An Enchanting Tale

Chapter 22

Chapter Twenty Two

There sat a void, simple, black, all-encompassing. A path of blue light appeared. From a distance, a robed figure approached. The scent of cinnamon was in the air. He suddenly realized he was dreaming. The Mistress of Dusk and Dawn stood before him. Stars glittered behind the moving void. Azura's voice was a soft melody.

"My champion, you must rally yourself or be lost in eternity."

"I...I'm fine. My lady?" S'maash stammered.

"Hold fast to my visage. Yes. Look upon me. It is safe here," Azura instructed.

S'maash gazed at her. Azura was the essence of beauty in her billowing gown, a gown of all colors. Radiance shone from behind her, from beyond her.

"Is it true, what the Augar said?"

"It is, but I know my champion will not forsake me, not after the daunting task you undertook to reunite me with your plane of existence."

A red light grew between them. It undulated then shuddered before speaking.

"Do not listen. We choose our paths even if it displeases those for whom we care," a voice announced.

It was a strange, breathy voice, like the Augar of Dunlain's. The light spoke in the same halted fashion, but the voice was familiar.

"Farengar," S'maash asked.

The elf was nearly brought to tears, but the voice continued. "Ages ago, I was the one called Farengar Secret-Fire. Now, I am simply the Emissary of Fate. The Daedric prince of Knowledge has bestowed much. Among his knowledge, is the fate of all. Your fate is your own. No one and nothing can change that."

S'maash had difficulty looking at both Azura and the Emissary. Though they were both present in the same space, it was like seeing each image with a different eye.

"He's right, of course, S'maash, but you are my champion. Do not relegate me to Oblivion. I have only recently been able to interact with Tamriel, and it was all due to your actions," Azura said with love.

S'maash was torn. He loved Azura, but knowledge was his drive, his quest.

"What will happen if I choose one over the other?"

"Simple, really, one choice will keep you grounded, but you will always regret missing the opportunity. The other choice will show you everything you desire to know, but you will know more than man and mer are capable of knowing. Hermaeus Mora's knowledge is too often more than one can handle," the Emissary of Fate replied.

"Do not bother yourself with concepts beyond your grasp. Stay in my light and my shadow. Be satisfied with everything you can accomplish," Azura added.

"It is time for us both to leave you. Farewell, S'maash," the Emissary whispered.

"Glory be upon you, dark elf," Azura said.

****

S'maash opened his eyes. Brelyna's face was close to his.

"What," he asked.

"Easy. We found you collapsed outside the Augar of Dunlain's door."

"Yes," Tolfdir added. "I figured it was best to look for you in the case that...well, this happened."

S'maash was in bed in his room. Tolfdir and Brelyna were both looking after him.

"How long have I been out?" he looked around, woozily.

"Just a few hours," Tolfdir replied.

"Did you see it? The Augar, I mean," Brelyna asked.

S'maash made eye contact with both of them. "I did, and Azura, and Farengar, too." The others exchanged a look of worry. "In a dream, that is," S'maash clarified.