Chapter 13 – Before the Feast
"And the Scrolls have foretold, of black wings in the cold
That when brothers wage war come unfurled
Alduin, Bane Of Kings, ancient shadow unbound
With a hunger to swallow the world"
-Quote, Song of the Dragon Born
"The squeeze was tighter than a goat's behind" Vale answered, the uproar in hall among the circle was hideously loud.
"Before or after an Argonian owned it?" Aela asked in reply, Vale grinned.
"For the goats sake, before"
The laughter came louder at the in house joke, Serana was suitably unimpressed as she held back her tears, head hung. Tai followed his instinct and reached for her hand softly, reassuring her. Serana flinched, raising tear-filled, terrified eyes before bolting off. Tai just stared concerned after her as Aela blinked.
"Is she stable?" Aela asked flatly. Trust a Nord; trust Aela to be to the point. Tai nodded, his brow lowered with something between rage and concern.
"Oh she's just moody, Tai isn't satisfying her obviously" Vilkas laughed, Z appeared in the shadows, her usual unreadable face masking sympathetic eyes, her eyes darted the way Serana had bolted as she nodded. Tai was furious as he stared at Vilkas.
Tai was incensed as he launched himself at Vilkas, hands closing around his throat with a snarl. Vilkas threw the first punch, a nasty right hook straight into Tai's jaw. He did not however throw the last blow, a fist in the bridge of the nose from Tai. Their fight continued until that killing blow, Vilkas surrendered choosing to cover his nose instead of punch again.
"Brother have you lost what's always been your doubtful sanity?" Vale demanded, her and Aela picking Vilkas from the floor as Tai stood over him, huffing like a bull with his bloody, but otherwise unharmed nose.
"She's a Daughter of ColdHarbor" Tai by now expected everyone to understand what that meant. Everyone looked confused, except Z.
"What does that mean?" Farkas broke the confused glances as soon as they started.
"You're not serious" Z voice was chilled, but the mask she usually wore was replaced with real shock and sorrow.
"What does that mean?" Farkas broke the confused glances as soon as they started.
"She was sent to Molag Bal's bed on his day of summoning. Many do not survive, but those who do are pure vampires. Not something to mess with" Z' tone was cold as she answered before Tai; he stared at her with unmasked shock. How could she be so cold about it?
"My god" Vale said, her mind suddenly grasping the gravity of what was been said to her.
"That explains the scarring" Vilkas said in his usual tone, his own face apparently unaffected by Tai's onslaught.
Farkas by then had ventured away and back, handling a lute with expertise as he strummed the notes, sad and melancholy. Tai nodded, Farkas also nodded. His respectful music continued onwards as Tai excused himself to his room.
The day had been fairly routine, cleaning weapons, training, boasting about their adventures ending with Vale singing. He had not expected Z's dragon voice to be so beautiful though as he lay on his bed, pained at how close Serana was but how far out of reach her emotions were. They had barely spoken that day; Tai however had told all his adventures about her, staring her even. Everyone knew when he was embellishing her parts by Serana's correction. Still, the day had been a good one. He closed his eye, Z's voice still reaching his ears and heart as he drifted into sleep.
Tai woke to the noise of several tubs been dragged, he stared out his door in the linen pants he had also been given, more for sleeping in than anything else. Due to Skyrim's weather clothing was rarely washed, especially in the coldest months. The people however were less bathed than their stinking clothes. The companions however always cleaned, today obviously was bath day.
Tai groaned, feeling his mattered hair and growing beard, Tai had not been able to shave. He hated the feeling of a beard. Tai didn't mind scruff, but a beard was too much. His eyes fell on an old woman, carrying a bucket, Tai jogged to her aid.
"Allow me miss" he said respectfully as she nearly dropped the bucket. The old lady smiled, staring down his muscles before pointing towards the door for which the bucket was destined for. Tai found the bucket a lightweight as he threw his shoulder against the door, water splashing straight over the sight before him as he openly gasped, his jaw simply refused to stay shut.
Aela and Vale were soaking wet, skin glistening in the torch light, and they were, Tai realised with a shocking lack of lust, naked; Aela's behind from her sculptured shoulders to extremely muscular, freshly scratched rump was facing the door. Her hair was brushed aside by Vale's hand as she kissed Aela soundly. They still stood in a small tub; Tai knew that they could not fit in it sitting side by side. Tai's eyes widened as Vale's fingers laced through Aela's hair roughly. Tai stopped but his arms didn't, sending the bucket flying into the door. The moment of shock was ended by water splashing all over them, causing the women to shriek in a very childlike high pitch hat stung Tai's ears, their eyes venomously turning to land on him. Tai smiled awkwardly then chuckled as their eyes darkened. He knew they were going to scream, loudly.
"Sorry… Wrong room" he wavered before quickly ran off, unashamed to drop the bucket as Aela and Vale's damning shrieks chased him. The old lady stared, and then blushed horribly. She knew full well what she had sent Tai into, and frankly she didn't care.
"Stay still" Z was not amused as Farkas held Tai's head straight.
Tai was flinching as Z ran a dagger through his beard, two things shocked him. One thing he was shocked with was that Z was able to neaten him up without completely removing his comfortable stubble. The second thing he was shocked with was the fact that he was alive with an assassin shaving him. The blade flicked over his Adams apple, he flinched again. Z threw her hands up in disgust, blade still not drawing blood. The cloth over her shoulder floating to the ground as Farkas tried to conceal his smile from her; he knew not to mess with his irritated wife.
"I said stay still. If you don't you'll end up slitting your own throat!"
"I'm sorry but you're a master assassin Z, it's natural to be unsettled" Tai's tone was anxious as Farkas tightened his grip. Tai yelped as Z glared.
"I know what I'm doing with a knife; unless I want you harmed you'll be perfectly safe"
"That's what I'm afraid of" Tai's reply earned a chuckle from Z who rested the blade against his ear softly, Tai feared for his life despite Z's openness. She was after all, the best killer alive and she knew it, enjoyed it. She feasted on fear, and Tai was petrified.
"We could always let Farkas shave you"
Tai didn't reply as Z continued expertly, Tai's ears soon cleaner than a whistle, his hairline superb and his stubble quite elegant, Z nodded approvingly as she continued down his chest, not as slowly and not checking her job over, she almost knew his details as Farkas stared. Z looked up at him past Tai's equally as shocked face and smiled.
"He's built like you honey" she whispered as she wiped the blade off on the now hairy cloth. Farkas released his grip on Tai as he begun to remove his own shirt, Tai stared at his muscular brother, admiring the time and work he had obviously put into his physique.
"You didn't think that my wife would just shave you did you Tai?" he half laughed as Vilkas walked in.
"Right, now it's bath time for you Tai, you smell worse than a trolls den." Tai followed as Farkas sat down on the stool, Z's lips pressing to his cheek lovingly as she begun on his hair. It was hard to believe they started out a mistake, a feud gone wrong by the powers of the full moon and their wolfish instinct.
Tai walked to his room where a huge tub was left, Vilkas turned his back but refused to leave the room. Tai was already in the water, his pants thrown over the bed as he felt something poke him in his crack. He jolted out of the water with a deafening yelp.
"Tai!" Serana bolted in, furs wrapped around her to dry her off as Vilkas broke out laughing.
"Something poked me in the behind!" Tai gasped, arms straining to hold himself off the bottom of the large tub, Tai's knees almost under his chin. Serana glared at Vilkas.
"Allow me" she ordered Vilkas out. When he stood still she blessed him with her usual fluent curses.
"Some mouth she's got" Vilkas mumbled. Serana gave him the death stare. He bolted as Tai concealed his grin. He preferred Serana as his bathing companion anyway, rumours of Vilkas had been spreading and Tai had no urge to add to the less than straight whispers.
Serana walked over to Tai, crouching behind him as she trailed her hand along to what she believed had poked him in the behind. Tai tensed. Serana pulled, whatever this was wouldn't come very far and Tai was biting his lip in pain. She blinked confused.
"Not what poked me" Tai squeaked, Serana rose a brow as the idea grew in her mind.
"That's" Tai coughed, struggling to find a polite way to say where she was grabbing him
"Um… a part of me I rely heavily on" Tai stated very uncomfortably, wincing with the colour draining from his face as Serana pulled again, even harder. Serana's hand shot out of the tub as she shook her hand, staring at it with horror. Tai laughed loudly, his behind been poked again he leapt out the water with another splash; Serana got a good view of what she had just pulled and blushed harder. Tai thought she looked adorable blushing, especially since she was a vampire as he walked up to her. His body was glistening with the water, the light catching every shadow of his form.
"What are you doing?" Serana asked nervously as he backed her into a wall placing one hand beside her head, splayed against the wall.
Tai pursed his lips and tilted his head, his eyes hungry, animalistic even. His eyes froze at the edge of the fur, causing Serana to squirm uneasily. His eyes continued their venture up her bare neck with a crooked smile, the smile turned suggestive when he reached her eyes. Tai used his spare hand to stroke her hair gently, thumb and first two fingers teasing a single lock. He sighed noting the softness of her dried hair fading down into the dampness of her recently washed hair; he also noticed the faint floral fragrance. He took a deep breath then leaned forwards, causing Serana to press her hands roughly against his chest. Her hands were cold against him as he felt his heart skip a beat, he however continued on with his seductive motives.
"Maybe I want to get to know you" Tai whispered into Serana's ear then leaned back again feeling Serana's cold breath quicken down his bare chest. Her hands softened from defensive and into a sudden curiosity.
She stared up his chest then into his face for a moment, her own eyes hungry. She stared longingly into Tai's eyes, without a doubt she preferred them their human state, she had missed his beautiful baby blue eyes. Her eyes stopped at his lips again, she swallowed with the torn mind. Her eyes continued onwards, darting to his eyes only to return to his tempting smile. Vale's voice rung.
"Vilkas are you in here?" she paused, staring at the scene before Tai realised she was there quite awkwardly. He coughed as he leaned back from Serana, her hands almost sadly leaving position his chest as she walked to the tub, obviously confused and pulled a long brick shaped bar of grit.
"Kynareth save us" Vale spluttered. Tai blinked as Vale bolted away blushing furiously.
"This is called soap Tai, get back in the tub or I'll drag you back" Serana was precipitously confident again, standing with one hand holding the bar, the other hand in a fist, resting on her hip. Tai obeyed with a little splash each time more of him entered the water. He flinched as the soap hit his back; the sliding feeling was terrible as he squirmed, trying to make his back ripple. By Serana's pause, he had at least partially succeeded. Serana shook her head.
"I can't believe you can't bathe yourself at your age Tai!"
"I never said I couldn't, it's just nicer when I have beautiful company" Tai sighed, suddenly the soap dropped, Serana stormed out cursing Tai's trickery.
Tai simply blinked, and then reluctantly started bathing himself. At least his back had already been washed. He couldn't help but smile; he had seen the look in sweet little Serana's eyes. She wasn't so innocent after all. Still Tai felt slightly sickened by his advance, he blamed it on the wolf inside him as always but deep down he knew who it was. It was not the wolf, it was Tai. It was him.
The lights flickered as Tai straightened his hair, cleared up on the events that were to pass. He had spent the remaining time of the day helping set up a festival, a celebration for Z and Vale's victory over Alduin. Z was one of the bards for the latter events of the night; Tai himself was to present as a Dragonborn. He breathed as he began pulling his old shirt on.
"No Tai. Just the doublet, save the undershirt shirt for another time" Vale sighed, staring at him angrily. She was always so angry at him. Still her eyes ventured him as he stopped, holding the shirt in his hands. It seemed Vale may not be a committed lesbian, she still eyed the men.
"I'm sorry about this morning, I was helping the old woman, I didn't realise…" Tai was cut off by the green dressed Vale.
"It's alright, you didn't know what to expect from us. I guess Aela and I do need to cool ourselves off more"
"More?" Tai was in shock as Vale winked.
Tai stared down Vale. She was a tiny woman, petite, elfin yet she filled out what frame she had nicely. Small breasted, toned, rippling with muscle around her bare calves. Her feet were unprotected with fresh vines wrapped around them to her knees where the beautiful dress began, her little bare toes wiggled as Tai looked down. The dress flowed, a golden leaf belt held it around her tiny waist, the same pattern also circling her breasts to enhance them, she needed it. The golden edge went from her breasts in a v shape to over her left shoulder, leaving the right one a simple rope tying around her waist which weaved into the little gold spirals, the twigs of the golden vine. How the dress hid her shocked him. Her hair was flowing freely, little gold chains dangling from a leaf circlet emphasising her pointed ears. Tai decided she must be very wealthy to afford the gold used to replica such natural beauty.
"That Serana… you're lucky to have her Tai. I can see you know that, you've changed"
"I love her" Tai seemed shocked he just said that to Vale. Vale however was smiling.
"It seems you've told everyone but her" Tai just swallowed at her reply, Vale continued.
"Tai… I still cannot forgive your utter disrespect for Aela and I… but, I… I am willing to be civil" Vale seemed to struggle with making peace. Tai smiled, offering his hand to her.
"I will do my best Vale, I am only human though. May I start by saying you look stunning?" Tai charmed, it wasn't a lie though. Vale did look stunning. She laughed lightly placing her hand in his as he raised it to barely touch his lips, a respectful gesture.
"You know Tai; you could charm a Breton out of his coin purse, down to the very last septiem"
Over the days bards and feasters alike had flooded into Whiterun. Tai though about Serana and couldn't help feel guilty; after all he had pushed her somewhat only to reveal it was a ruse. Maybe she believed his entire story, his entire life the same.
It was this day however Tai could not find any of the women, including Z. He sniffed for hours, hunting Serana as he found their trail. It lead to a large chamber hidden within the Underforge, his eyes again fell on all the women naked. Steam rose from a giant pool they sat in, clouding his vision only slightly. Imagination filled where Tai couldn't see, for Serana his imagination didn't need much prompting. Tai gasped silently and turned his back, sitting against the rock as he heard the voices faintly.
"You're lucky to have him Z" Serana sounded genuine. Z's laugh was quite feminine, something that shocked Tai further.
"Do you know it started out much like you and Tai? A fight. Don't get me wrong, I liked him well enough but after my change something happened and we were bonded, it wasn't a choice anymore. After a while the bond was broken, but Farkas still wanted me and I found him equally as desirable. You are lucky Tai has stuck around so long, even if you were forced upon" Z hit the nail on the head, the dreamy tone on her husband's name.
"By a Deadric Prince" Vale added almost softly, her hand gently on the suddenly frightened Serana's bare shoulder, right over one of her scars. Serana leapt like she had been touched by fire, eyes wide like a frightened animal. Her breaths came heavy as she glared, baring her teeth at Vale, Z seemed unaffected. Tai swallowed, he couldn't comfort her. He whispered.
"It's ok Serana, they won't hurt you" it seemed he was heard because Serana's eyes lay on where he had just been, he by now had already exited the Underforge, satisfied in the fact Serana was alive and in the company of such gentle if not strong women.
The night of the feast was underway, the torches lit and shopkeepers' stalls of food and drink set up, each standing proudly over their creations as people sampled them. Z, Vale and Tai took deep breaths, it seemed even Z could be nervous speaking to a crowd, Vale could care less, Tai was staring around for Serana. The women laughed.
"I'm shocked you didn't spy on us with your eyes as well as your ears" Z's whisper came as a beautiful stared at her.
"You believed we didn't notice? You're good, but not that good" Vale's addition earned a slight reddening of Tai's ears. The women both chuckled as Tai stumbled for words.
"I… Uh… Um. I didn't mean to… You know… Well…" he stuttered on as the other Dragonborn stared at him with matching arched brows. Tai sighed, he couldn't lie.
"I was looking for Serana" he confessed with a deep toned sigh, Vale looked shocked as Z nodded, she had already known.
"You'll see her soon, for now we have a speech" Z was cryptic, and clearly nervous. Vale laughed.
"Why so nervous? You've killed Dragons"
"Dragon's don't survive to judge" Z's intimidating tone returned for a fleeting moment.
"Z, It's just a speech" Vale continued chuckling.
"Do you have to make it?" Z's voice was shaking. She exhaled coldly, the sudden control was almost as daunting to Tai and Vale as making the speech was to Z.
"No"
"Exactly" Z delivered the winning line with a perfect cocky twitch of her mouth, into something revealing a smile; something the cold assassin was famous for doing.
They were silent until they took the respectful position at the Sky Forge, overlooking the crowd from the shadows. Tai could see Vale's uncertainty with darkness, but he was shocked to see Z's nervous face as she looked into the crowd, then to a torch. Vale grinned. It seemed the women knew what they were doing as they walked to the edge, Vale to Z's left; Tai naturally flanked her to the right.
The torches erupted suddenly, blazing from their lowered position to come level with Tai's chin, he saw Vale cover her eyes. Due to her small height she had been blinded by the flames Z had conjured as she stood calm, the cool of the void flowing through her veins where moments ago had been blood. Tai wondered how she switched the switch but he was glad she did, her voice was truly haunting as she spoke.
"Many of us would claim a warrior's heart. I shall not; I claim the heart of every man and woman here. What defines us is how we choose, the difference between courage and cowardice. I do not claim anything, I tell whatever is true. I am Dovahkiin. I am Z, I am a hero with a heart colder than the undercroft corpses, colder than the snows of Skyrim" Z shocked the crowd into silence.
"We three stand before you, sworn by blade and honour to slay any who would harm Skyrim. Our skin may be different, our ears may be pointed but our hearts beat as one. It was one turn of the seasons from this hour on this night that Alduin fell under our voices. Now we welcome another to this honour, we welcome another Dragonborn to our hearts. Alduin fell one year ago, his darkness has past but our legend yet grows within Tai, and it shall until the heart of the last living man and elf stop beating! For our immortality lies in your hearts! For Freedom! For Skyrim! For Vale the Voice! For Tai, the vanquisher, the Dawnguard champion. For all of us who draw breath! For Skyrim!"
Z escalated, the people bellow cheering for her as she raised her hands over the fire, Tai and Vale followed and again the flames roared. The crowd's cheers fell into the merry making as the Dovahkiin three walked down, Tai's eyes looking for one woman.
Where was Serana?