Ronel touched his helmet and approached Kodlak. A dagger was twirling between his fingers and he saw Vilkas have an intense conversation with the old man. Ronel caught a lot of it, blood calls, having his brother. It reminded him of his first time with Malik. It was hard to keep up with him, he felt weak and useless. The blood of mortals called him.
Now, that was far behind him. He had a keen sense and could last without blood for quite some time. Not as long as Malik and not even close to Graysling's ability, but he could last long enough. He twirled the dagger between each finger and began to walk towards them. He didn't see the woman in front of him and with his heavy armor, she flew to the ground. She let out a yelp and landed on her face. Ronel looked at her with annoyance and sighed.
The vampire leaned down and offered her his hand. She slapped it away. "Thanks a lot, ebony," she growled and he raised an eyebrow from under his helmet. She huffed and brushed at her armor. It was unusual. Most of it was made out of glass, but there were some enhancements made, which reminded him of dragon scale.
He leaned in close and looked at her neck, which was covered in the scales. Her hands covered her breasts and she gasped. Ronel looked at her more closely and her cheeks were flushed bright red. "Pervert," she hissed and approached the table. Ronel blinked a couple times and shrugged. Odd, that armor was definitely made with dragon scale. He thought he was the only one who could do it. The ebony clad warrior shrugged and waited at the door.
"A stranger walks into our halls," the old man said and the girl, who was in her mid-twenties, puffed out her chest.
"I would like to join," she said with a slight smile. The old man raised a white eyebrow and chuckled.
"Would you now? Let me take a look at you," he eyed her and Vilkas made a sound in his throat.
"Master, you're not truly thinking of letting her join? We don't even know her!" Ronel smirked and the woman ran her fingers through her jet black hair. Kodlak began on one of his speeches and Ronel took a seat, feeling bored already. He still listened to the conversation, though. Kodlak ordered Vilkas to take her to the yard for some training, and as they passed, Ronel struck his arm out. Vilkas stopped and looked at the dagger.
"You really did it then?" he asked and Ronel smirked. The man laughed and handed him a sack of coins. "I have a job if you're looking for work," he offered and Ronel nodded.
"I need a little cash anyway," he replied and Vilkas nodded back.
"Wait until I'm done with this squirt and then we can give you a mission," he said and Ronel followed the two.
XXX
Chapter 9: Ronel and Phoenix – A Match to End – Lenor, the Mysterious Member
XXX
Ronel watched as the girl twirled around Vilkas, dodging his attacks and slashing at his ankles. By the time she was finished, he was muttering something about ankle biter. He approached the ebony vampire and handed him a slip of paper. "This one is real tough," he warned and Ronel took it without hesitation. "Bandit chiefs decided to make their own clan. They're tough and have tangled with enough of the guards," he explained and Ronel read the paper and threw it back.
"I'll be off then," he replied and Vilkas grabbed his shoulder. The vampire turned in a look of curiosity and noted Vilkas' nervous face.
"Listen, that kid," he jerked his head to where the black haired girl was, "there's something off about her. No whelp could dodge my attacks that easily," he continued and Ronel craned his head to see the girl picking at the dirt. "Take her with you, she doesn't smell right," he replied and Ronel rolled his eyes.
He knew what the circle was and declined it for obvious reasons. He didn't wish to become a werewolf, so every time they offered, he would decline. But they knew he knew, so it wasn't like they were suspicious. He stood and walked towards the girl. She was on her back now, whistling to the clouds.
"Come on," he said plainly to her and she looked up. Her eyes were green and had bright red war paint smudged around them. Her hair was wild and spiky, if he would guess it was cut by the very sword at her hip. "We're going on a mission," he replied and she stood with a smile.
"Great!" She checked her sword and he turned and began to leave. "Wait!" she called and was beside him in a matter of seconds. Her eyes were bright and large and he felt his throat close. Her neckline was slightly visible from the scales and his vision pulsed. He could hear her breathing and her heart beat. He could smell her blood and his fangs extended. The vampire shut his eyes and took a deep breath. He never felt temptation like this before.
She looked at him and glared. "How come you wear that inside the hall?" she asked and he shrugged.
"I prefer being in this armor," he stated. She rolled her shoulders and rubbed her hands together.
"Whatever, you can be weird if you want. I'm ready to kill some bandits!" Ronel wondered how she knew that they were killing bandits when he hadn't told her anything yet. He watched her cautiously.
XXX
I stared at the dagger. It was so close I could smell Jora's blood on it. "Well," the tall woman smiled, "I thought you'd want this dagger. I evaluated your fighting style and as it turns out, I think fast and deadly would do for you," she replied with a smile and the whole fort let out a massive sigh.
"Well," I muttered, "next time, try to warn me before you charge at me with a dagger," I replied and Raven winked. Graysling, as I looked up, sighed with relief and sat down on the bench. I smirked and he blew me a kiss. That guy, I didn't even know what to think of him. He was literally…I don't know! I have no idea how to act around him and he flirts so outrageously! What am I supposed to think? I watched him give me a bright smile and thumbs up.
His hair was spiky and he was, although I'd hate to admit it, rather adorable. Not that I would go for that or anything. Malik, as his name is, bowed to me and pulled out his sword. It matched Raven's sword, so I'd have to presume it was made out of dragon bone. Except I had no idea what the enchantment was, only that there was one. The blonde Nord raised his sword and I lifted my thin dagger. It felt weightless and I kind of liked that. I'd have to thank Raven later, if she is giving it to me.
"Alright, this is the last battle and hopefully won't take up all of our time," Isran shouted. "Begin!" His voice echoed in my ears, but I couldn't tell you what he was saying. My eyes adjusted to my opponent and I felt the familiar tingling in my body. I was prepared.
Malik seemed to wait for me to attack, but I made no attention to this. I charged in and jumped to the right. My hand flashed out and was inches away from piercing his skin, when his sword blocked the strike. He kicked me back and swung lazily in my direction. I dodged the sword and sliced at his arm. It was like some odd dance. His arm twirled away from mine and I danced to the side of his leg. His sword swung and I jumped over it and sliced his hand, while he pushed me back.
I hit the floor, but everything felt like smooth, fluid motions. I charged again and slid under his legs, but he slammed his sword into the ground and blocked my attack once again. He hit me with the hilt, but I stabbed his hand once again. He cursed in some random language and sliced at my arm. It only drove me more. With a burst of speed, I slashed and parried. He kept up with me as if it wasn't a challenge, his speed matching my own.
As he blocked another attack, I went to punch him. He grabbed my fist and slammed me into the ground. I coughed and watched the spit fly back down. He lowered his sword to my neck, but my foot crashed into his legs and he fell to the floor. I scurried back and remembered Graysling's words. However long I could last with Malik would show how strong I was. Malik got up from the floor in a simple move and charged at me. As he approached, his hand glowed purple and he disappeared.
A hand slammed into my back and I flew. He was invisible?! I raised my dagger and watched the floor. The dirt slightly moved and I thrust the weapon forward. The air shifted and Malik was holding my dagger. His hand pried it from my grasp and he threw it on the floor.
"Now you don't have a weapon," he began to advance.
XXX
The bandit's face was a mixture of horror and pain. A sword was thrust through his back and out his stomach. Ronel watched with disbelief as she pulled out the sword and wiped her face. These were supposed to be chiefs, men who trained every day of their life for this. They beat her in experience, but she got the best of them. The vampire smiled, mortals always seemed to surprise him.
"Alright, now that we've killed the first wave of bandits, how about we circle to the next?" she asked and Ronel nodded. "By the way," she said as they walked through the dank cave, "next time, try to be a little bit quieter. I don't enjoy using my swords that much," she admitted and Ronel shook his head.
"You want me to me quiet, when I'm in a suit of ebony?" he asked and she put her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes.
"Obviously," she shook her head like he was the fool, "you make so much noise you could wake the dead!" she threw up her hands and he blinked.
"Unbelievable," he muttered and she crouched down.
"I hear something," she whispered and motioned for him to get down. Ronel stayed how he was and she glared. "Come on, just this once?" she asked and he growled and squatted. Her feet made no sound and his crunched loudly on the rough dirt. "Shh!" she hissed and he watched as she pulled out her bow.
Her body angled for the huge bow to be correctly positioned. Her hand gently grabbed an arrow and it silently was knocked into the bow. She walked silently farther down the cave and as he followed her farther, the sound of the bow letting loose filled the air. A loud thunk was heard, followed by another two. Ronel walked towards her and she had her tongue out and one eye shut. Her breath was being held and he watched as she let loose the string.
Another heavily cladded chief fell and Ronel shook his head. He saw a bandit quietly coming behind her and he charged. His sword sliced through the bandit before he could look up. He heard the sound of feet coming through another entrance. Ronel stared at the twenty men and women, all holding deadly weapons.
"You see what happens, Ronel? This! Can you doing nothing?" she growled half-jokingly, half with annoyance.
"Once again," he muttered to himself, "she is unbelievable!" He charged at the bandits and danced around the attacks and sliced through one by one. His armor slowly began to drip with the blood of his foes. The occasional arrow would whistle by his head and puncture a bandit.
"Could you move? I'm trying to hit some bandits here!" she called down and Ronel growled. Vilkas was right, there was something odd about her. She had no respect or gratitude. As the last one fell, Ronel sheathed his daedric greatsword stretched.
"Looks like that's it, we better head back," he called to her and she scratched the back of her head. Ronel's eyes fell once again to her neck and his eyes brightened. He looked down, knowing that she would see his bright red eyes through the darkened helmet. "Actually, you go on ahead, I'm going to hang back a bit," he said. His eyes were flashing. Ronel couldn't think of when he last drank blood and he could hear her steady heartbeat. She hesitated.
"What? Are you scared of the dark, kid?" he called to her and she looked at him, slightly hurt.
"Sorry, I was just worried. You don't sound like yourself. Never mind," she glared, "Not like you care. Or I do for that matter," she threw her bow over her back and sauntered off. Once she was out of ear shot, he looked down at this boot. It was covering the mouth of the bandit, who was still very much alive. Ronel took off his helmet and his fangs protruded from his mouth.
"Sorry, kid," he grinned.
XXX
I could barely keep up with Malik's speed, but I still could. Every swing of his sword was a challenge to dodge, but I was able to get to my blade. As I grabbed it, his foot slammed into my side and I tumbled to the side. My heart began to race and I stared at him in shock. What was this feeling? Was this…fear?
I sprinted at him and I felt a certain pulse go through my body. The same I felt when I fought a vampire. I charged at him and he hesitated at my random attack. I slammed into him, head butting his gut. He coughed and I punched his face. He grabbed my hand and threw me over his shoulder. I threw the blade and it stuck into his arm. He winced and his fist slammed into my stomach. My vision blurred and I watched through teary eyes as his body enveloped in shadow.
In an instant he was about ten feet away. I coughed and slowly got up. Malik pocketed my dagger and his hands glowed. All the wounds I afflicted on him were missing, healed in less than a second. I blinked rapidly to clear my blurry eyes. It took me a couple seconds that it wasn't tears that were clouding my vision, the punch was so hard I couldn't see properly. With lightning speed, he appeared by my side and lowered his sword at my neck.
"Enough!" Isran called and the sword flipped and was brought back into its sheath.
"No," I whispered, "I can still fight!" I slammed my hand into his boot and he picked me up by my arm. "Let me go!" I mumbled and he chuckled.
He threw my arm over his shoulder and whispered into my ear, "I've never had to use a healing spell in the middle of a battle, I know you were expecting a long battle as Graysling and Raven experienced, but this is what you got vampire hunter. Trust me, you have skill," he carried me up the stairs and plopped me beside Graysling. The dark elf's hands lightened and lowered to my stomach. I could feel heat rushing to my face as his hands touched my stomach.
"Seriously Malik, you broke three of her ribs with the push on her back and another two when you punched her. You could have gone easier," he mumbled and I watched as Malik slapped the back of his head. Graysling muttered something about being ungrateful.
"I've never been that terrified," I whispered and Graysling wiped away some of my hair from my forehead. He lowered his head and nodded.
"No one has," he whispered back and I shut my eyes.
XXX
Lenor felt the cold water sink into his pale skin and wash away the blood. His armor was laying close by and he breathed in the night air. His black hair stuck to his back and he rubbed his face with soup. The water turned a shade of red and brown and then cleared up.
He looked at his reflection, at the glowing red eyes and porcelain skin. His eyes were surrounded by thick, black eyelashes and his pale lips had bright white fangs protruding. He washed his face again and dunked his head under the water. The waterfall roared as he swam to it and it pounded his skin until it was clean. As he exited the fresh water, he heard angry grumbling.
"What a jerk! I help him out and this is what I get?! Never teaming up with that guy ever again! And he didn't ask me my name or anything!" Lenor licked his lips and felt his vision pulse. A human girl. Her hair was pitch black and her green eyes shone brightly. They were surrounded by red war paint and he stood. He could have a snack.
"Hello there," he called out and she stopped. Her eyes slowly turned and he could hear her steady heartbeat. Now, most women would be terrified of a naked man in water any day. This one's heartbeat was slamming in her chest because her eyes focused on his. "Aren't you adorable," he smiled menacingly and she continued to shake. "Now don't move, beautiful," he reached out his hand for her.
"V-vampire…" she whispered and his unnatural speed made him grab her neck in less than a second. He smiled cruelly and brought his lips to her neck and gently kissed it. Her entire body shook and as he began to bite, she flew from his arms. Her body had changed faster than when he approached her.
The werewolf was whining and he smiled at her. "Come now, don't you want to dance?" he asked and the wolf let out a pitiful howl and raced away. Lenor cocked his head to the side and sighed. "A shame, she was cute, too." He walked back to his bag and began to put his clothing on. "Back to Harkon," he muttered. It was unlike a werewolf, he thought to himself, to run away from a battle. This woman must have had a lot of control.
XXX
Phoenix was shaking from head to toe. She had already known of the underforge and she cradled her naked body. She felt tears fall down her face and she continued to cry, sobs choking her throat and filling her with more fear. She nearly died, she was so scared the beast automatically burst through her. That had never happened before. The door opened and a woman with stark red hair stared at her. "You know, I knew right when I saw you that you shared our gift," she replied and Phoenix looked up. The woman walked over to a chest and used a key to open it. A blanket was stuffed inside and she handed it to her.
"You must have been really scared," she told her and Phoenix allowed her to wrap the blanket, "I didn't think you'd be okay with letting someone see you like this," she continued and Phoenix stared at the floor. Her hands reached to her neck and felt where he kissed her. It was warm as usual, but she couldn't even feel her temperature. Her heart was racing, she wouldn't be surprised if it leapt out of her chest.
"Y-your name is Aela, right?" she whispered and the woman nodded. "Could you-could you stay here? I don't want to go out there yet," she whispered into the blanket and Aela wrapped her arm around Phoenix.
"I won't go," she replied. Phoenix continued to shake from head to toe, her thoughts going back to that vampire. When he reached out his hand, even with his red eyes and fangs, she had nearly taken it. It was like she was under hypnosis. Next time, she prayed that there never would be one, she wouldn't run. Next time, she'd kill it.
XXX
Serana fiddled with her fingers and stared at her lap. She could hear the sound of the moans down where the thralls were kept. She could hear the laughter of Vingalmo and the swords slamming into each other as Orthjolf trained with Fura. She could hear the sound of the anvil at the forge and even smell the smoke that wouldn't escape the room. She felt claustrophobic because she knew that all these vampires around her were evil.
There was no good in any of them and she hated it. The sound of the door opening lifted her eyes from her lap and she saw a man with long black hair enter. His eyes were blood red and his skin was pale and flawless. She wasn't going to lie, he was good looking. And she could sense something different in him. He seemed a lot different than everyone here. As he walked by her, she stood and watched him enter her father's room. She followed him with her eyes and craned her neck to see into her father's room.
"You asked for me?" his deep voice asked and Serana looked around to make sure nobody was watching. Her feet were silent on the floor and she stood beside the door to her father's room.
"Yes, I have a certain task for you," her father replied and he was silent. "Not just for you, but judging by your skill you will be the one who carries it out," Harkon replied and Serana leaned in closely.
"Most likely," he replied and Serana continued to listen to the conversation.
"Allow me to tell the court first," he said and they began to walk out the door. The vampire raced away from them and sat down in her chair. Her red eyes focused on the new comer and her father raised his hands and addressed his court. Moth priest, that was what everyone was supposed to look for. She watched as he walked down from the balcony and grabbed a blood potion.
Serana watched him down it and walk towards a seat. She walked towards him, feeling oddly attracted to such an odd man. She heard his conversation with the man beside him.
"I just don't understand, if the feast is served to you, why would you not take it?" the vampire smiled smugly and the black haired vampire snarled.
"Because I still believe in having some eloquence, which can't be said for you," he replied harshly and the vampire gawked at him.
"Listen, you might be Harkon's favourite, but-,"
"But nothing," he growled. "I am Harkon's favourite for a reason. Unlike you, I can actually be of use with his needs. You are glutinous and do this only for the feast that is laid out for you," his eyes were shining brightly and he stood abruptly. "I must leave to be of service," he walked towards the forge room. Serana chased him down and grabbed his arm. He stopped and Serana lost a little of her confidence.
"Listen, I think that was really brave of you, you know, to say that," she smiled and the vampire turned slowly. He was fairly tall and he cocked his head to the side.
"You mean, state my opinion?" he asked, his eyebrows furrowed. Serana recognised the annoyance in them. "It's not that impressive," he pushed her arm off and continued to walk down the hall. Serana clutched her chest and bit her lip.
"I think I'd be of some use to you!" she called out to him and he stopped, "On the mission my father has given," she continued and laughed.
He walked towards her and grabbed her chin. Her eyes widened and he leaned his head close to her ear. "If I could ask, how in oblivion would you help me?" he asked and she pushed him back. Serana had a feeling he let her do it. She had never felt so weak before compared to him. "Listen, sweet heart, try not to get in my way and leave me alone," he began to walk off and she felt her anger rise. Her hand began to freeze and an ice shard formed in her palm.
The man stopped and slightly turned his head. Serana was fast, but she had never seen anyone as fast as him before. His hand was around her neck and he lifted her against the wall. "Don't think I'm afraid to kill you," he hissed into her ear. Serana tried to wriggle free, but he tightened his grip on her neck. "Because it will be your last mistake, understand sweet heart?" his voice tickled her ear. "So? Do you still want to be my partner for this?" he asked and Serana's pride kicked in.
He thought he could scare her, he thought his act could frighten her away like the little princess everyone perceived her to be. Serana leaned in close to his ear and whispered, "Never would have thought differently." He smiled and let her go. She dropped to the ground, her hand grabbed her neck and she took deep breaths.
"Name's Lenor," he smirked and held out his hand, Serana stared at it with disgust.
"Serana," she hoarsed out and grabbed his hand. He pulled her up and walked towards the forge room again. Serana glared at him, "What are you up to?" she whispered. He wore pants that had thick leather on each joint and was pure black. His armor, she soon found out, was a modified version of the vampire's staff uniform. His hair was long and thick, not normal to be so long. And on his finger, was a wedding ring. "Who'd ever want to marry that jerk?" she muttered.
