Predator
The faint whistle of the wind through the trees brushed against the senses. The only other sounds were the faint calls of animals deeper in the forest. There seemed to be no beast big or small in the immediate area. Perhaps, on some primal level, they understood well enough to stay far away from the predators that roamed these trees.
Haldr however, did not seem to have that sixth sense for danger.
Very consciously, Haldr kept his breathing deep and steady. He hunkered low, keeping his body close to the height of the bushes and brambles that crowded the forest floor. The chaotic nature of the place set off false alarms in every direction. He had to fight just to keep from springing into action at every rustle of leaves. His dull blue eyes raked over the scene around him, searching for any sign of his quarry. Keeping the grip on his axe strong, the nord edged forwards into the clearing. The soft rustling of leaves and branches, he paid no mind. His attention was out for only one thing.
A sudden snap of a twig and a jostling branch wheeled his eyes around. A bush swayed slightly as if just disturbed. Then it fell still.
Haldr's heartbeat was running a marathon. The sound of it in his ears threatened to deafen him to his foe.
The sound of a branch breaking behind him. He spun around, axe ready to strike.
Nothing, again.
Then a laugh. Soft and quiet, but still audible over the autumnal breeze. Its sound just a little too faint to pinpoint anywhere. It seemed to echo from everywhere at once.
Like prey, he was being toyed with. Haldr hated that. He wished they would just make their move and have done with it. At least it would be over quickly, one way or the other. The nord centred himself in the heart of the clearing, giving himself the best chance to see an attack form any direction. It was in the open, but Haldr was certain his predator knew exactly where he was, regardless of cover or camouflage.
"I'm right here!" He called out to the wood. "Come face me, you coward!" Haldr waited for a few, brutally long moments. No reply.
The wind died down a little. Everything was falling still, as though frozen in time. The trees stopped swaying and the ambient noise fell to almost nothing. The tension that permeated the air seemed to dissipate. Haldr cast a long, appraising look about once more. There was no sign of anything other than the wood. He let out a sigh. He wasn't sure if it was more frustrated or relieved. He turned about, trying to decide which way he had come. It didn't matter really. He'd find a way out, sooner or later. He barely took two steps forward when the hairs on the back of his neck stood up in alarm.
Moving on instinct, Haldr ducked to the side and swung his axe around. He found purchase on thin air. The air screamed a scream that shook the entire forest. Birds fled in fear. Deer ran for their lives. The sheer wrongness of it hit Haldr as hard as any sword. He staggered back, raised his axe again. The axe head was bloodied.
Eyes wide, Haldr finally found his prey. Shimmering out of nothing, a figure hunched over in the grass. Their robes were darkest pitch, as was their long hair that shrouded their face. The figure was doubled over, snarling and mewling in what Haldr could only understand to be agony. Between him and the figure, a pale grey hand cut clean from the arm, bleeding dark blood into the grass. Dark talons stood proud and extended yet still, forever frozen just before delivering a fatal blow. The figure suddenly whipped its head around. A woman. Or a female face at any rate. Her features were drawn in a horrible, angular scowl that seemed to be carved into her skull. Her skin was a pale grey that looked more dead than living. Whatever race she had been in life, was lost in her un-death.
"You filthy dog!" She cried with spittle and spite. "Your kind will pay for this! All of you!"
Ignoring the fear and revulsion in his stomach, Haldr strode forth quickly and raised his axe to finish it.
The vampire screamed as she surged towards him, her remaining talon raised. Haldr took the brunt of the blow on his shield and chest, his armour holding her at bay. He stumbled back, unbalanced, and he kicked at her as she tried to swoop in for the kill. His boot connected with her abdomen and knocked her off balance. They both tumbled to the forest floor. The axe fell from his hand and tumbled out of sight.
Haldr scrambled and slipped to get up, his armour working against him. He drew mud and moss under his fingernails rather than leverage. The vampire saw his struggling, threw him one last hiss, then, she pelted away into the forest. Swearing angrily, Haldr finally picked himself up to his feet and tore off after her. He drew his crossbow as he went. All he needed was to see her back in the distance. Just one moment, one clean opportunity. Branches whipped at his face as he ran. More than once, he feared he'd trip and fall into a ravine or off a cliff, but he carried onwards on spongy, moss strewn ground. Haldr stumbled into another clearing. Panting hard, he looked around quickly. There was no sign of the vampire. No tracks, no marks, nothing.
"Damn it!" Haldr growled, aiming his crossbow at each side and corner of the clearing in turn, as if expecting the vampire to simply waltz out of the undergrowth towards him.
A rustle from above. Haldr picked his head up just in time to see a silhouette of a form swoop down upon him. Pain exploded in his shoulder as though a freeing knife had been driven in. His left arm immediately felt numb and useless. The vampire had latched onto his back. She laughed at his pain and useless thrashing.
"Pathetic worm!" The vampire crowed. "You're nothing but vermin! Fit for cattle, nothing more!"
Groaning, Haldr struggled to throw her off.
Her talon came out of his shoulder roughly. Fresh pain pierced into his side as she stabbed him again. Haldr's strength threatened to abandon him entirely. He could feel his blood seeping from his body in droves. She could have ended it so quickly, one slice across his throat, but she was having far too much fun making him suffer first. Haldr fell to his knees. He abandoned the effort to keep himself upright. Running on adrenaline more than cunning, his right arm flew up, crossbow still in hand. He pulled the trigger. An earthy thunk and a sickening squelch hit his ears and a splash of hot wetness hit his cheek. The vampire had stopped laughing and snarling and thrashing. She fell limp and slowly slid off the nord. Haldr's fingers too lost their strength and the crossbow fell to the ground.
Panting hard through the pain, Haldr stared down on his slain foe. She had a crossbow bolt straight through the cheek, running up into her head behind her lifeless eyes.
The thrill of battle still clung to Haldr, even as the pain and fatigue threatened to overcome him. Somehow, he managed to manoeuvre himself over to a nearby tree and slid down to lay at the base of the trunk. Teeth gritted, he rummaged fast through his pouch for a health potion. Downing the familiar red brew brought instant relief. It would take a while for him to fully heal, but it would do for now.
"Nicely done, I must say."
The new, unfamiliar voice had Haldr reaching for his weapon again. The crossbow lay on the ground too far away to grab in time. Even if he could reach it, it had no bolt loaded.
"A pity really, she was always prone to missing crucial details. Foolish girl. I told her it would be her undoing one day."
The source of the voice was nowhere to be seen. It was male, Haldr could tell that much. Its tone even and measured, an undercurrent of malice gripped the words.
"Still, she was mine." The voice suddenly took on a razor sharp edge, ready to cut a fatal wound.
A figure emerged from the trees. A tall, slim man, an altmer – No, not a mer, another vampire, though this one still retained something of their mortal being. Or at the very least, he was better at pretending than the female. He was clad in simple yet elegant robes, black and gold. His hands were gently clasped in front of him in a dignified manner. In any other setting, he could pass for a middling nobleman or a wealthy merchant. The glare of his dark red eyes however, was distinctly alien and threatening.
"I cannot allow such a thing to pass … unpunished." He snarled. He raised one hand as he approached and slowly flexed his extending talons.
"And I cannot allow you to have this one." Another voice came out of the forest. This one was female, playful, and distinctly familiar to the nord.
"What is this?" The altmer vampire cast his gaze about, irritated. "Show yourself!"
"Gladly."
Soft footsteps heralded the arrival of Serana. She stepped out leisurely from behind a tree. A break in the canopy above her illuminated her presence like a beacon, almost as if her entrance were a carefully managed arena bought.
Serana's effect on the altmer was instantaneous. The noble bearing he wore mere moments before vanished as his features curled into a vicious snarl. The predator had become prey in a heartbeat. His whole persona was suddenly more bestial and monstrous. It was like a wild animal, making itself look as threatening as possible in the face of an adversary. He had clearly recognised Serana for what she truly was. While this altmer may be something a nobleman among vampires, Serana was a queen.
She was so much more than a mere threat.
"Leave me, pureblood!" The altmer snarled. "This one slew my brood!"
"I won't repeat myself." Serana's lips were turned slightly into a dark smirk, her shining amber eyes cold and deadly. "Go skulking back into the shadows, if you know what's good for you."
The altmer growled like a rabid wolf. "No! This one took something from me. I will have my due!"
With that, he launched himself at Haldr, claws extended and a cry on his lips. Haldr flinched and tried to roll out of the way instinctively. A shrill whistle took to the air as a shard of ice flew straight through the altmer. The vampire screamed pitifully as the hole in his chest bled profusely. In a heartbeat, another frozen spear buried its way through the vampire's ankle, crippling the joint. The altmer cowered on the ground, trying desperately to put some distance between himself and the pureblood vampire. Serana stalked slowly towards him, another ice spell coalescing in her open palm. Her amber eyes alight with malice.
"What is this? Why?" The altmer wailed pitifully, all vestiges of the noble creature had gone now, leaving only the base monster within. "That thing is not one of us!"
"No, but he is mine."
Before the altmer could so much as moan, Serana hurled another bolt of magical ice and pierced his skull, pinning him to the tree at his back like a ghoulish doll.
Lying propped up on his arms, Haldr could merely watch the show in awe. He'd known of Serana's power and skill with magic for a while now, but to see it in action, and used so brutally and efficiently, was something to behold. She was a natural predator, pure and lethal. She was glorious.
I would follow that woman into oblivion itself. Haldr swore silently.
Serana turned to Haldr with a smirk on her lips, the smile of a pure blooded predator. "So, I suppose this is the part where I show my true colours and betray you?"
Haldr managed to tear his gaze away from her and down to his torso. Gods, that is a lot of blood.
"Could you at least … give me a few minutes first? … Thanks."
Then, he passed out.
xxx
The moon hung overhead peacefully. The stars were out in full force as well. The forest was altogether a much more tranquil setting now that the fighting was over and done with. Even the animals that called this place home seemed to sense it and had returned. Haldr could hear their midnight calls and chirps now.
Serana was busy laying out a bedroll on the forest floor, her back illuminated by the orange fire between them. Haldr lay propped up against a tree. His wounds were bound and his strength returning.
"There." The vampire smiled to herself as she finished her work. "Pity we didn't bring a coffin, then I'd feel right at home."
Haldr immediately regretted laughing as his chest protested in pain. He coughed roughly, feeling like his lungs wanted to escape through his mouth.
"Sorry." Serana smirked, not looking the least bit sorry.
"Eh, don't worry." Haldr sighed as he leant back, eyes closed. "I'll live … I think."
Serana chuckled under her breath as she rounded the fire and plopped herself down to sit beside the wounded warrior. She rummaged around in his pack a while before producing a red bottle.
"Here. Where would you be without me, huh?" She teased as she handed the potion over. As he drank, the pain subsided quickly. He still felt rough, but he was far from death's door at the least.
"I don't know. Living a peaceful, happy life in Whiterun perhaps."
"Oh really?" She eyed him with a glare that was only partly playful. "You know damn well you'd be dead right now if it wasn't for me."
"I am grateful, you know. Thank you."
Serana smiled, though it didn't reach her amber eyes. She turned her head to gaze at the grass her fingers were toying with.
"You should be more careful." She murmured quietly, plucking a few blades from the ground. "It's not like you can heal yourself as I can. One wrong move, and …"
She snapped a blade between her fingers.
Serana raised her head to stare right into his eyes. Even at the best of times, he found those amber eyes of hers impossible to ignore. Now, they drilled intently into Haldr, forcing him to consider her words.
"I just … got unlucky today." He said meekly.
A harsh laugh. "Unlucky? Is that what you call it? You nearly died today, Hal."
"That's the risk I take with this line of work. It's always dangerous."
"You could at least be smarter about what risks you do take. I mean, charging off after her, alone like that? That was stupid and reckless and you know it."
"I knew you'd be nearby."
"That's no excuse. I won't always be near at hand to save you from your mistakes."
"Exactly."
When she cocked her head at him, confused, Haldr continued.
"Serana, you are by far more skilled at this than I am. You have more power than I will likely ever know. You've probably been doing this sort of thing longer than I can even imagine. You're a hunter, you're a predator, you are so … lethal."
Serana eyed him curiously but did not interject.
"If I have any hope to match you one day, or even get close, I need to learn. I need to grow. I need to take risks and make mistakes. Yes, I'm going to get hurt now and again, nothing can stop that. That's just part of it. Today was bad, I know that, but I don't intend on dying."
Serana sighed. She gazed into the fire in thought for a while. "I sometimes forget just how young you are."
"You make it sound like I'm a child." Haldr frowned.
Serana turned a mock scowl his way. "You know what I mean, Hal. You're right. I do have more years of experience than you ever will. More than I'm ever likely to admit." Her lips turned into a smirk. "So many in fact, that you should heed my words when I tell you that running off after a wounded vampire – alone – is likely to get you killed. That is not a risk worth taking. You may be a vampire hunter, Hal, but you chose that life. A vampire was born to hunt mortal kind. Besides, a vampire is never more dangerous when they have nothing left to lose."
"Alright, alright." He held up his hands in surrender, his left noticeably lower than his right.
Serana's amber gaze softened for a moment, but the steel came back quickly. "Remember, you're mortal, Hal. Are you really so eager to find out what that means?"
Haldr couldn't help but smile. "Is the vampire really concerned for the vampire hunter now?"
Serana rolled her eyes with a small shake of her head. "You're moderately useful, even if only as bait. I'll give you that much."
Haldr chuckled, even as he felt the sting hit his pride.
"I'm going for a walk." Serana announced, getting up the ground. "Or maybe a prowl, I haven't decided. All this talk, makes me restless."
"Oh?"
"Not used to lecturing so much. Vampires don't sit around campfires chatting the night away. It's not natural. No, we lurk in the shadows and steal babes from their cribs, after all. Didn't your mother ever tell you that?"
"I must have missed that lesson." Haldr half smiled.
"Well, pray you don't ever have a child to find out for yourself then." She sighed and shook her head with a hint of a smirk. "Try not to die before I get back?"
"No promises." Haldr gazed down at his bindings. The bleeding seemed to have stopped, or slowed down to a trickle at the very least.
When Haldr looked back up, Serana was gone. He never even heard her footsteps. He looked around. No sign of the apex predator. She had completely vanished, somewhere in the gloomy shadows beyond the fires glare.
xxx
Haldr opened his eyes slowly. The lack of light threw him for a second until he realised it was night time. The moon hung high overhead, casting the forest in a dull silvery glow. How long was I asleep? Haldr stretched himself awake. He felt stiff and tight, like he'd been sleeping for an age, though his wounds felt much better.
Looking about the small camp, there was no sign of Serana. She hadn't returned from her prowling. She may have even left him and gone back to Fort Dawnguard. No, probably not. There were precious few of the vampire hunters that Serana could play nice with. In fact, that number may only really be Haldr alone. Perhaps after the conflict with Harkon, when her contribution to his downfall was complete, things would change. Wherever she was, Haldr knew she could take care of herself. Better than he could, in his current state anyway.
Haldr rubbed at his face, finding stale sweat and grime stuck to him unpleasantly. He got to his feet, and, picking up his crossbow for protection, Haldr strode out from camp towards a lake he knew to be nearby. He left his armour and axe behind, preferring to go in his underclothes. He felt like collapsing just thinking about the weight of his equipment. The forest was almost certainly deserted of people and further vampires, and he doubted a deer or a fox would wander into his camp and carry his gear away.
He set off downhill and in short order, he found the lake he was looking for. The waters shimmered peacefully in the moonlight. The nord gave his surroundings a quick appraisal before he took off his clothes. Again, he was certain no one was around, especially in the dead of night, but it never hurt to be cautious. That's the second rule of vampire hunting, he imagined Serana scolding him.
He shed his clothes on the banks of the lake, keeping only his bandages on. They were thankfully only tinged red with his blood, not soaked through altogether. Haldr waded into the shallows, going only so far as to submerge his waist. The rocks and pebbles beneath his feet rolled and jostled beneath him as he went.
Haldr set about washing himself. He winced lightly as his wounds and bruises protested angrily, but he paid them no mind.
A rustling noise crept into Haldr's ears from behind him. He swung around quickly, eyes scanning the bank for a threat. Nothing. There was only the slight sway of the wind in the trees. The nord frowned. He could have sworn he heard something more solid. A deer suddenly burst from behind a bush and skipped up the bank and into the forest. Haldr shook his head at himself for a moment before turning back to his washing. I'm getting paranoid. He longed for the day when the war with Harkon was over, then he could truly relax once more. He hoped.
The nord froze mid-cleaning. Not a sound, but something screeched at his senses. Before he could even think of doing anything, something solid collided with his back. Haldr staggered forward, somehow managing to keep his footing amidst the loose stones and grit. The thing at his back enveloped him with arms and the unsettlingly cold presence of another body.
A vampire!
Alarm bells rang in Haldr's mind and he drew his left arm forward, winding up to deliver his elbow in a blow.
"Got you." The body at his back chuckled, low and teasing and very familiar.
Haldr's elbow stuttered to a halt as his brain registered the voice. He let out the breath he hadn't realised he'd held. Dark laughter echoed in his ear.
"That's not funny, Serana." Haldr scolded with an irritated snarl.
"Oh? Don't be such a sour puss." Serana was still perched on his back, arms and legs wrapped around Haldr's toned body for purchase.
"I almost hit you."
"You didn't though, and you wouldn't have hurt me even if you had." The vampire poked the hunter in the side, the unhurt side. "What are you doing in the lake this late at night?"
"Bathing, what else?"
Serana hoped down from his back, the light splash of the water was the first sound of her movement. "By moonlight? Are you so determined to be something's prey, or someone's?"
Haldr turned to level a glare at her, then instantly turned back, cheeks red, as he noticed her lack of clothing. "Gods, Serana, what are you doing?"
"Bathing, what else?" There a trickle of water which Haldr was certain Serana cleaning herself to prove her point. Haldr could almost hear the smirk on her lips.
"Aren't you being a little hypocritical?" Haldr drawled, smiling slightly in spite of himself.
"Hmm, you see, the difference is that I can take care of myself."
"I'm not an invalid, you know."
Haldr quickly received a sharp prod to his wounded side. He yelped in surprise and jumped away, almost slipping on the slick stones beneath his feet.
"I'm sure." Serana chuckled at his expense.
Slightly annoyed, Haldr ignored her. He took to focussing on cleaning himself. He heard a sigh from behind and the gentle sloshing of water as Serana padded up to him once more through the water.
The vampire snaked her cold arms around the hunter's torso. Haldr's breath hitched slightly but he didn't move away. "Do you really want to pout all night, Hal? Wouldn't you rather turn around and face me?" Serana breathed in his ear. Haldr was very aware of both his and her state of undress. The unspoken challenge hung in the air around them.
Haldr's mouth slipped into a smile and he chuckled as he turned in her arms. "That's not really fair, Serana."
"Vampire's don't fight fair, hunter." Serana smirked, throwing her arms around his neck casually. Her glowing amber eyes were filled with mirth and mischief. She shook her head with a couple of tuts. "There's so much I have yet to teach you."
Haldr was tempted to ask just what sort of things she had to teach, but then all of a sudden, her icy lips were on his and the question didn't seem to matter anymore.