16 - Victoria - The Finger of the Mountain:

There was no point in waiting, and I was impatient to get this task behind me; however on my way out of Bravil I encountered Hemantier again, surprisingly he had nothing to say beyond passing on the latest rumours – that some thought the Arch-Mage was using the guild to his own ends. Someone in Cyrodiil has some intelligence then, although his fears of necromancy seemed irrational. However I bit back upon a mocking comment regarding the value of the reward Hemantier had given me – for having checked through the scrolls they appeared practically worthless. No matter, that had not been why I had undertaken the task, and it was this end – the recommendation – which drove me now.

Shadow had waited patiently, and seemed eager to be off; perhaps the ride will shake off the shackles of failure. It was now evening, and I had some thought of stopping at the Inn which I had passed part way between here and the Imperial City, but that had yet to come. Leaping lightly upon Shadows back, I urged him onward – for I too was looking forward to leaving this dreary town behind me for a time, my visit had hardly been the most successful in memory; and my inability to master the spells on offer still rankled.

The road was steep, yet once again we outpaced bandits and wolves, until we finally reached the Inn I had been considering at around mid night. Leaving Shadow outside I entered; the sign reading the Inn of Ill Omen. It certainly appeared ill favoured, yet I handed over the ten gold for a bed all the same, before proceeding to my room.

'Room' seemed a rather generous description, for upon ascending I discovered that my ten gold had merely earned me what could best be described as a dank cupboard, a pile of sheets upon the floor; presumably for sleeping in. It was smaller than my cell had been, worse however, from the smell one might almost think that the rooms previous occupants had mistaken this for a latrine – an easy mistake to make considering the meagre size. One thing was certain, I would not spend the night here – I would rather lie under the open stars than demean myself in this place, and I left within moments. One day I am determined to return and make the name all the more fitting, but I was loath to waste time now, once again calling Shadow and setting forth.

The ride was peaceful and uninterrupted, until we finally reached the Wawnet Inn at the base of the bridge leading in to the Imperial City. Everywhere in the city would be closed at this time, and I was weary, so it required no great justification to enter and pay for the second bed of the night – again ten gold. Pausing only to inform the land lady that I had yet to acquire her precious Shadowbane wine, I headed to my room. While Spartan, it was at least clean, and I remained here until the morning.

It would be pointless to rise earlier than nine, the streets would be empty, and I therefore chose that time to depart, riding Shadow across the great bridge without hurry. I had no further business to take care of right now, for I lacked the money to purchase the staff I desired, and I had already bought what spells I would want.

The Dunmer who possessed Ardalines staff, Soris Arenim, was not difficult to find, for he dwelt in Talos Plaze, into which the main gates lead. I didn't bother to engage him in conversation until I had charmed him – why waste the effort. This done, he did indeed have the staff, but would not simply return it, requesting two hundred gold instead. I took the offer immediately, handing over the Septims and taking the staff – a staff of charm as it turned out. I may make back half of this through the sale of the remaining charm scrolls I received from Ked-Ei - which have gone unused; but I would happily pay two hundred gold for each reference, if only for the convenience. It is unfortunate that the guild heads would not simply accept a bribe and be done. However my brief time in the City was up, and I rode back to Bravil with all haste, keen to leave this tiresome task behind me and claim the fourth of the seven references.

Once more Shadows speed made a mockery of all attempts to engage us, and we rode without pause, despite a nagging desire to express my feelings to the land lord of the Inn of Ill Omen. The road now had a number of travellers, including several horsemen, however they were coming the other way, and merely cantering - so I only saw them in passing. None of their horses was of the Cheydinhal breed, and so I had no fear of them catching up with me, if indeed that had any such intent. Arriving at Bravil just after mid day, I approached Ked-Ei with the staff, and she expressed her gratitude, rewarding me with my reference, and a spell of charm. The charm is weak, and while some think it may be 'the thought that counts' – such a pathetic spell from the head of a guild hall specializing in illusion seems to me to be a tacit insult. I made no comment upon this however, instead swiftly departing, with the intent of arriving at Chorrol before the sun had set.

Chorrol was both the centre for the school of conjuration, and the location where the long neglected Jauffre could be found. However if I had my way he would be neglected for some time to come, I planned to simply avoid meeting him while acquiring my reference. I had a great deal of progress to make before I finally met him, and would do so on my own terms, although he would presumably be expecting me.

The destruction of Kvatch had served at least one purpose – it meant one less reference to collect, if indeed there had ever been a mages guild there; if so they had failed miserably at dealing with the threat. That said, no school of magic seemed unaccounted for elsewhere, leaving only the possibility of it having been the centre for necomancy, which would have been shut down by the arch-mages directive as a matter of course.

Riding now I encountered a pair of horses galloping the same way as I; a lady and her guard – however again the horses were of a lesser breed. Still, this served as a chance to compare speeds, and as I expected I soon overtook and left them behind – clearly the extra money spent had been worthwhile. Reaching the short bridge between Bravil and Lake Rumare I heard fighting, and glancing to my right, I observed a well dressed woman fighting a bandit – I leapt from my horse and approached. The woman appeared to be putting up a spirited fight, although it seemed likely to me that she would lose eventually. I watched for a short time, before their fight carried them closer to the waters edge, and I chose to intervene. To join the fight at a later point would have forced me to enter the water, which I didn't feel like – and it was always possible the woman would die soon at this rate. The bandit didn't see me approach, or indeed anything thereafter, and I cast his body into the lake, the current driving it away.

The lady was the Countess Alessia Caro, certainly the kind of person it would be well to befriend, and I walked beside her for a time – now wearing the rich clothes I had claimed from the Brina Cross murderess. She offered no thanks, and indeed I was beginning to tire of her company when we encountered a Scamp, announcing itself with a poorly aimed fireball. Once more I dealt with her assailant, and once more she offered no thanks, frustrated, I headed back to Shadow once more. I was clearly wasting my time protecting this lady cum danger magnet.

Upon riding past her I immediately passed a wild boar, it would have been interesting to see if she was up to the challenge of defeating it alone - after her injuries at the hand of the bandit, but I suppose if I find a corpse upon returning here then that will attest regarding the outcome. Until that time I can entertain the pleasant notion that the rude countess might be boar feed – and indeed this amused me throughout much of the journey, until as the evening set in I came upon Chorrol.

I am certain that if a merchant would remain open during the night they would gain a great deal of business, but unfortunately none seem enterprising, and so I spent the night at the mages guild, as had become a habit. Come the morning I sold the scrolls I had acquired; unfortunately I had been correct in my estimation of the scrolls value, the two spare charm scrolls provided one hundred gold in total, while the remainder (as provided by Hemantier) sold for a mere forty gold, pathetic.

At least here in Chorrol the mages guild actually looked impressive, as opposed the the poor showing in Bravil, and I spent a time talking with the residents and buying such spells of conjuration as appeared useful. The spell of bound bow would allow me to travel lighter than ever, while conjuring a weapon of greater ability than any I had yet encountered. In addition to this I purchased a summoning spell, allowing me to call forth a Flame Atronach. I was curious to observe it, and called it forth right there at the centre of the guild hall. It certainly seems more impressive than my zombie minion, burning brightly, a constant hiss rising from its flesh.

I looked forward to seeing it in combat, but then realised that I could discover its abilities even here - through fighting it myself. With this in mind, I stepped up behind it, slashing it with my dagger repeatedly, until it at last turned upon me. As it raised an arm to summon forth a fireball I suddenly realised that the entire population of the guild hall had rushed into the room to aid me in the fight, despite no such request by myself. It is perhaps fortunate that none were significantly injured in the fight, however their intrusion had prevented me accurately assessing its abilities. I supposed that would have to wait until I was somewhere more isolated, or at least encountered an enemy.

The final set of spells I bought were those of summoned armour, which appeared particularly impressive. Unfortunately I had to conjure each piece individually, which was hardly convenient – I would have to create a spell combining them all upon my entry to the Arcane University. However despite the purchase I had no intention of using this armour any time soon, for I am as yet unskilled in armoured combat, and further despite being weightless it would still limit my casting abilities. However I knew that in time it would be both a powerful asset, and further might serve to hide my identity, certainly I felt my conjured Daedric armour differed markedly from my unremarkable robes.

The guild head for Chorrol is again an Argonian, this time a male by the name of Teekeeus. My task is to get rid of an Altmer by the name of 'Earana', who he says is claiming he is abusing his power as a guild head. However as my hopes began to rise – thinking that this might be the chance to 'kill two birds with one stone' I had been hoping for, and gain entry to the Dark Brotherhood – I was informed that I should achieve her departure through finding what she wanted, and giving it to her. A slightly strange request in my mind, particularly as Teeteeus seemed to dislike her intensely, however I suspected that this would not be as simple as it was initially presented.

Earana happened to be immediately outside the guild hall, wandering the streets, and I walked up to her and engaged her in conversation – this time without bothering with a charm spell. She appeared to think I was different from the rest of the guild, and I encouraged such a train of thought in the hope of furthering my own ends, certainly it is not a lie however. It seemed she did indeed want something that she thought I could provide, a book as it happened, named 'Finger of the Mountain', which I could find at 'Cloud Top'. The location seemed likely to be apt, for it was high in the mountains north of Chorrol, but I nevertheless agreed to acquire it for her.

Returning now to the guild hall, I informed Teekeeus of the task she had assigned me. In retrospect this may have been a mistake, for in reality I had simply to get rid of her, as per the orders. However the recommendation Teekeeus would provide came above all else, and he certainly seemed to recognise the name of the book, immediately demanding that I give it to him rather than Earana. This then would earn me my recommendation, and my course now set, I departed by the south gate, mounted Shadow, and rode north.

Judging from the heavy cloud a storm was gathering, adding the possibility of additional danger from the lightning in such an exposed location, in addition to the unwelcome deluge. However such conditions would likely cloak my movements from unfriendly eyes, assuming that there were people who would be guarding Cloud Top. Even if there was not, the countryside in this region was thick with hostile creatures, including wolves, and what looked like a troll...although I deliberately didn't slow down to find out.

The windswept grasses swiftly gave way to mountain, and it finally became to steep to ascend further on horseback. Leaving Shadow at the highest clear landmark – a ruined imperial fort – I climbed the steep slopes alone, peering through the lashing rain in the hope of seeing the object of my search. My search was not entirely uninterrupted however, as I was assaulted by a wolf – which I used as an opportunity to again test my Fire Atronach. It seemed effective enough, steam rising where the rain struck it, and the wolf fell within seconds. I had no further use of it during that trip however, for either the steepness of the slopes or the exposed nature of the land during a raging storm transpired to lead to a peaceful passage. At last I sighted the ruins of Cloud Top, and approached.

The ruins, such as they were, appeared to be bare and open. There were no creatures or foes stalking the remains, and neither was there an interior or cave complex – which would have provided both a challenge for exploration, and a shelter from the weather. Indeed the sole occupant was a charred corpse lying next to a marble pillar, which appears slightly out of place. Fortunately the book was with the corpse, and appeared undamaged; however I could not open it. Realising there was little further to be achieved here, I clambered back down to the fort, before riding back to Chorrol, the book in hand.

I could return this to either Teeteeus or Earana, however as I had revealed the books title to the Argonian I realised that I could not gain my reference until it was in his hands, and I therefore entered the guild hall, sodden but satisfied with my progress. The guild head appeared pleased to have the book, and said that he would send the reference I needed off immediately, immediately after securing the book away that is.

Thinking it might be interesting to see Earanas reaction to the news, I exited the guild hall and approached her. She was, as might be expected, extremely angry that I had not given it to her. However it was at this point that I suggested that I could perhaps yet acquire the book for her – my reference now having been secured I was keen to see what reward this might earn me. Besides, I grow sick of these authoritarian lizards ordering me around. She claimed that she would yet reward me if I 'collected it' from the guild hall, and I re-entered with haste in search of Teeteeus.

My haste proved unnecessary, for despite his earlier words the Argonian had merely placed the book, unsecured, in a chest in the living quarters. Having verified that no one was present, I simply took it, and returned to Earana. It would take a day to decode according to her, and I left her be, resting for the night, and then spending the day wandering Chorrol, and in thought.

Chorrol certainly made a nice change from Bravil, clean stonework replacing ugly wooden planks, and I walked, thinking now of my recent activities. If I was correct, only two references remained to be secured, after which I would secure a residence and perhaps train for a time. My thoughts were also occupied with the pillar at cloud top. Was it a coincidence that the body lay next to a pillar that seemed completely out of place? Judging from the corpse it had been burned terribly, but the surrounding ground appeared unaffected – suggesting that it may have been a blast of electricity. I would suspect it had been struck by lightning in the storm, but for the fact that the corpse had been cold. My thoughts were not conclusive however, and sufficient time having passed, I again tracked down Earana.

As ever she was condescending in manor, however she provided me a scroll containing notes she had taken, which suggested that the pillar at Cloud Top contained a great power which could be unleashed. The catalysts necessary to unleash this were a Welkynd stone, and a spell of shock; happily I possessed both, and I again departed Chorrol for Clour Top.

Once more it was raining, however as I now knew the way the trip was easier this time, and I arrived within less than a couple of hours. In theory all that was required of me was to cast the shock spell upon the central pillar, which would gift me with the power alluded to in the note. I confess I was slightly nervous, the charred corpse providing testament to the powers of the pillar, however there was nothing to be gained by waiting. Stepping forth with trepidation, I held my hands forth and focussed a spell of shock upon the pillar, internally wishing I had a ranged variant to use, and thus keep my distance. As my spell came in to contact with the pillar the effects were magnified hugely, and lightning shot in all directions – including mine, scorching me badly.

Even as the light enveloped me I felt a change...had this been what the notes had mentioned? I felt new knowledge, and a new power – a spell; 'The Finger of the Mountain'. It was potent, yet was unhappily yet beyond my current abilities – a situation I was by now all too familiar with. Yet it would doubtless serve me well in time, and the road to the Arcane University is now shorter than ever...