Ancient Blood Chapter 6
Divine Blood
Jenassa awakes to the sound of an explosion. Grabbing her sword, she looks around her strange surroundings. Sebastian sits, with his Journal in hand, and the head of a decapitated Death Lord at his side. He looks over his shoulder a moment, “Relax, my dear. Just the Draugr trying to get in. I placed twenty Fire Runes out there. We are safe for the time being… Good afternoon.” She puts her sword away, without speaking, and retrieves some bread and water from the supply pack. Sebastian returns to writing in his journal:
20th of Last Seed 4E 201,
I met a Dragonborn last night. Thou’Var Silvermane. Got a good measure of the man, but a man cannot defeat a dragon. He must become more than a man or this world is most certainly doomed. The only place to develop his power is with the Greybeards on their mountain, but they will not heed a vampire. And they will know my nature on sight no matter how well I feed. He must get their attention on his own. For the time being, the best I could do was direct him to the Companions to hone his combat skills… He was lucky to survive the fight with the Death Lord last night. Had I not been here, I’m not certain he would have made it into this chamber at all.
Jenassa is… Let’s say, “agitated” with me. I did risk more than I should have fighting alongside the Dragonborn and commanding her to stay hidden. She has defended me for so long that not acting when I am in danger is unthinkable to her. Not sure if that is the enthrallment or genuine concern. A bit of both perhaps?
One good thing to come from this misadventure, plenty of the Dragonborn’s blood on the ground. During the battle with the Death Lord, he was heavily wounded. Left a good sized pool of blood where he fell. I collected as much as I could. The blood of a dragon is a precious thing. Not to be wasted. I will savor every drop. It is rich in Aedric magic. Too rich as it turns out. I foolishly tried to drink it straight and spent the next hour feeling like my skull was being ripped apart. I will have to dilute it with the blood of mages, it should help considerably in restoring my power. Perhaps even grow it further. Though I would prefer to avoid it, I will go to the mage’s college if I have to… Assuming it still stands.
The sound of an explosion rings out into the chasm. Sebastian puts his Journal away, “There goes another one… they are determined to reach you, my friend.” The Death Lord’s head snarls. “Oh do shut up.” Sebastian says as he kicks the head into the gorge.
Jenassa asks, “What did you mean?” He turns, “Oh… so you can still speak?” She scowls, “Last night, on the way here. You said that you divined the prophecy of this Dragonborn of yours from an Elder Scroll. I thought only Moth priests could read the scrolls.” Sebastian smirks, “That’s what they would like everyone to believe. Fools willing to risk their sight for the betterment of the empire. -it’s the only way-... Rubbish.” He looks up to the vaulted ceiling of the chamber, still seeing traces of daylight through cracks in the earth, “There is a facility deep under Skyrim, built by the Dwemer, designed to transcribe information from an Elder Scroll to a Lexicon. A small Dwemer cube. No risk of blinding, no weird visions. Just the information. I heard about it from an old Dwemer in Morrowind once. Poor Sod was the last of his kind and rotting from a wasting disease. Took some doing to reach the place with the Scroll in hand… Had to leave it behind though. Damned Falmer caught my scent and I had to grab the Lexicon and flee… Wonder if it’s still there?” Sebastian picks up the Death Lord’s Ebony Battle Axe, “This should fetch a fine price in Whiterun. Collect your things. The sun is setting. We leave soon. You take the back exit. I will slip back through the Barrow quietly, collect our horses, and meet you in Riverwood.”
After packing up the camp, she exits through the back cave. Jenassa finds a steep drop leading to a lake on the backside of the mountain. “Riverwood must be… That way?” She says before beginning to scale down the side of the mountain and makes her way through the woods until she comes across a small hut. An old woman sits in a rocking chair, “Don’t trouble yourself with me, dear. I’m just an old woman.” The woman is unassuming, but Jenassa knows a Synod mage robe when she sees one. Either this old hag is a mage, or she stole it from one. She approaches cautiously, “It’s a lonely thing, facing all the dangers of Skyrim by yourself.” The old woman gets up and begins tending a small garden by her shack, “It gets lonely here sometimes, but I make do.” Jenassa slips around the back of the hut looking for signs that this old woman is indeed a mage or simply has poor taste in attire. “A hatch…?” she whispers as she slips into a window.
Moving as silently as possible, she makes her way to a dug out cellar. “A makeshift mage’s laboratory… Clever old crone. My Master will most definitely want to meet you.” She pockets a few trinkets, potions, and soul gems then climbs back out. As she exits, the old witch hears the creek of the hatch, “No… None can know my secret!” she says and she summons the spirit of a wolf. Jenassa dispatches the familiar with little effort then rushes the old witch tackling her to the ground. A hard strike from the pommel of her sword and her prey is knocked out. Jenassa ties her up with some rope from the hut. With the witch suitably restrained, Jenassa gives the hut a final once over for valuables then returns to the crone and carries her off into the darkening woods.
Sebastian waits at the bridge to Riverwood feeding apples to the horses. Jenassa steps out from behind a large tree stump beside the road, “Master…” He turns, “There you are. Come along. I want to make sure our boy isn’t trying anything foolish to get himself killed again.” Jenassa grabs his arm, “I have something for you.” He looks suspiciously at her, “What have you been up to?” She leads him back behind the stump to her captive. Bound and unconscious on the ground. Amused, Sebastian kneels over the witch, “Well done, my dear. She’s not very powerful, but thanks to my acquisition from Bleak Falls, she doesn’t have to be.”
Sebastian reaches into his satchel pulling out a sizable flask and a large vial of the Dragonborn’s blood. He pours a small amount into the flask and puts the vial away. “Your dagger, my dear.” he says, tilting the witch’s head back. Jenassa hands him her dagger keeping watch on the road. The witch grunts as Sebastian draws the blade across her throat and collects her blood in the flask. “That’s it. Won’t take long…” Once full, he caps off the flask, gives it a few shakes, and puts it back in his Satchel. “Aren’t you going to drink?” Jenassa asks. He stands, “Not yet. The two bloods need to homogenize… Shouldn’t take long.” She looks at the witch, “What do you want to do with her?” Sebastian shrugs, “Leave her… those mud crabs over there look famished. Come. By the time we reach Whiterun the mixture should be ready.” They mount their horses as the mud crabs close in on their dinner with pincers snapping.
Arriving in Whiterun a couple of hours later, they make their way to their room at the Bannered Mare. “Welcome back.” The Innkeeper says, “A guard from the palace dropped this off for you. It’s all there, I assure you.” Sebastian looks the coin purse over, “Huh… Thank you. Don’t suppose that traveler is still holding up in the attic room, by chance?” The Innkeeper begins cleaning off the bar, “No. He checked out this morning. Someone said they saw him hanging around Jorrvaskr. Mead Hall of the Companions. It’s up in the Wind District. They’ve been looking for new members from what I hear. Would you like to switch rooms? Just another 5 gold.” Sebastian drops a few septims on the bar, “Why not. And could you have a bottle of Alto and a hearty stew sent to the room?” The Innkeeper nods, handing over the bottle and collecting the Septims, “I’ll have my girls move your things and bring your stew up when it’s ready.” and she heads for the kitchen. Jenassa and Sebastian sit at a table sharing the wine while the staff moves their things to the upper room.
Enduring the shoddy singing of the Bard below, Jenassa enjoys her stew and wine. Sebastian looks around the new room and sips on his flask then shakes his head with each sip. “You alright, Master?” She asks. “Yes, it’s just…” Sebastian rubs his eyes, “...Potent stuff.” Jenassa looks him over, “Is it working?” Sebastian raises a hand and dark blue tendrils begin to swirl around his hand, “It appears so… huh… did you know there was a clairvoyant in the city?” “The fortune teller?” She questions, “I thought she was just a scam artist…” Sebastian smirks, “Her aura is distinctly more vibrant than it should be. She is definitely a seer.” Jenassa puts down her spoon and wipes her mouth, “Is her blood needed next?” Sebastian puts his hand down, “No. Just an oddity. You have piqued my curiosity though. How exactly do you plan on sneaking up on someone that knows every move you are going to make, hmm?” Jenassa thinks for a moment then goes back to eating her stew. He smirks, “She may prove of some use later, though. How’s the stew?” Jenassa pushes the bowl away, “It was good. Nords have their faults, but they do find satisfying ways to cook a horker. I suppose that’s redeeming.” He stands, “Well, I’m going to finish my flask by the Gildergreen… What’s left of it. Care to join me? Masser is in full bloom tonight. The auroras should be particularly active soon. Not to be missed... It is not enough just to be a beauty, my dear, but you must also take time to appreciate it once in a while.” Jenassa grabs her bottle of Alto and they head out into the night.
Arm in arm, they walk the streets of Whiterun. Sebastian tells her of the city’s history, how grand the city walls once were, and the truth of Jarl Olaf’s -battle- with the Dragon Numinex in a past age. Jenassa smiles and listens as she is reminded of when they would do this when she was a child in Skingrad. While riding his shoulders; every building, back alley, and statue would have a story to be told. Some stories she believed him to embellish to amuse a child, but would hang on every word of his tales about his time in Morrowind and the assassins in service to the great houses of the province. Such tales would shape the woman she would grow to be. She still does not believe everything he says, but does love a good story.
Approaching the Gildergreen, the pair sit at a bench and watch the aurora begin to streak across the sky. Sebastian stiffens suddenly. His expression goes cold. Jenassa recognizes this. A scent of danger, on the wind, has caught his attention. A scent he knows all too well. Jenassa grips the handles of her blades, “What is it, Master?” He slowly looks over his shoulder to a group of warriors approaching from Jorrvaskr, Mead Hall of the Ysgramor’s Companions, led by a man clad in a unique armor brandishing the image of a wolf. “Werewolf…” He whispers. Jenassa begins to draw her dagger, but he shakes his head, “Hold…” he says.
The leader of the trio of warriors locks eyes with Sebastian, sensing his true nature, as they march through the street. “I don’t know you… What’s your business here?” the Companion asks. Sebastian looks at Jenassa, “Just enjoying the night with a lovely Lass. And you? What has roused the mighty Companions to action at such an hour?” The Companion studies Sebastian, “There is word of a vampire nest near Rorikstead. The steading has asked the Companions to burn them out. I aim to do just that.” Sebastian nods, “Well then, might I suggest that you take every precaution. One scratch and you could end up as one of the fiends. Don’t want the honor of Ysgramor’s Companions to be tainted by the supernatural… Do we?” A long cold stare is shared between the two before one of the -Whelps- says, “Come on, Skjor. Are we doing this or what?” The trio leave in short order. Jenassa breathes a sigh of relief.
“That could have been worse.” Jenassa says, “Do I need to make plans to deal with them?” Sebastian smiles and rolls his eyes, “I do admire your faith in your skills, my dear, but... no. There may have only been one wolf in that group, but where there is one there are more. For now, you do nothing.” She relaxes slightly on the bench, “But they are aware of you now. Won’t they…” He shakes his head, “They are glorified sell swords. They don’t solve problems for free. We keep a low profile and we shall enjoy a series of dirty glances and snide remarks. My only concern is the Dragonborn. I suggested them to him for training.” “Are they a danger to him?” She asks. “Not sure.” He says, “If they become aware of his power, they may try to infect him with their tainted blood. That could prove to be… problematic, later on. Vampires and werewolves, by nature, are not exactly friendly.” He leans back on the bench gazing up, “Have I ever told you about that star cluster?” Jenassa sighs and looks up, “No, Master.” Sebastian continues, “The Warrior. At the eye is a star named after the Aedric God Akatosh...”
The next Afternoon, Jenassa wakes to an empty room and a note on the nightstand:
Jenassa,
Borrowed your dagger. Meet me behind the Temple.
~S~
Jenassa hurries to get dressed, “What is he up to now... “ and rushes out of the inn. Racing through the market and up into the Wind District, she finds Sebastian leaning in the shade of the Temple of Kynareth. A woman clad in scale armor stands beside him. “Master?” Jenassa asks, “Are you alright?” Sebastian is using Jenassa’s dagger to etch strange symbols into a small soul gem. “Hm? Oh I’m fine. A bit uncomfortable out here, but fine. This is Ria. She’s a Companion. A new member. Tough little thing, she is. Don’t be rude, Ria. Say hello.” In a monotone voice, the young Companion replies as commanded. Jenassa, confused by the situation, says “Are you to enthrall her or… I don’t understand.” Sebastian finishes his etching “No no no, nothing like that.” He says as he breaks the gem in half. Using a silver necklace and a leather strap to hold a gem fragment, he fashions a makeshift amulet and puts it around Ria’s neck, stuffing the gem under her armor between her breasts. “Ria is going to be keeping an eye on our boy in Jorrvaskr, aren’t you Ria. Offer to ‘Show him the ropes’ as any good shield sibling would, eh?” Ria replies, “Yes…” Sebastian hands the dagger back to Jenassa, “Never take this necklace off. If it ever comes away from your person, retrieve it immediately. It belonged dear old Grand Dad, after all. His lucky charm. Honor demands you keep it at all times.” Ria nods. Sebastian tilts his head, “I suppose that is an affirmative… Return to your training. If anyone asks, you have been walking the streets to clear your head of too much mead last night.” Ria stumbles forward a few steps then seems to regain her senses and hurries back to the companion’s training yard.
Jenassa just looks at Sebastian, “What was that all about? You said we should leave them be.” He shakes his head, “No, I told you to do nothing. I didn’t say what I was going to do.” Jenassa rolls her eyes, “Well, what did you do?” Sebastian holds up the other half of the soul gem, “An old Alyed technique I learned from my Mistress, long ago. Really meant for Welkynd stones, but a soul gem will do in a pinch. They could use the stones to communicate over great distances by carving certain runes into them. I had to limit what information would be shared because of the gem’s quality, but it should do. Anytime she interacts with the Dragonborn or learns of the companions being sent after a vampire, that knowledge will be passed on to me.” He flips the other half of the gem in the air then stuffs it in his satchel. Jenassa just blinks, “You.. made her… a spy?” “Not that she’ll remember,” he says, “But uh… yeah. So… Have you eaten yet? I think the inn just got a delivery from Riften.” he throws his hood up, “Fish and mead mostly, I think.” Jenassa just watches him walk away, she looks around for onlookers, and shakes her head before following him.
The Story So Far:
Ancient Blood Ch 1 Ancient Blood Ch 2 Ancient Blood Ch 3 Ancient Blood Ch 4 Ancient Blood Ch 5 Ancient Blood Ch 6 Ancient Blood Ch 7 Ancient Blood Ch 8 Ancient Blood Ch 9 Ancient Blood Ch 10 Ancient Blood Ch 11 Ancient Blood Ch 12 Ancient Blood Ch 13 Ancient Blood Ch 14 Ancient Blood Ch 15 Ancient Blood Ch 16 Ancient Blood Ch 17 Ancient Blood Ch 18 Ancient Blood Ch 19 Ancient Blood Ch 20 Ancient Blood Ch 21
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