Chapter 17

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Chapter Seventeen

The following morning, S'maash regrouped with his friends outside the inn. Cold wind blew from the mountains in the west. It seemed to settle right over Markarth. Even walking at a brisk pace to Understone Keep, the crew felt the chill of Skyrim's climate. Beyond the doors, they went straight to Aicantar's study area. He was sitting with a book in his hands.

"Aicantar. Good morning," Brelyna said.

His face lit up. "Good to see you. I had dared to believe you would return safely."

"We retrieved the fragment as well as these strange books," S'maash said, showing the tomes to the altmer.

"Ah. Well, now, they seem to have gotten wet. No worries, so you say you found it?" Aicantar was as close to bursting as any high elf. S'maash produced the obsidian gem he stole. Then, he explained how they went through a hidden passage. "Under the water, you say. Now, I am truly impressed. A piece of the Heart of Lorkhan...can you be sure, though?"

"No, but the falmer appeared to have been worshiping it," S'maash replied.

"It was an eerie sight to behold," Brelyna added.

Zolara nodded. Aicantar shrugged. A brief moment passed wherein no one had anything to say. It was difficult to believe that the ancient artifact had been right under Markarth the entire time. Finally, Aicantar returned to the damp books.

"I cannot read them, but I thought you might be able to," S'maash explained.

"Certainly, I can try. My uncle was the one obsessed with the dwemer. I just find their legacy fascinating. No doubt, he has notes allowing a translation. I should say left me notes...rest his soul," Aicantar commented.

"We're off to the College now. Thank you Aicantar," S'maash smiled.

"To study the relic I presume," Aicantar pried.

"Actually, no, I need to recover a journal. I don't know the location of the other fragment, and I have need of both of them to satisfy Hermaeus Mora."

"Come back soon. I should have these translated within a month or so. Best of luck to you all."

They bid him well and left Markarth to hire a carriage ride back to Winterhold. The long trip allowed time to discuss further planning. Brelyna believed she was not going to join S'maash on the next expedition; it was too dangerous, and she was needed at the College. Zolara decided he had had enough adventure for one week.

"Understandable. I appreciate that both of you came along. Perhaps, I will find some fighters to hire. Do you have a Reyda Tong presence here," S'maash asked.

"No. Nor do we have a Fighters' Guild. Instead we have the Companions. They're an order of warriors whose origin started thousands of years ago, back when Ysgramor first led the five hundred," Brelyna replied.

"I'll figure something."

The ride through Markarth's territories was relaxing. By the time they crossed over the Pale, night had settled in, and they fell asleep. The following morning, the cart driver woke them. Discussions of what adventures and dangers lay ahead ensued, but it was all speculation. Night settled in once more before reaching the town of Winterhold. Beautiful patterns of colored lights swam in the black sky beyond the College's towers.

"Well, I'm off to bed. Stay safe, S'maash," Zolara said and left.

"Will you be resting here," Brelyna asked.

"I might as well. I have to recover Farengar's journal from Tolfdir," S'maash replied.

With nothing much to do until the following morning, they all went to sleep. It was a restless sleep, for the wizard, though. Strange dreams of endless caverns and hordes of falmer assaulted his mind.

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