Skyrim (c) Bethesda

Forgotten Paladin, Chapter XIV: Bows and Vampire Lords.

"Something isn't right." Serana speaks, and her voice is filled with a slight concern and worry. Kaylee nods her agreement. "Yes. Something is." Placing her foot out gently, she tests the bridge. "Seems safe. Now the question is, why would the Elder Scrolls – Ah!" The bridge underneath breaks and Kaylee is unable to finish the thought. Icy cold water greets her as she lands, back first, into it. It's too deep, I can't dig my feet in. And the current is too strong. Facing the direction the current pushes them, Kaylee finds herself staring at the edge of a waterfall. "Brace yourself! We're going to drop." What Kaylee didn't see was two spiders dropping from the walls above them.

Deep areas of water grant them a safe landing as the two companions climb unto to shore. "I'm very glad we didn't Sceolang with us." Serana nods while panting just as heavy as her. "Yes, there would be no way of telling if he would be able to survive that." Serana's face turns into a horrified look, watching as the spider lands on Kaylee and a second landing next to it.

"FUS RO DAH." The Shout flips the spiders into the water and Kaylee springs up. "The Gods must be laughing at me right now. Or the Deadra." Taking the crossbow, Kaylee lands two steel bolts into both of the heads. "I can see the Deadra laughing at this, except Azura and Meridia of course. I don't think the Gods would be laughing however." Serana watches at the Dragonborn shrug. "Who knows really?"

Vampire and mortal stare at the figure before them. "I would not call myself a Falmer. I prefer the term Snow Elf." The Elf's eyebrows twitch slightly. He shouldn't be surprised at their silence. Nobody has really seen a Snow Elf before, and to see one, very much alive, in front of them must be a bit of a shock. The dark haired woman is the first one to speak. "Can you help us get the bow?"

Gelebor smiled grimly. "Of course, but you need to slay my brother first."

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Snow is gently falling down as they stagger out the cave. "And I thought that first cave was dark." Serana mutters angrily. Kaylee lets a small chuckle. "So did I." Looking around, Kaylee wonders aloud. "Is this the Forgotten Vale? It looks Riften, but with snow and those strange purple or pink flowers." "You're right. It does."

Vyrthur dashed up the steps of the temple with Serana and Kaylee behind him. "You fools! You don't understand the power I could have!" The two companions glared at the Elf. "I don't think this was about power, Vyrthur." Kaylee growls out. "You're right Vampire hunter. It isn't about power. Look into my eyes and tell me what I am!" Serana gave a small gasp and Kaylee took a step back. "You're a vampire. Arui-El should have protected you."

"Yes. He should have, but he turned his back on me the moment I was turned. By my own Initiate!" He glared at them. A low growl rumbled from his throat. "While I can't get revenge on a God, I can use his own power against him. All I need was the bow and the blood a vampire." Serana's mouth tighten. "You... You were the one who created that prophecy?"

Serana's hands reached out and grabbed Vyrthur before lifting him in the air. "You waited all this time for someone like me to come to you. Sadly for you, I intend on keeping it!" The Arch–Curate pushed himself off Serana to roll on the ground before getting up. Grabbing her wrist, he flung Serana onto the left ramp, before charging her. His dagger clashed with her sword. "YOOL!" Vyrthur ducked away from the fire, but not quick enough. Some of the fire hit his right eye.

The Elf stumbled backwards. "My eye!" Kicking his arm away from his eye, she placed her sword right above his heart. "Any last words?" His good eye looked at the point of the blade. "Arui-El, forgive me." The tip pierced his armor as he said the last word.

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"Isran!" Kaylee cried out, her voice ringing off the walls of Fort Dawnguard. "It's time!" The Redguard looked at Kaylee, as if she was mad. "What?" Taking the Bow out its wrap, Kaylee continued. "It's time to assault their castle." Isran's eyes widen. "Dawnguard! To arms!"

The Dawnguard arrived at the Castle the next afternoon. Low growls hummed from the armored trolls, and the huskies whined impatiently. Isran stood in front of the group. "Be careful as you come up the bridge! Those aren't statutes!"

The group charged with archers in the back, swordsman in the middle and the huskies and trolls in front. A roar shrilled from a gargoyle that had woken. One the trolls pushed down, but not for long. The gargoyles had speed on their side, and another had token residence on its back. A steel bolt whizzed by Isran's head and pierced the side of the gargoyle. Another Dawnguard member trusted his sword into its back, killing it. The other armored troll took down a third gargoyle with the help of Sceolang and Bran.

Loud hisses were heard as five vampires came down from the top of the bridge. A death hound followed and lunged at the armored troll next to the dogs. It was successful in managing to sever an artery on the neck. The troll smacked the hound off before a vampire's blade gutted it. Bran and Sceolang pounced on the hound. One of the vampires kicked Bran off and gave Sceolang a good sized cut. "Kill them! And take the girl hostage, Lord Harkon demands it!"

Durak dodged an attack and smacked his attacker with the flat of his sword. Agmaer shot another vampire in the shoulder before one sneaked up and bit him. He screamed out and the last armored troll knocked the vampire out the way. Sorine knelt next to him and poured a cure disease potion down his mouth. A fourth vampire lunged at Kaylee and Serana, and the first, third and fifth vampire kept Sorine, Isran, Durak and the rest busy. A sword sliced Durak's side as his blade cut the vampire's arm. The fifth vampire kept Isran and Sorine from helping Durak. The last one forced his sword through the armor of the troll killing him. Sceolang and Bran nipped at his heels. Letting out a hiss, the vampire kicked both dogs away.

Kaylee grunted as a dagger dripped in a paralyzing potion cut her. Her body feel to ground as the vampire turned his attention on Serana. Serana blocked his thrust by pushing it away. Several steel arrows whizzed by them, and familiar forms to Kaylee strode towards them. "Master Clagius heard about the attack on this Castle. Though you could use some help." Leonde commented. He looked down to see Kaylee stand up, the effects of the potion wearing off. "I think we could."

Glancing at the other five Paladins, Leonde yelled, "Paladins, charge!" Agnar, Elytis, an unnamed Paladin, and to her surprise, Tullius. "You couldn't stay out of battle couldn't you?" Tullius chuckles. "I suppose I couldn't."

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Harkon glares at the figures before him. His daughter and her little pet. "Once more, my daughter returns to me. With my bow no less." Serana's lips turn into a snarl. "It's not your bow." Stretching his wings, he glides over to Serana and Kaylee. "It will be. Even I have to pry from your pet's dead hands." Gliding backward, he ponders aloud. "I wonder if Serana and Valerica will be next after you are through with me." Harkon cocked his head to the side, before gathering his magicka. "That's if you survive that is."

A dark red circle covers Harkon before expanding outwards. The two woman steady themselves feeling the ground shake underneath them. "Kaylee, use the Bow on my father. I'll distract the gargoyles and skeletons." Serana calls out to Kaylee, whom nods.

Sprinting forward, she lunges at Harkon, her sword aimed at his shoulder. The vampire lord grabs the sword, not even flinching when the blade cuts his hand. His grip tightens and yanks out her hand. Turning towards his opponent, he smirks and steps closer. His breath fans Kaylee's face. "I think I will keep you. And not for food." She hisses at Haarkon. A hand closes around her neck as she prepares a Shout. "I don't think so." Reaching around, his other hand clasps the Bow. "Thank you, however, for bringing the bow." Pulling the Bow off Kaylee's back and placing it on his, Harkon sniffs at Kaylee's neck. His free unhooks the strap underneath her chin. Kaylee struggles to get free, but his grip tightens in response. His teeth pierce her neck, drinking her blood. A strangled noise comes from Kaylee's mouth.

Her fingers dig into his armor, but it isn't any good. The gloves she wears, prevents her from doing any real pain with finger nails. Finally, he relents from her neck; his tongue licks his lips as he pulls back. "Ah, the blood of someone favored by a Divine. No, by two Divines no less." A loud yell breaks Harkon from his trance. The blade of an eleven dagger slices his skin, and he lets go of Kaylee.

Serana's eyes are the first thing he sees. "Stay away from her." His daughter steps in between him and her pet. A dark chuckle passes from his lips. "How amusing. You really care for her, this pet of yours." Serana lets out a small grunt. "She isn't a pet. She is one of the few friends I truly have." Harkon throws his head and laughs loudly. "A friend? She is a vampire hunter. Your 'friend' will kill you after I'm dead. She doesn't care for you. She only wants to see you dead."

"If she wanted me dead, father, she would have killed me a long time ago." Harkon strides over to her, looking her daughter in the eyes. "No, she does want you dead. You'll see." Swinging his arm, he knocks Serana to the side with the back of his hand. "However, if you make her into your thrall, she won't be able to kill you." His gaze lands on the form of Kaylee. "Actually, I want her. To corrupt her would be wonderful." Stepping closer, he smiles and continues. "You see, she is beautiful, for a mortal." A claw traces her cheek, and she flinches. Harkon's smile darkens, his claw traces her neck. "Oh yes, very beautiful." Kaylee's hands claw at his hands.

Holding her higher, the vampire lets out a predatory growl. "I will deal with you later." He tosses Kaylee to the side as she where a light backpack. She cries out in pain as her body slams into the wall. Clutching her stomach, Kaylee can only watch Serana face off her own father. In way, it seems appropriate to let Serana fight him.