A/N Hi everyone! I'm sorry this chapter's taken so long. Life always gets in the way of a good story. :P I smashed most of this chapter out last night. I hope it's okay. Once again, thanks for reading.

Chapter 4

Ahh, the Waterfront! It hasn't changed a bit, except that nuisance Hieronymus Lex isn't pestering the locals anymore. I hope he likes his Anvil assignment. I chuckled at the thought of that Grey Fox hunter in a quiet, back-water town.

I should check on Armand and Methrerdhel while I'm here.

I walked around for a while, seemingly watching the sunrise, but actually checking my surroundings. I saw the Marie Elena in the distance, with pirates surrounding her, packing crates or guarding them or the ship. The most noticeable of which was a Dark Elf female, who was issuing orders to the others. She turned to me as I wondered past.

Her eyes shot venom at me, "what are you doing here, stranger?" she said in a mock polite tone.

"I'm just looking around," I said gaily, batting the eyelashes of my favourite deep, brown eyes at one of the pirates.

"Just don't come any closer, or you'll regret it," all politeness left the Dark Elf's voice.

I smiled at them, hiding the fact that I wanted to kill her for acting like that in my prescience, and left with a flick of my enchanted, hazel hair.

I decided to check on Armand now, and come back to the boat when night fell. Plus, I had some 'borrowed' goods that I needed to sell before the guards got them.

I checked my disguise to make sure it was the right one, the tin ring on my left hand confirmed that it was correct.

I was about to knock on his door when it opened to reveal a surprised Armand standing in his doorway. Surprise soon turned to joy as he realised who I was.

"Minerva! I haven't seen you for an age!" He embraced me.

I saw Methrerdhel sitting in the corner, setting a couple wooden plates down.

"It is so good to see you!" she jumped up at the sight of me and pulled me into a friendly hug.

I smiled, "I just wanted to stop by while I'm in the neighbourhood. How are you going?"

"Despite all the guards trying to get me, life's been pretty good," Armand motioned for me to sit.

"We were just about to share breakfast, while Armand's messenger gives my bounty to the guards. Will you join us?" Methrerdhel sat across from me and Armand seated himself next to her.

"I'd love to."

We ate our meal of bread and cheese, speaking of events leading up to this moment all the while. I mostly let them do the talking, cautious to reveal anything to do with the Brotherhood. I can't lie, but I'm good at hiding the truth.

After breakfast, and trading of goods, I took my leave, with a heavier purse and a bountiful supply of lockpicks. I told them that I had business in the Market District. I wondered the Imperial City for most of the day, and, just before nightfall, I went to book a room on the Bloated Float.

I grinned when I set foot in the ship/inn. I had saved this inn from pirates the first time I slept here.

Ahh, good memories.

Ormil, the inn's owner, greeted me as I walked towards the counter.

"How good to see you again!" he poured a flagon of ale for me.

"And you too. Have any more trouble with pirates?" I asked, accepting the drink.

"No, thanks to you."

I smiled modestly at that. I was glad to help.

I purchased some dinner and a room for the night.

I went downstairs to prepare some items for the contract, and to catch what little sleep I could.

~{::}~

I checked the stars' positions before moving out of the shadows.

Midnight, perfect.

The moons shone, casting the Marie Elena in an eerie light.

There was a watch posted on deck, but the guard was obviously drunk and tired, looking forward to the end of his four hour shift.

My shrouded armour made no sound as I crept into the shadow of the Marie Elena.

I judged the distance to the small balcony leading to the captain's quarters. The breath of the tide moved the ship towards and away from the dock. I waited for the vessel to be only about a meter away from the quay, and leaped across the distance.

My breath caught in my throat as I barely managed to hook my hands on the railing. I hissed softly. I had misjudged the distance and it nearly cost me my chance.

I searched my small pack for some lockpicks.

Hmm, a five-tumbler lock, piece of cake.

The door was soon open. I crept inside, wondering what awaited me. I was greeted by a wall of stale air. A table stood before me with a half-eaten meal sitting in front of a prone figure. There were five chairs around the small, round table. Many bottles of ale and mead littered the cabin. A chest, a bookshelf and a bed sat on the other side of the room, as well as a door and trapdoor.

The figure seated before me was snoring, deep in the drunken world of dreams.

I smiled savagely as I silently removed the Blade of Woe from its sheath, waiting for the moment when I could finally take his life, when I could feel his pulse quicken then stop altogether.

I slit his throat quickly and quietly, and pressed a nearby cloth to the wound with my right hand, while I pushed my other hand to his mouth to smother any sounds he would make. I didn't want blood everywhere; I had decided in the Bloated Float that I would make this look like an accident.

Once he had stopped struggling, breathing and his pulse had halted, I removed the cloth and instead placing my hands on the slash. I let a weak healing spell close the wound.

I stood and looked over my handiwork. By Sithis, I have never felt so powerful, so fulfilled, so alive. I suddenly heard banging on the door.

"Captain Tussad, are you alright in there?"

I grabbed the Blade of Woe from where it had lain on the table and dragged the captain's body outside and, while still holding him, I dove into the water.

Before leaving his body to the wrath of the ocean, I tucked a small nightshade flower into his pocket.

Afterwards, I headed for the shore below the lighthouse. I grinned with the glee that only satisfying bloodlust can bring as I stood on the beach, my violet eyes gleaming in the moonlight and red hair streaming behind me.

My pulse was still racing even when I returned to my room and entered the realm of dreams.

~{::}~

I entered a quiet Sanctuary. Everyone was either sleeping or on a contract.

I crept into the sleeping quarters so as to not wake those who lay there. Depositing my bag on my bed and grabbing my blades and bow, I stole out of the room, closing the door silently behind me.

I decided to see if Vicente was awake.

He rewarded my work, praising me about my efficient kill. He suggested that I rest, but I smiled and stated that I wasn't tired and would be in the training room.

I started shooting arrows at the targets next to the pillars, each one finding its mark. I then crouched and fired another volley. This time, a few landed on the outer rings and one missed completely. The rest stood proudly in the centre. I sighed as I stooped to collect my arrows. I fired another few sets, while trying to allow no more than five seconds between each shot.

Sometimes, the hardest master is oneself.

I switched weapons and drew my blades. Heart's Woe I held in my left hand and the Blade of Woe in my right.

I smiled slightly. My ebony weapons were named well. Both would bring woe unto someone, and both were obtained through murder.

Heart's Woe was my mother's, one of the few things I have to remember her by.

Little did my mother's murderer know, I was versed in alchemy already even though I was just a small girl. My mother was poisoned, clear and simple. They said she died in her sleep from some unknown disease. Ha! They never guessed that that sweet, innocent, little girl had seen them pour a green vile of liquid into Mother's wine. Of course that sweet, innocent, little girl hadn't stolen the vile afterwards and smelled its contents. She obviously wouldn't recognize the scent of nightshade. She's just a sweet, innocent, little girl that grew up to be a murderer.

Poison leads to poisonous thoughts, then to poisonous acts, and finally, a poisoned heart and soul.