An Enchanting Tale

Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

An exhausting expedition throughout the confusing ruins of Nchuand-Zel ultimately ended in respite. Consumption of food and water left the trio in better spirits. Afterwards, they proceeded through the control room.

Apart from endless machinery, and dwemer spiders, there wasn't much to see. Eventually, they found themselves on an overlook just outside the control room. They had essentially gone full circle and back to a section of Nchuand-Zel mid-way up from the water. S'maash gave a shrug in desperation.

"We're chasing our tails, here," Brelyna commented.

Zolara chuckled, gripped his tail, and shook it. Then, he pointed firmly at it and chastised it for running circles.

S'maash shook his head in dismay before grumbling, "Hermaeus Mora said we had to go beyond the end, but if it's a circle where would that be?"

Zolara spit over the edge. His trickle of saliva fell several feet before echoing against the water. Concentric rings ebbed away from the droplet.

"Maybe, the end is below us," the argonian suggested.

Brelyna and S'maash locked eyes. "That's brilliant," she said.

"Well, glad to have you back on my side," Zolara remarked.

"Looks like it's up to you, argonian," S'maash said.

Zolara looked around in mock confusion. "What's up to me?"

"Go underwater and see if there's a sunken passage," S'maash stated.

Zolara groaned.

"It's the only option," Brelyna added.

"Only option," Zolara asked, accusingly. "You, the College's instructor of alteration, do not possess a water breathing spell? And you, enchanter, you don't have an amulet you enchanted?"

"No, Sir," S'maash answered, dryly.

"I do have a water breathing spell, but they wear off. It will be simpler for you to take your time and search. What are you worried about, anyway," Brelyna asked.

"Nothing...I'll do it," Zolara gave in.

Minutes later, they worked their way past the control room and the armory. Exhausted and finally reaching the bottommost area, Zolara stripped nude again. He cracked his neck then hopped in, vanishing immediately; he scarcely broke the water's smooth surface. Ocassionally, the elves briefly saw his green tail poke out. It quickly receded. Then, there was nothing. The water resumed its lifeless lack of motion.

"You think he'll be alright," S'maash asked.

"He's quite capable, at least in class. Why the antics is beyond me."

For a while longer, they continued conversations. Discussing what had transpired during their time apart was the most congenial topic. Brelyna had focused on teaching, but was glad to hear all about S'maash's errands for Farengar. Zolara's head sticking out of the water interrupted their conversation.

"Hey!" he called out.

"Yes," S'maash stood as he asked.

"I might have found something, but I can't move the rubble out of the way on my own."

"Right. I'll cast water breathing on us," Brelyna said to S'maash.

"We'll provide assistance in a moment," S'maash told Zolara.

Once ready, the elves joined the argonian. Beneath the water's surface was a fallen, stone pillar. Zolara led them beyond it.

There was a hallway beneath the sunken rubble. At the end of the hallway was more rubble. Zolara pointed to it. While it was difficult to see underwater, as not much light reached so far down, the debris did appear to be blocking a passage. Working in unison, the three were able to remove large rocks, thus opening the hallway for passage.