Author Notes
Soundtrack recommendation: Down by The Birthday Massacre
~~-x-~~
14th of Evening Star 4E 206
Leaving Whiterun felt empowering. Tenaya glanced at each of her friends, taking note of what she actually had, rather than the level of dishonesty and deception surrounded her from Whiterun. The city itself provided a level of protection, a level of comfort inside the walls. For all Whiterun had, it lacked the warmth she needed. Darkness swelled in her heart, she knew it and felt it, trying to keep things under control without the other pieces. For the shortest of moments, happiness and a smile came. Her friends did it, not Azura, not the city, not Skyrim, but her friends. Those friends, she knew, were the only thing she needed.
"I know of this lighthouse from my travels. If one of you could come with me, we can get supplies and meet you there," Grelka said.
"Let me go with her. I can carry as many supplies as needed," Matria offered.
Tenaya nodded, feeling better they traveled as a group. Lydia tossed them a spare key to the lighthouse.
"Travel safe. We will see you soon." Tenaya said.
Grelka and Matria vanished out the door of Breezehome. Lydia spent the rest of her time gathering everything able to help their journey. She didn't intend to leave a single thing for Whiterun to take or pillage.
"You still doubt yourself?" Serana asked.
"I feel better, Serana. I worry that I am not going to be strong enough. Losing you or any of our friends would be painful. I barely control all this inside. It will not take much to push me again." Tenaya replied, eyes no longer looking at the ground.
"No need to worry. We are in this together. Your demons, I am afraid, they are something much more different than mine. I found strength in you. You have to find the strength in yourself, I can only do so much."
Ivy sat back, listening to their conversation, mostly curious about how far they came. For weeks, she joined a world of vampires. They welcomed her with open arms. This wasn't the world she ever imagined. The world told her vampires are nothing but evil creatures, creatures meant to kill for fun. Her parents warned her of evil creatures, all willing to drink your blood if they could. She wondered if the rest of the stories the world told her was a lie also.
When Lydia returned, her sack sat full, stuffed to the brim with anything she could manage. Ivy finished gathering the food and herbs left around for those who didn't live on blood. Both seemed satisfied with everything they had. Rabbit legs, venison, beef, they had it all. What bothered her more was the lack of people near Frostflow Lighthouse. Of the group, three remained vampires, all needing to eat. Not enough people traveled the roads to satisfy the hunger.
"Ready?" Serana asked.
With everyone set, they walked out of Breezehome into the heart of Whiterun. Guards protected the crowd of people in the street, all standing with a constant watch over them. Their eyes remained fixated on each person who exited the house. Tenaya pulled her sword out, refusing to allow anyone to sneak up or attack them. Serana, at the same time, frosted her hand. Both looked ready to fight if they had to. The guards pulled unsheathed their weapons in response to the rising tension. Everyone who stood around felt uncomfortable, easing backward, ready for something to happen.
"Funny how you and Serana killed the Dawnguard, never once questioning if I was a vampire then," Tenaya said directly to Adrianne. "You turn your back on me now, after all we did."
Adrianne didn't move. She listened, Tenaya knew it. Tenaya shook her head and kept walking towards the city gates. Whiterun guards kept on the ready as they passed any citizen of the city. Adrianne turned her back as they approached. She made her feelings known already, but the surprising show made Tenaya grip her sword tighter. The guards opened the gate without a word, locking the gates just as quickly as they departed.
Tenaya took one last look to the walled city. She had so many memories, even more friends, who had now, coldly abandoned her. It seemed her being a vampire mattered more than doing the right thing. The attacks while Harkon ruled pushed the city to its end. She now represented the same thing she fought so long ago. Serana walked at her side, seeming to feel the anger and sadness radiating from Tenaya. A hand grabbed Tenaya's gently, pulling her closer.
"This is the other side of things we haven't talked about. Once people find out what you are, they hate you for it. I never really did much until I met you for this reason." Serana whispered.
"I can understand why. This place just threw me out." Tenaya replied.
Lydia seemed to have the same level of remorse. She knew people inside the walls cared for Tenaya; some even gave their own blood, not caring who or what she was. Those people Lydia thought might stand up or at least be enough to win over the Jarl. Even she managed to find out the hard way, the hatred for vampires ran too deep in Whiterun. The few faces who looked shocked at their departure, they didn't have enough power to change the course.
Tenaya put her sword away, seeing Lydia struggle with the heavy bag. She had no desire to watch a friend struggle for any reason. Tenaya grabbed the bag from Lydia, throwing it over her shoulder with little effort. Lydia watched in amazement, having struggled the entire time with the bag.
"No sun out," Tenaya said, smiling, trying to make light of the situation.
Serana chuckled, knowing that all too well. Traveling through gloom made things much better for them. The sun, while making things so much prettier, hurt so badly. Serana took the time to drift from Tenaya to Lydia, wanting to explain everything. Even with the explanations, Lydia just stared on. This was a whole different world for her. They both watched Tenaya walking, Serana choosing the moment to explain something else to Lydia.
She leaned in close to Lydia. "Tenaya is different that we will ever be, much more than we understand. I may be a pure-blood and Matria, but Tenaya, she is something much different. What you saw back there, I saw that darkness only one time in my life. Molag Bal did the same thing. I need to speak with Azura or Meridia."
Tenaya instinctively turned with the whispers, unsure what the initial silence was about. She locked eyes with Serana, who seemed unphased by anything. Lydia needed to know what she agreed to. The life debt Lydia owed Tenaya didn't need to be fulfilled, this Serana desired to make this clear. Lydia entered their world now, full of Daedra and the evilest of people.
"Astronica?" Tenaya said, seeing a hooded woman on the path.
"Where were you?" She asked, lips quivering, walking closer. "Azura is a prisoner now! I ran through fires, barely able to escape him and the armies he brought."
Astronica looked visibly shaken. This side of the woman no one had seen before. Her entire demeanor had changed seeing Tenaya alive, walking through Skyrim with a group, and a smile. She stopped only feet from Tenaya. Her hood flew backward. Scars crossed her face, now a reminder from the war she encountered on Moonshadow.
"I carry these scars because Azura chose poorly. Take a good look at me, Tenaya Darix! You caused this!" Astronica yelled, pushing Tenaya forward.
"What do you want me to say? I ran away. I failed Azura and you, Astronica. I failed you both." Tenaya replied, teeth clenched tightly together.
"We suffered! Countless souls died because of your cowardice. If Azura wasn't alive, I would kill you myself."
Tenaya went to turn away from Astronica, having heard enough. A hand quickly grabbed her arm to spin her around. "You do not walk away from me after all I endured!"
Her eyes looked down to the hand around her arm before returning to Astronica's eyes. Tenaya yanked her arm free one more time having enough of her insults. She knew what happened was her fault without Astronica reminding her of the failure over and over. Her anger was deserved, but the hatred wasn't.
"You are no champion, Tenaya Darix. You do not deserve her embrace. Runaway, run like you did before."
Tenaya snapped, grabbing her throat, lifting Astronica into the air without trying. Her fingers squeezed harder, nails cutting the skin around her throat.
"I made a mistake! If you are so perfect, tell me how you died at his hands before. Do not lecture me on my failures! It is my burden every day." Tenaya said, anger and resentment flowing in each word.
"Where was this… when you fought before?" Astronica asked, choking the words out.
She dropped Astronica to the ground. Serana stood between them both, seeing enough of their bickering to bring this to an end. She looked between Tenaya and Astronica, only feeling the tension growing. Astronica brushed her robes off, standing up without backing down. Fingers wiped the blood from the sides of her neck. Her eyes looked directly at Tenaya, never once wandering, never wavering.
"You have until the 20th of Evening Star before Molag Bal gains the strength to overpower Azura," Astronica said.
"His invocation day," Serana added, knowing the date very well.
"That is five days. It is not a lot of time." Tenaya said. "Where is she Astronica?"
"Beyond Coldharbour."
Serana went wide-eyed, coughing at the name. She was in the place where three Daedra held her hostage. None of them stood a chance to get her. No one would be able to stand against them. Beyond Coldharbour was their stronghold, their home, their rules.
"We will find a way to save her Astronica. I promise you, on my life, Azura will live. If I am wrong, my life won't matter much anymore."
"I pray to her every day for the same thing. She and I are all that remain of Moonshadow. Prove me wrong, Tenaya Darix."
Astronica vanished as quickly as she appeared. The run-in left a bad taste in Tenaya's mouth. She hated to hear the details about Azura and Moonshadow. The place looked like pure happiness and tranquility wrapped together. To imagine something so beautiful burned down, replaced by seas of flame and ash sickened her. Tenaya clenched her fist, thinking about it longer. She indeed caused people to suffer by her cowardice.
Lydia pushed everyone forward, knowing time was not on their side. Between the approaching darkness of night and the looks of weather on the horizon, she wanted to increase the speed. Snow blew through the trail ahead. The worst part sat even further ahead, storms brewing on the horizon. She knew the snow would end up to their waist if their pace didn't improve.
All around, everything seemed quiet through the storm. Tenaya started to think about how she would manage to get to Beyond Coldharbour and survive, let alone find Azura and free her. She took the time to clear her thoughts. All of them dropped their guard, the entire being forcing them to fight the wind as they went further down the path. Snow started to blow stronger. Their steps became labored, fighting everything Skyrim could throw. It seemed everything began to stack against them from the weather to Skyrim itself.
Serana's hand slipped from Tenaya's. A brief moment was all it took for her attention to turn to Serana. The woman she loved trembled, her lips parting ever so slightly, wanting to say something but couldn't. Her hands pulled in tight to her stomach. Blood seeped out from around a bolt that tore through her rib cage.
Tenaya's world slowed in that instant, almost jolting to a stop. Her mind couldn't comprehend the scene before her. Serana fell to her knees, plopping into the snow. Everything around seemed to vanish. The screams no longer came through, her head muting everything going on. Serana's hands began to shake wildly, a panic set in as her fingers touched the bolt. Tenaya pushed on her hands, keeping pressure on the wound. Arrows flew over their heads, missing by sheer luck only.
"Tenaya…" Serana mumbled.
"You will be fine, Serana…" Tenaya said, attempting to comfort her, kneeling beside Serana.
Through the blowing snow, a figure approached slowly, cautiously, a large Warehammer held tight in over their head. Before they could move or realize what was happening, it flew with such speed, striking Serana, blood spurting out from the middle of the head upon impact. The force snapped her neck backwards, driving her head into the blood-stained snow. Tenaya tried her best to grab Serana before she fell back. The world slowed, even more blood trickling from Serana's lips, her coughs from the blood pooling in her mouth sprayed across Tenaya's face with her hovering Serana.
"Dawnguard approaching!" Ivy yelled, sword pulled and ready.
"I lo…love you, Tenaya…." Serana whispered, head rolling to the side.
Tenaya turned her head, Serana's blood dripping down, her gaze focusing on Serana only. Her heart missed its beats watching Serana, her love's eyes roll back into her head. Serana's hands went limp, falling to their sides. Tenaya shook Serana, screaming her name. Serana didn't answer. Blood trickled down her perfect face from the hit to the head.
Ivy ducked towards the ground with Lydia, remaining tight to the dirt. Tenaya held on to the woman she loved, crying, unable to let her go. She couldn't move. Her body sat frozen next to the lifeless body of Serana. Every thought went to their life together, the screwed-up agony both endured to end up here, Serana dead in her arms.
"Looks like we found her and the other one." A Dawnguard member yelled, circling around them.
Tenaya moved the hair away from Serana's face. She looked down at her, lifting her hands to rest on her chest, letting Serana have some sort of peace that she deserved. A foot kicked her hand away from Serana, crossbow pointed directly at her head. Tenaya trembled fiercely, face shaking in anger as the others chose to join the circle around the group.
"If it is not the vampire Thane of Whiterun and her pet," Ferta said, moving into Tenaya's sight. "Your pet got off easy. You, on the other hand, you get to go to Velatin, dead or alive."
"And what makes you think any of you will walk away from this alive?" Tenaya asked.
"You are circled by eight of the best the Dawnguard has to offer."
"I see eight pieces of filth. You killed Serana, and all she did was fight for you. If we didn't help you, the prophecy would have come true. We saved this forsaken world."
"I spared the world an abomination! Even pets have a purpose. Hers expired. Good riddance to her."
Ferta spit on Serana's face, with the glob dripping down her cheek. Tenaya wiped the spit from Serana's face. She slowly rose to her feet, everyone instantly pointing their crossbow to her face. Ferta smiled at the attention. She liked seeing the feisty side of another vampire, realizing Tenaya was nothing more than the ultimate prize of Skyrim right now.
"I am going to kill you and everyone here. I just haven't decided how quickly you will die." Tenaya whispered.
"Really? I have every bow aimed in your direction. What could you possibly do to escape?"
Tenaya moved around slowly. She looked into the eyes of each soul surrounding her. One of them stood out. She tilted her head to the side, looking directly at Dozan. She remembered him from years past. His innocent look always stood out, even back then. His fingers quivered on a bow, choosing to use a regular bow over the crossbow, the very thing Serana taught him.
Ivy crawled on the ground to avoid any problems. She moved towards Serana's body before Ferta cut her off.
"Where do you think you are going?" Ferta asked.
A foot came down on Ivy's back, sending a yelp into the air. Tenaya took off as fast as she could, every bolt firing at the same time, all missing her body, though some managed to tear through pieces of her cloak. Ferta tumbled to the ground with Tenaya relentlessly clawing at the woman. Her hands found their mark, punching the woman repeatedly. Her time was incredibly short. The sounds of crossbows being reloaded made it quite clear. Ferta struggled under the shear strength as Tenaya continued to push herself forward.
Lydia and Ivy wasted no time starting to cut down the Dawnguard, all of whom worked on their crossbows. Ferta managed to get to her feet, pulling a sword quickly. Tenaya backed away for only a moment as Ferta swung her sword. The blade missed her stomach and nicked her arm on the swing around. Tenaya looked down at the wound, eyes shifting to Serana one last time. She grabbed her sword and prepared to kill the woman who stole the love of her life.
Tenaya swung her sword at Ferta, their steel meeting with sparks flying in every direction. Their fight stood out like an elegance dance of death. One striking, another countering. This dance repeated over and over. Ferta did her best to show off her skills, enjoying the smallest of cuts across Tenaya's arms. She danced around her, knowing her swordsmanship stood above Tenaya's skills.
"Just give up. I can do this all day." Ferta yelled.
Tenaya swung down with both hands, Ferta blocking the blade from striking. It wasn't meant to hit her. Ferta never saw the kick coming. Tenaya delivered a stiff kick to her stomach, sending the woman through the air. Her body rolled through the snow and mud, stopping a good ten paces from where Tenaya stood. She stalked the woman struggling on the ground. The sword dropped from her hand, not wanting to use it anymore. The fight came to a stop when the blackness engulfed everyone in the area.
Before their very eyes, Tenaya pulled the darkness towards her hands. The orb of magick swirled around her fingers, encompassing her hands in pure darkness. The mass started to grow, unlike the magick seen before in Skyrim, or Nirn. Black mist seeped around her arms as it continued to develop the orb, lightning crackled around its edges. A faint glow of orange flickered off the snow and darkness. The magic had a strange hum, resonating enough to move snow around them.
"What kind of magic is this?" Ferta yelled, seeing nothing like this, stepping backwards rapidly.
Tenaya lifted her hands over her head. The orb hovered over, lighting Tenaya with an orange glow, hum growing rapidly. Orange light pulsed out from it. A forceful wind moved everything around, snow blowing from the area. Ferta lifted her sword to strike Tenaya. Before it could inflict the deathly blow, Tenaya released the orb upon Ferta with a swift downward motion. Orange lightning surrounded both, light bursting outwards. Tenaya never moved, never feared the effects. The explosion sent a shockwave strong enough to knock everyone down, except Tenaya.
Ferta fell to the ground, armor smoking from the shot alone. Tenaya walked over, lifting her by the throat. The woman coughed with a moan at the movement.
"What are you?" Ferta asked, air barely moving through her throat.
"That is my gift from the Daedra."
Tenaya clamped down tight to the neck of Ferta, drinking Ferta's blood while using her own sword. Tenaya drove the sword deep into her chest. Ferta choked for a short time. She had to endure the feeling of the blood being sucked out of her body as the feeling of imminent death approached, the twisting pain of her own weapon, impaled her chest.
In the distance, Astronica watched on in shock, slowly giving way to a grin. This was the piece of Tenaya they needed. She saw a fight that no one else could bring. If Tenaya doubted Azura lived, her being able to bring the light forward with the darkness and capture it proved her wrong. She stood in awe, seeing Tenaya much different than the fight at the base of Azura's Shrine. Tenaya indeed was a Guardian of Moonshadow, seamlessly mastering something no one ever showed her. Not even Astronica had the strength to do this.
"Tenaya, Serana's alive!"
Tenaya looked up instantly, teeth unclamping from the woman's neck, the now dead body of Ferta having no meaning. She quickly threw Ferta to the ground like a rag doll, eyes opening wide to the news. Tenaya raced over to Serana's side, knelling by her body, still appearing lifeless. She lowered her head, listening to the air moving in and out of her lungs, the sound of a faint but very much alive heart beating. At the moment, she lost her ability to think straight. The world she knew felt like it crumbled away. She broke the bolt from her stomach, not daring to pull it out without some sort of fire or flame to seal the wound back up.
Without warning, an arrow whizzed by her head. Tenaya jumped up and looked at Dozan with his bow up, arms in the air with an arrow unleashed. A loud thud and clang of metal made Tenaya spin around quickly. The body of a Dawnguard soldier fell to the ground, an arrow sticking from the middle of his forehead, axe no longer in his grip. She spun around just as quickly to Dozan, who lowered his bow. He saved her life, and for what reason, she didn't know.
"Both of you saved my life. You are not the monster they said. I see it now." Dozan said.
Dozan dropped the bow end to the ground before taking raising his foot to snapit. What enchantments it contained trickled away with the broken weapon. Tenaya walked over to the young man standing before her. She extended her hand to give him the respect he deserved. He willingly accepted the gesture, a small smile stretching across his face.
"Maybe you could join us? We need every good person we can get." Tenaya offered.
"I am of no use to you. I believe I will return to my family in Windhelm." Dozan replied.
"My time is short, with Serana barely alive. At least let me repay you."
Dozan accepted the offer realizing he had no gold or anything of value with the bow snapped. The quiver of arrows wouldn't get him much gold at all, and the dagger was worth just as little. His armor brought some gold, but the attention of a vendor wanting to know where a Dawnguard uniform came from would make it difficult to get away from.
Tenaya picked Serana up and carried her without any objections. She walked in front of the group, leading them through the snowstorm, trying to stop their progress. The winds bit hard, sending chills down her spine. Serana shivered with the wind in much dire need of warmth. Tenaya set her down on the ground for only a moment, unclipping the cloak from her own body before wrapping it around Serana's body tightly. Tenaya stood up, her bare arms, face, and neck felt the chill much worse.
"You will freeze before we arrive," Ivy yelled, voice barely coming through the wind.
"Just keep up!" Tenaay yelled.
Everything Skyrim could muster went against Tenaya. Winds picked up with strength enough to slow the group to a crawl. Snow flew stronger the closer they came to Frostflow Lighthouse. Their steps inched up higher into the snow already on the ground. First, the knees, then the waist, everything tried to stop them. Tenaya pushed with everything she had, fighting to bitter cold, holding herself together for her Serana.
Lydia pulled the keys out from the small satchel. Her fingers barely gripped in the bitter cold with almost no feeling left. The key slipped in after much fumbling. Everyone rushed inside to the waiting fires, all shocked, seeing Matria and Grelka already there with food and flame. What might have been a joyful occasion never happened. Their eyes turned to Serana, hanging down from Tenaya's arms.
"What happened?" Matria asked, checking Serana.
"Dawnguard, a surprise attack. She still has the bolt in her stomach. I thought she died…" Tenaya replied, shaking from the freezing cold.
Matria lifted Serana from her arms with the assistance of Grelka. Neither had to endure the cold thanks to their travels before the storm hit. Lydia took off her cloak and walked directly to Tenaya. She wrapped the fur-lined cloak over the shoulders of Tenaya, pulling the sides across snugly. It wasn't as if Tenaya had much left covering her. The ordinarily pale skin looked reddened and black in places. An average person would be dead with frostbite.
"How you survived that in your underclothes is beyond me," Lydia said.
Tenaya didn't notice anything, her attention only on Serana. She didn't know how she failed her, or worse, failing the team so quickly. Doubt quickly crept into her thoughts again. She only started to accept everything and now, the one she needed most of all, she couldn't protect. Serana fought for her life because she wasn't strong enough. Tenaya doubted if she could ever be strong enough. The entire group looked to her and believed, but the very belief she needed was herself, and that belief didn't exist. One person in the group remained quiet throughout the entire trip, Dozan.
He managed to join them through this journey and, to this point, went unquestioned and undeterred. Things slowly changed when Tenaya realized he still came. In everything that happened, she forgot about him. Her entire being went to getting Serana here, as quickly as possible. She fought the cold, needing every bit of energy not to give in. Tenaya walked to Dozan wanting information.
"What the hell happened out there? You did save my life, but I want answers." Tenaya asked.
"We were told you were coming by some woman. She stopped and talked to Ferta, our captain. We were warned you would come to Whiterun and to patrol the outskirts. Two other parties were out there on the trails, one was wiped out randomly somehow. We found their bodies dead without a weapon being fired." Dozan explained.
Tenaya described Ysolda, imagining this was her handywork. The woman she once was no longer existed. It wouldn't be long before she managed to get out of jail in Whiterun, especially with her and Lydia requesting it, and the Companions insisting on her freedom. She added their group to a growing list of people after her or with problems. The list seemed to be never ending.
Serana's scream echoed off the lighthouse walls. Tenaya turned and ran to her side, not knowing what happened. Matria held the rest of the bolt, pulling it through the back to avoid any problems. Serana never opened her eyes or looked around. The scream came through sheer agony alone with the work being done. Matria did the caring, refusing all offers to assist, knowing a drop of her blood would turn any of them into a vampire.
"I will give you the gold if you want to go. You saved my life, and I am grateful. Right now, I really could use someone with your bow skills if I am ever going to make it through this alive." Tenaya said.
She took the opportunity to spell out the war coming and the battle raging. Hearing names like Molag Bal, Azura, Meridia, all the Daedra coming out, made the Dawnguard mission seem so petty. Vampires worked to save Tamriel and the rest of Nirn from the potential enslavement from Daedra. How were they as evil as everyone said? His convictions before with Isran were met with stiff lashes. Now, he walked free of those who held him down.
"If you speak the truth, I will remain with you and your friends. I will need a new bow at some point."
"We can make that happen."
Tenaya pulled Grelka to the side, wanting to know how everything went and where they were in the process. She took Tenaya down the steps to the lower level of the lighthouse. The quarry stones provided just a small enough area to bring the metals up to temperature and forge everything. With the ingots, they could melt them a lot easier over the forge with the hood she started to make.
The ingots sat in piles at their side. Tenaya counted the amount of each realizing they purchased way more than she could ever imagine. Tenaya wondered if they had any gold or jewels left. The response came as expected, very little. Grelka bought the more substantial quantities, taking everything the vendors had, not knowing how to forge this metal. She didn't want to run the risk of needing more or not having the right combination of metals to get the job done. Knowing how much armor needed to be made, this wouldn't be an easy process.
"It will get rather warm down here. We have almost no air movement, and it will be some tough forging. Once I finish this hood for the bellows, this place will cook." Grelka said.
"Just like the days we did the forging inside caves when we had to," Tenaya said, smiling.
"Let me get this hood done so we can melt and mix. Go check on your friend."
"We are much more than that Grelka…"
"I know, I saw the pain in your eyes. Talos protect her."
Grelka rested a hand on Tenaya's shoulder with those words. Tenaya ran up the steps to see Serana bandaged up, recovering, cozy by the fire. Lydia chose to remain at her side with Matria. Ivy and Dozan walked to the upper room. She seemed to enjoy having someone else around who was not a vampire. Matria went about her alchemy, sifting through everything they had to make sure she could get a potion together for Serana of high potency. Tenaya handed the cloak back to Lydia with a small thank you for the gesture.
Looking around, she knew all their lives rested on her shoulders. Tenaya returned to the basement, where Grelka worked the hood. Tenaya wasted no time starting to help her friend. Together, their hammers pounded the metal form over the makeshift anvil, that she picked up from the market. The hood grew bigger, metal thinning out and into the shape they desired. Both worked together to get everything just right for their fire pit.
Grelka wiped the sweat from her brow, feeling the newfound heat growing more and more intense with every pump of the bellows. Tenaya pushed air deeper, coals roaring up. Even the temperature in such a confined place made Grelka need to take a break. She bid her friend goodbye, knowing her own limits. For Tenaya, this was only the beginning. She had work to do and not enough time to worry about the heat. More than anything, she needs to forge a new sword.
"Looks like I am going back to malachite for this one," Tenaya said out loud.
Tenaya put the carved stone ladle over the orange coals, dropping in the first ingots wanting to get a perfect sword. The bellows blew the heat stronger. Sweat dripped from her arms and face while she continued to heat the metals. Tenaya grabbed the set of leather gloves to the side, sliding them on carefully. The metal inside glowed a dark purple, ready for the forge. With a heavy thud, the hot metal fell directly on the anvil.
Within minutes, Tenaya had the beginnings of her sword coming together. The sound of hammering vibrated off the walls. Tenaya worked her craft slowly. She calmed herself down, listening to the metal lead the way like she learned so long ago. Back and forth, fire to the anvil, Tenaya shaped the malachite before dropping the first piece of moonstone into the ladle.
The sword's edge began to take shape, different than the regular ones seen throughout Skyrim. She needed something different, and she knew it. His sword had spikes, ones capable of crippling anyone when they touched with the poison held inside. What she needed was something to withstand the brute force of the ebony without breaking. His armor stood another challenge. Daedric armor had few weaknesses.
Tenaya worked for hours on the new sword. Malachite formed its edges, moonstone acting as the glue to the hilt. This sword, her sword, wasn't like the rest of those she saw throughout Skyrim. Her sword had a little extra length to match Velatin's weapon of choice. The increased density of malachite added weight and made the balance much more onerous, but she looked on proud at the result. She had her sword for now. It wasn't the prettiest, the edges still jagged, without a grindstone. However, the balance felt perfect for her hand.
"Do you realize how long you have been doing this?" Grelka asked, seeing the sword.
"Not really. Maybe a couple hours?" Tenaya replied.
"Try morning. All of us went to sleep except for Matria, who watched over Serana."
Tenaya shook her head, running upstairs to see for herself. Did she genuinely get so caught up in the forging that she lost track of time? The sunlight peeking through the clouds on the horizon said it all. The familiar burning on her skin set in. She worked through the night without even realizing it. Tenaya shook her head before returning to Grelka. How did she manage to lose track of so much time?
"Interesting design. Why is it so top heavy?" Grelka asked with the sword moving through the air.
"I am bottom heavy in my hand. Look…"
Tenaya grabbed the sword, swinging it through the air in a few patterns. Grelka watched intently, seeing the balance in her hand perfect, slowly getting an idea.
"You said he uses ebony?"
"Yes. The spiked hilt also. The sword cut my elven in half without even trying. I saw nothing like it."
"If that is the case, his sword will cut this one down the same. Leave me the honor of getting you something to work. You can trust me Tenaya, I will not disappoint."
"Right now, I need the armor I told you about. Moonstone, quicksilver, and iron I used before. Adrianne said to remove the quicksilver and use malachite. When I thought about it, that gets me a glass armor variant."
Grelka scratched her head for a moment. During her travels with Tenaya and the Dragonborn, other options existed. She knew they needed something much more reliable and more durable. Tenaya wanted light armors, but perhaps a compromise would be to get her what she needed the most.
"Would you be willing to take a little extra weight? I know of an ancient recipe I can try. When we were in the temple and tomb of the dragons long ago, the Dragonborn pointed it out. It was malachite, moonstone, ebony, and dragonscale."
"What kind of recipe is that? The ebony wont blend with anything like that." Tenaya asked, wondering if Grelka drank too much wine.
"It will, Tenaya. It needs purified void salts."
"Are you nuts? We were told to avoid those kinds of things. You are talking black forging. I do not even have a clue how that stuff works or want to."
"I know how to make it work. Just let me worry about things. I haven't stopped my forging through the years."
Grelka walked up the steps to go and get the items she needed. Surely the College of Winterhold had the void salts she needed to make things work, and their trader had the ebony ingots. Tenaya had no clue how she would pull this one off, but she trusted in her friend. Grelka had a unique ability to forge even the craziest of things when they were out in Skyrim. Having someone as skilled as her would prove to be worth everything.
Tenaya checked on Serana, who rested by the flames. Serana opened her eyes for only a moment and gave the briefest of smiles. She looked weak. Matria stayed at her side, knowing how to bring her back to a much better state than anyone else. Tenaya gave her a kiss on the forehead where the cut sat. She wanted Serana to know she was there, just as she waited for her.
"Lydia is going with me. The roads seem less safe these days." Grelka said.
"Travel safe and come back quickly."
Tenaya returned to the basement, grabbing her sword. She swung it around to get a feel for her weapon of choice. Every swing brought a small adjustment to the blade until she had it perfect. It needed to move flawlessly.
She stepped back from the forge, moving the sword around in circles, cutting through the air. Tenaya stayed there, feeling the heat from the forge, practicing with the sword like the days of old. Her arm grew tired, only to flip the sword to her other hand and continue. Shadows danced across the wall, moving with the same grace Tenaya once had and started to regain. Her movements danced with fluidity, breathing slowing down as the world faded away.
Ivy came down the steps at some point with Tenaya not stopping. She watched Tenaya, almost mesmerized by the motions. In all her years, she never saw Tenaya focused like this. The time Tenaya saved her life with Serana didn't even compare. Tenaya never missed a beat with the roaring flames flaring from the coals. The slightest of air moving against the fire made them burn brighter, more potent, growing higher. The shadows continued their majestic dance with the flames lighting the way.
"Let her alone…" Matria said, pulling Ivy up the steps. She stopped and turned back, watching for a brief moment as well, seeing Tenaya tune out the world. Her focus only became mastering the weapon in her hands.
"Things are changing, aren't they?" Ivy asked, looking to Tenaya one last time.
"Very much so. Tenaya is finding herself, finally. If she can do this, Velatin stands no chance."
Not even the return of Grelka slowed Tenaya down. Grelka dropped everything she needed to the floor. Tenaya didn't budge as she kept the flow of her sword going. Her hand gracefully swung it down, no longer jagged in any movement. She swung around, jabbing pointedly, the simplest of moves now with a deadly spin on it. Grelka watched her for a moment, seeing her friend in such a trance. Tenaya continued, covered from head to toe in sweat, the floor was no long dry from the amount coming off her body. As the heat of the coal dried one speck on the ground, another had already fallen from her body.
"You might want to go to eat something before you pass out. I am sure even a vampire needs food."
Tenaya didn't answer. Grelka swore she started to move faster after hearing what she said. Tenaya moved as if she were a woman possessed. The fires of the forge reared up once again with Grelka going back to work. She started crafting the new armor she read about all those years ago. For Tenaya, she would figure it out. The woman before her deserved to live and be who she was. She would find a way to forge this armor for her friend, her forge sister.
Tenaya stared forward intently. The sword moved faster with each passing minute. The flames and heat brought endurance out she never knew she had. Her motions became more fluid. The sword moved with incredible precision, sliding up and down her hand, circling the air, swinging its point in a masterful dance.
She drove the sword into the dirt suddenly. Grelka looked up to her friend. Tenaya breathed heavily for a minute. Tenaya didn't relent, pulling the sword up again and started over. She would continue until her and the sword became one, both moving in the most majestic ways.
Tenaya would be the weapon she had to be.