A/N Sorry I took so long to update! I've had a friend over for two nights and OAC has been calling me and emailing me about when my lessons are and what I need to do. GAH! So much to think about and so little time to write! I was also continuously editing, and rewriting this chapter, and I'm still not happy with it. :( Ah well, I hope you all think it's not too bad. =)

Chapter 10

I arrived in Leyawiin after a long ride through a rainy and windswept countryside. The rain never bothered me, though, and I've always enjoyed these days, especially when it's warm, because few people would be outside and a town seemed like it belonged to me.

It had been about a month since I arrived back at the Sanctuary, and my wounds had almost entirely healed. The only ones that remained were the nick in my ear, and the cut on my arm. It was nice to be able to move without pain, and I was enjoying the fresh air after weeks of being cooped up in dark rooms; the prison and the Sanctuary.

My horse shook her beautiful chestnut coat as I dismounted by the Five Riders Stables.

"The rain's not agreeing with you, girl?" I stroked her muzzle and she butted me affectionately in the chest.

Atisha, meaning 'peaceful' in elvish, had been my happy companion since I took her from the Inn of Ill Omen almost a year ago. It had taken little time to gain her loyalty, for she was not the most intelligent of animals, but it was nice not to have to walk everywhere. Besides, it gave me someone to talk to, despite her being a horse.

"Hello there!" I grinned at one of the stable boys. A small lad was he, with ginger hair and smiling green eyes.

"Greetings, miss!" he cheerfully. "Can I 'elp you wi' yer mount?"

"Thank you," I said as he abandoned the Paint Horse he was brushing and made his way to me, accepting the offered bridle of Atisha's. I placed three gold coins in his hand.

"Thank 'ee, miss!"

"Tyler!" another stable hand appeared from inside the building. He was slightly older than the other boy and had short, jet black hair, amber eyes and was holding a pail in his left hand and a rake in his right. "Stable that 'orse and when ye'r done, come ter me. I've got some more work f'r ye!"

"Coming!" I heard him run towards the stables as I turned and made my way to the gates.

The sun shone through the clouds as I entered the city, and everything glistened in the light, from the stone streets to the shops and houses to the Morning Glory that climbed every structure it could, with its deep purple flowers peaking out at random from the dark leaves.

I pushed a wet lock of hair out of my eyes and walked around, trying to find a place to stay for the next few days. Half an hour later, I was in my room at the Three Sisters' Inn. It was not an expensive room, but it was clean and comfortable.

I left the inn and explored the town for a while.

When the sun reached its zenith, I found a small, secluded area where I sat on a flat rock next to a large, crystal-clear pond, eating a shepherd's pie I had bought at the inn. There were stone steps leading into the water and houses surrounded it, allowing me some privacy. My bare feet were hanging in the cool water; it's amazing how this day had warmed up in just a matter of minutes. Suddenly, the rattle of armour and the sound of voices getting closer broke the almost-silent air.

A figure clad in white and gold Imperial Captain's armour appeared close by, in one of the alleys between the houses, a bodyguard following him, just as I hid in the shadows of another building.

He removed his gauntlets and was reaching for his helm when another guard appeared.

"Captain Phillida! The countess has asked for you," the Imperial said, flustered. Ah, so this is my target, the famous Adamus Phillida.

"What now? That woman always finds the most inopportune times to call," I heard him mutter. "Take me to her, then," he said to the guard as he slipped his gauntlets on again. So this is where Phillida takes his daily swim. I had gathered some information regarding his schedule, but not the when and where. Well, I think I've just found it; the place where he will be shot by an unknown assassin. Now where will I stand? Not the rock; it's too conspicuous... I looked up at the houses. The roofs look strong enough to hold me, but again, one can see me too easily. When the guards were out of sight, I slipped out of the shadows and scouted the area. There seemed to be no good cover, so I decided to come back once I devised a plan.

I continued to walk around town, having finished my lunch, lost in thought.

"Spare a coin for an old beggar? Or perhaps some food?" a raspy voice interrupted my musings.

I turned to face a Khajiit female in ragged clothing, "Here, I hope this is enough for the next few days," I pressed a small purse containing ten gold septims into her dirty hands. I knew what it was like to be so desperate, what it was like to not have food for days on end.

"Mara bless ye! Me children will thank ye for your help!" she scuttled off gleefully to where two small Khajiit children were playing in puddles.

I returned to my room at the inn and, after dinner, I lay on my bed and was instantly asleep.

~{::}~

The next day, I lay in wait for the Captain at the same time, by the same pond. He didn't appear, though, and still wasn't there the day after.

Frustrated, I made my way to Five Claws Lodge for a drink and to see if there was any more information I could gather on Phillida.

Once there, I noticed a man sitting by the bar, the same one who was guarding Phillida a few days earlier. Luckily for me, there was a vacant seat next to him, so I sat down and ordered a bottle of ale.

I saw him glance at me over his mug. He was dressed in his armour, but without a helmet.

My disguise today was that of a High Elf with dark brown hair and deep blue eyes. My hair was loose with a small braid on either side of my face. I wore a dark red dress with leather straps connected by metal rings to the black chest-piece. Attached to the dress were a corset, and a brown apron. Not the most comfortable of attire, but very appealing. My jewellery consisted of a single, silver bracelet, an amulet of Mara, and a silver ring with a single pearl.

The barman placed the bottle in front of me and I gave him two septims for it.

I waited a few minutes to see if Phillida's bodyguard would speak, but again it was up to me to start the conversation.

"Excuse me, but have I seen you around town? You look familiar," I smiled at him. I studied him for a few moments as he looked at me, definitely interested. "I know! You're the Captain's bodyguard!"

"That I am, m'am," he sat up a little straighter and turned towards me, the sword at his hip flashing in the firelight.

"It must be interesting to guard a man such as him." Ugh, I had better get something out of this. I hate playing one of those gossipy women who think guards are noble warriors who lead dangerous lives, when they're just there to give the illusion of order.

Eventually, after what felt like an age, I managed to extract some information out of him. Phillida had given up on his afternoon swim because the Countess was constantly calling on him, and so he decided to go to the pond in the evening before returning to the barracks.

Phillida's bodyguard suddenly jumped up and excused himself: his Captain was expecting him back at the barracks.

In the darkness I sat in a grassy area, gazing up at creamy Secunda and red Masser, both of whose light was receding after their fullness at the summer solstice.

I contemplated my contract, this time with new hope of concealment in the twilight haze. Perhaps behind the rock was the perfect place after all. It did offer a clear shot at whoever was in the water, and the alleys provided an easy escape route.

After a few more minutes in the cool, autumn night, I returned to the inn, and made my way up to my room.

Once inside, I removed the bodice and drew in the first real breath I had been able to take since wearing the frustrating article. How someone could wear that on a daily basis, I did not know. I stripped my remaining clothes and donned a long, shirt-like dress which I used as a nightgown.

I gazed out of the small window, my mind strangely not on my next kill, instead I was thinking of Lucien; the feel of his lips against mine, the caution of romantic involvement I knew we both felt, the way I thought of him, the dreams.

By Sithis, the dreams which plagued me every night and sometimes appeared in the blackness when I closed my eyes. They were the same ones as before, but Lucien would appear in the darkness after the escape, his back to me, but when I ran towards him, I would turn him and see nothing, the empty robe falling to my feet.

I would then awaken, shocked and, to be truthful, frightened. More and more had I been thinking that this was more than a simple dream, but perhaps a herald of the future?

I shook my head to clear it of such thoughts. Sighing, I slipped into bed and tried to sleep. I lay awake for a very long time, though, and did not fall asleep until Secunda lay on the horizon, Masser having disappeared an hour prior.

The dream was even more vivid tonight. The darkness, the flash of light, then darkness again, the sounds of death, the bodies, and the pool of blood were all the same as the previous dreams, but this time, I walked up to one of the hooded bodies. I bent down and touched the cowl. My hands curled around the edges and slowly drew it back. My heart froze when I saw who it was. No! It can't be! The dream changed and I was running with someone next to me. We ran to a cottage. Snow blanketed everything as we dismounted the horse. We were at the front door when I finally woke up in a cold sweat.

Sunlight seeped through the window and shone on my confused face. I remembered nothing of the dream except feelings of fear, anger, determination and grief.

I sat up and rubbed my eyes before stretching and standing to dress.

The day was surprisingly cool, but the weather had been strange these past few months, turning from hot to cold and back again.

A market was set up in the town square, next to the chapel, and crowds of people were bustling about with packages in their arms. The yelling of shopkeepers, the murmur of conversation, the crying of a child rang out across the town. The smell of dust, smoke, cooking meat and perfume as well as sweat reached my senses when I was on the fringe of the market. I spent most of the day there, buying, haggling, and selling some items I had found on bandits.

I was selling some silver arrows when I thought I saw an Argonian who looked exactly like Teinaava. Was he here on one of his contracts as well? He glanced in my direction and I noticed a brief look of recognition flitter across his gaze before he continued his information-gathering. Definitely Teinaava, I thought. It was good to know my Brother was here, just in case.

I returned to my bartering in a more hopeful state of mind.

When twilight beckoned, I returned to the inn, changed into my Shrouded Armour and slung my bow over my back, fingering the Rose of Sithis for a moment. This was the tool to kill my contract, and touching it made me shiver in anticipation. I returned it to my quiver.

The cool, humid air hit me as I opened the window, preparing to climb down the side of the building. I dropped silently to the ground and crept to the pond.

The splashing sounds that reached my pointed ears confirmed the fact that someone was swimming, most likely Phillida.

I stole through the shadows to the rock by the water. Phillida was indeed swimming, his armour lying by the edge of the pool. Orange light glittered off the water as I pulled my bow from its holster on my back and readied the Rose of Sithis. I sighted my target, and drew in a long breath to steady the bow. Closing my eyes, I imagined the flight of the arrow a hundred times. I released the breath as I let the bowstring slip from my fingers, the arrow flying straight and true. I watched the Rose arch towards the unwary figure. A quiet smack was all I heard as the arrow appeared in his neck. So this is how the famous Phillida dies; murdered by the same people he had been seeking all his life.

I dropped the bow and pulled out the Blade of Woe, my constant companion. I waded towards Phillida's prone body. Suddenly, the sun shone brighter than before, revealing the features of a man all too familiar. This was the Captain; the man who had made my life in prison unbearable. The feelings of hatred, relief, and elation passed across my heart as I stood there, staring at his body. I felt as if a great weight had been lifted off my shoulders, one that I had no idea I was carrying. Suddenly remembering the task at hand, I unsheathed my blade and proceeded to cut off the signet-ring finger slowly, enjoying every minute of the post-kill elation.

I was so distracted that I didn't hear the crunching of metal boots on stone. What I did notice, though, was the shouting of the guards as they saw me standing by the prone figure of the once great Phillida. My head shot up and I observed four guards running at me from one of the alleyways. The Blade of Woe in one hand and the captain's finger in the other, I waded as quickly as I could to the shore of the pond, grabbed my bow from behind the rock and sprinted off in the opposite direction of the shouting Imperials.

Through the shadows and the light of the newly risen moons I ran, as fast as my feet could fly. More guards joined the pursuit as I bolted for the main gate, along the roads. Not the smartest idea – I had to rely on luck most of the way – but the only one I could immediately think of. Two officers were standing by the gates. Both of them turned to me and drew their swords, swinging them at me as I ran past them. I narrowly dodged one and the other glanced off my arm. Not noticing the pain, I ran through the closing gates and into the marsh surrounding Leyawiin. Mist shrouded the area, making my escape laughingly simple. After the guards' shouts faded into the distance, I turned back and made my way through the marsh towards the back gate.

When I reached the walls, I studied the fortifications. The stone bricks weren't even... easy to climb... far to fall, though... the walls were about eight metres tall, perhaps more. Guards patrolled the walkways, but there were few; most of their forces must be out chasing me or else they don't think anyone will be here at this time of night. The fog was resting on the top of the walls, and all I could see of the watchmen was the dim glow of their torches. The area was completely silent, as if the mist was muffling every sound. Except for my rapid breathing, of course, so I stood a few moments, eyes closed, attempting to calm my shuddering breath.

In the distance, I could hear the barking of hounds. Whether it was the guards' or some person's, I didn't want to find out, so, coming to a quick decision, I started to climb. Scaling the wall was harder than I thought; the walls were damp from the rain and the lichen on the stone made them slippery. Still, I forced myself to concentrate on reaching the top of the wall. Left hand, right foot, right hand, left foot, I thought while my eyes searched for gaps and jutting rocks where I could place a hand or foot. I spotted a perfect place for my right hand; a little jutting rock that hooked upwards. Pushing it slightly, I tested it in case it was loose and, finding it stable, I grasped it and proceeded to find a foothold. There was a small gap where I shoved my left foot in and a larger hole where I placed my right hand. As I was about to lift my right foot onto a jutting rock, I felt a tingle across my right knuckles. I looked at it and saw something that made my heart stop. It was entirely black, save for a red cross on its back. Eight legs were splayed across my fingers and her eyes bore into my skin. I had split seconds to realize her intents before I felt needle sharp pincers pierce my skin. Too late did I smash my hand against the wall, crushing the creature between the stone and flesh, for I already felt light headed, nausea soon following. I had to get to the top of the wall; I can't just let go, I must keep climbing! What felt like hours later, my hand didn't fall on stone, but air instead: I had finally reached the top.

Stumbling through the shadows, clumsily dodging guards, I made my way as stealthily as I could to the inn. I climbed through the window, every thought focused on what lay in my pack. Potions, poisons, ingredients resided in that bag, everything that I could possibly need, but not a 'Cure All Animals' Poison' vial. I know I bought some today at the market! Where are they? I rummaged through the satchel again, this time more desperately. When I finally found a bottle of the liquid, my shaking hands closed around it, barely able to pull out the cork. I lifted the vial to my lips, drinking the bitter potion as fast as I could, forcing it down before my body decided to throw it up again.

I felt awful. Sheer will was the only force that stopped me from giving in to my nausea and finding a bucket, I was extremely dizzy, and I hurt all over. Darkness surrounded my vision, reducing it to two, small, far off tunnels.

I knew that by this time I was probably too late administering the antidote; that the poison was too far into my system for a cure. Strangely, though I didn't fear death, I wanted to live for a reason I almost didn't want to admit to myself. I wanted to live to see him again, no matter the circumstances. Even if he was sent on a contract after me, I would be grateful just to see his face. My last thought before I blacked out was of his arms around me, in that moment we stole on that day that seemed so long ago.

A/N Another cliff-hanger! An evil one, aren't I? Don't worry, my dear readers, the next chapter will be up as soon as possible. I'm writing it now! ;)