Shadow in Darkness, I'm trying again. Options

[seerauna]

Okay, I'm going to try this again. This time I'm doing Dark Brotherhood making it a little easier, because I like assassins so much. Black Hand is my inspiration with his wonderful tale of Sethyas Velas. Anywho, hope you enjoy this one.



Leyawiin, Near the Five Claws Lodge
I tensed instinctually as I pulled the bowstring back, matching the bow’s own tension. My heart pounded as I released it, for I was releasing an arrow meant to kill an innocent person. The Argonian Weebam-Na was destined to die for something he didn't even know had happened.

When the arrow hit the Argonian's scales, I was surprised by the intense force behind the arrow. Normally arrows did not make it past a couple inches. Mine slammed into his throat, it went all the way through to emerge, barely visible, out the back. I flinched away from the gruesome scene, appalled by what I had done.

I scurried to retrieve my arrow and fled to the relative safety of a nearby inn. To anyone standing nearby I seemed relaxed as I sat at a table, but really my muscles were so tense I could barely move. As near as I was to the bar it wasn't quiet, but even so everyone could hear the sudden bloodcurdling screams that came from outside.

I rushed outside with the rest of the people at the inn along with much of Leyawiin, as much to see the results of my handiwork as to not blow my cover. A woman was standing next to the body of the unfortunate Argonian.

“Bejeen, what did you do!” One man yells, his voice sounding strained. Bejeen, whose face before had only the single emotion of terror, now showed a mixture of anger, shock, and the ever-present terror. Several other faces mirrored hers.

“I did nothing to my husband! Why would I? He is the only one that took in a lonely starving maid…” Bejeen trailed off sobbing.

“No.” My sudden statement surprised even me. “No, she didn’t do this. What reason would Bejeen have to kill her husband? To me this looks like the work of the Morag Tong, which as far as they are from here isn’t very likely, or the Dark Brotherhood, which is much more likely. You might want to find the killer or you might have a string of assassinations on your hands.”

I paused momentarily to take a quick breath. “Don’t blame Bejeen for something she cannot control. That would be the worst thing for you to do.” I said, my voice gradually growing fainter until it was barely a whisper, I walked as fast as I possibly could from the throng of onlookers.

I went back to the inn I had fled to. I asked the publican if she had any rooms left. One look at my face had her quickly giving me the key to a room upstairs.

“Okay…” She trailed off.

“Shadow Kear.” I supplied her with my name. Although it probably wasn’t a good idea, I was past caring.

I walked upstairs and collapsed on the bed, my emotions taking control. Guilt suppressed any of the joy of the kill I might have felt before. My horrified mind repeated one question over and over. What had I done?

The feeling of sweet relief as the black abyss of sleep swept over me was drowned out when I fell into a dream of the previous day’s events, of what had led me to this murder.

I was walking through the town of Leyawiin repairing gear and restocking supplies as needed for my adventuring habits. I saw an Argonian walking in my direction. It was clear he wanted to talk to me. My lips formed the beginnings of a snarl.

“What do you want lizard?” I hissed at him. His appearance made my otherwise pleasant, if sometimes cold manner, unpleasant and rude.

What he was about to say was drowned out by a sudden urge to stab him with the dagger hidden beneath my armor. This Argonian would die.

In a rush of fur and claws I was running, running from the sudden bloodthirstiness that had engulfed me. My emotions were primarily horror and a sadistic glee at the thought. I ran from my glee.

I woke covered in sweat. The dream had been so lifelike it could have been happening at that moment. The last thing I wanted was any more surprises.

So imagine my now familiar and unwanted surprise when I found the Imperial that would later lead my life in a direction I never wanted it to take, standing at the foot of my bed.

EDIT: Took some of Illydoor's crit and fixed the beginning up a bit.

This post has been edited by seerauna: Apr 20 2009, 01:16 AM

[seerauna]

I don't mind the crit. If I don't get any how can I grow as a writer? Thanks for the comments guys, here's the next update!




It was cold. The chill wind ruffled my fur and I shivered, pulling the cloak closer around me. It was near sunset and the cold not even near its peak. I was on the ledge of the richer side of the avenue of the Waterfront watching the Marie Elena. I wasn’t about to go on a suicide mission by going in without checking what could happen.

It seemed so far that Vincente had been right. The packaging crates seemed like the easiest way to gain access to the ship. The crew had shaped up to be spiteful and rude to whoever passed. But, in spite of their awful manner it seemed safe enough to proceed and ask around a little bit.

One member had caught my eye. She was a mer and the only female there, at least that was visible. Coming closer, I overheard her giving orders to the rest of the crew. Taking in her clothes it was obvious that despite their ragged appearance she was dressed more richly than the others. I decided that she would probably be the greatest wealth of information.

Approaching her I was unsure of how to start a conversation. The Dark Elf decided me. She turned to me with a questioning look in her eyes. I saw a glint of something else too, the cruelty that all pirates seemed to share.

“Beautiful isn’t she? The Marie Elena. Damn fine ship with a damn fine crew. I would know I’m her first mate. Malvilus is my name. So believe me when I say we don’t like people snooping around in our affairs. Or little kittens who don’t know what they’re getting themselves into,” she added contemptuously. “You get near that ship and my men will run you through.”

I almost lashed out but then carefully held my anger in check. My dangerous temper was proving repeatedly how difficult it could be. Either way a street brawl wouldn’t be a good idea right now, nor would I come out victorious. I stalked away scowling leaving the first mate with a smug look on her face.

I decided to wait for dawn when the crew was busy boarding crates and most not onboard the ship. It seemed like a proficient enough plan. I settled in for a long night of waiting.





It was just before dawn. Carefully I snuck down to the crates at the end of the docks. Finding a relatively large one I slid quietly into it. There was just enough light to see what else was in the crate.

Seeing the small white vials stirred a deep memory from when I was much younger. I looked closer to read the labels. Moonsugar. Great, absolutely perfect. It was going to be a very long wait if I had to stay in this box. I moved to the front end of the box, ready to move out of it at the first chance. But no sooner had I glanced out a member of the crew moved toward the crate I was hidden in. My mood lifted a few notches. Maybe I wouldn’t be in here for as long as I thought.

Sure enough, he lifted to grab the box. Grunting, he strained to keep it aloft. He called to one of his crewmates and they managed to get it on the ship. At least, I hoped that was what the gentle rocking motion was.

I waited what I judged was about an hour. Hopefully not many people were onboard. Slowly, I crept out from the crate. I took a deep breath of fresh, moonsugar-free air. Clean air had never tasted so good. After a few more gulps of pure air, I started to concentrate on my mission more. Some small part of me yearned to go back and grab a vial of moonsugar but I resisted, instead fully focusing on my assignment, which I should have been doing in the first place.

But why are you here in the first place? You don't belong here, Shadow. The dark, shadowy voice echoed softly in the recesses of my mind, where the lightest part of my personality lived, but rarely ever showed itself. I ignored it but knew I would pay for it later. I pushed my guilty conscience to the back of my mind to deal with later.

Moving forward at a crouch, I made my way through the bottom deck of the ship. Nearing the end my keen ears detected two men talking. I slid to a stop to wait until they returned above ship. When the conversation ended footsteps headed my way. Damnit! I should have known the ladder to the top deck would be behind me. Seeking shelter I desperately ran into the room across from me, hoping they wouldn’t come in. Sighing in relief, I monitored their footsteps go near the room then farther down the deck. I only allowed myself to peek out when several minutes had passed with no noise.

Sure there was nothing, I quietly walked out and around to where they had been standing talking. There was a ladder at the far end of the small room. Peering up, I saw the words “Captain’s Cabin” carved into the trapdoor that it led to. Finally, I had found Gaston Tussaud.

Creeping quietly up the ladder I pushed up on the trapdoor hoping that it made no noise. When I discovered it was obviously oiled regularly, I emerged fully into the cabin, thanking whatever gods there might be.

He was sleeping, however impossible it seemed. Guess it was time to put my Blade of Woe to use then. Sneaking up to him I pulled out the small ebony dagger. After making sure the edge was sharp, I slit his throat. The movement reminded me of my murder of Rufio. Repressing them, I moved them to the darkest corner of my mind to try to forget them. Most likely that wasn’t goin to happen.

A loud banging at the door startled me badly, but I managed not to jump. “Captain! Captain, are you okay? We’re coming in!” At the mention of the crew coming in, I sought safety, spying another door, probably to the balcony Teinaava had spoken of. Grabbing the key from Tussaud’s coat pocket, I opened the door and fled to safety.

Breathing harshly from my close escape, I pushed myself as close to the edge of the boat as was possible. When none of the crew was looking, I leaped, landing on the sandy shore clear of the water. I allowed myself a small grin. I had finished the contract and it was barely past ten. Time to return to Vincente.

But before I could, the no longer smug First Mate gave me a menacing look and I found myself suddenly surrounded by at least a dozen crewmates. Each one had a curved sword drawn and pointed straight at me. “I told you not to set foot on this ship,” Malvilus growled, emerging from the crowd of sailors. “But you did anyways. Men,” she addressed the crew around her, “finish her.” Then, uncaringly she stalked away, leaving me to my most likely disastrous fate.

“So little kitty, what will it be? Should we make it quick, or should we take you to the mid deck and skin you? I think we should make it long and painful. We should make you suffer ten times as much as the Captain did.” One man suggested cruelly. Another yelled in agreement to his painful theory. This was not looking good.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a guard. Never had I ever been so thankful for one’s presence. He was walking quickly, almost running, toward the armed circle. “Hey, get away from her! Put your swords away and no one will get hurt.” He said calmly. I thought I might actually get away from this unscathed. The sailors gave me a reluctant glance but put their swords away.

At a motion from the guard I stepped through the ring of sailors quickly, apprehensive of the slightest movement that could signal my death. After I made it through, the guard nodded to me and I took off, wary of any lethal pursuit. I only relaxed after I made it to the poorer side of the Waterfront and was able to fully escape. I took a deep breath of air to calm myself. Now, I could go see Vincente.

This post has been edited by seerauna: Apr 20 2009, 01:07 AM