A Tale of Dragons: Tanz do Iiz ahrk Yol
Chapter: 6
Old friends
"Dexion will be transported by the Khajiit caravan disguised as a merchant. Rune and Sapphire will also be with them dressed as guards in case they run into trouble." Brynjolf said as he looked over to the others sitting around the table.
"Yes, the caravan will drop them off at Ivarstead. We know the innkeeper there." Khara handed a letter over to Sapphire. "Just give that to the innkeeper, Wilhelm and he'll sort you out."
"Sure thing, boss." Sapphire said as she grabbed the letter.
"Good, you and Rune can leave when me and Serana get there." Sapphire nodded. Khara looked over to the priest. "When me and Serana get there, we'll travel up to High Hrothgar."
"Very well, but why won't you two travel with us to Ivarstead?" Dexion asked.
"Because I don't have both Scrolls at the same location. While you travel to Ivarstead, we are going to fetch the other one." Khara explained to the group.
"Brynjolf and Delvin here will spread false rumors that a Moth priest is currently in Winterhold doing research on a dwarven ruin. Hopefully if anyone comes looking for him, that's where they'll end up."
"Aye, we've already sent ravens to most of the province's taverns." Delvin said as he patted Brynjolf on his shoulder.
"That's clever, when do we leave?" Rune asked as he leaned back in his seat with his arms crossed.
"In an hour if everyone is ready?" Khara asked as she looked around, everyone nodded to her. "Alright, get ready then. We'll meet at the stables in an hour." And with that the group left the table and Serana and Khara walked to Khara's bedroom.
After Dexion had agreed to read the Scrolls for them they had traveled straight back to Riften. The old man said that he would need some time in order to prepare to read them. Khara thought that he would be safe at High Hrothgar, hopefully the Greybeards would let him stay there.
Once inside Khara removed her armor and sat down at the bed before removing her shirt. She then removed the bandages from her shoulder. Serana walked over and placed her hand over her wolf's new scar.
"Good to see it's fully healed." She said as she took the used bandages and placed them on a table. Khara stood up and put on the shirt again before walking over to Serana and leaning back on the wall with her arms crossed.
"Serana?" She asked in a low voice. The vampire looked into her eyes and raised her eyebrows in response. "Are you hungry?" Khara asked.
Serana looked at her. "A little." She responded with a small voice.
Khara smiled at her before looking around the room, there were no cups, but it only made Khara's smile grow. There was something she wanted to try. "Alright then, let's fix that."
Serana looked around the room and was about to head out to get a cup before a warm hand grabbed her wrist. Khara looked at her as she raised one hand to move her shirt a little, exposing more of her neck. Serana's eyes followed the slender neck before looking back into Khara's eyes. Is she doing what I think she's doing? Serana's eyes widened a little. "Are you…?" She then looked at Khara's neck again and gave a small nod towards it before looking back into the wolf's eyes.
Khara smiled and gave a small nod. Serana turned her head a little to the side while still meeting her gaze. The offer was pretty tempting to the vampire, but drinking from a willing victim was very intimate. "That's very personal, Khara. You don't have to." Serana said in a low voice.
"And if I said that I wanted to?" Khara asked in a low voice of her own as she lowered her shirt some more, giving the vampire an even better view of her neck. So, the wolf does know how to play. The vampire thought.
Serana looked at the neck, she could hear the flow of blood underneath the skin and it made her wet her lips. "Then who am I to deny you?" Serana said in a low voice as she walked closer to Khara. She searched Khara's eyes for any sign of doubt. They were so close to each other now so that they could feel the other's breath. "Are you absolutely sure? It might hurt a little." She asked.
"Yes, you took care of me when I needed it, let me do this for you." Khara whispered and Serana nodded with a smile before pressing her lips against Khara's, she then left behind a trail of featherlight kisses as she moved over to Khara's neck. The scent of raw fire was so strong now that it made Serana close her eyes as well as any space between their bodies. She leaned in and ran her lips over the exposed skin before placing a wet kiss on it. Khara tilted her head even more and moved her hands to Serana's back, holding her in place.
Serana took in a deep breath before gently lowering her fangs into the warm, soft skin and in the second Khara's blood hit Serana's tongue, she was lost. By the blood. Serana couldn't help but groan at the taste and press against Khara a little harder. It was almost impossible to describe the taste, but it felt like fire ran down her throat in the most delicious way possible. Khara's blood made every single thing Serana had ever tasted before seem so dull, lifeless and tame. This was something new and exciting, it was addictive. She felt an incredible feeling in the pit of her stomach and was struggling to keep herself from swallowing mouthful after mouthful, but she remained in control. Khara's blood was divine when she had gotten it in a cup, but this? This was beyond divine. Serana moved one hand to Khara's neck and the other one to her hip.
Meanwhile Khara was struggling to stand on her feet, she had no idea that it would feel like this for the victim. Her breathing increased with her heartbeat, she felt a little sting when Serana's fangs bit down into her neck, but the pain quickly faded and was replaced by something else, something rather enjoyable. She moved one hand up to Serana's neck as she let out a little whimper.
Serana slowed down before stopping completely. She ran her tongue over the two bite marks to stop the flow of blood before capturing the few drops of blood that were rolling down the neck with her lips. She too was breathing hard at this point, she leaned back slightly and turned her head towards Khara's where she was met with eager lips, something she really didn't mind.
Khara swiftly turned Serana around, pressing her against the wall as she kissed her. "No more cups, ever." She mumbled against cool lips as she pressed her body harder against the vampire, making Serana groan.
Knock. Knock. Knock. "Oi, boss. We're moving out in a few." They heard the muffled voice of Brynjolf on the other side of the door.
Khara moved her head towards the door. "Alright, we'll meet you out there in a moment." She answered and they could hear footsteps walking away. She turned her head back to Serana and met orange-glowing eyes and couldn't help but smile at the woman before placing one last kiss on the softest lips.
"Get your armor on." Serana mumbled against her lips while tightening her hold on her wolf.
Khara only chuckled. "Let go of me then." She whispered amused, making Serana groan as she let go of Khara. They shared a look before Khara took a step back with a grin on her face. She walked over to the bed and got her armor back on.
Serana walked over to a chair and sat down, still a little dazzled by what had just happened. "Where are we going again?" She asked as she looked at the woman before her.
"Eldergleam Sanctuary. It's to the north-west." Khara said as she got her Ebony Blade on her back and dagger on her belt.
Serana nodded and rose up when she saw that Khara was ready. Together they walked out of the room, through the Flagon and out towards the stables. There they were greeted by the group and the Khajiit merchants.
"Right, everyone knows what to do?" Brynjolf asked and everyone nodded to the man. "Good." He walked up to the leader of the caravan. "This should be enough, don't you think?" He said as he handed the Khajiit a bag of gold.
"Yes, this is very good." The Khajiit said as he put the bag on his belt. "We'll make sure they get to Ivarstead."
"Alright, let's move out." Rune said as he clapped his hand together and jumped on his horse. The caravan moved out and towards the west, towards Ivarstead as the two woman got on their own horses. They said goodbye to Delvin and Brynjolf before riding towards their destination as well.
"Can I ask you a question?" Serana said after a while of a comfortable silence. They had been riding for maybe two hours or so and had passed the little mining village of Shor's Stone a little while ago.
"Of course you can." Khara said as she sent Serana the most charming smile.
Serana felt a warm sensation at the smile and smiled back before asking. " How many titles do you have?" She had been wondering about this for a while now.
Khara laughed as she thought about it."Dragonborn, Guild Master, Archmage and Thane in Riften, Whiterun, Morthal, Solitude and Falkreath." Khara said while using her hand to keep track of the titles.
"That's impressive, it must have taken you a while to gain them all." Serana asked a little surprised.
"I got them all over the period of four years, I became Thane of Whiterun the same week I came to Skyrim." Khara smiled at the memories, even though her introduction to Skyrim hadn't been the best, it was still the best years of her life.
"Where were you before you came to Skyrim?" Serana didn't know this, she thought that Khara was born and raised in the province.
"Cyrodiil, I was traveling around getting jobs wherever I could before I came here in order to pay for the food and all."
"That's sounds tough, didn't your parents provide for you?"
"I never knew them, for all I know I don't have any, I've been on my own for as long as I can remember."
"What do you mean? Surely you remember someone taking care of you during your childhood?"
Khara turned her head to Serana. "I'm not sure if I had a childhood." She looked on the path ahead and lowered her head a little. " My first memories are from when I was around fifteen, it almost feels like I was just placed on this world." And that was the truth, her first memories were waking up in a forest, all alone.
"Is that even possible?" Serana asked surprised.
"I'm not sure, only the Gods knows." Khara offered the vampire a little smile.
"Doesn't it bother you? Not knowing your parents or your family?"
"No, not really." How could she? How can you miss someone when you don't even know they exist?
"Why?" Serana wanted to know the reason behind this, how could it not bother her?
"Because those closest to you tend to be the ones who hurt you the most." Serana felt those words in her chest, she understood why Khara would say that. Serana had felt that herself with her own family.
"Sounds like your talking from experience." She said in a low, gentle voice.
"I am." Khara said with a low voice. "You don't save the world without making a few enemies."
Serana was about to ask Khara what exactly she was talking about, she had a pretty good idea, but wanted the wolf to share it with her. She opened her mouth but closed it after a little sound was brought to her attention. She stopped her horse and Khara did the same when she noticed Serana had remained silent when she was expecting the vampire to speak.
They looked into the forest where the sound had come from. They jumped off their horses, Khara grabbed her Blade while Serana charged up a spell. Something was running towards them, but they didn't know what, trees and bushes made it impossible to see what was coming towards them. Khara took a step closer to the unknown.
"Holy shit!" Khara screamed as she jumped when a little red fox emerged from the bushes. She bowed down a little to gather herself, she was so sure something bigger was going to attack them, not a bloody fox. She let out a little laugh when she turned to Serana, who was also a little surprised. "I thought for a sec-." Khara quickly turned towards the trees again to see a huge sabre cat in midair going straight for her.
Khara's eyes widened as she raised her blade to act as a barrier between the cat's fangs and her own throat as it crashed into her, forcing her to fall to the ground. The sabre cat kept trying to get Khara's throat and face, but the blade was making it difficult. She couldn't keep this up for too long so she inhaled before shouting. "FUS RO DAH!" The cat flew back and hit a tree while being showered in flames by Serana.
Khara got back on her feet before running over to the cat that was being blinded by the flames currently burning away its fur and melting its flesh. The cat was moving around in unnatural ways and the sounds it was making was hair-rising to say the least as it was trying to escape the heat. Khara ended its misery with a quick move with her blade.
Serana moved over to her and looked for any wounds on her wolf. "Now we know why the fox was running." Khara said as she was trying to calm her breathing. Serana simply laughed at Khara's words and facial expression. She turned to see if the horse was still around and luckily for them, they had only moved a few feet.
They got back on their horses and continued riding, they crossed a couple of stone bridges before they were in another little mining settlement. They left their horses there as Khara told them that it wasn't much further now, and she was right.
"Here it is, shouldn't be anyone or anything in there." Khara said as she walked down into the cave.
Once inside they followed a narrow, dark path and the sound of water was becoming louder and louder. They came out to an opening and Serana's eyes widened at the sight.
"This place is incredible." Serana said in amazement as they followed the path. "I've never seen anything like it." She was looking all over the area, taking in every single detail.
"It sure is, one of Skyrim's hidden gems. There aren't too many places like this." Khara said as she looked at Serana and smiled at the vampire's face.
They walked over to where the path seemed to stop. "Is this it?" Serana asked as she looked around, the path stopped here, right in front of some huge roots that belonged to the tree above them.
"Not quite." Khara said as she grabbed her dagger from her belt and ran its blade along the root, cutting through the bark, the root curled up and gave them free passage. She continued to do this with all the roots as they walked up the path that was hidden not long ago. When they were on the top of the little hill the roots fell back down, blocking the path once more.
"Why did the roots move out of the way like that?" Serana narrowed her eyes on Khara. "Are you some sort of Champion of Nature as well?" She asked.
"Not as far as I know." Khara answered in amusement and walked over to Serana and showed the vampire her dagger. "This is Nettlebane, the only weapon old enough to cut through the bark of the Eldergleam Tree-" Khara nodded towards the huge tree only a few feet away from them and then continued. " Apparently the tree is older than metal itself so it can't be harmed by any other weapons. Nettlebane is the only thing that can hurt it so it tries to escape it whenever it's close, thus moving its roots out of the way."
Khara led Serana over to where there was a tangle of smaller roots and brought the dagger close to it. They moved out of the way and revealing a chest, Khara opened it and grabbed something wrapped in dark leather before placing it on her back.
"Alright, we have what we came for, let's get out of here."
"That's a clever hiding spot." Serana said as they walked back down the path, the roots moving out of their way.
"That's what I thought too, looks like it did its job just fine." Khara responded as they made their way back to their horses.
The road up to Ivarstead was a quiet one, they met a few bandits and a bear, but it didn't prove too much of a challenge for the pair. While climbing the steep path that would take them back to the Rift, they talked about the book that Serana had been reading for a few days now, the one about The Wolf Queen. Khara explained who Potema Septim was and what she did. They got on the topic on how Khara became Thane of Solitude and how she had gotten her house after dealing with the ghost of Potema herself.
They talked about huge events that had taken place in the few years, before talking more about current events, like the civil war and the return of the dragons. Khara told Serana about the different hold in Skyrim and their Jarls, who they were, what side they were on and so on.
As they were about to be able to see Ivarstead a dragon flew over them, high in the sky. Serana got a little worried.
"Don't worry, it won't attack." Khara said as she sent Serana a smile.
"And how do you know that?" Serana asked as she kept her eyes on the flying form above them that was on its way south.
"After Alduin's defeat some dragons swore to change their way of life, they won't attack villages or harm them in any way." Khara explained as she could now see the few buildings that populated Ivarstead.
"How do you know they won't attack?" Serana said as she turned her gaze to Khara.
"Dragons might be brutal and powerful creatures, but they are also honorable and true to their words." Khara said as she looked at the town before them. " If a dragon promises something, you can trust them to keep it."
"Does the same go for you?" Serana asked.
"It does." Khara said as she smiled at her.
Serana looked forward with a smile playing on her lips. "Good to know."
They tied their horses next to Rune and Sapphire's ones and walked into the tavern where they were approached by Wilhelm.
"I didn't expect to see you two so soon." He said with a huge smile before looking at Khara. "I got your letter, your friends are down in the basement, last door on the right." He said as he pointed to the stairs.
"Thank you, Wilhelm." Khara then took a few gems out of one of her pouches and handed them to the man. "Here, these should cover for the expenses."
Wilhelm's eyes went wide as he looked at the gems. "Thank you! With this I can upgrade some of the bedrooms, maybe even expand." He looked at Khara and Serana. " I don't care whose side you are on in this stupid war, you and your friends are always welcomed here." He said as he went over to some of the inn's other patrons .
"I think that man is about to ask for your hand in marriage, Khara." Serana whispered amused.
"Too bad I got eyes on someone else then." Khara whispered back as they walked over to the stairs Wilhelm had pointed to.
"Oh? And who might that be?" Serana asked as she pretended not to know the answer while they walked down the stairs end entered a hallway.
Khara looked around, making sure there was no one else around, which there wasn't before turning to Serana. " I think you know." She asked with a smirk and narrowed eyes.
Serana placed a hand on her chin and looked like she was in deep thoughts. Khara just chuckled before leaning close to Serana's ear. "I only have eyes for you." She said before she dragged her lips over the vampire's cheek, she then leaned back and took a step away from the vampire. Serana looked at Khara with playful eyes while Khara kept walking backwards with a smirk still on her face before turning around.
Serana ran up to her and threw an arm over her shoulder, pulling the wolf closer before she pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. Khara closed an eye as she smiled. "Good to know." Was all Serana said as she lowered her arm and opened the door for her wolf.
When they entered the room, Rune and Sapphire drew their weapons and lowered them once they saw who is was.
"Knock next time, will ya'?" Rune said with a relieved expression on his face as he sat down on a chair close to the door. "Shit like this ain't good for the heart you know."
"Good to see you're on alert, guys." Khara chuckled at her two Guild members. "You two can leave if you wish, you've done your part."
"Aren't you two tired?" Sapphire asked. "Me and Rune can stay the night, watch over Dexion while you to get some rest."
"Hm, tempting." Khara mumbled.
"Get some rest, boss. We'll keep the priest safe, you'll need the energy if you're to climb the steps to High Hrothgar." Rune said from his seat.
"Alright, cheers guys." Khara said with a smile.
"No problem, I'll get you two a room while you talk to Dexion, old man has been waiting for you." Sapphire said as she walked over to the door and disappeared into the hallway.
Khara then turned to the old man in the room who was patiently waiting for his turn to talk. When Khara got eye contact with the man he flew up from his seat and walked towards them.
"I'm so glad to see you two again, your associates informed me that you are Dragonborn, this is all so exciting." He said extremely fast.
"Calm down, Dexion." Khara said with a chuckle.
"Oh, yes. Sorry, I'm just excited is all." He said as he looked toward the door as Sapphire entered the room.
"That's alright, how much time do you need in order to prepare for the reading?"
"Well, there are a few preparations and a few rituals that needs to be done. You see without the proper preparations horrible things can happen, I simply want to minimize the risk." He looked down and thought about it." How long? Hmm, I'd say two weeks should do it, I will need to send some letter to some other Moth priests to get information on some areas, but I think I'll be good to read after that."
"Okay, good. Hopefully the Graybeards will let you stay at their monastery, from there you can use their ravens to send your letters."
"Very good." Dexion said as he sat back down.
"Alright then, we'll meet in the main room tomorrow morning." Khara said as she was handed a key from Sapphire. "Thanks." She patted Sapphire on the shoulder and left the room with Serana.
They walked over to a room a few doors down the hallway. Khara used the key and opened the door and closed it after Serana entered and locked it. When she turned around she saw that Serana was looking at her with a smirk, Khara raised an eyebrow and looked at the bed and her eyes widened, shit. It was of course a single bed.
Khara shifted where she stood and kept her eyes on the bed. "We could, erm…I mean.." Khara said while she gestured with her hands, struggling to find the right words.
Serana just snorted at her wolf while removing her cloak. "Get your armor off, Khara." Serana said amused as she sat down on a chair. Khara did remove her armor and placed it on the other chair before sitting down on the bed, for some reason she was extremely warm. She saw that Serana had leaned back in the chair and had closed her eyes, she also saw that the vampire had her arms around herself, maybe she is cold?
Khara removed her shirt and trousers as she laid down under the blanket. "Come here, Serana. I can see that you're cold." Serana opened her eyes and raised an eyebrow, if it wasn't for Khara's ability to see in the dark she wouldn't have noticed it. The woman got up and walked over to the bed and sat down. "Take of your clothes." The wolf said as she poked Serana in the back with a finger.
"What?" Serana laughed amused.
"No funny business I promise, it will just make you warmer faster is all." Khara said, it was hard to speak right now, but luckily, she had still managed to pronounce all the words correctly.
Serana sat still for a moment before she undressed to her undergarments. Khara turned her head to look at the ceiling out of respect and the fear of getting caught staring.
Khara felt Serana move and Khara raised the blanket for her, the vampire turned and laid down on her stomach, and due to the small bed, she laid halfway over Khara. Serana placed her head in the crook of Khara's neck as she raised a hand to rest on the wolf's shoulder.
The feeling of having Serana's skin on her own felt amazing, it cooled her down and made that same electric feeling travel all over her. It increased her heartrate and made Khara gulp as the feeling only grew stronger.
"Relax, Khara. No funny business." Serana whispered while placing a kiss on the wolf's neck. This was something Serana could get used to, her wolf was so very warm and it felt incredible to lay against with her with so little covering their skin.
Khara was wide awake at this point, who wouldn't be? The woman she was attracted to was lying basically on top of her, with so little clothes on. She raised a hand and ran it up Serana's back, how skin could feel so much like silk was beyond Khara, but she really didn't complain. Serana was a mystery to the wolf, she made Khara shy, uncertain of her actions and embarrassed at times, but it felt amazing. She was shy because Serana was so incredibly beautiful, she was uncertain because she wanted to do everything right around the woman and she was embarrassed of her actions at times because Serana takes notice of every single thing she does and says, even the small things. Happy, that's the correct word, she made Khara happy.
She was happy, content and pleased. She smiled to herself as she brought her other hand to Serana's back and hugged her, trying to channel all of the feeling Serana made her feel into the action and hugged her even tighter when she felt the vampire smile into her neck.
Serana raised her head and placed her hands on both sides of Khara's head as she hovered over her wolf. Khara was looking at her in a way she had only done one time before, she smiled at Serana and the vampire couldn't help but smile back. "What?" Serana laughed out in a low voice.
Khara just shook her head before using a hand to raise herself a little so that she could capture Serana's lips with her own. When she lowered herself again, the vampire followed and threw her leg over Khara, before lying flat against the wolf. Serana took Khara's lower lip between her teeth and gently nibbled on it, making the wolf release a whimper, Serana only smiled into the kiss. She brought one hand down to Khara's side and ran her fingers down, getting awfully close to Khara's waistband and it made the wolf groan.
"Remember..." Khara mumbled against cool lips.
"No funny business, got it." Serana said with a smirk as her hand traveled up the wolf's body and stopped at a shoulder while Serana dragged her lips over to a cheek, then the neck where she placed one last kiss before placing her head down on her wolf's chest and closing her eyes.
Khara stared at the ceiling for a little while as her thoughts raced through her mind. There was so many things she wanted to do, so many things she wanted to try, but she wanted to do them when there was no rush. She wanted it to happen in a place where they would be alone, undisturbed, a place where no one could burst in to their little bubble. And until that day presented itself, she would just have to wait. For there was no doubt, the woman lying on her chest hugging her was someone she felt incredible feelings for and for each passing moment spent with the woman only made those feelings grow stronger. It was almost like Serana was feeding her flame, that same flame that fuels Khara to keep moving forward. Her thoughts slowed down and she finally found herself at rest, eyes closed, ready for sleep to claim her.
The next morning it was Serana's turn to wake first. This morning was different compared to the others she had spent with Khara, this morning she felt warm, very warm. It had been so many years since she had woken up warm, it was strange, funny almost. The last time she felt like this is when she was still a mortal and that was a very long time ago. She had to release a little laugh at this strange, but welcomed sensation.
"What are you laughing about." A very hoarse, sleepy Khara mumbled to her.
"I feel warm, it's been so long, I almost forgot how it felt like." Serana said in a low voice as she nuzzled her face against warm skin.
"Good, I don't feel like I'm on fire, which I normally do when I wake up." Khara said as she ran a hand up the vampires back. "Looks like this worked out pretty good for the both of us, huh?"
"I'd say so." Serana said as she opened her eyes. "We should do it again sometime, I certainly wouldn't mind."
Khara let out a little laugh. "It's a date."
They laid there for five minutes, then twenty and suddenly it had been an hour. "Time to get back out to reality." Serana said.
Serana lifted her head off Khara and sat up after giving her wolf's cheek a little kiss. She could feel her wolf's eyes on her as she rose and walked over to her clothes. After she had gotten on her trousers she turned around and faced Khara. "Like what you see?" Serana was expecting Khara to shy away or pretend that she wasn't looking, she surprised Serana when she only smirked as her eyes roamed the exposed skin. Someone's getting more confident.
"Very much." Is all Khara could say as she sat up in the bed. I'm getting more confident.
Serana only snorted as she threw Khara's shirt to the wolf, successfully hitting her in the face with it. Khara only laughed as she got it on. After a little while they managed to leave their room and walk up the stairs where they joined their friends at a table. They talked while they ate their breakfast and after a little while, Rune and Sapphire left the three for their climb. Wilhelm had told them that he would look after their horses while they were gone.
On their walk up the mountain Dexion showered them both in questions about vampirism, dragons, werewolves and all kinds of things, man sure was curious.
"I have to ask, how does a vampire and a werewolf manage to work together? It's an odd pairing." Dexion asked after a little while of silence while walking in front of the two, not really paying them much attention because he was too busy to look at the view.
Khara looked over to Serana and was met with orange eyes, it made her smile. "I guess we just clicked, we have a lot in common." Khara said as she removed one of her gauntlets and held her hand out for Serana to take. Serana smiled and grabbed the offered hand.
"Interesting. Is it much further now?" Dexion asked again.
"No, just around this and we'll be there." Khara said and after about ten more minutes of walking they could see the monastery. They walked up the stairs and opened the heavy doors before they were greeted by a welcoming warmth.
The three of them walk in and when they stand in the middle of the room Khara gestures for them to stop. In front of them, up some steps there was an old man in grey robes. Khara took a step forwards and bowed down for the man. "Master Arngeir, it's good to see you again."
Arngeir bowed down as well. "And you, Dragonborn." He walked down the stairs and walked over to them. "Now then, what brings you to us?" He said as he bowed his head to Dexion and Serana who did the same back.
"I was wondering if my friend here-" She gestured for Dexion to come closer. "-Could stay at the monastery for a little while? There are people looking for him and I couldn't think of a better hiding spot."
"Of course, this monastery is as much your home as it is mine, Dragonborn. And your friends are welcomed to stay here, you know this." He said with a smile.
"Thank you." Khara said as she walked back to Dexion. "Will you be alright staying here?"
"Yes, of course." He said as he looked around the room. "This place is fascinating , I'll like to stay here and learn more about it."
"Alright then, if you have any questions ask Master Arngeir. Send me a raven when you're done preparing and we'll give you the Scrolls."
"Very well, I will do that." Dexion said.
Khara turned back to Master Arngeir. "I just need to deliver this to the Grand Master, then we'll leave." She said while she gestured to the item on her back.
"Of course, stay true to the Way of the Voice, Dragonborn." Arngeir said as he bowed to Khara before he guided Dexion into another room.
Khara turned to look at Serana. "Ready to meet that old friend of mine? He's just on the top of the mountain."
"Yes, you got me curious." Serana said as she walked up to Khara and together they walked through another set of doors before they found themselves outside once more. It was windy, snow was falling hard and it was chilly. They walked up the slippery path and after a little while, they managed to come up to the peak of the mountain.
The view was incredible, the wind was almost completely gone on the top and there was no snow falling from the skies.
Serana saw another one of those dragon walls before them, just like the one she had seen back in Dimhollow. She looked around, but there was no building or shelter of any kind there. Who can possibly live up here? She saw that Khara took a step forward and looked up in the skies, almost like she was looking for something.
"Khara? Where is this friend of yours?" Serana asked as she walked up to her wolf.
Khara looked some more before responding. "His on his way down right now." Khara said as she pointed to the skies. Serana followed the pointed finger and could see a huge form flying towards them. It's a dragon?
Khara turned her head to look at Serana. "Don't worry, he is a friend, he won't hurt us." She said in a gentle voice that made all of Serana's worries currently fade to the back of her mind. Serana nodded and looked back at the dragon as it landed.
This dragon had an interesting look to it. You could see that it had been around for a very long time, some horns and spikes were broken and cracked and its wings looked like it had been used, to say the least.
"Drem yol lok, Dovahkiin." The dragon said in its deep rumbling voice as he bowed his head a little.
"Ahnok, Paarthurnax." Khara said as she bowed her head at the old dragon.
"Fos drun hi wah dii strunmah?" He said as he took a step closer to the pair and looked at Serana, then back at Khara.
"Zu'u los het wah veydar vorey dey." Khara then looked back at Serana before turning back to the dragon. "May we speak in this tongue?"
"Of course, a thousand pardons, I forget my manners sometimes." He said as he bowed to Serana who was still a little surprised that a dragon was talking to her, she only managed to give a little nod back in response. "So, you have come here to store another Zuwuth Dey, an Elder Scroll. How you keep getting them in your hands is beyond me, young one."
"That makes two of us." Khara chuckled as she walked over to the dragon wall.
Paarthurnax moved out of the way and turned his attention to Serana, he simply looked at her, making the vampire a little uncomfortable. "I am sorry for my actions, but it has been long since I last was visited by a child of the night. I sense that you have been on Vus, Nirn for a long time." He said.
"I do have some years behind me, yes. I sense that you do too." Serana responded.
"Geh, I have been here almost since the beginning of time." He answered amused by the vampire's response. Serana could see that Khara was removing some snow from a chest at the dragon wall before opening it and placing the Scroll in it.
Khara then walked back to the two and looked at Serana before turning her gaze to the dragon. "Old one, where is Odahviing?"
"He should be in the skies above, shout his name and he will come down."
Khara nodded and looked to the skies before taking in a deep breath. "OD AH VIING!" As she shouted Paarthurnax flew up in the air and landed at the dragon wall.
A roar could be heard above them and only a moment later a red form came flying down towards them. "You dare call my name!" The dragon roared as he walked towards Khara. Serana took a step back at the force in his voice.
"That's right you overgrown lizard!" Khara yelled back and she walked toward him before shouting again. "YOL!" Fire came from the woman's mouth and flew towards the dragon, it covered itself with a wing before moving.
Khara laughed before running towards the red dragon and jumping on its face. That's a strange way to greet a friend. Serana thought as she now could see that it was a friendly encounter.
Odahviing lowered his head to the ground as he spoke. "It has been long since we last flew together, sister. We will now, yes?"
Khara jumped of his head and kneeled down in front of him as she placed a hand on his snout. "Geh, if you don't mind having an extra passenger." She said as she nodded to Serana.
Odahviing turned his head to look at the woman before widening his eyes a little. "I can smell her scent on you, you have found a mate?" He said in what was supposed to be a low voice, but a dragon's voice isn't capable of whispering.
Khara widened her eyes as she looked at the red dragon."N-No! We're friends." He nudged her with his snout. "Really good friends." Khara mumbled, much to the dragon's pleasure and to Serana's because she could hear the whole conversation from where she stood.
He raised his head and walked over to Serana. "What is your name? Friend of Khara?" He asked as Khara walked next to him, a little blush could be seen on her face.
"I'm Serana, good to meet you."
"Likewise." He turned his head to Khara. "So, we will fly now, yes?" He asked with eagerness in his voice.
"In a moment, I need to speak to Serana." Khara said and Odahviing nodded before walking over to the older dragon.
Khara waited a little before walking closer to Serana. "Since Dexion will need some time before reading the Scrolls, I'm not really sure what to do. This whole quest is at a pause."
"It would seem so. Perhaps there is something else we can do in the meanwhile? You said that my father had vampires attack cities and villages, maybe it would be wise to remove some of them? It would weaken my father and his clan." Serana said as she looked at Khara.
Khara smiled at her. "Good idea, I know a person who might be able to point us in the right direction. Feel like flying to Solitude?"
Serana's eyes widened as she smiled. "Yes."
Khara turned to Odahviing and met his eager eyes right away. He walked over to them and spoke. "Where to?" He lowered his head for the two females.
"Solitude, brother. And don't land inside the city this time, next to the stables will do." Khara said as she jumped on his neck and helped Serana. The vampire sat behind her and brought her hands around her wolf's waist.
"As you wish." He said and he flapped his wings as they got further and further away from the mountain. Khara placed one hand on a spike and the other over Serana's hands as they made their way over to Solitude at an incredible speed.
To see the world as a dragon does is something that makes even the most honorable men and women jealous. It's breathtaking, it's so incredible that you get a new understanding of the word freedom. Serana's mind was blown at this point, in one day and in one day alone, she had spoken to two dragons and she was now flying, flying and the day wasn't even over yet. She hugged Khara tighter as her eyes roamed the land below, she could see Whiterun, Riverwood, Morthal, she could see so much and it was amazing.
They arrived at the stables of Solitude way too soon in Serana's opinion. Odahviing lowered himself so that they could get off him. He looked over at the nervous guards and let out a deep chuckle. "I think I should leave, I make your fellow joor nervous, Khara." He said as he raised his head.
"Geh, I think that would be best." She said as she too looked around and saw how nervous the people were becoming.
He raised his wings as he looked at Serana. "I look forward for our next meeting." Serana smiled and nodded to the dragon as his wings carried him higher into the air.
Khara turned to the town before looking at Serana who was just standing still looking at nothing in particular with a faint smile on her lips. "Everything alright, Serana?" She asked.
Serana looked at her and her smile grew some more before opening her mouth. "Yeah, it just…"Serana shook her head as she let out a laugh, Khara turned to her. Serana captured her eyes once more before continuing. "I just spoke with a dragon and then flew on one."
She was beaming at Khara at this point and the wolf couldn't help but smile at her. "Come on now, you. Let's get inside the city." She said. The vampire nodded and walked up to her before they walked through the gates of Solitude. Once inside they walked the path that would take them to the Blue Palace, people greeted them as they made their way through the city.
After a little while they walked by Proudspire Manor, Khara's home. She nudged Serana with her elbow to get her attention, Serana turned her head and looked at her with a raised eyebrow. Khara nodded towards the building. "That's my house." She said, and Serana let out a low whistle.
"That looks expensive." The vampire said as her eyes roamed the building.
"Aye, but luckily for me it was a gift or a reward rather."
"So, this is what you got after defeating Potema, how much would you have needed to pay?"
"With all the decorations and all, I'd say around forty-thousand."
Serana turned her head back at Khara with a shocked expression on her face. "You say that like it's nothing."
"It really isn't, I have a lot of gold and items that are worth a lot."
"What sort of items?" Serana asked.
"All kinds of things really. Gems, books, weapons, armor, artifacts, jewelry, you name it. You'd be surprised of all the things people leave behind in caves and such." Khara said as she looked at the approaching building ahead. "There's even this weird thing, whenever I open a chest or anything really, I always find gems." Khara said with a frown, she never did find out why that is.
Serana laughed. "What? You always find gems?" She asked in disbelief.
"Yeah, it's true. Next time we see a chest I'll show you." Khara said as she reached to open the door to the Palace for Serana.
"Alright, I'm looking forward to it." Serana said as she walked past and threw Khara a wink while doing so.
They walked up some stairs and Khara led them over to the side due to the court already being in a conversation, it would be rude to interrupt. While the court was discussing the civil war, Khara looked at the woman she was looking for, Sybille Stentor.
She didn't know a lot about the woman, she seemed wise, had a good understanding of magic and was highly respected within the court, maybe even a little feared by the others. And with good reason, after Khara had dealt with Potema she had a conversation with Sybille and couldn't help but notice her eyes, then her teeth. After some clever questioning by Khara, she learned that the woman had a few years behind her so, she put the pieces together, odd eyes, sharp teeth and old while still looking young, that only leaves one answer, Sybille Stentor is a…
"Vampire." Serana whispered low enough so that only Khara could hear her. "That woman in the blue robes is a vampire."
"Aye, that's Sybille the Court Wizard. She might seem harsh at first, but she's alright. Keep it to yourself though, not many knows." Khara whispered back while looking at the Court Mage. "She is actually the person we're looking for."
Stentor must have felt the extra pair of eyes on her because she turned her eyes towards the two women in the back of the room. She locked eyes with Khara before turning her attention back to the Jarl.
"At first, I thought that she was the one pulling the strings and not the Jarl, but that woman has done things that have saved a lot of lives throughout the years. Her methods might be questionable, but her loyalty is not." Khara said as she looked at the other court members.
"Are you sure? She is like me after all, we don't exactly have a good reputation." Serana said with a hint of sarcasm.
Khara turned her head and looked into Serana's eyes. "A vampire might be what you are, but it's not who you are, Serana." She pointed to the vampire's chest. "Luckily, you get to choose that. And just like you, Sybille is a good person." Serana's heart jumped a little at that, she couldn't help but smile at those words.
"Always at it…" She mumbled amused. That woman and her words.
"Always." Khara whispered back with a grin.
When they returned their attention to the court they could see that the discussion was over and that Sybille was now available. Sybille was already looking at them and Khara gestured her to come over to them and she did.
"Have you gotten the letter from the Companions about the vampire attacks?" Khara asked in a low voice.
"Yes, I have." Sybille said as she looked over her shoulder towards the Jarl.
"Good, me and my friend here are working on solving it, but some preparations needs to be done so, until then we're off hunting the ones attacking the cities and villages." Khara explained to the woman. "That's where you come into the picture, know the location of any vampire camps or such?"
The woman crossed her hands and smiled. "I do actually, north-west of Dragon Bridge there is a cave, Pinemoon Cave. There are a little group of vampires there, they are the ones responsible for attacking the village. Do you know where it is?"
"Aye, I do. We'll get going then, thanks Sybille." Khara said as she offered a smile to the woman.
"A pleasure, happy hunting to the both of you." She said with a smirk as she walked back to the rest of the court while Serana and Khara walked out of the Palace, next destination Pinemoon Cave.
Dovahzul Translations
Paarthurnax: Drem yol lok, Dovahkiin. – Greetings, Dragonborn.
Khara: Ahnok, Paarthurnax. – Hello, Paarthurnax.
Paarthurnax: Fos drun hi wah dii strunmah? - What bring you to my mountain?
Khara: Zu'u los het wah veydar vorey dey? - I am here to store another scroll.
Other words: Zuwuth Dey – Elder Scroll
Vus - Nirn
Geh - Yes