Misdirection

Step 1: This mission is based around trying to give Lex a run for his money, and get the guards out of the Imperial City Waterfront. To do this, the plan is to steal 3 things at the same time (though you only need to steal one) to get them to thin out the guards. Your job is to steal the Icestaff from the Arch Mage at the Imperial Research Academy. This is a rather simple mission, as you only need to sneak into his room between 1am and 7am and steal the staff. Return to Methredhel and she will say you did a good job.

Step 2: Now you must spy on Hieronymous Lex to find out if he's going to get the guards out, so get to the Waterfront, near the NorthWest gate, and get close. You'll go into "cut-scene" mode where you can't move, as a Mage's Guild missionary comes to bring Lex a note. He'll drop it, and all you need to do to finish up is take the note back to Methredhel