Chapter 5: Sithis' Bane
It was late afternoon when Serana and Ren neared Winterhold, the roads were thankfully clear of any trouble.
"So the Stormcloaks want Skyrim to be independent of the Empire because of this ban of Talos worship?" Serana asked Ren.
"Yes," Ren said.
"And this Ulfric guy is the leader of the Stormcloaks. Guess I got a first taste of how the Stormcloaks treat anyone who is not with them. That Stone-Fist guy right?"
"Yes. He is the brother of Galmar Stone-Fist, right-hand man of Ulfric Stormcloak."
"Woah," Serana huffed, "And all this is happening is because of the Aldmeri Dominion, the White Gold Concordat, and the Thalmor. Mostly the Thalmor." Serana said. "These Thalmor guys have been enforcing their so-called ban and treating everyone in Skyrim like the dirt on their boots."
"Yes," Ren said. Serana hummed in her walk reflecting on the civil war situation.
"I'm guessing you do not side with the Stormcloaks huh?" Serana asked.
"No," Ren shook his head.
"So you side with the Empire?"
"I do not think the Stormcloaks are right, but I'm not really interested in supporting the Empire," Ren said. The building structures were soon visible through the snow, especially the College of Winterhold standing on its own.
"Well, the way I see it, both sides are fighting the wrong enemy. The real enemy here is the Thalmor, and I'm guessing whoever wins will get picked off by the Thalmor." Serana pointed out.
"Agreed." Ren nodded. "But you try explaining that to the Stormcloaks."
"Yeah sure…" Serana rolled her eyes at the thought of that.
They have reached the city. Serana's face fell glancing all around her and the giant building behind the small village. "This-This is it? I thought Winterhold was much bigger than this."
"It was," Ren began to explain, "There was a storm, it destroyed half of the city but the College was still intact. They call it the 'Great Collapse'."
"Goodness, this is all that's left."
They crossed the precarious-looking bridge and Serana made the mistake of looking down by the edge. Serana shuddered and stuck close behind Ren. "There should be fences for this bridge, one slip up and anyone could fall down to the shores below."
"Hmm. Well, make sure it's not you." Ren said.
"Ugh, you do know your jokes are not funny right?" Serana groaned.
Ren did not make any retort and the two reached into the college courtyard. Serana began perking her head in all directions with curiosity. Ren said to her, "I'm going to the Arcaneum, the library here on the second floor."
She had to take the chance, she jogged up to Ren who was about to enter the main building. She tapped him on the shoulder, "Psst Ren."
"Mm?" He turned to her.
"Can I uh…take a look around?" Serana asked, "Just for a while?"
That eager look on her face did its work on Ren, he said, "Alright, just make it quick. When you're done. Meet me in the Arcaneum."
Serana nodded, but just when she was about to turn away Ren added with a low tone, "And I better not hear someone screaming 'Vampire'."
Serana rolled her eyes, "Yeah fine Ren."
Ren trudged up the stairs, removing his mask and hood. After setting his cloak and gear aside he headed straight for Urag gro-Shub the Orc librarian putting some books back into a shelf.
"Urag." Ren said.
"Ah Arch-mage," The Orc greeted as he placed the last book back.
"Just Ren, Urag. I told you." The Imperial reminded him.
"Right. What is it?" Urag asked.
"I need to find a Most Priest here in Skyrim. Did a Moth Priest stop by recently?" Ren got straight to it.
Urag raised an eyebrow, "A Moth Priest? What in Oblivion do you need a Moth Priest for?"
"Remember I told you about Skyrim's next problem? It's related to finding a Moth Priest." Ren explained.
"Alright, if you're going to put it that way." Urag went to another shelf, "The coincidence is almost uncanny, four hours ago a Moth Priest was here doing some research. Then he said he was leaving for Dragon Bridge. If you hurry you might be able to catch him there."
"Dragon Bridge? Ugh…" Ren groaned with a scrunched face.
"Why?" Urag asked.
"I hate going there." Ren held no hesitation declaring his distaste.
"Well, I can't help you with that. That's where your Moth Priest is going," Urag shrugged, but then he remembered, "And also I've been looking into what you were investigating when you were here the last time."
Ren said nothing and Urag decided to continue, "You got this old Orc intrigued and curious. History about the first era, about the Haafingar hold or the North-West of Skyrim. Those documents came a long way from the first era, finding their way here in the College and enduring for thousands of years. Records say there was a disaster, so many people have disappeared. The projected number was a thousand."
"I've read them Urag." Ren said.
"Listen to this," Urag pulled out another scroll from his sleeve, "I've found this other piece deep in storage," The Orc rolled out the scroll and placed it on the table. Ren leaned on the table studying the scroll while Urag explained. "Eyewitness accounts from early Reachmen. They talk about a portal in the sky, giant chains fell into the Earth, and the air colder than ice. They ran for their lives before they could see anything else."
Ren recognized the telling from the signs, he gritted his teeth and his fists gripped the table tighter. Urag then said to him, "Now if you know your Daedras and the second era, you know who this is."
"Molag Bal." Ren snarled.
"Yeah," Urag nodded, slightly off-put by Ren's change of tone, "And I've checked the dates between those records on the Haafingar Hold and these eyewitness accounts from the Reach. They match."
"Thanks, Urag." Ren said, he slowly stepped and he crossed his arms. "So this could be connected," Ren said behind clenched teeth. His eyes begin to narrow as his mind began to piece the clues together. He whispered to himself, "Harkon…castle by the seas…a thousand people disappearing...ancient power…"
"What are you saying Arch-Mage?" Urag said.
Ren answered, "If all this is true," he pointed at the old scroll, "Then those citizens did not disappear, they were sacrificed to Molag Bal."
Urag gave him a stare with dropped jaws, "Arch-Mage, surely that's just conjecture?"
"How else could a thousand people just suddenly disappear?" Ren growled.
Urag began rolling the scroll back and kept it away, "Arch-Mage, I just dug all this up out of curiosity. All of this could be an exaggeration or completely untrue." Urag then added, "Besides, how is any of this relevant now? In the fourth era?"
Ren had to agree with the logic behind Urag's words. None of this could help him now, the bottom line was he still needed to find that Moth Priest. His mind, however, could not help in making his theory. If all this is real, then this Harkon must have sacrificed a thousand people to be this ancient vampire, a power like that can only come from the original source. Ren fumed in silence. Son of a bitch! He got a thousand people killed!
"Arch-Mage?" Urag called but there was no answer, "Ren?" Still no answer, Urag decided to leave him be. Ren started pacing around the center of the library. There was still one thing that does not add up for Ren.
Where does Serana fit in all this? Did her father turn her into a vampire? What did he do to her? He thought. She is not like her father, or any other vampire I've met. So what happened to her?
Back at the courtyard while Ren had been busy in the library, Serana was wandering around humming along she strolled the perimeter. Until she stopped at a particular wall, it had massive scorch marks spread all over and soot was still on the floor. It was one big giant patch of black.
"What the?" Serana asked out loud getting closer to the wall.
"Ahh, you're a new student?" Someone said behind him, a voice that was almost raspy. Serana turned around and there stood a Khajiit in a blue and brown robe. "My name is J'zargo. You are a student here?"
"Oh no I'm not a student. My name is Serana," She greeted, "I'm here with Ren."
"The Arch-Mage is here?" Someone else approached, a Nord man followed by a Dark Elf woman, all dressed similar a fashion with J'zargo.
"Arch-Mage?" Serana blinked.
"Yeah, he didn't tell you?" The Nord asked.
"Nope he didn't." Serana shook her head.
"Since he's here, it's a good opportunity to ask him about what we have planned for the College." Nord said, "My name's Onmund by the way."
"Serana." The vampire nodded.
"Brelyna." The Dunmer greeted.
"Say uh, what happened here?" Serana pointed behind her at the scorched wall.
Brelyna fell into a nervous silence to her confusion, but Onmund opted to answer, "Ren did that."
The vampire's eyebrows were raised, "He did that? How? Why?"
"I don't think we should talk about this." Brelyna stepped in.
J'zargo, however, answered Serana's question, "Because of Enthir."
"Who's that?" She got closer to them, eager to learn more.
Onmund's face turned sour, "That Bosmer was once a mage here, but when Ren found out that Enthir was a fence for contraband and stolen goods here in the College, Ren uh…kicked him out."
"Kicked him out?" Brelyna scoffed with arms crossed. "He nearly killed him. Enthir was running for his life around the courtyard. Ren nearly turned Enthir into a pile of ashes, hence the scorched wall over there."
"You forget that Enthir attacked him first." J'zargo countered. He then explained to Serana, "We all caught him red-handed with his fenced products by his room. Luckily we stopped Ren before he killed him, and sent Enthir to the Jarl of Winterhold along with his stolen items."
Onmund then added, "If you ask me, he should done what he did to Ancano."
"Onmund really?" Brelyna frowned knitting her eyebrows.
"Why?" Serana asked, eager to hear the gossip, "Now you got to tell me who that is."
"J'zargo will spare you some of the details." J'zargo began telling the story, Brelyna almost did not want to hear it. "Ancano was a Thalmor agent acting as an advisor here. When we had uncovered a powerful magical artifact to study, Ancano seized it and used its power to kill the previous Arch-Mage."
"Savos Aren" Onmund sighed, "Along with Mirabelle Ervine, our previous Master Wizard. They were good people."
"That's terrible," Serana said sombrely.
J'zargo continued, "Indeed. After that, Ren found a way to shut down the artifact's power. He defeated Ancano and saved Winterhold. Tolfdir, our professor, elected him to be Arch-Mage after that."
Serana made a soft smile and a hand on her hip, "That's interesting."
Brelyna, however, rolled her eyes and scoffed at J'zargo, "Wow, putting it very mildly huh J'zargo? He didn't just 'defeat' Ancano."
Serana's smile was gone, "What do you mean?"
"I'll tell you what Ren really did." Brelyna began to list it all out on her fingers, "He cut off Ancano's hands, stomped his face in, broke his leg, dragged him across the courtyard by his broken leg, and then threw him off the bridge."
Serana's jaw dropped in disbelief listening to everything she had just heard, she was picturing it all in her head. "R-Ren t-threw someone off the bridge?"
"Yeah, actually he was about to do the same to Enthir. But like J'zargo said we stopped him." Brelyna rubbed the side of her temple.
"I say I'm almost sorry I didn't do it myself," Onmund said nonchalantly. "That Thalmor bastard had it coming."
"Goodness Onmund really? I mean I can still hear Ancano begging for mercy and the screams when he fell. We all saw it," Brelyna cringed, "I have to say, I still don't understand why he's been elected as Arch-Mage."
"Why not? J'zargo thinks he's a suitable choice." The Khajiit said. Serana made no comment and just listened to them gossip.
"He barely shows up here, and when he's here he does not announce his arrival." Brelyna said, "Also, do you honestly want someone who throws people off bridges to be the face of the College?"
"When you put it like that, it sends the appropriate message to anyone coming here looking for trouble." Onmund argued, he then turned to Serana, "Speaking of which, do you know where he is?"
"Oh, he said he'll be in the Arcaneum." Serana answered. "Which I am going to meet him there now."
Serana and her new group of friends headed up to the Arcaneum. And there Ren was, pacing around the room. "Hey Ren!" Onmund waved at him getting the Imperial's attention.
"Onmund, Brelyna, J'zargo." Ren greeted them monotonously.
"J'zargo welcomes you back Ren." The Khajiit said. Brelyna only made a small nod.
Before anyone could say anything, a starry-eyed Serana let out a bewildered gasp, "Wow…" Looking in all directions in the Arcaneum.
"Serana listen, we- Ah what the f-" Ren couldn't finish his sentence when Serana pulled his sleeve, bringing him to the side. The others shared glances with each other while Serana dragged Ren away.
"Why didn't you tell me you were Arch-Mage?" She whispered.
"How did you-" Ren realized how she knew, giving the three mages a look. Ren sighed, "Look, it's just a title. I'm really just a member only. The Master Wizard, Tolfdir, is the one really in charge here."
Serana then asked, "Also, can we stay here for a little while longer? To check out the library?"
Ren recoiled, "Can we what?"
She started to fidget, "I've…I've never been to a library this huge before…I mean…I haven't ever really been to a proper library, like ever. B-b-books, so many books." She then said, "To think…all the countless books stood here. The decades, the eras of knowledge. The tales of stories of heroes of old. Fables, legends, all sorts of narratives."
Ren had a weirded-out look by Serana's antics. Serana took a deep breath to compose herself, "I know we have important things to do, but you don't think that I could just browse a little bit here?"
"Serana, you're not on an excursion here." Ren said.
"Just a little bit, please?" Serana pleaded, she was not aware that she was leaning forward invading Ren's space and he had to lean back. "Please Ren?"
The awkward position they were in, Serana's pleading face and her eagerness, its power was just gripping. "Hey listen Ren," Onmund took the chance and said, "Since you're here, we have something we need to talk about. A little something to help with the image of the College."
Everyone had their eyes on Ren. I am going to regret this, he finally relented. "Ugh…fine. But be quick."
"Yes!" Serana wasted no time and zipped to the shelves. While the vampire lost herself in the scrolls and books, Ren was with his peers hearing what they had in mind.
"You want to host a magic show around the holds?" Ren leaning against a wall clarified after listening to their idea.
"Yeah," Onmund said, "We show the citizens of Skyrim some magic and it will definitely attract some people to come here and learn magic. And it will be good for the image here, after Ancano."
"You needed my input for this?" Ren raised an eyebrow.
"We were wondering if you would like to come with us." Onmund said.
J'zargo explained further, "Yes, the three of us and Tolfdir are going. He would host the show, Brelyna would show a little conjuration. Onmund would display frost magic, and J'zargo shall show sparks. And then you Ren, being the fire specialist here, you could show the citizens all of your fire magic."
"Sorry," Ren pushed himself off the wall, "But I can't. I'm busy with something else right now."
"See that? I told you guys." Brelyna huffed and turned away. "I told you he wouldn't want to come along." The Dunmer exited the Arcaneum
"Hey don't listen to her Ren," Onmund said to him.
"It's fine." Ren kept his blank expression. "Look, I'll tell you this. Stick with Solitude and Whiterun, liaise with court mages, and don't travel at night. Good luck with your magic show."
Ren started heading towards Serana, not before he told them one last thing, "Oh and uh, get someone to put up fences for the bridge."
Serana had her nose in a particular book, it had the insignia she had seen around Skyrim recently, the Imperial Legion insignia. She was reading the Book of the Dragonborn.
When misrule takes its place at the eight corners of the world
When the Brass Tower walks and Time is reshaped
When the thrice-blessed fail and the Red Tower trembles
When the Dragonborn Ruler loses his throne, and the White Tower falls
When the Snow Tower lies sundered, kingless, bleeding
The World-Eater wakes, and the Wheel turns upon the Last Dragonborn.
"Woah…" Serana said under her breath as she had just finished reading the book.
"Oi." A tap on her shoulder and she almost yelped, turning around Ren was right in front of her. "We have to go already."
"That was fast," Serana said. "I've borrowed some books by the way, maybe I can read them along the way."
"Hmm," Ren grunted and headed for the door.
Once they got out of the College Serana whispered behind him, "Hey uh…did you really throw someone off the bridge?"
Brelyna has been talking to her. Ren thought but he did not answer her. It was onwards to Haafingar.
After a long journey, they've managed to reach Solitude docks by morning. They wasted no time and trekked down south reaching Dragon Bridge. They got into the Four Shields inn, the patrons paused and took a look of who entered. A Nord woman in a peculiar maroon and black garb, and an Imperial well-armed and wore a black cuirass and coat. Ren recognized the patrons. There was the Lylvieve family, a simple farming family. Then there was Horgeir and Olda, owners of the lumber mill.
They went back to their mingling while Ren and Serana got to the tavern counter. The innkeeper, Faida tended to them. "Welcome. What can I get you?"
"I think I'll get another mead." Serana smiled taking her seat.
"Wait what?" Ren protested.
"Come on, just one drink." Serana made a beaming face at Ren.
Ren rolled his eyes and sat with her, "Fine. But just water for me."
"Coming right up." Faida said and began preparing two tankards of mead and water. Afterward Faida handed them their drinks.
"Thanks." Serana took her tankard, "Also have you seen a Moth Priest here?"
"Ah so that was a Moth Priest. He stopped by for a drink, then crossed the bridge an hour ago. He was with a carriage as well with guards too." Faida answered.
"Well, we're getting closer then," Serana said and she finished up her mead.
The tavern door opened and someone else came in. Faida's face lit up seeing who it was, a Penitus Oculatus agent. "Gaius. You're back."
Shit! Ren quickly brought his arm up to hide the side of his face, which Serana noticed.
"Good to see you again Faida." Gaius Maro said and sauntered over to Faida, giving her a peck on the cheek. "Thought I see you first before I report back at the outpost." Serana and Ren had to sit front row at the affectionate couple. When Gaius finally saw the black-cloaked Imperial who was trying to hide his face, he had a smug look.
Gaius declared out loud. "Look who it is. As I live and breathe, the Bane of the Void."
The entire inn fell in complete silence. A bottle fell out of someone's hand and crashed onto the floor. Serana turned her head to see every single customer in the inn frozen and staring with frightened eyes. Serana glanced back at Ren whose face was darkening, he put his hood over his head and his mask covering his face again.
Serana heard the murmurs from those customers, "It's really him. He's here."
"Last time I saw you, your hair was longer. Reaching all the way to your back. And you wore more red than black back then." Gaius said. Ren got up from his seat, every customer flinched and gasped. Ren gave Gaius a threatening glare Serana had not seen before. Ren reached into his pocket, pulled out some coins, and paid for the drinks.
Turning around the hooded and masked Imperial headed for the door, Ren noticed Azzada Lylvieve pulling his son, Michel, closer to him as if protecting him from Ren. Once Ren was out of the inn, everyone let out a sigh of relief. "Well, best I give my report." Gaius said in a collected manner and left as well.
Serana for her part was completely confused and concerned. In Windhelm, he's a nobody. In Winterhold, he's Arch-Mage. In this town, everyone's scared of him?
"Gods, I cannot believe that was him. He was here, and I just served him a drink," Faida said while her trembling hand took his payment. She then said to Serana, "My dear, what are you doing with him?"
"Why?" Serana blinked.
"Why?" Faida huffed and she leaned over the counter, "I tell you girl. He's a dangerous man, he's bad news. Every time he appears, death is sure to follow. One time I saw him arriving here, he walks like a predator stalking sheep. Hooded and masked like he was earlier, and his arms completely soaked in blood. I don't even want to know what he was doing."
Serana's lips made a frown, "Seriously? Him? And what was that name? Ba-"
"Shhh!" Faida quickly shushed her. "Don't say that out loud, you're going to scare people. Dear girl, whatever scheme that got you roped up with him, pray you run away."
"Right…" Serana did not really know what to say.
"I don't even know why the guards don't haul him away. Gaius said he's committed no crimes, that he's actually an ally. But someone like him? Really? More likely he's possessed by evil spirits. I swear, Jarl Elisif should call for the Dragonborn. And have him deal with that walking terror."
"The Dragonborn?" Serana raised an eyebrow.
"What? Where have you been? You never heard of him?" Faida gawked, "He's the legendary Dragonborn, a mortal man with the blood and soul of a dragon, blessed by Akatosh. The Ultimate Dragon Slayer. When dragons have returned to wreak havoc, the Dragonborn comes to save the whole world. Slaying them and taking their souls. He battled Alduin the World-Eater in Sovngarde, emerged the victor, and descended back down to Nirn. He's the hero who has saved this land and our very souls."
Dragonborn…Serana remembered the book she had read, she asked, "Wait, he's real?"
"Oh yes he's real." Faida said, "In fact, I've seen him once."
"Truly?"
"Indeed, a dragon was attacking the bridge and lumber mill here. Then the Dragonborn came. His armor was full of dragon scales. His sword, a blade made of dragon bone. Aye, only a warrior as mighty as him could possess weapons made of dragon bone. He lured the dragon away from us to the other side of the bridge and killed it, absorbed its soul, and all that was left was its bones and scales."
"Wow." That was all Serana could say, she was admittedly impressed.
"Yeah, the Dragonborn saved this town of ours. If anyone can handle that menace earlier, it'd be the Dragonborn." Faida said. "Well, it was nice sharing tales with you but I have to get back to cleaning the mugs." She left Serana on her own.
She got up from her seat to catch up to Ren, but a realization stopped her in her tracks. Her eyes slowly widened as she reached for the dagger in her belt. Pulling it out from the sheath she ran a finger across the blade. It was razor-sharp and it was made of bone. Dragon bone…
She recalled what Ren said to her father, it was the final clue. What is a lion, to a dragon?
Her lips grew a smirk. "Oh Ren. Ohhhh Ren."
While Serana was having her chat with the innkeeper, Ren got out of the inn and was about to make his way over to the bridge by the waterfall. The Penitus Oculatus outpost, however, was pulling his attention. I hate coming here.
And out came the Commander of the outpost, Commander Maro. Immediately Maro noticed Ren by the inn porch. Ren did not bother acknowledging him and got back onto the road. But Commander Maro quickly intercepted Ren along with Gaius Maro who stepped out of the inn right after.
"After all this time, you've returned to Dragon Bridge." Commander Maro said to Ren, "By the Gods. You haven't aged a day."
Ren said nothing, then Commander Maro said, "What brings you here?"
"Dawnguard matters." Ren answered.
A smirk escaped Gaius's mouth. He said, "The Bane of the Void is now assisting the Dawnguard? Can't really say I'm surprised there." Ren responded with a stare at Gaius.
"Gaius," Commander Maro scolded him, "That's enough son. Leave us." Gaius made a huff and headed to the outpost, leaving Commander Maro and Ren.
"You know I wished I could have been there for you at Helgen." Commander Maro said.
"Conversation's over." Ren turned away.
"Look if I was there at Helgen you know I would have stopped them from sending you to the block. You can't fault me for what happened there." Commander Maro stopped him again.
"I don't." Ren kept his answer vague.
"The offer to join us still stands. Could use your help in the ranks now." Commander Maro said.
"Offer's still rejected. I'm busy." Ren retorted. At that point in time Serana got out of the inn, she spotted Ren and the soldier.
Commander Maro pressed on, "What? Meandering around Skyrim? Playing wizard in Winterhold? I mean, that just isn't you at all."
Ren instantly turned around staring Commander Maro down, "You would know, wouldn't you Maro?"
Commander Maro was calm and collected, "I would. In fact, I may know you more than you know yourself." He leaned forward and said right in Ren's face, "I know why you wear a mask and a hood out in broad daylight. I know why you prefer to dress like this instead of dragon scales. I know you actually relish in the names they call you and the fear it brings. You want people to know you're out there."
Commander Maro paused for a second before saying it to him, "Sithis' Bane."
Ren's brows knitted, his lips scowling underneath the mask. However, behind Commander Maro, he saw Serana approaching. "Ren?" She called out to and the two locked eyes for a moment.
Ren said no more to Maro, he turned and walked away. The hooded pair were halfway across the bridge when Serana broke the silence, "What was that about earlier? Who was that guy?"
"Nothing important, just someone I didn't want to meet." Ren quickly answered and quickened his pace.
"Alright that's it," Serana ran ahead and stopped in front of him.
Ren almost knocked into her but caught his footing, "What are you doing?"
"I've had it with your mysteries Ren." Serana declared, "So I want you to do this for me."
"Hah?" Ren raised an eyebrow. Serana pulled his mask down and flicked his hood his head much to his annoyance.
"After we get this Moth Priest. You're going to tell me everything." Serana said and pulling out his dragon bone dagger. Her finger went through the ring at the handle and she began spinning the dagger, "And you can't hide anymore, Dragonborn."
Shit! Ren cursed, he realized his mistake. Dammit! Ren made no answer, he glanced into her eyes for a second before looking away. There were no words, Ren simply went past her and carried on his way. Serana had hoped he would at least say something, but nope.
He carried on down the path with Serana behind him. Getting further away from Dragon Bridge and crossing a bend on the road, there was the sight of an upturned carriage and a massacre. Serana was quick to catch up to him.
"What? What happened here?" Serana joined up Ren by his side. Ren pulled out his sword, holding it in a reverse grip, and approached the wreckage cautiously. There were two bodies of Imperial soldiers on the ground, riddled with slashes and stab wounds in their chests. There also two bodies of vampires, Ren recognized the armored uniform. The horse pulling the carriage laid dead with holes in its neck. Puddles of water scattered around the horse's body.
The ranger began to deduce what had happened, "There was an ambush. The horse was killed first, by ice magic judging the puddles of water. The horse fell, its weight toppled the carriage, and the people flung out."
Serana got to the dead vampires, "I recognize these two. I saw them in my father's castle after you left. My father must have been having new acolytes in his court." She searched their pockets and pulled out a paper note. "Ren, I found this. It says 'I have new orders for you. Prepare an ambush just south of Dragon Bridge. Take the Moth Priest to Forebears' Holdout for safekeeping until I can break his will. Malkus'."
Serana then had a tinge of guilt, "Dammit, I didn't see this coming. My father was a step ahead of us. He knew we would try to find a Moth Priest after I left the castle. We should have got here quicker, sorry."
Ren inspected a patch of upturned dirt followed by shoe print tracks. He said, "Someone fell here, then got up and ran." He got to another patch of dirt, "That person got tackled to the ground, then dragged away. There's blood on the ground. Tracks are going south."
Serana joined him, "Nice tracking Ren, this must be our Moth Priest. We follow this we can get to him."
The pair followed the blood trail and tracks, leading up to a cave hidden in rocks. They went in, not sharing a word to remain sneaky. The caverns inside were much larger than the small entrance suggested. Creeping further in, they got to a platform, the caverns revealed structures of a small fort. There was some strange blue light at the top of the fort, Ren guessed that their Moth Priest might be there.
"Those walls don't look Nordic," Ren crouched down and whispered to Serana, "Looks like the same kind from Dimhollow." He scanned the caverns, pointing out any enemies in the areas. Serana crouched down next to him and did the same.
"I see three guys on the fort walls, they're thralls," Serana said softly.
"And guards dogs," Ren pointed at some distance away from the thralls, two death hounds were on the ground skulking about. "The vampires must be deeper in." Ren took a breath.
"You are ok with fighting other vampires?" He asked her.
"You are ok with fighting other people?" She said back.
"Hmm."
"Actually I'm more concerned for you, fighting vampires in a dark cave. They're creatures of the night and you're not." Serana said.
"Creatures of the night huh? I don't need to be a vampire for that."
"Oh really?" Serana doubted, "So what's the plan here?" She asked, Ren sheathed his sword back and took out his bow. Without any noise, he pulled out an ebony arrow from his quiver and nocked it. Slowly drawing his bow, Ren aimed it at the first hound. He released the arrow and it soared right into the death hound's head.
The second death heard the sound of piercing flesh, it growled and trotted over to the sound. Seeing the other death hound laying on the ground, it stopped to sniff the ground. Only to get an arrow into its neck and it dropped dead.
"Ok, I'll admit. Nice shot." Serana conceded.
"Let's go." Ren strapped his bow back onto his back. The two sneaked down over a stream and got to the walls of the stone fort. The thralls were patrolling above them. Ren knew that thralls usually comprised of bandits and thieves, people that are easier to pick off in the wilderness, so he did not have any qualms of their passing.
In the cover of darkness, Ren's left hand produced a faint red glow, he shot his fury spell at the middle thrall. Immediately the thrall's face turned fuming and charged at the other thrall with an iron sword raised. "Never should have come here!"
They yelled and clashed blades, began taking cuts from each other. Until the thrall under Ren's illusion won delivering the final blow. Ren shot another illusion spell at the last thrall and he too rushed in killing the previous thrall. A vampire, a female Breton, ran down the stairs from the top of the compound. "What in Oblivion are you worms doing?!" She furiously called to the last thrall.
The last thrall saw her and held his steel axe high and ran at her. "You dare worm?!" The vampire readied her magic, shooting lightning bolts at him and draining his life away. The thrall was closing in but the vampire shot a lightning bolt right in the thrall's face, blasting his face and he dropped dead.
"Who is out there? Tampering with my thralls?" The vampire called out, "I'll find you. Might as well come out I'll make it quick."
Ren and Serana still stuck close to the wall. "We got to hurry this, or else the Moth Priest will be under their control," Serana whispered. She slowly moved past Ren, inching closer to the wall's entrance.
She placed a hand on his shoulder and whispered, "Don't engage alone. We'll do this together. Ok?" Looking at each other in the eye gave them their sense of assurance, Ren made a nod. Serana pressed forward, drawing out her dagger. Ren followed, pulling his own sword.
Serana came into view with Ren behind her, the Breton vampire seethed. "You! Traitor! Malkus! She's here!"
Ren raised his sword up getting into a guarding stance. From the top of the compound, an Orc vampire stood, looking down at the two. Malkus said with a raised voice, "So this is where you ended up. You've forsaken all that Harkon gave you, loathsome little princess."
Two more Breton vampires came down the stairs. It was three vampires against Serana and Ren. Malkus gave the order, "Take the traitor and get rid of the garbage. I need to get this priest under my control."
The vampires hissed and bared their fangs. Serana had one vampire coming at her, Serana cast her spell, bolts of sparks zapping on the Breton vampire's chest. She pulled out a steel mace, raising it up to smash it on Serana's head. Serana brought her dagger up, steel met dragon bone and it held up well. Serana had no time admiring her blade's strength, she pushed the mace away and slashed her dagger at the arm. In return stream of frostbite hit her face. Her enemy kicked her away in the stomach and the two got back to a battle of sparks and ice.
Ren had to deal with two vampires. He threw a fireball at a vampire's feet before she could react. The blast knocked her away and Ren sped through the billowing smoke. Before the vampire could recover from her hit, Ren swung his sword upwards. The vampire cried out from the gash through her abdomen. She cast her draining spell on Ren, glowing red covered him. He pushed through the pain, a swift swipe and her arm had another gash, dark red blood splattered on the floor. She screamed in pain and she had to stop her drain life spell.
"Come here mortal!" Ren felt another drain life spell on him. The other vampire came at him from behind, she lunged at him. Ren was more nimble, however, and leaped away in the roll. The second vampire landed on her feet, she hissed at Ren.
Ren got up and stared back, the two vampires finally noticed the dull orange at their feet. They glanced down and they were standing on two fire runes. They had no time on wondering when Ren placed those runes spells, the floor exploded in fire and consumed them in flames. Their screams were silenced when Ren cleaved one vampire's head off and thrust his sword into the other's chest.
Serana and her enemy kept throwing frost magic at each other, each trying to resist the frost. Serana had enough, she shot the vampire with a bolt of lightning. The vampire stumbled back and Serana took the chance, she aimed for the head and threw her dagger. It whizzed through the air, but missed the mark. The dagger went past the vampire and got stuck in the wall. Oh no. Serana's eyes widened. The vampire shot an ice spear and it knifed across Serana's arm "Argh!" She cried and stumbled back onto one knee.
She felt a hand on her head from behind, she barely registered it. Ren vaulted and pivoted over her head to gain more air. Ren impaled his sword down on the final enemy's chest from above. Ren cleaved his sword through the vampire's torso. "You ok?" Ren turned back to Serana.
Serana got up and swiped the frost off her chest, "I'm fine," she then made a face, "But don't use my head as a vaulting board next time."
"Hmm," Ren grunted and rushed up the stairs, Serana picked up her dagger and followed.
The duo got to the top, and there was the Moth Priest. He was surrounded by large blue glowing rocks and trapped in a force barrier of some sort.
And Malkus was there, standing tall and proud. Ren and Serana approached him. "This ends Malkus." Serana said.
"You're too late fools." Malkus snickered with baring fangs, "Leave it to me to do everything, to waste a mere mortal. Harkon will gladly reward me once I take you back traitor. You will be-"
"Now!" Ren shouted. Both of his hands ignited. He blasted his intense flames right on Malkus' face, Serana followed his lead and shot her augmented shock at the vampire Orc's chest with both her hands as well. The team-up assault proved overwhelming, Malkus could not do anything and yelled out in agony. Ren growled as he kept burning Malkus' face, the Orc's head turned charred. Malkus plopped dead on the ground and the two shut off the magic.
"There's your goddamn reward," Ren said to the corpse as Malkus' face kept on smoking.
"We got to disable this barrier," Serana pointed at the Moth Priest still stuck inside, "Maybe Malkus has something that can help." She dug into his pockets and took out a small weystone. It had glowing markings like the bigger rocks the Moth Priest was surrounded in. She spotted a podium at the top of a set of stairs that had similar markings too. Serana went up to the podium, there was a hole in the middle which fit the stone she placed it in. The barrier soon dissipated.
The Moth Priest was free, but he looked angry, "I serve my master's will. But my master is dead. And his enemies will pay!"
"Ren! Lookout! He's under a spell!" Serana yelled. The Moth Priest blasted a lightning bolt at Ren. Impacting him on the chest, Ren was knocked back. The crazed priest turned his attention to Serana and ran after her, but his arm was gripped behind.
Ren put the Moth Priest's arm in a lock from behind, forcing the priest down onto his knees. An elbow strike to the side of his head and the Moth Priest fell on his side. "Ren!" Serana rushed down to him. The ranger rubbed his chest to soothe the pain from the lightning bolt.
"You ok?" She asked him, he only gave a silent nod. The Moth Priest slowly got up and the two readied themselves.
"Wait! Please wait! That wasn't me!" The Moth Priest pleaded as he groggily stood up, "I could see through my eyes, but I couldn't control my actions." He held himself upright, "Thank you for breaking that vampire's curse over me."
Ren's hand was still on his sword, his tone was low, "Are you sure you're free?"
"Yes, yes I'm alright now. Thank you," the Moth Priest said, "Dexion Evicus is my name. I'm a Moth Priest of the White Gold Tower."
"Ren. This is Serana," Ren motioned over to her, "We've been looking for you. But those vampires got to you first."
"Yes, they claimed they had some purpose in store for me, but they wouldn't tell me what."
"The same reason we're looking for you," Ren explained, "We're with the Dawnguard. We have an Elder Scroll and we need your help in reading it."
"The Dawnguard? They're an old order of vampire hunters, aren't they? Where?"
"In the Rift, a place called Dayspring Canyon. It's near Stendarr's Beacon."
"I'll head back to Dragon Bridge, get the guards to clean up the wreckage. Then hurry on over to the Dawnguard." Dexion scurried off. Minding his steps amidst the bodies Dexion got out of the cave.
Back to Serana and Ren, the ranger noticed blood trickling down the vampire's fingers. "Give me your hand."
Serana tilted her head, "Huh?" Ren carefully took her injured arm and cast a healing spell over it. "I don't think your healing spells will work on a vampire Ren."
"Give me your bag then," Ren said. Taking a bandage roll, he set her bag down and began to work on Serana's arm. Carefully rolling up her sleeve, he slowly bandaged up her arm. "I'm guessing you're not that versed in knives," Ren commented.
"I may have been gone for a very long time, but I still remember how to fight." She pouted.
"Maybe with magic, not with knives."
"Oh yeah? Then what say you show me how?"
"Maybe another time." He said as he finished up tying up the bandage. "There. Leave this on until it heals."
"Never needed this before you know." Serana said, "A wound dressing."
"Hmm."
"Hmm." She copied him, "You keep doing that, so will I."
Ren looked up at her, "Uh-huh." She still had a smile on her face. Being in such close proximity to her face, he had no control over the thought in his head. Serana was alarmingly gorgeous.
"Can I have my hand back now?" She asked.
Ren blinked. Looking down, he realized he was still holding her hand. "Oh. Oh uh s-sorry."
He let go, and Serana said with mirth, "It's ok, and thanks."
Once they got out of the caverns, Serana stretched her arms. "Good to be out of a cave."
"Alright." Ren started trekking back to the road, "We can head to Whiterun, then head back to Fort Dawnguard."
Serana caught up to him, "We can do that, but don't forget," She got in front of him, "You're going to tell me everything, Dragonborn."