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Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Mar 26 2013, 08:44 PM

http://chorrol.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5125 is here, and is currently being spiced and touched up, bit by bit.

For those who don't want to read the first book, or need a refresher on what has previously happened, I have included a brief summary of the first book, which will be written later, when I'm not freaking out about how to write a summary.

I really am terrible with summaries. To prove my point, here's my summary of Toy Story:

"After sitting here with my fingers frozen above the keyboard, all I can say about Toy Story is that it made me terrified of having toys as a kid, and gave me nightmares. The only thing I took away from that movie is that you shouldn't judge others by appearance. Except the bad kids. They wear skulls so you can identify them easily."

-shakes head in shame-

Anyways, I've got a prologue written up. The summary should be up, hopefully, within the next few days or so. Or when my computer's plate isn't so full, lol.

Enjoy!

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Mar 26 2013, 08:46 PM

In the event of a life-changing tragedy, we have one of two choices. We adapt, or we fall. We can ignore the changes for a bit, pretending that what has happened never happened, but that only causes us further pain in the long run. The wise see the change and adapt quickly, allowing themselves the benefit of very little pain. The foolish fight it with everything they have, and end up hurting themselves and others.

At least, that's the way I think of it.

It was clear that there was no cure for me, despite what Erik said. And it was clear that the more I starved myself, the more feral I became. So I adapted, and tried, to the shame of my sister, were she to know I was alive, to become the most humane vampire there was. Never killing if I could help it, and never turning anyone. No. My next, and last, kill would be preserved for Asta.

Asta. Where could I begin with this monster? Turning children against their will and declaring herself a sort of general with the army she was amassing. She never would tell me what her plans were for this army, she only grew its numbers. The girls she had with her had looked upon her with a child-like admiration.

Because they were children, and didn't know better. They ate the blood she gave them, killed whom she told them to kill, and followed her every word. They were thralls, even though they were vampires. They didn't even know it.

The only one who was any different was Emelia.

She defaulted from Asta's army, coming back for me. She gave me the blood of a criminal, easing the guilt of killing another. She saw no purpose, no reason, for an army of vampiric girls. She confessed that Asta most likely was going mad.

Asta's plans were failing, though, in spite of my weakness. Reports of a red-maned hunter they called The Slayer, a blonde barbarian they called The Lioness, and a fierce warrioress they called The Unbroken, were tearing through Asta's ranks. I knew who they were. It would only be a matter of time before they found Asta's hideout. Part of me wishes they would find it soon. She was getting desparate, turning children at an alarming rate to replace the ones that were killed. The other part of me hoped that when they found her, I would have already killed her.

Her frenzied attempts at replacing her army had forced her to start stalking the cities to find children, earning her the attentions of the trio doubly. Emelia swore to teach me how to be a gentler vampire, and to help me with Asta. I had an advantage, finally. Both Erik and Asta thoght I was dead, and wouldn't be looking for me.

But I was looking for Asta. And when I found her, she would pay.

Posted by: Colonel Mustard Mar 26 2013, 08:53 PM

YEEEEEE!!!

*Jumps up and down in excitement, waving hands*

That is all.

Edit: Actually, wait, that's not quite all. Does Kayla still have Dawnbreaker, or has Meridia been all like "You're a vampire now, so YOUR SWORD BE MIINE!!"?

Posted by: King Of Beasts Mar 26 2013, 08:56 PM

-In arena announcer voice- This should be interesting!

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Mar 26 2013, 08:57 PM

It's gone. Kayla has no weapons right now. Asta most likely had it thrown off of a cliff or tossed into the water.

Besides, if a vampire wields Dawnbreaker, it injured them XD

Posted by: King Of Beasts Mar 26 2013, 08:58 PM

I learned that the hard way in-game

Posted by: Colonel Mustard Mar 26 2013, 08:59 PM

Oh, OK. So Meridia was all like "YOUR SWORD BE MIINE!!" then. Cool.

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Mar 26 2013, 09:03 PM

Pretty much XD

Posted by: King Of Beasts Mar 26 2013, 09:22 PM

Thanks Meridia. That's very helpful

Posted by: jack cloudy Mar 26 2013, 10:05 PM

As far as prologue's go, it is nice and short. Sure, it doesn't remind one of all the drama but it doesn't have to. All we need to know is that Kayla is an unwilling vampire and is going after Asta who is a creepy child.


And Erik! Whoo, go Erik the vampire slayer! May your hair always be shampood and shiny.

Posted by: Grits Mar 27 2013, 03:24 PM

Love the news of the vampire-slaying trio.

I’m surprised folks aren’t also talking about an Imperial known as “The Lioness’s Tail,” formerly Aerin of Riften.

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Mar 27 2013, 03:25 PM

-snort!!!-

Posted by: Acadian Mar 27 2013, 07:05 PM

Congrats on starting Kayla's second book, 'Kayla the Asta Hunter'. Or perhaps, 'Nobody Likes a Smart Asta'.

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Mar 27 2013, 07:09 PM

Oh my god!!! -rolls around laughing-

Posted by: mALX Mar 28 2013, 03:52 PM

WOO HOO !!! This promises to be as exciting as the first !!!!! WOOOOOOOT !!!!!!

ROFL !!! Oh Acadian, I missed this one! ROFL !!!

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Mar 30 2013, 04:02 PM

Chapter one

One of the first things Emelia taught me to do was to harmlessly feed from someone. She brought me to a small encampment of two bandits and, while I stayed back, she calmed them, making one sit on the ground while she stood next to the other.

The small Imperial girl amazed me with her magickal skills. When I told her this, she gave me a small smile and a similarly small half-shrug.

"You'll learn them too," she said. "I'll teach you. You'll need them."

She turned to the bandit next to her, a male orc four times her size with a mohawk and fur armor. He carried a large axe and a vacant expression. Emelia gestured for me to come near him. I did, and through the sweat, dirt, and body odor, I smelled an almost overwhelming scent of testosterone.

Emelia giggled as I gagged. "You don't like super manly men? Odd. I thought, since you grew up here, you would be all over the type."

I shook my head, fanning the air from my face. "No. I like men who are smart, with magickal skills. I don't care for men who get into drinking contests or fistfights." A whiff of something...pleasant...hit my nose. I turned my head to my left, where the other bandit was sitting.

"That thmell... wait, why am I-?" I reach up and feel my fangs.

"Good godth, they're enormouth! Why are they tho big??"

Emelia was giggling insanely, one hand on her knee and the other on her mouth. It was a cute, tinkling laughter that made me want to laugh too.

"Emelia, ith not funny. Thtop it." Emelia laughed harder.

"Thtop laughing!" I held back my own laughter.

"Thith is theriouth! I thound like an idthiot!"

Emelia was on the ground, nearly rolling in laughter. The calming spell started to wear off, and the orc sluggishly reached for his axe. Emelie cleared her throat and put a calming hand on the orc's ankle. The axe slid back into place. The other bandit sat completely still where he was.

Emelia stood up and pulled a few leaves out of her hair. "When was the last time you fed?" She combed her blonde hair with her fingers. "When I gave you the rapist, right?"

I cringed. "I'd apprethiate if you dithen't thay it like that."

"We have to fix that. No one will take you seriously if you keep talkiing like that." She motioned me closer to the orc. I began to walk to her, but a sound caught my ear. A heartbeat. My head swiveled to the other bandit. A Breton man, mid twenties, with dark brown hair. I sniffed the air. He was scared. That delighted me for a moment.

"Emelia-"

"I know. Focus."

I suddenly felt guilty. The man was scared out of his mind, pretending to be under a spell. To survive. He probably made a few bad choices in life, and got pushed into being a bandit. He probably had a sister at home, or a mother. A dad or little brother, worried about him-

Emelia put her small hand on my arm.

"Kayla," she said gently. "Stop staring at the Breton and focus on the orc." I turned my attention to the orc. Emelia took my hand and put it on the orc's neck. The fur armor left his neck exposed, and I could feel the pulse beneath it. Suddenly I wasn't so concerned about how the orc smelled.

"Feel that? That's a main flow of blood. There are lots of places to get blood, but this one is the most popular."

"Mhhmm." I barely heard her.

"Down here in the crook of the elbow is another good place, but if you want to be-"

I'm so thirsty...

"-careful about how you feed, don't go for any big veins, or you'll lose control and-"

I want to drink it all.

"-they'll end up with confetti bursting from their heads and grow tails like Argonians."

I snapped back. "Wait, what?!"

Emelia smiled her small smile. "I didn't think you were listening."

"I...wasn't."

"I know."

I rubbed the back of my neck, ashamed. "How am I supposed to get the hang of this?"

"Practice." Emelia took my hands into her own and looked up at me. Her red eyes glistened slightly. "You've been hungry. You've been ravenous with thirst. Now that you know what it feels like, you can have a better handle on your instincts. Curb the ones that would make you do less human things. Like feeding indiscriminently."

I winced, knowing she meant Erik. Her cool hands gave mine a gentle squeeze before letting go.

"There's no shame in what happened."

"Are you serious? There's a lot of shame in what I've done. I should have stayed asleep, or something. I couldn't find a dagger, or otherwise I would be dead."

"I know."

I put my face in my hands. "I can't do this," I said. "I can't-"

I powerful blow knocked me off my feet. I saw stars right around the time that I saw the red-tinge of rage around the edges of my vision. As I sailed through the air, I saw the orc grab Emelia by the throat and attempt to crush her throat. Her legs kicked uselessly in the air, and for one moment, I saw myself back in the barn with the raven-haired vampire.

I rolled over as soon as I hit the ground, wiping the blood from my lip. A swift kick to my back sent my head spiraliing. I let out a cry of rage and pain and grabbed the assailing Breton's ankle, pulling him down with me. He let out a yelp as he fell, his arms waving wildly in the air while Emelia's body went limp.

"Emelia, NO!" I screeched as the orc dropped her. Her small body fell awkwardly with a thud as he came over to help his buddy, his large axe gleaming wickedly in the moonlight. He grinned a tusked grin and held the axe above his head

Posted by: King Of Beasts Mar 30 2013, 05:52 PM

NOOO!

Something tells me this won't go well for the Orc though....


Great chapter

Posted by: Acadian Mar 30 2013, 10:19 PM

How funny that fangs would make you thound funny when you thry to talk! I wonder how orcs manage it with their tusks?

Like KoB, I loved the bit about confetti heads and Argonian tails!

Oh my. Too much girl talk and not enough paying attention to dinner. Eeep! Tusks or not, Kayla needs to punth him in the moufe!

Posted by: mALX Mar 31 2013, 01:43 AM

The part where Kayla was trying to talk with fangs had me in hysterics! I especially loved that she couldn't keep her eyes and thoughts off the Breton, and that she could sense his emotions - Awesome Write!

Posted by: McBadgere Mar 31 2013, 09:56 AM

First, sorry it took so long to get here...

Second, congrats on the new bookness of things...*Applauds*...

Third...Blimey, the Emelia thing didn't last long!... ...

Though, maybe the vampire regenerating thing will come in handy...Should have taken the Breton out earlier though... ...

Thought the whole fang thing was funny... ...

"I thall athitht you in cathe there ith a thudden crithith!!"

Looking forward to the muchness of moredom...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Mar 31 2013, 02:00 PM

Guys... You're a day "late," calm down XD

Posted by: King Coin Mar 31 2013, 04:05 PM

� to become the most humane vampire there was. Never killing if I could help it, and never turning anyone.
I wonder how many other vampires there are like this. I wonder how many tried and failed.

"Good godth, they're enormouth! Why are they tho big??"


That Breton has some nerve to just sit there. Aaand here I thought Emelia was paying attention. Oops.

Posted by: Grits Apr 1 2013, 12:40 AM

The whole part with the Breton was great. She likes men who are smart enough to pretend to be under Emelia�s spell, and here�s this guy that she might have liked but now really wants but doesn�t want to want that way. And meanwhile he and the orc commence to beat the snot out of them. Love it!

Posted by: treydog Apr 1 2013, 12:46 AM

Still working toward being caught up- but then- I will be caught up- which will mean you have to write more.

Chapter 9- Wow. Just that. Wow. Which follows on, of course, from the goggle-eyed gasping that I did over the fight in the vampire lair.

That- was... yes.

I know I am late to the party and probably circumstances will change things- but I really want to stake Onmund out on an anthill- after smearing him with honey. �Mead, is it? I will give you MEAD!�

And hooray for Lydia!

The whole chapter is simply remarkable. You have this way of writing with an immediacy and a realism (which- yes, I know it is a fantasy setting but that�s the POINT) that hold the reader enthralled. (Checks Liz photo for signs of mind-control magic� hmmmm).

Chapter 10.1- Again, Kayla�s emotional healing, as well as her determination to move forward ring true. Heart-breakingly so.



As for example- THAT.

Hmm- paralyze poison. It WOULD make staking Onmund to that anthill easier�

Chapter 10.2- The talking at cross-purposes between husband and wife was� pitch perfect. And again- the REALITY of an unequal relationship. I am willing to see his point to an extent. But ONLY to an extent. But it rather reminds me of what Mrs. Treydog said a LONG time ago. �If you see someone you think you want more- go ahead. But you had better tell me first. And you had better be SURE- because we will be DONE.� And 25 years on- here we are.


Chapter 11- As to �moar fighting- ARRRGH�� a phrase we throw around a lot here is �character-driven story.� And you have got that concept down to a science. The �action� will come in its place- and I know it will be quite as good as the character-building.

Trey sure does recognize the conflict behind that journal entry. Of course- he was a lot whinier about it�

Clever elf to dodge that �special brew.� Skyrim Safety Tip (Number 2 of a Series)- DO NOT take �special� drinks from strange beings you meet in- taverns, inns, caves, barrows, lonely cottages on deserted moors, &c (see addendum for complete list).



Yes. Most definitely a Nord.

The scene of the--- debauch- and Kayla�s reaction to it- where simply marvelous. You had me laughing, while I was also intensely feeling her discomfort.

Posted by: jack cloudy Apr 1 2013, 07:48 PM

Some lovely humour here and that Breton sure thought quick. It also goes to show that having an actual child as your mentor, one who is probably pretty new to the whole vampiring herself, isn't the best option.


And just after the fun and things were starting to look up, badness strikes again. If there is a Daedric prince of bad luck and misery, Kayla must be an unwilling but helpless follower.

Posted by: treydog Apr 1 2013, 09:46 PM

[quote]"There's something you should know first. My real name isn't Kayla. It's Nisse."[/quote]

Hmmm. Wonder if this is going to be the truth- or another cover story. Guess I shall have to RAFO, as I tell Mrs. Treydog.

Oh- yes. �Read And Find Out�.

The memory is quite wonderfully drawn- the younger Nisse�s view of her world and its people is brilliant. And another vote for finding Old Bear slightly creepy.

[quote]"He's always been like that. He's always hated anything not human."

I sat up. "I'm not human? Am I a monster, Ma?"[/quote]

Um. Yes- well, she may be a wonderful mother in most ways, but I guess �tact� got left out.

Eeva�s theft is probably not going to have a happy result.

[quote]"He's here!" She whispered frantically. "He wants me to follow him! Nisse, I'm so scared!"[/quote]

Oh dear.

[quote]I got hurt! That means the game stops!" I called out. She peeked over the roof.

"It's a scratch. Doesn't count!"

I grunted at her furiously. "I have splinters!"[/quote]

It�s only counts if it�s bleeding�. Yeah- I remember THAT �rule.�

[quote]Run, I told my body. RUN. But nothing happened.

That was the last thing I remembered.[/quote]

Sooo glad I am reading this in the bright light of day. That�s all I am saying. Not a scaredy-rat- nope- not me. I LIKE to sleep with lots of lights on. I�ve ALWAYS done that.

[quote]"You got very lucky, little one," I heard a familiar voice. "I don't know how you got away from whatever animal attacked that girl with just a small bite, but you got lucky."[/quote]

Oh crap.

[quote]"Madam, you have two other children who need you. Let us take care of the worst one right now." [/quote]

Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Oh crap.

[quote]"How many children are sick?" Talon asked.

"All of them."[/quote]

Many bad words. Family forum- so use your imagination.

[quote]I feel like my writing is declining in substance and worth, sooo... I don't know. I'll keep on trying to improve.[/quote]

Don�t MAKE me stop this car� Oh, wait. Wrong metaphor.

[quote]I loaded up my fire and let out a war-squeak and hurled the fire as hard as I could.[/quote]

And yes- you can manage humor even in the midst of this. And thank you for that.

[quote]I ran into the forest, out of town, weeping. Weeping for my parents, my sisters, even my uncle. Weeping for the children who only wanted to grow up and become adventurers, wives, fathers, farmers, merchants.

But mostly, I wept for myself and how alone I was.[/quote]

Excellent and sad and wrenching.

[quote]"Asta, NO!" I shrieked. Asta giggled as I ran to Onmund, trying to stave off the blood flow from his neck. Onmund gurgled, his eyes already glassy. His body convulsed in my arms. Asta fled.

"HELP! " I screamed. "SOMEBODY HELP!"

Onmund was gone long before the guards came.[/quote]

I� will be� over HERE. In this corner. With my stuffed toy. He will protect me. And a flashlight. Yep. Need one of those too.

[quote]Lydia still looked confused. "WHY are we heading to Rorikstead?"

"I need advice on how to kill my 9 year old sister."

Lydia's eyes looked like they were pop out of her head.

"Well, kill her AGAIN, I mean." I added. Lydia's face paled.[/quote]

OK fine. So I couldn�t stay away. So sue me.

Posted by: Darkness Eternal Apr 1 2013, 11:49 PM

The adventures of Kayla the vampire slayer continue!

Prologue:

Kayla's commentary here was excellent. Well-written and indeed sounding much like her. I imagine her Nordic accent here. The idea of a vampiric army made of young girls is . . .heh . . .insane! I can't imagine hundreds of Babette's stalking the wilderness with sob stories made to lure prey!

The search for Asta shall begin and hopefully Kayla will have the revenge she seeks!

Chapter 1:

Kayla doesn't like manly men? No meat-heads for her, then. Nice humor here. Never would have imagined fangs made vampires sound like that. So she sounds like an Altmeri girl with a Nordic lisp?

I liked how Kayla felt here about killing the bandit. Even though he was a criminal and that might have placed him on the rather easy list of "best type of prey vampires should kill," he nevertheless might have as family and of course, became a robber do to misfortune in his life.

And she should've allowed her vampiric thirst to lead her to prey. The Orsimer proved to be the enemy as always. Remember Kayla, sooner or later the thirst always wins!

Posted by: Colonel Mustard Apr 2 2013, 04:00 PM

The entire exchange involving the lisping fangs and how to feed cracked me up no end; this is probably the first scene I've ever seen/read that raises this problem, and I've decided that it must from now on be mandatory for all media involving freshly-turned vampires.

DE, I know you like vampires, so you keep that in mind!

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Apr 2 2013, 04:15 PM

Really? No one has ever pieced together that there's two giant pieces of bone inyour mouth and it will make you talk funny? Hmmm lol

Posted by: Colonel Mustard Apr 2 2013, 04:26 PM

I think most authors were more focussed on how much brooding their vampire protagonists needed to do instead.

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Apr 2 2013, 06:02 PM

I'm so glad everyone enjoyed the fangs thing! I was laughing so hard writing it, and my husband was like "What?" and I would go "THITH ITH THOOOOO FUNNY!"

The look he gave me, lmfao!

Treydog, you need to catch up! Hurry! HURRY!!! XD

And welcome, DE! Maybe this book will be more to your liking? XD

And to those who think they're late when they read-Shush. For real. You're fine. Look at treydog and DE. Reading when an entire book is done. One or two or ten chapters behind won't kill me. Calm down XD

Erik's sword sliced through the neck in nearly one swing. The vampire gurgled, her hair stuck and matted on her face with her own blood, covering her mouth and nose. She fell with a hard thud. Uthgerd patted his back.

"Good job. That's another nest." The tall Nord female wiped away the sweat from her forehead with a steel-plated hand. Her eyes traveled around the dark cavern, lit up only by torches on the walls, and one roaring fire in the center. They hadn't found Asta's nest this time, but Uthgerd felt like they were close. Where others saw sheer madness, she saw desperation. She glanced at Mjoll, the other blonde Nord wiping her blade, Grimsever, clean.

"Mjoll, first watch tonight?"

"Sure." Mjoll wiped her brow with her also steel-plated hand. The two Nordic women were similar in the regards that they were both female and wore the same type of armor. Where Mjoll was blonde, Uthgerd had a tinge of red to her locks, giving her the look of a strawberry-blonde. Uthgerd's green eyes were hard and unforgiving, whilst Mjoll's blue eyes shone with compassion. Uthgerd turned her nose up at the vampires while Mjoll shook her head in sadness.

"These were children," she said to herself. She glanced at Erik. The red-maned barbarian was wiping his sword clean silently, his blue eyes focused on the silver blade.

"You say that every nest, Mjoll," Uthgerd said. She looked down at Mjoll over her nose. "When are you going to grow a thick skin?"

"The day she gets used to putting a sword into the heart of a child is the day she leaves this group," Erik snapped. The sharp ice of Erik's glare peirced the hardened green of Uthgerd's nearly unwavering gaze. She huffed and began cleaning her axe. Mjoll sheathed her sword and put a hand on Erik's shoulder.

"Thank you."

"No need." Erik ignored Mjoll's hand on his shoulder, continuing to wipe his blade clean. "I'll take first watch. You get some sleep."

"You know I can't sleep after a raid."

"Then we watch together."

The unhappy trio pulled the bodies out one by one and burned them, allowing them the luxery of a nearly stenchless cave. Nearly. Mjoll and Erik sat near the entrance of the cave, Erik watching one side while she watched the other.

Mjoll was startled when Erik spoke. "How's Aerin?" He asked politely. Not wanting the night to be completely silent, she thought to herself.

She responded nonchalantly, "He's fine. Worried sick about me. He acts as if I can't defend myself. He has seen me bash a thief's head into a rail and kick him into the canal, and he still asks me if I'm alright." Mjoll chuckles.

Erik was silent for a moment. "Don't write him off."

"What?"

"Don't write the guy off." He turned towards her, but wasn't quite looking at her. He searched her face, but looked disappointed in what he saw. His normally icy blue eyes misted for a moment. He blinked. Gone. He turned away again.

"When a man cares like that for you, you should give him a chance. Maybe you'll be surprised."

"He's not my type."

"And what is your type, Mjoll? You've never told me in the year that we've traveled together. A strong warrior, maybe? Or a mage with enough power to crumble cities? Certainly not a common man." He added under his breath, "Not a common farmer."

Mjoll's eyebrow knitted together. "Are we still talking about Aerin?"

"Nevermind."

Mjoll let out an exasperated breath. She turned her eyes to the starlit sky. She took in a deep breath of crisp, cool air and allowed her mind to wander.

Erik kept his eyes trained on the terrain below. The stench from the cave was burning in his nostrils still. He wiped his nose on the back of his hand and groaned in frustration when he realized he still had vampire gore on the back of his hand. He choked back a coughing fit and pulled on the shirt under his armor and wiped his face with it.

He looked back at Mjoll, but she didn't appear to have heard him. He turned back to the swampy terrain. He remembered a story Kayla had told him when she first came to Rorikstead and stayed at his father's inn. He had scoffed at her when she offered to train him, but she said "That is fine. I wouldn't want someone who killed the Dark Brotherhood to train me either."

Erik had done a double-take and stared at her grinning face. Many soldiers who had came through had told stories of the elf who had came to Dragon Bridge with a bag full of heads claiming they were the last remaining members of the Dark Brotherhood. A smile crept up on his face at the memory.

Erik had dismissed her and waved her off as mad. Later that night, three men attacked their inn, knocking his father out and taunting Erik. The closest thing Erik had to a sword at the time was the dagger his father kept under the counter for those who didn't need to be told twice. These men wanted bloodshed.

Kayla had lured one man into her bedroom and knocked him out, while the other two she had taken out with a firebolt to the face. Kayla had pulled Erik up and he realized that even though he was tall, she was still taller than him by half a head. He suddenly saw all of the scars on her, with her armor not covering them. She had mirth in her eyes and teased him about wanting to be an adventurer, but couldn't even take care of some low-life bandits.

Their training had started the next day. Kayla was not a "practice paddling on the safety of land" type. She was a "throw you in the water and see if you could figure it out," but not with cruelty. She critiqued his form and threw pointers while they fought wolves, and at the end of the week, she offered to pay for his armor. She said he had great potential, and could see him being a wonderful partner for another adventurer. Erik's heart had leapt with joy.

While her own armor was being repaired, she stayed at the Frostfruit Inn, laughing with his father over a glass of wine. She seemed more amiable and loose at this time, and Erik's father saw the look he gave her and stood up, slapping his hand on the table.

"I need to go clean a few dishes. I'll be back later."

Kayla had waved to Mralki and trained her eyes in Erik. That ever-shining look of mirth in her eyes was intensified by the alcohol. She gave him a half smile and pointed at him to take a seat. He did, and she rested her chin on her hands and gave him an odd look.

"What?" he had asked.

"Nothing," she said, smiling. "You're doing so well with training, and I think that you'll be ready by the time I leave."

"By the time YOU leave? I'm not coming with you?"

She shook her head, the smile gone. "I work alone, Erik. I always have. But," She reached under the table and put her hand on his leg. "There's no reason why we can't leave on good terms."

Erik glanced at the table, the color in his face rising. He saw she had only had three glasses of wine and figured it would not be enough to alter her thinking. He pulled her up and lead her to his room, the only room with a door. He had heard couples make love plenty of times in their stay at the inn, in the wee hours of the morning when no one else was awake, and he thought he recognized the sounds well enough to figure she was satisfied. She was quiet and demure during, blushing and making delighted gasps. Erik supposed that for his first time, he had done a good job.

Kayla had fallen asleep soon after they were finished, and Erik fell asleep as well. When he had awoken a few hours later, Kayla was awake, her clothes back on but her hair still disheveled. She gave him another odd look before shaking her head and leaving his room. She left the next morning without a word.

At that time, Erik was confused. He had learned later on that Nord woman can handle their alcohol much better than Elven women, and Kayla was not just tipsy, she was one sip away from being smashed. Erik had chastised himself for letting his lower head do his thinking for him. His course of action would have been much different had he known.

He snapped out of his memory when the scrape and clank of Uthger's armor could be heard, getting up, like always, early for her shift. He looked behind him and Mjoll was already heading down the cave entrance, her blue eyes blinking sleepily. Erik nodded to Uthgerd and she took Mjoll's spot, her green eyes never leaving the terrain. Erik sighed and walked down the cave entrance, hoping to get some sleep.

Posted by: treydog Apr 2 2013, 07:30 PM

Yeah yeah. You just like that funny "sproiingggg- oing- oing glinkle inkle" sound the Quot-a-Matic ™ makes when it overheats and spunges the widget.

But- I am also reading- just need to do the standard maintenance on the machine...

Machine all oiled and shiny. So..





Sad and true and terrible.




Funny- I have had people fake death or serious illness to get me to stop telling a story�

Simply love the effortless way you work Ma�Dat�s Khajiiti gestures into the descriptions.

I rolled my eyes. "Erik is still green, and needs some practice with his sword."



There are passages that just sing- like that one.



Sometimes, those we think still need "seasoning" hold the knowledge and experience we most need.



Um- yes. And that is perhaps the thing I resent most about being �grown up.�



Felt almost like a Buffy the Vampire Slayer moment there.

And thank the Nine for Ma�Dat!

Posted by: King Of Beasts Apr 2 2013, 10:29 PM

So Erik, Mjoll, and Uthgred have been vampire hunting, eh? Lets hope they don't kill the wrong vampire....

Posted by: mALX Apr 3 2013, 09:22 AM

First off, WOOOOOOOOOT !!! Mjoll and Aerin! I love those two! There are like 200 vids on Youtube of men who married Mjoll and had Aerin show up on the doorstep a few days later, and then suddenly Mjoll was sleeping in Aerin's bed instead of her husband's, ROFL !!!!! Love those kind of things in game!

Uthgerd was the first female to make an impression on me in Skyrim, I almost quit playing, ROFL !!! She makes Lydia seem sweet and pleasant. If you can befriend her she is pretty nice, but her AI is so glitched you never know what she is going to do next, ROFL !!!

You picked some Awesome characters here, and of course I gotta love Erik - we talked about him when we first started communicating over at the FF site.

GAAAAAAH!!! So Kayla had Erik's first, huh? Well, he def remembers it! That was an interesting little tidbit, I wonder what significance it will have in the rest of the story? Awesome Write!

Posted by: Acadian Apr 3 2013, 01:34 PM

A neat glimpse at the vampire hunting trio!

Also, an interesting view of Kayla from Erik�s perspective. Poor Kayla, smashed on three glasses of wine. But how was Erik to know? Especially after this:

�Kayla had lured one man into her bedroom and knocked him out�

We can see now, why Erik pines a bit for Kayla. I hope their next meeting goes better.

Posted by: McBadgere Apr 6 2013, 09:40 AM

Not a great shock when I say that that was amazing... ...

The three characters work brilliantly together...I love Mjoll, she's so sweet...

I also loved that line with Erik and the...Oh wait, I'll find it... ...

That was just epically brilliant...Sent the shivers up the spine...Erik is now my hero!! ...

And then the quiet watch...*Applauds*...

Loving this story... ...

Nice one!!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Posted by: Darkness Eternal Apr 6 2013, 02:22 PM

Hehe. Not all of them. I added some humor in my story. Such as when Raven began tossing rotten severed body parts at her older brother from within a coffin just to bug him. Overly brooding characters are boring, I agree.

Now, Elizabeth, I loved the update!

You have some skill writing battle scenes. Keep it up and you can write an amazing yarn! Mjoll! Quite a fiery woman that one! Love her and her axe!

Vampire hunters, eh? And fearsome, but funny ones, at that. I do recall Kayla having a weakness to wine . . .


But then he would take an arrow to the . . .nevermind.

The trio is deadly. Loved this chapter! I admit I'm liking Kayla more than before. I want to see how she copes with this situation!

Posted by: treydog Apr 6 2013, 07:24 PM

And we are finished with book one. Will need to have a lie-down after that, but first must fire up the Quot-a-Matic ™

Poor Erik and the Bucket of Doom.

And I really like the fact that this �dance� with Asta is not a simple one-way pursuit. The thing Kayla needs to remember when hunting a predator- THEY also stalk the hunter!

The Khajiit is not the only one who acts as if Kayla is �new to this.� Guts and stubbornness will get you a long way- generally into a hole just too deep to climb out of- if not tempered with wisdom.

And I do not like Riften. Maybe it mostly has to do with the fact that the only character I took into the Ratway had no light source�.

Withholding expressing an opinion on the journals- mainly so I won�t remove all doubt as whether I am an idiot.



What do you expect from an Altmer raised by Nords and then a group of vampire-hunters? Geez.



Because I am NOT charming, I automatically distrust it on sight. Still- that was funny.



Oh dear�



Ah�.

And another stealthy attack- aimed at�.?



And yes- here is one of those �Darn! I wish I had written that� moments.



Bloodsucking undead predator or not, you have to admit Niruin has style.



Style yes- but that does not mean you TRUST him. Dammit woman�. (Meaning Kayla- I don't know you well enough to speak to you thus, Ms Elizabeth)



Uh-oh



And sending a team to get rid of Ma�Dat� and poor Erik. Urf.

And watching Nisse/Kayla struggle against what her sister has made her. Wow. Powerful writing indeed.

As to the next meeting with Erik, well I would have to quote the enter thing to highlight the �good parts.�

Here I suppose I should come up with some grand summation. However- I will only note (superfluously, because this request has already been answered):

S.G.M.

Posted by: Grits Apr 7 2013, 05:09 PM

And she kept her sense of humor throughout. How very Kayla!

I like the way you�ve filled in Uthgerd�s and Mjoll�s characters. You�ve made them very different despite their similarities. And you showed how Erik has grown with one paragraph. Well done!

This may be my favorite part yet. I just love the way you portrayed these three hunters.

Posted by: King Coin Apr 8 2013, 02:57 PM

Quite the team of vampire hunters. Despite that, Erik's thoughts are on Kayla. That was a fun memory and now we know where the green sword comment comes from!

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Apr 9 2013, 06:29 AM

I'm so sorry for not updating on Thursday. No, Saturday. See?!

treydog, you picked up every. single. little. line. That caused me to pause and go, "This has to be worded THIS way." Every line that I put a little piece of myself in.

All of them. I thank you for your attentiveness.

Now everyone, wait til you hear the story of Kayla luring the man to her room from HER perspective XD

Erik has grown quite a bit since we last saw him. He (thinks he) killed the woman he's pined after for so long, and has to kill children on a regular basis.

Mjoll and Uthgerd just wrote themselves, lmfao! Especially Uthgerd. God, she's a tough cookie.

Here's the next chapter!

Before the orc's axe could fall, Emelia leapt onto his back and, with her hands on his shoulders, she planted her feet on his spine and yanked him backwards, breaking his back. His eyes rolled to the back of his head as his axe dropped. Emelia leapt out of the way of his falling body in a fuid motion. I pulled the assailing Breton to me, fangs extended.

Emelia waited patiently as I fed on the Breton. I pinned his arms to the earth, reveling in the struggle. He screamed and cursed and writhed beneath me until he was too weak. When I pulled back and licked my lips, I saw his face. His eyes were half shut, and his mouth partially open. Somehow during the struggle I had raked my claws against his cheek.

I began to shake, and Emelia put her hand on my shoulder. "There have been a lot of reports of travelers being beaten and left to die along this road. You probably saved more by killing him."

I didn't look at her to see if what she had said was true. I nodded and stood up, looking at the orc.

"What are we going to do with him?" I asked. He was still alive, but paralyzed. Emelia brushed a few leaves out of her hair.

"I can still show you what to do, if you want. But I'm kinda hungry now." Emelia eyed the Orc. "I don't care how they smell, really. I'm just hungry."

I shrugged. "Fine. We can do this later."

Most of Emelia's attempts ended up like this. On the one occasion I didn't drain the poor woman's life from her veins, the bandit Chief burst in. Emelia calmed them both as we made our escape, with me frothing at the mouth.

I could tell she was getting irritated at me. Any time I lost control, her tiny fists clenched and her eyebrows scrunched over her blue eyes.

"It's been nearly a year, Kayla. I'm ten, and I have more control than you!"

I winced. "I'm...sorry. I have an appetite. I always have," I lowered my head in shame. Emelia shook her head.

"Kayla, you need to get a hold on your appetite, or you will eat all of Skyrim." Emelia said, calming down. She glanced around and saw a cave near the fort. "This will have to do for now. We'll stay here until nightfall."

We slid into the cave entrance and were greeted by wolves. Emelia and I killed them, except for the pups. They jumped and barked at Emelia, who was a pile of giggles on the dirty cave floor.

"Wow, you'd think they never saw us slaughter their mother." I said, scratching my head.

"Wolves like vampires. Can I keep them?" she asked, her eyes shining brightly.

"Uh... that's not... I mean..."

"I had dogs back in Chorrol, and I know how to take care of them!"

"Uh..."

Her blue eyes pleaded with me, and I shrugged. "I don't know!"

"They're defenseless!" she pleaded as the sharp baby teeth tore at her fingers. When the pup drew blood, it snorted and shook its head. It cocked its head and sat down, pawing at Emelia's arm. The other sat at my feet and looked up at me with large brown eyes, its head cocked to the left.

"What do baby wolves even eat?" I asked.

"Meat," Emelia said. "I can feed them. They'll eat skeever, which is easy to find." She gave me another "please?" look, making her eyes wider and blinking innocently.

"Ugh, fine, I don't care. What we would do with wolves, I don't know. I don't even like dogs." I lied. Emelia squealed in delight and hugged the wolf pup she had. The other one laid down at my feet.

"Go away." I said. It sighed, and I decided to check and see if it was a boy or girl. When I knelt down, it rolled over and exposed its belly. I saw it was a girl. I hid a smile.

"You're kind of cute," I said. She wagged her tail, her tongue lolling out. I rubbed her belly and scrached it gently. Her leg kicked, and I smiled.

"This is ridiculous. How am I supposed to protect you?" I asked her. Her tail thumped lightly against the cold cave floor. Her fur had a reddish hue to it against the grey. I looked around and saw that there was a mixture of red and grey wolves, but none of the white wolves that resides near Winterhold. That was fine. I sighed.

"This is ridiculous," I mumbled as Emelia and I made camp for the night. We dragged the bodies of the wolves to one side of the cave. Emelia's pup pawed at what I guessed was its mother, but when she didn't respond, he yipped at her. He whined and went back to Emelia. The pup following me around never left my side, indifferent to the moving of the bodies.

Periodically through the day, Emelia's pup would paw at her face while the one attached to me would lie placidly at my feet. Hers wanted to play while mine would just stay near me. She eventually inched her way near my head and licked my ear.

"Disgusting!" I said, wiping my ear. She blinked at me, and I smiled. "Stop it. Stop being so cute." She panted her puppy breath into my face.

"Gehh. Fine. Lay by me, I don't care." She nuzzled her way into my arms and sighed in contentment. She was warm, and eventually I curled myself around her. Emelia sighed.

"I'm going to name him Sai," she said.

"What for?"

"It's a story my mother used to tell me. Sai is the god of luck."

"I see."

"He married a Nord woman and had children with her. It was his influence that drove the Falmer from Skyrim. But he was being too nice to the Nords, and had to stop giving them so much luck. Mara said he could only visit his wife once a year, and took the form of a wolf."

I blinked. "I see." The pup in my arms was fast sleep. Emelia continued.

"Maybe he'll bring us some luck."

At the expense of himself? I thought. I didn't want to say anything to Emelia to upset her, so I kept quiet.

"What are you going to name yours?" She asked me.

I looked at the pup and decided hastily. "Miriam."

"Why Miriam?"

I sighed. "Frost Mirriam is an alchemical ingredient designed to keep you warm. I used to chew it when I was younger. It made me extremely sleepy as well. I don't chew it anymore because it also drains my magick. When you combine it with slaughterfish scales, it works even better. But if you-"

Emelia's eyes had glazed over. "Nevermind," I said. "I like the name. And she keeps me warm like the herb used to." Satisfied with this answer, Emelia turned over and went to sleep. I closed my eyes.

Posted by: King Of Beasts Apr 9 2013, 06:40 AM

I knew it wouldn't go well for the bandits. Never underestimate the undead.

Emelia's reaction was pretty funny. I could just imagine her thinking

"Blah, blah, blah, what a bore!"

Posted by: Colonel Mustard Apr 9 2013, 07:20 PM

The bit with the wolves kind of sweet, and I liked the way it emphasised the childlike side of Emelia there; she hasn't been around long, but she's already developed a lot of depth.

D'awww, who's a cute pair of predators? Yes you are! Oh yes you are!

Posted by: mALX Apr 10 2013, 07:58 AM

I am loving the patience of little Emelia! Even if she does scrunch her tiny fists up, she keeps trying.

Loved this line:

BWAAHAA! ROFL !!! LOVED this chapter, these two are perfect together!

Posted by: Darkness Eternal Apr 10 2013, 06:13 PM

What a violent little thing, Emelia. Breaking people's backs. And she's ten! I am anxious to see how Kayla will control her bloodlust, or Skyrim will be bled dry.

Puppies!! Training them to be little killers! Good chapter!

Posted by: Acadian Apr 10 2013, 07:40 PM

You�re doing a great job with these two (now four if you count their pups). Emelia is terrifyingly adorable. And so the two continue to whine and dine their way across Skyrim!

Posted by: Grits Apr 10 2013, 07:57 PM

Puppies!!

And Emelia has already mastered puppy dog eyes.

Posted by: McBadgere Apr 11 2013, 08:18 AM

Awwww...Wolfie Puppies™!!!...Sooo cute...

I did love the stop being so cute thing... ...And the story behind the names were a brilliant touch...

And I'm very pleased that Emelia got away well enough to off the orc...

Brilliant stuff...

Loving it..

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Posted by: Darkness Eternal Apr 12 2013, 11:16 PM

That she has!

Posted by: Burnt Sierra Apr 14 2013, 10:47 AM

What I am really enjoying about this (and book one) is how you play with the reader's expectations. Vampires - they've been turned, their world upside down having been through this immense trauma - and yet they are the ones who are finding humour in the situation (the fangs, oh my God, the fangs - it should be illegal to make me splutter aloud like that!) and the, dare I say, human connections - both with the wolf pups (cute, cute, cute!) and with each other. Compared to our vampire hunters. Disconnected. Unable to say what they really mean, unwilling to admit to themselves what's in their hearts. You never take the obvious approach here, and the story always seems fresh because of it. And it doesn't hurt that it's great fun!

Lovin' it, lovin' it! Please continue

Posted by: jack cloudy Apr 14 2013, 09:08 PM

Daawww, puppies! *Acchooo!* Darn allergies.


The trio of vampire-busting was both touching and funny. I especially like Erik's opinion that killing children (even vampire Asta-gangers), should never become routine. He who hunts monsters and all that. Of course, Uthgherd turns out to be more macho than most men (which given this is Skyrim, is quite impressive).


And Emelia lives! Granted, I'm still not sure if she's for real or just trying to gently make Kayla slide down the slope. I'm guessing the faked the whole dying bit. Hey, if Kayla can do it after getting seriously stabbed, then Emelia can do it after a strangling.


And I didn't really notice the contrast until Burnt Sierra mentioned it. Yeah, the vampire slayers are rather distant to each other and at odds. Meanwhile, Kayla and Emelia are trying to do some surrogate family-bonding. Of course, the ability to do puppy-dog eyes helps.

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Apr 17 2013, 06:15 AM

Sorry for the late update, y'all...it's been a very hectic week. Weeks. Thank you for the comments!!!!




--------------------





Night fell. Erik sat by the banks of a small pond near the inn. It was uncharacterisitcally warm for this time of the year. A wolf howled in the distance, but not near enough to give Erik pause. Lightening bugs and Lunar moths danced just above the glimmer of the pond's reflection, teasing the fish below.

A rustle caused Erik to turn. It was only her dress, that sheer white fabric she always wore. It billowed gently in the warm breeze as the moons' reflection on the pond illuminated her smile. Her hair was longer, almost to her waist. That's how Erik knew this was a dream. Her hair had never been past her shoulders, except on the night he killed her.

He picked up an auburn tress and felt it between his fingers when she sat next to him. She gave him a gentle smile. She tilted her head in such a way that the moonlight illuminated half of her face, shadowing the other in an almost sinister fashion. Erik tilted her face towards him with his fingertips.

"We don't have much time," she said. Erik leaned in and gave her a kiss. She pulled back with a smile.

"I don't need a lot of time." He said. She gave him one of her trademark half-grins.

"I wouldn't boast that."

"Even in my dreams, you can't help but to be snarky."

She smiled, her brown eyes searching his face. Her expression fell. "It's almost time," she said. A long lock of aubrun hair slid over her shoulder as she leaned over and pushed him to the ground gently. The sound of night bugs chirping their song grew louder. The moths danced an intricate and rehearsed dance with the lightening bugs over the water.

He began to panic. "No, listen to me! This doesn't have to happen every night!" He gripped her arms and tried to get up. She was like stone, keeping him pinned down.

"Remember when you were training me, and-" the whir of the mothwings and cry of the night bugs drowned him out. The howl of the wolf in the distance was painful as it pierced his skull. Kayla leaned in, her lips slightly parted. Her fangs peeked from behind full lips. HIs breathing quickened until he was gasping for air.

"No! No!"

She stopped next to his ear, and all at once, the sounds stopped. Except for one.

"I'm...still...alive..." she whispered.

Erik screamed as she tore into him, his blood splashing onto her white dress.

-------------

When Erik's eyes flew open, Uthgerd had her axe in her hands, ready to jump up, while Mjoll was reaching towards him, a worried look on her face.

"You're getting more violent," She said. Erik sighed.

"I'm fine, it's just the same dream as always."

"The one with the vampire wench you slayed?" Uthgerd asked. Both Erik and Mjoll shot her a sharp look.

"What? You DID kill her."

"Tact, Uthgerd. You lack it." Mjoll shot.

"At least I can sleep at night without waking up and simpering like a milk maid." Uthgerd shot back.

"He does NOT simper!"

"You're right, he bawls like an infant."

"UTHGERD!" Erik bellowed. The name schoed in the cave loudly. "Mjoll, stay down." Mjoll stayed kneeling, her hand leaving the hilt of her blade.

"We'll be going to Whiterun to check in with the jarl in the morning. As for whether you want to stay with us, that's your choice." He gave her a level look. "Wouldn't want to force you to stay in the company of a simpering, bawling infant."

------------


Uthgerd went straight to her house as soon as they got inside the gates with barely a word to Mjoll or Erik. She clanked her way down the street and the sound of her slamming her door could be heard from the lowest district. Straight ahead from the gate they entered, down the cobbled road, was The Bannered Mare, where Ma'Dat had hired Uthgerd. Though the old cat was not here with them, Erik had received directions from him.

To his immediate right was one of the blacksmiths, Adrienne. She ran a shop with a family friend. Next to her house was Kayla's old house. To his left, The Drunken Huntsmen and a guard post. The sun was beginning to set, and Erik motioned Mjoll forward. She followed him through the districts, up to the high staircases over flowing water to Dragonsreach.

Jarl Balgruuf dismissed his children when Erik and Mjoll approached the throne. His face had the look of a man with worries well beyond what normal men had to deal with. Erik didn't doubt that the man would have been as carefree as any young Nord had he not bee shackled with the responsibilities that come with power. A balding Imperial man dressed in the finery of the Skyrim noble court stood next to the throne. A dunmer woman with red hair in heavy steel-plated armor had her hand placed on the arm of the throne, her head lowered to the jarl's sitting height, as if she had been speaking to the jarl in a quiet voice.

"Jarl Balgruuf," Erik said, bowing his head. The Dunmer woman in heavy armor eyed Erik and Mjoll.

"Halt," she said in a deep, authoratative voice. The two stopped before they hit the steps to the throne. "What business do you have in Whiterun?"

"We are the vampire hunters, Mjoll the Lioness and Erik the Slayer, coming to offer our services and take care of any unwanted vampiric activity." Erik said in his most respectful voice.

The jarl regarded him for a moment, his brow furrowed. He waved the dunmer women aside. "Stand down, Irileth."

She nodded and kept her narrowed red eyes on them as she backed up the steps. Mjoll wondered how long it had taken her to learn to not trip over them.

The Imperial beside the throne, who had been silent, spoke up. "Vampire hunters? Surely you jest. There are no vampires in Whiterun."

"Not in Whiterun," Erik said. "As far as we know. Have there been any murders?"

A shadow darkened the jarl's face. "Every city, even mine, has their unfortunate accidents."

"Were they children? Young girls, around ten?"

All three court members cut their eyes at Erik. "And what would you know of this?" Irileth demanded, her crimson eyes shining with the anticipation of a fight. The jarl put a hand on her arm.

"Stand down." He turned his attention to the Imperial man at his right. "Proventus, tell them of the murders."

Proventus cleared his throat, and relayed the tale.

-------

Mjoll was still shaking as they exited Dragonsreach.

"Gods," she gasped, tears in her eyes. "Gods! They just...ate...their parents?"

Erik nodded, his eyes trained on the white bricks of the palace walkway. "That's why the jarl seems to keep his daughter under lock and key. Did you see how he sent both of his children away?"

They walked down the steps, where they saw Uthgerd clank her way to The Bannered Mare in a clean set of armor. She didn't even spare them a sideways glance before heading into the tavern.

"It's following the pattern that Ma'Dat had been talking about. Female children, age ten, suddenly falling ill and then their parents being torn apart a few days later. Then the girls go missing."

Mjoll was too busy staring at the house by the inn to hear Erik's words.

"Did you see that?" She asked.

"Hmm? See what?" Erik asked. He followed her gaze. "I don't see anything."

"No, at the house, right down there, near the blacksmith."

Erik shook his head. "Mjoll, there's nothing there. Let's go get a room at The Bannered Mare."

Mjoll followed him uncertainly to the inn. The inn was noisy, crowded, and smelled better than the one in Riften, but still had the faint smell of vomit, overcooked food and the faint trickle of urine. Uthgerd sat in the corner, ignoring their entrance.

"I'll get us some food," Erik said over his shoulder. "Go sit."

Mjoll nodded and sat at an empty table next to a dark-haired Nord woman and what looked to be her husband. The two sat close to each other, speaking in low voices and exchanging a kiss every now and then. Mjoll shot Erik's back a longing look.

She averted her gaze when he turned around, clearing her throat. Erik sat down across from her, his eyes twinkling.

"What?" she asked, suspicious.

He grinned and leaned forward. "Since we've been working so hard, I got us a little something special."

"You mean something besides your terrible cooking?" She teased.

Erik frowned and sat back. "I cook just fine! None of the travelers ever complained!"

"Well, no, but did they ever return?" She covered her mouth to stifle the laughter. Erik grinned good-naturedly.

"Believe it or not, my father is a worse cook than I am. He thinks salt if the only ingredient you'll ever need!" He broke out into laughter. Mjoll laughed along with him. Their food arrived. Mjoll's eyes widened at the sight.

"You..." Her eyes widened in delight as the blonde Nordic innkeeper set her plate down. "You got me grilled slaughterfish?"

Erik smiled and began cutting up his ham. "Just wait for dessert."

Mjoll swallowed the saucy remarks to that statement as she cut up her fish. Erik's eyes rolled to the back of his head as he tasted the ham. Mjoll's armor began to feel uncomfortably hot when he made a small moaning noise.

"This ham is delicious!" He said. He took a swig of beer. "How's your fish?"

Mjoll watched him wipe the droplets of beer from his mouth. She bit her lower lip.

"It is delicious," she said. "Thank you for ordering it for me." She took another bite, rolling the fish around in her mouth before swallowing. She took a long gulp of her own mead before taking another bite. A plate appeared at her elbow.

"A sweetroll?" Mjoll smiled. "The last time I had a sweetroll was back in Riften!"

Erik nodded, smiling. "I know."

Mjoll smiled to herself. Before she could thank him, the dark-haired Nord woman spoke up.

"Erik?"

Erik's head swiveled around, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Lydia?!"

Posted by: King Of Beasts Apr 17 2013, 06:26 AM

Mjoll isn't taking the child-vampire parent killing thing too well is she?



Earth to Erik: if you keep having that dream, perhaps it means something?! Do I need to get captain obvious down here?!

Posted by: mALX Apr 17 2013, 01:30 PM

Oh Crap, Lydia! Erik is liable to get an earful for killing Kayla. (although I fully blame Ma'Dat for her everything that happened to Kayla, and anything that happens to Erik too).

I love Mjoll's inner thoughts about Erik, lol. For vampire hunters, you'd think one of them would realize Erik having nightmares isn't a good thing! Awesome Write!

Posted by: Acadian Apr 17 2013, 09:18 PM

An effective dream, and you gave us just the right touches to balance between mystery and awareness.

So, it seems Mjoll has a taste for Erik.

Lydia! By Stendarr, this could get colorful!

Posted by: Darkness Eternal Apr 17 2013, 10:18 PM

Woah! This was a great chapter!!

Posted by: Grits Apr 17 2013, 11:29 PM

Yikes, what a dream! That moment when the sounds stopped was very creepy.

Lydia!! *rubs palms together*

Posted by: McBadgere Apr 19 2013, 04:38 AM

Ooooh, trouble at t'mill!!...

Sorry...Wrong sketch... ...

I can imagine dreaming about the woman you loved, was turned into a vampire and then you thought you killed is probably not the healthiest thing to be doing... ...

It'll be interesting to see if Lydia takes Uthgerd's place on the team...She's more pleasant to look at anyways... ...

Excellent stuff, as always...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Posted by: Colonel Mustard Apr 19 2013, 09:40 AM

Nope, can't see anything about those dreams Erik is having as being foreshadowing. What a ridiculous idea. As far as I can see, that just goes to show that everything is going to be completely fine and dandy.

And Lydia is here, hooray!

Nah, I reckon Lydia will just join the group and then we'll have ourselves a vampire-hunting Elder Scrolls A-Team; Erik is Hannibal Smith, Mjoll is Templeton Peck, Lydia is B. A. Barackas (she ain't getting on no dragon!) and Uthgerd is clearly Murdoch.

Besides, if you're hunting vampires, you need some crazy with you, and Uthgerd has crazy by the bucketload

Posted by: King Coin May 12 2013, 09:27 PM

I liked the past couple of chapters that I missed while gone. Kayla's a very hungry vampire and Erik's having some nasty nightmares with a strange twist to them. Also, I never thought I'd be so happy to see Lydia again.

Posted by: jack cloudy May 12 2013, 09:30 PM

Wouldn't Lydia be Peck? A girlman in ever town and all that.

And Uthgerd is totally the tough guy with lots of chains. Hmm, that doesn't leave a spot for Mjoll though.



Also, I wonder how Lydia will take Erik's slaying of Kayla. On the one hand, Kayla went off the deep end and became a vampire. On the other, Lydia did swear an oath and all that.

Posted by: Darkness Eternal May 13 2013, 01:52 AM

I just had to ask. When are you getting back to this story, Liz?

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow May 13 2013, 02:21 AM

I'm writing it bit by bit. I know I'm always logged on on my phone, but I'm rarely around my computer and usually too burnt out to write. I'm about halfway done with the next chapter. It'll be a bit longer than usual.

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow May 18 2013, 03:59 PM

Thanks for your patience, y'all. Real life has been kicking by butt :/

In case you don't feel like re-reading the last chapter, we were at the Bannered Mare in Whiterun. Mjoll has been filled in on the initiation process for the vampiric girls, Uthgerd has left the group and Erik and Mjoll are speaking to Lydia.

I know the chapter is a little long, but...well, it's been a while.

Enjoy!



-----------




Lydia grinned at Erik as she stood up. She held out her arms and pulled the sitting Erik into a hug.

"How are you? Where have you been?! Where's Kayla? Who's this? Did you dump her for this gorgeous blonde?" Lydia looked over to Mjoll and gave her a friendly smile.

Oh no, Mjoll though. She must not know.

Erik stood up and gently laid his hand on Lydia's elbow. "I think you better sit down. I have some bad news." The look on Lydia's face told Mjoll that she had better go.

"I'm going to go get some fresh air," she said. Erik nodded and Mjoll shot Lydia a sad smile before going outside. Once outside, she took a deep breath of the cold air. She saw a flash of something by the house next to the blacksmith. She slowly walked towards the house, her hand on the hilt of her sword. Were she to pull it from behind her back, whatever was over there would not live long.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-


Lydia stared at Erik in disbelief.

"She turned into a VAMPIRE?! How? When-"

"About a year ago. Asta had gotten ahold of her, attacked Rorikstead and nearly killed Ma'Dat."

Lydia shook her head. "No," she said." The man next to her held her hand. She gripped it tightly as the tears fell from her face. "She wouldn't have wanted that. Where is she now?"

"She..." Erik's icy blue eyes misted over. "I put her to rest."

"No..." Lydia put her head in her hands. The dark-haired Imperial man next to her pulled her right hand from her and held it with his own hands. Lydia grasped him, the tremor of her grief traveling between the two of them. Tears traveled from her eyes down the wrist of her hand.

Erik's eyes shone with tears. "I know, I-" his voice broke. "I've never had to do something so difficult. I can't..." He sighed. "I can't stop thinking about it. But she...she thanked me. At the end."

Lydia sniffed and wiped her face with her hands. She let out a weak laugh. "That sounds like Kayla. She would have hated being one of those things. It's for the best." She let out a shaky sigh and wiped more tears from her eyes.

"So, what have you been up to? Who's the gorgeous blonde you're with?"

"Mjoll." Erik sniffed and wiped away a few tears of his own. He nodded to the rugged Imperial man. "Who's this?"

Lydia's face was suddenly joyful. "Erik, I'd like you to meet Sorex. He's my husband."

Erik's eyes shot up in surprise. "Husband? I'd never thought I'd see YOU married, Lydia, since you're such...a free spirit." He changed his wording when Lydia shot him a dangerous look. He cleared his throat and shook the man's hand.

"Congratulations. Any chance we could borrow your wife? We just had an opening in our group."

"Nope." Lydia said. She stood up and rubbed her stomach. Erik noticed for the first time there was a slight bulge.

"Are you..."

"Four months along!" Lydia said with a smile on her face. She looked down at her stomach and sighed. "I've been excused from service from the jarl until I have the baby."

"Wow, well, congratulations!"

Lydia smiled even bigger. "Thank you! I'll tell you, i never imagined myself a mother, especially with the job I have. But now that i'm pregnant, I find myself looking forward to it."

Her smile turned into a playful grin and she punched him on the shoulder. "So, Mjoll is pretty. And strong. You two look like you could handle each other quite well." Her eyebrows waggled up and down devilishly.

Erik laughed and blushed, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "I don't think she thinks of me that way. She has a man back home, in Riften. She writes him very often." Erik busied his hands with a tankard of mead and his pocket. He jingled the septims as he gulped his mead. Lydia laughed.

"You like her, don't you?" She gave him a knowing grin.

"Uh, maybe a little bit. I mean, I still dream about Kayla. Going after Mjoll, knowing that in my dreams I'll see her seems kind of creepy to me."

Lydia shrugged. "I hate to say it, but Kayla is gone, Erik. She's not coming back." Her eyes darkened. "We have to move on. All of us."

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


The wind blew forcibly against Mjoll's steel armor, whipping her hair around her face. She spat it out, tucking the strands behind her ears when they continued to blow into her face. She heard a voice, distorted by the wind in her ears. She peeked her head around the corner to the back of the house to see an ethereal form of a man in what looked to be his early twenty in mage's robes kneeling down.

Mjoll gripped the hilt of Grimsever tighter in case the ghost got violent. She looked around, and when she did, the ethereal form of the mage was gone. When she blinked in confusion, he was there again, kneeling. This time, she watched carefully from around the corner as the ghost spoke.

"Where did you come from, little girl?"

He seemed to wait for an answer before nodding. Suddenly, his face contorted with horror and he seemed to try to fend off an attack. He laid on the ground for a moment, twitching, then dissipated.

Mjoll let out a surprised gasp. She had seen some ghosts in her time, sure, but they were always actively trying to kill anything around them. She shook her head in confusion at the sight of the ghost repeating the actions over and over again, asking the same question. She cautiously stepped from around the corner, not wanting to alarm the flickering ghost.

Posted by: King Of Beasts May 18 2013, 04:03 PM

Yay! New chapter!

It's gotta be hard for Erik to break the news to the group about Kayla. The thing is she's still alive I wonder how they'll react of they find out....

Onmund's ghost? Creepy, lol

Posted by: Grits May 18 2013, 04:13 PM

Congrats to the couple! Funny to imagine Lydia happily pregnant.

It's great to have an update from you!

Posted by: Darkness Eternal May 19 2013, 02:52 AM

"I'm sworn to carry your burdens."

Posted by: mALX May 19 2013, 06:34 PM

GAAAAH! I'll bet the little girl is Asta killing that ghost! Urk, not good no matter what!

I loved what Erik started to say and then changed when Lydia gave him the evil glare, lol. We all know it started with a "B," ROFL !!!

Welcome back, sorry I missed this post yesterday (was working on that mod for Grits's RP). Awesome Write, and Welcome back !!!

Posted by: Acadian May 19 2013, 06:39 PM

Thanks for your little �In our last episode. . . � summary. Very helpful, and it�s wonderful to see you posting again.

A painful but welcome reunion with Lydia.

"Husband? I'd never thought I'd see YOU married, Lydia, since you're such...a free spirit." He changed his wording when Lydia shot him a dangerous look.� - - Priceless!

I had to chuckle over DE�s comment about Lydia being 'sworn to carry your burdens'.

So I�m putting my money with KoB in thinking the ghost is Onmund. I wonder what Mjoll will do or if the ghost will talk to her.


Nit: �Oh no, Mjoll though{t}.�

Posted by: McBadgere May 22 2013, 03:57 AM

*Taps foot*...Where've you been missy?...Hmmmm?... ...

Well worth the wait though...

Loved it...

Awwww...Lydia's pregnant, and she don't want her new man knowing of her...Free past... ...Sounds about right... ...

And then the bit with the ghost...I loved that it's more like the "Real" theory about ghosts, in that Onmund's trapped in the emotional scar of the event rather than the "Free roaming, self-aware fart" state ...Brilliantly done...

I know you'se busy so it'll likely be a wee while 'till the next bit...But definitely worth it...Glad you found some time to carry it on...

Love it!!!...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Posted by: jack cloudy May 23 2013, 09:31 PM

Lydia got married? But she was such a....charismatic woman who easily makes friends wherever she goes.

Huh, I'm kind of surprised the stayed out of touch this long. I guess she was really fed up with Kayla's behaviour so when she got abandoned she got drunk and stopped giving a damn about her oaths long enough to go monogamous and stay that way once sober again.

And Onmund's trapped in dying like a broken recording. I kinda feel bad about that. It can't be pleasant. Maybe it's just an echo. I hope so.


While it is kinda nice to see Erik crushing on his next strong woman, I'm not rooting for them yet. Mjoll's got her Riften guy and Erik needs to work out his issues first. (You just know he's the kind of guy to mutter Kayla over and over in his sleep. Sure, Mjoll knows the story but it's still another woman's name in his head all the time.)

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Jun 1 2013, 06:00 AM

You know, that ending seems like I stopped abruptly... I think I was going to add another tidbit at the end and forgot about it. I dunno. I'l fix it later so it doesn't look like I just crapped a half-ending out.

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Jun 6 2013, 04:06 PM

Where we were before: Kayla and Emelia had picked up a couple of wolf pups the last time we checked on them.

------------


Sai and Miriam pawed at Emelia's head while she slept. Emelia blinked groggily, then a smile spread to her face. The sun was setting, and like clockwork for the last few weeks, the pups had woken both myself and Emelia up. They had grown larger and become more playful. Especially Miriam. She barked and yipped, which was not something I was used to hearing from wolves.

Watching Emelia with the wolves reminded me of something painful. Not all of Asta's army were as old as Asta. Not all of them knew better. Some of them were like Emelia, if not most of them. Emelia relished being a child, playing with the pups, her blue eyes alight. When she had to feed, something in her turned off. The bright look in her eyes was gone in a snap, and the look of a calculating predator took its place.

It saddened me.

It took a few moments for the look to fade, but eventually she was herself again. And like he knew, Sai would bound up to Emelia and plant his paws on her chest, and she would dissolve into a puddle of giggles.

We stayed in the cave for a few months, feeding on any unfortunate adventurer that stumbled in. The wolves watched curiously as we fed, cocking their reddish-brown heads to the side at the sound of the high-pitched screams of grown men. They sniffed the corpses and pawed at them, then wandered off. They watched stoically as we disposed of the bodies, and went off to hunt their own food.

One particular night, Emelia asked me an unexpected question.

"When are we going to kill Asta?"

I paused, startled at the question. Miriam cocked her head and whined when I stopped scratching her exposed belly.

"I don't know." I said truthfully. "I...really don't think I'm in any position to actually FIGHT her. I'm...no different than her anymore."

Emelia blinked, her brow furrowed in thought. "No, I guess not anymore. I think that's my fau-"

"No, it's mine. I'm the one who can't help but tear at everything with a beating heart."

I sat on my makeshift bed, made from leaves, grass, and shed wolf fur. The cold, stony cave floor was made slightly softer by the padding, but the chill still seeped through. I sorely missed my bed at my house in Whiterun, the roaring fire downstairs, the warmth of the animal skins against my own bare skin, Onmund's hands snaking around my bare waist...

"You're getting that look again."

I turned to Emelia. "What look?" The wind blew harder, making the mouth of the cave howl loudly. The wind whipped her golden blonde hair around her slender, petite face. Her eyes were a little sunken in, the last time of her feeding edging on a week. Her lips were turning ashen, and she was looking more like a corpse than a healthy little girl. Her fangs poked over her bottom lip, and she wore a look of slight irritation.

'She's really hungry. I have to feed her soon or she'll start snapping at me.'

"That dreamy look you get when you stare off into nothing sometimes. What are you thinking about?"

In spite of the cold, a semblance of heat rushed into my cheeks. Emelia kept her curious look on my face as Sai begged for her attention by nuzzling her hands. She petted his head absently as she watched my face. I shook my head slightly to signal I didn't want to talk about it.

"Nothing, it's nothing."

"I want to know what it is you're thinking about."

"Just thinking about a warm bed. And a bath."

"Oh. That's it?"

No. "Yeah, that's it."

"Oh. I'm getting really hungry."

"I know, me too."

"If we go into the city, we can feed freely."

"If we go into the city, I'll probably eat everyone in sight."

Emelia shook her head. "No, you won't."

"Why not?"

"Because surviving long enough to kill Asta is more important than a few drops of blood." She rubbed Sai's belly.

"Emelia, I can't control myself."

"You're not trying." She looked up at me. "I know you can. If I can, then you can. We're the same."

"The same?"

"Asta made us both. Asta was made by Movarth, who could control himself. The vampires you've been fighting aren't like us." She flicked a strand of hair threatening to go into her eye. "They can't control themselves. Kayla, I hate to tell you this, but there's a complex system for vampires." She furrowed her brow. "Asta called it a food chain. The smart ones get to be nobles, the less-smart ones make little clans, and the dumb ones get killed by people like you."

"Nobles?!" I felt sick. I've never been one to hang around nobles, as I was often viewed as "common rabble," but the few that allowed me into their presences had earned my respect. Jarl Balgruuf, for example. It sickened me to think of him sipping blood with his evening meal while his children sat at the same table.

I shook the disturbing image from my head and looked at Emelia. "So, what are we? Hunter fodder?"

"I guess so."

"I don't like the idea of that."

"Me neither. You stink."

I frowned. "Well, so do you!"

"I know." Her pale lips curled upwards in a small smile when the wolf pup's legs twitched in satisfaction at her belly rubs.

"If we were to go into town, we couldn't go like this." I said. "People would take notice. We're covered in blood, our hair is a mess, and we look like we're dead."

"We ARE dead."

"That's beside the point. How have the vampire nobles stayed undetected all of these years?"

"They probably feed on a regular basis and know how to control themselves."

"Exactly."

"I can control myself." Emelia said with pointed look at me. I rolled my eyes.

"Look, I'll try, okay?"

"Yeah, I know. But we gotta do it fast. Hey, I'll even teach you how to only take a little."

Take a little? The idea sounded absurd to my ears, but deep inside it's how I wanted to live. Was it? The constant conflicting emotions wore down on me. Was I a killer for purpose, or a killer for my own satisfaction?

I had long ago, mulling over the thoughts that I couldn't escape on the frozen nights in the icy cave, came to the conclusion that I was a killer. Always had been. I'd killed bandits, vampires, draugr, and even the Dark Brotherhood on accident. Not all had been in self-defense. Most vampires had been shut away in caves, forts, old ruins, perhaps to hibernate away the years until the war subsided. Yet I sought them out and ended their unlives, simply because Meridia...no, compulsion. Compulsion drove me.

After a year and a half of feeding off of hapless adventurers, and after spending half my life killing those who did what I now do, I had to wonder if there wasn't some sort of sadistic lunacy in my former life. I wanted to survive, and the only way to do that was to take from another. The question rose in my mind, and my breath caught in my throat with a hitch.

Was there a chance that I was the bad guy?

Posted by: King Of Beasts Jun 6 2013, 05:17 PM

I can't help but feel bad or Kayla. She doesn't even know whether she's good or bad anymore. She needs to step up and go after Asta though. It doesn't matter what side she's on as long as it isn't Asta's. if only she'd realize that...

Posted by: Grits Jun 7 2013, 02:44 AM

Kayla asks herself an excellent question. She�s certainly one of the bad guys now, at least in her old context. Perhaps it�s her new context that makes her think she was bad to start with. That�s the kind of thinking that could lead to a long walk in the sun, but I�m sure Emelia will help her get herself together.

It was great to get an update on your story!

Posted by: McBadgere Jun 7 2013, 04:04 AM

Ooooh, fair dues...Nicely done that...

While I got that she was a child-vampire, somehow I thought of her more as a grown-up in a child body...But yeah, she's very childlike...Nice one...*Applauds*...

Loved the way the wolves kept weaving in and out of the episode...Loved that...

Well, even now she doesn't feel like one...Even with the admission of feeding on the unwary traveller...

Brilliant writing, as ever...

Loved it...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Posted by: Acadian Jun 7 2013, 02:22 PM

Emelia is an adorable little predator who can be dissolved into a puddle of giggles by a puppy. I really like how you portray her.

The wolf youngsters were nicely incorporated as a bit of action in what was a wonderfully quiet scene of discussion, thought and self-doubts.

Vera Kayla is wrestling with being a predator with a conscience. It feels as if she is approaching another fork in her path. One trail is very dark indeed; the other. . . less so perhaps.

EDIT: Oops. Thanks, Liz! Musta got distracted while typing.

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Jun 7 2013, 04:33 PM

You mean Kayla, Acadian? XD

Posted by: Darkness Eternal Jun 8 2013, 05:30 AM

Oh and my review will come shortly!

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Jun 8 2013, 05:39 AM

I don't remember posting this yesterday...OR replying. It looks like I did both, though, lol

Posted by: mALX Jun 9 2013, 05:38 AM

I read that about Jarl Balgruuf and had to race to the WIKI to see if that was part of your story or real - and ended up finding the "Whispering Door" quests - looks like the children were the ones drinking the blood at the table, lol.

Holy Cow what a chapter! Especially at the end when she is introspecting herself right up to that last line - HUGE HUGE Write !!! Awesome Chapter!!!

Posted by: King Coin Jun 10 2013, 04:59 AM

Yeah, I didn�t envy Erik when he had to tell Lydia. Their conversation was kind of ironic though, knowing what we do about Kayla�s activities.

Funny, I had to google Sorex, and that turns out to be the name of a shrew. Appropriate for someone that worked at the Winking Skeever.

Kayla�s living in a cave for months, feeling defeated. I do wonder what the end of her story will be. It�s so human of her to wonder if she�s the �bad guy� now when she�s doing exactly the things she used to oppose.

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Jun 13 2013, 08:34 PM

So sorry for any lack of acknowledgement for my readers! I've been pretty frantic lately. I hope you enjoy this...slightly awkward chapter.

---------------

"See anything yet, Victus?"

"No." Came the answer in the same hushed tone. "I think-"

A wolf howl split the air of the cave, and the two froze, the clanking of their steel Legion armor halting abruptly. When another howl pierced the frozen air, Victus turned to his partner, a knowing look on his face. He signaled Tyroni forward, and the two advanced, shields up, swords ready. They advanced into the cave, something was was supposed to be their camp during a long hike to Solitude.

They were not ready for the command spells that hit them straight in the faces. Nor for the little girl with ashen skin , white-blonde hair, and red eyes appraising them hungrily. She was dressed in dark clothing, something that used to be fine, but was so worn and dirtied it might as well have been a burlap sack washed in mud. As she approached, they were hit with a horrible stench of decay, but unable to gag.

She said something lightly in Nordic, her red gaze traveling behind her. A High Elf woman with long, waist-length auburn hair, peeked out from behind the rocks. When she dipped a once-golden foot, noticeably bare to Victus, unregarded to Tyroni, two reddish-brown wolves lumbered out.

Neither Victus nor Tyroni spoke Nordic, both of them assured that they wouldn't need to speak to the Stormcloaks to kill them, so the conversation went over her head. The little girl, Victus pinned her as Imperial, gestured towards the men, still standing casually at the end of the cave hall. The Altmer shot them a hungry look, her eyes giving them each a once-over before looking at the girl. Victus figured her to be around the age of ten. Tyroni continued to stare at the High Elf.

Finally, the Imperial girl spoke to them, her voice without any shred of an accent of the province they were in.

"Take off your armor, and leave your underclothes on. We have warm clothes for you. You won't need your armor."

The two complied as the Altmer woman grabbed clothing from a knee-high pile on the floor. The little blonde girl stared at Victus, a hungry look in her red eyes. When the Altmer woman found clothes to her satisfaction, she set them down at a close distance, but not within grabbing reach, of the two men. She averted her eyes, looking at the two wolves lying languidly on the floor near the girl's feet.

The girl sighed. "Put the clothes on." They obeyed, and as they dressed themselves, she continued to speak. "You'll be warm, and we'll try our best to not kill you. Or at least, I will." She shot a look at the High Elf woman, who gave her a confused look. She asked a question in Nordic, but the girl shook her head and gave a dismissive reply. The High Elf woman looked at them both with hungry eyes, her pale lips slightly parted to show the slightest glint of sharp ivory.

Then it dawned on the men what was happening. Victus' eyes widened as his confusion made way for fear. Not just any fear, the type of fear that wormed its way from your stomach and into your limbs. The type that seizes your mind and turns it to a gibbering pile of mush. The feeling intensified as the girl commanded him to kneel, and the High elf woman stepped towards Tyroni.

Soft flesh yielded way for razor sharp pain, and Victus' cries were muffled by the command spell. He fought against the spell with all of his might, but he had no skill against magick. When the girl pulled away momentarily, her face was fuller, her eyes blue, and her skin more flush. She said something in Nordic to the High Elf and promptly healed Victus' wound.

The elf took her cue, watching curiously. The smaller girl seemed to be giving the older woman instructions, as the woman nodded and lit a healing spell between her fingers. She lowered her mouth to the other man's neck, and Victus could see the fear in his brother's eyes. Tyroni's eyes clenched when the woman's fangs pierced his skin. There was a sudden change in her demeanor. She closed her eyes and wrapped Tyroni in what was an almost loving embrace as she drank. She stroked his hair with one hand as the other pulled Tyroni closer to her body, making the bite more...intimate.

Indignation rose in Victus' throat while something else rose from Tyroni. The elf's eyes popped open and her red-lipped mouth was open in surprise as she looked down. Victus could have sworn she blushed.

The Imperial girl blinked and opened her mouth to ask the elf a question, but the Altmer woman had already begun shooing her away. She spoke to the men in halting Cyrodiilic.

"Shame!"

She ushered the girl away, who protested in the harsh language of the Nords.. The Altmer woman's admonishments had the girl scampering away. The elf turned towards them again, her face twisted in anger.

"Innocent! Girl is innocent!" She shook her finger at Tyroni. "I eat you, not pleasure! Shame!"

The only thing Victus could manage to think through his terror was the nerve of some haughty elves. The woman was living in filth with two wolves, piles of clothes at the foot of her bed, sucking on some strange man's neck and she got angry with Tyroni for liking it?

Granted, he couldn't see the attraction in having some elven wench suck the life out of you, but Victus knew Tyroni would find the woman attractive. And had they not surprised them, Victus knew that Tyroni would have convinced the woman, either through charm or more forceful means, to bed him. Either way, the woman looked like she could use a good roll in the hay. And a bath. But Tyroni wasn't too picky. Victus had turned his head when Tyroni had his way with a Forsworn wench, who was more than willing to pleasure Tyroni in exchange for her life.

The elf sighed and put her face in her hands, an oddly human gesture for something that was just moments ago, trying to drain Victus' brother. She turned around, her bare feet softly padding on the stone floor, as she walked away.

Out of the corner of his eye, Victus saw Tyroni stretch his arms. His hand went up to the wound in his neck, an incredulous look on his face. Victus' limbs began to loosen, and he too stretched. The vampire woman stiffened as she heard their movement, but Tyroni was already on her. He pressed her face to the wall and held her hands to her sides. She screamed and snarled, her eyes red and wide with fear.

"Get the girl!" Tyroni yelled.

Victus grabbed his sword and ran for the small blonde.

Posted by: King Of Beasts Jun 13 2013, 08:41 PM

And Kayla's reaction




Lol. I love it how she got pissed, lol. It's nice to know he doesn't play with her food though XD



Oh no! Fight back! Run!

Posted by: Acadian Jun 15 2013, 12:21 PM

Dinner gone awry! This was effective in that it continues to show the passage of time and how Kayla has been slowly adjusting to undead life (?) as a vampire at the tutelage of her young companion. And we see that the wolves are now grown.

Posted by: mALX Jun 17 2013, 06:57 AM

What a scene! This was riveting from beginning to end, and ends on a cliffhanger! Awesome Write !!! Loved this chapter!

Posted by: King Coin Jun 19 2013, 04:45 AM

Interesting use of the Command spell. Overlooked, and brilliant when used.

Whaaaaat? I�m still wondering if these two are going to live. She�s fine with killing people in front of her, but one of the men gets excited and she�s got to leave!?

Now there�s a twist. Good chapter from a different perspective.

Posted by: Grits Jun 23 2013, 04:14 PM

Interesting to get the prey�s view of Kayla�s den. She�s definitely struggling between mortal and vampire priorities.

Posted by: jack cloudy Jun 23 2013, 09:35 PM

Time sure flies. It makes me wonder if the problem isn't so much 'stop Asta before she assembles her army' as it is 'stop Asta's army'. Unless the formidable trio or duo have really been making a killing.


And just when I was going to see the legionnaires as poor victims, you had to mention a rape-tendency. Ah well, it means I can keep rooting for the awkward vampiregirls and their cute ex-puppies.

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Jun 25 2013, 09:15 PM

So my updates are becoming less and less far apart, but till not as regular as they used to be. That's due to the influx of my workload, then suddenly losing my job.

Tis good, though. I needed the break. And the sleep. I slept a LOT, hahahaha!

Anyways! Thank you for your comments, patience, and of course, continuing to read.

@Acadian: Yeah, I'm sort of playing catch-up with Kayla's side of the story. Erik and Mjoll are caught up, I'm just showing Kayla's journey on her wait to their "present."

@KC: I LOVE the Command spells. Just adore them. There are others I'd like to delve into, but can't with Kayla, since she isn't too much into magick. Maybe with another character...hmmmm...

@Grits: Definitely struggling. Shes trying to hang onto what she views as a sliver of humanity while battling with her thirst. Part of her wants to accept what she is and embrace her new identity, but the other part, the Kayla part of her, isn't going to accept it and will continue to fight it.

@jack cloudy: There are some good and decent Legionnaire soldiers in Skyrim. They just didn't stop by Kayla and Emelia's cave, lol!

As for the passage of time, like I mentioned, I'm just playing catch-up with Kayla and Emelia. Soon they'll be on the same page as Erik and Mjoll.



What happened before: Mjoll saw the spirit of Onmund behind his and Kayla's old home.

Mjoll threw open the door to the Bannered Mare, breathing raggedly. Mst of the patrons jumped, startled, but turned back to their drink and conversations. Erik stood up and met her halfway across the room.

"Mjoll, what happened?" He asked.

"I saw a spirit," she said, gripping Erik's arm. Lydia came up beside him, trailed by Sorex.

"Thats Onmund."

Erik's brow furrowed. "Kayla's husband?"

"Yeah, as in, the one that her sister tore apart. He started showing up and doing that about a year ago. The priests are stumped by it. They say he's just an echo, not an actual ghost, so there's nothing that can be done."

"An echo?" Mjoll repeated. "That explains why he didn't attack when I came close. He just sort of...disappeared, and wafted away."

"He'll do that. Some of the local kids even have contests...well, they DID have contests...on who could get the closest before he disappeared. But with the curfew and the recent murders, no kids are allowed out after dusk."

"Who lives at that house?" Erik asked. 'An echo?'

"We do," Lydia said. "When I came back, I bought the house from the city. Apparently the person Kayla had sold it to didn't like an apparition flickering in and out of sight at night. So I bought it, really cheap, and ignore him." She grinned. "I'm not superstitious."

Lydia continued. "Anyways, you two should relax tonight. Have a few drinks, maybe rent the same room to avoid spending too much."

Erik shot her a sharp look, and she grinned. "Hey, just looking out for my second-favorite redhead." She pinched his cheeks and laughed when he swatted her away. Erik didn't miss the look of sadness that flitted across her expression momentarily.

"We should go. The smell of piss and vomit makes me nauseas. Bye, you two! Come see me before you leave." Mjoll waved goodbye as the couple sauntered out the door, their arms linked. She turned to Erik when the door closed.

"What are we going to do about a third member?" she asked as they slid into their seats at the table. Erik shook his head, his green eyes crinkled with worry.

"I don't know, Mjoll. I really don't know. If Uthgerd doesn't straighten up, then nothing."

Mjoll sat straight up. "Wait a moment. I think..." She grinned, her face illuminating beautifully.

'She's lovely.' Erik thought.

"There is a wizard in Riften. Marcurio. He has been hired by several adventurers who say he is wonderful when in battle. Maybe that's the edge we need, Erik. Fight magick with magick."

Erik pursed his lips, then shook his head. "I don't like magick."

"Neither do I, but Erik, think about it. If we have a mage on our side, he can sense any magickal traps we come across. Remember that one trap? The shock one on the ground that none of us could sense because we don't use magick? The one that nearly killed me? We were stuck in that cave for days, waiting for me to recover. We can't do that again."

Erik thought for a moment, swishing his mead around in the silver tankard. "Let me think about it." He took a large gulp of his mead as Mjoll drank her wine down.

"I don't blame you." She said. "Wizards are unpredictable and difficult to deal with. But if we pay the man, he should comply."

"Payment only goes so far." Erik ordered another drink, and Mjoll did the same. "You can pay a man five hundred septims to accompany you, but can't force him to stay once things get out of hand."

"That is true." Mjoll admitted. "But from what I've heard, this man doesn't back down."

"Then why is he in some tavern in Riften, begging for mercenary work?" Erik asked before downing his beer. Mjoll sipped her wine thoughtfully.

"I've heard he's a bit over-zealous when it comes to his spells." she said. "And a bit of a know-it-all..."

Erik groaned. "I HATE know-it-alls. He's out, then."

"Erik, he might be just what we need. We need to be offensive...or...what's the word?"

"Mjoll..."

"No, no, I know what it is..."

Erik gulped the rest of his beer down and waited for Mjoll to remember the word. When he realized she couldn't, both of them already had several drinks on them. He decided to switch topics at that point.

"So, how's Aerin? Gotten any letters from him?"

"No, oddly enough. I think the courier is having difficulty finding me. No matter."

"What's wrong?"

"He...seems to have feelings for me that I do not return. I explained this to him in my last letter, and...I expect he stopped sending me letters. But like I said, it doesn't matter. He's in Riften, and I'm here."

Mjoll couldn't interpret the look Erik was giving her. It looked like a mixture of disappointment and relief to her, but she could be wrong. She hadn't told him he was the reason she resisted Aerin's advances this past year.

But that did not matter. Erik didn't return her feelings, like she didn't return Aerin's. Everything came full circle for her. She suddenly drank the rest of her wine and stood up, startling a drunken Erik.

"Whoa, you going somewhere?" He asked.

"I'm going to bed. You should too, we...probably shouldn't have gotten so drunk."

Erik grinned at her and she laughed and pulled him up. The Nords were sharing a room, but decided against sharing a bed. They each looked at the bed, then each other.

"You take the bed." Erik said. "I'll sleep on the chair."

"No, I took the bed the last inn. You take it."

Mjoll looked at Erik, a slight smile on her lips. Erik raised his brow.

"You have this weird loo-"

Mjoll shoved him onto the bed, causing him to yelp in surprise. She laughed and uncharacteristically pointed her finger at him, which he promptly growled and grabbed, pulling her down next to him. Erik could almost see Lydia's brow raising, with that grin of hers spreading as Mjoll erupted into yet another uncharacteristic peal of laughter as she grabbed his head in a headlock and gave him a noogie.

Erik flailed for a moment and pretended to pass out. Mjoll laughed and let go, then shrieked as Erik suddenly pushed her off the bed with his feet. Both of them held their stomachs as they laughed, letting out a year's worth of tension, with Erik on his back on the bed, and Mjoll on her side on the floor. Mjoll stood up and shakily went to the washroom, still laughing.

When she came back, Erik was out of his armor and under the bed covers, half asleep. She had taken off her own armor in the washroom and slipped in next to him without thinking. Their bodies molded to each other for warmth as they fell asleep.

Posted by: King Of Beasts Jun 25 2013, 09:23 PM

So Onmund's "ghost" is pretty much just stuck in that one part of his life, eh? Cursed to relive that scene over and over again for the rest of eternity? Poor dude




So, Erik's got a new love intrest, eh? Finally getting over Kayla's "death"? Good for him

Posted by: mALX Jun 25 2013, 11:04 PM

I'll bet Mjoll wakes Erik up with a surprise, ROFL !!

I liked the idea of the "Echo" - and that Lydia didn't care about it, just ignored it. Very interesting development with that!

Was there a bit of head-hopping between Erik and Mjoll? I may have been reading that wrong, but it seemed like we were getting into both their heads there.

I got a laugh out of Mjoll saying she wasn't interested in Aerin - YouTube tells a different story on that for anyone that has ever married her, lol.

The possible introduction of Marcurio is very interesting too, and Mjoll described him well from all I've heard of his character!

Awesome update!

PS - GAAAAAH! I get no comment thanks? What am I, chopped liver? ROFL !!! (Just kidding).

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Jun 25 2013, 11:14 PM

I did skip you, didn't I?!!

MALX YOU'RE TOO AMAZING FOR WORDS!! LOOOOOOOOVES! <3

Posted by: mALX Jun 25 2013, 11:27 PM

Lol, "Aaah, that feels better!" ROFL!!

Posted by: King Coin Jun 26 2013, 12:41 AM

Hey if you are bringing a wizard into this, you should get J'Zargo!

The ending was nice. Funny that they both think the other doesn't like them that way. I wonder how often that's the case though?

Posted by: Acadian Jun 27 2013, 06:57 PM

Ah, so the ghost is/was Onmund. Like mALX, I like your use of �echo� to describe the phenomenon. Lydia hasn't changed: She was not impressed by Onmund in life - or after.

Recruiting a mage into their team is a great idea! Every band of adventurers should have one. After all, nothin' says lovin' like a fireball from the oven!

A little mead, some wine, noogies on the head and crawling into the same bed to keep warm. . . a fun and cute scene.

Posted by: McBadgere Jun 28 2013, 04:30 AM

Brilliant stuff...Loved the scene with the Imperials in the cave...The language thing gets me in the stories...I never once thought about all that...*Applauds*...

Gonna be nice to read her tearing them to pieces... ...

And then the scene in the inn was brilliant...Still loving the echo thing...The Erik/Mjoll thing was cool...Takes me back to a Travelodge just outside Glasgow in March '94... ...Awwww...Those were the days... ...

Aaaamywho...

Brilliant writing, as ever...

Really looking forward to more...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Posted by: jack cloudy Jun 30 2013, 07:15 PM

Oh dear, will Erik ever join the bed with a woman when they aren't dead-drunk? Two to one says they'll try to brush it off as a mistake the following morning.


And J'Zargo is a fun little kitten, but he seems to be lacking in firepower.

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Jul 27 2013, 11:07 PM

Wow, been really busy! so sorry for the delay!!!!

Where we last left Kayla: The command spell had worn off and Tyroni and Victus attacked Kayla.



=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=






I let out a pained cry as the cave wall bit into my face, pebbles and bits falling from where the Imperial man crushed my body. He yelled something in Cyrodiilic in my ear, but not to me. When I tried to wriggle free, desperately calling for Emelia, he pushed more of his body weight against me. I felt him poke just under my rear, his breathing ragged. He outweighed me by a lot, as I had been starving for almost a year now, only occasionally feeding. I was gaunt and weak. He wasn't.

My breath came in gasps as I felt him shift his weight to allow himself to pin my arms behind me. 'I can't do this, gods, please, don't let this happen!' I begged silently. He tried to spread my legs apart with his knee and slackened his grip, allowing me to slip one hand out. I desperately tried to elbow him in the nose, but he was too short for me to reach, and I was in no position to stretch.

The man yelled for help from his companion as my arm flailed about, trying desperately to injure him. He screamed in pain when I caught a handful of his hair and yanked. He instinctively pulled against the force of my yank, causing him to release the weight from my upper body. That was all I needed.

I twisted my body to face him and sank my fangs into his neck. I closed my eyes as the blood sprang into my mouth, then opened them again as I became suddenly aware the he was trying to reach his sword to my left. I kneed his groin after pulling away, then pinned him to the wall.

"You don't like it when others take advantage of you, do you? How do you like being pinned?"

The look on the man's face was sheer, uncomprehending terror as he struggled to understand my words. His breath came in short, ragged gasps and he began to grasp what was about to happen to him. I leaned in to drink the blood pulsating from his neck when I heard a firm, small voice.

"Kayla."

I looked over and saw Emelia standing beside the Imperial man who had chased her. He stood stock-still, is eyes glazed over with the effects of the command spell.

"He tried to rape me, Emelia."

"I know. But why not practice on an awful man like him, instead of the decent folk in a town?"

My throat tightened with the desire to quench my thirst.

"Just a little at a time, Kayla. Just enough to make you look normal."

I took a gulp of breath and healed the wound on the man's neck. I threw him onto the cave floor as the wolves came back into the cave.

"Mangy bastards! Why weren't you here ten minutes ago?!" I yelled. Sai cringed and slunk towards Emelia while Mirriam cocked her head at me. She ignored me when I bared my fangs at her when she nuzzled my hand. I reluctantly petted her.

"Fine. Sorry." I said, the irritation still evident in my voice. Emelia soothed Sai as the man tried to get up. I put a bare foot on his throat, causing a startled yelp from him.

"Stay." I hissed in Cyrodiliic. He nodded, his face pale with fear. I sneered at his lower lip trembling and walked to my bed.

"I'm taking a nap. Can you handle these two?"

"No problem."

I laid down, throwing myself down with more force than I intended and hitting my shoulders. I clenched my teeth and let out an angry grunt. Miriam wormed her way under my arms and let out a sigh, her warm breath puffing straight into my face. I sighed.

"I'm sorry." I murmured to her nose. The icy cold tip of her nose nuzzled the spot under my chin and I smiled, petting her head and rubbing her ears. "I know I'm cruel sometimes, but it's the thirst talking." I whispered to her. "You know I like you. Sometimes."

Mirriam sneezed in my face and I pushed her away, screeching.

"UGH!"

Emelia cracked up.







-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=







Weeks went by with Emelia coaching me on controlling my thirst. Suddenly I was very aware of why vampires kept thralls in their presence. The two Imperial men's constant presence didn't dull the thirst, but allowed me to keep my desires in check when we scouted a nearby village for food for them. I passed up several dozens of opportunities to drain someone dry, but instead gritted my teeth and walked by with a clenched smile on my face.

The only time I lost my control was when someone tried to pickpocket me. Emelia didn't blame me for that one. Much.

We were able to get basic supplies as well, needed to grooming and dressing. My hair had grown to my waist, and I was able to cut it to its original length and shampoo it at an inn in the village. Emelia charmed her way into the home of a couple for a few days, much to the annoyance of Sai, and had them buy her new clothing and footwear. I used what I needed and left without harming anyone.

"I've been thinking," I said to Emelia on evening.

She looked up from her bed. "What?"

"I think we should head to Riften. I've got my thirst under control now, and we need news about Asta."

"We could go into any major city and do that."

"Yeah, but there's someone there I need to talk to."

Niruin.

The bastard that betrayed me at his advantage. My life, my mortality, cost him a few bags of gold and a broken nose. I'd been plotting on ways of getting him back, things I would ask him.

"Why" was out of the question. I knew why. Money. That was the language of thieves, and all they ever knew. No morals, no goals or aspirations to make the world a better place, just money. They didn't care whose money, where it came from, as long as it wasn't taken from them.

Emelia had brought me close to Ivarstead. She confessed she was trrying to take me to The Pale, but my random bouts of thirst-induced insanity made me a difficult traveling companion. Once we agreed to head to Rifte, we were produced with a dillema.

"What are we going to do with the men?" I asked.

Emelia shrugged. "Keep them?"

I laughed. "What? And do what with them?"

"Well, they're thralls. They obey only us. They won't betray us, or talk or act unless we tell them to."

"That's the problem. Don't you think people will think it's weird when we're whispering commands at them?"

Emelia thought for a moment. "Yeah. Should we make them stay here?"

"No. I've seen thralls act out normal lives during the day. Let's have them do that. Act normal, I mean."

Emelia turned to the men. "Act normal!" she said in Cyrodiliic.

"No, Emelia, you can't just say that."

The men groaned and stretched, then blinked at us, their eyes still holding the glazed look. One sat on the ground after grabbing one of my books, and the other began scratching Sai's ears. I gawked, my mouth agape and eyes wide.

"I guess you can just say that." I walked over to the taller one. "You jump." I said in Cyrodiliic. He jumped once, a confused look on his face.

"Now, jump again, and use the book as a hat." I said in Nordic. He obliged. I let out a squeal of surprise.

"Oh my gods! Emelia, I don't have to speak the language of the victim! This is great! Stop jumping."

The man stopped jumping, and I took the book off of his head and handed it to him. He took it and stared up at me, an unreadable look in his eyes. I blew out a puff of breath and bit my lower lip.

"We should head to Ivarstead and gather supplies tonight. Enough food for them, and some septims for when we get to Riften. I don't know about you, but I can't charm a thief into giving their gold over."

"Are we staying inside the city walls?"

"Yeah. I don't know about you, but I'm sick of caves."

"Me too." The man next to me said. I shrieked, jumping into the air. Emelia laughed, doubling over.

"Your face-"

"Come here!" Emelia giggled as we bolted through the cave. She shrieked when I caught her, and flailed when I tickled her. The men watch with disinterested faces as I merciliessly tickled Emelia, the wolves bouncing playfully around us before turning on each other and play fighting.

Posted by: King Of Beasts Jul 27 2013, 11:16 PM

I see Kayla and Emelia are having fun with thier new thralls


So Niruin is gonna get Whats coming to him, huh? I hope Kayla gives the bastard a good bop in the mouth

Posted by: Acadian Jul 28 2013, 03:27 PM

Quite a gang the girls of vamp are collecting! A duo of wolfy pooches and now a pair very obedient fellows. Kayla�s getting good enough at this vampie stuff to go in and out of cities now! Things don�t bode well for that traitorous thief in Riften methinks.

Posted by: McBadgere Jul 29 2013, 04:27 AM

Excellent!!... ...I'm always a bit off my game when I'm hungry meself... ...

Loved the way she turned the tables...And Emelia, despite her size and appearance has obviously got enough gravitas to be a decent presence...Yes...

Loved the bit with the wolf and "I like you a bit, sometimes..."... ...Yeah, yeah...We know what you mean... ...

The sneeze was pure dog...I've seen that so many times... ...

Ooooh, Niruin's gonna get his handed to him soon enough...

Wonder what the others have been doing in all this time?...

An excellent story!!...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Posted by: Colonel Mustard Jul 29 2013, 06:38 AM

I'm all caught up! I'm all caught up! And this is all really good!

I'm really enjoying Kayla's arc as she learns the ropes, and she and Emelia have great chemistry together on the page. It's fun to see the vampire hunting team about, and I am enjoying a vampire story where it's told from the perspective of both the vampire and the hunters, and both of them are the good guys; it makes for a refreshing twist on the usual formula.

This is just as great a read as I remember it to be, and I'm really looking forward to the next chapter.

Posted by: mALX Jul 29 2013, 11:37 AM

I am so glad Kayla is finally going to give that backstabbing creep what he has coming to him for double-crossing her (unless he smooth-talks her into forgiving him).

LOVE the thralls, this story is great !! Awesome Write !!

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Aug 15 2013, 04:02 AM

Just a quick summary of what happened with Erik and Mjoll in Whiterun: Uthgerd left the trio, and now they've resolved to head to Riften to speak to Marcurio.




-----------------------------------------


Marcurio leaned back, his fingers interlocked as he appraised the two beings in front of him. One was a tall, magnificant-looking woman with blonde hair and beautiful crystal blue eyes, and the look of a hardened warrior about her. Her steel armor glowed in the torchlight, the Nordic runes along the curves of her bosoms and small of her waist creating an alluring look to her already commanding presence. Marcurio found it hard to look away from her pale face, her full lips parting slightly as she leaned forward, her hands on the table after she earnestly explained their situation.

The other was also tall and magnificent looking, slightly softer, but still had the look of a barbarian. His red hair contrasted his pale, lightly freckle flecked skin in a flattering way. His armor was dented in places where the thrust of an enemy's sword had failed miserably, ending with his foe no doubt rotting in some cavern below the hardened, frozen earth. He regarded Marcurio with a slightly suspicious gaze, his dark green eyes keeping trained on Marcurio's movements. This amused Marcurio to no end. Nords were naturally suspicious of magick, yet weren't above using a simple fire spell to light a fire when the chill was too much for even them. The man's muscled arms crossed and uncrossed as he regarded Marcurio with his piercing eyes.

Marcurio gave them a sly smile and raised his dark brows.

"Let's go over it again, shall we?" He held up a ringed finger. "I charge five-hundred septims, no ifs, ands, or buts." He held up a second finger to bring about his second point.

"Two, you two will be sharing your stash of curing potions with me. You will shell them out when I ask, and never withold them."

"Now wait a minute," Erik began. "We agreed that you'd bring your own potions. Why are you changing the deal all of a sudden?"

"It occurs to me that between the two of you, you might have more potions stocked up than I do. Now, you might not know this, but vampirism is contracted in several ways. By bite, weapon, magick, or sexually. Now, since I'm very sure you two aren't copulating-" He chuckled slightly at their confused looks on the new word. "-with said monstrosities, I'd like to point out that as a wizard, I WILL be at the magickal forefront of all battles I participate in. Meaning," He shifted in his seat and leaned forward, putting his palms flat on the table. "Even though I'll be dusting them left and right, enough to where the two of you will most likely hardly lift a finger, I will be getting zapped, drained, gnawed on, and stabbed. Now," He leaned back again, interlocking his fingers once more.

"I will explain the reason for the high fee. The fee covers new scrolls, potions, enchantments, and of course, food. Before each new 'adventure,'" He made air quotes around the word. "There are things I like to make very, very clear on what is to be expected from myself, and from my partners. I need to know what your capabilities as warriors are, so I can know what to expect. If you two lack in the healing area, I can fix that by healing. If you two lack skill in speed, well, there's a spell for that. If you two need to sneak away for some fun time alone-"

"Compopulating?" Mjoll offered.

"Yes, for... compopulating... then let me know and I can muffle any lewd sounds that might leak through those warrior lips of yours."

Erik crossed his muscular arms. "You're very thorough."

"I must be, Sir Slayer. I haven't survived in the harsh lands of Skyrim by being brash and careless."

Erik pursed his lips, his arms still crossed. "What kind of fighter are you?"

"Pardon?"

"Can you use any weapons at all?"

Marcurio's brows knitted together. What type of question was that? He inwardly scoffed as he realized that Nords had no appreciation for the arcane. The woman seemed ready to hire him, but the man was holding back for some reason. Suspicions about magick? Most likely. Surely it wasn't Marcurio's character, flawless as it was. He presented himself as knowledgeable and shrewd as best as he could. He had no doubt these two were fantastic fighters, their bodies in peak physical condition whereas his was still malleable and soft. Only in comparison to theirs, though. He had ways for alleviating the pressures of being in great physical condition.

By magick, of course. Each jeweled ring he wore(Four in all, on every other finger starting at his right ring finger) had an enchantment that boosted his already natural talents. The silver sapphire ring on his right ring finger bolstered his already superior skill in Destruction magicks. The ruby one, engraved with daedric symbols(meaning nothing, of course, but what buffoon would know that?) gave him an extra boost of magick, something that came in handy when his own natural reserves were running dry. The golden one with the golden and brown stone, called Tiger Eye, boosted his confidence and awareness and willpower. The silver one on his left first finger made his flesh a little more resistant to non-magick weapons.

The ring on his left ring finger was his favorite one. It boosted his Restoration skill. Restoration was a highly undermined school in Skyrim, the barbarians and wizards alike in this frozen, ungrateful wasteland deeming it the "weakest" school.

To Marcurio, it was quite the contrary. with enough skill, one could cure a disease or, on the more malevolent side of Restoration, cause disease. There were several times where he'd brought a small plague of festering sores upon his enemies.

He needed to know every aspect of their combative nature, though. Not only to ensure their safety, but to ensure his own. He needed to know where their skills lacked so he could compensate their failings with his own strengths.

Yet the red haired Nord was busy thinking of Marcurio's own failings instead of his own. He understood. He did. It wasn't lost on Marcurio that the Nord was only doing what he was doing, just not worded as eloquently.

"I am minorly skilled in any bladed weapon you give me," Marcurio said smoothly. "Of course, I have spells to rectify any failings I may have in any area of melee combat."

Erik sighed audibly. "What does that mean?"

"It means, I can handle it."

"With magick?"

"Yes, with magick."

Marcurio saw Erik bite the upper part of his lip before speaking. "I want to go over our strengths and weaknesses BEFORE the pay."

"Understandable. Shall we begin?"

Posted by: King Of Beasts Aug 15 2013, 04:12 AM

Marcurio is a egotistical bastard, isn't he? Lol.

He better better be worth the pay

Posted by: Colonel Mustard Aug 15 2013, 06:07 AM

Marcurio in that chapter was absoutely awesome. I loved him so very, very much indeed, and having him as the third member of the trio looks like it's going to be a blast. Excellent stuff.

Posted by: mALX Aug 15 2013, 06:35 AM

GAAAAH! I love Marcurio in game, you have really rounded him out here! Mjoll and Marcurio together, imagine the dialogue that would create!! Lol. Awesome Write !!!!

Posted by: Acadian Aug 15 2013, 10:00 PM

Compopulating! When you think about it, the word makes perfect sense. . . .

Cause disease as a spell! How cruelly cool!

This was a fun episode as the pair hire an uppity mage.

Posted by: Captain Hammer Aug 16 2013, 01:34 AM

Ah, glad to get caught up again.

It's nice to see a trained and powerful Wizard act like a trained and powerful Wizard. Marcurio clearly knows a lot, including his limits and resources.

See, that right there. I half-expected something along the lines of "No, it will be with my expanding trousers-quarterstaff." But Marcurio remains resolute and professional, like a boss.

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Aug 16 2013, 01:54 AM

That's exactly how I was trying to portray him. He was a lot of fun to write, especially with how little magick my characters usually use. He knows where he lacks and seeks to better himself in those departments. He'll lose his cool at some point, sure, but all in all, he's a businessman. Even though Erik was grating his nerves, he remained professional.

He actually reminds me of a guy I work with. I've been hanging around him a lot(much to his surprise XD) and watching him, listening to him, and mentally writing down anything funny or off-hand he says.

Posted by: King Coin Aug 16 2013, 03:37 AM

Ahh what a wonderful bastard this guy is going to be.

Posted by: Grits Aug 16 2013, 04:49 PM

Another thumbs up for your treatment of Marcurio. I just love that guy in the game. His snarky confidence tends to annoy my characters only until he first saves their butts in his usual spectacular way. (Often right outside the gates of Riften, lol.)

Posted by: McBadgere Aug 19 2013, 02:11 PM

The overall impression I got from Marcurio was that he's not above looking both ways... ...

Not a judgement people!! Just an observation... ...

Definitely loved this chapter...Brilliantly done, and Marcurio's obvious skill and power came across brilliantly, and all he did was sit at the table... ...

Loved the thing with all the rings too...That gets on my nerves in Skyrim...You've got four fingers on each hand dammitt!!... ...

Brilliantly done...

Love it!!...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Sep 3 2013, 03:50 PM

Tanks for your patience, everyone. These past few weeks have been particularly difficult for me, and I'm very lucky to have peers like y'all.

Anyways!

Where we left Kayla and Emelia: Both vamps headed to Riften, where several familiar scenes are playing out.



-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=



Night in Riften was deceptively beautiful. The moons reflected serenely off the canals as the torchbugs flitted to and fro in an erratic dance with the lunar moths, their white wings reflecting with the moons and the glow of their partners' bodies. On the top level, the merchants who peddled their wares above the waters of the Rift packed up their belongings and stored their wares beneath their stalls, pocketing their keys and their septims they earned that day.

They milled about for a few moments, shooting scathing comments about the pickpockets they'd encountered earlier in the day and problem customers before finishing up and heading to their homes for a night of quiet, rest, and hopefully, peace from the low-lifes that infested the nightly streets of Riften.

Emelia and I scanned the emptying streets with hungry, watchful eyes, the dryness in our throat growing as the scent of blood filled our noses. I swallowed, the sticky, dry feeling coupled with a sense of desperation making my mouth water. Emelia put a reassuring hand on my arm and gently squeezed, her cold little hand doing nothing to warm my own icy skin.

"Steady," she said. "Look for anyone who's not doing what they're supposed to be doing."

In other words, I thought, Thieves, murderers, and rapists. I nodded and scanned the crowd once again. A flicker of movement caught my eye to my right, and I saw the slight figure of a thief crouching behind one of the market vendors. I tapped Emelia on the shoulder and she looked, then nodded. She slunk away, her movements too fast for human eyes to discern, but fine for me. She positioned herself between the stall vendor and the thief, hiding behind a crate.

I motioned the men behind us to stay still as I slid closer, sticking to the shadows. My garments scraped against the wall, not loudly, but loud for my vampiric ears. I watched intently, the voices growing louder.

Emelia stepped in front of the thief as he neared her, a wide smile on her pale face. The market vendor kept walking and turned a corner, completely unaware. The thief cursed, standing up.

"Get away from me, you stupid kid! You're letting her get away!"

"Who, mister?" Emelia asked, innocence shining in her eyes. A pang of guilt sprang into my gut as she toyed with her prey. Why not kill him and get it over with?

The thief visibly fumed, but didn't want to cause a scene. "No one. Just go away."

She stepped in front of him when he tried to step around her. "I'm hungry." She said in a pitiful voice. "Will you feed me?" She blinked and held her stomach.

My chest contracted as a memory flew into my vision, making me gasp.

"Will you feed me?" The dirtied, raven-haired girl asked Onmund. "I'm hungry."

"No!" I said in a strangled whisper. I felt a hand on my arm and whirled to see two ivory fangs gleaming in the moonlight. The were attached to thin, grinning lips and a handsome Bosmer face.

Niruin.

"I see you've finally seen a glimpse of Emelia's true colors." Niruin said. I pulled my arm away and opened my mouth to snarl, but cool fingers pressed themselves against my lips and he looked into my eyes.

"Shhh." His eyes glowed an odd amber color, and I blinked, closing my mouth. His cold hands turned warm as their palms glowed slightly, and I relaxed.

"See? No need to overreact." He murmured, tracing my lips with his once again cold fingers. "My, you make a lovely child of the night. I bet you have a lovely set of fangs." He grinned, the expression not quite reaching his eyes. His own fangs glinted in the moonlight, and in the distance, an ominous howl sounded. Had Niruin been a Khajiit, his ears would have flattened at the sound. Instead, his eyes narrowed.

"Looks like we're not the only monsters about." He spat, his teeth still gleaming. His charm was wearing off, and I pushed him away with a small amount of effort. He stepped away without protest.

"Get away. You betrayed me. Why should I listen to you? Why should I listen to anything you say?"

"You shouldn't. I'm a lying thief who betrayed you for a sack of gold. A rather small sack, looking back on it. Your sister has acquired a sizable amount of gold, robbing the dead of their children and monetary posessions." he chuckled.

"You make me sick."

"That may be true, but I know what makes you even more nauseated. The thought of a child army, undisciplined, hungry, wreaking havoc across Nirn with no goals, no ambitions, and no thoughts given to whom they eat. Trained by a killer to be killers. Look at young Emelia. Toying with her food like she was a cat. Torturing it until it begged for mercy."

I turned my thoughts inward for a moment. The two warring natures within me constantly battled. The disgust of the hunter, and the voracious appetite of the hunter's prey. My vampire slaying self tried to kill and choke the vampire nature within me, but it didn't always win. When the thirst became too great, I did things I wasn't proud of. I had come to believe that Emelia was the same way.

I saw the dangers. It wasn't above my head that maybe Emelia didn't know better, sometimes. She was a smart little girl, reborn in a dark, shadowy world where blood and power ruled,and sometimes the rules of mortals were bent to give us blood-drinkers an edge. I knew that, out of fear, we were hunted. A fear that was well-placed. I looked at Emelia, still recovering from her large meal. She sat on the ground, licking blood from her fingers, her skin not quite as pale as it had been.

I looked back at Niruin, who continued at this cue. "I don't have to tell you the horrible implications this would have on mortal society." he said.

I shook my head. "No, you don't."

"Then you'll heed my warnings? Do not stay in Riften long."

"I came to find you."

"Revenge?"

"Yes." I lit fire in my hands. His hands grasped my wrists, putting the fire out.

"Stop," he commanded. "Come with me. I will explain to you everything that has happened while you were away."

I looked back at Emelia, who was rifling through the pockets of the thief. I motioned the men over, and the silently sauntered over.

"Tell her...I found some prey I wanted to chase." I said. They nodded and turned while I followed Niruin.

Posted by: King Of Beasts Sep 3 2013, 04:27 PM

No! Don't go with that traitorous bastard! Kill him! He's gonna betray you again!

Posted by: mALX Sep 4 2013, 07:52 PM

How beautiful you made Riften sound in this beginning! Nice! Ooh, you were at your best in this chapter, some amazing reflections by Kayla in this!

I am guessing Niruin can�t do much more to her now that she is a vampire already, or she wouldn�t trust him again; but it still feels like a cliffhanger as it ends with her putting herself into his care once again - and we all know how that worked last time! GAAAAAH!

AWESOME Write !!!!!!

Posted by: Grits Sep 5 2013, 02:05 PM

A nice, evocative description of Riften after dark. I loved the part about the torchbugs and luna moths.

I finally realized that Niruin is in the game, right? Thieves Guild archer? Took me long enough. Hmm, let�s see what he has to say.

Posted by: McBadgere Sep 6 2013, 03:56 AM

Fair dues...Amazing picture of Riften in the early evening... ...

Love the fact that even after all this time as a vamp, she's still getting the flashes of pain about Onmund, shows that she still has a soul somewhere in there... ...

Oooh...That Niruin's a bit of a darkly powerful one if you ask me...I really like him...He's epic!...

Looking forward to seeing what comes next...

Brilliant stuff!!...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Posted by: Acadian Sep 6 2013, 08:48 PM

The girls drop in to the Riften diner for an evening snack and run into Niruin! We know he cannot be trusted. . . can Kayla just eat him?

Posted by: Darkness Eternal Sep 8 2013, 03:09 AM

Kayla continues to walk on her dark and foreboding path with her leecherous friends. She is intelligent though as she learns the ropes. Using thralls to keep her hunger at bay while scouting is wise of her. The "stay thirsty my friends" doesn't apply here.

I caught up and I have to say it was indeed a great change. Kayla with her wolf pets(who have grown, by the way) and her new blood-sucking girlfriends. I must say, you and I share a similar perspective.

I echo Colonel Mustard, here:

Refreshing, indeed. Not the usual stuff we see everywhere. Dawnguard, fortunately, has given us some minor insight on this. Obviously the Dawnguard sees the vampires as evil, and the vampires sees the Dawnguard as a nuisance. I even remember Serana's mother calling vampire hunter's murderers! Good, stuff, this, *jumps excidedly*

Riften is a perfect place to deal with criminals, deadbeats, the "villains" of society, if you will. We learn she has much less of guilt when feeding on a would-be rapist than an innocent person. What's not to love? If you feel guilty about innocent cattle, why not chow-down on convicts?

Posted by: King Coin Sep 8 2013, 08:13 PM

The Volkihar vampires that find themselves in towns during Dawnguard could stand to take a few lessons from Emelia. They would enjoy longer lives. Hey, I wonder if this thief is going to be a familiar person? That would make things difficult for Kayla to keep steady.

The two warring natures within me constantly battled. The disgust of the hunter, and the voracious appetite of the hunter's prey.
This is awesome.

I wonder what will happen between Kayla and the traitor? I have a feeling their interests are mutual this time around. Still would like to see her turn him into a nice campfire at some point in the future.

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Sep 10 2013, 04:12 AM

I went a little crazy with this one, but I started writing and just rolled with it. And, honestly, I know everyone has time limits and busy lives, but this chapter has been burning in me ever since I thought about it. And I feel like pivotal chapters are allowed more length, lol.

Where we left off: Kayla met Niruin, the vampire who betrayed her in book One to her sister Asta, thus leading to her demise and turning her into a vampire.




-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=





The Bee and Barb was noisy, crowded. I donned a dark cloak to hide my features, but not even my ambiguous robe could hide my height. It didn't matter, I wasn't going to wear a cowl, unlike Niruin. It seemed the Bonsamu loved the attention that came with being intimidating and, frankly, weird. He didn't see it that way, though. He fancied himself the mysterious stranger in the corner, with piercing eyes. The charming rogue. I'd met a charming rogue before, and Niruin was not one.

We seated ourselves in a corner booth, expectedly. Niruin ordered a Cliffracer, and me some red wine. "To give you a look of normalcy," he explained when I protested out of earshot of the tavern wench. "Riften may be where thieves and murderers make their beds, but not vampires. Must be careful, or you expose the both of us."

When our drinks came, Niruin inhaled deeply, closing his eyes.

"What a wonderful smell. I suggest you do the same."

I frowned under my hood. "I don't really want to."

"Try it."

I shrugged slightly and picked up the bronze goblet and took a whiff.

"Oh..."

I smelled it again. I could smell the fermented grapes and the spices used to flavor the wine. Niruin smiled under his cowl and took sip, his lips glistening with the wine as he pulled his cowl down.

"Delicious." He said before putting his cowl back in place. I took another whiff of the wine. It didn't smell...bad...just not like something I'd enjoy. I'd enjoyed wine immensely from time to time as a mortal, and never imagined a day when I'd turn it down. Then again, i couldn't smell the fermented grapes at that point in time.

I put the goblet to my lips under the amused eyes of Niruin. He smiled at my changed expression. The wine was sweeter, more flavorful, than when I was mortal. I could taste each ingredient on its own, yet still savor the wine in its entirety.

"Swallow, my dear. It won't hurt you."

I swallowed the wine, then took another drink. Still as lovely as the first. Niruin smiled at my excited smile as I drank the wine and waited. Nothing happened. No surge of warmth or feeling of looseness in my limbs. I frowned slightly under the hood, and Niruin's eyes smiled.

"We do not get drunk off but one red liquid. Mortal food does not affect us. it doesn't sustain us, and it doesn't give us energy. Only one thing does that."

Blood.

"But that doesn't mean we cannot enjoy mortal food all the same. Pastries become sweeter, meats more succulent, herbs and spices stronger."

I briefly remembered the nests that i'd raided with herbs and spices next to piles of bones, cooked flesh of men and mer and beast, and suddenly the pieces fell together.

"It's not for sustanence, it's for enjoyment."

"Precisely."

"And some vampires like to spice up their...meat."

"Yes."

"So, when I go into caves and find a nest of vampires," I said slowly, "and find the cooked flesh on the fire and piles of bones..."

He nodded. I felt a surge of nausea and hunger, the wine in my stomach souring.

"Oh gods." I held my stomach, leaning forward slightly. I expected my stomach to heave, but instead the sour feeling disappated as suddenly as it sprang up.

"You'll find it difficult to relieve yourself of the contents of your stomach. Our organs no longer function as they used to." Niruin said. My anger broiled at his calm demeanor.

"Don't work like they used to?" I hissed angrily. "What does that mean?"

"Surely you've noticed you haven't relieved yourself in quite a long time."

I had noticed. Emelia just shrugged when I mentioned it, saying she never noticed much. Other things began to slide into place. Emelia wouldn't notice, because a child's body, which was was forever trapped in now, worked differently than an adult body, especially given her age.

"Have you been aroused, since you've been turned?" Niruin asked, breaking into my thoughts.

Had I fed, surely blood would've rushed into my cheeks, heating them. "I've been stuck in a cave with a child for almost two years. Were I to become aroused, I would throw myself off a cliff."

"You're in the presence of two men, both of which are decidedly handsome. Have you not enjoyed their bodies as well as their blood?"

"No! Why would I do that?!"

"Because, my dear, you're now a creature of lust and want. But what you desire is much different than what mere mortals crave." He set his drink down and leaned forward, placing his hands on the table, folding them.

"You will likely learn this the hard way, dove. Your desires, though similar in fashion to a mortal's, have grave consequence for those you're using to fulfill those desires. Were you to bed any man in this tavern, he would die."

The words struck me in an odd way. Part of me felt cold indifference, but at the same time I felt afraid, then curious. "Why would they die?" I asked, barely successful in keeping my voice level.

The tavern noise had died down some as the patrons winded down and either went to their respective homes or found a bed at the inn alone or with someone. I could hear the sounds of passion, both mutual in enjoyment or enjoyed by only one party. By the looks of everyone else, they either didn't hear the sound of sex or ignored it completely.

"They can't hear it," Niruin answered my inner question, tilting his drink back as he took a sip. He savored the liquid on his tongue for a breath, then swallowed it and set his mug down. "The rambunctious sounds of mortals pleasuring each other up there is lost on them. The wood is too thick on the floors. Were they to travel up a story, then that would be different. But for now, we are allowed the pleasure of listening in."

He was silent for a moment, and my discomfort grew. I reached over and grabbed his mug, my throat suddenly more parched than before. The hearts of the patrons in the room thudded in my ears, the sound, no, the feeling of blood surging through their veins becoming unbearable. I drank the contents greedily, then bowed my head, the ivory weapons in my mouth potruding. The liquid was too thin, not sweet enough, sour, bitter, like rancid air traveling down my throat. I wanted blood. I needed blood.

"Niruin," I gasped quietly, thankful for the hood hiding my elongated fangs. "Pleathe, I need blood. I have to get out of here."

He chucked. "Sometimes, my dear, you can't be in a position to feed. Your thralls are gone, and if you left right now, in a hurry, covering your face, you'd arouse suspicion."

My hands gripped the arms of the chair in white-knuckled desparation as I tried to keep myself from tearing open the throats of the ones nearby.

I can't...I can't...

I'm so thirsty...

"What will you do?" Niruin asked in a soft voice, only discernable by my heightened hearing. "There are thirty blood-filled bodies in this tavern, Kayla. Were you to drink them, your thirst would be satisfied for a week, perhaps two. All you would need to do is bar the door, and feast."

I shook my head. No...

Drink.

No, I can't!

I'm so thirsty, I NEED it!

"The town is full of criminals that no one would miss." Niruin murmured.

A soft groan escaped my lips as it took every ounce of my will to stay seated. White hot thirst burned my throat, even as I held my breath. My saving grace in that moment was that I no longer needed to breathe, my tongue seemingly able to pick up and taste the scents of the different blood around me.

The activity upstairs slowed after what seemed like hours, though when I looked up, the candles had barely burned away. The red, pulsating surge in the air slowed as the tavern emptied and the lovers drifted off to sleep. I was shaking at this point.

"You bastard!" I gasped when I trusted myself to move. "You filthy, soulless-"

"Calm down."

"-sucking bastard!" I whispered furiously. "I could've killed everyone in this bar!"

I still could, but the moment of bloodlust has nearly passed its point of imense danger. My fangs had retracted, but my eyes were most likely still red, at the edges of my vision were still tinted with crimson.

"But you didn't." Niruin said. "This was a lesson, dear."

"What could you possibly be teaching me by tormenting me like that?"

"Restraint, for one."

"You were goading me into killing!"

"You resisted, as I'd thought you would. You're beginning to become tethered to the want of your own survival."

"I'm tethered by decency!"

Niruin gave my a wry smile. "Decency. Let us speak of decency. Would a 'decent' vampire hunter, Meridia's Champion, no less, stand to exist as a member of the undead? You're not a zombie, nor a draugr. Obviously you have some choice in the matter, to exist as you are.

"Would a 'decent' being go against her own feelings of morality and make not one, but two thralls of innocent men?"

"They're not innocent!" I blurted. "One tried to rape me!"

"One. One tried to rape you. What about the other? Was he not innocent?"

"He tried to kill Emelia." A knot of guilt twisted in my stomach. I could see where this was going, and it infuriated me that Niruin was questioning me like this. Him. Of all people.

"Was he simply not reacting to a situation he was in? You told me on the way here that you attacked them, wanting their blood. How many times had you attacked with provocation, and you emerged the victor? And yet," He leaned forward, his voice dangerously low and soft. "You were seen as a hero. Given gold and praises for taking care of the filth, the leeches, the vermin. Tell me," A cruel smile twisted his handsome features as he locked his cold gaze with mine.

"How does it feel to have fallen so low? To have lost the love of your daedra? To have lost everything you've ever cared for, everyone you've ever known?"

I felt like there were tears in my eyes, but my vision didn't blur. "Shutup."

"You have nothing now, Kayla. You are nothing. Your sister's mindless minions ravage the land, stealing children from their beds and homes, and what are you doing? Hiding in caves, worrying about morality, about black and white. Well, my dear. There is no black and white for vampires. Only crimson."

I clenched my jaw. "Niruin, I'm warning you."

"What are you going to do, break my nose again?"

Thinking about it.

"One act of violence will put you in a frenzy, endangering all in this inn. You'd be exposed. Then you'll be be gutted and torn apart, like your lover and mentor."

I sprang from my seat and wrapped my hands around his thoat and propelled him from his chair onto his back. He flailed and I tightened my grip around him, making choking sounds. Someone screamed, but it was far off. Wild fury and satisfaction lit my red eyes up as my fangs portruded again. I grinned as he began to stop moving.

Suddenly, he grinned back at me and a blow hit my left cheek.

"I don't breathe, you idiot!" He laughed. He had me on the ground, but I was much stronger, despite both our thin bodies. His was meant for hiding and stealth, while mine was toned and primed for strength and flexibility. A dagger appeared in his hand and in a split second it was at my throat. I knocked it aside and punched his nose. A pained wail burst from his mouth as he covered his nose, black blood leaing leazily through his fingers after he pulled his cowl away.

"Vampires!" A man screamed in the distance. Both Niruin and I had our fangs bared, our eyes bright red.

"I will tear you apart with my teeth!" I shrieked as I slammed him to the ground. I used my new strength to grab the much weaker vampire and throw him into the wall. He landed with a crash, and pictures fell with the impact. Several snaps were heard as ribs were broken, and he slumped to the ground, seemingly unconcious.

By this time, I had no trust in the Bonsamu. All weapons were hidden under the robe and hood, and, since my cover was blown anyways, I shed the robes and pulled out a silver dagger. I held it to his throat and pressed against his cold skin.

Finally. You will die for what you did!

Something felt off as I gripped the hair of the knocked out vamp. I felt something inching its way towards me at a frightening speed. I rolled, exhaling, my body responding faster than I'd anticipated at a blade meant for my chest embedded itself into Niruin's neck. His eyes widened as a gush of blackened blood spurted from the wound where the greatsword pierced his neck, severing his spine. He twitched once, and went limp.

I turned my body, still kneeling as my eyes narrowed. Fire engulfed my hands as I stood up, my fangs bared. A familiar face, more rugged and mature than the last time I had seen him locked gazes with me, green as the jungles of Elswyr, harder than the frozen rocks of the Jerrals.

I inhaled, and recognition crossed his face.

"Kayla." he breathed.

"Oh, thit."

I fled.

Posted by: King Of Beasts Sep 10 2013, 04:24 AM

Yes yes yes yes yes yes!!! Stupid Niruin, pay for your treason



He's not dead, is he? Lol

Posted by: mALX Sep 10 2013, 06:16 AM

I love the world building you did here with the change in the scent and taste of foods and drinks! That was Awesome!

It's Erik the Slayer !!!! WOO HOO !!!

BWAAHAA!

This chapter was spectacular !!!! Awesome Write!

Posted by: Grits Sep 10 2013, 12:11 PM

I didn�t find this update to be long at all. You covered a lot of ground, the pace was good, and dialog tends to make for a faster read anyway (for me at least). I think you put in just the right amount of detail to bring Kayla�s experience to vivid life without slowing down the scene. Fantastic chapter!

And it has to be said�. ERIK!!!!!


Also, yikes.

Posted by: jack cloudy Sep 10 2013, 05:44 PM

Welp, when I realized everyone had assembled in Riften, I just knew they had to meet at the most inoportune moment.


I don't know what Niruin was trying to accomplish. Rub in Kayla's failures, make her a better vampire, show her the bright side of unlife? In any case, it seems that he overestimated her self-restraint. Or maybe he thought he could charm her into submission like he seemed to do outside.


So what will happen next? Will Erik chase Kayla, will Emelia get taken to the orphanage cause she is without a caretaker? Will Marcurio use the distraction to fill himself a glass of fine wine?


And speaking of Marcurio, he's excellent! Incredibly smug and somewhat gaudy with all those rings, but at the same time he is professional enough that you know the smugness is well-deserved and he doesn't let it get to his head. (and the rings are of course pure pragmatism in a shiny package.)



PS: Niruin didn't ashify as far as I can tell. So he may get up once everyone has gone on a merry chase (with appropriate comedy-music) after Kayla.

Posted by: McBadgere Sep 13 2013, 03:54 AM

Fair dues...A surprisingly interesting hint of what it's like to be a vampire with all of its attendant funkiness...

And no, not surprised that it's well done, just that I found it interesting... ... ...

Loved the tension in this episode...Her desperation to not tear the throats out of everyone in the inn was excellently done...

I did like Niruin when I did the TG quest thing... ...

But pleased that this incarnation of him was dispatched...I know vamps can come back from some stuff, but broadsword to the spine?...Hmmmm...

Nice to have the two strands meet...I'd actually not made the connection so it was a shock of delight when I worked it out... ...Takes me a second sometimes...Apologies...Man...Idiocy...Brain still stuck on the "Noises" section...( )...You know how it is... ...

Brilliant stuff...Love it!!...

Well done that woman!!...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Sep 17 2013, 03:11 AM

thanks everyone for the comments. it's nice to know that my hiatus from posting didn't deter everyone from reading, lol.

KoB-He's dead. D-E-D dead, lol.

mALX- Thanks! I had to really think about how changing tastebuds might affect a vampire.

Grits- Yes, Erik

jack cloudy- I love Marcurio. I've been DYING to write a character with magickal talents aside from setting things on fire, lol. Bethesda provided me with one! You'll see more of him, for sure, in the upcomingfightscenewhaaaaat?

As for what Niruin was trying to accomplish, you'll see not in THIS chapter, but the next.

Mcbadgere-I LOVED Niruin in the thieves Guild. I thought he was incredibly sexy and interesting. I don't know why my brain turned him into a traitorous sleazebag. I must have some issues that need to be worked out. Hmm.

Where we left off: "Oh thit!"

--------------------=-=-==============-------------===


NOTE mALX don't read while you're eating!!!



Mjoll yanked Grimsever from the neck of the Bosmer vampire right as he began to turn to ash and dust. It was a frightening sight that she hadn't gotten used to quite yet, nor did she ever expect to. It wasn't a poof, then he was ash.

No, she thought grimly. It was more like a body decaying rapidly before the eyes. His skin tightened noticeably and turned ashen, paler than what he had been. His lips turned blue, and his wide-opened eyes sunk into his head as his skin turned purple. He bloated, expanded as if someone had puffed air into his body, almost comical, except for the skin becoming blueish-green, then deflating. A smell of decay permeated the air briefly.

Thankfully, the smell didn't last long as the body caved in on itself and began to turn black and grey, the skin falling off in ashen chunks until nothing was left of the body but a pile of grey ash. Mjoll scooped up some ash, picking out the rings and shaking the dust from the clothes and folding them, setting them on the bar. She intended to use the ashes for a cure disease potion, but she wouldn't sell Thieves Guild armor or trinkets, no matter how much she hated them.

Erik still had his hand outstretched towards the door, his arm shaking slightly as a helpless look of shock lined his face. Mjoll set her sword against the wall gently, resting the hilt on the wall as the tip sat on the wooden floor. She crossed the room and cradled his outstretched hands between her breasts as she looked him in the eyes.

"Erik," she murmured. His mouth was slightly agape, his green eyes watering. The strong hands that had crushed her hips against his in fits of need and ecstasy earlier that night were cold and shaking. She placed one hand on his cheek.

"Erik, please. Talk. Say something."

She's alive, he tried to croak out, but his throat was drier than the sands of the Alik'r. All that came out was a raspy breath as he pulled his hand away from her. He began walking towards the door, but Mjoll grabbed his arm.

"Erik, you're not dressed." She said softly. His muscles rippled beneath his naked flesh, both of them putting on the bare minimum of clothing before running out, their weapons drawn. Erik's weapon had been dropped as soon as he had seen Kayla's face.

"Mjoll...she's alive."

"No, she isn't." She said in a soft, yet insistent voice. "She's undead. That isn't the same as living."

Erik gave her an incredulous look. "She was standing right there in front of us!"

"With fangs, Erik!"

"I have to go find her." he turned around and started towards the door again. She stopped him with a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Are you crazy? You're in a loincloth! The guards here let some things slide, but being nearly nude in public isn't one of them."

And if you go after her, I could lose you.

"Fine. I'll dress, then." He walked up the stairs, and after a moment, she walked from the empty dining room and followed him. Despite the warmth of the inn, she felt a chill creep up her spine as she numbly watched her lover pull on his clothes.

"Stay here." he ordered in a firm, but distracted voice. "Make sure that when everyone comes back, they know I've gone after the remaining vampire."

Mjoll let out a sigh of relief. He didn't intend to let her live, then, she hoped. Who knows how many lives she's taken since turning?

"See if you can rouse Marcurio." Erik said, buckling his greaves. "Fill him in on what's going on. If Kayla is nearby, Asta shouldn't be far." He walked down the stairs, his boots clunking agianst the wood. Mjoll knew Erik was more than capable of taking care of himself, but still, she was worried. She opened Marcurio's door without knocking and shook him.

She gulped when she felt a warmth spreading through her body, spreading from the hand on her arm. It traveled fast into her head, and she felt nauseated, even as she yanked her hand away. She stumbled backwards as her limbs lost their function, stiffening up. Her back hit the dresser, knocking over an unlit , half melted candle and a silver goblet. She slid onto the floor, her eyes wide, limbs useless, blonde hair mussed.

Marcurio rose to see his attacker. He looked somewhat concerned, but perplaxed as well.

"My , my." He said, tossing the covers back smoothly and swinging his legs over the side of the bed. "Your magickal resistance is stronger than I suspected, but much weaker than I'd like. I can fix that."

Mjoll hadn't seen many men without clothes on, and Marurio wasn't the type of man she'd ever seen naked before. His robes gave him a look of being bigger than he actually was. Under the robes, his frame was wiry, but stronger than a usual mage . He had curly, dark hairs on his chest, and she kept her eyes above his waist. His rings glittered in the candlelight as he lit a light spell in the middle of the room before slipping his dark-blue robes on. She made a grunt of indignation. What are you waiting for?! Free me!

"Just a moment, dear." He searched through a few scrolls and nodded slightly to himself. He rolled it back up and turned around, the light following him as he knelt on one knee next to Mjoll. He whispered something odd and swiped his thumb across her forehead. Her limbs loosened, and she blinked and stretched, then punched Marcurio square in the jaw. He reeled slightly, but kept his balance.

"I trust you're feeling back to normal, then?" he said, rubbing his jaw. There was hardly any swelling, and there was an irritating spark of amusement in his eyes.

"What was that?!" She demanded. She lifted him up by the collar with both hands. Marurio marveled at her strength.

"Paralysis. You barged in and startled me."

"You didn't have to paralyze me!"

"The last person-please, put me down." She obliged, and he straightened his robes. "The last person to startle me ended up in ashes. No, I did not HAVE to paralyze you, but it is much better than the alternative, no?"

She scowled at him.

"What was your reason for interrupting my sleep?"

"You slept through a vampire attack, mage."

"Did I? Interesting."

"Interesting?"

"I've been taking a potion I've concocted to decrease the amount of time it between awake and slumber."

"Cocknocted?"

"Yes, concocted. It means bewed, or made. In this case, from scratch. It seems the potion puts me in a deeper slumber than I'd anticipated. I'll have to note that later. For now, where is Sir Slayer?"

"He went after the vampire that escaped."

"Ah. Brave."

"They used to be lovers."

"Ah. Foolish."

Mjoll nodded. "I know. He ordered me to stay here, but..."

"You two are involved, and you fear for his safety."

Mjoll looked startled. "How did you know?"

"The way you look at him when he isn't looking. Your touch lingers longer than needed. Your smile is genuine with him, and tight and practiced with others. It's a little brighter."

"You saw all of that tonight?"

"Yes." He said nothing about the hickeys on her neck. "How many vampires were there?"

"Two."

"And the one who didn't get away is dead, I presume."

She nodded. "I picked up his clothes and trinkets and left them on the bar."

"And the ashes?"

She handed them to him. "Ah, excellent. I can do wonders with this. They're better fresh." He set them in his bag across the room. "What else?"

"What else?"

"Did you find anything in his pockets? Weapons, potions, letters?"

"I didn't look."

"Dear. If this is Sir Slayer's lover, the one who was presumed dead nearly two years ago, and is the sister of the vampire we're hunting, then surely the other vampire would have a reason for contacting her."

Mjoll pursed her lips together. "I suppose." They're not lovers anymore.

"Come. We'll search the garments together."

They walked downstairs, Marcurio graciously offering her one of his sleeping robes. "To secure your decency." He explained. Mjoll wasn't modest, but she was cold. She slid the robe on, and it came mid-thigh to her. Marcurio said it must've shrunk when last washed, as it usually came just below his knees.

She let him sift through the garments alone, her decided aversion against the Thieves Guild disgusting her more than the fact that the former own of the clothing was a vampire. Marcurio pulled a sheet of parchment from one of the pockets after setting aside the rings and the septims. he read, his dark brows furrowing.

"Oh, my," he murmured. "This is most troubling."

"What?"

"Dress yourself. In armor. The enemy is closer than we think."

Posted by: King Of Beasts Sep 17 2013, 03:21 AM

Aaaand, so Erik's obsession has started again


Kayla better run. I have a feeling the rest of the group won't be so merciful to her...

-lets out a boyish giggle-

Posted by: McBadgere Sep 17 2013, 04:12 AM

Oh dear...Poor Mjoll... ...

Methinks there's going to be much heartbreak ahead...

(Freddie) Marcurio is excellent!...

Loved this bit...

Fair dues, I was in stitches with that... ...

Brilliant writing...

Loved it muchly!!...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Posted by: mALX Sep 17 2013, 04:23 AM

Very cool idea to have the vampire bodies rapidly decaying and then disintegrate into ash - loved that touch!

Hey, when did this happen? All I read was that she melded to him for warmth! GAAAAH!

I am really liking your depiction of Marcurio in this, what a great personality!



ROFL!!! I am really liking his personality so far, even if it was a head-hop! He HAS to remain in this story, you have already made him a necessary character, lol.

This chapter needed an edit badly, but LOVED it anyway!

Posted by: Grits Sep 17 2013, 12:01 PM

Loved your treatment of Marcurio!

Posted by: Colonel Mustard Sep 17 2013, 12:52 PM

I think Marcurio is the best thing in this story at the moment. Don't get me wrong, everything else about it is awesome, but that guy is just amazing.

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Sep 17 2013, 01:39 PM

What's head hopping? Did I do something wrong??

Posted by: King Of Beasts Sep 17 2013, 02:29 PM

No, it's not bad

Posted by: Grits Sep 17 2013, 02:38 PM

Here are a few paragraphs that explain what head-hopping is: http://theeditorsblog.net/2011/09/10/head-hopping-gives-readers-whiplash/.

And here�s a quick little read about head-hopping vs. third person omniscient point of view: http://thewritepractice.com/head-hopping-and-hemingway/.

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Sep 17 2013, 03:28 PM

Redacted for an overreaction.

Posted by: Acadian Sep 18 2013, 02:01 PM

So vampires can eat all the pastries they want, chased by triple lattes from Moon&Starbucks and not gain a pound! Woot! I still enjoy that Kayla has not fully learned to enunciate around the ivory weapons in her mouth.

Oh thit! Vampire hunters meet vampires and, in this case, old passions and jealousies are rekindled.

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Sep 22 2013, 04:26 PM

Good gods! I'm so glad everyone likes Marcurio XD


Where we left off: Oh my, Erik and Kayla are reunited!

--------------------------------



I need to feed. I thought desperately as I ran through the streets. It was getting to the point where I didn't care who I fed on, just that I needed to feed. The air was ripe with the scent of blood, water, sweat, and filth. I held my nose and hid in an alleyway, closing my eyes. I listened to the sounds of the night as I calmed myself.

The lullaby of the crickets resonated through the air as the water lapped at the sides of the canal. It was soothing. I heard the flutter of wings as a bird flew above my head, and a soft breeze caressed my face. I leaned my head back, my eyes still closed. Off in the distance, I heard feet rushing to the inn, the armor of guards clanking frantically to see some action.

Where is Emelia? I wondered. it wasn't like her to stay so far away from me. Usually she was watching me like a hawk, attached to my hip like it was life or death to be near me. I heard footsteps draw near, and readied myself in the shadows, hiding behind a crate. I had a command spell in my hand and leapt out only to stop.

He turned and gave me an incredulous look. "I thought you'd be long gone by now."

I hid my face. "Don't look." Shame briefly overrode my thirst. He was downwind of me, and I couldn't smell him, but I could hear his pulse. Strong,armored hand grabbed my wrists and I gasped at the shocking warmth.

"You're freezing," he murmured. He studied my face as I stood there, bewildered.

Why isn't he trying to kill me?

I received my answer when he pulled me into a rough, desperate kiss. I made a sound of protest and pulled away.

"Erik, no! I cant!"

He responded with a hug, one that might've crushed me had I been less sturdy. I breathed through my mouth, gulping as my throat tightened with desire.

"Erik," I gasped. "Please, sthop. Ith taking all I have to not drain you."

Erik pulled away and saw my face was drawn with thirst. He looked concerned, but cautious. There was also slight amusement.

"I dream about you every night," He murmured softly. "I dream that you're alive, and-" He cut off and licked his lips nervously.

"Go. I'll tell them I killed you."

"But Emelia is sthill here!"

"Who?"

"She healed me after you left, after..."

His face tightened. "Oh." he was silent for a moment. "Once you find her, leave. Things are much different since you've been gone."

"I will." How different? I wanted to ask, but kept it to myself.

I felt the hairs on my neck stand up as a rock formed in my belly. One inhale of breath through my nose told me that there were vampires around. More than one. When we entered the city, Emelia and I had only noted ourselves, on the surface, at least. We were aware that the sewer systems housed many criminals, namely the faction of the Thieves Guild.

Were there vampires before now, wandering the city on a regular basis, the slight stench of not-quite decomposed bodies would have been evident. There was no such stench. Which means they were fast approaching.

"Erik, leave. Vampireth. Lotsth." I held my dagger out, feeling pitiful with the small blade out in front of me. Erik drew his sword.

"How many?"

My nostrils flared and I cocked my head. Small, padded feet hit the ground running and leapt from rooftop to rooftop.

"Get away! Now!" I yelled at him. He stayed, and suddenly they were on us. They formed a tight circle, dressed in tiny versions of black leather armor, their eyes red, pale faces cowled. fifteen pairs of eyes let off dull and bright glows as they regarded me coldly and Erik hungrily.

"Nisse."

The name slid off of my sister's lips like a serpant's tongue flicking from its mouth, tasting the fear in the air. She was uncowled, her raven hair lying in springy curls , her round face shone with a mask of innocence. Her arms were wide, welcoming, and she stepped forward towards me.

"Nisse," a pout formed on her face, and her high, childish voice was filled with hurt. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because you dithgutht me!" I spat. Erik's grip tightened on his sword, his gloves squeaking against the hilt. Asta's gaze was on him instantly.

"Is this your lover?" She sniffed the air, closing her eyes, then opening them again. "He reeks of sex, but you don't. You don't enjoy your meals, do you, Nisse?"

"Shut up, that's disgusting!" I growled through clenched teeth, my fangs retracted. I lit a firebolt in my hand. Asta laughed loudly.

"What are you going to do, Nisse? Burn me alive? Shove a firebolt down my gullet and watch me die in agony?"

"That was the plan."

"I'm changing your plans." A knife sprouted from my chest, just below my left collarbone. The blade had buried itself deep, and a flower of pain blossomed from the wound, exploding into my chest, strangling the scream that came from my lungs. I fell, and Erik caught me.

"She won't die," I heard Asta say. "She'll drink a few villagers and be fine. You, however, won't make it out of the city in one piece."

The feeling of pain was accompanied by a hot liquid running through my veins. My limbs were loose, and my head lolled to the side when he put me down. I watched with a vacant expression, blinking dully at the scene in front of me.

Erik swung at Asta, but she dodged easily, side-stepping him each time in one fluid motion. The scene grew fuzzy as I saw the circle closing in on him.

"Nnnngh!" The poison kept me from speaking. I realized she'd found a way to duplicate my paralysis potion somehow, and I couldn't help him.

A bright red light, like a fireball, made its way to Erik, but was blocked. It burst off the ward, dissipating furiously. The chaos that broke out ebbed out of my hearing as I passed out.

Posted by: King Of Beasts Sep 22 2013, 04:45 PM

Erik! Do something!!!




To think that something so innocent looking could be so evil. Asta is truly terrifying.

Posted by: Colonel Mustard Sep 22 2013, 05:04 PM

Ermahgerd! Er mah GEEEEEEEEERD!!!



Ahem. Sorry, had a moment there.

I love the job you're doing of depicting how overwhelming Kayla's bloodlust is in that conversation there; that alone was enough to really ramp up the drama and tension, then Asta arrived and oh my!

Posted by: mALX Sep 23 2013, 10:07 AM

What a fantastic line this is! Awesome chapter !!!

Posted by: minque Sep 23 2013, 10:56 PM

Nisse?? Now thats a shortname for Nils.....(In sweden)

I HAVE finally started reading yout work Liz! It's a good beginning...aaahhhhh

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Sep 23 2013, 11:07 PM

I looked up Swedish names :] I loved that name. Most of the Nord names not in the game are Swedish.

Posted by: Grits Sep 25 2013, 07:26 PM

"What are you going to do, Nisse? Burn me alive? Shove a firebolt down my gullet and watch me die in agony?"

Yep. Go for it!

You�re doing a fabulous job with creepy yet adorable Asta. Yikes. And she really knows how to push her sister�s buttons.

Posted by: Acadian Sep 27 2013, 03:31 PM

Poor Kayla. She�s really caught between worlds. She has not embraced the undead, yet she cannot embrace the living - well, not without her teeth getting in the way.

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Sep 28 2013, 03:57 AM

I would like to briefly thank everyone for reading my story as we start drawing to a close. I'm sorry for my weird behavior lately. Please enjoy this chapter.


Where we are: Asta showed up! GEHH!


---------------------------------



One of the wretched children threw a fireball at Erik's head, but bounced off a ward right before it struck him. Erik had fallen backwards in an attempt to dodge the fireball, and looked around wildly to see where the ward had come from. His answer came as a cowled vamp screamed in agony as it disintegrated before his eyes. Asta turned and let out an angry hiss, her fangs extended.

"Mage!" She spat. Marcurio's stony face held the resolve of a man who'd seen many battles. His eyes held uncertainty at his targets as he scanned the small gathering of childlike vampires. The fire in his hands waned.

"They're older than they look, Mar-CCKK" Erik's sentence was strangled from him as two small hands gripped his throat tightly. The vampire girl's eyes shone with amusement as Erik gasped for air, pushing away at her small form. She pulled out a dagger, her red eyes glinting with malicious intent.

A blast from a few feet away knocked them both over, knocking the girl and knocking Erik's sword from his belt. Smoke filled Erik's lungs as he lifted his head and saw one of the nearby houses on fire, Marcurio facing off with a little blonde vampire girl. She shot command spells at him, and he flicked them away with small wards, bouncing them off like they were cotton balls. Mjoll was nowhere to be seen as Erik scrambled for his sword. fire flickered and flashed behind him as he grabbed the sword, then cried out in pain as a small but heavy boot stomped on his hand.

Hello, Erik." Asta purred in a voice much too mature for her outward image. Her round face and large eyes gave her an innocent look, while the blood and gore around her mouth gave her a totally different look. She smiled aweetly at him, fluttering her lashes as she held out her hand. Erik yanked his hand from under her boot and crawled backwards. She advanced easily on him. Another boom sounded behind him as Marcurio deflected a particularly large fireball. The molten lava sunk under the waters of the canal, creating hot steam and broiling the water around it. Neither mages had broken a sweat yet, though Marcurio seemed content to simply deflect rather than attack.

"Why are you fighting me, Erik?" Asta murmured softly, the words laced curiousity and something darker. Erik found himself backed against the wall, his breathing ragged with...terror? Was he terrified of Asta?

His question was answered when she touched his cheek, her icy flesh leaving a burning sensation. He flinched, a cry escaping from his lips. She tutted and looked down at his abdomen, his gaze following. Stuck between two plates of metal was the dagger the girl had held in her hands. The blast had forced her onto him, sliding inot his gut at just the right angle.

"It doesn't have to be this way, you know." She murmured, leaning in closer. Erik's eyes flickered to his sword, then back to Asta's face. Or more specifically, her eyes. They were soft and dark, with depth uncharacteristic for a mere child. They crinkled in a genuine smile, her white teeth showing.

I can take the pain away. Her voice echoed in his head. The knife was removed, and a warm glow emitted from her hands as the wound closed.

"See? I'm not so bad." She purred again, touching his face with her warm hands.

Warm? Weren't they cold before?

Asta made a shushing noise, pouting her lips slightly as she rested a fingertip on his lips. he began to relax, the light of the fireballs warming her skin. He heard Marcurio yell something, but he didn't know what. It didn't matter to him. Asta leaned closer, exhaling cool breath onto his face.

"Don't fight it." She murmured softly. Erik's nose twitched, and he smelled the thick stench of death on her breath. He gulped and started to wriggle from her grasp, his will becoming stronger.

"No! Get off!" He put his hand on her chest to push her away, and her expression turned from disturbingly seductive and innocent to horrifyingly angry. Her face contorted with anger and her fangs poked out as her mouth twisted in a snarl. She grabbed a fistful of his red hair and yanked his neck to the side.

"I planned on being gentle," Her voice was now as thin as old papers rustling as the spell wore off. The gore reappeared on her face, and Erik could see blue veins in her cheeks and forehead. She looked like a red-eyed corpse with fangs.

"But I suppose you won't cooperate. Pity. I rather like men."

Erik cried out in pain as her fangs pierced his skin with no resistance. The smell of wood burning filled his lungs, and the sight of Marcurio's battle made his heart sink. The Breton was losing to the blonde child, and he didn't know it. His wards couldn't stop the smoke from filling his lungs, wracking his body with fits of coughing. Erik saw a small, dark form creep up behind Marcurio, a flash of metal in its hands. Erik closed his eyes and lost himself. They were all dead. There was no fighting it.

He exhaled, and did not inhale again.

Posted by: mALX Sep 28 2013, 04:06 AM

The scene with Asta and Erik was bone chilling! Your descriptions throughout the entire chapter were stunning! Amazing Write !!!!

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH !!!!! OH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! URK!!!!

AWESOME WRITE !!!!

Posted by: Grits Sep 28 2013, 04:30 AM

Oh my gosh, the mage battle was awesome! But... Erik did not inhale again?! Nooo!

Posted by: Colonel Mustard Sep 30 2013, 01:38 PM

You are so bloody good at fight scenes that it makes me a little jealous sometimes.

The entire exchange between Asta and Erik was brilliantly done, though; frightening, tense and disturbing in equal measure, and while the magical duel between Marcurio and Vampire Redshirt Kid was fun, that was definitely the highlight of the chapter.

And now I'm going to hold out in the hope that Erik didn't inhale simply because he didn't want to breath in the smoke. That's what I'm hoping for. No smoke.

Posted by: Acadian Oct 1 2013, 08:31 PM

Not going well for the vampire hunters! Very nice job depicting Asta- she's one scary little thing.

Posted by: King Of Beasts Oct 1 2013, 09:48 PM

Erik is dead?!?!

Posted by: Darkness Eternal Oct 4 2013, 01:55 AM

Erik the slayer . . . slain!?

Points for the undead, loss for the hunters. A deadly child, Asta. Can't say I'll mourn for the man though. I will honestly say that you've improved in certain areas of you're writing. The battle scenes are great and the narrative is splendid! Good work, Liz.

Posted by: jack cloudy Oct 4 2013, 09:09 PM

Well, one coingrubbing vamp down. Also, why am I suddenly thinking that the whole Riften thieves guild is made up of vampires or at least in league with them?

Go go Marcurio! No Erik!


Hmm, when Asta isn't caught flatfooted she really doesn't have trouble handling her sister. Overall, things are looking pretty bad.

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Oct 7 2013, 02:52 AM

@ mALX-Thank you, ma'am!

Colonel Mustard- LMFAO at the redshirt kid! All of Asta's army is expendable to her, though she can't really afford to be so callous with her minions anymore, since the mortals are on to her, now, and keeping their girls locked up safe and tight.

@ Acadian-Yep.

DE-Thank you sir :]

jack cloudy- Nooo, they're not, they're just aware. Sometimes, when you're living underground, you have to live in harmony with the vermin ;]


----------




A ball of molten lava thudded dully against the ward Marcurio threw up. His attention was pulled momentarily from the blonde vampiress assaulting him as the raven-haired miniature bloodsucker sank her diseased fangs into Erik. He turned his attention back to his attacker, calculating how long it would take him to kill this one and turn his attention to Erik.

He took a step forward and summned a fire atronach. Why not? The city is already half cinders, he thought wryly. Instead of focusing its attack on the vampiress in front of him, it turned its attention towards him and held its hands up.

No!

He ducked and rolled, the moisture frm the melted snow seeping into his clothes. He heard a pained scream as a small figure was engulfed in flames...right behind where he was standing. Another building caught fire as an errant fireball from the atronach hit it, and Marcurio's lips thinned out as he thought.

He looked at the blonde vampire, now occupied with the raven-haired one as Erik lie on the ground, unmoving. Blood pulsed lazily from his neck, and Marcurio shot a long-ranged healing spell at him, sealing up the wound effectively enough. It wouldn't restore his blood, but it would keep him from bleeding out better than a bandage or a potion.

Both of the small vampires were dragging a woman away. An elf, by the looks of it. Marcurio had begun advancing, as did his atronach when the raven haired one looked at him. A crackle of lightening erupted from his fingertips, raising the hairs on his arms.

"Em-" The bolt shook the words right from the dark-haired vampire's mouth, and the blonde was hit as the lightening leapt from one body to the next. Unfortunately, the elf was also hit. Marcurio cursed the wayward bolt as the two vampires writhed on the ground. He was out of magick. He quickly uncorked a potion bottle and drank it, replenishing not all, but enough of his supply. When he tilted the bottle back down, they were gone, the elf woman lying on the ground.

She would have to wait. Marcurio ran to Erik and felt for a pulse. He sighed in relief as he felt a faint one. the air was clear around the elven woman, and soon Erik had clean air to breathe as Marcurio dragged him next to her. He then began to work on coaxing Erik to breathe, pressing on his sternum and breathing air into his lungs.

Erik gasped for air a few agonizing moments later, coughing and shaking. Marcurio poured a healing potion down his throat, making Erik cough even more.

"K-Kay-" He was cut off by a fit of coughing. Marcurio shushed him.

"Your throat and lungs are injured. Give the potion time to work before speaking." He looked over at the elven woman, who was unmoving, her eyes closed. he shook his head in regret.

"I could not save your friend. I am sorry."

Erik looked over, tears welling up. Marcurio had seen the look of despair before, but this had surpassed the expressions of broken heartedness he'd witnessed. The woman was unmoving, completely still. Her once golden skin was washed out. Erik spoke softly.

"She's not dead. Not all the way." He reached over and pulled out the dagger, still coughing a bit. Marcurio didn't miss the lingering fingertips on her lips, or the way he traced her jawline with his thumb.

"She would be ash if she was truly dead. I know that now. She's poisoned."

Marcurio's brow furrowed. Judging from the blue veins showing through her pale skin, she was clearly poisoned. But the poison had taken her very quickly. She was cold and lifeless, possibly from a blood-freezing potion. Clearly dead.

"I think you are mistaken, Sir Slayer." He began. "She-what in the name of Arkay are you doing?"

Erik had slid a knife across his wrist, and a lazy stream of blood trickled out. He held it to the dead woman's lips.

"Waking her up."

Marcurio looked at the woman, her pale, blue-veined skin, lifeless appearance. Ash... He took in a sharp breath quickly.

"This is most inadvisable, Erik. Reviving a vampiress with ones own blood is risky."

"She'd be alive."

"She is not alive, she's undead."

The woman stirred as the poison wore off and the blood touched her lips. Marcurio grabbed Erik's wrist. "Let me heal it. She'll drain you in a second, then turn on me."

Erik yanked his arm away. "No! She needs to feed!"

Marcurio let out an exasperated sound through his nose as he lit a quick healing spell and closed his hand around Erik's wrist. "Let her feed on one of the many criminals here! The city is in smoke, and the guards will be here any moment."

The elven woman opened her eyes, and Marcurio saw the red desperation in them as she immediately turned her attention to him. She let out a hiss as she licked the blood from her lips, wiping the stray droplets off and licking her fingers clean.

"Mage!" She snarled, leaping on him in an instant. Marcurio had a spell in his hand the second he hit the ground. Erik let out a startled yell, trying to pull her off of his hired hand. The woman's teeth bit into unyielding skin, her fangs scraping against what sounded like steel. She let out an angry, pitiful groan as she tried to claw at Marcurio's skin, screaming.

"I need blood! I need it now! Give it to me, you filthy wretch!" She turned on Erik when he pulled her off of him, twisting her form around and sinking her fangs into his neck. Erik let out a strangled yelp and attempted to push her off. His armor constricted him from pushing his knees against against her and kicking her off. She suddenly sat up, crying out in pain. She held her head and rolled off of him, writhing on the ground, screaming.

"Make it stop! Gods! My head!" She let out inarticulate yowls of pain as she writhed on the ground. Erik gasped for air and looked at Marcurio, a look of concentration on his face. His hands were out as if holding a ball in his hands, his fingers working. If he flicked his pinky, Kayla whimpered softly. If he pressed his thumb, her hands went to her eyes.

"Stop! You're hurting her!" Marcurio moved away when Erik tried to lower his hands.

"If I do not do this, I cannot placate her."

"I don't know what that means, just stop! She's in pain!"

"Were you not in pain a moment ago? Just hold on."

"What are you doing?"

"Experiment."

"No!" Erik pushed Marcurio's arms down. The spell broke, and the elven woman lay on the ground, sobbing. Her hands were clutched to her heaving chest.

"What were you doing to her?!" Erik demanded.

"Attempting to isolate the part of the brain that causes the vampiric thirst to become overwhelming, and destroy it."

Erik blinked at Marcurio. "Did it work?"

"Well, no, you interrupted me. We may have made her more aggressive, or possibly suicidal. We will tell once she recovers."

Erik carefully walked over to Kayla, and Marcurio readied a spell to harden their flesh. he would need to replenish his magick once he got back to the inn. A thought suddenly struck the mage. Erik was completely unconcerned for his female counterpart, the beautiful Nord, and completely enamored with this elven woman. While elven women were certainly of Marcurio's taste, he preffered that they did not suck his lifeblood. Why Erik was helping this one while he destroyed children vampires was lost on Marcurio. Long lost love or not.

The elven woman has passed out, and the city was now being subdued by mages, rather than allowed to burn. Waters rose from the canal to quell the burning buildings, and they were able to escape the city unnoticed.

Posted by: King Of Beasts Oct 7 2013, 03:48 AM

Yay, new chapter !!



Erik is alive!!!



Oh no! Kayla is fine now, but what about Emelia?!

Posted by: Colonel Mustard Oct 7 2013, 12:54 PM

Marcurio saves the day, hurrah! Just goes to show that, at the end of the day, it's the fireball-hurling wizard who can get everything done. Usually because they're the group's munchkin

So Erik is once again united with Kayla. I'm honestly not sure whether this is a good or a bad thing, especially when Mjoll gets involved, but it will almost certainly be entertaining to see.

Also, I loved the ending part when you were writing from Marcurio's POV; the writing there felt perfectly fitted to his character, and it worked really well.

Posted by: mALX Oct 7 2013, 08:25 PM

@ Liz - You are really stunning me with your Marcurio portrayal, what an AWESOME addition to any team!

Oh Crap! Erik reviving the vampire with his blood - I just read something about this the other day, Kayla could become attached to him through the blood exchange or something!

Very cool scene, and Awesome Write!

Posted by: Grits Oct 12 2013, 04:07 PM

This update from Marcurio�s POV is my favorite yet. Great battle!

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Oct 27 2013, 10:06 PM

I'm so glad that everyone is liking Marcurio! We're going to pull away from him for a moment, though, and visit two tiny vampires. I'm sorry it's shorter than the usual.

Where we are: Erik and marcurio just escaped with Kayla. Asta escaped with her cohort, but they are not alone...



-------------



Small nostrils sniffed the frigid air, black curls whipped to and fro, dodging branches and rocks. were she alive, her breathing would be labored at how hard she was running. Close behind, a blonde vampire, her height similar to the raven-haired one's. They both sniffed the air.

"I think we can stop," The blonde child said. Asta halted immediately, and Emelia halted as well.

"No one followed?" Asta answered her own question by sniffing the air. "Good. Report."

"Kayla's abilities-"

"Nisse." Asta's sharp correction was coupled with a hard, red-eyed stare. Emelia gulped.

"Nisse's abilities are remarkable for someone just turned. She can already make thralls and control her thirst enough to where she doesn't kill."

"Interesting. What are her tactics?"

"Coersion through goodwill."

"No seduction?"

Emelia shook her head. "She hasn't touched a mortal... like that... since turning. I think..she's disgusted with herself."

Asta scoffed. "Weakling. She hasn't lived until-" Her nostrils flared. A wretched scent filled her nose. "Werewolf. Run, Emelia."

They sprinted towards a small cave a few miles north east of Riften. Before they had made it a quarter of a mile, they both heard thudding footfalls behind them. Heavy panting was heard, and Emelia panicked and climbed a tree.

"No, you idiot!" Asta shrieked, turning around as Emelia sprang nimbly from limb to limb until she was nearly at the top. Asta grunted as she was slammed against a tree, her head spinning. She slid through the mosterous claws of the beast in time to avoid having her head taken off. Claw marks shredded where her head previously leaned. She easily darted beneath the creature, who whirled around, looking for her. She conjured a dagger and leaped onto its back, preparing to slit its throat.

She let out a piercing scream as the wolf's claws dug into her back, shredding the skin. She grit her teeth, letting out a snarl and slid down the creature's back, allowing it one more long slice alongside her back. Black, clotted gore dripped down her back and onto the frigid, frozen ground. She bared her fangs and conjured a dagger again.

"Beast!" She spat before leaping at the werewolf. It let out an angry snarl when her daedric blade pierced its gut. She dropped to her knees and thrust her blade into its knee, causing the creature to yelp in pain. It fell, roaring. Asta's red eyes glowed in the moonlight, much like the wolf's as it looked at her. Though on the ground, it was still taller than she in height by a full head. It growled at her.

"Disgusting, mangy, flea-bitten filth!" Asta snarled. It swiped at her, then tried to leap at her. Asta easily dodged, side-stepping the lunge and plunging her dagger into its back. She jumped atop a small rise in the land, resembling tiny cliff, making her taller than the wolf.

"You can die here, for all I care." she hissed. She licked the blood off the blade and closed her eyes for a second. "Mmmm. Hircine's favorite does taste delectable. Perhaps I'll simply maim you and leave you alive when you're in a more pleasing form."

"Asta, we need to go." Emelia dropped from the tree, standing a considerable distance away. She eyed the werewolf warily, and the beast picked up on her fear and growled at her. She shuddered and took a few steps away from it.

"We need to go," she repeated. Asta gave her a sharp look.

"Emelia, come here."

Emelia looked at her like she was crazy. She shook her head.

"No. I'm not coming near that thing."

"I won't allow it to harm you. Come."

Emelia cautiously inched her way over to Asta. The wolf watched her with interest, hunger and anticipation as Asta put her hand on Emelia's back.

"Why did you leave me alone with this beast?"

Realization crossed Emelia's face when Asta grabbed the back of her shirt and leaned Emelia forward, just out of reach of the wolf. The beast dragged its leg as it crawled forward, snarling and snapping at Emelia. Emelia shrieked and tried to regain her balance, but realized her only option would be to step forward into the beast's reach and fall.

"Asta! No! What are you doing?!"

"You're a coward. There's no room in my ranks for a child."

"I AM a child!"

Asta lowered Emelia down, the swipe from the beast's claw catching a tangle in her hair and pulling her head forward slightly. Emelia screamed loudly, her arms flailing behind her, trying to grab onto something.

"Please! Asta! I've done everything you've asked of me!"

Asta's dull blue eyes simply blinked as she released Emelia, the shrieks of her former cohort left behind as she walked away.

"No room for weakness." she said as the sound of bones snapping pierced the air. She realized dawn was approaching, and walked away without looking back.

Posted by: minque Oct 27 2013, 10:45 PM

Gah Lizzie! I love your story and I love your names in it!

Asta: A name used in Sweden in the beginning of this century, there are no younger ppl here by that name, but it's awesome!

Erik: A name used all the time here since very long ago! We've had quite a few kings by that name, and...my husband is named Erik as part of his double name: Sven-Erik

But carry on with your story it's really a good amusing read!

Posted by: King Of Beasts Oct 27 2013, 10:52 PM

Emelia wasn't really Kayla's friend?!


And there Asta goes betraying her own people. Bastard

Posted by: mALX Oct 28 2013, 10:22 PM

Oh no, Emelia! Oh no, Urgh!

Posted by: Colonel Mustard Oct 29 2013, 01:30 PM

Such is the traitor's lot, or some nonsense like that.

Damn, Asta is brutal; it's that kind of ruthlessness that makes her such a good villain, I suppose, and it's certainly a great way to raise the stakes (badum-tish!) further.

Also, that was a cool werewolf fight; enjoyed the classic matchup of vampires vs werewolves

Posted by: Grits Nov 2 2013, 02:03 AM

The little girl vampires put an interesting slant on the werewolf fight. I wonder whose bones were snapping at the end? Could be the werewolf�s!

Posted by: jack cloudy Nov 3 2013, 05:39 PM

Marcurio is an awesomely dashing awesome man yadayada. Now for the important stuff.

*puts on the smug-face*

I totally called it. A deserter from Asta showing up right after Kayla told her she wouldn't do the vampire thing, a deserter who teaches her how to do the vampire thing? Then said deserter just happens to desert Kayla in Riften, aka the place where all the bad things go down and the place where Asta (quite a while back at this point) thought to score big on her recruitement-drive?

Yeah, Emelia was up to no good from the beginning. Too bad her real boss has succumbed to classic villainy, kill your underlings and all that. I actually grew sorta fond of the kid.


Wonder what that wherewolf was about though. Freak random encounter? Standard war in the shadows between vamps and furry men? Companion trying to get into the vamp-slaying bussiness but forgetting to keep his pants on?

Posted by: Acadian Nov 8 2013, 08:45 PM

Poor Eric. Trying so hard to save Kayla � despite the self-danger.

"Beast!" She spat before leaping at the werewolf.� - - Coming from Asta, this is truly the pot calling the kettle black!

Sounds like the little turncoat Emelia got what she deserved. Wow, you�ve really promoted Asta up into the ranks of world-class villains!

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Nov 20 2013, 04:44 AM

Sorry for the long delay, everyone. Thanks to those still reading. Being sick and having to wake up at 3 am to get ready for work really sucks. This chapter is under 1,000, so really short. Not napping is kicking my ass.





===





Pain clutched the breast of the young girl, causing ragged, wheezing breaths to puncture the air. She clutched her skin through her shirt, willing her sluggish heart to keep beating. Fever dreams plagued her, visions of her mother torn and bloody, eyes gouged and frozen in a scream, her father strung up by his intestines, her sisters' heads cooking in the pot over the fire while their bodies were skinned and drying in the sun.

She hadn't slept in two nights, not since the creature disguised as a mortal clutched her close and bit her, kissing the spot and her mouth before stealing away. She'd spent the two days in bed, ill, the healer of the town confused. He made a paste to slather onto her chest to ease the coughing, and something to help her sleep. She spat out the concoction in the urn by her bed, knowing what sleep would bring.

On the third night, her mother held her hand, her blonde hair streaked with silver from raising three children and surviving the harsh climate of the North. Tears welled up in her eyes as she saw her youngest slipping away.

"Ma," she croaked, barely audible. In the dark, the mother heard.

"Yes, my dove?"

"I...hurt." The words came out as a whimper, as if from a newborn pup. A hot hand touched the girls's brow, smoothing the black hair plastered with clammy sweat away.

"I know. It's alright. If you need to rest, then rest."

The girls's breathing slowed, and her mother clutched the smaller hand to her own chest, gasping as her daughter slipped into death. She wailed as her youngest of three girls died. The house was silent, save for her pained screams. She picked up her daughter and clutched her to her breast, her little body ice-cold in spite of the two thick wool blankets and fire in her room.

Ten minutes passed before the mother gathered herself long enough to put her daughter's body down. As she wiped her eyes, the fingers of her daughter twitched. She turned and held her stomach as she stood, leaning on the back of the chair. The child slowly rose, her eyes red and alight with hunger. The mother left the room, shutting the door quietly, unaware of her child's reawakening.

She opened the door to her room, her husband and oldest sitting on the bed. They looked up with red-rimmed eyes, the father's arm around his daughter as he comforted her. The oldest girl opened her mouth to say something, then saw something behind her mother.

The mother screamed in surprise as her hair was yanked back, and the father jumped up, shoving his daughter over the bed. She hit her head, and the rest was fuzzy from there. She heard shrieks and struggling, the door to the room shut. She shakily stood up and hid in her parents' wardrobe behind her mother's dresses. One long scream pierced the air, and all was silent.

Her breathing sounded loud in her own ears, and her heart drummed rapidly in her chest. Her long legs curled against her chest, her arms wrapped around them, she listened as footsteps walked across the wooden floor of the room. She held her breath when they stopped in front of the wardrobe. Seconds passed, and she wondered if they had left.

The door flung itself open with such force, the hinges snapped, and the oak doors fell with a loud clatter.

"Eeva."

Eeva looked through her hands to see her youngest sister peeking back. She threw her arms around her, forgetting the doors.

"Asta! You're alive! And cold."

Eeva gasped when a hot pain erupted in her neck, shooting deep into her shoulder and making her body feel wobbly. Asta's grip was like iron, and within a few seconds, she passed out.

Posted by: King Of Beasts Nov 20 2013, 05:26 AM

Not sure wether to feel bad for Asta or not, she was still a child when she was turned

What drove her into evil anyway?

Posted by: Acadian Dec 2 2013, 12:02 AM

As we witness the death and rebirth of Asta - and her first meal - it really brings home what a horrible thing vampirism is.

This story weaves quite an effective ability to make us both hate and feel sorry for Asta at the same time.

Posted by: McBadgere Dec 27 2013, 12:02 PM

Oh my... ...

I know you're enjoying the other one...Which I'm honestly working around to...But don't forget the sentence, "As this story is drawing to a close" that you put in an earlier post...

You need to finish it!!... ...

That was horrible what happened to Emelia... ...But yeah, double agent!!...Can't decide how I feel about that... ....

Marcurio was awesome...Proper loved all that mage stuff...

I hope you do finish it...Looking forward to how you wrap it up...

Absolutely love your writing...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Dec 27 2013, 05:43 PM

I'm still working on a way to wrap it up, don't worry, lol

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Dec 31 2013, 12:41 AM

Sorry for the long delay again, y'all. This is the second to last chapter, and the next will be very long. I won't be holding back on it, since it's the last chapter of Kayla's story.

Thanks for your patience :]





---




Asta attempted to drag her sister's limp body to the cave a half mile from her town. She ignored the chaos the children were causing, intent on her sister reaching the cave with her. Movarth will help. He promised.

She dragged her sister as far as the outside of town, panting heavily. She realized that even though she was stronger, she wouldn't be able to pick her sister up. Her sister was thin, but tall, and dead weight was difficult to carry. She set Eeva down gently, folding her slender hands aross her belly. The chill air allowed small puffs of breath to be seen coming from her parted lips. Asta noticed no such puffs came from her mouth.

She ran to the cave, her pale, bare feet kicking up leaves. She occasionally cried out in pain as a sharp rock cut into her foot, dirt sticking to the bottom of her now raw feet. When she reached the cave, she stumbled inside. The winding passageway, lit by torches, lasted until the passaeway came to an end after what seemed like years later to the young girl.

The sight that greeted her took her breath away. She had seen it in her dreams, but to see it in person was something different. Between two stone pillars carved naturally through time, was a wooden throne set unnaturally by the hands of mortals. But it wasn't the throne that struck Asta with awe, large as it was (four times her height, and six times her width!) but rather the man sitting in it.

Movarth Piquine, despite the Breton name, did not appear to have a definitive race. Sharp features, accompanied by shadow and what seemed like strong magicks, hid any telling racial features. A black hood covered his face, leaving only pale and colorless lips, ivory blades peeking out from behind them. Hs smile, twisted and evil, was terrifying. Had Asta had anything in her bowels, they would've emptied.

"Come, child. Come to Movarth." A slender finger, blue from undeath(Or was he a Dunmer?) beckoned her forward slowly. She obliged, little terrified gasps and sobs escaping her lips. She stopped just at his feet, gaping up at him. He leaned forward, the sile never leaving his lips. He reached down, and Asta swore she could hear the creak of his old bones. (But was he really old? Or was she imagining it?)

She flinched a little when a cold finger traced the left side of her jaw. She relaxed. His smile wasn't so scary, and his voice seemed warm and inviting as he adressed her.

"Asta Wind-Song. The child who started it all. You took first blood tonight. You know that, right? I chose you to be the first. The first in my new army." He gently upped her chin, sending waves of odd sensations through her body.

"Please," she said softly, her tongue thick, her head swimming. "My older sister...I bit her."

"You are quite beautiful," He said, ignoring her. "I've always loved large blue eyes."

She gasped when his lips touched hers.




---




Asta gripped the hilt of the dagger tightly, the leather squeaking. She inhaled, then exhaled slowly, her blue eyes staring at the ground. A head peeked in, strawberry-blonde hair waving gently.

"Mistress?" She looked concerned at Asta's erect posture, the dagger poised to stab an unseen foe. "Is everything alright? You cried out in your sleep. Our magicks detected no unseen enemies." She looked at the messy bedsheets. "A nightmare?"

"I'm fine." Asta said sharply, setting the dagger on the nightstand with such force, it made the girl cringe. Asta rubbed her face with her hands, then looked at the eternally small digits. A red cloud of rage burst in her chest, and she snarled and knocked over the nightstand, making the girl scurry away in fear, passing a Dunmer girl with an eye-patch over one eye.

"Weakling!" the Dark Elf spat before entering Asta's room.

"Mistress." She bowed slightly. Asta stopped her raging to look at the vampiress.

"Report!" She barked.

"She has escaped, is alive, and is with her lover and a wizard."

Asta was silent for a few moments, gazing into the large fire that lit the room.

"The thralls?"

"Here."

"Kill one, and break the spell on the other. Send him to her and lead her to Alcassar."

"Mistress?" The young girl looked confused.

"It's where all this began. And where it'll end, once and for all."

Posted by: King Of Beasts Dec 31 2013, 12:49 AM

Aw man, only one more chapter left?





Movarth is creepy. Eugh.

Posted by: Grits Dec 31 2013, 03:03 AM

I love how you�re building sympathy for Asta even right up to the end. One more chapter?!

Posted by: Acadian Dec 31 2013, 09:02 PM

Nice flashback to reveal more of Asta�s early days as a vampire. A great touch as we saw that she emitted no visible breath in the cold air.

Another poignant reminder of who and what Asta is, when she later studied her �eternally small digits�.

Just as some of the tragedy regarding Asta begins to beckon to our sympathies, she barks her cold orders and leaves us with that ominous last sentence.

Posted by: Colonel Mustard Jan 1 2014, 10:14 PM

I second Kobby's comment about Movarth being creepy. Pedo-murderer-vampire, dayum. Asta's a nasty piece of work, but you put her next to someone like Movarth and make her sympathetic like that and suddenly she doesn't look so bad.

Looking forward to the final showdown; this should be a good 'un.

Posted by: jack cloudy Jan 4 2014, 09:20 PM

It isn't surprising that the relationship between Asta and Movarth was largely based on taking advantage of a vulnerable and thoroughly shaken child which may have developed into some form of Stockholm syndrome later on. I mean seriously, inbetween the fits of bloodthirst vampires are still very human. It's a struggle to maintain that humanity due to the needs the vampire-affliction imposes, but especially early on it is there.

That said, this just makes it creepier.


I also found it a nice (and tragic) touch that Asta will never grow up. Now I personally wouldn't say no to eternal youth and all, but Asta's came around too early (and has the aforementioned drawbacks of vampirism.). Even if she could hide her nature, she would always have to deal with the social stigma of being a child.

Posted by: mALX Sep 13 2014, 03:54 AM

Holy CRAP! That chapter gave me chills! Asta � and did Eeva live? Urk!

Next chapter: Oh Lizzie, this is one of your best chapters yet � AWESOME WRITE !!!!!!!!

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Feb 1 2018, 06:20 AM

So like...the computer I used to use to write this is long gone, but the ending I had in mind for this is just at the tip of my tongue. I think after five years and some growth, I'll finish Kayla's story.

Posted by: treydog Feb 1 2018, 12:36 PM

That is an outstanding idea! Please do!

Posted by: mALX Feb 1 2018, 03:32 PM

WOO HOO!

Posted by: Elisabeth Hollow Feb 1 2018, 07:01 PM

I heard voices before my eyes ever opened. It was, at first, a murmur, then my hearing sharpened. Then a familiar voice spoke.

“We can’t just leave her.” Erik’s voice was fuzzy still. “She’s been through a lot. We have to do something.”

“There’s no cure,” a voice told him. It was confident and gentle. Firm. “This will end one of two ways. Either you die by her hand, or we kill her. It’s that simple.”

I heard Erik’s heartbeat quicken in my own chest. My throat felt unnaturally dry. He cleared his throat.

“I don’t think it’s that simple.” Erik’s voice was determined. I had always admired that about him, but tonight was different. If he left with me, he would die. Asta got the better of me, but she wouldn’t be expecting me to come to her. Willingly. I could strike from her side. Kill her while she slept. Erik continued speaking.

“It’s just not that simple. Kayla wouldn’t kill me. Not once she gets control of her blood lust.”

The man chuckled. “Then myself, possibly.”

I opened my eyes slightly to gather my surroundings. We were in a cave. Another cave. I was tired of caves. Erik and the man sat around a fire, keeping themselves warm. Now that I got a look at the man, I realized he looked familiar. I had seen him around somewhere. I couldn’t lace where, though. He was kind of handsome, and smelled like magick.

“And what about Mjoll?” The man asked Erik. “We just left her in the city, without even telling her where we were.”

“She likely gathered that we left without her.” Erik ‘s face was obscured, but the shift in his posture told me he was likely feeling guilty. I had met Mjoll once before, in Riften. Strong woman. Her sword was nearly as good as Dawnbreaker. “She can take care of herself.”

The man sighed and shook his head. “You warriors and your romanticized ideas of devotion.”

“I’m not sure what that means, but your tone is not something I like.”

Of course the man was right. Erik was being an idiot. As much as I hated to admit it, I was gone. Vampire hunting was in my very bones, and without that, what was I?

I needed a way to get out of there, and quickly. If-

Another heartbeat entered my hearing. It was erratic, panicked. Erik and Marcurio didn’t seem to notice someone was coming. I sat up.

“Someone’s here.”

The two of them stood as a man stepped in. He looked terrified, exhausted, and on the brink of death. His feet were raw and bloodies through his boots, and he had several gashes on his arms. He shook as he spoke.

“Mistress Asta invites you to Alcassar. She trusts you know where that is?” He looked at me. My heart dropped.

“Yes. I do.”

“Thank gods. I can rest.” He sat down and leaned against the wall. He closed his eyes, and his heartbeat faded away.

“He’s dead…” I looked at Erik, who was looking confused.

“He’s dead?” He walked over and shook the man. “Poor guy. Look at his feet. He must have walked for days without stopping.”

“Asta wouldn’t care. Wait, have we been here for days?”

“Yes.” He turned to me. “How are you feeling?”

I rubbed my face. “She knows where I am. Again. Which means I have to face her and end this, once and for all. Erik...you can’t come with me.”

He knelt beside me. “Then stay away. You’ve done enough. Let’s go far away. Someone else can handle this.” He kissed me.

And so we did. Erik and I left the man in the cave, and traveled to High Rock. A group of vampire hunters known as the Dawnguard took care of Asta, cutting through her ranks and killing her. We found a cure, and had several children. I lived with Erik until he was old and gray and passed away in his sleep, surrounded by our three children and two grandchildren.

At least, that was what I wanted to happen. I wanted happiness with Erik so badly, but I couldn’t have it. Instead, I pushed him away.

“No.”

“I’m coming with you, Kayla. You can’t stop me.”

“Technically, she can,” the man said. We had forgotten about him completely for a moment. “She could break your legs, enthrall you, run out of here quicker than either of us could stop her…” He nodded at me. “Marcurio.”

I gulped. “Pleasure.”

“The way I see it,” Marcurio folded his hands on his lap, almost primly. “There is an army of child vampires, and no one knows how to take care of it. Their leader is clever. So we must be clever as well.”

--------

Alcassar was a few days hike, but unlike that man Asta sent, we rested. We traveled at night and slept as best as we could during the day. Luckily, we were waylaid by bandits and I got to feed enough to last me for a while. Marcurio asked endless questions about vampirism, how I felt, how it affected me, how blood tasted, weaknesses. I answered as much as I could. Somehow he still had more questions.

Erik was never more than a few feet away from me, except when he relieved himself. It was almost as if he was afraid I would bolt ahead without him, but Marcurio’s plan made sense. It wouldn’t help me if I got captured and kept as her pet. I felt like Asta would absolutely lock me away somewhere just to have me.

We approached the ruins that looked too decrepit to even bother with. The towers were exposed to the elements, and the main building was caved in. My doing. Outside were sentries that peeked at us through the spaces in the walls. A horn sounded as we walked in.

A dunmer girl with an eye patch stopped us.“Come in peacefully, or I will have you killed.”

“Wow, you’re starting out strong.” I scratched my ear. “We’re here peacefully. I don’t even have a sword.”

With my signal, Marcurio broke a bottle at the dunmer’s feet.We backed away as it began eating away at her feet and legs. She screamed in pain.

“Kill them!”

Marcurio threw his heavy robe off to reveal an entire arsenal of potions. Most were recognized as magicka and healing potions, as well as stamina, but there were many more unrecognizable ones. We had spent days brewing them carefully. He held his arms out as spells flew towards him, bouncing off his ward.

“Get inside, I’ll hold them off!” They closed in on him as we ran inside. I turned back in time to see his ward push out and explode, knocking back those who circled around him. Erik closed the door behind me.

I conjured a sword and crept down with Erik, who had hs out already. The stairs were rubbed smooth with tie and feet walking down them, but not enough to slip down. We heard Asta barking orders.

“Get up there and find my sister. Bring her back alive, kill the others. Especially that damned mage. I want his head brought to me on a platter so I can eat his eyes!”

We hid behind a bookcase while twenty young girls ran past us and into the courtyard. Marcurio had no issues with killing children, as cries of pain were heard as well as explosions. When the last of them were outside, we made our way into the main hall. Cages lined the circular room. On the opposite side of us was a hall that continued leading down into the fort.

Inside the cages were the bodies of adults and young girls alike. They were all obviously dead. Had I been able to cry, tears would have come to my eyes. But I couldn’t, so they didn’t I pressed on.

I heard movement further down, and directed Erik’s attention there. We continued on, the ruins seemingly empty. It wasn’t until we got to the bottom floor did we find Asta, with a contingency of girls around her. Next to her, next to her bed, was a cage with the figure of a girl huddled in a corner. I fumed.

“Asta!” I started forward, and the girls all readied spells. Without turning around, she shook her head.

“I wouldn’t.”

I stopped, my sword in front of me.

“Send them away. This is our fight.”

There was a low rumble, shaking a few stones loose from the ceiling. She sighed.

“I have a few mages of my own, you know. Sure, they look like children, but they have that boost vampirism gives them with magick.” She turned around, her blue eyes regarding me carefully.

“So what was your plan? Burst in here, defeat me, ride into the sunrise with your lover? Or maybe you came expecting to die.” She cocked her head a little as the door shut behind us, several more guards behind us. She smiled a little.

“I really wanted this to work out. You and I, running the most terrifying army in Skyrim. We would make our way to Cyrodiil. Take over the Imperial City. Rule with iron fists. But you’re just as disappointing as Eeva.”

“Eeva is dead.”

“Only technically.” she pointed to the cage. “Her mind is gone, but her body is still moving. As long as you feed her once every few days, she sometimes has lucid moments.”

Red tinged my eyesight. “She’s alive, and she’s caged?!”

“Undead, but yes. When I turned her, she went insane. Couldn’t handle it. She stayed at our house for years, until I came and picked her up.”

Eeva muttered something, and Asta looked genuinely sympathetic.

“Poor creature.”

“Asta, please stop this. This is madness. You can’t take over Skyrim with an army of little girls.”

“And why not? Movarth was going to do it. He trained me to take over in case something happened to him. And I’m doing what he wishes.”

“You don’t have to, Asta. He’s gone. You don’t have to obey his orders.”

“You don’t know what I’ve been through!” She snapped. “What I’ve endured, just to get this far.”

“Asta...he was a predator. He preyed on us. We were children.”

“You escaped. You don’t know. You have no idea what happened in the dark. When we were alone. When I was alone. You were off learning to kill me.”

“I was scared too! Do you know what they did? They branded me, Asta. Sacrificed me to a daedric prince and dedicated my life without me giving consent. I was a child too!”

“So you understand!” Her expression was pleading, and she stepped towards me. “They took us and made us monsters, Nisse. They stripped us of our childhood, and now, we have power! We can change things!”

“Not like this. I can’t.”

Asta’s face went dark. “So that’s it then. I can’t change your mind?”

“I can’t change yours?”

She conjured a fireball and tossed it up and down, as if handling a regular ball.

“I suppose not. I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you, too.”

I deflected the fireball with my sword, and it bounced and hit the bed. Eeva screamed as it caught fire, but no one paid attention to her as all hell broke look.

Erik swung, dodged, and sliced through the girls as quickly as he could, but some were quick. Asta lunged at me and swiped with her claws. I dodged, stepping to the side as gracefully as I could. Asta snarled, her fangs out, eyes red.

“This won’t end the way you want it to,” she snarled. “This won’t end the way you-”

I lit a fireball and shoved it in her face. She crumpled to the floor, then looked up. Half of her face was gone, melted into ash and gore. She let out a feral snarl and leapt on me. Flurries of blows pounded my face as she beat me. My sword was out of reach, and she was much, much stronger than she looked.

She pulled out a dagger and behind me, Erik went down. The girls leapt on him in a frenzy.

“No!” I screamed. The scent of his blood filled my nose, and my eyes tinged crimson. Asta held the dagger to my throat.

“You could have joined me. We could have made them all pay.”

There was an explosion outside the door. It toppled over with a heavy thud, and Marcurio stood there, clothes damp with sweat.

“Am I late?” He threw a firebolt at Asta, who was knocked backwards. I conjured another sword and placed my boot on her neck, and the sword tip on her heart. She suddenly looked afraid.

“Nisse,” Her one good eye looked as if she could cry. “Please.”

“I’m sorry, Asta.”

I stepped away as Asta turned to ash and Marcurio turned the rest of the girls to ash. Maybe it was just me, but she seemed relieved at the last moment. I dropped my sword and turned to Erik. He was lying in a curled up position, bite marks all over him. I knelt beside him as Marcurio administered the cure disease potion and healing potion.

“Are you alright?”

He simply closed his eyes and smiled weakly.

----

I don’t know whether or not they ever found Mjoll. Or if Erik even woke up. When I left, Marcurio was making a potion with his back turned to me. He would find me gone, with a simple message.

“Don’t look for me.”

As for myself, the rest of my existence will be spent tracking down all of Asta’s spies and soldiers. Alone. With Eeva and Asta gone, there was nothing keeping me. Erik will eventually marry a nice farm girl and settle down. If I was careful, we would never meet again.

Posted by: mALX Feb 5 2018, 04:12 PM

Holy Cow, she killed Asta? Awesome to have you back writing again!