15th September 2008

I came back to the story after a long vacation and found quite a few things I didn't like. I corrected them, rewrote certain paragraphs, changed some descriptions etc. The amended chapters can all be found on my blog (http://corvidiaspride.blogspot.com) as I won't bother to repost them all in this thread. If you read up to Chapter VI before September, I would strongly encourage reading Chapter VI again because I believe that's where the most significant changes have been made.

This is another, more recent Fan Fiction that I found inspiration to write. It's still quite new so any constructive criticism is welcome.

This story is based on the Oblivion game, but not the main quest. It runs parallel to it and you'll find recurring references to it throughout. Or such is my aim.

I will be continuing with my rewrite of my last fan fiction- Three Gods and a Sorceress- but this one is quite different and I find myself swinging between writing the two. I believe this story is more accessible to readers, but I'll wait to see what you think. If you want to check it out, the original of my first story is still up on my blog linked in my signature.

I'll be trying to stick close to lore, but forgive me if I modify certain things to suit my intentions for the story.

I also just want to thank BSparrow for helping me with the first chapter. It really helped.

Anyway, thanks in advance!

Chapter I: Execution

Isis slipped through the streets of the Imperial City, remaining in the shadows. Not a sound was to be heard throughout the sleeping city, save for the clink of the patrolling guard's boots on the smooth cobblestones that lined the streets. Much to Isis' advantage, darkness had flooded the entire metropolis, and the moonlight did little to remedy this; avoiding detection was a child's game.

Finally the Dunmer woman arrived at her destination and sent a simple spell into the door to disable the lock. She slipped inside, her black cloak swirling behind her, and took note of her surroundings. The downstairs of the house was in darkness and devoid of life. It was of a simple layout and Isis had little problem finding her way up to bedroom.

Across the simply furnished room, a man sat at a desk poring over a book oblivious to the entry of the newcomer. Isis crept up behind the man, dagger drawn. As she reached him she clamped her hand firmly on his mouth and quickly drew her blade across his throat, spilling his blood on the open book. She stepped away and let the weight of his lifeless body fall forward onto the desk.

As silently as she had entered, she left the candlelight room and proceeded downstairs. Once outside the house she disappeared into the shadows and left the city.

***

“Sir! Sir!” cried the young boy as he stumbled through the door to the inn. “The Emperor’s been murdered!”

“What is this?!” exclaimed Manheim at the child’s words. Manheim Maulhand, the owner and publican of the Inn of Ill Omen, was a tall and well-built Nord, who towered over the boy. “I told you to stop coming in here spouting such nonsense when we have customers!” he said sternly, gesturing to the two women who sat on the stools at the counter.

“No, sir! I swear to Akatosh!” said the boy, his voice weakening under the hard glare of his employer’s eyes. “The whole Imperial City is in chaos!”

Instinctively, Manheim turned to face the two women, an incredulous look plastered on his face. Catching onto his thought process, the Bosmer girl turned her attention to her Dunmer friend.

“Don’t look at me!” laughed Isis, “I was only there to take care of that Breton!”

Isis was a tall yet petite and slender Dark Elf with striking features and sleek auburn hair. Despite having an apparent appeal to men, she cared little for looks. Her companion and friend, Amelia, on the other hand, took great pride in hers; she was an attractive young Wood Elf, with spellbinding dark brown eyes and lustrous blonde hair that hung loosely on her shoulders.

Manheim overcame his initial shock and turned back to face the little boy, “Very well. I suppose you didn’t get the food you were supposed to fetch?”

“No, sir.” He answered sheepishly, “I’m afraid all the stalls were closed…”

“Then you’ll have to go to Bravil. If you leave now you’ll be back before nightfall.”

“And you don’t want to be out when the sun goes down.” interjected Isis with a conceited smile.

“Yes that’s right!” Amelia chimed in, “Loads of scary monsters in these parts. Wouldn’t want you to get caught out alone…”

The boy stared at them with a wide-eyed expression, his face turning ghostly white, before quickly hurrying out of the inn. As the door closed behind him, Manheim returned to his position behind the bar and resumed his conversation with the girls.

“You know, sometimes I think that you’ll scare that boy such much the colour will never return to his face!” he chuckled.

“Oh he needs it!” replied Amelia. “So, someone got the Emperor?”

“Sounds like it.”

“Sounds to me like the go ahead for trouble.” Added Isis, breaking her silence.

“What do you mean?” said Manheim, a look of concern crossing his face.

“Think about it. If the entire Empire’s watching what’s happening in the Imperial City… Who’s watching the troublemakers?” remarked the Dunmer.

The three of them were silent for a while. After a few minutes, the door opened and female Redguard walked in.

“Minerva!” exclaimed Manheim, stepping out from behind the bar to greet her. “Uh…what can I get you?”

“Oh… uh… I… uh… I’ll just have a… an ale’s fine… please.” She said as she took a seat at one of the rotten wooden tables that furnished the inn.

Amelia, who was relentlessly fascinated by their borderline relationship, just stared at them. Isis, on the other hand, stood up and made her way over to the trap door in the corner of the room.

“We’ll just be visiting our old friend, alright?” Isis declared. “Won’t we Amelia?”

“Oh! Yes!” tearing her eyes away from them.

The two of them promptly left the room and climbed down the hatch to the basemant of the inn.

“For Azura’s sake, will they ever just come out with it?!” said Amelia, the moment the hatch closed.

Ignoring her protests, Isis asked, “Do you think he’ll be sleeping?”

“Is there ever a time when he’s not?” retorted Amelia.

They ceased their conversation as they reached the end of the small underground corridor, which lead to the storeroom and the most expensive room in the house. That is to say, it benefited from a few more rickety furnishings and mildly larger size.

Without the courtesy of knocking, the two of them slipped inside the room and looked across to see that Rufio, an ageing man, was in fact, asleep. They slowly made their way across the room and stood over his sleeping form.

“After you.” Amelia said with a sweeping gesture.

Isis leant over him, the scent of his blood growing stronger, her irises contracting, her manicured nails growing to claws, her teeth lengthening into fangs… and in that moment, she relinquished the remaining control she had over the creature that lurked inside her.

Chapter II: Hired

Amelia giggled as she led the huge Nord up to her room at the Two Sisters Inn. She unlocked the door as he stood behind her, hands on her hips, bending his head down to kiss her neck. Finally getting the door open, she turned and pulled him in before shutting it firmly. As she turned back to face the centre of the room, the large Nord pushed her up against the door, lifting her small frame up so that her legs wrapped around his waist.

"Ooh! Now, calm down!" she said giggling even more.

He leant in to kiss her, the alcohol on his breath becoming too much to bear. She turned her head at the last minute and slipped out of his grasp. Bewildered, the Nord fell against the door before turning around to see that Amelia was lying seductively on the bed.

Grunting, he stumbled over to her and fell forward onto the bed, almost crushing the Bosmer girl beneath him. Pushing him over, Amelia flipped him onto his back and climbed on top of him. She leant forward as if to kiss him, discreetly sliding her hand under the pillow upon which his head rested.

At the last moment, just as the huge Nord lifted his head in anticipation, she quickly drew the blade out from underneath the pillow and swiftly sliced his exposed throat. The blood poured out onto the silk sheets as she climbed off of him calmly. She wiped her blade off and fastened it to her waist. Grabbing her cloak on the way out, she promptly left the room and headed out of the inn where the cool night time breeze that blew through the streets of Skingrad.

***

Amelia drew her head back from Rufio's neck, letting the drops of blood on her fangs drip into her mouth. She licked them and allowed for her vampiric appearance to melt away, leaving her perfectly sweet and innocent face.

"That Nord was a pain!" She said turning to Isis who was perched on the end of the bed. "Twelve bloody bottles of that wine it took! Most guys fall for me immediately!"

Isis looked amused, "Just because this one has some sense of dignity!"

Amelia sighed. The two of them made their way back upstairs in time to see a tall, fair-haired Nord heading out the inn. Manheim was standing behind the bar as usual and motioned for the girls to come over.

"Here you go." He lifted one hand from the counter to indicate the bag of gold which rested in front of him. "That was him. He was very thankful. Even added 100 septims onto the total."

"Thank you." Amelia picked up the bag, feeling its weight.

At that moment, an Imperial Legion Forester stalked inside. Isis grabbed the bag out of Amelia's hands and tossed it behind the counter. The Redguard nodded to Manheim, who returned the nod, and took his usual seat in a corner of the inn, which was by the only window. The three of them exchanged a glance and Manheim nodded towards the stairs as he walked around the bar and over to the new arrival. As he took his order, Isis and Amelia discreetly took the bag upstairs and went to the furthest room on the left.

The room was sparsely furnished, as were all the others in the house; it had two bedrolls and a chair that sat in front of a rickety desk. Isis went straight over to one of the bedrolls and pulled it back. She slipped her slender fingers in between the cracks of the floorboards and lifted one out revealing several similar weighted bags of gold.

"Remind me why we can't just kill him?" Amelia asked with an unsettling tone of innocence.

Isis laughed but didn't offer any reply. After adding the bag to the others, she returned the room to its original arrangement and the two of them sat back in silence.

"Is this all you girls do all day?"

Isis and Amelia sat up in surprise. A man stepped out of the shadow in the corner of the small room.

"Gabriel!" exclaimed Amelia as she jumped up and threw her arms around the figure.

Gabriel stepped out of the shadow into faint stream of light pouring in from the boarded up window. He was a strong looking Imperial with dark features and a piercing blue eyes. He radiated an air of arrogance and importance in his fine dark clothes.

Isis stood up slowly to greet him. "How long have you been standing there?" she asked with a hard stare.

"It's nice to see you too Isis. How long has it been? 6 months?" he replied with a sly smile as Amelia let go of him and stepped aside.

"7 and a half. Actually." she retorted.

The two of them stood in silence staring each other off for a few moments before grins broke out upon their faces and they embraced.

"So what are you doing here?" Isis asked.

The three of them sat down on the dusty floor. "You know me. I thought I'd come around and see how my lovely sisters are doing. Not that I haven't heard of your handy work..." Gabriel said with a knowing smile. "I'm also glad to see you're still getting a fair load for it... Remind me why you're still in this dump?"

"Because I like it. Now why are you here? We all know you wouldn't be here unless you wanted something." Isis replied, her face turning sombre.

"You make it sound like I don't care about you two!" A sharp glare from Isis prompted him to change his answer. "Fine. We've got trouble."

Chapter III: A Problem

One week earlier.

"Hurry up with those!" yelled the Redguard.

"I don't see you helping get these bloody crates inside!" retorted one of the other bandits, as he finally dropped the wooden box at the top of the steps.

"That's because I'm in charge, isn't it?" He snapped back. "Now, come on! This close to the City there are patrols every hour, and it's not on my 'To Do' list to get caught hauling this around!" He kicked the crate as he said this.

The bandit bent over the box to find a suitable grip on it.

"Where's Dram?" said the Redguard suddenly, looking around for the Dunmer.

"I dunno." Shrugged the bandit. He found a grip on the crate and heaved it up into the air. "Probably went for a piss." He began stepping carefully down the steps into the Ayleid ruin.

The Redguard walked a few paces away from the entrance to see if he could spot his friend. All of a sudden something grabbed him from behind, and before he could even let out so much as a squeal, two powerful hands jerked his head to the side, effectively breaking his neck.

Propping the body up against his own, Gabriel drank his fill from the Redguard. When he was done he let the body slip ungraciously to the ground.

"I always hated bandits." He muttered to himself before slipping behind a pillar to prey on the last one who was returning to haul the last crate into their hideout. The Dunmer had been little to no help in sating Gabriel's thirst; he'd been a wiry little sod, whose purpose had been only to make the vampire hungrier than he already was. He had been an appetiser.

The third and final bandit reached the top of the steps and went straight over to the remaining crate, not noticing the absence of his two partners. As he bent over to lift the box, Gabriel stepped up behind him, making not the slightest sound. He grabbed him from behind and firmly clamped his hand over his mouth before sinking his teeth into the final course of his evening meal. He drank slowly, savouring each and every drop, feeling the bandit's strength gently seep out of his body, reducing, little by little, the effort he put into escaping Gabriel's powerful grasp.

Then, something across the other side of the water shifted. Gabriel's eyes darted across the lake that separated him from the Imperial City. A grate screeched open. His vampiric eyesight allowed him to lock onto the source of the movement in the darkness. A tall thin figure emerged from behind the grate. Gabriel dropped the now lifeless body of the bandit and took a few steps towards the water's edge. The figure looked from side to side before skittering off into the darkness.

"Well, well, well." Gabriel said to himself. "How very interesting." For indeed he knew that that grate was a sewer exit. And he also knew that that sewer led only to the Imperial City Prison.

***

"Since I saw the prisoner escape, I stayed in the Imperial City for the next couple of days. I heard the news and called on my contacts to see what I could find out. Word is, the prisoner witnessed the Emperor's death, but even their existence is being hushed up." Gabriel said.

"That's fair enough." Shrugged Amelia. "If it was let out that someone escaped, then Hieronymus Lex would be in for it!"

"And that would be bad how?" Isis said, her conceited smile returning to her face. "Gabriel, I still don't see how this affects us. So a prisoner got out. Not my problem."

Gabriel bowed his head for a moment. "You're right. That's not your problem." He looked up to meet her gaze. "But the Requiem is."

Amelia tensed. Isis' gaze turned sombre. "Of what relevance is that?" she said slowly, stressing each and every syllable.

Answering just as slowly, Gabriel said, "One of my contacts has reported? unusual vampiric activity." Seeing that Isis was not letting up he continued, "Basically there have been reports of attacks on entire villages, and of attacks on the busy roads. They're being braver. They're not hiding out in their caves any more. There have been attacks and sightings in the outdoors only minutes before sunrise."

The two women listened in silence, not showing any sign of emotion. Still not breaking eye contact with Gabriel, Isis replied, "That doesn't mean Requiem."

"So you're going to tell me this is just all a coincidence!?" Gabriel snapped. He stood up. "Come on Isis! You of all people should know better. The timing is perfect! The signs are all there! Don't tell me I'm imagining things!"

Isis was looking down at the floor. "There's no proof." Her tone was irritably calm.

"Proof?!" bellowed Gabriel. "The only time we'll have proof is when it's too late!"

Isis stood. "So what?!" Her voice rising to meet Gabriel's. "When did you start caring?"

"Both of you be quiet!" exclaimed Amelia. "Remember that there's about as much soundproofing in this place as there are customers!"

Gabriel and Isis turned to face Amelia who was still sitting in the corner. They looked back at each other and sat back down.

"Fine." Isis finally said. "I'll look into it."

Gabriel nodded. Isis stood up and made for the door.

"Remind me again why you never drink on the job." called Gabriel.

Isis stopped dead. "Because to do so would be to dishonour the Corvidia name." She replied as calmly as ever. "Not that you know anything about that." She added before stalking off downstairs.

Excellent story and brilliantly written! You use description wisely and effectivley especially when the characters are taking lives!!!

Good stuff, as usual. I'm liking what I'm seeing of the characters. I've said it before and I'll say it again: you have a talent for character.

There was a bit of a jar in the beginning of the second section... It took me a moment to realize that that first section was a flashback... or that the second section was a flash-foreward. It's a small thing, but it was the only thing I could find to nit-pick.

I've always been a fan of stories that show well-known or formulaic stories from a new point of view, and this is right up that alley. It's definitely promising.

Unfortunately, this forum does allow only one story thread at a time (it's the second part of Rule #1.) I think Rule #2 refers more to discussion-type threads, like what olny posts occasionally. Perhaps you can tell us when this story updates on its site in your existing thread? I don't think that's against the rules.

Thanks Dust Atronach!

And thanks for a millionth time BSparrow!

Thank you for clearing up the rules for me, because I have to admit I was confused about what they meant by "story thread". I figured because they referred to it as a fan fiction thread in the second part, it was not the same thing.

It's no biggie. The link is in my signature, and for those who may be interested, I'll post a small note in the Three Gods and a Sorceress thread when a chapter is released. Then if anyone has feedback, they can post it there... Does that sound like if it would work?

If any moderators have any advice on this it would be helpful, please. Otherwise, please feel free to close this thread if necessary.

Sorry for the trouble!

I've checked it with Rohugh, and this thread is no problem.

Back to business then.

I went back and put timestamps on the chapters to indicate leaps forward and back in time, to clear up confusion. As pointed out on the blog, you'll probably need to check the Tamriel calendar (unless you know it off by heart) for these references to be of any use. There's a quick link on my blog.

I won't repost the first chapters with these new additions because nothing else has changed. But feel free to go check them out on the blog.

Does that help BSparrow?

I'm working on chapter 4. In the meantime, constructive criticism and feedback is still, as always, welcome.

Wow. Very interesting. Not much to comment except maybe the 'exclaim' verb is a little over-used but that could be my fault. Old school trauma.

As for the story, I'm eager to know what Requiem might be. Is that inspired by a movie I know nothing about? Isis and Amelia also sound familiar vampire names, but it doesn't bother me.

Keep up the good work.

Lol. Yeah, I'm aware of my over usage of certain verbs like "exclaim". That's my big problem, especially in my other fan fiction.

Requiem, in this fiction, is completly a creation of my own imagination. It's to be explained in more detail in the next few chapters... Keep reading!

As for the familiar names... Amelia, yes, is an obvious reference ... But it seemed to fit the character.

Thanks for the feedback Peleus! :foodndrink:

Finally finished. I had trouble with this one. Not to mention I kept on having to keep being seperated from my computer.

Chapter IV: Not so soon

"It has been some time since you last called on me. Has it not?"

"It has."

"Then what brings you here, child?"

"Requiem."

"I see."

"There have been? certain signs."

"And you wish to know if they are significant?"

"Yes."

"I do not have the answer you seek."

"The answer I do not wish to hear, or an answer at all?"

"Both. I cannot be certain. That is where my power fails me. I am not a seer. But I can tell you this: you are descended from a long line of immortal defenders, born to protect against such chaos. When the time comes, you may call upon me again, and then we shall speak further. Until then Isis?"

***

5th of Heartfire

"I still don't see why you don't think it's possible?" said Amelia.

The two elves were sitting in a corner of the West Weald Inn. It was late in the evening but the inn was still bustling with customers enjoying a drink before heading home for the evening. Isis scanned the room; everybody was engrossed in their own conversations. She turned her attention back to her drink. She picked up the glass and swirled the deep red liquid inside.

"It's just... it's too soon." Isis finally said. She took a long sip of wine before placing her glass back down on the table.

"Too soon?" Amelia answered with a frown. She lowered her voice, "It's been a hundred years, Isis. The Requiem comes round every century... The timing is-"

"That's not what I meant." Isis interrupted abruptly. "It's... I'm not ready to face another one... Not so soon..."

Amelia was silent. She stared at her own wine glass. It was half empty.

"Last time... we were nearly annihilated..." Isis continued, finally lifting her gaze to meet that of her sister's. "The Corvidia bloodline is dying out."

Amelia stared back at Isis. She saw how hard this was for her. Isis Corvidia had fought in and survived two Requiems. Since the last one she had been plagued by constant dread, but had enough pride not to let that show. She was now the eldest of the Corvidia clan; the responsibility of leading the defence against Vaermina's forces lay in her hands?

"So we're three against the world?" Amelia said finally with a smile and a shrug. "You never let odds like that stop you before."

Isis forced a smile. Amelia was young and had only witnessed the conclusion of the last Requiem. She saw the extent of the damage, but she had not seen how it had come to be. Isis looked away, once again gazing at the people around her. They were so wrapped up in their own lives. Not one of them was conscious of the danger and the evil that lurked around them. She glanced back at Amelia who'd also turned her attention to the crowd. She may have been na?ve, but she was a true Corvidia.

Isis sighed, "Let's go take care of business, shall we?" she said with a classic enigmatic smile.

***

Later that evening?

The cloaked elves mounted the two black mares stabled at the city's gates. They left Skingrad behind, having concluded their business with an underground band of skooma addicts, who had had outstanding debts with the wrong people.

They headed away from the city at speed, following the northbound road, the sound of hooves on the cobbles echoing around them. It was not long after midnight, so the vampires had still a fair few hours to reach the Inn of Ill Omen before sunrise. Nonetheless, a few minutes into their journey, Isis began to sense the unnerving feel of light on her back. She glanced over her shoulder and halted her mare.

Realising her companion had stopped, Amelia jerked the reins much to her horse's protests. She turned to face the sight that had stunned Isis; an eerie red glow hung in the distant sky on the horizon.

"It's too early to be sunlight." Isis stated as if looking for an explanation for this phenomenon.

Then they saw the smoke. They watched as it slowly drifted up to join the clouds above.

"Estimating the distance, I'd guess that wasn't far from Kvatch? Do you think they were attacked?" Amelia asked tentatively.

Isis continued to stare at the sight in silence, a blank expression on her face. It couldn't be. Not so soon. Meridia would have warned her? "We don't have time to find out." With that, she pulled on her own mare's reigns and started off in a gallop, swiftly followed by Amelia.

Isis hoped that attack was unrelated. She knew it was unrelated. Even if it was coming? they still had time.

She hoped they still had time.

Finally back to writing... properly. It feels good! Lol. ^_^

I came back to the story after a long vacation and found quite a few things I didn't like. I corrected them, rewrote certain paragraphs, changed some descriptions etc. The amended chapters can all be found on my blog (http://corvidiaspride.blogspot.com) as I won't bother to repost them all in this thread. If you read up to Chapter VI before September, I would strongly encourage reading Chapter VI again because I believe that's where the most significant changes have been made.

Chapter V: Release

8th of Heartfire

Three days had passed since they had witnessed the fire at Kvatch. Isis had spent the day after restlessly pacing the empty inn till dusk. The second the sun had slipped behind the dark distant horizon, she had raced out of the door and mounted her agitated mare. She reached the outskirts of the city in record time and dismounted at the foot of the hill upon which the town sat like an overweight king on his gilded throne.

The rain beat down on her face as she glared up at the city. Peacefulness flooded the pasture in which she stood motionless, her eyes cutting through the darkness to identify the outline of the city walls. After a few moments she smiled darkly and mounted her horse, content that it had not been the attack which she had feared- if it had been, the screams would still be echoing across the fields. This attack, however, was none of her concern.

But now a new contract had brought her to Chorrol. She waited, perched on the roof of a building that stood across the town square from the Mages Guild. Thoughts danced around her head chaotically, refusing to give way to the trance-like state she slipped in before a kill. Thoughts, unanswered questions, expectations... doubts. Doubts she was not allowed to have. Doubts she couldn't allow herself to have.

She closed her eyes.

How could Meridia let it get this far? It had been nearly a century since she had sent her to seek a potential. How could it be that no more could be found? Would she really allow them die out? It was inconceivable! She had created them, gifted them so that they could fight on her behalf... Had it been their fault? Had Isis failed in her attempts to lead the family? That was impossible! She had restrained the creature within her for so long to please Meridia. She only fed to sate her most basic needs. What use would she have been if she had lived in the weakened, blood-deprived state that came from such extreme abstinence? No. She had done everything right. Followed her word unconditionally. Followed the example that had been set before her. She would not blame the failure of her kind on herself. There was no point. There was only one way forward; to fight to the end, despite the odds.

Her eyes snapped open.

A light breeze drifted in her direction, carrying the sweet scent of warm human blood. Her attention was immediately on the door to the Mages Guild where a small hooded figure was leaving the building. In one fluid motion, Isis notched an arrow and took aim. She was invisible against the dark cover of the night sky, but something made the hooded figure turn his head towards where she was now perched. He looked straight into her glowing crimson eyes, realisation hitting him a second too late- the arrow had already struck home. Before the pain overwhelmed the shock, he looked back to where his attacker had been only a moment ago. Had he dreamed her? Imagined those lurid eyes? The arrow in his chest answered those questions for him and he collapsed to the floor- dead.

Isis was already outside the city walls when the guard found the body and raised the alarm. She smiled to herself as the night watch began to call for an immediate search of the city. What would they find? Air? She continued on foot, walking just off the main road, following its path. She was in no hurry. Night had only just reached its climix and she could always sprint the rest of the way.

A cool breeze swept along the road rustling the leaves at her feet. She pulled her black robe tighter across her chest. Underneath she wore plain dark clothing and her choice boots. She wore her hooded robe loose, leaving it to draqe behind her like a cloak, with the hood pulled up allowing it to cast dark shadows on her face and concealing her piercing eyes.

She walked at slow pace- for her- her eyes trailing on the ground. She tried to calm the storm inside her head, taking in unnecessary deep breaths of cool night air. But it became more apparent that she needed an outlet; a chance to unleash her strength instead of the simple exercises that she carried out on these jobs. That had been the original intention when she had set up the "business" through Manheim. She and Amelia shared the contracts that came to him, intended for the mysterious freelance assassin- singular. They had made him quite a sweet profit through their work and brought much infamy to the Inn of Ill Omen through their much successful work.

That was no longer enough. Isis knew that she would drive herself to insanity if she fought the beast inside her for much longer. No daedric prince could reproach her giving in to her true nature for a few moments; after all, Meridia knew that was the price she had to pay to fight what she loathed most.

"RUN MARTIN!"

Isis looked up, her hand flashed to her sword. She had reached a small priori on the outskirts of Chorrol.

"DUCK!"

In the courtyard of the priori she could see a fight unfolding. She could make out two figures with their backs to her fighting... What were they fighting? Daedra? No. They were fighting a group of armour clad fighters.

"MAMAEA!"

The couple were far outnumbered. The Daedric armoured fighters were closing in on them as one of the two, a young woman, fought fiercely against the foremost of the group. Her companion stood behind her firing spells at their opponents. Any moment now they would be overwhelmed.

"Get behind me!" Isis called out in a composed manner.

The young woman, a dark elf, turned her head in alarm to see who had just spoken. Her eyes darted back to her attackers and grabbed her companion's arm and dragged him to Isis' side.

"Stay out of my way." Isis hissed.

She took three steps forward to meet the first charging attacker as his sword whistled through the air with extraordinary speed and force toward her neck.

Chapter VI: Origins

"Every century, a single portal to the oblivion plane of Coldharbour opens in Tamriel. Creatures belonging to our nightmares come pouring into our mortal world with one intention: to inflict pain. They are here to carry out the will of their master, the twisted and sadistic daedric prince, Molag Bal.

The date of the portal's appearance varies each century, as does the exact location in which it opens. It is rumoured that it is preceded by three particular signs, though any details concerning these signs remain open to speculation.

Nonetheless, according to legend, the mortal world is not left defenceless. It is believed that the daedric prince Meridia, who is said to greatly abhor the actions of Molag Bal, created a race of defenders to keep the fiends of Coldharbour from causing any damage for the duration of the portal's aperture. To this day, the true nature of these 'protectors' is still unclear, though it is popular belief that they may be of vampiric origin. If this is the case, we would need to ask why Meridia, a condemner of all things undead, would create such creatures. Perhaps the only way to fight certain evils is through the harnessing of a whole new kind of evil...

Can we ever be sure this event is more than mere myth? No, though we can be sure that there are dangers far beyond the Nirn which will always be outside our sphere of comprehension. Therefore, we pray these mythic defenders will keep us safe from the collateral damage caused by the wars that the gods wage against each other, using our world as a battlefield.

We hope for protection from the Requiem."

-Anonymous

***

Isis ducked as the sword swung freely above her head, the velocity sweeping her hood backwards revealing her silken black hair. In a flash of movement she stepped behind him spun her blade in a full circle above her head before bringing it down with force into the attacker's skull, in spite of the protection of his daedric helm.

As he feel to the ground, the amour dissipated in a cloud of red smoke, no longer bound to the Nirn. In place of the fearsome warrior that stood there a moment ago, lay a fragile robed figure on the cobbled ground of the priori courtyard. Isis smiled darkly, raising her eyes to gaze at the now hesitant band of warriors, all with their swords raised.

She stood motionless as the warm blood pooling out from the dead agent's fractured skull spread beneath her feet. The scent was intoxicating- addictive. She closed her eyes and tilted her head backwards as she inhaled the fragrance that filled the air. The beast inside her began to growl, sending vibrations coursing through her body. She smiled and slowly opened her eyes to stare at her awaiting meal.

Her scarlet eyes gave way to an impenetrable blackness. Her perfect white teeth grew out to form a row of sharp fangs, her manicured nails lengthening to daggers and a fiery copper colour bled into her hair. The blue tint drained from her skin leaving her a ghostly pale shade of ivory. She shrugged off her cloak, letting it fall heavy to the ground.

A hiss escaped her ruby red lips. Her knees bent in anticipation and she pounced forward landing effortlessly in the centre of the group. Before they had a chance to react she planted her sword in the middle of one of the agent's shoulder blades. In a flurry of movement she broke another's neck, side-stepped an attack and knocked down the assaulting warrior. Only one was left standing and before his fear could make him run in terror, Isis leapt at him teeth bared. As she landed on him he tumbled backward and his concentration faltered, effectively dismissing his armour, much to the vampire's delight. She dug her nails through the fabric of his robe and into his flesh and he threw his head back, screaming in pain. She laughed hysterically, all sense of self-control long gone. Her eyes locked on to the exposed flesh under his jaw. Unable to postpone the event any longer, her head darted forward and she sank her razor sharp teeth into the mer's pulsing flesh.

Blood ran down from his throat as she leeched the life from his still struggling body to join the ever growing pool that was forming in front of the Weynon Priori chapel. A few paces behind her, the warrior whom she had knocked to the ground and promptly forgotten in her frenzy, brought himself to his feet. Soundlessly, he picked the sword that lay at his side and crept up behind the beast. Cautiously, he raised the sword above his head, while Isis was still engrossed in sating her thirst.

He took a deep breath and with-

A blade pierced his chest, emerging through his front with a gruesome spray of blood. Isis snapped her head back- her face barely recognisable- to stare at the warrior. His horror struck face stared back, his eyes flooded with confusion. The blade pulled back with an audible "squelch" and his body began to sway forward. Isis leapt out the way before it fell on top of her.

Control began to return to her, her mind struggling to take hold of the situation. Slowly, the cerulean colour began to return to her face, her teeth and nails shrank back into a more human size and her hair drained of the blazing red. Her vision started to focus as the darkness in her eyes contracted to form her pupils once again encircled by those glowing crimson irises.

She could make out two forms: two standing figures. One of them standing with a bloody sword where the warrior had stood but a second ago. It was the girl. Her Imperial companion stood by her side, both of them glaring intently at her. They made no move to attack. Isis continued to stare back at them as consciousness finally began to catch up with her. The girl was young, yet the muscles were defined along her slight frame, even more apparent on her bare arms. Isis' eyes fell on her face; her youthful face was tattooed in a peculiar manner and bore superficial cuts, no doubt from the recent fight. The vampire managed to tear her attention away from her open wounds and look her straight in the eyes. They were cold, calculating, without a trace of fear.

"Are you alright?" she called out warily.

Isis smiled. "Yes."

"I guess thanks are in order..."

She laughed darkly. "Do not misunderstand me, mortal. That was certainly not for you."

The pair of them took a small step backwards. The movement did not escape Isis' watchful gaze. Suddenly, a crash echoed from the chapel and a man- a monk- came stumbling out, sword drawn. His eyes flew wide open at the carnage that lay before him. At last he turned his attention to the survivors. But he only saw two; Isis was already sprinting through the darkened woods, racing against time, against the rising sun.

Chapter VII: Reunited

13th Heartfire

"Where's Amelia?" Gabriel asked as Isis dismounted in front of the Roxey Inn.

"Out on contract." She glanced at him as she secured her mare's reins to the wooden bench.

They stepped inside the animated inn and made their way across the room to the bar. The bar, as usual, was crowded with adventurers who wandered in off the road.

"Two ales, Malene please." Gabriel said, flashing the Nord a brilliant white smile.

Malene blushed under his golden gaze and went about digging out two glass bottles. Isis laughed at this show and turned away, facing the packed out room. Gabriel handed her one of the bottles and leaned in the same manner against the counter.

"Apologies, I don't think they serve wine here." He gave her a side glance.

"Cut to the chase, Gabriel."

"Why won't you ever let us talk like old times?"

"Because these aren't the old times." Isis turned to face him. She glared at him, trying to read the peculiar expression on his face. She couldn't tell if it was hurt, disappointment or simply indifference. After a few moments she became distracted, looking at how his perfect face had not changed in all their years apart- his sharp, flawless features were still as remarkable as they were the first time they had met.

"Does that mean I'm not allowed to care about you anymore?" A flash of guilt appeared on his face, distorting its perfection.

Isis looked into his golden eyes. This was the first time they had been alone in almost a full century. Since the last Requiem, apprehension and worry had plagued the surviving members of the Corvidia clan. Each member had dealt with it in their own way; Gabriel had chosen to leave the company of his kin, infrequently checking in with Isis, the head of the Corvidia family.

But Gabriel and Isis had had a much deeper bond than that; he had been the first whom she had turned. Two months after the death of the seventh Corvidia Elder- Isis' predecessor- Meridia had instructed her to seek out a 'newborn' lost in the icy planes of the Jerall Mountains. Isis had found him, a wild and feral creature roaming the snow covered peaks in search of his next meal. He had attacked her on sight, out of panic, but in his weakened state he posed no threat. She managed to subdue him and made him an offer that he had no choice but to accept...

Isis changed the subject, "So tell me, what did your contacts have to say?"

He chuckled, "Well, supposedly that was the prisoner that I saw, but I'm still working on the Imperial. You said his name was Martin?"

"I think that's what she called him." Isis closed her eyes and tried to recall the scene, "There was something about the way she always angled her body between his and mine... She was defending him..."

Gabriel cut into her reverie, "Well, I can tell you that you were probably not the worst of their worries. I also had my contact look into these 'warriors'." Isis snapped back to attention, "They were members of some apocalyptic cult. The Mythic Dawn, I believe. Not much is known about them."

Isis laughed. Escaped prisoners, convicted defenders, apocalyptic cults... She could never strive to understand human actions- it was a hopeless cause. She herself had no recollection of her human life. No Corvidia did. It was a supposed side-effect of the conversion.

"Why did you want to know anyway? You've never cared about mortal affairs." Gabriel questioned.

"Curiosity." She could not keep the look of amusemant from her eyes.

They drank in silence, watching the adventurers as they exchanged stories, some of them going as far as to re-enact them for the whole bar.

Isis hesitated before interrupting the comfortable silence, "So... Anymore news on...?"

Gabriel sighed. "Why don't we go outside?"

Isis left her almost untouched bottle on the side and led the way out of the claustrophobic room. Her black mare became restless at the sight of her and she went over to calm it. She stroked its head soothingly until it stood motionless, resembling a statue carved out of the darkest volcanic rock. Gabriel watched with patience.

"I'm not sure what to tell you, Isis. You know how I feel about it, and you made it clear you didn't agree."

Isis turned a hard stare on him. "You can't blame me for reacting like that. I hadn't spoken to you in over half a year and you came sauntering in, casually dropping it in conversation." She continued when he didn't respond. "I summoned Meridia."

Gabriel's eyes flew wide open, "What did she say?"

"Nothing that would affirm or contradict your beliefs... But I believe you may be right. As much as it pains me to say it, we can't ignore the signs." She paused. "The local forester reported an increase in monsters on the roads... Especially undead creatures. They're fiercer, more dangerous and they're terrorising travellers into staying off the roads." She looked away into the distance, as if watching some far away activity.

"All consistent with the first warning then." He added grimly.

"But where are the others?"

Chapter VIII: You Left

There was a long silence. The night turned colder as the wind blew down from the northern reaches of Cyrodil, but neither vampire took any notice. Everything around them was peaceful and still, save for the occasional rustling of the browning trees. They were now sitting on the lonesome bench by the entrance to the inn, sounds of laughter and loud conversations drifting through the wooden walls of the building. Sitting there in the darkness, no passer-by would have noticed them save for their intense glowing stares which stood out like stars against a black night sky.

When Gabriel broke the silence, he broke it in a whisper, "What about Amelia?"

Isis turned her head to look at him, "What about her?"

"Do you think she's ready?"

She sighed. "None of us are ready, Gabriel."

"Don't be obtuse. Do you think she'll be able to stand with us?"

"She doesn't really have a choice, does she? I'll remind you again that you have no reason to doubt her abilities."

"How about her inexperience? I don't believe for one second that you have never had these doubts."

Isis stood up in exasperation and spoke through gritted teeth, "I am not going to have this conversation."

"Only because you know I'm right." He said with disgust.

Isis' pupils contracted. She threw him an icy glare despite the flare in her blood red eyes. Her lips pressed in to a hard line as she fought for something to say. Slowly, he stood and took a step forward in her direction. An animal growl built up in her chest, making him stop dead in his tracks.

"Isis-"

This time the growl rumbled in her throat, louder than before.

"Isis, just let me-"

"NO!" she hissed, the word dripping with acidity. "Let me: a century ago you chose to leave to go your own way. Fine. Then, every six months you would turn up unexpectedly on my doorstep, just in time to quell the dread inside of me that you would never come back. Fine. And now, a hundred years later, you come back, supposedly for a more permanent stay. But why? Is it because you care? Is it because you wanted to pass judgement on Amelia's strength? Or is it just because you know that if you didn't come back for it, I would hunt you down and throw you head first into Coldharbour as an offering?" She spat the words, fury blazing in her eyes.

There was a tense pause. "When did you start giving in to it?" Gabriel said, cocking his head to the side.

"Excuse me?" she stressed every syllable with more emphasis than needed.

"When did you start giving it to it? Your instinct. The one telling you to go for my throat." He pressed, a dark smile twisting his mouth.

She took a step backwards, eyes locked onto his curious stare. "Don't..."

"Feels good doesn't it?" His grin refusing to fade. "It gets better. When you can really control it- channel it."

"Gabriel..." Her voice started to shake. She tightened her fists.

"What made you change your mind? You were always so strict. You refused to give in. Refused to admit that's who you really were."

"Meridia-"

Gabriel snapped. "Creating us was her choice! Even Daedric Princes should have to deal with the consequences of their actions!"

Isis dived at him, an inhumane snarl escaping her lips. As Gabriel fell backward, she clamped her long fingers around his neck, digging her dagger sharp claws into his pallid skin. His golden eyes blazed and he shifted his weight onto his side, pinning her underneath him.

"What did I tell you? Feels good right?"

Isis slid her hands onto his shoulders and lifted his bulk up to free herself. She raised her leg and kicked him square in the chest, sending him flying backward- away from the inn. She sprang onto her feet and scanned the darkness for him. Before she could spot him, he had her back on the ground. He towered over her sleek frame and slammed a foot into her chest when she tried to move. In one swift motion he drew his sword pressed the tip against the tender flesh under her jaw.

Chapter IX: Do You Love Me?

"I guess things have really changed since you found me, those 250 years ago, haven't they?" Gabriel said.

Isis regained control of the monster, but her fury was beyond the point of being harnessed. She hissed at him, bearing her fangs. He applied more pressure on the blade in response. A single drop of blood rolled down her throat as the cool silver blade pierced her blue skin. He pulled the blade back hesitantly and then sheathed it. He offered her a helping hand up, which she promptly ignored. They stood face to face in silence. Finally, Gabriel reached out towards her throat. His fingertips gently brushed her skin, his thumb wiping away the drop that clung to her neck. She remained motionless as he pulled his hand back.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean-" Gabriel hesitated.

Isis slowly wrapped her arms around his neck and placed her head on his shoulder. He returned the unexpected embrace, sliding his arms around her frame and pulling her closer towards him.

"I know." Isis murmured. She turned her head and buried her face in his neck.

They stood there, letting the night slip away. Just as the first the first rays of dawn broke the horizon, they broke away from each and made their way into the inn without a word. By now most of the punters had moved into their rented rooms or had set out hoping to use the best part of the sunlight hours for their journey- the night time was becoming increasingly notorious for unpleasant encounters.

Gabriel led Isis up to the room he had reserved upon arrival. The shutters were closed against the warming beams of natural light, so the room remained relatively cool. Much like the rooms at the Inn of Ill Omen, it was sparsely furnished. Isis sat on the bed and leaned back against the wall that it was pushed up against. Gabriel sat opposite her on the floor, staring absently at the shuttered window.

The best part of the morning was spent in silence, both of them lost in their thoughts. Isis watched as the dust danced around the room in the shafts of light that managed to slip through the wooden slats. Her eyes wandered over to Gabriel's still statuesque form. His eyes were closed, his head leaning back against the wall as if he were sleeping, though that was clearly not the case. One of his legs was outstretched and one was bent upward, supporting his resting arm. He looked completely at ease, but something in his pale stone like face told Isis that he was not.

"I'm hungry." She finally said in a small voice. Gabriel opened his eyes and looked up at her. He raised an eyebrow. "I've been listening and there's a man next door, a Redguard I think, who's been asleep for the best part of the morning and I don't think he's going to wake in the next few hours." She got up silently and walked over to the door. "You in?"

"Sure."

They walked to the next door along the corridor, and Isis pushed the door tentatively; it was open. They crept in and noiselessly closed the door behind them. They emerged a few minutes later, smiling as if sharing a private joke. They returned to their room and resumed their previous positions. Isis braced herself for another long period of contemplation.

"I'm sorry I pushed you."

Isis stared at him, caught off guard. "Oh. No, don't worry. I probably would have jumped you anyway." Her mouth turned up at the corners.

Gabriel grinned, "So, are you going to tell me when things changed?"

"A week ago."

"Really?" He looked surprised. "Why?"

"I don't know."

"How did it feel?" The eagerness in his voice was building up.

"Gabriel... I really don't feel like talking about it."

"Sorry. I just never thought I'd see the day when Isis Corvidia broke the rules." He chuckled to himself.

"You know why I couldn't afford to give in."

"Yeah. You told me a thousand times: because of duty and honour. Spare me. That rule was made up by some over-zealous Elder, and there was never any need of it... But you needed to discover that by yourself."

"... You forgot pride." Isis turned her head away, but even as she stared at the boarded up window, she could feel the heat of his burning gaze as he tried to interpret her reaction. She couldn't bear the thought of him knowing he was right for the third time in such a short period of time.

Eventually, Gabriel tore his gaze away and another lasting silence befell them- this one saw them through till late afternoon. Little by little the light that filtered through the shutters began to dim and Isis came back to her senses. She stood and headed for the door.

"I'm going to get a drink before I leave. Will you come with me?"

"Depends what kind of drink you have in mind."

"I think I broke enough rules last night alone." Isis said before she headed off downstairs.

Gabriel got to his feet in one lithe movement and followed her. He caught up with her at the bar which was already filling up. Isis ordered two bottles of the drink she had barely touched last night. She handed one to Gabriel and swigged the ale. Gabriel laughed at the disgust that flooded her face as she swallowed the mouthful of alcohol. He drank heartily from his own bottle.

"This stuff is disgusting. I don't see how you bring yourself to down it." She took another gulp, this time better controlling her reaction.

"You get use to it. Just like you got used to wine." He threw her a side glance.

It was Isis' turn to laugh. "Explain to me this: out of all of the drinks to pretend to enjoy, why pick this cheap swill?"

They talked idly for an hour, until the sun had entirely disappeared. Isis hadn't noticed the increase in clientele, so was surprised when she glanced around the room and saw that it had packed out. She turned her attention back to Gabriel. It was only then that she took stock of how much he stood out, standing there with such confident posture and dressed in his fine clothes. A small smile flickered on her face.

"I'm going to head back now. Amelia'll be getting bored... and she can become a tad extreme when she gets bored."

"Very well." Gabriel sighed.

He followed her out to where her mare was still tied up. This time, when it saw her, it became so impatient that it nearly pulled the bench down. Isis murmured softly to it till it calmed itself again. She then gracefully lifted herself into the black leather saddle and turned him to face a south-easterly direction.

Isis smiled at Gabriel as she struggled to find parting words. "...Thank you."

He returned her smile but it didn't reach his eyes. "Before you go, Isis, I still have one more question for you."

Isis' stomach clenched. "Go on."

"Do you still love me?"

She stared back at him, seeing nothing but his hypnotising golden eyes. "Ask me again when I know you're back for good."

He nodded as if she had just confirmed something he already knew. She began to head off, her mare eager to start off at full gallop, but Gabriel caught her.

"I forgot to tell you something else you might find interesting; about the girl you met." Isis turned back to look at him with a frown. He smiled, "The girl, she knew the Nerevarine. She was her prot?g? or something."

Isis smirked at the revelation. Coincidences like that didn't happen every day.

Chapter X: Worried

Isis arrived at the Inn of Ill Omen around midnight. Manheim was serving a customer when she walked in and Isis was surprised to find that it was not a face she recognised. She waited patiently by the door until he was finished and busied herself with removing her coat. She scanned the rest room and noted that apart from Minerva- who sat in the corner gazing at Manheim above the rim of her glass- the inn was empty. Manheim ended his hushed conversation with the man and proceeded to greet her.

"Isis! Welcome back."

Instead of taking his drink over to a table, the man who he had been talking to, an Imperial, downed his drink in one and nodded once to Manheim before leaving the inn. Isis followed his movement out of the corner of her eye; he walked with confidence and wore expensive finery under his heavy outdoor cloak. He reminded her of Gabriel, but there was something distinctly different- despite the obvious- about him as well, and she couldn't quite put her finger on it. He grinned at her as he sauntered passed her and then out the door.

"Who was that?" She asked, still staring at the door.

"A potential client with a very... peculiar request. I told him I would have to talk to my employer about it."

Isis turned back to him, her curiosity piqued. "What was it?"

"A request for a hit on..." He leaned in and dropped his voice so low that Isis had to practically lip-read, "a member of the Dark Brotherhood."

Isis smiled darkly. "Sounds fun."

"You sound like Amelia."

She laughed. "Speaking of which... Do you know where she is?"

"Oh yeah, that's right. She told me to pass a message if you came back while she was out. She said to say she got bored." He shrugged as he quoted her.

Isis rolled her eyes. "Thanks. I'll go meet her. Tell the client we'll take it. But for a suitable price." She winked. "Don't be afraid to be extreme. If he wants the hit that bad we're just about his only choice." She headed for the door. "Oh and while you're at it, see if you can find out anymore about him... Something's not quite right there..." She frowned as she thought about it herself and then shook her head. She strolled out the door.

Fifteen minutes later, Isis was striding along the empty streets of the Imperial City Waterfront. The sounds of merrymaking reached her before she had climbed on the deck of The Bloated Float Inn. She headed inside to the main room of the inn and found herself amidst chaotic celebrations. People were dancing on tables, swigging alcohol from over-flowing jugs, laughing hysterically and singing at the top of their voices. Isis scanned the room from the doorway, trying to find Amelia- it did not take her long. Four men hoisted her chair up into the air like a throne and paraded her around the room chanting her name. The blonde haired Bosmer grinned and ran her delicate fingers through the hair of one of the fair haired Nords who was holding her up above everyone's heads. She spotted Isis at the door and beamed at her, signalling to her 'throne bearers' to lower her down. She made her way through the jostling crowd to where her sister waited patiently.

"How was Gabriel?"

"He's not changed." Isis smiled.

"Still worried about me?"

"Just as expected."

Amelia grinned. "When are you going to tell him?"

"Not for a while. I need to be sure he's not going to run off again; as long as he's worried about you, he'll stay."

Amelia clutched her elbow and led her out the door so that they could better hear each other. "Isis, he didn't run off because he thought he wasn't needed. He left because it was easier for him to... deal with things. I know I don't completely understand your relationship, but you need to get over the fact that he left." Amelia softened her tone. "Plus, you know that I'm not the one that he'll stay for... Isis, did you hear anything that I just said?"

Isis was staring intensely at the sky, her expression grim. Amelia followed her line of sight. She couldn't see anything.

"What is it?" She looked back at Isis who still had not lowered her gaze.

"The moons. Where are they?" Isis muttered.

Amelia looked back up at the sky; it was a perfectly clear night- not a cloud in sight- but nowhere in the wide expanse that stretched above them could she see the moons that usually furnished the night sky.

"There you go." Isis said, her voice as grim as her expression. "The second sign..."

Back from a long break from writing, I finally felt ready to continue the story... Here we go again. ^_^

As usual my blog (link found in my signature) contains several chapters I've yet to publish here.

Chapter XI: Tyrant's Mouth

"Sometimes we must make sacrifices. Comprises. Exceptions. We make them because to win a war, you must accept defeat in a battle.

This is my war. You were my sacrifice. Your nature is my compromise. Your actions, the exception.

I cannot judge you, for you live in a world of imperfection, and even gods can err.

But for now, my dear Isis, you must concentrate on your task.

Go to Tyrant's Mouth and retrieve it.

Do not fail me."

***
19th Heartfire

"Something was stolen." Isis said bluntly.

"And we have to get it?" Amelia questioned.

"Yes."

Manheim, who had been listening to the conversation, interrupted. "Tyrant's Mouth? If you want to get there before dawn, you'll have to hurry. It's a full day's ride."

Amelia's laugh filled the inn.

Isis interpreted with a sly smile, "I think what she means is that we can make it."

She slipped on her full length black coat and headed for the door, Amelia in tow.

"When you get back we can talk about your latest request. I found out a little more about our mysterious friend."

Isis nodded and stepped out into the night. A chilling wind swept in as Amelia closed the door behind them, leaving Manheim shivering.

They galloped for six hours straight before they slowed to a more leisurely speed. They had passed several Imperial Rangers on their patrols, including the regular at the Inn of Ill Omen. Out of habit, every time they came close to crossing paths, the sisters would stray off the path and gallop silently in the darkness of the trees.

"So what are we looking for?" Amelia finally asked.

"A weapon. I don't know what it is, so don't ask." Isis replied tersely.

There wasn't much point in pretending her patience wasn't wearing thin. It had been six days since they had seen the second warning. Isis had sent word to Gabriel and shortly after, had left for Meridia's shrine. For three long days, she had sat in silence under the tree nearest the statue of the daedric lord, strategically protected from the rays of harmful light. For those three days she neither tried to summon the prince, nor spoke to the priests attending the shrine. Her mind reeled over the reality of the situation, processing the facts in hope of finding a flaw in the most obvious conclusion that Gabriel tried so hard to make her believe. But any time she came close to admitting the truth, she would be hit by unpleasant flashbacks, forcing her to relive the terror and pain of the last Requiem.

Finally, at sunset on the third day, Isis broke her statue-like stillness and walked over to the sculpture of Meridia. She paid little attention the relief that washed over her skin as the last searing rays of light drained from the sky. It was then she summoned her and it was then that she could think of no words to say to the prince. Meridia spoke to her kindly in response, exploring her thoughts and reading her concerns. She attempted to soothe her faithful disciple with little success.

The sisters rode past Leyawiin straight to the coast before turning east and following the shoreline. It wasn't long before they reached a thin finger of land- wide enough for one rider- which reached out into the Topal Sea. Slowing her mare's pace, Amelia dropped back and allowed Isis to take the lead. Isis followed the path to a small island off the coast which could be seen from the shore on a clear day. However, on this night, a strange fog concealed its presence under the moonless skies.

They reached the island and dismounted, leading the mares over to the edge of the small island. A large formation of rocks rose up out of the ground there to form a cave-like opening to a pitch black underground passageway which appeared to lead below sea level.

"The place is partly flooded, so-" Isis stopped mid sentence at the sound of hooves on the dirt path leading back to the mainland.

Amelia turned her head to see a figure in black riding towards them. She recognised the man by his glowing molten stare and let her hand, which had instinctively darted to the bow on her back, return to her side. Isis, however, did not relax her stance, and her hand still gripped the sword at her hip.

"Fancy seeing you here, my dear sisters." Gabriel said with coyness as he dismounted.

"What are you doing here?" Isis demanded.

"Meridia sent me."

"You summoned her?!" Amelia interjected.

Gabriel smiled and shook his head.

Isis pursed her lips. "She called you into a dream, didn't she?"

"Yes. I guess she was afraid there would be more than you could handle." He winked.

She clenched her teeth in response, stifling the growl that so desperately wanted to escape her throat. In its place she forced a smile and walked off straight into the darkness of Tyrant's Mouth.

Chapter XII: Through the Caves

Isis led the way, diving deep into the murky water, unfazed by the blinding darkness. Amelia fell in line, slipping smoothly into the water, sending only the smallest ripples running to the cavern's rock walls. Gabriel followed a few moments later after taking one last look back in the direction of the mainland. Something would follow. Of that he was sure. Meridia had shown him.

Trusting her heightened senses, Isis found her way through the submerged tunnels and broke the surface in a large underground chamber. She moved to the edge and lifted herself out of the water, her cloak dripping. Whilst Amelia and Gabriel emerged, she wrung out the best part of the water out of the fabric and slipped back into it.

"So, what did Meridia tell you we were looking for?" Isis demanded.

"A weapon. That's all. Why? What did she tell you?"

She shrugged. "The same." She turned away, trying to pierce the blackness that filled the cavern.

Amelia cast a spell, sending a green spark of light shooting above their heads so that they could better examine their surroundings. One feature caught their eyes immediately: the walls were covered in markings etched into the rock.

A hiss escaped Amelia's lips. "When was Meridia gonna tell us she sending us into a nest of Molag Bal's servants?!"

"Hold your tongue!" Gabriel snapped.

Amelia stood, baffled and outraged. But it was then she heard what he had. Isis drew her sword and turned to face the passageway. The other two armed prepared themselves likewise, and since they were still standing under the glow of Amelia's spell, they quietly split from each other, finding places to conceal themselves. Isis and Gabriel crouched behind boulders close to the opening whilst Amelia dropped back into a crevice in the wall where she had a wider scope of the room.

The footfalls drew closer, the constant accompanying rumble growing louder. Isis caught Gabriel's eye.

She mouthed to him: Daedroth.

Gabriel nodded in agreement and sought out Amelia's slim silhouette. He found her and nodded. Understanding the question behind it, she nodded back to say she was ready. She pulled back the taut string on her bow, watching the silver tip of her arrow light up in the green glow that bathed the chamber.

The colossal creature lumbered into the room and hesitated. Then, throwing its crocodile head back into the air, it let out a thunderous roar. Amelia let go of the arrow, watching it fly straight into the creature's left eye, and smiled at her own aim. Before her arrow had even struck, she'd notched another one at the ready. The daedric creature stumbled backwards, its cry shattering the silence and flooding the entire cavern system. Gabriel stood and raised his sword to finish the creature, but Isis leapt up onto the boulder and launched herself into the air bringing her sword down across the monster's thick neck. She landed noiselessly in front of him, and listened as the weight of the body preceded the heavier fall of the detached head.

Amelia joined them. "Shall we?" She slipped past them and walked ahead.

The three of them moved swiftly, keeping to the shadows as their nature led them to do instinctively. They worked in unison, making short work of the daedric creatures, and savouring the kill as they fell upon the human servants of the prince.

Within an hour they reached the inner most chamber of cave system. They walked straight in, knowing that any remaining worshippers were by now fully aware of their intrusion. They fanned out, moving swiftly to attack the last that stood in their way. Amelia, climbed the rock face in four agile movements and perched herself on a ledge from where she shot arrow after arrow into the flesh of the creatures below. Isis ran into the throng, ducking under the swings of the long claws of the Daedroths. With each swing of her sword, the blade cut through more flesh, spilling more blood on the rough rock. The smell of the blood sent the trio into a frenzy, strengthening them, making them more efficient. Gabriel fought effortlessly, allowing the long reach of his blade to sever the limbs of the daedra that mindlessly rushed to attack.

Before long, Isis and Gabriel stood alone in a pool of blood, among lifeless bodies strewn in pieces across cavern floor. Amelia jumped straight down in one feline leap and joined them. They all turned to look around the torch lit chamber. Across from them was a makeshift rock altar adorned with blood stained items. Isis walked straight up to it, to examine the artifacts.

There were twelve red lit candles on the crude table. They cast strange shadows across the other items. Two chalices stood on the uneven rock next to the rotting organs of daedra, precious stones and various other offerings to the sadistic prince Molag Bal. Isis' eyes trailed over the objects as her companions approached her.

"Do you see anything it could be?" Gabriel asked.

Isis continued to scan the altar. Amelia picked up one of the fresher organs, and brought it up to her nose.

"Human. Recent sacrifice, but not recent enough to make it fresh." She threw it back down unceremoniously and turned back to the chamber, admiring the mess they had made. She began retrieving the arrows which had remained intact when they had struck her marks.

"I don't see it." Isis said under her breath through gritted teeth. "I don't see it."

Gabriel began to look for himself.

Her voice rose to a scream. "There's nothing here!"

Amelia looked up, startled by the sudden outburst.

"There is nothing here! No weapon!" Isis spun away from the table and stormed across the room.

Chapter XIII: Frozen

Gabriel stood immobile at the table.

"Someone must have beaten us to it." He finally said.

"Don't be ridiculous, Gabriel." Isis said, her voice returning to its usual serene tone. "She sent us here for practice. That's all."

"Then why wouldn't she say that? Why the lie?"

She shrugged and returned to his side. Amelia quietly meandered off back in the direction they came, leaving them more or less alone: neither of them noticed.

Gabriel shook his head and stared down at the altar. "Isis, don't do this."

"Don't do what?" He didn't reply. "Gabriel, look at me."

He forced his eyes to lock with her intense scarlet glare. "Don't do this. Start questioning your faith. Not now. I won't let you."

Isis scoffed. "Ha! Do you realise how much of a hypocrite you are?!"

His jaw tightened. "That's different." He said.

She smiled ruefully. "Really? How? Enlighten me."

"Because I'm not an Elder!" He shouted into her face.

She didn't flinch and replied as calmly as ever as he stood he front of her shaking with frustration. "Neither am I. Meridia has not named me."

"But she will! She told me!"

To this, Isis raised her eyebrows but said nothing.

Gabriel strode away from the altar. "She told me in my trance. As soon as the third sign is made known... You will be the Corvidia Elder."

Isis stood in silence, her eyes closed. Gabriel turned back to read her reaction but her face was a blank canvas.

"Isis-"

"What else?" Her eyes remained closed.

"What?"

Her voice started showing signs of stress. "What else did she tell you?" She opened her eyes to look at him. "What else have you kept from me, Gabriel?"

He stood motionless.

"Gabriel. Tell me."

His answer was simple. "No."

Isis was taken aback. His answer was firm. She could tell by the fierceness in his golden eyes that he would not tell. He would keep it from everyone. Even she.

"IIIIIISIIIISSSSSSSSSSS!!!"

Their heads snapped in the direction of the tunnel. Moving a split second faster than Gabriel, Isis darted down the passageway. The shrill scream flooded the caverns again.

"NOOOOOO! IIIISIIIIISSSSS!!!"

Isis raced through the tunnels, her partner close behind, but she was faster than most. She ran into the primary chamber only to be greeted by a horrific scene. She slammed to a stop and froze. Gabriel rushed to her side, and stiffened when his eyes met the sight that awaited them: it was the image Meridia had shown him.

A dozen necromancers stood before them, each in long black robes, wearing the same stern expression. Behind each corrupt sorcerer gathered a group of undead creatures and daedra, standing, swaying... waiting. At the sight of the vampires, the creatures begun to become impatient, itching against the arcane restraints the necromancers controlled them by. But it was not the sight of this militia which shocked the companions.

In the centre of the chamber, three Daedroth surrounded a slumped figure. Even in the shadows of the great monsters, it was not hard to recognise her silhouette in the slowly fading green glow of her previous spell. Amelia's bow lay across the room, out of reach and as she struggled to get up off her hands and knees. She turned to see her sister's arrival.

"...Help... I can't..." The words came out in a hoarse whisper.

Gabriel drew his sword first, prompting the three daedra to release ungodly growls which shook the rock walls. He charged the closest to him, but only noticed the glowing red brand on its leathery skin when it was too late. The Daedroth swung its arm in his direction and upon making contact, sent him flying across the room into the solid wall of rock. Gabriel's body fell helplessly to the floor as the daedra moved in on him again. He fumbled for his sword as the monster lumbered towards him opening its broad mouth to reveal the hundreds of ivory daggers inside. The Daedroth threw his weight forward onto Gabriel as his fingers made contact with his lost blade. With unparalleled speed, Gabriel brought the sword into the remaining space between them, not giving the creature the time to realise what happened. The monster fell upon Gabriel, but with a sickening crack, the silver blade pierced through its skull through its throat. Blood poured down onto Gabriel as he effectively held the dead creature's body skewered above his own. But before he could shift his weight, the summoned creature began to fade back into Oblivion, leaving behind a bright golden light.

During all of this Isis was frozen to the spot, unable to move or tear her eyes from her sister's face.

Amelia began to breath more heavily and her body began to shake. "... I... I can't... I can't hold it... Isis..."

Gabriel stood up swiftly and prepared himself for another charge from the Daedroth. He cursed himself for not having seen the burning mark on the chest of the beast earlier. These were no ordinary Daedra summoned by necromancers- they had been sent by Molag Bal himself. This made them stronger than any other summoned beast here. He looked over to Amelia who was still being towered over by two other branded daedra and then at the army which stood patiently on the sidelines. He watched as sly smiles grew on each of the necromancer's faces. Last of all, he turned to Isis, who had not moved an inch. What was going through her head? Why didn't she move to attack?! Why wasn't she defending Amelia?

Suddenly one of the two Daedroth towering over Amelia began to growl and shifted its weight. It raised its heavy arm above their heads and prepared to deliver a fatal blow to the small vampire at its feet.

"No!" Isis cried. "Amelia! Use it!"

"No..." she whimpered. "Isis-"

"NOW!"

The clawed hand came down on her.

Chapter XIV: Addiction

"NOW!"

Amelia threw her head back and an inhuman screech escaped her throat. The Daedroth froze inches away from her face, staggered by the cry. The sound reached an agonizing pitch, causing the necromancers to double over, throwing their hands over their ears in an attempt to block out the sound. Gabriel stumbled backwards unable to comprehend what was going on.

Amelia's body arched backwards and she fell back onto the rough rock, writhing in pain. Her arms reached out and she clawed at the rock as her body began to convulse. Her shriek was cut short as her throat closed up and the sound was replaced by the hoarse growl that shook her body. Isis watched as motionless as a statue, her face an unreadable mask until it stopped; Amelia's body turned limp and the only sound that filled the chamber was the distant echo of her cries. It was then that Isis took four slow deliberate steps back away from her sister. Gabriel watched her movements and suddenly understood. He backed himself against the wall and slipped himself into a spacious fracture in the rock.

Amelia's lifeless body lay still, observed by the creatures surrounding her. Without warning, her body was thrown into the air causing the monsters to falter backwards. She hung lifelessly above their heads, arms outstretched before she appeared to come to and slowly raised her head. Her eyes were black and her lips stained red from the blood which had filled her mouth when she had bit her own lip in her tremors. Her head rolled from side to side as she watched the shocked faces of the necromancers turn to horror. She smiled deviously.

"I'm going to enjoy this."

Isis took another step back into the passageway and Gabriel retreated further into the shadows. The green glow which had been steadily fading suddenly went out, plunging them all into darkness. The necromancers begun to panic and they started calling out orders, but before they could cast a new light spell, a new light source appeared.

Where Amelia's body had been hanging, a pale orange glow began to emanate, slowly growing brighter. Out of nowhere, the glow gave birth to flames, illuminating the entire cave brighter than before. Within moments, Amelia's form could be seen hanging above them dripping in fire. Gasps escaped the mouths of the frightened opposition and some them lost the hold they had over the summoned creatures and let them slip back into Oblivion from whence they came.

Suddenly, there was a bright explosion of blinding light which lasted only a few seconds and when their eyes adjusted, the necromancers were standing face to face to the creature Amelia had become. There was another explosion of light in which cries of pain and torture filled the cavern and echoed off the walls. The raucous shrieks of the undead joined that of their masters as the frenzied attack continued in the burning white light.

Isis watched, apparently unmoved, but had anyone been there to see her face, they would have seen the growing concern as the minutes slipped by. But after a while, the screams died down and the light began to retreat back to its origin: Amelia. When the radiance had almost entirely faded, Isis and Gabriel saw Amelia standing alone amidst scorched and shredded corpses. Her posture was relaxed, her head once again rolling from side to side. Gabriel emerged from the fissure and walked slowly into the room. He eyed Amelia warily, still unclear of what had just occurred. She snapped her head in his direction, staring at him with her empty black eyes. He took step back. Blood was dripping from her teeth down her chin. If he hadn't known better, he would have said she'd regressed to a feral, but there was clearly more to it than that.

"Amelia."

She spun round to face Isis who had re-entered the chamber. She watched her curiously, as if she did not recognise her. Then, as Isis took another step towards her, released an aggressive hiss and twisted her face into a picture of disgust.

"That's enough, Amelia." Isis said , maintaining her usual out of place composure.

The hiss turned into a growl as she insisted in her advance.

"Amelia, you need to come back now."

"Never." The word spilt out like acid.

"What's wrong with her?" Gabriel called.

Isis stopped and turned to look at him, whilst Amelia kept her eyes on her as if no one else were in the room.

"Not now."

The growl became more intense. Isis refocused her attention. Amelia bent into a crouching position in front of her, and just as Isis braced herself, she launched herself at her, sending them both back onto the floor. Isis threw her off of her and leapt to her feet. Amelia landed in a squat across the room and straightened herself unhurriedly. She walked towards Isis and in a flash was at her throat again. Isis was ready this time and caught her by the shoulders. She spun her around and raised her foot to kick her back into the water. Amelia took the hit in the chest and fell back into the inky black pool. She disappeared into the murky water for a few moments but as she started to resurface, Isis dived in after her.

Gabriel ran to the edge but Isis pulled Amelia back down into the darkness by the neck before she could reappear. He stared into the shadowy water for any sign of them but all he could see were the scarlet clouds that grew larger as more spilt blood continued to run into the small lake. Then, a surge of bubbling exploded out in the middle of the water followed shortly with the emergence of the girls, Isis still gripping Amelia from behind. She dragged her sister to the edge as she thrashed uncontrollably. Gabriel intervened and hauled Amelia out before attempting to try and pin her down. Isis quickly joined him and moved around to her head.

"Hold her legs down!"

Isis grasped her thrashing arms pinned them down to the rock by resting down on her with her superior strength. Amelia shrieked at an unimaginable pitch until her voice became hoarse.

"NO! I WON'T! NOT AGAIN! NO! IT'S MINE! THAT POWER IS MINE!"

"Isis! What the hell is wrong with her?!" Gabriel bellowed over the continuing yells that echoed around them.

"She's drawing power straight from Oblivion. It makes her stronger. But it's addictive. She can't stop. And if she doesn't stop, she dies. It'll become too much for her."

"Then how do you stop her?!"

"NOOOO! IT'S MIIIINE!"

Isis stared down at Amelia's twisted face as she spat the words at her.

"Isis! How do you stop her?!"

She looked up at him unfazed and shifted her weight to restrain her sister with one hand. Using the other hand she drew a dagger from the strap of her leather boot. Gabriel's eyes bulged at the sight of the blade, his golden eyes blazing.

"Isis-"

But she brought down the silver dagger into her sister's chest before he could finish his sentence.

Chapter XV: Fires

A loud scream tore out of Amelia's raw throat as the blade cut through her flesh and in between her rib cage. Isis withdrew the blade with another swift movement, sending flecks of blood dancing in the air above Amelia's now still body. Ignoring Gabriel's blazing glare, Isis brought the blade straight to her wrist slicing it open with grace and ease. She failed to feel the sting as the silver blade burned the skin around the fresh wound.

Even in his confused balance of shock and fury, Gabriel understood what she was doing and positioned Amelia's head to receive Isis' pure blood. Isis held her hand above her mouth and let her blood drain down her throat. For several moments, the trio held their positions, Isis and Gabriel watching the open wound in her chest mend itself until nothing was left but the smooth pale alabaster skin of the Bosmer. When this was done, Isis left her wrist hovering above her sister's mouth for several more moments before pulling away and bringing the wound to her own lips.

She released her grip on her Amelia's arms and stood up and walked away. Gabriel stayed staring at Amelia's face: it was etched with fresh lines where her face had twisted itself with disgust and madness. But a reassuring serenity had replaced the folly which had flooded her face only minutes ago. He reached across and wiped away the blood that caked her delicate lips. After taking one last look at her resting form, he stood up and walked over to the place where Isis had taken seat.

"It's happened before, hasn't it?" His voice was low, which was a welcome change from the sounds which had filled the caves these past few hours.

Isis nodded. She held her still bleeding wrist which wouldn't heal until she fed again. Gabriel sat himself next to her and in one sharp movement tore a strip from the sleeve of his shirt. He gently reached out and pulled her wrist towards him. Her reflex was to pull back, but when he refused to let go of her hand, she let him take it. He gently wrapped the material around the open wound, his fingers only lightly brushing her cobalt skin.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Isis mimicked his whisper. "You weren't around for me to tell."

They fell into silence. He still held onto her hand and she didn't take it back.

"Can we use it?" He finally asked.

"Why do you think Meridia chose her? The girl is unique. She can tap into the realm Aetherius whenever she chooses and channel it through her body. The extent of her power is unparalleled. But it's a drug to her. She needs me. I've brought her back from the brink of mania too many times..."

Isis removed her sodden cloak and placed it aside. She slipped the knot that held her jet black hair in place and pulled her long hair over her right shoulder, wringing out the water.

"So she's Meridia's secret weapon?"

Isis' head snapped up and stared straight into his face. Her ruby eyes sparkled with disbelief.

"That's it."

She snatched her hand back and sprung to her feet. Gabriel tried to catch her hand again but he grasped at thin air- she was already darting down the corridor back into the caves. He threw a worried glance at Amelia's resting form and sprinted after Isis. She'd swept through the tunnels faster than he could run, so when he caught up with her, she was in the last chamber, standing at the altar.

She turned to face him grasping a rough cut rock in one hand. It had been one of many other precious rocks which sat in guise of an offering, but this warm reddish-orange stone outsized all of them.

"What is Molag Bal's Ayleid name?" The sparkle in her eye gleaming brighter.

He frowned and paused before answering. "Fire Stone."

Isis smiled wily and pitched the rock at him. His pale hand flashed up from his side and caught the rock. He walked over to one of the torches which lit the room, stepping over the dismembered bodies on the floor. He held the stone up to the light and froze when he saw the dancing movements under the surface of the rock; glowing patterns pulsed inside the rock as if it were encasing a raging fire.

"It's not our weapon, it's theirs." Isis' voice came from over his shoulder.

He turned to face her. "Are you telling me this is the Fire Stone. The one brought back from Coldharbour by the first born Corvidia?"

"Yes."

He stared into her stern eyes and then back at the rock which bathed his pallid skin in a warm radiance making it seem as if the blood still rushed through his veins with the vigour of life.

"If you're right, do you know what this means? We can stop the portal from opening altogether! The Requiem never even has to happen."

Isis sighed. "Gabriel, you know it's not that simple. The Fire Stone is one of sixteen items needed to prevent a gateway from appearing. We'd need to hunt the four corners of Tamriel to find all of them."

"I know that. One item extracted from each of the sixteen planes of Oblivion. But it can be done!" His voice became intense and his fist tightened around the rock he was still clutching.

Isis took a deep breath and placed her hands gently on either sides of his face. "I'm sorry, Gabriel. We don't have time."

His jaw tightened under her tender touch. "Let me try."

Neither of them spoke for a moment. Then, when the silence became unbearable, Isis slowly pressed her cold lips against his. His muscles tensed in response but in the passing a second, his lips were kissing her back. His free hand pulled her body into his and slid up into her long black hair.

Finally, Isis pulled back but left her hands hovering over the planes of his carved face. "No. We need to prepare. And I need you here..." Her hands slowly returned to her sides as she watched his eyes flare with a new fire. She turned and headed back to the principal chamber but stopped in the mouth of the tunnel. "I'm sorry." With that she walked into the shadows, leaving him to contemplate her decision.

Chapter XVI: Blood And Trust

A small groan escaped Amelia's lips when she came to in the cave. She tentatively flexed the muscles in her body feeling for injury. Suddenly, a searing hot pain tore through her chest and dissipated within seconds. She gasped at the memory of the pain which was quickly followed with the recollection of her other movements during her uncontrollable frenzy. She flinched as she remembered attacking her sister and the memory of Gabriel's face as he had looked on her with horror.

Isis slowly came into view as she knelt by her side. She ran a cold hand over her forehead and then helped her into a sitting position.

"How bad was it?" She asked, the worry thick in her voice.

"It was pretty intense. But you came back fairly quickly. You've been out for a few hours only." Isis reassured her.

Amelia took in the information, still suffering from the unwelcome flashbacks.

"Did you find it? The weapon?" She asked all of a sudden remembering their purpose.

Isis' eyes tightened. "Yes. It was the Fire Stone. I'll take it back to Meridia. We need to make sure it doesn't fall back into their hands, or it's just another thing they'll have on us."

Amelia frowned. "Can we not use it ourselves? Is there not a ritual which uses artifacts from Oblivion to-"

"No." Isis snapped.

Gabriel's voice appeared next to them. "We can discuss that later."

Isis' expression darkened. "No, we won't. If you want to talk about it, we'll do it now."

"That's not such a good idea when another wave of them are on their way." Gabriel retorted.

"Excuse me?"

"Another group of necromancers coming for us. They'll be here soon. We need to get out of here."

Isis' expression turned from shock into fury in a split second. "How do you know this?"

Gabriel paused, taking on the rage in her blazing eyes. "Meridia."

She leapt onto her feet and stormed over to stand in front of him. Their faces were but an inch apart.

"Next time you fail to warn me about something that would put us in this kind of danger again," her hand flew back in Amelia's direction, "I will drain you of every last drop of blood that makes you a Corvidia."

"You speak as if you've never concealed Meridia's will from us. You know why sometimes it's necessary."

"Not when Amelia has to put herself through that! No!" She turned away from him and looked at Amelia who was now standing.

"You know I wouldn't have put her in that kind of danger if I'd have known!" Gabriel protested.

"I'll do it again if I have to, Isis." Amelia spoke softly. "I know that you can bring me back. If it means we can win the w-"

Isis cut her short. "Do you realise that to bring you back, I have to kill you? Do you realise that?"

Amelia was taken aback. It had never crossed her mind. The trio fell into an awkward silence.

"Let's just leave... Before they get here." She glanced back at Gabriel.

***
21st Heartfire

The trio reached the Inn of Ill Omen just as the morning rays broke the horizon. They dismounted and left the mares with the stable boy before making their way inside. The inn was deserted and the only sounds that could be heard were the unfamiliar breathing patterns of sleeping travellers upstairs. As the door closed behind them, Manheim jumped up from behind the counter where he had also been sleeping.

"By Akatosh!" He grumbled. "Cutting it at bit fine, aren't you?"

The three vampires smiled wearily. It had been a hard ride from the coast, considering they had emerged from the cave late into the night. Amelia was still weakened from the fight and Isis' mind had been elsewhere as they rode through the woods, so reaching the inn in time was indeed quite an achievement. The girls took their usual seats at the counter whilst Gabriel lent against the staircase. Manheim went about serving them three glasses of a well-matured red wine which they accepted gracefully although their minds were contemplating another kind of drink.

"Did you find what you were looking for?"

"Yes." Isis replied. "Thank you."

Amelia finished her glass and then stood impatiently. She placed her bow and arrows down on the counter and headed for the hatch door by the entrance to the inn.

"If you'll excuse me, I'm going to visit our dear friend." She smiled coyly and leapt straight down into the opening.

Gabriel watched her leave and then went to follow her. "I'll go make sure she doesn't drain the poor bastard."

He turned back and flashed them a perfect white smile before jumping down after her, closing the hatch door after him. Isis turned back to Manheim.

"You said you had information about our latest request?" She reminded him.

"Oh yes! I think you'll find it quite interesting..."

Amelia went to open the door leading to the sleeping man's room just as Gabriel caught her arm.

"I need to talk to you." He said sternly but in hushed tones.

"And I you." She kept her voice as low as his. "But now really isn't the time when Isis is four feet away, separated by some rotting panelling and crumbling rock foundations. She'll hear us for sure."

"This is getting ridiculous, Amelia."

"I know, but you left her. Did you really expect to waltz back in and count on her to trust you still?!"

He looked away. Her cold blue eyes watched him intently.

"Have her feelings changed?"

"You know they haven't."

"How can I get her to trust me again?"

Amelia's eyes softened. "Gabriel, I love you as a brother and you know I would do anything for you... But this... This is something you've got to figure out by yourself. And if you can't... Then maybe you two are better off as you are."

"I know we're not. But Isis is expecting me to stay by her side all the time! I can't do that either! The war is coming and we need to prepare!"

"I think you misunderstood her, Gabe. Isis works alone to begin with. Plus, no matter how close you two are... She couldn't stand to be around your arrogance day and night!" Her tone changed to teasing.

"Then why won't she let me try and gather the sixteen artifacts?"

Amelia stopped and thought about this. She'd known there was something more to that exchange in the caves which she'd missed.

"Well have you thought about what would happen if you failed?" She finally replied. "About all the time wasted if you don't manage it?"

Gabriel turned towards the wall, thinking over over the facts he'd failed to consider before. He raised his fingers to his temples and massaged them in an attempt to relieve the headache he felt coming on.

"Or what about if we lost you now? So close to Requiem..." Amelia added solemnly.

Chapter XVII: Brotherhood Betrayed

"His name's Lachance, Lucien."

"Should I know the name?" Isis asked unimpressed.

Manheim smiled. "He's a Speaker for the Black Hand."

Isis cocked her head to the side, interest piqued. "And the mark?"

"Another member of the Hand. A Breton. Goes by the name of Mathieu Bellamont."

Isis couldn't help but smile. "So why the duplicity?"

"I'm not sure. I had enough trouble finding out the guy's identity. You know what the Dark Brotherhood are like."

"Obviously not. I thought they were loyal dogs." She shrugged and sipped her wine.

"Well, here's something for it: the guy didn't do it himself. And it's not like he couldn't either. You've got to have some skill to reach those ranks."

The stable hand, Cariel, came in carrying a heavy load of fire wood. They watched as he struggled across the room to the fire place where he dropped the load with relief.

"That's good, boy. Why don't you go take a rest upstairs?" Manheim suggested, eager to get the boy out of earshot.

"Really, sir?" He asked all too keenly.

"Unless you'd rather fetch another load?"

Cariel hurried towards the staircase before his employer changed his mind. Isis, who usually enjoyed frightening the boy, couldn't help but smile. She remembered the day his 'down-on-their-luck' parents brought him in to the inn in hope of selling him as muscle when he was but eight years old. Since that day, Manheim had worked him hard and shown him little warmth, effectively hardening the child. Isis had watched for two years the affection between them grow, fascinated by the unspoken attachment which prospered over time. Cariel never once asked after his family, or even spoke at all especially in her presence. He was not explicitly aware of her nature, but neither was he oblivious to the sisters' nocturnal patterns and peculiar eating habits, which stretched to raw red meat on a good day.

He disappeared up the creaking stairs and they waited until they heard the room door close to resume their conversation. In the time they were waiting for the boy to settle, Isis caught the hushed voices of Amelia and Gabriel drifting up from the basemant. Before she could tune into their conversation, Manheim broke her concentration.

"Where were we?"

"What price did you settle on?" Isis asked, trying to tear her attention away from the exchange going on downstairs.

"He agreed to my first offer." Manheim declared.

This was enough to bring her back to attention. "First offer? You obviously didn't go high enough, Manheim."

He chuckled. "Oh, it was high enough. Like you said, he pretty much had no other options apart from soiling his own two hands."

"No one takes the first offer. Unless there are conditions." Isis pointed out. "So, what are they?"

His mouth turned up at the corners as he bent down behind the bar and retrieved a package which he then proceeded to place in front of her. "Open it. Inside there's a down payment and instructions on what he wants done. There's also a dagger which he wants you to use for the deed itself."

Isis raised an eyebrow. She opened up the black cloth pack and glanced inside. She reached in and tossed the sack of gold inside to Manheim. "Finder's fee." He took it without questions.

She went back to inspecting the contents. Next, she pulled out the chosen blade and examined it from all angles with her long slender fingers. Then, after placing it to the side she pulled out the instructions and unfolded them. She read the neatly scribed words on the parchment and then looked up at Manheim, eyebrows raised.

"What am I, his maid?"

"That bad?" He asked with a smile.

"Nothing that won't be accounted for in the final payout, I hope." She placed the instructions back in the pack and closed it up. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need another drink." She drained the remaining liquid in her glass and placed it back down on the bar.

She walked over to the trap door and disappeared into the basemant just as the local forest ranger entered the inn. She walked down the corridor and slipped silently into sleeping Rufio's room. Amelia was bowed over his frail form on the bed, whilst Gabriel stood back, assuming his typical laid-back stance against the wall. Amelia looked up from her meal when Isis appeared in the doorway.

"You know, there's some younger meat upstairs that might be a little more... refreshing." Isis said casually.

"I was actually thinking of taking a bite out of that forester." Gabriel said with a smile, nodding towards the ceiling. "Ran into him a couple of weeks back. Tried to tell me I shouldn't be riding without a guard late at night."

"It's probably the way you dress, Gabe." Amelia remarked.

Isis smirked. She knew Gabriel took pride in his appearance, going so far as to make sure his auburn hair was always swept back in an effortlessly suave style. But at this moment in time, his clothes were bloodstained and caked in dried mud and his hair was blown into all directions from the ride. As if reading her anolysis of his appearance, he straightened his posture and ran his pale fingers through his hair in an attempt to appear more respectable.

"Nobody cares, Gabe!" Amelia laughed.

He walked towards the doorway and muttered under his breath so low that only Isis managed to catch the words, "I do."

As he passed her in the doorway she playfully straightened his jacket, unintentionally bringing her still wounded wrist to his attention.

He took her hand and pulled her along the corridor with him, with no resistance on her part. "You need to eat something."

Amelia watched them leave with a bloodstained smile on her lips. Gabriel was right: they were better together. No matter how much they butted horns.

Chapter XVIII: Challenge

"Journey to Anvil Lighthouse. This is where the mark, Mathieu Bellamont, resides.

Enter unseen and unheard. I have inspected the insides of the residence and have found a makeshift shrine in the basemant. This is where he must be killed with the dagger provided.

When the deed is done, proceed to the living area upstairs. Disturb the furniture, and create signs of a struggle leading down to the basemant. Then, the scene set, start a fire in the living area.

Leave as you entered.

Payment will be made upon confirmation of Bellamont's demise."

***
23rd Heartfire

Isis threw the parchment into the fire of the lighthouse and watched it curl and crumble into ashes. She turned to face the darkened seaside town. It would have been a peaceful and soothing night, could the sounds of merriment from the port inns and taverns not reach her ears.

She'd scaled the lighthouse under an hour ago with inhuman agility, and had been standing patiently in wait for Bellamont's arrival. It wasn't long before she spotted his cloaked figure sweeping through the town, almost an invisible shadow. She lowered herself to a squat on the western side of the fire, out of sight from her prey. She listened intently to his footfalls on the deck above the incessant crackling of the fire, then listened as he entered the lighthouse and closed the door behind him. This was her cue to go inside.

Isis slipped in through the door to the stairwell which she'd picked earlier in preparation. She crept noiselessly down the cold stone staircase, her black cloak trailing behind her. She reached the bottom step and paused, trying to locate her mark within the house. She traced back the sounds of his movements to the bedroom and swiftly ducked under into the shadow of the stairs.

She crouched there for several minutes as he moved around from room to room in the main part of the house. Finally, he descended down the stairs across the living room down to the basemant. Isis waited a few moments before emerging from her hiding place. She moved across the room sticking to the shadows where they were present.

Excitement began to build inside her as she slowly slid down the stairs to the basemant. Although this man had not the skills she possessed, he was certain to have abilities which surpassed many of his mortal brothers. She hoped this would make the kill that much more interesting: she relished the jobs that challenged her. She had tracked him the night before to a small village in the country where he had visited a young boy- only just an adolescent- who had cold heartedly killed his father in the heat of an argument. Isis had followed Bellamont to the boy's house and lingered by an open window to listen to the proposition he made him. Bellamont was very persuasive, although not entirely smooth in the way he handled the disturbed youth. Many years ago, another Speaker had made her a very similar offer which, much to their displeasure, she refused.

As Isis watched her mark from the shadows, she carefully measuring him, assessing his strength and the extent of his skill. She'd watched as he deftly concealed himself from the unseeing eyes of the guards on the road and as he dexterously battled a roaming minotaur in the wilderness of the woods. She had sat out of sight as he dodged the heavy swings of the minotaur's axe, occasionally coming close enough to deliver small stab wounds to the gigantic beast. Then, as Isis began to wonder if her job would be taken care of by this wild creature, the poison from Bellamont's blade began to take its effect and slowly the beast began to tire and fell to its knees.

Now, Isis stood at the door to the basemant and hesitated before entering. She cautiously placed a pale hand on the brass handle and tentatively twisted it. She suddenly felt resistance as she tried to silently release the door and her mind rushed to recall the sound of a locking latch after his exit, but then as she turned the handle further, the door opened with ease.

She opened the door and slid inside, keeping tight against the wall. She gently pushed the door closed behind her before moving further into the shadowy corners of the candlelit basemant. Bellamont shifted a wooden chair on the flagstones which formed the cellar floor and Isis froze, her ghostly figure invisible in the darkness. She waited until he settled in the seat before emerging.

She crept up behind him with more caution she would usually exert around mortals. In one swift move she locked her arm around his chest pinning his arms to his sides and simultaneously drew Lucien Lachance's choice dagger from the sheath at her waist. Bellamont was taken aback by the sudden attack, but his killer instincts kicked in immediately. He fought against the vampire's iron strong hold, kicking the chair out from underneath himself and just as he managed to loosen her hold on him, Isis plunged the blade into his stomach. The shock that ran through his body lasted long enough for Isis to slide her arm back around him so that she could hold his body to hers as she drove the blade deeper into his abdomen. The blood ran down her hand, along the grip of the blade's hilt. It took all of her control not to clamp her lengthening teeth into his exposed throat with the aroma of the freshly spilt blood filling the room. When his body turned limp, she released her unyielding grasp on the handle and let him drop to the cold stone floor. She stepped away from the growing puddle of blood and inhaled the sweet scent of her kill.

She glanced around the room and identified the altar Lachance had spoken of. It was a crude thing, being only furnished with a few candles and disturbingly enough, a severed rotting head. Out of curiosity, Isis approached the table and with tentative fingers lifted the head off the table. All of a sudden, she caught the sound of movement behind her and spun around to find Bellamont standing unsteadily before her clutching his stomach with one hand and wielding the dagger he'd drawn from it with the other.

"Put it down!" He spluttered, blood spilling from his lips.

Isis held the decaying head in one hand and slowly placed it behind her on the altar. He watched her movements intently, failing to notice her glowing scarlet stare and the hunger growing behind it. He spat a mouthful of blood onto the floor before he spoke again.

Chapter XIX: Attention To Detail

"Who sent you?"

"I don't do names." Isis replied with a sly smile.

Bellamont scoffed at her reply. "Ha! Don't lie."

"Why should I care who they are?"

"I know your kind. Amateur killers who just can't help being nosy, so why don't you just cut the crap and give me the name."

Bellamont sent a healing spell into his wound as they spoke, restoring some of his lost strength. But in his moment of split concentration, he didn't realise how much he was provoking Isis. Her fingers curled over rigidly and her nails grew into razor-sharp claws.

"Amateur?" She asked in a shaking voice.

Her tone took him by surprise. His initial interpretation of fear did not match her sternly set mouth, and the moment he realised his mistake it was too late. He lunged at her with the dagger, but she swept out of the way with ease and caught his arm with her clawed hands. She drove her nails deeper into the flesh causing him to cry out in pain. He tried to pull his arm out of her grasp but she hooked her leg around his and brought him down to his knees at her feet. Then, with one sharp swing of her arm, she knocked him to the ground unconscious. She picked up the knife out from the pool of blood and took it to his neck. She sliced it open with one smooth movement and dropped the blade back down onto the floor, letting clatter as it fell to the flagstones.

She lifted one of her bloodied hands up to her lips where she let a drop run down her throat. Then, feeling her control slowly slipping, she turned on her heel and headed back upstairs. She wiped her hands on her cloak and set about taking care of the details Lachance had insisted upon. She threw down pieces of furniture and absently knocked over vases and several other soft furnishings.

Finally, Isis took a step back to admire the scene she had created. She noticed the bloodied footprints her boots had left on the stairs leading from the basemant and wiped her soles on the rug she stood upon. She then brought an orb of fire into existence in her cupped hand and watched the flames dance in between her long blue slender fingers, mesmerised by their graceful silky movements. When she snapped out of her trance, she threw the flames down to the ground and hurled another at some wood furnishings across the room for good measure. She waited for a few moments as the fire began to blaze and when she was satisfied, she strode out of the door.

Once outside, she pulled her hood up and set off at swift pace down the docks. It was just a couple of hours past midnight so the streets were empty. Isis headed straight for the Count's Arms where she planned on spending the day. She'd rented a room earlier in anticipation from the proprietor, Wilbur, whom she knew fairly well. She stepped inside the inn and out of habit, swiftly scanned the room. Less then half a dozen patrons remained in the bar and with her sensitive hearing she estimated three sleeping bodies in the rooms upstairs. She walked over to the bar and slipped out of her cloak as she took her seat on one of the stools. Wilbur came over to her immediately.

"How was your stroll along the coast?" He asked, bringing out an empty wine glass which he placed in front of her.

She smiled. "Very pleasant, the sunset was as mesmerising as ever."

She heard the man at the other end of bar laugh quietly to himself. Isis recognised the sound in an instant.

"Since when do you drink wine, Gabriel?" She asked with a pert grin.

He picked up his glass and moved down the bar to sit beside her. "Since my good friend, Wilbur here, introduced me to this fine Tamika Vintage."

Wilbur brought out a bottle of Tamika Vintage 399- Isis' choice wine. "One of Isis' favourite if I remember correctly. Would you like some? Or I just received a small shipment of Cyrodilic Brandy, if you're interested."

"I think I'll join him with a glass of the Tamika."

He served her a glass and walked off to the other end of the bar where he resumed his chores.

"So what are you doing in Anvil? I'm assuming you weren't really here to watch a sordid sunset." Gabriel asked.

Isis smiled. "The sunset down the coast here used to be quite beautiful, I'll have you know." She paused as she struggled to recall the memories from her mortal life. "But no. I wasn't here to admire the coastline."

"I'm guessing a job. How did it go?"

At that moment a guard burst into the inn out of breath. His colleague, who'd been enjoying his off duty ale, looked up in confusion.

"There's a f... A fire.... at the lighth...h...house." The guard wheezed.

While there was little reaction apart from the hushed murmurings of the few remaining patrons, the two guards hurried out the door back into the night. Gabriel turned back to Isis, eyebrows raised.

"It went well." She replied lightly, taking a sip of wine.

He laughed and they fell into the first comfortable silence they'd shared in a long few years.

"What about you, then?" Isis finally asked.

Gabriel hesitated, which prompted her to put down her glass and turn to face him. He eyed her warily before he answered.

"I heard a trader here had a... special item."

Isis' expression darkened. "What was it?"

"The claw of a Replete Shambles."

Isis took a deep breath. "You mean another artifact."

Gabriel locked eyes with her. "Go ahead. Tell me how futile it is. Tell me how you can't understand why I would jeopardise our purpose for this. But I won't stop trying. Not if it's this easy. Lelle's sold it to me for fifty gold, for Azura's sake!"

"Let me see it."

Gabriel's eyes tightened. He'd expected her to snap, but her voice remained irritatingly calm. He pulled out a long curved claw the size of his hand. He passed it into hers and watched as she examined it carefully, turning it over, running her blue fingers along the smooth bone. Eventually she handed it back to him and he slipped it back into his jacket.

"Very well."

Gabriel was taken aback. "Excuse me?"

Isis smiled. "I'm not to keep having the same fight with you, Gabriel. If you want to try, then fine. I know I won't change your mind anyway."

Isis believed Gabriel loved her, but she also trusted in the fact that he would put his devotion to the Corvidia family first. His will had always and will forever be strong and his convictions unquestionable. To an extent she knew the words she spoke were true: she probably could not change his mind. But it could not be denied that if her determination matched his, she could convince him to stop, but she was beginning to wonder if his plan did not deserve a chance.

He nodded his appreciation.

"Just promise me that the moment you see it's going nowhere... you will stop."

"... I promise."