Chapter 28: Moths and Monsters
They briefly stopped off in Ivarstead's inn before setting off across the Rift to Fort Dawnguard. It would have been an overnight stay if not for an unfortunate incident that banned them from it for at least a week. The bard sang 'The Dragonborn Comes.' Serana thought she'd have enough self control not to react. Then she met Sithia's eyes. They collapsed into hysterical laughter. The pretty bard objected violently. The innkeeper sided with his bard when he broke up the fight. Maybe he was sweet on her, but she did have a good voice. It was a pity she didn't sing more often, playing an instrument most of the time instead. Not that Serana and Sithia would get to listen to the bard perform anytime soon, or perhaps ever again if she held a grudge.
Sithia's map led them on a circuitous route to Fort Dawnguard, largely off the road and avoiding Riften. So much for a stop and… more at the inn there. They didn't run into any trouble besides a few hungry wolves and frostbite spiders. Serana scared off the wolves and picked off the spiders at a distance.
Sithia paused at the mouth of Dayspring Canyon, Fort Dawnguard almost within sight. She made no move to take a snack from her pack or even just her water bottle.
"Laas Yah Nir." Sithia looked in every direction.
"What is it?" Serana asked, wondering if something could have spooked her Dragonborn. As far as Serana could tell, theirs were the only pulses around: one special human, heartbeat healthy, and one vampire, heart undead and sluggish.
"No one around. Good," Sithia muttered. "I think we need to kidnap Dexion."
Serana blinked. "Why?"
Sithia folded her arms. "We can't risk the Dawnguard hearing what your mother's Scroll says. If they've found out you're a Daughter of Coldharbour… I saw how Isran looked at you when you mentioned being as ancient as your father."
"So what if they do? I mean, I don't really want them to know what I did to get this gift – they'd judge me for it – but I don't see…"
"Your father can't corrupt Auriel's Bow with your blood if you're killed and reduced to ash. It's an obvious solution to a vampire hunter. But I'm not about to let that happen."
"Glad to hear it." Serana couldn't keep the strain out of her voice. Sithia had a point. "But if they've still got that nasty Aedric light trap active, you'll have to get Dexion on your own."
"True. I suppose they'd better have it active to keep your father's vampires out."
They walked on. Soon they arrived at Fort Dawnguard where the sentry shouted for Isran. He came out to meet them before Sithia set foot inside the doors.
Isran gave Serana a stony look before turning his attention to Sithia.
"A word, Cynthia."
"Hurry up, then, I'm a busy woman. I need to see Dexion."
"Good luck with that," Isran muttered. Serana wondered what he meant. Sithia caught the mutter too and frowned at him. "Don't worry, he's still here. You'll see what I mean soon enough."
"Then get on with whatever you want to say to me," Sithia snapped.
Isran held out a folded piece of paper to Sithia. She took it, reluctance in the move. She unfolded it. It was a copy of a Thalmor wanted poster, with a fair likeness of Serana on it.
Isran poked Sithia. "You need to keep your vampire on a tighter leash. The Thalmor are dangerous. You don't want what's left of the Empire to be tipped into another war because it couldn't keep its fangs out of the wrong people."
"The Thalmor had it coming," Sithia snarled.
"Be that as it may," Isran lowered his voice so no one else could overhear. "They're after you too. There was another wanted poster. I scrapped it before any of my people could see. You're too important to Tamriel as Dragonborn to be given up to the Thalmor." It sounded as though Isran didn't care for the Thalmor either. Serana wondered why. Was he secretly a Talos worshipper? Or did Thalmor persecute werewolves? Or was it a Redguard thing? Serana doubted he'd explain if she asked.
"Was that all?" Sithia asked.
"I check my men for enthralment several times every day after daily checks weren't enough. I discovered one of them was a thrall. The Moth Priest is still safe, but the vampires may know more than any of us want about that Scroll he read. That's all."
"Thanks, I think," Sithia grumbled.
Isran turned to Serana. "Don't go inside my fort, vampire. Trap's still active."
Well, at least he'd warned her this time.
Sithia went inside alone after looking dubiously between Serana and Isran. Isran said nothing else to Serana and his underlings ignored her too, so she waited in silence. She didn't mind because she was close enough to the door to the fort to overhear the conversation within between Sithia and Dexion, right on the edge of her hearing.
"Dexion?" Sithia asked. Serana wished she could see her eyes. She couldn't tell by the sound of her voice what she was feeling.
"Ah, my rescuer! I trust your journey was successful, Cynthia?"
"Yes. Isran's been treating you well?"
"It's not exactly the hospitality I'm used to, but your man Isran has seen to my needs well enough," Dexion said.
"He's hardly my man. Just an ally. I've brought the Elder Scrolls."
Not that Sithia actually had the Scrolls with her right at that moment. Serana still had them inside the pack. They were rather too heavy and bulky for Sithia to carry all of them, and they didn't want Dexion to be overheard reading them anyway.
"Ah." There was a shuffle, presumably as Dexion shifted position. "I'm sorry, my friend. I can no longer be of use in this matter."
Sithia inhaled sharply. "Your eyes…"
"Blind? Yes. I'm afraid so. It's my fault. In my haste to read the first Scroll, I neglected the careful preparation required. I thought I'd be able to allay the after effects, but I was wrong. Now I'm paying for it."
"Can anything be done?" Sithia demanded.
"No. It'll have to run its course, and there's always the chance I may never recover."
"Void take it," Sithia cursed, Serana barely catching the vicious mutter. "Then we can't find Auriel's Bow."
Dexion hummed thoughtfully. "No, there's another way. The question is, how much are you willing to risk?"
Serana didn't like the sound of that, or of Sithia's resigned acceptance: "What do I need to do?"
"I can't guarantee you'd be free from harm. Becoming blind could be the least of your worries."
Serana really didn't like the sound of that.
"Just tell me."
"Scattered across Tamriel are secluded locations known only as Ancestor Glades. There's one in Skyrim, in the pine forest near Falkreath. I have a map somewhere…" There was another brief rustling movement.
"We can find that after you tell me what I need to do." Sithia sounded like she was trying very hard to be patient.
"Performing the Ritual of the Ancestor Moth within the glade should provide the answers you seek."
"Explain this ritual."
"It involves carefully removing the bark from a canticle tree, which will attract Ancestor Moths to you. Once enough of the moths are following, they'll provide you with the second sight needed to decipher the scrolls."
Sithia sighed. "What does a canticle tree look like? And remove the bark how?"
"Trust me, you can't miss the trees. In keeping with tradition, you must use a specific tool in the Ancestor Glade, an implement known as a draw knife. There should be one there. Every Moth Priest is taught this ritual, but few ever get the chance to perform it… You should consider yourself fortunate if it works for you."
"So it might not even work?" Sithia sighed heavily. "Assuming it does, do I need to read the Scrolls in a particular order?"
"From what I saw in the vision, the Elder Scroll which foreshadows the defiance of the gods with ancient blood is the key to the prophecy."
"Right, and how do I know which Scroll that is? They all look the same."
"Once the ritual is enacted, the Ancestor Moths should guide you. Trust in them."
"…How are moths related to the Elder Scrolls?" Sithia sounded very fed up. At least she'd be unlikely to take it out on a blinded Moth Priest… Serana hoped.
"Well, as I'm sure you've figured out by now, it's no mere coincidence that we're named 'Moth Priests.' The voice of the Ancestor Moth has always been an integral part of reading the Elder Scrolls."
"Ancestor Moths speak?" That was a very sceptical Dragonborn.
"Oh, the moths don't literally read the scrolls. They maintain a connection to ancient magic that allows the Moth Priests to decipher them. If you listen closely when you find the glade, you should be able to hear their song: a soft, harmonious trilling. It's through this ancestral chorus that the moths tap into a form of primal augur and become a conduit for deciphering the scrolls."
Dexion babbled on happily, as if he'd not had a willing listener in too long: "By performing the ritual in the glade, it attracts the Ancestor Moths, allowing the Moth Priest to utilise the conduit and share the moth's augury. Only the most resilient of priests can do it this way… It takes years of practice to interpret the harmony."
Sithia groaned. "Then how do I even stand a chance? I don't have years to spare."
"You've come this far, and you've found three Elder Scrolls. The Scrolls have a mind of their own. If they didn't want you to find them, they wouldn't allow it. Because of this, I strongly believe you were meant to hear the ancestral chorus. And now there's only one way to find out. Do let me know how it goes!"
"Right. Let's find this map of yours." There was more rustling. "Thanks, Dexion."
Serana couldn't hear Sithia's footsteps approaching thanks to her muffled boots, but she couldn't miss her heartbeat. Serana shouldered the pack, ready to go, even as Sithia opened to door and walked out, Dexion's map in her hands.
"I hope you heard all that with your super sensitive hearing. I don't want to go through it all again if I can help it." Sithia looked very grumpy.
Serana nodded. "Don't worry. My ears didn't fail me."
"Good. Let's get the Ancestor Glade marked on my map and get going."
Serana sighed. "I hope we reach this Ancestor Glade soon."
They had been travelling for just over a week, Sithia's map taking them across the Rift even more off road than from Ivarstead to Fort Dawnguard, at least until they had to take the road through the Helgen pass. The weather had been fine all the way. Too fine; the sunlight was a pain for Serana even with regular blood potions Sithia refilled as needed.
"We're in Falkreath Hold now. See? Not that much further." Sithia traced the remaining route on her map. "We could stop off in Falkreath itself. Take advantage of the inn again. And that bathtub."
Serana definitely liked the sound of that. It should be a safe spot for feeding directly, and for… more. Finally. The last time she'd touched Sithia intimately had been in High Hrothgar. They must have travelled over the length of Skyrim since then, back and forth across the Rift. If only it was safe enough when in the wild or on the road. Granted even in the inn they'd be wise to place a rune trap at the door, once the bath was inside. There could be Thalmor spies or worse around.
The next day they reached Falkreath. The Dead Man's Drink had a room and bath available. Serana still sampled Sithia's food and drink; just because they'd been safe last time was no guarantee, especially with potential Thalmor agents around.
Serana made sure to set the rune trap just inside the door after the bath had been hauled in and filled. She'd have to disable it later to allow the bath to be emptied and taken away, but so be it. They needed to be careful. Setting up the rune trap only after the innkeeper had completely finished coming and going wasn't enough.
That done, they helped each other out of their armour and clothing, stealing caresses and kisses. It was a tight fit for both of them in the bath, but they managed just as they had before, although this time Serana embraced Sithia from behind. She stroked Sithia's skin, tracing her scars, feeling the difference anew between scar tissue and patches of unmarked skin.
Serana found this position gave her good access for feeding. All she needed to do was lean forward and angle her head to bite Sithia's neck. She latched on and slipped a hand between Sithia's legs, helping her along to satisfaction even as she did the same by feeding.
Afterwards Sithia offered to return the favour, but Serana insisted it could wait and that they should use the bath for its conventional purpose before it cooled. That done, they dried off and redressed. Serana disabled the rune trap so the innkeeper could come in to empty the bath and take it away. Sithia silenced any complaints about spilled water with gold. The innkeeper left them in peace. Serana set the rune trap up again.
"Bed?" Sithia asked. "And I don't mean to sleep. Not yet. I want you." She looked Serana up and down, eyes dark with lust.
Serana responded by undressing her again. Sithia pulled off Serana's tunic and encouraged her to remove the rest of her clothing. Serana cooperated, she wanted the tenderness of skin against skin as much as Sithia did. She backed her to the bed and they lay down together.
Serana decided Sithia could wait a little longer to return the favour. She kissed her way down her Dragonborn's body, Sithia's hips bucking once she reached her target. She slid her fingers in and thrust steadily. Serana eyed the healthy flush to Sithia's skin and decided it was safe enough to feed a little more. She gently sunk her fangs into Sithia's inner thigh, being very careful. This was not a usual feeding spot for her and she wasn't as familiar with where the arteries were. A vampire did not feed directly from the artery unless they were trying to kill, and that was the last thing Serana wanted with Sithia.
Sithia gasped her name and slid her hands through Serana's hair, gripping her head. Serana let the blood well up but didn't actively feed, relying instead on her fingers to drive Sithia to completion. Sithia clenched around her fingers with a groan, and her satiation burst onto Serana's tongue through her blood. Delicious.
Sithia recovered for a minute while Serana savoured her finest blood, then healed herself. "Now I really must insist on returning the favour. Come up here." She beckoned.
Serana kissed her way back up Sithia's body until she reached her lips. Sithia kissed her back, then rolled them over and kissed and caressed her way down to between Serana's legs.
Serana gasped, stifling a groan. She whimpered when Sithia flicked her tongue across her nub, and slid a finger into her. She soon added another, thrusting them as steadily as Serana had not long before, truly returning the favour. Sithia didn't let up with the attentions of her tongue either. She made a beckoning motion with her fingers, stroking over something just as sensitive as what she tormented with her tongue.
Serana clenched around Sithia's fingers, biting her own lip. That drew her blood; her fangs were out. Her lip healed quickly once she sheathed them with difficulty, the taste of her own blood making it harder to control the bloodlust. If Sithia's neck had been within reach she'd have been unable to resist feeding again.
Tension coiled deep inside her with every move of Sithia's fingers and tongue. Serana buried her fingers in Sithia's hair, trying not to tighten her grip too much as she was driven closer and closer to the edge. She fell over it, gasping Sithia's name.
She came down from that high and found herself in Sithia's arms, Sithia's lips on hers. She kissed back and wrapped her own arms around Sithia. They stayed snuggled together even as Sithia fell asleep. Serana reached for the blanket with her telekinesis and pulled it up and over them. Her bloodlust still burned within her. She sternly reminded herself that she'd already fed enough from Sithia, and that she didn't feed from her when she was sleeping.
Sithia slept that night in Serana's arms. That meant she was right on hand to wake Sithia from her nightmares. It was not a good night for them. Twice she cried out, first with Tiber's name on her lips, next Serana's. At least it was easier to calm her on waking her from the second. She needed only to see Serana to quickly realise she'd been dreaming. It took longer with the first nightmare. There was of course no Tiber alive to comfort her, a waking realisation that etched fresh grief into Sithia's face.
Serana only wished she could do more to help than wake her from such dreams, offer comfort, and stroke her back to sleep. If Vaermina was behind this she hoped the Daedric Prince tired of toying with Sithia quickly. Which she seemed to after two nightmares. How merciful of her to 'only' disturb Sithia's sleep twice before a busy day. If Ancestor Glade was where it was supposed to be, Sithia might read the Elder Scrolls before she slept again. Unless Serana stole that task and risked her own sanity instead.
From Falkreath their route took them off the road and through the pine forest, up into the foothills of the mountains, to a cave that didn't look all that different to any other cave in Skyrim.
"This must be the place." Serana couldn't help but double check the map. It matched the position from Dexion's map, and there didn't seem to be any other caves around. She looked around. "Hmph. Not very impressive, is it?" Just bare rock, moss and a fallen tree trunk forming a bridge across where the cave floor had fallen away, right where they needed to go. She tentatively walked across it, testing the 'bridge' before Sithia could. Better that she fell than her Dragonborn if the wood was rotten. Fortunately it wasn't.
Serana turned on her heel once across to beckon to Sithia. "If this ends up being a wasted trip, your friend Dexion and I are going to have some words when we get back."
Sithia raised an eyebrow. "Friend? More like acquaintance. Good luck with getting past the sunlight trap to do so."
"Maybe you'll do it for me? If I ask nicely."
Sithia darted across the tree trunk bridge to Serana's side. She reached up to caress Serana's jawline. "Very, very nicely. Although if this is a wild goose chase, I might just have those words with him myself anyway."
"Tease," Serana murmured. She wanted to pull Sithia's cowl off and shove her against the rocky wall of the cave. Wanted to run her fangs against her neck. Wanted to—
But no. They had a job to do. Serana turned away and walked through a narrow passage in the back of the cave, and out into unearthly beauty. From cool to warm air. A large cavern with plenty of light shining down from a hole in the ceiling far above. So much light considering it was just moonlight outside now: it had taken longer to reach the glade from Falkreath than they'd expected. A bright beam of light shone onto a dais-like plinth in the centre of the glade, in a small valley below them. The light reminded her of the trap in Fort Dawnguard, but this one was smaller and more like moonlight, if much brighter. It didn't make her eyes flinch away from it either. She felt no Aedric influence from it and was pretty sure she'd be able to stand unharmed in it.
Strange trees with pink blossom were dotted around, and what could only be Ancestor Moths fluttered around them. A gentle trickle of running water was the only thing she could hear, except for Sithia's breathing and the reassuring beat of her heart. Wait, no… There was something else. The fluttering of the moths' wings. And a background soft harmonious trilling, just like Dexion said. The song of the Ancestor Moths.
"Wow. Look at this place. No one's been here in centuries," Serana guessed. It certainly looked untouched.
Sithia whistled lowly, wandering in front of Serana to take in everything. "Have you ever seen anywhere like this?"
"I doubt there's any other place like it in Skyrim. It's beautiful. It's not like anything else I've seen in Skyrim, I can tell you that much. From now or… before. There's probably groves like this all over Tamriel. Most people just don't even know what to look for."
"Just as well Dexion had that map, or else we wouldn't have known either."
Serana smiled a little sheepishly. "Looks like I'll be having different words with him. Even if the moth assisted ritual doesn't work, thanks are in order for the view."
"That depends on how badly it might not work."
Serana winced at the reminder. "Maybe I should do it? Can we risk the Scrolls sending you insane? The world needs you more than me."
"I need you," Sithia muttered. "And Dexion seemed to think I was meant to do it. Come on, let's find the draw knife. We can argue about who does it when we have what we need for the ritual."
They followed the path down to the centre of the glade. Sithia reached out for an Ancestor Moth fluttering on some rare yellow mountain flowers, the light in her eyes not reverence but an alchemist's avarice.
Serana gently grabbed her wrist. "Don't. It feels like a crime to do that here. That and we need the moths to read the Scrolls. No alchemy harvesting until after we've finished, and maybe not even then."
"Spoilsport. Still, you're right. It does feel wrong." Sithia turned away from the temptation and pointed to some steaming hot springs in the bottom of the grotto. "Those explain the warm air in here." Sithia pushed her cowl down.
"They do. And there's the draw knife." Serana pointed to a strange hollow rock. The draw knife floated in the centre of the hole, suspended by some sort of magic. Serana led the way down to it, through three dolmens standing in a shallow pool of warm water. "It's a glorified scraper, perfect for removing some bark. Mother had something similar back home when she was tending the courtyard gardens, to scrape moss and fungus off of the trees. That one's far nicer though, almost ceremonial."
"I haven't seen one before, but I guessed as much. I wonder how it's levitating. And don't say magic. That much is obvious."
While Sithia walked around the knife holder, inspecting it from every angle, Serana took the draw knife. "Finders keepers. I'm doing it. I heard what Dexion said, and it applies to me as much as it does to you. We both found the Scrolls."
"Serana!"
Serana ignored Sithia's protests and held the knife up out of her reach. "Now to track down one of those canticle trees and attract those Ancestor Moths. I bet they're the trees with the pink blossom, I've never seen anything like them."
She dashed over to the nearest tree and quickly stripped some fragrant bark off before Sithia could catch up. Serana winced at the sticky sap, but rubbed it on herself in the process of pocketing the bark. "Hope the moths like that bark as much as Dexion said they would."
They didn't. Either that or they were taking an exception to Serana herself. Maybe they didn't like vampires?
"Give me the bark." Sithia held out her hand for it.
Serana reluctantly passed over the still sticky length of bark.
It didn't take long for the moths to come fluttering over, still avoiding Serana. She sighed. "Look at them. They've definitely taken a liking to you. Favouritism, although I can't fault their taste. So long as it doesn't endanger you." Serana blinked and cocked her head slightly, eyeing Sithia. "And unless I'm seeing things, you're starting to… glimmer."
"Couldn't hurt to gather some more, I guess." Sithia wandered around, attracting more moths. With every moth that joined the ones already circling Sithia, the orb of radiance surrounding her grew, like brightening sunlight behind thinning clouds. The moths fluttered around Sithia within it. Then the column of light on the dais in the centre of the grove flashed, near to where they found the draw knife.
"Whoa! I think that might have been what we were waiting for. Let's head back up there and see if we can read the Scrolls." Serana sighed. We. As if she could read them when the moths ignored her.
Sithia hurried towards it. Yet she paused before stepping up under the column of light.
"Nervous?" Serana asked. She wished she didn't have to keep her distance. The moths were okay with her at arm's length, but within hugging distance? It wouldn't do to scare off the moths at this point.
Sithia glared briefly at Serana. Maybe she'd sounded more flippant than she intended? She opened her mouth to apologise, only for Sithia to speak before she could:
"Give me the first Scroll." Sithia stepped into the light and held out her hands.
Serana wondered how the moths would guide them, like Dexion had said they would. She pulled out the three Scrolls from Sithia's pack, laying them on the ground. Three moths flew away from the swarm surrounding Sithia, one landing on each Scroll. Only one kept fluttering its wings. Hopefully that was the first Scroll to be read…
Serana handed the Scroll to Sithia, the moth on it flying back into the swarm. Sithia opened the Scroll, eyes fixed on it, then let it slide closed and passed it back to Serana. A second moth fluttered its wings from its perch, and Serana passed that Scroll to Sithia, and then the last.
Sithia's face grew paler with each Scroll she read, her eyes focused on where the Scrolls had been opened, even after Serana laid each on the ground. Her Dragonborn was very still, not even breathing. She was worryingly pale after the last Scroll, including her lips, the blood drained from her face.
Her heart stuttered, and she swayed and collapsed. Serana caught her, lowering her to the ground next to the Scrolls. She cushioned Sithia's head on her lap, fingers stroking through her hair, her own breath held as she anxiously waited.
After a tense minute - or was it just seconds? - Sithia's heartbeat returned to normal and the flush of life returned to her face. She finally blinked, drew breath, and focused on Serana.
Serana gasped with relief. "Are you okay? Almost thought I lost you there… You went white as the snow."
"I'm fine. It did feel strange, though." Sithia's voice sounded a bit unsteady.
"I never trusted those damn Scrolls. Who knows what those things could have done to you… Just look at Dexion and worse, Septimus." Serana sighed and reluctantly released Sithia and helped her sit up. "What about Auriel's Bow? Do you know where to find it?"
"Darkfall Cave. I'll be able to pinpoint it on my map."
"Then it's almost over. We can finally put an end to this ridiculous prophecy."
Sithia stood, a little shakily. She took a few steps, her balance improving as she did so. Whatever those Scrolls had done to her, she seemed to be recovering fast.
"Let's get going. I want to get there before my father has a chance to track us down." In retrospect Serana regretted saying that. It seemed to tempt fate. Her father's minions rushed into the cavern almost as soon as the words left Serana's lips. Serana looked at the sheer number of thralls, fledglings, a couple of gargoyles, and even a half-blood in the monstrous form. In the moments it took them to descend to the pool with the canticle trees, Serana reached deep inside for her own inner monster. This looked like a time for such a last resort.
Her morsel drew her sword and inhaled deeply.
"Leave the leader to me, I'll show her who has true power," Serana snarled.
Sithia's only answer was to roast most of the fledglings with a single Shout: "YOL TOOR SHUL!"
The leader dissolved into bats, swarming up and over the fire to reform behind Serana's prize. The monster reached for Sithia, dared to lay clawed hands on her, closing around her neck. A choke hold, not to kill, but still! Those claws drew blood. Another vampire had no right!
Red overtook Serana's sight. When her vision cleared, her monstrous rival's stubby wings and arms were torn off and dissolving into bloody ash. Serana bit deeply into the other monster's neck. She spat out the mouthful of bloodied ash even as the vampire lord dissolved into the remnants of death.
Sithia healed herself from the rough hold and forced herself back onto her feet. Serana eyed the blood on her neck hungrily.
'No! There are still the thralls and gargoyles, the stragglers of the fledglings too. Protect our Dragonborn, don't endanger her!'
Serana wished her inner weakling would shut up. But she had a point. Especially as those stragglers were rushing forwards, fangs bared, eyes crazed. Sithia's blood was that good, but it was Serana's.
Serana snarled, launching herself forward into the pack. She bodily picked up the nearest and tore him in two, hurling the parts at the thralls. That still didn't cow the feral fledglings. Serana had to grab each in turn and end their pathetic undead lives with her claws.
She was only vaguely aware of her morsel cutting down the thralls, the spilled blood only further maddening the fledglings. They dared claw Serana back, not that any of them lasted much longer. Their nails were nothing compared to Serana's claws and fangs.
Serana's wounds healed fast with both her more robust true form and the blessing of the night. Just as well. For even as the last fledgling collapsed into ash, the gargoyles charged into her. Large and strong as she was in this majestic form, the gargoyles still outweighed her and overpowered her, throwing her against a canticle tree. It creaked, blossom falling.
Serana fell to the water below, rolling back on her feet. She heard her bones snap back into place. Stony claws slashed where her head had been.
Sithia impaled that gargoyle from behind. That left her open to attack by the remaining one. Serana smelled dragon blood again and her mouth watered.
'No! Stop that gargoyle!'
As if she'd let her favourite morsel fall to an enchanted stone construct! Serana raised the fallen gargoyle and had it tear its companion into pieces.
Sithia healed herself, golden light flaring again. It didn't remove the blood.
Serana circled Sithia, forcing herself to turn her formidable senses outward. No thrall or vampire was left alive, and the true monstrosities - the constructs - were rubble as she let the raised one collapse. They were alone.
'Good.' She could feed on her morsel.
'Not after she's been injured! Let me back, use a blood potion, she can't—'
"Not this time. I'm free. Besides, you need my strength against Father."
Sithia stared at Serana warily. Serana reached out to grab her shoulders and hold her in place. She staggered back, her ears ringing. Sithia had struck her on the temple with the pommel of her sword.
"Give me back my Serana, or do I have to Shout you into submission first?"
Serana shook her head, trying to clear it.
'See? She wants me, not you. Now let me back!'
"No," Serana snarled. She lashed out, grabbing the sword by the flat of the blade. The lightning dancing along it wasn't comfortable, but she could withstand it. With her free hand she gripped Sithia's jaw, holding it shut.
Sithia's eyes widened. She struggled, only drawing her own blood on Serana's claws. She couldn't get free.
'NO! You won't ever touch her again. I'll never call on you again, not after this. I banish you!'
Serana collapsed onto her knees, hugging herself, back in her original form. She trembled with the effort. Eventually her monstrous side stopped struggling and the incoherent snarls in her head fell silent.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. That won't ever happen again. I won't let it. Can you ever forgive me?" Serana swallowed hard, watching as Sithia healed herself from the claws of a vampire lord for the second time that night. Worse, this time it was inflicted by Serana herself, much as she might disown the monster that had done it.
Sithia collected a rag from her pack and dipped it into the clear flowing stream to clean the blood off herself. She rinsed the rag and then turned to Serana.
"I'll admit I'm shaken. I had no idea how strong those hybrid forms could be. But as far as I'm concerned, there's nothing to forgive. You weren't yourself." Sithia reached out and pulled Serana to her feet and into her arms.
Serana buried her face against Sithia and held her tight, although nowhere near as tight as she wanted to. "Vampires are strong in any form. I hate to say it, but I could still hold your jaw shut. Not that I would. I much prefer gentler methods to shut you up."
Sithia drew back enough to kiss her. "Like this?"
Serana kissed her back. "Exactly." She was relieved Sithia still showed no fear of her, even after that scare and revelation about vampiric strength. She poured that relief into her kisses.
Eventually Sithia had to draw back to catch her breath. She looked around the glade, taking in the defilement the fight had wrought, even as Serana did the same.
Serana hated that the fight took place in the glade. Most of the canticle blossom had fallen in the water and one of the canticle trees was up in flames. Sithia put it out with a frosty Shout, although the sudden cold couldn't be good for it either. The pools of water were also befouled by blood and vampire dust. This attack was nothing short of sacrilege. The only saving grace was the absence of the moths; they must have flown to safety, for none floated dead in the water.
"The Scrolls," Sithia said blankly, staring at where they had been on the ground. She searched her enchanted pack fruitlessly; Serana hadn't put them in there yet, and neither had Sithia.
Serana stepped close to where the Scrolls had been and sniffed the air. Damn it. One of her father's vampires had been there. The Altmer.
"They're really gone, aren't they? After everything we went through to get them…" Sithia shook her head. "Void take it."
"At least you'd already read them and we have a lead on the Bow. This is just all the more reason to hurry to that cave, in case my father finds out what the Scrolls say. He's probably crazy enough to try reading them."
Sithia sighed. "No time to lose. We'd better press on until I absolutely have to rest. Give me my map."
Serana passed it over and Sithia poked a spot in the north east of the Reach, presumably where this Darkfall Cave was.
"I think we'd better summon that horse. A good bit of the way is by road, odd considering the risk for Thalmor patrols must be greater in Empire-held Skyrim." Sithia passed the map back and led the way out of Ancestor Glade.
"Maybe we can find a better saddle for Arvak in Falkreath. Better than your bedroll, I mean."
"Good money wasted if the saddle vanishes with him, but I fear you're right. We need to ride him for an extended time."
Serana sighed. "Pity there's no time to call in at the inn again."
"Agreed. I think there's no time for more rest stops at inns until your father's dealt with," Sithia said regretfully. She took Serana's hand and kissed the back of it.
"The sacrifices we have to make." Serana leaned down and kissed Sithia's cheek.
Sithia turned her head and caught Serana's lips with her own. The kiss deepened until Sithia had to draw away and catch her breath.
Purple conjuration magic danced in Sithia's hand and the skeletal Arvak reared before them.
"Come on, Arvak. Let's scare whoever is unwise enough to be on the road between here and Darkfall Cave."
Arvak snorted.
AN: Thanks to Gaunty for alpha reading.