"I wish I'd learned to ride a horse like mother," complained Lucinda. "All this walking is damn tiring."
"Mother didn't learn to ride a horse," replied Valeria. "She just sat on it. Father did most of the riding."
"I thought Vampires could fly," cut in Eleonora as they passed an empty representation of Whiterun.
"Only Vampire Lords can fly," answered Valeria. "Us princesses cannot."
"I never get weary of being called a princess," said Lucinda stoutly.
Valeria shook her head at this comment. They trudged past Whiterun. Its empty keep looming in the distance. Its presence was somewhat haunting. A blue haze hung over the deserted wilderness of Skyrim.
The door to Lakeview Manor burst open. Lilith entered. She leaned against the door frame panting.
"Betty," she gasped. "Where are the girls?"
"They went out to fight a Hagraven," replied Betty.
She gestured towards a piece of paper sat on the table. Lilith snatched it up and read it.
"Orphan rock isn't far from here," said Lilith. "They should be back by now."
Betty was unfazed. She sat in the corner and began licking her paw, in the manner which a cat would wash itself. Lilith lowered the paper and stared out of the window.
"Wait here until they come back," said Lilith.
She darted out of the door, slamming it behind her.
Lilith bolted along the dirt path towards the road. She made an abrupt turn back to Falkreath. She bolted along the road. The small keep of Falkreath materialised in front of her. She passed under the city gates and barged her way into the longhouse of the Jarl. At once she was greeted by the clinking of swords being drawn.
Lilith stood against the door, eyeing up the shiny steel swords pointed at her.
"It is unwise to run into a Jarl's palace with such speed young lady," he called.
Lilith swallowed heavily.
"State your purpose," he called to her.
"My Jarl," she began nervously. She looked at the swords.
The Jarl gestured for them to be lowered.
They lowered their swords. Lilith began to approaching him slowly.
"My Jarl," said Lilith. "The Volkihar sisters failed to return from the bounty on the Hagraven."
The Jarl looked surprised for a moment, followed almost immediately by disappointment.
"Pity," he said quietly. "I was hoping they would be more capable."
"No my Jarl," said Lilith. "Something is wrong. They should have returned hours ago."
"How are you aware of their misfortune?" asked the Jarl.
"I'm their guardian," replied. "I am Lilith. The Volkihar clan sent me to watch them."
"The Volkihar clan," said the Jarl. "I am familiar with you. We are most grateful of how you rid Skyrim of the werewolves."
Lilith gestured her head in gratitude. At that moment, blue light filled the room. Several beautiful women shimmered in behind her.
Lilith looked around to see several Soul-Squeezers standing at the door. They were positioned to avoid any means of escape.
"You were right," said the tallest. "The souls here are strong."
She looked up at the Jarl sitting on his throne.
"Oh look," she said. "This one is a Jarl."
She approached him slowly.
"And a handsome one too," she called.
She walked past Lilith and stopped. She turned to look at her. She then sniffed the air next to her and looked at her curiously.
"This one is a Vampire," she said.
Lilith shook her head in disbelief. She found it hard to believe that creatures who devoured souls couldn't tell the difference between a Vampire and a half breed.
"Vampire?" called one of the guards. "Kill her!"
The other guards raised their swords.
"I'm a Dhampir," corrected Lilith. "Stupid Daedrics. Can't you tell the difference?"
"Half breed or not," said the guard. "She should still be disposed of."
Lilith shook her and rolled her eyes. She then drew her silver elven daggers.
"If this is how you want it," said Lilith. "You'd prefer to kill the creature who wants to help, then the creatures who want to drink your soul?"
The guard looked from Lilith to the Soul-Squeezers. The tallest one took hold of the guard closest to her. She pulled him close to her and kissed him deeply. His body jarred and glowed a sinister white colour.
The soul-squeezer glowed white seconds later. She released him and his body fell to a heap on the ground. She wiped her mouth as if she has just enjoyed a magnificent feast.
"He was a little weak," she said. "I'll need another one."
She was about to grab a second guard. She threw her arms around him as he thrust his sword into her stomach. It ran straight through her and the blade appeared through her back.
Her eyes glowed black. She made a low grunt as he pulled her sword from her. She doubled over, her abdomen split open. She looked up at the guard. Her wound closed as she self healed. Seconds later the wound healed as she stood up to face her murdered. The guard gasped. A silver dagger cleaved through the air. It whistled past the guards face and slammed into her forehead. Lilith's aim was perfect. The dagger slammed right between her eyes.
The Soul-squeezer fell into a heap on the floor. Lilith strode across the room and pulled out her dagger from the dead creatures forehead. She turned to look at the remaining Soul-squeezers.
"You can leave or you can die like your friend," said Lilith threateningly.
They looked at each other.
"We'll be back half-breed," said Ruby. "You just wait."
She raised her hand. Blue light filled the room as they disappeared.
In this process, the Jarl had taken refuge in the bedroom. He peered around the door frame as the Soul-squeezers left. Lilith turned to him.
"Now," began Lilith. "Tell me about this bounty."