The Elder's Scrolls

Housecarl

The thumping sound of a gauntlet - covered hand on her door woke Jarl Elisif the Fair.

The young jarl groaned softly, turning her head on her pillow in an attempt to block out the noise as another round of knocks came, followed by a voice.

"Jarl Elisif, please," there was a pause, then: "It's an emergency."

This woke the jarl fully. Within seconds, the jarl emerged from her bedroom, her hands busy tying the sash of her robes tight to her waist.

"My jarl, housecarl Fjori has returned."

Elisif frowned. "And what of my thane, Enora?"

The guard shook his head. "We can't get anything out of her. She's sobbing uncontrollably."

Sobbing, Elisif thought. That can't be any good.

With a nod from the jarl, the lone guardsman led her through the Recieving Hall and up the ornante staircase to the Throne Room. Off to the side of the throne stood Falk Firebeard - the steward - Sybille Stentor - the court wizard - and Fjori, housecarl of Enora Redwood.

"Thank the eight you're here," Falk murmured, approaching the jarl. "Fjori was found just north of the city, nothing more than a heap of steel armor."

The jarl frowned. "But what about Enora?"

Falk shook his head. "We didn't see her." He glanced back at Fjori, who was slumped over in the chair, wailing. Sybille sat next to her, a hand placed on her back. "She's only woken up a few moments ago. When she did, she started doing that," he jerkily pointed a hand at the distressed housecarl.

Jarl Elisif chewed her bottom lip. "She won't say anything?"

"She kept muttering something in her sleep; sounded like 'vampires,' but I can't be sure."

At that moment, Fjori looked up. Her usually calm and guarded demeanor was long gone, instead replaced with that of a scared child. "Vampires took her, just as we were leaving Morthal. I tried to protect her, but I couldn't fight them all. They used a spell ... a spell that drained me of - of life!" Her chest heaved as tears sprung to her bright green eyes. "I told her to run, but that stubborn Breton pulled out her dagger and tried to fight."

Sybille Stentor bristled at the mention of vampires, and took that moment to return to her bedchamber. Elisif watched her go, then turned back to Fjori. "What happened after that?"

Fjori shook her head sadly, before running her hands shakily through her close - shaven red hair. "They tortured her, right there in front of me. One of the bastards slit her wrists and drunk her blood."

"Then what?"

"They cast some sort of spell on her. Enveloped her in a blue sheen, and gave her eyes a distant, far - away look. They left, and she followed."

Falk tittered darkly. "Damn vampires. They had her enthralled. She lost all sense of right and wrong. She only knew what her caster wanted."

Fjori hung her head. "I - I tried to haste back to Solitude, but ..." Her voice cracked, bringing forth a new wave of tears.

"You couldn't," Elisif finished for her. "The spell they cast on you sapped you of your life essence."

"Let me guess, Sybille has taught you that?" Falk asked dryly.

"That she did, Falk. I believe I can handle it from here. You should return to your bedchambers."

There was something akin to loathe in the steward's eyes, but he obeyed. "Yes, Jarl Elisif." He have Fjori a last glance. "Glad to see of your return, housecarl Fjori. Goodnight," he gave a stiff nod, then descended the staircase.

A/N: I don't know what's with this installment. I don't like it, but I needed to get something posted. A better Scroll will be up soon. :\