Now it was Innis’s turn to smirk.

 

Innis: A vampire saving MY sister? Please spare me your lies. There’s no way she would even—

 

 

Innis saw Silas’s eyes and knew that the part about him being a vampire was true.

 

Silas: I always tried not to peer into her mind when I could, so why would it be so impossible for that to happen?

 

 

Innis snapped out of her trance and looked away.

 

Innis: Vampire’s Seduction? Classic, but useless against me. I’ve dealt with worse bloodsuckers than you, and they’ve done worse than knock me out.

 

 

Silas: Really? And where would you have to deal with someone as bad, no, worse than me? That little isolated little clan of yours?

 

 

Innis scoffed at him.

 

Innis: Mock me if you want, but unlike my dear sister, I’ve always been able to detect when your kind was using your little tricks. Ever since I was little.

 

 

Silas: Do you mind explaining?

 

Innis: Are you going to stop bothering me about it if I don’t?

 

Silas’s smirk made Innis roll her eyes.

 

Innis: Figures…

 

She looked into his eyes…

 

 

Innis: I remember things about my clan… Things my sister doesn’t because she’s been under their influence for way longer… And she wasn’t given my mother’s protection.

 

 

Silas: Hold on, I need you to rewind some things. What… what happened to you two in your clan?

 

 

Innis: *sigh*It wasn’t just us. I haven’t been able to look deep into it, but my Clan, or at least the ‘Elders’ of it are all comprised of vampires.

 

 

Innis: I realized it on the day my mother died… What am I, nineteen? Damn… so it’s been seventeen years...

 

Silas: But you’d have been two! How could you even remember that?

 

Innis gave a sad laugh.

 

Innis: Remember? More like it was etched into my memory. To understand why my mother died though means that I must tell you some of my Clan’s history.

 

 

Silas snapped his fingers, undid their shackles, and sat down on the ground.

 

Silas: That’s fine with me. I wouldn’t mind learning where Liri comes from anyway.

 

 

Innis: W-what what!? You could have freed us at any time?

 

Silas: I DID say that I was the Head of my Clan, and this IS my Clan’s manor. But for your sister’s sake it’s better if we take licks.

 

 

Silas: But enough about me.

 

He motioned towards Innis and, and she smiled.

 

Innis: Heh, right. Wait… do you like her?

 

Silas: *frowns* I’m married.

 

Innis: And? My sister’s pretty hot. I think—

 

 

Silas: That’s enough thinking from you!

 

Innis: Fiiiiiiine. Mister Grumpypants…

 

Silas: (So this is her true nature, not the woman out for her sister’s head but—)

 

 

Innis: Okay. In my Clan the women have more ‘power’. Other than the Elders their word is law, and that’s because women are the defenders, rather the Clan’s protectors. It’s essentially a matriarchy.

 

 

Silas: Why’s that? Are the men too weak or something?

 

Innis: *sigh* Just because you’re ‘immortal’ doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of women out there that’d wipe the floor with you. Men…

 

 

Silas: I didn’t mean—

 

 

Immediately Innis burst out laughing and Silas could feel his temper boil over.

 

Innis: Bwahahahaha! Y-you sure you’re not interested in my sister? You’d make a great pair.

 

 

Silas: *stands* How did you know that these walls were sound proof? Or did you want our captors to realize they ought to come back and give us another thrashing.

 

Innis: I didn’t think—

 

Silas: You didn’t. But it’s fine. Just continue.

 

Innis: *nods* The women are the Clan’s protectors because we’re the only ones that can utilize magic.

 

 

Innis: As I said before, it’s a matriarchy, so the men are at the bottom, then there’s the women. But above the women are three special groups. At the very top are the Elders, and below them…

 

 

Innis: Are the Matron and her Maidens.

 

Silas: ‘Matron and Maidens’… Was Liri—

 

Innis: *nods* Normally those are four individuals from four separate families, but this time things were different.

 

 

Innis: The Maidens are the three individuals most adept at our respective element in our clan. Astrya, one of my peers, was named Shock Maiden, Liri the Flame Maiden…

 

 

Silas: W-wait! What are you doing!?

 

Innis: *disrobes* …And, I the Frost Maiden. However, because of her talents, Liri was also to be the Clan’s Matron.

 

 

Silas: So what does this have to do with your mother’s protection?

 

Innis: The duty of the Matron and her Maidens is to protect the Clan, and to be ready to die for it if need be.

 

 

Innis: It is for that right that we have these seals on backs. They give us strength… And remind us not to be careless… To not shirk our duty. My mother… She was undoubtedly loyal to the Clan…

 

 

Innis: She believed that we could become prominent once again, but the Elders…

 

Silas: I take it they disagreed.

 

Innis: No… they did, but not in the way my mother would have hoped.

 

 

Innis: They gave her an option, accept their ‘gift’ and spread it to the rest of the Clan… Or never speak of such things ever again…

 

 

Silas: And their gift was vampirism?

 

Innis nodded and fell silent.

 

Silas: I can guess where this is going, but did… did your mother, in knowing the truth, turn against your Elders?

 

Innis: *nods* *sniff* It was for the sake of my—our Clan…

 

Without warning she fell to her knees, shocking the vampire.

 

Innis: And the people turned on her like she was an animal! A beast!

 

 

Silas embraced Innis, and could feel her haggard breath on his skin, but more than that, he could sense her eagerness to continue.

 

Innis: So she was branded a traitor and on the day of her death…

 

 

Innis: She completely released her seal and went against the Elders in a splendid fashion. But when the rest of the Clan guarded her from them, she looked at me and Liri, and as they attacked her…

 

 

Innis: She exploded in an abundance of magic, forcing herself everywhere. Liri turned from the blast to protect me, but I saw our mother. I saw what it meant to sacrifice yourself for someone else…

 

 

Innis: And in return, for not turning away from her as everyone else did, mother gave me her protection from the Elders… But it only lasted for so long, or perhaps it wasn’t as strong as she’d liked…

 

 

She pulled away from him, redressed, turned away and fell silent.

 

Silas: What do you mean? You said that Vampire’s Seduction didn’t work on you. What else could they—

 

 

Innis: You’re doing it now, although you don’t mean to. It’s why I don’t mind telling you all of this. It’s a technique similar you Vampire’s Seduction called Vampiric Suggestion.

 

 

Silas: Why don’t I know of this?

 

Innis: Why would you need to? All it does is calm your target like Vampire’s Seduction, but also clouds their minds and makes them more susceptible to suggestion.

 

 

Innis: If Liri truly trusts you or has any feelings towards you, it’s probably because you unknowingly have been doing this to her. It’s deceptive, but not your fault. I could also put in a good word—

 

 

Silas: Silence and get back into your bonds!

 

Innis nodded and immediately complied with his command, mainly for her own safety.

 

Silas: (She… Liri doesn’t think of me like that, child… She can’t…)

 

Serana: Liri…

 

Liri: (Jensgr or Silas… W-why am I even being forced to choose between those two? Heck, who even says that I like either of them?)

 

Serana: Liri…

 

 

Liri: (Jensgr was my superior, and Silas… Well, he’s sorta my superior as well, but he’s not! He’s just a fool trapped in his own circumstances and who happened to involve me in them.)

 

Serana: Liri…

 

 

Liri: (Heck, he fucking kidnapped me and basically forced me to participate in his plan for revenge… The fucker!)

 

Serana: LIRI!!!

 

Liri: WHAT!!

 

Serana: Mind your surroundings!

 

 

Liri: What do you—

 

The sound of a bolt being locked into its chamber reminded the mage of where she was and what it was she was supposed to be doing.

 

Liri: Right…

 

 

Liri cleared her throat and stepped towards the vampire hunters.

 

Liri: So what seems to be the problem gentlemen?

 

 

Dawnguard 1: I don’t know who you are woman, but… *points at Serana* That THING with you is an abomination and must be destroyed!

 

 

Dawnguard 2: Normally we’d just slaughter the both of you, but with the way things have been lately, we’re trying to salvage any persons we can to aid us in the war against—

 

 

Dawnguard 3: Stop all the chitchat and someone give the order to shoot the bloodsucker and its thrall!

 

 

Serana gripped Liri from behind in a panic prompting Liri to conjure up a spell in her hands, but she stayed composed.

 

Liri: You whelps MUST be new if you’re taking that tone with the Shadowswords’—

 

 

???: Don’t use that name like it means anything to you anymore. Don’t you dare!

 

Liri looked towards the woman that had spoken, and was so surprised at seeing familiar face that she quelled her flames.

 

Liri: Aelfna? Is that you? Gods, it’s been ages… How have you—

 

 

The dark skinned woman raised her crossbow and showed none of the familiarity that Liri had.

 

Aelfna: You left us… We needed you and YOU LEFT US! Now you come back with a bloodsucker of all things?

 

 

Aelfna: Give me one reason why I shouldn’t put a bolt between yours and your leech’s eyes right now! You damn traitor!

 

 

Liri shook Serana off and pressed herself against Aelfna’s weapon.

 

Liri: First off, you know that it’d be a useless venture. Secondly, I didn’t betray anyone. And heck, I’m back aren’t I?

 

 

Aelfna: Back? How am I supposed to even know that you’re in your right state of mind? That THING could be using you to get to us!

 

 

Aelfna aimed her crossbow at Serana and gasped when Liri jumped between them.

 

Aelfna: So you’re a vampire’s whore now… You ruined the Shadowswords, and Jensgr went missing over this? Over you?

 

 

Liri: Jensgr’s not with you!? What happened to him? Who’s in control of the Shadowswords!?

 

Aelfna: What’s it matter to a dead woman. MEN!

 

 

The Dawnguard gathered circled the two of them, but Liri didn’t take her eyes off of her former comrade.

 

Liri: Why would I come to Dayspring Canyon with a vampire unless I had a good reason?

 

 

Aelfna: I don’t know, and I don’t care.

 

Liri: If you give this order, all your men will die!

 

Aelfna: Not before you two. Now then, EVERYONE! ATTA—

 

 

Dawnguard: Belay that order! Hold your fire! I’ll not lose men because of a grudge!

 

Aelfna: But Celann! Can’t you see what she’s brought with her!? That THING’S a—

 

Celann: Stand down, Azure!

 

Celann: Besides, that ‘thing’ clearly has a name, don’t you?

 

Serana: *nods* I am Serana of Clan Volkihar.

 

 

Liri saw the disdain in the vampire hunters’ eyes, and knew something was up.

 

Liri: What in Oblivion has been going on for THAT to get you all worked up?

 

 

Celann: So you really don’t know… That’s why you’d brazenly come here with one of them…

 

 

Liri: Okay, look. All this ‘them’ and ‘they’ shit needs to stop before I seriously hurt one of you! Now…

 

She gathered a spell in each hand.

 

Liri: I’d like to speak to Isran if you don’t mind.

 

 

???: Luckily for you, I also wanted to speak to the infamous ‘Red Witch’ that suddenly vanished, and has now return with a bloodsucker at her side.

 

 

Liri turned around and was instantly greeted by a warhammer in her face.

 

Liri: How did you—

 

 

Isran: In my line of work, you either learn to adapt or you die. Now, tell me why you’re here leaving nothing out, or I’ll have my men follow Azure’s order.

 

 

Liri nodded at Serana, and the vampire explained everything. From how they met, to their dealings with Harkon, to their decision to come here, and even about her father’s prophecy.

 

 

When Serana stopped, Liri filled in the gaps about where she’d been, and what she’d been doing all this time, with Serana helping every now and then.

 

 

When the pair had finished they waited for the Dawnguard to say something… Anything. However, what they’d heard was either too shocking or too implausible for their ears.

 

Liri: (Well at least they don’t look like they’re going to kill us.)

 

Serana: (You just WANT to jinx us don’t you?)

 

Liri: (You shouldn’t believe in nonsense like that.)

 

Serana: (But—)

 

 

Isran: All right, I've heard what you both have to say. Now tell me, is there any reason I shouldn't kill you and this bloodsucking fiend right now?

 

 

Serana: But we told you the truth! You’re all in danger and we wish to help! Isn’t that enough—

 

 

Liri stuck out her hand to silence the vampire.

 

Liri: I know you Isran. You probably don’t believe this prophecy, trust doesn’t come easy to you, and you’ll never set your anger for her kind aside.

 

 

Isran: …Go on.

 

Liri: That said, I knew the risks involved with coming here, and I was the one who suggested it. You owe me Isran, for saving your men on many an occasion. So don’t screw me on this!

 

 

Isran: … Fine. It can stay for now, but if it so much as lays a finger on anyone here, I'll hold you responsible. Got it!

 

Liri: *nods* I wouldn’t expect any less from you.

 

 

Isran: You hear me? Don't feel like a guest, because you're not. You're a resource. You're an asset. In the meantime, don't make me regret my sudden outburst of tolerance and generosity…

 

 

Isran: Because if you do, your friend here is going to pay for it.

 

Serana: Thank you for your KINDNESS. I'll remember it the next time I'm feeling hungry.

 

 

The two glared at each other in silence with the tension rising in those around them, but their ocular battle ceased when Isran noticed one of his men.

 

Isran: Is there a problem, Celann?

 

 

Celann: N-no sir. But… Are you sure—

 

Isran: Hesitation and doubt are what these monsters prey on. Now come, I’m sure Azure and the ‘Red Witch’ have some catching up to do…

 

Taking that as their cue, all the Dawnguard that had gathered went back to their duties leaving Liri and Serana alone with solely Aelfna.

 

 

Serana looked back and forth between them, and motioned to leave when.

 

Serana: I know there’s a lot you two will want to catch up on, so—

 

Liri: No, you’ll hear what she has to say now, not later.

 

 

Aelfna: Does that monster really mean so much to you?

 

Liri: Her name is Serana…

 

 

Aelfna: You left us, caused Jensgr to chase after you, and we don’t even know if he’s alive or not! And what? For an abomination?

 

Liri: Her name is Serana…

 

 

Aelfna: Her kind have been attacking cities left and right since you’ve been gone! Falkreath, Whiterun, Riften… By the week more of us dies while these beasts prey on us!

 

Liri: Her name is Serana…

 

 

Aelfna: Are you even listening to me? How could you sit next to a creature like that after what I’ve said?

 

 

Liri walked right up to Aelfna and peered into her eyes.

 

Liri: If you’re mad at me, hit me, berate me, do whatever you want to ME. But to HER! To SERANA! You will NOT disrespect her, understand!

 

 

Aelfna: But Liri—

 

 

Liri gave her the same look she used to give everyone in the Shadowswords when she wanted distance, and instantly the Ice Queen was back and by Aelfna’s reaction she knew it as well.

 

 

Aelfna: I… I understand, ma’am…

 

Liri softened her gaze and smiled.

 

Liri: Good. Now if you don’t mind, you know what I’ve been up to, but what about you, Halfling?

 

With things going better between Liri and Aelfna, Serana walked off until she came to a pool of water. Finding the waterfalls to be a rather relaxing sight, she sat near the shore and calmed herself.

 

 

Serana: For a vampire to be protected by a group of vampire hunters… For them to even consider, never the less allowing me to stay with them… This is all surreal…

 

 

???: We’re not going to protect you from anything leech, but we also won’t kill you on sight. So be grateful and don’t give us shit or get in our way.

 

 

Serana: (Great… Another with Isran’s temperament…)

 

Serana turned to face her guest, but fell back when she saw the man was already upon her.

 

Serana: A-are you bastards ghosts!?

 

 

???: Heh, the little vamp is scared that she can’t sense our movements correctly? No, but we all have our ways around your little ‘advantages’. Don’t forget that, beast!

 

 

Serana: *smirk* You… You’re different from the others. *stands* You talk like them, act like them, but your scent… Something’s strange about it. It’s not like theirs… It’s more like—

 

 

???: Of course it smells like your kind. I just came back from Oblivion, with my life barely intact. You have your damnable sire to thank for that.

 

 

Serana: Fath—no… You meant Molag Bal. You don’t seem to be one for exaggeration…

 

???: ‘Serana of Clan Volkihar,’ would you happen to be related to the ‘Lord Harkon’ your people speak of?

 

 

Serana: He’s… my father…

 

???: …Normally this would be when I’d pull a dagger to your throat and suggest something like a ransom… *shrug* But from what I’ve heard, your father seems like a royal ass.

 

 

Serana stifled a laugh.

 

Serana: Ha! You don’t know half of it…

 

???: You should get going now. ‘The Witch’ should be looking for you by now.

 

Serana: I know this is strange to ask, but… Would you, um, what’s your—

 

???: Wanting to know the name of the person who’s going to be responsible for your death isn’t a strange request.

 

 

???: …But if you must know, my name is Platinum.

 

Serana: *scoffs* Well then Platinum, if we meet on the field of battle, know that I won’t 100% want to kill you.

 

 

Platinum: Heh, stupid vampire…

 

After the silver haired member of the Dawnguard left, Serana followed suit and soon found herself within what looked to be a legitimate base for vampire hunters.

 

 

She stood there in shock not knowing whether she should carry out Liri’s plan out to the end, but her fears dissipated when she saw the Nord in question motion her over.

 

 

Serana: How are things with that ‘Azure’ girl?

 

Liri: *smiles* We’ll be alright. Anyway, so after explaining things to everyone else, save for Isran they think we should look into this prophecy.

 

 

Serana: (To stop father…) Great, just one problem…

 

Liri: Which is?

 

Serana: Do any of you know how to read an Elder Scroll? …Though so. If only we knew where some Moth Priests were…

 

 

Durak: Moth Priests? Those Imperial scholars? I remember seeing one passing by on the road just a few days ago. That could be your Moth Priest.

 

 

Serana and Liri shared a look.

 

Serana: Great! Then me and Liri can go looking for him, and then—

 

Isran: Oh no, I’ll not have you coming and going from Fort Dawnguard as you please.

 

 

Isran: As much as I hate to send men on a fool’s errand, I simply don’t trust you two. Durak, send Sorine and Neruen to retrieve this priest. I assume neither of you have a problem with that.

 

 

Isran: As much as I hate your kind, I’d be a fool to allow you two to possibly join back up with her father and let him know of our location. So relax, and ‘enjoy’ Fort Dawnguard…