I apologize for leaving an incredibly boring firts chapter and not updating in some time! I have four other stories on the go right now, two fanfics and two novels of my own creation, and all four I have a damned writer's block....It's absolutely ridiculous! Not to mention annoying. I don't wish to leave this story so long without updating frequently since it's so new. Not to mention that there are alot of fics based on Oblivion that it will just as easily be bypassed. I will do my best to update more. Also I will try to post longer chapters as well.

This chapter isn't the greatest either but hopefully will spark some interest. If not, oh well. If anyone sees spelling and/or grammar mistakes you are more than welcome to point them out. I do my best to spellcheck my work. I don't like sloppy work, it drives me insane. However, completely strangely out of place words or letters could be due to the incredibly annoying touchpad on my laptop. You laptop users know what I'm talking about don't you? BAH!

Anyways, hope you enjoy. I'm not going to push to review, do so if you wish, I don't like doing that lol. Thank you!

--------------------------------------

One of the first things Kai did when investigating a mission was always to speak to a beggar. They were by far the best way to seek information about almost everything. She always told new recruits to use beggars to better investigate into any contract.. Their eyes and ears were always mindful of their surroundings. They knew almost everything about everyone and all events throughout the city. What else did they have to do anyways? They has much more use than what everyone gave them credit for afterall.

Kai approached a shirtless, tattered, dirty and rather smelly Breton male beggar. He turned away from a passing citizen, whom ignored his begging plees for a gold coin, and turned his attention to Kai. Under his begging plees she could see the greed and trickery.

"Please spare an old beggar a coin. I could buy a loaf of bread." He begged with as much pity as he could muster.

Kai stood with her arms crossed and rose a brow, "Perhaps you could give me a little information."

The Breton's expression changed with her words, "Oh? And what information is this?"

"I need to know about a Dunmer by the name of Dreler Rayus."

"Hmmm...I may know something about this Dreler. But it requires a price."

Kai sighed, "It always does. Will ten gold provide this information?"

A grin appeared on the man's lips and his eyes fell greedily upon the coins the Imperial woman pulled from her pouch, "Oh that will suffice nicely." He pocketed the coins, "So you want to know about this Rayus man eh?"

Kai nodded, "Yes. I want to know where he resides and what he does during the day, and more importantly at night."

The beggar's expression suddenly turned sour, "That good for nothing wretched piece of Dunmer flesh! He stole from me! I have nothing!" He cried insanely.

His crazed actions did not faze the assassin, "I need to know more."

He seemed to calm a little, "I do know that Dreler lives within the city. I do not think he has a home of his own, however I frequently see him go to and from a home within the west district of Chorrol. He generally is asleep from 4am to noon. Usually anyways. He does not always perform his thieving ways. He attempts to mingle with the public but I know what he is." His eyes narrowed as at last words.

"Yes I understand." Replied the young assassin with a hint of irritation in her voice, "Does he have a routine? Eat or shop anywhere in particular?"

"Why yes! He frequents the Oak and Crosier in fact. Spends many hours there. Yes many hours indeed. Drinks his thieving problems away." He muttered, but then returned his attention to the subject, "And then I often see him going to and from a house also in West Chorrol. But not the same one he sleeps in."

Kai was silent for a moment, thinking over his words. Finally she unfolded her arms and smiled to the beggar, "Thank you. The information you have provided will be a great help."

The Breton man grinned, obviously oblivious to Kai's true intentions, "If you need anymore help I am always willing to provide it!"

Kai turned from the man with a final nod and casually made her way down the street. Her eyes fell upon a particularly large building across from the fountain. She made her way over, her eyes glancing upon the sign overhanging the door. The Oak and Crosier. Sighing, she placed her hand upon the knob and opened the door. It was going to be along day.

------------------------------------------

For many long hours Kai Aldiri sat within the Oak and Crosier. She sat alone, listening to all the activity, to all the talk amongst the citizens. Nothing reached her ears about her target unfortunately.

Upon the second day, she sat at a table within the corner of the Inn, half hidden within the shadows. A simple glass of water set infront of her. Her eyes constantly scanning her surroundings. It was approximately mid afternoon when the first sign of activity began. A Dunmer male entered the Inn.

Her trained eyes focused instantly upon the man, but she remained unmoving of her position. Her eyes followed the man as he took a seat at a table at the far corner of the Inn. His eyes scanned the room but they mainly trained upon the door. He sat for over an hour, watching the residents in an almost paranoid manner. Kai knew this man wasn't her target. This man did not seem like the right person. She she say, waiting.

A short time later the door to the Inn opened again. Kai's gaze along with the seated Dunmer's moved to the opening door. Another Dunmer male stepped inside. His expression seemed more serious than the first to enter. The man's dark gaze first scanned the room from his position. For a brief moment her emerald green eyes locked with his dark ones. She could read the few emotions he possessed within the brief contact.

Anger, power, and madness above all. Yes, he was the one.

Dreler Rayus' eyes then shifted to the other Dunmer sitting alone in the corner of the Inn. He moved to him and pulled up a chair at the table. Kai kept still, her arms crossed upon the tabletop. She could see the pair in the corners of her eyes, her ears listening to their hushed conversation.

"Do you have it Rand?" Asked Dreler with a hint of authority.

"Y...yes I have it." The more paranoid man, Rand, stammered his eyes quickly moving about the room before falling back to Dreler, "I don't think this is a good idea."

Dreler's brow rose, "And what would make you think this?"

Rand gulped, sweat forming on his brow, "I...I've heard a rumor that there is a contract out on you. A contract with the Dark Brotherhood."

A malicious grin formed across Rayus' lips, "Is that right? Well by all means let them come. The Dark Brotherhood, ha! They are nothing more than pitiful murderers. I am not so easily beaten by such amateurs. I do not fear them."

Fear appeared in Rand's eyes, "But Dreler, they..."

Dreler rose a hand in silence, "Enough. I will not hear of this Dark Brotherhood nonsense. Just hand over the key and we'll part ways."

Rand reluctantly pulled from his pocket a key and handed it to Dreler. Dreler smiled, "That's better. Thank you friend. Within a week you will hear all over Chorrol of my successful break-in of Castle Chorrol. When the Honorblade is in my possession I will be known as the greatest thief in all Cyrodiil. Greater even the Gray Fox!"

Rand sighed and shook his head, "I think you may be going too far this time Dreler. However, I have given you the key and the warning."

Dreler barked a laugh, "The key is the important thing. The warning I will disregard." He rose from his seat, "Tomorrow night is when I will strike. I will return victorious."

"If you say so." Rand replied quietly as Dreler turned and left the Inn.

Within the shadows, a smile formed on the corners of her lips. Such a fool not to heed the warning. To believe the Dark Brotherhood was nothing more than murderers was nothing short of a mistake. A mistake the assassin will surely enjoy.

Kai's eyes flicked to Rand once more and wondered for only a moment if this man was the one that performed the ancient ritual to ask the Dark Brotherhood to place a contract out on Rayus. She made a note to herself to ask Vicente if it was indeed the case.

------------------------------

His heartbeat pounding in his chest was almost deafening. Moving throughout the castle was proving much more difficult than he anticipated. A few times he had a close call with patrolling guards, but he pressed on once deemed safe. It crossed his mind several times that perhaps this was indeed going too far. But he refused to back down now.

"You should have listened Dreler Rayus." An eery voice echoed a whisper down the halls.

Dreler stopped dead in his tracks. He held his breath but his heartbeat was still deafening. He jerked his head around, eying every nook and cranny for the source of the voice, "Wh...who's there?" He stammered.

"You were given fair warning Rayus." Whispered the echoing voice again.

"Show yourself!" Dreler hissed with a little more confidence.

"The Night Mother is most displeased with your actions." The whisper sounded directly in his ear.

Dreler spun around but nothing was in sight. His anger was beginning to rise, "I said show yourself coward!"

"Ah cowardice. The act of being unable to face danger. How wrong you are." Answered the voice.

Dreler whipped around again. He glimpsed some movement in the shadows ahead and needed to do a double take to be sure. His anger swiftly changed to fear as his eyes fell upon a black clad figure standing in the shadows. At first he thought it was nothing but his fears were conclusive once he caught sight of a shortsword at the figure's side along with a few throwing knives.

His eyes widened, "Y...you're one of them aren't you? An assassin for the Dark Brotherhood."

Kai stepped partially out of the shadows, however the hood covered her features, "Your friend warned you Dreler. Yet you still waved him aside. To believe the Dark Brotherhood was nothing more than cut throats and murderers was a grave mistake."

Dreler caught sight of a flash of green beneath the hood covering her features, "Wait. You're the one I saw at the Inn. The woman sitting not far from Rand and myself."

Kai said nothing. The Dunmer suddenly let out a hysterical laugh, the madness clear in his eyes, "A woman! The Dark Brotherhood sends a mere woman to assassinate me! I am insulted. To think the infamous Brotherhood could do much better than that!" He shook his head, "No matter. You shall be easy enough to dispose of."

In one swift motion Dreler shot a bright green light at the assassin. Kai just barely dodged the Paralysis spell that shot passed her, missing her by inches. Dreler was quick and swiftly unsheathed a Longsword and swung at the woman. Kai stepped directly to him, unsheathing her Ebony Shortsword and parried his attack. Dreler quickly gathered himself and swung angrily horizontally at her head. His attack was cut short and he stopped in mid swing. Intense pain shot all throughout his body. He could feel the warm vital liquid within him suddenly seep away.

Kai took a step back, removing her blade from the Dunmer's abdomen. He dropped to his knees and his gaze rose to meet her own. She could see the fear and agony, but felt no pity.

"Sithis demands your blood Dreler Rayus. And he shall receive it." She whispered, her voice filled with a deadly ring that sent chills running down Dreler's dying body.

The life quickly drained from the Dunmer's body and he slumped slowly to the ground. Kai watched him for a few moments before she turned and slipped into the shadows once more.

---------------------------

Kai sat upon a log infront of a small, crackling fire. Her gaze was fixed upon the fire, her thoughts upon her completed mission. She stayed within Chorrol for an extra day. Within that time she overheard a guard talking to another about a body found dead in the Castle. She took that moment to leave and began her way back to Cheydinhal.

Now she sat halfway between Chorrol and Cheydinhal for the night, slightly off the road. Aidan stood not far ahead, his muzzle within the lush grass. Suddenly the stallion's head jerked up and he gazed into the darkness, his ears perked forward and his lips twitching. Kai watched the stallion, her hand gripping the hilt of her sword.

Aidan nickered lightly and a black clad figure stepped out of the darkness, placing a hand on Aidan's nose. Instantly, a frown formed across Kai's mouth and her eyes narrowed, "Lucien." She growled, "What do you want?"

Beneath his hood she could see the smirk on his lips, "Why, I am merely passing through."

Kai snorted, "Don't feed me that load of nonsense. You were watching my mission's progress. Aren't you supposed to be watching over the novices?"

Lucien stepped forward, the light from the fire revealing his form and parts of his features, "Anya returned a couple of days ago and I was bored."

"So you decided to follow me instead."

He shrugged, "Well since you are the only member out on a contract, yes. As is my job of course. And I must say Aldiri, for a contract meant for a lower ranking member you were rather sloppy this..."

"Save it Lachance!" Kai snapped, rising to her feet, "I'm getting rather tired of your constant ridicule of my progress!" She paced, the anger rising in her chest, "It's always 'you're too sloppy this' or 'you leave yourself too open that'. I'm sick of it Lucien!"

In a frightening flash Lucien moved to her pacing form and spun her around to face him, his hand gripping her arm tightly. Slight fear washed over her as her gaze met his intense ones.

"As is my job Aldiri." He said, his voice cold and full of authority, "I ridicule to better train all members. If they are not told of their mistakes how will they learn."

After a moment he released her and stepped away. Kai stood, her other hand moving to rub where he had gripped her arm. Her eyes fell upon the fire, her mind going over his words. She felt extremely sheepish for the way she acted. Childish even. Kai knew he was right, despite how she wished otherwise, he was right.

Kai sat down upon the log silently. Lucien sat across from her, she could feel his gaze upon her. They were silent for some time before he finally spoke, "Your mission wasn't the only reason why I followed you."

Kai blinked and looked to him curiously, "What do you mean?"

"Upon Murderer Anya's return to Cheydinhal she was ambushed and attacked by white clad figures. I know not who they are or what their cause is. But I believe they are targeting Dark Brotherhood members."

Kai's eyes widened, "How do they know who is apart of the Brotherhood?"

He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees and his hands folded, "This is what concerns the Black Hand. We do not know how they know or where they are accessing this information. Anya isn't the first to be attacked either. One of the other Speakers was attacked a week ago. They were defeated rather easily and they were thought nothing more than perhaps bandits. But when Anya was attacked we knew they were not just mere bandits. They were too organized. However this time they went for a much less experienced member."

"They must have believed that she was too weak to handle a group attack." Kai answered.

"She was." Lucien replied, his eyes rising to meet hers, "I don't think they anticipated me to be nearby, but Anya was still injured in the ordeal."

Kai was silent, processing the information. Her brows furrowed as thoughts went through her mind. She blinked and looked to him, "Hang on. When I left Cheydinhal I saw Shadowmere in the corral with Aidan. But the Sanctuary was completely empty when I left."

"We would have only just missed one another. Vicente said you had just left also."

Kai merely nodded and then replied, "What of the others?"

"They all know as they all returned shortly after Anya was brought back to the Sanctuary. You are the last as you were away of course."

Kai rose a brow, "If you knew I was returning why didn't you wait until then."

"Because you are alone and they may strike knowing this."

Kai heard a very small hint of concern on his voice and smirked, "Since when has the infamous Lucien Lachance care about someone like myself."

His features remained impassive, "As the Speaker of the Cheydinhal Sanctuary, it is my responsibility to maintain the safety of its members. When I can be present of course."

Kai's mouth formed an 'O' and she rolled her eyes. She threw another log into the fire and poked at it a little with a longer stick. From behind, Kai heard a light sniffing sound followed by a warm breeze on her neck. She turned slightly and smiled as a black muzzle nuzzled her cheek.

"You've gotten off lucky. She doesn't normally like others." The Speaker said.

Kai glanced up to him and chuckled, "We've got along ever since we met. Especially when she kicked Aidan's hide."

Lucien never replied but beneath his hood, Kai saw something she thought she would never witness. A smile from the best Speaker of the Black Hand. As well as the most cold hearted.

A yawn escaped from the woman's lips and Lucien spoke up, "Get some rest. I will take first watch. I'll wake you in a few hours to switch."

Kai didn't argue with the man, she felt very exhausted. She moved away from the log and lay down on her bedroll. She flung the thin blanket over her and almost immediately she fell asleep. Normally falling into a deep sleep in the middle of the woods would be completely out of the question. But with another watching over the camp, a good sleep is at least possible.

-------------------------------

It didn't seem long before Kai felt a light pressure on her shoulder followed by a light shake. She was on her side and groaned, wishing to wave away the hand on her shoulder. Instead she sat up groggily, a long yawn escaping her lips.

"Wake me just before the sun rises." Replied Lucien and moved over to his own bedroll.

Kai sat for a few minutes, allowing her eyes to adjust being awake and to the darkness. She stretched and yawned again before rising. The air was rather chilly so she grabbed her cloak from her bag and wrapped it around her shoulders. Kai glanced around, seeing Aidan and Shadowmere standing beside one another, their eyes closed but their ears flicked about searching for any foreign sounds.

Kai sat herself cross legged upon a flat boulder, facing the forest but her ears listening all around her. She stole a glance to the sky to locate the moon's position and figured out approximately the time.

"A few hours before sunset eh?" She muttered to herself and moved her gaze back to the forest.

For the next hour, to keep herself awake, Kai spent time repacking and preparing for the ride back. After everything, minus Lucien's bedroll, was repacked Kai situated herself back onto the same rock. She re wrapped the cloak around her and returned to watching the perimeter.

Shortly after, Shadowmere and Aidan's ears perked and they suddenly jerked their heads up. Kai frowned and quickly glanced to the horses. Her gaze followed ahead where they were looking into the forest. She focused ahead for some time and almost believed there to be nothing. However, movement quickly caught her attention.

The hairs on the back of her neck prickled and she felt a shiver run down her spine. Ahead was a group of six white clad figures. The same ones Lucien just told her about mere hours ago. She remained still as she watched the movement, From what she could make out, they did not know their location. But they were tracking them.

Kai first made sure they were not looking in her direction before she slowly rose from her position upon the boulder. Carefully she made her way over to Lucien's form and knelt beside his sleeping form. She bent low and very lightly shook his shoulder.

"Lucien, you need to wake." She whispered.

"Is it them?" He asked, his voice did not seem as if he was sleepy at all.

Kai guessed he wasn't sleeping as deeply as she did, "Yes. They have not detected us yet."

Kai stepped back as he rose, "Where?"

Kai glanced about quickly, returning her gaze to the spot where they were. However they were no longer there. She looked to the horses but they were looking slightly confused. She furrowed her brows but pointed in the direction she first saw them, "They were there but it seems they have hidden."

"They may know our location then. We must leave now but move silently." He said and rose.

As silently and swiftly as they could, they tacked the horses, securing the saddlebags and making sure nothing was left behind. Lucien scanned their surroundings quickly, listening for any sounds. Nothing reached his ears and he frowned. He did not like not knowing his enemies' positions, especially while being hunted.

"Do not mount yet. We will lead the horses for a short distance as fleeing in this could possibly injure them."

Kai nodded, her eyes constantly moving all around them and behind them as they began to walk through the forest. She walked behind Shadowmere and Lucien watching both them and her horse. Their steps were well trained, not even the horses stepped upon any ground debris. There was no sign of their enemies, making their situation all the more dangerous. They could strike at any moment and neither had any clue if they had been spotted or not. Lucien's sharp ears and eyes scanned the surrounding woods, but to his growing annoyance he saw, nor heard, a single indication.

Kai's heartbeat was all she heard as they walked quietly. She was beginning to feel anxious and wanted ever so to yell and scream for the white clad hunters to show themselves. But, for better judgment, she did not reveal their location. However, an answer to her thoughts shocked her more than anything.

Her senses seemed to remain focused and for a fleeting second, she heard a high pitched whistling sound. Kai spun herself to the right, turning so her back pushed against her startled stallion. Aidan sidestepped at his master's sudden jolt against him. He pinned his ears and neighed in confusion.

"Son of a bitch!" Kai swore angerly.

Lucien jerked around at the Assassin's sudden curse, his eyes falling instantly to a gash across her arm, warm blood slowly trickling down. His eyes then darted about, but he could not find the location of the enemy. He cursed under his breath and turned back to Kai.

"We must get out of here!" He said sharply.

Both Speaker and Assassin swiftly mounted their prancing horses. The high pitched sound of an arrow whistled narrowly passed Lucien's ear. He swore again, more frustrated that he could not see the enemies that rained their attacks upon them. Shadowmere needed very little urging to break into a swift gallop. Aidan followed closely behind, their riders careful to avoid protruding roots and any other debris that could cause the horses to fall.

Lucien and Kai maneuvered their mounts through the woods until finally their hooves stepped upon the smoother earth of the road. The horses did not need urging again to bolt forward into a swift gallop. Behind was nothing more than a cloud of dust.

"Stop!" Suddenly shouted a command from behind.

Both Lucien and Kai glanced behind them, their brows rising as a small group of mounted Imperial Soldiers fought for a brief moment to calm their startled mounts. The two assassins quickly urged their horses more, giving them their full head. Shadowmere and Aidan responded instantly and quickened their already furious pace. Their hooves barely seemed to touch the ground as they flew. The Soldier's mounts did not seem to keep the swift pace and slowly fell behind.

After a short time, speeding around a bend in the road covered by trees on either side, Lucien motioned to move off the road. Kai followed behind the Speaker, slowing their mounts as they entered the forest. Their pursuers may notice they left the road but to track in the thick brush was difficult for even the most experienced tracker. Their pace was slow, but quick. To navigate through the thick brush was hard, especially for the horses. They did not want their mounts to trip over a protruding root or step into a hole and break a leg.

With the quickened pace, the two arrived within Cheydinhal grounds as evening began to fall. They dismounted and retrieved the saddlebags. Lucien went over the the stablehand and asked him, with a little extra pay, to look after the horses. Normally it was their job to look after their own horses, just paid a little extra rent to keep their own paddock. Because of their current predicament, they were unable to spend the time leisurely looking after their mounts while being hunted.

The stablehand accepted with no argument. Kai whispered to her stallion to make sure he didn't attack the temporary caregiver. With a final pat she turned to Lucien as he was just placing his saddlebags over his shoulders. Beneath his hood she could see his cold eyes stare into the forests. She knew he was looking for them, to see if they followed. He could not tell and turned towards the entrance of the city. Kai followed behind, hoisting her own saddlebags over her shoulders. She placed them over her non-injured arm and despite that she was beginning to feel a small pain, although it was hardly anything. She chanced a quick look behind them again before they entered the city, but saw nothing.