A/N: Reviews are encouraged, any form of critic, praise or opinion is welcome, regarded and replied to as well as greatly appreciated.
The Old Ways: Thief of the Fox.
Chapter One: Innocence.
"Death is a way of life. It follows forever after life, trailing behind, always lurking in the shadows. Its rotten stench choking those close enough with malice and hatred. Life is a joyful experience – the other side of the same coin. A period of time in which you play and laugh, dancing in the light until the darkness comes and drags you under, suffocating you in the black tar that is the Void. However, there is a state of life and death that co-exists. A mortal embodiment of two opposites that should have never occurred: un-death." ~ Unknown.
Bright blue eyes narrowed into concentrated slits within the youthful face. Fire burned within and tickled the edges of her vision, turning the teal iris into white with the intensity of the heat that she commanded. Flames danced to her finger's will, bending to her thoughts – for a few moments, she was the fire. The crackling light struck her hair, turning it into fiery shades of ruby and scarlet, as a pair of eyes, deeper than the shades of the fire, watched her intently. The orbs belonged to an aged Dunmer, his fingers wrapped around his slim chin as he observed his seven year old pupil. She showed great promise for magical aptitude. "Enough." Veros Vilas' voice growled, his natural gruffness startling the child out of her spell. The young one's eyes returned once again to their innocent blue shading as they clashed with Veros' scarlet. "That is enough for today, you are showing great progress."
The red haired child grinned broadly, her expression one of delight. Like any other child, she strove to impress those around her. Her head quickly turned from her mentor and towards her mother. She stood up and ran to her, clinging to her trouser-covered leg with the same pleased expression as a small squeal of happiness erupted from her mouth. "Did you hear that, mama?" she chirped excitedly, tugging on the fabric with which her tiny fingers were fisting. "Did you? Veros gave me a compliment!"
Her statement caused chuckling laughter throughout the encampment, the loudest coming from the child's father as he picked her up and swung her around, causing her to squeal. Veros himself huffed, querulous as always as his attention turned back towards the firepit. "That's my girl!" the large Nord boomed, his thick, rough fingers digging into his daughter's sides as he tickled her, causing yet more squealing. Her mother giggled watching her husband and child. "You show that grouchy Ashlander who's boss!"
The rest of the residents of the camp – set up around the outskirts of Northpoint, High Rock - laughed quietly amongst themselves as they went about their duties. Two Redguards - Thaik and Gwen - continued to construct tents while speaking to one another; their movements practised enough to not require their full attention. Ra'Virr sat a ways away; his powerful hind legs crossed as he carved the wood that Yvara Montrose had collected earlier, his black claws suited for the job as he flicked pieces into the fire that Veros Vilas was still tending. Varnis Sette, the only other Breton amongst the rag-tag group of hunters, was sharpening his axe as well as the rest of the weaponry for the group. Korst the Hunter was of course still throwing his daughter about. The last was an Imperial, stroking the head of a grey hunting wolf next to him as he sat, leaning heavily on a cane. Mecilvus Verus was an elderly man, the eldest within the group. As an ex-legionnaire he was not to be taken as lightly as his age suggested, emphasised by his hard-packed muscle.
Together, the group created a deadly force against what they hunted: vampires.
Synette Montrose, seven years old, wriggled out of her father's grasp and landed on the floor with a small, bouncy thud. Her bones were far too springy to gain any real damage from a short drop. She grinned and ran towards Mecilvus and Redmaw, patting the wolf before she lifted up her arms, gesturing for the Imperial to pick her up. His wrinkled face smiled and he easily sat her upon his lap, ruffling her red curls affectionately as her parents curled up together, not shy or bashful about showing their love for each other as they gazed at the stars, entwined around each other. Synette wrinkled her nose, letting out an amusing, "Eww!" at their actions before she turned around in Mecilvus' grasp and tugged on his lank grey hair to gain his attention. "Mecil? Are we hunting vampires tomorrow?"
The Imperial chuckled. His dark brown eyes and weathered face soft towards the sweet child as a smile graced his mouth. "Indeed." He rumbled. "Which means bedtime for you."
The child let out a loud wail of refusal. Her arms crossed over her front and her lips formed a pouting scowl. Mecilvus chuckled deeply and manoeuvred her to the comfortable crook of his arm where she yawned as he gently rocked her. "I'm not sleepy..." she spoke around her yawn, her eyelids falling.
"Of course you aren't, Synette." the Imperial rumbled softly. "You just stay right there and don't sleep, OK? Keep an old man company." his response was a tired nod from the teal-eyed child before she curled up against him, softly dozing. The rest of the encampment swiftly followed the example of the little mage, yawning before wisely turning in for the night, knowing they were safe. Redmaw would alert them to any trouble before it struck.
When morning came, the band of vampire-hunters swiftly rose. Synette, as always, was the first to rise with the sun, followed by her mother and the Khajiit Ra'virr. The last to rise were her father and Mecilvus. They travelled to their next destination, finding the drained corpses of the dead, left battered and broken, tossed away like mere trash along the way – clearly these vampires were brash and confident. The little mage's eyes narrowed and hardened with each body until she turned to her father, who's shoulder she was sitting on. "Papa? Why do vampires kill people?" her small voice questioned. The innocence of a child rung clear in her tone.
"Because Synette, they are monsters. And monsters always kill people. Never forget that." the child nodded with a soft murmur that she would never forget her father's words. As they found and entered Brittlestone Cave, Synette lost her innocence.
Gah, the length of this is disgusting considering how long I have spent working on it. However, chapter lengths will increase. Review if you wish for more and critique if you wish for more quicker. I work better with encouragement and critiques are my favourite thing to read. Due to my reviewers, the original first part of this story has been deleted. This prologue shall now become the first chapter.