Chapter 533: Battery
"What's wrong? Bat got your tongue?" the vampire girl giggles, causing the hairs on the back of the Companion's necks to rise.
"You must be Babette?" Saeko asks with folded arms.
...
"Where did you learn my name? Has someone been talking?" Babette asks with a dangerous gleam in her eye.
Saeko shakes her head, "We're friends of Michael, we're here to ask for some help with something. If that's possible?"
...
Babette shrugs her shoulder, "Mah... Maybe? Our boss has got a soft spot for... Mutts." she says, wrinkling her nose slightly as if she'd caught a bad scent. She dexterously hops off of the branch and lands next to the group, whispering some words to the door entering inside. "Wait out here... Understand?... Good."
*SLAM!*
...
"So... Any of you got anything against vampires?" Shakeesh asks while remembering the stories of feuds between the bloodsuckers and Werewolves.
Vilkas shakes his head, "Aside from the occasional extermination, no... Though, I've never met a 'sane' vampire, so my experience is limit."
"Hm, I was friends with a Master Vampire once. We were both 'accursed' so we'd share drinks and stories... A shame his kin didn't think too well of it. I found his severed arm in his home, along with his teeth that'd all been pried out." Kodlak shakes his head in reminiscence.
"You've never told that story..." Aela quietly says.
Kodlak nods, "Well, I might as well get everything out. Who knows when I'll lose the opportunity."
*Creee*
The skeletal door opens, revealing a hooded woman with Babette at her side and couple more concealed assassins behind her... "So, what's this about? I have to admit, I never expected the famous Companions to come knocking on my door. What would people think if they heard you asking a guild of assassins for help?" she drawls before turning to Saeko, "Hmph, I know you from somewhere?"
Saeko tilts her head in confusion, "We've never met?"
"Ah... I remember, a certain group of elves wanted your head." the woman recollects as she taps a finger on her temple.
Farkas growls and positions himself at Saeko's side, "Touch her and we'll have problems."
The woman lightly laughs, "Oh, don't you worry. Our agreement with Michael prohibits any hostile action against... Well, any of you now that I think about it." she says, only now realising just how stifling their agreement was.
"And what is this 'agreement' then?" Aela inquires, not trusting the word of an assassin... For obvious reasons.
"Ah, well, that's private..." she turns to Saeko, "What do you all want?"
"We require a guide through the forest. We are hunting witches for, guild matters." Kodlak states.
"You mean to clear your curse?" the woman asks, surprising them, "Don't be shocked. I know well enough about the Companion kennel... As for a guide? How about I send Babette with you, you already seem acquainted?"
"Really? Do I have to?" a disgruntled Babette asks.
"It's this or house-sitting for a week. That includes no blood."
"Hmph... Fine!" the little vampire glares at the Companions "I blame you all for making my life harder!"
Kodlak nods, "We thank you for your, sacrifice...?"
"You better be."
"What will we have to give in return for this?" the Harbinger asks.
The woman shrugs her shoulders, "Nothing, for now, we may call on you in the future for something small, so be prepared to answer." she says, getting a reluctant grunt out of Kodlak
"Shall we go?" Aela says.
The assassin woman folds her arms, "Oh, and remember to not ever reveal this place. Our agreement with Michael withstanding, there's more than one way to skin a mutt."
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With Babette now assisting the Companions, they make great progress with the forests of Falkreath... Hidden paths, cave systems, and even peaceful glades where even predators wouldn't dare harm another.
Babette, while at first being quiet and stoic, asks pointed questions halfway through the journey. Some to do with Companion duties, and others on more personal levels.
Saeko herself had to evade the vampire girl multiple times when asked about her relationship with Michael, as even she didn't know the answer right now... Plus the awkwardness of talking about it with an old little girl.
Soon enough, they make it to their destination, spotting a cave with signs of people around it... Primitive-looking wooden fences, staked taproot, and enthralled animals guarding the area. All obvious hallmarks of Hagravens and witches being present.
"This is your spot. Try not to die, Michael might come bothering us with questions about you." Babette says before beginning to return to the Dark Brotherhood sanctuary.
"Creeps me out, that girl..." Farkas mutters after she leaves.
Vilkas nods, "Aye, I hope whoever infected her so young rots in the deepest pits of Oblivion."
"Enough, let's focus on our mission." Kodlak says, nodding at the cave entrance that a Briar-Heart had just stepped out from.
"Forsworn are here?" Vilkas scowls.
"No... The Glenmoril Witches aren't allied with the Forsworn, these must be their own, unwilling creations." Kodlak explains.
"They worship Hircine do they not? Wouldn't they seek allies after Michael had cut off the Daedra from Nirn?" Shakeesh asks.
...
"Maybe... Regardless, we'll cut through their minions and reach our target. Remember, we need their heads intact to be usable in the ritual. Disfigure or burn them and we've lost a valuable asset."
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The assault begins with a transformed Shakeesh taking first blood by bashing an unsuspecting Briar-Heart's skull in from behind. The other Companions simultaneously make their moves, some attacking the enthralled wildlife, while others simply charge into the cave
Saeko runs ahead, making her way into the large cavern and finding a large stone ritual table in the center of it, three Hagravens creating their newest minion.
"Suekue, Nimat!" she whispers under her breath, accelerating and slashing her blade at the necks of the three Hagravens all at once with her Sword-Singer technique.
*SLIIIK!*
The attacks connect, but she only manages to behead the Hag with its back to her, the other two turning into a flock of ravens and flying around the room before escaping deeper into the cavern.
"Chase them! We'll deal with the Briar-Hearts!" Vilkas growls, his one-armed Werewolf looking odd as it tore apart an enemy.
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