Chapter 6

After finishing her drinks with Faida, Serana wished Faida a good night, and she made her way back to her and Erik's room. Stepping into the room for the first time, she was hit with a pleasant smell. Looking around, she noticed that an opened window was softly blowing on a candle that was perched upon the window's sill. The wick lit with a blue flame.

Blue fire…

Wanting to investigate the candle, she moved closer to the window, but stopped whenever she heard a small whimper below her. Looking down at her feet, she saw Frost resting on a blanket. Her eyes soften at the sight.

He must be exhausted...

Not wanting to wake him, she crept towards the window slower; watching where she stepped.

After she made it to the window, she watched the fire flicker before she grabbed the candle. The glass was warm in her hands, as she pulled it closer to her body.

This fire… Erik must have lit it.

Even with it being a small flame, Serana could still feel the immense heat radiating from it. The color blue illuminated the skin on her hand, as she looked at the flame curiously.

Why is his fire blue? Have I seen this before?

Serana thought long and hard, but nothing came to mind. She shook her head slightly, as she put the candle back in its place.

Serana sighed and spun around. She made her way to the bed, and she sat down on its edge. The room was quiet, as she thought about the day's events.

Faida's story….about Erik. Could that be true?

She lingered on her question.

I'm guessing he wouldn't tell me.

Looking at the door, Serana sighed as the heavy silence continued.

I wonder what Erik and Johann are talking about-

She shook her head at her own thought, as she lightly tapped her forehead.

It's none of your business, Serana.

Looking around the room, Serana's eyes stopped at a small side-table that was right next to the bed. On its surface, it had two books laid upon it. Picking up the first book, she read the title.

'The Lusty Argonian Maid?'Huh, never heard of it.

Serana flipped open the book and started to read its contents. Skimming over the book's words, her eyes widened in slight shock. She felt her cheeks rise in temperature, as she closed the book quickly; making dust dance in the air.

"Nope!" She said with puffed up cheeks, slightly embarrassed.

As she laid the book back down on the table, the other book caught her eye. It was black, and its edges were worn down with age. On the middle of the cover, a silver dragon insignia rested in its place.

She picked up the book, and wiped the light layer of dust off its cover. Opening the book's binding, she read the title.

'The Book of the Dragonborn.'

She squinted at the book's title, curiously.

This is what Johann called Erik. There's a book on this?

She flipped through the book's content, and she read every word with attentiveness.

'Thost blessed by Akatosh with "the dragon blood" became known more simply as Dragonborn.'

'-those of us dedicated to the service of the blessed Talos, Who Was Tiber Septim. Very few realize that being Dragonborn is not a simple matter of heredity - being the blessing of Akatosh himself-'

Serana stopped and carefully reflected on what she was reading.

Being Dragonborn is a Blessing of Akatosh? And….Tiber Septim?

Serana was intrigued at what she was finding in this book, so she continued to read.

'The Nords tell tales of Dragonborn heroes who were great dragonslayers, able to steal the power of the dragons they killed-'

The Dragonborn is a slayer able to steal a dragon's power? ….A slayer, huh?

Serana thought back to a couple nights ago, when they encountered the coachmen. Her eyes lit up in realization.

That coachman...he called Erik, 'Slayer.' This is what he meant? I just thought he was referring to him being a vampire slayer...

Her eyes wandered slowly to the last line of the book.

'The World-Eater wakes, and the Wheel turns upon the Last Dragonborn.'

Her fingers touched the words on the page, as she read the line over and over again; trying hard to make sense of it.

World Eater? Last Dragonborn?

She couldn't tell if it was the drinks or the complex information, that she was trying to comprehend, that was making her feel slightly light-headed.

What does this all mean?

She sighed frustratedly, as she looked back at the book's worn pages.

I guess, being in the tomb for so long hasn't helped with my knowledge of history very much.

She decided to re-read the book to further comprehend it, but as she started to look over the first passage, the door slowly creaked open.

It startled her, so she quickly closed the book, and sat it on the bed.

"Erik! You scared the hell outta me."

The robed man walked in the room quietly, and when he was fully in, he pushed the door back into place.

Looking down at Frost, he said quietly, "You're going to wake him."

"Well, it's your fault. You're always randomly popping up places." Serana whispered loudly.

Erik looked at Serana, and his gaze slowly followed down to her arm, and to the hand that laid upon the book. His eyes hardened, but he didn't say anything as he sat down in the chair, next to Frost's bed.

I'm assuming, I shouldn't have read this...

Serana put the book back, and a heavy silence fell between them once again. Serana couldn't take the unbearable stillness, so she spoke up.

"How was your talk with Johann?" Serana asked.

"Fine." Erik said blandly.

Serana frowned at his non-emotional answer. She didn't want to push him, so she changed the subject.

"Um...Faida. I like her. She seems really nice." Serana said.

Erik pulled the staffs off his back, and he neatly stacked them in the corner of the room that was next to his chair.

He didn't respond to her, so she decided to push him this time.

"What Faida said...about you saving her. Is it true?"

Silence filled the room, as Erik glared at Serana.

"Why does it matter?"

Serana looked Erik in the eyes sincerely and said, "Because if it's true...you saved her life. She's alive because of you."

Erik lingered on Serana's face, but turned away after a while.

Looking out the window, he said quietly but firmly, "I didn't save Faith."

Serana was a little taken aback at the slight emotion she heard in his voice. His tone sounded a little...regretful.

"You knew her?" Serana asked in a gentle tone.

Erik nodded his head slightly, not saying a word.

A heavy silence fell between them, as Serana was hit with realization.

"Wait, it was hunters that...killed Faith, right? You're a Dawnguard hunter. Were those hunters not Dawnguard?"

Erik turned to Serana, his stare hard.

"No. They weren't. The Dawnguard isn't the only vampire hunter group in Skyrim."

Serana stared back at him, her eyebrows raised in confusion.

"So you knew what she was. You knew she was a vampire, so why? Why would a hunter try to save a vampire?" Serana asked genuinely.

"Why does it matter?" Erik asked, a little bit of agitation in his voice.

Erik's underlying harsh tone slapped Serana hard, and it caused her to lower her head. Serana stayed silent for a while, before speaking up again.

"She was important to you, wasn't she?" Serana softly asked.

Erik stayed quiet, so Serana asked, "Was she your….girlfriend?"

Turning his head towards her, he bluntly said, "No. She...didn't like people like me."

"What do you mean? Why didn't she like, 'people like you'?" Serana asked in a puzzled voice.

"She didn't like men." Erik said candidly.

Serana's confusion quickly turned into realization.

"So her….and Faida-"

"Were in a relationship." Erik said, completing Serana's sentence for her.

The room stayed silent, as Serana pieced together the puzzle in her mind. Her mouth broke into a soft smile, as she remembered how genuine Faida had been, when she was talking about Faith. Erik raised his eyebrow at her.

"Why are you smiling?"

Serana exhaled lightly, as she spoke.

"The way Faida talked about Faith..." She paused for a moment, but continued to say with a soft tone, "I'm happy that Faith had someone that deeply loved her..."

The room went silent, as Erik continued to look at Serana. She didn't even notice, until Erik spoke up.

"Why do you care?"

Serana raised her head, and she looked Erik in his eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"Why do you care that Faith had someone like Faida? You didn't know her."

Serana continued to stare at Erik, as she sighed.

"Just because you don't know someone, doesn't mean you can't be sympathetic to their situation. And-" She paused, and lowered her head a bit. Erik watched silently.

"And, I miss human compassion. I miss feeling the way humans feel. I miss….just feeling alive."

Erik squinted his eyes curiously at Serana. He noticed the slight longing in her face. After a moment of silence, he spoke.

"That's how you feel, even with what happened in the market?"

Serana nodded her head slightly, as she said, "Like I said, people have the right to be scared of vampires. Vampires are dangerous and malignant."

Erik turned his head away, as Serana said, "It just sucks that my eyes are a dead give away for what I am. Vanessa's mother-that's how she knew."

Erik slowly turned his gaze back to her, and he watched silently, as her head dropped in thought.

"I can change that."

Serana picked up her head curiously, as she turned to Erik.

"How?"

"Illusion magic. I know a spell that will make your eyes appear human."

Serana's eyebrows raised in perplexity.

"You can do that?"

Erik nodded in response.

"How? What do you have to do?" Serana asked.

Erik stood from his chair, careful not to wake Frost. He walked to the bed, and sat next to Serana; making sure the distance was adequate.

He started to remove the glove from one of his hands, and Serana watched curiously to see what he was going to do.

Turning to her, he said in a deep voice, "Relax."

He fully removed his glove, and Serana looked down at his hand. She was surprised to see how long his fingernails were. They were the length of hers, if not longer, and every nail came to a sharp point.

He turned to look at her, and he slowly started to move his hand to her face. She was confused, but she didn't say anything, as he pressed his thumb flatly on her forehead.

"What-" She tried to ask him what he was doing, but he slightly shook his head, telling her to stay silent.

His thumb was cold against her forehead.

After a while of complete silence, Erik began to mumble.

"Hazel."

Serana raised an eyebrow and asked, "Um, what?"

Erik looked her in the eyes and said, "Your eyes. They were hazel, before you were turned. When you were still human."

Serana's eyes widened, as bewilderment set in. How does he know that?

"How do you-" Serana was cut off, as a little, but bright purple light flashed in her eyes.

She winced and instinctively pulled away from Erik's hand.

"Umm, ow! What the hell, Erik? Can't you warn me before you, oh...I don't know, flash bright ass magic in my eyes?"

"You're welcome." Erik said sarcastically. He put his glove back on, and stood up from the bed. "It's done."

Serana touched below her eye and asked, "Really? How will I know that it worked?"

"You'll know, when people stop attacking you." Erik turned away from Serana, and he made his way back to the chair.

Serana scoffed and said, "Hey, jerk! That's not funny."

Erik ignored her, as he sat back down. Serana thoughtfully touched her eye.

I saw the light, but I didn't feel anything. I wonder if it actually worked.

Setting her hand down in her lap, Serana sighed softly. The room went silent, as her thoughts drifted to the book she was reading.

Is Erik really the Dragonborn? Everyone keeps calling him that, but…

She wrestled with the thought of asking him directly, but she also didn't know how he would react to her asking him such a personal question.

Deciding to risk it, she turned her head quickly to Erik and said, "Hey, Erik-" She paused, when she saw that his eyes were shut.

His arms were crossed against his chest, and his head was slightly tilted down. Serana could hear his steady breathing, as she continued to stare at him.

Is he...asleep?

Serana stood from the edge of the bed, and she slowly made her way towards Erik. He shifted slightly, as Serana approached closer.

"Erik?" Serana softly asked. He didn't move.

He must be exhausted. I haven't even seen him sit down, since I met him.

She didn't understand why, but her eyes softened at the sight of him sleeping. He was always so tense, but right now, he actually looked calm and relaxed.

She looked down at his chest, and to the spot where he got stabbed; a couple of nights before.

I wonder if it's healed. He said it would, but I never actually saw him bandage or heal it.

She instinctively reached for his chest, to check the wound, but paused just before she made contact with his body.

What the hell am I doing? He'd be so pissed, if he found out I touched him.

She shook her head, as she pulled her slender fingers away from him.

Turning back around, she sat on the bed and sighed. Not wanting her thoughts to be consumed with her father, she grabbed the book back from the table. After reading it over and over again, she decided to call it quits.

She leaned back in the bed and closed her eyes.

I can do this...right?

Her thoughts slowly drifted from her mind, and before she knew it, she fell asleep.

Serana opened her eyes, the bright sunlight blinding her. She moaned and tossed and turned around in the bed. After sighing in frustration, she rose up from the bed; yawning loudly. Stretching her arms above her head, she looked around the room.

Erik and Frost aren't here.

She decided she needed to go find them, so she began to get up from the warm, comfortable bed. She paused however, when she grabbed the blanket that was laying on her.

Did I put the covers on in my sleep?

She ignored the question, as she stood up from the bed. She walked towards the door, but stopped when she heard a familiar voice. Listening closer, she realized it was the little girl from yesterday.

Serana slowly pushed open the door, careful not to draw attention to it.

"-and when he was talking to my mom, Johann said you saved him from vampires; whenever you and him were kids!"

Who is she talking to?

Serana peaked her head around the door, and noticed that no one else was in the tavern besides the young girl, Vanessa, and Erik.

Erik was sitting in a chair that was next to the fireplace. Frost sat at his side.

The girl was in front of Erik, and she looked excited. She was ecstatically moving her arms around and mimicking explosions with her hands.

"Did he now?" Erik asked the young girl, chuckling slightly at her enthusiasm.

Vanessa threw her hands up and said passionately, "Yeah, he did! And he also said that you saved us from Alduin, The World Eater! That's so cool! You're a hero!"

The girl continued to talk to Erik, as Serana lowered her head down.

World Eater? So what it said in that book is true.

Serana lifted her head back up, and looked back towards Erik and Vanessa. Erik was leaning in his chair, his elbows resting on his knees.

"If I show you something cool, will you promise to help me with a favor?"

The girl shook her head furiously, and she smiled widely.

Erik's voice dropped to a low whisper, as he said, "Johann….he's very important to me. Will you promise to watch over him, while I'm not here?"

The girl's face lit up, as she happily said, "I will. I promise I won't let you down."

Erik and her both laughed, and it made Serana's face break out in a tender smile.

"Good." Erik said gently.

Holding out his hand, he asked, "Are you ready?"

The girl nodded her head excitedly, her face twisting in anticipation.

Serana watched as Erik's hand lit up in a subtle blue. Ice particles gathered into the air just above his hand, and when they stopped, Serana could see a very detailed sculpture of a dragon floating above his opened palm.

"Wow." The girl said in absolute awe, her eyes never leaving Erik's hand.

"Watch." Erik said to Vanessa.

Serana was just as enthralled as the girl was, and Serana's interest only furthered whenever the ice dragon flew from his hand.

Serana had to duck her head, as the sculpture flew right past her face. The dragon moved quickly around the room, its wings flapping like that of a real dragon.

The ice dragon left a little trail of snowflakes wherever it went. Flying high into the air, the dragon opened its wings, and let out little balls of blue fire, as it soared through the room.

Serana's eyes widened in amazement.

His magic...it's alive.

"Woah! It's amazing!" Vanessa said loudly. "How are you doing that?!"

The dragon flew back above Erik and Vanessa's heads.

"Magic."

And immediately after Erik finished his sentence, the dragon opened its wings wide, and it shattered into a million tiny ice particles. Blue and purple light reflected off the ice, back into Serana's eyes.

Beautiful…

The young girl giggled, as she began to twirl under the snowflakes. Serana could feel the joy the young girl was radiating, and Serana's smile became soft and tender.

After all the ice flakes fell, the young girl said, "You have to teach me that! That was so cool!"

Erik chuckled at the young girl's words, and Serana noticed the gentleness in his voice.

"If you promise to keep our deal, then I promise to come back and teach you."

"Deal!"

The young girl went to hug Erik, but paused when she saw Serana in the doorway.

"Princess!"

Vanessa ran to Serana, and hugged her tightly; almost causing Serana to stubble backwards. Serana giggled tenderly, as she patted the young girl's back.

"Hi." Serana said through laughing.

"Hi!" Pulling back, the girl continued to say, "Erik was just showing me some magic. It was sooo cool! You have to see it!"

Serana smiled as she said, "I saw."

She pulled Serana's arm to Erik, but stopped when she heard a voice call her name.

"Vanessa. Leave the woman alone."

Serana looked up to the voice, and noticed Faida had come from the back room. She had a basket of ingredients and vegetables in her arms, and a bright smile on her face.

"But, Faiddaa-"

"Ah, no buts, young lady. Go along. You know how your mother gets, when you stay here too long."

Vanessa hesitantly let go off Serana's hand, and lowered her head down.

"Okay..."

The girl slowly turned around, but before she left the tavern, she looked back towards Erik.

"You are coming back...right?" Her tone was sad and full of worry.

Erik looked back at her and said, "Yeah. I promise."

Her face lit up and she quickly ran to Erik, hugging him tightly. His eyes widened in surprise, but a second later, his eyebrows softened, and he patted the back of Vanessa's head. After what seemed like an eternity, Vanessa finally pulled away.

Tears filled up her eyes, and she tried to wipe them away, but they kept coming.

Erik lifted up her chin and quietly said, "Hey. It's okay."

"No, it's not! I don't want you to go!"

She started crying harder, and her eyes began to turn red. Her breathing became erratic, as she sobbed.

Serana and Faida quietly watched, as Erik looked down at the crying young girl.

Erik gripped softly on her arm and said, "I want to give you something."

Letting go of her arm, he reached into his back pocket, and pulled out a beautiful silver ring. In the middle, rested a bright blue gem that was the color of the bluest ocean.

"This ring...it belonged to someone who was very important to me. I want you to have it."

The girl picked up her head slowly and wiped away her tears. She softly reached for the ring, after observing it for a moment.

Erik turned over her hand, and placed in it the middle of her palm. He closed her hand, as he wrapped his fingers around her small hand gently.

"I want you to keep it safe. I promise I'll return, and when I do, I want you to show me the ring. This way, you'll know I'll come back."

The young girl smiled through her tears and said, "I'll keep it safe. I promise."

"Good." Erik said tenderly. He wiped away her last tear, as he continued to say, "Keep Johann and your mother safe. They need someone like you to protect them."

The young girl pulled away, with a smile, and said, "Okay. I will!"

Hugging Erik one last time, she waved goodbye to everyone, and darted out of the tavern. Erik sighed, when the girl left, and Serana looked at him in disbelief.

He was so good with her… I've never heard him talk to someone like that before…

Serana wanted to talk to him, but she stopped walking towards him, when she heard her name.

"Serana. Will you help me cut these ingredients? I'm preparing breakfast for everyone."

Turning her head around, Serana said, "Oh, sure."

She made her way to the table and grabbed a potato off the top of the pile. Faida handed her a knife, and they both started to cut away.

"How did you sleep last night?" Faida asked.

"Oh, very well actually. The bed was very comfortable."

Faida smiled and said, "Good. I'm glad you handled the drinks well. It can be tricky at the start."

Serana softly laughed, as she said, "Yeah, I definitely felt it a little."

Faida looked up at Serana's face and stopped cutting.

"Your eyes. They look human."

Serana was confused for a split second, before she remembered why.

So it did work...

"Oh, that. Erik did a spell on me, so I appear human. I don't want to scare anybody else, so…" Her voice trailed off, and the room became silent.

Looking at Serana, Faida said, "I'm sorry."

Serana raised her head back up and asked in a confused voice, "For what? You haven't done anything."

"I'm sorry that you have to hide who you are, because some people judge you, even when they know nothing about you."

Serana stared at Faida for a moment, before she said in a soft tone, "Ahh, it's okay. It didn't even hurt. Erik-"

Serana froze instantly, when she smelt blood entering her nose. Serana heard the clink of metal against the table, as Faida dropped her knife on the counter. She winced, and Serana looked down at her hand. Faida's finger was bleeding, and she shook it in pain.

"Ow! Son of a bitch!"

Serana dropped her knife and ran around the counter to help her.

She instinctively called Erik's name to help. But when he didn't respond, she looked up to see where he went. When she did, she saw him walking out of the door with Frost behind him.

What is he doing?

"Hey! Erik!" He ignored her, as the door closed behind him.

Knowing she wouldn't get his help, she turned back to Faida. After Serana got a good look at it, she was able to help patch her up with some bandage that Faida had in the back.

She helped Faida sit down on her stool, as she worriedly looked at the door.

"Go find him. I'll be fine."

Serana looked down at Faida and asked, "Are you sure?"

She shook her head and said, "It's nothing. A few drinks, and I'll be right as rain." Faida smiled, as she continued to say, "Now, go."

Serana let go of Faida's arm, but before she could walk away, Faida grabbed her hand.

Serana turned her head around curiously, and when she did, she saw a slightly worried expression on Faida's face.

"Listen. While you're out there, be careful….and watch over Erik. He needs someone like you. More than you know."

Serana took in what she said and shook her head understandably. When she did, Faida released her hand and smiled.

"I'll see you, Faida. Thank you for everything."

Faida nodded her head, as Serana walked over to the tavern's front door. With a big inhale, she opened the door and walked outside.

The sun was bright in her face, and she turned away; wincing sharply.

After her eyes adjusted, she looked around for any sign of Erik or Frost.

"Where did he go?" Serana said quietly to herself.

And why the hell did he run off like that?

She walked off of the tavern's porch, and made her way towards the market. As she was walking through, someone in the crowd waved her over.

"Hey!" She heard a man shout.

Looking around, she noticed that it was Johann. He smiled and made his way towards her.

Stepping in front of her, he said, "Hi, I'm Erik's friend, Johann. It's nice to finally meet you. I actually wanted to talk to you."

They shook hands, and Serana smiled.

"What about?" Serana asked.

Scratching the back of his head shyly, he said, "Umm, I'm sorry about what happened yesterday. But I want you to understand. Vanessa's mother, Taira, her husband….was killed by a vampire only a couple months ago. To say she's wary of vampires, is an understatement."

Serana's eyes soften in sympathy. "No, I understand. I'm sorry that happened to her and her daughter. Vanessa's a very sweet girl."

"That she is."

Johann turned to face the busy town as he said, "I'm glad you're not upset. I didn't want what happened to ruin your view of people or this town. We have good people here that care about each other. I hope you and Erik come to visit often."

Looking around Serana, Johann asked, "Speaking of Erik, where is he?"

Serana shrugged her shoulders and said, "I'm not sure. Faida and I were preparing breakfast, and she cut herself. After that, Erik just got up and left. He didn't tell me where he was going."

Turning to look at Johann, Serana asked, "Do you know why he would do that?"

Johann nervously chuckled as he scratched the back of his head, "Ahh, no. Sorry. I'm sure Erik will tell you, if you mention it to him though."

Yeah, right.

Looking towards the bridge, Johann squinted his eyes. He used his hand as a shield for the sun, as the bright sun soaked into his skin. Pointing across the town, he said, "I think I see him. On the bridge."

Serana looked closely, and noticed a tall robed man standing next to the bridge's edge.

"That would be him. Thank you, Johann. I hope to see you soon."

Serana began to walk away, but Johann stopped her.

"Before you go-" He paused and sighed. "I know we just met, but please, watch over Erik. He's….very important to me. I know him better than anyone. Maybe even better than he knows himself."

Serana and Johann looked at each other, and Serana could see the sincerity in his eyes.

"Even though he may deny your help, that's when he needs it the most, so please don't turn your back on him. He can be an asshole, but once you get to know him, he's a person you'll never want to be apart from."

Serana smiled as Johann pulled out a silver dagger from his back pocket. The dagger had a red ribbon tied around the handle, and there were inscriptions on the blade that she didn't recognize.

"Please, give this to Erik. He'll know what it means."

Johann placed the dagger in her hands and smiled. There was a silent understanding between, as they looked at each other.

Johann sighed and said, "Now, go. Before Erik does something stupid."

"Thank you, Johann. I hope to see you soon."

She turned around, and put the blade in her back pocket. She walked to the bridge, trying her hardest not to bump into anyone on the way there.

When she got closer to Erik, she heard him coughing and heaving loudly. He was leaning against the bridge's edge for support, and Serana noticed a purple bottle clenched his hand.

What is that?

His free hand was against his throat, and Serana could tell he was desperately trying to get air.

She ran up to him and asked in a worried tone, "Erik? Are you okay? What's going on?"

Serana instinctively reached for his arm, but he pulled away quickly; turning his back to her.

"I'm fine." Erik said in a slightly agitated voice.

Frowning, Serana said in a sarcastic tone, "Faida's okay. In case you were wondering."

He didn't respond, and Serana started to grow irritated at his standoff-ish attitude.

"Hey, what's your deal? Why did you bolt like that?"

He didn't respond again, so Serana walked in front of him.

Eyeing him down, she said sternly, "You know what? I'm getting really sick of this whole, 'mysterious loner' bit. Everytime I ask you a valid question, you blow me off. I haven't even been traveling with you for a week yet, and I'm already sick of your attitude."

The air became increasingly thick with tension. Erik was staring at Serana with a glare that could kill even the strongest of opponents. It intimidated her slightly, but her stance was unwavering, as she confidently stared back at him.

"Then leave."

Serana continued to stare at him, as he continued to say, "The only reason you're here, is because we share a mutual goal. But I can easily do this without you. Stay or leave. I couldn't care either way."

Serana pondered on his words, and she frowned in realization. After a long moment of silence, she spoke.

"Fine. Even though I think you have a horrendous attitude, I'll stay. We can do this faster, if we work together."

Erik didn't say anything else on the subject, as he looked up towards the sky.

"It's almost noon. Your Moth Priest better be close by or we're leaving."

Erik began to walk towards the other end of the bridge. Serana noticed Frost began to walk too.

"Your owner's a pain, isn't he?" Serana asked Frost quietly. Frost huffed, as he made his way towards Erik.

Serana followed, and soon enough, something in the distance caught her eye. She could make out a fallen carriage that was tipped over on the side of the road. Her nose filled with the familiar scent of blood, and she immediately knew something was wrong.

Running up to Erik's side, she was greeted with an unfortunate sight. Imperial soldiers were torn apart, as were the carraige's horses. A weak fire was burning the carriage's cargo, and Serana could smell burning flesh.

"What happened?" Serana asked, her hand covering her mouth.

Erik couched down and touched some blood that was splattered on the road. Rubbing it in between his fingers, he stood back up.

"Vampires."

Serana looked at him and asked, "How can you tell?"

"Who else could have done this?" Erik asked rhetorically.

Serana lowered her head and looked back at the bodies that riddled the ground. She stayed silent, as Erik turned his back.

Erik walked to the fallen carriage, and touched its side. He quietly rubbed the slightly burnt wood, and Serana watched him curiously.

What is he doing?

Knitting his eyebrows in thought, he said, "The Moth Priest was here, but when the vampires ambushed the carriage, he was taken by them."

How can he tell?

Serana decided against asking him, and instead said, "Okayyyy. Sooo where is he?"

Erik's eyes fell to the ground, and he looked up slowly into the distance.

"There's a blood trail that leads away from the carriage."

Serana followed his eyes, as she said, "Well, then. Let's see where it goes."

And without saying anything else, they began to walk.