Ares - Pieces of the puzzle - Storyline

“Packing up?” Ares commented to a stout Altmer mage.
The mage was startled by his approach and gave a mild gasp. “Must you sneak up on me like that?”
“Easy Danori, you know its unintentional” Ares replied.
Ares walked slowly through the cave and began looking at certain things that Danori had been grabbing and placing into various satchels. “Is the horse ready?” Danori asked.
Ares looked at him as if to imply that the question was rhetorical.
“Sorry, I'm just in a bit of a rush” Danori looked at him momentarily before glancing around at his things.
“For a fellow vampire, I would have assumed you'd have a calmer demeanor and be a bit more aware of your surroundings” Ares picked up a small Dwemer artifact off a wooden table.
Danori scoffed as a reply and slapped Ares's hand before taking the small Dwemer device. “Stop touching my things.”
Ares chuckled quietly and continued walking around the cave.

Danori had quite the setup here, but then again when you're an arms-dealer you can likely afford such luxuries. The place was littered with all sorts of goods, but largely Dwemer constructs and devices. Danori had maintained a strong business while the conflict between Skingrad and Kvatch had been going on. However, having dealt goods to both sides, it was likely that they would be coming for him now that peace had been declared.

Danori and Ares had a mild history together. The two had fought in more than one conflict and had run into one another on numerous occasions. Reports of drained victims or disappearances in the area had peeked Ares's curiosity. His searching ultimately led him to Danori, however, he was puzzled at what he found. Danori admitted he was a vampire but looked nothing like one. His appearance was youthful and his skin was as smooth and tan as a typical Altmer. Ares had even watched from a distance as Danori blatantly walked up and conversed with the locals. Without so much as a gasp or any suspicion by the citizens, Ares was determined to discover how he accomplished this feat. The desire to know his secret and a mutual affliction is what linked the two of them together for this moment in history.

“Where will you be headed now?” Ares asked.
Danori was speedily flipping through some old books determining which ones to keep. “Why? You aim to follow me?” Danori asked without making eye contact.
“No, just curious.” Ares touched another small Dwemer artifact causing Danori to glare at him.
“I plan on perhaps resuming business in the north. Skyrim is pretty formidable and I believe business would be good there.”
Ares set the Dwemer artifact back down. “Skyrim? That's a fair trek.” he commented.
Danori threw his satchel over his shoulder. “When you're a vampire Ares, you often enjoy long treks and adventures.”
Unable to argue with the statement, he noticed that Danori had his hands full of bags.
“Would you like any help?” Ares gestured.

“I can handle these just fine.” Danori replied as the two of them walked toward the exit to the cave.
“You've been good to me Ares and I wont ever forget that.”
Ares looked over at Danori and the two stopped at the mouth of the cave.
“It's been a while since I've had a friend.” Ares grinned mildly.
“Likewise my dear boy.”

Ares grabbed some of his bags and helped strap them onto the horse. The rain had subsided outside and an overcast lingered overhead. Taking in the atmosphere the two of them stood there for a moment, appreciating the natural beauty.
“I know you've been wanting to know this for a while and I think you've earned it.” Danori reached into one of his saddlebags. Ares watched as he pulled out an amulet, it was gold and looked like a common jewel. In the center of it was a small clear stone that didn't look like anything spectacular. “You've wanted to know how I've masked my appearance, so I think its time you had an equal opportunity.”
Ares looked at him with intrigue allowing him to continue.
“Give me your hand.” Danori waited for Ares to present it.
Taking a small knife, he pricked Ares's finger and allowed a drop of blood to land on the clear stone in the center of the amulet. The stone turned red and then turned black.
“This amulet is now bound to you.”
Ares held the amulet in his hand and noticed that his skin was youthful. The white pale and cracked layer he had before was now replaced with a young and tan appearance. Touching it, he realize it was real skin and not some fake illusion.
“I know what you're thinking. Its real, its not an illusion.” Danori commented.
“How does it do this?” Ares asked.
“Lets just say when a mage and Dwemer put their heads together, anythings possible. However, if you want the short version. Its called an Amulet of Clandestine. The purpose behind it was to hide ailments such as leprosy. It tunes itself with your blood so that your body reflects the same youth in which your blood reflects. As a result, a person with leprosy will age in appearance like any other person not suffering from the sickness. A friend of mine decided to take it to the next level and attempt to use it on vampires and it worked. The benefit is that its sustained by your blood. It doesn't generate a magical aura because its not an illusion, making it invisible thus far to even the most astute mages.”
Ares placed the amulet around his neck and tucked it beneath his armor.
“No need to worry about it falling off either, the dwemer designed it to be tough.” Danori jumped up on the horse and looked down at Ares.

“Thank you Danori.”
The two exchanged a smile and Danori extended his hand to Ares.
Gripping his hand, he replied.
“Its been a pleasure Ares, I'm sure in the decades to come we shall meet again and if you ever make your way up north, look for me.”
Danori released his hand and began trotting away.
“How will I find you?” Ares asked.
Stopping his horse for only a moment, he turned.
“I've never known you to be unable to find someone. If you look for me, you'll find me.”
Ares nodded and Danori turned away from him and disappeared around the bend.
The two of them never saw each other again.