Epilogue: Gifts

Previously: Lady Redwater

 

It was strange, waking up to the light, feeling the northern chill. Alva had missed her old bed; she drew the woolen blanket higher, inhaling the scent of her former life. She could feel her heartbeat, feel the warmth of her own body, and it was astounding. It was like discovering humanity for the first time.

 

There was... magic in being alive.

 

Memories of her vampire life sometimes came back in flashes. The sound of a human screaming. The dank smell of a cave. The taste of blood. Alva would press her eyes tightly shut when they came, desperate to forget the darkness.

 

She was appalled to ever think that was a good life for her.

 

A knock fell on her door, startling her.

 

"Yes, Father," she yawned. "I'm waking up." Hadring had given her her old job back and no doubt expected her on the porch with a broom.

 

"You have a package here, from a Lady... Redwater?"

 

Alva sat up immediately. As she slid out of bed, she felt herself smiling broadly.

 

Of course she'd call herself that, Alva mused, wrapping herself in a blanket and going to the door.

 

Torvald handed her a rather large package, which she laid on her bed and unwrapped at once. He watched over her shoulder as she unveiled new clothes, shoes, a large pouch of coins, and a letter.

 

Dear Alva, it read. Any day now, you will receive an acceptance letter from the Bard's College in Solitude. I have paid the headmaster generously to cover your tuition, room, and board. You can complete your education safe in the knowledge that it's fully covered.

 

I have sent funds for carriages; you can book passage aboard a ship at Dawnstar. I don't think I need to remind you to travel only during the day. But just in case you meet a creature of the night, I have wrapped a Daedric dagger in your clothes. Apparently, there are dozens of them just lying around the castle.

 

I wish you well, Alva. I hope you see the world and chase your dreams, and never, ever forget the gifts afforded to you by the day.

 

Sincerely,

 

Lady Redwater

 

"The Bard's College?" Torvald said, taken aback. He took the letter and skimmed it. "You're leaving again?"

 

"I'll come home on breaks, Father," she assured him excitedly. "And you can come visit me in the city. I've always wanted to see Solitude, and now, I'll be living there!"

 

Torvald offered his daughter a weak smile, but nodded in acceptance. He examined the letter again and noticed there was writing on the back.

 

Don't worry, Torvald. I'll have paid eyes in Solitude to watch her every move.

 

He grinned confidently, shoulders relaxed. He looked up to watch his daughter happily rummage through her new things. After the nightmare he endured, he was willing to take the win whenever he could.

 

***

 

Since black soul gems were not only wildly expensive but extremely hard to come by, Aurelian was stuck as a vampire.

 

He stayed indoors at Falion's, focusing on his studies and drinking the blood of livestock. So far, he'd shown an aptitude for magic, which surprised him. He never imagined he could be a mage.

 

He kept human hours, rising with the sun, and retiring with the moon. He assisted his host with experiments, and kept the small house clean. It was a nice, peaceful existence, if a little dull. 

 

"Who's Lady Redwater?"

 

Aurelian looked up from his book. "It's Leila," he answered. "We met at Redwater Den."

 

Falion raised an eyebrow. "She sent us packages."

 

They laid their packages out on Falion's desk  and opened them at the same time. Leila had gifted the mage some books and a large bag of coins.

 

From the library of Volkihar, read the accompanying note, I present to you these rare tomes.

 

Aurelian was alarmed. "Are you supposed to have those?"

 

Falion was equally perturbed. "Let's just hope they never find out."

 

In addition to money, Leila had sent Aurelian a black soul gem, new boots, and what looked like a few uniforms.

 

"Student robes," Falion murmured, eyes wide in surprise.

 

Aurelian lifted his note and read aloud. "My dearest Aurelian, I have funded years of your education at the College of Winterhold. You can study without worry. Inside this package is the means for you to be redeemed, and in turn redeem others. May Stendarr's Light purify you of your ills."

 

Falion smiled at him warmly. "We will perform the ritual before dawn."

 

Aurelian was speechless. He had already given up hope of being cured any time soon, and he had never expected to hear from Leila again.

 

"She still watches over me," he whispered, staring at the note.

 

Falion nodded. "Leila hated to hear it,  but I always told her she'd make an excellent coven leader."

 

***

 

Astrid had no patience left for the small blond vampire. Colette was arguably the worst recruit inflicted upon her in a long time. According to her trainers, the girl had no patience for silence, no talent for stealth (despite being a vampire), and her attention span was all but nonexistent.

 

Indeed, Brotherhood consensus was that the small one was an "agent of chaos". 

 

So when a letter arrived from some Lady Redwater at Volkihar, Astrid hoped it was the answer to all her prayers.

 

She strode through the ancient halls of the Dark Brotherhood with purpose, looking for the wayward newcomer. 

 

"Colette!" she called. "You have a letter."

 

Colette emerged from her dorm, head down as she sulked. "You called?"

 

Astrid waved the letter. "Does the name Lady Redwater ring a bell?"

 

Colette immediately perked up. "Of course!" She snatched the letter from Astrid and immediately read it aloud. "Colette, by now you are very likely bored and driving your fellow assassins up the wall. Word has it you have no taste for killing mortals. You always were much better at hunting the undead.

 

"As fate would have it, Volkihar is always hiring assassins. Lord Harkon often has trouble keeping the mainland vampires in line, so every now and again, he has to send a 'message'.

 

"I have included a map to guide you to Castle Volkihar, as well as a letter of introduction. I expect you to arrive within the week."

 

Colette's eyes lit up as she asked Astrid, "Hey, do you mind if I --"

 

"Yes," Astrid sighed, eyes closed. "Please. Go."

 

Colette grinned, before heading out at once, not even bothering to pack her belongings. The tall Nord woman watched her go, breathing a sigh of relief.

 

*** 

 

"The Broken Fang vampires sired a Vigilant of Stendarr?" Orthjolf marveled. "And he still clung to his faith?"

 

Leila chuckled. "Aurelian would bury every single body we came across and then pray over them. I heard the Prayer of the Resolute so many times, I can recite it for you backwards."

 

She took a sip from her silver goblet and savored not only the taste of fresh blood, but the fact she didn't have to hunt anyone to get it.

 

"That's quite an interesting... group you had there," Orthjolf said, leaning back into his armchair.

 

She shot him a look. "You were going to say 'coven'."

 

"My lady, you do know that Volkihar is a coven, right?"

 

"Volkihar is a court," she argued, "and yes, there is a difference. Courts are discerning in membership. Covens take anyone. That’s why Volkihar runs smoothly while the mainland is chaos."

 

"You do realize every member of court has a duty, right?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Lady Valerica just assigned yours."

 

Leila sighed, bored. "And what would that be?"

 

"Fledgling orientation," he replied, rising to his feet. "You're to report to the great hall tomorrow after sundown."

 

Leila watched him go, her eyes shooting daggers, her nostrils flaring.

 

"FUCK!"

 

  

~ FIN ~