The Volkihar
The next night had seemed to take forever to arrive. Arkyn had left a couple of times for food and other supplies he had packed neatly. He had even brought a second water skin and given to Serana, though its contents were much thicker than water. It had only been animal blood, and subsequently paled in comparison to the blood of the man who found her. But it would do.
When night had fallen the two left after Arkyn had thanked Jonna for the room. He let Serana mount Frost once again. The stead didn't seem to mind the vampiress. The Dragonborn grinned to himself slightly. In all honesty the stead was probably happy to support someone much lighter than his master.
The night went quietly as the two made their way through Dragons Bridge. The only people out and about were the town guards who only sparred them passing glances.
Serana thought to herself about coming back to see the town or the bridge they crossed for which the town was named. Maybe after she went home and made sense of what was what.
When first light had broken the sky Arkyn had offered to stop for the day. Serana declined, any further delays only increased the worry she had in the pit of her stomach. She wouldn't say, hell she hadn't even tried to think of it, but in the back of mind she was worried about what, or whom she'd find at her family's home.
"So where exactly is this home of yours?". The man's voice pulled her from her thoughts. She looked around for a moment, everything looked the same for the most part of the trip up this side of the mountain.
"It shouldn't be much further. On the other side of these mountains along the shore we should find a small dock". Arkyn remained silent again, though he could feel the vampiress' eyes on him.
The rest of the trip down the mountain was silent as well. Along the coast groups of hoarkers could be seen. A small pack of ice wolves prowling around them looking for their next meal. Off the coast, an island sat surrounded in mist. Arkyn watched it with interest as they descended the mountain. He had never really paid close attention to anything off the coast. To be fair it had been quiet some time since he'd been out this far. Not since he'd burned down Northwatch Keep.
Said Keep had come into few shortly after catching Serena's attention. "I don't remember that place being there. Who occupies it?", her voice was plain. Arkyn said nothing as Serana dismounted. What remained of the keep was scorched. Arkyn tied Frost to a tree nearby
"The Thalmor did at one time". Arkyn didn't look at her as he spoke. His attention had refocused on the keep. In particular, charred remains that were weathered and half buried.
Serana didn't question him about these supposed Thalmor. She was sure she could find out later. The vampiress made her way towards the dock and waited for the man. When he finally turned from the keep Serana could see that his eyes had changed again, frost white again. She tried to lighten the mood with an ill attempt at humor.
"Um… this is the part where we usually get into the boat". Arkyn huffed and pushed past her to the small rickety bucket that she called a boat. "At least it floats", he thought to himself.
The Dragonborn did the rowing despite the protests from the vampire. The vampiress' home came into view through the mist and Arkyn looked up at it dumbfounded. Her home was a castle, big enough to make most of the holds in Skyrim look like small villages instead of towns. As the boat landed on the shore Arkyn never took his eyes off the castle.
"This is your home?", he didn't even try to hide the amazement in his voice. Serana on the other hand tried to hide her embarrassment.
"This is it. Home sweet… castle". Her expression grew grim. She was all the more nervous about what exactly she would find once inside. Or rather who she would find. She had been doing her best to ignore the thought during the trip here. But the hooded man had kept a fairly steady pace. She understood why though. He may not have actually tried to kill her, and even went as far as letting her taste his blood. But she was still a vampire. A monster that mortals would always fear and distrust, and this man, whoever he was, had kept his word and delivered her home.
Arkyn started up the path slowly pulling her from her thoughts. "Why didn't you tell me it was so huge?". Serana made her way to his side. "Because you didn't ask", she paused when he gave her sideways glare.
"I didn't want you to think I was one of those… you know, the women who just sit in their castle all day?", she paused again, looking at the ground. "I don't know. Coming from a place like this, well… its not really me. I hope you can believe that". The woman seemed genuine in her confession, and from what Arkyn had seen just from the few days they had traveled together, she was defiantly not the aristocrat type.
Halfway up the bridge that led to a massive portcullis Serana stepped in front of the hooded man which brought his eyes to her for an explanation. The vampiress shuddered internally for a moment when he locked eyes with her. His eyes were still the same frosted white from before at the keep. Rightfully so, the man was on edge.
"Hey, so… before we go in there…". She paused, trying to carefully put her words. Arkyn crossed his arms. His eyes betrayed no emotion save for the color changing to a softer blue.
"What is it", he asked plainly.
Serana sighed softly, "why would he care?", she asked herself. "I wanted to thank you for getting me this far". Arkyn nodded slowly, his gaze never leaving hers. "Why Should he care?", she once again asked herself. "But after we get in there in there, I'm going to go my own way for a while". Another pause, searching his eyes for anything he might be keeping to himself.
"I think…", she continued. "I know your friends would probably want you to kill everything in there". Arkyn nearly laughed but managed to contain himself as the vampiress seemed to be in no mood for jesting. Instead, he raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms.
Serana shook her head slowly. "I'm hoping that you can show a bit more control than that. Once we're inside, just keep quiet for a bit. Let me take the lead". Serana turned and continued up the bridge, Arkyn starring after her for a moment and huffing before trailing after her.
He wasn't overly fond of walking into castle, or any place for that matter, that was filled with a coven of presumably ancient and power vampires. When they had taken on Movarth and his small coven that had been difficult enough for the Dragonborn and his companions. He also strongly disliked being given orders.
As the pair neared the gate an old Nord stood from his chair preparing to draw his axe until Serana pulled her hood down. The man's face went from suspicion to recognition immediately and called out.
"Lady Serana's back! Open the gate!". A moment passed before the large gate screeched open far enough to let the two in. As soon as the door opened Arkyn was hit with an unimaginable smell of rotting flesh and blood. The air was thick and had a metallic tang to it. Arkyn pulled his cowl tighter to try and stifle the smell to no avail.
The entrance was dark but lit just enough for him to see an Altmer with those all to familiar golden orange eyes. "How dare you trespass here!". The elf raised his voice though he quickly lowered it upon seeing the vampiress. "Wait…Serana? Is that truly you? I can't believe my eyes!" The Altmer walked towards a balcony behind him and raised an arm dramatically in Seranas direction and announced her arrival. Gasps and cheers followed and could be heard clearly.
Seranas face grew dark as she starred ahead fixated on nothing. "I guess I'm expected".
Arkyn followed behind her at a distance. Whatever was about to happen he wanted to see it coming. He approached the balcony and stopped at the banister taking in the whole of the dining hall. There were at least a dozen and a half or so bloodsuckers either sitting around or standing variously in groups. All with their eyes on Serana as she made her way down the stairs.
A dramatic voice echoed and drawled in the dining hall pulling Arkyns attention to its source. "At long last my lost daughter returns to me". A brutish looking Nord had stood from a throne centered among the dining tables. His clothes were extravagant and dark embroided cloak trailed behind him.
"I trust you have my Elder Scroll". His voice had a hidden layer to it as he spoke his last words towards the vampiress who was making her way to the left corner of the hall. Serana spoke quietly, a twinge of guilt or sadness in her voice.
"After all these years, that's the first thing you ask me?". The woman huffed, her head shaking side to side. "Yes I have the Scroll".
A chorus of hushed voices amongst the court roused Arkyns suspicion. Admittedly he had forgotten about the Scroll on the vampires back. What bothered him though was that he still had no idea what they could possibly need an Elder Scroll of all things for.
The elder Nord, now identified as Seranas father let out a guttural sound akin to that of a growl. "Of course I'm delighted to see you, my daughter. Must I really say the words aloud?". The vampire started to pace. "Ah, if only your traitorous mother were here. I would let her watch this reunion before putting her head a spike". Serana visibly flinched at the mans words.
Arkyn watched silently. He understood now why Serana had said what she did outside the castle. From his position now it was that he remained quiet so as not to provoke her father who was clearly a bit unstable.
The vampire turned his attention towards the man, his eyes narrowing as he sniffed the air. "Now tell me, who is this stranger you have brought into our hall.". Serana looked to the hooded man with placid stare.
"This is my savior, the one who freed me". She quickly looked away so as not to let her face betray any emotion. It was painfully obvious that she didn't trust her father. Arkyn hadn't moved throughout the entire exchange between the two.
"My patience grows thin mortal". The vampiress' father was becoming agitated so Arkyn took it as his queue to descend the stairwell. The vampire addressed him once again before Arkyn had even left the stairs. "Before we converse mortal, I will ask that you show your face to my court and myself so that I may thank you properly". His words drew Seranas attention back towards her savior.
Arkyn had stopped mid-way between the dining tables with a huff. Reluctantly he pulled down both his hood and cowl finally revealing his face. Serana looked him up and down. She wasn't sure exactly what she thought he looked like before, but this was defiantly better than whatever it was she had thought of. From where she stood she could see every small detail. From the stubble growing on his cheeks to the long jagged scare that ran down his right eye curved back towards his neck. The only substantial facial hair was the beard on his chis that was tied in knot at its base. His hair had fallen around his face framing it almost perfectly.
Serana was left, in every sense of the word, completely flustered.
Her father spoke again once his face was revealed. "For my daughters safe return, you have my gratitude". The vampire paused taking a stance similar to that of the mortal. "Tell me, what is your name mortal".
Serana raised an eyebrow, slightly hoping to finally learn the name of the man she had been traveling with. The man that had so easily and willingly shared his blood with her. But also curious to see if he would just simply blow off her father the way he had done her. She didn't have to wait long.
"My name is Arkyn". He had spoken relatively softly, but his voice projected throughout the dining hall. Serana nodded to herself, it seemed a fitting name.
"Hmm… curious name. It would seem I've heard it somewhere before". Arkyn raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
"No matter. I am Harkon, lord of this court. By now my daughter would have told you what we are". Arkyn smirked, drawing out snarl from Lord Harkon. His eyes never left the vampires.
"I don't really care what you are". Harkon looked at the mortal as if he were about to slap him.
"Hmph, perhaps you should", he started to pace again. "I count some of the oldest and most powerful vampires in Skyrim among the members of my court". Arkyn rolled his eyes as the vampire continued his monologue. "For centuries we lived here, far from the cares of the world. All that ended when my wife betrayed me and stole away that which I valued most". Arkyn looked between him and Serana.
Harkon took a few steps towards the Dragonborn. "What happens now?", Arkyn asked hesitantly.
"You have done me a great service, and now you must be rewarded", Harkons voice rose slightly. "There is but one gift I can give that is equal in value to the Elder Scroll and my daughter. I offer you my blood". The confusion on Arkyns face was brief but noticed all the same. "Take it, and you walk as a lion among sheep. Men will tremble at your approach, and you will never fear death again".
Arkyn inhaled deeply. All eyes were on him and it felt as though any moment the vampires would descend upon him. "And if I refuse". The words were simple and spoken softly, but any and all conversation had stopped. Harkon narrowed his gaze.
"Then you will be prey, like all mortals. I will spare your life this once, but you will be banished from this hall". Harkon stepped back a few feet and Arkyn gently placed his left hand over his blade but kept his composure all the same.
Harkon continued. "Perhaps you still need convincing? Behold the power!". As Harkons words left his mouth his skin started to pale and flesh started to peel from his body. Bones popped and cracked as they contorted and extended. His form had started to morph into a twisted looking creature the likes of which Arkyn had never seen. Two pitiful looking wings sprouted from his back and his clothes had been replaced with what was essentially a tapestry. A long flowing cloak and crown topped it all off. Harkon gently leaped off the ground and eyed the mortal from head to toe. Even floating Arkyn was nearly eye level with the vampire lord.
Arkyn could see Serana roll her eyes and shake her head at her father. Harkons voice drew his attention back to him. "This is the power that I offer! Now, make your choice!". Arkyn let the vampires voice ring out into the hall but did not hesitate to answer.
"No", was all he offered.
Harkon tilted his head slightly, eyeing the mortals hand clasp around the hilt of one his blades. "What did you say?", he asked impatiently.
Arkyns face darkened as he lowered his head slightly and chuckled. "I said no. I refuse your offer". Harkon snarled, baring his fangs.
"So be it!". The vampire raised his right hand and just as quickly Arkyn drew his left blade "You are prey, like all mortals. I banish you!". Before Arkyn could react any further his vision blurred and went dark. He suddenly felt himself weightless and falling. He landed in the water just off the shore of the island before he could process what was happening. With a roar accompanied by a volley of fire as he broke the surface of the icy water.
Arkyn took in his surroundings only to find himself near the small boat that he had used with Serana to get to the castle. The Dragonborn growled to himself. It was going to be a long trip in waterlogged armor.
Arkyn took one last look over the water at the castle he had just left. He knew that this was far from over and groaned internally. He retrieved Frost form his spot by Northwatch and slowly made his way towards civilization once more