Authors Notes: Yeah! Here is to over 1,000 hits! I was just checking my stats and reader traffic before I posted this and I almost fell out of my chair. XD They all follow up very closely to, so thank you to all my anonymous and reviewing readers! Its always nice to know people enjoy reading this as much as I do writing it. I feel so loved, but that's enough mushy stuff, lol here's the next chapter.

Envy

Chapter nine: New Toys

My days within the Sanctuary flew by quite peacefully. I had become rather good friends with Antoinetta, we ended up discussing our dislike for Robert, and upon doing so many other things as well. I felt a bit connected to her and the Bosmer; Tel, as Antoinetta calls her. Maybe it's just because I am supposed to refer to them as sister that I have actually started to think of them as one.

Either way I have begun to enjoy my time with the two of them. I had never had sisters before, especially not ones with a giant pet rat, which they had named Schemer. I met him one day while I was reading the book of Tenets Lucien had given me.

I was sitting in the Library, minding my own business like a good little murderer, when a giant brown fluff ball jumped into my lap. Out of confusion, I slapped it off with the book.

"Fetching Vermin!" I shouted toward the now scurrying away rat. Teinaava, who had also been in the library with me at the time looked up. "I beg your pardon?" he asked crossing his arms with his scaly brows furrowed.

"Not you, a rat! A big one did you see it?" I was now out of my chair and looking around the bookshelves armed with my tome. "You found Schemer?" Teinaava asked as he got up to. "Schemer? Who in Oblivion is that? I was talking about a damn rat!"

"Schemer is a rat. Antoinetta had found him, we keep him as a pet. Though he has a habit of disappearing for days at a time." He strode over to me and helped me look around the bookshelves. "Ah!" Teinaava exclaimed, "There he is. Look, he's shaking. Nerah you scared him half to death."

"I scared it? He jumped on me!" and to my utter shock and repulsion, I watched as Teinaava bent down and picked up the quivering mass. "Brother they carry disease." I was trying to force the point for him to put it down when he turned with Schemer in his arms facing me.

The dark brown fur was ruffled slightly where my book had made contact, and his to little black beady eyes were staring up at me pleadingly. I watched as his tiny pink nose twitch as he sniffed the air in my direction. Now, I have never been all sappy when it comes to cute and cuddly things, but Schemer is neither cute nor cuddly.

No, he is more dark and twitchy. But, in a way dare I say…nice to hold?

Teinaava pushed him in my arms and I was taken. I always wanted a pet, but I like dogs, big mean ones. I guess a rat is just as good. "See, he likes you. Even though you just committed animal cruelty toward him." Quickly I flopped back down in the chair with my book in one arm and an oversized rat in the other.

"He forgives me and that's good enough." I muttered as I gently stroked Schemer's ears and brought the book back up to my nose. Teinaava nodded and bid me farewell, I guess he was just stopping in quickly and had to go off on an assignment.

I continued to read, I don't really enjoy reading but as I have said before, I am a know-it-all and when one claims to know everything I think its only proper to have some prior knowledge. The book had many rituals and prayers that one should use when they think they are in need of guidance on contracts. And for a guild of cutthroats, the book wasn't very graphic or gruesome.

Manly, besides the prayers and rituals there was rules and Lucien's 'Tenets' all of which stated that if you broke anyone of them you would invoke the; Wrath of Sithis. "Whatever that is." I shrugged of my puzzlement though and continued to scan the book. I would just have to ask the family man that in a few days.

xxxx

It was sometime further in the week when Vicente had pulled me aside and told me that we would be training later on that day. I was nervous and excited at the same time. Lucien had told me that we would only be doing defensive moves but still it made me feel all giddy. I was starting to miss physical activity.

I met Vicente in the empty training room. He was smiling broadly at me, the big smile he has that shows his fangs. The fact of him being a vampire really never bothered me, well to an extent anyway. The little fear I had died within my first five minutes of meeting him.

He told me I smelt bad remember?

"There you are sister. I do hope you are ready to start learning your stances and some block techniques." I smiled, anything to get my ass out of a chair was good enough for me. I walked over to him and nodded, "Yes brother I am. But what kind of stances do assassins use? Don't we just pounce and slice people up?"

Vicente quirked his brow at my rather ludicrous way of describing his death art, but shook his head and place a hand on my shoulder. "Sister, you need to understand that we are indeed assassins. And so, must be nimble and quick. We cannot simply; pounce and slice people up, as you put it."

I felt myself blush, and looked back up at him sheepishly. "And judging by your condition," Vicente continued, "You will not be doing any slicing up for quiet sometime." I let out a small sigh, "Yeah me and slicing people don't mix well."

"Alright then. What do we do first?" I asked straightening slightly. Vicente led me over to a crimson sparring mat and told me to stand in it's center. Which I did, obviously. With an accent like that I might have done cartwheels around the place if he asked me to.

"First," he began as he circled me, "straighten up a bit. You slouch far to much for your age." I scoffed, but arched my back more. "I've been stuck in a chair's for almost a week now, I think I'm inclined to have a slight hunch."

He ignored me completely and continued to speak, "You must learn to be both flexible and sharp. Assassination is an art so you must be graceful. We will be needing to teach you more upper body offence than anything, if you are to strangle your targets you will need to be able to hold them down."

I laughed, "True, cant have my clients slipping from my fingers." Vicente smiled and stopped in front of me. "Exactly right." He then quickly placed a hand over my collar bones and with a harsh shove pushed me to the ground. I landed right on my tailbone with a small 'oof!', and glared up at him.

"Wha- What was that for?!" I snapped angrily and refused the hand he offered me to stand with. "We are training are we not?" he asked flashing me a sardonic smile that may have gave Lucien's a run for his money. "Yes but couldn't you have given me some sort of warning first?"

Sighing, Vicente shook his head. "Sister Nerah would someone who was trying to harm you warn you before they attack?"

"No." I said flatly while crossing my arms childishly. "Good then, you see it my way." and once again, I was unceremoniously shoved to the ground.

And so, the fun of training began. Go me.

xxxx

It was from what I could tell a rainy day when Lucien arrived back again. It was rather amusing to see him come in the Sanctuary grumbling and dripping wet. But I kept my laughter to myself and stayed hidden in the shadows, which I had been instructed to do so. According to Vicente I'm not very stealthy either and he wants me to practice by scaring everyone in the Sanctuary.

I think I'm already getting a bit better, or maybe I'm just naturally creepy.

Lucien stormed off to what I know was his quarters and stayed in there for a good long time. Once he emerged he was no longer soaking wet but was still clad in black robes. I have to wonder if he was spelling them dry the entire time or keeps a change of them here.

I thought I was invisible to him in the shadow until he looked toward me with his brow slightly arched. "Sister, what are you doing?" I sighed and stepped out of the shadows. "Just following orders Speaker." his brow rose further into his hood, "Orders, from whom?"

Opening my mouth to answer him I stopped in mid breath, for he quickly shook his head. "Vicente's teaching you stealth to already?" nodding slowly my eyes fell upon the dark bundle he held in his hands. "Yes sir, he says he wants me to be ready for my first mission by the end of the month."

Lucien smiled, "Month, miss Vlando?" he then handed me the dark pile and continued, "I think week will suffice. You are showing promise after all, I wouldn't have seen you in the corner but your eyes gave you away." I gulped as I looked down at my armful of things and back up to Lucien.

"Week? This week's end?" I asked in disbelieve. I honestly didn't think I was ready for a contract, I had just started training after all. "Yes, and come to think of it I have a rather interesting assignment that may prove to be just what you need."

"But-" I interjected weakly, Lucien quickly silenced me though by raising his hand. "Go see Antoinetta sister, have her help you suit up. Then come and see me, I shall be in Vicente's quarters." I still wanted to refuse but I ended up giving in with a sigh and turned on my heel and went to the living quarters.

xxxx

"There you are Nerah, all set." Antoinetta said as she gave the belt around my hips one final forceful jerk. "Just look at you, all ready to go out and reap for Sithis." she gave a small happy sigh and clapped her hands together. "Tel would just die if she knew you were going out on a mission this weekend! She should be back soon from her own assignment though."

I turned and looked toward the mirror. "Wow…" I said slowly as I stared at my reflection. What little curves I had were accentuated by my new shrouded leathers. I looked like the busty long legged tavern wench I once robbed back in Chorrol. My short black hair just brushed against my shoulders and with all the black my dark blue eyes seemed to pop.

"Oh wow!" I said again with a laugh as I turned away. Antoinetta giggled at my astounded expression. "The first time I had on my suit I swear I just stared at the mirror for a good hour!" I couldn't resist the urge to stare at myself again.

I'll admit I'm a very vain person.

"Will you get!" Antoinetta said as she gave me a playful shove from the mirror. "Lucien and Vicente are waiting for you, remember?" I quickly perked up, and then just as quickly went stony faced like a mad woman.

Antoinetta's mood swinging ways are starting to rub off on me I'm afraid.

"Oops, I forgot." she smiled and open or bedroom door for me, "Better hurry up or he'll come down here and get you." she laughed as I quickly scurried out of the room, "He's done that before you know!" I heard her call out to me as I quickened my pace and sped through the Sanctuary. It was not only rude to miss a meeting with the Speaker and Executioner of the Sanctuary, it was also life threatening in my opinion.

In a matter of seconds I stood outside of Vicente's door panting.

Did I mention I ran like a mad woman also?

I was about to just push the door open when I quickly decided that it would be wise to knock. My knock was more like giving the door a quick jabbing punch, and I quickly pushed it open without waiting for a response. "Ah, you see Lucien I told you. My senses are still sharp."

I stepped into the room and looked at the two of them. They were both sitting and drinking, while holding polite conversation.

The Dark Brotherhood is a scary place.

"Sit sister, we have much to discuss." Vicente said as he gestured to the chair that I had become familiar to. I took a seat and looked to the table which had a rather large and fairly crumpled piece of parchment on it. The name; Gaston Tussaud, was clearly written in red ink.

I unknowingly mouthed the name written on the parchment and in doing so, heard Vicente chuckle. "Yes, he is a Breton, a pirate captain, and your first target." I looked up at the two of them again, this time with my mouth agape.

"Pirate captain?" I asked in disbelief. "I'll surely be slaughtered!" Lucien smirk caught my attention though and I found myself glaring at them. How could they possibly expect me to kill a Pirate? I have only been in the Sanctuary for what a little over a week?

"Miss Vlando it isn't polite to jump to conclusions. Why don't you just listen to what we have for you? I'm sure it will suite your tastes." Lucien stated rather lowly as he took another sip of whatever was in his goblet.

"Speaker, whether or not I like the prospect of death," I mocked, "I highly doubt I can do it. I'm well aware of my limitations and pirates are not within them" I folded my hands in my lap and watched them both intently. They stared at me for a moment, their expressions blank until Vicente smiled and looked toward Lucien.

"I can see why you wanted her with us so badly Lucien." Vicente chuckled, "Look at the way she's observing us! She's the spitting image of-"

"Miss Vlando you know not your limitations until you have been pushed past them and break." Lucien said abruptly interrupting the still grinning Vicente. "Unless you wish me to test them for you, I suggest you take my advice; bite your tongue and listen closely."

Lucien always seems to have a way to make me understand things. The, not so nice way. But at least he gets whatever point the is trying to make through. Because of course after that statement,

I sat there quietly like a little lamb. A little lamb who was once again cursing him out in thought.

"Gaston Tussaud may be a pirate and a captain at that, but if the proper measures are taken he is in no way a threatening target. Tell me sister, what do you know of pirates? How do they spend their time when not sailing?"

I was about to answer but remembered he told me to keep my mouth shut. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from speaking but me being a know it all had to share my knowledge.

"Sing, drink, eat, fight,-" My list went on. Funny how I can never really speak my mind once afraid but ask me a question that I know the answer to and by Gods I'll have your ears bleeding.

Lucien eventually held up a hand to stop me. But he looked rather amused so I didn't think he was going to do any physical harm to me as of yet. Now, psychological harm? That's a whole other ball game.

"Good. So you see even though the ship will be docked and his crew in the surrounding area, the will all be…busy." Though this information was made to comfort me, it made me all the more nervous. I had not even thought about his crew before.

"Damn, I'm in big trouble."

My hands subconsciously balled into fists, studded gauntlets were making my palms hurt tenfold but my rattled brain had not even registered the sudden discomfort.

"They have docked in the Market District of the Imperial city to load cargo." Vicente began, "You could slip into one of the packing crates or use the sterns balcony. Teinaava had been kind enough to gather some information on the ship for us earlier this week. The balcony could be quiet useful."

I shifted uneasily as I watched Lucien out of my peripheral vision roll his eyes and reach into his robe. He pulled out a roll of parchment or a scroll of sorts. Then he raised it and quite quickly brought it down over my hands, giving my knuckles a good smack with it.

"Stop it." he stated flatly. The hit over my hands didn't hurt, but it made me jump up in my chair and bring my hands up defensively. Vicente quickly began to sip his wine, but I could still hear him snicker. "That miss Vlando is called the; shock method. One of my many techniques to stop you from damaging yourself" Lucien said as he gestured to my now splayed hands, while placing the scroll on the table.

I shot him a; 'what in the name of all that is sane did you do that for?' look and crossed my arms. He ignored it though and continued to smile. "But back to business, you will be needing that." Lucien said as he pointed to the rolled up, and now slightly dented, scroll.

I wrinkled my nose at it and quirked my brow. "What is it?" he carefully unrolled it and handed it to me. "A enchantment that will drain the captains energy, it will fatigue him so much that he will not be capable of putting up a good fight." Vicente said as I looked over the paper.

"Indeed it will be very useful to you. But do not expect to be nursed on every mission my dear, this is your first time fulfilling a contract so I thought it proper to help slightly. The only reason we have pulled you aside in this is because of your age. Otherwise we would have gave you orders and sent you on your way."

Lucien finished by standing and left the room. I arched my brow and looked toward Vicente. "What is he doing now? He's not going to try the shock thing again is he?" I asked nervously though while smiling. Vicente chortled and shook his head.

"No sister I believe he is fetching your unique paintbrush." I blinked. "Paint brush? I can barley draw a stick figure." Vicente sighed, "It's a figure of speech sister. I said assassination was an art remember? He is retrieving your murder weapon."

"Oh." I said just as Lucien walked into the room holding what I thought was a snake at first. Looking at it closely though I could see that it was a, "leather cord?" Lucien handed it to me and smiled. "Precisely." I held it in my hands for a moment and noticed how tight it's grip was when intertwined around my fingers.

"Genius!" I exclaimed quietly, "This will work perfectly!" I wound up the black leather strip and held it in my hands. "See brother, she is not as innocent as she looks." Lucien said turning to Vicente, but I had barley heard him, for now I was far to busy marveling at the coil wrapped around my arm.

All fear I had of incapability broke away. I could care less who I was killing or why, I wanted that thrill. I needed to…hurt something.

I think I should go to the chapel and have myself dowsed in hot restoration potions. I'm tuning out to be a sadist to!

At the time I could only think of wanting to tighten that cord around someone's nape. I wasn't thinking of morals or Aedra, I just wanted that rush. Grinning darkly, I looked up at the two of them and gripped my new toy tighter and brought it to my chest.

"So," I began, "When should I get started?"