Finnaly, I get some explanations straight.
Also, regarding the comment made by Baeowulf, I try to come up with at least one chapter per day, but I could only keep that pace steady because I had one huge ass holiday and had nothing to do all day. So now that I`m back to that dreaded place called school, I think I will be able to keep up with a chapter every other two days, but that is just a projection.
Thanks for hearing me out.
Also, mature content on this chapter. Be warned.
Chapter 13:
- But you were dead…
Krona – or the being that called itself Krona – took out her own dagger. It was black with elegant silver engravings on the side of the blade.
- Being dead is an absolute state. I was dead, therefore I am dead. But that is not my point. – she said, approaching the dangerously sharp dagger to Dila`s neck. Dila tried to crawl away, but the wound on her sidemade her stop and cringe as a lacerating pain ran through her body. – Trying to cower away, huh? Hehehe…
Krona grabbed her fringe. Dila felt a dagger touch her throat. She reached for the daggers in her belt and grabbed one of them, turning and slashing at the face of the assassin. Krona dodged it, buts she had to release her grip on Dila.
Dila slashed again, the blade narrowly missing the Argonian`s neck. Dila saw that she was wearing a small necklace, but she quickly forgot about it as she dodged a jab.
She put the Argonian in an arm lock. Krona smiled, a gesture Dila did not understand. Then, Krona`s arm bent and grabbed Dila`s collar, before twisting her around and throwing her into the wall. Dila was surprised. Had her elbow just … dislodged itself?
- Of course, being a corpse has it`s benefits… - Krona said, twisting her own arm and making it do a full circle.
Dila could not hold back her disgust from the morbid display. She doubled over, fighting against the urge to vomit and against the sensation of fear and disgust mixing on her stomach. Krona laughed at the Khajiit that was now kneeling by her feet.
- Now… - she said, grabbing the Khajiit`s chin and making her look at her. Her eyes were wet with tears. She gently put the dagger on her neck. – It`s time I end your life, cat. I hope you had a good time with Siris, but don`t worry. He will be next.
Before she could slit her throat, though, she heard steps nearby. She looked to the side and suddenly jumped up to the house`s roof. Dila fell down on the ground, whimpering. She saw someone approaching her, almost running and the skidding to her side on his knees. She closed her eyes and felt that the man was carrying her. Her hands gently brushed the man`s arms.
Scales.
"Siris…" she thought, before blacking out.
00000
Siris came in bursting through the doors of the Jarl`s manor, holding the now unconscious Dila in his arms. The Jarl was talking to someone in a mage`s outfit. His gaze lifted up to him as he ran through the hall.
- Balgruuf! – he shouted. – Dila needs medical treatment, urgently!
- What happened?
- I don`t know! I found her in an alley, bleeding.
- Let me help her, Siris.
Siris turned around, fangs bare, only to see that it was Farengar standing in the mage`s robe. Siris sighed with relief. Although he wasn`t any master with Restoration spells, Siris would have died countless times had Farengar not healed him. Farengar threw some candles and plates away and signaled him to put Dila on top of the table. He did so, and Farengar started rubbing his palms. Golden light formed between them.
- Come on, Farengar! – Sirs rushed, skiping from one foot to the other like a nervous child. – She can`t die here!
He could see that the gash on her side was pretty big, but he had been through worse and come out unscathed, but still
- Don`t worry… - Farengar said, putting both of his hands on both sides of the wound. – She won`t.
True to word, a flash of yellow light enveloped the wound, and it began closing. Siris almost crumbled to the ground, glad that Dila was out of danger. Her breathing had stabilized, and her color was beginning to return to her face.
- She needs some rest. Let`s get her back to the inn.
- No! Not the inn. – Siris said, cradling her in his arms. – There were Grey-Manes on the inn. I killed a few of them and the rest bolted. They had killed the inn keeper. It is best if she stays here.
The Jarl nodded, and the guards took Dila to one of the now empty guest rooms. Siris watched them until they turned through the door, than sat down in one of the chairs. Balgruuf followed.
- What happened Siris?
- I got captured. A few old problems appeared.
- That guy from the Shadowscales you told me about?
- Razara. Yes, exactly him. – he said, his voice dripping aggression. – I will make him pay for doing that to me…
- But what exactly happened? Was it Ulfric who sent him or was he acting on his own?
Siris stood up and, almost immediately, nearly fell down on the floor, not doing so only because of his reflexes. He quickly grabbed the side of the table, managing to stand up, although dizzily.
- Siris, are you allright? – the Jarl said, quickly walking up to him.
- I… - he said, putting a hand on his forehead. – I wasted to much energy today.
- You should rest. Come, there is a vacant room. You can lie down and tell us the details in the morning.
Siris shot out a hand. He saw that the guards had already left Dila`s room.
- With all due respect, Balgruuf… - he said, as best as he could. – I would prefer to watch over her tonight, in case she needs something.
Balgruuf nodded, before slapping him on the shouder, an act that almost sent him sprawling through the floor. He smiled, though.
- It`s good to have you back, Siris.
- It`s good to be back. I`ll see you in the morning.
Siris limped his way to the small room by the side of the alchemy table. Dila was sleeping soundly on the bed. He closed the door, pulled a chair and sat down by her side. He ran a head through her neck and patted her head. She purred at his touch. He slumped back in the chair, stayed awake perhaps for a minute or two, and fell asleep like a rock.
00000
Dila slowly opened her eyes. The sun was high in the sky, for a change. She smacked her lips and stretched. She grasped her side, and noticed that there was a gash in her armor, but no wound in her body. She found it strange. When had she entered a fight?
She shot up from the bed. She had been attacked by none other than Krona, the assassin that Siris had guaranteed he had killed. And where was Siris?
She hastily got out of the bed and slammed the door open. She saw Balgruuf in the table, talking to three people. One of them was Irileth, and the other was that nice Bosmer she had met the day before, Farengar.
The other one stood up when he heard the door opening, and turned to face her. She almost jumped of joy.
- Siris! – she screamed, running toward him. He opened his arms and they hugged tightly. – I missed you so much!
- So did I, Dila…
- Dila, it is good that you are awake. – Balgruuf said, standing up. Siris released her. – Siris was almost finishing to tell us how he escaped the jaws of death yet again.
Siris laughed. Gods, she had missed that sound. He was still wearing the same clothes of when she had last seen him.
- It`s not so dramatic, really. – he said, sitting down again. – All I did was kill a few guards, while handcuffed, may I add, and jumped from a tower head-first into a river.
They all laughed at that. Dila sat down and picked up an apple. It crunched when she bit into it.
- And after that, what did you do?
- I ran to Whiterun, and after that, I found Lady Trouble here, doubled over in some alley, with a gash on her flank. She just can`t stay out of trouble, can she?
She playfully smacked him on the shoulder. Balgruuf inquired:
- And what were you doing there, exactly? - he asked Dila.
Dila`s playful attitude ceased, and she quickly thought of an answer that didn`t involve the supposedly dead assassin. She had to tell that to Siris first, before she could tell anyone else.
"As if he is going to believe me anyway."
- I fell from the roof. – she said, which was half truth. – and I fell on my dagger.
Balgruuf eyed her with a seemingly suspicious look, before chuckling and getting up. He walked through his throne and picked up a letter. Then he headed to the door, and Irileth and Farengar followed him. Dila was confused.
- Where are you going? – she asked.
- I need to go take care of some issues on the temple. – Farengar said.
- And the General sent a Legate to Whiterun. He has set camp about one hour from Whiterun. So, it`ll take me at least until the sun has set down to get back. And… - Balgruuf said, pointing to Irileth. – I am taking my housecarl with me.
She bowed to him, almost submissively. She then turned to Dila and Siris and said:
- Proventus will take care of business. Your room in the Bannered Mare is still there. You are both relieved of any duties you would have today. Take your day slowly, you two.
With that, they left through the door. Dila and Siris were left alone in the middle of the room. Dila lunged at Siris when the door closed. They kissed, trying to make up for lost time.
"Gods, I missed this."
They stood there, locked in the kiss for a few minutes. Then, Siris took her by her hand and guided her through the door. They strolled to the Bannered Mare, and took the flight of stairs to their room. There weren`t many people on the inn, except the new innkeeper.
Siris opened the door to the room, and they both entered. While Siris locked the door behind them, she took a few steps into the room. The window was still open. She closed it and lazily threw the curtains over the window. Before she could turn, Siris embraced from behind. She wasn`t expecting that, but the surprise was welcome. She closed her eyes and turned to him.
- How have you been, Dila?
- I managed… - she said, resting her head in his chest. – But this room gets lonely without you around.
- I can see that. You sound like you spent a few nights dreaming about me
- Gods, Siris… - she mewled, rising her hands to his neck. – You don`t need to say anything anymore. I am already yours…
She extended her claws and cut a small leather strap on the cloak. It fell on the ground, leaving Siris only with his usual coat.
- So shut up and kiss me.
He did so. She put her hands on his chest and quickly unbuttoned his vest. He took it off, exposing his chest. Their kiss grew more passionate, their tongues dancing in their mouths. She threw him in the bed. He was surprised by Dila, that cute little cat, doing that. As he sat on the edge of the bed, she took a confident step toward him and, before he realized, she straddled his hips.
- You are not going anywhere, Siris. – she said, voice reduced to a husky whisper.
- Wasn`t planning to…
00000
Siris rolled from her top. They were both sweating and huffing. Siris extended his arms to Dila, and she quickly fell into a loving embrace. As her breathing slowed down, he could see that she was smiling widely, white fangs beaming with joy. He hugged her close, and she purred. He loved to hear that sound. Her tail was slowly swinging right and left. Siris took it in his hands and played with it a little. Dila laughed.
- No fun. I can`t hold yours. – she said, slowly moving her hand through his back and trying to lift his tail, to emphasize her point. He chuckled at her attempts. – See?
He kissed her forehead. She stopped her attempts and looked at him, face now serious. She touched his cheek.
- Promise you won`t leave me again. – she said.
- I promise, dear.
- The whole time you were out, I was thinking about you. You made me worry. – she continued. – I kept thinking that you were hurt, or that you had been imprisoned by the Jarl, or…
She was beginning to cry. Siris held her tightly. She swallowed her tears.
- I was worried about you too. And I think I was right. – he said, breaking the comforting embrace. He had to talk to her about what he had seen the past night. – Dila, what happened last night?
- I fell from the roof. I told you already.
- Dila, that might have fooled Balgruuf... – he said, with a cocky smile on his face. – But I know that you wouldn`t simply fall from the roof. You are a Khajiit! You never fall.
She sighed. Siris found that strange. What was she hiding? His face became serious.
- Dila, what happened?
- I was attacked.
- By whom?
She paused, weighting her words.
- Krona.
Siris looked at her like if she was crazy. Krona was dead. He himself had killed her. He had pierced her heart with his sword. He had left her body there, for the other members of the Shadowscales to give her a proper funeral.
- But I… - he said, baffled.
- Killed her, yes. But she came back.
Siris sat up. Krona was alive? What had happened?
"What did I miss?"
He felt Dila come up behind him. She placed her hand across his back and on his shoulder. Siris felt something he couldn`t identify was growing inside of him. Was it anger at Dila, for not telling him what had truly happened? Or was it happiness that, after all those years, trying to cope with Krona`s death, he discovered that she was alive?
"No, that is not possible. I checked her pulse myself."
- Siris, you are crying. – he heard Dila say.
He wiped his hand across his eyes. It was true. He had been tearing up.
- Sorry. It`s just that I… - he began, but Dila put a finger on his mouth.
She withdrew the finger and kissed him again, slowly pulling him back to the bed.
- Don`t worry… - she said. – We will figure out what to do later. Right now, just know that, whatever happens, I still love you.
He nodded. Then he smiled and went down under the covers. She was about to ask what he was doing, until a wave of pleasure spread through her body! She gasped, and was quick to silence herself, letting Siris continue the task at hand…
00000
They were reunited by the dinning table. Farengar and Balgruuf had returned, and Siris had told them what had happened. Farengar had afew thoughts on the subject.
Farengar had gone to pick up a few scrolls on his lab, and he came back with a few soul gems and rolls of paper. He dropped them on the table. He opened a big scroll, and inside it where various drawings of bodies and ancient writings.
- Now… – Farengar began. – Every living body has a soul. Basically, it is what let`s us mages use our spells. Souls are also that which keeps us locked to this plane of existence. Usually, when we die, the soul of the deceased passes on to another plane. Souls of lesser creatures, however… - he said, picking up a soul gem. – Can be captured using a Soul Gem, which powers enchantments and staves. Usually, only animals and non-sentient beings soul`s can be sealed on a soul gem, or soul trapped.
He picked a small soul gem from his pocket. This one had one of it`s halves colored black, setting it apart from the others on the table.
- Unless you are using one of these. A Black Soul Gem is special, in which it can capture the soul of any creature, including the souls of Men, Mer and Beast people. – he looked at Siris and Dila. – No offense.
- None taken. What are you trying to get at?
- A corpse can supposedly be reanimated if a necromancy ritual is performed the right way. But that would require a large amount of souls, because, if that is not the case, the corpse disintegrates or becomes a mindless shell. In Dila`s description, her assailant seemed to have enough knowledge to know it was even dead. That would require an enormous amount of Black Soul Gems, which are quite rare.
They all stood silent for a second. Balgruuf then spoke.
- Perhaps not many, just one…
- Nonsense, Balgruuf. Each Soul Gem, black or otherwise, can only be used once. It breaks afterwards.
- I know of one that doesn`t. – he said, looking up to Siris. Siris seemed to immediately understood what he meant.
- Do you think he might…
- It is the only explanation. – he then turned to Dila. – Dila, was krona using any kind of jewel?
Dila thought for a moment. She faintly remembered that, when the Argonian had dodged a blow, a small necklace had made itself visible.
- Now that I think of it, yes, a necklace. Why?
Balgruuf looked back at Siris and they both said at the same time:
- The Black Star.
- What?
- One of the two Daedric Artifacts the Dragonborn held. The Black star is said to be an "infinite Soul Gem" that can house both black and white souls and still be usable after being discharged. It combined well with his other Artifact.
- We don`t need to mention that one. – Siris rapidly cut in.
- But how is Razara keeping Krona connected to the Star? – Irileth asked. – The Star can`t be used as an adornment. It`s way too big.
- The Dragonborn solved that too. He cut a small chunck of the Star and managed to turn it into a necklace, which connected the star directily to him. But I thought he had taken it to High Hrothgar when he finished his business with Alduin…
- You don`t know Razrara like I do, Balgruuf. – Siris said, grimly. – The only question that matters is why would he want to resurrect one single soldier when he could focus his attention on… something else?..
He seemed awfully vague with that comment. Dila looked at him. He hadn`t explained to her who that Razara figure was, neither what was his plan. Something was terribly off.
As she was about to ask him, an Imperial soldier came running through the door. He stopped by the Jarl to talk to him.
- What is it, my man? – the Jarl asked.
- It`s the Stormcloaks, sir. They have been spotted on the other end of the prairie. They are here sir. The war is about to begin!
Without further a due, Siris and Dila ran outside the manor to grab their weapons, while Balgruuf went to the barracks to warn the soldiers.
Dila trembled with excitement and expectation. The war she had been waiting was about to begin. And she was going to get her revenge for her friends… and for Siris as well.
She was ready.