The Wolf Queen Returns
It was late in the evening when there came a knock at the door. Serana raised her head from the pillow. Her mind felt hazy and it took her a moment to remember where she was. She got up, the furs slipping from her as she rose from the bed and headed for the door to their room. Whoever it was, was very insistent upon being heard. It was a wonder they hadn't woken the old Orcish innkeeper. She crossed the room to the front door and pulled it open. Standing on the porch was a young man in his late twenties with ginger hair and beard. He wore a patched and frayed jerkin and breeches and carried a worn looking satchel.
"I have a letter here for Mistresses Emily and Serana," he said, pulling a letter from the satchel.
"I'm Serana," said Serana. She reached into her purse and took out five gold septims, dropping them into the waiting hand of the courier before taking the letter. She recognised the official seal of Solitude and after closing the door she made her way back to the room she shared with Emily. She nudged her companion as she sat down on the bed and Emily rolled over, yawning.
"What is it?" she asked.
"We've got a letter," Serana replied, "From Solitude." Emily pushed herself up into a sitting position and took the letter from Serana.
"How did they find us all the way out here?" she asked. Serana shrugged her shoulders.
"A clairvoyance spell of some sort I imagine," she replied, "Or an item enchanted with such an effect." Emily opened the letter and scanned the writing.
"Oh dear," she said. She looked over at Serana. "We'd better head back to Solitude. Potema's returned."
As soon as they had dressed they left the Inn. Emily summoned Arvak once they had left the village behind and they galloped off into the night.
It took them four nights to reach the city of Solitude and as they drew near Emily was relieved to see no ghosts wailing about or zombies trying to knock down the doors or whatever you would expect to see when an undead necromancer queen was trying to take the city.
They left Arvak out past the watchtower and ran the rest of the way on foot.
"We need to speak to Falk Firebeard," they demanded of the guard outside the Blue Palace, "It's urgent!" After showing the guard the official seal he quickly opened the door and let them in without another word.
They found Falk Firebeard pacing the floor of the foyer and he looked up and breathed a sigh of relief when he caught sight of them. "Good, you got my letter," he said.
"Where's the Wolf Queen?" Emily asked, "Has she made it into the city yet?"
"Not yet," Falk replied, "It seems that by interrupting the ritual she hasn't returned to full power. All would have already been lost if she had so we've been granted that small mercy at least."
"So, in what kind of form has she returned?" Emily asked.
"Spirit form," Falk replied, "She's fled to her old catacombs where many who were loyal to her in life are now buried."
"So she's got her own little army down there?" said Serana, "Perfect."
"You'll have to talk to Styrr," Falk explained, "He's the head priest of Arkay down in the Hall of the Dead. He'll know how best to deal with Potema."
"Right," Emily replied, "We'd better go at once."
The Hall of the Dead was located in a small chapel not far from the Blue Palace. In the grounds was a large cemetery where many of Solitude's citizens had been buried over the centuries. Flowers lay on the graves of some and nightshade grew wild among the headstones. Cemeteries were eerie places to Emily, filled with a kind of great unknowing she could not describe and she could not recall ever having walked into one willingly before. She pushed open the small wooden door at the side of the building and they stepped inside.
Styrr was an old man, stooped and bald with a wrinkled face and a dry cracked voice.
"I see," was all he said when they explained their reason for being there. He turned to a bookcase then and began scanning the rows of books, running his finger along the line of dusty tomes. Then he pulled one down and handed it to Emily.
"You may find this spell useful," he said, "As I'm sure Falk Firebeard will have told you, she's gone to her old catacombs. A deadly necromancer in life and in death, she will have her followers at her disposal."
"So we heard," said Serana, "And how do we get into these catacombs?"
"Normally I'd tell you, you can't," said Styrr, "They were sealed off after she was buried. I'm sure you can imagine why." Emily nodded. "But one of her followers broke through into the Temple of the Divines," Styrr continued, "We locked off that area." He took a key from his robes and dropped it into Serana's hand.
"You'll need this to get in," he said, "You'll need to recover her remains and bring them to me to be sanctified by Arkay. But watch out, even in spirit, Potema is a force to be reckoned with. I wish you both luck."
"Thank you," said Emily before she and Serana turned and left the Hall of the Dead.
Emily looked at the cover of the book Styrr had given them as they made their way along the city streets.
"Turn undead," she said, "Sera, can we use this? Being undead ourselves?"
"It can be done," Serana replied, "But it would be difficult. We'd be fighting against our own nature to cast it."
"Right, so just stick with lightning and frost then?" Emily asked. Serana nodded. "Will you be alright?" Emily asked, "Going through the temple I mean. Or would you rather wait behind?"
"Not happening," Serana replied without hesitation, "Potema's dangerous. I mean, she could teach my mother a thing or two about necromancy and that's saying something. I'm sure I can stand a few minutes under a temple roof."
They climbed the stone steps next to the entrance to Castle Dour. The streets were quiet and the two legionnaires they saw standing on either side of the ornate metal doors were the only souls they encountered on their journey to the temple. The temple was a grand building with great stained glass windows and tall arching doors. Its spires reached high above the city, competing with even the Blue Palace for importance.
Emily pushed open one of the great heavy doors. The interior was lit by candles of all sizes on spindly curved stands. They stood on the tables and shelves, casting a dim orange glow about the upper levels. Emily looked back at the vampiress who hesitated on the threshold. On catching her gaze Serana smiled reassuringly but Emily saw the unease showing through. She took her hand and together they stepped across the threshold, allowing the heavy door to close behind them.
They followed the candles down a flight of stone steps to the main chamber. As the hour was late many of the priests had retired for the night. One remained, praying at the shrine of Arkay that stood in the alcove alongside the other shrines dedicated to the Eight Divines. Emily quietly approached the man.
"We're here about Potema," she said in a hushed voice. She was quickly realising that this was a name not to be spoken lightly.
The priest looked up quickly. "Good," he said, "Falk told me he'd sent for someone. I certainly hope you can put a stop to this." He led them to an area apart from the rest of the temple. Barring their way was a locked gate. Beyond the gate the wall had been knocked down and in the rubble strewing the floor was the body of a draugr, its desiccated face drawn back in a soundless snarl. Serana put the key in the lock and opened the gate. They passed through and locked the gate behind them. Then, bidding the priest farewell, began their trek down into the catacombs.
The corridors they found themselves in were evidently ancient though built in the same recognisable style as much of Solitude's interiors; the same solid bricks wedged and sealed tightly together. Ceramic pots with long dead shrubs decorated the ends of the corridors, their spindly withered limbs grasping at the air like old knobbly fingers. Cobwebs and dust lay thick on every surface and here and there a rat dodged away, squeaking loudly, from the magelight Emily had conjured on her palm. It looked as though, once upon a time, this area had been used for storage as there were a great many crates and barrels piled up along the walls. Moss hung from the archways as they made their way through them. Ahead Emily saw the way was blocked by iron bars and she shone her magelight about, looking for a switch or a lever that might aid them in their path. The light fell upon a strange carving of a woman in flowing robes and a hood bearing the likeness of a wolf. She had a stern arrogant face and held her arms in a commanding gesture as her followers brought her treasures and gifts.
A sudden icy wind blew through the otherwise still catacombs and a voice echoed around her. "You've arrived at last," it said, "The heroines who prevented me from being bound return to my fold. I have much to thank you for, little ones. When you die I will raise you and you can take your place by my side."
"You're a little late, Wolf Queen," Serana spoke up, "A thousand years too late." Emboldened by Serana's words Emily too spoke. "We're here to stop you."
"That is what you think, little one," the Wolf Queen replied, "But soon you will see things my way." As the voice faded, the iron bars slid away and they continued on into the darkness.
They had not gone far when they heard a growl in the darkness and Emily turned to see a draugr looming up out of the shadows, blue eyes burning in the pitch blackness. He carried a battle axe which he was raising above his head. Emily leapt to one side, drawing her dagger as Serana followed suit. The axe came crashing down where they had been standing mere moments before and a wave of sparks flew out in all directions. Emily seized her chance and loosed a bolt of lightning at the draugr. It rippled across its dry cracked skin and it gave a roar of pain, wheeling around and running at her. Emily changed tact, dodging behind a stack of crates as the draugr lunged again. It did not get far as a second bolt slammed into it from behind and it collapsed with a moan.
Emily stepped over the draugr and followed Serana down the tunnels. The tunnels were long and winding, lit here and there by a few pale candles. Emily found herself wondering how far below the city they had gone. At the end of one of the corridors water was cascading down one of the walls and it pooled about their boots.
"I wonder where this water's coming from," said Emily.
"Best not to ask that," Serana replied, "Solitude's one of the few cities in Skyrim to have a full working sewage system." Emily wrinkled her nose at the possibility.
"The less said the better then," she said as they sloshed through the water and headed down the steps. This brought them to a darkened room and Emily halted in the doorway, signalling for Serana to do the same. She pointed to the draugr standing at the far end of the hall before retrieving Auriel's bow and nocking an arrow. The air whistled and there was a burst of light as the arrow struck the draugr which crumpled to the ground.
"What was that?" came a voice from down the stairs just beyond and there came a sound like a chiming bell. The draugr they had just felled was surrounded by blue swirling light that slowly lifted it to its feet.
"Damn it," muttered Serana, "Looks like some of our own have moved in here." Then Emily spotted the Dunmeri vampiress, flanked by the draugr she had enthralled. Red light spilled from her palm and Emily hurriedly summoned a ward. The ward shattered and a moment later the light struck her. She felt it pulling at her as she dodged behind a pillar, breaking contact. She summoned a bolt of lightning on her palm and leapt out, launching it at the vampiress. It missed, striking the wall behind her. Serana closed in on the draugr and slashed out with her blade. The blow tore a great gash in the draugr's chest and it staggered back, its body turning to ashes as the spell over it wavered and broke. Then the two of them rounded on the vampiress. The Dunmeri vampiress' eyes flicked between them as the red light danced on her palms. Suddenly she vanished from sight and they heard running footsteps closing in on them. Serana struck out at the air with her blade and Emily saw a splatter of blood erupt from the empty air. Then the vampiress reappeared, sprawling out on the ground, blood pooling on the stone floor.
With the Dunmeri vampiress dead they made their way down the wooden stairs to what looked to have once been a dining area of sorts. Crudely built wooden chairs were stacked upon a wooden table and the floor was covered in a thick film of oil which dripped from the hanging lantern swaying on a rope above them. Ahead of them lay another iron gate and beyond that the seemingly never ending tunnels continued. On one of the walls a draugr stood in the traditional Nord burial pose, crossed by two ancient-looking battleaxes that seemed more ornamental and functional. The floor in front of the corpse was raised slightly and Emily could see the vents in between the stone slabs, betraying a fire trap's position. They avoided it and continued on. An iron portcullis momentarily stopped their progress until Serana spotted the lever hidden in the shadows.
Presently the manmade stone corridors briefly gave way to natural caverns. Moss grew on the rocks and a beam of moonlight shone through a hole in the ceiling.
"We must be in the rock archway itself now," Emily said as she rested a hand on the rock wall. Serana listened, putting out a hand to stop her. She motioned towards the shadows and Emily saw two pinpricks of red light: another vampire. Carefully she slipped her bow from her back and nocked an arrow, squinting into the shadows. The air whistled and their came a low moan as the arrow found its mark and the vampire slumped to the ground, allowing them to continue on.
Past the dead vampire the cavern gave way once more to stone corridors dimly lit by candles in small metal lanterns. The ground underfoot was wet and ahead Emily saw the shimmer of water. The lower half of the chamber was completely submerged. The water was still and stagnant, filling the air with a dank odour that clung to their noses. Emily covered her mouth and nose with her cloak as they walked alongside the body of water. As Serana took a step closer to the light that lay ahead of them she felt the ground move unnervingly below her boot and there was an audible click. As something flashed in her peripheral vision she grabbed Emily and darted back. There was a whoosh of stale air and a spiked gate swung round, crashing into the stone pillar and jarring loose small bits of stone and grit.
"You alright?" Serana asked Emily.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Emily replied, "Close one, that. I guess they didn't want anyone coming down here to steal any treasures Potema might've had."
Again the manmade stone tunnels gave way to a natural cavern, larger than the one before. They stood with their boots peeking over the edge of the ledge, looking down into the water far below. Ahead, at the far end of the cavern, they could see a structure much older than anything they had encountered thus far. It reminded Emily of the old Nordic barrows she had seen on her previous adventures with the vampiress; the nigh circular entranceways and ridged grey stone that lined them.
"Looks like the only way is down," she said, turning her attention back to the water. Serana nodded.
"On the count of three?" said Emily, "1…2…3!" And with that they leapt from the ledge. The air rushed past them as they fell and the water seemed to rise to meet them. It was cold and seeped deep into Emily's armour. This water, too, was stagnant and Emily quickly scrambled to the edge of the pool and pulled herself out. She felt a bath would definitely be welcome after this venture. She turned back to the pool and reached out, grasping Serana's hand and pulling her from the murky water.
"Disgusting," she said, spitting out a mouthful of the fetid water, "Potema had better appreciate all we went through to reach her."
The Nordic barrow was a stark contrast to the tunnels and caverns they had passed through. It was much darker with fewer candles to light the way. Even their vampiric senses were having difficulty in seeing into the farthest corners and Emily had conjured a ball of magelight that she now bounced on her palm. The entrance was protected by a stone wheel with a gate set into it and a lever sat on a pedestal. Unlike most levers she had encountered this one could move in either direction and controlled the direction the stone wheel slowly spun in, grinding against the wide stone groove it was set into. As Emily pulled the lever in one direction the wheel began to slowly revolve. The sound of the stone grated on her ears and she was glad when the metal gate came into sight and opened, allowing her to return the lever to its original position and halt the motion of the wheel. Ahead of them a fire burned brightly in a brazier and Emily dispelled the magelight as she stepped through the archway. There were carvings on the walls on either side of them and Serana stopped, examining one of them. Emily joined her. The carving was similar to the one they had heard in the corridor where they'd heard Potema's voice. A woman with a hard stern face presiding over her followers as they brought her tribute. Each section of wall was covered in carvings of this nature.
"We must be getting close," she said. At the heart of the chamber, in front of the fire, was an alchemy lab like the one she'd often used at Angeline's Aromatics.
"Was she an alchemist too?" she asked Serana.
"Likely," Serana replied, "A lot of the rituals performed by necromancers require at least a basic knowledge of alchemy. The proper preparation of bone meal and certain oils and unguents needed to prepare an ancient body for reanimation."
At the far end of the long chamber was a heavy iron door. The ancient stone corridors that lay beyond were more unkempt than the ones they had just passed through. Moss grew on every surface and the stones they walked upon were cracked and uneven. Parts of the tunnels lay in ruin, rubble strewing the floor and cobwebs hung in thick swathes from the ceiling. A great rumbling could be heard in the distance and they followed it until they came to a tunnel blocked by three revolving doors set in motion.
"How long must this mechanism have been running?" said Emily as she rested a hand on the nearest lever, "We're lucky it's still going. I guess these Nordic contraptions were built to last. You're lucky if your average earth gizmo lasts two years." One by one she moved the levers to their central position, bringing the revolving gates to a halt.
In the chamber beyond Serana slid her bow from her back and pointed towards the far end of the room. Floating above two pedestals were a pair of purple soul gems, glimmering in the candle light as they bobbed up and down. Serana had explained the soul based traps to her before. They would loose one of the basic elements of destruction magic when they detected movement. Unfortunately, fire was a favoured element. Emily drew her bow and shot the first gem off its pedestal while Serana took out the second. They recovered the gems and put them in their pack before continuing on.
"I wonder how much further we still have to go," asked Emily, "We must be really deep below the city by now."
"Halt immortal," said a voice from further along the tunnel. Ahead it opened out into a wide chamber and a man, evidently a vampire, in full steel armour was addressing them.
"You've come far," he continued, "No doubt you seek to enter Potema's sanctum. I can see to that."
"Why do I get the impression you aren't just going to lead us meekly there," said Emily as she raised her bow.
"Correct, immortal," he replied, drawing a blade and advancing on them, "We'll need plenty of fresh corpses to rebuild her army. And they don't get much fresher than yours." Then he lunged. Emily dropped to one side, swapping her bow for her blade as he swung at her. Serana rushed him, her blade crashing down on his armoured back. He rounded on her and Emily saw her chance, jamming her blade into the unarmoured gap at the back of his knee. He yelled, doubling over in pain and grasping hold of his knee. In the instant that he dropped his blade Serana rammed hers home just above his breastplate. He scrabbled at the blade for a few seconds before going limp and sliding off the end with a moan.
When his twitching stilled they turned their attention to the heavy wood and metal doors. On the far side was a tunnel which led down a steep incline to another door made entirely from metal, carved into intricate patterns.
"I think we're here," said Serana as she rested a hand against the door, pushing it open. Emily shifted her dagger in her palms, taking a deep breath as they stepped over the threshold. They crept through the dusty catacombs, dry as the bones of the dead it housed and ridden with cobwebs. Emily found herself wondering how anything much could survive so deep underground. There was a fire burning in a brazier set on top of what looked to be an altar. She kept close to Serana as they followed the corridors further into the Sanctum. As another door was opened she recoiled slightly. The floor before her was littered with corpses. Most of them were draugr, easily told apart from the vampires by their desiccated flesh and ancient raddled armour. The gate on the far side was locked tight.
"There must be some sort of lever around here somewhere," said Serana as her eyes scanned the walls.
"Not much further, little things," came the voice of the Wolf Queen, breaking the silence within the sanctum, "Come, serve me in death." As the voice faded away once more blue energies emanated from the carving on the wall, undulating about them and three of the corpses littering the floor. A vampire and two draugr rose from their eternal slumber, drawing their blades and fixing them with an ice cold stare. The draugr uttered warning growls, flanking the vampire on either side. Emily and Serana backed toward one another, eyeing their opponents. The vampire seemed the biggest threat, more sure in his movements. Red energies pulsated around his palms. Emily hurriedly brought up a ward as the red energy gushed forth. It struck the ward and rippled across its surface. Serana turned her attention to the first draugr as it advanced on them, raising its sword above its head.
"Unslaad krosis," it bellowed. Serana brought her blade up to meet its sword and pushed against it, throwing it off balance. She lunged forward, plunging her dagger into its chest. It roared, thrashing about and Serana held on like grim death until it staggered and fell. She retrieved her dagger and turned on the second one as a bolt of lightning struck the vampire, knocking him back against the wall. Emily rounded on the second draugr, lightning still leaping from her palms.
The final draugr fell shortly after and the gate opened, allowing them passage. As Emily dispelled the lightning on her palms she became aware of a new energy. It filled every passage of the ancient sanctum and made the hairs on the back of Emily's neck stand on end. It was the same energy she had felt each time the Wolf Queen spoke to them. The source of the energy was close by and as they opened the final door they saw her. She hovered above the ground in the centre of the burial chamber, blue energies surrounding her formless body. They could not make out any discernible features as they stared up at the spirit. Then the spirit spoke and her voice seemed to emanate from every corner of the room at once.
"You've come far, immortals," she said and Emily got the distinct impression that the spirit was smiling, a grim smile of expectation, "But can you stand against my inner council? Let's see." At her words three draugr rose to meet them and the spirit began to circle overhead, loosing streams of lightning which bounced off the walls and floors, electrifying every surface. The ledge on which they stood split in two before them and along the walls on either side sat iron sarcophagi. It was from there that Potema's inner council was stirring. Emily and Serana split up, each taking one side of the ledge. The first draugr that rose to meet them just as quickly fell and were just as quickly replaced. As Emily plunged her dagger into one she turned and recoiled to see one she had defeated only moments before regaining its feet, blue energies swirling about it.
Emily looked to Serana and saw that she was in a similar situation. They would be quickly overrun at this rate. She beat back another draugr before leaping at a large stone that had evidently fallen from the ceiling sometime over the centuries. She scrambled up where she stood atop it and made the symbol of Oht in the air, punctuating it with a thrust of her open palm. The air about her crackled and purple flames erupted at the foot of the rock. From it sprang a spectral cheetah, spotted hackles raised. It dashed at the draugr, joined by a spectral wolf and they flung themselves into the fray.
Emily glanced over at Serana who was commanding the wolf. A snarl sounded at her feet as two more draugr closed in. One wielded a battleaxe which he swung at Emily's ankles. She leapt quickly from the rock and over their heads. She landed behind them and swung around, catching the battleaxe wielder in the back. The blue glimmer dancing over his desiccated flesh faded and he disintegrated into ashes: a thrall. A second later another thrall fell to Serana's blade. The tides were turning.
"No, it cannot be!" Potema yelled, loosing a burst of lightning. It struck both Emily and Serana full in the chest. Serana crashed against a rock pillar and stars popped before her eyes while Emily crashed to the floor. She stared dazedly at the ceiling where the incorporeal spirit of Potema hovered. Then as she watched the spirit fled for the doors emblazoned with the Wolf Queen's symbol. They flew open as though blown by a mighty gust of wind, banging against the stone walls and shifting loose small stones from the ceiling which rained down upon them. They got up and gave chase.
In the next room was an ornate throne hewn from rock and seated in it, robed in raiment, was Potema herself. Her skull face grinned at them as she rose from the throne. Her skeletal hands crackled with energy which enveloped her and in one hand she wielded a ghostly blade. There was no question in Emily's mind that that blade could cut and maim as well as any blade of corporeal steel. But could they wound her? Serana answered her question.
"Blades are no good here," she called over, "Use your magic!" Emily cast aside her blade and readied a ward as the first bolt of lightning surged toward her. It struck the ward which shattered under the lightning's wrath, pushing her back several feet. Their familiars prowled about them, hissing and snarling. Emily's familiar was the first to lunge and the first to fall, collapsing in meshwork of energy as another bolt of lightning struck it. Serana's wolf fell shortly after and Serana dodged behind one of the iron sarcophagi, lightning leaping from her palms. Emily readied another ward as the charged energy the Wolf Queen possessed blazed brightly. Again and again she struck and again and again the ward shattered, forcing Emily to reconjure it before the next strike. Inch by inch she was forced back across the stone floor. Sweat beaded on her brow as the mental exhaustion that comes with using magicka began to build. The Wolf Queen always kept tantalizingly out of reach of her spells and she hadn't the time or the energy to maintain the ward and strike out. It was Serana who came to her aid, striking the Wolf Queen from behind. The lightning leeched at her magicka reserves and for a moment she faltered. Emily seized her chance, summoning a weak ice spell on her palms. The frosty air struck the ghostly form of Potema and, though weak, it was enough to force her back. Serana struck again and the Wolf Queen staggered forwards. She caught Emily's eye and nodded. Emily knew the signal and summoned every drop of magicka left in her, focusing it into her palms. Sparks leapt in great arcs as they converged on the former Queen of Solitude and she looked up in time to see the energies hurtling towards her. She loosed a horrible empty scream as they struck her. And then, she was gone, the echoes of her scream reverberating about the chamber before they too gave way to silence.
For several minutes Emily and Serana just stood there, staring at the space the Wolf Queen had occupied.
"Phew, it's over," said Emily.
"This time, it is," Serana replied. She crossed to the throne. On it lay a skull, a circlet like the one the ghostly visage of Potema had worn, adorning it. She picked it up and tossed it to Emily who caught the grisly artefact.
"We'll need to get this to Styrr," she said. Emily held up the skull, gazing at the eternal grin plastered across its features.
"How exactly does Arkay sanctify something like this?" she asked as she gathered up the remaining bones which lay strewn about the throne. Serana, who had been rummaging through a nearby chest, looked over her shoulder.
"I'm afraid you're asking the wrong woman, Em," she replied, "But my guess would be it will involve burning it." In the chest was a book which Serana pocketed, a sum of gold which they split between them and a necklace beset with a large sapphire. There was also an iron war axe and a steel helm which they elected to leave.
They followed another door out the back which led to a small cave with stone steps built into the earth, leading upwards. The moonlight shone pale and ghostly down upon them.
"How long were we down there?" Emily asked. She glanced at her watch. "Yikes, it's been a whole day."
"Time has little meaning underground," Serana replied, "I'll admit, I'm glad to be out of there." There was a note of relief making itself evident in her voice.
Through another small chamber and finally they emerged on a small ledge on the sheer face of the stone archway Solitude sat atop. Before them lay the Sea of Ghosts and in the mist that blanketed it Emily could just make out the lighthouse that sat on a spit of land jutting out into the sea. The masts of several ships rose from the mist, bobbing on the slight sway. Emily peered over the edge.
"Looks like we've got a bit of a climb ahead of us," she said with a low whistle.
The climb back down to the ground took them just under half an hour and they found themselves at the edge of a cobblestone road. It led them back around the archway and up to the city gates, passing the harbour and the farm nestled in the bay. A guard on duty watched them as they passed by the watchtower and they passed through the city gates into the quiet cobblestone streets. It was coming up to ten O' clock when they reached the Hall of the Dead. Emily was carrying the bones of Potema including the grinning skull in a thick burlap sack and she couldn't help but think of what the most feared and wicked of Solitude's royalty must think of her new temporary living quarters. They found the door locked and Emily hammered on the wooden slats. A moment later it opened a crack and when Styrr saw who it was he ushered them inside.
"You have the remains?" he asked. Emily opened the sack and showed the contents to the old priest.
"Good," he said, taking the sack from Emily. He led them over to a shallow basin where he placed the sack. He then raised his arms to the sky.
"Oh, mighty Arkay, hear my prayer and sanctify these most wicked of remains so that they may pass into eternal rest and trouble the Mundus no longer," he intoned. As Emily watched the sack began to glow with a golden light. As it grew in intensity she felt a presence along with it. Without understanding why, she felt the urge to move away from the light yet another part of her longed to be near it. As she fought with herself she saw that Serana seemed to be facing a similar struggle. The sack and its contents suddenly burst into flame, forcing Emily and Serana to shield their eyes from the glare.
And then it was gone and with it the sack of bones, leaving only a pile of white ashes.
"It is done," said Styrr, lowering his arms, "Potema has left the mortal plane. You should go and see Falk Firebeard. In case he doesn't make it clear, Solitude owes you a debt of gratitude."
They said goodbye to Styrr and left the Hall of the Dead.
"Serana, what happened exactly?" Emily asked, "Back there." Serana turned to look at her. "I felt this urge to move away from the light but at the same time," Emily continued, "I wanted to be nearer to it."
"As undead we stand for everything that Arkay isn't," Serana explained, "There's a longstanding…rivalry between us. But," she said, "You were mortal once, bound to Arkay's sphere and your soul remembers. Even though you're not native to this land and even if you were to forget about mortality your soul would remember."
"Then, did you feel it too?" Emily asked. Serana looked away.
"Em," she began.
"Sera, please," Emily persisted, taking her hand. The vampiress sighed and turned back to her, looking into her earnest eyes.
"Yes, I did," she said at last. They started walking again, hands still entwined and Emily decided to change the subject.
"Not long before we can go home," she said.
"About that," Serana replied, "Seeing as our last deal…fell through." Emily grimaced. "Any more ideas on how we'll get a hold of that stone we need?"
"Yes, actually," Emily replied.
"Falk's reward?" Serana questioned. Emily nodded.
"You've got it in one," she grinned.
They found Falk as before, pacing in the foyer of the Blue Palace. When he caught sight of them he hurried over to them.
"So, is it done?" he asked, "Is Potema…" He left the question hanging.
"Yes, she's gone," Emily replied, "We fought her spectre in the old catacombs and reclaimed her remains. We brought them back to Styrr and he sanctified them."
"Solitude will forever be in your debt," Falk replied, "You stopped a great evil tonight. Greater than you can imagine." He looked from one to the other.
"I have something for both of you," he continued. He left and disappeared into a room off to their right. Serana and Emily looked at one another. He reappeared a minute later, carrying a sword and a shield. The shield bore the head of the wolf, the symbol of Solitude and the sword's blade was a metallic red with the pommel bearing the likeness of a wolf's head, two rubies set into its eyes.
"These are the sword and shield of Solitude," he said, holding out the artifacts towards them, "Choose whichever you want." Serana motioned for Emily to choose first. Emily looked from one to the other before finally choosing the shield, holding it up by the handle and testing its weight.
"You're the better fighter," she smiled as Serana took the sword from Falk, holding it up to the light. It gleamed in the candlelight burning in the sconces on the wall.
"Falk," said Emily, "We have a question to ask."
"Ask away," Falk Firebeard replied.
"Are there any quarries in Haafingar?" Emily asked.
"Plenty," Falk Firebeard replied, "Haafingar is famous for its stone. Much of the city was built using stone taken from the Kilkreath foothills. Why?"
"We've been looking for a source of stone for our home," Emily explained, "We had a deal going in Markarth but that…unfortunately fell through."
"I can set you up with what you need," Falk Firebeard assured them, "It's the least I can do after what you've done for Solitude, for Skyrim. I'll have it sent there by wagon. Where is your new home?" Emily showed Falk Firebeard the deed and he assured them it would be sent on first thing in the morning. That night they sat in the Inn and talked.
"So, what should we do?" Emily asked, "We could probably catch a ride back on the wagons."
"As much as I'd like the leisure time," Serana replied, "I'm not sure the waggoneers would understand our nocturnal habits." Emily sighed.
"Guess there are a few downsides to being vampires," she said, "I was looking forward to the steady trundle of the wagon wheels over the cobblestone, the land slowly rolling by." Serana smiled.
"Maybe someday Emily," she said, resting a hand on Emily's, fingers stroking the back of her hand. "Come on, we'd better get a move on if we're to get home before the wagons." Emily nodded and got up, following Serana out of the tavern and back out into the night.