A return was long overdue.
As the raging snowstorm sprang through fort Coludfrost, the boundless forests surrounding the place were lost in the consuming pale. Natural occurrences like this were not impossible but relatively uncommon even for a place like this. For the first time in a few hours, the fort's silence and peace were distraught as the loud and merciless northern winds echoed above them. It was partly for this reason that Tribune Savodius was concerned.
The last patrol he sent in the mountains should have returned about an hour ago, and still, there was no sign of them. Imperial soldiers took great care of their schedules and order, and this time they were clear as day, and Savodius knew some of them enough to be sure that they would not be so careless unless there were complications. What could have happened to them? They should have returned before the storm started; there was no reason to get lost. Savodius dreaded that their first conversation would be about him losing patrols while left in charge after Legate's return, not exactly suitable for progression.
Perhaps he should send a rescue party or even lead one himself, the ravaging storm would make it difficult, but he and his men were trained to survive such conditions. Savodius looked over the front wall; guards kept their posts and looked out for intruders in the middle of the night, while proud defenders were always prepared within the fort's walls. They needed him, and he needed them. Perhaps there was no point in leaving until the storm calmed.
"Tribune Savodius."-The imperial heard a somewhat familiar voice behind him. He was pleased to hear something besides the wind; he turned around to see the prison guard; she seemed to have news.
"Yes, did you want something?"-He replied, hoping for some fortunate findings of the missing patrol.
"Justiciar Thaenar wanted to speak with you."
Savodius sighed; that wasn't what he wanted; talking to Thaenar was not always pleasant due to his elven arrogance, but they got used to him. Savodius barely remembered the days when there were no Thalmor agents in Imperial forts. Perhaps some things are better to forget.
"I assume the justiciar knows that I have my own post to keep at the moment."
"He said it was of utmost importance."
Many thoughts crawled through Savodius's head, few of them relieving. What if someone saw him praying to Talos in the morning and reported it to Thaenar? The punishment for heresy came swiftly and was devastating. The last thing Savodius wanted was to end up like those in prison.
"Very well. I trust you to stay on this post until I return."
"At once, Tribune"
It hasn't been easy to be a commander and a soldier simultaneously, but Savodius appreciated the Legate's trust in him and was determined not to fail. But for now, he had to pay a visit to the elf; hopefully, it would not take too long. At least the prospect of feeling warmth for a few minutes allowed Savodius some anticipation.
The Tribune walked towards the eastern wall of the fort. An imposing building stood nearby; very few soldiers enjoyed descending there. Thaenar, on the other hand, seldom left the prison chambers. As Savodius entered and walked down the stairs, the soft warm echoed on his body, giving the Tribune a very brief respite from his post.
This was soon interrupted by the agonizing scream coming from beneath as if someone's flesh was being burned or viciously torn apart by a monstrous beast that found its prey. And in truth, that's exactly how it was. In the dungeon, an altmer justiciar stood in front of the large cell he used as a torture chamber, not letting his victim rest.
Savodius stayed for a few moments and looked; the cell contained a couple of wounded and tortured bodies of men and women. It was hard to say if they were still alive. However, he soon saw one of them moving; it was a young dunmer woman. She seemed weakened and starved, barely able to breathe. Half of her hair was torn, the other painted in crimson. One of her legs was broken, restricting movement, the skin was paler than that of a vampire, and in place of one of the eyes, there was a red stain. Only void was inside.
"I repeat my question, then. What are the names of remaining Talos worshippers in Bruma?" Thaenar asked calmly, collectedly.
"I don't know…But even if I did, I…"-The woman responded weakly
"Liar!"-The elf shouted and electrocuted her with a spell. Another piercing scream was heard across the room. Savodius knew what was going on; these were the members of a gang recently discovered in Bruma, the ones that rejected the Dominion and protected those who worshipped Talos, people like the Tribune himself, those who couldn't let go…
And yet he felt no pity or sympathy for them. The soldier accepted the fate of men long ago and did not want to fight. He worshipped Talos in secret while punishing those who dared to rebel. It was safe for him to do so…After all, there are heretics all across Cyrodiil and Skyrim, and they remain secretive. These ones got caught and only had themselves to blame. They fought for a lost cause and knew this would eventually come.
"Should I repeat it? Why do you care at all? You might be degenerative, but you are still a mer; what are these people to you? Just tell me everything, and I will let you go, maybe even get a doctor to patch you up."-Thaenar said, looking the woman right in the only remaining eye and desperately trying to emulate some sympathy. Even Savodius saw how pathetic it was.
"You want me to believe? Hah…You took everything…Nothing to gain…Nothing to lose me…But not for you…It's not about Talos…About our freedom from the likes of…
"Silence!"-Altmer electrocuted her once again. The Dunmer screamed in pain, her body covered in blood, sweat, and tears…It was time for Savodius to show himself.
"Ahem."-After that, Thaenar looked at the Tribune, and a slight smile appeared.
"Ah, yes, I wondered when you'd show up."
"I have a business to attend to. Hopefully, you have a good reason for this."
"Don't order me around, and besides, I am sure your men can survive on their own for a few minutes."
"As can these prisoners…"-Savodius replied.
"I suppose we can't blame each other for loving our jobs. I just revel in making sure all heretics suffer the same fate as that Stormcloak bastard."-Thaenar smiled. He took pride in his work, no matter how horrific it was.
"Any success with these?"-Tribune asked.
"No…They did not budge. That girl is the only one left alive, and she is silent too."
"Maybe they don't know."
"It's better to be sure, is it not?"
Savodius sighed and gave up the argument. There were more important problems to discuss.
"What did you want from me, Thaenar?"
"I am here to inform you of something, but only after I point out that your men are not doing enough work."
"Another rant, then?"
"My agents in Bruma reported a rather suspicious individual, and it seems that your guards took no notice."
"What, did someone give them a less than worshipping glance?"
"If only. A stranger has been traveling around Bruma, never seen here before. As per reports, it is a warrior of unknown origins, clad in his armor and wearing some sort of a ritual mask."
"Another adventurer, probably."
"He was seen searching for something very close to the houses of these prisoners, and a few citizens said that he was asking for the whereabouts of these "missing people." someone got on our tail."
Savodius still couldn't force himself to care. He didn't even pretend, and judging by Thaenar's annoyed face, it was apparent.
"It must be another rebel or bandit. I doubt he will come here unless he is a fool. However, if he will, we will give him a taste of our steel."
"You imperials should be more proactive; after all, it is our shared duty to root out these pests."
"Listen here, if…."
Their talk got interrupted by a soldier rushing toward them. He looked at Savodius with creeping terror in his eyes; it was enough to realize that something serious had happened.
"Tribune, your presence is required at…."
"How dare you just come here and interrupt?"-Thaenar cut him off, but Savodius shook his head.
"Speak, soldier, what is it?"
"We found a mutilated body of one of ours near the gate…You should see it for yourself."
"Has the intruder been identified?"
"No…"
"Then get to it; I will join you at once."-Savodius ordered while catching an inappropriately interested look on the justiciar's face as he listened to the story. The altmer spoke next.
"I'll come with you as well. It seems like someone is rather thirsty for my punishment."-After these words, altmer through one more glance at the Dunmer woman in the cage. "It seems you've earned yourself a respite; try not to die while I am busy."
The soldier ran off, and Thaenar followed him at once, Savodius began to walk as well, but soon he heard a quiet and lifeless voice from behind him.
"W…Why…"-The woman reached out to him. "Why does…The Empire…Not fight…Why do you not…."
Savodius threw a disgusted glance at her, seeing a weakened and tortured woman on the brink of death, with everything and everyone she had taken away from her as she dared to defy Thalmor rule.
"And you're the one asking?"-Savodius smirked before turning away and following the others. As he walked out into the snowstorm, his attention was grabbed by several soldiers gathered around a part of the wall just beside the Legate's tower. The Tribune marched to see what was going on. It was then when he noticed Thaenar among these soldiers looking down with a burning disgust.
"What in Oblivion happened here?"-Savodius asked as soldiers moved aside, revealing a gruesome sight for him to see.
"That's what happens when you give important jobs to fools."-Altmer smirked just before the Tribune began inspecting the body. One of the soldiers, his armor cracked, and his body was covered with few but deep wounds, spreading the dark red blood all across the poor man's corpse. But this was not the worst; his head was torn from the torso and remained beside his body with a grimace of complete terror on his face and in his wide-open lifeless eyes.
"By the gods…"-Savodius kneeled to take a close look, feeling the soldiers' slight unease.
"Who could have done such a thing?"-One of the men asked.
"Did you leave the gate unattended?"-Tribune asked sternly
"Not for a second."
Thaenar soon joined their conversation.
"Or perhaps this time our enemies have a little more brain and got over the wall."-Altmer suggested in a usual arrogant tone, but this was a valid option. Savodius glanced towards the wall and felt his heart jump slightly when he realized he could see no soldiers standing on the wall.
"Wait here, I need to check something."-Tribune rushed to the upper wall, and when he reached it. Chills went down his spine as Savodius saw three watchers, including the woman he saw earlier, lying dead with their wounds wide open and their skin very pale as if life itself had been slowly sucked out of them. Someone killed them quickly and quietly without opening the gate and now was very close within the fort's walls.
Who could it be?
Savodius stopped fearing; after all, who would want to enter this place except for some bandits and Talos rebels? Who knows how sadistic they could be. All that mattered was that he could bring this rascal to justice, which would undoubtedly impress the Legate when he returned. The Tribune returned to his soldiers.
"We've been invaded; a trespasser is still within the fort's walls. Spread out and find them!"-Savodius ordered, keeping up the confident and commanding tone.
"Wouldn't it be wiser to stick together if our guest comes out?"-Altmer asked.
"They're stealthy; waiting would give the intruder a chance to get a hold of legate's plans and documents or whatever else they came here for."
"I will patrol the dungeons then. I still have an unfinished talk there."-Thaenar said and walked back to the prison with two soldiers.
"The rest of you, look over the walls and barracks; if you see anyone suspicious, strike immediately."
"Yes, sir!"
There was something else Savodius noted, a trail of corpses left by their mysterious intruder was leading right to the Legate's tower…He should've sent someone else there, but the Tribune did not want to miss such an opportunity to show his success to the commander. Savodius gestured to two fellow soldiers to follow him, and they immediately entered the tower.
"Be careful. They might be hiding in the shadows…"-Tribune warned quietly. He immediately noticed that most of the torches were extinguished, and the place felt unnaturally dark; they had to tread very carefully. After a search, Savodius realized that there was no one on the lower floor, but a few seconds later, an echo of loud steps from above reached his ears; other guards heard it too. Someone was up there, and these steps were too heavy to be that of a man…
"Go ahead, slowly. I'll cover you from behind."- The guards did not argue and began their ascent on the ladder. Savodius's guilt began to sting. He felt like a pathetic coward who was too fearful of facing the danger head-on. But these thoughts were quickly replaced by pragmatic ones; after all, he wanted to get out of this alive along with the trespasser's head.
As the three ascended, steps became louder, trumping in their ears, until suddenly they stopped. Soon the Tribune and his guards arrived at the door leading to the Legate's quarters. The room ahead had every single source of light extinguished; nothing could be seen except a fleeting snowstorm through the lone window.
"Should we go in, sir?"-One of the guards whispered. Savodius nodded.
"Stay close to each other."-He said dryly before the three entered this room. Savodius knew the layout, but he had never seen this room consumed by complete darkness. The Tribune could not let go of a feeling of unease, as if someone was very close and watched them, slowly making its moves, almost as if luring them into a trap…
"AAAARGHH!"-A piercing scream flew through the room a second after Savodius saw something lurking in the shadows, followed by a sound of flesh being ripped apart by sharp claws. This was no man. Indeed, Savodius could hear his heart beating as he realized he was on the brink of never seeing the light again.
"Wait, what…NO, NO, N…AAAAA!"-Another scream, another victim taken, the nearby guard disappeared into the darkness as the Tribune was left alone. He could feel it; the monster was in front of him, a predator toying with the prey. Savodius stood silently and made no movements; he knew that if he made another step forward, it would all be over, but the door they entered through was still open…This was the only chance.
It was then when Savodius saw a pair of glowing eyes right in front of him, staring into his soul and preparing to tear out his heart. This was the breaking point; Savodius rushed to the door, praying to everyone he could for salvation. The Tribune was able to escape the room. He ran downstairs and did not look back. For a moment, he realized the irony…He was no soldier, no tribune, just a coward…
As he left the tower, patrolling guards immediately noticed that Savodius was horrified and had no escort with him.
"Sir, what happened?"-One of the soldiers asked him, but the Tribune remained silent. He paced to the center of the fort and looked at the tower again. On the top, he could see a faint silhouette hiding behind snow and darkness, but it was enough to realize that it was tall and had some semblance of wings behind its back and the glowing eyes that still stared at Savodius.
"It is here, look!"-Savodius pointed to the monster, but before any guard could see, the creature disappeared into the night without a trace.
"I can't see anything."-Another man said, and Savodius could feel the fear overtaking him. Was he going insane, or did this creature possess powers beyond mortal limits? Before Tribune could think more, the winged predator materialized in the middle of the fort out of seemingly nowhere; all attention was on the beast.
"TO ARMS!"-Savodius commanded and prepared to charge but could not attack himself even though he wanted to. His mind wouldn't allow him to do so while in a state of terror; he looked like a weakling before people he was supposed to command. As Savodius saw the monster tearing the men that attacked it apart, he could barely hold himself anymore. The Tribune rushed towards the nearest building, the prison, not looking back but still hearing the screams of his own soldiers.
He locked the door behind him and rushed to the prison office; on his way, Savodius encountered two more soldiers who looked at him with suspicion, but he did not even take time to tell them what was coming; he desperately wanted to survive this night. In the prison office just above the dungeon, he saw Thaenar impatiently waiting for something to occur. Altmer could barely hold his laughter when he saw Savodius.
"Why the rush? You want to tell me how you caught that filth so badly? "
"Just listen…"-Savodius locked the door and approached the justiciar, who still didn't understand the severity of their situation.
"Why the fear? Scared of some rebels, how pathe…."
"I found it; it's a beast…Tall and winged, a hunter in the darkness. It killed my escort and is now outside…My men can hold it but not for long…"-After these words, he saw the expression on the elf's face changing drastically, reflecting Savodius's own emotions.
"That sounds like a…For Auriel's sake…."
"What is that thing?"
"It sounds like a vampire lord."
"I thought they were just a myth!"
"All myths have a grain of truth to them…."
They were interrupted by hearing a loud noise of the building door opening. Someone was coming. Soon they heard the guards' surprised voices quickly turning into screams and terror. The imperial and altmer looked at each other in utter despair.
"Talos, save us…."Savodius whispered unwittingly, the justiciar could hear it clearly, yet he did not care...
"We should go to the dungeon…"-Thaenar uttered.
"No, it's darker there and no way out…."
"And face it here? Are you mad?"
"You're the mage here…You should know how to handle monsters! "
"Not vampire lords!"
In the next instant, the door in front of them was torn away, and the beast emerged in its full glory. A humanoid being with pale grey skin, features that resembled a bat, including two wings behind its back. The glowing eyes still gazed at them with hunger, and the sharp teeth were clearly visible from its mouth.
Savodius could run no longer; it was all or nothing. He rushed toward the vampire, screaming and trying to pierce the skin with his sword, but quickly grabbed by the neck, and the vampire threw him to the wall. Thaenar attempted to cast fire spells, a known weakness of vampires.
"Die, scum!"-He shouted as he tried to burn the monster alive. It stalled the vampire for a few seconds, but it immediately cast a blood spell at his opponent, beginning to drain life from him.
"What's happening…"-Thaenar said as he seemingly lost all strength. Savodius could witness him becoming paler and weaker with every second; he could no longer resist the vampire and soon found himself at its mercy.
"Please…I'll do anything!"-He said moments before his head was torn off by the monster. The elf was no more. Savodius closed his eyes, trying to be brave, at least he could try to face his last moments with courage, but he was still alive after a few seconds. The vampire stood above him and looked down on the soldier. Savodius attempted to stand up and fight, but the monster quickly grabbed his neck, raising the man above the ground. And then Savodius's fear returned as the creature spoke in a deep demonic voice.
"Where is Inaaru?"-The monster said in a calm yet menacing tone. Its voice echoed in Savodius's ears, bidding him respond.
"W…Who?"
"Do not play with me…I know you hold her here; where is she?"
"I…I don't know…All prisoners are…Here…Downstairs in the dungeon…."
The vampire glanced at the staircase and then looked at Savodius, raising its second hand.
"Thank you."
And in the next instant, it was over.