Aela thought about Azriel's answers and adjusted herself against the pillows. She toyed with the glass in her hands, feeling the vampire's eyes on her. She picked up the bottle of wine and refilled her glass while she thought about everything Azriel had told her and the book Serana had read. She would never understand how lonely or lost Azriel had felt in her life. The most she could do was be sympathetic and try to understand the young Dragonborn. It struck her how many hardships the woman had faced in her nineteen years, and it made Azriel more attractive to her. Her entire life is nothing but a struggle, no wonder the Gods chose her. Aela thought about Azriel's story and about her dreams. Her next question was based purely on her curiosity.

"Go back to your dreams…" Aela wanted to know more about Azriel, but now wasn't the right time. She could see Azriel struggling with her emotions. "What are they about exactly?"

"A lot of things really, but the ones about the Dominion… I know you don't believe me. You'll think they're just dreams like he did." Azriel said softly.

The statement caught Serana's attention and pulled her from her own thoughts. "Like who did?"

"Ulfric Stormcloak. I went to Windhelm to speak to him several times in the past. Once, I tried to convince him to help me with the dragons, well specifically with Alduin. He only laughed at me. He said it wasn't his duty, that it was mine alone to bear if I was truly Dragonborn."

Azriel's throat hurt less, but she drained her goblet anyway.

"He told me that Skyrim would fight the Elves like her forefathers did. It was the same night I threatened to kill him. I was leaving when I heard the woman getting beaten, it's why I went back to the Palace. I was already pissed that he wouldn't listen to me, the racist asshole. Then the woman had been hurt under his nose and I lost my cool."

Azriel flexed her hand. The wound was giving her grief, but not as badly as it had before.

"Aela, even if you don't believe me…"

"Azriel, it's a lot to consider. I didn't say I don't believe you, I know your dreams are terrible. Between the beasts within you and those dreams, I know you rarely sleep." Aela held up the bottle and passed it to Serana. She thought about the book again and her curiosity of Azriel's past drug up many questions.

"The ninth of Sun's Dusk was the day the Ulfric killed the High King." Aela mused out loud. "It's odd that you would win the title of Grand Champion the same day."

Azriel felt the goblet being pressed into her hand by Serana. The vampire's shocking fingertips brushed her palm, giving Azriel a rush. She wanted to pull Serana close, but didn't want to infuriate Aela.

"I didn't win, not really. When the Emperor announced we would be fighting each other, Marduk and Tabithah pulled me into an embrace to tell me what to do. They knew that they'd be killed anyway since they were in the Dark Brotherhood. They thought that the Empire would grant freedom to a slave child. Marduk would go first and Tabithah second. All of us sported numerous injuries and I could barely stand because of that stupid spider."

Aela nodded knowing Azriel couldn't see it. But, it had made sense. "How did you escape?"

Azriel sighed sadly. "The Priest told me how to escape. I climbed the mountain of dead to a doorway at the top. It was never locked and didn't need to be. I pushed the doorway open and followed the passage. It was never guarded because there was nothing there to guard. I don't remember much… I just remember the destruction. I caused it."

She swallowed, her throat aching with the act.

"I burned anything and everything that would burn. I made the rock bend to my will and anyone I killed I took their blade and use it until it broke. Water flooded the depths and filled what was left of the passageways. When I was finished, nothing remained..."

Serana rested her hand on Azriel's arm. The blood memories flashed through her mind and she quietly allowed her fingers to stroke Azriel's arm in a gesture of reassurance.

Aela watched Serana's hand on Azriel's arm. "You knew this, didn't you?" She wasn't asking Azriel.

Serana met her eyes. "I learned it through her blood and she explained in part."

Azriel moved her free hand and rested it on Aela's thigh, searching for Aela's hand.

Aela didn't think twice and let her own hand fall into Azriel's. There was nothing she could say to Azriel about her past.

Azriel pulled Aela's hand onto her lap and reached for Serana's hand once more. She took the vampire's hand setting next to Aela's and then gripped both the vampire's and the wolf's hands in her own. Serana and Aela shared a look as their fingers touched, but said nothing.

"Aela, I can't keep going like this. I'll tell you anything you want to know and I'll be honest with you. But, your jealousy will be the death of me. It needs to end, as does yours Serana. Aela is my Shield-Sister and my companion. Both of you share my bond and you share my blood."

Aela wanted more than anything to pull Azriel close to her. Azriel's emotions were pure chaos. "What did you do to me?"

Azriel thought for a moment about her answer. The wolf and the dragon both were patiently waiting in her mind. "I claimed your soul as the dagger intended, but not in the way that the dagger was meant. I bound my soul to yours, keeping Hircine from having it. Because of that you will live a…"

The door to the Arch Mage's chambers opened and the three women could hear the fervent hushed argument of two men. Colette and Gwynn trailed behind them.

The sight of the three women on the bed made Tolfdir immediately feel terrible for the imposition. "Arch Mage, forgive our intrusion. I tried to persuade our young guest that now was not the time for his… um… desire to speak to you. On the other hand, we need to give you your final treatment and check your wounds."

"Dragonborn, it's imperative that I speak to you." Florentius was staring at the three women's interlocked hands.

"You can wait, Priest." Azriel growled at Florentius and removed her hand from the intertwined fingers of the other two women. "It's alright, Tolfdir. Let's just get it over with."

Aela and Serana stood and moved away from the bed, allowing the three Mages to close in on Azriel.

"Florentius, give her some privacy." Aela growled at him quietly.

"What? Oh yes..." Florentius walked to the other side of the privacy wall.

Tolfdir clapped once and the Mage lights in the room dimmed.

Colette unbound Azriel's eyes.

Aela and Serana both tried no to gasp looking at Azriel as she blinked. The solution that they used to treat her blindness had stained Azriel's skin around her eyes black as night. Where the tonic had dripped off the corners, the skin was stained like long streaks. When Azriel finally opened her eyes fully, the pair could only see the dragon's eyes that had gleamed at them in their bond.

"How is your vision?" Tolfdir watched her look from face to face then turn her head to look at the books in the distance.

"Not as blurry as the last time. The things on that bookshelf I can see, but the letters are still a little fuzzy."

"Are you ready?" Colette asked gently, shaking the bottle. "This should hurt less and it will be the last treatment that we have to give this way. But, you will still need to finish the potion series that we have for you."

Azriel settled against the pillows and nodded to her. "I'm ready and I understand."

Colette popped the wax seal and held Azriel's head firmly. Gwynn pushed down on her legs and Tolfdir held her hand.

Colette let the potion drop into Azriel's eyes and her entire body went ridged. She remained as still as possible and never made a sound as she grit her teeth.

Serana and Aela could feel the pain Azriel was in.

Serana wrapped her arms around herself, watching Azriel trying to lay motionless on the bed. She felt Aela's hot fingers brush hers and chanced a look at the werewolf.

Aela was staring at Azriel's trembling form on the bed. She was frustrated that there was nothing she could do to ease her pain. She felt the cool fingers of the vampire disappear from her touch and slowly brush her cheek in comfort. Aela exhaled softly and took the vampire's hand as Colette pulled a second bottle from her robes.

Colette handed it to Tolfdir and the two switched their responsibilities.

Azriel flinched as the Tolfdir began to pour. She was determined to not let the anguish best her. Her body began to shake as the tonic drizzled into her eye.

Serana interlocked her fingers into Aela's.

Azriel thought her teeth were going to break from the pressure.

Aela looked at their hands, then to the vampire's compassionate face.

Tolfdir pressed the towel to Azriel's eyes. "There's no need to bandage them again I think. However, we should keep the lights dimmed for the time being. Now let's check your other injuries, shall we?"

Gwynn helped Azriel take the robe off to her waist after she sat up. Tolfdir turned his back as Colette and Gwynn removed each of her bandages, checking the scars.

"It's incredible how quickly you heal." Colette mused. "How do you feel?"

Azriel groaned a little as she adjusted the robes back over her shoulders. "Like I was run down by a mammoth."

"Well, this potion and bed rest are what you need now. Not to mention a week's worth of hot meals. You're too thin." She cheekily replied trying to add a bit of humor to the sullen group.

Colette stood looking at Aela and Serana. "Make sure she doesn't move for at least another day. And make sure she eats something. She looks like a wraith."

Azriel rolled her eyes and then smiled looking at the pair's entwined hands.

Both women blushed and let go of each other.

"Is it safe to talk now?" Florentius peeked around the corner or the wall, hearing the door close.

"What do you want, Vigilant?" Azriel sneered the word, not forgetting how the man had refused to help Aela because she was a werewolf.

Aela poured a fresh bottle of wine into the three women's goblets and resumed her seat on the bed to Azriel's right.

"Arkay guided me to you, Dragonborn. I do have a purpose here."

"Then Arkay should have told you I have a fucking name, Priest. You expect me to listen to you when you can't be bothered to know something as simple as my name?" Azriel snapped back.

The man winced at her sharp retort. He took a moment to collect his thoughts and pulled a chair to the foot of the bed. He could feel the eyes of the three women on him and reminded himself he was in the presence of true monsters.

"Forgive me, Ahziial."

Azriel's breath hitched and she handed the goblet to Aela. Azriel climbed to the end of the bed and sat facing him. "How do you…"

The man's piercing blue eyes caught her in his gaze. For a moment the two sat silently, as if sharing a silent line of communication between them.

"I was sent bearing a warning, Ahziial." His eyes never left hers.

Azriel watched his eyes for a moment. "Which is what and why are you here, Florentius? Why aren't you with Isran?"

The priest cleared his throat and looked away. "He's dead, and it's a bit of a story if you are willing to listen."

Azriel looked over her shoulder at Serana and then to Aela. Both shrugged at her.

"Well talk then." Azriel answered.

"I arrived at Fort Dawnguard a week before you and the Daughter of Coldharbour had come. I had been taken captive by vampires previously and Isran had sent a group to rescue me from my prison in exchange for aiding him." Florentius looked at the stocked table and picked up a bottle of ale and blessed it before he opened it.

"Now, let me just preface things by saying I was a bit surprised. Isran had always mocked me for speaking with Arkay…"

Aela mumbled something rude that only Azriel and Serana could hear. Azriel silenced her with a glance.

"But, Arkay gave me his blessing to return to Isran. He said he wanted me to see for myself the truth behind the Dawnguard."

Azriel held up her hand for him to wait, she was stuck on something he said. "Hang on a second. Serana, what's a Daughter of Coldharbour?"

Serana rubbed her temples. "Well, I am."

"We gathered that, Princess." Aela was studying her again.

Serana could feel the trio's eyes on her. "It's what I'm called or any woman that survive the ritual to become pure-blooded vampires."

"What ritual?" Aela was taking in the vampire. She let her senses roam with her thoughts. Questions began to burn in her mind.

"Not now, Aela. Later." Azriel answered, seeing Serana's embarrassment and wishing to spare her the pain of answering.

Aela nodded in acknowledgment.

But, Florentius was still staring at Serana. "I know all about your ritual, Vampire."

Serana's flaming eyes met his light blue ones.

"You're disgusting you know that?" He jeered at her.

Azriel leapt off the edge of the bed and picked up Florentius. She kicked aside the chair and slammed the priest to the wall. Her feral growl tore at her aching throat. "Insult her again and I'll tear your heart out."

"Azriel, he's right. It was disgusting and I embody everything he hates." Serana said coolly, but the uneasy look on her face made Azriel angrier. "It bothers him that his god has no influence over me. Let him finish his story."

Azriel slowly released the man. "You heard my warning, Priest. If you insult her again, I will send you to your god."

"I've bested thirty vampires with my bare hands, Dragonborn. I'm not afraid of you. I've come to help you, but I make no bones in telling you I'm not pleased with your company. I'm only doing this for Arkay."

Azriel rolled her eyes. "Finish what you were going to tell me or get out. I care nothing for you, your god, or your opinions of my mates."

Aela's insides spun at her words. The stark reality of Azriel's reason for claiming her soul hit her like a stony wave. Her wolf howled with excitement as the realization dawned on her. She and Serana were both Azriel's mates. How is that even possible? Wolves mate once… for life…

They watched as the Priest calmed himself and returned her glare. "Your time is short, child. You'd do best to listen. It is rare for a child to be born under two star signs, especially ones that are both a curse and a blessing. Especially, one who throws her blessings from the Divines away and aligns herself with the Daedra."

Azriel laughed, her voice became colder and reptilian. "You know nothing about me or my dealings, joor. I'm well aware of my curses and that my life is destined to be short. If you had any sense you'd know I don't really align myself with either the Aedra or the Daedra. They don't hold any interest for me. Now finish the story or get out. I don't care which." Azriel finished with contempt.

Azriel sat down, but Florentius glared at the two women behind her. "Very well, I'll finish. But, that is my warning to you. The Tower and the Serpent combined will lead you to more trouble than you have bargained for."

Azriel shrugged, unaware of the two women's shared looked of concern.

He pulled the chair back over and sat down in front of her once more.

"What do you know of the Dawnguard?" Florentius asked studying her.

"Other than they're a bunch of vampire hunters… nothing. My deal with Isran was purely for my own benefit." Azriel answered. She felt the bed move under her and looked over her shoulder. Aela had shifted closer to Serana.

"Or so they'd have you believe." Florentius picked out another bottle of ale and blessed it, this time hastily taking a drink.

"Their history is much darker than I suspected. When Isran reformed the group, the costs began to add up quickly. So he took in whoever he could find that shared his views. Those that didn't were kept outside of his circle of trusted members and kept in the blissful dark about their true dealings." He paused for a moment, taking a second and longer drink.

"The original Dawnguard was formed to preserve a Jarl's son. He had been infected by vampirism. They eventually killed him when he became feral after being locked away without feeding him. But, the Dawnguard did many things under the pretense of aiding the populace. They'd steal and kill, blaming vampires for the problems. Heightened by their fame and reputation at the same time, soon they turned to were-beasts and witches. No one questioned them. But, things degraded and so did the leadership. They were more interested in gold than fulfilling their purpose. That led to more murders and robberies at their hands until eventually they were disbanded."

Aela let out a low whistle. "Honorable bunch. I can see why they were reformed."

Florentius locked eyes with her and Azriel bristled. "And you Werewolf… Are you more honorable?"

Azriel growled low in warning.

Aela sat up at the challenge. "Don't question my honor, Imperial."

Serana's hand found Aela's. "Azriel is also an Imperial, don't insult him for his race."

Aela grumbled, pulling her hand free of Serana's. "Don't tell me what to do, Serana."

Azriel shot Aela a warning glare. "Aela, don't slip back into old habits."

"How honorable is it to be paid gold to 'help' citizens, Werewolf? You and your bunch are nothing more than overpaid mercenaries."

"Watch your tongue, Priest. The Companions are…"

"Nothing but the dogs of Hircine." He finished.

Azriel stood, pointing to the door. "Get out! And don't come back."

Florentius rose slowly. "I… what? No… No I won't apolo… Fine. Ahziial, I apologize for calling the Companions dogs."

"Get out!" Azriel roared at him.

"No." The man planted his feet.

Aela growled, jumping off the bed. She took her place beside Azriel. "I'll be more than happy to throw him out, Harbinger."

Azriel grabbed his jacket and lifted him in the air. "No need, Sister… I'm going to enjoy throwing him from the tower. You've over stepped your bounds twice. You can insult me all you want, Priest of Arkay. But, you will never insult them again."

Florentius caught her hands. "Daughter of Akatosh, hear me out!"

"Azriel, wait." Serana was standing, but she was shaking. "Can't you feel that?"

Azriel wasn't listening to her as she walked to the stairs, her eyes glowing. "You dare insult them? No, Priest, you will meet your god soon enough."

Florentius kicked Azriel in the stomach, knocking her away.

Aela jumped at him, but Serana caught her. "Don't! He's protected!"

Aela and Serana scrambled to Azriel, who laid on the ground clutching her still healing stomach.

"Daughter of Akatosh, Lord of Time…" Florentius' voice had changed. It was a softly melodious sound, not the clipped accent of a Nibenean.

The three looked at the Priest's glowing blue eyes.

Azriel let Aela and Serana help her to her feet.

"Listen and Learn."

Azriel roared at him. "The fuck I will!"

"The sea changes color, but the sea does not change, Dragonborn. You are what you were meant to be, yet you lack control. The dragon is at war, the dragon which you tether to your own cage. You long for release…

"It is within you to be greater than all the others, or more terrible. You are the last foretold. Dragon of the North… listen and learn. You will make your sacrifice on the Alter. You will stop him. You will not seek the Void. This is your curse."

Azriel glared at the man. His knowledge of her was unsettling. Azriel narrowed her eyes at him. "How could you possibly know that?"

Florentius blinked and the glow was gone. "I will explain, but it's imperative that I finish my story."

Azriel let out a long breath. "Then you listen and learn. If you insult either Aela or Serana again, you had better pray Arkay choses to save your ass. Because, I will throw you from this tower and I don't care if all the Nine get pissed about it."

"Like you'd have a chance, Oblivion Walker." He mumbled.

Azriel arched an eyebrow at him. She was fed up, tired, and hungry. She wanted nothing more to do with him.

She looked at the pair behind her for a moment as they watched her. "You wouldn't be the only Priest I've killed. So finish and then get out. You were interrupting us, not the other way around."

He mumbled something about the three being heathens and launched back into his story. "As I was saying… Isran reformed the Dawnguard. But, the expenses of running such a large fort were greater than he had anticipated. I don't know if you know this or not, but the Vigilants kicked Isran out a very long time ago. They said his methods were too extreme."

"I got that when Serana and I went there looking for help. It was disgusting and no one deserved the torture room we saw." Florentius wasn't telling her anything she didn't already know.

Florentius nodded in agreement. "It was worse than that room upstairs you probably were shown. At any rate, Isran was actively recruiting. Vigilants, Silver-Hand…"

"Silver-Hand? They're all dead." Aela chimed in.

Now Azriel was interested. "You're mistaken, we killed them all."

Florentius laughed and shook his head at them. "You honestly think you killed them all? Some lived only for the thrill of the hunt. Receiving their orders at taverns, not the forts you cleared out, Companion."

Azriel and Aela exchanged worried looks.

Serana found the upset Huntress' hand once more and gave a small squeeze of reassurance. This time, Aela didn't pull away.

"That means the Dawnguard know about us." Aela mumbled.

"They do, yes. Isran knew before Ahziial showed up, it's why he sent her alone to Dimhollow Crypt. Even a werewolf could not possibly make it through so many vampires. But, he underestimated her, not realizing her true strength. Additionally, he thought if she were to make it out somehow he'd have what they were looking for and less vampires worry about."

"He played you, Azriel." Aela let her thoughts roll out.

Azriel sighed and sat down on the bed. "I brought Serana right to him." She rubbed her head and Serana moved next to her.

"It's not your fault, Azriel."

"We definitely should have killed him."

Serana smirked. "He'd have tasted bitter."

Florentius ran his palm over his head. "Well, I showed up after you both left from a mission. Isran was holding a meeting of his trusted members. I decided to explore the old fort and what I found was… unsettling."

Aela sat next to Serana on the bed.

"Past the dog pits and training areas were a series of tunnels. Arkay guided me through the traps to the old torture rooms. What was left of the individuals…" Florentius shivered. "There is a difference between protecting people and cruelty. The new Dawnguard were not what they seemed to be."

He walked to the table and picked up his ale, taking a drink. The three women watched him as he took a few minutes to compose himself. "Men, women, and children… or what was left of them… rotted in those vaults. The cool earth surrounding them held down the stench of decay. They weren't anything but ordinary people. Isran had fallen to something worse than the very thing he hated, becoming a monster himself."

He took another drink, his hand shaking.

"Later that evening, I found plans and notes with a lot of information in them. They were accidentally left out after their meeting. It was plans of Jorrvaskr and information about each member of the Circle. Witches, sorcerers, and mages were named in the book as well… people of influence we listed to be extorted for gold."

"Witches and sorcerers? Like who?" Azriel asked.

"The Jarl of Morthal and her children for three examples of people they wished to take out." He looked up at her. "Yourself and many others as Daedric worshippers…"

"Azriel, we need to get word to Jorrvaskr." Aela said quickly.

"It's worse than you think." Florentius cut them off.

Azriel rolled her eyes. "Because we didn't have enough to worry about…"

"Isran cut a deal with Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak. The Dawnguard were dispatched to Morthal to kill the Jarl and her children. Others were sent to the other Holds. Their purpose was to weed out various unsavory characters and eliminate them. In return, the Stormcloaks would pay them in trade for services and eliminating anyone that Ulfric Stormcloak deemed unfit for his new kingdom."

Azriel jumped to her feet.

"Ahziial, wait! I'm not finished." Florentius cried out passionately.

Azriel returned to her seat next to Serana on the bed, irritated. "How much more can there possibly be?"

"Isran told me before I left with a detachment that they had extracted information from some vampires. Vampire advisors have been sent to Solitude, Markarth, Whiterun, and Winterhold. They were put in place to turn key members of the court to a Lord Harkon's interest. More vampires had been sent to other Provinces for the same purpose."

Azriel flopped back on the bed and rubbed her aching head.

"I know for certain the vampire in Winterhold is dead. But, the others I'm not too sure of. Arkay has whispered that the Volkihar Clan's dealings will start another kind of war."

The three women watched the priest as he shifted uncomfortable under their intense gazes.

"What kind of war?" Serana asked quietly.

"The kind of war that has been brewing for over an era, a war between the different vampire clans throughout all of Tamriel." Florentius finished. "The largest of them is a shadowy organization known only as 'The Order'. It is so old, that no one remembers its true name."

"Florentius, is that everything?" Azriel was massaging her temples.

He nodded and taking a swig of ale. "For now."

Azriel looked at the two women that watched her. "We need to have a discussion." Azriel sat up with a groan and looked at Florentius. "It's time for you to go."

"I'll be in the kitchen if you need me."

Azriel laughed to herself. "I'm not allowed in there."

Florentius stood and looked at her confused. "Why?"

Azriel cleared her throat. "I set it on fire once."

Aela laughed out right. "That doesn't surprise me."

"Wait, Florentius… we're looking for a Moth Priest. Is he still here?" Azriel asked quickly.

Florentius shook his head. "No and I'm not sure where he went."

He walked to the door, letting himself out.

Serana looked down on the bed where Azriel was rubbing her face. "Just gets better and better, doesn't it?"

"I don't think it could possibly get worse." No soon had the words left Aela's mouth, the entire tower shook with a boom.

Azriel turned her head and looked at Aela. "You just had to say something, didn't you?"

A second explosion rocked the walls and dust sprinkled down from the walls. All the women jumped to their feet.

"Aela, where did Odahviing and Saaraadgraat go?" Azriel asked, pulling on leather pants and a tunic.

"They were outside at the top of this tower. They were happy to wait for us here." Aela looked over her ruined armor.

Azriel looked at her and Serana. "Come with me."

Azriel gave a quick whistle and a phantom howl answered her. An enormous wolf specter burst through the wall in front of her. "Fenrir, find Tolfdir and lead him to my quarters. Make sure he brings the Elder Scroll with him and if Urag protests, bite him."

The wolf barked and vanished.

"What the fuck was that?" Aela asked in awe.

Azriel smiled mischievously. "That was an ancient guardian spirit, Nord. You know there was a time when your people actually used magic."

Aela smirked, following Azriel to the center of the room with Serana laughing. "That was before Winterhold washed into the sea because of the Great Storm, Imperial."

Azriel looked at her for a minute then kissed her. "You are a genius."

Serana growled in annoyance.

Azriel glanced at Serana and winked at her.

Serana's growl turned into a whimper as Azriel kissed Aela again.

Aela blushed, catching the look of what she considered to be longing in Serana's eyes. "I know my history?"

Azriel laughed as she looked up at the various floating platforms. "No, washing this dump of a city into the sea is a genius idea." She smiled seeing the object she desired. The chest floated almost at the very top. Azriel snapped her fingers and all the platforms floated down to the floor.

Serana sighed. Winterhold had once been a great city... now there is nothing left.

Azriel walked to the ebony chest. She ran her hand over it and the ancient symbols glowed brightly, making her look away from the brightness. The hammered images displayed a battle between four people and a dragon. The Hall of Valor was on the side facing Serana. The back side was images of thousands of Nords holding swords high in the air.

Serana stepped closer inspecting it. It was similar to the one in Riften. The chest was black and hummed with an ancient power, identical to the first except for the battle on it. The glowing letters were almost blinding.

Speak and I shall open.

"It's almost like the other one…" Serana whispered.

Azriel smiled proudly. "Yeah, but this one I made."

Serana looked at her and then the chest. The dragon was enormous and took up two sides and part of the top. "What battle is this?"

"It took place in Sovngarde, when I defeated Alduin. The three other people are the Heralds of Shor. Gormalith Golden-Hilt, her brother Hakon One-Eye and the old priest is Felldir the Old. They fought against Alduin and banished him with the Elder Scroll the first time. Without their help, I'd still be in Sovngarde or dead."

Aela stared at the three ancient Nords. "You were gone for so long…" Aela whispered.

Azriel shrugged, she knew that Aela had a difficult time understanding why it had taken so long. "I lost track of time there… I was a little occupied saving Nirn and trying not to become a permanent resident."

Aela looked away. "Azriel, you were gone for a fortnight. When you came back…"

Azriel sighed. "I know."

Serana took a deep breath and exhaled watching Aela for a moment. She looked back at the chest. The magic was definitely ancient. "Where did you learn this magic?"

"I'll explain later." Azriel took a breath to speak, but Serana beat her to it.

"Bex." Serana's voice was a calm whisper.

Azriel narrowed her eyes at Serana as the purple flames burned the line along the lid. With a click, the top popped open.

Aela watched both Azriel and the chest. "You don't hear her voice do you?"

"Of course I do, what makes you ask a question like that?" Azriel was already weeding through the chest and pulling out several packages. She kept looking between the two women and mumbling to herself.

Serana shared a look with Aela.

"Azriel, she's using the Thu'um. How can you not hear her?"

Azriel turned to look at both of them slowly. Her hands had stopped moving and her jaw hung open. "Say that again…"

Aela took a step forward. "You heard me. She's using the Thu'um."

I've been asked several question over the last few days. So forgive me for not getting back to each of you with the Holiday Season.

To the Readers:

I guess I should mention that the black & white of the Dawnguard questline has always bothered me. In the wonderful world of fanfiction, the joys of following a storyline can find new twists and turns everywhere you go. I think that TES should have used their own lore and implemented some very unique possibilities instead of squandering them on the cliche'. Instead of black & white what if there was shades of gray? Twisting the plot and altering the course of events through choice and consequence. It cannot be overlooked. Someone asked me 'if like other writers, I didn't know the outcome of the events and let the story just flow.'

I do know how this book will end.

But, it's the journey, not the destination and that's the fun part. Because, the ride will be unpredictable for you.

Now, you know and I hope you enjoyed Chapter 39. Happy New Year 2014!

As always, I'm interested in hearing your thoughts and I love reviews. I'm always happy to read your thoughts and it really brightens my day. Several of you actually have contributed to sparking ideas for the story and I'd like to thank each of you for reading and sharing your thoughts. Believe it or not... a writer finds them encouraging!

Lastly, I was a little dissappointed no one commented on the book The Last Great Battle of the Arena. If you liked it or hated it let me know. I have plans for more things like this in the future and if you don't like it I will scrap the plans and do something else.