Chapter 21

…Kill Them With Fire!

When we last left our Dragonborn, Hiccup discovers a crystal that belonged to Meridia: the Daedric Prince of Light. Having touched the crystal, the Viking was given a task by Meridia's ethereal voice: return the crystal to her temple at Mount Kilkreath and cleanse it of the taint that had invaded it.

Meanwhile in Morthal, Rahm-Ku and J'Kiir stumble on a mystery surrounding a recent house fire. In order to solve said mystery, they must take up a strange game of hide-and-seek with one of the fire's victims, Helgi.

As night falls over Morthal, both Mage and Thief will discover something sinister is afoot…

Morthal…

J'Kiir rubbed his eyes as he awoke in his bed. He had the innkeeper knock on his door to let him know when the sun went down. This was the night. The night he and Rahm-Ku discover what happened to Helgi. After a quick change of clothes and a check on the sharpness of his knives and the number of arrows in his quiver, J'Kiir left his room and knocked on Rahm-Ku's door. He knocked a few times before the Argonian Mage opened the door, still looking half-asleep.

"Wha-huh?"

J'Kiir rolled his eyes. "Wake up, lizard. We're supposed to find Helgi tonight, remember?"

Rahm-Ku rubbed his eyes, trying to wake himself. When he remembered why he asked for a wake-up call, Rahm-Ku's eyes switched from drowsy to serious.

"Give me a moment."

J'Kiir ordered some bread, cheese, and cooked eggs while he waited for Rahm-Ku. The innkeeper didn't ask about what was going on, thinking about the extra coin the Khajiit paid her, so it made things easier if they wanted to find out the secret behind the fire. When Rahm-Ku exited his room, dressed in his mage robes, and sat down with J'Kiir for dinner. As they ate, Rahm-Ku whispered to J'Kiir.

"So? Where do you think we should look first?"

J'Kiir gave it some thought before coming up with an idea as he sliced some bread and cheese.

"Chances are, Helgi won't be at her house. The only place I can think of is this town's cemetery where she is buried."

Rahm-Ku raised an eye ridge.

"Why the cemetery other than anywhere else?" J'Kiir gave him an eyebrow raise in return.

"Where would you go if you died the way she had and came back as a spirit?"

Rahm-Ku didn't say anything. He didn't need to. The two ate dinner in silence before heading outside.

The crisp night air assaulted their senses, waking them up more and making them alert. A silent agreement between the two was made as they made their way to the ruined house. But as they got close, they noticed a soft glow at the top of the small plateau behind the house and raised their eyebrows.

"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" J'Kiir whispered.

Rahm-Ku nodded. "I do. But why would there be a light up there?"

"Only one way to find out." J'Kiir whispered, drawing out his bow and an arrow.

The two walked to the right side of the plateau and climbed the stones that led up to the top. As they got closer, J'Kiir slowed his pace, preparing his arrow. Rahm-Ku noticed this and while he would rather deal with this person on diplomatic terms, there was a good chance for everything to go wrong.

Clearing his throat, Rahm-Ku spoke to get the person's attention.

"Ahem. Excuse me?"

The figure turned around, revealing a Breton woman. However, there was something very wrong. Her eyes were a golden-orange color and her skin was very pale. Then woman then opened her mouth and hissed angrily at the Argonian, revealing a set of sharp fangs.

Before Rahm-Ku could process anything, the woman charged at him. As he thought about firing up a spell, something shot past him and struck the woman, sending her back off her feet. Regaining his senses, Rahm-Ku saw the arrow sticking out of the woman's chest. He turned back to J'Kiir, his arrow gone from his bow. The Khajiit hissed as he placed his bow back onto his quiver.

"Question. Why is a vampire here?"

Rahm-Ku didn't have an answer. Vampires were not a creature of myth as many would hope. Almost everyone knew the origin of vampires: a virgin woman was violated by the Daedric Prince, Molag Bal. The Prince of Domination placed a drop of blood on her brow before leaving her to die. A group of nomads found her and tried to bring her back to health, but couldn't. She rose from her funeral pyre and slaughtered the nomads, becoming the first vampire.

Rahm-Ku had his share of creatures when he left Murky Glen and made his way to Skyrim. This was the first time he encountered a vampire. And upon looking at J'Kiir, it seemed that the Thief had encountered vampires before. But the Mage decided to set that aside for now as he and J'Kiir approached the recently dug-up coffin that the vampire was near. As they got a few feet of it, Helgi's voice rang out.

"You found me! Laelette was trying to find me to, but I'm glad you found me first. Laelette was told to burn Mommy and me, but she didn't want to. She wanted to play with me forever and ever. She kissed me on the neck, and I got so cold that the fire didn't even hurt. Laelette thought she could take me and keep me, but she can't. I'm all burned up."

Helgi's voice fell silent, leaving the brothers in their thoughts.

"Laelette?" Rahm-Ku whispered.

J'Kiir shrugged his shoulders before shifting his gaze to the dead vampire.

"Helgi said that this 'Laelette' kissed her on the neck and got cold. Think she was trying to turn Helgi into a vampire?"

Rahm-Ku shivered at the thought. Was it possible that this vampire was the murderer? And if so, why?

"Laelette? She's dead!" A voice caught the brothers' attention from behind.

They parted to let a Nord man with reddish-blond hair rushed over to the fallen vampire. Upon seeing her fangs, the man jumped back in shock.

"Ysmir's beard! She's…she's a vampire!"

The brothers looked at each other with uncertainty. They had never expected that the vampire they had slain had a husband, assuming this man was. Rahm-Ku approached the man, clearing his throat to gain his attention.

"Ahem. Excuse me?"

As soon as the man looked up, Rahm-Ku continued to speak.

"Do you know this woman?" The man nodded.

"Aye. My name is Thronir. And this…" he cast a saddened glance at the vampire before continuing. "…was my wife, Laelette. I thought she left to join the Stormcloaks. Ah! My poor Laelette!"

This was a suspicious fact. Laelette was supposed to join the Stormcloaks, but remained in Morthal as a vampire?

Sensing the same suspicion, J'Kiir spoke up next. "If that's the case, did you notice anything strange before she left?"

Thronir was confused by the question, but as he mulled it over, gears began to click in his head.

"She began to spend a lot of time with Alva. Yet just a week before, she despised her. In fact, the night she disappeared, she was supposed to meet Alva. Alva told me that she never showed up. I never got to tell her good bye."

Alarms rang in the brothers' heads. Alva. She was involved in this, too?

Seeing the alarm in J'Kiir's face, Rahm-Ku asked, "You don't think…?"

J'Kiir held his chin in thought. He understood what Rahm-Ku was indicating and such a thing would be impossible. Yet, Hroggar's sudden infatuation with Alva? Laelette treating Alva as a friend when she hated her a week before without explanation? And the fact that Laelette was found as a vampire, the facts were too damning to be ignored. Looking at Thronir, J'Kiir asked another question, keeping his hand to his chin in a thinking pose.

"You don't suppose they may have met after all?"

Thronir was confused for only a moment before things began to click.

"Ye gods! You think Alva is a vampire?"

Rahm-Ku decided to speak, adding his two gold coins in.

"It is a possibility, but we need proof. By far, it's a theory. But considering how quick Hroggar was to go to Alva's side before the ashes were cooled and you have just said that Laelette hated Alva before starting a 'friendship' with her, it is a possibility we cannot ignore."

But Thronir was quick to deny such a statement.

"No. You're wrong. Alva would not do that. Perhaps Laelette met her fate in the marsh."

"But that doesn't mean Alva isn't a suspect. The only way to clear her name is to find evidence. And I think I know how." J'Kiir spoke up, coming up with an idea.

He then asked Thronir one last question.

"What is Hroggar's job?"

Thronir raised an eyebrow, but answered the Khajiit.

"He works at the lumber mill with me. Why?"

J'Kiir then spent the next hour discussing his plan and convincing Thronir to help before they all went home for the night. After taking care of Laelette's remains, of course.

In the morning…

Rahm-Ku and J'Kiir were in position, waiting for Thronir's signal. Each of them were going over the plan in their heads from the previous night. As soon as they saw Thronir with Hroggar, the former cast a quick glance at Rahm-Ku, who was hiding under the inn in the water.

"The only place where there would be evidence is in Alva's house. However, we don't want to risk harming a possibly innocent man. So Thronir, I need you to make sure Hroggar will stay at the mill tomorrow."

As soon as Hroggar was at work, Rahm-Ku took out his dagger and used the sunlight to send flashes to J'Kiir, who was hiding behind Alva's house.

"Rahm-Ku, you are the relay man between Thronir and myself. Use your dagger to send us signals. Three fast flashes of light for if he's staying, a continuous series flashes if he leaves."

Seeing the three flashes, J'Kiir looked around for anyone who would spot him. Once the coast was clear, he made his way to the door, pulling out his lockpicking kit and began to work the lock.

"I'll pick my way inside the house and look for the evidence. I have the stealth for her not to notice. If she is a vampire, I'll have my dagger with me."

As soon as he heard the lock clicked, J'Kiir swiftly entered the house and quietly closed the door before taking a look. The house didn't look different from any other house he had seen. Quietly, he rifled through the drawers and chests in the house. He even looked under the bed and behind furniture, but found no evidence. There were some coin and valuables all around, but J'Kiir kept himself focused on the task at hand. Once the place had been looked over, J'Kiir looked to the only other door in the house: the basement.

Crouching, J'Kiir made his way down the stairs, pausing as he found himself in front of the basement door. Seeing no lock, J'Kiir carefully pushed opened the door. He bit his lip when he saw that the only thing in the basement was a coffin. Straightening himself a bit, he looked into the coffin to find Alva sleeping in it. He narrowed his eyes as he crouched closer. There was something that Alva's head was resting on. It looked like a book of some kind. Perhaps a diary?

Slowly and carefully, J'Kiir pulled on the book from under Alva's head, making damn sure not to wake her. He waited until there was no more resistance before he quickly opened the book and read its most recent contents. He narrowed his eyes at the damning evidence inside.

"So my hunch was right. Alva WAS responsible for the fire and Laelette's transformation. But…who is her master? A vampire named Morvarth? Seems that he has his sights set on…transforming the entire town into vampires!?"

Pocketing the diary, J'Kiir unsheathed his dagger.

"We can't risk her running off to tell her master that we've discovered his plot."

With swift movement, he slit Alva's throat and stabbed her in the heart. Alva's eyes shot opened and screamed at the sudden burning pain in her throat and chest. She saw J'Kiir and reached out to him before her arm fell limp, her eyes now dull and void.

J'Kiir breathed a sigh of relief, clutching his heart to slow it down. Alva was dead. But the work was not yet complete. Removing and cleaning his knife, J'Kiir left the house and rendezvous with Rahm-Ku at the inn. They saw Thronir tending to Hroggar, who looked like he was recovering from some sort of headache the way he grasped his head.

"Well?" Rahm-Ku asked.

J'Kiir didn't say anything. He handed him the diary, his thumb on the set of pages he needed to read. Taking the hint, Rahm-Ku took the diary and read through it. He grimaced at its contents.

"So there is more to this than Alva. We have a master vampire nearby."

J'Kiir nodded as he whispered. "With one vampire determined to turn all of Morthal into a clan of vampires, it could put Emeralda, even all of Skyrim, in danger."

Rahm-Ku nodded as Thronir left Hroggar's side and met up with the two teenagers.

"Did you find anything, cat?"

Ignoring the cat comment, J'Kiir nodded as Rahm-Ku handed Thronir the diary. His reaction upon reading shifted between shock, horror, and anger. Handing the diary back to the boys, Thronir growled.

"So my Laelette was right. That bitch, Alva!"

Thronir slammed his fist into a beam that held the inn out of the water, growling in anger. The pair backed away, not wanting to get into the range of Thronir's fists. Rahm-Ku, being reasonable, spoke as he held up the diary.

"We need to take this to the jarl. Perhaps she can arrange a defense for the town or even send someone to slay this Morvarth character."

"Somehow, I feel that it's going to be the two of us." J'Kiir thought bitterly as Thronir nodded.

"Aye, lads. I'll let the town know and gather some people."

With that, the trio split up, the Dragonborn brothers entering the jarl's longhouse.

Inside, Rahm-Ku and J'Kiir approached Jarl In as she went over some paperwork. Noticing the Argonian and Khajiit, the Jarl set her papers aside and acknowledge the young men.

"So. You're back. Any word on the fire?"

Rahm-Ku presented the diary to the Jarl as J'Kiir spoke.

"We have discovered who set the fire. It wasn't Hroggar, but Alva. She started the fire."

Hearing this, Jarl Idgrod took the journal and began to flip through the recent pages.

"Alva, huh? Didn't think she had it in her."

Rahm-Ku proceeded to add the rest of the information.

"Turns out she's actually a vampire. She planned to enslave the entire town."

Idgrod, hearing this, examined the journal for such proof. She narrowed her eyes as she read.

"So it's true. That traitorous bitch!"

She then looked to the two Dragonborn.

"Morthal owes you boys a debt." She looked at the journal once more before frowning.

"Still, it looks like we need your help now more than ever."

The Dragonborn brothers raised their eyebrows.

"How so?"

"The journal mentions Morvarth, a master vampire I thought was destroyed a century ago. If he is alive, then we are in more danger than we realize."

The Jarl then closed the journal, setting it aside.

"I gather some able-bodied warriors to clean out Movarth's lair. I'll send them to you in the afternoon. They'll follow your lead. For now, rest up. Vampires, especially master vampires, are not easy to deal with."

That morning with Hiccup and Renee…

As Rahm-Ku and J'Kiir dealt with the vampire problem in Morthal, Renee was filling Hiccup's saddlebags with much-needed supplies while Hiccup was finishing Bane's saddle. While he was able to train Renee as she was capable of riding bareback, they both agree that a saddle was needed. A big one.

Due to Bane's size, the saddle had to be double-strapped and longer than Toothless' own saddle. With the running speed, the muscles, and the build of the dragon, the saddle needed to be secure. The saddle was crafted so that two sets of straps held the saddle securely: one set for the barrel and one set for the chest. At the front of the saddle was a special railing-like horn that Renee would grip on instead of Bane's wings and the seat of the saddle had a cantle and a Cheyenne roll to keep the rider from falling back. He also made sure there were saddlebags attached for anything Renee would want to bring. Weapons included.

As Hiccup worked on the final stitching, Renee called out to him.

"Alright! I've put together everything you'll need. Fresh food, a canteen of fresh water, several bottles of healing potions, a flint and steel, and that blank journal you wanted with a bottle of ink and a quill to go with it."

She fed Toothless a fish before grabbing a scroll on a nearby barrel and placed it in the saddlebag before closing it.

"I've also got you a duplicate map of Skyrim and marked where Mount Kilkreath is located."

Hiccup smiled as he acknowledged his sister's work.

"Thanks, Renee. As soon as I am finished with your saddle, I'll grab the crystal before I take off."

As he said that, a voice called out from outside the wall.

"Err... Excuse me? I'm looking for Renee Silverglass?"

Confused, Hiccup finished up the saddle while Renee went to the gate and opened up.

"I'm Renee." She answered.

An Imperial man was standing outside the gate with some letters in his hands.

"I've been looking for you. I've got some messages for you."

He handed the small envelopes to her before speaking again.

"Well, that's it. I'm off."

After Renee paid the courier, she closed the gate and examined the letters. There were two letters. One with her name on it and one with her brothers' names accompanying hers. Raising an eyebrow, she opened the first letter.

As Hiccup saddled Bane, he shot a glance at Renee. Curious, he approached her.

"What is it, Renee?"

Renee folded the letter and placed it in her pocket.

"A message from Kodlak Whitemane. He wants to talk to me back at Jorrvaskr."

Hiccup left it alone, knowing that it must be Companions business. Renee then looked to the second letter and raised an eyebrow.

"This one's weird."

Hiccup tilted his head as the dragons approached them.

"How so?"

Renee cleared her throat as she read it aloud.

Renee Silverglass, Rahm-Ku, J'Kiir, & Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III

You caused a bit of stir at Whiterun's watchtower when you demonstrated the power of your Thu'um. Not everyone is anxious for the return of the Dragonborn.

I, for one, desire to see you grow and develop your talents. Skyrim needs a true hero these days. Or four, in this case.

You should turn your attention to Sunderstone Gorge. I understand it holds a mysterious source of power that can only be unlocked by the Dragonborn.

I will continue to find places with similar power and send their locations to you. Perhaps one day, we will meet. Perhaps not. But know that you have an ally in these trying times.

Sincerely,

A Friend

The two looked at each other with confusion as they re-read the letter.

"Think this could be a trap?" Hiccup asked as he took the letter.

Renee walked over to the map and began to look for Sunderstone Gorge.

"I'm not sure, but I can check it out before my appointment."

She then pointed to a spot in the Falkreath section of the map.

"Ok. Sunderstone Gorge is at a corner by the road that separates Whiterun from Falkreath on the Falkreath side. It's a straight shot south from here. With Bane's speed, I can get this done while you're gone."

Remember where he was going, Hiccup approached the map as Renee pointed to a spot at the northwest section of the map.

"Mount Kilkreath is right here. There should be a statue of Meridia there. Keep to the skies and try not to get spotted. Avoid any place where there are soldiers. And especially avoid Solitude if you can. If you need to go to Solitude, leave Toothless at the shrine and walk there. Last thing we want is to cause a panic at Skyrim's capital."

Hiccup nodded at Renee's logic. Until they gain the trust of the Jarl of Haafingar, the last thing they needed was to startle the people of the hold. Especially when Haafingar is the center of the Imperial half of Skyrim.

With that in mind, Hiccup mounted Toothless as Renee began to gather her own supplies.

"We'll meet back here when we're done with our stuff."

Renee nodded as she began to pack vegetables.

"And once Rahm-Ku and J'Kiir get back, we're heading to Ustengrav."

Seeing that they were on the same level, Hiccup and Toothless took off, leaving the Nord and her Juggernaut behind. Once she could see the pair were heading off in the right direction, Renee gathered her things, mounted Bane, and took off towards Sunderstone Gorge.

Meanwhile…

Astrid's eyes grew weary as she flew on Stormfly. After the battle against Johan and the Dragon Hunters, all seemed peaceful. Well, as peaceful as you can get with Vikings. Especially when you have people like the Thorston twins living in your village. Of course, things like that were tolerable whenever she was around Hiccup. Astrid and Hiccup were recently betrothed and once word got back to Stoick the Vast and Astrid's parents, there was much celebration.

Then, about a couple of weeks ago, Hiccup and Toothless were flying towards an undiscovered part of the archipelago when a strong storm suddenly appeared. It swept up the islands for a few days before finally subsiding. But there was no sign of Hiccup or Toothless. Stoick sent search parties all over the south and even called upon their new allies to help with the search. But to no avail.

Now, weeks later, people were beginning to believe that the chief's son failed to survive the storm. But Astrid refused to believe such a thing. She knew Hiccup and was for certain, alive. She spent every day searching every island for any sign. And now, after weeks of searching, she had a lead. A lead that was taking her, Snotlout, Fishlegs, the twins, and their dragons farther south than they had ever been before.

And this was making her fellow riders anxious.

"Uh…are you sure we should go out this far? I mean…no one's ever been this far out, before." Fishlegs asked, clearly wanting to go no further.

"Yeah! Let's face it, Astrid. Hiccup's fish food. I say we turn around a go home." Snotlout called out.

This, however, earned him a vicious glare from Astrid, causing the Viking to shriek and nearly jump off his dragon, Hookfang.

"Hiccup's alive, guys. The storm was bad and he's smart enough to find shelter."

"Hey! I see something!" Ruffnut called out. "Mine!"

"No, mine!" Tuffnut called out as they both rode their Zippleback, Barf and Belch, down towards the sea.

The twins argued as the Zippleback swooped down as if they would be catching fish. Barf, Ruffnut's mount, was the one to scoop it up in his jaws. The dragon then flew back up to the group and showed their find, much to Astrid's horror.

It was Hiccup's Gronkle-Iron shield and Zippleback gas sword.

"Those are Hiccup's!" she exclaimed as she took the weapons from Barf.

"Uh, no their not." Ruffnut lied, hoping to keep her loot.

"Yeah! They're ours to fight over." Tuffnut protested, causing the group to roll their eyes.

Astrid stared at the beautiful, yet complicated weapons her betrothed created. But where was their creator.

"Um…Astrid?" Fishlegs called to her attention.

Astrid looked at Fishlegs to find him pointed ahead. Astrid followed his gaze and peered into the horizon. It was small, but she could see it.

Land.

"Ok. Why didn't we see this before?" Snotlout asked, seeing the landmass as well.

"The search parties never ventured this far. We may be the first to see this." Fishlegs answered, gazing at the landmass.

It was bigger than any island they had come across, but they could barely see at the distance they were at.

"Whoa…" said Ruffnut.

Tuffnut's eyes grew wider as he got an idea.

"Awesome! Sis! We should set up a claim-stone and call this place 'Nuttland!'"

"Oh-oh-oh! Then, we can set up a festival ground! The largest in the world! With games, rides, and all the mutton you can eat!"

"I like the way you think, sister! But we can go bigger!"

Despite the ramblings of the twins about turning this new place into a theme park, only one thing was on Astrid's mind: if there's a land that no one has reported on in the search, chances were Hiccup might be there.

"Come on." Astrid ordered as she motioned Stormfly to fly towards the location.

Confused, the other riders flew on until they caught up to Astrid.

"Why are we flying towards that place?" Snotlout called out, still wanting to turn back.

Astrid kept her gaze on the horizon.

"Hiccup's over there. We have his sword and shield. Which means he's not far behind!"

"But they could have been swept by a current from a different location!" Fishlegs tried to reason.

"And he could've dropped them thanks to the high winds of the storm!" Astrid countered.

"But Astrid-"

"Enough! We are going to this new island! We are going to find Hiccup! And that's that!"

She then flew ahead, not wanting to hear anymore protests. Hiccup must be on this new land.

He had to be.

Author's Note: Phew! It took a while, but I was able to get all of "The Ballad of the Dragonborn Four" back on this site. This is literally all I had until the insanity that happened to me struck.

Thank you everyone who were supportive and were patient with me during my time of crisis. I intend on continuing this story again as it is one of my best works.

Thank you all again.