Torbin

Serna's home was…..impressive, to say the least. It was huge, with about as much security as a castle could have. I could see other vampires standing on the balconies of the castle, holding bows in their hands. I had decided that it was in my best interest to not say anything about me being Dawnguard in front of anybody here.

"So, before we go in there," Serana said, stopping me halfway across the bridge "When you meet my father, try to not give him any reasons to eat you, he takes the slightest thing as an extreme amount of disrespect."

"Got it." I nodded

"Princess!" One of the guards yelled "Is that you? By the gods, it's Lady Serana, open the gates!"

"Princess?" I asked her "You're royalty? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want you to think I was one of those girls who just sits in a castle all day," She admitted "It just isn't me."

She lead me inside the gate after it was open, and the guard at the door opened it. The inside wasn't any cozier than the outside, but there were more people inside.

"Brothers and Sisters of this court!" The gatekeeper called "May I present to you, the Lady Serana."

Serana and I stepped into the light looking down at a dining hall, where vampires were feasting. There were half eaten corpses on the table, strips of flesh tossed on the floor where a couple of Deathhounds were cleaning them up.

"Serana?"

"Could it really be her?"

The whispers buzzed throughout the court for a moment, and many stared in amazement. One face stood out amongst them, a man at the head table, with black hair and cold eyes. He regarded us with a slight curiosity before holding up his hand.

"Silence!" He called, an order the other vampires immediately obeyed "Serana, you have returned? Did you bring the Elder Scroll with you?"

"After all these years?" Serana demanded, heading down the stairs "That's the first thing you say?"

"Of course I'm thrilled to see you, my daughter," He said, watching me follow her down "Does it even have to be said? And who is this?"

"This is the man who freed me from my tomb," She said "He brought me here and helped me sneak past the Thalmor at Northwatch Keep."

"Ah yes," He said, turning on me "And what is your name? You've come all this way simply to return my daughter home?"

"My name is Torbin," I told him "Aye, I brought her here to ensure she arrived safely, Skyrim is a dangerous place to let your daughter run amok."

"I know of the dangers and who you are," He said "Dragonborn."

I'll admit I was caught off guard, as I didn't expect him to know who I was. I could tell he knew he had startled me, and he gave a slight grin before continuing.

"My name is Harkon," He said "Lord of this castle, and of all Vampires, I trust my daughter has told you of what we are?"

"Yes," I nodded "She has."

"Well then," He said "I suppose you are to be rewarded for returning my daughter to me unharmed."

"I didn't come here for a reward," I told him "Only to ensure Serana made it home safely."

"Oh that is rich!" Harkon laughed "A Nord came all this way simply out of the goodness of his heart!"

The court came alive with laughter, as though the thought was unheard of. Which I suppose I couldn't blame them, most Nords I met thought only of women, ale, and gold. I enjoyed women and ale well enough, gold had never interested me much, I had enjoyed being a thief simply for the challenge. Harkon waited for them to die down before he continued, keeping his eyes on the scroll on Serana's back as he did so.

"Regardless of your intentions, I will reward you for my daughter's safe return," He said "I will bestow upon you a gift that none have ever received from me before, I offer you my blood."

"Your what?" I asked, taken aback

I saw Serana tense a bit and the court buzzed to life once again, and I could tell this was a big deal, but I had no idea what it meant.

"I will give you the gift of vampirism," He told me "Take it, and you will walk as a lion among sheep. Men will tremble at your approach and you will never again fear death."

I don't much fear it now I thought to myself

I remembered what Serana said about her father taking the smallest thing as disrespectful, and refusing his gift could mean death, but I didn't want to be a vampire.

"And if I refuse?" I asked cautiously

"I will allow you to leave this court with your life, but only once," He said "After you walk out those gates, you will be just like every other mortal, prey."

I considered what I was being offered, and if I really wanted it. I was the Dragonborn, I had the power to raze lands and destroy armies, and I began imagining what I could do with the kind of power I was being offered.

"No." I said finally

The entire court of vampires seemed shocked by what I had said, Harkon and Serana too. Even I was a little surprised, but the kind of power that came with vampirism wasn't something I wanted.

"Torbin," Serana whispered "Don't-"

"You come to my court?" Harkon demanded "You refuse my generous gift?"

I fought the urge to draw my sword, but Harkon was making me extremely nervous. My eyes began darting around the room, counting the vampires between me and the door. I would have to move fast, but the two nearest to me would have an axe in their skulls before they knew what had happened, the other four guarding the entrance to the hall would be a bigger challenge, but if I could kill one or two quickly then I could make a hole and escape without worrying about the ones behind me.

As I thumbed at my axe, digging my feet in and preparing to spring into action, Harkon spoke again.

"Very well, Dragonborn," He said "Be gone from my court, should you ever return here, I will treat you as my enemy."

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding and Serana seemed to relax as well. I nodded, turning and walking from the hall. As I neared the door I heard footsteps behind me, and turned to see Serana standing awkwardly, as if she wasn't sure what to say.

"Thank you," She told me "For bringing me home."

"Of course, milady," I said, grinning slightly "I hope the gods see fit to cross our paths again."