Just Another New adventure for the Pup

Skylar coughed as she inhaled the dust that floated in the air as a result of a vampire's body hitting the ancient ground. She sheathed her glass dagger and extinguished the flame that her left hand held.

"First real mission as a member of the Dawnguard... And they send me in to a cave full of vampires... And dust." She said as she coughed a few more times before she adjusted her Thieves Guild Hood and her dark Dawnguard armor before she began to make her way over to the narrow stone bridge that seemed to lead to a large round stone platform.

Skylar's first few steps onto the stone bridge where hesitant. She swallowed the uneasy feeling that built up in the back of her throat. "Don't look down... Don't look down... Whatever you do, Skylar, do... Not... Look..." She said to herself as curiosity got the best of her. She slowly looked over the ledge of the bridge and as soon as she did she froze in place. "Down..." She mumbled in regret as the hairs on the back of her neck suddenly stood straight up as she looked down at the drop that seemed to fall into darkness. Her balance seemed to falter as her stomach felt like it dropped. She took a second to composer herself before she hurried to the other side of the bridge. When she made it to the platform there was some kind of stone figure in the middle.

She sighed and made her way over to it. After examining it for a few seconds exhaustion seemed to catch up with her so she placed her hand on top of the figure and subconsciously leaned on it for support.

A loud click echoed off the stone walls. The small Breton girl looked around confused and an instant later she doubled over in pain as a spike came up from the figure and through her hand that had been resting on its surface. She bit down on the wrist of her free hand as she pulled her injured hand free from the spike.

Skylar hissed in pain as she held her bleeding hand. Her eyes were tightly closed as another sound was heard. She stumbled looked around quickly, suddenly paranoid as she half expected more spikes to assault her. Instead all she saw was a glowing purple light that began to spread around the platform. Skylar, still holding her bleeding hand watched curiously as the glowing light surrounded both her and the figure that stood in the middle. As the purple light made it way around the platform Skylar had to turn her whole body to follow it.

She yelped in surprise as the earth began to shake and the figure in the middle of the platform began to rise out of the solid ground. She took a step back in an attempt to put some distance between her and the moving figure and it was then that she noticed that it was not the figure that was rising up but instead the ground itself was sinking around it. Just as Skylar was beginning to think that maybe she should make a run for it the front of the stone figure slowly began to open. It was then that Skylar realized that this stone figure was not simply a decoration or even a torture device but instead it was some kind casket.

Skylar's mouth fell open as her eyes fell upon a mysterious dark haired woman who was leaning against the back of the casket with her hands crossed over her chest. A second later the woman fell forward, landing on her hands and knees.

"She's Alive!" Skylar's mind screamed at her as she watched the woman scramble ungracefully to her feet. The woman ran her hands over her face before she crossed her arms over her chest in a motion that suggested that she was either cold or feeling vulnerable, or perhaps even both.

She looked at the completely shocked and surprised Skylar with piercing glowing red eyes before she took a few what seemed long overdue deep breaths. "Where is...? Where... ? Who... ? Who sent you?" She said as she continued to look at Skylar.

Skylar gave her head a shake to try and regain some control before she raised her hands. "Woah, Slow down there." She said as she brought a hand to her forehead. The mysterious woman looked at Skylar for a few seconds before she spoke again.

"Are you alright?" She asked tilting her head to the side slightly. Skylar gave a laugh that suggested that she was not.

"You are asking if I am alight? I think I should be the one asking that." Skylar said as she pointed to the stone casket. "Just how long have you been in that thing? How are you alive?"

It was the mysterious woman's turn to laugh. "It's because of what I am."

Skylar looked at the mysterious woman as the piercing red eyes finally triggered some kind of switch in her brain to answer that question. Although even though the word was in her mind, she did not quite seem to be able to completely process it. "And what may I ask are you?" The words slipped out of her mouth before she was able to catch them. Instantly Skylar felt slightly stupid for asking it, although the woman did not seem to mind. Perhaps she was still trying to process the situation herself?

The woman uncrossed her arms and placed one hand on her hip. "Can't you tell? I am a vampire."

Skylar nodded, it was her turn to cross her arms over her chest. "Uh huh, you know, the Dawnguard would want me to put you down right here and right now." She said glairing. The woman did not waste any time to answer Skylar's comment.

"Yes well, by killing me you would be killing only one vampire that will now stop a whole army. If you help me get to my home I might just be able to help you."

Skylar sighed and ran her hands over her face before she let them drop to her sides. She shifted her weight from one foot to another, thinking about what Isran would do to her if he found out that she was going to help a vampire girl get home instead of killing her. Suddenly Skylar's eyes went wide and she froze in place when she noticed when the woman had strapped to her back. Skylar lifted her hand and pointed to it. "Is that... An ElderScroll." She asked in awe.

Once again the Woman crossed her arms over her chest but this time she glared at Skylar. "Yes, and it's mine." She said protectively. Skylar raised her hands in a motion that showed she meant absolutely no harm.

"Hey, no, I didn't mean it like that... It's just... I have only heard of them... I have never actually seen one. In fact I didn't think I would ever see one."

The woman's face seemed to soften and her glare melted away. "May I ask why you have one?" Skylar asked curiously. The woman shook her head. "It's… Complicated... I'm sorry, I just don't know who I can and cannot trust yet. It's nothing personal..."

Skylar nodded and sighed. "Well I can understand that, what I don't understand is why you trust a vampire hunter to be an escort who will take you home. The woman bit her lower lip and looked suddenly looking completely hesitant about trusting Skylar with this favor.

Skylar, suddenly feeling guilty sighed. "Don't worry... I will get you there in one piece..." The woman looked up and smiled.

"Thank you... Oh and by the way. My name is Serana." Skylar returned her smile and held out her hand.

"Skylar." Serana took Skylar's hand in her own. Her touch was cold, but comfortable against Skylar's injured hand. In fact it was then that Skylar seemed to remember it. Her eyes went wide and she instantly pulled it away from Serana's touch as she put two and two together. Vampire, plus and bleeding hand can only equal trouble. "Sorry..." Skylar mumbled holding her bleeding injury.

Serena was about to drop her hand to her side thinking that maybe it was the coldness of her touch that made the girl pull away but when she felt the warmth of human blood on her skin she realized that her touch was not the cause at all. Serana looked at the blood for a moment before she looked at Skylar who was digging into her satchel that was on her belt.

"You're hurt." Serana said taking a small step closer. Skylar almost instantly took a step back just as she pulled out a bandage. "No, I'm ok really." Skylar said quickly with a fake smile on her face as she wrapped up her hand.

Serana understood why Skylar was hesitant about letting her help, but she could not help but feel slightly hurt by her reaction.

Skylar looked up and saw the expression on Serana's face. "I'm sorry..." She began. "I just…" Skylar could not seem to find the words to explain her actions. "It's ok." Serana said with an understanding smile. "We should take our leave."

Skylar was about to nod but stopped. "Ummm..." Serana looked at the blank looking Skylar. "Do you have any idea how to get out of here?" Skylar asked her.

Serana Shook her head and shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine, everything looks different now. I don't recognize it one bit."

Skylar took a few steps towards a stone bridge, opposite of the one she took to get on the platform. "Alight then..." Skylar said as she began to lead the way. "Just how long were you buried in there anyways?" She asked turning slightly towards Serana.

Serana shrugged. "Honestly I have no idea... Who is the high king?" She looked at Skylar confused as she chuckled.

"That is... Up for debate."

Serana smiled sarcastically. "Oh lovely, I wake up to a war, correct?"

Skylar nodded. "Yup, so why were you locked in there in the first place?" Skylar said as the made their way up a flight of stone steps. Serana's face began to form a face that Skylar was already very in tune with. "Right, its complicated and you don't trust me, gotcha." Skylar said before she had the chance to explain.

The sound of loud crashed made Skylar yelp in surprise. She spun around in time to see a group of vampires and a few gargoyles charging their way. "Uh oh..." Skylar mumbled as she pulled out her crossbow.