Authors Notes: Wow thanks everyone for the reviews! They mean a lot -. I know I am a bit of a detail freak when it comes to writing, (a bad habit, but I am trying my best to let up on some little unimportant details and make the story more enjoyable ) but everything in this chapter is crucial. I don't want to put in a spoiler but the random Dunmer's or other OC's I keep adding in this tale will play an important part of the storyline. But before I bore you to tears with my rambling XD here is chapter ten. R and R welcomed and appreciated, as always.
Envy
Chapter ten: First Contract
It had been a short two day trip to the Imperial City thanks to Cagmy. We arrived late Sundas afternoon, and he seemed overjoyed to see me and stretch his legs. Have I mentioned how much I like Cagmy? Well just for good measure I'll say it again; I like Cagmy.
I left him in the Chestnut Handy stables outside the city's main gate. At first I was skeptical of the Ocish woman stable hand. According to Gogron, horse stew is an Orsinium delicacy. But Cagmy's a big horse and can hold his own I'm sure.
Since the trip was oddly peaceful I decided to get straight to work. I made my way quickly to the nearest Legion officer just outside of the gate. I needed directions seeing as I had only been to the Imperial City a few times before and I was so young at the time that I do not remember anything but the color; white.
"Good afternoon little lady, need to get in the gates I presume?" Now even if I'm an Imperial I hate the Legion. I think their all insanely stupid. "Get in the city?! What gave you that idea? I was just hoping to stare at the damn walls all day."
"Yes I do sir." I said smiling outwardly as well as inwardly over the guards incompetents. "But could you tell me how to get to the Waterfront as well? I'm to be meeting a cousin there." The guard wrinkled his nose as he peered down at me from his helm.
"Waterfront? Yeah I can give you the directions but I'm a bit hesitant to do so, it's an awful bad district for a young woman to roam." I fought back the urge to roll my eyes. "Here we go again." I may never understand why everyone feels the need to baby me.
Even Lucien and Vicente are, I admit that I am grateful that they did seeing as it is my first mission but it's just the principal. I can handle myself, and one day I shall show all of the Dark Brotherhood that I am capable of more than just that.
"It's an older cousin sir, I'm sure I'll be just fine." I flashed him my biggest innocent smile and big blue-eyed stare that always seals the deal. Pathetic really, but if it works I cant complain. "Well then I suppose it is my duty to assist you but be sure to stay close to your relatives."
I nodded while still smiling and listened intently so I could memorized the way to my targets location. I wonder what this guard would do if he knew that he was providing me assistants in killing one of the civilians he was to protect.
There's a moral in that somewhere, perhaps if I cared I would try to figure out what it was.
xxxx
I was wandering the Temple district taking in all the beauty of the city. I could see why so many people came here to make a living, this place was truly thriving. The gate to the Waterfront was within my sight and I was just about to head to it when I heard someone call out to me.
"Excuse me, miss." I heard a heavily accented voice say. I turned around to see who was talking to me when there stood a young handsome Dunmer and I found myself gawking. I am usually not attracted to Mer but he was something to behold. "Wow…"
He was walking for me, his silvery white hair was messy and tousled and I couldn't help but to smile at the dark pointing ears peaking out of his unruly mane. He was a very dark Dunmer, his skin was more of a deep grey than blue, and his eyes were as red as rubies and beaming.
"Ma'am may I ask you something?" he asked as he gripped his own rucksack and I found myself doing the same to mine. He looked like an adventurer; the tall, dark, good-looking kind. Once he stopped in front of me he ruffled his hair and caught his breath as if he had been running recently.
"You wouldn't happen to know where the Arena is would you?" he asked smiling. Now I had just come from there, but I had momentarily forgotten.
I believe you can see why.
"What, the Arena?" I asked dumbly, he simply nodded and was either pretending not to notice my stupefied look or was inwardly laughing hysterically at it. "Oh! Yes I know where it is, sorry I had err…forgotten. Busy day you know."
"…Smooth."
"Indeed the day has seemed rather hectic for us all, I've been wandering around aimlessly for hours now. You're the first person to stop for me." I quirked my brow. I found it very hard to believe that no one would stop for such an attractive Mer, but Nirn is a strange place.
"So your knew here then? As am I, but I get my directions from the Legion." I scoffed while crossing my arms. I couldn't help but to be annoyed with the guard, I had gotten lost once and asked for directions again and one soldier gave me the same; 'Waterfront's to dangerous for a young lady' lecture.
He laughed, and it was a very nice laugh. Unlike Lucien's it did not make me want to cower off in a corner. "I have tried asking the Legion and one had sent me around the entire plaza district twice. Perhaps it's pick on the travelers day?"
I wanted to comment or to keep the conversation going, he was quite charming but nevertheless a distraction. I know I have always been a bit of promiscuous girl, but don't get me wrong I have morals and values. You would think I would have learned my lesson though by now.
The last sick freak who tried something with me turned into charcoal, and I didn't even make any moves on him, he was my stepbrother for Sithis sake!
Sithis?…didn't expect that . The family must be getting to me.
But once I had thought of the family I remembered my contract and looked toward the sky. The sun was already setting and I had a plan to carry out. "Sorry sir," I said hurriedly, "but I must be going. The Arena is right through that gate, it's a giant dome, you cant miss it."
Quickly I turned on my heal and began to make a rather fast paced beeline to the slums gates. I heard the Dunmer stammer as if he was about to say something again. "Well thank you miss, perhaps we will see each other again sometime." I heard him call out to me.
I simply turned briefly to wave at him and hurried through the gates. "Figures, the time I finally meet a good looking and articulate person I have to go off killing people!" I sighed inwardly and made my way down the beaten forest path that led to the Waterfront's moor.
xxxx
The Waterfront smelt of low tide and perspiration, a rather revolting mix in my opinion. I certainly wasn't looking forward to spending a lot of time here, it was a good thing that I planned ahead before arriving otherwise I would be stuck here for another day or two.
I despise the ocean and everything in it. Salty fish, rotting boats, drunken pirates, cheap scary wenches. Why would anyone dream of a life out to see? They must be insane.
There was many people and beggars around, all eyeing me skeptically because I was a new face. But I could care less what they thought of me or my dark purposeful demeanor, I had a job to do and they were just innocent bystanders.
And if they know what's good for them they'll stay that way.
Walking along the docks I kept my head down and eyes up. I didn't want to be recognized by anyone, now I planned to make my murder 'clean' but for some reason I always rouse suspicion in people. Maybe it's my hair, I did have a good go at it with scissors and it tends to make me look mad.
My fault entirely, I have such a temper. What would mother think?
My mother, it had never really accrued to me what her opinion on my new found profession would be. I was about eight when she passed and cant remember much about her but her smile and curly blond hair. Though I have her eyes that's about it, I used to stay away from mirrors because of it. It made me think that she's watching me, and was ashamed.
But as I looked upon the large galleon and the eloquent carving; Marie Elena into its stern, I had forgotten all about my mother and her supposed opinions and morals. She was gone, what was I supposed to do about it? Flexing my fingers I slunk into one of the many shadowed alleyways to wait for the sun to fully set, I would kill that's what I would do about it.
xxxx
Once the sun had vanished beneath Nirn I pulled off my clothes. No I was not standing in a dark alley stark naked, I had my leathers on under my clothes.
Sheesh!
Anyway, I placed my linens in my rucksack and began to organize my equipment. I placed the scroll into one of my belt loops, and wrapped my leather cord around my shoulder. Pulling my hood up I crept to the alleyways mouth and peeked out, all was clear.
I hid my bag in the alley's shadows and did a quick check of everything. "Lock picks, scroll, blade, and rope. Good." I whispered to myself, keeping my hands from forming into fists. I only talk aloud when I'm nervous, sure I wanted that odd death high one got when committing murder, but there is the prospect of turning tables in every assassination.
Staying in shadows I raced from the alley and hid behind some wooden boxes, the ships cargo. I made my way over to the largest one that looked as if it had been broken into, it's lid was off and it was empty. I peered over the crates top and swore under my breath, the balcony was a far jump. "Is he insane?!" I hissed, Lucien had to be, I could never make that.
Groaning I ducked behind the crate once more and rested my arm on top of my knees. I wasn't going to even bother jumping, I would end up cracking my head on the railing and be found floating down lake Rumare, I could see the Black Horse Courier headlines now; 'Assassin that never was! Bumped her head and drowned!'.
Ugh, the humiliation…
Just then I heard voices coming my way, I would have froze but instinct made me quickly enter the large opened crate and take hold of the lid to cover myself. "Captain wants the cargo on board now?" a male Nordic voice asked. "It's so bloody late! Cant he wait till morning?"
Their footsteps were coming closer to me and I held the lid even tighter. "Don't bother whining, lets just get this over with and go over to the Float for some drinks. We'll be heading back to Leyawin again soon so we might as well live up the city while we can."
I heard the Nord man grumble in agreement and I soon heard them working. But out of nowhere I felt the ground beneath me shake and knew that I to had been picked up. "What's in these boxes anyway, tissues? The damn pillow shipment was heavier." The Nord grumbled.
I listened to the two men argue as they made there way in the ship. I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing, in a way this ordeal was terrifying and in another, so comical. They unceremoniously dropped the crates and I landed with a loud 'thud' onto the ships planks. I held onto the lid for dear life, afraid it would fly off at any moment.
Wouldn't that be an odd surprise…
Holding my breath, I waited until the two men's voices were carried away with them and only did I emerged from the box when I knew for a fact that they were gone. Carefully sliding the lid off I peeked over the crates rim. Sure enough they were gone. It was time for me to test me sneaking skills and to pay a certain pirate a visit.
xxxx
Creeping past a bunch of drunken pirates was easier than one would think. On several occasions they thought they had saw me and kept on dismissing my quick movements as the rats. I made my way to the captains cabin just after several of his crew members had left to go to the Bloated Float. That was a stroke of luck on my part, it could get noisy, you never know.
I reached into my pocket and made quick work of his lock, I carefully pushed his door open and looked inside. It was small but much fancier than the crews quarters, though that was to be expected. He was standing with his back facing me, looking out of his windows.
Another luxury his loyal crew went without, tsk, tsk.
I silently closed the door behind me and stepped into the room. Sadly the door latch made a rather loud click as the door shut back in place. He carefully turned around, "Mate, I told ya I wanted to be alon-" the Captain stopped in mid sentence when he saw me.
I swallowed hard but stood straight and began to recite the scrolls incantation in my mind. "Hi…" I said quietly, hoping to stall him for just a bit longer. He blinked, I suppose the ordeal would be a confusing one "Wha, What in blazes are you doing here girl?"
"I'm a tourist…you know, I tour." I was almost done now with the mental incantation and only needed a few more seconds. He scowled, "Oh, really? Then you best tour your way off my ship before I run ya through." I smiled, "Finished!" I could feel the magic flowing beneath my skin, now all I had to do was touch him.
I glanced down to see that he was nervously fingering the hilt of his cutlass. Swallowing hard I managed to fake a smile. Looking him over quickly, taking a bit more time than necessary to stare at his tan bald spot…
"Forgive me, I just thought that this ship was open to the public."
Did this man really not see my armor? I do hope he wasn't really buying the whole tourist thing.
I stepped closer with my hand outstretched pointing to the balcony door behind him. "Can I use that door?" He quirked his brow and opened his mouth to speak when I gave him a hard slap in the face. Striking people is so very rude, but the spell takes a few second to work properly and I needed him to be a bit shocked so I could ready myself.
He gaped at me for a moment but recovered quickly and made a move to grab me as he unsheathed his sword, "You, little…" his voice soon faded and his eyes glazed over slightly. He took another staggering step for me, the fatigue spell didn't wear him out entirely but it would impair most of his motor skills.
His cutlass fell to the ground making a rather large clanging noise on the floor. His mouth twitched as I casually unwound my new toy, eager to test it. I didn't feel like myself, well I did but a much darker version. I approached the captain with my rope outstretched at arms length.
It was now time to, as the book of tenets put it; send his soul to the void. And I would do just that. In a flash I had the rope wrapped around his neck and was pulling it tightly. I honestly didn't know I could move that fast. His eyes bulged and he made another failed attempt to grab me.
I bit my lip to keep from smiling as I gave it a harder tug, his face going blue. And no, I'm not a sadist but he looked like a Dunmer and I found it funny. He began to gurgle while making incoherent noises as he slowly sank to the floor. I stood over him, looming over him really. I can see why Lucien does it so much, it's an…interesting feeling to hover over a victim.
He thrashed and sputtered as he tried to free himself but soon the struggle ended and he was dead. I watched his pupils slowly dilate and knew he was gone. I carefully unwound the cord and straightened my posture, looking down at the now dead pirate.
Goosebumps adorned my skin and the little hairs on my arms would have stood up if they weren't incased in leather. I gave a small sigh of relief, I had my fix and it was wonderful. Wrapping the cord back around my shoulder I began looking around the room. My thievish ways getting the better of me when I saw a chest.
I scurried over to it, literally, adrenaline makes you do the strangest things. Pulling out a lock pick and jamming it into the lock, the captain probably had a key but I was not about to loot his corpse. Opening the wooden chest my eyes began to gleam at the gold and gems. "Jackpot!" I whispered excitedly and emptied the chests contents (all that I could carry anyway).
No sooner had I closed the lid when three loud bangs came from the door. I didn't stick around to see who it was, instead I raced to the other side of the room flung open the balcony door and jumped to the side. I don't know what possessed me to try to jump back to the streets stone railings. But, amazingly enough, I did and landed on it safely.
Lucien knows more about me then I do…How on Nirn does he though?! He said that I could make the jump and if I had just listened to him and jumped in the first place my contract would have long been completed and I might be back on my way to Cheydinhal by now.
"Speaker has his ways, my ass! Speaker is some type of evil, Robert bringing, dark snowball loving Daedric psychic!"
I once again cursed Lucien out in thought as I swept through darkness and went back to the alley's. Grumbling and muttering as I through my clothes back on over my armor and scooped up my rucksack. I walked down the streets of the Waterfront with my hands in my pockets to hide my gauntlets, and because it was cold.
I was ready to go home.
No, not really home, just my current place of residence where all my fellows reside. Sighing inwardly I made my way back to the stables.
Who was I kidding? I wanted to go back to the Sanctuary, indeed I wanted to go Home.
But most of all, I wanted to know how Lucien Lachance became a psychic. Maybe Vicente will tell me, he is a bit of a talker once you get him going. I like that about him though, he's very smart and articulate and even if creepy, not as shady as the family man.