Curse of Cold harbor.

A realm unlike our own.

The Serana excitedly began to rummage through the extensive study. Its walls were adorned with ancient masonry artwork. Mahogany, bookshelves filled with old books stood almost as tall as the ceiling. Compared to the rest of the ruined rooms, this one seemed to be unscathed from the destruction.

My eyes then fell on a substantial collection of alchemical ingredients. It ranged from snowberries all the way to deadric hearts.
*how in the hell does someone acquire something like that.* I thought to myself, grimacing at the origin of the hearts laying there on the shelf.

"So, Serana, what are we looking for here?" I asked Serana as I began to rummage through some of the shelves.

"Something like a journal. My mother has definitely been here. I just hope we could find some clue as to where she has gone." Serana said as she was rummaging through the bookshelves with unprecedented vigor. She looked almost obsessed with finding her mother. Well, I couldn't blame her. Her mother sounded a lot nicer than her power-hungry dad.

"Serana, what if we don't find her. Or worse if your dad got to her first. It has been centuries after all..." I remarked my speech filled with remorse. I didn't like to be a pessimist, but it could be a possibility.  Serana, in turn, just looked at me with a hopeful expression on her face.

"We Volkihar women are smart and resourceful Dracar. Just look at this room. My dad hasn't trashed this one which means there must be some kind of clue." She replied as she smiled weakly.

After she said that, my eyes were drawn to a weird shape on the ground. The stones almost looked like they could break open at any moment. As the plaster wasn't present between the stonework.

I decided to drop it and help Serana search for a clue as to where her mother had gone. We did this a while, and after having a lot of old books in my hands, all of which were related to necromancy and soul-stealing.

"Say Serana, and your mother seems to have had a weird obsession with necromancy. All her books are either about necromancy or related to it." I said as I looked at Serana. She just nodded in agreement.

"My mother had a thing for bringing things back from the dead. Or animating inanimate objects the gargoyles are her work." Serana replied as she continued searching through the ample supply of books.

"Well, make sure I thank her for those abominations when we see her," I replied as I grimaced at the skeletons and gargoyles we had to fight to get here.

We searched for a while, and as I was taking a look at some jarred intestines, Serana yelled loudly. "FOUND IT!!"  The scream almost made me drop the jar.

I quickly made my way over to Serana, and we proceeded to read through her mothers' journal.

*27th Last Seed

Harkon's shortsightedness is becoming a severe problem. I've warned him time and time again that his foolish prophecy would cast far too much light on our people, and yet he refuses to so much listen to a word I say. I've become less a wife and more of an annoyance in his eyes. Devoting attention to my work is the only solace I can find while enduring his ridiculous crusade.

28th Last Seed

I've had a breakthrough today. I was able to attune the portal vessel to the Soul Cairn properly by using a small sample of ingredients.

Although the portal opened only for a few seconds, I'm confident that with the proper formula, it can be sustained indefinitely. I feel like I'm missing a key ingredient, something of sufficient potency that can resist the forces trying to prevent my intrusion. Communing with the Ideal Masters has proved worthless. They speak in riddles and offer no assistance whether I ensure them a steady supply of souls or not. If I'm to escape Harkon's clutches, I need to keep the portal open long enough to carry me away from here... forever if need be.