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Skyrim: The Unlikely Companions	By : NoLoreMaster Category: +A through F > Elder Scrolls - Skyrim Views: 3241 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Bethesda Softworks is the creator of the The Elder Scrolls Universe, so logically, this isn't mine. This fanfiction is non-profit and fan-made. Hope that covers it. Don't eat me D=

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
Curse the coding. Bless the mods/admins.
Hail Hydra.

Chapter 6
Saarthal's excavation site lay an hour, south-west away from Winterhold. The blistering cold had been most unkind and the little group of students welcomed the shelter found in the barrow, which was particularly small in comparison to Bleak Falls Barrow.

Saarthal had been hidden for many centuries, if not Eras and a most peculiar scent hung in the air, which was a mixture from the fresh air due recent exposure and the musty, dry stench of decay, mold and fungi.

J'Zhargo growled and covered his muzzle with his scar, bothered by the stench more than the others. "Disgusting." He hissed.

Cirilonde agreed, but it wasn't the stench that bothered her. It was feint, but she could sense the subtle, and strange, ancient energy that lingered in the place, much like the wall in Bleak Falls Barrow but at the same time, different...it felt itelligent, and evil.

She shook her head, discarding her paranoia. I shouldn't be spooking myself like this. Yet, the hairs in the back of her neck stayed up and her goosebumps remained.

They followed Tolfdir down the narrow, cramped hallways into a bigger hall. They currently were on the walkway above a small, alcoved area where unearthed caskets lay empty

"While we ar here, I would like to caution you not to tamper with anything and just take notes on your theories as to what you've found. J'Zhargo, Onmund, I would like you to examine this main area and the passage below and register what you find. Don't touch anything. Just see if you can find if we are the first ones here and if there are any magical objects or influences that linger."

Tolfdir then motioned for the last three students that remained (Cirilonde, Brelyna and Nirya) to follow him. They carefully walked over the planks that made for a make-shift bridge as part of the walkway that had collapsed adn found Arniel Gane in a small antechamber down the hallway from across the bridge, where he was recording his findings.

Arniel Gane was a thin, weary-looking and bald Breton, clad in dusty, brown robes with a green sash. He looked up from his work and when he saw he was in the company of four new people, he grew skittish and avoided eye-contact. He was not a people's person.

"Ah, Master Tolfdir. I heard you already put some of the new ones to work," he cleared his throat. "I could use some help with making an inventory of my findings based on my notes while the other two look for anything else I may have overlooked as I've not been able to tend to the newly-excavated area in the back."

"I'll do the archiving. I'm quite good in cataloguing things." Nirya grabbed the catalog from the nearby, rickety table and skipped through the pagees, continuing in a more condescending, mocking tone. "You'll find my notes most useful, if not readable, compared to your scribbling, Arniel."

Cirilonde motioned for Brelyna (who had rolled her eyes) to follow her before Nirya changed her mind and either of them would be stuck with her.

Tolfdir stayed with Arniel, attempting to make conversation with him while taking a look at the barrow's artefacts.

"I don't even get what she is doing here!" Brelyna threw her hands in the air in exasperation. "She's a senior that's not on the excavation team because Azura forbid she gets her hands dirty, especially if it means she can't swoon ovver Ancano. Speaking of which..." She lowered her voice. "I've heard he's been cornering people to question them. Has he...?"

Cirilonde shook her head. "I've been avoiding him. He's tried it with Ganir." Brelyna looked at her and made to ask more but the High Elf had wandered off to the newly excavated room and though the Dark Elf hadn't seen, Cirilonde's gaze was a blur as something guided her to the next, newly excavated room, which led to another hallway deeper into Saarthal, which was currently blocked by worn, old spikes that came from the ground. To the left of the blocked off doorway was an alcove that beckoned Cirilonde with unseen tendrils and once close, she found an amulet hanging from worn, stone hooks. The amulet was carved from ancient bone with odd engraving with a leather, worn cord.

Normall, logic would have dictated for her to keep her hands off it, but she felt not entirely in control of herself and her fingers carefully wrapped around the cord and lift the amulet from its resting place.

The very moment the amulet was removed, sharp, jagged spikes shot up from the crevices in the doorway she'd entered through and trapped her. She had yelped, startled by the loud shriek of old metal shooting up, brought from the strange cloud that had befuddled her senses.

"Cirilonde! Are you all right?" Brelyna carefully gripped the bars with Cirilonde, but both realized it was useless.

"Go get Master Tolfdir!" Cirilonde told her. Brelyna nodded and immediately hurried off to retrieve the old Nord. After a few minutes, they returned and Cirilonde expected him to chastise her for being so stupid to even touch the amulet, but Tolfdir was most calm as he gauged the situation, running his wrinkled hands over the bars and shook them as well. "Are you all right, child?"

"I am. Thank you, Master Tolfdir. But I'm trapped." Embarrassed, she held up the amulet. "I shouldn't have removed this."

"Well, at least no giant boulders came bouncing after you, nor did you fall into a pit with snakes." Brelyna quipped in an attempt to be of comfort.

"Since the amulet seems to be the culprit, perhaps you should try and put it back first." Tolfdir suggested. Cirilonde shook her head. She had already tried that, and told him so. "Hrm...Put it on."

"Are you sure that's wise?" Cirilonde looked from the necklace hanging from her fingers back to the old Nord, who nodded reassuringly. She took a deep breath and put the necklace around her neck. At first, she wasn't sure if it had even done anything, but then she felt that presence again, this time, more strong as the amulet seemed to enhance the sensation, making her move towards the alcove, not entirely on her own volition, where she had removed the amulet.

The moment her hand touched the stone, it melted away and she blinked, staring in utter confusion as the presence withdrew. She looked over her shoulder at Tolfdir, who had hurried over to her the moment the spikes had fallen back into the ground.

"Well, that is certainly interesting..." Tolfdir and Brelyna both peered into the passage that lay behind the stone alcove and then looked at Cirilonde, who shrugged, still confused. "Brelyna, dear, could you please head back to Arniel and inform him that Cirilonde and I will be delving further? Do stay with him as well, just to be safe."

Brelyna pouted, quite disappoined as she was eager to explore as well, but nodded and went back to Arniel as instructed.

"I understood from your application you are most proficient in handling the undead. We might come across some Draugr, judging by the stench." Tolfdir's eyes sparkled knowlingly as he smiled at the taller, young High Elf.

"I am, Master Tolfdir. Thank you...I'd hate to sound crazy, but...have you felt it too?" Cirilonde gestured her hand in reference to the entirety of their surroundings, though the energy definately held its source somewhere down this newly discovered passage. "This...energy."

"I'm impressed." Tolfdir smiled wider. "You are the only one who commented on it thus far."

Cirilonde frowned. "But surely, someone else sensed it too?"

"Perhaps, but often, magi and scholars erroneously prefer to focus on cold logic rather than letting their intuition dictate them, or 'cloud' them, which in this case, is perhaps unwise. Lets have a look, shall we?" Tolfdir and she had made their way into the tunnel, which led to a circular room with three caskets; two on each side and one in the center, with the same spikes locking off the entry to the next room. "This is highly unusual, but most interesting. Why in the world would this...this place, be sealed off? It looks like the engravings date back to at least-,"

It took Cirilonde a while to register that the old Nord hadn't been at a loss, staring at nothing in particular, but that he was frozen in place...and time. They weren't alone anymore. Before her stood an Altmer man, clad in most odd, intricate and hooded robes with an ornate belt.

She pulled Ganir's dagger out and held her other hand at the ready to cast any defensive or offensive spell. "Who are you? What have you done?"

The stranger raised his hands. "Hold, young Valanocke. I mean you no harm. LIsten well. Know that you ahve set in motion a chain of events that cannot be stopped. Judgement has not been passed, as you had no way of knowing."

"What are you talking about? How do you even know my name? What have you done to Master Tolfdir?" She had no intention of lowering her guard.

"I have little to no time, Lady Valanocke. I bid for you to listen." The stranger pressed on. "I had to freeze time for what little of it I have. There's grave danger ahead of you and judgement will be passed on your actions to come. The sole reason I am able to pass this warning to you, is because the Psijic Order believes you are the only one with the potential to prevent disaster. Take heed and know that the Order is watching."

"What grave danger are you talking about? HOw is the Psijic Order involved in this?" BUt all of her questions went unanswered and once the monk had disappeared, time began to flow once again. The intensity of this shift made Cirilonde stumble, motion sick and she gripped on to the stone casket for support. Tolfdir gasped once he broke free of the time's hold and leaned against the wall for support. He'd grown paler than she'd ever seen any Nord be.

"What...What in the world just happened?" He sputtered.

"I...I don't know. It must have been that energy!" Cirilonde hated lying. But she knew it was the wisest thing to do given the fact that the Psijic Order was an order of magi opposing the Thalmor and their island of Artaeum had disappeared into the seas. It was most disturbing that all the way here, freezing time in the process, they would speak to her to warn her in a hurry and about what? She had no idea and felt conflicted about her sudden drive to find out while on the other hand, she absolutely didn't. She had been through enough, but it seemed inevitable at this point now that she'd gotten into something way over her head...again.

Before Tolfdir could ask any more questions, the caskets to the sides of the room unhinged as the Draugr broke free upon awakening. Tolfdir wasted no time and burned the one closest to him down while Cirilonde paralyzed the other before stabbing it in the head.

"Good work." Tolfdir complimented her. He'd regained some of his composure. "Nasty things. Let's proceed." They continued down the passage once they had found a lever hidden away in one of the caskets. Both were astounded by the sight in the next room, which was larger and rotund. Its walls lined with caskets, which snapped open one by one. And one by one, the Draugr stepped out, only to be slain by the two mages who burnt them while Cirilonde protected Tolfdir with her wards and used her abilities to Turn or paralyze the undead.

They ventured further and the intense, magickal energies grew more grim and strong. Cirilonde looked at Tolfdir, who too seemed to struggle to carry on as the energy was drawing them in, but at the same time, was beating down on them. He waved his hand in dismissal and blamed it on his old age.

Finally, at last, they found the source of their intense comfort as it bathed the immense room before them in a sickening, teal light. Floating and humming ominously in the center of the room was an orb, surrounded by a whirling storm of energy.

Ganir had been enjoying a quiet, afternoon read in the College's Courtyeard below a tree on a stone bench, when the gates suddenly swung open and Cirilonde stormed in on horseback. Her robes were tattered, torn and scorched and she looked distraught. "We'll talk later." She said to him in passing and stormed into the Hall of Elements, running up the steps to the Arch-Mage's quarters.

She took a deep breath before she knocked on the door and was unpleasantly surprised to see that Ancano answered. He peered down at her past his long nose, raising a questioning brow when he noted the state of her apparel. "Yes?"

"I need to see the Arch-Mage, if possible." Cirilonde tried to sound as calm and collected as possible, but she was rather out of breath.

"I don't see how it's the Arch-Mage's concern-,"

"Who is there, Ancano?" The voice that came from behind Ancano sounded much like Ganir's, except older and more gentle.

"An apprentice here to see you." Ancano said to (no doubt) the Arch-Mage over his shoulder.

"IT's Cirilonde, Arch-Mage. Master Tolfdir sent me to see you. It's important." She glared back at Ancano. "I'm not going ot let you bully me around, Advisor."

"Let her in, Ancano."

Cirilonde averted her gaze from Ancano, realizing they had resorted to staring each other down quite intensely, but she had to agree with Nirya for certain now. One definately couldn't trust him, but he was most handsome indeed. His face was angular with a strong, sharp and angular jawline and high cheekbones. His jawline was shaven and his hair was neatly kempt and brushed back. His eyes were a dark, golden colour, but were cold and calculating.

Cirilonde headed in and wasn't surprised to see that the Arch-Mage indeed was a Dark Elf, clad in brown and golden, embroidered leather and fur robes. What intrigued her, was that the Arch-Mage's snow-white hair was bound in te same fashion as Ganir's. His scarlet eyes were a strong contrast to the pale, grey skin and stood out. He had to be old, even by elven standards.

When the Arch-Mage saw the state of Cirilonde's robes, he groaned. "Please, don't tell me one of the students got incinerated in Saarthal. I have some most pressing matters that require my attention."

"No, Sir, anything but that." She bit her bottom lip in contemplation and glanced over to Ancano, who was listening intently. "Master Tolfdir sent me to see you...Privately, if possible."

Ancano made to object right away, but the Arch-Mage shut him up. "If possible, we can continue our discussion another time, Ancano." The Arch-Mage wasn't rude in his dismissal, for which she admired him, given that Ancano had been nothing but rude and condescending to everyone.

Ancano bowed his head, surprisingly respectful. "But of course, Arch-Mage. I thank you for your time." he grit out.

"Cirilonde, was it not?" The Arch-mage asked once they were alone.

"Cirilonde Valanocke from Alinor, Arch-Mage." Cirilonde tried to pinpoint the Dark Elf's demeanor, but he seemed rather distracted and aloof. "I'm terribly sorry if I interrupted your daily affairs."

"No. You haven't. In any case, I'm the Arch-Mage. Savos Aren." He gestured for her to proceed into his quarters with him, which had to be the most interesting place of all the College. Behind the Arch-Mage's desk stood the statue of a female mage with her arms spread as though watching over the Arch-Mage's quarters. The statue was surrounded by beautiful, native flowers. The Arch-Mage's bed was most likely behind the walled off area and Cirilonde was lucky to not pull a muscle in her neck as she looked around to take in all the details of the odds, ends, trinkets and paintings that were on display in a chaotic order of shelves, plaques and other displays. The Arch-Mage sat down and quickly cleaned his desk up a bit, which was littered with letters, scrolls, documents and books. "So, tell me, what is the matter?"

"We've discovered something in Saarthal." Cirilonde proceeded to tell the Arch-Mage everything, withholding the mention of the Psijic Monk that had appeared to warn her. Savos Aren listened intently, his eyes sometimes gazing far past her and the walls of the College as his mind seemed to take him elsewhere in time. "I recommend that once you've cleaned yourself up and got some rest, you dive into the Arcaneum to find information about Saarthal." He said after an uncomfortable silence, in which he stroked his beard thoughtfully before standing up. "I will be heading out to see Tolfdir about this...discovery. It is interesting for certain."

When he extended his arm to his right, a travelling cloak flung off a nearby hook into his hand and he put it on. "I'm most impressed by your progress in such a short time already. Ancano mentioned it to me earlier. Keep it up and you might find yourself a Journeyman in the College soon enough."

"Thank you, Arch-Mage, I will do my best. Safe travels to Saarthal." She bowed and left ahead of him to her room, where she found Ganir waiting on her bed.

"Still have to wait?" He averted his gaze from her as she changed. She sat down next to him. "I will need to tell you somewhere safe where no one can hear or see us."

"There you are!" Faralda had come into the Hall of Attainment and had peered into some doors before finding Cirilonde in her own room, closing the doors behind her. "You need to be careful. Ancano has been looking for you and he doesn't look happy. What in Oblivion happened that you almost had to run me over on the bridge?!"

"I"m dreadfully sorry, Mistress Faralda." Cirilonde was shocked and embarrased. She hadn't even seen her. "I had no idea-,"

"What happened in Saarthal?" Faralda asked, giving her a sharp look.

"I cannot tell you. Not right now." Cirilonde got up. "I first need to do something for the Arch-Mage. But thank you for the warning. I need to go now." Cirilonde hurried outside and as she walked across the courtyard, she kept a close eye on her surroundings in case she saw Ancano. She wasn't surprised he was on the prowl to find her and she had no intention of getting caught unaware. However, just as she was about to enter the Arcaneum, Ancano's inivisibility spell wore off and he grabbed her hand, pushing her against the wall and covered her mouth with his other, gloved hand while a quick incantation silenced her potential spell-casting as a prevention.

He dug his fingers into her arm,glaring at her when she reached for Ganir's dagger while trying to kick him anywhere she could at the same time. "I suggest you refrain from trying to hurt me." He said calmly. "Now, let's make this easy for the both of us, shall we? I will remove my hand. You shan't scream or try anything and tell me what had you scramble back to the College to see the Arch-Mage."

He didn't let go of her wrist, nor did his cold, dark golden gaze waver, which made her shudder. She pulled her chin from his grasp. "I believe I was sent to inform the Arch-Mage and not you."

His eyes narrowed and she hissed in pain when he dug her fingers into her wrist, bruising it. "And I believe that I am the Arch-Mage's advisor, so I would appreciate it if you told me rather than playing coy and wasting. My. Time."

"I don't have to tell you a blazing, damned thing, you wretched fetcher!" She wanted to push past him, but he pulled her back with ease, except they had both forgotten about the steps and she stumbled against him. He made a quick recovery, however, and grabbed her other hand holding her against him.

"I'm getting tired of your games, apprentice." He hissed.

"Let. Me. Go." She growled, but try as she might, his grip was like iron and she couldn't twist or pull herself free.

"I demand you release that student this. instant. Ancano, or the Arch-Mage will hear of it and he won't be pleased." Mirabelle had been alerted by Faralda that Ancano had been on the prowl again and she had hurried into the Hall of Elements just in time.

"I will be watching you closely." Ancano whispered to her and let go of her. Cirilonde stormed up the final steps to the Arcaneum. There, she hid in a corner to regain her composure, wiping her tears away as all the tension and fear that had been pent up for the past two weeks surfaced.

All right, snap out of it! You can handle this. She berated herself and walked up to Urag after taking a few, deep breaths.

"You'd better not have tear-stained my books, girl." He sort of regretted his harsh tone when she shook her head quietly.

"The Arch-Mage asked me to go see you about any information on Saarthal." Cirilonde cleared her throat when he voice cracked, annoyed with herself.

"I would give you the books if I had them, but they've been stolen." Urag crossed his arms over his chest, getting irritable all over again at the very mention of theft from his Arcaneum. His sanctum, or as he put it 'his own little plane in Oblivion'.

"Stolen?" Cirilonde queried, quite astounded anyone had not only succeeded, but lived to tell the tale.

"Yes. Little rat named Orthorn. After a disagreement with the Arch-mage, he bailed after the little clique. I found out the day after he'd helped himself to whatever he thought he could use to buy his way in with the lot of them."

Cirilonde groaned. "Great. Does the Arch-Mage know this?"

"Of course he does!" Urag snapped. Then continued, growling. "He never got around to take care of it. Like always. Guess you'll be taking care of it then."

"Me?! How am I even supposed to know-?! It's your library!" Cirilonde huffed. "So much for keeping everything in pristine condition."

Urag slammed is fist down on the desk, nearly splitting it in half under the force. "Exactly! I can't leave before the rest of your fellow, less-than-competent studetns mess up my Arcaneum even more!" When he realized he'd lost his temper, he calmed down and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. Look. If you get the books back for me, I would really appreciate it. Not only are they valuable, but from memory, I know one of them contains information on Saarthal. Night of Tears, it's called."

Cirilonde sighed. Again. "Do you have any idea where I could possibly find this...this Orthorn?"

"From what I understood from Enthir, the lot he associated with got into a disagreement with the Arch-Mage over a summoning ritual and bailed to Fellglow Keep, which isn't too far from Whiterun." Urag grabbed a map from his desk drawer and pointed out the location.

The High Elf ran a hand through her hair, which was a mess. "Retrieve some books from a bunch of renegade mages and necromancers that are holed up in an ancient, abandoned keep. Sure...why not?"

"It's that, or see if you can get a hold of three, rare books from the Second and Third Era." Urag said dryly.

"All right, all right. I'll be on my way." Cirilonde took the map from him. "And thank you, Urag."

"You're welcome, I guess."

Though she knew Ancano would leave her alone for the time being after Mirabelle had been close to rip him a new one, she still remained on the lookout for him and rushed back to her room where Ganir had been waiting, surprisinly patient as she'd been gone an hour.

She locked the door behind her and cast a muffle spell on it, along with a variety of other, simple charms to ward off any eavesdroppers and would alert her if someone approached. He lowered his copy of the Wolf Queen.

"So a Psijic Monk just froze time to warn you about this 'orb' and now you have to hit the books for information on this thing, which so coincidentally happen to have been stolen?" he asked after listening to her tale.

"I know, it's...frustrating and insane and just what we need." Cirilonde had sat down next to him and rubbed her temples with the tips of her fingers.

"You're trouble for sure. First the Thalmor welcome comittee, then Helgen, now this.." Ganir laugehd when she punched his shoulder, but she too laughed. "Do you want my help?"

"I will need it." Cirilonde showed him the location of Fellglow Keep on the map. "There's no way I could simply walk in there."

They quickly gathered what they thought they could use and made to leave, except they were stopped by Mirabelle, who had hidden in an alcove at the gates. "Where do you think you're going and what have you told Ancano?"

"The Arch-Mage sent me on an assignment to find information about what was uncovered at Saarthal, Master Wizard. It seems, however, that after asking Urag, the books appear to have been stolen. We need to get out there, get them back and get to the bottom of this." Cirilonde was surprised by the determination in her own voice. "You were just in time. Ancano knows nothing...not yet. Thank you."

Mirabelle nodded, looking at the odd, elven pair of which one had shown most promising growth in such a short time. "Get out of here then, quickly. I'll try to keep him busy."

Dreadfully, dreadfully sorry as it's been a while since my last update on this medium. Let me know if you liked it or not. I will be bulk uploading up to chapter...12 I believe I've made up too. Let's hope the text editor doesn't give me crap when I type everything out rather than copy-pasta from Word.
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Skyrim: The Unlikely Companions