The Raging Storm

Chapter Fifteen: The Meeting

The morning sun rose over Dawnsguard and greeted the day. Kazmere Vale peered over his shoulder and listened for armored footsteps following. His black cloak was wrapped around him, his hood covered his face. Sera followed close, also scanning for anyone following them. The arrival of the morning meant the sprawling city would be waking up soon. They needed to get back inside the hideout. They'd left a bloody mess that would cause quite a stir.

He arrived at the cellar door behind the Drunken Hound and pulled open the wooden hatch, allowing Sera to rush in first before closing it. Hopefully, no one saw us. He wanted to check on Elspeth - the innkeeper above - but he knew it would bring more trouble than good. He didn't know if she knew he was hiding below. He didn't want to give her more information to risk her life with.

They entered the common room of his hideout. The fire had gone out while they were gone, leaving black and gray ash behind. He took off his cloak, threw it over to the floor near the old wooden dresser, and plopped down onto the red cloth armchair. Metal sounds came from the cloak while it landed on the ground but that was of no mind to him. His body was running on its last fumes. He'd only gotten an hour of rest before the guards showed up and he needed a full rest.

Sera stood across the room from him, cleaning off one of her daggers with a cloth. "Sleep, Kaz. You look like you're going to pass out any second. I'm going to find some of the people I get information from. Have them spread the word that we are looking for Zavan and Savere. We need to find them soon."

"Good idea. Please be safe. They're gonna be looking at everyone with suspicion after that mess we left." He got up from the armchair and laid down on the mess of pillows and blankets by the fireplace. The area smelled like Sera which made him happy.

She raised her eyebrow and smiled in a mocking way. "You're worrying about me? You're the one who lost his Relic last fight."

He chuckled, raising his right arm to cover his eyes. "You got me there."

She chuckled and pulled her cloak's hood up to hide her face before walking out. He let out a soft groan of pleasure. He sat up, took his boots off, and covered himself with a blanket. He laid back and closed his eyes, dozing off in seconds.

Kazmere's eyelids opened to Sera standing above him, shaking him awake.

"Wake up Kaz, wake up." She kept shaking him.

He sat up, pushing off her hands. "I'm awake, I'm awake. What's happening?" He rubbed his eyes.

She laughed and sat down in the red chair. "You've slept for a whole day. I knew you needed some rest but damn." A fire was crackling. The room was warm and cozy, just the way he liked it. He walked over and grabbed a cup and scooped some water into it from the bucket.

He drained the whole cup in two gulps. "Much needed." He set the cup down and grabbed a honey lemon to eat. "How did the roaming about go? Any luck spreading the word for Savere and Zavan?"

"It went smoothly. Zavan sent a messenger within a few hours, saying he will meet us wherever we choose. Savere replied halfway through yesterday. She sent an old lady to knock on the cellar door to reply. I had to scold her to never come nearby like that since the guards could follow her. Luckily they don't know you're here too. Savere will also meet us wherever. I sent out the message to meet us at Albatross today, in about two hours."

He took a big bite of the honey lemon and raised his eyebrows in surprise. Albatross was located in the Fifth Division. The hideout had been one of the main sanctuaries where they trained fledgling Foundlings. Albatross had been famous among the common people for being a Foundling base. It was one of the first places to get ransacked when the Crimson Guards attacked months ago. He reminisced on all the Foundlings he'd trained there. It was the base where Ansel had learned to become one of them. All the good memories came rushing forward but he stifled them. This was no time to get sentimental. It was surprising that Sera would suggest meeting somewhere so well-known.