"What do you mean I can't go and see her!?" Serana's words were full of fury but there was also traces of hurt and anguish along the crackles of her voice. "I haven't seen her in so long and now that I found out that she is alive and finally have her back... I can't even so much as see her!?" Serana slammed her hands down on the surface of a wooden table. Why did fate have to be so cruel to her!? This was simply unfair? How could someone keep her from even so much as gazing upon her own lover?! After almost a year where she was led to believe that Skylar was dead when she was not fate could at least throw her a bone and let her hold her own love, even if it was even for a few moments. That was all she wanted. For the soul reason of making herself believe that this was not just a dream and that Skylar really was alive and well... Perhaps 'Well' was not the right word... But still, she was alive none the less!
They were back in Castle Volkihar. They were able to make it back to Skyrim in good time, but the entire trip had been nothing but awkward. Serana had not been allowed to go near Skylar. She had to stay on the opposite side of the boat that was taking them back. The entire time she couldn't think straight. The moment she heard those words from Skylar's mouth.
"Who are you?"
It was like her entire world had fallen apart all over again. But this time it was worse. Skylar, her love had been right there in front of her on a table after she nearly died, after her father violated her, and yet Serana could do nothing to comfort the girl. Even after a year she still couldn't hold her. Fate was so unfair and unkind to Serana.
Skylar had looked as though she believe that Serana would harm her. After she said those words the small girl actually tried so hard to get as far away from Serana as possible. Isran had to hold Skylar against his chest so she wouldn't fall off the table and end up breaking something.
Serana remembered thinking that it was a joke so she tried to get closer but Skylar literally begged her to stay away. What had Harkon done to her? Why was Skylar in such a state?
Those answers went unanswered after Isran told Serana that maybe it was a good idea if she stayed away from Skylar for the time being. He told Serana that whatever was wrong with Skylar was probably temporary and to just give her time, but the worst thing that they could do was to push Skylar and force her to do anything that she didn't want to do. If she didn't want to be near Serana than Serana needed to respect that wish, no matter how much it hurt. With a heavy heart, Serana agreed.
And thus the journey all the way back to Skyrim and to Castle Volkihar was a very long and awkward one. Serana would walk behind the group with her hood over her head, hiding her eyes from all those who would look at her. But the truth was she couldn't bring herself to look at Skylar. She just couldn't deal with the fact that Skylar couldn't even remember Serana's name. In fact... It looked as though Skylar had the disgust for Serana that every typical Dawnguard soldier had for Vampires. Seeing the way that Skylar had looked at her when she was on that table, it hurt so much. The small woman who once never judged her and loved her despite what she was, was not there. She just wasn't there anymore. It was like everything about them, everything they had gone through together didn't matter, it was like Serana had to reintroduce herself as if they had never met before.
Even though her hood had been up Serana could feel Skylar's eyes on her every now and then. She could feel every single time the girl turned her head to spare her a glance. Once or twice Serana glanced up and caught Skylar's eyes with her own. But as soon as their eyes met Skylar would turn around within a split second and act like nothing had happened. There was curiosity in Skylar's eyes, and also something else that Serana couldn't quite put her finger on. But whatever it was it gave her hope and it gave her a new mission in life.
So when they returned to the castle Serana had the undying need to go and see Skylar. She didn't know exactly what she was going to do or what she was going to say, all she knew was she needed to see her or she felt as though she was going to be driven completely mad. Serana just couldn't understand it, one moment she couldn't bring herself to even so much as look at Skylar and then she had the undying urge to go and see her. It made no sense.
"She is not ready to see you yet." Isran said with his nose in a book. Isran reading a book... That in itself was a very rare sight to see. "She is still recovering and if I am not mistaken." He paused for a moment to lick his finger before he turned a very aged looking page. "She is in a dead sleep." He grumbled as she began to scan his new page.
Serana ran her hands through her hair and tilted her head back and groaned in frustration as she flopped down onto a throne like chair that was behind her. "What happened to her...?" Serana finally sighed as she slouched in her chair.
"I cannot say, in fact no one can really say." Isran grumbled as he placed his book down onto the table when he realized that it was impossible for him to concentrate as long as Serana kept talking. His little hobby that he had acquired was slowly dying, eventually he would be back to his hobby of hunting his enemies. "Skylar said that she just wanted to be alone. I myself have checked on her a few times and so far all I have seen is her sleeping." He admitted with a shrug. "She is just so tired at the moment and quite honestly I think that in itself is understandable." He said as he ran a hand over his chin.
Isran could see that Serana was very troubled. It was understandable but at the same time Serana had to respect Skylar's wishes.
After a war with both herself and Isran Serana eventually sat down with her head in her hands and sighed in defeat. Why did life have to be this way? It just was not fair... Why couldn't they just be happy? After everything, Harkon finally gone for good... Skylar didn't even know Serana's name.
"You are aware of our little problem...? Correct?" Isran muttered as he once again began to flip through his book.
Serana looked up and she could have sworn that she saw tiny dust particles floating up from the moving pages. Just how old was that thing? She couldn't help but wonder what it was about also.
"What problem?" Serana said a little harsher than she intended to.
"Remember your little guest that you had down in the dungeons? The overgrown monster that had the collar that was much like Skylar's?" Isran asked as he arched a brow, glancing up to see that Serana was now looking at him with both of her brows furrowed.
"Yes, what about him?" She asked, starting to worry.
"He's gone... Along with your friend Valt and all the Vampire prisoners." Isran sighed. "If it isn't one thing there's another." Isran's voice sounded very annoyed but at the same time exhausted. "I am getting far too old for this..."
Serana was plunged deep into thought the moment she heard that the Werewolf was gone... Once Skylar got her memories back Serana knew that the girl would not be happy about it at all. Skylar seemed almost... Protective over the beast, but then when she heard about Valt... She couldn't help but feel anger begin to boil up from the pit of her stomach. There was just something about the man... Not only was the man determined that Serana was 'his'... Valt was just a too much of a loyal follower of her father. She was not about to give him the benefit of the doubt again and now that she knew that he had a werewolf under his control... But that was the thing.
Serana tilted her head to the side and blinked. She didn't know if the Werewolf would even follow Valt's lead... The collar would have lost all of it's power the moment Serana had crushed that cursed key in her hand, she would have guessed that the Werewolf would have run away from the castle with it's tail between it's legs.
Serana groaned and ran her hands over her face. She had forgotten about that creature, truth be told she had not even given it a second thought the moment they returned back to Skyrim, no one did, so no one would be able to even figure out just how long ago they left. Would the wolf follow Valt's lead...? The man was very persuasive and had a way with words. So... It was hard to tell.
"I'm going to head off to bed." Isran said as he pushed himself away from the table. "It's been a long year and I think we all have earned a nice long rest, missing giant werewolf or not... We all need to simply rest for a while." With that said Isran turned on his heel and walked away. "Oh! And let her rest Serana..." Isran's voice didn't sound too serious, instead he sounded slightly annoyed and very exhausted.
"Sleep well." Serana gave him a little wave but she was too preoccupied with her thoughts to really pay attention. "Missing Werewolf... Missing Valt... Missing prisoner Vampires..." She muttered to herself as she chewed on her bottom lip and ran her hand over her chin. "Can only mean trouble... Valt..." She whispered as she glanced up to look up and out a window. "Just what are you planning...?" She hoped that Valt knew about Harkon's downfall. If he did then maybe that would mean he wouldn't try anything. Maybe he was long gone now... Or at least wouldn't try anything for a while and give them all a chance to rest. There was no way Serana could go up against anymore enemies for a while.
She sighed and buried her face back in her hands for what felt like the millionth time that day. She needed to be with Skylar, Skylar needed her now. She needed to focus on Skylar getting better. That was what she needed to do now. She didn't want to have to worry about a man who her father promised her hand to long ago.
"Hmm..." She hummed as she pushed herself away from the table. She didn't know how or why but eventually she found herself in the dungeons under the castle. She began to look around for anything that was out of the ordinary...
One of the things that quickly caught her attention was the door to the jail cell that belonged to the Werewolf.
"Wow..." She chuckled with her hands on her hips as she stared at the door. It was on the other side of the room. It had been ripped clean off it's hinges and thrown. Under the door was a very much, lifeless corpse of a vampire. "You don't look like you had a very good time." Serana sighed as she tilted her head. It was obvious the Werewolf didn't care about Vampires. "Good chance... Beast boy didn't like Valt... So it's good chance Valt didn't get the pet he wanted." She chuckled. "Good."
She took one last look around before she began to make her way back up to the main part of the castle. There were a few Dawnguard soldiers walking around. Many didn't pay her any mind at all.
Finally she reached her own room where she looked around and sighed. This was the same bedroom that had been her's and her's alone for many years, even before things went downhill with her family. There was no bed, but instead a coffin. Despite how morbid it was it was actually quite comfy.
She settled herself in and sighed as she stared up at the ceiling. With her arms at her sides she couldn't help it when her mind kept going back to Skylar. She wanted so badly just to go and see her. She didn't know what she would say or do... But... That didn't stop Serana from sitting up after about half an hour.
Ever so slowly she made her way down hallway after hallway. She didn't exactly know what it was she was doing until she found herself standing outside the door that stood between her and the vary woman she had fallen in love with. She closed her eyes and placed her hand on the door's surface before she leaned her forehead against it as well. Her eyes slid shut and she bit her bottom lip. Part of her wanted to burst through that door and take Skylar into her arms and never ever let her go. She wanted to promise her that everything was going to be ok and that she was going be with her for every step it takes to get Skylar back to being strong, happy, and healthy again. She wanted to so badly see that goofy huge grin that Skylar used to wear, she had not seen it in so long. She had not held her for so long, she hadn't kissed her... She hadn't even spoken to her... Serana wanted her Skyler back.
She pulled her forehead away from the door and sighed.
The other part of Serana wanted to turn around and walk away to give Skylar the time and space she not only needed but deserved. No matter how long she needed Serana would wait for her, Serana would always wait for her. After everything Skylar had been through she needed to heal, she needed time, she needed so much. But Serana also knew that Skylar also needed to be cared for and loved.
Serana tilted her head back and sighed. This was such a complicated situation. She had never known anyone to lose their memory like this before. Skylar didn't know any of her friends names... Not even Isran. Isran had even asked Skylar if she knew anyone by the name of Aela, Skylar's mind was blank. It was like she didn't know anyone at all. It was like opening a book where every page was completely blank. Not one word. Yes it could have something to do with the collar that had been around Skylar's neck for so long, but... Well... Serana hoped it was the collar. If something happened that traumatized Skylar this bad... Serana bit her bottom lip again and felt her heart clench in her chest. "Oh... Skylar..." She whispered. Skylar was going to be scarred for life. Somehow she knew that the stupid collar had something to do with her memories, but trauma must have had a part in it... Something happened. Something big. She saw it in Skylar's eyes. Fear, trauma, complete and total scarring.
Serana caressed her fingers over the wooden material of the wooden barrier before she slowly began to turn around and make her way back to her own room.
But about halfway down the hallway without even realizing it Serana had turned on her heel and was walking straight back to Skylar's room with her shoulders squared and confidence in her step. She had to see her. She just had to. Even if Skylar didn't know she was there.
She paused for only a moment in front of the door before she carefully and ever so slowly opened the door and peeked inside.
There was darkness that Serana's glowing red eyes cut right through.
She could make out the shape of Skylar's small frame curled up into a little ball on a bed. The covers were off her and she was breathing very calmly. She was asleep. Serana was happy to see that Skylar was resting. Rest was good.
She could see her small hand twitch every now and then. She must have been dreaming, Serana could only hope that it was not a nightmare.
She quietly pushed the door open and made her way into the room and over to the side of the bed where she knelt down and crossed her arms and leaned them on the bed. After she gently took the blankets and covered Skylar with them She rested her chin on her arms and just stared at Skylar through the darkness.
The Werewolf's face looked so calm. Serana couldn't stop herself from reaching over and brushing a stray strand of hair out of Skylar's face.
She pulled her hand away when she heard Skylar breath in. She watched as her brow twitched but then went back to being calm.
Serana stayed like that, leaning on the bed, sitting on the floor, staring at Skylar, watching over her, protecting her from any harm.
Serana didn't know how much time passed until she caught sight of the Sky turning a different color from the sun rising in the distance.
She looked out the window for a few more moments before she leaned forward and placed a very tender and loving kiss against Skylar's forehead. "This time... My promise to keep you safe... It will not break. I won't break it... If anyone even dares to try to hurt you I will see them suffer." She murmured so quietly that she herself almost couldn't hear her own words.
And just moments before Skylar woke Serana had silently slipped out of the room and retreated back to her own, leaving Skylar to sit up with a confused look on her face.
She could have sworn that there had been someone watching her the entire night. The only reason why Skylar didn't do anything about it was because she didn't feel threatened at all. She actually felt quite the opposite. Safe and secure.
Skylar slung her legs over the edge of the bed as she rubbed her eyes. She chalked it up and shrugged it off thinking that maybe she had dreamed it. Skylar was having such odd dreams lately. They were so vivid but so chopped up that they made no sense. Every dream she had was completely shattered shards.
But the funny thing was... Last night was the first night she had been able to sleep without waking every hour. The entire night she had felt the presence of someone. Someone that wanted to keep her safe.
Skylar pulled on some clothes and slowly stepped out into the hallway. Truth be told that was the first time she stepped out of that room since she got back. She just felt so nervous around everyone... And that Vampire girl... There was just something about her, why did Skylar feel like she was always watching her when Skylar's back was turned?
And the bigger question was... Why was the Dawnguard, people who were supposed to be Vampire hunters... Why were they allowing them to be here, why were the Dawnguard associating themselves with vampires? Shouldn't they be attacking them?
Skylar rubbed the back of her neck and sighed. Perhaps she was being too stuck up... The Vampire woman hadn't done anything to hurt her... Yet.
If that Isran guy trusted her than maybe Skylar should at least give her a chance?
Skylar slowly made her way over to a balcony and leaned against the bars as she looked down over the main part of the castle. She could see Dawnguard soldiers having breakfast, Isran chatting to two of his friends... And the Vampire woman sitting in a throne at the head of the table. She had her chin in the palm of her hand and the goblet of what Skylar believe to be blood had gone completely untouched.
Skylar tilted her head to the side and almost instantly regretted it. She gave a soft yelp as her hand flew to the side of her neck. She was so stiff and sore and bruised for reasons she didn't know. Every movement she made was thought out. If she wanted to look to the side but had to turn her head, instead of turning her head she turned her whole upper part of her body. That was how stiff and sore she was. She felt like she had been stepped on by a Giant. No one was telling her anything. She felt like everyone knew some and was determined to keep it hidden from her. But Skylar was determined to find out what it was one way or another.
She sighed and hung her head very carefully for a moment. The only people who had spoken to her was Isran, a man by the name of Gunmar, and a woman by the name of Sorine. All of them were nice people, Isran had a very different kind of sense of humor. All three of them seemed like they were talking very carefully with Skylar. When Skylar tried to ask them why her head felt so weird they completely directed the conversation to another direction...
Finally Skylar had just decided to just detach herself from all three of them. She knew that they all meant well but all they were doing was frustrating her and making the headaches that were plaguing her far worse than they originally were.
Sorine tried to have 'Girl Talk' With Skylar but Skylar just closed her bedroom door and told her to go away. If they didn't want to give her answers Skylar either wanted to get out of that castle and go off on her own... Which they made clear was out of the question... Or Stay in her room.
Was Skylar a prisoner?
She lifted her head again and looked down at the group of people.
Her eyes almost instantly caught the sight of glowing red ones, looking at those eyes sent chills down Skylar's spine and she couldn't bring herself to look away from them. She was... Captivated. There was something in that gaze... Something... That made Skylar's stomach feel like it was doing a backflip.
The Vampire woman was staring at her. Her chin was still in her hand while her other was now holding the goblet of blood. Skylar couldn't read the look that was on the woman's face as she brought the goblet to her lips and sipped the rich crimson liquid. It was a second later when the woman pulled the cup away from her lips, tongue showing itself for only a second to gather up what might have been left behind on her top lip. Not once did her eyes leave Skylar's. Every second that past made Skylar feel like tiny spiders were crawling up and down her spine, she couldn't help but to shiver as her hands gripped the railing that she was leaning against so tightly that her knuckles turned white. There was something about this Vampire... Why did she look so interested in Skylar?
The woman's chin was still in her hand as her other made small circular motions, swishing around the dark crimson liquid in the goblet. Skylar saw the woman's lips moving for a few seconds before Skylar realized that she was talking to Sorine.
Skylar's eyes shot over to Sorine and caught her glancing up at Skylar before her head whipped back towards the Vampire woman. They were talking about something and Skylar couldn't help but to wonder what exactly it was. They were too far away for Skylar to hear anything and the voices from all the Dawnguard soldiers didn't make trying to tune into a conversation any easier. Was this woman a Vampire queen or something?
Skylar's hands dropped from the Rail as she took a step back. The Vampire was still watching her, but the moment Skylar took a step back her brow furrowed and she placed her goblet down, her lips moving quickly as she pushed herself away from the table, but Sorine stopped her by placing a hand on the Vampire's shoulder.
What was going on?
Skylar felt her frustration's begin to build up. She felt so out of the loop and part of that was her fault for detaching herself from these people. But at the same time... Did she have any choice?
Skylar blinked a few times before her hand slowly came up to her face. She felt something trickle down her cheek. At first she thought it was maybe sweat or the unlikely chance of a tear... But when she pulled her hand away from her face to find that there was blood on her fingers she found herself very confused. She ran her hands over her face to rid herself of the blood... Was it coming from her eyes!?
Skylar could feel her headache returning once again as she dropped her now bloodstained hands. She felt like she should be freaking out about the fact that there was blood coming out of her eyes... But... Why was she so calm? Nothing made sense anymore. She was not sure if anything ever did made any sense to be honest. She couldn't think... She couldn't remember. She felt like her mind was not working right. She felt like she was slightly detached from reality... Like she was walking on a cloud, or in some kind of dream. Was she drugged? Did she hit her head?
"I need to leave this place..." She whispered to herself as she took another step back, eyes still on the Vampire. But she knew if she even tried to set foot off the castle ground that people would come running after her. Would they lock her in a dungeon? Would they go that far? All these questions she didn't have the answers to were starting to drive her crazy.
Finally after one last moment she turned on her heel and began to walk briskly down the hall, away from the Vampire's eyes. She didn't know exactly where she was going but she just had to get make some distance between her and that woman. She felt like she was suffocating.
Eventually Skylar found herself on top of a tower outside, happy she decided to wear something warm. It was cold outside and it was snowing.
What was going on? Why was she in this stupid castle? Why was everyone so paranoid when Skylar was around and why did that Vampire woman keep staring at her? Skylar didn't need to be watched, the woman was acting like a guard dog! It was Irrational! Did they not want her to leave that badly!?
Skylar groaned and gripped her hair in her hands as she tilted her head back. "WHAT IS GOING ON!? Why can't I... Think...?" Her words ended in whispers before she finally sighed and dropped her arms to her sides. Her headache was returning. Her brain felt like it was pulsing and she was starting to feel dizzy. All she could do was shakily sit down in a wooden chair that was only a few feet away from where she had been standing only seconds before.
She placed her hands on a snow coated wooden table and shook her head. Was she sick?
Skylar heard the door behind her open and close before a set of footsteps began to make their way towards her. "You know... You should come down and eat something. I don't think I remember you eating anything yesterday... Or even the day before." It was Sorine's voice.
Skylar winced when she felt the woman's hand touch her shoulder for only a brief second before she pulled it away.
Skylar didn't know why she reacted the way she did at something as simple as a hand on her shoulder. Maybe she was more sore than she first anticipated. "I'm not hungry." Skylar's voice was raspy as she turned in her chair to look up at the woman.
She could see that worry was as clear on Sorine's face as the snow falling from the sky. The hand that she must have used to touch Skylar was still being held up in mid air as if she had been shocked by Skylar's reaction. It was at least twenty seconds before she dropped her hand and nodded slowly.
"Do you mind if I sit with you?" Sorine asked quietly, eyes not leaving Skylar's face.
Why was everyone Staring at her today? Didn't they know that it was rude to stare? Skylar couldn't help but feel an irrational amount of annoyance beginning to build up in her chest. She wanted to yell at Sorine and tell her to either explain everything or go away. But instead Skylar just sat there in silence, staring at her own hands that were on the table.
But despite the annoyance, despite the frustration, anger, despite everything Skylar just nodded and listened to the creaks of the wooden chair as Sorine sat down across from her.
"So... How are you feeling?" Sorine's voice was suddenly joyous.
Skylar didn't have to guess that she was trying to divert her attention away from something once again. "Fine." Was all Skylar said as she watched as a snowflake landed on the back of her hand, but quickly melted away.
"That's good... You know I am very serious about you going down to get something to eat, not eating for a long period of time can't be good... You don't look so good, you seem very pale and-" Sorine flinched as she was cut off.
"I said I am fine." Skylar's head snapped up so she could look at Sorine. "Why am I here?" Skylar asked. This time her voice sounded like it was desperate. Skylar silently cursed herself, she didn't want to sound like she was vulnerable in anyway.
Sorine's mouth opened and closed a few times. The last thing they wanted to do was explain the whole situation. Everyone was hoping that Skylar's memories would come back. They thought if they tried to tell her things that Skylar would only get frustrated and then that would only make things worse. Everyone knew that Skylar must have suffered far more than they first anticipated the moment they saw her with Harkon. They couldn't let her break.. They had to let her heal on her own, they couldn't push her at all.
Serana, herself, was already becoming antsy. She wanted to talk to Skylar so badly. Sorine and Gunmar were doing their best to keep Serana busy until Skylar was ready to see her.
"That woman." Skylar's voice cut right through Sorine's thoughts.
Sorine felt her brow twitch.
"Why was she staring at me?... Does she stare at me often?" Skylar asked with a brow furrowed. "And I would like the truth please." Skylar's voice was calm as the wind blew around them.
"She... Saw that you were bleeding." Sorine coughed. Technically it wasn't a lie. "From your eyes... I think. She was worried." That was something that puzzled everyone. That had not been the first time they saw Skylar bleeding from her eyes. When they brought her back from Harkon's hideout... When they sat her up on the table the first thing that happened was tears of blood seeped from her eyes.
The looks on everyone's faces was enough to say that something was very wrong. And they didn't know what. Isran tried to put everyone's minds at ease by telling them that it was a side effect from the collar's magic and that Skylar would heal over time. Skylar believed it, but the look on Serana's face told everyone that she was not buying it, but at the same time she didn't have any answers.
So to keep Skylar from panicking they told her that it was the effects of a spell and that it would go away with time... And that is what they were hoping.
"She was... Worried?" The corner of Skylar's lip drew up into a little sneer as she scoffed. "Why would a vampire be worried about me?... Don't Vampires... You know... Drink blood... Are you sure that she just wasn't thirsty?" She asked with a low chuckle.
Sorine actually began to laugh. "No, no... I promise you that she is not like that, believe it or not she is on our side." Sorine laughed for a few more seconds before her laughter died down and her smile slowly faded. Skylar didn't look to happy... Not at all.
"And by... 'Our side' do you mean your side?" Skylar pointed out a little harsher than she intended to. "So what? Am I your prisoner?" She asked.
"NO! You're not... Oh god... Is that what you are thinking!?" Sorine looked at Skylar with wide, shocked eyes.
"Well, you guys have me locked up in this castle, won't let me leave, are watching my every move, if I try to go anywhere you guys always have a guard following me around and if not that, that vampire's eyes are always on me... So if I am not a prisoner... You sure have a weird way of treating guests." Skylar spat as she looked away. "And you're not going to tell me anything are you?" She sighed already know that Sorine was not going to say anything else. "You know what... Can I just be alone for a while...?" She asked quietly. "Please... I have a headache and I don't think that I can take any stress right now..." Skylar leaned forward in her chair and buried her face in her hands.
She heard the chair creak once again after a few moments as Sorine stood up.
"And please... Don't touch me... I don't like it when people touch me." Those words left Skylar's mouth before she could even stop herself. Truth be told she honestly didn't know why she even said that. But those words were enough to make the brows on Sorine's face raise and her shoulders drop a bit.
With a heavy heart Sorine gave a few short nods despite the fact that Skylar was not even looking at her. There was a second of delay before Sorine opened her mouth once again. "That offer for something to eat still stands, it might do you some good." She murmured before she climbed back into the tower, leaving Skylar alone to her thoughts. As long as Skylar was in the state she was in then there was going to not be any progress at all. She was not going to trust anyone, not Isran, not Sorine, Not Gunmar and definitely not Serana. This was a very complicated situation that they were in. No one knew what to do. All anyone could do was wait.
Skylar tilted her head back so that she was looking up towards the sky when she was certain that she was alone. She could feel the little pecks of ice on her skin as the snow continued to fall. "I have to leave this place." She sighed, slowly shaking her head. This was just crazy, why was she still sticking around that castle? She needed to find a way to get out and soon.
When Skylar felt as though her fingers were numb from the cold she finally decided that maybe it was a good idea to head back inside. Frost bite from sitting outside was not something she really wanted.
She wandered around the castle for a while before she finally decided to go back to her own room. When she did she found a tray of food sitting on the bedside table but no trace of where it came. The Werewolf made her way over to the tray after she shut the door behind her. She had half a mind to pick up the tray and throw it out the window, for all she knew it was probably poison. She wouldn't be surprised at all. She had not reason to trust these people.
But when Skylar gave it a quick sniff she realized that there was no trace of any lethal poisons at all. It was just a normal breakfast. Nothing dangerous about it at all.
Skylar couldn't help but wonder who left the tray of food in her room. Sorine? Maybe? It was her who kept on suggesting it. Finally Skylar just shrugged and slowly began to munch on a piece of bread after fiddling with it in her hands for a few moments. She still had so many questions, no answers. And no one willing to give her any.
One thing was for sure, she couldn't get the image of that Vampire Woman's sharp red glowing eyes out of her mind. How she looked at her from that Throne with her goblet of blood in her hand made Skylar feel things that she couldn't explain at all. How was she able to bring such a reaction out of Skylar?
Any normal person would have either attacked or ran for the hills already. Knowing that they were potentially a target for a Vampire.
Skylar sat on her bed and her brow almost instantly furrowed when she heard something.
Placing her bread back on the tray she reached over to her pillow and lifted it, surprised to find a neatly folded piece of paper with her name very gracefully written on the front.
Skylar looked around again now very confused. "What the hell...?" She whispered quietly as she tapped the paper with her finger a few times. Part of her wanted to burn it and not give it a second glance. Skylar quickly learned that she was actually a very curious creature the moment she began to unfold the piece of paper.
Meet me down by the dock tonight at high moon.
I will be there.
You can trust me.
Skylar turned the paper over a few times shaking her head. There was no name no explanation no nothing. "Great..." Skylar breathed as she closed her eyes.
What exactly was she involved in? But this was the only lead she had.
Skylar didn't leave her room again that day. It was only when the sun went down and the moon was high up in the sky did her door slowly creak open and she began to very carefully make her way through the castle, unseen.
She paused when she saw a few Dawnguard soldiers sleeping on tables. One thing was fore sure... Dawnguard soldiers were quite sloppy.
She sighed and shook her head, leaving the castle to make her way down to the dock. This was the farthest she had been away from the castle since she got there.
She arrived on the dock and stood there for a few moments. Then an hour went by and her frustration had reached it's peak.
"Ok, seriously... Where are you... Is this some kind of prank?" Skylar hissed. She was ready to turn around and make her way back into the castle. She knew if she tried to leave they would hunt her down. Maybe she was being watched at that very moment?
Why didn't she try to leave? Maybe she would be able to make it across the lake and run for it?
Skylar took a few steps towards the castle, but then she had a spike of confidence and turned on her heel to make her way back to a little rowboat that she could use.
But the moment she turned around and took a single step she ran directly into a tall solid body. She stumbled back a few steps before she landed on her rear. She looked up at a pale skinned man who was wearing a crooked smile on his face. But the first thing that Skylar noticed was that his eyes were glowing red. He was a vampire.
Skylar almost instantly began to scramble backwards.
It was a trick.
"You bastard." She whispered. "I knew it... You just want my blood." She hissed as she jumped to her feet.
"Now, now, calm yourself. I mean you no harm." The man said as he shook his head.
"You expect me to trust you!?" Skylar snapped.
"Put it this way, if I wanted to kill you, you would already be dead." He sighed.
Skylar just stared at him. Not knowing what to think.
"Here..." He held his hand out for her to shake. "The name is Valt... And at this point I am probably the only one you can trust right now." The man flashed a crooked smile again as he watched as Skylar shifted her weight from one foot to the other, debating with herself.
But soon she reached out and took his hand in her own.
"We are going to be really good friends... And I am going to help you." Valt smiled. "I have a few things that might answer a few of those questions that are bouncing around on the inside that pretty little skull of yours... But you have to listen to me." Valt explained, smile not once leaving his face.