Hello lovelies, I hope you enjoy the adventures of my dhampir Dragonborn. I tried to publish this before but I realized I had so much background story for her it would best to just go straight to the beginning...well not the beginning...but where she begins her adventures. So I deleted that train wreck and have been working hard on this series. Yes, series as in...I have no intentions of just one book for her and I do apologize in advance that it might not be lore friendly but I will try to keep it lore-friendly...ish, just pardon some twists as it's just me taking some writing liberties and I will include some mods because they're what helped me shape my Dragonborn, I will be sure to include the name of the mod and the author to give credit to them. So after that long speech...Sit back, relax, grab your favorite drink and snack, and enjoy the tale of Serena Hrive.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own TES: OBLIVION or any characters from the elder scrolls lore.
Enjoy the story lovelies! :3
Chapter One: The Fall of House Hrive
22nd Last Seed 3E 429
The feeling of hungry eyes upon me as I stood next to my uncle while he was addressing a concern amongst the two residents of his land, somewhat kept me distracted as I tried to spot who in the hall was staring at me like I was a meal. Being the only half-human in a castle filled with vampires made this a common occurrence, but not a welcomed one for it usually led to my lady in waiting and bodyguard coming to my aid and giving me another lecture on why I should at least keep a dagger on hand when in court for parley. I finally found the source who was staring at me to see it was a new guardsman that was hired last month. He usually has been eyeing me lately with those hungry eyes, but for some reason, I had a nasty feeling in the pit of my stomach as if he might do something here soon. I tried shaking off the feeling, but it wouldn't leave.
"Serena, how many times has Jimmy killed off a resident's blood supply?" Uncle Cedric asked, startling me a little. I forgot honestly what was going on since Uncle Cedric was speaking in a language I didn't understand, though he has told me it was because they don't speak the language we speak and I will learn later. I looked over at him then at the two men before my uncle's throne waiting for my answer. I studied the familiar-looking vampire with bloodstains all over his face. How many times have I seen him in court? "I believe this would be his sixth occurrence," I informed him when I recalled how many times he has been here for the same incident, last month he came in court twice for it!
My uncle grimaced at the news but nodded his head. My uncle asked something the weird language and Kristoph nodded his head and looked at my uncle gratefully. He responded timidly and my uncle nodded and looked over at me. "Serena, see to it that Kristoph is paid one hundred septims from the treasury," Cedric instructed me. I nodded my head as my uncle returned his attention to the two men before us. Uncle Cedric uttered something that sounded threatening which seemed to upset Jimmy. My uncle started to sit up from his seat and judging by the way Jimmy looked, even more, paler for a vampire it was one of Uncle Cedric's very rare death glares. They didn't make an appearance often but when they did...usually I'm grateful to not be on the receiving end. I grabbed his shoulder to urge him to calm down and he sat back down.
My uncle uttered something through clenched teeth that sounded like it was the end of the conversation as the two vampires bowed before turning to leave my uncle rose from his seat then glanced over at me, his vampire red eyes were filled with curiosity and concern. "Is everything alright?" He asked. I nodded my head and gave a half-hearted reassuring smile. "It's nothing don't worry about," I assured him as I headed down the steps. "The last time you said that Cassandra had to fight two vampires back before they got their fangs on you." He reminded me as he followed after me. I grimaced as I remembered that day, that was also the first time I learned I need to be very careful around vampires. Not all of them have the same self-control my uncle, Cassandra, and a few members of the court seem to possess.
"I'm aware the last time I said that spelled trouble, but I assure you this time it's nothing besides if it wasn't nothing you'd know." I countered at him. My uncle wasn't just the head of our family and self-established lord of our castle, but he was also a soothsayer. It was rare though for him to get his glimpses or visions or whatever he calls them, but if he did it was wise to not question him or heed him.
"And what if I'm trying to pry, because I might know what is troubling you but I need confirmation before I rule it off as me being an overprotective guardian." He countered back. I looked over at him in surprise. So I wasn't the only one getting a bad feeling in my gut, well that doesn't sound good. There was some movement in my peripheral vision and I glanced over to see the guardsman that was causing me unease was trying his best to remain hidden behind a stone column. "I'll discuss it with you later when there are no eavesdroppers," I informed him as I made a subtle nod towards the eavesdropper and he nodded. I highly doubted the guardsman knew how to speak or understand the language I use, but it was best not to risk it. I headed towards the stairwell that would lead me to my bedchambers and saw Cassandra waiting for me at the stairwell. "I don't like that, Nebarra." The Altmer grumbled as she followed me up the flight of stairs. Cassie has been not only my lady in waiting and bodyguard but my best friend. "Cassie, you don't like a lot of people." I pointed out. She snorted at my comment and I rolled my eyes at her. "Alright, most people." I corrected myself. "I would try to defend myself, but considering there are only three people I do like really I guess you win on this argument." She grumbled. "The only reason I did win really this round is that I am one of the very few people you do like." I teased. She snickered and opened my bedroom door for me.
Despite the fact she had a very welcoming presence about her, Cassandra was very intimidating and disliked just about any living creature on Tamriel except for a few people that I can count on one hand. I felt very fortunate that she did consider me to be one of the few people she trusts and worth her time. Especially since she was the only person willing to teach me basic self-defense since my uncle insisted I didn't need to learn such things. Either he relied too heavily on his soothsaying abilities or he believes Cassie will be around to always save the day for me, whichever one was the case it didn't sit well with me so I begged Cassie to teach me.
It was hard to teach me since the only place she could teach me in secret was my bedchambers, but we managed to somehow do it for the past three years. I still couldn't use a sword to save my own damn life but my hand-to-hand combat and knife combat skills according to Cassie was almost good.
Almost.
"Can you help me out of this damn corset?" I asked as I headed over to my dresser to grab my training clothes. Cassie didn't answer and I looked over at her confused. She was looking at the doorway and I looked over in that direction to see what she was looking at. "Cassie, wha-" She shushed me and pointed at her ear to indicate she was listening to something. I listened closely and could have sworn I heard an inhuman screech. She cursed under her breath and rushed to the door and cast a rune at the front of the door before closing it and locking it.
"Cassie, what's going on? I could hear screeching downstairs." I told her. "Get into something you can run in easy and pack only essential items. We need to get out of here." She told me. I nodded and quickly changed out of my dress and slipped into a burgundy blouse and dark brown leather pants with studs. I quickly gathered a couple more blouses and pants and shoved them into a black knapsack. I grabbed my mother's amulet of Mara and shoved it into the knapsack. I quickly slipped on some dark brown leather boots that reached my knee. "Wait, but what about my uncle and-" "They're smart, they're probably waiting for us in the tunnels." She hissed. I quickly grabbed my cloak, knowing it was going to be cold outside-one of the few downsides to living in a secluded castle in the mountains near Skyrim.
"Alright let's go," I told her as I threw on the knapsack. She looked over at me and eyed me up and down then nodded. "Good. Now stay close to me and whatever you do, stay close and listen to me." She sternly instructed as she opened the door and disabled her rune. I nodded and stuck close to her as she drew her sword. She handed me a dagger and I looked over at her in shock. "Just in case. Guess we're going to have to see how well your training went." She told me. I nodded and followed her down the steps.
I could hear screaming from people in the courtroom and I could have sworn I saw a scamp pounce on a guard. "Cassie-" "I know, I saw. Whoever is attacking us must be in a daedric cult." She interrupted me as she led me down the hall. She opened a door that led downstairs and ushered me inside first before silently closing it behind her.
"Why would they be attacking us and how did they find this place?" I asked her quietly as she led me down the stone staircase. "I have no idea, but I might have a good idea on the why though I will discuss it with you later." She told me. I nodded and we stopped at a hatch. We heard the door open and Cassie pulled me behind her before drawing her sword. "The moment I tell you to run, you are to go through that hatch and follow the stream till you see a light." She instructed. I nodded, not liking the idea I might have to be alone. "Lower your sword, Cassandra, it's just us." Uncle Cedric assured us as he made his way down the last of the steps with Nan-a a vampire Breton woman who helped my uncle raise me. She treated me like I was her own daughter and even was my teacher.
Cassie did as instructed and sighed in relief. "Good to see you managed to get out of there." She commented as I rushed over to Nan and my uncle. I hugged him tightly and he staggered a little from my sudden weight. "What's going on, why are they attacking us, and how did they find this place?" I asked him. He hugged me back and pulled me away from a little so he can look at me. "Those are all good questions, but unfortunately there is not enough time to answer all of them. I promise though when we're safe I will explain everything to you." He assured me. I looked over at Nan and she smiled at me. "Don't worry, Enfant dragon, everything will be fine." She assured me. I nodded as Cassandra opened the hatch. "Alright, Seri, you first." She told me. I looked over at Uncle Cedric and he nodded. "Don't worry, I'll be right behind you." He assured me before he nudged me towards Cassie.
She held out her hand for me and I grabbed it. She helped me down the hatch and I yelped as slipped on a wet rock and fell on my bum. "Seri, are you alright?!" Cassie panicked. "Yeah, just lost my balance," I grumbled as I got back onto my feet and brushed myself off. Cassie nodded and hopped down to join me. "Alright, Nan, your turn!" I called out to her. Uncle Cedric helped Nan down and then jumped down as he used a telekinesis spell to close the hatch. "Come on, the sooner we get out of here the better." He told us. We nodded as he cast a candlelight spell and led us down the tunnel.
"When we get out of these tunnels we need to figure out where to go next," Cassie informed us as she followed behind everyone, no doubt in case someone does find us down here. "I'm well aware of that, Cassandra, I'm debating between turning to some friends in Rivenspire or see if I can convince a clan in Skyrim to help us." He told us. "Serena would be safer in Rivenspire than Skyrim considering the Ravenwatch family controls their bloodlust." Nan pointed out. "You really think it's wise to-" Cassie stopped when there was a loud thud behind us. "Seri, get behind Nan," Cassie whispered. I nodded and did as instructed as Uncle stepped forward to join Cassie in protecting us. "Take Serena somewhere safe when the fighting starts." He instructed. "But-" "Do not argue with me right now, Serena, we're trying to protect you." He interrupted me.
There was a loud screech and Nan ushered me to move forward. "Serena, we need to start running…now!" She instructed just like the sound of a firebolt spell being sent hurtling towards us.
She didn't need to tell me twice.
Author's Note: So before you guys asked, I italicized a lot of words because they're speaking in Old Bretic and since it would be easier than translating all of that in Old Bretic…if there was a translator for that. Since there's not it still works.
Also, Translations for words I did use are as followed:
-Nebarra: Unwelcome in Aldmeris
-Enfant Dragon: Dragon Child in French(I figured that would be the closest I can get to Nedic it was that or Romanian…it's hard to work with languages that are dead in lore but is cannon in your fanfic because it makes sense…UGH!)