The Last Dragonborn

Chapter 17

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I had been to Winterhold before once or twice. There really wasn't much reason to visit unless you were going to the college. A long time ago there had been some accident involving the magic of the college that had destroyed most of the town. I didn't know the details, but the charred ruins still remained. Only a handful of buildings were left or had been repaired enough to be habitable. Not many people lived there anymore. I couldn't say I understood the draw. While Windhelm was hewn from the icy stone at the base of the mountains where the warm waters of the valleys below clashed with the cool winds of the north; beautiful in its fierceness and strength. Winterhold sat on the cliff at the edges of the ice fields, constantly buffeted by the unrelenting icy wind coming off the sea. The town itself was bleak and any inhabitants I saw looked equally as downtrodden. They fought to hang on just as tightly as the town did to keep from slipping into the rocky sea below.

It was mid afternoon by the time I arrived. I wasn't looking forward to going to the college and begging them to accept me, but I honestly didn't have many other ideas. I needed information they possessed and they were unlikely to share their secrets with one not their own. I had never displayed any aptitude for magic nor had any desire to weild it. Wunfuurth seemed convinced they would happily accept me just for being the Dragonborn. I wasn't so sure. Being the Dragonborn didn't feel like magic. It wasn't something I had crafted and learned, it was part of who I was, like having blue eyes.

The bridge to the college was old and barely standing. It had suffered damage in the explosion that had nearly destroyed the town. I approached it slowly. Standing up on the snow covered stone path was a high elf wearing wizard robes.

She glared down at me, her eyes sharp. "Cross the bridge at your own peril! The way is dangerous, and the gate will not open. You shall not gain entry," she warned as I took my first step onto the bridge.

I frowned and tightened my grip on the strap of my knapsack. "I am looking for the college, is this the way?" I asked.

The high elf looked me up and down dismissively and then exhaled a sigh in a puff of white vapor as she seemed to decide she would have to deal with me. "Welcome to the College of Winterhold. I am Faralda, one of the senior Wizards here. I trust you found your journey to Winterhold not entirely unpleasant," she said although she didn't sound like she cared one way or the other. "Now, I must advise you that if your only purpose in being here is to complain, you would be far better off speaking with the Jarl of Winterhold. If, however, you seek something more, I will be happy to assist you."

She didn't sound like she would be happy to assist me, and despite her words of welcome her wide golden eyes were narrowed with suspicion. I respected that a lot more than I would have an open welcome. It was clear I wasn't going to gain entry to the college unless I convinced her first.

"Why are you out here?" I asked even though it was clear that she was acting as gate keeper.

She huffed out a small breath as she seemed to realize I wasn't part of the common rabble trying to make trouble for the college. "I am here to assist those seeking the wisdom of the College. And if, in the process, my presence helps to deter those who might seek to do harm, so be it. The more important question is: why are you here?"

"May I enter the college?" I asked.

She looked me up and down critically this time. "Perhaps," she agreed. "But what is it you hope to find within?"

I debated whether or not to tell her the truth. I was used to lying to get what was necessary and it certainly wouldn't bother me now, but if I was going to be here for a while, sustaining such a lie could get complicated. If I was going to earn their trust, I would perhaps have to show a little. It couldn't hurt to let them know who I was and what I was after.