Chapter Five: Family
A month later saw them coming up to Arcridge, Iizvenahkrin talking to another dragon, this one grey with one horn missing. "Sorry Father," Kai said. "If you wish we can leave you to talk and come back later."
"Actually kul I wonder what happened to your coloring. What have you done?"
"Lord Bal's boon." Came the clear reply. "Done in love Father."
"Drem Iizvenahkrin." The grey dragon said. "Look at him: it does not matter what you or I say. Your son was chosen the Onik Miiraad." He came forward. "Drem yol lok Kai Long, Zu'u Paarthurnax."
The half-dragon fell to his knees, Ven doing the same after a moment. "Drem yol lok Paarthurnax." He said. "Zu'u Kai Long ahrk Aravenu Araleth."
Paarthurnax watched them both, smiling gently. "They have seen much old friend." He intoned, giving the Dunmer a playful nudge and getting a giggle.
"Thank you Paarthurnax," she bowed her head regally. "Kai and I have been through so much. I know taking the boon may not be what you would do, but Kai did think about it before doing. We do everything as equals."
"Ronit?" Iizvenahkrin asked, looking at them. "I see. Yes you do indeed." He smiled, opening one wing. "Come Aravenu." He watched her come over warily, gently wrapping the wing around her. "Welcome, dii mon." he said solemnly.
"Pleased to be welcomed dii Bormah." She replied, remembering the words. Kai came over and gently took her from him. "We will be in touch." He said, the pair leaving. They made their way to Windhelm, catching Alfarinn's cart and headed toward Whiterun. As they rode, a hawk flew down to rest, a message on her leg. "Alfarinn, wait!" She said, carefully reading the message before leaning forward and paying the man. "Take us to Solitude please." She said gracefully.
"Of course ma'am." Came the reply, the cart heading off again.
"What was the message?" the half-dragon asked, raising an eyebrow.
"My parents are here," Ven replied with a groan. "They are free to do so now."
He blinked, looking at her curiously. "Basically the Island of Vounoura lets people go after about 75 years, but they thought I was dead. They probably heard I was actually alive and that I found love." She sighed.
"See them lass," the Nord said, eyes on the road. "Find out what they want. Then make a decision afterward." As she opened her mouth he went on. "I've been there lass. My old man was the same way. When I came back he was happy."
"All right." Came the reply, one hand running through her hair. "Been years."
They reached Solitude, the pair getting out and heading into the city. Ven sighed as she led the way into the Winking Skeever, seeing then on the second floor and walked up to them. "Mother, Father." She said. "Been well?"
Toraasi Araleth looked up, seeing the Dunmer standing there and got up, staring. "Aravenu?" She asked, hugging her. "Dearheart it's been years."
"And who is he?" a somewhat gruff voice asked, peering at Kai.
"Mother, Father. This is Kai Long. Kai, my parents, Toraasi and Arelris."
"It is an honor to meet the parents of my...girlfriend." he said.
"Come," the elder female said. "We have much to talk about."
The group went into a large room, casting Muffle on the walls. "So, as to the first part," Ven began. "I became a vampire back in 4E 125, and the leader then wanted after 75 years to sacrifice me..."
~Timeskip 2 hours due to everything we've covered~
She stood still after she was done, her mother aghast and her father extremely interested.
"What of Kai?" he asked. "You've left him out. What is he?"
"The son of Iizvenahkrin the Pale Dragon." Kai intoned. "Arelris I am half-dragon; a rare occurrence. Your daughter is Dii Nunon Gein-my only one. The form you see was a boon from Molag Bal. And yes, Ven has visited my father."
Arelris sat back for a moment before letting out a deep laugh. "By the gods Toraasi, Ven has chosen well! That was...I knew it would be epic."
Ven looked up, her face slightly wary. "It's hard to believe..." She said.
"With you Aravenu, the impossible becomes possible." The old elf's eyes crinkled.
"He speaks true," Toraasi added. "And Kai ticked all the boxes of what would be asked." She smoothed her daughter's hair. "I need to make up my mind Dearheart about him since he isn't Dunmer, but the prognosis is good."
"Where will you go?" the younger elf asked.
"We may stay here," her father intoned. "We haven't chosen yet."
"My home for two years was a hole in the wall." Was the reply. "I guess Kai and I are homeless for the most part. We usually camp under the stars."
"I do not like my daughter doing so, but I will accept it."
"Actually there is an island, Solstheim, where you could go. Held by House Redoran. I think Lleril is the leader now."
"Lleril Morvayn?" her mother asked. "My, my. I remember his mother Brara. We will take your advice and scope it out Ven."
The group headed out, Ven explaining how to get to Windhelm and to leave Ulfric alone-a promise made to Dar'Mora which her parents understood. They parted ways, Kai walking off with the younger elf as her parents went off towards Windhelm. The pair went along the other path, seeing a wolf howling and walking over, the creature looking at them. "Mourning the owner." She explained, kneeling down and checking it out, seeing a collar with a tag that was handmade. "Her name's Oracle." The Dunmer said, scratching her ear.
The half-dragon allowed the wolf to get his scent, rubbing her black fur while grinning. "So...want her to come with?" he asked.
"You think?" she asked. "Yeah I do, but there's one thing first I want to try."
She took a dagger and ran her hand over the edge, letting the blood pool a bit before Oracle lapped it up, thinking she was in pain. "I give you...my blood." She said before passing out. The wolf glowed slightly, becoming bigger and stronger while wagging her tail, looking between the pair. Kai lifted her up, carrying her
towards Morthal, going into the Moorside Inn. A Redguard woman looked up. "Give me a moment." He said, putting her in a room before coming out. "Now, how much for at least 2 nights?" he asked gently.
"What happened to her?" she asked before shaking her head. "10 gold a night for the two of you. Food is extra."
The half-dragon paid her 20 for two nights, the wolf coming out and actually startling her. "That's just Oracle." He said, getting some food.
"I am Jonna," the Redguard intoned, watching the wolf lay down before getting a bone with a good bit of meat. "What happened to your friend?" She asked again.
"She passed out down the road so I came here with her." He bit into the meat, smiling. "This is really good by the way. I really don't know what happened."
"We could call my brother." Came the reply. "He might be able to help her."
He looked over. "Thank you Jonna." He said. "It would be welcome."
The Redguard nodded and excused herself for a moment, Oracle looking at him and letting out a whine. "I know girl." He sighed, watching the woman come back with her brother who seemed like he knew what the half-dragon was. He looked in at Ven before nodding. "Go Sister." He said. "This young man will help."
Kai followed the man into the room, noticing her hand was oozing blood. "I am an idiot, aren't I?" He moaned, gently taking her arm.
"A lick is all that is needed." He stated gruffly. "I know what you both are and that she does not wish to be cured, but I will help nonetheless."
The half-dragon bowed his head before licking her blood, healing it. "It happened with the wolf." He explained. "And I didn't see she wasn't drinking. Stupid."
The mage, Falion, leaned back in his chair, watching him give her a vial of blood. "Those interest me." He mused. "If they can do that, what else can they do?"
"Give him a spare Kai," Ven said weakly, struggling to raise up, smiling as he took her hand in his. "I can see potions being fresher if those are used."
He grabbed two bottles, giving them to the mage. "For your kindness...and discretion." He said, the man staring happily. "And you Ven, need to drink-especially doing that." He leaned down, resting his forehead against hers, stepping back as Falion came over, checking her carefully.
"Your mate is right." He said. "It is different for each vampire but you were pushing it-there was little left for your heart to pump. And not many would know the things that I do and give it for such a price."
"I...understand Falion. And you're right-I usually drink every other day, if not sooner. That deal with Lord Bal really messed me up."
"You've actually...and me without my writing tools-I'll have to get them."
She laughed, the sound shimmering. "The stories I could tell Falion." She said. "I could tell you..." she fell silent as the bard began to sing, or at least a horrible rendition of it before Oracle bounded out in a full threat display, scaring the Orc.
"Oracle, come." Kai said, laughter in his eyes as the wolf came over to his side. "I'll tell you this right now sir; my love is ill. Until we go please don't sing?"
The Orc stared at him before nodding dumbly, wary of the wolf that went back inside with such ease, the half-dragon following.
"As I was saying, the stories I could tell." The Dunmer said. "But not here." She rested herself back against the bedcovers again. Her mate took her hand as she passed out, sighing. "How long will she be in bed?"
"She should be up tomorrow, especially if you used your blood." Falion said. "I know much about vampires but I want to learn more."
"Ven likes to chat Falion." The half-dragon said before baring his neck, wincing as she bit down on it. "Trust me, I have no idea how she made it two years alone."
"Where did you come from Kai?" the mage asked, the two talking quietly.
~Timeskip~
The next day, Ven found herself in Falion's home, having a good laugh with him.
"I am glad I took the time to ask you Aravenu." He said, smiling. "Few of your kind are willing to talk to me so I deal with books usually."
She smiled, gently hugging Agni who was looking at the strange patterns on Kai, watching him grin happily. "Is it what you wanted?" she asked.
"It is. And a good thing too. It is knowledge after all."
She chuckled, still having all of her diaries since that first one as Oracle came in, the Nord girl climbing down and hugging her. "The wolf was mourning her owner so we took her with." The Dunmer cooed. "Her master had the Rockjoint and was getting on in years. I gave her my blood but didn't know I shouldn't do that."
"So Kai saved you?" Agni asked. "That was very brave."
"Yes it was," came the reply as she smiled at him, a look passing between the two. "Well Falion, we should head out." The pair got up, bending down and hugging Agni before leaving, the wolf following.
(A.N. I wanted to give Paarthurnax a cameo here, but it turned into a speaking part-the old dragon never does what you want-it's always him, amiright? As for Falion, I liked him in-game even though I never used his anti-vamp services. Iiz was more interested in his son's change, but wasn't angry. As for Ven's parents, Kai heard someone call his father 'pale' and so used that.
Dragon Translations:
Kul-son
Onik Miiraad-wise path
Drem-yol-lok - peace-fire-sky, a dragon's greeting
Zu'u-I (am)
Ahrk-and
Ronit-equal
Dii-my
Mon-daughter
Bormah-father
Dii Nunon Gein-my only one)