"That was a bit of a pain in the ass," Ena mutters, kicking the dead vampire. "Anything interesting in that book?"
"An educated guess. In any case, I think we are best served by leaving the remains where they lie and pressing onwards."
"Alright." Not like she needs the money from selling parts.
Onwards to Winterhold. Nothing worse than a bear attacks them on the way, and soon enough they're treated to the sight of the College in all its crumbling majesty.
"Yeah. There was the Great Collapse or something like that. And people don't like magic all that much, so. No real funding to repair it."
"Yeah."
She leads the way to the college's bridge - where they're stopped at the entrance by a woman in blue master robes. "What is your intention in approaching the College?" the woman asks.
"Access is only given to those who have proven themselves to be at least minorly talented in the arcane arts. Do you know the flame atronach spell?"
"Yes." A moment of concentration and a flick of the hand, and there one stands, wreathed in swirling flame that casts a shifting shadowplay on the sides of the bridge.
"Good! Well, the College is just over the bridge. Talk to Mirabelle Ervine if you want to join, or for directions to the library. Urag's the head librarian, he's the one to talk to about the collection itself."
"Thank you." She dismisses the atronach before crossing. It would only get in the way.
Some parts of the bridge are crumbling, but it's passable if you're careful.
When the bridge ends, it deposits them in a grand courtyard, where two people - one a woman in College robes, the other a man in Thalmor uniform - are arguing rather loudly. The argument ends, the Thalmor storms back inside, and the woman turns to the two newcomers.
"Hello. Sorry about that. I'm Mirabelle Ervine. Is there something I can help you with?"
Somehow she doubts that. But airing that concern would do no one very much good, so instead she'll go inside.
The library is fairly plain and undecorated, the numerous bookshelves and books of all sorts instead drawing the eye. The central area is well lit with a warm glow, and an orc at his desk watches over the room. There's a few students at various chairs and tables, researching.
Is the place organized sensibly or will she have to ask for help to find books on the Elder Scrolls?
"Might want to talk to the librarian, if we don't mind him knowing what we're after. Or just ask for the history section or something."
"Then we can start with history. That's a fairly common topic to be asking about, I'd say."
The orc at the desk grunts when he sees them, then says, "You looking for a book? If you are, I don't care if you wrote it, if you want to look at something then you go through me."