(A.N.: I should have put this on the previous chapter-for those wondering why Aranea was there and some of what she said, see my story 'The Khajiit and the Dunmer'. Now, onto the chapter!)

Chapter Twenty-Two

To say she wasn't enjoying the power she now held would be a lie, Dar'Mora adjusting well to her new Vampire Lord power. Harkon, however, was giving her the same feeling she had gotten from Mercer Frey. Currently, they were at Riften, the white-furred feline buying her friend his own horse, her mount Starmane standing calmly nearby. Inigo stared at the horse that was led over to him, taking the reins and naming him 'Artax' as Dar' swung into her saddle, grateful of the sun setting. The palomino tossed her head, eyeing the newcomer as her white mane blew in the light wind, nickering quietly before she was turned back and they rode off. "She's not sure of him, is she?" the blue-furred feline intoned, coming up alongside, hearing her chuckle as she sipped from the flask on her belt, swallowing. "Give her some time-I knew that horse would be a strong choice for you." Came the reply as she patted her mount, thinking to herself.

"Star is quite protective of you, that's for certain." Inigo grinned, thinking about how the horse had gotten quite aggressive with a small group of bandits and had lunged into the fray when she saw her rider under attack. "We should consider armor for them-I mean, if they're going to be with us in battle and all."

He saw her nod before continuing, feeling a little sheepish. "I was wondering what the translation of her name is-my mother did not teach my brother and I very much about Ta'agra."

The white-furred feline thought for a moment. "'Silla rid-t'har' would be the translation." Came the reply. "And as for barding, we could ask Eorlund about it-he's an old warrior himself."

Artax sniffed the air as they reached the turnoff to head towards Whiterun, breaking across the plains with Inigo holding on, Dar' nudging her mount after, Star snorting as she followed. The male Khajiit giggled, guiding the horse he rode through the darkness before reaching the area around the Loreius Farm and coming to a stop. His friend rode up next to him, raising an eyebrow. "What was that about?" she asked, seeing him grin. "That was fun," he admitted. "Artax wanted to run and I had no issues." He sighed softly, thinking about what Aranea had told him as they traveled on. "I wonder why the gods seem to want to interfere with your life."

"Like your coloring Inigo, white-furred Khajiit are rare. Usually when they're born, it's more towards winter-I was born on the 9th of Rain's Hand-in the spring." She smiled, her gaze going far away for a moment as she thought back to her youth. "I remember my grandmother, T'Mera-black like my mother but with the most gorgeous gold markings and silver eyes. What was it she used to call me? 'Rawl kha'jay'-that's it. She always called me her little 'rain moon'."

There was a roar, Star turning towards the sound, stepping back slightly as a large form landed in front of them. "Easy Starmane," Dar' said, gently reining in her mount. "Drem yol lok." She went on as there was a snort, the dragon in front of them seeming confused before lowering his head, blinking when the horse bared her teeth at him for getting too close. "Key los spaan..." he said, chuckling softly and watching both Khajiit get off, the white-furred one bowing as she held onto the bridle. "Geh, rek los." Came the reply. "Zu'u Dar'Mora." She gestured to her friend. "Daar Inigo."

The dragon studied them for a moment, noticing the complete lack of hostility. "The Strunzeymah spoke true." He said finally, bowing his head in greeting. "Zu'u Riikrinlok-honor to meet you both." He eyed the horses. "Are they angry?"

Inigo smiled faintly, recalling his lessons. "They are protective of us, Courageous Spirit of the Sky." He said formally, seeing his friend grin as Artax sniffed the newcomer, nickering softly. Star moved forward, snorting slightly as she looked at the dragon, Riikrinlok chucking again. "Drem young one," he said, watching the mount. "I mean no harm to you or your friends." He looked up. "Strun said to speak to you about Paarthurnax's teachings. Can you explain?"

The white-furred Khajiit sat down on a rock, explaining that the old dragon was trying to help other dragons find the same peace he had found. "It's up to you Riikrinlok," she said after about an hour. "I would hate to face you in battle."

At those words the Legendary dragon threw back his head, laughing. "Do not fear, little Kaaz," he said after calming and looking at her. "I've heard the tales and have no desire to follow Alduin's path. I know of a couple others that might be interested-I shall speak to them so you do not have to." He watched her get up and climb back onto her mount, her friend doing the same. "I am sure we will cross paths again, Dar'Mora-until then, take care."

Riikrinlok launched into the air, soaring off as Star shook her head, snorting from the dust. The pair rode on towards where they needed to go.

~*Timeskip*~

Forging alongside Eorlund Gray-Mane was interesting and fascinating, the old smith gladly showing her how to forge horse barding. "That's it," the Nord was telling her. "Keep the scales tight and uniform."

Dar' smiled up at him as she held up the completed works of scale and ebony she had made after several hours, walking down to where their mounts were outside and fitting them. Eorlund smiled in approval, showing her how to make sure everything was set right. "Scalework for you yet ebony for his-there a reason?"

"Might switch hers later but with the way Artax is, figured something a little stronger might be good. Plus, it matches Inigo's armor." She swung into the saddle, Inigo doing the same as the Nord eyed the mounts. "Both strong. You two take care, and stop by for dinner sometime, you know Fralia would enjoy seeing you, right?"

The white-furred Khajiit chuckled. "I will Eorlund-may your forge always be ready." She turned her mount, waving as the two rode off, moving slowly so the horses could get used to the feel and weight of the armor as she drank from her flask, relaxing in the saddle. Star shook her head slightly, feeling the patting of her rider's hand through the scales on her neck before breaking into a canter, moving at an easy pace as the pair headed back to the Rift. They reached Redwater Den, taking out the guards outside before going in, Dar' covering her nose; it still surprised her how sensitive her senses were-exceeding what she had been gifted by her race. She glanced back at Inigo, seeing him sniffing the air before pulling himself together. "Skooma," he explained. "These poor people. It would be best to put them out of their misery and shut this place down."

The female Khajiit nodded, remembering speaking with her friend about his addiction as they went to work, killing the dealers before granting peace to two of the addicts. The third was an Imperial soldier she recognized from Helgen and she slowly went over, holding her Dragonbone dagger as he looked up at her. "Wha- who... you're that one from Helgen." He said. "Barely made it out of there myself. I hurt my back and I-I just need something for the pain."

"Do you wish me to end the pain?" she asked gently, her hand shaking a little as he spotted her weapon, realizing in a moment of clarity what she meant and nodded, taking the hand and setting the weapon against his chest as he stood, the blue-furred feline helping to hold him steady as the soldier spoke again. "Thank you."

"May you find peace in Sovngarde," Dar' said as she thrust the dagger into the man, tears leaking out from under her goggles and she pulled them off, the two of them gently laying him down. "Why did you help him?" came the question. "He was..."

"He was no longer one of them," came the reply as she took some cloth and covered his face, getting up. "We'll give him a proper burial after we're done here."

Inigo smiled at her, watching her wipe her face before hanging her goggles on her pack. They moved through the den before reaching what looked to be a spring, staring at it. "Really does look like blood, doesn't it?" she said before filling the Chalice, hearing her friend draw his blade and snarl.

"It's really too bad, you know. The little accident you had here, completely unexpected..." a voice said, two vampires coming out and she merely raised an eyebrow, handing the Chalice to the other Khajiit before cracking her knuckles and releasing her vampiric form, taking a strange pleasure in their fear as she lunged at them, her claws easily killing them before she shifted back, looking at her friend. "Inigo?" Dar' asked, seeing the look in his eyes and swearing. "Inigo, I..."

"What was that?!" he said, his voice wavering as she took the Chalice and added the blood from the female vampire Salonia to it. "It's called a 'Vampire Lord'," she explained, shielding the Chalice and setting it carefully in her pack. "I should have warned you. Inigo, if you wish to go, I won't stop you-maybe it would be better for me to continue on alone."

Inigo stared at her, noticing she was not turning to face him and slowly went over, reaching out with one hand and touching her shoulder, seeing her flinch and catching the look in her eyes. 'She fears me leaving, even though she's telling me it's all right for me to do so.' He thought, exhaling. "No Dar'," he said finally. "I'm not leaving." he chuckled as she opened her mouth before he continued. "Come on, let's get that body out of here so you can give him the burial he deserves."

She blinked before following, the two managing to carry the body of the deserter out of the den into the fresh air, laying him down and building a bonfire. The white-furred Khajiit found a note with the man's name on it before looking at the body. "Kjeleir Far-Light, may you find your way to Sovngarde and to Shor's Hall." She drew in her breath, exhaling a jet of flame and setting the pyre alight. There was the sound of blades being drawn, several Stormcloak soldiers coming into view. "What are you doing?" one asked, his blade pointed at the pair.

"I give this man a proper sendoff." Came the reply as she handed over the letter with his orders. "I am the one that ended his life and I show mercy this night to him." Her eyes looked back at the fire. "Can you see his ashes are given a respectful interment? He was Nord, and had left them."

The soldier looked at the name on the page before nodding, sheathing his weapon and gesturing for the others to do the same. "Forgive us Stormblade, we should not have drawn on you."

The white Khajiit nodded before swinging into Star's saddle, heading off with Inigo following after mounting his horse.

(The reason Dar' acted as she did with the deserter is that she didn't see him as a soldier anymore. I also made the guy a Nord to make the flow of sending him to Sovngarde make more sense. She also sees things a little differently due to her change.

Dragon Translations:

Drem-yol-lok=Peace-fire-sky, basically the dragon greeting

Key los spaan=Horse is protect(ive)

Geh, rek los=yes, she is

Zu'u=I (am)

Daar=That (is)

Strunzeymah=Stormbrother-aka Strunkaalnaar

Riikrinlok=Spirit-Courageous-Sky

Kaaz=Khajiit

Next time: a meeting with another vampire who will be playing her own part)