Strange Magic (Skyrim Fan Fiction)

Chapter 1: The Guest

Do you ever wake up one morning and think to yourself, today is not going to be my day? Well, today in particular is not my day, and it will change my life forever. It was a warm, sunny morning in Cyrodiil, father ordered me to come down and join him in one of his many breakfasts to meet a guest. I braided my brown hair and walked down the stairs.

I admit, I was expecting a fat bastard chugging spiced wine. I was not expecting this mysterious presence.

"Ah, good, come sit and meet our guest, dear!" father said, grinning broadly.

I examined the Dunmer as I walked down the steps slowly. He was overall warm and fatherly, his eyes a deep crimson with wrinkles bunched up underneath them. He smiled and stood as I neared, grasping my hand in a firm hand shake. It was different from the other men who would kiss my hand, that made me uncomfortable, and I was grateful he didn't.

"You must Variale, I am Savos Aren." he said, his voice gentle and slow.

"Pleasure to meet you, sir." I bowed.

The morning went on, and I learned that Savos was on a business trip from the College of Winterhold in Skyrim. I was significantly surprised at this, for...reasons.

"Tell me, Variale. What do you think of magic?" Savos asked me.

I was stumped by this question, and Savos could tell, but father couldn't.

"Why, she believes its unnecessary, a healthy assump--"

"Pardon me, milord, but I believe I directed the question towards your daughter." Savos said, his voice sickeningly sweet.

Father was dumbfounded by the interruption, but he sat back in his seat silently and looked at me expectantly. Savos nodded me on.

I folded the napkin in my lap neatly with trembling hands,"Well, I think it can be a dangerous weapon, or a useful resource. It depends on the wielder."

"A very good answer," Savos nodded,"The College encourages neither good nor evil use of magic, the decision is completely up to the students."

"Mr. Aren, if your intentions are to fill my daughter's head with fantasies and tales of magic, then--"

"Milord, I was simply offering a place in the College for a fellow mage." Savos said calmly.

"She will do no such thing! My daughter does not have evilness in her!" father said stubbornly.

"I know a mage when I see one, milord." Savos replied.

My blood ran cold as father looked at me.

"Is this true?"

Well, what was I supposed to say? That I practice the magical arts when father isn't around? That I spend hours on end perfecting conjuration spells? That flames build up in my hands when I'm angry?

I sighed,"...Yes."

Father's face erupted in redness, and Savos cleared his throat.

"Well, looks like I'll take my leave." he stood, and bowed,"Milady."

I gave him a pleading look, but he simply smiled sympathetically. Father was still staring at me dangerously, and I knew I was due for a beating.

--

Father took away my spell books and hired a bodyguard to make sure I don't practice anymore magic. She was a rude Argonian, nicknamed Pot, and smelled of sweat and sex.

I managed to escape her one afternoon, and found refuge in the library, where I read the third volume of The Wolf Queen. Pot caught up with me and pulled up a chair, the wood scraping against the floor and disturbing the peace.

"Thought you could sneak off, eh?" she said in her raspy voice, taking a seat.

"If it were different, I wouldn't have to run off all the time." I said, my eyes still glued to the pages.

"Look, you and I both know somethin's gotta change around here. You wanna prance around shootin fireballs into the sunset, and I just want out of this job."

"Mhm," I hummed,"And how, pray tell, do you plan on changing this?"

"Simple, we fake our deaths."

"F-Fake our-- what?" I gave her an incredulous look.

"Think about it, Variale tragically dies under the dagger of her bodyguard-- that's me," she said, pointing to herself,"Then the bodyguard ends her own life out of fear of what was to come. Then, we both change our identities, you get a one way ticket out of Cyrodiil, and I can live my life in peace."

I blinked stupidly, then began to think. This could work...

"I would have to look over my should for the rest of my life, Pot."

"Yeah, but you can manage, right?"

I sighed and closed my book,"Alright, tell me what the plan is."