Chapter Forty-Nine

Two Days Ago

The Ragged Flagon was quiet as the late night drinkers downed mead and ate their meals. Brynjolf grimaced around the swill that filled his tankard, and looked up at Vekel. "Come on, I know you've got better stuff than this," he said, shaking the tankard for emphasis, "Give me something strong."

"I don't, actually," Vekel replied as he wiped down the counter, "Sapphire and Rune bought me out aside from that rubbish."

Grumbling with disapproval, and slightly grateful that they were in a sewer anyways, Brynjolf rubbed his temples. "Let's hope I don't have to get them out of jail in the morning."

"You probably will," laughed the breton as he worked at a particularly tough stain, eyes staying focused on the drinking nord. "So... Where's our Guildmaster?"

"Don't want to talk about it."

Scowling, Vekel stopped cleaning for a moment. "Come on Bryn, it's been nearly a month now. Is it Mercer again, did she rob us too?"

Instantly the nord was on his feet, seething with rage. "Don't you dare ever accuse her of that again," he ordered firmly, a hand balled into a fist. "She is nothing like that bastard do you understand me?"

"He did train her," challenged Vekel, "she could've brought in all this wealth so she'd have something to steal from nice and slow."

"You're being ridiculous," snapped Brynjolf, the attention of those eating drawn to the pair. "You've known her half your life Vekel, she'd never do something like that!"

"I knew Mercer for that long too."

Before Brynjolf could stop himself his fist connected with the brown haired man's jaw and sent him stumbling back. As Vekel crashed into a cask of mead, Brynjolf felt someone grasp him by the shoulder and he was whirled around to a furious Tonilia. Before he could get a word out the redguard socked him right in the nose, sending him stumbling backwards over the barstool and crashing to the dirtied ground. "Don't you ever touch him again!" She snapped, before looking at her lover with worried eyes. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," grumbled Vekel, holding his face and looking at where Brynjolf was picking himself off of the ground. "I think I deserve an answer for that."

"She got me back, we're square," replied Brynjolf firmly, moving his jaw back and forth as if to access any damage. Tonilia had a mean hook. "I'm not discussing this right now."

"And why not?"

"Because-"

Brynjolf's words were cut short by the silvery rasp of the Guild's Third, and they all turned to see Karliah standing at the entrance of the Ragged Flagon with a letter in hand and shocked purple eyes. "Brynjolf!" She shouted like a furious mother, stomping over to him with terrifying speed, "What in the name of Azura is going on here?"

"A bit of rough housing," he replied evenly.

"You know fighting isn't allowed, especially with the Second."

"It wasn't a fight," said Brynjolf, glancing at Vekel and Tonilia who bristled. "Just a bit of reminders."

Karliah glanced between them, scanning those within the Flagon. All but Syldus had risen to their feet once fists had started flying, Delvin and Dirge ready to break up a proper brawl while the bosmer seemed wary. She squinted at him, something about Brynjolf's newest recruit rubbing her wrong but she couldn't quite place it. Violet eyes snapping back to her the Second, she grimaced. "We need to talk."

"Look I'm a bit drunk, I might be overreacting," grumbled Brynjolf in clearly no mood to discuss the exchange of blows. He looked at Vekel, and dipped his head. "Sorry," he apologized, "the punch was uncalled for."

Vekel frowned before saying, "I should know not to talk to badly about Vex."

"Good, glad that's all cleared up," quickly said Karliah with clear impatience, "but that's not what I meant." She gave him the letter, and Brynjolf read it quickly with eyes trying to peer over his shoulder. Immediately the redheaded thief folded it up and put it in his pocket, nodding his head in agreement that they had much to discuss. He followed her out of the Ragged Flagon and into the deep tunnels of the ratways, moss covered corridors shrouding them in almost pure darkness if it weren't for the occasional torch lit up through the stinking pathways.

The moment they were sure no one had followed them in, Brynjolf began asking questions, "Why is she going to the west coast?"

"She thinks they'll find Yosa'Min there."

"Along with every other vampire in that clan," hissed the nord, making Karliah roll her eyes.

"She knows it's dangerous, she'll be prepared."

"She's going to die," snarled the nord, growing angry that Karliah seemed okay with it. "She even says that if she doesn't show or write in a week to make me the new Guildmaster! We have to help her!"

"When do you think this letter was sent?"

He blinked, frowning at the unexpected question. "Excuse me?"

"This letter, when do you think it was sent?"

"Yesterday?"

"Mail isn't that swift in Skyrim," replied Karliah, "especially in the winter and most certainly not when it's going to a secret organization. In the time it took it to arrive, Vex finished her preparations and left for the coast. She could be there already or halfway. Either way, it would take us how long to rally the thieves who can fight, or dawn our Nightingale armor, travel there, search for wherever it is she's gone to exactly, and help her?"

Lowering his head in sad understanding, Brynjolf sighed. "We can't lose her..."

"It pains me to even consider her demise," confessed the dunmer with a crack in the mask she wore, "for the Trinity to be broken once more. I love Vex, she's the closest family I have aside from you, and the mere possibility that she might die sends me reeling. However... We don't know anything about these vampires other than what Vex told us. As much as I would love to help her, we'd only get ourselves killed or in her way... We have to protect the Guild."

"It doesn't feel right."

"I know," replied Karliah, "but we have to trust her. She's our Guildmaster, as well as our friend. If Vex didn't ask for us it means she wants us here. If we go, there will be a panic. You said so yourself, what can we do from here?"

"...Nothing," admitted the man, sighing heavily. "Okay, okay you win. I don't like it but you win."

"I know it's-" Karliah cut herself short as she heard something, an ear twitching slightly as she peered into the darkness. "Someone's listening," she hissed slowly, Brynjolf stiffening. She tried to find the unwanted visitor to their conversation, but to no avail. "I think they're gone," she said as she brushed past Brynjolf. "Come on, we need to find out who that was. I fear we might not have another Mercer, but something equally as bad." Brynjolf could only nod and follow.

Present Day

"It's going away," remarked Lydia as she stared up at the cloudy sky, walking stiffly and with a clear limp. Iona watched her carefully, not so much paying attention to where they were going but rather where the brunet walked. "Look."

At last tearing her gaze away from the recovering warrior, Iona turned to see the red and black in the sky fading, rippling like waves of water before simply ceasing to exist. The sun was angry, somehow beaming brighter than ever at them as if to make up for the time it had missed. After a few moments it was almost impossible to tell that it had been obscured by magic and darkness. For the mortals who looked however, it was something they would never forget. The unsettling sensations in their chest faded, their sun warmed skin bringing calmness and relief to the four women. "Thank the Divines," said Iona as she looked away, eyes hurting.

"What do you think caused it?" Asked Mjoll, the sun having become shrouded and changed only a few hours out from the coast.

"Knowing our luck, Yosa'Min," replied Lydia, "she has a weird habit of being involved in these kinds of things."

"Let's just hope she's unharmed," came Vex's voice, the imperial's eyes darkened and face slightly gaunt. While Lydia had been recovering and Iona training, Vex had spent every waking moment learning everything she could about vampires, sending letters and contacting spies, trying to find out where Yosa'Min was and if she'd changed further. The confirmation that the redguard had not been present when Whiterun had been attacked was a great relief to them all. Unfortunately, it also had made nearly every citizen of Skyrim join up with the Dawnguard. There were more Dawnguard patrols than actual guard patrols now, the heavily armored vampire hunters attacking them on sight when they had encountered them. Fortunately they weren't as skilled as the band of women, though they did their best to avoid any further fights.

Vex clutched the satchel at her side, amber eyes flickering to meet Lydia's before she averted her gaze with a frown. Lydia could tell how nervous she was, the closer they drew to the coast the more tense she became. They all were, truth be told, worry filling them each that they were too late or were doomed to fail. Siulon had not withheld her opinion that they were going to their deaths, though even the dunmer had admitted there was always a chance to succeed, slim or no. "It should be just over this hill," said Vex briskly as they climbed up, focused on what lay ahead of them now.

Iona climbed the steep incline alongside Lydia, looking at her with a soft frown. "How are you holding up?" She asked slowly, afraid of upsetting the brunet. Lydia wore a pair of braces on both legs of dwarven metal, supports rising up to connect around her back with soul gems powering them. The mages had given them an ample supply of gems to keep them going, the magic making them light enough for Lydia to move while strengthening her. They had been quite lucky that Colette had been working on a project to assist those wounded in the war, and was willing to part with her prototype in exchange for a full report on how it worked upon its return.

Grimacing as the metal boot crunched snow underfoot, Lydia gave a half nod. "I'm okay. It feels weird, like wearing your mother's clothes when you're a kid. It doesn't hurt though, and I am walking so I suppose I can't complain."

"The College seems to quite like you," said Iona as they drew near the crest of the hill, the sounds of water growing louder. "We're fortunate they have much generosity in their hearts as they do."

"I can't help but wonder if they were being so nice to me to get you more keen on staying," replied the brunet, glancing at Iona with an amused smirk. "I'd be more willing to work with a group of people that helped the one I had feelings for rather then left her to the Divines' mercy."

"I suppose, but you did know them first," laughed Iona, Lydia's steps heavy and loud. They reached the top of the hill, the western coast of the Sea of Ghosts roaring before them. The waters went on into eternity, until eventually it was nothing but ice and glaciers. Shrouded in curling fog but still visible was Castle Volkihar, the duo that had seen it before tensing at the sight. Without a word they began to traverse back down the cliffs to reach the shore down below. Lydia fumbled once or twice upon the rocks, but Iona steadied her before the cliffs could claim her. By the time they'd arrived at their destination they were tired from all the traveling.

The distant shape of the island castle was foreboding, sending chills down each of their spines and none of them quite wanted to look at it. "Find a place for her to rest," ordered Vex as she began to pull the journal out from the satchel she carried on top of the rest of her gear. Iona gave a nod and led Lydia off to where Mjoll and Vex had first waited for Yosa'Min, a secluded set of rocks that seemed to harbor a cave, hidden some from view by thick bushes. Mjoll lingered besides Vex as she searched for a good place to put it. They dare not cross the waters to the castle itself, knowing there awaited death. "I wonder if she'll remember them," uttered the imperial as she started down the shore with the journal in hand.

Mjoll arched a brow and followed after her to where they'd beached their sailboat that was currently docked in Solitude, the sand still bearing the marks of its presence. "Lift that rock for me," requested Vex, Mjoll obliging and moving the light stone aside. Vex scooped out about the size of the book in sand, and then picked it up once more. The imperial uttered a few words that Mjoll almost thought to be a prayer as she stared at the dovahzul inscribed into its leather surface. Placing the book into the hole, Vex gestured for Mjoll to return the stone. Once in place, Vex drew her dagger and began to cut it against the stone, leaving white jagged lines in its wake.

"What's that?" Asked Mjoll as she looked at the diamond with a square inside it, several lines crossing the interior.

"A Shadowmark, symbols the Guild uses to communicate."

"What does this one mean?"

"Cache." Vex got to her feet and started back towards where the small jetty was.

"So that mark outside my door wasn't just some bit of vandalism was it?"

With a shake of her head she squatted down and started to carve a symbol Mjoll recognized, the Guild's diamond and circle emblem along with an arrow towards the rock. "Nope." Mjoll rolled her eyes at the simple answer. "It meant danger," elaborated Vex.

"Fitting," laughed Mjoll. "So I guess we just... wait now."

"Silence would be preferable, I've listened to enough tales from your days of adventuring to last a lifetime," replied Vex as they began walking towards where the housecarls had gone off to. "If I here the story about the cutpurse that soiled his pants one more time... I cannot be held responsible for what I do."

With an earnest laugh, Mjoll shook her head. "Even I'm tired of telling that one." They pushed back the bushes and entered the small cave, just barely tall enough for Mjoll who frowned instantly. "Lydia, Iona?" She uttered, "Where are they?"

"Maybe Lydia needed help taking a piss," suggested Vex uncertainly, scanning the tight area for any sign of the housecarls. She almost caught it too late, a flash of orange, and shouted as the vampire surged forward. Dagger still in hand, Vex slashed outwards and caught his face. Hissing, the vampire darted away as the tip of his nose fell into the wet sand below. Mjoll grunted as she blocked the sword of another male vampire, his features gaunt with hunger and eyes glowing like suns. She kicked out and he stumbled with uncertain footing. Shouting, Mjoll brought her battleaxe down in arc and removed his head. Before she could even blink another one was on her, hands glowing with magic that drained her strength. She snarled as she swung at him, the vampire standing just out of reach. Vision swirling with red and black, Mjoll stumbled to the side and struggled with keeping her eyes open and lungs breathing. The magic ended abruptly as Vex slit the vampire's throat, the gurgling breton collapsing to the ground.

"Come now," drawled a powerful, thick voice that caused them both to freeze where they stood. "There's no need for all this violence." A nord vampire stood behind them with burning eyes. His well groomed dark beard was a stark contrast from his nearly luminescent pale skin, no hint of anger upon his face but instead a chilling calm. "Those two didn't deserve to die did they?" He gave a slight tilt of his head and squinted at the one Mjoll had beheaded. "Certainly not in such a fashion either."

"Where are our friends?" Demanded Mjoll, Vex crouching and ready to fight. "What have you done to them?"

"Fear not, they're still alive and you will see them soon enough," replied the vampire lord, his mere presence radiating danger. Vex scowled, and with a shimmer of light vanished from sight. Lord Harkon rolled his eyes, and tisked his tongue. "My dear, I can smell you," he said loudly before rushing forward in a surge of bats and grasped the invisible Vex by the throat. She struggled, trying to kick him off but to no avail. With a dark smile Harkon smashed her into the rocks, another shimmer of light covering Vex as she reappeared. "Fura," Harkon ordered, "get the other one." Mjoll wheeled at the sound of another vampire, and barely blocked a female vampire's blade. The Lioness struggled with focusing on the woman attacking her and Harkon as he carried a struggling Vex away, Fura keeping up a nonstop assault upon the vigilante. Her attention split, Mjoll was quickly punished as a blow landed on her skull and everything went black.

"She must have it, the bow was used... She can't be dead though it's was only temporary... How soon until she's here? How did she learn the truth? I must be strong enough... I must be..." Whispered words stirred Vex, the imperial blinking awake as her head swam with pain. Grimacing, she tried to take in her surroundings. She was in a large stone chamber, with arches and windows of intimidating size, balconies on either side of her with piles of bones beneath them. To her side Mjoll was tied up, the nord's head bowed as blood dripped from a blow to her skull. The housecarls were across from her, bound as well with bite marks on their necks. A sharp pain filled her body, rushing out from two pinpricks on her neck that sent a terrifying chill down her body. She didn't feel as if she were dying, making Vex believe she hadn't been poisoned like Lydia had and instead just drained some. A wave of revulsion filled her at such a thought, every fiber of her being furious with the violation of her body.

She squinted up to the vampire lord standing by a menacing fount of blood, the source of the whispering. Harkon clutched the alter with one clawed hand, rocking back and forth on his feet as he uttered more and more and drank from the red substance inside it. Vex watched him for some time before he straightened up. "I was not expecting to find four mortals on my shore while I awaited my daughter's return," Harkon said slowly, his back turned to Vex as he dipped a large chalice into it. He drank the liquid, a rush of light shimmering down his body before he faced her, wiping the blood that covered his lips and gave her a fanged smile. "Perhaps the most pleasant surprise I've had in centuries."

"Let us go," demanded Vex, fighting her restraints but they would not budge.

"Why would I?" Harkon laughed, lip curling into a sneer as he walked towards Vex. Every step he took sent a shudder of terror throughout her body, darkness practically oozing from him. "You're everything I need."

Vex scowled. "Don't you have plenty of thralls already?"

"Oh no, not a thrall," he replied, taking another sip of the chalice. "You won't last that long I'm afraid. Soon enough, my sweet Serana will return with Auriel's bow. She's a crafty girl, she'll have found it by now I'm sure of it with the sun... Once she's brought it to me, along with her fledgling, it will all be over."

"Yosa," whispered Vex, eyes widened, "What have you done with Yosa'Min!"

"Nothing yet..." Harkon said as he drank more of the blood. Something swirled in his eyes with each sip, a calmness fading away with confidence and power. He cracked a grin, examining the empty chalice, and then hurled it across the shrine to where a vampire stood on guard. The heavy noise of it smashing their head in made Vex flinch, and Harkon snarled with displeasure. "Weaklings."

Uncertain if she should speak or not, realizing that she was in an extremely dangerous situation, the imperial looked at her companions. Neither of the housecarls seemed dead, Iona's green gaze staring into Vex, hollowed and desperate. She spotted their weapons among the piles of bones, certainly out of their reach, but if she could make a distraction so Iona could use her magic to escape it certainly seemed possible. Risky, but possible, and Vex saw little other option.

"I'll kill her first," threatened Harkon, Vex blinking at him with alarm as he grasped Mjoll's hair and wrenched her head back. "I'll kill the Lioness first, then Lydia. I suppose I should remove your mage before all that however... Either way you will all die." He smiled at Vex darkly. "So many options wouldn't you say Guildmaster?"

"How... How do you know who we are?" Balked Vex.

Harkon seemed amused almost, and released the barely conscious woman's hair. Mjoll slumped back once more, muttering incoherent words. "Your little spy network is admirable, especially considering how swiftly you've built it, but my eyes and ears are ancient and everywhere. The moment Serana brought back her fledgling I began to learn about her, and what entertaining tales she has to tell. The people of Riften are so talkative too, I don't think they're fans of you and your organization." He smiled darkly, and walked towards Iona with a predatory pace. "You see, I need you..." He grasped Iona by the chin, forcing her to look into his eyes and whispered a few words as his hand began to glow. Resist as she might have tried, the redhead was unable to stop him as his magic calmed her. Vex felt her heart quake in terror as Iona was charmed, their chance at escape destroyed. Iona sat there passively, staring at him obediently like a dog.

"What for?"

"I want Yosa'Min," he simply stated, turning back towards her. "She's more powerful than any other vampire I have ever known... aside from myself of course." Vex did her best not to roll her eyes. Harkon began to pace, his words growing swift and passionate. "You are her friends, or at least the closest thing to that. In the age I am to bring forth I will need strong vampires at my side to put the mortals where they belong. I need her and that dragon form of hers." Vex perked up, surprised that the rumors had been true. "To get her I need you. I was going to send my men out to fetch you but you saved me all the trouble by coming here yourself. Do you honestly think you can save her?" Harkon stomped over to her, lifting her by the chin and Vex sneered as wild burning eyes bore into her. "She is no more. The woman she was is gone, all that's left is a monster. She will serve me because I will give her no other choice."

"If she's really gone then killing us wouldn't matter," spat Vex.

Harkon shoved her aside, Vex crashing into the dirty shrine floor. He snarled with anger, and snapped his fingers. "Bring me the chalice!" He demanded, a bosmer vampire rushing forward with it and he snatched it from the young lad's grasp. With near frantic speed the vampire lord filled it from the alter, and drank the whole chalice quickly. "I need to be strong when she arrives, I need to be stronger than her."

"Serana, or Yosa'Min?" Challenged Vex, trying to wiggle back to a seated position. Harkon twitched, the terrifying calm composure he possessed on the beach chased away by whatever it was he drank.

"You couldn't even begin to understand!" Screamed Harkon, his skin turning greenish. "She will see you, she will kill you, and then she will be mine!" Vex's blood chilled as his hair turned white and swept away from his skull, monstrous features twisting his already intimidating appearance as bones loudly broke and positioned themselves. "Don't you see?" Wings erupted from his back, and a roar of power filled the shrine. "You are here to die!"