Chapter XXIX: Gathering a Party

I blinked my tired eyes open and winced in pain, mage or not pissing off an Orc is never a good idea... Even my advanced healing was taking its time to kick in. The worst part of it all was explaining to Davos and Sybille just why exactly I came back to the tower looking like I tried to seduce a troll.

Well, at least I looked somewhat presentable after a good night's rest.

After freshening up I made my way to the office of Falk Firebeard to inform him of Savos' visit.

Upon nearing it I heard him speaking to what I recognized as his son, Ingvar "Now boy, I need you to remember to recheck the tax reports from the traders multiple times, they make avoiding payment some sort of game and come up with more convoluted ways to do it each time."

I had to keep myself from snorting at that.

"Of course father" He responds seriously.

I knock on the opened door and they turn to me "Ah High Enchanter, I was just about to send someone to inquire about the scroll situation." Falk says.

I stop myself from an eye-roll "Just Reyvin is fine steward, I am not so stuck up that you need to title me each time."

Falk chuckles "Very well, then you may simply call me Falk."

I incline my head in agreement and ask "You two seem to be in some rather hectic preparations, almost as if you plan on joining us in the attack Falk?"

He nods "The King insists on fighting so I must follow him... Well, I am not strictly required to but if he dies when I could have been there to defend him I would not be able to live with myself."

I cup my chin in thought "Hmmm, and I guess that dissuading his participation is a foolish idea since he does need the reputation?"

"Quite."

I turn to Ingvar "You sure you can keep up with your father's work and your own while he is absent?"

He puffs out his chest "I will give it my all and I know it will be enough."

I chuckle "I wish you luck all the same."

Falk coughs in his hand "While I do not dislike your presence, we do have work to do so if you could please get to whatever it is you were here for?"

I nod in understanding "Of course, I am here to inform you that Archmage Savos Aren will be visiting the court later today to offer his personal assistance with the necromancers."

Falk's eyes almost glow in delight "That is truly great news! Did he say why he is interested in the situation?"

I shrug "He merely explained that I alone will not be enough for what awaits, what he meant by that precisely I cannot say."

He chuckles "See, now you know why I got annoyed with your coyness the other day."

I raise an accusatory finger "You would do it too if you could, don't lie to me."

"Aye, I would. But I cannot so I get to be grouchy about it." He says faux-seriously "Now about those scrolls?"

I deposit about a hundred solar magic scrolls of different potency and explain in detail what they do and how they are to be used.

We discuss how best to distribute them among the soldiery and most importantly my reward for the work, which was surprisingly generous.

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I spent the rest of the morning waiting for the court session and relaxing.

When the time came we all took our seats as usual and Torygg spoke up "While most of the preparations for the coming battle are complete, I am happy to announce that we are going to be receiving some unexpected reinforcements."

Before anyone could respond or react a blue magic circle emblazoned with the Winterhold College sigil appeared in the middle of the throne room and a moment later was replaced with a smug looking Savos.

Why was he smug? Because he could sense me glaring at him of course.

The King smiled as their eyes met "Archmage Savos, always a pleasure to have you at our court."

Savos bowed ever so slightly in response "The pleasure is all mine King Torygg."

"I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised to hear you will be joining us four days hence." The King obviously wanted to know the reason, but was wise enough not to demand an explanation from a mer that could end entire cohorts on his own.

Savos merely shrugged "I have been made aware that my presence is required with the help of my dear friend and Master Mystic Shalazar."

Bryling, lacking her King's tact, cuts in from one of the side seats "And what were you made aware off exactly?"

Savos' smile seems perfectly polite to most, but to those that met him before it turns ever so slightly mocking "That I am afraid is business of my own."

As if choreographed Erikur cuts in "And how exactly do you justify keeping secrets from your King?"

Savos turns to him with a cheeky smile and shrugs "Well I was speaking to your delightful little lover here, not the King now wasn't I?"

Both the thanes react as you would expect, but before they could blow up we all hear Sybille laughing "It has been too long since I dealt with your shenanigans Savos, and I have to say you are surprisingly tolerable in small doses."

Savos beams "Why if it isn't little Sybille! You forgot to visit so long I got worried you didn't like us college mages anymore."

Sybille rolls her eyes "With you constantly behaving so childishly one would think that the college was on the verge of collapse. Naturally I decided to avoid the blast zone."

Aren sniffs "Not even a hug and you are already browbeating me."

Torygg, probably having already had enough of the old Mer, says "Savos Aren is trusted throughout the entire province, even among those who despise mages, so if he doesn't feel like giving his reasoning for his assistance I find myself disinclined to press him for it."

The court grumbles, but with the King's stance made clear there really is no more that they can do but suck it up.

We go through some more formalities and the court is disbanded rather quickly, as the less important disputes are shelved for after the king comes back.

IF he comes back goes unsaid.

Savos pesters Sybille and myself to show him around the palace and we have to deal with his trolling for the next four hours. Finally, after mocking some noble or another he seems sated and teleports back to Winterhold after promising to be there when we are ready to march.

When he leaves both Sybille and I slump onto the nearby stone bench in one of the palace halls.

"How does he have so much energy?" I groan.

Sybille huffs "An unhealthy amount of rituals of course."

I wave my hand "Yeah I know, the question was rhetorical."

"My mind cannot comprehend rhetorical questions at the moment Reyvin." She says in a dead voice.

"Ah."

After a while she asks "So I hear you are heading out to Kilkreath, should I be worried?"

I shake my head "I have no plans on becoming the champion of any Daedra, so no worries. Just don't go scrounging through my things and there won't be sudden solar explosions to worry about."

"I am old Reyvin, not stupid." She huffs.

I look her over "Well you must be the youngest old person I know then."

"Such a charmer" She coos "But that wasn't why I was asking you about the temple, in fact I was curious if you wanted me to join you on your little trip?"

I stare "Did Savos' fooling around damage even your regenerating brain Stentor?"

She tsks "I know very well the risks of such a thing, but behind all of that hatred and self-righteousness Meridia is not a complete idiot, in fact most of the Daedra aren't."

True enough...

"Besides, having her owe me even slightly will prove useful for what I need." she finishes.

I stare at her for quite a while to make sure she is being serious "While I would love to have all the extra support I can in there know that whatever happens to you due to this idiocy is completely your responsibility."

She rolls her eyes "I might not look it Reyvin, but I am an old woman and can look out for myself."

I shrug "Whatever you say oh honored elder, jut don't expect me to stick my neck out for you if your brilliant plan backfires."

"Chivalry is dead." She sighs.

I smirk "Yeah, and so are you."

The next thing I know I am on the receiving end of a supernaturally strong kick to the shin, followed by a loud snapping sound.

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After I finally managed to heal up my leg, all while being watched by a infuriatingly smug Sybille, I decided to agree to her request.

If she is so certain she will survive I will accept her decision.

As I am walking toward the tower to finish my preparations Marco appears from one of the side passages "Ah teacher, there you are."

Oh how I love the fact that I made him call a younger Mer his teacher in front of everyone.

"Your eyes appear to be functioning properly brat." I say dryly.

His doesn't even twitch at the brat comment. He takes a deep breath and says seriously "I want to join you in exploring the temple."

"No."

"B-but!" He starts.

I raise a hand and stare at him "I have no idea if I will be able to survive there, and you want me to babysit you?"

He shifts uneasily "I know it is too soon, but I want to start actually fighting." He raises a hand and sparks appear in it "I even managed the spell you asked for!"

Looking at the movement of Magicka in his hand I am surprised at just how quickly he managed it after getting over the first hurdle... Nowhere near my own speed but still impressive.

My long silence seems to unsettle him and he speaks again "I don't need you to babysit me, just watch my back as you would any other ally and I will do my best to stay alive!"

My stare doesn't shift even slightly "You do realize that to watch your back as any other ally I would have to rely on you watching my own?"

His look becomes determined and his voice is filled with conviction as he says "If I can never leave the safety of constant protection how will I ever chase my dreams? If I die I die, all I ask is to be given a chance."

I remain silent for a while longer, not breaking the staredown. Even after a minute of silence Marco remains determined and I sigh "Very well, you may follow me."

He relaxes but I raise a hand "Remember this, we will likely be meeting a Daedric Prince in there, the moment that she appears you. will. remain. silent." I say very seriously.

For the briefest of moments his eyes turn fearful, but he gathers himself and nods "Of course, I will not shame you or myself."

"Doubtful." I snort "Now go and explain to Viarmo exactly what you are doing, I refuse to take responsibility for this foolishness."

An annoyed refusal bubbles in his throat, but my serious look is enough to dissuade him from speaking up, his shoulders slump and he heads to the Bard's College for what is going to be a very long conversation.

Shaking my head I finally make my way to the tower's courtyard, and standing there waiting for me is a very nervous Davos. Is he also going to declare his desire to follow me?

Well luckily for him he was going already whether he wanted to or not.

"Uhm, boss..." He starts "You know how I really don't like dealing with Daedra and all?"

I nod.

"Well... Could I... uhm sit this one out?"

Heh.

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