Into Skyrim, Elder Scrolls 8 Nirn's Beta-Chapter 94: Ri’Hano’Do

With Lost Prospect mine started and me sending out the proper letters to get things further set up. I paged through several papers as the carriage bounced. It meant we had to move on, as much as I would've liked to linger and see how things progress. One of the couriers came by to also hand me some letters in return. I sorted through them now as I let my mind wander.

In the games, the couriers were a funny joke, but now it was disturbing how effective they were. My current theory on what or even how they functioned were that they acted as hands and feet of Hermaeus Mora. it would make sense as he could collect, transcribe and spread knowledge across Nirn.

Travel time was fast since the road was decently paved and Dawnguard wasn't that far. We arrived at the entrance to the dawnguard just as I finished the last letter. Sorex and Ri'saad had sent a few relating to business. They both had also sent a hefty collection of gold. Which was only 50% of my share as a whole.

Viree stared at the hole in the wall. "Are you sure this is it?"

Illia nodded to her, "That's what it says on the map."

I jumped off the carriage, "Sadly a good 80% of things related to the Dawnguard are holes in the wall."

Sorex had mentioned in a letter that someone had sold information about a big movement in the Vigilants of Stendarr a couple of months back. It was unnoticed at the time, but the hall was attacked by vampires and the whole place was burned down. Which meant either the Dawnguard quest was advancing on its own or a player was involved.

I walked up to the cave entrance and stepped into the literal forest that surrounded the Dawnuard Fortress. Viree whistled, "Wow, is this hidden."

Illia looked back at the thin rock wall that hide the fort. "You know, that wall is likely man-made."

I nodded as I continued walking, I stepped over the traps set at the entrance only to receive a well dressed Orc pointing a crossbow at me. I recognized him immediately, "Durak?"

He blinked and lowered his crossbow for an instant and raised it back up. "How do you know my name?"

I smiled, "Oh come on, you told me about the dawnguard yourself! We were drinking in Ivarstead a week? or was it a month... Not a lot happens in Ivarstead so its hard to say."

He looked over my party and at my armor. "I think I would remember someone like you."

I shrugged, "I wear normal clothes in towns you know. You told me if we wanted to fight the vampire menace we should come here. I know I am a strange traveler, but my dedication to helping people is real. Sure, I don't see Vampires as much of a threat, but that doesn't stop them from attacking or trying to control people. I mean the main reason I came here was because I heard about a Vampire Conspiracy stopped in Morthal."

Durak paused, "I heard about that as well, someone led the town to take revenge on the bastards."

Durak finally sighed, "Go on ahead, we are just on edge due to some recent events."

I nodded, "Completely understandable."

I stepped over hidden tripwire and started up the path. Durak called out, "When you enter don't make a fuss, Isran has his reasons."

I nodded once more and we began silently walking. Illia though not content with the silence asked. "What magic do you use to be so persuasive? I can understand some have a silver tongue, but he should've been far more paranoid when you were convincing him. Vampires are notorious for their manipulations."

Viree rolled her eyes, "He didn't cast any spells there. It's not a magic, however I do want to know if such a skill could be taught."

She looked over at me with some giddiness. With our discovery of her having a skill tree, I knew what she was really asking. I shrugged though, "Some can learn, for some it takes talent."

Viree frowned at me and just followed along. I waved at the dawnguard soldiers, several had crossbows in hand. One dawnguard member though sat up on a raised platform behind a ballista. At the doors though I paused, I saw a green khajiit talking to a pale woman. A player and Serana to be exact.

The moment he saw me his relax demeanor changed and he shifted into a fighting pose. I placed a hand on Sable Wave as we stared at each other. Looking at him I recognized him as a vampire. However he didn't cover himself up like Serana, instead he stood taller in the sunlight.

Viree also was about to draw her weapon. However she stopped at Serana's words. "Stop, these two idiots recongnize each other. If they do fight it is something that will need to happen. If you get involved, me and the rest of the dawnguard will have to as well. Do you really think you could fight us all?"

Viree spat on the ground, "I'd say I have a pretty good chance against vampire hunters."

Serana paused and sniffed the air and laughed, "Alright, fair. You likely could, but how many will die due to vampires because you killed the dawnguard?"

I laughed, "Realistically not many, you father is a dumbass. The very fact he calls himself a pureblooded vampire is proof of that. As it means either he was bedded by Molag Bal himself or converted by either you or his wife. Which means he is both a cuck and either a bitch or a impure-blooded vampire."

The Green Khajiit let out a laugh, "I like him, isn't that almost word for word what I called your father?"

Serana sighed, "You called him a sissy bitch instead of just a bitch. I have to say I am entirely saddened that two players have the exact same thought process."

Viree raised an eyebrow, "So he is a player."

Illia looked between everyone confused. She tried to whisper to Viree, "What's happening? What's a player?"

I just stared intently on the Green Khajiit. He had also revealed his status, Unfortunately Viree was baited in revealing that I had also revealed my status. Which was likely Serana's goal, as like Illia mentioned Vampires are notorious manipulators.

Serana sighed, "My friend here is Ri'Hano'Do, the one gripping his sword clearly knows who I am. However I'll introduce myself anyway. I am Serana Volkihar, unfortunately."

She seemed a tad more emo than I remembered. I nodded to Viree and she rolled her eyes, "I am Viree Lort, this is Vek Frostwane and the witch is Illia who gives a fuck. Though I don't use my last name either." She gave a mocking grin to Serana.

Illia frowned though interrupting, "My last name is Darkmoon actually."

Ri'Hano'Do smiled, "I didn't know Illia had a last name. That's neat."

I nodded, "To be precise it would be he name of the Coven Matron. Since she is now the only remaining witch of the Darklight Coven she would take on the last name."

Illia seemed to smile at my knowledge. Ri'Hano'Do also nodded, "I am sure I learned that too, at some point I just..."

His eyes seemed to cloud over slightly and he snapped back to the present. "Vek Frostwane is an interesting name. Almost Nordic, however Frostwane isn't a Nordic last name."

I smirked, "Oh and calling yourself Warrior King doesn't seem like a bit much."

He responded, "It's King End Warrior to be exact, if you are literally translating it like that."

Serana sighed, "If you two are gonna fight can you just do it already?"

The moment her sentence ended I expected him to lower his fists. However he rushed forward with jab. I ducked under it to prevent an uppercut. With his stance it was clear he was mostly a boxer. My eyes widened though as a kick was coming toward me. Magic enveloped me and he exploded backwards.

He caught himself instantly and twisted back to his feet. His flexibility was insane and knew the moment he came at me again. He went beyond my ability. Perhaps he went beyond the limits of legendary skill trees?

I flickered with magic as he struck me with several jabs. I carefully held onto Sable Wave within its sheath waiting. His next strike dragged my health downward and I could tell he was using some skill. I launched Sable Wave out and pulled it across his neck. He dodged barely, except Sable Wave seared his fur. He was a vampire alright and Sable Wave reacted with hatred.

Ri'Hano'Do blinked with his hand to his neck. "That sword! That is... It shouldn't exist."

I smirked, "I made it myself."

Ri'Hano'Do shook his head and held up his hands. "It's clear I have the better skill. However with that in your hands..." He was clearly sparing my pride, so I played along.

I nodded, "One strike means death for the undead."

Serana eyed my sword as she spoke, "Are you two not going to kill each other."

Ri'Hano'Do scoffed, "Not every Player kills each other. I more just wanted to test him, while he..." The green Khajiit looked me over and smirked, "He wants to know what I know. Since he has to kill me if we fought he can't use other methods of extracting that knowledge without serious risk."

This man, he has lived far more than just a couple of months. No, he has lived far more than years here. He wasn't sparing me because I had Sable Wave, with his skill he could easily disarm me. Which is why I kept it sheathed until I could try to deliver a killing strike.

I shook my head in a silent laugh. It was the opposite situation with me and Stephan. Stephan wasn't a issue for me at all because he had no clue about the world he now lived in. Ri'Hano'Do saw me much the same.

I looked at him and Serana, "You were arguing with him to act. I'm guessing he doesn't play an active role in anything unless its necessary."

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Ri'Hano'Do shrugged, "By the way, you can just call me Hano. We can talk later, just after I finish my business with Serana. She wants to go get the Moth Priest."

I understood, if Serana knew he was a player it meant he likely explained that they could sequence break. Serana was likely trying to keep with the natural course of events or save the Moth priest being tortured or imprisoned. Both could fall within what I know about her personality.

With that the two of them entered the fortress. Viree looked at me, "He's powerful..."

I nodded, and Viree looked at me. "So I know this is a stupid question, but why would he spare you."

I thought about all his actions, brief as they were. He was never concerned with us and had plenty of time to react. He stood in the sunlight like it was no problem, He is a vampire though. "I have a feeling he doesn't actually care if the world ends or not. He never had the intent to kill me... Let's just go in. I want to get the schematics for those crossbows."

Illia whispered to Viree again, "What's a player?"