Chapter 18

I walked towards the very familiar towers of the college. The bounded field around the whole building was a much-welcomed reprieve from the harsh weather outside. The trip had been long and rather dull. Too long to do a single straight shot, we had to rest a few times so all in all, it was about three days before I got back here.

I carried my new sword, Dawnbreaker in my hand. I had wrapped it up with some cloth, I didn't want an obviously magical blade shining everywhere I went. I also felt a bit awkward about putting it into my storage ring for now, I didn't know how that would react with Meridia's…sight, or whatever she was doing to watch over me. I would need to get a scabbard made at some point.

"Ah, just the person I wanted to see." I heard a familiar voice and turned around.

"Enthir." I greeted. "Did you make any progress on what I had asked?" It should have been, what, almost a week ago that we last met?

"Indeed, I was lucky and someone answered back on my inquiries. It seems that I found someone in possession of an entire sword made out of the glass material you are looking for."

"A whole sword….thats more that I expected, but welcomed nonetheless." I thought for a moment, dimensions, size and estimated how much I actually needed. "How much?"

"I hadn't received a price yet, the seller is of…..certain status, I didn't yet wish to approach without a firm understanding of your needs."

"I see. Buy the sword if you can, as I said, money isn't much of an issue." I swiped my ring and took out a bag of jewelry and the Ebony axe from the undead I killed. "Think you can sell this all for me?"

"Oh my, is that Ebony?" He quickly took the axe to begin examining it. "What wonderful craftsmanship, if I had to guess this is a very old piece yet it is still marvelously well kept."

"Fought an undead swinging it around." I shrugged.

"Oh, a draugr with an ebony axe, he must have been a powerful one with status before he died." The elf nodded in understanding as he peeked inside the bag. It was just some trinkets that were scattered around the loot I had taken as well. "Nothing too interesting…..what's this?" He picked out a ring in particular and inspected it. "Hmm, this is enchanted."

Is it? I didn't even notice, not that I had paid it much attention to begin with. "Woops, I guess I left that in there."

He just hummed, handing the ring to me and looking at the bag again. "The jewelry will probably run about a thousand septims, after I take my commission, of course."

"Of course." I accepted that he would be making coin off me, it was the nature of the business.

"The axe though, well, Ebony isn't readily available on the market, even the Nord warriors all over will want this piece. I can estimate, probably around five to six thousand septims at the lower end."

That's better than I thought. "I'm in no rush yet, but get a hold of that glass sword as soon as possible." The sooner I have it the sooner I can truly start planning out my mystic code.

"I'll reach out to my contacts right away." He gave a nod and wrapped everything up, taking it to who knows where.

I didn't think he would cheat me, he was too 'open' about his practices for that. If it got around that he was cheating his customers, the people in the college would stop trusting him. No doubt the Archmage also keeps an eye on his dealings, if anything crossed certain lines, I don't think he would stay on the sidelines.

Regardless, it seems like everything is coming together. I can't wait to finally get started, though I don't think I'll be doing the actual forging. Guess I'll need to check back in on the Companions for that, hopefully they aren't too pissed.

I really need to keep my temper in check. It shouldn't have bothered me as much as it did.

***

I flopped onto my bed, and that was something nice to think about.

My bed, the first time I had actually been into 'my room' in the college since coming here. It was just a small little room with a few shelves, a tables and my bed inside. Nothing extravagant, but it got the job done and it's not like I would need to spend lots of time in here.

"Well, it beats sleeping outside in the snow."

"Barely." Another voice replied.

I tilted my head up to see the familiar from of Meridia, sitting on the edge of my bed. "Hello." I'm glad I shut my door, would have been a bit awkward otherwise. "I'm happy to see you again." Even if I didn't expect our next meeting to be so soon.

She crossed her arms and snorted. "Is this the hole that you live in?"

"For now, I guess. I don't really need much else while studying here at the college."

"I suppose this 'college' is impressive enough…..by mortal standards." She gazed up at the ceiling. "I can only recall a handful of places in this world that have better protections than here."

"I'm glad it gets your seal of approval." I lightly chuckled.

"Of course I want you to...." She cut herself off. "I expect certain standards from you."

"Well, I do have a question while you're here. Would it be okay to store your sword inside my ring?" I wiggled my finger.

"Let me see." She gestured, I walked around my bed and sat next to her. I felt her hand stroke the metal band, inspecting it. "It would not be a problem."

Her hand started to pull away but I lightly grabbed it, there was only a slight surprise on her end, but she allowed it all the same. "Can I ask why you're here?"

"….do you not welcome me?" She said quietly.

"I'll always be happy to have you here, I'm just wondering if something is wrong or—"

"I merely had a few moments free." She replied bluntly.

"I see, it must be time consuming, having to overlook all your followers in addition to your duties that involves your domain." She was a god in all but name, I can somewhat guess that she had a lot of things she did on a daily basis.

"I do not have much influence in Skyrim, but in other parts of Tamriel, I have entire congregations waiting on my word and acting as extensions of my will." She sighed, and I saw her relax more than I had before. "Unfortunately, that also means I end up with some particularly stupid mortals."

"Well, that's inevitable, people are stupid in general." I rolled my eyes as the thought of 'believers' not because I was looking down on her, but those groups tend to attract the 'idiots' by nature of their inception. "But you seem upset over something particular, what happened?"

she looked...conflicted. I don't think she was used to 'talking' to people or rather opening up in any capacity. I mean, from what I heard about her 'peers' they weren't the most friendly sort.

"One of my 'priests' had the idea that I would be pleased if he raised a group of undead, then sacrificed them to me at one of my temples." Her words were venomous as she spat them out.

"Of course, overturn the natural order to gain favor with one who's domain is 'Life'. What a genius plan." I deadpanned. "Want me to go beat him up for you?" I gave her a smirk.

I heard a small laugh from her for the first time, and it was adorable. "His own actions had already seen to that. While still disgusting abominations, he only managed to raise a few dozen skeletons and improperly at that. They proceeded to attack him before his followers could intervene."

She calmed her self, her stoic expression returned after a few moments of silence she spoke again. "I am not....I am unsure of how I am supposed to proceed with this....foolishness."

Ah, she's still unsure of how to act or what to do. The fact that she hasn't taken her hand away is a good sign though. "To be honest, I don't know either, I'm kind of making it up as I go along. Why don't you tell me more about yourself?"

"What do you wish to know?"

"Tell me something silly, like your favorite color, flower, food, animal, anything. I want to know more about you than what I've read in a book."

She looked a bit surprised. "You don't wish to ask me about the time before Nirn or of my origins?"

"Did you think I was trying to pry some 'secret' information from you?"

"....the thought crossed my mind." She replied honestly.

"I see." I couldn't help but sigh. "I guess there is still too much distance between us for something like --"

"Dragon's Tongue." She cut me off. "My favorite flower is Dragon's Tongue. Yellow is the color I enjoy the most. And... I find ducks pleasant to watch."

I just stared for a moment, a small smile creeping up on my face. "What about food?"

"I have no preferences for mortal sustenance."

Well, we'll have to fix that in the future. I'm happy that she's willing to meet me halfway here. "Thank you for telling me." I gave her hand a little squeeze.

She looked down to where our fingers were intertwined, staring for a moment. "I am confused."

"Is that why you came back so soon?" Even if she had a few moments, It seemed like she came here with a purpose.

She didn't answer, but instead stood up. "I wish to.....test something."

I was going to respond, but I quickly felt something I was unfamiliar with, her lips pressed against mine ever so slightly and only for a brief moment. After that brief moment, saw her trace her finger across her lips, like she was unsure of what happened. She turned to look at me, maybe even somewhat sadly. "I need to return."

"I see." I said, standing up as well. "I'll be waiting until next time."

"My time spent with you so far has been... agreeable." She said quietly. "Before I can step away from my duties again…I expect you to remain whole and in good health."

I took a step forward, my hands reached for hers. She looked a bit hesitant, and dare I say – bashful, as I felt her soft hands in mine for another moment before she disappeared.

I took a deep breath to calm my beating heart.

What a woman.

I grabbed my sword and put it into my ring and as I took a step out of my room, I was suddenly teleported away.

***

I blinked, looking around.

I was in a room I didn't recognize, circular in nature so I assumed in one of the college's towers. There were books everywhere and various magical doodads. At the center of the room, was a small garden with all sorts of herbs growing with an artificial light right above.

"Wilhelm, glad you could come." Archmage Aren popped up next to me.

"Well, I didn't really have a choice." I said dryly.

"Oh? Indeed, I suppose you are correct. It was my fault, but I'm sure you can understand, because you see, I was quite frantic when I found out a Daedric Lord had appeared in My School."

He didn't yell, but his words carried a lot of weight, I could tell he was upset. "Woops."

"Yes, woops." He frowned. "What did you do, Wilhelm? Did you make a deal with one of them? Please tell me you didn't sell your soul."

"I didn't, I'm perfectly fine." I denied.

"Then what did you do to get the attention of one of their ilk?" He paced around the room. "Your job, you went to the Statue of Meridia, that's who appeared, I see. Did you become her champion then? I heard about her champions in the past, wielding her holy sword."

"I have the sword—" I brought it out from my ring. "—But I didn't become her champion."

"Oh, Wilhelm...divines, you didn't steal it from her temple, did you?" He sighed. "It's okay, this is fixable, at least you aren't bound to her. She'll want to be appeased; she hates undead fiercely. Perhaps we should find some rogue necromancers around Skyrim and offer them up?" He stroked his beard, looking around the room and pulled several books to him. "No...no…..hmm a few crypts are around here, no doubt they have draugr walking the halls, perhaps she'll take that as a peace offering."

"Erm… I didn't steal it either, she willingly gave it to me." I scratched my cheek, gods this was embarrassing. It's like trying to tell my mom that I finally got a girlfriend.

"I believe I am missing something then." He slammed a book shut.

"Yeah…..how do I put this?" I thought about how to phrase this properly. "I cleared out her temple from a necromancer, and she offered me a reward something like 'I'll give you anything in my power'."

"Oh, brilliant, so you asked for the sword then." He clapped his hands. "Well done, Dawnbreaker is marvelous sword, especially when diving into the ancient tombs that litter Skyrim."

"Not quite….."

He stopped, staring at me as his eyes narrowed. "Wilhelm, what did you do?"

"So I may have…..askedhertobemywoman."

"Pardon? I believe I misheard you." He lost pretty much all light in his eyes as he just looked at me, utterly dumbfounded.

"I asked her to be my woman."

"Ah, I thought that's what I heard you say." He clapped his hands, casting a spell and summoning….a bottle of ale into his hand, before downing it quite quickly. "So, you are in a romantic relationship with the Daedric Lord, Meridia."

"Yup."

"Okay."

"Okay?" I questioned.

He nodded his hands, summoning a staff into his hand. He walked up to me, gave me a reassuring smile, and bopped me on the head.

"Oww." I rubbed my head. "I'm not apologizing."

"Of course not, you're still a young man, I doubt the head on your shoulders has even taken back your thought process yet."

I raised a finger up, about to respond but closed my mouth. "….that's actually fair."

"Indeed." He sighed. "I suppose…..this is substantially better than the worst case I was preparing for."

"So….would it be okay if she appeared here more?"

"Are you….asking me for permission for your Daedric Lord girlfriend to tear her way into this realm from oblivion and pop into the college….for a social visit?"

"Okay, when you spell it out like that, it sounds kind of weird."

"You know, this isn't the strangest conversation I've ever had. I have met Sheogorath before." He rubbed his temples. "Even with the power of the college backing me, I don't think I have the ability to stop her, if I wanted to that is. Mind you, I don't wish to do battle against an entity like her. My only request….is that no harm come to my college and its people."

"I will make sure nothing happens." I gave my word.

"Okay." He nodded. "Now it's time for your punishment."

"What?"

"Did you think you could summon a Daedric Lord into my college without any consequences?" He pulled out a map and handed it to me. "Tolfdir was heading an expedition marked on the map, he finally uncovered the entrance to some ancient ruins and it's crawling with undead. I think it appropriate that you help deal with that considering your new…. Lady friend." He looked at the sword still in my hand.

"Fine." I agreed. "And….I'm sorry I didn't really think things through."

He sighed and pat my shoulder. "Believe it or not, I understand. While I never fell for someone quite so...I did have my own love when I was younger. Sometimes we can't control who makes us feel that way."

"Now." He clapped his hands. "Off you go."

I suddenly felt myself be pulled away again, falling down into a pile of snow in the courtyard.

….Okay, I'll admit I deserved that.