38: Master Aryon of the Telvanni

Turedus Talanian, the captain of Aryon's guard, was satisfied with his ebony purchase. I expect to see him wearing the ebony plate mail of a lord once the artisans of Vos have had time to work the material. Being in the good graces of the rogue Imperial would be very helpful, but it would not get me in to see Aryon. Protecting the mage lord from interruption is his captain's first duty. Fortunately I had the ideal trade goods for Aryon as well.

I took a much more leisurely tour through Aryon's museum of Dwemer artifacts. Last time I raced through, trying to look interested while staying ahead of my pursuers. This time I was an honored guest of the captain of the guard. Certainly a different experience and I savored the break from my journey. A break from my journey, but my objectives never waver.

We stood in front of the prize of Aryon's collection, a fully functional steam centurion. "Have you ever fought one of these?" Turedus asked.

"I've explored a few Dwemer ruins," I said with a grin. "I imagine that working for Aryon has given you a few opportunities as well."

"A few," he said with a nod. "Aryon's fascination with the Dwemer goes back centuries before I was born though. It's hard to find anything new to add to his collection."

"I have something," I said.

He laughed. "Your ship held a surprising amount of ebony, and you are by no means a typical trader, but I cannot imagine what you could add to this." He swept his hand in a gesture that took in the entire room, with its tables laden with gleaming Dwemer artifacts, from ordinary housewares to the most exotic weaponry.

"I could," I said confidently, "but there would have to be some arrangements made regarding access to the museum."

"Access for who?" he asked.

I looked at him with a most serious expression. "Turedus, you are a good soldier, and I think in almost all matters you can speak for Aryon, probably with even greater authority than his mouth in the council chamber of Sadrith Mora. But this would be something I would have to hear from Aryon himself, and even then it would be hard to accept as truth from a Telvanni mage lord."

His eyes narrowed. "Access for who?" he asked again.

"I have something that scholars from all over Tamriel want. There are those who believe it belongs in the Imperial City in Cyrodiil, but I've resisted their demands. I think that things Dwemer should remain in Vvardenfell, and the current embargo has given me a good excuse. This collection would be a fine setting for scholars, as well as anyone with a sense of history, and I'd be happy to make a donation; but many scholars would not be welcome here."

Realization dawned on his face slowly. "The Imperial Mage's Guild," he said. "You are more than a simple trader."

I nodded agreement.

"A wealthy Breton mage, connections with the Ashlanders..."

I decided to jump ahead before he reached the conclusion. "Yes, Turedus, I am Arvil Bren, Archmage of the Vvardenfell Mage's Guild."

His eyes opened wide and his hand fell to the hilt of his sword, but then dropped away.

"Thank you for not drawing that blade. I'd hate to see this fine museum reduced to a battlefield, and I would rather remain friends even when we pass through that door. I would also rather have the guild here in Vvardenfell allied more with House Telvanni, and less with the distant council in Cyrodiil. War is coming from Red Mountain Turedus, and those of us who are here on these shores will need each other far more than we need the empire."

He stood staring mutely.

"As I said Turedus, I think I need to speak directly to Aryon. You can tell him as much as you want about who I am, and you can count on my guarantee that I mean him no harm. He is going to know that I am no simple trader when you tell him about the books I am offering."

"Books?"

I said the three titles slowly. "Divine Metaphysics, The Egg of Time, Hanging Garden. The books used to solve the riddle of the Dwemer's disappearance. Artifacts that can never be duplicated."

I returned to the ship to wait. It did not take long. The guard led me back to the museum.

"You told my captain that you would not like to see my museum become a battlefield Archmage. I'm sure you know that I would not like that either, so this seemed a good place to meet. I am Aryon," said the extravagantly robed Dunmer as I was escorted respectfully in.

The negotiations were long, but successful. Only Aryon's personal retainers were in attendance. Many things he agreed to could be considered treason against House Telvanni, so the house guard could not be allowed to hear. I was glad to be alone myself. Nearly every word that came out of my mouth would be considered treason by the grand council of mages in Cyrodiil.

When Aryon is the Archmagister of House Telvanni they will be allied with the independent mages guild of Vvardenfell. The die is cast.