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Machinations of a Lich - Chapter 2 Bloodlust Skana turned on her back after a while as she slept through the day, not minding the hard ground she was resting on. Sleeping like a stone, she didn't notice the heavy footsteps coming closer. Her mind began slowly to stir when she heard a male voice speaking to her. "No, really. I know vampires can develop odd habits, but i have never seen one sleeping on the ground, what were you actually before you got reanimated?" Skana awoke, being mildly annoyed to have her first real time of rest in years interrupted. "I only remember I was a bandit chief at some fort somewhere in Skyrim, but those times are over and i don't really care." As Skana got up she noticed it was Skaal who was talking to her. "I have to admit, you surprise me. Considering what happened to you in the last three years, you seem to take this whole situation with ease." Skana expected herself to yawn, but her undead body had no such intention. "Should I sit in a corner and drown in sadness until the end of days? I don't think so. I got what others only dream of, albeit through a lot of suffering.." Skaal said nothing for a few moments on that and Skana used the moment to get up while asking him. "What's with the long face?" Skaal just stood a while there and stared into the wall before he continued to speak. "I had an apprentice once. Her name was Illia, i'm sure that rings a bell to you. If i hadn't taught her the dead thrall spell, this all would have never happened to you." Skana didn't really cared about any of that and joked around. "Oh come on, being raped by a daedric lord isn't that bad, although i would've propably enjoyed it if it was Azura or Nocturnal instead of Molag Bal." Skaal couldn't suppress a slight hint of a smile. "I think i understand what you're getting at. Anyway, good to see that you are unaffected by all this. Now follow me, i want to introduce someone to you and we got something for you." As Skana began to follow Skaal she remembered something she saw yesterday. "Say, why is Skaadi wearing a collar? She doesn't really appears like a person who would bow to anyone." Skaal kept walking while he elaborated on the topic. "The former ruler of the castle, Harkon, used it on her. Sort of a way trying to discipline her because she was rather disobedient from what i heard." "Unfortunately, I was at Saarthal at that time back then, discovering and studying the path towards becoming what i am now. I deeply regret that i never had the chance to annihilate that cretin personally. When Skaadi killed him, the enchantment on the collar entirely ceased to work ." He continued with a grim face. Skana was surprised. "Why isn't she taking it off then? I mean man or mer wearing a collar is usually a sign for slav-.." She paused abruptly as she noticed what she was about to say and let out a deep-drawn sigh. "That was awkward." Skaal explained."When i told my wife that it reminds me of a dangerous, leashed animal, she began to saw more my words in it than anything else, she took a liking to those workds and that's why she is still wearing it. And if i may give you some advice, try to forget your collar, eventually you won't even notice it anymore after a while." Skana played with the iron ring on her collar while she replied. "You have no idea Skaal. I feel it whenever i move, i can't just pretend it isn't there." Shortly before reaching the main hall of the castle, Skaal turned around and continued the topic. "Ronara propably told you already a bit about the oddities of being a vampire, you could also end up liking it." Skana still didn't really understand that part of being a vampire yet. "Considering i'm forced to wear it, does it matter if i like it or not? I only experienced bad stuff with it and while Skaadi propably won't break my neck, i'm not exactly looking forward to kiss her boots or whatever she'd have me do." Skaal advised her as they both went down the stairs into the great hall of the castle. "Skaadi looses interest if the subject is willing, perhaps knowing this helps you." Skana didn't liked that at all."Oh great... doing it willingly once or doing it a hundred times unwilling, i guess once is better." As they entered the hall, Skana saw Skaadi talking to another vampire. "just some remnants of the dawnguard, i don't get it myself why they try so hard to reestablish after we almost wiped them out decades ago, i guess they think it's fun to play vampire hunter." Skaal interrupted the conversion blandly. "Greetings Ylfa, what news to you bring from the holds?" Skana just stood there hoping Skaadi wouldn't do anything funny. The two vampire women turned to Skaal and Ylfa eyed Skana. "Greetings Skaal, just some unorganized dawnguard movement in Dawnstar. Considering we've almost destroyed them about 120 years ago i think we can ignore it aslong as they don't start to creep around the castle again. What's this? Does the clan enslave vampires now?" Skaadi answered Ylfas question. "Oh i forgot to mention our newest addition to the clan. This is Skana, she was a dead thrall before becoming a vampire, hence the bindings and all that. But that magic collar on her is nice, Skaal and I can force her to do anything we want, of course my husband would never do such a thing, but i certainly would, you know it's entertaining." Ylfa grinned amused."Skana Skaadi Skaal, that's quite the name trio we have here. But i do love new things, so why don't you show me that collar in action Skaadi?" Skaadi pondered for a second but asked Ylfa instead."Well, what do you suggest to have her do? I could have her kiss Orthjolfs ass, that would be hilarious and i really doubt he would mind it." Ylfa disagreed though."Nay, not Orthjolf, we can't do that to her, he's the only vampire i ever met who manages to smell like a barrel full of mead" Skana thought about what Skaal told her a few minutes ago and she certainly would like to avoid situations like this. She raised her arms as if signalizing to surrender. "Yes yes, make fun of the new pet. Whatever you want, should i lick the floor clean of blood or something? I'm thirsty anyway so let's just get this over with." Skaal apparently told the truth. Skaadi changed the topic. "Well, that would be certainly a less messy way to feed for you. You should've seen that Ylfa, she devoured half of a thrall and barfed it all on the floor afterwards." Another awkward moment for Skana, but better than licking the floor or worse, Orthjolfs ass, whoever Orthjolf is. "Oh come on, it was my first time and i wasn't in control of myself." Ylfa took word again although she changed to a more seductive tone."Perhaps someone should be in control of you, so you'd learn to feed properly. Should i show you how to do it? I can teach you many things." That was enough to make Skana more than just annoyed. She never liked seductive types and the topic isn't making it better. "Perhaps i should teach you what happened to the first person that was in control of me. I ripped her head off with bare hands and i wouldn't mind to do it again, if you catch my meaning." Ylfa was neither impressed nor intimidated by Skanas words."Oh she's a feisty one, i like her. I think i have a reason to stay at the castle now." Skaadi didn't really mind. "Be my guest Ylfa, you know where everything is. I think you two will get along just fine." Skaal who watched the introduction the whole time decided to take the word again. "Now then ladies, let's keep the pleasantries for later, i was actually taking Skana to the armory." Skaadi just threw in a "I expect a 'thank you' from you later Skana." Skana was still busy snarling at Ylfa and replied dry."Yeah sure. Whatever you say Skaadi." Ylfa just kept being amused by Skana. "I bet i can make you smile before the night ends." Skana turned to follow Skaal and just barked into her Scarf. "What an irritating woman." Skaal just laughed while he kept walking. "Ylfa isn't irritating Skana, having a discussion with Maera about council-rules, that's irritating. But i hope you'll never see that wretch again." Skana had no intention of trying to remember what exactly happened back in the Soul Cairn, as she followed Skaal to the armory, Ylfa was keeping her thoughts occupied. "What's with Ylfa? I just met her and it's like she's desperately trying to provocate me." Skaal noted cheerful. "That's just like her. Don't let it get to your head, she's just probing your personality. Talking of which, what do you think of her?" Skana didn't really know what to say so she just voiced the first thought that came to her mind."I find her attractive.. and irritating." The surprised look on Skaals face told Skana that wasn't the answer he had expected. "That's not really what i was asking for but i think i get what you meant with Azura instead of Molag Bal now." Skana was embarassed so she said nothing, but Skaal disarmed the situation, pointing at the weapon rack on the wall."My wife keeps her weapon very dear to herself, like any good warrior should do. I'm sure this blade is familiar to you." Skana couldn't believe her eyes at first. "But, that's my greatsword! That's my palefire greatsword!" Skaal elaborated on the weapon. "Palefire greatsword? I guess you could call it that way. When my wife forged it she named it Coldflame. You see, Skaadi is very fond of Akaviri swordmanship and according to history the Akaviri believed a warriors weapon is his soul, so they gave names to their weapons. It's obviously just metaphoric but a warrior has to find meaning in something just like a wizard does in his studies. Skaadi wasn't satisfied with that sword though, so she forged a daedric blade some years afterwards." Happy to see the blade again, Skana didn't thought of any fancy Akaviri names. She just wanted to have it again. "So when Illia went that day out of the cave, she came here to steal it i guess. Skaadi said i should thank her later, so she'll let me have the sword i take it?" A simple "That is correct." could be heard from Skaal. Skana happily fastened the sword on her back, noticing the familiar blue flames of the palefire enchantment."Who created the palefire enchantment actually?" With a proud tone to his voice Skaal replied. "That was me. Something to counter those pesky dawnguard cretins." As Skana wanted to say something, commotion could be heard from the main hall of the castle. Skaadi was angrily discussing something with someone, someone with a rather hoarse and raspy voice. Skaal rushed towards the room exit. "I don't like the sound of that voice." An odd clothed old Aldmer was standing in the hall, facing a very angry Skaadi with her weapon drawn. "The last Aldmer who annoyed me in these halls lost his limbs before i decapitated him, your chances to leave here intact are getting dangerously slim, Elf!" Skaal raised his voice."What's the meaning of this intrusion?" The old elf stayed calm and spoke with his raspy voice. "Lady Skaadi, with respect, all i want is to talk to your husband, i assure you after that i'll be gone, let's not make this a big deal. Skaadi was seething. "A big deal? You'll shove your bony ass out of my castle or i'll show you that you and my husband aren't the only ones who can transform into something nasty." The elf seemed to think for a moment, propably choosing his next words very carefully. "I have no intention to ignite a fight in your home, i came here with disturbing news, regarding recent dawnguard activity." Skana had no idea who the pompous elf infront of her was but Skaal knew him. "Uthrang spare us the formalities, what do you want and why do you intrude in my wifes castle?" Skaadi had her weapon sheathed again when she noticed Skaal being present. "Husband, you know i can't stomach this clown, i trust you will tell him to leave. Now excuse me, i need to find Nei before i loose my temper." Skaadi hastily left the hall after those words. "Ah cold and beautiful as always, your wife." As Uthrang laid eyes on Skana his interest seemed to be piqued. "And i see the slave is still accompanying you but what's this? Molag Bal turned her into a vampire eh? Yes that's just like him." Skana remembered the name Uthrang from that time back in Coldharbour, he was the other Lich, the one who spoke as if he was delusional. Calling her a slave made her rather angry. "I'm no ones slave you wannabe necromancer!" Skana noticed her temper gets increasingly shorter over time and she tried to suppress her anger. Skaal seemed to notice it."Calm yourself Skana, don't let those words agitate you." Skaal turned to Uthrang and spoke sternly."Skana is now a member of the Volkihar clan and you will treat her with the respect she deserves, are we clear on that?" Uthrang changed to his formal tone once more."Of course, apologies, i meant no disrespect. Now on to the current matter, i'm sure you'll be quite surprised to hear that i've seen the former Dawnguard leader Isran in dawnstar with a few of his troops." Skaal became slightly annoyed. "That's nonsense, Isran got killed decades ago. And last i remember the Dawnguard doesn't practices necromancy. We are well aware of some unorganized remnants that desperately try to reestablish their old order but Isran is nothing more than dust by now. You're wasting our and your time, i suggest you leave now before i show you the door." Ylfa took word on the matter. "No wait, this actually makes sense now that he says it, i remember seeing a bunch of dawnguard recieving orders from a bald redguard. When i think about it this could've been Isran, as unlikely it seems." Skaal turned to Ylfa in disbelief. "How in oblivion would that be possible? Even if we didn't killed him, He would be around 140 years old by now, no mortal man lives that long, especially not if he despises necromancy and vampirism like Isran did." Uthrang had a throw in again."Yes, like i said it's quite disturbing considering the facts about the Dawnguard." "Perhaps i should also note, he fights exactly like he did decades ago. I was curious and sent some minions in, he burned them to a crisp with his aura spell. Now that said, i will take my leave, i trust you will handle this accordingly since i have had no real business with the Dawnguard before." Uthrang vanished into a portal. Skaal turned to Skana and Ylfa. "I hate to admit this, but Uthrang is right, this needs to be investigated. I'd like you two to handle this, it's also a good possibility to get to know each other. And Ylfa, i'm sure Skana noticed it herself by now, her temper grows rather unstable, her body wants to catch up the three years without blood she had in the Soul Cairn, i trust you take care of her. In the meantime, i'll head into the Cairn, i'd like to know how Maera managed to get in there yesterday." Ylfa faced Skana with a smug grin."Well, you heard the Lord, Looks like i'll get to show you the ropes." Skana had trouble to handle her mood, Ylfas choice of words didn't made it easier for her either. "I'll show you the tip of my sword if you order me to do anything." Ylfa put on a playful face. "Only if you want me to order you, that's a difference and some people actually enjoy that." Skana didn't understand what Ylfa was getting at."Why i would i want to be a slave again? Care to tell me? You're so damn irritating." Skaal just shook his head. "You should learn to take a hint Skana. Anyway i trust you two can handle a mysteriously reanimated, or whatever happened to him, redguard crusader. Now off with you two." As Skana and Ylfa made for the exit of the castle, Skana thought about being in a town full of mortal men and mer and hoped for the best."So, my first time as vampire in a town, won't they recognize what we are when they see our eyes? I mean you all have glowing red yes, i think it's safe to assume my eyes look the same." Ylfa elaborated on that casually."Non-undead are not able to see it, for them our eyes are whatever they were before we became vampires. You only have to watch out for magelight, as it is able to reveal what we are." It was a wonderful night when they stepped ouf of the castle and went the ramp down to the water. Skana wanted to ask how they will get off the island but discarded the thought when she noticed the small boat ashore. Ylfa however had a question. "We take the boat there, ...say are you always barefoot?" Skana would've liked not to answer but moody as she was she couldn't stay silent. "You're doing that on purpose, right? Imagine to wear a pair of boots with those ankle cuffs." Ylfa just laughed as they both got into the boat and made their way across the water to Dawnstar. Skana preferred to say nothing on the boat trip, she just enjoyed the night. A few hours later at the shore of Dawnstar Skana took word. "So, where do we start?" Ylfa just chuckled. "At the inn, you silly. It's the best place to get the newest talk in the town." Skana eyed every person they passed by with an interested look. This town is full of prey, a giant feast for a vampire. As she stared at a guard a bit too long she heard Ylfa behind her. "Hey, control yourself, we're not here to trouble the townsfolk." Skana saw the sign of the inn and steered straight towards it. "Shut up Ylfa, i know what i'm doing." Ylfa just chuckled to herself again. "I like it when you're so feisty." Skana wanted to give a matching reply to that as they both entered the inn, but the smell of blood interrupted her. There was a man lying dead on the floor, covered in his own blood. The man must've died only minutes ago, the smell of blood had a quality to it that made Skana want to sink her fangs into the corpse. Before Ylfa could throw another funny line at her, Skana spoke first. "I know, I have to control myself." No funny or sarcastic line this time from Ylfa when she commended Skana. "You didn't jump on the corpse the second you saw it, you're doing good i think." The short moment of acknowledgment went to waste when the man on the bar counter spoke in a burly voice . "That man, deserved no better. An innkeeper turning to necromancy to bring his dead wife back to life is just disgusting.." The bald redguard continued his stern speech as he turned around on the chair. "And here i was thinking to have a drink before i finish off the rest of his family. But i have to wonder since when does vampire scum like you tour the inns of skyrim? This man knew what they are without even looking at them, Skana and Ylfa were alarmed and drew their weapons. Ylfa remarked. "This is definitely Isran, i do remember that way of talking, he was even spouting this nonsense while we were impaling him on the gate at Fort Dawnguard." Getting called 'vampire scum' was exactly what Skana expected to hear from a guy like this. "Good, glad that the formalities are skipped, so i can cleave your ugly bald head." Isran was hardly impressed at Skanas words and readied a spell. "Ha, i've killed dozens if not hundreds of your kind, you won't be the last i'll kill." Having formed his aura spell, Isran began to provocate the two vampires. "You won't be able to even touch me, now come let me bash your fangs back into your head with my hammer!" Skana could feel the aura even from the other side of the inn, it reminded her of her encounter with Auronus. Being remembered of that day where the spear pierced her throat made her hysterical. "No! Not this again, no!" Ylfa did not realize what was happening at first. "Skana? Hey what's wrong?" Skana went down on her knees and began to stammer. "Not the spear, please no! I don't want to die again!" She saw Auronus' iron visage in her mind. The spear rushing towards her throat, everything. Ylfa tried to help her. "Skana snap out of it, that's his aura spell, you can will it away, all vampires can do that, i can do it and you can do it too! Think of something wonderful, something you'd like to have, something that makes you happy. Just will it away!" Something snapped in Skanas mind, she heard Ylfas words, to think of something that makes her happy, something she wants... Something she craves. Skana looked up at the ceiling of the inn, and began to mutter to herself. "Something i want, something i want, something i want.." she began to laugh silently. When Skana got up from her knees she kept muttering to herself the same words. "Something that makes me happy... something i want.." There was worry in her voice when Ylfa asked. "Skana, are you alright?" Skana began to laugh while repeating the same words over and over again. "It makes me happy, it makes me feel good, it makes me happy..." After staying silent for a few seconds, she fixiated Isran with her eyes. "Yes, you have what makes me happy." Skana snapped completely, she roared with laughter and began to shout. "BLOOD MAKES ME HAPPY, GIVE ME YOURS! GIVE ME YOURS!" Ylfa noticed too late that Skana flew into a frenzy. "No Skana!" Skana didn't heard Ylfas words and charged straight at Isran roaring like an animal. Skana did not care for Israns paltry aura, she didn't care how it tried to burn her undead flesh, all she wants was Israns blood. Ylfa could barely keep up with Skanas speed "Damn girl, you'll kill yourself at this rate!" and Isran was completely overwhelmed for a second, avoiding a fatal attack only by an inch. Isran parried the second attack, but Skana swung her sword with such force that his hammer almost slipped from his hands when his arms were flung behind his back due to the momentum. Momentum he used to execute a counter attack. Skana was acting more out of instinct than anything when she readied herself to parry Israns attack. Ylfa tried to help Skana but the aura burned her instantly. "Ah damn, i guess you're better in shrugging spells off when you're really angry." Skana parried Israns attack and disarmed him in the same moment by bashing the hammer out of his hands. Isran couldn't keep up with Skanas fury but in his own sense of pride he provocated her again. "What? That's it?! Come on give me your best shot, scum!" Skana intended to oblige, so she kicked him away from the bar counter and raised her sword to cleave Israns head just like she said. Isran did only laugh and his voice changed slightly. "The next time, I will fight you serious." Skana didn't care what the redguard kneeling at her feet had to say, she just wanted to sink her sword into that mans skull. But before she could strike the final blow, a fiery blue explosion emanated from Isran, blowing Skana off her feet against a wooden beam in the inn. Skana was leaning against the wooden beam she hit when she got flung away by the explosion, disappointed she noticed that Isran was gone. Ylfa was kneeling next to her, trying to gather strength. "Shors bones, what was that? That guy might looked like Isran, but i didn't remember him doing explosive teleportations when we fought him decades ago." Skana just snarled at Ylfa, she was angry that Isran or whoever that was is gone. She wanted to cleave his head in half, drinking his blood, using the skull bone as a cup. But then she could hear a person whimpering somewhere in the inn. Skana immediately jumped on her feet and pointed into a room of the inn. "I hear someone...someone in agony, it's so delightful. I think it comes from that room." Ylfa could barely stand and complained. "Excuse me i'm still trying to come to terms that we almost got burned to a crisp by a mysterious copy of a long dead crusader." Skana didn't gave a damn about it, she was still lusting for blood, blood that might be right in range. "I have to find it, i want to feed!" Ylfa realized Skana isn't done yet with her bloodrage and just stared shocked at her going into the sideroom. "Snap out of it Skana, you have to control it and not let it control you." Skana refused to hear Ylfas words again and as she saw the person who was whimpering all the time, she was happy. She could finally feed, no one would be able to take the feast from her this time. As the whimpering woman noticed Skana entering the room, she began to beg her. "Please, help me! This man has killed my father! Just because he wanted to bring Ma back, there's nothing wrong in that isn't ?! Please i need your help!" Skana did not care for the womans pleas and she just grabbed her throat and lifted her up on her feet. "Do i look like i give a damn about a dead innkeeper?! Or a begging peasant like you?! Huh?! Do i?!" The woman was only able to gargle instead of answering. Ylfa apparently felt better already when she entered the room. "Skana that is enough." But Skana became annoyed by those words. "I told you not to order me around Ylfa! Now shut up while i enjoy this." Before Ylfa could react, Skana bent the womans head to the right and sunk her fangs into her neck. Skana savored every drop of blood she drained from her victim, the feast she had waited for so long finally found its way to her. Skana accidently enthralled her as she greedily drained the womans veins, the woman was in a trance like state, muttering something to herself. "I.. must be ...in sovngarde.... ah this feels so... wonderful." This didn't go fast enough for Skana, she wanted all of her blood, in an instant, now. "I want it all!" Skana shouted while she ripped the womans head off her neck. Skana marveled at the blood splattering everywhere. "Yes! More! Give me more!" As Skana turned around to Ylfa she snarled, showing her fangs. "I want more, there is more in this town, i want it all!" Ylfa tried to talk Skana out of it, but Skana was drunk on blood and she wanted more. "Skana i urge you to stop it, you'll get addicted and turn feral if you continue this!" Skana aimed for the room exit, she wanted to introduce herself to Dawnstar. "Shut up, you're irritating as usual!" Ylfa grabbed Skana from behind and stopped her, Skana was protesting. "Let me go, or i'll swear i kill you!" Ylfa just held Skana closer to herself."I could bite your neck, right here and now and steal all that that blood you just had. I'm also thirsty, but that doesn't mean i will actually do it. I was in the same state a century ago i know what i'm talking about Skana, if you want to survive, you have to restrain yourself or else you'll go insane at this rate." Skanas mind jumped into different directions, never finishing a thought, except one. Ylfa seemed to care for her. This was enough to bring Skanas mind back to reality and she relaxed in Ylfas grasp. "It's alright, i'm myself again...and thank you." Ylfa turned Skana around. "Let me have a look at your face." After a few embarassing seconds for Skana, she added."That beautiful face of yours suits you better than the bloodthirsty grimace you just had. How about i'll distract you a bit from that bloodthirst when we're back at the castle?" Skana was perplexed, she knew what Ylfa meant but the straightforwardness surprised her. She remembered what Ronara told her about getting the mind off of the thirst before she tentatively accepted Ylfas proposal. "I think it couldn't hurt to try." As Ylfa released her from her grasp, Skana tried to get the situation sorted in her mind. It was a bit embarrassing but for some reason she enjoyed the thought that Ylfa cared for her, but there were more urgent matters. "In any case, we should get back and tell Skaal about what happened here. I'm sure he might have an idea what this Isran imitation was." Skana said nothing on the way back to the boat, but Ylfa seemed to know what was going on in her mind. "Hey, no need to be so shy. Where's the feisty woman i met at the castle a few hours ago?" There was no need to be embarrassed or shy, after all Skana deems herself more barbaric than civilized."Oh well, get your ass into the boat and start to row, while i enjoy the night." Ylfa replied with glee. "That's much better." Skana couldn't help herself, in the end Ylfa was right, she made her smile before the night has ended.

< Chapter 1 As Illia awoke at the next day, the mind clouding effect of the dead thrall spell on Skana got re-newed, purely through her will. She chuckled while walking over to Skanas cage and commanded her minion out of the cage, only to fixiate her with chains hanging from the ceiling, in a rather uncomfortable position. "Not that you'd mind bending over like that with these muscles of yours, right? Now, let's continue where we stopped yesterday." Illia proceeded to stab Skana in her side, again with the dagger. Over and over again, this time without taking any notes. "..hurts..." Skana did only moan in agony, similar to a generic reanimated undead. Illia stopped after what felt like an eternity. " You bled like a stuck pig my dear, but apparently there's no more blood left in your body, astonishing that you're still functioning." Illia stabbed Skana one more time, without any different result, there was no blood left."It's time we should move on onto more..serious tests." Illia unchained Skana, but not before giving the command to follow her into the next room of her lair. Skana obeyed, her body seemingly unimpressed by the loss of blood. This time, Illia excelled herself in terms of sadism when she fixiated Skana onto a stretching rack. "I'm going to grant you your consciousness for this, even allow you to scream." Illia laughed and began to operate the rack with a single magical gesture, at the same time she granted Skana her consciousness, lifting the mind-clouding effect of the spell on her. "I really have to commend these Thalmor torturers for inventing a magical rack, simply magnificient." The rack began to work slowly and Skana just realized what happened. "Are you totally snapped you necromancer bitch? by the gods and they call us bandits crazy! Get me off this.. thing so i can rip your head off!" Illia just grabbed her notebook and a feather and made a crude gesture, making the rack work faster. "I wouldn't call you lot crazy, but stupid seems appropriate, you threaten me yet you are in no position to do so, i will enjoy breaking you." Illia just smiled as she saw Skana fighting the rack, to no avail. "Can't you just turn me into a stupid puppet again? Argh, gods, i can't take this!" Illias smile became a wolfish grin with these words."But where's the fun in that? Ah, but fret not, this is all for a purpose. I just have to see what your body or to be more precise in this case, your bones can withstand and also, if they regenerate at the same rate." Skanas eyes widened at those words."Wait.. you don't mean...?" Her sentence turned into a scream when she felt the bones of her arms and legs breaking. Illia just took another note in her book, unimpressed by Skanas screams until she stopped the rack. "See? Was that hard? Now i'll kill two birds with one stone, let's see how fast your bones regenerate if your body is still getting strained. But for that we don't need the rack, you'd be useless without limbs to me" That said, Illia opened the shackles and carried Skana back into her laboratory, after all, she can't move with broken bones. "You are.. a damn.. sick woman!" Illia decided not to listen to her rantings. Back into the laboratory, Illia fastened Skanas hands with the ceiling shackles again just to have her lifted up, hanging from the ceiling. Skana laughed with a sarcastic tone."Oh fantastic, is that the part where you get your whip?" Illia lifted an eyebrow and chained two heavy iron ball-weights onto Skanas legs and smiled."Quite tempting, but i think these two should be enough." Skana choked on her sarcastic tone as she felt the iron weights doing their work. Illia just nodded. "You'll tell me when you feel just fine, unless you like hanging around." Illia became impatient as Skana said nothing the next hour. "Alright.. this takes too long, i think i'll have to break them a lot more if i want to make you more durable." Skana just hung there saying nothing. "Yeah don't play dead on me i know the spell is still working, i can feel it, but i guess i should get you down there, don't do anything stupid!" Skana tried to stand up, but her limbs failed her, the bones being not completely regenerated, breaking again. "Urrgh..i ..can't.." She was finally feeling some kind of unnatural weakness. Illia sighed and dragged Skana back into her cage. Illia was writing again into her notebook after she locked the cage door, speaking to herself. "one hour.. not fully regenerated..needs more improvement.." Illia noticed Skana was sitting in the cage. "Oh sitting already? Figures, after all your spine wasn't broken, but we'll get to that later. And i think we should work on your tone, i don't plan on letting you be a puppet, you're of more use to me if you know what's happening around you, you should adress me properly, after all you're my property now." Skana just snorted. "Go to hell, bitch." Illia closed her notebook and chuckled. "I think you are mistaking the word 'Bitch' for 'Mistress' here. Think about it, i'll give you a day to recover, i can do even worse things to you afterwards, not to improve your durability or anything, just for my entertainment and you'll be begging me for something generic as a whip. Take your time, i'm going to run some errands. Oh and you're not allowed to leave the cage or to break it open in any way." Skana just dropped onto her shoulder at the ground of the cage. "Whatever.." all she wanted was to close her eyes and wait for the pain to go away. A deep guttural laughter could be heard in the room surrounding her, but she didn't cared. Skana could hear Illias voice calling out to her and opened her eyes. "Wait.. did i..sleep?" Illia just shook her head. "No, undead don't sleep, but apparently you can fall into the same state vampires do at day, funny however that you did while sitting and a whole day too. In any case, i got something for you." Skana eyed the crude looking greatsword in Illias hand. "Great, i was already asking myself what you're stabbing me with next." Illia Just rolled her yes and opened the cage. "Get out, i don't use something that crude.. it's for you, ebony crafted by a master smith, so it can withstand the force you're going to be swinging this. Don't get your hopes up, this is purely for you to defend me. Now there's a little special to it of course." Skana stared at the sword and put on a bored tone."Oh let me guess, it requires my blood? I need to decapitate myself with it?" Illia just gave her the sword, only to see the sword bursting into blue flames. "This is called a palefire enchantment. It weakens enemies and drains their life force, fortunately for you it only works when wielded by someone undead." Skana couldn't help herself but to admit that she liked that sword. "Neat." Illia looked expectantly at Skana. "Well did you work on your tone or are we going to have a long day again?" Skana didn't liked what she was doing, Illia didn't command her now, she has to do it out of free will. But that rack was enough for her, so she kneeled infront of Illia. "Thank you, mistress." Illia eyed her with a triumphant grin. "Good good, i see you finally learn where your place is. Now get your ass up, we're going to Windhelm, i have business to attent to on Solstheim." Skana was curious so she asked. "Solstheim? What would you want on that island?" Illia corrected her. "What would you want on that island, Mistress. Is that for you. I'm having a dunmer named Ralis Sedarys running an excavation for me there, i'll most likely need to convince the second councelor that i'm interested in any the local problems, like this ash spawn crap they had running there last time. And now shut up it's a long way to Windhelm." There was that laughter again, only Skana could hear it, but she didn't said a word. Later at candlehearth hall, Illia was just sitting in a corner, observing the room. Skana sitting next to her on the ground. "Is there a reason why i have to sit on the ground like a dog?...mistress?" Illia just spat in her mug. "You just said it, i'm your mistress, i might let you keep your consciousness but i won't give you completely free control over your body and now we will follow that man over there, i saw what i wanted to see here." Illia and Skana followed the man to the shipyard onto his ship. Illia greeted the man dry. "Gjalund, you know why i'm here." Gjalund didn't stop hammering at his ship post, obviously trying to fix something. "Illia was it?" Gjalunds two sailors noticed the commotion. "Who's that cap'n?" Gjalund stopped hammering for a second."Everything in order boys, this is for coin, we're setting sail soon." Illia just put on a smug grin. "I see captain you know that asking questions is bad for business. Oh and don't mind Skana, she'll just sit over there" One of the sailors eyed Skana. "Woah Cap'n that's quite the outfit she has there." Gjalund just shook his head. "Forget it boy, i don't think you're into that sort of thing." "But ...?" Gjalund cut through his question with one word. "Necrophilia?" The sailor quickly turned to his business and didn't say another word. Gjalund just shrugged. "Exactly boy, we're traveling with a necromancer, that's all we need to know, we get the coin and we don't ask questions, now let's get our nutshell to solstheim!" Upon arrival Illia had to justify herself, apparently not the first time, infront of Adril Arano, the second councilor of Ravenrock. Skana just stood there watching, she couldn't say anything productive anyway. "Adril don't be so stupid, i know how proud you dunmer are but i can help with this Ashspawn menace." Adrils attention turned towards Skana. "Say, who's this? I'm not foreign to necromancy Illia, but last time you were alone and this clearly isn't an imperial so telling me one of your ancestors watches over you just to trick yourself into our traditions won't work." Illia got increasingly annoyed by the questions Adril was asking, but this was Morrowind, she had to follow the rules here unless she wants to mess with the whole Redoran guard. "This is, or was, a lowly bandit i scraped up somewhere in Skyrim. None of your business, she's my property, even by your laws, see her as a slave if you want." Skana wanted to say something but noticed Illia wasn't allowing her to talk at the moment. Adril stopped being so nosy all of a sudden, looks like he lost interested in his own game. "Very well, i assume you're not here to cause trouble. If you really want to help with this Ashspawn business, talk to captain Veleth. You'll find him at the Retching Netch at this time." Illia just sighed. "About time Adril, you take your position here too serious. Come Skana." Adril just snorted and greeted Gjalund. On their way to the Retching Netch, Illia and Skana met the captain of the redoran guard. "Captain Veleth, at your service." Skana noticed how Illia lifted an eyebrow and behaved a bit off, apparently she liked this Dunmer. "Oh my, such a handsome looking guard Captain you are, i heard you are headed to the Retching Netch?" Veleth was a bit puzzled at first but regained his posture shortly. "That i am m'lady, would you like to join me?" Skana was disgusted by the thought of Illia having a partner in any common way, she had pity with this Dunmer, but noticed that she still wasn't allowed to speak so she just watched in silence. But Veleth didn't seem to care for Skana at all, apparently also not foreign to necromancy, as dunmer are. Illia just made a pretty face. "Oh i'd love to, however i must speak to you about this Ashspawn problem you have here." Skana was actually rather glad that she was sitting in the corner, so she could focus on something else than a chirping necromancer and her guard captain. There was also that laughter again she kept hearing from time to time, but something was off, she felt as if someone was watching her. Illias words interrupted her thoughts. "Get up, we're going to rest the night here.". Illia eyed Skana expectantly again once they entered the room. "Well?" Skana rolled her eyes. "Well what?" Illia became slightly angry. "Well what, mistress, for you!" Skana kneeled down, obediently. "Mistress." Illia adorned herself with that triumphant and smug grin again."Good, you stay like this until i wake up, you'll kill anyone who's entering this room, the only person allowed to do so is Captain Veleth, oh and be silent slave." "Did that bitch call me slave?!" With these words Illia went to bed. At that moment, Skana could hear the laughter again in the room. "Yeah i'm sure that's funny, whoever you are" Against Skanas expectations the laughter turned into a voice. "A human enslaved as never before, conscious but undead. Unwillingly captured in servitude. This amuses me indeed." Skanas thoughts began to go haywire, she didn't expect to get an answer. "What the...? Who the hell are you and why can only i hear you and even more important why can you read my thoughts?!" The voice laughed again, in a calculating cold way. "I am the creator of the spell that turned you into this magnificient being. I am your true master." Skana laughed in her thoughts. "Great, what is it this time? an arch-necromancer? somebody from Illias funny little cult?." The voices amused tone changed into something so cold that even Skana could feel it in her dead body. "I am your true master, Skana. And i command you, kill Illia, she served her purpose. Offer me her soul!" When the voice said her name Skana could hear it a thousandfold in her head as if she was standing inside a giant bell and someone rang it, it was compelling, a force so strong, she had to obey no matter the cost and she wanted to. As she regained control over her body, granted by the force unknown which spoke to her, all she was thinking about were those hours Illia tortured her. With two quick steps Skana stood next to Illia and lifted her out of the bed. Illia instantly awoke and gasped for air as Skanas grip fastened around her throat. "Urghng, how is this possible, i command you! you dead piece of meat, let me down!" Skana stared into Illias eyes, a look that would even freeze the red mountain to the ground."There are things in this world, things you don't know of, things you don't understand, you opened the door to darkness and now i'm going to slam it shut, with your neck in between!" Skana eyed her victim like one does with an interesting insect. "Cast your petty spells, try to enslave me! I will crush your throat before you do. I told you i'll rip your head off with my bare hands. I was a bandit once but i always kept my promises, but where's the fun in that when it goes so fast, right?" Skana pounded Illia onto the bed, over and over again, until she was heavily bleeding from the impact on the wooden frame. Illia tried to crawl away, but only managed to fall off the bed on the other side. "Please...., stop! You will... kill me....at this.... rate!" Skana went around the bed and kneeled over Illia. "Take a guess why i am doing this, beg a bit more you necromancer cunt, beg before i choke the life out of you!" Skanas hand closed like the jaw of a werewolf around Illias throat. Illia just did that, she tried to do something with her right hand, but her strength waned instantly and her arm just dropped to the ground. "Thank the... gods, i'm about... to ......pass out.." She wimmered with a weak voice. Illia passed indeed out just after saying that. Skana didn't liked that. "I'm not done with you yet! You tortured me for hours if not days! Let me return the pleasure!" Then there was that voice again, shouting at Skana. "KILL HER! I DEMAND HER SOUL NOW!" Skana hesitated at first, killing Illia now would make her revenge rather short, too short for her taste, but then she remarked how this unknown entity didn't force her to kill Illia with those words. Skana smiled to herself and thought; "Finally someone who knows how this works." Skana lifted Illia up again and ripped her head off of her shoulders with her bare hands, effortlessly. The look at the face of Illias now detached head, showed Skana that she must've felt it. This pleased her. Skana dropped Illias head and body without further interest and left the room. "Now i want to know who you are." She asked the unknown entity. The voice laughed at her again before replying. "You shall learn of that soon enough, when you've earned your place in my little game. For now, you'll serve me and you will find that my leash for you is much longer than the one that necromancer had." "Do i have a choice?" Skana asked. "Several." The voice replied. Chapter 3 >

- Just a small warning, This is what is says in the title... a horror story. Not one of those passive aggressive ones where it is all about the build up... No, this is what I imagine the ultimate fate of a captive in Blackreach would be. You have been warned. - Disclaimer (thanks to thebookdesigner.com ): This is a work of (pure adult) fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.