"We haven't seen anything, you understand?" - A fleeting voice said with echoes of fear.
"Yes…What if they know anyway? We'll just be at their mercy." - Another replied, uncertain of their course.
"Doesn't matter, we just…We know nothing."
The dream continued to haunt Rialyn, cruelly and maliciously. He didn't want to see it anymore; the memories were too much to handle. Each night they became more disturbed and distorted. This was by far the worst…The most nightmarish of them all. He felt the cold of this room oozing through his essence as the monotone sound rang in his ears, louder with each passing second. He was a dreamer once more, but this time he wasn't guided through it by the ephemeral sense; he was imprisoned and forced to watch.
He and Inaaru once again sat inside a cramped room of the Thalmor Embassy in Bruma, both at their separate tables. They had been waiting for their turn for as long as an hour now, and this was exhausting, even terrifying. There was an altmer in signature dominion armor standing at the door. Supposedly he was doing his everyday routine, but he was actually watching the two closely, following their every glance and whisper. Perhaps this hour was simply for waiting, to see their reaction and make assumptions from there?
The prisoner of the nightmare heard no voices, only occasional echoes of emotion that he felt through his dream. He was so powerless…Just like that day. And the emotions he felt were fear, both his and Inaaru's. They watched the walls in grave silence, only occasionally switching to each other, too worried to even talk.
Eventually, the door opened, and another altmer entered the room. He wore robes and seemed a little less intimidating than the guard. He signaled the guard to leave and then sat in front of Inaaru and Rialyn.
"Greetings." - He said politely while taking out a few sheets of paper. "Inaaru Doren and Rialyn…Grey-Hammer, is that correct?" - He asked cautiously.
"I don't really have a second name, but for convenience, I suppose…" - Rialyn replied.
"Oh, I understand. Nordic surnames can be too distinct for someone's liking…But yes, all for convenience." - The inspector began writing, staying silent for a few moments.
"To be fair, when you've lived your whole life among them, you get used to it." - Rialyn decided to carry the conversation on, so he did. The inspector's attention was turned towards him for a few moments, and he didn't particularly mind this conversation. The dream was filled with suspense; Rialyn remembered what he wanted to do. He knew Inaaru was scared, terrified, even, so he would do his best to keep the focus away from her.
"Alright…" - The inspector began eventually. "Do you know why we need to talk to you?" - He wondered.
"To ask questions?" - Rialyn would never give a detailed reply; that's exactly what they needed, to know what they expected.
"Yes, just to clarify some points." - He took his quill and was prepared to the right. "It's about Giraris Doren and Antiha Doren. I am a part of a unit dedicated to finding them." - He gave Inaaru a seemingly sympathetic gaze. "We will do our best to find your parents, but we need some cooperation."
This was a lie; that was never the reason. Thalmor does not search for people; even the Empire doesn't unless a specific crime has been committed.
"It won't take long. When was the last time you saw your parents?" - Inspector asked.
"On Middas, three days ago." - Inaaru said.
"Could you tell me about this moment? Did they talk to you about their intent?" - He said while still writing. Inaaru shook her head silently. "Not at all? Perhaps something in their behavior indicated their plans?"
"No…They just said they had to leave early for a meeting in the castle…That's all." - Inaaru said quietly, and the inspector continued writing.
"I see…And what about you, Rialyn? I believe you were a close family friend. When was your last interaction?"
"A few days prior, on Morndas that week. It was around markets, we exchanged greetings, but I decided not to distract them." - Rialyn replied, as coldly and confidently as he could.
"So…Inaaru, were any particular guests coming to see your parents?"
This was what he wanted, slowly approaching the actual topic of conversation. Rialyn knew what would happen. Next, he knew it all too well. Inaaru seems uncertain for a moment.
"Only a few business partners and people from other stores, that's all."
"Can you tell me a little more about each of them? If they went on business, their disappearance might be connected."
The rest was expected. Inaaru and Rialyn had no choice but to talk; lying was too dangerous because they didn't know where the Thalmor would have eyes. The sense of time was lost, and the room became colder. The inspector continued to ask his questions, politely and calmly, but she never stopped. He wanted to know all the details, and if Rialyn or Inaaru slipped even a little, it might be the end…
"So, is this all?" - The altmer said after finishing discussing their guests.
"Yes." - Inaaru replied. Rialyn saw it in her eyes, desperately hoping that no more questions would be asked. But the inspector could see this just as well.
"I would like to ask about a particular man." - The altmer said. "Haluak Ember-Shifter, is that name familiar to either of you?"
"No." - Rialyn said heavily; they were finally getting to the heart of the matter. "Never heard of him."
"And you, Inaaru?"
"No, I don't think I know that name."
The inspector sighed, looking over the room again.
"I'm sorry, but this doesn't add up. My colleagues have informed me that Haluak interacted with the Doren family, up to and including visiting their house. A bulky nord, Hunter from the outskirts, does this ring a bell?" - The inspector continued.
"No, I never met him." - Inaaru continued to deny it.
"I visit their house quite often, and there were no lone nord hunters there, much less someone by that name." - Rialyn said.
"That's alright." - The altmer said, writing something in his notes. Inaaru and Rialyn couldn't see his writings; they were too worried to even look at each other. Both understood that the inspector was not their friend. He would miss no sign.
"I am afraid to inform you that Haluak is a wanted fugitive." - Inspector said with a much heavier tone. "He is charged for worshipping a false god in secrecy and aggression towards Dominion forces."
"Why do we keep talking about him? We don't even know who that is." - Rialyn grew tired of this charade.
"But as I said, the Doren family had a seemingly close connection to him. If our sources are correct, they housed Haluak for about three days."
"Are you implying my parents are criminals?" - Inaaru said, barely able to hold her anger.
"No, I just want to figure the situation out. This man is a rascal and is likely to get your parents in trouble if they are indeed his associates. Have you never seen him in the house?"
"No, I swear." - Inaaru replied.
"Huh…" - He continued to write. "I have to be honest; many in my place would find that hard to believe. But I trust you to be truthful. Perhaps they shared some of this with you, Rialyn? As a trusted friend of their daughter."
"I said already, no. And I never saw him in their house, so I can only presume your sources to be wrong." - He replied angrily.
Inspector looked at Inaaru once again.
"I heard many good things about your parents, that they are quite altruistic. Perhaps they decided to help a man in need, not knowing about his crimes?" - He suggested.
"I don't know…But helping someone in need is very much like them." - Inaaru said, clearly feeling a little relieved. Perhaps they would be able to…
"So, you acknowledge the possibility? In that case, why hide it from their daughter? I might respect them keeping you out of this trouble, but they had to know that there would be trouble for it. And again, I find it difficult to believe that you have never seen this man in your own house."
The room became silent once again. The interrogation finally became something it was always meant to be. Rialyn wondered why? Why did they want a confession about Haluak from them if there are sources already? How could they spy on Inaaru's parents in their own home? What if there were no sources…What if he just used it to have them confess?
"Listen, it's quite serious." - He said with a glimpse of the tread. "I believe your innocence, but it is a matter to be discussed. Many of my colleagues would not be as lenient, so I advise you to take your chance. Let's just talk honestly. What do you know about this man?" - He inquired.
"We told you already; we don't!" - Inaaru said nervously.
"This contradicts our sources, and I am inclined to believe. Whether you knew about his presence is not in question here; rather, how much did you know."
"This is absurd and won't go anywhere," - Rialyn said, but the inspector focused on a much more worried Inaaru.
"I understand that it is hard for you to believe your parents to be criminals; I truly do. But your cooperation is necessary to find them." - He said with seeming sympathy.
"And what will you do with them?" - Inaaru asked in fear.
"They will be given a fair trial…And if you help me, I will do everything in my power to help them, as well."
This was terrifying right to its end. The dream became blurry, but Rialyn remembered this day far too well. They spend about half an hour from this point; the inspector asked similar questions and used different manipulation tactics while pretending to be an ally. He or Inaaru almost budged in many moments, but they remembered that this friendly face was a lie. Behind him, Thalmor demons were looking to prosecute all that disobeyed, including her parents.
Yes, they did give a shelter to a Talos worshipper; both Inaaru and Rialyn knew, helped even. Now Doren's family had to leave to help Haluak from Cyrodiil into Riften, where he would be safe under Stormcloak jurisdiction. They were supposed to return two days ago. Inaaru was worried enough…And now they knew that her parents were followed.
When the duo left the embassy, they could barely believe that this was finally over. They did it a few hours directly, but they did not give anything away. Inspector told them that they had made the wrong choice, that he would not be able to protect them when the time came, but they knew the truth. They could not make anything better there, only far worse.
Rialyn and Inaaru didn't even talk for the first few moments of breathing the fresh air of Bruma. Soon Rialyn heard her sobbing.
"Inaaru…" - He said with care as he approached her. Rialyn was never the best at being empathetic, but he was willing to do his best for her.
"Oh, gods…I didn't say anything, right? He doesn't know where they are?" - She said, unsuccessfully trying not to panic.
"Yes, we did very well. If they know anything…They did so beforehand." - Rialyn tried to calm her down, but this wasn't calming in the slightest because they did not grasp their knowledge. What if Thalmor was already on their trail? What if they were already dead and this an attempt to arrest Rialyn and Inaaru? It was a terrifying thought, one he decided not to share.
"What if they will find them…What if they will…No, no, they can't be; they must be alive! Father would never allow that; he would never…" - She talked quickly and erratically, unable to hold back tears. Rialyn approached Inaaru and hugged the crying woman, sharing his warmth with her.
"We'll do it, I know…I'm with you, whatever happens." - He said with confidence and lack of fear; this Calmed Inaaru down a little.
"Thank you…" - She said softly and hugged him back. Rialyn wiped some of her tears, seeing a glimmer of hope finally appear on her face. She felt safer with him, and Rialyn loved to help her. It was a horrifying sight. Inaaru was always brave, enthusiastic, and optimistic. Seeing her in such a state of shock, brimming with tears, was painful.
Rialyn felt the desire to return to the embassy, to wreck it all completely. To smash the skull of that manipulative inspector and everyone who was on Dorens' trail. He was willing to run them out of Bruma to change the entire city, an entire world, so that it didn't hurt her anymore. If only he had the power.
"Do you think they are still searching your house?" - Rialyn said.
"Probably…"
"How about coming to the forge? You can stay with Erstenn and me for now." - Rialyn invited her.
"But don't you have to work with clients?" - Inaaru was unsure.
"Clients be damned, this is more important. I'll stay with you for as long as you need; Erstenn can deal with others."
"Thank you…You are the best."
"Oh, no need for…."
"Please…You truly are."
Rialyn could feel his heart-melting. He followed in the dream how he walked Inaaru to the forge, trying to distract her from the threatening situation. She clung to him and reveled in every spent second. She didn't feel alone, as did Rialyn. He felt like he could genuinely help her, to be there for her. That was all reward he needed.
However, when they finally arrived, they found the forge empty. Shouts and searches availed naught; Erstenn was nowhere to be found. The dreamer felt pain surrounding him; it felt like a drought slowly consuming him. The dream began to dissipate…The last image he saw was that of a lone letter from Erstenn left for Rialyn.
This would be the last he ever heard from him.
…
This felt like a fever dream. Painful, draining, disgusting.
Rialyn opened his eyes in the middle of the night, trying not to scream. The dream was interrupted quicker than ever before. Rialyn could barely move. It was as if something pressed down his chest, pumping the intestines out and leaving nothing but bones. The dark elf breathed, he got just enough air to stay conscious, but it was still tiny.
He felt the sting within his body as if thousands of needles pierced him simultaneously. Leaving wounds that can't be healed. He didn't see anything but darkness before him; Rialyn didn't know whether he had gone bling for a moment. The man heard whispers in his ears, a myriad of voices distinctly reminding him of those he heard in his dream. Inaaru, inspector, the citizens of Bruma…All distorted, demonic, saying something unrecognizable…He was falling back into his sleep again, slowly consumed by pain.
Until he finally saw the night itself. His eyes were open, his body regained control, and all the voices went silent after one hellish screech. Rialyn jumped from his bed, trying to walk. He could barely hold up, the legs grew weaker, and the Dragonborn was about to fall but did not. Now his mind was as straightforward as it could be…Clear, but not sensible. He felt the hunger raging inside him and knew what he wanted.
Blood.
He did not expect the thirst to strike so unexpectedly. Usually, it was a gradual process. Usually, but not always. He needed more; Rialyn needed to plunge his fangs into the warm body and drink their blood. When he was full, the thought of tasting blood disgusted Rialyn. But now, it seemed blissful, more so than the fines of wines.
The Dunmer rushed out of the room. Due to both thirst and post-sleep tiredness, he could only place two thoughts in his head. Find blood and be quiet. He stumbled across the quiet library, finally approaching the residence on the other side. This was the closest…Heleria must be sleeping inside. Rialyn rushed to the door and grabbed the handle with primal rage. He was so close, just one bite, a little drink…
No, no, this was all wrong. The dark elf did not dare to open this door. He couldn't let himself do it. The vampire took his hand off the handle and rushed to the center, shivering and trying to find a solution. Heleria helped him get here and allowed him to stay in her own house, and provided much-needed history books. She was a good woman; she didn't deserve this…
Before Rialyn could change his mind, he left the library, running up the stairs through the corridors of the canton. He couldn't see anyone in there; everyone was asleep in their residence. Rialyn wondered whether he would be able to find the two dunmer that attacked him and Nerius at the inn; that would've been karmic…But impractical. There is no way to find them here.
Rialyn heard somebody walking across the opposite corridor. The drained vampire returned to the shadows and watched the hall ahead of him closely. Night vision allowed nothing to escape his gaze. There was an ordinator patrolling the area right up ahead; the Dragonborn had to find another way. He ran towards the closest ladder, quickly ascending to the upper levels of the canton. He bypassed one more ordinator and finally left the building.
Rialyn found himself on the uppermost level, what some might call the balcony of the canton. He stood under the night's sky with the unity of sunlight and moonlight dropping upon him. Rialyn walked over this balcony, fearful that ordinators might see him in this state. Someone must be nearby…But they are all law-abiding citizens who have not wronged Rialyn; he couldn't drink their blood.
As the Dragonborn approached the edge, the pain re-emerged. Rialyn felt dizziness, making him shake, trying to walk from foot to foot, almost as if in the process of very awkward dance. This thirst…It was rarely that bad. Rialyn tried to stand, but it was too much,
The Dragonborn fell over the short fence at the edge, landing right into the waters beneath Vivec. The salty sea surrounded Rialyn from all sides. He tried to swim up but was too weak to do it. Is this how his life will end? The tale of a Dragonborn, the bane of the dragons, killer of Harkon, the one who triumphed over Miraak…To reach his homeland only to be sunk deep beneath seas, shivering from the cold and loss of blood? A tale fitting for a comedy.
Rialyn closed his eyes…The shore was far ahead, but he believed that he would be able to reach it. Just a bit more power…
He moved his limbs as fast as possible, slowly swimming up and towards the shore.
More…
The resistance was too much, both from the waters and his internal pain. Rialyn couldn't feel his hands anymore; he was too weak to even shout.
More!
All that remained, the power of dragons and vampires, came to Rialyn's end…No, if he ever dies, it will be in a glorious battle protecting the few he still cared for. It will not be like this!
MORE!
The transformation of blood magic finally occurred; the gift of Molag Bal was his salvation. The next few minutes went quick, almost as if they were seconds. Rialyn could only see one thing in front of him in his fever, the land. He charged towards it with his arms, legs, and wings, empowered by pure magic.
Rialyn opened his eyes, trying to figure out his location. He rose tall over the water on the shore to the east of Vivec. He looked back to see the city that became distant, even the canton he fell off from. Such power…It felt majestic, but he still needed more. He still needed blood. Rialyn looked at his hands. Once again, infused with blood, sharp claws, and pale skin was the mark. He felt wings behind his back, once again becoming a vampire lord. He only used this form in extreme cases; considering how draining and monstrous it was, perhaps this was one of these.
Rialyn gazed towards further land and saw a small Dunmer settlement, one of the few villages beside Vivec; he saw some of them before entering the city. They were for those who had no money to live in the town or just those who didn't find a place there. Rialyn imagined some were even moved here as a way to exile…Which would mean it had many criminals.
The vampire rushed towards this town, unable to stay quiet in this form. He approached the nearest house and hid behind it. Rialyn gazed from the shadows, checking if any guards were on the streets. He found none. Conversely, there are a few tired civilians roaming around old and ailing houses. This indeed seemed very different to Vivec. Akin to Balmora, the city full of dirt and lowlifes…Perfect target.
Rialyn continued to move in the shadows, hiding from sight. Occasionally he would transform into bats to fly around from one cover to another. He did not have to do this for long, however.
"Look what we have here!" - Rialyn heard not far from him. This voice seemed malicious but did not contain enough fear, so he clearly wasn't spotted. The vampire looked from his cover as a lone dunmer man was surrounded by four individuals in leather armor. Most of their bodies were covered, but Rialyn could identify their races. Two dark elves, one wood elf, and a nord acted as their leader.
"Who are you?" - The lone man said in fear as he was cornered by them.
"Where do you think you're going alone at night? Think you're safe around here. Isn't that funny, boys!" - He said with the other three laughing in unison. This nord grabbed the dark elf by his neck and pushed him to the wall. "I see you have some coins to spare and that amulet…Magic stuff, eh? I bet that'll cost much!"
"No, please, leave me a…" - He begged before nord punched him.
Such a typical scenario, almost too typical. Also, fortunate. It would be quite a night for that man to be attacked by bandits in the middle of the night only to be saved by a thirsty vampire lord, but it would be better than death. The news and rumors would spread, maybe even to Vivec, but as long as Rialyn is in the same bed in the morning, he hoped he would not be a suspect. He was ready to attack, tear these bandits apart…
But just before he did this, a raging roar pierced his ears. Rialyn shivered and looked for the source, only to be wholly dumbfounded before what he and the bandits saw. A beast at the top of the nearest building, its razor-sharp teeth and claws at the ready, and a furious gaze directed at the criminals. This was a werewolf, like those he saw among the Circle of Companions.
"By Sheogorath's beard!" - The Nord bandit exclaimed in fear and clenched his weapon. Still not ready to run just yet. Other free bandits were not so sure…They didn't speak, just hid behind their leader, preparing their swords and bows.
"We should run, now!" - The Bosmer shouted.
"Run if you want, coward! You knew that this freak might appear!" - The nord shouted. They knew? If so, apparently, it wasn't the first time these criminals encountered this beast.
The Bosmer couldn't help but run erratically, dropping his bow. The other three remained steady and prepared to fight back.
"Kill the scum!" - The Nord commanded and attacked the werewolf alongside his comrades. They were no match, of course.
The werewolf wounded the nearest bandit with its claws and threw him towards the wall. The fact that he even stayed alive was a miracle; Rialyn saw his wounds, causing him to hunger even more. The werewolf fought the other two bandits, but if the Dragonborn didn't intervene…He may lose another source of blood. The vampire lord rushed to the wounded bandit. This elf screamed in agony for a few seconds before Rialyn finally plunged his teeth into him. Soon after, he went silent, and the vampire lord was finally fulfilled by blood again.
He drank and drank, enjoying every second of it. The bandit was barely breathing.
"P…Pl…" - He tried to speak, but Rialyn didn't react.
The next instant, he felt someone pushing him to the side with great power. The vampire lost his balance and had to temporarily retreat. He looked to his side and noticed the werewolf who pushed him away from the wounded bandit. The other two were knocked unconscious and injured severely down the street.
The raging instincts kicked in, and Rialyn charged at the werewolf. The two clashed. The beast was defending itself against the vampire with prowess and skill. It was almost as if it was not feral but instead in complete control, like Rialyn. The Dragonborn felt more fulfilled, too, after drinking that much blood. He tried to drain the werewolf's essence with his magic. After letting out a devastating howl, the monster pushed Rialyn away.
It hit him a few more times, leaving some light wounds. Their eyes met. Both looked at each other with fury and hunger, but the werewolf decided not to attack. It rushed away as far as possible and soon disappeared in the darkness. Rialyn was left among a bunch of wounded bandits, alone…
What has just happened? Who was this beast?
He had no time for questions as the Dragonborn heard guards approaching. He disappeared back into the shadows; the feeling of renewal was overshadowed by his confusion and suspense, as well as the realization that he would likely have to return through the sewers. Thankfully, the guards did not spot him, and Rialyn was finally in complete control of his kind and empowered body.
What a night.