A/N:

So here we go, chapter 16 and 17. I hope you will enjoy the next steps in the story. Thank you all for the reviews and the alerts. :))

Chapter 16:

After some searching, Aurora found the fortress of the Dawnguard after about halfway through the night. She had seen the orc who had killed the vampire on the street and had easily followed his track. After going through a small cave, a large valley had opened in front of her.

She had carefully made her way into the canyon. An effort she could have saved. Without to dicover any defense lines or traps she had sneaked to the fortress.

The sound of arrows hitting a practice target reached her ear. The orc she had pursued was also talking to someone.

"If you think you've got what is necessary for being a vampire hunter, then speak with our leader, Isran. He is in the fort", his voice was rough and determined.

"Very well," replied a weak and timid voice.

She probably also would have to go in, in order to determine whether these people pose a threat or not. Hopefully, they had no way to resist her illusion magic. Otherwise it would get really ugly in there. She quickly built up the spell and began to approach the orc. He had a crossbow in his hands and was about to insert a new bolt. She just thought about what to say to not rise suspicion, as he began to speak.

"I remember you. You were in the Ratway when I killed the bloodsucker down there. If you have come to you to join us, then go inside and talk to Isran".

Aurora nodded and walked up the hill, which led to the castle entrance on top of it.
The doors hung heavy in their hinges and she had to press so hard she wasn't sure if she would have get them open as a human.
After a short transition, she was in a large, circular hall whose ceiling had a hole that let the sunlight in. Apparently a device with a mirror was hanging up there. It probably served to focus the light to one particular spot on the ground. Aurora didn't want to imagine what they had done with this thing and what it was possible to do to a vampire.

Determined she went right through the down shining morning sun to rise no suspicion. An old man was speaking with a Vigilant of Stendar.

"We should have listened sooner to you Isran" the Vigilant said.

"Yes, yes, and now that the vampires are a problem you come here, again, and want our help," Isran replied. He had a strange accent she couldn't place correctly.

"Now to you," he said, turning to her, "You look like we could have use for you. Why are you here?"

Why had she come? Apparently she couldn't tell him the real reason for her presence. He also appeared as if he would throw anyone out of his castle who didn't help him. But she had to learn more about the Dawnguard to say whether she needed to do something about these people.

"I'm here to join the Dawnguard, or at least I think about it," she said, still cautious.

"Very well, you are right here, I can say that. Also I got your first mission here," he said.

She nodded and listened attentively.

"Vigilant Tolan told me about a significantly increased vampire activity in a cave, what was its name again?" He turned questioningly to the Vigilant.

"Dimhollow Crypt, it is located about a day's march south of Dawnstar", Tolan replied.

"Exactly, you'll meet him there and find out what the bloodsuckers are doing there," he said again addressed to Aurora, "come back as fast as possible and report to me. Any questions?" He asked.

"These vampires you mentioned, why are you so worried about them?" She asked, looking at Tolan.

"Among them, there were some more powerful than the usual vampires that can be found in Skyrim. We really need to know what is behind all of that and who they are," the Vigilant answered her.

"When do we leave?" she asked.

"I have to investigate something else on my way to the cave, meet me in two weeks at the entrance of the Dimhollow, until then we should both have made the way without time running out. If you are there early, don't go in and stay hidden" he gave her as an answer and turned to leave.

"Well, feel like home. There's not much but you can take what you need," Isran said to her, gesturing with his arms to the hall.

Aurora nodded and began to look around.

She would like to sleep in a real bed again, but probably it was too risky to lie down and sleep here.
As she began to look around, she could hear Isaran was speaking to someone, probably to the man who had gone into the fortress right before her.

"You there, come out of the shadows, so that I can look at you," he said in his loud voice.

Deeper into the fortress she found a forge. A crossbow was lying on a table. She began to think about whether she should take it, but decided against it because she wasn't that good with ranged weapons. If she had to attack someone outside her arm range, she still had her magic, today even more than before her turning.

All in all, the fortress was in bad shape. Aurora was glad not to have to stay here any longer than necessary. So she also decided to leave after a few hours. She forced herself to walk without her hood until she was out of sight of the fort to leave no doubt in their minds, that she was a normal Breton woman. When she finally was around the corner and out of sight she pulled it up quickly over her head, so it covered her face and continued to walk towards Rifton.

She planned to hire at a coach and travel as quickly as possible to that cave. Powerful vampires were interesting, she absolutely had to contact them before the vigilant reached the cave.

A/N:

If you like the story, than review. If you have any ideas that could be integrated in the story, let me know.