Black Gulls RP: Just a Job

Chapter 1

It all started with a job. Doesn't it always start that way? It seemed simple enough on the surface, wipe out a nest of cultists that was particularly well entrenched and get paid. He grins at the thought of it, get paid a lot in fact! Sometimes, doing the right thing angers the wrong people. Oddly enough, he didn’t see this one coming. Magna Tharn was squarely on his mind as he entered the job, so he was more concerned with inciting the wrath of the Tharn's. Messing with House Tharn was like poking a sleeping dragon or so he figured.

The job went well, extremely well. The Worm Cult put up a surprisingly strong resistance, but they weren’t expecting the crew he had assembled. Reliza and Korvos had joined the team to add a little more depth to his attack, and their addition ensured a successful hunt. Not only were their injuries minor, but he was able to walk away mostly unscathed with the heads of every bounty. He smiled again at the thought of Magna Tharn’s head wetly bouncing in the sack. It was a good hunt. As far as Serndalarin was concerned, the job was cleanly handled, and he was already thinking about the next bounty.

It wasn't till weeks later the true power behind the cult showed itself. Sern had heard of Criatus the Red, but only murmurings and horrifying stories. There were rumors of an Ancient Vampire in the higher echelons of the Worm Cult. Criatus’ attention had been focused on other things and had never concerned himself with the rising might of the Black Gull Mercenaries nor their Captain, Serndalarin. His attention had now turned squarely on the Gulls with their intrusion and disruption of years of careful planning.

Little did Sern know that there was only one being of any worth to Criatus in that entire crumbling ruin, Magna Tharn. It wasn't a love affair. Criatus secretly hated the Imperial who thought she was better, if not equal, to an Altmer; the mere thought was loathsome. She was simply a means to an end. Magna held the key to the Tharns, and right now the Tharns held the Empire, at least in name. For decades he had been worming his way to a position where he could be a whispering voice to the throne. Criatus was patient. He had seen the rise and fall of many powerful houses throughout his time of unlife, but he thirsted for more power and position than ever before. His carefully crafted plan lay in ruins after the Gulls had unknowingly delved into his scheming and that slight would not go unpunished.

The world Criatus envisioned was ruled by a clan of Altmer vampires, a clan of his making, his children, beautiful…immortal. The lesser races would grovel at his feet, reduced to cattle and bred to feed. He carefully selected his chosen from the most powerful warriors and mages over the ages. He preferred the unwilling, for those who came to him freely no doubt only wished to share the power he would one day have when all of Nirn called him Lord.

Before he had ever laid eyes on Sern, he began to carefully plot his destruction. He longed to see Sern broken before him, kneeling at his feet before he was destroyed. That desire began to change when Criatus finally saw Sern in the tavern in Vulkwasten. Not only was he a powerful man, but he was a charismatic leader, a beautiful Altmer who may be worthy to lead the undead army Criatus was assembling. His plot was simple, turn the Altmer. He would enjoy watching him rampage through his team, and that blasted village of Vulkwasten. He would then come to the poor beast's rescue. Teaching him to control his hunger, he would bend him to his will. He was enjoying the thought of this before it even began.

There were two catches to his scheme, two small, but significant details that the Ancient Vampire’s pride allowed him to overlook. After centuries of unlife, Criatus had forgotten an important reality of humanity, loving friendship. Sern not only had loving friends; he had their untiring loyalty.

The second was a detail about the Altmer himself. Sern had spent a decade of learning to master a raging temper. Glimpses of his unbridled anger could be seen now and then, but Sern had worked hard at controlling himself. There were some who had seen those glimpses of anger when his outbursts got the better of him or at times witnessed him punching inanimate objects. Chomping down on a cigar usually brought him back around, and he was able to regain control. Very few, if any, had any idea how terrible his rage could grow. Underestimating Sern’s control of his own fury would be a flaw that Criatus would not see coming. It gave Sern more control over the affliction then most who didn't spend decades trying to master such a temper didn't have.

Chapter 2

He thought he was alone in the small rural inn room. Night had fallen hours ago but something woke him from a sound sleep, all the hairs on the back up his neck stood up at once. Sern bolted upright gripping the dagger he had under the course pillow. Did the room seem darker? It was if some sort of inky blackness had somehow seeped into the small room. He felt a cold breath on his cheek but when he turned there was nothing there. Either he was going mad or something was toying with him. Sern was not amused.

The ebon shadows coagulated into a sinister form. "Hello Serndalarin." came a oozing voice from a Altmer that was pale as the moon with glowing red eyes.

Sern narrowed his eyes he didn't recognize this being but the mark of vampire upon him was unmistakable. Perhaps a assassin? He made more then enough enemies in his line of work to warrant one. Sern warily circled the monster. "If you've come to kill me be ready to join the piles of bodies that have already tried."

The vampire laugh, the sound was not joyful it dripped with black menace. "You truly think you can best me? You will join me soon enough together we'll build a empire!"

Sern scowled not sure what to make of this creature even as he watched it the vampire's form melted into shadow and reformed behind him. Sern instinctively shoved a elbow back hard but it only connected with nothingness for now it was facing him once more.

"You will need to be faster then that my new pet." the pale being taunted the golden skinned Altmer.

The inn room was small giving the one advantage that the creature was never out of reach. Sern lashed out with a big foot trying to sweep it from it's feet but once more it was gone. In only moments it was behind him again but Sern had guessed that was exactly where it was going and his dagger was waiting.

The vampire howled in rage, it could feel pain even though the dagger was not silver it was still a deep gash. "Clever boy!" it wrapped it's arms about him yanking Sern's head to the side. Wicked teeth sunk into his flesh and Sern yelped in pain. There was only one option left he began to slam himself and the creature with him into the wall trying to dislodge it. Sern had tangled with vampires before but this one seemed so much stronger. It was like wrestling a giant in a Altmer body. The Vampire seemed to shrug off the barrage but Sern was not giving up he wasn't going to be just some meal. Sern lashed out for the window coverings the light from a rising sun had just begun to seep through. The creature smoked and howled seeming even more sensitive to the sun then most. Finally it released it's grip.

"Once you have destroyed everything you will come and kneel and my feet and know Criatus as your master!" The ancient vampire hissed and was gone.

Sern's mind began to swirl he could no longer even think straight as the vampiric curse rushed through his veins burning him alive, or at least it felt like that. He laid down on the rough hay mattress and passed out. He didn't wake until the sun was low in the sky once more.

Chapter 3

Sern bolted out of bed in the small rustic inn room. How long had he been out? He started to gather his things but the world seemed hazy now, out of focus. Was someone breathing at the door of the room? How could he even hear that through the heavy oaken door? He was about to open it when he caught site of himself in a old corroded mirror that hung in the room and froze. The Mer staring back at him had gray ashen skin and blood red eyes the only thing that hadn't changed was his hair.

Dammit, he'd been bit! Sern felt his shoulder, there it was his own blood caked and dried on the bite wound. He went into a frenzy digging through his pack, finding a cure disease he popped the cork and guzzled it. He snapped his head back to the mirror, nothing he still looked like a vampire!

“Master Serndalarin?” came a voice and a knock at the door.

“Just a minute!” frantic he grabbed another of the same potion and chugged that down.

“Master Serndalarin, please if you wish to stay another night..you only paid for one.” the voice from beyond the door tried to explain.

Again he looked, again nothing. He groaned and ran a hand down his face, both were icy cold. Surely it hadn't been more then a complete turning of Nirn the potions should have worked.

“Master Serndalarin?” the voice asked again.

“Hold on dammit!” maybe the potions were old, yes that had to be it! Wait, could he hear the innkeepers heartbeat? He licked his lips thinking of the portly Imperial that ran this inn. Why was he licking his lips? Sern began shoving his things in his rut sack he put on a heavy cloak pulling the cowl low. He had to get out of here now! There was potions at home. Once he was covered enough to make his escape, he moved quickly. Sern shoved the door open. He dropped a sack of gold at the middle aged keepers feet muttering “Sorry for the mess.” He didn't stop for a reply but pushed by focusing his thoughts on one single thing..door..door..door!

Sern wanted so much to scream as he came down the stairs that attached to the back of the common room. He could hear all the crowded main rooms patrons blood flowing through their veins. It was like some sick and twisted siren song he couldn't stop. He ground his teeth together this voice, it sounded like his voice. The voice was in his head but, it wasn't him it kept telling him he could slaughter them all and feast. If he did this, just massacred them and drank he would be stronger, much stronger. He had to mentally force his gaze straight ahead for the door and made a run for it. To the patrons it must have seen odd a big Mer simply fleeing the Inn as if his life depended on it.

He whistled for the massive bear that had become his mount months before. The bear galloped from the nearby forest but ground to a halt out of his reach and roared it's discontent at what it smelled. So much blood in that gigantic bear Sern thought. No wait this was his friend; despite the bear liked to dump him off on occasion. “Please, I'm sorry I know what I have become.” he held his hands up in placation. “This one time..you have to trust me I need to get home.” The bear looked pensive swaying it's head from side to side but finally walks over. Sern mounted quickly “Run for my life my friend!” The bear took off in a full gallop barreling through the forest toward Vulkwasten.

Once home Sern flew in the door “Ellix!?” he yelled but she was not there. Maybe it was better that way, how would she react a vampire busting in on her? He immediately went to searching the small grown tree house for more potions “There were just too old, that's all.” He told himself finding a stash he guzzled all three then looked in the mirror on the far wall. Nothing. “Did I mix them wrong? How could I mix them wrong?” There is more up in the clinic that Ali made, just maybe he screwed the formula up. Finding his bear headed armor from the orc lands of Wrothgar he changed suits in favor of one that covered every inch of the pale, cold skin.

When he arrived at the tavern who's top floor served as the clinic he could hear Ellix inside but he quickly rushed upstairs. He went straight for the shelf and potions Ali, his boss and friend labeled “disease and stuff” normally Ali's odd labeling would make him chuckle but he had no time for mirth. He tossed off the bear headed helmet and he downed one then another, and a third in desperate succession and went for the mirror. Still no, his skin was just as ashen as before. His stomach lurched forcing him to find a bucket where he promptly threw up the far too many potions. “Shit...” he said to the empty clinic as he wiped his mouth.

Chapter 4

Sern slammed the bear head back on. The town had been crawling with all sorts of monster hunters as of late he didn't dare be seen like this. He needed to speak to Ellix she would help him after all she loved him. He stormed down to the tavern but stopped short at the door, lingering just inside it. There was just too many people he could hear the blood pulsing through their veins, a maddening melody. He didn't dare approach her at the bar instead he waited to try and get her attention. Ellix..Ellix..he thought over and over again as some sort of chant to drown out the blood song.

Damn Alena, she somehow smelled something, perhaps his own blood still dried to his shoulder. Perhaps the sickness of undeath had it's own smell whatever it was she quickly dragged Sern off just as he got Ellix's attention.

“Take it off Sern.” the bosmer demanded of his bear headed helmet.

“No, I want to talk to Ellix.” Sern shot back his anger rising. Alena meant well but she was as stubborn as a mule. He wanted to talk to Ellix he focused on talking to Ellix.

“Take it off.” Alena demanded again. “Or I will do it for you.”

The last thing he needed right now was a physical altercation he was sure to lose the tenuous control he had then. He paced like a caged animal and finally gave in. “Fine” he said as he removed the bear head looking upon Alena sorrowfully. It was at that very moment Ellix came around the bend, she gasped putting her hands over her mouth at the sight of him. This wasn't how he wanted her to find out. “Ellix...” Sern tried to go to her but Alena pushed him back.

“No you can't.” she ordered.

“I know what you are thinking, I won't bite her.” he said lowly.

“Yes you will you can't control it.” Alena replied.

“I won't bite her!” Sern yelled and started to pace again. He just wanted to hold her what if he never could again? “I love her.” he added as he paced. He wished Ellix would just come over to him anyways. Perhaps it was fear of what he was now that kept her planted right where she was. It broke his heart but he understood, he was a monster right now.

“Get Donny he will know what to do, if he is not in town his brother maybe, please Ellix.” he begged her to listen. Ellix seemed in a state of shock but she turned about for town.

Chapter 5.

Sern had been pacing a channel in the dirt waiting as Alena watched him in a way that made it feel hostile to him. His head hurt so badly it now throbbed. Once more the him\not him voice told him it would all go away if he just sunk his teeth into someone. He lit a cigar and tried to smoke it but it didn't seem to help. Sern threw the cigar on the ground in disgust and continued his wild pacing back and forth. His stomach lurched when he heard footsteps, many footsteps long before he saw the entourage Ellix returned with. Where they here to kill him? End the threat he no doubt was now? He glanced at Ellix once more wishing to hold her before he was possibly run through.

Bethany began to speak of a cure he had to force his focus on her words, once more the blood song had returned. He found himself licking his lips several there had their throats exposed he could easily dash the distance and feed...what was he thinking? Ellix, Ellix, Ellix he began the montage in his head again. He barely heard the fact this was going to hurt. He was even confused when they bound him to the tree, what was that about convulsions? Suddenly he was hit with a spell that wouldn't let him move, as if the bindings weren't bad enough.

It started as a intense itching, all over he wanted to scratch but he couldn't move the most he could do was grimace and clench his fists even his voice seemed paralyzed. The itching quickly became a burning as if someone threw him into a lava pit he imagined, except when that happens one usually died quickly. There was no quick death the searing continued for what seemed like hours, he swore his organs were liquefying. He managed to squeeze his eyes shut sure if he didn't his eyeballs would burst from their sockets. He begged for death, asked for it, nothing he felt before was ever so horrible. Every single nerve was overwhelmingly ignited his brain could only interpret it one way, he was burning to death so it began to shut down. The infection that kept him in undeath fled leaving him to die.

Finally it came, a wash of soothing darkness the pain was gone, everything was gone. The desire to destroy people he loved was gone with it. It was blissful, he wanted to stay there. He vaguely felt his body being cut down from the tree, it was far away and getting further. He felt badly leaving Ellix like this, he could hear her distantly crying. No dammit he wanted to live, he felt like he was crawling through tar to reach her. “Thump” his heart gasped to life “thump thump” then a breath. His eyes fluttered open squinting against the light. Ellix was holding him in her arms, the crowd was still there but he didn't care right now. He looked down at his limp arms, they were golden again! Thank the gods he thought. His head still felt like a orcish war drum, the crowd slowly dispersed leaving him there with Ellix and Alena.

Sern's mind turned to other matters that came with not being dead, there was a scheduled job to do. He really couldn't wrap his thoughts around why that upset Ellix so much. So he just almost died, he was alive now. He never missed a contract, did she not know he was trying to build some sort of future? Why did that have to mean the Black Gulls meant more to him then her? Ellix's voice turned montone and flat stinging him deeply. What has he done that was so wrong? Stubborn, prideful, temperamental, Sern had a whole list of flaws but each flaw feed into something else. Stubborn gave him the tenacity to not give up easily. Prideful gave him a strong work ethic. Even his temper helped him overcome obstacles at times. Then there was things like a gentle kindness that comes out when Ellix is around or a friend truly needs him. Generosity to those with less. A undying loyalty to his crew.

Sern was so frustrated with both Alena and Ellix at the moment he refused any help. He sat there by the tree he had been tied to for a long time before climbing shakily to his feet. Every step was a struggle. He got as far as the hill and looked up at it and the incline. “Hell with it I will crawl if I have to.” Crawl he did, it hurt a little no one came by to check on him, he pushed that down and ground his teeth finally making it to the top. He used the wall to haul himself back to his feet. There he did the only thing he knew to do, light a cigar. He had never been so thankful to have one. He heard Ellix by the tree in the center of town and made his way there in short walks to the next wall. There he would catch his breath and stumble his way to the next.

When he finally reached Ellix, Alena was with her. Once more the bosmer tried to tell Sern to leave Ellix alone. Once again all he had wanted to do was talk to Ellix. Anger welled up like a boiling kettle it was all he could do to not harm Alena. Why was she trying to keep them apart? It was truly starting to wear on his nerves. At least this time Ellix spoke up voicing her agreement to talk to him. Gods Alena was a good ally, a strong warrior, but sometimes she really needed to just butt out.