A/N:
I don't know exactly how often i'll be able to update this story. Like any time frames or set dates for new chapters. I'm currently in the process of earning my CDL and it's extremely time consuming. I currently have about six or seven chapters actually written out so it'll be easy for now. So rest assured new chapters will come even if slowly.
Rumors
His journey only took him a little over an hour with Frost. Once he made his way out of the mountains he headed for Whiterun's stable. This late in the evening Skulvar, the stable master, would be getting the horses in for the night. Their conversation was brief, the stable master wasn't particularly happy taking in horse this late, but the rather large purse of coin the Dovahkiin handed him had changed his mind.
To be fair, with his hood pulled up and black face cowl he looked like a bandit. Though with enough coin most people would just look the other way. A simple price to pay to keep his identity concealed.
He made his way up the path to the main gates where only two guards stood. Both of which regarded him with hostility, refusing to let him in.
"We don't deal with your kind around here sneak thief", the first guard said. Arkyn nearly burst with laughter and removed his face cowl.
Both guards recognized him immediately and offered their apology's. "Dragonborn! We had no idea, please, head inside", both guards pushed the door open for him.
As the doors opened he was greeted with a mostly familiar sight. Though instead of Adrianne Avenicci her husband Ulfberth stood at the blacksmith's forge to Warmaidens. There were no kids running through the street to pester him about playing tag and suddenly he found himself wondering where Braith was and what she was up too. Though late in the evening the city was still busy with merchants. Whiterun had come a long way since the end of the war.
"Well now", a voice said, drawing his attention back to Warmaidens.
"Last time I saw those blades they belonged to a friend of mine". It was Ulfberth calling to him. Arkyn glanced down at his quick silver Nordic swords, they weren't exactly common though could be found with a bandit from time to time.
"So that means you stole them", Ulfberth continued. "Or you're finally back". Arkyn chuckled and pulled down his face cowl, though leaving his hood up. Not everyone needed to know he was there.
"You really think anyone would be brave enough to steal from me?", he said grinned, "not anyone that knew it was you they were stealing from".
The two men embraced. Ulfberth was a stout Nord, but Arkyn had always towered over him. Both men walked to the forge as to not draw any attention to themselves. "So you sneaking around for any particular reason? More cultists after you?"
Arkyn smirked, remembering those fools who had sought him out from Solstheim. "No reason really, just easier to avoid attention if I can". The blacksmith nodded. "So you work the forge now?", he asked. "What is Adrienne up to these day's?". Ulfberths smile lessened. "Spends most days at the Sky Forge hammering steal for the Companions".
Arkyns heart panged at the mention of the Companions and their forge, for Eorlund GreyMane and Kodlak, both of whom he missed.
He still blamed himself for what had happened to both men. The two stood silent for a moment, both thinking of the same man. It was Ulfberth that broke the silence.
"So what has brought you back to our little part of Skyrim?".
Arkyn starred at the forge, the flames dancing in the reflection of his eyes. "Vampires", he solemnly. The blacksmiths eyes widened though he said nothing. Arkyn continued. "Or vampire hunters, whichever I find first".
Ulfberth shook his head. "I would've thought only Vigilante's would be dumb enough to seek out such creatures". Arkyn shook his thought's away meeting the blacksmith's gaze once again. "I would've at one time. But here I am. I'll see you around friend", he said, pulling his face cowl back up.
Arkyn shook his hand before heading off, only to at the door to Breezehome, his hand hovering over the door. She would find out sooner or later, he thought to himself. Better it be from him then someone else. He made his way inside only to find out there was no one home. The small fire place was lit with a small cooking pot filled with something that smelled delicious. The house itself hadn't changed much during time he'd last visited.
"She must be out", he said to himself softly. He would just have to wait.
Night had fallen when Lydia started to make her way back home. She enjoyed being in the market and catching up on the latest event's now that she no longer had adventuring to keep her occupied. There were also day's that she spent in a Dragonsreach with Jarl Balgruuf helping with the reconstruction of Whiterun.
Though today was not one of those days.
She stepped inside her home and was greeted with the smell of the Horker stew she'd left roasting over the small fire pit. She had a small sack filled with vegetables and cheese from the market that she took over to the large dinning table in the far right corner of the room. Lydia happily went about her routine when she heard some floorboards creek behind her.
Without a second thought she drew her steel sword and spun around. Some potato's and carrot's had fallen off the table. She was startled to say the least, but there was only one man that she knew who could be so big yet as silent as the grave. She only heard him because he wanted her too.
"My Thane, what a pleasure to see you again". She said, putting away her steel sword.
Arkyn crossed his arms and starred for a moment before pulling down his cowl and hood, wearing a big grin. "It's just me Lydia. You don't need to-", before he could finish Lydia had made her way to him and punched him in the shoulder causing Arkyn to real back.
Arkyn grimaced, though he was bigger than her, Lydia had always been able to keep up with him punch for punch.
"Shors beard!", he exclaimed, rubbing his shoulder. "What was that for?". The woman had walked over to a chair in front of the fire and plopped down, Arkyn following suit. "For not visiting with the children like you said you would for starters!".
He hung his head slightly, she had him there. "And for sneaking up on me in my own home!". He laughed at that one. He sometimes forgot how quietly he could move around.
"Well I suppose you're right". Lydia poured some stew into a bowl for each of them as he continued. "Things have just gotten away from me I guess with all the renovations around the manor". Lydia scowled at him between bites. "That's still no excuse for not bringing the children once and awhile". Again, she had a point.
The two sat and caught one another up on current event's in there respective lives. Arkyn with everything at the manor, from the kids to his plans for the homestead and Lydia with all that had been going on in Whiterun, to the traders and pilgrims returning. To the restoration of the walls. After awhile the two simply sat and watched the fire place slowly die out with Lydia being the one to break the silence.
"You never said what it was that brought you by and why you're sneaking around while doing it".
Arkyn groaned, both from being full and not wanting discuss why he was here, At least not with Lydia. "Can't it just be to drop in on an old friend?". All she gave him in response was a condescending glare. Of course, she wouldn't buy that, he thought to himself.
Arkyn sighed. "Fine, if I tell you are you going to freak out on me?".
Lydia crossed her arms, waiting for him to continue. The Dragonborn stood, opting to find some mead, and to not be near her for fear of her beating on him again. When he found a bottle of Honningbrew mead he continued, tossing one to Lydia. He sighed as in between sips.
"I heard something about some vampire hunters. People not with the Vigilantes. Looking for some leads". As soon as the hips lips went to the bottle again Lydia's bottle went flying into the cupboard, just barely missing his head and leaving him standing there with his arms out stretched wondering what he'd done this time.
"You really can't help yourself can you?", She said more as a statement than a question.
Arkyn shook his head, holding a finger out. "No, no, this time it came to my door step". Lydia nodded, pinching the bridge of her nose. "There's an Orc, been here for a few days asking people to join up with a group he calls the Dawnguard", she said waving a hand at him as he headed to the stairs. "Look, I'm going to bed, you're more than welcome to stay". Arkyn set his mead down. "It was good seeing you again", he said heading for the door. "And you as well my Thane".
Lydia said to herself as the door closed behind him. He would never change. Not that it was a bad thing really, but he would never get out of that wide eyed adventuring phase he was so invested in when she had first became his Housecarl.
He would always feel the need to be the hero and she could only bring herself to respect.
Arkyn stepped into the night air, burning torches and a light breeze the only sounds of the night. As the door closed to Breezehome he heard the front gate to the city close. Four hooded figures stood just in front of the doors. No guards were insight. Something didn't feel right. Before he made a move, footsteps from the other side of the street drew his attention.
A lone figure stood in the middle of the street, and though it was too dark really see for most Arkyn could see clearly enough that it was his Orc Lydia told him about.
Arkyn turned his attention back to the unidentified group at the city doors when he heard blades being unsheathed. Theirs hoods had been removed to reveal fangs on each of them. The Dragonborn drew both swords without a second thought earning him several hisses from the newly identified vampires.
Three of the creatures descended upon Arkyn in blurred frenzy, claws and blades slashing wildly at the Dragonborn. Arkyn dodged and parried their advances effortlessly. These couldn't be anything more than fledglings, he thought to himself. With ease he brought his left sword up and through the first one's neck, nearly decapitating it. The second and third stepped back and regained their composure as Arkyn slung the downed vampire's blood off his blade.
Both charged at him, one at both flanks. Arkyn danced around them, matching each of their strikes with a stronger one causing the second bloodsucker to lose his footing. Arkyn seized the opportunity, rushing it and driving both blades through his chest. A blood curdling cry came from the third for its fallen comrade as it slumped to the ground.
The sound of someone struggling drew his attention towards the Bannered Mare. The Orc was engaging the fourth fiend. The vampire fought more decisively then the ones that had went after Arkyn and was clearly proving to be more then the Orc could handle. This one had to be the one leading the group, he thought to himself.
The third had rushed Arkyn, bringing his attention back to the fight at hand. It's attacks becoming more wild and erratic. Arkyn grinned to himself and left out a hardy laugh, infuriating the young vampire.
In it's fury she had left herself open, vulnerable. Though before it could realize it's mistake the Dragonborn's sword pierced her chest and through the un beating heart that lie within. The vampire gasped for air, blood gurgling in it's throat.
The silver inlay of his sword burning it's flesh. She was a Nord, and young. Tears gathered in the corner of her eyes as Arkyn brought his right sword to her throat with a sigh.
Before he could deal the final blow he heard a thud and cry form the direction of the Orc. The final vampire stood over the Orsimer with fear struck across the green man's face as the vampire brought it's sword up. Arkyn had no time to react, he was fast but if he rushed the creature the Orc would still perish. No, he'd have to reveal himself to the city.
"WULD NAH KEST".
The shout pierced the night, and before the last vampire could turn to see it's source, a sword had appeared through its chest, the second tearing it's head from it's torso.
A gust of wind rushed by the vampire and the bewildered Orsimer causing the head to fall to the feet of the Orc who looked up at his hooded savor. The Orc took the mans hand and got to his feet. In addition to the hood his savor had his face covered. The tusked warrior went to speak as the taller man looked around quickly. as did the Orc, following the former's gaze.
The hooded man's action's had woken up the whole of Whiterun, drawing them out into the night to see what had roused them. The hooded man grabbed his arm, "follow me, I have some questions".
The green man only nodded, following the hooded stranger into a small house near the gates of the city, out of the prying eyes of the crowd that was trying to gather around them.
As the door closed to Breezehome the Orc slumped against it. His face was blank, betraying no emotion but his hands were shanking as he draped them across his knees. The Orc watched the hooded man as he laid his swords on a table on the far side of the room. He had brought out a worn linen rag from somewhere on his person and began wiping down his weapons.
The Orc watched curiously, trying to slow his breathing. Before the door had closed to Breezehome he had heard whispers from some of the townsfolk. The word Dragonborn had been uttered several times. Footsteps from upstairs had drawn his attention. A woman came downstairs only giving the man a passing glance before walking up behind the tall hooded man and crossing her arms. He had seen her in the market and at Dragonsreach a few days past.
"Looks like you found him", she remarked. The man said nothing. She made her way to the table, "so much for staying incognito. Your little show got everyone's attention".
Again the man said nothing.
The woman took the linen from the man and moved him out of the way. He groaned and removed his hood and cowl before approaching the Orc, prompting him to stand.
Arkyn approached the Orsimer with an outstretched arm which the Orc accepted. He looked up at the now mask less Nord as he stood much taller than your average Nord. He could easily rival the height of an Altmer His hair was long and black, braided in random patches. He sported a simple goatee tied in a knot at the base of his chin.
His eyes perplexed the Orc the most, being that they were frosted over in an icy blue. Arkyn spoke first, "name's Arkyn friend".
The Orc nodded. "Durak", he said simply. The Dragonborn looked at him with suspicion, though given the event's that had just transpired he inclined to let it slide.
"Well, Durak", he said walking over to a cupboard on the opposite end of the room and grabbed two bottles of mead, tossing one to Durak. "Judging by that armor you're wearing, and your willingness to go toe to toe with a blood sucker, you must be what I'm looking for".
Durak watched him as he sat down in chair next to a small fire place in the middle of the room. "And what exactly are you looking for", he said in rather gruff tone. Arkyn grinned, downing half the bottle in one swig before receiving a smack to the back of the head from the woman who had been quietly cleaning his blades.
"I'm not watching over you if you get to drunk so watch yourself". Arkyn rolled his eyes before returning his gaze to the Orc.
"You're with Dawnguard. Rather I hope that you are which would make my search a lot easier". Durak was surprised, he hadn't been with the group long, and had been only openly recruiting half as long.
"You've heard of us?". Arkyn downed the rest of his mead and tossed the bottle to an empty basket, earning a glare from the woman.
"Not exactly. Heard something of vampires. Course you jumping in to fight an experienced vampire raised my suspicion". Durak gave him a toothy grin. "Yes I'm with Dawnguard. Been looking for people with enough backbone to fight for something greater than themselves. And then here you are saving my sorry hide from one of the blood suckers".
Arkyn simply laughed. "I hope to one day repay your kindness friend. In the meantime, if you're interested in killing more of the foul creatures then look for us in the rift. We're holed up in Dayspring Canyon. Look for a man named Isran". Durak set his bottle of unopened mead on a cupboard by the door and turned to open said door.
Arkyn raised an eyebrow. "Leaving so soon?". Durak nodded, "I have business in the other holds to attend to. More recruits to find". Arkyn watched the door shut behind him, The crowd from earlier hadn't died down, much to his dismay.
Lydia came up beside him holding his blades in each hand before digging them into the dirt of the fire place. Arkyn looked up at her expectantly only to receive her usual dead pan glare that he was oh so familiar with. "Lydia, no yo-", was all he managed before another fist found it's way into his shoulder.
"Would you quit doing that!". Lydia huffed, taking a seat beside him. "So what is it you want me to do".