Unknown, Heartfire--Night

Lydia and I had a falling out earlier.  I sit on the edge of my borrowed bed at the mage's college alone.  I never meant to be here so long. She thinks that it is our duty to go to Solitude and join the legion and save the empire yada yada.  I obviously want no part in this war.

So I 'dragged' her to this gods forsaken college of crazy mages north of Winterhold and far away from the Legion.  I told her that I was just going to run a few errands for the college, make us some gold, and we'd be on our way.  It has been many days since I said that.  I have plenty of gold and yet I am still here.  today we went and talked to the auger down in the Midden beneath the college.  He told me that I must find the staff of Magnus in order to maintain some sort of control over this massive magical artifact Tolfdir and I unearthed in Saarthal.

On our way out Lydia asked me about it.  "You aren't really going to delve into an ancient crypt...Labrynthian no less...because some floating blue ball of talking light told you too, right?"  I told her that that was exactly what I intended to do.  I guess I should have at least been gentler in my wording.  I hadn't realized just how upset she really was about our prolonged stint with the mage's.  I forget that it's practically inbred into Skyrim's Nords to hate magic and love war.  She really wanted to join the Legion, and she really hates mages.  For a moment Lydia stared at me in anger, but then she pulled her dismissive, "Whatever you wish my Thane."  I hate it when she calls me that, it makes me feel like a damnable slave driver! And so I snapped at her.  I told her that she could go at any time, she wasn't my slave, and I certainly didn't need her.  If she was willing to let this impending doom that threatened all of Skyrim, possibly Tamriel itself happen, then she was free to leave, to walk away from it all.  I wasn't about to though.

"Ha!  You wouldn't be able to survive a day without me you blundering buffoon!  I carry your burdens, trip your traps and kill your enemies.  I practically parry every thrust and attack directed at you!  And you have the gall to say you don't need me! Ha!"  She shouted at me.

My blood began to boil, I lost all sense of reason as her taunting remarks slapped against my ego, "Then go!  Leave!" I shouted, "We'll see which of us needs the other!  Because by Akatosh I do not need you !"

Lydia looked at me, somewhat disbelieving, as if she hadn't expected me to really send her away.  But then her features hardened, a sneer set on her fine lips and I could see she was about to level another barrage of curses in my direction.  And then I shouted.  I should never have done it but I did.

"FUS!"

The power of my Thu'um nearly knocked her to the ground.  She turned and ran.

And now I am alone.

I will set out for Labrynthian to retrieve the Staff of Magnus tomorrow morning.

Alone.