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Spoiler:
Young female vampire has awaken in the darkness, behind a great iron door that was slammed shut seconds ago, making her a jump to her feet scared like an animal, not far away from her, several other members of her covenant still asleep, in a large round room lit by a single candle. She woke up the others, and one by one a new set of red glowing eyes opened up in the dark, the master vampire who woke up the last, pushed him self off the ground and stood up, as the others gathered around him whispering among themselves.
What in the name of oblivion just happened. Where are we?- asked one of the vampires.
Master vampire silenced them, approached and listened carefully, trough the thick walls of stone he heard the voices of people and in his mind seen blurred shadows of many men, women and children, a sound of carriages, breathing of the horses, and sounds of the song and lute music coming from one of the taverns of the great imperial city, that he knew very well.
A very pleasing voice of a bard called Nora filled his head as it got suddenly stronger when he concentrated, a smile came across his face but vanished after he got back to the others.
Mad, this is just mad.- he remembered slowly, what happened earlyer, they were fast asleep in their burrow that was very far to the west off the city in a deep cave, he left several of the thralls and dogs to guard them, at dawn after a feast they had with some pilgrims they cached on the road.
He heard a stir in the cave, the sound of clashing weapons, and kicked the lid of the coffin open, jumping quickly with his sword drawn, looked around, many of the vampires seemed dead, lying on the ground around him. He looked at the torch lights down the slope to the main chamber of the cave, at the first sight recognized several penitus occulatus soldiers, by the armor they used to wear, that were finishing of one of the thralls, and turned back to him with weapons drawn, a stendar paladin stepped from the back, a tall and big bearded redguard mumbling angrily, as he approached him with a big hammer in his hands, he readied him self for a fight cornered like a rat between the walls in the bottom of his cave.
Bloodsucker, ready for a headbashing, now I am gon'a rip your head in half.- mocked the redguard, slowly walking towards him with a sinister grin, as himself focused and prepared for a clash.
-We should see about that.- he said with fury, as his eyes glowed in the dark like blazing hot steel.
-Com'ere, let me taste your blood.-
A sound of an arrow zipped between the two of them before a woman voice shouted from the dark,- Isran, stop we need him alive!- just as they were to attack, an arrow pierced his flesh, falling to the knees, surprised that a poison has affected him, a vampire. He snapped the arrow in his leg, tearing his clothes and a big chunk of meat and skin with it, as he tried to stand, but shortly to fall straight to the face feeling the cold and moist stone getting warmer as the pool of his own blood rushed down the slope he laid on, slowly loosing his counciesness.
With his image slowly fading, he hared the voice of Israns fury- Carccete, you stupid [&@%!], why must you meddle in everything, i taught i could at least kill one for today.-
Isran, stop your nonsense, we are doing emperors biding, now shut up and get to work, help the soldiers load them in the wagon. There are plenty more of them in Skyrim, and you will get your revenge soon enough.
Last thing he remembered was the sound of Isran screaming in anger, throwing away his weapon.- You know what, I am done with you, I am sick and tired of being ordered around as some mongroul pup, as this monsters kill more people, how many must pay with their lives for you to understand what needs to be done. Instead off destroying them, what we do, we catch them, for the Synod, for their stupid experiments. I wonder what will happen when some off them gets loose and rampages trough the palace.
He snapped from his taught, when some of the vampires discovered a stairway leading straight down.
Apparently, we are here for the Sinod, to be their test subjects.- said the master vampire walking slowly towards the stairs.
I really do not know what is to be expected, but maybe, we can get out of here, lets see where this leads.
They walked trough the dark deeper and deeper, twisting trough corridors and tunnels under the city, they found them selves in the sewers, and followed the water flow until they reached a massive underground pool in a bigger even hall that was lit by the sun coming from a hole in the sealing. They were carefully avoiding the beam of sunlight, blinded by it, and then a scream that echoed in the hall.
One of the women screamed and jumped, not at all like a vampire. They turned around, a mudcrab was hiding behind a rock, and apparently pinched her on the leg on passing, he had only one chitin, the other was cut off.
As they looked around the hall with a shimmering pool of water, they have found mushrooms, and plants, that they never encountered before.
One of the vampires looked in the pool, there was fish swimming around, as it appeared , the water was fresh and clear, not like the usual content of a sewage system.
This is getting odder by the minute- staggered a vampire from a big and beautyfull flower that poisoned him with some spores that it released.
Following the breeze, a weak gasp of draft, making their way trough the tunnels that had become larger and lager the deeper they went, for hours when they spotted a massive iron door with a strange crest embedded on them. The curiosity made them wonder, what could be behind it. No one of them, not even the master vampire who was by far the oldest had not know of the mysteries beneath the city, nor has he even imagined that grandeur so deep underground, and he has been to royal vampire mansions. Something was strange, almost all his life lived in burrows, for ages, and was used to the smell of the mould and decay but they where not present in here, a weak smell of some incense filled the subterain.
And just about when everybody turned to him for at least some explanation, a ghost appeared in front of the door, leafing at them.
You may have not seen the granite plate on the wall there, butt I strongly recommend that you read it before you proceed, because, belive me, this is the last place a person should be, no mater what kind of blood runs in their veins. A quick candle light spell emanated from the ghost that vanished leafing. After calming down vampires gathered around the tablet, that they passed moments ago not noticing it, walls, floor, the sealing was in most expensive black marble, with intricate carvings, depicting a battlefield, great wars off past, and jet a plate written in a language almost unrecognizable and unreadable, because the time has taken hiss tall on it, eroding the stone, and erasing the letters, of a story that surprised even a thousand years old master vampire.
Ill be damned.- mumbled Jerod.- a tablet writhen in the language of the snow elves, what on earth...
Do you recognize it? Can you read it?- asked one off the followers, a rather silent vampire, who was staring at the letters.
Something about the guardian off... something... seeker off wisdom... deep underground... was reckless... now lies... fallen, injured and weak... filling a body... waiting... to cure his... wounds... while his soul... rests in... another world... he is everything... that he is not... where time has no meaning.
... walks in shadow...pretending... bending a world to his will... by the touch of hand... with eyes looking... far away mountain... for he is to return... to the darkness... and take up the blessed steel once again... to seek fate until the end off time... one of many... that is...
Born in the dawn... with wings of jet black.
-What is that supposed to mean, born in down, its the sunrise...- he never got to think of it good when one of the vampires rebelled.
-This makes no sense- said one of the vampires from behind.- We have been wandering this tunnels for hours now, with no progress, we will be stuck here, lost, who know how deep under the city are we.
There must be a way out, maybe right trough that door. After a moment of silence they approached the door and with all of their strenght just barely nudged it so that they pass trough the opening merely able to fit one person.
At the end of the stairs leading up they spotted light and they carefully approached the door that led to a rather large balcony over a big dining hall where several men sate and chatted while eating. A banner of the empire hanged over across the wall, a big red flag with a dragon, and swayed from time to time. Just as they finished they stood up and went out of the room, with only the oldest remaining and slowly standing up.
Jerod was petrified standing in shadows high above the room, watching the face of the current emperor who passed right beneath them.
As they noticed the look on his face, other vampires were confused, as he started to leaf in silence.
What is the mater, master.- asked one of them.
The man that just passed down there is Titus Mede II, emperor of the Cyrodil. Man, he has some nasty enemies on his court. To think that mortals go to such width to topple a king, how clever, blame the vampires after they do the dirty work for you. How convenient for us, there are no guards, no witnesses, only thing that we need to do is to slay him, and after that they would corner us like rats once again, and kill us.
What, we are in the palace?- asked his follower.
It seems so, but strangely I dont remember ever to have been here, this must be still deep underground, a perfect trap. Butt, nevertheless we can make our move and still remain alive, we just need to go back in the sewers after we deal with him, and maybe find another way out, and if not, they will surely not send soldiers looking because its dark down there, and we are vampires. How stupid of them.
You really want to kill him?- asked one of the vampires crouching by the edge.
My child, that is the stuff from witch legends are made, nothing will be more satisfying, than to do just that. Oh imagine the glory, if we turn back, we maybe wont have a chance like this.
After they climbed down, they followed a corridor to a smaller hall that appeared to be a study, books all over the place, scrolls, paper, messy and erratic, and Titus did not read anything, he just sat there, leaning on the table, and playing with what appeared to be a small cat, lying on the back in a bundle of paper.
The glowing eyes of vampires in the dark corridor were wide open in disbeleaf, he appeared like he has been waiting for someone to join him as he rather frequently gazed in the direction of the door at the other end of the room. Jet nobody showed up. After a while having inspected the room and after he make sure that no one is coming, Jarod, stepped out of the shadows several feet in front the old man who has lost interest of the cat that has started to chase something and vanished in the room under the furniture.
Just as the others entered the room and the master vampire finished with the sinister leafing, Titus Mede turned his gaze upon them, as it seemed he was not surprised, and interrupted him with a polite greathing.
-You look lost friend, I wonder how you end up here. Are you a part from a delegation I was bound to accept this days, I kind off forget lately, can you remind me who are you, by your looks I can tell that you had a rough journey, I didnt seen a paler man than you for a long time, are you sick. Maybe we should postpone our meeting for tomorrow so you can rest. I apologise for the unconveniance my stewart has a nasty habit off beeing very precise in keeping my schedule. I dont know why has he sent you down here in this catacombs I really dont come here my self so often. So it must be very important, on the second hand, do state your business.- between every sentence he stopped, and waited for the answers remembering what he could possibly say, because the man that stood in front of him remained silent.
You old fool I am gonna kill you now.- said the master vampire trough the teeth, on witch Titus raised his head and looked strait in his eyes.
As he noted the fangs and the red eyes, he turned his head to the other in the room to see them for what they are, and for a second turned away from Jorad, who stud near behind him slowly lowering his hand on the emperors shoulder, when an annoyed maid furiously ran in the room.
Viktor!!! you hell cat, where are you, not noticing what is unfolding in front of her. Everybody got startled by the screaming young woman, who at last noticed the commotion raising her head and seen the emperor, bowed deeply.
I appologise, ser, I did not know you were here. - as one of the vampires approached her from behind, she stud up and bumped in him.
Trouble with the cat?- asked the emperor with a smile on his face.
That cat is nightmare, I rather had a full grown Kajiit, sneaking around then that infernal small creature, now, and time and time again he sneaks in the kitchen and makes absolute mess. Last time he got his paws on a egg, played with it, and left it smashed on the floor, one off the servants nearly broke his back slipping on it.- she kept talking and searching for the cat, not paying attention to the rather strange visitors.
One of the vampires could not hold it out and bursted leafing, after what several other followed.
One madness after another.- now very [&@%!] master vampire Jarod shacked his head in agony.
He looked towards the others that have calmed down- Can anybody shut the [&@%!] up?
When she heard his enraged voice she turned around and looked to the nearest off them.
Wait!- she turned around- um, your majesty, where is my master, and why are the vampires out of his diner? As far as I know we should recieve a new shipment, but they are commonly released in masters diner.
Everybody were confused by her words, except the emperor who slapped his forehead with palm, nearly knocking the crown of his head. As Jarod tried to silence them Titus interrupted him again.
-I totally forgot, why o why am I not listening to that damn stewart off mine. He sayed to me that the idiot of your master has requested something to be released in the catacombs for him to exercise. Apparently the idiot overslept... again.
I cant take this anymore!!!- reached Jarod to the neck of the emperor.- Lets kill them and be gone, get her.-he ordered, and the maiden just collapsed to her knees, weeping loudly.
As the tears had started to glide down her face, she uthered one single thing before one of the vampires approached her, she grabbed his tie and gripped him as hard as she could, pressing her face against his leg.
- Kill me, please kill me now, I dont want to clean anymore, I can not clean another damn bloodstained Valenwood silk carpet, it is to much for me, kill me please!- she looked him in the eyes and begged him, pulling down on his robes.
All off a sudden the study filed with a strong wind , and the light shimmered, almost extinguished, when an ungodly growl filled the air, as a dark shadow appeared behind in the corridor, approaching fast and with brute force knocking everything and everyone to the ground, Jarod lost track of Titus who disappeared from his grasp, as the room filed with screams and growling, the sound off braking bones followed by humming and loud slurp very familiar to the vampires as it was the sound off feast, Jorad cowered near the table stagered he looked in terror as his fledglings were torn into pieces in front off his eyes, falling to the ground trying to run, to hide, just to find parts of their bodies scattered in pools of their own blood and bowls, screaming in pain and agony, desperately calling for help, only to be silenced by death dealing blows of fierce claws and fangs, off a creature so near to them.
After the last of the screams was silenced, and the light slowly gained the brightness, aftermath of this short and bloody feast off a vampire lord, was a room in chaos, furniture scattered and broken , studded with limbs and blood stain all over the walls, the sealing, a pile off paper just caught fire from a broken wall scance, but extinguished with a single flap of jet black wings. Frightened and almost mindless from terror, Jarod twitched fiercely as the bloodmagic raised him of the ground, and carried him very close to the face of the howering abomination. He choked slowly, in the gaze of red piercing eyes seated deep in pale craggy skin that was cowered with blood, and chunks of meat still hanging from his mouth, as his skull was crushing until it bursted.
Dropping his body to the floor, he turned back, and in a cloud of black mist, revealed his human face, a middle aged man, a Nord by appearance, pale and somewhat thin and weak in stature, once dark hair littered with grey shades, that made him look like someone past his fifty. His perfectly white shirt, and ustained clothes, did not reflect his participance in a carnage, as his behavior, as he started skipping trough the mess, looking not to stain his polished boots.
He looked around the room, choking and coffed, just to spit out a tooth, apparently disscusted at it, he shook in grouse and spit again, when the taste of blood reacured in his mouth.
Titus walked out of the corridor, to find him lost in his taught, sitting at the table and leaning on his left hand, terrified by the sight, and stopped looking around the mess.
Titus got sick, but not particulary by the gruesome carnage, but by the grotesque pose of the maid still holding on to a vampires leg that was thorn from the body and standing upright in her embrace.
She breed calmly, not turning her head, still pushing her face in the remaining cloth, and not moving, just sitting there on her knees, waiting.
After turning his head, he also spotted her, and by the look on his face he was rather amused by it, as he started smiling.
He tapped on her shoulder, she turned her head slowly, and dropped the leg on the floor startled and crawled back in terror trough paddles of blood, she screamed and stood up. Her face was clean, but on her dress was a big bloodstain, that she did not see, but felt the wetness when she tried to wipe her hands on it, as she turned around and looking over the mess.
She did not seemed afraid at all, she was just angry.
-What a mess, i dont know why i even bother to clean this place after you, everything you ever do is trashing it down after few days.
- You do realize that you are a maid?- said her master looking at her, as he returned an sat down again.
- Hardly any maid can tell that she had witnessed stuff like me, its really a miracle that i had not been infected with everything that is going on in here.- she said, and tripped on head lying on the floor.
After mistress died, you kind off lost it, this is the second time this month that you forget to seal the catacombs when you go to do whatever you do in there. Nikolas barely made it out alive the last time, and not to mention the trouble we had with that experiment of yours, for the Synod, it blow up half of your laboratory. I dont want to emphasize it, but you must understand, we are not the likes that can survive a vampire attack, or to get out of piles of sealing when it comes crashing on our heads.
- I am sorry, Magda, Just order Nikolas and his men to come here, you do not need to clean anything, just throw this all in the trash.- almost whispering he said, as he watched her.
-And the carpet?- she asked surprised, about his favorite, that has been given to him by his late wife.
-Yes, and the bloody carpet.- his words were spoken with a heavy voice trough a sigh.
She left, and as the sounds of her footsteps got weaker, Titus sat down across the table, that remarkably remained on the spot and was clean.
-You sure know how to pull a number on your home. Fu!- leafed Titus, still breathing heavily
-You idiot, you could have carried me further away in the corridor, damn, you know how much I hate stairs, i am an old man.-
I have given me some time to deal with the thinbloods.- he turned around and took another look at the mess, before sighing again.
I got to stop trashing my home like this, the servants had put with a ton of strange and rather stupid [&@%!] lately.
Debauchery, and my appetite is something I forgot, even in my previous term that has spanned over thousands of years, I had rarely done something like this.
Frankly I am sick of my self sometimes.- replied the man at the table.
Ouh you delt with them, especialy i like the way you redecorated the sealing.-they both watched drops of blood that had started to fall on the table, on Titus words.
As they wanted to resume the conversation, Viktor, jumped out of nowhere strait to the table, and sniffed around the drops.
[&@%!] off, I kind off like the splash, and the color is nice, it goes with the walls.- said Regin taking the cat in his arms, and they leafed shortly.
Thank the gods that with this I regained my full strenght, and will not need any more substenance.
It could have been far worse if you had not came to me, imagine how many humans had you killed, out there Regin. I am Afraid to even think about that.- shuddered the old man.
I dont think so, I would probably gone to Morowind, or in the Dominion, I hate their guts, and they taste better.- Regin leafed-. Whats done is done, now the work begins for me again. I will do your bidding and reafirm your foothold in Skyrim, I will quench that damnable rebellion. And one more thing, I funded a venture of some rouge Stendar, he couth my eye as a very usefull tool in my personal job. The Volkihnar leader went astray, an they need to be tought a lesson, as for the leader i will kill him in mater off days after my arrival, but im not the type to hunt them down and supress the remaninig ones.
For that i will use The Dawnguard , and that boy.
As for that Ulfric fellow, i will see to it that he is dispatched fast, i hope that nobody is going to stand in my way.
I will hunt him down, and rip his heart out in front of his subjects, the rest i will leave to that general of yours.
Talius.- reminded him Titus.
Strange is that i never met him, but maybe that is in my favor.- Regin spoke with certanty.
Can you tell me more about the troubles you have?- asked Titus.
Most of us purebloods had shed there ferral nature, and decided to live in shadow of humanity, and other races, not interfering whit your business, there is lots of lowlife and scum that we can pray on now. Long gone is the story of lions among sheep, it died with the worship of Bal. I enjoy science and art, and been able to roam freely, I and many others had found peace, not just me, no longer a warrior I once were, I desire not for the spirit of battle, I am fed up off that. By gods, for nearly thirty years I lived as a mortal with my late wife, I cured my vampirism, I have aged, felt the cold of winter an the joy of the sun, and many more things that I tought never will expirience. And jet here I am sharpening my fangs again, on a vengeance, that I justify with a will of the Vampire Council , the will of peace.
Damned Volkihnar, we had just established some order in the chaos of our world, but jet their fanatism now threats to undermine the balance we made with the mortals. We erased the trails of the thing they are searching for, and yet the thing we tried to conceal, has drawn their attention. The Nord tribes were always troublesome, but this in particular after all, our history began there. It can tip the scale in the world and plunge it in a gruesome war with mortals. We destroyed the Moleg Bal cult, for just that reason, but did they follow, no, its my wife and child, he said I cant kill them, and now he is trying to do just that.
And the assasination off my wife, just get to me, im gona dismember them all. That Vingalmo, he plotted against his Lord, and tried to frame him, but i know now why he left me alive that night. - Regins eyes sudenly gained their true color.
Wait, they wanted you dead?- asked Titus.
My influence was still big even as a mortal, i run the show trough the younger generatios of them, they had known that in order to overthrow the current reign, they must get rid of me, they failed, and it is going to hurt when i get to Skyrim, its gona hurt, a lot.
That serves me right, that is what you get when you spread and try to control to many things and to please my wife. I can only imagine what would happened if they were patient, and left me to die in peace as a mortal.
Diplomacy is complicated.- agreed the emperor.
You think, as it is not enough that they are a hypocrits always plotting against one another, with a severe history of mutual violence and bad blood running between them, they are immortal, well funded, and some of them are damn outright crazy. Keeping that bunch in line is sometimes a really tough job.
Hm, you know Regin, I would not asked it from you if I had known that you have other plans, but still in you I trust very much, you had been the counccellor of every ruler of the house since a long time ago.
Thanks to influences of you and Aldmeri counterpart we have ended bloodshed in past, the peace, how fragile he is, is always better then none.- Sounded rather sure the old man.
My Aldmeri brothers are the reason this stupid war break out in the first place, its just luck, that they stopped their royals in time.
After the battle of the Red Ring, and the stupid Concordat, that you should accepted in the first place as i suggested, they finally managed to infiltrate the court, damn Psijics, they paried us for so long, and when they felt our upcoming they fled, o how I would loved to ransack that stupid Isle, but still they elude us.
Yes, really, and now once great Cyrodil is just a [&@%!] of the dominion, painfull is it not.
Butt not everything is so bad, our brothers have a hell of a problem with the Thalmor, persistent [&@%!], as one of them described, they are the utmost biggest pain in the ass of this world. - a little smile appeared on Regins face.
Im old now, the war is not for me anymore, but Im pleased that you will be around for my heirs, so you can bail them out of trouble.- a certain dose of cinicism was in the words of Titus Mede.
Bah, that heirs of yours, i dont know why, but, they seem to like the idea off you dispatched. Apparently, the happenings in the last year had given me the right to suspect that some of them and members of the elder council, are plotting to shorten you for a head length.- told Regin showing the scattered corpses.
You see, i asked, for specific number, that i required, and there are five to many of them, not to mention the fact, that they are not released where i asked, but put in the entrance of my old castle, that is not sealed like my hunting ground. I will strongly suggest that you go to Skyrim, it maybe the chance that we are looking for to expose them, i will get my ass in the Dark Brotherhood eventualy, and wait for my chance when you come there.- Regin continued to speak, while petting his cat.
You seem to have planed it very well, my old friend.- smiled the old man readying himself to get back to the palace.
Yes, several flies with a single strike, than i can return to my studies.- Regin stud up, escorting Titus Mede II trough the corridor to the stairs leading to the palace.
Wait for my word, than board the Katariah, and set sail to the shores of Skyrim.- said Regin parting with the emperor.
When he turned, Nikolas and his men already started to carry out the ruble, and he make his way to get ready for a journey, packing some of the clothes in a bag, thinking about the stops he needs to make on his way, and his promises to Movarth Piqione, and Falion in Morthal, that are doing his orders, hoping that nothing is gone wrong in the past time, because he has not visited Skyrim for over 70 years, and about his household high up in the Jerall mountains south of Falkreath, expecting to find his servants and not some bandits or something worse enhabiting elders castle.- And the Gallus fellow, he still owes me money, sob, im gona charge him with interests.- he remembered a game of cards from ages ago, as he held abig sack of coin, before throwing it in the bag.
As he passed between the wardrobe and the mirror he looked at his reflection, he was not resembling his old self anymore, he looked like an old man. Not satisfied with his looks he stood and a black mist envailed him as he started to replenish himself, he felt how his muscles grow slowly, how his skin starts to straighten, his hair got darker, he felt younger and refreshed, for a moment, when he realized that the boots are to tight, strange pain raced up his shins, he skipped around the room with a painfull look on his face, searching for a knife or anything sharp to cut the boots open, because they would not come of no mater how hard he tries to pull on them. After wrestling with the boots he sighed the breath of releave, throwing them far across the room, waiting to regain the sense in the feet because they went numb for a while.
Now, where the hell i put my old clothes?- he asked him self loudly, just to remember that it is in the armory.
He entered fast straight to the display with his royal armor as he got geared up, sudden wind created by his cape, lifted a covert on the painting on the wall, showing the face of his wife.
When he finished, he approached it and put the cloth over it again.
You wanted not to listen to me, my darling, you would be still alive today if you had.- and he slamed the door shut leaving the room.
-Magda!!!- he yelled out, and the maids head appeared from the doorway of the kitchen.
-What?- she was annoyed and stressed out.
-What, what? The cat again?- he recognized her problem from her voice, and she nodded in confirming it.
-Throw him in the oven, or kill him how you wish, i dont care, i have stuff to attend to, and I will be gone for some time, take care of the house for me, take a vacation, find another job, or do as you please, have fun, i am going to be absent for some time, if you stay you have money in the treasury, try not to spend it all.- he passed by her and headed to the tunnel in the study, when he stopped.
-And what ever you do, do not go near the big plant, you no the webby thing, its gona kill you, its venumous.- Walking down the stairs he checked his bag, and as soon he has opened the massive black door and stepped in the tunnel, one arrow zipped past his face, and bounced of the stone wall.
Strong echoes of leafing filled the catacombs, as the grey apparition showed him self on top of a pillar with a bow in his hand.
I will get you one time young one.- saying that he disappeared again.
Regin stood there for a moment, with a dumb look on his face, before continuing to walk, speaking to him self.
-I need to stop raising stupid people. -
After about a half hour walk, he exited in the yard of his old house in the city, where a carriage waited on him.
The sun surprised him and left him blinded for a second, leaving him to stager to the door, hitting his head on the sealing as he rushed to enter and pull down the curtains.
Carriage had gone straight to the street and make her way out of the city towards the waterfront, where a big ship is waiting for boarding to set sail to the shores of Skyrim.
He did not choose to go by land, but taken his time in making several stops on the way Solitude, he had all the time in the world, and he had some business to finish, and he enjoyed the nights at sea.
Captain of the ship was a friend of his, and has installed him a casket in the bowls of the ship, far away form curios people, and generally it was bound to be a pleasent trip.
After boarding, and a bit of chatter with the captain who gave him a tour of the ship, he slept till nightfall, and then exited on the deck, sneaking his way away from other people and the crew, he sat down in a shadowed corner, on some crates, sipping a glass of wine looking at the sea, relaxing, when something caught his attention. He felt another vampire not far from him, looking around, he spotted him, preparing to bite in a young woman, carelessly he turned from that and calmly resumed to sit. He heard a blunt sound of a body falling to the wooden floor of the deck.
- Stupid, this is just stupid, what is he going to do now, that is the first rule, do not attract attention while traveling. What the hell is he thinking.- shacked Regin his head, watching the vampire walking away.
When he was gone he approached the girl, a pretty young girl, dead, sucked dry.
To bad.- was the last taught as he kicked her corpse, over in the water waiting, listening to the weak splash, quickly to disappear in the black water.
After an hour of sneaking around he found out that only one lad was vampire, but he always was surrounded by people, talking to women all night long, not giving him the opportunity to get rid of him.
He stalked him for a while and almost when he was to give up, the captain came to him, and whispered leaning over to him.
- The young one, he is giving me lots of trouble, this is a second time he is on my ship, and always someone ends up dead, its bad for business. I started to loose customers. Can you...- looked the captain in his direction, holding his hand on a hilt of the blade behind his belt.
- No problem Lonely-Gale, just point him to the back of the ship.- said that, Regin headed in that direction.
After a minute or two captain and the young man came back to the stern, lit trough the windows of one cabin.
-What is so important that you must drag me up here.- sounded displeased the man.
- Belive me its important- followed the captain in his footsteps.- we seem to have a problem, you see we have a vampire on the ship. Did you noted something suspicious, because i need some help.-
- No i did not, but im sure willing to help you.- said the man, turning to the captain.
After several moments of silence, captain looked him, and then over his shoulder.
-How can you sell that crap.- Regins voice came from the shadows at the edge of the window.
Before he can move, man was pined down on the fence by his hand that held him down tightly.
Soon after, a dagger pierced his skull, and he just loosened up his limbs and stopped moving, sliding silently over the fence, again with a small splash.
-I am sick of this trip already.- he sighed giving the dagger back to the captain.- Wake me up when we arrive in the sea of ghosts.-
Captain returned to the deck, and Regin remained standing leaning over and watching the sky, when the smell of blood got to his nose, he looked down and a little puddle of was left on the plank he was leaning on, for a moment he wanted to turn and go to inside to sleep, but after making two steps he stopped, and sighed again,-Ah, [&@%!] it- he turned and with his finger run the liquid carefully in his wine glass, and shacked it a bit before drawing a sip, raising the glass in the height of his eyes looking at it on a faint light, while the liquids blended .
- Dunmer... nice.- , turned around and disappeared in the shadow.
What in the name of oblivion just happened. Where are we?- asked one of the vampires.
Master vampire silenced them, approached and listened carefully, trough the thick walls of stone he heard the voices of people and in his mind seen blurred shadows of many men, women and children, a sound of carriages, breathing of the horses, and sounds of the song and lute music coming from one of the taverns of the great imperial city, that he knew very well.
A very pleasing voice of a bard called Nora filled his head as it got suddenly stronger when he concentrated, a smile came across his face but vanished after he got back to the others.
Mad, this is just mad.- he remembered slowly, what happened earlyer, they were fast asleep in their burrow that was very far to the west off the city in a deep cave, he left several of the thralls and dogs to guard them, at dawn after a feast they had with some pilgrims they cached on the road.
He heard a stir in the cave, the sound of clashing weapons, and kicked the lid of the coffin open, jumping quickly with his sword drawn, looked around, many of the vampires seemed dead, lying on the ground around him. He looked at the torch lights down the slope to the main chamber of the cave, at the first sight recognized several penitus occulatus soldiers, by the armor they used to wear, that were finishing of one of the thralls, and turned back to him with weapons drawn, a stendar paladin stepped from the back, a tall and big bearded redguard mumbling angrily, as he approached him with a big hammer in his hands, he readied him self for a fight cornered like a rat between the walls in the bottom of his cave.
Bloodsucker, ready for a headbashing, now I am gon'a rip your head in half.- mocked the redguard, slowly walking towards him with a sinister grin, as himself focused and prepared for a clash.
-We should see about that.- he said with fury, as his eyes glowed in the dark like blazing hot steel.
-Com'ere, let me taste your blood.-
A sound of an arrow zipped between the two of them before a woman voice shouted from the dark,- Isran, stop we need him alive!- just as they were to attack, an arrow pierced his flesh, falling to the knees, surprised that a poison has affected him, a vampire. He snapped the arrow in his leg, tearing his clothes and a big chunk of meat and skin with it, as he tried to stand, but shortly to fall straight to the face feeling the cold and moist stone getting warmer as the pool of his own blood rushed down the slope he laid on, slowly loosing his counciesness.
With his image slowly fading, he hared the voice of Israns fury- Carccete, you stupid [&@%!], why must you meddle in everything, i taught i could at least kill one for today.-
Isran, stop your nonsense, we are doing emperors biding, now shut up and get to work, help the soldiers load them in the wagon. There are plenty more of them in Skyrim, and you will get your revenge soon enough.
Last thing he remembered was the sound of Isran screaming in anger, throwing away his weapon.- You know what, I am done with you, I am sick and tired of being ordered around as some mongroul pup, as this monsters kill more people, how many must pay with their lives for you to understand what needs to be done. Instead off destroying them, what we do, we catch them, for the Synod, for their stupid experiments. I wonder what will happen when some off them gets loose and rampages trough the palace.
He snapped from his taught, when some of the vampires discovered a stairway leading straight down.
Apparently, we are here for the Sinod, to be their test subjects.- said the master vampire walking slowly towards the stairs.
I really do not know what is to be expected, but maybe, we can get out of here, lets see where this leads.
They walked trough the dark deeper and deeper, twisting trough corridors and tunnels under the city, they found them selves in the sewers, and followed the water flow until they reached a massive underground pool in a bigger even hall that was lit by the sun coming from a hole in the sealing. They were carefully avoiding the beam of sunlight, blinded by it, and then a scream that echoed in the hall.
One of the women screamed and jumped, not at all like a vampire. They turned around, a mudcrab was hiding behind a rock, and apparently pinched her on the leg on passing, he had only one chitin, the other was cut off.
As they looked around the hall with a shimmering pool of water, they have found mushrooms, and plants, that they never encountered before.
One of the vampires looked in the pool, there was fish swimming around, as it appeared , the water was fresh and clear, not like the usual content of a sewage system.
This is getting odder by the minute- staggered a vampire from a big and beautyfull flower that poisoned him with some spores that it released.
Following the breeze, a weak gasp of draft, making their way trough the tunnels that had become larger and lager the deeper they went, for hours when they spotted a massive iron door with a strange crest embedded on them. The curiosity made them wonder, what could be behind it. No one of them, not even the master vampire who was by far the oldest had not know of the mysteries beneath the city, nor has he even imagined that grandeur so deep underground, and he has been to royal vampire mansions. Something was strange, almost all his life lived in burrows, for ages, and was used to the smell of the mould and decay but they where not present in here, a weak smell of some incense filled the subterain.
And just about when everybody turned to him for at least some explanation, a ghost appeared in front of the door, leafing at them.
You may have not seen the granite plate on the wall there, butt I strongly recommend that you read it before you proceed, because, belive me, this is the last place a person should be, no mater what kind of blood runs in their veins. A quick candle light spell emanated from the ghost that vanished leafing. After calming down vampires gathered around the tablet, that they passed moments ago not noticing it, walls, floor, the sealing was in most expensive black marble, with intricate carvings, depicting a battlefield, great wars off past, and jet a plate written in a language almost unrecognizable and unreadable, because the time has taken hiss tall on it, eroding the stone, and erasing the letters, of a story that surprised even a thousand years old master vampire.
Ill be damned.- mumbled Jerod.- a tablet writhen in the language of the snow elves, what on earth...
Do you recognize it? Can you read it?- asked one off the followers, a rather silent vampire, who was staring at the letters.
Something about the guardian off... something... seeker off wisdom... deep underground... was reckless... now lies... fallen, injured and weak... filling a body... waiting... to cure his... wounds... while his soul... rests in... another world... he is everything... that he is not... where time has no meaning.
... walks in shadow...pretending... bending a world to his will... by the touch of hand... with eyes looking... far away mountain... for he is to return... to the darkness... and take up the blessed steel once again... to seek fate until the end off time... one of many... that is...
Born in the dawn... with wings of jet black.
-What is that supposed to mean, born in down, its the sunrise...- he never got to think of it good when one of the vampires rebelled.
-This makes no sense- said one of the vampires from behind.- We have been wandering this tunnels for hours now, with no progress, we will be stuck here, lost, who know how deep under the city are we.
There must be a way out, maybe right trough that door. After a moment of silence they approached the door and with all of their strenght just barely nudged it so that they pass trough the opening merely able to fit one person.
At the end of the stairs leading up they spotted light and they carefully approached the door that led to a rather large balcony over a big dining hall where several men sate and chatted while eating. A banner of the empire hanged over across the wall, a big red flag with a dragon, and swayed from time to time. Just as they finished they stood up and went out of the room, with only the oldest remaining and slowly standing up.
Jerod was petrified standing in shadows high above the room, watching the face of the current emperor who passed right beneath them.
As they noticed the look on his face, other vampires were confused, as he started to leaf in silence.
What is the mater, master.- asked one of them.
The man that just passed down there is Titus Mede II, emperor of the Cyrodil. Man, he has some nasty enemies on his court. To think that mortals go to such width to topple a king, how clever, blame the vampires after they do the dirty work for you. How convenient for us, there are no guards, no witnesses, only thing that we need to do is to slay him, and after that they would corner us like rats once again, and kill us.
What, we are in the palace?- asked his follower.
It seems so, but strangely I dont remember ever to have been here, this must be still deep underground, a perfect trap. Butt, nevertheless we can make our move and still remain alive, we just need to go back in the sewers after we deal with him, and maybe find another way out, and if not, they will surely not send soldiers looking because its dark down there, and we are vampires. How stupid of them.
You really want to kill him?- asked one of the vampires crouching by the edge.
My child, that is the stuff from witch legends are made, nothing will be more satisfying, than to do just that. Oh imagine the glory, if we turn back, we maybe wont have a chance like this.
After they climbed down, they followed a corridor to a smaller hall that appeared to be a study, books all over the place, scrolls, paper, messy and erratic, and Titus did not read anything, he just sat there, leaning on the table, and playing with what appeared to be a small cat, lying on the back in a bundle of paper.
The glowing eyes of vampires in the dark corridor were wide open in disbeleaf, he appeared like he has been waiting for someone to join him as he rather frequently gazed in the direction of the door at the other end of the room. Jet nobody showed up. After a while having inspected the room and after he make sure that no one is coming, Jarod, stepped out of the shadows several feet in front the old man who has lost interest of the cat that has started to chase something and vanished in the room under the furniture.
Just as the others entered the room and the master vampire finished with the sinister leafing, Titus Mede turned his gaze upon them, as it seemed he was not surprised, and interrupted him with a polite greathing.
-You look lost friend, I wonder how you end up here. Are you a part from a delegation I was bound to accept this days, I kind off forget lately, can you remind me who are you, by your looks I can tell that you had a rough journey, I didnt seen a paler man than you for a long time, are you sick. Maybe we should postpone our meeting for tomorrow so you can rest. I apologise for the unconveniance my stewart has a nasty habit off beeing very precise in keeping my schedule. I dont know why has he sent you down here in this catacombs I really dont come here my self so often. So it must be very important, on the second hand, do state your business.- between every sentence he stopped, and waited for the answers remembering what he could possibly say, because the man that stood in front of him remained silent.
You old fool I am gonna kill you now.- said the master vampire trough the teeth, on witch Titus raised his head and looked strait in his eyes.
As he noted the fangs and the red eyes, he turned his head to the other in the room to see them for what they are, and for a second turned away from Jorad, who stud near behind him slowly lowering his hand on the emperors shoulder, when an annoyed maid furiously ran in the room.
Viktor!!! you hell cat, where are you, not noticing what is unfolding in front of her. Everybody got startled by the screaming young woman, who at last noticed the commotion raising her head and seen the emperor, bowed deeply.
I appologise, ser, I did not know you were here. - as one of the vampires approached her from behind, she stud up and bumped in him.
Trouble with the cat?- asked the emperor with a smile on his face.
That cat is nightmare, I rather had a full grown Kajiit, sneaking around then that infernal small creature, now, and time and time again he sneaks in the kitchen and makes absolute mess. Last time he got his paws on a egg, played with it, and left it smashed on the floor, one off the servants nearly broke his back slipping on it.- she kept talking and searching for the cat, not paying attention to the rather strange visitors.
One of the vampires could not hold it out and bursted leafing, after what several other followed.
One madness after another.- now very [&@%!] master vampire Jarod shacked his head in agony.
He looked towards the others that have calmed down- Can anybody shut the [&@%!] up?
When she heard his enraged voice she turned around and looked to the nearest off them.
Wait!- she turned around- um, your majesty, where is my master, and why are the vampires out of his diner? As far as I know we should recieve a new shipment, but they are commonly released in masters diner.
Everybody were confused by her words, except the emperor who slapped his forehead with palm, nearly knocking the crown of his head. As Jarod tried to silence them Titus interrupted him again.
-I totally forgot, why o why am I not listening to that damn stewart off mine. He sayed to me that the idiot of your master has requested something to be released in the catacombs for him to exercise. Apparently the idiot overslept... again.
I cant take this anymore!!!- reached Jarod to the neck of the emperor.- Lets kill them and be gone, get her.-he ordered, and the maiden just collapsed to her knees, weeping loudly.
As the tears had started to glide down her face, she uthered one single thing before one of the vampires approached her, she grabbed his tie and gripped him as hard as she could, pressing her face against his leg.
- Kill me, please kill me now, I dont want to clean anymore, I can not clean another damn bloodstained Valenwood silk carpet, it is to much for me, kill me please!- she looked him in the eyes and begged him, pulling down on his robes.
All off a sudden the study filed with a strong wind , and the light shimmered, almost extinguished, when an ungodly growl filled the air, as a dark shadow appeared behind in the corridor, approaching fast and with brute force knocking everything and everyone to the ground, Jarod lost track of Titus who disappeared from his grasp, as the room filed with screams and growling, the sound off braking bones followed by humming and loud slurp very familiar to the vampires as it was the sound off feast, Jorad cowered near the table stagered he looked in terror as his fledglings were torn into pieces in front off his eyes, falling to the ground trying to run, to hide, just to find parts of their bodies scattered in pools of their own blood and bowls, screaming in pain and agony, desperately calling for help, only to be silenced by death dealing blows of fierce claws and fangs, off a creature so near to them.
After the last of the screams was silenced, and the light slowly gained the brightness, aftermath of this short and bloody feast off a vampire lord, was a room in chaos, furniture scattered and broken , studded with limbs and blood stain all over the walls, the sealing, a pile off paper just caught fire from a broken wall scance, but extinguished with a single flap of jet black wings. Frightened and almost mindless from terror, Jarod twitched fiercely as the bloodmagic raised him of the ground, and carried him very close to the face of the howering abomination. He choked slowly, in the gaze of red piercing eyes seated deep in pale craggy skin that was cowered with blood, and chunks of meat still hanging from his mouth, as his skull was crushing until it bursted.
Dropping his body to the floor, he turned back, and in a cloud of black mist, revealed his human face, a middle aged man, a Nord by appearance, pale and somewhat thin and weak in stature, once dark hair littered with grey shades, that made him look like someone past his fifty. His perfectly white shirt, and ustained clothes, did not reflect his participance in a carnage, as his behavior, as he started skipping trough the mess, looking not to stain his polished boots.
He looked around the room, choking and coffed, just to spit out a tooth, apparently disscusted at it, he shook in grouse and spit again, when the taste of blood reacured in his mouth.
Titus walked out of the corridor, to find him lost in his taught, sitting at the table and leaning on his left hand, terrified by the sight, and stopped looking around the mess.
Titus got sick, but not particulary by the gruesome carnage, but by the grotesque pose of the maid still holding on to a vampires leg that was thorn from the body and standing upright in her embrace.
She breed calmly, not turning her head, still pushing her face in the remaining cloth, and not moving, just sitting there on her knees, waiting.
After turning his head, he also spotted her, and by the look on his face he was rather amused by it, as he started smiling.
He tapped on her shoulder, she turned her head slowly, and dropped the leg on the floor startled and crawled back in terror trough paddles of blood, she screamed and stood up. Her face was clean, but on her dress was a big bloodstain, that she did not see, but felt the wetness when she tried to wipe her hands on it, as she turned around and looking over the mess.
She did not seemed afraid at all, she was just angry.
-What a mess, i dont know why i even bother to clean this place after you, everything you ever do is trashing it down after few days.
- You do realize that you are a maid?- said her master looking at her, as he returned an sat down again.
- Hardly any maid can tell that she had witnessed stuff like me, its really a miracle that i had not been infected with everything that is going on in here.- she said, and tripped on head lying on the floor.
After mistress died, you kind off lost it, this is the second time this month that you forget to seal the catacombs when you go to do whatever you do in there. Nikolas barely made it out alive the last time, and not to mention the trouble we had with that experiment of yours, for the Synod, it blow up half of your laboratory. I dont want to emphasize it, but you must understand, we are not the likes that can survive a vampire attack, or to get out of piles of sealing when it comes crashing on our heads.
- I am sorry, Magda, Just order Nikolas and his men to come here, you do not need to clean anything, just throw this all in the trash.- almost whispering he said, as he watched her.
-And the carpet?- she asked surprised, about his favorite, that has been given to him by his late wife.
-Yes, and the bloody carpet.- his words were spoken with a heavy voice trough a sigh.
She left, and as the sounds of her footsteps got weaker, Titus sat down across the table, that remarkably remained on the spot and was clean.
-You sure know how to pull a number on your home. Fu!- leafed Titus, still breathing heavily
-You idiot, you could have carried me further away in the corridor, damn, you know how much I hate stairs, i am an old man.-
I have given me some time to deal with the thinbloods.- he turned around and took another look at the mess, before sighing again.
I got to stop trashing my home like this, the servants had put with a ton of strange and rather stupid [&@%!] lately.
Debauchery, and my appetite is something I forgot, even in my previous term that has spanned over thousands of years, I had rarely done something like this.
Frankly I am sick of my self sometimes.- replied the man at the table.
Ouh you delt with them, especialy i like the way you redecorated the sealing.-they both watched drops of blood that had started to fall on the table, on Titus words.
As they wanted to resume the conversation, Viktor, jumped out of nowhere strait to the table, and sniffed around the drops.
[&@%!] off, I kind off like the splash, and the color is nice, it goes with the walls.- said Regin taking the cat in his arms, and they leafed shortly.
Thank the gods that with this I regained my full strenght, and will not need any more substenance.
It could have been far worse if you had not came to me, imagine how many humans had you killed, out there Regin. I am Afraid to even think about that.- shuddered the old man.
I dont think so, I would probably gone to Morowind, or in the Dominion, I hate their guts, and they taste better.- Regin leafed-. Whats done is done, now the work begins for me again. I will do your bidding and reafirm your foothold in Skyrim, I will quench that damnable rebellion. And one more thing, I funded a venture of some rouge Stendar, he couth my eye as a very usefull tool in my personal job. The Volkihnar leader went astray, an they need to be tought a lesson, as for the leader i will kill him in mater off days after my arrival, but im not the type to hunt them down and supress the remaninig ones.
For that i will use The Dawnguard , and that boy.
As for that Ulfric fellow, i will see to it that he is dispatched fast, i hope that nobody is going to stand in my way.
I will hunt him down, and rip his heart out in front of his subjects, the rest i will leave to that general of yours.
Talius.- reminded him Titus.
Strange is that i never met him, but maybe that is in my favor.- Regin spoke with certanty.
Can you tell me more about the troubles you have?- asked Titus.
Most of us purebloods had shed there ferral nature, and decided to live in shadow of humanity, and other races, not interfering whit your business, there is lots of lowlife and scum that we can pray on now. Long gone is the story of lions among sheep, it died with the worship of Bal. I enjoy science and art, and been able to roam freely, I and many others had found peace, not just me, no longer a warrior I once were, I desire not for the spirit of battle, I am fed up off that. By gods, for nearly thirty years I lived as a mortal with my late wife, I cured my vampirism, I have aged, felt the cold of winter an the joy of the sun, and many more things that I tought never will expirience. And jet here I am sharpening my fangs again, on a vengeance, that I justify with a will of the Vampire Council , the will of peace.
Damned Volkihnar, we had just established some order in the chaos of our world, but jet their fanatism now threats to undermine the balance we made with the mortals. We erased the trails of the thing they are searching for, and yet the thing we tried to conceal, has drawn their attention. The Nord tribes were always troublesome, but this in particular after all, our history began there. It can tip the scale in the world and plunge it in a gruesome war with mortals. We destroyed the Moleg Bal cult, for just that reason, but did they follow, no, its my wife and child, he said I cant kill them, and now he is trying to do just that.
And the assasination off my wife, just get to me, im gona dismember them all. That Vingalmo, he plotted against his Lord, and tried to frame him, but i know now why he left me alive that night. - Regins eyes sudenly gained their true color.
Wait, they wanted you dead?- asked Titus.
My influence was still big even as a mortal, i run the show trough the younger generatios of them, they had known that in order to overthrow the current reign, they must get rid of me, they failed, and it is going to hurt when i get to Skyrim, its gona hurt, a lot.
That serves me right, that is what you get when you spread and try to control to many things and to please my wife. I can only imagine what would happened if they were patient, and left me to die in peace as a mortal.
Diplomacy is complicated.- agreed the emperor.
You think, as it is not enough that they are a hypocrits always plotting against one another, with a severe history of mutual violence and bad blood running between them, they are immortal, well funded, and some of them are damn outright crazy. Keeping that bunch in line is sometimes a really tough job.
Hm, you know Regin, I would not asked it from you if I had known that you have other plans, but still in you I trust very much, you had been the counccellor of every ruler of the house since a long time ago.
Thanks to influences of you and Aldmeri counterpart we have ended bloodshed in past, the peace, how fragile he is, is always better then none.- Sounded rather sure the old man.
My Aldmeri brothers are the reason this stupid war break out in the first place, its just luck, that they stopped their royals in time.
After the battle of the Red Ring, and the stupid Concordat, that you should accepted in the first place as i suggested, they finally managed to infiltrate the court, damn Psijics, they paried us for so long, and when they felt our upcoming they fled, o how I would loved to ransack that stupid Isle, but still they elude us.
Yes, really, and now once great Cyrodil is just a [&@%!] of the dominion, painfull is it not.
Butt not everything is so bad, our brothers have a hell of a problem with the Thalmor, persistent [&@%!], as one of them described, they are the utmost biggest pain in the ass of this world. - a little smile appeared on Regins face.
Im old now, the war is not for me anymore, but Im pleased that you will be around for my heirs, so you can bail them out of trouble.- a certain dose of cinicism was in the words of Titus Mede.
Bah, that heirs of yours, i dont know why, but, they seem to like the idea off you dispatched. Apparently, the happenings in the last year had given me the right to suspect that some of them and members of the elder council, are plotting to shorten you for a head length.- told Regin showing the scattered corpses.
You see, i asked, for specific number, that i required, and there are five to many of them, not to mention the fact, that they are not released where i asked, but put in the entrance of my old castle, that is not sealed like my hunting ground. I will strongly suggest that you go to Skyrim, it maybe the chance that we are looking for to expose them, i will get my ass in the Dark Brotherhood eventualy, and wait for my chance when you come there.- Regin continued to speak, while petting his cat.
You seem to have planed it very well, my old friend.- smiled the old man readying himself to get back to the palace.
Yes, several flies with a single strike, than i can return to my studies.- Regin stud up, escorting Titus Mede II trough the corridor to the stairs leading to the palace.
Wait for my word, than board the Katariah, and set sail to the shores of Skyrim.- said Regin parting with the emperor.
When he turned, Nikolas and his men already started to carry out the ruble, and he make his way to get ready for a journey, packing some of the clothes in a bag, thinking about the stops he needs to make on his way, and his promises to Movarth Piqione, and Falion in Morthal, that are doing his orders, hoping that nothing is gone wrong in the past time, because he has not visited Skyrim for over 70 years, and about his household high up in the Jerall mountains south of Falkreath, expecting to find his servants and not some bandits or something worse enhabiting elders castle.- And the Gallus fellow, he still owes me money, sob, im gona charge him with interests.- he remembered a game of cards from ages ago, as he held abig sack of coin, before throwing it in the bag.
As he passed between the wardrobe and the mirror he looked at his reflection, he was not resembling his old self anymore, he looked like an old man. Not satisfied with his looks he stood and a black mist envailed him as he started to replenish himself, he felt how his muscles grow slowly, how his skin starts to straighten, his hair got darker, he felt younger and refreshed, for a moment, when he realized that the boots are to tight, strange pain raced up his shins, he skipped around the room with a painfull look on his face, searching for a knife or anything sharp to cut the boots open, because they would not come of no mater how hard he tries to pull on them. After wrestling with the boots he sighed the breath of releave, throwing them far across the room, waiting to regain the sense in the feet because they went numb for a while.
Now, where the hell i put my old clothes?- he asked him self loudly, just to remember that it is in the armory.
He entered fast straight to the display with his royal armor as he got geared up, sudden wind created by his cape, lifted a covert on the painting on the wall, showing the face of his wife.
When he finished, he approached it and put the cloth over it again.
You wanted not to listen to me, my darling, you would be still alive today if you had.- and he slamed the door shut leaving the room.
-Magda!!!- he yelled out, and the maids head appeared from the doorway of the kitchen.
-What?- she was annoyed and stressed out.
-What, what? The cat again?- he recognized her problem from her voice, and she nodded in confirming it.
-Throw him in the oven, or kill him how you wish, i dont care, i have stuff to attend to, and I will be gone for some time, take care of the house for me, take a vacation, find another job, or do as you please, have fun, i am going to be absent for some time, if you stay you have money in the treasury, try not to spend it all.- he passed by her and headed to the tunnel in the study, when he stopped.
-And what ever you do, do not go near the big plant, you no the webby thing, its gona kill you, its venumous.- Walking down the stairs he checked his bag, and as soon he has opened the massive black door and stepped in the tunnel, one arrow zipped past his face, and bounced of the stone wall.
Strong echoes of leafing filled the catacombs, as the grey apparition showed him self on top of a pillar with a bow in his hand.
I will get you one time young one.- saying that he disappeared again.
Regin stood there for a moment, with a dumb look on his face, before continuing to walk, speaking to him self.
-I need to stop raising stupid people. -
After about a half hour walk, he exited in the yard of his old house in the city, where a carriage waited on him.
The sun surprised him and left him blinded for a second, leaving him to stager to the door, hitting his head on the sealing as he rushed to enter and pull down the curtains.
Carriage had gone straight to the street and make her way out of the city towards the waterfront, where a big ship is waiting for boarding to set sail to the shores of Skyrim.
He did not choose to go by land, but taken his time in making several stops on the way Solitude, he had all the time in the world, and he had some business to finish, and he enjoyed the nights at sea.
Captain of the ship was a friend of his, and has installed him a casket in the bowls of the ship, far away form curios people, and generally it was bound to be a pleasent trip.
After boarding, and a bit of chatter with the captain who gave him a tour of the ship, he slept till nightfall, and then exited on the deck, sneaking his way away from other people and the crew, he sat down in a shadowed corner, on some crates, sipping a glass of wine looking at the sea, relaxing, when something caught his attention. He felt another vampire not far from him, looking around, he spotted him, preparing to bite in a young woman, carelessly he turned from that and calmly resumed to sit. He heard a blunt sound of a body falling to the wooden floor of the deck.
- Stupid, this is just stupid, what is he going to do now, that is the first rule, do not attract attention while traveling. What the hell is he thinking.- shacked Regin his head, watching the vampire walking away.
When he was gone he approached the girl, a pretty young girl, dead, sucked dry.
To bad.- was the last taught as he kicked her corpse, over in the water waiting, listening to the weak splash, quickly to disappear in the black water.
After an hour of sneaking around he found out that only one lad was vampire, but he always was surrounded by people, talking to women all night long, not giving him the opportunity to get rid of him.
He stalked him for a while and almost when he was to give up, the captain came to him, and whispered leaning over to him.
- The young one, he is giving me lots of trouble, this is a second time he is on my ship, and always someone ends up dead, its bad for business. I started to loose customers. Can you...- looked the captain in his direction, holding his hand on a hilt of the blade behind his belt.
- No problem Lonely-Gale, just point him to the back of the ship.- said that, Regin headed in that direction.
After a minute or two captain and the young man came back to the stern, lit trough the windows of one cabin.
-What is so important that you must drag me up here.- sounded displeased the man.
- Belive me its important- followed the captain in his footsteps.- we seem to have a problem, you see we have a vampire on the ship. Did you noted something suspicious, because i need some help.-
- No i did not, but im sure willing to help you.- said the man, turning to the captain.
After several moments of silence, captain looked him, and then over his shoulder.
-How can you sell that crap.- Regins voice came from the shadows at the edge of the window.
Before he can move, man was pined down on the fence by his hand that held him down tightly.
Soon after, a dagger pierced his skull, and he just loosened up his limbs and stopped moving, sliding silently over the fence, again with a small splash.
-I am sick of this trip already.- he sighed giving the dagger back to the captain.- Wake me up when we arrive in the sea of ghosts.-
Captain returned to the deck, and Regin remained standing leaning over and watching the sky, when the smell of blood got to his nose, he looked down and a little puddle of was left on the plank he was leaning on, for a moment he wanted to turn and go to inside to sleep, but after making two steps he stopped, and sighed again,-Ah, [&@%!] it- he turned and with his finger run the liquid carefully in his wine glass, and shacked it a bit before drawing a sip, raising the glass in the height of his eyes looking at it on a faint light, while the liquids blended .
- Dunmer... nice.- , turned around and disappeared in the shadow.
