Skyrim(c) Bethesda.
Krilot translates to Valiant.
Forgotten Paladin, Chapter XII: Serana
Talon was correct. It was an hours walk, or a thirty minute ride, away from the Hall. Patting Krilot, a horse of Palomino color, she dismounted and entered the cave. Unsheathing her sword was the first thing she did.
Inching forward, she kept her shield ready. If Clagius was right about these vampires being blessed by Molag Bal, then she would keep her guard up. It wasn't long before she heard voices. Judging the conversion, they were vampires. Loud breathing indicated there was also some type of dog here as well.
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Thrusting her sword into the gut of the main vampire, Kaylee felt teeth marks attempt to bite into her armor. Gritting her teeth, she pushed the other vampire into the wall. She could feel it struggling against her. She flung her head back, and the vampire grunted in pain. Seeing the other vampire running towards her, she sprinted to the side causing it to run into the other one. Taking the chance, she pushed her sword into the chest of one until it reached through the other one's chest. The vampires screeched in harmony. "Curse you!"
Their bodies flopped to the ground. Kaylee turned her gaze to the unusual structure in the middle. It seemed to be some type of shrine almost. Arches formed a circle on the inside and outside, while these silver braziers sat in different places, although they looked like they could be moved.
In the middle lay a button on some type of stone stand. She gazed at it warily before placing her right hand on it. Pain shot through her as a spike went her hand. She yelped and winced. After receiving some of her blood, the spike retreated and Kaylee cradled her hand. A purple fire rose gently in the cracks on the ground. To Kaylee's surprise, this fire did not harm her.
Eyes looking around, she found that only one section had purple flames. It must have something to do with those braziers, she thought. But, I need to deal with my hand first. She poured into it as much Restoration magic as she could. It could only do some much. She would have to see a healer. Wrapping some cloth around her hand, he lifted herself up head towards one of the braziers.
The ground shook as she pushed the last brazier into place. Kaylee steadied herself as the middle circle opened to reveal a stone monolith. The door slid open and a woman fell out with an Elder scroll on her back. "Hey, are you alright?" The woman stood up shakily. Orange eyes stared her, and realization hit Kaylee.
"You're a vampire." The vampire smiled at her. "You guessed pretty quickly. However, who are you?" Kaylee took a step back. "Why should I tell you?" Her left hand grabbed her sword and unsheathed it. She would lose this battle if the vampire attacked her. Said vampire raised her hand. "While you have every right to fear me, I assure you I won't attack; I merely wish to go home."
Kaylee chuckled darkly. "If I let you go home, who is to say you won't attack everyone else?" The woman tilted her head to the left. "A fair question. Very well." Kaylee prepared herself only see an outstretched hand. "I'm Serana." Staring at the hand, Kaylee slowly raised her right and clasped hands with this Serana. "Alright, I'll trust you for now, but if you make one mistake." Serana continued her thought, "I'm getting a sword through the chest."
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Galloping towards Fort Dawnguard without getting help for her hand wasn't Kaylee's first idea. However, she needed to get to Isran, and fast. Pines blurred slightly as she pushed Krilot to his limits. "Come on boy. We're almost there." The horse gave a snort and pushed forward up the path. Wooden walls greeted them fairly quickly but they didn't stop there.
They turned to find a band of vampires attacking. Grabbing her sword, Kaylee swung from the left side of Krilot. The tip of the sword sliced through the head of a vampire, killing him instantly. The other two vampires hissed as one theirs fell. This provided a much needed distraction for the Dawnguard. Isran swung his hammer down into the chest of the master vampire. She briefly saw Agmaer swing his father's axe, as he called it. It sliced through the armor of the other vampire.
Another Dawnguard member, Durak, released a bolt from his crossbow. The bolt hit the last vampire square in the face. It went down with a loud growl. "Kaylee." Isran caught her attention. "What news do you bring from Dimhollow." The Redguard place his hands on the shoulder of her horse. "Nothing good." Putting away her sword, she went on. "It was another vampire they were looking for, and she had an Elder Scroll."
The members around them stared in confusion, while Isran harden his gaze. "Are you sure it was an Elder Scroll?" Reaching back, Kaylee grabbed the one she had gotten from Blackreach. "Aye, it looked just like this." People took several steps back. "How did you get one?" Kaylee dismounted carefully. "It was in Blackreach. I needed it to defeat Alduin. I assure you, she was carrying one." They would have walked in, if Isran hadn't seen Kaylee's slight wince as she placed her own scroll on her back.
"What is it?" Kaylee unwrapped her hand. "I had a spike go through it. A price to open the monolith of that vampire." Isran waved for someone. "Here, this should help.
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Isran's next job for her was to find to more of his allies. A Breton and a Nord. Holding up her map, she gazed at the areas Isran said the might be. The Nord was near Ivarstead according to Isran. Getting him first would be fast than traveling to the Reach.
The only thing that had changed in Ivarstead was the presence of Imperial Guard.
Arkay seemed to be smiling upon her. The cave he was said to be at was right next to the pathway to High Hrothgar. She watched as this heavily built man, for a Nord, swiftly took down a bear. "Hello there, little Imperial."
Ignoring his slight taunt, she meandered towards him. "Isran needs your help Gunmar." The Nord threw his head back and let out a long laugh. "Isran? Needs my help?" He simply shook his and sat on a rock. "What could the lone wolf Isran need my help for?" Placing her hands on each of his legs, she leant forward. "Isran needs your help, because the vampires have an Elder Scroll." His eyes widened. "Fine, but we need to kill this bear first."
The Reach had not changed. It seemed as blood thirsty as the last time she had been here. Foresworn, wolves and the bandit groups. She was not as lucky with this stranger as she had been with Gunmar. Sorine was on the other side of the Reach and it would be another day before she even reached the woman. A fox darts past startling Krilot a little. "Really boy? You've seen a dragon." Krilot shakes his head. "Well, come on. We need to speed this up." Clicking her tongue, she kicks him into a trot.
It is noon the next before they reach Sorine. The leather cladded woman is muttering and looking around franticly. Dismounting, Kaylee trots over to her. "Sorine." The Breton looks at her. "Isran needs your help." Sorine simply shakes her head. "Isran doesn't need my help. He told me that a long time ago." Lifting the woman up, Kaylee stares her down. "Well he needs it now. A clan of vampires have an Elder Scroll."
This catches most of the woman's attention. "An Elder Scroll you say?" Kaylee nods in comfrimation. "Alright, I'll help but I need a Dwemer Gyro first, or if you can find my satchel."
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As they turn the corner, a voice that Kaylee has only heard once, but can never forgot, greets her. "Hello, Kaylee." Serana stands before her, the Elder Scroll still on her back. Why was she here? She knew this place was dangerous. "Hello, Serana." Her voice is firm. "Out of all places, why would you come here?" Serana leans against the wall. "It's about me and this Elder Scroll." Waving a hand, Kaylee waits for her to continue.
"My father used to not really care for the troubles of this world." A waver in her voices appears as she starts the next sentence. "Until he found an old prophecy, which he eventually became obsessed with. It says vampire will eventually no longer fear the sun." Isran gestures towards the Elder Scroll. "I take it that it has something to do with that." "Yes, but you would need to find a Moth Priest to read it." Isran grits his teeth. "Figures and they are in Cyrodiil. Wait, speaking of Elder Scrolls, how did you read yours, Kaylee?"
Kaylee folds her arms together. "I can't really tell you. Actually, I'm not sure how to explain it." She can see Isran is not happy with her answer but accepts it, while Serana looks at her with confusion and curiosity. Moving the conversation back to the Moth Priest, Kaylee ponders "How are we going to get one here in Skyrim?" Serana cleared her throat. "I think I can help with that. My father started a rumor, before I left, that an Elder Scroll had been found. And I hear a Priest will be coming to Skyrim in a month." Isran smiled slightly. "I suppose that thing of father of yours is useful. As for you, if feed anyone here, you're done." "I understand."
Two weeks have passed before Serana finally asks the question Kaylee has been waiting for. "You have an Elder Scroll?" Kaylee sighs and grabs her bag with her right hand, which has now fully healed. "Yes, I was connected with a prophecy, like you." The vampire cocks her head to right. "I'm the last of Dovahkiin, or Dragonborn. It was my duty to slay Alduin." Serana watches as the Dragonborn pulls out an Elder Scroll. "And can you read yours?"
Kaylee places the Elder Scroll on her lap. "I can't. I had to take it to the Throat of the World." Serana raises an eyebrow. "Why there." Clearing her throat, Kaylee glances around. "Time was shattered there. The ancient Nords did not defeat Alduin; they sent him forward in time." Serana inclines her towards the Scroll. "With that Elder Scroll." A nod is all Serana needs.
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The last two weeks pass without incident, and clear sign that the vampires are waiting for the priest as well. Putting on the last bit of armor, Kaylee massages her right hand. It's been a month since the spike went through her hand, but it feels like it hasn't healed at all. It seems she may have to see Clagius about this. It will have to wait. They have to find the Moth Priest first.
Dragon Bridge is where the Priest has last been seen. As her, Serana and one the armored huskies inch closer towards Dragon Bridge, Kaylee ponders whether it's a mere coincidence that this where he would last been seen. Surprise filters through her as she finds herself incapable of moving her right hand. She can lift her arm, but she had absolutely no ability to move her hand.