Chapter Thirty-One
Only once before in her life had Mjoll seen a carriage wreck so horribly gruesome. Her mind was settled upon memories as she stared at the mess of blood and bodies on the side of the road, just a bit out the ways of Dragon Bridge in the Solitude hold. There were a trio of imperial soldiers with ice spikes sticking out of them or massive gashes across their throats spread around the area, pools of red liquid stagnant and reeking of death. The carriage itself was on its side, blood splattered across it and one wheel shattered with half melted ice spikes sticking from the bottom of the wooden floor. A meter or so away, fallen in the brush, lay the dying horse, its lowly calls of anguish having been what led the four women to the scene in the first place.
Vex sniffed with disgust as she rummaged in the satchels upon the carriage, other containers strewn about in a chaotic mess. "No sign of where he's gone yet," she called over to where the housecarls were inspecting the horse. The stallion moaned once more, Iona seeing if perhaps she could heal it, discreetly casting her spell upon the animal's chest, the bright light of the spell hidden by the torch Lydia held besides her. "Can you please shut that thing up?" Vex scowled.
"He's in a lot of pain," said back Lydia. "I'm surprised he's still alive if this attack happened yesterday."
"It was only a few hours ago really," argued Vex, the dawn light on the horizon having faded into an early morning grey, a blanket of ragged clouds concealing the sun while a heavy fog curled around in the air. "Athreo's caravan only got to Solitude two hours before Mjoll and I did."
Rolling hazel eyes, the nord shook her head. "Regardless, you could be a bit more sympathetic."
"It's an animal," groused Vex as she began to search the nearby brush, "It's not getting any from me." Deciding it was pointless to try and argue further, Lydia turned back to Iona who was frowning softly, frustration bubbling beneath the grimace upon her face.
"Any luck?" Asked Lydia.
"It's too serious for me to fix," Iona shamefully admitted. "If I was only a bit better I'm sure I could heal him but..." Hopelessness filled her voice, and the redhead drew a small knife from her belt. "At this point it would be best to simply put him out of his misery." With a saddened nod, Lydia agreed, and Iona brought the blade to the creature's long neck, finding the right spot, and whispered an apology before slitting its throat. They rose to their feet as its cries softened until ultimately ceasing.
"Ah hah!" Announced Vex, holding up a letter she'd looted from a vampire corpse in the bushes. "Someone named Malkus set up this ambush," she informed the others, walking over with the parchment in hand. "They took the moth priest to Forebear's Holdout for safekeeping." Looking up at the three nords, only two of which she had the attention of, she shrugged. "Anyone know where that is."
The two housecarls shook their heads. "I do," Mjoll said then, finally turning her gaze upon Vex. "I used to explore this area in my younger days, I still remember where it was. It's not far from here actually, just a bit off the road." Without wasting their breath, the four women continued down the road, a trail of blood they could only guess the source of aiding them along the way as they crossed a second bridge and curved around a small set of hills. They could only hope it wasn't the moth priest that had been leaving such a gruesome trail. Just as Mjoll had said, it wasn't far, but before they dared to blindly enter the cave, Vex stopped the group with one hand raised.
"Dawnguard," she hissed out, dropping low to the earth, the three warriors copying her. Vex peered over the rocks they were behind, amber eyes narrowed in the fog where she could just make out the brown armor. "Two of them, posted outside the cave, do you see them?" She pointed towards the mouth of the cave, a group of trees helping hide them in the poor visibility, carved pillars speckling the area in a seemingly random manner.
Grimacing, Mjoll shook her head. "Don't wanna mess with them. Those three we fought with were just lowly soldiers and they still put up a decent enough fight all things considered. If they've got guards, there's bound to be more of them inside."
"Not to mention we don't need to further antagonize them," added Iona, green eyes narrowed with thought. "We should camp out here, wait for what will happen."
Tilting her head slightly with thought, Lydia seemed to agree. "If they're still around here, something must be up. The moth priest is probably still alive, and they're just waiting for a chance to move him safely?"
"Vampires already attacked one of his convoys, they'll probably do it again," said Vex, "they're amassing a stronger force before that can happen."
"You don't think Yosa was part of that group that attacked do you?" Suggested Lydia, quickly earning a trio of frowns. "It's just a possibility, that's all, I don't think it's really what happened but last we knew she was in the area correct?" Mjoll nodded her head. "So if vampires are hunting this man down, she's probably looking for him as well, she's bound to come here if she hasn't already. We should wait where we can see who all comes." The others seemed to agree well enough, and so they crept back down the rocks and carefully began to make their way around to the other side. It was a bit trying to keep from making too much noise as three of them wore such heavy armor, but eventually they were on top of the cave system, able to see a bit farther all around despite the fog. Without having to say a word, they each turned in a different direction, watching for some sort of activity, and hoping it would be a certain redguard vampire.
"So this is it?" Inquired Yosa'Min sniffing at the musky smelling cave Serana and she had just entered, having charmed their way past the guards. It had been Serana's decision not to kill them, believing it a safer bet in case the backup Dawnguard arrived while they were inside, Yosa'Min easily agreeing to the logic behind such a notion. They didn't have to go far down the tunnel before it opened up to a grand chamber, a ragged set of stone stairs and railing before them to the left, while the earth cut to their right below. There was a sense of majesty almost, as if they had discovered a hidden fort as they gazed at the stoneworking across the cave, on the other side of an underground river that rushed on by. Fog still curled within, braziers lit that set an eerie glow where the shadows clung, and the smell of damp earth was enough to make the redguard crinkle her nose in disgust.
"It would seem so," replied Serana, burning eyes narrowed as she tried to spot the Dawnguard soldiers she had expected. There were lone shadows moving along the tiers of walling in the intricate stronghold across the way, but it seemed as if there were less of them than there should have been.
"Perhaps they suffered losses when they took him from the rival clan?" Suggested Yosa'Min, seemingly having been thinking the same thing. Serana gave a silent nod, and began down the rough steps to the left, large rock pillars rising up towards the ceiling only to break off half way there. The vampires moved like shadows down the earthen path, and over the river via a bridge. They crept along the side of the walling, making sure they were silent, smelling the air for the scent of mortals. As they reached the entrance, a hole in the walling with a walkway on the top where a guard most likely was posted, Serana held up a hand. Yosa'Min patiently waited for her sire's next move, only to be surprised when the vampire gave off a quick shimmering light before she vanished right before the redguard.
Blue eyes were wide with shock, Yosa'Min frantically looking around for where her companion had gone, when she heard the muffled sounds of a struggle from above, and then a body fell right in front of her, crumpling with a sick sound. Cautiously the redguard poked the corpse with her boot, and looked up to where Serana had reappeared, her fangs wet with blood. An exhilarated chill running down her body, Yosa'Min crept after her upon Serana's orders, moving through shadows swifter than she ever had as a thief. The center of the first level was nothing more than an open clearing with a massive bonfire blazing in the center, a pair of Dawnguard standing with their backs to Yosa'Min. She couldn't quite see the purpose of such a monstrously sized fire, until Yosa'Min spotted bodies piled up in the heart of the inferno, the Dawnguard no doubt cleaning up the vampires they had killed.
Lips curled in a silent sneer, Yosa'Min maneuvered herself until she found the stairs Serana had used to get on the outer wall, and quickly made her way up them. Serana remained quiet, and instead pointed at the massive swirling blue light on the top level, shimmering magic in a conic shape downwards. "A barrier?" Softly hissed Yosa'Min.
"They're probably keeping the moth priest there for his own protection," replied Serana. "Come now, let's dispose of these two." With that, she lurked back into the darkness and Yosa'Min swiftly followed after her. They each moved behind one of the soldiers, the vampire hunters foolishly not checking their rear, and with a silent signal attacked as one. Yosa'Min wrenched the taller man's neck towards her, kicking out his legs from behind and pulling a dagger out from her hip. He gave a startled cry before she plunged the dagger into his chest. Serana instead was able to reach his neck directly, and sunk her fangs into his flesh, a hand clamping down on his mouth before he could scream out. She finished him off swiftly, Yosa'Min sheathing the dagger with a curious look on her face while she watched her sire, biting her lip slightly as Serana licked the blood from her lips.
Serana gave a quick look around, trying to find the quickest way up to the top level, and soon was leading the fledgling across the way, to a spiraling stone staircase within a tower of sorts though it had half crumbled to dust. The second floor was nothing but a circular area with a gaping hole in the wall that peered down at the clearing they had just been in. The top level came quickly, and Yosa'Min's eyes widened as she took in the magical barrier up close. The entire floor was cast in a bluish hue, the magic that was swirling in the center coming from a series of stones with blue lines etched into them, curling inwards like a half closed hand. There were stairs and platforms on the edges, leading to somewhere else but all Yosa'Min was focused on was the ten Dawnguard soldiers who were ready for them, swords and warhammers bared. At their feet were five hounds, specially crafted armor on their grey pelts, fangs bared with eagerness to tear the vampires apart. What truly caught Yosa'Min by surprise however, was the troll that stood before the barrier, dawned in armor just like the war hounds.
"You're kidding me!" She gasped with exasperation.
"Looks like the sneaking around part is over," commented Serana as magic began to swirl around her hands. "Yosa, I might have to transform for this, watch my back when I do."
"Of course." Yosa'Min dutifully nodded, drawing the dagger she had taken to carrying around which was ebony in make. The sire glanced around, trying to get a feel for the battlefield, and grinned as she took notice of a statue hunched over the edge of the stone cast in shadow, a gargoyle.
Snickering towards the Dawnguard who were now charging, Serana jerked a hand towards the statue and a blue light raced out before striking it. "Let's bring in a friend of our own," she said, the light shimmering around it before the stone gargoyle began to move. The sound of solid rock shifting filled the cave and sent a wave of terror across the mortals as the creature unleashed a primal cry before surging forward to slash a pair of dogs with its sharp claws, killing one instantly while the other lingered in pain for a few moments, its guts spilling out onto the stone creature's hand before it too died. With a cackle almost, the gargoyle moved on towards the troll, quickly engaging it in a heavy battle.
Yosa'Min cringed slightly at the brutal image, but had no more time to waste. A Dawnguard hunter was rushing her, sword bared with a fierce cry, heavy footfalls terrifyingly sounding of a swift death. Rolling to the left, Yosa'Min slashed at his knees with her dagger, but his armor deflected the blow. He swung where she had moved to, but naturally by then she had rolled away once more, this time behind him, and kicked the man squarely in the back, sending him face first into the gore of the second hound. Hissing, Yosa'Min raced after him, aiming to drive the dagger right into his skull. The man lashed out, haphazardly swinging his blade to keep the redguard at bay just long enough for him to get to his feet. From the other side however, the one he was not paying attention to, the gargoyle came stumbling backwards from a blow the troll had landed, crushing the man's head like a ripe watermelon. Crinkling her nose, Yosa'Min moved on to her next enemy.
Serana found herself grappling with a fast footed dunmer, the Dawnguard shouting out the usual 'kill the vampire' nonsense that drove the Volkihar crazy. With a sweep of her legs, she sent the mer falling to her feet, only for a blast of icy magic to hit her chest and send Serana stumbling backwards. With gritted fangs, Serana got back up, the dunmer having done so as well. "Got a few dirty tricks up your sleeves huh?" Serana hissed as she gathered another ball of magic, dark blue swirls of light. "Wanna see mine?" The dunmer's eyes widened as Serana cast the spell, a series of ice spikes forming in thin air before they sped forward, impaling the Dawnguard with a sick sound, pinning her into the side of the stone steps nearby.
Wheeling around at the sounds of another conflict, Serana gave a panicked gasp as she spotted the troll had given up trying to kill the gargoyle, and instead was doggedly pursuing Yosa'Min while the remaining three hounds kept the stone creature at bay with the assistance of a pair of Dawnguard hunters. The redguard was having to evade the monster more than strike it, luring it away from the group slightly. Serana charged, the elven dagger she had taken to using aimed for an opening in the armor, when she noticed something; Yosa'Min was in no way panicked, rather she looked like she had a plan for this monstrosity that was attempting to maul her to death. Slowing down, Serana narrowed her eyes, certain that Yosa'Min could handle it. The Dragonborn rolled once more, positioning herself to where the armored troll was between herself and the edge of the stone floor they were on. With a smirk, she took in a deep breath, a wave of energy running up her body before she shouted.
"FUS RO DAH!"
Serana's eyes widened with shock as a massive wave of air and energy shot forward, knocking the creature clean off the earth and sending it tumbling down into the icy river below. The troll fell with a terrible cry, only for it to be cut short upon impact. Yosa'Min peered over the edge, checking to make sure it was dead, and grinned at the sight of its body impaled by one of the stone pillars they had passed on the way into the cave. Looking back at her sire, the redguard flashed a smile. "I really hate- Serana look out!" Yosa'Min shouted frantically, Serana whirling around at the warning to see the edge of a blade coming down at her face. Desperately, she vanished in a plume of bats, reappearing a few meters away with a slash across her face, a few bats laying dead on the ground where she had been standing before they sizzled away into shadows.
Swinging after Serana, the Dawnguard pursued her doggedly, Serana side-stepping his attacks one after another, narrowly avoiding his blows. She held up a hand, concentrated for a split second as she muttered a few words, and sent an ice spike right through his chest, the close proximity removing any chance of it missing him. With a soft moan, he collapsed onto the earth, ice crawling through his veins as blood seeped into the ground. With three of the soldiers down, a pair of hounds and the troll, the remaining Dawnguard mortals decided to strike at once, one of them shouting commands to the three husky dogs who ran forward with renewed anger. Serana widened her eyes, glanced at her companion who was a bit bloodied now, and shook her head. "Buy me some time!" She ordered, stepping backwards to where she could transform.
With an obedient nod, Yosa'Min sprung into action besides the gargoyle who was now missing one arm, slashing at the Dawnguard with her dagger and the faintest bit of magic she knew bubbling at her hand, bolts of lightning arcing out to zap the closest soldier. One of the dogs rushed at her, bumping her and nearly sending the woman to her rump if she hadn't been already aware of her precarious footing. The vampire gave a sharp cry and kicked the second one that lunged her in the jaw, sending it back to the ground in a heap. The gargoyle let out another strange sound before he smashed a hound flat. Yosa'Min send another arc of lightning outwards, hitting the dog she had kicked as it got to its feet. With a shout to her left, Yosa'Min heard an approaching Dawnguard, and stepped just barely out of the way of a massive swinging sword.
"Burn vampire!" He shouted, opening a scroll and reading off the words. A light exploded out from him, and Yosa'Min balked as a trio of fireballs sprung to life, floating in the air before they grew nearly the size of her head. They sailed out towards the vampire who ducked, her hair singing as they zoomed past, only to turn back around and aim directly for her once again.
"FEIM!" She shouted, her skin becoming translucent just as the balls of magic struck her, harmlessly sizzling out of existence. The Dawnguard's eyes widened in shock, staring through the vampire who seemed only to have grown angrier, her entire body shimmering like a ghost before she lunged at him, the ghostly aura around her body vanishing just as she reached him, claws digging right though the opening in his helmet to slash his skull, taking one of his eyes with him as she pulled her hand back. Shaking the gore off her fingers, Yosa'Min slit his neck with her dagger, and turned to see how far long Serana was.
The answer was an earth-shaking roar, shortly followed by a greenish grey skinned bat-monster that rushed forward into battle. Yosa'Min smirked, admiring the smooth motions of her transformed sire for a moment before jumping back into the heat of battle. Serana grasped a Dawnguard soldier in one hand, the man pitifully trying to get her to release him, before she crushed his throat and tossed him into one of his allies that had come running to his aid. Following up before the breton soldier could recover, Serana pointed at him and the gargoyle eagerly obeyed, rushing forward to tear him apart. Yosa'Min had to avert her eyes from the graphic display, and instead focused on the last hound, summoning up a spell of fire to burn it to death, roasting it in the metal armor.
"You monsters!" One of the mortals shouted fiercely, tears streaming down her face as she watched another comrade die. By then, there was just three left, her fellows' bodies littering the floor like fallen leaves. Tossing her sword to the side with a cry, the nordic woman drew out her crossbow, and loaded a shot. Picking between the two vampires, the mortal aimed for Serana who was currently entangled with another soldier, bashing down on his shield repeatedly. The redguard's breath hitched as she realized who the nord had chosen, and heard the heavy sound of the crossbow firing. Desperately Yosa'Min surged forward, going so fast that hints of shadows whistled around her, and tackled Serana. Pain erupted across Yosa'Min's body, blood spilling outwards in a flurry as the bolt raced through her side, the woman collapsing onto the ground with a heavy sound. Serana's attention diverted from the man to the nord woman who was reloading, and then to Yosa'Min.
Glowing eyes fell upon the wincing fledgling, taking in the pain heavily splayed across Yosa'Min's dirtied face, a hand clutching her wounded side. "Are you okay?" Asked the sire. Yosa'Min gave a weak nod, light swirling around her hand as she tried to heal herself. Serana turned towards the Dawnguard who seemed more panicked than angry now, and let out a slow, furious hiss, "You'll pay for that." The soldier she had been fighting just previously got to his feet, sweeping his sword at Serana who instantly retaliated with a slash of claws, moving faster than his sword, and he fell into a bloodied heap. The crossbowmen gulped, backing up towards her one remaining ally, but by then it was too late. Serana moved like shadows across the battlefield, taking but only three seconds to be at their rear and grabbed them both the helm, smashing them together. Dizzied, the fighters attempted to get away, but she swiftly gave a hissing command and the gargoyle had cut them off, slamming its stone fists into their bodies and sending them sliding across the floor further disorientated and injured. One of them shouted out a prayer a moment before the gargoyle killed them. Serana however, stepped slowly towards the crossbowman who was shuffling backwards on the ground, the image of the monster before them burning into their mind.
"Please..." She were begging, horrified, "I don't want to die."
Serana smirked, her wings flaring outwards in a show, her fangs glistening with the blood of the Dawnguard, licking them clean slowly and menacingly. She was only a step away from the soldier now, and loomed forward like a demon of death. "But I don't want you to live," she said slowly, the woman soiling herself as Serana lunged, fangs digging into the woman's neck, draining her slowly and painfully. Struggling in Serana's grasp the Dawnguard pitifully tried to free herself, punching at the side of Serana's head, but with each passing moment her strength slipped away, and soon enough she was tapping against green skin, eyes cloudy, before falling still entirely. Serana released her prey, shadows forming around herself as she began to slowly shift back to her normal form.
When she was returned to herself, Serana desperately looked across to Yosa'Min, relieved to find the fledgling had gotten back to her feet, though she was holding her side and limping as she made her way over to Serana. "Gonna make it?" She inquired with a soft smile, concern in her voice.
"Just give me a bit," replied Yosa'Min, cringing. "How do we lower the barrier and get the priest?" She inquired, looking at the still present obstacle.
"Those look like weystones," Serana informed her fledgling, "they're like enchanted rocks, almost. The magic flowing in them has a trigger however, something to turn it on and off like a switch. We need to find the key." Squinting, she examined the room a bit more carefully than before now that she was afforded the time to. "Up there, it looks like that's where we put it in. Search the bodies." She pointed to a spot up the steps. Nodding her head, Yosa'Min began looting the bodies, a task she was rather used to from her days adventuring. Though some might view it as wrong and defilement, Yosa'Min had long since cast aside that taboo, finding herself desperate for just a few health potions in order to make it through the dungeon she was crawling through, or any hope of having enough gold to feed her brother. After a bit of looking, Yosa'Min found a slightly egg shaped rock with the same blue etching and a metal band around the center in the satchel of the crossbowmen, and she handed it over to Serana. The brunet quickly went up the steps and placed it within a hollowed spot, and with a great rumble the magical barrier began to shimmer, shuddering for a few long moments, before dissipating into nothingness, the weystones retreating into the ground.
Cowering in the center was a man, age having made him bald while an unkempt grey beard seemingly sprouted from his chin. Yosa'Min narrowed her eyes, inspecting him as she slowly approached the grey robed man who was whimpering where he knelt. "Looks harmless enough," remarked Yosa'Min.
"Let's make sure first," said Serana, stepping forward and reaching a hand out towards him cautiously. With a sudden scream, the man pulled a dagger from his sleeve and swung wildly at the vampire. Serana stepped out of his reach, hissing, "he's been enthralled!" She dodged another unskilled swing, grasping his wrist and twisting it until he dropped the blade. Bringing her knee into his gut, she sent the man down to the ground.
"How do we fix that? Isn't his master dead?" Asked Yosa'Min, gesturing to the vampiric corpses that were still burning down below.
Serana smirked softly, bending down to where the moth priest lay. "Simple, we enthrall him ourselves," she said slowly, her voice dipping into a seductive tone that took Yosa'Min by surprise. "This is how to do it," she glanced back at her fledgling who felt a little jolt of lightning from such a look. The redguard watched intently as Serana leaned in until her lips were against his ear, whispering so softly Yosa'Min couldn't even hear what she said despite her heightened senses. The moth priest however, clearly understood her words, and with a swirl of greenish light around his body he rose with obedience, peering at Serana like a pup.
"Your wish is my command," he said evenly.
Smiling at him, Serana nodded her head. "Good, that's exactly what I want to hear," she purred, sending a few shocks through both of the beings present with her. "Now, lets get back to Castle Volkihar shall we?" Turning towards Yosa'Min, glowing eyes settled on the fledgling who seemed to be glaring now at the elderly moth priest. "Yosa, if you're feeling up to it, would you scout ahead and make sure we don't run into any rival clans or the Dawnguard? I'd do it myself but the priest will follow me as if he's attached to my hip until we get to the Castle" With a nod, the redguard started out ahead, leaving the same way they had come. Her head was swimming in pain, her side still aching terribly and at the back of her mind she could feel her thirst rising, the scent of blood spilled yet wasted flooding her senses. She was thirsty.
The fog was still everywhere despite it being midday, making the four women squint heavily through the mist. Lydia got to her feet, disgruntled, and looked to the other three. "It's been hours," she said, "maybe we should search around."
"We know someone has to come inside at some point," replied Vex, amber eyes staring blankly out into the fog that from their height was a bit thinner, "just have some patience."
"I'm sick of waiting," replied the brunet, "I'm gonna look around, see if we missed something."
"Someone should go with you," advised Mjoll. Iona was instantly on her feet, looking at her fellow housecarl with a small smile. "Alright, just be careful and don't be gone long."
"We won't," replied Lydia, nodding to her companion as she started back down the slopes, Iona at her side. They were soon gone from view, slipping around the rocks that were besides the entrance of the rocks. Curiously, the Dawnguard had left. Lydia narrowed her eyes, gesturing to Iona who gave a nod that she saw it too. "We better look around," she said warily, eyes glancing about in the thick fog as she approached the entrance. The air suddenly reeked of blood, and the woman stiffened as the ground gave a sick squelching sound beneath her foot. Almost fearfully, Lydia looked down to see blood pooling everywhere, shreds of armor left behind in the place of the soldiers who should have been there.
Iona gasped softly, "They were killed," she whispered, "and we didn't even hear it."
"Vampires?" Suggested Lydia, drawing her sword now and looking about on an extra edge. Iona gave a muted agreement, pressing her back to Lydia's, the pair slowly stepping out into the fog to search the immediate area. The thought of what monster could be so skilled at killing sent a chill through them both. "Should we warn the others?"
"It'll hear us for sure, and it will find us before they do," argued Iona, "They're still on guard up there, they won't be caught by surprise."
Not entirely convinced, Lydia nodded her head, and they set out to find the creature of night. The fog swallowed them whole, the pair only certain the other was still with them by touch, too afraid of making a noise that would alert their prey. Lydia's hands grew cold, ice trickling down her spine the longer they were out here, something telling her to go back and get the others. Despite her best attempts at steeling herself, Lydia couldn't shake this feeling, and after her time as a warrior when she truly could not move past fear this great, it told her one thing; to run.
"We have to go back," hissed Lydia, turning towards Iona. The redhead blinked at her, the fear in her eyes barely masked. "You... Saw something didn't you?" Lydia asked.
"It's here," whispered Iona, turning back to point at a silhouetted figure in the fog, close enough for Lydia to see the glow of orange eyes through the mist like lanterns. Though she had stared into the eyes of vampires before, Alva and Movarth and all the lackeys in-between, but they had been red like blood, glistening rubies that were just as savage as the beast who owned them. These eyes were orange, blazing sunsets and the dying light of a fire, molten gold that struck Lydia as beautiful and dangerous. They were also unblinking, staring the mortals down who suddenly realized the gravity of their mistake.
"Hey Iona..." Softly said Lydia, trying to find her resolve but those eyes were effecting her in some way. "Orange is a royal color isn't it?"
Gulping, Iona nodded, "Aye."
"Perfect."
The fog seemed to grow darker around them, swallowing them up, spreading from the silhouette. Lydia gritted her teeth, her sword aimed towards the looming figure, trying to find her courage but the longer she looked at the figure in the fog the more it seemed to leave her. The air was silent, Iona stiffening besides Lydia the longer the tension rose, expecting it to strike at any moment. Though they were as prepared as they could be, Iona freeing her shield hand in order to cast a fire spell from it, and they knew they would be ready to actually fight but their bodies were swimming in fear. Then it spoke, a slow, hissing sound vibrating in the air around them, sending ice into their blood.
"I wonder who tastes better..."
Iona's eyes widened, and she gasped sharply. "Yosa'Min?" She called, Lydia recognizing the voice though it sounded altered. Before either of them had a chance to say a word more, the shadow lunged, striking Iona and sending her backwards into a rock formation. Lydia whirled around, horrified, and began running towards Iona who was slowly getting to her feet, stunned. Half way there, the shadow moved in front of her, glowing orange eyes filling her vision before black lips revealed glistening fangs, and everything went black.
AN: If you haven't checked it out yet, I'd suggest reading chapter four of "Tales From Tamriel", Enthralled. Thanks for reading!