Chapter 11: Ancestor's Glade.
Talis and Serana walked up to the doors to Fort Dawnguard. "Hold on Serana. I've got a promise to keep." Talis took a few steps away from the door. She breathed in and felt the words, understanding them. "DUR NEH VIIR!" Talis shouted. Purple flames surrounded the area and the undead dragon appeared.
"Ah! The free air of Vus (Nirn) at long last. As promised, I now teach you the first word of Soul Tearing: 'Rii' - the essence of your enemy's life force." Durnehviir said. "Summon me twice more, and my Thu'um is yours." After a brief moment, Durnehviir was forced to return to the Soul Cairn.
Talis turned back and opened the doors to Fort Dawnguard. As she and Serana entered, they saw Tymvir talking with Isran. Tymvir noticed her. "Talis! Serana! You're back!" He walked up to Talis and embraced her. Talis gave him peck on the cheek.
"We did it. We have both scrolls. How's Dexion?" Talis asked. She then saw the look on Tymvir's face change. She could tell that whatever the answer was, she wasn't going to like it.
"Well, it seems Dexion…" Tymvir began,
"Please young man, allow me." A voice called. From the left entryway, Dexion walked out, now wearing a blindfold. "I'm sorry my friends, but in the reading of the Elder Scrolls, I'm no longer of any use."
"Don't tell me…" Serana began. "Ah fuck."
"I am sorry. It's my fault. In my haste to read the first scroll, I neglected the careful preparation required. I thought I would be able to delay the after effects, but I was wrong and now I'm paying for it." Dexion said, lifting his hand to show his now dull eyes, void of light.
"Dammit." Talis said. "Is there anything we can do to help?"
"No, the likelihood of me ever seeing again is very slim." Dexion said.
"So that's it? Just like that, it's over?!" Serana said, a bit of anger in her voice.
"No, there is another way." Dexion said. Everyone's eyes shifted to Dexion. "Scattered across Tamriel are locations known as Ancestor's Glades. There is one here in Skyrim, in the Pine Forest."
Tymvir took out his map. "The Pine Forest…that's in Falkreath. Actually just outside the city, it seems."
"Now, once there, you must perform the Ritual of the Ancestor Moth. You should be able to obtain the answers you seek." Dexion explained. "You must carefully remove the bark of a Canticle Tree. That will attract the Ancestor Moths to you. Once enough of the moths are following you, they shall give you the second sight necessary to decipher the scroll, without any negative repercussions."
"Thank you." Tymvir said. He turned to the ladies. "This time, I'm going with you. Isran is looking after Dexion."
Talis couldn't help but have a silent cheer. "OK guys. Let's head out for Falkreath!" The three of them ran outside. Once outside, Talis stopped them. "Ok. Give me a second." She walked to a spot she was at not too long ago. "DUR NAH VIIR!" Talis shouted. Once again, the undead Dragon appeared before them. Tymvir was a bit shocked to see this.
"I can feel my strength returning each time I am set free from that prison! Hear now the second word of Soul Tearing: 'Vaaz' - meaning to tear your enemy's soul from its living vessel." Durnahviir said. "Once more, and our promise shall be fulfilled. Durnahviir disappeared again.
Tymvir looked at the woman he loved. "Talis, who the fuck was that?!"
"Tell you on the way." Talis said.
In Falkreath…
Two days later, the team was in Falkreath. By then, they were caught up on each other's stories. Tymvir apologized to Serana for her having to do his job of slaying Talis' weakness. Talis punched him playfully. They also talked about Valerica, the Soul Cairn, and Talis' promise to Durnahviir. While they were gone, apparently Tymvir was also doing some things for the Dawnguard. He even showed them his Enhanced Dwarven Crossbow, which he got after doing a few missions for Sorrine. On the way there, Serana notice a rather large area by the lake. Once they cleared it of wolves, they sat down to take a look at it, just to appreciate the view.
"You know, call me crazy, but I think this would be the perfect spot to build a house." Serana said.
Tymvir looked around. "A pretty good location, plenty of space, and game is plentiful. I can see building a house here. In fact, I'm pretty sure Jarl Dengeir is selling this land."
"You don't say?" Talis said. "Well, this would be a nice place to live, but I'm happy with Breezehome right now."
"Well, you never know what the future might hold." Tymvir said, stretching his arm around Talis. Talis leaned in, smiling.
"Uhg. Can you two please take it out… somewhere else?" Serana said upon remembering they were already outside.
Talis laughed. "Sorry Serana." She got up. "Alright, we should get a move on." She took out Dexion's map. "According to Dexion, the glade should be close by."
"No disrespect to him, but do you really think we should be taking directions from a blind guy?" Serana asked.
"The map was made before Dexion went blind." Tymvir said. "So don't worry, we're going the right way." They continued on their way to the area marked on the map.
When they entered, it seemed like any other cave that was in Skyrim. "Not very impressive is it? This better not be a wasted trip, or your friend Dexion and I will have a few words." Serana said. They continued onward into the deeper part of the glade. Waterfalls, healthy live Canticle Trees, and the light shown down. It made the entire area shine like the sun.
"You were saying, Serana?" Talis said, a smirk forming on her face as she looked at the Vampire.
"Ok, ok. I take it back." She said. Serana continued to look around. "No one has been here to disturb this place. I doubt there's any place like this in Skyrim." An ancestor moth landed on her fingertip. "It's beautiful."
Tymvir also took a look around. "Ancestor moths are all over the place, as are the Canticle Trees." He placed his hand on one. "Dexion said we have to remove the bark carefully, but how?"
"I think I know." Talis walked into the center of the glade. There, lain in a stone structure, was a strange knife. She picked it up. "I think we're supposed to use this."
"Well, isn't that convenient?" Serana asked in sarcasm. As Talis carved the bark, the moths began to gather around her. "They have taken a liking to you." Serana began to giggle.
"Hey, you laughed!" Tymvir pointed out. He took a look over at Talis. "Uh, Talis…don't want to alarm you, but you're glowing."
Talis looked at herself. Tymvir was right. As more moths began to fly around her, Talis began to glow brighter and brighter. "Just like Dexion said." She walked up to the spot where she drew the knife. She took out the Elder Scroll she received from Valerica. Talis took a deep breath as she unrolled it. A vision began to overcome her. She saw Auri-el's Bow, a weapon that shined like the sun of a spring morning. She then saw…a person. She could tell from the pointed ears that it was an Elf. However, it wasn't any of the Mer that Talis knew. She then saw a cave entrance, close to Mor Khazgur, an Orc stronghold. As she closed the scroll, she took some deep breaths.
As Talis fell to the ground, Tymvir caught her. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. I just need to catch my breath." Talis said as Tymvir helped her up.
"You went as white as the snow of Winterhold." Serana said. "You looked like you were a thousand leagues away. Did you learn the location of the bow?"
"I did." Talis said. "A place called Darkfall Cave, close to the Orc stronghold of Mor Khazgur." She put the first Elder Scroll away and took out the Dragon scroll. "Now for the second one."
"Are you sure? We know the location of the bow? Is it safe to do it again?" Tymvir asked.
"Well, I'm still glowing." Talis said. "So, I think I can still read these." Talis opened the Dragon Elder Scroll for a second time. She saw herself, wielding Auri-el's Bow. Her quiver was filled with shining Elven Arrows. She was facing off against Harkon, a red magical ward surrounding him. She drew the bow, let an arrow fly, and pierced Harkon's ward.
Talis feel back into Tymvir's arms. "Now what did you see?"
"I saw how to defeat Harkon." Talis said. She looked over at Serana.
"We can soon put an end to this ridiculous prophecy. Let's go! I want to get it before my father has the chance to track us down."
"A little late for that, milady." A voice came from the Glade's entrance. The trio turned and saw two Vampires, a gargoyle, and a few bandits turned into their thralls. They charged toward the group.
"Allow me." Talis said. "YOL TOOR SHUL!" Talis breathed fire at her foes. The Vampires didn't take to kindly to that. The three of them drew their weaponry and began to take out the others. Talis dealt with the Gargoyle while Serana and Tymvir fought the thralls. Once they were cleared, Talis turned to her companions. "C'mon. We need to move! That bow isn't going to find itself."