Nate climbed up the steps of the Inn, getting himself back under control as he entered. Inside was still as gloomy as ever. Jonna finished refilling the tankard of a local, then perked up to ask aloud. "So? How did it go?" Nate removed the letter with the Jarl's wax seal, telling her with a smirk. "It was an interesting conversation. Do I have the room?" Jonna strutted up to him, taking the letter to look it over. Stuffing it into a pocket under her apron, she winked at him and pointed to it. Giving her a nod, He moved to the room to put his stuff down. Taking a seat on the hay stuffed mattress, he set the book down on the side table to tune his Mandolin. When a soft knock came on his door a minute later, he barely looked up as he said. "It's unlocked." Jonna slowly opened the door to peek inside, asking a little shyly. "How long until you are settled? I can't wait to hear you play?" Nate let a small smile pull at the corner of his lip, before telling her honestly. "I'll be out in a minute. Just checking the equipment." Satisfied with his answer, she closed the door. Finishing his tuning, Nate got up but stilled as his eyes turned to the book. He was curious why Escher gave it to him, but it would have to wait. Making his way out of the room, he winked at Jonna as she cleaned the bar. The locals all looked at him with barely any interest, but he didn't care. He played because he enjoyed it.

Setting himself up at the back of the Inn, he started by just playing a lively instrumental. He had to work the room and right now the room was dead. It was a fact the Nords loved their music. Drinking and music were huge in Nord culture. It was a pastime that Nords tended to almost religiously to clear their stubborn moods. Nate observed the room closely as he played. Reading the people in the room. Jonna swayed to the instrumental as she worked. Her mood causing a few single men to smile. Slowly the others started to tap their heels to the beat and hum to the instrumental chorus. When the locals where all smiling and chatting in warmer voices, Nate grinned. It was amazing what a little lively music could do to a person's mood. It was almost magic. Finishing the instrumental, Nate changed the vibe by playing one of his own songs. He played loud and proud. They were surprised to hear him sing but cheered when they realized that he could sing well. Nate belted out the lyrics, making the place bounce to life. As they heard the chorus, they started to sing with him. The louder they got, the more other locals filed into the Inn to see the commotion. Jonna rushed around as locals piled on orders. The mood had changed so much that the place was barely recognizable. Everyone was starting to laugh, drink, and some even danced to the music. This was the moment Nate lived for. Seeing people have fun.

Even as he enjoyed the song, he kept his eyes on the people to keep reading the room in case something changed. While looking at the locals' faces, Nate found himself wondering if Escher was here. Would he sense that he wrote this song after meeting him? It made him blush to think that Escher would piece that together. He had sung the song so much in Solitude that he'd forgotten how lovesick his own lyrics sounded. It was the first song that he'd been inspired to write to pass the course in the Bard College. The song had taken off in Solitude because the Imperial soldiers related to it. However, now all he could think about was Escher and how dangerous it was for him to be feeling things for him after one silly night. When he finished the song, he exhaled wistfully. His heart was pounding in his chest as he nervously scanned the crowd for any sign of Escher. Giving everyone a coy smile as they cheered and bought him drinks in the hopes of keeping him going. So, he did. He took breaks in between to drink and snack. Until finally, he had to stop to have dinner and relax his cramped up fingers. Since the place was so riled up and packed with people, Nate took his dinner and retreated to his room. He loved a good party, but he wanted a moment of peace to eat and drink without getting locked into conversations that made his dry throat worse.

Sitting on his bed cross-legged, he picked the meat off a chicken leg as he leaned back against the wall and listened to the loud chatter going on. Setting down his tankard of wine on the side table, he noticed the book again and this time pulled it into his lap. The book wasn't overly big, and he had the time to read a little. Within mere sentences though, he was hooked. The book was about Movarth. A famous Vampire hunter from the Imperial City in Cyrodiil. A man that had traveled the world to hunt down every kind of vampire in it. He was considered a master at it. The author was anonymous, but the book was written from what seemed to be the Author's detailed account on meeting Movarth. It started by saying that Movarth met him because he wanted to know more information about Vampires. For as knowledgeable as he was, he always asked questions of anyone that had information that he might not already know himself. Movarth was so dedicated to his hunt that he slept during the day and worked only at night to adapt to his prey's habits. Since the Author had information on more Vampires, Movarth became fascinated and obsessed to hunt down these 'Special Vampires.' Vampires far more gifted than those infected with a simple infectious case of Vampirism.

Nate nibbled on the chicken leg as he read about Movarth's hunt for the Northern Vampires in Valenwood and their covens. The Bonsamu who were indistinguishable from the Wood Elven race known as the Bosmer, except when seen by candlelight. The Keerilth who could disintegrate into mist. The Yekef who could swallow grown men whole. The dreaded Telboth who preyed on children to take their form in order to slip undetected into families to slowly drain them over the years. After learning of each one, Movarth set out and hunted them down. Wiping out whole covens with pride. His reputation growing stronger. He even went to Skyrim to hunt down the most infamous and powerful Vampire coven. The Volkihar Clan. There Nate stopped midbite. Didn't Escher say something about being in that clan? Huddling over the book more, Nate continued to read on. The book told of how Movarth went to Skyrim to find them. However, Movarth didn't appear to find the coven there. For the book suddenly spoke of how Movarth returned with a new scar and revealed to the priest that he had not told him of everything the Volkihar vampires could do. For on top of their abilities to freeze the blood in a victim's veins, or how they could live beneath the frozen waters of a lake. They could also reach up through the ice without breaking it.

Nate raised an eyebrow. Could Escher do that? Continuing to read on, Nate read how the priest became quite proud of Movarth and his skill despite never using any weaponry against Vampires. Relying on his body's own strength. So, when Movarth wanted to seek out the coven in Cyrodiil, the priest told him about it. About how it was a powerful coven that had outlasted many of the others. How their name was lost in history, but they were experts at concealment. For if they kept themselves well fed, they were like any other living being. They preferred to feed on sleeping victims. Keeping themselves undetected and the victims unaware. Nate swallowed hard, his hand shaking a little as he thought about his mother's death in Cyrodiil. Taking a deep breath, he read out loud to himself in a low voice. "Movarth set out and did not return for a month. On the night he did, he entered my Chapel and lit a candle to lighten up the darkness. Expressing his frustration and despair at not having found a single one of the vampires in Cyrodiil." Bringing his face closer to the book, Nate finished off in shock. "Taking Movarth's wrist, I brought the candle up to my face and smiled. The look on Movarth's face was priceless. Stunned by my pallor flesh and the dark hunger in my ageless eyes. I think my fangs surprised him the most. For a man that was so rarely surprised. I had surprised him. I told him that I had not fed for seventy-two hours... and then fell upon him. Movarth did not land a single blow that night."

Closing the book, Nate sat in stunned silence. Escher was hunting a former Vampire Hunter that had befallen the worst fate. Setting the book on the bedside table, Nate watched the candle flicker and jumped in fright. Pointing sternly at the book, Nate bitterly growled out. "I hate ghost stories. You tricked me! Now I'm jumping at shadows. Fuck you!" Climbing off the bed, Nate grabbed his wine and finished it off. Peering out of the curtains to see how late it was, he buckled Dawnbreaker to his hip. Then gathering up the plate with the bare chicken bone and the empty tankard, he slipped back out into the other room. Leaving the dishware on the bar, he locked up his room and started to make his way outside. The people he passed begged him for another song, but he politely turned them down. He needed to find Escher and see what he knew. Venturing outside, Nate stopped to see the Orc taking Hroggar aside to speak with him before he could slip off to his house. Nate watched the Orc guide him into the Jarl's hall, then made his way back to the remains of Hroggar's house. Stepping into the place, Nate looked around and softly asked aloud. "Escher? Are you here?" When no answer came, Nate sighed to himself and uttered out. "Either you're late... or I'm early."

Shaking his head, he moved up to the fireplace. Brushing the snow from the stony edge with his foot, he kneeled to see if there was any of the bear fat that he'd found at the door. Touching the wood, Nate huffed to himself. The wood was clear and only lightly charred. Which told him that the fire didn't start at the hearth. Glancing at the burned walls and the missing door, Nate said aloud to himself. "The fire started outside... took the walls and the door... Trapped them inside until the roof caved in on them. Shit... You have to be really pissed about something to watch them burn. No way a father did this... Unless-" Nate was cut off by an innocent girl's voice asking from nearby. "Who's there? Is that you, Father?" Nate sprang up to his feet, his hand going to Dawnbreaker's hilt as he responded in a spooked voice. "Who are you? Come out. Now." From the corner of the house, a ghostly figure materialized in the moonlight. The figure was of a little girl that was dressed in a breezy nightgown. Her face hidden within her long hair; her eyes bright as she shyly answered. "Father says I'm not supposed to talk to strangers..." Nate removed his hand off his sword hilt, kneeling to be more at her level. He did his best not to give off a threatening appearance. He didn't sense anything dangerous from her, allowing him to calmly ask her. "My name is Nathan. What is your name?" The girl backed up a little, squeezing strands of her hair nervously as she told him in a small voice. "Helgi. Why are you here?"

Nate rested his hands on his knee, deciding to lie just a little to hopefully find out what happened. Giving her his best charming smile, he replied in a sweet tone of voice. "I'm a friend. I'm looking into the fire. Do you know what happened to your house?" A blushing smile pulled at her lips, causing her to sway a bit. Hugging herself, she looked around and told him with a bit of confusion herself. "I was in bed... The smoke woke me up. It got hot and I got scared. I heard mommy scream and kick at the door. I don't know why... I hid under the bed. The roof came down and I got stuck... I think mommy did too. I remember coughing... and then everything got cold and dark. When I woke up, I wasn't scared anymore." Nate bowed his head. Hearing her talk about it so innocently choked him up. He never liked hearing about kids that suffered a fate like that. It was cruel. Clearing his throat, he asked without looking at her. "Where was your father?" He forced himself to look up at her as she told him. "He was called away to the mill. Mommy didn't want him to go... but he put me to bed and said he had to go. Without the mill, we'd have no money. Is daddy ok?" Nate could only nod. Helgi smiled happily, telling him. "I'm glad. He doesn't come see me anymore. I know he's busy... but I'm lonely. Will you play with me?"

Nate inhaled deeply to shake off the empathy he felt for her, straining out nicely. "Sure, but before we do. Do you have any idea who started the fire? Do you remember your mother saying anything? Seeing anything? Hearing a stranger?" Helgi moved to stand in a spot that Nate guessed was where she had gotten up from the bed. Closing her eyes, she started to tell him in a distant voice. "I remember... Seeing someone in the window. She saw me and seemed surprised, but the glass broke, and she was gone. That's all." Nate tensed, asking with perked interest. "A woman? Do you know who she was? What she looked like?" Helgi nodded, then skipped up to him to touch his shoulders as she excitedly blurted out. "Let's play hide and seek?! When you find me, I'll tell you. She'll be playing too. She's always trying to find me." Nate couldn't feel Helgi's hands on him, but he stared into her glowing eyes as he asked with instant concern. "She is looking for you? Why?" Helgi giggled, telling him in a hopeful voice. "Find me first and I'll tell you." Nate tried to grab her arm, but his hand went through her. Giggling more, she vanished from view, her voice wispily wafting in the gentle breeze as she cooed out. "Ready. Set. Go. Come find me, Nathan!"

Standing up, Nate tried to think of where to start looking for her. His mother had once said something about ghosts being tied to places. Where they died and where they were buried. If she was not here, she'd be in the graveyard. Rushing from the house, he ran out into the town looking for a guard to ask him a question. He didn't see the guards on this road, but a man with a torch caught his eyes. Running up to the man, Nate grabbed his arm to stop him from walking toward the bridge. Thonnir looked at him with surprised but hopeful eyes. Getting straight to the point, Nate asked him in a rush. "Where is Morthal's graveyard?!" Thonnir's brow furrowed, upon retorting. "What? Why? I'm trying to follow Falion." Nate glanced out toward the bridge where Thonnir gestured but got back on track as he said. "I can't explain. Just tell me! Quickly!" Thonnir pointed to the hill just beyond Hroggar's house. Nate patted Thonnir's arm, thanking him as he ran off in that direction. Running up the hill, he spotted the small graveyard that was nestled within a nice little wooded area. Slowing to a stop just outside the iron gate, Nate stared at a dark figure that was digging at a grave with their bare hands. The figure cleared the last off the dirt, grabbing one of the handles on a small coffin to pull it out. Withdrawing Dawnbreaker, Nate called out. "Leave her alone, Alva!"

The woman gasped, her head jerking up as she looked at him. Flipping her hood back, she stared at him with the most beautiful brown eyes that he'd ever seen. She looked completely terrified; her straight brown hair framing a dirt smudged face with what appeared to be blood running down from the corners of her red lips. Her grey dress and hands were covered in more fresh dirt that she tried to rub off. She started to back up from the grave, yelling out at him. "Stay back! This doesn't concern you!" Nate took a step closer to her, the hair on his arms raising as he yelled back. "What are you going to do to her?!" The woman started to say something, when Thonnir's horrified voice cut in from farther behind Nate. "Laelette?!" Nate blinked, looking over his shoulder to ask completely lost. "Wait... What? Laelette? I thought she was Alva?" Nate looked back at Laelette, jumping in fright because she was suddenly directly in front of him. Grabbing him by the throat and his belt, she lifted him off the ground like he weighed nothing and threw him into the graveyard. Nate yelped as his body crashed into a small headstone, causing it to smash apart from the force he'd been thrown at.

Tumbling across the ground, Nate stopped right next to the fresh corpse of the grave keeper. Nate tried not to roll over onto it, scooting back as he stammered out. "Holy shit!" Sitting up, he realized he didn't have his sword and looked for it. Finding it, he started to crawl for it. Laelette hissed loudly, stalking after Thonnir, who backed up as he said uneasily. "Laelette, my love? What happened to you? Who did this?!" Nate yelled out to Thonnir as he drew closer to Dawnbreaker. "RUN, THONNIR!" Laelette suddenly whirled around to look at him with a wild predatory hiss that made Nate freeze in place. Why was she suddenly looking at him like that? Nate felt something drip off his chin and touched his face. The headstone had cut a line over his eyebrow. Staring down at the blood on his fingers, he cursed and looked up at her. She had completely lost interest in her husband as the smell of his blood was carried on the gentle breeze. His heart sank to the pit of his stomach, upon uttering out grimly. "Oh fuck..." Like a shark drawn to a drop of blood, she dashed toward him faster than he could reach out for his sword. He had just touched the hilt, when she jumped into the air to land on him like a cat. Nate winced, his fingers curling around the hilt. He'd never get it up in time. Just before she landed on him, something grabbed her by the neck and slammed her into the ground.

Nate's heart sprang from his chest at the sight of Escher. Pinning her stunned body to the ground, Escher looked over his shoulder to chuckle back at him with a breathtaking smile. "Starting the party without me?" A blushing smile spread over Nate's face as he chuckled back to him. "You're late." To Be Continued...