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<\/p>\nSerana was nowhere to be found.\u00a0 He had made his way through the entire main portion of the castle, beginning with her bedroom and covering every inch of the place. He\u2019d even been so bold as to open the occupied coffins to see who was taking a nap in the event that she was using one, even though Serana generally preferred the comfortable bed in her quarters. His last stop had been the cathedral; and as always he lingered for a few moments before the blood altar, remembering those heady first moments as a Vampire Lord when he\u2019d truly realized the magnitude of the gift Harkon had bestowed upon him.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
You gave me your blood. The touch of Molag Bal himself. I have been forever indebted to you, for it has given me a life far beyond any dream I might have had the audacity to dream. But why could you not have seen how complete my devotion was and set aside your suspicions long enough to tell me the details I needed to know? <\/em><\/p>\n The power was in the blood. The wisdom was not.<\/em><\/p>\n Edwyn sighed. He hadn\u2019t held out any real hope that Serana would speak to him, not if he was honest about the matter. And while she was undoubtedly somewhere in Volkihar, the sheer extent of the restored castle made the prospect of searching for her absurd.\u00a0 There was no time.\u00a0 He\u2019d come to refresh himself at the Bloodstone Chalice and to consult with his subordinates on the business of the Dragonfires; and while he dearly wished to see Serana, to try to apologize to her, to explain that his marriage to Elisif was strictly a matter of positioning himself politically, he simply did not have the time to seek her out. Elisif was waiting for him; and he needed to provide her with a child.<\/p>\n It is both a blessing and a curse that you repaired the castle, Vitus Perdeti. It was a true service to the Volkihar and will continue to be such for eons to come. This castle is a monument both to a time long past and to the present of our clan. And yet it is nearly impossible to know where any single individual might be inside it at any given moment. <\/em><\/p>\n What sort of man were you, that you were able to be a renowned assassin and yet secretly become a vampire of almost unparalleled skill and strength \u2013 which you must have had in order to defeat Harkon? Brynjolf tells me I would have lost to you. I would have relished the opportunity to test that theory.<\/em><\/p>\n He exited the cathedral and turned right, along the upper level of the castle where some of the more senior denizens of the court tended to spend time. Garan Marethi assured him that life had been very quiet of late and that they were all enjoying that quiet.<\/p>\n \u201cBut speak to Vingalmo, my lord,\u201d he told Edwyn. \u201cHe has something for you, I believe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoes he indeed?\u201d Edwyn said, not quite suppressing a smirk. \u201cThank you, Garan. I shall go in search of him immediately, for I need to return to Solitude.\u201d Vingalmo always had something for him, he thought as he made his way around the periphery of the building. Nearly every time they spoke, Vingalmo had some task or other for him to complete; and Edwyn had always done them because he was, after all, constantly in motion across Tamriel and Vingalmo was not. Vingalmo was also very good at making certain that Edwyn knew he was the more ancient of them, and subtly suggesting that he, as the superior scholar, should have been Harkon\u2019s right hand.<\/p>\n But Harkon had been nothing if not a Nord, regardless of his status as one of Tamriel\u2019s senior vampires, and he would never have acquiesced to an Altmer as his right hand. That was Edwyn\u2019s sincere belief. Orthjolf was a Nord, but Orthjolf was a rough, crude beast, more suited to pounding problems to death with his fists than to solving them through finesse and guile. No, Harkon had chosen him, a Breton, because of his quick intellect and his facility with court niceties \u2013 and because he was not an elf of any sort.\u00a0 Vingalmo\u2019s knowledge was beyond useful, but Edwyn had chosen his own right hand in Agryn, also a Breton.<\/p>\n Vingalmo turned his statuesque body to face Edwyn as he approached.\u00a0 His eyes glimmered, and he gave Edwyn what passed for a smile.<\/p>\n Oho, Vingalmo. How are you plotting against me on this day?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cGood evening, my lord Archmage,\u201d Vingalmo said, bowing his head briefly in an acknowledgment of Edwyn\u2019s status. \u201cI trust you are well?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am, Vingalmo. Thank you for asking. But I would like your input on some issues that I\u2019ve been puzzling over. I suspect you would be the most likely of our court to have knowledge of their background.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, my lord. How may I assist?\u201d<\/p>\n Edwyn smiled. First he outlined the research he had been undertaking regarding the Dragonfires, and admitted to a fair amount of confusion about the topic.<\/p>\n \u201cI of course was in various parts of Tamriel at Harkon\u2019s bidding for most of my many years, Vingalmo, and I did not give the succession of emperors any serious thought until the moment when we were dodging Oblivion Gates at every turn. What do you know about this title, this Dragonborn business?\u201d<\/p>\n Vingalmo gave one of his most condescending smiles. \u201cOf course, my lord realizes that the Dragonborn is not simply a title, but a living and breathing man?\u201d<\/p>\n What? Truly? <\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIs that so. I was under the impression from the oldest materials at the college that it was simply a legend, the \u2018dragon blood\u2019 being a fanciful metaphor for a supposed religious covenant between the being commonly known as Akatosh and those humans of the time of Alessia. You\u2019re saying it\u2019s more than that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sire. It is said that the Dragonborn \u2013 and there have been several of them \u2013 are human in form but possessed of the blood and soul of a dragon. They have abilities that may rival or surpass ours as elder vampires.\u201d<\/p>\n Edwyn kept his face composed but internally he was stunned.\u00a0 The blood of a dragon? The actual blood of the god of time himself? Could it be?<\/em><\/p>\n Of course it could be. Do we not ourselves carry the blood touched by Molag Bal?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cAnd Emperors from that lineage were the ones who could light the Dragonfires by virtue of their blood and their power, and the power contained in their hereditary Amulet of Kings,\u201d Vingalmo continued. \u201cThis is why so many complain that there have been no true Emperors since Martin Septim; he used whatever power was in that Amulet by destroying it to augment his own blood, and thereby defeated Mehrunes Dagon. It is also why, as you no doubt know, the mortal man Tiber Septim is worshipped as a god by some. He was a true Dragonborn, according to the legends.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see,\u201d Edwyn murmured, rubbing his chin. \u201cPeople believe that he was a Dragonborn, and therefore above all normal men.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed. And prophecy has it that the return of the dragons that we have suffered for the past several years indicates that another Dragonborn walks Tamriel at present.\u201d<\/p>\n Edwyn\u2019s gaze snapped up to meet Vingalmo\u2019s. \u201cThis wouldn\u2019t possibly have been the late Lord Andante, I assume?\u201d<\/p>\n Vingalmo laughed. \u201cNo. I assure you that while he was able to use some words of the dragon tongue he was nothing more than an exceptional vampire and a cunning man.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHmm.\u201d\u00a0 Edwyn paced back and forth for a moment. \u201cThat is interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes it is, my lord. Because if there is in fact a Dragonborn among us, that has greater significance than we have given it, having been preoccupied with everything else that has been happening.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes? And what would that\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Edwyn froze. If there was any truth to the legend that only Dragonborn could be true Emperors of Tamriel\u2026 <\/em>\u201cOh.\u00a0 Oh dear.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed, Lord Edwyn. The next true Emperor could be walking among us even as we speak.\u201d\u00a0 He chuckled. \u201cOf course, I don\u2019t believe a word of it.\u201d<\/p>\n A wave of relief washed over Edwyn at the sound of Vingalmo\u2019s dismissal of the idea. There is still something in this I must figure out, something that is important about it. If nothing else, we must discover the whereabouts of this Dragonborn and eliminate him as a contender to the throne. But if Vingalmo doesn\u2019t believe it is a fact I will not panic about it.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThank you for your input, Vingalmo,\u201d he said. \u201cI was very tired when I was researching this issue at the College, and I couldn\u2019t seem to put all of the pieces together. You\u2019ve been most helpful.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs there anything else, sire?\u201d<\/p>\n Edwyn smiled. \u201cYes, in fact there is. I took the liberty of speaking to the Nord known as Brynjolf when I was last in Riften. There can be no doubt about it: he is a clever man, and devious, and he as much as admitted to me that he is a thief. But he is not a vampire. How is it possible?\u201d<\/p>\n Vingalmo smirked. \u201cI can assure you that when he was here, at the time of Lord Harkon\u2019s demise and while the castle was being restored, he was a vampire lord and a very strong one. Precisely how strong he was, I never had the occasion to know. But he was a vampire. The only mortals to set foot in this place during your years in Cyrodiil were our stable of cattle and Lord Andante himself, when he brought Serana home to us.\u201d<\/p>\n Edwyn blinked. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. He was mortal until Lord Harkon gave him the Gift. He was allowed to approach Harkon because he was in Serana\u2019s presence.\u00a0 As to Brynjolf, the obvious answer is that he found a way to cure himself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI always assumed the \u2018cure\u2019 was merely legend.\u201d<\/p>\n Vingalmo shrugged. \u201cI have no way to know for certain, my lord. But what other explanation could account for the fact that Brynjolf was a vampire when he was here, and now is not?\u201d<\/p>\n Edwyn shook his head. \u201cThere is no other explanation.\u201d\u00a0 He stroked his beard. \u201cIntriguing. Well then. I was told you had a task for me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed I do,\u201d Vingalmo said, his eyes sparkling. \u201cIt has come to my inescapable attention that you, my dear friend, are married.\u201d<\/p>\n Edwyn felt annoyance rising in him. Not only was the observation completely irrelevant to anything they\u2019d been discussing, it was unnecessary. Everyone <\/em>here knew that he had married Elisif. Vingalmo\u2019s coy dancing about the topic set his teeth on edge and raised the hackles on his neck.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course I am, Vingalmo. I have done as Lord Harkon asked and married Elisif of Solitude. This is not exactly a closely-held secret; nor is it any concern of yours.\u201d<\/p>\n Vingalmo\u2019s elegant brows rose. \u201cDo I detect a hint of reproach? I am only looking out for your own best interests. And, perhaps, a small measure of my own.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAn unattended attachment, such as found in your beloved wife, creates\u2026 well, an opportunity for unnecessary agitation. Should your wife go missing, perhaps unable to bear the thought of living with a\u2026 a monster\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cElisif will never learn that I am a vampire, Vingalmo. I may be many things, but a fool is not one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n Vingalmo shook his head and acted as though he\u2019d not heard Edwyn. \u201cWhy, you would be distraught with emotion, perhaps even to the point of questioning your loyalty to this Court.\u00a0 And we, ours to you.\u201d<\/p>\n Edwyn ground his teeth together as his anger rose, barely controlled. \u00a0Still, he hadn\u2019t survived as long as he had by over-reacting.\u00a0 He kept his voice low and smooth. \u201cAre you threatening<\/em> me, Vingalmo? That would be most unwise. It would definitively work against your own best interests.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy sincerest pardons, but I look after your own peace of mind. May I strongly suggest that you make a visit to this spouse of yours and invite her to the family by offering her Harkon\u2019s gift.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Vingalmo. This is not what Lord Harkon wished to have happen and in fact making a vampire of her would be directly counter to our efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n Vingalmo smiled. \u201cBut, my lord, It is the greatest token we can bestow upon those we love and\u2026 wish to see protected.\u201d The look in his eyes as he uttered the final phrase left no doubt as to what he was implying.<\/p>\n Edwyn wasn\u2019t certain, looking back at it afterward, what exactly had transpired in his mind during those next few moments. Garan Marethi, however, had been standing nearby and later confirmed to him what he recalled of his next actions.<\/p>\n His left hand flew to Vingalmo\u2019s neck.\u00a0 One-handed, he lifted the Altmer off the floor, high into the air; and while Vingalmo was a senior vampire in his own right and well capable of defending himself, he\u2019d been caught completely off-guard. Edwyn was not a vampire who often displayed his extraordinary strength. Over the hundreds of years he had existed he had honed his skills, removed his enemies and fed his fill of mortal blood quietly, out of the view of others. Not even Serana knew how strong he truly was.<\/p>\n His lips pulled back from his teeth in a snarl that revealed his fangs.\u00a0 His right hand moved to grasp Vingalmo\u2019s throat; as the Altmer thrashed and twisted, trying to get a grip on Edwyn\u2019s left hand, Edwyn spat words at him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou dare<\/em> to threaten me? And my wife? You have forgotten your place, my dear <\/em>Vingalmo. I am the Lord of the Volkihar clan now, Harkon\u2019s hand-picked successor. I\u2019ve always been above you, you sniveling, simpering Altmer fool. I gave you fair warning to back away from your threats, and you continued in them. I\u2019ve had more than enough of you and your scheming.\u201d<\/p>\n He wrapped his right fingers around Vingalmo\u2019s windpipe and, after a moment of watching the panic rise in Vingalmo\u2019s eyes, sneered. He snatched his right arm backwards, ripping Vingalmo\u2019s throat open and sending a spray of blood through the air.<\/p>\n Edwyn tossed Vingalmo to the floor, then bent and drained what remained of the Altmer\u2019s blood \u2013 a symbolic gesture, mostly, and a demonstration that yes, he was capable of feeding from even the most senior of vampires. He stood, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, and then gathered magic into that same hand.\u00a0 He fired a quick burst of flame at Vingalmo\u2019s body, reducing it to a mound of ash in a matter of moments.<\/p>\n It occurred to him then that it was nearly silent in the castle. He turned to survey the area. Garan Marethi was moving slowly toward him. He saw Orthjolf and all the other lesser vampires who had been at the feasting tables silently looking up at him from below. And on the balcony above Harkon\u2019s throne he saw a familiar figure, her hand at her mouth. Serana stared at him for a moment before turning and rushing away again.<\/p>\n \u201cMy lord,\u201d Garan said quietly. \u201cAre you well?\u201d<\/p>\n Edwyn forced himself to smile. \u201cOf course, Garan. Please have someone clean up this mess. I must return to the College and attend to business.\u201d\u00a0 He met Marethi\u2019s gaze and raised the volume of his voice just a bit so that those in the hall below would hear him.\u00a0 \u201cLet this serve as a reminder that there was ample reason for Lord Harkon to have chosen me to sit at his right hand. I trust there will be no future threats forthcoming toward either me or my wife.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, my lord,\u201d Marethi murmured, bowing his head.<\/p>\n Edwyn stared down at the hall for a moment longer, making eye contact with each of the people who had observed him executing Vingalmo.\u00a0 Then he strode down the steps into the main hall and up again, to the exit and out.\u00a0 It was time to make contact with Agryn and Vyctyna.<\/p>\n __<\/p>\n He was once again reading in the Arcanaeum, in the wee hours, when Agryn and Vyctyna entered. He looked up and smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cAgryn. Vyctyna. It\u2019s good to see you both.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, well. The rumors are everywhere,\u201d Agryn said, grinning.<\/p>\n \u201cAbout?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVingalmo, of course. I can\u2019t say that I\u2019m terribly disappointed that I\u2019ll never see him again. You\u2019ve created quite the stir.\u201d<\/p>\n Edwyn smirked. \u201cI\u2019m certain of it. While I hadn\u2019t intended to remove him, it did at least capture everyone\u2019s attention.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll say,\u201d Vyctyna said. \u201cFor someone who was supposed to be so important, he sure was stupid. Anyone ought to know that Harkon wouldn\u2019t choose some sort of also-ran as his chief aide.\u201d<\/p>\n Edwyn smiled at her. \u201cSpeaking of aides, my dear, have you anything to share with me?\u201d<\/p>\n She smiled, and winked at Agryn.\u00a0 He smiled back and then moved toward the archivist\u2019s desk, picking up and examining books briefly and then carefully placing them back where he\u2019d found them.<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean like a very willing Breton man with hair and eyes the same color as yours? I do believe there\u2019s just such a guy waiting for us at the Bee & Barb in Riften. He\u2019ll need a bit of time with a barber but I think he\u2019ll do. We could have just sent a courier to tell you, I guess, but I needed a run.\u00a0 And a snack.\u201d\u00a0 She giggled.<\/p>\n \u201cOh excellent!\u201d Edwyn nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI knew I could count on you. It is very handy that he is in Riften at the moment. I am not certain that I have the skills to proceed according to our original plan, but I learned of an alternate path we can take.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe face-changer?\u201d Agryn said from behind Edwyn.<\/p>\n Edwyn turned to face him, surprised, one eyebrow raised.\u00a0 \u201cYou knew of this person?\u201d<\/p>\n Agryn shook his head. \u201cNot until just recently, Edwyn, or I would probably have suggested her earlier. I spent a bit more time in the Ragged Flagon while Tyna was out hunting down a thrall for us.\u00a0 Would have saved us a whole lot of time and effort if I\u2019d known about it beforehand.\u201d<\/p>\n Edwyn waved his hand in the air. \u201cEh, think nothing of it. Now that the pieces are in place we can head there immediately and put the plan in motion.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh,\u201d Agryn said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it, hun?\u201d Vyctyna asked.<\/p>\n Agryn waved a piece of paper at Edwyn. \u201cTake a look at this.\u00a0 It was here on top of the desk.\u201d<\/p>\n Edwyn moved to Urag\u2019s desk and took the paper from Agryn, flipping it open to examine its contents. It was a note addressed to Urag, written in a strong, dark hand.<\/p>\n To Urag gro-Shub:<\/p>\n I am very sorry to inform you that Septimus Signus has passed. I was present when it happened and can assure you that not only did he feel no pain, he was exclaiming over seeing something beautiful.\u00a0 I thought you might like to know, as you seemed to miss him when we spoke about the Scroll.<\/p>\n My best wishes to you. \u2013 Dragonborn.<\/p>\n Edwyn was stunned for a moment.<\/p>\n \u201cSo it\u2019s true. There really is an individual known as the Dragonborn.\u201d<\/p>\n Vyctyna laughed. \u201cOf course there is, boss. Where have you been? The whole time the Stormcloaks and Imperials were fighting, people kept talking about the man who could burn his enemies up with his Voice.\u201d<\/p>\n Edwyn met Agryn\u2019s gaze and grinned. \u201cI was\u2026 otherwise occupied with business here.\u00a0 I really wasn\u2019t paying attention to the war except to keep myself well out of its way if at all possible.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I sense this is important,\u201d Agryn said quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. It definitely is. Does either of you know who<\/em> this Dragonborn is?\u201d<\/p>\n Agryn and Vyctyna looked at each other for a moment, and then back at Edwyn.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2019m afraid not, sir. Should we send out the word?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Edwyn said, his mind racing. \u201cIf you should find him before I do\u2026 see if you can\u2019t figure out a way to keep close watch on him. I need to know as much as I can about this man before I decide what we do about him. I don\u2019t believe Harkon ever considered needing a contingency plan for this particular legendary figure.\u201d<\/p>\n He put the note to Urag back on the desk and smiled at his lieutenants. \u201cCome. We need to make the trek to Riften once more.\u201d<\/p>\n __<\/p>\n The man in the Bee & Barb looked adoringly at Vyctyna when they entered.<\/p>\n \u201cMistress,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cWhat can I do to serve you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBoss,\u201d she said, looking at Edwyn, \u201cthis is Geor Mantel. He will be more than happy to do as we ask. Won\u2019t you, Geor?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, Mistress,\u201d he said, nodding. \u201cIf there is anything I can do for you, you have only to ask.\u201d<\/p>\n Edwyn sniffed. The man smelled as though he hadn\u2019t bathed for some time. He had long hair, a long beard, and a large nose. He had to admit, though, leaning in to examine the man more closely, that the similar coloring, height, and build would make the deception much easier to accomplish.<\/p>\n We might not even need the face-changer if we give him a careful makeover.\u00a0 But I\u2019d just as soon not leave any detail to chance.<\/em><\/p>\n He nodded, and smiled at Vyctyna. \u201cWell done, my dear,\u201d he said very quietly, making sure not to be overheard. \u201cLet us be off, then. I\u2019d like to get our little errand taken care of, and then our friend Geor here needs a very thorough bath at Proudspire before coming anywhere near Elisif.\u201d<\/p>\n Agryn burst out laughing, but recovered quickly. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Edwyn. It was my first observation about him, as well.\u201d<\/p>\n They made their way to the Ragged Flagon. Edwyn scanned the place to be certain nobody who knew him was around, particularly not Brynjolf; but they, the bartender, a blonde Imperial woman, and the Bosmer face-changer were the only people about.\u00a0 The woman peered at Geor and, when told that the task was to make him look as much like Edwyn as possible, sniffed.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you were going to bring me a challenge. This will be barely above the level of child\u2019s play.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can thank my associates for having good eyes, in that case. I asked them to find someone who looked a great deal like me.\u201d<\/p>\n The face-changer led them to a more private area and got to work. It seemed as though no time had passed at all when Edwyn found himself staring in awe at\u2026 himself.<\/p>\n Geor had started with the same general look as Edwyn \u2013 the same height, generally the same weight, and similar coloring of his eyes and hair.\u00a0 But the face-changer had altered the size and angle of his eyelids, had narrowed and raised his nose, and had plumped up the man\u2019s lower lip to match the shape of Edwyn\u2019s.\u00a0 She\u2019d also taken the time to cut Geor\u2019s hair and beard and change the shape of his brows.<\/p>\n He stared at the thrall for a moment longer, and then turned to the face changer.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve done a spectacular job. Tell me your price.\u201d<\/p>\n She smirked, and gave him a figure.\u00a0 He paid her that and half again as much.<\/p>\n \u201cIt may have been a simple task for one of your skill, but I am more than pleased. And will continue to be pleased at your discretion.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat comes with the price, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n He smiled again, knowing that his smile barely masked threat. \u201cI am certain of it. I also know that everyone has a point at which price is no longer an object. I\u2019m hoping yours is very high indeed.\u201d<\/p>\n He saw her fingers curl protectively into her fists.\u00a0 Someone\u2019s gotten to her before. I\u2019m wise to be cautious.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYou need fear nothing, sir,\u201d she said. \u201cI am the very soul of discretion.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVery good. I thank you once more,\u201d Edwyn said, motioning to Agryn and Vyctyna to collect Geor and follow him.<\/p>\n \u201cRemarkable,\u201d Agryn murmured, looking back and forth between the two of them.<\/p>\n \u201cIt certainly is.\u00a0 Vyctyna, you truly went above and beyond the call of duty.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTold you, all I need to do is look interesting,\u201d she said, giggling. \u201cI\u2019m a walking honeypot.\u201d<\/p>\n Agryn harrumphed.<\/p>\n \u201cLet us be off, then,\u201d Edwyn said. \u201cWe\u2019ll take a carriage back to Solitude and get our friend here situated.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s hope this all works out as we expect,\u201d Agryn said.<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed.\u201d I need to have at least one fewer thing to worry about. The sooner the better. Though I must admit that it makes me uneasy to think of this smelly man being with my wife. Ah well. We all must make sacrifices for the greater good, as Vingalmo learned too late.<\/em><\/p>\n They made their way to the exit leading out to the Ratway.\u00a0 None of them noticed the Nord bartender watching them over the top of his broom.<\/p>\n Serana was nowhere to be found.\u00a0 He had made his way through the entire main portion of the castle, beginning with her bedroom and covering every inch of the place. He\u2019d even been so bold as to open the occupied coffins to see who was taking a nap in the event that she was using … <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/5-1-10-2.png\")
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<\/p>\nPart I: Modulation<\/a><\/div>\nPrevious<\/a> \/ Next<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"