4E 204 year… 5th of Evening Star… 0237…
Aela lifted the unconscious sorceress's body from the floor as Azriel lay contorted on her side in silence. There was nothing that she could do to alleviate Azriel's pain, but she could at least help the Jarl's daughter after everything she had done. She had caught the girl when Azriel's voice had overcome her. For Aela, the girl had shown herself to be a true companion and fearless Nord. It was something Aela could respect and it also allowed her to put her jealousy behind her. Carefully, she set Idgrod on the opposite side of the bed from where Azriel laid curled up in pain. As Aela's fingers brushing her hair from her face, she exposed Idgrod's bleeding ears.
Aela measured her breaths.
Azriel's cry hadn't affected either her or Serana, nor did she ever expect that it would; not anymore anyway. Their soul bond prohibited Azriel from ever harming them, of that, she was certain. But what had happened in the cave was affecting her. Each intake was a throbbing reminder of subterfuge. It disgusted her how easily she had she had been trounced by vampires, thinking herself a horker-sized milk-drinker because of it. She had ignored Azriel's warnings, let a bunch of withering leeches sneak up on her, and to top it off they had one-upped her, mortally wounded them both.
Aela gripped her side a little tighter.
The pain was only sharp when she took a deeper breath, the problem was she felt like she couldn't catch her breath. Other than that, it was a dull, annoying throb. She watched the sorceress carefully, without actually looking at her. It wasn't really Idgrod at all that she was focused on, it was their time in Quagmire. She hadn't recognized either Serana nor Azriel and it gave her chills how easily she had been fooled again. She had fought to kill, and it was Serana she had been fighting. She shivered as she wondered what would have happened if she would have succeeded. She stared at the bed, no longer seeing anything except her own failures and fears. She heaved a labored breath thinking about her life and how it was coming to a close. Rubbing her side and pondering in silence, her heart weighed heavily. She stole a glance at the two women from the corner of her eye. Within the span of a breath, her resolved had solidified.
Serana lingered over Azriel, trying to comfort her the best she could. She was trying to keep her distance from Idgrod, the smell of the woman's magic blood was a siren. It made her already ravenous thirst that much more tantalizing. Their time in Quagmire had forced Serana's longing to become nearly uncontrollable. She tried to focus on tending to Azriel, but remaining near the mortal was becoming too dangerous. Even though she took pride in her control over her monster, it took everything she had not to pounce on the unsuspecting girl. It was too primal of a feeling and too close to how it had felt to when she had first become a daughter of Coldharbour. Forcing the monster back only did so much, she needed blood and soon. It was an undeniable fact, yet for now, she needed to focus on Azriel and that was more important than her thirst, she would find a means to sate herself later.
Her hand rested on Azriel's heaving back, Serana sat watching the grimace on Azriel's face. Nothing seem appropriate enough to articulate about the pain both Aela and Azriel were in. She exhaled, trying to find something that didn't sound condescending to say proved to be difficult. Instead she remained silent thinking about the more important and very strange calm to Azriel. It was something new and completely different to anything she had ever felt from her before. That's what made it so odd.
Serana glanced at Aela, who was staring at the bed solemnly. The dream world had done a great deal for their connection. Yet, it was still an uncertain progression because of the new feeling of calm. Serana's thoughts were torn between the calmness radiating from Azriel to the guilt that riddled her and weighed heavily on her heart. Her father had laid a trap and in doing so, he had specifically targeted Azriel and Aela. The remorse ate at her and Serana took another breath to calm her anger. With the breath came another reminder, she could already smell the poison in their blood spreading and becoming more potent. Serana moved Azriel's fingers without any trouble to look at her wound. In the short few moments that had passed since Azriel's wail had shaken the mountain, Serana had notice that the black mark on Azriel's side had grown in a few short hours to be the size of her fist. Deep purple webs had sprouted from it, reaching around her side to her back and chest. She looked over at the Huntress. Aela's wound, in contrast, was still as small as a finger mark and lacked the violet colored veins that adorned Azriel's. Looking at the two bare werewolves, she drew a grave breath. She needed to focus on the positives to get away from the burden of what her father had done to them. Her thoughts shifted to the fact Azriel had returned the Skull to Quagmire, it would no longer feed on her nightmares and fill her with doubt. Azriel had healed the rift within herself and it was those thoughts that made Serana wonder. To wake, once again in pain from a wound inflicted on her, Serana could only wait to see the outcome. She knew it wouldn't be good and it gave her a very deep foreboding sense.
Meanwhile, she cursed at the potency of the sorceress' blood and how difficult it was becoming to resist.
Aela looked across the bed at Serana. "Her skull is fractured." She looked back down at Idgrod and took a long, deep breath. "I feel your desires and I won't let you drink from her."
Serana looked away ashamed of her thoughts. "I hadn't planned on it, Aela."
"There's no need for shame, Love. But, you must exercise control, I can feel your cravings. We'll tend to them, then you can hunt." The sadness in Aela's voice wasn't missed when she said the word 'hunt'.
Azriel stirred under Serana's hand. She was sweating and the mild fever that burned on her skin did nothing to change the odd coldness that had taken over the room. Serana already knew it was the dragon's aura, so she paid it no mind. Azriel moved slowly, each muscle working in abrupt, short movements that were stuttered as she unfolded herself. She winced numerous times as she attempted to roll from her side to her back.
"Take it slow…" Serana brushed her fingers over her cheek. Azriel looked directly at her and the striations in the sunset eyes also didn't surprise her.
"I…" Azriel closed her eyes with the pause.
"Shhh, Azriel. Don't speak, just take your time." She leaned down kissing her on her salty forehead.
"My name is… Ahziial." Her eyes were still closed.
Serana let out a long breath and caught Aela watching them. "Alright, if that is what you prefer. I'll call you Ahziial."
Azriel opened her eyes and tried sitting up, but instantly crumpled. She gripped her side and gave a small cry.
Serana caught her again. "Don't do that, you're…" Serana looked towards the door way as the pounding of several feet approached the door. She knew she should have expected what was about to happen. In the few moments that had passed, she had thought about it at least twice. A single mortal heartbeat was further away, but approached none the less. She only had enough time to glance at Aela when the door was knocked from its ancient hinges.
Valerica stood, her dagger drawn in the doorway. Behind her Movarth and others gathered with swords drawn.
"What's happened?" Valerica looked between Serana's irritated face and Aela's astonished one.
"She just woke up and she's in a considerable amount of pain."
The mortal heartbeat was joined by footfalls rapidly approaching.
Azriel drew herself up on the bed next to Serana, slowly.
Valerica glared at the Dragonborn. "Obviously, Serana. Is a threat or not?"
Next to her, Movarth's face was critical as he watched the two vampires glare at each other. Behind him the other vampires shifted uneasily.
"What did you tell them?"
Valerica's stony expression didn't change. "I told them we would dispatch the Dragonborn if she proved to be a greater threat than Harkon."
Aela growled menacingly at Valerica and the others. "If any of you touch her, I'll enjoy ripping your throats out."
Valerica shifted her scowl to Aela. "And that would be the last thing you would ever do. So please, do transform."
Serana stood so abruptly that Valerica took a small step backward. "She won't need to transform. I will not let you or anyone else harm them."
"Your father already has." Valerica shot back at her. "Or did you overlook that fact?"
"What do you mean?" Azriel's voice was husker than normal. She pushed herself against cold stone wall, fixing her gaze on vampiress.
"Let me through!" Florentius' voice came from behind the troop. He shoved his way passed, even pushing by Valerica.
Valerica hissed at the Priest indignantly, yet she stepped aside to allow him to pass.
He made it to Idgrod's side and the healing spell tumbled from his lips rapidly. The golden glow surrounded the girl and her ears stopped bleeding.
Azriel ignored Florentius after a moment, "Well?"
Valerica crossed her arms, glaring directly at her. "The wound in your side is lethal."
"Which you'll be finding a cure for. Or else…" Serana interrupted, heatedly.
Valerica continued as if Serana had said nothing. "You have perhaps a month to live."
"A month?" Azriel repeated, she opened her eyes and took in the vampire.
Valerica watched her carefully before answering the unasked question in her eyes. Several things struck her about the dragon laying in the bed. Firstly, the Dragonborn hadn't made any move other than to sit up in the bed and Valerica relaxed a little not seeing any aggression on her part. There was little doubt in Valerica's mind that an all-out fight against the Dragonborn would prove to be difficult even with her own gifts. Nor did she have any desire to make an instant enemy of her daughter.
Secondly, in the short amount of time she had spent in the woman's company, she couldn't help but respect her fearlessness. Her shared defeat of Durnehviir and her abilities beyond that had proven she was more than a capable warrior. But, she had changed since then. Whatever they had done had changed the girl and Valerica had already noticed differences.
Thirdly, she had shown an insight that had stunned her on more than one occasion. Even her reading of the Elder Scrolls had been intriguing. Mostly, the child had become a Moth Priest in order to read the scrolls. But, in that enduring the inevitable blindness and madness that had ensued, she had given them the specific location and means to end the prophecy.
Azriel blinked and Valerica shifted between the calm Dragonborn and the livid she-wolf.
In the time that the four of them had spent together she had seen their concern for Serana. She had paid mind to their actions around her daughter for Serana's sake. It was blazingly obvious about how the two felt about Serana. Against her better judgement, she found herself warming to the Dragonborn and the Nord-wolf. It had disturbed her that the three shared a bond, but the more she had watched them, the more it developed. Glancing at the scarlet haired Nord, her spine stiffened. The poison that ran through the wolves' veins made things far more complex. Mentally, she cursed Harkon again. The rarity of the ingredients that she had used in the toxin meant the likelihood of drafting a cure was unlikely. She also knew Serana would never accept the inevitable truth that both the wolves would probably die before a draught could be created. For that alone, she knew Serana would never forgive her. Valerica took a palliative breath to clear her mind of her thoughts before continuing. "It really depends on your own strength and the strength of your wolf. A month is only estimate and the best one I can give in this circumstance. Over the next month your wolf will become feral, eventually you will lose control over it. When you do yield to the wolf and you will, it will be your last transformation."
Azriel sat motionless with a stony-face staring at Valerica.
Serana slipped her fingers under Azriel's chin, "She will find a cure for the poison."
Aela rubbed her face, looking away.
Valerica sighed and dropped her arms. "Serana, there are realities you need to face."
Serana slipped off the bed and advanced on Valerica. The vampires behind her scrambled backwards seeing the anger on her face. "The reality is, Mother, if they die, you will follow them."
"Serana…"
Serana looked over her shoulder.
Aela wore a forlorn smile as she continued. "What matters is stopping this prophecy and your father from bringing it to fruition, not what happens to us. If it means one or two lives to end this madness, then so be it."
Florentius mumbled a few words no one could make out.
"Sometimes sacrifices are required to fulfill a prophecy." Azriel pushed herself off the other side of the bed and stood. When she did, her right side was fully exposed for the first time.
Valerica rushed past Serana and grabbed the Dragonborn. "Not possible…" She turned Azriel to look at the veins that had extended from the wound. Valerica looked to Aela's side noting the difference. She studied the two in contrast.
"Toxins are my greatest weakness." Azriel locked eyes with Valerica. "I know I have less time than you estimate and I accept it."
The utter calm in the Dragonborn's voice stunned her again. "It's only been a few hours since you were poisoned. This should have taken days for the effect to spread like this."
Movarth cleared his throat. "My lady, Lydia and Tysnry should be arriving soon from Solitude with necessary supplies. As I was saying a few minutes ago, there are things stored here for emergencies. If we are to proceed with setting up a laboratory, we can do so now whilst we wait. However, I will require your direction to ensure you are accommodated adequately."
Aela watched Florentius work on Idgrod without any real interest. "Is there a cure for this toxin or not?"
Valerica looked around Azriel. "As of right now, no." She looked back down at the wound on Azriel's side. "This will spread quickly, especially in you." She looked up into Azriel's eyes apologetically.
Azriel nodded and took in a deep breath with a shudder. "Serana, I know where the bow is. I know how to end this."
"Five minutes ago you were wailing in agony. So we can't just trudge out the door and go find a bow in who-knows-where High Rock with the two of you like this."
"And why not? Should we just sit and wait for death instead?" Aela marched to the corner and picked up her armor. "I say we go out and find the bow and end this nonsense with your father." Serana stared at Aela, the coolness in her voice had struck her. "You know Azriel is right. Waiting will do nothing for us, your father already has an advantage and we should close the odds." Aela tuned holding her armor not caring she was a spectacle for the vampires that lingered in the doorway. "We need to find the bow and take his advantage away from him, even if it's the last thing we ever do."
Serana just shook her head and ran her hand through her hair. "Aela, neither of you are in any condition to travel."
Aela leveled her gaze on Serana. "So what do you want us to do? Leave you to fend for yourselves after we've shriveled to husks?"
"No! I don't want this…" Serana waved her hand down Aela's side, "…for either of you!"
"ENOUGH!" Azriel's Thu'um shook the caverns, startling everyone.
Aela and Serana turned their scowls on her.
"We're leaving to find that bow. Serana, you can come with us or you can stay here." Azriel gripped her side a little tighter with her left hand. "Either way, Aela and I are going." Azriel looked directly at Aela, "We will live to the fullest and how we choose to live it is our choice. I choose to fight until my life ends. I choose to go and I won't just sit in a cave because it's safer. Because that isn't living, Serana. Gather your things so we can go, Aela."
For a second, everyone stared at her. Even Valerica was struck by her commanding tone.
Aela's face stretched into a smile proudly behind Serana. "Absolutely, Harbinger."
Serana grabbed Aela's hand. "Absolutely not. I'm not letting the two of you take a stroll into the mountains in your condition."
Aela flashed Serana a grin, pulling her hand away. She began putting on her armor. "Is that so? Tell me how you are going to stop us."
The vampires that stood in the doorway shifted uncomfortably. A couple of the vampires stifled a nervous giggle and Movarth sighed. Florentius continued mumbling as he worked on Idgrod. Azriel pulled her breeches up, tucking in her wool shirt. Valerica raised an eyebrow at her daughter.
"Oh, I'm not going to argue with a pair of thick-skulled, fuzzy-eared, hounds in front of an audience." Serana rounded on the others hovering outside the room. "Get out! All of you, including you, mother."
Azriel reached up and touched her ears, then shrugged at Aela.
"At least she didn't call us flea-bitten." Aela quipped.
Serana glared at the pair of them waiting for Movarth, her mother, and the other vampires to leave.
"She's right, you know. You should remain behind."
Aela and Azriel turned in unison to look at Idgrod as she sat up with help from Florentius.
"But, neither of you will listen to any kind of reason. Because she's also right in the fact you're both hard-headed."
Aela smirk at the young Nord's snarky remarks. "She is. But, Azriel is also right. We may not control death, but we can control what we do before it happens."
Serana rubbed her forehead, she already knew it would be futile to argue with either of them.
Idgrod brushed Florentius away and pushed herself off the bed. "Fine. Then I'm coming with you."
Serana's hand dropped.
Aela stopped buckling her armor and looked at the sorceress.
"So be it." Azriel didn't bother looking up from her ruck sack as she rummaged around in it.
"You're going to let her come with us?"
Azriel paused to look at Aela. "I am."
Aela cleared her throat, but said nothing. She continued to dress, slower than she was.
"If I may, Lady Idgrod. I don't think this is the wisest decision. Morthal needs…"
"There's nothing left of Morthal, Florentius." Idgrod didn't break the connection she now held with Azriel. "This is far more important than returning to the Legion or to ruins."
"But, your people need guidance."
Idgrod sighed and looked at him, "What people? They've all scattered. There's no one left to fight. Besides, this is my choice and I know my Mother would support it."
Florentius stood, "Very well. That's your decision. I, however, will not remain within this cave with a bunch of vampires. I'll be outside waiting."
Aela scoffed as the priest made his hasty exit. "And good riddance."
Azriel remained silent as she continued her voyage through her bag.
"You're awfully quiet." It struck Aela that Azriel hadn't looked as solemn as she did now, in a very long time. She shook her head waiting for Azriel to respond. She had indeed changed in a few short hours. The moody Dragonborn was gone, replaced with the stoic Dragonborn she had first met. In the few short minutes that Azriel had been awake, she hadn't felt the ups and downs emotionally from her that she was used to. That was gone and what replaced it was driven, dominant, and nearly overpowering presence.
Azriel finally looked up from her ruck sack at Aela. "We need supplies."
4E 204 year… 5th of Evening Star… 0420…
"Who keeps parchment and paints in barrels?" Aela was exasperated with her search.
"Well it's not like vampires need mead." Serana said from her place against the wall. It amused her to watch Aela glare at the paint brushes in her hand, like she was trying to will them into a different form. "We actually do enjoy having activities outside of carnage and mayhem." She drew her right foot across her left and got more comfortable to watch the show.
Aela growled at her and ripped open another barrel. "Oh for fuck sakes…"
She smirked seeing the scowl the werewolf wore as Aela pulled out dried mountain flowers. "By all means, keep going. But, I seriously doubt you're going to find anything useful down here."
Aela threw her a disgusted look, replacing the lid. "You're not helping."
Serana chuckled.
Aela walked to the next door, but found it was locked. After a quick search of Azriel's bag she pulled out a set of lock picks and popped the lock.
"Impressive… for someone who doesn't like thieves."
Aela stood, rolling her eyes. She pushed open the door revealing stairs leading down an ever darkening shaft. "After you." She flashed Serana a wolfish grin, "Just don't trip. I don't want you to injure that smart ass of yours."
Serana sauntered by and as she passed Aela, she dragged a single finger over her exposed cleavage causing the wolf to shudder.
4E 204 year… 5th of Evening Star… 0550…
Azriel sat quietly at table near the far end of the chamber, Serana had insisted that Azriel remain behind while they searched for useful supplies for their trip. But, she wasn't alone. Movarth had laid a large map of Skyrim and the Northern coast out. She watched him point out the changes to Valerica and his lieutenants.
Shadows danced on the walls around her and occasionally, the vampires would snip glimpses of her. But, Azriel didn't take notice, staring intently at the single flame that danced over her hands. In fact, it was the only thing that moved and why the shadows existed in the chamber. The solitary source of light and heat leapt gleefully about her fingers. If it weren't for that, the chamber would have been bathed in cool darkness.
Movarth rubbed his eyes and looked up from the map at Azriel. He was unnerved by the events of the last few hours. His clan was decimated by Harkon's cruel servants. He couldn't bear to dwell on the screams of his breather as they were dragged into sunlight, only to burst into flame. Now, his home destroyed. Three Elder Scrolls were sitting on the table next to him. The Dragonborn was possibly mad and probably a pyromaniac. A Vigilant was standing guard outside with dragons. Two of the oldest vampires in Tamriel were plan a coup against one of the most powerful. For the first time in three centuries, he had a migraine. Or at least what he could call the closest thing to one.
Now he watched a child play with fire while he planned to simultaneously destroy an entire clan and try to save the lives of the last remaining members of his. He was floundering, even if he wouldn't admit it. Watching the Dragonborn gave him a foreboding sense that absolute and utter destruction was pending. In the hours since Aela and Serana had trudged off to find supplies that had been spread through the cave system, he was stuck with baby-sitting. He ran his hand over his head, his migraine wasn't getting any better.
"…this trail here?" Valerica pointed to the coast from High Rock to the reaches of the barrier islands to the North.
"That region isn't well traveled by the Legion troops. We could advance on the Keep through the pass here and easily watch anyone by land or sea from this vantage."
Valerica nodded, her finger tapping her lower lip in thought. "And this fort?"
Movarth considered the slender Breton next to the ancient vampiress. Nathalie was very young when she had come to him. She had still been wearing her Legion issued uniform. Her departure from the Battlemage battalion without incident, after her change, had shown the young woman was exceptionally powerful. It was exactly the reason he had her standing in front of the Dragonborn. As far as he was concerned the Dragonborn wasn't acting her normal arrogant self. The stoic person sitting in the darkened corner troubled him. She was frostily indifferent to everything that they had discussed in the last two hours, which included the burning of Morthal. For a moment he watched the purple flame dance over the tips of her fingers, lost in his own thoughts.
"That's a Thalmor hold. We should either skirt it or destroy the occupants."
"What if we divided the route?" Idgrod drew her finger over the map. "We use Nathalie's route for observation and we use this path here to trap any vampires traveling by land. We still need to root out the Thalmor, but this would provide us with ample coverage."
Valerica broke her pose and leaned down over the map. "If we could scour the sea routes, we'd know everything about his movements."
The sound of the heavy wooden chair scrapping against the rock floor made Movarth's fangs rattle.
Azriel had stood abruptly, the flame snuffed out of existence. "VELEHK SAIN!"
Instantly, the dremora pirate appeared. "D'ya have ta constantly interrupt me, lass? We was in the middle of…" He looked at the faces that stared at him with surprise. "Ya keep some interestin' company, litt'l dragon."
Flames curled out from Azriel's nose as she grinned at him.
His eyes lingered on Valerica for a moment before he finally looked at Azriel. "Why'd ya summon me here?"
Azriel gave Valerica a nod.
"We need someone to watch the sea for us."
Velehk slowly turned to face Valerica. "And why does a daughter of Coldharbour need me an' me crew to watch the sea?"
Valerica pointed at the map where Volkihar Keep stood. "I need to know if ships sail to and from this island."
He looked at the map. "What's in it fer me?"
Valerica smiled slowly at him. "What do you want?"
"I like opened ended favors, especially from beautiful women." He tapped his chin in mock thought.
Valerica raised her eyebrow at him.
"Right, how's this…" He let his hand drop, "…we watch that ol' island for you. When a ship travels to or fro' the castle, I send me cabin boy to tell ya. In return, when I need a favor, you shall generously reciprocate me sympathies."
Valerica ponder the deal and glanced past him to Azriel. Azriel gave her another nod. "Very well, though this is not how I usually conduct business. I will agree to your conditions."
Velehk smiled sinisterly and bowed. "Tell me your name, me lady."
"Valerica." She bowed cordially never taking her eyes from the Dremora.
"Done! The deal is made, Lady Valerica. I shall call upon ye when I require me favor. 'Til then, we'll be watchin' yer castle." Velehk disappeared in a warm, salty breeze.
Azriel sat back down in her chair, the purple flame already dancing on her finger.
Valerica eyed Azriel, "You do keep interesting company, Dragonborn."
Azriel said nothing from the shadows of her flames
4E 204 year… 5th of Evening Star… 0623…
Serana poured water out of her boot and peered down the tunnel. "How far back does this cavern system go?"
"Gods only know. We've been down here so long I forgot why we came down in the first place." Aela groaned from the narrow bank she had perched herself on.
"Supplies." Serana pulled the boot back on and watched her lover recline against a boulder. "Which I really don't think we'll find." Aela was maintaining her silent vigil and not looking at her. It was driving Serana crazy.
Aela stood, brushing herself off. She winced as she stepped down into the water. "We might as well see where it goes, even if there aren't any."
"We need to talk."
Aela splashed into the water, leading the way. "I'm a Nord, Serana, you aren't changing my mind."
4E 204 year… 5th of Evening Star… 0704…
"It was the only one they had." Lydia set the single dried leaf carefully on the table. It laid against the brown paper like a foreign object that didn't belong amongst the pile of things stacked on the old table.
Valerica rubbed her chin, lost in her calculations. The pile of ingredients on the table would have been impressive to any other alchemist, just not her. It was a meager collection of the most basic items, with very few exotics.
"I do apologize, my lady. I even had to get more gold from Proudspire Manor before I could finish the purchases. We bought everything on your list between here and Solitude." Lydia looked down at the single leaf and sighed. "Solstheim isn't sending regular shipments with the war going. Morrowind has been cut off entirely and the Stormcloak Navy has blockaded the trade routes to the West."
Valerica tapped her lip, then let her hand drop. "This will have to do." But, the doubts still lingered in her mind. She calculated needing at least ten leaves.
Movarth waited until Lydia left. "Wolf's bane hasn't grown in Skyrim for millennia. I'm surprised she found even a single leaf with this infernal war."
4E 204 year… 5th of Evening Star… 0857…
The chamber was large, with ample room for the wood working tables and tannery. They shared the hallowed space with a small forge, smelter, and tailor's bench. The vampires that were in the chamber had jumped when she had entered, but Azriel had ignored them, instead moving right to the forge. Smelling the slag had enticed her from the long conversations between Movarth and Valerica. Truth be told, it had been a siren to her. Since she had awoken, the knowledge that stirred in her mind needed an outlet, the very same that the hot pit provided.
She had stripped down to her shirt and breeches, rolling up both her pant legs and her sleeves. Without a word, she had started working. From the depths of her memories, the strong orc spoke to her of heat and of steel with reverence. It seemed as if eons had passed since last she had held a worn hammer, banging out her thoughts into metal.
Subtle memories surfaced, this time, not of her own. Primeval recollections of armaments crafted by Dov, imbued with elemental mysticism. Heat poured from the forge next to her, bathing her body in sweat and spiced with the sickly sweet scent of ebony fused with glass. For the first time in a very long time the hammer felt weightless, the effort of the past had gone by the wayside with each strike. Ideas floated in mist and vapor, carried on cindering coals. Within her mind, she fashioned new weapons, formed in flame and magic worthy of her kin. But, she needed time, time she knew she would never have.
Azriel struck the hammer against the glowing blade, resolved in leveling her frustrations on it.
4E 204 year… 5th of Evening Star… 1101…
Valerica opened the new journal and dipped her quill in ink. But, that was as far as she made it. Her new laboratory was set up, the basics in place. She sniffed the air. Mint and sandalwood road the edge of muskier clanfear claws and arrowroot tang. The sweet scent of rose water teased out the delicious scents of Mugwort, Nightshade, and Dragon's Tongue. It had been too long since she had a proper workspace, but even this one lacked.
The bulk of dried herbs Movarth had pulled out of stores for her was impressive, she'd give him that under the conditions. She had even gone so far as to thank him. It had given her pleasure to see the surprise on his face when she had. Not for anything more than her own entertainment.
She lifted the quill, quickly scratching down some notes on the fresh page. She didn't need to inventory the items on paper, she had accounted it all mentally. Scribing carefully her thoughts, she recalled her labors on the draft that she had brewed for Harkon those years before.
Belladonna juice, must extract the essence to at least ninety-five percent purity. Redwort and Somnalius Frond need to be powered. Alkanet Flower must use only the pulp. Brew together rose water, arrow root, and painted troll fats for three days. Add a dram of Cairn Bolete Cap finely chopped.
She paused, thinking.
After three days, cool the blend with frost salts. Add the powders to the blend to for a fine paste. Heat the paste in the Calcinator until solidified. After, refine to dust. It will be crucial for the blend to be as fine as possible.
Extract essence from Grahl Eyeballs and Vampire Dust… they'll both hate knowing they're drinking from the remnants of such weak blooded creatures. Blend mountain flowers with grass pods and cotton. These will all need to be powdered as well. Again, the finest of powders will be critical to measure exacting amounts.
The last few ingredients will be the most difficult. Since I will need the blood of a werewolf whose blood is free of the toxin and wolf's bane to complete the final potion… But, will there be enough wolf's bane to compete the serum for two?
4E 204 year… 5th of Evening Star… 1637…
Lydia sword crashed against Idgrod's, driving the sorceress back with a grunt. She laughed at the young noble's efforts, only to watch the woman's face become more determined. Idgrod pivoted, swinging her sword up and close to her body, catching the vampire off guard.
Lydia deflected the blow only at the last second. "Very good!" Lydia took a couple steps back and dropped her guard. "Had enough? We've been practicing for a while now."
Idgrod smiled, finally able to drop her guard. They had been practicing for the last few hours and she was worn out. "Sword play isn't usually my thing. I much prefer a staff or my father's axe." She slid the sword into her scabbard. "But, the Legion insisted that we carry short swords and daggers." She tucked her sweaty hair behind her ear, then froze.
Lydia smiled at her, her own preference for one-handed weapons oblivious to the vision the young woman was seeing. She was lost in her own thoughts as the two stood looking at one another. Azriel agreeing with her joining the group had made her ecstatic. It would mean a change to fight at her Thane's side once more, but also to spend time with the alluring young noble.
Idgrod turned and looked at the cave entrance. They were in the main chamber with opened directly to the outside world. She turned slowly in a circle, looking at what the chamber held as her vision unfolded. Serana and Aela lounged near the cooking fire talking over a bottle of wine. Movarth sat with them, in deep discussion about the events to come. Valerica strode into the room, Tysnry chasing after her, his quill working against the parchment furiously as she spoke. Vampires milled about, working on the chamber systems set up.
Her eyes traveled, knowing that one person would be pivotal in every event she foresaw. Idgrod waited patiently for what she knew would happen. There was no mistaking her revelations as they formed. The lines that connected events spread-out. Each touching the next, chronologically blooming, making her draw her breath sharply. At last, she found her.
"It's too late!" Idgrod blurted out, staring directly at Azriel's freshly washed face as she stood in the doorway.
Azriel lowered her towel as she surveyed the sorceress wordlessly. For a minute, the two only considered at one another when Azriel realized Idgrod was lost.
Lydia waved her hand in front of Idgrod's face. The worried expression she wore only conveying her lack of understanding of what was happening. "What's wrong with her?"
Azriel glanced at Lydia, "It is her gift. She is lost to it."
"I've never seen her like this before."
Azriel shook her head, "She can do both, but there are times it commands her attention away from the real world."
Idgrod drew another sharp breath. "Azriel… outside… they're here!"
Dropping the towel, Azriel ran towards the entrance. She grabbed a halberd and sword from the weapons stand, just as the winter wind blasted open the cave's wooded doors. Azriel skid to a halt as something hurled past her in a blur.
Movarth jumped up so abruptly, Aela leapt from her chair ready for a fight.
In an instant, Serana was at Azriel's side, with Valerica only a moment behind her.
The object crashed and rolled, coming to a rest in the middle of the chamber.
Everyone stared at it for a second, then realization of what it was hit them.
Idgrod screamed.
Lydia was immediately by her side, pulling her away from the sight.
On the floor, in the center of the chamber was Florentius Baenius' decapitated head. His eyes blinked. His lips moved, but he made no sound.
Azriel tuned on the balls of her feet, sprinting towards the door with Serana and Valerica right behind her.
"TO ARMS!" Movarth sprinted after the others, with Aela leading.
Idgrod shoved herself away from Lydia, drawing her sword she chased after Movarth, with Lydia on her heels.