Serana beckoned to Nathan and Escher to follow her into the library. Casually following her from the dining room, Serana checked to make sure it was empty. Then closing the door behind them, she whispered to them soft enough that even vampire ears would have to strain to overhear them. "Ok. Look. What I'm about to say... It has to remain between us. You can't tell another soul, or my father will know it was me that told you." Escher leaned against a shelf of books, shrugging out as he sipped from his glass. "Not an issue for me." Nathan gave her a little shrug, asking with light curiosity. "Why didn't you say something earlier when the topic on the Scrolls' locations came up?" She rolled her eyes a bit, telling him discreetly. "I didn't want that lot getting wind of it. Especially my father." Nathan furrowed his brow a bit, trying to sound casual when he blurted out. "What is it between you two?" Serana let out a long exhale, before regaling to him to jog his memory. "Ever since he decided to make that prophecy his calling, my family kind of... drifted apart. I don't even think he sees me as his daughter anymore. I'm just... a means to an end now."

Nathan lifted his chin as her words sank in and caused him concern. She averted her eyes from him quickly, rushing to change the subject as she told them. "That's not important right now. The point is that we need to find my mother. Valerica. She'll definitely know where the Elder Scroll is, and if we are lucky, she actually has it herself." Nathan narrowed his eyes on her with suspicion as he said rather coolly. "Wait... but you told me that you didn't know where she went..." Escher's eyes slowly moved from Nathan to Serana, prompting her to reluctantly admit. "The last time I saw her, she said that she'd go somewhere safe... Somewhere that my father would never search. Other than that, she wouldn't tell me anything." Escher shrugged, stating out dryly. "That doesn't mean anything. There are billions of places she could have gone to that fit that general description. Although, I'd love to know the one that clearly worked..." Nathan put a brief hand on his shoulder to comfort him a little, while Serana rushed out confidently. "I know. But it was the way she said it. 'Someplace he would never search.' It was cryptic, yet she called attention to it. Like she knew that I knew where it was."

Escher lowered his glass from his lips, saying a little flatly. "Maybe she didn't trust you, either. Cause again. That could mean anything. Harkon has been hunting her down for ages. He's got eyes everywhere in Skyrim and Cyrodiil. Where could she possibly go that he hasn't searched? I hate to say it... but I think she's been killed, and the Scroll lost to the ages." She opened her mouth to answer, but Nathan slipped in cautiously to recount what she'd said a few minutes ago. "Unless she didn't run. And she's here. Right under his nose. Hiding within the castle, right?" Serana nodded to him with a gleaming smile, telling them excitedly. "I've been trying to think of where my mother went. One place stood out. I used to help my mother tend a garden in the courtyard. All of the ingredients for my mother's potions came from there. I remember that she once told me that my father couldn't stand the place. It was... too peaceful for him. It made him uncomfortable. Didn't smell like blood and death, I suppose." Escher chuckled to himself, saying a bit sarcastically. "You think she is hiding in some old garden? Does this place even have a garden? Cause, I don't recall seeing one."

Nathan let Escher finish, then added a question of his own. "Isn't that pretty risky to stay around the castle?" Serana nodded, bouncing a little as she giddily told them. "Oh, absolutely! But that is just like my mother to do something like that. She was never afraid of my father and loved to challenge his wits. It just makes sense!" Looking to Escher, she calmed a bit to answer his question logically. "That said... I don't think we'll trip over her there. But it's worth a look, right? The reason that you've probably never seen it is because my father destroyed the door leading into the courtyard. It's been bricked over. Without that door, there is no way to that courtyard from this part of the castle." Giving her a little shrug, he asked her a bit frankly. "Why haven't you gone there to look for yourself? Why wait and drag me into it? Or rather... us?" Serana bit her lower lip, bowing her head in slight shame when she answered softly. "Well... The thing is... If I get caught snooping around the garden... I need an excuse. And my mom was known for... traps. And the sad fact is that I've never been good at finding them or figuring them out. So... Will you help me? Please?"

Nathan looked to Escher, who didn't look as thrilled about this as he asked in return. "So, how can we possibly get to the courtyard without your father noticing? Because if what you say is true... there is no other way to that side of the castle. I know, I've wondered these halls A LOT. It's my prison." Serana flashed him a warm smile, informing him coolly. "Trust me. I lived here while it was being rebuilt. I know every nook and cranny that no one else in the castle knows about. Some are hidden from even my father. I can get you there. I just need to know if you'll help me?" Nathan couldn't think of a reason not to do it. So, he shrugged and nodded to her. At the very least it was an excuse to linger in the castle and spend more time with Escher. He just hoped that Escher saw it that way. Beside him, Escher let out a heavy sigh, before muttering out under his breath. "Very well. I'm curious now. So, where are we going?" Serana grinned brightly, then told them as discreetly as possible. "There's an unused inlet on the Northern side of the island that was once used by the previous owners to bring supplies into the castle. An old escape tunnel from the castle exits there. I think that's our way in."

Finishing off his drink, Escher cleared his throat and informed her. "Alright. Give me a minute to change and we'll go." Glancing down at her own dress, she nodded and told them. "I'll meet you both on the bridge in two minutes." Escher waved to her in acknowledgement, then grabbed Nathan's elbow to pull him away. They left the library and casually walked among the chatting vampires that were still lingering around and talking almost heatedly about something. However, as they noticed Nathan and Escher, their chatter fell into glaring silence. Leading him toward Harkon's massive bedroom, Escher peeked inside to see if it was clear. Pushing the door open wide to let Nathan inside, Escher told him with relief in his tone. "He's not here. He must be out sulking. Let's be quick. He's usually not out for long before he returns to brood before the fireplace." Nathan set his bag down and stretched. He had no reason to change. He was ready to go. Escher crossed the room quickly to a wardrobe, where he removed some clothes that were a slight step down from what he was wearing. Removing his ruffled shirt, he laid out a plain white silk shirt.

Nathan couldn't help biting his lower lip as he watched Escher remove his top. The sight of his pale flawless skin coaxing him to inch forward. Reaching him, Nathan gently put his hands on Escher's hips. Glancing over his shoulder with a coy smile, Escher whispered so sweetly. "We don't have time." Kissing his shoulder, Nathan savored the contact for a moment. He understood that, but he longed so much for his touch. Seeing Jack and Mark's deep love for each other had made him want that. That deep acceptance. They made love look so easy. Yet, he'd always felt like he had to pay something for it. Turning slightly, Escher touched his cheek and encouraged him to look him in the eyes as he asked so tenderly. "Are you ok?" Nathan's lips parted, but the words were lost to him. Instead of trying to make something up, he just slowly leaned in to kiss him. Escher's hand slid over his skin to hold the back of Nathan's neck, holding him close to continue the tender kiss. The kiss was light but full of emotions that bubbled up from the depths of Nathan's core. Emotions he rarely felt and buried. The ones that made him vulnerable. When Escher pulled from the kiss, he whispered to him in a beautiful voice. "That said more than all the words you put into those letters."

Nathan let a small embarrassed smirk pull at his lips as he turned away from him. Escher patted Nathan's chest, telling him soothingly now. "Don't look so gloomy. We'll be going someplace where Harkon won't be looking for us. We might be able to get some... alone time." Nathan smiled, stroking Escher's arm to squeeze his wrist, when he replied. "I'd settle for just listening to you talk." Escher slipped his shirt on, then walked up beside him to kiss his cheek before purring out. "Oh? If that is the case, then I have just the book that I want to read to you." Locking eyes with him, Nathan honestly uttered aloud in an almost timid tone. "I mean it... I..." Escher put a finger to his lips to stop Nathan but smiled as he said just as genuinely. "I know. And I'm flattered that you want me like that... but first things first." Crossing the room, Escher slipped on a long dark jacket that matched his dark pants and removed a nice sword off the rack by the door. Strapping it to his waist, Escher fixed the braid of his long blonde hair down one shoulder and asked him. "Ready?" Picking up his bag, Nathan nodded and followed him back out. They stuck to the shadows of the room and moved swiftly and silently toward the front door.

Slipping outside, the old gatekeeper perked up and announced firmly. "Escher? Where are you going? Lord Harkon said-" Escher cut him off, looping a hand through Nathan's arm as if they were in no rush, upon stating aloud. "Relax. I'm not leaving the island. Just going for a night stroll." The gatekeeper pointed to Escher's blade, prompting Escher to sarcastically retort. "What? You think because we're on an island nothing can get us? Castles get raided all the time. How do you think Lord Harkon got this one?!" The gatekeeper winced, surrendering as he admitted aloud. "Alright. Alright. You made your point. Just be careful." Escher pulled Nathan to the bridge with a confident smile that made Nathan snicker. Standing farther up by the statue of a gargoyle was Serana. She was dressed in a tight black corset over a long sleeved red tunic shirt and tight black pants with knee-high boots. Her only weapons were little daggers on her belt. Her long raven hair hung down over his shoulders now, blowing lightly in the breeze. Gesturing them to follow her, she slowly made her way down the bridge. Checking to make sure that the gatekeeper could no longer see them, she led them around to the beach and along the side of the bridge.

Walking along the beachside and around the jagged rocks that were sat around the base of the castle, Serana led them to what appeared to be an old castle boat dock. Built like a mini fort made of the same dark castle stone, Serana informed them openly. "This is what I mentioned. If you weren't looking for it, you'd sail right past it. It blends in and with all the thick mist, it makes for a very discreet spot." Walking up the little submerged steps, they walked around the side of the dock to a little waterfall that leaked out from the mountainside. Venturing through the tunnel that funneled the waterfall into the ocean, they quickly trotted up the steps until they came to a mossy small wooden door. It looked like it hadn't been opened in years and was practically rusted shut. However, upon inspecting the door for traps, Nathan said aloud. "This was forced open... recently." Escher checked for himself, then drew his sword. Nathan drew his own normal sword, making sure they were ready before easing it open quietly. Carefully inching into the undercroft, Nathan pointed out the lit torches on the walls. Serana approached one, whispering only loud enough for them to hear her say. "Hmm... Hang on. These... are new. Someone repaired these. My father didn't get these torch holders until last month. The blacksmith said a few went missing but... I didn't think anything of it."

Kicking a small aggressive skeever into a wall to kill it, Escher grumbled out. "Great... big ass rats. Why did it have to be rats..." Nathan smirked, unable to keep himself from asking. "You're afraid of skeevers?" Escher shifted on his feet uneasily, before mumbling out a little defensively. "We're all scared of something..." Nathan winked at him, causing Escher to smile. Going to the next wooden door that was in better shape, Nathan eased it open and gagged a bit at the smell. Resorting to not breathing at all, he heard Serana tell him. "Just in there is the old water cistern. On some days, this would smell just... be glad you weren't here then. I think it might just be used now for the... Mortals they use as cattle. Which is substantially less." Inside was a sewage river with little bridges that led to strange coffins in nooks. The way Nathan stared at them prompted Serana to whisper over his shoulder. "Servant burial. Don't ask." Escher tapped his shoulder, drawing his attention to the sight of three Death Hounds. Serana inched into the room with Nathan, starting to inch toward the closest Death Hound as she said. "It's fine. They serve my family. But... how did they get down here?"

As Serana drew the first Death Hounds attention, it stopped and tensed up. She reached out more, and Nathan saw the Death Hounds lip curl to show off its fangs. Moving fast, Nathan yanked Serana back as the Death Hound lounged for her with a bloodthirsty snarl. Serana yelped in surprise, huddling to Nathan's chest. While Escher swiftly cut the head from the Death Hound with his razor thin blade. Hearing the other hound's snarl, the two other Hounds sprinted toward them! Escher waited for them to approach, but Serana slipped from Nathan's hold to impale them with large ice spikes through their thick skulls. Shaking a little, she told them breathlessly. "That's not possible... Death Hounds obey my family... They recognize us. Why...? How...?" Escher cleaned his blade with the hem of his jacket, replying coolly. "Something tells me these were trained to attack your father." Serana moved forward to inspect the hounds, while Escher's eyes went to Nate. Nathan gave him an innocent shrug, but Escher just smiled at him and said excitedly. "Been a long time since I've seen you move that fast. I almost forgot you're one of us now." Nathan just rolled his eyes in response.

That's when a female voice from father ahead, snapped out. "I knew it! I knew you'd come! Well, come and get me, fools!" To Be Continued...