"So you're a werewolf?"

Just minutes ago, Liss had been holding her razor-sharp dagger to the creatures throat, ready to slit it open any second. Then, the creature had just suddenly shrunk to half it's size, the fur had dissapeared and then there was a young man there. Lycanthropy.

"Yup." The young man said. He had shoulder-length brown hair, and green fearsome eyes. The eyes of a predator. He was dressed in nothing but ragged peasants clothing, ripped and teared from the young man turning into a beast. A stub of beard covered his dirty cheeks, making him look even more wild and bestial. He was an Imperial. Liss did not like Imperials, therefore she watched this one constantly, ready to defend herself.

His name was Valyrios. Valyrios of Kvatch. He had lived in Cyrodiil for most of his life. That had changed when he was inflicted with Lycanthropy during a mission with the Fighters Guild. When people realized that Valyrios was a Werewolf, he was constantly hunted by the Silver Hand, werewolf hunters, which were also quite active in Cyrodiil, and angry mobs. He had then decided to leave Cyrodiil for ever and go into exile in Skyrim. He'd been thinking about joining the companions but after a second thought he'd decided to stay incognito, working as a stableboy in Riverwood.

"Here, have a rabbit." He said quietly, after a long moment of silence. Liss accepted it. She smelt the fresh meat, and took a bite. The stringy but at the same time wild-tasting meat was fantastic, after days of just salt fish and dry bread.

"It's good." She said. The warmth of the rabbit spread through her body. She grew tired again. But she could not sleep. She could not afford to risk it. What if this man was dangerous? Hidden behind a mask of solid lies? What if?

"Have you killed someone?" Valyrios of Kvatch suddenly asked. Liss stopped chewing and put the half-eaten rabbit aside.

"If I've killed someone?"

"Yeah. Not that I'm particularily afraid of you, but one has to take precautions. I am sure you know what I mean."

"I've killed some." She answered.

"How many?"

"Lost count."

"Okay."

"You?" Liss asked.

"Three." Valyrios said. "When I was a beast. You know, transformed. I still have consciousness, but my mind is not the same. I am a predator."

"Seems like we're similar then. Killers."

"It surely does seem so, Liss Nightingale." Valyrios finished his rabbit and spat out a small bone. "Tell me. What are you up to, travelling like this in the cold land of Skyrim with an iron maiden for company?"

"Can you keep a secret?" Liss asked after a moments thought.

"Trust me," the Imperial said. "I can keep one if you're willing to tell one!"

"I work for the Dark Brotherhood." Liss said.

"I know."

"What?" Liss asked.

"I saw it in your eyes. And that armor of yours, too."

"No need telling you, then. I am the last of the Brotherhood and that iron maiden is a coffin, with the body of the Night Mother. I serve her will, and it is her will that I find a new sanctuary and begin rebuilding the Dark Brotherhood."

"I see." Valyrios said, with a concerned look in his eyes.

"Would you mind getting your hands dirty, Valyrios of Kvatch?" Liss asked with a small smile. Valyrios was silent, and then he answered her.

"Not really."

"Welcome to the family, brother."

…...

The journey to the cave seemed to take less time when Liss had some company, someone to talk with. Someone who was a killer, just like her. The Thieves Guild had been nice to her. Liss admired their stealth abilities, but they didn't know how to kill. They had no idea how it felt like to slit a throat beyond the starry night sky. That's why Liss had never wanted to join them. Too little killing.

The next day, Liss and Valyrios reached their destination; The new sanctuary. It was an underground cave; it's entrance hidden by rocks and cliffs but big enough to get a carriage through.

First they went down narrow stone steps into a small room with a long-dead campfire in the middle, some chairs by the wall and a small table at the far end with a couple of benches surrounding it. To their left was another room, with a staircase leading down to a larger chamber with some iron shackles and cages, probably used as a prison. To the right of the main room was another small room, probably serving as a simple storeroom. Right in front of Liss and Valyrios was a broad tunnel leading diagonally down into a quite large open cave with a small stream running straight through. This would be a good main hall for the Dark Brotherhood. There were several other rooms too, and Liss reckoned that this Sanctuary would be enough to hold at least fifteen assassins at a time. Perfect.

"We'd better get this place furnished." Valyrios said when they had placed the Night Mother in her own private chamber.

"I thought of that. And I know just who we're going to contact. He'll be able to fix shrouded armors too, if we are lucky." Liss said. "We've got the money we need, at least."

"We do?" Valyrios asked.

"I have a small fortune from my previous contracts."Liss admited.

"You seem to have been quite...well, proficient." Valyrios stated.

"And I still am." Liss answered. "C'mon, we've got lot's of work. No rest until the Night Mother is satisfied."


The assassin and her new friend, the Werewolf, journeyed back to Liss hometown of Riften. She hated that place. It was filthy, dusty, the streets filled with shit and the people there were too; it was a place for the poor, and the lonely of heart. But something that was going very well in Riften was the thieves guild, it's business going better than ever.

They walked through the chilly, damp tunnels of the Ratway. Liss knew this way, she'd accompanyed Liss warned Valyrios of some things.

"Remember, don't ask any stupid questions." Liss began. "It is said that the Thieves guild hates to kill, but who knows what'll happen if someone got too much information."

"Uh...I'm suddenly not so sure if this is my thing...perhaps...I'll just wait outside.." Valyrios said awkwardly.

"You come with me." Liss demanded.

"What?!" Valyrios exclaimed. "Am I your slave suddenly?"

"...Please." Liss added reluctantly.

"Yeah, that's better, now I feel like I have a meaning in life." he said sarcastically. Liss elbowed him in the ribs. He muttered something but carried on. Soon, the two found the exit, or, the entrance to the Ragged Flagon, the dim, dark thieves guild "bar".

Delvin Mallory was sitting on a creaky chair by a round table in the dim room. The Breton male had a bald head, green eyes and a stubby beard on his chin. He was a fence for the Thieves guild, Liss knew. He was the one she'd contact if she had stolen items to sell.

"If it ain't little Liss." Delvin said, without looking up from the meat pie he was cutting pieces from . "How goes it?"

"Good day, Devlin." Liss said politely. She didn't enjoy being polite, but she had to. This was of biggest matters.

"What do I owe the honor, lass?"

"I need your help." Liss said, and sat down. She gestured to Valyrios to do the same, and he sat down, a little awkwardly.

"Gotten a boy, have ya?" Devlin glanced at Valyrios, and giggled. "I figured it wouldn't take long, see."

"Err..No, this is Valyrios, Valyrios of Kvatch, he..he's an assassin, too."

"Oh." Devlin said, a little caught of guard. "I know where this is going."

Liss was silent for a moment, as Devlin Mallory took a gulp from an iron tankard.

"It has to do with the Brotherhood, right?"

"Yes." Liss confirmed.

"Well. Whatcha need, girl?"

"You'll help me?" Liss asked hopefully.

"Hold yer horses, I want to know exactly what I'm supposed to help you with."

"Well, I need furnishing for the new sanctuary.." Liss began.

"New sanctuary?" Delvin asked. "How come?"

"The Night Mother spoke to me. I'm obeying her will."

"Aha." Delvin nodded to himself. He changed position in the chair. He bent forward and crossed his arms on the table. "You know, your momma wanted the same thing. She sent an assassin, with payment. I helped her, and that was that. Good person, that Astrid. A shame she chose that runaway Companion. I could'a been a much better husband, for sure."

"You're talking about my father, Delvin." Liss said. She was getting irritated.

"My 'pologies, girl."

"And then I need armors. Shrouded ones, I thought you were the one to ask."

"Shrouded armors. Are you sure 'bout this, Liss?" Delvin asked. "Things could go wrong. The Imperials want the Brotherhood gone, and even though Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak got the Empire to submit, them legionaires are still holding Solitude."

"I am sure. And if you want to stop me, go on. But I promise, you won't live to tell the tale."

"Oh, lass." Devlin laughed. "You're just like your momma. And you have a bit of yer dad in you, too."

"What's it gonna be?"

"I'll help ya."

"Thank you, Devlin." Liss smiled slightly, a very rare sight, indeed.

"Well, it ain't for free. I want you to do somethin' for me, too."

"What would that be?"

"Ye interested in slitting some Imperial throats?" Devlin asked.

"Tell me more."

"He's a captain. On a ship. Sercis, he's called. He's been causing a little stir within the Thieves guild. I want him dead."

"And where can I find this Sercis?" Liss asked. She could feel the dark joy rising in her soul, the thrill of having a target.

"Solitude docks. You kill that man, I'll help you with all that you asked."

"I'll be on my way. And thanks, Devlin." Liss stood up and was just about to walk away when Devlin grabbed her hand.

"Just because it's you, Liss. And because I owe your momma a great deal." he smiled, and let go. Liss nodded, took Valyrios by the arm, and left the Ragged Flagon.

She was the hunter. He was her prey.

The middle-aged man was garbed in the common Imperial armor, without a helmet, revealing his long brown hair. Liss was walking down the docks, wearing a lovely green dress, which suited her, apparently. At least Valyrios thought so, the scumbag. Liss did not enjoy this at all. She loved killing, she loved it more than anything else, tracking her prey and ending their lives; but this was insane. Yes, it was hard to get close to Sercis without being disguised, but this? Yuck. As soon as this mission was over, Liss would burn this dress. But it was a very effective disguise, she had to admit. A soldier whisteled to her. An act of grace, confirming she was pretty. Liss wanted to pull him inside an alley and stick the Blade of Woe inside his throat, but instead, she smiled her prettiest smile and walked away.

"Oh my!" Liss gasped. She was standing in front of the quite handsome captain.

"What is it, my fair lady?" the captain named Sercis said, looking up from the tangle of ropes he was fiddling with. He was sitting on a barrell, doing what needed to be done on his ship. He was the captain; he had to take care of his boat.

"I dropped my necklace!" Liss donned her most childish and sad face.

"Oh, dear, oh dear." Sercis mumbled, and stood up. He took Liss hand. She wanted to slap him, but carried on with the act. "Where have you dropped it, young lady?"

"In the gutter, over there, in that alley! My arms are too short, I can't reach it!"

"Very well. I'll help you, fair one." Sercis smiled, and Liss led the way inside the long, dark alley. She pointed to a gutter a small distance deeper into the alley. Sercis smiled at her, and hurried to save her "necklace". Liss hurried after him.

"I can't see it, my lady! It must have sunken through the mud, I.."

"No, no, it's there! You have too look deeper!" Liss said. And as Sercis the captain looked deeper down the gutter, she drew her blade. It shone darkly with bloodthirst.

"I can't see it!" Sercis said hopelessly.

"No, it's just there!" then, Liss grabbed the captain by his collar and pulled him up with fearsome strength.

"What? Wh-what is happening, my..mylady!?" he gasped.

"It feels good to kill again..." Liss whispered. The captain got all white in his face. "If you scream, I'll be sure to kill you slowly..Understood?!"

The captain nodded slowly. His face had an expression of utter fear – how could this little girl kill him? Why?

"Wait!" he pleaded. "We can still solve this! Let me help you back to your home and..."

"Home is where you hang your enemys head." Liss said as she plunged the knife into the captains throat. She looked him in the eyes as he died. She smiled.