Figures flickered, human, mer, betmer, but the watcher seemed unsatisfied. He was looking for a certain spark, and it was proving more illusive than he had thought. He flipped back, showing a young Khajiit female, black of fur and amber of eye. He watched as she moved through a crowd of Imperials, coming out the far side with a number of coinpurses. He watched, smile growing as he watched her work a crowd, never taking more than could afford to be lost.
"Yes," he murmured, watching as she quietly climbed a wall out of the city. "I like this one."
A voice in the darkness. "Again."
A Redguard, surrounded by soldiers, drew steel and was cut down.
"Again."
An Imperial stood, too shocked to move, and was consumed by flames.
"Again."
The gathered watchers were silent as the pantomime played over and over. The lead actor changed with each repetition, as did the choices, but all iterations ended in failure and death for the pawns.
"As you see, My lords, none of Yours will succeed."
"And why do You champion this?"
A laugh. "This spells my end as well. I'm rather attached to this form, I'd like to keep it a bit longer."
A sigh. "Very well. You may use Your chosen."
A sense of triumph, and something else, quickly stifled.
"However, her fate will be Yours. Should she fail, it will spell Your doom."
She opened her eyes to darkness.
She knew she was dreaming, but couldn't make herself move at all. So she sighed and lay still, waiting to see what the dream would show. After a while, she realized she was drifting, moving blindly toward an unseen goal.
"Really. I've been waiting for ages."
She heard someone clap their hands, then heard a voice address her.
"Now. You, My most favorite mortal, get to represent Me in a little challenge. Unfortunately for you, you might not survive the training portion."
She shifted, knowing she should know the speaker. "What-"
"Nope! No questions! You'll get your answers in due time, in due time. But for now, off you go, and do mind yourself. I have a very great deal riding on you."
She had the sensation of falling, and she opened her eyes with a gasp.