Wow, thanks for the reviews (Lady Anneke, did you bring me a pressie from
Disney World?) Im afraid I tend to get carried away when im writing, plus
I need to include certain points before moving on- this accounts for my
long chapters. Ill try to shorten them a bit.
Im sorry if anyone getting confused with names, but in my view it adds to
the realism (you should see the names of my chars from my save games!)
Thanks for reading.
~V~
CHPT 3: Decisions
Navireth looked at the stars overhead. The positions of the two moons had left the dusk sky a rainbow of dark blues and fading beautiful reds. The stars shone through brightly, masked occasionally by a small cloud. A tear rolled down her cheek.
Upon leaving the mages guild Navireth had nimbly climbed atop an adjacent building using a small stack of crates and urns at the rear of the building. She now lay on her back with her legs tucked to the side and her arms wrapped loosely around her stomach.
She had decided that this Clothier's shop had a sufficiently high enough roof that she could lie on the top and stargaze without fear of anyone seeing her.
A shooting star streaked the sky above her, but Navireth didn't see it. She was thinking of her dead brother.
As children, Navireth and her younger brother Raulgh had always been close. Losing their parents in a pirate raid when they were young had forced them both to grow up quickly and depend on each other.
The pirates had landed off the coast of Hla Oad in the very early hours of a cold winter morning. Coming ashore in small ten-man boats the raiding party had decimated the small fishing village in the hopes of stealing enough food and supplies for another long stretch at sea.
A day of torture, rape and murder had followed. The pirates deciding to entertain themselves since overpowering what little resistance the village offered.
Navireth and her brother had hidden in swamps and tall grasses until they could safely make a break for the River Odai and follow it until they found a safe haven.
They knew the river ran through the city of Balmora and headed in that direction, but three days later, just before they reached the city, a diseased rat had bitten Navireth. She quickly became ill, Raulgh having to support her as she deteriorated. As they neared the city they saw a middle aged man fishing by the side of the river. Calling out for help, the man simply stared at them until they neared him.
Raulgh lost his temper and yelled obscenities, demanding why he made them walk all the way to him when it was obvious his sister was near death.
The man had stood and slowly unsheathed a small knife from around his waist and advanced on them. Eyes wide, Raulgh warned him away.
The man stopped and studied the pair.
"Your bravery is commendable, your intelligence is lacking. She's diseased am I right?"
Raulgh nodded slowly while a pale Navireth simply clung to him, now lost in a fever.
"Well, lets bleed that infected wound on her leg, try and save her life, then we'll look at some repayment, eh?"
The man turned out to be a high-ranking member of the Morag Tong. After bleeding the wound, which had become seriously infected, he had helped the two children to his home in Balmora. With the help of some potions, food and rest Navireth made a full recovery. After tending the needs of the man's house for a few months as payment the man enlisted them into the guild of assassins.
They were raised as children of the Morag Tong and advanced quickly.
Navireth sighed.
She was usually very good at hiding all emotions from everyone - except Raulgh. The outburst in the mages guild annoyed her.
Navireth rolled over onto her side. Her left arm bent and supported her head while her right hand sightly tapped her hip. From her vantage point she could see the southern archway to Balmora and slightly to the left, the charred wall of the Lucky Lockup.
Navireth scowled and sat up. Her icy stare focused on the blackened remains of the buildings' wall. Memories returned.
Instead of the painful feelings of loss and anguish as she remembered her dying brothers face, there was a hot lump in her chest. Her fire burned. She wanted revenge.
How dare these people attack members of the Morag Tong? How dare they kill her brother? How dare this figure in daedric armour still breathe?
When Navireth jumped down from the building roof and started walking towards the mages guild there was no sign that she had been upset and crying. A cold fury had possessed her. Navireth's icy silver eyes stared ahead while her teeth silently ground together. She would enjoy ripping the living entrails of her brother's killer out with her bare hands. She would enjoy watching him slowly die.
This figure in armour had seemed to recognise the pathetic dunmer male from the pub fight. She would question him about this daedric-clad murderer and track him down. She needed to find this figure and the weak scum hiding in the mages guild was her best shot. Navireth reflected that sometimes it was necessary to gather information from people she disliked. She would ignore any questions about the guild. Perhaps the fighters among them have decided to hunt this guy down? If so, she vowed she would tag along as much as necessary and ensure she gave the killing blow.
As she reached the entrance to the guild, Navireth felt as though she was being watched.
She looked over her shoulder at the shadows around the village. She looked at the roofs of the nearby buildings, and still did not see anything. Grunting, she turned to open the door. As she did she spied a nix-hound pup watching her from near the village pawnshop. She turned to face the small creature that simply stared at her from the shadows. When the pup didn't move Navireth remembered her bad mood and roughly shoved the door open and entered.
When the door of the mages guild slammed shut the small nix-hound puppy walked out of the shadows and towards Balmora South Gate. It left a trail of bloody footprints as it went, occasionally a piece of itself would fall off as its dead body decomposed. Once it reached the gate it stopped and waited. Another creature would come buy soon. One always does. It knew a lot of creatures are attracted to the smell of rotten meat.
--------------
Halun was an Argonian commoner with a passion for night fishing. Quite regularly, Halun could be seen walking around Balmora at night with a brace of the nocturnal marine life he sold to make a living.
He hummed a nameless tune as he returned from downriver, his night's work complete, having caught enough small fish to feed himself and enough left over to sell tomorrow. As he neared town, he spied a nix-hound puppy and froze.
Halun was afraid of rats, let alone nix-hounds. This one was very small however and simply staring at him from the shadows. Slowly his fear lessoned and Halun walked forwards cautiously. Maybe this one was lost, hungry or hurt?
"Here puppy, you feel well?' Halun rasped in his version of a whisper.
"Maybe puppy hungry? Halun have spare fish." Halun crouched low and waved a small fish towards the puppy. The small pup hobbled slowly towards the offered food.
Just as the pup was close enough to take the fish from Halun's hand the moon came out from behind some clouds. Halun recoiled instantly, dropping his fish and landing on his rear end. The pup however ignored the fish that had fallen on the ground and continued towards Halun.
Halun was paralysed with fear. The pup was obviously dead. Its lower jaw was missing and he could clearly see ribs protruding from the side of the small animal. Holes riddled its body and Halun could now smell the decay.
At once the puppy collapsed when it had reached Halun's knees. Halun suddenly felt as if he was choking and was gripped by excruciating pain over his entire body. He rolled onto his knees and coughed up bright red blood. The pain reached a crescendo and Halun fell to the dirt. Halun the Argonian then died.
As the moon once more ventured behind some clouds and covered the world in shadows, Halun's body began to rise.
It gathered itself to its feet and lifted its head. Blood still dripped from its mouth as it shuffled towards Balmora. In time the movements smoothened out as whatever magic possessed the body seemed to take better control.
The next morning two guards would wonder why just outside of town there was a brace of fish lying next a fishing pole, a rotting nix-hound and a pile of blood. The Argonian shaped bloody footprints leading to the town entrance only added to their confusion.
---------------------------
~Author's note~
Thank you for any reviews you have submitted, however, Mage-Imperator, if you ask to become a co-author after directly telling me "How dare you..." what do you think your chances are? Presently at work (Air Force)I have a new class of students arriving soon, and I must prepare for them- this is priority to writing fanfiction (unfortunately), but hopefully ill be able to continue this at home – especially if I get more reviews (wink, wink, nudge, nudge). The next chapter has already been written by the way (im trying to decrease the size before uploading)- but im unhappy with it- be patient. Thanks again ~V~
CHPT 3: Decisions
Navireth looked at the stars overhead. The positions of the two moons had left the dusk sky a rainbow of dark blues and fading beautiful reds. The stars shone through brightly, masked occasionally by a small cloud. A tear rolled down her cheek.
Upon leaving the mages guild Navireth had nimbly climbed atop an adjacent building using a small stack of crates and urns at the rear of the building. She now lay on her back with her legs tucked to the side and her arms wrapped loosely around her stomach.
She had decided that this Clothier's shop had a sufficiently high enough roof that she could lie on the top and stargaze without fear of anyone seeing her.
A shooting star streaked the sky above her, but Navireth didn't see it. She was thinking of her dead brother.
As children, Navireth and her younger brother Raulgh had always been close. Losing their parents in a pirate raid when they were young had forced them both to grow up quickly and depend on each other.
The pirates had landed off the coast of Hla Oad in the very early hours of a cold winter morning. Coming ashore in small ten-man boats the raiding party had decimated the small fishing village in the hopes of stealing enough food and supplies for another long stretch at sea.
A day of torture, rape and murder had followed. The pirates deciding to entertain themselves since overpowering what little resistance the village offered.
Navireth and her brother had hidden in swamps and tall grasses until they could safely make a break for the River Odai and follow it until they found a safe haven.
They knew the river ran through the city of Balmora and headed in that direction, but three days later, just before they reached the city, a diseased rat had bitten Navireth. She quickly became ill, Raulgh having to support her as she deteriorated. As they neared the city they saw a middle aged man fishing by the side of the river. Calling out for help, the man simply stared at them until they neared him.
Raulgh lost his temper and yelled obscenities, demanding why he made them walk all the way to him when it was obvious his sister was near death.
The man had stood and slowly unsheathed a small knife from around his waist and advanced on them. Eyes wide, Raulgh warned him away.
The man stopped and studied the pair.
"Your bravery is commendable, your intelligence is lacking. She's diseased am I right?"
Raulgh nodded slowly while a pale Navireth simply clung to him, now lost in a fever.
"Well, lets bleed that infected wound on her leg, try and save her life, then we'll look at some repayment, eh?"
The man turned out to be a high-ranking member of the Morag Tong. After bleeding the wound, which had become seriously infected, he had helped the two children to his home in Balmora. With the help of some potions, food and rest Navireth made a full recovery. After tending the needs of the man's house for a few months as payment the man enlisted them into the guild of assassins.
They were raised as children of the Morag Tong and advanced quickly.
Navireth sighed.
She was usually very good at hiding all emotions from everyone - except Raulgh. The outburst in the mages guild annoyed her.
Navireth rolled over onto her side. Her left arm bent and supported her head while her right hand sightly tapped her hip. From her vantage point she could see the southern archway to Balmora and slightly to the left, the charred wall of the Lucky Lockup.
Navireth scowled and sat up. Her icy stare focused on the blackened remains of the buildings' wall. Memories returned.
Instead of the painful feelings of loss and anguish as she remembered her dying brothers face, there was a hot lump in her chest. Her fire burned. She wanted revenge.
How dare these people attack members of the Morag Tong? How dare they kill her brother? How dare this figure in daedric armour still breathe?
When Navireth jumped down from the building roof and started walking towards the mages guild there was no sign that she had been upset and crying. A cold fury had possessed her. Navireth's icy silver eyes stared ahead while her teeth silently ground together. She would enjoy ripping the living entrails of her brother's killer out with her bare hands. She would enjoy watching him slowly die.
This figure in armour had seemed to recognise the pathetic dunmer male from the pub fight. She would question him about this daedric-clad murderer and track him down. She needed to find this figure and the weak scum hiding in the mages guild was her best shot. Navireth reflected that sometimes it was necessary to gather information from people she disliked. She would ignore any questions about the guild. Perhaps the fighters among them have decided to hunt this guy down? If so, she vowed she would tag along as much as necessary and ensure she gave the killing blow.
As she reached the entrance to the guild, Navireth felt as though she was being watched.
She looked over her shoulder at the shadows around the village. She looked at the roofs of the nearby buildings, and still did not see anything. Grunting, she turned to open the door. As she did she spied a nix-hound pup watching her from near the village pawnshop. She turned to face the small creature that simply stared at her from the shadows. When the pup didn't move Navireth remembered her bad mood and roughly shoved the door open and entered.
When the door of the mages guild slammed shut the small nix-hound puppy walked out of the shadows and towards Balmora South Gate. It left a trail of bloody footprints as it went, occasionally a piece of itself would fall off as its dead body decomposed. Once it reached the gate it stopped and waited. Another creature would come buy soon. One always does. It knew a lot of creatures are attracted to the smell of rotten meat.
--------------
Halun was an Argonian commoner with a passion for night fishing. Quite regularly, Halun could be seen walking around Balmora at night with a brace of the nocturnal marine life he sold to make a living.
He hummed a nameless tune as he returned from downriver, his night's work complete, having caught enough small fish to feed himself and enough left over to sell tomorrow. As he neared town, he spied a nix-hound puppy and froze.
Halun was afraid of rats, let alone nix-hounds. This one was very small however and simply staring at him from the shadows. Slowly his fear lessoned and Halun walked forwards cautiously. Maybe this one was lost, hungry or hurt?
"Here puppy, you feel well?' Halun rasped in his version of a whisper.
"Maybe puppy hungry? Halun have spare fish." Halun crouched low and waved a small fish towards the puppy. The small pup hobbled slowly towards the offered food.
Just as the pup was close enough to take the fish from Halun's hand the moon came out from behind some clouds. Halun recoiled instantly, dropping his fish and landing on his rear end. The pup however ignored the fish that had fallen on the ground and continued towards Halun.
Halun was paralysed with fear. The pup was obviously dead. Its lower jaw was missing and he could clearly see ribs protruding from the side of the small animal. Holes riddled its body and Halun could now smell the decay.
At once the puppy collapsed when it had reached Halun's knees. Halun suddenly felt as if he was choking and was gripped by excruciating pain over his entire body. He rolled onto his knees and coughed up bright red blood. The pain reached a crescendo and Halun fell to the dirt. Halun the Argonian then died.
As the moon once more ventured behind some clouds and covered the world in shadows, Halun's body began to rise.
It gathered itself to its feet and lifted its head. Blood still dripped from its mouth as it shuffled towards Balmora. In time the movements smoothened out as whatever magic possessed the body seemed to take better control.
The next morning two guards would wonder why just outside of town there was a brace of fish lying next a fishing pole, a rotting nix-hound and a pile of blood. The Argonian shaped bloody footprints leading to the town entrance only added to their confusion.
---------------------------
~Author's note~
Thank you for any reviews you have submitted, however, Mage-Imperator, if you ask to become a co-author after directly telling me "How dare you..." what do you think your chances are? Presently at work (Air Force)I have a new class of students arriving soon, and I must prepare for them- this is priority to writing fanfiction (unfortunately), but hopefully ill be able to continue this at home – especially if I get more reviews (wink, wink, nudge, nudge). The next chapter has already been written by the way (im trying to decrease the size before uploading)- but im unhappy with it- be patient. Thanks again ~V~