Chapter 10: 10
Chapter Text
Serana, Svar, and I walk through the woods with a panting Mr. Rogers at our side.
Serana pointed out that without knowing whether or not Svar and myself had bounties on our heads for the whole Whiterun fiasco, it would probably be a good idea to avoid the roads. So the four of us walk in a straight line heading directly to Sky Haven.
"How has architecture gotten worse in the hundreds of years I've slept?" Serana asks in disbelief as she looks upon the small village that wasn't in the game.
The hill we stand on gives us a good view of the half dozen houses and large barn that stand on either side of a gently flowing stream.
"Surely this is just because this town is so isolated, yes? The major cities have to be better?" The vampire turns pleadingly to Svar and myself.
I laugh. "Sorry Serana. Of the settlements I've been to, they all very closely resemble what's down there. The only difference is Whiterun had more buildings in its streets."
"Unbelievable." Serana stares at the small town a moment longer before we carry on.
I chuckle and follow after her. Svar slows down to walk beside me.
"How much further until we get there?" She asks
I pull out my map and check. "We've still got another day or two." I say. "We've made pretty good time all considered."
The three of us plus Mr. Rogers had been travelling for four days already. Avoiding other travelers wherever possible. We would travel during the day with Serana covered by her cloak, and rest at night with Serana or myself keeping watch due to our lessened need to rest.
As a very powerful vampire, Serana doesn't need much rest, or blood. She can also resist the sunlight for a time even without her cloak. It still weakens her, but it doesn't leave her unable to fight. I'd wager it's a combination of her age and bloodline. You don't get any purer than a Daughter of Coldharbour.
"How long do you think we'll stay there once we arrive?" Svar asks.
I scrunch my eyebrows and think. "I don't know really. It's probably one of the best places we could ask for as far as headquarters go. It's also a really good place to train. The both of us are getting better with Soul Magic, but we're still far from proficient. If Serana's willing, I'd like to stay there long enough for us to learn enough to be able to continue to teach ourselves even if she decides to leave."
"Then you still have quite a distance to go." Serana says over her shoulder to us. Of course she can hear us.
"If you wish to grow stronger, use the soul sense I taught you as we walk. Maintain it as long as you can, and continue your conversation while it is active." Our teacher ordered.
Svar sighs, but I feel her draw on her magic as I do the same.
I shape the soul magic and focus it as Serana taught me. As the magic takes effect, I become much more aware of the souls around me. Serana's ancient and refined presence, Svar's draconic power, the various birds and other small animals around us, and even Mr. Roger's content being.
I look back to Svar and continue our conversation. "Any particular reason you want to know how long we'll be there? Eager to hunt more dragons?"
Svar shakes her head. "While fighting dragons is great and all, it's finally starting to sink in just how many of them there are going to be. If the bitch was right, then they're coming back to life. The last thing I want to do is piss off an entire species of powerful beings. Besides, the main reason I was so eager to hunt them to begin with was to get stronger. We've got Serana to teach us now."
"While you should take advantage of my presence, it would be stupid not too, do not presume that I will show you all I know out of a sense of boredom." Serana speaks up once more. "There are a number of things I could do that do not involve either of you. I remain because you are both interesting, and I have already found myself in situations at your side I would be hard pressed to recreate on my own. Hold no illusions that I will leave you if you begin to bore me."
"Yes mother." Svar quips back at her.
Serana stops walking, and turns to Svar with a raised eyebrow. "What was that girl?"
"I said I will keep it in mind mother." Svar meets Serana's gaze unflinching.
Serana hums. "The dragon is getting the better of you again girl. Control yourself." The vampire continues walking.
Svar growls slightly, but takes in a few very deep breaths.
"You good?" I ask her.
She lets out a very long breath before she turns to me.. "I'll be fine. This is just…. hard. Sometimes it's obvious that it's not me. Other times, it's impossible to tell."
"I'm here if you need to talk." I say.
Svar gives me a grateful smile, and we both continue along.
"Dusk." Serana's voice pulls my attention. "Close your eyes, cover your ears, and navigate using only your magic. I care not whether you use soul magic, electormancy, or both, only that you do not use your conventional senses."
I groan, but cut myself off when Serana's red eyes stare back at me.
"Got it." I say. I pull a cloth from my inventory and use it as a blindfold while using electromancy to cover my ears in sparks. Creating white noise to block out every other sound out.
I keep my soul magic sense active, and add my lightning magic to the mix. Feeling around for the various magnetic fields around me. This isn't my first time walking like this, Serana is nothing if not an effective teacher, but that doesn't mean I'm good at it.
This sucks.
(Svarline)
I feel Dusk's magic probe the area around him as the blindfold settles over his eyes. Showing he has begun to navigate without his senses.
"Your turn girl." Serana says, drawing my attention to her. "I want you to meditate on your draconic magic once more. The more you use it, the easier it will be to know when it is influencing you. The more you are able to feel it urging you towards certain actions, the better you will be able to control yourself."
I hold back a sigh as I too begin to channel my magic. The thu'um is different from anything else I have ever learned. It's almost as if it's alive in a sense. The more I ponder it, the deeper my understanding. Increasing my power.
It's a very strange, yet comforting feeling.
I focus as I walk and feel the words, the magic, resonating within me. Calling to me. Begging to be used, and whispering in my ear. It's intoxicating.
I'm pulled from my euphoria as I'm slapped in the face.
I opened my eyes and turned my head back to see a stern faced Serana standing not a foot away from me. I growl at her.
The vampiress scoffs at my attempt to intimidate her. "You're going too deep girl. You control your power, not the other way around." She puts her hand on her chin and hums as she looks at me. "You are gifted in a magic that is practically limitless in its applications. Once you are strong enough, there is no reason not to believe you won't be able to speak things into being. The dragon's language has a power to it, a power you wield with little effort. Make the most of it." The vampire turns from me to walk in front of Dusk as he blindly navigates the forest.
Dusk moves to walk around her, but she steps back into his path. Dusk stops and moves to go around her again, but the vampire casts a spell and re-enters his path. This time Dusk does not turn and walks right into her. The vampire doesn't move, instead Dusk is pushed back. He stumbles and tries to catch himself but Serana sweeps his legs out from under him with her foot.
He impacts the ground with a grunt and pulls his blindfold off.
"What's the point of this training if you're just going to knock me down twenty seconds after I start?" Dusk asks as he pulls himself to his feet.
Serana hums. "The point is to dodge. You will not improve if you are not pushed. If you do not appreciate my teachings, I will no longer offer them."
Dusk sighs and puts the blindfold back on, covering his ears with his lightning once more.
The three of us and Mr. Rogers walked on for a good amount of time. Dusk blind and deaf, and myself meditating even as I walked.
We continued on like this for the rest of the day, Serana occasionally creating obstacles for me and Dusk to overcome.
The three of us came to a stop just before nightfall and set camp in a cave Serana used her magic to lead us to.
"I will take the first watch." Serana said as soon as we were situated before she turned to Dusk. "I will retrieve you to take over for me in four hours time."
Dusk nodded at her and she left. Leaving Dusk and I alone, with Mr Rogers already laying down in a corner.
He lays down on the cave's floor and I lie down next to him.
"Dusk?" I say.
He rolls over to look at me. "Ya?"
"You want to travel around right? That was your goal?"
He nods. "Ya. Go around and see whatever there is to see. Why?"
I take a deep breath. "I want to go with you. When you figure out wherever it is you're going, whatever it is you're doing, I want to go with you. That's my goal. I never got a chance to say it. I don't want to lose you like I've lost everyone else." I hold my breath as he studies me for a moment.
He smiles. "Don't worry. You'll always be welcome."
I smile and wrap my arms around him as I go to sleep.
(Dusk)
I wake early for my shift and stand up carefully, so as not to disturb Svar.
I look down at her and smile. I have no idea what to do about this situation. Do I like her? Yes. Do I like her like that? I'm not quite sure. She's attractive, fun to be around, and I'm even starting to like her puns, as much as it kills me to admit it. But I've never really been in a relationship before. My only experience was three different weeklong 'girlfriends' in highschool who got with me to be able to change their Facebook status.
Not exactly the greatest experience to draw lessons from.
Deciding to think it over later, I sigh and walk out of the cave to relieve Serana.
Not spotting her I look into the night and say, "I'm already up, so I might as well keep watch. You can go to sleep now."
"I think I will stay awake a mite longer." A voice says from my left.
I turn to see Serana casually strolling out from under a tree.
Her red eyes glow in the dark as she speaks. "I've slept for centuries, I can stand to remain awake a moment longer."
I hesitate. "So, should I go back to sleep then?"
She smiles, showing off her fangs in the process. "I would like to speak with you if that would be possible."
I shrug and sit down on a nearby rock. "What about?"
She sits down next to me but remains silent. Studying me.
After a minute of silence she speaks up.
"You are not a seer." It's not a question. "Which begs the question, what are you? How do you know so much? It is an intriguing mystery."
I gulp as she leans in a little closer. "Well I'd hate to spoil an intriguing mystery…"
She smiles, and suddenly disappears.
I look around but freeze as I feel a breath on the back of my neck.
"Svarline might be content to follow at your heels, forever in the dark as to your motives, but I am not. How did you know where to find me? How do you know of an ancient sealed tomb that can only be accessed with a dragonborn's blood? How did you know the location of two Elder Scrolls? How do you know the location of a third Elder Scroll?" I feel a strong hand grip my shoulder.
Thank god for Gamer's Mind or I'd have pissed myself by now. I have no illusions about who would win if we threw down.
Also how the fuck does she know I know where a third one is?!?!
"I've seen a lot of ways the world can turn out. Lot's of different versions of it too." I say being honest. "I know a lot more than I've already said, but I'm keeping most of it to myself."
Serana hums as she sits down next to me, opposite where her grip on my shoulder is. To anyone else, it would look like she's wrapped an arm around my shoulder.
Our position is anything but comforting.
"Do you mean me any ill will?" She asks seriously as she looks out into the night.
"No." I answer immediately. "I have no intention of harming you, or using you for anything, aside from the training you're already providing."
She hums again. "What about my family? I'm sure you know at least something about them. Do you have any intentions towards them?"
Welp, she can tell if I'm lying, so I have to be truthful. Really hope I live through the night.
Being honest, I say. "I want your father dead. He'll grow to be a threat to the entire world if he's left unchecked, but I don't feel the same about your mother. If she doesn't bug me, I won't bug her."
Serana doesn't answer. The only perceivable sound in the night is the music of chirping crickets.
Eventually, the grip on my shoulder loosens. "Good." Serana says. "I cannot say I hold any love for my father. I was never anything but a tool to him, but my mother is off limits. I will not pry into your secrets, even though you seem to know mine, but do not cross me Dusk. I can be a great ally, or your worst enemy." She hisses the last sentence.
"I won't." I respond back to her.
She turns to look at me and smiles. "Good. You are very interesting. I'd hate to have to kill you." She begins walking away, but stops and turns back around. "Oh, and Dusk? Do not play with Svarline's feelings. I can tell you have little to no experience with these matters, but I can also tell you are attracted to her in turn. Treat her well." She chuckles and disappears with a *woosh*.
I take in a deep breath, then slowly let it out.
Why the hell did I wake her up again?
I use my soul sense and my electromancy to keep watch as I wait for sunrise.
When day breaks we start back on our way. Nothing too interesting happens. Svar and I keep practising our magic while Serana makes it more difficult.
A little after noon, we crest a hill and get our first look at our destination.
"This isn't right." I say, drawing my companions' attention.
"What do you mean." Svar asks.
"There should be Forsworn populating that camp down there. Why is it empty?"
The three of us look down at a very large, very abandoned, camp. Filled with fur tents, wooden walkways that run over the flowing river, and quite a few large fire pits.
Everything seems normal except for the lack of people. There is no smoke, no destruction, nothing that would indicate a fight took place.
Serana sniffs the air and turns to look at me. "Blood. Many people were killed fairly recently, two hours ago at most."
Svar and I instantly go on guard as we look around ourselves.
"Could someone be obscuring the camp with magic?" I ask Serana but she shakes her head.
"Unless they were a master, I would feel the magic. It is more likely the bodies have been moved, and the blood cleaned, but why would someone go to such lengths to hide their presence?"
"Because they know about what's hidden here." I finish, following Serana's logic.
She nods. "This place is not as secure as you believed it to be."
I grab my chin. "But who the hell found this place?!?! The only other person I know of who knows its location would be…." I trail off.
Without following the main questline, there wouldn't be a dragonborn to save Esbern from the Thalmor. No one would even know they located him, and the Thalmor aren't exactly kind to their prisoners.
Fuck.
"It's the Thalmor." I say.
Serana hums. "So they're still around? Are they as pompous as I remember?"
I clench my hands into fists as I reply. "Worse. The Aldmeri Dominion became a High Elven supremacist government. They've been trying to enslave the rest of Tamriel for the last century or so."
Serana's eyes widened. "That is extreme even for them."
Svar looks confused. "Wait, back up." She says. "How do you know it's the Thalmor, and what do we do now?"
I look over at her. "The only other person who knows about this place is an old Blade named Esbern. The Thalmor have been hunting him for years, they must have finally caught him. As for what we're going to do, I don't know. I'd like to avoid pissing off any other major political powers, but at the same time, I hate the Thalmor, and I really don't want them to have control of Sky Haven."
Serana hums. "Then it seems we will be killing some elves yes?"
I raise an eyebrow at her. "You're ok with pissing off a major faction just like that?"
She shrugs. "I do not care what elves think of me, and I am more than strong enough to look after myself. I would, however, ask that you store this with your blade until we have dealt with them." She says as she unstraps the Elder Scroll from her back and hands it out to me.
"That's an awful lot of trust you're putting in me." I hesitantly reach my hand out.
Serana chuckles. "You will not try to keep it. It scares you, and you already have one of your own. Even if you wanted it, I scare you more than you would desire to keep it."
Fairly logical when you put it like that.
I take the Scroll and place it in my inventory.
Svar looks almost giddy. "So we're killing the Thalmor?"
I nod. "You seem excited."
Svar's eyes harden. "One of the groups I used to run with was killed by these assholes. That, and they're trying to take something that belongs to the dragonborn. Belongs to me. I know that's the dragon soul talking, but it still pisses me off."
Serana looks her over. "Just be sure you keep it controlled girl. We do not want you to become a liability in any upcoming fights because you grew too enraged." The vampiress cautions.
Svar nods, and the three of us plus Mr. Rogers begin to sneak towards the encampment.
I activate my soul sense and start to feel for magnetic fields.
I feel Svar and Serana both pull on their own magic and assume they're using some form of detection magic as well.
We make it down to the camp without finding anyone, so I lead us towards the cave that will give us access to Sky Haven.
We come up to the cave when Serana puts a hand on mine and Svar's shoulders, stopping us.
She holds up two fingers, and indicates two different spots at the entrance to the cave.
I focus my magic there and feel two people. One is wearing something that is enchanted, and the other I can't feel any magic coming from.
I turn to Svar and wave to get her attention. I mime casting a spell and cover my ears.
She seems to understand my intent and gets ready to silence the area with her alteration magic. Serana and I each take up positions close to the two elves and wait for Svar's signal.
Svar motions for us to go and casts her spell.
Serana uses her vampiric speed to close the distance to her target and breaks his neck without the snapping sound which typically accompanies such an action.
I use my now available Godspeed and move up to my target at the speed of lightning. I shove a Chidori through his head but no chirping birds are heard thanks to Svar's magic.
Serana and I quickly pull our kills back out of the cave and regroup with Svar.
I make a very interesting observation while the two of us pull our kills back. Serana is faster than Godspeed. Serana is faster than lightning. Not by much, and I could probably overcome the gap by overcharging the spell and myself with electromancy mastery, but the fact she can move a third the speed of light gives me a lot to think about.
Goddamn there are some massive power gaps in this world.
We return to Svar and look over the bodies. It's quite clear that these two are Thalmor from their clothing and high elven features. The enchantment I sensed was coming from my target's robe. It seems to be a weak enchantment to improve fire magic. Must've been a mage.
I inventory all their gear, then take the bodies.
"We don't know how many more there are, or if there are more coming, so we should hurry." I say to my companions.
Serana nods. "Svarline, of the three of us you are the slowest, so you won't be as quick to escape if we are ambushed. Watch our backs in case more come through behind us. Dusk and I will lead."
Svar and I nod and we begin into the cave, keeping our sensing magic up.
As we move through the cave and into a larger area, it becomes clear where all the Forsworn ended up. Men, women, children, and hagravens all lie dead in a large pile around the cave's first corner. There are at least a hundred bodies, but it's really hard to tell the exact number because of what the Thalmor did to the corpses.
They cut up all of the bodies. Presumably to make them easier to carry all the way up into the cave. There's a small child's arm on the floor in front of the pile.
The Thalmor must have brought all of the dead in here in an attempt to hide them.
I hear a growl from behind me, and turn to see Svar staring at the pile.
She turns to me with smoke drifting up from her shoulders and says, "We kill them all."
I nod. "We will, but make sure you keep your head. If they were able to kill this many warriors who had a home field advantage, we can't underestimate them. I think we should be able to take them out without too much trouble, but we've still got to play it safe and smart."
Svar nods, and the three of us continue on.
I had unsummoned Mr. Rogers at the entrance. If we need him, I'd like for him to be a surprise.
We walk for a while longer before I sense a large gathering of souls in the area ahead of us.
I look to Serana and she nods, having sensed it as well. She deftly creeps over to me and whispers very quietly in my ear. "I will see how many there are. Be ready in case they spot me." With that she disappears from my sight, but I sense her soul moving away. Invisibility of some kind most likely.
I motion Svar up, and the two of us duck behind a large boulder.
A few minutes pass before Serana rejoins us. Speaking in a regular voice, she says, "They are too far to hear us, so do not worry about giving our position away. There is a group of around three dozen in the next chamber, most of which are warriors. There are two mages with them, but they are fairly weak. The chamber after that is a different story. There were eight very potent mages all fiddling with seven spinning pillars. I believe they were trying to unlock the way further in, but I'm not sure how close they are to moving on."
Seven pillars? Hope the solution's the same.
I grab my chin. "So do we rush them? We can take the warriors out no problem with speed alone. The mages might be more tricky, but they shouldn't be able to beat how fast we are right?"
I'm really hesitant to tangle with what Serana considers a 'potent' mage. Especially a 'potent' Elder Scrolls mage. Strong enough mages can reality warp like crazy in this setting.
Serana shakes her head. "I don't know. The group in the second room were all quite potent. It would not do to overestimate the advantage our speed grants, and underestimate their own strength."
Svar looks to Serana. "What if I use my shout to drain their power? You two could rush in after that."
I nod. "We do the same trick with sound we did at the entrance with the first group. Drop the warriors while all sound is muted, so the mages don't know we're coming, then Svar weakens them while we run through them."
Serana considers this for a moment, before nodding. "Very well. I don't see any problems with it."
The three of us creep into position at the entrance to the next area and Svar holds up three fingers, two fingers, one finger….
She clenches her fist and Serana and I move.
Half of the guards fall to a mixture of my Chidori and Serana's sword before any realize what's going on. By the time the first one is able to draw his weapon, all of the rest of the warriors and the two mages are dead.
Serana comes to a stop behind him and sinks her fangs into his neck. She then proceeds to drain him dry.
The elf opens his mouth and screams, but no sound escapes him thanks to Svar.
Serana releases the shriveled corpse and the guard collapses without a sound. She lets out a silent sigh, and motions Svarline and myself forwards.
As we move to the other end of the chamber, I inventory all of their equipment and bodies. I can smelt down the gear, or use them to experiment with dangerous enchantments eventually.
We move through the cave and I sense a gathering of magic in the chamber ahead of us.
"Why didn't you leave the old man alive Ciranye?!?!" Comes an angry shout from the direction we're heading. "He might have known how to bypass this infernal contraption."
"Patience." A female voice responds. "We don't need him. If needs must, we'll simply cut our way through. We need a new headquarters after what happened to the embassy."
I pause confused.
What happened to the embassy? Might have to leave her alive.
I motion Svar up, and Serana and I get ready.
Being this close, all three of us can sense where the elves are in the next room using our various forms of magic.
Svar holds up her hand, and once more silently counts down from three.
The moment she clenches her fist she steps into the chamber and shouts out, "GAAN LAH HAAS!!!!!" Lilac energy billows forth from her form and washes over the assembled elves.
The Thalmor are thrown into disarray as the thu'um washes over them, leaving them weakened. Several collapse as their power is slowly drained away, but some are able to remain upright. They try to cast spells towards Svar but Serana and I are already on them.
With them unable to move quickly, we easily dispatch them, but I leave the woman who was speaking alive. Cutting off her arms and legs with Chidori so she will no longer be a threat. The lightning cauterizes the wounds, ensuring she won't bleed out.
Serana looks over to me from where she dropped her newest meal and raises an eyebrow. "Well I can honestly say I wasn't expecting that. Do you plan to send her back to her superiors as a message?" She asks amused.
"No." I say then turn to the screaming elf. "I want information."
I pull out a pain resistance potion I made and pour it over the Thalmor's stumps.
"Here's what's going to happen bitch." I growl at her. "You tell me everything I want to know, then I kill you. If you don't tell me everything I want to know, you spend a week in excruciating pain, then I kill you. You die either way, all that changes is how much it hurts. So, what happened at the embassy?"
The woman snarls. "To Oblivion with you filth!" She spits at me, but I vaporize the saliva with my lightning.
I sigh and pull out the counter to the pain negation potion. "Hard way it is." I pour the potion over her and she begins screaming once more.
"Let me." Serana says as she walks up. "Blood magic is quite useful for endeavors such as these." She holds her hand out and the elf's eyes widen as she begins to scream her throat raw.
Svar walks up next to me. "The vampire's pretty good at this." She says as we both watch.
"She is a master mage who was hundreds of years old before she went to sleep." I say back.
"STOOOP!!!!!" The elf screams after only a minute, prompting Serana to smile.
"All yours." She says as she casually walks away from the drooling elf.
I crouch down next to the limbless elf and repeat my question. "What happened at the embassy?"
"Jarl…. Solitude….. burned….. down….. treason…" The elf gasps out.
Huh. Wasn't expecting that.
"How'd you know where this place is?" I ask.
"Old… Blade….. told us…"
"Is he still alive?" I ask.
Her silence answers my question.
I'm not too put out. While he wasn't as bad as Delphine, Esbern was a bit of an ass. Anyone who wants me to kill Paarthurnax automatically gets an asshole card.
Doesn't mean I wanted the man tortured to death.
"Did you tell anyone else where this place was?" I ask the crying elf.
"No." She moans. "Not enough…. time…"
I look over to Serana. "Was she lying at any point?"
Serana looks over at me. "No. While her heart rate is understandably erratic, I have other methods to determine whether or not someone is telling the truth."
"Cool. So, I guess that means I'm done with you." I say, turning back to the armless, legless elf.
She begins crying again.
"I'm not." A smoking Svar says as she walks forward holding a small fur shirt. She kneels down next to the elf and drops the article in front of her face. "I'm not a hero, nor will I ever become one, but some shit just doesn't fly with me." She growls as she kicks the elf in the stomach. "I don't kill kids, and I abhor assholes that do. Let alone sick fucks who think cutting them up is ok." She begins to use her alteration magic.
The stone floor of the cave opens up like a set of stone jaws. Unable to move away, the elf is slowly swallowed by the floor.
The elf screams and squirms but it does no good.
"You're going to stay there till you die." Svar says coldly. "Hope you had a nice life bitch."
The stone closes over her and her screams cut out.
Well, the last five minutes were extremely fucking dark.
Serana hums, drawing my attention. "I must say, that was much more macabre then I would have expected, but it is good to know the two of you are not afraid to get your hands dirty. That will keep you alive in the life you have chosen to lead."
I walked up behind Svar and put a hand on her shoulder. "You ok?" I ask.
"Later." She says with gritted teeth. "It can wait until we're safe inside this place."
I nod and walk over to the stones. There are seven of them, with each pillar having eight separate faces. Really hope the solution is the same.
I grab the pillars and turn them all to the Akaviri symbol for dragonborn, and a wall of the cave opens up.
Letting out a relieved sigh, I proceed through the rest of the traps from memory. The fire trap was a lot longer but had the same solution. Nothing else really standing out except for the fact that the cave is much different from the one in the game. A fact I've come to expect.
We come to a portion of the cave that is blocked with a giant face, and I motion Svar forward.
I point to the circle on the ground. "You need to bleed into that for the door to open."
She nods and moves to the circle. She pulls out a small knife and cuts her forearm, bleeding into the circle.
The blood begins to glow and a large *clank* echoes through the cave as the release triggers. The giant face pulls back and a staircase is revealed.
Serana studies the circle and the door before standing aside and motioning us forward. "After you." She says.
Svar and I walk up the stairs and open the door at the end of them.
Sky Haven, as expected, is much different from in the game. It's a lot more eroded for one, but it's also much larger. The foyer is larger than the cave we fought the mages in, and leads to several different hallways. I don't see Alduin's Wall in here either. Must be further in.
Serana looks around with a wide smile on her face. "I think I will leave you two alone for now." She says. "I'm quite interested in exploring this place, but I will take my Scroll back first."
She holds her hand out expectantly and I give the Elder Scroll back.
She straps the Scroll on her back, and walks down one of the halls and out of sight.
"Do you think there's a place to sleep in here?" Svar asks me.
I nod and look around. "There should be, it's just a matter of finding it."
The two of us wander through the halls aimlessly until we eventually come to a comparatively small room lined with fur beds. Most of them have decayed into nothing, but a few of them are still serviceable.
Svar pushes two of the nicer ones together and lies down, motioning for me to join her.
I do, and we just lie there in silence for a while. Side by side, staring at the ceiling.
"Was it too much?" Svar asks me suddenly.
I give a half-hearted chuckle. "What you did or what I did?"
"Either? Both?" She says.
I take in a breath and let it out slowly. "I don't think so. I'm honestly more surprised I was able to dismember someone that easily than I'm feeling regretful."
Svar relaxes and lets out a breath she was holding. "So you don't think I went too far? I realized after it happened that I was very dragony while it was happening. Did I screw up?"
I let out a chuckle. "No, I don't think you screwed up, and it's kind of understandable you lost a little control. I mean, you're asking me if I think slowly suffocating in a cave is a fitting punishment for someone who cut up a bunch of kids? Yes, it is. Some people might not like how we handled it, but fuck 'em. The only thing I'm kind of put off about is, again, how little I care about how easy it was for me to maime her." Must be Gamer's Mind in action. I would be freaking out without it.
Svar lets out a sigh as she continues. "They were all monsters, and while I'm not exactly a saint, I'm glad they didn't get away with what they did here."
"I don't know. I don't like that it was that easy for me to torture someone, but at the same time I can't bring myself to regret it. They butchered families just to get to this place. We might've had to fight our way through, but I don't see myself cutting up kids like they did."
She rolls over to look at me. "It's the same way for me. I know that elf isn't going to die for about a day, but I just can't bring myself to care. I almost think she got off too easy."
I nod, and we fall back into silence.
I'm starting to fall asleep when Svar speaks up again.
"Dusk?" She says.
"Ya?"
"Thanks."
I raise an eyebrow at her. "For what?"
She looks me in the eyes. "I'd be dead a thousand different ways by now if it weren't for you. I wouldn't be nearly as strong as I am, and I wouldn't be this happy. So thanks."
I smile at her. "You're welcome, and thank you for sticking with me. It's been nice to have someone I can count on."
She moves closer to me, until we're only inches apart.
She opens her mouth to say something, but closes it again.
"What?" I ask.
She looks at me for a moment longer, before she closes the distance and presses her lips against mine.
I freeze for a moment, but get myself under control quickly.
I smile against her lips and pull her closer, deepening the kiss.
We stay like that for a long time. Or maybe it's just moments. I don't really pay attention to the time.
Svar eventually pulls away and takes in a long breath. She looks over at me with a large smile on her face.
I smile back and pull her closer.
"Good night Svar." I say against her hair.
"Goodnight Dusk."
(Interlude: Movarth)
The 'siege' of Morthal went splendidly. It barely took a week. By the time our infiltration was found out, and the alarm was raised, over half of the defenders had already been converted one way or another.
Those who were not sired by my children, were killed and risen by my Lady.
The city is now completely under our control.
I smile as I take in the sight before me. Hundreds of mortals kneeling in the town square. All those who were not turned or killed have been brought before our Lady to receive her judgement.
"Good people," The body of Alva begins. "you have been led astray by your leadership. You have been allowed to grow weak, expected to roll over at the first sign of trouble. I say no more! I will lead you to greener pastures! You fear these dragons? We will bring the beasts down. Together! All you need do is accept me as your queen once more! I was gone, defeated, and I was not there when you needed me, but I am here now! Stronger than ever! Together, we can make Skyrim strong once more!"
A high pitched cackle echoes throughout the courtyard once my Lady is done speaking.
I growl, and my eyes zero in on the source. The old woman who once ruled as Jarl is laughing, even as she coughs up blood.
"The bitch actually thinks any of us will follow her willingly!" The crone says with cheer. "There's a reason you died bitch! Wow, I just realized how apt a name for you that is. Female wolf, bitch. It fits quite well don't you think bitch?"
I use my vampiric speed to appear before the fallen ruler in the blink of an eye. I grab her by her throat and raise her into the air.
"What punishment would you have her serve my Lady?" I ask as I turn to look at the Wolf Queen.
Alva's lips smile as she slowly makes her way over to me. "Release her Movarth."
I do as directed and let the old crone drop, stepping back to give my Lady space.
The crone just keeps laughing. If she isn't careful the lack of air will get to her.
The Wolf Queen comes to a stop in front of the old crone and kneels down to look her in the eye.
"You don't fear me, do you woman?" my Lady asks.
The crone ceases her laughing and smiles at The Wolf Queen. "I'm too old to be intimidated by a ghost with an overinflated sense of ego. If you're going to kill me just get it over with would you? I'm not interested in hearing you whisper sweet nothings into the ears of my people."
The Queen smiles and moves in close to the crone. "You." She says. "You are perfect." Alva's fangs sink into the crone's neck and begin to drain her.
The old woman doesn't fight, simply waiting for the end.
My Lady removes her fangs from the woman, and uses them to cut her own arm. She offers it out to the crone and speaks.
"Skyrim cannot afford weakness, nor can it afford cowardice while combating this threat. You will be one of my greatest general's. Standing beneath only myself and Movarth, all you need do is drink."
The old woman looks into the Wolf Queen's eyes and says, "I won't be your puppet. You don't care about Morthal, nor do you care for Skyrim. You just want something pretty you can call yours. I'm not doing your dirty work for you bitch, so you might as well kill me."
I growl at the continued insults but my Lady holds up her hand. I stand down.
My Lady looks to the crone and smiles evilly. "Oh dear woman, you don't have a choice."
The crone tries to back away but my Lady pries her mouth open and forces the crone to drink the crimson fluid.
My Lady backs off slightly and begins to stroke the crone's hair. "You will be mine, and you will help me reclaim all that was taken from me."
The crone begins to scream as the transformation begins, and my Lady allows herself a victorious smile.
"Movarth." Potema says. "Set a rotating guard shift to monitor and patrol the city. I expect the other holds will grow curious when Morthal suddenly goes quiet, and I'd prefer the strength of our forces to remain secret for as long as possible. Take care of this." She orders.
I smile and offer the Wolf Queen a bow. "As you command my Lady." I excuse myself and move towards where my children have gathered to pass on my orders.
Oh how I've missed this. I can't wait to see how quickly the remaining holds fall.
(Interlude: Bailynn the Messenger)
I crest the hill before ordering my horse to stop. I take a deep breath and dismount, tying my horse to a nearby tree so he doesn't run off.
I slowly walk towards the large gathering of tents with my hands visible.
"Halt!" A voice shouts from the camp. It seems I've been spotted. "State your business!"
"I'm a messenger from Solitude!" I call back, hoping they don't put an arrow in me. "I'm here to deliver a letter from Jarl Elisif the Fair to Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak!"
A man walks out in front of the tents to address me. "We've sent for the Jarl. If you try anything, you'll get a bolt through the chest. Do you understand?"
"Yes." I reply, and the two of us begin our wait.
A few minutes go by when a large man with dirty blonde hair steps out in front of the tents. "What does Elisif want? To mock me, and my people, in our darkest hour?" The man all but growls.
I do my best to keep from shaking. "I don't know sir! I was told to approach peacefully and deliver this missive!" I say as I slowly pull the letter from my satchel, being careful not to spook them into action.
The Jarl tears the letter from my hands and opens it in front of me as he begins to read. His eyes widen, and he begins to outright laugh.
Oh that can't be good.
"Galmar!" The man calls out. "Looks like Elisif finally grew a spine! I might actually have respect for her now." He looks back to me and says, "You can go now." before continuing to walk back to the tents.
"We've got work to do my brothers and sisters!" The Jarl calls out as he rejoins his people.
Fearing for my life, I quickly walk back to my horse and don't look back as I gallop away.
I really need to look into a safer career.
(Interlude: Jarl Siddgeir of Falkreath)
This peasant is becoming annoying.
"As I have already said, I care not what Solitude believes to be best for my hold. I will continue to rule it as I see fit. Now leave my presence, and take your missive with you." I wave my hand in the direction of the door.
The messenger grits his teeth and turns to leave without another word.
"Is this truly wise my Jarl?" The steward Ninya asks from my side. "Many of our farms have reported spotting the dragons flying towards the city, and some have even made reports of the creatures carrying off their cattle."
I sigh and turn to look at the foolish woman. "I do not care about a small number of farm animals. If the dragons are content to keep their attention focused on our livestock, I am more than happy to leave them be. I will not be joining whatever suicidal scheme Elisif has thought up to fight the beasts."
The elf takes a breath, "But my Jarl…"
"That will be all steward." I interrupt with another wave of my hand.
She bites her tongue and walks off.
I sigh once more and lean back in my chair.
What madness has Elisif fallen ill to that she truly believes the best way to deal with the dragons is to hunt them down? All that will do is make them more aggressive. It is a much better plan to simply fortify my city, and pull all guards back to defend it.
The peasants residing in my hold, but outside the city, will be given ample time to relocate before I bar the gates shut.
Truly, the other Jarls are over thinking this.
Ulfric's ilk were most likely poking the things with a stick, it's no wonder they would lash out.
If we leave them be, they have no reason to harm us.
I smile to myself and take another sip of my wine.
It won't be long before this blows over, and I'm able to continue my business as normal.
(Interlude: Paarthurnax)
I sit atop the mountain I have grown to call home and let out a sigh.
I can see much with my draconic eyes from Snow Throat's peak, and what I see spells ill for the mortal races.
My eldest sister wakes more of our kin every passing day, and the mortals are still organising their response. Some of them even outright refuse to work with their fellows, while others attempt to drive wedges between already precarious alliances.
This age will surely fall if things continue as they are.
I sigh and look out to the west.
The champion should have sought out the council of my students by now, but she has been diverted by a combination of factors.
She now believes the mortals wish her dead due to the actions of those living to the north of my home.
I fear the Dovahkiin will not interfere at all in this conflict if she is not informed of the gravity of the situation.
I sigh once more.
I did not wish to involve myself so heavily in this conflict. I was to simply be a guide for the one who would lead their people to prosperity, but now I must intervene. If I do not, this world will fall, and while I am not sure that would be a bad thing, I must at least give this world its chance to survive.
If the chosen will not come to me, then I will go to her.
I stand tall and spread my wings. Taking one last breath of the mountain air, I leap from my perch and fly towards the last point I spotted the Dovahkiin and her companions. It will take time to track her, but I will find her.
I will see to it that this world has its chance.
(Interlude: Urlin)
"To the end of the world!!!" I cry out to my friends.
"To the end of the world!!!" They cry back, and we all take a long swig from our bottles.
I look around the forest clearing we've come to and look over our group.
A fourth of us are already passed out, and the rest are trying to slyly sneak off to fuck in the bushes. Drunk nords don't do 'sly' very well.
How long have we been out here? It was Morndas when we saw the dragon, then we left two days after, and we've been drinking for a while, soooo Morndas? I don't know. Haven't been paying attention to the time. Doesn't matter anyway, we'll all get eatin' sooner or later. Might as well go out enjoying yourself eh?
I take another long drag from my bottle and sit down on a log. I look up at the stars and think over my life.
It's been pretty good right? I don't regret too much. Still kicking myself for letting Eisaa go though. She was something special.
I sigh and go to take another drag when a loud shout interrupts me.
"SURPRISE!!!!!!" A man explodes out of a fresh made hole in the ground. "I'm here to WELCOME YOU TO….. Who the hell are you people?!?!!!?"
The entire clearing turns to look at the new arrival.
Standing in front of the hole which he just vacated, is a very handsome man in a red suit and pants. He has silver hair, and a matching beard, and he carries a black cane in one hand. He's also wearing a cheese wheel on his head.
What?
The man looks around and scratches his beard. "This doesn't seem right….. Would any of you happen to have six fingers on your right hand??!?!" He asks us completely seriously.
A long silence passes before I speak up.
"Ummm, I don't think so?" I'd think he was a product of the alcohol, if everyone else wasn't also speechless.
"Well Molag's tits!!!! Where in the Nine Hells did I end up???!?!?" The man brings his free hand up and snaps his fingers. With a soft *pop* a long piece of parchment appears in it.
The man hangs his cane on his elbow and looks at the large paper. "Let's see here…." The man hmm's and haaa's as he looks over the paper.
"…. AHA! I've got it!!!!" He suddenly cries out. "I forgot to turn left at Albuquerque!!!!!! You can't get anywhere without turning left at Albuquerque!!!!!!!!!!! No wonder I'm lost!!!! Unless being lost makes me found??!?!? Hmmmm……" The man throws the paper over his shoulder and continues to scratch his bearded chin.
He looks over the clearing until his eyes fall on me. His eyes widen, and all of a sudden the man is only inches from me.
I cry out and fall off the log, but the man bends at the waist and follows my head to the ground.
"You wouldn't happen to have a shoe would you?" He calmly asks with a tilted head.
"Uh…"
"MARVELOUS!!!!!" The man reaches out with his hand and, faster than I can see, removes both of my boots from my feet.
The man smiles at me and says, "Much appreciated!!!!!! Now watch closely, I learned this in the Cub Scouts!!!!" His smile turns into a manic grin as he raises both boots above his head, before swinging his arm down and throwing the shoes into the ground.
An echoing *BOOM* occapanies the action, and myself and several of my friends are blown away by the impact.
I groan and slowly pull myself back to my feet. I turn to look back over at the man, and see him leaned over a newly created crater as he intently studies the contents.
He stands there for a full minute. My friends and I are all too scared to move or make a sound.
Finally, the man rights himself and jumps into the air exclaiming, "I'VE DONE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!"
The man throws his arms wide and takes off running into the forest.
He runs and collides with trees that collapse the moment he touches them, laughing maniacally all the while.
We all just stand there and watch the direction the man ran off in for a good ten minutes before the sound of laughter and collapsing forest finally gets too far away to hear.
"Did that just fucking happen?" Lynlin asks. Much calmer than she has any right to be.
"Divines." I say with an open mouth. "It truly is the end times."
