Ancient Blood Ch 12

  • Ancient Blood Chapter 12

    A Blade in the Dark



       It’s been raining for the last hour. Sebastian and Jenassa sit under the porch to the Blacksmith’s shop at the center of Riverwood. Jenassa’s eyes dart between the village’s three entrances, looking for the Dragonborn, while Sebastian sits on the bench and scribbles in his journal:

     

    5th of Hearthfire 4E 201,

     

      Been almost a month since I awoke in Bruma… So many things to process, but no time to do so… Assuming I survive the Dragons, I may postpone my next Slumber for a century or two. This world has changed quite a bit from what I remember. Is it the world or is it just Skyrim? I find myself curious about the condition of the City of Blacklight. How has Daggerfall fared in this political maelstrom? I haven’t taken time to investigate the other provinces as yet. If I can get the Dragonborn back on course and away from whatever detour the Blade agents have turned him down, perhaps I can take a moment to investigate Skyrim itself before moving on to another province. I’m curious as to how the Aldmeri land grab is affecting the rest of the continent...

     

       Another annoyance has come to my attention… I can feel the dragon priests marshalling their power preparing to rise. A trifle the Dragonborn should not be distracted by. Alduin must be his concern… or am I wrong about that? Sending him after the dragon priests could be adequate training to hone his Thu’Um. I will have to give this more thought. Alduin is not going to wait forever, but going up against the World Eater unprepared is folly. I had hoped the Greybeards would teach Thou’Var about his Thu’um, but I suppose a dragon cult of old hermits is not the most reliable of tutors. Putting down the Priests is no small feat either. They will be powerful liches by now. I will bring it up when time permits.

     

      Then of course there are the Volkihar. I was warned on the way into town by a guard about “Vampires attacking people on the streets.” Every description I’ve heard has been one bearing the Volkihar crest. Not that the mortals know what that even is. If Harkon’s followers continue to stir trouble, something may have to be done about the old fool. I am not eager to confront him. The Vampire Lord is formidable and he has Lord Molag Bal’s favor. Taking him down would be beyond difficult. A stake in the heart would only anger him…Something more would be needed. I don’t even know where he’s hold up. I know he has a fortress in the North of Skyrim, but where exactly? I’ve never cared before… He’s never been so reckless before... A trouble for another day…

     

       Through the mists of the falling rain, a pair of travelers can be seen. “Master!” Jenassa says. Sebastian looks up from his journal, “Hm? I see them… The Southeastern entrance? He must have come up the mountain pass to avoid Patrols.” Sebastian sighs, “This is not the way it should be. This is Skyrim. The Dragonborn should be a hero of the realm, not skulking around dodging authorities… We have to get him away from these Blades.” Jenassa looks at him confused, “But Master, didn’t you aid the Blades once? The Prophecy?” Sebastian shakes his head, “I aided the Blades organization when it served the Empire. From what you and my Sweet Sister have told me, that is no longer the case. These Blades are not their predecessors. They are on their own and fleeing from the Thalmor. They are distracting the Dragonborn from his destiny for their own ends.” Jenassa looks coldly at the old man approaching, “Should I kill them?” Sebastian puts his journal away and stands, “Not sure yet. Let’s see what there is to see before you start killing people.”

     

       Sebastian pulls up his hood and approaches the Dragonborn and the Blade’s agent Esbern, “It’s been a while, Thou’Var… How have you been, my boy?” The Dragonborn stops, gripping his sword without drawing it from its scabbard, “Who… Shaw?” “Who is this?” Esbern asks. Sebastian waves,”Indeed… You’ve been busy it seems.” The dragonborn relaxes, “It’s alright, Esbern. He’s a friend… I’ve had my hands full for certain, Sebastian. This is Esbern. He’s… my Uncle. I need to get him out of this weather.” Sebastian’s eyes are concealed by the hood, but a faint smile can be seen, “Uncle, eh? Well, Thou’Var’s uncle, it’s a pleasure.” Esbern remains silent. Sebastian tilts his head, “Not the talkative sort, your Uncle.” The Dragonborn shifts his weight, “He’s had a hard journey… I need to get him to the Inn for some food and rest.” Sebastian just nods, “So could we all, I assume. Jenassa! Go get a couple rooms… My treat. I need to have words with you, Thou’Var.” Esbern objects, “We have important business that can’t wait, I’m afraid.” Sebastian pulls back his hood slightly, “I won’t take much of his time.” Esbern recognizes the gleam of the Dark Gift in Sebastian’s eyes, but before he can alert the Dragonborn, Esbern is mesmerized by Sebastian’s gaze. Esbern’s expression goes blank and says in a monotone voice, “I’ll wait inside the Inn for you…” Sebastian pulls his hood back down, “Jenassa, get the old man some food would you.” Jenassa nods and walks off with Esbern.

     

       Sebastian pats the Dragonborn on the shoulder, “Let’s get out of the rain for a moment. So… How did things go with the Greybeards?” The Dragonborn walks with Sebatian to the front patio of the Inn, “They were… odd. Gave me a task to return an item from an old tomb… A test, I think. They taught me a few words of power and some ramblings about the Thu’Um itself. I still don’t know as much as I would like about this power, but I am learning.” Sebastian nods, “And have you made any progress in determining the source of the dragons?” The Dragonborn leans up against a post on the patio, “We thought they were being raised by the Thalmor…” “We?” Sebastian interjects. The Dragonborn pauses a moment. Sebastian smiles, “You mean you and Delphine… The other Blade’s agent.” The Dragonborn stands at attention, “You know?” Sebastian shrugs, “For someone trying to sneak around the countryside, you haven’t been very subtle. It’s been a while, but I know a Blade when I see one. The ‘Uncle’ routine… not going to fly. The Thalmor likely have handed out your descriptions to their patrols and mercenaries. Best you travel separately. Traveling together raises the risk of detection.”

     

       Realizing how foolish the deception was, The Dragonborn sits on a bench and looks out at the falling rain, “I’m sorry, Shaw… It’s hard to know who to trust these days. I’ve lost count of how many people have tried to kill me this week.” Sebastian sits beside him, “Don’t worry, Son. I know the feeling… The Blades have their own issues. The Thalmor being one of them. Both have their own agenda. They care little for the greater destiny of the Dragonborn. Only what the Dragonborn can do for them… You’ll find out for yourself soon enough. Delphine hoped to pin the dragons on the Thalmor so that she could send you after her enemies… Do NOT let yourself get distracted. It is not fair to put on you, but the fate of Nirn itself rests on your shoulders. The Dragon’s are your foe. A foe that only the Dragonborn can defeat.” He stands and brings the Dragonborn to his feet, “Remember always, Thou’Var. You are no longer a man. You are no Mer. You are Dova. Inheritor of Talos’ Stormcrown.” “I know that.” The Dragonborn says. Sebastian scowls and smacks the Dragonborns’ steel breastplate, “...Then act like it! A dragon does not bow to the will of others. Others bow to the will of the dragon.” Then they walk into the Sleeping Giant Inn.



       Jenassa and Esbern are waiting at the entrance when Sebastian and the Dragonborn enter. Sebastian’s hand glows a faint green as he taps Esbern on the shoulder, erasing the knowledge of Sebastian’s nature from the old Nord’s mind and snapping him out of the trance he was in. Esbern steps back slightly confused. Delphine comes out from a side room to bark at the Bartender, but is stopped by the sight of her fellow Blade whom she had given up for dead years prior. She walks over slowly and Esbern says, “Delphine… It’s good to see you. It’s been too long.” She returns the greeting in kind and cautiously eyes the hooded man with the Dark Elf Ranger at his side. Sebastian nods, “Oh sorry. Just came in to get out of the rain… An interesting establishment you have here. As it happens, I am an investor in quaint little Inn’s like this…. You and I should talk privately… soon. Come Jenassa, let’s get a room and some dinner.” The pair walk up to the bar as the Dragonborn and the Blade agents walk into a back room.

     

       After getting a room and ordering a meal, Sebastian and Jenassa go off to a back table to await their order. Jenassa sips on a bottle of Honningbrew Mead as Sebastian nurses his Flask. “My Sweet Sister was right about the armor increasing my thirst…” he says. Jenassa hesitates, “Why do you do that?” Sebastian looks over, “Do what?” Jenassa shrugs, “Dear Brother… Sweet Sister… It’s like a title or something the way you two use it.” Sebastian smirks, “You can blame our Sire for that. She was very strict on manners when dealing with your kin. We always had to address each other properly… poor manners would lead to… repercussions. Annoying at first, but it became endearing over time.” Jenassa takes a gulp of her mead, “You don’t talk about her much. Your Sire. Whatever happened to your maker?” “Not sure.” he says, “I was around six hundred years old, exploring Elsewhere, when she vanished from High Rock… I looked for her several times, but I always lost her trail on the eastern shore of Iliac Bay.” Jenassa pauses a moment, “Do you… Do you think she’s dead?... Well, she was always dead but… you know what I mean.” Sebastian ponders the question, “Hmm… I cannot justify this, but I don’t think she was killed. Too clever for any hunter. She might have run afoul of some other powerful vampire or beast, but I don’t think so… She’s out there somewhere…”

     

       Delphine walks up and coldly says, “Here’s your Snowberry Pie.” Sebastian looks up, “Such friendly service… I may have to rethink my offer to invest here.” She leans over between Sebastian and Jenassa and places the pie on the table, “I don’t need your money or your patronage. I want you out of here tomorrow.” Swiftly, Sebastian’s hand grabs her arm. She tries to jerk away, but her eyes flash green and she suddenly calms down, losing all expression. “Go to my room,” Sebastian says, “close the door, and sit in the chair.” Delphine turns slowly and walks to the room. Jenassa looks on, “You need me for this? I really want that pie…” Sebastian pats her shoulder as he gets up, “Eat up, Jen. I can handle her.”

     

       Sebastian enters his room and closes the door. Delphine sits silently in the chair by the bed. Sebastian walks over and sits in front of her and raises his hands to either side of Delphines head. “Let’s see what there is to see…” red and green tendrils of magicka swirls out of his palms and into Delphine’s head. Sebastian’s eyes flash a bright red and she sits up sharply and grunts, “Ack… unngh…” She twitches and struggles for a moment before settling back down in the chair. Sebastian smiles with the light in his eyes pulsing, “There we go… Now then… The Thalmor…” Delphine blinks, “They’re hunting me… They have orders to kill me on sight.” Sebastian shakes his head, “The Thalmor don’t matter.” Delphine frowns, “They’re hunting…” “They don’t matter!” Sebastian interjects, “You can deal with them later… The dragons are the enemy now. Stopping Alduin’s dragons is all that matters.” Delphine tenses up for a moment before relaxing again, “Stop the dragons… We have to kill the dragons.” Sebastian smirks, “Good… Now tell me about everything Esbern brought to you…”

     

       After several minutes go by, the door to Sebastian’s room opens and Delphine stumbles out rubbing her head. The Bartender says, “You alright, Delphine? You look…” “I’m fine.” She says, “I’m going to bed. You have the Inn… Don’t disturb me.” She slams the door to her room behind her. The bartender looks back to Sebastian’s door and sees Sebastian standing in the doorway. Sebastian shrugs, “Don’t look at me. She doesn’t handle rejection well, does she?” Sebastian walks over to Jenassa and sits beside her. Jenassa just shakes her head as she eats the last of her pie, “What did you do to her?” Sebastian shrugs, “I adjusted her priorities a bit. She was fixated on the Thalmor, now she is fixated on the dragons… Esbern was already focused on Alduin. Maybe now they will be of some use instead of getting in the way… Where is Esbern anyway?” Jenassa puts her fork down, “He went into room 3… Thou’Var never came out of Delphine’s room.” Sebastian looks over to the third bedroom, “Think I will go give Esbern a visit before retiring for the evening.” Jenassa looks confused, “You said he was focused on the dragons already.” Sebastian nods, “He is, but…” he shakes his flask, “I need a refill and that old man has plenty of magicka flowing through him… I told you, being in the sun made me thirsty.”

     

       Shortly after refilling his flask, Sebastian returns to the main hall of the Inn and finds Jenassa asleep at the table. The bartender is nowhere to be seen. Sebastian picks Jenassa up and carries her to their room. He places her weapons beside the bed, pulls off her armor stashing the pieces in the dresser at the foot of the bed, and tucks her in. She lies still as he leans over her to whisper, “You are a trained assassin, my dear. I know you didn’t sleep through that.” A small smile creeps across her lips. He thumps her forehead, “Go to sleep.” He removes his Dark Star Armor and places it in the Wardrobe, sealing the doors shut with a minor shock rune, and gets in on the other side of the bed.

     

       Jenassa rolls over, “So, what do we do next, Master?” Sebastian looks at the ceiling, “First thing when we get up is to complain about the mold in the roof… Then I believe the Blades are to make for an old Akaviri Temple… Sky Haven was rattling around Delphine’s brain. It’s in the Reach. With luck, it will be empty… If not… We’ll see how much our boy has matured as a warrior.” Jenassa frowns, “Do you expect trouble?” “Maybe…” he says, “I’ve been there before, back when it was being constructed. Never saw it completed, but... I know it’s a strategic location in the Reach. With the war raging, there’s no telling who might set up a field camp in the ruins. Soldiers of one side or the other. Bandits, mercenaries… Who knows what else. Make sure you have plenty of arrows before we leave town.” She yawns, “Yes…. Mmmaster…”

     

      At midday, Sebastian is awoken by Jenassa bursting through the door, “Master!” she exclaims, “Wake up!” Sebastian jumps up with a shock spell in each hand barely awake, “Wh-What.. What is it?” Jenassa takes a breath, “The Dragonborn, he’s gone. The Blades too.” The sparks die out from Sebastian’s hands, “What do you mean gone?” “They left this morning.” She says, “The bartender said that Delphine left him the Inn, said she was never coming back, and left with the Thou’Var and Esbern.” Sebastian rubs his face, “Foolish wench…” with a gesture he dispels the rune on the wardrobe, “Gather what resources you need. We’re going hunting…” She watches Sebastian begin to put his armor on, “The Bartender didn’t know where they were going. Do you think they are still heading for Sky Haven?” As Sebastian laces up his greaves, “Of that, I am certain. You will need arrows... and see if the blacksmith has any throwing knives. While you are doing that, I will go to the general store and collect some odds and ends… If she gets the Dragonborn killed, I will kill her and raise her corpse just so I can kill her again.” Jenassa nods and rushes out of the Inn. Sebastian steps out to the bar to buy some traveling provisions, but finds the bartender beaten unconscious on the floor, “Hmmm… So that’s how she got him to talk so much... Jenassa, my dear, we really need to work on your tact…” After weaving an illusion spell to replace the Bartender’s  memory of Jenassa beating him with one of an ill-tempered Orc displeased with the taste of his Ale; Sebastian takes some bread, water, mead, and a few gold pieces from behind the bar then rushes to the general store.

     

       Once the saddle bags are loaded up, they mount their horses. Jenassa looks to Sebastian, “Which way, Master?” Sebastian closes his eyes, raises his hand, and a faint purple glow emanates from his palm. The light dissipates, “Take the south road. They are almost out of Falkreath hold already…” They turn their horses around and race for the Reach. A neighboring hold where blood and silver rules.

     

     

    The Story So Far:

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