It was late in the afternoon by the time Dabiene Caristiana was able to finally trudge herself back into the student dorms, the Hall of Attainment. She had spent a whole afternoon helping the Master Wizard Mirabelle Ervine, along with Arch-Mage Savos Aren, in re-strengthening the wards around the College. Due to the somewhat recent events, the local Nords as Mirabelle put it, were a bit miffed and paranoid and that it "didn't hurt to be more careful". Apparently the Arch-Mage had agreed.
For the last few weeks the poor woman was swamped with Savos' constant tasks. Helping the wards, helping in making sure the focus points around the college were strong, making sure not too many nasties were lurking deep beneath the College in the Midden... and checking to make sure the new students didn't incinerate themselves.
While Dabiene was certain all these new tasks were a way to keep herself occupied at bay and not think of her 'little problem', she was still miffed at the man for keeping her from her research to cure said problem. Even if he did say, "any spare time I have, I will dedicate to it", it did nothing to reassure her whatsoever.
Finally inside her room she slammed the doors closed and leaned heavily on them, letting out a groan. J'zargo was close to blowing up himself or innocent bystanders again. It seemed that his determination in being the "best mage" and finally accomplishing the working success of those damned anti undead scrolls were going to be the death of him. Or someone else. After finally telling him off and warning him to give it a rest he finally complied. Although, he was none too pleased. Not that Dabiene cared either way. The cat man was an annoyance. Smart, crafty, ambitious, but terribly
annoying.
After collecting herself she slowly walked over to the side of the bed, ready to just collapse and fall into a coma induced slumber. Before she could do so however... there was a note. Resting on her pillow. Dabiene glared at the folded paper and huffed, as if the paper itself were the source of all her problems that day. While it was tempting to simply toss it in the air and toss a fire spell at it, making a colorful display in the process, she decided against it. Feeling particularly curious and just a bit scornful, she decided to just read it and bust whoever made the daring decision to go into her rooms and laying a piece of annoying parchment upon her pillow.
Ruining her chances of sleep. Even if only for a few seconds.
Quickly grabbing and unfolding the paper with a scowl still on her face, she began to read...
Her eyes moved rapidly across the parchment, brow furrowing deeper and deeper until her eyes reached the end.
'Whoever wrote this... they will be very sorry.'
Spinning around with the note tightly in her clenched hands she started to march toward the doors of her room, mind seemingly made. But then she stopped. Stopped short, her nose within inches from them.
Slowly relaxing her fist and bringing the note up, she read it again. It was very temping to bring this to the Arch-Mage. So very tempting.
However... she was also very curious.... while also being very saddened suddenly. She remembered Arniel, and while he never talked much to her about what he was up to, when he did he was very animated about his research. It was only after she dismissed his suggestions to trying to recreate a scenario similar to what the Dwarves did that lead to their disappearance did he stop talking to her. At first, she was very interested in his research, loving the topic of history and especially the ancient Dwemer. However, after having seen him lock himself away for days on end and only come out very rarely, only talking about his 'research and study', she became very suspicious as to what was going on.
A few days later, he disappeared without a trace. Just... gone... poof!
When looking into his room after he had failed to appear for nearly three days, she had seen a dagger oddly resembling the ancient tool "keening", a soul gem in a makeshift stand, and nothing else. Granted the soul gem was empty and therefore wasn't much use, but still... it was very odd. When bringing it to the attention of the Arch-Mage, he had then demanded to see it. Almost yelling in the process. After showing him the remnants of Arniel's experiment gone wrong he had quickly round up all the senior members and warned each and every one of them to keep quit about it. Soon after, the room was cleared out and Dabiene had no idea what happened to all the things packed away. When the Breton questioned Savos about such behavior from Arniel as well as the experiment he had stared deeply into her, stating that if she wished her secret to be kept safe, she would do well to keep this one hidden.
And that was all. Nothing. No one had spoken about it since. It wasn't too long ago since it happened, Dabiene of course losing track of time with all the work and study that needed to be done. And perhaps that was another reason the old man kept her busy. To keep her from asking questions about the incident. Clever man no doubt, since it worked like a charm.
Cursing quietly in her mind she then started to pace around her room, dropping the paper in the process. She turned over the idea that popped up into her head over and over again. Saying it was foolish, but also worth discovering. This went on for several minutes before she stopped suddenly, picked up the paper and read it again.
Lowering the parchment again, her mind made up, the room bloomed and then darkened as the parchment in her hand was incinerated. All evidence of it having vanished.
"Julianos... Savos better not find out. Or I'm certainly going to 'get it'."