A/N: Here we go, the last chapter before everyone converges. Special Thanks go out to DarkRocketX for helping me with a tough decision for the story. Here we Go!
In the early morning hours, a trio of chestnut horses trotted up to the Anvil gates. A tall Argonian woman with green scales flecked with orange and yellow around her eyes dismounted first, followed by a Redgaurd woman and a Dunmer man. The Dunmer ran his hands over his Mohawk, drawing a giggle from the Redgaurd.
"What's so funny, Zathira?" he demanded. Zathira's brown eyes glittered with mirth.
"I know women who are less testy about their hair Modryn." She said, her chainmail cuirass glittering in the morning sun. Modryn glared at their Argonian companion.
"Can you believe the gall of her, Sai?" he grumbled. Sailez simply bared her teeth in a grin.
"You forget Modryn. I grew up with her. I know what she is capable of." She replied. The trio progressed into the city proper, and Zathira made a beeline for the guildhall. Bursting through the door, she grinned as several of the residents jumped.
"Hide the mead, Zathira's back!" Rhano cried out, a wide smile on his face. Zathira came up and clapped him hard on the back, sending him staggering a little.
"Afraid you'll embarrass yourself again?" she shot back, leaning in to give him a hug. Sai had moved off to one side to discuss something with Huurwen. Modyn was whispering something into Llensi's ear, making her blush a brilliant purple.
"Zathira!" a booming Nord voice called out. The next thing she knew, Sten the Ugly had swept her up into a bonecrushing hug. She yelped just as Azzan shoved Sten hard, making him drop her.
"Z's not Vigdis, Sten! And I'm fairly certain that breaking the guildmasters ribs can get you expelled." He said. Zathira glared up at him.
"I believe said guildmaster has final say over someone's expulsion." She snapped. Azzan met her fierce eyes.
"You are correct. I would never dare to presume on your behalf." He said, bowing low.
"Yes, you would. Although I suppose that's why I married you." She replied, pressing against him and meeting his lips. Several catcalls and whistles erupted around the pair.
"Alright, I think we should let the happy couple have their peace. Perhaps we can all use some time to enjoy the festival?" Sai suggested. Sounds of agreement were heard and everyone trickled out, leaving the two Redgaurds alone in the guildhall.
"I missed you." Azzan whispered when they were alone. Zathira smiled warmly at him.
"And I you. I wish I were only here to see you, but I have buisiness. I have been called to a meeting with the Arch Mage tonight. We will be discussing some issue or another about the empire. After that, I am sending Sai off to visit Bruma for a month while you and I take a much needed vacation." She said. Azzan's smile lit up the room, and he swept his wife into his arms, spinning her about.
"That sounds wonderful. Now then, we have several hours, and an empty guildhall. Whatever shall we do?" he asked, carrying her up the stairs while she laughed.
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Teslina sat under a tree near the main city gate, twirling a feather between her fingers. Sensing motion behind her, she glanced over and grinned at Amusei as he fell to his haunches next to her.
"Greetings, my friend." She said brightly. He nodded in reply, eyes roving over the people in the crowd, judging them with a thief's eye. Noting this she lightly smacked him on the shoulder.
"What was that for?" he demanded.
"The Grey Fox has forbidden thieving in Anvil, especially during festival time. So don't even think about it." She warned. Just then, Amusei's eyes brightened, and his tail flicked a little. Teslina glanced over to the Fighter's Guild and saw the rather striking Argonian woman who stepped out with what looked like the entire guildhall.
"She is the most beautiful creature I have ever seen." Amusei sighed. Teslina glanced over at him and laughed.
"All this romance in the air, you would think it was Dibella's Day!" she exclaimed. Her companion looked at her curiously.
"Whatever do you mean? I am simply admiring the wonderful scenery." He replied. Teslina rolled her eyes.
"And I am sure that is what you were doing when I found you in that cell in Skingrad." She commented. Amusei flinched, the memory of the vampire still fresh, even after almost three months.
"I think I've heard of that one. She is a sister of sorts to the new guildmaster of the Fighter's Guild." He said, his eyes still locked on the group as they headed down the street. Teslina stood and stretched.
"The Grey Fox has a meeting tonight in Smuggler's Cove. You are requested as a companion." She said. The Argonian's eyes widened in surprise.
"Not Armande or S'krivva?" he asked. She shook her head.
"I trust you, and so you will be the escort." Amusei brightened at the praise.
"I will meet you there. Shadow hide you." He said.
"Shadow hide you." She replied, watching Amusei walking off in the direction of the Fighter's Guild members. She sighed and leaned back against the tree, letting her thoughts drift. Karis and Baurus were at the docks to greet her father when he arrived, and Teslina was pointedly avoiding the ruin of her parent's home.
"Excuse me, but do I know you?" a voice broke through her thoughts, and she opened her eyes to see a tall Imperial with short brown hair and deep brown eyes gazing down at her. Teslina could feel her thieves instincts jump at the cold, calculating look in the man's eyes. This was a man who had faced death at a regular interval, and had sent it packing.
"I don't think so. I am fairly good at remembering faces, and I can't place yours." She replied, raising a graceful hand to shield her eyes from the sun. As she did, she saw an almost imperceptible trace of sorrow cross his face, before the mask of easy comfort affixed itself.
"My mistake. You do look a lot like someone I knew, but there are definite differences." He said. Teslina sat up straighter.
"Did she have midnight blue hair, maybe a silver bracelet with a charm on it?" she asked, hope coloring her voice.
"I am not sure about the bracelet, but yes her hair did resemble a moon cast shadow." He said. Teslina jumped up in excitement.
"Where did you see her? How long ago? Was she well?" she demanded, and a trace of a familiar amusement crossed the man's face.
"I last saw her up north, near Bruma, nearly three and a half months ago. I am sad to say that at the time, she looked rather grief stricken." He replied calmly. Teslina flopped down onto the stone bench, all hope leeched from her.
"So long ago, she could be anywhere." She whispered. The man regarded her forlorn face for a moment.
"My work takes me all over Cyrodiil. If I should find her again, would you like me to give her a message?" he asked, almost kindly. Teslina nodded, pulling a feather from her hair.
"Tell her that I never gave up hope that she was alive, and that she can find me in the Imperial City or here." She replied, offering the feather. The man took it, and pocketed it with a bow. Teslina almost smiled at the theatricality of it, but her senses were still prickling.
"I have no doubt that I will see her again, and I will deliver your token madam." He said.
"Teslina. The woman is my sister Verity. I thank you for your kind offer sir." She said politely.
"You may call me….Luke." he replied, as he headed down the street. As he weaved through the people, Teslina felt her muscles relax. A false name, those dangerous eyes, and Teslina would have bet her Grey Cowl he had several weapons hidden in his clothes. Standing slowly, she moved down the street, heading back to the inn, suddenly feeling worn down from the apparent tizzy of couples around her. By the Nine, is everyone in love but me? She thought, reaching the inn and trudging up to her room. Once their, she threw herself on the bed and closed her eyes. As she drifted off to sleep, she thought she heard the muted weeping of a woman in her sleep.
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The dream was never the same. Sometimes she made it to Applewatch in time to save Lucien, others she reached the farm in time to hear his screams of pain. This time, she stood before the Night Mother's statue, facing her beloved Speaker. He was holding her in his arms as she trembled in fear.
"The Black Hand will try to finish me off, but I fear that the traitor has far worse aims. He has been picking off the members of my Sanctuary for a reason. My fear is that he will try to kill you, and leave me for last. I could not bear it, if you died while I was unable to save you." He whispered, his breath hot against her hair. Verity's grip tightened on him, the sobs threatening to escape.
"My life is yours, Speaker. Anything you require I will do. Ask for my heart and I will carve it from my chest." She declared. Lucien laughed softly, the sound reverberating through his chest, making her skin tingle.
"What is the one lesson I have always tried to impart on you?" he asked gently, cupping one cheek with his gloved hand.
"'Don't die for your gods, make the other guy die for his.'" She quoted, and he smiled, leaning forward to press a kiss to her lips, almost gently.
"That's my girl." He whispered, slowly fading from existence. Tears began to slide down her face as the scene changed to Applewatch, Shadowmere heaving in great breaths as she raced for the door.
"Lucien." She breathed, opening her eyes and looking around the room. It was dark, the waning moons giving off a feeble light. Sliding her eyes closed, she could almost detect a faint trace of sandalwood in the room. Rising from the bed, she cast a spell at the tub, filling it with ice, then melting it with a fire spell. She stepped into the warm water, thinking hard as she scrubbed. If the Morag Tong were plotting against the Brotherhood, she would have to be very careful. She climbed out of the tub and began to dress in her Black Hand Robes. Across from the inn, a shadowy figure watched through the window as she donned her robes and buckled her dagger around her waist. He slipped even deeper into the shadows when she opened her window and climbed out, leaping over the rooftops with the grace of a Khajiit, making her way to the docks and beyond. The figure watched her carefully, a cold and calculating light in his eye as he began to follow her.
Just a little longer, and all will be revealed.
A/N: Well, that's it for this time! Next chapter is the actual meeting between The four guilds, and the assassins among them all are revealed. Reviews are better than gold, and again, Thank you DarkRocketX!
