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]

Ok! I have another update for you guys!
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I directed Shadowmere at a slower pace than usual. I wasn’t in much of a hurry and I really needed some time just to think about things.

As we traveled, I looked down at the plants, occasionally stopping to collect alchemical ingredients. The night was very quiet, save for the sound of Shadowmere’s hooves hitting the packed dirt and stone road. Sporadic, inconsistent breezes rustled the leaves on the branches of the trees, making them sound as though they were whispering to me.

As I neared Bravil, the wind picked up, and the air became heavy. I could see ahead that clouds were gathering. By the time I arrived in Bravil, it was pouring. The guards on night shift ignored the rain, sticking to their patrol. I couldn’t help but wonder if their armor ever rusted.

I walked through the town, my boots making small splashes in the puddles made by the rain. Upon approaching the statue of the lucky old lady, I knelt.
“Good evening, Night Mother.” I said, quietly.
“Good evening, Listener.” She replied.
“Arquen was a traitor, and you knew.” I couldn’t help but feel a little angry, thinking about it. She knew that things would turn out this way, yet she made Arquen my advisor.
“Yes. I knew it would happen, eventually… but, Arquen was the only one left at the time. You needed her help to get on your feet as the Listener. I also knew that you would be able to handle the situation. However, I wasn’t expecting Lucien to help you… Nor did I know that Arquen had enlisted the help of the Morag Tong.”
“Why didn’t you tell me before it all started?” I asked.
“I cannot tell you of your own fate.” She explained, ”The line of destiny is a very fragile one. It is both certain and uncertain. Certain in what may happen, uncertain in whether or not it will happen. You must understand that telling you what may happen can have catastrophic effects on what will happen. At one point, you were destined to die in Old Mournhold, but you didn’t.”
I understood a little better. My anger subsided.
“Excuse me then, Mother, for my anger.” I said, calmly.
“It’s perfectly understandable, Listener. You are thinking of many things right now. Wounds take time to heal. You should remember that.”

When she said that, I remembered my own physical wounds. They hadn’t been hurting. Lucien was right. The Argonian was a good healer. I would have to re-bandage them when I returned the sanctuary. The bandages I had on now were soaked.

The Night mother spoke.
“Now, I’d like to tell you about business. I have quite a big contract for the Brotherhood. It’s one that I’d like you to personally carry out.”
That surprised me. I stood and looked at the dripping face of the lucky old lady.
She continued, “An ex member of the Dark Brotherhood, a Nord by the name of Fanar the Flayer has been trying to find ways to destroy Sithis and me. He worked with Arquen. For the time being, he resides in Solstheim, in his old home in the Skaal village. I worry that he’ll be out for blood once he hears of Arquen’s death. I want him nowhere near any of our sanctuaries. You must go to Solstheim to kill him. I want your word when he’s dead.”
“Understood.” I answered.
“Listener, I want you to know that Fanar is extremely dangerous. He’s not an ex member by his own choice. He was kicked out for killing several other members. Do be careful.” She said.
I nodded. “I will. I promise.”

On my way back to Cheydinhal, I thought about my contract. I’d never been to Solstheim before. However, I’d heard many horrible stories about it. People described it as desolate, a freezing wasteland, a cold, snowy hell. I guessed I was going to get to judge for myself.

I arrived back at the sanctuary around noon. I told Saprius of my contract, explaining that I would most likely be gone for quite awhile. He agreed that he would take care of the sanctuary and watch over the progress of the other murderers, as well as recruit more members. Saprius fit well into his new role as a Speaker.

I returned the living quarters, re-bandaged my wounds, and readied my armor, bow, arrows, dagger, and shortsword.

Suddenly, Lucien stepped out of the shadows. The air became very cold very quickly.
“You’re out to kill Fanar?” he asked.
I nodded.
“I remember him. Quite the interesting man... he was clearly insane though… He and Arquen, alike.” He said.
“The Night Mother said you and Arquen never got along.” I said.
“That’s true. I could tell from the moment I met her, she was on one big power trip.” He answered. “The concept of power can quickly drive one to insanity, you know.” He added.
“You have a good perception of people, Lucien.” I said.
“I must. You were my Silencer.” He said with a small smile.
Suddenly, his eyes became very serious.
“Listen, Sarelle… Before you go to Solstheim… I want you to go to Fort Farragut. You remember… the place I used to live. There’s something for you in there. Check the small chest on my shelf.”
“Alright, I will.” I said.
He walked back into the shadows, blending with them. When the room warmed up, I knew he was gone.

Fort Farragut was just outside of Cheydinhal. I rode there and used the secret entrance to gain quick access to Lucien’s old living quarters.

The place had been ransacked, probably by the Black Hand when they were still looking for Lucien. Books and papers lay all over the floor as well as unlit torches, alchemy ingredients, several bones, and a few daggers. Only one thing had remained untouched: a small chest on a shelf above the overturned bed. I walked over to it, lifted the chest and opened it.

A beautiful silver amulet with a black gem in the center lay inside. Stunned, I picked it up by its silver chain and examined it. The back of it had been engraved. I walked toward a lit torch to read it clearly.

“To Sarelle, with love from Lucien.”

My knees weakened, and I sat down on Lucien’s overturned bed to steady myself. I kept reading the engraving over and over again.

A single tear fell from my eye and hit the stone floor.

“I love you too, Lucien…” I whispered, fastening the necklace around my neck.

I felt a brief wave of cold air, and just as quickly as it had come, it was gone.

This post has been edited by Kayla: Apr 25 2006, 11:41 PM