The brisk morning wind blew harshly through the beach while Ciel’nn was preparing the campfire. His fingers were getting cold. I wish it was sunny. He put down the branches in the stone circle as he thought of the Red Mountain as he cast a fire spell on the branches. “S’wit!” he cursed quietly as the spell failed and glanced towards the tent. His partner was still asleep. He had put a light fur cape on the older mer since the morning wind was chilly. Ciel’nn looked back to the pile of branches.
The last night had been calm for him. The older mer had seen his tattoos when they went to sleep. Both of them had casually removed the gear and slipped into the warm bedrolls. Teldryn had asked him if he didn’t eat well since Ciel’nn was slim without his chitin armor. To this the young mer had said he didn’t like ash yam that much and there should be more meat to eat.
Ciel’nn had seen a glimpse of the older mer’s slightly more muscular body and couldn’t stop smiling before he’d fallen asleep. The night went by without the nightmares, but Ciel’nn had awoken shortly after to shift his fur bedroll closer to Teldryn’s and slept well enough.
After a few tries, the fire spell worked and Ciel’nn got the campfire flickering up. He added a couple more twigs and poked them with a sturdy stick that he’d found lying around, close by the tent. “Finally” he murmured in Dunmeri, happy about the fire and the warmth it brought. The lavender tea was next on his to do list. He reached into his backpack to take a small bundle of dried lavender and a cooking pot. It would take some time before the tea was ready. Lastly he laid out a piece of cloth and put a small bowl of honey and wrapped bread on it.
The scent of lavender made the older mer stir up, in his warm bedroll, from his sleep. He’d had a quite pleasant night and he hadn’t been aware of his partner had moving closer to him during the night. Teldryn frowned briefly as he saw Ciel’nn’s bedroll close to his. Nightmares? His nose prickled. Hmm, lavender… What’s he cooking? A slight wind blew in from the door flap came through and the older mer shivered. Swiftly he got out of his bedroll and put on his gear before going out.
“Morning.” Ciel’nn looked over his shoulder to his partner, who came out of the tent, and his dark brow raised up. The older mer seemed to be well rested, but his hair was… disheveled. A light smirk spread on the young mer’s lips. “Did you notice something?” he asked as turned his attention to the tea as he poured into the cup carefully. Sitting there with Teldryn and enjoying their tea - it had started to feel right.
Sighing, the older mer sat down at the campfire and frowned. “What do you mean by ‘notice something’?” he asked and took the cup with care from his partner. He smelled the tea - its calming effect made Teldryn relax and he sipped his tea.“Your hair.” He heard Ciel’nn saying. By instinct, he brought up his hand to touch his hair and grunted in a low tone. “Thanks. I’ll fix it after this wonderful tea.” He returned the smirk Ciel’nn had given him a bit earlier and continued enjoying his tea. The young mer was sitting next to him - Teldryn pondered on his life and how it was changing while he took a piece of bread and dipped it in the honey.
Ciel’nn was putting the cups away when he heard a grunt. He glanced at his partner, who looked annoyed. “Is something wrong?” the young mer asked. To him the older mer looked more than annoyed.
Teldryn looked to his partner with a frown. “I ran out of Troll fat.” It bothered him - how hadn’t he noticed it before? What else he could be missing while he was with Ciel’nn? “Do you have some?”
“Yeah, how many?” Ciel’nn asked with a smirk before he put the earthen cups in the back pack. He searched his alchemy pouch for a small box of Troll fat and held it out for his partner. “There you go. We can’t move out with you looking like a troll.” The young mer smiled knowing he was teasing the other mer.
The smile and the tease the young mer gave him told something. He’s getting affected on you and he calls you a troll if your hair isn’t properly done. Teldryn let out a soft groan and frowned casually as if he was thinking of something else before he took the box from his partner. “Thanks, Ciel’nn.” It would only take a few moments before he’d be finished with his hair.
Ciel’nn threw some water on the campfire and shot a thoughtful look at his partner. “Say, are you ready to visit the Telvanni today since the Redorans are busy with their official business?” He was eager to see if this wizard could identify the ring and maybe buy a few mage-scrolls. A Telvanni tower must be marvelous to see. Ciel’nn had heard all kind of things about them - so crazy for mystery that hunger could drive them insane. Never stay close to a Telvanni for too long. I can’t remember who said that.
Teldryn finalized packing the tent into his backpack and pulled it on his back. “Sure, if that’s what you want to do.” He replied and looked towards the East where was Tel Mithryn located. It would mean they might encounter a few Ash spawns, or maybe those pesky burned Spriggans. Whatever they may face during the journey, Teldryn was certain they could face them without much of trouble. The older mer put his hand on his sword hilt and tilted his head. “Let’s get going then, partner.” He said in a low tone which he knew Ciel’nn so adored. It wasn’t hard to notice it.
They walked past the quiet Fort Frostmoth and Ciel’nn couldn’t help but be wary. He glanced around cautiously - having the idea of Ash Spawn raising from the ground all of sudden was unnerving the mer even though he was traveling with the older mer. The fight with the general and his ash spawns was still fresh in the memory and to have same kind of fight wasn’t on Ciel’nn’s to-do-list today.
Once the fort was behind them Ciel’nn felt better. They stopped to look at Tel Mithryn from a small ash dune. The Telvanni mushrooms rose from the ash and it alone made the young mer raise his dark brow. If he had a choice he’d never live in a mushroom. You might go to sleep and see the most craziest dream ever, and then wake up as a total crackpot. The thought of living inside one forever made Ciel’nn shiver.
“Even if they’re crazy… Isn’t it marvelous how they can manage that?” Teldryn asked as he put his arms on his waist as if to admire the view of the main mushroom tower. He glanced at his partner, who gave him a questionable look. “Not fancying the mushrooms, eh?” The older mer flashed a grin. In truth, he wouldn’t live inside one if he had a choice. His thoughts trailed off while he looked around them. Someday you should settle down, old mer. Somewhere nice and quiet. His gaze returned to the young mer.
“I prefer outdoors, or a house.” Ciel’nn replied, straightening up. “Let’s keep the visit short, alright?” He didn’t have intention to stay longer than was necessary. There were other places to explore and more to learn about his partner. Unless the Telvanni gets an idea of needing something and wants us to fetch it. Isn’t that what they do? The older mer’s gaze told something to Ciel’nn. He wondered what Teldryn was thinking now?
A few burnt Spriggans were idle among the burnt wood while Ciel’nn and Teldryn strolled by cautiously. The young mer didn’t want to fight them — it was better to leave them alone. It wouldn’t take long before they’d reach Tel Mithryn as the mushrooms stood tall on top of the hill. Ciel’nn thought he heard a rumble of magick being used as well as a yelp that followed it. I wonder who screwed up now? A smirk spread on the young mer’s lips.
Something went wrong! A loose Ash guardian threatened to attack Talvas. He held up a ward against its crude swings. I hope Master Neloth hadn’t heard this. From the corner of his eye he saw the two mer coming up the hill. “Help me with this ash guardian before the destroys everything!” he pleaded, feeling his ward weakening.
“It cost you, mage.” The young mer replied in a cocky tone. He settled to watch the struggle with an amused look. The mer was clearly an apprentice. He glanced at his partner, who stood near him, watching the ash guardian with a frown.
“For Azura’s sake! Are you serious?” Talvas cursed. Damned mercenaries! “What do you want? How much?” Hopefully it wasn’t a money issue - Master Neloth would know if it was. The mer hoped the young mer didn’t ask a lot. His ward faded and the mage took a not so elegant evasion move away from the ash guardian.
“Do you have any summoning scrolls?” Ciel’nn’s reply came in a curious tone.
“I have a few! Just help me!” Talvas hissed and witnessed the young mer and his companion attacking the unstable ash guardian. It took a while before the summoned creature turned into a pile of ash. The mage was relieved and turned to the two mer, sighing. “Thank you! I’m not sure what Master Neloth would have done to me if he knew of my failure. So, what kind of scroll do you want?”
Ciel’nn tilted his head while he studied the mage. “Tell me what kind of scrolls you have? If you have a storm lord one, I’d take two of them.” He paused briefly. “I’d like to meet this Master Neloth.” The young mer shifted in his place.
“An apprentice shouldn’t try out an experiment they can’t control.” Teldryn said in a low tone as he stepped closer to his partner as he kept an eye out. He’d hate to fight any ash spawn at the moment and he wasn’t sure if being at Tel Mithryn was any safer than out there in the ash wastes.
The mage frowned at the older mer, who seemed to be watching out for the younger one. They weren’t mages, so Talvas pushed the notion aside and looked to Ciel’nn. “You mean a storm atronach? Can you use them?” he asked while he pondered why they had really came to Tel Mithryn. “Why do you want to see Master Neloth? You aren’t going to be an apprentice, are you?” He doesn’t look like a mage though.
The questions were irritating like the mage was questioning him. Before Ciel’nn managed to say anything, he heard his partner answering for him. “He can read them alright. I saw how he used one some days ago. It was brilliant!” The young mer flashed a smirk at the mage. “An apprentice? Yeah, why not?” he paused to see Talvas’ stunned face. “Not really, but I have a ring I’d like to get identified.”
Phew! Thank Azura! He sighed softly and reached for his mage pouch on his waist. “I have storm-, fire-, ash atronach scrolls and a few with runes.” Talvas said as he handed the scrolls to the young mer. “A ring? Can I see it?” He had studied several rings before and maybe the young mer’s ring would boost his studies. It then dawned to him that he didn’t know the mer’s name. “Who are you anyway? I’m Talvas, Master Neloth’s Apprentice.”
“I thought as much. The name is Ciel’nn, and my partner is Teldryn.” Ciel’nn replied, nodding towards his partner. “You’d study it?” Curious. Maybe that would be better than seeing the Wizard. He smiled and put the scrolls into his backpack. “Sure, if you have the skill.”
The door of the tower opened and a female Dunmer walked down the stairs. “Talvas? He wants to see you.” She blinked and noticed the two other mer with the Apprentice. “Oh, who are they? Looks like Camonna Tong thugs to me.”
“Varona.” Talvas smiled dreamily. “This is Ciel’nn and Teldryn. They’re here for a ring identification.” He looked to Ciel’nn. “Ciel’nn, this is Varona, the Steward of Tel Mithryn.” He introduced them with a fading smile as Varona scoffed at them. She still didn’t see him as worthy companion. It would take time, but that was alright because he intended to be the master of Tel Mithryn one day, and Varona would be his mistress. That sounded like a good plan.
“Charmed.” The young mer said, but his partner remained quiet. He must be observing the scene. Ciel’nn thought the woman must be a servant, who thinks she’s a Telvanni by her behavior. The whole scene was amusing to him.
“Common rabble.” Varona scoffed. “You should be going to see Neloth, Talvas.” With that she hurried into her house that was next to the tower.
“A real charmer that one.” Teldryn muttered after the Steward was gone. Hopefully she stays in her house while they are visiting. A frown latched on the older mer’s face as he looked at the sky - it was past midday. “Well, what are we going to do?” He asked his partner.
Ciel’nn was observing the mage while he thought of their next move. “Maybe we can see Master Neloth after all.” He prompted the mage, who looked less inspired since Varona left. “Talvas? Lead the way.”
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