Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-24141785-20140201133112/@comment-24123288-20140205144127

Veneficus was once again sat in his office. The candles in the room were burning low as the sound of furious scratching from a quill punctured the silence. The Old Man mumbled to himself from behind a massive pile of books and shivered as the chill from living underground seeped into his bones.

''Korina Hallison…No ''

''Korina DuFont…Definitely not. ''

He sighed and waved his hand. The Candles sprung to life instantly. As if they were restored through some ancient magic.

“Still got it.” Veneficus smirked to himself.

''Korina Adire…No… ''

''Wait! ''

''Korina Adire! Corelas’ second name is Adire. I heard him shout it when that Oblivion damned Vampire Lord decided to test Arkays patience. ''

He peered closer at the book, his wizened old face contorting as he struggled to recognise the letters in the dim glow of the torch.

He sighed again and waved his hands in a different manner. This time a ball of light appeared above his head, illuminating the room completely as if the sun shone directly into it.

The book he was examining so closely was a record of all the name-days and death days of everyone who had ever lived in Tamriel. He was reading the K volume which had arrived from the counts house shortly after he had requested it…



(FLASH! BAAAA-AHHCK!)



The Count and Veneficus had been friends for years. They were both there at the Arcane University when the Empire implemented the will of Emperor Mantius Mede the first.

They were in the great library together, the Count writing away long into the night as Veneficus recounted the tale that a female Nord with wild hair had told him seven years ago.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You are right Veneficus.” The Count muttered as they paused in their work for a few minutes rest. “Their stories mustn’t be forgotten.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The Old Priest nodded with a sad smile.

<p class="MsoNormal">“When have I ever been wrong?” Veneficus joked, showing his sense of humour, before turning to his more recognised serious attitude. “Huge losses were made that day. Sacrifices like Eilonwyn, Nish and Corelas’ should be honoured properly.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The Dunmeri count nodded and was about to resume his writings when a loud crash was heard outside as the door to the library burst open.

<p class="MsoNormal">The two men looked up from their table, both showing concern and horror on their faces as screams of dying mages and the occasional bang filtered in through the still open door.

<p class="MsoNormal">An Imperial Legionaire stood before the two, torch in hand.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Stop right there magi scum! The Emperor has spoken! Magic is no longer allowed within the Empire!”

<p class="MsoNormal">“What!?” The two men cried out in unison.

<p class="MsoNormal">''Preposterous! ''

<p class="MsoNormal">The Legionaire stood there, chest puffed out, clearly he underestimated the two old men before him.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You have to come along quietly or you will be killed!” The loyal soldier stated.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Not in a million years…” Veneficus muttered.

<p class="MsoNormal">The Legionaire strode over and struck Veneficus over the face with his torch, sending embers flying onto the piles of parchment which slowly started to smoke.

<p class="MsoNormal">“What did you say granddad!?” He cried, picking the old man off the floor as the count could do nothing but watch as flames began to rise from his writings.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I said…” Veneficus panted, ignoring the pain in his face. He could heal that easily. He stared at the Legionaires face before continuing. He was a young Nord.

<p class="MsoNormal">''Typical. Doesn’t understand what he’s dealing with. ''

<p class="MsoNormal"> “Not in a million years!” He shouted as he let out the anger that had boiled up inside.

<p class="MsoNormal">The Nords face was suddenly gone. Burnt into nothing as his headless corpse fell. Veneficus fell to his hands and knees, sobbing as the fire spread quickly through the musty old tomes.

<p class="MsoNormal">''Arkay forgive me. ''

<p class="MsoNormal">“Veneficus!” The Count cried out over the blaze. “We have to get out of here. Get back home! Think of Mikasa! What would she do without you?”

<p class="MsoNormal">The Old Man groaned and pulled himself to his feet, clutching at his face. He felt his magicka draining as the orange glow enveloped him, making the pain vanish almost instantly.

<p class="MsoNormal">“The books…” Veneficus mumbled wearily, his age catching up to him at the worst of times. “H-help me save some of the books!”

<p class="MsoNormal">The Count nodded and snapped his fingers, using an incredibly powerful spell that was lost to the memories of man ages ago, several books vanished, making their way to Cheydinhal.

<p class="MsoNormal">The two stumbled, using frost spells to quell the fire as much as they could. They grabbed as many books as they could carry and fled outside.

<p class="MsoNormal">The two wizards stopped suddenly as they saw smoke rising from the central tower of their beloved university.

<p class="MsoNormal">“No…” The Count whispered.

<p class="MsoNormal">“By Arkay!” Veneficus shouted, horrified at the travesty.

<p class="MsoNormal">More Legionaires had arrived in the gardens. This time they were not looking to take any prisoners.

<p class="MsoNormal">The Count looked at Veneficus and nodded. “Do it.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Veneficus looked confused for a second before he realised what he was meant to do.

<p class="MsoNormal">He closed his eyes and concentrated with all his might on getting out of the city with his friend. He mumbled something

<p class="MsoNormal">Veneficus felt his position shift and knew the spell had worked. He opened his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. Both the Count and himself had moved outside the walls of the city. Screams of dying mages could still be heard…

<p class="MsoNormal">“Let’s get back to the chapel…”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yes.” The Count agreed, with a determined voice. “Cheydinhal will never fall to the level the Imperial City has Veneficus. I give you my word on that.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I know old friend…”

<p class="MsoNormal">''I know… ''

<p class="MsoNormal">''

''

<p class="MsoNormal">(Flashback over :P)

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">“Korina Adire.” Venefius said aloud. “Born in..” The date was unreadable, faded over the years.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Died in 4E…” Again, unreadable, but Veneficus had the information he needed.

<p class="MsoNormal">He sighed heavily as the magelight spell faded and the room returned to the gloomy state it was in previously.

<p class="MsoNormal">Died in 4E…Veneficus ran the words through his mind, praying he was reading it incorrectly. His heart told him he wasn’t and he hung his head with another sigh.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Korina Adire. The only thing Corelas had remembered for years was dead. His only clue to potentially unlocking other memories vanished long ago.