4E 204 year… 17th of Evening Star… 0630…
The wind whipped Aela's hair into her face as she climbed the stone steps. Serana caught her arm before her foot hit the top. "What is it?" Aela whispered to her, something had them both on edge.
"Something's here. I can feel it." Serana whispered back as she scanned the open space. "But I can't tell where it's at or what it is."
Aela looked down the steps to where Lydia and Idgrod were. She held her finger to her lips. They acknowledged her, stopping on the steps. The wind carried powdery snow and the scent of pine on it. Ice clung to everything wrapped in shades of white. The air held a bitter edge to it, a reminder of winter's wrath in the mountains. The frigidity held a sharpness to it that cut through Aela's Nordic blood, making her shiver.
Next to her, Serana stroked Aela's arm tenderly as they stood motionless together, surveying the terrace lake. Aela closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the closeness of the vampire. In response, Serana moved closer to her, pressing her body against Aela.
"The ice is thin." Serana narrowed her eyes as she inspected it. "A little too thin. Something has disturbed the lake recently."
"Perhaps the falls are drawing the water too quickly for the ice to form."
The heat of Aela's breath on her ear made her shudder. "I hope so. But it doesn't explain the feeling I have."
Aela put her hand over Serana's, "Look… at the far end." Aela's nose brushed Serana's cheek and both women shivered. Serana heard her take a breath before she spoke. "We need to go there." Aela pointed with the hand she was covering Serana's hand with drawing Serana's attention with it. Then she pulled Serana's hand close again. The pair shared a look until they heard Lydia quietly clear her throat.
Aela looked down the stairs at her and Lydia mouthed 'Really?' Aela blushed realizing her friend was watching their open display of affection. It amused her. Aela let a wolfish grin spread over her face and Lydia just smirked back at her. Next to Lydia, Idgrod stood shivering under her mage armor. Aela realized how cold the girl was and motioned for them to join her at the top of the stairs.
"Serana, give me Azriel's bag."
Serana quickly pulled the bag over her head and handed it over. Aela rummaged through it, pulling a white bear fur cloak from within. She knew Azriel kept thick cloaks in her bag for their adventures high into the Alpine mountains. She pushed it toward Idgrod who quickly took it and pulled it around herself.
"Thank you." She whispered through chattering teeth drawing the fur tightly around her.
Aela gave her a single nod, handing the bag back to Serana, who quickly put it back on. Serana slipped her hand into Aela's threading their fingers together. Aela looked down at their hands, unable to help the grin that crept onto her face. Serana gave her a sideways glance and a smirk.
Aela turned back to the frozen lake. It felt like they were being hunted. Aela leaned toward Idgrod, "Is there a way to reveal illusion magic or invisible vampires, but quietly?"
Idgrod's teeth had stopped chattering, but she was still shivering. "Yes, but it will take me a little while. It's a big area and I can't be disturbed."
Aela nodded her assent. She looked at the sky again hoping it wouldn't take long. "Do it."
Silently, Idgrod slipped around Aela and Serana, careful not to step out onto the ice as she wove her spell. She followed the old stone dock a little way away from the steps.
Aela gave Serana's hand a small squeeze as she watched the lake. It would take them at least half a day to cross it to get to the other side. The storm was coming from behind them. As she watched the clouds build, she let her thoughts roam to Azriel. She felt another surge of sadness and regret for leaving her behind. She chastised herself for thinking the worst. She felt Serana's fingers travel the length of her forearm and knew Serana was trying to comfort her. She had done the same thing for Serana earlier.
"I'm not thrilled about this," Serana finally whispered. "We're going to be exposed to whatever is giving me this bad feeling."
Aela examined the large waterfalls plunging over the edge of the cliff to the valley river below. "I feel the same way, but that is the direction we need to go. We need to go soon; the storm will be on us."
Serana turned to her. The wind was picking up, and it blew Serana's hair away from her face as she spoke. "It's as if the beauty of this place hides something terrible."
Aela considered the darkening sky above them. She wasn't happy about being stuck on the ice, out in the open with how bad it looked. As Idgrod worked, Aela relished the vampire's closeness. Serana placed bother her hands around Aela's while they waited. Her cool touch left a fire in its wake.
They had spent most of the night awake, quietly talking about Azriel. Neither of them had wanted to leave her behind, but they knew they couldn't bring her with them. Each wayshrine opened to an individual, not the group. With Azriel unconscious, the wayshrines would not open for her. Serana's guilt and frustration had been eating away at her since they stepped foot through the first wayshrine. Aela had tried to reassure her, but Serana's remorse persisted. On the second night, Serana had confessed to Aela how the gravity of their injuries had consumed her. Serana told her that she had considered turning them into vampires in her grief as they approached death. Aela had spent the night comforting her and soothing her as Serana spoke.
"The Falmer are terrible," Lydia growled softly, glancing at their hands, rolling her eyes playfully. "We need to find you two someplace quiet. I don't think Idgrod, and I can take much more of this." She murmured teasingly.
Aela and Serana shared an amused look but didn't separate. Serana's touch was comforting, and Aela wanted her close. She shifted her weight to lean further into Serana, pulling her closer, and sticking out her tongue at Lydia.
As Idgrod worked soundlessly on the dock, Aela let her thoughts shift to the mage. In the three days they had spent together in the Vale, Aela had come to appreciate Idgrod. Her jealousy of the Jarl's daughter had faded. Through listening to Lydia and Serana talk with her, she learned a bit about her in a short amount of time. It was clear the young mage had already formed a friendship with both Lydia and Serana. Aela also came to realize that she had judged her harshly, and it nagged her. She knew Idgrod had a crush on the Dragonborn, that was clear.
But the way Idgrod spoke about Azriel had touched Aela. Idgrod was a Nord, but she spoke about Azriel like the other races did, full of admiration and care. She hadn't realized Idgrod and Azriel were both nineteen. The mage until recently had seemed younger than Azriel. It had struck her as odd until Idgrod and Lydia had talked about how Azriel and Lydia had escorted Idgrod to the College Winterhold. Idgrod had told them about the school and Saarthal, explaining how it had cemented their friendship. Aela guessed it was also how the girl developed her crush.
Aela rubbed Serana's hands between her own while she thought. The mage had changed her fighting style to adapt to Serana, which had impressed Serana with how fluidly she had adopted to the vampire. Serana had confided that the mage's gifts were too powerful for a mortal, but that was between them. Not that it bothered Aela. What was important was that she fought well, nor did she complain. She also found the girl to be surprisingly determined, and equally considerate, and she enjoyed teasing Lydia. She could see why Azriel got along with her.
After half an hour, Idgrod looked over her shoulder and shook her head at Aela. Aela took one last look at the rapidly moving clouds. She sniffed the air, smelling the snowstorm that was coming. She put her hand on Lydia's shoulder getting her attention. "Let's go. Be as quiet as possible."
Lydia nodded, motioning for Idgrod to go.
They had been walking for seven and a half hours across the lake. Serana led the party, watching the ice as she went. With the ice being thin where they were, they had to spread farther apart. The storm had worsened over the last hour, but in the last fifteen minutes, visibility had degraded. It was now to the point where the driving snow made it difficult for Aela to see Serana as she walked ahead of the group. The foreboding she felt was fueling Serana's apprehension, causing her to quicken her pace. Aela's wolf howled at the building storm. She thought about clearing the sky but dismissed the idea just quickly.
Whatever was out here was close enough to touch. She was at the point where she felt like she was riding the edge of the storm within herself, and she knew Serana did as well. Aela could just make out the trees on the shoreline ahead through the blowing snow. She figured it was three hundred yards from where Serana was. She'd feel better once they were at the forest line and off the lake. She had been watching Idgrod struggling as the storm built for the last thirty minutes.
She hoped they could make it before the storm was on top of them. They kept going for another fifty yards. Aela kept her eye on the shoreline. The closer they got, the more savage the blizzard became, Idgrod stumbled. Lightning cracked across the sky. The loud thunder that followed was deafening.
The gale that came next slammed into the four of them, pushing them closer to shore and Idgrod fell. She hit the thinned ice, causing it to crack. The growling howls of the shearing ice released carried underwater the entire length of the lake.
Serana spun, her eyes wide, looking directly at Aela. Both felt it rumble to life under the ice the moment the sound had traversed the lake. "Dragon!" Their combined voices were louder than the storm.
Behind Aela, a dragon burst from the ice, exploding upward riding on a huge jet of water. It disappeared into the stormy sky with a roar. The ice between Idgrod and Serana blew skyward, into the clouds, with a second dragon. The two dragons had disappeared into the clouds, their roars echoed over the valley below.
Aela ran as fast as she could toward the shore. In front of her, Lydia had already grabbed Idgrod, scrambling with her as she slid on the ice. The twin dragons reappeared from the storm in a synchronized dive. They smashed the ice in front of Serana, throwing her backward toward Aela on an enormous wave. The force of it stunned her.
"Get off the ice!" Aela shouted, dashing toward where Serana was laying.
The dragons, burst from the lake, landing on either side of them, destroying substantial sections of ice.
The upsurge of water and ice smashed into them, this time pushing them toward the shore. The dragons roared in discontent as Aela transformed leaping over a section of lake water and onto the ice. Serana kept pace with her as they sprinted.
Lightning split a tree next to the shoreline. The storm was fully on top of them, the wind was so loud it nearly drowned out the dragons. The pitch of the storm had reached whiteout conditions. The fridge temperatures froze their wet clothing and hair. The wind blew spouts of snow up into the sky. The dark clouds flashed ominously.
The dragons snarled at the four women as they lifted in the air. Somewhere on the lake, a third, more terrifying roar answered. The magnitude of it carried over the gale and thunder, echoing in the valley below. Both dragons snapped their heads around, forgetting the quartet, and vanishing back into the storm.
Aela pulled her bow, as did Lydia. Serana and Idgrod let the lightning of the storm catch in their hands. The minutes ticked, each of them waiting in anticipation of the inevitable attack. Around them, they could hear the crash of trees. The brilliance of orange flames was blanketed in white. The glow permeated the whiteout. Aela chanced a look at Serana, who was staring right at her. "If it's Azriel, why can't I feel her?" Aela shouted.
All around them, they heard the bellowing dragons. Their voices moved with the snowstorm. They sounded close, but their direction was impossible to determine. "I don't know, but I can't either." She shouted over the wind and thunder, her voice making the air vibrate. The flashes of light and driving snow were blinding Serana. "Aela, I can't see anything!"
Aela decided it didn't matter if she made any noise now. Azriel was out there with the dragons, and they needed to get to her. "LOK VAH KOOR!" It took a minute for the storm to begin to ebb around them. The group drew closer together as it did, preparing for a fight. "Find them!" Aela had her bow readied with an arrow already notched.
The small troop scanned the beach, searching for the dragons. Through the dwindling chaos, they heard the raging battle between dragons.
As the visibility cleared, they could see the trees of the forest shaking. The snow fell from them in massive sheets. Branches burned as three dragons' flames sublimated the snow and incinerated pine needles. The dragons' fires were generating a dense fog along the beach.
Through the fog, Serana saw Azriel leading the dragons into the trees, away from the group. "Aela, there!"
The dragons alternated snapping their jaws at Azriel in their dual irritation with her. Their flames weren't searing her. Through their fury, they had missed her trap.
The trees around them had become dense, making it impossible for them to lift into the air and fly. Azriel had trapped them on the ground. The distance was far enough for them to not see the four women behind them. But not outside of the troop's ranged attacks.
"Dragonborn, I will have your soul!" The dragon snarled at her as its twin snapped at her sword.
Azriel's laughter at his comment made him indignant. "Why do you laugh, Dragonborn?" The hiss of the words made Azriel laugh harder as she deflected each snapping maw.
Azriel smiled through her laughter, "Because you forgot four very important things!" The dragon lunged angrily, her sword striking him away once more.
The other snarled at her, advancing on her a little more. "What did we forget?"
Azriel nodded her head in the direction of her friends. "Them."
The dragons stopped and looked at each other, then they turned their heads craning to see what she was talking about.
"FEIM!" Azriel ran between them, "Aim for the eyes!" Her voice carried through the Void.
Aela and Lydia let their arrows fly just as Serana and Idgrod hit the dragons with electrical bolts.
Azriel rolled under where one of the dragons was turning. As she became corporeal, she jumped up, driving her sword through the opening mouth of the dragon just as it was about to engulf the women in flames.
Aela and Lydia peppered the dragons with arrows.
Serana and Idgrod were locked in battle against the other dragon. Their lightning drew it toward them in outrage. "YOL!"
Idgrod countered with a ward, deflecting its inferno around them. The dragon roared at the sky, and in a blink of Idgrod's eye, Serana had charged it. Idgrod didn't see her move until she was already diving under its head and drawing it back around into the trees. In its rage, it left its neck exposed. Idgrod switched to icy spears, throwing them at the dragon as quickly as she could, taking advantage of the dragon's vulnerability.
Aela slowly advanced on the dragon Azriel had stabbed. It struggled under the barrage of arrows, littering its head and neck. Aela watched Azriel strike the dragon across the face, grabbing its horn and pushing its head to the ground. When Azriel jumped on its neck, she stopped firing, watching as Azriel struck it multiple times until it collapsed.
Serana was fighting viciously against the other dragon. Her speed infuriated it, but not as much as when it breathed flames at her and nothing happened to her. In its rage, it thrashed, throwing snow from the trees onto her. The momentary distraction was enough for the dragon to strike. Its head slammed Serana, throwing her into a tree a few yards away. As it lumbered forward, Serana lay awkwardly against the tree base, her head ringing from the blow.
"FUS RO DAH!"
The dragon slipped sideways as the ferocious magic of the words crashed into it. Azriel jumped onto it, holding on to its head horns. She drove her sword into it, twisting its head at the same time. Finally, she plunged the sword into its eye, killing it. She roared victoriously as she pulled her blade free.
Aela raced to Serana, catching her by her shoulders. "Are you hurt?" Serana shook her head, letting Aela help her stand. Aela quickly checked her over, opening her cloak and looking for any wounds. "My pride is a little wounded." Aela narrowed her eyes suspiciously at her, but Serana gave her a smirk. "The tree might have hurt just a tiny bit, but I'm alright." She leaned forward and gave Aela a quick kiss.
Aela laughed into the kiss. "Here I was worried you were injured. Instead, you're trying to kill me with bad jokes." Serana shrugged, taking her hand.
Azriel pulled her sword free of the dragon's jaw and wiped snow over it. She barely had time to stand before Idgrod and Lydia tackled her. Azriel dropped her swords in the snow. "I guess you missed me?"
"I didn't think I'd see you again." Idgrod quietly said stepping away from Azriel.
Lydia sniffed Azriel while they hugged, noticing her smell had changed. She pulled back quickly searching Azriel's face. Azriel gave her a sad smile, which Lydia understood. Patting her shoulder, separating from Azriel's hug. "Will you two give me a little bit?"
Lydia saw Azriel watching Aela and Serana walking through the thicket of trees. "Sure. Take as long as you need."
Azriel waited, the frozen breeze from the lake swirling the smells of dragon blood, burnt pine, and snow around her. The dragons burst into flames, their souls engulfing her before she consumed them.
Serana watched the purple-gold light surround Azriel. She was taking in her tall form, watching her chest heave as she breathed. As her eyes traveled her, she noted she had picked up an old bag somewhere and it looked full.
Azriel wore a smile on her face as they walked towards her. Her hair blew gently from behind her, blowing her scent toward them. Serana felt Aela's emotions change from excitement to confusion as Azriel's scent hit them. Aela stopped walking, wearing a puzzled expression.
Serana sniffed the air, taking in everything it held, separating each scent. She smelled the dragon's fire, but the animal was gone. She took another step and stopped. When she did, Azriel's smile faltered. Serana sniffed the air again, finding a sweetly spicy smell that was faintly metallic in the fire. Next to her, Aela's emotions were giving way to sadness. Serana watched Azriel's eyes as they lingered on Aela. The smile that Azriel wore a moment ago was gone, now the stoic face of the Dragonborn had replaced it.
"Your wolf…?" Aela's voice was shaky as the two stared at each other.
Azriel's eyes slid closed, and Serana watched her give her head a slight shake.
"It's gone." Azriel slowly opened her eyes, looking between them.
Serana knew she was gauging their reaction. She felt Aela's sadness rise and heard her inhale sharply with Azriel's words. Now Serana understood why she couldn't feel Azriel. She had walled herself off from them again. In her mind, she heard the mournful cries of Aela's wolf and watched Azriel's shoulders slump as she looked to her feet. "Aela…" Azriel started, but her voice cracked. She didn't finish what she was going to say.
Aela held up her hand, tears slipping down her cheeks. "Leave me be, Dragonborn." She walked past Azriel to where her discarded ewer was laying on the ice and retrieved it. She followed the path that Lydia and Idgrod had walked up, disappearing around the bend.
"Have I disappointed you as well?" Serana pulled herself from watching the empty pathway, to where Azriel stood staring at her feet. Her voice was so soft, Serana almost didn't hear her.
Azriel didn't look at her when Serana's hand tenderly gripped her arm. Azriel tried looking away when Serana lifted her chin. "How would you have disappointed me?" Serana gave her a small smile knowing she could see it. "Azriel, you are still you, werewolf or not. I love you for who you are, not because of the wolf. More importantly, you're here, not..." Serana couldn't finish her sentence, knowing what the alternative was.
Azriel pulled her into a crushing hug and Serana caved to it. She inhaled deeply, letting the younger woman's scent wash over her, relishing the way her body felt as the pair became welded together. The heat that radiated from her made Serana's body vibrate like when she shared her soul. Serana let her hand roam as freely as Azriel's were. After days apart she needed to feel her and be as close to her as possible. "Give Aela time," Serana whispered into her ear.
Azriel nodded, burying her face into Serana's neck, making Serana tremble with each breath Azriel exhaled. "You can still feel us, can't you? Even when you block us." Azriel nodded again, her hands running up Serana's sides. It was becoming difficult for Serana to think. "Azriel, please don't separate yourself from me, I can't bear it."
Aela panted through the dust, checking herself for wounds, Next to her Lydia started to rise doing the same thing. Serana was still covered Azriel protectively.
"Is everyone alright?" Around them hummed the golden glow of Idgrod's barrier. She had cast it just as Vyrthur had pulled down the ceiling on them. Above them, all that was left was the outline of the jagged walls that opened to winter's darkness. The stars twinkled down at her as the night embraced them through dust.
Aela looked up at Idgrod's sweaty and dirty face. She was smiling like she knew what he had intended to do. Letting the barrier drop, Idgrod held out her hand to Aela. "That was a little close." Idgrod helped Aela to her feet. "Where's did he go? I lost track of him trying to not let us all die."
Serana pulled Azriel to her feet. "He went out there."
Aela stole a glance at Azriel, noticing the look on her face.
Azriel grabbed Serana by the arm. She looked at the night sky and then at the vampire. "Don't go first. This is my dream."
For a moment, Serana scanned her face, then nodded. "Alright. What do you want me to do?"
Azriel walked past her, looking at the sky. "It can't be you or Aela."
Aela growled, but Serana silenced her with a look.
"I'll go first," Idgrod went by Serana quickly taking the lead. "I owe him one for that ceiling trick."
"Lydia, stay with them. Idgrod, go slow and we'll light him up with fire. I'm sick of this asshole." Azriel put her left sword away, letting a single purplish flame blaze to life. Idgrod ignited both her hands. Azriel didn't look at Aela as she addressed her and Serana. "You two follow us last."
Aela growled again, ignoring Serana's glare.
"Wait until we hit the top of the stairs." Azriel tapped Idgrod's shoulder, "Let's go." Picking their way around the debris of the ceiling they started for the stairs at the far end of the massive room. The way to where Vyrthur had gone had become treacherous with the fallen rock and ice. More was still falling from the ceiling, making their walk extremely hazardous. They had to move slowly, helping each other along the way to the stairs leading to the outer garden.
"Do you not remember saying we need to listen to her dreams?" Serana hissed at her watching Azriel and Idgrod leave them behind.
Aela looked away. "Fine. We'll wait."
"Which will give us time to talk about the way you're acting." Serana resisted the draw of her silvery depths, fighting her urge to give in to them when Aela scowled at her.
Lydia took a couple of steps away from them toward the stairs. "I'll just be over here."
Aela's snarl was low and deadly. "We are not doing this right now." Her words held an air of finality to them.
"Fine, then you can listen." Serana snapped back at her. Aela tried to move, and Serana caught her holding her in place. Idgrod and Azriel were climbing the largest patch of debris in their path.
Aela narrowed her eyes at her, "Are we really going to discuss this now?"
"You've ignored me for a full day Aela, so yes, now is as good of a time as any."
Serana watched Idgrod start up the stairs, the flames trailing from her hands to the floor. "You are hurting her. You're treating her like she did something wrong. It's hurting me as well." Serana put her hand over Aela's. "You can't keep doing this. She could have died."
"I know! I was there. Remember?" Aela snapped at her.
"Then stop acting like this. It's cruel."
"Acting like what?" Aela grumbled.
Lydia rolled her eyes; she'd had enough of Aela barking at everyone. "You've been nothing but a bitch since Azriel caught up to us." They both looked at Lydia, who shrugged. "You need to hear it. Maybe it will get through that thick skull of yours."
"Stay out of this, Lydia." The inhuman snarl coming from Aela was a clear warning of her anger and Lydia scoffed at her.
Narrowing her eyes at Aela, Lydia took a step toward her, spinning the sword in her hand. "You're acting like the only reason she was worth your time was because of her wolf. Since she's caught up with us, you've done nothing to show that you care she's still breathing. I thought you were finally over your high and mighty self. Guess I was wrong."
"Well, this is going well." Serana groaned. Through the dust that hung in the air, Serana could see Azriel and Idgrod carefully climbing the steps. The debris was making their journey tedious, and Idgrod was struggling.
Aela's jaw muscles worked feverishly as she ground her teeth. "It isn't easy, Lydia. What do you want me to say?"
Lydia gave her a filthy look. "It isn't easy for whom, Aela? Because you don't make things easy for anyone." Lydia snapped. "Sort your priorities out."
"Lydia is right, you're acting like it was only the wolf." Serana took a breath, running her fingers up and down her arms. "Do you love her or was it because of the wolf?" The look on Aela's face became murderous. She tried to push past Serana, but Serana held her in place. "Answer me."
The question burned Aela to her core remembering her comments about Azriel's blood and Serana's need for it. "You already know the answer!" Aela ripped her arm from her grasp but didn't move. "I've only known her as moon-born, this change in her is difficult… to deal with."
Lydia brushed herself off, shaking her head. "Oh, get over yourself, Aela. It's no wonder she's ignoring you. You don't deserve her attention." She slipped her sword back into its scabbard. Tossing Aela another glare, she muttered another curse at the woman. It was clear that Lydia had struck a nerve.
Idgrod and Azriel were three-quarters of the way up the stairs and Serana looked over her shoulder at Lydia. "Lydia, go. Please." Serana added the last word as kindly as possible.
Lydia left without a word, tired of the tension and sick of Aela's attitude. She moved quickly through the rubble towards the stairs.
"We need to go as well." Serana tipped her chin up, forcing Aela to look at her. "I damn well know your answer, but she doesn't. You need to tell her because all we can feel is your grief and anger. She can't read your mind and I feel her suffering. She doesn't deserve to be treated like this and neither do I."
Azriel and Idgrod's flames completely encircled Vyrthur, swirling lazily around the vampire, trapping him completely. For a moment, Serana watched how effortlessly they worked together, it was impressive. They had backed him all the way to the edge of the balcony overlooking the valley and mountains. Serana couldn't help but notice how spectacular the view was. Seeing the overlook, and the storm that the vampire commanded, Serana finally understood Azriel's dream.
The light from the red and purplish flames flickered over the five women as Serana and Aela approached the ledge. Lydia hung back, waiting, her bow in hand. As they approached, Lydia moved to Idgrod's side, putting her bow away and drawing her sword. Aela moved to Azriel's side, but Azriel didn't look at her when she did.
Serana waited until everyone was in place. She kept her eyes on the flames in front of her until she stepped through them. In the center, Vyrthur slowly stood. His eyes held only cold hatred as he stared at her.
"Enough. This ends here, Vyrthur."
The flames surrounding them died.
His face contorted with rage. "How dare you! I was the Arch-Curate of Auri-El, girl. I had the ears of a god!"
"Your brother believed the Betrayed corrupted you, but I can see that isn't the case." Serana remained polite, yet indifferent. There wasn't much for him to do at this point. "Though Auri-El should have protected you…"
"The moment I was infected by one of my own Initiates, Auri-El turned his back on me. I swore I'd have my revenge, no matter what the cost."
Serana's mouth hung open for a second before she recovered. "You wanted to take revenge… on a god? That's not possible."
He laughed coldly. "Auri-El himself may have been beyond my reach, but his influence on our world wasn't. All I needed was the blood of a daughter of Coldharbour and Auri-El's own bow. It is why I created the Prophecy. I needed to lure someone like you to me."
With every word, Serana's fury grew. "You? You did this? You created the prophecy?" She inhaled the air, smelling his ancient blood, letting the fragrance of it fuel her rage. She drew from Azriel and Aela's ire, letting it push her to set the monster free.
"Yes, and now that you're here, I can…"
He didn't get the chance to finish his statement because Serana cut him off. "My blood? Oh, no. I intend to keep my blood." The iciness of her voice became slightly deeper, becoming a cruel snarl as the crimson mist enveloped her. "But your blood smells… delightful." Serana's black-clawed fingers grasped his throat, snatching him from his feet as bloody mist evaporated around her. Her gray wings expanded fully, lifting them both into the air. The Arch-Curate struggled, but he now had nowhere to go other than the valley floor far below.
"Your prophecy destroyed my family!" In her rage, she shook him with each word. "My father hunts me and those I love, because of you…" She narrowed her eyes at him, drinking in his fear and regrets. "And you think you can just take my blood?" Her outrage poured from her very being, in freezing waves. "No." Her cold laughter echoed from the balcony and over the gorge. "I'll take yours. You won't pollute this place with your selfish prophecy or your presence any longer. I will wipe your blight from Tamriel." She grabbed him by his waist with her free hand, lifting him over her head. Serana tore the Arch-Curate in half as he screamed for forgiveness from Auri-El. As she did, she tipped her head back, letting his blood fall into her mouth and over her body.
No one on the balcony made a sound as all four of her companions watched in complete silence. When the last of his blood had drained, Serana threw both halves of Vyrthur away from her. She watched them disintegrate as he fell. For a moment, Serana let the night caress her skin, ignoring her friends. The blood on her body, lifted away from her, becoming vapor. She inhaled it, savoring the flavor of the vampire that was older than herself. She reveled in his destruction. It was a single victory after so much pain, and she wanted to enjoy his taste. The monster she was, demanded it.
Below her, she could feel her lovers calling her back down without saying a word. She watched the pieces of Vyrthur drift in the alpine tempest as she let her wings take her back down to them.
Another domed structure lifted out of the center of the garden floor. It was like a wayshrine, but a smaller interior space and slightly taller. This structure did not have a pedestal or basin inside, it was completely empty. It was an octagon in shape, with intricately carved columns.
As her clawed feet touched the ground, the blood mist swirled around her returning her to her mortal form. All five women walked toward the structure. No one said a word about what had just occurred.
"It's empty." Idgrod looked at it wondering what was supposed to be there. Still chilled by what she just witnessed.
"No, it's not," Azriel answered. Her feet still carried her forward.
Lydia scrutinized her as she walked to it. "No, it's empty, Azriel."
Aela couldn't see anything either. "What do you see?"
Azriel didn't answer Aela. She stopped walking just outside of the columns. Turning, she searched their faces but only found confusion in each one. "You really don't see it?" All of them gave Azriel their silent answer.
She turned back to the octagon and stepped into it. As she did, bright, golden sunlight surrounded her. Her entire body was luminescent with a golden aura. No one in her group looked away as she reached out. Her empty hand clutched at an empty space. A shaft of golden light grew into existence within her grasp. As Azriel pulled her arm back, the light took shape. Azriel stepped backward out of the octagon, holding Auri-El's bow. It was short, and the tips bent outward like rays of light. Yet the bow itself did not shine, instead, it was a dull gold.
"I can think of no better champion." Gelebor's voice startled the women as he spoke in Falmeri to Azriel.
Azriel looked over at where he stood on the stairs and smiled back at him. "It shouldn't be me that's the champion though." She looked at Serana's surprised face, continuing to answer him in Falmeri. "She's the one that killed the Arch-Curate."
"What are they saying?" Lydia asked quietly, only getting shrugs from Aela and Idgrod.
"Ah, forgive me," Gelebor said with a bow, switching to Tamrielic. "I said I can think of no better champion to carry the bow." He faced Azriel once more to address her, "You have sacrificed much to be able to claim it." Azriel grimaced, saying nothing as Gelebor continued, "It was for Auri-El to decide who his champion would be. He chose you for a reason, Dragonborn."
Aela spun slightly to scrutinize Azriel and Azriel continued to ignore her.
Holding out his arms, spoke to all of them. "In learning more about yourselves, you have communed with Auri-El and cleansed the Chantry."
Serana gave Azriel a questioning look, but Azriel waved her off. She watched Gelebor observe the bow in Azriel's hand. Serana wanted to put the man's mind at rest and decided he deserved the truth about his brother. "There's something you should know. It wasn't the Betrayed that corrupted him. He had corrupted them and tried to get revenge on Nirn because of his anger at Auri-El for letting him become a vampire."
For a long moment, he considered her. "I see. It brings me great joy to know that the Betrayed weren't to blame for what happened here. It means there's still hope that they might one day shed their hatred and learn to believe in Auri-El once again. It's been a long time since I felt that way." He stood thinking for a minute. "My thanks, to each of you for cleansing the Chantry."
Idgrod had been watching them, considering his comments about Azriel's sacrifice. "You can't leave, can you?"
He regarded her, then smiled. "My duty is here, to the Chantry. I've sworn to protect it and everything it stands for until I die."
She considered her visions, "There are still others like you. You aren't the last. They were isolated like you were. I've seen them in my dreams."
He laughed happily. "You have each brought me so much joy. A joy that I haven't felt for centuries." He looked at the bow once more, then at them.
Serana took Azriel's bag from her and dug through it. "We also found these books when we traveled to the different wayshrines." She pulled the books out, handing them to him. "I haven't had time to read them, but I thought you should have them."
He thumbed through them quietly for a moment, then handed them back to her. "Keep them, you have earned these. They are books about the Chantry, prayers, and stories about life here." Taking a long breath, he continued, "These books were learned by all initiates as they began their journey to enlightenment. Each book aided individuals to grow into their role as Prelate." He smiled at Serana "They should remain with you." Serana placed them back into Azriel's bag.
Azriel put the rucksack back over her head, shifting it into place. "We'll have them translated. I'll ask the College in Winterhold to offer copies to other colleges, temples, and the Imperial Library. If there are other snow elves, maybe they'll find you knowing the Chantry exists."
He clapped his hands, "Perhaps it will also inspire others will seek out Auri-El's glory. The Chantry has always been a place of enlightenment. I see no reason why others cannot find their path to Auri-El as you all have done." He heaved a sigh. "I must take my leave and return to my duties. I hope that you will all return to the Chantry soon."
"Azriel." Idgrod stared off into space and Azriel threw her a questioning look. "I need to go to Whiterun." Idgrod's face reflected sadness as she thought. "Lydia, will you come with me?"
Aela didn't bother hiding her surprise. "You want Lydia to return to Whiterun? You do remember there are werewolves, werelions, and gods know what else there that will kill her."
Idgrod's face changed to confusion, and she leveled her gaze on Aela. "Not if she's accompanying me. Besides, when do Companions attack their own members?"
Aela regarded her coolly. "We don't."
Lydia looked to Azriel for direction and Azriel simply nodded for her to go.
Idgrod's retort was just as quick as Aela's. "Then there won't be a problem." Idgrod took Serana's hand, "Serana, can I talk to you in private, please? It's important."
Serana narrowed her brow, confused. "Sure." She followed Idgrod to the stairs in the far garden corner that led back down into the destroyed Chantry.
Idgrod turned her back to the three women that stood watching them. "They can all read lips, and I am only telling you this because it's a warning. They can't know."
Serana turned her back to the others. "Alright, what is it?"
"I didn't know what I saw in my dreams until a few minutes ago. I thought it was you, but now I understand." She whispered so only Serana could hear her. "Your father can do the same thing you did?"
Serana brushed away the guilt that was rising in her. "Yes, why?"
"Then you must stop him, he's going to kill Azriel and Aela. He'll use them to kill you."
Serana drew a sharp breath. "Tell me what you saw, don't leave out any details."
"In my dreams, I see you fighting him in a black room that's next to the sea. There's a large pool of blood that's used for sacrifice. It's the altar of Molag Bal. He will use Aela's wolf to trap Azriel. She will try to save her, and he'll break Azriel's back on the face of the alter." She took a steadying breath before continuing. "He'll hold her broken body in the blood and then strike the killing blow."
Serana stared horrified at the floor listening. Azriel had a nearly identical dream.
Idgrod glanced at her face, then over her shoulder. The three companions were trying to eavesdrop. "He will pierce her heart, with his wing, letting her bleed out. It will be a sacrifice to your creator to be able to overpower you. He'll use her to kill you and use your blood to taint the bow. It will be how he destroys the sun."
Serana put her hand on Idgrod, her twin fires searching Idgrod's brown eyes. "I won't let him hurt them again."
"There's so much I want to tell you but can't here." She smiled and Serana saw the sadness that was present on her face a few moments ago. "He can't beat you without Azriel's blood. He needs your blood and can't use his own or your mother's. It's because you were created differently than they were. It makes you stronger than your parents and why the scrolls tied you together with Azriel."
She pulled Serana closer, her whispers growing quieter. "You were drawn together because you're mirrors of one another. One the creation of an Aedra to save Tamriel, the other a creation of a Daedra to destroy it." Serana explored Idgrod's eyes trying to know everything she did. "She had already set the prophecy in motion when she opened your prison with her blood not recognizing it as primal magic. In claiming you, Azriel linked your souls, changing your separate paths to the same path." Idgrod threw another look over her should, noticing the three women had moved a little closer. "You are just as strong as Azriel. Together, you are unstoppable. Work together."
So many questions were in Serana's mind she didn't know what to start. Idgrod pointed her finger at her shoulder. "I can't answer the rest of your questions right now, they will hear."
Serana hugged her, making sure to keep her back to Aela, Lydia, and Azriel. "Thank you for telling me all this."
"Please be careful." Idgrod returned her hug, not letting her move. "I don't want anything happening to any of you. I'm sorry that I can't go farther with you than I have." She moved her mouth next to Serana's ear, "In Whiterun, I will answer your questions. Just don't let Aela become the wolf near your father. That's the key."
4E 204 year… 19th of Evening Star… 0851…
Serana sat on the beach, watching the snow fall over the sea. She watched the horkers on the ice, not that they were doing anything interesting. They were just sitting there, and it struck her as peaceful as she took in the view. It was helping her think through everything for the last few days and for what was coming next. The tranquility helped her relax, which was something she hadn't been able to do since they had been in Solitude.
The winter wind blew in from the sea, the salty air was laced with the smell of kelp and snow. The shades of white and blue at the sea faded to the browns of the shore. Sea birds crooned their haunting calls on a nearby split. The light fog that clung to the shoreline didn't touch where they were. Both Azriel and Aela were sleeping on either side of her. The gale stirred the furs they bother were laying under, along with Serana's hair. Shifting against the dragon, she made herself a little more comfortable.
When they were sleeping was the only time, she could be alone, while still being near them at the same time. It was a feeling she loved but it was also something she needed. She let one hand rest on Azriel's back as she slept, and the other she was running absent-mindedly through Aela's hair. She had fed from Aela earlier, but Azriel's smell was making her ache. Her thirst was driving her insane because of it. The smell of Azriel's blood had changed, and her need to taste her was growing. She wanted them and knew it had to wait. She didn't want to drink from either of them before a fight.
The trek back to the castle was about three hours away if they walked. The alcove where her mother was waiting was just over an hour away from where they were with Odahviing.
She had come to terms with the fact her father wasn't going to change a long time ago. After their run-in with the hunters on the beach, she knew her father would chase them for as long as they lived. He wouldn't stop hunting them until she killed him. Azriel and Idgrod's dreams had taken them to the same place, to a monster she knew too well. It had to end.
"You're thirsty." Azriel's sleepy whisper surprised her.
"It's ok, go back to sleep."
Azriel was already moving to get up. "No, it's not, you need to feed. You can't stop your father with the way you're feeling." She sat on her heels, rubbing her face. When she dropped her hands, both Aela and Serana were looking at her. Azriel look from one face to the other, then looked away as she rolled up her sleeve. "Give me your dagger, Serana."
"I'm fine, really."
"You're a terrible liar, vampire." Aela sat up, watching Azriel. She pulled her dagger, handing it to Azriel. Azriel ignored her, looking out at the frozen ocean. Serana chewed her lip and nudged Aela. Aela tapped her with the dagger handle; she knew exactly how hard-headed Azriel could be. "Take it. It will give me a chance to apologize to you for being an unfeeling ass."
For a minute, Azriel didn't move. Finally, she turned, facing them. She took the dagger from Aela and made a slit in her arm. She held up her wrist to Serana's mouth. "Drink."
The scent that mingled in her fiery blood, gripped Serana. Where her skin smelled fiery with a hint of something sweetly spicey, her blood smelled like the finest spiced brandy warmed in the summer sun. She slowly took her wrist, unable to look at anything other than the beads of blood as they rolled from her wrist. Her tongue touched the blood as it dripped, and it felt as if Serana had touched the sun itself. The potency of Azriel's blood had changed. The scorching fire that her blood once was could no longer be the description for what it had become.
Aela watched Serana's tongue trace the wound on Azriel's arm, a soft moan escaping her lips. The sensual way the vampire touched Azriel made her ache for her touch. Azriel's fingers curled in Serana's hair, holding her in place. She had no intention of letting either of them walk in to face Harkon unprepared. Azriel waited patiently for Aela to continue.
When Aela looked back up at Azriel, Azriel was watching her. Aela noticed how striated and guarded her eyes were. "I want to apologize to you," she needed a good starting point, she felt terrible. "I… I reacted poorly." She paused to weigh her words. She watched Azriel's face, which didn't give her an indication of what she was thinking, and it bothered her. Aela cleared her throat; this was a rare moment of uncertainty, even if she brought it on herself. She decided to just say everything that came to her, to end Azriel's maddening silence.
"Instead of welcoming you and showing I loved you, my reaction to you made it only seem like I cared that you were not moon-born." For a second, she became distracted by the quiet sucking sounds of the vampire. "That isn't true. I was in shock and I'm sorry for the way I reacted. It was a mistake to treat you that way and I regretted it the moment I turned the corner on the path. I know what you felt from me, but you don't know what I was thinking."
Azriel watched her for a minute. Her fingers stroked Serana's hair as she fed. "It hurt."
"You didn't deserve what I put you through after everything that's happened to you, and I apologize."
Azriel nodded, watching her, then she smiled. "Thank you for apologizing… you ice-brained Nord."
Aela laughed, it felt good to hear her playful insult. "I am an ice-brained Nord." She couldn't help but agree. "Azriel, I…"
"I hate feeling like I disappoint you and that's how it made me feel. The way you looked at me…"
Aela moved closer to her, still on her knees. "You didn't disappoint me. It was an irrational reaction, and my foolish… ego is to blame." Aela pulled Azriel's blowing hair back so she could see her whole face. "In shock, I acted without thinking… again. I am truly sorry for hurting you." She held Azriel's hair behind her head, their eyes never leaving each other. "Forgive me, though I know I don't deserve it."
Azriel nodded slowly, "I felt your remorse and your grief. You can't shield yourself the way I can from you."
"I hate when you do. I feel barren and it is painful to be without you." Aela responded quietly; her throaty voice filled with longing. "I hate the separation. I don't want to be apart from you."
Azriel uncoiled her fingers from Serana's hair and wrapped her arm around Aela, pulling her close, careful not disturbing Serana. Aela brushed the hair that had escaped back into her grip and kissed Azriel. The heat between them burnt away every thought Aela had. She felt the barrier that Azriel had erected, crumble.
The kiss ended far too quickly for Aela's liking, her heavy breathing matching Azriel's. For a moment, they knelt together in silence, Azriel's hand gripping her waist and Aela's hands still firmly in her hair. Next to them, the quiet sucking sounds of Serana still feeding caught Aela's attention. "Serana, stop," Aela whispered.
Serana's sat back slowly, letting the exquisite blood roll in her mouth; her eyes were closed. Her entire body felt was vibrating, the feeling was so intense it hurt. She swallowed, then took a couple of calming breaths, trying to dissipate the inferno that threatened her from the inside. Her hand fled to her lips; the scorching heat burned. Her entire body felt like was being consumed by Azriel's blood.
"Serana? Are you alright?" Aela tentatively reached for her, and when she touched her, Serana was shaking.
Aela gave Azriel a questioning look.
"Your blood no longer carries a taint. She feels the true strength of it." Odahviing surprised Aela, she didn't realize he was awake.
"Do you mean with the poison?" Aela scrutinized the dragon, before turning back to Serana.
Odahviing shifted his position to better look at the three of them. "No."
Azriel threw him a look. "Is Serana alright? I haven't hurt her, have I?"
Odahviing turned his head, looking directly at hers. "Your blood changes her still."
Serana took another deep breath, trying to form words.
"Changes her how exactly?" Aela took Serana's hand in both of hers. She couldn't feel any difference in Serana other than her shaking.
Odahviing shifted again to look at Aela. "Without the Drogsenir's touch, Ahziial's blood is pure once more." He nudged Azriel's rucksack with his nose. "She carries Akatosh's bow and now another blessing as his champion because of her sacrifice. She has given both her soul and blood freely to Serana and she grows stronger because of it. As do you because you share her bond."
"Odahviing…" Azriel growled low in warning, realizing he knew.
Aela eyed the dragon in confusion. "Drogsenir?"
Serana squeezed Aela's hand. "I'm… good."
"Are you sure?" Azriel asked quietly, not looking at Serana but instead at Aela. "It's a title for Hircine. It can get confusing, but dragons tend to use titles more often than names out of respect. You'll understand more in time."
Taking another deep breath, Serana nodded slowly to Aela. Finally, she opened her eyes. She looked at Aela and smiled fully. "I'm sure."
Aela gasped, grabbing Serana's face on either side with both her hands. "Your eyes…"
"What's wrong with them?" Serana took another calming breath, the heat within her still was overwhelming. She noticed Azriel's jaw drop, and the dragon stretch its neck toward her. Odahviing sniffed her.
"The color is different," Aela was staring intently at them. The silver layers in her eyes filled with worry and confusion.
Serana threaded her brows together, "What do you mean?" She rested her hands over both of Aela's, pulling them down to her chest. "How are they different?"
Aela looked at Azriel, then back to Serana. "They are lighter, fierier."
Azriel's eyebrows crept upward as a large grin appeared on her face as she thought of a good way to describe them. "They look like the sun just as sets over the mountains. That burst of light that it makes just as they touch! Not like the glow of a hearth fire that they normally are."
Serana's was amused by the comparison, "You think my eyes look like hearth fires?"
"Yes." Aela and Azriel answered together.
"And now they look like the sunset in the mountains?"
"Yes!" They both answered her again.
Serana laughed, "Who knew you two were such hopeless romantics?" They both laughed, listening to her laugh at them.
Azriel stood, brushing off her breaches. "Seriously, how are you feeling?" She started stuffing her bedroll and blanket into her rucksack.
Serana let the last of her giggles die before attempting to answer. "Odahviing is right, it is changing me. It was like the first drink I took from you, but the heat..." Serana shivered. It was hard to describe. "It feels like I'm being consumed by your blood, not the other way around. It's like drinking from the sun now."
Aela's silver eyes bored their way into Serana. "And your thirst?"
Serana shook her head, letting Aela pull her to her feet. "It's sated… yet…" Serana paused, lost in her own thoughts. She looked out to the sea again, not really seeing it. She was trying to understand what Azriel's blood was doing to her.
"Yet? What do you mean by that?" Aela pressed, taking her hands once more. "We shouldn't set off to meet the others if you aren't ready."
Serana refocused on Aela, "No, its…" She wasn't sure if she should say what she was thinking.
Aela gave her a light shake, "It's what?"
"She needs your blood, Aela." Azriel was watching Serana, as if she was studying her.
"No, I…" Serana didn't have a chance to finish. Aela had already pulled her dagger and cut her arm.
"Then drink." The icy Northern song of Aela's blood sang to Serana as the small river dripped from Aela's wrist. Azriel groaned watching Serana pull Aela's wrist to her lips. Her frosty blood rolled over Serana's tongue, quenching the inferno that still existed within her. Serana ignored Aela's moan and let the wintery river carry her in its rapids. A cold shiver ran through her body as Aela and Azriel's blood coalesced and with each sip, uniting. The power of their blood pulled Serana further into Aela.
The magic of her blood drew out something new, in Aela. She could hear whispers. Not of memories, but something else. Forcing aside Aela's blood memories, Serana reached deeper within Aela, listening. When she tried to follow them, she heard Azriel call her. "Serana, stop."
Serana removed her fangs from Aela's wrist and blinked. She was acutely aware there were three sets of eyes silently watching her. Aela moved her arm and Serana felt Aela's fingers under her chin. "Look at me," Aela's voice was very quiet, but her command was unquestionable. Serana lifted her eyes to Aela, and the twin suns peered into the lustrous depths of the werewolf.
"How are you feeling?" Aela's hand shifted to Serana's waist.
A smile spread across Serana's face, "Different, but good. Really good. I can't give a better answer right now." She looked at Azriel who was also studying her. "Just give me some time to think about a way to put it. I'm not sure I really understand it myself."
"Are you ready to go?" Aela was still appraising her.
"I came to terms with what needed to be done a while ago." Serana shifted her weight, not really understanding what she was asking.
"That's not what she meant. She means your thirst." Serana looked at Azriel who was scrutinizing her.
"It's satisfied." Serana touched her lips again, thinking about how their blood felt within her.
Azriel looked at Aela, "Alright then, let's go." Azriel walked to Odahviing, placing her hand on his horn.
"No."
Azriel let her hand slip from Odahviing, "What do you mean 'no', Aela?"
"What sacrifice did you make?"
Serana considered for a moment how astute Aela was. Gelebor and Odahviing had both said the word sacrifice. With everything going on, she had overlooked it. The two women were having some sort of silent stand-off. She watched Azriel and Aela as they wordlessly quarreled.
"You promised you'd be honest with us, Dragonborn," Aela finally said breaking their stalemate.
Azriel threw a cold glare at the dragon. "Just had to say something, didn't you?" Azriel pointed at the ground, motioning for them to sit. "I'll tell you, then after we need to go." Azriel sat on the ground next to them, sitting back against Odahviing.
"I remember being in the river and being terrified. I forgot everything you taught me about being in rapids because I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think through my own panic." Azriel rubbed her arms, suddenly feeling cold. She stared at the sand as she spoke, "I was frightened. It was black, and I was underwater. My wolf took over, and the next thing I remember was being in a city."
Serana put her hand over Azriel's and Aela took theirs in her hand. "I didn't know where I was at first. But there was an altar, a large staircase that led high into the sky, and four stone dragons that held golden discs. Around me were white buildings with large columns." Aela leaned closer as Azriel's voice became quieter. "I was drawn to the dragons. When I turned back to the altar, a wolf was laying on it. It was in so much pain." Serana and Aela shared a look. "I wanted to help it somehow, but the priest told me I couldn't."
"What priest? Gelebor?" Aela prodded her.
Azriel didn't look up, "No. The priest that saved me from the pit in Cyrodiil. The one that told me how to escape." Serana took Aela's other hand; both were listening intently. "He showed me my nightmares in the discs the dragons were holding. He said that it was Tamriel's present and future." Azriel rubbed her face with her free hand remembering her visions.
Serana thought about Azriel's blood memories as she spoke.
Azriel looked up, not really seeing them. "I saw Coldharbour merge with Nirn. I saw the death of King Jahangir in the desert against the Thalmor." A tear fell from her lashes. "I saw Skyrim under Stormcloak rule. I watched the Empire fall to the Dominion." She sniffed as more tears fell. "I saw Alduin destroy Nirn as the forces of Oblivion marched to claim pieces of it and the inhabitants for the Deadlands and Coldharbour."
Aela squeezed Serana's hand seeing the look on her face. "Then he showed me what he said was Tamriel's possibilities." Azriel wiped her eyes and swallowed back her feelings. "He talked about freedom and hope." Azriel held out her hand and flames erupted in it, taking the form of the Imperial Dragon, the blue color of the flames shifted to red. Serana noticed it was the first time she had ever shifted the color of her magical fire since leaving the Soul Cairn.
"He talked about Akatosh's promise to Alessia and the symbol of the Empire." For a full minute, Azriel watched her flames burn. Aela opened her mouth to say something, but Serana silenced her with a look. Azriel cleared her throat, "He asked me if I knew what this symbol meant." For the first time, she looked at them. "It's the symbol of the Dragonborn. The symbol of our right to rule, and that rule to inspire both freedom and hope."
"But the Empire is crumbling, you said so yourself," Aela added.
Azriel nodded, "I know. My dreams have shown me what will happen without a Dragonborn ruler. The priest showed me what the possibilities are with a Dragonborn Empress."
Azriel wiped her eyes again, "A Dragonborn has to sit on the throne of Tamriel soon."
"Azriel, we already know that you…"
Azriel interrupted Aela, "There are two of us, Aela. Only one will rule."
Serana realized what was coming, "You had to make a promise?"
Azriel nodded and pulled her hand free of them.
Serana leaned in, watching her carefully, "What did you promise for your ability to rule?"
"It wasn't for the ability to rule, it was that I will rule." She took a deep breath, holding out both hands, with her palms to the sky. In her left hand, the bluish flame roared to life. Taking on the shape of the wolf as it ran. In her right hand, a white ice ball lit by blue light grew. From its sides, blossomed with the petals of the lotus flower.
She watched the wolf run, "Do you know what it is like to be free without hope?" Her voice carried a hurt in it that bit and tore at the two women sitting with her. Her eyes shifted to the lotus flower that grew from ice. "Do you know what it means to hope without a notion of what freedom is?" She looked at them, "I do."
The pain she was in carried through their connection. "I had to make a choice and with it a sacrifice." She looked into their eyes. The wolf in her hand howled at the invisible moon. "Titus Mede will die soon and a Dragonborn must ascend the throne."
Azriel looked at Aela, "I've never felt more alive than when I fly with Odahviing or when I run in the plains with you, Aela. When I was a slave, I fought for freedom, never having known what it was. My life in Skyrim… it showed me what freedom was and that it was so much more than I had ever imagined it would be." Tears slipped down Aela's cheeks as Azriel spoke.
Azriel looked at the lotus in her hand again. "When I finally allowed myself to hope, I had only one thing I dreamt of." She sat looking at the flower, the light within became brighter, standing out against the gray winter morning.
"Which was?" Serana looked at the flower in her hand, remembering when Azriel first showed her one.
"You both already know," Azriel scrunched her eyes brows together and gave Serana a sad smile. "To be whole." The flower grew in her hand. "I have always wanted a family of my own, that loved me as I loved them." She sighed. "I found both of you and finally let myself share with you, so you both would know how I feel. I thought that we could… I wanted…" She went quiet without finishing. It was clear Azriel fought for the right words.
Aela watched her muscles tensing. "What was this choice?"
Azriel closed her eyes then she looked down at her hands. The wolf ran, leaping up into the air, the flame twirled, becoming the wolf once more. "The poison was still in my veins. I summoned the wolf with my fear." Azriel's eyes found theirs. "I was dying on the stone altar you had to leave me on."
Aela was in disbelief, "But the antidote should have worked!"
Azriel slowly shook her head. "Toxins are my weakness, remember? The antidote still needed longer to clear the poison. Valerica warned me before we left not to change." The muscles in her face worked under the stress of what she had to say. Odahviing put his head next to her, giving her encouragement. Azriel took a breath before continuing. "I had to promise a Dragonborn would sit on the throne of Tamriel. Karliah will not take it. I saw her future if she would, and she already knows what will happen when she does. So, I must. My life will be dedicated to ensuring the rise of the Empire. In doing so, I made a new pact with Akatosh, and I must relight the dragon fires. I would begin the fifth era and march a united Empire against the Dominion."
Aela exhaled hard, "You said it was a choice, that was only to promise to become Empress. You already planned to do that. I don't understand how this is different."
Azriel shifted uncomfortably. "The choice was to become a guardian of Nirn, a symbol of sorts as my father's herald." The wolf in her hand changed form to a dragon. "My time on Nirn was at a close. As vanquisher of Alduin, I had earned my place at my father's side in Aetherius. He would burn away my mortal form, allowing me to become what I truly am, a dragon. I would also become…an Aedra… like…" Azriel didn't finish her statement. "But the trade was my one and only desire, the sacrifice I would have to make."
"You'd have to give up us," Serana finished quietly for her.
"I couldn't do it." Azriel closed her hand on the flying dragon, snuffing out its flames. When she looked up again, it was to shocked faces. "I couldn't give up my family." Azriel let the lotus petals dissolve away in the wind. She took a deep breath and let it out. She cleared her throat again but remained silent for another full minute. When she finally found her voice, she spoke very softly. "When we finish with your father, I have to find Karliah and explain everything."
Aela shook her head in doubt. "Azriel, you had already planned to take the throne. I don't understand why you'd be given this choice?"
Azriel scratched her head, thinking. "It's not a simple choice, Aela. It has consequences. Tamriel has suffered greatly because no Dragonborn ruled for two hundred years. The corruption and problems that are causing the Empire to fail, reach all the way through Tamriel. The promise I had to make is a divine one… I had to make a pact like Alessia did. It means…"
"That you will dedicate your life to the Empire in order to save Tamriel." Serana finished for her.
"I never planned to keep the throne. But now, I must." Azriel watched the sand twirl in the cold sea air along the beach. "I saw the horrors you will face when the Empire falls. With each choice, there were different outcomes and events that would happen. With both choices, there were ways I could save you but lose something else in turn." Azriel took a deep breath. "To become my father's herald meant I couldn't be with you as you faced those challenges, and I can't be without you."
Aela ran her hands through her scarlet hair, frustrated. "Why does it always have to be you to make sacrifices?"
"The curse of greatness, I guess," Azriel said with a small grimace. Her face fell just as quickly as she continued. "After the war here, I'm going to Hammerfell to help Jahangir throw the Thalmor out. I'll understand if you both want to stay in Skyrim."
"Are you insane?" Serana gasped. "You can't possibly expect us to hang around Skyrim while you go running off someplace to get yourself killed." Serana looked to Aela for help.
"You don't honestly think we're going to let you have all the glory, do you?" Aela added giving Serana's hand a squeeze.
Azriel looked between them, giving them a smile. "Just giving you a chance to say no." She laughed, her mood brightening slightly.
"Unbelievable," Serana slapped her face with her palm, "You can kill her now, Aela. I'll bring her back and kill her again when you're done."
Aela stood, pulling Azriel and Serana with her, "Open up, Odahviing and make sure to chew slowly. You'll be bringing back a shitty mess, Serana." She started pushing Azriel toward the dragon. The dragon moved, quickly getting out of their way as Azriel and Aela started to wrestle.
The rumbling sound built as he laughed at them. "I will not be a part of this."
Aela pulled Azriel down into the sand, pinning her there. "I win."
Azriel laughed, looking up at her with a defiant gleam in her eyes. "How is this a loss exactly?"
"Yield," Aela leaned closer.
Azriel laid still, "Only if you promise to tear my clothes off."
"I really could spend all day watching the two of you. But we still have my father to take care of." Serana stood next to Odahviing watching them with interest. Her mind was still troubled by Azriel's revelation.
"Looks like we'll fight again another day." Aela let a smile sneak its way across her face, she stole a kiss. Standing quickly, she pulled Azriel to her feet. "You aren't going anywhere without us, so get that out of your head."
"I just hope you understand what that means," Azriel answered.
Aela smiled warmly at her, "We do."
Odahviing was watching Serana with interest while she thought. It was almost as if he was waiting for her. As she mulled over what Azriel had said, the entire thing struck her as familiar. She remembered the mountain cliff from weeks ago after Azriel and Odahviing fought the three dragons. "That's what you meant, isn't it?" Serana turned to look at Odahviing. "You told me I couldn't change her fate when I said I'd protect her."
Odahviing lowered his head so that his eye could look into hers. "Yes. Like others before her, her path is arduous."
Aela thought for a moment. "When I was with Paarthurnax, a dragon named Nahfahlaar showed up and they were talking about you. I didn't understand most of what they were saying. Even now it's cryptic. Nahfahlaar said you searched for knowledge like another. That you were stronger than all the Dragonborn." She looked at Odahviing, "he said it was forbidden to speak of something and the other dragons began to argue about it. Paarthurnax also said time wasn't your ally."
Azriel's gaze shifted to the dragon as she came to a halt. "What is forbidden, Odahviing?"
The dragon evaded her stare. "Some knowledge is forbidden. I cannot answer you further, Ahziial." Azriel examined Odahviing as he avoided her. "Odahviing, knowledge shouldn't be forbidden to us."
"This is. Our pact forbids us to speak of it." He didn't look at her when he spoke. "It was struck from the record of time."
Azriel's silence drew Serana's attention back to her. The smile she gave, Serana couldn't help to return. Serana realized what she was thinking, she also knew Azriel wouldn't let something she didn't understand go. "Maybe it's time I ask someone that isn't afraid of a bit of forbidden knowledge."
The way Azriel was looking at her somehow made her meaning clear to Serana. It made her insides ache as she remembered the Soul Cairn and everything that had transpired. "Do you mean Durnehviir?"
The tide was receding, and more of the beach was exposed. The wind's direction had only shifted slightly in the last thirty minutes of their discussion. Though it had decreased its speed from earlier in the morning. Seabirds were picking the edge of the water for a chance at an easy meal. The fog that clung to the beach earlier had all but dissipated. Azriel's hair blew around her as she walked. The smile she wore was still firmly in place as she stood with her back to the sea. Serana chanced a quick glance at Aela and noticed she was also smiling at Azriel.
"Let's find out if we can actually call each other from other planes of Oblivion." Serana watched her chest expand with her breath. "DUR NEH VIIR!"
Instantly, bluish-purple flames ignited on the ground. The small flames, rushed upward, creating an enormous updraft of air, super-heating it. The sound it made resembled a wail. The dragon formed in front of her. "The free air of Nirn, at long last. Ahziial, you have kept your side of the bargain. I acknowledge you as my Overlord!" Durnehviir's Thu'um shook the air with the power of his ancient language as he became corporeal.
The smile Azriel wore grew larger as she reached for his decaying snout. "I made you a promise." She turned her head to look at Serana, motioning for her while she also addressed her, "I keep my promises."
Serana instantly moved to be at her side.
"I shall keep mine as well." The dragon took a breath and closed its eyes. He summoned purplish-gold light, surrounding himself. The glow reached outward, flowing into Azriel and Serana. "My knowledge will aid your skills in battle, young ones."
4E 204 year… 19th of Evening Star… 1252…
Odahviing landed on dunes near where Valerica's groups waited in the trees. The diurnal tide exposed a long section of sand, carved by the dendric freshwater stream that was emptying into the Sea of Ghosts. Odahviing had landed where the tall grasses and dead trees stood, just past old barchan dunes that grew the shorter spiked grasses that thrived with salt water. "Wait for my call." Azriel waited for Serana and Aela to jump off first. She patted his head, "I'll see you soon." Then she leaped down.
They didn't wait for him to lift back into the air before taking off in a run. Bounded through the beach grass, they climbed upward to where the group waited. The dunes met an old basalt cliff, and the ruminants of lower Valerica and Movarth waited in the shadows of the denser woods. The wind from the sea, blew carrying the scent of the wolf, vampire, and Dragonborn to their noses. The smell of fire drowned the salty breeze.
Valerica arched her delicate eyebrow, just as Serana's feet touched the wood's edge. Serana bent down extending her hand to Aela, lifting her effortlessly. Next, she took Azriel's hand, pulling her up quickly beside her. They moved swiftly, covering the short distance to join the group.
Valerica's eyes drifted between Serana and Azriel as they hiked. "I trust you were successful?" Azriel slipped the bow from her back and held it out. The vampires crowded around looking at it.
"How come it's not shiny? There's not even a string!"
Movarth glared at the young vampire next to him, silencing him immediately.
Azriel's eyebrows knit together with the comment, "Yes, there is." She held up the bow. As her fingers touched where the string should be, a faint golden glow emitted from her fingertips.
Aela put her hand on her should, "None of us can see it." Azriel looked at her questioningly.
Valerica shifted uncomfortably, "So long as you are able to use the bow, that is all that matters, Dragonborn."
Azriel smirked, noticing all the vampires were watching her with interest. "I'm just going to say, 'I told you so' now in case you all burn to dust." She lifted the bow, placing her fingers where the string should be, igniting it. As she pulled, the bow blazed majestically, becoming pure sunlight.
A shaft of light became the arrow with her pull. Azriel aimed at the sky over the sea. She let the arrow fly, splitting the clouds in its radiant wake. Within the gray, sunlight burst, forcing the clouds to part. Where the clouds vacated, the sky shined down at them. A moment later, the gray winter sky was gone, replaced by a beautiful blue one.
Azriel turned back to the vampires, all of them were shielding their faces. Serana and Aela stood in awe watching her.
"Any other questions?" A couple of vampires moan in decent. "No? Good. Then let's go kick Harkon's ass." She winked at Aela as she walked past the group and up the hill, following the trail.
Serana shook her head, starting up the path after her, "You just can't help yourself, can you?"
Azriel laughed, "Nope." Aela flashed a grin at her, she caught Serana's hand.
Valerica sighed and let her hand drop. Movarth rubbed his eyes for a moment. "How her impetuousness doesn't get her killed is beyond me." Valerica glanced at him but remained silent. As Valerica started to walk behind the trio, the other vampires dutifully followed her.
In a short while, they had rounded the Northern bend and were continuing Southwest along the beach trail. As they made their trek, Serana spun the tale of their adventures in the Vale. While she spoke, she was acutely aware each of the vampires in her company was listening. She made sure to speak loud enough for them all to listen. Serana spent the next hour explaining everything from the snow elves to how they had traveled the wayshrines. She told them about the Vale's unusual flora and fauna, and the beauty of the valley they had discovered.
They came down the hillside, their walk taking them closer to their destination. Serana told her mother about the vampiric Falmer and the Arch-Curate. They discussed the battle and how it had been Idgrod to save them when he had pulled the Chantry down on top of them. She explained how he had created the prophecy and why. Valerica had only shaken her head, the disgust of it filled her face. Finally, Serana described how Azriel had drawn the bow from Aetherius.
Valerica watched the Dragonborn as she walked ahead with Aela. "Is that everything?"
Serana cleared her throat. She hadn't explained how Azriel had fallen into the river and that she had drowned as the wolf. She hadn't told her mother how it was she that had killed Vyrthur. Lastly, she hadn't told her mother that Lydia and Idgrod had returned to Whiterun. "What do you mean?"
It was Valerica's turn to clear her throat, while her jaw worked. She was angry that Serana was on purposely not divulging everything to her. "Well, it seems you left out considerable detail, wouldn't you say?" Valerica fixed her gaze on Serana's eyes. "What happened to the Seer and the young vampire that accompanied you?"
Serana chewed her lip. "They returned to Whiterun," she answered quietly, knowing her mother would disapprove.
Valerica rubbed her forehead as she walked. "Serana, what possessed you to allow Lydia to accompany her to Whiterun?"
Azriel stopped walking and turned around, causing Movarth to stumble behind her. "It wasn't Serana's call to make."
Movarth instantly understood that Azriel had allowed her return. "Do you not understand what you have done?" Movarth steamed next to Valerica.
"The pact remains intact, we still honor it, Movarth." Azriel snapped back at him.
"What pact?" Serana and Valerica asked at the same time.
Aela put her hand over Azriel's, "Several years ago the Jarl asked the former Harbinger to broker a deal on his behalf. We met with Movarth's clan and created a pact. His clan was granted access to Whiterun for trade, and to hunt the plains freely. In turn, there is peace with Whiterun and the Companions and his vampires. Azriel and the Jarl still honor the pact with vampires that enter Whiterun, so long as they are peaceful."
"The pact was destroyed by Lord Harkon. No one in Whiterun will see our kind as anything but mindless killers." Movarth shook his head, clearly aggravated. "This isn't commerce or hunting rights. Lydia is known there. You have placed her life and the Companion's lives in danger."
Azriel's calm had given way to the storm that surged within her. The sky overhead began to rapidly cloud. The bright blue of the afternoon sky darkened to a deep gray. Thick wooly clouds covered the unseasonal sun once more, drawing around them the cold.
"I can't be everywhere at once!" Azriel was exhausted by the conversation already. The frostiness radiated from the Dragonborn with her anger, and the half-blooded vampires shifted, moving away from her in their discomfort.
"Idgrod asked Lydia to accompany her. Lydia is the cousin of Jarl Balgruuf and a Companion. She's accompanying a Jarl's daughter. She's safer there than here and I trust Idgrod. She'll make sure Lydia is protected. She asked for her to go with her. She had a reason!" The salty breeze picked up, becoming a frigid gale and Valerica studied the sky.
"How? How will she protect her when they will see what she is!" Movarth closed the gap between himself and Azriel. Their noses were almost touching, and both were becoming angrier with each other. "They will not see who she was, but what she has become. That is your failing, Grand Champion! Do you not realize that they will not see the difference between one of Harkon's vampires and ours? We must adhere to the rules of our kind. Even if you cannot or will not follow rules, the rest of us must." Movarth was exasperated with Azriel's lack of understanding. "Not that I expect a Nibenese slave to understand Nord thinking, Dragonborn or not!"
His slur hit its intended mark.
The air around Azriel became oppressively cold and heavy. The sky flashed ominously, and thunder answered Movarth. Next to her, both Aela and Serana growled threateningly, their wrath instant. Valerica narrowed her eyes at Movarth and Azriel.
Azriel ripped the bow from her back and shoved it into Movarth's chest. "Take it. I'll go get Lydia." Movarth's eyes flew wide, and he backed away quickly. "What's wrong, Movarth?" Azriel grabbed him, firmly holding the bow to him. "I said 'Take it'. If Lydia being out of Whiterun is such a priority, I'll go get her. You take the bow."
Movarth's clamped his jaw, attempting to get out of Azriel's crushing grasp. "What is the problem? You don't want her in Whiterun, and I just told you I'll go get her. Take the fucking bow, Movarth."
"You know I cannot," he snarled at her.
Lightening jumped the clouds, and the thunder that chased it cracked in the distance, as the vampire and Dragonborn glared at one another. "Can't or won't?" Azriel narrowed her eyes at him, pressing the bow harder into his chest. "Maybe it's you that doesn't recognize a difference." Movarth didn't say a word, but his scowl conveyed his message. "That's fine, I get you don't want to relieve a slave of their burden. Maybe one from your clan will?" There was no mistaking the venom in her voice.
Serana and Aela tore their eyes from the arguing pair and looked at the now blackened sky. Aela brushed Serana's fingers, the heat of it made Serana shiver.
Azriel let go of him and held out the bow to the other vampires. "Who will take the bow from me?" None of the vampires made a move to retrieve the bow from her grasp. Instead, they retreated feeling the bitter coldness that sluffed off her.
Serana touched Azriel's arm, "You made your point." Serana's cold gaze pierced Movarth as she spoke.
"No, I don't think he gets it." Her voice was colder than the sea that was next to them and Valerica watched the Dragonborn. Azriel held the bow out for Aela, "Aela, take the bow." She took it wordlessly.
Azriel continued. "You wouldn't take it, Movarth. Not that you couldn't, but that you wouldn't." Azriel stepped back, as the first raindrops tapped Movarth on his nose. "I can't be everywhere. I must trust Idgrod with Lydia's life, just as I trust Lydia with Idgrod's. That's the difference between us. Idgrod had a reason for asking Lydia to join her."
Lightning struck the sea when Azriel glanced at Aela, "Put your fingers on the string, Aela." Aela didn't argue, looking down at the bow in her hand, she touched where the string should be, and she felt the warmth of it. Where her fingers touched, the string glowed back at her.
"How did you know?" Aela's voice was full of surprise. She looked between Azriel and Serana, "Does this mean Serana can…?"
"Oh, no. There's no way I'm touching that thing."
"When you didn't look away from the light, I knew you could use it. I only pulled the bow from Aetherius. You both became priests of Auri-El as I did. Gelebor told us that we would only be granted access to the Chantry if Auri-El accepted us and we each had to be accepted. You both entered the Chantry and communed with him. You both share a part of me within yourselves which includes Auri-El's blessing. Which means you both can use the bow as well."
Aela handed the bow back to Azriel.
"You may need to use it, Serana." Azriel placed the bow back in its sling. Serana looked away and Azriel felt her sorrow and worry.
Azriel returned her hateful stare to Movarth. "If anything happens to Lydia or the Companions, then I'll bear the responsibility." She grabbed his armor faster than he could move. "If you ever call me a slave again, I'll devour your soul. Do you understand?"
Movarth barely moved his mouth, her coldness penetrated him. "Perfectly."
She let him go with a shove. "Is there anything else you want to know?" She directed the question to Valerica.
Valerica studied Azriel warily, "No."
Azriel turned on her heel. "Then why are we still standing here?"
The rain was falling harder with the raging storm.
The darkness of the trees surrounded them where they all hid. The storm overhead cracked on, the rain obscuring any noises they were making.
From their vantage point, they could see the Thalmor guards standing watch. They had discussed what to do at the cave, but Valerica had wanted to see the keep for herself. It hadn't existed when she left, and it contained a fresh supply of blood. Skirting the edge, the group had followed a narrow game path that allowed them a view of three sides of the keep.
"We should wait until dark…," Movarth started, but Azriel and bellowing thunder cut him off. "Aela and I can cover the Keep in mist. They won't be able to do anything." Movarth glared at her, but she ignored him.
"What do you mean?" Valerica had traveled with Aela long enough to know she didn't possess any ability magically.
"We can summon a mist with our voices." Azriel smirked, "Which means we can save the Thalmor as snacks for later."
Serana quietly laughed along with a few of the younger vampires in the group.
Valerica rolled her eyes impatiently. "I understand the purpose of a mist, Dragonborn. Expound on your reasoning."
"Aela, go farther up the hill. We need to fully cover it. Stop when it's surrounded including on the outside. We don't want to extend it farther than we must."
Aela flipped her hood over her head, disappearing. Within a few minutes, she reappeared behind an overhanging outcrop of basalt. Azriel signed to her to wait. "Serana, was the book right about your abilities?"
"Which ones?" Serana gave her a puzzled look and Azriel dug through her bag pulling it out. She thumbed through the pages quickly while Valerica and Serana leaned in to read over her shoulders. '…They can reach through the ice of their lakes without breaking it. It was quite a nasty surprise, being grabbed from below without any warning.'
Serana nodded, "There's a little more to it than that, but essentially yes."
"We can become mist for a short time," Valerica answered, irritated at her daughter's less-than-informative answer. "It allows us to move through viscous and denser porous materials, like ice. Anything air can move through, we can as well."
"Can they?" Azriel pointed at the other vampires.
Valerica glanced at the other vampires, still not quite sure why Azriel needed to know. "Yes, I've shared my blood with each of them. What is the point of your questions?"
Azriel signed to Aela, to get ready. "The mist is a soul snare. Aela, Serana, I will be able to enter and leave it without getting lost. You can't. If you try to walk through, you will become lost within it because you all still have souls. The snare is a way for dragons to feed. But I'm fairly certain if you become mist yourselves, you'll be able to cling to the three of us and move through with us without getting disoriented."
"You think?" Valerica gave her an incredulous look. "You aren't sure?"
"Laas. Yah. Niir."
"No." Azriel watched the keep while she answered. "I've only done this once for dragons to feed on mortals before I called a storm."
Valerica sighed irritated.
Azriel quietly pointed to the threshold of the keep. "If we trap them, they won't be able to leave, see, or hear. It will confuse them the moment they enter or touch it." Azriel shifted looking at the Keep below. "There are…" She quickly counted the number of people she could see. "Over fifty people inside on the first level and thirty outside along the walls.
There are more people deeper inside on the other levels. I just can't tell how many for sure."
She looked back up the hill at Aela and signed to her again. Aela was counting the Thalmor as well. "The mist will last several days if we need it too."
She turned her glowing eyes on Valerica, "They won't be able to escape, so there isn't a rush on our part to kill them now. That means we can bypass them all together, and just go after Harkon. You can feed as much as desire after we fight him from the mages that are here. You'll also have the keep to yourself again."
Valerica couldn't help being impressed and the smile on her face expressed it. "Alright, Dragonborn. Show me this mist."
Azriel signed for Aela to go ahead. "Ven Mul Riik!" The words blended with the wind, leaving her mouth as a trail of mist. The miasma crawled forth, coiling around the walls of the Keep, merging with Aela's. The mist expanded, swirling upward and over the walls. It looped inward, then slunk through the Keep filling between the walls. "Ven Mul Riik!" The mist condensed as it clambered forth, thickening, and obscuring everything in and around the keep.
Azriel stood, taking Serana's hand. They waited for Aela to hike back down the path. The three separated, each taking five vampires. Valerica remained with Serana and her group.
"Remember, you must cling to us or else you'll get lost." Azriel's group sublimated to mist, enveloping her as she stepped into the fog. The vampires clung to them as they walked toward the path leading to the jetty. Walking past the curtain wall, Azriel could hear the shouts of confused Thalmor and let her face slide into an evil smile. They'd be dead once they dealt with Harkon.
Azriel walked to the cluster of trees on the North side of the wall. The mist clung to her, stretched like a tendril from the main haze. "It's safe now." Movarth and the others in her group became corporeal. "Is everyone good?"
Movarth looked from himself to the others, they each nodded to her. He wiped the rain from his brow, slicking back his dark hair. "That was an unusual experience, to say the least."
"Definitely," Nathalie checked herself over, not finding anything out of place. The others nodded and murmured their ascent with her.
Azriel smirked, "When you feed on them, you'll move through the mist, we'll call out where they are. We'll clear it when everyone is dead, and your thirst is sated. Then we'll deal with whoever is inside after you're done." They waited quietly for Aela and Serana to appear through the fog with the others. It didn't take them long.
"Can you feed in that form?" Aela asked Serana, watching the others take on their physical forms.
Serana gave her a wink, "Among other things." Valerica groaned walking past them quickly. Aela's face slid into a wolfish grin, but she didn't say anything further. She was considering the possibilities. Azriel gave them a wicked smile.
Thunder clapped farther offshore, where the castle waited in a fog of its own. They entered the larger grove of trees, finding the nine ancient vampires waiting for them. Azriel pulled the bow from her back, letting it rest in her hand. Aela stood next to her with Serana on the other side.
Lamae strolled to them, her eyes moving between each, until they finally rested on Azriel. "Ahziial, you were…" She stopped, sniffing the air. The look on her face changed to concern. "How is this possible?"
Azriel took a deep breath, "I had to make a sacrifice." Serana let her fingers brush Azriel's in reassurance. They arced when they touched.
"A sacrifice?" Lamae asked confused. "I do not understand. You sacrificed your wolf spirit for the bow?"
"No." Azriel closed her eyes, letting the thunderstorm fill her. "I was drowning. In my panic, I summoned the wolf before the toxin was free of my body."
Valerica looked away, it had bothered her deeply hearing the answer to her unasked question.
Lamae's brows knit together, and Azriel continued. "I lingered between life and death. I had to make a choice and with it, a sacrifice. I chose to return, in doing so I sacrificed the wolf, and bound myself to Tamriel."
Lamae was silent for a minute, her eyes probing Azriel. Then she shifted to the two women standing on either side of Azriel. "Tell me, what was the alternative?" Lamae's voice was quiet, but it sounded loud to Azriel because of how silent everyone else was.
Azriel looked away, it hurt to answer her, "To become like the worldly Reman and the conqueror Talos, as the vanquisher." Azriel went quiet, drawing Lamae's attention back to her.
"You refused? Why?" Lamae's voice was barely audible with her shock.
Aela put her hand on her arm, the heat of her touch reassuring her. Serana took her hand, threading her fingers into Azriel's. The static of her touch giving her a singular moment of peace. Azriel lifted her eyes to Lamae's. "Yes, I refused." Azriel cleared her throat, and the thunderstorm answered her while Lamae studied her. "I can't sacrifice what he asked for."
The deep red eyes of the vampire arrested her. "He… who, Ahziial?"
"Akatosh." Azriel was Lamae's prisoner as she spoke.
"And what was asked of you, what was the sacrifice?"
"To leave my family." Azriel shook her head slowly, "I couldn't, Lamae. I won't."
The grove was quiet outside of the rain in the trees and the low rumble of thunder in the clouds. Azriel could feel everyone's eyes on her from her own group to the scions. "Then I delight in the fact you are here, child. It means your life will be long." Lamae turned, looking out at the sea through the trees, "Come now, young ones, and let us finish this together."