4E 204 year… 3rd of Evening Star… 1834…

"Azriel, WAKE UP!" Aela shook Azriel hard against the snow covered ground, while still trying to maintain a grip on her. The last thing she needed was for the Dragonborn to punch her in the face again, while her head was still spinning from the last one. Her wolf was barking furiously, but even that made no difference. Aela chanced another glance to the cliff-face where Valerica was helping Serana to her feet after being thrown like a ragdoll. She breathed a sigh of relief that Serana hadn't slid too closely to the edge. They were high up in the Jerall Mountains and Aela doubted that even the dragon could have caught her if Serana had toppled over the edge.

Azriel snapped her lupine fangs at Aela in her sleep, but was no closer to waking than when Serana had thrown her into the snowbank to keep her from inadvertently injuring Gaafahviing. Aela locked her legs tighter around Azriel's waist and fought to catch her right hand that had ripped itself free from her grip. The wind blew the loose snow around them while Serana sprinted back to Aela's side. Aela let out a string of curses after Azriel's second punch connected just as Serana slid to them on her knees.

"This is preposterous." Valerica grumbled, her stride intentionally not a speedy as her daughter's.

Serana didn't bother looking up at her as she grabbed Azriel's arm just before she threw another punch at Aela. "Shut up, mother."

Aela was sweating, struggling to keep the bucking Dragonborn under control. "Wake up, gods' damn it!"

Valeria sighed loudly, which annoyed Aela instantly.

A second later a massive and impossible wave of the coldest water Aela ever felt hit them. The shock of it knocked Aela from Azriel. It stole the air from her lungs and stung like thousands of bees. Aela glared at the chuckling elder vampire as Azriel bolted upright.

"MOTHER…" The word ground out of Serana's throat, sounding like murder.

"Oh don't complain, she's awake." Valerica chortled back.

Even the dragon chuckled at the three soaking wet women, yet said nothing.

Serana fixed Gaafahviing with a fridge stare, brushing her wet ebony mop from her eyes. "Do not take her side."

The dragon continued to snigger as he backed away from the soaking wet vampire.

Azriel jumped to her feet and began stripping her armor. Her frantic movements and panicked breathing took Aela by surprise. Aela struggled to catch her own breath, letting Serana help her to her feet. "What are you looking for?"

Azriel didn't answer. Instead she threw her cuirass to the ground and ripped the side of her wool tunic up, inspecting her skin.

Aela and Serana shared another concerned look and both women moved closer.

"Are you going to answer me?" Aela tried hard to keep her tone soft. She wanted Azriel's trust, not to build yet another wall between them. There had been too many since her return.

Azriel looked up, confused. "There's no hole…" She looked at her side then to Aela's right side.

In an instant Azriel was next to Aela, which shocked her. Azriel was quick, but she'd never seen her move so fast. She grabbed Aela's right arm and lifted it, pulling the leather open and looking down the side of it. "You're not bleeding?"

Aela gave Serana a quick glance, shivering against the mountain air. She took Azriel's wet hands in hers and looked into the confused aureate pools, "No, I'm not."

Azriel slowly looked up after inspecting Aela. "Oh."

The single word suspended in the air, her simple reply and immediate release of their hands made Aela feel empty inside. She was fully aware of both vampires and the dragon paying close attention to them.

Azriel fell onto the wet snow under their feet. "Was I…" She took a deep breath, "…was I dreaming?"

"You were." Aela couldn't help the need to reassure her somehow. The look on Azriel's confused face as she stared at the ground was gutting. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Azriel shook her dripping hair into her face and Aela barely heard her say the word 'no.'

Aela looked to Serana for help and Serana nodded at her encouragingly. They had talked about Azriel's lack of openness and Aela couldn't help feeling shortchanged by Azriel' openness with Serana. Truth be told, Aela didn't know how to take it. She felt as though, somehow, their friendship was affected by it.

"Why are we wet?" Azriel asked, her voice so low that the boreal gale almost consumed it.

Valerica chucked darkly, obviously pleased with the fact she had managed to douse Azriel after their exchange at Movarth's cave. "They wanted you awake and I obliged them."

"A little too enthusiastically." Serana added, glaring at her mother.

Valerica shrugged with an evil smirk plastered on her face. "I admit, it was crude, but it was also effective."

Azriel didn't answer as she picked up her cuirass, buckling it into place. She didn't look at anyone or speak as she expertly worked.

Aela shared another look with Serana. "Azriel, are you…"

Azriel looked right at her. "No, I'm not fine and I'm not going to tell you what I dreamed about, it doesn't matter."

The snap of her answer infuriated Aela instantly. "Suit yourself."

Azriel made to walk past her and Aela caught her with a hand on her shoulder. "You are going to tell us why you cut yourself off from us again."

Azriel looked between both Serana and Aela. "No, I'm not and I don't want to talk about it."

Both the vampire and the werewolf took a step closer to her.

"You promised you would be open with both of us. Cutting yourself off from us is not being open, Azriel." Serana brushed her wet hair from her face yet again.

Azriel looked past them at the glaring face of Valerica. "Please just let me be…"

"You aren't worming your way out of this. You've cut us off time and again. You can't keep doing this." Aela growled at her fiercely. "It isn't fair to us. Since you've come from that blasted plane of Oblivion, you closed yourself off."

"Now isn't the time for this." Azriel begged, her insides twisting.

Aela's wolf snapped at her. "I can't think of a better time than now." Aela responded, pulling her closer. "You promised to be forthcoming and now is as good a time as any."

Azriel tried to move and Aela held her in check. "Don't even think about trying to pass. You owe us an explanation, Dragonborn."

Azriel looked pleadingly to Serana.

"She's right, Azriel. You've cut us off and neither of us like it. We've talked about it and we want answers."

Azriel looked at Aela and the Huntress smiled encouragingly. Standing on the mountain ledge, sopping wet, with no place to hide or turn away from them, Aela knew she didn't have a choice. Neither Serana nor she were going to let her go. The cave behind them could be damned for all Aela cared. Their connection was an electrical field as Azriel removed the barrier between herself and her lovers. The near contain erosion of all that she held dear slipped from her, rushing the tendrils of their bond. The bitterness that came from the constant struggle tore from her and saddled its weight onto them. The wolf and the dragon's voices combined into a single mournful howl. Her continuous struggle poured forth over the bridge she had created and washed away their own independent strength. Aela felt herself and Serana reach for Azriel, their hands grasping on tightly to her body as both women buckled under the weight of Azriel's burden. As quickly as it had started, Azriel ended it.

"Don't you see? This is my burden to bear… you cannot help me with this."

Aela gasped for breath, clutching her stomach. She couldn't formulate words.

Serana steadied herself and took a calming breath. "No…" She tugged Azriel down to them, "…you are not alone in this."

Aela's fingers reached out and gripped Azriel's wet hair. "When will you learn?" She studied Azriel's face as she caught her own breath. "We are in this together. The three of us. We share everything or we are nothing. Stop shutting us out."

Serana's finger hooked under her chin, turning Azriel face towards her. "We know what we're asking for, Azriel. Give us the chance to finally be with you as you are with us."

Azriel closed her eyes and leaned into them, this time the walls she had erected since leaving the Soul Cairn crumbled. Aela felt like she was drowning, the emotional torrent that Azriel unleased on them was chaotic. She was aware of both the personalities and their finite struggle over Azriel. She felt Serana's emotions through the turmoil, her struggle to understand the fleeting and ever-changing sentiments. The wolf that had sounded so distant barked loudly in her mind. Rejoicing at the reunification with its pack mate. The dragon's roar made her entire being quake. Aela was only just aware that Valerica and Gaafahviing carefully studied them. Their silent stares were intrusive and it bothered her. Mostly because she knew Valerica would have another biting comment for them. She tuned them out, pulling both Serana and Azriel closer. For a moment longer she allowed herself to ignore the two gawking creatures and felt Azriel's raw being for the first time since she had shared her soul on the beach.

Valerica cleared her throat, but the three women ignored her.

"As touching as all this is…" Valerica's tone instantly infuriated Aela with how bored it sounded. "…I would like to remind the three of you, we have far more pressing matters than a collective embrace."

Serana and Aela both looked up at her, their faces conveyed their mutual annoyance.

Azriel pushed past them, glaring at Valerica. "Then by all means, please go inside and read the Scrolls yourself."

Valerica crossed her arms and glared back at her. "Is that not your purpose here, Dragonborn? Or did I fail to hear that Priest correctly?"

Azriel growled threateningly at her, but Serana caught her hand. "Save it. Just scout ahead for us."

Azriel gave a single nod, while glaring at Valerica and stormed into the cave.

Serana gave Aela a nudge and the two started to walk towards the cave.

"Serana, a word…" Valerica glowered at Aela, "…in private."

Aela took her cue and gave Serana's hand a squeeze before letting go. "I'll just be inside."

Azriel walked slightly ahead of Aela, both women remaining silent whilst sniffing the damp air of the cave. The cave wasn't remarkable in anyway other than its warmth and even that wasn't very extraordinary given the volcanic nature of the Jerall mountain range. Moss clung to the rock walls and the black columns of volcanic basalt of the enormous cavern dripped with filtered melt water continuously. Tiny streams trickled down the walls and columns, leading to larger streams. Ferns and trees grew in the light of the overhead opening that had formed from rain and meltwater erosion over time. Small stream beds grew with forest plants below them, formed by the culmination of the rivulets that created the creek. An ancient fallen tree created a bridge over the old creek bed to the other side.

In all, it was a rather ordinary cave, carved into the ancient mountain side. With the sweet scent of forest greens and decay mingled on the moist air, making Aela feel rather peaceful. Yet, Aela could feel Azriel's unease and that her wolf was pacing continuously.

Even with her own feelings of peacefulness, she kept a watchful eye. The pair watched after at each other as they carefully inspected the large cavern. Neither crossed the old log bridge, instead they scouted around the cavern looking for traps and anything out of the ordinary.

Aela made a mental note of the tunnel at the far end of the cavern.

"I highly doubt this is it." Azriel whispered to Aela.

Azriel never misses things… Aela sniffed the air. "Azriel, there's no one here. There's hardly a need to whisper and there's a tunnel on the other side."

"Ah, I see it…" Azriel threw quick glance over her shoulder. "No one being here is what's bothering me. Gaafahviing said the place was guarded. So far we've only seen the old ice wolf bedding area. There's taproot, but no Spriggans. Don't you think that's odd? Especially a place like this?"

Aela rolled her shoulders under the dragonbone armor and toed another clump of taproot. "It's been a while since anyone or anything has been here." She looked behind them to the entrance of the cave. "What do you think Valerica wanted to talk to Serana about?"

Azriel scoffed. "Who knows, maybe she wanted to impart the evils of werewolves upon her."

Aela smirked, but could feel how angry Serana was. She looked across the creek to the awaiting tunnel. "We should wait for them." She glanced at Azriel and flashed her a smile, but it fell seeing the look on Azriel's face. Azriel's wolf was impatient, as if standing by, waiting for an attack.

"This place feels off." Azriel walked up to her and took her hand. "It's like its flowing and standing still at the same time."

Aela couldn't resist another look around the cave. Initially, it was absolutely normal in every possible way to her. The longer they stood there though, she felt a strange pull. Not overtly, rather subtly, like something under several layers tugged gently at her. "Dragons are in tune with time and if these moths have a connection to time, then that may be what you are feeling."

Azriel laced her fingers into Aela's and scanned the cave, before turning her attention fully on Aela. "Maybe."

Aela looked into the striated golden layers of her eyes. Something was definitely bothering her and Aela took a blind stab at the problem. "Thinking about your dream?"

Azriel looked away.

I thought so… "Why won't you talk about it? I know it's bothering you." Aela did everything in her power to keep herself sounding as sympathetic to Azriel as she possibly could.

Azriel shook her head and started to pull away, but Aela stopped her gently. Azriel's golden pools reflected off silver, a moment before she spoke.

"It's just really hard to describe and it doesn't make much sense."

Aela smirked. "Try." She pulled Azriel a bit closer, this time Azriel moved with her and didn't put up a fight. It made her smile widen.

"We were in a beautiful place, the colors were surreal. The trees were the prettiest color I've ever seen. All the colors stood out, greens, yellow, pinks, blues... I've never seen anything like it. It's confusing, but at a certain point, were started fighting these invisible being that shot us with, I don't know what. It burned worse than silver and caused our skin to turn black with rot."

Aela waited patiently while Azriel fell silent searching her memory.

"The creatures came from water, but we couldn't see them. For a bit we were frozen, but without being cold. We just couldn't move, it wasn't a spell either and that's what made it strange. We were just rooted in place."

"Was Serana in the dream?" Aela prodded carefully.

Azriel nodded still in thought, "She was, but she was obscured, she was blurry. Both she and Valerica were separated from us by a great distance. They were trapped separately and differently as if moving would harm us, so they didn't." Azriel sighed and studied Aela's eyes. "I told you it didn't make any sense."

"I know you hold a great deal to your dreams. But, there are no invisible creatures that either of us know about." She kissed Azriel cheek softly. The look that crossed Azriel face made her want to reassure her. "We'll be extra aware of surroundings, just like always."

"Alright…" Azriel pulled away slightly, "I just feel like this is leading us to… well whatever those invisible things are supposed to represent."

They were quiet for a few seconds and Aela thought about things with Azriel. With Serana and Valerica still outside, Aela thought about something that had come up in the past. "You think this is leading to the reason you didn't want to be together before?"

Azriel closed her eyes. "Aela, I didn't want to be together because I thought it would lead to you dying. This dream, even though it's different than the others, it's still the same. In the end you end up dead and there's nothing I can do to change it. That's why I didn't want to talk about it." This time it was Azriel that pulled her close. "I can't bear the thought." She kissed Aela softly on the forehead, "I still can't. That's why these dreams bother me so much."

"It's not going to happen. We'll be vigilant."

Both women turned as Serana loudly trudged into the cavern. Aela could see the fury written on her face and feel Serana's anger swirling in the pit of her stomach. Valerica marched in behind her with an equally angry look.

"If this is it, your friend Dexion and I are going to have words." Serana growled at Azriel as she walked by.

Aela watched as Azriel unceremoniously rolled her eyes at her. "Whatever, Princess, let's just go." Azriel pushed past Serana and nimbly crossed the log. Valerica quickly followed Azriel over the log and Aela grabbed Serana by her belt. The two pushed ahead silently while Aela clung to Serana, holding her back.

She pulled the vampire backward and whispered into her ear. "What's wrong?"

Serana shook her head and pulled free of Aela. "Nothing, let's just go."

Aela pulled her around, "No… the same thing applies to you as it does to Azriel. So tell me and be quick about it."

Serana fixed her hearth-fire pools on Aela. "My loving mother wants me to sever ties with the both of you when this is finished. She feels that the two of you distract me from our goal of stopping my father."

Aela cleared her throat, still feeling the vampire's ire. "And you said?"

The right corner of Serana lip curled upward evilly. "I told her in no uncertain terms that that is never going to happen." She shifted her weight to her other foot. "We need to catch up with them…" Serana nodded towards the tunnel at the far end of the cavern, "…they're leaving us behind."

Aela glanced over toward the tunnel and nodded. "Let's go. But, just so you know, Azriel told me what her nightmare was about." Aela watched as Valerica disappeared into the tunnel behind Azriel. She looked back at Serana.

"Please tell me it had nothing to do with this place." Serana said exasperated.

"Not that I can tell, but we haven't explored the place past this log." Aela rubbed her check, missing her war paint. "Let's just be extra careful here."

"Agreed." Serana leaned forwarded kissed her quickly, making Aela grin wolfishly. "Now let's go."

Aela stood at the mouth of the shaft that had lead down into a massive expanse. She had to admit that it probably was the most beautiful cavern they had ever visited. The environment was like a temperate rainforest, with pine trees and waterfalls dotting the landscape. Next to her she heard Serana's intake of breath and the low whistle she let out.

"This place is gorgeous. It almost makes everything worth it." Serana had only whispered the words and Aela wordlessly agreed with her.

The air was warm, spiced with a floral, pine, and cinnamon scents. Large brown moths fluttered everywhere she looked. They were completely different than the ones they saw elsewhere in Skyrim, so she figured they were in the right place.

Staircases carved from the volcanic rock and lead down to the base of the cavern. Looking across she saw more of the staircases, also carved into the rock leading to ledges that encircled the cavern. Down the path, she saw Valerica already picking the flowers and herbs along the pathway, working her way downward.

"If these groves are sacred to Nibenese, then why is this here in Skyrim?" She wasn't asking anyone in particular, she wasn't even expecting an answer to the question.

Azriel stepped out of the bushes, just below them on the path with a few moths on her already. "We're descendants of the Elves, Nedes, and other races depending on our tribes. The Ayleids are sort of to blame for it since they conquered them as slaves."

Aela arched an eyebrow at her, but Azriel ignored her and continued. "Once enslaved by the Ayleids, their races literally died out because of breeding. That's how the Nibenese were created. Later, they became the followers of Alessia the First Empress."

"I thought you said you didn't know anything about your people's history." Aela couldn't help the cocky retort.

Azriel shrugged, causing a couple of moths to flutter around her and land on her head. "I don't. I have no idea which tribe I'm descended from. I have even less idea what my ethnic heritage is or what my family name would be."

She smiled sadly. "I do know that when Wulfharth became King of Skyrim, he slaughtered the followers of Saint Alessia and reinstituted Nordic traditions. Those loyal to the Alessian Empire moved quickly back into Cyrodiil to escape his onslaught. The Nibenese people moved into the Nibenay Basin and that's how our race came about."

"I remember High King Wulfharth. Father had advisors constantly in meetings to assess his growing power. It was the first time I had heard of someone called Ysmir."

Azriel smile bloomed. "He was Dragonborn. Since his time, anyone who answers to the Greybeards' call has been named that. Secretly, though, I hate it. I'd prefer to be called something else."

Aela was genuinely surprised by her comment. "Why? Even if he was Dragonborn, Wulfharth did a great number of things for the Nords."

Azriel shook her head in disbelief. "He was Kyne's son and I'm Akatosh's daughter. If he waged war on the Elven races and other races, what will I be like when I rule?" Azriel's face fell and she took on a more serious tone. "Haven't you noticed that the Dragonborns' tend to slaughter loads of people and leave nothing behind in their wake? Even Tiber Septim's rule was full of betrayal and murder. I don't want to be like them… I…" Azriel shook her head and look out over the grotto. "Everywhere the Dragonborns go, there's nothing but destruction. Anyone who doesn't think like them gets annihilated. We were born to destroy and only rule those that favor our ideas. I hate the thought of it and I don't want to be like any of them."

"No one said you have to be, Azriel. You are still your own person." Serana smiled at her reassuringly.

"Everywhere you go, you champion the other races. The Khajiit and the Argonians think of you as some kind of savior. The Dunmer respect you, more than anyone else. I don't think you have anything to worry about." Aela added.

"Except that our blood is the blood of dragons. How that doesn't make us any less like the Dov, well it doesn't. I buried everything I could about it and now you know what it's doing to me…" She turned and looked towards the water and a shaft of sunlight piercing the valley below them. "We need to go down there." Azriel looked back up at Aela. "And this place makes me really nervous, I feel really out of sorts."

Aela stifled a laugh, but feeling what Azriel felt was very disturbing. "You've already made some new friends…"

Azriel's face became even more serious, her apprehension was getting the best of Aela. "No, it's something else. I feel watched here and like…" Azriel knit her brow together. "Just do me a favor, don't turn your back on the water here and don't leave me alone when we get down there."

"No one has been here in centuries. Just look around at how pristine it is." Serana looked out to the other side of the massive grotto.

It was obvious to Aela she wanted to explore. Aela looked past Azriel to the vibrant blue water and to the brilliant pink trees that dotted the cavern. She looked back at Azriel face only to see her worry. "You have my word, Sister. Serana and Valerica can explore the place, I'll remain with you."

Serana flashed Aela a thankful grin. "We'll make sure no one sneaks up on us while we look around."

Aela followed Azriel down the stairs with Serana behind them. The place was amazing. Around each of the pink leaf trees were pools of sulfurous water that steamed. Moths swirled around the trees and played in the branches. Mountain flowers of every color carpeted the ground.

Serana bent to pluck up some of the yellow ones and planted them in Aela's hair. The smile the vampire wore stripped Aela of the want to remove them.

The shaft of light that poured from the open far overhead landed directly on the largest of the pink foliage trees. It was that tree that Azriel headed towards without another word to her companions.

Ancient standing stones greeted them as they neared the bottom and Aela couldn't help wonder at the early worshipers who had carved them. "Do you think the Nibenese created these standing stones?"

Azriel put her hand on the first one, "Maybe, but who knows if they did it or the Ayleids had them do it. Remember the Nibenese were slaves, so I'm guessing these early monoliths and means of worship came from the Ayleids originally."

At the bottom of the steps Azriel sat down, pulling off her boots and shoving them in her ruck sack. Water surrounded the small peninsula that lead to the small island with the large tree. But, to get to it Azriel had to walk through water.

"Have you figured out what you are going to do?" Serana asked curiously.

"Nope. Dexion said they have a mantra they chant mentally when communing with the moths, but it takes years to learn their discipline." Azriel rolled up her breeches to her knees.

"We don't have years, Dragonborn." Aela answered, pulling her to her feet.

"I know that, fleabag." Azriel smirked at her. "He also said they sing when they tend to the moths."

Aela let out a bark of laughter. "Sing to them? Oh, this I have to hear."

Azriel glared at her while she took off her swords and cuirass and put them in her ruck sack as well.

Serana beamed at them, but it was obvious she missed the joke.

"The awe inspiring Dragonborn with her amazing voice, never sings… or dances for that matter." Aela muttered to the lost vampire.

"What?" Serana looked incredulously at Azriel. "You don't sing or dance?"

Azriel rolled her eyes. "Do I look like a bard to you? No, I don't. I've never learned how, Princess."

Serana grinned at her. "With the way you wield a sword, I would think dancing would come easily."

"Hardly. Besides, I've never really had a chance to…" Azriel stopped when she looked at Aela. "Never mind. Let's just get this over."

"Hold it right there, snowberry. You had plenty of chances to do both, back home, in Jorrvaskr." Aela knew the reasons Azriel stayed away. She had never participate in any of their celebrations. She figured it stemmed from their rocky beginnings, but also Skyrim's call for her. It was something that their friendship never seemed to get over and it bothered Aela immensely. So far, she had only talked to Lydia and Serana about Azriel's aloofness in the past.

Azriel rubbed the back of her head and surveyed the small island with the tree. "Look, those moths need to have some sort of interaction and I've never sung before. So, I'd rather not make a spectacle of myself…"

"I would have thought you rather enjoyed it with the way you carry on." Valerica quipped at her, stepping down the last of the stairs.

Azriel glared at the ancient vampire. "You know, I really getting sick of…"

"Save it, young Dragonborn. Just do what you need to do to read the Scrolls. Harkon will not wait nor will I. We must be swift in this endeavor. Lest I remind you, time is of the essence." Valerica snapped at her.

Azriel's hands caught fire, Valerica snorted and turned her back on Azriel. "Serana, make yourself useful and help me gather these reagents."

Serana gave on last hapless look to them before trudging off to keep Valerica away from Azriel.

"Aela…" Azriel caught Aela's arm. For a second she looked like she was going to say something, then changed her mind. "Um. They're both thirsty and there's more bottled blood in my bag."

Aela stepped closer. "That's not what you were going to say…"

Azriel looked away, "I have no idea what I'm doing and I'm really lost here. I know you can't help me, but I am really nervous about this."

Aela pulled her into an embrace. "Just do what feels right."

Azriel sighed and pulled away. "Give me a little bit, to um, figure it out."

Azriel followed the path under the standing stones to the island. Aela felt her rising anxiety and wished there was a way she could reassure her. Instead she watched from the rocks on the other side of the island, staying true to her promise to stay close. Azriel walked around the base of the large tree and then to the carved stone circle sitting on a second larger half circle. Behind the stone Aela thought the shaft of sunlight grew brighter.

Azriel took the draw knife from the enchanted stone and looked at the carved ornate handles. She walked through the shallow water to where Aela relaxed on the rocks. "Whoever tended to this place spent a lot of time making sure everything was cultivated beautifully, even this blade."

She held it out to Aela, but something struck Aela as wrong to touch it. Instead Aela pushed her hand away. "It's probably better I don't touch that. I don't think it's right for me to do so."

Azriel exhaled a long breath and sat down on the rock next to her. "This place feels so… I don't know how to describe it."

"When you were sleeping, Gaafahviing told us that the moths themselves were not ruled by Akatosh. They move with their own sense of time and that their connection to the Elder Scrolls separates them from the gods' rule."

"Maybe that's why I feel off. I don't know, I just feel really out of it here. As if pulled in different directions." Azriel looked at the blade in her hand and to the large tree. "I'd feel better if we'd have brought Dexion. I feel like coming here without him was a big mistake."

Aela rubbed her back gently. "He wasn't up for the trip. He has faith in you and so do I."

Azriel closed her eyes and took a series of deep breaths. "I just can't shake the feeling something bad is going to happen."

Aela wrapped her arms around her, pulling her close. She stroked her hair and whispered in her ear, "I'm not going to let anything happen to you if I can help it."

Azriel took her hand and kissed it. "I'm really glad you're here."

Aela smiled brightly at her and let go. "Go on, before Valerica starts beating you with her bouquet for not moving fast enough."

Azriel stood and smirked. "She's more than welcome to sing to the moths herself."

Aela looked up the path where Serana gathered flowers with Valerica. "That would be an amusing sight."

Azriel looked up at them as well and scowled watching Valerica.

"Then again, not as amusing as seeing her pick flowers then lick them." Aela chuckled to herself, then added. "What a way to spend being immortal, picking flowers and in the Soul Cairn. Seems like she forgot her humor somewhere along the way."

Azriel looked back at Aela. "That vampire never knew the meaning of fun. I think she was born a foul tempered bitch." Azriel picked up the draw knife from the rock. "Let's just get this over with, come on." She held out her hand to Aela, who took it.

"What do you need me to do?"

Azriel looked back up at the vampires ad sniffed the air. "Help me set everything up near that ray of light and guard me. I still feel like we're being watched."

Aela sat next to the carved stone as Azriel bathed in the warm turquoise water. The milky blue water of the shoreline, steamed tainted with the sulfurous odor of its volcanic nature. The smell didn't bother her, since it wasn't nearly as bad as the hot springs of Eastmarch. As Aela relaxed against the stone she surveyed the turquoise water along the yellow shore. Her eyes wandered the area around them searching for anything out of the ordinary.

The more time they spent in the cavern grove the more she could understand Azriel's feelings of being watched. But, nothing alluded to the fact anyone had been in the grotto in hundreds of years. There were no smells, footprints, or any other trace anyone had been there. She figured Azriel's trepidation was getting to her. She looked out where the turquoise and the emerald blue waters met not more than ten feet from them. She wondered how deep the cavern went, but knew Azriel wouldn't go a toe deeper than her waist, nor would she suggest it. For a few more minutes, she leisurely watched the massive waterfall and the waters, then looked up to where Valerica and Serana were.

Near a smaller Canticle tree, was another stand of pine trees surrounded by flowering bushes. The flame-orange brush was unique to the cave as far as Aela could tell, in fact a lot of the plants were. She smirked watching Valerica sample the flowers and leaves of the bushes, before making notes in a journal Movarth had given her. Serana stood was under one of the larger pines picking pine cones for their collection. She watched the vampire work methodically, until Serana looked down at her, smiling and waved. Aela smiled fully and held up her hand back to her.

Reclining back against the carved basalt, Aela surveyed the opening at the top of the cavern. As Gaafahviing had said, the opening was large, but not big enough for a dragon. It was over grown, but not anywhere near what she had imagined when he had spoken of it. Aela stretched and watched Azriel slip under the water. She hoped things would go smoothly for her. Even bathing hadn't taken the edge from Azriel's frayed nerves. Azriel's emotions seemed more chaotic, but Azriel had become more stoic and that bother Aela. She had talked about the lack of any emotional connection with Serana, but the emotional flood they had experienced a short while ago harbored something foreboding. To Aela, that's where Azriel's anxiety seemed focused.

Azriel surfaced and walked out of the water. Aela sat up straight to enjoy the view. Azriel flipped her hair and braided it quickly, wrapping the braid around her head and tucking it into itself. She picked up her ruck sack and pulled all three Scrolls out, setting them out near the ray of light. She drew a shimmering gold bundle from depths of her bag. Unfolding the golden bundle, exposed the roll to be a long wide strip of golden silk.

"What's that for?"

"Dexion said the Priests wear silks showing their heritage when they commune with the Ancestor Moths. I don't know mine and I bought this ages ago because it was pretty." Azriel began wrapping the cloth around her neck and chest forming a top. The light caught it and Aela was amazed by the sunshine-gold color. "Since I don't know my heritage at least I can wear something made of silk blessed by a Priest of Akatosh." She unrolled the second bundle and Aela exaggerated a groan causing Azriel to look up.

"I prefer you undressed."

Azriel laughed and continued unfolding the next piece of cloth. "Are you trying to get onto Valerica's bad side? Because I'll happily take it back off."

Aela looked up to see Valerica glaring down at them. "Pass, it's enough to watch the two of you. It's bothering Serana and that bothers me."

Azriel wrapped the second piece of material around her legs then her waist forming a skirt of sorts. "Well her mother is a self-centered bitch and I'll gladly send her back to Coldharbour the instant Serana gets sick of her."

Aela sighed. "Valerica is still her mother."

"I don't understand Serana's dedication to her."

"You don't need to. Serana cares for her mother, no matter how trying as it may be. You need to respect that." Aela was getting too distracted by how Azriel looked dressed in the shimmering gilded silk. She marveled at how much the nineteen year old looked every bit like a Divine.

"I do, Aela. I just don't understand why..." Azriel had stopped abruptly.

Aela waited patiently, wondering where she was going with it.

"It doesn't mean I need to care for them." Azriel finished quickly.

Aela didn't understand Azriel's complete resentment of Valerica, but she could feel the anger that gripped Azriel. "You have more important things to think about than playing nice with that vampire."

Azriel looked at her ruck sack one last time, then pulled the dragon priest dagger from it and stuffed it in her silk skirt. "A little more me… and just in case."

Aela rubbed her cheek thoughtfully as she watched Azriel. "Of?"

Azriel laughed nervously and look around before looking back at Aela. "Last time I called Alduin to me with the power of the Scroll. Now I have three of them, so who knows what's going to happen." She chucked her ruck sack to Aela. "Go catch up with Serana while I prepare to do… well… whatever I do. I'm still not sure, and I feel silly singing to a bunch of moths." Azriel paused and looked from the draw blade in her hand to the tree. "I'll just take this a step at a time I guess. Can you see if Valerica can magic up a mortar and pestle while I scrape some bark?"

Aela stood up, "Sure. I'll be back shortly." She turned and left Azriel, beginning to climbing the stairs to the ledge that lead near a small waterfall. She stopped only to take a quick drink from the creek that flowed from a crevice in the basaltic wall. The crystalline water was freshly filtered, unlike the sulfuric water that surrounded the little island with the ritual site. She hiked up the remaining steps and looked around for the vampires. She smirked when she spotted them both picking plants on the opposite side of the waterfall. Following the rock path, she leapt over the river.

"Has she finally begun?"

The snobbish tone that peppered Valerica's words rubbed Aela the wrong way. Instead of letting herself get angry she opted to answer and press them to feed. "She has." She looked between the two vampires and continued. "She asked me to bring you both some blood potions. She said you were both thirsty.

Valerica cocked her head to the side. "How would she know that?"

Serana smirked. "She far more astute than you give her credit for."

Valerica made a face as Aela pulled the potions from Azriel's bag, chucking them to the pair.

"Serana's right, you know. Azriel has a greater depth of understanding of things then you probably realize." Aela offered, giving Serana only the briefest glance. "Whether you care for her or not, you need to recognize the fact you cannot continue on without her. Wherever this takes our company, you need her. You attitude towards her does not bode well in your favor, Valerica."

Valerica's intense gaze didn't intimidate Aela in the slightest and she stared right back.

"Whether I care for her or not is not the issue. This party will attract Harkon's minions at some point. We mustn't dally as we have been, nor should we be drawing as much attention to ourselves as we continue to do. Harkon has had millennia to canvass all of Tamriel to dig for the Prophesy's secrets in other manners. We must endeavor to make haste in our actions and be swifter in understanding the Prophesy as a whole to formulate a plan, finally put an end to Harkon's madness."

Aela sighed and glanced at Serana. "Azriel and I both understand your concerns. For now, Azriel has asked me to see if your bag contains a mortar and pestle."

For a moment Valerica only continued to glare. "I sincerely hope you do…" She opened her bag and pulled out the requested items and handed them to Aela. She turned her back on her and made her way down the path listening to Serana quietly argue with her mother. Aela could only shake her head. Valerica's unwillingness to work cordially together was taxing for all of them. She adjusted the strap on Azriel ruck sack and moved quickly down the stairs to where Azriel was scraping the tree bark.

"How goes it?" Aela handed the mortar and pestle to Azriel. Watching Azriel shoo the moths aside with each draw entertained her.

"Slowly, the bark is really sticky with sap, and the moths are just going nuts for it."

There were definitely more moths near the tree as Azriel worked. The scent of the tree was similar to cinnamon, but also more pungent. It was interesting odor, almost edible smelling, but there was also something malignant about it. The long thin strips Azriel made were in a little pile at the base of the tree.

"I think I need several more." Azriel looked at her. "I'll grind them up when I finish. You should probably get comfortable, the bark is pretty tough and it's going to be awhile."

Aela resumed her position on the other side of the water to maintain a clear view of Azriel. She set her bow on the rocks next to herself and got comfortable against the moss, settling in to watch Azriel work. From where she was sitting, she could see the mouth of the cave's entrance, the ritual area, the ray of light, and where Serana and Valerica were making their way back across the waterfall engrossed with their collection.

Still nothing stood out to her as queer. She was resigned to the idea that Azriel's dreams haunted her each waking hour, making her more anxious than necessary. After an hour of scraping bark, Azriel gathered the strips and set up the mortar on a flat alter-like rock. She worked diligently, first breaking off a bit of bark, then grinding each strip of bark methodically into dust, one piece at a time. Aela yawned realizing the effort would take them into the night. Stretching after another hour of watching their surroundings, she stood when she saw Serana descend down the steps. Her bag was full and her expression seemed relieved. Must be happy for the chance to get away from her mother…

Aela cast one last glace to the parchment Azriel had rolled up and stuck into a bag like a funnel. She dumped another bit of finely ground bark dust into the bag and began breaking up more bark. Aela skirted around her and crossed the water, being careful not to turn her back on either Azriel or the water.

"How's she doing?" Serana asked, reaching out to open the ruck sack's flap.

"About as well as can be expected. The bark is pretty tough, so grinding it is going to take a while." Aela held open the bag as Serana pushed her bag into it and drew out another.

"I meant how is Azriel doing? She's been extraordinarily nervous since we entered this cave."

Aela looked over to where Azriel stood at the stone alter. "I can't say I blame her. When she used the Dragon Scroll at the Throat of the World, she summoned Alduin with the power of it. She battled him there until he escaped to Sovngarde. Honestly, though, I believe she's more nervous about her dream." Aela quickly explained to Serana what the dream had contained.

"Invisible beings?" Serana pondered the quick retelling. "And they shot something at her that burned worse than silver? What burns worse than silver?"

Aela shook her head. "I have no idea. I could only figure her dreams mean something about the unknown and reflect her nervousness at having to read three Elder Scrolls."

Serana looked around the cavern. "Mother and I haven't noticed anything that would lead me to believe anyone has been here. Otherwise, I would have thought the invisible beings would either be vampires or mages."

Aela followed her gaze around the grotto. "I agree, but even the best Mages make mistakes. I don't see or smell anything out of the ordinary."

"Other than feeling like I'm being watched…"

Aela's head snapped around and she looked hard at her. "You too?"

"Yes, but Azriel's apprehension is really getting to me. There's also something else, but I don't know how to describe it. I think it's the magic of this place."

"Like you're being pulled in different directions?" Aela offered.

Serana looked at her. "Yeah, in time… if that makes any sense."

"It does in a way. I've also felt a pull I cannot explain." Aela looked back at Azriel, watching her grind the pestle against the bark. "The sooner we leave the better I think we'll all feel."

Serana looked back up the stairs and watch Valerica climb to the next ledge. "I'd better go. I'll let you know if I see anything out of the ordinary." Serana glanced at Azriel one more time. "You know, she really does look like some mystical Priestess dressed like that."

Aela chuckled. "I prefer her undressed."

Serana winked at her. "Oh, I'd rather that too." Serana stepped closer, running a single index finger nail under the werewolf's chin. "Even better if it's the both of you."

A wolfish grin painted itself across Aela's face.

Aela stared at the stars shining through the opening high above. She pondered the ray of light still illuminating the terraced rock even though night had fallen, but she couldn't come up with a logical explanation for it. The magic of the place was absolutely amazing. She turned her attention to the vampires that gathered plants near another waterfall on the South side of the grotto. She wondered how neither of them could get bored picking so many plants. Serana's last trip down to dump their materials into Azriel's ruck sack Aela had noticed her hands were stained and she was covered in pollen.

"Finally!" Azriel called out and Aela looked to see her straighten her back.

Aela watched patiently as Azriel quickly dumped the remaining bark dust in her pouch. The amount of moths that already surrounded her was impressive. Azriel moved to the water, washing the mortar and pestle.

"What's next?" Aela called to her.

Azriel stood with the set in hand. "I figure if I smear it on my body the moths will be attracted to all of me rather than just holding it." She walked over and snatched the bulging pouch up. For a moment Azriel only stared at the pouch as a blush formed on her cheeks. "Will you take the mortar and pestle back to Valerica for me?"

Aela stood with a stretch. "Sure." She held out her hand of the set and Azriel placed the stone objects in it. "You know, you could have just asked me not to watch at first."

Azriel sighed and her blush deepened. "I know."

Aela gave her a quick kiss. "I'll come back when you look more comfortable."

Azriel only nodded and swallowed. Her nerves were at their ends. Aela was careful not to turn her back on Azriel as she walked up the staircase. Her thoughts roamed to the outcome of what Azriel was about to do. But, the journey held more interest. No one could know what the Scrolls would do when read and Azriel was frightened.

Serana and Valerica had moved to one of the highest sills in the grotto. Aela picked her way along, wondering about Azriel. So much weighed on Azriel's abilities to read the Scrolls that it seemed cosmically unfair to place more burden on her shoulders. It only took her a few minutes to get to the ledge. She looked down to see Azriel painting Nordic symbols on her body with the reddish colored paste.

"Hi."

Aela smiled at how excited Serana sounded in that single word.

"Valerica, Azriel asked me to return this and to tell you she will be beginning shortly." Aela pushed the mortar and pestle into her hands.

"Good. The sooner the better." Valerica dropped the set into her bag.

Serana looked over the side of the sill. "Has she decided what she's going to do?"

"I'm not exactly sure what other than sing to them." Aela answered.

"She's really nervous. Maybe we should make our way back?"

"Definitely." Aela took Serana's bag from her and pushed it into Azriel's ruck sack. "I did promise her I'd be close when she begins. I don't want her becoming more apprehensive than she already is."

Serana gave a soft smile. "Look."

Aela looked back over the ledge. The ray of light that shown impossibly through the night, was glowing brighter and illuminated Azriel where she stood. She had her back to them, facing the water. Moths were migrating from all areas of the cavern. They were landing on the trees and bushes near Azriel. More moths fluttered in the air around her, but none were on her from what Aela could see.

"Come on, let's go down there." Serana grabbed Aela's hand, pulling her back down the path toward the highest staircase. They kept their eyes on Azriel as they hiked down the ancient trail.

She moved slowly. Her voice was nearly inaudible, yet both of them heard it. It was faint like breeze or a lullaby. Serana pulled a little harder on Aela as they hit the top of the stairs.

Azriel's back was still to them, her voice scarce, and her body unmoving. The stairs swung out to the right of Azriel and Aela could see her arms were crossed in front of her. The moths were moving from the highest reaches of the cavern as the pungent cinnamon odor drifted on the light wind. What did stand out to Aela was the shaft of light. Originally, it had been sunshine yellow, but for whatever reason, it was becoming a brilliant white.

They moved noiselessly and hastily down the staircase to the next path. By the time they had hit the second set of stairs, Azriel had begun to unfold herself. Her arms slowly spread out to her sides, pinned to each side by her elbows, her hands were balled into fists.

The stairs rounded an outcrop with stacked round, flat stones denoting the end of another staircase and the start of a pathway. Aela tugged on Serana's hand. "Wait, if we go charging down this last staircase we may distract her."

Serana groaned and stopped in her tracks. "Even with my hearing, I can barely hear her."

"Patience, love. She's at least moving now."

"So are the moths, Aela look at them all!"

Serana pointed to where the moths seem to appear out of nowhere, but as Aela looked around, it was happening everywhere. Moths that had existed were getting closer to Azriel, landing on the plants, bushes, and rocks. Many that appeared were in the air, forming swarms. Everywhere they looked, moths flocked.

"This is amazing!" Serana voice was barely above a whisper.

Azriel took measured steps toward the light, her elbows pinned her side. Her hands were still closed in tight fists and Aela realized she had her eyes closed as well. Her unhurried progression continued within several long minutes. In that time Azriel became more confident in her voice. With each step her voice became a little louder.

Aela realized Azriel was singing softly in Dovahzul and nudged Serana, "What's she saying?"

"Shhh… just listen."

Aela glared at her.

Serana caught it and huffed. "She's asking them to hear her voice, to listen to her song and to let her tend to them. She's asking their permission to let her close and in turn aid her."

Azriel edged around the foot of the terraced rock. Her song was louder and far easier to make out. Something about it nagged at Aela. It wasn't the language itself, she could understand some words. More than she thought she could. The fact was, she felt as if she should know more, but the words seemed jumbled to her.

Azriel was finally facing them. She took her first step up and the moths filled the air. Aela surveyed the pines above them on the ledges. Moths blanketed everything and drifted on the currents over the water.

Azriel continued her climb until she stood behind the shaft of light. Her voice carried on the stirring winds. Moths materialized over her out of thin air. Some came down to her level, touching her, as if inspired to dance on the very air around her. Azriel stepped into the light and instantly, the light became blinding white. Aela had to turn away and block her eyes with the unexpected pain of it. She heard both Serana and Valerica let out a small cry. The gale rapidly rose with the swell of Azriel's voice, resonating through their bodies and every other thing in the grotto. When Aela could see again, her attention was immediately drawn to the otherworldly vision.

The light was no longer a single shaft, it more than cloaked her form or rained down on her. Azriel's entire body glowed, radiating the purest light. As her mouth moved light was emitted from it, as if Azriel had fused with the sunlight and had taken on this new form. She stood stock still, with her arms outstretched, her hands still balled up, and her eyes closed as she sang. The ancient Nordic symbols on her skin stood in dark contrast and Aela realized that she had painted the sacred symbols of the Dragon Cults on herself.

"Aela… the moths…" Serana's voice carried on the rolling wave of Azriel's song.

Aela tore her sight away from Azriel long enough to look up. Thousands of moths had formed a massive black cloud swirling high above where Azriel stood. Like a thunderhead, there were flashes of white across the writhing and expanding blackness. It seemed impossible one second they had been so close to Azriel then the next high above her.

For several more minutes Azriel sang to the moths above her. Serana translated the lyrics to Aela, explaining that she sang about the previous Dragonborns and their history.

As she gained confidence in her voice, it flowed more forcefully. Rocks, trees, the very water rippled with the power of emotions wrapped in Azriel's song. Her words were filled with so much raw energy that Aela couldn't focus on anything but Azriel anymore.

Over the course of several more minutes, the moths responded as well. The congregation spread out and began to descend gradually.

The song shifted and Serana explained she was singing about the dragons. The strange feeling assaulted Aela again that she should know the words, yet the translations seemed blocked.

"Her verses are so incredible. She's tapping into the memories of the dragons' souls, singing about ancient mountain villages and their magic."

"They lived in villages?" Aela whispered in awe.

"Some did. She's explaining their lives and magic to them. The song is actually very beautiful…" Serana knit her brow together. "…almost nostalgic."

Azriel song built once more and the moths became more chaotic. The cloud bank that once existed dissolved as the moths swarmed her.

"She's singing about ancient battles and struggles for power between the dragons, before the wars with men..." Serana let a low his between her teeth out. "She's singing about time on Nirn. She's singing about the past in details she can't possibly know without…"

Aela had almost forgotten about the Elder Scrolls laying at Azriel's feet, until they began to levitate. The moths whirled around her like a tempest, buffering her from the three scrolls. The pure blackness was cut with white, flashed as patterns in the storm. The moths had become her shield.

"If she's using the memories she obtained from dragon souls, it would make sense she would know them."

Serana looked directly at her. "That's just it. The moment she stepped into that light, she had to give control to her dragon, because those memories are suppressed. I saw that in her blood."

The three scrolls hovered in front of Azriel. Her song became more aggressive and her words were sung faster. In them Aela heard her sing of Ysgramor and the Companions. As the song carried on Aela lost the translations entirely, only catching words like Dov and Alduin.

"What's she singing about now?"

"The Dragon Wars. She telling the story of Alduin rule and the plight of men…" Serana answered.

Azriel opened her hands, revealing piles of the bark dust she had held so tightly onto and the moths' flight changed with Azriel's action. No longer did they simply swirl around her body like a twisting storm, but their flight carried them around her like flowing garb. The wrapped around her arms and legs, never stopping, but flying faster. Their dark bodies became a blur, yet the white flashes persisted in a new pattern altogether.

To Aela, the minutes could have been hours or seconds. Time had become non-linear as they watched. Azriel sang through the timeline of the past and Serana translated it for her. Only when the song slowed did the diminuendo make Serana pause. The sadness in the tone rippled through the ether and even the moths changed their pattern.

Aela touched Serana's arm. "Why did you stop?"

Valerica leaned around Serana with a questioning look. "How can you not know the language of your Ancestors?"

"It's been forgotten over the years. Until I met Serana, the only person who knows it was Azriel and a few scholars."

Valerica sighed indignantly. "Educate yourself, Nord. Your ancestors deserve better than the shame you bring them."

Aela growled at the insult of her comment, but Serana caught her attention before she say anything to Valerica. "She's singing about her life, her childhood."

The river of emotions swept over the three women, anger, hurt, and pain.

The patterns of pale flashes had changed and coming slower than before. It dawned on Aela that the moths seemed to understand her hurt or at least, they were responding to her feelings.

"Can you hear that?" Serana wasn't asking either woman in particular.

"It's the moths," Valerica cleared her throat. "They are singing back to her."

Aela thought she saw Valerica wipe away a bloody tear.

The words poured quicker from Azriel.

"She's singing about her escape from Cyrodiil and Eamal rescuing her." Serana continued. "She's singing about Skyrim and hope... Her hopes…" Serana paused as the scroll to Azriel's left began to glow as brilliantly as Azriel herself.

Her song began to build, the sentiments of it changing once more.

"She's singing about being Dragonborn and how her life in Skyrim is..."

The moths expanded their flight, curving around her and outward. Their fluid movements carried them over her hands and around her head.

"…she's singing about us, Aela." Serana finished with a smile.

Azriel opened her eyes. Gone was the sunset gold of the dragon's eyes, instead they radiated the same pure white as the rest of her. At the same time, the Elder Scroll snapped open, shining brilliantly.

"Maker! I cannot believe this is working!" Valerica gasped.

Azriel's song changed, her tone carried with it revulsion and anger as she sang about the contents of the Elder Scroll of Blood.

Serana translated every word as quickly as Azriel sang. Her song wove a web around mortal blood, greed, desecration of all the Gods had created though Coldharbour. All around Azriel, the moths that weren't flying around her, rose. Their bodies, flickering between the white and black patterns. As Aela watched, it was as if they were creating a scene and in her mind she finally understood the true horrors of Coldharbour.

Serana snapped her fingers in front of Aela's face. "Are you alright?"

Aela could only shiver against the wind. The middle Elder Scroll began to glow, drawing Aela out of the hellish visions that the moths painted.

"No."

Serana put her hand over Aela's just as the second Scroll snapped open.

Once more Azriel's song shift, but so did Azriel. She seemingly stepped from her own body, blurring for a moment. The moths flew around both Azriel's, their stream-like essence tying the two together. Both Azriel's were singing, the first still sang of mortals, vampires, and their ties to Nirn. The second sang the contents of the Elder Scroll of the Sun.

The moths danced through the air, their bodies forming images of dragons and of the god Auri-El. Serana translated as fast as she could, relaying the information, but again the moths drew Aela's attention. Their rapid flight blurred them together. Their swift changes between black and white over both Azriel's mirrored both songs. Aela started feeling dizzy as the visions poured through her mind. A powerful dark-haired vampire… a golden bow… blood defilement... the sky the color of blood.

Aela stumbled, but Serana caught her. She could see Serana's mouth moving, but she could no longer hear her. The third Scroll began to glow and Aela focused on it. She could feel bile rising in her throat and desperately tried to get away from Serana.

The Elder Scroll snapped open and Serana shook Aela hard. "Look at me!"

Aela shook her head just as Azriel stepped out of herself once more, now there were three. Aela threw up, her head was spinning.

Serana took her face gently in her hands. "Deep breaths, focus on me."

But, Azriel's song drew her attention back. "I'm fine, just translate what she's saying."

Serana closed her eyes, focusing on the song. "She singing about a snow covered vale, lost through the ages…" She opened her eyes and looked into Aela's. "It's the location of the bow! It's at the Chantry of Auri-El… West, in the Druadach Mountains in High Rock. She knows where it…" Serana stopped, looking up the hill. "Mother! They're coming!"

Azriel's voice had covered the footfalls of the vampires charging down the steps.

Serana pushed Aela towards the water, making her nauseous again. "Stay here! Protect Azriel!"

Serana and Valerica sprinted up the long staircase. Aela tried to stand, Azriel was still singing and it was distracting her. She grabbed the rocks, with her back to the water and looked up to the vampire troop on the ledge. They had split, as had Serana and Valerica to give chase.

Aela saw the trap the vampires had laid to lure the two away. "Serana! It's a…"

With her back to the water, Aela neither saw nor heard the vampires that sprang from behind her. Their concealment spells woven to hide had worked. The silver cord she saw, just as it slipped over her head, then tightened around her throat. Her head was ripped back by her hair. Vampires on either side of her grabbed her arms and her wrists, instantly burning her as they clapped her in silver chains. She struggled, ramming her elbow into the vampire gripping her hair. Kicking out, she caught another and driving him away from herself. But, it was too late. A vampire appeared next to her just as her head was wrenched back violently once more.

Unimaginable pain seared her right side with the punch he delivered to it, burning her worse than silver ever had. "Enjoy your swim, whore!"

Aela was jerked off her feet and pulled backward into the water. Just before she was dragged under, she heard Azriel's song abruptly cut-off.