Eye of Magnus (a Skyrim fanfiction)

Chapter Two - Under Saarthal

The next morning I awaken bright and early and I change into some enchanted robes that give me an extra skill in fire magic. Nordic tombs often contain Draugr and Draugr are weak to fire, so this should give me an advantage. I also sheathe two enchanted daggers and stuff a bunch of potions inside my knapsack. Nothing huge, just some minor healing potions, magicka potions and some to resit frost. Some Draugr can use magic but they only use frost magic so it's just logical to bring some potions to resist it with me.

I eat a small breakfast with Onmund and Oriik, consisting of some bread and cooked beef. It doesn't compare to Tilma's brilliant cooking back home at Jorrvaskr but I suppose it'll have to do for now.

The walk to Saarthal was grim. The path is icy and covered in snow and there was a strong wind blowing too. We encountered several ice wraiths and frost trolls on the way, making the journey take longer than it was supposed to. Brelyna and J'zargo manage to catch up with us on their way there.

When we finally get there, Tolfdir is checking the entry door and the five of us wait patiently for him to give us the all-clear to come forward.

"What do you think we'll find in there?" J'zargo asks Brelyna curiously.

"It's thousands of years old. Who knows what we might find?" Brelyna looks a little excited.

"I'm betting bodies. Lots and lots of bodies," J'zargo says darkly. "And maybe some valuables..."

"Don't get any ideas," Brelyna snaps."We're here on official business, remember?"

"Don't wanna go," Oriiik says.

Onmund pats him on the shoulder sympathetically. "I'm surprised that the College is allowed to excavate here,"

"I bet your family would be amazed, right?" I ask him.

"Amazed isn't the right word," Onmund shakes his head. "They might find this...offensive,"

Tolfdir finally gestures for us to come forward and join him at the door. "Good to see you all made it here! Now, this is a very old ruin so there may be some dangers inside. Please remain with the group, stay out of trouble and do as you're told at all times. Now, who's ready to go inside?"

Everyone nods their heads. "Yep. Let's go,"

Tolfdir pushes open the iron door and we all follow after him, me being right behind him with Onmund behind me, Brelyna behind Onmund, Oriik behind Brelyna and J'zargo at the end. There's a faint musty smell in the air, along with the smell of death and decay. Just like any other Nord tomb.

Tolfdir plays tour guide as well as professor as he leads us through the excavation site. "As some of you may know, Saarthal was one of the earliest Nord settlements in Skyrim. It was also the largest. Sacked by the elves in the infamous 'Night of Tears' not much is known about what happened to Saarthal. This is an exciting opportunity for us. To be able to study such an early civilization, and the magics they used..."

"Why are we in Saarthal? What's the significance?" I ask him.

"We're particularly interested in the prevalence of magical seals placed on the tombs here. It's rather unlike anything we've encountered," Tolfdir explains. We continue through the first room and Tolfdir leads us to where the excavation has halted. A few of the other scholars and professors from the college are here too.

"S-so now what?" Oriik asks anxiously, his eyes flitting around the tomb.

"I've got assignments for all of you," Tolfdir answers. "Blaise? Why don't you see if you can assist Arniel Gane? He's one of our scholars, working on cataloging our finds. I expect he'd appreciate some help in locating any additional magical artifacts here in the ruins. Any enchanted items will do; the usefulness of the enchantment is irrelevant. If you find anything, the class can look it over,"