This is the second chapter in my series about Valen Dreth called Shadows from within.
I hope that you have liked it so far.
Please review it after you have finished reading because I would like to improve to make the story more enjoyable for readers.

The Imperial Watchmen pushed Valen Dreth into a dark alley behind one of the store areas.

"You should have died long ago Valen, alongside with that good for nothing thing you call family!" yelled one of the watchmen.

The group of 3 kept advancing on Valen, their hands were resting on the hilts of their longswords; their hands were shaking in anticipation. They showed only deep anger in their eyes.

Valen Dreth backed up till he bumped into a long garden stake, and he gripped it tightly with his long slim fingers.

"Don't even tempt me with the pleasure of killing all three of you now, because here no one can hear your screams as I rip out your heart!" said Valen.

The words sent a chill down the spines of the watchmen as they weren't quite sure if Valen was being serious and they didn't want to find out. The 2 guards at the back began to walk away slowly till they were out of Valen's attacking range and then they sprinted back out into the open streets, leaving Cloclonus, who was the remaining watchmen; alone with Valen Dreth.

"Time to die, Darkelf scum!" shouted Cloclonus as he drew his longsword from its sheath.

Valen quickly pulled the long stake out of the ground and he evaded a downward slash from Cloclonus' longsword.

Valen jabbed the stake at Cloclonus' leg armour but the wood was easily deflected by the tough metal armour!

Both warriors recovered from the attack and prepared to strike again.
Suddenly Cloclonus lunged at Valen with his Longsword held high above his head!

Cloclonus' longsword cut down through the air above Valen, but he managed to duck the swing and he lodged the garden stake deep into one of the unprotected parts of Cloclonus' armour, his armpit!

The guard let out a high pitched scream and he dropped his longsword almost instinctively.
He dropped to his knees, and while wailing in pain he muttered "Please don't kill me! I didn't mean to hurt anyone, I promise!"

"Tell it to someone who cares!" shouted Valen as he pulled off Cloclonus' helmet.

Valen Dreth ripped out the stake from Cloclonus and he struck it down hard on Cloclonus' now exposed head! The stake travelled out the bottom of his jaw and wedged itself into the ground! Cloclonus was covered in blood and he was now stuck to the ground, Garden stake through his head.

Valen drew his dagger and he carved his initials into the back of the dead guard's neck. V D

"Is that your signature?" asked a voice from behind Valen.

Valen turned to see another figure, they were wearing the same type of robes as Lucien Lachance was wearing the night he murdered the Nord.

"Yes, I want to spread fear to those I wish to kill." replied Valen. "Are you a member of the Dark Brotherhood?"

"I am the leader of the guildhall here in the Imperial city, I see you have a unique way of murdering people Valen" said the robed figure, obviously talking about the stake through Cloclonus' head!

"How do you know my name, stranger?" asked Valen

"I know lots of things, but enough of that, lets head to the guildhall before the guards see what a mess you've made." spoke the black robed man.

The guildhall was a large area hidden underneath the Elven Gardens district. It was dimly lit by candles from the tables that lined the walls. Everywhere assassins entered through doors and left via other doors, everyone of them all bearing a golden shortsword by their side.

The stranger that had been guiding Valen turned around and said "My name is Octagi and I have only 1 question to ask you before you get your weapons and any contracts. Why have you come to join our brotherhood?"

"Octagi, I have come to join your guild in hope of revenge. I want to receive enough training to strike at the Imperials were it hurts, to avenge my families death!" replied Valen.

"What is this target that you hope of killing, that you think will avenge your family's death?"

Valen stared at Octagi directly and answered boldly,

"I wish to kill the emperor and all his sons, so that for once the Imperials will be without guidance and I can wreak havoc and death against all that have stood up to me and my family! That will be enough to avenge my family!"

"I can see you truly wish to accomplish that goal but I'm afraid that will be impossible as it breaks one of our guild rules, which states that no one shall attempt to assassinate anyone that might draw to much unwanted attention to the guild unless allowed by a member of the black hand themselves! And you will never get that kind of permission." said Octagi.

"We'll see about that..." muttered Valen under his breath.

TO BE CONTINUED...