Serana slowly leads me through the twisting tunnels beneath Castle Volkihar, her flickering torch casting dancing shadows across the slimy walls. A chandelier is dangling by a dangerously thin chain, and as we pass it the metal decoration comes crashing down. It harmlessly hits the ground a few feet behind us, but I've already gotten a ward spell up and Serana jumps in surprise. The woman's torch sputters and she asks me, "Why exactly are we down here?". I adjust my Archmage's Robes and explain for the third time, "I need a piece of a gargoyle for my current studies.". The torch finally goes out, Serana cursing as we're both plunged into darkness.

With a flick of my wrist I cast a magelight spell, the eerie glow illuminating Serana struggling with a piece of flint. The vampire quickly puts the flint and torch in her pocket, continuing down the narrow hallways. We stop at a gigantic cathedral, the remains of numerous gargoyles littering the floor. Serana leans against the entrance and says, "Take your pick. There are a few intact ones near the back. Don't worry about them waking up, they've been asleep for ages.". I absentmindedly nod, already walking around the room. Most of the samples aren't worthy of taken. Broken arms, legs, and hands are usually the only things large enough not to be dust. I look at the intact ones, but right now I only need a small sample. Breaking an entire statue seems wasteful.

I'm about to give up hope when I see the perfect piece. A gargoyle's head is sitting atop a pile of rubble, my magelight gleaming off its horns and fangs. I heave the stone into my arms and walk back over to Serana. The vampire pushes herself off the wall and leads me back out, my eerie magic light seeming to bounce off the walls and casting deep shadows. Once we've exited the castle I follow the vampire back to our boat, the tiny vessel smacking against the shore as it strains against its ties. The woman mumbles as she rows us back to the mainland, the stone head in my lap preventing me from being able to help.

Once we've reached the shore Serana and I walk together to Solitude, but that's where we part. I climb into a carriage to take me back to Winterhold, but Serana begins walking back to Fort Dawnguard. The carriage driver whips his horse's ass and begins driving me back to the college, my fifty gold safe in his pocket. It's well into the night by the time we reach Winterhold, the moon shining down on the small city that's busy being drowned in snow. I thank the man for taking me this far out, then start walking back to the college. It's probably for the best I don't stay in the town for long, the people still despise the college and everything we stand for. Faralda is still guarding the gates, but I quickly adjust the stone head in my arms and tell her, "You can come inside if you wish. Nobody's going to come up here in this weather.". The Altmer nods and follows me up to the college.

The woman locks the gates and goes to her room, leaving me to go to the Arch-Mage's Quarters alone. The gargoyle head is causing my arms to shake by the time I reach my room. However, I take a moment to admire my chamber. The dodecagonal quarter has an antechamber and central garden containing various plants and fungi that would make any alchemist thrilled. A curved partition stone wall separates my sleeping area from the garden and the rest of the room, dozens of rugs line the floor around the outside of the room. The antechamber is an open empty space with a long wooden bench against both of the side walls, two banners of The College of Winterhold hanging above and a large rug on the floor.

On my left in the main part of the room is a square wooden table and two chairs. There are seemingly hundreds of mounted animal heads and skulls on the outer wall around the room. Bears, wolves, and foxes are the most common. Beyond this is an alchemy lab with a set of shelves on either side, and two further sets to the right holding various ingredients and mixes. Several barrels and baskets containing further ingredients are also in this area of the room. Coming out from a wall to the northeast is a good quality double bed with small tables flanking it. To the right of the bed are two small wardrobes with one tall wardrobe between them, these all contain my clothing.

On the right-hand small wardrobe is a dagger display case containing my Daedric Knife. There is a large round table and chair against the next wall with a wash basin beside it. To the right of this is a large display cabinet containing several soul gems I've collected. Next to this is an arcane enchanter with two wall shelves above holding several large soul gems. The final outer wall section has a square wooden table and two chairs. The curved partition wall has sets of shelves against the outer wall. Another small table and two chairs are against the wall, followed by a safe and then a long chest opposite the double bed.

Then, another square wooden table with two more chairs, and finally an open crate on the floor with a wall shelf above. There are three College of Winterhold banners hanging from the inside (facing the garden) of the partition wall and small semicircular windows high up on each of the twelve sections of wall excluding one area. That section has a large circular window also high on the wall lead-lined with the College symbol. My arms once again buckle and I'm reminded I'm carrying a gigantic stone head. I rush over to a table and place the gargoyle's skull on the cleared wooden coffee table. I take a moment to stretch the muscles in my arms, then begin gathering the items I'll need to test the gargoyle's stone head.

It's mostly potions, but the occasional soul gem is added to the pile. However, I quickly realize I need to mix a few more potions. I sigh and get to work, mumbling to myself as I mix. "Just a little more daedra heart.". A foul black puff of smoke comes from the mixture. "Damned. Too much. Have to add some nightshade to even it out.". Another poof of black some. "Fuck. Need some hagraven claw.". I reach over and grab the substance, adding it to the mix. A puff of light pink some comes from the concoction, the liquid turning white. "Finally.". I scoop some up in a vial and place it to the side, cleaning out the alchemy lab and mixing another concoction.

When black smoke once again comes from the liquid I groan. "Damned alchemy lab. Too old.". A calm voice nearly causes me to jump out of my skin. "Do you always talk to yourself when you're alone?". I flip around and see Brelyna Maryon standing near the gargoyle head, idly rubbing its horn. I sigh in relief and go back to mixing potions, but ask the student, "What are you doing up here? Did J'zargo steal something from you again?". The Dunmer begins walking around my room as she explains, "J'zargo said he saw you and Faralda coming in, and that you were carrying a strange stone head. I asked Faralda and she told me to stop snooping, but admitted you might need some help with your experiment.".

I'm done with my final potion, and begin cleaning up my alchemy lab as I explain, "You don't have to help me with my experiment if you don't want to.". I turn and add the potions to the pile of supplies by the gargoyle's head. The elf straightens up and assures me, "I want to help. You've helped me so much in the past, and I turned you into a horse! I tried to get J'zargo and Onmund to come, but J'zargo didn't want to and Onmund was too drunk to even walk.". I straighten up my items and once again assure her, "It's absolutely fine if you don't want to help me, I won't do anything to you if you leave.".

The Dunmer looks wary as she tells me, "I really want to help. I'll leave if you want me to.". I quickly freeze and say, "If you want to help me, then feel free. But I can assure you it's going to be boring.". The elf looks ecstatic as she happily ask, "What do I do first?". I hand her a journal and say, "Start at the top. If I say 'yes' put a check mark by the word, but if I say 'no' put a 'x' by it. Ready?". The elf nods and says, "Ready.". I take a moment to smooth out my brown fur, then pick up some potions. I carefully read the labels I've put on them, the glass reflecting my green eyes. I find one labeled 'plant' and pour it on the skull. Nothing. "No.". I pour 'bird' on the skull. "No.". 'Fish'. "No.". The pattern keeps continuing. After a few bottles, the student asks, "What exactly are you looking for?".

I put the empty bottles to the side and explain, "These potions will help determine what the gargoyles are made of.". The Dunmer looks confused and asks, "You're aware gargoyles are made of stone, right?". I chuckle a little before further explaining, "Before they were stone. If they were always made of stone, then none of these potions will work.". The Dunmer nods and I'm done moving the empty bottles to the side. I grab another one and dump it on the skull, but this time there's a reaction. The stone turns purple and absorbs the liquid. I instantly say, "Yes!". I quickly look at the label on the vial. Mammal.

I rush back to my alchemy lab, mixing together a few more potions. I come back and take my journal from the Dunmer's hands. I flip to a pre-prepared page titled Mammal, hand it back to the student, and explain, "Exact same thing.". I pour a potion on the stone skull, returning it to its normal state. Then, I pour a potion labeled wolf on the gargoyle's head. Nothing. "No.". I continue the process a few times, but eventually get another reaction. The skull hisses as it absorbs the liquid, turning light pink. I smirk and say, "Yes!". I turn the potion around and freeze up. Human. I quickly tell my helper, "Please, wait for a second.". I go to the alchemy lab and mix ten separate potions, then return to where I was.

I return the skull to normal, once again getting ready to do some test. I notice my table is ruined by all the liquids I've dumped on it, but I ignore that for now. I can always fix it later. I dump a potion titled Khajiit on the stone (I had to use my own blood for that one). Nothing. The Dunmer clears her throat and asks, "What am I suppose to do?". I pick up another potion and answer, "You can leave if you wish, but for now I don't think I have anything else for you to do.". We both fall silent as I pour a potion called Redguard onto the stone. Suddenly, the skull begins rattling and hissing.

I grab the Dunmer woman and yank her away from the table and onto the floor, a venomous green light flashing. When it's subsided I slowly stand and look at the skull, the student rising with me. With both freeze, but Brelyna lets out a small shriek of fright as she realizes what's on my table. The severed head of a Redguard. I quickly pat her shoulder to calm her down, then walk over to the head. I hesitantly pick it up by the hair, the man's glazed eyes looking at nothing. A sudden realization comes over me and I whisper, "The gargoyles are humans.". Brelyna has calmed down and asks, "What?". I put the skull back down on my table, start grabbing more potions, and tell the elf, "I have to leave. Please, go tell Faralda to hold down the fort until I return.". The woman nods and accompanies me downstairs. At the gates she turns and I continue on. I need to see Serana and have her take me back to Castle Volkihar. Quickly.