The Return of Sithis, Volume 1: Awakening

"Miss Lorelei!" Avenicci pursued the huntress as he tried to get in front of her. "I'm sorry about the elk; I'll walk you home if you need me. I-I just want to make up for it, that's all."

Dorian have him the eye as he slowly walked up behind them.

"I-I-I'm sorry..." Avenicci stammered as he kept pace with Lorelei. "I'll get your elk, I promise. You need to get some rest though. I'm sorry if I hurt you, I was just, just, trying to get some answers. I'm Avenicci Dupére of Skingrad, so you can know who I am so you can hunt me down. It won't be easy though. I've been trained as a thief since birth, but I'm more of a mage. I know my way around every nook and cranny of Cyrodiil, and I'm getting the hang of Skyrim. If I'm still staying in Dragon's Bridge, leave the innkeeper alone."

Dorian sighed in disbelief as Avenicci spilled information to the woman they had only known for a few minutes.

"Winterhold..." Avenicci whispered under his breath as he decided to stay a good foot behind Lorelei. "You were in the Mage's College then. I worked with the Synod a couple of times, but that's it."

"Father?" Avenicci asked, aware that she didn't want something known. "I'm sure you could easily become a member if you tried. I'm a Master of Conjuration, Expert in Destruction, Apprentice in Illusion, Journeyman of Alteration, and I absolutely suck at Restoration. If you're interested, I could teach you a few spells not found here in Skyrim."

"Hey, we both know that Mysticism was reclassified." Avenicci replied with a smile to cheer her up. "Don't know what Soul Trap has anything to do with Conjuration other than that I'm good at it."

She definitely thinks I'm an idiot. Also that I don't get what she's doing, even though I do.

"Why do you hunt anyways? If I wasn't caught up in my current occupation, I'd be clearing dungeons."

"It's not very profita-" Avenicci was cut off by Dorian pulling him backwards while muffling him in order to quiet him.

"You have no more business with her. Are we clear?" Dorian spoke irritatedly.

"Yes sir." Avenicci apologized as he gave Lorelei one last look before heading off into the woods.

As it turns out, Nocturnal's promised ship was easy to find. All he had to do was head south, towards the now abandoned town of Raven Rock, and look for the only ship moored in the abandoned harbor that was being attacked by a swarm of angry Gargoyles and Harpies. The occupants of the ship seemed to be having little trouble fending them off, much to Varren's delight. He doesn't really feel like another fight right now. Most of the combatants are nothing special. Some Nord sailors with War Axes and Maces, some hired Argonian muscle, the usual. But even from this distance, Varren can spot three exceptions. Two figures clad in armor as black as night, their dark capes billowing in the wind, their faces shrouded by even darker hoods and masks. Each of them wielded a bow unlike any he had ever seen, and wherever it's arrows struck, both lightning and frost followed. The third however, was quite different. And it was this figure who shocked Varren to the core. For she, like himself, was a High Elf.

The High Elf's armor was jet black, and looked to be more practical than flamboyant, with hard leather shoulder pads and many pockets. It too was unlike any armor he had ever seen. Her dark brown hair nearly matches her armor, as her twin braids whip around in the wind. The High Elf wielded the same bow as the other two, and everything suddenly clicked in Varren's mind. These fine folks must be Nocturnal's Nightingales. It would seem his mistress held up her end of the bargain after all.

Maybe it's because of the High Elf and the memories she invokes, or maybe it's because he doesn't want to be shown up by a kinswoman, but Varren suddenly decides to forego his earlier decision not to fight. He swiftly unsheathes Dawnbreaker, and his left hand crackles with energy. He unleashes his charged Chain Lightning spell a moment later, and the sound of thunder rolls through the darkened sky. The blast impacts one harpy dead on, incinerating it mid dive, before jumping to every Harpy around it, which was quite a few.

Varren's sudden spell garners the attention of everyone on deck, but they quickly return to the task at hand. With his help, the few remaining foes are quickly dispatched. The three Nightingales meet him at the dock as he approaches, and the High Elf steps forward, obviously the leader. She seems surprised to find another High Elf, but she doesn't immediately drop to her knees. Interesting. This particular Elf doesn't seem to know who I am.

"You must be the package we were told about," she states curiously. "Huh. Didn't expect to meet another of my kind on this desolate chunk of rock. Name's Elena. I'm the Guildmaster of the Thieves Guild, and Leader of the Nightingales."

"Wait, how do we know this is him?" One of the other Nightingales hisses, clearly a Khajiit from the sound of his voice.

"I could always show you my 'Daedric Champion ID card'," Varren responds dryly. "Or I can Shout you into pieces, if you would prefer."

The Khajiit is stunned into silence, but Elena laughs. "Oh, it's him alright! Lady Nocturnal said he'd be a sharp one. Besides Droithe, do you see anyone else on this miserable speck of land? Or are you doubting our Mistress, now?"

Droithe quickly shakes his head, clearly bested. "N-No, never."

"Good," Elena replies coldly, her tone indicating the matter was closed. She turns back to Varren. "You'd better come aboard. We can talk more later. I don't dare stay out in the open any longer than necessary. The Gullwind is a great ship, but even she can only take so much. If you hadn't arrived when you did, we might very well be stranded here."

With that pleasant thought, the Guildmaster leads you onto her ship, barking orders left and right as she does. The sailors immediately get to work, and within the hour, Raven Rock is fading into the distance.

So this is the esteemed College of Winterhold. I thought it'd be bigger.

Avenicci closed in on the ruined town of Winterhold as he looked at his map just to make sure. 

Now I can find out who she is what she was hiding. If I get nothing, at least I managed to ditch Dorian. 

"Master Avenicci! Are you really sure about investigating this Lorelei figure?" He heard a voice call from the bottom of the hill behind him. 

Talosdammit. 

Avenicci proceeded to ignore his butler who often seemed to be in charge of him and not the other way around as he walked to the front of the College where a short Dunmer mage stood guard. 

"Welcome to the College of Win-" the greeter was cut off by Avenicci summoning a headless zombie who juggled three skulls. "What in Dagon's name!?"

"I think I just passed whatever test you'd have for me." Avenicci commented as he caused the zombie to combust with an Incinerate spell while walking past the shocked Dark Elf. 

The next stop was a bar, much to Siegemunds dislike.
"You venture here regularly?" He asked.

Nephle only gave him a small grin," we have know each other for half a month Siggy.
Trust me." She replied. Siegemund shook his head exasperatedly.

"I'm not Siggy." He protested half heartedly.
It was then he noticed a figure cloaked in all black walking towards them.
He couldn't make out their face however.

"Nephle." It said simply, revealing itself as woman.
"Sheila." Nephle replied, smiling brightly.

"Oh brother, lost sisters." Siegemund thought sarcastically.
"Solsteihm, north west of sky rim. Now, the money I was promised." Sheila finished.

Nephew slid over a few coins.

"Well let's get going." Siegemund declared.