Chapter 4 – Serana
"I'm not a man; I'm a weapon in human form. Just unsheathe me, and point me at the enemy" – Quote, Hrongar
The woman was something different to any Tai had seen. He couldn't place the dead glaze to her pale skin, her dark hair making her appear paler still. Her face was fairly square, her cheeks high with a chizzled jaw. Her brow was thin, eyebrows somewhat undergrown. Her nose, Tai thought suited a princess instead of this woman and yet her lips were long, lush in the middle and thin to the outer. Tai's eyes scanned her body, she was not a thin woman but she wasn't displeasing either. Much of her chest was bare in her armour. A red tunic with black leather around her wrist, a corset and boots over leather pants. She wore a cloak, hood folded back with a dull metallic campus clasp holding it all together.
Tai's mouth curled into a dreamy smile as he stared at her slender wrist crossed over her chest. Her face was turned to the right with her head resting back. Tai blinked as he saw her nose flick, then she fell towards him. Tai couldn't move to catch her as she landed on her hands and knees with a gasp. Then her eyes opened.
Tai blinked in utter confusion as she coughed and groaned, catching her breath as she stared down at the ground. He saw her head move slowly as her eyes roamed to his feet, then up his legs to his belt. She paused as she dropped her head again. Then shaking she stood up, stumbling backwards slightly. It was then Tai was able to stare into her eyes.
They shone the colour of flames, glowing like the embers of a romantic camp fire. They appeared slightly wide for a second before they darkened in her skull, her sight had returned. She glared at him after a moments shock.
"Who are you? Who sent you?" she asked weakly in a smooth whispering voice. It was right then Tai knew he would fail Isran. He knew he couldn't kill her… yet. First he had to conquer her. Figure her out.
"A man named Isran sent me" Tai answered, the woman looked suspicious.
"Is he like me? Or is he a werewolf, like you?"
"How did you know I'm a werewolf?" Tai asked in utter shock.
His own mind refused to work around this handsome creature. Maybe she was not the fairest in the land but Tai found something about her amazing. She seemed so innocent, so confused and yet filled with a quiet confidence. Tai liked that. Still Tai had little to no idea of how to handle a strong woman. All the women he had been attracted to had been quick to accept him; Tai was not a bad looking man after all and not old aged either. Nor was he a boy, in his late twenties.
"Please, I have a nose for non-humans. I could smell you before I even opened my eyes" the woman laughed at Tai's pained face.
"The Dawnguard would have me kill you" he spoke in an even tone, unaware of his betraying expression.
"Not a fan of vampires are they?" The woman asked. Tai shook his head.
"No"
"Look if you kill me it's just another dead vampire. But if people are looking for me, and have found me things are serious. Let me help you discover what is going on" The woman knew how to use her charm as Tai nodded in agreement.
"Fine. Just don't get that chest in my way" Tai winked, the woman rolled her eyes.
"Funny. I was going to say the same about your belt, but I'm guessing that won't be a problem since there is nothing to get in the way" she replied. Tai almost laughed.
"By the way, my names Serana" The woman added. Tai smiled.
"Serana. Beautiful name. My name is Tai"
"Spare me the introduction, I intend to get home and never see you again" Serana was not amused at Tai's confidence. Tai however was savouring Serana's; she wouldn't be so cold for much longer.
"Well. How do we get out of here?" Tai asked simply. Serana looked around then shrugged.
"You're guess as good as mine" she sighed as she stared up at the bridge Tai had crossed. It shuddered as it withdrew. Tai groaned as Serana raised her brow.
"I'm guessing that's the way out" she groaned. Tai nodded.
"And you're the great saviour?" Serana groaned again. Tai growled.
"I was sent here to destroy the relic not take it home! What is your home anyway?" Tai froze at the harshness in his voice. Barely five minutes with this woman and he wanted to tear his hair out. What was the matter with him?
"It's a castle, on an island off Solitude. Depending on who's there we'll be safe" Serana seemed lost in thought, Tai felt the worry in the pit of his stomach.
"Depending? Who don't we want to run into?"
"My… Father and I don't get along" Serana screwed her nose up. Maybe she was a princess after all.
"Gods, saying it aloud makes it sound so common. Little girl who doesn't get along with her father. We've all heard that story before" she groaned as Tai smiled.
"At least you knew him. So why were you locked up?" Tai was enjoying his strange conversation with a strange woman. Tai could have kicked himself for it but for a moment he forgot about everything but her voice. It was haunting him.
"I'm not comfortable saying. I'm sorry but I just don't trust you" her reply hurt him.
"Is that an elder scroll?" he asked after a pause, staring at the large scroll on her back. Serana became protective.
"Yes. And it's mine! Don't touch it" she growled. Tai smiled at her positively adorable angry face. Most would have cringed but Tai couldn't help but laugh.
"Is it fragile? Do we need to protect it?" Tai asked, the way he said protect irritated Serana. Somehow she guessed he wasn't talking about the scroll.
She laughed loudly. Tai blinked at her laugh, it was infectious yet above him. He knew she looked her nose down at a common place werewolf, he didn't understand why though. She was nothing more than a common vampire, she was worse than him. Then again, Tai felt stupid compared to this woman. This Serana, she was different.
"Nothing can destroy an elder scroll. Stop worry about my things and worry about your own hide" She scolded him almost, her voice so sharp after a melodic laugh.
"Fair enough. One more question" Tai was trying his best to relax her. Serana nodded.
"How long have you been locked up?" Tai asked. Serana blinked.
"I don't know. Feels like a long time, definitely longer than planned. Who's Skyrims high king?" she sounded nervous now, afraid of the lack of knowledge. Tai paused to wonder then replied cautiously.
"That is a matter of debate"
"Ah, a war of succession. Glad to know things didn't get boring while I was asleep. Who are the candidates?" Serana seemed strangely interested.
"The empire back Elisif although many back Ulfric" Tai's reply seemed to shock Serana more than settle her.
"Empire? What Empire?"
"The…. Empire. From Cyrodil" Tai answered after recovering from a heart attack. Serana gasped.
"Cyrodil is the seat of an Empire? Gods I have been in there a while!" she exclaimed in her calm manner. Tai laughed.
"Is the air heavy down here? I feel a little woozy. Maybe it's just from waking up" Serana commented as they crossed a second bridge. It led away from the entrance Tai had used.
There was another shudder as the two Gargoyle statues bigger than Tai erupted, the stone chipping away to reveal a life beast. One went for Serana, the other for Tai.
"Watch out!" Serana screamed as Tai blocked a huge claw with his drawn sword.
Tai took a stride forward, spinning around his upper body as he whacked the flat of his blade into the back of the first Gargoyle's knee. It dropped with a scream. Tai kicked out at the creature but its hand caught around his foot, then pushed. Tai groaned as his back hit into the stairs, his blade knocked aside.
Tai winced as the Gargoyle landed on top of him, its teeth snapping from Tai's face. Tai kicked desperately, his foot connecting in the gut of the Gargoyle as it swung. It flew off him with a shriek. Unarmed Tai had no hesitation as the black mist fell off him, he screamed until his voice became a deafening roar.
Tai ducked one blow from the Gargoyle his arm wrapping around its neck, the other between its legs as he twisted. The Gargoyle's body twisted and was slammed to the ground by the wolf Tai as he roared again. Its body shattered from the force of Tai's slam.
Tai roared again before he loped at the second as it threw Serana to the ground. She hissed at it as it raised both fist but she couldn't do anymore. She groaned as it growled, she was still woozy from her centuries long slumber. Tai speared the Gargoyle ferociously; both Tai and the Gargoyle flew over the edge of the old balcony towards the water below.
Tai's human hand held on to the balcony as he shed his wolf form just in time. Serana averted her eyes as Tai pulled himself up onto the ground with a groan. It was after lying on his back for a few seconds he remembered he was naked. Serana threw him his pack. Tai groaned in shock as the pack hit him square in the face.
"Hey!" Tai exclaimed. Even from the distance he noticed Serana's little smirk.
"I'm guessing you have clothes in this" she then corrected herself.
"I'm hoping you have clothes in this"
A few hours later
After fighting through more skeletons, vampires and spiders Tai and Serana escaped Dimhollow. The snow covered mountains showed just how spacious Dimhollow truly was. Tai blinked a few times as Serana closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"Ah. It's so good to breathe again" she sighed.
"I feel like I've been trapped in that cave forever" she finished. Tai grinned.
"I'm glad to share this moment with you then" he smiled. Serana rolled her eyes.
"You can stop trying to get me in your bed. I'm not the kind of woman to give myself away so easily" Serana was not happy. Tai widened his eyes.
"Have you ever been in a mans bed?" he asked. Serana blushed.
"What do you think?" she retorted.
"No. I think you've never had a man before" Tai replied. Serana glared.
"You don't know the first thing about me, so give it up" Serana was furious. Tai shrugged.
"Find your own way then"
"Fine!" Serana screamed.
"Fine" Tai yelled back.
The wind blew making a roaring sound as snow was blown into Tai's face. He huffed as Serana laughed.
At The Castle
It took three days to reach Ice water Jetty. The boat tied there had gotten them across to the castle. Tai and Serana had not gotten along much better, mainly to Serana's constant complaints about Skyrims fabulous weather.
The castle was massive, it made Dragons Reach appear tiny. Tai's mouth dropped as he turned his eyes to Serana.
"Why didn't you tell me your house was MASSIVE?" Tai demanded. Serana appeared ashamed.
"I didn't want to seem like one of "Those" girls" she replied. Tai blinked.
"So before we go in I want to thank you for everything you've done. I'm going to go my own way for a while. Just follow my lead" Serana whispered as they walked across the bridge.
The old stone Gargoyle's made Tai's skin crawl as he passed them, his eyes staring into the icy water of the ocean as the bridge crossed it. The old stone bricks of the castle calmed Tai as he noticed an ice covered arch way, a heavy gate down that looked like it had been there shut for years.
"Lady Serana?" The old guard asked. Tai was in utter shock as Serana took a new bold look.
"Open the gate watchman" she demanded. The gate opened quickly.
Serana didn't even thank the watchman as she strode through the old wooden doors with a dramatic flair of her cloak; they swung away from her light hands. The dark stone in this little hallway was illuminated from the light from the main hall before them. Tai's eyes went wide at the scent of blood throughout the room.
"How dare you..." a high elf male vampire started, Serana simply glared him down as shock dawned in his eyes.
"Wait. Lady Serana? Is that you?" the elf was shocked as he jogged to the circular balcony through a huge archway.
"My lord! Everyone! Serana has returned!" he almost danced as Serana turned her eyes to Tai.
"I guess I'm expected"
Tai followed Serana with a nervous expression. His eyes darting to the twenty or so vampires gathered around the hall. His eyes landed on the bones in bowls all around the table, the dying women with bite marks all down them. What chilled him however were the casks of blood been poured like wine into silver goblets.
"Serana my daughter. I trust you have my elder scroll" a male's voice rung. Tai noticed Serana flinch. Obviously this was her father.
Serana walked down the left set of circling stairs towards her father with a growl.
"After all these years that's the first thing you ask me? Yes I have your damn scroll" Serana was irritated as Tai stared down at her father.
Serana's father held an obvious similarity to Serana, mainly in his nose. His hair was well cut, a manly beard on his somewhat fat face. His cheeks were high like Serana's yet his jaw dropped and hollowed out in a rather blood starved way. Wrinkles defined his forehead.
His voice was smooth, deceitful however. Unlike Serana's honest voice her father inspired instant distrust, yet calmness. The master of his words and his tone.
"I am glad to see you Serana. Must I really say it aloud?" he asked.
"It would be nice father" Serana replied. Her father laughed.
"Oh if only your traitor mother was here. I would allow her to witness this heart-warming reunion before putting her head on a spike" her father laughed. Serana sighed as her father's eyes fixed on Tai.
"Who's this mortal man you bring to our home?" he asked, Tai bore his teeth warningly at the man.
"Allow me to correct myself, who is this mortal beast you bring to my castle?"
Tai closed his mouth with a glare as several of the vampires tensed and drew closer. Tai was no idiot, he could see how outmatched he was. With Serana's help he may have escaped, but he doubted she would raise her hand against her own family.
"This is my saviour. The one who freed me" Serana seemed to spit then purr as her father's face went from one of distress, realising his men had failed. Then amusement and joy that a mortal had been foolish enough to return her.
"Welcome. Tell me boy, what is your name?" Her father asked. Tai grinned.
"My name is Tai, and you are?" Tai asked politely. The man smiled.
"I am Lord Harkon. I assume my daughter has told you about us" Harkon smiled. Tai nodded.
"Yes. You're a vampire cult"
"Not just vampires boy. We are the original vampires, gifted of the blood of Molag Bal himself" Harkon seemed nice enough. Still something didn't sit with Tai.
"I returned your daughter. Is there a reward?" he asked, playing the mercenary.
"Yes indeed Tai. I would like to thank you for returning my beloved daughter to me. There is only one thing I can offer you to the value of the elder scroll, and my daughter. I would offer you my blood, to become a vampire like me"
"In case you haven't realised I'm already a werewolf" Tai was irritated. Peer pressure. First been turned into a werewolf and now the offering of becoming a vampire. Harkon seemed amused.
"Yes. My blood would drown that disease and allow you to become like me. Maybe you need convincing. Behold the power!" Harkon spoke melodramatically as he took a step back.
Just like how Tai would change Harkon's skin took the black mist. It was with a dramatic pulse however Harkon erupted into a form of something that made even Tai's skin crawl.
The form was massive, the same size as Tai's werewolf form. Its ears were elf like, its skin the green of an Orc. Its bottom jaw jutted roughly with a tooth filled mouth. Long arms with magic surrounding its paw like hands. Bonelike wings sprouted from its back, like a second set of arms. Its skin was wrinkled, horribly with age and yet its muscles appeared so firm. Skin taught over the grace of this disgusting being. It wore a long red loin cloth hemmed in gold. The loincloth went to the creature's knobbly knees down its wolf life feet which floated about a foot off the floor.
"That is hideous" Tai stated looking down the creature. Harkon growled.
"Choose. Do you want this gift or not?"
"And look like you?" Tai retorted. His delaying was working.
"Enough delaying mortal! Choose!" Harkon roared. Obviously delaying wasn't working.
"Will I live no matter what my choice?" Tai asked cautiously. Harkon chuckled meanly.
"This once I will spare you. But after I would hunt you like any common prey"
"Then…" Tai trailed off, his eyes to the slightly worried Serana.
"I don't want to be a vampire! I decline your gift Harkoff!" Tai retorted. Harkon growled as Serana smiled.
Harkon raised his right hand, red magic forming in the palm.
"Then Be gone!"