Memories of a Clockmaker

Chapter 4

"Concentrate. The spell is powered by the energy you bring into it, just as any spells are. Your imagination and willpower are the keys. There is no spell needed to walk or swim or sitting. When you cast the spell you must forget that there is even a need for a spell to levitate. Do not mistake what I am saying, you must not ignore the reality of gravity. You know that it is there, pulling all the things around you to the ground. But you know it will not pull you down."

Vivec floated in lotus position in front of Sil, his eyes closed, a drop of sweat rolling down his forehead. His nostrils vibrated with each breath the young Chimer took, his hands shaking ever so slightly, barely visible to an untrained eye. He was levitating for about five minutes now, the boy held a good composure for one so untrained in the arts of the arcane.

The doors swung open with a loud crack and Nerevar stormed into the room. Vivec opened his eyes to see what was happening but he lost his concentration. He fell down to the floor, grunting as his backside landed on the stone tials.

"Sotha Sil, the time has come." Nevevar said in all seriousness, not even noticing Vivec on the floor.

"You swit!" Vivec said in annoyance.

Nerevar waved him off, apparently too occupied to care about the boy's disturbed training.

"Come with me, both of you. And be quick about it." He said without any room for discussion in his tone.

Nerevar didn't often give commands, when he did it was serious.

"We will continue your studies later Vivec. Come along now." Sil said to the young Chimer still sitting on the floor.

With low mumbling voicing his complaints he got up and hurried after Nerevar and Sotha Sil.

They soon arrived in Nerevar's personal chambers where Voryn Dagoth and Almalexia sat waiting for them. Nerevar took a seat and gestured for Sil and Vivec to do the same.

"As you all know I've been travelling around Resdayn, setting up House Indoril and convincing the Great Houses and Ashlander tribes to unite and accept me as Hortator. But recently Vivec and I have had a discussion. Now you all may not like this idea but I expect you to hear us out. Vivec?"

Vivec looked confident as he began to speak.

"I have been doing some research. The united strength of the Chimeri people is a force to be reckoned with. In their weakened state we will most likely succeed in driving the Nords out of Resdayn, but we will have many losses. The Nordic forces are not only formidable, they have many voice masters within their ranks. When we drive them out who is to say we will not be conquered again in our weakened state?"

"You want to make alliances then? Who could you possibly have in mind?" Almalexia interrupted.

"Isn't it obvious?" Sil replied. "Who are the only people the Nords could never conquer? Who are the people that could easily whipe our civilization from the map after fighting a devastating war?"

"Precisely." Vivec said to Sotha Sil.

"Nerevar and I want to make an alliance with the Dwemer."

Almalexia chuckled. Voryn Dagoth sat in silence stroking his black beard, listening carefully to every word that was said.

"Our people have been at ods with our earth-dwelling cousins since Saint Veloth led us to Resdayn. How do you suppose we will get in an alliance with them?" Almalexia said with a slightly mocking voice.

"Actually my love, we have made contact with the Dwemer. King Dumac will gladly receive an emissary of our people. Of course I cannot go myself. That is why I called you all here. Vivec and I have spoken long about this and we believe Sotha Sil and Voryn Dagoth should go to Red Mountain and be the voice of our people."