Lord of the Court

"How dare you trespass here!" A rich voice lashed out. "Wait? Lady Serana, is that truly you?" The vampire ran to the railing of the court. "My lord! Everyone! Serana has returned!" He announced.

"I guess they're expecting me." Serana mumbled.

Lucius pulled Ciri close and whispered in her ear. "I think you should wait here. If they find out your blood is special they'll make sure you stay... Saviour or not."

"And what of your blood!?" She hushed back.

"My blood is already well known in this world, Ciri. They know what it means, and what it can do." He tried convincing her, sensing the dreadful power on the other side of the stone railing. "Please, for me?"

"I hope you don't expect me to sit around if fighting kicks off?" She glared.

"Of course not. But, if my guess is correct, they all worship Molag bal. An entity i'd very much like to avoid." He whispered in her ear.

'Especially with her here.' He thought.

The two's conversion was cut short by a powerful voice sounding throughout the hall "My long lost daughter returns at last. I trust you have my Elder Scroll?" A man with similar raven locks to Serana and a neatly trimmed goatee stood at the halls centre. Powerful eyes of liquid orange and the same regal robes as his daughter, the only difference being the dread filling mace and sword on his belt.

"After all these years, that's the first thing you ask me? Yes, I have the scroll." Serana hid her snark.

"Of course I'm delighted to see you, my daughter. Must I really say the words aloud? Ah, if only your traitor mother were here, I would let her watch this reunion before putting her head on a spike. Now tell me, who is this stranger you have brought into our hall?" Harkon seemed pleased with his petty insult.

"Thes- This is my saviour, the one who free'd me." Serana said, correcting herself when she turned and only saw Lucius.

"For my daughter's safe return, you have my gratitude. Tell me, what is your name?" Harkon said with an uplifted chin.

"Lucias Frey." Came the elf's short reply as he scanned the halls occupancy. "Nice mace... Who are you?"

"Good eye. I am Harkon, lord of this court. By now, my daughter will have told you what we are." Harkon replied with a small smirk.

"A cabal of Daedra worshippers given the 'gift' of vampirism... She didn't need to tell me, you're not exactly hiding it." Lucius crossed his arms.

"I count some of the oldest and most powerful vampires in Skyrim among the members of my court. For centuries we lived here, far from the cares of the world. All that ended when my wife betrayed me and stole away that which I valued most." Harkon boasted.

"Look, we both know your just postering so let's move on. What happens now? A reward of gold? I'd much rather you answer me one question." Lucius said with steely eyes.

"You have done me a great service, that is true, and thus you shall be rewarded. There is but one gift I can give that is equal in value to the Elder Scroll and my daughter. I offer you my blood. Take it, and you will walk as a lion among sheep. Men will tremble at your approach, and you will never fear death again." Harkon offered seemingly ignoring Lucius.

"I've never feared death because I already control it. Men and beast already tremble at my name alone... A question, and an answer. That will be my reward" Lucius reaffirmed. "I suggest you get a better network of spies too..."

Harkon released a small snarl like growl from his fanged mouth at Lucius's confidence. "Fine, but you will be prey, like all mortals... What is your question?" Harkon seemed ready to give in on his attempts.

"Are you the one sending out the vampires? And don't lie, i'll know." Lucius smiled.

"No, but since we have recently began our activities again the smaller groups have gained a form of - confidence... in the province." Harkon answered. " I have not sent any to attack, but whether or not they listened is another matter."

"Good. I'll be on my way-

"Wait. I offer you one last time. Perhaps, you still need convincing? Behold the power! This is the power that I offer! Now, make your choice!" Harkon bellowed.

In a thick mist of blood and magic he transformed into a pale green creature of twisted evil. Small wings protruded from its back, claws formed on its hands and feet as it the monster hovered above the cold stone floor on a platform of red magic.

"Am I supposed to be impressed? You sold your soul and the souls of your wife and daughter...No matter how strong you are, you'll always be a small and feeble man behind that borrowed power." Lucius spat.

"Then you are banished!" Harkon screeched in a guttural shout, throwing an orb of dark blue magic at Lucius.

Lucius simply smacked the orb away as he made his way back to Ciri, snorting in amusement at the weak attempt of magic. "Have fun in Coldharbour!" He shouted back to a seething Harkon. "Bye Serana!" He finished, waving over his shoulder as he walked up the steps to the entrance.

"That went well...?" Ciri drawled, holding out a hand to him with an amused smile.

"Oh, couldn't have gone any better, darling." He sarcastically replied, giving an amused smile of his own. "Maybe I shouldn't have insulted his entire being, but that's no fun." He smirked, taking her hand.

Ciri laughed as she flashed them back to Riverwood.

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"Well, that was fun little adventure. Daedra, elder scroll, princess. Shit, sounds like some messed up fairy tail." Lucius joked.

"Ha, now that i think about it you're not wrong." Ciri gave a short laugh.

"I'm gonna go check on Alvor. See if any problems we didn't see still linger." Lucius said.

"Good idea. I might as well go with you." Ciri announced patting down his frizzled hair. "Don't want the princess to get any split ends." She playfully mocked.

"Oh piss off. I like my hair, so what?" Lucius rolled his eyes, making his way to the blacksmiths house.

"Nothing wrong with it. I just think it's funny how much you remind me of a sorceress. You and Yennefer will get along great." She laughed.

"Hmph. I'll consider that a compliment then. And something you should look forward too since you love~ me so much." He teased back.

"Shush you. Although..." Ciri pondered, hand on chin. " I think she'd like you." She smiled.

"Hmm, then why don't we go see them sometime? Or, is that too complicated with the hunt?" Lucius suggested as they reached Alvor's house. "Talk later?" He suggested.

"Sure, talk later." She nodded as they headed in.

Lucius opened the door and entered, only to be struck below by a flying blur of red that made him fall on his back.

"Luci~! Thank you!" Dorthe sung as her mother came from behind her.

"Ow... Maybe avoid the groin next time, little one." Lucius groaned in agony.

"Good aim, kid." Ciri cheered with smug smile and a thumbs up.

"And you want me to love you?" Lucius cried out.

"Oh, get up. You killed Alduin and yet you get downed by a little girl." She chided with a laugh, helping him up. "How's Alvor doing?" She asked Sigrid, who held a hand over her smile.

"He's holding up. I can't thank you both enough for saving my husband." She smiled in gratitude.

"No worries." Lucius smiled as he holstered the little girl on his shoulders. "We came to check up on him. Make sure he didn't get infected."

"Right this way. He's currently in bed with some soup." Sigrid replied.

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Guys, I said not mass effect or doom, and then you said mass effect...

Dragon age would be interesting, but I have no idea about the world/story/lore so it might be a struggle.

Someone said harry potter in an earlier chapter. What about a short 5-10 chapters of them fucking around with HP magic/potions?

I do like the Fate idea though.

Have a good one,

Your "patently evil" Author ;)