Serana watched the fight as red dragon and Dragonborn slaughtered the Stormcloaks outside of the small cabin. Wave after wave of men and women exited the impossibly small cabin to their deaths.
"FUS RO DAH!" The shout was so loud Serana's ears ached. The shock wave shattered the bones and skulls of the Stormcloaks it hit.
The red dragon lifted to the air with two men trapped in its maw. It rapidly flew high into the air and then dropped them.
Circling around, it swooped low and roared. "YOL!" The fiery wave burned through another onslaught as Azriel pushed backward into the dragon's fire with her own fire and sword.
Metal clashed and the screams of the dying filled the smoky air. Azriel ran forward to the next wave that exited the cabin and jumped, twirling in the air and decapitating another soldier as she spun. She landed in front of the cabin doors, kicking it shut on another man trying to exit. She spun on her heels, directing a fireball at the Stormcloaks she had cut off from their comrades.
Serana could smell the blood and burnt flesh from the skirmish and watched as Azriel cut down the last female Stormcloak. The Dragonborn roared and rain began to fall.
Azriel backed away from the cabin doors and the Stormcloaks pushed their way through the doors.
"Give up, traitor!" The man's gruff voice was a deep growl.
"You have got to fucking be kidding me." Azriel swore as their scent hit her.
Azriel was covered in Stormcloak blood. "Fuck you, you fucking Stormcloak! Come, your friends are waiting in Sovngarde!"
The big man roared again, his body shook as he began to transform, and his remaining men followed suit.
Serana contemplated joining the fight.
Azriel plunged her blade into the earth and extended her hands opening twin portals. Two Dremora stepped out of the swirling vortexes just as the five men finished their transformations. Azriel ripped her sword from the ground and a whirlwind encompassed her.
"Vyrrny! Nymarr! Kill them!" Azriel shouted.
The red dragon swooped low and extended his talons. It dove close to the ground, grabbing one of the werewolves and flew off with him.
Azriel ran forward, diving between the legs of the pack leader and rolling up behind him. Her sword sliced deeply into his back as she began her assault. The werewolf howled, spinning claws-first to attack her. She barely jumped away in time from his claw strikes.
She rolled on the ground and came up again sword-first as she shouted. "FUS!" Her shout was directed at the werewolf that had joined its leader. The force of the single word smashed fully into him and forced him back.
The air was driven from its lungs and the wolf laid on the ground struggling. Azriel barely ducked in time from the alpha's swats. She backed quickly away and conjured a bound shield to counter his claw strikes. Her whirlwind faded.
Azriel slammed her bound shield into the wolf's head repeatedly, stunning it. Serana watched as Azriel threw the shield aside and leapt into the air onto the large werewolf's back. The wolf tried uselessly to claw her off. Savagely, she wrapped her arm around its neck in a strangle hold. She plunged her sword downward into chest, piercing his heart.
The wolf's knees buckled and Azriel pushed herself up into the air by planting her feet solidly against his shoulder blades. In one arcing movement, Azriel brought her sword down on his neck, severing his spine.
The smaller wolf she had knocked back bounded forward growling. Azriel summoned a whirlwind around herself. Leaping on to her chest, the small werewolf shoved her to the ground. The whirlwind surrounding her prevented it from doing anything but hanging on to her.
Azriel brought her knees tightly to her chest and used her feet against its stomach to launch him off her. However, the maneuver lost her sword.
The wolf twisted midair landing on its feet. Snarling, it whipped its head back and forth, sending drool flying. Azriel stood, waiting for it. Electricity cracked and popped around her, replacing the whirlwind with a bluish glow. The werewolf charged at her, and she ran at him. The two collided, Azriel had skid on her knees low and caught the wolf at its waist, surprising it. Azriel held on to the wolf as a bluish-purple light engulfed its twitching form. Azriel lifted the wolf from its feet, its convulsing form hung in the air.
The look on the Dragonborn's face struck Serana as cruel enjoyment. It only took a few moments before Serana could smell burning dog.
Azriel dropped the smoking wolf to the ground and her smile twisted into an evil grin. She turned to watch the two Dremora as they fought tirelessly with the two remaining werewolves.
One swung his battle axe, catching the wolf in the shoulder and nearly severing its arm. The wolf collapsed to the ground from its multiple injuries as the Dremora landed a final blow to its chest.
The other hacked with its great sword against the powerful clawed attacks. Serana heard a yelp and the Dremora lifted the head free from the last werewolf.
Serana breathed a sigh of relief as the enormous red dragon landed in front of Azriel. "Ahziial, forgive me for returning so slowly."
Serana watched as she smiled at it and touched the dragon's nose with her bloody hand. "Don't worry about me. I told you we totally got this." Azriel looked down at herself and back at the dragon. "I need another fucking bath."
The dragon chuckled as the two Dremora walked to her and knelt. "Go home. Thank you for your help once again."
The Dremora rose in unison and wordlessly opened portals, stepping through them.
"Odahviing, I need to check the place out. Then I'm going to take a damn bath in the Lake. I'll call you again soon. Thank you for coming with me and helping me."
"I will return to the strunmah. Do not wait so long to call me again, Ahziial. I grow listless there."
Azriel laughed as she cleaned her sword with an old rag. "You are so cute. You're saying you'll miss me. Don't worry, Odahviing, I'll rescue you soon. Tell Aela, I will return soon, or I'll meet her in Whiterun."
The dragon lifted into the air with a laugh. "I shall relay your message."
Azriel watched him go. For a fleeting moment, she felt as if she was being watched. She shrugged off the feeling and walked inside.
Serana exhaled sharply. She hadn't really figured out how she would approach Azriel a second time to ask her for help. Watching her had added a fever to her desires. The young woman wasn't just a damned good mage, she was truly a warrior.
She is powerful, more powerful than she lets on. Fearless and slightly wicked too.
The thought excited Serana. The woman was a strange cocktail that mixed in her mind in a manner that made Serana tingle with anticipation.
She sat pondering the dragon's comment about the woman Azriel had asked it to give a message to. She wondered how much meaning the woman carried in her life.
While Serana waited, she thought of all the possibilities of their interactions. Each scenario in her mind had a more dubious outcome then the last. She started to wonder if it was her own nagging doubts or true probabilities the longer, she sat there waiting.
The evening turned to nightfall as she waited. Serana sat down on a large rock watching the cabin.
How long can this possibly take? The place isn't that damn big.
Finally, Azriel emerge from the small cabin, blood still coated her body. But she wasn't alone. A hooded man walked with her, and Serana realized quickly they were walking towards her.
Azriel stopped and carved something into the wooden post of the structure. They both continued their walk and conversation and Serana snuck up the hill. They walked up the path past her and Azriel turned, looking in Serana's direction.
"What is it, Azriel?" The man asked quietly.
"It's nothing, Rune." She said turning back to the man. "I think I'm just on edge."
"Don't blame you. That was some insane shit."
Azriel scoffed. "You're lucky is all I'm saying. If they would have figure out what they were sitting on…"
"Those damned fools couldn't figure out a simple lock, Zee."
"Look, just get back and talk to Bryn. Make sure you tell him everything I said too. We need to keep this route open to the caravans. We don't keep it open; the goods won't get in and out of Skyrim the way we want them too. Time's money my friend, and this little hold up cost us a lot of shiny coin. So, get back, take this, and tell Bryn that we need more hands here. I don't care who he has to pay or pay off." Azriel's voice was stern.
"Alright and listen, I'm glad you came along when you did. I don't think we'd have gotten out alive if they'd have figured out our lock. I'll get back and have him send some heavies. Thanks for the deed."
"Get going. Be safe and send my regards. I'll take care of things here." Azriel said kicking a rock.
Serana followed them quietly as they walked over the hill into a clearing with some cut logs. The man turned heading back down the same path he had just walked with Azriel. Serana followed Azriel down the hillside though the woods.
Azriel stopped and hunched down, and Serana peered over a rock to see what she was looking at.
A solitary mage was sitting next to an alter reading a book.
Serana watched as Azriel quietly walked up behind the person, drawing her dagger from her belt and slit his throat. Azriel held the mage as he bled, then tossed him in the woods.
Azriel looked up the hillside for a moment then disappeared into the woods after the mage.
Well, that was unexpected...
Serana quickly worked her way down the hill, being careful not to make noise. When she reached the point where Azriel had disappeared, she turned around looking for the girl.
She can't have gone far…
Serana looked out over the lake, noticing the ripples. She walked further down the long path toward the water and stopped out of view behind a large bolder.
"Why are you following me?" The voice whispered in her ear from behind her.
Serana jumped and let out an involuntary yelp.
Azriel stood behind her with a smirk on her face. "So much for stealthy vampires… God's you are noisy. Your prey must be totally deaf cause you sound like a mammoth."
Serana rolled her eyes as Azriel laughed. She was embarrassed by the fact the woman had snuck up on her and was now making fun of her.
Serana put her hands on her hips, the gesture making Azriel laugh harder.
"You know, it wasn't that funny." Serana said impatiently.
"Oh yes it was!"
Serana sighed.
Azriel fell into a new fit of laughter. "Oh, come on, Serana. That was the cutest little yelp." Azriel gripped her sides, "I didn't know vampires could jump that high."
Serana looked at her feet and dropped her right hand from her hip. She looked back up to the tears streaming down Azriel's face and started to laugh herself. It felt good to laugh and she couldn't remember the last time she had.
When they had both calmed themselves enough to hold a reasonable conversation, Azriel asked her again. "Why are you following me, Serana? Was everything alright at home?"
Serana picked up a rock and threw it into the lake. "Not really."
Azriel sat down next to her and put her hand on top of Serana's. Electricity arced from one to another and they both looked down at their hands, then to each other.
Azriel removed her hand and cleared her throat. "Do you want to talk about it? Uh, sorry… I guess that's a stupid question seeing as you were following me."
Serana smiled slightly and Azriel could see her fangs slightly. Serana slid her hand back into Azriel's. The shock of their touch made Azriel look down again.
"Why do you think we both feel that?" Serana asked softly.
Azriel looked back up at her. "So, you do feel it? What is it?"
Serana turned Azriel's hand over, and gently ran her fingers over her palm. The feeling ran up her arm and Serana shivered.
"It's part of the reason I came to find you."
Azriel raised an eyebrow at her. "How so?"
"I've never felt… well… that when I've touched someone before. Each time we've touched, I've felt it."
Azriel's face held an incredulous look. "What exactly do you feel when you touch me?"
Serana was pensive. "Mostly, heat. You are incredibly warm, like a fire… warm. But there's an electricity to it. To your touch, I mean."
"Hmmm. Your touch is cold. Like snow in the mountains. But I also feel a shock, like electricity. I've never noticed it in anyone before."
Serana smiled. "Azriel, I went home. Things there…" How could she summarize everything that happened? "…Aren't good. I left and I can't go back. I didn't know where else to go, so I came to find you."
Azriel held her hand tighter. "Why don't you start from the beginning? Tell me everything."
Serana sighed, she didn't want to go into detail, but she at the same time she was slightly relieved. Azriel was looking at her with concern and Serana squeezed her hand in gratefulness.
"Alright, but first, don't you want a bath?"
Azriel looked surprised and looked down at herself. "I totally forgot."
She let go of Serana's hand and stood up. Walking over to the lake, Azriel started to get undressed. She stripped off her armor and dropped it next to the water. She stopped and looked at Serana, who was watching.
Her hair hung in her face and Serana could hardly see her eyes. "I can't get undressed with you watching."
Serana smiled surly. "Damn shame, I was looking forward to a show."
Azriel chuckled. "Turn around, you. And start talking."
Serana turned away, listening to her intently. Serana peeked over her shoulder and saw that Azriel had her back to her as she finished undressing. Serana turned slightly more and as quietly as she could to watch the woman. She felt butterflies in the pit of her stomach as Azriel removed her shirt.
The sight of the scars on the young woman's back made Serana quickly draw a breath. They covered her back entirely and traveled past her waistband. Azriel threw her shirt aside and began to unlace her breeches.
"Serana, are you going to tell me what happened?"
"Uh, yes. Let me… gather my thoughts." Serana turned quickly away and exhaled just as Azriel turned.
"Um, okay. Take your time, I can tell things have been difficult." Azriel turned back to the water and Serana heard her drop her clothes to the ground. Stealthily, Serana turned again to look at her. Azriel stepped into the water and Serana saw the scars traveled all the passed her thighs.
By my Ancestors, what happen to her?
Azriel stepped further into the water, sinking beneath it.
Serana waited for her to resurface and turned to fully watch the water. She got up and walked to the water's edge and seated herself on another large rock.
Azriel stayed underwater for over a minute. When she resurfaced, she wiped her face and looked expectantly at Serana.
Serana took a deep breath and began her story from when they had parted ways outside of Solitude.
"Your Father hit you and wanted you in chains?" The water around Azriel began to boil.
"Yeah," Serana grumbled. "He's so very… he's…"
"An asshole." Azriel finished for her. She looked deep in thought a moment. "Why, of everyone in Skyrim, did you choose to come to find me? Why not just ask another vampire or someone you know for help?"
Serana twirled her hair around her finger. "Azriel, can I be completely honest with you?"
Azriel stopped scrubbing out her clothes and contemplated her. "Of course… I kind of expect it."
"Besides my mother and father, I don't really know anyone else. My mother left after she locked me in that cave. And, well my father is mad with this stupid prophecy. He changed after hearing about it. He… became someone else and it tore my family apart. I don't have anyone else I can ask. It's why I hid the Scroll because I don't trust anyone."
Azriel's mouth fell open. "You're telling me, you're how old and you know exactly two people?!"
Serana rubbed her temples. "When you say it that way…" Serana sighed, she knew how it sounded.
"Look, my parents weren't exactly social butterflies after we became vampires. They didn't let me leave the… our home… or let me go anywhere on my own. Azriel, so many things have changed that I don't have anyone I can ask for help, and I don't know what else to do. My mother is gone, and my father is a complete… argh!" Serana yelled in frustration.
Azriel looked at her sympathetically, remaining silent. Serana knew everything must sound crazy to her, the way Azriel was looking at her made her feel worse.
"Serana, I'm sorry. I don't mean to add to your frustration. I just meant that… well… hang on." Azriel stopped and looked down at her wet clothes and water-logged fingers. She lifted the clothes out of the water and steam poured from them. "I just thought, well… you'd have friends or family." Azriel looked away and continued to heat her clothes. In a few minutes, they were dry.
She made her way out of the water and Serana turned her back on the young woman. Azriel quickly dressed and spoke. "You can turn around now."
When Serana turned back, Azriel was kneeling. "Serana, have you always been a vampire?"
The question caught her off guard. "Have you always been a werewolf?"
Azriel smiled. "I asked you first."
"No. There was a time, long, long ago that I was mortal." Serana answered, unsure where Azriel was going with the question.
"Were you married?" Azriel asked curiously.
Serana blushed. "What kind of question is that?"
Azriel chuckled. "The kind that requires a yes or a no answer."
"No. Are you?" Serana said flippantly.
"Nope," Azriel said standing.
Serana looked at her in disbelief. "You're not married?"
Azriel looked down at her, making a contemplative face, and wrinkled her brow in question. "No, I'm really not. Is that hard to believe or something?"
"Yes, actually, it is. You're some kind of legendary hero from the pages of a storybook and no one has married you yet?"
"Well, that would require them to stay alive long enough to ask."
Serana laughed. "Do you kill all of your suitors?"
"No, but I'm sure there'd be a line of innumerable dragons, a couple of Daedric Princes, the Stormcloaks, the Thalmor, vampires, and gods know what else in line to do it for me," Azriel said, counting them off on her fingers.
Serana's felt her mouth hanging open. "One person could not possibly piss off that many things."
"Hi, my name is Azriel. I'm the Dragonborn, Nord Hero of Legend. But oops! I'm an Imperial, half of Skyrim hates me by default and the other half wants me to run its errands. I tend to flout the rules a little bit and every time I open my mouth, I make a new enemy…." Azriel took a breath. "Does that answer it for you?" Azriel then smiled. "Honestly, I think you are the first person that I've come across that instantly didn't hate me."
"Presumptuous, aren't you?"
Azriel laughed. "Bitch."
Azriel held out her hand to Serana who took it. A small jolt ran through them as they touched. Azriel pulled Serana to her feet and looked at her.
"Serana, how old are you?"
"One should never ask a woman's age, Azriel," Serana said with a cheeky grin.
Azriel rolled her eyes. "Do not make me call a dragon to eat you."
Serana giggled. "Well, under threat of being eaten, I think I can give you an answer… You said it was the Fourth Era and two hundred and fourth year. So that would make me…" Serana tapped her finger on her chin in mock thoughtfulness. "…twenty-five."
Azriel stood there, looking at her.
"For about the four thousandth and five hundredth time."
Azriel stared at her.
"Why are you staring at me?"
"You're how old?"
"Somewhere around four thousand and five hundred years old. Give or take a few centuries."
Azriel opened her mouth and then closed it again. She turned and started to walk away when Serana grabbed her arm.
"Did I say something wrong?"
Azriel looked stunned. "No, I've just never met anyone that old before. Other than a dragon, I mean."
Serana blushed again. "How old are you?"
Azriel looked away. "Eighteen, almost nineteen."
Serana laughed. "You're just a little girl."
Azriel glared at her.
"Azriel, I'm kidding."
Azriel crossed her arms, still glaring.
Serana began to worry until Azriel stuck out her tongue. "Gotcha."
Serana shook her head. "You didn't answer my question before."
"Which one?"
"How long have you been a werewolf?"
Azriel gathered her things. "Listen Serana, I need to get back to the cabin to clean up my mess. We can talk as I work."
They started the walk back to Pinewatch and Azriel smiled at Serana. "This issue with your father… you still haven't told me what you need me to do."
"I know I can't let him have the Elder Scroll. That was the whole reason my mother locked me up with it. I also can't let him destroy the sun. All of Tamriel would go to war. We'd be destroyed."
Azriel nodded in agreement. "How did your father not end up with the Scroll when you went home?"
Serana chuckled. "There's a shipwreck near my home. I hid it under his nose."
"Nicely done."
"Azriel, I'm not really sure what to do about this. I know we need to stop him from fulfilling the prophecy, but I'm not sure how."
"We'll figure it out. Let's just get back to the cabin for now. I'm starving."
Azriel and Serana crested the hill and set to work on cleaning up the bodies. After they stripped the soldiers of their belonging, they dumped the bodies in the woods for the scavengers.
"Come on inside, I'll introduce you to my friends," Azriel said pushing open the cabin door.
Serana raised an eyebrow at her as they stepped through the doorway.
The top floor of the cabin was plain, like a hunting lodge with few embellishments. A small fire burned in the hearth and a cooking pot still steamed from the previous squatters. Fishing poles were leaned against the wall to the right of the door.
There were food barrels in the back corner of the room on the right. As well as some tables and chairs. There were stacks of fruits and vegetables on the shelves and cheese curing on another wooded shelf on the front wall. Serana walked around the room and looked at the herbs hanging to dry as well as the books on one of the shelves.
"Let's go downstairs," Azriel said walking to the stairway on the left.
The downstairs was like the upstairs of the cabin. There was more storage including a large bookshelf that took up half of the wall. Azriel walked over to it and removed a couple of books and slid a stone out of place.
Serana heard clicking noises and the bookcase slowly slid open to reveal a stone corridor. Azriel walked into the tunnel and Serana followed her. The torch-lit tunnel stretched out before them.
"Where are we going?" Serana questioned her.
Azriel looked over her shoulder at her as she walked. "You'll see."
The old corridor led downwards as they walked and opened to a rock platform. Wooden braces blocked the view as they entered the chamber.
"What is this place?" Serana asked. She could smell the mortals inside and walked with Azriel to the wooden bridge.
The cavern was stunning to her. The intricate wooden bridges were an elevated walkway over the relics of an ancient Nordic ruin. People worked on the wooden bridges and under them. As she observed them, she noticed cat-like people working in tandem with humans. The large cavern was bustling with activity.
"Welcome to Pinewatch Caverns," Azriel said. "The Falkreath Chapter of the Thieves Guild."
"You're part of a Thieves' Guild? Why?"
Azriel smiled knowingly. "Serana, a girl can't survive on adventure alone. Besides, these people are all chill."
Serana looked at her skeptically. "Chill?"
"They're decent people that are laid back. Chill. The war has driven them off their lands, or whatever. Everyone has a story. We all need to survive and sometimes you just have to do things to survive. Now, come on."
Azriel crossed the bridge leading to a junction that wrapped around an old stone dragon. She headed left over a second bridge that worked its way deeper into the ruins. They entered another massive chamber that was a large supply room. Crates and barrels filled the room. Four cats were methodically rolling barrels and stacking them in one area.
"Dar'Ajjan! Where's Raylen?" Azriel called.
"This one should know already where he goes."
Azriel rolled her eyes. "Thanks, Dar'Ajjan."
Azriel led Serana toward an opening in the rock to another wooden door.
"Azriel, what are those cats?" Serana whispered.
"They're called Khajiit. They're shrewd merchants and fearsome warriors. They are the most loyal creatures you'll ever meet. The Nords don't like them much, but if you give them a chance, you'll come to realize they are great people. Well except Dar'Ajjan, he's kind of an asshole at times. You've never seen them before?"
Azriel pushed open the wooden door and they walked into a small room.
"No. Never." Serana was not just in awe of the place, but also its inhabitants.
The room connected to another slightly larger chamber filled with more crates and barrels. Azriel led her up a short incline to another corridor and a series of small chambers filled with cages. All the cages were empty, and a single person was cleaning them.
"Nilles, have you seen Raylen?"
The old man stopped brushing the floor long enough to answer. "He's in the tavern, Zee."
"Thanks," Azriel answered.
Serana snickered as they walked up the stairs into an old crypt that had been turned into a small market. Tables littered the area and every kind of weapon imaginable was laid out on them. Azriel skirted around the people that congregated there, saying hello to a few of them.
Azriel moved so quickly that Serana had fallen behind trying not to bump into anyone. In an instant, Azriel disappeared.
A dark-skinned man bumped into Serana hard, knocking her down and causing her hood to fall back from her eyes. She smelled the wolf blood in him. "Watch where you're going…" He growled at her. "Vampire!" He shouted.
The reaction was immediate. The merchants already armed, surrounded her.
Serana backed away from them into a wall. She didn't want the fight them and desperately looked around for Azriel.
"Burn the vampire!" A woman shouted, her hands igniting into flames.
The small chamber shook and rained down dust and pebbles with the sound of Azriel's voice. "STOP! ALL OF YOU!"
Several people dropped their weapons or fell to their knees and covered their ears.
Azriel pushed her way through them, parting them easily as she walked. She stepped in front of Serana protectively.
"She is with me. Does anyone have a problem with that?" Azriel sneered.
The woman with the flaming hands extinguished her fire. "Azriel, no. We didn't know…"
"Go back to your business, all of you." Azriel's voice caused the cavern to echo loudly, and more dirt rained down onto everyone. She slipped her hand into Serana's and Serana felt comfort in the surge she got from her touch as Azriel led her through the group.
The large dark-skinned man dressed in black stepped in front of Azriel. "We don't like her kind down here."
Azriel's fangs extended, and Serana felt her claws in her hand.
"Her kind is one of us." Azriel snarled.
The dark-skinned man's teeth extended as he deepened his growl. "I don't like vampires."
Azriel moved in a blur, slamming the man into the wall, and holding her dagger to his throat. "I don't like you threatening my friends, asshole." She moved close to his ear and pushed the dagger deeper into his neck. "Go ahead, transform. You'll be dead before you sprout hair."
"Zee, stop!" Serana turned to see a Dunmer dressed in black robes push her way through the crowd. "You can't."
"Gabriella…?"
"He's one of us. You can't." The elf repeated.
Azriel looked at the man and pulled her dagger from his throat. "Today is your lucky day, Redguard."
The man pushed himself away from the wall with a growl.
Azriel stood and slipped her hand into Serana's. Her charged touch made Serana relax slightly.
The dark elf walked over and hugged Azriel. Serana felt a sudden pang of jealousy. It surprised her more than anything, but she remained silent.
"Who's your friend?" The woman asked.
"Gabriella, this is Serana." Azriel let go of Serana's hand. "Serana, this is Gabriella."
"It's nice to meet you, Serana." Gabriella said softly extending her hand.
Serana smiled at her and took her hand. "The pleasure is mine, Gabriella."
"Come on, Azriel. Raylen has been waiting for you to come back." She smiled at Serana. "You as well, Serana. I think it will be interesting for you to attend our little meeting." The woman looked at the dark-skinned man. "As for you, Wayne. You can thank whomever you pray to that I stopped Azriel from killing you. Stay here… and try not to cause any more trouble."
The tall man growled again.
They walked down another corridor leading away from the small trade area. Azriel kept her voice low when she spoke. "Gab, who was that asshole?"
The elf stopped and whispered back. "He's new, sister. Astrid sent him here with me as my shadow. I don't like him either, but he needs to learn from us somehow." She continued walking and Azriel pulled Serana along with her.
They emerged from the corridor into a large room filled with tables, kegs, and a bar. A few people were scattered about drinking and talking. Gabriella led them to a table off in the corner where a solitary man sat alone looking at books.
As they approached, the young man looked up at them and smiled. "Did Rune head back already, Zee?"
"We talked outside. I gave the deed to him so he could pass it on to Bryn. I told him to make sure we get some heavies here and talk to Bryn about payouts. I think your idea of a front is going to be necessary to keep the Skeevers from trying to hole up here again." Azriel's statement held a note of concern to it.
Raylen regarded the three women and his eyes lingered on Serana. He looked from her face down to her hand which still held Azriel's. His green eyes sparkled with amusement. "Zee, who is your beautiful friend?"
Serana watched Azriel blush. "Damn, I'm sorry. Serana, this is Raylen." She let go of Serana's hand. "Raylen, this is Serana."
The Nord stood and his long black hair fell over his broad shoulders. Serana held out her hand and Raylen kissed it. Serana smiled at him and from the corner of her eye and she saw Azriel tense.
"Raylen, tone it down a notch," Gabriella said with disgust.
He smiled and Serana noticed Azriel glare at him.
"I have things to do, Raylen. Can we get on with it?" Azriel's tone was less than friendly.
Gabriella glanced at Azriel sideways.
"Please, ladies, have a seat. We have much to discuss." Raylen said gesturing to the empty chairs surrounding the table.
The women each sat down as Raylen pulled his map out from under a stack of books he had been looking through. He unfolded it and took out a quill and the ink vials and began adding more marks to it. When he finished, he turned the map so they could see it.
Raylen pointed to the map. "We've secured the routes here and here, but there are still issues with the Stormcloaks along the main roads. This route from Bruma seems to give us the most trouble because the Imperials are using it as well. Everyone seems to like searching the caravans in and out of Falkreath currently." He moved his finger tracing out the routes as he went.
"Our friends in Morthal have opened doors for trade near Solitude and Dawnstar. We have agents in place in each of the cities to ensure smooth transactions." He tapped the map on Windhelm. "Except here. Azriel, I don't know if you know yet…" He paused.
"I know, Raylen," Azriel said angrily.
"Zee, we'll get Niranye out. Bryn has already sent Cynric in."
Serana saw the apology in his eyes. She looked at Azriel and could see her concern as well as her anger. She reached under the table and placed her hand lightly on Azriel's. She shuddered gently as the current traveled through her fingers and through her body. She saw Azriel shiver slightly at her touch. It made the corners of her lips curl into the slightest smile.
As the other's talked, Serana thought about the reaction as their skin touched. She wondered at the meaning of it as she stroked Azriel's hand under the table. The woman's heat made her tremble, but the slight jolt she got from her made her quiver with pleasure. The feeling was euphoric.
Serana tried to remember a time when she felt like this, being close to someone. She felt so many things at once she didn't know what to make of it all. Being this close to this woman felt so damn good.
She knew she had made the right decision to come find her. Serana didn't understand why this woman elicited such a reaction from herself and she no longer cared what the reason was. She knew she wanted to be close to her.
Azriel turned her hand over under the table as she talked, but Serana wasn't paying attention to a word any of them said. She felt Azriel's fingers gently brush against hers and the feeling delighted her.
Serana kept her eyes on the table as their fingers traced one another's. From the corner of her eye, Serana saw Azriel glance down at their hands in her lap.
Azriel adjusted slightly in her chair, dropping her other hand below the table as well. Serana felt her place her right hand on top of hers. Both of Azriel's hands traced hers and the pleasure Serana felt from it was surreal.
The conversation only took an hour, but to Serana it only felt like a few minutes.
Azriel yawned. "Raylen, if that's everything I'm going to head in back. I'm exhausted."
Raylen looked at her. "There's one more thing, Zee."
Azriel rolled her shoulders and stretched her back. "Out with it then."
"I assume you know that Ulfric Stormcloak has placed a bounty on your head?"
"I know he issued an order for my capture… dead or alive," Azriel answered with another yawn.
Raylen fidgeted with the map and shuffled his books around. "No, Zee. He's stepped it up a notch. He placed a bounty of thousand gold Septims for your head…"
Azriel laughed. "Just my head?"
Raylen looked her dead in the eyes. "Ten thousand for you alive if someone were to drag you back to Windhelm."
Azriel stopped laughing. "Well damn. I'm half tempted to turn myself in now."
Gabriella put her hand gently on her shoulder. "I think what Raylen is trying to tell you, in his own charming manner is, you need to be careful. Ulfric Stormcloak is not playing around. At that price, anyone could betray you."
Azriel leaned forward across the table. "Gab, I will kill Ulfric Stormcloak. That, I can promise you. When I do, he'll know it's me. I plan to make sure mine is the last face he ever sees." Azriel looked between Gabriella and Raylen. "Is that everything now?"
Raylen nodded. "That's it." He said tightly.
Azriel looked at Serana. "I'm dead tired. There are rooms in the back, care to join me?"
Serana smiled inadvertently and Azriel pushed her chair back. "Come on. I'll show you where we'll be staying."
Raylen stood when they did and held out his hand to Serana. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Serana."
Serana let go of Azriel's hand and grasped his firmly. "You as well, Raylen."
Raylen bent to kiss her hand and Azriel rolled her eyes.
Serana turned to Gabriella. "It was nice meeting you as well, Gabriella."
The dark elf smiled. "You as well, Serana." Her voice was a gentle purr.
"You both act like you've never met a beautiful vampire before..." Azriel joked.
"You're the one taking her to bed." Gabriella retorted sarcastically.
Serana laughed when Azriel turned a shade of red that Serana had never seen on a mortal before.
Raylen chuckled heartily. "I have to hand it to you, Gabriella. You do know how to make her shut up."
Serana slipped her hand into Azriel's. "Shall we go?"
Azriel silently nodded and led her through a small stone hallway and into another larger chamber dived up into smaller wood-walled rooms. Azriel opened a door with a key from her bag and Serana followed her inside.
The room was small and unadorned. There was a chair and a small table in the corner farthest away from the door. A double bed occupied most of the space of the room. A small chest sat near the doorway.
Serana walked over to the chair and sat down. She watched as Azriel pulled off her boots and flopped down on the bed. Azriel lay there for a moment before rolling her head to look at Serana.
They sat there in silence for a few minutes, neither of the making a sound. Serana leaned forward in her chair resting her arms in her lap. Azriel curled onto her right side and watched her.
Serana saw her eyelids were heavy. The young woman was fighting sleep and losing. Serana stood and stretched. She walked over to the bed and lay down next to Azriel.
"Sixteen," Azriel said out of nowhere.
"What?"
"I've been a werewolf since I was sixteen," Azriel murmured almost asleep.
"Sleep. We'll talk again in the morning." She said softly, brushing her cheek with her fingertips.
Azriel's eyes fluttered closed.