"So, the deed is done." Gelebor noted as he turned to face Tsunar and Serana as they descended the steps. "The restoration of this wayshrine means that Vyrthur is dead, and that the Betrayed no longer control him."
"The Betrayed never had control." Tsunar corrected. Gelebor gave him a confused look. "You're brother was a vampire." Gelebor's eyes widened.
"That…does explain much. You know," the Snow Elf looked over the banister and gazed out over the vale. "I must admit that it brings me some joy that the Betrayed weren't responsible. That there's still a shred of hope that they might one day remember who they were." He turned back to the pair. "You have my thanks." The Snow Elf's gaze drifted over Tsunar and Serana's shoulder's to the destroyed temple. "All three of you do." The pair turned to see Borgakh forcing herself past some of the rubble behind them.
"Don't tell me I missed the fight." she pleaded, disappointed but smiling. Tsunar embraced his companion, relieved that she was alive.
"Glad you're alright." He admitted.
"What? You think some snow, stone and frozen zombies are gonna threaten an Orc?" Borgakh chuckled. "Now, where's that bow?"
"Ah, yes." Gelebor glanced at the symbol of Auri-El atop the shrine. "You've saved this chantry and felled a great evil. I feel that you are more than worthy to carry the bow." Gelebor took a step forward. "If you ever desire to learn more of the bow," Gelebor held his hand open. Wisps of light danced in his palm as they began to straighten and become solid. The trio watched as the knight conjured a dozen white-gold arrows from the Sun's light. "or if you want some more Sunhallowed arrows, you've but to ask." Gelebor handed the arrows to Tsunar and knelt at the shrine. As Gelebor began to chant, a pedestal within the shrine began to glow and hum quietly. Specs of light drifted up from the white stone and a bow began to emerge from the pedestal, float upwards and hover above the stone. The bow was made of a pure white material with faint silver engravings, the bowstring seemed to shimmer and reflect the sunlight as Tsunar carefully gripped the weapon. The bow was warm to the touch, as if constantly bathed in the warm glow of the Sun. The arrows slung over Tsunar's back pulsed slightly with a dim light as the bow joined them.
"So," Tsunar said as he secured the bow. "Time to rally the troops."
The three made their way out of the vale and began their journey back to the Dawnguard. The three were on high alert and tried to avoid settlements where possible in the hopes of laying low as they journeyed from one end of the country to the other. On nights when Tsunar kept watch as the others slept, he kept hearing wolves howling in the distance, smelling the scent of the animals skulking nearby and seeing them moving through the underbrush. On nights when he tried to sleep, he always heard the beasts sniffing around his tent and saw their shadows when he shined a lantern.
"If you want something," he growled quietly in his tent. "Just say it. I don't have time for you trying to be cryptic, Hircine." When morning came, Tsunar found that his tent was surrounded by wolf tracks. Serana seemed concerned while Borgakh was more suspicious.
"Must be able to smell werewolves." Tsunar shrugged. "Probably wanted to investigate. Nothing to worry about."
"Never seemed to happen before." Borgakh noted. "We close to either of the moons being full?" The Orc looked up at the sky.
"Might be." Tsunar admitted. "Haven't really been keeping track."
Trying to ignore the hounds stalking him, Tsunar led the group back to Fort Dawnguard's hidden glade. The men and women on watch all stared in awe as the trio made their way through the castle grounds.
"I'll be damned." Isran's eyes lit up as he examined the bow. "I honestly didn't think it was even real."
"I hear that more than I should." Tsunar admitted. "So, how are we doing this?" Tsunar slung the bow across his back. "We marching for Harkon now or…"
"Do you honestly think I'm going to wait one day more than I need to to purge that castle?" Isran glanced at Serana as he spoke. "I'll give you three a day to rest, but we march at first light." That evening, Isran called the entirety of the Dawnguard into the dining hall to feast, plan and prepare for the days ahead. They would leave in small groups, each taking a different path to the shore near the island Harkon had holed up on. They would meet back up, ensure all of their armour and weapons were ready and take boats across the water, ready to siege the castle and wipe the whole clan out. As the Dawnguard went over their options for tactics and equipment, Tsunar motioned for Serana to join him away from the crowd. As the pair entered the castle's main chamber, Tsunar gave Serana a serious look.
"You sure you can do this?" he placed a hand on Serana's shoulder. "I can't imagine what it feels like to ask yourself this, but I think you know he needs to go."
"I know." Serana admitted. "He's needed to die for a long time now." She took a deep breath.
"Listen, if you need to sit this out, won't judge you for it. Evil or not, he's your father, and I won't make you go into this if you…"
"I'm going." Serana asserted. "I don't think there's any hope for him at this point, and I'd rather be able to help finally stop him than sit around here twiddling my thumbs until either you come back or I see the Sun disappear forever." Tsunar nodded, understanding.
"Okay then. Like Isran said, we leave at dawn, so rest up."