The Telvanni musk scent was strong. As if it wasn’t enough for Ciel’nn, there was the weird smell of the mushrooms everywhere! Ciel’nn had a hard time with his headache that had begun when they had entered the tower. He almost stumbled out from the levitation lift because of the peculiar smell. Also, while they waited for Neloth to take notice of them, Ciel’nn felt strange. How they can stand this smell?
The older mer frowned as he kept an eye on his partner, who had trouble to focusing. It looked as if Ciel’nn was going to faint at any moment. Teldryn shifted closer to the younger mer. Just don’t faint here. He put his hand on Ciel’nn’s shoulder to let him know he was there if needed. He surveyed the tower; a lot of tables with various items and books. The place screamed for a wizard home.
“Master Neloth?” Talvas tried again. “You have visitors.” The mage was concerned as his master had been absent minded lately. Working constantly on his experiments and studying mysterious items had made Neloth forgetful. It seemed that he had even forgotten he had an apprentice.
“Varona! Bring me some canis root tea!” Neloth barked suddenly, turning around. He eyed the three mer before him absent-mindedly. The wizard frowned. “Talvas, why are they in my tower? And, what was the ruckus outside earlier?” he asked and walked towards a table. “Where did I put that thing?” Something about the younger mer reminded him of someone he’d met a long time ago. But who? He wasn’t fond of many people around him and yet the smaller mer in his tower marked something important that he should remember. “It’s probably nothing.” He muttered to himself.
Talvas sighed. It seemed the Master had something on his mind and he shouldn’t ask what it was about. “It’s nothing to worry about, Master. They are here to get a ring identified, but I can do that.” He said and turned to Ciel’nn, gesturing to another table at the other side of the tower. “Let’s go over there. Are you feeling well?”
“It’s the smell.” Ciel’nn grunted as he followed the Apprentice, with his partner closely behind. “Why doesn’t this place have any windows?” he complained, sitting on a bench. He’d need fresh air soon or he’d be knocked out and that the young mer didn’t want to happen - not in this tower. He picked out the ring from his backpack and showed it to the Apprentice. “Tell me what it is for?” He noticed Teldryn taking another chair and observed everything that happened in the tower.
Talvas took the ring and examined it with care. It was an enchanted ring for sure, but as he tried to study it more, the more it became difficult. He frowned. “This requires more time from me. Are you in a rush?” He looked to Ciel’nn. “There might be room for you to sleep somewhere.”
“Where is Varona? I want my tea.” Neloth mumbled from his study. He couldn’t focus without his dose of canis root tea which he had to have at certain times of the day. Now his brow was twitching.
“Varona went to her house, Master.” Talvas replied to Neloth and turned back to the two mer. Soon he’d have to get Varona to make the tea before Neloth would throw a wizard’s tantrum, and those were scary to witness.
The place was getting to his partner, Teldryn saw that and shook his head. “We’d rather camp outside.” He stood up and turned to Ciel’nn. In truth, he’d spend the night outside since the tower made him weary. Or, maybe it was the Wizard mumbling around. Still, the older mer frowned at his partner.
“There will be the ash spawn roaming at night.” Talvas said almost in a worried tone. “It’s not safe outside, but it’s your call.” He put the ring on the table for later study.
“Shit!” Teldryn cursed. “What do you want to do?” He looked to Ciel’nn, who was rubbed his forehead. He isn’t doing well. There has to be a way. Think, Teldryn. Think! “You’re a mage. Can’t you put a ward outside if we camp there?” he asked Talvas. “I think Ciel’nn can’t stay a night inside any mushroom — he’s getting sick.”
“We’ll go outside.” Ciel’nn replied, standing up and turned towards the lift, but he glanced to the mage. “I want that ring back then.”
In the morning, Ciel’nn’s headache was gone and he felt better since they spent the night outside. They had tucked their tent close to the mushrooms, and Talvas had deemed it was safe enough once he had placed an ice rune nearby the tent. The night itself had been calm.
Ciel’nn and Teldryn were eating their breakfast when the Steward came out of her house. The young mer observed her to be in a cheery mood until she noticed them. He offered a friendly smile, but it didn’t seemed help her earlier behavior. “There she goes again.” he heard his partner muttering.
“Still here? I wonder why he endures the likes of you?” Varona scoffed with a frown at them. She had no idea why the Master had let them stay in Tel Mithryn. “Just don’t be in my way, s’wits.” She added with her head held high and marched towards the kitchen house. Neloth needed his tea at this time of the morning, but why should she rush it? Varona would take her sweet time with it and have some time with Ulves, the cook.
They watched her disappear into the next house and Ciel’nn sipped his tea. “She really thinks she’s something big.” He wasn’t well aware of the Telvanni hierarchy, but since she was a steward she couldn’t be high in the ranks. Thoughtfully, the young mer gazed around the view in front of him. It seemed to be a peaceful morning, so far. “We should see the Wizard’s alchemist if she has ingredients for poisons that I need to make.” He looked to his partner. I should ask Talvas about the runes, too.
“Alright.” Teldryn replied and finished his tea. “It would be interesting what the alchemist says about Neloth.” He put the cup away and stood up, stretching his back. They were going to stay at Tel Mithryn as long as the mage needed the time for the ring. But, the older mer was concerned about his partner. If they went inside the tower again, Ciel’nn wouldn’t feel well. It seems he feels much better when staying outside in general. He had observed the younger mer since they’d met and he had found out that Ciel’nn was an outdoor person.
The alchemist’s apothecary was small and cozy. The different scents of plants and ingredients made Ciel’nn think of his mother’s study. The alchemist herself was an older mer, Elynea Mothren, who stared at them. “Another wanderer to disturb my work.” She remarked, with her hands on her hips. “What do you want? Potions?”
Rude. Ciel’nn frowned at the remark. If all of The Telvanni were like this he wouldn’t know if he should treat them the same way or be humble. Being humble wasn’t on his trait list, though. “That’s one way to treat a fellow alchemist.” He shot back in a snarl, but Elynea wasn’t moved. “I came here to buy several Emperor parasol moss.” He narrowed his eyes briefly as he gazed around the small apothecary.
“You? An alchemist?” Elynea scoffed. “Wouldn’t even guess! However I do have Emperor parasol moss in stock. It’s quite expensive.” She stepped towards her table. “But if you— “
“Money isn’t the problem.” Ciel’nn said sharply. “Just sell them and we can be on our way.” He added rather impatiently as he didn’t want to listen to her all afternoon. He felt Teldryn shifting behind him, near the door. The sooner we’re done here, the better. The young mer waited for the alchemist to give him the ingredients and paid, then turned to leave.
“You’re an alchemist. I require your help. Master Neloth needs his tower fixed and I need you to fetch a couple of Spriggan saps.” The alchemist said, counting on that the young mer would do her bidding.
That sounds like an order. Ciel’nn looked at the door. “You can’t command me, Telvanni. And, it’s not my problem.” He stated in a colder tone, stepping closer the door and looking to his partner. “Let us leave, Teldryn.” It was the first time he had turned his back to a fellow alchemist, but he’d get over it soon. Nobody gets to order him around! No one!
Before Ciel’nn opened the door, he glanced at the alchemist. “If you want my help, you need to apologize first.” He said in a dark tone. Then they left her to brood.
The shift in his partner’s mood was visible, Teldryn had noted. He observed the young mer watching another strange stone and the people working at it. Could this island become any stranger? He had been on this island longer than he cared to remember. A change of scenery would be nice, but Ciel’nn is looking for something. I wonder what it is? The older mer stepped closer to Ciel’nn. “Do you want to check that Dwemer ruin down the beach?” he asked in a softer tone. Teldryn was interested in the Dwemer history and their works.
There are the Dwemer ruins on the island? Ciel’nn had seen a few ruins in Skyrim, but never got to explore them. Now that his partner asked if he was interested to go and look around— his mood had improved for the better. A smile spread on his lips as he looked to the older mer. “Yes, I’d like to go and see.” He replied. “Do you like the Dwemer stuff then?”
“I’m interested about them in general.” Teldryn replied with a hint of a smirk as they began to walk down the road and to the beach. “They have interesting designs and I wonder what happened to them.”
“That would be interesting to know for sure. I have seen a few Dwemer ruins in Skyrim. Say, do you know the book called Aetherium Wars?” Ciel’nn asked while keeping an eye out ahead. He wondered if his partner was interested to visit Skyrim one day and explore those ruins he had seen. Back at the time, it seemed he hadn’t had time for anything, but now… Now he had all the time in Nirn! It was exciting. Who knew what they might discover and if there were more ruins on the island. And, exploring with Teldryn makes it all the more sweeter.
Skyrim would look different with him.
“I have the book.” The older mer replied. “You into some ruin exploring?” If they did that, they might find something worthy to sell, but in truth, the older mer was curious to see the ruins as in an architectural perspective. The Dwemer were marvelous with the clockwork and machinations. And, he’d learn more of his partner on the way.
“With you?” Ciel’nn paused for a moment. “Of course, Teldryn.” He glanced at the older mer with a smirk. “How about we explore every Dwemer ruin we find?” Nothing would be more thrilling except fighting the reavers with the older mer. It wasn’t like that when he was traveling with the young Nord. It’s more with Teldryn. The grin on his partner’s face was his only answer and the young mer smiled back.
Nchardak, the Dwemer ruins rose ahead of them and if Ciel’nn wasn’t mistaken he saw movement within the ruin ramps. A band of reavers had taken the outer ruins as their hiding place. His hand moved to the hilt of his sword. “Looks like we have to give some bashing to them first.” He said in an excited tone.
Preparing his sword, Teldryn nodded. “Lead the way.” How he hated the reavers as much as the bandits in Skyrim - what a nuisance! He followed the younger mer up the stairs and into battle.
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