Fate's Games
(A/N: Third up today. He actually did lie down when I was doing this quest that's name I've forgotten. Killed him in one file, regretted it, spared him in another just running away, and found out he was Calcelmo's nephew later on.)
The Wizard of Understone Keep
The rubbing was done. The key to translating the journal was in her hands. All she had to do was escape. Escape without being seen. She could have done it; if he hadn't shown up. About to leap down, she heard voices and caught her breath. Quickly she scrambled behind the tablet and gazed down. There he entered, his guards flanking him on all sides. He was talking about the security. They would have seen the bodies. He told his soldiers to spread out and search, and she knew she had to get out before it was too late.
It could have worked, except he didn't go with his men. He lay upon one of the benches to wait for a report, and she knew then what she would have to do. This wizard, this young man, had to die. And he had to die silently. She leapt from the perch unseen, then silently hugged the walls, making her way towards him. She drew her dagger soundlessly, but as she neared… As she neared she paused. His eyes were closed and softly he was breathing. He was asleep?
She felt relief. Perhaps she could still get away with this. Quietly she slunk by him, but just as she was passing him his eyes opened and he started. She caught her breath as she met his irises with her own, wide and startled and afraid. He just looked puzzled. For a long moment there was silence, then she realized in dismay that there was no other choice. He caught the look in her eyes, though, and gasped. The same time she lunged with the blade, he threw up Stoneflesh. The blow deflected with minor injury, and the young man, Calcelmo's nephew, leapt up and began shouting for his guards.
ES
He backed away and began throwing spell after spell at this intruder in his uncle's museum, his lab. She leapt after him determinedly, slashing and cutting whenever possible. Aicantar was becoming more and more afraid. He watched in horror and awe as she cut down his bodyguards one after another. He would have applauded her if he hadn't been sighted as her next victim. He knew he would stand no chance against her. He had no weapon, only his magic, and it was running low. As she lunged Stoneflesh gave out, and he cried out in pain as the dagger struck him in the abdomen. She withdrew it swiftly and went for another stab.
He cast a healing spell on himself and turned, fleeing. His magic was drained, now. He was helpless. She caught him on the stairs. He cried out in pain as the blade sliced across his side leaving a deep gash. He fell to the ground, covering the wound, and tried to scramble away. She leapt upon him like a cat playing with its prey, though, and the dagger was at his throat. She stopped, lightly panting, and gazed into his eyes relishing her victory. Should he bother to plead? She would never listen. Instead he swallowed dryly and closed his eyes, laying back his head in surrender.
ES
She stopped, surprised. He was at her mercy. With one cut he would die. Yet here he was, offering his throat to her, surrendering up his life. She felt uncertainty and fear upon her. She didn't want to kill him. Divines only knew how she didn't want to kill him. So young, so intelligent, such promise… Now so helpless. She had to move now, before his magic regenerated. If she gave it an opportunity to regenerate, he would kill her… But she couldn't bring herself to end his life… His chest rose and fell so evenly, her body rising and falling with its rhythm. It would stop with one cut…
Then her thoughts went to Calcelmo. This was his nephew, very likely the only relative he had left in the world. This was his flesh and blood. This young man meant everything to him. Could she really take the young wizard away from the one who loved him so dearly? More importantly, was the only reason she was asking this question to try and justify for herself why she had already resolved she wouldn't kill the wizard lying beneath her?
She suddenly rose and backed away. His eyes shot open in shock, and quickly he sat up looking at her in disbelief. She shook her head then fled. He could only watch blankly after her. His life had just been spared. For what reason? And why did it so disappoint him to watch her race away…?
(A/N: Quest Referenced-Can't remember, but something along the Thieves Guild quest line.)