“What?” Katla asked.
“It’s not a soul gem,” Mira repeated. Her head was tilted, looking at the soul gem Katla had placed on the table. Mira ended the sentence with a lift on the end. The soul gem, or whatever it was, had drawn her curiosity.
“Then, what is it?” Katla set down the hot juniper tea she’d been drinking. It’d had the desired effect. Her shivering had ceased. She felt comforted. Safe. She was safe inside Mira’s home. She stepped back over to the enchanting table.
They were in Mira’s enchanting room, on the third floor, next to the reading room. Everything in the reading room was tidy. The bookshelves looked rearranged since the last time Katla had been here. Considering the mess Tara’s wave had made of the place back then, some rearranging had probably been in order.
The alchemy and enchanting room was neat, too. Potions of glowing colors, most were blue or red, with a few green and golden ones, lined two wall shelves here. A few soul gems sat on the enchanting table. They were dark. Empty. Katla understood what Mira meant. The soul gem, or whatever it was, was shaped differently. It was more than the red glow. The size and cuts were different than any of the soul gems. A more delicate crystal than the soul gems. How had she not noticed before?
Because she wasn’t a mage. Before meeting with Wylandriah in Riften, had she ever seen a soul gem? Maybe once with her parents.
Neither she nor Tara had spent much time around actual soul gems. Katla shook her head. How much time had been lost by not showing this to Mira sooner? Was it important it wasn’t a soul gem?
“I’m not sure if it’s a varla stone, welkynd, or one of the others,” Mira said. “It’s meteoric glass.” She straightened up and looked at Katla. “They are Aetherial fragments. The crystal falls from Aetherius itself. Depending on which stone it is, and the magic performed on it, they have a variety of uses. Ayleids used them.”
Mira looked thoughtful. “Use and cultivating of the stones disappeared with them. Altmer elves have Malundo and Culando stones they cultivate on the Summerset Isles. Their attempt to accomplish what the Ayleids did. This isn’t one of those.”
“Wylandriah said it was a red soul gem,” Katla offered. “She told us it could have a lich inside.”
Mira frowned. “Wylandriah? Where have I…the court wizard in Riften?”
Katla nodded.
Mira sighed. “No, this does not contain a lich. I wouldn’t put much into anything she told you. I’ve read some of her papers. The woman has no…” Mira shook her head. “Her reputation among other mages isn’t good.”
Katla blushed. “We really didn’t know who else to ask. Farengar in Whiterun wasn’t any help.”
“Court wizards sometimes earn their place by politics more than skill.”
“I wish I’d shown this to you sooner,” Katla said. “All this time, assuming…”
Mira waved her hand, as if dismissing Katla. She was looking at the stone, crystal, again.
She reached down, as if to pick it up.
“Don’t touch it!” Katla put her hand over it, blocking Mira.
Mira stepped back and frowned. “Why?”
Katla shook her head. “Tara said not to let you touch it.”
A scowl crossed Mira’s face. “I need to examine this to determine which exactly it is. Can’t be afraid of magic all the time.” Her voice was condescending, as if she were scolding a child. She reached for the stone again.
“No!” Katla picked up the stone. Her skin crawled. There was a flare of heat from it, as if the stone was excited by her touch. “Tara was adamant. You can’t touch it.”
“Why?” Mira seemed to have caught herself. She’d shifted from looking offended to concerned.
Katla put the stone back on the table. “She wouldn’t tell me, but it must be Oblivion. Something that happened there.”
Mira looked confused. “Something that happened there made her tell you not to let me touch the stone?”
“Yes.” Katla walked back to the small side table her tea sat on. She took a sip.
She found herself imploring Mira with her eyes. As if Mira might know why Tara would say such a thing. As if she, Mira, could answer all the questions about Oblivion. Could know what had happened to Tara there.
Tell her why Tara was so distant now.
“Sit.” Mira pointed to the chair next to Katla. She sat in the one on the other side of the table. She put her hand to her chin and grew silent.
“I assume you and she have handled it for years now?”
Katla nodded. “Tara said we couldn’t change that. It didn’t matter.” She gave Mira a long look. “She’s protecting you from something by not letting you touch it.”
“I agree.” Mira looked at the stone. “From what is the question.” She leaned back in her chair.
“Tara Geonette was in Oblivion. You said she read Tara’s mind?” she asked.
Katla nodded.
Mira looked over at the stone again. She seemed lost in thought.
“Varla, welkynd, all the stones the Ayleids created and used were far more abundant back in the Second Era. There are many ruins in Cyrodiil, High Rock, most of the provinces. Over the centuries, as the ruins were plundered, the stones disappeared. I don’t even know how many can be found these days.”
Mira continued. “Geonette would have had a far better chance to get her hands on one than we, or any in her order now, could. It’s a guess, but I suspect this stone is from her. Or her time.”
Katla pulled in her breath. “You think she could have…” She paused. “Made it? Or…”
“She could have handled it. Performed…” Mira now paused, then sighed. “I don’t know what has been done with the stone. Which kind it is, nor what magic was performed on it. With it.”
She ran her right hand through her hair. “I have a lot of research to do. But, yes, I think this stone could be directly from Geonette. It’d explain why the order wants it so badly. And why Tara doesn’t want me to touch it.”
Mira stood.
“There’s a lot I don’t understand. We may be talking about old magic, long lost. Or…” Mira took a fresh breath. “…new magic that Geonette created. My ancestor may be more powerful than anyone realizes.”
She gave Katla a serious look. “I suspect she created whatever realm of Oblivion Tara was in. That’s not something an average mage can do. I don’t know if I could ever create such a place.”
Katla shivered. She took another sip of tea.
Mira sat back down and learned towards Katla. “I need to know what happened there. What did Geonette do, exactly, to Tara? What did Tara see, how did this realm look? How many people were there? How did they look? Old, young, undead?”
Mira leaned back. Her eyes pierced Katla. “Something in what she experienced will help us, I’m sure of it. I need to know what happened.”
How to make Mira understand?
“She’s not ready to talk about it.”
“She needs to. You need to get her to talk.”
Katla felt heat rise in her face. “No.”
Mira’s face hardened. “This is essential, Katla.” That condescending voice again. As if Katla didn’t know the dangers the order posed. As if, she, who’d lost her parents to them, and had them trying to kill her, didn’t understand anything.
She stood. “I know that! I’ve asked her. She’s not ready.”
“That’s not good enough,” Mira retorted. “We have to…”
“NO!” Katla felt herself shake. “I will not push her!”
They stared at each other.
Katla’s breathing hitched. She ran her hand over her face, composing herself against the tears trying to form. She turned from Mira and looked at the stone again. This stone causing so much grief. If only she could smash it. She turned back to Mira.
“She won’t talk to me.” It came out as a whisper. She sat back down in her chair. Mira looked at her, all sternness gone. In its stead was the look of a worried friend.
“She’s different,” Katla said. “Since Oblivion. She won’t talk to me about any of it, or much of anything. She’s distant.”
Katla took a sip of tea, grimaced, and put it back down. It’d gone cold.
“I told you in the letter, she said Geonette made her relive everything. Everything. All the things you did to her…” Mira flinched. “…all the beatings, the…” No, she couldn’t tell Mira what Tara did not want her to know “…everything else that has hurt her. Things you don’t know. I’m sure there’s much I don’t know.”
Katla held Mira’s gaze. “Mira, I can’t imagine reliving my parents’ murder. I already have my nightmares and…” She sighed. “I can’t imagine having to relive so many terrible…events. I don’t think you can, either. Oblivion hurt her. She’s not ready to talk. I won’t hurt her more by asking again.”
They sat quietly together, both looking at the stone. Its red glow throbbed, as if it’d been listening to them, joining in with its opinions.
Mira stood. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have pushed.” She gathered her robes, straightening out the deep purple cloth. Her hair shone in these robes, setting off her pale skin and those sharp blue eyes. How commanding she’d looked defending Katla and Richton earlier.
“Well,” Mira said. “On to the next phase. Fitting, since you need a new escort back to the Imperial City.”
Katla nodded. Right. Richton had headed back to the Imperial City with his captive, the member of the Order of the Fire Queen who’d attacked them. Her.
The ride from the Imperial City to Chorrol had been quiet and uneventful. The sky shone blue, with dark clouds far off towards Skyrim.
Richton, Tara insisted Katla be escorted by a Penitus Oculatus agent, was the literal strong and silent type. Young and the most fit man she’d ever met, his blond hair, blue eyes, and boyish face hid a serious man. He had dressed in light leather armor, so as not to draw attention to them while on the road.
After introductions with Tara, Richton had said no more than about five words all the way to Chorrol. He’d only guided her on which turns to take, which bridge to cross. He’d ridden ahead a few times, checking the path forward was safe.
Was this what Tara did daily for the queen, Katla wondered. Always vigilant. Always on duty, looking for danger. Never a moment’s rest?
They’d left their horses at the stables outside the city walls and walked to Mira’s. There was a side street, lightly traveled, Mira said they were to use. She’d meet them there. Magic spells protected her home, so she was to meet them outside, so Richton could hand Katla off safely.
The member of the order had been waiting. He’d struck three homes away from Mira’s.
Katla had thought nothing of the cloaked and hooded man as he passed by them. The day had been chilly and the constant breeze of the approaching front could be felt inside the city. A hood made sense.
Richton had paused for a moment, though, which had probably saved them both.
The man had passed in front of them, turned and shot a paralyze spell at them. Katla had caught it full on. The sensation scared her. One moment she was herself, walking, the next, she was on the ground, twisted with her legs caught under her, unable to move anything but her eyes.
Richton had dodged the attack and drawn his sword in one smooth move. He’d charged the attacker, but the man was quick and hit him with an ice spike. It caught Richton in the shoulder, causing him to drop his sword. He’d picked it up with his other hand within a second, but the attacker now aimed for Katla.
Katla had recovered from the paralyze spell and climbed to her feet. Had he meant to hit her with something stronger? She was grateful it’d only lasted seconds.
She’d brought her bow and a small quiver of arrows for the trip. She was ready for him. She fired a steel arrow at him as his hands glowed blue, as if he was preparing another ice spell.
He was fast. He shifted and cast some sort of ward spell. Tara had told Katla ward spells could block magic or physical attacks, depending on which you cast. This one did just that. Her arrow seemed to hit an invisible wall, its head crumpling, then snapping off the arrow’s shaft. The rest of the arrow fell to the ground, harmless.
Katla drew another arrow and looked for cover to avoid any more magic spells. Richton had recovered and was charging the attacker again. They parried, Richton using his sword and physicality to dodge magic spells, while their attacker cast a series of wards between firing fire and ice spells at Richton.
Katla fired the second arrow. Her aim was perfect, but the attacker somehow had kept an eye on her and cast both a ward to destroy her arrow and shot a fireball at her. He’d aimed low with the fireball, causing it to land on the paved road in front of her. As if to disarm and injure her, not kill her.
The flames licked at her boots, and their glare blinded her. Katla dived to the left, scraping her hands on the pavement.
When her vision recovered, Richton was on the ground, too, another cold spell had knocked him down. He looked half-frozen. He’d gotten a hit on their attacker, though. The man’s cloak was torn away, his arm slashed, bleeding from a deep cut.
He turned from Richton and gave Katla a grin. His hood had fallen away, revealing dark hair and deep blue eyes.
“Hand over the stone. Now,” he said. His voice was deep, lacking any warmth. His right hand, the uninjured one, held a large fireball. Katla wasn’t back up on her feet yet. He had her.
Green suddenly enveloped him and his eyes widened. The fireball dissipated. The man fell to the ground. Paralyzed.
Mira stood behind him, her robes flowing around her, her eyes and face as serious as Katla had ever seen them. The breeze blew strands of deep black hair across her face. Katla had never seen her look so intimidating. So powerful. If Katla hadn’t known her, she would’ve been afraid of her. The green glow of the paralyze spell faded from her hands.
Richton climbed to his feet. “Master Mira Blaton, I take it?”
Mira nodded at him. “Katla’s escort?”
“Agent Richton, ma’am.” He nodded.
“You okay?” Mira asked Katla.
Katla was on her feet now. She looked at her scrapped hands. She was shaking.
Why? She and Tara had fought off assassins and bandits many times. Had their lives hanging in the balance before.
This was different. The magic this member used. The speed of his casting. Like Mira, his magic skills stood out. He’d fought her and a Penitus Oculatus agent to a standstill. He could’ve killed Katla if he’d wanted. If she had refused to hand over the stone. Mira arriving had been the difference. No one they’d ever fought compared to him.
Were they getting more desperate? Sending skilled mages after her?
“Hold on,” Mira said. She waved her hands and Katla watched her torn skin heal. She flexed her hands. They were perfect, as if she’d never fallen.
“Do you need any healing?” Mira asked Richton.
“No, ma’am.” Richton smiled. Well, a corner of his mouth lifted. “Appreciate the offer.”
Mira looked down at their attacker. He’d crumpled, his legs sticking out, lying on his shoulder awkwardly. His cut arm was still bleeding.
“He’ll live,” Mira said. She turned to Richton. “He should remain paralyzed for a few hours. Is that good enough for you?”
Now Richton did smile. “Perfect. I know how to keep a mage subdued.”
“I’m off, then,” Richton nodded his head at Katla. “I will let Tara know what happened. And that you’re safe.”
After Richton left with the captured order member, Mira had teleported herself and Katla inside. The hot juniper tea and study of the stone had followed.
“You’re escorting me back to the Imperial City?” Katla asked.
“We’re teleporting,” Mira said. “I have a spot setup near the stables there. Outside of the walls.” She gave Katla a pointed look. “I want to setup one in your apartment. Write some scrolls for you to use. Let’s keep you safe and out of sight, now that we know they’re still after you.”
Katla looked at her cold tea. “Will I ever be rid of them?”
“Yes,” Mira said. “Don’t dwell. I need to go to the Archives, anyway. We need to go.” Mira stepped over to a small bookshelf, filled with blank parchment. She started packing several in a small travel bag. “There are two books in that library I believe have information we need. Books I had reserved while we were in Wayrest. Someone took them before we read them.”
“I didn’t realize…”
Mira waved her hand in dismissal again. “It happened after you left. The order must know I am not on their side by now.”
“You think the library has these books?”
“It’s the most complete library in Tamriel. It would have them. If someone hasn’t taken them.”
“Order members.”
Mira nodded. “These books must contain something they don’t want us to know.” Mira was moving about the lab, packing a few potions and scrolls. She finished and nodded at the stone, still on the enchanting table.
“Take it and keep it. Since I can’t touch it, it’s best it is not in my possession.”
Katla tucked it back in its pouch. She felt heavy with the burden of the stone again.
“Ready?” Mira asked. She held out her hand.
“Ready.” Katla grabbed it.
The world turned black as they teleported.