Ko’va woke in a strange bed yet was surrounded by familiar scents. She sat up to look around. She quickly realized that she was in the Arch-Mage’s quarters.
“Ah, you’re finally awake!”
“Lucien,” Ko’va greeted, relaxing at the sight of her friend. “What happened? Where are the others? Why are we in the Arch-Mage’s quarters? And why are the lights so dim?”
“Well,” Lucien replied amused and happy with Ko’va’s quick questions. “Do you want to good news or bad news first.?”
“Bad.”
“Mirabelle didn’t make it. And the College has gone through some structural damage. But Tolfdir is sure it’s nothing that can’t be fixed. Now the good: We won! We beat Ancano and the College is saved. As for the others, Dreamer is finally sleeping, which is good cause I think that Word we found in Labrynthian is not settling well with her. Bikhai is supposed to be cleaning up and fetching you some food and medicine. I swear, I almost had to chase those two off with a broom. I had to promise to wait here with you before they would get any kind of rest.”
Ko’va chuckled lightly at that quip.
“As for where’s everyone else, I’m pretty sure Nanak is in the library,” Lucien continued, counting on his fingers. “I think Serana is in your old quarters, I’m not really sure. I haven’t seen Ma’kara or Kharjo for a few hours. And…we haven’t heard anything from Lashur, Inigo, or S’ariq, so I assume they’re still looking for Ornel.”
Lucien paused for a breath and to collect himself.
“Oh, and these are your quarters now. You’re apparently the new Arch-Mage.”
Ko’va’s jaw dropped and her ears jerked up.
“What?!”
The sound of a door opening and closing drew their attention. Lucien walked away to see who it was.
Ko’va stayed in bed and scratched her head. By the twin moons, how much had she missed?
A moment later, Lucien and an unarmored Bikhai came around the corner carrying, food, drink, and healing potions.
“Thank the moons, you’re awake,” Bikhai said, relieved to see Ko’va awake and alert. He quickly set his delivery on the stand next to the bed. Then he leaned over and pulled Ko’va into a hug. “This one was worried.”
Ko’va happily returned the embrace. She was about to snuggle in when she heard Lucien clear his throat.
Both khajiit looked over to their friend.
“It’s getting kind of late,” Lucien said with a smile and a playful glint in his eye. “I’m going to head off to bed now since Bikhai is here now. Night.”
With that Lucien left.
“Damn it, he didn’t finish telling me what happened,” Ko’va lamented, a small pout forming on her face.
“How much do you remember,” Bikhai asked.
“The last thing I remember is standing outside of Labrynthian.”
Bikhai winced. His ears drooped and his tail lashed.
“That’s probably due to the concussion,” he sighed. “Bikhai knew you were injured. But…he didn’t say anything. Or try to stop you.”
“That’s not your fault.” Ko’va reached out and grabbed his hand. She rubbed her thumb along his knuckles to reassure him. “You’re not the one who hurt me. And we both know you wouldn’t have been able to stop me from helping.”
Ko’va gently pulled on Bikhai as she moved to make room for him.
“Will you stay with me? And tell me what happened,” Ko’va asked.
Bikhai felt himself soften as he looked into Ko’va’s honey eyes. He was always amazed by the kindness and affection he found in her gaze. These sands were truly warmer ever since he started traveling with her. And he couldn’t find it in himself to say no.
“Alright.”
Bikhai removed his boots and then he joined Ko’va in the bed. It took a moment for them to settle, with both sitting up and leaning on the headboard.
Bikhai then reached towards the table and grabbed the mug of tea and the bread he brought for her. He passed them to Ko’va and waited for her to start nibbling before speaking.
Characters: Bikhai, Ko’va (khajiit oc), Lucien Flavius, Muz-Lari (argonian dragonborn; there and mentioned but doesn’t speak)
Rating: G/T
Mother Cat’s mercy, Bikhai thought as he watched Ko’va rub her temple.
Bikhai and Ko’va sat on the steps of Labyrinthian. Ko’va rested, her eyes closed as she leaned on Bikhai, her head on his shoulder. While Muz-Lari and Lucien restored the front door.
Bikhai knew that they needed to recover the Staff of Magnus to save the College, but he had watched how Ko’va had kept rubbing her temples and shaking her head the entire trek here. And her eyes still hadn’t lost the dazed look they had after she regained consciousness after Ancano’s assault with the Eye.
He knew this was important, direly so. But…
“Ko’va,” Bikhai said. “How are you feeling now?”
“I’ve got a headache,” Ko’va admitted, her eyes still closed. “But my ears have stopped ringing. So that’s something.”
Bikhai hummed thoughtfully.
For a moment, he thought about asking Ko’va to take cover and wait outside while he and the others looked for the staff. But he knew she wouldn’t accept that. To be honest, he didn’t think he would accept it either if their roles were reversed.
That only left Bikhai with one option.
“Ko’va,” Bikhai said again, wanting the female’s attention.
Ko’va noticed the change in Bikhai’s tone. She opened her eyes and turned slightly dazed honey orbs to her companion.
“Bikhai just wants you to know that he is with you. He will do whatever it takes for you to claim this Staff of Magnus,” He gave her slight crooked smile. “And live to talk about it.”
Ko’va smiled back. She clasped one of Bikhai’s hands with her own and started to purr. She then laid her head back down on the male’s shoulder.
Bikhai returned the squeeze and laid his head on Ko’va’s, her purr resounding in his chest.
They sat there for a moment, finding strength and comfort in each other. All too soon, Lucien’s voice rang out.
“We got it! The door’s open!”
Bikhai helped Ko’va stand as they pulled away from each other. As they walked up the stairs and faced the now open door to Labyrinthian, Bikhai could feel the fur on the back of his neck bristle.
The place reeked of dark magic.
Bikhai then swallowed his discomfort and steeled himself.
We will get through this. He will make sure of it.
“Oh no. This isn’t working out at all,” Brelyna said her eyebrows furrowed. “Don’t worry, I can fix this.”
Brelyna cast her spell again.
Ko’va soon appeared in her natural form again, her fur ruffled and unsteady on her feet.
Muz-Lari grasped Ko’va's arm and steadied her.
“There. All better,” Brelyna said with false confidence, concerned about Ko’va’s reaction. “Do you feel alright?”
“A little dizzy. But I’m okay,” Ko’va replied.
“Oh, thank goodness,” Brelyna breathed, shoulders slumping with relief. “I’m sorry for all the trouble. But you’ve been a great help to me.”
Ko’va flashed a small smile.
“No problem. It wasn’t so bad. I’m glad I could help.”
Brelyna shook her head.
“Oh, let’s be honest. It was horrible,” Brelyna replied. “I’ve got a long way to go before I’m ready to for any of the advanced spells that I’m attempting. But I now know where I need to start.”
Muz-Lari absently listened as Ko’va finished her conversation with the dunmer female and followed her as she went back to her room.
“Do you really feel alright,” Muz-Lari asked as she sat on Ko’va’s bed.
“Yeah. I’m really fine. Just some ruffled fur,” Ko’va replied. She rummaged through the small dresser next to her bed and pulled out a brush. “Do you mind brushing my back?”
“Not at all.”
Ko’va beamed at Muz-Lari, her eyes shining. She quickly passed her brush to Muz-Lari and joined her friend on her bed. She then removed the top of her robe and presented her back to Muz-Lari.
The females sat peacefully for a few minutes. Ko’va purred as Muz-Lari brushed her back. Muz-Lari felt pleased that her help was making Ko’va happy. And feeling centered by Ko’va’s presence.
“Hey, Ko’va. Can I ask you a question?”
“Hmm?”
“Do you like it here at the college,” Muz-Lari asked as she continued to groom the soft fur in front of her.
“I do actually. It’s nice to be around people who are more interested in magic than politics. That’s what was so awful about the Arcane College. Too many of the professors weren’t interested in actually teaching anything.”
Muz-Lari hummed low in her throat thinking. She remembered Ko’va had mentioned that several times in the past. And she knew it was why she ended up leaving the college in Cyrodiil.
“So, are you happy here?”
Ko’va didn’t answer right away. She let her ears and tail flick as she considered her answer. After a moment, she turned her back to face Muz-Lari and smiled.
“I am. I like it here, despite the cold. And I’m getting along with most of the people. I think I’ll be able to learn a lot here.” She then leaned forward and touched her nose to Muz-Lari’s snout. “But don’t worry. I’m not going to forget about you and helping you become the all-powerful Dragonborn. We have a long way to go yet.”
Muz-Lari felt warmth bloom in her chest. And she smiled back.
Ko’va’s left ear twitched, half listening to Inigo’s rambling as she walked upstairs in Heljarchen Hall. Construction for the home was coming along well.
At the top of the stairs, she turned and saw S’ariq by the new enchantment station.
“Hey, S’ariq,” Ko’va greeted. “What’s new?”
“Ko’va,” S’ariq replied, nodding his head to return the greeting. “S’ariq has a question for you. If you don’t mind.”
“Oh?”
“While he was poking around the other day, S’ariq found a bottle-“ S’ariq leaned to look over the banister and dropped his voice. “-of skooma hidden in the floorboards.” He leaned back to look at Ko’va again, his voice rising above a whisper, but still lower than its normal volume. “Did you put it there?”
This was not a secret conversation, but some…discretion wouldn’t hurt with this subject.
“No worries if you did,” S’ariq added as he watched Ko’va’s ears shoot up. “S’ariq just has a history with the stuff and the temptation tests him.”
“It’s not mine,” Ko’va answered, voice slightly low as well, honey eyes flickering over the banister to glance at Inigo. “I’ve never gotten into the habit. It always made me puke when I tried it.”
S’ariq snorted with amusement.
Ko’va knew that this was a semi-serious conversation, but she felt her curiosity prodding her.
“Why did you stop drinking skooma,” she asked.
“His mane,” S’ariq answered, pointing to his hair. “He lost it once during a skooma-craze. He mistook it as another khajiit growing out of his head. Very unpleasant.”
Ko’va winced.
“Yikes. The sounds awful.”
A flash of movement caught their eyes. Ko’va and S’ariq both looked over the banister again to see Inigo moving his arms as he told another story.
Ko’va looked back to S’ariq.
“Is it still there?”
“Yes.”
Ko’va hummed in thought.
“Well, let’s just leave it for now,” Ko’va said. “No need for us to make assumptions. Or make something out of what could be nothing. Let’s just…wait for now.”
Bikhai watched, nearly numb with concern as blood slowly oozed from Ko’va’s nose, several droplets touching to the floor.
His ears twitched towards Ancano as the mad elf cackled, pleased with himself and the power from the strange orb. His body tensed as he fought the urge to pick Ko'va up and carry her away from this. Bikhai had seen enough head injuries to know that moving her could be a bad idea, but if this kept up…
“What happened,” Muz-Lari asked.
Bikhai looked up towards the Dragonborn, slightly startled. He had been so preoccupied by his concern for Ko’va, he had not noticed her beside him.
“I don’t know,” Lucien answered. “We came in with Savos and Mirabelle and we surrounded Ancano. But then the Eye began to glow. Next thing I know, I’m outside where I was literally thrown into you.”
Lucien looked down at Ko’va.
“She must have hit the wall hard. Maybe I could try a healing spell.”
“Would that help,” Muz-Lari asked.
“Well…..probably not much. I’m not terribly good at them, but-” Lucien shrugged nervously. “I won’t be able to heal her completely, but it should help. At least a little.”
“Anything is better than nothing,” Bikhai agreed.
Lucien covered Ko’va in pale golden light and they all watched with bated breath.
An agonizing heartbeat later, Ko’va groaned.
Ko’va slowly lifted her head and tried to sit up, the white fur on the right side of her face stained pink.
Ko’va looked at the friends around her, honey eyes worryingly hazy. She reached up and flinched as she touched her nose.
“What happened,” She asked. She then looked through the space between Muz-Lari and Lucien and saw what Ancano had done to the Eye of Magnus. Her ears fell flat against her head and her pupils widened. “Oh no!”
Lucien: Yes. I always rely on you and Muz-Lari and the others to win our battles and- and I shouldn’t. I want to be more reliable. Muz-Lari has already shown me a lot, but I want to increase my magical skill set too and well…
Muz-Lari: I just can’t help him with that.
Ko’va: I see. Well, Lucien if you really want my help with magic, I’m happy to assist.
