There was a knock on Valeria's door once again. She looked up at it.
"Go away," she said firmly.
"That's no way to talk to your father," said Stefan stung.
Valeria sighed, and smiled inside.
"I'm sorry father," she said. "Enter."
The door handle turned and he entered the room. He closed the door quietly and approached Valeria's bed. He looked over at the untouched potion goblets.
"I'll drink those if you don't want them," he said at an attempt to start a conversation.
She suppressed a smile as he drank one. He drained the goblet and placed it with the others.
He then sat on the edge of her bed and looked down at his youngest daughter.
"How long are you going to lie here for?" he asked.
"I'm unsure,"replied Valeria.
"You can't lay here forever," said Stefan comfortingly.
"Why not?" asked Valeria refusing to look at him.
"If you are laying here," explained Stefan. "How are you going to be able to take the fight to the werewolves and get your sister back?"
Valeria blinked.
"It's my fault that she was taken in the first place," said Valeria. "If I hadn't missed, then she would still be here."
"You don't know that," replied Stefan.
"I do," she said. "It's my fault she is gone."
They were silent for a moment.
"We all make mistakes," said Stefan quietly. "All of us. What is important is that you learn from them."
She looked at him.
"I haven't seen any werewolf move that fast," said Stefan. "It's not your fault you missed. It's his fault for being too fast."
Valeria chuckled.
"Now," he said. "Are you going to lay here feeling sorry for yourself or are you going to get up and help me and your mother get your sister back?"
Valeria smiled.
"Are we going to kill some werewolves in the process?" asked Valeria.
"You bet we are," said Stefan. "Let's make it a contest. The person who kills the most werewolves can..."
"...kidnap the leader and torture him," suggested Valeria sitting up smiling menacingly.
"Okay," said Stefan nervously. "And the loser has to eat human food."
Stefan held out his hand. Valeria took it and hugged her father tightly.
"Thank you father," said Valeria gratefully.
"You're most welcome Valeria," replied Stefan.
They embraced tightly for a moment. He tried to released her but she held on for a little longer.
After a moment they released each other.
"Drink your blood potions Valeria," instructed Stefan. "You can't fight werewolves on an empty stomach."
Valeria smiled. She then picked up one of them and began drinking it slowly.
"Good girl," he praised.
He stood up and made his way to the door.
"I expect you to be down in the Great Hall before mid night," he said. "Are we clear?"
Valeria nodded as she drank her blood potion. His hand was on the door. She lowered her goblet.
"Father," she began. "Why did they kidnap Lucinda?"
"I will tell you when you come to the Great Hall," replied Stefan.
He opened her bedroom door, he watched her drinking her potion before he left the room, closing the door quietly behind him. Valeria resumed drinking her potion. She finished the first goblet and moved onto the second one. Stefan stood outside the door and listened to her drinking. Once she was finished, he made his way down the stairs. Valeria drained her second goblet. She wiped her mouth on her sleeve once she finished.
She stood up and ran her fingers through her tousled hair. She grabbed a hair brush and brushed her messy hair haphazardly. Without a reflection, this made such a simple everyday task a challenge. After a moment, of pulling it through her hair she was satisfied. She threw her brush on the bed and picked up her empty goblets. She opened the door and carried them out of the room and down the stairs.
Valeria entered the Great Hall. There were several people sat around the large table. Her parents and grandmother were joined by several unknown Vampires. Valeria placed her empty goblets in the reading room. The clinking made Serana look up from the proceedings. She beamed at the sight of her daughter. She then got up and approached her.
"Valeria," she said hugging her daughter tightly. "It's lovely to see you up and about."
"Thanks mother," said Valeria squeezing her mother tightly.
"You should wait here," said Serana. "We'll be done in the meeting momentarily."
"No Serana," said Stefan, who had just appeared behind her. "Valeria can attend the meeting."
"She's only 16," replied Serana. "She's too young."
"No she's not," said Stefan. "She's old enough to know. I want her to know."
Serana released her daughter. She nodded and allowed Stefan to lead Valeria to a seat at the table next to Valerica. Serana followed them and sat next to Valeria while Stefan sat at the chair with his back to the fire.
"My Lord," began the Vampire closest to him. "They haven't passed the border to Hammerfell."
"Or the border to Cyrodiil," said another.
"Well that's good news," said Stefan. "At least they still remain in Skyrim."
"My Lord," said a female Vampire. "I have news."
"What news Lilith?" asked Stefan.
"My Lord," continued Lilith in a rasping voice. "I tracked them in The Reach. They are still here. I lost them around a placed called Fort Sunguard."
"Fort Sunguard," said Stefan. "Isn't that Forsworn territory?"
"Not any more my Lord," replied Lilith. "It's crawling with Werewolves now."
"Then I should investigate it at once," said Stefan. "Thank you Lilith."
He looked around the table.
"Any other business?" asked Stefan.
"My Lord," continued Lilith. "I would like to join you in rescuing your daughter. It would be an honour to fight by your side."
The two other Vampires nodded as Lilith finished her statement.
"Very well," said Stefan. "I would be grateful for your assistance."
He looked at the other two.
"I would like you two to guard the Castle while my family is out," he instructed. "They may decide to attack again while we are away."
They nodded.
"Meeting adjured," he said.
He stood up as the other Vampires followed suit.
"Lilith," he began. "Please stay here with my family. I will return as soon as I can. I must scout Fort Sunguard."
"Father," said Valeria. "I want to come with you."
Serana looked over to her.
"Not now Valeria," he said. "Your time to fight will come. But not yet, okay? For the meantime you should stay with Serana and Valerica."
She nodded.
"Okay father," she said.
She hugged her father tightly once again.
"Be careful," she said.
"I will," he said.
They released each other.
"I'll be back as soon as I can," he said. "Don't worry."
Valeria nodded once again.
"You should go apologise to your mother for making her worry about you so much," said Stefan.
"She will always worry about me," she said. "She's my mother."
He chuckled and hugged her once again.
"Go on," he said gesturing towards Serana.
Valeria smiled at her father and made her way over to Serana. He could hear them talking in the background. He made his way over to the main doors and prepared to take flight.