The portal set them down in the main square of Daggerfall. Lucline felt uneasy as the sounds and bustle of city life went on around them. Even after two years away, the city had not changed at all. She looked now at the building they were standing outside and felt her blood drain away. The old Mage's Guild building. The base of the High Rock Society of Magic branch office. She felt herself wobble for a moment before she gained her balance back.
The doors opened and an Orc in regal robes stepped out of the doors, franked by six Brotherhood mages, summoning weapons from Oblivion. However, this Orc was not unknown to them.
"Sharh!" Lobamog roared. "Traitor to Wrothgar. How dare you be working with the Brotherhood of Galerion!"
"You see, little brother, this is why you weren't told the truth. You're far too noble." The female Orc scoffed. She turned and looked at Lucline. "You though, you had promise. Arnlec is disappointed you could not be brought into the fold."
Lucline again felt the world spin around her. "You lie, Sharh! My mentor would never join a group that would hurt a child."
"You're correct, Lucline." The familiar voice of Arnlec Beatte came as he stepped out behind Sharh. Beside him was Minrre and the Khajiit leader, Shurrina. "I would never join or 'lead' a group that would hurt a child. However, this is a special circumstance I'm afraid. There has not been a vessel of such magical power in far too long. We must act now. This means displacing the child's soul with that of the Great Mage. I know you grew attached to her, but she will still need a parent after the transfer. Join us, and we will not interfere with you raising the girl. Vanus' memories won't manifest until adulthood."
"No!" Lucline said, her anger overflowing and causing her mentor to step back. She clutched the spear tightly and his eyes went to it in fear. He knew very well what they had turned her into, in that deep room where she could not even see the sunlight. "No, she is her own person! She wants to be a knight! I will die before I help you unmake the person she is."
"I see. Well, if we cannot sway you to our side, we will have to deal with you. Brotherhood mages, these five have proven they are too strong for you. Allow us Commanders to deal with the interlopers."
The mages sighed in relief and turned and ran back inside.
"Come to me, then, Lucline. We will have our battle in the inter rooms."
Arnlec bowed and gestured her inside. She looked at the others but saw them downing their potions. Rasina charged at Minrre, Shehai conjured in her hands. Minrre summoned a greatsword from Oblivion.
"It was you!" Rasina roared. "You stole the child from the desire of my heart? I'll kill you, blood traitor."
"I know, my little Ansei. Come then, pass judgement upon me."
Meanwhile, Sharh had brought her hands up and launched a cloud of frost magic laced with shock magic. She was by far the best Destruction user in the Society. However, the spell passed through Lobamog and made him disappear. The air shimmered next to her and his fist slammed into her as he appeared.
"You always looked down on illusion magic." He taunted as he vanished again and three versions of him appeared, surrounding her.
While this was going on, Vasfer had leapt at Shurrina. Talsma slid off to one side and launched a bolt at her. Shurrina cast a flesh spell, her fur becoming like iron. The bolt shattered on impact and Vasfer's claws slid off her. Shurrina then cast another spell and picked up Vasfer and threw him at his sister, who made a mewing noise and badly leapt clear.
"Brother, are you alright?" She called to him.
"This one is fine… but his pride is hurt."
Lucline hoped they would be alright as she followed the Breton leader into the building.
Elder-Scrolls*
They arrived in a large room with Tira laid out on a table. Flowing from her body into three tanks was red, green, and blue light. A glowing form like a psjiic projection floated near the body. The spirit looked up, scared.
"Miss Lucline! Help me!" She called in desperation.
"I'm coming, Tira. Once I beat him, I'll get you out of here."
Arnlec rolled up his sleeves. "Winner takes all, my dear. I win, you die. If you win, I die. And you will have to kill me to stop the spell. I tied my very life-force to it."
"Why would you do that?" She asked, downing her potion, and twirling the spear.
"I can't make it easy. My ideals must be realized, the world needs the balance that Vanus can bring."
Vanus' voice appeared in her head. "My time is over. I can't fix the world."
"Can they not hear you?" She asked him and he chuckled.
"No, and even when they held my crystal they could not. I tried but my voice could not reach them. Use your magic on the crystal, I'll start working on the spell needed to restore Tira after the spell ends."
She nods and gives her magic to the soul gem and Vanus' spirit leaves and floats next to the girl. She started to back away but he held his hand out gently.
"Let me help you, child. We will restore you."
She smiled and took his hand. Lucline kicked off the ground even as Arnlec summoned a ward. The conjured spear and the ward clash and the battle had begun.
A/N: Tomorrow we will have the finale for this arc of Dufrey Diaries. Look forward to what is coming tomorrow. See you then.