Winds of the Ashfall: An Elder Scrolls Tale

Greg J Miller

~O~

Chapter 21

Tirdas the 13th of Hearthfire 4E71 Evening

Alaron Suvaris felt like he'd been frozen in place for a quite some time. In truth, he knew that it really hadn't been long at all, but it certainly felt far longer. He'd not seen any movement other than the mild flickering of the lantern light. The loudest noise to be heard seemed to be the sound of his own heart beating in his chest.

Though he remained unable to move any other part of his body, his eyes shifted and scanned for some sign of the reason behind his current circumstances. It still didn't seem like any kind of paralysis magic he'd ever experienced before. He could still feel the hilt of the dagger in his right hand. He could even feel the tickling sensation of the frost spell he'd prepared to be called to his left hand. It was just that he couldn't actually make any useful part of his body move. It seem more like his mental control over his body had been seized, rather than the way most paralysis spells generally affected someone.

To the best of his admittedly limited knowledge in that regard, variations of paralysis magic commonly made even breathing extremely difficult and usually caused the target to either rigidly topple or else just collapse in a heap after losing all bodily control as the initial grip of rigidity passed. None of that seemed evident.

He was beginning to wonder if there wasn't actually anybody there any more. He speculated that he might have stumbled into some sort of magical trap left behind. Perhaps, something that was sustained by a powerfully charged artefact or something of that nature. Whatever the case, it didn't seem to be wearing off or weakening and he remained completely helpless and vulnerable.

Finally, Suvaris observed a shimmering affect in the air just off to the right of the lantern on the stone floor. The blur resolved to reveal a tall figure wearing a dark cloak. The male Altmer was evidently adept at utilising a remarkably effective invisibility spell. He'd remained completely undetectable until the cloaking magic had passed.

Suvaris was anticipating the strong likelihood of attack and there seemed absolutely nothing that he could do about. He wasn't feeling any great fear or panic over the inevitability of the situation. If anything, he was feeling more frustrated and annoyed. Most of that was directed toward himself, for having entered into that circumstance so poorly prepared.

Rather than immediately pressing an attack, the Altmer seemed to pause to study his helpless target. He seemed to be looking him over like a trader examining an unusual specialty item brought into his store. When he finally spoke, he sounded rather dispassionate. "Well then, not a vampire… or a thrall… so it seems. Just an ordinary Dunmer."

The stranger remained exactly where he stood, but he subtly gestured with his hand.

Suvaris felt his tongue jerk free as his jaw fell loose. He realised that he could move his head, if only a little, but somehow he remained unable move his limbs or digits or anything else. He tested his voice. "I, ah… a Dunmer, yes. Perhaps, not so ordinary." He tried to sound a little more confident than he was feeling.

The High-Elf raised his eyebrows, then affected a frown, tilting his head slightly. "That voice. You seem… familiar. Perhaps, I've encountered you before?"

Suvaris shifted his head slightly, not quite managing to shake it. "I think… I think I'd certainly recall meeting someone like you."

The Altmer took half a step nearer. Suvaris would have tensed up in preparation for action, if he could actually move any part of his body other than his head.

Glaring directly into his eyes, the unfamiliar High-Elf nodded his head just a little. "Ah, yes. Now I see. You must be Suvaris. That Dunmer from… from Cheydinhal?"

"How? How would you know that?"

The Altmer's expression indicated that he thought it self-evident. "A mutual acquaintance, of course. Forester. It has been quite a while. However, I do recall the memory with some passing clarity. You're Suvaris. You both serve with the Fighters Guild."

"Forester's retired. Has been for about seven years."

The Altmer raised his eyebrows again. "Really? I suppose that he must be of such an age by now. It's easy to lose track of the passage of time."

"Who are you?"

The Altmer responded with a humourless chuckle. "I no longer have any name that matters." He reached under his cloak.

Suvaris wasn't certain whether to expect to see a weapon, a potion, or a letter of recommendation.

The Altmer instead withdrew a small metal object with an Imperial dragon symbol embossed on its surface. Though it was shaped like a coin, it was about twice the size. In the relative silence, it seemed that it emitted a slight buzzing noise in his hand. "The Penitus Oculatus refer to me as 'Agent Darkwater'. I suppose that someone among them finds that amusing."

"You're with the Penitus Oculatus?"

"Well no, not precisely. I do provide… certain services for the Empire, where our mutual interests intersect."

Suvaris suddenly recalled something that Forester had once told him. Something he'd spoken of in confidence, advising that he should keep it to himself. "I think I do know who you are. Forester spoke of it. Just the once."

"Really?" The Altmer seemed slightly bemused.

"The Ancient… that's what he called you. An ancient vampire of some kind. You… you assisted with the capture of foreign assassins in the Imperial City. Well, after a fashion."

The Ancient nodded. "Yes, after a fashion. That wasn't why was I there at that time. It was merely happenstance. Securing and delivering those inept assassins served only as a convenience, to keep anyone from obstructing my free passage."

"Forester told me something like that."

"Yes well, otherwise you'd likely not know of it. I understand that there would have been no public mention of anyone other than the Fighters Guild and the Imperial Legion."

"So, what are you doing here? More importantly, to me… in this moment… why am I being held by… by whatever is holding me?"

The Ancient raised his eyebrows again. "Oh yes, my apologies." He raised his hand, then paused before acting. "Provided that you'll refrain from using that dagger or the ice magic you've prepared, I'll release you."

Suvaris tried to nod with the restricted movement. "My word, of course."

The Ancient again gestured with his hand and Suvaris felt the return of control over his bodily movement. If he'd not been anticipating it, he might have lost his balance and fallen over. He took a lengthy moment to shake off the mild stiffness in his limbs. Still watching the Ancient, he chose to put away his dagger. He'd decided that it probably wouldn't have made any difference anyway, if that vampire actually intended him any harm.

The Ancient spoke again. "So then, I should ask why is it that you are here? I find it curious that you might be here for the same purpose as myself. A coincidence perhaps?"

Suvaris shook his head, noting that his own question had been turned back on him. "I couldn't say that… that I hold any clear idea of why you would be here… wherever this place is."

The vampire's silent expression prompted Suvaris to continue. "I'd observed someone sneaking into this place, possibly dragging a body… or something. Since it appeared highly suspicious, I took it upon myself to investigate."

The Ancient nodded. "Ah, so a coincidence then. I can assure you that it wasn't me that you observed. I was already here, waiting in anticipation of that other individual."

"Which individual?"

The Ancient opened his mouth to respond, then hesitated. After a short moment, he continued with a mild shrug. "Well, from what I do know of you from Forester's memories, I understand that you know how to maintain a confidence."

"When it's appropriate." Suvaris offered a little bow of his head.

The ancient vampire nodded slightly. "Yes, of course. Well, I am here in this city because I was invited to pursue some troublesome vampires in this region."

"By the Penitus Oculatus?"

"Well yes, that is something of what I do, these days. Accepting such invitations, where our mutual interests intersect. Eliminating certain threats." The Ancient paused before continuing. "From what I understand, a small group of ambitious vampires were said to be seeking out the remnants of an ancient bloodline. The are rumours of a nest of ancients resting in seclusion, hidden somewhere in this region. I understand that they intended to locate those ancients and revive them."

"You're eliminating other vampires?"

The Ancient blinked and raised his eyebrows. "Well yes, of course. The last thing that this world needs is more ancient vampires. Though the ones that I have pursued here were not yet ancients. I should think it best for all that they never gained the opportunity to pursue that ambition."

Suvaris frowned. "If I recall, from what Forester told me, he didn't think you cared to take interest in anything of the world."

The Ancient shrugged again. "Well no, at that time… I suppose that would have been an accurate assessment. I suppose that I have him to blame."

Suvaris' expression prompted for further explanation.

The Ancient elaborated. "Despite my firm preference to quietly end my days in relative seclusion, Forester managed to awaken my sense of…" He shook his head. "Well, I suppose that I came to have something of a change of heart, with regard to certain concerns."

"After meeting with Forester?" Though it was some time ago, Suvaris couldn't recall any mention of anything like that.

"Oh no, not immediately. Forester was not at all quite that persuasive." The Ancient paused with a bemused expression. His expression again altered, as he seemed to recall a different thought. "One of the Emperor's agents eventually managed to track me down to my sanctuary in the west. That should have ended rather badly for that Imperial inspector. However, he brought an unexpected offering of information… regarding vampire rogues of a certain bloodline, gathering in the vicinity of Daggerfall." He shook his head. "In short, I was moved to take action… to play a part in forestalling the rise of a growing vampire resurgence in that region."

"A resurgence? You took on a vampire army, or the like?"

"Hardly an army. Though, I do imagine that was something in the planning."

Suvaris affected a confused expression. "I still find it rather difficult to comprehend your… motivation."

The Ancient tilted his head slightly. "Well, I imagine that Forester might have only spoken of my indifference to most matters. At the time, I did also indicate to him that I had gained some passing interest in recent political upheavals. Some of that arose from learning of the struggle between that new Emperor and certain dealings with those provinces which had broken away."

"The Aldmeri Dominion… and the others?"

"Not the Khajiit or the Argonians, as such. However, I held some greater concern over that nationalistic cabal… those Thalmor clans, which had taken over the land of my mortal ancestors. I had thought that the Septim line of Emperors had brought about a lasting end to that kind of disunity across Tamriel. I found it rather unsettling to learn otherwise. Though my time in the world, as one of you, might well be done, I hold no desire to... to see it all burn."

Suvaris still appeared as though he wasn't quite following what the Ancient was talking about. "What would any of that have to do with vampires in Daggerfall?"

The Ancient responded with a surprised expression. "Hmm? Oh, nothing directly, of course. However in a somewhat similar fashion, I also hold no desire to see this world overrun by vampire armies. No desire to witness my fate forced upon others. I was not a willing conscript to the warring vampire clans… those of my time."

Suvaris wasn't sure that he understood all what he was hearing. He chose to merely accept the general tone of it. His thoughts suddenly returned to what had drawn him into that place in the first instance. "So, who was I following down here?"

"That would have been one those vampires I was tracking, of course. The last one, I believe. He has been properly dealt with." He stepped to one side and drew attention to the partially desiccated corpse lying upon the stone just around the corner.

It had been positioned just out of Suvaris' direct line of sight. He hadn't seen it until the Ancient shifted aside and pointed it out. Though it had yet to turn to dust, the corpse had deteriorated enough that he could no longer easily tell whether it had once been merish, beastfolk, or human.

The other consideration returned to Suvaris' thoughts. "What of… what of… whatever that vampire had dragged down there?"

The Ancient shook his head slightly. "That unfortunate soul? I'm afraid that other vampire's victim had already been drained far too much. That was quite unnecessary, in my view. He had expired before being brought up to this section of the tunnel."

Suvaris' attention was directed toward the other prone figure lying further inside, just around the corner upon the stone floor. Moving past the Ancient, he took a cautious step nearer. Once he could actually see, his breath caught in his throat, just as he observed the colouring of the partially covered face. For a brief instant, he thought that he was looking upon a dead Dunmer. He feared that it could be Travlon.

A great wave of relief washed over him as he observed that it was not his brother's grandson. However, that feeling became quickly subsumed by a sense of guilt. He felt a slight shame that was he so glad that someone else had died instead of the younger Suvaris.

Shifting the head so that he could see more clearly, Suvaris quickly realised that he was looking upon that tanned Bosmer he'd seen in the tavern less than two hours before. He still acknowledged that it could just as easily have been Travlon, since he'd likely departed the tavern at around the same general time.

The Ancient had been watching Suvaris intently, evidently observing the shift in his expressions as he looked over the dead Bosmer.

"Was that Bosmer someone that you knew?"

Suvaris looked back somewhat vacantly. "No. Just… just someone I'd noticed in the tavern… just before… when I was looking for… for someone else."

The Ancient didn't offer further response.

Suvaris looked up, then glanced about what he could see of the shadowed walls and stone alcoves. "What is this place?"

"As I understand it, these tunnels seem to back up onto the dungeons located beneath Castle Dour. The Imperial outpost in this city. I expect that it is likely part of a section which has fallen to disuse and since been sealed off from the rest. Presumably, those vampires found it suitable for their purposes, when gathering in this city."

Suvaris returned a silent nod, accepting the explanation.

The Ancient tilted his head, considering a passing thought. "As I understand it, there is no longer any Fighters Guild in this region. Tell me, what reason brought you all the way from Cheydinhal, to this northern location?"

Suvaris released a weary sigh. He then went on to provide a rather abbreviated version of the sequence of events which provoked him to go off in search of someone going by the same name as his deceased brother. Without great detail, he spoke of the loss of his family many decades before, as he understood it to have transpired. He shared how recently learning that at least of them might have survived, motivated his investigation. He volunteered only the basics of what followed. He also explained how the journey across Morrowind to Mournhold eventually led to some tenuous confirmation of his suspicions and then travelling upon a trade vessel in pursuit of that uncertain goal. The account ended with some detail of how he'd just found and spoken with his brother's grandson in that tavern.

Once Suvaris was fully done, the Ancient nodded thoughtfully. "I understand. A matter of family."

Suvaris' silent expression conveyed his scepticism over the notion that the vampire could really understand anything more than his words. He imagined that the essence of it all would have been completely lost upon him.

Without really needing to, the Ancient volunteered something. "After a fashion, I also lost my family because of the turmoil of war."

"Your family?"

"My mortal family."

"Your family was… was lost to war?"

"It was more the case that it was I who was lost to my family. I was taken from my former life and turned by vampires. Conscripted and pressed into service to fight in the struggles between warring vampire clans across the sea from my homeland." The Ancient paused, looking away. "I was made a monster. For a time, I behaved as one. Far longer than I care to recall. In the end, after countless years… and struggles… I became the last of my kind. The last of my specific line. In itself, a seemingly hollow achievement, after the fact." He paused again, shifting his position and meeting Suvaris' gaze. "Were the past something that could be changed, I would have much preferred to have lived out my mortal days with my wife and son." He paused yet again.

Pulling his cloak partly to one side, the Ancient drew attention to an ornate silver pin upon the front of his vest. The broad head of the trinket featured an intricate pattern of elven design. It was vaguely reminiscent of a bird in flight. "This is all that I have to provoke faded memory of my mortal family. If the opportunity remains in place to reclaim connection to your living family, then I might urge you to pursue that matter further, while you still can."

Suvaris released a little sigh. "Though I lost my… my immediate family, some time ago, I am glad to have learned of Travlon." He paused on a frown. "He did not seem to… to embrace the notion of viewing me as family. Even so, he did not reject it outright. Perhaps I will pursue the matter further, as circumstance permits."

The Ancient returned a solemn nod, seemingly indicating that he had no more say on the matter.

Suvaris looked away, considering the two corpses upon the cold stone. "What about these bodies?"

The Ancient shrugged dismissively. "The remains of that vampire will have likely turned to ash and rags before long. I will be informing my Penitus Oculatus contact of the other one. I fully expect that they will have it dealt with in the appropriate manner."

Suvaris was not feeling perfectly at ease with either the detail or tone of the Ancient's suggestions. However, he held no desire to involve himself in anything that fell under the purview of the Penitus Oculatus. Accordingly, he reluctantly chose to leave it at that.

Shifting posture and tone once more, the Ancient spoke again. "If I may, I would ask just one thing of you."

Suvaris assumed he knew what was expected of him. "I assure you that I have no intention of breaking confidence. It will be as though I was never here."

The Ancient shook his head a little. "No, no, not that. When you next see Forester, I would ask that you tell him… well, merely pass on my regards to him. I may not again have the opportunity to encounter him, before his days are done."

Suvaris returned a nod. "Yes, I can do that." He paused on a thought. "You said that you held him to 'blame' for your… for your change in circumstances."

"Blame… is perhaps the wrong word. Forester merely played some part in planting the seed of an idea. Something to be considered. Only in the fullness of time, I later found some renewed purpose. Something more useful than merely waiting for my final days. An opportunity to atone somewhat for past misdeeds. That is all."

Suvaris nodded. "I understand. I'll let him know."

Seemingly satisfied, the Ancient again nodded his silent acceptance.

The following exchange remained brief, representing a final farewell of sorts. The Ancient recommended that Suvaris exercise some care in departing. He suggested that it might be best to remain unobserved. He further advised Suvaris to leave first, suggesting that he would be departing shortly afterward.

After climbing back up from the darkened tunnel, Suvaris paused a moment to check that nobody seemed to be in clear view, then climbed down to the ground. Of course that far back from the street, it seemed nearly just as dark outside as it had been down in the tunnel down below. Leaving the back of that alchemy store behind, he headed for the dim pools of light partially illuminating the street.

He absently noted that the rain seemed to be easing at that moment. The persistent drizzle had seemingly eased to a fine sprinkling of mist. Given that the dark blanket of overhead cloud cover allowed no moonlight to penetrate, he didn't know if the rain was truly passing or else pausing just momentarily. Even so, he remained hopeful.

That second time he found himself pausing to consider his path, Suvaris decided not to leave the city by the main entrance after all. He instead headed back for that sheltered passage, to make his way via that enclosed stairway down to the waterfront area below Solitude.

Aside from passing by a weary city guard at that same place near the top of the sheltered stairway, Suvaris encountered no one else along the way. He did notice a couple of figures headed for the piers, once he'd emerged from the cliff face down by the river. However, they were far ahead of him and had disappeared for their destinations long before he was near.

In due course, Suvaris arrived at the docks. Another brief shower passed over as he was walking there. Afterward, the rain had again come close to stopping altogether. Even so, it remained uncertain whether it likely to be clearing or otherwise.

He made his way directly to the Zamsar, then headed straight down to the vessel's cargo hold. Picking his way toward the crates of chilled cargo, he found Adras Rurvyn.

"Suvaris, yer back?" Adras appeared slightly surprised.

"Yes, only just now. I was just coming to check on the cargo."

Adras gestured toward the crates with his hand. "Ain't no need. I just finished checkin' on it. Only the frozen stuff needed lookin' to. Oughta be all good until the mornin', by my reckonin'."

"As you say." Suvaris nodded his acceptance.

Adras suddenly sounded a little weary. "Dunno if we're goin' anywhere tomorrow. Still hafta wait an' see, I s'pose."

Suvaris returned a silent nod of acceptance.

Adras looked like he was about to leave, then he paused, looking back to the other Dunmer with a curious expression. "Ya end up findin' that fella ya was lookin' for?

Suvaris nodded wearily. "Yes. I did."

Adras recognised something of the brevity in the tone of that response. "That's good then. Ain't it? S'pose ya can tell me about later, unless ya don't wanna say?"

Suvaris remained reserved. "Yes, perhaps later."

He silently watched Adras head off from the Zamsar's cargo hold. He noted that he was feeling just a little hungry, but in that particular moment, he didn't really feel like eating in the ship's mess.

After a few moments, Suvaris distractedly headed for the bathroom facilities to deal with a pressing concern. He intended to afterward make way his way for that tiny cabin that he shared with that other Dunmer. He held to a passing hope that Adras might not be there, or else was already sleeping, as he fully intended to try to get some peaceful rest after the long and tiring day. He'd given no further thought to what the next day might deliver.

~O~