Chapter XXVII: Back to Winterhold

It took a good three days of focusing on my work for my paranoia and twitchiness to die down after that event. I knew Azura was going to show up at some point and make some outrageous demand from me, even if she somehow wasn't the proud and vain Prince I expected her to be, she had an 'excuse' to make a demand so she would do it.

I just hoped she would be kind enough to wait until I was ready for whatever she wanted... And make no mistake, I would likely have to accept her demands as denying her would just paint a massive target on my back for the wrath of the Morrowind Dunmer.

The two other 'Good Daedra' expected defiance, almost enjoyed it even. But not Azura, she was the 'mother' of all Dunmer and if it were ever known the last Dagoth defied her I would never be able to enter Morrowind, not without having to resort to a massacre at least.

Deciding to put those thoughts to rest for now, as overthinking would just give me a headache and no real solution to the problem, I informed Sybille and Davos of my absence and made my way to my chambers in the Wizard's tower.

Today I finally got around to inscribing the mark and recall circle into the floor of my chambers, and it was time to revisit Winterhold.

After checking and rechecking the ritual circle a good ten times, you really don't want to have accidents while teleporting, I stepped into the center of it and channeled the spell.

It felt as if the air itself was twisting around me, quickly disappearing after that, then as if being yanked by a massive invisible hand my entire being was twisted and what felt like getting spaghettified, I suddenly vividly sensed another location in the back of my mind and the same invisible force yanked me into its direction.

Suddenly I was standing on the third floor of my Winterhold manor, the entire spell took less than a second but felt like an entire eternity of discomfort.

So naturally the next instant I found myself retching in my bathroom.

A servant must have heard me and rushed inside, she was one of the more sane ones I took from Dyrren and gave me a very worried look "Are you well Serjo?" she asked tentatively.

I waved her off, my head still in the bucket. After taking some deep breaths I finally rose from my position and said in a tired voice "Apparently teleporting from the other side of Skyrim on my first time was a bad idea, who would have guessed... please get me some fresh water."

She mumbles an 'of course' and rushes to complete my request.

It was at the same time surprising and not how loyal and devoted most of my employees were, on the one hand, I saved them either from poverty or torment, on the other I was actually very polite with everyone.

Don't kick the ones serving you drinks and all that.

She returned so quickly I think I could see a bit of sweat on her brow, but water was far more important right now so I chose not to comment. I gulped the entire thing down in one swig and turned back to her "Were there any problems while I was absent?"

She shifts a bit and says "Nothing pressing, but Karsus was complaining about some visitors not paying."

Of course there would still be those kinds of idiots "Very well, I will head his way now, thank you for the help, Alissa."

She bows deeply "Of course, master." and leaves me.

I make my way to the Sea Ghost's Respite, receiving surprised greetings of my workers on the way, and enter Karsus' office.

Odd name for a Dunmer, but who am I to judge?

The older mer is currently scribbling down some kind of letter, as I enter he abruptly looks up and narrows his eyes "Ah, Master Reyvin, I was quite sure you were in Solitude right now."

Good, he didn't immediately fold. I raise my right hand and summon my rings wordlessly.

He quickly nods "Please forgive the suspicion, sir."

I wave him off "I am the one that told you to check if things were suspicious, it would be ridiculous if you needed forgiveness for that."

"Of course Serjo." He stops writing the letter and moves it to the side "I was just about to write about the Captain of the Icerunner refusing to pay for our services."

I raise an eyebrow "Has he made use of said services?"

He quickly nods "Yes, he and his crew partook in anything we had to offer, and after they were done the Captain made all manner of complaints about bugs in the rooms and stale drinks and now he doesn't want to pay up as it were."

I hum for a bit and ask "He is heading west next is he not?"

"Indeed."

My smirk turns just a tad feral "Inform the good captain that he is to pay a visit to the second court mage of Solitude when he enters the city to resolve this dispute in front of the court."

Karsus seems to get my intent and smirks back "But of course, Serjo."

He walks out of the office and I follow behind him while muffling my steps with magic, and making sure I am not seen. He makes his way to a specific table and coughs, getting the attention of a tall Nord and his men.

The presumed Captain smirks "Done complaining to your boss then?"

Karsus nods seriously "Indeed. You are hereby invited to resolve your complaints with Court Mage Reyvin Flame-tongue of Solitude upon reaching the capital. Refusal to do so will be considered unlawful and will result in a bounty being placed on your head throughout Skyrim."

The Captain pales and asks "Court mage?"

Karsus smirks "Indeed, my lord has been inaugurated at a royal banquet four days ago."

There is silence for a while and the Captain asks slowly "And you got his response this quickly?"

"Oh, my lord was visiting his holdings a couple of minutes ago, he just considers this issue below him and invites you to make your way to him as a reward for your insolence."

The Nord merely slumps into his chair and wordlessly places a sack of septims on the table.

Karsus picks it up, empties it on another table, and starts slowly, deliberately counting the money. Each clink of a coin makes the Nord crew more nervous. After what must have felt like a year of torment to them, and a minute of good chuckles for me, Karsus finally stands up and gives the excess back to the Captain.

The Nord looks at him dumbly and he says gravely "If my lord invited you for a visit, you will make the damn visit Mikael."

The now completely pale Mikael slowly takes the bag and leaves, followed by his crew.

*Clap*

*Clap*

*Clap*

I exit my little hiding spot and say with a smile "That was beautiful to watch Karsus, far more satisfying than bullying my new student in Solitude I have to say."

He makes an exaggerated bow "I live to serve my lord."

We talk for a while longer about the more mundane and boring aspects of owning a business. I take the time to ask about every one of my employees and he happily tells me that everyone is doing well.

The talk might have been tedious but a happy servant is a loyal servant.

After I was done with that I left for the college.

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Tolfdir is on gate duty today and the moment he sees me a wide smile spreads on his face "Ah Reyvin, how nice of you to check in. I hope you are doing well in the capital?"

I smile back and offer a handshake "The capital is far more interesting than I initially expected, it will be quite the fun playground for a time."

I notice the slightest furrowing of his brow "Just make sure to remember what is really important to you and not get dragged own into the petty games of the nobility."

I huff exaggeratedly "Oh please, as if I would ever allow a bunch of entitled asswipes to drag me down from the path of magic."

"Language young man." He says good naturedly "How is Sybille doing these days? I haven't met her in a decade."

"She seems to have done quite well for herself and looks content."

Tolfdir shakes his head "She always was rather too willing to engage in politicking. I hope your presence might drag her back into studying the arts again."

I smile "Then I am happy to inform you that I already started cooperating with her on some alteration research."

Tolfdir's proud smile heals the soul only as an old man's pride can "I am very happy to hear that Reyvin, now I am sure you have business inside, there is no need to stand around for this old man."

I bow slightly "Always a pleasure Master Tolfdir."

My next destination was the wizard's dormitory, used by the resident adepts and above. After a bit of searching I find the suite I was looking for and knock a couple of times.

Not long after a disheveled Morrigan opens the door and blinks a couple of times when she sees me.

"Long night?" I ask.

She waves me in and takes a seat on a very comfy looking sofa "Yes, I was working overtime to complete your little request. At first I thought it would be simple to do, but the three weeks I spent on it proved otherwise."

"Oh? Already finished then?"

She stands back up and rummages through a safe in one of the walls before pulling out a glowing purple potion and handing it to me "This should close to double your output with fire and lightning, it is quite potent so consuming more than one at a time would be bad for your health."

I nod "You only made the one?"

She sighs "Even that I couldn't do alone, I had to ask Hakan for help and he has been insufferable ever since."

"He isn't asking for anything outrageous is he?" I ask slowly.

She blinks "Oh of course not, he is just urging me to follow his ridiculous way of alchemy as if preaching some enlightenment. The man can be like a priest when it comes to moon sugar sometimes."

I snort "Maybe they should declare him the next Mane of Elsweyr then."

She laughs at that.

"Are Marwyn and Edrasa in?" I ask.

Morrigan shakes her head "No, they were asked to help with the excavation in that Falmer settlement you cleared. The college rotates people in shifts as they all get uncomfortable underground after a time, honestly the whole thing would take half a decade without your animanculi."

"Well I am glad they came in handy." I say with a smile.

After a bit of silence she asks "Any specific reason you came to the college beside the potion?"

I scratch my cheek "Weell... I may or may not be about to cleanse a Daedra's temple in hopes of getting their artefact so I need to gather as much information as possible."

She blinks "Well, good luck with that."

"Zero hesitation."

A mocking smirk is her only response.

We talk about the goings on for a bit longer and share some gossip for a while, I also give her the high quality ring of alchemy and after we exhaust all interesting topics I excuse myself and head toward the library.

The Arcaneum is as silent as always, students are very carefully reading through the priceless tomes, while Urag overlooks his 'domain'.

I approach the old Orc and incline my head in greeting.

He looks me over appraisingly and nods after a bit "Flame-tongue what do you need today?"

"Anything you have on Mount Kilkreath and Meridia please."

He stares at me for a while "Are you quite sure that is what you want?"

I shrug "Already too deep in to back out now."

Urag shakes his head and mutters something about idiotic youths "Second floor, section D, shelf 11."

"My thanks Urag."

He huffs "Just be careful brat."

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