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The Night Mother had whispered the contact for this contract a few days after the twins arrived. It was a pain to leave so soon after arriving back home but contracts were already scarce without me being picky. I rode out to Winterhold to meet the man that prayed to the Night Mother.

He weaved a long tear filled story of his sister being harassed and beaten nearly to death by two brothers on a short leave of duty from Riften.

It was pathetic.

After nearly an hour of his blubbering, I finally lost my patience and "explained" to him that I didn't need his life story. I only needed the particulars for the contract. The who's, how's, when's and where's. When he finally sobbed out all the information I needed, I left him to nurse his broken leg and fingers.

The contract was relatively simple. Kill the brothers and make it painful. Easy really, but the irony of it was too good not to save for the sisters.

Their first contract was to kill twin brothers in the Riften guard.

It was noon on the third day of our travel. We were making excellent time though my mood was dampened by the light rain that normally plagued this area. Gileanna was full of energy and cheerfully spoke with her sister though I could tell from her ever moving eyes that she was alert and scanning for potential threats. Ardoneth seemed to be lost in the scenery around us but just like her sister, her eyes were focused and searching.

I would have to commend Nazir. He had done very fine work with the girls in the past few months.

Both the sisters wore the standard black leather armor of the Brotherhood. I wore my own standard brotherhood armor beneath my black robes. Babette's attire was completely different from mine or the twins. She wore just a simple child's dress with a large hood, though I knew she carried two daggers tucked in the folds of the dress and a multitude of poisons in a small purse she had repurposed. Outside it appeared like a fancy accessory for a young girl, on the inside was a poisoners dream. She rode snuggled tight against my chest on Shadowmare. She hummed quietly to herself, the oversized hood protecting her sensitive skin from the elements.

We had talked on and off since the start of the journey. Perhaps it was the feeding but I felt like a barrier that had existed between her and I was now gone. I felt oddly comfortable with her so close and I got the feeling she felt the same.

It was double strange because I hadn't felt truly comfortable around anything since arriving in Skyrim.

I logged the thoughts away for another time. I shouldn't risk being distracted while traveling, it was a rookie mistake and far beneath someone of my position.

We arrived at the gates to Riften just as the sun finished setting. Babette sighed happily when the sun fell over the mountains finally allowing her to pull her hood down.

"Ah Riften. It's been a while since I've visited her streets."

I chuckled as I removed my bag from Shadowmare's saddle. "You've never told me that you enjoy this area. Perhaps I'll send you here more often."

She smiled at me, her eyes still bright and her fangs glistening in the low light. "Please do. It's usually dark or overcast because of the surrounding mountains. I love the rain too. As a matter of fact it just so happens that I used to visit this area very often. I love this side of Skyrim."

I looked to Babette and noticed her bright smile. She actually looked like the child she often pretended to be. Babette giggled and took my hand. With a gentle tug she pulled me toward the city. We walked hand in hand followed by the twins up to the gates. The guard walked forth to meet us and I could just tell he would irritate me.

"Hold there. Before I let you into Riften you need to pay the visitors tax."

It was obviously a scam. I knew these fools worked for the thieves guild. They had tried the same thing when I came to end the life of Grelod the kind all those years ago. Unfortunately for them, this time I knew better.

The guard was taken aback when I presented a small pendant with the visage of Sithis from within my robes.

"My family does not pay."

The guard examined the pendent for a moment before his eyes went wide with both recognition and fear. He fell back onto his rear trying to get away from me before taking off through the gates and into the city.

The other guard seemed to be stunned silent at my presence and what would almost certainly happen if he agitated me any further.

"I assume we are exempt from this….tax?" I said through clenched teeth.

The guard flinched but quickly nodded.

"P-please. Go right i-in."

I rolled my eyes and we all walked into the city. We continued until we were in the empty side of town near the graveyard. I turned and faced the twins. It was time for business.

"Let's get started."

The girls all gathered ready to hear and obey. It was difficult, knowing how and when to switch back and forth from plain Brother Morthos to Listener but I had adjusted to it long ago.

"We all know why we are here. Gileanna. Ardoneth. This is your first contract. Babette and I will supervise. Think of this as a final test. You two shall search the city. Find your marks, observe their patterns and report to me. Babette and I shall be in the Ragged Flagon beneath the rat way or in the Bee and the Barb at night. Should something happen we will meet in the Ragged Flagon. Since today is nearly over use the next few hours to quickly survey the city then meet Babette and I in the Ragged Flagon."

The twins nodded. No further words need be spoken. These were orders. They would obey or bring upon themselves the wrath of Sithis.

"Go now dear sisters. Shadow hide you."

"As you command dear Listener."

They bowed and walked into the center of the city.

Babette and I made it to the Ragged Flagon without any issue. The twins joined us a few hours later after their brief look through the city.

We all sat at a table quietly speaking with Delvin Malory. He was a cut above his fellow thieves in my eyes. He may have followed the no killing rule but he didn't shy away from death. He was dedicated in a way the other thieves weren't. I respected that.

"So Morthos how's business been?"

I was brought out of my thoughts by Melvin's heavily accented voice though I was too distracted to really register the question. Babette answered for me.

"Sorry Melvin, our dear Morthos been easily distracted as of late. Everything is still much the same as it has been these past few years. Work is in low demand it seems. That or people are still weary of calling on us."

I nodded in agreement, my mind finally catching up with the conversation. Both Ardoneth and Gileanna whispered to each other, probably planning out how to go about their assigned mission.

Delvin nodded. "Shame. Used to be plenty a work for you lot."

"I only hate that we had to wait this long to have our cherries popped." Gileanna chimed before returning her attention back to her sister.

Babette rolled her eyes, Delvin spat out his drink and I rested my head in my hands and sighed. Gileanna's jokes left something to be desired in terms of actual comedy but even a sexual pun was still preferable to Cicero's normal jokes.

"We are still recovering from 'the betrayal' and our numbers have yet to truly grow. Gileanna and Ardoneth are the only recruits we've had and the only I've ever heard of to be ordained by the Night Mother herself."

It was a stunning revelation to Delvin. He pointed at Gileanna and Ardoneth, "You tellin me these wood elves 'er with you are…"

"Yes. The Night Mother confirmed it when I returned to the sanctuary. Sithis himself had told her of their coming and sent his shades to guide them to me. The Nightmother chose to give them their first task personally."

Babette smiled. "Truly an honor like no other."

Delvin was flabbergasted. He never once expected to hear of the Nightmother taking that much of an interest in the going-ons of the Brotherhood.

"That's…. Something."

Babette clapped her hands. "More than something. To be honest I'm a little jealous."

"Delvin my dear friend!"

We all looked up to see a khajiit stumbling toward our table. He wore the normal brown leathers of a thief. His fur was a dark brown that nearly matched his armor.

He made it to our table and pulled a seat between Ardoneth and Gileanna. Ardoneth snorted and looked away from the giggling khajiit. Gileanna didn't seem to mind his presence.

I glanced at him for a moment before turning to Babette. She leaned over and whispered into my ear.

"He's high. I can smell it all over him. Either moon sugar or skooma."

"Such lies from little hairless moon cub. Ra'faer is not high, he is simply excited to meet new assassin friends."

Both Babette and I glared at the still smiling khajiit. His hearing was still as sharp as normal it seemed. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"You would do well to watch your tongue. Around me, those kind of comments will get it cut out from between those yellow teeth."

He laughed in my face.

"Silly assassin thinks he can match Ra'faer? This is funny joke."

I REALLY did not like this khajiit. He now had a very comfortable place mid way up my shit list.

The twins sensed the growing tension and scooted their seats away from the khajiit thief.

Babette growled. "Delvin, who exactly is this and why should I refrain from slitting his throat?"

Delvin shrugged "You mean besides the fact that Mercer would have a stroke? He's recently made quite a name for himself. Mercer himself said as much. I doubt he'd like it much if you started killin our members. Business is bad for us too you know."

That was news to me. As far as I knew, Mercer Fray thought anyone that wasn't him was trash. I only once had the displeasure of meeting Mercer Fray when I had come to make a deal with Delvin for Astrid. Mercer Fray spent the entire time insulting the Brotherhood. He radiated undue arrogance. It took everything in me not to incinerate him on the spot.

Ra'faer, to his own credit, stayed quiet. He was staring hard at Babette. I didn't like it. Without really thinking I pulled Babette close.

"Angry assassin is very protective of little moon child. Ra'faer is happy to see such compassion. He would not expect it from Dark Brotherhood."

Delvin turned on Ra'faer his face scrunching up in irritation. "Hush up Ra'faer. You know exactly who they are. All your gonna do is get someone killed."

Delvin and Ra'faer began bickering back and forth. Ra'faer arguing that he could handle himself and Delvin pointing out that we killed people for a living.

Gileanna and Ardoneth stood and said they were going go back to tracking their marks. I could tell they both just wanted to get away from the antics.

Babette and I stayed a few minutes longer until Ra'faer began to sing in a ridiculous attempt to tune Delvin out. Babette was one more chorus from lunging across the table fangs barred. I took that as the signal that we should leave.

We both wished Delvin a good evening and sent a glare at Ra'faer who only waved and wished us a good hunt.

That surprised me. A thief wishing an assassin good luck on their natural task. What a day.

It's for the best that we left when we did. It wasn't a good idea for someone as short tempered as Babette or myself to stay near someone as annoying as Ra'faer for extended periods of time.

Besides that, we had two sisters on the hunt to supervise.

Two days later

Gileanna was beginning to become irritable. It had already been two days since they began stalking their targets. The sun would soon set and signal the end of their third and final day of reconnaissance and the start to their plan. Beside her sat her beloved twin, a frown cemented onto her face.

This had ceased to be fun for them after the first hour of the first day. So far all they had learned was that the brothers were assigned the night shift by the docks, walked the city during the day and that they were hated by the general population of the city. They could learn nothing else because the targets never left the barracks except to go on patrol or to the heavily populated Bee and Barb.

Gileanna and Ardoneth had spoken briefly about their plan of action to abduct them. The barracks was far beyond their current skill and too risky to bother attempting.

The Bee and Barb was also disregarded. There was far too many possible witnesses.

Both agreed it would be best to do it tonight, during their shift at the docks. They would have cover of night and the mist from the lake would further help conceal them.

Ardoneth sent her pet death hound to hide nearby. He would only attract attention if seen and would be unable to help abduct the two men. Ardoneth instructed him to remain close though; he could serve as a distraction if things went bad or protection if things really went to shit.

The abduction would be the difficult part. After they spirited the brothers away it would be child's play to torture the two. That would fulfill their contract to the letter. The brothers would suffer then die. Just as requested.

I stood on a rooftop beside Babette observing the twins. They had informed me of their intended plan of action and I had given them my blessing to proceed.

Now I watched and waited for them to spring. The night was perfect. A nearly absent moon and heavy fog from the lake.

The Night Mother was truly offering her daughter's a helping hand. The guards had shifted the watch rotation/ so now there was no one standing watch with the brothers during their night roving shift.

Babette slipped her tiny hand in mine. I could tell she was feeling just as excited as I was. Her jitters might also be a result of her now full stomach.

She had fed from me just earlier in the day. It was another rather intimate moment much like the first mostly because Babette immediately made herself comfortable by straddling me. I'm unsure if Babette was aware but she also had a tendency to whimper, moan and almost coo as she fed. The vibrations sent bolts of pain through me though her saliva dulled it. It felt something akin to the feeling of stretching your sore muscles the day after a very taxing training session mixed with the shock of snow running down your shirt.

Like the first time, it was a relatively pleasant experience.

We once again ended up forehead to forehead looking into each other's eyes. Mine were dulled from blood loss and hers bright crimson. To my chagrin and Babette's amusement, I passed out.

I woke up a while later, shirtless in bed, arms wrapped tight round a small, smiling, sleeping, vampire assassin child.

I woke her when I felt I could finally sit up and not immediately pass out again. I had her swear she wouldn't tell another living being I had fainted. She giggled but swore her silence. Her reason was because she felt she should never have allowed herself to drink that much from me.

By her own admission, a few more heavy drinks and I'd have passed into the void. That would be rather embarrassing to explain the Nightmother.

"I'm sorry mother, I only allowed a vampire to feed from me. A perfectly safe activity I assure you."

I could feel my attachment to Babette growing. Very strange. I would consult with Mother on this when we returned to the sanctuary. I'd never really had that happen with my thralls back in Cyrodiil. Perhaps it was only female vampires that caused this phenomenon.

I returned my focus back to the twins. Such a challenge was very rare. They deserved to have my full attention.

"I truly envy them." Babette whispered to me, her voice barely audible above the night time insects and the water gently crashing against the city's underbelly.

I nodded and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "I do too. It's taking everything I have not to jump down there and complete this contract myself."

Babette giggled. "It's a shame the brothers aren't into little girls. I would have loved to be the one chosen for this hunt."

I felt the same about wanting the contract. I hadn't had a contract like this in a long time. "We only need be patient my dear Babette. I'm sure the Night Mother has plans for us all."

She sighed but nodded. "I await that day dear Morthos. I must be honest though, it isn't for my great hunt that I wait. It's for yours. You don't have to be the Nightmother to see great things in your future."

I went silent and pointed down. The girls had begun moving in.

Ardoneth was the first to strike. She drew her blowdart gun and waited for the brothers to be facing away from one another. Her aim was spot on, she hit him right in the neck. As he began to crumble, Ardoneth sprung from the nearby shadows and caught him. His armor would make noise and noise would alert the other brother.

She silently dragged him back then beneath the dock. Her death hound seemed to melt out from the shadows then proceeded to follow after his master. The plan would have her take him under the docks and out of town to a small cave nearby. There they would torture the two before ending their lives. Easy.

With Ardoneth's part done Gileanna began to stalk forward. She would probably choke him unconscious then drag him away following the same route as her sister.

I held me breath in anticipation and felt Babette's grip on my hand tighten.

"You are very talented! Perhaps Ra'faer will give you proper training."

Everything seemed to fall apart. From no where, there was that idiot cat, smiling besides Gileanna holding in his hand a small coin purse and a dagger that could only belong to my dear sister. The final brother guard heard Ra'faer's words and faced them. He immediately called out for assistance and drew his weapon to attack when he saw Gileanna's black and red armor.

I restrained Babette before she could rush to help Gileanna. We couldn't help her. It would only make things worse. It made my blood boil to watch Gileanna surrender to the guard and be taken away. Babette kicked and struggled in my arms the entire time. My only satisfaction was watching the last brother, now flanked by four more Riften guards back hand that pathetic khajiit before shackling him as well.

Gileanna looked up to where I stood tears rolling down her cheeks as they dragged her away.

This is very bad.

I had to half carry a crying Babette back to the Bee and Barb. When we were finally away from the public eye in our rented room I released her. I snarled and slammed my hands into the wooden wall. Babette sat on the bed looking worried and trying to dry her angry tears.

"That thrice blasted cat!" I roared. "I'll send him screaming into the void!"

It was then that Babette stood and pulled me to sit beside her. "Calm down. I'm upset too but we can't afford to do anything rash. We should go speak to Delvin. Maybe he can pull a few strings and get Gileanna out for us. Ardoneth should already be waiting for us at the Ragged Flagon. At the very least we might be able to buy a key for the prison from them."

I took a deep breath and held it until I felt my blood fall from a boil to a simmer. She was right. Now was not the time for irrational emotion driven action. Now was the time for me to stand strong as leader of the Brotherhood.

"You're right. We can't waste any time. That bitch Mavin Black-Briar will have been informed about this by now. We need to free our sister before Mavin has a chance to interfere with our work. With Astrid gone she doesn't have anything to hold over our necks. I'm sure she'll love a chance to have us at her beck and call again."

I opened my bags and retrieved the bundle I took everywhere but never thought I'd be forced to use. Babette looked over my shoulder to see what was inside. Inside rested a black set of armored robes, all black leather armor and a deadric dagger. I pulled off my old robes then tossed them away. I began to unstrap my black and red brotherhood armor to replace them with the armor of the Crimson Scars; armor based off the Cyrodiil version of the Dark Brotherhood armor, passed down in secret from my grandfather, Greywyn himself.

"I've never seen armor like that before. That knife too… I can feel it from here. It's foul."

I nodded in response to Babette's words as I slipped Crimson Eviserator into her sheath beside my Blade of Woe. She was my grandfather's faithful blade. I knew she had served him well. Now she would spill blood once more.

"It's more. It is the armor of the Crimson Scars. The all vampire faction that tried to break away from the Brotherhood in the era just before the oblivion crisis. Greywyn, their leader, was my mothers sire. The blade once belonged to him as well many many years ago."

Babette was shocked by the revelation. I was a true son of the Brotherhood just like the twins.

"Wait, your mother? She lived before the crisis? But that makes no…Morthos…just how old are you?"

I hesitated. I hadn't told anyone my true age in centuries. Though if anyone could relate to my situation it was Babette herself.

"I was born fifteen years before the Oblivion crisis."

She gasped. "The Oblivion crisis happened about four hundred years ago. How are you still alive?"

I turned to Babette and pushed a set of ebony robes just like mine into her hands.

"Not now. I promise I'll explain after Gileanna is safe."

Our dear Mother would probably reprimand me but I had no more time to wait.

The Black Hand had returned.

And Babette would be my first Speaker.

"Get dressed. The robes should fit you."

Babette only nodded and began to pull off her dress. I looked away, both to give her some privacy and to focus my mind on the task at hand.

If Babette's suggested plan of action failed we would need to break into Mavin Black-Briar's home. I knew that she personally kept copies of the prison keys.

From there we would have to break into the prison, easy enough to do, then find our dear sister and free her. As a small bonus I'd try and skin that idiot cat that got her caught.

A small gloved hand brought me out of my planning.

I had specially commissioned these robes specifically for the day Babette would join me in the ruling circle of the Brotherhood.

Her hood was slightly larger than mine and she had black leather gloves covering her hands giving her extra protection from the sun. The robes were all double layered and colored black, stitched together with strong thread. They ended just before the middle of her small calves showing the matt black boots she now wore. On her shoulders were thin but strong ebony plates with the symbol of the Black hand in the center and trimmings that looked like crawling vines and thorns carved into them. Over her shoulder and across her chest to her waist was a black sash held together with a black pendent also adorned with the Black Hand's symbol.

Across her waist was a new belt stained matt black like everything else. It was equipped with a loop so Babette could strap her dagger to it and a few extra loops for throwing knives as well as a large and already stocked poisoners pouch filled with viles of the most deadly poisons I could acquire and make as well as a bottle of my secret hand-made poison, created by my mother and passed down to me.

A Lethal light violet potion, a single coating across a blade would cause near instant paralysis, drain all magicka and stamina, and death would follow soon after. Only I knew the antidote. It was a genius mixture of nightshade, hemlock, grasspods, jarrin root, and a few other ins and outs.

After we finished here I would take her to an armorer I could trust and have her fitted for a set of crimson scar leathers she could wear beneath the robes. It was high time I took real steps towards bringing us back to the glorious days of old.

But that would wait. We had business to attend to.

"Let's go."

We stuck to the shadows as we made our way under the city to the Ragged Flagon. As soon as we entered Ardoneth ran up to us looking furious followed by Dirge.

"Listener! They won't help us!"

My eyes narrowed at Dirge. He unconsciously took a step back. He was smarter than he looked. At the moment I would have slit his throat or immolated him. He was only saved by the fact that we wanted the Thieves Guild's assistance.

He steeled himself then spoke, "Brynjolf doesn't want any trouble. You guys targeted someone on Mavin Black-Briar's payroll. She wont take kind to this."

I responded as if he was actually worth the time.

"And just where is Brynjolf? I would like to speak with him myself."

Dirge looked nervous but stood firm. Vex drew her dagger and moved to his side and Tonilia quickly ran to the cistern. I already knew how to access it. She was certainly going to warn the other thieves.

Delvin stepped forward slowly hands raised. "Now Morthos let's not be hasty."

I shot him a glare that immediately silenced him. I was in no mood for Delvin or any of the others. I needed results and only results, not words. With a flick of the wrist both him and Dirge were sent into the pool of water. Mysticism was a wonderful school of magic.

With no one else barring our way I walked forward towards where Tonilia had disappeared. I used my telekinesis spell to rip away the shelves hiding the way into the cistern.

"Be ready. We need their help but if they attack, they all die. Am I understood?" I spoke to the two following me.

Babette hissed back at me, her crimson eyes conveying that her thoughts ran parallel to mine. Ardoneth drew her dagger.

"Do not underestimate them. They're thieves, not rabbits."

"We understand Listener."

On a normal day Brynjolf's face of fear when I literally blasted the door leading to the cistern to pieces would have amused me.

Not today.

Not with my sister at the mercy of Mavin Black-Briar and possibly spilling Brotherhood secrets. I will give my all to save her but if she had to die to protect the family then so be it. I wouldn't like it but I would send her to the Dreadfather myself before allowing her to betray the Brotherhood. So command the tenants.

"Brynjolf! You will help us free our sister." My words rang clear and strong through the cistern. Each and every thief had a weapon in hand except for Brynjolf himself.

"Enough Morthos. You can't win this. Your out numbered five to one. Besides, Mercer would never let us go against Mavin Black-Briar."

I nearly rolled my eyes.

He was spot on about us being outnumbered though. There were about four thieves for each one of us. To anyone else those would be terrible odds. But I am a master of Destruction. Numbers meant very little to me. A well placed lightning spell would chain between nearly everyone in the room and those not hit by spell would be easy to pick off afterwards.

My laughter filled the room. Every thief looked at me like I was insane. To be fair perhaps I am. That thought sent me into another round of maniacal laughter. It took me a moment to bring myself back under control.

"Brynjolf, do you honestly think any of you will live past the hour if you tried using any of those sorry potato peelers your holding? As lovely as this has been I've had enough with this charade. You WILL help us free our sister or all die."

I was ready. My blade drawn and Magicka flowing I would strike down anyone who got in my way. At my sides, Babette drew her own dagger and barred her fangs. Ardoneth had her dagger drawn and ready.

"It isn't my call! Please Morthos! You know Mercer is going to be furious as it is when he gets back and he has to deal with-"

"BRYNJOLF!"

A young imperial ran in from the rear entrance.

Brynjolf turned towards the youth. "What is it Rune?"

"Ra'faer has been thrown in prison by the guard. Something about helping an assassin." He said between deep breaths.

"That IDIOT is the one who got Gileanna caught!" I roared. Brynjolf looked from Rune to me.

"Damn! Mercer REALLY won't like this. Fine! Morthos come with me, turns out we really do need to talk."

I nodded as I slid Crimson Eviserator into her sheath. For the first time all day, things felt like they might end up going my way.

Babette and Ardoneth fell in line behind me as I followed Brynjolf to a desk covered with stacks of papers.

He pulled out a large schematic for what could only be the Riften prison.

"Understand this Morthos, no one is going to help you free your sister."

I opened my mouth to protest when he held up a hand and continued.

"You don't need to do anything either. Knowing Ra'faer he's already free and working on a way to get your girl out as well."

"Explain."

"Look, Ra'faer needed something from the prison. He wouldn't say what so Mercer told him to stay away because we don't want any trouble with the Black-Briar's."

I shrugged. "I don't care about what Mercer wants or thinks. All I need from you is a way in to the prison and the keys to the prison cells. You DO have copies right?"

"Are you even listening?!" Brynjolf shouted. "Ra'faer will have her out by morning. Just be patient. Don't make things worse than they are."

I was about to show Brynjolf just how impatient I truly was when Babette spoke.

"Listener, I worry for our captured sister as well but perhaps we should wait. Brynjolf had no reason to lie to us."

"It isn't Brynjolf I doubt. It's that blasted khajiit. He has no reason to break Gileanna out, hell if anything it would be better for him if he didn't. Then the thieves could pin whatever documents he steals on us."

Brynjolf tried to look upset but he knew that I knew this wouldn't be the first time the thieves guild had pulled this trick out of their hat, though it would be the first time it was used against the Dark Brotherhood.

"I know. It makes my skin crawl and fangs itch to suggest it, but I do think waiting till sunrise would be beneficial. IF Brynjolf is correct then Gileanna will be here with us and safe in a few hours and if not then we can have a plan ready."

I mulled it over for a moment. I didn't like to wait. The thought of waiting set fire once again to my already foul temper but reason sided with Babette.

"Fine." I spat out. "We wait till sunrise." I turned to Brynjolf.

"Thank you. Trust me. The girl will be fine."

Faster than anyone could follow I had my hand around his throat and pulled him close.

"Do not thank me yet thief. Should my sister not be here come the rising sun, your suffering will be legendary even in hell." I hissed into his ear before turning and making my way out of the Cistern followed by Babette and Ardoneth.

Gileanna looked around the small cell she was thrown into. It was bare save a small blanket she was using to cover her naked body with. There was nothing she could use to defend herself.

She was only thankful that they had dragged her inside before ripping her armor and underclothes from her. She didn't want any of the family to see her in such a way, especially the Listener himself. Naked, unarmed and a failure.

"Wonderful. He must think me such a fool. A waste of his time." She whispered to herself.

Tears began to pool in her eyes. Her first ever contact and she had blown it spectacularly. She'd even gotten captured by the town guard. The very worst part was that the Listener himself had witnessed the whole thing. How could she ever face the family again?

That was assuming she ever got out of this cell. She knew it was only a matter of time before she was visited by one of the guards to be interrogated.

Just then she heard a metal door open and footsteps.

'Oh joy. Here we go.'

Gileanna pulled the blanket closer. A woman appeared at her cell door. She was a Nord with black hair and fair skin. Her eyes were cold and arrogant but intelligent.

"Hello assassin. I am Mavin Black-Briar. You and I are going to be good friends."

Gileanna sneered. "Your no friend of mine. If I had a blade I'd slit your throat where you stand."

Mavin chuckled. "Your spirited. Good. I would have hated to drag Maul away from his duties only for you to just give me what I want."

As Mavin spoke another Nord entered the cell and stood beside her. He was nearly twice Gileanna's size and wore steel armor.

"Maul, be a dear and show our new friend that it's much better for her health to accommodate my wishes."

With that she left Gileanna in the cell with Maul.

Chapter 2 done. Finally.

This took me far longer than I planned. It's irritating getting writer's block on and off when you try putting in time to this.

As always I thank you for your patience, appreciate any and all reviews or suggestions and apologize in advance for my terrible spelling.

I hope to have the next chapter finished and uploaded in far less time than this one took me.

The Forlorn Sage