2920 , vol 10 - Frostfall A part of the twelve volume set " 2920 " . Content . 10 Frostfall , 2920 Phrygias , High Rock The creature before them blinked , senseless , its eyes glazed , mouth opening and closing as if relearning its function . A thin glob of saliva burbled down , hanging suspended between its fangs . Turala had never seen anything of its kind before , reptilian and massive , perched on its hind legs like a man . Mynistera applauded enthusiastically . " My child , " she crowed . " You have come so far in so short a time . What were you thinking when you summoned this daedroth ? " It took Turala a moment to recall whether she was thinking anything at all . She was merely overwhelmed that she had reached out across the fabric of reality into the realm of Oblivion , and plucked forth this loathsome creature , conjuring it into the world by the power of her mind . " I was thinking of the color red , " Turala said , concentrating . " The simplicity and clarity of it . And then - - I desired , and spoke the charm . And this is what I conjured up . " " Desire is a powerful force for a young witch , " said Mynistera . " And it is well matched in this instance . For this daedroth is nothing if not a simple force of the spirits . Can you release your desire as easily ? " Turala closed her eyes and spoke the dismissal invocation . The monster faded away like a painting in sunlight , still blinking confusedly . Mynistera embraced her Dark Elf pupil , laughing with delight . " I never would have believed it , a month and a day you ' ve been with the coven , and you ' re already far more advanced than most of the women here . There is powerful blood in you , Turala , you touch spirits like you were touching a lover . You ' ll be leading this coven one day - - I have seen it ! " Turala smiled . It was good to be complimented . The Duke of Mournhold had praised her pretty face ; and her family , before she had dishonored them , praised her manners . Cassyr had been nothing more than a companion : his compliments meant nothing . But with Mynistera , she felt she was home . " You ' ll be leading the coven for many years yet , great sister , " said Turala . " I certainly intend to . But the spirits , while marvelous companions and faultless tellers of truth , are often hazy about the when and hows . You can ' t blame them really . When and how mean so little to them , " Mynistera opened the door to the shed , allowing the brisk autumn breeze in to dispel the bitter and fetid smells of the daedroth . " Now , I need you to run an errand to Wayrest . It ' s only a week ' s ride there , and a week ' s ride back . Bring Doryatha and Celephyna with you . As much as we try to be self - sufficient , there are herbs we can ' t grow here , and we seem to run through an enormous quantity of gems in no time at all . It ' s important that the people of the city learn to recognize you as one of the wise women of Skeffington coven . You ' ll find the benefits of being notorious far outweigh the inconveniences . " Turala did as she was bade . As she and her sisters climbed aboard their horses , Mynistera brought her child , little five - month - old Bosriel to kiss her mother good - bye . The witches were in love with the little Dunmer infant , fathered by a wicked Duke , birthed by wild Ayleid elves in the forest heart of the Empire . Turala knew her nursemaids would protect her child with their lives . After many kisses and a farewell wave , the three young witches rode off into the bright woods , under a covering of red , yellow , and orange . 12 Frostfall , 2920 Dwynnen , High Rock For a Middas evening , the Least Loved Porcupine tavern was wildly crowded . A roaring fire in the pit in the center of the room cast an almost sinister glow on all the regulars , and made the abundance of bodies look like a punishment tapestry inspired by the Arcturian Heresies . Cassyr took his usual place with his cousin and ordered a flagon of ale . " Have you been to see the Baron ? " asked Palyth . " Yes , he may have work for me in the palace of Urvaius , " said Cassyr proudly . " But more than that I can ' t say . You understand , secrets of state and all that . Why are there so many damned people here tonight ? " " A shipload of Dark Elves just came in to harbor . They ' ve come from the war . I was just waiting until you got here to introduce you as another veteran . " Cassyr blushed , but regained his composure enough to ask : " What are they doing here ? Has there been a truce ? " " I don ' t know the full story , " said Palyth . " But apparently , the Emperor and Vivec are in negotiations again . These fellas here have investments they were keen to check on , and they figured things on the Bay were quiet enough . But the only way we can get the full story is to talk to the chaps . " With that , Palyth gripped his cousin ' s arm and pulled him to the other side of the bar so suddenly , Cassyr would have had to struggle violently to resist . The Dunmer travelers were spread out across four of the tables , laughing with the locals . They were largely amiable young men , well - dressed , befitting merchants , animated in gesture made more extravagant by liquor . " Excuse me , " said Palyth , intruding on the conversation . " My shy cousin Cassyr was in the war as well , fighting for the living god , Vivec . " " The only Cassyr I ever heard of , " said one of the Dunmer drunkenly with a wide , friendly smile , shaking Cassyr ' s free hand . " Was a Cassyr Whitley , who Vivec said was the worst spy in history . We lost Ald Marak due to his bungling intelligence work . For your sake , friend , I hope the two of you were never confused . " Cassyr smiled and listened as the lout told the story of his failure with bountiful exaggerations which caused the table to roar with laughter . Several eyes looked his way , but none of the locals sought to explain that the fool of the tale was standing at attention . The eyes that stung the most were his cousin ' s , the young man who had believed that he had returned to Dwynnen a great hero . At some point , certainly , the Baron would hear about it , his idiocy increasing manifold with each retelling . With every fiber in his soul , Cassyr cursed the living god Vivec . 21 Frostfall , 2920 The Imperial City , Cyrodiil Corda , in a robe of blinding whiteness , a uniform of the priestesses of the Hegathe Morwha conservatorium , arrived in the City just as the first winter storm was passing . The clouds broke with sunlight , and the beauteous teenaged Redguard girl appeared in the wide avenue with escort , riding toward the Palace . While her sister was tall , thin , angular , and haughty , Corda was a small , round - faced lass with wide brown eyes . The locals were quick to draw comparisons . " Not a month after Lady Rijja ' s execution , " muttered a housemaid , peering out the window , and winking to her neighbor . " And not a month out of the nunnery neither , " the other woman agreed , reveling in the scandal . " This one ' s in for a ride . Her sister weren ' t no innocent , and look where she ended up . " 24 Frostfall , 2920 Dwynnen , High Rock Cassyr stood on the harbor and watched the early sleet fall on the water . It was a pity , he thought , that he was prone to sea - sickness . There was nothing for him now in Tamriel to the east or to the west . Vivec ' s tale of his poor spycraft had spread to taverns everywhere . The Baron of Dwynnen had released him from his contract . No doubt they were laughing about him in Daggerfall , too , and Dawnstar , Lilmoth , Rimmen , Greenheart , probably in Akavir and Yokuda for that matter . Perhaps it would be best to drop into the waves and sink . The thought , however , did not stay long in his mind : it was not despair that haunted him , but rage . Impotent fury that he could not assuage . " Excuse me , sir , " said a voice behind him , making him jump . " I ' m sorry to disturb you , but I was wondering whether you could recommend an inexpensive tavern for me to spend the night . " It was a young man , a Nord , with a sack over his shoulder . Obviously , he had just disembarked from one of the boats . For the first time in weeks , someone was looking at Cassyr as something other than a colossal , famous idiot . He could not help , black as his mood was , but be friendly . " You ' ve just arrived from Skyrim ? " asked Cassyr . " No , sir , that ' s where I ' m going , " said the fellow . " I ' m working my way home . I ' ve come up from Sentinel , and before that Stros M ' kai , and before that Woodhearth in Valenwood , and before that Artaeum in Summurset . Welleg ' s my name . " Cassyr introduced himself and shook Welleg ' s hand . " Did you say you came from Artaeum ? Are you a Psijic ? " " No , sir , not anymore , " the fellow shrugged . " I was expelled . " " Do you know anything about summoning daedra ? You see , I want to cast a curse against a particularly powerful person , one might say a living god , and I haven ' t had any luck . The Baron won ' t allow me in his sight , but the Baroness has sympathy for me and allowed me the use of their Summoning Chambers . " Cassyr spat . " I did all the rituals , made sacrifices , but nothing came of it . " " That ' d be because of Sotha Sil , my old master , " replied Welleg with some bitterness . " The Daedra princes have agreed not to be summoned by any amateurs at least until the war ends . Only the Psijics may counsel with the daedra , and a few nomadic sorcerers and witches . " " Witches , did you say ? " 29 Frostfall , 2920 Phrygias , High Rock Pale sunlight flickered behind the mist bathing the forest as Turala , Doryatha , and Celephyna drove their horses on . The ground was wet with a thin layer of frost , and laden down with goods , it was a slippery way over unpaved hills . Turala tried to contain her excitement about coming back to the coven . Wayrest had been an adventure , and she adored the looks of fear and respect the cityfolk gave her . But for the last few days , all she could think of was returning to her sisters and her child . A bitter wind whipped her hair forward so she could see nothing but the path ahead . She did not hear the rider approach to her side until he was almost upon her . When she turned and saw Cassyr , she shouted with as much surprise as pleasure at meeting an old friend . His face was pale and drawn , but she took it to be merely from travel . " What brings you back to Phrygias ? " she smiled . " Were you not treated well in Dwynnen ? " " Well enough , " said Cassyr . " I have need of the Skeffington coven . " " Ride with us , " said Turala . " I ' ll bring you to Mynistera . " The four continued on , and the witches regaled Cassyr with tales of Wayrest . It was evident that it was also a rare treat for Doryatha and Celephyna to leave Old Barbyn ' s Farm . They had been born there , as daughters and grand - daughters of Skeffington witches . Ordinary High Rock city life was exotic to them as it was to Turala . Cassyr said little , but smiled and nodded his head , which was encouragement enough . Thankfully , none of the stories they had heard were about his own stupidity . Or at the very least , they did not tell him . Doryatha was in the midst of a tale she had heard in a tavern about a thief who had been locked overnight in a pawnshop when they crossed over a familiar hill . Suddenly , she halted in her story . The barn was supposed to be visible , but it was not . The other three followed her gaze into the fog , and a moment later , they rode as fast as they could towards what was once the site of the Skeffington coven . The fire had long since burned out . Nothing but ashes , skeletons , and broken weaponry remained . Cassyr recognized at once the signs of an orc raid . The witches fell from their horses , racing through the remains , wailing . Celephyna found a tattered , bloody piece of cloth that she recognized from Mynistera ' s cloak . She held it to her ashen face , sobbing . Turala screamed for Bosriel , but the only reply was the high whistling wind through the ashes . " Who did this ? " she cried , tears streaking down her face . " I swear I ' ll conjure up the very flames of Oblivion ! What have they done with my baby ? " " I know who did it , " said Cassyr quietly , dropping from his horse and walking towards her . " I ' ve seen these weapons before . I fear I met the very fiends responsible in Dwynnen , but I never thought they ' d find you . This is the work of assassins hired by the Duke of Mournhold . " He paused . The lie came easily . Adopt and improvise . What ' s more , he could tell instantly that she believed it . Her resentment over the cruelty the Duke had shown her had quieted , but never disappeared . One look at her burning eyes told him that she would summon the daedra and wreak his , and her , revenge upon Morrowind . And what ' s more , he knew they ' d listen . And listen they did . For the power that is greater than desire is rage . Even rage misplaced . The Year is Continued in Sun ' s Dusk