Night-walkers

An Elder Scrolls: Skyrim Fanfiction

Disclaimer: the author claims no ownership for Skyrim, The Elder Scrolls, and pretty much anything you might recognize

Chapter Two: Awakening


she was young, she looked harmless, and there was a strange looking scroll on her back.

Those were the first three things Eradil thought about the woman he'd just released. Two of those were proven false in the same day.

She asked "who sent you here?"

Not lowering his Crossbow, Eradil said "a man named Isran. From Dawnguard" he looked at her. She looked to be in her twenties, with shoulder-length raven black hair, part of it in an intricate braid that wrapped around the back of her head. Her skin was pale as the snow Skyrim was so full of, which made her lips more noticeable.

The strangest thing about her were the eyes. They were not in any color he'd seen before. The eye was in the same color, and I mean that as in the entire eye socket in the same color. It was red, though not as red as the eyes of Dunmer, and her eyes were glowing.

He continued, "who were you expecting?"

The woman said, "well, someone like me, at the very least"

Like her…suddenly, everything made sense. Her pale skin, her eyes. How she'd been alive for probably hundreds of years, he said "like you…you're a Vampire?"

"I'm a Vampire. Yes" she said, crossing her arms like it wasn't important, though her eyes dared him to say otherwise.

Eradil frowned, "the Dawnguard would want me to kill you"

She said "who is this Dawnguard you talk about?" he explained "Dawnguard is a group of Vigilants, dedicated to fighting the growing Vampire menace"

"wow, people are still the same." She said, "how long have you been with this civilized bunch?"

He said "less than a week"

"less than a week of experience, and this is the place they send you?" She chuckled, "either they're too optimistic, or you're too expendable to care about"

She was right, and from what he had seen, Isran was anything but Optimistic.

She sighed, "Look, you kill me, you've killed one vampire. But if people are after me, there's probably something bigger going on. I can help you find out what it is"

He said "Well, fair enough." He put the crossbow on his back, "besides, I've had my share of fighting for today. I'm not gonna start one" her stance eased into one of relief, he asked "where do you need to go?"

"My family used to live in an island west of Solitude. I guess they're probably still there." She said, before remembering something, "oh, and by the way, Name's Serana. Good to meet you"

"good to meet you as well, I guess." He said, unsure on how to act, "I'm Eradil. What is that on your back?"

She said "that is an elder scroll, and its mine" she folded her arms under her breasts, a note of warning in her voice.

"why in oblivion do you have an elder scroll?" he asked.

"it's…complicated. I can't really talk about that to someone I just met. Sorry"

Knowing there was no hope about the scroll, he said "Why were you locked in the Sarcophagus?"

She hesitated, "I'd rather not get into that with you. Someone I just met and all" she said, "if that's okay with you"

Looking at his face, he explained, "I'm sorry, it's not that-it's just…I don't know who I can trust just yet. Let's go to my home, and I'll have a better sense of where we all stand"

"Okay. As you wish" Eradil said, "let's get going then"

Halfway throw the bridge that connected them to another part of the crypt, he remembered something, "by the way…how long have you been there?"

She stopped, "that's actually a good question. I can't answer that though. I just feel like it was a long time" she paused, "who's the high king of Skyrim?"

Eradil Chuckled, "well, depends on who you ask" "Ah, a war of succession. I was right. People are still the same. Who are the contenders?"

"well, on the west side, Winterhold, Eastmarch, the Pale, and the Rift side with Ulfric Stormcloak. Haafingar, the Reach and Falkreath stand with Elisif the Fair, who's also supported by the empire. The middle is neutral, and doesn't stand with either"

She raised an eyebrow, "so it's a battle between the two sides of-wait" she said, "the Empire? What empire?" she asked.

Eradil paused, "the empire of Cyrodil, of course"

"cyrodill is the seat to an empire?" she asked with wonder. He paused, "…you've been there for a long time. the empire has been around for three eras"

"wow, that's long." She said, "I've been there much longer that what we'd planned. Please hurry. We need to get home as soon as possible"

As they stepped off the bridge, Eradil saw two more of the same said weird statues, as he was walking, Serana said "wait"

He paused, and turned around to see she was pointing at the statues, "Gargoyles. Dangerous if we wake-" one of the statues exploded, and a beast similar to the statue rose out of its debris. It screeched, and unleashed its talons "-them."

The screech woke the second Gargoyle, and Serana said "nevermind that. Let's see if I still have my skills after so many years of sleeping."

And she still had them, and those skills she was talking about, they were a thousand times greater than he ever hoped to be.

she threw two ice spears at the nearest gargoyle, felling it, before drawing a dagger and attacking the second.

The second one fell as well, and then, she casted a necromantic spell, raising the first gargoyle, and said "c'mon then, the exit's that way!"

And ran to the exit. So much for me escorting her. he followed her, to see she was in a large room almost like an arena, with several Skeletons fighting her.

Her knew of the skeletons. Draugr, the ancient Nordic people who'd rose for some reason, years after their dead. The beasts fought well, but the state of their weapons and bodies were a huge disadvantage for them, weakening their bodies so much that a packed punch could destroy them.

Unfortunately, that was not the case for all of them.

Each Crypt (and Eradil supposed this could be counted as one of them) had a few honored dead, and those were well armed, mostly wearing ebony armor.

This crypt had three honored dead, each of them armed with an ebony sword.

Serana Fought two of them, and was too busy to fight the third, who noticed Eradil, grunted "unslaad krosis" and ran towards him, swinging around wildly at the last second.

Eradil jumped back, and with a bit of trouble, swiped the Zombie's feet, making it collapse.

He forgot the armor he wore. With a yelp of pain, he jumped back, cursing. Then, raised his hands at the Draugr, and unleashed a turret of flames upon it. The zombie tried to flee, but he failed. The problem with unenchanted armor is that it can burn when you set it on fire, and this piece of Ebony was far from enchanted. Of course Ebony doesn't burn, but it can conduct fire, and Rotten bones can't resist fire.

The demon was down before long, and Eradil tried to rise, and cursed. His right leg wasn't broken, thanks to the heavy armor, but pretty much out of use until it would be healed properly. Eradil was not a healer.

Thankfully he was a hoarder of potions, and in his pack, he had plenty of healing potions.

He drank one of them, trying to ignore the sweet taste, and then rose. His foot was almost as good as new.

A few minutes later, after picking up the sword from the Draugr's Body, he searched and found a lever that opened the gate that blocked their way to the exit, and the two left the Crypt.

The moment they were out, beneath the sunlight, Serana cursed, by the Gods, I'd forgotten how much sunlight can hurt!"

He said "I'd heard the vampires would burn under sunlight"

She laughed, "that's not true. Well, actually it is, but that's not the case in Skyrim. The Cloudy Climate helps us block most of the effects, and of course the cold is something Vampires like. If I remember correctly, most people in skyrim become Vampires from Sanguinaire Vampiris, which is different to the other deceases that make people vampires. one of its differences is that sun damage is not lethal. Well, not on its own."

He said "well, there we are. Welcome to 4th era Skyrim and all that. Now, tell me more about your home"

"well, my home is on an island in the sea of Ghosts, between Skyrim and High rock. Hopefully there is a boat we can use to take us there. It's my family home. Not the most welcoming place for one of …well…normal people. Depending on who's around, I'll be safe there."

I nodded, "so, the easiest way there is by boat. Maybe we can charter old Harlaug to take us there. C'mon. let us travel to Dawnstar"


Three hours later, they were in Dawnstar. On the other side of the town, on the small docks, there was a small boat, with an old man standing near it.

Eradil walked towards the man, and said "hello, kind sir. Can I ask for a ride?"

The old man said "with enough coin, you can. Where do you want to go?" "an old island near the Border of High rock. I have some friends there-" "the one with the ruined castle? What sort of friends do you have? The place's Haunted! Even the most seasoned of sailors don't go there!"

"but I really need to get there. It's a matter of honor" he said, knowing most nords would soften by the mere mention of it. This one said "and my case is a matter of survival. Sorry, Elf. I can't take you there" "even if I pay double the price?" "the boat's ready for travel. Come along!"

The two got into the boat, sitting, and the Sailor took them to the island, or to a dock near it.

He said "that's as far as I can take you. I'm not gonna hang around, sorry"

As the two got off the boat, serana looked around. "well. That is that. There is the island" she pointed to the island, some distance away from them. "how are we going to get there? Swim?"

Eradil shook his head, "Fortunately, someone in the…" he looked for the name of the dock, "Icewater Jetty is our friend. We'll sail!"

It took him an hour of sailing a rowboat to finally reach the dock on the island.

When they were finally off, Serana said "that's it. Home sweet home." She breathed deeply, "hey, so…before we go in…" she trailed off.w

"what?" he asked. She seemed troubled by something, but he had no idea what.

"I wanted to thank you for coming with me this far, but after we get in, I'm going to go my own way for a while. I think-" she shook it off, "I know your civilized friends would want to kill everyone there, but do be kind enough to show more control than that"

Even now, Eradil knew he wasn't going back to Isran, "oh, don't worry. I'll be on my best behavior"

They walked over a large stone bridge, The main door to the castle on its other end. Two Gargoyle statues on each side, one more on the rooftops of a watchtower near the docks.

As soon as they reached the door, a gate fell, blocking the path. Serana said "now, remember. Once we're inside, let me take the lead. No showmanship, no show of magic, or might, or chivalry. Just follow me and try to look important." Eradil nodded, "let us get in the castle first"

Near the fallen gate, an old man was standing. Strangely, he hadn't the yellow eyes of a vampire.

He couldn't possibly be 4 eras old, but he knew something. As soon as he saw Serana, he brightened up, and yelled "Lady Serana's Back! LOWER THE GATES!"

The gates raised, and the two walked to the door, the old man said "after all this time…Lady Serana's Back! Welcome to the Volkihar keep, M'lady!"

Serana said "you heard him. Welome to the Volkihar keep."

Inside, before he could do anything, eradil heard a hiss. Before he knew it, a fellow Altmer with glowing eyes had grabbed him and slammed him to the door. The Altmer said in a violent tone "how dare you trespass here, you insolent-" someone Coughed twice.

The Elf looked around to see Serana, folding her arms beneath her breasts with an unimpressed look in her face.

"wait…SERANA?" he said, in shock, "is that actually you? I can't believe my eyes!" he let go of Eradil, and ran to the balcony, facing a large room. "M'lord! EVERYONE! Serana has returned!"

Serana said "well, I guess I'm accepted. Come along, then."

Eradil followed the Nordic Vampire until they reached the courtroom.

What Eradil saw there was the most shocking experience of his life.


End of Chapter Two

Notes:

The guard in the Volkihar keep. He's just there to say 'SERANA has returned' and then never to be seen again. Well, that would be okay if he was a vampire, but he's not (he doesn't have the eyes, and of course he isn't considered a vampire by the game). How old is that guy? My head-canon is that nords live almost as long as normal skandinavian humans do (which is almost 90 years, at best). Serana was born in, presumably, the first era!

How old is Serana? The first Empire of Cyrodil was founded in the first era, and she doesn't recognize it. The Game says nothing about her age, if anyone has found a canon reference that does, please inform me (by PM, or review)

While in game the main character is basically a living god (or at least after level 60 he is), normally, you don't sent a newbie to acrypt full of draugr, where Vampires can surely be found. My opinion is, Isran basically wanted to get rid of the newbie (which is, in game, the Dragonborn himself), and (if you sided with the Dawnguard) then he found himself the greatest recruit he could find. While I believe the Dawnguard is on the moral high ground, the dragonborn (in game, not as the playing character) would be extremely stupid to return to them after getting serana home.