The Lichs Barrow

< Chapter 1

As Illia awoke at the next day, the mind clouding effect of the dead thrall spell on Skana got re-newed, purely through her will. She chuckled while walking over to Skanas cage and commanded her minion out of the cage, only to fixiate her with chains hanging from the ceiling, in a rather uncomfortable position. "Not that you'd mind bending over like that with these muscles of yours, right? Now, let's continue where we stopped yesterday."

Illia proceeded to stab Skana in her side, again with the dagger. Over and over again, this time without taking any notes. "..hurts..." Skana did only moan in agony, similar to a generic reanimated undead. Illia stopped after what felt like an eternity. " You bled like a stuck pig my dear, but apparently there's no more blood left in your body, astonishing that you're still functioning."

Illia stabbed Skana one more time, without any different result, there was no blood left."It's time we should move on onto more..serious tests." Illia unchained Skana, but not before giving the command to follow her into the next room of her lair. Skana obeyed, her body seemingly unimpressed by the loss of blood.

This time, Illia excelled herself in terms of sadism when she fixiated Skana onto a stretching rack. "I'm going to grant you your consciousness for this, even allow you to scream." Illia laughed and began to operate the rack with a single magical gesture, at the same time she granted Skana her consciousness, lifting the mind-clouding effect of the spell on her. "I really have to commend these Thalmor torturers for inventing a magical rack, simply magnificient." The rack began to work slowly and Skana just realized what happened. "Are you totally snapped you necromancer bitch? by the gods and they call us bandits crazy! Get me off this.. thing so i can rip your head off!" Illia just grabbed her notebook and a feather and made a crude gesture, making the rack work faster. "I wouldn't call you lot crazy, but stupid seems appropriate, you threaten me yet you are in no position to do so, i will enjoy breaking you."

Illia just smiled as she saw Skana fighting the rack, to no avail. "Can't you just turn me into a stupid puppet again? Argh, gods, i can't take this!" Illias smile became a wolfish grin with these words."But where's the fun in that? Ah, but fret not, this is all for a purpose. I just have to see what your body or to be more precise in this case, your bones can withstand and also, if they regenerate at the same rate." Skanas eyes widened at those words."Wait.. you don't mean...?" Her sentence turned into a scream when she felt the bones of her arms and legs breaking.

Illia just took another note in her book, unimpressed by Skanas screams until she stopped the rack. "See? Was that hard? Now i'll kill two birds with one stone, let's see how fast your bones regenerate if your body is still getting strained. But for that we don't need the rack, you'd be useless without limbs to me" That said, Illia opened the shackles and carried Skana back into her laboratory, after all, she can't move with broken bones. "You are.. a damn.. sick woman!" Illia decided not to listen to her rantings.

Back into the laboratory, Illia fastened Skanas hands with the ceiling shackles again just to have her lifted up, hanging from the ceiling. Skana laughed with a sarcastic tone."Oh fantastic, is that the part where you get your whip?" Illia lifted an eyebrow and chained two heavy iron ball-weights onto Skanas legs and smiled."Quite tempting, but i think these two should be enough." Skana choked on her sarcastic tone as she felt the iron weights doing their work. Illia just nodded. "You'll tell me when you feel just fine, unless you like hanging around."

Illia became impatient as Skana said nothing the next hour. "Alright.. this takes too long, i think i'll have to break them a lot more if i want to make you more durable." Skana just hung there saying nothing. "Yeah don't play dead on me i know the spell is still working, i can feel it, but i guess i should get you down there, don't do anything stupid!"

Skana tried to stand up, but her limbs failed her, the bones being not completely regenerated, breaking again. "Urrgh..i ..can't.." She was finally feeling some kind of unnatural weakness. Illia sighed and dragged Skana back into her cage.

Illia was writing again into her notebook after she locked the cage door, speaking to herself. "one hour.. not fully regenerated..needs more improvement.." Illia noticed Skana was sitting in the cage. "Oh sitting already? Figures, after all your spine wasn't broken, but we'll get to that later. And i think we should work on your tone, i don't plan on letting you be a puppet, you're of more use to me if you know what's happening around you, you should adress me properly, after all you're my property now."

Skana just snorted. "Go to hell, bitch." Illia closed her notebook and chuckled. "I think you are mistaking the word 'Bitch' for 'Mistress' here. Think about it, i'll give you a day to recover, i can do even worse things to you afterwards, not to improve your durability or anything, just for my entertainment and you'll be begging me for something generic as a whip. Take your time, i'm going to run some errands. Oh and you're not allowed to leave the cage or to break it open in any way."

Skana just dropped onto her shoulder at the ground of the cage. "Whatever.." all she wanted was to close her eyes and wait for the pain to go away.

A deep guttural laughter could be heard in the room surrounding her, but she didn't cared.

Skana could hear Illias voice calling out to her and opened her eyes. "Wait.. did i..sleep?" Illia just shook her head. "No, undead don't sleep, but apparently you can fall into the same state vampires do at day, funny however that you did while sitting and a whole day too. In any case, i got something for you." Skana eyed the crude looking greatsword in Illias hand. "Great, i was already asking myself what you're stabbing me with next."

Illia Just rolled her yes and opened the cage. "Get out, i don't use something that crude.. it's for you, ebony crafted by a master smith, so it can withstand the force you're going to be swinging this. Don't get your hopes up, this is purely for you to defend me. Now there's a little special to it of course."

Skana stared at the sword and put on a bored tone."Oh let me guess, it requires my blood? I need to decapitate myself with it?" Illia just gave her the sword, only to see the sword bursting into blue flames. "This is called a palefire enchantment. It weakens enemies and drains their life force, fortunately for you it only works when wielded by someone undead." Skana couldn't help herself but to admit that she liked that sword. "Neat."

Illia looked expectantly at Skana. "Well did you work on your tone or are we going to have a long day again?"

Skana didn't liked what she was doing, Illia didn't command her now, she has to do it out of free will. But that rack was enough for her, so she kneeled infront of Illia. "Thank you, mistress." Illia eyed her with a triumphant grin. "Good good, i see you finally learn where your place is. Now get your ass up, we're going to Windhelm, i have business to attent to on Solstheim."

Skana was curious so she asked. "Solstheim? What would you want on that island?" Illia corrected her. "What would you want on that island, Mistress. Is that for you. I'm having a dunmer named Ralis Sedarys running an excavation for me there, i'll most likely need to convince the second councelor that i'm interested in any the local problems, like this ash spawn crap they had running there last time. And now shut up it's a long way to Windhelm." There was that laughter again, only Skana could hear it, but she didn't said a word.

Later at candlehearth hall, Illia was just sitting in a corner, observing the room. Skana sitting next to her on the ground. "Is there a reason why i have to sit on the ground like a dog?...mistress?" Illia just spat in her mug. "You just said it, i'm your mistress, i might let you keep your consciousness but i won't give you completely free control over your body and now we will follow that man over there, i saw what i wanted to see here."

Illia and Skana followed the man to the shipyard onto his ship. Illia greeted the man dry. "Gjalund, you know why i'm here."

Gjalund didn't stop hammering at his ship post, obviously trying to fix something. "Illia was it?"

Gjalunds two sailors noticed the commotion. "Who's that cap'n?"

Gjalund stopped hammering for a second."Everything in order boys, this is for coin, we're setting sail soon." Illia just put on a smug grin. "I see captain you know that asking questions is bad for business. Oh and don't mind Skana, she'll just sit over there"

One of the sailors eyed Skana. "Woah Cap'n that's quite the outfit she has there." Gjalund just shook his head. "Forget it boy, i don't think you're into that sort of thing." "But ...?" Gjalund cut through his question with one word. "Necrophilia?" The sailor quickly turned to his business and didn't say another word. Gjalund just shrugged. "Exactly boy, we're traveling with a necromancer, that's all we need to know, we get the coin and we don't ask questions, now let's get our nutshell to solstheim!"

Upon arrival Illia had to justify herself, apparently not the first time, infront of Adril Arano, the second councilor of Ravenrock. Skana just stood there watching, she couldn't say anything productive anyway. "Adril don't be so stupid, i know how proud you dunmer are but i can help with this Ashspawn menace." Adrils attention turned towards Skana. "Say, who's this? I'm not foreign to necromancy Illia, but last time you were alone and this clearly isn't an imperial so telling me one of your ancestors watches over you just to trick yourself into our traditions won't work."

Illia got increasingly annoyed by the questions Adril was asking, but this was Morrowind, she had to follow the rules here unless she wants to mess with the whole Redoran guard. "This is, or was, a lowly bandit i scraped up somewhere in Skyrim. None of your business, she's my property, even by your laws, see her as a slave if you want." Skana wanted to say something but noticed Illia wasn't allowing her to talk at the moment.

Adril stopped being so nosy all of a sudden, looks like he lost interested in his own game. "Very well, i assume you're not here to cause trouble. If you really want to help with this Ashspawn business, talk to captain Veleth. You'll find him at the Retching Netch at this time." Illia just sighed. "About time Adril, you take your position here too serious. Come Skana." Adril just snorted and greeted Gjalund.

On their way to the Retching Netch, Illia and Skana met the captain of the redoran guard. "Captain Veleth, at your service." Skana noticed how Illia lifted an eyebrow and behaved a bit off, apparently she liked this Dunmer. "Oh my, such a handsome looking guard Captain you are, i heard you are headed to the Retching Netch?" Veleth was a bit puzzled at first but regained his posture shortly. "That i am m'lady, would you like to join me?"

Skana was disgusted by the thought of Illia having a partner in any common way, she had pity with this Dunmer, but noticed that she still wasn't allowed to speak so she just watched in silence. But Veleth didn't seem to care for Skana at all, apparently also not foreign to necromancy, as dunmer are. Illia just made a pretty face. "Oh i'd love to, however i must speak to you about this Ashspawn problem you have here."

Skana was actually rather glad that she was sitting in the corner, so she could focus on something else than a chirping necromancer and her guard captain. There was also that laughter again she kept hearing from time to time, but something was off, she felt as if someone was watching her. Illias words interrupted her thoughts. "Get up, we're going to rest the night here.".

Illia eyed Skana expectantly again once they entered the room. "Well?" Skana rolled her eyes. "Well what?" Illia became slightly angry. "Well what, mistress, for you!" Skana kneeled down, obediently. "Mistress." Illia adorned herself with that triumphant and smug grin again."Good, you stay like this until i wake up, you'll kill anyone who's entering this room, the only person allowed to do so is Captain Veleth, oh and be silent slave." "Did that bitch call me slave?!" With these words Illia went to bed.

At that moment, Skana could hear the laughter again in the room. "Yeah i'm sure that's funny, whoever you are" Against Skanas expectations the laughter turned into a voice. "A human enslaved as never before, conscious but undead. Unwillingly captured in servitude. This amuses me indeed."

Skanas thoughts began to go haywire, she didn't expect to get an answer. "What the...? Who the hell are you and why can only i hear you and even more important why can you read my thoughts?!" The voice laughed again, in a calculating cold way. "I am the creator of the spell that turned you into this magnificient being. I am your true master."

Skana laughed in her thoughts. "Great, what is it this time? an arch-necromancer? somebody from Illias funny little cult?." The voices amused tone changed into something so cold that even Skana could feel it in her dead body. "I am your true master, Skana. And i command you, kill Illia, she served her purpose. Offer me her soul!"

When the voice said her name Skana could hear it a thousandfold in her head as if she was standing inside a giant bell and someone rang it, it was compelling, a force so strong, she had to obey no matter the cost and she wanted to. As she regained control over her body, granted by the force unknown which spoke to her, all she was thinking about were those hours Illia tortured her.

With two quick steps Skana stood next to Illia and lifted her out of the bed. Illia instantly awoke and gasped for air as Skanas grip fastened around her throat. "Urghng, how is this possible, i command you! you dead piece of meat, let me down!" Skana stared into Illias eyes, a look that would even freeze the red mountain to the ground."There are things in this world, things you don't know of, things you don't understand, you opened the door to darkness and now i'm going to slam it shut, with your neck in between!"

Skana eyed her victim like one does with an interesting insect. "Cast your petty spells, try to enslave me! I will crush your throat before you do. I told you i'll rip your head off with my bare hands. I was a bandit once but i always kept my promises, but where's the fun in that when it goes so fast, right?"

Skana pounded Illia onto the bed, over and over again, until she was heavily bleeding from the impact on the wooden frame. Illia tried to crawl away, but only managed to fall off the bed on the other side. "Please...., stop! You will... kill me....at this.... rate!"

Skana went around the bed and kneeled over Illia. "Take a guess why i am doing this, beg a bit more you necromancer cunt, beg before i choke the life out of you!" Skanas hand closed like the jaw of a werewolf around Illias throat.

Illia just did that, she tried to do something with her right hand, but her strength waned instantly and her arm just dropped to the ground. "Thank

the... gods, i'm about... to ......pass out.." She wimmered with a weak voice.

Illia passed indeed out just after saying that. Skana didn't liked that. "I'm not done with you yet! You tortured me for hours if not days! Let me return the pleasure!"

Then there was that voice again, shouting at Skana. "KILL HER! I DEMAND HER SOUL NOW!" Skana hesitated at first, killing Illia now would make her revenge rather short, too short for her taste, but then she remarked how this unknown entity didn't force her to kill Illia with those words. Skana smiled to herself and thought; "Finally someone who knows how this works."

Skana lifted Illia up again and ripped her head off of her shoulders with her bare hands, effortlessly. The look at the face of Illias now detached head, showed Skana that she must've felt it. This pleased her.

Skana dropped Illias head and body without further interest and left the room. "Now i want to know who you are." She asked the unknown entity. The voice laughed at her again before replying. "You shall learn of that soon enough, when you've earned your place in my little game. For now, you'll serve me and you will find that my leash for you is much longer than the one that necromancer had."

"Do i have a choice?" Skana asked.

"Several." The voice replied.

Chapter 3 >

Chapter 2>

Warning

Picture and Dialogue-Heavy Story

Foreword; Image quality may change, as i'm constantly trying to improve every aspect of a story i make. I wouldn't say i'm good or bad at stories, my imagination however goes some very weird ways which might offend some people. That said, if you dislike necromancy in any form or have a strong belief that the dead shouldn't be desecrated and reflect this onto other peoples stories or feel offended by anything BDSM/Fetish themed you might want to leave this story be and look at someone else's blog. I didn't put the Adult tag there for nothing.

Useful Information for the Reader: Everything written in this color depicts what Skana is thinking.

Prologue

Skana was a bandit chief living at fort greymoor, leading her group of bandits and raiding traveling traders and caravans on the plains of whiterun hold. Life was simple and good for her, but that all changed when a necromancer raided the fort and obliterated the whole bandit gang. Skana was standing last and put up quite the fight but died eventually at the hands of the necromancer. Impressed by Skanas strength, the necromancer decided to test a new, rather experimental, reanimation spell on her, the dead thrall spell.

Chapter 1 - Reanimated

After hours or carrying the bandits corpse through skyrim into her lair, Illia was worn out when she dumped the corpse onto the altar. But her anticipation wouldn't allow her to rest, she just had to test this new ritual spell she's got a hold of recently. The dead thrall spell was unlike to any other reanimation spell, it would bind the corpse to the caster for eternity, prevent the minion from rotting away and even enable it to regenerate. The last effect, she thought, she had to test thoroughly. The thought of what kinds of experiments she could perform on a minion like this was thrilling her.

Illia thought the details through before getting started, she dressed her future thrall to meet her twisted taste and applied magical shackles and a collar to the corpse; "Wouldn't want you to turn on me, if i make a mistake, right my dear?" She petted the corpse gently before she began to chant otherworldly words of conjuration and necromancy for the next hours to come.

The ritual was taxing and required the highest degree of concentration, one wrong word and she could accidently kill herself or worse, destroy the soul that was still lingering in the dead body. After what felt like an eternity for her she finalized the ritual with the last phrase of the spell; " HIM SIL FENT ALOK DIIL UNAHZAAL ! "

Illia could sense the spark of unlife that began to stir in the dead body, eyeing it impatiently. "...where.....am...i..?" Illia grew even more impatient as the seconds passed. "Open your damn eyes! I didn't do this for hours so i can examine some fizzing negative energy spark emanating from you!" "..she tells me to open my eyes....i have to open my eyes...."

Illia eyed the thrall with skepticism;" Well, that's just like any other reanimation spell, now i need to see if you don't just crumble to dust after 240 seconds." As the seconds passed, Skana tried to sort her thoughts. To no avail, it was as if slick black mud was clouding her mind, disallowing her to think too far in one direction or another. "Colour me impressed, 5 minutes an still not crumbled to dust, this spell is something else. Now get up, let's see what an obedient corpse you are." " i'm compelled again... i have to get up....what is happening?"

Skana finally saw the one, commanding her, although she didn't understand why she obeys this woman unknown to her. Her thougts went into strange directions. "...this woman...killed...me....?..." As she tried to speak, her voice failed her, all she could do was groan. "Whhhhhhhh...hhh..?"

Illias eyes widened in anger: "SHUT UP! ON YOUR KNEES CORPSE AND SHUT. UP.!"

Illia looked down at her dead threall with an annoyed look on the face:"Great, just great. A sentient one. I can't wait to hear that you want to be released every damn five minutes! But since you apparantly can understand me, know this, i won't release you ever! You are my thrall, my toy, i command you!" "...kneel... obey...?..." Illia kept going on, displaying her dominant side;"Infact.. i could get some useful advice from Falion how to erase your mind, turning you into the silent obedient corpse you should be. After all i don't want to repeat myself every day just to have you shut up." An evil grin hushed over Illias face. "You know what? Actually i want to test this... you know, necromancers can never know enough about their craft, i command you, get up and answer me! What is your name?"

"...stand up....my..name..?..tell her..my..name..." There was still the slick black mud clouding Skanas thoughts, as she tried to answer. "Ss..hhh....shh...K..." No matter how hard she tried, her voice won't obey her even if commanded by the necromancer. Illia just shrugged, recognizing the problem; "I see, apparently i destroyed your vocal cords with my frost magic, given the spell i reanimated you with those should regenerate after a while. Best if i take you to Falion... i need some advice before i do anything with you, wouldn't want to accidently destroy my new toy. Follow me, we're going to Morthal.. not that you'd mind where or what that is..." "Morthal....where..?...what is going...on..?"

As Illia left the fort with Skana, Skana could feel the sun shining on her, though her body stays cold. Something came back to her at that moment, like a small piece of a puzzle out of thousands, and she stopped, for a fractional moment being able to defy the necromancers command. "Ss..K...r..im.." "I'm in skyrim...not..sovngarde..." Illia didn't mind her thralls paltry try for speech and just yelled at her while walking;"Come on, move your dead ass!"

About half a day on foot, Illia reached Morthal, being more worn out than her thrall. Skana showed no signs of exhaustion at all as Illia noticed;"Tsk.. this makes me almost want to cast that spell on myself." As she entered Falions house with her thrall, Falion looked at her as if he had expected visitors. "Is this what i think it is Illia? Are you insane, girl?!"

Illia just shrugged and introduced Skana as her new favourite corpse to Falion. "Well, as you can see i managed to cast a dead thrall spell, quite impressive i might say, but i'm not here to earn praise, i actually wanted to ask-" Falion interrupted her with a rude gesture, signalizing Illia that she had overstepped bounds she better didn't.;" This once, i let this once go Illia, but i swear by every daedric lords name i will kill you, slowly, if you bring another dead thrall to MY HOUSE!, I'm stressed as it is with all these cretins in Morthal, what do you want? My blessing that your new thrall won't rip you apart because you ignored the fact that the dead thrall spells isn't fully explored yet?" Illia just pointed at Skana and commanded her to kneel again; " Does this look like she's going to rip anything apart aslong as i didn't tell her to?" "Kneel...again....rip..apart..?.."

Falion was rather puzzled to see Skana obey in an instant;"Well, this outfit on her sure looks like you, but i admit, your ability to control her isquite impressive. I just hope you know what you do Illia, dead thralls have physical strength beyond that of a werewolf, whenever you go to bed or decide to... experiment on her.. i suggest you get some really solid irons to fixiate her. It's a dead thrall, she can feel pain unlike generic reanimated corpses and she will go at your throat if you overdo it, mark my words." "Control...me...i understand...must ..obey...no..."

Suddenly Skana tried to speak again."Iii wwhh..l...k..ll..yo..u.."

Illia eyed her minion with scientific interest; "Astonishing how fast her vocal cords regenerate! Did you hear that Falion?"

Falions face turned into a emotionless grimace made out of stone when he heard the undead minion speak. "Illia.. don't tell me you did something funny to her already, because that sounded almost like 'I will kill you'."

Illia just shrugged slowly to exaggerate how much she was interested in Falions oppinion, after all the corpse was her property now and she could do as she pleases with it. "You know Falion, actually i wanted to ask you if you know how to erase her mind, but seeing how she's developing i think i keep her that way, this will be so much fun to see her reactions when i experiment on her. Oh the things i can do to her..."

Falion shook his head in disagreement. "I've seen my share of dangerous things when i walked the planes of oblivion, when i visited coldharbour i know why i turned away from necromancy.. coldharbour is full of dead thralls, destroying mortal souls in a frenzy and driven by lust for infinite domination over each other. If you are smart and i know you're not, try to do something positive with that thrall.. i'm not asking you to be a benefactor, just don't turn her into a mindless killing machine, it will backfire at you, big time." "Killing machine...nonsense...i'm..no killing machine..."

Illia just laughed at him and turned around to go;"You're a fool Falion, a pupil has to succeed his teacher sooner or later! Come corpse."

Falion just shook his head and turned to his arcane enchanter;" Illia, one thing." Illia stopped;"What?" Falion pulled his hood deeper into his face;"Remember, solid irons.."

Illia giggled childish while opening the door;"Oh where's the fun without the good old cross and cage?" and left Falions house together with her minion.

Illia could barely handle her own impatience on the way back to her Lair, the thought of experimenting again thrilled her almost to the point of hysteria. :"This is the secret entrance, remember it corpse, you might be guarding it someday, when i've found a better thrall, i consider you an alpha stage experiment after i gave it some thought, now follow me to my laboratory."

"laboratory...i'm not your ..guinea pig.." This time, Skana was able to form more than just fractions of speech;"I..m...not...yo..ur...Ghhhh..h.."

Illia wasn't surprised, given she knew how fast her thralls vocal cords regenerated, the regeneration ability will increase with each day in strength. "Oh my dear, i'm quite sure you ARE my guinea pig, you can't do much against it anyway, don't be so hard on you, enjoy it!" Maniacal laughter filled the room as Illia cracked for a few seconds. ;"Now my dear, get over there at that wooden cross!" "No i.. must.. obey... damn..this bitch!" Of course, Skana was compelled by the spell to obey Illias command.

As Illia drew her dagger, a cold grin adorned her face. ;"Now then, let's see how fast you can regenerate from light to severe wounds, oh i will so enjoy this! You probably not, but i doubt you have an emotion for that anyway!" Illa laughed like a madman when she slowy drew her dagger over Skanas skin only to observate how fast the wound was closing, cutting deeper everytime, she took some notes from time to time, but the short pausings didn't made it less torturous for Skana. Skana just closed her eyes and waited silently until Illia was done.

After what felt like several eternities of pain, Illia got finally tired and stopped slashing at her stomach;"Well.. interesting, the more i cut you the faster you regenerate, the wound is gone already again. Might even be able to fashion a regeneration spell with your tissue." Illia yawned and pointed at the cage next to the wooden cross. "I'm going to put you in there now, Obey, Corpse!" "Corpse... i'll turn you into one!"

Illia eyed her minion in the cage with glee. "Looking good! Oh and don't run away my dear, we'll have much to do tomorrow. I'll be going to bed now, you won't move until i wake up. This is an order. Good night Corpse." "Call me one more time... stay in the cage... damn this obedience shit!"

Due to Illias torture Skanas regeneration became overdeveloped, having her vocal cords regenerated while Illia was busy stabbing her with the dagger, Skana noticed the black mud is mostly gone from her mind, so she replied;" My name is Skana you crazy bitch and this spell of yours is loosing it's effect on my mind! "

Illia just chuckled arrogant into her pillow; "Good night then, Skana"

Chapter 2>

<Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Horrid Divinity

Foreword Again purely for reader friendlyness; Image quality may change, as i'm constantly trying to improve every aspect of a story i make. I wouldn't say i'm good or bad at stories, my imagination however goes some very weird ways which might offend some people. That said, if you dislike necromancy in any form or have a strong belief that the dead shouldn't be desecrated and reflect this onto other peoples stories or feel offended by anything BDSM/Fetish themed you might want to leave this story be and look at someone else's blog. I didn't put the Adult tag there for nothing.

Useful Information for the Reader: Everything written in this color depicts what Skana is thinking.

_________________________________________________________

The voice continued to speak:"Your current choices are to either serve me or to choose how to die." Skana noticed how something manifests around her wrists, she raised her hand immediately only to find out there's another set of cuffs adorning her now. Skana just snorted."Your sense of honesty is foreign to me, so much for choices."

"So what's next? A chastity belt?" The unknown entity completely ignored Skanas snide remark and continued to speak."Your bindings were lacking, i corrected that. More important, i have a task for you, you are to destroy that miserable failure of a servant named Malkoran. He denies me his sworn service and pursues his own ambitions. One of my personal servants will accompany you and you will obey her every word as you obey mine." Skana turned around to leave the tavern and thought about how she isn't exactly keen on having a female dusty old draugr accompanying her.

"You might have more power than Illia and you're able to speak through walls or whatever, but what makes you think i'd obey some dried dusty old corpse?" Skana was shocked when saw face to face with said servant. "You have to be kidding me..."

The dremora just snarled at her visibly annoyed. "Remarks like these could cause that beautiful collar around your neck to magically tighten, you know?" Skana noticed how the collar began indeed to tighten a bit, but wasn't really worried since she doesn't require to breathe anymore, so she mocked the dremora. "Feels funny and i always thought daedra know that the undead have no need for air." The collar kept applying pressure on her neck. "I know enough about magically infused bindings and how to discipline slaves with them." The dremora smirked. "But since you're so durable and so regenerative, i might add my wisdom of breaking bones to it as well."

Skana wanted to draw her sword as she felt the pressure becoming uncomfortable, but hesitated when she heard her self-proclaimed invisible master speaking again. "Umbra, do not damage her beyond her regenerative limits, she's valuable. You will present her to Skaal after her business on Mount Kilkreath is concluded, i intend to strike a bargain with the risen lord." Umbra immediately answered in a formal tone. "As you wish my lord". That was a bit too crass a conversation for Skana considering they talked about her. "Hey, i'm not someones property! Maybe i should just cleave your daedric face in half with my sword." Umbra just snorted. "And that's where you are wrong. Your dead ass is property. Property i'll have to safeguard. But by all means, feel free to try your swordmanship, if you can that is."

The collars pressure was becoming painful and made it increasingly harder to speak."That's a... interesting notion...for safeguarding." As Skana concentrated more and more on enduring that collar, memories of Illias stretching rack flashed through her mind. "Unngh! Alright, Alright...what do you want of me? I'm sorry.. errgh, for calling you a dusty old corpse!" Umbra took her sweet time watching Skana trying to get her collar off, before she said something. "Those bindings are indestructible, you know that? That's actually a good thing, because if they were to be destroyed you'd be really dead."

Skana felt the bones of her neck bending, the pain is unbearable and she went down on her knees. "My neck! Please! Make....it....stop! I said..i'm sorry!" Umbra took only minor interest in Skanas words. "I don't want your apologies. I simply want you to suffer! It's a learning process. Right now you're learning that slaves shouldn't insult one of their masters, even if it's a temporary master."

Skana feels her bones slightly cracking, she knows what will happen, she knows this daedra won't make it stop and it angers her."Why you....! I can't...damn...daedra!" Umbra continues to lecture her in a almost casual tone."Getting angry are we? I'm surprised myself it takes this long for your neck to break. Here's another advice for you, speak only when spoken to. Or we will have to do this again."

Skana made up her mind, the pressure is too much, she can't speak a word anymore and knows how this will end. "Fuck this, i'll just let it happen, it will hurt like ten anvils to my face, but i won't give that wretched dremora the satisfaction." Skana took her hands off from the collar and went on all fours to soften the hit in her face when she kisses the ground. "I got Illia and i will get this daedric excuse for a dremora too." Umbra didn't hide the disappointment in her voice. "Oh? Now that's unusual, never seen someone let it happen before. Well this isn't as entertaining, so i guess i'll oblige."

Umbra did something and the collar snapped Skanas neck in an instant. "Finally..." Skanas body immediately became numb and she didn't even feel how she hit the ground. "Ah damn! Now i have to carry that corpse all the way to Mount Kilkreath! Oh well, first fun, then work." That were the last words Skana heard from Umbra before she passed out.

Umbra examined Skana with a slight hint of respect in her eyes. "This never took so long with others, you got willpower, i give you that. No wonder you're so hard to control. But i wonder what kind of person reanimated you, that outfit is a bit exotic, even for daedric standards"

"Ugh.. what am i saying?! I've spend too much time among the lesser races..." A sigh escaped Umbras lips which annoyed her again, it's so human. "Let's get to Kilkreath, not like anyone is still alive in this dunghole to ask a dremora carrying a woman questions."

Skana woke up when she felt her body hitting the ground as Umbra just dropped from her shoulder like a sack of saltrice.

She could hear Umbra ranting."Get your dead ass up!"

Skanas head felt like as if somebody forged a sword on it. "How long?" She asked while getting up.

Umbra just stared at her with an annoyed expression. "Alright! Alright! I didn't ask."

Skana was surprised how fast her headache is subsiding but it still felt as if she had a sponge for a head right now. "Unn.. my head.." Umbra just commented playfully. "Should i cut it off for you?" Skana preferred not to answer.

"Four days and now get inside."

"Four days.. and i feel like a mammoth ran over me" "So, what kind of temple is this actually?" Skana asked while going inside.

Umbra followed her through the door and closed it behind her. "Meridias temple and now shut up." Skana stopped at an altar where some strange orb was embedded in, emanating light beams in two directions, Umbra replied before Skana could even ask."You're undead, don't touch that. Unless you want to get disintegrated." That explanation was enough to let Skanas thoughts go haywire, if this is the temple to Meridia someone undead shouldn't be here at all. As they continued to walk through the small temple Skana got increasingly nervous.

Umbra just pointed into the Altar room. "There, see that guy? That's Malkoran. Feel free to take your time murdering him, you may even throw a few insults! I'll just watch from here and don't worry, Malkorans presence has dimmed Meridias power down to almost nothing in this temple, however, once he's dead we should leave here really quick." Skana said nothing and just went into the Altar Room. "Great, i have permission to insult my enemy. This isn't getting better."

Skana went up to Malkoran with her Greatsword drawn casually on her shoulder. "So.. you're the mighty Malkoran, i'm sorry to inform you but-" Malkoran didn't even turn around completely and interrupted Skana rude. "So and you're just another undead puppet sent to kill me, very well, you're not the first and you won't be the last, i will serve no one. Especially not your oh-so mighty lord. In fact striking a killing blow against me will be of great assistance, i even stabbed myself a few times to bleed out, makes the ascending easier, for I have discovered the secret to true necromancy, soon i will challenge the risen lord and destroy him! The title of risen lord will be mine!" "This guy is completely nuts and full of himself, don't see that everyday. Still a welcome diversion i guess."

As Skana struck Malkoran down without any effort or recieving any kind of retaliation from him something happened.

There was suddenly some kind of skeletal shadowy being floating above Malkorans corpse. Skana just smiled to herself in thoughts. "Of course.. else it would've been too easy."

Malkorans hoarse laughter halled through the temple as he reveled in his new gained form. "Now. Time to die the final death for you, puppet!"

The skeletal shade of Malkoran went on the offensive, charging a lightning spell. "Say your prayers, only ash will be left when i'm done with you."

And Malkoran missed horribly.

"Yes! run and dodge!, you'll be ash on the first hit!" Malkoran bursts into laughter again while charging the next spell. "Just give up, you have no ch-".

Skana quickly stepped in and caught him off-guard while he still kept blabbering instead of casting his spell.

Malkorans voice became high pitched and agitated. "Palefire! How dare you! I will enjoy killing you!"

Skana took her combat stance and taunted Malkoran.

"Then let's get to it, you're just talking the whole time. How about you hit for once in a while?"

Malkoran laughed again with his raspy hoarse voice. "Oh no, i won't let myself be taunted, you won't have my concentration broken! Try to dodge this!" Suddenly a fiery explosion enveloped Skana. "What the?! Ouch this is hot!"

"Nobody dodges my pin-point fire storm. It was nice meeting you. Sadly i can't hear you scream over the explosions."

Malkoran laughed again in this annoying manner.

However, he almost choked in his ethereal hoarse laugh when Skana replied. "That's because i'm not screaming."

"Okay, i don't know why or how i withstood a fire storm, but i'm glad i did!"

Malkoran snapped completely in disbelief and began to shout hysterical. "IMPOSSIBLE! STAY AWAY FROM ME!"

"My turn!". Skana exploited Malkorans state of disbelief and charged him directly.

"No! no no no no no no! I won't perish here, i can't! I shall be risen lor-"

When Skana rammed her palefire greatsword directly through the spine of the skeletal apparition of Malkoran, his rantings ceased abruptly.

Malkoran disintegrated, leaving only behind a faint shimmer of shadow in the air.

Umbra approached her from behind, sarcastically applauding. "Bravo, you destroyed an imbecile who thought himself to be a lich." Umbra snorted "That guy wasn't even as strong as the finger bone of a lich, what a joke, but still, it was fairly entertaining."

Skana turned around to Umbra."That's it? That was the great Malkoran? Whoever your 'lord' is, he must be incredibly bored."

Umbra stopped her sarcastic applause and was slightly annoyed by Skanas remark concerning her lord. "Shut up, and don't question your master!"

Suddenly, there was a metallic noise. Like the ringing of a filigrane chime. It came from the Altar.

"Umbra did you hear that too?" Umbra was furious being called by Skana with her name."How dare you call me by my name, slave! If you really have the need to talk all day then show at least some respect and call me mistr-" The invisible chime rang again, this time louder as if it was bigger and heavier.

Skana was alerted, this wasn't right. "Strange, I swear i noticed a golden sword stuck in that altar when i fought with Malkoran, but now it's gone."

Umbra became agitated as she realized what Skana just said. "A golden sword? The Dawnbreaker! You're too near at the altar! Get away from it!"

Skana didn't really understand what was going on and just stood there like a stone.

Umbra got really angry and yelled at Skana."YOU STUPID PIECE OF DEAD FLESH! I SAID GET AWAY FROM THE ALTAR, I COMMAND YOU!"

Skanas body began to move on its own once she heard Umbras command and she stepped back from the altar.

The chime rung a third time. Even louder than before, it was like standing directy below Solitudes bell tower. The sound rippled through the temple.

A metallic deep male voice began to speak."The sanctity of her temple has been defiled. By her command, purity shall be restored. All undead must perish."

Suddenly, the whole room got flooded with white and blue light.

A tall armored humanoid formed itself out of light in the gleaming explosion and began to speak with the same voice that could be heard before the explosion occured.

"You face Auronus, warlord of dawn, leader of the auroran council and champion of Meridia. By decree of the lady of dawn, undead abominations, such as you, are to be destroyed.

Skana instinctively backed away from the auroran warlord, as if struck by an intense fear "This... thing. It's aura, it's horrid." She didn't even noticed when Umbra drew her sword, she just wants to get as far as possible away from that monstrosity.

Umbras words stopped her however. "Calm down, corpse. That's just a turn undead aura."

Umbra even readied a fire spell in her left hand."Here's the deal, this guy wants you and only you, but you'll run as fast as possible to Solitude and hide yourself in the catacombs. Meridia and her minions don't touch the resting dead, only the undead. I will fetch you in twenty four hours after i'm done playing with the auroran, you are not to leave the Solitude catacombs under any circumstances.

"And be happy when i only eviscerate you tomorrow for being so darn stupid. Now run, i command you!"

And that she did. Like the wind. Skana won't forget the feeling of that aura so soon. "It's ridiculous, i survive a fire storm and this aura is the worst i have ever experienced. My broken neck felt like a mountain flower to the face compared to the presence of that...thing."

She thought about how this should continue on her way to solitude. "Am i really just property to some scheming necromancer freak with a summoned dremora? I can't do anything whenever they unpack this command crap."

"The gates of Solitude.. i couldn't even turn left or right if i wanted to. But I shouldn't think so negative, come on Skana, something has to change to a betterment some day."

"An execution.. death is really everywhere. Guess i should be happy to still walk on nirn. And it's still better as it was with Illia. At least i'm not locked up in a cage."

"Umbra will propably skin me tomorrow or something like that...not like she could do worse than how that aurorans aura felt. When i think about that.. everything she could do to me seems like a walk in the forest compared to that aura.

As Skana wandered through the catacombs she found a corner to sit in and closed here eyes. "At least one day of peace."

Unwilling Servitude 4

-

Banished

After almost a day, Skana began to wonder why Umbra didn't return already and flayed her alive as she told her. She savored the moment of peace but staring at old stone walls and dusty pottery became boring really fast. "I wonder how her fight against this Auronus went..." Her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar sound. A chime ringing.

Before Skana could even realize what happened, the room became flooded with a very familiar explosion of light.

Auronus appeared in the crypt out of nowhere, holding his spear again in a challenging posture. As the explosion of light began to discharge and dissipate he spoke with his metallic voice. "Did you really think you can escape the warlord of dawn?!" Skana jumped on her legs and tried to draw her palefire greatsword. There is nowhere to run. She has to fight.

Auronus didn't let her draw her weapon when he pulled Skana towards him with a gesture of his armored arm.

Skana tried to keep her balance but realized that she was pulled towards Auronus when her feet lifted off the ground.

"What sorcery is this?!" She yelled.

Auronus catched her at the neck with his armored hand. "Your presence is an insult to Meridias life giving energies. Thus you shall cease to exist and i will see to that!"

Skana tried to free herself from Auronus' iron grip, without success. She argumented. "By what right do you decide who gets to live and who doesn't?!"

"By right and decree of Meridia." Auronus replied dry. Skana intended to throw another argument at him but Auronus was through with his words. It was as if he simply changed the hand holding Skanas neck, a motion so fast that she didn't even fell from the height he was holding her. His giant spear pierced through Skanas throat.

She tried to say something but could only bring out a death-rattle.

Skana felt the magic emanating from the spear surging through her body. Magic designed to destroy undead.

She felt her body disintegrating. Panic overcame her. "Is this really the end? I don't want to go yet!"

The magic spread through her body. She wanted to cry, knowing that she will die for sure here. But no tear would leave her undead body.

"Someone, something, please.. help me! I don't want to die!"

Auronus eyed the dying woman, impaled on his spear. "Cease to exist and leave this plane."

Skanas thoughts began to slow. "No....i don't.....want...."

All that was left ot Skana was a skeleton with long hair, hair that will rot in a few weeks, matching the state of her body.

"Wake her up, wake her up, wake her up!" Yelled an impatient hoarse and morbid sounding voice.

The voice recieved a reply in a very deep, echoing almost unreal sounding voice. "Shut your jaw, Uthrang or i will shut it for you."

A third deep almost bestial voice spoke in a commading tone. "Wake up, Slave, i don't intend to have this conference for eternity."

Skana obeyed, or rather, her body did, but her senses came to life along with it. "Ugh.. my head. Where am i? And why am i naked?!"

"Yes, yes, yes yes yes yes!" Sounded the hoarse voice behind her. When she looked up, she saw directly into a skeletal face.

Skana tried to blend the frantic idiot behind her out, whoever that was and spoke to the lich infront of her. "Is this a dream? Or am i in the land of the dead? This isn't Sovngarde isn't it?"

The Lich took word with his echoing deep voice, seemingly coming out of nowhere. "No girl, this isn't Sovngarde. I brought your soul and your body back to its original state, before you got defeated by that auroran...freak. Before you ask, no, you're still undead and you will always be undead. That is when the bargain, which you are part of, gets out of negotiation with that stubborn fool behind you."

As she turned around to eye the stubborn fool, as the lich put it, behind her, she froze when she saw the huge humanoid figure standing infront of what seems to be an altar. Armed with a mace the size of a human. An iron face, gazing almost through her.

The enormous daedra spoke. "I believe i have endured the bickering of my council long enough. The negotiations of the bargain are deferred. Maera isn't even present." What appeared to be a second lich next to her swiftly replied. "As you wish, lord Molag Bal." before teleporting himself somewhere.

Skana was like frozen. Her thoughts jumping from one wishful-thinking-idea to the next. "I'm standing infront of a daedra lord...impossible.." But her thoughts were interrupted by the lich she spoke first to, when he talked directly to Molag Bal.

"I trust you honor our agreement, Bal. Even as lord of lies. And don't harm her. At all." The last words sounded very much like a threat towards Molag Bal for Skana.

Molag Bal didn't react to the threatening tone of the lich, but replied almost in a courtly manner. "I honor the agreement i have with the risen lord." The lich who apparently is the risen lord seemed to be satisfied with that answer and left a simple "Good." in the room before he teleported as well away.

Molag Bal gestured at Skana. "Now to you, little corpse. You and Umbra have both failed me. Umbra got destroyed by Meridias little auroran puppet and swims through the waters of oblivion. But you, i will see to your punishment personally."

Molag Bal stepped down from his podium while seemingly changing his size to a much smaller version of himself, only to drag Skana back to it, infront of the altar.

Skana tried to protest as futile it might be. "But i didn't know-" she couldn't bring out more words, Molag Bal didn't allowed her to. "You're not worthy of speaking to your master." And with those words, Molag Bal began to rape her.

Skanas body refused to obey her. Molag Bal had his way with her and she couldn't do anything.

All she could do was closing her eyes and wait until it was over.

But it was long from over. Molag Bal had her for hours, if not the whole day.

Skana felt her body getting numb. Whatever Molag Bal did, had an effect on her. This wasn't simple rape.

Skana began to feel weak, as if being mauled by a bear.

Molag Bal continued merciless with the procedure, staying silent the whole time.

Whatever he did with her began to seep into her mind. She couldn't think straight anymore.

There was no pleasure in it. No feelings. Nothing. Just a daedric lord asserting dominance over a human.

As Molag Bal was done with her, he just stood up, letting her fall forward on the ground.

Skana couldn't grasp any thoughts in her mind, it was as if she is in trance, but fully aware of it. Her body twitching as she lay there. Molag Bal smeared something on her face. "I shed a tear for your failure.. ".

Skana was overwhelmed by fatigue and closed her eyes, trying once more to gather some thoughts.

Molag Bals voice entered her mind again. "Kneel." Skanas body obeyed and the fatigue subsided rapidly much to her surprise.

"For failing me, i banish you to the Soul Cairn, until the negotiations of the bargain have ended." He spoke as if partaking in a ritual.

Skana in posession of her senses again, couldn't make out what the daedra lord was talking about, the room seemed so bright all of a sudden, almost hurting her eyes.

"Try not to go insane, that's bad for the bargain and you don't want to fail me again." Molag Bal commented as a portal opened and swallowed Skana.

Skana awoke from a pulling feeling in her arms. "What in Shors name was that?" She thought while hanging in chains on a wall in a place she couldn't discern.

"Chains again... should i worry about getting used to it? At least i have my clothes back.." She overlooked the room she was in. There were bones, lots of bones and some kind of grate on the ground.

"Considering i do have my clothes, this must be the afterlife, damn this place sucks. I can't feel my sword on my back though, must've lost it when this bastard Auronus killed me. And how do it get out of this mess now?" Just as Skana finished thinking her mind, the chains holding her to the wall simply disappeared, letting her land rather ungentle on the bones below her.

"Is somebody there?." She yelled. A single lightning strike in the room, greeted her back. "I take that as a no.". she answered her own question and headed for what looked like an exit at the opposite of the room. "I don't give a damn about all this what.. disappearing chains and lightning in closed rooms, i just want out of here."

As she stepped outside, she noticed her vision blur, trying to adjust to the light in this place. "That was weird...but i feel actually fine..what on nirn is going here?".

She remembered Molag Bal in what apparently was just a dream, saying to her not to go insane. "Yeah sure.. going insane.. in a place like this, out of boredom maybe."

Skana smirked and spoke sarcastically to herself. "I can't wait to be an eternity here, with nothing! And why am i so damn thirsty? There must be some water here."

And thus she began to wander the wastes of the Soul Cairn, not realizing what she has become, in search of water.

If anything, this is the end of her unwilling servitude to Illia, Umbra and perhaps even Molag Bal.

Afterword: Skanas story will continue under a different name since i've gotten a much broader idea-construct (in fact i do finally have a idea-construct for this) about the storys content, screenshots, etc. Technically Unwilling Servitude is the first "Book" if you want to see it like that.

For everyone who enjoyed my story so far, stay tuned there'll be more.

Machinations of a Lich - Chapter 4

Reality Asunder

Useful information for the reader: Skanas thoughts are written in red.

Skaal absorbed the flames of his transformation to fuel his magic even further, emanating a metallic and etheral roar of rage.

Auronus was just standing there, eying the lich as he was accumulating magicka. "I don't know why the architect allows you to use the eye, but know this lich. I can feel all of the lords watching us right now. One of them, not being welcome even among their own ranks. Should you defeat me, i am certain he will take action, due to his nature. Consider this a warning. Will you doom Nirn, or do you surrender and be destroyed to save it?"

As Skaal began to shape flame in his arms, he ignored Auronus question entirely and spoke to himself, analyzing his opponent."Magical resistance present due to daedric nature, metallic surface, logical choice; intense heat."

Skaals personality underwent a change when he transformed, being focused solely on magic now, his courtly manners and way of speaking being exchanged for cold logic and analytical thinking. "Follow-up depending on results. I sense no immediate retaliation or preventive measure incoming."

When he unleashed his spell, the temperatures could be felt increasing significantly in the boneyard, a stream of such intense heat, the flames were almost white.

The spell dispersed on Auronus iron body, merely throwing fiery sparks from the surface of his skin.

"I see. An attempt to probe your opponent. It is been a while since i last fought a lich, but it seems your kind never changes."

Skana couldn't believe what she saw. She could feel the intense heat even from where she was standing, a spell like that should have left less than ashes behind. "You have to be joking, it simply ..dispersed?!"

Ylfa who knew more about magic than Skana was just waiting for something.

"I have seen two liches battling in an Ayleid ruin, in Cyrodiil, two centuries ago. I left the ruin really quick after they were done testing each other and got serious."

Skaadi was confident in her husband, for a good reason at that. "His phylactery is indestructible, so is Skaal now. Even if it would be possible, destroying the Eye of Magnus would propably unmake Nirn. Auronus is already dead."

Contrary to what Skaadi said, Auronus is trying nonetheless, attempting to summon his kin to fight Skaal.

"The warlord of dawn summons thee, my kin and army, heed my call! Let us crush this abomination together!"

Skaal nullified Auronus conjuration immediately when he drew the magicka of the spell into his hands, crushing it, denying the Auroran any chance of help in the fight. "No, you don't."

A loud screeching sound, as if iron scratched over plain stone, could be heard when Skaal charged his hand with unfamiliar magic."Analysis irrelevant, there is no need for old habits. Extreme measures are alway sufficient."

What Skaal projected from his hand, was unreal, it looked like a dying version of mundus like it is seen often in study rooms of wizards, scribbled onto panels and blackboards, encircled by fire. It was incredibly loud and a form of pressure could be felt when he casted it, as if gravitation just increased its force in the Soul Cairn.

The space around Auronus got twisted, torn apart and pieced together all at the same time when the spell hit him. This was magic belonging to no school known to man or mer, this was Magna-Ge magic.

The projectile didn't just explode, the effect was surrounding Auronus until it began to twist him as well, tearing him apart at one end, without piecing him together at the other, like it did to the surroundings. Auronus spoke in a tone no one would ever expect from a daedra, while the spell destroyed him, sadness.

"I see it now, i can see it all. All the planes, the realms, even aetherius. I served Meridia so long, but the sight of hers was never given to me. It is beautiful.."

Auronus had trouble to speak as the spell did its work.

"I was....blind... my...kind got never.... rewarded for our service. Yet ...we continued to... destroy...the undead...in blind faith...i wish.....i could......amend.....".

The auroran warlord took the rest of his dying words with him into nothingness.

Skaal showed no reaction to the aurorans dying speech as he viewed the boneyard for a few seconds. "It is done."

When he changed back into human form, Skaal found himself back on his knees, exhausted. However it did not prevent him from giving a snide comment. "Shors bones, what a poet!"

Skaadi was shocked and ran immediately over to her husband, never having seen him on his knees before after a fight worried her. "Skaal! Are you alright?"

Skaal was about to get up when Skaadi reached him. "I'm fine Skaadi, i'm just not used to wield this kind of magic. I couldn't destroy his animus, i only managed to damage it, that auroran must've been ancient."

Skaadi noticed that Skaal wasn't satisfied with the outcome. "Only. None of us could have done this, don't undervalue yourself so hard."

Skaadi hugged her husband from behind after he got himself into an upwards position, speaking into his ear in a playful tone."Save the kneeling for later when we're back in the castle."

After chuckling a bit to herself she added;"I love you, Skaal."

Skaal visibly happy to be in the arms of his wife, just closed his eyes and savored the moment. "I love you too Skaadi."

Skana just stared at the undead couple and thought about Ylfa and herself and when she should tell her about her feelings directly.

Ylfa however seemed to read her like an open book when she asked Skana."Want to tell me something?" jokingly.

It happened in a flash, just as Skana wanted to give Ylfa a matching answer, Skaadi and Skaal were encased in a huge strange crystal.

Ylfa gasped as she ran together with Skana to the crystal. "No! No! No! This must be a bad joke. Auronus wasn't lying, but i never thought he meant...this. I've only seen in it books before."

Skana thought Auronus prediction of doom for a cheap trick herself, just like Ylfa, but she had unlike Ylfa no idea what was going on. "So what is this? And how do we get them out there?"

When Ylfa replied, the sudden, silent appearance of a giant humanoid figure in the boneyard, made her interrupt herself."Thats an order-"

"-Crystal." The giant figure closed Ylfas sentence.

The giant who materialized a great sword matching his size out of nowehere, leaning on it, giving him the charisma of a judge, introduced himself with a speech overflowing with formality.

"I am Jyggalag, daedric lord of order. The actions of the one you know as Skaal have provoked my reaction. The laws of mundus are not to be touched by the lesser races and I disagree with the architect who has subjected one of his eyes to Nirn. However he has not shown any signs of objection. I am to restore order to Mundus hereby, judging you accordingly."

Jyggalag lived up to his daedric personality of order and deduction.

"The vampire and lich known as Skaadi and Skaal will remain in stasis for eternity, to prevent further meddling with the laws of mundus. The vampire known as Ylfa is hereby judged to remain in the soul cairn for eternity as punishment for collaborating with the former named beings. The vampire known as Skana, who became the cause of all this when the daedric lord of domination, rape, slavery, vampirism and corruption Molag Bal, also known as god of lies, turned his interest towards her, will have her past corrected. The event of Molag Bal taking an interest in her will have never happened, she is to remain a dead thrall reanimated by an imperial necromancer known as Illia.

Before Ylfa and Skana could say anything, a portal swallowed Skana.

Skana didn't know where she was, but noticed she was lying on a hard surface, she felt as if she just went through a door into somewhere unknown. Or rather, like her soul found the way back into her body.

As she got up, Skana tried to recollect her thoughts about what just happened. She couldn't remember how she got here from the soul cairn. Her head felt like a sponge. Soaked in black mud.

Rubbing her head, trying to get her thoughts together, she noticed her sense of smell was gone. The place seemed awful familiar to her as well.

After she got up from the altar, she was perplexed when she noticed this was the room where she was reanimated years ago.

Years ago.

Her sense of taste was gone as well. When she tried to call out for Ylfa, she could only bring out a growling noise. After ultimately noticing that her fangs are gone, panic overwhelmed Skana. "This can't be. Why am i dead thrall again?!"

Hastily she began to try to get her collar off, even more panicked as she remembered what Jyggalag said in the soul cairn. An eternity as dead thrall, the thought alone fills her with fear. She remembered being subjected to Illias sadistic whims every day even as vampire. It branded her. A scar on her soul that would take years if not decades to disappear and to be under the thumb of that woman again, is the last thing Skana wanted.

"No! Gods, please no!"

Illia entered the room, looking at Skana with her cold gaze. "Ah, at last, you're awake. How wonderful. At least one of you bandits withstood the ritual, i'm afraid your friends are dead."

With a demanding gesture Illia pointed onto the ground infront of her. "Now, come over here like a good little thrall and kneel before me."

Skana was paralyzed in fear when she heard Illia speaking after all those years, but her body moved on its own. She knelt infront of Illia as Illia had demanded. Despair was seeping into Skanas thoughts.

"I don't want this all to happen again, why do i have to endure this again?"

Another person entered the room and spoke with Illia, Skana did not recognize the voice, but the name.

"What common markings for a thrall, Illia. Did you learn nothing from Uthrang?"

Illia gave a sharp reply as the other person clearly was provoking her.

"Shut up Maera, just because Uthrang reanimated you as revenant instead a thrall, doesn't mean you're not serving him."

Maera just snorted."We will see about that. It's none of your business anyway though. Now, shall we see how good you control that little pupped? There's still one of her friends left, I left him alive extra for the occasion."

Illia was delighted to hear that and conjured a familiar great sword. "How very thoughtful of you. It should be entertaining at least." Illia commanded Skana to stand up before she handed her the great sword."Get up, you got a friend to kill."

Holding her sword once more, Skana was just standing there, gritting her teeth and looking down. Depression began to gnaw at her. "Why? Why is it different from what i remember? I didn't got the sword here and i didn't had to kill a ...friend."

Illia looked at Skana as she turned around to follow Maera."What a splendid expression, you are propably drowning in despair right now. Follow me, let's further that sensation of yours."

Skana had no choice, she followed Illia and Maera into an adjacent room. They were standing infront of a kneeling man, one of Skanas friends, as Illia had put it. The man was shocked when he saw Skana.

"Skana? By the gods what have they done to you?! Do you recognize me? It's me, Angvor."

Maera was excited. "Command her to kill him! I so love it to see the look on their faces!"

Illia obliged, apparently anticipating the moment herself. "Of course, kill him!"

Skana did not recognize the man. Nor had she memories of him. But something in her was screaming not to kill him. When she talked to Skaal back in the castle, she thought she wouldn't care. She realized, this man is the only link left to her past.

Skana wanted to say something, but she could only accomplish to growl.

"Why can't i speak? Why can i not ask him who i was? Who he is?"

Angvor looked at her, sadness adorning his face. "Skana, it's me Angvor. Don't let her turn you into a monster. You were always strong-minded dear, i know you can fight it."

Skana felt the effect of the dead thrall spell controlling her again when she raised her sword to strike the man infront of her down. There was an emotion in her she could not discern, but it froze her in motion resisting the spells effect for a moment. Skana remembered that her vocal cords were damaged when Illia killed her the first time, she put every bit of effort into it to say something. "I....aahhng...sorrhg".

Angvor smiled sad, knowing his words cannot prevent what will happen, but it seemed he understood what Skana said.

"May the gods forgive you for i will. I hope we will meet one day again in Sovngarde, Skana."

Illia grew impatient and she commanded Skana again with an almost agressive tone. "I said, kill him!"

Skana felt her resistance against the spell dwindling. The spell kept pressing harder the more she tried to resist, she knew she cannot hold it for much longer, but she didn't want to kill this man. There was something in her that broke at the thought to strike him down.

Before she could finish the thought, her arms were moving on their own, her sword slashed Angvor, but it didn't kill him. The palefire enchantment discharged and he writhed in anguish. When Skana looked into his face, she was on the verge to go insane, something broke in her, she did not know what, but seeing him in pain made her almost feel it herself.

Not for long, The second strike was deadly and she wanted it to be deadly herself, to end that mans suffering.

Skana was overwhelmed by grief for reasons she did not know. She dropped down on her knees, emanating bizarre noises due to her still damaged vocal cords, as she began to sob. No tear left her undead body though.

"Why...? What did i do to deserve this? What did he do to deserve this?"

Maera was irritated at the outcome. "Bah, that was far less thrilling than i have anticipated. To make it even worse, i think your thrall has a few screws loose, it has emotions."

Illia lectured Maera with her own snide theories. "I intend to find out if emotions might not be able to shape how a thrall develops, surely Uthrang never needed to do this, since you're perfect and all that. But i do admit, it's not the outcome i would have hoped for.."

Illia did something. As Skana knelt there in grief, she noticed her mind getting cloudy, her thoughts began to slow, it felt like wading through black mud. Mere seconds later, Skana collapsed onto her back and lost her consciousness.

When Skana awoke, she found herself in a familiar place again. The cage in Illias hideout. The sticky black mud was still in her mind, albeit lifting, she couldn't grasp a thought long enough to keep it. "...this...the end...?"

Illia and Maera had a casual conversation with a few snide remarks here and there, about torturing someone and witty banter about necromancy. Skana could hear the words but her mind was working too slow to make sense of them.

"...daggers into her side... ... stretching rack!.... ...studying her bones...."

As Illia noticed Skana being conscious again, she just looked at her and renewed the effect of the spell without having to say anything.

Skanas eyes immediately became heavy and her thoughts came almost to a standstill. She was at her breaking point, she wanted to give in. A mindless thrall would feel no pain and perhaps Illia would overdo it one day and she could die the final death. "...don't...care.....anymore...."

Skana closed her eyes, looking forward to embrace nothingness. Anything to escape what would await her.

A hollow and morbid voice spoke in her mind.

"In our final seconds, we realize what we want most, what we did wrong. Tell me Skana, are these your final seconds? I can tell you have done nothing wrong, but what do you want most?"

Somewhere in the backyard of her mind there was still a spark of thought, remembering a person she had feelings for.. "...Yl..fa....?"

The voice said nothing, but suddenly she saw Ylfa infront of her, with a questioning look on her face.

"Who are you?"

Skana was back in Castle Volkihar, but everything felt surreal. Ylfa would never ask her who she is, Ylfa knows her.

"It's me Skana! don't you remember me, Ylfa?"

But Ylfa walked away. "I know no one by that name and i don't meddle with dead thralls, we will tolerate you here, but you should go back to your master and serve him."

Skana was shocked, she didn't understand what was going on. "Ylfa?.." But Ylfa ignored her, it was as if Skana wasn't there for her.

Skana couldn't believe what happened. "No, this is wrong, this is all wrong!" But Ylfas words sparked an idea and she sprinted through the castle. "There must be an altar here, this is a vampire castle, there has to be one."

She didn't had to search for long. The room was an exact copy of the one she was in when Molag Bal took her by force and turned her into a vampire in Coldharbour.

Skana almost ran towards the altar, harboring hopes to be able to flee from this nightmare.

"This has to work, please let this work!"

She kneeled infront of the altar intending to present herself to Molag Bal. "Molag Bal, lord of domination. I come willingly to you, i beg of you. Let me serve you."

Waiting for a response from the daedric lord, Skana kneeled for minutes infront of the altar.

Nothing happened.

Skana tried it again, she couldn't believe Molag Bal would turn down a willing slave. And it was better than beeing Illias torture puppet, even if mindless. This was at least a chance. "My lord, please. I beg of you, enslave me, take me, do whatever you want with me, i am yours, body and mind."

As Skana realized Molag Bal wouldn't respond to her pleas, she dropped onto her side. She began to sob again, this time out of her own emotions. Depression overwhelmed her together with a sense of futility.

"I don't want to live like this...what use is undeath when i only get tortured by the hands of a madwoman?!"

When the morbid voice spoke to her again, Skana knew it wasn't Molag Bal. "There is a way out, there is always a way out. For some, it takes aeons to open its path and others are afraid to walk it. What are you?"

Black mud clouded her thoughts again as she closed her eyes lying infront of the altar.

When the fog lifted itself from her mind again, she was standing in meridias temple, surrounded by shades.

The shades were repeatedly hissing the same words at her.

"It's corrupted, it's corruped, take it, take it, free yourself, free yourself!"

Skana realized the shades are referring to the Dawnbreaker. As she walked up to the podium, the shades became even more agitated, reciting some kind of oath.

"He swore! To serve!"

"He swore! To serve!"

She took the Dawnbreaker from its podium without hesitation, to her surprise, nothing happened, the shades were speaking the truth, the Dawnbreaker was corrupted in this reality. As she eyed the blade with disdain the shades continued to recite.

"He died, he prayed!"

"He died, he prayed!"

Skana saw her only option to prevent the future Jyggalag had given her.

She thrusted the blade into her body. She knew it was weak to make a runaway in suicide, but there was nothing left for her. She had no intention of becoming Illias toy and Ylfa did not recognize her anymore. The few days she had with the Volkihar clan was the best thing ever happening to her since her reanimation. Jyggalag took it away from her when he altered her past, changing reality itself.

It was strange, it didn't hurt, rather it felt comforting. As the world around her darkened, the shades were frantic, finishing to recite an oath to someone Skana didn't knew.

"Betrayed by his lord! Vengeance he swore!"

"Betrayed by his lord! Vengeance he swore!"

Skana did not know where she was, but this looked very much like the form of afterlife the undead get. Everything was dark around her and even with her eyes she head problems to see in this place. "This must be the void."

As she got up from a ground she could not see, she noticed something nearby. Something big.

A giant humanoid figure, which seemed to be stuck in the invisible ground, with a body made of bone and a cloud of whirling darkness as head with two blue burning lights as eyes stared at her. The being spoke to her with the same morbid voice she heard in her mind. "Correct, this is the void, but you did not die your final death, Skana."

Skana was perplexed at the being knowing her name."Why do you know my name? Who are you?"

The being spoke, while its glowing eyes stared at Skana.

"We are aquainted, but we do not know each other. That is not important. The matter of causality is important however. The one who caused this desaster was not you. Neither was it Stonefire. Jyggalag himself was it in his own arrogance. The Soul Cairn is now connected to both realities. You need to undo what has been undone."

"Undo what has been undone? Only Skaal could do this and i'm not good with magic myself. But Skaal is..." Skana stopped to speak when a sense of futility went through her.

The being however seemed to sense this."I saw it all. Do not despair little one. I was defeated aeons ago in another reality, but not in yours. Yet my reality is older than yours while it is not. I was shaped by the void to what i am now, but the one you know as Uthrang is a tricky one. Know this, Magnus has more than one eye, as you have two, so does he. Uthrang banished it into the void using an elder scroll. I am unsure how he managed it, for my sight does not reveal their mysteries."

After a short pause a little orb manifested between Skana and the void being.

"This is Magnus' second eye, it is blind and much of its power is lost however, it allowed me to form this pocket in the void, preventing myself being absorbed into it. I shall grant it to you, for i am sure you wish to return both realities being into one again. You must make haste though, both realities will collide into each other, destroying all of Mundus if unprevented."

The small eye floated towards Skana and stopped above her hand, Skana could feel its power radiating, this small eye was almost overwhelming, she had trouble to imagine how Skaal could handle the other one.

"Jyggalag would go that far?! But how can i stop it? I can only swing my sword, i have no idea what to do with the eye! And what do you mean with it is blind?."

The being seemed to think for a moment before it continued.

"A single eye cannot see through the void. Magnus did not object with Jyggalags intentions because he could not see them. Uthrang planned this all to take the lich Skaal out of the picture, but bringing Jyggalag into this was his miscalculation. By banishing the eye into the void, he hoped Jyggalag would make an appearance, placing bets on the most powerful of daedra lords seems logical at first, but Jyggalag goes to extremes to execute his sense of order. When Mundus would be destroyed, that is his idea of perfect order. There can't be disorder where nothing exists. A fatal flaw in Uthrangs machinations."

When Skana touched the eye, she absorbed its power. The feeling was utterly overwhelming. She staggered when the immense amounts of magicka entered her body. "Shors bones! I feel like i'm about to explode, what insane power is this?!"

"The tools of creation, little one." The being explained. "And this is just a tiny fraction, like a hair to yourself in comparement, of the power the god of magic wields, but enough of that. You don't need to be a wizard to use the eyes power. You can discharge it with a weapon of daedric craftmanship. Go to the Soul Cairn, where the spear still lies, use it to shatter the crystal, once the lich is free and the eye connected to him again, your eye will resonate to the other and Magnus will see what is happening. But be warned, the eye has only enough power left for a single reality shaping and Jyggalag will not stay idle when the time comes."

Skana was frowning. "I don't know how to get into the Soul Cairn, and how can we battle Jyggalag? He's a daedra lord."

The creature apparently has thought this through for a longer time, regarding Jyggalag.

"I do not know how to enter the Soul Cairn, the order crystal is hindering my sight on it. But the revenant known as Maera knows it. As for Jyggalag, do not fret. I made a vow once and i intent to fulfill it. Summon me when Jyggalag appears, i will serve you as i have served my old lord."

Not having any clue about magic made Skana repeat herself. "I told you, i have no experience with magic, i can't summon anything even if i wanted to." After a short pause, and feeling terribly awkward she added."Besides, Illia can command me."

The void being being chuckled with its morbid voice. "You will find yourself rather resilient against the dead thrall spell with the eye in your posession. Also when the time comes and the eyes are resonating, you will know everything you need to summon me and more. No go, before it is too late!"

Skanas mind became clouded again and she passed out.

Skana found herself on a bloodied wooden table when she regained consciousness. Illia and Maera were discussing what to do next to her. She awoke in the middle of whatever sadistic experiment Illia was doing to her. "Oh look she's conscious again, what do you say? Time for the stretching rack?" Maera lifted Skana from the table and dropped her onto the ground like a wet stone. "Yeah, no blood in her veins anymore, time for the bones."

Skana groaned in pain, they must have stuck all sorts of daggers and knifes into her, she noticed how weak she was, there was no blood left in her body. But she had no time for this. She crawled towards her cage in hopes to amuse the two sick idiots who were gloating at her, getting herself some time to recuperate. Judging from Maeras reaction it worked.

"Aww how cute, the slave wants back into her cage." Illia just laughed as they both watched Skana crawling along the floor. She began to feel better when she almost reached the cage, feigning weakness to have Illia open the cage door and close it behind her, to gain a few more precious seconds.

After Illia locked the cage door, she and Maera went into the antechamber of the cave to construct the stretching rack, at least that's what Skana was willing to hear from their conversation. This would give her enough time.

Skana stood just there in her cage, concentrating on wearing the dead thrall spell on her mind down and regaining her strength. Much to her surprise it was easier than she had expected.

After a few minutes, she felt like she could rip a mammoth with bare hands apart. She easily kicked the cage door open, making the lock fly away with a loud clanking sound. Skana knew Illia and Maera must have heard that.

Skana had little time to search for her sword, she could hear Illia and Maera coming back to the room. Luckily Illia hadn't much places where she stored something as large as a great sword, Skana found it after a few seconds in the large ornamented chest standing next to Illias bed.

As Maera and Illia entered the room, Illia couldn't suppress a surprised;"What in oblivion?!" when she saw Skana at her chest."You stupid corpse, get away from my belongings!" Maera just stood there, saying nothing.

Skana turned around with her great sword on her shoulder, swiftly walking towards Illia, her face was a grimace of anger while she snarled;"Come here, you little strumpet!"

Illia was sure of herself and the dead thrall spell, as usual. She stepped forward and pointed at the ground infront of her. "Get your ass here and kiss my feet, your stupid piece of dead flesh!"

Maera warned Illia. "Illia, i don't think this is working."

Illia ignored Maeras warning, seemingly insisting that the dead thrall is working. "I told you to get on your goddamn kn-"

Was all Illia could say before Skana abruptly decapitated her with one wide swing of her great sword when she got close enough.

Maera had Skanas complete attention now, being threatened at the tip of her great sword she raised her hands to signalize surrender. Skana wanted to know only one thing. "How do i get into the Soul Cairn?"

Just like the one in Skanas original reality, Maera became snappy."Ha! The Soul Cairn. You must be looking forward to commit suicide. But that's not my problem when the crystal kills you, I'll be there and watch you dying. Be my guest, go to the maze at Labyrinthian, if there's anything left of it, that is""

Skana was satisfied with that answer, but came to the conclusion that killing Maera here and now might save her a lot of trouble later."You will watch nothing when i have killed you."

Just as Skana was about to attack, Maera teleported herself away with a portal. Much to Skanas disappoinment, the Maera is this reality was the same wuss like the one in hers.

Skana just snorted as she made for the cave exit, speaking to herself.

"Figures. running away, now i know why Skaadi hates her."

At the cave exit, Skana noticed it was day outside. She didn't liked the sun since the day she became undead, but at least it wouldn't burn her to a crisp like it would when she was a vampire.

Being a vampire again.

Skana missed that, but more than most she missed Ylfa.

Her resolve grew with every thought, she has to fuse both realities together, if she ever wants to see Ylfa and her clan again.

Machinations of a Lich - Chapter 3

The Risen Lord

Skana was enjoying the remaining hours of the night on the boat trip back to the castle and listened to Ylfa, who couldn't stop running her mouth about what she'd like to do with Skana. At one time she even mentioned a stretching rack, Skana had mixed feelings conerning those.

"Ylfa, let's keep that for a bit later, i feel uneasy with those rack things."

Ylfa inquired."Bad experience with those eh?"

Skana just replied dry."Broken bones."

Ylfa showed herself understanding while she steered towards a vampire of the clan which was sitting at the long table in the hall."Alright, nothing with that then, it's a matter of trustfulness with those games anyway."

Arriving at the table Ylfa spoke to the vampire. "Hey Modhna, any idea where Skaal is?"

Modhna was rather unperturbed by the interruption, as she was feeding right now. "I think he's still in the cairn, you know how long he takes with all that magic stuff."

Ylfa turned around to Skana with a smile on her face."That means we won't get disturbed."

Skana was still a bit reluctant though, as she had no experience with things like that. "Just remember, no broken bones and the like, i had enough of that."

Ylfa teased her."Aww, come on where's the fun without broken bones and missing heads? You silly, relax, this is for fun and pleasure not for harming you. Although you went berserk back in dawnstar, vampires aren't all about killing and cruelty and whatever others may think."

As Ylfa stopped in the room with the fireplace, where Skana dismembered the dawnguard thrall only one day ago, Skana was perplexed. "Here? Isn't that room a bit too central in the castle?"

"Not at all." Ylfa elaborated. "These are actually the private quarters, nobody except Skaal or Skaadi go in here. Now how about we get out of all that gear?"

After the two women, got out of their clothes Ylfa began to explain. "Now, we'll start small, since you're new to this. I doubt your former masters ever rewarded you for obeying, if you had any choice that is, but this is about fun anyway and since i'm in the mood today to be on top, I'll tell you what you do and if you do, you'll get rewarded, if not i have to punish you,playful of course. I won't do anything without your consent, now get on your knees."

Skana didn't liked the thought to kneel again. "So, is this about me being your slave or something?"

"Quite so."Ylfa elaborated. "But not the way you know it. Ever been to Morrowind? It's pretty common for Dunmer there to engage in a consentual form of roleplay involving a master and slave relationship between lovers. Now, do you want to kneel or not?" she asked playful.

Skana pondered for a moment, but came to the conclusion that she at least wants to try that form of roleplay, as Ylfa named it, so she went down on her knees."Okay, i'm all yours, now please don't tell me to lick your boots or something, why do you still wear them anyway?"

Ylfa couldn't supress a hint of amusement in her voice."I had that intention yes, trying to find out your tendencies. Now, are you a good girl and do as i say, or not?"

She couldn't help herself, but Skana felt slightly aroused of the thought to give herself to Ylfa."Okay, i do it, but i will get back at you for that!"

Ylfa was quite amused when she told her."Oh i do hope you will, being on top all the time can be boring you know? Don't overdo yourself, it's about submission, not making my greaves shine."

Skana stopped licking Ylfas greaves."Orichalcum tastes kinda weird."

Ylfa gestured her to raise her head. "Well then, why don't you lick somewhere else? Pleasure your mistress."

Skana joked. "Oho, mistress now? Fine, i'll do as you say mistress."

Ylfa began to breathe heavier when Skana did her best to please her.

When Ylfa came close to her climax, she pulled Skana back on her feet. "Not so fast, i want to enjoy this together with you. Over there onto the wall and keep your arms above your head."

Skana did as she was told and replied with an amused."Yes, mistress."

Ylfa was quite delighted about Skanas reaction."Getting into it are we? That's good."

Ylfa continued to talk as she led her claws gently down on Skanas belly."You did good so far, slave. I think a little reward is order."

Skana played a disappointed tone into her words."Just a little? That's mean!"

Ylfa led her claws further down on Skanas body."Shush slave, i didn't allow you to speak."

Skana couldn't avoid having a moan escaping her lips. This aroused her greatly.

Ylfa of course, heard that."Hmm enjoying yourself? I have an idea, let's put those cuffs of yours to use, turn around."

Ylfa inquired for Skanas consent while linking her cuffs together."You're alright with that?"

Skana was just eager to see what happens next in her aroused state so she replied still with the roleplay in her mind."Yes, i'm fine mistress."

Ylfa just chuckled."You really do like this, Skana. Well then, turn around and show yourself to your mistress."

Skana obeyed and turned back around to Ylfa, with her arms now cuffed behind her back, looking at her expectant.

Ylfa had a smile on her face as she eyed a slightly helpless Skana infront of her."Now you're really at my mercy and i like what i see. Come here, you're such a good girl, you should have a real reward now."

Ylfa went down infront of Skana and held her legs while she started to kiss and lick her.

Skana was literally at Ylfas mercy now. She couldn't stop what Ylfa was doing even if she wanted to. Ylfa was holding her and with her arms behind her back she had no means of pushing her away. Much to her surprise Skana found herself enjoying the moment.

All thoughts of doubt were shoved out of Skanas mind as Ylfas tongue brought her near the climax. She was trembling and her legs became shaky.

Skana gave in to her desires and enjoyed the moment, she climaxed with a loud moan.

Ylfa had no intention of stopping there, she laid on her back while pulling Skana carefully onto her."That's one for you slave, now you have to satisfy your mistress." She said while continuing to pleasure Skana.

The feeling between her legs was overwhelming. Skana could barely manage to please Ylfa, as she was now sensitive from her orgasm, but Ylfa kept at it. "Having a hard time to concentrate?" She teased Skana, while beginning to heavy breathe herself now.

Skana tried to answer but she came again, this time however together with Ylfa. Moans of pleasure filled the room.

After bringing each other a few times more to the heights of pleasure, Ylfa shoved Skana gently from herself and got up, heavy breathing."Better than feeding don't you think?"

Skana was still lying on the ground with her hands cuffed on her back."That was really something else. I enjoyed that."

Ylfa was eyeing Skana with an amused expression. "Told you, it's something totally different from what you have experienced."

Skana noticed Ylfas looks when she managed to get to lie on her side."You really like to see me helpless do you?"

Ylfa didn't deny that with an amused tone to her voice."I love it, you're quite wild i think and to see you like this is just adorable."

Skana played a snarl."Come on, make those cuffs loose and i show you how wild i am."

"Alright, alright, let me let you loose, but don't you dare to bite!" Ylfa laughingly said as she unlinked Skanas cuffs.

Skana joked."Me biting someone? No way!"

Ylfa just smiled into Skanas face."Naaaah, you don't bite, especially not your mistress. right?"

"I won't call you that outside of our private moments and remember, i told you i get back at you for licking your greaves." Skana replied with glee while she went over to the chair infront of the fireplace.

As Skana sat down on the decorated chair, Ylfa almost jumped onto her lap. Skana began to like Ylfas directness. "You know, when i think back about all this, me being reanimated and later getting turned into a vampire, i'm quite happy about it. Despite all the bad things i experienced, i wouldn't be here if it didn't happened."

Ylfa looked Skana into her red glowing eyes. "Are you implying, you're happy that you have met me?"

Sure of herself, Skana just asked. "What if...?

"Shut up and kiss me already!" Ylfa snarled before pressing her lips on Skanas and pulling herself closer to her.

Skana had no objections and they were sitting there kissing each other for a while.

Ylfa shoved herself gently off of Skanas lap after the intimate moment. "As much as i hate to say it now, we still have to find Skaal and inform him about what happened in Dawnstar."

Skana just agreed before getting out of the chair."You got that right, let's get into gear and see if he's not already back in the castle."

After helping each other into their armor Ylfa mused a bit about what happened."You know, next time we could make use of some of my toys."

Skana was intrigued."Toys? What exactly are we talking about?"

Ylfa elaborated."Well, i'm a resident of the castle, i mostly were just out on scouting, but i do have a few things here, gags, some restraints and such."

Skana playfully warned Ylfa."Careful there with what you tell me, you know next time your ass will be mine."

Ylfa just giggled.

As Skana and Ylfa went to leave the room, a conjuration portal opened infront of them.

A kind of dremora stepped out of it, one Skana has never seen before.

"Woah careful, this is one of Uthrangs!" Ylfa warned.

Skana, hot-headed as she was, drew her sword and threatened the daedra."You better state your business really fast, dremora! From what i understand, neither the Lord, nor the Lady of this castle tolerate intrusions like this."

The dremora began to speak with a hollow voice. "Stay your weapons, i have no quarrel with you. I got send by Lord Uthrang to inform you about a problem he and Lord Skaal are facing in the Soul Cairn, your immediate assistance is required. I will open a portal to bring you there at your earliest convenience."

Skana warned the dremora. "I'm at odds with dremoras, this better not be a lie or i'll find you and cleave you in half!"

The dremora didn't react to the threatening tone or Skanas choice of words, he just opened a portal to the Soul Cairn.

Little did Skana and Ylfa know, when they stepped through the portal, right into a nightmare.

Skana realized this was a trap as she eyed the assembly infront of her, Skaal was standing infront of Uthrang, having a discussion with him, behind Uthrang were multiple Israns and as she spotted the last person it felt like a punch in the face. "What in Oblivion...Auronus?"

Ylfa was also baffled. "Auronus? The auroran warlord? And why are there so many Israns behind Uthrang? What is going on here?!"

Uthrangs raspy voice could be heard, slightly deeper due to him being in his Lich form."Oh, so we're all gathered and complete, how wonderful, even the rabble will perish. Skaal you were a fool to think i'd do nothing, did you think i'm afraid of your power and just wait until the end of time? I don't know what the source of it is, but once i find your phylactery, i will have it all! And who knows, maybe you get destroyed here by Auronus, that would be even better for me as i would instantly inherit your title. The title that stands for absolute power among the undead and absolute power is what i desire!"

Skaal was disgusted by Uthrangs actions."Are you insane Uthrang?! Allying yourself with Meridias lap dog and now this, bringing others into this? Do you have even a sliver of dignity to do things yourself?!"

Uthrangs voice formed a laugh."It's nothing personal Skaal, but i decide to bring others into my affairs if i gain from it. And for the newcomers, please don't be confused, these fine redguard gentlemen are the auroran council, they have taken on a more...pleasing appearance to walk the towns and streets of Skyrim. Speaking of dignity, let me be dignified enough to step aside, i think you might want to see our special guest."

Uthrang floated aside to show the center of the assembly, Skaadi was kneeling next to Auronus. She called out for Skaal with a weak voice."Skaal.... help me...!"

Skaal couldn't believe his eyes."No, you bastards! What have you done to her?! Skaadi! Are you alright?"

Uthrang was preparing to teleport away when he spoke to Skaal. "We have done? No, it's about what you have done. Auronus exists solely to see the Dawnbreaker into hands of the living and just heroes, or whatever you call them these days. You see, Meridia is quite angry that you stole the Dawnbreaker and brought it to Molag Bal, i merely told Auronus who the one responsible for the theft was, the rest is yours to deal with." The last words before he teleported away were directed at Auronus."Lord Auronus, please feel free to begin to question the Risen Lord for the whereabouts of your ladys sacred blade, best of luck in your endeavor for i bid you farewell."

Auronus seemed to favor actions before speaking so he stabbed Skaadi in her back with his spear, his iron voice directed at Skaal."I am well aware of your relationship with this vampire, lich. I refuse to comprehend how abominations as you can choose to feel love as mortals do. But it will serve me, for this vampire will only be the first to die at my hand. Tell me where the Dawnbreaker is and present me your phylactery so i can end this quickly!"

Skaadi screamed in pain as the aedric spear pierced her body.

Skaal called out for her as he watched in horror. "Skaadi! No! My love, don't let this daedric bastard do this to you, get up!"

Whatever Auronus did to her had its effect. Skaadi was too weak to retaliate. Only a few words escaped her lips with a weak dwindling voice. "Skaal... i ... love...."

Skaadi couldn't finish her words. She couldn't finish the one sentence that filled Skaal with the highest possible degree of joy from the day on he met her, that one saying he always returned to her, all these decades. That she loves him.

Skana was speechless. She didn't knew Skaadi long, but she know what it means to love someone as she was about to fall in love with Ylfa. The loss of someone dear is possibly the worst experience a person can go through, independent if undead, living, man or mer.

Ylfa couldn't hold her emotions when she shouted for Skaadi as she saw her collapsing.

Skaal closed his eyes, the moment of Skaadis death burned into them. "No... this can't be.. not my wife. Not my Skaadi. My love. I refuse this!"

Skaal began to speak to someone. Someone not present in the Cairn.

"God of magic. The one who granted me the vessel for my soul. One day i wanted to show it to her, i wanted to give her my soul as a present no man else could give his beloved wife."

Skaal was surrounded by a red aura of magicka as he continued to speak, his voice intensifying due to his anger.

"God of magic. Forgive me for i act now in my own interests. I summon my phylactery onto this plane."

Skaal shouted the words.

"I CAST OFF THE LAWS OF MUNDUS"

"FOR I REFUSE MY WIFE TO BE TAKEN BY DEATH AS LONG AS I EXIST"

"TIME BE RESHAPED BY MY WORDS"

"AURONUS ACTIONS NEVER HAPPENED"

The impossible happened. Time itself answered. A rift in reality opened infront of Auronus and swallowed Skaadis corpse.

For the first time Skana saw the Auroran warlord in disbelief. "What?! How is this possible? What have you done? How can the laws of Mundus answer to someone as you? Only the Architect is able to form reality!"

Skaadi reappeared in the same moment next to Skana and Ylfa, being very confused. "Uh.. what the? Didn't i just....?"

Ylfa was baffled but found her posture mere seconds later. "As it happens, your husband hid something from you, have you ever seen his phylactery?"

Skaadi didn't understand at first. "I... no. Why? I think his soul is something that only belongs to him so why should i...?"

Ylfa interrupted her."Skaadi, your husband just manipulated time and reality itself to prevent your death while it was already too late. Now he's summoning his phylactery, your husband is going for a full transformation for the first time!"

Skaadi knew exactly what Ylfa meant. Seeing her die must've made Skaal mad beyond comprehension. "Well, suits that Auroran bastard, i won't spoil that moment for Skaal. With expressing his rage against Auronus he wants to show me how much he loves me. Men are like that. This is his moment and he wants me to see it, as do I."

Skaal continued to speak to the entity he referred to as the god of magic.

"The laws are reshaped, but with my own addition. No harm was done to the planes. There is no reason to object. I am honored to be the bearer of the eye. Permit me to summon my phylactery and to become what i embody, i take full responsibility. What say you?!"

After a moment of nothingness. A tremendrous combination of multiple voices could be heard halling through the Cairn like an earthquake. The voices spoke as one. The ground shaking as they did."You who bear my eye, earned my trust over several decades, as much as i am disgusted by this world, i don't wish to see it destroyed. You have no damage done to the planes and i trust your wisdom that you never will."

"Granted."

After that single word. Skaals phylactery manifested in the Cairn.

His phylactery being now in his posession Skaal reached the heights of Lichdom. The epitome of necromancy.

"Skaadi is safe. All that matters now is to satisfy my ire."

Skaal issued a spell through mere words. "Auronus, your council is dust."

The auroran copies of Isran were hit by something undefinable. They began to disintegrate into nothingness. Silently. No screams of pain, nothing.

Skaadi Ylfa and Skana were also hit, but to a different effect. Skana was shocked at first. "Woah what the ?! What is this?"

Ylfa however noticed the difference."I don't know, but this feels kinda good. And we're not disintegrated, like those Isran freaks."

Skaadi just watched her husband.

Auronus was standing at the remains of what is left of his council. "It does not matter, they will be reborn in the waters of oblivion to serve Meridia once more. I don't understand why the Architect would grant his eye to you, but then again, Magnus cares little for Mundus aslong as it isn't subject to harm. I shall count myself proud to be able to face the might of the Et'Ada. I challenge you formally, Lich. You face Auronus, Warlord of Dawn, Champion of Meridia. By her decree i will destroy you!"

Skaal was seething. This daedra had the nerve the issue a formal challenge after all that transpired just now. "Meridian scum, you got the nerve to challenge me formally after what you did?!"

Skaal began to float infront of his phylactery while becoming rapidly skeletal. His voice became deeper and several metallic echoes clung to it when he spoke, continuing to change as he did. "I will enjoy the moment i crush your pitiful existence to nothingness."

Skaal was now completely skeletal, no flesh remained on his body. "I wont be formal, i won't accept surrender. I won't let you run. I will chase you on all planes if you do. Your existence is forfeit, not even the elder scrolls will be able to tell of you."

Auronus being a daedra, knowing how the laws of Mundus work, knew that Skaal was capable of destroying him permanently with the knowlegde of the eye. This only hardened his iron resolve. "I will serve Meridia to the very end, my challenge stands, complete your transformation and i will annihilate you."

Skaals voice became metallic and deeper than anything Skana Ylfa or Skaadi have ever heard, the unreal echoes to it were as if ten molag bals were speaking all at once. He completed his transformation, emanating almost infinite magicka, in a purple dome around him.

Skaal just laughed with his voice halling from everywhere around him.

"YOU FACE THE RISEN LORD"

"ARE YOU UP TO THE TASK?"

Machinations of a lich - Chapter 1

Maera

Skana lost her sense of time as she wandered the soul cairn, not knowing if she was here for hours, days or even years.

Her thirst was unrelenting and took its toll on her mind as well. She didn't even know anymore what she was searching for but she couldn't stop, it was driving her.

Sometimes she tried to interact with one of the few souls she met in the desolate landscape, but the souls didn't even took notice of her, she could reach right through them, to no avail or any reaction from them.

She stopped feeling disappointment and frustration a while ago, she just kept wandering. No thoughts inhabited her mind, except for the urge the quench the thirst that kept tormenting her, quietly but unyielding.

Occasionally she walked past a structure with a large skeletal being standing infront of it. At first she tried to to avoid being noticed by it. But at least once, she mindlessly wandered near it.

The large skeletal being just vanished when she came close, telling her it isn't time yet.

It could have been a hallucination, Skana didn't know what it was and she didn't care nor did she think about it.

After a while she shambled back to the place she deemed to be her resting place, a rib cage which must've belonged to a mammoth once.

After she closed her eyes, she could hear a female voice laughing, calling out to her. Propably another nightmare, which she had very often lately.

The voice didn't stop calling out to her in a cynical tone. Skana noticed she wasn't sleeping yet, this was no dream.

She almost fell over her own feet as she stood up, intending to investigate where it came from.

And then she saw it. A woman standing in one of the structures of the soul cairn. Standing there casually, gesturing for her to come over.

The thirst in Skana took over, never having fed since she became a vampire turned her feral and this woman over there looked very much alive to serve her needs. Skana began to walk towards her in a hunched manner, like a wild and rabid snow troll.

"Oh, you poor poor little bloodsucker." Said the woman in a cynical fashion. The words alone were enough to deepen Skanas feral state. Skana wanted to call out for her, to taunt her, to kill her. All that escaped her lips was a deep growl as she went faster towards the woman, ready to pounce at her and pin her down, to rip her throat apart and sink her fangs into it, savoring the sweet salvation flowing from it.

But nothing what the vampire had pictured in Skanas mind did happen, the woman was suddenly standing behind her, mocking her, denying her the feast she had hoped for so long.

"You must be so weak, you can barely stand." The woman said. Eyeing Skana as she felt weakness overcoming her body.

"You see, my last ...plaything broke. I have waited for something new for so long."

Skana growled as she went down on her knees in exhaustion. The short run took a greater toll as her body had expected.

"Oh the fun i could have with a vampire.." The woman dreamily said to herself.

There was something in the air suddenly. Something heavy, as if electricy was accumulating to form a single giant lightning strike. The roll of thunder could be heard, coming closer very fast.

And then reality tore itself apart.

A single enourmous lightning strike came down behind the unknown woman.

Skanas head began to spin from the thundering sound, this wasn't part of the strange weather in the soul cairn.

The woman turned around directly facing the lightning strike, yelling "Oh no, not you. Can't a girl have some fun?" in a agressive tone.

As the thunderous explosion cleared, the shape of a man could be seen in it. Skanas feral mind got awkwardly reminded of a auroran she has met a long time ago. But this man was different, he was practically emanating magicka and something dark, like the opposite of Auronus' aura. It felt good.

"This girl went through enough hardships the last three years. And the last person to have fun with me around, is you. Maera." The man replied sternly.

Maera played a surprised gesture and continued in her cynical tone. "Oho, the high and mighty risen lord himself comes down to the cairn to deprive me of my pet. To what do i owe this honor, Skaal?".

She dropped the surprised face in the same sentence "Are you tired of your little vampire whore? Do you want a new one? Is it that?" in a cold tone and kept going. "Oh i have an idea."

Maera knelt down and spoke to Skana. "Do you see that man? He has all you need, all the blood you can drink, go get it!".

Skana regained enough strength to stand again and she immediately charged Skaal in her bloodlust, growling like an animal.

"She is all yours!" Maera remarked snidely.

Skaal just said."I belive it is better for your health when you stay down for now." to Skana as she charged him. There was magic behind those words, they were enough to make Skana drop down in exhaustion again.

Skaal now, speaking to Maera again, his voice changed as he did, it became deeper with strangely short echoes accompanying it and part of his skin seemed to fade away when he raised his hand. "The bargain has been concluded without you Maera, you didn't attent to the meetings and yet you claim ownership of the girl."

Maera became snappy. "Oh come on, fancy bones. Just because you retrieved the Dawnbreaker for Bal. I could've done that as well. We're both part of the Coldharbour council and you already have your vampire toy. Let me have mine. Why don't you go and kiss Uthrangs bony ass after you have licked your whore into the next coffin?"

Skaal became angry and began to turn even more skeletal. "You don't attent to meetings yet you claim ownership of a sentient being with a soul, one i deem kin. You break the rules of the bargain by coming here in an attempt to steal what isn't yours. And above all else, you have insulted my queen, we're done talking."

Maera apparently had her fun provoking Skaal. "Yada yada my queen." she mocked him. "Someone with your power bows to a queen, how ridiculous. And you bear the title of risen lord, i can see why Uthrang covets it. I would like it as well but you see, risen lady sounds just plain stupid."

Skaal was now completely skeletal in appearance, this disturbed Maera slightly. "Hey you don't intent to attack me?! We're both members of the council, that's against the rules!"

Skana was still lying on the ground next to Skaal, she couldn't move but she felt electricity building up in the surroundings.

Skaal just laughed with his deep echoing voice. "Rules that apply in Coldharbour, this isn't Coldharbour. And you're the last person to lecture me on rules. And to further add to this, a king bows only to his queen."

Electricity was crackling everywhere and Skaal who was done with words ultimately, unleashed his spell against Maera.

Maera went down on her knees in laughter. "A lightning storm spell? Is that all? That barely tickled me!" Her face spoke otherwise.

"This isn't over Skaal, i will have my new plaything and neither you nor Uthrang will stop me from getting it." With those words Maera escaped into a portal.

Skana didn't understand anything from what was going on, but at least it made the cogwheels in her mind spin again, albeit slowly. She tried to get up but Skaal wouldn't let her. "No, you should rest, i will take you to the castle and we will see what sanity is left in your mind." Skana fell into a magical induced sleep.

Skana noticed someone near her, watching her as she slept. Her eyes were heavy and she needed a moment to collect what was left of her mind.

A young girlish voice talked to itself."I never thought i'd see a feral up close."

Skana immediately opened her eyes, someone was infront of her. Someone with warm fresh blood pulsing in his or her veins. Someone she could sink her fangs into.

The girl spoke to her directly now. "Hello? Do you understand me?" and came a bit closer.

Skana realized she was in a cage, again. This made her angry and she snarled at the girl after she got up, realizing she couldn't reach her prey. The feast once again denied.

The girl was shocked and jumped onto her feet. "Hey don't try to scare me like that!" After a short pause and apparently remembering something the girl yelled into the rest of the castle. "Mistress! The feral is awake!".

A few minutes and footsteps sounding through the halls later, Skaal and a woman Skana didn't knew were standing together with the young vampire girl infront of her cage. Skaal opened the conversation, talking to the woman."What do you think?

I sense a sliver of sanity left in her, but she needs blood."

Skana just sat there staring through the girl, fighting a battle with her own mind, trying to suppress the bloodthirst that keeps raging in her.

The woman examined Skana with glowing eyes and replied "She's fighting her urge to try to rip the cage door apart and get onto Ronaras neck right here and she's doing really good at it. Because else i would have decapitated her by now. That's what i think." with a annoyed tone to her voice.

Skaal shook his head. "Skaadi, I went through the coloured rooms to get the dawnbreaker in exchange for her, that was the bargain with Bal, whoever brings him the Dawnbreaker gets to keep the girl. I expected him to turn her, it's his nature but if this was all for naught i'd be slightly annoyed. Even more, if we just throw her out in this state, Uthrang or Maera will get her and that's the last thing i wish to happen. You know how far Uthrangs delusions go when it comes down to gain power and

i had an run in with Maera in the cairn already."

Skaadi was even more annoyed when Skaal mentioned Maera. "Maera propably ran away as usual, i will savor the day i have her head on a plate in the dining hall." She grudingly told Ronara."Get that useless dawnguard thrall here, i think we might have a possibility here to get rid of that filth." The short vampire girl left the room immediately.

Skaadi remarked the collar on Skanas neck. "Looks familiar, but i guess you can't take yours off. This could be fun. We will keep her."

Ronara came a few moments later back into the room with a enthralled human. "Here's the dawnguard thrall, mistress."

Skaadi drew her nodachi and spoke "Good, Skaal you open the door." now to Skana directly. "And you, one wrong move and i'll cut you in half, you should understand the gesture of a drawn weapon even in your current state. You can have that thrall there, nothing else."

Skana was hesitating at first, the enchantment of that sword was reminding her of something she once had in the past, but after letting out an acknowledging snarl she stepped out of the cage.

She grabbed the man and sank her fangs into his neck. Voracious draining him of his blood. Her bloodlust intensified every second she drank from the thralls veins. She could barely control herself.

When the thrall collapsed dead, she wasn't satisfied, her bloodlust took over and she began to rip pieces out of the dead mans body with her claws and devoured the flesh.

Skaadi had sheathed her nodachi again and watched the show, commenting gleeful. "Oh this almost makes me hungry. Watching the first time is always fun and we all know what happens in a few seconds, right?"

Skanas mind lept back into reality and her bloodlust subsided. She found herself eating the flesh of a dead man and savoring the taste of it. As she realized this her body began to reject the dead mans flesh and she vomited it on the floor.

Skaadi almost cheerfully commented."And there we have it, this happens if your bloodlust takes over, damned messy!"

Skana couldn't remember when she felt that good, but she began to remember what has happened to her.

"What did i just?..., this wasn't a dream? What in oblivion has Molag Bal done?!"

She heard Skaal speaking to her from behind her. "Calm yourself. You might don't see it that way, but Molag Bal actually did you a favor by.... turning you into a vampire. Your servitude as reanimated corpse has ended. The only persons left on Nirn that can command you are me and my wife here, Skaadi. I'm sorry but that was part of the bargain with Molag Bal, your bindings are still unremoveable i'm afraid. My wife will propably exploit this and play a bit around but she won't do you any harm. As for me, i don't intent to use any daedric commands on you, i didn't struck the bargain to have a slave, i wanted to see a kinswoman free. All sentient undead beings are kin to me and i dislike it when they are treatened like garbage."

After a short pause he added." Please forgive my manners, my name is Skaal, you might have also heard others speaking of me as the Risen Lord, I'm what scholars call a lich"

Skaadi played the annoyed wife at Skaals comment. "Oh come on husband, where would i exploit something so delicious as that? How about i exploit you on the stretching rack instead?"

Skana was surprised. "Husband? Wife? You two are... ?"

Skaal answered Skanas question. "For 102 years and counting." But directed the spoken word towards his wife again. "Remember what happened last time when we did it on the rack? It broke, half of the room was in pieces and the courtyard was devastated as well. Garan was bickering for weeks how the courtyard he rebuild for the hundredth time was destroyed again."

Skana asked herself if she understood what the two were talking about but decided to introduce herself as well.

"My name is Skana."

But Skaadi and Skaal were already somewhere else in their mind it seemed. Skaal remarked casually. "We get some visitors tomorrow evening, you should rest Skana, let the blood do its work. I have to discuss something with my wife so Ronara will see you to your accommodations. Welcome to Castle Volkihar."

Skana barely suppressed the urge to laugh. She thought a bit about where she got into now, it was a lot better than what happened to her before as dead thrall. "I'm not really used to have something like an own room actually."

Ronara told her." Well then get used to it, or sleep on the ground, nobody here really cares about it that deep, it's not the Blue Palace of Solitude. Now follow me." while she turned around and left the room.

Skana followed Ronara into a large room quite to her surprise. "I actually expected the broom closet." She joked.

Ronara commented very dry on it though and came out with a whole lecture. "You could also go back into the cage if you like, you'll even get the key to it. Basically do what you want, except a few things, don't overfeed on the thralls, you will have to learn how to control your thirst but that's for another day. Don't feed at all on Nei, that's the mistress personal thrall, if you want one, get out there and make one for yourself. And lastly, don't touch Ruin."

Skana just asked. "Ruin?"

"That's the mistress' sword. I'm not sure why she gave a name to it, something about akaviri swordmanship i believe. But since you're wearing that collar i think she wouldn't let you anyway." Ronara replied.

Skana felt awkward at getting reminded of that thing around her neck."Thank you for reminding me of it." but asked. "Say, when Skaal said his wife would exploit it to uhm.., play with me, what exactly did he mean?"

Ronara corrected her. "That's Lord Skaal for you. As for what Mistress Skaadi would do, i don't know, she's very dominant to say the least, she despises weakness and likes carnage, but since the Lord said she wouldn't do you any harm i think it would come down to some sort of amusement for her. Maybe you have to lick her boots or something else.. i don't know. But don't get your hopes up if you're into women, she won't do anything like that with you, the Lord and the Mistress are both loyal to each other."

Skana joked sarcastically. "Too bad, i was looking forward to getting whipped to the heights of arousal." As they both stood infront of a large bed in the room, Skana was surprised. "A bed? I thought vampires use coffins."

Ronara just remarked on what Skana said before. "Oh if you want to get whipped you just need to ask, way i heard it the former Lord of the castle liked it to relax, but i'm not into women so don't ask me and the bed is actually a remnant of a moth priest who once erm.. lived here. If you prefer a coffin, those are downstairs."

The girl baffled Skana with her blunt honesty and directness so she decided to ask. "How old are you? And how on Nirn can someone find it relaxing to get whipped?!"

Ronara looked surprised for a moment but then she brightened up. "I'm 22, or at least i got turned when i was 22, i'm 46 years old now, young even for vampire standards. And you must be even younger, you should know, most vampires handle things like pain a bit different than mortal folks. Something to get the mind off of the thirst sometimes, i for example can only relax when the Mistress scratches my back, gets a bit bloody sometimes though. It's more or less natural for vampires, you'll find that out soon with yourself i'd wager. Now if you excuse me, i'm tired and i want to sleep, it's almost dawn." With those words Ronara went to leave the room.

Skana understood now why Skaal said the courtyard got destroyed when he and his wife had some fun there. She leaned on the balcony in the room and threw a question after Ronara as she was about to leave. "Is it bad? Being a vampire i mean?"

"I enjoy every minute of it." Ronara closed and left the room.

Skana was alone in the room, standing infront of the Bed and spoke to herself. "Never liked beds, I wish they had some furs here to sleep on the ground. I guess either i'm barbaric or just too used to it."

She chuckled to herself."Screw this, old habits die hard." And she laid down on the ground infront of the end of the bed.

She instantly felt tired and thought a bit about what it means to be a vampire and what Ronara has told her, about what the next night brings and for some reason she missed her palefire greatsword.

It was the only thing that was ever really hers in her time of servitude.

She fell into a dreamless sleep, like well-fed vampires like to do at dawn.

Machinations of a Lich - Chapter 2

Bloodlust

Skana turned on her back after a while as she slept through the day, not minding the hard ground she was resting on.

Sleeping like a stone, she didn't notice the heavy footsteps coming closer.

Her mind began slowly to stir when she heard a male voice speaking to her. "No, really. I know vampires can develop odd habits, but i have never seen one sleeping on the ground, what were you actually before you got reanimated?"

Skana awoke, being mildly annoyed to have her first real time of rest in years interrupted. "I only remember I was a bandit chief at some fort somewhere in Skyrim, but those times are over and i don't really care."

As Skana got up she noticed it was Skaal who was talking to her. "I have to admit, you surprise me. Considering what happened to you in the last three years, you seem to take this whole situation with ease."

Skana expected herself to yawn, but her undead body had no such intention. "Should I sit in a corner and drown in sadness until the end of days? I don't think so. I got what others only dream of, albeit through a lot of suffering.."

Skaal said nothing for a few moments on that and Skana used the moment to get up while asking him. "What's with the long face?"

Skaal just stood a while there and stared into the wall before he continued to speak. "I had an apprentice once. Her name was Illia, i'm sure that rings a bell to you. If i hadn't taught her the dead thrall spell, this all would have never happened to you."

Skana didn't really cared about any of that and joked around. "Oh come on, being raped by a daedric lord isn't that bad, although i would've propably enjoyed it if it was Azura or Nocturnal instead of Molag Bal."

Skaal couldn't suppress a slight hint of a smile. "I think i understand what you're getting at. Anyway, good to see that you are unaffected by all this. Now follow me, i want to introduce someone to you and we got something for you."

As Skana began to follow Skaal she remembered something she saw yesterday. "Say, why is Skaadi wearing a collar? She doesn't really appears like a person who would bow to anyone."

Skaal kept walking while he elaborated on the topic. "The former ruler of the castle, Harkon, used it on her. Sort of a way trying to discipline her because she was rather disobedient from what i heard."

"Unfortunately, I was at Saarthal at that time back then, discovering and studying the path towards becoming what i am now. I deeply regret that i never had the chance to annihilate that cretin personally. When Skaadi killed him, the enchantment on the collar entirely ceased to work ." He continued with a grim face.

Skana was surprised. "Why isn't she taking it off then? I mean man or mer wearing a collar is usually a sign for slav-.." She paused abruptly as she noticed what she was about to say and let out a deep-drawn sigh. "That was awkward."

Skaal explained."When i told my wife that it reminds me of a dangerous, leashed animal, she began to saw more my words in it than anything else, she took a liking to those workds and that's why she is still wearing it. And if i may give you some advice, try to forget your collar, eventually you won't even notice it anymore after a while."

Skana played with the iron ring on her collar while she replied. "You have no idea Skaal. I feel it whenever i move, i can't just pretend it isn't there."

Shortly before reaching the main hall of the castle, Skaal turned around and continued the topic. "Ronara propably told you already a bit about the oddities of being a vampire, you could also end up liking it."

Skana still didn't really understand that part of being a vampire yet. "Considering i'm forced to wear it, does it matter if i like it or not? I only experienced bad stuff with it and while Skaadi propably won't break my neck, i'm not exactly looking forward to kiss her boots or whatever she'd have me do."

Skaal advised her as they both went down the stairs into the great hall of the castle. "Skaadi looses interest if the subject is willing, perhaps knowing this helps you."

Skana didn't liked that at all."Oh great... doing it willingly once or doing it a hundred times unwilling, i guess once is better."

As they entered the hall, Skana saw Skaadi talking to another vampire. "just some remnants of the dawnguard, i don't get it myself why they try so hard to reestablish after we almost wiped them out decades ago, i guess they think it's fun to play vampire hunter."

Skaal interrupted the conversion blandly. "Greetings Ylfa, what news to you bring from the holds?"

Skana just stood there hoping Skaadi wouldn't do anything funny.

The two vampire women turned to Skaal and Ylfa eyed Skana. "Greetings Skaal, just some unorganized dawnguard movement in Dawnstar. Considering we've almost destroyed them about 120 years ago i think we can ignore it aslong as they don't start to creep around the castle again. What's this? Does the clan enslave vampires now?"

Skaadi answered Ylfas question. "Oh i forgot to mention our newest addition to the clan. This is Skana, she was a dead thrall before becoming a vampire, hence the bindings and all that. But that magic collar on her is nice, Skaal and I can force her to do anything we want, of course my husband would never do such a thing, but i certainly would, you know it's entertaining."

Ylfa grinned amused."Skana Skaadi Skaal, that's quite the name trio we have here. But i do love new things, so why don't you show me that collar in action Skaadi?"

Skaadi pondered for a second but asked Ylfa instead."Well, what do you suggest to have her do? I could have her kiss Orthjolfs ass, that would be hilarious and i really doubt he would mind it."

Ylfa disagreed though."Nay, not Orthjolf, we can't do that to her, he's the only vampire i ever met who manages to smell like a barrel full of mead"

Skana thought about what Skaal told her a few minutes ago and she certainly would like to avoid situations like this. She raised her arms as if signalizing to surrender. "Yes yes, make fun of the new pet. Whatever you want, should i lick the floor clean of blood or something? I'm thirsty anyway so let's just get this over with."

Skaal apparently told the truth. Skaadi changed the topic. "Well, that would be certainly a less messy way to feed for you. You should've seen that Ylfa, she devoured half of a thrall and barfed it all on the floor afterwards."

Another awkward moment for Skana, but better than licking the floor or worse, Orthjolfs ass, whoever Orthjolf is. "Oh come on, it was my first time and i wasn't in control of myself."

Ylfa took word again although she changed to a more seductive tone."Perhaps someone should be in control of you, so you'd learn to feed properly. Should i show you how to do it? I can teach you many things."

That was enough to make Skana more than just annoyed. She never liked seductive types and the topic isn't making it better. "Perhaps i should teach you what happened to the first person that was in control of me. I ripped her head off with bare hands and i wouldn't mind to do it again, if you catch my meaning."

Ylfa was neither impressed nor intimidated by Skanas words."Oh she's a feisty one, i like her. I think i have a reason to stay at the castle now."

Skaadi didn't really mind. "Be my guest Ylfa, you know where everything is. I think you two will get along just fine."

Skaal who watched the introduction the whole time decided to take the word again. "Now then ladies, let's keep the pleasantries for later, i was actually taking Skana to the armory."

Skaadi just threw in a "I expect a 'thank you' from you later Skana."

Skana was still busy snarling at Ylfa and replied dry."Yeah sure. Whatever you say Skaadi."

Ylfa just kept being amused by Skana. "I bet i can make you smile before the night ends."

Skana turned to follow Skaal and just barked into her Scarf. "What an irritating woman."

Skaal just laughed while he kept walking. "Ylfa isn't irritating Skana, having a discussion with Maera about council-rules, that's irritating. But i hope you'll never see that wretch again."

Skana had no intention of trying to remember what exactly happened back in the Soul Cairn, as she followed Skaal to the armory, Ylfa was keeping her thoughts occupied. "What's with Ylfa? I just met her and it's like she's desperately trying to provocate me."

Skaal noted cheerful. "That's just like her. Don't let it get to your head, she's just probing your personality. Talking of which, what do you think of her?"

Skana didn't really know what to say so she just voiced the first thought that came to her mind."I find her attractive.. and irritating."

The surprised look on Skaals face told Skana that wasn't the answer he had expected. "That's not really what i was asking for but i think i get what you meant with Azura instead of Molag Bal now." Skana was embarassed so she said nothing, but Skaal disarmed the situation, pointing at the weapon rack on the wall."My wife keeps her weapon very dear to herself, like any good warrior should do. I'm sure this blade is familiar to you."

Skana couldn't believe her eyes at first. "But, that's my greatsword! That's my palefire greatsword!"

Skaal elaborated on the weapon. "Palefire greatsword? I guess you could call it that way. When my wife forged it she named it Coldflame. You see, Skaadi is very fond of Akaviri swordmanship and according to history the Akaviri believed a warriors weapon is his soul, so they gave names to their weapons. It's obviously just metaphoric but a warrior has to find meaning in something just like a wizard does in his studies. Skaadi wasn't satisfied with that sword though, so she forged a daedric blade some years afterwards."

Happy to see the blade again, Skana didn't thought of any fancy Akaviri names. She just wanted to have it again. "So when Illia went that day out of the cave, she came here to steal it i guess. Skaadi said i should thank her later, so she'll let me have the sword i take it?"

A simple "That is correct." could be heard from Skaal.

Skana happily fastened the sword on her back, noticing the familiar blue flames of the palefire enchantment."Who created the palefire enchantment actually?"

With a proud tone to his voice Skaal replied. "That was me. Something to counter those pesky dawnguard cretins."

As Skana wanted to say something, commotion could be heard from the main hall of the castle. Skaadi was angrily discussing something with someone, someone with a rather hoarse and raspy voice.

Skaal rushed towards the room exit. "I don't like the sound of that voice."

An odd clothed old Aldmer was standing in the hall, facing a very angry Skaadi with her weapon drawn. "The last Aldmer who annoyed me in these halls lost his limbs before i decapitated him, your chances to leave here intact are getting dangerously slim, Elf!"

Skaal raised his voice."What's the meaning of this intrusion?"

The old elf stayed calm and spoke with his raspy voice. "Lady Skaadi, with respect, all i want is to talk to your husband, i assure you after that i'll be gone, let's not make this a big deal.

Skaadi was seething. "A big deal? You'll shove your bony ass out of my castle or i'll show you that you and my husband aren't the only ones who can transform into something nasty."

The elf seemed to think for a moment, propably choosing his next words very carefully. "I have no intention to ignite a fight in your home, i came here with disturbing news, regarding recent dawnguard activity."

Skana had no idea who the pompous elf infront of her was but Skaal knew him. "Uthrang spare us the formalities, what do you want and why do you intrude in my wifes castle?"

Skaadi had her weapon sheathed again when she noticed Skaal being present. "Husband, you know i can't stomach this clown, i trust you will tell him to leave. Now excuse me, i need to find Nei before i loose my temper." Skaadi hastily left the hall after those words.

"Ah cold and beautiful as always, your wife." As Uthrang laid eyes on Skana his interest seemed to be piqued. "And i see the slave is still accompanying you but what's this? Molag Bal turned her into a vampire eh? Yes that's just like him."

Skana remembered the name Uthrang from that time back in Coldharbour, he was the other Lich, the one who spoke as if he was delusional. Calling her a slave made her rather angry. "I'm no ones slave you wannabe necromancer!"

Skana noticed her temper gets increasingly shorter over time and she tried to suppress her anger.

Skaal seemed to notice it."Calm yourself Skana, don't let those words agitate you."

Skaal turned to Uthrang and spoke sternly."Skana is now a member of the Volkihar clan and you will treat her with the respect she deserves, are we clear on that?"

Uthrang changed to his formal tone once more."Of course, apologies, i meant no disrespect. Now on to the current matter, i'm sure you'll be quite surprised to hear that i've seen the former Dawnguard leader Isran in dawnstar with a few of his troops."

Skaal became slightly annoyed. "That's nonsense, Isran got killed decades ago. And last i remember the Dawnguard doesn't practices necromancy. We are well aware of some unorganized remnants that desperately try to reestablish their old order but Isran is nothing more than dust by now. You're wasting our and your time, i suggest you leave now before i show you the door."

Ylfa took word on the matter. "No wait, this actually makes sense now that he says it, i remember seeing a bunch of dawnguard recieving orders from a bald redguard. When i think about it this could've been Isran, as unlikely it seems."

Skaal turned to Ylfa in disbelief. "How in oblivion would that be possible? Even if we didn't killed him, He would be around 140 years old by now, no mortal man lives that long, especially not if he despises necromancy and vampirism like Isran did."

Uthrang had a throw in again."Yes, like i said it's quite disturbing considering the facts about the Dawnguard."

"Perhaps i should also note, he fights exactly like he did decades ago. I was curious and sent some minions in, he burned them to a crisp with his aura spell. Now that said, i will take my leave, i trust you will handle this accordingly since i have had no real business with the Dawnguard before." Uthrang vanished into a portal.

Skaal turned to Skana and Ylfa. "I hate to admit this, but Uthrang is right, this needs to be investigated. I'd like you two to handle this, it's also a good possibility to get to know each other. And Ylfa, i'm sure Skana noticed it herself by now, her temper grows rather unstable, her body wants to catch up the three years without blood she had in the Soul Cairn, i trust you take care of her. In the meantime, i'll head into the Cairn, i'd like to know how Maera managed to get in there yesterday."

Ylfa faced Skana with a smug grin."Well, you heard the Lord, Looks like i'll get to show you the ropes."

Skana had trouble to handle her mood, Ylfas choice of words didn't made it easier for her either. "I'll show you the tip of my sword if you order me to do anything."

Ylfa put on a playful face. "Only if you want me to order you, that's a difference and some people actually enjoy that."

Skana didn't understand what Ylfa was getting at."Why i would i want to be a slave again? Care to tell me? You're so damn irritating."

Skaal just shook his head. "You should learn to take a hint Skana. Anyway i trust you two can handle a mysteriously reanimated, or whatever happened to him, redguard crusader. Now off with you two."

As Skana and Ylfa made for the exit of the castle, Skana thought about being in a town full of mortal men and mer and hoped for the best."So, my first time as vampire in a town, won't they recognize what we are when they see our eyes? I mean you all have glowing red yes, i think it's safe to assume my eyes look the same."

Ylfa elaborated on that casually."Non-undead are not able to see it, for them our eyes are whatever they were before we became vampires. You only have to watch out for magelight, as it is able to reveal what we are."

It was a wonderful night when they stepped ouf of the castle and went the ramp down to the water. Skana wanted to ask how they will get off the island but discarded the thought when she noticed the small boat ashore.

Ylfa however had a question. "We take the boat there, ...say are you always barefoot?"

Skana would've liked not to answer but moody as she was she couldn't stay silent. "You're doing that on purpose, right? Imagine to wear a pair of boots with those ankle cuffs."

Ylfa just laughed as they both got into the boat and made their way across the water to Dawnstar. Skana preferred to say nothing on the boat trip, she just enjoyed the night.

A few hours later at the shore of Dawnstar Skana took word. "So, where do we start?"

Ylfa just chuckled. "At the inn, you silly. It's the best place to get the newest talk in the town."

Skana eyed every person they passed by with an interested look. This town is full of prey, a giant feast for a vampire. As she stared at a guard a bit too long she heard Ylfa behind her.

"Hey, control yourself, we're not here to trouble the townsfolk."

Skana saw the sign of the inn and steered straight towards it. "Shut up Ylfa, i know what i'm doing."

Ylfa just chuckled to herself again. "I like it when you're so feisty."

Skana wanted to give a matching reply to that as they both entered the inn, but the smell of blood interrupted her.

There was a man lying dead on the floor, covered in his own blood. The man must've died only minutes ago, the smell of blood had a quality to it that made Skana want to sink her fangs into the corpse.

Before Ylfa could throw another funny line at her, Skana spoke first. "I know, I have to control myself."

No funny or sarcastic line this time from Ylfa when she commended Skana. "You didn't jump on the corpse the second you saw it, you're doing good i think."

The short moment of acknowledgment went to waste when the man on the bar counter spoke in a burly voice .

"That man, deserved no better. An innkeeper turning to necromancy to bring his dead wife back to life is just disgusting.."

The bald redguard continued his stern speech as he turned around on the chair. "And here i was thinking to have a drink before i finish off the rest of his family. But i have to wonder since when does vampire scum like you tour the inns of skyrim?

This man knew what they are without even looking at them, Skana and Ylfa were alarmed and drew their weapons.

Ylfa remarked. "This is definitely Isran, i do remember that way of talking, he was even spouting this nonsense while we were impaling him on the gate at Fort Dawnguard."

Getting called 'vampire scum' was exactly what Skana expected to hear from a guy like this. "Good, glad that the formalities are skipped, so i can cleave your ugly bald head."

Isran was hardly impressed at Skanas words and readied a spell. "Ha, i've killed dozens if not hundreds of your kind, you won't be the last i'll kill."

Having formed his aura spell, Isran began to provocate the two vampires. "You won't be able to even touch me, now come let me bash your fangs back into your head with my hammer!"

Skana could feel the aura even from the other side of the inn, it reminded her of her encounter with Auronus. Being remembered of that day where the spear pierced her throat made her hysterical. "No! Not this again, no!"

Ylfa did not realize what was happening at first. "Skana? Hey what's wrong?"

Skana went down on her knees and began to stammer. "Not the spear, please no! I don't want to die again!"

She saw Auronus' iron visage in her mind. The spear rushing towards her throat, everything.

Ylfa tried to help her. "Skana snap out of it, that's his aura spell, you can will it away, all vampires can do that, i can do it and you can do it too! Think of something wonderful, something you'd like to have, something that makes you happy. Just will it away!"

Something snapped in Skanas mind, she heard Ylfas words, to think of something that makes her happy, something she wants...

Something she craves.

Skana looked up at the ceiling of the inn, and began to mutter to herself. "Something i want, something i want, something i want.." she began to laugh silently.

When Skana got up from her knees she kept muttering to herself the same words. "Something that makes me happy... something i want.."

There was worry in her voice when Ylfa asked. "Skana, are you alright?"

Skana began to laugh while repeating the same words over and over again. "It makes me happy, it makes me feel good, it makes me happy..." After staying silent for a few seconds, she fixiated Isran with her eyes. "Yes, you have what makes me happy."

Skana snapped completely, she roared with laughter and began to shout.

"BLOOD MAKES ME HAPPY, GIVE ME YOURS! GIVE ME YOURS!"

Ylfa noticed too late that Skana flew into a frenzy. "No Skana!"

Skana didn't heard Ylfas words and charged straight at Isran roaring like an animal.

Skana did not care for Israns paltry aura, she didn't care how it tried to burn her undead flesh, all she wants was Israns blood.

Ylfa could barely keep up with Skanas speed "Damn girl, you'll kill yourself at this rate!" and Isran was completely overwhelmed for a second, avoiding a fatal attack only by an inch.

Isran parried the second attack, but Skana swung her sword with such force that his hammer almost slipped from his hands when his arms were flung behind his back due to the momentum.

Momentum he used to execute a counter attack.

Skana was acting more out of instinct than anything when she readied herself to parry Israns attack.

Ylfa tried to help Skana but the aura burned her instantly. "Ah damn, i guess you're better in shrugging spells off when you're really angry."

Skana parried Israns attack and disarmed him in the same moment by bashing the hammer out of his hands.

Isran couldn't keep up with Skanas fury but in his own sense of pride he provocated her again. "What? That's it?! Come on give me your best shot, scum!"

Skana intended to oblige, so she kicked him away from the bar counter and raised her sword to cleave Israns head just like she said.

Isran did only laugh and his voice changed slightly. "The next time, I will fight you serious."

Skana didn't care what the redguard kneeling at her feet had to say, she just wanted to sink her sword into that mans skull.

But before she could strike the final blow, a fiery blue explosion emanated from Isran, blowing Skana off her feet against a wooden beam in the inn.

Skana was leaning against the wooden beam she hit when she got flung away by the explosion, disappointed she noticed that Isran was gone.

Ylfa was kneeling next to her, trying to gather strength. "Shors bones, what was that? That guy might looked like Isran, but i didn't remember him doing explosive teleportations when we fought him decades ago."

Skana just snarled at Ylfa, she was angry that Isran or whoever that was is gone. She wanted to cleave his head in half, drinking his blood, using the skull bone as a cup. But then she could hear a person whimpering somewhere in the inn.

Skana immediately jumped on her feet and pointed into a room of the inn. "I hear someone...someone in agony, it's so delightful. I think it comes from that room."

Ylfa could barely stand and complained. "Excuse me i'm still trying to come to terms that we almost got burned to a crisp by a mysterious copy of a long dead crusader."

Skana didn't gave a damn about it, she was still lusting for blood, blood that might be right in range. "I have to find it, i want to feed!"

Ylfa realized Skana isn't done yet with her bloodrage and just stared shocked at her going into the sideroom. "Snap out of it Skana, you have to control it and not let it control you."

Skana refused to hear Ylfas words again and as she saw the person who was whimpering all the time, she was happy. She could finally feed, no one would be able to take the feast from her this time.

As the whimpering woman noticed Skana entering the room, she began to beg her. "Please, help me! This man has killed my father! Just because he wanted to bring Ma back, there's nothing wrong in that isn't ?! Please i need your help!"

Skana did not care for the womans pleas and she just grabbed her throat and lifted her up on her feet. "Do i look like i give a damn about a dead innkeeper?! Or a begging peasant like you?! Huh?! Do i?!" The woman was only able to gargle instead of answering.

Ylfa apparently felt better already when she entered the room. "Skana that is enough."

But Skana became annoyed by those words. "I told you not to order me around Ylfa! Now shut up while i enjoy this."

Before Ylfa could react, Skana bent the womans head to the right and sunk her fangs into her neck.

Skana savored every drop of blood she drained from her victim, the feast she had waited for so long finally found its way to her. Skana accidently enthralled her as she greedily drained the womans veins, the woman was in a trance like state, muttering something to herself. "I.. must be ...in sovngarde.... ah this feels so... wonderful."

This didn't go fast enough for Skana, she wanted all of her blood, in an instant, now. "I want it all!" Skana shouted while she ripped the womans head off her neck.

Skana marveled at the blood splattering everywhere. "Yes! More! Give me more!"

As Skana turned around to Ylfa she snarled, showing her fangs. "I want more, there is more in this town, i want it all!"

Ylfa tried to talk Skana out of it, but Skana was drunk on blood and she wanted more. "Skana i urge you to stop it, you'll get addicted and turn feral if you continue this!"

Skana aimed for the room exit, she wanted to introduce herself to Dawnstar. "Shut up, you're irritating as usual!"

Ylfa grabbed Skana from behind and stopped her, Skana was protesting. "Let me go, or i'll swear i kill you!"

Ylfa just held Skana closer to herself."I could bite your neck, right here and now and steal all that that blood you just had. I'm also thirsty, but that doesn't mean i will actually do it. I was in the same state a century ago i know what i'm talking about Skana, if you want to survive, you have to restrain yourself or else you'll go insane at this rate."

Skanas mind jumped into different directions, never finishing a thought, except one. Ylfa seemed to care for her.

This was enough to bring Skanas mind back to reality and she relaxed in Ylfas grasp.

"It's alright, i'm myself again...and thank you."

Ylfa turned Skana around. "Let me have a look at your face." After a few embarassing seconds for Skana, she added."That beautiful face of yours suits you better than the bloodthirsty grimace you just had. How about i'll distract you a bit from that bloodthirst when we're back at the castle?"

Skana was perplexed, she knew what Ylfa meant but the straightforwardness surprised her. She remembered what Ronara told her about getting the mind off of the thirst before she tentatively accepted Ylfas proposal. "I think it couldn't hurt to try."

As Ylfa released her from her grasp, Skana tried to get the situation sorted in her mind. It was a bit embarrassing but for some reason she enjoyed the thought that Ylfa cared for her, but there were more urgent matters. "In any case, we should get back and tell Skaal about what happened here. I'm sure he might have an idea what this Isran imitation was."

Skana said nothing on the way back to the boat, but Ylfa seemed to know what was going on in her mind. "Hey, no need to be so shy. Where's the feisty woman i met at the castle a few hours ago?"

There was no need to be embarrassed or shy, after all Skana deems herself more barbaric than civilized."Oh well, get your ass into the boat and start to row, while i enjoy the night."

Ylfa replied with glee. "That's much better."

Skana couldn't help herself, in the end Ylfa was right, she made her smile before the night has ended.

Machinations of a Lich - Chapter 5

At the end of Time

Skana wasn't surprised to find herself immediately at Labyrinthian when she stepped out of Illias cave. She did not care if it was the eye who brought her there or if it was an effect of the reality collapse, all she cared for was getting into the Soul Cairn to remedy what Jyggalag had done. The sky above Shalidors Maze looked very much like the one in the Soul Cairn already, Skana knew there wasn't much time left anymore.

Not knowing what would await her she drew her sword and kept it ready on her shoulder as she went further into the maze.

Or what was left of it. Skana did not know how this place looked before from the inside, but she was sure nobody would build only one half of a labyrinth somewhere and put order crystals next to it. No, she was at the very rift where this reality connected to the Soul Cairn, Maera did not lie.

She stopped abruptly, noticing someone familiar infront of her.

"I should have known that cowardly bitch of a revenant would make you show up here." Skana snarled.

The lich was unfazed by Skanas words and his hoarse voice could be heard. "I am surprised you recognize me in this form, there could've been a possibility i was the one you know as Skaal. It must be the eye, i saw it through the scroll." he closed analytically, but not hostile.

Skana was too much in a hurry to ask herself about details, all she knew is Uthrang was infront of her, she would fight him, even destroy him if she must, there was no time for Uthrangs delusional bickering. She stepped up towards the lich, gesturing to threaten him. "Get ouf of my way Uthrang, i don't have the time to deal with you, but Shor help me i will if you force my hand. Your stupid game of power has doomed all of mundus and my life or what was left of it!"

Uthrang didn't move a finger as he spoke."You misunderstand, i am not the Uthrang from your reality, please forgive me i didn't mean to irritate. I know of this reality and how it is just a fake. I have waited for you and you came, as my elder scroll had foretold. It also showed me what the real me had done. Even if i am not the original, it shames me deeply."

After blinking perplexed for a few seconds at this realitys Uthrang, Skana sheathed her sword, she was ready to draw it anew though as something was still unclear. "And Maera? She is the same as her original."

Uthrang shook his head, before he continued in a sad tone. "Maera...she was my wife in this artificial reality. She died of disease and i sought to be together with her once more. When i achieved undeath and the means to reanimate her, i did. But undeath changed her, her mind grew chaotic and all she cared for was causing strife and suffering. The undead council crowned me for achieving undeath on my own and we sought to remedy my mistake but my former wife eluded us so far."

Skana was surprised at the story this Uthrang tells and the few similarities she sees in them. "So you're the equivalent of Skaal in this reality, wife excluded... and the undead council, the coldharbour council."

After shaking her head she added;"Gods, this is such a mess."

Uthrang emanated an etheral laugh, it sounded bitter but firm. "I don't know the details, but it certainly is a mess. I am well aware that this reality is insignificant, since i found the elder scroll. It is all an illusion, my past, my wife, everything. My wisdom is above my desires, so for the sake of mundus, this must end.

As he continued to speak the lichs voice hardened. "I know you seek entrance into the Soul Cairn, the very core of this dimensional atrocity. I don't know how you will undo this disaster, but since an elder scroll allowed itself to be found, i refuse to believe that mundus will end. Creation itself is involved in this and it has choosen you to enact its will. I will open a portal to grant you entrance, this is the role given to me by the scroll, the rest is up to you, girl."

Uthrang did exactly that, he opened a portal directly into the dimensional wall that halved Shalidors Maze like a barely visible giant sword resting on it.

Skana immediately went towards the portal.

Skana stopped, one foot already in the portal, waving with her sword. "It's a shame you're not the original, i hope your soul finds its place once everything is how it should be again, given that i can do it."

Uthrang laughed almost as if happy."This dimension will collapse in mere seconds, i can feel it. But I have no doubts of your success, creation itself is with you. Now go, before it is too late!"

Skana thought about how little this Uthrang knew what was with her and how brave he faced his end as she stepped through the portal. If only the real Uthrang would be like that. This all would have never happened.

Skana found herself at the entrance to the boneyard, she was relieved not to have to travel through half of the cairn, time was of the essence, she discared the thought that Jyggalag was not aware of what she was doing.

She entered the boneyard, it was as if all just happened yesterday. The crystal was still there, holding Skaadi and Skaal. The eye floating next to it, inert. It wasn't rotating like it used to.

With one exception. Skana was shocked when she saw Ylfa nowhere around. She stopped in her steps as she remembered being imprisoned here for 3 years, a feral Ylfa would be more than she could take, even with the other eye of magnus in her posession, this would not be sufficient to shield her from her own emotions.

If her heart would still be beating, Skana was sure it would've stopped now. As the fog on the ground shifted she saw Ylfa lying there. Through the eye she was able to sense that Ylfa wasn't gone yet. Just unconscious.

Skana began to wonder how much time must have passed in the Cairn since Jyggalags appearance, as she did not fall unconscious with 3 years without blood. The sight relieved her though, her fear that Ylfa would roam the boneyard as feral vampire, attacking her, did not happen.

"She is just unconscious." Skana tried to calm herself.

Not being able to bear the sight, Skana passed Ylfa with closed eyes. "This will all be over and we'll have a day or two just for us, i promise, Ylfa. I still have to tell you something." she spoke on the verge of weeping.

As Skana steered towards the center of the boneyard, she remembered the words from the being in the void. She had to find the spear.

The spear was still there. All the time, untouched by Skaals devastating spell. Skana did not know how the spear was still intact after being subjected to magna-ge magic, but she did not care as it was only important that the weapon was still there.

The closer she got the more foreign the spear occured to her, she never had a weapon of daedric craftmanship in her hands, a spear even less. Skana felt the weapon was inert however, whatever magic once resided in it was long gone.

As she picked the weapon up, she remembered the feeling of it when it pierced her throat back in the solitude catacombs. The magic being discharged into her body. And she understood why the being in the void told her to use it. Daedric or not, it was propably the only weapon capable of withstanding magna-ge magic surging through it long enough to use it.

A strange feeling overcame her as she was holding the daedric spear. It was as if she once stood here already with the spear in her hand, fighting someone. Something. It was a dwindling feeling, but she noticed the eyes were reaching out for each other. She had to shatter the crystal.

Skana focused herself, trying to grasp the concepts of magic, she knew the eye would grant her the wisdom, wisdom that would never leave her again. Magicka surrounded her, seeking its way from her body to the spear, ready to reshape a small fraction of reality. The order crystal.

She approached the crystal, eyeing it critically, trying to figure out where to hit. It did not matter. She could feel the other eye trying harder to resonate to hers, it was almost overwhelming. "Alright, here goes." She swung the spear at full force, with a war cry only a nord could perform, against the order crystal.

The magna-ge magic discharged in a thunderous blast, the released magicka itself was so powerful, a screeching sound halled through the boneyard, much like the spell Skaal had cast in his duel with the auroran.

The spear disintegrated in Skanas hands and everything became bright and blurry. She could literally feel reality being changed, the crystal began to disappear.

The sky in the Soul Cairn flashed briefly red. Skana knew, Jyggalag was on his way. He must have felt the crystal being unmade.

Skana went on her knees as the magicka of the eye surged back into her body, grunting in exhaustion and surprise. "There's still magicka left after this?!" Happyness overcame her though as she noticed Skaadi and Skaal standing infront of her.

She almost jumped up after the magicka was done surging into her, gesturing agitated, speaking to Skaal and Skaadi. "You have no damn idea what i just went through!"

Skaadi just shook her head at Skana. "Oh trust me we do, we could see all through Skaals eye when we were in that crystal and what the other eye saw in the void, this was just.. weird."

Skaal eyed her with a serious look on his face. "Skana, remind me when this is all over to buy every hat in skyrim so i can tip it to you. We did not know what you all went through before you came to join the clan, even if this was in a different reality. You went through it twice and you're still yourself. I can only admire that."

Skaadi spoke calm, almost sounding prepared for something. "Skaal and i both know what will happen. You better summon your friend from the void. Can't say i like what will happen though."

Skaal didn't sound troubled either, just like his wife. "Indeed. I would explain it all to you, but that isn't necessary, the eyes will resonate in a few seconds and you will know it all. Unfortunately i can't help. I have to admit, this is something only you can do right now, i'm not good with swords and the eyes resonate to you and only you right now. It is the will of Magnus."

Skana wanted to say something, ask the whys and hows. But when the eyes began to resonate, she was just standing there as in trance, she saw it all. 14 years passed in the Soul Cairn, Mundus is gone. Only the daedric planes where still there and she could see them all. Every daedra lord watching her with interest or amusement.

Sanguine was having a party and held a toast to her, raising a glass on a table with his followers reveling.

Vaermina stared at her from her nightmare realm, menacing with a glint of hatred that wasn't directed at her.

Azura was striding through the flowered fields of Moonshadow bowing graciously to her.

Boethia was sitting on his snake mount, with a smug smile, expecting Jyggalags plot will get foiled.

Clavicus Vile who was having an argument with his better half Barbas, turning to her applauding in anticipation.

Hermaeus Mora who stared at her greedily with his many eyes, intending to learn everything he can about what will happen.

Hircine who was standing on one of the many high hills of his hunting grounds, howling her name together with his were-beasts.

Malacath who eyed her with a stern look, letting out a warcry, cursing Jyggalags name, that halled through his Ashpit.

Mephala was sitting on a giant spider web with her spider daedra, ridiculing Jyggalag for being blind to Skanas doings, letting her act in complete secrecy.

Namira with her ever rotting and repulsive face, who was simply smiling at Skana.

Nocturnal who was wishing her luck from her dark realm Evergloam.

Peryite who was sitting on a volcano in the Pits, expressing his dislike for Jyggalags form of order with a massive roar of his dragonic throat.

Sheogorath sitting on his double colored throne, who was balancing a giant cheese wheel on his staff, winking at her.

Mehrunes Dagon who was striding through the Deadlands with his towering 4 armed body, commending her for her ambition to fight Jyggalag.

Meridia who was throwing a tantrum in her colored rooms, being annoyed about the last survivors of Nirn being undead.

Molag Bal in Coldharbour, who was threatening her not to fail, making a gesture at his neck, reminding Skana of her collar.

And Jyggalag, who was striding through the void, closing in on the Soul Cairn rapidly, speechless, like a mindless machine set on a single target.

The sight of Jyggalag brought her out of the all-seeing vision the eyes granted her, she knew it was only a matter of minutes until Jyggalag was here, almost commanding Skaadi and Skaal, her resolve hardened. "Go to Ylfa, I'll summon our friend and pray to the gods he is able to help!"

Skaal nodded at Skana at went together with Skaadi to the unconscious vampire.

Skana was focusing the infinite magicka of both eyes into herself. The eyes made her realize, this was no simple conjuration spell like one would summon an atronach, it was conjuration of the highest form, to pull something out of the void by sheer willpower. To force the void to give something up.

As she focused, the feeling of remembering something, overcame her again, this time clear. She saw herself holding the daedric spear, pointing it at a several thousands of undead, striding through battlefields on different planes as a warlord.

She was unsciously yelling the oath, the shades in the corrupted temple were throwing at her.

"He swore! To serve!"

Pointing her sword downwards, concentrating the magicka into the tip of her pale fire greatsword carefully enough not to disintegrate it, she continued to recite, yelling the next words through the Cairn, her voice was accompanied by an otherworldly echo.

"He died! He prayed!"

Finishing to recite she thrusted the sword into the ground of the boneyard, yelling the final words.

"BETRAYED BY HIS LORD VENGEANCE HE SWORE!"

Palefire was surrounding her suddenly.

The palefire gathered around her, enclosing her in a bright shell of light, the memories occured again. She saw herself looking up to a woman, surrounded by a golden shine, expecting something, but the woman simply turned away with a dismissive gesture.

It felt as if the magic was nearly crushing her, it was impossible for her undead body but for some reason she could feel the fire was cold, she was almost freezing. She saw herself again, cleaving a vampire lord in half with the daedric spear, the woman was watching again and turned once more away with a dismissive gesture, she saw herself bowing to the woman, the spear clenched in her fist.

The palefire began to disperse and Skana suddenly realized, those weren't her memories. Those were the memories of someone else. Someone who served faithfully and never got a sign of acknowledgment.

The illusionary feeling of cold disappeared in the blink of an eye and the palefire was once again surrounding her, loose flames dancing in circles. Another memory surfaced, she shaw herself dying, being torn apart by a powerful spell, trying to comprehend unusual ways of thinking and coming to the conclusion, she got betrayed. No, the being those memories belonged to got betrayed.

Skana sheathed her word on her back, waiting for what happens next.

The blue dancing flames began to concentrate on a single spot on the ground and a slow, monstrous, distorted, metallic and echoing voice could be heard. "I swore to serve my lord faithfully. I did so for aeons." And a giant skeletal helmeted head appeared belonging to what was stepping out of the palefire on the ground, slowly.

The towering undead figure kept speaking as it emerged from the flames. "When i died, i prayed for acknowledgement, being honored by my lord as i had fulfilled my sworn oath to her."

As the colossal undead warrior was standing in his full height infront of Skana, being summoned completely, it closed. "I felt betrayed for serving for aeons but never getting a single word or gesture of honor from her, she always dismissed me and all the others as if blind servitude was a certainty. In my final seconds i swore vengeance to her, i would return as what she hates most, her greatest champion becoming undead."

The skeletal warrior paused for a moment before he continued with an iron voice. "Once, my name was Auronus. Champion of Meridia, Warlord of Dawn. I cast off those petty titles for i am so much more now. I dwelled in the void for centuries when i got nearly defeated here in the Soul Cairn. A true lord would never let his knights die. I renounce Meridia, i renounce my titles, i renounce the dawn. I pledge to oppose every of her actions in any way possible, furthermore, you who have summoned me, i pledge myself to you, i will annihilate all who would oppose you or cripple them, dying to try if my might is insufficient."

Skana couldn't believe her ears and eyes, she was staring at the now undead Auronus for seconds before she could speak. "That's..entirely unexpected." after a short moment she regained her composure, asking;"And you can stop Jyggalag?"

Auronus looked down to Skana with his blue burning eyes. "No, that i cannot, but i think you can. You know Nirn is gone. The collapse will expand and consume all daedric planes until it reaches Aetherius. Jyggalag will attempt to level the Soul Cairn himself due to your presence, you are a thorn in his side. When he does that, i will bind myself to him and banish you and him into the Void. I don't know what will happen to me or your friends but this will rob Jyggalag of a tremendous amount of his power when he annihilates the Soul Cairn. His might will be that of a dremora lord. You must defeat him, you bear the eyes, i don't know if that is enough to destroy him permanently in this state, but it is the only chance you have."

Skana could not hide the skepticism in her voice. "I hope this works. Because if not, there won't be a chance for you to oppose anything anymore, Auronus."

Auronus was sure of himself."The void teaches rarely, but it teaches well if it does, Jyggalag will not be able to resist me binding myself to him."

As silently and out of nowhere like the first time, Jyggalag appeared, the same pose as before, his metallic bellowing voice could be heard. "Your resistance and actions are illogical. I will make sure to unmake this plane personally and with it, you will cease to exist."

A kind of pressure could be felt in the Soul Cairn, increasing in intensity every second. It was Jyggalag, unmaking the Soul Cairn through his will. "There is only perfect order where nothing exists. The only logical course of action is to return Mundus to nothingness."

Skana looked up to the giant daedra lord, she was annoyed by Jyggalags blabbering of logic and order, throwing a snide comment."Wonderful, can you at least end the world without talking all this nonsense? Even Sheogorath makes more sense than you do, besides, I think my friend here wants to tell you something."

Auronus took word, his voice did not contain the friendlyness he adressed Skana with when he adressed Jyggalag. "Your logic and order are delusions of your own daedric personality Jyggalag. None of the others welcome you on their planes, you even got cursed with madness once, but it appears that wasn't enough. The byproduct of that was the only good thing you have ever contributed to Mundus. You would deny it, but behind all that order and deduction you embody, lies arrogance enough to fill Aetherius with it to the brim. And that will be your downfall."

Jyggalag was completely unimpressed by Auronus speech. "The former auroran known as Auronus. You are one of the most illogical beings i have seen. A daedra becoming undead was never planned by the creation. If i would waste myself on something so irrelevant as celebration, i would celebrate annihilating you together with the rest of Mundus."

Skana could hear Auronus laughing with his distorted voice. "We have played for enough time, at this point you're unable to stop the destruction of this plane. Creativity was never your strong side Jyggalag, this serves as your disadvantage." Auronus opened his jaw and a stream of lightning came out of it, directed at Jyggalags face.

Auronus magic hit the daedra lord. Binding himself to Jyggalag, he commented snide. "I am afraid a large part of you will go together with the Soul Cairn."

Jyggalag acting like his personality just replied. "Of course."

The hole in the sky of the Soul Cairn became increasingly larger and Skana realized it's the void closing into the plane, the Soul Cairn would be gone in mere seconds. She thought about Skaal and Skaadi who were at Ylfa and watching. Skana did not know if Ylfa woke up or not, or if she would see them again. The thought of loosing everything did not make her sad, it infuriated her. She did not know if even if she defeated Jyggalag, Mundus would be restored or not. But she wanted to cut him into as many pieces as possible and crush his animus, that was certain.

She could hear Auronus as everything darkened rapidly, the Soul Cairns existence came to an end. "Here it comes."

Skana found herself back in the void, where she met the apparition of Auronus before. She tried to think about how to restore Mundus, and if it would be possible at all. Everything she knows is gone now, there was nothing left, only herself and Jyggalag.

Jyggalag was standing right infront of her in his usual pose. Even that infuriated Skana. It was as if Jyggalag would literally view himself as the judge of everything. It made her mad.

The daedra lord didn't made a move to attack. Instead he commented. "I always thought undead to be a crime comitted by Molag Bal. It is a miracle to me how something can be undead when death is something absolute for mortals. Your kind defies every logic."

Skana drew her palefire great sword. Hell-bent on destroying Jyggalag. "Wonder all you like with that rusted iron brain of yours, in the meantime i will cut you into pieces before i destroy your animus."

Jyggalag took a deep long breath, as if he required to breathe before he spoke.

"In fact, you will be the last of your kind... for a few moments." and pointed his sword at Skana.

Skana was angry, left with nothing. Jyggalag took it all from her. She swore to herself she would destroy Jyggalag, no matter to cost. She glared at her daedric opponent as she took an offensive stance, her resolve was adamantine.

"Let's see if a daedra lord can bleed!"