Night-walkers

An Elder Scrolls: Skyrim Fanfiction

Disclaimer: the author claims no ownership for Skyrim, The Elder Scrolls, and pretty much anything you might recognize

Chapter Four: Vampire

Garan Merathi turned to be, as his name suggested, a Dunmer. proud like the rest of his kind, but a bit more level headed, because of his age.

He was standing on the balcony on the top of the Head Table, looking at the vampires' feast. Eradil walked towards him, and said "Lord Harkon has a message for you"

The dark elf with red hair and beard looked at the new-blooded Altmer, and said "I'm listening. What is his message?"

"he simply said 'it is time'"

The Dunmer raised an eyebrow, saying in amazement, "well, well. He wants the chalice, then. You've heard of the bloodstone chalice?"

Eradil said "I was turned less than a day ago. What do you think my answer is?"

The Dunmer said "well, not surprising, it's a rather well-kept secret." he paused "the Chalice has been in Lord Harkon's Possession for quite some time now, if used properly, it can increase the potency of our powers. He has neglected using it for ages, if he wants it filled now, there are grander things afoot. This is good. Walk with me, I'll take you to it"

The two walked, and Garan Continued "Lord Harkon has never cared to use the Chalice, relying on his more than adequate powers until now. This is an intriguing change".

The moment they reached the main hall, the Elf who had intimidated Eradil, and a Nordic vampire about as tall as the elf began arguing over something or another, each of them insulting the other's intelligence. Garan sighed, "Excuse us. I need to fetch the Bloodstone Chalice"

The two courtiers stopped at once. Both turned to the Dark elf, the Elf said "the Chalice? Why?"

The nord said "what're you up to, Garan?"

Garan sighed, and said in frustration "Lord harkon's Orders, Orthjolf. Calm yourself. Our brother here has been ordered to fill the Chalice"

The Elf said "really?" "indeed, he's off to Redwater Den"

The Nord, who was probably Orthjolf, said "well then, best of luck to you!"

The Dunmer continued walking to a large room in the right side of the Castle, and said "Orthjolf and Vingalmo are Harkon's Primary advisors. I'm sure they're quite surprised to hear you're the one to take the chalice."

They stopped at the large room. Inside were a few bookshelves, four chairs, and in the middle of it, on a stone stand, as a large stone chalice.

"here we are. Now, this chalice needs to be filled directly from the bloodspring that is the source of Redwater Den. But that's not enough, once the chalice is filled, the blood of a powerful vampire must be added to it."

He said "pack for a long travel. The Redwater den can be found east of Riften, within the Hold of Rift. Of course, Keep in mind that Redwater Den has fallen into…well, let's just say les reputable members of Society now dwell there. It's your choice whether to attempt to deal with them, or force your way through. Do hurry up though, you do not want to keep Lord Harkon waiting"

Potions and Weapons thought. First stop, the Wizard's Station.

Across the courtroom was the wizard's station, an Alchemy station on the first floor and an Arcane enchanter on the second, Eradil walked to the large room. Inside was a Dunmer in grey Armor, and a Bosmer in red armor, the Dunmer was working on a potion, evidently focused on his work, the Bosmer though, seemed to be a bit of a brown-noser, still, he had potions Eradil would need, a few for resisting fire, a few for magicka, Stamina and Health.

Then he walked to the other side of the courtroom, where the smithy could be found

When three hours later, Eradil returned from the smithy in a grey Vampire's Armor, with boots and gauntlets and a sword. Of course the sword didn't seem that sharp, but it was better than the measly dagger he had with him.

When he walked to the door of the keep, to leave it, he saw Serana was waiting for him by it.

He looked at her and nodded for greetings, then Serana said "out for a mission this soon?" Eradil said "yes, Lord Harkon wants me to fill the Bloodstone chalice" Serana frowned, "but you've been a vampire for just a day. How does he expect you to survive there?"

Eradil said proudly, "he's shown me the powers a vampire can wield!"

The skeptic look Serana had on her face made him doubt his word. The Serana's firm words made him eat his. "no he hasn't."

Then she said "let me guess, he showed you the form of the vampire lord, and told you about its 'glories' and 'powers'. Right?"

Eradil nodded meekly, she laughed, "That man has been stuck in his castle for too long. Yes. Your powers as the Vampire lord are great, yes, its magnificent, and yes nothing can beat you. The thing is, you can't use it that much. The world is not built for that form, and your brutish body makes anyone panic. Guess what? Panicked people don't have anything to lose, and an easy fight can become a very hard one by transforming in the middle of battle. Besides, it takes some time for your body to understand the changes, and in those minutes between transforming and complete perfection, you're vulnerable. And besides, what about the times you are in this form?"

Eradil's confused face made her want to slam her head to the wall, "gods, you're hopeless. C'mon, I'm going with you. Someone has to show you the ropes!"

Thus began Eradil's true training as a vampire. They traveled in night ("Never do your hunting in day, it can be quite hard, for you won't heal like you would in night.), the tried to avoid cities ("a blood-starved vampire can't help himself, he'll attack, and it can be dangerous inside a city"). They avoided the Vigilants, hiding in shadows ("mistwalker is the second name of a vampire. A good vampire never attacks when he doesn't need to")

It took them longer, having to take the main roads during the days, but they reached the redwater den before the next week, without any real fight happening.

They reached the 'den', and like any other skooma den (at least, the ones near Riften), it was actually a ruin. A cave, a trap door within an abandoned house, an old crypt cleared of its Draugr.

This one was the second. A burnt house was there. Serana said "well, I guess that is it. Let's go investigate"

The two got near, inside the burnt house, there was a hunter, eating a piece of Venison. she looked at the two and said "new customers? C'mon, the den's down the trapdoor, that way"

She pointed at the trap door.

When they opened it, and climbed down the ladder.

Inside was like other skooma dens as well. A guard was standing by the door.

The guard, in leather armor, said "hold it right there!" with a sword in his hand, he said "you go inside, buy what you want, and return. No troublemaking. Deal?" "alright. whatever you say"

The Guard opened the door, and said "down you go."

Downstairs, the differences started: instead of a few people laughing off, or moaning after the hangover, a few people were moaning, like the way a dead thrall moans. Like their souls were in pain and the body couldn't understand it.

Serana murmured "get ready, the lesson for fighting might start soon", but that wasn't necessary. Eradil said "maybe there's another way?"

Of course, there's always another way. What Eradil did, was to find the most suspicious looking door of the den, and break its lock. The moment he picked the lock, one of the guards, well actually thugs, that patrolled the place said "what the hell are you doing there?"

Scratch that. There was going to be a fight.

The human with a sword turned towards them, and said "halt! That place is off limits!"

Eradil turned towards the human. Unfortunately, that action was most unwise. The Nord yelled "VAMPIRE!" and attacked.

With a wide swing of his sword, he tried to cut off Eradil's arms. Eradil jumped back, expecting to feel a jolt of pain, and he probably would have, if he was still an elf.

The Vampire's body was faster. Great reflexes helped him duck the swing, and then he replied the attack with a swift punch to the man's stomach. That punch was enough to throw him over the room, to the metal bars that blocked the dealer from everyone else.

The man cried in pain, but got up again, this time running at the vampire and swinging widely. He failed again, but this time, it wasn't a punch that answered him. It was actually a stab of Eradil's Ebony sword. He ran the man through with his sword.

As soon as the man was dead, Serana said "alright, time for combat lessons!"

Ten minutes later, they entered the room from the opened door, the new room was basically an excavation site. A cave, with several rooms carved out of it. Unfortunately, they weren't alone. The first things they faced were a vampire and his Thrall, who was armed with a bow.

"so why don't you just drink the blood from the spring? I mean, that seems easier than running a skooma den!" asked the Thrall, with a rather easygoing tone. His overlord answered "the boss said its some sort of profaned spring. It may look like blood, but It's not the real thing. Drinking it gives us strength, but not without a price. That's why we thought of putting it in the skooma"

"Damn!" said Serana, "the Thrall's already bonded. You're not strong enough to stop the influence"

The vampire heard that, and said "who's there?"

His Thrall as luckier, for he managed to find at least one of the two intruders, he aimed his bow at Eradil, but Eradil had a better weapon. ("no matter what you wield, your off-hand should always have the Vampiric Drain spell at the ready. It's a helpful spell, for it heals you as it drains your foe. No matter what, always have it ready, but don't use in near unhostile mortals")

He unleashed his Drain spell upon the mortal, and it felt great, the same feeling he'd get when he was using potions for health. He could already feel his exhaustion from an older fight leaving his body. Unfortunately for the mortal, he was losing his life force just as fast. Soon enough, his body began aging. Decaying as if it had been in a grave for years. When the spell had done its work, the man was dead.

Eradil knew what to do next, he summoned the aura of Necromancy and Raised him again. ("Don't care what you heard back when you were a mortal. As a vampire, Necromancy is your friend!")

The soul-less body rose again, picking his bow, and aimed at another target. One Serana was busy piercing with Ice spikes.

In a matter of minutes, the mortals, and their vampire overlords, were dead. "Feral vampires!" Serana spat, "these beasts are what gives our kind a bad name"

Deeper into the Den, he realized the 'den' was actually built on an old Nordic crypt. The Draugr proved no more of a nuisance than the vampire and his two cronies.

Soon enough, they'd reached the Inner Sanctum of the Crypt. Which probably held the Spring, considering the small puddles of blood-red liquids that were coming out of the door connecting them to the Sanctum.

Once inside, in front of them was a long sideboard. On it were a few coins, a quill, and a book. A journal to be exact.

"well, lookie here!" said Serana, "someone's left their journal. Let's see if there's anything helpful in it."

It wasn't. those were actually the writings of a Vampire that had found out about the 'Bloodspring of Lengeir's Feast' from a book in Alinor, and then had traveled to Skyrim, to search for it. And had found it in the rift. The whole 'Skooma Den' was a front for this Spring, nothing more than that, and those poor bastards they'd seen up there were basically food.

Damn if Eradil wasn't impressed. Not everyone is that practical, or cunning.

But alas, this 'Venarus Vulpine' fellow had to die.

Passing a few rooms full of Draugrs (now dead again), they reached the greatest room in the crypt, where seven Vampires were feasting on a table. In the far end of it, on the throne, sat an imperial with grey Vampire armor. Presumably Venarus Vulpine. He was the one who noticed them. And said "so, the Volkihar finally have an answer?"

Serana frowned, and looked at Eradil. Eradil said "what should the Volkihar have an answer for?"

The imperial Vampire said "do you, or do you not, support us to become a new clan?" he rose, "we have the bloodspring of Lengeir's feast. We have enough food to last us for a long time, and if the mortals don't change, for a lot longer. We just need support from the only other clan here!"

Serana laughed, "all this, because you want to start a clan? You do know you need to have at least five ancients for finding one, do you not?"

Another vampire, this one a Nord, said "Screw this, Vulpine! These idiots are not supporting us! Let's just kill them!"

And fell back to his seat, gurgling in pain, when Serana silenced him with an ice spear in the throat.

Another vampire said "your blood will not protect you from us!"

After that, it was a bloodbath. The five vampires gave as good as they got, even if none of them survived. Eradil Pierced the heart of the last vampire, and then turned to Vulpine. Serana said "well, there goes your plans, fledgling! All that remains is-" the imperial Interrupted, raising his sword and yelling "-YOUR DEATH!"

He attacked Eradil. With a low swing of his sword arm as his Drain spell failed to land on Eradil. The Elf tried to parry, raising his sword and grabbing the other's sword in a hold, right before the weapon could make, a Spear of ice pierced his heart, and he fell over.

Serana said dryly "Teamwork, right there!"

From the dead body of the vampire fell a key, the key that unlocked the door to the Bloodspring.

Picking the key, Serana unlocked the door, entering the hall of the spring.

Inside it was, well, the bloodspring, which, as the name suggested, was a spring, but instead of Water, Blood flowed from it.

Eradil took an empty potion bottle from his pack, and filled it with the redwater of the spring.

Serana said "well, that's it then. All we need is the blood of a-"

The sound of footsteps made her stop talking, and got the attention of the other vampire.

From a door on the other side of the room, entered two rather familiar vampires.

Well, familiar in a sense that Eradil had saw them before. Unlike the others in the den.

The two were armed with crossbows, and one of them, the female one, said in false sympathy. "it's really too bad, you know. This little accident you had here, completely unexpected…"

The male vampire said mockingly, "yeah. Too bad. Lord Harkon's new favorite, dead so soon. If only his sidekick wasn't so blood-starved…"

The female one continued, "we're just lucky I was here to return the Chalice to Vingalmo, so he could make sure Harkon could get it back!"

Apparently, that wasn't the plan. The male vampire turned towards her, "wait, WHAT? That's not what we agreed! We were supposed to take it back together!"

"Idiot," The female one said mockingly, "you didn't really think I'd let you walk out of here alive now, did you? Vingalmo wants you all dead!"

The other one said "oh whatever, Orthjolf just told me to finish off anyone who got in the way"

And at one, both of them pointed their Crossbows at each other. Firing almost at the same time.

The Male Vampire was too slow, his bolt hit the female vampire in the shoulder, while her bolt hit him in the face.

With her uneasy ally dead, he turned towards the other two, "now, about the two of you," she threw the crossbow to the sides, and unleashed her claws. "I will be more than enough!"

She wasn't. for while the two Allies were bickering, Eradil had already loaded his crossbow, and had it leveled at her face.

She fell with a thud, falling before she could do anything. Eradil said "a pint of Ancient blood is supposed to help the mixture. Maybe two pints would help even more!"

And filled two more bottles with blood from the two vampires.

The two walked to the door the two Vampires had entered from, and found themselves in the Den, once again.

This time, though, everyone was dead.

Serana cursed, "damn, he called for a purge?"

Eradil looked at her in confusion, she explained "we were not my Father's answer to Vulpine." She pointed at the dead bodies, and the walls that blood was smeared on. "this was his answer. Those two weren't really here to kill us. Their official mission was to purge the den from Vulpine's Coven of Vampires."

Travel back to the Castle wasn't that hard. They went to Windhelm at night, and with a bit of 'persuasion', Serana managed to book them a passage to Ice Water Jetty, this time though, in a sailing ship, instead of a rowboat.

The downside to traveling like this was, it took longer than usual.

Deep in the night, Serana walked into Eradil's Cabin in the ship, and said "hey, you've been a vampire for almost three days now. My last lesson to you is this. Never go without feeding for more than three days. You'll go to a blood-starving frenzy the moment you smell blood. Even if you don't, a mortal's gotta be stupid not to notice that something's wrong with you.

So there goes our final lesson! Follow me!"

The two sneaked to another cabin, where a Breton was sleeping soundly. Serana whispered "go on. Drink. She'll not notice you if you don't make a sound"

Kneeling next to the Breton, he touched his neck, and found a place that wasn't covered with clothes, and sank his fang there, quickly.

Eradil has tasted blood before. Sucking on small wounds on occasion. It had never tasted like this.

The blood tasted a thousand times sweeter than a health potion. It felt extremely pleasant and Eradil could go on with this a lot longer and-

He was firmly thrown back. Serana got him off the body of the still asleep Breton, and casted a paralyzing spell on the Breton. Grabbing the elf by shoulder, she dragged him out of the room, into his own.

Eradil said "what in oblivion was that?"

Serana said "you were overfeeding. A moment longer, and she'd have turned!" she said, "you'd almost drunk the poor fellow dry. I had to stop you before he could feel something was wrong!"

Then, exhaling once, she said "if you're feeding off a body, don't take longer than five heartbeats if you want the poor fellow still alive."

Returning to the Castle, Eradil went to the Room of the Chalice, where Garan Merathi was waiting for him.

He said "I see you have returned. Lord Harkon will be most pleased. You met Stalf and Salonia, I assume?"

Eradil nodded, and said "weren't they supposed to be on a mission?"

"yes, to cleanse a coven of Feral Vampires. Lord Harkon and I suspected they might follow you there."

He said "they tried to kill me. Not that they succeeded, though."

The Dunmer looked at him like it was the most normal thing that could happen, "Of course they did. And you killed them. Welcome to the politics of the Court of Volkihar. Vingalmo and Orthjolf both long for our lord's throne, but cannot make overt moves against him. Each sought to gain more power, using an underling to kill you and keep the chalice for himself. By ensuring the Chalice reaches our lord, you have increased his power over them, and deprived them of an asset."

Garan smiled wickedly, "you've done your lord two great services. Take what you've learned to heart, and be careful who you trust. Now I believe lord Harkon expects you to get familiar with the castle."

End of Chapter Four

Notes: Thus ends the 'tutorial' for vampirism.

I always had a problem with the player's version of Vampiric Drain. The original spell looks so powerful and if a vampire hits you with it, you're pretty much dead. Then you cast it, and it takes five PPS! Even lesser than flames!

Another was that how the Dragonborn seemed to just know about things by himself. How the fuck can a normal guy just know how much to feed from a victim without killing them?

PS : as I'm uploading this chapter, I'm also writing the next three.

Next up: a 3-chaptered arc "prophet"

That's it, for now.