Chapter 8

Kiri doesn't know whether to be flustered or stunned at the sight of her assassin. She was very much aware of her life being put as a target for someone's Black Sacrament, but a part of her wanted to carry out her daily routine as usual.

"Hello Veezara. You're a bit early today," she greeted him as she got down from Cinnamon. She was a popular mare amongst the students and it would be a damn shame if she were bought by a cruel owner. Her heart was racing, but she managed to asked, "Is this about my debt again?"

The Argonian only nodded but there was some conflict in his eyes. "Yes, it is. Though, I am quite surprise to see you ride horses in action, Kiri. Are you giving them exercises that were out of your requirements?"

The young Redguard smiled, giving Cinnamon a pat. "Yes, and I taught some of the students from the Bard's College earlier today. Besides learning about songs, all of them would love horse riding lessons if they want to travel far and wide. Cinnamon here is the gentlest mare anyone could ask for. Pepper on the other hand, is a spitfire for experienced riders or someone who would treat her well."

Veezara chuckled, a sound that was pleasant to listen to. Has she finally gone insane that Sheogorath might host an outdoor party? Here was her assassin, bounded by contract to kill her and yet...

Kiri pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "Will it be long? Blaise has been playing with some of the children and I hope I'm not leaving him too long. I promised I'd come back after hitching Cinnamon at the stables."

Before she could hear his answer, she caught a familiar fabric placed at the front of her doorstep. Since they were close to the stables, she removed the saddle off Cinnamon before giving her a loving pat and a carrot. The other three horses happened to be Pepper and the two Khajiits' mounts as they have business in Solitude. She was a tad curious about that since most Khajiits were forbidden from entering the city, which was a damn shame.

"I did owe you a tapestry," he phrased the words with amusement. "And I always deliver."

Picking up the tapestry, she turned her head over her shoulder to gesture him inside. If he stood out in the open, then it would drew suspicions from Katla or anyone else at the farm.

She doesn't need to turn back twice to know that he complied without hesitation.

...

No words were spoken between them except Kiri eyeing the twin blades that were strapped to the Argonian. If anything, she hoped she would learn more about him before he could peel ever wall she had built upon herself and her reasons to allow herself to be killed.

Veezara was sitting down on one of the chairs while she hung up the tapestry. It looked good as new. "Veezara, thank you for fixing the tapestry. I didn't know you're good at embroidery."

"Heh, sewing a tapestry is no different than stitching up a flesh wound. I must say, I always sensed a warm feeling whenever I'm in this house. At least to these eyes..."

Kiri had poured him a cup of water she collected from the well and served him slices of bread slathered with heaps of butter and snowberry jam. Her smile couldn't hide her anticipation of what he was going to do to her. For now, she hummed to herself as she cleaned up before taking a seat on the opposite side.

Veezara was chewing the bread slowly, eyes creased slightly from content. However, Kiri couldn't help but wondered his far-off look where he couldn't meet her eyes. Had something happened in the Dark Brotherhood?

"Veezara...is everything alright?" asked Kiri, reaching out a hand to squeeze his scaly claw. He returned the gesture by stroking his thumb across her hand.

"They want me to deal with the contract," he sighed. "In the past, I have done my deed without question but when I first met you...I don't know why I hesitated. And you being so willing to let me run my blade through, it made me wonder what are you hiding."

That was when Kiri gripped under the table. Does it really matter if she tells him the truth? Then again, a Shadowscale might be able to distinguish a lie, no matter how subtle they can be. Or whatever training the Dark Brotherhood trained him to be.

Pushing her hair to the back, she looked into the Argonian's eye. "Alright, I'll tell you. But it's going to be a ridiculous one."

"I'll be the judge of that."

Taking a deep breath, Kiri does her best to not fidget in her seat. "I was born and raised in Hammerfell. Had two loving parents, little brothers and we have a lived-in maid that helps us with the chores while both of my parents work to support all of us. Thinking back now, I was a brat. I mean a LITERAL brat that could rival some of the richest residents in Solitude.

"But I never thought of having to work or earn my keep because everything was given to me without lifting a finger. Basically, I get everything by doing nothing. That was until my parents decided it was time to cut me off."

Veezara sipped his drink. "But isn't that a good thing? You clearly are independent and know how to manage when we first met."

She smiled a sad smile, tracing the gnarled ridges of the table. "It is. But before I took off on my own, my mother said that she wished she had never bore a burden like me while my father said 'If I see you come back, I will kill you'. I don't blame him one bit and it took time to adjust and start everything from rock bottom."

"However?"

"I just don't know what am I going to do with myself. Katla's kind enough to let me earn my keep at the farm and the college pays well...but I don't really have an actual purpose outside of this. And that's why I allowed you to kill me despite being afraid of death. Sometimes I think I'm just born too early yet too late into this world. It would be mercy to kill me."

That was when she parted a bit of her dress, exposing the smooth crimson neck. The Redguard was struggling to keep her tears from falling down. "Kill me, Veezara. I know the Dark Brotherhood will come after me if you can't carry out the job. I'm sorry...for stalling you and in a way, putting you at risk because of me."

There was silence between them. Kiri had not stiffened up or feel fear like their first encounter. In fact, after confessing about her accepted fate, she was at peace. Although the unanswered question would be who performed the Black Sacrament. Could it be her parents after all this time?

In a swift motion, the Shadowscale grabbed her by the waist and pinned her against the wall. This was it. She heard his breathing getting soft, his other hand that was not holding her in place went up to her neck. Closing her eyes, Kiri felt his breath upon her skin and heard a barely audible murmur:

"I can't."

Sorry for the late update. I've been busy with a lot of things and also struggling with my personal self-hatred of myself. But I will be alright and I want to complete this story for fun

Again, I apologise for the long wait