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]

“How do you like your gift?” Lucien asked me.
“It’s beautiful.” I replied.
“I’m glad you like it.” He said, smiling. “It looks good on you.”
“Thank you.” I said.
“You’re welcome.” He replied.
“You seem to be making fast progress. Faran won’t even know what hit him.” He said. “I always liked your way of fulfilling your contracts swiftly.”
I nodded. “I liked being back in Morrowind again. It’s been so long…”
His eyes showed deep interest.
“You used to live there, I take it?” he asked.
Again, I nodded. “Have you ever been to Morrowind, Lucien?”
“Well, I’ve been to the mainland on many different contracts, but, I’ve never been to the Vvardenfell district. We usually try to stay out of there. That’s the Morag Tong’s territory, and they’re quite defensive about it.” he answered.
Then, he posed another question. “Where did you live?”
“I lived in Vivec.” I answered.
“Ah. Vivec, the city of the Morag Tong’s base.” He said.
I’d heard whispers and rumors about the Morag Tong, and their infamous public assassinations ever since I was a child, but I had no idea that they were based in Vivec.
“Surprised?” he asked. “Even though we are enemies, you have to admire their discretion. You grew up in their city and never even knew where they were located. Very few people do. However, the Night Mother knows.”
That, however didn’t surprise me. The Night Mother knew many things.
“Did you live in Cyrodiil all your life?” I asked Lucien, changing the subject.
“Yes. The Imperial City to be more exact. In the Elven Gardens district. I lived there until I joined the Dark Brotherhood.” He answered.
Then his eyes grew sad.
“I’m sorry, Sarelle… But, I must leave you for now.” He said.
“I understand, Lucien.” I said.
He took my hand. “You’ll have to show me around Vivec soon.” He said, smiling.
I smiled. “I will. I promise.” I replied.
He let go of my hand and disappeared into the darkness of my dreams.

A Khajiit voice ripped me from my sleep.
”Breton! Get up! We’ll be there very soon.”

I slipped out of the bed, stretching my muscles, and readying my equipment. I planned to make this trip quickly. Too bad things never really go as planned.


The first thing that hit me when I stepped out of the boat was a gust of cold wind. It was enough to make my teeth chatter. I walked down a wooden ramp and onto a dock made of stone. I stared up at Fort Frostmoth, an Imperial fort, and almost the only civilization on the island. The area around the fort was heavily forested and patches of snow lay on the ground.

I walked into the stone walls of the fort and asked the first Imperial guard where the Skaal village was. He looked at me blankly.
“Why would you want to go there?” he asked.
“To see an old friend.” I answered.
“Here.” He handed me a map. “The village is just north of Lake Fjalding.”
I nodded and thanked him, and then I was on my way, walking north.

The further I walked, the colder I got. The wind penetrated my robe and my armor. I’d never been this cold before. I stopped walking and sighed as it began to snow. Though it was cold, it looked very beautiful. The trees were weighed down with snow, and the falling snow absorbed every sound.

I found a small stream and followed it north until I reached a frozen lake. “This must be Lake Fjalding.” I said to myself. The ice was thick enough to walk over, and that’s just what I did, being careful to keep my footing. Apparently, the village was just a little more to the north.

After walking for a few more minutes, up a hill in almost knee-deep snow, I smiled as I was greeted by the sight of a group of small cabins, smoke rising from every chimney. I approached a Nord, who was skinning a bear.
“Hello.” I said, “I’m looking for a man known as Fanar the Flayer. I heard he lives here. Could you possibly help me?”
The fair skinned Nord looked up at me, brushing his long blonde hair out of his face.
“Why are you seeking out Fanar? He makes me rather uncomfortable… too close to the witches of Glenmoril if you ask me…” he said.
His eyes looked through me. “Wait… are you Arquen?” he asked. “Fanar mentioned a woman named Arquen.”
I shook my head. “I’m a good friend of Arquen’s. I come here bringing Fanar a message.”
The Nord shrugged. “That’s good enough for me. His cabin is over there.” He pointed toward a single cabin, almost on the outskirts of the village.