A Tale of Dragons: Tanz do Iiz ahrk Yol
Chapter: 14
The Lady of Castle Volkihar
The light from the moon was the only light offered as the sun had retreated for the day, finally allowing the stairs to show themselves yet again. The wind carried snow, making it slightly more difficult to see and move through the many pieces of shattered ice that was being carried by the sea. The wind howled as they navigated across the water, getting ever so closer to their destination.
As Khara moved the boat through the ice, Serana sat quietly and waited, preparing herself. How does one even do that though? Prepare themselves to slay their own father, one of the two responsible for giving you life. Serana remembered the times when her father was a loving and kind man, and not the thing that he is today, but the thought of killing him didn't become any lighter.
Khara stopped the boat when she could see the castle, there was still boats at the docks, telling her that the inhabitants of the castle hadn't left. Her eyes were stuck on the dock as she hoped that they were simply preparing within the castle and that they would leave soon. Khara moved to the back of the boat, getting a little more comfortable as she was willing to wait for them to leave. She saw that Serana was lost in her thoughts, her eyes seemed to be miles away. Khara nudged Serana's boot with her own.
Serana turned around and looked at the wolf, who patted the space next to her, showing that she wanted Serana to sit next to her. Serana managed to offer the tiniest of smiles as she moved over to sit down next to her wolf.
Khara brought her arm around Serana's waist and pulled her closer, she knew that Serana must find this weather extremely cold so, she wanted to offer the woman some warmth.
Serana rested her head on Khara's shoulder as they waited. "They'll come out soon, they have to." Serana said as her thoughts got infested with doubt.
Khara nodded as she hugged Serana closer. "They will. They won't ignore the letter, they'll get to the boats soon." Khara said, her voice as it always was, calm, strong and steady.
As they sat and waited, the weather turned against them. The endless waves of snow fell more heavily down on them, the wind turned colder and the waves higher as time flew by. Even Khara would admit that it was cold, and that's saying something. As more time passed, Khara couldn't help but think about herself and becoming a vampire. She would be able to finally repay Serana for the lovely bite mark that was placed on her shoulder, and the thought about doing the blood sharing with the woman was even more interesting to the wolf.
Falion had said that there wouldn't be much change, if anything she felt a little excited over the idea. She would become even stronger and she would still remain a werewolf, so she was to become a hybrid, are there even any hybrids? She wondered. No. Her wolf aspect answered. It made her jump a little, at times she still forgot that her mind was shared with two others.
It was a little odd, sharing your mind with others, but then again, her aspects were just other parts of her. The way her wolf aspect worked as a little interesting actually. When she is in her human form, the wolf aspect can see through Khara's eyes and communicate with her through her mind and offer her guidance. And once she entered her wolf form the roles switch. When transformed it is the wolf aspect that controls the body while Khara simply tells it what to do. This is why when, for example, she tells the wolf to do something, it does so in the simplest way possible, it is a wolf spirit after all. If she tells it to put a thing down on the ground, the wolf will just drop it and let it fall. If she tells it to stop a person from running away, it won't grab person's arm, no it would sit on them. Look at it like she is commanding a person with…Difficulties understanding her language, it will get the message, but may have a hard time performing the task to the letter.
For normal werewolves this is something that takes years to master as it requires a good connection with your wolf aspect as the wolf can choose to ignore its mortal. But because Khara gained her wolf form from Lord Hircine himself, she already had an excellent connection with it from the very start. If she wants it, she can reenter her mortal form at any time.
However, when Khara let her wolf take full control, it is up for the wolf aspect if it wants to give its mortal back the power to control the body again, it is impossible for a mortal to leave the wolf from once the aspect is in full control. Because when one let's their aspect take full control, the mortal's voice can't be heard by the aspect. This is why so many werewolves go feral, the aspects trick their mortals to give them full control if they are not pleased or satisfied. The wolf and the mortal must have similar mind, it worked the same way with her dragon aspect, but there was no transformation involved in that, but yet a lot of trust are needed to do so.
Another thought entered her mind. She knew how Serana felt about temples, priests and the Gods. So, the idea of a traditional marriage was out of the picture, but that didn't stop Khara from thinking. Why would they need a priest to make their oaths to each other valid? Why would they need others to witness them taking the oaths? And why in Oblivion would they need the Gods to judge and approve of their love and devotion to each other? As long as Serana and Khara knew how they felt for each other, why would they need any other to make their marriage real? Isn't it enough to simply say the words? Perhaps even exchange some rings? Hah, your thoughts are entertaining, goraan gein. And we see your point. Her dragon aspect said amused by the way the woman thought. If you wish to have witnesses, me and the dragon will be there. Her wolf said before adding. It's isn't like we have much choice. Khara smiled at the two voices in her mind as she felt their comforting presence. She may make a ring or two when they returned to Solitude.
Khara narrowed her eyes as snowflakes hit her eyes, she lowered her hood a little in an attempt to shield her eyes from the icy storm.
Serana's eyes scanned the entrance of the castle, but it was getting harder due to the snow. She was about to give up when she saw a small light in the distance, then two before she could clearly see who was carrying them. Her clan members were leaving the castle, their plan had worked. She could see the familiar faces of Hestla, Vingalmo, Feran and all the others, they were all leaving the castle. "Khara, look." Serana said as they got in the boats.
Khara sat a little straighter as she narrowed her eyes, it was difficult to see in this weather even with her enhanced vision. "I can't see anything…" She said as she continued to try. "Is it them? Are they leaving?" She asked as she turned her head to look at Serana. The vampire's vision was slightly better than her own.
Serana nodded as her eyes didn't move. "Yes, they are." She turned her head to her wolf. "It worked." She said relieved.
Khara nodded as she got up and moved so that she could bring the boat closer to the castle. "Let me know when they are far enough away, I can't see a damn thing in this storm."
"A few more minutes and we'll be good to go." Serana said as her eyes followed the boats that were getting further and further away from them. The lanterns on the boats faded as the waves carried the other vampires closer to the shore, finally allowing Khara and Serana to get on the island. "Okay, we're good." Serana said to her wolf.
Khara nodded and brought them closer to the castle. Once they made it to the dock, Khara tied the boat and placed one foot on the dock while offering a hand to Serana as her eyes scanned the new area.
Serana smiled at the gesture as she grabbed Khara's hand. They walked up the stone path that had some gargoyles on it, but none jumped out at them as they moved further up. They stopped once they stood in front of the wooden doors of Castle Volkihar. Serana placed a hand at the door, ready to open it, but she stopped. Her gaze fell as her brows furrowed, she was just about to enter her childhood home to fight and most likely kill her own father. She had known this for a little while now, but it just hit her, she was going to kill her father. Open the door dammit. Serana told herself, yet her body was frozen in place.
Khara noticed the change in Serana's face, she could see that the woman was having a hard time. The wolf moved a hand to Serana's shoulder, giving it a solid squeeze. "I'll be right next to you, through it all, till the end." She said with a soft voice.
Those words hit Serana, it sounded like Khara was talking about more than just the here and now. It felt like it was more than just words of comfort. Serana turned her head a little, making it so that their eyes met. Serana saw how Khara's eyes changed as they looked at each other, the glow in them softened, it gave her that little push she needed to pull open the door. "Here it goes." She mumbled as they entered the castle.
With caution, they walked further into the castle once they saw that there were none at the entrance. Khara's eyes roamed the room they were about to enter, they had to go down some steps, it looked like the dining area. Three long tables were placed in the room, the one in the middle had a big, fancy chair at it, but more importantly, it had someone in it. The wolf noticed that Serana let out a little breath as she straightened and walked down the steps, keeping her gaze at the man sitting in the chair, currently unaware of his uninvited guests.
As they moved to the middle of the room, just after having descended the steps, Serana stopped and her gaze didn't move from the man. "Returned so soon have we? I take it you have…" He let his eyes leave the piece of paper on the table in front of him and let them see who was in the room with him. Khara thought that he must have expected Serana and Khara to be one of his minions, but she could not be sure as his face didn't change when he saw who was in front of him. "Now this is unexpected." He said amused as he rose from his seat. He walked around the table so that nothing was in between them, with the letter in his hand.
As he moved, Khara's hold on her blade tightened as she found it hard to read his intentions. Serana too was unsure of what to do, so she simply held her tongue. She had nothing to say to him as of this moment, but she wished she had. There was so many feelings with in her that begged to be released as she looked at the man. Over the years he changed, he turned into something, but what, Serana didn't know.
Harkon's eyes moved between the two as he came to a stop. He rose his hand with the letter and let his eyes look over it again, while still keeping the two women in his vision. His hand fell to his blade. His eyes then moved to the wolf, or to what the wolf had on her back. "So, I see that you have returned with my bow." He then let out a breath, like he was bored. "I assume that this letter was to make sure that I was alone, unprotected." He lowered his arm and moved his gaze to meet his daughter's. "It was clever Serana, you are so much alike your mother." He said, his voice turning a little sour at the last words. "But you should know that I need no protection. Especially not from you and your little hound. Tell me child, is your… pet keeping you entertained?"
"You know why we're here." Serana said with a voice as cold as the wind howling outside the castle's walls. She still found it hard that this was her father standing in front of her.
"Of course I do, you are here with the bow, there is only so many things that can mean, Serana." Harkon said as his eyes changed, turning a little more red. "You disappoint me, Serana. Everything that I have ever done, I have done for our kind. And here you are, with a mortal, putting all of my hard work at risk." He hissed before taking a small step closer to them. He inhaled through his nose, his face taking on a disgusted look. "I can smell its stench on you, you dishonor me and your kind, being with this hound." He spat, his eyes glowing more and more as the words left his mouth.
Khara was finding it harder to just stand quietly while this ass of a vampire spat insults at her lover, she didn't care what he said of her, but he was treading into dangerous territory with all his harsh words aimed at Serana.
Serana was getting tired of his words too, so she took a step forward. "Enough! You've destroyed our family, you've killed other vampires, others that I called my allies, my friends. All over some prophecy that you barely understand!" She roared at him. "You call me weak, small and foolish, yet you cannot see that you are only a pawn in this as well." She said. Harkon furrowed his brows at her words. "You don't even see it, do you?" She said as she let out a little, cold and frustrated laugh. "Ever wondered where all those visions of the great future ever came from, huh?" She said, his facial expression only fueled her fire as she continued to let the words leave her mouth. "You were used, father. Just like you used me and all the others that ever cared about you. You are nothing but a pawn in this too, your just-."
"Enough!" He roared as a dark cloud surrounded him. "I am no one's puppet! I am my own master!" His eyes turned complete black as the dark cloud swallowed him. It disappeared only a second later, letting the two women see Harkon in his vampire form.
Khara's eyes widened at the sight, she had never seen anything like this before. He was taller than before, his skin a mix between green and gray, he had wings, claws and fangs. He looked like a monster. Fitting to his personality, her wolf aspect growled, ready to fight.
Harkon pointed a claw at Khara. "Last chance dog, give me the bow. Now." He commanded, his voice deep and cold.
Khara couldn't help but let a deep, angry growl escape her. "Over my dead corpse, you fiend." She growled at the monster standing in front of her. It wasn't his transformation that made Khara call him that, fiend, but his words, the way he talked and looked at his own flesh and blood made Khara feel sick.
"My pleasure." He said as he walked closer, eyes locked on the wolf.
Serana summoned her magic. "You will not touch her!" She said as she moved closer to her wolf.
Harkon let out a deep chuckle as he continued to move closer. "Your voice drips with the venom of your mother's influence, you must miss her, Serana. But fear not, soon you will all be reunited!" He roared as he cast a spell into the stone floor, making the tables fly back and hit the walls, completely destroying them as the wood shattered at impact. Gargoyles jumped down from the walls as skeletons too came into view.
Harkon used his wings and jumped back on a little balcony, he would let his minions do the dirty work while he strengthens them with his blood magic as well as casting spells on the two women down below. He would show them what the power of blood magic could do.
Both Serana and Khara moved back. Serana summoned two frost atronachs as Khara used her knowledge with the Thu'um to make it difficult for the skeletons to get too close, but the gargoyles however managed to get to them.
Khara threw her blade over to Serana's feet if the woman would need it as she summoned her wolf aspect to come forth, and it did, gladly. I will show them what a hound can do. Her wolf aspect growled, ready to release its anger on the others in the room. She entered her beast form and let her wolf have its fun.
Fire, ice and lightening shot across the room as the wolf, the two vampires, gargoyles and undead fought. As the gargoyles fell, Serana used her magic to raise them again, this time serving her instead of her father. The gargoyles served as excellent shields for the two. Khara let her wolf aspect take control as it made quick work of the skeletons, she gained a few wounds, but nothing major. Serana too had gotten a few scratches by the few enemies that managed to get too close but just as her wolf, she easily ignored the pain, if anything it only made her fight with more strength as she felt the adrenaline flow through her body.
Serana moved closer to her wolf as she saw that the remaining enemies was surrounding her. Together they finished them with ease, they had fought tougher enemies before, Harkon would have to step up his game if he wished to complete the prophecy his way.
"I see that your time out of the castle have served you well, child. Perhaps this will take longer that I thought." Harkon, clearly a little drained over his use of magic, said as he took a step back. "Come then, let's take this in the cathedral, I'm sure Lord Bal would enjoy seeing me fulfil the prophecy." He said as he flew out of their vision.
"Come, we're so close, he's getting weaker, I can feel it." Serana panted as she moved over to where her father had gone.
Khara only nodded as she felt the beast within release its hold on her, letting her take on her human form once again. She had a feeling that Harkon was done with letting his minions do all the fighting, and if that was true, then she needed to be able to use her magic, shouts, dagger and blade in the coming fight. "Let's finish this." She said as she grabbed her blade and moved to catch up with Serana.
They ran up the stairs and could see Harkon in the room, drinking from a shrine of his beloved lord, Molag Bal. "We need to keep him away from that shrine." Serana said in a whisper.
They entered the room and Khara pulled a lever, closing the door behind them, making sure that this time, Harkon would have nowhere to flee. Khara grabbed the bow off her back and readied an arrow. In the second the arrow touched the string of the bow, it glowed in a bright light. The wolf released her arrow and let it fly across the room. Harkon moved to the side, but he was blinded by the light coming from the arrow, unsure of where it was, he wasn't able to avoid it completely. It scratched his arm, and by the blood, nothing has ever felt as painful to the vampire.
Harkon staggered back away from the shrine as he let out a hiss. Black smoke surrounded him once more, it would seem that the bow of Auriel held some sun magic to it, perfect. Harkon was forced out of his form, his eyes met Khara's and both women could see the flash of worry that his eyes showed for the shortest of moments. "I may not be able to use my vampiric form, but don't let that fool you." He took a step closer and grabbed a hold of his blade. "Before I was granted the blessings of Lord Bal, I was an excellent swordsman and a mage." He rose the blade closer to his chest and used his other hand and put some kind of magical effect on it. He saw that Khara's eyes were stuck on his blade, he then smiled. "Recognize the material?" He said as he dared to flash her a small grin. "Silver." He let his gaze move to his damaged arm. "It is time I repay you for this." And with that he charged the wolf.
Khara moved her legs further apart as she took on a defensive stance, blade ready. As he ran at her, Serana was readying a fire storm spell, she knew what kind of damage fire does to a vampire, but Harkon was recharged on his magica. "Back with you, daughter! I wish to have a word with your hound" He said in a cold voice as he used his free arm and summoned magic to push Serana back against the stone wall, hard.
The air in Serana's lungs left her in the second she met the wall. She released a hiss as she saw the fight in front of her. The wolf seemed surprised of Harkon's speed along with his strength. Khara was far too busy on concentrating on the defensive that she had no chance to make an offensive of her own as Harkon's blade kept meeting her own. Serana tried to join her wolf in the battle, but something was holding her back, black roots had grabbed her feet, she couldn't move. She bent down and used her dagger to get loose, but the damn things felt like iron shackles around her ankles.
Harkon kept at it with the attacks, never giving Khara the opportunity to strike back. The wolf was slowly forced back in a corner and her stamina was draining fast. Harkon rose his blade and let it collide with Khara's again and again, each strike having a little more strength behind it than the last. Lahvraan nii, her dragon aspect whispered. It hurts, geh, but pain is weakness leaving the body, goraan gein. Use it, collect it, make it your tool. Her dragon aspect kept saying in her mind. She was damaged, she was hurt, she had wounds that hurt like oblivion thanks to Harkon's silver infused blade.
"I was a king!" He roared as he let the blade strike hers again. "I ruled over thousands!" They collided again. "I was attacked by all kinds of souls and beings!" He saw an opportunity and punched Khara in the face, making the wolf jump back as she was unable to block for a moment. Gather it, Dovahkiin. "Daedra." He said as he quickly grabbed her shoulder, he was not letting her get away. You feel it, geh? "Monsters more ancient than your pathetic mortal empires." He used the hilt of his blade and hit her in the side of the head. "And an endless number of mortals trying to take away my kingdom." Show him what happens when he awakens the Dragon. "You are nothing." He hissed.
"WULD!" Khara shouted in a desperate attempt to get away from the man, it worked, but only for a short time. Khara's breathing was heavy as she looked at the man walking towards her. You have let your wolf take control, now let me have my turn.
"I have met all kinds of mortals, immortals. And yet I stand, what makes you believe that you can defeat me?" He said with arrogance as he came closer. Release me.
Khara moved her gaze to the man with blood in his eyes as a new sensation flew through her body. "I am the Dovahkiin." She said as she spat out some blood, her voice a little uneven, but she kept speaking as she took a few steps back. "I have fought far greater men than you, Sunvaar." She felt her dragon aspect move in her mind. "I have killed a god and yet I stand." She shook her shoulder a little as she prepared herself for another fight, her voice a little different than before. "Zu'u los hin vo!" A blue light surrounded Khara as she moved towards the man, her eyes were shining as bright as the sun in that light blue color. She had allowed her dragon aspect its turn to show itself. I cannot stay for long, but I will give him a good fight, goraan gain.
Serana was almost free from the dark roots that were around her feet as she saw the two in front of her. Her eyes however, were drawn to the wolf, or should she say the dragon? She had never seen Khara's eyes like this before, it almost hurt to look at the woman's eyes, they were that bright.
Harkon too was finding it difficult to look the Khara in the eye, he moved one hand to shield his eyes as he spoke. "You think a little magic and a few words will frighte-."
"WULD NAH KEST!" She flew into him, hitting him in the head with the hilt of her blade as she took him with her as she flew towards the stone wall.
Harkon grabbed her shoulder and sword arm as he easily disarmed her, but he couldn't move from where he stood. Khara was making that impossible at the moment. He tried to rise his blade, but the woman grabbed the hand that was holding it.
"Zu'u los suleyk gaar!" Her grip on him tightened as she was holding him against the wall. She punched him in the face beforeinhaling. "FUS!" His blade fell from his grip as his entire body was pushed further back into the stone wall, making the stone release a crackling sound. "Zu'u los fin thuri do fin dovah!"
His face was now bruised and bloodied. For each time Khara's fist met his face, he moved less and less as his eyes turned more red. Hatred, anger, insanity filled them. Til rok los, there he is. Her aspect mused. Harkon finally let his real eyes show.
"ENOUGH!" As the word left his mouth, Khara was lifted into the air and thrown away. "I have not come this far to fail!" He roared with a different voice this time. "My sacrifices! My own flesh and blood have gone into this!" He ran at the wolf. "This world is mine!" He reached Khara, who was drained of her energy, and lifted her up in the air only to throw her again against another wall. His eyes were in that of a pure black now as he grabbed a piece of stone that had fallen down off the wall. He walked over to the wolf, who was lying on the floor, struggling as she tried to stand. He stopped when the woman was at his feet, he rose his arms that held the stone and looked down at her. "I will have what is mine." He whispered as he was about to introduce the wolf's head with the stone.
Just before Khara could close her eyes, she saw something bright fly towards them, towards the man standing over her, about to end her life. It was an arrow. An arrow filled with sun magic, and it had hit its target right in the heart.
The stone that he held in his hands fell behind him as he slowly let his gaze see what was causing him so much pain. He took a few steps back as his eyes were stuck on the arrow that impaled his dark heart. As he staggered back, his body shook and twisted as a dark mist came out of him. He let out a shaky, painful scream as the mist moved away from him, but it didn't vanish. The mist was creating a form, it looked like, like an elf. What is this? Serana thought to herself.
"I will have my revenge!" It shouted in a horrible, hair rising voice. "Auri-El will pay for what he did to me!" The dark form turned to Serana, just the way it moved made the woman feel a chill creep up her spine. It let out a howling shriek at her before running towards her with great speed. Serana shot another arrow, and luckily for her it hit the shadow. It fell to the ground and its limbs moved in unnatural ways as it was getting smaller and smaller, until it was no more.
Harkon fell down on the stairs and leaned back on a side as his eyes searched the room, his eyes were wide as he scanned the area. He coughed up some blood before his eyes met his daughter's. "Serana?" He said, his voice small and weak. Blood poured down from his mouth as he was struggling to breathe, he didn't have much time, he needed to get this off his chest.
Serana looked at him, she saw that his eyes were different, they were back to their normal orange color, a color that Serana hadn't seen in the longest time. She took a few steps closer to him, but she did so carefully.
His eyes were filled with sadness as tears filled them too. "I am so sorry, child, for-." He coughed some more. "For all that I have done to you, to our family and clan. I only hoped to make it easier for us, but in the second I found the prophecy, something entered my mind."
Serana furrowed her brows as she walked closer to the dying man, to her father.
"Vyrthur, he showed me paradise, Serana. And I was foolish enough to accept his terms, I wasn't thinking."
"You…That wasn't you, was it? You were controlled, by Vyrthur?" She asked, she couldn't believe it, this was all the elf's doing? Her eyes were wide as the new information entered her mind.
Harkon let his eyes fall to the stone floor. "My actions might have been influenced by his words, but it was still I who did all those things. I was aware through it all, but unable to stop it, unable to speak or let anyone know of my corruption." He closed his eyes as he let the tears fall from his eyes. "I have done such horrendous things, and yet I am granted my own will again at the end, for that I am grateful, Serana." He opened his eyes and looked at his daughter, it made him smile. "Oh, how alike you mother you are, such beauty along with an even more beautiful mind."
Serana lowered herself next to him, this…This felt unreal. Through this whole time, her father was controlled, unable to speak his mind, to let them know of what was happening. The man lying in front of her now wasn't the monster that had killed her mother, no. The man lying in front of her was her father, the man who was kind, honorable and loving. Serana hadn't seen him in centuries, she had almost forgotten of his existence. This was the real Harkon, the man that kept his family safe and happy, the man that Serana remembers from the time before she was a vampire, from when she was only a child.
He was about to grab her hand, but couldn't quite do it when the memories of his wife entered his mind. He opened his mouth, his lips trembled as he searched for his words. "I…I don't know of what happened to your mother, I think that I-I k-killed her…" He furrowed his brows as he nodded, the memory coming back to life. "I killed her." He said clearer this time. His breathing was getting weaker as his time on Nirn came closer to its end. "For my actions, I know that you can never forgive me and I accept that, child. But please, just…Just remember me and your mother, like how we used to be…" His eyes seem distant. "Before the castle, before the ritual…" His voice was becoming harder to hear. He turned his eyes and looked up at the ceiling as he leaned further back. "I've never seen such darkness…" He whispered as death claimed him. His eyes turned gray as the air left his body, the last thing he felt was the comforting touch of his daughter holding his hand. His body turned to ash, the only thing left was his clothes and jewelry.
Serana sat there in silence, her mouth a little open as she looked down on her father's ashes. She felt her own tears roll down her cheek as she let his words play on repeat in her mind. He wasn't in control of his own actions, he was a puppet. Serana could think of many horrible things to do to a man, but to force him to kill the love of his life, sacrifice his only child and making him turn his back on his clan, on his family…All of this her father did, and he could only watch as it happened. He was the one responsible for what happened, yes, but Serana couldn't help but feel pity for her father.
Khara's vision was a little blurred, but she had heard Harkon's words and she could see how torn Serana looked. Khara sat up, trying to be as quiet as possible because she didn't know what to do at this point. Should she say something or stay quiet? Should she get closer to Serana or let the woman be for a little while? Khara never knew her father, for all she knows, Akatosh is her father. She decided that she should get back up on her feet, but it was proving to be more difficult than what she originally thought, but after a few seconds she managed it.
Serana heard Khara move and was reminded that she wasn't alone in the room, something she was grateful for. She turned from where she sat and met those blue eyes. Serana looked at Khara with sad eyes, her wolf was covered in cuts, bruises and blood. All given to her wolf by her father, or the monster that dwelled within him. She sighed as she rose from where she sat and walked over to the wolf, who looked unsure of what to do.
The way Serana moved showed Khara just how drained the woman was, physically and emotionally. Khara took a few steps towards Serana and stopped once there were only a few feet between them, but Serana didn't stop. She walked right into Khara, placing her forehead on the wolf's shoulder while her arms hang motionless at her sides. Khara removed a gauntlet and let her naked hand find the back of Serana's neck as she turned her head to the side, resting it against Serana's. No words were said as they simply leaned on each other. There were no smiles, no laughter or cheers of victory, no. There was only this heavy, cold feeling floating in the air around them.
Say something, the wolf pleaded. Nid, she is not ready, the dragon answered. Who? Mate or our human? The wolf asked. Both, dii fahdon. The dragon answered. You two are aware that I can hear you, yes? It is my mind after all. Khara found her aspects entertaining at times, it was only a shame that this time, it was not a good time. Krosis, the dragon aspect answered for the both as her wolf aspect only whimpered.
"Do…" Khara furrowed her brows and narrowed her eyes, unsure if she should be speaking at all, but she continued, her voice a little more sure of itself this time. "Do you wish to leave?" She asked, her voice low and gentle to the vampire's ear.
"Yes." Serana whispered. Khara nodded as she linked her arm with Serana's, she would not let Serana feel alone, not now, not never. The gesture made Serana smile a little, in all this cold darkness, there was still warmth and light. Khara let her eyes scan over the area, making sure that all of their belongings were still on them. Bow, blade and daggers were, so with that they left the room.
They walked through the castle towards the exit, they cared little for what could be within the building such as, riches and artifacts as they only wished to leave this place. They opened the door and walked outside. Little had prepared them for who was outside, about to enter the castle.
Khara and Serana grabbed their weapons as they watched as the vampires made their way up to them, they were missing a couple of members Serana noticed, but she and her wolf were outnumbered.
The vampires stopped as they were now only a few feet away from the two, however one of them took another step closer and spoke. "Orthjolf and Vingalmo said that they both felt Harkon summon them back to the castle. Just before we got on the boats they panicked and fled." The vampire said, Serana remembered him. Garan Marethi was his name, he was one of the more kind members of the clan.
Khara watched as the elf spoke. The other vampires simply stood by and waited. "We didn't understand why they would do such a thing, as it is considered treason." He said as he looked back at his fellow vampires and clan members. "But seeing you two now makes things very clear. Our lord is no longer with us." Garan said. "Which means that you, Lady Serana, are the next in line. You are the Lady of Castle Volkihar."
Serana's eyes widened at his words. Is he telling me that I'm the leader of Clan Volkihar now? "What?" Serana let the word slip.
"Well, you are the only heir to Lord Harkon and Lady Valerica, the castle is yours as it is your right." He said as he eyed Serana's reaction. "None of us were turned by your father, Lady Serana, we are all of your mother and loyal to her. It was only our oath that kept us under your father's rule, to serve the clan's leader. So, whatever you decide, we will obey. Be it death for our actions or the promise of life under your rule." He said. The other vampires nodded their head to show them that they agreed with Garan's words.
Serana narrowed her eyes and she shared a look with her wolf.
"If it helps, we are bound by a blood oath. There is no trickery here, I assure you." He said as he took a step back. Serana trusted his words, she knew how blood oaths worked, if you didn't fulfil them, you would burn until the only thing left of you was ashes. It was a tradition for all clan members to do so to the one that turned them, to make sure they stayed loyal. Serana even remembered witnessing some of the members standing in front of her taking their oaths to her mother.
Serana got an idea though, one that would prove most useful. She knew that this was something her wolf would approve of, so she spoke. "I don't see the need for the entire clan to vanish on this day. However, you have all done things that I cannot forgive, for it is not for me to forgive, but for those of the families that you have destroyed and hurt." Serana said with an even tone, her voice held authority to it. "Vampires are frowned upon, most mortals look at us and they see monsters, evil spawn of the Daedra. What Harkon made you do didn't make that reputation any better as you attacked villages and towns throughout the province." Serana said, dare she say that she saw some of the vampires look a little, apologetic of their actions? Perhaps. "If what you say is true, that you will follow my command now, then I command you to make this right."
"What is your wish, Lady Serana?" Another vampire asked her, Hestla was her name.
"I want you to remove the lesser vampires attacking throughout the province, give them a simple choice, they can ignore my warning and die or they can remove themselves from these lands. I also want you to deal with the vampire's thralls, no more innocent blood will be spilt because of my father's actions."
"With no disrespect, what about us? We need blood to survive, are we to starve, my Lady?" Ronthil asked her.
"Skyrim is filled with bandits, nomad thieves, robbers and other lowlifes, if anything, the people of Skyrim would like to see less of those roaming their streets." Khara said as she saw that Serana was struggling a little with finding the right words.
"If that is your wish, my Lady, then it is our task. Will you lead the court from here?" Garan asked.
"No, I will not. This place has nothing for me but foul memories. You Garan, you will be the one in charge when I'm not here, to make sure that these threats are dealt with properly." She said as she let her eyes roam the vampires, she was still a little unsure of some of them, but yet they were all under the blood oath, they didn't have a choice, as was the price they paid for immortality.
Garan bowed respectfully to his new leader. "As you wish, Lady Serana. I assure you it will be done. That is all I need from you for now, if you wish I have nothing more to ask of you, you are free to be on your way, my Lady. I will send you a raven of our progress in the coming weeks. And my Lady…" Garan said as he moved to the side, as did the others, making it so that the two women could finally leave the island. "I can't image this being easy for you, you have my condolences." He said as he gave one last bow with his head.
As they walked down the path Khara leaned over to Serana. "I say you handled that very well, all things considered." The wolf said as her eyes were stuck on Serana, she was still a little worried about her, seeing to how she just lost her last family member.
"Thanks, I'm just glad we didn't have to fight them. I have some fond memories with Garan and the other members, I'm glad that the clan will finally be used for some good for a change." Serana knew that they would have to operate in secret and that they needed to be careful, but she believed that it would work well.
"I got a good feeling about this." Khara said as she got in the boat. She untied it and offered a hand to help Serana get in it. "Ready to go home?" She asked as she showed Serana that special smile that she only ever showed to the woman, no one else.
Serana smiled back at her wolf as she accepted the hand, she was ready to leave this place and all of its memories behind for a long while, if not forever. "Yes, I'm exhausted and we both need to rest and mend our wounds."
Khara activated the magic on the boat, making it so that it would guide itself back to Solitude. Khara leaned back in the boat, sitting sideways and Serana joined her, laying down with her head resting on her wolf's chest. They were next to each other as the skies entertained them with blue, green and purple lights, stars, and a clear view of the moon. With the storm completely gone, there weren't any big waves so, as they waited for time to pass, the comforting sound of water gently hitting the boat calmed their hearts as well as their minds.
"It's going to be a full moon soon." Serana said in a low voice. Her mind was filled with the deep desire to just lay down in a bed, their bed back in Solitude. She wanted to have a sweet cup of wine in front of the fireplace as music played. She wanted to feel warmth envelop her, she just wanted to lay down and rest with ease, knowing that in the coming day, she had nothing that needed to be done except being with her wolf.
Khara hummed as she moved her unarmed hand over Serana's chest. Serana hugged it closer to herself, it felt good to have some warmth as the rest of her wolf was still covered in her ebony armor. Khara too wanted to just have a few days to relax, to just do nothing. It had been years since the last time she had done that, and the thought was extremely tempting to the wolf.
Khara smiled down at her. "Close your eyes, Serana." Khara said as she saw Serana give her a little nod, poor woman was exhausted.
And as Serana closed her eyes, she heard in her head what the wolf had said earlier. I'll be right next to you, through it all, till the end. More comforting words had never passed her ears before. "What you said earlier, at the door. What was it?" She had a pretty good idea, but just the thought of hearing her wolf say the words out loud made her stomach do a flip.
Khara smiled as she remembered her own words. "A promise."
Dovahzul Translations:
Dragon aspect: Lahvraan nii – Gather it.
Geh. – Yes.
Goraan gein – Young one.
Khara: Sunvaar. – Monster.
Zu'u los hin vo! – I am your undoing!
Zu'u los suleyk gaar! – I am power unleashed!
Zu'u los fin thuri do fin dovah – I am the Overlord of dragons!
Dragon aspect: Til rok los – There he is.
Nid. – No.
dii fahdon. – My friend.
Krosis. – Sorry.
My opinion on the Chapter and info:
This was so much fun to write, I wasn't sure if I would manage to keep the whole chapter in the Volkihar Castle area, but dare I say that it worked out pretty well! The chapter is a little shorter than normal, sorry but when I got to that last sentence that Khara said it was just the perfect ending in my mind, I knew I wouldn't be able to make a better one.
I apologize if my version of Lord Harkon was not as pleasing at the Dawnguard version is, but I simply wish to offer you guys and gals something a little different from the game and from other fanfictions about Dawnguard. c:
I love the feeling of finally being done with the main quest of the Dawnguard questline, it gives me so much more freedom to write other things within the story and I already have a few ideas of what may happen next.
I hope you enjoyed the story so far and I'll see you all in the next chapter!
-Zep