Hello and welcome! Just wanted to let everyone know that this story is a side project of mine and undoubtedly has errors, if you notice any please let me know! There are many adult themes in this story as well so please be advised.
Enjoy!
'Fear is something everyone, man, woman, child, Elf, Orc, human, lizard, and cat deal with every second of their lives. War, famine, cults, Daedra, bandits, and the occasional person who thinks that one would be better off dead severing the lord of the void in the afterlife.'
"Wait does that count as a cult?" I question leaning back from the desk. Looking up from the parch for the first time in hours, I rest my eyes, scanning the room. A rather open design, handed down generation after generation, mostly owned by nobles who play the market of Wayrest that now sits decorated with fine art mixed with the amputated heads of all the beast that crossed my blade.
Even with the trophies, the art, the fire, the light, the luxury, the darling of a dog that lays on my bed, the mansion is every bit of the word lonely. "How many stories do I have to be in to become happy, Lady?" I call, looking over at her laid out, eyes shut, not caring about my despair, even after the chime of her name.
Honestly, who could blame her?
Looking down at my drink it's clear that I've had enough, my body rejecting any and all ideas of poisoning it any more than I already have. Demanding that I join the fluff ball in bed, so I can wake up tomorrow only to walk the stone streets, talk to the merchants of the market, hit on anyone who dared give me attention.
I didn't want to be that person anymore. Pretending to be the strong arm, silly, good doer of society for anyone who was willing to spare the gold. All I wanted was her.
Clenching my jaw I sweep the papers away knowing that I may never get to them again. It was supposed to be a novel, a tale of my fictional self-having the gall to do what I want, take what I want. An insane thought really.
If only the people of the Covenant could see me right now. Their hero, a noble turn warrior, banisher of Daedra drunk, depressed, and longing for a Dark Elf, failing to understand happiness.
I was born Morning Star, 15th 256 the only daughter of house Shadre. A group of well-off Imperial bankers I was taught from an early age on how to be a woman, how to do the math, and how to fuck over any and all poor people in a reachable distant. Unfortunately for my dear mother I also learned how to use a bow and sword, thanks to a veteran uncle who realized money doesn't matter when one's dead.
Grabbing the tumbler, I slam the book shut before stumbling towards the bed. Scurrying across the floor Lady avoids my haphazard strides before my feet leave the ground as I crash onto the bed. It was a rare event, for me to be home, to be in a silken gown and not the sturdy leather I had slept in for many more days than anyone would wish. Honestly, It was exciting to think that I could wear a modest dress tomorrow, or a simple linen garb, our I could stay here and wear nothing at all.
The options lead to the fact that my bloody uniform is hanging in the courtyard, drying in the breeze from a much-needed wash, not expecting to be worn for some time.
"I could go shopping tomorrow and get clothes for this week," as the words leave my lips I heard a huff across the room as Lady leaps onto the bed. "You're right, I barely get to wear the ones I have," forcing myself up I wait until she comfortably situates herself before sliding under the cover.
As my breathing slowed I could hear the events happening near the square. It was summer and efforts over the last three months in Cyrodiil led to Emeric having much more sway, and even crowning a patriot as emperor. Granted he's a fake, some Orc bloke who doesn't have an ounce of dragon blood in him, someone not fit for the title of emperor. Though I guess the same could be said for my people, stupid heirs and bad counseling put us in this situation to begin with.
I settled with the best option to be had. A child queen, an angry Nord, or an intelligent, experienced, well-spoken Breton, the choice in my mind was simple. I'm not sure what the people truly thought of me, however. An Imperial noble who was more than proud of her lineage that she wore a red diamond always. It leads to some questionable looks, and that was being modest. Though it was hard to blame them, outsiders can be unsettling, outsiders bring change.
But even as it is I found myself in the good graces of the high-king, doing what he asked of me the best I could, not letting my feelings get in the way. Loyalty does, in time, breed results. Results in the form of money and respect, so much so that the royals of the city would be honored for one to drop a large sum of gold to buy a house that has been vacant for years. An adobe I have found to be called Gardner House.
Though the politics of how I found myself here are mostly irrelevant now. The people still look at me like a monster, the war is still raging on, and I, after serving two tours, am done fighting for a false king.
Laying on the verge of sleep the noise from the street outside becomes muffled, the candles in the room blurry, dimming with each passing second. The comedown was always this abrupt, a steep dive into sub-conscious, sleep.
Kvatch, Gold Coast, one year ago.
"Oh, the joy of seeing a friendly face around here!" Naryu gasps from the bar.
"Just friendly? I figured by this time I would at least make your heart race a little faster," I jest taking a seat next to her. The Eight Blessing was a rather simple Inn. Small bar, cozy hearth, and three rooms upstairs. Though even with it's modest set up, it's the largest inn on the coast.
"Oh dear you do, I plan on taking you home with me after this ordeal is cleaned up. But for now, business, business,"
"Professional as always, so tell me, why have you called me all the way out to this forsaken coastal place," I groan, remembering the times I played in the fields outside of Anvil. The roars from the arena fights I was never allowed to watch in Kvatch. All those times where at the height, before the anchors, before my people betrayed their own, before the white and gold tower became a name that makes the masses nausea, not hopeful.
Snapped back by a glass placed in front of me, my eyes shift back towards Naryu, a smirk across my lips. "What? Are you surprised I remembered? Comberry Bourbon, I know it isn't your favorite but it's the best this swill offers,"
Pushing the glass towards me the grin on her face doesn't do much to soften my expression. The bitter thought of the last time we were together playing through my mind, how she disappeared without a word. An expression that made my thoughts clear as day.
"You're thinking of, then aren't you?" clenching her jaw I watch as her hair falls from behind her ear lightly tickling her cheek. As she thought on her next words I watch, her lower lip quivering, her eyes zoning. I noticed these things about her a while back, it was in Morrowind, the third time she asked for my help, actually. Though that time it was more personal, a small glimpse into a world where she didn't have the Tong, it was enough for me to fall in love with her.
As such things go however I kissed her, and she, back. In a long conversation that followed we came to the agreement we would meet up often, she never showed, and I never heard from her again. That was until a letter came to me asking for my help in Kvatch, signed by nothing more than heart and a dagger.
That lead me here and now, sitting across the table from a shifty-eyed Dark Elf who had killed her way to stardom and somehow became the single thing that occupied my mind more than anything ever had.
Sighing at the awkward tone that had taken over the conversation I fail to hold eye contact with her, feeling smaller with each second. "Tell me why I'm here?"
"I'm not sure how much you've been keeping tabs on old imperial satellites since the war, but the Gold Coast has had something real, unfortunate, comings as of recent," she says, defeat laced in her words.
"Not much," I reply taking a sip, the amber liquid burning the back of my throat.
"Order of the Hour heard of them?"
"I have not,"
"To make it short they are nothing more than a bunch of dragon loving zealots, which in the grand scheme is not rare or unusual. What really caught my attention was the fact they were much more aggressive then others here, sailors and traders would disappear if they were representing any other than Akatosh. Now as much as it would thrill me to shut those holy rollers up it has nothing to do with them, it has to do with a group that has been killing them off," taking a sip she closes the distance between us, her words becoming no more than a whisper.
"What do you know about the Dark Brotherhood?"
"Nothing more then what's in rumors and children stories," I reply, her face twisting in a frown.
"You disappoint me, dear," she sighs, breaking the space between us. "You knowing nothing about them just makes me realize how little you know about me," shifting her posture she places her cheek on her palm, her elbow firmly on the wooden bar. "To make a long-winded rant short The Gold Coast has become a bit of a war zone between the order and the brotherhood, chances are you would walk out of this Inn right now and see a gasping body bleeding onto the cobble, and it's only going to get worse,"
"So what does this have to do with the Tong?" Grabbing the glass I tilt back my head, emptying it in one swig in an attempt to dull my emotions. Her ability to talk so easily about her work, even while I was sitting there in front of her, pissed me off.
"Well, that is where it gets complicated," looking down at her wine she twirls it with her wrist, the liquid becoming a whirlpool.
Clenching her jaw it was nearly impossible to read what was going on in her head, much like it always was. "I'm here," I break the silence, pulling her attention back to me.
Shifting her hips towards me the tickle of her boot brings a chilled rush through me. "Yes, you are, and for right now, that's what I care most about," Leaning forward she places her hand on my thigh, the heat of her breath on my ear. "I got us a room, you can take your drink, order more, we can talk more about all of this in the morning,"
Heat builds in my chest at her words, the smell of her breath, the inviting of her gaze. I knew it was the liquor, at least some of it, didn't help the fact that every wet dream I've had involved her, from night until morning. I'd always wake up then, longing for her to stay around.
Downing another shot I knew it didn't matter. If we were in Alinor, Windhelm, or Daggerfall, if not a single shot was taken, or circumstance addressed, she could get me in her bed, in her life.
It was getting her to stay there that was the problem.
"So, you're going to sweet talk me, give me the warmth I've been dreaming of for months only to set me out on a mission to clean up the mess you found yourself in?" The words roll off the tongue like venom, though a notable weak kind.
"If I wanted to sleep my way out of this situation I would take up every mercenary from here to Morrowind. You can think of me whatever you will when it come to my feelings for you but the fact is I wanted you here, with me, I've wanted that for a while now,"
"Say it then,"
"Say what?"
"You know what Nayru!" I snap.
"I'm not," she laughs hesitantly.
Grabbing her hands, I yank her to her feet, placing my knee between her thighs. Wrapping my arm around her waist before she can react I lift her onto the bar. Throwing a glare over at the brewer he quickly disregards the antics, wasn't like there were any other patrons here at this time of night.
"What are you…"
"Say it!"
"Honestly, I'm impressed that," she detours.
"I swear I'll leave if the next words out of your mouth aren't what I want to hear,"
"I love you, you brute, now unless you plan on keeping me pinned here let me down. I feel that man's glare on my back even now," as the words leave her lips the brewer rounds the corner up the stairs.
"Now do you?" I tease.
"You're getting too full of yourself noble," she replies, a smirk running across her red-tinted lips. "let's not make too much of a scene, we have time,"
Sliding off the bar she grabs my hand, softly navigating me towards the stairs. With each step her grip becomes tighter, her steps more impatient before we finally top the stairs. Not even having the time to think she wraps her hand around my waist nearly throwing me through the only open door on the floor.
Slamming the door behind the soft, endearing expression that ran across her face was gone, replaced by something much more cunning, demanding. "Look at you," she giggles placing her hand in between my breast. "Dressed in custom tailored leather, I mean it's clear with the way it traces you. And that bow, probably cost more then what most the people make in their life, you truly are the last remaining darling of the Imperials, yet here, Serana," my legs buckle under her glare as my body ignited. Moving her hands to my shoulders I obey as she takes me to my knees on the wooden floor. "You're nothing but mine,"
Tracing her finger to my chin there is a gentle pinch as I undo her belt. "Have another drink," suddenly pulling away she heads to the nightstand where a tumbler sits. Remaining on my knees I watch as she nudges off the leather that covered her legs before pouring one. "You know, none of this is as comfortable as people think," unbuckling her top it too falls with a thud as she stood back to me, topless, a simple piece of silk tracing the outlines of her ass.
"Though you would understand. I remember the first time I saw you, you were," her voice trails off into a mumble as she seems to stare down at the glass.
"I was what?" rising to my feet I place my hands on her hips, my pinky tracing the silk. Trying to regain the bravado she cuts her eyes angerly towards me, but it was a lackluster attempt as I inch my lips towards her ear. "Tell me what you saw in me,"
Sliding my hand up to her chest one remained tantalizingly above her panty line as her squeezed her closer.
"It was like a story, a cliché playing in front of me. An unlucky draw requiring me to need help, a mercenaries help for that matter. Only to find an Imperial so fed up with the hand she was dealt that blood dried on her face. But it was your eyes that made me weak, a torrent of green and blue that brought me the shores of Alinor, I always adored that place just hated the residents," Tracing my finger up her spine I kiss her shoulder before spinning her to face me.
"Tell me again,"
"You're either demanding or submissive, you really don't have an in-between, do you?" she teased.
"Fine with me, I'll just make you say it," Tracing down the curves of her I grab the bottom of her ass, easily lifting her.
"You're more proving my point dear," she chimes in my ear, her breath becoming hotter as she gently bites it. Laying her on the bed I wrap my fingers around her panties as she falls, the force easily pulls them down her thighs, past her ankles.
"It has been too long since I've seen this," Taking a step back I take her fully in. Her ashen body clashing again the red diamond bedding, her black hair scattered, her terrifying eyes soft. Following every curve to her toe it becomes clear she was planning for this, no blood on her armor, none on her, and the fact that she had been grooming, artfully shaven, waist down.
"Are you just going to stare at me?"
"The eight knows I could,"
"Weren't you supposed to be, I don't know, forcing me to say something,"
"Ill patient as always," I scoff before pulling her hips to the edge of the bed. Closing her eyes I can feel her muscles loosen as my thumb presses into the sole of her foot. With each passing second, I can feel her, see her, hear her relax, using each subtle sigh, shift, curve, and moan as a guide for my hand, each one permission to move it higher. And the higher it got, the closer I became to being on my knees once again.
"You'll never get it unless you stop playing around," she snaps, wrapping her ankles around the back of my neck.
"You know Nayru. For someone who complained about me being one or the other," I start.
"Maybe there's just a difference between wanting my slaves to pamper me," sharply jerking me forward she clamps my ears between her thighs, her smell, her heat, all of her inches away only primed my lust. "And fuck me!"
That ignited it.
Grasping each of her thighs I force her ankles behind her ears before embedding my tongue inside her. Grabbing my hair I focus on my tongue, on her moans, on the nails digging into the back of my scalp. She was mine, or so I had to make her be, so tomorrow, and the next night, we could do this, I have to make her love me as I love her.
Becoming more aggressive with each gasp I add my hands to the mix, gently kissing her clit in rhythm with every thrust. Growing louder with each curve of my fingers I slow the pace shifting back to my tongue, flicking between her clit and derriere artfully preparing as both of my palms rest firmly on her ass.
Focusing once again on her pussy I move my left hand up to her chest, grazing over her nipple before cupping it, gently squeezing. With my tongue as deep as possible I try to keep tempo as my right ring finger slips into her ass.
"Oh fuck," she gasps grasping her thighs around my head. With each stroke it became easier as her moan become louder, shifting her hands from my head to the wall in an attempt to push herself closer to me, putting my tongue and finger as deep as possible. I could sense she was close, her sound, muscles, smell, all of it brought me back to the last time we found ourselves in a bedroom, a time I learned what exactly made her cum.
Adding my middle finger to the mix I start to tease as her thighs relax, her moans subside. Worried I might have overdone it I glance up at her, my nose buried near her clit, her neatly groomed pubs filling out the bottom of my sight.
Dreading a look of unintrest or discomfort I get neither, coming eye to eye with her, a mischievous grin, eyes clearly holding back on.
"Why are you still dressed?" she asks coolly, though even with her fascia a quiver was laced in her words.
"Why are you not cumming?"
Placing her foot on my chest she pushes me back, picking herself up from the bed. "Lose the leather and lay down,"
Revisiting the urge to take her again I start to tug at the straps of my armor as she does the same, though in a much more lewd manner. As my top falls to the floor I'm not even able to touch my pants as my belt falls next, Nayru lunging two fingers inside of me, her maroon eyes staring directly into mine as I shiver.
"In those tight pants, on your knees on a wooden floor doing all of the work and yet you are still this wet," she teased as she took her other hand jerking my pants off,
"Nayru," without even thinking I moan her name as she thumbs my clit.
"Do you want to please me?"
"Yes,"
"Then make me scream my love for you," wrapping her arm around my waist she spins me, throwing me on the bed. Not having enough time to even breath she mounts my face, her ass blocking any and all view.
It doesn't take long before her master act falters as she takes advantage of our positions, forcing my ankles into the air, her beautifully pointed ears between my thighs, fingers teasing, tongue inside me.
Fighting back the urge to go limp I muffle my moans, focusing on her, I'm not one to give up easily. Once again bringing my ring finger into play it was only a matter of time before her rhythm broke, her nose gently resting on my pelvis as she swears and praises, all in one gasping sentence.
Subtly moving my legs down the point came where she was barely moving at all, she was defeated, the only thing left was to finish her. Grabbing her breast, I forcer her up positioning myself fully under her, playing each flick of the tongue as best as I could.
"There! Serana!" placing her palms on my stomach I push with every bit of stamina I have left. "Serana, fuck, I'm there, please keep going, there!" with a howl her nails dug into my stomach, forcing me to wince in pain as she came before going limp.
Still inside her and becoming continuously drenched I was unable to convey my displeasure in the fact her vulgar tirade didn't have a trace of what I wanted to hear, so I didn't stop.
"You really want this don't you?" she coos, shifting on my face before lifting up, sliding her feet to the floor. Walking over she takes a shot before running her hands through her hair, turning back towards me. "Look at us, I'm standing here on the Gold Coast in an inn with cum literally running down both of my legs while you lay there covered in it, so calm, so beautiful, so intriguing," letting out a soft chuckle she takes another drink. "I don't know what it is about you but you want to hear it so you will, I love you Serana Shadre. I love the way you look, act, smell, walk, talk, and how you use that tongue of yours. I love the way you fight, defend what you care about and live," Straddling my waist she leans over clashing her lips with mine. "I love you, more than I ever could love anyone, with those freckles and stoic expression, and that is all I can say,"
Sliding her hand in between my thighs she falls over, cuddling me with her free arm, kissing me with every insert, though as amazing as it felt I already got what I wanted, I had her, her smell, warmth, inside me, and at this moment, that is all that mattered.
"You're up early," I coo, the morning dew tracing the window as Nayru glares out of it. A loose-fitting shirt covering her from any passer-by that might be leering from below.
"Occupational hazard I suppose," she sighs, her eyes remaining locked out the window. Anyone who has been to The Gold Coast will know it's mornings and nights are always chilly, even been a southern coastal region. But even as the morning air gently moved her hair before blasting against my now uncovered body did nothing compared to her cold shoulder.
"Are you alright?" I whisper wrapping my arms around her waist, failing to even consider that any leering passerby could see me clear as day.
"Yeah, sorry, just thinking a bit," blowing it off she gently kisses my cheek, then my lips. "You sleep well?"
"Better then you, it seems," I say sympathetically, ignoring the fact I was too hot most of the night as our naked, sweating bodies remained glued together under covers. "I'm up now," I whisper into her ear. "Let's hear this plan of yours, the sooner it's done the sooner we can leave this blighted coast,"
"And cut our vacation short?" she smirks.
Rolling my eye's I throw on a shirt taking a seat on the bed, fighting off the urge of covering back up and laying down, giving her all my attention.
"Always thinking with your heart will get you in trouble you know?"
"Oh, It already has,"
A slight smile crossing her lips paired with an eye roll she closes the window before joining me. "There is a man here named Calldormo. He's a speaker of the Dark Brotherhood, which is a fancy way of saying he's really good at killing people, I know this for a fact because this one, used to be one of us. Defectors are one thing and never would provoke me to come out here without a writ, it's just that this one has something of mine,"
Trying to put the pieces together I quickly realize there was no way of it happening with her vague answers, but not daring to interrupt.
"It's a ring. One precious to the Tong, one that I was responsible of," she blurts, a tone of defeat in her voice.
"So you need a thief?"
"I wouldn't have asked for your help if I needed one of those," nearly whispering her eyes cut towards me. "that ring will never leave his finger until his heart stops, something that you excel at dear,"
"Where do I find him?"
"There's a sanctuary West of here. You know, cave with a creepy door that talks in rhymes. I'm not sure how long he's going to be there but I've been keeping tabs, he's been in the area for two days,"
"So, you want me to sneak into a den of professional killers, stalk one of them and kill them before escaping with this ring?" A seed of doubt sprouted within me as I repeated her words, as if she had planned very little at all.
"Speakers are hard to track, they move a lot and rarely get breaks. The fact he has been here this long is a blessing. Listen I know what you're thinking and I understand that it isn't ideal but I honestly see no other way,"
Leaning against the wall I shift my hips over allowing the heel of my foot land directly on her head. "I'm beginning to think you didn't ask me here because you wanted to see me,"
"I just happen to love the same woman that is capable enough to pull this off,"
"So outside of that wonderful night and I'm assuming favor what do I get from this Nayru. I mean this is risky, even for me, there has to be something more,"
"I've laid out many payment options," she starts.
"Including what you said last night? You'll come with me?"
"I'm not ready to leave the Tong. However, during my times of break, and every other chance I get I'd love to be with you,"
Finding my lip between my teeth I glare at the fogged over window. "Two seasons, I want you every day for the next two seasons or no deal,"
"You're seriously bartering for me?" she asks, almost annoyed.
"I don't need money, fame, glory, or any of that. I'm here right now with little to no clothing on because of you, Nayru, I want you, I want us, and in order to even lay the groundwork for that we both need to be willing to see where time takes us,"
"I'll give you all four," my heart flutters at her response as her hand lays on my thigh. "I want you to come back to me as much as you want to wake up to me. I swear it right now, all year, maybe even more, get the ring, do what you are artfully skilled to do, and let's leave the forsaken place,"
Placing my palm on her cheek I lean in to kiss her, "deal,"
"I'm seriously whipped," I groan under my breath. Kneeling to stay out of sight I peer over a rock face, stalking an obviously overdressed figure walking through the Gold Coast darkness. By the outline of their robes they seemed more the part of a politician then foot soldier but without a doubt knew what they were doing. Getting on his trail outside of Anvil this morning I've lost them three times, only picking them back up by quickly hurrying to the closest choke point that luckily had been mapped out for me.
Notching an arrow an uneasy feeling falls over me as the figure standing motionless in a small pool of water. No more than a foot from The Black Door. An overly creepy but somewhat impressive artistic depiction of children, surrounding a motherly woman. What are you doing? The thought puts a knot in my throat. Don't tell me I lost you here?
Drawing back the arrow I take aim, knowing the following actions will end poorly. Either the figure vanishes, leaving me alone and in failure, or the figure dies, leaving me without a way to get in. But patience was never a strong suit of mine.
"Here goes nothing," releasing my fingers it takes less than a second for the arrow to pierce the figure, sending them flying into the opposite wall before falling into the small pool. "Whoops,"
Scrambling from the rock I scale the siding before dropping into the puddle. Rolling over the corpse I slide off the gloves that covered each hand to find all fingers clear, no ring, wrong guy. Paying no attention to his face the search starts with pockets, followed by boots, neck, and waist, the usual for pro killers to hid things of interest.
"You're quite predictable," leaving me no time to react a boot slams into my ribs forcing all the air out of my lungs. Fighting through the searing pain I scramble to my feet. Gripping an arrow mid shaft, facing the shrouded figure. He blew any chance to kill me. "And fast,"
Pulling back his hood I'm still unable to get a good look at him, just the outline of his face, the silver in his eyes. A High Elf, probably.
"You know with the information we have on you, I wasn't sure this little farce would work, well that was before we learned of the love affair with a dear friend of mine," Turning his back towards me he continues the monologue. "I knew Naryu would come here, I knew she would ask you to help." Looking down at the corpse he nudges it with his boot, forcing it to fall in the pool. "Steal a slave from Kvatch dress him up, give him the task of leading you here and he will gain his freedom,"
"You would have killed him anyway," I say bitterly.
"Yes, as I said, freedom,"
"Give me a reason not to take off your head right now,"
"Because much like Nayru, I wanted you here," turning back towards me his outline seems more relaxed, inviting even. "I will give you the ring to take to her, all I ask in return is a small amount of your time,"
Taken back by the shift of conversation I naively loosen my grip, seeing if he reacts. With the moon still unable to shine in the crevasse his expressions are null as he once again turns his back towards me, pushing The Black Door.
"Walk with me if you please, I have something to show you," as he steps through the doorway I stay put, notching the arrow raising my bow. Drawing I line it up with the center of his back, I could end this now, and go back to her. "Have you ever wondered what happened to your mother?"
For the first time, his words turn my blood to ice.
"What did you say?" I growl.
"Avierina right? A dear Nobel woman who went missing, leaving her family in disarray moments before the meld started. I can answer that question for you and many more. Don't fret about your well being I assure, you'll not only be safe, but welcome in this sanctuary, so please,"
Without another word he continues his walk, the outline of his shoulder not rising nor falling, completely fine with the fact that even a slip of my fingers would kill him.
What are you thinking Serana? Relaxing my arm I slowly lower my bow, nibbling on the bottom of my lip. But what if he knows what happened to my family. He is a murder, a professional murder! My mind screams in rejection but my feet inch forward in the water.
Silence befell the air as I stepped through the door as if the wind it's self-dared not to blow into the sanctuary. Somewhat dazed I trudged forward, keeping up with the light-footed guide as we passed candles mounted haphazardly on jagged rocks producing just enough light to see the pathway or the stalactite above.
Even with bow in hand, a dread seeped into my chest with each step. There was nothing here, no people, chairs, animals, just candles and the sublet sound of running water, a small creek.
"It's just up here," his voice changed completely at this point, becoming more static, indifferent, tired. Passing a massive rock fixture a stained glass came into view, candles surrounding both sides, illuminating in the dim. A heart, entangled, impaled by a single blade caressed by two banners, each bearing a single black hand.
As we approached the stairs leading behind the glass a rush of calm came over me, the dark, seemed lighter, the quiet, comforting. Rounding the corner, it was clear no one was there either, a room consisting of nothing but a few pillars, a book, and an eerie coffin placed below a statue, resembling the woman on the door.
"We have been lost for a while now, moving all across Tamerial, trying to find our footing. It's rare for the mother herself to move but honestly we didn't know what else to do, she has been silent for so long and with Bal, the order, the war, all of it, I decided to bring her here, in the middle of it all," slowly reaching out his hand grazing the lid, a gold band on his finger. "I didn't lie to you," he says with an almost defeated sigh. "You can have this ring and walk out of here," sliding his hand to the left he inches his fingers into the space of the coffin before cracking it open slightly.
Stop him! a hushed whispered that mirrored my own thought demanded.
"Don't open it!" I snap.
Cutting his eyes towards me I can see a slight grin run across his lips as he relaxes his arm, letting the coffin seal once again. "That is all I needed to know," turning towards me he slowly reaches for a dagger at his waist before throwing it on the damp stone ground. "Thank you, Serana," reaching over his hand he removes the ring before tossing it to me. "What will you do now?"
Kill him, the voice returned.
"What! Why?"
He needs to die, for you to become the one.
"It's fine." He interrupts, making me realize my sudden outburst. "You hear her, the mother. Do it, I've waited for this moment my whole life," illuminated by the candles his eyes shimmer at the thought.
Take the dagger at your waist, walk behind him, tilt back his head, and send him to Sithis.
"Why?"
It is what needs to be done.
"Piss poor excuse hag, why?" I snap, becoming more and more annoyed with the idea of blind acceptance.
I have answers. I can show you my dear child what happened to your family, to your mother, brother. I can tell you how to save your dear Nayru, how the two of you can live your lives collecting the spoils of your efforts.
"For what?"
A contract. Five years, you will be my listener, you will become the ear of my beloved Dark Brotherhood, and once it's done, you will be released, with all the information and wealth you could imagine,
This is stupid, don't do it! Drowning out the voice my conscious breakthrough, seeming to ignore the aching in my heart.
"Where do I sign?"
At the sacrifice of my dear speaker.
Reaching for the hilt of my dagger I walk towards him, a man, the person of interest in a mission for my lover that became way too complicated. Even as I placed the blade to his throat he didn't budge, relaxed, accepting to anything that could happen.
"I can have my lover and family?"
My dear listener, you can have it all.
It's for the best. I tell myself before bringing the blade across his throat. It wasn't the first time I killed a high elf, applying the perfect amount of pressure to minimize pain, gurgling, and flailing as he fell onto his knees, his belly, then still.
Take his dagger, and the ring my listener. Go about your life, just remember, this is now your home.
With bile in my throat, my mind wasn't even sure if seeing Nayru was the right choice. Standing outside our rooms door, I press the ring between my fingers.
What does this even mean? Biting my lip again I play the thought over and over in my head. I didn't understand the politics of the Tong and Brotherhood, I wasn't sure about many of the shrouded guilds, but just like that, I was in the middle of it, and on the opposing side none the less.
What are five years? I try to convince myself. Does it even matter, finally being able to know what happened to mom, dad, Adrian, the chance of them still being alive?
"Hey, Nayru," I mumble in a hushed voice, trying not to disturb any other patrons trying to catch two or three more hours before daybreak. "I'm back," shoving the thoughts to back of my mind I focus on the now, blissfully thinking of her opening the door, sleep in her eyes, a smile on her lips.
But that could only happen if there was an answer.
"Nayru?" I whisper again, slowly opening the door. "It's me, are you up?"
For one to be up, they must be there.
Standing in the doorway of a vacant room, the only light being a dying candle placed on the nightstand, a white folded letter, flickering in its shadow.
'My dear,
I received an urgent letter moments after you left requiring me to return to Vvanderfall. Please, don't think ill of me. I know what we discussed, and I will, I swear, be with you. These are unprecedented times.
Keep the ring if as anything a memento of me, and be prepared for me in Stormhaven.
Love, endearingly,
Nayru.'
Laying down the letter I look at the ring still firmly placed in my palm. Fiddling it through my fingers the thoughts that overcome me are too much to understand, overwhelming my already exhausted brain, all of them pointing to the same event that happened in Morrowind, when she disappeared.
Laying the ring on the letter I walk over to the bed, grabbing the blankets that we shared not so long ago. Lifting it towards my face I stop myself, staring at the red, feeling it as it laid on my bare hands.
"You want me to keep the ring, you bring it to me,"
Stormhaven, Gardner House. Present
There are many ways one could wake up, a pleasant sunrise, natural rest, the bustle of the market, and the unfortunate way of a sharp growl by a fifteen-pound companion that makes one's groggy brain immediately grab the dagger on the nightstand.
"Listener?" a whispered called followed by the creaking of the stairs. "I have a message, are you awake?" he asks, stopping half way up. Sitting up in bed I wait for him to continue, lady bearing fangs.
"Listener?" he calls.
Increasingly annoyed I throw off the covered showing my displeasure through my footsteps. Glaring down the stairs he stands motionless, his face completely covered, only his eyes visible. It isn't out of the normal for initiates to run communication errands but dressed in full black hand regalia it was clearly not normal.
"I'm sorry to wake you," he stammers reverted his gaze towards the first floor.
"Out with it!"
"You're needed at the sanctuary," virtually turning his back to me I try to keep my annoyance in check.
"So you come all the way to Stormhaven, break into my house, wake me up in the early hours of the morning during my break to tell me I'm needed at the sanctuary. I know I'm needed, I'm always needed, you all literally can't do anything without me!" pausing to let out a sigh I pinch the bridge of my nose, I'm hung over. "Tell me what I need to know,"
"That's where things, get, well, complicated. I work out of The Rift area mostly, until I was called to The Gold Coast, only to find myself in an empty sanctum,"
"Empty?" clenching my jaw I take a step on the stairs, with each step he matches, moving closer to the first floor. One year of heavy recruiting should have the sanctuary filled with at least thirty people.
"Yes, Listener, empty, I came here as soon as I could to bring you the news,"
Reaching the bottom of the stairs I place my hand on his shoulder, before grabbing his chin, jerking his eyes towards mine.
"What's wrong dear brother?" I ask as my fingers dig into the coarse hair of his jaw. "Why are you so timid in a house of your own?"
"Ah, sorry, Listener, it's just, your dress,"
"Have you never seen a woman before?"
"A woman on the street is much different from you," he stammers like a child.
"So, you're telling me that because I'm the Listener, I'm something un-touchable, royalty, a queen that servants only dream of seeing?"
"Something like that, Listener,"
"Then look," shifting my hand to his cheek I turn him towards me. "You came here on your own accord to tell me, something has happened in my very home. If anyone is worthy of seeing me, it's you," Locking my eyes to his I grab is left hand, placing it on my stomach, inching my body forward, his hand down, with every second. "On your knees,"
Without a second thought he drops, following my command. "Now dear brother, allow me to indulge your desires, fulfill the lust in your eyes," plunging the dagger into his shoulder it cuts through his robe and muscle like butter, his eyes widening in shock, his jaw tightening.
"Don't scream, don't fight it, don't make a sound, accept your destiny," as the words rolled off my tongue his expression soften, his eyes understanding that destiny. "Thank you, now, be with our father," jerking the blade up and across his throat he falls back, his head rolling from his shoulders.
Letting out a heavy sigh the thought of the gore that now decorated my house was at the back of my mind, this man was just the first, of a very bloody purge.