Chapter 10

After Erik and Jordis finished talking, she left the room, leaving Serana alone once again with Erik. Walking closer to the desk in the middle of the room, Erik stretched his arms up to put his shirt on. Serana quietly watched his muscles contract solidly as he put it on, and she grew slightly embarrassed at the sight of him.

"Um...Jordis is-she's really nice. She must be a good Housecarl." Serana said with a nervous chuckle.

Erik ignored her and sat on the chair behind the desk. He picked up the book he was reading earlier, and he began to look over it silently, leaving Serana feeling awkward and out of place.

What should I do….? He's acting like nothing happened.

Serana looked at Erik's expression, trying to read what he was feeling. But like always, his face had little emotion.

Was it just me who felt that spark when I touched him…?

Shaking off her embarrassment, Serana stood up straight and began to take small steps towards the desk. She was a little nervous, but she tried her hardest to make the most confident face she could.

When Serana got close enough, her body casted a shadow on Erik's book, and that caused him to look up at her. He squinted his eyes at her, as he spoke.

"Do you need something?" Erik asked blandly.

His intense glare made Serana feel a little timid. She looked down with uneasiness, and when she did, her eyes stopped at his stomach. His dark shirt clung tightly to his skin, making it easy to see the little indention of the bandage wrapped against his wound.

"Does it hurt?" Serana asked earnestly.

Erik was quiet a moment before he said, "No." He dropped his head, and began reading once more. Serana huffed in annoyance.

"I don't believe that. I smelt the blood, and I heard you...groaning in pain."

Lifting up his head, Erik locked eyes with Serana. He squinted his eyes at her, as he firmly said, "It doesn't hurt."

Serana felt a little bubble of agitation rise up as she said, "For once, I'd appreciate it if you were honest with me." Crossing her arms, she continued to say, "What you did at the carriage earlier, was dumb and reckless! I was willing to look passed it, because you got hurt, but now, you're refusing to even answer my questions fairly."

Erik closed his book, and sat it down on the desk as he rose from his seat. It felt like he towered over Serana. But even though he was intimidating, Serana stood her ground firmly. She tried very hard not to let his extraordinarily beautiful face sway her into cowering down.

"I don't need to explain myself to you." Erik said coldly.

Serana clicked her tongue in frustration, as she said, "Um, actually you do. What the hell were you thinking?! You could've gotten yourself killed. What you did was completely foolish!"

Erik glared daggers into her as he retorted back, "I did what was necessary."

Serana threw her arms up in irritation as she shouted, "What's 'necessary?!' So when I tried to help you, and you threw me back into the carriage with your big stupid brain magic, that was necessary?!"

"I handled the situation." Erik said callously.

"You handled it selfishly!" Serana yelled, as she slammed her hands down on the desk in front of her. The bang echoed loudly against the stone walls, and the ring reverberated clearly in Serana's ears. They both became immediately silent.

Guilt weighed down heavily on Serana, as the ring dissipated around them. The room slowly-but-surely grew thick with a silent tension.

Serana quietly picked up her hands, and she turned them over to look at her palms. They were slightly red and swollen, and she could feel heat radiating below the surface of her skin.

"I-" Serana's soft voice cracked, as she continued to stare at her hands. "I'm sorry..."

Erik stood silently, as he watched Serana clench her hands into solid fists. Her eyebrows tighten in anguish, as she sighed softly. The thick tension left the room, but in its place, it was filled with a defeated and somber atmosphere.

"I'm so sorry…. I just have so much on my mind…." Her voice trailed off, and she sighed wistfully.

The room was silent for a minute, before Serana spoke again.

Serana felt Erik's eyes on her, as she said in a sincere tone, "What you did at the carriage….it quite frankly scared the hell out of me." She anxiously chuckled as she continued to say, "I'm not sure why, but when I saw you leap off that carriage alone, I thought that was the last time I was going to see you and I kinda panicked."

Erik's eyebrows raised slightly, when he noticed Serana's cheeks turn to a light red. She cleared her throat, as she shyly began to speak.

"I just-I just want you to allow me to help you." She lowered her hands and continued to say, "Even if you don't need it….it's important to me that I help you."

She paused and looked at Erik. "You even said it yourself. You've allowed me to stay, because we share a common goal. We're partners, whether you see me that way or not, so I'd appreciate it if you allowed me to be your equal. We're in this together. No matter how bad it gets."

Erik studied Serana's gentle face. Her soft and genuine eyes made Erik feel conflicted about the words she spoke.

Are we really in this together…?

The once cold and bitter environment of the room, turned into a more calm and understanding one. And after a long moment of contemplative silence, Erik began to speak.

"It does hurt." Erik said in a low voice.

Serana lifted up her head curiously, and watched as Erik pulled the hem of his shirt up his abdomen. The bandage, that was wrapped around his side, had a small spot of blood on its surface; and it caused Serana to internally flinch. Erik moved the white wrapping with his long nails, and Serana's eyes widened at the sight.

The wound was deep, and there was dark dried blood around the edges. Observing the gash closer, Serana noticed green moss was pressed inside of the cut.

"What is that?" Serana asked, pointing her finger at the mysterious substance.

"It's Hanging Moss." Erik said.

Raising her eyebrow, Serana asked, "Hanging Moss? Why is that in your….wound?"

"The dagger I was stabbed with was enchanted with frost magic." Erik let go of his shirt and walked over to a small table next to where the desk was at. He pointed at a small bowl resting on the surface, as he said, "So in order to dispel the effects, I used Fire Salts to help heal the wound."

Serana's eyes opened widely with concern. "With Fire Salts?! Why the hell would you put that in your body?!"

"It undoes frost damage, and it also helps to cauterize wounds." Erik said with little enthusiasm.

Serana looked at Erik with worry. "Still…." Her voice trailed off, so Erik began to speak once more, ignoring her concern entirely.

"The reason I'm using Hanging Moss, is because it helps eliminate the damage of the Fire Salts, and-" Serana cut him off and abruptly said, "It's also a healing agent."

After blurting out, Serana quickly looked up and locked eyes with Erik. She covered her mouth with her hand, as her cheeks burned subtly. Erik looked at her, as his eyebrows knitted together in thought. After a moment of silence, Erik nodded and said, "Yes. Yes, it is."

Serana felt slightly guilty for cutting him off, but when it came to alchemy, she always turned into a little kid.

"Sorry I cut you off, but alchemy is a passion of mine. When I was a kid, that was something my mother and I would do together."

Thinking about her mother made Serana feel a little depressed. She missed her mother greatly, and she missed the moments she shared with her.

"It's fine." Erik said. He moved his bandage back in place, and he pulled his shirt back down. "Alchemy is an important skill to learn."

Serana nodded and said, "Yes, it is. That's why my mother was so adamant that I learned it quickly."

Serana chuckled softly as she reminisced about her mother. "You know...my mother had this saying. She used to say, 'a woman that relies on a man for the skills that man created, isn't a woman at all. And she should feel deeply ashamed of her ignorance.'"

Erik eyed Serana as she softly chuckled.

"Sounds like a smart woman." Erik said, as he made his way back around the desk.

Serana shrugged her shoulders, as she softly said, "Yeah….she was." Erik studied her silently.

"She's passed?" Erik asked.

Sighing, Serana said, "I….honestly don't know. The last time I saw her was when-" She paused for a second before saying, "Was when she locked me in the tomb." The room grew silent, when Serana dropped her head in grief and confusion.

After a moment of thinking, Serana picked up her head and smiled. She tried her hardest to brush off her unexplainable sadness, as she said, "But my mother was always a survivor, so who knows? Maybe she is alive after all this time…"

Erik didn't reply, so Serana watched him for a couple of seconds. He was flipping through his book again.

Should I ask him some questions? I don't know much about him, and I really want to get to know him, even if it's just a little….

She fought inside of her mind a moment, before asking, "What about your mom? Are you guys close?"

She watched as Erik's muscles tensed up at her question. His eyebrows slightly creased together, as he slipped into a contemplative silence.

Without looking up from his book, Erik deeply said, "She's dead."

His voice sounded empty, but there was the smallest hint of mourning in his voice, and it made Serana feel incredibly guilty.

"How did she-?" Serana asked very hesitantly.

Erik glanced up from his book, as he deeply said, "A vampire killed her."

A pang of hurt filled Serana's heart, as she watched Erik slightly clench the book in his hand.

Serana cleared her throat and asked, "What about your dad?"

Erik lifted his head, until Serana and him locked eyes. He stayed silent, but his conflicted eyes gave Serana her answer. She lowered her head with a quiet 'oh', and the room fell still.

Deep in thought, Serana moved her hands down the side of her legs, feeling a sharp object in her pocket. Her eyes widened, and she pulled it out.

I need to give it to him.

"I'm sorry to hear about your parents, but just know you're not alone. You still have people that care about you." Erik lifted up his head, when he felt Serana approaching the desk.

"Johann gave me this, when I talked to him this morning. He said you would know what it means." Serana outstretched her arm across the desk.

Erik's eyebrows lifted slightly, wherever he saw the knife clasped in her palm.

He took the blade in his hand, and his eyes slightly softened as he rubbed the metal in between his fingers. The look on his face gave Serana all the information she needed to know about how he was feeling. It was visibly clear that Johann was important to him.

Serana gave him a second, before she began to speak.

"What does it say?"

Erik touched the blade's inscriptions, as he gently said, "It's a farewell message." Serana watched, as Erik's expression grew with a tenderness. She smiled.

After a moment, Serana took a step closer and asked curiously, "What language is it? I've never seen writing like that."

"It's in the Dragon language."

Serana wanted to ask him more questions about it, but he began to speak before she could muster out a sentence.

"I have to speak with someone. I'll be back later. Don't wait up." He hurriedly made his way around the table, causing Serana to take a step back.

"Wait-!" Serana shouted. When she did, Erik stopped just after the door. He turned his head slightly back, waiting for her to speak.

"I know this is off topic, but I want to ask you a question. And I want an honest answer." Erik didn't reply, but he stood still.

Serana sighed and asked, "Did you know the vampires were going to catch up with us?" Erik's feet shifted, and he turned to meet Serana's gaze. He stayed silent.

"I mean, you had everything set up. Everything was set to deliver to your house, and the driver even had instructions for us on how to get here. Hell, he even refused to stop when I asked him to turn back to get you. He said that you told him to stop for, 'no reason whatsoever.'"

He remained silent, as Serana said, "So I'll ask again. Did you know the vampires were coming? And if so, why didn't you let me help you?"

Erik turned around and said in a deep voice, "Don't ask questions you already know the answers to."

He quickly walked out of the room, leaving Serana alone. "Hey, but-!" Serana shouted loudly, hoping that he would come back. When he didn't, she quietly bit her lip.

But I don't know….

She sighed heavily, as she looked around Erik's room. With seeing Erik without a shirt on, Serana wasn't really focused on the room until now.

Would it be okay, if I looked around? I mean, he did just leave me in here...

Serana answered her own question, whenever she took a good look around the room and became captivated by it. She didn't want to leave, even though it was probably in her best interest to.

The air was light and fresh, and just like her room, little balls of magical light lit up the room. The ceiling was high, and the bookshelves that covered the walls, towered over Serana's head.

Wow….I've never seen so many books. There has to be hundreds here.

Serana rubbed a slender finger against one of the book's spine. The title read: 'Songs of Skyrim'. A small smile crept on her lips.

Huh. I didn't think Erik would enjoy….normal people things.

Her arm fell against her side, as she made her way around the large, open room. She walked up to one of the many desks that were snuggled up to the corners of the room. When she looked down at its surface, her eyes widened in surprise. Gorgeous charcoal drawings laid sprawled out on the small table.

She pushed the papers away from each other, so she could get a better look at them. There were exquisitely detailed drawings of landscapes, buildings and creatures that she had never even seen before.

Wow….these are absolutely-

Her imaginary voice cut off, when she reached the bottom of the pile. Deep below the rest of the drawings, there was one that caught Serana's eye the most.

Serana gently picked up the old paper. She rubbed the crumbly edges of the drawing, as she observed every detail of it.

The drawing was of a woman. A beautiful woman that had long, dark hair. There was something recognizable about her face, but Serana couldn't place her. She stared at her eyes and admired her undeniable beauty.

Wow….she's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. And it's just a drawing-!

Serana looked down the page, and upon the woman's chest laid an amulet. An amulet that was strangely familiar to her. She squinted at it, thinking that would bring her to remember where she had seen it.

Gahh! Why can't I remember anything? It feels like my memory has been getting worse.

She sighed and looked at the paper once more.

Hmm...maybe it has a date? That might help.

Serana flipped her hands around and told a good look at the yellowish-colored paper. At the bottom of the drawing, there were letters and a date nestled in the corner.

It read: 'RBS' Last Seed 11th, 4E 159

What does RBS mean?

Serana looked at the year again. 4E 159

This was 45 years ago…

She lifted her eyebrows in thought, as she said to herself, "Who could this be? And who drew this?" She placed the paper down and sighed, as she put the remaining drawings back in their original positions.

Maybe these were passed down to Erik by someone he knew?

She sighed and shook her head knowingly, as she turned her head back to the middle of the room. Her eyes scanned the neat room, and they eventually fell on the large desk that rested in the center of the room.

Walking over to the wooden desk, her attention drew to the book that Erik was reading. It was still open, when she went to pick it up. Using her slender fingers, she folded the book closed to see the title. There wasn't one.

Huh? What is this?

She turned the pages in between her fingers and observed the words closely.

This is hand-written. Is this a journal?

She began to read the words that were neatly drawn on the random page she flipped to.

'From what I could tell, there were no survivors. Everything was burnt to the ground, and everyone was slaughtered. Blood painted the stone road, and the fire was still lighting up the sky when I arrived. I could smell the blood that ran in the cracks of the street. I could hear the screams of the people that laid at my feet, and I could still feel their fear underneath my skin.'

'Since this town is in Tullius's control, I will make a report to him. But I can't help but feel like this is different. I knew these people. I had…'

'No matter how I feel, I will treat this like every other incident. I won't let my personal feelings get in the way.'

'Dark-Brandy Farm is no more. I failed the people who trusted me to protect this town. I failed you. I'm sorry, Johnicus…'

Serana's eyes softened sympathetically at the emotionally conflicted words she read.

Gods...this is awful. I shouldn't have read this.

She sighed, as she looked back down at the journal's sad words.

What happened? And who wrote this?

She observed the writing closer and recognized the penmanship immediately. Dropping the book on the desk, Serana reached in her pant pocket and pulled out the note the carriage driver had given her earlier. She put the piece of crumbled paper up to the notebook, and her eyes widened in shock.

It's Erik's handwriting.

She looked at the top of the paper and read the date. Frostfall 25th, 4E 189

It's dated 15 years ago. Erik couldn't have been older than 10 years old at the time...

Serana's face twisted with confusion and puzzlement. She double checked the date, just to make sure she wasn't going crazy. But the date never changed, and neither did her bewilderment.

That's impossible…

After Erik had left Serana alone, he made his way towards Castle Dour. His boot heels clicked with every step he took, as he walked further and further down the stone pathway. Without having his usual clothes on, he was getting more stares than he already did.

The men stared at him curiously, and the women giggled as he passed by. The guards, he walked by, nodded in recognition and took steps back to give him room. All eyes were on him, when he climbed the stairs to Castle Dour, but Erik was used to ignoring people's gawking.

Erik heard two guards conversing loudly, as he made his way to the front door of Castle Dour.

"No man. You're so wrong. Sweet Rolls are better."

"What? Are you coming down with Brain Rot or somethin'? Apple Pie is wayyy better. I could eat 5 a day, if my wife wasn't hounding me about my weight."

The guards bickered some more, before Erik came into their view. After they both noticed Erik's presence, they stopped talking immediately. Both guards cleared their throats, as Erik stood firmly in front of them. His frame towering over theirs.

The older guard said, "Sir." Erik ignored the shakiness in the man's voice, as he said, "I need to speak to General Tullius. Is he in?"

After a moment, the younger guard said, "Yes, but I'm afraid you can't just-" He was cut off by the older guard, when he said, "Umm-! Nevermind him. He's new to this post. Please ignore his ignorance. He can be incredibly naive sometimes." The guard looked at his younger associate, and gave him a look that caused the inexperienced guard to stop talking.

"It's fine." He glanced at the young guard that was trying his hardest not to make eye contact with him. "I have business with the General. I need to speak to him."

The older guard said, "Of course, Dragonborn! Go right on in. Sorry for the trouble." The younger guard looked up in amazement, as Erik made his way passed him.

Before the door behind him closed, Erik heard the older man drill into the younger man.

"You absolute buffoon! That was the Dragonborn. I wouldn't be surprised if he got you executed."

"I'm sorry, man. I didn't know!"

The door closed, but Erik could still hear the guards bickering as he walked away from the door. He lightly sighed.

Erik messed with his hair, before he walked down the main hallway to the War Room. He could hear voices as he approached the door. He knocked on the wooden door, as he used his free hand to swing the door open.

"I'm telling you, Sir. I heard that Ulric was sending troops here."

"Legate Rikke, I'm sure-" General Tullius cut himself short, when he saw Erik approach where he was standing.

"Erik. This is a pleasant surprise."

Erik nodded his head at the General and said, "General." He turned to the Legate and nodded as well. "Legate." She smiled, when he addressed her.

"Dragonborn."

The General cleared his throat and said, "It's unusual to see you out of your armor. It's been awhile since I've seen your face."

"My clothes are indisposed at the moment. I ran into a little bit of trouble on the way here." Erik said in a low tone.

General Tullius raised an eyebrow and asked, "What kind of trouble?"

"Vampires." Erik said firmly. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small metal coin. Walking up closer to the General, he sat the coin down on the large wooden table that sat in the center of the room. The coin clinked softly, as Erik let go of it.

"I took this off a vampire I killed, after I left Dragon Bridge."

Legate Rikke walked closer to the table and picked up the coin. She observed the metal coin for a moment, before asking, "What is it?"

"Every vampire that belongs to a clan carries around a coin that symbolizes what clan they belong to. These specific vampires belonged to the Volkihar Clan. Their leader, Lord Harkon, lives in a castle that's off the coast of Northwatch Keep."

Erik walked closer to Legate Rikke and said, "And by the markings on the coin, these vampires were a low ranking group within the Clan. This means that higher, more powerful vampires in the Volkihar Clan are close by."

General Tullius stood up straight and asked, "Do you know if these vampires are actively harming our citizens? I've never even heard of this 'Volkihar Clan.'"

Erik turned to the General and said, "Vampires are good at hiding. Their greatest weapon has always been secrecy." Erik walked closer to the General and continued to say, "They know about the war. They know you're distracted with the Stormcloaks, and they will use that against you. They're waiting for you to make the wrong move, and once you do, they will be able to overpower you."

Erik's words rang in the air, and silence ensued once his words went quiet. Erik watched the General's face scrunch up with stress. General Tullius sighed and looked at Rikke.

"What do you suggest we do?" Tullius asked Erik.

Erik unfolded his arms as he said, "Dispatch your best to Dragon Bridge, and put them under the command of Captain Vendullus." Erik put one of his hands in his pant pocket, and he touched Johann's knife. The tension in his shoulders went away, when he felt the cool sensation of the metal.

Tullius looked at Erik and asked, "Under Johann? Are you sure?" Erik nodded.

"As you know, I've known Johann a long time. He was raised at Fort Dawnguard, like I was. He knows what he's doing."

The General looked at Erik a moment, before he turned to the Legate. She nodded at him, and he nodded at her.

Tullius began to talk, but he was cut off by a woman's voice.

"Still pushing people around, I see. You never change, Erik."

Erik's blood immediately began to boil, as he looked at the woman that entered the War Room. A tall Orc man followed closely behind her.

"Silvia." Erik said through gritted teeth.

She smiled brightly at him, as she sarcastically said, "Awww, you remember my name. I'm flattered."

Erik turned to General Tullius and asked seriously, "What is she doing here?"

Before he could speak, Silvia blurted out, "Same as you. I'm here on business. But now that you're here, I might be here for pleasure as well."

Erik's eyebrows tightened in frustration, as he turned to the General and said, "I'm done here. I'll be here for a couple more days, if you need me."

"Aww, Erik. You're no fun. Sit down and chat with me. It's been a long time since I've seen that beautiful face of yours. Why haven't you come to see me?"

Erik looked at her and said harshly, "I've been busy helping people I don't hate."

She smiled at him and chuckled, "Ohhh, Erik. You really know how to make a girl blush."

The General and the Legate stayed silent, as Silvia walked over to where Erik was standing.

"Hmm. You look really hot in this shirt. It's tight in all the right places." She went to touch him, but he grabbed her wrist tightly, causing a small moan to escape her lips.

"Don't." Erik said firmly. She grinned at him, as she pulled away from his grasp.

He stared at her with sharp eyes, as she said, "I heard your plans. I see you're still hung up on your boy toy, Johann."

"It's not like that, and you know it."

She took a step closer to him and said, "Maybe so, but I know Johann's still hung up on you. He would do anything just to get a taste of you."

Silvia turned around and walked towards the table. She jumped up and sat down on its edge. Dangling her legs off the side, she looked at Erik with a devilish smile. Her golden eyes glistened in the candlelight.

She turned towards the General and asked, "What do you think, General? Wouldn't they make a cute couple?"

He stared at her blankly, and after a while, she began to laugh at his silence. "Ohhh, c'mon General. Stop being so old-fashioned. In a world full of dragons and war, I think two men sleeping together is the least of our worries."

She smirked, and put her mouth up to the General's ear and impishly said, "And you can't tell me Erik doesn't make you hard between the legs." The General's eyes widened in surprise, as Silvia mischievously chuckled.

"Silvia. Enough." Erik said, authority riddled in his voice.

Silvia giggled, as she pulled back from Tullius. She turned her head back to Erik and said, "It's such a turn on, when you talk like that. I feel myself getting wet already."

Erik's eyes sharpened, as he said, "You've had your fun, Silvia. Enough is enough." She shrugged her shoulders, as she sighed loudly. She leaped off the table and walked back to where she came from.

"I guess Borkul and I will go and have some fun then." She walked up to the Orc that had been silent this whole time. She touched his shoulder, as she said, "C'mon, Borkul. These people are no fun."

Before she walked away, Silvia turned her head towards Erik and said, "We'll be seeing each other real soon." Without another word, she left, causing the room to fall silent.

Erik continued to stare at the dark hallway, she went into, with a hard glare.

I wouldn't count on it.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey, guys! Just wanted to pop in and say thank you for reading. I also wanted to say thank you so much for the kind comments. I really appreciated those comments, more than you know. So thank you so much for the love. ByE ;)