Welcome back, thank you for bringing this Fan Fiction to my attention and three cheers for another returning author. I really only have time to read the first chapter, but I'll do my best to take a look at the whole thing. First off, let me tell you from personal experience that yes, you can only have one fan fiction at a time. Rohugh has made this painfully clear to me in the past

Okay so, first chapter. The first thing I always comment on is grammar, and I must say, zero errors in punctuation or spelling. Excellent work :goodjob:

Alright, next up is word usage, flow, and general technique in writing. The only thing I could find was this "that boy such much" Would it happen to be intentional, as I suspect? Everything else was top notch.

On to character: Your main protagonist seems to be this Dunmer assassin, Isis. She is portrayed both seriously in her work and jovially with her friends. We see her ruthless side as she kills that Breton, and in the way she reacts to the new of the emperor's death pretty much tells us how she feels about the government. Also, the first point of the conversation is how they would now be able to get away with anything in the uproar of the emperor. However, we can connect to her easily despite her sinister side in how she treats her friends. Between her casual friendship with her partner, her teasing of the small boy, and how she and her partner talk about the innkeeper and his crush we get a real feel for her. I would say, however, that the main audience here would be young women. Finally, it is revealed she is a vampire, or some other creature of the night, which is more of a plot point than a character one.

Last is plot; the intro, like all good intros, does not inform us of the main conflict or even the antagonist. We only see the setting and protagonist, which sets the scene nicely. We get a chance to know who the players are before the game begins. As such, we can only speculate at the plot at this point.

Well, hopefully I can read the later chapters soon. Looks really good, thanks for writing.

Thank you so much for the feedback Darkom95! It's very encouraging.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you think of the later chapters. As you can see from the timestamps of my posts, I seem to need to take long breaks and then write in short bursts meaning that it my style might change over the time (maybe for the worst, who knows). I've planned the story from the start so I have a 'goals' but I get hit with ideas I just feel I have to throw in there, so I get a little worried it seems a little... messy in some places.

All to say I'm looking forward to hearing more of your feedback. I hope you enjoy the other chapters as much as the first!

For those of you who are interested, I'm introducing more quirky references to my other fan fiction Three Gods and a Sorceress, so you might want to check it out. I'm currently re-working the story, but the original draft is still up on my blog which can be found in my signature.

Chapter XX: An Offer You Can't Refuse

24th Heartfire

Amelia sat on the well's edge outside of the Inn of Ill Omen, immobile. She turned her head at the sound of the distinctive footfalls of Isis' horse as they approached from the west and watched as her sister rode up to the inn. Isis led her mare to the small stables located at the back of the building whilst Amelia leapt off her perch to greet her.

"How did it go?"

Isis jumped to the ground effortlessly and turned to smile at her sister. "As planned."

"I assumed as much considering that Brotherhood guy came to deliver the full payment early this morning." Amelia glanced back at the building beside them and sighed. "In fact, he never left." She rolled her eyes.

Isis frowned. "He's still here?"

"Been here all day. Just sat in a corner saying nothing, just watching me." Amelia's face twisted into disgust and irritation.

"What does he want?" Isis asked, curious.

"I assume he's waiting for you. But he's not about to ask for permission because he knows what the answer would be."

Isis nodded. "Let's find out."

She led the way inside, striding in with clear confidence. Lachance was sat across the otherwise empty inn at a table by the fire. His chair directly faced the front door and she watched his lips turn up at the corners at the sight of her. He had definitely been waiting for her. She strode over to his table, leaving Amelia to join Manheim at the counter and fall into a hushed conversation. As Isis approached the table, she slipped out of her cloak and swung it over the second chair at his table. Lachance watched her with bright eyes as she moved gracefully into the seat across him, apparently mesmerised by her. She tried to keep her face free from irritation as she waited for him to speak.

"I don't believe we've formally been introduced. Lucien Lachance."

He extended a hand across the table which she took in her own cold blue hand. The Imperial was dressed in the same dark finery he had been wearing the first time she had watched him walk out of the inn. His heavy black cloak was hanging beside him on one of the many vacant chairs. His face bore the typical features of a pure bred Imperial with his defined cheek bones highlighted by his strong jaw. His eyes were a simple deep brown colour with underlying warmth which did not escape Isis' perceptive gaze despite his cold demeanour. She also noted how his face, although somewhat structurally different from Gabriel's, was lined in the same places where expressions of pride and self-assurance had repeatedly overcome him in the past. She smiled at this observation.

"Isis Dareleth." This name was one of the few memories which remained from her mortal life.

"How enchanting to finally meet you. I've heard much about you."

Isis smiled slyly. "So have I met your expectations?"

"By far surpassed them, my dear child."

Isis' smile stretched into a grin revealing a perfect set of unusually white teeth. Child. She hoped for his sake it was simply a term of endearment as opposed to show of naivety.

"Then are you here to personally thank me for a job well done or is our business not concluded yet?" She looked over to the counter to emphasise her meaning. "I'm not in the habit of... making conversation with clients. You of all people should understand that. After all, you would be out of a job if you didn't."

It was his turn to smirk. "You've done your homework. And here I thought I could fool you by shedding my black robes."

She nodded towards his cloak. "You haven't exactly chosen a particularly different outfit."

He smiled. "Fair point."

"So are we done?"

"Not exactly." His eyes darted to Amelia and Manheim who still appeared to be engrossed in their conversation and lowered his voice. "I have a proposition for you. If you are interested."

Isis knew the words which would follow. "I'm afraid you are not the first one to make it."

Lachance frowned and sat back in shock and confusion. "By whom?"

Isis smiled slyly. "A young woman many years ago. I highly doubt she is still around. Nor did she appreciate the response I gave her. Perhaps it is best if you do not make yours."

His eyes tightened for a few moments before his face relaxed and it appeared that understanding had overcome him. "I have been trying for quite a while to decipher your nature, sera Dareleth. But it seems you've just given me the answer." His lips turned up at the corners as she made no move to deny his allegation. "Something about you was never quite right. Same can be said for your friend over there, am I right?"

As he said these words, Amelia, who had been listening intently all this time, gave herself away by suddenly tensing. Isis glanced over to her sister who tried desperately to reign in her intolerance. She stood up and walked straight out of the inn without another word, letting the door close with a crash behind her.

"Have I offended her?" He asked, his smile appearing not quite natural upon his sternly set mouth.

"Not at all. She simply enjoys the night time air. I shouldn't worry. Please continue." She spoke with apparent indifference.

"Very well. I have but one question for you. How can you conceal the obvious traits that are so... emblematic of your kind?"

Isis pursed her lips. "Content yourself with knowing that I am no ordinary creature."

She watched as the fire of curiosity continued to rage in his eyes. "If you insist." There was a moment's silence before he spoke again. "Then if you are not interested in my offer... I shall be on my way."

"You are taking my refusal much more gracefully than did the last Speaker I spoke to." She said as he stood up from his seat.

"I have the good sense not to trifle with that which I do not know." He said in the deepest tones of his voice.

He picked up his cloak and swung it onto his shoulders.

As he headed for the door, Isis called out to him. "So what drives a man to betray one of his brothers, Lachance?"

He stopped in his tracks and turned back to face her. He threw a dark glance at Manheim who understood the warning and disappeared up the stairs with a grunt and a grumble. Isis got up from her seat and walked straight up to stand before him, a devious look upon her face.

"You didn't strike me as the type to pry." He remarked with obvious irritation at being asked such a pertinent question.

"I thought I might even out the playing field by satisfying my own curiosity." She grinned drawing attention to her flawless smile again.

"Then content yourself with knowing the man you killed was the first to betray the brotherhood."

She nodded as acknowledgement of his response and watched him stride out of the inn and into the perishing darkness. A few moments later, Amelia and Manheim re-entered the room, sharing a palpable dislike for Lucien Lachance.

"Kicked out from behind my own bar? Who does he think he is? Arrogant bastard." Grumbled Manheim.

"Why did you just let him walk out?" Amelia hissed.

"For starters, we don't kill here or within one mile of this place for a good reason and-"

"I'd make an exception." Manheim interjected.

The eagerness flared in Amelia's bright eyes but Isis' face only darkened at having been interrupted.

"AND he won't talk."

"How do you know that?!" Amelia protested.

"Because he's afraid." She turned towards the fire. "That's why he had me murder Bellamont."

Chapter XXI: Intruder

30th Heartfire

Isis' head snapped to the front door of the inn.

It was midday and the treacherous rays of sunlight slipped through the cracks in the door, forcing Amelia and Isis to stay sitting at the bar out of their reach. Manheim sat across the room at a table with Minerva, awkwardly exchanging words and making attempts at flirtatiousness.

Amelia tore her eyes off the embarrassing spectacle and frowned at the Dark Elf's sudden tension. The inn had been quiet and was free from all other clients as usual. But something had caught her attention whilst Amelia had been engrossed in watching the couple in their weekly uncomfortable exchange.

"There's someone else here." Isis whispered through gritted teeth.

Amelia's eyes darted around the room in a flicker and back to Isis who was still staring at the closed front door. Intent on finding what had her on edge she closed her eyes and let her natural animal senses take over: under the gentle hush of the breeze which flowed between the cracks of the wooden walls she could make out the two accelerated heartbeats across the room, sense the presence of her sister's frozen lifeless body and hear the distant and never changing sleeping heartbeat of the mysterious ageing tenant downstairs. She allowed her senses to roam the entirety of the building, feeling for a disturbance in the environment she knew so well. And there it was. The gentle flutter of an unfamiliar heart and the controlled silent intake of breath.

Her eyes opened in a flash, her pupils disappearing in the stark blue sea of her glowing eyes. "The basemant."

Isis was already at the hatch, her movements so fast Manheim and Minerva did not notice her exit. She pulled the hatch back and leapt down the opening in one fluid movement landing with soft feline agility. She slowed down taking in the sight of the empty corridor, trying to trace the unknown person within the stone foundations. Amelia landed by her side and reached back up to close the trap door behind her.

Isis took two slow steps towards the first door on the corridor and tried to open it. It was still locked shut as it should be. She listened tentatively and all of a sudden caught scent of her prey. The blood was young, running swiftly through its veins despite its attempt at trying to keep its heart rate measured through regulated breathing. Isis explored the flavour it carried, tasting the affinity for magic in its aroma and the familiar twang of adrenaline as it coursed through its body.

She swept down the corridor with Amelia by her side. They opened the door and strode inside, closing it behind them immediately. The girls scanned the room with eager eyes, searching for the Breton hiding from them, but the only mer in sight was their unnamed resident.

Isis laughed. "Invisibility spell. Nice little trick. Now why don't you come out and play?"

The silence was interrupted by the sudden acceleration of breathing coming from across the room. Amelia turned around and locked the door with the key which sat in the lock, before turning back to watch for the movement which would give away their hiding place. The vampires split from each other, each starting to trace out a semi circle around the room.

There was a loud crack as a bolt of lightning shot out from the other side of the bed in Isis's direction. It struck her square in the chest and ran the length of her body, lighting it up in new shades of blue and shocking white. As the electric current pulsed through her undead body, she stood motionless, relishing the sensations it spurred under her skin. There was no pain as the current flooded through her limbs, charring the useless nerves in her slender corpse which would regenerate the next time she fed- an event she could feel would be very soon.

Amelia dived across the room from where the spell had exploded and as Isis watched her fly through the air, she suddenly saw her make contact with the imperceptible intruder. She knocked him backwards and pinned his invisible limbs to the floor, easily overpowering him. The spell dissipated revealing a young mer with a fierce look in his eyes. Amelia grinned, baring her gleaming white teeth as he thrashed about in an attempt to slip out of her vice-like grip. Before he could open his mouth and disturb the unconscious body in the room, Isis darted to Amelia's side and clamped her hand firmly down on his mouth and watched as the faint green glow spread from her pale blue hand to his extremities, effectively paralysing him. When the only parts of him which continued to move were his restless eyes, Isis removed her hand and Amelia released her hold on him. The girls picked up his rigid body and carried him out into the corridor. They stood over him and waited patiently for the spell to wear off, watching his eyes flit around in alarm.

When the spell finally began to seep away and he regained control of his body, the Breton tried jump to his feet, but Isis slammed her boot down on his chest rammed him ruthlessly back onto the stone floor. His head hit the flagstones with force as she pushed him back down to the ground, causing a cry of pain to escape his lips.

"If I were you I wouldn't struggle too much." Isis recommended.

"Who are you?" Amelia asked, her head cocked to the side as if she were speaking to a young child.

"Like I'd tell you!" He spat back at her.

Isis rocked her foot back, driving the edge of her heel in between his rib cages forcing a groan out of him. His face twisted pain in spite of the effort he was putting into holding his composure.

"My dear, don't play games with us."

"I'm not afraid of you."

Isis pulled back her foot and Amelia leapt onto his chest, leaning forward to bring her face straight up to his. Her bared teeth slid down to form a row of formidable fangs which gleamed in the torchlight of the corridor.

"You'd be the first." She whispered to him in a silky voice.

Amelia watch as his olive green eyes gave away his fear. She smiled, pleased with the reaction she got. Isis squatted down beside them and he seemed all too willing to turn his head towards her and away from Amelia's threatening smirk.

"What are you doing here?"

He hesitated, trying to consider his options, but he thought of none. "The Dark Brotherhood asked me to kill that guy. Rufio, his name I think. As a test."

Isis' eyes tightened. "Which Speaker sent you?"

"There's more than one?" He asked, the shock pure and true on his face.

Isis rolled her eyes.

"His name was Lachance. An Imperial."

Amelia sat up and exchanged a dark glance with her sister.

"If you don't believe me, he gave me a dagger. Just a plain silver dagger. He told me to murder him using that blade." Amelia reached for the sheathed dagger at his hip. "He also warned me about you two."

Amelia froze, dagger in hand. Isis' expression flickered briefly to fury before smoothing back into her usual passive mask.

"What did he say?" Isis failed in her attempt at employing a casual tone.

Chapter XXII: Two For The Money

30th Heartfire

Gabriel strode up onto the snowy plateau and took in his surroundings. Boethia's stone figure stood before him dusted with a gleaming layer of newly fallen snow. As he walked up to the shrine, Boethia's followers turned to stare at his pale hooded figure with apprehension and curiosity. He smiled under the shadow his hood cast down on his face and stopped before the statue which rose above the wooden benches where the devout worshippers huddled under there thick woollen cloaks in attempts to hide away from the biting cold. Seeing this, Gabriel tried in vain to recall the feeling of the winter winds against his skin and suddenly felt uncomfortable with his inability to experience temperatures. With a frown he turned his attention back to the statue, examining the sculpture that glorified the body of the Daedric Prince.

After a few minutes of silence, a round-faced Redguard approached him tentatively. "To summon our glorified-"

Gabriel raised a hand to silence him. "I know, a daedra's heart." He reached within his black cloak and brought out a small bundle the size of a fist. He slowly unwrapped the cloth and revealed a fresh heart which bore the purple decolouration known to the organs of Daedric creatures. Gabriel threw a sly glance in the Redguard's direction before stepping up to the statue's podium.

He placed the heart on the rock and took a step back, anticipating the blaze of golden fire which enveloped the organ within seconds. When the flames had completely consumed the heart, Boethia's deafening voice echoed at the edge of Gabriel's mind. Shutting off his senses and closing his eyes, Gabriel welcomed the Prince's words and allowed for the summoning to fill his head.

"A Corvidia? Interesting. It has been a while since I have been summoned by Meridia's creatures. Why do you summon me now?"

"I wish to obtain a Daedric artefact from Attribution's Share."

"An interesting request for someone of your kind. But if you are determined, then prove to me that you are worthy. I shall open a portal to my realm. Go there and take your place in my Tournament of Ten Bloods. Survive, and you shall have what you desire. Failure is not one of your options."

The presence fled Gabriel's mind, leaving him standing a few steps away from a glowing blue portal through which he could glimpse the twisting mazes of Attribution's Share. Ignoring once again the watchful eyes which trailed on him, he strode up to the portal and slipped through to the other side.

A flash of blinding light marked his passage into Oblivion and he found himself standing on a platform surrounded by the smouldering waves of lava joined to the land by a thin jetty. He stared out across to the mainland and discerned the makings of a crude arena rising up from the ground. Engrossed with his observations of the distant land, he failed to immediately notice the presence behind him. When the scent of the Dunmer blood brought him back, he unsheathed his blade and turned to bring it to the mer's bare neck in the blink of an eye.

The Dunmer girl that stood before him glared at him, her eyes betraying her shock at the speed of his movements. Gabriel's attention darted from the silver blade in her hand that gleamed in the red glow of the lava and back to her fiery eyes. Gabriel discerned that the girl must have been no more than twenty years of age, but he sensed the strength that flowed within her. He watched her carefully, her heavy breathing rising above the sound of the bubbling lake beneath them. After several moments of tense silence, Gabriel removed the blade from her throat and relaxed. She watched him warily, the tightening of her grip on her sword not going unnoticed by Gabriel's sharp eyesight.

"You're not one of Boethia's followers. What are you doing here?" Gabriel asked her.

She narrowed her eyes at him, refusing to lower her sword. "How do you know that?"

Gabriel smiled. "Intuition. Now are you here to compete?"

The girl nodded slowly. "Are you?"

"I am. Now why would a little thing like you want to prove herself to Boethia?"

"I need a Daedric artefact." She replied.

Gabriel's eyes gleamed as he was graced with an idea. "Then you and I have the same goals, sera. May I suggest something?"

"That depends on whether you expect me to trust you? Vampire."

Gabriel grinned, showing off his perfect set of white teeth. "What gave me away?"

"I've met your kind before." Her words were soft despite the accusation that lay beneath them.

"I'm ready to bet you haven't." He winked at her before turning away to gaze across to the arena in the distance. "So, would you like to here my plan?"

She stepped up beside him, sword still in hand. "Go on."

"The Tournament of Ten Bloods is basically a fight to the death between each of the ten known races of Tamriel. I'm assuming you'll be representing the Dark Elves and I the Imperials."

"So what are you saying? I still have to kill you to get out alive."

"I'll spare you the trouble of trying and tell you right now you never will be able to kill me." Gabriel spoke with amusemant ringing in his voice.

"We'll see about that." She retorted.

"What's your name?"

"Mamaea."

Gabriel's head snapped in her direction- how had he not recognised her? "Is that so?" A sly smile appeared on his lips. "Tell me, are the Imperial City Prison cells still as uncomfortable as they used to be?"

Her eyes flashed wide open and she jumped back from him, raising her sword. "How did you know?"

"Relax. I won't hurt you." He shrugged. "I can't."

"What do you mean 'you can't'?!" Her voice was fierce, and her red eyes blazed with confusion and fear.

"I mean the Corvidia clan doesn't tend to attack the few people they consider friends." He retorted.

"Friends?! I've never met you!" She snapped back.

"No, but our clan was on friendly terms with a certain Syl'Ranna Dareleth." He heard the disturbance in her heart rate as he spoke the name. "I'm guessing by the look on your face that that name rings a bell. I believe you were her prot?g?, were you not?"

"How did you?"

"How is not important, all you need to remember is that I can't hurt you?" He dropped his voice and mumbled to himself. "Lest I incur her wrath."

Mamaea eyed him suspiciously. She lowered her sword by a fraction, hesitating between placing in this stranger a minimum of trust and beheading him straight away. Gabriel waited patiently as she deliberated her decision. Finally, she lowered her sword to her side and took a step towards him.

"Tell me what your plan is."

Gabriel grinned. "We can both get what we want, assuming you're willing to take a risk."

Chapter XXIII: Breaking And Entering

"You want to do what?!" Mamaea shrieked.

"It'll work. Trust me."

Her face screwed up as he spoke the 'trust' word. "How do you know?"

"Because it's not the first time I've dealt with a Daedric Prince."

She frowned at the thought of such regular interaction with these beings. She could never place trust in someone who was on familiar terms with the amoral Daedra who plagued Tamriel with their games of power and strength.

"There are some things I'm better off not knowing if we're going to work together."

"I wouldn't have thought you faint hearted." He said with a side glance as they continued to make their way to the mainland along the stone jetty.

She shrugged. "I'm not, I just prefer not know certain information that would make me want to push you into the lava."

He laughed; the girl had a strength of character which he admired. They reached the edge of the mainland and stopped. Mamaea took a deep breath in preparation while Gabriel stared ahead to the lava pools which occupied the fighting grounds. He had confidence in his plan, but what he doubted was the Dunmer's ability to fight and survive in harshest conditions.

"Before I forget, I'm sure Isis would pass on her regards."

She frowned. "Who?"

"Isis Dareleth, the Corvidia Elder. I believe you ran into her near Weynon Priory?" He replied casually.

He left a shell-shocked Mamaea behind as he strode forward into the arena.

***

"That lying son of a [censored]! When I get my hands on him I swear I-"

"Amelia! For Azura's sake, calm down! You'll wake my customers!" Manheim protested in a gruff whisper.

"Customers?" Isis questioned dubiously with a cocky smile on her face.

He hesitated for a moment, struggling to think of a believable lie but finally gave in with a sigh. "Minerva is asleep upstairs."

Amelia rolled her eyes. "As if we didn't know."

Amelia took a seat at the bar while Isis rocked back on a chair by the blazing hearth staring absently into the fire. Her long fingers were curled tight around the silver dagger which was stuck in the table beside her, occasionally twisting the blade deeper into the rotting grain of wood. The three of them sat in silence, each considering the options available to them.

"This isn't exactly difficult decision. It's not the first time we've dealt with a client who broke the rules." Amelia said, the impatience breaking through the tones in her voice.

"But it's not exactly the same thing is it?" Manheim reminded her.

"We've stayed out of the Brotherhood's way for years. I'm not exactly inclined to change that." Isis added in low voice.

Amelia walked across the room to lean on the wall by the hearth. "And the fact that he broke the rules?"

Isis looked up slyly. "Rules are meant to broken."

"Not these ones!" Amelia snapped.

They fell silent again. Eventually, Isis stood and after wrenching the blade from the wood stalked over to the door, blade in hand. "I'll take care of this." She grabbed her cloak by the door and slinked out into the pitch black cover of night.

The door clattered shut behind her. She knew from past experience she only had a short amount of time before Amelia would lose patience and take matters into her own hands. Isis was not one to be forgiving, but Amelia failed to see the consequences of picking a fight with the Dark Brotherhood at this time when they had more pressing matters to take care of. But Lucien Lachance was an interesting character and one of the rare humans whom Isis had found had the guts to cross them; it would take a lot more than just a simple threat to put him in his place again.

Within a few hours Isis was perched on the stone well in the walled city of Cheydinhal. She peered down beyond the locked grate, her eyes piercing through the darkness which hid the back entrance to the Brotherhood's lair. Then, placing her hand over the lock mechanism of the grate, Isis watched the purple glow spread from her fingers and along the metal bars which blocked her way down. With a series of muffled clicks the tumblers fell back unlocking the entrance. Isis leapt down and landed with feline agility in a crouch at the bottom of the vertical tunnel and backed into the shadows behind her.

Pressed against the rock wall behind her, Isis stood immobile, listening to the sounds which echoed through the secret halls which the Dark Brotherhood of Cheydinhal inhabited. She located the Dark Guardian which roamed the corridors of the sanctuary and then followed her senses to find three other presences nearby. She could hear the rapid beats of an Argonian's heart across the entrance hall and the hushed purr of a Khajiit's breathing deeper within, behind locked doors, but when she reached out to the distant corners of the halls, she found the person she was looking for; his still heart and stony presence gave him away.

She slinked from the entryway and moved through the shadows faster than any mortal could ever move and made her way down to the small room off of the main corridor which led to the living quarters. She opened the door and slid inside, closing it behind her in one swift silent movement.

"Some people call that breaking and entering, Isis."

Chapter XXIV: Allies Of The Strangest Kind

“Long time no speak, Vicente.”

Vicente Valtieri smiled, his grin revealing sharp and threatening teeth. He was sat at his desk, his chair now half way to facing the door. He indicated for her to take a seat opposite him on the stone bench which served as his resting bed. “I’m guessing you’re not here for a pleasant little chat, right?”

Isis smiled slyly. “How you know me so well, I’ll never know.”

“Well, let’s not forget we’ve known each other for quite some time. I believe we met on one of your first jobs, did we not?”

Isis nodded. “We did. It was my third contract.”

“Quite a job wasn’t it?”

“Quite. I can’t say it particularly left me with a pleasant taste in my mouth.”

“You couldn’t have expected the Dark Brotherhood to play fair.” He shrugged. “They aren’t exactly renowned for sharing.”

“Well, that was made painfully clear.” Isis’ face twisted with disgust.

Vicente leaned back and folded his arms. “So, what business brings you to our sacred sanctuary?”

“I need your help.”

His papery skin creased as his thin lips stretched into a smile. “My, my. I never thought I’d see the day when a Corvidia asked for my help.”

“Don’t flatter yourself, Vicente.” Isis replied, amused.

“What do you need?”

“I need you to help me pass on a message… To Lucien Lachance.”

His eyes opened wide. “Lachance? What business do you have with him?”

“None anymore. But the man has violated certain… caveats of our previous arrangements.”

“Ah. Say no more. I’m surprised though. Lachance didn’t strike me as a hypocrite.”

“Trust me when I assure you whatever punishment I choose, it will be fair.” Isis’ eyes flared with a silent rage.

“Fair enough. So what do you want me to do?”

“You, my friend, only have to call him back to the sanctuary.”

Vicente nodded slowly. “Then what?”

“Then, you’ll give him the little message I left.”

***

Gabriel brought his sword down on the Bosmer, turning in the same instant to face the next opponent, but Mamaea got there first. She plunged her blade into his back, sliding it in to the hilt. The Redguard crumbled to the floor as Mamaea pulled her sword out his body with one swift movement.

Absorbed in observing the girl’s unexpected skill, Gabriel barely noticed the appearance of the Argonian archer until an arrow whistled past his ear. He turned, his golden eyes burning with the adrenaline released from the surprise of the sneak attack. With inhuman speed, he darted across the field, weaving around the lava pools, to reach the mer who continued to fire arrows at his shadow. He stopped dead in front of him and wrenched the bow from his hands, throwing it to one side. He brought his free hand back to strike him on the side of his face. Then, wielding his sword, he prepared to finish him off but froze as a blood-curdling scream rung out across the arena.

He turned in time to see Mamaea fall to the ground at the feet of the monstrous Orc that stood before her wielding a bloodied sword. In one fell swoop Gabriel brought his sword down on the Argonian before breaking into a sprint back across the arena. He reached the Orc as he was preparing to deliver the final blow and grabbing the leather straps of his cuirass, Gabriel wrenched the Orc’s weight backwards and sent him stumbling into the fiery lava behind them. Gabriel crouched besides Mamaea who was clutching the wound at her stomach and trying in vain to swallow the cries of pain that escaped involuntarily through her gritted teeth.

Before he could attend to her, an Altmer and a Breton fell on him, each seizing one of his arms and dragged him away from Mamaea’s side. A Nord approached them, wielding a warhammer which glowed by the destructive powers imbued within it. He stopped in front of Gabriel who was still being restrained by the Altmer and Breton and raised the warhammer above his head using the strength of both arms. At the last moment, Gabriel pushed off the ground using the hold of his attackers to lever himself upward, and kicked the Nord backwards. He stumbled under the weight of the warhammer before his arms gave way and he dropped the weapon to the ground. Gabriel twisted out of the grasp of the Altmer and the Breton and dove for his sword which had been knocked away. He made short work of the duo and turned on the Nord who had now drawn out a shortsword. Gabriel danced easily out of his reach, appearing behind him to strike him down with a single deadly blow to the head.

Reaching the end of his patience, Gabriel turned with fury in his eyes to finish the last opponent that appeared on the field. As the Khajiit ran towards him sword at the ready, he was hit by the explosion of icy shards from Mamaea’s deadly frost spell. Gabriel turned to see Mamaea slide back to the ground, drained of the last of her energy which she had put behind the spell.

He darted to her side and gently pried her hands away from her wound so that he could better examine it. The blood seeped out of the cut at an alarming rate and Gabriel began to shake from the force he had to suppress the beast within him. Taking a long deep breath, Gabriel steadied himself, pushing the thoughts of hunger out of his mind as he had done countless times in the past, and examined the injury once more. He placed his hand delicately over the lesion and cast a healing spell which closed the cut and stemmed the bleeding and followed it by another restoration spell to diminish the tenderness of the scar which had just been formed. Once he had finished his work, Mamaea reached for a small vial in pouch at her waist and drank the liquid inside with a look of disgust.

“Well, that was… successful.” She said dryly. “Thank you, by the way.”

Gabriel grinned. “Welcome.” He stood up and offered her a hand up. “Come on, we’ve still got to see this through.”

She took his hand and groaned at the soreness in her side as she stood up. “You know... I still don’t know how I feel about this next part.”

He laughed. “This is the easy part!”

“I wouldn’t exactly call defying and challenging a Daedric Prince easy.”

Gabriel shrugged. “It’s just as bad as challenging an Orc three times your size.”

She glared at him through the tresses of chin-length auburn hair which had fallen forward over her face. With a huff she turned on her heel and began to stalk off in the direction of the great Daedric gates which stood tall on the opposite side of the arena. Gabriel followed her quietly, smiling to himself; she had truly taken after Syl’Ranna.

Chapter XXV: Threats

“WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!?”

Vicente Valtieri stood a few steps back from the scene, his face an unreadable mask. “I found it early this morning. I thought it best to call you here immediately.” He spoke with apparent indifference.

Lachance turned to face him, his black robes flaring from the abrupt movement. “Are you saying that someone broke in here without ANYONE noticing?!”

Vicente nodded gravely.

Lucien turned back to the collapsed bones of the Dark Guardian which sat in a dark corner of the main corridor. From atop the remains, he snatched a letter addressed to him which was pinned by a familiar looking dagger. He examined the dagger and confirmed that it was the virgin blade he had given to the young boy he had attempted to recruit almost a week ago. Knowing the author of the letter before reading it he braced himself for the words which had been elegantly scribed onto the parchment.

Vicente waited patiently as Lucien absorbed the threat, wondering whether Isis’ plan was sufficient to get her message across. Finally, Lachance folded the parchment and looked up with unsettling composure.
“Make sure no one else catches wind that we had an intruder.” His voice had returned to its usual deep timbre.

“And what of the intruder?” Vicente probed.

“They’ve made they’re point perfectly clear. Perhaps it is best if we just… leave them be.”

***

Gabriel stood tall, fixing his gaze on an invisible point in the distance as he bellowed out across the empty land which stretched out before them. “Boethia! Come out! I summon you!”

Mamaea stood motionless by his side, holding her breath as he continued to call out to the Daedric Prince. Eventually, a booming voice filled the air above their heads, causing her to flinch out of surprise and apprehension.

“Why do you summon me? You have not completed the tournament! Your opponent still stands!”

“The rules of your tournament state that the challengers must defeat 9 other races, yet you have not provided us with an Imperial to fight!” Gabriel replied, unnerving his companion with his calming tone.

“Are you so foolish?! You are the Imperial. While both you and the Dunmer stand in my realm, the tournament continues.”

Gabriel smiled slyly. “You call me an Imperial? You can search my veins and find not a drop of Imperial blood. Do you know so little of Meridia’s creations?”

Mamaea closed her eyes as the ethereal voice failed to respond for several moments.

“As you wish.”

The words rang out across the wide expanse of the arena, reverberating off the Daedric walls which enclosed them. Gabriel turned and grinned triumphantly at Mamaea who still wore her guarded expression as they waited for the final test. Suddenly, a figure appeared several steps ahead of them, wreathed in golden flames which subdued almost immediately. Mamaea’s breath caught in her throat as her eyes took in the Imperial who stood before them; He towered over the both of them, swollen muscles on his bare arms and a hungry look in his blood red eyes. His Bonemold armour struggled to cover the large proportions of his limbs but managed to shield what Gabriel observed would be his weakest points. A few more seconds passed as the companions gawked at their opponent who simply stood there, longsword in hand, a low growl rolling out of his chest as he breathed in and out.

“Right, so at lest Boethia listened to us.” Gabriel said with inappropriate amusemant.

“He certainly gave us more than we asked for.” She hissed back.

Gabriel turned back to the Imperial who still hadn’t moved an inch. “Here we go. Remember, we both have to have our swords in him when he falls.”

“I know.”

Gabriel broke into a sprint, prompting the Imperial to crouch and lift his sword at the ready. Watching him in that moment, Mamaea fancied him more as a wild Ogre than a man with all the breeding so often attributed to their race. All of a sudden being hit by the realisation that Gabriel had leapt to attack, she moved into action prepared herself to block the first heavy swing of her opponent’s sword. The blade came down in a flash and the sound of metal smashing into metal rang out loud and clear. Mamaea parried the blow uselessly slicing the foremost bone plates of his cuirass as Gabriel carved a deep cut into his right arm apparently to no effect. As the beast-like Imperial spun around to try and break out of the companion’s series of united attacks, he brought the exposed nape of his neck to Mamaea’s attention. She sought out Gabriel and found him facing the Imperial absorbed in anticipating his moves.

“Go for his side! NOW!”

Gabriel looked over at her and understood without delay. He moved in and ducked under the Imperial’s arm and just as he thrust his blade into the small space between the joints of the armour, Mamaea pounced forward and angled her blade downwards as she fell onto the Imperial’s back. The blade slid into the flesh sounding a sickening crack as it severed the spine. Time stood still as the Imperial froze, pierced by the two blades. Finally, he fell to the ground, the companions careful to keep their blades firmly in place.

After a tense silence during which Gabriel and Mamaea glanced at each other uneasily, Boethia’s voice rang out unexpectedly.

“I suppose you wish to both make a claim to the title of Champion?”

Gabriel grinned at the Dunmer girl. “I suppose we do.”

Boethia scoffed. “Very well. Go forth with these twin blades, Goldbrand and Eltonbrand, my… Champions. Now leave my realm and watch that your deceit and cunningness does not bring you down at your enemies’ feet.”

Chapter XXVI: A White Lie

2nd Frostfall

The sun was just beginning to show itself when Isis opened the door to the inn. She walked in and found everyone seated at a table in the far corner. The conversation dropped dead as the door closed behind her, announcing her arrival. They turned to watch her as she took slow deliberate steps across the room towards them. Manheim watched her in anticipation with a twinge of apprehension whilst Amelia grinned and Gabriel wore his devious smile.

She knew they were waiting to see her reaction to the fifth member of the party who was sitting at the table. She’d expected it since that sweet mortal scent reached her as she rode up to the inn. She reached the group and stared directly across the table at the slight figure who happened to be the centre of attention before she walked in. There was a long moment’s silence whilst Isis watched the Dunmer girl.

“I certainly wasn’t expecting to see you again so soon.”

The girl seemed unfazed by the tension in the room. “Call it a strange twist of fate.”

Isis’ lips curled into a devilish smile. “I’m thinking the only one who would think it was a wise idea to bring her back to the lion’s den is you, Gabriel.”

His own smile stretched into a grin. “You know me too well.”

“Hmph.”

“You’ll never guess where I found her.”

“No, I probably won’t.”

Sensing her delicate mood, Manheim offered her his seat and retreated back to the bar under the pretence of fetching drinks. Amelia on the other hand settled in her seat as if she were watching a show and Mamaea had the sense to start looking uncomfortable.

“Guess.”

“No.” She said curtly as she sat down.

“Why not?”

“Just tell me.”

“I asked you to guess.”

“I’m not guessing.”

“Then I won’t tell you.”

“By the gods! He met me in Boethia’s realm.”

They both turned to stare at Mamaea as if only just remembering she was there. Behind them Amelia burst into laughter.

“Boethia’s?” She turned a questioning eye to Gabriel.

He grinned.

“Indeed.” Mamaea interjected. “Tell me, do you all share his disrespect for the gods?”

It was now Isis’ turn laugh. “I wouldn’t call it disrespect as such… It’s more of a lack of recognition of their self-assigned importance.”

The young girl smiled at her explanation before her eyes turned cheerless as she seemed to remember something. “So you knew the Nerevarine?”

Isis sat back in her chair. “Syl’Ranna? Yes, I did.”

“When was the last time… When was the last time you saw her?”

She watched the mortal carefully as asked her question, seeing hope twisted with pain. She had met Syl a long time ago on the island of Morrowind. It was then that she had found out that they belonged to the same family, separated by several generations. Isis had promised her she would never harm anyone she loved or held dear to her and vowed to help them should their paths ever cross. Living on the mainland she had doubted the usefulness of her promised protection to her loved ones, but it would seem that fate was not of the same opinion. She had made this promise to her the last time she had seen her. The day Syl disappeared.

“Not since she disappeared.” Isis softened her tone seeing the girl suffering from such anguish.

Mamaea dropped her eyes to the table. “I suppose you don’t know where she went either…?”

She frowned. “Are you still looking for her?”

“I just want to know… why? I know she wouldn’t have left without a reason but…”

“You miss her.”

The young girl looked up, a little surprised. “Yes. I do.”

“I don’t know where she went, Mamaea… And I’m afraid I don’t know why she left either.”

“Of course not. Sorry for bringing this up.”

With a talent for timing, Manheim suddenly decided to reappear with five overflowing pints of strong ale. “Drink!”

“Let me just go upstairs and change out of these clothes. I’ve been riding all night.” With that, Isis excused herself and left Amelia to pick a more cheery subject, but Gabriel followed her to the first floor. He caught her before she opened the door to her room.

“Why did you lie to her, Isis?”

“Excuse me?”

“After all these years, I can tell when you’re lying. You do know why Syl’Ranna left, don’t you?”

She stared at him defiantly. “You try telling that poor little girl that her idol had to runaway because she was going insane! Syl had to leave because her powers were becoming too strong to control. They were driving her to madness. She left for the mountains with her love to try to find a cure, but she had all but lost her mind when I last saw her. That kind of uncontrollable power can kill you, Gabriel. How could I tell her that Syl was probably dead by now?”

Chapter XXVII: The Other Invasion

“So, did you find what you were looking for, Gabriel?” Isis asked as she reluctantly took a swig of the ale Manheim had served them.

“Would I have dared come back empty handed?” He grinned.

“I’m not sure. You’ve dared to do quite a few things recently.”

Mamaea watched the exchange with interest until Amelia caught her eye and gestured it was normal. Gabriel stood from his seat and walked over to the bar where he had left his pack and returned with a bundle of cloth. He placed the wrapped object on the table and Isis leaned forward to unwrap it. The golden hilt of Goldbrand lit up in the glow of the burning fire beside them, bathing everyone in golden reflections.

“Amazing. After this is done, can I borrow it?” Amelia asked with a cheeky grin.

“After this is done, it shouldn’t exist anymore. The ritual will consume it entirely.” Gabriel pointed out.

“That’s such a waste!”

“It’s a sacrifice. That’s the point.” He turned to Isis expectantly. “And what do you think?”

There was a moment’s pause while she stared absentmindedly at the sword before her. “I’m impressed.” She looked up with a kind smile.

“Thank you.”

He tried not to show how pleased he was that it hadn’t descended into another fight. He hated the thought that she resented him.

Isis looked over at Mamaea who sat quietly sipping her ale. “What I really want to know is why you were after an artefact for yourself? I don’t quite see you doing it for the money somehow.”

“I’m helping someone with a ritual, so I suppose a very similar reason to yours.”

The three vampires snapped their heads in her direction.

Isis took the lead. “What sort of ritual?”

Shaken by their reaction Mamaea became defensive. “It’s none of your business.”

A low growl rolled out of Amelia’s chest.

“I believe it is. Now tell us what ritual is your friend performing?” Isis asked as calmly as possible.

The girl searched their faces for the friendliness that once inhabited them but she found no comfort. She then looked around for the mortal innkeeper but he was extravagantly busying himself with the cleaning of the dirty pint mugs.

“I don’t know anything about the ritual.”

“DON’T LIE!” Amelia hissed.

“Amelia!” Gabriel bellowed at her.

She turned to stare fiery eyed at him before standing up and kicking her chair back. Fuming, she stormed upstairs leaving Isis to speak with the girl.

“Let’s try again. What is your friend trying to do?”

Mamaea stared back with a frown, calculating how much she should tell. “He’s… trying to open a gate to Oblivion.”

The vampires hissed viciously and the mortal girl jumped out of her seat and backed away, reaching for her sword. The pair stood and advanced on her until she was cornered.

“Why is he doing that?” Isis’ words dripped with acid.

“He’s trying to stop Dagon’s invasion! He’s not doing any harm!”

The couple were taken aback.

“Dagon’s invasion?” Gabriel questioned.

Mamaea still looked fearful. “Yes. Since the Dragonfires went out, nothing’s been stopping him.”

Isis closed her eyes in relief and walked back to the table, picking up the fallen chairs.

“Forgive us, Mamaea.” Gabriel explained. “I think we misunderstood what you were talking about.”

She eyed him suspiciously. “What did you think I was talking about?”

“Nothing you need concern yourself with. It would seem you have plenty on your plate already.” He offered her a smile.

She relaxed a little at that and let her hand drop from the hilt of the sword.

Gabriel turned to Isis. “Do you want to see if Amelia’s calmed down?”

“Leave her be. She needs to learn to reign in her temper by herself.”

“If she could do it before she brings down the very foundations of my inn, I’d be grateful.” Manheim added from the bar with a chuckle.