Chapter LXXXVII: Valley Finale
Things turned incredibly hectic the moment I finished beating the shit out of Gelebor and left his unconscious body to feast upon the sunlight he so adores, for as much as I wanted to give everyone a day off the cave-ins we caused would not keep the feral Falmer out forever, and making sure our position was defensible was a must.
And so everyone immediately got to work fortifying the top of the hill the Chantry stood on and as usual the place was already well protected by sturdy walls, the most important of which I enchanted personally just as a fuck you to any shaman who thought they could blow them up.
The wayshrine in front of the temple was marked with a large circle imbued with molten silver and Shalazar had already teleported back to Winterhold and was likely already building another one with the help of the other archmagi. I also gave him a signed letter for Karsus to prepare all manner of supplies and even some reinforcements, even my own personal stock of automatons.
If this was to be our home we would do our damnedest to ensure no one would ever be able to take it from us.
On a far more interesting note, once Gelebor finally got his ass up and wordlessly healed himself, we went ahead and unfroze his fellow Paladins. Instead of letting them question everything we simply knocked them out and I proceeded to heal them as much as I could, for all my skill I was not yet quite so proficient as to fully repair malnourishment and the like.
They did wake up relatively quickly though, likely owing to the minor blessings I could sense on them, and proceeded to question Gelebor about everything that happened. Needless to say, by the time he finished they all swore eternal allegiance to me as the Herald of Auri-El.
I may as well be their bloody Messiah and they love me for it, which led to another interesting development.
[Trait gained: Greater Falmer Paragon]
It changed nothing for those who were already in my service but after one quick trip to a lesser camp I discovered that even the feral ones felt reluctant to fight me personally. Definitely something I could use when I decided to pick up my rejuvenation treatment plans.
Durrak's 'tribe' of giants accepted being settled in one of the more remote areas of the valley. They were not quite stupid... I'd hesitate to call them any kind of intelligent but they were very simple folk when it came down to it. They wanted to raise their cow herds in peace and if they could get us to promise to not bother them they were more than content to return the favor and even trade after a point.
This was but the first step in bringing them under my service but no one needed to know that for now.
Isran and the Dawnguard were outright giddy when I showed them the bow and Dexion radiated the feeling of righteous fulfillment as he learned that his sacrifice and cause were not in vain, the man looked so content with his deeds I could have killed him then, and there and he would not have given a singular shit.
Not that I would ever do that, but the point stood.
Righteously justified religious zealots aside, Isran made sure to ask that I let him leave as soon as the portal was ready so that he could gather all his people and some hidden allies (it was just a bunch of mercenaries, I already knew) in preparation for the assault on Volkihar Castle.
I had no doubt Harkon, or someone within his court, already knew something was coming up and they were preparing a nice welcoming party for all of us... That didn't mean I was going to be playing fair. Oh no, I would do everything in my power to make his defeat as humiliating and one sided as possible. I was so eager for it in fact, that I'd already written a bunch of messages to be sent to my own allies and even a missive meant for the relative of a certain Altmer guest I was keeping under my hospitality.
The Companions were pretty happy with their haul as well, but they politely requested they also be let off as soon as possible. While they were quite satisfied with the dragonhide underarmor or just armor (In Aela's case) I enchanted for them, they had to get back as their conflict with the Silver Hand was heating up and they wanted to be on call if Kodlak ever wanted to strike back.
I wouldn't have minded them staying as extra security for a while longer but the warriors of Jorrvaskr were known troublemakers when bored so I accepted their request and told them that they could call on the aid of me and mine when the time came.
Most of it went over the heads of the Nord trio but Durrak understood exactly what I was talking about. The enthusiastic orc enjoyed his strength and power but the constant bloodlust and aggressive instincts that went further than even his race's did seem to grate on him constantly. He would realize his mistake soon enough and when he finally did I would be there to nag him forever, after I liberated his soul of course.
And so it was that I found myself finally able to sit down after close to a full day after I took up the bow and gained the blessing of Akatosh, the weakly crackling fire welcoming me into its warm embrace as I had my first cup of fresh coffee in days.
Though, as usual, I was unable to simply sit still and turned my eyes toward the two silent vampires sitting close by "You two doing better now?"
Valerica was the first to respond, as Serana was currently too busy half-napping with her head in her mother's lap "Finding out that all the pain and betrayal we went through was the whim of an elven manchild is not something one simply gets over." She frowns deeply "But yes, we are doing better, kicking the bastard in his still burning groin was a form of catharsis I did not know I needed, you have my thanks for that." The smile she gives me would have no doubt scared a lesser Mer.
"Always happy to be of help." I smile and bow my head in jest before looking at the now awake Serana "I hope the poor fucker's blood didn't give you indigestion?"
Serana pauses briefly "He did... in a sense."
"Oh?" I quirk my eyebrow.
The younger vampire gets up and stretches her arms with a content exhale before looking back at me with an amused expression "He tasted of only one thing." She pauses dramatically "Pure despair."
My mouth twists into a grin without any of my input "I did not think I fucked him over quite that badly."
"But you did." Serana smiles happily "Even if I did have to feel all of it after consuming a part of his power I am still happy that the bastard died without even being able to will himself into fighting back... It was majestic." Her own grin twists into a perfect replica of her mother's.
'These two are fucking scary sometimes' I suppress a shudder 'Good thing they are firmly on my side.'
"Speaking of drinking the blood of vampires..." Valerica speaks with the subtlety of a freight train "Could you..." She trails off a bit uncomfortably.
"What, do the same thing I did for Serana?" I ask and she nods hesitantly "I could... But there are conditions."
"Naturally." The elder vampire nods, having expected no less.
"I want you to teach me." I say simply.
Valerica narrows her eyes "Teach you what exactly?"
"Everything." I smile hungrily.
She hesitates, visibly holding back a scoff "Well, aren't you demanding?"
"You are asking me to liberate your immortal soul from a multidimensional rapist." I deadpan "I dare say I am being incredibly fucking generous with you considering your earlier disrespect."
'Ohoho! She looks ready to blow the fuck up and I can't wait to ramp up the price just to fuck with her!' I almost giggle at her furious expression.
But then Serana, bless her heart, places her hand on Valerica's shoulder and nearly digs her fingers into it as she turns to me with a wooden smile "She accepts."
"I do no-!" Valerica tries to protest.
But is cut off as Serana presses harder, her smile growing a bit more strained "She. Accepts. Happily." And turns to her mother "Doesn't she?"
Her mother must have seen something in her eyes, because she deflated near immediately and sighed "Very well, I accept."
"Most marvelous!" I exclaim flamboyantly "Kindly grasp the blade." I instruct as I summon blasphemy, the sword already blazing with power.
She hesitates for a brief moment but after some encouragement from her daughter she does as instructed and audibly gasps as she feels the changes kick in, a moment later she is out cold and being gently lowered by Serana.
"Thanks for that." Said vampire smiles at me gratefully "She is too proud sometimes."
"Sometimes?" I huff and we both share a chuckle, enjoying the simple crackling of the fire as we turned silent. A minute or so later I spoke again "Are you prepared for what is to come?"
Serana hesitates, her hands hovering above the fire as she reveled in the fact she could enjoy its warmth without repercussion "I will be." She finally says in a somber tone.
"It won't be easy, no matter how much you justify it to yourself." I tell her "But at the end of the day, we both know that this will be the right thing to do. If Harkon falls and no one takes his position as the Vampire Lord of Skyrim, we will simply be replacing one monster for another as a foreign clan sends its minions forward."
She remains silent for a long while after that, allowing her mind to wander as she absently stirred the fire with a burned stick "You really think I should be the one?" She asks finally.
"Yes." I nod, my voice certain "You have lived in this new world for months now and have learned much of what it has to offer, while your mother is still obviously stuck in her ways." The next words I say come straight from the heart "Besides the practicality of it, I have learned that for all the monstrous terror you are capable of causing you are a good person, and I can firmly say that I'd trust no one else with the responsibility."
"I see..." She mutters, going back to her stick. I do not fail to see the glint of happiness in her eyes however.
A couple of hours later, just as I am about to drift off into a short nap, I sense the wayshrine lighting up and see Shalazar step out of it with his two fellow archmages, soon followed by Karsus and a small horde of Dunmer and automatons.
Dusting my hands off I stand up and greet them with arms spread in welcome "Masters, grandfather, be welcomed to my new domain!"
"You really outdid yourself this time Reyvin." Savos shakes his head as he looks at the valley spreading out below us with genuine wonder.
Tolfdir too seems taken by the sight "Truly marvelous..." Is all he says.
"You haven't seen anything yet!" I clap my hands and invite them for a tour, the retelling of the expedition immediately enrapturing my curious audience.
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Weeks later, the assault on Castle Volkihar was almost prepared.
There was only one card still left for me to play however, and so I found myself sitting in my private booth at Sea Ghost's Respite, waiting for a certain guest I had invited.
With almost perfect punctuality, my personal guards let someone into the room. A tall Altmer with a near-perfect face and dressed in the attire of a noble mage of Summerset entered, his bearing one of authority but failing to hide an undercurrent of worry.
"Ah, Lord Narsis." I greet the Altmer with false cheer, my happy smile slowly twisting into a predatory grin "So nice of you to finally join us."
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I HUNGER FOR ROCK!!!!
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