Serana's eyes took notice of the other vampire's sullen face.
Her head downcast and her lips tight, she'd been holding a rock in her left hand that had sharp edges and dug into the skin of her palms. She found herself wincing at the woman's grip, there was no way that didn't hurt.
The nord could understand why Irina became so detached.
Her housecarl held prisoner by the Dawnguard. The pale woman had not been blind to the admiration in the elf's eyes, she had an inkling that Irina felt deeply for the woman and to hear the news of her imprisonment struck a chord.
Serana kept to herself while they rid together in the carriage, Irina needed her personal space and she did not peg Serana as the type of person who needed a person to vent to. The bosmer could stand on her own just fine, and if she needed comfort Serana would be more than happy to give some, but only if she needed it.
They were nearly to Solitude maybe another two hours at the least. The journey had been a hard one and it reflected on Irina's face, her cut probably bothered her the entire ride.
"You've not slept for most of the ride, Isn't that right?" Irina asked as smoothly as possible. Though her voice sounded harsh from not talking most of the day.
The pale woman raised her head to see Irina staring back at her, she managed a small smile at the thought of her worrying and shook her head, "no I haven't, but I wish I did. I'm just about to fall over and sleep."
The bosmer silently nodded. She gripped the rock tighter for a few more minutes until the pain became sharp enough for her to drop it with a soundless gasp. Serana winced at the sight and Irina sighed shakily, her eyebrows were creased and she looked so painfully sad.
Irina took in a deep breath and released it sharply. Serana cast her gaze away and even closed her eyes. As a way to give the woman her privacy to compose herself, the bosmer appreciated it more than Serana would realize.
Dragonborn, savior of tamriel, thane of whiterun... Irina had a great many titles. Her orange eyes fixed themselves onto the sky, it was night. A beautiful night. Stars littered the space above them and the moons were out, only a few clouds were in the sky and the moonlight caressing their form gave them a lovely color.
Irina knew her emotions were clouding her judgement. In the back of her mind she knew exactly what to do, she was to heal, and she was to save the woman from her captors. She could do this, but the problem that worried her mind was the fact that the woman was now frail and her body was at the mercy of her wardens.
With a silent mouthing of a curse, Irina placed her head in her hands and rubbed her temples.
She would not falter now. She needed to keep her head, and the first step to saving her friend was to treat her own wound. That would come first, and she would have time to ponder the rescue and how it would take place.
Yes.
She would make it so.
Once they made it to Solitude Irina paid their driver four times as much as she was supposed to. She knew with the civil war raging on that the poor nord wasn't getting enough travelers. Almost as if the man felt her graciousness, he offered her a smile. A warm one.
Irina felt a tugging in her chest.
She dismissed it and turned on her heel.
When they finally entered the city and into The Winking Skeever Irina rented a room and basically dropped fifty septims on the counter before heading for the second floor. Her lack of grace and courtesy was overlooked by the innkeep seeing how exhausted the woman was, nonetheless Serana quickly apologized for her and headed toward the stairs.
The inn was lively.
Irina could hear many noises from within the room.
She left the door open for Serana and sat by a circular table near the wall, she had taken off her helmet and inspected the armor with a distant look in her eye.
Mjoll the lioness was the one who had been her traveling companion when Irina acquired the armor. They both traveled around the perimeter of Solstheim for it, the enchantments placed on the armor were that of high standing. Irina herself would never be able to cast a spell anywhere near the caliber of the ones placed on the stalhrim.
What had they been doing on Solstheim...? Irina could hardly remember.
Miraak.
Orange orbs were wide with realization.
Lydia was a prisoner because she betrayed the Dawnguard, and Miraak was terrorizing Solstheim claiming Irina is a false dragonborn. His cultists haven't bothered her in the time she's left the mountain, they probably all returned to Solstheim. How could she have forgotten about someone as dangerous as he?
"Irina, what's on your mind?" Serana asked as she closed the door behind her. The nord looked genuinely concerned, and Irina could almost feel grateful for it had it not been for the memory of Miraak.
"A great many things, the Dawnguard aren't my only foe now. I have one more, and he is a great threat." Irina said.
"Another enemy...? Since when?" Serana asked. She strode toward the table and pulled a chair for herself, her eyes were focused on the elf and she looked a little too concerned.
"For many years. He claims me to be a false dragonborn, and used to send men after me to kill me... So much is coming back to me, hah. Three years absence and that's given me more than enough to worry about." Irina ran a hand through her hair. The movement made her shoulder sting and she lowered her arm because of the pain.
"One thing at a time. I know you'd much rather save your friend than worry about some fanatic." Serana said.
"Yes, yes. I know this, even still... It's overwhelming." Irina admitted with a dejected sigh.
"I could only imagine. But, before any of that... let me see your cut, I can cast a spell to keep your wound from worsening." The nord said.
Irina nodded, something to keep the wound as it was would be perfect. She made to remove her breastplate but winced in pain when she moved her arm, Celann had gotten her good.
The nord moved forward at seeing her struggle and undid her straps for her, delicate hands much larger than Irina's moved swiftly.
The bosmer mumbled a thanks and let out a small sigh when the stalhrim fell to the floor. Her armor was light but even having that miniscule weight off her shoulders eased her pain.
Irina didn't bother to keep her red long-sleeve from the inn since it soaked with blood in a short amount of time.
Bronze skin from the waist up was revealed, a flat toned stomach littered with scars that contrasted her skin. The front of her shoulder and to just the top of her breast was a thin but deadly cut. Her flesh was tender and the wound was hot, at least to Irina. Her skin burned actually, an irritating itching burn that took all her willpower to not claw at.
"The second time the Dawnguard have wounded you. You must think you're invincible don't you? You need more practice with harnessing your new vampiric powers, seeing you beat all the time is disheartening." Serana said. She placed her soft hands on the cut which caused Irina to grip the sides of her seat.
A warm glow came from her fingertips and light filled the cut. Irina's pain was soothed only slightly, but she found that her itch to scratch at herself went away.
"It's odd. To see you heal me. You are shrouded in darkness, and yet have a warm but aloof presence." Irina noted.
"I'm just good at magic, Irina. Having the ability to heal makes traveling easy." Serana said. Despite wanting to dismiss her comment entirely she found herself sporting a light blush at the mention of her presence feeling warm to the elf.
"That's also true." Irina said as she rose from her seat. She gave the nord a silent nod in thanks and proceeded to the bed, all her energy for words had left her.
Her mind was too preoccupied to notice Serana fanning her face.
For once, Serana had awoken before Irina had. Which didn't surprise the pale nord, the journey from Ivarstead to Solitude was a long one and it must have been emotionally taxing on the elf. In all those hours of travel, Irina hadn't spoken more than a few sentences at a time.
The nord slowly blinked and stared at the sleeping woman next to her.
She'd moved around in her sleep again for she was now lying on her back. Her light brown hair was skewed all around her face and stuck to the pillow beneath her, somehow though... she still looked very beautiful.
She had a look of youth that Serana could assume was nothing past twenty-two.
Her savior was certainly young wasn't she? The nord let out a small breath and shifted over to her side to face the bosmer. The breathing of the woman was gentle, and she almost looked peaceful had it not been for the slightest of frowns upon her countenance. The nord felt an urge to reach out and touch her face, to ease her expression.
Serana couldn't help but to feel the slightest bit indebted to the elf. She knew she shouldn't because their meeting was only chance but all the same, who else would have risked their life to go escort an enemy home?
While their situation was a peculiar one... Irina still showed some flake of kindness to her. That quality was rare to have, and during a time of war? People have been known to be the most selfish during periods of unrest.
Yet, here they were. Serana was curious as to what sort of past Irina had, she assumed one with loving parents and a solid foundation. Most people... people like herself tend to stray from the path of good and pureness to darker roads when their past was like Serana's.
At the same time, she could be just as wrong about Irina's life.
Irina could have had the same life that Serana did, no one else but Irina could say for certain.
The nord was being presumptuous of even attempting to analyze her. Why did it matter so much? Especially to Serana? She shook her head at herself and returned to lying on her back.
To feel gratitude for someone... Serana hasn't recalled the last time she ever felt fondness for anyone before. Her father's servants didn't count, whatever comes out of her mouth was the same as coming from her father's and they mostly kept to themselves anyhow. Had she ever had a friend before? No, she didn't think so.
By the blood... Serana swept black hair behind her ears and stretched her limbs, she turned her head to the window and caught the faintest hints of orange in the sky. It was past noon and going to be evening, were they asleep that long?
That won't do. The nord rested a hand atop the elf's shoulder and gently shook her, her light brown hair had fallen over her eyes as she did so.
A tiny little groan erupted from Irina's throat and Serana gave a half-smile, "Irina wake up, It's time to leave. The sun will set in a few hours... ah-"
The dovahkiin pushed herself up from the bed suddenly at registering the nord's words. "You said sunset?" Her voice was raspy from just having woken up.
"My goodness, there's no rush. You understand this right? We will be at the castle shortly, take your time." Serana asked with her arms crossed.
Irina gave her a weak glare but slowed herself down some.
Serana had done the kindess of talking to people inside the inn about the Dawnguard and what they knew about the organization. Irina on the other hand didn't care for information, she just wanted blood. She was fairly certain she could attain her revenge singlehandedly, she just needed to be prepared for it.
Nonetheless, Serana gathered bits and pieces of their influence in Solitude which was next to none.
The sun was unusually hot today.
It didn't bother the bosmer too much though, Irina had decided to feed while Serana asked about for information.
She snuck into Proudspire manor to feed on a servant, something quick and easy. There had been none to be found, she did find her husband though. Erikur sat fast asleep in his office, the man was slumped over his desk with a quill in his thick fingers and one arm used as a pillow.
Irina had drank from him but gently. He tasted sweet but also rich with flavor, she couldn't place it.
Irina slipped out just as easily as she had came and met with Serana outside the inn. The pair went around the bend of Solitude and past the docks, they walked past the lighthouse when Serana spoke to ease her nerves "only about fifteen more minutes till we reach the jetty. Then the castle and we can report about what happened."
"We'd best hurry then." Irina responded. The nord remained silent and they trekked forward once more.
Upon reaching the boat the elf looked mildly surprised when Serana had knelt down to untie the rope that held the jetty in place.
Serana untied the boat from the dock before saying with her eyes looking up into the elf's "Irina... she'll be alright. I doubt they'd do anything further than question her about you. They must follow some code if their job is to hunt vampires."
The dragonborn looked down to the nord who stared back up at her, Irina shook her head slowly and reached out her hand for Serana to take. She was trying to reassure her, and the gesture itself was appreciated but Irina knew that wouldn't be the case.
Hesitantly, the nord slipped her delicate hand into the elf's and let out a small sound when she was hoisted up to her feet almost effortlessly. Irina released her hand and responded "I want to think the same as you, I do. But, I know how twisted a man or woman can be. I am also aware of how easily people turn a blind eye to things of wicked nature."
"Serana. If she lost her child, I would never forgive myself for the danger I placed on her." Irina said.
"I know she means so much to you-"
"She means everything to me." Irina said with a pained expression.
Upon arriving on the island Irina looked at the castle in silent admiration, she still couldn't believe that no adventurer had bothered to step foot near the structure. Had she been given a boat she'd have found this island long ago. Although she probably wouldn't have lived to tell of the vampires residing inside.
Serana's hand on her shoulder snapped her out of her trance and she glanced up to see the undead nord's face, "You're spacing out on me. We need to explain to my father of where we've been the past couple days, put his mind at ease- somewhat."
The thought of explaining herself to Harkon sent an uneasy chill down her spine. Nonetheless she swallowed her pride and followed behind the nord with a smooth and compliant "yes, of course"
As they walked side by side to the castle, the nord snuck glances out to the bosmer. She wore her emotions right on her sleeve, her brows were furrowed just slightly and the trenches under her eyes were prominent. Her lips had curled downward into a mean frown and if someone lacked the common sense to approach her then Serana would be sure Irina would cut their hand off.
The elf peered at her questioningly.
Something Irina hadn't noticed before gathered her attention. The nord's eyes shone golden with a reddish hue in the center.
Irina and the rest of the vampires had eyes colored orange with a dulled yellow.
With the exception of Harkon, his eyes were more like Serana's if not even more deadly.
They both remained silent and Serana let her focus shift to their front. As they entered the stone castle, the two women walked past the main hall and all It's regular diners. Irina felt eyes follow them but she ignored it, her expression doing her some good since she could not stomach the thought of conversation after Harkon.
"I can report for us, it shouldn't take two people. I also want to ask him a few questions, just to see where he thinks my loyalties lie." Irina said to the nord. They both stood outside his chambers and Serana crossed her arms over her chest, she scanned the dovahkiin up and down before she nodded in agreement.
As she walked back to her own chambers, the nord turned back to face the bosmer and said "be sure to mind your cut when you're finished."
Irina nodded and with a half-smile and turned to knock on the door.
She waited a few seconds before entering herself and was hit by a wave of warmth coming from his fireplace. It felt nice, considering the rest of the castle was as cold as the outside of Skyrim.
Harkon was sitting beside the fire in a throne, he looked up from the burning embers to Irina who was approached him calmly. The nord settled himself in his chair and waited for her to stand in front of him, Harkon's skin and eyes looked different with the fire illuminating them, he looked more...fierce.
Irina found herself walking quicker to stand in front of him.
"I see you've returned, I hadn't realized you left with Serana until Garan had informed me" Irina ran a hand through her hair before answering, "yes, as I made to leave she wanted to come with me to do a couple of...errands, shall we call it" the man scratched his beard with a smirk as if he knew something the bosmer didn't, and Irina wondered why.
"Yes of course, Serana's youth was spent shut up in this castle... Her seeking to be outside doesn't surprise me, anyway... I'm glad that you came to me because I needed to speak with you" Irina blinked a few times in surprise.
"Might I ask what you need to speak to me about?" he smiled and stood from his throne, "in a minute, would you like a drink?"
"Of course, what do you have?" Harkon chuckled lightly at the sound of excitement behind her voice.
He procured two goblets and something small, it looked to be a metal.
He tossed her a goblet from across the room and smirked when she caught it effortlessly. He moved to some cabinet and pulled out a wine bottle, it had a label that she couldn't quite make out but as he returned to his throne she made out 'Firebrand Wine'
"A fine choice of drink." Irina commented.
"I hadn't seen any drink around here, does the majority of this castle not partake?" the dovahkiin asked as she reached out her goblet, Harkon had motioned for her to do so, so he could pour the wine.
Harkon listened with a passive face "That's something I hadn't bothered to ask about. Irina... Before I ask anything of you, I'm going to need you to trust me."
The elf tilted her head to the side with confusion, did he already suspect her of something? As he poured her drink with the grace only a noble could muster his eyes locked onto hers. It was as if he had timed it perfectly because he lifted the tip of the bottle so none spilled, "do you feel as if as though...I trust you, Irina?"
"Serana had mentioned that you had an assignment to test my loyalty but I was unconscious, so if I am to be honest...my instincts tell me that you don't." the dovahkiin drank the rest of her wine swiftly and made a little sound at the burning sensation in her throat.
Harkon leaned forward to pour her another goblet full, to which she gratefully accepted.
"You're not wrong, see I don't doubt your abilities and the simple fact that you survived being given my blood speaks volumes on that. I prefer to earn the trust of my subjects rather than forcefully taking it, I've found that that method lasts longer."
"There are some things I've wanted to speak with you about" Irina responded taking a cautious sip of her wine, the mood in the room had been changed by Harkon with his choice of words and if Irina had been born without wits then she would have missed the subtle traces of a threat.
"I want to trust you but in order for that to happen I need yours in return" he spoke with an aura of intimidation.
"So, ask me and I will share what I can." He added in a slightly gentler tone but still firm enough to make his point.
Irina thought about it for a little bit, and swished her wine around in her cup before taking a sip and humming in content. Serana hadn't given her an answer on why she was buried with her elder scroll yet, perhaps she could get some answers from her father instead.
"When you greeted Serana, it sounded like you hadn't seen her in a long time."
Harkon scratched his beard once more before taking a deep long drink of his wine. He cleared his throat before answering "Serana and her mother disappeared long ago, I commanded every vampire in the court to look for them, but after centuries of searching without success, I lost hope...In my heart, I know it was my wife, Valerica, who took my beloved daughter from me. If I ever see her again she will pay most dearly for that betrayal" he spoke with a venomous tone.
"What else would you like to know?" Irina found herself drinking the rest of her wine before asking "I heard you mention Serana's mother. What happened to her?"
"Her name was Valerica, she has been gone for so long now I can only assume she has left this world, one way or another...I will say only we did not part on good terms... anything else?" he asked her before taking another drink from his goblet.
"No, my lord. That answers some things."
"Now, as you know vampires are powerful, but we have our limits, our great enemy is the sun, and until recently it's an enemy we've had no way to fight."
Until recently? What had changed?
"For centuries I searched for an answer to this problem. I found an old prophecy written by a moth priest, those scholars who read the elder scrolls...The prophecy tells of a time in which vampires will gain power over the sun, and will no longer fear it's tyranny. I believe the secret to unraveling that prophecy is written in Serana's elder scroll...I have ordered the court to assemble, I have a new task for us all to carry out and that includes you"
Irina nodded and took a sip of her wine.
"As you command." she said.
Harkon looked pleased and nodded.
"You are dismissed, Irina." he said with a wave of his hand.
She gave a curt bow and excused herself out of his chambers. As she shut the door behind her she let out a small sigh of relief before walking away from the accursed door. What was she to make of what Harkon said? Serana was buried with an elder scroll because of her mother...? He made sure to leave out the reason why and Irina hadn't thought it her place to ask herself.
Her feet brought her to the castle's forge, she hadn't the slightest clue as to why. She just needed to be as far from Harkon as she could and the forge happened to be on the other side of the castle.
"Greetings, you must be Irina... the new wood elf." came a sharp voice.
A nord with light brown hair was standing by a grindstone. She held a dwarven sword in her right hand and casually twirled the blade about, she looked a bit older... but her spirit was youthful. One could see it in her eyes and her demeanor.
"Yes, I'm new... Are you the forgemaster?" the bosmer asked nonchalantly.
The nord shook her head into a 'no' and took a seat at the grindstone that was behind her, "I am not. Hestla is the forgemaster, the woman knows her way around the flames better than any of us."
The mysterious woman began to peddle the grindstone and gently set her blade flatly against the stone. Sparks flew in every direction and a grin etched its way upon her face, "you haven't even asked me my name, and I know yours...doesn't that seem odd to you?" the nord asked her not once looking up from her weapon.
Irina scratched the back of her head sheepishly "my apologies, what is your name then?"
The woman stopped herself on the grindstone and inspected her sword with satisfaction. The nord gave the sword a few swings, it was a fine blade made from dwarven metal. Most dwarven blades were deadly, their battle axes in particular. But this sword specifically stood out for its sharpness that the naked eye can see, if someone was stabbed with that there would be no hope for them.
"Fura Bloodmouth, would you like to train with me?" she asked with a half-smile.
"Certainly, that's a rather forthright request...-" Irina began but she was cut off by the woman's excitment.
"Excellent! I knew I liked something about you, let's begin now."