Chapter 485: Make like a tree and ice
Not long after Michael had improved and created a new body for Derflinger, he returned to Winterhold, only to be greeted by Jarl Korir immediately as he arrived.
"Lad! You and I need to speak! Urgently!" the Jarl exclaims while hurriedly shuffling towards him, attempting to catch him before Michael entered the tower and disappeared for days again.
"Er, something wrong?" Michael asks with a crooks brow.
"Yes! There is! And I am certain you are responsible for it!" Korir says, though, doesn't sound as angry as he expected.
"Ok... What's up then?"
The Jarl proceeds to drag Michael over to a flat area that was completely covered in snow, not only that, ice was seemingly growing from the ground in a manner that wasn't too dissimilar from trees.
Michael wanders over and begins prodding one, looking it over with a keen eye, "When did this start?"
Korir shrugs, "These things started to appear a week ago I think... I'd bet my legs and cock that your tower is responsible though."
Michael nods, "A good guess..." he mutters, rubbing a hand over the cold exterior of the ice tree. Their base was pretty thin, but they seem to be growing taller at a quick rate by how young they still were. Their 'branches' didn't reach out horizontally, instead, pointing directly to the sky, like a hanging icicle in reverse.
Clearly, they were magical, and the cold air they were producing only made it worse, making the temperature far, far lower than even the usual Skyrim weather.
Regardless though, there wasn't much Michael could do about it, nor did he want to since this was a new interesting phenomenon that he wanted to see progress.
"Why haven't you asked the Arch-Mage about this?"
Korir sniffs disdainfully, "Him? He'd claim the area for his College and bar anyone else from making use of... whatever this is. I trust you far more than I trust him... So, is this bad? Good? Can it serve a purpose?"
Michael shrugs, "Well... I can't really tell. Ask Saya the next time you see her, she might have a better idea to be honest. I can see some practical applications, carving pieces from the trees and shipping them around as 'premium ice', 'magic ice', or even 'ice ice'... You could also use the area for storage, flash freezing any perishable food that you want saved for later." he explains. "I'm interested to see what these trees will become once they stop growing... I wonder if they'll sprout fruits or something?"
"Well, time will tell... As long as this is not dangerous it can stay. I'll go ask your companion if she can find anything out about it."
Michael nods, "You do that... Oh, yeah, how are the defences coming along? Dawnstar was almost completely burned when I checked so this is fairly important to get done."
"The city guard is working with the Eredar to create magical defences, along with enchanting the ballistae bolts." the Jarl says.
"Keep in mind that the dragons are intelligent. The one that attacked Dawnstar targeted their ballistae first, then went on to destroy everything else. Don't treat them like animals, because they might just be smarter than regular people." Michael warns, causing the Jarl's eyes to widen.
"A-are you sure? I mean, the myths agree but they can be exaggerated..." he utters, somewhat horrified that giant intelligent, fire-breathing monsters were going around tactically destroying settlements.
Michael nods, "Completely. I'd vary the kinds of defences we have too, there are both frost dragons and fire dragons, each being resistant to their respective elements..." he says before pausing in thought.
Were there lighting dragons too then? And if lightning struck one, would it drain their magicka? Did they even use magicka? The Thu'um didn't require it right?... Ugh, too many unanswered questions.
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The next day Michael makes his way to Whiterun, the Dimension Gate opening up in the town center and scaring a few people who quickly back away as he steps through.
"Is this your thing now partner? Making elaborate entrances? Because if it is, count me in!" Derflinger says from Michael's hip.
"No..." he pauses, thinking back on things, "Not completely..."
"Michael! Good to see you around! I heard whatcha did in Markarth and Solitude! Good on ya'!" Vilkas says as he approaches with a jolly grin.
"Vilkas! It's good to see you too-" Michael starts but has his gaze drawn towards Vilkas' left hand, or more-like stump. "What happened to your hand!?"
"He got it chopped off, what other option is there?" Derflinger remarks, causing Vilkas to chuckle.
"Aye, your sword's got the right idea. One of those Daedra worshippers summoned demons into the city. One caught me off guard is all. I can still fight though, just need to take more single-hander lessons with Farkas and Aela." the Companion says, though, seems less chipper about it than he presents.
"Well, at least they went for the hand and not the head. Losing you will make the Companions fifty percent dumber." Michael jokes and they both share a laugh.
"Listen, have you heard about the dragons?" Michael asks after some small talk, wanting to know the status of the Dragonborn.
Vilkas nods, "We all have. The Jarl's begun training everyone in preparations for one. Helgen was burned to the ground, and only the gods prevented the beast from turning his attention to Riverwood or Whiterun... One blast to the farms and folk would start starving, especially since winter's fast approaching."
...
"Is that all? I would have thought there'd be more about the situation. Other than the attack on Dawnstar..."
"Attack on Dawnstar?" Vilkas asks, trepidation clear on his face.
Michael nods, "Half of it was burned by the dragon, Jarl Skald and his family too."
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