Corpus Tamrielicum - The Imperial Library

118 2. THE ELDER SCROLLS CHAPTER 2: DAGGERFALL
[30.5] King Edward V
King Edward, Part V
by Anonymous
Chapter 5: In the Crystal Tower
Inside the Tower, Edward's first impression was of whiteness. Floors, walls, ceiling, all were
white and radiated light. Their footsteps made soft crunching noises on the rough floor
surface. Except for that, it was very still, with occasional soft, unrecognizable far-off sounds.
Moraelyn moved confidently through winding halls and long rooms. He seemed very black in
all that white. They passed long pools of water with fountains that sparkled in the light.
"Where is everyone?" Edward whispered.
"At table, I hope. I'm hungry. Aren't you?"
"No." Abruptly a big, broad ugly shape appeared in front of them and roared a challenge.
Edward grabbed for Moraelyn's arm with both hands. Moraelyn shook him off irritably.
"Gods, boy, don't grab my sword arm if ever you do spot a monster. Stay clear!" But
Moraelyn didn't reach for his blade. He stood still while the monster wrapped its long arms
around him and pounded on his back, still roaring. Moraelyn roared back and pounded on the
monster's chest. Then he introduced Edward to the Captain of the Archmagister's guard.
"Don't hug him," Moraelyn warned the troll, who grinned at Edward showing pointy teeth.
"He'll break."
"I thought trolls were dangerous!" Edward gasped as they ascended a long winding stairway.
"They are. I'll have bruises for a fortnight. I'd have shielded, but I didn't like to hurt his
feelings."
"He likes you?!"
"Oh, aye, it can be done, you see."
"Why does the Archmagister keep troll guards?"
"They keep the rats down."
More trolls, but these paid them little heed. Another long stairway. More corridors. A sort of
guardroom where three trolls appeared to be gaming with bones. One of them shambled to his
feet and led them down a shadowy passage. A row of cages with huge rats, then some with
small odd creatures that looked rather like elves seen in a badly distorted mirror (though
Edward kept this observation to himself). They gobbled and squeaked as the elf and boy
paced quickly by.