He was a killer.
He admitted it to himself many times and accepted this fact the same as someone accepts the stars and the sun.
He had killed for money,sport and fame , anything that took his fancy at the time.
Dozens of families lay dead in his wake and dozens more lay ahead to taste his steel.
He was an assassin, the best according to his master's at the Brotherhood, despite the fact that he was so young.
He was known only as Blade because of his prefered killing tools and right now he was preparing the tools of his trade once again.
Whipsers had followed him when he booked a room in this inn in Gnisis but he didn't care, fear was one of his greatest means of defence.
Carefully drawing out his numerous shining blades from their sheaths he began to sharpen them on a small whetstone and then polished each one with individual care till they glimmered in the dim candle light.
He knew nothing much about his target, he was only to attack if his employers contacted him and told him the first wave of assassinations had failed, but still, he liked to be alert.
The crystal ball on his desk suddenly glowed red and a proud Imperial face swam into view.
'Lord Nuemeron'! he gasped pushing his long black hair back from his face 'Is it time for me to go to work'.
'Indeed she has just left the temple with a single guard' Nuemeron's words were slurred and spittle ran down his chin, he seemed slighly mad 'Not much of a challenge for you Dunmer, the best assassin in the Brotherhood I'm told, now go before they're too far away'.
The light from the ball dimmed and Blade threw it onto his bed.
Silently and efficiently he strapped on his black leather armour, two Tantos, a brace of six throwing knifes and a mini crossbow.
Carefully he placed on magic amulets and rings which would allow him to become invisible. Lastly he put on a jet black cloak which shimmered like water,pulled up the hood and concealed his dark blue skin by pushing a mask over his lower mouth.
He was ready to kill.
Fort Moonmoth was a bustle of activity as soldiers prepared for war. Lord Nuemeron stood on the parapets with his generals and surveyed the courtyard.
'Are you sure we have enough incentive to attack m'lord?' Asked the real general of the Imperial army, Falvius. News that Nuemeron had slaughtered the council of the temple in Morrowind had reached his ears and he feared the once valiant knight had gone insane.
'I would have killed anyone else for questioning this attack but since I've known you a long time I'll give you one more chance' Nuemeon gazed down at the courtyard his black hair swept back from his face which was cold and emotionless 'the temple is all but crushed Ald'Ruhn is the only city where we encountered a resistance and i assume that will be crushed in the near future'
'What about Vivec the Ordinators have pushed your forces to the city limits and now hold the majority of the cantons?' Flavius asked again cautiosly.
'You blasphemic words bore me general, if you think you can run this army better than I why don't you just kill me here and now' Replied Nuemeron with a weird grin 'Bloodaxe?' he indicated to the massive orc bezerker who despite an upcry commanded a division in the army and was a powerful warrior 'take our dead general below to the prison cell's and give him time to cool off, oh and maybe teach him a lesson or two while you're there too'.
'Gladly' grunted the Orc and in one swift moved struck Flavius with his flat palm, slung him over his shoulder like a sack and descended down the steps.
'Now gentlemen back to the divisional reports' Nuemeron said as if the previous event never happened 'i hope any of you don't have bad news for me'
'Are we nearly out yet?' moaned Noleos as Jeanne dragged her through the dingy streets.
'Almost , just a little more' Replied Jeanne glancing around, they had joined up with four other temple guards who were trying to escape the city also before it was too late.
'Stop i can't go any more!' cried Noleos and slumped to the litter strewn street floor.
'Cmon get up!' cried Jeanne as she futilily attempted to pull Noleos to her feet.
'We're sitting ducks out here' muttered one of the other guards.
'I'm trying to get her up, someone help me!' cried Jeanne her face red form excertion.
'Alright' one of the guards, a Redguard calmy walked over to help.
Suddenly he stopped and stood stock still, opening and closing his mouth silently like a fish out of water. A crossbow bolt was purtruding from his neck and a tiny rivelet of blood ran down his neck.
'Fuck' whispered Jeanne as a dark figure dropped down from a rooftop ' Cmon Noleos we have to go'she pulled her to her feet and backed away from the crouching figure.
'What is it?' whispered Noleos in a mouse-like voice.
'Assassin, Dark Brotherhood' Jeanne could barely speak more than a few words.
Noleos whimpered at the name of the much feared guild spoken aloud.
'Nuemeron must really be insane to associate with these batards' said one of the guards as he drew his blade wiht hesitation.
'Noleos stay here while i help the others' Jeanne whispered as she drew her longsword and strapped her shield onto her arm.
The three guards and Jeanne circled the figure as it slowly raised itself to its feet and drew out two tantos.
Jeanne stuck first, covering her left side with her shield and coming in low from the right with her longsword.
The figure crouched fludily and swept the legs from Jeanna with a sweeping kick. The three others rushed in quickly on the offensive and rained blows on the assassin.
Those blows that the assassin didn't dodge were parried by his lightining quick blades which formed on impenitrable defense which nothing could get past.
One of the guards blades fell short and the assassin quickly took adavantage and sliced his right hand sword into the soldiers left shoulder and through to his right hip.
Blood exploded into the air and the butchered soldier toppeled to the ground.
The next soldier to die charged the assassin and was run through on his blade which came out the other side soaked in fresh blood. The last soldier, an expierienced Bosmer, fought back and fourth with the assassin before his foe disappeared.
'Is he... gone?' asked Noleos as she dragged Jeanne's unconcious form away.
Before the Wood elf could answer his head flipped off his shoulders and a fountain of blood squirted almost as high as the rooftops.
The assassin had used his invisibility spells to cause the illusion.
'Jeanne wake up please!' cried Noleos as the assassin reappeared and walked boldly towards her, his blades shining with blood...
(wah! exciting! please rate and review so i can get a 3rd chap up soon!)