Chapter 47 -- Cold Skin, Dead Heart
*****
I enjoyed at least a few weeks of peace at the College with my three girls, and it wasn't the continuous fuck-fest you may imagine. Not saying we didn't make love, fuck or even enjoy some group sex at times, but once Mirabelle let Aela know her true feelings on the matters, Aela never raised it again, while Lydia found herself as part of our little foursome very quickly.
And I managed to stave off the boredom mostly. When Mirabelle was busy working, I'd head out and explore the area. I found a few shipwrecks along the coast and felt like an adventurer once again. Aela and Lydia would occasionally join me, and on the rare occasion, we'd find ourselves finding a nice little treasure trove of goodies. We always went armed, as more than once, we'd stumble across a bandit camp that required clearing. We also found other camps that had already been wiped out, figuring it was down to fellow bandits or possibly the Companions.
Aela and I would also go hunting occasionally, though the bleak snow landscapes didn't offer all that much. We'd find the occasional cave, though we were always careful entering those. I could tackle most things but neither of us wanted to wander into a bear pit.
As for Lydia, she surprised me by really focusing on developing her magical talents. When I asked her why, she was suddenly shy before admitting she was learning so, if the worst ever happen, that is I was injured, she could at least heal me before I received medical treatment. Plus, she admitted to enjoying learning magic, and her teachers were full of praise when I asked about her progress.
But I knew it wouldn't last. Not that anything bad was going to happen, but my fate did not rest in my hands, and I knew that, one day, I'd end up being dragged away again.
It happened one afternoon. I was enjoying some alone time with Lydia. She was on all fours, just the way she liked it, while I was fucked her hard from behind. When we were alone together, we would mix up what we did. Sometimes it would soft and tender, other times it was a hard, fast fuck. We agreed that we both liked anal, but I would leave it up to her to decide what she wanted, as I was happy either way. Today, she was getting fucked hard in the arse.
Lydia lowered her head down as I really started to drive into her. She would grunt, groan and moan the entire time, but loved every second, particularly when I leaned forward and started to mention rude things into her ear. She was always very agreeable while I pounded her arse.
"Well, I should have expected this," I heard Mirabelle state, feeling her sit on the bed next to me, giving me then Lydia a kiss on the cheek. "Is it good, Lydia?"
"By Ysmir, Miri, you should try it sometime..."
I glanced at Mirabelle, who smiled at me. "Occasionally, I'll see him do this, and a small part of me thinks 'Gods, I'd love him to just pin me down like you and absolutely fuck me'. But, as I said, a small part. I've enjoyed him in my arse more than once now, but what he does with you is... something else."
Leaned across to kiss her. "And you know I loved making love to you like that. What Lydia and I do..." I stopped talking as I gave her a few hard, slow thrusts, "Well, it is different."
"Anyway, I don't mean to interrupt, but a letter has arrived, Ragnar. Wanted you to know now as it's from the Dawnguard."
That brought my fucking to a halt. "Know what it says?"
"Of course not, Ragnar. It's your letter. It's on the dinner table for when you're finished here."
"Want to join in?" Lydia asked, able to speak since I wasn't moving.
"No, you two have fun. Let me know what the letter states, Ragnar. I have a feeling..."
"Aye, I'll probably be leaving soon." All Mirabelle did was kiss my cheek before leaving. Turning my attention back to Lydia, I leaned forward and kissed her cheek. "Nearly had enough?"
"Aye, my arse is feeling a little tender now. Need to cum?"
"I'm close. Where would you like it?"
"On my face this time."
So I pulled out as Lydia got on her knees and started to please me. She knew how to bring me off quickly, and within a matter of minutes I left a load on her face. She enjoyed that, lying back, giggling away, as I cleaned myself up before grabbing the letter from the dinner table.
It was as I expected. Isran wished for me to return to Fort Dawnguard as soon as possible as he had a task apparently only the Dragonborn could complete. For some reason, he asked for me to come alone, explicitly stating not to bring anyone else. I wondered why, but I figured Aela and Lydia would be happy to remain anyway.
I told the three of them over dinner. Mirabelle expected it so didn't get upset. I think Aela was miffed about not being invited. Lydia was adamant about joining me no matter what before I suggested she should just do the letter stated. She wasn't happy but agreed to my request.
Not wanting to hang around, as I'd never end up leaving, I departed the next morning, my three girls joining me as I packed the bag onto my horse before I cuddled Lydia first, who whispered that her arse was still sore after the day before, Aela, who told me to be safe and return, before finally Mirabelle, who simply said that she loved me. Grabbing the reins, I led my horse across the bridge before mounting up to begin the long journey south.
I was tempted to visit Riften before heading to the fort, perhaps to see an old friend, but I knew that would be opening old wounds, so although I rode towards the gate, I eventually turned off and headed to the fort. Perhaps one day I would drop in, though hopefully she has found someone by now.
A stable had been built near the fort where I could leave my horse, so after leaving it safe and sound, I headed into the fort, finding Isran in the practice room. I didn't announce myself, simply watching him work, impressed with his technique, before he finally sensed my presence. "Ah, Dragonborn. Good of you to come so quickly."
"Well, your letter sounded urgent so I figured I'd leave immediately."
Grabbing a cloth, he wiped his face before I followed him into the dining hall, a tankard each placed in front of us by one of the servants. He took a sip before continuing. "I know it sounded like an odd request but there is a reason why. I received a letter from Solitude two weeks ago, asking for you specifically."
"Oh, what for?"
"Apparently there is a vampire problem and they asked for you specifically. And only you."
"Why?"
Isran shrugged. "No idea but the letter was explicit. Send only the Dragonborn. Considering where the letter has come from, I guess it's either General Tullius or Jarl Elisif who has made the request. It had both their signatures on it."
"Guess I should leave soon then."
"Aye. Rest up tonight and get there as soon as you can. No idea how urgent it is." Before I could get up, he did state, "Your friend Delphine has been around recently."
"What makes you mention that?" I wondered.
"Well, it's clear there's been a falling out since she's only working by herself nowadays. I haven't questioned her as to what happened but she's been rather moody whenever she returns."
"Where is she now?"
"She has no real mission so she's out hunting for vampires or is working for that group I knows she is with. Far as I know, anyway. Care to share what happened, because from what I remember, you were rather friendly, including your other friend, Lydia."
"She requested me to perform an action I would not consider doing. She chose to end our relationship because of my refusal. I hold no real ill feeling towards her though the same cannot be said for others. I simply won't do what she asked. She chose to walk away."
"Well, as long as it doesn't affect what we're trying to do here."
"It won't. I just don't think we'll work alongside each other very often from now on."
That satisfied him and he left me to it. I joined the rest for dinner later that evening before retiring to a spare room. Isran and the rest had been busy as the fort now looked lived in, at least, and from the new faces at the dinner table, they'd certainly been recruiting. I hadn't heard of too many vampire attacks, but I had a feeling they attacked people outside of cities. Far easier to grab the lone traveller than attempt to grab someone behind city walls.
I departed the next morning, looking over a map to figure out the best route to Solitude. Which route I did take, it would be one hell of a ride, ensuring I had a tent as I figured I'd be camping for at least two nights. Travelling by myself wasn't a big problem. Sure, I missed my girls at times, but when I was in the middle of nowhere with just my tent and a campfire, able to gaze upon the night sky, it was those brief moments that I actually felt a sense of peace. And now that I was cured, I was certainly sleeping like a log. Never realised how interrupted my sleep was until the night after I was cured.
Approaching Solitude three days after I'd left Riften, I stabled my horse as usual before heading inside. Compared to Whiterun, the capital was a hive of activity, needing to thread my way through the marketplace, ever so crowded with people wanting to buy fresh produce. The path towards the Blue Palace was a little quieter, at least, though there was plenty of noise coming out of the Bards College.
Walking into the Blue Palace, a guard asked me to hand over any weapons, giving him my sword, dagger and shield, before I was led upstairs. "Who are you?" I was then asked.
"Ragnar Dragonborn. I believe I'm expected."
"Ah, yes. Sybille Stentor wishes to see you. She is currently in her quarters upstairs. Go left once at the top, then it's the third door."
Knocking on the door, I waited for it to be opened. It eventually was. "Who are you?" she asked.
