lessons in combat have carried me a long way. For that, I will always be grateful. To you, to Vilkas, to Farkas, and to Aela (and tell her, if you please, that it was due to her Archery training that I was able to land a deadly blow on the Vampire Lord. I'm certain it will delight her to hear that.)

Wish me luck in the near-future, Kodlak.

I'll never stop praying for all of you, as well.

love,

Cura the Dragonborn

9th of Heartfire, 4E 202"

Cura placed her quill down on her desk and waited for the ink to settle onto the pages before folding the papers and heading down to the Outbox on the campus grounds and placing the letters within to be delivered, addressed to Carcette in Fort Dawnguard, in the Rift and to Kodlak Whitemane of Jorrvaskr, Whiterun. The Outbox was mercifully easy to find in the large courtyard, as it stood next to the Noticeboard adjacent to the large guiding map against a column facing the entrance.

The more Cura thought of it, she hoped the Courier wouldn't be frightened off by the two Storm Atronachs Phinis summoned to guard the front door while Faralda was on her break. The poor woman needed sleep, after all.

Cura clasped her hands together and stood by as the Courier came to the receptacle and took the mail for delivery.

Day four.

What new adventures awaited today?

Cura went to the bar counter within the northwestern tower of the College, the Hall of Acumen, to buy her food and sat outside on the grounds. The fact that the Gardener and Alchemist was the barkeep and lunch server may have put off a few of the students, but Cura was braver than that. There was no way the Dunmer woman was going to poison any of the students. It would be Career suicide. She looked at the scorchmarks on the ground from her duel with J'zargo yesterday, and smirked.

He was quite powerful, for an Apprentice mage. Though his attitude left much to be desired.

Though, perhaps she shouldn't judge; she didn't know what he may have gone through in the past.

Serana joined Cura, tapping her friend on the shoulder. "Morning, Cura. Professor Drevis just left the Hall of Diligence - his administrative duties delayed him a bit, but Illusion class is about to start. Wanna join?"

"Of course." Cura stood up, bread hanging half out of her mouth before she severed it in her teeth and held the other half in her hand as she walked.

Cura and Serana were on their way to the Hall of Elements when they noticed Mirabelle and Ancano talking in front of the entrance door in the courtyard behind them, just come from the Hall of Countenance in the southeast.

"I've had yet another complaint. Please stop barging in on experiments in progress." the frustrated Breton demanded.

Serana smirked. It would seem Nirya complained after all.

Ancano placed his hands on his collarbone in faux offense. "My dear, I am merely observing the proceedings."

"Well then "observe" from a greater distance. You're making people uncomfortable." Mirabelle spoke sternly. "You're skating on very thin ice."

Ancano crossed his arms. "Very well. Is that all?"

"No, there is the matter of your being sighted in the Hall of Attainment during nightly hours. You have a designated sleeping area in the Main Halls, just adjacent to my quarters. We would much prefer you used it." Mirabelle veered in that direction, which caused visible discomfort in the High Elf.

"Keh. I have the authority to walk about as I please!" Ancano protested.

"To see the grounds, yes, but bullying our students is another matter entirely." Mirabelle went right for the jugular.

"I have done nothing of the sort!" Ancano protested. "I merely-"

"Spare me." Mirabelle raised a hand partway up. "Just know that your influence is not unlimited."

"..." Ancano turned his face and saw Cura and Serana standing nearby. A hateful glare escaped his eye before he returned to the Master Wizard and bowed lowly and courteously to the short Breton. "Very well. I shall behave myself."

"Good. Away with you, then." Mirabelle dismissed him.

Ancano and Cura locked eyes as he passed by her and headed inside the Hall of Elements.

Serana hissed lightly at Ancano, causing him to hasten his journey.

"I believe Drevis is having his lecture right now. If you wish to grow your Illusion skills, now would be a good time." Mirabelle informed the girls as she stood before the Hall of Elements, herself.

Cura smiled. "That is my intention."

Mirabelle reached into her bag and removed Cura's Journal and presented it to her. "Keep it close. Best not to give out other opportunities for harassment."

Cura held it close to her chest before returning it to her own satchel. "Of course. Thank you, Master Wizard."

Mirabelle nodded stoically and held her hands behind her back authoritatively as more students began to approach. "Go on inside."

Drevis was there, addressing the many students at the lecture, among them J'zargo, Brelyna, and Onmund. Lucien or Inigo were nowhere to be found.

Drevis spoke. "The existence of so-called 'Doomstones' throughout Skyrim has been repeatedly verified. The meaning of these stones has not. The prevailing opinion of Skyrim natives is that the stones are indeed magical in nature."

Cura wondered if he was referring to the ancient Standing reflected the constellations.

"While there is no direct evidence of this, it does seem likely. References to similar stones appear in lore throughout the various Tamrielic cultures. None, however, exactly match the markings or distribution of Skyrim's stones. At present, there is no confirmation of any of the various theories surrounding the nature of these stones. Their relative positions do not indicate that any individual stone is part of a larger, unobserved pattern. Also, their placement throughout Skyrim does not correspond to any known magical phenomenon. The age of the stones themselves has yet to be officially determined." Drevis rambled on.

Cura raised her hand. "I believe I may have seen one of these stones in the Pale, many years ago. It held the markings of a Horse, and was up in the mountains."

"Ah, yes, there are many strewn about the land, as I said." Drevis continued. "It has been widely assumed that they were placed during the Merethic Era. Writings from that period, including those of Ysgramor himself, do not mention the stones and thus this idea cannot be verified. Nonetheless, many are drawn to these stones based on the local stories describing them as a source of significant power. The College will continue to research these intriguing objects, and of course any findings will be relayed with all possible haste."

Serana looked at Cura. "Do they hold power?"

Cura nodded. "There are also three right near Riverwood. Touching the wizard one made me feel... something, I suppose."

"Now, onto the lesson!" Drevis rubbed his hands together with great enthusiasm before commencing with the class. "Illusion spells have been used historically to turn the tide of battle. Empires were toppled through this school of magic, one historical example being the underground assassination of Emperor Uriel Septim VII on the 27th of Last Seed; the cusp of the Oblivion Crisis."

Cura raised her hand. "The assassin stood behind him in wait in the shadows, did he not?"

"He had; after having cast the Invisibility spell!" Drevis emphasized. He then clenched his fist and thrust down his arm, and disappeared before their very eyes.

The class gasped as the professor vanished.

"Wow!" Serana remarked. "It's like when a Vampire Embraces the Shadows."

Cura looked at her undead friend. "Well, then this would have been useful during the Volkihar assault."

Serana shook her head. "No, I can still hear his heartbeat." she pointed towards the column on the west side of the room, and the spell wore off in a few seconds, showing the Dunmer once more.

"Really? You had to go and ruin it like that?" Drevis snarled.

"Sorry." Serana apologized. "Maybe stifle your sounds next time, by using a spell like Muffle."

The other classmates looked at Serana. Brelyna stepped forward to speak on their behalf. "There's a spell to eliminate sound?"

"Oh, yes." Serana explained. "Vampires use it intuitively to sneak up on their prey. We're sly like that."

Drevis scratched his chin. "Hmm. I'll consider it. Bonus points for you, then."

He passed around the Spell Tome. "Anyway, since we're not predators stalking our prey here, I think learning Invisibility will suffice for now. Just try not to bump into one another."

As soon as they finished learning the spell, Drevis instructed. "Now, practice, practice, practice! Master Invisibility and you'll be a nightmare for your enemies during combat."

"You know, for a school that says it wants to avoid conflict, we've only learned about magic as it pertains to combat." Onmund pointed out. "I'm getting mixed signals, here."

"Did you forget where we live?" Drevis reminded the Nord.

"Fair enough." Onmund relented.

"Serana, do you think you could teach us Muffle at some point?" Brelyna asked.

Serana smiled. "Sure, you can all meet me in the courtyard. I'll demonstrate." She noticed Drevis'surprised expression. "With your permission of course, Professor."

"No, no, go right ahead." Drevis excused it. "I'd actually be curious to see what a Vampire can teach about Illusion."

"J'zargo does not need to learn how to hide!" the Khajiit snubbed.

"Oh, it's more than just hiding. Much more." Serana informed him. "Come on, everyone, let's go on out." She headed to the door and Cura walked beside her. They opened the door.

As Cura walked out first she nearly bumped into Savos Aren, who stood with his back to the door. He was discussing some matters with Mirabelle, so she just excused herself and walked around him.

Mirabelle began. "Arch-Mage, the Synod have contacted us again, asking if we've any word on their researchers."

Savos crossed his arms and took a step back. "What did you tell them last time?"

Mirabelle recounted."That they had arrived, asked for information which was provided to them, and went on their way with no suggestion of further interaction."

Savos considered it and moved to the side to allow students to exit. "That hasn't changed, has it? Then just tell them again."

"Should we consider investigating the matter?" Mirabelle asked.

Savos shook his head quickly. "No, I don't think so. Respond to their request, and we'll leave it at that."

"Yes, Arch-Mage. Thank you." Mirabelle dismissed herself and walked around the large group gathering. She then spun around to face the students. "This has better not be another duel outside."

Serana shook her head. "No, Master Wizard - just a Student demonstration."

Mirabelle furrowed her brows. "What for? I trust the Hall of Attainment is comfortable, the bathhouse is clean, the Study Hall is more than adequate, and the Arcanaeum is very accessible."

"Oh, no, not that sort of demonstration." Serana quelled her worries. "Just magic."

"Oh, thank Julianos." a simple gesture of relief was performed by the overworked Master Wizard. With all of the recent happenings about, she dreaded above all else the idea of a revolt in the middle of her mad week. "I'll leave you to it, then. Just, for heaven's sake, don't blow up the courtyard."

"Not a problem." Serana reassured her. She was more than capable of controlling her magic. After all, it was more than possible that she had more experience than anyone here, having spent her old life studying magic in solitude from her parents under the castle.

Those were simpler, though quite tense times.

Now, here she was, demonstrating her prowess before a group of no less than thirty students, plus Cura, Brelyna, J'zargo Onmund, and Nirya.

Faralda, Sergius Vinius the Enchanter, Tolfdir, and Arniel Gane the Scholar watched out of curiosity from the lunch tables nearby.

The Arch-Mage himself sat on the edge of the magic well and watched the show.

"So, I'm going to teach you all a spell that will save you a lot of Magicka and grant you silence when stalking an enemy." Serana prefaced her lecture before stoking the interest. "Invisibility is great, for sure, but wouldn't it be better beforehand to cloak the sounds of your clothing, armour, and breathing? Become one with the air itself, and the sounds of the world will pass through you."

Cura raised her hand. "Well, Professor Serana, I'd say being unheard and invisible would surely anger the average Nord, and greatly please an Assassin. How would a Mage implement this for themselves, as magic is very audible?"

Serana smirked at Cura's jokingly calling her a professor. "Well, Cura, to answer your question, I'll let Professor Drevis explain." She pointed to the Illusion teacher.

"When one is proficient enough in Illusion, they may even silence their own spells, actually." Drevis admitted. "Your Firebolt wouldn't make a sound until impact."

J'zargo's jaw hung open. "Can you teach J'zargo to make his Firebolts invisible as well? Then the enemy will not see it coming either!"

"At that point you would just be fighting dirty." Nirya called the Khajiit out.

"Dirty is fine if it ends in victory for J'zargo!" J'zargo laughed heartily.

Nirya pursed her lips and shook her head disapprovingly.

The Arch-Mage shook his own head and laughed with amusement.

"So, who wants to be the first to give it a try?" Serana asked for a volunteer.

"This isn't going to hurt, is it?" Onmund asked sheepishly, taking Lucien's harsh lesson to heart.

"It's going to make your eardrums explode." Serana deliberately tried to strike fear into him before waving it off to signal sarcasm.

"Don't be like that." Onmund scolded her. "I want to volunteer."

"Then come on up." Serana gestured him towards her.

Onmund did as he was beckoned and stood beside the Vampiress.

"Okay, so, it's very easy now that you've learned Invisibility from Professor Drevis. You'll cast it with the same intent, though rather than focusing on eliminating your appearance, you'll focus on eliminating your sound. Starting with the sound of your beating heart. Because mine is silent, it makes it that much easier." Serana stated, and then turned to Drevis. "And that is why Illusion is so intuitive to us Vampires. We barely exist ourselves, with no reflection and with no heartbeat. It makes envisioning the absence of these things far easier than for a mortal who perceives themselves through all senses."

Drevis scratched his chin. "That's... very interesting, actually. I never thought about it that way."

It gave Cura a new insight into the world of Vampires as well. And a touch of more sympathy. That was incredibly sad to think about - the idea of the lack of one's own existence within their own body. It sounded like a neverending nightmare. She felt sorry for Serana, and for the Keeper, and even Ronthil, as well. What a horrible existence.

Onmund closed his eyes and began to focus; to channel his energy. No sound. No heartbeat. Not even a thought.

With a flash of royal blue light, a shroud of mist covered his body and settled around his feet like vapour.

"Good, good!" Serana exclaimed. "Now, jump up and down!"

Onmund did as requested and purposefully stamped down on the ground repeatedly, and to everyone's surprise, there was no sound. Powdered snow was flying everywhere and his footprints manifested, but there was no noise to be had.

The other students began to clap and cheer with excitement for Onmund, and the Arch-Mage himself and the faculty stood up and applauded the student display.

Onmund tried to express his excitement, but only his lips seemed to move, with no sound, either.

Drevis added in. "Now, if you turned Invisible as well, you would be nearly undetectable!"

Tolfdir excitedly left his table and approached the group. "Truly a magnificent display! I suppose I may have misjudged the lot of you after all. A true display of skill and wit!"

The Arch-Mage approached Serana. "Your name is Serana, is it not?"

The Nord Vampiress nodded. "Er - yes."

"Come see myself and Mirabelle at the Arcanaeum in a few minutes." The Arch-Mage extended courtesy.

Ancano watched the gathering from behind one of the entrance columns and crossed his arms before leaving for the Hall of Countenance.

Cura looked over to her right and noticed this odd behaviour and watched him with suspicion, though her attention was called back to the group.

She was going to visit Elenwen, so perhaps she could learn a little about Ancano from her.

Serana was surprised that she was being summoned by the Arch-Mage, but she felt obligated to accept. "Do you mind, Cura?"

Cura shook her head. "Of course not, go right ahead."

Serana took her leave, and Cura resigned herself to a visit at the Thalmor Embassy. Thankfully, having been there before allowed her the luxury of Fast Travel.


Lucien and Inigo stared at the gloomy, inundated fields of Lake Ilinalta. They could see the tower submerged almost entirely, with the entry hatch on the protruding roof lit under the sunlight.

"This is the place." Lucien remarked as he spun around to showcase the area. "I hope you're not afraid of water, Inigo."

"No, my friend, I love the water! Except for when Slaughterfish lurk below and nip at my heels. That is no fun at all." Inigo cringed.

"Well, we shouldn't have to worry about that." Lucien said as he placed his hands in the water and cast a lightning spell.

With a white shock, suddenly fish - River Bettys, Pogfish, Cyrodiilic Spadetails and Slaughterfish began to rise to the surface and flip upside down.

"No Slaughterfish in this lake." Lucien proclaimed with relief.

"You just destroyed the lake ecosystem. I hope you are proud of yourself." Inigo crossed his arms and shook his head disapprovingly.

"Oh, they have eggs on the riverbed. They'll be back - just not while we're here." Lucien assured him.

Inigo wasn't too certain. "Okay, so we are looking for Azura's Star. Do you know what it would look like?"

"Yes, I've seen illustrations of it at the Arcane University's library." Lucien explained. "It resembles a Starfish, somewhat, with eight curved 'legs', if you could call them that, and is purely crystalline, like a Soul Gem."

"What do you know of the Star,?" Inigo asked as they swam across the water's surface.

Lucien was silent until they reached the shoreline near the collapsed infrastructure, and once he caught his breath he answered. "It was said that an unknown agent of the Blades received the Star from the previous owner, a worshipper of Azura, in return for killing a priest in the Iliac Bay who blasphemed Azura by being so bold as to condemn her sphere of egotism." Lucien explained. "But now, in our day, Malyn Varen, who was a teacher at the College of Winterhold who was studying Soul Gems, came into possession of Azura's Star and began to study it along with a few colleagues and students. Nobody knows how he got his hands on it, but nobody cared to question it apparently. Must be standard procedure in that place..." he mocked their policy of entry on e more before continuing. "Unknown to the others aside from Nelacar, the mage I met at the inn, Varen was dying and was trying to find a way to trap his own soul in the Star, to obtain immortality. This research drove him insane, due to the visions sent to torment him by Azura, until one day he killed a student and used her soul in his experimentation. He was banished from the College, after which he and a few loyal disciples moved to Ilinalta's Deep, never to be seen or heard from again. Ooooohhhh..." the Imperial wiggled his fingers in a spooky manner.

"That was quite the explanation, my friend." Inigo remarked saucily. "Why are you going through all this? Apart from that silly little prophecy, I mean. There has to be more of a reason than that."

Lucien walked onto the sunken tower and opened the entry hatch after pushing a skeleton aside to reach it. "Excuse me." He slide down the ladder and descended, and Inigo followed him shortly.

"Well... that's a good question." Lucien admitted as he made contact with the water-soaked stone floor. Stray drops from the mouldy ceiling fell on his head and on Inigo's, prompting them to adorn their Novice Hoods.

They had to admit they looked good in these 'Vigilant Robes', as Inigo jokingly called them.

"So, am I getting an answer?" Inigo pressed.

"Yes, fine." Lucien scoffed as he walked past a skeleton that was bound with its arms around a pole behind it. "I'm doing this for Cura."

"Hah! I knew it!" Inigo laughed. "You are in love with her!"

"It's not like that!" Lucien protested as his cheeks flushed red. Inigo was visibly unconvinced and then he relented. "...It's like that."

"You sly dog, you!" Inigo laughed. "I've seen men do desperate things for romance, but to fetch a deadly Daedric artifact in a cursed, flooded fort possibly filled with necromancers... that is a new one."

"But you will help me, right?" Lucien asked.

"Of course, my friend!" Inigo reassured him. "Just tell me... how long have you felt this way?"

"Honestly?" Lucien wondered, himself. "I... I think right from when I met her at Dead Man's Drink. Oh, who am I kidding? I'm not good enough for her! She's a mighty half-Dragon goddess, and I'm just a scrawny scholar. I heard she was training Onmund, and... I fear she's going to replace me."

"Do not sell yourself short, Lucien!" Inigo aced a hand on his shoulder. "You are just new at this adventuring business! Clearly Azura thinks highly of you, to ask you to do this."

Lucien paused. "Yeah, you're right! I'm a Champion of Azura! That has to count for something, right?"

"And Cura is a Vigilant of Stendarr." Inigo reminded him.

"Gee, thanks, Inigo." Lucien scoffed. "She's also Meridia's Champion, so the joke is on you."

"I do not know if Cura feels the same way, but I do know she does appreciate having you around." Inigo expressed as they slogged through the knee-deep water below the mould-covered steps. "Do not worry - I do not think she intends to replace you."

Lucien moved along the damp wall as he reached the bottom of the stairwell. "I guess maybe I overreacted a little."

"Besides, did you not pay her to travel with you?" Inigo asked.

"I paid her to show me around Skyrim a bit..." Lucien confessed. "...and, well, I got more than my money's worth, honestly. She brought be from Falkreath, to the Rift, to Dayspring Canyon, to the Forgotten Vale, even! No Imperial Scholar to my knowledge has ever had such an opportunity - ever! Ever!"

"Not to mention you helped us slay the Vampires." Inigo reminded him. "I still think the flame geyser from above was pretty cool."

"Thanks, Inigo." Lucien smirked as he recalled the incident.

"Don't mention it." the Khajiit walked through a doorway past a few bookshelves.

"So... Inigo? Who was Lydia?" Lucien prodded out of genuine curiosity. "I've heard Cura mention her before, but all I gather is that she was her Housecarl who died in Markarth. Can I get a few more details?"

Inigo sadly recalled his old companion. 'Lydia was our friend's Nord Housecarl, yes. But she was also a good friend who looked out for Cura, and even helped her against Keeper Carcette when she had Cura isolated at the Hall. Lydia stood up to her, and apparently punched the angry old Breton in the face."

"No-!" Lucien's jaw dropped in disbelief and a few giggles escaped immediately after. "She didn't do that! Are you serious?"

The image of a faceless Nord woman striking Keeper Carcette amused him greatly for some reason.

"That is what Cura told me." Inigo shrugged as Lucien tried to control his laughter in the dark cavernous ruins. "I knew Lydia for a short time, but that short time was long enough for me to believe that story, believe me. She was also a Member of the Companions, and we were at her funeral right before the Dawnguard found us. It... was very hard for Cura."

Lucien could understand, given her reaction on the subject. "Do you... think she would care if I died?"

Inigo was taken aback by the ridiculous question. "What...? Of course! Why would you even ask?"

"I figured, but I just needed an outsider perspective." Lucien stated. "And, between you, myself, and Serana, you've travelled with Cura the longest."

"That is because I am Inigo the Reliable Jokester!" Inigo touted himself forward with a comedic strut. "Nobody can resist my charm and wit!"

"Oh, I think I could, fool." came an angry voice from a flight of stairs above in the next room. Immediately, a necromancer fired a bolt of lightning at Inigo, which Lucien halted with a Ward.

"Oh, no you don't!" Lucien expressed as he responded with a Fireball, nailing the warlock in the head and engulfing him in flames.

"Eh, why not." Inigo decided to take the magicka route himself and. per Mirabelle's private lesson, materialized a bow made from pure energy and nocked it with several ethereal arrows. "Oh, wow!" the Khajiit exclaimed. "I did it on my own! How did I do that?" He began to ogle the Bound Bow. "It looks so shiny..."

"Inigo! Pay attention!" Lucien fired a Lightning Bolt at the necromancer, who extinguished his flame and fired a couple of bolts at the Imperial as well. Lucien managed to dodge and roll behind a column as the enemy descended the stairs.

Inigo loosed the arrows at the assailant, driving him into the wall and killing him immediately. The Khajiit hurried up the stairs and examined the corpse, which was stuck onto the wall like darts on a board, but kept in place by magickal arrows. "Wow... okay, I take it back. Magic is cool!" the cat was filled with joyful excitement much akin to that of a child receiving a new toy.

Lucien laughed. "Not so bad after all, eh?" He wiped his hands together as his spells subsided. "The Nords look at magic as the weapon of cowards, but truly, if they would give it a chance, they would realize that it can be just as brutal as any weapon."

"Yes, what is the difference between throwing a torch onto your enemy to gain an advantage in combat or casting Flames?" Inigo realized when he observed a wall sconce nearby and then saw the burns surrounding the necromancer.

"Let's get going." Lucien stated. "Keep your bow at hand; there are bound to be many more."

Inigo kept a low profile with Lucien as the pair skulked their way onto the second floor. "They will see and hear nothing."


Serana stepped inside the Arcanaeum, where the Arch-Mage awaited her with Mirabelle.

"That was quite an impressive display outside in the Courtyard." Savos Aren expressed as Serana approached. "I must admit that I've rarely seen such initiative from students here. What is your intention here?"

Serana shrugged. "Oh, uh, well... I'm just happy to help the others."

"The Arch-Mage has a proposition for you." Mirabelle informed her as she took out a journal and readied a pen to begin scribing.

"A proposition?" Serana wanted to know now. Surely she wasn't about to be penalized for helping the others, was she?

"Yes; I'm willing to offer you a position as a Student-teacher here at the college." Savos expressed, interlocking his hands. "It has been a position we'd thought about implementing, but we hadn't found the right candidate yet. Though now I think that may change."

"A Student Teacher?" Serana asked. "It's not a full-time position, is it?"

"You could begin part-time and earn 70 coins per day." Savos explained. "Pick days and time slots, and give supplementary lessons at the Hall of Elements. You've been seen doing such with students on an individual basis, as well as before the class. I think you'd be a perfect fit for the job."

"Well... I don't know..." Serana couldn't answer that now. If Cura needed her on her travels, how could see stay here and go with her friend at the same time? When would it even begin? "

"Do consider it." Mirabelle encouraged. "It is an experimental position, true, but being paid to aid the other students sounds quite nice does it not?"

"I will give it some thought." Serana assured them. "Thank you for the offer."

Savos Aren nodded as he took a seat next to one of the bookshelves. "Of course. You don't have to give us an answer right away; just at your leisure."

Serana responded with a nod. "All right. Thank you."

"You're dismissed for now." Mirabelle stated as she gestured towards her and the other students passing by into the library. "Don't bother the Arch-Mage unless it's absolutely necessary."

Savos picked a book and began to read it, and Serana decided to do the same on the other side of the library.

It was odd to imagine herself as a Student Teacher, though she had already been doing it. But to be paid for being on-site and helping the others was always a good idea. 70 coins a day was nothing to slouch at, either.

She would want to speak with Cura concerning this, however.

Until her friend returns from her external affairs, she would spend the free time studying and resting up.


Elenwen was sitting at her desk in her Solar when an attendant entered the doorframe. "Ambassador, there is someone here to see you. She looks like a Mage of some kind. Or perhaps a Vigilant of Stendarr."

"Ah." the description was very familiar, and Elenwen looked up from her paper. "Yes, yes, let her in."

The Attendant bowed and moved aside, allowing Cura entry.

When the half-Elf entered the familiar office, she couldn't help but trail her eyes down the carpet to see if it was still unlevelled.

Why did she come here? She still felt as if she were a trespasser, even if she were cordially invited this time.

"Hello, Elenwen. I received your message, you've no doubt surmised." Cura greeted the Thalmor Ambassador with a formal bow to issue politeness.

"Come, have a seat." Elenwen smiled as she directed Cura to the chair directly in front of her desk. "Care for a Boiled Creme Treat?" she gestured towards a platter with six of the sweet delights atop.

"Sure." Cura graciously accepted, taking one off the pile. If she were here, she'd best make the best of it.

There was no way it was spiked; Elenwen most likely wasn't expecting her to answer so soon.

"So, I hear the Volkihar Court was expunged from Nirn. I take it you had a hand in that, yes?" Elenwen stoked the conversation.

"I did." Cura admitted willingly and proudly. "It wasn't an easy fight, but they won't be troubling the world any more."

"Excellent work. Though, I suppose that scar across your lovely face is what remains to show for it." Elenwen ran a finger across her own left cheek to gesture towards the two jagged horizontal clawmarks under Cura's left eye.

"Er..." Cura grit her teeth as she recalled the pulsating venom coursing through her flesh. "There was a smaller scar, but it became assimilated with this new one, yes."

"You could have lost your eye, or your ear." Elenwen stated sadly. "You should really take more care in the future."

Cura nodded. "I know, I know. I've heard it all before."

Elenwen took a boiled creme treat herself off the platter. "I am quite serious. I know we aren't exactly the closest, but... it does upset me to see you like this. You have only one life, child. Don't throw it away in vain."

"I'm sure you've seen a lot of death in your lifetime." Cura pondered.

"I have." Elenwen explained. "I have seen war, murder, torture, and horrors you could not imagine."

"And probably your fair share of political intrigue, as well." Cura smirked.

"Very much." Elenwen admitted as she took a bite of the treat. "Politics have soured nearly every aspect of my life, truly. Even in beautiful Silsailen, flames lit the skies for hours."

"Silsailen?" Cura raised a brow.

"A city within the Summerset Isles and my old home, centuries ago. Much before I rose to the great and powerful position you see me in, I was a humble innkeeper and daughter of a powerful Lord." Elenwen explained. "My father Canonreeve Valano was assassinated for treason, for being a member of the Veiled Heritance. It wasn't the most gracious of times."

"Wait... the Veiled Heritance?" Cura wondered what that was.

"They were Altmeri Nationalists who desired the deposition of Queen Ayrenn in the Second Era, and desired her replacement with their own." Elenwen summarized. The story sounded oddly familiar if one substituted "Altmeri" for "Nord" and "Queen Ayrenn" with "High King Toryyg".

"Oh..." Cura was surprised. "That's... different. I guess that could explain some of your fears concerning yourself and Ulfric..."

"I've come this far in the Dominion for my undying loyalty. My father's actions with the Veiled Heritance have casted a dark shadow upon me for centuries; many have eyed me with suspicion due to my 'traitorous heritage'." Elenwen admitted. "Forgive me if I keep my distance from yourself and Ulfric."

Cura nodded with acceptance. "I understand. I understood from the get-go, but that is quite uncanny, I must admit."

"It is, isn't it?" Elenwen leaned back in her seat.

Cura finished her creme treat. "You don't think the Guards recognized me, do you?"

"Those incompetents couldn't recognize their own toes." Elenwen rolled her eyes. "That is why I had them replaced with new, more competent ones. They've never met you before, so don't fret."

Cura felt like an imbecile. Here she was worried about being recognized, and yet she couldn't even realize that the guards had been changed. She decided it best to go along with it. It would be best to not show any signs of ignorance. "All right."

Elenwen paused for a time before prying into her. "So... I've heard rumours of your enrollment in the College of Winterhold."

Cura was taken by surprise. "How did you know?" It was Ancano, of course. How else?

"The Courier informed me." Elenwen explained. "I'd addressed the letter to you, and he told me of such. They have an uncanny way of tracking people."

"It wasn't Ancano?" Cura blurted out hastily.

Oops.

Perhaps that wasn't such a good idea.

"Ancano." Elenwen repeated his name, nearly spitting it out. "Ah, yes, he is overseeing the College, I believe." She reached under her desk and withdrew a journal, which she began to flip through.

"Why is he there?" Cura demanded to know. She had a feeling that Elenwen most likely was going to either lie, or tell her to back off, but she asked merely by habit.

"He is there to foster a relationship between ourselves and your College, much like what the Synod and the College of Whispers is trying to accomplish." Elenwen stated point-blank.

"Well, he's been doing a fantastic job." Cura rolled her eyes to express clear sarcasm."He's already tried to sabotage me and get me expelled, as well as harassed other students. Maybe you should call him back here and have a little talk with him."

"He tried to sabotage you?" A clear look of irritation formed on the Altmer's brow. "Elaborate further, if you please." She held her quill to her journal and began to write within.

Cura took out her own journal and laid it on the desk. She flipped open the third page, and showed the threatening note. "He tried to have me fight another student over this."

Elenwen kept a stoic composure, and elected to tame and temper her response. "Well, I will certainly have a talk with him concerning this behaviour. It will not stand. His duty is merely to negotiate with Arch-Mage Savos Aren. Nothing more."

Cura felt relieved that Elenwen was going to speak to the menace on her behalf, or at the very least chastise him by letter. However it happens, Cura would be happy to have reprieve from that during her studies.

"Thank you, Elenwen." Cura expressed her gratitude. "We're students who just want to study in peace, that's all."

"And you shall." Elenwen reassured her. "I am sorry for his inappropriate behaviour. It is unwarranted."

Cura pulled back her seat and took her journal back, and stood up. "Well, I must return. Thanks again, Elenwen."

"No, no, the pleasure was all mine." Elenwen expressed. "Do visit again sometime. I found this talk to be quite... illuminating."

Cura half-nodded as she departed from the High Elf's office.

Elenwen exhaled lightly. She feared now where the situation with Ancano would lead. Even among Altmer he wasn't the most trustworthy. She would have to navigate this very carefully.

Cura exited the Embassy and took in the fresh mountain air. While she was happy that Ancano would be chastised at the very least by his higher-ups, she could also feel that perhaps going directly to Elenwen for this could only irritate things further.

Time would tell.

Cura prepared herself to Fast Travel and leave the Thalmor Embassy behind.