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Mother's Shadow	By : DarkWolves Category: +A through F > Elder Scrolls - Skyrim Views: 16886 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and i make no money by writing this.

Chapter List
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Chapter 4: Nights Domain

Having completed the task requested of her by the Thieves guild sense would compel her to return to Riften and claim she was owed, the information which could save her family. But ever since leaving the manor in Falkreath she had felt an unshakable urge to return home which became ever more difficult to ignore. She had to know the truth of what had happened; she had to see with her own eyes.

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Dismounting Shadowmere she stood before her families’ estate bathed beneath the silver glow of a full moon. With unwavering certainty in her heart she pressed her open palm against the face of the front door, feeling it give with only the faintest application of force. The door creaked open, revealing the dark interior in an updraft of displaced dust particles.

Sofie took her first cautious step inside, feeling a cold chill wash over her. This was not the warm, inviting place her family had called home for the past several years. Stepping into the Great Hall she found it dormant, the long dead embers settled in the stove the faintest hint that someone once called this place home.

Scorch marks and thick scratches pockmarked walls of the estate, each mark told the harrowing tale of the conflict which had raged here not so long ago. Despite these clear signs they gave no insight into the fate of her family. Sofie had held some faint hope that coming here would provide some clue as to where they may have found their safe haven. It seemed no such truths would be found here, she turned on her heel to-

So, the lost little lamb has finally returned home

Sofie turned and drew her sword in a single flourish, clasping the hilt tightly with both hands her eyes searched for the voice concealed in the shadows.

“Who dares to taint this place?” the girl who had mere weeks ago had been a mouse now called with a booming roar which echoed through the cavernous estate. “This is the estate of the Dragonborn”

The Dragonborn is dead

“I am the daughter of the Dragonborn” Sofie replied sternly.

The Dragonborn had no children

“I am her daughter by oath” Sofie replied. “And as her heir I claim this estate rightfully as my own and do not suffer trespassers. Show yourself”

As you wish

A ghostly mist began to descend upon the Great Hall from the balcony above. A woman emerged dressed in flowing black robes with a blood red corset and trim, her eyes shimmering with an unnatural glow in the dim light.

“Allow me to introduce myself” the woman said. “Serena, formally of Clan Volkihar. You may not remember me but I was a close acquaintance of your mother”

“Many people seem to be making that claim these days” Sofie said. “Why should I believe you?”

Serena smiled devilishly. “But you see in my case it’s the truth. But I guess it takes-” Serena stumbled her words. “It takes a- oh, what was that phrase she kept blathering? Take a child to tell the King he is wearing the wrong colour? Take a child to tell the Queen she is wearing last season’s gown?”

“Takes a child to tell the Jarl he is wearing no clothes” Sofie interrupted.

“That’s it” Serena said.

Sofie was conflicted as to whether she believed this woman was simply toying with her or if she had truly been struggling to recall the genuine phrase. Sofie reluctantly lowered her blade, preparing to raise it again at a moment’s notice. Even if this woman had been a companion of her mother she had heard enough of Clan Volkihar to question her true intentions in coming here.

“So my mother worked with vampires now? What else, are you going to tell me she was a Werewolf? That she spent a sordid night in the Temple of Dibella with the demon Prince of Excess?”

“You misunderstand, Little Dove” Serena replied. “Your mother fought against Clan Volkihar and resisted the temptation of power offered by my father”

It seemed that with every new thing she learnt about her mother the less she truly knew her. Had all she thought she knew been a lie, or had she simply been too young and too naive to know the truth if she had seen it.

Sofie turned to leave without another word. It was clear she was not going to learn anything here which could help her family. She had to return to the Guild and-

“Your mother and sister are safe” Serena called after her, staying Sofies hand as she reached for the handle. “Your mothers housecarl, Lydia, she took them back to your family’s home in Whiterun. Jarl Balgruuf has pledged his support in bringing justice to those who threatened your family. Frankly he’d have greater success growing a Skeevers tail out of his rear but it demonstrates his unwavering loyalty to your mother even in her death”

Sofie refused to answer. Was this woman toying with her, torturing her with the honeyed words she so desperately wished to hear?

“Sorry, I assumed that after fleeing your family home and spending every waking moment fleeing for your life fearing for the lives of your family you’d appreciate knowing they were safe”

It just seemed far too contravened. After having made an unexpected diversion across half of Skyrim to return to her families’ estate she met with an accomplice of her mother who knew the truth of her families’ fate.

“How do you know that?” Sofie asked.

“After spending countless centuries entombed beneath the surface, blind and deaf to the world only to emerge and discover Cyrodill had emerged as an empire I endeavoured never to be caught flat footed again. When I heard a whisper about the family of the deceased Dragonborn I decided to probe deeper. Although I expected you knew the truth already, given the company you keep”

“What do you mean?” Sofie asked.

“If you don’t believe me, ask the Golden Viper” Serena replied.

“Stop speaking in riddles” Sofies patience was fast deteriorating.

“Come now, Little Dove” Serena smiled devilishly. “Where would be the fun in that?”

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Upon her return to the Ragged Flagon Sofie found Vex sitting at a table, idly reading a note held in her hand. Sofie sat across from her. “I thought my family was dead”

“Good morning to you too” Vex neglected to look up as she cast another note onto the growing pile on the table.

“You knew all along didn’t you?” Sofie persisted.

Vex cast aside the few remaining notes still held in her hand, whisking her feet off of the table she starred straight into Sofies gleaming eyes. “Yes, I did” Vex admitted flatly.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Sofie asked, resisting the urge to flinch away.

“Let me ask you something” Vex asked. “What good would it have done if you had known? Would you have kept going knowing what you know now?”

“It should have been my choice” Sofie said.

“And what would have been your choice?” Vex asked. “Return home as weak as you were having learnt nothing? And how would you have fared when you again meet your man with the sapphire eyes? Would your family prove themselves so fortunate a second time?”

“When did you know?” Sofie asked.

“The letter arrived the morning before you left for the Blue Palace”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Sofie persisted. “You knew the worries that plagued me, not knowing if my family lived or died. And yet you sat across from me and lied to my face”

“I never lied to you because you never asked what I knew of them” Vex insisted. “I only told you my people would return when they had discovered something conclusive. We heard rumours of a heavily armed woman travelling through the wilderness escorting two people in cloaks. Hardly conclusive evidence”

“It seems fate maintains a cruel sense of humour” Sofie said.

“While you have been gone I have received something far more conclusive” Vex reached into the pile of papers on the table, retrieving a single piece of faded paper. “Your family is safe in Whiterun, escorted there by your housecarl. Jarl Balgruuf has committed his resources to search for the attackers”

Perhaps it was true then. Both of them couldn’t be lying, what could they seek to gain?

“Just be aware” Vex warned. “If you return to your family you may put them in greater danger. You were lucky to escape the first time, returning to them now may only draw the enemies’ attention”

“What are you suggesting, I abandon them?” Sofie asked.

“No” Vex said. “I’m saying you continue as you are. Expand your knowledge until you know who attacked you; grow your skill until you are strong enough to face them”

“I doubt it will serve as a consolation” Vex retrieved another scrap of paper and passed it to Sofie. “The most promising lead we found was the inscription on the weapon. The library at the College of Winterhold holds the greatest repository of arcane knowledge in Skyrim. Use the information as you wish”

Sofie passed the notes over in her hands, without a word she rose from her chair and began to depart. “I understand if you do not wish to depart as friends, but I hope that we do not part as enemies”

Sofie stopped short of leaving the bar. “You helped me in finding another clue about my attackers. For that I am grateful”
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Mother's Shadow