Bloodlust - The Continuation, And the likely conclusion as well!!! Options

[The Metal Mallet]

Well, here's the link to the previous thread: Bloodlust - The Beginning

You can continue your praisings of my written words here. Expect an update next Saturday. I don't expect I'll get one out sooner. School starts again

[The Metal Mallet]

Woo! First update on the new thread. I hope your all excited! Because I am! I figure that I'm likely not going to fill this thread up before we reach a conclusion. So expect one sometime in this thread! When that'll happen though, I'm not so sure. Anyways, here's the update:


---------------------

It didn’t take Savlian much time to get to Simion’s house. He decided to go alone and left the two guards who had taken him to Bernise’s. Savlian felt that this was something he had to deal with personally, and alone, less Simion felt like talking about something better left unsaid. Namely, the fact that Savlian had allowed him to get away with killing the Town Guardsmen just so that Vernon would die. While most would agree that getting rid of Vernon benefited the entire town, some would likely disapprove of Savlian’s methods and do something about it. No, this had to be dealt with. Quietly.

Savlian stepped up to Simion’s door and stared at the dark brown wood. The realisation that he was about to face a cold-blooded killer had now sunk in. Observing each successive crime, Savlian had noticed that each murder looked to be progressively more violent each time. It was as if Simion was enjoying his killing more and more. Obviously, Savlian had no way to control Simion. This was the only way he could end this threat without his deal with Simion being broadcasted.

Calmly he eased his broadsword in his sheath, making sure it wouldn’t catch should he have to withdraw it. He tested the doorknob and to his slight surprise it was unlocked. Silently, Savlian opened the door just enough for him to squeeze through before closing it once more.

Darkness greeted him as Savlian looked around the modestly furnished room; a lone chair was placed oddly in the centre of the room. The oppressing darkness also held an odd quality about it, since outside these walls the sun was shining brightly. The dark and heavy looking drapes thoroughly blocked out nearly all light, which made Savlian wait patiently for his night vision to sink in. Once his vision was somewhat restored, Savlian began to explore the house.

I’m playing right into his advantage, aren’t I? Savlian couldn’t help thinking about as look for signs of the assassin. For all he knew, Simion could be lurking up right behind him, dagger poised to sink into his throat. Savlian kept checking his back to make sure it was clear. This idea was getting worse and worse as he progressed slowly through the house, his senses straining to catch the slightest noise. If he had thought about it better, instead of having his guilt get the best of him, he would’ve tried to get Simion on his own terms. Now, he could be nothing more than a sitting duck.

“You’re not going to find him here.”

Savlian nearly jumped when he heard the raspy voice, but his instincts kicked in. He immediately turned to the direction of the voice, broadsword held tightly in his hand. He then noticed the mass of extra darkness placed upon the staircase; it seemed to get getting larger.

“Stay back!” Savlian warned, pointing his sword at the shadow.

The black mass stopped increasing in size. Instead, it moved to a desk and in moments an oil lamp was lit.

Savlian blinked from the sudden brightness and rubbed his eyes. Once he recovered he found out the black mass was a robed Dunmer. The black robe hid most of his physical features, but Savlian thought he looked somewhat lean. The Dunmer’s eyes glowed with a calculating look as he stood passively by the desk, the flickering light causing even more shadows to his all ready ash-coloured face. Savlian knew that what stood before him was an assassin.

“You’re looking for Simion correct?” the Dunmer inquired.

“Yes I am. I take it you’re with the Morag Tong?” Savlian responded.

A moment of surprise flashed across the Dunmer’s eyes before he cleared his voice. “Yes, my name is Taris and I serve Mephala faithfully. I was sent here to take care of Simion. Turns out he’s fled; I just finished searching the place when you arrived. I’m sorry if I startled you.”

“Well the last time the Morag Tong sent a lone assassin to take out Simion, I found their body sprawled out on the streets,” Savlian said coldly, disappointment ringing in his voice as he sheathed his broadsword. Looking up, Savlian thought he saw movement from within Taris’ robes. Savlian thought it was likely a crossbow being put away.

“So you figured out Lavos was one of ours? I would’ve thought you’d think he was a Dark Brotherhood member,” Taris said mildly impressed.

“That I did, it took a little while though,” Savlian said, pausing momentarily before continuing, “I would’ve thought they would send more of you to deal with Simion if one failed.”

Taris smiled, and Savlian then saw that the Dunmer was quite young looking, there was youth in that smile. “Oh yes, there’s more of us this time. I… just wanted to try to get him on my own, though it was against my Master’s wishes. More than foolish of me, I know, but at the time I thought I could accomplish it. If Simion was here, it would’ve been more than likely that you would find my body sprawled against the floor.”

Savlian’s thoughts drifted to the Dunmer with the face tattoo inquiring about Lavos when Taris mentioned his master. The mer had definitely exuded some sort of presence when he had met him. It was very likely that he was one of the “others” Taris mentioned.

“Well, if he’s not here, I must go find him. It was certainly interesting to meet you, Taris,” Savlian said and began to head for the exit.

“Captain wait!” Taris called out, which left Savlian feeling a bit surprised. He didn’t introduce himself to the assassin.

“What is it? Do you know where Simion might’ve gone?” Savlian asked.

“No, it’s not about that. I want to tell you to stay out of this. Let the Morag Tong deal with this problem; we know what we’re facing here,” Taris said, his voice taking on a concerned edge.

“Yes, it seems that you’ve got the situation handled very well,” Savlian said sarcastically.

Anger crossed the ember eyes of Taris. “I haven’t seen you put him behind bars yet, so I wouldn’t carry on with such comments. Simion is an assassin, only other assassins will know how to deal with him, especially because he’s a skilled assassin. You’ll only get yourself killed if you continue to press him. He may have all ready decided that you’re the next victim, and if he has, you aren’t going to last long,” Taris said quietly yet with a dangerous tone placed upon his words.

Savlian stared directly into the smouldering eyes of Taris. “I’ve made some bad choices in my life, I know. But one choice that wasn’t a wrong one was becoming the Captain of the Town Guard. Since I’ve received the position, I’ve done everything possible to protect this city from the plague that was ruling it; I basically had my neck on the line, every single day, the constant reminder that a greedy, money hungering mongrel could simply say “Go kill Savlian” and it would happen. I managed to solve that issue and a new plague has arisen, one that’s killing the people I hold dear to me. Kvatch has a special place in my heart; I’m not going to watch her people suffer while some secretive assassins try to accomplish something they have previously failed at.”

“You see, I have yet to fail. I had to figure out who was behind these killings while your people knew who it was right from the get-go. We’ve been matching wits so far, as if this were some sort of twisted cat and mouse game. Well, if this is a game, I intend to not lose. If he wants to come at me next, I gratefully accept it, because that means the game will close, the winner will be determined. I will be ready for him!”

Savlian didn’t even care to see Taris’ belittled expression as he exited the house of Simion Mandrake.