Note: This is a sequel to my fanfic Wolf Brand.
It had been two months since Tsunar had ventured into Sovngarde to defeat Alduin. He, Borgakh and Meeko continued their adventuring careers, clearing ruins, discovering ancient relics and slaying age old monsters. The trio became quite famous across the province of Skyrim for their deeds and would often find couriers arriving at Breezehome with letters asking for their aid, requests which they seldom refused. The three took any opportunity to head out and travel some more.
Tsunar visited the city market, leather bracers beneath his shirt sleeves and his trusty saber at his hip. He carried a basket of food and drink as he haggled with a Bosmer hunter over the price of some venison. Before long, Tsunar felt eyes upon him. After purchasing the meat, he looked about and saw an Orc approach him. The Orsimer wore a dark leather armour with a thick collar. He carried something on his back, some kind of crossed wood and metal contraption, the likes of which Tsunar had never seen.
"You the one they call Tsunar?" The Orc asked. Tsunar nodded. "Good. I represent an organization called the Dawnguard. We're looking for people willing to help fight against the growing vampire menace."
"Haven't really noticed a rise in vampires." Tsunar responded.
"Then you're just like most others. Blind until one of them clamps down on your throat." The Orc shook his head. "Whether you've noticed or not, doesn't matter. They're getting bolder and we need hunters more than ever. If you're interested, our headquarters are in a fort near Riften." The Orc handed some parchment with a marked map and left. Tsunar looked at the paper and considered the offer before heading home.
Tsunar, Borgakh, Meeko and Lydia ate dinner around the fire pit as they discussed the Orc's offer.
"You know, I had heard of vampires getting bolder in their attacks." Lydia said between bites. "There's rumours that the Hall of the Vigilants got destroyed."
"Hall of the what?" Borgakh asked.
"The Vigilants. Those Vigilants of Stendarr folks, Daedra hunters." Lydia replied. Tsunar sat silently and fiddled with his ring. The silver wolf's head staring him down.
"I say we go." Borgakh announced. "If this is real, we join, if it's fake and we get ambushed, we kill 'em. We've taken down plenty of bandits." Tsunar nodded.
"True." He said. "But I'm hesitant to bring Meeko along." He looked at the wolfhound laying at his feet. "He's not a wardog, despite his time with us. And the last thing I need is for him to turn into some kind of vampire dog." Tsunar scratched the dog's ear as he spoke. Lydia and Borgakh nodded.
"I'll look after him while you guys check this out." Lydia offered.
"Alright then." Tsunar agreed. "Borgakh, pack your things." Tsunar looked at the Orc. "Tomorrow, we head out and see what this Dawnguard has to offer."
As first light came, the pair gathered their equipment. Tsunar descended the stairs in his dragonscale gear to find Borgakh already in her dragonbone armour, giving her axes a few test swings. The pair said their goodbyes and left, headed south east. They followed the White River, turning south when they reached the river's fork. Within a week of travel, they arrived at The Rift's capital. The city was on edge as usual. The Thieves Guild's presence kept everyone in the city on alert. The pair found themselves checking their pockets every few minutes. The two made sure not to stay a second longer in the city than they needed to as they followed the small map the Orc had handed Tsunar. They made their way east of the city, finding a cavern marked with torches. Tsunar sniffed the air, his lycanthropic senses picking up the Orc's scent. They headed inside.
The cavern quickly opened to an enormous, beautiful glade. A waterfall roared as they looked about.
"Oh, hey." The two heard a young man's voice. A Nord walked up the path towards them. "Here to join the Dawnguard too?" The three traveled along the path together, discussing the mysterious band of hunters they had come to see. As they rounded a corner, they found themselves looking at a huge fort, built into the mountain with white stone. Tsunar whistled at the sight. They walked further, looking for the fort's entrance. Before long, they heard a series of twanging sounds. They saw the Orc from before firing projectiles from his odd contraption into a dead tree. Borgakh approached the man.
"Glad to see you made it." He said as she approached. "I'm guessing you want to know what this is?"
"Yeah." Borgakh responded. "Haven't really seen anything like that before."
"Not surprised." The Dawnguard hunter responded. "Crossbows are sort of a specialty for the Dawnguard. Name's Durak, by the way. You three better head on inside." Durak gestured up some nearby stairs, leading to a large pair of wooden doors. As the three ascended the steps to the castle, they found a Breton man waiting.
"New recruits?" He asked. "Good. Isran's waiting for you inside." The Breton opened the door and allowed the three new faces to enter.
The trio entered the fort and were greeted by dust covered walls and cobwebs in most corners. Wooden boxes littered the castle as two men spoke in the middle of what seemed to be the fort's foyer. As they approached, the newcomers could tell that it was an argument. A Nord in robes was having a heated discussion with a Redguard, warrior. After a minute, the discussion came to an end and the Redguard noticed the would be hunters.
"So, what brings you three here." The man asked with a gravely voice.
"We're here to join the Dawnguard." Tsunar answered.