Alda'hirakam ghar Ara; Chapter 50

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    The flight through the portal made Ciel’nn’s stomach roll. He almost threw up once they landed.  He had his eyes closed firmly as he tried to slowly get on his feet. He had fallen on his side. The dreadful feeling still lingered in the back of his mind. He opened his eyes and looked around to see the mage. The young mer held his scream while he stepped toward the mage. “Talvas?”

    They were standing on some kind of platform. The greenish water covered almost everything else. Long and worn stacks bookshelves and books were ahead which turned into a labyrinth.

    Apocrypha. Talvas frowned. He had read about this realm. Mora’s realm. We’re somewhere in the backwoods of Apocrypha. He glanced to Ciel’nn and gestured  to him to come closer. He was scared, but he had no choice but to try.  He swallowed. “Stay close.” He whispered to Ciel’nn. Then he looked up to the green sky.

    “Hermaeus Mora, we’ve come to bargain!” the mage shouted.

    And they waited.

    It wasn’t long until a black mass with one big green eye in the middle of dozens of other eyes and six tentacles, three on each side of the black mass, appeared. The big eye looked at them as if it was amused.

    “Have you now?” drawled Mora. “I see. You used the black book. Such bravery from the mortal. Or perhaps foolish.”

    Ciel’nn was frozen in his place. He made himself as small as possible while he stared into nothing. His hand found the hilt of his sword and he felt a slight comfort. How the mage was able to stay cool, he had no idea. He focused on the mage’s voice and flinched when Mora spoke.

    “We’ve come to bargain for Neloth.” Talvas insisted while he fought to keep the terror at bay.

    Mora stared at the mage for a moment which felt like an eternity. It felt like his entire realm held its breath for its master to speak.

    “The Wizard and I had a deal.” Mora finally rumbled slowly. “He evaded me for a long time, but that has come to an end now.” He paused as if to ponder something.

    Talvas gritted his teeth together. His fear shifted to frustration. There had to be a way to get Neloth out of here. Somehow. His master had a deal with this Daedric Prince of knowledge. Knowledge…  He frowned. The mage couldn’t deny his desire for that knowledge. He shook his head. No, he came here for Neloth. “Is there any way you can accept us to take Neloth back? Tel Mithryn needs him.” I need him.

    Mora let out a sound that could be taken as a chuckle. “No. Why don’t you go back and take what’s his?” One of his Seekers emerged from the labyrinth ahead and waited.

    Take what’s his? Take Tel Mithryn as my own? Talvas stared at nothing. It was a tempting offer, but he wasn’t ready yet. He still needed for Neloth for many things. To teach him, to show how thorough research is done, fetch him soul gems and bask in his brilliance. He heard Mora’s chuckle. Damn, he knows my temptations. “No, I want Master back.”

    While he listened to the two bargain for nothing as it seemed, Ciel’nn tried not to look at the Seeker. It waits for something. He swallowed slowly and kept his eyes on the mage’s pouch. Just to have a hook to what to stare at as he didn’t want to look anywhere else. It was enough horrible enough to listen to the squid with many eyes. “Talvas?” The young mer whispered.

    “Hmm. If you so want him back...” Mora rumbled to the mage. “There is one possible outcome.”

    “Yes?” It came out nearly eagerer than Talvas had meant. He had heard the young mer’s plea, but ignored him. This was going to somewhere and if it meant to get Neloth free, nothing else mattered.

    “An exchange.” Mora said slowly.

    “What?” Talvas gasped. He wasn’t certain if he understood it correctly. Exchange of knowledge, perhaps? What else could it be? The young mer let out a whimper behind him. The mage looked over his shoulder, but Ciel’nn didn’t look at him. He was staring at something. Talvas turned to look back at Mora.

    “An exchange.” Mora drawled. “You offer yourself for the Wizard. You’d  get to read books he would never let you read. You’d have a place among my Seekers. Read from hundreds of books. Knowledge…”

    No, don’t do it, Talvas! Ciel’nn fought the tears that threatened to roll out. Don’t do it… This isn’t real. I want Teldryn. I want to go away…

    All that Mora offered to him, Talvas found fascinating. It felt like a dream come true even if it wasn’t the Telvanni way for brilliance at knowing. He’d get to read books he’d never dreamed of. He’d get to spend eternity with Mora’s vast realm of books. Knowledge!  And, Neloth would be free…The latter thought didn’t matter anymore. “I’ll offer myself for Neloth.” For knowledge.

    “No!” Ciel’nn cried out. “Don’t…” He didn’t look when the mage turned to him and spoke. “This is the only way, Ciel’nn.” Talvas’ voice was rather cold to the mer’s ears. “Look at me.” Ciel’nn raised his gaze to meet the mage’s own. How cold you’ve become… “It has to be this way. Someone must control Tel Mithryn. Tell Neloth…” He heard Talvas’ saying to him. You don’t care for anyone anymore. “Tell Neloth…” Talvas continued, but Ciel’nn didn’t hear it anymore. He stared at nothing.  

    I don’t understand you anymore.

    “Good. As for your confused ‘friend’…” Mora murmured.  And, by an unseen signal, the seeker swept toward the mer.



    It was an early morning when a shift went through Tel Mithryn, and Teldryn cursed when the tentacles released the wizard. He watched Neloth gasp, then falling on the floor with a painful grunt. The items afloat in the air fell down too. From his place, the older mer saw the owner of Tel Mithryn was unharmed, but there was no telling how it had affected his mind. Teldryn wasn’t in the mood for guessing either.

    Neloth was back, yes, but what of his partner and Talvas? Did Mora take them both? If so, the older mer wouldn’t know what to think of it. He’d blame Neloth for it. If he did lose Ciel’nn, it had been his fault. Or was it? He could have stopped him going into the portal. Yes, he could have, but it had been Ciel’nn’s decision. He respected his partner’s decisions, but come the next time, he would act against it if it was life threatening.

     He loves me. Teldryn closed his eyes and sighed.  It was the first time someone ever meant it. His heart ached to see Ciel’nn again. To touch him, to hold him. To keep him safe. It was a new feeling to him, but he’d take all that Ciel’nn was willing to give. Come back to me, Ciel’nn.

    Neloth groaned as he pulled himself to his feet. His back ached as he blinked several times as if to wake up from a nightmare. He brushed up his robes and looked around. His tower was in tatters. His eyes caught the sight of Teldryn and the wizard frowned. “What—?”

    At that moment, a portal opened and literally spat out the young mer. He flew out, then rolled on the floor, not moving. The portal disappeared and, Teldryn rushed to his partner.

    Teldryn gently turned Ciel’nn over and brushed the hair from his face. “Ciel’nn? I’m glad you’re back.” He whispered, but the young mer didn’t wake. “Ciel’nn?” The older mer gave a gentle shake. Nothing. Azura! He’s unconscious. What had transpired in there?

    “Explain what has happened?” Neloth demanded. He was still disorientated and frowned as he didn’t see his apprentice nearby. Tel Mithryn felt… strange. The Wizard watched how the mer carried his partner to a bedroll that was Talvas’.  Where was his apprentice? He did remember the seekers and the throwing of spells before… Before Mora had reached out for him and he had fought for his life. To evade the Daedric Prince once more. Mora had had him, but he had resisted with everything he had. Now, Neloth was released? He couldn’t understand why. If he knew Mora at all, he’d be in his realm by now.

    Teldryn watched his resting partner a while. I hope you’ll wake sane.  I can’t begin to imagine what did you faced in there, but I need you to come back to me. He turned to face the Wizard and with a snarl he said, “Your apprentice decided to free you from Mora’s grasp. He opened a portal and took Ciel’nn with him. If you want to know more, ask Ciel’nn when he wakes up.” Then he sat down next to the bedroll and massaged his temples.

    Neloth frowned and grumbled audibly. He had no idea Talvas would go that far. No, he had expected him to let leave him with Mora and take Tel Mithryn as his own. He walked to his study and leaned against it with his hands, bending his neck. Neloth closed his eyes for a moment. He felt his eye lids heavy. So weary, so very tired. His research must wait before he’d get answers. He must wait to recover. To fight against a Daedric Prince’s will wasn’t a simple feat, no, he had resisted with every fiber of his being.

    The quietness greeted him when Ciel’nn slowly opened his eyes. The place was dim. Someone was snoring somewhere near. Where am I?  He felt an arm that was resting over his his waist. Under him was worn bedroll. Ciel’nn slightly turned his head and the scent of Teldryn let him know he was safe. Safe and back at Tel Mithryn. With deep sigh, he turned slowly to face his sleeping partner and shifted closer to him. He needed to be close to Teldryn. He had missed the older mer so much.

    The young mer vaguely remembered what had happened after Talvas had him to tell Neloth something. Understanding why his friend had chosen to stay instead of becoming the owner of Tel Mithryn still escaped him. Maybe he would never understand. The mage’s last cold words echoed in Ciel’nn’s mind and he found his breathing still ragged. He wanted to forget what had happened.

    Why? I don’t understand a thing.

    He was selfish in the end. He didn’t care.

    You pick wrong friends.



    Some time later, Ciel’nn woke again. He shifted as he heard the Wizard’s muttering about his tower being a mess. “I’m glad you’re awake, Ciel’nn.” He heard Teldryn saying next to him. He looked to his partner and a slight smile crept on his lips. Slowly the young mer shifted to sit and leaned onto his partner. “I’m happy to be back with you.”

    “I was so worried.” The older mer continued as he touched Ciel’nn’s cheek. “Neloth wants to know what happened, but take your time.” Then he leaned closer and whispered in the softest tone, “I love you too, Ciel’nn.” It felt weird to say it after all the experiences he had been through before meeting Ciel’nn, but it felt right. He hugged his partner. “This was the last time I let you walk through any portal.”

    Ciel’nn smiled as he tightened his embrace. “I don’t think  I will walk through portals anymore, daelha.One time is enough.” He whispered.  “I was scared and I missed you.” He gave a soft kiss on Teldryn’s neck. Just hold me and never let go.

    The lift hissed and Drovas hopped down with a tray of tea cups on it. “By Azura! It’s rather ominously quiet in here.” He said as he walked toward a table and put the tray down. With a quick glance he noticed Talvas wasn’t around anymore. He shot a frowning look at the young mer, who shook his head.

    “I want to know where is Talvas?” The Wizard asked, still tired from the ordeal. His recovery would take time. He had commanded Drovas to help with the cleaning and all.

    Ciel’nn looked to Neloth, then to his cup in his hands. He wasn’t sure how to explain it all. He didn’t want to remember it. He just wanted to forget it. With a heavy sigh, the young mer said, “The mage… stayed with the  black squid with many eyes. Said it was the only option for him.” Ciel’nn’s voice almost cracked. His chest felt heavy and he swallowed. “He exchanged himself for you so he could learn what Mora had to offer him.” His voice rose as he looked to Neloth. “He chose to stay so you would be able to continue your stupid research!” Ciel’nn yelled. “So, make sure you use that time for good!”

    It was what he wanted to believe it was that way, even though he knew the mage chose to be selfish at the last moment.

    I lost a friend…again.

    All that happened recently came back to him like huge wave. Ciel’nn wanted to cry, but no tears came. He wanted to scream and lash out at the wizard, but it dulled slowly, and then the young mer stared at nothing. His partner pulled him closer to him and hugged him.

    Neloth had been watching the young mer’s breakdown, but he didn’t show any emotion. His apprentice had chose to… His eyes shifted to stare to an infinite horizon that was inside his mind. He turned away, saying nothing. It was something he hadn’t expected from his apprentice. It was a shame. Talvas had shown a great deal of promise to become a Telvanni mage. He had to find another apprentice. Perhaps sent a letter to Morrowind. “I need a new apprentice.” He rumbled.

    “Teldryn, I want to leave."

     

     

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Comments

2 Comments   |   Tralient and 2 others like this.
  • The Sunflower Manual
    The Sunflower Manual   ·  October 30, 2018
    Well, that was sudden. And another Talvas bites the dust! Wonder if Mora did anything to mess up his head besides talking to him. Guess he's claiming one more Seeker, then... now that I think of it, maybe the two Seekers that managed to get Neloth were so...  more
  • Karver the Lorc
    Karver the Lorc   ·  October 30, 2018
    Bargain, hehehe. Perfect use of it. 
    And whew, this was certaintly emotional. And Talvas... Well, it's interesting. Offering himself to free Neloth does seem like a sacrifice at first, but can it be called that when it is tainted by giving in t...  more