New Friends and... Armored Trolls?

I nearly jumped out of my skin when my bare feet hit the cold stone floor. I hopped from one foot to another in an attempt to keep them from freezing as I reached for my boots.

"HA!" I cried in success as I fell backwards with my boots in my arms. "Too cold." I murmured as I slipped my boots on. A second later I was on my feet and making my way down the hallway, I thought for a second as I was about to turn towards the huge from doors.

'Minds well go check on the tinkering girl.' I thought as I made my way past the dining hall and into an open area. One end of the area looked as if it was a cave; with the other end was part of the castle. But that was not what stopped me dead in my tracks. I turned my head so that my ear was facing the source of the sound. I could hear snarling. I looked up to see a large spike fence made out of logs surrounding a large portion of the cave part of the area. I ran up a ramp and looked down at what was being trapped within it, what I saw made my eyes go wide and my breathing literally stop for a few seconds. The fenced in area was full of trolls! And not only trolls, but they were actually armored trolls.

I placed my hands on then wooden banister as I leaned in slightly to get a better look. Even though they were right in front of me I could not seem to be able to process what I was seeing. I gave my head a shake and blinked a few times. Nope they were still there, wandering around inside their area, snarling, and groaning as if they were talking to each other.

"Wow..." I whispered as I watched them.

"Amazed there?" I heard a voice from behind me ask. I turned and found Gunmar standing at the bottom of the ramp with his arms crossed over his chest, the same way Isran would have done. But the difference was that this was not Isran, this was Gunmar, he wore Red Dawnguard armor and had a beard.

I pointed to the pen the Trolls were wondering around in. "Armored Trolls?" I asked still in awe. Gunmar smiled and nodded.

"They will come to our advantage soon." He said as one of his hands patted the wooden banister of the ramp as if they were his trophies. I laughed causing him to look at me confused.

"How did you come up with this?" I asked him. Once again I received a smile from him.

"Well, one day long ago I was adventuring through the lands of Skyrim and found myself in a tussle with not one, not two, but three trolls. I did hold myself quite well but I couldn't help myself wonder what could be worse? And then it hit me, Armored trolls would be worse than trolls themselves." He said as he laughed.

I gave a nervous laugh as I turned and looked down at the trolls one last time before I made my way down the ramp and to him.

"Oh don't worry, las." He said with a chuckle. "I tamed them quite well, so the only thing that they will attack are vampires... And of course someone who dares to attack them." He said as he patted my shoulder.

"That's good, I'd hate to have any armored, drooling monsters chase after me in this place." I said with a laugh. Gunmar shook his head amused.

I looked around the area and saw a smelter, furnace, and everything one would need to craft some fine armor and weapons. When my eyes found Sorine tinkering with something on a workbench my curiosity got the best of me. I bid Gunmar farewell and made my way up to her part of the area. I was silent as I approached her. I looked over her shoulder and saw that she was working on some kind of crossbow. My brow furrowed as I looked at it. The last time I used one nearly ended my life. If it had not been for Serana I would be dead right now.

"Fascinating is it not?" Sorine spoke up as she continued to work on her crossbow. Her voice made me jump at least three feet away from her. When I landed on my feet my hand was on my chest trying to slow my speeding heart and I was panting for air. "Haha! Didn't think I knew you were there did ya?" She asked as she turned around.

I smiled and shook my head. "I guess my sneaking skills are not the best." I said as I took a step closer so I could look at her crossbow again. "It looks a little different somehow." I said in a quiet voice as I continued to examine it. Sorine placed her hands on her hips.

"Well I sure hope so the other crossbows that Isran has laying around her are so old they look as if they would kill the shooter rather than save them.

My eyes went wide as I released a sound that was in between a laugh and a gasp. Sorine looked at me confused. I shook my head and looked at her.

"You're right, his crossbow nearly killed me!" I said motioning with my hands towards myself.

Sorine's hands instantly flew up to her mouth. "Oh gods! He actually let you use one!?" She asked shocked.

I crossed my arms over my chest and nodded. She sighed in disapproval and walked over to a trunk. I watched as she pulled out a crossbow. She then walked over to me and placed it in my arms. I looked at her slightly confused.

"Try this one." She said patting it. "It will not fail you in battle, It is one of my own designs." I gave a slow nod still feeling kind of hesitant about using it, but at the same time I did not want to hurt her feelings.

I smiled and nodded. "Thank you I will." I said as I was about to hang it on my back like I do with all my bows.

"What are you doing?" She asked amused.

I arched an eyebrow as I looked at her. She shook her head and took the crossbow from me.

"Watch this." She said as the pressed a lever. The limbs of the crossbow folded in. She then handed it back to me. "Easier on your back." She said with a smile.

I took the crossbow from her completely amused. "Wow, that is awesome." I said looking down at the weapon in my arms. She nodded in agreement.

"And if you want to use it just press the same lever and the limbs should pop right back out. I nodded and slung it over my back. "Thank you." I said with a smile.

She returned my smile with one of her own as she returned to her project. "So, I was meaning to ask you something Skylar..." She said as she continued to tinker with her weapon.

I arched an eyebrow. "What is it?" I urged her to go on when I noticed how hesitant she was. It was out of character for her, Sorine was not the type of person you would see hesitate to tell you something. Instead she would be the kind of person who could talk on and on about something for hours, maybe even days. I tilted my head to the side as she looked around and made sure that no one was around to hear her speak. When it seemed that she was satisfied she looked down at me and crossed her arms over her chest. I was not surprised by her gesture. It seems that almost everyone who was associated with Isran eventually acquired this signature pose. In fact I would not be surprised if I develop it sometime soon as well. I blinked a few times to clear my head as I saw Sorine's mouth open as she spoke.

"What's with the leach?" She asked a little harsh. I was shocked that it was possible for Sorine to be harsh like this. Her voice was usually gentle, fun, or even on rare occasions quite. Once again this was completely out of character for her.

I blinked a few times before i answered. "You mean Serana?" I asked her.

Her eyes went wide. "It has a name? I mean the vampire?" She asked me looking at me suspiciously.

I nodded. "Yes, her name is Serana." I said as I crossed my own arms over my chest. Oh great... It's happening... I'm becoming one of them I thought to myself.

Sorine sighed and looked around again before she continued. "Is she really allowed to wander this place? Like with no guards attending her?"

I looked at Sorine unamused. "Serana is one of us at this point. I know how that sounds, but she saved my life when your little crossbow Isran gave me failed." I watched as Sorine's face dropped. She now wore a guilty look. "She is going to help us, and I trust her." I said as I dropped my hands to my sides. I began to make my way out of this area of Dawnguard. But before I got too far I turned back around to find Sorine watching me. "Oh and By the way, My loyalty for the Dawnguard is undying, Don't you ever question my loyalty, I know that you were thinking it." I said before I turned around and made my way through the dining hall. I could feel the eyes of many Dawnguard soldiers watching me curiously. I know that I looked mad, and honestly I was, no I was furious. I was in no mood to stop and explain anything to any of them.

I made my way out into the main Foyer of Dawnguard. For some reason that was unknown to me i walked right past the huge doors that would lead me outside. But instead I found myself walking up a spiraling staircase. I was going up to the tower. When I reached the top of the stairs I pushed open the doors and made my way out.

As soon as I stepped outside I breathed in the fresh air and looked up at the sky. The moon was full and the light it formed greeted me. I smiled slightly.

"You look stressed." My eyes went wide when I heard her voice. I looked to find Serana leaning against a stone wall with her hood up. I could see her glowing red eyes staring at me from under her hood. I shook my head and smiled at her. From under her hood I thought I could see her smiling too.

"How do you like Dawnguard? Find anything interesting." I asked her eager to change the subject before I found myself trapped in it. Serana shook her head and looked down. "I didn't wander around for too long, I could tell that I was making some of your companions nervous just from simply being here..." She said quietly. I nodded in understanding. "I felt as if the more they got nervous the higher the chance they would strike me down..." She said not looking at me. I shook my head and claimed a spot on the wall beside her.

"I wouldn't let that happen." I said as I leaned against the wall. As soon as I realized what I said I felt heat rush to my face. I was thankful for the shadows; they hid the color on my face well.

I looked at Serana. Her hood was hiding her face. I wondered if having her hood up was a habit that she acquired at some point as a measure she took to hide herself from the sun. "So..." I said trying to break the silence. Serana looked at me. "What are we going to do first about this prophecy?" I asked her. Serana looked at me for a second before she answered.

"I talked to Isran while you were away. We need to find a Moth Priest, he is here in Skyrim somewhere... I don't know exactly where though... But we need to find him somehow." She said.

I blinked a few times. "We need to find a Moth Priest, and we have no idea where to start looking?" Serana nodded at my words. I leaned back against my spot on the wall. "Oh this should be fun... A wild goose chase across an entire province." Once again Serana nodded.

"Mmmhmm, It will also be a good opportunity for me to see the world." I looked at her and once again I thought I could see her smile from under her hood. I couldn't help but wonder just how long she had been locked away. I couldn't blame her for wanting to see the world, and she was right this was the perfect opportunity so I nodded.

"I don't know how much has changed since you have been gone." I said with a chuckle. "But this could be fun." I said looking at her. She nodded and I received a small laugh.

Serana looked as if she was thinking, and I must have been right because she tilted her head back as if she was in deep thought. "We can ask people at taverns... and maybe people who drive carriages?" She said looking at me.

I nodded in agreement, and another idea popped into my head. "We could also go check the collage of Winterhold as well, they know lots of stuff." I said as I watched Serana's head nod. "Yes, that's true! Moth Priest's are always wanting to learn, so of course! The college we could head there first!" I nodded in agreement.

We were silent for a few seconds before I pushed myself away from the wall. Serana looked at me confused. "If we are going to go on a trip we should go gather some supplies." I said answering her silent question. Serana nodded and followed me back into Dawnguard and away from the outside world.

I followed the small wolf girl back into Dawnguard. I was silent as I watched her gather her things before we made our way through the massive doors that lead out of the castle. I was surprised when Skylar paid no attention to all the curious stares that her fellow Vampire hunters were giving her. I didn't even have to guess to know that they were confused as to why Skylar allowed a Vampire to be her follower. But honestly I could ask the same question myself. It is not every day that a Vampire hunter allows something like this. Skylar was different... I wondered if that was the reason I felt as though I could trust her. I tried not to think about it too much, I didn't want to end up with a headache.

I gave my head a shake as we walked out into the cold world of Skyrim. It didn't bother me much, my skin was always cold, But I wondered if the cold effected Skylar at all. From the corner of my hood I could see her walking beside me. She had her own hood up, I guessed it was to protect her ears from the cold nipping at them. But other than that she did not look phased at all by the weather. She must be used to it by now, I told myself. This place was her home, at some point every resident of Skyrim had to adapt somehow to the temperature.

"Skylar... Are you certain that you don't want to wait until morning to travel?" I asked her. I must have asked her the same question at least ten times by now. Skylar shook her head.

"No." She chuckled. "I am ok Serana, besides I happen to like the night." She said as she turned slightly towards me.

I nodded but I was still not too sure. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Skylar look up to the sky. "I like being out under the full moon." She said smiling. "I'm a werewolf remember?" She said laughing. I chuckled at myself. Even though I could smell it on her, I still found myself having to be reminded of what she was. Not only was she a Vampire hunter, but a werewolf as well.

"Shh!" Skylar shushed as she instantly stopped moving. She dropped down to a sneak position and hid behind some rocks. I did the same.

"What is it?" I whispered. Skylar shook her head and pulled her hood down.

"I heard something..." She said as she stood still and listened to the world around us.

A split second later her eyes went wide and I found her shoving me to the ground. Just as my body hit the ground I heard the sound of impact beside me, where I had been a split second ago. I opened my eyes and saw what was sticking out of the ground. An arrow. I scrambled to my feet and pulled out my dagger, I wasted no time before I threw an Icespike from my hand and towards our attackers. I heard a cry of pain as my Icespike hit the arm of a vampire that was charging from the trees. Not even a second later a steel bolt was shot and it hit him in the head. Finishing our attacker for good. I listened as Skylar reloaded her Crossbow and fire another bolt at another vampire that too jumped out of the trees with one more following after.

I ran forward towards them throwing Icespikes as I did so. I killed one but the other still remained I turned around to find Skylar slashing him with her dagger. He was too close for her to use her crossbow. I was about to run up to assist her, I was caught off guard as Skylar's other hand ignited with flames, she then punched the vampire in the face with that hand setting the vampire on fire in the process. I watched as she kicked him to the ground and stab him in the chest with her dagger.

"That was not easy." She said as she caught her breath. I shook my head at her.

"You saved my life... Well my undead life." She looked at me and shrugged.

"You did the same for me remember?" Skylar chuckled.

I shook my head. "Still…"

Skylar smiled. "Friends look out for friends." She said as she picked up her crossbow that she must have thrown to the ground. I saw the limbs of the crossbow fold in and she then slung it over her shoulder. "Coming?" She asked waiting for me to catch up to her. I nodded and ran up beside her.

The sun was coming up! I bit my bottom lip as I looked at Serana from under my own hood. I saw her bring her hand up and pull her hood over her head even more so that her face could not be seen. I knew that there was more than one reason for this. One, There was people around due to the fact that we were in Riften at the moment and she did not want to risk anyone recognising her for what she was. Two, the sun, I knew that she tried to hide it, but I could tell without even trying that the sun weakened her when she was in it. Her hood did help her but not as much as one would hope.

I wanted to get her out of the sun, even if it was just for a little bit. I quickly glanced up at the sky and saw that there were clouds rolling in. I smiled. Yes, in only a matter of hours the sun should be covered for the rest of the day. I turned my attention back over to Serana. I could see the red glow of her eyes as she watched the people going about their daily lives.

"The people here... They are nervous... That makes me nervous." She said quietly to me as she watched them. I looked around Riften.

Riften has always been the one City in Tamriel where people did not do so well. The Thieves guild was mostly to blame for it. It made me feel bad because I was associated with them. I remembered when I joined. Someone handed me the opportunity and I took it, I had to do what I had to do to simply survive in this world.

I bit my lower lip as I thought but then it hit me. I reached for Serana's hand. She looked at me with her mouth half open confused.

"This way." I said as I led her through the streets of Riften. I could feel her hand tense slightly as we made our way to the back of the temple of Mara.

"Skylar... I don't feel comfortable inside a temple." She said quietly. I turned to her and shook my head.

"Don't worry we not going into the temple, we are going under." I said as I watched her face from beneath her hood grow completely confused.

We entered the graveyard portion of the temple area and into a tomb.

"What...?" I heard Serana whisper as I pressed the button on the stone in front of us. I waited for it to slide back when it was I led her down into the secret entrance of the thieves guild.

"What is this place?" Serana asked me as she got off the ladder. I was close behind, when my feet hit solid ground I patted my hands against my pant legs before I rested them on my hips. I took a deep breath and smiled as I watched her slowly remove her hood.

"Welcome to the Thieves Guild." I said to her as she looked around in awe.

"It's like a city within a city she said as she walked deeper into the guild.

"Yeah." I agreed with her. "You could say that, we have our own bar, smith, and general store in here." I said as I showed her around.

"Amazing." She said as more Thieves guild members greeted us.

Saphire walked up to me with a hard look on her face. "Hello Skylar, and who is this?" I looked at Saphire for a moment before I turned to Serana.

"Serana this is Saphire, Saphire, Serana." Saphire nodded and looked at me. "Good, she's with you. I thought we had a trespasser." I shook my head and she walked away.

Serana watched Saphire until she disappeared around a corner. "Not a very happy girl is she?" She asked as she turned to me. I shook my head and agreed with her.

"That one had a hard life." I said as I led her through the doors and into the area that was full of shops. "We are just going to buy a few things and then we will be off." I said to her. Serana nodded as she continued to look around. Actually I was just trying to stall until the sun was covered in clouds.

By the time I had been to every store I had bought some potions, improved my armor, fixed my dagger, made some bolts, and even bought Serana a better dagger as well. The one she had must have been ancient, it looked as if it was used anymore the blade was going to fall right off.

As I said my farewell to the merchant I realized that Serana was no longer standing beside me. I looked around confused.

"Serana?" I said looking around. After a moment I finally spotted her sitting at a table in the Ragged Flaggon Tavern. It looked as if she had been waiting for me. I smiled as I walked up to her.

"Sorry that took so long." I said quietly. She looked up at me with her red glowing eyes and smiled.

"It's ok, I kind of caught on a while ago." She said still smiling. I arched an eyebrow and tilted my head to the side slightly.

"Huh?" I asked. She shook her head and her smile was still there.

"You are trying to wait until the clouds cover the sun." The corner of my eye twitched slightly as her words processed in my head. I had been caught.

"I do not know what you mean." I said innocently. Her smile widened at me words. "But." I said as I sat down across from her. "I found this and thought you might like to have it." I said as I pulled out a glass dagger. I had also improved it as well so it was even better than before.

I watched as Serana's brow furrowed as she reached for the blade. She examined it for a few seconds before she looked at me. "Skylar, you shouldn't have done this." She said quietly.

I shrugged. "I saw the condition of your other dagger and I thought that you might like a new one." I said with a small smile on my face. "I don't want to have to worry about it breaking while in combat." Serana was silent for a moment before she smiled again.

"Thank you." She said as she placed the blade on the table.

I smiled back at her. "It was no problem, that's what friends are for." I said.

Serana's smile grew.