In my dream, I see a girl
a girl that is not me
and yet I can't help but feel she is waiting for me
This girl approached a vampire ancient.
Having just completed a perilous task for him, she swells with pride, sure that
he will now bestow even greater power upon her. The entire clan's eyes are upon
her. Walking towards the dais where he stands, she realize that her task for
him is actually unfinished, and than all of her vampiric powers left her body.
She cries out a name i could not hear
as the clan descends upon her, and the ancient's fangs rip into the
flesh of her throat.
I ran and ran as i finally managed to track down my sister,"Gavriella, is it true" I yelled in frustration and confusion
She didn't turn to look at me she simply spoke, "Yes, it appears Lord Bal had taken it upon himself in order to create another generation of Daughters of Coldharbor." This was a huge surprise another generation so soon. Not too long ago, that bastard Harkon and his family all preformed a dark ritual in exchange for the powers of the Vampire lord.
"I should have killed him win i had the chance." I couldn't help but whisper under my breath
"What was that?" My sister asked as i pretended not to hear her, She simply ignored my muttering and continued to speak .
"Anyway... I heard we are getting three acolytes, Lord Bal has been lucky so far, First Lamae survived the ritual, and then Eris, you,and myself and then even two of the mortal women offered to him by that Harkon insect, what were their name Valerica and Serena " Gavriella said uneasily
I believed that my sister's fears were not unfounded as I spoke," I fear that Lord Bal luck is just about to run out as well."
Within a few days the newly arrived night walkers were at our doorsteps. Two female vampires and a human girl. The new arrivals were played in our care. Eris received responsibility of the younger of the two Vampire named Lea, a fledgling with great ambition and great potential, however very foolish in terms of the knowing the limits of her own abilities. The other vampire, Morgan, was given to my sister this one was a bit wiser and had the survived in the mortal world for quite sometime, if we were not beyond ancient vampires at this point we may have been somewhat impressed, however her heart was wavering and she was very unsure of her actions, no doubt her survival up to this point was due in not small part to the actions of others. Then last and in all aspects the least the human girl as i started my analyze her...
She spoke,"Hello I'm Liliana, I'm glad to have the honor of fighting by your side."
Speaking before being spoken to. Its either she could not sense the incredible amount of energy given off by we three or she could and was simply able to withstand it. Either way this girl was interesting, somehow a mortal at no more than the age of 13 was able to enter Coldharbor, not only that but she was also able to earn the respect of a Daedric Prince. Enough so that he wanted to recruit her into his own private army.
I finally responded,"Save the flattery, and be sure to stick close, this place is full of hungry dremora just hoping a lowly human such as yourself will wonder into their domain."
The expression on her face changed from one of blind innocence into one of pure determination as she followed me. This girl she is different.
As the years passed Liliana and the other Candidate's power increased at a steady rate. Accompanying a Daughter of Coldharbor on assignment seems to have that effect. In the ten years that passed they were easily at the level of some of Tamerial greatest Warriors. And in that time, I soon became somewhat attached to this lowly human that heeded my every word and followed my steps.
"Master, today will be the day that I finally surpass you!" Liliana shouted rising her sword at the beginning of our training session as she so often did
I replied," Not even a vampire and yet you still try to take me on. Liliana you are an arrogant one"
Liliana interjected," Not arrogance, but confidence brought from many battles and disciplines taught to me by a powerful warrior."
Ten Years had passed and in that time Liliana had grown into a beautiful young woman. She had an all too familiar fire in her heart and a gleam of mortality in her eyes that I had all but forgotten before I met her. I tried to hide my smile as i drew my sword.
"Master?..." Liliana voice was shaking with a hint of excitement. Up til now I had never sparred with her with my blade drawn, she was always too slow, too hesitate. But now, her blade was still and her heart strong I knew without a doubt that a sword wielded like that could definitely cut me. As her eyes meet mine I nodded and she smiled. "So, does this means you finally see me as an equal."
"Ridiculous." I smirked,"There is no way I could consider a pathetic human as my equal." as I said those words I could see the confidence she once claimed slip from her eye, being replaced by doubt. I continued,"However, I may be willing to consider my future sister of Coldharbor as a real threat."
How strange. Being a master for a naive student my every word carries so much weight with her, it was surprising. Her being human only making the matter worst, with her innate sense of dependence on others. Although it was a trait i saw as a weakness, I was happy that Liliana exhibited it.
"Sister." that was all Liliana said before spiking her energy levels and preparing her attack. It appears my words have brought her back from the dead. She placed all of her energy into her blade like i taught her, as my sister taught me.
"Bolt of Akatosh. I see, you want to end this in a single strike." I said as I raised my own energy level as to not be pushed down by hers.
She smirked," Well master, i know that a lowly human such as myself wouldn't stand a chance in a prolonged battle, so i resolve to end this as quickly as possible." very clever, indeed i have thought her well. Now to see if she can truly put what I have taught her into play.
And just like that she was in a dead sprint towards me, I began to run towards my eager student. the surrounding land around us was trembling at our power. As we neared each other time seemed to slow I felt only the person and front of me, and nothing more.
In a split second it was over, her blade lay shattered into dozens of pieces on the floor. "Very good." I said as I stuck my blade into the ground to keep from falling over. Blood oozing from my side where I had been struck, I place my hand over the wound in an attempt to stop the blood loss . "You've improved far faster than I could have ever expected, I underestimated you and held too much back."
"Mast..." was all Liliana had time to say before Eris opened the doors into my chambers, Lea following closely behind.
I shouted,"Eris, what is the meaning of this?" still holding my side trying to stop the blood.
"My, Valaya. Your apprentice seem to have done quite the number on you." Eris spoke condescendingly as she so often did," Be that as it may, I'm here to inform you that the day of the ritual is upon. Our three hopefuls are to be put to the test tomorrow."
"What?" I said as my eyes grew large, "But she is not..." I fall to one knee,"Ready."
"The sorry state that you are in right now says otherwise besides, our's is not to decide such things, our's is to do as Lord Bal instructs and only that." Eris eyes express a sadness in them that I had not seen in them in quite some time, it appears I am not the only one to grow attached to my acolyte. " Tomorrow morning. Be there or you will be answering to me."
