Chapter Twenty-Eight

The Jarl of Morthal was a wise and well aged woman, her face a mask of wrinkles that pulled at her in a pattern that showed years of dedicated hard work. Her dark hair glistened with grey streaks though still retained more of its youth than the rest of her form aside from her eyes, which glistened with a vigor quite surprising to the two warriors as they stood before her with Falion and the young child Agni at their flanks. Idgrod Ravencrone was obviously annoyed with the hour in which she had been awoken, having just barely put on her robes though not her crown, and frowned down at them in ways that twisted her wrinkled face. Her steward, who was also her husband, Aslfur, stood nearby where she sat upon her throne, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

"What is the meaning of this Falion?" Grumbled the elderly woman.

"Idgrod I apologize for the late hour but this is urgent. These women have discovered the cause of the fire," he said as he gestured to the housecarls who stiffened up a bit in response.

Idgrod's disposition quite visibly changed, and she gestured for the pair to approach her and inform her of their findings. Lydia spoke first, holding in her hands the journal they'd acquired. "Alva is the one who did it."

"Well, partially," added Iona as she stepped up besides the brunet. "She was the servant of a higher vampire, Movarth. He plans on turning this entire village into cattle and it is to happen soon. Alva was a traitor."

"Was?" Idgrod inquired, "From the sounds of it you two encountered her."

With a nod, Lydia replied, "She was a vampire as well, and we dealt with her as such."

The jarl's lips were drawn in a deep frown. "I trust you have proof of this! Before I have to arrest you for murder." Without answering, Lydia offered the journal and Idgrod quickly took it and read it. As she finished, eyes wide with alarm, she sharply lowered the book and called for her guards. "Aslfur!" She ordered, "Gather the strongest warriors in the village and have them gather at the mill!" Her husband, who was notably younger than her, hopped up and quickly ran out the longhouse, a squad of soldiers behind him. "You two, you have my thanks," she said to the housecarls. "But I must ask that you aid us in putting a stop to Movarth. I know of him, but I thought he was long since defeated. It would appear I was critically incorrect. You both have fought at least one vampire, surely you stand a better chance in fighting more than most of my men."

"Falion has already convinced us to aid Morthal and your people," Lydia said.

The jarl blinked a bit, curious, and looked at the man who nodded his head. "I see... You have my thanks then Falion, I will surely remember this. Now then! Please, be swift and join the others!" Urged the elderly woman, and the warriors nodded their heads before turning on their heels and began to depart. As they passed the redguard mage and young girl, Lydia gave them a reassuring nod, and then they left.

Outside the air was cool and crisp, chilly even for nords, and the sky was clear of any clouds, leaving the moons free to shine pale light upon them. They could already see a cluster of anxious villagers to the northwest side across the bridge they'd crossed earlier. "Let's go," Lydia said as they jogged over to meet them. Upon their approach the brunet began to pick out some of the faces amongst the angry crowd, chief among which was Thronnir. Though she couldn't see it, she knew that Iona stiffened some as she spotted the man as well in the throng of armed villagers, guards skirting the edges of the groups.

The crowd, which pulsed with rage, carried torches and dull swords, others holding hatchets or daggers, not a scrap of armor on any of them aside from one man who was more properly equipped with a heavy iron battleaxe and iron armor. Dubious of their chances against a clan of vampires, Lydia entered the crowd. "Who's in charge?" She asked.

Thonnir lifted his torch. "You-" He spat with narrowed eyes. "You're here?"

"By the Gods," muttered Lydia as she shook her head softly. "Yes, I am. We want to help."

"You mean kill more of us don't you!" He accused, stepping towards Lydia with a fierce scowl. "You've already killed my wife, and I bet you killed Alva too!"

"The only people we have killed are vampires who have been threatening you," Lydia attempted to defend their actions, frustrated with the man. "Traitors and wolves lying in wait."

"Or perhaps only ones that have been a threat to you outsiders," He sneered. "Why should we trust you? You might be waiting to stab us all in the back once we're in there, you could be working with the monsters for all we know." The nord man was now in Lydia's face, inches away from her with a red hue to his skin from his fury. The crowd, incensed as they were already, seemed eager to pounce upon the pair that had come to their aid, gleaming weapons and torches at them. There were soft murmurs amongst the people, accusations as they were swept up in Thonnir's wild claims. Someone looked ready to pounce upon the housecarls, misdirected hate gleaming in their eyes. As much as the brunet could be known for her gentle care, she still possessed a fierce temper that Iona had learned to recognize the signs of. Before she could react however, the crowd had changed to a more violent mindset, shouting at the women for killing two of them despite the citizens' affliction. Someone prodded at Lydia with a dull blade, shouting a litany of profanity to which the brunet turned towards. In a blink Thonnir punched Lydia, sending the woman to the ground from being caught unawares.

The redheaded woman stepped between them, shoving Thonnir to the side, and shouted loudly. "Enough!" The ring of people stepped back some. "We are not your enemies and you are a fool for not recognizing it. I look around me and I see scared villagers, villagers who will be slaughtered if they attempt this on their own. You don't even have proper weapons, you lack protection, and yet you think you can take on a clan of vampires?" She laughed mockingly, shaking her head. "Do you really want to turn on the two people who could give you a chance?"

Scoffing, the ringleader pointed a finger at her. "Oh? What makes you so special?"

Raising a brow, Iona gestured at herself. "For one, we've got better equipment and proper training." Then she raised her right hand, a flicker of fire forming above it before a plume of the magical flame rose outwards, brighter than any of the torches the villagers bared. They all jumped backwards, alarmed, and Lydia couldn't help but smirk. "But I also have something that will wipe these monsters away. Now then, if you'd like to keep harassing your one hope, by all means... We'll simply return when there is nothing but thralls left here and see if you'd accept our help then." She held out a hand to her companion, and Lydia eagerly accepted it. Once back on her feet, the woman found her gaze lingering on Iona's shining eyes, pride swirling in her chest.

"You're just like Falion!" Accused some faceless member of the angry mob.

"No," Iona said, "I'm a warrior, I simply can use spells as well."

"We don't trust mages, they're worse than outsiders!"

"Will you please shut up," cut in the voice of the nord man that wore the armor, scowling with annoyance. "All of you are acting like fools. Take their help and fight, stop being so proud."

"Benor you don't-"

"Yes I do," he cut Thonnir off. "Now all of you, either go home or be reasonable."

Lydia gave a slight nod to him as the crowd began to calm, though the resentment and hate was still thick in the air. "We have to go," she said. They grumbled about as they began to enter the bog. "Stick close, there might be vampires along the way." The town guardsmen, who had been silent the entire exchange of the mob that had just happened, flanked the villagers for added protection as they ventured into the swamp. A thick curling fog surrounded them, licking at their boots and caressing their faces, whispering shadows ducking behind the boney like trees. A sense of unease ran down the brunet's spine as they moved deeper within, the moonlight a blessing and yet she felt exposed. Her mind was alert, sharp and acute for the first sign of their enemy. She did not doubt that with all that had been going on this powerful vampire Movarth didn't have some sort of scout or spy watching their every move in addition to Alva who lay dead in her cellar.

The mob had grown quiet, out of fear she suspected more than intelligence as they'd shown her an apparent lack thereof. The sound of their boots through the muck and marsh was loud enough to wake the dead, something she feared they had done in fact, and her breathing would be coming quickly if not for her mindful control of it. The woman gritted her teeth as she heard twigs snapping to her left, whirling towards the source only to see it was some bumbling villager who cringed apologetically. Muttering to the divines under her breath, Lydia continued on. She couldn't see how the jarl expected these people to take on a clan of vampires, they could hardly take on a pair of women after all. Throwing in their poorly equipped selves, and she might have been second guessing the 'mystic' jarl. More so however, her mind was quickly becoming a dark gathering place despite her attempts to keep it sharp. The image of each of these villagers strewn across a cave floor, dead or being feasted upon flashed in her mind, Iona being turned by the master vampire while she herself was being drained of her life.

Something brushed her leg, and as on edge as the woman was she about slashed Iona who blinked at her as Lydia stopped short. "Sorry," she whispered with a blush. "Just a bit... jumpy..."

Iona placed a hand on Lydia's shoulder. "You gonna be okay?" She whispered back, the pair still while the rest of the mob continued on, not really noticing the duo had stopped.

"Yeah of course," Lydia replied, seemingly confused by why that should have even been a thought. "We've faced a lot of foes, this shouldn't be very different."

"Except we've never taken an angry mob with us before," replied Iona. "You don't think they can do it, do you?"

Biting the inside of her cheek, she sighed and shook her head. "No, I don't."

"Then let's tell them that," Iona said, "Before they get themselves all killed."

Sighing a bit more, Lydia nodded her head and looked to the others. "The guards at least we can take with us," she decided, and Iona seemed to agree. They were there now, a massive gaping cave with blood spilled before it from what they assumed were the vampires' dinners. The marsh seemed to be filled with dark magic around it, bugs screeching warnings to the mob who mulled about outside it, most of them practically quaking in their boots. The duo walked to the front of it, and then looked to the citizens. "All of you but the guards," she said, "you should go home."

"What?" Thonnir cried in outrage, stepping towards her. "We've got to protect ourselves, avenge our lost ones!"

"You'll die," Iona said simply, shaking her head. "All of you but the guards and perhaps Benor." She gestured to the man with the armor. "We're not going to be the cause of any deaths beyond that of the monsters."

"But-"

"Please," Iona pleaded, cutting him short and looking at the mob who's resolve she felt wavering the whole way to the cave. "All of you, return to the village."

Grumbling, a few began to walk away immediately, while Thonnir lingered on. He looked between the women and the guards who remained, and then his shoulders slumped down and he let out a terrible cry. "Please," He begged, "please avenge my wife. My sweet Laelette, please avenge her." Iona gave him a pitying look, and nodded her head. With that, the guards and housecarls turned and entered the cave, Benor deciding to remain and keep watch of the town. The group, a whole of twenty including the housecarls, entered into a long dirt tunnel lined with stones, an opening at the far end of it. They moved swiftly and with a purpose, stealth not really on any of their minds but rather the hope of overwhelming the monsters with their numbers. The opening revealed a large, cylindrical shaped cave, a platform of wood slabs leading downwards to uneven rocks, the bottom of it filled with spiders and webbing.

They rushed downwards, and easily disposed of the spiders, turning then through an opening in the cave wall that led them through to another large cave, this one long and tall, rock pillars supporting the roof while moss fell from it, curling around like ringlets of hair. An eerie sound filled the air, mixing with the light fog that seeped from the floor to their knees, ferns growing in spots of softer earth, a brazier burning at the base of one column. There was a table with a chair tucked in one rock corner, a lantern and food atop of it and a man sitting in that chair. The sounds of the approaching guards soon alerted him and he rose to his feet with a fierce scowl at the invasion.

Lydia rushed forward, sword drawn, and met him in combat. The thrall was stout, strong, and garbed in fur armor but he was no match for Lydia who quickly found a gap in his defense and brought her shield forward to bash him backwards. As he stumbled, trying to regain his footing before the brunet could followthrough with her attack, Lydia brought her sword around and slashed the man's side. He shouted violently and stabbed wildly at the woman who stepped backwards to avoid his blade. The wounded thrall gave a fierce, savage growl and charged at her, only for Lydia to trip him and bring her sword down into his back as he fell forward into the earth. A low groan escaped him before he died, Lydia watching with narrowed eyes before turning to the rest of the group.

The path continued to the left down a short rock hallway that opened up to a larger cave, a thick fog curling around the ground to almost hide the skeletons and corpses that speckled the floor. There were a handful of tables, littered with clothing and other personal belongings, as well as barrels and crates about the place. The sound of a someone digging in the dirt was quite loud, and Lydia peered into the fog to find a shirtless man digging a deep grave, a wagon besides him with more corpses within. He was muttering on about how he liked this and that upon the bodies, stealing boots and looting the bodies most likely, and was so bent on his work he didn't notice the invaders until it was too late. Iona promptly brought a surge of nordic fury upon the man, smashing him atop the head with her shield before plunging her blade deep into his chest. The redhead couldn't help but wonder how many of the bodies were citizens of Morthal or just simply passerby that had been dragged into the marsh to their doom. Shaking the thoughts away, she took the lead besides Lydia and the guards followed them through to the next area.

This time the passageway was wide and tall, a wooden scaffold lining the far side while the path continued before them, sharply turning to the right. Lydia crept along the scaffold to peer at what lay before them, knowing that while they weren't the stealthiest of groups they couldn't blindly rush into battle, that was what the mob would have done and what surely would have killed them all. She was just reaching the apex when she felt something brush her side, and this time she wasn't surprised when she glanced to see it was Iona who was crouched next to her, gazing outwards into the vast cave before them. The guards were slinking along on the ground, while from their elevated position the housecarls could see a massive table adorned with vampiric delights, a keg or two on the wood as well. The table itself was on a raised platform, and at the head was a throne in which a dark haired man sat. There was a wooden ramp and platform that led into some other area on the far wall, and the ceiling was a mix of rock and roots from the marsh.

Mortal eyes fell upon the vampire who was sipping from a tankard of blood, a sly curl to his lips as he stared right up at where they were, well aware of their presence. "We have guests!" He announced to the ten vampires and thralls that were with him. "How wonderful! Alva has been most successful in tricking the guard it would seem." Iona and Lydia exchanged looks before rising up from out of their crouched position, the guards uneasily doing the same. "Who might you lovely ladies be however?" He asked, narrowing his eyes at the two housecarls who looked very different from the others. "Come here, all of you!" Almost as if they felt compelled, the duo retreated down the scaffolding and approached the throne with the platoon of guard. They stopped not terribly far from him, a strange aura around the ancient vampire who's features were so sharp Lydia couldn't help but wonder if he'd be able to cut something with his chin alone. "Now... Who are you?" He asked smoothly, no hint of malice or intimidation and yet Lydia couldn't help but feel a deep sense of fear at his presence.

"Alva sent us," Iona replied, trying to seem enthralled but she wasn't too sure how to behave. Hroggar hadn't seemed all that peculiar, and he was the only thrall she'd met before, or at least knowingly.

"And yet she sent no word ahead?" He sniffed, "Most unusual..." Glowing eyes settled on Iona, and he took in a deep breath. "You do smell of her though, so perhaps you're not lying." Yawning as if he were bored, the vampire showed off his long, sharp fangs, and then smirked at Iona. "Come here, I thirst for fresh blood." Iona slowly approached him, trying to get in close enough to strike but not be so obvious. However, Lydia wasn't quite as good at masking her thoughts and Movarth easily caught the tension that ran up the brunet's body as Iona drew near the predator. "Nice try," he chuckled before surging forward and grasping Iona's shoulder, he threw her across the cave. The woman shouted in pain as her back slammed into one of the natural rock columns that held up the ceiling, lightning shooting outwards from the impact point.

Lydia and the guards surged forward as well, blades drawn and slashing at the vampires who all let out a vicious cackle before they began to dance around the mortals, striking and snapping like the monsters they were. The guards clustered up together, the creatures of night circling around them in a game of blood, charging forward to snatch away one before the others would stop them. A man cried out in pain, a vampire having torn their helm off and buried their fangs inside the mortal's neck. A fellow guard bashed the vampire away, unsuccessfully stabbing at the monster in an attempt to further harm it, though their ally fell with a heavy sigh they seemed to still be breathing. An argonian thrall rushed a guard, taking him by surprise and stabbing him in the side with her sword before bashing his skull with her shield. In retaliation a pair of the guards began to attack her. On the outer side of the heated battle a vampire had caught a guard and was draining the mortal woman, dropping her corpse to the cave floor with a sick smile before they slipped into shadows and reappeared to attack once more.

Iona's head was swirling as she struggled to her feet, Lydia trying and failing to cleave her way through the circle of vampires to her friend's side. Instead, besides her was Movarth, his lips drawn in a wicked smile as he bent down and brushed the stunned woman's hair back. "You're a pretty one," he praised, grabbing Iona's wrists to stop the attack she began and pushed her against the column to pin her. Iona gritted her teeth and kicked out with a leg, but missed the slippery shadow. "Perhaps I'll keep you as a thrall instead of finishing you off like your friends." She felt the points of fangs on her neck, and Iona gave a wild scream before she pushed back with all her might. Movarth, while he didn't appear too strong physically at a first glance, was still firmly rooted in place and he chuckled. The small delay before he bit down however, was just enough for help to arrive in the form of a charging brunet nord.

Slashing Movarth with her blade, Lydia bellowed in fury as she forced him to separate from her fellow housecarl. The powerful vampire hissed in frustration and then vanished in a ripple of shadows. "You okay?" Lydia asked, warily looking around for the monster's reappearance.

"Yeah," grunted Iona, "Thanks."

They went back to back, blades ready for Movarth, and slowly moved towards a rock wall to grant a bit more protection. The fact that these abominations were able to essentially if not truly turn invisible was a major disadvantage for the warriors, making it all the more imperative they were alert. Lydia's gaze lingered for half a second on a guard that was fending off a vampire when suddenly there was a flash of fangs and Movarth was lunging at her. "Iona!" She shouted, ducking as the redhead turned towards the attacking monster, one hand raised. The dark haired vampire didn't realize what that meant until a moment too late, and a torrent of fire virtually exploded from the housecarl's open palm, engulfing his face and searing up his body. He shrieked, turning away and fleeing towards somewhere relatively safe while his skin bubbled and burned. Iona and Lydia gave chase, determined on finishing him while he was in a wild panic. The vampire hissed, flames still eating at his body, and threw his hands out towards them. The same spell Alva had used on Lydia, Iona recognized, began to swirl around the pair. Their bodies grew weak like Movarth who seemed only capable of remaining standing while his undead form burned because he was stealing their life force.

Energy sapping, the nords charged towards him, shouting violently on their approach. Lydia's legs nearly gave out beneath her, the rushing sound of the magic surrounding her as everything else grew muffled. Darkness swirled in her vision, spots dancing chaotically, making it incredibly hard to see. Her arms and legs no longer fully listened to her, instead reacting slowly, as if she was giving them a command from a mile away. A sideways glance to Iona told her she was feeling just the same. The vampire, the flames at last having flickered out of existence, straightened up and strengthened the spell. Starbursts exploded in Lydia's skull, pain filling her as everything slowly grew numb. Unlike Alva's version of the spell, this one felt more powerful, stealing their life away faster and harsher. Stumbling now, the duo gritted their teeth and fell to their knees. Lydia could hardly catch herself, while Iona failed to entirely.

Every breath burned with numbness, and Lydia glowered up at the vampire who now cackled at his triumph. He stepped towards them, and cupped Lydia by the chin. "Oh that was an admirable try my dears," he smoothly said, leaning down towards the brunet who sneered in response. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Iona shuffling a bit, and she promptly decided to keep Morvath's attention long enough for whatever her companion was doing to be successful.

"How could you do this," she demanded, "How depraved could you possibly be that you'd see a whole town as nothing more than cattle?" Despite the dizziness in her head, Lydia was relieved to find her tongue still worked as she so wished it to.

A curl to his lips came, and Movarth simply laughed. "Mortals... So naive. That is all you are girl. Food. The mighty wolf must hunt, but why should he trek for miles to find one little lamb, when there is a whole flock so blindly sleeping nearby? It is all the same, convenience."

"But those are people! You can't just enthrall them and make them your slaves!"

"And what difference is that to what the dwemer did to the falmer? Or of your own kings!" He spat. "You raise livestock just so you won't have to hunt it down later yourself, so that you don't have to worry of food. It is exactly the same mortal. Perhaps you need to be enlightened," he cackled, and bent down to bite into her neck. "Would you care to give it a try?"

"Never!" She hissed, jerking a bit away.

"Shush now," he cooed, stroking down Lydia's face, "It only hurts a little... at first."

Something caught his eye, and he pulled back to stare at Iona who had a piece of parchment in her hand. "I'm sure it'll only hurt a little at first too," she sneered, and then the paper rolled open and she shouted the magical words. Suddenly six balls of fire manifested in the air, the size of a fist each, and swirling with multiple colors. Movarth's eyes widened in fear and he began to flee, but the magic was too fast. They flew after him, one at a time striking the vampire by bursting straight through his chest, a massive, seared hole left behind each time. There was a terrifying, disgusting rattling sound that came, and then he crumpled into a pile of ash.

Lydia's gaze lingered on the remains for a few moments before she looked back at her friend. "That was amazing!" She said, until she noticed the utter pain on Iona's face, the redheaded woman clutching her chest as she fell to the ground. "Iona!"

"I'm fine-" gritted the woman, eyes shut as pain pulsed through her body. "That just took a lot out of me," she hissed as another wave of pain filled her body. Lydia sat on her knees besides her, watching Iona ride out the shockwaves of magical exhaustion. "I promise Lydia," Iona breathed, opening one green eye to take in the worry so plainly splashed across the brunet's face. "I'll be fine in a bit. Scrolls still tax you magically, and that was a very powerful one."

Skeptical, Lydia looked out to the rest of the battle and was relieved to see that compared to Movarth, the other vampires and thralls in the clan were more easily taken care of. There were six guards that seemed seriously harmed, as well as two that had perished, but for the most part the guards appeared to be fairly okay. The ashen corpses of the monsters littered the ground while there were three thralls still standing, dazed and confused. Lydia was surprised as those who had just been avidly attacking them appeared to be as innocent as a newborn child. One in particular, a purple and pink argonian, caught her eye.

"What's going on?" Rasped the argonian, staring at the guard who'd been mangled by none other than her hands. Blue reptilian eyes stared at the body, and she tenderly reached out towards the corpse. Another guard shouted at her, and she withdrew, shaking where she sat on her knees. "Please... What has happened?"

Lydia looked to Iona, relief flooding her as the woman seemed to truly be recovering, and got to her feet. "I'm going to check on the others," she said, and Iona waved her off with a nod. Moving swiftly towards the argonian who looked near to panicking, Lydia tried to prevent that from happening. "It's okay," she said slowly, "everything is going to be just fine. My name is Lydia, what's yours?"

The argonian stared up at her, and her mouth gaped for a few moments before she could find her voice. "Dances-With-Wind."

"That's good, a very nice name," she responded. "Do you know where you are?"

Dances-With-Wind shook her head at first, a pair of horns curving elegantly out behind her skull, and then she got a good look at all the vampire corpses around her. Slowly the wheels turned in her head, and the argonian was on her feet. "You!" She shouted, "You killed them all!"

"Yes."

"But then- if he's dead then..." Dances-With-Wind took in a deep breath. "I'm free..."

Lydia smiled, "That you are. You're no longer under that monster's spell."

The argonian jumped forward and pulled her into a massive hug, unable to contain herself. "Thank you! By the Gods thank you!" She kept repeating, only pulling back when Lydia could take no more. "You're heroes," she rasped, emotion thick in her voice. "All of you! Thank you!"

Lydia blushed a bit, and shook her head. "We've only done what's right," she said.

"No," Dances-With-Wind adamantly repeated. "You are heroes."

"For your actions today, in the name of Morthal and her people, you have my eternal gratitude," Idgrod said, "We shall have a feast in your honor and celebrate what you have done."

Lydia, Iona, and the surviving guards that weren't being tended to by the local alchemist stood before the jarl. The citizens that had comprised the angry mob, as well as Falion and Agni stood to the sides, watching with jubilation at the triumphant warriors. There was an uproar of cheer at the prospect of a feast, but the two housecarls expressed no such sentiment. "I'm afraid we don't have time to remain much longer," Lydia said apologetically, "we have a quest we must return to."

Idgrod nodded her head. "Of course, I understand. However, should you ever return to Morthal you are more than welcome. We shall remember your deeds for years to come." Her gaze turned to that of the redguard mage, and nodded her head. "You have my thanks for your hand in their assistance." The man gave a faint smile and nodded her head.

"It was my pleasure."

"I'm sure it was," she replied with the faintest of sniffs. "Now all of you, let us celebrate! Tonight we shall honor our dead, but for now we shall rejoice in victory!" She commanded and the townsfolk filed out with a ruckus. As they left, Iona and Lydia standing fast so as to avoid the crowd, the pair smiled at each other. They were quite swiftly left on their own, and the women didn't really want to get caught up in the chaos they could hear happening outside already, the jarl having left as well as most of her officials. Iona cleared her throat, intending on saying something to Lydia when an argonian approached them.

Lydia blinked with shock. "Dances-With-Wind," she said, "shouldn't you be with the alchemist?"

"I don't have any wounds," she replied, shaking her head. "I also wanted to thank you again for what you've done for me."

Iona shrugged a bit. "I'm glad you're feeling better but really you should be seen by a healer. There's no telling what those vampires did to you."

Dances-With-Wind narrowed her eyes a bit, dwelling on many dark memories. "I know what they did..." She hissed softly. "But I'm fine now. When you killed my master I was set free. I wasn't that well trained for a thrall, they'd only captured me six months ago. Most of the others though... They'd been there much longer, they're more far gone than I."

"What do you mean?"

"When you're enthralled, your mind is no longer truly your own. Your master, the vampire who charmed you, slowly eats away at everything you are. Your body will no longer listen to you, your thoughts become what they want, you... They take over every last fiber of your being. You want to please them, you want to do as they desire, you're willing to give them your blood, your body and your life. The only thing that remains yours is your soul."

"It sounds not too different from a lesser vampire," said Lydia.

With a shake of her head, the argonian rubbed her arms a bit. "No... The real difference between us and them is physical. I'm still mortal, I still breathe and eat and sleep and they're so much more. We're so different and yet we're the same." There was something about the way she spoke, an edge to her voice, and a haze over her blue eyes that put off the duo. "The others aren't as lucky as I. Their minds couldn't take it to find they were without a master, they've lost it. Some might recover in time but for now they're the ones that should be tended to."

Lydia gave a slight nod, as if to say she understood. In reality though she was watching the argonian warily. Her behavior after they'd defeated Movarth had been ever changing. Her initial euphoria had shifted to a contemplative silence as they'd cleared and checked the remainder of the caves. By the time they'd left, with dawn breaking in the sky to paint the world brilliant morning colors, Dances-With-Wind had become more like her fellow thralls, aimless, lost and confused. Now, she'd seemed to have reigned herself back towards the second phase of whatever she was going through, sincere and thoughtful. She wasn't too sure what to make of the stranger before her.

The argonian looked at them, and sighed. "I suppose there is no chance in you letting me accompany you on whatever quest you're on is there?" She said glumly.

Biting her cheek, Iona gave a slight nod. "No... Not really. We seek a cure for our thane, and it's a matter we'd prefer to keep a bit private though that's probably failed terribly."

"I know all about vampires though! I could be of some use to you."

With a shake of her head, Lydia gave a soft smile. "I think it's best for you to adjust. It's been a good while since you were enthralled. I'm sure it's not that simple to get used to being free again if it's as invasive as you say. It's also a very dangerous mission we have before us, and if you're susceptible to enthrallment once, who knows how easily you might be again."

Sighing once more, the argonian nodded her head. "I understand. It's your quest anyways. But please, one day allow me to repay my debt to you." She pleaded.

Nodding their heads, the duo answered in unison. "Certainly." With a soft smile, a bit of optimism swirling in the argonian's eyes, she nodded and followed the crowd of people outside. Iona and Lydia looked at each other, and then a mutual understanding passed between them. They'd spent enough time here, they needed to get to Solitude. With their quest a surprising success, and this new knowledge they had to share with the others, the pair began to make the trek to Solitude. The dawn had slipped into mid morning as the housecarls left the rescued, rejoicing town, bringing forth good tidings to them as they entered the swamp, heading west. The fanfare behind them was one Lydia had grown used to traveling with Yosa'Min, but never had it been actually for her. She'd always been the second fiddle, the sidekick, the one the bards did not mention in their tales.

The fact that this story was hers and Iona's however, brought a smile to Lydia's face.

AN: So this was took longer to get out for two reasons, 1) training got pretty busy and 2) it's the one-year anniversary of At Dawn's Light. I wanted to wait and release it on today once I realized I wouldn't have the next chapter up in time if I released this one earlier. Thanks for reading along for 365 days, I can't express just how much that means to me. The story is still going strong despite my busy schedule, and I'll try my best to update often. I'd love to hear what you thought of the chapter and perhaps even what's been some of your favorite for this year-old story. This also concludes the Morthal arc of the story, and is the longest chapter to date, so I'd love to hear what you've thought of that overall. Once again, you've got my biggest thanks, cya next time.