บท 571: Island Raid
Michael allows Serana to finish up with Gelebor before the group finally leaves and returns home. What the Snow Elf intended to do from now on...? Well, apparently his duty was mainly to protect the pathway to the bow, while the land, temple, and Inner-Sactum were sacred places, that didn't matter much when there were no followers left...
With that in mind, he declared that he'd return to the world and guide those willing to listen to Auriel's grace...
While Michael didn't care either way, he made sure to have the Paladin avoid Skyrim for the time being... Most Nords weren't happy with any elves in their midst, let alone an intelligent 'Falmer '.
"So, how're we going to finish this?" Michael asks Serana just as they find a comfortable spot to sit inside the Eye of the World.
"We kill my father, free my mother, and that's it." she states as if it were obvious.
"Not what I mean. I mean, what do you want to do with all your dad's followers? What do you want to do with the Dawnguard, even?"
...
"I, hadn't thought of that yet..." she admits before lowering her head in thought. "Killing some of them isn't a bad decision but, there are some worthy of mercy, if they aren't dead..."
"You mean deader?" Saeko can't help but add.
Serana sniffs and sends an unamused look her way, "Yes, that... We've played the game, so bringing the Dawnguard means killing everyone in the castle, I doubt we could convince them to spare anyone... Or even myself come to think of it. Without the buildup of trust between the protagonist, me, and Isran, they'd attack me without question."
"Isn't there an obvious answer then?" Saeko hums, "We go in there alone, kill who we want, kill your father, than have you become 'Vampire Queen', or however it's called."
"Sounds good to me." Michael shrugs.
Serana gapes, "I know you are both confident but this isn't like the dragons, or even Vyrthur. Most of the vampires living in Castle Volkihar are ancient. They're all very powerful, possessing Volkihar blood and whatever else they've managed to acquire on the side. They aren't all like my father who sits on his throne all day..."
"And?"
"And?" Serana parrots, "Why would you go through all of this? We've got the bow, there's literally no threat anymore... No reason for you to help me."
Saeko reaches for her pouch and lays it in front of Serana, confusing the vampire.
"What's this for?" she asks, analysing the coins.
"Hm? Oh, I just thought we should pay you, being a whore and all." she says with a casual shrug.
"... A whore...? Why...?" she breathes, stunned and horrified at being called that... When folk used to hunt her and her family, they called her a 'Whore of Molag Bal'... It wasn't a lie, which only made it hurt more to hear the Swordswoman say it.
Saeko folds her arms, "Well, you seemed very affectionate when Michael and I spoke with you, I had assumed we were friends but since you consider us helping you 'work' or recompense of some sort, that'd make you a whore, wouldn't it? You spent time with us, pretending to befriend us until the job was done."
...
Seeing Serana not have a response, Michael decides to save her ass, "What she means is, if we 'WERE' friends, then helping you out isn't much... Do you consider us friends?"
...
Serana's eyes water slightly as she shakes her head and wipes them with he sleeve. "O-of course we're friends!... It's just that I've never... You know..." she trails off, trying to hide her embarrassment but failing at the jubilation she was feeling in this moment.
"I feel like everything that comes after that shouldn't be applicable in this conversation..." Michael mutters, "Whatever, we're your friends, deal with it. We'll head out the castle tomorrow morning, good?"
"Good."
*Ahem*
The trio look over to the door and spots Tiffania standing there with an awkward look, "Maybe someone should deal with them today? Solitude was just attacked and it looks like the other Holds will be too..."
...
"Hm, you guys good to keep going? Saeko? You almost got splattered by a dragon..." he asks.
She nods, "A stamina potion and I'm ready." she states with Serana agreeing.
"Well, guess we're attacking them now... It's just turning afternoon so we'll probably need Illu to fly us over if we want to make it before sunset... Or..." he trails off as a thought pops into his mind.
"Can't you just teleport us over?" Serana asks.
"Did I teleport us to the Vale? I need to have been there to do it accurately."
"Should I come?" Tiffania asks but Michael shakes his head, "Don't worry yourself, the only reason I'm saying this is because I wanna test out my new bow..."
"Auriel's Bow?"
"Yep."
She smiles and nods, "Have fun and don't come back too late or dinner will get cold."
Saeko smirks, "Yes, Mom."
Tiffania's brows shoot up, "Don't call me that... Ever..." she seriously says before blushing, "Please?"
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In the end, Michael decided to not pull Illococoo from the Throat of the World and instead elected to use his Ghost Ship... They had some questions but he had time enough to explain it to them before they reached their destination... Telling Serana it wasn't a Conjuration was difficult enough to be honest...
The trio were standing on front of the deck as they finally spotted the castle in the distance, creepy-looking birds flying around the top in a pattern as if they weren't natural.
"Those are my father's Bone Hawks, Necromantic creatures that fly around the castle and warn of intruders. I thought they might've disappeared with Conjuration but, we've already been spotted." Serana explains.
"We've already got a party waiting for us it looks like." he states, gesturing at the shore that was covered with vampires.
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