Sundas, 14^th Evening Star, 4E 201

My Consciousness travelled via the ether whilst I slept.

I stood before a shrine to Father. A Psijic Monk, unaware of my ethereal presence, stood nearby.

“Where am I, Father?”

“Somewhere that should be impossible. Well, we know it is possible because here you are.”

“Have you been taking fuzziness lessons from Lady Mara?”

“Son, when a god is confused, fuzziness is understandable.”

“Am I on Nirn?”

“Yes.”

“Am I in the correct timeline?”

“Yes.”

“Have I shifted forward or back in time?”

“No.”

“Okay, the only thing strange is a Psijic Monk nearby.”

“Go outside, Valdr. You will soon discover the gobblygookiest thing you have yet experienced.”

“I see Rigmor has contaminated you with her made-up words.”

“Silah has approached in a panic, so I doubt this is a time for levity. You can Ethereally Shift outside. Do so!”

I was not used to a command from Father. Due to our psychic link, it was almost a compulsion. My mind block ejected one of the only beings I allow beyond it.

I willed myself outside, trusting the metaphysics of Blinking not to leave me dangling over a long fall.

I faced the building housing Father’s shrine. The architecture was familiar and unlike anything in Tamriel. The Psijic Monk matched the architecture.

I turned, and Father’s comment about gobblygookiest was accurate.

I was on Artaeum, the Psijic Order’s home. In front of me were familiar buildings where Psijic trained and lived. However, the geography was wrong. There should be forests and mountain ranges surrounding the town. Instead, it was next to the sea.

I Blinked to a cliff edge. A fog that usually surrounds Artaeum was incomplete.

Psijic Monks walked past, unaware of my ethereal form. They should have been able to detect me without casting a spell. Their training makes them attuned to the barrier between Mundus and The Ethereal Plane. I should have been seen as an anomaly like I can detect heat signatures.

In the distance was a large shrine of Talos.

I stared at a stream. It was flowing upwards!

A familiar cascade also flowed upward next to where the stream flowed uphill. But it floated above the steps! The stairs lead to an arboretum where I often enjoyed my midday meal between lectures.

When the Psijics terraformed the area, they were fond of ridiculously pointy mountains. They did not surprise me, but an object floating above a Magicka Well did.

It was a large sphere covered in moving Ehlnofex runes, the language of the gods and Ehlnofey.

Studying the sphere was a senior lecturer, Gynthar the Pillar. Pillar is a term given to the most powerful, both magically and politically, of the Psijics. Not all are members of The Psijic Council, but most are.

I needed more proof that this was the Artaeum where I was trained. Therefore, I continued to Blink from place to place, looking for familiar faces.

A place of many an enjoyable evening seemed identical to what I remember. The Psijic Pint is a busy tavern where deep gobblygook discussions become more incoherent and somewhat more sensible as alcohol clarifies everything.

Guardian Lisa is unforgettable. I have never encountered another half-Dunmer, half-Altmer vampire. Her face displayed the scowl that frightened wayward students when directed their way. It was unmistakably Lisa, but instead of a Psijic Robe, she wore a dress like what female devotees of Nocturnal wear. The pieces of Dominion glass armour she donned were also at odds with what I remembered.

The Hall of Mastering might as well have been a dungeon where torture was practised. I do not have fond memories of the teachers within or the exercises, mentally and physically, inflicted on me.

Students were practicing Destruction spells.

The entrance of the Student Dormitory was identical to what I remembered, except for one odd addition.

One of the statues of Shalidor had a glowing cube in addition to the familiar Sun and Nirn orbs. I could not determine the reason for the oddity in my ethereal form.

The Market Square was familiar, including most of the vendors.

However, a statue of Lady Dibella was as out of place as those of Father. Psijic monks practised no religion, although experts in the many pantheons. This knowledge was needed in their roles as advisors to nobility and leaders. Father’s ascension would be a topic of immense interest to Psijics. There was no need to have active shrines to study it. The Aldmeri Dominion already regards them as enemies. Visible signs of Talos worship would not improve relations. As for Dibella, Psijic Monks and the other inhabitants of Artaeum enjoy the arts and intimate relations like any other society. But devotion to Lady Dibella was not something I ever encountered amongst them.

I approached the external and large shrine to Father.

Henrick, an Argonian Pillar, was silently praying to it.

Telepathically, I said, “Father, do not ever command me! You have no right to do so as I am Champion of The Divines by choice. I am neither servant nor enslaved.”

“I apologise, my son. Alessia would have clipped me across the ear for that transgression. As it was, Silah took time from her frantic babbling to do a good substitute dressing down.”

“What is this all about?”

“The island and its inhabitants are a Splinter attached to the preferred timeline. You are within a localised Dragon Break.”

“But Artaeum returned decades ago.”

“Yes, but not completely within Mundus and not in this location. It hovered between a plane created by The Psijic Order and Mundus. Its phantom location on Nirn was thousands of miles from any landmass in the Padomaic Ocean. This Artaeum is in its original position, close to Auredon.”

“Is the other Artaeum detectable?”

“No, it is probably stuck within the Psijic-created plane. We cannot see inside that plane like Oblivion, so this is a supposition. Two Artaeum coexisting within Mundus may have unknown, but severe, consequences.”

“So, this Artaeum has just come into existence?”

“You know how Splinters work. The island’s inhabitants will have lifetimes of memories from their truncated timeline. They may not even recognise that this Nirn differs from theirs.”

“They may not have any expectations if they have not visited Nirn for a long time.”

“That is true, but we cannot keep working on speculation. You must investigate.”

“That close to Auredon invites Dominion interest.”

“When this Artaeum manifested, there was a huge surge of Magicka within Saarthal. The surge lasted a fraction of a second. Silah will visit and tell you more.”

“I assume I must will myself back to wherever my Lifeforce is.”

“Yes, Son. Your amulet is of no aid in this instance.”

“I will look around a bit more before returning.”

“Things were much simpler when I was a general.”

“Things were much simpler when I lived with my parents on a tiny island beside Roscrea.”

Using Zoom Vision, I could see Auredon in the distance. This place will be swarming with Thalmor once The Dominion realise The Psijic Order has returned. They were ignorant of the ‘real’ return decades earlier.

I decided I had seen enough and willed myself back to Aurane.

I woke, looked around and then sprang out of bed.

My Psijic Robes were no longer that horrible, baby shit yellow but black and dark red!

Silah said, “I apologise for teleporting into your bedroom, Valdr.”

I turned around and could not help but smile at the oh-so-polite Jill. She was genuinely concerned about something she considered a taboo.

I walked closer to her and said, “Silah, a slight breach of protocol is forgivable considering the circumstances.”

“Oh, well, I suppose it is a bit out of the ordinary.”

“Look at my Psijic Robes that have always been baby shit yellow.”

“I prefer mustard when referring to the normal colour of Psijic Robes.”

“I wonder if parents of newborns avoid mustard for years after their firstborn?”

“Valdr!”

“Oh, since you are using my real name, this must be serious.”

“What do you remember about Splinters?”

“Mother removing them with a pin was more painful than the splinter.”

“Valdr!”

“Silah, if you don’t want me to become a devotee of Uncle Sheo, let me use humour to deal with the insanity presented.”

“Oh, of course. I apologise….”

“Silah!”

“Okay. Um…Splinters?”

“Every action creates an infinite number of potential timelines. For instance, if I blink, I create infinite timelines slightly different from if I did not. Varying lengths of the blink would create infinite timelines slightly different from each other. Very rarely, part of another timeline replaces part of ours. We call them Splinters. They are short-lived and can be regarded as an isolated Dragon Break. Splinters usually resolve themselves, and Jills do not need to deal with them.”

“As you often seem to enjoy stating, The Nine do not know everything about the metaphysics of the Aurbis. When something unusual happens, like this alternate Artaeum displacing the one you know, they must rely on mortal observation.”

“Immediately, you present an assumption as a known fact. The Psijic Order may have recognised what was happening and removed, for the lack of a better term, our Artaeum from Nirn. There is no evidence that the one I just visited displaced the other.”

“I can see you are going to be pedantic.”

“I must use logic up to the point it fails. Then, I must accept the unexplainable reality. That is gobblygook etiquette.”

“Let us imagine, notice I am being hypothetical for you, that the residents of the alternate Artaeum have not recognised they are in a different timeline.”

“If they have not long returned to Nirn, they may still be learning the status quo. Anything that differs from expectation may be attributed to their extended absence.”

“Yes, that is a possibility.”

“I saw no panic or signs of worry amongst the monks or other residents. Apart from the glaring geographical difference, I would swear it was a normal day on the Artaeum that I lived on.”

“And shrines of your father.”

“And the big revolving globe that makes water run uphill in the middle of the arboretum.”

“We have detected a huge Magicka spike coming from there. Do you think it is the globe generating the Magicka?”

“I do not know. I cannot detect Magicka in ethereal form.”

“Please, describe this orb.”

“It was floating above a Magicka Well. It was not solid but seemed to be constructed of different-sized plates. The shape of each plate was outlined with moving Ehlnofex runes. A monk known to me, Gynthar the Pillar, seemed to be studying it.”

“The runes suggest it dates from The Dawn Era, well, on this timeline anyway.”

“Or earlier. If it is a relic of a god, it may predate Convention.”

“We will end up with a long list of ifs, buts and maybes.”

“Direct observation in physical form will be needed to start unravelling this mess.”

“At the same time that you ethereally travelled, an enormous burst of Magicka was detected in Saarthal. It was a magnitude lower, but that may be….”

“That may be caused by hundreds of feet of rock between the source and the surface.”

“As Saint Alessia taught you history, your lessons often morphed into critical thinking exercises. You have always expressed a theory about The Night of Tears. Your mother noticed you were less reluctant to couch it in terms of speculation and seemed certain you knew why the Falmer turned on Atmoran.”

“I have always stressed the importance of distinguishing between accepted fact and speculation, as taught by Mother and other tutors. However, there are occasions when that dogma runs counter to my intuition. Sometimes, I am certain my speculation is fact even without evidence to prove that conclusion.”

“You were conceived naturally. Hence, we have always suspected you inherited traits from your parents. Not the obvious, like your father’s blue eyes, but other, hidden traits.”

“Mother’s foresight abilities combined with my sense of linear time is a combination I have thought about. There has never been a mortal with the combination of inheritance and divine gifts that I carry. I also suspect some manipulation by unknown entities. Yes, I am Dragonborn, but Lord Akatosh did not bless me. He accepts what I am but has never spoken to me. I do not suppose all gods like their ignorance to be put on display.”

“Let us accept you are correct about the Falmer knowing about a hidden artefact within Saarthal. Something that Ahzidal discovered and used, thereby exceeding the arcane knowledge and abilities of other Atmoran mages. An artefact that was not meant for mortals to use. Perhaps something that was left behind during the chaos of Mundus’ creation.”

“A relic that stored large amounts of Magicka would not be something the Falmer would want to remain hidden. It would not provide the knowledge Ahzidal gained. If a relic exists, it must be something like Lorkhan’s Heart. It must give access to power or knowledge not meant for mortals.”

“What is the most powerful of the Psijic Order’s Eleven Forces?”

“Change. The Psijics believe, AKA the Time God oversoul, was created by Anu in response to changes wrought by Padomay. One of Mother’s favourite sayings is, ‘Need is the mother of invention.’ A time-god was needed to bring order to the random, chaotic nature wrought by Padomay. Linear Time was needed for the natural laws decided at Convention to be viable. It is as good a creation theory as any other.”

“Theory or truth?”

“Because of Dragon Breaks and the unordered state of Mundus when it was first created, many different creation theories may be true. It would be a fool’s errand to try and disprove any of them.”

“So, if Change is the most powerful force, how do you increase the rate of Change?”

“Through the use of Creatia. But mortals do not know how to wield Creatia. We cannot sense it.”

“Many mages become obsessed with learning the secrets of the gods. It often turns out bad, as with The Dwemer and countless other mortals. Why do you think Ahzidal sought Mer magical knowledge after outpacing the Atmoran mages?”

“He might not have discovered all the secrets of a powerful relic, but it gave him insights other mages did not have. He hoped that Mer had developed certain elements of magic knowledge that Man had not.”

“And, as he did with Atmoran mages, his knowledge was soon greater than any Mer mage.”

“So, Silah, part-time critical thinking tutor, do you think there is a relic under Saarthal that is somehow linked to the orb I saw?”

“Hey, I am the tutor, so answer the question!”

“A relic under Saarthal might be linked to the orb I saw.”

“Might?”

“Maybe, perhaps, conceivably, perchance, and mayhap.”

“Rigmor is not here, so I will deputise. Idiot!”

“Celestine and I will join the Saarthal dig. However, that must wait till after I spend breakfast with Rigmor and we show Olette her adoption papers. My daughter may want to visit her mother’s grave and tell Wujeeta in Dragons Keep.”

“Lord Talos was very pleased you became a father. The method of becoming a parent does not matter. It inevitably changes a person.”

“I have no doubt. Since you have not asked about the other incident, I assume a Jill or The Divines did not detect it.”

“More ethereal travel?”

“No, it was a premonition. We eliminated a Molag Bal cult in Dawnstar. They had been sacrificing Vigilants for a bargain they made with Bal. If they sacrificed nine Vigilants, one for each of The Divines, the cult leader, a Vigilant Enforcer, would be taught how to cure Vampirism.”

“Go on.”

“After eliminating the cult, I stood before Bal’s shrine. He made me an offer, and I was tempted. Better pay, less chaos and no annoying Jills to deal with.”

“I take it you refused in your usual polite manner.”

“Before I could do so, Bal yelled out in surprise. He shared my premonition. The Dark Lord was sitting back against his throne, a huge hole in his stomach and blood pooling around him. He deconsecrated the shrine, and we no longer shared a connection. However, I then found myself at Lord Arkay’s entrance to Aetherius. Bal had somehow entered Aetherius but was then turned to stone. He had a spear protruding from his midsection. It had been thrust into his back.”

“Can you share what you saw with me?”

“An Empathetic Link? Yeah, but last time, you freaked out over a Bal statue. He is no prettier in the flesh.”

I made the connection, and Silah hissed when she saw Bal.

We noticed something I had missed when I showed her Molag petrified in Aetherius. There was a portal behind him.

Silah asked, “This was a premonition and not ethereal travel?”

“Yes, it is a future possibility.”

“While we worry about Molag Bal penetrating The Liminal Barrier, he may be searching for a way to enter Aetherius. However, he would not survive, hence the petrification. His essence would be thrown into The Void, but I have no doubt he would soon return to Coldharbour.”

“Unless the only weapon available, I doubt I would use a spear to combat Bal.”

“So, who could fight Bal and beat him?”

“The only clue is the spear. I am sure I have seen it somewhere before.”

“Do not dwell on it, Valdr. Our concern now is Artaeum.”

“Do you want me to show you the orb I saw?”

“We have an idea what it is. I am no good at hiding emotions in this form, and The Divines want you to, as usual, discover things without too many hints.”

“Because the effort to gain specific knowledge may supply other value information.”

“Wow, anybody would think you learnt that by rote.”

“There is no way I will sleep now. I might as well try to do some research into Splinters. I also want to know how the Psijic Order moves Artaeum between planes.”

“Do you know The Eleven Powers?”

“No, that is something the Psijic Order will never divulge. We know how highly they rate Change because they told us.”

“Then good luck figuring out how they move their home around.”

“If I read enough snippets from different scholars, I might be able to figure it out.”

“Yes, with your memory, that is a possibility. I will let Lord Talos know you will be visiting Saarthal.”

‘The colour of my Psijic Robes changed. I hope that is the only oddity caused by the Splinter.”

“We cannot guess, Valdr. We can only observe and react if necessary.”

“Oh, what if it fixes your mistake and makes parts of Cyrodiil a jungle again?”

Silah hissed, then vanished.

I have a collection of the most esoteric and specialist books. Not all of them have a version in the museum library. That is something Auryen never stops nagging me about. Valminoor likes to read them, and I am sure Freathof would find them interesting.

I have not spoken to Valminoor or Nahfahlaar for a few weeks. Valminoor would understand, but Nahfahlaar will whinge about it next time I see him.

After gathering half a dozen obscure and rare books, I settled in a chair and read for hours. In the end, I concluded that outsiders know nine-tenths of fuck all about the Psijic Order’s magic. Very few outsiders have ever set foot on Artaeum.

At 8:00 AM, Rigmor contacted me via Mara’s Rings.

“Ready for breakfast, by dear Dragonborn. Or do you intend to ravage me upon my arrival?”

“Yes, well, about our planned day at Tundra Homestead….”

“Wulf, you still have not recovered fully. What is it this time?”

“Let us discuss the latest crises over bacon, eggs, sausages and this new way of doing coffee.”

“What new way?”

“They make it very frothy.”

“Okay, my stomach is rumbling and says I should not kill you till after I have eaten. However, I do not see the point of frothy coffee.”

I summoned Rigmor, and she was wearing a silk dress from Akavir with trousers underneath. I found the clothing some time ago in one of the many trunks and chests that are yet to be fully catalogued. She decided on a black wig with a ponytail to complete her disguise. Rigmor would easily pass as a native of Akavir from a distance. Close up, her eye shape would dispel that notion.

Walking to the food vendor, we encountered Oliver and Vanyatka feeding the foxes.

Vanyatka hurried towards the forge while Oliver stopped to have a quick chat.

• Wulf: Good morning, Oliver.
• Oliver: Good morning, Lord Welkynd. The pretty lady must be Rigmor since no other sane woman would put up with our benefactor.
• Rigmor: Do I look that different in this dress and wig?
• Oliver: Yes, and I wonder if you have coordinated with Olette.
• Rigmor: What do you mean?
• Oliver: Her hair is similar to your wig this morning.
• Rigmor: Well, you know what they say. Great minds think alike.
• Wulf: Do you two always feed the foxes when Lydia and Celestine are away?
• Oliver: We take it in turns with the other children.
• Wulf: I believe your adoptions are awaiting final approval.
• Oliver: Fortis and Hana spoil us silly. I know the papers are needed to avoid future inheritance problems, etcetera, but we already regard them as our parents.
• Rigmor: The Empire loves its lists and forms.
• Oliver: I do not have to call her Lady Olette, do I?
• Wulf: No, she is Olette and I am Wulf.
• Oliver: I had better hurry. The furnace needs to be stoked and ready for work.

We noticed Vayu approaching us as Oliver rushed to catch up with his brother.

• Vayu: Wow, does that dress come in different colours?
• Wulf: You know we have a lot of stuff yet to be sorted, so there is a good chance.
• Vayu: Celestine stopped at Bthardamz to tell me she would be working on the cure at the college.
• Wulf: Did she also tell you that Legionnaires will relieve you soon?
• Vayu: Yes, and she gave me a list of three possible recruits. I shall talk to them individually.
• Rigmor: Have the Afflicted given you any problems?
• Vayu: No. They seemed to accept our assurance that they would be treated with compassion.
• Wulf: The plans for Celestine have changed. She will accompany me to the Saarthal excavation.
• Rigmor: Wulf is yet to tell me why we must cancel our plans for today.
• Wulf: The list includes ethereal travel, Splinter, two Artaeum islands and large amounts of Magicka detected at Saarthal.
• Vayu: I assume one of the islands is within a Splinter.
• Wulf: Yes, and on that island, there was a large pulse of Magicka at the same time as the one in Saarthal.
• Vayu: And you travelled ethereally to the Splinter Artaeum?
• Wulf: There were many similarities and differences to the Artaeum I trained at.
• Rigmor: This sounds very complicated.
• Wulf: Father said it was the most gobblygookiest thing yet.
• Rigmor: YES! I told you that was a real word.
• Vayu: What were some of the differences?
• Wulf: They had shrines to Father and Lady Dibella.
• Vayu: Whereas the Psijic Monks we are used to display no signs of worship.
• Wulf: The island seemed much smaller. However, several scholars state that it can change shape and size, which is why there are no reliable land maps of Artaeum.
• Vayu: Did you recognise anybody?
• Wulf: Yes, which could cause a paradox because they probably exist on both islands.
• Rigmor: I could do with another me. The Splinter Rigmor could sit on the throne all day while I shop or contribute to the financials of local inns.
• Wulf: Rigmor, when we return to my rooms, have a look at my Psijic Robes. They have changed colour.
• Rigmor: What?
• Wulf: They are no longer baby shit yellow but black.
• Rigmor: How? Why?
• Vayu: Gobblygookiest indeed!
• Wulf: The Artaeum island I lived on is in the Padomaic Ocean. The Splinter Island is in its original location when it was first inhabited.
• Vayu: Near Auredon?
• Wulf: Yes.
• Vayu: I wonder if they had Thalmor in their timeline?
• Rigmor: You may need to explain this to me over our morning meal, Wulf.
• Wulf: I will do.
• Rigmor: And that weird stuff with Molag Bal as well.
• Wulf: I can try.
• Vayu: What weird stuff with Molag Bal?
• Wulf: I will tell you about it soon, Vayu.
• Vayu: Okay, I will return to more exciting guard duty outside a thrilling Dwemer ruin. I am beginning to understand your dislike of Dwemer architecture.
• Wulf: Remiel thinks the sun shone from Dwemer backsides. I tried to dent her starry-eyed enthusiasm for that race of dangerous egomaniacs.
• Vayu: Another Madras.
• Wulf: Probably worse.
• Vayu: Okay, you know the rules. We will not discuss the candidates any further.
• Wulf: Yes, Shaman Vayu. Please forgive me, and do not turn me into a frog.
• Vayu: Rigmor?
• Rigmor: Yes, Vayu, he is an idiot.

We sat and ordered our food. Two full mugs and a pitcher of frothy coffee were placed on the table. Rigmor took a tentative sip, then gulped down the rest.

I laughed and asked, “Would Milady like a refill?”

Rigmor burped and then replied, “Yes, my loyal servant.”

I used telekinesis to make the platter and pitcher float towards Rigmor. She poured herself another mug full and replaced the pitcher. I did not have to concentrate to make the platter and pitcher return to their starting point.

Rigmor asked, “Why are you keeping them floating off the table?”

“My visit to Artaeum reminded me of some exercises their teachers made us do. The way I just cast telekinesis is subtly different from what most mages use. You have seen me use a fraction of the spells I learnt. The same with Shouts.”

“Is having a conversation while maintaining the floating objects difficult?”

“With the telekinesis spell taught at The College of Winterhold, it would be impossible. Psijic spells tap into more than Magicka. They manipulate other forces of nature rather than have Magicka override them. In this case, my spell weave is manipulating gravity.”

“Freathof was astonished you were allowed to visit Artaeum. He says some of the most famous mages in history are the only ones he had read about.”

“The Psijic Order has produced the most accurate predictions after Mother. They do it via scrying into the future. They see the actual events but cannot guarantee they will occur on our timeline. There is also a theory that viewing a past or future event may change it.”

“As happened when Alduin detected your presence when fighting the Tongues.”

“Yes. That changed Alduin’s strategy when he returned to Nirn. His banishment measured thousands of years for those in Mundus, but it was fleeting for Alduin. A few seconds at the most.”

“Freathof says the Psijic Order is full of secrets and wondered how much they divulged to you.”

“Hardly any. Psijic magic is based on what they call The Eleven Forces. It is easy to guess some of those forces.”

“Like gravity, which you are still manipulating.”

“I often use gravity as an example when discussing gobblygook.”

“We know it exists and some of its laws, but not how it works.”

“Precisely. I was taught enough to manipulate parts of gravity, but I was not taught spells involving the more obscure forces.”

“Do you know any of the other eleven?”

“Yes, the most powerful one is discussed openly by Psijic Monks. It is Change.”

“Change is a force?”

“I hate to get into philosophical discussions before my bacon and eggs, but yes, Change is a force.”

“I thought our love was the most powerful force?”

“If I did not fight my Dov instincts and became enamoured with battle and conquest, could you still love me?”

“No, you would not be the big softy sitting opposite me.”

“That is a change I could let happen. Therefore, Change, as a force, would have conquered our love.”

“Sometimes your analogies and examples are frightening.”

“I must understand potential dangers, not only to me, mortals, and Mundus, but also to things I cherish. The prospect of making decisions that may adversely impact those I love is the most frightening thing I face.”

“That is your fear when you enter Oblivion. I know, via Mara’s Rings, how you battle that fear with determination.”

“We shall show Olette her adoption papers, then, if she desires, visit her mother’s grave. Her ‘Papa’, the sailor who fathered her, was the cause of Lillith’s addiction. She never knew if he was lost at sea, found another he loved more or did not care for her and Olette.”

“What does Olette think?”

“She is certain he was a womaniser. The stories of sailors having a woman in every port are not exaggerations. However, Olette never expressed her opinion to Lillith. Instead, she supported Lillith’s preference that Sitten White-Wave was lost at sea.”

“I did not know that was her father’s name.”

“She has only mentioned it once, and the venom in her voice expressed her true feeling for ‘Papa.’”

“What is her family name?”

“Tallowhand. Olette’s family, including Lillith, has a long history of rendering suet, the fat around animal organs, to create tallow. It is a low-paying, smelly occupation usually done far from the posher areas of a city.”

“You see potential in all the orphans, don’t you?”

“In orphans, beggars, prostitutes and all the oppressed. Anybody can shine if given the opportunity. I see little of The Ten Commands being exercised in Skyrim. They are the gateway to prosperity for all. And here I am, preaching before bacon. Unforgivable!”

“Do not try explaining the Molag Bal and Psijic gobblygook, Wulf. Let us chat about normal things.”

“I shall try, in between mouthfuls!”

Rigmor laughed as a platter of eggs, bacon and sausages was placed before me. It would feed four, but I am no glutton and have found I need more fuel than ever. Mind you, Rigmor’s serving belied her petite size and figure.

We discussed many things, but any effort on my behalf to apologise for the changed plans was cut short. Rigmor understands I am still reacting to chaos, not controlling it.

At the end, Rigmor and I belched simultaneously, and they echoed loudly. While laughing, I lost control of the gravity weave, the platter, and the almost empty pitcher clanged onto the table. That increased my beloved’s laughter to record levels.

We walked hand in hand back to my rooms, and many who saw us smiled, for our love was a thing of wonder and beauty that old and young admired.

Olette was sitting outside my bedroom with Meeko. She tried to appear calm, but I know her well. She was bursting with excitement and some hesitation.

“Woof!”

“Yes, Meeko, I shall hand Olette the document immediately. Rigmor and I apologise for having a life.”

 We went to my reading room, and I handed the scroll to Olette. She slowly unrolled it. Then her eyes grew wide.

Olette whispered, “Lady Olette Lillith Welkynd. That is my name now, Meeko.”

Olette flew into my arms and hugged me with surprising strength. She then did the same to Rigmor, who had tears streaming.

Olette let go of Rigmor and then carefully rolled up the velum document. She handed it to me with tears rolling down her cheeks and an enchanting smile.

• Wulf: Whenever you are announced at an official function, your ma’s name will be part of it.
• Olette: You did not tell me you would do that!
• Wulf: I wanted it to be a surprise.
• Meeko: Woof!
• Olette: Yes, fleabag, it is a beautiful surprise. Sometimes, Cap’n does not deserve the derogatory names you give him.
• Rigmor: People might ask about your middle name.
• Olette: That would give me a chance to talk about Ma!
• Rigmor: Yep.
• Meeko: Woof.
• Wulf: You want me to give you a new name?
• Rigmor: Do not tempt him, Meeko. Plus, you do not need to be adopted.
• Olette: I saw Vayu. He told me you and Rigmor have had to change plans because of some new trouble.
• Wulf: Yes, but we shall still visit your mother’s grave and tell Wujeeta at Dragons Keep of the good news if that is your desire.
• Olette: I would like that very much, Cap’n.
• Rigmor: Then you and I will spend the day doing whatever you fancy.
• Olette: Including sword practice?
• Rigmor: I am a bit rusty with a one-handed sword.
• Olette: Oh, we have very light greatswords made from…what is the name of that wood, Cap’n?
• Wulf: Bamboo. They are practice kai-katana.
• Olette: They make a cool ‘whack’ sound when you hit somebody with them!
• Wulf: Wear the padding. I do not want to return to purple and bruised ladies.
• Rigmor: Like I said, Lady Welkynd, we shall do whatever you desire.
• Olette: From gutter snipe to Lady. Who woulda thunk it?
• Rigmor: Your street talk may offend some stick-up-the-bum nobles you meet.
• Olette: I am who I am, and if that is not good enough, they can shove it up their….
• Wulf: We get the picture, Olette.
• Rigmor: The stick might get in the way.
• Meeko: Woof.
• Wulf: I agree. They are both a lost cause to etiquette.
• Meeko: Woof?
• Wulf: Yes, Merlin wants to visit Dragons Keep. I refuse to take him with me on dangerous tasks despite his abilities. So, he thinks he may be able to contribute to the orphanage.
• Olette: I think the mention of Gladys influenced that decision.
• Meeko: Woof!
• Rigmor: You might have mentioned Gladys’ cute butt to Merlin, but I doubt that influenced him. He is an Imperial stuck in a corgi’s body.
• Olette: Permanently stuck.
• Wulf: That is correct. The dweomer used on Merlin has condemned him to that body. Any attempt to reverse the enchantment would kill him.
• Olette: He is now a corgi but still needs a way to relieve his natural urges.
• Rigmor: I cannot believe we are discussing a grown man potentially knocking boots with a corgi!
• Olette: This is less creepy than those bestiality people I witnessed in Riften. Their odd practices earned me a lot of gold with extortionists!
• Meeko: Woof!
• Rigmor: No, little Merlin puppies would not be cute. What if they are Half-Imperial?
• Meeko: Woof!
• Rigmor: Haha, yeah, they would still be a half-corgi, making them superior to other Imperials.
• Wulf: We had better end this discussion before Countess Ragnarsdottier’s sheltered sensibilities are permanently crushed under reality.
• Olette: Does Inigo ever let Mr Dragonfly out of the jar to relieve his natural urges? There are many pretty dragonflies in Aurane’s gardens.
• Rigmor: Olette!
• Olette: Hear that, Meeko? I told you I could get an ‘Olette!’ out of Rigmor.
• Wulf: Olette, please have a look at my Psijic Robes.
• Olette: Ahh, why, Cap’n?
• Wulf: Humour me.

As we approached my Psijic Robes, Rigmor gasped and said, “I can’t wait to hear an explanation for that!”

Olette looked, then put her hands on her hips.

She said, “You told me the stories of the robes and that old leather armour and how special they are to you.”

“Yes, they are significant and part of my journey.”

“Then where are your yellow robes?”

“That is them. Last night, they changed colour.”

“Why?”

“I do not know yet. But I do worry that other things around the world also changed.”

“Such as?”

“Anything you can think of. For instance, Oliver might have turned into a female.”

“I spoke to him before breakfast, Cap’n.”

“I was using Oliver as a random example, plus I knew you would listen if I mentioned him.”

“Does this explain why you had to cancel your day with Rigmor?”

“Yes. I must investigate what might be causing such weirdness.”

“Can we visit Ma now?”

“We shall gather our corgi friend and be on our way.”

A few minutes later, we had collected Merlin, teleported, and exited the ether within Honeyside.

• Wulf: Meeko, I am relying on you to give advanced warning of trouble.
• Meeko: Woof!
• Merlin: I am also pretty good at detecting danger. I demonstrated that in The Shivering Isles.
• Olette: Cap’n knows that, Merlin. But Meeko’s sense of danger is, well, uncanny.
• Wulf: Merlin, Meeko was sent to me as a guardian. But yes, please add your skills to his, as these two ladies are unarmed and unarmoured.
• Meeko: Woof.
• Merlin: Okay, big fellow. I will concentrate on protecting the ladies and not think about Gladys’ bubble butt.
• Rigmor: Bubble butt? No, do not bother explaining. I can do without knowing what constitutes beauty to a perverted middle-aged mage turned into a corgi.
• Merlin: Hey, I have not humped anybody’s leg like other dogs tend to do.
• Rigmor: And that is an achievement?
• Merlin: Indeed, it is. You have no idea of that temptation’s appeal!
• Rigmor: Wulf!
• Wulf: Yes, Countess Prude. We will head for the graveyard.
• Rigmor: I am not a prude!

As per usual, fog shrouded Riften. Despite the dragon attacks occurring weeks ago, the scent of burnt timbers was still present. If not for the bravery of the Dragonguard and local guards and citizens, the dragons would have burned the city to the ground.

Rigmor could not resist a quick perusal of some of Riften’s stalls. Brynjolf quietly left his stall and moved behind her.

Olette called out, “Brynjolf if you try to pick her pockets, of which she has none, I shall cut your gonads off with my stabber.”

Brynjolf looked over to us, blanched, and pretended to be interested in the displayed goods.

As Rigmor passed him, she said, “I knew you were there, Brynjolf. Olette would find it easier to castrate you after I kicked you in the knackers. She would not have to squint so much as your testicles expanded while you rolled on the floor in pain.”

There was a slim chance somebody might recognise Rigmor. However, the risk was worth the amusement.

• Snilf: Is that you, Olette?
• Wulf: Yes, it is Lady Olette Lillith Welkynd.
• Snilf: Lady?
• Olette: Lord Welkynd adopted me.
• Snilf: Well, that is welcome news.
• Olette: It is good to see you wearing something other than smelly rags.
• Snilf: The Priests and Priestesses of Mara’s Temple have been visiting every beggar and offering to pay for new clothing. They said an anonymous donor provided funds for that purpose.
• Olette: Not all beggars would accept such an offer.
• Snilf: No, they will not because people are less likely to give money to a beggar who does not look destitute.
• Olette: And they would miss their lifelong companions.
• Snilf: I am glad to get rid of my ticks and fleas. I am sure they will find another home.

On cue, Merlin and Meeko started scratching.

• Snilf: Lord Welkynd, your dog-shaped horse and that barking rat have poor senses of humour.
• Meeko: Grrr!
• Merlin: Yap! Yap!
• Snilf: Ooh, Meeko and the rat are so scary!
• Merlin: Can I set him alight? Just a little bit?
• Wulf: No. Now, be a good barking rat and watch for trouble.
• Olette: It is good to see you relatively healthy, Snilf. I do miss Riften sometimes.
• Snilf: We miss you, Olette. You were often a welcome distraction from our worries.

We made our way to Lillith’s grave. Olette knelt before it as Rigmor, and I looked on. Meeko and Merlin took up guard positions.

Olette said, “Ma, I have some news. Lord Welkynd has adopted me. I will always be a Tallowhand, but my new name is Lady Olette Lillith Welkynd. The Cap’n thought your name should be included as people may ask about it, and I can tell them about you.

I will not tell people how you gobbled up Skooma or got drunk at The Bee and Barb. Most people never think about why somebody starts taking Skooma or drinking to excess. They think they are habits started for fun. But we know, as does Cap’n and Rigmor, that booze and Skooma often start as ways of forgetting one’s woes.

You were always pining over Papa. Why did he not return from his last trip? Should you move on and try and find love elsewhere? Those questions plagued you, and the Skooma peddlers prayed upon you as they did Wujeeta and many others we knew.

Rigmor understands more than most what you endured. She often waits for Cap’n’s return when he enters Oblivion or another dangerous place. It isn’t easy, even with the support of many who love her.

I told you before that Wulf and The Dragonguard disposed of the Skooma peddlers and their suppliers. I have no doubt others have since taken their place.

Wujeeta is now in charge of the civilians at Cap’n’s biggest orphanage. She probably bosses the soldiers around as well. The needy can thrive if given the chance, and Wujeeta is proof of that. I hope to be another example of that fundamental truth that others deny.

Ma, when I speak of you, it will be about the limitless love you showed in many small ways. I will tell them how you read me stories about The Champion of Cyrodiil and other heroes. I never thought I would meet such a hero, but then Cap’n, The Dragonguard, Rigmor, and others entered my life. All of them are heroes worthy of bedtime stories.

I will tell people how you would make me dance with you at The Bee and Barb when bards played your favourite tunes. You especially liked songs about heroes. I think all downtrodden people like to believe heroes exist. I was so embarrassed when people watched me struggle to follow your lead. But really, it was always fun.

I will tell people that ‘Little Dartwing’ was your nickname for me. You said I flittered from place to place and sometimes from subject to subject, like a Dartwing over a pond.

One day, when circumstances allow, Rigmor and Cap’n will marry. Do not fear, Ma. I love Rigmor and will be proud to have her as my stepmother. But she knows you will always be my Ma and own much of my heart.

I will try to visit more often and keep you up to date with any gossip.

Until next time, Ma. I love you and miss you.”

As expected, Rigmor’s tears flowed freely once more. I had dirt in my eyes that made them water profusely.

• Rigmor: Please tell me more stories about Lillith. It has been ignorant of me not to ask earlier.
• Olette: Cobblers! I like that word, Cap’n. It comes in handy.
• Wulf: Yeah, but it is not as good as Albatross.
• Olette: Anyway, Rigmor, cobblers! You have had plenty on your mind, and now we can relax somewhat. As Cap’n goes off doing hero stuff, we can talk about our families. I know bits and pieces about your mother and father.
• Meeko: Woof.
• Olette: Haha, yes, I also suspect Cap’n is the anonymous donor clothing the poor.
• Wulf: I have donated sums to each city. I want the temples to be seen as charitable. It is a subtle way of reminding people of The Nine.
• Merlin: Olette, I was guarding as well as I could. However, you made it more challenging by making me cry. I felt like howling!
• Meeko: Woof.
• Merlin: What do you mean my howl would be like a rat squealing? I will bite you on the ankle if you continue picking on my diminutive size.
• Meeko: Woof.
• Merlin: I would not have to jump to reach your ankle!
• Olette: Meeko has told me he will miss you, Merlin. Do not think for a second that he does not respect you.
• Merlin: Perhaps if Meeko promises not to disrupt the entire orphanage, Wulf will allow him to visit more often.
• Wulf: Meeko plus children equals chaos. But he can visit after classes have finished. We shall arrange that with Wujeeta.
• Rigmor: Okay, my big blubbering barbarian, it is time to visit Wujeeta.
• Wulf: I was not blubbering.
• Olette: Dirt in your eyes, Cap’n?
• Wulf: Yep.

The ladies laughed as I cast teleport.

When visiting the first time, most people comment about the dragon statue in the Dragon Keeps entrance. Olette was an exception. She whistled and then said, “This place is huge!”

• Wulf: I might as well give you a tour of the place while we are here.
• Olette: Are you sure, Cap’n? I thought you would be eager to investigate why your Psijic Robes turned black.
• Wulf: It will not take long.
• Rigmor: Bollocks! This place is, as Olette observed, huge!
• Olette: Bollocks sounds more sophisticated with your accent. The two O’s are more rounded.
• Rigmor: Which is appropriate, considering what bollocks are.
• Meeko: Woof!
• Wulf: Yes, I agree. Leaving these two alone for an extended period might corrupt Olette. After all, she is supposed to be a lady now.
• Olette: The peasant just insulted you, Countess.
• Rigmor: I shall not debase myself by telling him off. That would admit I took notice of his existence.
• Olette: I will also ignore his presence, which is difficult with the stink assaulting my nostrils.
• Rigmor: You will soon learn to ignore their stench, like their whiney voices.
• Wulf: Alas, peasants cannot afford to pay for expensive shopping trips. Tomorrow’s planned outing will have to be cancelled.

In perfect synchronisation, Olette and Rigmor exclaimed, “Yeah, right. Pfft!”

As the pair collapsed in peals of laughter, Merlin advised, “Pick your battles more wisely or surely you will perish, Wulf.”

The classes on the main floor had finished, and many orphans were now in magic and alchemy classes elsewhere. Other orphans had free time, and although I recognised most of them, I was surprised at how many new ones were present.

We entered the library, and I approached Inday.

“Welcome, Lord Welkynd. Can I help you?”

“The corgi with the hat is called Merlin. He is a cursed wizard transformed permanently into that form. In time, you will be able to communicate with him via telepathy. He will be staying here for a while. Merlin wants to see if he could contribute to Dragons Keep in some form.”

“I hope Merlin realises the children will treat him no different than with Gladys.”

“Merlin will cope with copious cuddles and treats snuck from the kitchen.”

“Then I welcome you, Merlin.”

Merlin yipped and gave a rather cute smile.

I introduced Merlin to Gladys, even though she does not speak or understand Tamrielic.

• Meeko: Woof?
• Merlin: Yes, her derriere is, indeed, hypnotising.
• Rigmor: Wulf, let us move on before more perverted weirdness assaults my ears.
• Wulf: Do not do anything where children can see you, Merlin. They learn about reproduction in class.
• Olette: I learnt by spying on couples.
• Rigmor: Wulf, my sheltered sensibilities are in danger!

Olette gave Gladys and Merlin a cuddle before we moved on.

We heard Wujeeta issuing firm but polite orders long before we saw her.

When Wujeeta saw us, she went silent and waited for Olette to approach. The two had bonded in Riften, and I know Olette sometimes misses Wujeeta.

Olette told the formidable Argonian, “Cap’n finally got off his arse and adopted me. I am now Lady Olette Lillith Welkynd.”

A toothy grin instantly dominated Wujeeta’s face. She lifted Olette and squeezed the air out of her with an exuberant hug.

She finally put the giggling and breathless girl back on her feet.

• Wulf: According to your last report, Olette is not the only child celebrating adoption.
• Wujeeta: We have had great success, but the number of new arrivals still exceeds those successes.
• Wulf: I am hearing the same from all the orphanages. We shall have to open more establishments if need be.
• Olette: Cap’n had the clever idea to make Lillith part of my new name.
• Wujeeta: I am sure some capable female gave him the idea.
• Rigmor: It was not me.
• Wulf: Wujeeta knows that. She said capable.
• Rigmor: Get f…f…fornicated!
• Olette: We miss you in Aurane.
• Wujeeta: Well, soon, I will have an assistant who can run this place while I spend time with you and my friends.
• Wulf: Ahh…I have not started looking for an assistant yet.
• Olette: Forgive Cap’n. He has been swamped saving us all from horrible deaths or enslavement.
• Wujeeta: Some of the older orphans are seeking employment. Perhaps I can choose from among them.
• Wulf: Perhaps you can also fill other vacancies with older orphans. Gardeners and more maintenance staff are needed.
• Wujeeta: That is an excellent idea, and I did not see Rigmor whisper it to you!
• Meeko: Woof?
• Wujeeta: Yes, Meeko, you are welcome to visit. I shall discuss with senior staff when your chaos would be acceptable.
• Rigmor: Wulf, I can tell you are worried via our rings. We can return another day and give Olette a proper tour.
• Olette: It is okay, Cap’n. Do what you need to do.
• Wulf: We shall visit again soon, Wujeeta.
• Wujeeta: Yes, now vamoose. I have a kitchen to run.

Rigmor and Olette were correct. Intuitively, I knew the Splinter and second Artaeum posed a threat. The nature of that threat is what I needed to understand before we can counter it.

I teleported us into Aurane.

My ladies said rapid goodbyes and sent me on my way.

Now that I was familiar enough with the Arch-Mage headquarters, I avoided many flights of stairs by teleporting to its door.

I knocked, and the doors automatically opened.

As is Savos’ habit, he moved from behind his desk to greet me.

“Greetings, Master Wulf. You will be glad to know we have teams of mages studying the samples you provided.”

“That is good to hear, Arch-Mage. However, I am here on a different and urgent matter. Celestine needs to be involved, so I shall summon her.”

Celestine answered my summons within seconds.

• Wulf: Celestine, I am not here about the plague. Another situation has arisen involving a Splinter.
• Celestine: I do not think Arch-Mage Savos would be familiar with that term.
• Savos: I dimly recall reading something about them, but metaphysics, especially time-related, is not my forte.
• Wulf: A Splinter is a length of time, often, but not always, with an unknown origin. The Splinter grafts itself into our timeline. To do so, events within the Splinter must be similar enough to our reality. It must conform to the same rules as those used by Jills to repair Dragon Breaks.
• Celestine: Think of a Dragon Break as many ropes torn apart. Their frayed ends have countless fibres of various lengths and thicknesses. Jills must compare the frayed end of our timeline to all the frayed ends of other timelines. They match the various fibres as well as they can and select the best pieces to merge. However, our timeline has permanent changes from that point onwards.
• Wulf: Sometimes, those changes are subtle. Sometimes, they are significant, such as histories telling us much of Cyrodiil was covered in jungles, yet there is no physical evidence of them.
• Savos: A Splinter can be regarded as a repaired Dragon Break.
• Wulf: Yes, except metaphysics did the splicing, not Jills.
• Celestine: Have changes been noticed?
• Wulf: Last night, I ethereally travelled to Artaeum. However, it was not our Artaeum but one belonging to the Splinter. Some of it was familiar, but most of it was different. When the Psijic Order returned, they placed Artaeum thousands of miles from other landmasses in the Padomaic Ocean. The Splinter’s Artaeum is near Auredon, where the Aedra placed it when creating Nirn.
• Celestine: No doubt the Dominion would be wary of it and investigate.
• Savos: They are not the best of friends with the Psijic Order.
• Wulf: Our Psijics removed their Artaeum from Mundus to avoid paradoxes. Either that or metaphysics forced it out. Either way, it is no longer on Nirn.
• Savos: Apart from unexpected changes, does this Splinter threaten Nirn?
• Wulf: Usually, Splinters cause minor changes, and the Jills do not intervene. When my Consciousness travelled to the Splinter’s Artaeum, a short burst of powerful Magicka was detected from that island. Simultaneously, another powerful Magicka burst was detected in Saarthal. We must determine if there is a relationship and, if so, what its consequences are. That is our first step in determining if there is any danger.
• Savos: Your theory of a powerful relic within Saarthal may prove correct.
• Wulf: Celestine and I must investigate Saarthal, but I do not want to start a panic or generate unhelpful speculation amongst students and mages.
• Savos: No mage has reported a burst of Magicka to me.
• Wulf: Its duration was fractions of a second and detected by The Divines.
• Savos: Some apprentices are to accompany Master Tolfdir later today. They are to aid the Master Mages and learn the techniques of careful archaeology. Should I cancel that outing? Should I evacuate the dig altogether?
• Celestine: No, Arch-Mage. As Wulf said, it is best if we minimise panic and speculation. I suggest Wulf and I accompany the group as advisors. After all, we have a vast museum and lots of experience with archaeological digs.
• Wulf: Mostly fighting powerful undead and other nasties, but it is a form of archaeology. Sort of.
• Celestine: I do not perceive great danger if nobody continues past the present excavation.
• Savos: So, you two accompany the students up to a point, then continue by yourselves.
• Wulf: That sounds like a good plan.
• Savos: I know Tolfdir well. He will not accept being left behind and will insist on accompanying you further into Saarthal.
• Wulf: If he ensures the students will not follow, he is welcome to accompany us. No Dragon Priest was entombed in Saarthal, but I expect Draugr at some stage.
• Savos: I will write a note for you to give Tolfdir briefly outlining the situation.
• Celestine: Did you see the source of Magicka on the Splinter’s Artaeum?
• Wulf: I cannot detect Magicka in my ethereal form. I did see a large globe floating above a Magicka Well where The Divines detected the burst. It comprises interlocking panels of different shapes, each outlined by flowing Ehlnofex runes. I think The Divines know what it is but are waiting for me to discover its identity.
• Savos: Did you ever see a similar globe on our Artaeum?
• Wulf: No. However, the Psijic Order collects relics from all over the multiverse. They are highly cautious, so our Artaeum is never entirely in Mundus but hovers on the boundary between two planes.
• Savos: I will write the note for Tolfdir now. He plans to leave for Saarthal within the hour.
• Celestine: I am sure there is more to this than your brief explanation. You can tell me the rest on the way.

Ten minutes later, we were headed for Tolfdir, note in hand.