"Blue suede and gold trims are nice, but the killing is what I'm looking forward to."
"Your name, Sister?" asked one hooded figure as he walked up next to the first. The blonde was surprised that she was not surprised.
"Err...Sheogorath, Brother." the girl choked out, knowing the two would laugh. Sheogorath was the name of the Daedric Prince of Madness and his altar is shaped after the past Sheogorath, a male. And this girl was clearly female. As suspected, the two burst out laughing. Sighing, the girl summoned a Golden Saint guard from the realm of Mania, and a Dark Seducer guard from the lands of Dementia. The two lands lay rest in the Shivering Isles, the realm of Sheogorath. This was proof enough for her Brothers. "But I go now by Xiadillian, the name of the Shivering Isles, err, tourist trap. Let's just say it's a nice way to murder. So much fun."
"Xiadillian. Welcome to the Dark Brotherhood Xiadillian. Here is the key. The gates to our sanctuary--"
"Are behind the abandoned house in Chorrol. I know, I have gone before," Xiadillian interrupted, and the second hooded man looked surprised.
"Alright. Well, I suppose you are ready for your first assignment." The Brother handed her a scroll, and walked off into the night. The other Brother, the first, also turned and disappeared behind the gates to the Gold Coast.
Xiadillian, however, stayed where she was in the Imperial City and read the worn scroll. So many had fallen at the first task, were too weal hearted to attend a simple party. A party where none of the guests would leave alive. Smiling to herself, the blonde spoke aloud, "Blue suede and gold trims are nice, but the killing is what I'm looking forward to." She looked down to examine the remains of an old dress, tattered and torn, worn down in places and blood stained in others. It was time for a new dress, and she damn well knew it.
"You there! Have you heard anything on the whereabouts of the Dark Brotherhood, or the Gray Fox?" asked a guard as he came up from an ally. Xiadillian just smiled and replied, "No, sir. I haven't."
"I don't spread rumors. I start them."
She had traveled all the way to Skingrad, and stood by the door of the Summitmist Manor. The party was about to begin, and Xiadillian smiled to herself as she knocked on the old oak door. The anonymous host was rather clever; invite five people in which he has a score to settle to a party. Lock the doors, and tell them there is a chest containing gold and the exit key hidden somewhere in your home, when truly there is no such chest. Then let the killing begin.
"Welcome to the Summitmist Manor, I am Matilde Petit, and here is how the game is played. I was instructed to try and find the hidden chest of this home, in which lies gold and the exit key. That as well is your task. Now, we have the lovely Dunmer, the lady Dovesi Dran; the Nord, Nels the Naughty; a retired soldier, Neville; and a young nobleman Primo Antonius. What about you, sweetie?"
Xiadillian tried hard not to laugh. She decided to tell the lot the truth, so opened her mouth and replied, "My name is Xiadillian, or Sheogorath if you prefer." All five burst out laughing. Petit looked like she was going to become the blonde's best friend. "I am an assassin sent to kill you all." Xiadillian smiled as the five laughed harder.
"Ah, yes! I love a good joke!" Matilde laughed, putting a hand on Xiadillian's shoulder. "My dear, you will be much fun to have here."
Xiadillian could help but laugh at that. It would be fun, for her. The others wouldn't know what hit them. She just felt bad about one thing: the homeowner's nice rugs would be blood stained, ruined. Smiling, Xiadillian asked, "So, heard any rumors lately?" The five shook their heads.
Dran replied, "No, have you?"
This was her favorite question. Xiadillian closed her crimson eyes for a moment, and twirled her pale blonde hair around one of her fingers. Taking a deep breath and opening her eyes, Xiadillian responded, "My dear, I don't spread rumors. I start them."
And with that one simple sentence the games had begun.