Skyrim, The Bloodlust Within

The Stone Dragon

After the encounter with the Dragon, and the reveal of my inner self and potential's, Namasur hadn't stopped talking through the rest of the journey.

"How did you become Dragonborn?"

"When did you learn to do magic like that?"

"How many Dragons have you killed and brought back from beyond the grave?"

These were just a few of his questions, and I had answered them all, as accurately and truthfully as I could. In the time since the incident, it had quickly become nightfall. We had passed the mighty rivers of the reach, the land and hold of Markarth. Winding our way past Forsworn Camps and avoiding predators who would size us up for a meal. Within a day we had traveled from the small farming settlement to the small fort and town in the land of Haafingar, hold of Solitude. We had arrived at Dragon Bridge.

This was a quiet place to rest up for the night, but often soldiers would pass through here to fight and bring war upon the opposing side. The Stormcloaks and Imperials, making the town grow restless with worry. I had been through here many times, the townsfolk were frightened that either army would destroy their bridge, making it impossible to cross beyond the fast flowing river that lies beneath. I would ensure that this wouldn't happen, as the bridge was made and crafted by a fine mortal. The bridge curved upwards, made from cobblestone and decorated with a Dragons head reflecting forwards and backwards from either side to the bridge, placed in the centre, with an additional two at either side, facing left and right, observing the water below. The bridge itself looked like a Dragon's spine, as many cobblestone towers were built at either side, holding it in place, this made the bridge unique, and gave the town it's name.

As we crossed over the bridge to the small town, we were confronted by a guard.

"Wait, I recognize you..." The guard says to me, pulling out his sword and pointing it at my throat. I look towards Namasur and wink.

Turning back to the guard, with a small amount of effort I put on the most innocent face imaginable. "I don't think that you know me, are you sure you have the right Khajiit?" I say persuasively, tossing a bag of 500 gold coins at the guard, who looks up at me and says

"Ahh yes I have been mistaken, go about your way citizen" The guard says, before lowering his sword back into it's sheath and signaling to the other guards the "All clear".

I rode onward into the small village, not much was to be seen here, as it was just merely a small passage through that continued to Solitude. Rearing Shadowmere to the right and Namasur following, we left the horses just outside the inn, before heading through the doors of "Four Shields Tavern".

Instead of being greeted by a warm fire and the chatter of nords, it was cold and silent, only the innkeeper, Faida, was wiping the bar table with a cloth. She looked up at us, and her face stretched into a grin.

"Ahh, welcome, so good to have customers finally" She said, motioning for us to sit down and purchase a drink. As we sat down, she placed her hand on mine.

"Please, you have to help us, something terrible is happening near Solitude" She pleaded, her eyes wide and brimmed with tears. I retook my hand and turned to Namasur with a puzzled expression. He looked at me, but then sank his head and went back to his drink. Turning back to Faida I said

"What kind of trouble?" I asked, face concentrated and ears standing up.

"The dead are walking" She spoke, her voice in a whisper. "They guard the castle beyond the waters of Solitude, wandering the shore at night, weapons in hand, watching, waiting for someone, or something..." Her voice trailed off. Looking to my left I saw why she had stopped, for Namasur's eyes were a blood red, burning bright and looking at her.

"Namasur what are you...?" I began to say, only to be cut off with a swift movement of his hand.

As I watched, Faida had become entranced in his stare, her eyes were wide, her mouth half-open in awe. Namasur looked directly into her eyes, and started to mumble some words, so low even I couldn't hear them. When he had finished, he snapped his fingers before Faida's face, making her blink and stumble back slightly. Looking around in wonder, her eyes fall on us.

"Oh, I am so sorry, I didn't see you there, would you like a drink?" She asked, eyeing the table and the empty mugs. I grin and give her our mugs and 20 gold, then I get off the stool and head into one of the spare rooms to my right, Namasur following behind me. Once we were inside, I closed the door and turned to him.

"An Illusion spell, I am guessing that Vampires have the ability to erase memories of mortals that know too much" I say, still grinning as I sit down on one of the beds.

"Yes" Namasur chuckled. "Just a simple ability, nothing much really, compared to the powers that you will behold in a few days to come" He finished, reaching for his belt where the flask of blood was held, he took the cork out and took a drink before holding it out to me.

"Would you like some?" He offers.

I take the flask without answering, but started drinking the blood. I left just enough for another day, that would be his last before we reached the castle. Handing it back to Namasur he bottles it back up and places it back in it's holder before sitting down on the bed opposite. Studying his face, he looked tired, ancient.

"How long have you been on this earth?" I suddenly ask, my tail flicking behind me.

He looks up at me and sighs, but it was more of a dry cough.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you, but I am young compared to our Lord Harkon" He replies.

"Why would I deny your age?" I said, my tone low and clear. "I have nothing to loose and nothing to gain from this, so why wonder? It's just a simple question"

Namasur studies my face, but my eyes are focused on him and him only, nothing else. Sighing he lays down on the bed and says

"I am over 700 years old" He finishes, before closing his eyes and sleeping.

Chuckling to myself, I pull the covers over me and close my eyes whilst whispering

"Old? Not even close" I say, before the shadows of my dreams cover my eyes and delve deep into my mind, filled with blood, Dragons, Vampires, and the adventures of the castle waiting to come...