Blood of the Kyn, Volume II Options

[Dantrag]

Click for Volume I

The start of Volume II; where stuff actually starts to happen. Enjoy.

Chapter 1 - Tensions

I am lost. Azyrek recited the words in his mind as he stood in the center of the Plaza Brindisi Dorom, in front of a beautifully sculpted pair of statues. He looked around one time to make sure there were no prying eyes.

His lips finally moved to form the words, and he felt a slight rumble beneath his feet. He heard rock grinding rock and looked down to see one slowly descending. It was large enough to stand on, so he did. The dremora slowly fell into darkness on a magickally suspended stone.

Azyrek could see nothing in the darkness, but he could tell that he had reached the bottom of whatever pit the Brotherhood had sent him to.

"We've been expecting you, Brother," he heard, just before a torch was lit, "Welcome to Bamz-Amschend. Cemented over when the Plaza was repaired, but the Dark Brotherhood laid claim."

Azyrek could tell from the accent that his 'brother' was a native dunmer, though his face was masked.

"Thank you, Brother."

"I will show you to your room soon. First, you must follow me."

Azyrek followed the mer, and in the torchlight could see that they were in an old, old place. He had never seen any ruins such as these before. Judging by the machinery, they had to be from the dwemer. A stark contrast to the old Ayleid fortresses he would see in Cyrodiil. They went further down and eventually into a tunnel. The metal and stonework disappeared, making it obvious that it had been dug long since the dwemer walked the halls.

They came to a door, and the other assassin stood by it.

"The Speaker awaits you, Azyrek."

Azyrek opened the door to find a surprisingly homey room. The floors were wooden, though the walls were those of a natural cavern. There was a bed in the back corner, and to his left was a crackling fireplace. Arranged in a semicircle in front of it sat a sofa and chairs. On the sofa was another dunmer, who sat with his hands in front, hidden under the folds of his black robe. Much like Azyrek often did, he had a hood pulled low over his face.

"Greetings, Murderer. Vicente send word of your success and promotion. It seems Sithis and the Night Mother favor you."

Azyrek gave a slight bow. Noting that this dunmer was not native. It sounded like a dark elf from home would.

"I know you're weary from travel, so I will be brief. You are never to enter this Sanctuary again. The name of your first target is Temis Alam. He goes by the name Ras here, performing magick in the Bazaar. He is Morag Tong and I want him dead.

"Once he is dead, we will contact you. We have arranged for you a place to hide and begin your destiny."

"So...I have to leave now?"

"No, stay the night, and prepare tomorrow. You will leave us when night falls. Farewell, Murderer. The Night Mother expects great things of you."

Azyrek took his cue, said his goodbyes, and left the room. The dunmer was still outside the door with the torch. They walked further into the tunnels, and Azyrek was shown his room. It was nothing but a bed and a table with a jug of water, but it was all he needed. Too tired to think, he laid down and went to sleep.

This post has been edited by Dantrag: May 19 2010, 07:02 PM

[Dantrag]

Chapter 2 - A Decision

Rinori woke quickly, as there were footsteps outside her door. She looked to Azyrek; he shifted positions, but was obviously still sleeping. Someone fumbled with the lock. Rinori swiftly and silently stood beside it, dagger gripped tightly in her hand.

The door cracked slightly, "Rinori?"

Rinori sighed, relieved, "By Mephala, Narsa. You scared me."

Narsa opened the door fully and stepped inside, "Who is this?" she asked, moving closer to the unconscious form on the bed.

"His name is Azyrek, my assignment from Ornos."

Narsa had a horrified look on her face, "So it's true. You've gone mad, Rinori."

"What are you talking about?"

"What am I talking about? I followed you last night! I told you Temis was dead, and the killer was on the way to Mournhold. Then your target shows up with a wound, and you help him?"

"He's my assignment, not my target."

"Damn Ornos!" Narsa shouted, putting her face an inch from Rinori's, "This is Temis' killer. It's obvious."

"I'm not to kill him." Rinori said weakly, tears forming in her eyes.

"I don't know what's happened to you," Narsa continued, forcing the hilt of a dagger into Rinori's hand, "But these orders come straight from the Grandmaster. Kill him or I will."

"But-"

"Kill him or I will!" Narsa said even louder, "He's your responsibility, so I give you the chance. If you won't take it, I'll delight in watching this scum leave the world of the living."

"Can you...step outside, please?" Rinori asked quietly.

Narsa calmed a bit, "You have one minute. I come back in and he's breathing, I do it myself."

Rinori nodded. Narsa left the room, closing the door behind her. Rinori could hear her pacing footsteps right outside. There was no chance of escape, no chance of pleading with the Grandmaster or checking with Ornos. She had a responsibility, and was expected to see it through.

She found her mind wandering back to the ball in Kragenmoor, the look of utter confusion on Tredyn's face as she plunged the dagger into his heart. How completely awful her betrayal had felt. Something Ornos said to her that night kept echoing in her brain.

That's just it. I want your mind on things.

So she was supposed to learn something that night.

An impatient knock on the door, "Twenty seconds."

Rinori shook Azyrek forcefully. He moaned, but did not wake. His wound was severe. The halfblood needed time to recover in order to defend himself. She held the dagger in her hand, but knew she would do nothing with it. She was helpless. She could not kill Narsa, but she couldn't kill Azyrek either.

"I'm coming in, Rinori," Narsa announced, kicking the door in, "Give me the dagger."

Rinori shook her head.

"Give me the dagger."

Rinori stood stubbornly.

Narsa charged, slamming Rinori into the stone wall. Rinori struggled for breath, and fought even harder to keep her grip on the blade. Narsa punched her stomach, hard. The wind was knocked out of her, and she and the dagger fell to the floor. Narsa scooped up the blade and went straight for Azyrek, laying helpless on the bed.

Rinori tried to scream, but there was no air to power it. She watched in horror as Narsa stabbed the halfblood's heart. Narsa let go of the weapon, leaving it sticking straight up out of Azyrek's chest. Azyrek coughed once, and blood trickled down his cheek, then no more movement.

"I won't tell anyone what you did here," Narsa said to Rinori, who still lay crumpled on the floor, gasping for air, "Just get your priorities straight, girl. Remember your loyalties."

She slammed the door behind her.