The air high above was like ice, but it didn't bother her. The steady beating of Odahviing's wings through the wind was like music to her ears. Odahviing could hear Azriel's laughter. "How long will it take to get there?" Azriel asked loudly.
"Only a couple of hours." Odahviing responded.
She laughed harder, "Good, then we have time!"
She stood carefully on the back of his neck and he laughed. "Your addiction runs deep!" The mirth was apparent in the dragon's voice.
Azriel jumped, spreading her arms and legs in the air. The wind rushed up under her as she fell though the sky.
The feeling was amazing and her laughter pierced the sky.
Odahviing turned in the air and dove. Matching her decent, he placed himself beside her. She moved her body so she could catch his spikes with her hands. The ground was rushing up from below them as she fell. She was absolutely confident in her landing and he had never failed to catch up to her. They had done this hundreds of times before. Their bodies connected lightly and she wrapped her fingers tightly around his spikes and pulled herself onto his neck. Odahviing pulled out of his dive and skimmed the tree tops as they continued their flight.
They landed in a clearing in the woods a short distance from Riften and said their goodbyes. Azriel walked in the early light, only stopping long enough to put on her wolf skin cloak and pull the hood over her head. She walked to the guardhouse outside the city to get directions.
A solitary guard stood looking bored outside the tower next to a small fire. She approached the woman for directions. "Hello." Azriel called softly.
"Halt, by order of the Jarl." The female guard said suddenly stiffening.
"Is there a problem?" Azriel asked.
"Remove your hood please." The guard asked.
Azriel pulled off her hood and the guard drew her sword. "Dragonborn, by order of the Jarl, you are under arrest."
Azriel smiled. "I don't have time for this. I'll tell you what, I slip you some gold and you never saw me. I don't get delayed and you get richer."
The guard looked interested. "How much gold?"
"You don't say a word for 250 septims and I get my directions and leave. No hassle to you, since you never saw me." Azriel replied.
"Deal, but be quick. The others will be back soon." The guard responded in a hushed tone.
Azriel pulled the gold from her ruck sack along with her map. "I'm trying to find the Dawnguard. Where are they?"
"In a fort East of here." The guard hastily marked her map and snatched the gold out of her hands. Her eyes softened as she looked back up to Azriel. "Dragonborn, there's an order issued for your arrest throughout the Province. Jarl Ulfric wants you brought to Windhelm."
"But, they don't pay you enough to get killed." Azriel finished with surly smile. She turned, leaving before the guard could think about what she had just said.
Her feet crunching though the snow, Azriel walked through the crag in between the mountains following the path. It had taken her a day to walk the distance between Riften and this canyon. She was tired and cranky from the trip, mostly because she hadn't really slept well. Her dreams haunted her.
She approached a small lake being fed by a huge waterfall. As her eyes searched the scenery, she saw a very young Nord man sitting next to the lake on a boulder. He jumped to his feet, "Are you here to join the Dawnguard too?" Azriel nodded in affirmation at the nervous young man. He laughed anxiously, "Truth is I'm a little nervous. I've never done anything like this before. Do you mind if I walk up there with you?"
Azriel rolled her eyes. "For fuck sakes, let's just go." She was already annoyed by him. She started walking away and the young man ran to catch up to her.
"Hey … uh … please don't tell Isran I was afraid to meet him by myself. Not the best impression for a new vampire hunter, I guess." He mumbled at her.
Azriel kept walking trying to ignore him. "I'm Agmaer. What's your name?" She stopped dead in her tracks and turned on the boy.
"My name is Azriel. Now shut up and walk." Her patience had run out. It wasn't really his fault, but nervous chatter to fill silence pissed her off. And she was already in a foul mood.
"By the Nine! You're the Dragonborn?!"
Azriel rolled her eyes and increased her pace. The boy was talking away behind her. "That's the fort? It's bigger than I thought it would be!" He rattled on, "Wow, look at this place! It's huge!"
Akatosh, give me strength not kill this moron.
The pathway was deserted under the enormous tower. Everything looked abandoned. There wasn't anyone around standing watch or patrolling the area. Not exactly impressive.
They rounded the bend under the tower and siting on a stack of fire wood was an Orc fixing … something. Azriel kept walking and Agmaer kept up his nervous babble not even stopping to breathe. She walked over to the Orc who looked up at her. "Looks like we got some new recruits. You'll want to go up to the fort. Isran is inside."
Agmaer was too excited not to ask, "What is that you are fixing?"
The Orc eyed the uneasy boy. "It's a crossbow. It's a Dawnguard specialty." The Orc looked from the boy to Azriel. "Want to give it a try?" His question directed at Azriel.
"How do you use it?" Azriel asked looking at the crossbow in his hands.
"I'll show you." The Orc gave them a demonstration and Agmaer was nearly jumping with joy.
"No thanks," Azriel said to the Orc, "it looks rather slow. I prefer mine."
The Orc shrugged his shoulders at her. "Suit yourself. Like I said, Isran is inside the fort."
Azriel nodded in thanks and continued her walk up to the main fortress. The steps were empty, so she pushed open the doors and let herself in. She walked inside alone and heard two men talking in the first room. Their voices echoed lowly in the round space of the room. The larger of the two was a Redgaurd, who's slow drawl stuck her with the sense of a man who'd see a lot in his days. She waited patiently while the two finished their conversation. The Vigilant tossed her a glance during their argument. Did he just say the Vigilants were dead?
When they had finished their discussion the Redguard looked at her. "Who are you? What do you want?"
"I want to join. I heard you were looking for vampire hunters. I assume you're Isran?" Azriel said simply.
"Yeah, that's right. I'm glad word starting to get around. That means the vampires will start to notice soon as well." Isran said.
"What can I do to help?"
"What's your name kid?" Isran asked while motioning for her to follow him.
"Azriel."
Isran looked at her again. "So, the elusive Dragonborn, eh? Glad to meet you and welcome to the fight. Damned vampires are on the rise and no one seems to care."
They walked over to some hay bales where a map was. "So you want to help? I need people in the field taking the fight to the vampires."
Azriel nodded, "Alright, tell me everything you know about these attacks. Where are the vampires coming from?"
"I wish we knew that." Isran said. He paused pulling the map over so they both could look at it. "Tolan was telling me about some cave the Vigilants were poking around in." He pointed to the location of the cave and Azriel pulled her map out of her ruck sack to mark the location. "Here. He seems to think it's related to the attacks. Something to do with a 'long lost vampire artifact'. Personally, I don't care. I just want to know where these bloodsuckers are coming from and kill them."
"What do you want me to do?" Azriel asked.
"Go to Dimhollow Crypt, figure out what they are doing. Kill as many of those leeches as you can. Then get yourself back to Fort Dawnguard and report to me."
"I'll leave now." Azriel said.
"Feel free to poke around. Take whatever you need before you leave."
Azriel turned to leave the fort. "Thanks, but I'm good. I'll see you soon."
Azriel made it as far as the woods outside of Riften. I am not walking all the way back. I hope he hasn't gone far.
"OD AH VIING!" Her Thu'um rung out.
Seconds passed until she heard the familiar sound of his rumbling voice greeting her from the sky. A couple of minutes later, they were back in the air flying Northwest towards the crypt.
She had walked that area before and knew of a Watcher Stone nearby. That was their destination. The trip would only take a couple of hours with him.
Their trips together were always so much more fun when they would scare mammoths, skim the tree tops, or hunt. They made it a point to never miss an opportunity. Odahviing had become much more carefree than when she first met him. His sense of humor had developed and he'd become very laid back. He was as protective of her as she was of him. Odahviing was a brother and she treated him like one.
"Land over there!" she yelled out pointing. It always made her sad when they landed. The trips always ended too quickly for her.
Surrounding the Lord Stone were the bodies of dead bandits. Odahviing sat quietly as she looked at each of the corpses. Every single one had been drained of blood and their emaciated corpses lay frozen in the snow. She salvaged what she could from them.
"Sosnaakhe, Ahziial. Tread carefully." His hushed voice was full of warning.
"I will. Listen for me and stay close. I will call you soon," she said with a smile.
"I will wait, Briinah."
Azriel hiked up the steep incline and looked over the edge. There are torches down there. Finding trouble wasn't difficult for her and neither was traversing down the steep mountain rock.
She made her way down and leapt down the last rock onto the ground looking at the stairs. This place smells like death. Definitely the right place. She drew Silnaak and quietly slipped inside.
Azriel could hear the whispers from up ahead. Their voices echoed from deep within. They were discussing the Vigilants. She crept forward, placing an arrow in the string. Her feet moved soundlessly across the snow covered rock as she padded lightly towards the voices.
The stone pillars and rock overhangs were cut through by a large stream, which divided the cavern. She worked her way around through the creek, coming up on the other side. She saw the two vampires who were caught up in their conversation. She pulled the bow string back, letting the arrow fly. It pierced the speaking male vampire through the throat from behind. The second vampire, a woman, jumped in surprise at the kill.
She started searching for the assailant firing the arrows. The vampire ran the length of the overhang in front of a large steel gate looking for Azriel. She stepped down onto a lower boulder as an arrow pierced her through the side. Stumbling backward with a shriek, the vampire launched a volley of ice spikes in all directions hoping to frighten her attacker. Azriel smiled from behind the small pillar and freed another arrow into the woman's chest. The vampire took a shaky step forward, staring down at the arrow in her heart and collapsed.
Azriel searched the main cave and found multiple bodies of Vigilants and a few unfortunate villagers scattered throughout the chamber. A small antechamber with a chain activating the gate was tucked neatly in a corner of the main room.
Azriel pulled the chain and went through the gate, following the tunnel into the ancient Nordic burial chamber. Her bow eliminated the vampire guard and her skeletal servants from afar. Azriel methodically worked her way through the vast Nordic crypt, killing the vampires and Draugr within.
Hours had passed by the time she worked her way to a timeworn wooden door, its design different from the rest of the old ruins. She pushed it open and walked into a room the likes of which she had never seen before. The design of the ancient ruins was amazingly different from the old Nordic burial chambers. How old is this place?
Azriel quietly searched the small chamber that overlooked an immense cavern with more of the strange architecture. From below, she could hear people talking. She heard a man scream followed by laughter.
Azriel crept slowly to the overlook pulling her bow. From where she was perched, she saw three vampires talking amongst themselves. She couldn't make out what they were saying, so she quickly scoured the area below. She saw the body of another Vigilant, this time the kill was fresh. It must have been him that I heard scream.
She watched as the vampires started to cross a long bridge to an odd structure in the center of the enormous cave. The cave was so large that she could only see the other side due to her enhanced vision.
One of the vampires had stopped at the beginning of the bridge. Azriel placed a dragonbone arrow on the string and drew back, taking a breath. She released the arrow and it made its mark through the skull of the vampire. The vampire crumpled to the ground without a sound.
The other two vampires didn't notice their companion's death. Azriel put another arrow onto the string. The vampires were on the strange structure, talking. She quickly went down the stairs on the right side of the overlook, and made her way to the bridge. Azriel watched the two vampires talk in the distance, but they were still too far away for her to hear them.
She snuck closer with her bowstring pulled back, waiting to take a shot. Finally, an opportunity opened when one of the vampires turned to walk towards the bridge. As the vampire stepped onto the bridge she let the arrow fly. It ripped through his chest where his heart was. The look of surprise etched into face as he disintegrated to ash made her smirk devilishly.
Azriel quickly placed another arrow on the bow and quietly crossed the bridge. She was watching the last vampire pace around the center of the structure, irritated. His mumblings were meaningless as they reached her ears. Azriel realized he was looking at the floor and still hadn't noticed his fallen comrades. What are they looking for?
She drew back on the bow again waiting for the vampire's next move. He was pacing the carved out floor in a circular motion. I need answers.
Aiming for his leg, she let go of another arrow and it made its mark in the vampire's thigh. He screamed and fell to the floor. She placed her bow on her back and stood up. Fire engulfed her hands and tendrils of flames wrapped their way up to her elbows as she walked towards the wounded vampire. The vampire spat at her. He threw icy shards at her which she easily avoided. The vampire's eyes grew wide as the flames began to surround Azriel. In less than a few seconds, she was surrounded by a whirlwind of searing flames which lashed out like an inferno.
The heat from the blaze scorched the smooth stone she was walking on, leaving a blackened trail in her wake. The vampire's desperate pleas were only met by her laughter as she drew her sword. Flames poured off of her in a fluid motion, spilling onto the floor and encircling her and the vampire. The intensity of the heat made the vampire scream.
"Please, gods don't! Please!" She thrust Jusk into the shoulder of the vampire, his agonized wails filled her ears as she pinned him to the floor. "Tell me everything about this place or you'll burn slowly."
"I don't know anything, I swear!"
Azriel twisted the sword in his shoulder, causing him to scream louder.
"Why are you here?" She growled, allowing her canines to extend.
The vampire was grasping at her, trying to relieve the pain in his shoulder. "We were sent here to find an ancient artifact by our Lord. But I don't know what it is."
She looked around at the unlit braziers and the pattern on the floor. "What is this structure?"
"I don't know. I was trying to figure it out." She twisted the blade again causing him to cry out.
"I think you do know."
"Gods! Please! I don't know."
Keeping her right hand firmly on the hilt of the sword, she kicked the vampire off of the blade. His shrieks were immediate. She looked from the vampire to the floor again. "I'm feeling generous. I like the way you cry like a little girl, so I'm going to keep you alive. After all, you may prove to be useful to me." She cracked the vampire on the skull with the hilt of her sword, knocking him unconscious. The flames instantly died out as she walked through them.
She walked around for a few minutes and looked at the construction of the place, taking it all in. It's a puzzle. There was a small stone pillar in the very center of the edifice. She walked up to it noticing the grooves carved into the rock and running down the insides of rounded top. This is going to suck.
Azriel placed her left hand on top of the pillar and pushed down. A large spike tore through the middle of her hand. She gritted her teeth and cursed as the spike retracted. Her blood flowed down the groves and disappeared. Purple flames lit around the construct, rising up from the floor.
Azriel turned around the structure looking from the flames to the braziers. She walked to the one close to her and pushed it. The flames followed the grooves in the floor and lit the brazier. The flames moved around the floor ending in different places. She laughed out loud. "I knew it was a puzzle."
She walked around, pushing the braziers into position. When she had the last one in place the floor began to shake. The central pillar lifted and a large stone monolith extended upward.
She looked back at the unconscious body of the vampire a few feet away. Azriel paced around the monolith looking at it. Engraved on a face of it was the faint outline of a hand. She hesitated for a moment as she stepped close and then placed her hand onto the symbol.
The stone face slowly slid down, revealing a woman inside. Azriel backed away, readying her sword. She almost tripped over the unconscious vampire as she did so. She placed him between herself and the woman.
What the fuck is this?
The woman dropped from the sarcophagus, her eyes already beginning to open. She was coughing and gasping, her hand fled to her throat as she choked.
Serana's body racked as she coughed. The burning thirst within her was incredible. She tried desperately to reign herself in enough to gather her bearings. She was finally free from her prison, but she was confused as to why. Her senses were ravaged by her surroundings. Serana managed to look up and saw golden eyes stare down at her. She took in the mortal's appearance as the young woman summoned fire around her.
Serana couldn't help but laugh while she continued to cough. She could hear the young woman's heart beating in her chest and she allowed herself a moment to gather herself before she talked. "Do you honestly think that will deter me?" Serana's voice was harsh and sounded scratchy even to her own ears.
"Thirsty?" The young woman asked. "Here," and she kicked an unconscious body towards her.
His smell hit Serana like a hammer. He was a half-blooded vampire. She looked down at the gift and gave in to her blinding thirst. When she had finished, Serana rocked back to sit with her eye's closed, allowing the blood to revive her a little more. The young woman hadn't made a single move towards her nor had she said anything further. Serana could feel the young woman's eyes as they watched her through her blaze.
Serana opened her eyes to look at the young woman from where she sat on the floor. She had never seen anyone that looked like this girl. Her appearance puzzled her, but it also intrigued her.
The young woman's red hair was long and almost to her elbows in length. It was sweaty and covered the left half of her face. The woman's skin was brown in color, yet it seemed to have golden tones to it. Serana wasn't sure if it was the fire's glow that made it appear that way or not. The young woman's eyes, or at least the one she could see, were as golden as the sun. They burned with such intensity it slightly unnerved Serana as the girl watched her in silence.
She looked at it as the woman stood like a statue, the flames surrounding her and licked at her as if she couldn't feel the immense heat it was generating. It added to the eeriness that surrounded her. The orange glow lit her face making her hair seem as though it were part of the fire.
The armor she wore was unusual too. Under the coating of blood, dirt, and cobwebs, the young woman's black armor looked like lizard scales. Her cuirass was short, buckling on the sides. Both her cuirass and gauntlets which looked as if they were made of ... Are those Dragon scales? Serana looked at it harder as the girl stood in place. Her black pants were some type of leather with the same scales as grieves. Her boots were thick black leather and steel. The woman's armor hugged her body and Serana could see her muscles moving beneath it.
She looked back into the woman's face. The young woman's eyes held an edge to them. She wasn't just a simple warrior or adventurer. There was something in those eyes that said the young woman was powerful to Serana. This mortal is intriguing. She allowed herself to smile.
The young woman in front of her simply watched in continued silence. The mortal's pulse was even. Serana could almost not hear her breathe. She was motionless as Serana looked at her, drinking her in.
Serana tried to guess her age. She was definitely young, but her eyes were completely different. They weren't the eyes of a young girl. They were something altogether different. The woman was quite unusual looking and her appearance was very striking. The girl's mystery made her more stunning to Serana.
"You are not who I was expecting." Serana said suddenly. If her voice caught the woman off guard, she didn't show it. Serana stood, taking a shaky step backward and leaned against the sarcophagus. She noticed the woman made the slightest of movements to tighten her grip on her sword. The blaze surrounding her seemed to pulse outward slightly.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you. I hope you aren't still thirsty. That will make things … um … awkward." The young woman's voice was quiet yet resonated with a kind of force.
Serana laughed and closed her eyes again. "Yes and no." She opened them when she heard the young woman sheath her sword. The fire was gone.
"Good. Then we can talk." The girl looked at her, then raised an eyebrow at her. "Are you alright?" there was concern in the girl's voice, yet there was taciturnity in her eyes that made her distant. It made Serana chuckle. "Trusting, aren't you?" Serana asked sarcastically.
"Not really." The girl answered after a moment. "So are you alright or not?"
Serana pushed herself off the stone and stumbled forward. The girl reacted immediately by stepping forward, but stopped. Serana shook her head, "Apparently not."
"How long have you been in there?" The girl asked gently. Serana couldn't place the girl's accent and it bothered her.
"I'm not sure, but it feels like a long time." Serana answered as she gathered herself. The girls gaze scrutinized her every movement. Her short answers and air of silence was unnerving to Serana.
"Who is the High King?" Serana finally asked.
The girl shook her head, "The High King is dead."
Serana looked at her and continued, "Has the moot been held to select a new one?"
Again the girl shook her head, "No. The war has prevented the moot. Until one side wins, I doubt there will be a moot."
Lovely. "Another war, huh? Well at least Skyrim hasn't gotten boring. Who are the contenders?"
"Ulfric Stormcloak, Jarl of Eastmarch and Elisif the Fair. She's the Jarl of Haafingar."
"Who? I don't know either of those names." Serana said confused.
"Ulfric is an ass and leads the rebellion. Elisif is kind, but young and very naive. Her husband was High King until Ulfric murdered him." The girl said simply.
"Rebellion? What rebellion?" Serana was very confused.
"The rebellion against the Empire…"
"What Empire?"
The girl was looking at her, Serana could tell she was trying to gauge whether or not Serana was serious. "The Empire … from Cyrodiil."
"Cyrodiil is the seat of an Empire?" Serana asked shaking her head. "What year is it?"
"Yeah it is and it's the fourth era, the two hundred and fourth year." The girl said softly.
Serana slid down the stone sarcophagus. So much time had passed. Her head was spinning. She looked back at the young woman at a loss for words.
"Are you alright?" The woman asked her again.
Serana wasn't so sure. "I don't know." She answered honestly. She was staring at the floor trying to comprehend how much time had passed. The young woman made no further movements toward her so she felt safe sitting where she was. The girl's silence was almost deafening in Serana's ears.
"Who sent you here?" Serana finally asked after a few minutes still looking at the floor.
She heard the young woman sigh, "A man named Isran."
Serana looked back up into the girl's eyes and searched through them for answers. She didn't know that name either. "Why?"
"The short story is Vampires have been attacking throughout the Province. We knew they were here, so I came to investigate. You ate the one I was holding on to. But, it's not a really loss. He was a whiney little bitch."
"So you're a vampire hunter then? The irony isn't lost on me." Serana said with a small smile.
The young woman mouth slowly slid into a smirk. "Not really. But, I'd doubt you'd believe me if I told you anything else."
Serana looked closer at the girl. She's not a vampire, that one's obvious. But, something about her put Serana on edge. It wasn't just her detachment, but there was something else. Something very dark and powerful about this girl. She couldn't figure it out. "How are you 'not really a vampire hunter' if you came all this way to find out why vampires are attacking in Skyrim?"
The girl's smirk grew into a wolfish grin. "I have my reasons. Like I said, I doubt you'd actually believe me," she paused. "How long have you been in that box?" The girl's eyes locked on to Serana's and held her in her intense gaze. "And why do you have an Elder Scroll?"
Serana's defensive reaction was immediate. "I don't know and it's none of your business."
The girl rolled her eyes. "I get sent into a vampire death camp to find what they're looking for … and find a woman trapped in a box that happens to have an Elder Scroll. The irony isn't lost on me."
Serana chuckled again. This dragon has teeth. The girl's sarcasm oozed from her very pores. She watched the woman look around and decided to try standing again. She felt a little better, but was still a little dizzy. She noticed the woman watch her stand from the corner of her eye.
"So you're not as trusting as I thought." Serana said jokingly.
The girl turned and looked at her. "Zu'u ni hinskaal." She mumbled.
Serana narrowed her eyes, "No one said you were."
The young woman's mouth fell open. "You understood that?"
"Geh." Serana answered simply. The smile crept back onto her face. Something finally made sense to her.
The young woman stepped forward a few paces, her face looked shocked. "How do you know that language?"
Serana smiled and then the woman's scent hit her. It was the smell of fire, sweat, and animal. She's a fucking Werewolf! Serana thought as she backed away. The smell of fire was so strong in the girl's blood, Serana had missed it.
The girl froze. Her hand slowly moved toward her blade. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"You are a werewolf." Serana said with a hiss.
The girl laughed, "You just now noticed? I thought vampires were supposed to have acute senses?"
Serana wasn't laughing. She felt her foot touch the sarcophagus again. Werewolves were to be hunted and destroyed. According to everything she had ever learned, they were mindless ravages that killed everything, including vampires. Every fiber of Serana's being told her to kill the girl.
The woman spoke gently, "Relax, I'm obviously not going to hurt you. It's not like I lose control and wolf out on people."
People. The word caught in Serana's mind. Somehow that single word made her relax slightly.
"I'm sorry. I guess I should have announced it or something." The girl said with a small smile.
Serana let out a breath and slid back down the smooth stone. This is all too much. Serana ran her hands through her dusty hair before speaking. "No. I'm sorry. It just surprised me. Normally, I could have smelled you from a mile away. But, I didn't. It was instinct … I'm sorry for my reaction." She looked up and the young girl smiled in understanding.
"Yeah, it'd probably make for an awkward introduction anyways." The girl laughed. The girl's personality made Serana smile. It was refreshing. She is so very … different.
Serana made to stand and the girl stepped forward, holding out her hand. Serana looked at it for a second and took it. The heat from the young woman's hand was intense and shocked her. But, there was something else. A sort of electricity when their hands touched. Serana had never felt that before touching anyone.
The girl pulled her to her feet promptly, surprising her again. "Did I pull too hard?"
"No, you just … surprised me is all." Serana answered quietly. "By the way, I'm Serana."
The girl smiled mischievously. "Azriel."
They stood there for a second looking at each other in uncomfortable silence. Serana felt suddenly very timid in front of the woman. Azriel turned, running her fingers through her hair. Serana noticed the scars on her face and realized she was staring.
"What?"
Serana felt ridiculous, the girl had caught her staring. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to stare." She was thankful that she couldn't blush and Azriel remaining silent, making her feel more ridiculous. "I've just never seen anyone who looks like you before." Serana finished shyly.
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Azriel asked.
"I'm not sure." Serana replied looking away.
"Uh. Okay…" Serana turned her head back. The look on Azriel's face made it apparent that she had just insulted the woman.
"No. I'm sorry, that's not what I mean. I mean the way you look is different than what I'm used too." Serana added.
Azriel rolled her eyes.
This is just getting worse. Serana decided to remain quiet for the moment.
"It's … whatever." Azriel's reply was curt as she turned on her heel. She started walking around the construct surveying the area.
Serana sighed. "I didn't mean to insult you. I've just never seen anyone who looks like you. I … Are you from Skyrim?" Even to her own ears her question sounded lame.
Azriel looked back at her. "No. I'm from Cyrodiil. I'm an Imperial."
"A what?"
"That's what we're called." Azriel said shortly. Serana could tell the woman was irritated. Her distance and abrupt coldness reminded Serana that Azriel didn't trust her. She didn't blame her since she knew nothing about Azriel either. But, the girl's kindness seemed to be genuine. It was difficult to understand such differences in this one person along with everything else that was going on.
"Serana, do you know how to get out of here?" Azriel added. It was obvious she was trying to change the subject.
"This place looks different from when I came here. I honestly don't know how to get out. I was hoping you would."
"That figures. And I haven't a clue." Azriel responded.
Serana looked at their surroundings. Nothing looked familiar to her. Her mind wandered to home and she looked at Azriel again.
"Azriel, once we figure out how to get out of here I need to find my way home."
Azriel turned to look at her and nodded in acknowledgment. "Where do you live?" The woman's words had softened slightly.
"My family used to live on an island in the north, its west of Solitude. I assume they still do." Serana paused, she wasn't sure how to ask for Azriel's help.
"Do you remember how to get there?"
"Yes … no. Everything is so different now … it's so … difficult to understand." Her voice betrayed her unhappiness and confusion. She looked up and saw that the girl's coldness had given way to compassion.
"It's alright. I'll help you." Azriel said and looked over at a bridge.
Azriel walked over to the other bridge and looked across. There were more of those strange statues on the other side. She looked back at Serana, who was now looking around. Too many question raced in her mind.
The vampire walked up next her and looked at the bridge. She looked past the bridge to the other side while Azriel looked at her blazing eyes. The smoldering fires burned with an intense coldness, but they weren't empty. She looked past the coldness of the vampire into sorrow. Something in her had stayed her hand from killing this vampire when she first dropped out of her tomb.
Serana was exceptionally beautiful, but Azriel wasn't shallow enough to be fooled by a pretty face. It had been her look. Serana had looked disappointed, and then confused. The vampire's face, her voice, and her eyes held a deep … sadness. All vampires were aggressive so that hadn't fazed Azriel, but it was the grief that stopped her from killing Serana, despite her instincts.
"Serana, let's try this way." The vampire turned and looked directly into her eyes, searching for something. It was obvious that Serana didn't trust her. And she didn't blame her. Azriel didn't really trust her either. It was obvious that the vampire was very confused by everything, and in some way, it made her feel bad for her.
Azriel cleared her throat, "I think that way leads out. But, it's only a guess."
"Let's go. But, be careful. I have a bad feeling." Serana said with a concern that surprised Azriel slightly.
Azriel pulled her bow from her back and walked slowly across the bridge. The statues gave her the creeps. Something about the way they looked made her skin crawl.
They were half way across when Azriel could hear a cracking noise. She whispered over her shoulder to Serana, "Stay behind me!"
She pulled an arrow from her quiver and placed it on the string. Drawing back, she waited. A creature exploded from the statue and it was identical to the rock it just hatched from. She let the arrow fly, catching the thing in the shoulder. A second explosion ripped through the cavern and as the dust cleared, another monster sprang forth.
"Gargoyles!" Serana shouted. The gargoyles simultaneously turned and charged at them.
So much for the surprise attack.
Quickly placing the bow on her back, Azriel willed the fire to burst forward from her hands. Serana drew two black skeletons up from out of the middle of the bridge. "How the fuck did you do that?" Azriel yelled.
Serana blasted the closer of the two gargoyles with lighting and ice as her skeletal warriors attacked. "Do what?"
Azriel forced her anger into the rushing force of the flames. One of the gargoyles was at the bridge crossing and running fast. The heat barley slowed it down. Fuck! This isn't working!
"FUS RO DAH!" The power of her Thu'um shattered the gargoyle to pieces.
Serana turned over her shoulder and looked at her, "How the fuck did you do that?"
"Do what?" Azriel responded.
The remaining skeleton took a wicked back hand from the other gargoyle and was smashed to nothingness. The gargoyle screeched and raced forward towards Serana. She was too far ahead of Azriel on the bridge. The gargoyle moved so fast Azriel didn't have time to think. Only on instinct did she draw her sword. "WULD NAH KEST!" She used her Thu'um to carry her forward and she drove the sword through the gargoyle's side and tore it out. Cracks appeared on the gargoyle as it turned to strike. The fucking thing has stone skin!
With Serana behind the gargoyle, she couldn't use her Thu'um without harming her. Serana continued her lighting and ice spear attacks. Azriel avoiding the constant claw strikes of the Gargoyle as she hacked at it. After a few minutes of fighting they finally managed to destroy it.
Azriel plopped down on the ground. She had already been dead tired when she freed Serana. She had been fighting for hours. She wiped the sweat from her brow and tucked her hair behind her ears. From the corner of her eye she could see the vampire watching her.
Azriel opened her ruck sack and pulled out a waterskin. She looked over at Serana who pretended to be interested in something else.
"Why do you keep looking at me?" Azriel wanted to know what was going on in the vampire's head.
Serana sighed. "I'm sorry. I didn't think you'd notice."
"Are you looking at how different I look again?"
Serana looked at her and shook her head. "No, actually. I was wondering why you covered your face until I saw your scars."
What a bitch. Azriel stuffed the waterskin back into her ruck sack and stood. Without a word to the vampire, she started walking up a small incline towards another structure. The vampire suddenly appeared in front of her, causing her to jump.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean that to sound so rudely." Serana said quickly.
"Then you won't take 'go fuck yourself' rudely either." Azriel countered.
She pushed past the vampire and walked up the steps. She could hear the vampire sigh behind her and ignored her.
This part is Ancient Nordic ruins again. She opened the old wooden door with Serana following a short distance behind her. They walked quietly up the stairs to the lower part of another chamber. In front of her were more stairs and at the top Azriel could see the old crypts.
You have got to be shitting me. She was tired and not in the mood to fight more Draugr. Serana's comment had really pissed her off. She flicked her hand and a black vortex opened. The Dremora Lord stepped through the swirling gateway. It walked over and knelt in front of her.
"What is your command, my Lord?" He asked.
"Rip open the crypts and cut down the Draugr inside." Azriel said with a snarl.
The Dremora stood and obeyed. He systematically tore open each of the tombs and ripped the Draugr apart. When he had finished he returned to her and knelt again. "You have done well. Now go." The Dremora stood and opened the portal, stepping back through without a sound. Serana watched wordlessly throughout everything. She seemed to be appraising Azriel.
They continued through a corridor into an amphitheater. Azriel held up her hand for Serana to stop. They were side by side. "Don't move or speak. Don't use magic. Let me deal with this." Azriel said in an almost inaudible whisper. Serana looked at her and nodded.
Carefully, Azriel pulled her bow and quietly notched an arrow. She looked around the amphitheater at the different Draugr. Emanating from the far end of the theater, she could hear it whisper. A wall… Her thoughts trailed off as she focused on getting to it.
Arrow after arrow whizzed through the air, each a kill. She left Serana at the top of the stairs and made her way down towards the center quietly. Ancient charred bodies laid near a fire the Draugr must have been tending. She could hear the whispers from the wall clearly, but she could also hear something else.
Azriel crept close to the fire. Draugr don't leave fires like these unless … A sarcophagus lid blew off and a Dragon Priest rose from the tomb.
This is getting fucking old.
Feeling the heat at her back, she roared at the Dragon Priest, "Sovngarde saraan!" It floated towards her with its dagger in hand. Azriel willed the fire behind her to rise. The Dragon Priest halted his advance. The furnace became a monstrous column of fire. The heat was blistering and generated a massive wind around the amphitheater. She focused her magic and the column toward the Dragon Priest in front of her. The pillar opened into a wall and smashed downward onto the Dragon Priest. It swirled, consuming him in intense heat. In a blink of an eye, the Dragon Priest was gone.
It had taken every ounce of her being to control a fire that large and focus it into such an intense blaze. With all the fighting and the hours she had already spent here, she was mentally and physically drained. She could barely lift her feet as she walked to the word wall. Her body was automatically drawn to it and it took everything she had to walk up the stairs. The whispers of the wall filled her ears and her mind. She never heard Serana walk up as she slid down against the wall. With her eyes closed she let the knowledge of the words fill her mind.
She sat there in silence for a long while, trying to recover. She felt the vampire's closeness, but didn't open her eyes. When she finally did, the vampire was right in front of her. "Are you alright?" Serana asked quietly.
Azriel cracked a smile. "I've had better days."
Serana smiled back, "That column of fire was impressive."
Azriel laughed lightly with her head still against the wall. "I think you are the only vampire I have ever heard say fire was impressive. Usually, your kind screams and runs away."
Serana held out her hand, "How about we get out of this old crypt, Smartass."
"Agreed." Azriel took Serana's cold hand, feeling a slight shock at the touch again. That's the second time that's happened. Serana hauled her to her feet and Azriel lightly rubbed her hand. They walked up the stairs and Azriel stopped. "I've lost track of time being down here. I'll go check and see whether or not it's daylight."
Serana put her hand on Azriel's arm after she pulled her hood up over her head. "It's not important. Let's just go."
Azriel furrowed her brow in question. "How is sunlight not important to a vampire?"
Serana smile, "Let's just say it doesn't affect me the same way it does others."
"So you don't turn into a charred skeever the instant you step into the sun?"
Serana shook her head. "It's still annoying, but no, I don't turn into a charred skeever." Serana was smirking.
Azriel raised an eyebrow at her and shrugged. "Fine, but when you turn into a pile of ash, the words "I told you so' will come out of my mouth."
Serana chuckled softly. "Somehow that wouldn't surprise me."
Azriel dug into her ruck sack and pulled out her black wolf-skin traveling cloak. Azriel put it on and pinned her cloak closed. When she had finished, she noticed Serana looking at the pin. "What is it?" Azriel asked, looking down at her cloak.
"Your pin is an interesting design. A wolf head and a dragon head." Serana stepped closer. "May I?"
"Uh, sure." Azriel moved her hair aside, exposing the left side of her face as she pulled her hair over her shoulders.
Serana ran her index finger across the dragon head on the left side, down the chain, and over the wolf head on the right. "The silver is crafted so well and the gems are very pretty. Where did you find such a beautiful piece of jewelry?" Serana asked with interest. Serana's hand rested gently on Azriel's collarbone. Her cold touch made Azriel shiver.
"I made it a while ago. I liked the irony of it being made from silver." Azriel looked up and saw Serana had a soft smile on her face. Serana raised her eyes to hers and there was more awkward silence.
"You're very talented."
"Uh … thanks," Azriel said with a blush. "I like working the forge. Jewelry requires patience and time. It's a good way to get lost in what you are doing and I think it's relaxing. It took a while to make. I had to ask an Argonian to help me set the eyes."
Serana stepped back with a lingering smile, allowing Azriel to push open the door. They followed the stairs up to the gate and Azriel pulled the chain, leading them outside into the crisp air.
"It's so good to breathe again!" Serana exclaimed happily. It was late at night and snowing. They were miles from the enticing thought of a warm bed. The thought made Azriel irritable.
"Serana, what do you say we hike down the mountain and the first 'whatever' we come to, we crash?" Azriel asked.
"And that means what, exactly?" Serana asked confused look on her face.
"It means we get some rest and you don't have to put up with a cranky werewolf." Azriel replied.
"I can live with that kind of deal." There was something in Serana's darkening eyes that told Azriel that the sooner they found a place to stay, the better.
They walked down the mountainside and found a path along the way. It was steep in places, but they helped each other as they made their descent. They followed the path mostly in silence for a few hours, Serana occasionally making a comment or two about how different this or that looked from last time she had been there. Her comments eventually tapered off. Even though the vampire wasn't really talkative, the silence made Azriel worry.
The snow eventually became rain as the two came to the bottom of the path. Everything had reached a stage where it was wet and annoying to Azriel. The rain was picking up and a thunderstorm was approaching. She looked back and noticed Serana was lagging behind.
Azriel waited for her. When Serana caught up, she looked as if something wasn't right with her. "How are you doing? You look tired." Azriel was concerned. The vampire hadn't had a chance to sate her thirst.
Serana had dark circles under her eyes. She was moving slower than she had been earlier. "I'm fine and I've slept long enough. Let's just find some place and get out of this."
They traveled along the wooded path as the rain fell harder and the winds increased. Azriel made sure to walk next to the vampire. Serana's footsteps became slower the further they walked. Serana started having problems with her balance and eventually stumbled.
Azriel caught the vampire by the arm. "You're not fine. What's wrong?" Azriel asked sharply.
"I need to feed, Azriel. I feel very weak." Serana licked her lower lip.
Azriel stepped closer to Serana. "We'll find you something. Can you keep going? If not, I'll help you."
"Azriel, really, I'm fine. I just want out of this and to hunt."
They walked for another hour before Serana stumbled again, this time falling. Azriel caught her before she tumbled to the ground and pulled her in tightly. Azriel lifted her to her feet and held her upright. Serana's amusement was evident on her face.
"Serana, can you keep going or not?" Azriel's concern was clear in her question.
"I don't know." Serana sounded confused with her own self. Azriel took her arm and put it over her shoulder, carrying the vampire as she walked. Even with Azriel's help, Serana's balance failed.
Serana's shuffling feet were enough for Azriel. She knew the Vampire was having difficulties. "I'm going to carry you. Hold still." Azriel scooped the vampire up off her feet and held her close. Azriel was surprised that she was so light.
Serana's head rolled onto her shoulder and into the nape of Azriel's neck. "My, aren't you the trusting type?"
Azriel scoffed at her. "I don't think I'd taste all that great."
Serana's face moved closer to Azriel ear, her voice was husky whisper, "Are you sure I can't suck on your neck a just little bit?"
Azriel tripped.
The trail they were on followed a rocky embankment. Azriel spotted a small hollow in the clearing and carried Serana inside. She propped Serana against the wall and made herself busy with setting up their small camp. The weather outside was deteriorating rapidly as a storm moved in and they were both already soaked from the rain.
Azriel pulled her bed roll from her ruck sack along with dry clothes and a bear skin blanket. Azriel moved to prepare a fire when she heard people shouting to one another in the wind. She looked over at Serana. She was tracing her lower lip with the tip of her tongue. Serana looked at Azriel, and Azriel could see she was losing her battle with her thirst.
Azriel made her choice. "Serana, stay here. I'll be right back."
"Where are you going?"
Azriel looked from Serana to the mouth of the cave. She judged by the shouts, the men were getting closer. "You need a drink. I'm going to get you one."
"I'll come with you." Serana started to stand when Azriel gently pushed her back down.
"No. Stay here. You're not in any condition to fight if you have too. It won't take long, I promise."
Azriel ran through the storm and followed the voices in the wind. They were closer. She felt the tugging in her mind, her wolf was waiting. She jumped over a fallen tree, transforming in midair. She ran hard through the driving rain towards the hunters. She could taste their scent on the gale wind. There were three of them and she wanted them all. She stood and howled. The hunters saw the werewolf and gave chase. She spun, retracing her tracks towards the cave.
An arrow whistled past her ear. She needed to get them closer to Serana. The men were starting to fall behind. The wind was harsh and the storm's fury slowed them down. She turned back and bellowed against the raging thunder. Undaunted, the hunters followed her, not knowing they were running into her trap.
A young hunter was lightly armed and reached her first. The pounding rain was in her eyes, stinging them. He swung his blade, catching her across the shoulder. Azriel roared in pain. She grabbed the man and threw him through the mouth of the small cave. She could hear the sickly crunch from where she was standing.
The other two hunters arrived at the same time. Their daggers were useless against her and she was careful not to kill them. She raked her claws across one man's neck, knocking him to the ground. The other, she bashed against the rocks repeatedly, breaking his ribs and rendering him unconscious. She picked up the wounded men and carried them into the cave.
Azriel saw Serana had the first man pinned to the floor and was feeding on him. Serana looked up when she smelled the wolf enter the cave and hissed at Azriel. Azriel knew that Serana felt threated by her wolf form. She dropped the men onto the floor and backed to the far side of the small cave and lowered herself into a crouch and whimpered. Serana narrowed her eyes at her, then looked at the men. Azriel transformed back into her human form. "You're safe. Just drink." Serana looked from Azriel to the men beneath her. She pulled him into her embrace again.
While Serana moved from one man to the next, Azriel made a fire and pulled a few things from her ruck sack for her own dinner. She set a small pot onto the fire to boil water so she could tend her wound. Azriel watched as she consumed the man slowly. Azriel didn't feel any guilt or pity for them as she watched, her curiosity getting the better of her. Azriel failed to catch that Serana had noticed her watching.
She unbuckled her cuirass and took off her gauntlets. She looked up, feeling Serana watching her. She decided to ignore her for a few minutes and finally tend to her wound. She had exhausted her magic earlier, so it was impossible for her to heal herself.
Azriel dug around in her ruck sack for a cloth and bandages. She pulled the pot from the fire and untied the front of her bloodied shirt, slipping it off her shoulder carefully. Serana hissed at the sight of the gash in her shoulder. "Would you like help?" Serana asked as she noticed the depth of the wound.
Azriel winced as she started to wipe the wound. "Nope. I'm good. So good it hurts."
Serana got up and moved close to Azriel, ignoring her answer. "Give me the cloth."
"What am I? Dessert?"
"I'm not fond of the taste of wet dog." Serana said coyly. Azriel snickered at her retort and handed her the cloth.
Pushing the shirt down her arm gently, Serana moved Azriel's hair. Serana paused and looked from Azriel's shoulder to her face. "Azriel, why do you have so many scars?"
Azriel brusquely shoved Serana's hand away. "Why does it matter?" She reached to take the cloth back and Serana stopped her hand gently.
"I can do it myself, Serana." She said angrily.
Serana let out a long breath. "Azriel, I didn't mean to offend you again. I'm sorry to have asked. I … I'm sorry." The faintest flush appeared in her pale cheeks.
Azriel turned away and they both sat awkwardly for a few minutes. Azriel felt bad felt bad for snapping at Serana's innocent question. "Mountain lion in Cyrodiil."
Her answer had startled Serana. "A mountain lion?" Serana was looking at her, but Azriel kept her face turned away.
"The one's on my face and the front of my shoulder are from a mountain lion. I was fighting it when it swiped at me. When it hit me I fell and it clawed the front of my shoulder." Azriel didn't want to look at her. She hated the scars and had never talked about them. She had scars everywhere, but the ones on her face couldn't be hidden.
"What are these from?" Touching the scars on the back of her shoulder gently when she asked. Azriel flinched as though the touch had pained her.
Azriel turned her head back and looked into Serana's eyes. Serana's eyes held only concern for her. I don't understand you. Azriel decided to answer. "Those are from a fire whip."
Serana was silent for a moment tending her wound. Azriel shifted to sit against the wall again. "Is that why you hide your face under your hair?"
"Yes." Azriel answered quietly.
"Earlier, when I said I was wondering why you covered your face until I saw your scars, I honestly did not mean to offend you. I don't really talk to people."
Azriel nodded a little. "It's alright. I try and avoid them … er … people … they drive me crazy. I'm sorry I got angry. I just don't ever talk about my life with anyone."
"Why not?" Serana's curiosity getting the better of her.
"Because I just don't and it really doesn't matter." Azriel's voice was full of bitterness.
"I see." Serana finished cleaning Azriel's wound and helped her bandage her shoulder in silence. When Serana finished she rocked back on her heels. "You need to dry out. You're soaked."
Azriel looked from her own clothes to Serana's wet leather armor. "So do you."
Azriel climbed over to the bed roll gingerly and grabbed her clothes and the blanket. "Here, I have some spare clothes. We're about the same build so they should fit you." Serana scowled. Azriel looked down at the clothes and back at Serana's scowl. "I'm sorry I don't have anything better."
Serana's face softened. "It's alright, I've just been wearing these leathers for a while now … It's fine." She said taking the bundle Azriel handed to her.
After they had changed, Azriel ate. "You need to sleep, Azriel. You look exhausted."
"I am." She looked at Serana sitting against the wall and added smartly as she laid down, "Just remember, I'm not a very tasty dog."
Serana chuckled, "I'll try and remember that when I get thirsty again."
Azriel looked over at Serana again. "What are you going to do while I sleep?"
Serana thought for a moment and looked outside at the raging storm. "I'm just going to relax. I'm still not feeling all that great."
Azriel nodded, curling up on her bedroll and quietly falling asleep while Serana kept a watchful eye.