The Story of the Listener, My first fanfic. Options

[Kayla]

Ok. This is my first fanfic. I'm a tad nervous about it, but I'd like to see what everyone thinks.
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I sat quietly on a bench beside the pawnshop on the docks of Anvil, staring out over the dark Abecean Sea. Through the clouds in the sky, I could see that the sun was setting. A chilly wind blew my black robes and hood as though they were weightless, but the persistent breeze was unsuccessful in penetrating the black light armor I wore underneath my robes. I listened to the fragmented conversations of the dock workers, and watched as people hastily walked by, fearing that it would soon begin to storm.

Before I knew it, the sun had set completely. The Nord who owned the shop I was sitting in front of walked outside. He locked up his shop and began to make his way down the stone street toward the resident area of Anvil. He hadn’t even noticed that I’d been sitting just feet away from him. I heard the Nord loudly greet someone before he walked completely out of earshot. Soon after, an Orc walked by. I studied the Orc carefully as he passed. He walked with a slight limp and had a large scar on his left arm, and just as I expected, he opened the door to the dockside warehouse and went inside.

It was completely dark now. Neither sun nor moon shone through the twisting clouds in the sky. The wind picked up, carrying moisture in it.

I stood and made my way to the back door of the warehouse. I picked the lock and the door swung open. Quickly I slipped into the thick darkness inside. The warehouse was fairly big but, a few candles on a large table in the middle of the room revealed the Orc’s position. He was busily unpacking things from crates and setting them on shelves. He was completely unaware of my presence, and I preferred it that way. I slipped through the shadows toward him. In the darkness I felt strong, invincible, and incapable of fear. I observed his movements, the way his body flowed with each contraction and relaxation of each muscle. I watched every joint in his body, paying close attention to his spinal cord. The Orc was old, and moved as though he’d been doing hard labor his entire life. Almost every movement looked as though it pained him.

As soon as I was sure of his reactions, I silently unsheathed my ebony blade, a gift from a dear friend, and I closed in on the Orc. He was still unaware of my being there, even though I was soon right behind him, almost breathing down his neck. In one quick motion, I lunged out of the shadows, grabbed the Orc with my right arm, wrapping it around the front of his neck and shoulders, then I brought my left hand up and stabbed him right in the jugular vein. The poor old Orc didn’t even have a chance to yell. I let go of the body letting it fall limply onto the wooden floor of the warehouse. I waited for his gurgled breathing to stop, then I snuffed the candles out and exited the warehouse the same way I’d come in.

(Expect updates!)

[Kayla]

When there was nothing left of Eno Hlaalu, I led my assassins back up to the sanctuary. I appointed a new Speaker for the Mournhold sanctuary, and then told them that there was still much work to be done. They told me that they would tend to my wounds and insisted that I rest before going back to Cheydinhal.

While I rested, they cleansed the sanctuary of the Morag Tong assassins that were left. Even though I didn’t sleep for very long in the Old Mournhold sanctuary, it was the best sleep I’d had in a long time.

After waking up, I said my goodbyes and made my way back up to the surface of the city. My wounds felt a little better, now that they were cleaned and bandaged. It was daylight when I emerged from the sewers. Wasting no time, I found Shadowmere at the stable outside the city and we made our way back to Cyrodiil.

I arrived in Cheydinhal at nightfall. When I entered the city walls, my hands were impatient, eager to wring the blood from Arquen’s corpse. I removed my hood, to calm myself by facing the cool, clear night. I also wanted to ensure that Arquen saw my face clearly before she died.

I reached the Eastern wall and used the secret entrance, making my way down the hidden ladder in the well. This time, when my feet hit the stone floor, I felt as though my home had an intruder in it.

I found Arquen, conversing with the murderers. She looked up and was very surprised to see me standing amongst the living.
“L-Listener! W-Welcome back! I trust your journey to Mournhold revealed some answers?” I could see the perspiration on her face, and the nervousness in her eyes.
I addressed the murderers. “Murderers, step back.”
Confused, they did as they were told.
“Yes. I found some answers, more answers than I expected.” I said, not even trying to restrain the anger in my voice.

I wasn’t expecting Arquen to lunge at me, but she did, grabbing my shoulders and sending a wave of electricity into my body. I screamed in pain, unsheathed my sword, and stabbed her through her heart. She stumbled back.
“You have betrayed me; you have betrayed the Dark Brotherhood by hiring the Morag Tong to slay me.”
Upon hearing these words, the murderers gasped, their wide-eyed faces turning to Arquen, who began to speak in her defense.
“Don’t you understand? Sithis doesn’t exist! The Night Mother can and will be destroyed! We’re weak! I can strengthen us!” she screamed.
“No. You can’t.” I said, slitting her throat.

The murderers were in shock.
“Listener… We had no idea…” Saprius said.
“I know you didn’t.” I answered, staring at Arquen’s lifeless body. “Saprius, I am promoting you to Speaker. What I know of you, I like. I trust that you will take care of this sanctuary and make wise decisions.” Plus, he knew what would happen, should he try and betray us. He’d seen it first hand.
A smile spread across his face.
“Thank you, Listener. I intend to prove to you that you will not regret your decision.”
I nodded. “Do what you will with the body. I need to rest.”

And with that, I walked to the living quarters and collapsed in my bed, and quickly went to sleep.

I was greeted by Lucien’s smiling face.
“You’ve done well.” He said. “You always had a way of making me proud.” Very rarely in his life, had I ever seen Lucien smile.
“What of the future?” I asked him.
He took my hand in his. “The future is always uncertain, but you are a great leader. Our mother, father, and I are all proud to see you in charge of the Dark Brotherhood. But, for now, you are weary. I can see it in your eyes.” He leaned in close to me, and his soft lips met mine.
“Rest, for I will be here when you awake.” He whispered.



The End