Oooh, what an interesting incident !! And the goblet too !! I am intrigued by this whole scene !!! Great Write !!

Emerging from the forest, our eyes came upon a small lake. It was surrounded by rock and brown grass and plants. The altitude of the place made the air quite chilly, though the summer were just coming to a close. On the other side of the lake, which I now recalled being named lake Arrius, a mountain lion prowled. Upon seeing us however, it perched itself on a large boulder, and first then did we see the deer carcase by its feet.

Deciding the lion would be of no danger to us, I got of Shadowmere as soon as I saw the wooden door that covered the cave entrance further up the mountain on the other side of the lake. Gasheera had shown me his map with the location of the cave and this one fit. Unsaddling the horses, we hid the saddles and bridles behind a rock and made sure we had everything we needed.

“Anything you'd like to tell me before we go inside?” I said when he tied the gelding to a tree and we began to walk the rest of the way to the cave. The lion watched us from the large boulder, but it showed no sign of hostility.

“Only one thing, I was born under the lord,” he said and I groaned.

“Oh perfect! You've got the trollkin curse and we're fighting the daedra whose primary element is fire! How could the emperor choose you, and how in the daedra did you ever manage to close that oblivion gate outside Kvatch!?” He's got a 25% weakness to fire, how could it possibly get any worse than that!?

“I didn't close that oblivion gate, not really. I met Saqin in the Kvatch encampment before heading up. She did a lot of the work.” Me shaking my head, we entered the cave.

Walking through a tunnel, we came to stand in a large cave, a man in red robes in front of us.

“You have walked the path of Dawn and have earned a place as members of the Mythic Dawn. Hand over your possessions and accept your new robes. You have come just in time to see our leader.” The man said, and before he had time to react I thrust my knife through his stomach.

A purple swirl flew from my fingers then, and the man floated quietly into a corner after I'd taken a key from his robes. Signalling to Gasheera to stay behind me, I then opened the door which the man had been guarding, and the light of armour being summoned met my eyes.

This new guard rushed at me, and his bulky red and black armour crushed the wooden door when I ducked under his arms. He was stunned for nothing but a moment before the arm that held the conjured mace swung around in pursuit of my head. Once again trying to throw myself out of the way, the mace merely scratched my shoulder. Getting my blade out of the scabbard, I managed to deflect his mace, but that left him free to push me into the wall using his shield.

Releasing the handle of my sword since it was trapped between his shield and my body, I finally managed to get a grip around the handle of my knife and stuck it around the shield into his side. He doubled over, and it was easy to thrust it through his throat, causing blood to pool on the floor.

It was first when I stood there panting heavily, that I noticed Gasheeras absence and the clashing of swords from the passage we came from.

Once again coming through the door, though this time from the opposite direction, I saw a woman clad in red and black armour in the process of killing Gasheera, and threw the dagger that I still held at her. It lodged itself firmly in the nape of her neck, and she staggered backwards as her sword fell and Sithis took her in his hands.

I retrieved my sword and dagger, as well as checking the soldiers for potions, before I once again turned to Gasheera.

“We need to continue, someone is bound to have heard the clash of weapons.” Gasheera answered with a grunt, and heaved himself up on his feet. Then we kept going further through the caves.

We met several soldiers on our way, and several times I found myself just barely being able to save Gasheeras life when he was overwhelmed or knocked to the floor.

Some time had passed when we came upon the cavern storage, and guess if I was surprised when I saw the faint light of Ayleid stones from a crate. However, as it turns out it wasn't truly stones, it was an armour of a kind that I've never seen before, nor since. It resembled elven armour to some extent, but together with the material that looked as a mix of white ayleid stones and steel, there was white cloth. The helmet and the armour glowed slightly. It was made for a male, that I could see at once.

It did not take much time to get Gasheera into the armour, which though it wasn't very good, was better than the previous. And which, apart from the previous, fitted him as if though it'd been made for him.

We continued on then, and it did not take long for the caverns to increase in size, and our eyes to fall upon a group of red robed men and women. Above them all stood an elven man, preaching to them of how they'd release Mehrunes Dagon on Nirn, holding the Amulet of Kings in his hands.

Intending to end his life quickly, I took my bow in hand and aimed an arrow at Mankar Camoran. I was never allowed to set my arrow loose though, as we were discovered then and he disappeared through a magical portal.

The battle that ensued consumed much time and potions, and though we placed ourself in a thin passage so that all of them couldn't come at us at once, I believe we only barely escaped death many times. When it was over, and we had recovered our breath, we made our way onto the platform.

A great statue was posed so that it stood over what I presumed to be an altar used for sacrifice, with it's back against the rock wall. It was the statue of a warrior, holding a great sword in his hands up against the heavens. On the altar lay an argonian, but though Gasheera walked up to him, I paid the man little heed when I turned the way Camoran had been facing.

There was another altar there, and I walked up to it, curious of the book lying there. I tried to open it, but to my annoyance, the cover wouldn't bulge. I heard Gasheera helping the argonian up then just as I grabbed the book from the altar, and was brought up short by the noise of crumbling stone.

Gasheera and the argonian had barely escaped injury when the statue crashed down over them after I took the book, and for a while all of us stood there with our mouths agape. Once they'd recovered from the shock, Gasheera and the argonian turned to me.

“What did you do?” Gasheera asked before noticing the book that I still held in my hands.

“I took this. Figured it might be of some use since Camoran got away,” I answered him, holding the book more plainly in his view. Nodding slowly he then turned to the argonian.

“Can you walk on your own?” he asked, and the argonian started slightly.

“Yes, they did not harm this one much. My name is Jeelius, I am a priest in the Temple of the One and I thank you for your help. Seek me out and I will find a way to thank you properly,” the argonian said to Gasheera.

“You're welcome.” Then he turned to me. ”We should get out now.”

“You don't say.” Sarcasm was dripping from my voice, but I turned and led the way out of there the same way we came before. If there was somewhere I didn't want to spend the night, it was the lake Arrius caverns. It had not exactly been a walk on roses.

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Here ends the second chapter of With Fate Uncertain and Bloodstained Hands.

http://archive.pixbox.se/arkivet/synligt_3...20/32378318.jpg

If anyone feels like having a look, that's the link to a picture of Gasheera in his new armor and with his horse as I described them in the story. Both are modifications.

Horse: Brother Maborels' paint horse using Slofs' Horses

Armor: True Ayleid Armor by Iomir. It's the guard version.

Poor Jeelius getting the brunt end of a woman's temper after a hard day at Lake Arrius Caverns, ROFL !! Great Write !!!!

Chapter three- Because lies are easy

Sa'Quiras' POV

The fire crackled when I put another branch onto it, and I lay down on the soft earth beneath the great pines. Looking up into the sky, I couldn't help but think back to that which had been so long ago, back when I still had a home.

If someone against all odds caught me, I do not think that I'd be welcome back home. I've done to many things that disgrace my family, and besides my parents have another three children. When I look back, I was probably the one they liked the least. They always tried to protect my sister and my brothers. When my two older brothers joined the Manes' army they were very proud, and when word came of the death of my eldest brother my mother cried for days. They were sad when my older sister married and went of to the other provinces.

As children, mother always tried to make sure that they were in what she'd call proper company, but she never had that concern with me. I'm quite certain now that she knew very well of the profession of my friends, but she never opposed it.

“Come on Dar'Quira! Last to get a dagger is a kitten!” M'errunz joyful voice penetrated the girls thoughts, and she bounced of the pavement, her eyes alert. The boy laughed briefly, then set of at a run along the road with the girl at his heels.

They stopped after a while behind a low wall, peering over it to the merchants square where many wagons and stands stood, loaded to the brim with goods. They looked at each other again, and Dar'Quira gave him a dazzling smile, allowing her a head start.

Her silent steps carried her quickly to the edge of the square and the vicinity of a wagon containing weapons and armor. Throwing a last look around her to make sure she wasn't seen, she crouched down by the wagon. It's owner stood many feet away, talking to another merchant about the recent taxes.

Dar'Quira threw a quick glance back at the boy whom were now sneaking towards another merchant. She allowed a smile to escape from her lips as she reached into the wagon, folding her slim hand around a small and thin bundle. Upon uncovering the cloth she was able to confirm that it was a dagger and she spent a moment to marvel over it's beauty. It was made of white or transparent glass, and several sapphires decorated the handle.

Quickly wrapping the dagger into the bundle again, the girl eased her body away from the wagon and walked as casually as possible through the square.

“Thieves! Catch them!” She spun on her heels when someone called out behind her. In the next moment M'errunz had her hand in his and they were running down the street away from the square. Though the merchants were stronger that the children, it did not take long for the young thieves to escape them. Once they had, they sat down by a palm tree to show each other what they'd found, and to laugh about how easy it had been to get away.

Unintentionally my hand reached to my belt and wrapped around the hilt of the dagger sitting there. I smiled slightly of the folly that had occupied me then, and looked at the white and blue blade, casually noting the inscription. “Frostclaw” it said, and I must say the name truly fits it though it's not enchanted.

I put the blade aside, hidden in one of my boots that I've placed by the fire, and close my eyes. Untroubled sleep is all I would ask for if given one wish, but alas it's not possible.

* * *

Dark clouds held the sky in their grasp when I left the site of my camp, pictures from the nights dream were still vivid in my mind. I had the hood up to cover my head, for my senses told me the rain was not far away. My steps continued for no other reason than my own ambitions, and my thoughts flew elsewhere, far away from the ground I threaded for so long.

My face ached from the earlier days, sending me the impulse to pay it back, but I can not fight so many on my own. No, I should have my revenge in another way, I would not give that scum the honour of falling to my bow. Not even to be mutilated by my bow, though that might have been preferable.

I stayed away from the roads as much as I could when the rain began and turned most of them to mud and slippery stones. I knew they'd do nothing but prevent my passing. As such, the day didn't present much trouble, and I passed the road to Cheydinhall when the evening was just falling upon the land. I made my camp beneath some high trees where bushes hid my presence.

Whew! Really Great Write here! My favorite part was the introspective at the end - HUGE!



This section leaves a tangible impression behind, Awesome Write !!!

Felisas' POV

We camped by the road the night after “cleaning” the lake Arrius caverns, just after we had left the argonian with an caravan. We did not have time to be his babysitter, why did we even bother showing him the way to the road? We could have been so much closer to Bruma if we hadn't. It's really annoying how noble the man is at times.

We did not speak much that evening, eating our rations and then going to sleep. There was longing in Gasheeras' eyes, and he'd look into the trees every now and then as if though waiting for someone. It was the first time I guessed at Gasheeras' feelings for the girl.

When the morning came again, Gasheera prolonged our departure and I yelled at him to speed up. If those who wanted the empire to crumble knew that we were alive, it wouldn't take long for them to go after us, and I had no interest in being attacked any time soon.

So we set of at a trot through the forest, wary of the shadows around us. We kept a fast pace all day, eating and drinking on horseback, only ever stopping to kill whatever creatures whom set upon us.

Before nightfall we'd reached the snowy slopes upon which Bruma, and beyond that Cloud Ruler Top, rested. We set up camp in a small clearing and ate in silence, then when the morning dawned, we were of again.

At noon we approached the gates of Bruma, and I halted Shadowmere, looking over at Gasheera.

“So, how are we going to do this?” I asked him.

“Well Martin, the emperors son, would probably like to see that book you found.”Gasheera patted the gelding on the neck as he spoke, and Shadowmere snorted.

“He'd obviously want to see it. What I was talking about is whether I should come with you or not. I doubt the blades would look kindly to having an assassin amongst them.” I said after rolling my eyes.

“Right. Uhm, I think it might be best if you came. Then they'll know that you're with me and won't be surprised if you ever have to show yourself. Mightn't need to show them your face unless it's necessary though.”

“Alright, lead the way.” I said, and Gasheera spurred the paint horse to a trot. I could feel the impatience in Shadowmeres' body when we followed. She wanted to run, but nevertheless she obeyed my command to stay behind the gelding.

Gasheera took the road to the right of Bruma and the Wildeye stables. It was a small road, and the cobblestones had been placed unevenly. Shadowmere threaded lightly across them, her hoofs kicking up snow with every step.

The path took us around the walls of Bruma, and then turned towards a hill on which a castle stood. As we closed on the serpentine road I took a wolf fur cloak from one of my saddlebags and hung it over my shoulders, pulling the hood up to hide my features before I urged Shadowmere to trot up besides Gasheera. Though she did not like it she obeyed and Gasheeras' eyes turned to meet mine.

“I damn well hope you know what you're doing.” My voice gruff, we then approached the castle. It only took a moment before the gate opened to reveal a long stone stair. The gelding did not hesitate before he stepped upon the stone, and Shadowmere lingered only a moment. We rode in silence up the winding road, and I could feel eyes studying us from the surrounding walls. And so we enter the nest of the hawk, I thought when the gate closed behind us, cutting of the exit.

Great inner dialogue here !!!

I love the little detail of the disguise of the hooded wolf-fur cloak !!! Oooh, the last line gives the feel of stepping into the jaws of a trap, lol. Awesome Write !!!

“He'd obviously want to see it. What I was talking about is whether I should come with you or not. I doubt the blades would look kindly to having an assassin amongst them.” I said after rolling my eyes.

Good point. This could be an uncomfortable time for assassins. Ah, Cloud Ruler Temple. It’s interesting to read about arriving with apprehension, as it’s usually such a relief to get there in the game.

Sorry about being so far in between posts. I've had a hard time writing anything, and then the trouble with the account... Uh, yeah, anyways I'm posting now and I'm sorry if it's rushed. But there is still a lot of the main quest left and I'm kind of longing to publish a new story I've thought off. This one's got to be finished first though.

mALX & Grits: I imagine she'd feel the same thing when entering Cloud Ruler as any normal person would feel entering a marauders fort, which is not happy at all.

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Three blades awaited us when we reached the top of the stairs. The man on the right was and imperial, the only man without a helmet so you could see his wrinkles and grey hair which was cut in the circle that you so often see on monks. He wore the same armour as the other two, it was made of some relatively dark steel armour that didn't reflect much light, but in turn it was enameled with gold and blue. He had the confident posture of a man who is used to giving orders and being obeyed. The hilt of a Dai-Katana could be seen sticking up behind his back.

In the middle stood another Imperial with the same posture. Only this one looked younger. To the left of him, was a male Breton. He was even younger than the Imperial, the posture of one not unaccustomed to fighting though he didn't hold the same air of authority as the other two.

When we reached the top, Gasheera got of his horse quickly and saluted to the men. I got of Shadowmere and then simply watched, holding her reins in my hand. She tugged a bit on them to be able to turn her head and look at everything around us, and I let out a bit more of the reins.

“Grandmaster Jauffre. Captain Steffan. Brother Ferrum.” He hailed them one after another, and they answered him in turn, as “brother Gasheera”. Then the three blades' eyes turned to me, the Grandmaster and captain suspicious while the breton's eyes only held curiosity. “This is Felisa Serhas. She have... helped me a lot these last weeks. Teaching me to wield a blade and keeping me alive.” Gasheera said nervously when he saw them looking at me.

Suddenly acutely aware of the chill in the air I patted Shadowmeres neck and drew the cloak closer around my shoulders. The threat lasted only for a moment though, as the two superiors turned their eyes from me and onto Gasheera. I let my breath out, suddenly aware that I had held it, and leaned against Shadowmere's strong body. The men conversed for a while before Gasheera turned to me again.

“Both Jauffre and Martin wishes to see me as soon as we've tended to the horses. I say we do it now and then enter the Hall of Blades.” He said, watching Shadowmere whom was staring at him.

“Very well, lead the way,” I said with as carefree a voice as I could manage and straightened up, following Gasheera to a stable of to the left of the main building. Shadowmere walked closely to me without complaining, and I again blessed her extraordinary senses. Though I'd never have admitted it at the time I needed that stability.

We unsaddled and groomed the horses, then Gasheera placed his in a box next to two other horses, and I placed Shadowmere in one further away.

“I'll be back soon,” I said to her as I kissed her mule and gave her an apple. She whinnied and took the apple slowly, as if savouring the taste, and I smiled. When we then left the stable I could feel the gaze of her eyes on my back.

* * *

A lot of eyes turned onto us when I opened the large door and we stepped in. I was confident however that my cloak covered my face, and did not hesitate before following Gasheera down the mid aisle.

Several of the Blade's sat on different places around the great hall, and swords of former warriors hung on the walls. There where many empty holders as well, those that would hold the swords of the people around us. A large hearth was situated at the opposite end of the room, and in it a fire burned brightly.

A middle-aged imperial male sat at one of the tables, reading a book with a brown cover. The table itself was littered with books of all kinds. Another blade stood some distance behind him, probably to make sure nothing happened to the man, and I started when I recognised him. It was that blasted Redguard!

Gasheeras' gait was confident, and the imperial looked up with a smile on his lips when we came closer. “Hail friend, how did it go?” he said.

“I'm sorry Martin, but Mankar Camoran got away with the amulet. We might have found something else though,” Gasheera said, gesturing for me to take forth the book. Martins' brows furrowed, and as I reached into my pack for the book and handed it to him, his confused look turned into shock.

“By the Nine Divines! Do you realise what this is!? You could get killed!” Martin burst out as he took the book from my hands. I only raised my eyebrows and left the talking to Gasheera, this was no time to open my mouth with the Redguard standing just behind the emperor.

“I tried to open it, but wasn't able to,”Gasheera said to the emperor when he paused. Martin looked around then, just as the Blades turned their eyes from him, and I saw his face turn red.

“Oh, well no harm done then,”Martin spoke with a lower tone to his voice when he turned to Gasheera again.”I will examine the book, I know how to protect myself from it's dark magic. You should go and see Jauffre, I believe he needs your help with some spies.”

Bidding the emperor good bye, we walked outside to see if Jauffre was still there. He wasn't, and upon asking another Blade e found out that he had gone into the dining hall to eat with the rest. Did I mention the one and a half dozens of soldiers living there are very experienced in fighting? Can you then understand why I didn't want to enter a dining hall full of them? I hope you do, because I headed towards the stables instead to look after Shadowmere.

On the way there, I took a good look of the place while carefully avoiding the eyes of the sentries along the wall.

Shadowmere sounded as if he scowled when she laid eyes on me entering the stables. I put my hand on her mule and looked into her eyes.

“We'll be out of here soon girl, don't you worry. He's just got to get his new orders.” I leaned against her and slowly inhaled the smell of hay and horses. She closed her eyes for a moment and exhaled at me. Our moments of peace were short and far between these days, and I found it amusing that it could be found in such a place.

Footsteps broke the silence then as the blades captain entered the stables. He quickly found me where I stood next to Shadowmere whom had opened her eyes the minute he entered.

“Do you intend to stay for long?” he asked as he looked me over, I'd taken of the hood by reflex when I came up to Shadowmere. Still, it wasn't very likely that he'd recognised me. However he must have guessed that I meant trouble, judging from the way he acted.

“Not for long. We'll be leaving when Gasheera has spoken to your grandmaster.” I straightened up and looked him in the eyes, he nodded his consent.

“Very well. We'd appreciate it if you do not come the next time Gasheera must pay us a visit. Perhaps you could take that time to visit establishments in town, no?” His gaze was hard, showing the threat that his voice hid.

“Don't worry, I didn't intend to,” I answered with a smile that didn't reach my eyes. His eyes narrowed, and he turned on his heel to lave the stables. Gasheera came in when he left, throwing a wondering look after him.

“I'm ready to go now. Apparently people have been seen on the road at dusk and dawn, looking up at the temple. Jauffre wants us to investigate,” he said and I nodded.

“Okay, I suggest we head down the road to where they've been seen and set up camp in the proximity while we wait for the sun to go down. Then we'll be certain not to miss them.” Ending the conversation, we saddled the horses and departed from the fortress beneath the watchful eyes of the sentries.

And so we killed the spies, whom turned out to be two agents of the Myhic Dawn and thus didn't want to surrender. The orders they carried revealed that the Mythic Dawn new about the location of Martin Septim and that they were planning to open a Great Gate outside Bruma. This apparently worried the Blades quite a bit, with the grandmaster scurrying of to tell the countess.

It was the day after we arrived and had handed a daedric artefact to the emperor to be that Sa'Quira showed up again and a new Oblivion gate opened outside of Bruma. Not a great gate mind you, but still a gate, and obviously they wanted the khajiit saint to take care of it.

I’m so glad to see you continuing this wonderful story!

Felisa certainly was understandably uncomfortable in the lair of the Blades! You really captured that feeling throughout this episode. I’m glad she found some comfort in Shadowmere.

It was good of Gasheera to admit how Felisa has been helping him, even though it got her some more unwelcome attention from the Blades. I like how she found some comfort with Shadowmere. It’s great to see an update to this story!

I'm getting to this A.S.A.P. - had a week of pet emergencies that aren't stopping.

Sa'Quiras' POV

Approaching Bruma beneath the dazzling rays of the sun, I pondered where I might find Gasheera and Felisa. We had said nothing about where we'd meet when I finally caught up with them. There was of course the possibility that they were both dead, but I highly doubted it since I knew how well Felisa could handle herself in a fight.

My thoughts choose another road when the sky suddenly turned a crimson red and a crackling sound met my hears together with the surprised shouts of men. A gate to Oblivion had opened outside Bruma for the short moment I'd been there.

The flames surrounding the gate were like a torch, igniting memories that I'd turned my back on long ago.

The flames of the pyre leapt at the sky as the young khajiit female looked into them. No expression showed in her face, she simply stared intently at the flames, thus not noticing the older female who came up behind her.

“Are you coming inside now? Mother just finished dinner, she wants us all to eat together one last time.” The older khajiit finished just as the girl turned around, her ears turning even before she did.

“Why must you leave S'iniith? Why do you go with him?” The girl asked, confusion in her eyes, as the older sighs and sits down beside her, placing her arm around the shoulders of the girl.

“Because I love him. He's the one I want,” the older khajiit said, the put her muzzle against the girls forehead to kiss her lightly. “Don't you care for someone a lot?”

“I love mother and father. I care for you and our brothers, and I care for the Mane.” The girl answered with hesitation, confusion in her eyes. There was no love there, but like so many times before her sister thought nothing of it.

“It's not the same thing sweet. The love for family is one thing, and we must show respect for the Mane, but this kind of love is another thing completely. I would do anything for him, travel all the way to Morrowind and back if it meant I could keep him from harm.”

“But, you can't go. We need you here. Bad things will happen if you go, very bad things.” There was fear in the girls eyes as she looked up into her sisters eyes again, and S'iinith sighed.

“Must we go through this again? Those are nightmares you're having, nothing more sweet.”

“They're not nightmares. You know S'eritas' kit died when the wagon ran over him, and I saw it. I saw it in my sleeping before it happened. I told you, and you didn't listen. This time I saw fire, and he was screaming, and then you were alone on the road with a kit. You were looking sad. I'm afraid because I know what will happen to you.” The girl curled up next to her sister as her body shook with silent sobs and the older female made soothing sounds.

“Come now, nothing will happen. You'll see. We should go inside now before mother begins to worry.” With that the older female raised the girl to her feet and they entered the house together.

I didn't understand the dreams back then, but standing there I knew that S'iiniths' mate had died when the gate was opened outside Kvatch and that she was travelling on her own with the kit she
had gotten by him. I also knew that she'd soon find a new love, though probably not of the kind that she had expected.

The shouts of guards and the crunch of steel boots in the snow brought my thoughts back to reality, and I approached the gate since I knew that that was the place I'd find Gasheera at sooner or later.

Approaching the city gate I spied Felisa and Gasheera coming out of it together with a man dressed in the guards' raiment. She simply nodded and he raised his hand in greeting when I approached. Stepping in between them, I put my hand around Gasheeras waist and made an illusion of leaning on his shoulder when the guard spoke, when I was in fact whispering instructions to Gasheera.

“I'd like for you to lead me and a couple of my men into the Oblivion gate to show how it's done. After that we should be able to take care of any new ones on our own.” That's when I spotted the insignia on his chest telling me that he was the captain of the guard.

“Of course, we would be happy to help in any way we can. Just tell me when you're ready.” Gasheera smiled at the guard captain.

“Good, I'll just brief the men and then we can get going.” When the man walked away, Gasheera turned to me and Felisa.

“I think it'd be best if only I and Gasheera went into the gate. Both of us have been in one before, and it'd look strange if all of us had to go,” I said when the soldier was out of hearing. Felisa nodded and smiled.

“I agree, I've got to talk to someone and you should be able to take care of yourself with soldiers around. We'll talk about all that's happened later,” Felisa answered and turned on her heel, heading into the city. I turned to Gasheera again to see that he was smiling at me, and kissed him lightly before we headed for the soldiers.

Another enjoyable update!

’The flames surrounding the gate were like a torch, igniting memories that I'd turned my back on long ago.’
Very eloquent introduction of the poignant flashback that followed. Nicely done!

A light kiss and closing some gates. Just doesn’t get much better than that.

Felisas' POV

I made my way through the shadows to the middle class part of town. Past the well lit chapell and Olavs' Tap and Tack as well as several hovels. My goal lay in between two just as large two storey buildings, behind the chapel.

Making sure no guard was in sight I went up to the door and picked the lock, casually noting how easy it was. Inside in the hall there was an absence of items, so called because Black Hand members often hid traps, but where very protective about their possessions. Emptying the first few rooms in favour for traps was a common occurrence back then, though they usually weren't armed when the owner was at home. Still, you can never be to careful.

Avoiding the single drape in the room, I edged along the walls to the door leading to the rest of the house. Stepping through revealed a lightly furnished room, containing a table with chairs, two cupboards and a fireplace in which the fire was burning brightly.

Looking closer at the furniture I could barely spot the small nails which probably contained poison and the holes in the back of the fireplace. Therefore I was careful to avoid them as I made my way through the room.

The next room was both a lot more filled with furniture, as well as influenced by personal preferences. Though most of the ornaments would be placed on the lower floors, no more traps were likely to appear.

Not wishing to delay the meeting longer, I continued through the house down to the basement and then to the trapdoor beneath which yet another cellar lay.

The cellar was lit with torches along the walls, between which there hung several paintings. The frames were worn by time, and none of the paintings looked like something a normal person would put on their wall. Paintings of Sithis and the Night Mother, and some with people wearing black robes or the Dark Brotherhood raiment.

I walked down to the door the farthest away on the right, seeing it wasn't quite closed. A fire was burning inside, and the furniture looked like that which you'd find in an upper class house. He was sitting in an armchair in the corner, looking at me and smiling.

“You took your time getting here,” he said as he gestured to another of the chairs next to which a goblet of wine stood. The speaker held another in his right hand. I shrugged before sitting down.

“Didn't think you'd be expecting me,” I answered and picked up the goblet. I swirled the liquid, looking down into it when I waited for him to continue.

“These are strange times with all of the gates opening up all over Tamriel. It was to be expected when you started running around with the hero of Kvatch.” I looked over at him where he sat, comfortably leaning back in the chair. “I don't know exactly why you're here, though if I'd venture a guess I'd say you need help from the Brotherhood. I doubt I'm the only speaker you'll be visiting.” He raised the goblet to his lips and sipped.

“True, I have come to ask for help. But in a way I would say that it concerns everyone.” He looked back at me when I spoke.

“How is that? Why should the Dark Brotherhood care about the troubles of the land? We are here to serve Sithis, we don't have time to leave our vigil.”

“The Mythic Dawn is bound to act soon. They know the location of the heir to the throne. My 'friends' might not see it yet, but there is only a matter of time until they open a great gate outside Bruma to root the Septims out for good. A lot of people are going to be needed to fight when that time comes, and I don't think it'll matter much if those people are criminals or not.”

“You're asking me to lend my sanctuary to the fighting.”

“Yes, if they're seen or not is their decision, but they will be needed. The empires soldiers cannot hold against the daedra.” J'Ghasta rose from the chair when I spoke, walking up behind me and putting his hands on my shoulders.

“And what makes you think I'd risk the lives of my whole sanctuary for nothing, hmm?” he spoke into my ear. “I require a service if I'm going to allow this.”

“Name it, and it'll be done.”

Excellent story!!...And I don't like the Dark Brotherhood!...

Really enjoyed both parts on this page here...Brilliant writing...

Nice one... ...

A nice suspenseful buildup, full of description as Felisa makes her way to the Speaker’s lair. Followed by some well-done dialogue.

“I require a service if I'm going to allow this.”
How did I know that was coming?

From Sa'Quiras' foretelling visions to the powerful ending of "Name it, and it'll be done." - Huge Write !! Awesome job (as always !!)

And there be another part (finally)! I'm hoping to have some more up from Sa'Quira soon.

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I stepped out on the road just when the sun was going down behind the mountains and took to the left. Not surprisingly, J'Ghastas favour involved killing somebody. His own silencer was busy with another mission and the task was to hard for anyone else from his sanctuary.

The target was a merchant who was just heading through Bruma, apparently dealing with silks, or as the lower class dealers would say, skooma. The Brotherhood didn't care much for the drug, but it was an important detail since it meant that he'd have friends around.

Walking past the chapel and up the stone steps to the higher class inns and shops, I dropped into a crouch to lessen the risk of being seen. A guard walked past in my peripheral, and I stayed still until he'd gone, then I turned left when my feet touched the cold stone of the upper ramp.

A light snowfall began when I came up to the door of the inn in which the drug-dealer was living. Hearing the shuffle of boots inside, I moved away from the door to the side of the building. Putting my hands on the rough wood, I found it to be both warm and to provide a good handhold, and so I began the climb to the roof.

Since he had a lot of money, and probably liked luxury(most criminals do) I figured I was most likely to find him in the furnished attic suite, and I made my way around until I reached the right window. A couple of thugs were standing by the door, and a man in finery was sitting by the desk, his back to the window.

I pulled out a vial with paralysing poison and trickled the concoction down the blade of my dagger, then I unclasped the sword from its sheath.

Easing the window open I held the dagger so that I could throw it quickly if necessary, and slipped inside. I was halfway across the room when the guards saw me, and when they called the alarm I flung the dagger at the target, stopping him from getting away.

Drawing my sword from its scabbard I rushed at the guards, dodging to the side at the last minute. They weren't fast enough, and my sword tore through the tender skin on the back of one of them. He gasped and went down on his knees when his friend parried my next slash.

Since the paralysing poison wouldn't last very long, I knew I had to finish the fight quickly, and feinted to the right before bringing my knee up into the thugs groin. Caught of guard, he groaned and provided the perfect opening for me to sever his head.

Afterwards I stood there for a moment before turning to the target. The poison was just tarting to wear of and I could see his fingers twitching. Walking up to him slowly, I brought the sword into an overhead position and cut into his body before his mouth could start working properly. His body convulsed before finally lying still, and I wiped my blades on his tunic when I'd picked the dagger up.

Taking a moment to breathe and admire my handiwork, I noted the hurried steps outside the door and made my way back to the window. Smiling, I made my way from the inn, mind set on a day of peace in the Wilds of the Jerall mountains.

Sa'Quira's POV

When the bright light subsided and the charred area outside Bruma once again became reality, I took the fiery orb from Gasheera’s hands to wrap it in a piece of cloth. Putting it in his pack, I noted the strange chill it emanated while it still was hot.

Gasheera blinked a few times and growled, I imagine it was because he didn’t like being so disoriented, and I took his hands in mine when the captain of the guard approached.

“Good job in there, for a while I thought we’d be stuck in Oblivion forever. Now we ought to be able to handle any new gates on our own,” the captain said as I leaned on Gasheera.

“Happy to be of assistance,” he said and smiled. Then they said their goodbyes to each other, and I pulled him with me into the city. “Where are we going?” Gasheera asked when I turned him onto one of the roads branching of the main one, and I pulled him close, pushing my lips to his swiftly before answering.

“Saqin thought we might get a room,” I said, smiling when understanding appeared in his eyes. We walked side by side the rest of the way, and I’m quite certain he was eager to discard our clothing. I told myself not to think about the past, and yet I couldn’t help but to do so. Was he falling in love with me?

They were walking along the outskirts of town, laughing at a joke the young male had uttered. She looked careless for once, and he couldn’t help but marvel at her beauty. After a while, he told her to stop, and she turned around with a bright smile still on her lips. It disappeared when she saw his face.

His hand closed around hers as he looked into her eyes. She shivered from the cold, and he bent his face down to her face, putting his lips against hers.

“I love you Saqin, I always have.” He mumbled under his breath, his hand creeping up her back as she stood paralysed. Then she withdrew from him, pushing him away, and the last thing he saw before she turned was her confused eyes. “I want to live the rest of my life with you. But I don't know if you feel the same way.” He continued, reaching for her.

“I don't... I don't know.” The shock was evident in her voice, and she turned to look at him one last time. Then, as a turning in the wind, she was gone.

I’d never seen M’errunz like that before, the love so evident in his eyes. It scared me at the time, and it was one of the reasons I ended up leaving Elsweyr. I didn’t see him again after that, and was happy he hadn’t searched for me. I’ve never loved anyone except perhaps my family, and I always knew that I couldn’t love anyone.

Gasheera’s arm sneaked its way around my waist, pulling me out of my thoughts when we approached the inn keeper. We paid for a room and a bottle of wine, and then we walked upstairs together. I didn’t really care for the romantic part, but it was good that Gasheera thought I did.

I must say that we had a quite pleasant evening and while it wasn’t anything special what we did, at least Gasheera enjoyed it, which really is enough at the moment. I was reluctant to sleep after we finished, but with the even sound of his breath next to my head, there was little I could do to avoid it.

The fire washed down upon the white khajiit without more warning than the dragons shout, and she hissed when she rolled to the side to get rid of the fire. It went quickly when she got up again and raised her bow to shoot the beast who screamed when the light projectile hit him.

The sun was shining when the dragon came around again, talons stretched out to take her, and another khajiit jumped from the shadows to dig her claws into the beast’s neck. He roared, shouted at the newcomer, and flapped his wings to rise higher into the sky.

The newcomer was oddly familiar to Saqin, yet she could not pinpoint the reason while in her dreamscape, and then the female disappeared as suddenly as she came.

Sitting up, I stroke my forehead with my right paw before swinging my legs of the bed. I’d long since figured out the meaning of that dream. Even though it always was different, it always contained the two khajiit women. The first always fought a dragon, and somehow the black khajiit always saved the life of the first. Before I met Gasheera I’d only seen the white khajiit getting killed over and over, and that was the main reason I stayed with him. The dragons mean doom, the end of our world, and somehow the white khajiit is the only one who’ll be able to save it. But she’ll need help when that day comes, and so it’s fallen on me to arrange it.

This last chapter is tremendous from beginning to end! The recurring dream segment was really well done, but the afterthoughts when she awoke - very powerful !! LOVE this update !!

Thank you

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After a while, when Gasheera was still sleeping, I pulled on my raiment and a robe and then made my way down to the common room. Ordering some spiced wine, I saw Felisa in a corner and made my way over.

“How did you know where we went?” I asked as I sat down next to her. She looked at me incredulously, obviously thinking something along the lines of; ”Are you serious?”

“I'm part of the Dark Brotherhood, we've got eyes everywhere. Though this time I overheard some guards speaking. They mentioned seeing you depart together after closing the gate.” Felisa smirked, stirring the contents of her goblet lightly. “How have you been?”

“Saqin's been well,” I answered to her, nodding to the serving girl when she came up with my wine. Felisa waited until the girl had left before she spoke again.

“Why do you lie so much?” Felisa didn't look up from the goblet. “I saw the fist-sized bruise you had on your face when you came to Bruma.”

“Because lying is easy,” I replied to her after pondering the question for a moment. She looked up, the expression on her face unfamiliar to me. I didn't answer her statement, and she frowned.

“When we first talked, you asked me what I wanted from Gasheera. The only reason you'd do that would be if you want something from him yourself. What is it, why do you keep being with him?” she asked and I looked at her, my expression blank.

“I have my reasons, I always do. Perhaps one day I'll even tell you about them.” I smiled and drank of my wine, and she shook her head.

“But you don't love him,” she said and raised the goblet to her lips.

“No, even if I wanted to I doubt I ever could.” She nodded at my answer, and for a moment we just sat there without speaking.

“How did it go in the caverns?” I asked after a while, and she filled me in on the fact that they'd fought a multitude of cultists only to have their leader escape with the Amulet of Kings. To finish of, Gasheera apparently saved an argonian priest.

“Why am I not surprised that he would save a complete stranger before searching for clues.” I sighed, shaking my head at how foolish the man was. Felisa chuckled in response, then turned her eyes to something behind me.

“And here he comes,” she said as I turned to look at the stairs. And true enough, Gasheera was walking down the steps. He smiled when he saw me, and I made an effort to smile back. When he came over the three of us ordered breakfast, and he sat down, putting an arm around my waist. Forcing a content sigh to come from my lips, I leaned on his shoulder, casually noting Felisa shaking her head across the table. Gasheera, as usual, didn't notice.

I've finally finished the third chapter! Now there's just two more to go, and I've already written most of the fifth one. Yep, I've got most of it planned now! But, enough of that. Here's some more from Sa'Quira

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I'd quite positively be lying if I said that I had any idea of what Felisa did for the following weeks. See, we parted ways when me and Gasheera had to head back up to Cloud Ruler Temple. She simply said she'd be in touch later, and then we got occupied with running the Emperors errands.

The second to last item required to gain access to Mankar Camoran's paradise was “the blood of a Divines”, hence we had to go to Sancre Tor to find the lost armour of Tiber Septim, which they said should have some of his blood on it. At the same time, Jauffre asked us to get help for Bruma. Chances were big they'd try to open a Great Gate like the one at Kvatch outside the city, and we had to get more soldiers to help defend it.

So we went to all the other cities, and to the various guilds. Felisa's purpose became quite evident when a note was left on Gasheera's pillow, holding only a black hand, and Gasheera was quite distraught that an assassin had sneaked up on him as he slept. I couldn't help but laugh, and then I of course helped him train to become more perceptive.

During our travels I gave him what little training I could in the way of the sword, and though I tried to teach him my own art, that of archery, he was quite hopeless with it. For the life of me I don't think he would have hit a barn if he'd been standing on the inside.

Our most interesting encounter was, I believe, when we reached Skingrad. I'll not bore you with any details of the gates into which we travelled, but that meeting with the count I think is worth sharing. We visited all the cities and guilds before we travelled to Sancre Tor, and in truth I'm quite glad we did.

* * *

Coming to Skingrad after a few weeks of travelling, a mere hour before the setting of the sun, we wasted no time in visiting the castle. Though we after seeing the gate to Oblivion outside the city were quite aware of what the the count would ask of us, propriety required that we speak to the count first to let him know of our intentions.

It was evening when we arrived at Skingrad, our feet stepping quickly over the cobbled stone as we drew nearer to the castle. Sleep could wait until we'd spoken to the count.

More guards than usual patrolled the road between the city and the castle, and the cause became evident when one saw the burning gate to Oblivion east of the castle. They greeted us all the way along the road, the bridge and then when we reached the enclosed courtyard. The two guards by the door to the castle held it open when we approached, and I smiled thankfully to them as the two of us walked past.

The great hall was lit only by a few torches on the walls, and only two people aside from the guards were present. A female argonian in green finery, and a male orc in middle class clothes. The argonian approached when she saw us, inquiring for what two khajiit wished in castle Skingrad.

“I'm Gasheera, hero of Kvatch, and this I my mate Sa'Quira,” he said. “We have come to meet the count. We would very much like to discuss the gate of Oblivion outside of Skingrad.”

“Very well. The count is having company, but I doubt he'll mind meeting the two of you. If you'd please follow me.” She turned on her heel and started walking, only looking back momentarily to make sure we were following.

We walked through many dark halls as each and every one was devoid of windows. A dining area passed, and a narrow corridor that ended with a drape behind which a hidden passage could be found. In some places, the dust hadn't been cleaned away for decades, and in some you could see your face in the marble floor.

Materials varied greatly as we continued on through the castle, though the greater part consisted of stone and wood. I did not know how long we had walked when we reached the top of a staircase and walked out into the chill night air on what seemed like one of the towers.

The night sky was littered with star, and not a single cloud covered up the beauty. Thanks to the lack of light the stars could be seen clearly, and a sense of nausea at the great scale made me look down again, onto the tower on which we stood. The argonian was walking across the stone, towards a table at which two men sat in fine wooden chairs. One of them, an imperial by the looks of him, looked at us when she had finished speaking, and a tremor went through my body at the sight of his eyes. Red as blood.

The female argonian walked past us while my gaze was locked to the vampires, and she did not utter a single word. Instead it was the man with the red eyes that spoke next, while his friend was still looking out over the edge of the tower.

“Welcome to Skingrad. Please, have a seat,” he said and smiled, gesturing to two chairs that I could have sworn did not stand there mere moments before. Though my fur was standing on edge, I squeezed Gasheera's hand lightly and took him with me to sit in the offered chairs. As we came closer, I got a much better look on the two men, though the second had still not turned around.” I am the count of Skingrad, Janus Hassildor, and this young man is named Sorcalin,” the vampire said, and the other man turned around to look at us

“Hmp, I wouldn't say I'm young exactly,” Sorcalin said and smiled oddly. He appeared to be an Altmer, though his chin wasn't close to as pointy as that of most high elves, and there was a strange gleam to the bright green eyes. And while he looked much like a youth in the smoothness of his face and the wild spirit in his eyes, at the same time he radiated a certain wisdom that was very seldom seen. The count scowled at the altmer, who responded with a simple smile.

“I assume you are Gasheera and Sa'Quira, I must admit I've heard quite a bit about you. And though your business here can easily be guessed when one look upon the fiery lady whom grace the forest just beyond my castle, I'd like for you to utter the words yourself. As much of a formality as it is, it is still a formality that should be held on to.” Gasheera opened his mouth to speak when I looked at him, but the count stopped him with a raised hand. “I somehow doubt you know all the details, hmm? Please... Dar'Quira... enlighten us.” My head whipped around as I heard him utter the words, and I felt cold dread creep up my spine. It was a name of the past, one I hadn't thought I'd ever be hearing again. The only trace of a past that I didn't think anyone knew about.

I looked at both of the men when preparing to speak, and saw that same knowing look in the eyes of the Altmer. Who was he? Why was he in the company of the count when he clearly knew of who the count was? Then the man smiled and exposed his fangs, and the feeling of dread increased. Two vampires, one more powerful than the other. Much more powerful.

Here ends the third chapter of With Fate Uncertain and Bloodstained Hands.

It’s great to see an update for this story! Two vampires, uh oh…

Chapter four- I will do whatever I can to keep you safe

Sa'Quira's POV

We left the count and his friend as soon as possible, and the steward took us out through a shorter passage this time. As she explained it, that path could only be accessed from the inside. Yeah, right. They probably just wanted to make sure we didn't have any idea of our location. In any case, we had yet to descend the staircase of the Great hall when I heard footsteps come up behind me and spun around on the spot.

The curious eyes of the golden-skinned vampire met mine, and I drew in a ragged breath. My eyes were probably quite dilated, for he looked amused. Gasheera turned back to me to see why I'd stopped, but I just waved for him to continue and turned my attention back to the altmer. His attention only briefly touched upon my mate before returning to me.

“What do you want?” I snapped as my ears tilted back slightly, and I narrowed my eyes in his direction. He cast a casual look around us, and moved over to a small table with a couple of chairs a short distance away. I followed him carefully, making certain before seating myself opposite to him that no one was preparing to assault me.

“To speak in private,” he said once I'd seated myself in the chair, and I furrowed my brow. “You're from Elsweyr originally, are you not?”

“Yes, but I don't see why that would matter,” I skipped the fake dialect this time around, knowing that it didn't matter to him. He already knew a lot more about me than anyone else in this gods forsaken country.

“Well, I was curious about why you're here. I might be wrong, but you don't strike me as someone who cares about what direction the world is heading.”

“Which means that you're wrong then,” I answered him snappishly and stood from the chair, turning tail to almost run down to Gasheera and bring him with me out through the door. I don't see why anyone would wish to bring that up, my past and my motivations. The worst thing is that he succeeded. It was all I could do to keep a firm hold on Gasheera's arm when a memory flowed up into my mind, shutting out everything else.

The docks were buzzing with activity, and no one threw a second look at the young woman who walked around on them. She wore boots that were much to big for her, a cotton shirt and a pair of breachers being held up by a black belt. She had a hat pushed down to hide her face, and the size of the clothes made her look very small. A money pouch was tied to the belt, but there was no clinking of coins as she moved, and she had a small pack over her shoulder. Her steps were insecure, and it took quite a while before she stopped a man walking around there with much more confidence than herself. When he turned towards her, it was clear that he was Cathay-raht.

“What?” The man seemed annoyed to be disturbed, and even more so after eyeing her over. “'I've got no time for beggars.” He said, and was just about to turn away from her.

“I'm no beggar. I need to go with ship to Anvil in Cyrodiil, do you know were I can find someone to take me?” She said, almost stumbling across the words.

“You need money for that, little suthay girl.” The man said, looking down at her. One of his hands had balled up into a fist, and his body was half turned away from her. At the mention of the word girl, her eyes became wider, and she made a motion to try and hide her body.

“I can work. I know a lot of things.” She said desperately, holding on to his arm. “I can even fight.”

“Okay, you do something for me, and I'll consider bringing you with me on my ship.” As he spoke, it was as if though a light had been lit inside of her. “But, you'll have to work on the ship as well.” He continued, but she nodded eagerly.

“Anything, I will do anything.” The male khajiit frowned when the girl spoke, and took her hand of his arm.

“What is a small girl like you doing in Senchal looking to go to Cyrodiil? Don't you have parents?” He said and the girls eyes took on a reluctant look.

“I want new chance, new life. My parents don't let me, say I have good life in Torval.” She said, after a few moments of hesitating. Getting her attention, the man pointed towards a ship further away on the docks.

“That's my ship, Kriinya. This message needs to be delivered to the storehouse keeper in the middle of town. When you have done that, return to the ship, and we'll find a place where you can sleep.” The girl nodded quickly when the man finished speaking, and began her run towards the centre of the city.

Felisa completes her contract inside Bruma, while Sa’Quira and Gasheera are busily teaching the Bruma guard how to close a threatening gate. The three do manage to breakfast together – how oblivious Gasheera is!

Closing gates and gathering allies for Bruma. We pause in Skingrad for mysterious meetings and an intriguing flashback to Elswyer.

What a neat view of Oblivion’s Main Quest you present!

GAAAAH! Your chapters are too short, they only give a glimpse into the scene as it is unfolding! URK!

You are a master of setting moods with actions: glances, a breath, etc. - you bring the scenes to life with the tiniest little details! Totally AWESOME Write !!!!!

Gosh, it's been so long since I made any kind of progress with this story. I'm just going to say it, I have no idea of how I'm going to continue writing from the point I've reached, which is why I've decided to at least put this project on the shelf, so to speak. I'm not just going to leave everything unresolved however, as I do have an average idea of what happens in chapter four, and have written most of chapter five, which is the last one. There's a lot of things I'm unhappy about when I look back at the story. My portrayal of Valen Dreth and the Dark Brotherhood are just two of them. So I might rewrite it eventually, but I think you deserve to know what happens in this version of the story.

Summary of chapter 4:

Saqin and Gasheera travelled all over Cyrodiil, gaining support from both the militias of the different cities as well as the guilds, before heading on to Sancre Tor where Gasheera almost got killed right before they managed to get the armour of Tiber Septim.

At the same time, Felisa Serhas visited the speakers and the listener of the Black Hand, gaining their support for the protection of Bruma in return for several services. For example acquiring a book in the possession of Chancellor Ocato and assassinating one of the guard captains in the Imperial city. She returned to Bruma to find that the siege of the city was just about to begin, as her work had taken more time than she'd first thought, and was pleasantly surprised to find that soldiers from all over Cyrodiil had come to the battle. Sa'Quira had come of age only a short while before.

In the battle itself, Felisa, Sa'Quira and Gasheera fought side by side, protecting the new emperor until the point when the Great Gate opened. Then Sa'Quira and Gasheera went through it, mostly dodging the various weapons that were being used against them, as speed was the most important thing at the moment. They came back with the Great Sigil Stone, and Martin wasted no time in readying the spell that would take one person into Mankar Camorran's paradise. In the end it was decided that Felisa should go. Sa'Quira and Gasheera both knew that she was the better fighter, and though they were reluctant, the blades agreed since they'd seen her in battle. Felisa herself didn't really care all that much about life or death, and figured that if she was going to die she might as well do something good in the process.

When she got back with the amulet they set off quickly for the Imperial City, Blades surrounding the emperor on all sides, and they were greeted with cheers and a lot of happy faces when they arrived in the city. Barely any time had passed after they set foot in the palace until the gates began to open up everywhere around the city, and Felisa and Gasheera helped the emperor make his way to the temple of the one. Felisa used invisibility spells most of the time. Sa'Quira helped hold of the daedra that tried to stop them. When Mehrunes Dagon had finally been defeated, Felisa used an invisibility spell to quietly leave the temple before anyone but Gasheera had the time to see her, and because of it Gasheera was proclaimed the Champion of Cyrodiil and given the position as count of Kvatch.

Chapter five- The Last Contract

Felisa's POV

And so the Oblivion crisis ended. By the sacrifice of one man, the whole of Tamriel was saved from the clutches of Mehrunes Dagon. Gasheera was in shock at first, he clearly hadn't expected Martins death to be the one solution to the problem. I must say that Sa'Quira did a good job at getting him back to reality again, and Chancellor Ocato proceeded to shower him in titles and gifts.

He was named Champion of Cyrodiil, and was even given his own dragon armour, just like the one Martin Septim had worn at the Battle for Bruma. Then they named him count, and he was shipped off to Kvatch to help with the rebuilding. Saqin came with him of course; I rarely saw either of them without the other after the Battle of Bruma.

I suppose it was an al right outcome, if not for the fact that Gasheera's head has always been filled with dust. He kept having Saqin on his arm and she always whispered him instructions when she thought no one saw. Funny thing is, it pretty much fooled the whole country, except me that is and from what I've heard, a couple of vampires. But then I also knew of the plot, and vampires... Well, they're vampires, who knows everything that they can do?

I made myself scarce after the Emperors death, spent some time travelling and... other things. Everything we had worked towards actually happened, though it was still unclear as to why Saqin stayed around him. I don't think she'd care much about what happened to him.

* * *

Arquen sought me out a while after Gasheera was proclaimed the count of Kvatch. She told me what happened in the Brotherhood while I was away. How another silencer, Mathieu Bellamont, plotted against the Dark Brotherhood, and caused the death of three speakers, two silencers and the Listener himself.

A newer silencer was promoted by the Night Mother after that, it was the one that found out about the plot after being tricked into killing them and then he himself killed Bellamont in the Night Mothers crypt.

To get back to the subject, Arquen wished me to be a speaker, and to start up the new sanctuary in Kvatch and handle the one in Anvil while she took care of the one in Cheydinhall. It was a welcome change in my life and gave me a way to take my mind of things while recruiting new assassins to the Brotherhood and setting up the sanctuary.

The sanctuary, which could have been the hardest task, turned out to be the easiest one. When I asked Gasheera about the possibility of buying a house and rebuilding it some, he gave me the thumbs up at once. Thought he owed to me. Heck, he practically gave it away. Sure, I did deserve it after all that I’d done during the crisis, but he could have at least asked what I was going to use it for. He knew I already had a home.

The house he gave me was a three storey building at the edge of the mote between the castle and the rest of town. It was actually his idea to create a hidden route through the mote between our homes, the rest I took care of myself. We extended the cellar to fit the sanctuary in, and I got the other two floors as my own, meaning to create an illusion that there actually was someone normal living there. Much better than making it an abandoned house like in Cheydinhall if you ask me.

The recruits were a motley bunch to say the least. All of the first ones had completely different personalities, but they got along so well. I came to like them as well, for the simple reason that their many antics made me laugh.

Of course all of them wasn't exactly what I’d have asked for if I'd known what was needed for the new sanctuary. Take Ilen for example, I never could look him in the eyes. Nothing he could be held responsible for of course, no it was his looks. He looked so very much like Valen.

* * *

Sa’Quira and I had become quite good friends during the crisis, and we grew closer upon becoming neighbours. And that's why I shouldn’t have been surprised that she didn’t stay long in Kvatch.

I’d just started to notice her growing stomach when she came to me in the night. She wore a black tunic with matching pants, they were lined with silver thread and looked very exquisite. I noticed a bundle in her arms, which upon closer inspection turned out to be the raiment she'd stolen from me long ago.

“Felisa,” she said making sure no one was able to hear our conversation. Then she walked closer to my desk as I looked at her curiously. “You asked Saqin why she put up with Gasheeras affections some time ago, Saqin thinks it is time you know.

“Saqin sees things, in her dreams. And Saqin knows that they are true, that they will happen if no one stops it. Saqin does not feel much, but she feels fear, and have come to like this world so Saqin think you could also say she to some extent feels love. Saqin have seen the end of this world, and it'll happen long from now. That is why Saqin put up with Gasheera, to stop the worlds end. There will come a hero when that happens, Saqin have seen it, but Saqin believes that the hero will require help. And therefore Saqin must ensure her descendant is there to help. Saqin have child now, and that's why she must go. Gasheera can not have part in this child.” She stroke her belly when she spoke, then put the raiment down on my desk.

“Saqin will not be needing this, it attracts to much attention.” She smiled at me then.

“Where will you go?” I asked, smiling back slightly to her.

“North, Saqin thinks. No one will think she goes to Skyrim. But that is where the dragons will appear, and so that is where Saqin must begin her task. Might come back and say hello sometime, might not.” She was backing towards the door as she spoke.

“Gasheera loves you, you realise that don't you? What do I tell him?” I looked at her, still a bit surprised by her sudden revelation.

“Saqin knows, but it was not meant to be. Tell him Saqin is dead, use the raiment to convince him. And do make sure he moves on and finds good wife will you? Kvatch does not need another debate of succession.” I nodded and just like that, she was gone. I fingered the fabric for a bit, thinking about what she'd said and what to tell Gasheera. Then I stood up and took my weapons. A wolfs blood and claws should do well to ruin the raiment, and there was no point in delaying the inevitable.

Because Saqin was wise in that. I realised just like her that if he knew she lived, he wouldn't let go.

* * *

It was about three months after Sa'Quira left that it happened. I was sitting by my desk writing letters, just having sent one of the new recruits out on a job. It was a fairly calm day with good weather and the closest you got to violence was the fights in the arena that had just been built. It wasn't quite finished, but it was enough for the fighters to use it.

I looked up, thinking of something that I cannot remember afterwards, and there he was standing in the doorway. It wasn't really him of course, it was his ghost, but it shocked me none the less. He was smiling at me like he used to, and then he floated up to me.

“Mourning ill suits you, you need to get on with your life,” he said, putting one of his hands above mine. It felt hot, like the touch of a human being, and I knew it shouldn't. I don't remember when the tears came to my eyes, or when he took his spectral hand of my shoulder and left, all I remember is Ilen coming into my office to ask me something. I hugged him close and kissed him when he wondered what was wrong, and then I did something I shouldn't have.

I was torn up of course, being reminded of the person I fought so hard to get over back then, but that's not really a good excuse. I think it might have been good for me, the relationship I got into with Ilen. But at the same time it should never have been, because I never saw Ilen. I saw Valen Dreth.

* * *

Since my tale started with a contract, I find it prudent to end it with one. To tie a knot on the whole ordeal, so to speak.

Arquen showed up in the middle of the night as the members of the Black Hand always do. She wore her robes tight around her body, hair flowing loosely down her shoulders. It's curly; I don't think I ever mentioned that. And judging from her figure I imagine the men she killed often died happy.

Back to the subject however, I wasn't sleeping when she came over. I haven't gotten a good night sleep in a long time. She had a contract, a contract she didn't trust anyone else to take care of since the target was renowned for his fighting skills, as well as his cunning. It made sense of course; it was our goal after all.

Life is everything but simple, love is not all happiness. The thing I regret most in my life? Meeting and falling in love with Valen, because it made killing him all the more painful. The thing I wouldn't avoid if I could? Meeting Valen, and falling in love with him.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'd rather love and loose than never love at all. Life would be both easier and much less painful without love, but it would never give satisfaction. I would not be the person I am today if I had not taken all those steps on my path through life. I would not have met Sa'Quira, who strangely turned out to be a really good friend. And if that woman hadn't hit me over the head after I killed her husband, I would never have met Valen just as I'd never have experienced true love.

Oh, the contract. Well it was on Gasheera of course, should be obvious. I'm not going to tell you what happened. I'm not going to tell you if I killed him in his sleep or if he overpowered me and it was by chance that I survived and am now telling this story. I'll tell you I lived and continue to live on my own terms. I even met Saqin a few times after she left the public life. I'm a fighter by heart, you should have seen as much by now, and I don't give up.

They say everyone has a soul mate that completes their existence, but they never mention what happens when that person dies. I know, I've experienced it, and it's one of the most painful things I've ever known. It's not true that time heals every wound, it never has. I was seventeen when I killed Valen, now I’m just about to breach the mark of my hundredth year. Sa'Quira passed away many years ago, or so I think, they never found her body. I will live on, I might even live to see Saqins' visions come true, and I'll do my best at it. But I'll never forget Valen or the journey on which me and Saqin pulled Gasheera out on, and I'll never be able to ignore the gaping hole in my chest.

Author's note: Thank you, everyone who's read the story. Both for your patience and all of your comments.

I'm glad you wrapped the story back around to touch the beginning when she fell in love with Valen Dreth and then killed him - I've never forgotten that scene, so it was fitting that it end where it began. Awesome Write, as it always with when you hold the pen!