A Friend
After the whole Blake incident things quieted down, vampire attacks seemed to dwindle down to almost none. While the rest of the hunters in the Dawnguard took this time to relax, Winter was more on guard than usual.
“This is just the calm before the storm Weiss, I know it.” Winter was loading up her mount by the stables preparing to leave the fort.
“Where will you go?” Weiss was just handing off items for her sister to put away. One of the rare occasions they could talk even if it was about vampires.
“I need to find some old friends that will help us when the time comes. I don't know how long it will take but until I return you will lead the Dawnguard.” Winter went through her mental checklist one last time assuring herself that she had everything.
“Really? You’re trusting me with something?” Weiss raised her brow.
Winter hauled herself onto Sabers saddle, “Don’t make me regret it. I expect everything to remain exactly the same as I’ve left it. Oh and keep that Dragonborn in your sights. I don't need any more incident reports from guards when I come back.”
“Yangs a good person.”
“She’s a good weapon. That’s why she’s around.” With those parting words Winter steered her horse Saber out of the stables and towards the exit of the fort. No goodbyes were ever exchanged between them.
“Ya know ice queen, your sister is so bitchy she makes you seem like Mara herself.” Yang appeared from behind her watching the older Schnee ride off.
“I’m in charge until she’s back.” Weiss decided to ignore her idiotic remark.
“Really? Your sister? Put faith. In you. Huh might have to take up worshiping Dibella again if miracles are going on.”
Weiss sneered and threw a punch into Yang's gut, “Shut up you oaf.”
“Oomf damn your punches are getting stronger.” Weiss smirked at that.
It was quiet for a few moments until Yang spoke up again. “I have to leave the fort for a little while.”
Weiss turned to her eyebrow raised, “The hell you are. What do you even need?”
Yang's eyes flashed dangerously, “You don’t control me. I have other things that need to be done. In case you forgot I’m kinda in charge of making sure dragons don’t take over Remnant.”
Weiss rolled her eyes “Come now you haven't cared about your divine duties since ever. What makes you want to suddenly get up and go?” Yang's hands clenched at her side.
“None of your business.” She responded.
Weiss recognized the signs of Yang's aggression starting to bubble. They weren’t going to get anywhere if Yang decided to get fired up. So she decided to fix it her own way.
Weiss turned back towards the castle and feigned disinterest. “There she goes. Yang about to throw another tantrum, what a shock.”
“What the fuck did you just say?” She snarled.
“You heard me. Go ahead and leave, you're not needed here.” Weiss kept walking leisurely.
A short battle cry was the only warning Weiss got when a fist went flying her way. She ducked expecting the blow and reached up grabbing Yang's arm in the follow through pulling her forwards tumbling to the ground.
“That’s all you got?” Weiss taunted standing above the seething blonde.
Yang growled and swept her foot catching Weiss in the shin making her lose her footing but not fall. She sprung to her feet and started throwing more punches. The first one connected in Weiss’ ribs but the rest she was able to dodge.
It went like that for five minutes. Yang angrily threw her fists hoping they would connect and Weiss expertly weaving in and out of range leaving smaller jabs in her wake. By the end of their little fight they were both sweating and beaten. They stared at each other panting and sweating, Yang's eyes were lilac again. Defeated.
“Ready to talk?” Weiss dropped her defensive stance.
“I’ve been having dreams.” Yang's shoulders slumped.
“About?”
“Dragons. The rising of Salem. The destruction of Remnant and all of you dying. If I’m the only one that could stop this from happening shouldn’t I start trying?” It was clear the dreams had been plaguing her sleep from the dark bags under her eyes.
“I can’t go with you.”
“I know.” Weiss rubbed her arms nervously. “You don’t think I can handle myself?” Yang asked softly.
“I’m afraid you’re going to handle yourself a little too much.” Weiss stepped forwards and tugged Yang into a tight hug. “Just try to come back in one piece you brute.”
Yang wrapped her arms around Weiss’ smaller frame, “You got it ice queen. I’ll be back before you can even miss me.”
—
Transitioning back into being a lone traveler wasn’t difficult. Old habits die hard and Yang has always been alone. Aside from Ember that is who was grumpy for being put to work again.
Before she left the Greybeards, Maria mentioned something about a Horn of Windcaller or something of the sort. It was supposed to be in a cave east of Atlas. Which was conveniently on the other side of Remnant. Just perfect. That would be at least 4 days of non stop riding.
She would hire a wagon to take her to Beacon which was about the halfway point to see Ruby. It had been far too long and the letters weren’t enough.
Yang slept for most of the ride on the rickety back of the carriage. Ember walked dutifully behind it, grateful not to be lugging all of Yang's gear and Yang herself.
Once they reached the city Yang tossed the carriage driver his coins and hopped off stretching her stiff legs. She attached all her gear to Ember's saddle and tugged her towards the city gates. It was always nostalgic coming back to this city. She remembered hiding behind certain bushes or barrels playing tag with Ruby. The old blacksmith that always yelled at them for knocking over his swords. The night she left the Companions.
That memory was not so kind so she pushed it down into the depths of her mind.
They walked along the cobbled path winding around the busy merchants and citizens going through their daily routines. Yang considered stopping at the Bannered Mare for an ale but the thought of seeing Ruby again made her walk past it.
Walking up the steps to Jorrvaskr was like deja vu. It reminded her of when this whole hellish situation started with dragons and ancient powerful gods. What a pain.
Yang pushed open the guild doors and just like last time it fell silent as all eyes turned to her. Whispers flooded the great hall from which she could only catch certain words or phrases. Most of which related to ‘Dragonborn’ or ‘anger issues’. The last one was slightly humorous.
“Everytime I think I get rid of you, you just pop up again.” A strong voice boomed from one side.
Yang turned to look at Hazel who was sitting at the head of the table with an irritated look in his eyes. “You’re like a skeever infestation. Always coming back.”
“Hello to you, too old man. Where’s Rubes?” Hazel rolled his eyes. No point in fighting it anymore.
“Downstairs.”
She gave him a mocking courtesy and stomped downstairs giving anyone who looked at her a scathing glare. She dropped the act when she closed the door to the basement behind her.
Yang heard humming coming from Ruby's room and recognized the tune as one Summer used to sing to them before bed. A fond smile found its way to her face. She remembered after their parents died Yang sang that song to Ruby everyday in hopes that she would never forget it.
When she got closer to the sound of singing she saw Ruby leaving her room tinkering with something in her hands. She would have ran straight into Yang's chest if she hadn’t stopped last second. Silver eyes looked away from their hands to look at whoever got in their way.
“YANG?!” Ruby practically screamed jumping into her sister's arms. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?”
Yang pulled her in tightly, “Volume Rubes.”
“Right! Yang what are you doing here?!” She whisper yelled.
“I’m heading over by Atlas and figured I’d stop by to see my little sister.” Yang grinned and gave Ruby her signature hair ruffle.
“What’s in Atlas?” Ruby swatted her hands away and fixed her hair.
“Somethin that the Greybeards wanted me to find. I kinda forgot about it until recently. Figured it would be right for me to get it done finally.”
“Oooo sounds mysterious! Where’s Weiss I wanna meet her!” She stood on her top toes trying to look over Yang's shoulders.
“Ice Queen was busy running the fort. Just me and Ember again.”
“Aw I wanted to see her.” Ruby pouted.
Yang rolled her eyes fondly, “You’re not missin anythin trust me.”
Ruby grabbed her sister's hand and dragged her back towards her room to ramble on and on about her newest inventions and gadgets. She had recently started dabbling in alchemy and showed Yang her newly brewed potions that all had questionable side effects.
“This one makes you immune to fire attacks, this one makes you stronger, this one can make you harder to spot and -“
“Rubes, I can't stay long this time. I'm leaving today.” Yang interrupted her little ball of energy before she could get too carried away.
“What?” Ruby looked absolutely crestfallen. Her bottom lip jutted out and her silver eyes shone with tears.
Divines… how could she say no to that face?
“What if… what if you came with me?” Yang didn’t know if she really wanted that for her sister or if it was too selfish but the words left her mouth already.
At that Ruby became unusually silent. She put down her potions and sat down across from the small table Yang was at. She put her hand on her chin covering her mouth and sat in thought for a few minutes. She was contemplating every single possibility and every outcome. Yang leaned back in her chair doing the same.
“I’ll have to talk to Hazel but Yang you know I want to.” Ruby finally spoke standing up and walking towards the exit. “I want to see the world with you. I’m tired of being cooped up here. There’s so much I want to do. People I want to meet.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
“Nah he doesn’t really like you all that much.”
Yang grunted, “Who does.”
—
Crescent nickered happily, pressing her muzzle into Ember's face as they reunited at the city gates. Ruby sat atop her chestnut mare basically buzzing in the saddle.
“I can’t believe you convinced the old man to let you go.”
“All I had to do was say that it was for the good of the companions and boom! He probably knew I would go anyway but it was nice getting permission.” Ruby was all smiles as they rode out of the Beacons walls.
“Did you bid farewell to Penny?”
Ruby pulled Crescents reins closer to her lap. “Yes.” She squeaked out quietly.
Yang looked over to see why Ruby's voice would crack like that and saw that her sister's face was just as red as her cloak. “You two did something!” She pointed an accusatory finger in her direction.
“No!” Ruby waved her arms in an x.
“You did! Don’t lie to me!”
Ruby dug her heels into her horse's flanks and took off galloping down the grassy path. Yang rolled her eyes and followed after her Ember, snorting at the fact that she had to run.
There was no chance they could catch up to a quick horse like Crescent so Yang took it easy letting Ember gallop at her own pace. Besides, Ruby didn’t carry much gear with her and she was at least a foot shorter than Yang so it was much less weight than Ember had to lug around. Eventually they slowed down when they neared the forest again.
Yang decided to drop the subject of Penny to avoid another outburst of energy. For now. It was her sisterly duty to pry into Ruby's personal life afterall.
—
“Yanggg are we there yet?”
“For the final time Ruby. You will know when we get there because I’ll say WE GOT THERE!” Yang was trying to keep her cool here but Ruby got bored within one day of riding. Since then it had been constant whining and asking when they would arrive.
Well perhaps not constantly complaining. It was the first time Ruby had been this far out so she was taking her opportunity to discover new fauna and plants. Every fox and wild goat had her stopping in awe as she tried to sketch it in her journal as fast as possible. This last little stretch they had left was devoid of anything new however thus resulting in an extremely bored little sister.
Ruby groaned and fell back in Crescents saddle watching the branches above her head pass over as they trotted along the winding path. Bored as she was, Ruby had to admit this was the happiest she had been in a while. She and Yang had been so close as kids but when Yang left and Ruby stayed their interactions had been stretched to barely seeing each other. The companions had welcomed Ruby in fully and they would always be close to her heart but Yang had practically raised her. She would never forget that.
That didn’t mean she wouldn’t take every possible opportunity to annoy her sister, “How bout now?”
Yang didn’t gratify that with a reply.
—
The sun was just beginning to touch the mountains when they finally got to the place Maria described, Ustengrav’s Tomb.
The rock covering the entrance to the tomb had been pried open, someone else beat them here. Yang tugged her armor straps tighter and made sure her greatsword was secured on her back.
“Expect a fight Rubes. I can smell people here.” The scent of a group of people was ingrained on the stone they had all brushed against. Ruby nodded seriously and motioned for Yang to go ahead.
Once inside the tomb they followed the path underground that led them into a small room meant for preparing bodies for entombment. Linen cloths and carving tools sat unused on the table in the center. Urns had been thrown open and any gold meant for the dead was now sitting in the pockets of whoever was here first.
“Yang look.” She looked over and saw Ruby standing over the corpse of a Grim. Its body was as fresh as it could be considering it was a reanimated corpse. The dripping black blood meant that it had just been taken down.
Yang sniffed the air around the corpse grimacing at the scent of rotten flesh, but she managed to pick up on something else. “There’s a group of people here. Maybe four of them.”
Commotion echoed from somewhere deeper in the crypt. The sisters glanced at each other and nodded. They took off down the stone corridors keeping an eye out for any straggling Grim but found none. They did pass the half eaten corpse of one of the grave robbers lying by the Grim who killed him. That left three for them to face.
They followed the woven paths till it spat them out in an open cavern. There were old crumbling pillars and structures that had been carved out thousands of years ago.
Ruby motioned for Yang to be silent, which is difficult for someone packed like a mule with heavy armor. There were people talking up ahead surrounding a grand table with rotted bread and cheese. At almost each of the chairs sat the remains of whomever had previously enjoyed the feast. Their corpses were reduced to bones but something was off about them…
“Think the wine is still good?” One of the grave robbers chuckled to himself.
Another one prodded at one of the skeletons with their spear, “These bastards sure won’t be needing it.” The third man played with one of the skeletons' arms attempting to tear the sword from its cold grasp.
All at once creaks and groans sounded out in the cave as the skeletons came back to life. The elf trying to take the sword from it got the weapon thrust into his gut. The other skeletons chattered their decayed teeth, jumping up and attacking the intruders. Some drew bows, others used axes and as quickly as they were surprised the grave robbers were cut down.
The skeletons sat back down in their chairs presumably to wait until another unsuspecting fool came down looking to rob Ustengrav of its treasures.
“Bunch of bones. Piece of cake.” Yang pointed at the one holding the bow at the head of the table. “You get that one first.”
Ruby drew her own bow and with remarkable precision her arrow zipped through the air as quiet and deadly as a serpent. The iron tip buried deep into the skeleton and it clattered to the ground in a heap of bone meal. The other skeletons awoke to the sounds of battle and soon Yang jumped in swinging her greatsword that cut through the undead with ease.
The skeletons didn’t put up much of a fight and soon they were all reduced to piles of dust.
It took a few more scuffles with grim and skeletons but finally they made it to the end of the tomb. Yang was grateful to be able to put her sword away, arms slightly aching with the amount of energy she had exerted already.
So it was really the cruelest of punishments when Yang and Ruby approached the altar where the horn should be and found it empty save for a scroll neatly placed in its spot. It read,
“ Dragonborn,
I need to speak with you. Urgently. Rent the attic room at the Sleeping Nevermore Inn in Patch and I’ll meet you.
— A friend”
Yang crumpled the paper in her hand growling in frustration, “What an absolute waste.”
Ruby on the other hand was buzzing with excitement, “Ooo but Yang this is so mysterious! I wonder who they are… A spy? Orrr maybe It’s the High King asking for your help!”
Yang groaned, “Whoever it is I’m gonna kick their ass for taking my horn. Cmon Rubes let’s go.”
They made their way back out of the cave without any further fights. Mounting up it would be a shorter ride to Patch. It had been years since Yang went back to that place. Her memories weren’t always the kindest. It was the last place she had any semblance of a normal life. Her mom and dad were still alive and she was still allowed to be a child. She could tell Ruby had come to the same conclusion in her head as she had gone quiet in her saddle.
Yang would find out who stole the horn and why they went through all the trouble to get her attention. Then get the fuck out of Patch.