It had been a few months since I went out on a contract for the brotherhood. My last mission had gone awry and I had gotten hurt while tracking down an Orc in the Rift. I hadn't yet reached my target when I was ambushed by a group of roadside bandits. They cut me down quick with heavy blows from their axes. I barely got away and by the time I arrived back at the sanctuary, I was near death. It has taken me these long four months to fully heal. So, when Astrid approached me this morning with a contract for this first time in all these months I was wary of taking it; but I did. I read the contract over and took note that it was for someone by the name of Syrah Rain. I needed to speak with Astrid before leaving so I could get some additional information on her.

"Ah, Veezara. On your way out?" Astrid greeted me.

"Yes, but before I go, I need more information on this Syrah Rain."

"She is a Bosmer woman and she was last spotted in Windhelm. That's really all the information that I was given. Good luck on your mission, brother."

I folded the contract and placed it in my pocket. I was a little frustrated with the lack of information given. How am I supposed to find someone based solely on race? There must be at least fifty or so Bosmer in Skyrim! I sighed in frustration as I exited the Sanctuary. I kept mainly to the woods as I made my trek to the last known location of my contract, Windhelm. I was pleased that I only ran into a few wolves the whole way there. My usual adventures were filled with giants, spiders, sabre cats and the like. I stuck to the shadows of the small city, watching and studying each face that passed by as they went about their daily lives. There were few shops in the city and a small inn called Candlehearth Hall. I decided that I would check inside each one to see if the elf was occupying them.

I made my way into the inn first. There were a few people milling about and a woman bar keep who welcomed me with a cheerful voice. I frowned at her enthusiasm and went to check the rooms for occupants. Each bed was empty, but one of the rooms did have a quiver of arrows and a nice looking glass bow in it. I decided that I would keep a close eye on the room, just to see who the owner of the weapon was. I made my way back outside the inn and went down the docks just a little ways. There were a few Argonians out working, as well as a few guards patrolling the small area.

I did notice one person who was fishing that seemed to stand out from the rest of the people around her. She was smaller in stature compared to the others around her and her hood was up over her head, shadowing her face. She already had several salmon strung up on her line and she was bringing in another. I watched as she tied the fish up on the line and swung it over her shoulder. She carried the fish up to the gate of the city and disappeared behind the door. I quickly followed her and made my way into the city. I caught a glimpse of her as she entered Candlehearth Hall, so I snuck into the inn behind her. When I walked down the stairs, I watched as she laid the fish across the table and assisted the bar keep with gutting them. I quietly watched from the shadows as they proceeded to prepare the fish. They seasoned it with salt and served it to the patrons of the inn.

It was then that I realized that I had failed at being sneaky when the hooded woman handed me a plate of salmon and grilled leaks. If I could have flushed, I know my face would have been scarlet. I felt like such an idiot. Since my cover was blown, I sat at a table and enjoyed the salmon steak. It had been almost two days since my last real meal since I don't like to eat much when I'm on a job.

I was guzzling some Blackbriar mead when I felt a presence beside me. I turned to see the hooded girl in the process of sitting down beside me with her own bottle of mead.

"So, are you staying or are you just passing through?" She asked from behind her hood.

I tried to get a glimpse of her face before I answered. She turned her head just enough to shield my view of her. "I'm just passing through, although I do think I'm going to stay the night."

"That is very strange armor you're wearing." She stated.

"Uhm, yes, its custom made." I replied smoothly. "That's a very strange hood you're wearing."

She laughed a little and replied, "It's custom made."

I laughed too as she offered me another bottle of mead. I took the bottle gladly and took a hearty swig of it. She lifted hers toward mine and we clinked bottles before taking another huge gulp of the alcohol.

"Do you have a name?" She asked before popping open another bottle of mead.

"Veezara," I replied almost without thinking. I shouldn't have told her my real name.

"You say your name as if you don't say it often." She stated.

"I guess I don't really. In a land like Skyrim many don't feel that I have a name…I'm just another Argonian taking up space in their precious country."

We were several bottles deep in mead and my anger towards the Nords was rising. I needed to remember that I have to stay calm and not get too drunk while on a job. But I guess I've already failed at not getting drunk since I've downed at least eight bottles of mead.

"I'm treated unfairly in this land as well, although I'm sure I don't have it as bad as the Argonians." She ran her fingers across the scales along my jawline and I felt a jolt of warmth from her touch.

"Can I see you without your hood?"

She paused for a moment, but slowly moved her hands toward her hood. She took a few moments before she lowered the hood revealing waves of soft black hair, pale skin and bright green eyes that slanted upward. She was a Bosmer woman…

I sat there in a stunned silence staring at the elven beauty. This was the girl that I was meant to kill. I was still gawking at her when she touched her hand to my face and pulled me into a kiss. The kiss began to get heated and before I realized what was happening, I was backing her into a room. I slammed the door behind us and started tearing at her armor. She was naked before me in moments. I stripped myself of my shrouded armor and she guided me to the bed.

We spent the night together in complete ecstasy. I had never felt such passion with a woman before. It was as if her body was molded for mine. I couldn't get enough of her. I made her mine several times before the sun started to rise. I lay there on the bed with her curled up beside me, head on my chest. My exhaustion was getting the best of me and my lids felt too heavy to hold up, I gave up the fight and fell asleep for the remainder of the day. It was dark when I woke and the bed beside me was empty and cold. I stood and put on my armor quickly and searched the room for any sign of her. I noticed a folded white piece of paper on the dresser. It was addressed to me. I opened it quickly.

Veezara,

I know who you really are. You will not be able to kill me, so don't try.

This is your warning.

-Syrah