Skryim III: The Dawnguard Wars.

Part Nine: Prophecies of the Tyranny of the Sun.

I kept to myself most of the time since our agreement to listen and see what Lord Harkon had in mind. I was surprised that no one could smell out Fennorian, but he kept himself hidden in the dungeons near the thralls, so I take it that had alot to do with being able to disguise his scent so easily.  Serana would often disappear, having conversations with her father, Garan, Vingalmo and Orthjolf. 
  I stood in the corner of the hall, my back against the wall. I watch as I see Fura Bloodmouth, one of the female vampires, get in argument with Feran. Her high pitched voice was loud enough to make your ears ache. Ronthil walked out of the room to his master's alchemy chamber and nodded when he saw me. "How are you adjusting to this life, Taniiaae?" He asked, kindly. I nodded. "It's just another life that I can live." I say. 
Ronthil looked at me in confusion, so I clarify. "I was once a werewolf, currently and will always be a Dragonborn. This is just another life to add to the many I've lived." Ronthil's yellow eyes widened. "I knew you were Dragonborn, as that rumor went around alot since Lord Harkon bestowed his gift upon you, but werewolf?" 
 I smirked, "Don't be so surprised. I choose that path when the man I loved was cursed as one. I wanted to do whatever I could to make myself closer to him. But we have only had just been 'cleaned' for a few months when Harkon decided...to give me his gift." I say, thinking with disgust in my mouth. Ronthil blinked. "Were you married?" 
"AM married." I rephrase.   Ronthil tilted his head. "You know, Vingalmo has made a statement before, that if any of us had mates, than he would have us bestow our gifts upon them, that way they could join our family."  
I see that Ronthil didn't mean anything by it, but I could feel my chest start to clench up in horror. I would never be able to do that to Sinding, turn him into a vampire. He went through enough suffering from being Moon Born. This was much worse. I shake my head. "Ronthil, I see you as maybe one of my only friends here, but do not say anything to Vingalmo. I prefer that my husband does not join our little family here." 
Ronthil's eyes widened and he slowly nodded. "I understand." 
  I smile. "Thank you." 
Ronthil looked at his feet and then said, "I don't remember much of my old life....except that I was fleeing from Valenwood, that my family was killed and I nearly died...I was dying, if it wasn't for Feran, I would be dead."  
My face is sympathetic as he continues. "Most of the vampires here....wanted this life....I'm just happy it was given to me. Because if not, I would be dead with the rest of my family." 
I think back on Malborn, and how his family was killed in Valenwood during the Thalmor attacks, but instead I say. "Is that why you are always 'sucking' up to the Feran and Garan?"  That came out harsher than expected. 
 If Ronthil could blush, he would of. Instead he gave an awkward laugh. "So...you noticed that too?" I raise my eyebrows. "Alright," he says, "I want to make sure that if I'm valuable to these men, then they will see it." He shrugs. "I don't want to reach my usefulness."
I nod, "Well. You are useful to me, but not in the way you think." I say, softly. 
Ronthil looks at me in confusion, so I say. "You are like my friend here...maybe my only one." Before Ronthil could say more, I move away from the wall as I see Lord Harkon, Vingalmo, Orthjolf, Garan and Serana look  down from the Balcony. Serana meets my eyes, and I know something has happened. The rest of the vampires gather in the middle of the room to watch as Lord Harkon raises his hands. "My dear people. It is decided, that with the return of the my Elder Scroll, and my dear daughter, Serana, that we will move forward in the Tyranny of the Sun."
  The other vampires give small nods in acknowledgment. I try to rack my brain to remember the story of the Tyranny of the Sun. Harkon smiles, "I have spoken with Garan, and he told me, that in order to read my scroll, we need to aquire....a moth priest."  
  My eyes darted to Serana's who gave me the most subtle of nods. 
Harkon continued. "I wanted to give this task to our newest member of our family, Taniiaae. Would you be so kind as to find this moth priest and bring him back here?" I want to say no. This doesn't sound good, not at all. What could a moth priest do anyways? But for my character, and playing along, I bow my head, pretending that this is a great honor. "As you wish, my liege." I say, my voice thick with venom. Harkon either didn't care or couldn't tell but he said. "I want my daughter, Serana, to go with you in search of this moth priest. Since you seemed to work so well before."  Harkon said, holding his hand out to Serana to take.  She did it, as expected. We both knew this was our chance to find out more of what he had planned. After all the vampires disbanded, Serana came to me afterwards. "You can meet me outside of the castle. I'm going to get your friend....Fenn....and tell him to wait for us."  
"He most likely already heard it all." I say, but nod. "I'll meet you outside." 
"Taniiaae?" I turned as Lord Harkon beckoned me over with his hand. I nod at Serana and walk over to him. I bow to the Vampire Lord, remember my place. "Yes, my lord?" He tilts my chin up and smiles. "How is my little one adjusting to her new life? You gave us quite the scare when you transformed, but it seems that all is well?" his yellow eyes studied me. I squirm uncomfortably in the black vampire armor I now wore, marking me as on of his.  "My apologies, sire." I say, remember my niceties. Harkon waves his hand as if it is no problem that I was thrashing and fighting back against the transformation. "It's just interesting....the only others who have ever fought back so hard against Molag Bal's gift was my scheming wife and dear Serana. But I guess it doesn't come easy to all vampires."  My stomach churns thinking that Serana had suffered like I had, and yet this man had no remorse for what he did to his own daughter. I try to think of what to say but Harkon gives me a small pat on the cheek. "Do not concern yourself, child. All I ask, is if you find this moth priest...and bring him back to us. Give him the vampiric kiss, and it will sedate him enough to be your servant. He won't give you too much of a fight bringing him here." Harkon said. I bowed my head, trying to hide my growing hatred towards the Lord. "Yes, sire." I whisper. "Don't disappoint me." I hear him say, a warning in his voice. I lift  my head up and walk towards the doors of the main hall. Pushing the doors open, I see Serana waiting for me, and beside the jetty in the distance, Fennorian. Serana looked at my face and said. "What did he say?"
 I shake my head, I don't want to bring up what he mentioned about his her suffering when she was transformed. "Nothing important. Did your father tell you where to search for this moth priest? He said nothing to me." I say, as we walk side by side down the bridge.  Serana nodded, "My father said that there are rumors that the priest was passing through Dragon's Bridge. We might find him near there." Serana said as we approached Fennorian. 
"I don't like this." I say. "The Tyranny of the Sun, what does that include?" 
Serana shook her head. "I never really knew...my father told me that my mother was against it and that she rather put me in danger by locking me away for so long. But he told me today that the Moth Priest would be able to read the scroll and tell us what we needed." 
I look at Fennorian. "Do you know of the Tyranny of the Sun?" 
He shook his head as well. "No, I've only heard about it in fleeting conversations, but I never really knew what it was."  Serana looked around, then pulled her hood up over her head, "Let's get a move on then."  
.........................................................................................................................................................

"You expect me to believe she didn't willing join the blood suckers?" Isran said, angrily, crossing his arms. Sinding stood in the center of Fort Dawnguard, he was faced to face with Isran, Durak and fellow former Vigilant Celann. The three of them studied the Nord. Durak shook his head, while Celann, stood quiet, thoughtful. Isran spoke. "I understand that your....wife is a stubborn woman. She has already taken down a dragon, the first Dragonborn and now took the only leverage, the daughter of our enemy, back to his territory. And you say he turned her and gave her Molag Bal's gift. How are we to believe it wasn't all for her own gain." Durak spat. "Seems that she is hungry for power." 
Sinding shook his head, now getting angry. "You are wrong about that. I think if she had the choice, she would forfeit all the power given to her to live a simple life. Why do you think I would tell you what happened? To have her executed?" He shook his head and signed. "The daughter of Lord Harkon....I have my reasons to believe she isn't your enemy."  Isran looked at Celann and then said. "And why is that?" 
"She didn't appear too pleased about returning back to her father....her mother had hidden her away, what other reasons would a mother go against the father unless the child is in danger?" Sinding said. He left out the fact that Fennorian was helping them get information. Isran crossed his arms. "So if we were to launch an attack on Volkihar coven now.....who would you want us to spare?"
Sinding's eyes widened, the hatred ran deep between the Dawnguard and the Volkihar clan, and Isran was truly ready to wipe them out. "You spare Taniiaae, no questions asked. Or you will have me and the city of Whiterun on your doorstep." He said, anger thick in his voice. "The daughter of Harkon will be spared as well, and two others that are mere assistants, the blacksmith Hestla, and the alchemy assistant, Ronthil." He rememember Tanii talking about them with more affection, and she told Sinding before he left that if he was to ask to spare the lives of anyone, it was those three. 
Durak barked out a laugh, "And if we spare those three, what will happen to them? Rampage all over Skyrim?"  
"Either we find a cure, or an ally of ours will take them to Castle Ravenwatch in High Rock." Sinding said, remembering Fenn's offer. 
 Celann looked at Isran, "Castle Ravenwatch was the home of Count Verandis Ravenwatch, the vampire who helped during the Greymoor invasion and the Harrowstorms hundreds of years ago. I didn't know his coven was still alive." 
"Because they are peaceful, that is why." Sinding said, remembering what Fennorian had told him and Tanii during late nights at home.   Isran nodded, "Very well. If we launch on attack on Castle Volkihar, it is up to you to get your wife and her few friends. You must be there when we plan on it, or else we won't hesitate to strike any vampire we see. You understand?" 
  Sinding nodded, "I do." 
"Good, now that we understand each other, let discuss our next step. There are rumors of a Moth Priest traveling around Skyrim. Knowing Harkon, he already sent his acolytes to find him and bring him back to his castle. That's not in our favor. Do you know what a moth priest is, Sinding?"   Isran said, rubbing his chin. 
Sinding shook his head, "No, I'm afraid I haven't."
"Pity, but most common folk don't." Isran said, "A moth priest is someone who can read an Elder Scroll and translate it. You said that Harkon's daughter had an Elder Scroll in her belongings when you found her?" 
 Sinding nod, "Aye, she did."
"Then that's why Harkon wants this  moth priest. If we can't find him before they do, I want you to reach out to your wife and find out what the scroll says once the priest reads it. We may be able to prevent what happens but I have a feeling I know what's in that Elder Scroll." Isran said, nodding at Celann and Durak to leave. Sinding looked at Isran in confusion once the other two left. Isran than leaned close. "Have you heard of the Tyranny of the Sun?" He whispered. 
Sinding shook his head. 
"The Tyranny of the Sun is a prophecy. It is said that when the blood of a daughter of Coldharbour touches elven arrows and are shot into the sun with Auriel's Bow, the sun will disappear, leaving the sky bloodred, and the children of Molag Bal, the vampires will roam the world freely and reek havoc on the everyone." 
Sinding thought on those words, "So that means....if Harkon completes the prophecy of the Tyranny of the Sun, then-"
"Then the world will be enslaved by the vampires and they will dominate our world into their own vision." Isran said, nodding.  Sinding felt his chest clenched up and he met the Redguard's gaze. Isran smirked. "You better hope your wife can prevent this from happening. Or else, not even a dragonborn can stop Harkon once the ritual is complete." 
 "Ritual? What ritual? There's more?"   Sinding paled. 
Isran stepped away to a small bookcase. He picked up a tome and opened the worn pages. Putting a hand on Sinding's shoulder, he showed him the faded image, but it was all the same. Blood coated the earth, and the sky was as red as the blood. "Lord Harkon needed a daughter of Coldharbour in order to complete the Tyranny of the Sun. The two known daughters of Coldharbour are his wife-Valerica, who has been missing for centuries, and his daughter, Serana.  He doesn't need a pinprick of blood....he needs all of it in order to move forward and have world domination." He snapped the book shut as realization dawned on Sinding. "He's going to kill his own daughter?" Sinding gasped. 
"Any anyone else who stands in his way." Isran said, his face grim.  "That would be you, me, your wife, possibly his daughter."  
  "What would you have me do?" Sinding asked, as the fear started to kick in. 
"Try to speak to your wife. See what she knows, then come back and share it with me." Isran said, his eyes glinting. "That would be our best course of action at the moment."