Between Light and Darkness

7

As I descended the spiral staircase, the murmur of voices grew louder, the students still clustered around the empty desk like a herd of lost sheep. They all turned expectantly as I emerged, but before I could even address them, a familiar voice called out from the far end of the Arcanaeum.

"Arch-Mage! Where is Urag?" Tolfdir's voice was tinged with exasperation as he approached, his brows furrowed in frustration. The elderly mage had come to the Arcanaeum, likely intending to plan lessons for the day. His usual gentle demeanor was overshadowed by a rare flicker of irritation. "None of my students showed up to class today, and now I find this... scene."

I sighed inwardly. It was one thing to have a bunch of restless students to deal with, but a disgruntled Tolfdir was a different matter altogether. His patience, while legendary, did have its limits.

"I assure you, Tolfdir," I said, stepping toward him, my tone calming, "Urag is safe and sound. He's in my quarters-buried under a mountain of scrolls, no doubt." I waved a hand vaguely in the direction of the staircase I'd just come down. "He told the students to wait for him to return."

Tolfdir crossed his arms, looking past me toward the students, who were now whispering among themselves. His eyes softened a bit, though the lines on his face remained tense.

"I see," he muttered. "Still, it seems half the college is here loitering when they should be in their lessons. I can't have every apprentice wasting their time waiting for one librarian." He glanced around the room as though searching for the source of the chaos. "They should be studying, not standing about idly."

I nodded in agreement, catching the concerned look on a few of the students' faces. "I'll speak to them. Why don't you take the opportunity to remind your class that missing lessons isn't exactly encouraged at the College of Winterhold?"

Tolfdir gave a low, thoughtful hum before shaking his head with a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "You're right, as always. I'll go round them up." He shot me a meaningful glance. "But do keep Urag from getting too carried away. The college runs smoother when he's not holed up reading ancient scrolls."

"I'll do what I can," I promised with a chuckle, watching as Tolfdir turned and exited the Arcanaeum, his pace quick but not hurried.

Turning back to the gathered students, I clapped my hands together sharply, causing several heads to snap in my direction. "Alright, everyone. I suggest you return to your studies. Urag will return when he's ready, but until then, there's nothing more to see here."

The students exchanged glances, a few muttering under their breath, but slowly, they began to disperse, some heading back toward their dorms, others making their way toward the various study rooms scattered throughout the college.

As the last of them filed out, I found myself standing alone in the now-quiet Arcanaeum. I glanced at the empty desk once more and sighed. "The things I do to keep this place running..." I muttered to myself before turning on my heel and heading toward the Hall of the Elements. There was always something more to attend to at the College, and I had a feeling today would be no different.