Winds of Change Chapter 2

Seranas POV

I woke up to Vladimir sitting on a boulder outside the overhang, it was just now evening from the look of things but I wasn't sure. I noticed he was sharpening his sword with a whetstone and was looking out at the land, watching what he could see like a hawk. I sat up and he looked at me.

"Finally, you're awake." He said and I nodded "what time is it?" I asked slowly and he looked out at the horizon then the ground at the shadows before replying

"I have no idea, honestly. Maybe around early evening or late afternoon at best."

I nodded and sat up as he tossed me a bottle of blood and I looked at him quizzically

"Don't ask how I got that, let's just say that some nearby bandits are scared to Oblivion and back and won't come near us after a few disappeared out of nowhere." He chuckled and I looked at him shocked before shrugging and I yawned. Vladimir sheathed his sword before grabbing his armor and pulling it on.

"If you want to stay nice and beautiful, Serana. I thought it would be better to travel at night." He said looking down at me. I blushed slightly and nodded "That sounds good." I said. He nodded and put out the fire as the sun began to set. He gathered his pack and we set out.

"So where is this home of yours, Serana?" he looked at me and asked

"It's on a small island near the High Rock- Skyrim border."

"How in the name of Shor are we supposed to get to it?" he asked before the realization hit him "Oh… boats, forgot about boats." He muttered and I chuckled

He shot me a dirty look and I laughed even more as we made our way to Dawnstar to get a boat to take us to Solitude. Once we got to Solitude, the owner of the boat that we could take to the Icewater Jetty wouldn't take us until Vladimir dropped a hefty pouch of septims into the man's hand. The man's eyes glinted with greed as he eagerly agreed to take us as close to the castle as possible. Vladimir nodded and helped me into the boat, I blushed again and hoped he didn't see it.

Vladimirs POV

I looked up at the large decrepit castle looming over us, the large bridge with its gargoyles on it, and as we walked over it I was mentally freaking out that they could come out of their shells at any moment and slaughter us. I was snapped out of my thoughts as Serana put her hand on my forearm

"Hey, before we go in there…" she said

"What is it? Are you okay?" I asked

"I'm fine, I think. Thanks for asking," She said "I just wanted to thank you for getting me this far, once we go inside leave the talking to me… I know your friends would want to kill everyone inside but I hope you can show a little restraint in there."

I nodded and quickly assured her that I have much more common sense than the others. We walked along the bridge, I kept my hand on the hilt of my blade just in case the gargoyles would pop out and attack. Once we reached the gates, or rather portcullis, of the castle a man saw Serana. He was probably a thrall or something as his eyes didn't glow the way vampiric eyes did. As I was thinking to myself he shouted something and the rumbling of the portcullis being drawn up into the gatehouse snapped me out of my thoughts.

Serana looked at me in the eyes and walked in. I followed her and we walked into the castles main hall. An Altmer vampire looked at us

"How dare you trespass here," he snarled before noticing Serana "Lady Serana, is that really you?" he sounded stunned and I repressed an urge to laugh. I know it's probably been centuries, but how do you forget what a woman like Serana looks like? I shook my head as the man led us down stairs to the throne room and dining area was at.

At the sight of what was going on, I nearly vomited. I had seen a lot of things in my time as an adventurer but this… this was horrible. All along the tables were piles of bloody bones, chunks of human flesh, and human "cattle" with vampires sitting in front of them. I repressed the bile and listened as Serana and her father argued. However I only caught the tail end of the argument

"…. Now tell me, who is this stranger you have brought into our hall?" her father asked and Serana looked at me and then him "This is my savior, the one who freed me."

"For my daughter's safe return, you have my gratitude. Tell me, what is your name?" the man asked and I stepped forward "I'm Vladimir, and you are?" I asked hesitantly and the man chuckled a bit.

"I am Harkon, lord of this court. By now, my daughter will have told you what we are." He said rather smugly and I fought back the urge to plant my sword in his head. I sighed and looked at him

"You're vampires." I said and he still looked smug at that "Not just vampires. We are among the oldest and most powerful vampires in Skyrim. For centuries we lived here, far from the cares of the world. All that ended when my wife betrayed me and stole away that which I valued most." He said and I shrugged "what happens now?"

He turned towards me "you have done me a great service, and now you must be rewarded. There is but one gift I can give that is equal in value to the Elder Scroll and my daughter. I offer you my blood. Take it, and you will walk as a lion among sheep. Men will tremble at your approach and you will never fear death again."

I laughed softly "as tempting as your offer sounds Lord Harkon, I am a werewolf and I would rather not change that. I refuse your gift." I snarled looking the vampire lord in the eyes.

"So be it! You are prey like all mortals! I banish you from my court, never to return!" he roared as he summoned magicka in his palm.