Chapter Four: Daedric

They remained with Iizvenahkrin for a month, making sure the old dragon was well-stocked. Ven and Kai grew close, smiling and joking. The half-dragon was happy, the scales only visible when he was undressed. Finally they went to leave, Iizvenahkrin placing his Name with them if they needed it, the pair heading off. The Dunmer walked along the path, thinking quietly. "So where do we go?" she asked. "Or did you just want to just walk around?"

Kai blinked. "Let's head toward Windhelm-see what we can find."

She stared at him but headed that way, cutting across the sulfury plains and actually removing her cloak, putting it in her bag. "Look at this place shi'koray!" she cried, grinning ear to ear, watching him stare at her. "What?"

The half-dragon came to her, letting his mind sift through the Vamprian words she had been teaching him. "'Shi'koray'-it means love or lover yes?" He gave a smile.

"I am glad to be called as such. Just as you are Dii Nunon Gein-my only one."

Ven had tears in her eyes. "I have never heard anything so perfect." She gasped, touching his chest and arms. "How did I get so lucky?"

As Kai went to answer, thunder crashed, causing him to grab her and run to an abandoned shack, getting inside just as a downpour started. "How hmm?" he asked, getting swatted and called a flatterer cheekily. The pair waited out the storm, coming out as it ended. As they went on, the Dunmer closed her eyes, getting a vision. "A city of stone," she murmured. "Darkness within. Must help."

"Sounds like Markarth." Came the reply. "Help how though?"

Ven listened before speaking. "Molag Bal." she explained, growling. "The Vigilants of Stendarr; they seek what is not theirs to touch."

The half-dragon listened for a moment before nodding. "Then we must go." He said, watching her look at him. "I may not follow him, but you do in some fashion. We will catch a carriage at Windhelm and go from there."

The Dunmer nodded, pulling out her old cloak. "Need to get a new one." She muttered as they headed into snow. "For both of us."

He walked silently, nodding at her words. To be summoned in a way by Molag Bal! He knew she would want to go, knowing that the Lord of Domination was the forefather of all vampires. 'I wonder where Ven comes in.' he thought.

They got into the carriage, Kai gently showing how his kind were, the carriage-driver, a Nord named Alfarinn, peering over this shoulder for a moment. "Ye be a rare one lad," he said. "Ye show the proper way she should be cared for."

"Most do not?" came the question.

"If they're from Windhelm and Nord? Most likely not. Good and bad in every race I guess. I take it from your eyes ye're not from around here?"

The half-dragon grinned. "I'm from Skyrim-over in the Rift. Mixed race."

"Treat her well lad and she'll stick by you. All you can hope for."

They reached Markarth, the pair getting out and going inside. Ven looked around, spotting the Vigilant talking to someone. "There's the lout," she growled, walking forward. "Need some help?" she asked sweetly, the Vigilant nodding.

"Help would be nice." Came the reply. "I am Vigilant Tyranus."

He opened the door, heading inside with the pair following, the Dunmer readying her half blade, the man rambling as she quickly cut him down.

"Yes," a voice said. "Your reward is waiting. Further down."

"Here we go," Kai said, both of them heading down. As they got to the bottom, Ven spoke up, looking forward.

"We are here, Lord Bal. What do you wish?"

"And just who..." there was an inhale. "Ah. So you are the one Harkon did the ancient blood ritual to. He sought to use you to bring forth endless night. Such a waste as you can do so much more. My mace has run dry-a Priest of Boethiah has desecrated it. I want him to bend his knee and give me his soul."

"It will be done Lord Bal." She said. "This I swear."

They headed out after the Dunmer burned the Vigilant into ash, feeling better. The half-dragon nodded to himself as they headed into the hills. It was too quiet, the Forsworn staring at her as they came up. "Who goes there?" one asked.

"We come seeking a Priest." He said. "He's not a good man. We need him."

"I am Braig," came the reply. "Take him and know you are welcome."

Ven went in, finding the priest and talking to him sweetly, her friend silently laughing with the Forsworn at how well she charmed him. As soon as he went out of the cave there was applause, the group smiling. Braig came over with an old Witchblade. "Aravenu," he said. "This is Madanach, our leader. And just how did you charm that guy? It seemed like he only had eyes for you."

She bowed to Madanach. "Thanks for the help sir." She said formally. My name is Aravenu Araleth and this is Kai Long."

"And this is why we did not attack," the Forsworn said. Our matriarch told us not to-she foresaw this. She saw a Dunmer vampire and a half-dragon that would do a service for us." He grinned. "You must come back again but for now go finish what you must do for Molag Bal." His eyes were sage-like. "Go on."

The pair headed back along the road, chatting a little. They reached Markarth, going in and slipping into the abandoned house. The wizard went down, pushing her roughly out of the way, not hearing the very building take offense. The Dunmer echoed the growl the building was doing, taking her time with Kai following, a look passing between them. The wizard was trapped by the spikes, blaspheming against the Daedric Lord. "Ah. But have my have my own champion this time, Logrolf." Molag Bal intoned, chuckling as Ven came forward in all her dark glory. "Take my Mace. Crush his spirit and make him bend to me!"

She grinned evilly, bashing him while swearing in Vamprian, Kai glaring at him.

Finally Logrolf gave in and the Dunmer used the Mace to slit his throat, letting him fall, the Lord of Domination appearing before them. "It has been done." He said, bowing to her. "I admit I wondered if you would get the vision I sent."

"So it was you my Lord," she returned, bowing back as the Mace became whole and she hung it on her belt. "This feels nice."

"When I found you," Molag Bal began. "I foresaw a vampire that could be more. I thought I could turn her to my side, but I see you only have eyes for him. Therefore I grant the two of you a boon."

The half-dragon came forward. "Lord Bal, hear me." He said. "I love Aravenu above all others, yet know one day my life will end. Father of Vampires, let me stay as I am with her-as a vampire if that is what you wish."

Ven stared in shock: he was showing such loyalty. "Kai..." She began, the Daedric Lord eyeing him curiously before nodding once, casting his magic.

Kai growled, becoming darker-skinned, opening his now red eyes, a pair of horns making themselves known. "The boon has been done." Molag Bal said, disappearing. The half-dragon got up, stretching his body before looking at her with a grin on his face, that fading as he looked at her. "Ven, I'm..."

He fell silent as she pulled him into a hug. "Shh.," she said. "Kai, I am beyond honored you would choose to do such a thing. Molag Bal always keeps his boons when he gives them, plus he was pleased with me."

He closed his eyes, laying his horns against her hair before leading her out of the house. "Going to have a bit of trouble now that I have horns." He grumbled.

The Dunmer shook her head. "Don't worry Love," she replied as they left the city, making camp in an old couples' field after bringing their produce in as payment, the old woman giving them a couple of potatoes. Ven baked them in the fire, bringing them out and eating them with him, sipping on her vial. "We should head back to that place." She said in low tones. "Wonder what he will show us."

The next morning found them in the hills again, Madanach waiting for them and spotting him. "I see Lord Bal's boons are just as potent as ever." He said, leading them inside. There stood a figure, half-human they could see, that waited patiently for them to come and gave what looked like a smile. "This is Melka. She was saved from harm and brought back to us."

"It was Dar'Mora and Inigo, wasn't it?" the Dunmer intoned, shaking her head. "She has helped me in the past and I am on good terms with the two of them."

"Well and good. Now listen to me." Melka said, coming close and looking at them. "The vampire first." She gently took her hand in her claws. "You gave up humanity a long time ago yes? The one who held you lies dead-slain by a friend to you and I. You are marked-The great Lord Bal favors you and Kai. Aravenu, your blood can make those that drink into pure vampires, not merely half-breeds. But only if you give permission."

That's what Harkon was planning!" Kai exclaimed, looking over. "Look; a few days after you left, that was the day he would sacrifice you-holy to vampires."

Ven swore in Vamprian. "I must have really pissed him off by 'dying'." She said blithely. "I'm glad I got away." She watched as the half-dragon's hand was taken.

"I see much Kai Long. I see your mother and your father. You will find more power and have a good relationship with your father-who will take your changes in stride." She smiled. "You will love the one that is yours, and there may be children, either your own or adopted. I do not see Death coming for you or her, but be careful as that could change."

"Thank you Melka," he said, bowing to her. "That was one thing I was worried about: how Father would take my change. I hope he knows it was for her."

"If he doesn't he'll know before the day is over." The Dunmer said, blushing as her love kissed her cheek. "We'll take it one day at a time."

(A.N. And now Molag Bal enters the picture. I am playing it as He would be more inclined to help a vampire than a mortal)