The Middens were dark and grungy, with incredibly moist air. Mold grew between the cracks in the stone architecture leading into a small tunnel with windows carved in, much like what Cura had seen in the Ratway Vaults.
But permafrost coated the floor and rats ran across the floor.
"So, Colette, if I may ask, how do you know the Augur?" Cura asked the older Breton.
Colette cast a Candlelight above her head to shed some light in the darkness and froze for a moment upon hearing the question. "You... no. You won't judge me too much... I won't be reprimanded for telling you, I hope."
After some bouts of nervous laughter, Colette eventually brought herself to discuss something she was instructed to keep silent about for decades. Clearing her throat, she proceeded to discuss it. "The Augur of Dunlain was a student here at the College. He... was the Arch-Mage's protégé at the time, mind you. He was a bright young Breton lad from Dunlain Falls - hence the name." she digressed. "The Augur was a brilliant mage. Truly inspired. Mastered spells others could barely comprehend. He was especially gifted when it came to Restoration." she beamed proudly as she reminisced. "Perhaps he can impart some knowledge of that kind unto you as well.
"Wait... his protégé?" Cura was shocked.
"Well, yes. We can take on apprentices here - case in point, look at Malyn and Nelacar and the others. As I was saying, he was very passionate about Restoration Magic - much like yourself, actually." Colette mused as she kicked an old, rotten plate out of her path. She was proud of the initiative Cura had taken over the months spent at the College at studying other magicks, but always being certain to keep her Restoration skills sharp. The two of them had spent several nights together honing Cura's craft like a sharp blade. She was proud to say that Keeper Carcette had already taught her a lot in the world of Restoration, but Colette helped her see it through different ways, and she learned much more than she'd thought possible.
"You know, Cura, you really are quite gifted yourself when it comes to Restoration." Colette segweyed. "It's almost as if you've been blessed by Mara herself."
The more Cura considered it, that may very well be the case. After all, Mara had done something to her after she tended her Shrine in the Volkihar Castle's ruined chapel. She'd noticed a change in her skill since then, with healing coming far easier to her and feeling less taxing on her body.
Colette digressed, returning to the main topic. "I learned him everything I knew, but the others kept telling me repeatedly that I was wasting his, and my own time. That Restoration was only for Priests, and Monks, and those who were weak in the other magical arts. This sentiment echoed even back in the past, Savos Aren telling the Augur the same thing. He wanted to prove them all wrong." She held a hand to her forehead. "Savos tried to dissuade him. What he was meddling with, after having read that odd Black Book... it was madness!"
"Odd Black Book?" Cura asked.
"Oh, it's long gone now, dearie. After the madness it caused, Arch-Mage Aren sent it to Neloth of House Telvanni in Solstheim." Colette explained with a hint of relief in her tone. In a way, just being able to discuss this was therapeutic. "At any rate, the Augur performed an experiment down here in the Middens - I hadn't seen it - and it destroyed his body. Savos Aren tried to stop him, but he was too far gone. Now his soul resides within the magical energies of the college. That whole story is Tolfdir's main excuse for dissuading people from jumping into magic head-first." she shook her head somberly. It was a great tragedy to befall such a prospective student. "It became ammunition that the others would use against the Restoration School. How can they deny its power when it quite literally consumed one of us? What utter imbecility! What nerve!" She clenched her fists angrily, and then exhaled, calming herself down. "No, Colette - don't let their ignorance drag you down."
Cura felt the need to interject as she stepped over a dead Draugr. "Colette, no offense, but have you ever considered that maybe the way you respond to people may have influence over the way they treat you?"
"What do you mean?" Colette was taken aback by this claim.
"Well... once in the Library I'd heard you refer to Urag as your 'green-skinned friend' and 'fanged acquaintance'." Cura stated, placing emphasis on the inappropriate bluntness of the older Breton's way of interacting with others. "I don't think it's so much as what transpired with the Augur and Restoration itself that the others have gripes with..."
Colette seemed to think for a moment, but ultimately shook her head and allowed it to slide. She pointed beyond a wall to their east, presumably in the direction of the Augur's whereabouts. "He still understands my point - that's all I care about. I just wish that horror hadn't unfolded. His tale has stopped me from going too far. The Augur went to unimaginable lengths to become the greatest Restoration Mage there was - and he has, but at a horrible cost." Her voice broke the more she thought about it.
What was it like, being a disembodied entity fused together with magic itself?
Was it painful? Was it empowering? Did those concepts even matter anymore?
Cura could see that the professor was saddened by the thought of it. "I guess there was no stopping an ambitious mage. Though... am I wrong in saying I would like to know more about the Restoration arts, even after hearing that?"
"Look at you. Such a devoted student of Restoration. It's comforting to see that not everyone has dismissed it as entirely as most members of the College. Truly comforting. It looks like you are ready to speak with the Augur." Colette tapped Cura on the shoulder proudly. "He'll like you. I guarantee it. You show initiative. I'm sure he'd be happy to help you with that stupid Orb, as well. As for Restoration, he's... Well, he's very particular about who shares the knowledge. So you'll need his approval first. I'm sure he's been paying attention, and will be expecting you. Best to kill two birds with one stone."
The two of them had passed a frozen room with skeletal remains buried under ice around alchemy tables, and nearby there was a large portal with the Insignia of Oblivion on it.
"What on Nirn is that?!" Cura pointed at the offensive monument. "What is that? Some kind of gate?"
"No, dear - it's a contraption used to conjure Daedric Weaponry, to my knowledge." Colette shrugged. "You'd be surprised at how many Nords want powerful weaponry - disregarding its origin."
Cura's brows furrowed. "So, on the one hand, we have a platform for Conjuration, and then for Restoration. Maybe Keeper Carcette was right about them being mirrored equivalents."
Colette smirked. "Well, what dear Carcette doesn't realize is that Restoration far exceeds Conjuration. With Restoration one can return true life to the Dead, and Banish the Undead. And, as the Augur has demonstrated - allow one to ascend beyond their humanity."
"But Conjuration can do that, as well." Cura recalled Falion restoring life to the vampire Laelette. "From what I understood growing up, Restoration was Aedric, extending from Stendarr, Mara, and Arkay, mostly, while Conjuration was Daedric, stemming from the Princes."
"Phinis spends most of his time summoning Atronachs." Colette scoffed humorously. "And yet they take him more seriously than myself. I can summon Bone Spirits and utilize the might of the Gods themselves. What a kooky world we live in." She led Cura to a lone wooden door. "Well, here we are. Go on inside - the Augur awaits. I'll be right behind you."
Cura approached the door beside Colette and the Professor knocked on it.
Suddenly, an ethereal voice seeped through the door, echoing loudly and piercing through Cura. "There is no solace in knowing what is to come. There is no help for you here. Your perseverance will only lead you to disappointment."
Cura pursed her lips and banged on the door harder. She was not going to be deterred so easily.
There was silence.
Cura scoffed in annoyance before knocking again. This was important; she was not going to be driven away by a door. She would tear it off its hinges if she had to.
"Still you persist? Very well, you may enter." the voice of the ethereal entity revealed irritation as a clicking sound could be heard through the door.
"I don't know why he's acting like this. He usually lets me in without trouble." Colette said as Cura shifted her gaze onto her professor for answers.
"Well, I guess he doesn't like me after all." Cura walked through the door and Colette pulled it shut behind them after making sure they weren't followed by her naysayers down there.
A bright, blue luminous entity hovered at the center of the room. It shone so brightly that Cura could barely look upon it. "Er... hello?"
Colette waved. "Hello, dearest Augur."
The harrowing voice responded to them both. "Greetings, Colette. As for you, Dragonborn, welcome to the Midden."
"So you're the Augur of Dunlain?" Cura asked.
"I am that which you have been seeking. Your efforts are in vain. It has already begun. But those who have sent you have not told you what they seek. What you seek." the Augur informed her.
"What's already begun?" Colette asked.
"Nothing good, I'm sure." Cura swallowed hard. What would they find if they went back outside? "Augur, what is it I'm seeking? I must know so I can avert this disaster."
"You seek that which all who wield magic seek. Knowledge." the Augur seemed to drop the word harrowingly. He himself, after all, had much experience on the subject, according to Colette. "You shall find this: Knowledge will corrupt. It will destroy. It will consume. You seek meaning, shelter in Knowledge. You will not find it. The Thalmor sought the same thing, and it shall lead to his end as it has so many others."
"The Thalmor?" Cura's eyes widened. And then she'd recalled hearing Mirabelle chastise Ancano a long time ago for investigating the Middens and Student Halls during one of her numerous reprimands of him.
Mirabelle truly had been trying to protect them all from that beast this entire time. Though, perhaps with the distractions all around, he was able to slip through her watchful eye and consult the Augur for something.
"That wretch!" Colette snapped. "I knew I felt eyes on me some time back..."
Cura needed to know. "Wait, what?"
"The one who calls himself Ancano has sought my knowledge as well, through very different questions. Your path differs from most. You are being guided, pushed towards something. It is a good path, one untraveled by many. It is a path that can save your College. I will tell you what you need to know to follow it further." the Augur informed Cura, offering her hope in the darkness.
"Some time back, a few days before you came into the picture, I headed down into the Middens from the Courtyard, and I saw that Elf glare at me when I had come back up after one of our lengthy conversations." Colette gestured towards the Augur. "The Augur told me he was trouble. He told me that someone was going to come and stop his plans."
"She stands before you now." the Augur informed Colette as she turned to look at Cura. "Dragonborn Cura, who by honour is sworn to defend this land, has come here for more than just education."
Cura was determined. "What do I need?"
"You, and those aiding you, wish to know more about the Eye of Magnus. You wish to avoid the disaster of which you are not yet aware. To see through Magnus' Eye without being blinded, you require his staff." the Augur harkened back to the prophecy given to her by Azura. "Events now spiral quickly towards the inevitable center, so you must act with haste. Take this knowledge to your Arch-Mage."
"Okay." Cura nodded.
"We'll put your Restoration advancement off until later, then." Colette compromised. "If the sake of the College hangs in the balance, it can wait."
"Thank you, Augur." Cura bowed her head before heading out.
"Go, and bring peace to Winterhold." the Augur said before fading into the air.
Colette waved good-bye before stepping out with Cura. "What a nice fellow. I've always liked him."
Cura was thinking about what he had said, about the Staff of Magnus. What would it look like? How powerful was it? Why was it not located together with the Eye itself under Saarthal?
Colette could feel her tenseness and laid a gentle hand on Cura's shoulder as they walked through the Middens. "Take a deep breath, dear; it's going to be fine. Don't let the others see you worried; we need a confident Dragonborn in these parts. Especially now. You've studied, you've grown, and you're ready to take on the world."
Cura accepted the encouragement. "You're probably right. I know disaster is inevitable; I just want to minimize the amount of deaths."
"We will all do our part. And remember - if nothing else, a big disaster with great injury will teach everybody that Restoration is incredibly crucial." Colette stated.
Eventually, the two of them reached the exit hatch and found themselves back in the Courtyard.
"Here we are, dearie." Colette extended a hand, pulling Cura up into the courtyard. "Did you enjoy that little excursion?"
Cura shrugged. "I'm glad that I have a leg to stand on now. There's no time to waste. Thank you, Colette, for everything." She turned around and dashed past the lunch tables and past the statue in the Courtyard, and headed inside the Hall of Elements.
The Eye of Magnus continued to hover over the large classroom like an ornament of death.
Cura hurried up the stairs to the top floor. Her breathing be damned - this was far more important.
"I'm not the sort renown for her jokes, as you know. I've warned you on numerous occasions. Now, you have one day. You are to pack your belongings and leave, or I will remove you from the property myself."
Cura overheard Mirabelle's voice from her office as she passed by. Leaning against the wall, she took a moment to eavesdrop, now that her attention was had. Who was getting expelled? Not Inigo, she hoped. Cura peeked in with the corner of her eye, and saw Ancano, flustered, standing before the frustrated Breton.
"You are going to pay dearly for this." Ancano hissed, dropping all pretenses. "Do you hear me? PAY."
Mirabelle stared at him for a moment and then organized a small stack of papers by hitting them vertically on her desk to straighten them. Or to straighten herself. Clearing her throat, she continued. "Your petty threats mean nothing to me, nor to the College. You have crossed the final boundary. You have attempted to steal from the Arch-Mage's personal artifacts. You've brought this upon yourself."
Cura's jaw hung open.
He tried to steal from the Arch-Mage himself? No doubt he was looking for the Staff of Magnus, as well.
Ancano stormed out of Mirabelle's office and slammed the door with virulent hatred as he exited. He noticed Cura standing in the Hall and growled. "You-! RAT! You've finally done it now!" Ancano quickly descended into a blind rage. "I'LL KILL YOU, DAUGHTER OF ELENWEN!" He rushed forward and summoned a Bound Sword raised over his head as he lunged at her.
Cura readied herself for a fight, when the door behind Ancano swung back open and Mirabelle blasted him in the back with a dual-casted pair of Lightning bolts.
Ancano fumbled about the floor and slid into the wall adjacent to him and Mirabelle stood in front of Cura defensively. "I shall not allow you to harm our students."
Cura was more stunned by his deduction.
How did he find out?
"How-" before Cura could ask, she was answered.
Ancano grunted as he slowly pulled himself back up. "I see it in your eyes... that condescending glare... the power you lord over me through her influence... and you look just like her. I've figured it out myself."
Cura crossed her arms. "I don't even know her, honestly. She didn't raise me."
"Oh, and not to mention the fact that you believe yourself to be better than everybody else. You also have that in common." Ancano wiped the blood from his nose as it began to drip down. "This isn't over. I'll take the both of you to task with the High Archon! And I'll have this College burnt to the ground! So help me-"
"Get out, now." Mirabelle grit her teeth. "Leave us before I break protocol."
Ancano seethed with rage and headed down the stairs in a furious rush.
Mirabelle turned around to see the baffled Cura staring off into the distance blankly. "I'm not entirely certain to what that was about, but I will maintain the sentiment that you are in opposition to Ancano. Now, if you're here to see the Arch-Mage, do be discreet. And do not engage Ancano any further."
"Thank you, Mirabelle." was the only thing Cura could bring herself to say as she continued down the hallway.
The Master Wizard watched her as she continued to walk and responded softly. "Of course."
There was more going on here than she knew, and she could see that whatever it was, Cura was in the thick of it. In a way, she admired this particular student; this 'Dragonborn', as she was said to be. She wished her success in her mission.
Cura hurried into the Arch-Mage's quarters and addressed him directly. "Sir, I have important information for you."
"Really? And what might that be?" Savos Aren asked as he put down the Soul Gem he was using to enchant a pair of boots, now that his focus was broken.
Cura was very direct. "We need to find the Staff of Magnus."
Something seemed to click in the Dunmer's eyes as he heard this. "I'm sorry, what? Well... I'd certainly love to have such a powerful staff, but I'm not really sure that any of us need it."
There was more to this than he was letting on, surely.
"It's connected to the orb we found." Cura informed him.
"And how do you know this?" Savos asked.
"Because I just finished speaking with the Augur of Dunlain in the Middens." Cura confessed without hesitation. Consequences be damned. This was far more important than any individual's potential suspension.
"Did you really?" the Arch-Mage's face lit up. "And he specifically mentioned the Staff of Magnus? I... I'm impressed with your initiative. Of course, someone will need to follow up on this."
Cura was ready. She threw out both of her hands. "What should I do next?"
"A most impressive attitude. Keep this up, and you'll do quite well for yourself." the Arch-Mage seemed to have taken a liking to Cura, as well. He pondered it for a moment, and then remembered a recent happening. "Something as specific and ancient as the Staff of Magnus... I'm not sure we'd ever find something like that... I seem to recall Mirabelle mentioning the staff somewhat recently. Why don't you see if she can tell you anything?"
Cura agreed. Mirabelle had to know that this was important. Especially with that shady, foreboding threat from Ancano earlier.
Before she could turn around and leace, Savos grabbed her attention once again. "I'm quite pleased with your progress, you know. You've certainly proven yourself to be more than a mere Apprentice. Well done. This circlet once proved invaluable to me. I hope it can be of use to you now." The Arch-Mage walked over to one of his bureaus in his chamber and came back with a silver circlet with sapphires adorning it. It held a special magic enchantment of some kind, that would help Cura in her spellcasting.
The Breton accepted it with grace. "Thank you, Arch-Mage. This means a lot to me." Not only was she gifted a circlet, but her progress has been acknowledged as well.
Cura aptly returned to Mirabelle's office, only to find that she wasn't there. Perhaps she could catch her in the Courtyard.
Thankfully, she wasn't too out of the way, as Cura noticed her immediately on the ground floor upon reaching the Hall of Elements, as she could see her staring at the Eye of Magnus itself there in the room.
Cura pushed open the gate and hurried to the Master Wizard. "Hello again, Mirabelle."
The older Breton turned to face her. "Oh? Well, that was quite a short rendez-vous. It went well, I trust?"
Cura nodded, and Mirabelle noticed the circlet she was wearing underneath her Apprentice Hood. "Do you know anything about the Staff of Magnus?"
"Well now that's an odd question. Why in the world would you be asking?" Mirabelle fell suspicious hearing this again. It seemed to be a rather popular topic lately.
"Arch-Mage Aren said you'd mentioned it recently." Cura asserted.
"I see. Well yes, I suppose I did mention it, though I'm not sure what he expects me to tell you." Mirabelle shrugged. "I only brought it to his attention a few months back when the Synod showed up here looking for it. They were apparently under the impression we were keeping it in a closet somewhere."
Maybe Ancano was under that impression, as well, given the reason for his expulsion.
"It may be connected to the Eye of Magnus." Cura pointed to the giant orb/
"The "Eye of Magnus"? I can appreciate that this... thing, this Orb... It's very impressive. Very unique, and definitely worth studying. But let's not jump to any conclusions, or assign it importance beyond what we're certain of." Mirabelle tried to downplay the artifact's stature to avoid raising any alarms.
Cura shook her head. "The Augur referred to it as the Eye of Magnus, not me." As did the Psijic who spoke to her earlier, but she thought to leave that part out.
"The Augur?" Mirabelle responded in predictable disbelief. "Just what have you gotten yourself involved in? Whatever is going on, whatever you're up to... Be very careful." Her warning hung in the air: to the untrained ear it was a warning of penalization, but between them it was a warning of wellbeing.
She knew something bad was in the air, and that all of their lives were about to change.
"Sorry." Cura apologized calmly before returning to the subject. "So, the Staff of Magnus? What is it, exactly, and where can I find it?"
"Well, it's said to be very powerful. Has the capacity to store an incredible amount of magical power, as the story goes. But it's more myth than anything at this point." Mirabelle admitted. She'd only oberheard of small articles of it, and had never seen it for herself. "I've no doubt that it actually exists, but no one has seen it in what, decades? Longer? I'm not sure. The only time I've heard it mentioned was when those Synod characters showed up some months ago looking for it."
"I know what they are, but why have the Synod come?" Cura asked.
"They fancy themselves the Imperial Authority on magic these last few hundred years. My understanding is that all they really do is make noise in an attempt to curry favor from the Emperor. Lots of politics, little magic. I was quite surprised to find them on our doorstep. They seemed amiable enough, but their line of questioning made me... uneasy. It became clear they're trying to hoard powerful artifacts, looking to consolidate power." Mirabelle expressed a tad bit of concern regarding this.
"That would explain why the Thalmor sent an Agent here, as well..." horror mounted on Cura's face. "They intend to prepare for war. Both of them."
Mirabelle slowly nodded as Cura put the pieces together. "That blasted war never ended. It's only taken discreet turns. The Arch-Mage has been adamant that we not involve ourselves in it."
"All that, plus the Stormcloak rebellion... the Empire is done for." Cura shuddered. "If the Thalmor get that staff, I fear what they will do with it. I must get it before any of them! Does no one know the Staff's location?"
"No one here does. The Synod seemed convinced it was somewhere in Skyrim. They inquired about the ruins of Mzulft, but that's all I remember. It sounded like they were heading there, though they were rather secretive about why. I suppose if you're intent on looking for the staff, there's a chance they might be in Mzulft yet. Just don't expect them to be cooperative." Mirabelle informed and warned her, both.
"Is there anything else you can you tell me about the Staff of Magnus?" Cura asked.
"I'm not really sure. Made and used by Magnus himself, if you believe those sorts of things." Mirabelle rolled her eyes, hinting that, under no uncertain terms, she did not. "I believe I've heard it said that it's the only thing that could adequately contain his power. The sort of embellishment wizards of ancient times loved to make."
Cura smirked. Like how the Staff of Ruunvald was supposedly so powerful, and yet it couldn't even ward Vampires away from the Hall of the Vigilant. At least, to her knowledge.
"Thank you for your help, Mirabelle." Cura said as she headed out the door.
"I'll do my part; you do yours." Mirabelle's voice could be heard as Cura exited out into the courtyard.
Fortunately, Inigo, Lucien, and Serana were eating lunch at the courtyard at this time.
The other classmates were presumably resting from the excursion to Fellglow Keep.
"Ah, there is my wonderful not-really-a-Breton friend!" Inigo pointed at Cura. "You should have seen that Thalmor's face when he stormed out here! He looked like a Troll kicked him in the balls!"
Lucien nodded. "Whatever happened to him, he was furious. And very sore. Something did more than wound his pride, to be sure."
Serana gestured for Cura to sit beside her at the table, and she obliged, joining her friends. "So, Cura, I have no doubts at all that you had something to do with it. Spill the beans."
Cura shook her head. "Actually, I didn't. Mirabelle expelled him from the college grounds."
"Why?" Lucien wondered.
"He was looking through the Arch-Mage's private quarters and was caught." Cura admitted. "I think he was looking for the Staff of Magnus."
Serana and Lucien both stared at her in shock. "What do you mean, the Staff of Magnus?" the blonde Imperial inquired.
Serana took a sip of mead and gestured towards the Hall of Elements. "I'd wager it has something to do with the Saarthal Orb."
"I overheard old Tolfdir calling that big Cat toy the 'Eye of Magnus' earlier!" Inigo recalled excitedly. "I do not know what it is, but I must resist the urge to chase it around the courtyard!"
Cura quickly stood up from her seat. "Lucien, do you remember when you said you were curious about Dwemer ruins? It isn't Dumbzbthar, but Mzulf that I'll be exploring. Would you all like to come with?"
"Mzulft?" Lucien asked. "Why on Nirn..."
"Mirabelle said the Imperial Synod asked the College about the Staff, and it's believed that it, or at the very least, a clue of its whereabouts are there." Cura explained.
"The Synod?" Lucien's eyes widened. "Are you... oh... no, no, that can't be good. If they need an artifact so powerful... I really hope they aren't going to use it against Skyrim to end the Civil War! So many could die! Innocents and Stormcloaks alike!"
"Not all Stormcloaks are monsters, you know." Cura informed him bluntly.
"I know, Candle, but I meant it in the sense of Civilians potentially being caught in the crossfire. We've got to get that Staff first!" Lucien exclaimed, jumping out of his seat. "On my honour as Lucien Flavius, firstborn son of House Flavius, associate member of the Mages Guild of Cyrodiil, and student of the Arcane University, I will help you prevent potential tragedy!"
Inigo clapped his hands in applause of Lucien's intense speech, and Serana stood up. "I guess this is our new adventure of the week, huh?"
Cura could hardly call it an adventure. It was more akin to an urgent errand that could potentially determine the fate of both their College and the Province. And, if Lucien's hunch and her own were correct, perhaps even the Empire itself.
The College had done its best to stay out of external affairs for years, but it could no longer.
"You know, I've read of Mzulft before." Lucien rubbed his hands together enthusiastically. "Arniel and I had some discussions on the Dwarven cities, and he provided me with some very interesting perspectives. Mzulft was built as a vast dedicated manufacturing site, and was considered vital by the Dwemer. It was home to a large storehouse for raw Aetherium, which was kept outside due to the substance's notorious volatility, but I digress. The city was also known for its expansive mountaintop Oculory, as well as soul gems that they somehow used to preserve memories. Can you believe that?"
"If only I could preserve my memories like that." Cura snickered sardonically. "I wouldn't need horrific flashbacks. I could just relive torment whenever I wanted."
"Really?" Serana furrowed her brows. "Of all the things you could have said, that's it?"
"No, not really." Cura reassured her. "I was just making light of it. Realistically, I would rather carry all of my nicer memories and relive those. You know that."
Serana pursed her lips. "Uh-huh. Just don't go down that route. That's a dangerous mindset to get trapped in." The vampiress tried to keep her friend circle in positive spirits, because Gods know it, positivity was more than needed at this time.
Lucien continued unhindered. "Erm, as I was saying... the complex extended deep into the Velothi Mountains, with a surface entrance at Skuldafn far to the east. Now, Skuldafn's entrance was blocked off centuries ago, unfortunately. In fact, that whole strip of mountain is inaccessible by foot or by climb; I daresay you'd need to - heh - ride a Dragon to even get there."
"Maybe Cura can one day grow wings and fly!" Inigo laughed.
Cura shrugged. "I don't know if that's possible, but if it is, I would certainly try it."
Serana raised her hand. "That's where being a Vampire becomes useful."
Cura took out her map and began to look amidst the mountains close to Winterhold, but Lucien quickly pointed out some small arcane writing on the mountains west of Eastmarch.
"'Mzulft'." Lucien announced as he took a pen and circled the nameplace on the map. "That's it, right there." His ability to read Dwemer came in handy, much to his friends' surprise. "Er... at the Arcane University, they have manuscripts in the Dwemer tongue. But not much. I managed to learn most of the alphabet."
"That's quite impressive." Cura remarked, causing the scholar to blush.
"Aw, shucks." Lucien waved a hand off.
"This is most convenient!" Inigo expressed joyously. "Maybe if the Dwemer have a bathroom sign you will be able to direct us if we need one!"
"Yeah, all right. Sure thing, Inigo." Lucien rolled his eyes as they began to follow Cura outside of the College grounds.
