Welcome back to this story, sorry this took so damn long to update.
Well I did not expect this chapter to be this long. And this one is very dialogue-heavy. I hope you guys are enjoying my Dragonborn character. In the description I stated he is an anti-hero, we won't clearly see how yet but I hope some small hints here and there could be seen.
Please review, I like to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Your reviews are my fuel heh.
Enjoy
Chapter 4: A new adventure in dark tidings
"You probably weren't expecting to see me again." Serana said with a hand on her hip.
"This vampire showed up while you were away." Isran explained, "I'm guessing it's the one that you found in Dimhollow Crypt. Says it's got something really important to say to you." Isran then turned to Serana. "I'm going to wait outside. Don't you try anything stupid."
Ren gave one last glance at Isran as he went past him. The torture room Isran left Serana in was not really the homey sight for a conversation, but it would have to do.
"Ren," Serana called him again.
"Serana." he nodded at her.
"Listen, I'd rather not be here but I needed to talk to you." Serana urged, "It's important, so please just hear me out."
With Ren remaining silent for a few seconds, Serana took the prompt and continued, "You see, it's about me. And the Elder Scroll that was buried with me."
"Let me take a guess." Ren said, "A prophecy is involved somehow?"
Serana's surprise was evident in her widened eyes. "Y-Yeah, how-how do you…never mind. Look, the reason why I was down in that tomb and why I had the Elder Scroll, it all comes back to my father."
Harkon. Ren thought.
"I'm guessing you figured this part already but, my father's not exactly a good person, even by vampire standards," Serana said, "He wasn't always like that. There was a turn, he stumbled upon this prophecy and became obsessed with it, lost himself in it."
"So what is this prophecy?" Ren asked.
"It's pointless and vague like all prophecies. But that part he latched onto said that vampires no longer need to fear the sun. That's what he's after, he wants to control the sun, have vampires control the world." Serana continued on, "My mother and I didn't feel like inviting a war with all of Tamriel, so we tried to stop him. That's why I was sealed away with an Elder Scroll." There was a brief moment of silence between the two. Ren's lips made a parting, the severity of Serana's warning was sinking in.
"How did you get out? How did you get here?" Ren asked.
Serana did a double-take, she did not expect these questions. "Um well, when everyone else was, you know, feasting, I snuck out. I know my ways around the castle. I got to my boat and got to shore. Thankfully there was a carriage down the main road, asked the driver about the Dawnguard. Paid him with a gem to bring me to the valley's entrance."
Ren brought a hand to his chin and his eyes narrowed, "You took a really big risk coming here."
"I did." Serana said with both hands on her hips. "But something about you makes me think I can trust you. I hope I'm not wrong."
Ren crossed his arms with a thinking look, "No you're right. We need to convince the rest though."
Serana nodded, "Let's move then, I'm nothing if not persuasive."
"Hmm."
As they made their way to the stairs, Isran was standing in the way, both of them knew he would have listened in. The Dawnguard leader gave Ren a scowl, "Alright you've heard what it has to say. Now tell me, is there any reason why I shouldn't kill this blood-sucking fiend right now?"
The Imperial glanced at the vampire, the moment of eye contact gave Serana a quick sense of security. Ren said to Isran, "We need her help."
"Why?!" Isran snapped, "Because of some prophecy?! Vampires trying to put out the sun?! Do you actually believe any of that?"
"What reason would I have not to?" Ren countered, "Why else would Serana risk her life to come here?"
"Who knows? Maybe it has a death wish, maybe it's insane. I don't care. Nothing from what I've heard is telling me not to waste this thing."
"Set your hatred aside Isran, we need to see the bigger picture here." Ren's tone grew annoyed.
"Set my hatred aside? Not a chance, it's what keeps me going." Isran stepped forward. "You haven't been in this war as long as I have boy, you wouldn't understand my hatred."
There was palpable silence in the air and Serana turned to Ren, she noticed his face darkening. "Ren?" she touched his shoulder. What is with that face Ren?
As he turned to her, the light in his face came back. He nodded in acknowledgment before answering Isran. "She's our spy Isran."
"Huh?" Serana pipped.
Ren explained, "She knows the castle more than any of us and who we are up against. She can help us with more information than any of us here." Ren had an elbow jabbing his arm, Serana gave him a frown. Ren responded with an intense stare at her, telling her to 'play along'.
Isran scrutinized Ren one last time before he decided, "Fine then. It can stay for now, but if it so much as lay a finger on anyone here, I'll hold you responsible. Got it?"
"Fine."
Isran then leered at Serana, "You hear me? Don't feel like a guest because you're not. You're an asset, a resource. In the meantime don't make me regret my outburst of tolerance and generosity. Otherwise, your friend here is going to pay for it."
"Thank you for your kindness, I'll remember it the next time I'm feeling hungry." Serana faked a smile and revealed the tip of her fangs at him.
Before Isran could flare up, Ren cut in, "Back to the Elder Scroll." He pointed at the giant scroll slung on Serana's back.
"Right," Serana said, "Whatever it says it will have something that can help stop my father. But then none of us could read it of course."
"But that last time…No, perhaps not." Ren mumbled behind his teeth.
"What?" Serana frowned.
"Nothing, it's nothing," Ren dismissed it, "Who can read it then?"
"Well the Moth Priests are the only ones that I have heard of that can do it. They spend years preparing before they start reading though. Problem is they're all the way down south in Cyrodiil."
"And traveling to Cyrodiil will take too long." Ren added.
"Correct."
Isran then spoke up, "Some Imperial scholar arrived in Skyrim a few days ago. I was staking out the road when I saw him passed by. Maybe that's your Moth Priest."
"You know where he is now?" Serana asked.
"No, and I'm not going to waste men looking. We're in a war against your kind and I intend to win it." Isran's voice laced with venom.
He pointed at Ren, "You better not muck this up." Isran headed downstairs, leaving Ren and Serana alone.
"So any idea where we can find a Moth priest in Skyrim?" Ren asked.
"I was thinking maybe the College of Winterhold, that's the first place I'd go to for anything magical or historical related. The wizards there probably know all sorts of things people shouldn't know about," She then said, "Actually now that I think about it, I'm going to come along with you. I've been wanting to get out and explore."
Ren raised an eyebrow, looking a tad bit confused.
"What?" Serana noticed.
"Didn't you travel from the Haafingar hold all the way here, in the Rift? I think that's plenty of exploring already."
Serana gave him a flat look and sassed, "Oh wow look at that, Ren's got jokes," Ren made no comment to that. Serana placed a hand on her hip. "I rushed over here Ren, I didn't exactly take in the sights. My point is that I want to go with you."
"Hmm."
Again with that hmm. Serana thought. "Is that a problem Ren?"
"No," Ren quickly said, "N-No it's just uh…never mind it's nothing. Let's go then."
Serana noted the apprehension, but if Ren agreed to let her come she was not going to question further. But then she remembered, "Oh right. Ren, before I forget," She reached behind and unclasped something from her belt. "This belongs to you." She handed it to him, his dragon bone dagger in a sheath.
"Oh." Ren took it from her and pulled out the dagger. He twirled the weapon in his fingers with finesse, before putting it back in the sheath and securing it onto his bandolier. "Thank you."
Serana had a surprised smile, "You're welcome Ren. Well now that's out of the way, let's get moving." In response, Ren put his hood up and pulled his mask back up to cover his mouth and nose.
When they reached the main door, however, Ren stopped.
"What is it?" Serana almost bumped into him.
"You're not going to leave the Elder Scroll behind?" Ren asked with his back facing her.
Now she noticed she still had the scroll on her back. "Why?"
He turned around and Serana stepped back from his glare. With his mouth and nose covered up, his eyes told everything about his sudden dark look.
"R-Ren?"
The Imperial's voice grew low, "Then how do I know this isn't a trap?"
"H-Huh?"
"How do I know you're not lying; that you're not actually allied with your father and you are a double agent?"
Serana crossed her arms, almost insulted, "Seriously Ren? I thought we'd be even since I have just done the exact same thing you did. You stepped into my castle alone, I stepped into this fort alone."
"And you could be running off to your father to tell him everything about us once we're out of here." Ren stated the logical doubt.
"Ren. I told you why I'm not with him. And like you said I risked a lot coming here already." Serana then let out a sigh, "I thought I have your trust by now."
Ren saw the sincere expression in her, he had to soften his stance. "Perhaps you could leave the Elder Scroll here with the Dawnguard for starters." She sighed in defeat. Taking the Elder Scroll off her, she passed it to him. While she waited, Ren headed over to Isran who was by the forge.
"It is actually letting us keep the scroll?" Isran asked taking it off of Ren.
"Yes." Ren answered.
"Then what's stopping us from taking it out now?"
"I told you about the bigger picture already Isran." Ren crossed his arms.
The Dawnguard leader was not pleased, "And I told you that you haven't been in this war long enough, you do not understand the hatred that's-"
"Make no mistake Isran." Ren cut in. "I know hatred." His face darkened and his voice commanded presence, "I. Know. Hatred."
He took a step forward and the Dawnguard leader held his ground, "Do not forget that Isran. I told you before, I am going help in this crisis. But I will help, my way. So don't test me." Ren's glare penetrated right into the core but Isran held his composure.
"Whatever." Isran said. "Like I said, you better you know what you are doing. For all of our sake." Ren did not answer and turned away, taking a deep breath to quell his irritation.
The Imperial got back to Serana who had her arms crossed and stared deeply at a wall. The silence was awkward and he had to break it. Ren said, "Look I'm sorry about that earlier with the scroll Serana."
"No, it's ok. I get it." Serana turned to him. "I just uh…wished we…could have met on better circumstances."
"…yeah." Ren muttered, he then had an idea. He took the dagger from his bandolier, flipped it in the air, and caught the sheath. "You know what? Here, you hold onto this for now."
Serana had a look of surprise before a genuine smile appeared. "You sure?"
"You'll need it more than me."
She took the knife, "Thanks Ren." She strapped it back onto her belt, "Now let's finally get a move on."
Out of the Dayspring Canyon, the two continued the road surrounded by birch trees. The plan was to head over to the Riften stables, take a carriage ride to Windhelm and rest there before one last ride over to Winterhold.
For Serana, the trek was about the same as the last time she was with Ren. This ranger was walking ahead of her and was not one for many words. Even though they shared a wordy conversation in Fort Dawnguard, now Ren was all quiet. That is until she noticed his pace started to slow and match hers, now they were walking almost shoulder to shoulder.
"Serana?" he suddenly broke the silence.
"Hm?" Serana perked up, "Yes?"
"You knew it wasn't safe for you back at the castle didn't you?" Ren asked.
Serana bit her lip, "Well yeah. But like I said before, I needed to know where things stand and what has happened to my family."
"Hmm." He grunted. "Quite a reunion I would say."
That comment hit Serana, her face formed a frown. "Yes, that so-called welcome I received. Even by vampire standards, it was cold. My father…even after all these years that's the first thing he asked me." She then mimicked Harkon's voice, "I trust you have the scroll. Gods."
"…I'm sorry about that." Ren said softly.
"Thanks." Serana sighed, "No sorry it's just uh…I got some emotional baggage. I didn't live in a particularly normal family."
"It's ok."
Serana did not expect this nicety, she smiled. "Thanks Ren."
"Hmm."
That grunt again, hmm. Serana thought.
The trek continued on in silence until they reached the Riften stables. Ren wasted no time and talked to the carriage driver to take them to Windhelm. Serana would have like to see the inside of the city but she figured she could check it out on another time.
The carriage rode down the road through the Rift and the two sat opposite each other. Serana was looking in every direction and taking in all of the sights. "I've never seen leafs this colour." Serana said, amazed by all the autumn orange around her. She did not get a reply from the ranger, thus she settled down in her seat to check on him. Ren had his hood off and mask down, and he was staring off into the distance behind. One hand resting on the railing, the other holding a bread bun he was nibbling on.
She realised again that she knew almost nothing about him. She began listing out the things she knew; his name, his allegiance to the Dawnguard, that he is skilled in fighting draugrs and thieves, and that he stared down her father without flinching. But other than that, what else? Why did he not give those thieves any chance? Why did he have that nasty look when that Isran told him off?
"Hey Ren?" Serana called to him and he turned to her. "Who are you?"
"…what?" Ren raised an eyebrow.
"Who are you?"
"Ren."
Serana rolled her eyes and groaned, "Very funny. I'm asking who you are Ren, what's your backstory, hobbies, dislikes, and all that stuff."
"Why?" he asked.
"Well gee I don't know. Maybe because we're going to be traveling together a lot, I would like to know more about the person I am traveling with." Serana said. "And frankly, looking guarded like that all the time is not really going to help either of us."
"Uh…" Ren's face grew pensive and his eyes drifted down.
Serana gave a suggestion, "Tell you what, let's play this. I ask you something, you ask me something."
After a moment of thinking, he made a decision. "Alright, okay."
"Ok great, let's start." Serana made a clap. "Ren, are you a Breton?"
"No. Imperial."
"Your turn." Serana told him.
"You're a Nord right?" Ren asked.
"Yup." She nodded, "So Ren, how old are you?"
Ren was a little hesitant, but her look of anticipation won out. "Twenty-three."
"Ohhh I see. Twenty-three." She smirked. "And I'm not going to tell you my age if you're going to ask me that next."
"Trust me, I don't need to." Ren said at a volume so the driver could not hear. "You gave yourself away when you got confused about the Empire in Cyrodiil."
Serana blinked in confusion until realizing what he meant she pouted with heated cheeks. She pointed a finger at him, "Y-You…you-"
"My turn to ask a question." Ren cut in, "What kind of magic can you do?"
"Uh well, a bit of destruction magic, like ice and sparks. And conjuration magic." Serana answered. "Alright, my turn." She cleared her throat, "Ren, what are your hobbies?"
"Hobbies? I uh…" Ren fell silent. "Uh…"
"Well?"
"I don't know."
Serana raised an eyebrow. "You don't know?"
"I don't really have any." He shrugged a shoulder.
Her eyebrow was still raised, "Surely there must be something?"
"No." Ren shook his head. "Don't really have time for any hobbies now."
"Well what about when you were younger?" Serana pressed on, "Did you have a hobby you enjoyed then?"
Ren looked away for a brief second with a sigh, before returning her gaze, "It's my turn to ask a question."
Serana pouted, her question was left unanswered, but she gave in. "Fine, what's your question?"
"Favourite drink?" Ren blurted out but quickly corrected himself, "Ok never mind. Uhh how much do you know about the Elder Scrolls?"
"Well…I mean…as much as anyone. Not a lot. You'd figured locked away with one would have given me some insights, but no. Turns out you don't learn much just from sleeping with something."
"Hmm."
"Since you asked me that, I'll ask you the same thing. What do you know about them?" Serana asked, seeing her companion's head dipping down thinking deep.
"Well only what I can remember." Ren said, he looked reminiscent. "It is…an artifact from outside time. Like it does not exist, but it always existed. And that's why they've often been used for prophecies."
Serana's eyes widened, she was quite impressed. "That's uh really something. So you knew about a prophecy being involved because of what you know of the Elder Scrolls. How do you know all this?"
"My turn to ask a question." Ren reminded her.
"Oh come on Ren." Serana crossed her arms, but Ren did not budge, "Ugh ok fine."
"How often did you visit the mainland from your home?"
"On rare occasions, because there wasn't much to do at home. I did travel to Skyrim with my father for, you know, the stuff he did as the head of the clan."
"Hmm" Ren grunted, "Alright last round. We're approaching the Eastmarch borders already." The birch trees were gone, replaced with cedars and mountains.
"Alright." Serana placed a finger on her lips until she came up with the last question. "Ren, you're from Cyrodiil I assume. What brings you to Skyrim?"
Ren froze which Serana noticed, his eyes started to narrow. He said without hesitation. "I'm not going to answer that."
Serana blinked, "Huh?"
"Not answering that."
"Why? Did you come to Skyrim looking for a new life? Adventure?" Serana's curiosity was getting the better of her, but Ren did not answer. Serana was at the edge of her seat and she pressed on, "Or were you on the run? From the law?"
"Serana," Ren leaned forward in his seat, he was clearly bothered. "Enough."
Now Serana caught herself, she gave an apologetic face. "I'm sorry. I uh got too carried away. Sorry."
"It's ok." Ren tossed his hood back over his head.
"But I can ask one last thing?" Serana took a moment to piece her words. "Whatever…reason that brought you here to Skyrim, did you uh…did you get what you wanted?"
Ren appeared mused for a moment before answering, "Yeah…in a way." The ride fell into silence, Ren and Serana kept to themselves.
Just what is he so reserved about? Serana wondered. Dammit I should not have prodded him. Serana's little game came to an awkward end by her doing. So he's twenty-three, he knows about the Elder Scrolls…and that's all I know about him. This whole time he was just stalling! And he knows it! Serana was admittedly annoyed. Maybe next time then.
For the rest of the journey, Ren snoozed through the ride while Serana stayed awake, admiring all the sceneries. By the time Ren woke up, the sun was setting and the ground was coated in snow. They have reached Windhelm.
The carriage parked in the stables and the two hopped off. Reaching the bridge, Serana could not take her eyes off the massive walls. "They used to call Windhelm, "the City of Kings." In my books, anyway."
"It was, a long time ago." Ren added.
As they crossed, a guard stationed at the bridge kept an eye on them. Serana was about to pass him but the guard gave her a warning. "Stay out of trouble outsider."
Serana did not know what to say, she simply caught up to Ren. She asked, "Not so friendly bunch huh?"
"They're Stormcloaks," Ren said softly so she could hear, "They're not warm to any outsiders, less for anyone who is not a Nord."
"I remember you said something about Stormcloak. Ulfric Stormcloak? Who is that? Something about this conflict I'm hearing right?"
"I'll tell you another time. Right now let's get inside." He got to the door and pushed it open letting her in. Serana's eyes darted everywhere, seeing the cobblestone steps, fire pits, the buildings packed closely together, Windhelm was a little smaller than she expected.
"The walls outside were deceptive. I had expected Ysgramor's city to be…bigger." She said to Ren.
"Welcome to Windhelm." said Ren.
Voices of an aggressive commotion by the fire pits got their attention. There were two Nord men, one in a belted brown tunic with yellow clothes, the other in a brown roughspun tunic. They were both confronting a Dark Elf woman in a blue dress.
"You come here when you're not wanted. You eat our food, you pollute our city with your stink, and you refuse to help the Stormcloaks!" The first Nord spat at the Dark Elf.
"We haven't picked a side because it's not our fight." The Dark Elf woman said trying to defuse the confrontation.
The second Nord then said, "Hey, maybe the reason these grey-skins don't help in the war is because they're imperial spies!"
"Imperial spies? You can't be serious?"
The first Nord sneered, "Maybe we'll pay you a visit tonight, little spy. We got ways of finding out what you really are."
Serana made a frown witnessing the altercation. Ren tugged on her sleeve, "Come on, let's get inside." Stepping into Candlehearth hall, they took down their hoods and shook the snow off. Ren got to the counter where Elda Early-Dawn, the inn owner, was cleaning a tankard.
"Ah customers. Welcome." Elda greeted. "What can I get you?"
"Do you have two rooms?" Ren asked.
"We only have one ready, the rest are either being cleaned up or occupied." Elda said taking a key behind the counter. Ren turned to Serana, giving her an unsure look.
She only shrugged in return and took the key. "We'll take it, thanks." After Ren paid Elda, she showed them their room, at the end of the corridor. It was not much to praise about but it was sufficient; a double bed, a chair, and a wardrobe.
"So what was your plan when you decided 'We'll take it,'?" Ren deadpanned.
"My plan was that you rest while I wait." Serana closed the door. "I've rested enough already. You know, in that tomb."
"Right." Ren set his gear by the bed.
Serana remained by the door, her back facing Ren. She took the opportunity while Ren was occupied. She discreetly pulled out a black flask strapped to her belt. She opened it and silently drank a gulp of blood. With her thirst dealt with she quickly kept her flask away. Taking a step back, however, she bumped into something.
Gasping, she turned and Ren was right there staring with arms crossed. Serana froze like she was caught red-handed. Serana could not read an ounce of emotion from Ren's expression, it left her all the more worried about just what he might think.
"I am…" Ren dragged his words, "going to assume, whoever you got that from, had it coming one way or another."
Serana pieced her explanation, "Well uh, let's just say, um, pirates are easier to find off the coast."
"Oh. Ok then." Ren was swift to accept it and went back to tend to himself.
Serana knew better than to ask him directly, but she was starting to put things together about him. He had no problems killing those thieves when I first met him, and apparently, he does not care about pirates. She now had some clue about him.
"Hey let's get some mead." She skipped over tapping him on the shoulder.
"Huh?" He blinked.
"You're thirsty right?"
"Not really. But since when do you drink mead?"
Serana scoffed and puffed her chest, "Hey I may be a, you know, but I am also a Nord." Serana stood proud for added theatrics, "And Nords. Need. Mead."
Ren could give a blank stare and a mutter, "Uh…Uhuh."
"Let's go." Serana pulled him along.
They sat at the bar counter, Serana had Nord mead while Ren had ale. The appetizing scent of roast meat and potatoes from the kitchen filled the air.
The vampire raised up her bottle, "I'm finally doing it."
"What?" Ren asked while taking a sip of his drink.
Serana took a big gulp of mead. "Seeing more of Skyrim than I already have. Like an adventure."
"And our next stop would be Winterhold." Ren said.
"Not sure if the College of Winterhold will let us in though now that I think about it."
"Don't worry, they will. I am a member."
"Oh? Guess that explains why you know some magic. One step closer in finding this priest." She nudged him and took another swig.
"Yeah…all this goose chase to find some priest." Ren groaned.
"The 'Tale of the Great Moth Priest Hunt'. Not something I'd want to read." Serana quipped.
"Hmm." Ren grunted.
"Hmm."
Ren had to take a second the recover from his stunned look, facing Serana she gave him a cheeky smile. "Now you know how it feels Ren." Serana chuckled and nudged his shoulder.
"Hm."
"Hm." Serana copied him again.
He turned to her again looking a tad bit annoyed, "Can you stop that?"
"I will when you will." she teased. Ren had to control himself not to grunt again, he brought his ale up for a sip. And a small smile could be seen at the corner of his lips.
"Oh there it is!" Serana beamed, "You actually smiled." She started poking his cheek. The surprise attack on his cheek nearly made him spill his drink. Setting his bottle down he eyeballed her, but she kept on poking his cheek and her glee was becoming infectious. Slowly a smile was creeping back into his face which she noticed.
Ren held her wrist, taking it away from his face, "Alright knock it off. Knock it off." Serana giggled and the two drank up. It was the rarest thing for Ren, enjoying a moment, he truly did enjoy that exchange with Serana.
Until he heard something from the loud people above in the second level. Coming from Susanna the Wicked, one of the servers in the inn. He heard her talking to a patron. "Yeah I heard about it. Jarl Ulfric had sent Aventus back to the orphanage in Riften. Along with Sofie. Let us hope those children are safer there than here."
Ren stiffened, his eyes glared straight at the wall, his grip on his bottle tightened. Ren remembered Aventus Arentino, he remembered the chanting so vividly.
Sweet Mother, Sweet Mother, send your child unto me, for the sins of the unworthy must be baptized in blood and fear.
Sweet Mother, Sweet Mother, send your child unto me, for the sins of the unworthy must be baptized in blood and fear.
Sweet Mother, Sweet Mother, send your child unto me, for the sins of the unworthy must be baptized in blood and fear.
Sweet Mother, Sweet Mother…
"Ren?" he felt a hand on his shoulder. Out of his trance he turned to Serana looking concerned. "What is it?"
"Wait here," Ren got up from his seat, "I'll be back."
"Ren?"
"Wait here." Ren exited the inn.
It was a starry night outside, and the winds breezed the cold through the city. Ren pulled his mask over his nose and hood over his head. In the cover of darkness the masked and hooded ranger headed over to the right side of Windhelm. He reached to a house arching over a path.
Checking no one else was around, Ren snuck into the Arentino residence.
It was dusty, damp, and empty. Every footstep made a soft creak. Ren reached the hall in the house, there was no furniture or any of signs of recent dwellings. He stood before an empty room where the floor had markings of stained dried blood and candle wax, all in a circular effigy. Ren clearly remembered Aventus Arentino performing the Black Sacrament, stabbing flesh with a dagger, with a skeleton and nightshade petals around him, and their fateful meeting.
Seeing what was left of the Black Sacrament, Ren clenched his fists and let out a snarl.
Back at Candleherth Inn, Serana was minding herself and drinking her mead.
Just what was that about? Serana wondered. One minute I actually made a breakthrough with him, then he had the same look as before. And then he just took off. With a sigh she went back to her drink.
"Hey. Who are you?" A voice filled with hostility called to her. Serana turned her head and there was that man in the belted brown tunic with yellow clothes she had seen earlier.
"Yeah you. I'm talking to you." he spat. "Who are you?"
"Sorry who are you?" Serana said confusedly.
"Rolff Stone-Fist." he crossed his arms, "I don't recognise you around here. Who are you and what are you doing in Windhelm?"
"Staying for the night and leaving soon." Serana answered.
"Just what Windhelm needs. More damn outsiders." Rolff Stone-Fist scoffed, his breath was foul to her nose.
Just what I need, some dumb bungling idiot bothering me. Serana said, "Yeah you were the one that was picking on that Dunmer earlier huh? Along with the other guy."
Now Rolff was fuming, he stormed over Serana. "What?! You! You a Dark Elf lover?!"
"Hang on I did not say-"
"Get out of our city you worthless piece of trash!" Rolff raised his voice. Everyone was starting to peek at the commotion from the second level. Elda quickly went down the stairs confronting the Nord man.
"Enough Rolff you drunken fool!" Elda demanded, "Leave her alone and get out!"
"Shut it woman!" Rolff snapped back, "This is an outsider, she doesn't belong here!"
Serana stood up and stared back at the drunkard. She said with deceptive calmness, "I am really not liking your attitude right now."
"Don't like it?! Too bad!" Rolff shouted, "This is our city! Ours!"
"Oh look who it is." A voice by the door called to Rolff, "The Pig of Eastmarch."
Everyone's attention was on the owner of the voice, Ren glaring at Rolff with intense eyes, no one even heard him enter. Rolff's face turned red. "What did you call me?" He asked.
"You heard me," Ren glided over, stepping in between Serana and Rolff, "The Pig of Eastmarch."
There were muffled snickers coming from the bystanders and Serana. Rolff pointed at Ren. "Real tough talk, for a little piece of shit boy."
"Says the pig who likes picking on women huh?" Ren countered.
Rolff started cracking his knuckles. "Oh so how about you then? Think you're tough? Don't think I can take you? One hundred gold says I can punch you back to where you came from." He slammed a pouch of coins on the counter.
Serana started backing away to the exit creating distance, "Ren…"
Ren, however, had other ideas. He placed his own pouch of septims. "Easiest. Hundred. Ever."
Rolff exploded by the insult, he charged at the Imperial. Ren shifted to the left dodging Rolff's lunge, he shot out a fist striking Rolff at the temple of his head. The Nord felt the ringing in his head as he tumbled onto the floor face first.
Serana's eyes went wide, keeping them on Ren. He got into a stance, legs apart and knees bent, one arm guarded close to his chest and the other arm guarding his front. Rolff got up and charged at Ren again. Ren moved his head left and right dodging every punch that Rolff threw.
"Hold still you little bitch!" Rolff shouted as he threw another right cross. Ren ducked down dodging the punch, he countered fast and both palms struck Rolff in the chest knocking him back. Ren followed up with another hit, jumping forward Ren struck a fist in Rolff's face.
"Drive that snow-back to the ground!" A spectator jeered, to who no one knows.
Rolff got up again, he threw another punch and Ren dodged again. This time, however, Rolff aimed for Ren's ponytail. He yanked Ren's hair over and the Imperial yelled out, "Aargh!"
Rolff, feeling like the victor now, grabbed Ren's collar and hair, bringing him straight for a wall. Rolff threw Ren right to it, but the Imperial was more agile than he thought. Ren planted a foot on the wall pushing himself upwards. With another foot planted Ren back-flipped off the wall and landed without harm. Everyone was left gobsmacked at the feat.
Ren growled in anger, he leaped forward with a spin and shot out a kick square in Rolff's chest. The Nord was knocked back to the inn's entrance door. Ren closed in the gap and rapidly struck Rolff's gut with his fists. Ren reached the door handle behind a beaten-up Rolff and opened the door. He delivered the final blow, an uppercut to Rolff's chin and the racist Nord was punched out of the Candlehearth Inn. The Pig of Eastmarch was left knocked out by the fire pit outside the inn.
Ren closed the door and turned around to a crowd staring in awe. Ren laid his eyes on Serana, the two shared a glance before Elda broke the silence. "Alright show's over, the drunken idiot is out. It's over folks." The crowd murmured amongst themselves, some surprised by Ren's fight and some disappointed they lost a bet.
Ren got back to the bar counter picking up his money, he was a hundred septims richer now. Serana sat to next him and kept staring at him. Ren tied his hair back into a ponytail and he asked her, "You alright?"
"Yeah." Serana said.
"Sorry your night was ruined like that." Ren sighed shaking his head.
"Nah," She chuckled, "It made the night a lot more interesting. And I got things to ask and you're definitely going to answer them."
"Ugh…" Ren groaned.
"First off," Serana raised a finger, "Where in all of Nirn did you learn to move like that?"
"It's nothing." Ren's voice was muffled in his drink.
"Nothing?" Serana gawked, "That was not nothing Ren, I have never seen someone punch or kick like that before. Tell me where did you learn that?"
Ren sighed, he knew she was not going to let this one go no matter how long he stalled. He gave in for her, "The Fighter's Guild."
"Fighter's Guild?" Serana tilted her head in question, "What's that?"
"A mercenary organization. Citizens can hire members for anything combat or protection related." Ren took a swig of ale and continued, "Certain few were specialized in unarmed combat. They were the ones who taught me how to fight without weapons."
"Ohhh I see." Serana had her head propped up by one arm leaning on the counter, "So you were a mercenary."
"For a time."
"Is that why you came to Skyrim? Mercenary work?" Serana could not help her curiosity. Ren only shot her a look, she sheepishly backed down. Still not telling me why. "Where did you go earlier?"
"Needed to check if someone was still in Windhelm."
"Who? A friend?"
Ren almost choked on his drink. "No…thankfully he is out of Windhelm already, better for him that way." Serana chose not to push further but it did irk her that there was still so much she wanted to unravel about her companion, he was like a book she could not wait to turn the pages and see what was next.
Morning arrived and Ren got as much rest as time permitted. Serana, on the other hand, did not need as much. After freshening up, Ren and Serana handed the room key back to Elda and exited the inn. The Pig of Eastmarch was still napping by the fire pit from his drunken stupor the previous night.
"Hehe would love to see this fool's reaction when he wakes up." Serana teased.
"I don't." Ren trekked past and headed for the market, "Listen I'm going to get something from the market."
"Alright I'll meet you at the gate." Serana said. At Windhelm's entrance she paced around with a little hum and a beaming smile. She could not even remember the last time she felt this exhilarated; going on an adventure and discovering the world like the books she had read in her family's castle.
However, she remembered why she was in this situation, her father's fanatical goals. It knocked her excitement down a notch and she stopped smiling. She brought her mind to her companion, Ren.
He was a mercenary in this Fighter's Guild in Cyrodiil, now he's in Skyrim with the Dawnguard and a member of the College of Winterhold. Real busy bee, no wonder he does not have a hobby. And he's only twenty-three?! She was so deep in her thought she did not notice Ren approaching.
"Serana." he called and she almost jumped.
"Huh? Oh, Ren." she faced him.
"Here," his arm stretched out to her handing her something, "Got this from the market, it'll probably be useful at some point." It was a light brown leather sack bag with a sling. "Don't exactly know what a vampire would really need so I just got the basic essentials." He shook the supplies inside.
Serana's lips parted at the kindness. Taking it from Ren, she had a warm smile, "Thank you Ren…b-but is this really ok? You spending on this for me?"
"It's fine. Besides, Rolff Stone-Fist paid for it, if you know what I mean." Ren said and went past her. Serana giggled at that.
Before Ren could make any more distance she said, "Hey Ren?"
"Mm?" He turned his head.
"I just want to say uh…" Serana stammered, Ren's stoic gaze with his hood and mask did not help her saying piece but she tried anyway. "Thank you, for uh, well for everything you've been doing. Just want to let you know that…I'm really grateful."
There was a long moment of silence between the two. Ren hidden behind his mask did not move an inch and it was getting awkward. "Hello? Ren?" Serana waved at the Imperial.
"Uh M-Mm." Ren nodded. "S-Sure you're welcome."
After that exchange, the two carried on their journey to Winterhold.
Hope you've enjoyed this chapter, hope to see you in the next one.