Ancient Blood Chapter 18
A Short Respite
As dawn approaches, the guard is changed around Lake View manor. The vampiric Khajiit are relieved by their mortal counterparts. Shepherd steps into the master bedchamber to check on Sebastian and Jenassa, but only sees Jenassa asleep in the bed. “Where are you, Dear Brother…” she wonders. She feels of Jenassa’s forehead and sits beside the bed. Shepherd takes a small salve from the nightstand and applies it to Jenassa’s forehead and chest. “Keep breathing, child.” she says as she stands to leave. Shepherd sniffs the air, searching for Sebastian’s scent and follows it downstairs to the hatch leading to the basement, “Ah… There you are.”
Entering the basement, Shepherd checks the shrine to the nine divines at the bottom of the stairs and looks around the smithy in the next room briefly. Finding everything to be in order, she approaches the wine rack lining the wall across from the shrine and spins two of the bottles in their rack releasing a latch. She pulls the rack aside and steps into a hidden passage where stands a mystic barrier blocking access to the rest of the tunnels beneath Lakeview. A miniature version of a Molag Bal shrine protrudes from the wall. She bites her hand and presses her bloody palm to the shrine. Her vampiric blood causes the shrine to glow and the barrier to shimmer allowing her to pass. The wine rack closes behind her as she walks deeper into the tunnels. Down a passage to her left, she sees some of her cubs getting into their coffins for the day’s rest and a few slow risers still getting out of their beds. A small group of Khajiit, vampire and mortal, mill about playing a card game on a table that has a paralyzed bandit laying on it along with various trinkets pilfered from his pockets. The night's “catch”. Fools trying to sneak in, to rob the manor, are not uncommon. The bandit serves as a light snack for the vampiric Khajiit, as evident by the various bite marks on his arms and legs, before retiring to their coffins.
Shepherd continues to follow Sebastian’s scent through the passage to her right, leading to the -Cattle Pins-, containing various mortals to be repeatedly fed on by the vampires of the house. Sebastian sits at a table, scribbling in his journal, where lays the only Altmer from the stocks. Traces of the High Elf’s blood still linger on his lips. He closes his journal, “Come for a feeding, my Sweet Sister? I’m afraid I’ve tapped this one as far as I dare.” She smiles, “I have already dined. I prefer the two Bosmers over there, actually. Their blood is filled with odd flavors. Something to do with that Green Pact of theirs, I think.” Sebastian tilts his head, “I don’t sense an ounce of magicka between the two of them.” She shrugs, “They are for flavor, Dear Brother.” nodding to the table, “The Justicar is kept around for the Magicka he holds.” Sebastian looks at the Altmer he had fed on, “This is a Justicar? Huh… that explains the smugness.” Shepherd chuckles, “Should have seen him when his guards were still alive. Walked into my manor like he owned it saying he was searching for Talos worshipers. ‘Any, who get in our way, will be executed!’ he declared… I fed his guards to my cubs and kept him for myself…. Are you finished with him, Dear Brother?” Sebastian nods and Shepherd lifts a finger towards the Elf. He rolls off the table and crawls on his belly back into his pin then collapses on the dirt floor.
Shepherd sits beside Sebastian, “Brother, the last few days have been trying for you. I can see it. Are you well?” Sebastian taps his journal on his palm, “I’m fine.” Shepherd looks at him in disbelief. Sebastian sighs, “I do blame myself for what happened to Jenassa and what that worry caused me to do to your cub, but… MiDaar, is that the boy’s name? He has recovered and Jenassa is responding well to your treatments. The Dragonborn is back on his course... I’m fine.” He smiles. Shepherd wipes some blood from his lip, “You… are a convincing liar, Dear Brother. I’ll leave it be, though… for now… You really do care about her don’t you? Our beloved Lilith told you not to get too attached to your thralls. What would mother think to see you now?” Sebastian wipes the rest of the blood from his mouth, “You’re one to talk. You’ve turned every thrall you’ve had, for the last thousand years, into vampires just so you could hold on to them a bit longer.” She shrugs, “I was never a good student… Speaking of, surely you have considered turning Jenassa. I’ve seen how you are with her. Don’t deny it... True, there is always a danger of failure, but she is a strong one. I’m certain she would survive the turning.” Sebastian again taps his journal in his hands, “I have thought about it, but… I want her to experience the world as a mortal before even bringing up the idea. Most of her life to this point has been spent in a tomb watching over a corpse. It’s just.. Not the right time...” Shepherd touches Sebastian on the arm, “There is never a right time. You know this. She is young, beautiful, and strong. Why wait? I’ll even do it for you, if you wish. I have more experience, after all.” Sebastian rubs her hand with his, “Not yet… but thank you, Sweet Sister.”
Shepherd leans back in her chair and sighs, “Alright. Alright...Oh! Here.” she reaches into her pocket and hands Sebastian a letter. “What’s this?” he asks. “A courier dropped that off for you, an hour ago.” She says, “Seems someone in The Pale put it in the Jarl’s head that you helped stop the nightmares they were suffering from. He’s offering you a Thaneship.” Sebastian scowls reading the letter, “Skald the Elder? Who is this fool?” Shepherd smiles, “A stubborn old Nord that should have stepped down a decade ago. Brina Merilis will likely succeed him as Skald never had any heirs of his own. He is completely out of his depth in the civil conflict, but his paranoia will make manipulating him an easy feat for one such as yourself… You should consider his offer, Dear Brother.” She stands and kisses his forehead before leaving.
He looks the letter over and then stuffs it in the back of his journal before returning to his entry:
20th of Hearthfire 4E 201
I am a fool. A damned old fool. I never should have taken Jenassa into that blighted hole. Black Reach. We almost made it out when one of the foul beasts got lucky with an arrow. It was tipped with a toxin that resisted my healing magics. I got her to Shepherd, but she died while Shepherd and Farel were making a curative. I have not felt powerless in many lifetimes, but I stood and watched as my Sister hit her with shock spells and restoration magics, I could not even begin to understand, until Jenassa began to breathe again. I am uncertain of whom I am more angry with. The Falmer? Or myself?
We did manage to reclaim the Dragon Scroll. The Dragonborn has it now. Shepherd informs me that he is taking it to the top of the Throat of the World. Seems the old hermits finally let Thou’Var meet with Paarthurnax. Not sure why he ‘needs’ the scroll, but it better have been worth it. I’m sure it is, but that is hard to justify right now. Shepherd could explain if I asked, but I’m not particularly interested in the discussion at the moment. Speaking of which, I believe she has found me…
...she did, indeed, manage to track me down. Brought me a letter from the Jarl of The Pale. Some nonsense about a Thaneship. I have no interest in a title… though it seems to have worked well for my sister… She has advised me to “consider the offer”. Hassildor made being a count work for generations. It could be useful, I suppose… Something to contemplate after the dragons are dealt with. I’ll keep the letter in the back of my Journal for the time being… Me? A Thane of Skyrim? Madness.
Sebastian closes his journal and returns upstairs. He approaches Jenassa quietly and brushes her hair away from her face. He gently strokes her cheek and notices her left eye opening slightly. Her right eye opens and a small smile creeps across her lips. He grins, “Still alive, Elf?” She weakly replies, “Ready to wrestle an ogre, Master.” She takes his hand with both of hers and he sits beside her. Shepherd enters, “That’s good…” Their gaze remains unbroken. Shepherd continues, “There is a way to prevent such a thing from happening again, you know.” Sebastian turns his head towards Shepherd and simply says, “No.” Shepherd tilts her head, “It would not be difficult. Once she has fully regained her strength, of course.” Sebastian sighs, “...Sister...” Shepherd steps forward, “It’s just an option, Dear Brother.” Jenassa is confused by their meaning, but says nothing.
Shepherd sits on the side of the bed, “I came to inform you that Thou’Var has learned Alduin’s secret. How he maintains his supremacy among the Dragons.” Jenassa perks up slightly, “How?” Shepherd smiles, “I used the powers of the Skull of Corruption you two brought me, I have been spying through Lydia’s eyes and ears. Sovngarde is the key… He consumes the souls of Nord heroes in the fields of Sovngarde as they make their way to Shor's Hall. It is there that Alduin is vulnerable. And only there can the beast be felled.” Sebastian rolls his eyes, “So Thou’Var has to die to defeat the Wyrm? And I’ve been trying to keep him alive.” Shepherd chickles slightly, “Alduin has a way to reach Sovngarde as I have a way to reach Dark Fall. Thou’Var must find that way and follow the beast there.” Sebastian scowls, “That’s no small feat. The World Eater will have guarded such a treasure with his fiercest champions. Where would Thou’Var even start looking for that?” Shepherd grins, “Thou’Var has an idea… or rather, Paarthurnax gave him one. He’s going try to use Dragon’s Reach to capture a dragon loyal to Alduin and force it to give up the location.” Sebastian and Jenassa just stare at her for a moment then Jenassa says, “Forgive me, Master. I may still be delirious, but did she just tell a bad joke?” Sebastian shakes his head, “I don’t think so, my dear. I fear she was being sincere. There is no way Balgruuf is going to agree to this. Not even coming from one of his Thanes.” Shepherd continues to grin, “Thou’Var is heading for Dragon’s Reach to attempt to convince Balgruuf to do just that. I think that when all the information is presented to him, he will agree. Might take some prodding, but I believe he will see the necessity. Especially if someone were to… -help him along- in his decision making process...”
Sebastian looks back down to Jenassa, “We’re not going anywhere, right now.” Jenassa struggles to sit up, “I can… I can make it… I will!” Sebastian pushes her back down, “Lay still… stubborn Mer.” Shepherd stands up, “The poison is mostly out of her system, now. The salve and potions have done their work. Another good day’s rest and she should be fit to travel.” “I will be the judge of that.” Sebastian says. Shepherd scoffs, “No… brat. I will! She has been my patient and I will say what -is- and -is not- in this house. Thank you.” Sebastian looks at Shepherd annoyingly, “You are kicking us out, then?” Shepherd leans over on the bed, “If I have to. You started this… See it through.” Jenassa squeezes his hand. Sebastian sighs, “I will need to use your alchemy station… I’ll make some potions of vigor for her.”
As the sun drops below the mountains, Sebastian steps out of Lake View manor and sees Jenassa in her Malachite armor, checking the saddles on the horses. “How are you feeling, my dear?” He asks as he approaches her. “Well enough, Master.” she says then tries to mount her horse, but stubbles back. Sebastian catches her and she shakes her head, “I’m fine… I just… I’m fine.” She grabs her saddle again and pulls herself up. Sebastian shakes his head, choosing to ignore the stumble, and mounts his horse. Talon approaches, “The Mistress says the Dragonborn is on his way past Dark Water Crossing. This one believes, you may beat him to Whiterun if you hurry.” Talon looks down and Sebastian asks, “Something else, Talon?” Talon pulls out a list and a purse of gold, “It is not this one’s place to ask… but could you… could you possibly help, Talon? Deliver this to that apothecary in Whiterun… Talon does not trust the strange shop in Falkreath…. Grave Concoctions?? Bad Juju.” Sebastian rolls his eyes, “Fine. Give it here.” WIth that, they follow the road along Lake Ilinalta and down the White River towards Whiterun Hold.
As they pass the bridge leading out of Riverwood, Jenassa slurps down a potion of vigor, “Blah!... What’s in this?” Sebastian smiles, “You really don’t want to know.” She looks at the bottle, “It tastes like skeever piss!...” her face takes on an expression of concern and she asks, “You’re not making me drink skeever piss, are you?” Sebastian shakes his head, “No.. Just take it all in one gulp. I’ll get you some mead to wash it down with when we get to Whiterun.” She holds her nose and drinks the rest of the sludge then sticks her tongue out, “Blaaaah… nasty... So nasty…” He starts to laugh at her then suddenly stops. “Master?” She asks. “Boots.” He says, “And Nord blood…” As they reach the Falls they see a trio of Aldmeri Justicars clad in golden Eleven armor transporting a Nord prisoner, on foot. “Time to see what kind of shape you’re really in, my dear.” Sebastian says as he picks up his pace. Jenassa is confused by his remark, but knows to put her helmet on before following him.
As they reach the Thalmor, Sebastian says, “Good evening, Man and Mer. What have we here?” One of the Justicars draws his blade, “Walk away... Now! You’re interfering in official Thalmor business.” Jenassa stays back as Sebastian moves up to the Nord in rags and looks him over, “You look like you’ve had better days, Son.” The Nord looks up at him through one eye as the other is swollen shut and dried blood covers the left side of his face, “If you know any true Sons and Daughters of Skyrim, tell them to head to Windhelm… ACK!!” a Justicar strikes the Nord, “Silence, Worm!... You will not be told again, human. Walk away!” Sebastian shrugs, “As you wish... “ As he begins to move down the road, Sebastian says, “Talos guard you….” The Aldmeri Agents look to Sebastian as he stops and gets off his horse. The lead Justicar draws her blade, “Something you wish to confess, citizen?” Jenassa slips up behind the Justicar in the rear and swiftly drives her dagger down between the justicars neck and shoulder into his heart, causing instant death, and rolls the body into a shrub before moving towards the second Thalmor without making a sound. Sebastian just shrugs, “Just a slip of the tongue. Old habits and all that. You wouldn’t hold that against me, surely?” The lead Agent steps forward slowly, “You’re just like the rest of these savages and their false gods. Prepare for Thalmor Justice, Heretic!” Sebastian holds one of his hands up, “I don’t know… that’s a nasty troll’s den you’ve got behind you.” The justicar turns around and sees her fellow soldiers dead on the ground and Jenassa handing the prisoner, freed from his bounds, an elven sword and shield she took from the bodies. “This one is yours.” Jenassa says. The Nord just grunts and the handles of the sword and shield creek as his grip tightens.
It takes only a few hard strikes from the Stormcloak Veteran before he separates the Lead Thalmor’s head from her neck. The body falls and the head rolls on the ground. The Stormcloak spits on his fallen enemy and turns to his rescuers. Sebastian steps up to him and uses a healing spell on the Nord, “There you are… Not much I can do about that eye, I’m afraid. Your sight may return… or it may be lost for good.” The Nord nods, “Thank you, friends. I don’t know what brought you to me, but Talos bless you.” Jenassa hands him a few minor healing potions and a loaf of bread, “It’s not much, but with whatever you can pick off these three… it should be enough to get you back to your brothers.” He looks at Jenassa, “It feels strange saying this to an Elf, but… Thank you.” She nods to him and he starts trying on his guard’s armor. As they continue their ride to Whiterun, Jenassa asks, “Well, master? Convinced?” Sebastian shrugs, “Not bad…” Jenassa scowls, “Not bad? I was…” from behind them the Nord is heard,“Grrr AH!… Dibella's ass!… Their feet are smaller than my sister’s…”
Arriving in Whiterun, Sebastian asks the gate guard if the Dragonborn had returned yet. “Aye, he arrived just before you. Think he was headed for the Palace.” the guard replies. “That mead is going to have to wait, my dear.” Sebastian says as they run through the city, up to Dragon’s Reach’s main entrance. When they reach the top of the stone staircase, leading to the palace, Jenassa is breathing heavily and leans on a brazzer lighting the path. Sebastian looks back, “Jenassa?” She waves her hand at him, “I’m… I’m fine.. Go… Go…” They enter the Jarl’s palace and see the Dragonborn and Lydia addressing Balgruuf the Greater, Jarl of Whiterun Hold. The Jarl’s steward and brother debate the importance and believability of the Dragonborn’s claims of Alduin’s return and Dragon’s Reach’s capacity to serve as a snare for a dragon trap. Sebastian tries to listen in from behind a pillar of the main hall, but his attention is drawn to the pounding of Jenassa’s heart and heaving of her lungs as she tries to catch her breath. “Jenassa... Go sit down.” She shakes her head, “I’m f-fine… I can…” He turns to her, “Go sit down… Now.” She reluctantly nods, “Yes, Master… Forgive me, Master.” She staggers over to a bench and flops down. Sebastian shakes his head, “That woman is as bullheaded as they come…” and turns his attention back to the Jarl’s court.
The topic of the civil war is raised by the steward. “We can not spare the men to secure a dragon in the very keep AND defend our borders. Jarl Balgruuf, Please consider your people.” Sebastian folds his arms and rubs his chin as he looks around at the palace staff and guards. When he is certain no one is looking, he weaves a minor charm spell on the Jarl. Not enough to make him appear out of sorts to his ever watchful Housecarl, Irileth, at his side, but enough to make him more malleable to the Dragonborn’s pleas. It takes almost an hour, but the Jarl agrees to a stipulation that would be impossible for most. The Dragonborn, however, is not most people. The stipulation being, if the Dragonborn can get the Imperials and Stormcloaks to agree to a pause in hostilities, and ensure that Whiterun will not be attacked, the Keep will be made available for this mad plan. Sebastian goes to sit by Jenassa. She holds her helmet in her hands, “I didn’t mean to disobey your order, Master. I just…” She lowers her head, “Please forgive me.” He puts his arm around her and kisses the top of her head. She looks up, “I… I am forgiven?” Sebastian removes his arm, “No… I will punish you later. Right now…. THOU’VAR!... How went things with the Jarl?”
After discussing matters with the Dragonborn, they retire to the Dragonborn’s house in the city, Breezehome. Sebastian looks around and muses at the modest accommodations. Average for a Nord’s home, but one would never suspect that a Dragonborn dwelled here. “You’re looking better, Jenassa. Lady Shepherd is a gifted healer.” the Dragonborn says. Jenassa nods, “I am well…” Sebastian interjects, “She is not ‘well’... but she is better than she was. So... Putting aside that you have been given another impossible task, getting Ulfric and Tullius to agree not to kill each other on sight, how do you plan to achieve this?” Lydia stirs the stew pot, “Short of joining one side and crushing the other, I don’t think we can.” Sebastian eyes Lydia, “Well… that’s… helpful…” The Dragonborn sits back in his chair, “The Greybeards... Tullius won’t risk angering them and Ulfric respects them too much to attack Tullius within High Hrothgar. I just have to get them up there… and get the Greybeards to agree to host them, of course.” Sebastian nods, “Use Ulfric’s rhetoric against him. If the Dragonborn addresses him directly requesting his aid in stopping Alduin, he will be trapped. He’ll have to acquiesce to a summit in order to save face with his supporting Jarls… Tullius… He’s different. Sentiment is not going to work with him.” Jenassa accepts a bowl of Venison stew from Lydia and says, “He’s a military man to the bone… I’m sure the dragon’s have affected his supply lines and troop movements. Appealing to his strategic woes might get him to attend.” They continue to strategize as they have dinner.
An hour later, they exit Breezehome. “Sure you don’t want any stew, Sebastian?” Lydia asks, “There’s plenty more.” Sebastian smiles, “Thank you, dear, but I’m certain. Delicate constitution, I’m afraid. No heavy stews.” The Dragonborn nods to Lydia, “We better get moving. Check the saddle bags to see if we need anything before leaving the city. We have a lot of ground to cover.” Lydia nods, “Yes, my Thane.” and heads down to the stables. The Dragonborn looks to Sebastian, “Sorry I didn’t have a bottle of blood for you. Not something the living tend to have on hand.” Sebastian stops smiling, “...You know then… How long?” The Dragonborn shrugs, “Since Mzark. I just.. Didn’t see it until then.” Sebastian sighs, “And you still came to Lake View… Does Lydia know?” The Dragonborn looks back towards the main gate, “No… not my secret to share. I don’t care what you are… that’s not true. It does matter, but… You have done nothing but try to help me since we met. I will not condone what you are, but neither will I condemn you for it... You’re my friend… I wish you would have told me, Shaw.” Sebastian lowers his head, “A habit developed over a long life of concealing one’s nature is not easy to shed…” A moment of silence is shared before Sebastian continues, “Well… While you and Lydia are darting around Skyrim trying to get the unreasonable to see reason, we will stay here. Jenassa is still recovering and I can make sure the Jarl doesn’t back out on his part. Besides, we have some business to attend to in town.” The Dragonborn hands Sebastian the key to Breezehome, “Feel free to use the house… Just… try not to kill anyone while you’re here.” Then he heads for the gate. Sebastian just looks at the key, “Huh… how about that…”
Looking at the key in Sebastian’s hand, Jenassa says, “We have a house? To ourselves?” Sebastian pockets the key, “I believe the term is house sitting, but yes… for a few days anyway.” “May I be excused, Master?” Jenassa asks, “I um… I need to run to my horse.” Sebastian pulls Talon’s list from his satchel, “Sure, I’m certain the alchemist is going to need a day or two to put all of this together.” He looks up to see Jenassa running out of the main gate. “...Right…” he says, “That’s not suspicious at all…” Then turns and heads for the Alchemy shop, Arcadia’s Cauldron. He also makes a trip to the general store to buy some food and mead before heading back to the Dragonborn’s home.
Evening has set in when Sebastian returns from the markets. Upon entering the front door, Sebastian is met with the sight of Jenassa’s armor scattered around the floor. “Jenassa!” he calls out, “This house is modest, but we are guests here. Do not leave your things lying about… Jenassa!” “Upstairs, Master.” She replies calmly. He stows away some herbs and carries two bottles of Honningbrew Mead upstairs. “I promised you some mead earlier, but if this is how you treat our host’s home, I may have to…” Reaching the bedroom loft, Sebastian is silenced by the sight of Jenassa sitting on the foot of the bed wearing a blood red negligee. She stands up demurely , “I’m sorry for the mess, Master, but… What do you think?” She makes a single slow twirl in place. Sebastian traces her figure with his eyes, “I think… you didn’t get that from Thou’Var’s dresser… Or I have severely misjudged him.” She fidgets knowing Sebastian can hear her heart racing, “Shepherd gave it to me. It’s from Daggerfall… She said it matched my eyes.” She sits back down and slowly crawls backwards onto the bed. Sebastian sighs, “It does, indeed… You are a vision.” Then he walks in and kicks the doors closed with his heel.
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
