Scales and Secrets

“I never got the impression you cared that much about humans.”

“You’re going to shoot a bug?”

“No, no, I’d like to stay and see what happens.”

“Remind me to stop trying to help people.”

“But whatever’s going on with you lately, I’ve had enough.”

“I’ve always been much better at avoiding farewells than giving them.”

“Seems like you were always finding something new to complain about.”

“You aren’t saying much tonight. Don’t tell me you’re still upset.”

“You have no idea how much I’m restraining myself from knocking you on your ass.”

“It goes without saying that you’re going to encounter the unexpected.”

“You’re good at building things. I’m good at blowing them up.”

“I’m getting real sick of being cut off.”

“Are you passing through or is there something I can help you with?”

“You’ve had too much to drink.”

“I’m not here to steal your secrets. It would hardly be worth the effort.”

“Am I sensing concern? Last I checked, that was considered an emotion.”

“Take your cynicism and bury it with your repressed emotions.”

“Are you implying that I’m attracted to you?”

“When you come up with a plan which doesn’t involve blowing ourselves up, I’ll be a little more enthusiastic.”

“Well, I don’t particularly like the way YOU smell, either.”

“I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.”

“We should have heard something by now. What if they failed?”

“You know, your voice is tensing up. That’s a dead giveaway.”

“It’s ridiculous to assume that those events are going to happen.”

“What the hell am I supposed to do with those?”

Guillaume stood with his arms akimbo, glancing around at the trap’s crumbling walls. As expected, the soil was soft, preventing any sort of easy escape. He felt the tiniest hint of pity for the next unfortunate soul who would unsuspectingly wander across this.

“Only cowards hunt animals. True game walks on two legs.”

“What is better — to be born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?”

“Eyes open. Walk with the shadows.” 

“I have done nothing to earn your distrust.” 

“Power is inert without action and choice.”

“I presume you’ve already seen some of what I’ve accomplished. There is so, so much more to be done.”

“Perhaps we should find a random stranger to murder. Practice does make perfect.” 

“Heard about you and your honeyed words.” 

“I fight because I must.” 

“Arrogance will serve you poorly.”

“You stink of death, my friend. I salute you.” 

“There is murder in the air. I can taste it.” 

“My favorite drinking buddy! Let’s get some mead.” 

“Do you need all your toes? I could really use a fresh toe for… never mind.” 

“Of course you can buy me a drink! You didn’t need to say a word, but I heard you loud and clear.”

“Prophecy tells what may be, not what should be.”

“You are in my power here.”

“Running a little light in the pockets, eh?” 

“My blade thirsts for your blood.”

“I once got set on fire by a sorcerer. Nasty business.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Watch the magic!” 

“I trust that this is just the beginning of a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”

“You will push the world harder than it pushes back.”

“I know your kind, always sneaking about.”

“Perhaps you aren’t as powerful as you think.” 

“Fight well, don’t be a lout, and you’ll be fine.”

“Nice place. I never knew you were so wealthy.”

“You would shut out the darkness?!” 

“Look at that. Am I drunk? I must be drunk.”

“You’re not a threat… merely an annoyance.” 

“Everything mortal fades away in time, but the spirit remains.”

“You’re losing a lot of blood. Maybe you should sit down for a moment.”

“Get out of here before I toss you out.” 

And then the next thing she knew, she was being chased through the woods by a group of raiders. She’d been able to wound a few of them in her escape but she was still outnumbered four-to-one, and running away was a tactic that she was okay with if it meant she’d live another day. 

She could still hear their angry shouts as she sprinted through the foliage of the woods just outside of Falkreath. Hopefully she’d lead them toward the town and the local Guardsmen would finish them off or chase them away at the very least.

Vi’Shir took a split second to glance behind her while she ran. She couldn’t see the bandits that were furiously chasing her, but their heavy footsteps and clanking armor was heard plenty. But for a moment, she lost all concentration when the ground suddenly dropped away from her feet. Her stomach felt as if it was lurched into her throat as she fell down a steep ledge. She tumbled, head over heels for a moment before landing in a small pond of water so black, it was hard to believe it was actually water. 

For a long second, she was stunned. There was a pain in her ankle and she realized quickly that it was most likely sprained, but that didn’t stop her from trying to scramble to her feet. Now she was under the weight of her soaked clothes and with an injured ankle, with no way of knowing how far she was from the path, or how far from the town she was. A nearby tree trunk aided in steadying herself while she fought for breath. But she paused, listening. Was that…

Breathing?

Raspy and hollow, a sound that sent chills through her spine and the argonian looked around frantically, fearing that someone was near. But, even in the darkness, she spotted what seemed to be a door with a large skull on it. It was a rather odd place for a door, and she had a sinking feeling that it meant trouble. 

Of course her hunch was correct, and she hid behind the tree as the stone door suddenly began to open.

There’s a distinct shift in the Argonian’s thoughts when he catches a hint of movement out in the darkness, one hand immediately going to his side and one of the daggers that sat under his cloak. Nor practically freezes in his spot as his senses strain to pick out just what had flickered briefly into his view, and gradually the assassin becomes aware of the sound of a number of masses moving through the brush. It certainly didn’t sound quite like deer or wolves, as much as he could tell so far anyway.