Blood of Skyrim: Part 4

When they got inside the College, Danielle opened the door to the Arch-Mage’s Quarters and let Tolfdir in.  Onmund followed them in and they climbed up the stairs into the entryway.  They stopped there and Danielle said to Tolfdir, “I shall return with the staff.  Let me go get it.”  She then rushed off, leaving Onmund alone with his former professor.  There was a reason for following this secretive protocol, and it all started after the Psijic monks whisked the Eye of Magnus away months earlier.  When Danielle was named the new Arch-Mage, she was put in charge of safeguarding the Staff of Magnus, and that responsibility hadn’t been relinquished from her since, even after she had stepped down from the position.  She kept it locked away somewhere, and no one- not Tolfdir, and not even her own husband, knew where it was.  It was a security measure.

Sighing heavily, Tolfdir asked Onmund, “Do you think it was a sound choice to deny the staff from that wizard?”

“Absolutely!”  Onmund responded firmly.  “He has no business taking that thing.”

“Yes, but…perhaps we could have stricken a deal with him,” Tolfdir mused.  “If we loaned the Thalmor the staff, then they would retract their threats to shut down the College.”  He looked away thoughtfully and then cursed under his breath, adding, “We should have thought of that!”

Onmund looked at his headmaster with alarm and cried, “Oh, no, Tolfdir!  If they possessed the staff, there’s no telling what they would’ve done with it.  There’s…there’s something about Magnus’s magic…it makes those who wield it become drunk with power.  They would probably use it against us!”  Again, he thought back to the incident with Estormo.

“That happened with the Eye, yes, Onmund.  But we have yet to witness another event parallel to that.  I’ve dealt with other Thalmor Wizards before and I can conclude that Ancano was the anomalous case; he was predisposed to, as you put it, becoming ‘drunk with power.’  The Eye was merely a vehicle for him to exercise his sociopathic tendencies.”

Becoming charged, Onmund shook his head fervently.  “No.  No, that is not true.  Ancano may have been sociopathic, yes, but I’m telling you, there’s something about that staff- the magic of Magnus.  It makes…it makes people crazy.”

Tolfdir seemed taken aback by this expository statement.  “And where do you get this conjecture?”

“I’ve seen what it can do in the wrong hands,” he declared.  And right as he said it, he wished he hadn’t.  It was too late.  His secret was now coming out.

“Whose hands?"  Tolfdir questioned.

“…The Thalmor,” Onmund responded.

Tolfdir’s face crinkled and he said in a confused tone, “I’m not sure I understand…”

Onmund let out a heavy sigh and prepared for his confession.  He opened his mouth to speak, but right at that moment, Danielle ran up to them, staff in hand.  Tolfdir looked at her and smiled.  “Good, you’ve got it.  Now you and Bridgette hurry to Haafingar!  Please refrain from engaging anyone you encounter out there in political discussions.  Just go and take care of that rupture and come back immediately, do you understand?”

“Yes, Tolfdir,” Danielle agreed and scooted up to Onmund.

“You’re going out there?!”  Onmund questioned just as Danielle was about to give him a kiss.

She stopped and responded, “Yes.  I am taking Bridgette with me with the hopes that the locals seeing a familiar face will defuse any tense situation we might encounter.”

Onmund didn’t know what to say.  The thought of her going out into the wilderness into a dangerous situation and possibly hostile bystanders didn’t sit well with him at all.  Before he could protest, she tilted her face up and gave him a kiss and said, “I’ll be back tonight, hopefully.  If not, we’ll stay the night in Morthal and hurry back tomorrow.  I love you!”  She then left them.

“I…love you, too!”  he shouted as he heard her rush down the stairs.  He felt a pang when he heard the door shut and looked back at Tolfdir.  “Are she and Bridgette going to be okay out there?”  he asked him worriedly.

“They should be just fine,” Tolfdir replied.  “I am more concerned with them encountering Thalmor or Imperial soldiers than I am about them dealing with the anomaly.  The staff should make quick work of it.  Now, Onmund, you…you had made sort of a baffling statement earlier that confused me.  I want to know what you meant when you said that you saw the staff in the Thalmor’s hands.  Are you speaking of a vision?”

Oh, boy…Onmund thought with dread.  There’s nothing left to do now except to come clean with the truth.  Looking down the ground, he answered, “No.  I’m not talking about a vision.”  He then looked back at his headmaster and confessed, “I know what really happened to Estormo.”

“Estormo…” Tolfdir uttered, appearing to be struggling to remember.  “That Thalmor agent whom we’ve been interrogated about?  The one who disappeared in the wilderness?”

Onmund nodded.  “I saw him.”

“When?  Where?”

“At Labyrinthian.  After Danielle and I defeated Morokei and took the staff.”

“Onmund, why haven’t you told me this before?  You saw Estormo?  Alive?”

“Yes,” he replied guitily.  He then added bitterly, “But wait.  It gets better.”  As Tolfdir crossed his arms and looked at him expectantly, he continued, “Estormo found us first.  He basically ambushed us and snatched the staff out of our grasp.  He then used it against us, draining both me and Danielle’s magicka reserves.  He almost killed me, continuing to drain the life out of me even after all my magicka was gone.  And I did what any desperate person would’ve done in that situation.”

“What?”  Tolfdir asked.

“I attacked him,” he finished.  “I…I charged at him with what was left of my strength and…and I killed him.”

Tolfdir blinked a couple of times before uttering, “My word…you…you killed him?  How?  With what…?”

“With my bare hands,” he answered, now getting very uncomfortable.  He especially wished not to describe the process of how he did so in graphic detail.

“Huh…” Tolfdir started, and looked away for a moment, as if trying to process this new information.

“I had no other choice!”  Onmund spoke up, trying to cushion the blow that had already been dealt.  “He had Danielle immobilized, and I had no magicka, and he had complete control of the staff.  If he continued to use it on us, we would have been dead within seconds!”

“I understand,” Tolfdir finally said.  Putting a hand on his chin, though, he remarked somewhat angrily, “I am just baffled at why neither you nor Danielle came to me about this before.  This occurred what…several months ago now?  Did you intend to keep this vital information secret forever?”

“No,” Onmund replied.  “I was going to tell you eventually.  And I certainly never thought I would have waited this long.  But I was just worried.  Worried about how our relations with the Thalmor were developing and I didn’t want to…I didn’t want to stain the College’s reputation with this.”

“Our reputation is already stained, Onmund!”  Tolfdir yelled.

Onmund shut his mouth and looked down in embarrassment, as he had never been yelled at by Tolfdir before.  The headmaster just continued to look at the tall Nord mage with anger and disappointment and all Onmund could do was stand there in silence and avoid his eyes, thinking that he had no more valid excuses or explanations.

After taking a couple of deep breaths, Tolfdir finally said much more calmly, “I shall take my leave now.  I have nothing more to say.  I need to go and consider this…new information more carefully.  It may end up changing things.”

Onmund quickly lifted his head up and asked worriedly, “You’re not going to tell anyone about this, are you?”

“No,” Tolfdir responded curtly.  “We are certainly not going to let the Thalmor know about this.  We are still standing by our same story, as always.  But I will need to ponder over the ramifications of this now.  Good day.”

“Tolfdir, wait,” he urged.

Tolfdir stopped again, appearing impatient now.

“I’m not going to be expelled, am I?”  he asked cautiously.

“No, you are not going to be expelled,” Tolfdir answered.  “But the fact that you…and Danielle withheld some vitally important information about College matters from authorities greatly troubles me.  I will wish to have a word with both of you when she gets back.”

Onmund nodded solemnly and watched him depart.  After he heard the door shut, he looked at the cold, gray walls around him and thought, How could I have fallen so far so quickly?  Me and my big mouth.  Now Tolfdir’s angry with me and I’m going to be punished, not to mention that Danielle is also going to be mad at me for getting her in trouble, too.  He shook his head bitterly and went back into his and Danielle’s room to gather up his books for class.

Throughout class with Faralda and the other three Destruction students, Onmund tried to concentrate but he just kept thinking about the way Tolfdir looked at him and how angry and frustrated he had gotten when he gave his confession.  If the College enters this war, it could very well be my fault.  I am partly responsible for the hostilities with the Thalmor whether this information is made public or not.  If that happens, I don’t know if I could ever forgive myself…

“Onmund, will you help train Simon or not?”  Faralda’s voice broke into his thoughts.  “Since Danielle’s not here today.”

Onmund looked up at her as she glared at him impatiently.  Blushing furiously, he responded, “Oh, uh, yes!  I’d be happy to.”

“Thank you,” she said coldly and continued her lecture.

“Striker just misses his woman,” J’zargo whispered.  “He’s not himself without her.”

At this, he heard the Khajiit snicker as well as Simon, which made Onmund blush even more.  He had to concentrate.  After all, it was Tolfdir who told them not to let current events disrupt their studies.  He would have to try harder to focus.

When class was over, Faralda left them all to practice and Onmund partnered up with Simon like he was told and helped him with his fire spells.  J’zargo and Brelyna were nearby practicing their spells, as well.  At one point, Brelyna said in a scolding manner, “You know, Danielle being away is no laughing matter.  She’s risking her life right now to protect the College’s reputation.  You oughtta show some respect, at least!”

“I didn’t say anything disrespecting about Danielle!”  J’zargo protested.  “I was talking about how much Onmund must miss her.  You should have seen him when we were traveling a few days ago.  He picks some lavender flowers from the side of the road and sniffs them, and I ask him, ‘What are you doing?’ and he says, ‘These flowers remind me of Danielle.’”

Simon let out a snort, and Onmund blushed again when Brelyna cut in, “So?  What’s so funny about that?  I think that’s sweet.  She’s lucky to have such a loving husband.”

J’zargo and Simon looked at each other and exchanged amused glances.

“All right, all right, are you done picking on the Nord mage, now?”  Onmund piped up in a flustered manner.  “You’ll see.  I can go all day without talking about her.”

There was no response to this, but everyone went back to practicing their spells.  For the record, I do miss her, but that isn’t why I was distracted earlier, he wanted to tell them.  He and Simon took turns firing spells at each other and warding for the next thirty minutes and then they decided to go eat lunch.  Onmund invited Simon, J’zargo, and Brelyna to go eat at the Frozen Hearth again but the two Adepts refused so that just left the two Nords again to go there.

When Onmund and Simon arrived at the inn and sat at the same table they had sat in the day before, Haran asked them, “They working you hard over there at the College?”

“What do you mean?”  Onmund questioned.

“They must be pushing you pretty hard over there if you come in here to drink so often,” she commented.

“Oh,” he responded, chuckling a little.  “Nah, just decided it would be fun to come here again.”

“You sure you two don’t want drinks or something?”  she asked them.  “We just opened a new barrel of mead this morning.”

“Uh, I’d like to, but…I don’t think we should,” he replied.

“Aw, come on,” Simon piped up.  “Do you really think anyone’s going to care?”

Onmund looked at his fellow Nord with surprise.  “But we’re not supposed to!”

“Come on, you guys are Nords, you can handle it,” Haran declared.  “I’m sure that rule at the College was originally meant for elves, who can’t seem to hold their liquor anyway.”

“Yeah,” Simon agreed.  “It’s been a while since I’ve had some ale or mead.  I’m sure it has been for you, too.  What do you say?”

Sheesh, I didn’t realize this guy is so rebellious, Onmund thought uncomfortably.  “Well…I suppose I could go for some ale, myself.”

Simon smiled and said, “I’ll go for some of that freshly-opened mead.”

“Coming right up,” Haran replied and left them.  She came back with the drinks and poured them into tankards for the boys and then took their food orders.  Both Onmund and Simon ordered rabbit stew.

Onmund had a hard time getting Simon to make conversation again, but he accepted it for now.  Simon just listened as Onmund talked about magic and history.  And once they got their food, they were silent again as they slurped up their stews.

Before they left to go back to the College, Haran wanted to show them a letter that Dagur, the innkeeper, had received that morning.  It was from Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak- or rather, it was from his steward.  The letter was interesting:

Calling all wizards and practitioners of the arcane,

Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak is looking for battlemages to serve in his army of soldiers.  Citizens of Skyrim only.  If you are willing and able to help protect and defend this land, come see the jarl in Windhelm and you will be given your post.

Jorleif, Steward to Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak

“The Stormcloaks want battlemages?”  Onmund questioned incredulously.

“Looks like it,” Haran replied.  “I already showed the letter to Nelacar, who wanted nothing to do with it.  I don’t know how they’re going to find mages willing to serve under Ulfric.  Most of them are elves and want nothing to do with the Stormcloaks, except, of course…maybe you guys.  What do you think of this?”

“Interesting,” Onmund answered.  “Very interesting.  I don’t know where they’re going to find such battlemages, either.”

“That would be one hell of a job,” Simon remarked.  “Lots of traveling, lots of danger…it sounds like fun!”

“I don’t know about that…” Onmund started.

“Well, why don’t you take that letter to your Master Wizard at the College?”  Haran suggested.  “Maybe someone there will take interest in it and be willing to respond.”

“All right,” Simon replied and took the letter from her.  He folded it up and put it in his pocket.  “That was good rabbit stew, by the way.  Filled me right up!”

Haran smiled.  “No problem.”

When Onmund and Simon got back to the College, Simon said to Onmund, “Welp, see you later!”

“Wait!”  Onmund stopped him.  “Aren’t you going to show that letter to Tolfdir?”

Simon snorted and replied, “Are you kidding?  He’ll tear it to pieces.”

“Well…what are you going to do with it?”

“I’m going to keep it.  I want to think it over a bit.”

“Whoa!  Wait…” he sputtered, getting wary.  “You’re not seriously thinking of applying, are you?”

Simon just looked at him for a moment before shrugging.  “Maybe I am.  There’s a great need for good battlemages in Skyrim.”

“Hey…now hold on,” he urged.  “You’re proposing joining the Stormcloaks!  And going to war!  Tolfdir’s not going to let you do that.”

“Then Tolfdir can shove it,” Simon declared with a scowl.

Onmund was taken by surprise by his declaration and was rendered speechless for a moment.
Simon took this as an opportunity to continue his speech.  “I’m a free man of Skyrim.  I can do whatever I want.  If there is a compelling reason for me to join the Stormcloaks or any other faction that needs my services, then I will happily do so.  Now, good day.”  With that, he left Onmund standing there in the courtyard.  After he disappeared inside the Hall of Attainment, Onmund continued on into the Hall of Elements and into his and Danielle’s quarters.

He then reflected on what had happened so far.  Simon is turning out to be nothing but trouble, he thought ruefully.  I thought I would have a lot in common with a fellow Nord mage, but I guess I was wrong.  He examined himself for a moment and tried to think of reasons why he, a Nord, was against joining the Stormcloaks.  Actually, it wasn’t that he was against them in particular, but he was just skittish towards the whole civil war.  Wars were fought with swords and arrows.  Mages have no place in them…or do they?  Obviously, Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak seems to think so.  And I wonder why?  Is he possibly looking back through history to the great kings before him, like High King Harald and his powerful army of battlemages?  I guess it makes sense…mages could add a whole new facet and strategy to a war with their skillsets.  Why, Danielle and I are a formidable duo when we’re thrown into dangerous situations like we had been in the past!  But could I see us fighting in a war?  I don’t think so.  He then thought back to his parents whom he hadn’t seen in months and whom he had no idea where they were, and the words of Dengeir of Stuhn came back to him, “If you want to find them, I suggest you do anything but ask the Empire for help.  If they had it their way, all of us sons and daughters of Skyrim would be driven from our homes and stripped of our freedom.”  Is that true?  he wondered.  Is that really what’s happening right now?  He then thought of the Thalmor’s threats to shut down the College.  It was so senseless.  They weren’t even interested in hearing the College’s side of the story- how Ancano’s and Estormo’s deaths weren’t their fault.  They just wanted the College off the map for good.  It was unfair.  Yet what can we do about it?  he wondered.  We can’t keep them from marching over here and trying to destroy the College; all we can do is defend ourselves if that happens.  He then thought it over some more.  But the Thalmor have hundreds in their ranks, maybe thousands, and not only that, the Empire is on their side.  If they were to march over here in full force, we would never stand a chance.  Maybe…maybe we should consider accepting Jarl Korir’s offer to gather some Stormcloak soldiers for protection…It’s not like he actually asked us to side with them.  But…how would that work?  He had no idea, but all he knew was that Tolfdir was in charge, and whatever he said went.  He wished he could try talking to him about it and giving his take on it, but at the moment, he was definitely not on his good side, so that was out of the question.