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]

Alright, finally here's another update for you guys!
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As I lay on the small and only bed in my old home, I stared up at the stone ceiling, thinking of our current contract. It had to be near morning, and even though I was tired, I couldn’t sleep. My mind kept wandering to the conversation I’d had with Lucien… the one in which he seemed to think that the contract wasn’t going to go well.

I could hear Saprius’s rhythmic breathing on the other side of the room. There was only one bed in the small quarters, so he had pushed some crates together to make a surface on which he could sleep. I let him borrow a blanket from the bed, and he also got the only pillow. I found it very kind of him to give me the bed.

I sighed as I turned over on my side, now staring at the stone wall. There was a lit candle on the table that cast dim light throughout the room. I watched as its light played shadows on the wall, and felt strangely soothed. After awhile, I was able to relax and I finally drifted off to sleep.

Lucien’s face was a welcome greeting in my dreams.
“Hello, Sarelle.” He smiled. “How is the contract?”
“Nothing but planning so far.” I said.
He nodded. “Patience is the key. Soon, not only will you be the Listener of the Dark Brotherhood, but you will be a Godslayer.”
“Do you say that to give me hope, or because it’s the truth?” I asked.
“Think of it what you will. You know that I cannot answer your question.” He replied.
I sighed, as I knew he was right. I knew that I would have to find out myself how everything played out.
He stared intensely through me.
”Why do you worry so, Sarelle?” he asked. “Whatever happens, happens. Worry leads to regret.”
“I worry because I have responsibility. I have a family to go back to after this contract and a brother to look out for during this contract.” I said.
“Whatever you do, Sarelle, you cannot escape your fate. It’s best not to worry along the way.” He said, stroking my face.
I closed my eyes and nodded. I knew that my mind wouldn’t be at peace until I had finished this contract. I hoped that I lived to see the days after it.
“Lucien, do you miss me?” I asked.
“Constantly.” He answered.
I guessed that was a question he could answer truthfully.

“Sarelle…” Saprius’s voice stirred me from my slumber. “Sarelle, are you awake?”
I opened my eyes to realize that I was clutching my amulet.
“Yeah. I’m awake now.” I said, sleepily.
“Oh… I’m sorry I woke you. You’re quite the light sleeper.” Saprius said.
I got out of bed and threw my Black Hand robe on.
“Yes. I am. I’ve never gotten used to it.” I said.
I stretched. “What time is it?” I asked him.
“Sometime in the afternoon.” He answered.
He noticed my amulet. “Wow. That’s an amazing necklace.” He said, stepping closer to examine it.
“Lucien gave it to me.” I said.
Saprius’s green eyes met mine. “He was special to you, wasn’t he?”
I sighed. “Lucien was killed because of my actions. Had I not killed those people, he would still be alive. He was falsely accused by his family of something he didn’t do. When the Black Hand killed him, they had no solid proof that he was the traitor. Because of the pain I feel from his death, I refuse to be like them. I refuse to punish on assumption. That is the main reason that witch is alive and breathing today. Lucien was a good man, a good friend, and he was loyal to his family. I wish he were alive right now.”
Saprius put his hand on my shoulder.
“Don’t blame yourself for his death. Unless you were the one who actually, physically attacked him, then you’re not at fault. All those who helped to kill him are dead today. You have done well to avenge his death. Therefore, there is no point in carrying the burden that you carry. I’m sure that Lucien has forgiven you. It’s about time you forgive yourself.”
“Thank you. That makes me feel better.” I said. “Now, we must get to work.”
Saprius was a man wise beyond his years. I never forgot the advice he gave me that day.

I spent most of the day showing Saprius around the inside of the Temple canton. The halls of Wisdom and Justice were connected to each other. This would make killing the occupants of the halls easier and faster. Though the High Fane wasn’t connected to any of the halls, we discovered a back door, leading straight into the Archcannon’s office. The door was locked though, and the lock was complex. I wasn’t sure that I could pick it. If I could, however, it would serve as a great stealthful entrance into the High Fane.

After our tour was complete, we returned to St. Delyn to discuss plans.
“I think we should definitely split up.” I said. “That will save us a lot of time.”
“Agreed.” Saprius said.
However, we both knew that the only problem was deciding who would go where. If we decided that one of us would take the inside, while the other killed the ordinators outside and stood watch for other ordinators, then the one who had gone inside would probably be overpowered.

We talked about possible plans for hours. Finally, one plan was decided on: We would work together to kill the ordinators outside. I would take the Hall of Wisdom, while Saprius took the Hall of Justice. After we had killed the ordinators and priests, we would go back outside to check for any intruders on the canton, then we would work together with the High Fane. After we had killed everyone within earshot of the Temple of Vivec, we would enter and fight Vivec head on, since there was no possible way to sneak up on him. We had also agreed on a time. We would fulfill the contract the next night.

We both liked the plan, though none of us were looking forward to fighting Vivec without the aid of stealth.

After everything had been agreed on, Saprius decided to get some rest. I however, set out into the night to clear my head.

I walked all the way to the Foreign Quarter. Once there, I made my way up to the waistworks and stopped by at a cornerclub. I sat down at the bar and ordered some mead. Besides knowing how to swing an axe, Nords sure knew how to drink. I was handed a stone cup full of the sweet liquid. I downed it in one gulp and set the cup down on the bar.
“Long day at work?” the Dunmer barkeeper asked.
“Yeah. And I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow.” I answered.
He refilled my cup. “Well, I wish you luck.” He said.
“Thanks. I’m going to need it.” I said, after downing my second cup.
I paid for my drink and left, suddenly craving some sleep.