Skyrim(c) Bethesda.
Oh dear, we are almost at the end of this story. Not sure how many chapters are left.
Forgotten Paladin, Chapter XI: Dawnguard.
Heads turned as loud footsteps travelled down the hallway. "Master!" The person that comes through is dressed in a belted tunic and tan boots. Clagius glances towards the newcomer, whose orange hair and red eyes stand out. "Anglalos, what news to you bring?" Gathering his breath, Anglalos musters out. "The Vigilants of Stendarr have been attacked by vampires. Most of them have been slaughtered, and the ones who have survived go to the reformed Dawnguard."
Clamor breaks out at the end of his sentence. There are murmurs about what has been told. The Vigilants attacked by vampires? "How did this happen?" Kaylee hears herself ask. Anglalos gives her a nervous look before Clagius motions to him that is okay. "They were fiddling about in a cave. Looking for some lost vampire relic, and while the majority of their force was out, the beasts attacked." Stroking her check lightly, her eyes meet with Clagius' eyes.
"What is your opinion about this, Master?" He sighs, before looking at Anglalos. "Where the anything unusual about these vampires?" Heads turn to Tullius as he speaks for the first in a while. "What type of a question is that? Aren't vampires the same blood thirsty beasts?" Clagius' shoulders slump. "I wish Tullius, but there is only clan of vampires I can think of that would be so bold to attack the Vigilants. They are an unusual breed of vampires. Blessed by Molag Bal himself. Their eyes are similar to ours in a way. A pure orange laced with a never ending hunger. They call themselves the Volkihar clan, and live off the coast of Solutide. Unfortunately, we have never been able to attack them."
Tullius leans backwards in his seat. "What keeps you from doing so?" Clagius rubs his temples. "We have never had the number to launch an attack successfully. Despite mindset of the general populace, the Dawnguard and Vigilants never really got along with us." Bowing his head, he mutters out, "Unless they ask for our help, or in this case, yours Kaylee, we are incapable of helping." Turning to Anglalos, Kaylee waves him off. "Please, keep an ear out for us." The Wood Elf grinned. "That's my job, ma'am."
x
x
A wary month passes without word from the Dawnguard. Anglalos has heard nothing from the Dawnguard indicating they want help from Kaylee. Said woman paces back and forth in the Master quarters, while her husband Tullius watches her. "You're going to wear a hole in the ground."
The movement stops, and Kaylee's shoulders slump. "I know. I just don't understand why they won't ask for help. They know are incapable of doing this on their own." Walking to the bed, she continues. "Besides, you heard Clagius. Unless they ask for it, we can't help." Tullius tugs her hand and presses her close to him. "Then we wait."
"I don't like it." Kaylee mutters into his chest. "I know. You want to help everyone." He rubs her back. "Maybe we'll hear something soon." "I hope so."
It is three days before the Paladins, or more specifically Kaylee, hears the call from the Dawnguard. Anglalos pushes a note in front of Kaylee that lunch. "They've called for our assistance, ma'am." Quickly reading the note, Kaylee nods at Clagius. "They have. Here."
"They certainly have." The Master scratches his neck. "I guess you will be leaving." He waits for Kaylee to stop drinking. "Indeed. Everyone will expect me to. Thankfully, I won't have to deal with that many dragons." Clagius raises his eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Yes. Most of them – surprisingly - have followed Paarthurnax. So they only feed upon cows or goat that the people give them in certain located spots. There's about thirty or so." Leaning forward, she rests her chin on her hands. "Of course there are some whom refuse to follow, but those numbers have dwindled. Mostly, they came to fight me while we were looking for this place."
"I see. So, when will you leave?" Lifting a finger to scratch her forehead, she replied, "Two days at best." Clearing his throat, Clagius nods. "Very well."
x
x
Tullius sits on their bed, shoulders slumped. Kaylee won't let him come. She wants him to stay, and lead should she be slayed. A door closes but he doesn't register it. Probably because he knows whom it is, and of course he could be correct.
Hands place themselves on his cheeks. "Tullius." Her voice is soft, and sounds somewhat pained. "Please, don't be mad at me." He stares at her. "I'm not." Her brow furrows. "You look like it. Even your behavior suggest it." He smiles lightly. "Alright, you win. I'm a bit angered." A chuckle releases itself from her chest.
"I thought so." She places a kiss on his forehead before sitting next him.
x
x
Two days later, Kaylee finds herself travelling through the Rift. Towards the Veloth Mountains. The memory of going to Sovngrade traverses through her head. Even a grin appears on her face. She can understand why the Nords were so obsessed with finding what it looked like. Or with in general. A very beautiful place indeed.
It doesn't feel too long before she finds the cave where the Dawnguard lie. On her way she meets another traveler, and judging by his accent, he is a Nord.
They may be traveling together, but she quickly forgets his name. She has other business to attend, and the rambling of her companion are no concern to her right has other business to attend, and the rambling of her companion are no concern to her right now. She needs to find Isran and ask why he has finally asked for help.
Fort Dawnguard certainly looks like it could have been from Cyrodiil. Maybe even Winterhold at best. If she didn't know the history of this fort, she would have wondered which line of royalty it was built for. No normal guild or order would have such a place.
On the way to the doors, her gaze turned to an Orc holding an unusual weapon. The Orc turned at the sound of metal clanking against ground. Standing before him was a farmer's boy and a warrior. Reloading the weapon his hand, he waited for one of them to ask an obvious question about it.
"What is that?" The farmer questioned. He watched as the Nord took tentative steps towards him. "May I see?" The question came from the warrior. He nodded and a hand reached out and took the weapon from him. Holding it up, the unnamed woman gazed at it. She turned to him and handed it back.
"What is it?" A chuckle exited from his lip. "It's a crossbow. A Dawnguard specialty." Reaching down, he grabbed another with forty-five steel bolts. "Here take this." She held out her hands watching as he placed it her arms. "So, who are you two?"
The farmer jumped slightly. "I'm Agmaer." Putting his hand into a fist, the Orc placed over his chest, like a Nord would do. "I'm Durak. And what about you, miss?" Said woman took off her helmet, and repeated the same salute. "I'm Kaylee Whitestrake, Grandmaster of the Paladin Order. Your leader called for my help." Durak raised his eyebrow. "The threat must be that bad if Isran asked for your help." Shrugging, Kaylee placed the crossbow over her back. "I wouldn't know. I've been busy remaking the Order."
Durak nodded. "I suppose you wouldn't. And I suppose I shouldn't keep you much longer. Keep heading up the path and you will see the doors eventually."
x
x
A scene greets both Kaylee and Agmaer. Two people stand in the middle of the room, a Redguard and a Nord. "Why are you here, Tolan?" The Redguard is the first one they hear. "I was finished with the Vigilants a long time ago!" Tolan, the Vigilant, mutters out. "You know why, Isran. The Vigilants are under attack! Nowhere is safe from the Vampires! I don't think the members of the newly restored Paladin Order would be able to face them, and they are truly blessed by a Divine."
Isran placed his fingers on his nose nears his eyebrows. "And you wish to run to the safety of us, the Dawnguard? And have you forgotten that Kaylee Whitestrake is a Dragonborn?" Talon takes a step back from the harshness of Isran's tone. Gritting his teeth, he yells out. "They are all dead, you know. We were wrong and you were right. Isn't that enough?"
Gulping in a breath, he continues, "Are you even sure it matters to the vampires that she is a Dragonborn?" Pointing towards the door, Tolan pushes it even further. "I highly doubt they care about that!" Isran finally snaps and pushes Tolan into the wall. "If they vampires are smart enough, they will care. The both of us have heard the legends about the Graybeards. We have been in Skyrim long enough! And if she was taught by them, what do you think she could do?"
After hearing what Isran and Talon have said, Agmaer looks warily at his companion. She had introduced herself to Durak as Kaylee Whitestrake. And Durak had somewhat ushered them forward. Kaylee noticed his stare and winked. Stepping forward, she cranes her neck towards the ceiling. Opening her mouth, Kaylee feels the all too familiar rush of a Shout coming out. "FUS RO DAH!"
Those present winced at the loud sound, before looking in the direction it came from. Isran places his hands on his hips while Tolan stares, slack jawed. Seeing Tolan expression caused her to chuckle warily. "Ah, why hello there."
"If you wanted proof, Talon." The Nord merely glares. Isran waves the two forward. "So, I hear you're looking for the Order's help." Scratching his cheek, Isran nods. "Yes, the vampire threat has gotten worse." Kaylee shifts her weight to her left foot. "That is what Durak has told me. You will have get me up to speed. I haven't been out much due to the fact I have been restoring my own Order."
"Indeed we will. Tolan, tell her what you told me." Said Vigilant walked towards her. "We think the vampires have been looking for something. Some artifact, and last we knew, it was Dimhollow Crypt. A cave of sorts." Gazing at the Vigilant, she mused, "Are you sure it's cave? A crypt usually means a graveyard.
"We're sure." Tolan watched as the woman placed a map on the table. "Alright, Tolan, where is this cave?" Walking forward he pointed to the north side of some mountains. "It's not too far of the Hall. It should be easy for you to find. Nodded, Kaylee rolled up the map.
"I'll leave at first light tomorrow. Is there a place I may rest?"
