Aela held Azriel to the wet ground as Azriel fought against her. She had used every bandage and potion between their supplies. Aela had used the remains of Azriel's tunic to bind Azriel's injured arm to her body, rendering it immobile.
"Not again! Please… I can't take any more!" Azriel good arm ripped itself free of Aela's tight grip and Azriel punched Aela in the face knocking her away.
Serana jumped on Azriel, pinning her to the ground and Azriel snarled. Serana held both arms under her and clamped her knees to Azriel's waist. She used her weight and legs to restrain Azriel completely, pressing her hands down on Azriel's shoulders to keep her from bucking under her.
"Are you alright?" Serana watched Aela shake her head, dazed by the force of Azriel's strike.
Aela rubbed her jaw and her felt face was already swelling. "Fine. Just keep her down."
Serana looked down at Azriel's sweating face. It was stained red with her strain and her skin was so hot it hurt Serana to touch her.
Azriel roared and the cave shook, raining down more debris on top of them. "I will kill all of you!" Azriel's body shook as she raged.
Her bloodshot eyes saw only the Thalmor of her past. "I hate you!"
Serana lifted a cool hand to her forehead, stroking her soaking hair. Azriel's words tore at her heart, even if they weren't intended for her. "Azriel, it's me."
"It's no use, vampire. She doesn't see you and she can't hear you. She is living her nightmares!" Aela pulled a rag from her bag, dunking it in the cool water.
"We have to be able to do something to ease her pain!" Serana yelled back over Azriel hate filled growls. They had been fighting Azriel for over three hours and she was becoming more difficult to contain.
Azriel pushed hard against Serana, snapping at her with the sharply pointed teeth of the wolf. "You will not confine me! I am no longer your slave! I have earned my freedom and I will have it!"
Aela laid the wet rag carefully on her head, avoiding her snaps. "What is she talking about?"
Serana looked up at her and then looked away. She remembered their walk from the lake, Azriel hadn't told a soul about her past.
Azriel struggled hard against the vampire's strength. She bucked against Serana trying to throw her off. Fresh blood was staining her bandages. "I will not die in this cage! I am the Champion, you promised me I would go free!"
Serana adjusted her grip, trying desperately to hold her down and not injure her more. Azriel's sweat made her difficult to hold onto as she squirmed.
The rag on her head steamed. Aela cupped water into her hands pouring it over her head and body trying to cool her. "Champion? Of what…?" Aela didn't realize she was speaking out loud in her concern.
Serana ran her fingers down her enflamed cheek. "We should move her to the pool…"
"No! Don't release her and don't try to move her. It's too late for that. If she frees herself, all of her wounds will tear open. We are out of potions and bandages." Aela barked at her.
"She's burning up!"
"I know that!" Aela fought for control of her emotions. Getting angry wasn't going to help them or Azriel.
She calmed herself as much as possible before speaking again. "I know she is. We need to do what he can for her, but we cannot release her. She will die if…"
Azriel's pained scream forced Aela to cover her ears. The small cave shook and Aela looked at the entrance as the rocks shifted. She caught the vampire's disbelieving look as the scream died away.
"She'll bleed out. You're going to have to trust me, Serana." Aela finished her thoughts as she cupped more water and let it drip over Azriel.
Serana stared at her for a moment. The Nord hadn't insulted her, her words full of caring.
Azriel's heels dug into the rocky soil and pushed. She thrust her hips hard against Serana, almost throwing her. "I'm finished with you and this place! I will watch you all burn!"
Flames erupted along the walls of the small cave and Aela sprang to her feet.
"You made me this way! You made me into this! I will never show you mercy!" Azriel writhed against Serana. Her heavy breathing and pain filled shrieks filled the cave loudly.
Serana leaned down, desperate as the heat became stifling. "Azriel, please… you must stop!"
The ground shook and Azriel screamed again. Her Thu'um vibrated against the cave walls and cracks formed in the ceiling. The rocks in the entry way groaned and in their shifting, fell into the small opening, sealing them in.
"No one will leave here alive!" Azriel twisted her body trying to free herself. "There will be blood!"
"Ahziial, please! You must stop!" Serana pleaded as the flame leapt to the cave floor.
"You are not my masters anymore!" Azriel growled like a caged animal. "I will be free! The Arena will be your tomb! This hellish cage will burn!"
Her bloodshot eyes were rimmed red. The contrast to the darkened ochre of her fevered eyes made Azriel look every bit like a dragon as she stared through Serana. "YOU WILL ALL BURN!"
Aela looked around, desperate for a release from the heat. The cave wall held a small waterfall that fed the stream. The stream had carved a pool around some rocks in the cave. It will have to be good enough...
Aela slipped into the shallow pool, letting the water cover her as the small cave became an inferno.
Serana held out her hand, blasting the pool with frost while trying frantically to hold onto Azriel. Flames and ice licked at the water, heating and cooling it. Serana timed her icy gusts to when Aela needed to breathe and surrounded the Huntress in frost.
For over an hour the flames endured and Aela was forced to stay submerged for the entire time, coming up only for a quick breath. She was frantic from the lack of air and the inability to help Azriel. It took everything she had to endure the immense heat and keep hold of the rock that kept her from floating to certain death.
Serana alternated her focus from Azriel to Aela, knowing the Nord was exhausted from the heat and remaining under water.
As the flames dwindled, Azriel slipped into unconsciousness. The hours of screams and fighting had taken their toll on Serana. Her constant cooling of the small pool Aela had remained trapped in had sapped her magic. Serana was exhausted as the heat dissipated and she tried not to collapse on Azriel.
Aela crawled from the pool shivering as her muscles relaxed. She took several long breaths trying to give her starved body the air it craved. She collapsed next to Azriel and rolled onto her back staring at the vampire that still sat on top of the Dragonborn.
"She'll be out for a while. You can relax now." Aela panted looking up at her.
Serana simply nodded. Her thirst blazed in her throat and she coughed lightly. The smell of Azriel's blood was too much for her and it took all of her will to slowly climb off of the woman.
Aela propped herself up on her elbow and looked at Serana as she licked her lips. "Rein it in. Now is not the time to lose control of yourself."
Serana closed her eyes and ran her tongue across her fangs. "I need to hunt."
Serana's eyes opened slowly and Aela could see the red tint to them. "Fight your urges, Serana"
Serana hissed at her. "I am capable of controlling myself, damn it." She ran her tongue across her lower lip, staring at Aela hungrily.
Aela growled and looked to the blocked entry. "I'm warning you, don't even think about feeding from us."
The pounding of the werewolves' hearts filled her ears. Her thirst burned her throat and she glared at the ungrateful Nord in front of her. The smell of Azriel's blood called to her, but the Nord's blood was also alluring. Serana's thirst beckoned her to taste the ice in the Nord's veins. It was suddenly too much for her. "I have no intentions of harming my mate… Mortal."
Aela snarled furiously and stood baring her teeth, her own claws extending. "You filthy fucking bloodsucker!"
"And you are an ungrateful bitch, Aela." Serana hissed at her baring her fangs. "I saved your life again and still you persist with your insults."
Aela's growled menacingly at her. "If it weren't for Azriel…I'd let you fester for eternity in this rock, starving and alone. The way you deserve to be left, Leech!"
Serana hissed venomously at her words, they cut deeply into the vampire psyche, deeper than Aela realized or intended.
Aela stormed to the entry way, her fury made her hands tremble. She wanted nothing more than to feel them around the vampire's neck, to squeeze the life from her body. Azriel's mate… The words ricocheted in her mind.
Aela took a deep breath and poured her animosity into her Thu'um. "FUS!" The rock was pulverized by the force, spraying chips and sands across the beach.
Aela turned to Serana, her amber eyes burned with hatred. "Get out!"
Serana stood deliberately maintaining eye contact with the wolf. "You get out." Serana's voice was low and deadly.
Aela took a step towards Serana. "Give me a reason why I shouldn't snap your neck."
Electricity arched between Serana's fingers on her right hand, her left glowed bright red. "Do you think it would be that easy?"
A part of Aela's mind screamed for her to stop. Harming Serana would only incur Azriel's wrath. She growled lowly torn between the ass kicking she planned on giving the snooty vampire and her loyalty to Azriel.
"I enjoy a challenge, but I don't see one in you, Maggot."
Serana smirked. Her thirst was out of control and the werewolf's blood rang as it ran through her veins. The Nord's blood smelled crisp, like fresh fallen snow and Serana coughed against the unbearable dryness in her throat.
"Your thirst endangers Azriel and I won't have it." Aela's fingers wrapped around her dagger handle. "You need to hunt, vampire. Go find a suitable animal to sustain you. I suggest a skeever… seems to be your level."
Serana chuckled darkly, the hunger driving her deeper into her true nature. It twisted Serana menacingly, tauntingly her deliberately. Forcing to see through the eyes of the monster she hated. "It eats you alive, doesn't it? To know I have what you want… Azriel is mine and willingly so. It tears you up knowing she'll never be yours."
The sound of Aela drawing her dagger was Serana's trigger. Before Aela could finish drawing, Serana's lightning bolt slammed her in the chest, knocking her through the small entrance.
Aela slide through the clay mud outside the cave. When she hit the sand she roared in outrage at the vampire's assault. Aela's body trembled, the electricity still affecting her muscles, causing them to twitch.
Aela pushed against the ground, bringing herself up just as Serana's body slammed into her. The two women tumbled, trying to gain the upper hand. Each landing blows on the other.
Serana planted her fist into Aela's side driving the Nord backward toward the mud. She stood, her hands glowing with her magic.
Aela recover and leapt to her feet and Serana hit her with her drain life spell.
Aela felt her knees go weak under her spell. "FEIM!"
Serana hissed as Aela found her legs and charged towards Serana. She became corporeal as her hands made contact with the vampire's chest. The blow drove Serana backward and she stumbled falling into a muddy pool. Aela leapt on top of Serana, driving her knees into her stomach. She gripped the vampire's hair punching her in her face.
Serana willed the electricity to her hand and slammed her palms to Aela's chest, blowing her off with the high discharge. She struggled to her feet, gripping her side and hissing at Aela.
Aela curled her knees under her in the mud, trying to shake the fog from her vision. She was coated in the slippery substance and tried to get on her feet, instead she fell on her butt.
The comical nature of Aela's angry thrashing made Serana laugh.
Serana's laugh made Aela angrier and it made it harder for her to stand.
"You look like a wounded mudcrab." Serana taunted her.
Aela snarled furiously and dug her claws into the slick clay. She eyed Serana's muddy form and the massive clay pot she was standing in. "FUS!" The shout sent a wave of filth over the vampire and knocked her off her feet.
"You should feel at home in that filth, Leech." Aela let the sarcasm drip from her words and she regained her balance.
Serana sat up and spit out the dirty water. Her fiery eyes held a deathly icy glare as she shot to her feet. "This won't end well for you."
Serana charged Aela so fast Aela couldn't see where she had gone. The vampire appeared behind her. Acting on instinct, Aela jammed her elbow back into the woman's ribs. Serana stumbled, the air knocked from her and Aela spun, planting her foot into Serana's chest.
Neither woman noticed how far they had wandered from the cave. Nor had they noticed the rider approaching on horseback along the waterline.
Serana's nails raked down Aela's back and Aela backhanded Serana.
Both women grabbed for each other, falling and continuing their fight by trying to rip the other's scalp off. Muddy water splashed around them as they fought each other and the slickness around them. Their claws were grabbing and tearing at anything and everything within reach. Their shredded clothing offered little resistance in the slimy silt or against the other.
Serana punched Aela in the nose, breaking it. The smell of Aela's blood fueled Serana's frenzy. Aela flew at Serana, only to catch the vampire's boot in her stomach. The kick hurled Aela into the icy mud. Serana threw herself into the mud, slamming Aela's head under the mud line. Serana tore at the Huntress's leather, trying to get a solid grip. Her fist readied to land the next punch as she pulled Aela up through the gunk.
The horse whinnied loudly and the two women both looked up. The rider was dressed in the armor of the Dawnguard, but he held his hands up in surrender. "Please, I need to find the Dragonborn!"
Aela and Serana exchanged looks. Neither of them ready to concede victory to the other.
The Imperial looked at them, frantic. "Did you hear me? I need to find the Dragonborn! She's in danger and I must help her."
Both women stared mutely at the odd man. "Arkay, please help me get through to these two morons. What's that? Um… you want me to do what?! All right! You don't have to repeat yourself. Fine. I said Fine!"
The man looked at both of them, letting his hands down slowly. He took a deep breath before continuing. "Aela of the Companions…" The man took another uneasy breath. "…Princess Serana of Clan Volkihar. Now please, I know of the Elder Scroll you seek at the old College and you are in danger. The Dragonborn is in mortal peril. I must find her now!"
The two women hauled each other to their feet.
"What are you talking about?" Aela glared at him.
Serana looked around the beach the cave was out of their sight. The fog was dense near the forest and the cave was obscured from view. She pushed Aela trying to get her attention. "Azriel is alone in that cave, Aela."
Aela looked at her and both of them broke into a run. Serana matched Aela's pace as the two ran through the rolling mist back towards the cave. The rider raced ahead of them, cutting them off. "Wait! Please! Arkay says…"
Both women vaulted the horse and rider, sprinting towards the cave opening. They came to an abrupt halt as two vampires emerged, a male vampire carrying Azriel in his arms.
"…it's a trap. We're too late." The Imperial's eyes were fixed on the Dragonborn, cradled in the vampire's arms.
"Ah, at last you returned. It's such fun watching two beautiful women fighting in the mud. I especially enjoy watching when it involves you ripping each other's clothes off." The vampire purred his words, the fingers on his right hands stroking Azriel's hair. "Pity. I almost wished it could last all night."
The female vampire giggled excitedly.
"Who are you?" Serana asked not bothering to hide her belligerence.
The male vampire inclined his head to her. "Yes, I suppose I should at least introduce myself. Formalities must be kept after all." He let Azriel drop to the ground with a sickening grin.
Aela and Serana growled as Azriel's unconscious body hit the earth.
The vampire smiled evilly at them. "I am Amphilochus and this…" He motioned his sister close and ran his finger down her cheek. "…is my sister Alecto."
Serana sneered at the vampires.
Aela arched her eyebrow at the seductive act. "Please tell me that your sister isn't also your lover…"
The vampire shrugged. "Perhaps you would care to join our games? Alecto has always wanted a puppy." He laughed at his own joke and Serana felt her blood boiling in defense of the Huntress.
Aela tried hard not to vomit.
"What do you want?" Serana's fingers brushed Aela's arm, keeping her in check. The vampire's incestuous admission revolted her.
The vampire tilted his head slightly, the smile becoming playful. "I want a great many things from you, Lady Serana…"
Serana was sickened by his choice of words.
"But, we shall have that discussion later. Your Father on the other hand, would like you to come home. And he'd like the Scroll… Your vampire slaying priest has already been so kind to tell us where it is."
Aela and Serana glared at the Imperial that had dismounted his horse.
The vampire knelt picking up Azriel's head by her hair. He pulled her dagger from her sash and held it to her throat. "Now. Now. Manners ladies. First, I'll offer a choice." His words captured their attention. "I propose a trade. Lady Serana and her Elder Scroll for the precious Dragonborn. You two blood bags can walk free…"
Aela growled, gripping Serana's wrist as she moved to meet the elven vampire. "No deal!"
Amphilochus hissed sharply at her. "Ah, but you didn't let me finish, my sweet werewolf." He pulled Azriel's hair sharply, tilting her head back exposing her throat. "Or the other option is Alecto kills the two of you and Lady Serana watches the Dragonborn die. For me, this is a win-win and I really don't care either way. So, the choice is yours."
Alecto tittered excitedly at the prospect of killing the two mortals.
Aela opened her mouth and Serana wrenched her arm free, stepping forward. But, neither woman anticipated the Imperial's quick movements. "If I may…" The Imperial said hastily as he stepped forward. "I would like to offer a third option…"
Amphilochus pushed the dagger against Azriel's throat. "Which is what, Vigilant?"
The Imperial cleared his throat and smiled gently lifting his hands slowly in a non-threatening manner. "My name is Florentius Baenius, sir. I… am a Priest of Arkay." Sunlight exploded from his hands, blinding the vampires. "If you wish to aid the Dragonborn, now would be good!"
Aela bounded forward, crashing into Alecto knocking the vampire off balance.
Serana sprung forward, moving fast she grabbed the vampire from behind throwing him clear of Azriel as Florentius let the powerful spell fade.
Florentius went to work ignoring the fight around him. His hands glowed brightly as he began healing Azriel's massive wound to her arm, concentrating on her badly injured bone at first. He mended the break and willed the pieces to begin to reassemble themselves.
Aela lead Alecto away from Azriel and Serana. The vampire's drain life spell hit her squarely and her knees once again buckled. "FEIM!"
Aela drew her dagger, rushing at the vampire. The moment she went solid, her she struck the vampire firmly in the shoulder. She let the motion carry her as she spun, crashing her fist into the vampire's face.
Florentius moved to her severed ligaments and tendons. If he healed her too quickly he stood a chance at permanently crippling the Dragonborn. He muttered a silent prayer to Arkay and glanced around to ensure her safety. He watched the Nord fighting the female vampire through the fog until they disappeared. Shifting his gaze, he watched the fight between the two vampires. His prayer finished, he set to work mending Azriel's tendons.
Serana unleashed a torrent of lightning and curses as she fought Amphilochus. She moved quickly, dodging his icy blasts and draining spell. Serana moved fast, side stepping another of his strikes, moving in closer to knock him off balance. Her thirst drove her to move in on him, the need for fresh blood clawing at her throat. She heard a woman scream through the fog, but couldn't chance diverting her attention.
Azriel moaned and Florentius worked to stop the last of her bleeding. It will have to be good enough. "Dragonborn, if you can hear me… wake up!"
His hands glowed as the moved from puncture to puncture, slowing the bleeding. Azriel's eyes drifted open and she caught sight of his armor. Her reaction was swift and she pushed the man away from herself.
"Wait! I'm trying to help you!" His accent rang with a distant familiarity in her ears.
Azriel lifted herself up, glaring at him. "Who are you?"
"My name is Florentius Baenius, I'm a Priest of Arkay. I was with the Dawnguard until recently. Arkay told me to find you and guided me here."
Azriel rubbed her head trying to get her bearings, but her fever made it difficult to concentrate. "Where are Aela and Serana?"
"Dragonborn, listen to me. We're out of time and you are in danger. You been followed…"
Azriel pushed herself up off the sand. "Where are they?"
Florentius pointed in the direction of Serana and Amphilochus through the fog. Azriel searched herself for a weapon, but she had nothing. She growled furiously, sprinting though the mist.
Azriel let her ears guide her. The cracking electricity and constant stream of curses filled the haze. She ran through it, breaking out into a clearing where Serana fought another vampire. She let her own electricity charge in her wounded hand. Her other arm was still bound and her whole body ached tremendously. She fought the magnitude of it as sweat dripped from her brow and ran down her temples.
Neither vampire saw her, giving her the advantage of surprise.
She watched as Serana dodged another bolt and landed her own on the shorter elf. She watched the wood elf dance along the water's edge, clearly toying with Serana. She could see he was waiting for Serana to make a mistake.
Serana pushed the vampire along the water line towards the fog, hoping to finish him quickly. She had no idea where Aela had gone or how Azriel was fairing with the Dawnguard priest. She had to trust Azriel would be alright. Serana edged closer to the vampire, binding him between the fog and the sea.
Azriel waited for an opening, the vampire turned his back to her and Azriel unleashed her lightning storm. The destruction spell was powerful enough to drain magic rapidly without proper training. The blast of electricity swept the vampire off his feet and Serana peppered him with ice spikes and a lightning bolt of her own.
Azriel willed the sea to push the vampire out onto the beach. His body tumbled in the surf and fog. The water mingled with the sand as he toppled forth and Azriel forced the sand to engulf his legs to his knees.
Azriel limped towards the unconscious vampire and Serana. She tried to obscure the pain that ravaged her body and took a shaky breath. "Is this asshole giving you problems?"
Serana smirked at Azriel as she hobbled next to her. Serana ran her fingers over her cheek and Azriel relaxed, letting a smile spread over her face trying to cover the pain.
Azriel cocked an eyebrow at her. "Why are you so dirty?" She looked over Serana's body. "What happened to your clothes?"
"That's a long story..." Serana watched Azriel's face catching the small grimaces of pain as she moved. She could feel Azriel's anguish and it was paralyzing. "It's not important. How are you feeling?"
Azriel shook her head, but offered her a crooked smile. "It will stop hurting when the pain goes away."
Serana rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, looking at her bloody bandages. "Smartass. I'm serious, I know you're hurting."
Azriel stepped closer, her free hand reached out and her fingers gently stroked the vampire's exposed skin on her waist. "I'll be fine. That Florentius person healed me enough to get to Winterhold."
Azriel looked around concerned. "Where's Aela?"
Serana cleared her throat. "Last I saw she was fighting the other vampire."
"Just one?" Azriel raise her eyebrows trying to peer into the fog.
"Yes, just one. Why?" Serana uncrossed her arms and pulled Azriel closer.
"I feel bad for the other vampire…" Azriel said turning her head to meet Serana's eyes. "I never got a chance to answer you."
Serana let a smile slowly work over her face and she leaned forward to kiss Azriel gently. "We can talk later. Right now we need to finish with him."
Azriel smirked and looked at the unconscious vampire. "One of your Father's goons?"
Serana nodded, her arms loosening slightly to let Azriel move freely. "Yeah. My Father sent him to retrieve me and the Elder Scroll, which is all he really cares about…"
Azriel broke free of Serana's arms and walked closer to him. "You're thirsty. He'd make a good snack…"
The vampire's eyes shot open and he snapped his hand towards Azriel. The fire whip blazed to life midair. Sparks showered Serana as the whip cracked across Azriel's face and eyes, blinding her instantly.
Azriel's scream pierced the air and the ground loosened around Amphilochus' legs.
Serana sprang forward, but the vampire became invisible.
Amphilochus kicked Azriel hard across the sand, putting distance between himself and Serana. He slipped Kahvozein's Fang under Azriel's throat as he pulled her to her feet by her hair, reappearing with his back to the fog. "As I was saying my dear…"
Serana hissed as lightning made both of her hands glow a pale blue. Her eyes lingered on the fresh blood on Azriel's chest and the red mark darkening across her closed, swollen eyes. The puncture on her neck oozed blood as she hyperventilated.
The white-silver chain and amulet around his wrist caught Serana's attention for a fraction of a second. "Let her go or I swear I will make your death as painful as I possibly can!"
Amphilochus laughed at her threat as he pressed the dagger to bite into Azriel's skin. "My hand may slip when you do, sweet Princess. It'd be a shame to lose your lover…"
A howl cut the fog as Aela soared through mist, crashing into Amphilochus and Azriel. Aela shoved Azriel away hard, springing to her feet in front of Serana.
Amphilochus chuckled brightly. "Oh you three are just so delightful. Such a mix of tension and…" The words died on his lips. "Where is Alecto?" He shrieked in panic.
The werewolf barked out a laugh and Aela let her mortal form replace the wolf's. "Your crazy sister? She might have lost her head for good, that one."
"YOU… FILTHY… ANIMAL!" Amphilochus thundered, gripping the pommel of the dagger tightly. Aela drew her dagger flew at him, the two collided exchanging blows.
Serana knelt next to Azriel and Azriel pushed her away. Bloody tears poured from her eyes which were swollen terribly. "Help Aela!"
Serana drew her dagger and threw herself into the fray.
Azriel was wrought with agony. The excruciating pain and blindness made it impossible for her to move. She could hear the fighting with its grunts and blows. She could hear feet on sand and heavy breathing. The white light blazed into her brain and threw her senses for a loop. She couldn't focus or understand the pandemonium that surrounded her. She could feel Saaraadgraat and Odahviing's approach as the world around her spun.
She felt the man's hands as he turned her over. His gentle whispers a jumble of words she couldn't recognize. The heat from his hands soothed the unbearable burn in her eyes.
Azriel heard Aela cry out in a howl of pain.
The priest's mutterings continued rapidly. She heard a scream and Serana's voice floated to her ears. Seconds ticked by agonizingly slow as her mind gradually recovered from the blinding star-bursts that filled it.
Florentius lifted his hands exhausted. He had poured all of his energy into healing Azriel. "Open your eyes…" His words fell out on panted breaths. "…it's all I can do, the whip's damage is like no other I've seen."
Azriel opened her eyes gradually, but her vision was dark. She shifted in the sand and could see nothing at all. "What happened? Where are Aela and Serana? Why can't I see them?"
Florentius sat down hard in the sand. "The vampire's whip is different than any I've ever seen. I can't heal it, I'm sorry." His breathing was ragged from his effort. "The red-haired werewolf is injured. The vampires that were stalking you are dead. That pure-blood is with the werewolf."
Azriel shoved her self of the ground with a deep groan. Her body ached acutely. She cradled herself with her left arm around her stomach. She took several deep breaths trying to stand. "Help me get to them, Priest."
She felt his hands on her as he helped her to her feet and they stumbled towards where Serana sat holding Aela.
Florentius and Azriel collapsed next to them and Azriel struggled to clear her vision fruitlessly. "What happened?"
Aela shivered trying to catch her breath and choked out a laugh ending with a cough. "Damn fool vampire… tried… to get herself killed."
Serana held the shaking werewolf in her arms as her life slowly drained from her. The woman's selfless act had astonished her. "You shouldn't have stepped in the way…" Serana answer gently, moving Aela's sweaty hair from her face. "I'm not as easy to kill as you are."
"You wish, Serana." Aela coughed again and Azriel reached out finding Aela's hand. She could feel the warm stickiness on her hands. She pushed Aela's hands aside feeling along her stomach with her unbandage fingers. She felt the wound above Aela's navel.
Aela enclosed Azriel's hand between her own. "Leave it, there's nothing you can do."
Azriel growled. "I won't leave it." She ripped her hand from Aela's and laid it on the wound glowing brightly. She searched the depth and extents of her injury through her magic, commanding the wound to heal. But, the wound refused to close.
"Priest, help me!" Azriel barked at Florentius.
"I'm sorry, Dragonborn. I can't."
Azriel grabbed him roughly by the shoulder and shoved him towards Aela. "I can't see whats wrong with her. Why you won't help?!"
Florentius sighed. "The dagger… I can't heal the magical damage it has done and Arkay remains silent. I've reached the limit of my knowledge."
"FUCK ARKAY!" Azriel's Thu'um pushed the water from the shore and the beach quaked beneath them.
Azriel heard Serana sigh sadly.
Serana stroked Aela's hair as she held her. "Azriel, he used your dagger. The wound is… fatal." The only thing Serana could provide the dying werewolf now was comfort.
Aela coughed harder and her hands found Azriel's once more. "I can hear him coming, Azriel."
Florentius stood. "I will not be present to watch this atrocity. Dragonborn, I am going to gather your things from the cave."
Azriel clenched her jaw at the priest's words. "Does your god not know how to show mercy, Priest?"
"Not to worshipers of the Daedra, Dragonborn."
Aela's tightening grip and Serana's hiss broke Azriel's fury.
"Aela, stay with me." Azriel whispered.
Her breathing became more ragged and the howl of wolves in the distance drew both Azriel and Serana's attention.
"Hircine is coming. I'll be hunting with him and our siblings soon enough." Aela's cough brought forth more of her blood.
The dragon's roar pierced the sky above them.
"I won't let him take you!" Azriel snarled, but a sense of hopelessness was consuming her.
The ground shook with his landing. "Briinah, forgive my late arrival."
Azriel could feel Hircine's proximity and thought desperately for an answer. "Serana, where is the dagger?"
Serana lifted Aela gently, pulling the dagger to her hand with a spell. She pushed the dagger into Azriel's hands wordlessly.
"Saaraadgraat, this dagger takes souls?" She held it up for the dragon to see.
"Geh, my Thur. It was once an instrument used by the dovah haarre to sacrifice mortals to Alduin. He would feast on the souls of the worthy to gain their knowledge and power. The blade thirsts like sosnaakke, you cannot heal her wound. The blade breaks the tethers of joor sil through their sos. It is sos luh."
Azriel dropped the dagger. The wolves of Hircine were so close she could smell them. "Aela, my blood… It will strengthen your wolf."
The warm wind brought the smell of the hunt to their noses.
"It's not enough." Aela voice was husky and slow. Her gasps for breath made her coughing draw more of her blood. Her fingers found Azriel's cheek and Azriel took them gently in her hand, wishing she could see the woman clearly.
"Dovahkiin, your blood is only part of the solution. The blade draws her laas fus. The sosnaak used the blade?"
"He was going to kill me." Serana answered.
Saaraadgraat moved his head lower and turned to look at the three women. "The fang has found a dovah worthy of a soul, Dovahkiin. It uses her sos to call you to feed. The sosnaak unwittingly sacrificed her to you, unaware of the blade's true intent."
The wolves were nearly on top of them. The breeze brought the smell of the woods and wolves.
A familiar bark greeted them and Aela's eyes widened. "Our Shield-Siblings hunt with him… Skjor hunts with him!"
"Ek sil kend kos gro. Hi kend siir ek wah sav ek." Saaraadgraat rumbled.
"Azriel, she will die if you don't." Serana whispered.
Aela's fingers curled around Azriel's as her eyes started to glaze over. "Azriel, there is nothing you can do. They're calling me."
The three could feel Hircine's rapid approach on the wind. The sound of hooves galloping along the sand and rock filled the air. The wolves howled as a pack in greeting to their master and to the dying Huntress.
Laughter carried on the warming breeze announcing the Prince's arrival. The hunt was over.
Hircine had arrived.
Enjoy the cliffhanger...
Have a Happy Holiday Season!
(Yes, I am that cruel. However, I could be talked into posting the next chapter... if you ask sweetly.)
:)