The Fall of Kelvyn
By Commentaholic
A/N: I'm not sure how long I can keep going without any sort of input other than Arty, don't get me wrong Arty, you're great, you keep up with my stories and help me create names. I just don't know if it's worth writing if nobody else ever reviews…
I'm going to do a flashback this chapter, because I simply can't see any possible easy transition into either the fortress or bandit camp… Plus, I kinda want to find out the story of Velvet's past myself, as even I do not know where I'm going with this, even as I write it.
I sat down this morning with no idea where I'd be writing about, or who, or what. Writers block ain't got no hold on me!
-sigh- I really need some encouragement, don't mean to be a downer.
God, I'm depressed this morning. I mean, three chapters, three reviews from the same person…
Don't mind me, try to enjoy. Thanks Arty, characters shall rise from the pages of your message.
I shall end this author's note with the timeless fanfiction author line:
Read and Review!
Chapter 3: Betrayal and Escape
13 years earlier
A shadow slipped past the Imperial Legion guards posted at the archway between Green Emperor Way and the Talos Plaza District. It made its way onto the pedestal of the statue in the center of the plaza before becoming visible to the sharp eye in the shadow of the statue of the dragon. A slender form in dark, tight-fitting leather armor materialized, her invisibility spell dissipating. Glancing fervently from side to side, she drew out a scroll of parchment. Unfurling it, she scanned its contents.
Velvet,
I know this is a huge step up in the difficulty of your missions, but I believe you can handle it. Your target is the wife of the Earl of Imbel, she was once known as Manon Nielle before she married him 2 weeks ago. It seems as though a jilted lover wants revenge, and we are only too happy to oblige.
Listen, I want you to be careful on this one. Some rumors hint at someone else being after her as well. Whoever it is, you must get there first, Sithis demands it.
Velvet, I want you to know that whatever happens, I will always care for you.
Lovingly,
-Lucien
Velvet hugged this scroll to her chest, tears sparkling in her eyes. She jerked out of her soft moment, slipping into the cold, heartless emotions of an assassin.
She readied her knife, Sufferthorn, and snuck over to the door of Jakben's house.
The lock on the door, though hard as it was, held her up for merely a few seconds.
The foyer was empty, which wasn't surprising, considering that it was about 1 in the morning. She proceeded to the left, which led to the Countess's chambers.
She heard a slight bump inside. She breathed in sharply. Slipping into the shadows, she counted to ten. Nobody had heard her. She slipped over to the door, reaching for her lockpick, but she found the door already unlocked.
Glancing behind her, she slipped backwards through the doorway.
When she closed the door, she turned around to a terrible sight.
A Dunmer in leather armor and a black hood stood over the Countess, a knife dripping blood upon the Reman carpet. He looked up, grinning evilly.
"Better luck next time, assassin!"
He leapt out the window, which was already open, presumably his place of entrance.
NO, no, no, this can't be happening! Velvet thought. I'll get killed for failing my mission!
Wait.
Lucien would understand it wasn't her fault, he'd spare her, she knew it.
She snuck out of the blood-spattered room. She made her way to the Waterfront, where she caught a quick rest before setting out for Cheydinhal again.
In her dream, no, more of a nightmare, the Dark Brotherhood was hunting her. She was fleeing from her brothers and sisters in shadow, dodging arrows and axe blows.
She fled to Fort Farragut, hoping Lucien would help. He met her in the courtyard, the pursuit vanished. She ran into Lucien's arms.
Lucien whispered, "You failed us."
Velvet couldn't believe her ears. "What?"
"You have failed the dread father, the Night Mother, and most of all, me."
A black dagger appeared in his hand. She tried to move but couldn't.
Lucien, her teacher, her father figure… her love, betrayal shattered her heart.
Velvet woke up crying.
She knew it couldn't be true, that Lucien would spare her, save her, love her.
She went to Cheydinhal the next morning, proceeding to the well next to the abandoned building that housed the secret lair of the Brotherhood. Her key clicked in the lock, and as she removed the covering and started lowering herself in, an arrow almost pierced her skull as it flew up the well's shaft.
Velvet staggered back, adrenaline pumping from the near death experience. She didn't even realize that she was surrounded by figures in the dark.
"Hello Velvet." Said Telaendril, climbing out of the well.
"Brothers, Sisters, what is the meaning of this?" cried Velvet.
"You have failed us, dear Sister, and as much as it pains us to do so, you must die." said Ocheeva.
"Where's Lucien, he'll sort this out!" Velvet stuttered.
"I'm right here, Sister." said a voice from the shadows.
Lucien stepped forward, a dark look on his face.
"Lucien! Please tell them it's all a mistake!" wept Velvet.
"I cannot do that, you have failed us." said Lucien.
Velvet's head jerked up, dreading what was coming.
"You have failed us, The Dread Father, The Night Mother, and me."
"NO!" yelled Velvet.
Lucien stepped forward, dagger in hand, as Gogron and M'raaj-Dar grabbed her arms.
She struggled against her captors. But the combined strength of a fully grown Orc and a Khajiit was enough to keep her slender form, more suited for sneaking, in hand.
Lucien approached slowly, theatrically, as was his way.
Lucien leaned close, "I'm sorry for this." he said.
"As am I, for THIS!" she kicked him in the fork of his legs. Lucien keeled over.
Velvet twisted her arms about in their joints, dislocating them, but using the motion to drop in behind Gogron and M'raaj-Dar and kicking their pressure points, dropping them in an instant. She jerked her arms back into place as she regarded the rest of her former "family".
Telaendril was readying an enchanted shock arrow, Ocheeva and Teinaava their daggers, Antoinetta her short sword. Vicente was nowhere to be seen. She looked around quickly to try to find him.
"Here, dear Sister." came a voice from behind.
Her world exploded in a flash of extreme pain as his claymore found purchase in her lower back, the flame enchantment searing her internal organs.
"That is quite enough out of you, Velvet. Now die with honor, as befits your people." said Vicente in his calmest voice. "Don't make this any more difficult than this has to be."
"You'd like that, wouldn't you," said Velvet, "but sadly, I cannot allow that to happen."
She suddenly disappeared amidst a nexus of light, the Dark Brotherhood covered their eyes at the brightness.
Vicente felt an elven dagger enter his side while a whisper entered his ear.
"I won't kill you, for Helen." was all he heard before losing consciousness.
Vicente woke up 3 days later in his room, Ocheeva at his side.
"What happened?" he said.
"She got away, but what else should we have expected from Lucien's best student?"
50 miles away at Hidden Camp
Velvet winced as she tightened her bandages around her waist. Helen was away gathering firewood and water from the stream.
"I'll have revenge on them if it kills me. Especially on Lucien Lachance."
A/N: Well, that ended up better and longer than I expected. I hope I might've satisfied your curiosity at what happened all those years ago between the Dark Brotherhood and Velvet.
And yes, her name is Velvet, named for the color of her hair at birth, she dyed it the color of fire after her vow of revenge, to match the fiery fury of her vengeance. She opted for the name Rogue to symbolize her separation from the Dark Brotherhood.
You know? I actually feel a little better than I did when I started this about 30 minutes ago :D