บท 243: Chapter XLVII: Conference
After spending the remainder of the evening reminiscing about the past and pondering the future, constant blabbering from the asshole bird included, I found my mood far less dour when morning came. Sleep was a thing that I only had to do occasionally at this point and with each excursion and the subsequent growth in power it was turning from a necessity to a simple luxury.
In fact, my recent battles and victories against the supernaturally fast and strong have had a rather profound effect on my growth.
[Str: 29 => 33]
[Dex: 30 => 35]
[Vit: 46 => 50]
[Mag: 1020 => 1080]
My strength and dexterity have reached such a point that if not for the difference in skill and experience I could probably overpower and outmaneuver a circle companion in pure magicless melee, the non-transformation boost they got from being a furry included.
The real kicker, however, was the vitality. My combat style was not truly conducive to me taking any kind of damage since I tended to simply avoid it instead of taking it in the face like a complete dumbass, but if I were ever to say get clobbered by a giant I would be able to walk it off with only slight bruising, while naked.
A curious part of me wanted to test it out but I squashed that before it had time to tempt me further.
There was an aspect of it all that I generally avoided until now, something I hated thinking about when I was still a 'mere' man as it reminded me of the fact that I was born with an expiration date, and it was never a timeframe I found encouraging. The knowledge I could do absolutely nothing about the fact that I would simply stop functioning at one point was something that ironically made the fact I had lived so long so unbearable.
Lifespan, a vague timer nature gave us, and a source of much dread for many, something I avoided thinking about even if I was granted a far greater one due to being an elf and descended from a semi-divine being simply due to the bad memories it carried.
Last night I finally forced myself to forget my old fears and frustrations and spent a good hour scanning every facet of my being and taking precise measurements. What I found was both surprising and expected in equal measure.
The constant trickle of Magicka combined with my Kyne-blessed vitality and bloodline would allow me to keep living for two thousand years at least. And that was without considering how powerful I would become in the future.
Compared to that my previous life might as well be just a tiny blip on the proverbial radar.
The self imposed revelation lifted a weight from my shoulders I did not know I felt until it was gone. Suddenly I felt as if I had all the time in the world... And the moment the feeling struck me was the moment I got up from the chair and started moving toward Dexion's chambers.
There was no way in hell I was about to allow myself to grow complacent just because I could live damn near forever! That was a pitfall I would not allow myself to ever stumble into.
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As I knocked on the ornate wooden door I could immediately hear panicked stumbling from the other side and was forced to suppress a loud snicker as I watched Dexion roll off his bed and fall face first on the floor.
The door guard gave me a confused look as I was choking down my laughter and sensing the opportunity for a distraction I quietly asked him "Anything unusual?"
The youthful Dunmer, a quarter refugee if memory serves, gave the door a somewhat nervous glance and whispered back "Mumbling and pained grunting in his sleep, nightmares no doubt seeing as you've checked on his health yourself my lord."
"Most likely" I nod and add "Still, in the future if a guest sounds pained do check on them just in case."
"As you command" The elf salutes.
About a minute of attempting, and utterly failing, to look presentable, Dexion opens the door, a big bruise on his forehead and dark circles under his eyes. He blinks the sleep out of his eyes and greets me "A fair morning to you Lord Dagoth, please pardon my current state. My ordeal with the vampires has not yet worn off I am afraid."
"And it likely won't for a while yet I am sorry to say" I offer a sympathetic smile while flicking a restoration spell and healing his bruise and summoning a potion of stamina, something he took eagerly the moment it appeared.
I hum lightly as he chugs down the potion "If it is no trouble I ask that you make your way to the library once you are ready, the guard will show you the way."
All the tiredness disappears as his entire posture takes in an air of excitement "Are you going to show me the scrolls?"
"Indeed" I nod and his face brightens like that of a child "Though you will only be looking today, some other preparations will be necessary before the reading."
He deflates slightly but still eagerly nods "I will be there as soon as possible" And swiftly closes the door.
"As you were" I chuckle at the amused guard and go to fetch the rest of my people.
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Within the hour I find myself standing in the library surrounded by a seated crowd consisting of Davos, Serana, the Falmer, and Dexion, the priest barely paying any attention to what the rest were talking about as he spent the entire time staring at the immaculate scroll case in Serana's lap.
Luckily for him she found it more entertaining than offensive.
A short while of wordless staring later Dexion turns to me "You said there were two scrolls."
"I did" I nod and point to a pair of empty chairs "The other one should be coming in..." I feel a shudder in my wards and allow the spell to go through "Just about now actually."
With a loud *Pop* Savos and Shalazar appear seated in the two chairs, the Archmage giving me a wave while the tiny Argonian cradles a very familiar metal scroll case which was comically just as large as him.
"Savos, Shalazar, meet Dexion the Moth Priest" I quickly introduce them.
For a moment I think that the old Imperial was going to ignore them in favor of the scroll but he very obviously forces himself to look up from the magic scribble and bows his head slightly "An honor to meet such mighty figures."
"Indeed" Shalazar nods imperiously.
Being the more diplomatic of the two Savos smiles "The college is honored to aid our brothers from the White Gold Tower."
I clap my hands, drawing everyone's attention "Now that introductions are over, I believe it is time we addressed the reason I have called you all here."
"Enlighten those who cannot see, oh student mine" Shalazar squeaks commandingly.
And I do as the great one commands "As many of you are aware, this set of scrolls are instrumental in dealing with the current vampiric threat." I look to my right hand Mer "Davos, if you would?"
"Of course" He nods and pulls out a folded scroll and starts reading it "Since last month there have been vampire attack in many settlements both major and minor, notably: Whiterun, Riverwood, Falkreath, Markarth, Solitude, Morthal, and most alarmingly Riften and Fort Dawnguard to its southeast."
"Which is to say that their operations have expanded from merely Haafingar to near half the damn province." I finish for him "And this will no doubt grow further out of control as time passes." I briefly pause for dramatics "Thus we must deal with the Volkihar clan and their apparent alliance with the Thalmor before the situation becomes impossible to deal with."
"And the scrolls are supposed to help with that?" Dexion asks eagerly "Two entire scrolls... a momentous event by all accounts."
"Three" I correct, startling the man and causing Serana to frown deeply.
"Three?!" Dexion squawks but quickly composes himself "Is this why you wish to delay the reading?"
"Indeed" I nod "Even with extra preparation I cannot rely on your sight surviving the ordeal of reading the two."
"So we must make the most of it" Dexion nods understandingly while caressing his grey beard, a moment later he looks back at me, a glint of intelligence that was not there previously in his eyes "And you have some idea of what the scrolls contain?"
"Indeed" I nod and plainly state "The location of Auri-El's Bow."
Those not yet informed reach just as one might expect and the room is filled with muttering, mumbling, exclamations of surprise, or more subdued curiosity in the case of the magi.
"A most sacred task" Dexion mutters resolutely "I will, naturally, gladly read the scrolls in service of this righteous cause."
"And we are honored by your sacrifice" I bow slightly "Though I believe it is time to mention those preparations I've talked about earlier?"
He perks up "Oh? Do you have some hidden way of reducing the strain?"
"Not hidden" I shake my head "There is an Ancestor Glade in southern Falkreath."
"An Ancestor Glade" Dexion mumbles while still scratching his beard "Yes... yes, that could work!" He exclaims excitedly.
"Which is why you will be leaving there with Nightshade, Alor and a force of my warriors" I look to the Falmer "Nightshade will lead the operation but the expertise of a Moth Priest is to also be taken into account when dealing with the glade."
The petite snow elf bows "By your will." Her subordinate following suit.
"And now for the uncomfortable part." My lips twist as I feel nervous for the first time in a very long time "The final scroll." I draw the words out "We are in possession of the scroll of dragons, and that of blood, and all that is left is the scroll of the sun." I give Serana a pointed look.
She reclines in her chair and sighs "Which is in the possession of my mother."
"Lady Valerica" I test the name "Wife of Lord Harkon, and the reason why his plans have failed so far." A couple of surprised eyebrows raise at that "Oh, and also a Daughter of Coldharbor."
"What is it with this family?" I hear Savos mutter and suppress a snicker.
"You plan on recruiting her, boss?" Davos cuts in before anyone can ask a million questions, already firmly understanding of my modus operandi.
"If she had the foresight to prevent Harkon's idiocy then she is obviously far more reasonable than most of those sharing her... affliction" I give Serana an apologetic look at the term but she doesn't seem to mind "Recruiting her will be a massive boon if Serana's skills and power are any indication and her help in taking down her husband would be invaluable."
"A valid point" Savos interjects "I have read a couple of ancient works on conjuration, specifically on necromancy, penned by the esteemed lady. The college would be glad to host her." Needless to say the unsaid 'She would also be protected' was clear to all.
"And she would no doubt be delighted to visit" Serana offers diplomatically "Which only leaves the hard part of finding her..." She trails off.
"Oh I believe you know exactly where she is hiding." I say ominously.
Serana blinks and then blanches "Oh no."
"Oh yes" My smile spreads into a grin "Where else would she hide from Harkon than right under his nose?"
"And you want us to go there and get her" Serana palms her face in defeat.
"Ah, but just think about it!" I spread my arms dramatically "We sneak into Castle Volkihar, grab Valerica, and then let Harkon know just how foolish he was while escaping. It will be glorious!"
For a moment she looks at me exasperated, but then she registers my words and I finally see where all that fear she held for her father went as her eyes practically gleam with vicious intent "A visit home doesn't sound so bad after all."
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