An Enchanting Tale

Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

S'maash was slowly rocked from side-to-side as he endured the long cart ride from Whiterun to Winterhold. Mere hours after traveling north, and the winds turned to snow. Though it was cold, the elf managed to fall asleep. Recent trials and tribulations had exhausted both his mind and spirit completely, so much so that he slept all the way to Winterhold. Suddenly, he was shaken to daylight.

"Wake up. We've arrived," the cart driver said.

Lazily, S'maash looked around then thanked the man before approaching the College. The stone arches and bridg brought him a sense of sentimentality or longing. Faralda glared at him from her post.

"Greetings. Did Tolfdir ever manage to look over my journal," S'maash asked.

"I don't know, and I don't care," she barked.

"Hold on to those feelings, and while you do, summon Tolfdir. I have another journal for him to look over," S'maash replied, unaffected.

"I'll do no such thing."

He nodded to himself for a moment. Then, he pulled the daedric heart gem from inside his fur-lined, blue robes. It beat with the sound of Farengar's soul. With an ephemeral thump, it glowed.

"I think he'll want to see this," S'maash coaxed.

Faralda was speechless. She simply stood with her mouth agape. Finally, she managed a heavy sigh.

"What is it?"

"Please, summon Tolfdir," S'maash reiterated.

She nodded then made her way to the College. Moments later, and frozen to the bone, S'maash saw two figures come across the massive structure. Another moment passed, and he was in the company of Faralda and Tolfdir.

"My, my. That is something. Faralda said you brought it for me," Tolfdir asked.

He looked at S'maash, slightly askance. The elf thought he appeared embarrassed, yet at the moment, the daedric heart gem possessed all of their attention.

"Ahem! This is mine. This is for you," S'maash said, providing Tolfdir with the other journal.

"Ah, let's see. Mmhmm. Oh, he was a Psijic monk? Surprising, I thought only altmer were Psijics...well. Yes, apologies are in order," Tolfdir muttered. "S'maash, I've kept this to myself for a long time. I made a mistake and reacted poorly. I–"

S'maash raised a hand in protest, saying, "It's fine. Farengar told me necromancy has become a problem. If not for your rash decision, I might not have found my way to him. At any rate, if you could be so kind as to reinduct me, I have to gather supplies for a ritual to summon Azura," S'maash explained.

"Yes, yes, of course, come with me. You can take Arniel's old room again. You know, after that awful misunderstanding, while we were cleaning, that is, we found some interesting logbooks," Tolfdir said as he laughed shyly.

S'maash explained his and Farengar's theories on their way to the Hall of Countenance. Upon walking into his old room, he sat on the bed's green linens. He ran his hands over the silky fabric, smiling. Then, he continued.

"So, naturally, I have to bring this to completion, for myself, Hermaeus Mora, and most of all, for Farengar, who gave his life," S'maash explained.

"Yes. Any deal struck with a daedric prince is...well...permanent, to say the least."

"I am glad you understand. I need some glow dust as an offering right away. There's no time to stall."

"Mmhm. Yes, Faralda, be a dear, would you, and grab our friend what he needs," Tolfdir said. "Now then, you plan to offer the daedric heart gem to Azura then I thought you said you would have to go to her plane of Oblivion, but I must have misheard."