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.
----
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]

The Night Mother’s words filled me with more excitement than I could take. Rather than returning to Cheydinhal, I opted to rent a room at an inn in Bravil to rest in.

Before I rested, I walked to the town’s chapel to have a healer look at my wound to speed the healing process. The priests there were very generous, doing all they could for my wound, and teaching me a spell to heal minor wounds. I was very grateful for their kindness.

Next, I walked, no longer limping, to the local smith and bought some repair hammers to repair the damage done to my armor and my weapons. Then, I returned to the inn, had a bite to eat, and went to bed.
“Sarelle… how are you feeling now?” Lucien asked me.
“Much better, Lucien.” I replied.
“That’s very good to hear.” He said, taking my hand.
“The Night Mother says that she has a very important contract for me.” I said.
“I know.” He answered.
“You can see my fate, just like the Night Mother … can’t you?” I asked.
He nodded. The look in his blue eyes was very strange.
“This isn’t going to turn out well?” I asked.
“This will turn out the way you make it turn out.” Lucien said. “I can tell you no more than that.”
I nodded. “I understand.”
He kissed my hand. “Rest, Sarelle. We’ll speak again soon.”
He walked back into the shadows.

I woke up the next day, in the afternoon. I got up, readied my equipment, and then left my room, walking out of the inn and into the bright daylight.

My wounds felt better, and I was ready to face anything. I walked to the statue of the lucky old lady and knelt once again.
“Good morning, dearest Night Mother.” I said.
“Listener! I knew you wouldn’t be gone long. I admire your dedication.” She said.
“I believe that I am ready to speak of the contract you have waiting for me.” I said.
“And I believe you are ready as well.” She replied.
The excitement was again, overwhelming.
“A client is paying us very, very well to carry out this contract.” She said. “I wish for you to meet him, and speak to him about the contract. He is meeting you in Cheydinhal tomorrow night in the graveyard near the east wall by the chapel. His name is Eno Romari. I want you to choose a new speaker. There are several good candidates at the Cheydinhal sanctuary. You will take Saprius with you to help fulfill the contract. Trust me. You will need his help.”
I stood there for a moment, absorbing the information.
“So it shall be done, Night Mother.” I said.
“Be careful, Listener.” She said.
“I will, Mother.” I answered, walking away.

I hadn’t been a Speaker long enough to actually meet clients. So, this was going to be a new experience for me.

I walked out of the city gates and climbed on Shadowmere’s back. Immediately, we began to travel back to Cheydinhal. I couldn’t help but wonder who the client wanted dead… especially if he was paying us so much. I guessed I would find out soon enough.

I arrived in Cheydinhal just after dark, and hastily walked to the sanctuary. I climbed down the ladder in the well and set foot in the main hall. I couldn’t find Saprius there, so I walked to the training room. He was there, bashing a dummy with a daedric war hammer.
“Saprius, I must speak with you.” I said.
Breathing heavily, he wiped the sweat from his forehead with the sleeve of his shirt.
“Speak away, Sarelle.” He said, facing me red faced and smiling.
“The Night Mother has requested that you help me with a very, very important contract. We are to meet the client here in Cheydinhal tomorrow night at the graveyard. I will tell you more about it, but first, she has requested that we promote a new Speaker so that they can watch over the sanctuary in our absence.”
He nodded. “Is there anyone you have in mind?” he asked.
“Well, is there anyone you have in mind? I haven’t really been here for awhile.” I said.
“Yes. I think I know just the murderer.” He said. “I’ll bring them in here.”
I nodded. “Alright.”
He wasn’t gone very long before he returned with the Imperial woman in tow.
“Sarelle, this is Coventia. I’d like to promote her to Speaker.” He said.
“That is fine by me.” I answered.
I addressed her. “Coventia, you are now promoted to the rank of Speaker. Saprius and I have to work together on a contract. We ask that you watch over the sanctuary while we are gone.”
She nodded. “I will, Listener. You can count on me.” she was smiling from ear to ear.
“Now, if you don’t mind, Coventia, Sarelle and I have to discuss business.” Saprius said. Coventia nodded, and left the training room.

Saprius and I sat down.
“Tell me about the contract.” He said.
“There isn’t much information on it yet.” I began. “The client’s name is Eno Romari. He’s coming to see us, and apparently, he’s paying a fortune for this. The Night Mother simply stated that I would need your help.” I continued.
“And we are to meet him tomorrow night?” Saprius asked.
“Yes.” I said.
He nodded, standing. “I will ready my equipment. I’ll go with you tomorrow night to meet him. Then, we’ll see what we have to do from there.” He looked at me. “You should rest, Listener.”
I nodded. “Good night, Saprius.” I said, walking back into the dim main hall.

I smelled food when I entered the living quarters. The Bosmer was cooking something.
“Listener! I just made some bread! Won’t you have some of it?” he asked.
I smiled. “It smells great. I’d be glad to have some.” I said, sitting at the table.
He gave me some bread, and I ate it, hungrily.
“How are things going for you since we last talked?” I asked.
He sat down across from me.
“The feelings of guilt have gone away. I feel much better, thanks to you, Listener.” He said.
“Don’t thank me, thank yourself. You’ve developed your ideas all on your own.” I said, smiling.
Yawning, I thanked the Bosmer for the bread, found my bed, and quickly slipped into a dreamless sleep.

I awoke the next day in the afternoon, feeling very well rested. The wound on my hip was virtually gone, and I no longer felt tired at all. I spent most of my day talking with the murderers and showing Coventia how to care for the sanctuary. She was a dedicated person, and a fast learner. Saprius had good judgment.

Finally, the time came to meet our client. Saprius and I climbed up the ladder in the well just after dark and, pulling our hoods up to hide our faces, went to the graveyard. We didn’t have to wait long at all before a Dunmer in a deep red robe approached us.
“My name is Eno Romari. You are the Breton woman and Imperial man I was instructed to meet?” he asked.
We nodded in unison.
“Good then. Let us get down to business.” He said, lowering his voice. “The price has already been negotiated with your mother.”
He gave me a large bag, filled with coins.
“There should be one million drakes in there.” He said.
Wow! One million drakes. I was almost dumbfounded. I’d never in my entire life, held that much money in my hands.
“Now, your target is in Morrowind, in the Vvardenfell district. He resides in the city of Vivec.”

I went through all the rich, famous people who lived in Vivec. Many high priests frequented the area; many councilors from the houses Hlaalu, Redoran, and Telvanni visited there often, or even owned residences there.

“You are to kill Vivec himself.” Eno said.

Saprius and I looked at each other. His eyes were wide in disbelief. There was a pause. The Night Mother had sanctioned this assassination.

“Let me get this straight,” I said, looking at our client. “You want us to kill a god?”
“Yes.” He answered.
“Then, it shall be done.” I said.