FVN Chapter 176: Chapter XXXIX: Family Matters
Chapter 176: Chapter XXXIX: Family Matters
Chapter 176: Chapter XXXIX: Family Matters
"Think they will know what happened to him?" I ask Tolfdir as we finally manage to stop guffawing.
The old man shakes his head, still lightly chuckling "No, I do not believe so. The Psijik Monks are an awfully arrogant lot thinking they should only interfere 'when the times are most dire' or something equally inane" He explains with only light disdain lacing his words "The one that arrived here was probably working on his own and the wards shattered him to the point of near non-existence."
"Shame about the artifacts..." I cannot help but mutter, an order of ancient Altmer no doubt had some mad runework in their pockets "What about divination and the like?" I asked him just to confirm.
Tolfdir shakes his head "Have no worries, Shalazar has already made sure that scrying in this area will be exceedingly difficult if you aren't certain what you are looking for."
I raise an eyebrow "Something like a mystical fog then?"
He shrugs calmly "You know better than I, mysticism was never a talent of mine and I do not have the predisposition for it." As if he suddenly remembered something he raised an upward finger "Speaking off, he told me that you shouldn't worry about his protections as he made sure you were 'keyed in' so to speak."
"How considerate of him" I quip but internally still thank the mad lizard "Just in case you didn't notice I took the amulet off of the guardian." I tell him and flip the ancient necklace into my hand, twirling it around my finger "I am working on finding the Gauldur amulet and this is one of the fragments, I hope you don't mind me taking it in return for everything else down here?"
He waves me off with a satisfied chuckle "Go on ahead Reyvin, I appreciate the honesty but there is no need to be so considerate of this old man." The lightly jovial atmosphere around him changes into a more serious one as he speaks again "I will remain here and make sure no one touches the orb, you go on and plan things out with Savos."
"Will do Master Tolfdir" I bow lightly "But just in case a certain Thalmor ends up down here, do make sure the Draugr have a nice meal."
His expression doesn't change but his eyes do glint with hidden malice.
Good enough for me. I turn around and yell out "Minthara!" Eliciting a surprised yelp from the Dragonborn who was still engrossed in reading the ancient tale carved upon the word wall "Stop staring at the chicken scratch and let us go!"
Moments later she joins me, mumbling some very creative expletives all the way.
We left the tomb in short order, and as I walked through the ancient halls I could notice the absolutely ungodly amount of wards Tolfdir had layered over the place in the short time he had to do it.
I could easily deduce that anyone entering down here with even a hint of malicious intent would likely have their guts forced through their nostrils if they weren't powerful or skilled enough to survive.
Even better was the fact that they would have to permanently partition some of their power to survive making them all weaker even if they did manage to enter without turning to paste.
Soon the dour air of the burial grounds was replaced with the excited atmosphere of a bunch of explorers unearthing ancient history. While most of the older students were very serious about their work, the newbies all felt a bit awkward as this was their first time doing anything of this sort.
So it was to very little surprise that we attracted their attention quickly the moment we left the blown-out passage and stepped out into the great cavernous hall.
Most were merely curious where we were while the two beast-men were ineffectually sniffing in our direction, likely detecting something but not enough to guess what we were doing.
Only Marco had any idea what was happening and all he could do was let out an exasperated sigh at the fact we were once more elbows deep in Draugr guts within barely any time of entering the place.
Minthara got rather pouty at me when I told her to remain with the rest and wait this whole situation out while the big leagues dealt with it. She had grown strong, unsurprising considering her burgeoning diet of dragon soul, but she was nowhere near prepared enough to face what was likely waiting for us at our next destination.
It took some convincing but she 'let me go' after I promised to help her with inventing some new and creative shouts. The whole song and dance had become something of a game for us at this point as she knew damn well that she didn't need me when it came to the voice but she still bothered me about it all the same. Maybe she is just bored?
Really should recommend her a hobby of some kind.
I let out an annoyed sigh as I was finally alone, dealing with what was coming next was going to be a massive hassle but needs must and all that... So after informing Neloren that everything was in order I recalled myself back into my mansion and quickly left for the college.
It was time to finally confront an old man.
(Savos' POV)
Unconsciously I fall back into my inherited memories and blurt out "Oh come off it you hag, the only way anyone would kiss you is you guilting them into doing it." My brain to mouth filter finally kicks in as I realize what I have just said and I snap my mouth shut... and stare at the snickering ghost with a twitching eyebrow.
"Getting cocky I see you damn brat" Elynea Dagoth smirks "Think me being dead will stop me from kicking your arse if you don't behave?" She pops her knuckles intimidatingly.
A small part of me shivers, my mother tended to be rather... violent in her education... but I raised a curious eyebrow instead "Sure, go on ahead, maybe your weak ass punches will feel like a relaxing spiritual massage, you always did say I should try new things." Her eyes snap to Savos "Told you all your magic crap will get to your heads." The Archmage merely chuckles awkwardly while sending me a pleading look. "So" I interrupt her ensuing tirade "What exactly are you... doing here?" I ask awkwardly. I could easily surmise the whole situation but getting some confirmation is always a good thing.
She points at Savos while visibly annoyed "This twat of a father of mine kept crying at the family altar like a little girl for me to show myself" Ignoring her father's pained twitch she goes on while giving me a very judgmental stare "Imagine my bloody surprise when Lady Azura of all gods yanks my spirit for a short conversation and tells me to show myself as a
show of faith to my child."
"Fucking Daedra" I mutter.
"Ain't that right?" She smirks "Since when does my brat deal with Daedra of all things?"
I scratch my cheek awkwardly "Since I could do it without fucking things up?" I ask more than
answer.
My mother huffs and crosses her arms "Cheeky little shit" She mutters and then her glare
softens as she asks "Are you doing alright?" The motherly instincts kicking in even while she was in ghost form.
I nod with a smile and bow playfully "Royal Thane of Skyrim and Lord of Dagoth, Reyvin the Flame-tongue at your service madam."
She snorts loudly "At least Vyren will be happy to hear that" Her ghostly form starts flickering
and she tosses something at me, a small bolt of grey-ish matter launching itself into Azura's
Star. Before I can ask anything she mutters "Toss that thing into your shrine and we will talk again, I must go now."
Savos goes to say something but she is already gone, causing the old Mer's shoulders to
slump.
"So... grandfather" I drawl, the word feeling rather unnatural in my mouth.
Savos chuckles awkwardly while looking at anywhere but me.
I snort at his behavior and summon two bottles of high quality mead "Want one?" I ask.
He sighs and nods "Yes, I'd like that very much."
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