Darkness Calls, The story of a Bravil assassin Options

[Winter Wolf]

Hi folks!!

I have finally gotten around to posting here at Chorrol. This story first appeared at the unnameable forum but I only managed to post the first chapter before the site fell head first off the cliff.

Hope you enjoy and dont forget to shout out any nitpicks you see.


**


CHAPTER 1 –


A Bravil watchman moved along the rampart in the gathering dark, his footsteps sounding on the wooden landing. Flickering light from the wall sconce danced across his heavy armor and surcoat, outlining a face that was crowded under lines of tiredness. Leaning over the railing he glanced downwards.

The dilapidated shacks of the town below pushed upwards through the dark like a set of broken teeth, the jagged eaves clashing against each other in the impoverished silence. The watchman’s eyes scanned the backdrop for any sign of alarm, but few signs of movement could be found.

A moment later a shadow detached from the left hand wall and another guard appeared beside the rail.

“Well met, my friend, how goes it?” he asked.

“Four bells and all is well,” the first man replied and stifled a yawn.

The replacement guard nodded. “Yes, it does seem as quiet as a church mouse out there. But as we know, that always the most dangerous time of all. The town may look like a slumbering animal, but the heartbeat is still ticking.”

“Yes, do keep a sharp eye out,” he noted, glad to be moving away slowly.

“Sleep tight, darling.”


**

The night was warm and humid. Tucked within their beds most of the citizens tossed fitfully in their sleep. It was the moment just before dawn when dark dreams gave way to the memories of youth, sweet impressions that spoke of a former time. Outside the mullioned casement footsteps could be heard, the sound mingling with the faint, snatched cries of the stall sellers that drifted across from the other side of town. The air was heavy with expectation, panting like a giant hound.

A figure headed down a quiet lane. Soft light teased across his pointed ears and dark outfit. It framed a neatly folded letter that poked surreptitiously out of one tiny pocket.

In part it read:

Oh beloved assassin of the Dark Brotherhood, let us, the ruling council, grant you this most important mission. We have word that the old fool, Adamus Phillida, has finally taken up his residence at the City Watch barracks in the southern town of Leyawiin.

The pest of the Brotherhood has made the one fatal mistake of thinking that we would ever forget his past. Fate has now delivered him into our dark loving embrace, an opportunity that we cannot let slip by.

Dear brother, we need you to pay him a visit and make sure that his new home also becomes his permanent place of retirement.

Your loving benefactor-
The ruling council of the Black Hand.

Aradroth smiled to himself. It felt good to be wanted again. Clutched like a greedy piglet to the teat he could feel the warm milk of the Night Mother running down his lips and throat, a gluttonous thrill that was paramount to death in its intensity. Her loving bulk provided all the sustenance that he needed, a clan love that would forever define who he was and leave the cretin world around him living in a bland, colorless land of emptiness.

Opening the front gate he stepped outside.

A member of the Bravil watch stood at the far end of the front bridge. Clad in sooty armor turned dark by the cloaking shadows of morning, he reminded Aradroth of that futile blockade that sheltered upon the edge of Kvatch.

As a man accustomed to studying the fortification and defence of people he was paid to kill, the small assassin was always mystified by the false assumption that the cutting of the bridge ropes would protect and seal off the town from the waiting horde of Mehrunes Dagon. Just how many people did the foolish Count of Bravil think would be able to slip unannounced through the secret tunnel to the tower of Fathis Aren? And how many would die under the harsh conditions of a siege?

The Bravil guardsman did not notice the assassin until it was too late. Spinning around his gloved hand came to a belated rest on the pommel of his steel long sword.

“Oh Aradroth, it’s you,” the guard said in shock, his heart beating rapidly inside his steel chest. “I didn’t realize that you were there.”

The Bosmer assassin stood silent and cold, a contrast to the humidity around him. Small and slight; his gray eyes shone with a feverish light from the shadows of his black hood.

“Sorry Gladius,” he replied, his voice soft and raspy, “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

The meandering eyes of the guardsman looked the assassin up and down.

“Are you out on a morning hunt, sir?” he asked, putting his hand out.

Aradroth shook his head. “No, not this time,” he answered, slipping two septims into the guard’s hand. “I am taking a little trip to Skingrad.”

“Are you there on business or do you have family or friends?” he asked curiously, pocketing the coins.

“I have enrolled myself into therapy,” came back the simple reply.

The guard’s eyes blinked. “Sorry?”

“I am hooking up with Else-Godhater and a few others. We are doing a seminar on ‘Righting past wrongs.’ I have decided that it is important to open up on those deep and personal issues. It revitalizes the spirit when you learn to love again.”

Confusion spread across the guardsman’s face. His mouth opened and closed like a fish. “Are you having trouble, sir?”

The assassin smiled. “I don’t know. I feel isolated and disconnected. Like something is not quite right.”

“Well that is great that you are doing something about it. I have always felt that the step to join the Bravil watch was the most important one I ever took.”

Aradroth paused. “Yeah, I suppose you are right. I envy that sense of connection you seem to have around you with every little thing. Especially the way someone has committed a crime on the other side of Cyrodiil, yet you still are able to pinpoint them exactly. It must be some form of clairvoyance.”

The guard seemed taken aback. “Have you noticed that? I have always thought that it was our commitment to duty that made us rise above the call of duty.”

The assassin headed away. “Yeah, maybe you are right. That is the reason I am joining therapy. I am hoping to regain my balance with the world again.” With a smirk he added, “Who knows? When I am finished I might end up looking just like you.”

“Well, good luck with that endeavour, my friend,” Gladius called out in blissful ignorance at the retreating figure.

Aradroth turned. “Care to place a wager on that?”


**


The road that headed to Leyawiin stretched out of sight as it weaved through the southern forests like a muddy snake.

His mind was still thinking cynically pleasing thoughts about the mediocrity in the world when he realized that something was wrong. Cursing bitterly for allowing himself to become sidetracked, his slate gray eyes quickly swept the sides of the grubby track.

The green foliage and tall swampy reeds around him looked normal enough, but something teased at the tattered edge of his senses, something indescribable. From his neck a salty bead of sweat slowly trickled downwards, running its meandering way over the lined folds of skin. As it hit his leather collar he realized what it was.

The landscape was quiet. Not a bird or insect could be heard.

The tall reeds on the left hand side suddenly exploded with movement and a large shape charged into the clearing. Brown and very large, the creature swiped at the Dark Brotherhood member with a fearsome claw.

Scampering backwards the assassin fell onto his rump, pain lancing his left hip where he struck a rock. His bow disappeared off to the side.

Towering over him the creature was massive, standing over seven feet tall, with a dark snout and coarse, bristling fur.

Fear spurred the prone elf to action at the next moment and the Bosmer opened his palm. Magic light coursed down the inside of his forearm, the magicka flowing like a river of light. The blue veins rippled down his fingers.

“Guulosh Torr,” he cried, and a purplish-black shape materialized to his right hand side.

The bear’s caramel eyes blinked in confusion and it paused in its attack. The coin of fate that spun with a decreasing speed finally caught a reflection of two opponents that hung suspended in time. Slowly, beyond thought, control or even reason, the creature’s eyes turned and focused on the skeletal guardian.

The relieved assassin watched as the bear charged forward with a speed that defied its tremendous bulk and a vicious paw smacked into the undead. Taking the impact on its steel shield, the skeleton was thrown backward through the air, bits of bone from his shied arm flying in all directions. He landed far off to the side.

“Damn it,” muttered Aradroth as he rose quickly to his feet. Tiny spatters of mud were kicked up as he moved.

Reaching under his cloak he withdrew Cat’s Eye from its scabbard. Glowing runes danced up and down the hilt of the sword as it emerged into the morning air. The weight of the weapon felt reassuring in his grasp, a pull of energy that went deep down into his core.

Stepping forward the morning light ran along the elven designed hilt as it swung downwards. The sword bit hard and chunks of fur and blood disappeared past the edge of his vision. The next moment the shock enchantment of the weapon mauled just as hard, the assassin struggling to hold on as the sword coveted the gore and death of his adversary.

Roaring in horror the creature flung its broad head around and droplets of blood coated the assassin in a ghastly, decadent wine. A moment later a retaliatory claw smashed into the assassin’s leather shield. The impact threw Aradroth bouncing onto the road.

Spinning around him the world turned in crazy circles, a hundred stars dancing back and forth before his eyes.

Not again! he thought haphazardly as he looked down at the mud. Gritting against the pain Aradroth charged back to his feet and renewed the attack. From the other side of the road the Skeleton Guardian clanked over to aid him from the rear.

A minute later the booming sound of Azura’s Star resounded in his ears as the mountain of fur crashed to the ground.

Aradroth collapsed onto one knee beside it.

Breathing in ragged gasps he glanced across at the bear and then down at the abject state of his dark travelling cloak in disgust.

“Oh bull dust.....” he muttered.

On the other side of the road the skeletal axeman brought its remaining arm wide apart and hissed loudly. Aradroth could not tell if it made a victorious or mocking sound.

“Don’t you start,” he warned, pulling himself slowly to his feet.

The skeleton hissed at him again.

This post has been edited by Winter Wolf: Mar 29 2010, 04:52 PM

[Winter Wolf]

haute ecole rider -
Thanks for the support, it means a lot. I was walking through work a few days ago and the thought 'tumble of kittens' just popped in there. I thought it would be cool to use that for the clouds across the sky. Please dont tell the boss that I think TES while I am at work. He would not be happy!!
Thanks for the nit on queue!! Hopeless, I am.
Foreshadowing you say? Damn it! I cannot sneak anything by you!!

mALX -
Thanks mALX. The worn scroll did seem to suit the crusty old face of Adamus. I can almost see that parchment like cracks that would spread across his face when he smiled. Almost like the grimace of a dying man!!

SubRosa -
Wow, thanks for the kind words oh mighty sage. Years of D&D mean that painting a visual picture comes fairly easy to me, but all this other stuff you need to know about writing is a hit and miss affair. Glad that you liked the description. Awesome!!
I knew that you would spot Bellerophon straight away. Ancient mythology is certainly your speciality!!

Destri Melarg -
Thanks for the heads up advice on writing. Looking back I can see that the mistake I made was to focus on a different aspect for each chapter. One to introduce, one to set the scene, one for action, etc. Being new to this writing caper I do not have the skill yet to juggle everything within the same chapter. I shall keep what you have said in mind!
Cool that you noticed the ambition of Decentius under the surface. I was hoping to convey that but as is the case with writing you never quite know how the reader will feel it.

**


CHAPTER 3 –

The door swung open on worn hinges, banging against the wooden stop that was fixed against the inside wall. The air within the crowded room rushed outside into the night, framing a dark clad male standing in the sheltered doorway.

A black travelling cloak was wrapped around his lean shoulders, hugging him as if it were the collective embrace of night. Glancing around, the elf slowly let his eyes adjust to the conditions. The tight clip of leather boots sounded as he finally moved forward.

Across the hazy chamber the proprietor of the establishment cast a discerning eye at the new arrival. She was in the process of wiping the hard, wooden surface of the bar with a soapy rag.

Her voice drifted across to him with the lilted hiss of the Argonian tongue.

“Come, friend, enter. And welcome to the Five Claws lodge. I apologise for the squeaking front door. So careless of me, but you know how it is in these troubled times. I had been meaning to address it earlier and have one of the servant girls fix it.”

Aradroth moved into the tavern and headed past a counter that was decorated with cups that hung from overhead hooks. Beneath them clay plates sat beside a woven basket of corn. He ignored the Argonian who addressed him.

The woman didn’t seem to mind. “Listen to me, harping like a fishwife. Make it clean, they say, and that is what Witseidutsei does, as best she can......” she intoned at the empty darkness.

The room beyond opened up to a much wider seating area. Large round tables with tiny wooden chairs sat in groups under the flickering flame that danced from the ceiling. Ciders of wine and barrels of ale lay stacked against the right hand wall. A few watermelons sat in a cluster nearby.

Coming closer to the tables, a few of the patrons looked up from their evening meals, the clanging of cutlery pausing for an instant with forks mid-air. Dark, shaded faces glanced at him from hoods, weighing up his approach.

Ignoring their suspicious stares the assassin placed a worn, gloved hand onto the shoulder of a male Argonian. Faced with his back to the bar the inhabitant never even noticed his direct approach.

“G’day, my friend,” Aradroth said, sliding around to the empty seat on the other side. His frame eased down into it with a heartfelt sigh. Removing his own dark hood, a ball of scruffy brown hair spilled down onto his shoulders. Wiry and uncombed, it looked like the nesting home to a pair of finches. On each side pointed ears poked up beside a lean face.

Dar Jee smiled broadly in recognition. “Aradroth!” he cried, “Long time no see. I cannot believe you are here!”

The assassin smiled back through tired and worn features. “I feel the same Dar. However you should know me. It was inevitable that I came back to you. Leyawiin has a certain smell that I cannot seem to resist.”

Reaching across the dark shirted Argonian took him by the hand. His embrace felt as slippery as a snake. “Good. Good. I have been wondering about you recently. It is great to see you safe.”

“What do you mean, my friend?”

The Argonian placed his tankard back onto the table. Leaning back in the chair he then wiped a scaly hand across his mouth. “Well, that little adventure you had here last time was the talk of the town. The watch was all in an uproar, they said somebody had stolen the family ring from the Countess. I thought for sure that they might have caught you. But my contacts luckily said otherwise.”

Aradroth grinned, his face looking impish in the glowing light.

He nodded. “Yes, that was indeed fun times to be had there. Although I am not sure you want to know the extent of the horror in the chambers of the Countess.”

“And you think I don’t know already?” he exclaimed indignantly, “Dar Jee knows everything!”

The Bosmer chuckled. “Perhaps so, but it is still best that you do not decide to investigate things for yourself. Things down here are very nasty down at the moment.”

“Well, in that case, I promise to stay away.”

“Good.”

Dar Jee grinned. “Well, unless I find something valuable to steal of course!”


**

The smoky haze twirled around the table. From out of the dark a woman appeared. A faded leather apron was tied around her narrow waist.

“And what shall you boys be having?” Witseidutsei asked.

Aradroth glanced upwards. His mind thought briefly of Buffy. “One glass of Tamika, please.”

The woman then turned to her fellow Argonian. “The usual, I suppose?”

Reaching across Dar Jee tapped her friend on the rear. “Of course, my dear.”

Turning around swiftly, the Argonian woman made a hasty retreat. Her speckled tail swished rapidly back and forth in agitation.

Dar Jee glanced across at the small assassin. “And what is the purpose for your visit to Leyawiin this time, my trouble-making friend?”

The Bosmer’s face became very serious. “I have another contract. But I would prefer to only discuss it in private.”

Dar Jee clapped his scales together. “Now that is what I love about you Aradroth. I can always count on you being overly dramatic!”

Aradroth’s face relaxed into a grin. “And I definitely know I can always count on you putting me back in my place.”


**

The two friends headed outside into the darkness, the taller Argonian supported by the much small Bosmer. Like a drunken sailor, the reptilian thief leaned sideways at the point of falling. Only the strong forearms of the assassin-archer managed to hold him up.

“Same place as before?” Aradroth grunted, half pulling and half carrying his friend down the street.

“Yes, yes, of course,” the Argonian slurred, a scaly hand gesturing onwards into the dark.

“Come on then.”


**


“Wait!” the Argonian cried, staggering against the wooden wall.”I know it is here somewhere.”

The Bosmer rocked backwards on his heels. Glancing sideways down the street, his keen eyes searched for any sign of a guard patrol. The action was habitual and quite unnecessary.

Reaching into his very tight leather pants, Dar Jee grunted and groaned as his broad hands refused to fit inside his front pocket. “The key must be here!” he exclaimed in frustration, turning around several times on the spot as he tried to use the momentum to enter his own pants.

Aradroth put his hands on his hips and sighed in annoyance. “Great. And I thought you were a master thief.....”

The dark shadow stopped to consider him.

“Thanks,” Dar Jee fired back. “I would like to see you try to find the key while you were drunk and wearing skin tight lizard pants.”

The Bosmer laugh cut knife edge across the night air. “I bet you say that to all the sailors.”

Dar Jee spluttered out loud. Damn the Nine for cursing the world with irritating Bosmers. It was not so bad that you got them, but why did you get so many of them? His friend was really starting to annoy him. Was he always like this? He couldn’t quite remember with the alcohol and all. “One of these days I shall remember to pass your name onto the watch,” he muttered.

The assassin patted him teasingly on the shoulder. “Do you still have to open the front when you sit down in those?” Aradroth asked with an air of innocence.

“Cute,” lisped the voice from the darkness.


**

The Argonian slumped backwards onto the firm mattress of his bed. Two clawed hands covered his tired eyes. They felt red and burning.

“Are you sure you want to try this?” he asked with a hiss.

Seated across the room the Bosmer’s dry voice reached across to him. “I’ve told you before Dar Jee. I have no choice. When the Black Hand asks for you personally, the job must be accepted.”

Dar Jee spread his hands apart. “But Adamus Phillida is a formidable opponent.”

“I know that. The Dark Brotherhood has tried to kill him on three separate occasions. Each was horribly unsuccessful.”

“Yes. And where are those assassins now?”

Aradroth’s voice remained level. “They were executed.”

“Precisely. That is exactly my argument.”

“Sorry, Dar. To die while in service of the Black Hand is the dream of every member of the Dark Brotherhood. The Dread Father would be most pleased.”

The Argonian sighed. “It still sounds crazy to me. But I should know better than try to convince you of that.”

“Thanks mate.”

“Well, I hope that magical arrow they gave you does its job. Otherwise this could be the shortest mission ever.”

Rising from the bed the Argonian pointed to the bundle of bedding in the far corner of his small shack.

“You had better get some rest. Tomorrow shall be a big day. If you need anything to eat; however, I have some bread and corn here somewhere. ”

Turning around Dar Jee looked back across the room.

His friend was already snoring softly.

This post has been edited by Winter Wolf: Apr 5 2010, 08:14 PM