Serana
We headed inside the cave and moved as quietly as we could. Inside, from the small overlook the entrance had given us, we could see a ritual of some kind going on at the other end of the cave. Between us were several Death Hounds and around twenty or so vampires.
"Okay," Torbin said, turning back to me "You take out those Death Hounds over there, then move up across that bridge. I'll go straight through the water and up the center."
I nodded and Torbin slipped down the rocks and into the water. I used an ice spike spell on the Death Hounds guarding the bridge, then I slipped across. By the time I had reached the entrance to the makeshift fort, Torbin had already gotten everybody's attention. As I turned the corner and drew my sword, Torbin was already tearing his axe from one's skull as his blade ran across the throat of another.
"YOL TOOR SHUL!" He shouted as a burst of flames shot forth, catching all but four of the vampires on fire
I rushed forward and blocked a sword strike from one, bringing my hand up and swiping my claws across his throat, shredding it. Another vampire came forward but Torbin was in front of me before I could move, sweeping his blade to the side and stepping in, running both the axe and the sword blade across his throat.
In the same motion, Torbin swiped down and cut it's head off. The other two, a female vampire and her thrall, attempted to attack Torbin at once, but he ducked the blade and came up with his sword already in an arc, cutting right across the thrall's chest. I took the opportunity to swing from the side, catching the vampire off guard and killing her.
"Up top," Torbin said, nodding to the stairs "There's three more of them, watch yourself."
He went up first, cutting down the first vampire as he attempted to ambush us. Torbin engaged the other one while I went after the tall Orc appearing to be the leader. His hands blazed with fire and he cast two quick spells, narrowly missing me. I used my sword to keep him at bay and suddenly thrust my hand out, sending a chain of lightning into Malkus. Tendrils of lightning arced around him as he lay against the stone, twitching and coughing.
"You think this makes a difference?" Malkus laughed, spitting up blood "My death means nothing, others will take my place, you can't stop us, Dragonborn."
"Your last words are a vague threat?" Torbin asked, sounding bored "By the Nine you're all the bloody same."
In one swift motion he removed Malkus' head from his shoulders and we turned to see the large, flowing barrier between us and the Moth Priest. I wasn't sure exactly what it was made of, but I could tell even my magic wouldn't be much help. Torbin seemed to be on the same page and began looking around.
"We need to get this barrier down." I said, turning back to the Moth Priest suspended inside
"How about this?" Torbin said, protruding a glowing, blue stone from Malkus' pack
"Probably does something," I shrugged, pointing to an altar at the top of the steps above us "I'd bet it goes in there."
"Worth a shot." He shrugged
We climbed the steps and inserted the stone into the altar. The cave rumbled a bit and suddenly the barrier began to dissolve, the Moth Priest collapsed to his knees, groaning. Torbin smiled as we descended the steps again, affectionately bumping me in the shoulder and chuckling.
"See?" He said "Nothing to it."
"I serve my master's will," The Moth Priest said groggily, rising to his feet "But my master is dead, and his enemies must pay!"
"It would appear there's something to it." I sighed, readying myself
"Of course, spoke too soon," Torbin grunted in frustration "FUS RO DAH!"
The same unseen force I had seen at Shor's Stone sent the Moth Priest flying backwards and slamming into the stone. Torbin bore down on him, taking in a breath and preparing for a second shout. The Moth Priest had scrambled to his feet but was clearly not very steady on his feet, not that I could blame him. I doubted I'd even bother getting up from a blow like that.
"GOL-" He began before the Moth Priest cut him off
"Stop!" He cried in terror, putting his hands in front of his face "Please, I submit! I was under the control of that creature, but you, you saved me!"
Torbin stopped and stood at full height, towering over the Moth Priest, who stayed bowed at Torbin's feet as though he were a king. Torbin looked back to me as I approached since I was evidently the expert on whether or not someone was still a vampire's thrall. The man's eyes seemed to have returned to normal and appeared focused, and his voice did not sound as groggy as he had a moment ago, so I nodded and Torbin lowered his weapons.
"Thank the Divines for you," He groveled "Please if there's any-"
"Oh shut up and get on your feet," Torbin snapped at him "Gratitude is one thing but I'm no king, enough with the groveling."
"Forgive me," He said, hurrying to his feet "My name is Dexion Evicus, I'm a Moth Priest of the White-Gold Tower."
"We know who you are," I said, helping him up "Are you alright?"
"I'm quite alright, thanks to the two of you," He said "Those vampires said they had some purpose for me, probably hoping to ransom me or something."
"They didn't have any intention of ransoming you." Torbin told him as he wiped his blades clean and sheathed them
"How can you be certain?" He asked
"We know why they needed you," I said "Because we need you for the same reason."
"You do?" He asked "Alright then, enough mysteries."
"I'm from an organization known as the Dawnguard," Torbin told "We're vampire hunters, we need you to read an Elder Scroll."
"You have an Elder Scroll?" He asked in shock
"Yes, at the fort," Torbin said "We left it there for safekeeping."
"Very well," He nodded "I suppose we should be off then, where to?"
"Fort Dawnguard, down in the Rift," Torbin said "We can take you there if you'd like."
"Oh yes," Dexion told him "I think you'll serve me much better than my guards, I didn't catch your names."
"My name is Serana," I told him "This is Torbin."
"Ahhhh," Dexion said, looking at Torbin with new admiration "The Dragonborn. It could possibly be considered treason for me to help you."
"Listen old man," Torbin snapped at him "We've been all over Skyrim tracking you down, something is going on here and it's a lot bigger than this war, you're going to read that scroll for us even if you have to do it with my sword at your throat!"
"I didn't say I wouldn't help," Dexion said, not even flinching "But the tone is not helping. If you want my help all you need to do is take me to the scroll."
"Then let's go." Torbin said, turning away and heading to the cave
When we left the cave, the sun was beginning to rise. I hadn't even realized we'd been up all night. Torbin stared off, seeming lost in thought for a moment before he turned back to us with an expression on his face I couldn't quite make out. Was it anxiety? Or perhaps even panic?
"We've got two horses, three people, and we need to get to Fort Dawnguard yesterday." He said
"What do you suggest?" I asked him "We don't have another way."
"Yes we do," Torbin sighed "I look to him as a master and I almost feel as if it's degrading to ask him for a ride, but I don't see any other way to do this fast."
"What do you mean?" Dexion asked
Torbin whistled and a few moments later Midnight came trotting into view with my horse galloping beside her. Dexion smiled when he saw her, I suppose the old man had a love for horses. Now that I did look at her though, she was exceptionally beautiful even as far as horses go. Her sleek, black coat was nearly flawless despite how hard she had ridden the last few days. Although Torbin always brushed her whenever we stopped.
"My my," Dexion said admiringly as she approached "What a gorgeous creature."
"Go to Fort Dawnguard," Torbin told her "Ride as fast as you can, take Serana's horse with you, we'll be above."
Midnight gave an affirmative huff before turning and calling to my horse and taking off with her close behind. With that, Torbin turned away from us and looked to the sky. Seemingly steeling his nerves as though he were about to ask someone for a favor he was far from owed.
"I really hope he won't be too angry about this," He said anxiously "PAAR THUR NAX!"
His voice ripped through the fresh morning air and the very sky above us rumbled as his voice echoed all around. He had explained the nature of shouting to me as best he could but, as far as I could tell, this one hadn't actually done anything as his shouts usually did.
"What was that supposed to do?" I asked, confused
"Wait a moment." Torbin said, pointing upwards
As if on cue, the roar of a dragon echoed through the night, probably scaring everybody in the nearby towns. It took me a moment before I spotted it, a large, black dragon approaching fast. Torbin held up his hand and a small ball of light appeared, signaling where we were. The dragon veered off towards us and got closer and closer, until it finally landed in front of us.
"Dovahkiin," The dragon said, bowing his head "It has been a long while since we spoke."
"Paarthurnax," Torbin said, nodding "I am sorry to have called on you for something so trivial, but we need to return to Fort Dawnguard in the Rift and I need to do it faster than any horse can carry me."
The dragon made a sound that I took for an amused laugh before it turned back to Torbin, looking at the three of us. I couldn't believe it, I was staring at a real life dragon. Dexion appeared speechless and completely giddy with excitement at the same time. Torbin, however, looked as though he were simply meeting an old friend in a tavern for a drink.
"Very well," He said, lowering his head "But first, I must ask this of you, Dovahkiin."
"Ask away." Torbin invited him
"What is it you've gotten yourself into since our last grind….our last encounter?" He asked "a Moth Priest and a vampire? Your zaymahzin are a strange mix….your companions."
"This is Serana and Dexion," Torbin introduced us before turning to face us "This is Paarthurnax, my mentor in the way of the voice."
"Serana….Dexion," Paarthurnax repeated, looking at each of us "I sense another of your famous adventures afoot."
"I had to keep myself busy somehow," Torbin said as he helped Dexion and I onto the dragon's back "I haven't heard word on the Blade's plan to reach Sovngarde. Thank the gods Alduin has not reappeared since our battle at the Throat of the world."
"Do not think Alduin viik…..defeated," The dragon responded "He merely gathers his strength, he will return."
"Perhaps this time we may defeat him once and for all," Torbin said, climbing up and turning back to Dexion and I "This won't be like riding a horse. There's no reins or saddle, grab a horn and hold on for your lives. It's a long way down."
At this, Paarthurnax began to flap his wings as he rose into the sky, shooting upwards at a very rapid pace.
The ride to Fort Dawnguard took a mere two hours, but that was enough for me. I hated flying and hoped I wouldn't ever have to do it again, Dexion was a bit more fond of it than I was.
"Of all the things," He laughed with glee "Riding a dragon, the other Moth Priests will never believe this!"
We landed outside the fort and Torbin dismounted, thanking Paarthurnax. After promising he would come visit him once the business with my father was settled, Paarthurnax rose again, flying high before beginning to disappear out of sight. Behind us, the members of the Dawnguard scrambled around, shouting in alarm.
"What in Oblivion?" Isran stormed as soon as we approached the front gate "What's the matter with you? Flying in on a dragon, you scared about thirty of our new recruits."
"Do you want your Moth Priest or not?" Torbin shrugged, pushing past Isran and heading into the castle
Isran followed us inside. I could tell he was just as eager to get started as the rest of us were. The main hall was alive with excitement, with most of the Dawnguard officers present. The buzz died down as we entered, and each of them watched with eager eyes. Once we were inside, he turned to Torbin, clearly impressed.
"How did you find one so quickly?" He asked in amazement
"Luck mostly," Torbin said "Are we ready?"
"For the reading?" Isran asked "Absolutely, just let the old man know when you're ready."
"Dexion?" Torbin asked
"Of course," He said, almost jumping up and down with excitement "I'll just need the scroll."
Someone rushed over to him with the scroll in hand and presented it to the Moth Priest. He took it gently, as though he was afraid he would break it. Slowly, he began to open it and the entire room held their breaths, waiting in agonizing anticipation to hear his words.
"Now if everybody could please be quiet," He said "I must concentrate. I see a vision, a great bow, it's Auriel's bow. I hear a whisper. Among the night's children, a dread lord will rise. In an age of strife, when dragons return to the realm of men, darkness will mingle with the light and night and day will be as one."
We all fell silent at these words, I knew them well. My father had been obsessed with the prophecy ever since he'd first read the words, it was all he had ever talked about and his obsession had driven my family apart. I found myself momentarily longing for simpler times before ripping myself back into reality, reminding myself that those days were long gone, and so was my father.
"There's more," Dexion said "The rest of the prophecy is written in the other two scrolls, my vision darkens, and I see no more."
Dexion started to fall but someone, Torbin later told me his name was Gunmar, rushed forward and caught him, helping him stand up. His face had paled and he had sweat pouring down his face, the reading seemed to have taken a lot out of him.
"Easy now," Gunmar said, taking him to a bench to sit down "Easy."
"Take him to get some rest," Isran ordered "I'll be in my quarters, I've got a few things to tend to."
Everybody began to disperse, heading off in separate directions. Torbin removed his helmet and had a brief discussion with Isran before heading over to the table, snatching up a bottle of mead as he did so.
"Do you mind if we talk?" I asked, sitting across from him
"Sure," He said, taking a swig "What's on your mind?"
"The Moth Priest," I began "He said we needed two other scrolls, and I think I know where to look for one of them."
"Really?" He asked, interested "Why didn't you say something?"
"Half the people here would sooner kill me than talk to me, doesn't make me want to open up," I said "I got a warmer welcome from my father, and that's saying something."
"What is it between you two?" He asked, offering me the bottle
"Ever since he heard the prophecy, we've drifted apart," I said, taking it "I don't think he even thinks of me as his daughter anymore, I'm just a means to an end."
"So what about the scroll?" He asked "You said you knew where it was?"
"I said I had an idea, but only one of them." I corrected him, handing the bottle back
"As it happens," He told me "I have our missing Elder Scroll. I had to track it down to learn an ancient shout Paarthurnax had spoken of to me."
"You are full of convenience," I laughed, feeling relieved we wouldn't need to scour all of Skyrim for another scroll "We'll need to find my mother. She'll know where to find it, and if we're lucky, she'll actually have it."
"I thought you didn't know where she was." He said
"Last time I saw her, she said she'd go somewhere safe, where my father would never search," I said "It was cryptic, but the way she said it, somewhere my father would never search, like she called attention to it."
"Maybe she didn't trust you either." Torbin remarked, passing the bottle back
"Always a possibility," I shrugged "My mother was as obsessed with stopping my father as my father is with this prophecy, but we need to find her, she's our only lead. Any ideas?"
"Hiding with the Dawnguard?" He suggested
"They'd be less welcoming to her than they were to me," I said, rolling my eyes "It would've been a massacre, and since the Dawnguard are still here, I'm assuming that didn't happen. What else?"
"Sealed away?" He said "Like you were."
"No, she said she wanted to stay awake in case the situation got resolved," I shook my head "Anything else?"
"Okay, might just be the mead talking, absolute shot in the dark," Torbin said, taking another swig from the bottle "How about in Castle Volkhiar?"
It was a stupid idea, and I almost dismissed it…almost. Something sparked in my brain and I remembered my mother's garden, something she considered so sacred to her. My father would never even think to search the castle, he was far too arrogant to even entertain the thought that he could be outsmarted in such a way.
"Wait…..That almost makes sense," I said, my mind beginning to race "My mother had a garden. My father couldn't stand the place, said it was too peaceful."
"Okay come on," Torbin laughed "You can't think your mother was that stupid."
"It's not stupid at all," I said, jumping to my feet "It's the perfect spot, we won't exactly trip over her there but it's at least worth a look."
"Serana!" Torbin called as I sprinted to the doors "I'm drunk, don't listen to my stupid ideas!"