The gates of Markarth materialised in front of her. The breeze rippled Ruby's long, blonde hair. She held onto the hilt of her sword as she walked. Her armour clinked as she moved. Markarth was a former Dwemer city. She approached it and stopped a few feet from the gate to admire the architecture. Despite being built thousands of years ago, they structures didn't look it. Her brown eyes narrowed as she took in the details. Tall circular turrets has been seamlessly woven into the masonry. Large stone steps lead up to a pure bronze gate. The said bronze door was flanked by two guards dressed in gold Dwemer plate armour complete with helmets, shields and longswords, all gold. Several watch towers had been constructed around where she stood, all of them housed guards looking down at her. Behind her, she could hear the activities of the stables.
She looked ahead of her and made her way up the stairs. The guards watched her as she ascended the stairs. She walked past them, nonchalant firmly fixed with her eyes in front of her. She pushed open the gate and was greeted with the bustle of Markarth. Her eyes moved this way and that, as she took in the city. After being stuck in a mountain for so long, she enjoyed experiencing these new places.
She glanced at the building in front of her. She was looking for a tavern. This was proving to be difficult however because all of these buildings looked almost exactly the same. She had to start somewhere. She looked around and approached the building in front of her. She opened the door and stepped into the Silver Blood Inn. It was a large room with a roaring fire which created sinister shadows on the stone walls and floors.
"What do you need my lady?" asked a croaky voice at the bar.
Ruby strolled up to the bar and perched herself on a stool.
"I need a man," she replied quietly.
The barman straightened up.
"Well,"he said in an air of confidence. "My name is Kleppr. If it's a man you need I'm sure I can..."
"A man who is good at fighting," said Ruby cutting off his soliloquy.
Kleppr gave her a reproachful look. He then pointed to a shadowy figure sitting at by the fire.
"Talk to Vorstag by the fire," replied Kleppr.
Ruby smiled at him. She stood up with Kleppr checking her out as she did so. She strolled over to the fire and took a seat opposite a Nord with long, blonde hair. Similar to hers but darker. He had small beady eyes and red warpaint covering his face.
"I hear you are good at fighting," said Ruby sweetly.
Vorstag looked up at her. She was sitting in a position that put her petite figure into the firelight. He glanced at her thick thighs and prominent chest.
"I've had my fair share yes," he replied.
"Wonderful," she replied. "How much does it take to hire you?"
He looked at her.
"500 gold," he said. "Not a coin less."
Ruby leaned forward to allow her smooth skin to glint in the firelight.
"I only have 400," she said in a seductive manner. "How about we come to some arrangement?"
Vorstag blinked.
"500 gold," he said. "Or there will be an arrangement that you won't like."
Ruby sighed. Her seduction tactics had seemingly failed on this mortal. It seems that some men were immune to her charms. She pulled out her leather pouch and threw a coin bag on his lap. He picked it up, determined that there was 500 coins in it and shoved it into his own pouch. He then stood up and picked up his steel sword, sliding it into his scabbard. He looked down at Ruby.
"Are we going or not?" he asked gruffly.
Ruby stood up. She strolled across the tavern towards the exit. Vorstag hesitated and followed close behind her. She opened the door and lead him out of the tavern.
"Where are we headed?" asked Vorstag.
"Anywhere in particular you want to avoid?" asked Ruby.
"None really," replied Vorstag. "I'll fight by your side as long as you want. It's your money you are spending."
"I've heard of some trouble up at Misty Mountain," said Ruby. "The Jarl could reward us if we investigate and kill whatever is causing trouble there."
"I like the sound of that," said Vorstag. "Let's get moving."
Lilith stood on the guard bridge above the gate to Falkreath. She leaned on the wooden railing looking out over towards Lake View manor. She could see the smoke issuing from the chimney. She raised her other hand to her mouth and took a swig from the bottle of ale she was holding. She had pulled her hood over her head as she leaned against the railing. She looked down to see something odd. Two figures dressed in long black robes. She silently crept along the bridge to get a better look at the newcomers.
They were indeed in black, hooded robes and their faces were covered in some strange mask. It was hard to tell from this angle but the design was almost bull like in nature. A bull mask? Why would there be people wandering around Skyrim in a bull mask? Her first thought were cultists, but these two seemed a little more sinister than cultists. The duo entered the city and continued walking along the stone path towards the Jarl's longhouse.
Lilith snuck along the wood, careful to make sure her boots didn't echo on the woodwork.
"I can see the sigil on the shields," said one. "This must be Falkreath."
"What about the manor?" asked the other. "We were told it was in Falkreath."
Lilith threw herself against the wall at the word 'manor'.
"No," corrected the first one. "We were told it was near Falkreath."
"Let's go ask in that Tavern," said the second one.
They turned and made their way inside the tavern. Lilith followed them. She dived into a bush and remained motionless. The duo entered the tavern and closed the door behind them. Lilith pulled a vial from her pouch. It contained a clear liquid. She downed it in one and instantly became invisible. She crept towards the door, she swung it open and closed it silently.
"No," said the first robed creature. "We don't want a drink. We are looking for Lake view manor."
Lilith froze. She ducked behind a nearby chair and listened hard.
"Why do you want to go there?" asked the barman. "It's private property owned by the Volkihar sisters."
The robed creatures looked at each other.
"We would like to..." said the first creature thinking carefully. "...Pay them a visit."
The barman looked at them both. He had seen his fair share of 'magical creatures' to understand what 'paying them a visit' meant.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I'm not at liberty to disclose where they live. It's not my business."
The second creature ignited fire in his hands. His companion tapped his arm. The fire extinguished and he pointed to a chair not far from them.
"Come out Dhampir," said the robed creature.
Lilith looked confused. She was invisible, how could these creatures see her?
His companion was about to say something but he silenced him.
"Little Dhampir," he said. "Behind the chair, come out."
She remained motionless. She reached for her dagger.
"Touch that dagger and you won't be touching it again," said the robed figure menacingly.
There was a faint pop. Her invisibility had worn off. She sighed and stood up.
"Nice to see you," said the robed figure. "I wonder why a half mortal Vampire is hiding behind a chair invisible while we are talking to the inn keep."
"Why do you want to go to Lake view manor?" asked Lilith. "What are you Vigilants of Stendarr?"
The robed figures chuckled.
"Those mortals who hunt Daedra?" asked the second robed figure. "Don't be so droll."
"Then who?" asked Lilith looking at them.
She took in their long black robes and their silver bull masks covering their faces. The bull was familiar. She was sure she had seen it somewhere before...but from where? She wasn't sure.
"We spread the word of the Daedric Lord of Vampires," said the robed figure.
Lilith looked at them. She knew who that someone was.
"Why does this Lord send his minions to find the Volkihar sisters?" asked Lilith. Her hand rested above her dagger, waiting for the right time to throw it.
"He just wants to see that his...subjects are continuing his work in the proper way," replied the robed figure.
"I'm sure the Volkihar sisters want nothing to do with whatever his work is," said Lilith.
"Indeed," replied the robed figure. "They have a Dhampir as their guardian. How far the Volkihar clan has fallen."
He smirked.
"Come," he said to his friend. "We will find the sisters another way."
His companion followed him out towards the door.
"We will meet again Dhampir," said the robed figure.
"When we do," replied Lilith. "It will be the last time."
The robed figure looked at her once more before exiting. The second figure looked at her before following his companion.