*BIG CHAPTER ALERT* XD
Thank you all who have read and reviewed the fic so far, and especially those who have left reviews! Sorry about the wait, I have had one of those holidays where I had no time to do anything... :P
Anyway, hope you like this chapter, it is the longest chapter so far I believe, so you might want to prepare for what lies ahead...I maaaaaay have left a cliffhanger in here...*grins evilly*
Big thanks to redchillismoke in particular for her continued support and ideas, and a huge thanks to the rest of you!
Godamnet, Deadric Prince of Cliffhangers xD
"SHIT!"
Morgan swore again as she placed her hands on the young woman's shoulders to hold her down and attempted to keep her steady. But it was useless as she soon discovered once more. The young woman coughed a torrent of blood out of her mouth while more flowed from her nose and ears before taking one final shuddering movement before lying still.
Morgan sighed and closed the woman's eyes with her fingertips and reached across to grab the towel that was lying inside a bloody bowl of water before beginning to wash her hands. The woman was the last of the people that had been infected to die and she wasn't happy about it.
Why the fuck would they hold people here if no-one had the knowledge of making sure disease potions? At the least, a good alchemist could have made a poison to put the poor bastards out of their misery…
She looked again at the line of bodies on the beds and shook her head.
I know it was Brelyna who bit them but why did she do such a thing in the first place?
Morgan heard the footsteps approach and she braced herself for the questions that were sure to come. Questions like 'why did they die so suddenly and in such a horrid way' and 'why did Brelyna attack these people in the first place'. But when she spotted Serana, Hadvar, Onmund and Brelyna emerge from the murky corridor, she found that only one emotion was readily available for her to express.
Rage.
"WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED?" Morgan screamed, not caring that the four people standing there flinched at her anger. "SEVEN FUCKING PEOPLE LYING DEAD IN POOLS OF BLOOD AND SHIT AND IT ALL COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF THEY HADN'T PISSED OFF A VAMPIRE. NOT TO MENTION NOT ONE SINGLE FUCKING PERSON BEING ABLE TO MAKE A POTION TO HELP THESE POOR FUCKERS!…."
"Morgan…" Serana whispered.
Morgan ignored her and carried on, her thu'um beginning to seep into her voice and making the walls tremble.
"AND DON'T GET ME STARTED ABOUT THE LACK OF GUARDS HERE, ESPECIALLY WTH FALKREATH BEING SO CLOSE AND IN CONTROL OF THE STORMCLOAKS! BUT FUCK IT, LET'S ALL JUST DO FUCK ALL AND…"
Serana pressed her hand over Morgan's mouth and pulled the Dragonborn into her embrace, stroking her hair gently.
"Shhhhhhh. Morgan, I bet half the people in Helgen heard you," Serana said softly, her lips caressing the top of Morgan's head gently. "It's hard to see something like this happen, but deep down you knew it was going to happen. They couldn't be saved, even if there were trained alchemists and healers here. Our blood is too strong for most people."
Morgan whimpered and clung to Serana, while the rest stayed clear. They could all see the claws that had formed on Morgan's hands and they knew that she was part way to transforming.
"It's alright," Serana continued, "just relax and let the blood rest inside you. Come on, come back to me."
Morgan shivered as she commanded her vampire lord form back within herself and she close her eyes, concentrating on the sweet scent of Serana's shoulder and collarbone where her face was resting against and stayed still, feeling Serana's arms around her body and hoping she wouldn't let go.
Serana also closed her eyes for a moment. It reminded her of the times when she had been forced to watch the transformations at her parent's commands…
"Serana. You must learn to watch this."
Serana shook her head and glared at her father and mother. They hadn't been close for quite some time now, and the turning of their bodies into one of the undead had made things even more complicated.
"Why would I want to watch another peasant explode in torrents of blood?" Serana scoffed.
She barely avoided her father's stinging slap, his hand hitting her face with enough force to leave a red welt on her face.
"You are to watch this because you need to learn the facts," Lord Harkon replied, not looking bothered that he had struck his daughter in the slightest. "They are cattle. Food, if you will. Nothing more, nothing less."
"They are people," Serana hissed, meeting her father's angry gaze like she always had done. "They are sustenance yes, but they have families, children…how can you both be so heartless?"
Serana did flinch now when her father caressed her face where he had struck her. She knew this was a sign that he was, no joke intended, royally pissed off.
"My dear daughter, are you so truly blinded at what you see? Allow your mother to show you the truth. Valerica?"
Serana's eyes shifted to watch her mother as she walked inside the cell and cornered the frightened imperial man into the corner. She couldn't tear her eyes away as her mother grabbed the man and sank her fangs into his neck, lowering the captive onto the ground and straddling him, her dress covering his lap.
"Keep watching Serana," Harkon hissed in Serana's ear.
Serana didn't need her father to say such a thing. She simply stared as her mother drained the man to the point of death before standing up and leaning against the wall, her eyes on the motionless body at her feet.
Then the explosion of blood came from the man's mouth and ears a few minutes later, his body convulsing a few moments before coming to a stop. Serana blinked and whirled her head around to meet her father's gaze once more.
"Now you see the truth. Any of the blood you have drank beforehand have come from these people. But they are weak. Insignificant. Remember that they are the insects. And we are the boot that crushes them." Harkon lectured.
"Just remember that boots are not invincible."
She didn't see the next hand that struck her, such was the power that her father has…
Had, Serana mentally corrected herself. Her father was dead, killed at the hands of the woman she had turned and fell in love with. Her mother was gone also, killed by a gargoyle that had been about to attack her from behind.
"Are you alright?"
Morgan sniffed and nodded, placing a kiss on Serana's bottom lip before replying.
"Yes. Thank you. And I apologise for what I said. I never thought about the blood like that…so dangerous…"
Serana smiled sadly as she held the Dragonborn in her arms and looked at her.
"You didn't know what might happen once their bodies rejected the vampire blood. This was something that I should have warned both yourself and Brelyna about."
Morgan shook her head.
"I never thought about it. I never thought about asking you. I knew that the Volkihar blood was strong, you told me that once before. I knew about what might happen should the transition should fail…I just didn't think it would be so…messy," Morgan muttered.
Serana sighed and pulled Morgan back towards her, smiling as Morgan's arms wrapped around her body and held her tight.
"I'm so sorry. All of you. I should have said something about it. Especially with you Brelyna, back when you chose to save Morgan by giving up your mortality. Morgan had a good chance of survival due to her Breton blood, her dragon soul and the fact that she seemed to be destined to become a Dragonborn in the first place. But Brelyna risked everything…for her. I never got the chance to truly thank you Brelyna…so thank you."
Brelyna felt her lips quivering at Serana's heartfelt words. She was grateful that Onmund had an arm round her waist to support her, as she thought that her legs would give way.
Morgan had managed to compose herself and released Serana, opting to keep her arm round her waist as the two of them walked over to Onmund, Brelyna and Hadvar.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gone raving mad like that," Morgan said quietly.
"I don't blame you. I didn't think about the chance of my dying so badly either," Brelyna replied. "I just thought about saving you, I didn't think I could end up like…well…that…"
Morgan sighed and she walked over to pull Brelyna into a hug, smiling a little when the vampire dunmer hugged back even harder.
"Thank you for what you did for me Brelyna. So many people talk about how I have been brave when facing down dragons and Alduin…but the bravery you had shown was much more than what I ever did."
"I…"
Morgan smiled and hugged her even harder, kissing the side of her cheek and smiling even more when Brelyna blushed slightly.
"Don't say a single word.. Now then…I know its been hard for you, I can tell. But I need to know what happened."
Serana cleared her throat and motioned for them to follow her.
"We better talk back in Hadvar's office. I think it would be best for…well, everyone who knew about this."
Brelyna winced but she was grateful for the smile that Onmund sent her, as well as the arm of Morgan that was still wrapped around her waist gently.
"Shit…"Morgan trailed off.
She glanced over at Brelyna, who was seated on Onmund's lap and had stayed silent throughout Serana's explanation as to what had happened in the last few months of the mages lives. Morgan had always felt guilty about not visiting Brelyna after the battle at Castle Volkihar, she felt as though she had let the poor girl down somehow.
And just wait until she hears about where she is needed to go…
"Don't. Don't blame yourself Morgan."
Morgan looked up and met Brelyna's firm gaze.
"Even you cannot see everyone all the time. Even the Dragonborn needs a rest, especially after saving the whole world from being devoured."
"I should have at least visited," Morgan retorted, no malice in her voice, only regret. "I had Serana with me for months while I adjusted to the Gift, but I wasn't there for you when you needed me the most…."
"Neither was I…I will make it up to you Brelyna. And you Onmund, it must have been hard for you."
Onmund smiled.
"I found it interesting if anything. I love Brelyna for who she is, vampire or otherwise. I just hated how there were so many people who didn't even give her the benefit of the doubt…she isn't dangerous to those she cares about…"
Morgan had to grin as Onmund blushed when Brelyna kissed him on the forehead.
A perfect match if ever I saw one.
"So…what now? I can hide the truth for a day or two, but after that, people will start asking questions," Hadvar said after a few minutes of silence.
"We better get out of here within the day," Morgan answered. "We can be back at Whiterun within a few hours with a little luck."
"I could always put the bodies in the cavern system…there are still frostbite spiders in there and they…well, they can take care of the rest."
"And what would you say if anyone ask about them?" Morgan asked.
"I can say they went for a scouting trip and they didn't return. There has only been myself who has been close to them and the soldiers will keep their mouths shut if they know what is best for them."
"How so? All it takes is someone with some gold and.."
Hadvar smiled at Onmund.
"Trust me here my friend. You ask anyone here about what would happen if they pissed off the Dragonborn, and they would all go pale and say nothing. They respect her, but at the same time, they fear her as well. They wont say anything if I ask them to stay silent for everyone's benefit."
Morgan didn't know how to respond to this. She had always thought of herself as someone who was there to help others. Yes, she had the Voice at her command, but as destructive as many Shouts could be, she also knew that it was the decisions of those that used the thu'um which shaped what that person would become. Ulfric Stormcloak and Jurgen Windcaller came to her head straight away as a comparison.
Ulfric wanted to learn because he wanted something to use as a weapon, something that many people couldn't defend themselves from, like King Torygg. Jurgen Windcaller on the other hand had seen just what might happen if someone used the thu'um for greed, and he created a knew style of thu'um for those that wished to use it for peaceful purposes, or at least stave off the thoughts of controlling something that had the potential to be far worse than any sword or arrow.
Morgan knew that her use of the thu'um was a knife edge. She constantly used it in battle, but at the same time, she didn't use it to make people's heads explode every time she could a word or insult aimed against her.
I still have my blade, magic and my Vampire Lord form as well, and that makes things even more interesting though, she told herself.
She never thought about it most of the time, simply brushing off the thought every time it tried to enter her mind, but this time, she allowed the thought to stick.
I am more dangerous than Ulfric could ever be. Hell, most dovah that ever entered a fight with me gave me a little respect…even Alduin….
"So, once again you have proven your strength, Dovahkiin. I admit….I was wrong about you."
Morgan blinked and brushed the snow out of her eyes and looked at the massive black dragon sitting before her. They were on the summit of the Throat of the World, and she had just about managed to fend off the World-Eater himself.
Just.
She grabbed the large red bottle that was attached around her waist and drained the contents, feeling the restorative magic within the liquid beginning to heal her battered and bruised body.
"Did you think I would lie down and let you kill me?" Morgan managed to utter, spitting a globule of blood into the air and wincing at it froze in mid air.
The chuckling was not what she had expected.
"Niid. I knew you would fight. That is the birthright of the dovah. You fight to win…or to die. But do not misunderstand me little one. Dovah soul or no, you will never defeat me!"
Morgan grinned wickedly.
"I just did."
She cast the ward spell as Alduin managed to fire off a weak fire Shout, but she knew that he was too weak to muster the strength for another one anytime soon.
Alduin growled and Morgan willed herself to stand still as the huge dragon shuffled towards her, his terrible red eyes fixed on hers.
"If you were a true dovah, I may have killed you for that insult. But I am going to let you live, for I have much to do. Souls to devour. We will meet again, Dovahkiin. Prepare for your doom."
"Right back at you," Morgan retorted.
It was one of the few times that Morgan had ever seen a dragon smile slightly, but Alduin himself had smiled at her arrogance…and that thought troubled her greatly.
"Hey, you still with me?"
Morgan smiled and swatted Serana's hands away from her face playfully.
"Sorry I was thinking about something."
"Not kidding, you were lying there and not moving for hours," Onmund said, pointing at their surroundings.
Morgan looked around and noted that they were sitting around the well at Whiterun, a few citizens walking by and not noticing the Dragonborn was lying on top of the wooden planks that blocked the well.
"What. The. Fuck?"
"You went into some sort of…trance or something," Serana explained, her hand gently running through Morgan's black hair. "You didn't respond to any of us when we tried to talk to you, so we…carried you here. I'm glad you are back among the…erm…you know."
"The 'undead'," Morgan quipped, grinning when Serana snorted in amusement.
"Good to see you're back," Brelyna piped up from Morgan's side, her orange eyes twinkling in the dusky light.
"Did I miss anything else?"
"Hadvar said you must have gone into a sleep where you beat him at drinking games, but that was about it," Onmund chuckled.
Morgan sighed although she knew she couldn't hold the laughter building up within her for much longer.
"That's never happened before. I know that daydreaming can pass the time but that was a single thought I had…"
"I think you just needed time to accept what happened in your past, and you haven't really had the time to take stock in what you accomplished or what happened to you when you were learning about being the Dragonborn," Serana replied. "It happened to me too, remember? One minute, I am inside a stone column with nothing but my thoughts keeping me company… and the next, I am sitting on top of a beautiful woman in Dragonscale armour and wondering why she was so pretty."
Morgan grinned at her.
"Thank you."
Serana winked at her and easily pulled Morgan to her feet.
"Anytime. Now then. We better get some rest."
"I'll go get the rooms," Onmund said as he ran inside the Bannered Mare.
Brelyna made to follow, but Serana placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled a little.
"Brelyna, there was a reason why we came to look for you in Winterhold…come on, follow us. We need to be alone for what we are about to tell you…"
"Two rooms please."
"Of course my dear. I hope you found what you were looking for?" Hulda asked with a grin, sweeping the coin purse under the counter.
Onmund blushed.
"I did…and I apologise for creating a scene."
Hulda laughed.
"My dear boy, anyone who falls in love and doesn't create a scene in any way is someone who isn't truly in love."
"Here, have a drink sweetheart".
Onmund looked to his left to see a stunning dunmer sitting on a stool beside him, her black dress sparkling in the soft light inside the tavern and her red eyes piercing into his very soul. He first thought it was Brelyna, but she had orange irises now and she wasn't so…direct in her speech and body language.
But when this mysterious woman pressed the mug of sweet smelling ale into his hands, her fingers gently touching his as she did so, he found himself unable to think straight.
"Go on, it's wonderful. Hulda here does a great ale…"
Onmund didn't see the small twin fang marks on the nape of Hulda's neck, nor did he see the small child appear in the gloomy room behind the owner, her small red eyes twinkling with amusement. He found himself draining the mug of ale as if compelled to do so.
And the last thing he remembered was the fragrance of the dunmer woman as he collapsed into her lap.
Nightshade….funny, doesn't Morgan use that fragrance?…
"Go on, we better be fast though, Onmund will get impatient very quickly," Brelyna insisted.
Morgan smiled, but it was forced.
"You better sit down."
Brelyna did so, but she stood up again when she spotted another dunmer appear out of the shadows, Onmund draped across her shoulders.
"What the…?"
"He's asleep." Gabriella said softly, allowing Brelyna to stroke her lovers hair gently for a moment.
"Brelyna, this is a friend of ours. She is taking Onmund back to Winterhold where he will be safe."
"Why? Do you think I cannot protect him or something? Morgan, what the hell is going on?"
Morgan sighed and she removed the gloves that she wore and turned her wrist around so that Brelyna could see the Black Hand that resided there.
"Because I came to ask for your help Brelyna. You see, you acted like that when cornered because you had no outlet for the rage that flow inside you. I was the same when I first turned, I killed bandits with a silly grin on my face and it was only because of Serana that I didn't do the same thing to farmers, civilians…children…"
Brelyna shivered when she recalled that very same feeling when she had ran into Helgen only to be accosted by those who wanted easy gold and didn't give her the chance to prove she wasn't an animal. She knew of that mark of course, it was easy to recognise.
"You're…an assassin? I never…I wouldn't have thought you would enjoy such a thing to be honest Morgan."
Morgan smiled sadly now.
"You forget Brelyna. Deep down, you always knew when I was at my happiest. I am a warrior at heart. I grew up to fight back at an early age. Becoming a vampire only amplified that feeling. Having the soul of a dragon made that feeling become unbearable for me…I needed an outlet, something to take away the edge of wanting to hunt…to kill. And when I came across the Dark Brotherhood…well, I found that outlet."
Morgan stepped closer and held Brelyna's hands.
"And I am asking if you wish to have that same chance. To have a way to control your urges to a degree that you will never care about what others say about you. If you decline, then that is fine by me. I only ask that you never tell a soul."
Brelyna closed her eyes and thought deeply about what was happening. It took a few moments for her to decide. She opened her eyes and looked at Morgan, the woman she looked up to.
"What about Onmund?"
"Gabby will take him back where he is safe. Arch-Mage Savos knows of my dealing already so he will be able to keep an eye on this little bear here," Morgan grinned.
Brelyna found herself smiling as well.
"He hates that nickname. So…I accept and I can learn another…craft, so to speak? I can learn how to become like…well, like you?"
"As long as you keep our secret Brelyna, I will teach you all forms of magic and combat that I know…and if we get the time, I can teach you about using the thu'um too."
Brelyna beamed at her. Knowledge was something she loved to absorb, and who better to learn magic from that the woman that used magic as easily as breathing?
"Yes. I accept. Just promise me that I will see him again."
Gabriella spoke up.
"I can promise you that my dear. We may be assassins, but we take care of our Family above all else."
Brelyna looked at Morgan once more, feeling a rivulet of blood tear leaking down her face in joy. She wanted to be accepted above anything else. Her parents were critical of her magical prowess, and the students at the College all whispered behind her back at her Gift.
I'm going to prove them all wrong. Assassin or no, I will show everyone that I am not useless.
"When do we leave?"
Morgan smiled and moved to the side, letting go of Brelyna's hands.
Babette appeared from behind Morgan, grinning at her so that Brelyna could easily see her fangs within her small mouth.
"I will take you Home! On the way we can talk about things, what we do and what you can expect. Don't worry, you will be at ease with us."
Brelyna gave her a small grin and raised her eyebrow at Morgan, who shrugged.
"Just don't allow her to tell you any stories about me. She lies about that sort of thing."
Brelyna giggled as Babette made a rude hand gesture at Morgan, who beamed at her in response and doing the same to the small vampire child.
I'm doing the right thing here. I am taking control of my life for the first time.
"What about you?"
Morgan grinned, her fangs easily visible now.
"I have something to do here first."
Brelyna shivered at her words, but found that she wasn't scared of her. In fact, she admired her more than ever.
Serana, you are a lucky person to have her.
Brelyna met Serana's eyes, and the four thousand year old vampire winked at her as is she knew what she was thinking.
She couldn't wait to start learning…