Chapter 37:
Aftermath

The sea spray leapt, dashing itself against the rocks as they stood staring down the stone bridge of Castle Volkihar to the two boats moored by the jetty, filled with the remaining members of the Dawnguard. Isran stood at the helm of the first of the boats, his grim face lit by the torch he carried. Standing at his side was Agmaer and the torchlight flickered on the metal of the crossbow he shouldered. Behind them they could just make out the faces of the other members of the Dawnguard. The members of the Mourning Sun, tired and battle-weary in their victory, met the gaze of their former comrades. Emily could sense thunder on the horizon. A storm was near, threatening to break on the rocks of the island. She felt tension in her vampiric companion while she herself was too weary to feel much of anything besides a sense of foreboding.

Serana's hand gripped her waist tightly and she saw Beleval and Gunmar shift their weight in anticipation. Though they were moved to their cause by a certain urgency to lend their aid when Isran refused to take immediate action against the vampire threat they were unwilling to fight their former leader. She felt Emily shiver and knew she could sense the same as she: that the situation was building to a point where it would break from the tension and one action would decide the form it would take. She no more than the others wanted further confrontation but nonetheless she anticipated it. But none of their number were in any real shape to fight and she felt certain Isran saw this. It was she, rather than the others, who found herself speaking.

"My father is dead," she said, "By my own hand. As are his court."

She saw the effect her words had upon those behind Isran as both Celann and Durak looked at one another and Vori looked uncertainly at the Mourning Sun's members, searching in their faces whether or not there was truth to the vampiress' words. Emily saw Talof among their ranks and saw that he too was looking intently at the vampiress who had just spoken. The hefty Daedric halberd was still strapped to his back and glinted in the torchlight.

"How can we know if you're telling the truth?" asked Agmaer, still clutching his crossbow.

"Look around," said Mogrul, gesturing to the vampires lying on the cold stone amidst the wreckage left in the wake of the gargoyles that lay close by.

"And the bow?" Agmaer persisted.

"We have it," replied Emily.

They said no more on that matter, not wishing to aggravate the situation further.

"We have no wish to fight you," Emily spoke up, "But if you try to stop us from leaving we will defend ourselves." Serana noticed a few on both sides grip their weapons more tightly. And still the wind blew and the clouds gathered above them.

Serana saw the glint of silver in the dark as the crossbow was levelled with Emily's head and she saw Emily watching the crossbow's wielder as the string was pulled taut behind the bolt. The battle with Harkon had made her weary, her head still throbbed painfully and she watched with an almost detached air. But it was Isran who moved next, placing his hand on the crossbow and lowering it. Agmaer looked to him with confusion as Isran's blue eyes met Emily's and he gave her a curt nod. Then, slowly, very slowly, he turned to the others and gave a signal to those in the back. Talof nodded briefly to Emily, a sign of recognition of their victory and mutual respect. Then the boats were pushed back out to sea and they watched until they faded from sight, swallowed up by the mists. Though Isran was by no means willing to bury the hatchet he was willing to acknowledge their victory over the vampires and allow their continued existence so long as neither interfered with the other. For now, he held a grim and reluctant respect for the group of rogues.

As relief broke over Emily and her crew so the storm broke over the castle. Heavy rain fell, bouncing off the stonework and thunder echoed all around. Very soon they were all wet through and talk turned to returning home.

"Where should we go?" Emily asked, turning to Serana. Now that all was done, her father was dead and all visible threats had been taken care of or vanished of their own accord she now seemed uncertain.

"I'm not sure," she replied, "Where are you going?"

Emily had given some thought to the future during the long days spent in the Ancestor Glade preparing for war. She had an idea Serana wouldn't particularly want to live in a cave, even one as nice as the Glade and she found she didn't want to either. Much of Skyrim was relatively unknown to her and there were few she knew outside the Dawnguard and Mourning Sun. Serana was patiently awaiting her answer but she saw the weariness in her eyes and heard it in her voice.

"I was thinking of returning to Solitude," Emily replied, "I think I might know someone who could give us shelter if you want to join me." She smiled. "I'd be more than happy to have you with me." Although they had spoken before of sharing a future she didn't want to presume in case the magnitude of going up against her father and those who essentially had once been her family had changed things.

Serana gave her a small smile and nodded.

After relaying their plans to their comrades they climbed back into their boats. Now that they were down by one troll Emily rode with Serana. The vampiress spoke little during their journey and even in the haze Emily had fallen into she worried for her companion and when they got back to the mainland the members of the Mourning Sun decided they would make for the town of Dragon Bridge before starting the journey back to the Glade in the morning. And so they parted ways and Emily and Serana walked up from the docks towards the city after returning the boats to the Imperial legionnaire who had rented them to them earlier that same night. Emily felt that it seemed forever ago since they'd left the docks for the castle.

The walk back to Solitude was a quiet, uneventful one and seemed a marked anticlimax after all they'd been through. The rain still lashed the cobblestones and it seemed all the night creatures were taking shelter from the deluge. Another rumble of thunder echoed overhead and lightning flashed between the clouds. Emily put a hand to her head, rubbing at her scalp.

"Does it hurt?" Serana asked.

"I'll be fine," Emily replied, "I just think I need to rest, that's all. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," said Serana, "Just my arm but it will heal."

Serana's hood was pulled down over her head and water ran off it in rivulets and poured from the ends of her cloak. Auriel's bow was strapped to Emily's back along with the quiver of sun blessed arrows.

"Do you remember I told you about Angeline?" Emily asked as they passed under the stone watchtower that stood at the top of the slope near the farmstead. A lantern swung in the strong wind that even now buffeted the shores.

"The alchemist, right?" Serana replied.

"Mmhmm," said Emily, "I think she'll give us shelter. At least, I hope she will. It's been a long time since I was last there. I guess you could say she took me in though."

They passed under the gatehouse and followed the cobblestone road up towards the city gates. They were closed and a man in full armour carrying a spear stood outside. He watched their approach and put a hand out to stop them.

"Halt," he said, "What business do you have in Solitude?"

"Visiting friends," Emily replied. The man raised an eyebrow and folded his arms.

"You've picked a late hour to be visiting traveller," he said, shifting the spear in his grasp.

"I know," Emily replied, "But our ship was delayed by a squall. We've only just arrived and we're in much need of a good rest. The legionnaire manning the harbour can verify our story if you need." The guard looked out from his post at the rain lashing the cobblestones and the strong winds blowing in off the sea, buffeting the trees. Where he stood offered him shelter however meagre and he decided he didn't fancy the walk down to the docks to confirm the traveller's story.

"Very well," he said, "But I'll be keeping an eye on you, outsider." He signalled up to another guard on the roof and slowly the heavy gates were heaved open and they were allowed inside.

The streets of Solitude were well lit and there was a larger guard presence than when she'd last visited. Sounds of revelry and drunken singing drifted out from the open doors of the tavern and they watched as a man was thrown bodily out into the street amidst cheers from the other patrons. Rather than taking offense the man merely got to his feet, cheered and wavered off down the street. A dog barked loudly at him from an alleyway and he turned, saluting it before continuing on his way. The other shops were closed though lights remained on in a few of the windows as many lived either over or behind their place of business. A tabby cat watched them lazily from one of the windows, evidently glad it was not out in the downpour.

At last they came to the alchemists where it lay on the edge of the market. At its heart was the well and dotted around the edges were the stalls, all closed up for the night. A light was on in the Alchemists and Emily knocked on the door. She heard voices from behind the door.

"I expect that will be Greta for Marta's medicine," came a familiar voice, "Vivienne, can you get the door while I get the packets ready for her?" A moment later the door opened and Vivienne stood there in a nightdress and carried a lantern in one hand. It took her some time to recognize the bedraggled warrior and her eyes widened noticeably as they took in the blood spattered armour, the burnt ends of her blonde hair and the shining bow strapped to her back.

"Emily?" she said.

"It's been a long time, Vivienne," Emily replied.

"We thought you were dead," said Vivienne, "How did you escape?" She looked over Emily's shoulder at the woman standing behind her, garbed in similar armour. "And who is this?"

"This is Serana," Emily replied, "If it weren't for her I wouldn't be here."

"Come in, come in," said Vivienne, ushering them inside and closing the door. She set the lantern down on the top of a wooden barrel.

"Angeline," she said, "You aren't going to believe who it is." The old woman ceased pouring a pale powder into a paper sachet and looked over at the two women who stood before the counter. She squinted at them for a moment.

"It's Emily," said Vivienne, "And a friend of hers, Serana."

"Emily?" said Angeline, coming out from behind the counter, "Is it really you? We thought you were dead."

"It's a long story," Emily replied.

"Then come through and let's hear it," said Angeline, gesturing to the doorway that led to the back room, "I'll make us a pot of tea."

The four sat down at the table by the fire and Angeline poured them each a cup of tea. Emily began, telling them of how she awoke in a cave somewhere out in the mountainous forests of Haafingar and how she met with a man called Talof. She told them of how he helped her escape and of their journey south to join the Dawnguard. She was careful to keep the exact nature of how she met Serana vague and she danced carefully around any parts of their adventures too difficult to explain which, she found, was many of them.

Angeline sat back in her chair as Emily's tale drew to a close.

"By the Divines," she breathed, "That's some tale." She set down her cup. "Well, of course you can stay," she continued, "The room is just as you left it."

"Thanks Angeline," Emily replied, "It'll just be until we can get a place of our own. A few weeks, a month maybe."

"Proudspire Manor's been lying empty for sometime now," said Vivienne, "It used to belong to the Matriarch of the Windsinger Clan."

"Who was she?" Emily asked.

"She was the wife of a well-respected member of High King Torygg's court," Vivienne explained, "Her husband was killed in the Great War during the battle for the Imperial City. She died some years later and the house has been lying empty ever since."

"A manor might be a bit beyond our budget right now," Emily conceded.

"Well, you should speak to the Steward in any case," Vivienne replied, "He's in charge of housing in the hold."

"I'll go see him later on then," said Emily.

"You two must be tired," said Angeline, "Go on up when you're ready." Emily thanked Angeline before turning to Serana. She'd hardly said a word since they entered the city gates and she was looking down at her cup, her expression sombre.

"Yes, I think I could use a rest," she said suddenly, standing up and setting her cup down on the table.

"Of course, dear, it's the first door straight ahead of you when you get to the top of the stairs," said Angeline. Emily watched as Serana left the room and headed for the stairs. The floorboards creaked overhead and they heard one of the doors close.

"Your friend's kind of…quiet," said Vivienne.

"She's been through a lot," Emily replied, "Her father died a little while ago. I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention it." Her father's demise was one of many topics they had kept intentionally vague. "I think I'll go make sure she's okay." She got up from the table and left the room, heading up the stairs to the upper landing. The door to the room she'd once stayed in was closed and she gingerly opened it. Serana was lying on the bed, facing the far wall. Emily closed the door quietly and crossed the room to the bed.

"Serana, are you okay?" she asked as she sat down on the edge of the bed.

"I'll be fine," she replied quietly without turning over, "I just need time, that's all."

"And I'll give you all the time you need," Emily replied.

"You do know they'll find out what we are eventually, don't you Emily?" Serana asked, turning over and facing Emily.

"I don't see how," Emily replied, "We didn't exactly make a habit of being chased out of town with torches and pitchforks." She chuckled but her laughter soon died away. "Serana, don't worry, we can make this work," she rested a hand lightly on Serana's arm.

"And how will we feed?" Serana asked. Emily sat quietly for a moment, looking over at the door.

"Does it have to be human blood?" she asked, "Or can vampires drink animal blood?"

"They can," Serana replied, "But it would mean feeding more often. Animal blood doesn't contain the same inherent magical energies that human blood contains. So, it's not as nourishing."

"I can hunt," said Emily, "I'm sure there has to be plenty of wild game in the forests. And perhaps I can sell the meat and ingredients. We do need the coin." She looked out the window at the lightening sky. "Come on, we can talk more about this later." She got up and pulled the curtains closed before changing out of her armour and into her hooded jacket and jeans. Her armour, she decided, would most definitely need a wash and she left it in a neat pile by the bed. Serana moved over, leaving her room to lie down next to her. She seemed content to let the matter drop for now and Emily soon gave into sleep, allowing her eyes to close and habitual breathing to take over. It occurred to her, in her last moments before sleep claimed her, that maybe vampires breathed when asleep to keep up a semblance of mortality and draw away suspicion should anyone come upon their sleeping form.

She awoke with a start late in the afternoon. Her first thought was that they were being attacked. But there was no sound of commotion and the door to their room was still shut. The curtains were closed and the room was mostly in darkness. She sat up and as her head cleared she realised that it was Serana who was thrashing about like a rabbit in a snare, her hands balled into fists as she restlessly tossed and turned. She made no sound but her eyes were squeezed shut and her teeth were bared in a grimace. Emily held her down gently, one hand moving up to stroke her hair.

"It's alright," she said quietly, "Whatever you're seeing, it's not real. You're safe. You're alright." Serana took a few ragged breaths as her eyes opened and she saw Emily kneeling over her, one hand still lingering on her shoulder. Her eyes were wide, her pupils dilated and she took a moment to regain her composure.

"He was begging me not to kill him," she said. Another ragged breath. "He didn't want me to. He didn't want me to kill him." Serana's eyes were still slightly glazed. Emily wasn't sure what to say so she took Serana in her arms. She didn't respond immediately, instead crying into her shoulder. Emily didn't remember much of the fight with Lord Harkon. The blow that knocked her back against one of the stone pillars had robbed her of the last moments of the fight so she had not seen how his demise had played out. But she did remember the ferocity with which he had attacked them and the tears in Serana's eyes following the battle. She knew she couldn't tell her they'd done it for the good of the world even if it was true. To her it was so much more than that. Through it all, he had still been her father. Now she had only her mother and she still resided in the Soul Cairn. They'd decided it would be safer to go back for her long after the members of both Mourning Sun and Dawnguard were gone. This would be a time decided by Serana, when she was ready.

At last she felt Serana's arms around her as her sobs gradually dried up. Emily bent her head, resting her chin lightly on Serana's hair. "How are you feeling?" she asked after a moment. Serana sat up.

"I'll be fine," she said, pushing a lock of hair out of her face. She took a deep breath. "I guess I can expect a few nightmares."

"I think you should come out with me tonight," Emily replied, "The fresh air, I think it would do us both some good."

"Maybe," said Serana, leaning back against the wall.

"I'm going to go out a little before eight," Emily continued, "I'm going to sell off a few things. See if I can get us a head start." She leant back against the wall next to Serana. "Where do you want to live? I remember you mentioning a forest."

"Emily, I don't think I'm ready for thinking about that sort of thing yet," she said.

"Alright," Emily replied, "I understand. Take as long as you need."

* * *

Emily left the Alchemist's not long after seven in the evening. The sun had just set and she crossed the street to the general store. The woman behind the counter did not recognize her and she couldn't blame her having only visited the store once or twice before. She had changed much in those months and she hefted her pack up onto the counter, opening the flap.

"I have a few things I'd like to sell," she said. The woman behind the counter waited expectantly as she pulled out the bow and leather armour Talof had bought for her in Rorikstead and her old Dawnguard armour which was showing its wear in some places. It was no longer who she was and she felt happier as she set it down on the counter. Each of the items grew back to their normal size as they reached the wooden counter top. It was a common enchant, Serana had told her, one very popular with adventurers. "How else do you think you're able to lug around all that junk you insist on picking up in every cave we come to?" Serana had joked with her when they'd stopped for the day in one of the many caves they'd passed the time in. Emily hoped those times of joking and laughter would someday return. She emptied out a few gems she'd picked up in the caves and added them to the pile.

"Where did you pick all this up?" the woman asked.

"It's a few old things I've no need for," Emily replied, "The spoils of a few adventures. My friend and I are looking to buy a house and we've just started to get the coin together. I might have some pelts come tomorrow."

"Going out hunting?" the woman asked. Emily nodded.

"Yeah, there's supposed to be good game around here, right?" she asked.

"Deer and pheasant mostly," the woman replied, "Well, if I can't take the pelts I'm sure my husband Beirand could take them off your hands. He runs the smith up near Castle Dour."

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind," said Emily. The woman looked appraisingly at the goods on the countertop.

"Well, I'll give you thirty for the bow," said the woman, "It looks well cared for enough. The leather armour though, it shows its wear so I can't give you the full price you must have paid for it. How about 135 gold for the full set? And 215 gold for the other set?"

"That sounds fair," Emily replied. It was more than she'd paid for it, in fact, which was a grand total of zero and that gold would make an excellent start. Now the woman turned her attention to the gems which consisted of three sparkling amethysts, a ruby and an emerald. "And for these gems, how about 590 gold? I have a friend in Whiterun who could make good use of them," said the woman.

"That sounds alright to me," Emily replied and the woman handed her a large pouchful of gold. Added to the gold she already carried there was just over 1200 septims nestled in the fabric under the same shrinking charm as the contents of her pack. It was a good start and Emily returned to the Alchemist's with it, stowing it under the bed in her room. Serana was brushing her hair and looked over as she got back up off the floor by the bed.

"Ready to go?" Emily asked. Serana picked up her bow from the bed.

"I'm ready," she replied.