Chapter Six

Dragon’s Reach had seemed large enough from the outside, the castle jutting into the sky like the mountains that bordered the hold. It was visible from all points in the county from its place atop the natural hill. However, Noren couldn’t ignore just how cavernous the palace was. The air was thick with smoke. A large hearth crackled away at the top of the stairs leading to the main room.

The throne was empty as he and Inigo arrived. Noren felt out of place, looking frantically for someone who might be able to direct him to the court wizard. As with all of the places of importance he had been forced to endure in Alinor, he wished only for the opportunity to make his exit as soon as he could. He was saved from his awkward search by a man in fine, blue clothes. “Can I help you? I am Proventus Avenicci, the Jarl’s steward. Are you here on business with the Jarl?”

“We are actually here to answer a request from the court wizard. A man named Farengar, if I remember correctly.” Noren made a slight bow, not sure if the nords held the same sort of respect for their king’s subordinates. Proventus gave a nod in response, though appeared a little put out by the gesture.

“You’ll find the wizard through the door to the east. I warn you, he has a… Less than courteous manner about him. I assure you, it is nothing personal. He is simply very focused on his work. I am glad you are going to be doing work with him. It has been difficult to find help that he won’t run off.”

Inigo gave a grin. “We will do our best, sir!” His tail twitched happily as he followed his friend into the wizard’s annex.

The room was well lit, with large windows on all sides. The area just inside the room was dominated by a large table. Its surface was cluttered with all manner of strange things. Bits of paper with unusual markings, books with tattered pages. Noren noted that there was even a large crystal orb sitting out. Beyond the table stood an enchanters bench, as well as a still simmering alchemy laboratory. The green wisps of smoke swirled upward slowly, almost as if they were serpents coiling in the air.

A man entered from a small door to the right of the alchemy table. He wore long blue robes that only just hovered above the floor. He wore his hood up, keeping his face from easy view. If he had noticed the men standing in his study, he had chosen not to acknowledge their presence. After a few moments, Noren made the choice to announce himself.

“Well met, Farengar Secret-fire. I am Noren of Lillandril. My friend Inigo and I have come to answer your request for adventurers.”

“Ah yes, I was wondering when someone would show up to work for me.” His voice dripped with arrogance. “I have a series of experiments that require some very specific books to be collected. I have a list ready for you on the table. The locations of the books are listed as well. I must have these copies exactly. The work requires them due to who their last owners were. Magicians often leave fragments of their power behind in their belongings.”

Noren cocked an eyebrow. “You’re working on spiritual resonance? Not exactly a common field of study.” Farengar stopped, finally turning to look at his guests. When he saw the light blue of Noren’s robes, his face twisted into a slight grin. “Ah! No mere brute mercenary, but a thinker. Maybe even a scholar? It is good to have help that is more competent than the usual grunts the Jarl foists upon me. Yes, I wish to study what aspects of magical energy are left in the various books, and if there is any association between their contents and the power left behind. It could provide more insight into the creation of spell tomes and why new published versions are sometimes less effective. Some of my colleagues and I have noticed that the older the tome we study from, the greater the mastery of the abilities we gain. Whether this is the result of writing style, level of instruction detail, or spiritual resonance from the author and subsequent users is what we aim to discover.”

Noren inspected the list, trying his best to decipher the wizard’s hasty script.

‘The True Nature of Orcs’ – Broken Oar Grotto

 ‘Chaurus Pie: A Recipe’ – Haldar’s Tooth

 ‘The Book of Daedra’ – Dead Crone Rock 

‘The City of Stone’ – Blind Cliff Cave

 ‘A Dance in Fire, Vol.4’ – Orotheim

“It might be wise to make your way to Markarth first. Perhaps gain some information about the hold from the locals.” Farengar checked the alembic that had been bubbling on his alchemy station as he spoke. “I certainly don’t know the locations perfectly, and will gain nothing if you get yourselves lost while searching. And if you would take my advice, I would caution you against wearing those robes on the road. They are fantastic for a mild climate. But the Reach is prone to strong storms, and damp weather. Something like that will likely cause you to catch a cold. I would also suggest that you get a more substantial weapon. That little dagger won’t be enough if you run out of magicka while searching a Forsworn hideout.”

“The Forsworn?”

Inigo responded. “The native Reachmen. They’ve been much more daring in recent years, and are far from being forgiving after their land has been taken by the Nords. We are very likely to run into them.”

“Three of these locations are not in the Reach.” The high elf mused. “If only I had known beforehand, we might have stopped by Faldar’s Tooth on our way here.”

Farengar shrugged. “I am not in so much of a hurry that this will be a problem. Besides, I expect someone like you would relish the opportunity to study along the way. I promise you will enjoy the reward I have for you.” The wizard raised his hand, summoning a pale light between them. “In addition to the gold I mentioned in the contract, I am willing to offer you a rare spell tome. As a fellow magician, I know it will be appreciated.” He pulled out a very dusty book. The leather banding was wearing, strands of thread peeking out to betray that the volume had been repaired many times before. “I am certain that you will likely never find a copy of this spell available for sale within a hundred leagues. And even if you did, it would not come cheaply.”

Noren eyed the book, growing more curious the longer he inspected it. “If it is so rare, why part with it?”

“I have learned all I can from it, and I sense that you came here for instruction. Besides, restoration has never been my field of preference.”

Noren gave a bow to the wizard. “Then we should be going. Thank you for the information.”

“Don’t forget what I said about those robes. Though I am loath to send you to Belethor, he may be the only man in town that will have the proper balance between warmth and function. I would normally be pleased to sell you something myself, but my stock is somewhat limited at the moment.”

The altmer smiled his thanks. “You have done more than enough. I can take care of any outfitting needs we might have. Julianos guide you, Farengar.” The Nord gave a curt nod, returning to his work without another word. Inigo and Noren took this to mean they were dismissed, making their way back into the great hall and out into the city.

The western sky blazed a startling orange hue as the evening began to close in on the citizens of Whiterun. Noren turned to look at the distant mountains from the landing at the halfway point of their descent to the Wind District. The plains stretched out before them with waving grass and heather catching the light like a sea of golden and red flames. “Rielle.” (Beautiful)

Inigo watched the landscape with him, not needing to ask for a translation to know his friend’s thoughts, “I often find myself transfixed by the sights to be found in this land. I will always hold the Rift above all else, but I am convinced that there is beauty to be found in all corners of Skyrim. We are lucky to have the opportunity to seek it out first hand.”

“There are times it makes me miss my home in Summerset. It was a small room, but it had a lovely view of the sea. I used to walk for hours in the hills outside the city. It was warmer there, but I do enjoy living on the mainland now. More places to walk. If I were to suddenly wish to make my way to Black Marsh, there would be no need for a ship and sickness.”

“Do you not fare well with sailing, Noren?”

The elf chuckled. “That would be putting it mildly. I would rather walk from one end of Nirn to the other than set foot on a ship ever again.”

Inigo grinned. “Then it is good that our work will likely never need us to travel by sea. Come, let us go and have a meal at the Inn. Hulda is famous for her elk stew and fresh bread. And who knows, maybe you can get Mikael to shut up long enough for you to put on a performance. I’m sure the locals would appreciate a change of pace.”

Noren considered it, but had a few rules about muscling in on someone else’s established territory. If there were any force he prefered to avoid, it was a bard scorned. Nevertheless, the idea of a meal held great sway over him at this point. He could hardly remember the last time they had eaten. He held out his hand, inviting Inigo to take the lead to the tavern.

The Bannered Mare was packed to the bursting point when they arrived. As Inigo had predicted, the local songbird, Mikael, was already set upon a boisterous tune. Not feeling particularly musical at the moment, Noren managed to convince his companion that they were better served taking a seat near the door. It was far from the fire, and caught a breeze from the door whenever someone entered. However, it afforded the pair relative quiet, and was still within reasonable distance to the bar should they want for anything. Inigo set himself with his back to the door, looking quite pleased to be off of his feet. Noren chose the seat facing the corner. He couldn’t shake the thought that some of the looks he was receiving from the other patrons were not friendly curiosity.

“You want a drink?” He was called out of his thoughts by a Redguard woman, perhaps between thirty and forty years old. She held a tray under her arm and had a rag stashed into the tie of her apron. But what really held his attention was the scar on her face. It had obviously been healed, but there was something in its form that made him sure it was more sinister than any simple accident one might have working at a local tavern. He decided against asking her about it, not wanting to seem rude.

“A bottle of wine would be perfect. Could I also ask for two specials for my friend and I? We’ve been on the road for a few days, and couldn’t help but smell the delightful aromas coming from this place.”

She gave a slight smile, nodding. “Of course. I’ll have your meals as soon as possible. If you men want rooms for the night, you should speak to Hulda. Rest in a proper bed will serve you just as well as a hot meal.” She left them and disappeared through a door to the north of the room. Inigo stretched in his chair, the sound of his spine cracking making a few heads turn.

“It is good to be taking a break. I have to say, even though we saved some time with that short cut of yours, I would rather stick to the main road next time. Some of those obstacles we had to deal with were not so kind to my body.”

Noren was hardly in a position to disagree. Now that he had sat motionless for a moment, he too was beginning to feel various aches and pains setting in. “We did manage to find a few things along that short cut though. Remember the chest that we found hidden in the hollowed tree?”

“I remember the undignified position in which I was forced to pick the lock…”

“Don’t give me that face! You were the one who insisted that you wanted to do it. I was perfectly willing. I’m pretty sure I would have fit better into the trunk.”

“I hardly think this disagreement warrants weight shaming, my friend.” Inigo smirked. “I am forced to admit you are probably correct. You are tall and slender. I am muscular and hairy.” He paused before adding, “We both have fantastic ears though.”

“I get the impression that you might be among the few people here who would appreciate them.” Noren cast another look around the room. While he couldn’t see anyone watching him, he felt very uncomfortable.

“Pay it no mind, Noren. We are not causing any trouble, and I doubt if any trouble starts, that we would have difficulty putting things in order. Some people say your kind are snooty. You do not seem snooty to me. It is not your fault you are better than those opinionated fools.”

“I’m no better than anyone here.” The Redguard woman returned, setting their food before them. Two plates of still sizzling grilled salmon fillets, accompanied by a hearty serving of roasted potatoes. The tubers were drenched in butter and herbs. A light golden crust edged them as steam wafted up to fill their noses. Their server also set out a few wedges of cheese, and a bowl of shining berries. As if by design, both men’s stomachs let out a mighty rumble. The woman laughed as she set her tray back ander her arm.

“Let me know if there is anything else you need. Enjoy your meal.”

As soon as she had gone out of ear shot, the men fell upon their food like ravenous beasts. Noren sat back against the wood of the chair, letting the flavors dance over his tongue. He couldn’t remember the last time he had tasted anything this good. The tension he had become so accustomed to melted away after each bite. He and Inigo did not speak until every morsel had been devoured. Soon, they both sat with their bellies full, and their glasses of wine bearing the scant remnants of the bottle.

“Now this, I could get used to.” Inigo let his head fall back. His face was so relaxed, Noren feared for a moment his companion had fallen asleep at the table. “I haven’t eaten this well since before we took that job for Dupan.”

“Let’s promise ourselves that we will not wait so long for the next time.” Noren reached into his bag, pulling out the tome he had been reading on the road. He peeked to his friend as he found his place. “You know, you never did tell me what happened to you after… the incident.”

Inigo opened his eyes. The sounds of the Inn filled the void in their conversation. “It is…. Not a period of my life I am proud of, Noren.”

“I’m sure.” The elf felt his face warm. He should have known better than to bring this up. Was it really important to know? It wasn’t as if there were clues to his own past hidden in the time Inigo had spent after attacking him.

“At first, I was aimless. It is hard to feel like you have a purpose after you do something like that. I did not sleep for several days. Not until I collapsed from exhaustion. The sight of your body was the only sight I saw when my eyes closed.”

“We don’t have to talk about this, if you do not want to, Inigo.”

The khajiit smiled painfully. “If it is alright. I feel like it is a topic that would be better suited for after we have had some rest. I do not mind talking to you about it, though. After all, you of all people deserve to know what was going through my mind at the time. I warn you. There are quite a few stories involved. I doubt we will cover them all quickly.”

Noren returned the expression. “Knowing how your stories go, I am pleased to hear that I have many more to look forward to. I’ll see about renting a room. I think both of us deserve some shut eye.” He made his way to the bar, feeling no less shame after Inigo had waved away his initial guilt.

He was being unfair to his friend. After their discussion in the cell back in Riften, why did he keep bringing up these memories? It was clearly painful for Inigo to relive them. As he paid for their meal and their room, Noren decided that he would not ask again. If Inigo was ever ready to share the experiences, he would surely approach him at that time.