Chapter 2: The Moth Priest
"Sweet mother, sweet mother, send your child unto me for the sins of the unworthy must be baptized in blood and fear" –Aventus Aretino
They walked into the main hall where people were being fed upon. Tai gagged at the sight and Serana continued down the stairs to her father. Tai followed behind Serana in hope he would be accepted. Her father had similar facial structure to Serana. His cheeks were high and round although his forehead was wrinkled unlike Serana who had a smooth forehead. Serana snarled as her father grinned.
"Serana do you have my scroll?" Serana rolled her eyes and shoved the scroll into his chest.
"Really the first thing you ask me after all these years is about your damn scroll?" Serana growled.
"I'm sorry how have you been?" Harkon grinned.
"Don't even try father..." Serana sighed.
"And who be this?" Harkon snarled at Tai and Tai snarled back.
"This is my saviour Tai," Serana smiled at Tai and he felt warm inside.
"So Serana this...boy is trying to woo you?" her father seemed upset and Tai tried to hide a snarl.
"No...Well yes but no. He is really nice...kinda," Serana was unsure of what to think of Tai and her father didn't like it.
"So this whelp with werewolf and vampire blood has been annoying my little girl?" he seemed really angry by this point.
"I don't want any unnecessary trouble," Tai raised his eyebrows and curled his lips downward Serana seemed tense.
"I will not harm you. But you should join us help fulfil our legacy," he was very serious and Tai didn't know what to say.
"I...uh..." Tai looked at Serana who looked worried.
"Lord Harkon needs an answer," he finally gave his name and Tai had widened his eyes and opened his mouth with the answer.
"Sorry Harkon but I have better things to do than play with vampires," Tai grinned and turned around as he raised his hand and gestured a goodbye wave.
"But you are a vampire?" Harkon was confused and furious. Serana however seemed glad he chose against Harkon's wishes.
"Yes. But I only do it for the immortality," Tai continued walking grinning as he walked.
"You will regret this boy," Harkon howled.
Tai finally got back to the fort and Isran was not amused at the news.
"So the relic?" Isran commanded.
"It wasn't an object it was a person," Tai scratched the back of his head immediately fixing his Mohawk.
"Is this person dead...?" Isran was really serious and Tai could hear Isran's heart beating rapidly and his scent was ripe with anger.
"...I couldn't kill her...she was...unique," Tai kept a straight face knowing what was coming.
"You stupid son of a-" Isran was cut off.
"Relax Isran Tai was just doing his job without taking too many casualties. You should understand that," Tai watched as his brother walked down the stairs holding a bottle of mead in his hand.
"Eswain...I am not a kid I can handle myself..." Tai began to think. "Thank you Eswain...I just need some air," Tai couldn't take all of this in. Eswain smiled at Tai knowing what he was going through.
"Tai go get some air," Eswain smiled taking a sip of mead. Tai walked out of the big doors and sat in the dying grass watching the lake.
"Isran you have to take it easy on my brother. He isn't having the time of his life you know. He may be hiding it well but I know he is having troubles," Isran furrowed his eyebrows.
"Eswain I am your leader don't push it," Isran was furious but knew he needed Eswain.
"Isran I am going to go talk to my brother don't YOU push it," Eswain growled.
Tai skipped a rock across the lake which stopped at a melting iceberg. Tai wasn't as cold today due to the suns heat. Tai couldn't stop thinking about her. About Serana that little vampire had turned his mind from a scumbag who wanted to sleep with everyone to a man who wanted to dedicate himself to one. He began to think about her eyes and lips and how she was so perfect. He jerked back to reality as his brother sat next to him on the dying grass.
"Hey Tai," Eswain smiled.
"Something you need?" Tai smiled back.
"Nothing just wanted to chat. How are you holding up after being bitten and turning into that vampire werewolf thing?" he tried to be civil about it but he wanted to push him further.
"I don't know anymore they have their benefits but they also have their cons," Tai rested his head on his knees and Eswain watched him.
"Why are you sad if you don't mind?" Eswain always cared what was going through his brother's head.
"...a relic...a vampire...a girl...Serana," Tai looked really depressed by this point and Eswain couldn't help but feel sorrow.
"Tai this isn't healthy you need to do something about it...forget about her or go to her," Eswain whispered and Tai smiled at his care.
"But Eswain she lives with the other vampires at the castle. I cannot go back...I showed her who I really was...the flirt...a man whor-" Tai couldn't finish his sentence as Eswain spoke.
"Tai don't be so judgemental you are only like that because you got cocky. Fame took over and you wanted to explore other personalities..."Eswain snapped back at Tai.
"Sometimes I wish I wasn't a vampire and I could die," Tai was weakening his spirit and Eswain could see it.
"Tai I was also turned into a vampire. But I wasn't bitten. I let Molag Bal do his bidding. I thought she was bitten and would survive but she died. Molag Bal raped women and beat men then when he was ready he gave them this blessing...I still wonder if it is a blessing," Eswain let a single tear drop from his eye.
"I had no idea Eswain, I thought...thank you for sharing I feel a lot better," Tai smiled and Eswain smiled back.
"I better get going I have to go get two people who were part of the Dawnguard," Eswain stood up brushing himself off and walking away. Tai looked at the lake and then stood up himself prepared to face Isran.
1 week later
Tai had been training and hunting vampires for that week. Tai had returned to the fort that day tired and sore. He carried himself into the centre of the entrance watching as Isran and Eswain stood there together. Tai found Eswain's grin unsettling and for once preferred Isran's grumpy face.
"Tai please explain yourself..."Isran stepped closer to Tai.
"I have not a clue what you are talking about?" Tai was confused and he just wanted to sleep.
"Why have you got a vampire waltzing in through the door and specifically asking for you by name?"Isran folded his arms and growled those words.
"I-I don't know actually..."Tai was excited could it have been who he thought. His scent strengthened and he could smell his excitement. He could not contain his excitement he wanted to jump up and down. The pain flushed from his body he was no longer numb he was energised and ready to speak with this vampire.
"I shall show you to your guest," Isran snarled and turned walking towards the main hall. Eswain followed grinning.
Tai followed closely behind Isran and Eswain followed behind Tai. Tai followed Isran as he turned corners and walked down stairs. Tai knew Isran was up to something he didn't have to make the twenty second walk a five minute walk. Eswain began to growl and mumble stuff under his breath.
"I am terribly sorry Tai but she must have wandered off. If we see her and she isn't hostile we shall send her your way," Isran walked off smirking. Tai clenched his teeth and balled his fists but Eswain stopped him.
"Follow me. He put her in the torture chamber," Eswain whispered holding Tai on the shoulder.
"Isran is really starting to annoy me," Tai growled crossing his arms with a snarl.
"Don't worry too much," Eswain reassured. Tai followed closely behind Eswain and Eswain stayed close. When they finally arrived Tai could smell her sweet scent, but he could also smell urine and dried blood. Tai could not believe his eyes she was before him, but anger also burned in his stomach as she had been caged up like an animal.
"Serana!" Tai growled opening the cage with a swift punch to the lock. Eswain shook his head and laughed.
"I'll be over here you two," and with that Eswain was gone.
"Nice to see you again Tai. I really got tired of my dad," Serana whispered as Tai smiled at her. He noticed the Elder Scroll was on her back again.
"I could really use your help we need to find a moth priest," Tai had to ask her this if he wanted to try and get Isran on his side.
"That's what you have to say? I come back to you and that's it?" Serana spat as Tai knew he was being scolded.
"NO! Serana I just want to help us both earn Isran's trust that way we won't be expect a dagger against our throats," Tai held his head and tried not to seem stupid.
"I can help you but it won't be easy. I know of one touring Skyrim but I don't know where he is," Serana whispered.
"Fair point. Shall we go now?" Tai asked gently touching her 'by accident' and she blushed.
"Yes...and don't touch me again," Serana didn't seem too sure of what she meant by that.
Tai walked off and Serana followed Eswain ended up leading the way though. Tai could tell something was going on and his brother was being really cautious. That was when it happened though as Tai approached the corner Eswain was standing in shock. Isran stood with an axe. Serana growled and Isran stood in a fighting stance.
"What are you doing Eswain? This vampire needs to be killed," Isran howled, Tai snarled right back at him though.
"She is our guest remember? Besides Tai saved her and brought her back. Yet she chooses to fight alongside the Dawnguard..." Eswain spat eyeing Isran down hoping it doesn't end in bloodshed.
"Do you think this vampire can even be trusted...?" Isran spat back, Tai's snarl continued to grow as Isran spoke.
"I am pretty sure we can trus-" but Isran bet him to it.
"Her kind killed you girlfriend!" Isran growled, Eswain dropped his head tears welling. Tai watched in sympathy as Eswain walked away head down. Tai's eyes trailed his brother all the way back to his room.
"You are a heartless monster!" Tai screamed.
"NO! You are the heartless monster. Vampire," Isran snarled.
"I trust her so have some faith," Tai whispered, Isran was not impressed though.
"I don't want your opinion in the matter," Isran growled this time Tai's eyes were turning yellow, the wolf was leaking through.
"She is helping me find a moth priest and she had more information than your stupid informants. She is trustworthy and I trust her, so if you don't see it. Go die," Tai's growled as his eyes slowly faded back to brown.
"But..." Tai had already begun walking, and then he stopped pushing Isran against a wall and not facing him he said.
"Don't bring my brother's personal matters into this. Otherwise I will kill you myself..."Isran swallowed hard and Tai could smell the fear, he could hear the heart rate pick up.
"...Thank you...Tai..." Serana whispered and received a smile from Tai.
The journey felt short although it had taken five hours. Tai had been tracking a carriage from Dragon Bridge in hope the kid had been right about the moth priest. Serana was glad he was doing the dirty work. He would kneel down on one knee and put some dirt on his finger then smell it pointing in the direction of the carriage. Death filled the air and Tai didn't like it he begun to run and Serana followed closely behind. Tai noticed an overturned carriage with a dead man and horse, further off a vampire. Tai instantly caught on to the note in the vampire's pocket. Tai slowly opened the note and Serana watched as his eyes skimmed through it. Tai's crumpled the note staring directly at the floor; he then turned around and threw it into the river.
"Good news?" Serana started, Tai turned to her face red with anger.
"They took him to Forebears Holdout," Tai growled.
"Relax Tai we will find him," Serana tried to reassure Tai but all she got was a stare.
"That is the thing...I don't want to find him," Tai rubbed his temple with his finger.
"Why?" Serana whispered unsure of what was happening.
"...An old friend I once knew...he is one of the attackers," Tai spun throwing a punch cracking the carriage. Serana put her hand on Tai's shoulder and then began to follow a blood trail. Tai followed from a distance.
When they finally arrived Serana was shocked as Tai lead the way. He ruthlessly killed anything in his way without stopping. Two vampires' and a death hound came running at Tai who was just walking. With a quick swing of his blade the death hound was beheaded and one of the vampires where bleeding on the floor. The last vampire came running for a bite of Tai but he punched it square in the jaw knocking the vampire out. Serana began to get scared the thoughts of something popping back into her head. She didn't know what to do she was scared Tai's bloodlust would turn on her. Serana felt a hand grope her breasts and she screamed as a vampire licked her shoulder. The vampire let go of Serana and was instead lifted into the air by the collar and thrown into a wall then kicked to death. Serana watched as the blood splattered on Tai, it was like war paint and Tai was covered in it.
"Tai! You are scaring me..." Serana yelled and then covered her mouth; Tai turned in shock and watched as she fell to her knees.
"Why?" Tai said suddenly snapping back to reality.
"You are in a bloodlust. It is bringing back memories. Please stop..."Serana began to let tears well in her eyes.
"...Serana...I didn't mean to..."Tai whispered as he approached Serana. He sat beside her and wrapped his arm around her.
"Tai just please...stop..." Serana let a single tear fall from her eye and she quickly wiped it away. Tai had noticed he had thick sticky blood all over him.
"I will I don't want to hurt you. If I ever lose control tell me to stop and I will," Tai released her from his clutch realising she had more to her than meets the eye.
"Thank you Tai," Serana sniffed.
They continued through the cave like structure until they reached a stone tower embedded into the floor. When they finally got to the top Tai let tears roll from his eyes and Serana had noticed. She didn't know if she should do anything so she just watched as Tai slowly approached his old friend.
"Malkus!" Tai yelled.
"Tai, long time. No?" Malkus grinned but Tai wasn't amused his eyes were already turning yellow; the pupil was turning into a split.
"Malkus...I can't believe you would betray me like this. When I needed you there to fight Alduin you ran to join...VAMPIRES," Tai growled and Malkus laughed.
"You're one?" Malkus chuckled.
"Yeah but I am still pure," Tai spat leaving Malkus stunned.
"...who is your friend?" Malkus snarled.
"This is Serana. She is a much better friend than you," Tai howled.
"...Serana...Molag Bal told me of a person like you. She was his toy...a prize among the others...fresh meat...when Molag Bal beat me he told me of you...he said if you ever cross paths tell her she is very ripe and he would love to do it again," Malkus chuckled, Tai growled as he noticed Serana's eyes tear.
"...no...No...Shut up..." Serana whispered trying to hold back tears; Tai turned to her and then back to Malkus with rage.
"You will regret saying that to her..." Tai began to growl and then his transformation completed as did Malkus. Vampire fighting Werewolf or Werepyre was only a myth.
Tai ran at Malkus and Malkus charged at Tai. Tai jumped into the air arms outstretched preparing to grab Malkus. Malkus avoided and Tai hit the floor turning to face Malkus as he slid backward leaving a trail of sparks. Malkus tried to absorb Tai's life force but Tai rolled to the side and rushed Malkus pushing him over and clawing at his face. Tai kept swinging letting his arms flail at his face and then right before the eighth claw Malkus pushed Tai away. Tai stood up and sidestepped the flailing of Malkus' arms. Tai lost track of Malkus and the next thing he knew he was being thrown into a wall. Tai didn't feel the pain but he knew he would when he turned back into himself. Tai sat against a wall and before he got up Malkus had already bit him. Tai howled and before he could lung several scratches were sent into Tai's furry chest. Malkus laughed and Tai thought it was over but then Malkus turned back into his real form and Tai did the same. Malkus looked at Tai's naked body and laughed. Tai had scratches on his chest and a bleeding bite mark on his shoulder. Malkus swung his blade but Tai rolled to the side screaming in agony as the dirt went into his wound. Serana threw Tai his sword and Tai continued to run as he caught it. Tai and Malkus parried each other's attacks until their swords finally met in the shape of an x, their eyes locked in the middle and Tai snarled as Malkus grinned. They held it there for a minute and then they both began to get fatigue.
"Come on Dovahkiin. Show me that Dragonborn strength the kind you used to defeat Alduin," Malkus smirked.
"You know what? You're correct where is my power," Tai laughed and kicked Malkus back then laughed harder.
"You know what Malkus? I'm done toying with you. Enjoy your eternity with your best friend Molag Bal...oh and send him my word..." Tai had a serious look on his face, but it broke into a devilish grin.
"Fus, Ro, Dah" Tai let the power of his voice send Malkus flying back into a wall and breaking his neck and spine. Although he wasn't dead because he was a vampire Tai ended him with an overkill swing. Tai watched as Malkus' head rolled towards his feet.
Tai turned towards the moth priest who stopped shielding himself with an energy barrier. Tai explained the situation and the Tai, Serana and the moth priest Dexious wandered back to Fort Dawnguard. As soon as they arrived Tai, Serana, Eswain and Isran listened to the moth priest.
Now, if everyone will please be quiet, I must concentrate.
I see a vision before me, an image of a great bow. I know this weapon! It is Auriel's Bow!
Now a voice whispers, saying "Among the night's children, a dread lord will rise."
In an age of strife, when dragons return to the realm of men, darkness will mingle with light and the night and day will be as one.
The voice fades and the words begin to shimmer and distort. But wait, there is more here.
The secret of the bow's power is written elsewhere. I think there is more to the prophecy, recorded in other scrolls.
Yes, I see them now... One contains the ancient secrets of the dragons, and the other speaks of the potency of ancient blood.
My vision darkens, and I see no more.
To know the complete prophecy, we must have the other two scrolls.
Tai, Serana and Eswain looked at each other knowing this would not be easy.
"My mother has a scroll although..." Serana didn't finish clearly because she was uncomfortable.
"Tai, you and Serana go for that scroll. Meanwhile I shall go get the scroll from Winterhold. You know the one you used to defeat Alduin," Eswain looked serious and his eyes were beginning to glow red he mustn't have been crafting those hide effects potion he had invented.
"Alright," Serana whispered as Isran watched her like she was a prisoner.
Tai, Eswain and Serana walked off towards the giant doors. Their next step in the journey had just begun...
