Chapter 19 - Wayshrine
"Our access to those bits of luck are what separates us from common bandits." – Quote, Gallus Desidenius
The first feature that stood out to Tai was his brow, almost circling from temple to hairline on each side before mixing into his fair eyebrows. His eyes were small, icy. Around his eyes were pink in contrast to his almost white skin, his nose tip was also pink, as were his lips. His nose was large, slightly bent at the bridge and thin. His lips seemed to naturally frown; his cheeks hollowed harshly, his jaw rounded firmly, vanishing into a pointed elven chin.
The cave around them was simple, save a bed roll and small wooden shelter set up. There were also two sun shrines. Serana seemed to know them as she stared. Her face was a mixture of afraid and curious.
Tai stared into the Elf's eyes for a moment, the elf was very tall. His arms veined from his strength, despite the elfin frame.
"I am Knight-Paladin Gelebor. Welcome to the Great Chantry of Auri –El" he spoke fluently, Tai's eyes widened as Serana's narrowed.
"This cave, is a temple to Auriel?"
"Auriel, Auri-El, Alkosh, Akatosh… So many different names for the sovereign of the Snow Elves" Gelebor spoke casually, Tai's eyes nearly exploded from his head.
This wasn't right. The Snow Elves hadn't existed since the first Era, wiped out or sentenced to live underground. Those who remained became the Falmer, a blind, cruel, twisted race.
"Snow Elf? You're a Falmer?" Tai asked desperately, noting Serana hadn't lowered her weapon. Gelebor seemed to notice this too as an offended glint shone in his eyes.
"I prefer Snow Elf. The name "Falmer" usually holds a negative meaning to most travellers. Those twisted creatures you call Falmer, I call The Betrayed" Gelebor corrected Tai in a tone typical in high elves.
"I wonder why" Serana mumbled sarcasticly, looking completely at ease, as if she had said nothing.
Gelebor was aging, welcoming but clearly proud and strong. His blonde hair was going pale white even, sticking up on end like it had just been frozen on. Gelebor began to speak.
"I imagine you know why we're here" Serana jutted in, her tone icy.
Gelebor seemed less welcoming to Serana, his eyes on hers as they both flared. Tai tensed. He did not want to be newly responsible for exterminating a race but if it came down to Gelebor or Serana, he knew who he would pick.
"Of course" Gelebor directed his words to Tai, ignoring Serana's glare.
"You and your… "Friend" are here for Auriels Bow. Why else would you be here?" he finished with his smooth tone after hissing the word friend. Tai tensed again, eyes flicking to the silently fuming Serana.
"Yes" Tai spoke up.
"I can help you get it, but first, I must have your assistance. I need you to kill Arch-Curate Vyrthur… My brother" Gelebor seemed at great pains to ask, Tai rose his brow.
"Rising in the ranks?"
"What ranks?" Serana pointed out, earning a look between grateful and mortally offended from Gelebor.
"The kinship between us is gone; I don't understand what he's become. But the brother I once knew is long lost. It was the Betrayed… They did something to him! I just, I don't understand how Auri-El could allow this to happen. The Betrayed swept the Chantry and began killing everyone without pause. I lead a small group of paladins but we were not enough"
"How do you even know he's alive?" Tai couldn't help ask the struggling elf. He was proud, but emotion hit him harder than expected.
"Oh he's alive, I've seen him. But something's wrong, he never looks as though he's under pain or duress. He just… Stands there and watches, although waiting. I would investigate but leaving the Wayshrines unguarded would be a violation of my sacred duty as a Knight-Paladin of Auriel" Gelebor seemed genuinely torn, staring to the second symbol briefly before returning his more collected expression back to Tai.
"And an assault on the Betrayed guarding the Inner Sanctum would only lead to my death"
"Wayshrine?" Tai was completely lost. Gelebor smiled.
"Yes. Let me show you" he began walking through the shallow water to the second sun symbol, a strange magic surrounding his hand. Tai and Serana followed, enchanted as he shot the spell once at the sun statue, as it hit there was a rumble and the ground shook.
Suddenly the sun statue rose, showing a circular building, beautifully carved patterns within, down columns holding remarkably two flat surfaces apart. In the middle was a basin, carved to perfection. Around the building rose a stair, the rumbling stopped once the stair settled into place. Tai whistled.
"So this is Snow Elf magic. Incredible" Serana spoke out in awe, Gelebor was proud of the building, yet he somehow held a humble tone… for an elf.
"This structure is what is known as a Wayshrine. They were used for meditation and transport when the Chantry was a place of enlightenment. Prelates of these shrines were charged with teaching the mantrons of Auri-El to our Innitiates" Gelebor took a breath, pausing as if waiting for the question. Tai noticed him counting down on his hand.
"What does that basin in the centre signify?" Serana asked on the two count. Her knee was bent as she rested her foot the stair, back against the Wayshrine's column edging the entrance. Gelebor stopped counting; this was the question he had been waiting for, obviously.
"Once the Initiate completed his mantrons, he'd dip a ceremonial ewer in the basin in the Wayshrines centre, before continuing to the next Wayshrine" Gelebor looked down his nails, he too had done this once it seemed.
"So these Initiates had to lug around a heavy pitcher of water. Marvellous" Serana spoke so flatly, Tai grinned secretively. He silently corrected her.
"I'll have to lug around a heavy pitcher of water"
"How long would they have to do that?" Serana finished, staring at Tai with the look he had expected. She already planned that he would be carrying.
"Well. Once the Initiate's enlightenment was complete, he'd bring the ewer to the Chantrys Inner Sanctum. Pouring the contents of the ewer into the sacred basin of the Sanctum would allow him to enter for an audience with the Arch-Curate himself" Gelebor saddened, even as an elf he could shed a single tear, something he didn't even notice.
"All that just to dump it out?" Serana placed her fist on her hip and tilted her head, another Tai habit.
"Makes no sense to me" she finished, moving her fist to an open handed gesture of confusion. Less aggressive, but more insulting to her own intelligence.
"It's symbolic. I don't expect you to understand" Gelebor said in an infuriatingly superior tone. Tai laughed as Serana glared hands angrily by her side as she straightened. Tai moved to prevent any problems, carefully threatening both with his position.
"I mean little offence, it's just you don't seem very enlightened" Gelebor's eyes laughed as he offered a very human wink to Tai. Tai smiled, also winking. He liked this elf. Serana stood, bottling her rage.
"So. Let me clear this up" Tai started, Serana cut him off with a husky voice, masking utter fury.
"We have to do all that nonsense to get into the temple so we can kill your brother and claim Ariel's bow?" Serana clearly wasn't amused. Gelebor smiled knowingly, almost apologetically.
"I know how this all sounds, but if there was another way I'd have done it long ago"
Gelebor turned his eyes back to Tai, respectfully he began.
"The only way to get to my brother is by following in the Initiates footsteps and traveling from Wayshrine to Wayshrine, just as they did. The first lies at the end of Darkfall passage, a cavern that represents the absence of enlightenment. There are five in total, spreading far across the Chantry"
"These caves must be massive" Tai stated, his own eyes widening. Gelebor actually laughed a genuine, floating laugh. Serana seemed captured by its musical quality; Tai could have listened for hours.
"Caves? Oh, no. The Chantry encompasses far more than a few caves, as you may soon discover. But, before I send you on your way I'll need to give you the Initiates ewer" Gelebor handed Tai a ewer, a pitcher. It however was carved with several spikes up the side, pointing downwards in a pattern. Serana cursed quietly, judging by Gelebor's slowly reddening small ears he knew what it meant.
"Naughty little elf"
"So I fill this at each Wayshrine?" Tai enquired, he himself felt shocked at Serana's lack of words.
"Once you've located a Wayshrine, there will be a spectral prelate tending to it. They will allow you to draw water from the Wayshrines basin, as if you've been enlightened. They will not respond in anyway but believing you are an Initiate, they… perished in the attack" Gelebor seemed sad as he finished.
"We'll be off then" Tai sighed, Serana stared in curiosity at the ewer.
"This may be the last time we are able to converse, if you have questions, ask them now. Otherwise I can only wish you a safe journey. Once inside, I will have no choice but to consider you dead" Gelebor spoke like a man possessed by boredom. This was a line he had said too often.
"Just one… Is that hair real?" Serana asked honestly. Her eyes widening again as Gelebor fixed her a look, then smiled.
"It is. Now it is time you depart"
Tai and Serana entered the building, wonder in their eyes as they stared into a darkness suddenly glowing in the blank wall, shimmering like water's surface, as if Tai was underwater, staring at something before him. Tai blinked, pushing his hand though. He leapt back as it sunk through to a sudden coolness. Serana stared at him for a moment, her own hand been pushed through. She pulled it free then stared to Tai. With a deep breath, they both stepped through. The temperature changing as they strode through into another world.
Tai and Serana fell from the portal, Tai a little more worse for the ware.
"By Sithis! I never want to go through that again!" Tai gagged, holding his stomach as Serana stood pondering the effect.
"That… Wasn't as unpleasant as I was expecting. Kind of soothing, actually. I feel a little warmer now" Serana seemed pleased. Tai stared, spitting out his foul tasting saliva.
"You're the only one you freak" Tai tried to joke, but he sounded serious.
Serana dropped to her knee next to him, running her hands around him briefly to pull his hair out the way; she held it back, using a spare hand to rub his back. Tai gagged again, groaning from the pain in his stomach. He felt deathly sick.
"It's best, not to fight the sickness Tai" Serana whispered gently. Tai stared at her; the dark cave was so intimidating. Glowing purple in patches. He could barely see. Tai was sick, his vomit a white thick mess.
"Good thing we didn't have breakfast" Serana mumbled. Tai looked at her and groaned. Serana hooked her arms under him; with a loud growl she lifted him to his feet, her eyes beyond burning. Tai stared. She was the darkest creature he had seen, yet the kindest. Serana shrugged.
"I'm just fully waking up I guess"
"Huh" Tai said, his eyes wide as Serana let him go. He lurched, but stayed on his feet. Serana gently grabbed his arm, supporting him silently as they began. Tai shook her off, gently but he still saw the anger flash Serana's face. He didn't need to be babied; he was a grown man with a stomach ache.
They walked ahead, Tai groaning behind with the churning stomach. Something wasn't right. Serana seemed to notice as she handed him a potion, Tai stared at the red bottle with golden details. Serana gave him the cold look as Tai paused. Defeated he drunk the vile tasting potion, Serana grinned as Tai finished. Instantly he felt better.
"Thanks" he mumbled, obviously still grumping that Serana had been right.
She smiled back, instantly turning her attention elsewhere as dust fell. She summoned the magic to her hand, holding her fingers around the glow; this made it easier for Tai to see as the ice burnt in her hand. It seemed she had been playing with magic and combined spells.
Tai stared at a strange, glowing purple, reed like plant. Enthralled by his curiosity he reached for it. He cursed loudly as it suddenly retracted and shrunk. Serana too had been shocked, she acted on instinct and fired her spell at it. Tai stared as the ice covered the plant; the purple glow had yet to return.
Suddenly the bug sounds came; skin clicking together was what Tai thought. He shuddered as Serana opened her hand more; the spell erupted to life from its dormant glowing state. An ice spike, with flames inside. How Serana did that shocked Tai, no mage had ever done this as far as he knew.
Serana crept forwards, Tai in pursuit as more of the plants hid from them. Finally Tai winced, Serana groaned, the cold water bit at their boots. Suddenly something before them exploded in a sticky green liquid.
The bug that rose was like a dragonfly mixed with a preying mantis. It was about the size of a child, long blade like forelegs, spidery legs going backwards from there. Wings clicking together, making the noise Tai had heard. It was black scaled, like armour on a frostbite spider.
Serana was ruthless as she threw the spell, square into the bulging green eye of the creature. The ice covered it, green blood running freely through it. Then suddenly fire consumed within the ice, the creature's body writhed as it was burnt to ashes. By the time the flames died down the ice had melted.
"That was one heck of a spell" Tai mumbled. He had never trusted magic, instead preferring to fight and kill with steel. Something dependable. Serana smiled at him, suddenly he believed in magic again. Maybe magic wasn't just used by mages.
"Thank you. It took me a while to perfect. I needed a second spell apart from necromancy" Serana was casual about her past habits. Tai's skin crawled. Raising the dead, it was downright disrespectful.
Tai said nothing on the topic as they continued onwards. Fighting many more of the bugs, and the Falmer. Tai couldn't help feel sorry for Falmer. They were twisted, beyond insane and bloodthirsty. They had been betrayed though. Tai was lost in thought as they came to a corner, Serana leading with her spells.
Tai grabbed her as he heard the snap; he didn't care what she said as he pulled her into him, turning to drop her to the ground. Serana screamed loudly, hissing through her teeth in pain as Tai leaned off her, her side was gashed open. Tai felt sick. Her blood seemed thinner, flowing more freely than any he had seen.
He turned to eye the savage device; it was a claw like thing. Made with the blades of the bugs, it was black, blending into the cave wall, obviously designed to kill anyone who crossed its path. Had Tai not dragged Serana back she would have been impaled against a wall. Tai turned his attention back to Serana, who was writhing in pain whilst holding her side.
"Ahh!" she screamed loudly followed by her vilest curses. Tai stared down, unable to think what to do. He thoughtlessly dragged a healing potion from her pouch, which had landed next to him. Serana cursed again, and then shook her head.
"I'm a vampire. Necromantic healing is all that works. Or feeding" Serana was gasping loudly. Tai looked around the cave nervously; the Falmer must have heard them by now.
"We need to get you out of here"
"Forget it; I'm no use if I can't fight. I'll only slow you down" Serana winced. Desperately Tai began taking his pants off; Serana gave him a look of pure rage.
"I'm sliced open" she spat. Tai pulled a mock face.
"I guess you're not in the mood then" he joked. Serana began to spit more curses.
"I am not in the mood you…" Serana continued fluently. Tai grinned.
"I'm going wolf. I need something to change into when I come back. And you need something to put over that wound for a time" Tai explained, pushing his pants onto her wound after tugging her hands away. She howled in pain, then pressed her hands into Tai's abandoned pants, now serving as a bandage.
"Thank you" she whispered. Tai stared down at her, worried and shivering. The cave was cold.
"So. The curses?"
"Look I'm sorry. You and removing your clothing, only leads to one thing normally" Serana winced again, applying further pressure upon the wounds.
"Serana. Have a spell ready. I'm going to scout ahead; you need to make sure no one gets you. If I don't come back soon, or you hear me scream, seal the passage off and get out. Gelebor may be able to help you"
"Don't let this affect your ego Tai…Seeing you naked did make me momentarily forget the pain in my side" Serana winked, Tai replied in his cheeky way.
"It's not my fault I'm attractive"
"I felt more pain in my eyes" Serana said blankly, Tai's jaw dropped as the mist began to fall from him.
He didn't reply as he began to lope down the path, finding it a little thin in several places. Somehow he made it through, upon seeing a Falmer he dropped to his belly.
The same pale skin Gelebor had was clear on the Falmer, as was the pink down the Falmers entire face, it was eyeless. Its ears were long, squared slightly. Its body was sickly, the pink on every joint. Its armour was poor, yet Tai knew for a race blinded it was very well made.
Tai growled softly, unable to control his rage at their traps. The lone Falmer came rushing at him. Tai didn't even need to move, as soon as the Falmer came into range Tai bit it, right across the throat. Tai however lost control of his mind; the taste of its blood was so sweet, intoxicating. Tai had not tasted blood like this for a while, and he longed for it. He howled loudly, after eating the corpse then charged their village of sorts. He was in a bloodlust. He needed the blood. He craved it.
Serana groaned as the magic shot through her, she managed to stop the bleeding but she still needed more. She heard the Falmer falling ahead, and Tai's howling. Ignoring his order she stood up and began to stumble down the path, following the mutilated bodies as she roamed. Something drew her attention, a heartbeat. Young, fluttering. Serana tried to stop, but she couldn't. It was calling to her, pleading with her even to come, to end it. It was a little while later she came upon a hidden cage; a little Breton girl lay within, sobbing. Serana closed her eyes, a tear escaping
"Oh god. Please no. Please let her not see me. Please let her be a brat. Please let there be someone else"
"Do you know where my mother is?" The girl asked desperately. Serana had seen skeletons, she cursed herself. This girl needed to feel safe.
"I'll take you to her" Serana whispered, summing up all her strength to seem genuine with a smile. She tore the door off with ease, her orange eyes glowing as she held her side in pain. The girl had obviously seen a vampire before because she retreated, Serana sighed.
"I don't want to do this. But the world is at stake" Serana grabbed the screaming little girl with ease, covering her mouth with Tai's pants as she tore her neck sideways. Serana cursed herself in every way she knew how, she deserved worse.
Closing her eyes sharply Serana bit into the girl's neck, the taste of blood erasing all conscious Serana had. She smiled, twisted the girl's body, enjoying the struggle the girl put up weakly. By the time the girl stopped Serana's sides had mostly healed, a few shallow scratches remaining. She dropped the girl, savagely taking her dagger across her throat. Serana then returned the girl to her cage, sighing deeply.
"I never wanted to hurt you. I had no choice. Please forgive me" Serana whispered, wiping the girl's hair in a more respectful manner.
Serana did her ritual, sending the girls soul to peace. With a sigh she stood up, then bent to replace the door, hopefully no one would know Serana had even been there. Satisfied with the door she turned; her eyes froze in horror on Tai. He had seen it all.