The dragon fight has exhausted me and I don't even have the energy to drag myself up to the College, so I spend the night at the local inn.
First thing in the morning I return the books I recovered to Urag and he seems almost moderately impressed. He takes them and remarks on their contents. It appears I've been useful once more! He hands over a number of other texts with some tips on spellcasting and sends me to speak to Tolfdir.
In the morning when I enter the Hall of the Elements, it becomes apparent that in my absence Tolfdir and the other mages found a way to transport the giant Orb into the centre of the chamber. Nobody offers an explanation, despite the fact I'm dying of curiosity. It also seems as though the glowing well in the centre was purpose built for the Orb. I'm sure it's coincidence.
Tolfdir greets me and begins talking about how impressive the Orb is, complete with a patronising remark about himself being more 'attuned' than I am. I'm actually relieved when the Thalmor representative, Ancano, arrives and interrupts. It's about time somebody cut the old man short.
It appears that the same strange mage who appeared to me in Saarthal is upstairs requesting an audience. Ancano escorts me up the stairs, complaining and giving instructions the whole time. Even for a Thalmor, this one is annoying. When I arrive in the Arch Mage's quarters this mage does his time-stopping trick again so we can talk privately. Again, he uses a lot more words than he needs to but ultimately directs me to seek out the 'Augur of Dunlain', whatever that means. Then he un-stops time and just walks off, leaving the Arch Mage and Ancano with their mouths wagging in confusion.
The Augur is apparently located in the cellars beneath the College, so I'm off on another adventure. There's not actually a lot down here; just a cranky Ice Wraith that I easily calm down and one lonely Draugr that I simply sneak past.
I find the Augur in a circular chamber behind a locked door. He's basically a big glowing orb of light that can talk. The others at the College all seemed to know who he was, and Tolfdir hinted at some unfortunate event that resulted in his current state, but wouldn't say any more.
He's actually one of the most intriguing personalities I've come across so far. Was he Man, Mer or Beast before? Something else, maybe related to the Aedra or Daedra? What happened to him, and how does he have what seems to be knowledge of the future and all my actions to date.
Unfortunately he reveals even less about himself than Tolfdir, so I'm left to wonder. What he does reveal is that the Orb is called the Eye of Magnus, and we need the Staff of Magnus to make any use of it. It also turns out that Ancano has been poking around. Smelly Thalmor.
The Arch Mage seems quite interested and impressed (although all I did was bewitch an Ice Wraith and talk to a glowing ball of light), so he gives me a present! A shiny new crown which boosts my magicka reserves.
I think it looks quite ravishing, don't you?
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