Sundas, the tenth of Frostall, the year two hundred and three of the fourth era
Sleeping Quarters, College of Winterhold
Things are a little hectic and weird here now. If I were careless I may go as far as to say that’s the reason I haven’t written. But that wouldn’t be even the slightest bit true; I’m just lazy I suppose. At least when it comes to writing in this thing, anyway. Lately with everything else I’ve been anything but. I’ve been running around the college from floor to floor, section to section. From master mage, to master mage passing on information from our new Master Wizard.
Faralda’s dream finally came true a few months ago, FINALLY. And she is taking it incredibly seriously. She’s been using me as her own personal aid, passing along information and direction from her, as she slowly tries to set things straight in the College again. Tolfdir isn’t a bad Archmage either, he’s been doing more and being more involved in everything than Savos ever was. Certainly more than our recently resigned failure of an Archmage.
Today though, today I have decided I deserved to sleep in a few hours. I haven’t slept enough or even partially well since summer’s end. I needed a catch-up. I can already feel that the bags that were once under my eyes have faded today. That probably won’t last long.
Being busy in this sense does have it’s perks though. I think I know more “private’ information than all the master mages, and I’m not sure why that is. But I think it might just be Tolfdir and Faralda attempting to contain any panic the information may cause. Faralda trusts me with her life, and I guess that means Tolfdir does as well- given the trust he has in Faralda. She’s told me about how the nightmares and complaints about “dark happenings” have only become increasingly more worrisome with every messenger that comes to our gates.
Yes, I said gates. They couldn’t keep people from coming onto the bridge anymore, so Tolfdir decided that they would just lock the gates again - this time with people taking turns on guard duty.
Anyway, apparently these dark occurrences that have been happening in the holds has destroyed the usefulness of the court wizards, because apparently the nightmares and sleepwalking landed them in the dungeons of their cities. According to Faralda, they have been wandering into people's homes and lashing out in sudden unwarranted fear. Lot’s of killing. Which is unfortunate. With all of this information in mind, Tolfdir and Faralda have refused to send an investigative party, as they aren’t sure what one mage can do- and are afraid to lead our mages to the same fate as the court wizards. Like mages might be the target of whatever is going on. And if they were to send a mage with the direction to hire and acquire help in their investigations, they aren’t sure there are any mages capable of successfully and confidently putting together the right combination of help.
Can’t say I disagree. The master mages are all hermits, and often avoid talking to anyone outside of the College. The apprentices are all inexperienced, and are either socially awkward or afraid of talking to people. I’d venture to say the only one competent enough to get it done right would be Faralda. But she can’t leave the damned College, not without the entire thing falling apart again.
I guess our hands are tied. I hope the Jarls can come together and work something out between themselves. They’ve got to be able to deal with this. I would hope so, anyway.
Time to go see Faralda now, Apparently her and Tolfdir have some new news and ideas I need to be spreading. I wonder how much they are finally planning to share with the others.
--
"But I've only been here a year," the young she-elf's voice quietly protested in confusion, "certainly you'd want one of the more experienced mages to do this?"
"Yes Lilium, we are both very aware of your short time here," Tolfdir replied calmly, without emotion, "however in the brief time the Dragonborn claimed the title of Archmage, he raved about your prowess and obsession with the craft."
Lilium blinked at him blankly as her heart began to flutter nervously. Was she experienced enough to do what her masters were asking of her?
"Since Tolfdir was appointed as Archmage, we have began to see an increasing amount of the dark activity throughout the holds," Faralda added lightly, "the Jarls are in panic, and suddenly the stubborn Nords are beating down our doors pleading for our aid."
Lilium could only swell with a small tinge of pride, listening to the new Master Wizard speak. Faralda had always talked about achieving the position, and had almost lost hope once Tolfdir was appointed to the position; however brief he may have held the title. Hearing her now, talking so confidently and so comfortably gave Lilium hope. Her favorite teacher, her mentor - her friend; had achieved her life-long goal and trusted her enough to ask for her help.
"Lilium," Faralda stepped forward, touched both of the young she-elf's shoulders with soft hands and stared deeply into her eyes, "I have watched you grow these last months, only to see you meet and exceed all goals and aspirations I had for you. The Dragonborn himself was impressed with you. We have only called you here because we- I know you are ready for this. You're one of the most talented Apprentices the College has had since Savos Aren was an Apprentice himself. I have never been so proud of one of my pupils, or so confident."
Lilium looked at the Altmer woman and only saw an honest and almost desperate look behind the glow of pride she was showing as she spoke to her. Lilium nodded, and pulled the Master Wizard into her for a warm and comforting embrace. Her eyes began to water, as she buried her face into the woman's shoulder. Was her father as proud of her as Faralda was right now?
"Faralda is one of the most trusted and powerful mage's in the College, and my appointed Master Wizard, Lilium," Tolfdir interrupted the tender moment, "I trust her word and her instinct as much as I do my own. We both know you can do this, and if you are to continue in your place here at college, you must."
"You know you can do this too, Lily," Faralda kissed Lilium's forehead gently as they separated, and nodded at her through her own tearful eyes as she returned to Tolfdir's side. "I know it's dangerous, and I know that it will be the hardest test you have ever faced, but I also know that you cannot do this alone. We will be paying whatever amount you deem necessary to acquire whatever help you think you need."
Lilium wiped the tears from her cheeks and looked down at her feet. Her mind was still racing with thoughts of uncertainty and insecurity, but with every exhale of her breath the warmth and pride of her masters filled her heart, replacing those feelings with confidence and motivation. "I'll begin my preparations at once!"
--
Morndas, the eleventh of Frostfall, the year two hundred and three of the fourth era
Just outside Whiterun
Yesterday was as far from what I expected as I think it could be. I never expected that they were prepared to send somebody to investigate after insisting it was the last thing they wanted to do. It was the last thing I expected when they asked ME to do so. I'm still uncertain. Nervous. I've never been given the task of working for the College by myself, let alone out beyond the city and College itself. I'm not really sure where to start.
I know I am going to need help, somebody- no more than one person, to help me. Especially given the mysterious circumstances which I am to be investigating. It's funny, I think I am already beginning to notice just how weird the messengers have said things are. I thought the clouds in the sky were just regular Winterhold weather, just a bit more dark and thunderous. But the sky hasn't changed in the slightest since the carriage departed. The driver has a crossbow and a greatsword right next to him at the ready as well.
What exactly warrants such vigilance? What's with the unusual weather?
I suppose those are the questions I am going to keep asking while I search for their answers. Now I am getting ideas as to who I need to be looking for when it comes to my party of help. I'm going to need somebody strong. Powerful in battle, and not afraid to fight.
Hmm, odds are I'm going to have to be traversing outside of the cities to investigate, as the abnormalities have been heavily reported outside the capitals as well as in. So a guide for the wilds and terrain. I haven't been away from Winterhold since Solitude, and even then I didn't go anywhere outside of the road the carriage took us on, so I'm going to need an expert. Somebody decently knowledgeable about the province and how to get from place to place.
I think the last type of someone I'll need to have at my disposal is somebody...quiet. I don't know if we're going to be sneaking around or anything like that, but I don't want to take any risks. We'll need somebody who holds particular expertise in that realm.
Having all of them know how to do combat would be fantastic too. I haven't really practiced too often on enemies outside of the few draugr and skeletons in Saarthal, but I know I can do battle. I also know I can support my party well too.
It's a plan then. Warrior, Guide, Reconnaissance. A thousand gold should be more than enough, 200 each and 300 for anything we may need along the way.
I hope to get to the city soon. I'm starting to get an unsettling feeling in my stomach. Like the feeling I used to get when J'zargo would watch me while I read in the Arcaneum. Am I being watched?
Can't be more than 15 minutes now. I'm gonna read to distract from these uncomfortable thoughts.