It had been almost a month since Erik had taken Serana back home to Castle Volkihar. During the long weeks, Erik had kept himself busy by doing jobs and catching bounties to pass the time. Erik decided to roam around freely, and he noticed that he was coming up to the town of Ivarstead. He was about five minutes out, whenever he heard whimpering coming from a small shack that was nestled on the side of the road.
Erik scanned the building, but didn't see anything unusual. As he got closer to the shack, the whimpering got louder. Erik rested his hand against the cold wood, and slowly pushed open the already slightly ajar door. That's strange.
Before the door was even fully opened, Erik could already tell what he was going to find inside. He could smell blood and decaying flesh. His mask didn't help to cover up the strong, horrible stench.
It was a scent he knew too well, and his nose had become attuned to it.
The smell only got stronger, as Erik stepped inside. The air was heavy and still, and Erik could tell no one had been there for a couple of days.
He looked down and saw a middle-aged man laying on the floor, his chest ripped open. Old, curdling blood surrounded the man, the color now almost a black.
Erik looked down to the sound of the whimpering, and he noticed that a dog was nestled at the man's feet. It was a husky, and by the looks of it, he was still a puppy.
The dog was crying in pain, and Erik could see that one of the dog's legs was snapped in half. Erik slowly made his way towards him, but even when the dog spotted Erik, he didn't flinch.
The dog's eyes were heavy, and he looked incredibly ill. The dog never looked away from his owner's body, even when Erik crouched down beside him.
"What happened to you?" Erik asked the husky softly, his hand lifting up to touch the dog's head.
The dog's face twisted with worry, and Erik could see his muscles tense up a little, whenever he saw what Erik was trying to do. It looked like he wanted to run away, but he stayed still, him being too weak to move.
"Don't worry. I'm not going to hurt you." Erik said clearly, their eyes locking onto each other. The dog's eyes softened, as if he understood what Erik was saying.
Erik touched the soft hair on the dog's head and rubbed his fur slowly. While doing this, Erik looked down at the wound on the animal's leg. It's completely shattered.
"Let me help you." Erik's hand lowered down to the husky's leg, and he noticed that the dog was watching his every move.
Erik touched the broken leg, and the husky whined softly.
"This is going to hurt, but stay with me."
The dog stared at Erik silently, as he gripped his leg harder. Erik steadied his hands, and when he felt like the dog was ready, he pulled on the dog's leg roughly. Erik could feel the bone cracking, as he tried to set it.
The dog yelped loudly, as Erik snapped the pieces together. Even with feeling extreme pain, the husky never tried to pull his leg away. Erik patted the dog's side and tried to calm him down. Erik's hand illuminated a bright yellow, and he touched the open wound.
Erik watched as the dog's skin began to close.
The dog's face softened, and Erik could hear his heart beat become slower. Life looked like it was coming back to his eyes, and it seemed like he was a little stronger. Erik tore a piece of fabric off the end of his cape, and wrapped it around the dog's leg for support.
"There. Good as new." The dog looked at Erik, and after a moment, he tried to push up off the ground. His legs were a little wobbly, but he managed to stand.
Erik summoned an apple in his hand, and offered it to him. "Here. You're probably starving."
The dog sniffed his hand, and happily snatched the fruit from Erik's hand. He quickly scarfed it down, so Erik gave him a couple more.
As the dog was eating, Erik looked around the small shack.
There was one bed, a small dresser, and shelves that were lined up with a multitude of ingredients.
An alchemist.
Looking down at the deceased man, he couldn't help but notice a bite mark on the side of his neck. Erik crouched down, and turned the man's head. Using his fingers, he pulled on the man's skin to better expose the wound. Fang holes.
Why would vampires kill him? Why go through all this trouble for one man?
Turning his head around, a note laying on the dresser's surface, caught Erik's eye.
He picked up the slightly crumpled paper, and rubbed his fingers along the sharp edge. The note read:
"To my beloved daughter Luna,
This will be my last letter to you. I'm sorry for not staying in contact, like I know you wanted me too, but I was scared that they would find you. Luna, I've made a mistake. The vampires...they told me if I could make a potion that would stop the effects of the sunlight, that they would pay me handsomely.
I told them, yes. I wanted the money. I wanted the money for you and Tilus. You're so important to me, and I just wanted to give you a good life. Like a father should. I tried so hard, but the potions kept failing. And now, I fear that they'll come for me.
I told myself that I was doing this for you, but I realize now, that I should have just been there for you and my grandson instead. After your mother passed...I stopped being a father to you, but you still tried so hard to be a caring and loving daughter.
You took care of me, but I should have been the one doing that for you. When you went to school to become a bard, I was so happy that I cried tears of joy. I was so proud of you, Luna. I've always been proud of you. You're strong and kind, just like your mother. I couldn't have asked for a better daughter…
I love you, Luna. Tell Tilus I love him too, and that his grandfather fought bravely against the vampires. Take care, my little butterfly. I will always be with you.
With love,
Dad"
Erik folded the paper back, and he turned back down to look at the man.
So that's why..
The small husky sat quietly next to the body, his eyes heavy with sadness. The dog whined, and pawed at the man's arm softly. When Erik made eye contact with him, the dog nudged the man's arm with his nose.
Erik raised an eyebrow at the dog, and moved closer to the body. I should bury him..
Erik noticed the man had a small dagger and a blue amulet clenched in between his fingers.
Grabbing the items from the man's hand, Erik moved his arm under the man's back. Erik lifted the man unto one of his shoulders. Sticky, cold blood gripped tightly on the man's clothes. His body was ice cold and his joints were stiff.
Erik pushed open the back door, and walked into a small garden the man must have been attending to. The fresh air entered Erik's nose, as he softly laid the man down onto the grass. Pulling a shovel off the side of the man's house, Erik found a soft spot in the grass and started to dig. The husky sat next to the man's body, as he watched Erik in silence.
The sun began to set, as Erik was finishing up on digging the grave. Jumping out from the hole, Erik tossed to shovel to the side. The husky never left the spot, even when Erik picked up his owner's corpse.
The dog silently followed behind Erik, as he made his way to the deep hole. Placing the man's body down, Erik stood up and grabbed the shovel once more. He allowed the dog some time to see his owner one last time, before he started throwing the soil on his body.
Patting the soft dirt flat, Erik placed down the shovel. The sun fell lower, and Erik glanced at it in silence. Looking around, Erik grabbed a large piece of wood that he had found laying next to some Nightshade.
He pushed it hard into the ground, making the wood a sort of headstone for the man. Erik took the man's items from his pocket, as he crouched down next to the dirt pile. He placed the necklace up against the headstone.
Grabbing the note and dagger, Erik stuck the piece of paper against the wood. He then struck the dagger through the board quickly to hold it in place. Looking at the headstone, Erik softly said, "I'm sorry..."
Erik picked up some dirt from the man's grave, and slowly let it fall through his fingers. He sat in silence, as he softly closed his eyes, letting the cool breeze flow through his hood. He sat there for a while, but opened his eyes when he felt the dog's nose nudge his arm.
Erik turned towards him, and raised an eyebrow.
"What?" Erik asked the dog. The husky just continued to stare at him. Erik looked at the grave one more time and sighed.
"Yeah, yeah...I know." Erik pushed himself up with his arms, and he stood up slowly. The dog walked close to him.
Looking down at the small puppy Erik asked, "What should I do with you?" The husky just wagged his tail, happily. His tongue sticking out of his mouth.
"What am I doing, talking to you?" The dog turned his head sideways, as he sat down, still swaying his tail back and forth. Erik cracked a small smile, as he saw the once sad and ill dog, now more perked up and happy.
Erik cut his smile short, as he felt a pang of tension build up in his head. Looking down at his amulet, it shone a subtle blue.
"Isran." Erik bent down towards the dog and said, "We have to go." Touching the dog's fur, he vanished into thin air.
Whenever Erik appeared in front of Fort Dawnguard, he noticed that nothing was out of place. No fighting. No destruction. Why did he call me?
Erik walked to the front door, the small dog following close behind him. Opening the large wooden door, Erik could hear a man and woman fighting. Their words echoing against the hollow walls.
"-that's why I'm here. I'm trying to help you."
"No, you're just a lying bitch. You're a vampire. You can't be anymore than that."
The fighting stopped, whenever Erik walked into the entry room. Every member of the Dawnguard was circled around the entry. The air was thick and full of tension, and Erik could see it weighting down on everyone's face.
"Erik?"
Erik's head turned at the sound of his name, and saw a woman he never thought he'd see again.
Serana...
Erik stood in silence, and everyone was watching him.
"What are you doing here?" Erik asked in a questioning voice. Before she could answer, Isran butted in with a stern voice, "Yes, why are you here?"
Serana scoffed as she said, "What do you mean? I've been trying to explain it to you.
"Yes, well...I haven't been listening. I don't talk to filth."
Isran turned his head towards Erik and said, "It was asking for you, specifically. And I'd like to know why, before I make you get rid of this blood sucking fiend."
Serana turned towards Erik and said in a concerned voice, "Erik, I really have to talk to you. Can we talk somewhere-" She looked around the room and continued to speak, "More private?"
Erik pondered for a second, and he looked around the room, squinting his eyes at his fellow members. "Leave." Erik said in a low, deep voice. Without a second warning, the Dawnguard members fled the room, all of them except Isran, quickly running away.
Serana looked a little speechless, as she saw how easily everyone listened to him without question. Erik slowly followed his eyes to Serana's, and he spoke.
"Why are you here?"
"Believe me. I wouldn't be here, if I didn't have to be. But it's-" Serana cut herself short, but quickly began to speak once more, "It's my father. He told me what he was planning on doing with the Elder Scroll, and I didn't have anywhere else to turn."
Isran asked, "And why the fuck should we help a filthy vampire?"
Serana glared at Isran and sarcastically said, "I'm sorry. I thought this was a hunter's guild? You know, a guild that handles vampire problems? If you want my father to destroy the world, I can just leave if you'd like."
It was almost funny to Erik on how defensive she was.
Erik watched Serana's eyes glow with impatience, as he asked, "How did you find this place?"
Serana turned back to Erik and said, "Well, I was actually looking for you. After you dropped me back home, I knew something was wrong with my father. When he told me what his plans were, I knew I had to leave." She paused and pointed to her back.
"And if you didn't notice the giant thing on my back, I have the Scroll. I know my father is already sending his goons to find me, so I know I had to move quickly. You said you were a hunter, so I asked around and people said that there was a fort near Riften that hunted vampires. I thought this was the best place for me to start-" She paused and looked Erik in the eyes. "And it seems like I made the right choice."
Erik and Serana quietly continued to look at each other. Isran broke the silence by saying, "Wait. I'm I going fucking deaf? Did it just say that you dropped it back home, Erik?"
"Yes."
Isran grew agitated when he asked, "Why would you do that, and why the hell wasn't I informed?"
Erik broke eye contact with Serana and looked at Isran. "I sent you a letter."
Isran's head fell into his hands, as he said, "I didn't get a damn letter, Erik."
"The courier must be slow." Erik said in a monotone voice.
As Isran began sulking, Serana said in a serious voice, "Look, I wouldn't be here, if it wasn't important. My father...he has some kind of coffin hidden in the castle."
Erik looked at her quizzically and asked, "What do you mean?"
"Well, my father and I didn't really have the time for a friendly get-together, but supposedly, the coffin is housing a very powerful vampire. The coffin is surrounded with chains, and he said that a spell is keeping it locked. He believes that the Elder Scroll will tell him how to open it, so I stole back the Scroll and I came straight here. That's all I know. I swear it."
While Erik was in deep thought, Isran butted in.
"Aww, look Erik. It 'swears it.' Give me a break."
Serana eyes lit up, as Isran said, "I don't fucking trust your kind."
Her face twisted in frustration, as she raised her voice and said, "I'm not asking you to trust me, asshole. Hell, I'm not even asking for your help. I'm asking for you to help yourselves. I felt the energy that vampire was giving off, and I can tell you once he gets out, it won't be pretty, for you or me."
The room fell into a thick silence, and Erik looked at Serana blankly.
"You took a big risk coming here."
Serana shook her head slightly and said, "Yes, I did. But something about you makes me think I can trust you." Serana paused when the words exited her mouth. Did I really just say that?
"Well, um...at least for now." Serana added quickly.
Erik's mouth slightly smirked up under his mask. He thought it was funny how she slipped up on her words.
Isran stared at Serana as she said, "Oh, and if I didn't mention it already, in order to read an Elder Scroll, you have to find a Moth Priest. My father will no doubt, be looking for one."
"Then we'll just have to find one first." Erik said.
Isran looked at Serana and said, "A scholar came here not too long ago, and said he spotted a man riding in a heavily guarded Imperial carriage. Maybe that's your Moth Priest." Isran's words still sounded harsh, even though the words he spoke were not.
Serana looked at Isran and asked, "Do you know where it was going?"
"No. And I'm not planning on wasting men to find out. Check with the city guards for all I care." Isran's words dripped with venom.
Erik looked down at Serana and said, "We better move."
Serana's eyebrows rose as she said, "Wait. Right now?"
Erik stared at her and asked in a deep voice, "Is there a problem?"
"No, it's just that the sun is setting...and you need-"
"I'm fine. Let's go, before I change my mind." Erik cut off her words, and turned to walk out of the front door.
Serana rushed in front of him and said, "Hey, wait up. Geez." She walked out of the front door first, leaving Erik standing by himself. Erik reached to push open the door, but Isran's voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Wait."
Isran walked towards him, and Erik turned his head back. Isran grabbed something from his back pocket and out-stretched his hands for Erik to see. Erik noticed that he had a couple of small purple bottles filling up his hands.
"Here. I had Florentius make you some more for the road. I know you need them."
Erik reluctantly reached out his hand, and took the bottles from Isran. Grabbing them firmly in his hands, the bottles vanished and Erik looked back up at Isran.
"That vampire has some spunk. You better watch yourself out there, kid."
Erik nodded his head slightly, as he turned around and pushed against the large doors.
Here we go...