Chapter XXI: Home Sweet Home

"You are certain you are ready?" I ask Serana who was now equipped with more modern clothing as to better fit in with the crowd while her... ethnic dress she kept in her oblivion storage space.

The vampire nods, though with a bit of hesitation. She had grown fond of staying with us over the course of the last week or so and the fact that she had access to the Arcaneum as a college associate (And wasn't having that conversation with Savos fun) didn't help her motivation to get moving as she was apparently a massive bookworm.

"Right," I breathe out "So to reiterate" I raise a finger and she perks up "You will spend the least amount of time possible speaking to Harkon directly and after making certain you know what their plans are you will leave the castle quickly and quietly. If Harkon seems aggravated or overly motivated to... get on with the prophesy you will leave immediately, we do not need you getting killed by the madman."

"I still find the idea that he would kill me unbelievable." Serana frowns deeply "But... I will do as you say, if he has truly fallen so far I should not allow him to do as he wishes."

After a brief moment of silence she lightly inclines her head "Whatever happens, know that I am grateful for all you have done."

"It was my genuine pleasure." I offer a courtly bow and then with a bit less pomp offer "Good luck."

She nods and disappears with her own version of shadow step, only flying away when she leaves the town and makes sure no one is watching her.

"Still can't get my head around how ridiculously fast she is." I mutter with a smile and start walking back to the Sea Ghost's Respite, getting the usual bows and greetings as I did so.

The windy air of Winterhold is swiftly replaced by the merry atmosphere of a late evening meal in my inn, with dozens of the more well off residents of the city sitting around large engraved tables and my musicians playing a cheerful but subdued tune.

I step into a slightly elevated part of the main room, partly walled off from the rest with walls made of expertly carved wood made in such a way as to allow me to observe the room without being easily seen myself.

Inside were sat Savos and Tolfdir, the ancient duo of student and teacher leisurely enjoying an incredibly popular house special, the pizza. It was only right that they did of course, for who could deny the divine dish without suffering the consequences?

"A good evening to you gentlemen." I greet them and take a seat, my own meal being brought in but a moment later by my ever attentive servants.

"Ah, Reyvin my boy." Tolfdir gives me a genuine welcoming smile "I trust that you have dealt with whatever unfortunate issue cropped up?"

"I will give you the report if you want to go over it later." I refuse to retell the battle politely but firmly "I would much prefer to enjoy a peaceful meal without remembering all the gore.... And I just made myself remember it." I frown causing the old man to chuckle.

But then swiftly shrug "Oh well, it isn't the first time nor will it be the last." And without a hint of hesitation I start gorging myself on the pizza. With utensils of course, I was not an animal.

"Done with your overly pale friend?" Savos asks, a hint of tease in his voice but he knew not to joke about the topic outright.

"Yep." I say as I wipe my mouth with an enchanted handkerchief made from wispcloth "She felt that waiting any longer would agitate her father and the Dawnguard were given more than enough time and warning to prepare for an escalation."

"You are certain you know what you are doing?" Tolfdir asks worriedly "The Volkihar are not to be trifled with and any action against them should be taken in full force, something the college will support with all its might."

Savos nods proudly "Indeed, it is the duty of the college to deal with such threats if they get out of hand, and even if we may have been... reluctant to strike out against the Volkihar we will offer all of our support should you need us to take them down."

"Thank you both, truly." I smile at them "But having you all join right now would just alert the lot of them to our actions so it is best if I weaken them as much as possible beforehand. Though know that I will ask you to put your magic where your mouth is when the time comes."

Savos smirks "But of course, I dare not do otherwise oh Lord Dagoth."

I raise my nose imperiously "Naturally."

Tolfdir chuckles warmly "Ah... to be young."

This naturally causes Savos to deadpan at him but the old Nord simply raises an eyebrow to which the current Archmage merely rolls his eyes.

One of my oldest employees steps into our enclosed section a moment later with a silver tray carrying some kind of cake "Honored guests." He lightly bows to the two Archmagi "My Lord" His bow is far more pronounced then "The head chef has been working on a new dessert for some time now, he hopes you would honor him by tasting his newest masterpiece."

He places the tray atop the table, revealing a marvelous looking fruit cake.

"Oho!" Tolfdir exclaims happily "Now this I must try."

Savos merely prepares his cutlery in silence.

As was tradition I took the first bite and smiled happily at the explosion of taste, the hint of a nostalgic memory appearing in my mind as the masterfully made cake melted in my mouth.

"Give him my compliments and congratulations." I say after a moment of silence.

The servant bows and leaves and the dynamic duo of ancients start tasting the dessert themselves.

The relaxing atmosphere makes it all too easy for me to forget the stress of the past few days, say what you will about not being in any true danger but keeping full focus for days on end without any sleep will get to anyone. Nothing a bit of good food and relaxing music can't fix!

'Home sweet home' I thought warmly and took another bite.

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(Serana's POV)

The constant light fog surrounding Castle Volkihar greets me like an old friend, the miasma created by my mother thousands of years ago still remembering its primary function, namely keeping me alive above all others.

I landed in front of the old stone bridge leading into the castle, a dozen gargoyles sitting motionlessly atop its stone fence but no matter how motionless they may have seemed I sensed their piercing eyes focusing on me before I even had the time to retract my wings.

An odd mix of dulled feelings well up in my heart, mostly trepidation and worry but also a tiny hint of hope that maybe, just maybe my father may have decided to abandon his idiocy for all of our sakes.

'Still a naive little girl' A part of my mind I had been keeping in check for weeks since my awakening rears its ugly head.

Shaking off the feeling of unease I approach the gates. The old gatekeeper, who for some reason insisted on wearing full plate armor at all times even after thousands of years of no one approaching uninvited, immediately stood up and stared at me.

"Lady Serana? Is that really you?" He half gasped.

"Kaspar." I greeted him as coldly as I could manage, it would not do to show them any emotion they might take as vulnerability.

The man immediately started opening the gate and swiftly bowed before me once he was done. I said nothing and moved inside, already sensing the man mechanically lowering the gate as if it was his only purpose in unlife.

Much to my relief the first person I saw upon entering the castle was one of the rare people deserving of any actual respect within this castle. Garan Marethi stood there calmly looking at me and the melancholic smile he showed upon seeing me told me far more than any words ever could.

He inclined his head almost apologetically as he turned around and stepped into the great hall, loudly proclaiming "My lord, everyone! Serana has returned!"

Holding back a sigh of frustration I stepped out into the hall and nearly winced at the sight.

It was all so... dilapidated, multiple passages were outright caved in and the vampires serving my father were feasting like beasts, openly eating raw flesh with their bare hands and none of them caring about how dusty the tables and silverware were.

Most of them I failed to recognize.

'Typical.'

My eyes then fell upon Orthjolf and Vingalmo, both of the simpering fools already hard at work coming up with their inane and childish plots to win favor from my father.

'At least the fools are entertaining to observe as they play in the mud.'

It was as if they were all doing their best to create the worst possible caricature of what a noble vampire should be.

My observations took less than a second but none of it was missed by my father who with obviously false warmth spread his arms welcomingly "My dearest daughter returns at last."

'Your only daughter.' I hold back a quip.

Any of my hopes of ever being anything more than a tool to the man are destroyed utterly by his question that followed immediately after the greeting "I trust you have my elder scroll?"

I utterly fail to hold back my bitter retort, though at least I manage to keep the venom from my voice "After all these years, that is the first thing you ask me?" I keep my tone as flat as possible "Yes I have the scroll."

'So much for keeping your feelings hidden from the beasts.'

And like a damn bursting the beasts around me start whispering among themselves.

'Like a bunch of pitiful mortals given the tiniest crumb by their gods'

"Of course I am delighted to see you my daughter." Harkon Volkihar raises his hands placatingly, though his next words carry a hint of threat in them "Must I really say the words aloud?"

Probably sensing my utter disgust with him he decides to press on "Ah, if only your traitor mother were here, I would let her watch this reunion before putting her head on a spike."

"How gentlemanly." I flatly point out, my recent host's mannerisms seemingly infecting me for a short moment.

'Liberating.'

Harkon's eyes narrow imperceptibly but I know that my comment has enraged him almost to his breaking point.

'Not a very high standard.'

He straightens up "I am certain you are tired from your long journey back, go and rest and we shall... catch up when you are ready."

"Fine." I acquiesce and brusquely walk off toward my room, as fast as possible without visibly running.

I practically smash the ancient wooden door open, my eyes immediately scanning my room only to find out that it has probably not been touched since I was buried thousands of years ago.

My conversation with Harkon replays in my mind repeatedly as I sit down on a half rotten chair, my breathing growing harder by the moment and the walls feeling as if they were attempting to swallow me whole.

'Home sweet home.' I think bitterly.

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