Skyrim, The Bloodlust Within

The Journey To The Castle

I woke up the next morning to a dull and cloud filled day. Pale light seeped through the window, which was coated with a thin layer of frost. 'Must be freezing outside' I thought to myself. Sitting on the edge of the bed I realised that I had fallen asleep with my armour on, I wasn't surprised, considering everything that had happened to me in such a short space of time. Yawning I looked across to the other side of the room, where a note sat on Namasur's bedside table. Frowning I got up and walked across to pick it up. Reading it, it said

J'zargo,

             I went out last night to stock up on the blood that was previously drank last night. I should be back by morning, if not wait for me in the inn, I shouldn't be too long,

                                      Sincerely Namasur.

I smiled and placed the note in my satchel before collecting my weapons and leaving the room. Going through the wooden door I was greeted by warm light of the dancing fire and the laughter of nords, raising their tankards in some sort of celebration, before taking a deep drink. I took my place at the bar, swiftly to be greeted by Mralki.

"Good morning J'zargo, sleep well?"

I looked up at him and gave a half hesitant smile.

"Yes, I'm fine thanks Mralki, you seem quite happy yourself for a morning so colourless"

"In truth J'zargo, I am glad for this day, we have had too much sun lately, and the plants have started to wither. It rained last night, so this ensures we will have an excellent harvest this year, as of far"

"I'm glad" I reply simply as I looked across the bar and studied the drinks on offer. After a few seconds a bottle caught my eye. It was 'Argonian Bloodwine', which was a rare and expensive beverage, luckily, around here it was the food that sold for the most, alcohol was imported by cities and travelers would sell these at a low price, one of those bottles would sell for 300 gold to the right people, but around here, knowledge seemed to be something that no one had.

"How much for the 'Argonian Bloodwine'?" I asked Mralki with a smile.

"Oh this?" He replied as he took it down from the shelf, it was a dark blue coloured bottle. "This is 50 gold, had this in the cellar for a few years, so I decided to bring it up"

"I'll take it" I said as I gave him a small pouch full of gold. Taking the money and handing me the wine I pulled the cork off with my teeth and began to drink. It felt like honey on my tongue, sweet and full of flavour. The aftertaste was a burst of flavour, apple, blackberry, snow berries, so much was compacted and pressed into this liquid. I took a few gulps before placing the cork back into the bottle and placing it in my satchel. I was about to turn back to Mralki to thank him, when I heard the inn door open with a loud creak. I turned around to see who it was, and thankfully it was Namasur.

"J'zargo!" He shouted to me across the inn as he approached. "Glad to see you are still here, didn't think you would wait for so long"

"It is nice to see your back here and not in pieces, and in truth I haven't been up for long. So, how did it go?"

"It went very well thanks" Namasur said as he handed me a flask. "This is for you, I have one of my own"

I took the bottle and hid it away. "Thanks, I may need it again sometime"

"That you will, now, are we ready to head out again? Shadowmere is eager to see you"

I smile and stand up. "I already have everything I need, do you?"

"Yes, now, let's head off before this fog clears, I don't fancy staying in the sunlight too long" Namasur said as he hurried out the door.

"Neither do I" I say quietly as I follow him, leaving behind the jolly atmosphere.

Once outside the bitter cold breeze came to greet me, wrapping it's cold grasping hands around my body, suffocating me in a cocoon of chilling winds. I shuddered and pulled my Nightingale Hood over my head and face in an effort to keep warm. Heading to the stables I saw Shadow curled up next to the hay, desperately trying to keep warm. Shadowmere looked up at me and shook his body, kicking his hoof in Shadow's direction. Namasur hurried over and created a strong flame in his hands, holding it up to Shadow to try and keep him warm.

"He'll be fine" I say to Namasur. "Shadow has been in a city stable all his life, one with a roof and plenty of fresh hay, it may take some time for him to get used to it".

I hoist myself up onto Shadowmere and hold onto his reins. Once Shadow is up and standing Namasur joins me. He looks towards me with a grin.

"Let's go, we have a distance to travel, it will take us longer to trot, so let's gallop the way, it will be good to keep the horses warm and prepare them for battle, if that time comes"

"A battle? What about a battle?" I ask curiously, my eyes wide with interest.

Looking at me with a frown he knew he had said something he shouldn't have.

"Look, J'zargo, you will come to know about this later, for now all you need to know is that the enemy is indeed a very powerful one, and that I know him very well. You see, I haven't been entirely truthful, but trust me when I say that if word was to get out about it, I wouldn't be alive to bring you here"    

Namasur turns as he set's off down the path, I smile and gallop after him. It was good to finally be involved in something that was beyond my expectations, as in my lifetime I had never met another that matched my abilities.