Interlude
Men and mer have their breaking points; it is a common known fact. A being can only take a given amount stress, be it emotional or physical, before that last string of sanity is cut and they are lost forever within themselves. Some have higher tolerances than others and can simply shrug off the stress, but even they will eventually succumb to its never ending tug. For some the process of overloading their minds and emotions takes years, others months, but there are some that given enough of a push will snap as a dry twig without a moment’s notice. The side effects of this so called snap vary from person to person given the fact that no two people are the same. Some enter deep states of depression and seclusion; others are plagued by fits of rage and horrid tempers. However some people do not fall into the extremities of the emotional spectrum, but fall into a state where emotion itself is obscured, where emotion in its pure form does not exist. They bury all emotion within themselves and become as a cold stone in an attempt to block out that which causes them grief. It is not uncommon for people who fall into this state to exhibit underlying psychological conditions.
Chapter 7: The Fall
A single beam of dusty light creeped in through the small window that faced the horizon to west. For a brief moment it illuminated a modest room with modest furnishings, however a black curtain was quickly drug across the window. It choked out the small stream of light as it tried to penetrate the heavy cloth, cloaking the room in darkness once again. The room had been this way for two days now; its sole occupant sat alone on the bed in the corner toying with a small knife.
Rayden had not shed single a tear nor destroyed a single furnishing in rage since he had returned to his home a few days before. He merely sat on the rather uncomfortable bed that occupied the corner of the room and repeatedly flipped the small steel blade around in his hands. He did not even truly think save for focusing on the knife in his hands; not even the events of a few days before crossed his mind now. The first day was the worst, he thought about his parents every waking moment, however as the days passed he focused on forgetting and he did just that. Rayden had reached his breaking point, the ledge that symbolized the death of the old and the birth of the new, and been pushed over it. He fell quickly to the bottom of the theoretical cliff and made his refuge there, he had forever been changed. No longer did he mourn his loss, or to be more accurate he no longer cared.
The quiet atmosphere of the room was shattered as a knock resounded throughout the room. The knife in Rayden’s hand ceased its movement for the first time in hours as he slid the small blade back into its dark leather sheath. The wooden frame of the bed sighed in relief as Rayden stood and slid the black curtain back. The light of Magnus was released into the room once more illuminating the far wall of the organic and
living room. The light footsteps of Rayden echoed softly throughout the room, a much nicer sound than the harsh and abrupt noise that was created when the person outside the room had pounded on the circular door. Rayden grasped the bronze handle and with a little twist the door opened with a slight click.
Behind the door stood a mer who wore the same dark leather armor as Rayden. Rayden had seen the younger mer many a time at the guildhall, he was an initiate and had joined not long ago. However his named slipped Rayden’s mind as he blankly stared at the mer in front of him.
“Uh…oh, good morning muthsera,” said the initiate with a surprise as he turned his attention from the young Dunmer girl passing on the street below to Rayden. “Master Veloryn sent me to find you and tell you that he is waiting in his office.”
“Thank you sera,” replied Rayden, his voice carried a tone of gratitude. Rayden seemed as though the he was unaffected by the events of a few days prior, as if they had never happened.
Rayden turned and grabbed a small sack from beside the door and flung it over his shoulder as he exited the door following the young mer. It was early morning and the sun had just begun to peek over the horizon, a light mist floated in the air as the two walked the cobblestone streets of Sadrith Mora. It was a nice peaceful morning; the air was cool and invigorating, it almost seemed to lighten the body and mind. The peace and quiet of the morning was broken as the young assassin next to Rayden spoke,
“I uh…heard about your uh….parents. I’m very sor-,” the young mer was cut off from finishing his sentence when Rayden flung his arm around the mer’s shoulders and began to speak with a disturbing smile stretching his face.
“Ahh there’s no need for pleasantries or condolences my good friend, why mourn the loss of someone when you haven’t lost your own life huh? I mean we’re all going to die at some point so why act surprised and go around crying when it happens eh?”
The younger Dunmer looked slightly disturbed at Rayden’s comment, as well as the fact that he was grinning so widely and seemed to just dismiss that his parents had been slaughtered just a few days earlier. However the initiate had no time to formulate a reply to Rayden’s remark as they two reached the twisting wooden steps of the guild hall. Rayden quickly ascended the stairs followed by the rather less enthusiastic figure of the young assassin. The older assassin turned the old metal latch on the large circular door and pushed it open, its hinges creaking as they rotated. He motioned for his younger companion to enter.
“Ah, I remember now, your name is Daryn isn’t it?” said Rayden as the younger assassin stepped into the guildhall. Daryn replied with a bit of hesitation, as he was still confused as to why Rayden seemed to be unaffected to the death of his parents.
“Uhh, yeah it’s Daryn,” replied the younger mer as he walked into the dim foyer of the building, followed by Rayden who shut the large round door behind them.
“Sorry your name had just slipped my mind and it was bugging me ever since I left the house, anyways it’s best that I not keep Rithe waiting, “said Rayden as he began to walk to the back of the circular room and down the long hallway to where Rithe’s office was located. Rayden noticed that the old and faded door that he was so used to opening had been replaced with a fresh new and rather nice looking one, and to his surprise it did not creak the slightest upon opening it.
Rayden entered the room and looked at Rithe and then back at the new door as he spoke.
“I don’t like that new door, just feels too out of place,” Rayden’s voice was calm and almost carried a tone of relaxation.
Rithe looked up from the pile of papers littered across his desk as he looked at Rayden with a rather blank stare. “That’s your own fault,” he said as he leaned back in his chair. Rithe could already sense that something was not right with Rayden, just from the way he entered the room and his apparent light-hearted attitude. He looked at Rayden rather peculiarly for a few second before he spoke again, as he began to wonder why his attitude had changed so rapidly.
“The final documents came in today; the writ on Garyn Rethan was approved. I called you here to see if you are…in a state where you can carry out the contract.” Rithe’s voice carried a mixed tone of concern and curiosity.
Rayden smiled and let out a short chuckle as he replied jokingly, “I’m more than capable of sticking a blade in someone’s back Rithe, it’s not like I wasn’t trained by you or anything.”
Instead of returning a comical comment like he usually would Rithe merely leaned forward in his chair and picked up a small roll of papers bound by a leather string, his eyes squinting in a stare at Rayden. Rayden’s demeanor troubled Rithe, not even he had expected such a lack of depression and rage. The sudden outburst after Rayden read the letter had led Rithe to believe that he would have been crushed by the death of his parents, however apparently he was wrong. After a moment Rithe finally spoke up as he handed the roll of papers to Rayden.
“Good, because this contract requires that you perform the execution flawlessly. We cannot afford another mishap like the last Hlaalu Noble you went after.” Rithe’s tone was serious as he spoke to Rayden.
“I proved that I could do my job in the last contract I had Rithe, you don’t need to worry so much,” replied Rayden, the same disturbing smile etched into his face.
Rithe paused a moment before he replied, he was still slightly worried about Rayden. “You’ll find all the legal documents there as well as a paper for passage to Balmora through the Mages Guild; the fees have already been paid.”
“Well better get going, don’t want to keep lord Rethan waiting now do I?” Said Rayden as he nodded to Rithe and exited the room.
Rithe waited until he heard the door shut as Rayden exited the building, then he shouted out to the foyer where a few of the middle ranking members of the Tong sat.
“Vadyn, I need to speak with you.”
Shortly after a middle aged Dunmer walked into Rithe’s office, shutting the door behind him. Vadyn had been a member of the Morag Tong for the better part of half his life. He was one of the Tong’s most reliable members; Rithe had trusted him a number of times with matters that required great finesse.
“Yes Master?” asked Vadyn as he gave a short bow to Rithe. Rithe had actually tried to teach Rayden to be more respectful like the rest of the members when he was younger; however he quickly gave up due to Rayden’s headstrong stubborn attitude.
“I want you to follow Rayden, wait until he leaves and then travel to Balmora and track him to the Rethan Manor. If anything happens out of the ordinary I want you to report it to me as soon as possible, and remember to stay hidden. Understood?” Rithe reached down and procured a small sack from his desk and handed it to Vadyn, it jingled slightly as the coins within it clanked against one another.
“Yes Master Veloryn,” replied Vadyn as he bowed once more and exited the room. As the door shut behind the assassin Rithe once again leaned back in his chair as he stroked his chin with his fingers and stared down at his desk.
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The warm night air was thick and muggy, and Masser and Secunda were masked by a dark blanket of clouds. Hundreds of insects chirped and called out into the night as they desperately searched for a mate before their short life was over. The air was alive with flying insects as well as they buzzed about in the damp night air.
The manor sat at the top of a hill, bordered on one side by the Odai River and on the other by a tall rock face. The manor itself had just recently been built for the new Hlaalu noble Garyn Rethan, who just so happened to be a very wealthy business man. This meant that lord Rethan had some very powerful enemies, hence the reason why a dark figure was now slipping over the top of the courtyard wall and into the small space behind the manor.
Rayden’s boots made a soft thud as he dropped from the top of the newly constructed wall and unto the ground below. He quickly turned his head to make sure no one was around; his crimson eyes then fell upon a ladder that lay on the ground just a short ways down the small alley.
Must have been left during the construction. He thought as he quietly moved towards the wooden ladder. The cloaked slowly picked up the ladder and placed it against the back of the manor. Rayden carefully tested the ladder with his foot before he began to ascend up to the balcony that jutted off the back of the manor.
Rayden stopped halfway up as the wood began to creak; he paused motionless for a moment before he resumed his climb. He peeked over the edge of the balcony as he neared the top of the ladder; the balcony was empty except for a few potted plants that sat up against the wall. Rayden then quietly climbed over the railing and onto the balcony, being careful as to not make any noise. He approached one of the small oval windows that was set into the hard mud bricks of the house and looked through it into the room beyond. Inside the room was rather well lit and many extravagant tapestries hung from the walls. A large wooden table stretched throughout the center of the room, the table was set with elegant limeware plates and cups that must have cost as much as the manor itself.
There was a faint click from within the room as a door opened on the far side, Rayden quickly ducked down below the window to remain hidden. He could hear lots of movement within the room as well as the clanking of something metal, after a minute or two the noise subsided and there was a muffled thud as the door was shut. Rayden waited a moment and then peeked through the window once again, apparently what he had heard were the servants setting the table because now a plethora of steaming dishes were arranged across the top of the extravagant wooden table. However no one resided at the table yet. Rayden grinned as he silently made his way towards the two wooden doors on the balcony. He reached out and grasped the polished handle of the door and gave it a slight tug, as he expected the door did not budge.
Rayden raised turned an open palm towards the door and channeled his magicka through it, there was a soft click as the dead bolt slid to the side. Rayden once again pulled the handle of the door, and this time it swung open with ease. Rayden quickly made his way inside, shutting the door quietly behind him. He then nonchalantly walked over to the chair at the head of the table and slid it back; taking a seat as if it were his own house and he was sitting down for dinner. Rayden then leaned back in the chair; it wouldn’t be long now before lord Rethan came to dinner.
Just as he had expected a few moments later the door once again opened, however instead of servants this time a rather chubby Dunmer entered the room followed by what appeared to be his wife. The mer than Rayden assumed to be lord Garyn Rethan stopped dead in his tracks as he noticed the dark clothed individual sitting in his chair at the table, his jaw dropped so fast that if it were not attached to his skull it would have probably gone straight through the floor. His wife’s face took on a similar look of bewilderment as she too noticed the man sitting at their table.
A large smile stretched across Rayden’s face as he quickly stood from the table.
“Ahh lord Rethan! I was beginning to wonder if you were going to show up for dinner after all,” exclaimed Rayden as if he were an old friend of the Hlaalu noble.
Lord Rethan’s was still in a state of shock and he quickly replied, his voice carried an obvious tone of surprise and irritation, “Who in the name of Azura are you and what are you doing in my house!” barked Garyn as his wife stepped behind him.
“Oh, my apologies lord Rethan, I forgot to introduce myself. Rayden Verethi, Brother of the Morag Tong at your service,” replied Rayden as he bowed in a very elegant fashion. “Now please sit, the food is getting cold.” Rayden motioned for the two to take a seat at the table.
Garyn turned to his wife; however he kept his eyes locked on Rayden. “Go get the guards.” She nodded and then swiftly turned to walk out the door; however she stopped as Rayden’s spoke,
“Uh-uh-uh, I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Now please
take a seat.” Rayden’s voice was harsh and commanding this time instead of being light and friendly like before. Lord Rethan and his wife hesitantly moved over towards the table and sat down in the rather expensive looking chairs. Both Garyn and his wife stared at Rayden as he sat down in the large chair at the end of the table and grabbed a nearby bottle of wine.
“Ahh vintage 381, that was a good year.” Rayden then filled his goblet with the red liquid, “Care for some?” he said as he held the bottle up towards the noble and his wife. They shook their heads and continued to stare at the assassin who sat at their table. “Hmph, your loss.” Replied Rayden as he corked the bottle and set it on the table. Rayden looked over towards Garyn’s wife as he pointed to a dish in front of her. “Would you please pass the grilled guar?”
She looked over towards he husband he just nodded and motioned for her to pass the plate. She grabbed the plate and passed it down the table to Rayden, her hands and the plate shaking nervously. Rayden grabbed the dish of grilled meat and placed one of the large steaks on his own extravagant limeware plate before setting the dish back in the center of the table. He picked up the knife and fork that sat next to his plate and cut off a chunk of the guar, he then placed it in his mouth and chewed with satisfaction.
“Mmmm, this is fantastic. Are you sure you don’t want any?” he said as he pointed his fork at lord Rethan and his wife. Just as before they nervously shook their heads and continued to stare at Rayden, who now set his silverware down and stared back at the two.
“You two seem awfully up tight, is there something bothering you?” Rayden’s voice carried a tone of curiosity as if he were truly inquiring as to why they seemed unsettled. Once again the two nobles simply shook their heads. Rayden leaned back in his chair and propped his chin up on his hand, a few seconds later he stood from his chair with a large grin on his face. Lord Rethan and his wife turned abruptly and moved back as if Rayden were about to leap at them.
“I have an idea!” Rayden exclaimed, his voice full of jubilance. “How about we play a little game to lighten your mood eh?” he said as he placed his arms out to the side. The two just continued to stare nervously at the assassin, not muttering a single word.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” said Rayden as he slid his chair back and began to walk around the table, the eyes of lord Rethan and his wife never leaving his. “I’m going to think of a number between one and ten, and then you try and guess what it is, alright?” he said as he walked behind lord Rethan’s wife and continued to circle the table. The two Dunmer sat motionless at the table continuing to stare down Rayden.
“
Alright?” barked Rayden as he stopped and glared at Garyn, who quickly nodded his head. Rayden could practically feel the fear and terror emanating from the two nobles as he paced around the room; it almost encouraged him to continue to toy with them. Rayden slipped his right hand down to his leather belt and slid his fingers around the cold steel of a knife as he spoke once again.
“Alright I’ve chosen a number, you go first,” he said as he nodded towards lord Rethan’s wife and continued to walk around the room, his footsteps barely audible. She hesitated for a moment and then swallowed nervously before she replied; her voice wavered and carried a thick tone of fear as she forced the words from her mouth.
“Th-three.”
Rayden smiled as he began to slide the knife from its sheath, his actions still unknown to the two nobles because of the black cloak draped over his shoulders. Rayden then nodded towards lord Rethan.
“And what do you think it is lord Rethan?” his voice was friendly and calm.
“Seven,” replied the Hlaalu noble. His voice was weak and faltered slightly, however it was a bit stronger than that of his wife’s.
Rayden smiled as he stopped behind the chair of lord Rethan’s wife and placed his free hand on the back rest of the chair. “Ahh it seems we have a winner! Congratulations here’s your prize!” he exclaimed with great enthusiasm as he pulled the knife from his belt and hurled it at the chest of lord Rethan. The steel blade embedded itself in the heart of the noble with a resounding thud, his wife jumped backwards and screamed as he fell forwards onto the table. Rayden quickly wrapped his arm around the womer and covered her mouth with his hand, muffling her terrified screams. Rayden placed his mouth next to her ear as he spoke, sending chills down her spine.
“Shhhh, now how about we quiet down and take a little
nap.” The words slid from Rayden’s mouth as did his knife across her throat. Lord Rethan’s wife attempted to scream but merely choked and sputtered as the warm crimson liquid began to fill her lungs. After a few seconds she stopped squirming and Rayden let her fall limply to the floor. Rayden then turned his head to the door as it burst open to reveal a mer adorned in Armun-an bonemold armor and holding a steel long-sword.
“What in the-“the armored Dunmer was cut off as a vortex of flame collided with his helmet. The guard let out a yell of pain and fell to his knees as the skin on his face was melted off, however his agonizing cries were cut short as the assassin plunged his wakazashi into the guard’s throat. Rayden wrenched the blade free from the corpse as he stepped over it and continued down the stairs and into the main room of the manor.
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Vadyn sat crouched in a thicket off the main road to the manor. He had watched as Rayden entered the estate, however to him it seemed as if it were taking an extremely long time for him to leave. The assassin had begun to think that Rayden had been killed but then a blood curdling scream pierced the calm night and interrupted his thoughts. His eyes quickly darted up towards the second story of the manor. A few seconds later a bright orange light flashed in one of the small windows, as another deeper scream echoed throughout the night. The guards that stood at the front entrance had now moved out of sight and into the courtyard. Vadyn was beginning worry as he heard more shouts and then the sound of metal clashing with metal.
The middle aged mer then peeked around the corner of one of the shrubs he was concealed within to get a better view. A servant came sprinting from the archway that led into the courtyard, his head turned behind him. He made it a mere five steps from the walls of the estate before he tripped and fell to the ground. Vadyn’s eyes then fell upon a dark cloaked figure as it walked from the courtyard and over to the servant who desperately tried to crawl away. The hooded mer then placed his foot on the back of the servant and plunged his blade into the man’s neck. Vadyn looked closer at the mer who had just murdered the man; his eyes grew wide as they fell upon a familiar face.
No…Master Veloryn must know of this. Thought Vadyn as he eased himself out from the bush and began to slip away into the dense forest of the Ascadian Isles.
** I would like to give special thanks to Ambrose51 for his amazing grammatical and literary advice that helped me get through this long chapter.