The Heart of a Daedra
By The Grey Knight
Chapter 26:
Sjern sat on a small wooden stool, his hands together and his expression grim as he kept an eye on Serana. Her breathing wasn't as laboured but she hadn't woken since her apology for leaving. Sjern knew the others were concerned for him but his own personal health and well-being would have to be put on hold until Serana recovered. Jolting as he heard someone knock on the door, he turned his head and found himself looking at Infernus.
"How's she doing?" The Breton asked, nodding towards Serana.
"She's still asleep, but she's not breathing as heavily and her wounds are healing at a steady pace. I'll stay with her until she's better though."
Infernus shook his head sadly.
"Sjern you can't kill yourself like this. It'd be better if we took turns watching over her so you can rest. That way-''
Before he could finish, Sjern snapped, cutting him off.
"Infernus stop! I've made up my mind and I'm sticking to my choice! I appreciate the thought and offer but I'm fine!"
Infernus nodded, choosing not to upset the Dragonborn any further. Ever since the Gate attack at Solitude, Sjern had been more liable to snap over trivial matters. He wasn't entirely sure, but the Pyromancer had a good feeling that the bolt of energy that had struck Sjern was now spreading like a poison, corrupting him from the inside. Nevertheless, he didn't want to broach the subject until he was certain. Infernus knew that the Dragonborn had been through a lot, having lost Serana once, nearly submitting to the Secluded One's control and, once reunited with Serana, almost had her taken from him again. His face was gaunt, his usual brown beard was flecked with spots of grey and his eyes were sunken into his head. It could just be stress that was making the Dragonborn act this way but Infernus had a feeling it was something more.
"You're friends stand with you Dragonborn, you aren't alone." The Breton said as he walked out. "We will be with you until the end."
Sjern nodded silently, looking back down at Serana. He knew his friends would always have his back, but he couldn't help but feel that his struggles were his own. He had led his friends into danger on more than one occasion and though they smiled and survived each time, he knew that a time would come when a small slip would cost one of them their lives. Each time they ventured together, the anxiety and worry would pile up on him, tearing him apart from the inside.
'I can't do this to them anymore!' Sjern thought to himself, getting to his feet. 'They have suffered enough for me as it is.'
Quickly scrawling down an apology to Serana and the others, Sjern crept quietly downstairs, retrieved an empty knapsack, some food, a sealed flagon of water, a thick, hooded fur cloak and his Daedric War Axe. Leaving silently, Sjern felt a single tear roll down his face. He had made his decision, they were better off without him. What he would do now was find Sunclaw and her master wherever they might be and finish them off or die trying. Just as he passed the abandoned house, he felt the air get a lot warmer.
"Infernus don't even bother trying to follow me!" Sjern called out, knowing full well that the Pyromancer was using his dissipating trick to conceal himself.
There was a quick flash of flame and the Breton was standing in front of Sjern, Blades' Sword at his side and a bulging knapsack over his shoulder.
"You're not stopping me Sjern. Wherever it is you're going, you'll need back-up and you know I'm right."
Sjern shook his head and sighed heavily.
"What about Shadowfang? She'll be hurt that you're not there. I know she likes you and I know you feel the same way Infernus."
For the first time since meeting the cool, calm and collected Breton, Sjern saw him blush.
"It's true. But as long as this war threatens, as long as you have to face the Secluded One, I can never have her. I left a note beside yours, explaining why we had to leave. She'll understand."
Sjern grunted and turned back towards the road out of Morthal.
"Fine, come along if you wish. I suppose a Fire Mage can come in handy."
Infernus nodded, hefted his knapsack further up his shoulder and began walking after Sjern.
"So where are we heading?" He asked, keeping pace with Sjern who was walking faster than usual.
"A place I have only been to once. A dangerous place called Castle Volikhar. Former residence of Lord Harkon, Serana's father."
To Sjern's surprise, Infernus simply nodded and continued walking. They walked for Talos knows how long before running into any other forms of life. Out of the corner of his eye, Sjern saw something move in the thick branches of one of the trees. Stopping Infernus, he drew his War Axe and waited for it to move again. When they did, time seemed to slow. A single dagger emerged from the leaves at a furious pace, aimed directly at Infernus. Giving no second thoughts to his own safety, Sjern shoved the Breton out of the way, knocking them both to the ground. Jumping to his feet, he picked up his War Axe, gripped it around the bottom of the hilt and threw it into the clump of leaves. A loud grunt came from the tree and a man dressed in the same type of robe as the cultists who had attacked him in Solitude hit the ground, Sjern's War Axe buried between his eyes.
Approaching the man cautiously, Sjern jumped back when two more cultists dropped down from the trees, daggers in hand. They didn't stay standing for long however, as two large flaming orbs collided with them, knocking them back into the tree. A silver flame flashed in Sjern's peripheral vision and reappeared moments later over beside the fallen cultists. Drawing his Blades' Sword, Infernus held the sharpened tip at one of the cultist's throats and applied a small amount of pressure.
"Now friend," he began, "you're going to tell us exactly what you thought you were doing when you attacked us."
Without waiting for an answer, Sjern, who had picked up his Daedric War Axe and made his way over to the cultist, swung down, decapitating him there and then.
"I've had to deal with others like him before. They want me dead so that the 'True Dragonborn' can return. He would have given you the same answer. Come on, we've still got ground to cover."
Infernus simply shrugged, sheathed his blade and they continued walking. After a while of walking in silence, Infernus spoke.
"Do you mind if I ask you a question Dragonborn?" The Breton asked.
Sjern shook his head. "Ask anything and say anything you wish friend, my permission is not needed."
Infernus paused for a moment. Finally, he said
"Does Serana know of your feelings?"
Whatever Sjern had thought the Breton would ask, it was certainly not that.
"I don't know. I have never expressed any romantic intentions towards her but it is clear that I favour her over all other advances. So no Infernus, I don't know if she does or not."
The Listener nodded slowly, knowing just how the Dragonborn felt.
"Will you tell when this is all over?"
Sjern sighed.
"Perhaps I will. She has told me before though that marriage and love is not really her comfort zone. Her years far exceed mine Infernus. She wouldn't feel right, entering a relationship after that many years of solitude."
As much as it pained him to say it, Sjern knew he was right. Serana had been through a lot, he didn't need to add to her worries. Coming to a clearing in the trees, Sjern informed Infernus that they would be stopping there for the night. He knew they had a few days travel ahead of them and he wanted to ensure they were both rested so they would be ready for anything.
Ok, once again not the happiest with this chapter considering how long it took to write. I included some mush in there just to make both Infernus and Sjern seem more than cold exteriorsed warriors. I have a good idea what I want to do for the next chapter. I only hope I can convey it well enough. Thanks again for reading guys. Talos guide you all! Peace.