The Story of the Listener, My first fanfic. Options

[Mazelure]

Worry not Listener... Saprius death will not go in vain... by the way she is by Azura's statue?... wow that realy took me by surprise...

[Kayla]

Going to update the story as soon as possible. I'm bogged down with finals.

[Mazelure]

Muahahahaha... I'm done with my finals... although I have to take summer school for geometry... geometry sucks to the highest degree... obtuse degree that is... muahahahahahaha!

[Kayla]

Geometry definately sucks. Gotta take my geometry final next week. Tuesday.

[Kayla]

Alright! I have an update for you guys!!! Enjoy!
----
As I stared up at the Shrine of Azura, I felt a bit of hope. At least I knew where I was. The Shrine of Azura was located on Azura’s Coast, on the far southeastern side of the continent. Now, looking up at the statue’s emotionless eyes, I was thankful that along with the colleges of magic, the Mages Guild taught many other things. Geography was one of them.

Trying to push Saprius from my thoughts, I turned my back to Azura and began to walk north, following the coast. I was very glad to be out of the Ashlands. The sea was soothing and the grassy hills of the Grazelands were a lot easier to travel on.

The closest area I knew of was the tower of Tel Fyr, the residence of a Telvanni wizard named Divayth Fyr, and the location of the only Corprusarium in Vvardenfell. The Corpusarium was an area underneath the tower of Tel Fyr where victims of the dreaded Corprus disease were taken in and cared for. I never really saw the point in caring for them. They were violent and irrational. Nothing but walking corpses anyway.

However, I didn’t plan on visiting the Corprusarium. I just wanted to stop by to pick up some supplies, namely some new clothes. The Morag Tong knew that they were looking for a Breton in a red priest’s robe. While I wasn’t very keen on the idea of stealing from a powerful Telvanni wizard, this was something that simply had to be done. I cast a water walking spell and began to walk across the sea in the direction of Tel Fyr.

The tower of Tel Fyr was larger than I’d ever expected it to be. It practically engulfed the small island it sat on. The mushroom tower itself was breathtaking, filled with colors I’d never even seen before. I walked to the front door and pulled it open, stepping inside.

The inside of the tower was very well lit. The walls seemed to be breathing as they slightly pulsed and moved. The floor however, was very steady and easy to walk on. I slowly and carefully made my way across the hallway I was standing in. I turned left and began walking toward a stone door. I had yet to see anyone. I hope my luck would last.

I reached the door, engraved with Daedric runes that spelled “Hall of Fyr”. I figured that this was the living area. Hopefully, I could find clothes within.

Pushing the door open, I made my way into a more dimly lit room. It was very, very spacious, occupied with countless shelves of books and a large comfortable looking bed. I spotted a closet and quickly walked toward it, opening it upon reaching the door. The closet was packed with clothes. After sifting through them for a little while, I recovered a black shirt and black pants. They would suit my escape from Vvardenfell just fine. Looking over my shoulder, and still seeing no one, I smiled, closed the closet doors, and exited the Tel Fyr’s tower the same way I’d come in.

Once outside, I water walked to a small island a good distance away from the tower, then I took off my badly damaged Dark Brotherhood armor, and changed into my new clothes. The shirt was tight-fitting, making it good for quick movements. The pants were a little looser, but not enough to impair any movements I might have to make. Then, I began to plan where I was going to go next.

The closest city I knew of was the Telvanni Council city of Sadrith Mora. Though I’d planned to steer clear from that area, since it housed a Morag Tong guildhouse, I began to think that it would be the wisest choice for passage by boat out of Vvardenfell, since it had a large port, which was always filled with ships.

A grin creeped across my face as I cast another water walking spell and began to walk northeast. I was going to sneak right under the nose of the enemy for my escape, and they weren’t even going to know it.

[DarkHunter]

Ha! Stealing for Fyr there is easy! I've stolen the Index from just behind him! (while he was still alive too.) I wonder what's going to happen next?

[Kayla]

Tee hee! Yeah. I stole the index from him too!

[Mazelure]

That sucks man... Tel Fyr has chest upon chest of loot that Sarelle could have stolen... o well... I guess when you are running away from a continent and the entire population of Morog Tong assasins are hunting you down loot realy does not matter...

[Kayla]

Thank you guys for commenting! Means alot to me!
----
I reached Sadrith Mora at nightfall with no incidents involving the Morag Tong. I was hoping that Saprius’ efforts wouldn’t be in vain, and it seemed as though they hadn’t.

The city was bigger than I remembered it, but the Telvanni guards were just as nosy as ever, asking me what my business was as I walked down the streets.

Sadrith Mora was a very large city, home to both an Imperial Legion fort and the Telvanni Council tower. A small portion of the city on the island was full of Imperial influences with their trademark houses sprawled about outside the walls of their brick fort. The rest of the city was traditional Telvanni, with mushroom towers, manors, and houses. I’d only ever been to Sadrith Mora once on Mages Guild business when I still lived in Vvardenfell, but the city never ceased to amaze me.

I approached the well lit marketplace, which was always the busiest area of the city. Even though it was close to midnight, all types of men and mer were hastily moving about the market area.
“Does this city ever sleep?” I asked myself as I filed through the crowd, heading for the port area of the city.

Countless bodies filled the area, standing near merchant stands, looking at their wares, inquiring the slave traders about the costs of slaves, and of course, gossiping. Segments of conversation filled my ears with each step.
“…the man’s a thief. Even charged me for the…”
“…and now, she has the dreaded disease…”
“…now lives in Vos…”
“…hear about the Morag Tong?”

The last thing I heard stopped me dead in my tracks. I looked around, trying to find whoever had said it. I finally spotted an old Breton woman, speaking to an aging Bosmer woman. I moved quickly, standing close to them at a merchant’s stand, pretending to look at the merchandise as I listened intently to their conversation.

“Apparently, they’ve caught one of the assassins who killed Lord Vivec. They say he’s an Imperial man.” the Breton woman said.
“I’d like to see his head severed from his shoulders!” the Bosmer woman declared.
“I would as well. I’ve heard talk that they’re keeping him in the guildhouse until they can take him to Vivec to turn him in to the Temple.” The Breton woman said in a more quiet tone.

My heart skipped a beat.
“Saprius is alive?”

I immediately forgot my plans of fleeing Vvardenfell. I had to get to Saprius before they got him out of the city. I quickly filed my way through the crowd, heading toward the guild district, and sticking to the shadows.

The Morag Tong guildhouse wasn’t hard at all to find. It was a large mushroom manor. A flag bearing their symbol waved gently in the cool night breeze. I observed the guildhouse from the shadows. There was no one in the guild district this late at night, and no one was guarding the Morag Tong guildhouse. I figured since they had a high profile prisoner, they might want to guard him more carefully.

Because the Morag Tong was the only legal assassins’ guild in Tamriel, they got their own guildhouses. They also had the backing of a lot of prominent political figures. But, they were only located in Morrowind. Many people in Cyrodiil paid us well for our services, despite the fact that we were illegal. The Morag Tong didn’t like that, and became our enemies, claiming we were evil. In truth, we were murderers just like them. We had the help of Sithis and his bride, the Night Mother. They had the help of the Daedric Prince, Mephala.

Walking toward the guildhouse in the darkness, I examined every shadow carefully, making sure that I wasn’t walking into a trap.

Upon deciding it wasn’t a trap, I walked quickly to the stone door and pushed it open, stepping into the pitch black interior. I cast a night eye spell and carefully stalked the room. I spied a staircase, and began to take the stairs, seeing a figure at the top.

I wasted no time, leaping forward and burying my blade in their neck. As they hit the floor, I looked around. It seemed as though whoever I’d killed was guarding a door, and it was locked. I turned to the door, brandishing my lockpick and inserting it into the lock. Suddenly, a gruff voice filled the darkness behind me.
“What’s going on?”

Just as I got the door open, my night eye spell wore off. I heard footsteps, walking toward me.
“Aeslif? Are you there? What’s going on?”

I walked into the room. I sensed it was small. I pulled the door closed and cast another night eye spell. Suddenly, I gasped, backing up until my back hit the door.

This post has been edited by Kayla: May 28 2006, 12:52 AM

[DarkHunter]

Hmmm... who was inside? Vivic reincarnated with Nercromancy? Sapris turned into a Corpus Beast? Chuck Norris? Nice to see Sapruis might survive!

[Kayla]

Lol. I'll give you a hint. It's Chuck Norris!
----
“Who’s there?!” the muffled voice outside shouted upon hearing my back hit the door.

For the first time in a long time, I froze, not knowing what to do. My mind was completely consumed by the sight of what was in front of me. The door behind me was now being jarred violently.

“Assassins! Report down here immediately!” the voice outside yelled.

I was still frozen. I could hear my heartbeat, along with the sound of my terrified breaths, coming out in short bursts.

Saprius was lying on the floor in front of me, in a dried pool of his own blood. His throat had been slit and there was an extremely large wound in his chest. I could see his lungs, ribs and intestines. Parts of his armor had been ripped off, and in some areas, the flesh had been ripped from his bones. His eyes were closed, and his face bore a peaceful expression, through it was pretty badly cut up.

Looking at Saprius’ body, I remembered Lucien, the way the Black Hand had killed him, and just like now, I had been too late to save him.

A feeling of guilt was beginning to overwhelm me. My legs began to shake, my knees feeling weak. Outside the door, I could hear numerous footsteps. Again, my night eye spell wore off.

As I was standing there in the darkness, gasping for air, I heard Lucien’s voice.
“Sarelle, you can’t let his efforts be in vain. You must escape Vvardenfell. You must report to the Night Mother. You must continue to be our leader.”
“Lucien… I failed you… and I’ve failed him as well…” I whispered.
“Your destiny is different from ours.” He answered. “Saprius would want you to continue. Honor his memory, but do not mourn him. He is with us now.”
That made me feel better.
“Do not let them defeat you, Sarelle.” Lucien said.
I suddenly felt anger coursing throughout me.
“I won’t.” I said, straightening my posture and casting another night eye spell.

There was a deafening sound behind me. They were about to break the door down. I could hear the reinforced wood splintering slightly. I stepped forward and picked up Saprius’ limp body. His hair was stiff with dried blood. With one angry, well placed kick, I sent the door flying outward, hitting my adversaries and sending them flying across the room.

I conjured up a Spider Daedra.
“Lets see if your Daedric Lord shows mercy on you now.” I said, watching as the Spider Daedra stalked its prey, finally jumping on top of a Breton man, and sinking its teeth into his skull. His tortured scream was music to my ears.

I left the assassins trying to kill the Spider Daedra, then, sticking to the shadows, and avoiding the still busy parts of Sadrith Mora. I walked to the docks of the city. Still carrying Saprius’ body, I approached a Dunmer man standing beside his ship. His eyes widened when he saw Saprius.
“Who… are you?” he asked, backing up.
Holding Saprius with my right hand, I drew my elven shortsword with my left and put it to the man’s throat.
“Is that your ship?” I asked him, nodding toward the large wooden boat.
“Y-yes! Wh-what do you want?!” he asked, panicking.
“I need to get to the mainland. You will take me to the mainland, won’t you?” I said.
“S-sure… just get on.” He said, walking up the ramp connecting the boat to the dock. I quickly followed him all the way to the captain’s cabin, carefully watching his movements.

The whole way the mainland, I sat near the Dunmer man, making sure he didn’t try anything. I didn’t sleep, I didn’t even turn my back on him. I paid him 35 coins upon reaching mainland Morrowind, then, I began walking south toward Mournhold to retrieve Shadowmere.

[Mazelure]

Muahahahahaha... I see that you are picking up some of my dark and sadistic nature Kayla... muahahahahaha... join me... the dark side...

[Kayla]

Alright!

Every Tuesday could be Bagel Day!

[DarkHunter]

Hmmmm... That was a little easy? Damn, Deadra summoning You know the Telvanni are probably mad at you... they like things neat and tidy (I imagine the Spider Deadra isn't a good housekeeper...)

I'll stay on the Gray Side

This post has been edited by DarkHunter: May 28 2006, 12:35 PM

[Joryn]

Well, it certainly didnt seem easy, but it looks like Sarelle is done with Vvardenfell at last. Im looking forward to see how things go once shes back to Cyrodiil. Another great update Kayla. And thank god it wasnt really Chuck Norris!

[TheStranger]

I like when I don't go near fan fiction threads for a few days or week/s and see a lot of updates on it.

Again, its great to see that you are keeping the story to such an interesting level, and pulling out "tricks" to keep us interested.

[Kayla]

Thanks for the comments, guys! I'm sorry I haven't been here in awhile. Been working on finals at school, and my internet has been a little messed up. Update coming soon!

[Kayla]

As I walked to Mournhold, carrying Saprius’ body, I still felt guilty. The early morning sun was peeking through the clouds in the sky, warming my shoulders. I felt a little comforted by the fact that Saprius had a peaceful countenance. I guessed he wasn’t scared when he died. I hoped not.
“I could have saved him…”

I sighed, and kept walking, trying to push the guilt from my mind. By the time I reached Mournhold, the sun was high in the sky and my walk had turned to a stagger. I didn’t even bother going through the city gates, I simply walked around the walls, heading toward the stables.

When I arrived at the stables, I threw Saprius’ body over his white horse’s back, then climbed on top of Shadowmere. Still feeling guilty, Shadowmere and I began to head west, as I held Saprius’ horse’s reigns, pulling it along with us.

I reached Cheydinhal at sunset. I stabled both horses, then wrapping my Black Hand robe around Saprius, I picked him up and walked through the east gates of the city. The guards at the gate looked at me strangely.
“Stop, Breton. What is that you carry with you?” one of the guards asked, eyeing me suspiciously.
“An injured comrade. I must get him to the Chapel quickly.” I answered.
The guard nodded. “Sorry to interrupt you.” He said, stepping out of the way.

I walked all the way to the well behind the abandoned house and dropped down into it, landing in my home, the Cheydinhal sanctuary. Almost immediately, Coventia, the Imperial woman we’d advanced to the rank of Speaker ran up to me.
“Sarelle! How did the contract go? Where’s Saprius?” she asked.
I shook my head. Her eyes drifted down to the body I held.
“No…” she whispered, staggering backward.
“I’m sorry…” I said quietly.
Tears filled her eyes. “Who..?”
“The Morag Tong.” I interrupted her.
By now, there was a crowd forming around us. We’d picked up quite a few new murderers. I guessed that news of Vivec’s murder at our hands had gotten us quite a bit of publicity.

I walked past Coventia, and cut through the crowd, walking toward the back of the sanctuary where the floor was still made of dirt. On the way, I grabbed a shovel from a barrel. When I reached the back of the sanctuary, I gently set Saprius down and began digging. Coventia came to my side quickly.
“Was it painless? Or fast?” she asked.
“I don’t know.” I answered, still digging. “I wasn’t there to see him die.”
There was a brief pause.
“What were his last words?” she asked, her voice wavering.
“Goodbye, Sarelle.” I answered.
“Why didn’t you help him?” she asked quietly.
Despite the guilt I felt, I bit my lip and kept digging. “He gave his life so that I would escape an ambush. His choice prevented me from helping him.”
Coventia was silent as I finished digging, removed my robe from his body, set Saprius down in the grave and began covering the grave.

I was exhausted, and breathing heavily, inhaling the scent of dirt as I finished covering Saprius’ grave. I leaned against the shovel, trying to catch my breath.
“Listener, how long has it been since you last rested?” Coventia asked, a very concerned tone in her voice. I must have looked as bad as I felt.
“It seems like ages.” I answered, sighing.
“You should rest here.” She replied.
I put my Black Hand robe on. “I can’t. I have business with the Night Mother.”

[DarkHunter]

Uh oh... Buisiness with the Night Mother... this could be tricky. Especially if the Telvanni followed you "home"

[Mazelure]

Good update... hmm... assasins are so fickle... you kill a guy and no one likes you... you kill a god... everyone starts joining your side...