Torbin

When sunrise came, Serana and I left Riften. She rode the horse she had stolen from her father and I rode Midnight. The ride was quiet for a while, then Serana finally spoke.

"You mind if I ask you something?" She asked

"Even if I did," I said, grinning "You'd ask anyways."

"True," She shrugged "Yesterday, during the battle, Vex called what you did a Thu'um, what is that exactly?"

"Being the Dragonborn, I can learn words of power that Dragons speak," I told her "These words are called Thu'um or the Voice, there are a number of things I'm able to do with them."

"Like?" She asked, cocking her head curiously

"Well, as you saw yesterday I can do things like giving my men the courage to fight," I said "But I can clear away any fog, I can see those that are hidden, I even learned one that takes away a Dragon's ability to fly and use it's Thu'um."

"All that power, and you turned down my father's gift," She said, shaking her head "You're something else."

Serana and I continued down the path until we came in sight of Dayspring Canyon, the entrance to Fort Dawnguard. It was a calm day, the sun shown brightly and there was a gentle breeze, the birds chirped in the distance.

"Once we're inside, stay close to me," I said "I'll do what I can to ensure they don't attack you."

"What you can?" Serana asked skeptically "What if they attack anyways?"

"I've already made plenty of enemies in Skyrim," I laughed "Your father, the Empire, the Silver Hand, Alduin, what's a few more."

"How do you go anywhere?" She asked in mock amazement "Doesn't anybody like you?"

"Obviously you do," I said "You've stuck around this long."

She laughed, it was full of youth and wonder, nothing like the pain and sorrow she hid on the inside. She could fight and didn't mind getting a bit dirty, but she was as beautiful as any girl I'd ever seen, a rare find in Skyrim. Most girls were had either never held a weapon in their lives and had sat in a castle all day or were just really ugly. Sure there was ones liked Gerdur and Sapphire but Gerdur was taken and Sapphire was more like family than anything.

"So let me ask you a question," I said "I've heard a bit about your father, but how about your mother?"

"I don't know," She said sadly "She locked me away, swore it was for my own good, and disappeared, I don't have a clue where she is."

I let the matter drop, sensing it was a sore subject. It wasn't long before we approached the small, cave-like opening to Dayspring Canyon.

"Is this it?" Serana asked, eyeing the cave entrance

"Yeah," I said, dismounting Midnight "Midnight doesn't like caves, I usually let her roam, she'll come when she's called."

Serana got out of her saddle and grabbed the Elder Scroll from the side, securing it on her back. We entered into Dayspring Canyon, coming up a few minutes later on the other side. In the distance, Fort Dawnguard loomed over the bright sky, casting an almost eerie shadow over the mountainside.

"Wow," Serana said, stepping outside "It's breathtaking."

"It's something," I admitted "A good place to hide if anything."

We continued up the path and eventually came to the front gate, still partially under construction. The guards at the front raised their weapons, but lowered them after I removed my helmet. As we drew closer, I could see them giving Serana some distasteful looks.

The walk to the front door of the castle was almost like a walk of shame for her, everybody we passed gave her a disgusted look, some even going so far as to spew a few insults at her. By the time we had entered Fort Dawnguard, I could see Serana might lose her cool at any moment.

"Torbin?" I heard Celann's voice from the hall to my left "Back so soon? Who's this you've-"

He stopped dead when she turned to look at him, casually laying a hand on his sword.

"Celann," I said warningly "Stand down, she's friendly."

"You can't seriously look me in the eye and tell me this thing is friendly." Celann said, glaring at her

"We are dealing with things far beyond our control," I said forcefully, stepping between them "I need to speak to Isran."

His eyes flicked back and forth between Serana and I, eyeing the Elder scroll on her back. Before he could say anything, we heard footsteps coming down the stairs, and Isran emerged from the staircase.

"What is this?" Isran demanded, pointing at Serana "What is It doing here? Is It your prisoner?"

"No," I said, turning to face him "Her name is Serana, yes she is a Vampire, but she's sought me out for help. This is the Vampire I told you about."

"Bring It upstairs," He said "I don't want It scaring my recruits."

We followed Isran upstairs while Celann went to train the new guys, once we had reached a spot where Isran was sure nobody could see us, her turned back to me.

"Understand that I respect you, Torbin, and I think you are a great warrior, worthy of the title Dragonborn," Isran said "But you had better have a good reason for bringing this thing here."

"Serana?" I said, turning to her "Care to explain?"

She stepped forward, removing the Elder Scroll off of her back, perhaps for effect, and looking up to face Isran.

"My father, Lord Harkon, discovered a prophecy," She began "Called the Tyranny of the Sun, it tells of a time when Vampires could control the sun, when we would never have to fear it."

"How could that be possible?" Isran demanded

"I'm not sure," Serana said "But it has something to do with this Elder Scroll, but we can't read it without a Moth Priest."

"So find one," Isran said "If it'll help us stop these Vampires we'll find the damn Moth Priest."

"Where exactly do we find a Moth Priest?" Serana asked

"We'll have to ask around," I said "Maybe someone's seen one."

Isran turned to face me, his eyes still flicking back to Serana occasionally, anger flashing across his face.

"Okay, I've heard what It has to say," He spat "Now, give me a good reason not to kill this thing."

"She's important," I said, stepping in front of Serana "I'm not sure how, but she fits into all of this, she can help us."

Isran paused, thinking. I didn't want to have to fight my way out of Fort Dawnguard, I needed all the allies I could get. Serana's fingers were curled on her sword, but she never got the chance to draw it, Isran looked up and grunted begrudgingly, accepting defeat on the matter.

"Fine," He said, glaring at Serana again "But if It hurts anybody it's gonna be on your head, now go find a Moth Priest."

With those words, he stormed off, heading back down the steps and out the front door. I turned to face Serana, who was flushed with relief.

"He's nice," She commented "So where do we start?"

"We'll head for the College of Winterhold," I said "Urag is bound to know if any Moth Priests have been through."

"I don't like snow," Serana sighed "But I guess there's no choice."