Skyrim was always an unforgiving place, but even Malakaus's luck shouldn't have been this bad. But is smelled of trouble the moment Gunmar told him that Malakaus had to oversee the new members. The Dawnguard had slowly began to expand it's forces, and they even have some bases outside of Fort Dawnguard. However, they still had to be cautious when hiring new members. Even with Isran's screening, not all those who join the Dawnguard can just go about doing Dawngaurd business. Most don't even get to use the armor or weapons until they've proven their loyalty like Malakaus had to. He had to go clear out a vampire lair on his own. He did well enough, which was why he didn't like the idea that he had to help three other wannabe vampire hunters with taking down just one vampire. Sure, he was holed up with a gang of bandits, but should they have just been sent on their own? There was value in teamwork, to be sure, but this was a test of loyalty, not ability. Numbers would make the new guys cocky. And Malakaus didn't want to baby sit them.<br/><br/>To his (mis)fortune, he wouldn't need too. When they began to travel from Fort Dawnguard to Riften, they intercepted vampire scouts. There was only three of them, but they still managed to kill one of the aspiring hunters. This unnerved the others, and Malakaus told them that they had two choices: Go home and stop bothering the Dawnguard or stay with him to slay this Vampire Master. They stayed, but they didn't last for too long. From Riften they took a carriage to Dragon's Bridge, but while they were passing through Rorikstead they were attacked by a<span style="font-style: italic">Dragon</span>of all things. Another hunter was snatched up and eaten alive before the dragon flew off (He was probably hungry). The last hunter stayed in Rorikstead, unwilling to continue. This left Malakaus alone once he hit Dragon's Bridge, resting up to proceed with his mission. He may have not wanted to watch over the new hunters, but that didn't mean he wanted them to die like they did. But he didn't want to put so much faith in them either. It would have been too much for him.<br/><br/>So now he sits in the Four Shield's Tavern. Removing his helmet, he wiped the sweat and snow off his face.<span style="color: lightgreen">"I'll take a Black-Briar Mead if you have any, and whatever stew's in the pot right now..."</span>As he waited for his food Malakaus took out his journal. He wrote in it occasionally, and it's also where he kept documents and papers regarding whatever current mission he had. Looking at it, he scribbled down the summary of his mission.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic">A Vampire has taken over the leadership of a gang of bandits. Last seen around Shadowgreen Cavern. Must elimnate the leader before he turns the gang into a brood of vampires.</span></div><br/><br/>But a little bit further down, Malakaus had written down some other notes.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic">Points of Interest: Steed Stone and Statue of Meridia. It would be a good idea to get the blessing of the Steed Stone before heading into Shadowgreen. And Meridia wants her Beacon back.</span></div><br/><br/>Sitting in his pack was Meridia's Beacon. Malakaus had found it when he went to find the crossbow bolt schematics for Sorine. Through her Beacon she told Malakaus to head to her shrine and place it at her statue. Though he was part of the Dawnguard, Malakaus still respected and followed some of the Daedric Princes. And since he's working with the Dawnguard, Meridia would be lots of help if she would allow him to use Dawnbreaker; the daedric artifact said to be the bane of the undead everywhere. It would only be appropriate if it was in the hands of the Dawnguard.<br/><br/>Soon his food arrived, along with unwanted company. A comely breton lass who, in Malakaus's opinion, must have been truly desperate for coin. She began to flirt with him, but he quickly put an end to that.<span style="color: lightgreen">"Not looking for company. Just take this and find someone else..."</span>He slid to her a few septims and she walked off. It was a rude thing to do, but Malakaus didn't want to make any emotional connections, not while he was on a job. Who knows what would happen to him once he left Dragon's Bridge. If he fails, he'd be lucky if he just gets killed and turned to ash or decapitated (Wouldn't want to be some undead thrall). If not... Well, it would be a good way to go at least. He sighed into his stew as he wondered if he should have just taken up the girl's offer. He did miss the company of friends. The Dawnguard were good folk to be around, even if Isran was a stickler for duty. But they were just business associates. He wanted personal friends, ones that he could call upon for matters like hunting game or seeing who could drink more troll's fat. Foolish things that you could only do with friends. Trying to forget these dreams, Malakaus drank from his bottle of Black-Brair.