Late Night of Tirdas, 4th of Sun's Dusk 4E201

Now, my beloved, comes a grim part of my story of events. Upon arriving back at the college, we found Savos and Mirabelle attempting to force down a ward that was blocking the way to the Hall of Elements. We asked what had happened, and were told that Ancano - the Thalmor elf from earlier - was the one who put up the ward, and that he was doing something to the Eye of Magnus. The four of us cast our best magicka at the ward, and when it was successfully broken, we confronted Ancano to see what he had to say for himself - but as Savos approached him, a blinding flash of light struck us, and I'm not sure what happened next. When I gained control of my senses again, my ears were ringing as I forced myself to my feet, and I was met with the sight of Mirabelle wounded. She told me that she would be fine, but I must find Savos, as he had been flung clear.

When my Khajiit companion had recovered from the confusion and ringing ears, we headed outside to find a saddening sight. Savos was dead, surrounded by mages who were confused and upset. Tolfdir approached me, asking what had happened - I explained, and he told me I should hurry to Labyrinthian and find the Staff of Magnus, as it may be the key to solving all of this.

With a nod of mutual determination, my Khajiit friend and I headed off.

When we reached Labyrinthian we had a nasty surprise ahead of us - a frost troll infestation. We took to the nearest high ground we could find for a vantage point and began felling the beasts with our bows. When we had finished, we explored the old ruin trying to find any entrance we could; leading me to come across something interesting. It was an ancient stone tablet written in Old Nord, nestled on a pedestal - good thing I had so many books to read during my trial of solitude, as I could translate it with little difficulty.

"Hail All - Brave City Bromjunaar

Forever These Walls Shall Stand

May Enemies See Her Majesty

May All Quake to Behold Her"

My Khajiit companion was most interested in the tablet's scripture, though neither of us had any clue what it meant. I looked up from the tablet at the wall it was in front of, and I suddenly remembered that Mirabelle had handed me a peculiar item before we had left - upon pulling it out of my pack I noticed it was as black as night and seemed to match the wall. Approaching the obstacle in my path, I noticed that there was a place for the item I was given so I attached it and pulled, causing the wall to sink in with a rumble and a shake. Impressed by my puzzle-solving, my friend gave me a smile of awe and took a deep breath, standing in front of the new doorway. We steeled ourselves as we headed inside.

Just as we entered, ghostly apparitions appeared in front of us. I readied my axe, but these ghosts did not appear to be hostile - in fact, they did not seem to notice us at all. They looked as though they were Mages, and I recognized one of them as a younger Savos Aren. I asked my companion if she could see the apparitions as well but her expression told me otherwise. I waved her question of "see what?" off as the ghosts began speaking.

Why did I see this? I don't know. Perhaps the explosion back at the college had caused some connection between Savos and I, but that may be too far-fetched for even you to accept. I do not recall what the apparitions spoke of now, but I remember one of them being apprehensive about entering the ruins, while Savos and a few other Mages were eager to prove themselves to the college.

The ghosts disappeared and we ventured further into the ruin of Bromjunaar. We came upon a large chamber blocked off by iron bars and a lever, which despite our better judgement we thought little of, leaving my friend stuck behind them as the bars were too quick in their descent for her to follow after letting me through. The ground shook ferociously, leaving a terrible feeling in my gut - something big resided in this chamber. Something very big indeed. I saw a large group of skeletons stagger their way toward me from the other side of the dusky, misty chamber, and the ground shook harder as I saw something appear from the fog. A dragon rendered down to just bones let out a roar that echoed around me, and was clearly capable of animation despite its state as it charged with intent to kill. My Khajiit companion supported me through the bars with her bow as I ducked behind pillars and scrambled for constant safety, dodging its breath as it unleashed flame and ice at me. The skeletons were quickly cut down with my axe as they got in my way.

With arrows bouncing off of its mighty bones distracting it, I threw my weight into every hit I swung at the creature, eventually crumbling it into dust and bones with little but a few scratches and burns. Sorry to alarm you with the way I must end this letter, but I assure you of my safety. I am simply running out of paper again. I really must cut down the length of my stories. I love you.

- Wuulfräd