Chapter 126

"So you are from Morthal and want to go to Dawnstar, but before you arrive there, your caravan gets attacked by giants who are agitated by bandits, huh?"

"That is correct."

That is the explanation I give to Carcette or Keeper Carcette, the leader of this place.

"Why did you not fight them?"

"I did. However, I need to fight far away from the rest of the people."

"So you lure the giants away, and then you see our burning headquarters."

"That's right."

Carcette releases a sigh and smiles at me.

"Then it is truly a blessing from the divines for sending you to us."

I can only smile at those words.

"So, what do you guys want to do now? I am sorry to say this, but your headquarters are destroyed. We managed to put out the fire, but it cannot be used as headquarters without a good amount of fixing."

She looks around for a few seconds before saying.

"And you are right. We cannot stay here, especially with this weather above us."

"Do you know any place to stay for the night?"

"The tents in the basement are untouched by the fire. That includes the foods and potions we have there. I think we should stay here for now and travel to Dawnstar tomorrow morning."

She looks at me and says.

"Can you stay with us until we reach Dawnstar? I want to say that we are strong, but it looks like we are not strong enough against the vampires. I should have listened to Isran. He might be too extreme, but his words contain the truth about the rising threat of the vampires. I am afraid that more vampires will arrive and attack us."

Isran, huh? I remember him. He is that man who thinks that sleeping is for the weak and has the same paranoia as Alastor Moody.

"I don't mind. I can help you guys reach Dawnstar."

"Thank you, stranger. You are truly the blessing Stendarr sent to help us."

"Please call me Ryan. That is my name, Ryan Hernandes."

"Of course, Ryan. Let's have some food before we go to sleep. This is the least thing I can do for you."

"Sure. I don't mind some food."

==||==

Early in the morning, we start to depart. Last night, we gave a proper burial to the fallen members of the Vigilants of Stendarr. I asked Carcette about the chance of a necromancer raising them, but she shook her head and said that it could not be done as long as we gave the fallen ones a proper burial.

Their soul and body are already given to the Divines, and no necromancer can raise them unless they want to feel the wrath of the Gods.

I learned that necromancers can only raise the dead who did not get a proper burial.

"What can you tell me about Dawnstar?"

I look at Carcette as we walk to the north.

"Dawnstar, huh? It is a port city full of life. Well, at least after the Dragonborn helped that place from their nightmare problem."

Bingo! That is what I want to know. I know that Dawnstar has a problem with a Daedric Artifact, and I did not want to get involved with any Daedric Princes, especially with someone like Vaermina, Daedric Prince of Nightmare, Psychological Terror, and Torment.

Yeah. She is not someone I want to attract.

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I don't know the details, but it is said that the Dragonborn and a priest managed to destroy the Daedric Relic, which gave the entire people of Dawnstar a nightmare."

"Ah, Daedric Artifact, I see."

She sneers and nods her head.

"All Daedra need to be destroyed before they can spread their influence in Nirn. That is the main mission of our organization. The Vigilants hunt all sorts of creatures that prey on mortals, such as vampires, werewolves, and witches. However, our prime focus is on Daedra. Daedra are creatures that lure mortals to their clutches and corrupt them. They are irredeemable creatures that need to be put down in the name of Stendarr's Justice."

After she is done with her small rant, she looks at me with a small smile and says.

"What about you? Do you want to join our group, my friend?"

"I am sorry. I don't think I can join your group at the moment as I have something I need to do."

"Such a shame. At least I know that you will not join Daedra or any vampires with how much you hate them."

"I had a bad experience with one. Or at least, the creatures they made."

"Of course. They are pests that need to be exterminated from Skyrim or even the world."

"And that is the reason why I am on this trip. I want to grow powerful and have the ability to beat a Daedra who causes havoc in my hometown."

Devil and Gods can be called Daedra, right? If I recall correctly, there are beings that reside in other realms. Devil and Gods are two races that come from other realms, right?

"Then why reject my offer? We can help you."

"I know. However, I want to hunt down the Daedra that killed someone close to me. I cannot join you before I can kill that thing."

Carcette looks at me in sadness and says.

"I understand. Revenge is something that all of us feel. You are just like us. We have had bad experiences with Daedra, Vampires, Werewolves, and Witches. The drive for revenge in us is so great that you need to focus on that before you can be at peace, and I respect that. However, remember, brother, that you did not get blinded by revenge. You need to harness your revenge to be your strength and not the other way around. Also, don't push the other or only be too focused on your revenge that you did not enjoy life."

"I understand, Keeper. The other had already told me those words, and I already put them into my heart. That is why I did not use everything I had only to gain power. I want to experience life and help others in need while also gaining power through experience."

Keeper Carcette nods her head with a smile on her face.

"Good. When we reach Dawnstar, come with me, and I shall teach you some restoration magic if you want."

"Of course! I am more than happy to receive your teaching, Keeper."

"Please call me Sister Carcette, for you are now the honorary members of the Vigilants of Stendarr. Let the others know that you are the beacon against Daedra and any Night Creatures."