bookpower Chapter 132: Chapter LXXIII: Projects and Ceremonies
Chapter 132: Chapter LXXIII: Projects and Ceremonies
Chapter 132: Chapter LXXIII: Projects and Ceremonies
I blink at Savos' sudden appearance "How nice of you to visit Archmage." I say, my tone implying the obvious question.
He huffs "So cold Reyvin, you wound my old heart."
I narrow my eyes and deadpan "Uh huh."
A defeated sigh leaves him "I swear I am not here to play around... this time."
I blink "You aren't lying... who would have thought it possible?"
He seems somewhat confused by the certainty I am showing but merely shrugs "Indeed, I have come to inform you that we are close to finally breaching the passage in the old Dwemer ruins."
"Oh?" I raise an eyebrow "Did you confirm the possibility of it being Blackreach?"
He nods "Shalazar has foreseen that a great venture awaits us." he inclines his head "The College wishes to thank you for your great contribution. Without your assistance, the excavation would have probably taken years." He pulls out a Varla stone and tosses it to me, and I absentmindedly place it in my oblivion storage.
"Now for the more interesting part" He smirks and pulls out a sealed scroll "Would you kindly show me the masterpiece Sergius has been praising so vocally for the past few months?"
I nod and my crown appears on my head.
Savos blinks and in an instant appears uncomfortably close to me, examining every detail of my masterwork. After a good ten minutes of silent staring, he lets out an excited breath "Marvelous, truly marvelous!"
He proffers the scroll to me and I unroll it. Before I can start reading Savos interjects, his voice laced with pride "Congratulations Dagoth Reyvin on becoming the youngest Master Enchanter of the College of Winterhold since its foundation, you have done us all proud."
I remain silent at his proclamation. Naturally, I already knew about my advancement due to my system and Sergius' words, but getting recognition from what is probably the most powerful person I knew in this life was still enough to shake me up a bit.
"I am happy to impress" I settle on saying somewhat stiffly.
"And impress you did" He nods happily, completely ignoring my discomfort, much to my relief "Now, what is this I hear about you butchering entire armies with might and magic?"
I happily recount my experiences fighting the Forsworn as we descend the tower and head to grab some breakfast... or was it lunch? Savos reacts animatedly as I recount all the stratagems I employed, sometimes pointing out some slight flaws or chiding me for my overconfidence and recklessness. By the time I am done he is both exasperated and proud.
Most of the palace residents are still very groggy from yesterday's carousal, some are even still asleep, and I even notice a somewhat familiar Orc wearing vaguely imperial clothes snuggling a maid in behind one of the garden hedges.
We found the King and his most important subjects sitting at the high table in the throne room enjoying a meal and most of them looking very hungover or just plain tired.
Savos and I plop down on a couple of free seats, drawing everyone's attention.
Torygg takes a moment to compute but then realizes that the Archmage is here and not being in the best state of mind, openly groans while downing the entire oversized cup of coffee he was nursing. He sighs contentedly and looks at Savos, his eyes practically begging for mercy "Welcome to Solitude, Archmage. To what do we owe the pleasure of your presence?"
Savos contains a childish giggle and merely smirks "I came to inform Reyvin of an upcoming project and thought I might as well stay a while and congratulate you on your great victory King Torygg."
Torygg seems to want to roll his eyes but this time holds himself back "Your presence is always appreciated by the court Archmage Aren, as are your congratulations" He cocks his head in my direction "What is this about a project Reyvin?"
I grab a cup of coffee from a passing servant and turn back to Torygg with a shrug "About a year ago we uncovered a great Dwemer ruin overrun by a bunch of Falmer to the west of Winterhold hold, there was a large collapsed passage at the end and the College is approaching the end of the long excavation. So I will likely be joining the expedition when everything is ready."
Sybille's eyes narrow at this information, and her look promises many questions once we were alone.
Torygg frowns "While I understand your desire to explore, you are still needed here."
I shake my head, almost dismissively "You called me here to help with immediate problems requiring immense applications of violence, something I have done to an extent that went far beyond your expectations" I say pointedly, and after he deflates I proceed to try and placate him "I am not saying I am resigning from my position immediately, I am merely taking some time off to advance my own knowledge and power, something you know very well will be greatly needed in the coming years."
The King nods tiredly "You are of course right, I guess I have gotten too used to you solving all my problems, eh?"
"He won't be leaving ly" vos interje "The final works are still a month or more away and we can do without his assistance, but when we unearth whatever awaits bellow we will need our foremost expert on Dwemertech."
Torygg took great pleasure in announcing Harald's reward... the madlad actually called
marrying the Thane's daughter to be the greatest reward he could give to such a loyal and
brave vassal.
Harald's rapidly contorting face was a priceless sight I quickly burned into my mind.
Naturally, the moment marriage was mentioned the people went completely mad and an entirely new feast was about to break out so we were forced to calm the mob down before they went on a mead rampage and the entire ceremony got delayed.
The twins were granted royal recognition as great mages and warriors, they were especially honored for healing the wounded without rest after the final battle was finished, they were also granted a large sum of money and were invited into Torygg's service as battlemages. Something they accepted with glee.
Sybille completely refused any fanfare being thrown in her name, unlike myself she was not nearly as visible during the battle so Torygg was content to give her her reward behind closed
doors.
"And last, but most certainly not least" Torygg barely contains a grin when he sees me scowl "The Mer said to have slain a thousand Reachmen on his own, and singlehandedly clawed victory from defeat, he protected our army from the witches' foul curses and brought down the temple of the foul Daedra they worshipped." He spreads his arms "My dear citizens I present Master Reyvin Flame-tongue of Winterhold, and my loyal Court Mage."
I ascend the platform accompanied by the crowd's maddened cheer, no matter how annoyed I
felt I kept my face neutral as I approached Torygg who turned away from the people just long enough to give me a shiteating grin.
I wave to the gathered people and the cheer grows even louder, a while later Torygg signals
for them to quieten down and looks at me with solemn respect, lacking any of the previous joviality "It has not been long since you have entered my service, but within these few months you have shown your wit and mettle time and time again. It is my great honor to grant you the title of an honorary Royal Thane and this sash as a symbol of your station."
He proffers a masterfully made crimson sash embroidered with my tale in old Nordic runes
and offers it to me.
[Trait: Minor Nordic Paragon => Nordic Paragon]
[Flame-tongue's vestment: A symbol of office and that of recognition, it's power grows with
your reputation among the Nords under High King Torygg.
Current effects:
Strengthens the Flame-tongue's fire breath.
Grants the Flame-tongue an aura of command and respect to any serving High King Torygg or
his loyal inheritors (from any mere peasant to the greatest of nobles)]
I drape the sash over my right shoulder and left hip and give the King a light bow, he ever so slightly inclines his head in response and points his hand to a large chest his guards brought while I was examining the piece of red cloth "As a more... practical reward I offer you a large supply of soul gems, so you may reach even greater heights with your craft." I easily detect a good thirty fully charged grand soul gems and my thoughts whirl as plans start to form.
Torygg turns back to the people "And now, you may feast."
Thus ensued a drunken revelry of proportions both epic and frightening.
Let he who is most degenerate cast the first stone!
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