Broken Bows Hopes And Wishes
"Take This Crossbow, it will be the best piece of equipment that you will ever use." Skylar said in a deep voice as she tried to Mimic Isran's very deep raspy voice. He had given her a crossbow to use, he made her believe that it was top notch weaponry, but instead it now was as useful as firewood. It made a deadly first shot and instantly brought a vampire's undead life to its end, but to Skylar's surprise a gargoyle got too close. If it had not been for Serana's quick hand throwing an Icespike through its body it would have torn Skylar's apart.
Even though Serana's Icespike hit its target it was not enough to bring the beast down. It still charged, When it got within arm's reach of Skylar she rammed the butt end of the crossbow into its face, literally shattering the weapon to pieces as a result. Sacrificing the crossbow did make the Gargoyle stumble long enough for Serana to land a killing blow to the beast and end its attack on Skylar.
Skylar was grateful for Serana, but now she will have a bone to pick with Isran when she returns to Dawnguard.
"Are you alright?" Serana asked concerned as she came up behind Skylar who threw the broken piece of equipment off the ledge and into an endless pit.
"Yeah I'm ok." She replied as she reached for the dagger that was in its sheath on her belt. When she felt the metal handle of the blade and was sure that it was there and she was not defenceless the two continued on their way.
When they reached the end of the cave and stepped out into the snowy world of Skyrim Serana tilted her head back and breathed in. "Ahhh... It's been so long... I almost forgot what it was like to be outside." She sighed as she smiled.
Skylar turned to look at Serana who was standing at the entrance of the cave smiling. Skylar smiled too.
"Believe me I know that feeling." Serana's smile faded away and she pulled her hood over her head as she stepped out of the shadows and into the sunlight. Skylar noticed Serana wincing as soon as she stepped out into the shadows. "Right... The sunlight." Skylar said looking up at the sky. "Do you want to wait until night fall; it might be easier for you?"
Serana shook her head. "No… I will be ok, it has just been so long since I have been out in the sunlight... I need to get used to it again…" Skylar looked at her for a couple of seconds before they began to make their way towards their goal.
So where exactly are we going?" Skylar asked when she realized that she had no idea where it was that Serana needed to go.
"It is an island just off the coast of Solitude." Serana answered as they continued to walk through the snow. Every now and then they would have to climb over rocks and fallen trees but when they found the path it was much easier.
It had been about twenty minutes since either one of them had spoken. Serana could not take the silence much longer. She had spent so long in a small stone coffin with nothing but the silence, it was something that she would do without at this point. She wanted to know more about her savior who released her from her tiny prison, but she was hesitant. She did not exactly tell the smaller girl much about herself except for her not trusting her. Serana bit her bottom lip when she realized just how little credit she gave her saviour.
"So who are you expecting when you return home?" Serana nearly jumped as Skylar spoke up. But she was grateful for her shattering the silence. It was almost as refreshing as her first breath she took outside.
"No one I really want to see... I believe that my father is waiting for me but... We don't exactly see eye to eye..." Serana answered. Skylar arched an eyebrow. "Did you two have a fight...? Eh... Before you were locked up?"
Serana shook her head. "Not exactly... My parents don't much like each other, it's more like a war within a family. My father is obsessed with power, and my mother wanted to see him fail."
Skylar nodded. "I'm sorry to hear that…" She said looking at her with deep blue eyes.
Serana shook her head. "I have to be honest, I don't really want to go there if he is there, but at the same time I am curious to see how he will react after not hearing from me in such a long time…" Skylar smiled slightly. "A family reunion." Serana wore a fake smile. She truly wished that it will be a happy one, but something deep inside her told her that it was going to be the completely opposite.
The silence was beginning to grow again and it was only a matter of time before it sunk its claws into them resulting in an awkward silence. Serana was determined to keep the silence away for as long as possible. "So, Skylar, Tell me something about yourself." Skylar turned to Serana with a brow arched.
"Something about myself? There isn't much to tell..." Skylar chuckling as they continued along the path. Serana shook her head.
"You told me that you knew the feeling of not being outside for a long time." Serana watched as the expression on Skylar's face went to the point that it was unreadable. Serana began to regret bringing it up… Had she plucked a nerve that was not meant to be touched? She was about to apologise but then Skylar turned to her with a smile that Serana believe to be forced. She would see a completely different emotion in her eyes, one that nearly tugged at the vampires heart strings.
"It's a very long story, but to keep it short I was once owned by a group who like to see people like me fight each other for entertainment, and I was there for a very long time... When I finally saw an opportunity to escape I took it and ran." Serana's mouth nearly dropped to the ground. But then she realized something. She knew that she could smell it on the girl but she just could not seem to be able to figure it out at the time. Maybe it was because she had been locked away for so long that her senses needed time to adjust, but she now knew what exactly it was she smelled off the girl.
"You're a werewolf." Serana said surprised. Skylar smiled for real.
"Yes, yes I am." She said turning towards Serana. "Does that bother you?"
Serana arched an eyebrow. "No, it doesn't. You haven't tried to bite my head off yet." Serana laughed.
Serana thought for a few seconds before she spoke again. "There's a group of people who... Owns Werewolves?" She asked Skylar. She watched as her words hit Skylar, she noticed that the girl nearly stumbled.
Skylar cleared her throat. "Yes. Umm... They capture us and pin us against each other." Serana nodded. She remembered back when she still lived on her island. Her father actually had Werewolfs around the castle as pets, and guards. They were literally slaves.
Serana bit her lower lip not knowing what else to say. "I am sorry." She said looking at the Breton who walked beside her.
Skylar turned to her surprised. "huh? No don't be sorry." She said shaking her head. "I am free now, and it was one of the things in my life that made me who I am today."
Serana was honestly surprised Skylar could look at it positively. "May I ask how you escaped?" Serana asked curiously.
Skylar whole heartedly laughed now which surprised Serana even more. "The Imperial's stumbled across their little operation while they were fighting the Stormcloaks. They captured everyone, some got away others didn't." Serana listened intently to her story. "I was one of the ones who got captured, but lucky for me not for long. A dragon attacked the village they were holding us in and I saw that as an opportunity to make my escape."
Serana's eyes went wide. "A Dragon?" She asked shocked.
Skylar looked over to Serana. "Oh yes, and there are dragons here now as well." She said with a smile.
"Oh lovely, I woke up at just the right time." Serana said sarcastically.
"Is that it?" Skylar asked pointing towards an island a little ways out in the water just off the coast of Solitude.
Serana blinked a few times when she realized that she was almost home. "Wow." She sighed.
Serana had a horrible feeling building up within her, she was actually scared of going home. She was scared of her father. She knew that her mother will not be there to stand beside her as she went in. She had no idea what this man was going to do to her. All that he wanted was the Elderscroll, and Serana knew very well that he did not care at all for her.
Serana looked at her feet that refused to move from the spot they seemed to be stuck in. She could not find the strength to move them. "Is something wrong?" Skylar asked concerned.
Serana looked up and towards her saviour. "No, everything's fine. It's just... I don't know what to expect."
Skylar shifted her weight from one foot to another not sure what she should do. It was obvious that this vampire did not want to go home, And she was certain that there was much more to the reasoning than what she had told her. "Umm... Do you want me to go in with you?" Skylar asked.
Serana looked up completely surprised. "Are you sure? I mean you're a werewolf... And a vampire hunter... I don't want you to feel out of place in there."
Skylar laughed. "I will be ok, Come on." Skylar said as she hopped inside a nearby boat. A second later Serana was sitting across from her as Skylar started to row.
Skylar looked up at the huge castle that stood before her. She felt very small, smaller than usual. "Wow... Thats a really big castle..." Skylar turned to Serana. "You never told me that you live in a very big castle." Skylar said still in awe by the size of her home. "When you said that you lived on an island I thought you meant that you lived on a farm, or in a small village on an island." Skylar finished as she turned to look at the castle in awe again.
Serana bit her bottom lip and looked at Skylar who was in shock by the castle. "I didn't want you to think that I was the type of girl who sits in her castle all day..." Skylar looked at Serana a little confused.
"Why would I think that?" Skylar asked. Serana shrugged. "So you live in a castle, that is not what defines you." Skylar chuckled. Serana nodded and began to slowly walk toward the bridge that leads up to the castle gates. "Ah home is where the heart is." Skylar said as they drew close to the castle. Serana looked over to Skylar who smiled at her. "How does it feel to be home?" Serana stopped in front of the castle gates and thought for a few seconds before she answered.
"Not what you are thinking obviously." She said in a grim voice. Skylar tilted her head to the side confused. "Not happy to be home?"
Serana sighed and looked away from Skylar. "Not really... I think this is probably the last place I want to be..."
Skylar shook her head confused. "Then why did you want me to bring you here, I could have taken you some place you wanted to go..."
Serana shook her head, not exactly knowing her own reasoning behind her decision. "Because I need to see my father... But I cannot help but feel... Scared."
Skylar blinked a few times before she spoke. "Scared?" She asked.
Serana turned away from Skylar before she spoke. She did not want to look at her saviour, she suddenly felt ashamed. "Because like, I said before I have no idea what to expect when I walk through those doors... What my father will say to me... What he will do to me..."
Serana did not want to wait to hear what Skylar had to say next. "You can go if you want... I know it is very dangerous for you to be here... I cannot guarantee that you will be safe in there." Serana told Skylar.
Serana closed her eyes as she heard her savior sigh. She waited to hear her footsteps walkaway but instead when she opened her eyes she found her saviour standing beside her. "It's dangerous." Serana said almost trying to convince Skylar to go.
"I don't want you to get hurt..." Skylar shook her head. "And you expect me to allow you to go in there alone? Like a child walking into a cave full of bears? I won't let you walk into that alone."
Serana blinked a few times before a smile found her lips. "Ok... let's go." She said as she walked up to the castle gates. "And Skylar." She turned to Skylar before she continued. "Thank you." She said before she pushed the castle gates open and began to make her way towards the castle front doors.
WE walked into the castle and the first thing that happened was an old looking vampire ran up to us. "Oi! This place is off limits to outsiders!" I watched as he eyed Serana from head to toe. "Serana?" He asked cautiously. "Mmhmm." She nodded. The vampire smiled and ran to a balcony just a little ways away from us. "Lord Harkon! Serana is home!" He yelled before he ran down the steps and into what seemed like a dining area.
I followed Serana and as I did I looked down from the top of the balcony. My stomach began to turn as a realized what was on the menu. Lying on the tables were humans, and the vampires were literally biting down on their wrists and draining the life from them.
The scent of Vampire filled my nose. I stood absolutely no chance if anything went wrong. "You ok?" Serana touched my arm and I nodded. We continued down the steps and into the middle of the dining area.
A man in fancy clothing stood there waiting to greet us. "Ah my daughter... I see you have my Elderscroll..."
I was surprised, it was been only gods know how long and the only thing that he seemed to be concerned about was the Elderscroll. My jaw almost dropped, I was so shocked.
"Hello to you too father." Serana said as she crossed her arms over her chest. Harkon Turned his attention to me, the hairs on the back of my neck stood straight up as he began to eye me.
He sniffed the air once before he spoke. "And who may I ask is this Stranger you brought into my home?"
At this point everything in my body and in my brain told me to run for my life. I could sense it all around me, danger. "This STRANGER is my saviour; she freed me from my prison and brought me home." Serana said as she stood closer to me in a protective way. It made me feel more secure and I was grateful for the gesture, but still I stood no chance.
Harkon was silent for a moment before a smile spread across his face. It made him look sick. "Ah, than I am so very grateful to you! You have returned to me what is mine." When he said this I was certain that he meant the Elderscroll and not his daughter. "And for this..." He continued. "You deserve a reward..."
I felt Serana stiffen beside me. Something was wrong. "Umm... You know, that is quite alright..." I said but Harkon shook his head and began to approach me. When he was close enough he took my hand in his cold one. Out of the corner of my eye I that four vampires had surrounded Serana to prevent her from being able to come near me. She had a horrified look in her eyes.
"This gift is the ultimate gift, limitless power!" Harkon continued as his grip on my hand tightened. As he did so I could feel my injury begin to bleed again. The vampires around us grew restless at the scent of my fresh blood. Harkon's smile grew.
"And if I refuse." I said in a hard tone." Harkon looked at me and his smile turned into more of a sneer.
"If you refuse..." He said finally dropping my hand. "Then I will let you go free, this once, but if I ever see you again, or if any of my fellow vampires ever see you again, they will kill you." As I was about to say no he stood up tall with his arms spread out to his sides. "I think you still need some convincing!" He said as his body exploded into a monstrous form. His skin was grey, his ears like knives, horns, claws, wings, fangs. What I saw before me was probably the most powerful think I had ever seen. I could taste the strength. This was something even a dragon would fear. "You could possess this kind of power, girl!"
I shook my head. "I am a werewolf, I am afraid that you cannot turn what already has been." Harkon looked at me, he was not amused.
"I am sure we would be able to find a way to cleans that filth from your veins... There are ways of curing it, even if we must drain you of your blood, so again I offer you this. I can cure you from begin a filthy mutt, and turn you into something with power."
The corner of my mouth curved into a half smile. Harkon looked as if he had succeeded. "You know... At some point I did wish to be cured of this... Curse..." Harkon smiled and looked as if he was about to take a step closer. "But..." I continued. "I would not give this curse up... it's mine now, it is who I am." I said as a furious expression landed on his monstrous face. "So the answer is no, Harkon, I refuse your gift."
He took a deep breath to try and calm himself. "Fine." He said in an angry tone. "As I promised, you may go free this once, after this... I will kill you."
I was about to turn and leave but instead I felt hands grip my upper arms preventing me from moving. I was about to fight but I looked up in time to see Harkon throw a spell at me. It hit me square in the chest, forcing all the air out of my lungs. The hands released me and allowed me to fall to my knees.
"Skylar!" I heard Serana scream. My vision began to blur. I shook my head to try and rid myself of the weird feeling that was spreading through my veins.
"What...?" I whispered. Even though my vision was blurred I was able to see the outline of Harkon approach me.
He sighed and by the sound of his voice I could tell that he was now in his human form. "I have to say..." He said in a calm tone. "I am surprised you didn't take the gift. You must be very brave you very stupid, girl." Before I even took a breath I felt his boot land on my chest. I was thrown onto my back. I could hear Serana screaming my name but the world around me was too far away now. Everything went black.