The vampiric men glanced from Nathan to Mark, before the Dunmer pointed to Mark and told him fearlessly. "Stay out of this mutt. It doesn't concern you." Mark cracked his neck, then growled back menacingly. "You break into MY house and think I'm just going to let that slide? Fuck yourself." The other Nordic vampire man brushed his long braided blonde hair off his face, before stating to Nathan. "Playing with dogs now? I'm sure Lord Harkon will find that... suspicious." Nathan's eyes darted to the Nord, letting out a deep throaty snarl. The vampires removed their blades and Nathan flexed his fingers to pop them. The Dunmer dashed with inhuman speed toward Mark, but Nathan moved faster. Grabbing the collar of the man's shirt, he yanked him off his feet and let him fall to the ground with a startled cry. Nathan then turned his attention to the Nord as he rushed up to him with his sword raised, resulting in him losing sight of the third vampire. Nathan had no time to look for him though.  Swatting the blade away from him, he kicked the man back with so much strength that it sent the man flying into a tree a good distance away. While behind him, Mark engaged the Dunmer as he was getting back up onto his feet. Punching him in the face to stun him back to the ground. Then leaning over him to pin him down to punch him hard enough to break bones.

The Dunmer hissed, grabbing Mark's throat, squeezing it as he sat up and braced his sword to try impaling Mark. Mark grabbed the blade with hands, fighting the vampire's strength with his own. Nathan started to move to help, but the Nord dashed out to cut him off and extended a hand to hit Nathan in the chest with a green spell. The spell rippled over Nathan's body, trying to paralyze him. For a second, Nathan felt his muscles lock up before his Breton blood resisted the magic. Rolling his shoulders to shake off the stiffness, Nathan locked eyes with him, letting out a deep growl. The Nord looked at his own hand, mumbling out confused. "What? But that should've-" Nathan cut him off by dashing forward and slashing out at him with his sharp vampiric claws. The Nord raised his gauntlet arms to block his attacks, but every hit had him sliding back across the ground. Nathan was a little impressed that with how fast he was starting to move, the Nord was able to fend him off with as little moment as possible. Changing tactic, Nathan finished a set of swipes, then stopped to try kicking the Nord in the shin to break the bone. The Nord jumped back flawlessly to avoid it, giving him a little smug grin. Nathan narrowed his eyes on him.

The Nord was reading the slightest changes to his body language. Changing to magic, he tried to hit the vampire with a few spells to paralyze him or drain the blood from him. However, the Nord pulled out a few tricks of his own. Using a Ward spell, he blocked the hits and tried to sling spells right back. Deciding to change up his tactics again, Nathan turned invisible and dashed to get behind the Nord. Raising his hand to slash at his neck. The Nord turned toward the smell of him with a hiss. The Nord only got his hand up, when an arrow shot through the Nord's chest. Nate jumped back in surprise as the Nord let out a distressed cry before crumbling to ash in front of him. Lowering his hand, he saw another man hidden within the wood line. The man was crouched down behind a tree and was quickly trying to reload a crossbow bolt. Glancing at Mark, he saw him flip the Dunmer to the ground. Grabbing his throat, Mark started to apply pressure to snap the Dunmer's throat as he hissed and slashed at Mark's arms and face. Mark's skin healed as fast as it was cut, forcing the Dunmer to wrap his legs around Mark's ribs to squeeze him. Mark yelped sharply, trying to adjust out of his grip but neither of them wanted to give up their position.

Dashing around the yard, Nathan appeared next to the young Nord with a crossbow. The man let out a startled cry, lifting the crossbow, but Nathan yanked it from him quickly. Shoving the man to the ground with his foot, Nathan raised the crossbow and took aim at the Dunmer. Letting out a sharp whistle, Mark stopped struggling long enough to take notice of him. Relenting his advantage, the Dunmer rolled Mark to the ground. Sitting on his torso, the Dunmer reached for Mark's willing throat. Only to get shot between the eyes. The wooden and silver tipped arrow went in so smoothly that the vampire was ash before he even knew he'd been hit. Mark coughed as hacked as the ash fell over him. Lowering the crossbow, Nathan turned his eyes to the young Nord. The young Nord held up a wooden dagger, stammering out. "Stay back! I'll stab you with this, demon!" Putting the crossbow over his shoulder, Nate smelled someone nearby but lazily asked him without concern. "Did you come here for them. Or me?" The young Nord opened his mouth to answer, but a soft 'click' sounded before a deeper voice told him. "They were. But we hunt all of your kind."

Calmly turning his head to see an older Nord, Nathan coolly stated aloud. "I see. Well, I'm going to ask nicely for you to leave." The old Nord snorted, his finger going to the trigger of his crossbow. Nathan's eyes darted to look at the old Nord, catching him off guard. The Nord's finger put slight pressure on the trigger before he felt the power behind Nathan's dark eyes. Turning to face him, Nathan carefully removed the arrow from the crossbow, his eyes never leaving the Nord's. Stepping closer, Nathan purred to him in a beautiful seductive tone. "I understand. You wanna make the world a safer place... Make a name for yourself." Nathan slid a finger along the crossbow to push it away as he moved closer. Bringing his lips close to the man's he told him with a warm smile. "It's admirable. But you are not going to win this fight with me. So, take your boy. Go back to the Dawnguard and report the two that you and your boy killed. Forget my face. Forget this place. Understand?" The young Nord, staggered to his feet and stammered out anxiously. "D-d-dad? What are y-you waiting for?" The old Nord ignored his son and nodded to Nathan in firm understanding.

Nathan smiled, pushing the crossbow down with the tips of his fingers. Just as he was stepping back though, the old Nord leaned in to kiss him. Nathan jerked but let him simply press his lips to his. Then easing the old Nord back, Nathan cleared his throat and waved him away. The old Nord nodded, gathering up his things in a blind trance. Turning around, Nathan wiped his lips off, listening to Mark grumble out. "Did you have to kiss him?" Spitting, Nathan grumbled out. "I didn't want it. It's a side effect to using the alluring gaze. I have no control over that... yet. I've been working on it." The young Nord tried to stop his dad and reason with him, when it didn't break his dad from the trance, he came for Nate. Lifting the wooden dagger, he lunged for Nathan and Mark tensed. Nathan easily grabbed the kid's wrist without looking at him, adding so casually to Mark. "And before you ask. Yes. I was testing it on students. And no. I didn't force them. They were all willing and within reasonable age. I tried using the Allure on animals, but it doesn't work. Seems they have to be of the same species." When he finished, Nathan looked to the squirming young man, before telling him flatly. "As for you. That was really stupid. You should consider yourself lucky. If I didn't feel a similarity between you and me... I wouldn't hesitate."

The young Nord scoffed, blurting out as he took the wooden dagger from his held wrist to try stabbing him with the other. Nathan easily caught his other wrist, locking eyes with him to press his influence into him. The young man stopped squirming, relaxing as Nathan's allure spread through him. Staring him down, Nathan whispered to him in his same beautiful tone. "You're smarter than this. Don't enter a fight you're not equipped enough to win. You killed your first vampire. Relish it. Learn from it. Forget me and this place. Have a good life." Nathan released a wrist to yank the wooden dagger from his other hand before letting him go. Stepping back with the dagger, Nathan shook his head with disappointment. He couldn't believe Harkon's men had caught the attention of a Dawnguard soldier. It was so reckless and stupid. Turning to look at Mark, he opened his mouth to say something about sniffing out for any others... until the young man grabbed his face and pulled him into a passionate kiss. Nathan hadn't expected the guy to be so forceful about it. He blamed how much power he put behind it. Some people had a stronger will than others. Clearly, this guy didn't. So, he'd over done it just a bit.

Prying the guy off himself, he pointed toward the dad and told him firmly. "Alright. Go. Leave." The guy tried to kiss him again, but Nathan fended him off, stating out sternly. "You listening? I said go! Now!" The young man reached out to touch him, but Nathan knocked his hands away and turned him around forcefully. Giving him a gentle but firm push, Nathan dashed away to hide behind Mark. Mark chuckled, watching the guy finally gather his stuff. Glancing over his shoulder, Mark smugly blurted out. "Being a vampire looks tiring." Nathan glared at him as his only response. After watching them leave, Nathan started to walk back toward the manor. Mark grabbed his arm though, his grip tightening up on him when he said in a firm voice without looking at him. "You put my family at risk, Nathan. Time to start telling me what is going on. Or we finish this... right here." Nathan bowed his head, grumbling out. "I'll leave in the morning." Mark pulled on his arm to force him back a step or two to bring him to his side. Then finally looking at him, Mark growled out without hesitation. "The damage is done. If more come here looking for you... If you've just destroyed EVERYTHING Jack and I have worked so hard to achieve here... I will not let you just walk away."

Nathan exhaled all the breath in his body, then stated out cautiously. "Mark. Don't. Don't make me kill you." Mark stepped closer to him, but Nathan avoided his eyes. Over his shoulder, Mark told him defensively. "Last chance. Talk." Nathan thought it over, then taking a deep breath, he turned to face him. Giving him a shrug, he told him bluntly. "Alright. You want to know? The man I love is being held captive by my maker. I was sent to find a Moth Priest for him to read a fucking Scroll over some prophecy that he's obsessed with. I was told that if I couldn't find one, I was to bring back the Dragonborn. I've heard nothing about a Moth Priest in Skyrim and so... here I am. Because I'm trying to free someone 'I' care about. Satisfied?" Mark relaxed a little. Which in turn allowed Nathan to settle down. It was actually a relief to just get it all out in the open. Shrugging, Mark leaned back against the tree, asking him curiously. "You were at the College. Did you ask them where to find one?" Nathan scoffed, hugging himself when he blurted out in light frustration. "Ya. I asked the Librarian there. He told me to head to the Imperial City in Cyrodiil because they rarely leave the White Gold Tower. While I could try to make the trip... I would draw so much attention trying to remove the Priest from such a condensed city. It would defy the point of trying to do this with discretion!"

Mark nodded, mumbling out. "I see your point... but you understand that I can't let Jack go there." Nathan shrugged, stating out firmly. "So what? I'm just supposed to give up? You wouldn't. HE didn't." Mark heaved a heavy sigh, replying honestly. "I know. If you had brought the Scroll here, then I'd do it. But to take him there... Nate, that is a great risk. Too great a risk. I'm sorry." Nathan didn't bother trying to fight the issue, he just told Mark as he walked away. "Ya. Everyone is sorry. I'll be out of your way in the morning." Mark followed him to the front door, before putting a hand on it to keep it shut. Giving Nathan fragile eyes, he told him coolly. "I am truly sorry, Nate. I want to help you... I do. But you have to understand. What Jack and I have been through to get to this point... It came with a cost. Jack... I promised him that we'd settle down. Put the life threatening stuff aside for a while." Nathan bowed his head. He understood, but it still hurt him. Giving him a small nod, Nate told him softly. "I get it. I do. I'd do the same... but right now. I can't do that." Moving his hand off the door, Mark informed him nicely. "I still owe you a favor. You just can't use it for this."

Nathan reluctantly accepted that fact. He looked at Mark to apologize, when his eyes drifted to his horse as a thought slipped into his mind. Placing a hand on Mark's shoulder, he told him coolly. "Of course not. Don't wait up for me. I think I'm going to stop by the tavern for a drink." Mark blinked, asking perplexed. "This late at night? Why?" Nathan shrugged, blurting out honestly. "I need to play something and drink. It's how I clear my head. I can't do that here without waking everyone up. So, I'll be a bit. Plus, I wanna partake in some gossip. Maybe get a bite to eat." Mark groaned, waving him off. Nathan chuckled dryly, hoping up onto Walter without a saddle. Guiding Walter out with just his bridle, he rode off into the night toward Falkreath. He needed to get away and clear his head. He couldn't hide that he was upset. Part of him wanted to just take Jack out of spite, but he just couldn't do that to him. He didn't have many good friends and didn't want to lose what he had. Riding into Falkreath, he heard the guards talking about the reward for a stray dog but didn't bother to ask. Dismounting at Dead Man's Drink, Nathan made his way up the steps and slipped inside.

To his disappointment, the place was barren. Only the female barkeep and the barmaid were present. They stopped stalking when he walked in, straightening up slowly. The barkeep was fair skinned woman with straight platinum blonde hair with just a hint of dark roots that brought out her dark brown eyes. Her white tunic shirt hung off her shoulders and revealed a hint at her small breasts. She had to be in her early to mid-thirties judging by the way she held herself, but she didn't look a day over her mid-twenties. She looked him over with guarded eyes, but pleasantly asked him in an inviting voice. "What can I do for you, stranger? Food? Drink? A room?" The barmaid hugged a broom to her chest, giggling out softly to the barkeep. "He's cute, Valga. Maybe you can- Ah!" Valga reached over the bar to shove the barmaid playfully with a blush that tinted her pale cheeks a soft pink. The barmaid broke into giggles, then moved away as Valga scolded her lightly. "Shut up, Narri." Nathan looked Narri over quickly. She was another pretty woman with long straight dark brown hair and an outfit that showed off more skin than he'd seen on any barmaid.

The slit of her green dress went well up past her thigh and the hem was torn up short to reveal her long slender legs from the knees down. Her arms were bare, and her hefty breasts was barely contained in her top. Seeing her lacy boots was strangely appealing to him. He kind of felt like he wanted to see her unlace them. Although, judging from the gold pendent she wore and her silver bracelets... he was sure that he wasn't the first guy to ask her something like that. Approaching the bar, he gave them his best smile and said coolly. "A drink would be nice. Thank you. Something to warm the gut. I've had a rough day." Narri set her broom down, sauntering over to lean on the bar beside him as she asked innocently. "That's too bad. Wanna talk about it?" Nathan shrugged, looking between them as he nicely dodged the question. "Nah. It's boring. I'd rather hear about how two lovely ladies like yourselves are here. Aren't your husbands pacing the house with worry?" Valga set a bottle on the bar, then leaned on the bar top with crossed arms as she informed him grimly. "Well... My husband died six winters ago. And I have no desire to remarry. At least not to the men in this town. Too much gloom and doom. I'd rather just try to be a cheerful face for those passing through."

Nathan smirked, picking up the bottle upon telling her. "That you are. I already feel better." Narri raised a foot to push Nathan down onto the bar stool. Once seated, she hefted her skirt a bit and inched toward him, whispering softly to him. "I prefer being single. I don't like being bond to one man. I prefer... tasting a lot of flavors in my life. I can't bring myself to settle on just one." Nathan let her ease onto his lap. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she whispered closer to his ear. "In fact... you interrupted me." Nathan raised an eyebrow, looking to Valga who bowed her head with embarrassment. At his blank look, Narri told him teasingly. "I was trying to convince Valga to try sleeping with me... but she said she'd only do it if a man was present. Then who should walk in..." Nathan tried not to grin, glancing between the two of them with a calm look. Valga bit her lip, nervously mumbling out. "Narri, stop harassing the man." Staying calm and collected, Nathan honestly informed them. "I wouldn't mind watching but... I would like a little favor." Valga lifted her head with a guarded look. Taking a quick look around, he looked at them and let his fangs slid out in a non-threatening way. Narri gasped a little, before blurting out with excitement. "Oh? I think we can work something out. Valga?" Valga hugged herself a moment, then exhaled out. "Oh, why not... I'm only going to live once." 

Meanwhile, back at the manor.  The third vampire watched the fight between Nathan and Mark play out.  His lips curling into a wicked grin.  Then after the werewolf went back inside.  The third vampire slowly rose to his feet and casted a muffling spell on the window, before popping it open with his strength.  Sliding it open, he eased into the bedroom with the four sleeping children.  To Be Continued...