The Arch-Mage (An Elder Scrolls Fanfic Series)

Chapter 1

The cold of the night is strickening. Though I wear my finest piece I have crafted from the wolves I hunt on the outskirts of Riverwood, the seemingly endless hail of snow of Winterhold could still seep into my skin. It was very cold as I arrive in Winterhold. It was the night of the 1st of Evening Star (December). The first building that I was greeted by was the Jarl's Longhouse on the left side of the cobblestone road. It is made from log walls patched with rope fibers, and a wooden, decorated, roof that obviously resembles royalty. No reason to visit the Jarl for now. On the right side of the road was an inn. Frozen Hearth Inn, as carved on the sign posted just outside the inn. It is also made of sawn logs patched with rope. I see some other buildings and houses further, but what piqued my interest was the ruins beyond the cliff. The place was a wreck, had it been a place of never-ending series of storms during the Great Collapse. As I gathered my thoughts, I quickly went to the local inn to warm myself. As I entered, I took off my hood and explored my eyes a bit. There's a huge, roaring fire as I enter. I presume it is where they cook foodand let the people warm themselves to combat symptoms of frostbite. On the sides were tables and benches for the patrons of the local inn and visitors. I saw a high elf, sitting on a bench in the front side of the inn, a drunkard who's asleep on the floor, and a female child. I'm assuming that it's the inn keeper's daughter.

"Finally, a customer!" I heard the bartender.
"Welcome to the Frozen Hearth Inn!" he added in a welcoming manner. I walked up to the bar. "Need a food? Drink? Or a place to stay?" the bartender asked as I sat down in the stool.
"I'm Dagur, owner of the Frozen Hearth Inn. How can I help a brother nord?" he stated. 

"How much for a refill of waterskin?" I asked, grabbing my waterskin from my brown fur backpack. 

"That would be 5 gold, good sir."

"And a bread" I added as I sat down at the stool.

"That would be 25 gold." Dagur stated.

"I'll take it."
I handed him the 25 gold on the counter and grabbed my newly-bought bread and started eating it.

"That all? A Honningbrew mead is perfect for warming yourself in this weather, you know?" Dagur said, while cleaning mugs with a clean rag.

"A mead is not preferable when considering on entering the college." I replied while eating the bread. 

"College? Are you a mage? Why do you carry a sword?" He asked. "Whatever. That damn college." Dagur shrugged. "Every other customer who arrived in this city is because of that damned college." He added. 

"Hate the mages?" I said. The statement he said made me stop eating for a while and asked in increasing curiosity.

"Of course! They were the ones responsible for the downfall of Winterhold! Did you know that this city used to be busy as an imperial city?" Dagur's tone suddenly changed from friendly to hatred. I just listened and continued eating. I had no reason to debate. The city's falling apart, and there's nothing I and the city folk can do. 

Dagur sighed. "The college's just north up here, assuming you ask directions."

"Thanks." I replied.

"Just holler if you need anything else."

I finished up eating and went outside to go to the college. I put on my hood and backpack then headed towards the college. Winterhold has a reputation for its cold temperature and it sure is true. I wonder how these people survive in this climate. Maybe they got used to it.

"New to Winterhold? Cold weather, isn't it?" A Winterhold guard said, probably talked to me because I constantly rub my hands and warmed myself. "You'll get used to it if you're staying here for a long time." She added. "But then again, all of Winterhold's visitors visit here because of the college." She then went back to her patrol.