Chapter 15

Sorry I haven't updated in such a long time! I just got back from a long trip without a computer, but I'll make it up to you, don't worry.

*I do not own Skyrim, but I do own Juheena and Juheena owns Farkas*

There was a long silence. Juheena swore the tension in the air could be sliced through with a sword. If she heard correctly, they were to assassinate the Emperor.

Juheena blinked once, then twice. "Yes, milady. As you wish."

"Good, good." Was the Night Mother's reply. She said no more. The group made a hasty retreat from the room.

Juheena was thrilled, and terrified at the same time. She would deliver a crushing blow to the damn Empire. Jarl Ulfric, leader of the Stormcloak Rebellion would be able to gain control of Skyrim, and claim his rightful place as High King. Yet at the same time, she was to assassinate the Emperor. The Emperor.

Little lightning bolts of excitement shot through her bones. She couldn't wait. But she was worried about what her friends might think… Farkas she knew would follow her to Oblivion and back. Anja was just happy to be included. But Irileth…. She served her Jarl. And her Jarl served the Empire.

"Irileth?" She studied her Dunmer friend's face for a few moments. She was deep in thought. "What are you thinking Irileth? Tell me."

Orange eyes met Red ones. The elf took a deep breath then began, "Oh my sweet Balgruuf forgive me for saying this… I couldn't be more relieved. The Empire shall fall, and my love shall be free to worship Talos once again." Her eyes clouded over, remembering her and Anja's previous conversation. She would have to find out the truth. She couldn't stand not being her Jarl's only lover.

Anja grabbed her hand and squeezed comfortingly. Irileth smiled a tiny bit. The group headed towards the waterfall room. Juheena took off her boots and set her feet on the slippery step leading into the pond. She shivered, feeling the cold, rippling water graze her toes. Farkas put his arms around her, burying his face in her neck. Irileth and Anja sat atop the diving rock, whispering to eachother.

"Well, well. Look what we have here." Astrid sauntered in, eyes narrowed. Juheena felt a deep rumble within Farkas's chest, and she placed her hand on his cheek to calm him.

"What do you want, Astrid?" She replied.

"Oh, nothing. Just wondered what tremendously vital task the Night Mother requested of you, all mighty listener." She sneered. Someone was jealous.

"Someone has deemed it necessary to perform the Black Sacrament." Was the Khajit's intentionally vague answer.

"Oh? That doesn't seem so special. We get dozens of those today. It must have been awfully important…" She swished her hips as she circled around the group.

"I don't know really… It might be. Why don't you go ask her yourself, milady?" She sneered back.

Astrid chuckled. "I'm not special enough, oh mighty listener. The Night Mother only answers to your call."

The others sat back and observed this battle of words. Farkas sat ready to leap up and defend Juheena; Anja did the same. Irileth only narrowed her eyes and kept her hand on her sword hilt.

Khajit and Nord locked eyes for what seemed like eternity.

Seconds ticked by.

Astrid turned on her heel and left.

XXxxXOXxxXX

"So you're going to kill the Emperor of Tamriel. I have to say… I'm impressed." Nazir chuckled. The Brotherhood had gathered in a circle in the waterfall room, around Arnbjorn's forge. Babette sat atop a decapitated training dummy while Arnbjorn himself sat on a stool, fletching a Dwarven Steel arrow.

Veezara came in and sat on a mossy rock, which was unfortunately wet. He stood up and roused laughter from the group of assassins when he revealed a patch of moss stuck to his behind. He threw it at Nazir, who didn't seem too happy to have a patch of green goop hit him in the face.

"I took the liberty of scouting out his Majesty for you. It turns out that some of his guards have a soft spot for adorable little girls…" Babette said cheerfully. "He is on a ship called 'The Katariah'. It is docked a few miles off of Solitude, completely hidden by icebergs. There is Penitus Oculatus agents swarming the place, though. You will have to slice through a few to get to the ship."

"Ha! They will be no challenge! They mess with us, they get my fist!" To prove his point, Farkas slammed his fist into his palm, making Veezara jump.

"There is no doubt about that, love." Juheena laughed as she polished her precious ebony sword, running a soft cloth through all of the creases and erasing the caked blood from the shiny surface. She held it up and gazed at it admiringly. She caught the light with it, revealing the subtle gold detailing on the blade.

"Just think. Soon, my lovely sword, you are going to take the life of the Emperor of Tamriel." Juheena caressed the sword with the tip of her fingers, never once taking her eyes from it.

Arnbjorn had given Irileth and Anja both Ebony daggers as a welcome gift to the Brotherhood. Irileth, like Juheena, polished hers appreciatively, while Anja practiced throwing hers at a target.

"The girl's not bad…" Nazir commented approvingly with a smirk.

"Not bad? Ha!" Anja scoffed. To further enforce her point, she flung the dagger with such force, she nearly fell. Everyone watched as the dagger hit the bull's-eye right on the edge. Applause sounded out, and Anja gave a dramatic bow.

"Thank you, thank you." She called out. She then walked over and pulled it out, and kissed it noisily.

"We leave tomorrow evening." Juheena decided. The Emperor would be on the Katariah for a few days, maybe even weeks due to weather. There was such a blizzard that the Penitus Oculatus agents had forbidden travel to protect the Emperor. Little did they know that this would put him in even more danger. Juheena smirked. This would be one satisfying kill.

"Tomorrow evening it is, then." Arnbjorn echoed.

"You're coming with us?" Juheena asked, smiling broadly.

"Yes, little kitten. I can't let my daughter outshine me, now can I?" He chuckled.

"My dear Nazir and I shall accompany you as well. We will help take out the agents on the shore." Babette added.

"The Emperor is your target, however. We can't take that glory away from you." Nazir added.

"Agreed. That is Juheena's mission to complete alone." Irileth added, winking at the Khajit.

"For the glory of the Brotherhood! Hail Sithis!" Juheena cried.

"Hail Sithis!" Echoed the assassins.

*Authors note:

This chapter was a little short, but the next few will be a lot longer. That's when all the action starts! Say Bye-bye to the emperor!

Thank all of you for reading! And a special thanks to my subscribers and followers and favoriters! Leave me a review and tell me what you think!

Seeya next time!