Aldis VII

We followed the Orc to the house of Alva. He waisted no time in kicking the door in. The Nord man, her thrall came charging with his sword in hand. Duran caught the man's sword arm and punched him in the stomach. When the man doubled over Durak back handed him across the side of his head.

The Nord collapsed, unconscious.

"Where is the woman?" Durak shouted and began to ransack the small home."

"Durak, there's a basement." The Breton called out.

I followed after the Orc with Sybille and Hadvar at my side. Inside the room Alva and another Nord woman both bared their weapons and cast spells at the two Dawnguard members. The Breton man pulled out a wicked looking bow that was shaped unlike any bow I had ever seen. The arrow that shot out of it, struck the other woman in the chest with enough force to throw her back.

She was still a vampire however and stood up shortly after falling. The Breton instead pulled out a short sword and went in close. The two were so efficient, that Hadvar and I were of no use. We stood back and watched the two men fight. Durak used an axe and shield in equal measure. When Alva would get within the reach of his axe he would bash the shield into her face. She would stagger back and catch the axe, if she were not undead she would be killed over and over again.

Finally, Durak finished Alva off by burying the axe into her forehead. As she staggered back he bashed the shield into her. When his axe was clear he beheaded the vampire. The Breton brought his axe down into the woman's stomach. Then he cast some spell into the woman's body. Whatever it was, it had the bright intensity of the sun. The woman began to burn and her head was cleaved from her neck. Then the Breton walked to Alva's body and cast the spell again. Burning both bodies, the Breton looked to us and said, "Now we take on her master."

"How will we know where to find Movarth?" I asked.

"There will be something here. Let's search the house. Celann, if you burned our only evidence you will live to regret it." The Orc growled.

The hunt for evidence did not take long. We found a journal written by Alva and set out for the location described within.

It was a cave found near the outskirts of Morthal. Inside the cave we took out several frostbite spiders and continued on within the cave. As we entered a cavern a thrall ran out to fight us. Celann's bow twanged and an arrow appeared in the man's forehead. We checked the tunnel to the right and center tunnel and found nothing but some minor loot. When we took to the left, we found another thrall. This time Durak took out the thrall with his axe.

We dropped through a hole in the ground and found ourselves entering Movarth's inner chamber. The master vampire sat on a throne as if he were in a royal court somewhere. Celann shot another bolt that buried itself into Movarth's forehead. Durak released one of the short arrows from his own odd bow. Another vampire collapsed.

Celann hit it and Movarth with his burning spell. The bodies of both were soon naught but ash. We joined the fray, waving torches in one hand and swords in the other. We cut our way through the lesser vampires, letting Sybille burn them as they fell. It took far less time than expected to cleanse the cavern of any vampire we came across. Then we looted the place for all it was worth. It felt like something that would be beneath an Imperial Legionnaire, but I no longer served in that capacity. I never knew when I would get paid again.

The Redguard requested a soul gem as black as the soul it was filled with. Thankfully, he offered to sell Sybille one for a price that I could afford thanks to what we took from Movarth's lair. We met at the crack of dawn out near a ritual circle on the outskirts of town.

"I call upon Oblivion Realms, the home of those who are not our ancestors. Answer my plea! As in death there is new life, in Oblivion there is a beginning for that which has ended. I call forth that power! Accept the soul that we offer! As the sun ends the night, end the darkness of this soul, return life to the creature you see before you!" Falion called out. A purple light enshrouded Sybille and soon the light dissipated. It seemed similar to when necromages tried to resurrect Potema.

When she turned to face me the red of her eyes were gone. Now they were a bright emerald. Her face was no longer gaunt and held color. Her eyes seems so alive, and she smiled. Her teeth were not sharp. She began to laugh at me. Apparently, I had looked ridiculous staring at her.

"Well, do I look that much different?" She smiled at me.

"I love you, Sybille." I wrapped my arms around her, she was still cold. I actually could feel her begin to warm up in my embrace.

Hadvar whistled and I saw something flying in my direction. Catching it, I winked to my longtime subordinate and friend.

"Sybille, life here in Skyrim is horrible. It is short and cruel. If I did not have you I would sail to some southern land where it is warmer and I could drink brandy or wine instead of ale or whiskey." I laughed at my own expense.

"Is this really happening?" Her eyes began to water.

"Yes, woman. Will you marry me?" I looked at this woman, my love. I could not imagine a day without her.

"When will we go to Riften?" She asked.

"My dear, we don't have to! Erandur is an ordained priest of Mara. He can do the ceremony in Solitude."

"On one condition, Matthias." She giggled. Her eyes looked alive. Oh this was such a sweet moment. I hoped to remember it forever. "You have to actually retire this time. For good."

"Deal." And placed the Amulet of Mara around her neck.