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Word count.

Original: 1,406

Re-write: 4,012

Chapter IV

Volkihar

Serana

We've been walking for hours, luckily we managed to leave the cave just as the sun set so at least we got all the time we could. We walk in silence. The only noise being the dull tapping of his equipment, and the sounds of his boots, I'm walking slightly ahead of him. He still doesn't want to turn his back on me for too long.

The marsh isn't easy to walk in but according to his very brief and grumbled explanation it's the only safe way to get anywhere near Solitude. I slip slightly, grabbing a tree to stop myself from falling in the bog. I glance back at the man, he's stopped walking and instead just watches me get my footing back. I turn back to facing forward, looking in the direction of the shore.

I carry on walking. I glance off to the side, there's a lot of trees scattered about the marshes. The thick mud makes it extremely difficult to walk. I hear a loud grunt and what sounds like the man slipping. I turn to look at him, and he quickly gets back to his feet. He looks up at me.

"See that?" He says, his voice is hoarse. Probably a combination of blood loss and that he hasn't said anything for around three hours. I look at him properly as he walks closer to me. He looks tired, more so then he did in the caves, his eyes are red, bloodshot. He keeps his left hand up, slightly tucked under his belt. There's still blood on his face and there's a lot on his hand, staining the rag on his hand a dark red. He stops a couple of steps in front of me and points up to the top of the cliff where there's a wall and a large building visible over the top.

I follow where he's pointing. I stare at the silhouette of the building, and glance back at him. His gaze is locked on the wall of the city and the building. He leans forward slightly, putting most of his weight on his left leg. "Yes." I answer, looking back at the building.

"Blue palace." He grumbles. I look back at him, he's squinting quite a bit and breathing heavily. He turns to look at me. "If we can see it, we're too close." I raise an eyebrow. He turns back to me. He turns around walking off down a hill. I follow his lead, moving down just behind him. "The Legion don't use the marshes." He grunts, he slips slightly, struggling to regain his footing.

I watch him as he stops moving for a moment and rests his head in his right hand. He lets out a long hoarse breath and closes his eyes. "How do you know the guard routes?" This man is definitely not Dawnguard. Nothing about him makes sense, he turns up in a cave talking about an order whose hatred for vampires is legendary but he shows little interest in killing me for being a vampire. He obviously doesn't like me, never mind trust me but it isn't because I'm a vampire. If it was he would've shot me as soon as he realised I was. Maybe it was to find out information about my family or why I was down there. But he hasn't asked any questions, he doesn't really seem to care. There was the obvious questions about how long I was down there, but when he asked he didn't really seem very interested in my answer.

"Just do." He rasps. He turns his head to look at me. His features shadowed in the moon light under his hood so all I can see is his mouth and beard. His constant short answers are getting frustrating. He seems to talk in as little words as he can, he also seems to expect me to do the same. I've been trying to ask him questions, but he either doesn't answer at all or just says one or two words that just leaves me more confused than I was when I asked.

He begins leading the way now, not caring that his back is to me, he walks slowly. Maybe that's why he was behind me before. Maybe he's tired. He's moving a lot slower now than when we were in the caves. He must've have lost quite a bit of blood by now though, his hand was bleeding heavily when I first saw him and I'm not sure how long it's been but by the smell of it, it's still bleeding. His movements are sluggish, slow and forced. If we got caught by this Legion, he wouldn't stand much of a chance. Although that means I could leave him behind while I escaped.

"Why is Solitude so heavily guarded?" I call out to him, He looks over his shoulder slightly. Probably annoyed he might have to speak again. He's tired, very tired he doesn't even look angry anymore, just annoyed and like he's going to collapse. But it is an important question, whoever is still at home, whether it be father or mother they'll need to know that an Empire has a Legion right next to them. They could be a threat.

He stops looking at me, and instead focuses on what's in front of him. He's not going to answer, I could try asking again but that just seems to make him want to answer less. He staggers slightly, quickly getting his footing back. "Torygg." He mumbles. Is that my answer? Has he finished talking? "Worried about Stormcloaks." He finishes in a low grumble.

Stormcloaks? Another army? Maybe a group of assassins, of cut throats. They sound like that's what they could be. The man doesn't seem very inclined to add any further information, instead he just carries on with walking. I want to ask about the Stormcloaks but at this point it's like trying to draw blood from a rock.

I look up at the large city, its high walls silhouetted against the moon light. The figures of sentries only just visible to my eye so the man must not be able to see them at all. "Are we safe down here?" I ask, he shakes his head. Great, now he's just stopped talking all together. "Will the sentries see us?" I add, looking back to the walls. There's no answer and we carrying on walking in silence for a few minutes.

"No." He rasps, I look at his back. He doesn't want to elaborate and I don't really want him to. His answers just leave more to the imagination and if he doesn't want to talk then I won't make him. He seems perfectly content in trying to imagine me not being here. It's the only explanation I can think of as to why he doesn't look at me, doesn't bother speaking to me. Even when he has to.

I look around the marshes. If the sentries won't see us then what's the danger? I walk quicker to catch up until I'm walking beside him. If we get attacked I'd be more then capable of handling myself but the man knows what he's looking for and I have no idea at all. As far as I know he could be lying to me about there being any sort of danger at all. He glances at me, I can see him properly now, he's a lot more pale then he was. Almost dead looking. I almost start to feel sorry for him.

It looks like the walk is taking every little bit of energy he has left. I'll stop trying to get him to talk, unless I need to. He might not like me at all, but I suppose I do owe him to some extent for freeing me. Even if he didn't know he was freeing me and even if he regrets it. At least he didn't shoot me as soon as I came out of that prison.

I take a quick look around the marsh. There's nothing around of any note, just trees half sunken into the water and the slight incline of some of the mud. It's not the easiest to walk in but I'm managing fine now that I've gotten used to it. The man keeps slipping, every few feet or so. I look down at his boots, he's barely lifting his feet. Must be too tired.

"We're almost there." I tell him quietly. He nods slightly, raising his head and looking like he just developed a lot more resolve then he had before. He best try and pull himself together somewhat. We're about to walk into a room full of vampires and he's bleeding quite a lot. If he looks weak odds are they'll attack him.

We walk the rest of the way in an uncomfortable silence, I don't bother trying to talk to him and he doesn't even bother looking at me. I take another glace at him, he still looks tired, like he's going to fall over any minute but at least now he looks like he's more determined. I look forward again, now we're next to the shore, just walking along the side. I can see the island in the distance. The large fortress easily visible from this distance.

The sun is slowly rising in the distance. If we weren't so close to Icewater jetty then we'd need to find shelter, well at least I would. I doubt the man would stick around and wait for the sun to set. Provided there's actually a boat waiting for us. Then hopefully we can make it across to the island before the sun rises above the mountains. They'll be no cover at all once we're on a boat. If the sun rises fully while we're half way across then that's it. At least for me.

I look at the man as the jetty comes into sight. There's a boat tied up, a couple of ores in the bottom. The man looks slightly relieved. I go ahead of him and climb into the boat, putting the Elder Scroll down flat in the bottom. I sit down and pull the ores up to rest on the sides of the boat.

The man steps onto the very small dock and picks up the rope. He tries to untie the knot, obviously getting frustrated with not being able to do it. He grumbles something as he shakes the rope slightly, he puts one foot in the boat and pulls his dagger out, putting it against the rope and starting to cut. The rope breaks into two and he pulls his other foot into the boat. Sitting down heavily.

I glance down at the Elder Scroll, it's covered up with a thick woollen blanket. I look at the man, he follows my gaze and glances down at the Elder Scroll. He doesn't say anything but he's probably still curious as to what it is. Although he hasn't asked since the first and last time. I put my foot on top of it, he might try and steal it and mother said we'd need it. Why didn't she come back for it?

Why didn't she come back for me?

He picks up the ores sliding them into place and holding them up. "You row." He grumbles, the first time he's spoken in about an hour. I grab the ores out of his hands, and position them better. I look at him, he leans back and rests his left hand on his lap. Right, his hand will make it difficult for him to row. He leans back against the side of the boat, pulling his hood down and closing his eyes.

He opens his eyes after a few minutes, looking over my shoulder at the proud structure just beyond the boat. His eyes flicker back to me. Before he looks down at his hand, unwrapping the rag and leaving it lying on his knee, he quickly pulls off his gauntlet. Flinching as it pulls at the wound. His hand is covered in both fresh and dry blood. I look down at his hand. The wound is bad, really bad. A stab wound all the way through his hand, his two middle fingers look like they've been pushed apart. There's a silver ring on one of his fingers, his ring finger, a sapphire sitting in the metal. It too is covered in blood. He pulls his pack around and pulls another rag out, dunking it in the water and then using it too clean his hand. The ring first.

I stare at the blood covered rag sitting on his knee, my tongue grazing my teeth at the sight of it. How long as it been since I've fed. "Been awhile." He mumbles. I look up at his face, he's squinting at me. I raise an eyebrow at him. "Since you fed." I glare at him a bit. "You keep staring at it."

I look out at the water, glance at him from the corner of my eye. He pulls his gauntlet back on and ties the cleaner rag around his hand. Getting it as tight as he can. He leans his head back. Of course now would be the time he gets talkative, when he's accusing me of not having any self-control when it comes to blood. His hand strays to his dagger and now he thinks I'm going to attack him.

I glance to the side again. "You tired?" I ask as he lets his head fall back slightly. We're just over half way across, I look over my shoulder at the island. Volkihar. Father didn't build the castle but by the way he talks about the fortress you'd think he had.

He sighs heavily. Moving his hand away from his dagger. "No." He grunts. It's a lie. He hasn't done a very good job at hiding it at all. I glance back at his hand, forcing myself to look away. I might not like him but he probably doesn't deserve to be attacked like that. At least I hope he doesn't.

The boat runs into the bank, slowing to a stop in the wet sand and gravel. The waves pushing us just a bit more onto the shore. The man climbs out and starts to pull the boat onto the beach. I climb out at the front and start to pull, quickly getting it completely out of the water.

This is it. Time to find out if my mother or my father stayed and took the power they both craved. I look at the man, he pulls the ores up and drops them back into the boat. He walks over to where I'm standing, facing the opposite shore line. Solitudes still visible, I used to stand here and look across at Solitude. Imagining what wonders waited in Skyrim, I knew about the infighting between the different holds. But it would've been nice to see Skyrim beyond the very limited view of Solitude from the beach. The man stands in front of me, tilting his head to the side. I wonder how much of Tamriel he's seen, he doesn't speak with a Nordic accent so he's at least come from somewhere else. Maybe Cyrodiil or High Rock.

I turn away from Solitude, no point digging up old wishes. At least not when I need answers. I start to walk towards the raised up stone bridge that leads to the keep, the iron-gate is down to protect the solid wooden doors. I turn to face the man who's following a couple of feet behind me. "Before we go in there."

He stops moving. Looking annoyed, frustrated, tired and angry he replies. "What now?" He grinds out between his tightly clenched jaw. His attitude annoys me, I didn't force him to come all this way I asked and he agreed. He didn't have to, he didn't even have to free me from that coffin. He could've thrown me to the draugr but no he insisted on coming all this way. He can listen to what I have to say.

"I just wanted to thank you for helping me get this far." I snap at him, he just looks even angrier then he did before. "After this I won't be your problem." I turn on my heel, storming towards the gate. The man follows after a couple of steps. I hear him grumble something about a mistake and a journal.

"Open the gates!" The unseen watchman shouts, he sounds old from the sounds of his voice. The slight halt to his words as he shouts, probably another thrall. This doesn't help with trying to determine who's in power here. Both mother and father kept thralls. "Lady Serana is back!" The voice shouts after a few beats of silence.

The large iron-gate starts to rise into the large arched wall. Dust and small pieces of stone falling from the gap in the wall. I turn to face the man. "Let me do the talking." I tell him, he doesn't nod or really give any indication that he heard me. The gate finally comes to a grinding halt, spilling more pieces of small rubble on to the floor in front of me.

One half of the doors slowly swings open, the tightening of a rope can be heard over the hinges crying out in protest against the movement. The inside of the keep is just about pitch black, I look out to the side, the sun is slowly rising now it's only just visible over the mountains in the far distance.

There's heavy footsteps. Solid boots, armoured. The silhouette of a man comes into view. Illuminated by the light from the main hall. An elf, two deep red glowing eyes. "How dare you trespass here." A snide voice, a condescending tone. The elf steps fully into view. "Wait Serana. Is that truly you?" Vingalmo steps closer. "I cannot believe my eyes." He turns quickly walking to the balcony at the top of the stairs overlooking the hall. "My lord! Everyone! Lady Serana has returned!" Vingalmo goes down the steps quickly.

My lord? That means it must be father. Then where's mother? Did she return? Is she dead? The man, steps in front of me slightly, going over to the balcony and looking over the edge. I watch him for a few seconds as he leans against the solid carved stone and rests his left arm on top of it. He glances at me, as I take a slow step onto the top of the stairs.

The main hall is deadly silent, not even a whisper. I take a few more steps down the stairs, all of them slow. Father stands up from his seat and walks towards the centre of the room. "My long lost daughter returns at last." He announces, he stares at me as if I'm a traitor, then his stare relaxes slightly and he holds his arms out slightly. "I trust you have my Elder scroll?"

I stop walking and stare at his face. He doesn't look concerned about me at all, he looks at me as if I'm a stranger. "All this time and that's the first thing you ask?" He takes a step forward and glares at me, I look away from him and glance to the floor. "Yes, I have the scroll."

He smiles, one of those sickly smiles. "Of course I'm delighted to see you my daughter. Must I really say the words aloud?" He looks around the hall, at the rest of the occupants. "Ah, if only your traitor mother were here." He says, looking back at me. "I'd let her witness this reunion before putting her head on a pike." The room laughs, father looks up to the top of the steps, at the man. "I see you've brought a stranger to my home. Now tell me who is he?"

I follow his gaze and look at the man, he pushes his body away from the railing and starts to walk around to the top of the steps. Vingalmo following close behind. "This is my saviour." I gesture to him as he takes a couple of steps down the stairs, Vingalmo stops at the top of the stairs and watches his every movement. "The one who freed me."

The man finally gets to the bottom of the steps and walks towards us, stopping a few feet away from father and me. "For my daughters safe return you have my thanks." Father eyes his hand wound, then his gaze flickers up to his split eyebrow. "I see you're injured." The man clenches his left hand, curling it into a fist, the leather creaking. Father grins. "Tell me, what is your name?"

There's a deep silence as everyone in the hall waits for an answer, the man and my father are glaring at each other. "You first." The man finally answers breaking the silence, the hall erupts into low murmurs. I look at father, he looks furious.

"Very well." Father says, he looks away from the man and back at me. "I am Harkon lord of this court." He spread his arms wide, gesturing to the large hall. "Now tell me your name." He says lowly, dangerously.

The man thinks about it for a minute, his eyes flicker to mine. "Mortis."

Father grins again, I stare at the man. Mortis? That's the native language of Cyrodiil. It's also not a name. "By now I trust my daughter has told you what we are." Father circles him, no not him, us. Like a predator closing in on its kill.

Mortis never takes his eyes off of father, watching his every movement. "Vampires." He answers gruffly, seemingly sticking to his short grunted answers he gave me.

Father smirks to himself as he continues to circle us. "Amongst the oldest and most powerful in Tamriel." He stops moving, standing between Mortis and the stairs.

"What happens now?" I interrupt looking between Mortis and my father. Father turns his gaze away from Mortis and stares at me.

"He must be rewarded. There is but one gift I can bestow equal in value to the Elder scroll and my daughter." He walks around, stopping behind me and putting his hands on my shoulders. "I offer you my blood." He tells Mortis, he doesn't give any indication that he's really even heard father. "Take it and walk as a wolf amongst sheep. Men will tremble before you and you may never fear death again." Father finishes. Mortis stares at him, not answering.

"What if I refuse?" Mortis asks, leaning his weight onto his right leg and tucking his left hand under his belt.

"I will spare your life this once, you will be banished from this island. After that you are prey like all mortals." He leans forward slightly, over my shoulder. "Make your choice." I glance at him out of the corner of my eye. His deep red glare is locked directly on Mortis.

"I refuse." He grumbles. I stare at the man for a few seconds. He refuses? Refuses all this power? He'd live forever. Never fear mortality.

Father sighs slightly. "Very well. I must say I am disappointed." He summons a spell in his right hand, a deep purple and black surrounding his hand, it illuminates his face. Making him look a lot more threatening. "I banish you!" father casts the spell, enveloping Mortis in a cloud of smoke and purple flames.

He's gone when in clears, only a black ring on the ground where he was.

Father takes his hands off my shoulders and begins to walk away. I turn to watch his back as he walks towards the back of the fortress. "Bring me my Elder Scroll." He calls back without looking at me I follow without question, glancing back at where Mortis was a few seconds ago.

Now only a ring of soot and ash.