The Dawnguard Hunter

Darkened Light

The regeneration process after Rayan had left him in the inn had cursed Arkinwrath with tainted blood after the idiotic innkeeper broke off the tip of the silver dagger in his back. But it didn't matter to him, once Arkinwrath got his bat cloud ability back he took off towards Markarth where he had purchased a property their long ago hidden in the upper alleyways of the city, within the mountain blocking most of the sun. 

It had been a while since their struggle but because the silver had infected his nervous system it took longer to heal especially regenerating missing limbs. 

Despite his infected vampirism, Arkinwrath would sit outside the alley leading to his home and watch the city go about its own business as he slowly healed. While the sun boiled his blood the cold winds of Skyrim kept him cool making a perfect balance of temperatures. 

He didn't wear his travelers long coat but loose fitting shirts and pants as parts were still regrowing. He had his legs back but some toes were slowing growing their way back.

"Here." An old man said as he placed a glass of fine cyrodiilic imported wine next to Arkinwrath.

"Thank you Nepos." Arkinwrath said as he immediately took a sip. "Ah, third era I see."

"Guess the year." Nepos said as he took sip from his own glass.

"424?" Arkinwrath guessed as he sipped.

"427." Nepos chuckled. "I'm disappointed in you."

"Bloodmoon Prophecy? Why the occasion?" The vampire asked.

"Celebration. Another 'investigator' came to me today." The old man said taking another drink.

"One step closer to taking the city back for the forsworn?" Arkinwrath asked almost sarcastically as he looked at the market and the bridge above it with two children playing an on it. 

"One day we will." Nepos sipped his drink.

"One day." Arkinwrath assured.

The ancient and the elder sat a looked at the city making comments at events they saw as they sipped slowly on the aged imported wine as hours passed. A servant of Nepos came and put a blanket around him as she worried for him in the cold. 

"Sweet girl." Arkinwrath commented. 

They sat longer finally finishing off the bottle as two columns of smoke rose just outside the Temple of Dibella.

"What is going on there?" Nepos asked as he strained his eyes to see.

"Pyres." Arkinwrath answered. "Seemed the poor 'investigator' of yours is being burned at the stake next to your fellow Forsworn." 

"May they suffer none and may his screams be drowned by a cheering crowd." Nepos said.

"Shame you can't see it." Arkinwrath pointed out.

"One day your age will catch up to you." Nepos scolded.

"It might as well have with the infection." Arkinwrath said as he rolled up his sleeve to show black varicose veins in his arm. 

"Think it will spread?" Nepos asked as he looked at the vampires arm with great interest.

"It already has fully." Arkinwrath said. "Just letting the body's natural healing work. "Have to use a cane to keep myself steady."

"Har har." Nepos laughed in a mocking tone.

The sun had passed its peak in the sky as the day became later Arkinwrath wished Nepos a goodday as he returned to his house.

The alleyway was a dream for a vampire, plenty of nooks and alcoves to hide in, should the guards come snooping around, and plenty of abandoned houses that were either filled with squatters or beggars wishing to escape the Warrens. Dim torchlight would barely brighten the alleys when night fell.