Blood of the Kyn, Volume II Options

[Dantrag]

Click for Volume I

The start of Volume II; where stuff actually starts to happen. Enjoy.

Chapter 1 - Tensions

I am lost. Azyrek recited the words in his mind as he stood in the center of the Plaza Brindisi Dorom, in front of a beautifully sculpted pair of statues. He looked around one time to make sure there were no prying eyes.

His lips finally moved to form the words, and he felt a slight rumble beneath his feet. He heard rock grinding rock and looked down to see one slowly descending. It was large enough to stand on, so he did. The dremora slowly fell into darkness on a magickally suspended stone.

Azyrek could see nothing in the darkness, but he could tell that he had reached the bottom of whatever pit the Brotherhood had sent him to.

"We've been expecting you, Brother," he heard, just before a torch was lit, "Welcome to Bamz-Amschend. Cemented over when the Plaza was repaired, but the Dark Brotherhood laid claim."

Azyrek could tell from the accent that his 'brother' was a native dunmer, though his face was masked.

"Thank you, Brother."

"I will show you to your room soon. First, you must follow me."

Azyrek followed the mer, and in the torchlight could see that they were in an old, old place. He had never seen any ruins such as these before. Judging by the machinery, they had to be from the dwemer. A stark contrast to the old Ayleid fortresses he would see in Cyrodiil. They went further down and eventually into a tunnel. The metal and stonework disappeared, making it obvious that it had been dug long since the dwemer walked the halls.

They came to a door, and the other assassin stood by it.

"The Speaker awaits you, Azyrek."

Azyrek opened the door to find a surprisingly homey room. The floors were wooden, though the walls were those of a natural cavern. There was a bed in the back corner, and to his left was a crackling fireplace. Arranged in a semicircle in front of it sat a sofa and chairs. On the sofa was another dunmer, who sat with his hands in front, hidden under the folds of his black robe. Much like Azyrek often did, he had a hood pulled low over his face.

"Greetings, Murderer. Vicente send word of your success and promotion. It seems Sithis and the Night Mother favor you."

Azyrek gave a slight bow. Noting that this dunmer was not native. It sounded like a dark elf from home would.

"I know you're weary from travel, so I will be brief. You are never to enter this Sanctuary again. The name of your first target is Temis Alam. He goes by the name Ras here, performing magick in the Bazaar. He is Morag Tong and I want him dead.

"Once he is dead, we will contact you. We have arranged for you a place to hide and begin your destiny."

"So...I have to leave now?"

"No, stay the night, and prepare tomorrow. You will leave us when night falls. Farewell, Murderer. The Night Mother expects great things of you."

Azyrek took his cue, said his goodbyes, and left the room. The dunmer was still outside the door with the torch. They walked further into the tunnels, and Azyrek was shown his room. It was nothing but a bed and a table with a jug of water, but it was all he needed. Too tired to think, he laid down and went to sleep.

This post has been edited by Dantrag: May 19 2010, 07:02 PM

[Dantrag]

Chapter 2

Rinori let her back slide down the giant stone wall until she was seated comfortably on the grass. She had finished half her bottle already, and was about to give up on having company.

I should've known he wouldn't come. she thought bitterly, though she didn't move.

It seemed like an eternity before a familiar dark figure came walking through the gate.

"What took you so long?" she asked irritably, "I've been here for ages!"

"I, uh," he stopped to take a few breaths, "Got into some trouble."

Rinori could tell that something was amiss, "What kind of trouble?"

"Some orcs at the Guar," he lied, "Didn't take much of a liking to me."

Rinori gave him a strange look, even though he probably couldn't see it in the darkness, "I thought you didn't want to go to a tavern."

"And now you know why," he answered, "I'm here now, right? Does that count for anything?"

"Barely," she said with a smile. She patted the ground next to her, "Have a seat."

He did, though it seemed to pain him. She passed him the remainder of the brandy, and he started gulping like it was water.

"Are you alright?"

"I think so," he said, "I just need to rest."

Rinori saw that he was clutching his side, "Is something broken?"

"It's nothing, really."

"Let me see," she said. She pulled his hand away, and was shocked to see a stab wound, "You'd have me believe this happened in a bar brawl?"

"Not everyone fights fair."

She couldn't help but remember Narsa's story, but what were the chances? Could it be a coincidence that Azyrek showed up with a wound shortly after Temis' death?

Either way, it's my job to keep an eye on him.

"Come on," she said, standing up suddenly, "I'll take you back to my room and we'll get this patched up."

Azyrek shook his head, "I don't want to move."

"C'mon, you big baby, you walked all the way out here and you can lean on me the whole way back. Let's go."

The halfblood grudgingly stood, and leaned heavily on Rinori as they reentered Mournhold's gate. The unlikely pair made their way slowly until Azyrek finally collapsed on the bed in Rinori's room. Rinori went to work immediately, cleaning the wound, stemming the blood flow, and finally bandaging it. By the time she was done, Azyrek was unconscious.

Rinori sat down on a chair beside the bed, tired from her work. She had one last thought before she too drifted off.

I need some answers.