An Enchanting Tale

Chapter 4

Chapter Four

"Mmm, I thought as much. It's good to hear you made a safe return from that damnable ruin, but you need to know there's nothing down there; nothing but death and ash. Settle down here, and keep working away," Rosoleola said.

His tone had not been condescending. Some of the other mages were much more arrogant, however; they chastised S'maash. They pointed out all the flaws in his search. Secretly, they were envious of his challenging magickal theory. Moreover, they disliked the fact that he was willing to try something different. After they succeeded in weakening his spirit, S'maash went home for the night. His brother was already home and happy to greet him.

"We all received promotions," S'maath smiled.

"Truly? That is excellent, but why?"

"Because travelers of all sorts are willing to pay top coin for escorts who can say: I have braved dwemer ruins, fought their machines, and lived."

S'maash smiled weakly. He was happy for his brother, but was growing despondent over his own lack of success. Words of his fellow mages rang throughout his mind. He had not noticed his brother moved closer to squat beside him.

"What troubles you," S'maath asked. S'maash told him what the more experienced mages had said. "Don't be foolish, brother. You need not listen to them. You are the only person I have met who can truly discover something new. I admit your studies bore me, but still, you must follow your passion, your heart." S'maath stated with concern.

"Thank you. I will consider it."

It was days later that the elf was caught off guard. As normal, he was rearranging reagents and dusting tomes at the mages' workshop when a glint off the welkynd stone caught his eye. He stared at it. The soft, greenish light held his gaze.

Mages were aware that those stones allowed one to replenish the spirit. Ayleids believed fire was a corruption of the true form of magick, light. I wonder; did the ayleids have light enchantments? Rosoleola might have been correct about Damlzthur, but he mentioned nothing of traipsing through ayleid ruins. S'maash, impetuous, made his decision once more.

The young dark elf simply left work without telling anyone of his plans. Rosoleola had been kind enough, but the rest were just arrogant know nothings who mimicked what little they garnered from known studies. Their scorn was of little concern, so he ran home to make plans for a move to Cyrodiil. He hoped his brother would join him.

It was hours before his brother came home. During the slow passage of time, S'maash thought out a speech, but whatever words he strung together felt contrived. The warrior entered the living space, passing the fire beneath the mantle as he approached S'maash. The elder brother was all smiles.

"Some good news, I take it," S'maash asked.

"Indeed. I'm going to accompany some priests on their journey to Balmora. The coin is more than ample."

"Oh," S'maash said in a depressing tone.

"What's this? I thought my brother might be happier for me."

"I am, truly. I just...I think I'm moving to Cyrodiil for a time. I was hoping you might join me."

S'maath, in total surprise, took a seat on a wicker chair next to his brother. "Where did this come from?" The younger brother explained his theories once more, that time referring to some notes he had made on ayleid ruins, just copies from texts, nothing concrete. "Fascinating. You should go...."

S'maath was concerned, yet he was aware that an insatiable yearning for magickal studies brewed inside his brother. It would be wrong to try to talk him out of it, he thought. The flicker of flame reflected off S'maash's red eyes.