Serana smiled at her once again. She then took a seat to her.
"Is it comfortable enough for you here?" asked Serana looking around.
"Oh yes," said Valerica. "It's very much so. Thank you."
Serana smiled again.
"But I presume that your journey to this part of the castle isn't just to check on the accommodations," said Valerica.
"No mother," said Serana. "I'm afraid it's not. I need some help with something."
Valerica nodded.
"What seems to be the trouble Serana?" she asked.
Serana showed her the book, 'The Immortal Blood.' She opened the pages and flicked to the final one. She then showed her mother.
"This final sentence," she said. "I don't understand it."
Valerica read it. She then re-read it and read it once again.
"Well, it seems obvious," said Valerica. "This war between our kind and the werewolves can be ended with a blood sacrifice."
"A sacrifice from whom?" asked Serana.
"That part I'm not clear about," replied Valerica.
Serana sighed.
"I'm sorry I can't be of more help," said Valerica seeing the look of concern on Serana's face.
"Not at all," said Serana. "It's not your fault."
"These werewolf attacks have frightened you haven't they?" asked Valerica.
"Indeed," said Serana. "I don't want my daughters or Stefan to be next."
"I shouldn't worry too much about Stefan too much," said Valerica. "He seems to be more than capable of handling himself."
Serana smiled.
"As for your girls," said Valerica. "They learned combat from Stefan and spell craft from you. I wouldn't like to be the ones fighting them."
Serana blushed. The compliments about her family filled her with a sense of pride.
"I haven't seen werewolves this active since the second century," said Valerica thoughtfully.
Serana was asleep all the way through the second century. She had no recollection of anything that had happened.
"What happened in the second century?" asked Serana.
"The werewolves were attacking us indiscriminately," said Valerica. "We lost hundreds of our kind trying to defeat them."
"How did you stop them?" asked Serana.
"We didn't," said Valerica. "We reached a stalemate and the attacks stopped. It is unusual how they have decided to resume these attacks after so long."
They were silent for a moment.
"Serana," said Valeria. "I can only tell you what I know. I fear that this time it isn't what you are looking for. I suggest that you travel to the College of Winterhold, the orc in the library. He can tell you more."
Serana nodded.
"Thank you mother," she said gratefully. "Although I don't think we can take the girls. The less they know the better, for now."
"Don't worry Serana," said Valerica. "Your girls will be safe with me until you return."
Serana stood up.
"Thank you mother," she said. "I'd prefer not to dally, we will be leaving momentarily."
Valerica stood up.
"Lead the way Serana," she said.
The door to the great hall opened once more. Valerica and Serana entered to find it empty. The large table had been cleared and the room was empty.
"I know where they are," said Serana before Valerica could ask.
She lead her down the stairs towards a small room on the left. They entered it to find Stefan teaching the girls how to make weapons and armour.
Stefan looked up to see Serana and Valerica standing in the doorway.
"Valerica," he said. "Good to see you again."
"And you Stefan," she replied.
Lucinda and Valeria beamed at the sight of their grandmother. Stefan put down the sword he was making and turned to look at Serana.
"Your father and I need to journey to the College of Winterhold," informed Serana. "Lucinda and Valeria, you will stay with Valerica until we return."
The two girls smiled, it seemed they enjoyed spending time with their grandmother.
"Are we leaving now Serana?" asked Stefan.
"Yes," she replied.
Stefan nodded.
"Let me get ready," he said. "Give me a minute."
Stefan left the room and returned several minutes later wearing his Daedric Armour. The red and the black complimented each other. The red slashes glowed sinisterly in the torch light of the room. He picked up his Dragonbone sword from the weapon rack and slid it into his scabbard.
"My handsome saviour," said Serana lovingly checking him out.
"Let's go my ravishing Vampire queen," replied Stefan smiling.
"Wait," she said. "I need to get something."
She walked over to the weapon rack and picked up a Daedric sword. It glowed an orange colour and she slid it through the metal hook sewn onto her Vampire armour.
"Don't worry about us," she said to Valerica and her daughters. "We will return as soon as we can."
She took Stefan's arm and allowed him to lead her from the room, through the Great Hall and towards the main door. He opened the door and they stepped out onto the stone walkway.
"You and me going on an adventure together," said Stefan. "Just like old times isn't it?"
"Indeed," said Serana. "I miss them sometimes."
He lead her along the stone path. The cold wind ripped through them, sending shivers down their spine. The choppy sea crashed against the rocks surrounding Castle Volkihar. Snowflakes hit them in the face over and over as the wind blew them around. Serana stood closer to him in an attempt to keep warm and not lose her grip on his arm. Her cape billowed behind her as they walked and her long hair danced in the wind like strands of sapphires.
They boarded the little boat and sailed across the choppy sea towards the mainland. The boat brushed against the rocks. Stefan disembarked first and held his hand out for Serana. She took it and she disembarked. Stefan then raised two fingers to his mouth and whistled. There was a silence. He whistled again. Footsteps could be heard as something large made its way towards them.
From the shadows of the clouds Stefan's horse could be seen galloping towards them. He smiled in relief as she approached them and stopped right in front of them. She was already pre-saddled, in case they needed to leave in an emergency. He helped Serana mount the horse and then mounted her himself. He tugged the reigns and she began to canter slowly in the direction of the road to Winterhold.