The sharp metal bit into her wrists as Fate's body weight was supported oddly by the pole she was bound to, leaving the Argonian to hiss gently under her breath while she cursed at the Vigils of Stendar that stood before her and Amon. They intended to put the two to death, Fate for her allegiance to the Daedric Prince Nocturnal and Amon for being a vampire. The Vigils were only doing their job in eliminating those who served the Daedra and the undead who endangered the lives of the humans, but that didn't stop Fate from being angry with them for being the one to cause their deaths.
In all the chaos that was going on around them, Fate just closed her pale blue eyes and took a deep breath. Death would embrace them, yes, but her soul was consigned to the Evergloam to serve Nocturnal for all eternity. She would go to the Twilight Sepulcher to serve as an undead guardian until the Daedric Lord was pleased with her service, and then it would dissolve and become part of all the shadows that served the Thieves Guild and all those who gave worship to Nocturnal. Then she would walk by their sides, place her hands in theirs and give them the assistance they needed to thrive.
Amon's soul, however, would not join hers. No, Amon would go to the Void to serve the Dread Lord Sithis to sit by his side for all time. That was her destiny as part of the Dark Brotherhood. They would not see one another again in death, she was sure, and the thought made a single tear slide down Fate's cheek, following the path of the scar on her eye before dropping to the ground. Amon had been her friend for so long that she knew their separation would leave a hole in her heart.
"Don't be sad, Fate." Amon's voice cut through the words of the Vigils and the angry villagers that stood around them, making Fate open her eyes and look sideways at the childish looking vampire. "I'll break in." Her voice was almost cheery, causing Fate to blink in confusion.
"What are you talking about, little one?" She asked, wondering what in the world Amon meant.
"The Evergloam. I'll break in and see you every once in a while. I'm sure the Dread Lord wouldn't mind." It was almost as if Amon could read her mind, and Fate could not help but let a small toothed smile spread across her face.
"I would like that very much, Amon. And I promise once I walk with the shadows I will journey into the Void to visit you. Nocturnal will not be too displeased with me for that, I am sure." Fate laughed gently, but that laughter was quickly silenced as the Vigils approached with torches in hand, ready to set fire to the kindling under their feet and send their souls to the afterlife.
Fate looked square at the two, glaring as she tugged weakly against the metal. The Vigils had been smart, which only further angered her. Had they been bound with anything other than metal the rough scales on her arms might have cut through it or Amon's unnatural strength could have broken it. But there was no escape now, and Fate settled down after a moment so that she could at least go to meet her Lady with some dignity.
"For your crimes of serving a Daedric Lord and feeding on the blood of innocents, we as Vigils of Stendar hereby put you to death. May Stendar have mercy on your souls." With that the torches were lowered to start the flames, and as the heat rose up around them Fate inhaled deeply before issuing her final threat.
"Do not think that word of your actions here will not eventually reach the ears of our guild! As a Nightingale, the Thieves guild will avenge me. As a member of the Dark Brotherhood, they will seek your death to avenge Amon. Mark my words Vigils of Stendar; do not think you are safe just because we are dead!" Her voice echoed above the flames, seeding its way into the ears of all those who stood to watch them die.
Shortly after the last words left her lips Fate felt herself sinking into the darkness. Her body was forcing her to go unconscious to escape the searing pain that now tore through every nerve, but perhaps that was for the best. Though she was trained to deal with being tortured, this was far worse than any that she had endured before. Finally, all was black and there was no noise, no burning, no fire. Just a soothing plane dark as raven's feathers stretched out before her. Then, somewhere in what she was sure was death two voices echoed.
"Is the Listener alright? Oh, please tell me she's alright!"
"I'm sure she's fine. Now get up, Nightingale."