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]

I limped through the darkness of the tunnels under Fanar’s house. My hip hurt every time I took a step. I wondered what I was going to do once I had to exit the cabin. I didn’t know how the other Nords in the village would react to me exiting the cabin bleeding and limping. I also worried about how I was going to get back to Fort Frostmoth in this kind of pain. But, I decided I would deal with that once I got out of the cabin.

Finally, I reached the ladder. I climbed it carefully, trying to minimize the pain. Once I got to the top, I pushed the trapdoor open, climbing up into the cabin. I took a look around the dim room. I walked over to the burning fireplace and warmed myself a little. To my left, I spied a robe, made of some sort of fur, lying on top of a bed. I picked it up and put it on over my Black Hand robe. It was very warm. Plus, it would cover the blood from my wound. Fanar wouldn’t be needing it anyway.

With the robe on, trying to walk as normally as possible, I crossed the room, walking around the charred corpses, and opened the door, stepping out into the cold.

I pulled the robe tight around me, and immediately began walking south. The wind was at my back. I looked up to see that it was close to night. The snow was still falling, and when I was sure that I was pretty far from the Skaal village, I started to walk more comfortably to ease the pain in my hip.

I took traveling slow. I didn’t want to injure myself further and end up stuck out in the wilderness of Solstheim to freeze to death. I could feel blood running down my leg. At least it was warm. For the first time in a long time, I thought that maybe I was going to die.

It was very late at night when I arrived back at Fort Frostmoth, limping painfully and out of breath. I had one of their healers take a look at my hip. The Redguard woman was a good healer, and in no time, I was ready to get back on the boat to Morrowind.

I again boarded the boat and I was on my way back to Morrowind. I decided that I was overdue for some sleep, and quickly found a bed.
“You did very well, Sarelle.” Lucien said to me.
It took me a little while to realize that I was dreaming.
“Thanks, Lucien.” I answered.
“Is there something wrong?” he asked, looking at me concerned.
“I am just tired.” I replied. “I don’t think I’ve ever been that cold before. For awhile, I wondered if I was going to die.” I said, amused.
“I am rather happy that Fanar is dead. He could have posed a threat to you. What about the woman he was working with? Do you think she could have posed a threat as well?” he asked.
“No. She was a coward. I would have considered her a threat had she attacked me. In which case, I would have killed her anyway.” I answered.
“Does your wound hurt?” he asked.
”Not so much anymore… I just want to find the Night Mother and tell her that I’ve done my job. I need some rest. However, I’m very glad I’ve rooted out the rest of the traitors. Perhaps I don’t have to fear betrayal for awhile.” I said.
Lucien nodded and kissed my forehead.
“I’ll leave you to your rest.” He whispered.
Then he disappeared.

I slept soundly for the rest of the trip. I’d never wanted so badly to sleep before.

I awoke to the sound of the Khajiit announcing that we’d arrived back in Khuul. When I got out of bed, my hip felt better, but I still couldn’t put a lot of pressure on it. My neck dully ached where Fanar had grabbed me.

I managed to get further rest on the strider trips back to Vivec. The Morrowind landscape was breathtaking to me, and I entertained myself by sightseeing from the strider.

Once back in Vivec, I walked the remainder of the way back to Ebonheart. The sky was heavy with thick clouds, and it began to rain the moment I made into Ebonheart’s busy city square. Walking into the Imperial fort, I made my way to the reception area of the governor’s hall and asked a mage there for transport to Mournhold.

Mournhold was just as busy as ever. The High Ordinators walking throughout the city were certainly a sight to behold amongst all the other commoners. Walking through the large city was slightly uncomfortable because of my wound, but I managed to make it out of the city gate and to the stable, where I was greeted by a joyous Shadowmere.

The trip to Cheydinhal was easy now, compared to my walking through the deep snow in Solstheim. When I arrived, it was night. I walked to the sanctuary. Saprius greeted me with a smile.
“Back so soon, Listener?” He asked.
I nodded. “Yes. I’m back. I see you managed to hold down the fort.”
“Ah. Well, it wasn’t that hard. How did your contract go?” he asked, curiously.
“It went well. I have yet to report my success to the Night Mother though. I’d like to rest here for the night.” I said.
“You’re more than welcome to.” He answered. “Also, here’s your part of the guild’s pay.” He said, giving me 250 coins.
I put them in my pocket, wished Saprius a good night, and went to bed. My sleep that night was strangely dreamless.

I awoke early in the morning and set out for Bravil, arriving there in the afternoon. I walked to the statue of the lucky old lady and knelt.
”Greetings, Night Mother.” I said.
“Listener! I’m glad to see you back! I trust Fanar is dead?”
“Yes.” I answered.
“Excellent! I knew you could do it, Listener. The traitors have been dealt with. Now, I would like you to get some rest. I have a very important contract that deserves your attention. This could quite possibly be the biggest contract in the history of the Dark Brotherhood. I know you have some wounds, and you are weary from your trip. Rest, and I shall speak to you about it when you are ready.” She said.
This made me extremely curious.
“Night Mother, I…”
“You are not ready to deal with it. I wish for you to rest, Listener.” She said.
“Alright, Night Mother. As you wish.” I said, walking away.