Chapter 26: Flight from Norway
"Em!" Emily rolled over, burying her head in the pillow. Someone was shaking her shoulder urgently. "Emily!" She opened her eyes and looked up at the vampiress leaning over her. She yawned.
"What is it, Sera?" she asked. Serana was holding the television remote in one hand and looked over at the television. Emily sat up, following her gaze.
"I was having a look at this thing, trying out some of the buttons to see what I could find," Serana explained, "I stumbled upon a channel that's in Cyrodiilic. English. Look." Emily listened as the voices on the screen continued.
"We don't have any more details on the cause of this outbreak at present," said the news reporter, "The first incident was reported in the suburbs of Glastonbury."
"Glastonbury," Emily repeated, "That's not far from where I live. What's this outbreak they've been talking about?"
"They described it as a kind of lethargy," Serana replied, "Some of them have been chanting some kind of strange mantra. They didn't say what this mantra was but-." She left the sentence hanging.
"Miraak?" Emily said. Serana nodded.
"What should we do? Chart a ship?" she asked. Emily shook her head.
"It would take too long by ship," she replied, "We'll have to fly."
"Emily, we didn't bring the broom," Serana pointed out, "So unless there's some flying bus we can take."
"You're closer to the truth than you realise, Sera," Emily replied, "We'll go by plane." She got up and scrambled across the bed to the nightstand to where her phone still lay on charge. She unlocked it and began tapping the screen.
"With this I can book us a flight," she said, "We're just going to have to find a good price. Let's see…" Serana sat behind Emily as she opened up one of the apps on her phone and began typing in one of the boxes.
"We'll want to fly into London Heathrow," she said, "We can book a night flight and be there before morning."
"How is that possible?" Serana asked, "Just how fast do these planes travel?"
"About five hundred miles an hour," Emily replied, "And the time zones will be on our side travelling west. We'll essentially be running away from the sun."
"How soon can we fly?" Serana asked. Emily checked the screen.
"Tonight if we hurry," she replied, "Thankfully we're travelling light." She paused. "We have a problem though."
"What?" Serana asked.
"Security's really strict on flights," Emily replied, "Our bows, our daggers. They'll never let us on. The shrinking charm might work for the bow but the daggers? A blade is a blade however small."
"Couldn't we just put an invisibility charm on them?" Serana asked. Emily shook her head.
"They've got metal detectors," she replied, "Though granted I don't know how they'll react to moonstone or ebony. Those metals don't exist here on Earth."
"We'd better rely on our spells then," said Serana, "But the bow?"
"The bow, I think we can get away with if we shrink it," Emily replied, "But the arrows are a no-go. We'll need to make our own once we touch down in England." Serana nodded.
"Alright, you book the flight and I'll handle the bow," she said.
"Hang on, we've got one more problem," Emily suddenly spoke up. Serana stopped midway towards the bags.
"What?" she asked.
"I've got my passport but you don't have one," Emily asked.
"What's a passport?" Serana replied, "I'm guessing we need it to travel."
"Exactly," Emily said, "It's a form of identification. They'll be checking for them when we go through security and when we get on the plane."
"How many people will be doing the checking?" Serana asked.
"One during security and maybe two when we go to board the plane," Emily replied.
"Alright, I'll just make them think they've already checked mine," said Serana, "Or better still, I'll turn invisible and slip by unnoticed."
As the sun set behind the mountains on the horizon Emily and Serana left the hotel. Emily was carrying two tickets she had printed off using the communal printer in the hotel foyer and her passport. She'd checked it before leaving and found it to be still in date much to her relief. Serana followed her down the street. A snow had fallen during the day, coating the pavements in a fresh crisp layer of white. They followed the road down towards the train station.
"I think it's safe to assume we're taking one of these trains again," Serana said as they stood on the snowbound platform.
"I'm afraid so," Emily replied as she tucked the tickets and passport into her jacket pocket, "It's not far to the airport though."
"Alright, so, run me through what we have to do once we get there," said Serana, "Let's not have any surprises."
"Okay, so we've got to go to the check-in desk," Emily replied, "That's where you'll have to work your first bit of magic. They'll want to see your "passport"." Here she made a set of air quotes. "Give them this, then if there's any CCTV they'll think you've handed it over for inspection." She handed Serana a folded piece of card which she pocketed.
"And what's CCTV?" Serana asked.
"It stands for close circuit television," Emily explained, "It means someone will be watching our activites from an office somewhere in the building. From little cameras up in the corners of rooms." Serana looked up into the corners of the old station.
"Is that commonplace here on Earth?" she asked, "Was…anyone watching us yesterday while we were in our room?" Her tone was one of vague apprehension mingled with disgust at the thought.
"No, no, Sera," Emily replied, "They don't have cameras anywhere private. Only in public places." Serana didn't seem much placated by this explanation.
"Well, don't you think that's a little…disturbing?" Serana asked. Emily thought for a moment.
"Maybe a little," she replied, "It is meant to be there to keep us safe but…it is a bit…weird." Serana nodded.
"So, what then?" she asked.
"Then we go through security, that's where those charms you put on the bow will come into play," Emily replied, "Just do what they ask of you and don't have anything on you made of metal. Then we can go to the departure lounge and wait there until they call our flight."
"Sounds simple enough," said Serana, folding her arms and pricking up her ears at the distant rumbling of the approaching train.
They boarded the train and took a seat in one of the compartments. Emily closed the sliding door and took a seat next to Serana.
"So, how do you feel about spending the day in an airport?" she asked. Serana leant back against the back of the chair.
"It'll be a long wait," was Serana's reply, "Is there much to do to pass the time?"
"Not a lot I'm afraid," said Emily, "We can have a look around the duty free and at least while it's still night we can watch the planes coming in."
"Well, wouldn't do any harm to see what we'll be flying in," Serana replied, "How often have you travelled like this?"
"I've been on holiday a few times," Emily replied, "I used to go on holiday with my parents once every couple of years." Emily paused.
"What is it?" Serana asked.
"Sera, do you think I should go and see my parents?" Emily asked.
"You're asking me?" Serana asked, placing a hand on her chest. Emily nodded.
"I'm not going to be here long," she replied, "And they probably think I'm dead. I want to see them but…how do I tell them, hey, I'm actually alive..sort of… and I'm going back to another world in another twenty days or so? Wouldn't that be kind of…cruel?"
"But won't you regret not seeing them?" Serana asked.
"I don't know, probably," Emily replied. Another pause. "Yes," she said at last. Serana sighed and rested a hand on the side of her face.
"You need to decide what's right," she said, "Remember, you're immortal. And an eternity is a long time to carry around regrets. Believe me, I know."
"I know, Sera," Emily replied. The vampiress tugged her gently into an embrace which she returned gratefully, looking over her shoulder at the window, beyond which the streets and towering buildings rushed by.
They arrived at the airport as the clock reached the hour of eleven. As they headed for the front doors the air was filled with a faint roar from the skies overhead. Serana looked up in time to see a large metal object descending from the sky at a shallow angle. Lights blinked at the ends of two protruding metal fins that stuck out on either side and a row of lights ran from its nose to its finned tail. Serana braced herself to take cover but stopped when she noticed as those around her including Emily hardly took the large flying object under their notice.
The doors slid open with a pneumatic hiss and they entered the aiport. Inside, despite the late hour, the place was a hive of activity. More humans than she had ever seen in her life in one place before were bustling to and fro, pulling after them large cases on wheels. Several were carrying a wallet sized book similar to the one Emily carried and the decoy one she had given her. She followed Emily towards a large television that hung from the ceiling. On it were various numbers accompanied by names unfamiliar to her. The writing on the screen seemed to make sense enough to Emily as she pointed to one of the long lines of desks and told her that was where they needed to go first.
The woman behind the desk was slender with dark hair pulled back tightly into a bun and thick rimmed dark spectacles. Emily handed her, her passport first. The woman looked from the passport to Emily, scrutinising her for a second before handing the passport back, seemingly satisfied. Then it was Serana's turn. She handed over the decoy and the woman flipped it open. She raised an eyebrow and opened her mouth to voice her vexation when she stopped. Emily watched as Serana's hands made barely perceptible gestures as she muttered under her breath. Then the woman handed back the decoy passport with a curt nod and they continued on their way.
They climbed the stairs marked, 'security' as Serana did not care for the "moving stairs," as she referred to them. The security area was packed and they were made to join a large queue that snaked all around the room. Ropes strung between metal pillars cordoned off areas of the queue from one another. At the far end of the room was a row of large machines which reminded Serana somewhat of the large Dwemer boilers they had seen in Alfthand. But these were new, gleaming and did their work with less grinding and clanking than their Dwemer counterparts. The queue was slow to move and she noticed several of the people there tapping their feet impatiently and checking devices on their wrists similar to the one Emily wore.
"Are we likely to be here long?" she asked her companion.
"Not long," Emily replied, "Security always takes a little while."
As the minutes dragged by the queue gradually shortened. Serana watched those in front as they hefted their bags onto the conveyor belt and watched them disappear into the hatch. She soon discovered that the hatch they disappeared into did not obscure them from sight for dreadfully long and she asked Emily what the purpose of such an action was. Emily's answer did not make things much clearer.
"Scan them?" she asked.
"It means to check them for illegal substances, earth's version of skooma, blades and explosives chemicals," Emily replied, "That sort of thing."
At last it was their turn. They hefted their bags up onto the conveyor belt and joined the slow moving procession as they were called one by one through the slender archway which seemed to beep at random intervals. Emily was first to be called through, the security guard silently gesturing her forwards. Serana watched as the Earthling passed through the archway. At once it set up a frantic beeping and Emily was motioned over to one side towards a woman. Serana could barely hide a look of dismay as the woman began patting her companion up and down. When the woman was done she motioned Emily over to the conveyor belt and Emily retrieved her bag just as Serana was called through. Perhaps it was because the archway didn't beep for her for she was motioned straight over to the conveyor alongside Emily.
"Why did you let her do that to you? To touch you like that?" she asked in a whisper she knew her companion would hear.
"It's part of the rules," Emily replied in an equally quiet voice, "After me warning you not to have anything metal on you it seems I neglected to make sure of the same myself. It was probably something stupid, a clasp or a button. It doesn't take much."
"But was all that…patting entirely necessary?" Serana asked as they left the security hall behind, "On Nirn, no one would touch anyone like that…so intimately… unless they were…or wanted…"
"Trust me, it's not like that at all," Emily replied, resting a hand on Serana's arm, "They were just checking to make sure I wasn't concealing something on my person. Nothing more."
They followed the hallway down towards a large lounge. The edges were lined with shops of all kinds, ranging from off-licenses to eateries, perfume stalls to souvenir shops. Evidently this lounge was situated at the front of the building as large windows looked out upon a vast flat expanse.
"I'm afraid this is where the real waiting begins," said Emily as they reached the window, looking out at the runway. Several planes were parked alongside the buildings. Serana watched as one reversed out onto the road intended for them and rode out of sight. Another hurtled along the distant runway and she watched as it canted back and rose steadily into the air.
They watched the planes for some time, choosing seats close to the window.
"How long have Earthlings had these?" Serana asked.
"About one hundred years I think," Emily replied.
"I was picturing something more like the airships you talked about before," Serana confessed. She drummed her fingers upon the arm of the chair.
"Are Earthlings an advanced race then, like the Dwemer?" she asked.
"It depends on how you define advanced," Emily replied by means of an answer.
"The people of Nirn have nothing like this," said Serana, looking out of the window.
"They have magic though," Emily replied, "And alchemy and all kinds of amazing things. And…" she nudged Serana playfully, "They don't have totally amazing vampires." Serana gave her a slight smile at this.
"Besides, fancy gadgets don't make you advanced," said Emily, "What really counts is having the smarts not to use them to blow up your fellow humans over stupid reasons. Or hoarding away something that could save others."
"How do you mean?" Serana asked.
"Earth's history is riddled with wars and selfish people who hoarded power for themselves," Emily replied, "So they could live in the lap of luxury while those around them suffered. We might have cars and planes and things but we…well, some of us are still...animals. Don't get me wrong, there are some amazing humans on Earth, some of the nicest people you'll ever meet but.." Serana listened as Emily continued.
"Since my time in Tamriel, I've seen a lot more human kindness," she said, "People helping one another out for no reason other than they just want to."
"Don't get all sentimental over Nirn, Em," Serana replied, "You met my father, remember? And Miraak's no saint either." Emily smiled.
"I guess both worlds have their faults, huh?" she said.
The night passed slowly. Serana watched the planes come and go while Emily got out a book and began to read. As daylight approached they chose an area far from the windows where they could rest. In this manner they passed much of the day, spending an hour or so here and there wandering around the various shops. They slept through midday and on waking Emily went to one of the cafés to buy them both a drink.
"How much longer?" Serana asked as the sun set behind the distant hills. Emily checked her watch. It now contained a new battery which she had picked up from one of the stores.
"Another two hours," she replied. Serana sighed and looked up at the ceiling. Emily rested her head on her shoulder.
"Don't worry, it'll be here before you know it," she said.
"What's it like?" Serana asked, "Flying on a plane I mean."
"Exhilarating," Emily replied, "I love the take off. And the views you can see are amazing."
"Do they fly high?" Serana asked.
"Above the clouds," Emily replied, "They start looking like snowy hills and valleys from that high."
"A little like that broom of yours then," Serana smiled.
"But a lot more comfortable," Emily replied, "And with a lot fewer splinters in unfortunate places." Serana chuckled.
"Remember our first flight?" she asked gently.
"How could I forget?" Emily chuckled, "A flight across Skyrim in sub-zero temperatures capped off with crashing into a tree and getting a lot of thorns in my bum." Serana's chuckle turned to a laugh.
"Hey, pass me some of that soda stuff," she smiled as Emily handed her a plastic bottle. She then picked up a magazine and propped it on her knees, leaning back against Serana.
"Kan alle passasjerer som ønsker å gå ombord flight 1B03 fra Oslo Lufthavn til London Heathrow, ta veien til gate førtifem." Emily cocked her head to one side, listening to the message coming over the tannoy. A moment later it came again, this time in English.
"Could all passengers wishing to board flight 1B03 from Oslo Lufthavn to London Heathrow please make their way to gate forty-five."
"Come on, Sera, that's us," she said as she got to her feet, picking up her bag. Serana slung her bag over her shoulder and followed the Earthling down one of the winding hallways. Many others accompanied them down the wide corridor. The corridor itself, once they left the main building behind, was lined with windows that gave them a view of the vast tarmac expanse that lay beyond. In the distance she could see a structure that greatly resembled a guard tower. And out on its own was what looked to be a small orange flag. But as she stared at it she noticed that it was not a strip of fabric but a long tube which blew in the strong winds that buffeted the airfield.
The corridor brought them to a doorway cordoned off by more rope. Already a queue had formed which they joined. Most stood with their bags at their feet, kicking them along whenever the queue moved forward. Many were engrossed in their phones, something Serana had taken note of as a popular Earthling past-time on arriving in this world. She could not see what was quite so intriguing by these small devices the Earthlings put such stock in. A few of the more anxious flyers stood, gripping the handles of their push along luggage tightly.
"Emily, some of these people seem nervous," she said in a hushed whisper.
"Some people don't like flying much," Emily replied.
"Why do it then?" Serana asked.
"It's still the quickest way to travel," Emily replied.
"Just how quick is quick?" Serana asked. Emily checked her boarding pass.
"We'll be in the air about two hours," Emily replied. Serana was silent for a moment.
"Two hours?" Her response was one of unparalleled incredulity. She noticed one or two of the other passengers turn to look at them.
"Yup, that's all," said Emily. The other passengers returned their attention to the tedious wait to board the plane. She moved a little closer to the vampiress.
"This is the other part where you'll need your illusion magic," she whispered quietly. Serana nodded, pulling the decoy passport out of her bag. As she did so a woman in a navy jacket and a small matching hat perched atop her dark curls ducked out of the door. She stood behind a small podium and first called forth all those who had elected to pay that bit extra for the privilege of standing on the tarmac the longest. Then it was their turn. Once more Serana handed over the decoy passport and before the woman's face could properly register her puzzlement it was replaced by a blank vacant stare as she waved Serana on past. The door led onto a stairwell which curled around on itself as it descended down to ground level. The sounds of their footsteps echoed around them as they hurried down the stairs to the doors which led outside.
The air was cold but this bothered them little as they crossed the tarmac, following the straggling line of passengers towards the metal behemoth. Two sets of stairs had been erected at the front and back of the plane and it was the frontward of these two flights that they climbed up into the plane. Inside was a long tunnel that could hardly be called spacious as a good portion of it was given over to row upon row of high-backed chairs. Emily led her to one row of these chairs and took a seat at the small round window. Similar windows dotted the entire length of the plane on both sides.
Serana sat down next to Emily and inspected the pocket on the seat in front of her. Inside was a small paper bag, a magazine and a piece of laminated card. She picked up the piece of card, looking first at one side and then the other.
"What's this for?" she asked, handing it to Emily.
"This is the plane safety card," Emily replied, "It has on it what you're supposed to do in case of an emergency."
"What kind of emergency?" Serana asked.
"Losing the oxygen supply, having to make an emergency landing, that sort of thing," Emily explained, "But don't worry, air travel is the safest way to travel. Nothing will happen." She rested a hand on Serana's arm.
"Alright, I believe you," she smiled.
They waited as the plane slowly filled and when the stewardesses made their rounds they fastened their seat belts and waited for the announcements to begin, announcements that through her adolescence Emily had practically learned by heart for they varied little from country to country save for the addition of a translation into the country's native tongue. Serana contented herself with reading through the magazine throughout much of it and only returned her attention to the plane when it began to move and the lights in the cabin dimmed. She had to admit to herself that their was a thread of uncertainty beginning to run through her as the engines in the wings juddered into life and the plane moved out of its docking area. Its movements were slow and ponderous, a stark contrast to the mighty rumblings reverberating through the floor. She got the peculiar sense that the plane was only exerting a fraction of its potential power and that something held them back from it. She looked out of the window where the scenery was slipping slowly by. Her fingers fidgeted absentmindedly with the flight safety card and she found herself glancing down at it.
"You okay, Sera?" Emily asked. Serana nodded.
"Yeah," she replied, "Just a little nervous is all. What is this going to be like?" Emily thought but found that describing the feelings of take off and flight to be rather difficult. Were she talking to another Earthling she would have compared it to a rollercoaster but this was a bit of Earth tech Serana was unfamiliar with and, besides, it wasn't quite like that either. Similar but not identical.
"It's kind of like flying on the broom," she replied at length, "A little. It doesn't move as…fluidly as that though. It's more rigid. It's pretty fast and…" She paused. "I'm not helping, am I?"
"Not much," Serana admitted. Emily took her hand.
"Everything will be fine, I promise," she said.
"Yes, you're right," Serana replied, giving Emily's fingers a squeeze and flashing her a grin which was more like the unflappable vampiress she knew.
The plane taxied out onto the main runway where it came to a halt. This was brief for the moment the plane came to a halt the sound of the engines increased both in pitch and volume. Then it began to move, slowly at first but gaining in speed by the second. Serana found herself pushed back into her seat. A glance at the other passengers told her this was normal and she took a few calming breaths. Faster and faster the scenery whipped past the window. The plane's nose tilted up and she felt her stomach drop several inches as the ground outside the window dropped sharply away and they soared up into open sky.