Chapter Thirty One

Inigo snarled, shielding Gaeolin from the battlemage before them. “My friend is no beast! If you dare to attack him, you will not live to regret it.” Gaeolin winced as he pushed himself off of the floor. Dirt and stones stabbed at his open blistered palms. His eyes watered, for the first time since turning, he felt pain. Auroth looked at him, his sharp eyes thoughtful.

“You look young. Too young to have been dead long. Or maybe it’s simply that you’ve fed. What is your name, vampire?”

“He is Gaeolin of Woodhearth; Thane of Whiterun, Apprentice of the Greybeards, and Dragonborn.” Inigo never lowered his guard. 

Auroth stepped into the light, his hammer doubling as a support as he leaned on it. “An impressive array of titles for an undead.” The light now exposed his face completely. He was Altmer, his skin a faint yellow that seemed golden in the firelight. His hair was spiked, reminding the pair of them almost of an Argonian’s plumage. “So you won’t speak for yourself then? Content to cower behind your slave?” His lip curled in a sneer. Gaeolin noticed the scars on his face, grimacing to himself at the old wounds. Inigo once again addressed the stranger, his voice low and dangerous.

“I am no one’s slave, High Elf! Gaeolin is my most trusted friend. If you wish to hear our tale, it will have to be from me. He is suffering the effects of powerful magic that has silenced him. Please, sit with us and hear us out.” Auroth peered at Gaeolin, receiving a pleading stare from the muted Bosmer. 

“You kill my men, and expect me to trust you?” He lowered his guard a little despite his words. “How do I know this isn’t a ploy to catch me in a false sense of security?”

Inigo sheathed his weapon. “Because if we wanted to, magic or not, we could have killed you by now. Have a seat, and let us try to explain ourselves.” Auroth considered, nodding as he sat with them around the fire.

To his credit, their new acquaintance was true to his word. He listened with rapt attention as Inigo recounted their journeys over the past several months. Gaeolin watched him carefully, nervous at even the slightest movement of his fingers. His trust was non-existent with this man. That spell was powerful… He thought to himself. He’s either a dangerous rogue mage, or something worse. He looked at Auroth’s armor, seeing no emblems or lettering. It seemed to be crude steel plate, of the type most nords would use. He looked to Inigo as he finished up the story.

“And now we are on the run, trying to avoid the guards that are no doubt on the lookout for a vampire.” Inigo inspected a stone he had been holding. “I know Gaeolin did not mean for this to happen, and I know he is still good,” he looked to his companion, “but I think it is time we looked into something to help deal with this curse.”

Auroth stared into the fire. “You two have been through quite a lot.” He turned to Gaeolin, his sneer softening to more of a frown. “I’m sorry. I wouldn’t have attacked you if I had known.”

“You only did what we would have done in your position.” Inigo replied. “When it comes to the undead, I generally kill first, and ask questions never.” 

“You’ve obviously altered your mindset for the current situation.”

Inigo nodded. “I know him. I’m not happy with his condition, but see that he’s as much a victim in this as anyone.”

Auroth cracked what might have been a smile. “But what makes you think other vampires weren’t equally as victimized? I’ve never met a single vampire that chose that path.” 

“Well… I suppose there is some truth to that. If that’s how you feel, why was your first response to Gaeolin casting a spell to harm him?”

“Just because I feel for a vampire doesn’t mean I’m prepared to let one attack me and kill me. I learned from past exposure that vampires are not to be underestimated.” Auroth turned to Gaeolin. “Have you thought of getting cured? I know a man in Morthal who is very knowledgeable about the undead who can help.”

Gaeolin stared into the fire. Sure, he wanted a cure. But there was something to be said for the tactical benefits of vampirism. He could go undetected with ease, kill enemies with but a twist of his wrist. He could exert his will on some, precluding the need to kill altogether. But he could not deny the guilt that tormented him. His nose rested on the back of his glove while he continued to ponder the idea. 

“Perhaps it would be better to ask again, when he’s thought on the matter.” Inigo turned to Auroth. “So, what is your story? What brought you to this cave in the rift?”

Auroth leaned against the stone wall of the cave. “My story isn’t quite as grand as yours. You might expect more from so close to two centuries of experience, but I have to disappoint.  I’ve traveled far and wide. I find myself more ready to be in the company of brigands and thieves. Their aims, if nothing else, are generally obvious. Other than that, I feel I’m of little consequence.” He eyes the corpses of his comrades with little more than an expression of irritation. “It will be a pain to recruit again. The three of us had a decent strategy and understanding. I can’t really fold into local life with the racism still burning strong.” Gaeolin scooted closer to the fire, gesturing to himself and Inigo in an inviting way. “What? Travel with you? You eat my associates, then ask me to trust you to not do the same to me given the chance?” He smirked in a cruel way. “My brethren may be arrogant enough to tempt fate with the undead,  but not me. Tell me, Gaeolin…” He removed from his purse a small, purple crystal. “In place of blind trust,  would you enter into a more binding contract?”

Inigo inspected the gem. “A soul gem? What use is that for a contract?”

Auroth twirled the lacrima in his fingers. “A soul contract is a spell that binds the terms to the souls of the parties involved. My terms would in this case be that he would not feed on me, nor attempt to turn me or enthrall me. I am open to some concession on his part.  Once an agreement is struck, we both would undergo a partial soul trap to seal it. Afterwards, until the contract is absolved, an infraction on either side would kill us both, forfeiting our spirits to the Ideal Masters.” He turned to Gaeolin. “What manner of power makes him mute?”

“We were attacked by a dragon to the northwest. It shouted, using words neither of us had heard before.” Inigo looked to his friend with pity. “He hasn’t spoken since.” Auroth closed his eyes, opening them after a moment to look at Gaeolin. 

“Tinvaak, Dovahkiin.” Gaeolin’s face betrayed his surprise as the thu’um hit his chest. The words left a tingle on the back of his neck. It wasn’t as strong as when he learned shouts, but it was as strong as Arngeir’s voice. “Try to speak. I’m not promising it worked, but it’s worth an attempt.”

“It worked… thank you…” Gaeolin’s voice cracked a little. It was softer than usual, but the mere ability to communicate was a comfort. “If it will ease your conscience, I’ll accept the contract.”

Auroth held out his hand, taking Gaeolin’s as he placed the gem between them. A purple glow stretched from their hands, shimmering up their arms as he began to speak. “Masters of  the Soul Cairn, witness our contract and bond our souls to our honor. I will travel with this Bosmer and his companion, doing them no harm. My hammer will defend them, and my magic will aid them. My terms are to come to no harm by them, and to not be fed upon by him.” Gaeolin tried to wet his mouth.

“I promise not to feed on him, and that neither I or my friend will harm him. My terms are that we also will go unharmed by him, and that he will not turn us over to our enemies.” 

“If either of us fail to uphold this contract, we forfeit our souls to you as sacrifice. Let this gem serve as record until we absolve this agreement with our blood.” Auroth gripped his hand tighter, the magic spiraling into the soul gem, casting a bright purple light across the cavern. “Now…” Auroth seemed a little winded after the spell. “What shall we do next? To Morthal?”

Gaeolin shook his head. “I have business to attend to in the west. After I speak to the Greybeards, I need to visit someone in Riverwood. Then we will see.”