Chapter 134 Behind Friendly Smiles
Eldvar sat rigidly atop the rattling carriage, his cloak pulled tight around his shoulders as the biting wind clawed at every exposed inch of skin. Beside him, the driver struggled to keep control of the reins, his gloved hands trembling as the horse pushed forward against the furious resistance of the storm. Snow lashed across their faces in sharp, stinging bursts, and the world beyond a few meters was nothing but a white, shifting void.
The wheels creaked and groaned as they forced their way through the thickening layer of snow, each turn slower than the last.
"Hey, sir…!" the driver called out, his voice strained as he leaned forward, trying to be heard over the relentless howl of the wind. "How about we take a break and find some shelter?! At this rate, we won't last long out here!"
Eldvar narrowed his eyes against the storm, scanning the barely visible road ahead. For a moment, he said nothing, weighing the risk. The blizzard was only growing worse, and even he could feel the cold beginning to seep deeper into his bones.
"…Alright," he finally replied, his voice calm but firm.
The driver let out a breath of relief, tugging slightly on the reins as they began searching for any sign of cover. The horse snorted, its pace uneven as it trudged through the snow, while the carriage swayed dangerously with each uneven patch of ground.
They pressed on for several more minutes though it felt far longer until, through the veil of swirling white, a dark shape slowly emerged along the roadside.
"There !" the driver shouted, squinting through the storm. "I think I see something!"
As they drew closer, the shape took form a cave, its entrance partially obscured by drifting snow and jagged rock. It sat just off the path, like a hidden refuge waiting to be found.
"Ah, I see a cave!" the driver called out.
They guided the horse and carriage toward it, carefully bringing everything inside for protection from the storm.
Eldvar then took it upon himself to inspect the cave. His eyes scanned every corner, alert and cautious. There were no signs of wild beasts no tracks, no scent, no scattered bones lying around. The cave itself wasn't too deep either, allowing light from the entrance to reach most of the interior.
After a moment, he relaxed slightly and turned back.
"It seems this cave is safe," Eldvar said.
They soon lit a campfire inside the cave and began cooking their provisions. The warmth of the flames pushed back the cold as they settled down to eat.
Just as they were in the middle of their meal, two figures suddenly appeared, approaching the cave from outside.
Eldvar reacted instantly. His hand moved to the sword at his side, drawing it halfway from its sheath as his eyes sharpened with caution.
One of the newcomers wore Stormcloaks armor, while the other was cloaked in a long, hooded robe that concealed their face.
"Ah, forgive us," said the Stormcloak soldier, raising his hands slightly in a non-threatening gesture. "We're only seeking temporary shelter. We'll be on our way once the snow eases."
Eldvar, who had been on high alert, slowly lowered his guard. Seeing the familiar armor, he realized the man was a fellow soldier one of his own.
"Ah, you're a Stormcloaks soldier like me, aren't you?" Eldvar said.
Even so, the carriage driver remained cautious, his eyes never leaving the two newcomers despite the shared allegiance.
The Stormcloak soldier put on a friendly expression. "Ah, yes, that's right. Do you still have room for us to take shelter?" he asked, extending his hand in greeting. "And let me introduce myself I'm Eirik. And you?"
Eldvar smiled and accepted the handshake. "I'm Eldvar."
As their hands met, Eldvar noticed something unusual the man's body felt cold. Still, he didn't think much of it. With a blizzard raging outside, it was only natural for someone to be freezing.
Then Eldvar glanced past him. "And that person?"
Eirik hesitated for a brief moment, an uneasy feeling flickering across his face before he forced a smile. "Ah, sorry. They're wearing a hooded robe, with their face covered, because of a rare illness. Their name is Silva."
But Eldvar caught a glimpse beneath the fold of Silva's hood what looked like the pointed ear of an elf.
(Wait… I shouldn't be too quick to judge. There are even some Nords who don't hate elves… though they're rare.)
"Ah, never mind," Eldvar said, brushing the thought aside. "You must be freezing, right? Come, get closer to the fire."
They gathered around the campfire, letting its warmth seep into their bodies as they began to talk.
Eldvar started the conversation. "So, where are you two headed?"
Eirik answered, "Ah, us? We're on our way to Whiterun. We're hoping to meet the Dragonborn."
Eldvar quietly hid the flicker of excitement in his eyes, keeping his true intentions to himself. He was carrying out a dangerous mission, after all.
"I see," he replied calmly. "As for me, I'm heading to Riverwood."
Eirik expression slowly shifted his face showing a hint of annoyance, even turning slightly anger before he quickly forced it back into a friendly smile. "Ah, I see… hehe."
Eldvar noticed the subtle change in both of them. The ease he had shown earlier faded, replaced by quiet vigilance. Still, he made sure not to reveal his suspicion.
As Eirik let out an awkward laugh, Eldvar's gaze sharpened. Now that the man stood closer to the campfire, the flickering light illuminated his face more clearly.
That was when Eldvar saw it.
Eirik eyes deep, vivid red.
Earlier, he hadn't noticed it well, since Eirik had stayed away from the firelight. But now, there was no doubt… those eyes were unmistakably crimson.
Eldvar's thoughts began to clash in his mind. (Cold body temperature… bright red eyes… but wait, I haven't seen his teeth yet…)
Keeping his composure, Eldvar reached into his bag and pulled out some meat. "Ah, you must be hungry. How about this? It's still fresh."
Eirik smiled warmly. "Ah, thank you very much. You're truly a lifesaver."
Eldvar then roasted the meat over the campfire. Once it was cooked, he handed it to Eirik.
Unaware that he was already under suspicion, Eirik accepted the food without hesitation. "Alright, let's eat… aaahm "
He opened his mouth.
In that instant, Eldvar's eyes widened.
There it was sharp fangs, unmistakable.
As Eirik opened his mouth wide to take a bite, Eldvar no longer had any doubt left.
He was a vampire.
Eirik chewed the meat, lowering his guard for just a moment.
That was all Eldvar needed.
His hand shot to the hilt of his sword he drew it in a flash and swung straight for Eirik neck. But before the blade could finish its arc, Silva yanked Eirik backward. The strike missed its mark, leaving only a shallow cut across Eirik throat.
"Damn it we've been found out!" Eirik hissed.
Eldvar immediately stepped back, putting distance between them as he raised his sword, its tip aimed directly at the two.
"Who are you?" Eldvar demanded.
Eirik clutched his neck, where a thin line of blood trickled down. "Damn you!!!"
In the next instant, the wound began to close flesh knitting itself together unnaturally fast, until no trace of the injury remained.
Silva then removed her hood, revealing her true form a High Elf woman.
Eldvar had already suspected she was an elf, but he hadn't expected that.
"So it's true… your kind really is troublesome," Eldvar said coldly. "Working together with a vampire? That's just absurd."
(Her eyes… they're not glowing red or orange… which means she isn't a vampire.)
Silva spoke, her voice sharp with anger yet eerily controlled. "You ignorant fool… how dare you mock my kind!!"
Eirik then turned to her, a sinister grin forming on his face. "May I drink the blood of both of them?"
Silva replied calmly, "Ah… as for that Stormcloaks man, do not kill him. I have plans for him. But " her gaze shifted toward the carriage driver, who was hiding behind Eldvar, "you may do as you please with that one."
Eirik let out a cruel, twisted laugh. "Very well, then…"
A dark red glow began to gather in his hand, swirling like blood brought to life. He raised it, aiming precisely at the carriage driver.
"Hahaha… you'll be my feast."
The driver's body began to weaken almost instantly. His strength drained away as if something was sucking the very life out of him. He tried to run, stumbling forward but his legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the ground, his body shriveling, powerless.
"So delicious…" Eirik muttered, his grin widening. "But it would be even better if I devoured you whole."
Eldvar glanced at the carriage driver's body and realized the man was still alive.
Rage surged through him.
"You !!!"
Eirik only laughed at the man's suffering. "Hahaha… just a pathetic mortal."
Without warning, his hand crackled with energy as he cast a burst of sparks toward Eldvar.
Eldvar raised his sword just in time, managing to block and hold back the attack. "Kghhk !"
Silva watched with mild surprise. "Oh? Not bad… for an ordinary soldier."
Annoyed, Eirik increased his power. The crackling sparks intensified, surging into a raging wall of storm spell.
Eldvar could no longer hold it back.
After a few seconds, the force overwhelmed him his sword was knocked away, and the lightning struck his body directly.
"AAGGHH!!!"
Electricity coursed through him violently, his body convulsing uncontrollably before everything went dark.
Eldvar collapsed, unconscious.
Silva and Eirik exchanged satisfied smiles.
"Good… with this, our plan will proceed smoothly," Silva said. "You and him will approach the Dragonborn. As for me, being a High Elf, she would immediately grow suspicious."
She then began chanting a spell something akin to hypnosis directed at Eldvar. Hours passed, and eventually, the spell took hold. Eldvar's eyes turned hollow, empty of will.
Eirik looked at her with clear admiration. "Wow… for a mortal, you can use a High Vampire spell specialized in the mind. Impressive."
Silva lifted her chin, her tone laced with arrogance. "Now, carry out the plan. Elenwen wants the Dragonborn to cooperate… but in my view, he is a threat that must not be kept alive. If you get the chance kill him."
Eirik let out a dark, eager laugh, anticipation burning in his eyes at the thought of meeting the Dragonborn.
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