A/N: So I was reading this story again for the first time in a few months and I felt it was a bit… flat. The characters didn't really have any depth, there wasn't much description. So I went through and added some parts, including changing the ending slightly. I'm quite happy with how it turned out, and hopefully you will be too. Also, bear in mind that this is what happens when you play Skyrim uninterrupted for about twelve hours with headphones on. I like to call it 'hyper-immersion'. Pretty good from a writing point of view, not so much from a social interaction point of view though.
Theivius Authorius: I'm not planning on continuing this particular fic, it was always destined to be a one-shot. However, I have plans to write a full-length Skyrim fic, but it may have to wait until my exams are over… in like a week and a half. Then we'll see.
The Bannered Mare looked much as you would expect on that wet and windy Turdas evening. Hulda was attending the bar, Mikael was singing the "Tale of the Tongues", and patrons were listening and drinking ale or mead. Yes, all was as it seemed, except for the Pentius Oculatus soldier sitting by the fire, the Dunmer with piercing orange eyes observing him from the corner and his Nord companion, who shared his peculiar irises. He took a sip from his tankard of mead as his companion whispered:
"How much longer must we wait?"
"Now my dear Serana," the elf replied, "You have lived through whole eras; surely you can wait a few minutes more?"
"I haven't fed in days though…"
The elf discreetly passed his companion a vial of blood under the table. She emptied the vial into her own drink and quickly took a mouthful.
He raised an eyebrow, "Better?"
"Much."
The two vampires sat in silence, waiting for the Pentius Oculatus agent to make a move. The large fire crackled, a log collapsing into itself and sending up a shower of sparks. There was a peal of thunder as the door creaked open and Ysolda stole inside, her clothes sodden and dripping. She hurried to the bar, having a quick word with Hulda before seating herself next to the hearth, a glass of wine in her hand. Saadia put another log on the fire and the flames grew, obscuring the Pentius Oculatus soldier from view of the two patrons in the corner. The wind outside changed the direction, and the doors of the tavern were battered by a combination of wind and rain. Another clap of thunder, closer this time. The wooden walls of the alehouse creaked, threatening to implode at any moment.
"You know, I might buy this tavern someday." Said the elf, breaking the silence. "Give Ysolda a job, patch up all the leaks and cracks."
Serana shot him a withering glance. "And why in the name of the divines would you do that?"
The elf considered for a moment before replying. "Because I can. I have the gold, I could hire the carpenters and stonemasons easily enough."
"No, I mean why would you want to help these… mortals?" she finished with a disgusted shiver.
The elf looked sharply at his companion. "I don't know if you remember, but I was once one of these 'mortals'. So were you."
Serana rolled her eyes.
"The people here have been good to me. I would like to return the favour. Just because I do bad things doesn't make me a bad person."
"Nor does doing good things make you a good person." Serana interjected.
"True," smiled the Dunmer, taking another swig from his tankard.
The man rose from his seat, paid Hulda and retired upstairs to his room. It was Serana's turn to raise an eyebrow. The Dunmer simply nodded slightly in response. The pair drained their drinks and rose in unison, moving swiftly towards the stairs. Their progress was blocked by a serving girl.
"I'm sorry, but you can't go up there, you didn't rent a room."
"That won't be necessary, we just want a word with the gentleman who came through here just now," said the dark elf smoothly.
The serving girl drew a dagger and pointed it at the elf. " I don't think so, now why don't you do the smart thing and leave?"
It was at this point that the elf lowered his hood, revealing his identity to the serving girl. "Now really Saadia, is that any way to treat an old friend?"
Saadia gasped. "Dragonborn? Is that you? Well, I suppose I can forgive the intrusion just this once… But you better not be here to cause trouble."
"My dearest Saadia, when have I ever been known to cause trouble?" he smirked.
Saadia deadpanned. "Are you kidding? Trouble seems to follow where ever you go."
The Dragonborn chuckled quietly. "I wouldn't say follows, it more kind of sits around and waits for me to arrive."
"Be that as it may, I can't be seen helping you if you're going to break the law." Said Saadia, edging towards the main room, with the intention of notifying hulda.
The elf looked into her eyes. "Trust me Saadia, what is going to happen tonight needs to be done. I can't explain why, you just have to trust me, like when those Alik'r assassins were hunting you. I give you my word that you will not be implicated in any way."
Saadia was silent for a moment. Finally she sighed. "Ok Dragonborn, I'll let you pass. Just please, don't do anything too rash. Knowing you, this has something to do with the Emporer's visit, and the last thing any of us want is for something to go wrong."
She sheathed her weapon and went about her business once more. The two ascended the stairs and entered the occupied bedroom in complete silence, the grace they displayed in doing so seemingly inhuman.
"So, how do we do this?" asked Serana. "Do we kill him silently?"
The Dunmer looked confused. "Where's the fun in that?"
The man began to stir in the bed. His eyes opened slightly, then he sat up abruptly when he noticed he wasn't alone.
"Wha- Who are you? What are you doing in my room?"
"Oh, just deciding on how best to end your life," Serana replied casually, as if she was merely discussing the weather. The man's eyes widened as he made to scream, but the Dunmer moved faster than he would have thought possible and covered his mouth.
"Ah ah ah, no screaming. We can't have anyone knowing what we're up to. Now, do you promise not to scream?"
The Pentius Oculatus agent noticed the mer's eyes and fangs, along with the assortment of weapons hanging at his waist. He could hear the sound of a frost spell being readied. Seemingly resigned to his fate, the Nord nodded.
"Good." The Dragonborn turned to Serana. "So, how do you think we should do it?" he removed his hand from the Pentius Oculatus agent's mouth as he asked. The man moved suddenly, unsheathing a dagger and lunging towards the elf. Serana moved to intercept, grabbing the man's wrist, snapping it in two. He let out a howl of pain.
The dark elf cocked his head to the side, hearing the sudden silence below.
"Shit…" he whispered, hearing movement by the foot of the stairs. They had mere seconds before they were caught. He nodded to Serana, who understood instantly. She unsheathed a glass dagger and slit the man's throat. Torrents of warm blood gushed forth. Serana took the empty vial from earlier and quickly filled it, putting the cork in place. Then she placed her palm against the man's neck, feeling the warm liquid cover her hand. Then she pressed her hand firmly against the corpse's stomach. Saadia burst into the room a moment later, the cool breeze from the now open window wafting over her.
"Talos-damn that Dragonborn, how am I going to explain this…" she muttered under her breath, staring forlornly at the body lying in the bed, a bloody handprint on his tunic.