Portals & Shouts

II: Castle Volkihar

Serana

In the end, we found a way out of Dimhollow. It was mid-afternoon when we stepped outside. I took a deep breath, then let it out. The rush from Marla's blood was starting to fade. "Ah, it's so good to breathe again! Even in this weather, it's better than the cave."

If you say so, Marla remarked. By the way, where do you live?

Right, I never did tell her that. "My family's home is on an island to the west of Solitude. It isn't the most welcoming place, but I'll be safe there depending on who's around."

That puzzled her. Why wouldn't you be safe in your own home?

I sighed. "Let's just say that my mother and father had a bit of a falling out. Don't worry, I'm not in any danger or anything like that. It'll just be more unpleasant to run into my father."

I take it your father is someone you don't want to see?

"My father and I don't get along. Ugh, saying it out loud makes it sound so... common. "Little girl who doesn't get along with her father." Read that story a hundred times."

I know how you feel. I didn't get along with my dad either. Don't get me wrong, I loved him. Dad was such a brilliant man, but he was also a complete nutjob.

The way she conveyed it gave me the impression her father wasn't around anymore. "What happened to him?"

Marla sighed. I'd rather not talk about it.

I nodded. "Very well. So, who's the High King of Skyrim?"

She appreciated the change in subject. That's up for debate at the moment.

"Oh, wonderful," I remarked. "A war of succession. Good to know the world didn't get boring while I was gone. Who are the contenders?"

There are two sides, she replied. The Empire supports Elisif, but the Stormcloak rebels support Ulfric.

I knitted my bros. "Empire? What empire?"

The Empire. From Cyrodiil.

I was dumbfounded. "Cyrodiil's the seat of an empire?" Considering how things were during the Three Banners War, I never thought that would happen again. How much did I miss? "Please, let's hurry. I really need to get home."

—

Marla

A few days passed. We traveled to an old dock called Icewater Jetty, then used a boat to reach the island. That's when I saw it. A huge castle shrouded in mist, its dark stone walls lined with carvings and gargoyles. Across from it, there was a watchtower next to a small wooden dock.

"Here we are," Serana said in a somber tone. "Home sweet... castle."

I blinked in surprise. Sure, the tall, ageless vampiress looked aristocratic. However, she was very down to earth, so a castle never came to mind. You live in a castle?

She sighed. "Yes. I didn't say anything because I didn't want you to think I was one of those... you know."

Girls who sit in their castle all day?

She chuckled a little. "More or less. Coming from a place like this, well... it's not really me. I hope you can believe that."

I do believe that, Serana. I haven't known Serana for long, but I knew there was more to her than meets the eye. I gazed up at the castle. Your home is impressive, by the way.

"It's something alright." Her eyes met mine. "Marla, before we go in there, I would like to thank you for getting me this far."

No problem. I frowned. Are you all right?