Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-24123288-20170206175530/@comment-3293219-20170213173757

Rayne stepped down to her lair, as preposterous as it sounded, down there was a rather well kept assortment of papers, alchemical ingredients and the odd map. Rayne originally wanted to stick a dagger in one of   the tables, to show that they meant business but Dra’gall wasn’t too into it.

Dra’gall awaited her. She was quick to look around as she noticed the Gray Fox appeared behind her, slipping on the cowl.

“Good morning.” She mumbled, looking back to what she was doing. She seemed quite grouchy and tired...

The Gray Fox found her nose twitching at that, Dra’Gall was always antisocial in the morning... Normally she went to Jivad first.

“Is Jivad around?” She asked, noticing that her Cat librarian’s claw was slowly sliding down the page.

“He is out, posting a letter... Should be back soon.”

The Gray Fox hadn’t heard of him posting letters before, she found herself curious, hopping onto the bureau and swinging her legs, grinning like a school girl.

“He landed himself a girlfriend?”

“No.” Dra’Gall said, rather firmly. Why was it that everyone was so scornful, whenever she attempted anything resembling humour. Dra’Gall continued to read from the book before sighing and slamming it shut.

“Look... I shouldn’t say anything yet but... You should know, Damien Hermious came back last night.”

The Fox fell silent, somewhat stiffening as she fell silent, slowly glancing down to her knees and hanging her head. She had hoped that she had more time before she ever heard that name again, she should've known, no matter how careful you are or how good you are, Damien will always find you.

He had enough money to buy every beggar in the city a house, fully furnished and everything. He could hire a private army capable of rivalling the Imperial Legion and the one thing he wanted was the only thing she had left...

He wanted his son back...

The Cowl would serve as a trophy of his victory over her but his true goal would be to get Sam back. Without his children, he had little, he couldn’t move on without his son...

“Where is he?” She asked, glancing over to her Khajiiti comrade and getting a shrug.

“We don’t know, it turns out that what they say is   true. You don’t find him, he finds you...” Dra’Gall said, regretfully, it was cliche but sadly true in this case. Damien covered his tracks well and too many feared him to tell where he was hiding or relied too much on his bribes.

<p class="MsoNormal">The door quickly swung open as Javid stepped inside, quickly hopping down the stairway as he entered the hideout.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Oh, speaking of which. Where’ve you been?” The Gray Fox asked, hopping off of her desk and approaching him, this got Javid to pause as he glanced over to Dra’Gall for confirmation.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I told her about Hermious... I figured you’d want to tell him about Valus.” The Khajiit informed him, getting the Gray Fox to glance back at her, now with daggers in her eyes. It was more than a little unnerving that her two cohorts, people she called ‘friends’ were working behind her back.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Valus!? As in Sam’s brother!?” She snapped, looking back to Javid.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Can someone tell me what the hell is going on!?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I sent a letter to Valus.” Javid informed her, folding his arms and leaning off to the right as he wandered away from her.

<p class="MsoNormal">“He’s coming down from Skyrim.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Javid, I told you, I don’t trust him!” The Dunmer hissed, stepping up behind him, seeming quite indignant.

<p class="MsoNormal">“This isn’t about trust, we need allies that we can trust and Valus has done right by us thus far.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“He’s a lot more like his Dad than Sam is...” The Fox pointed out, almost bitterly, getting Javid to sigh and glance away.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Fox, I hate to say it but... The only reason you trust Sam more than him, is that you share your bed with Sam. Valus’ only crime against us is being his Father’s son and if it wasn’t for him, you’d still be in that Dungeon. Sam trusts him, why don’t you?” Javid argued, prompting Dra’Gall to turn around, not wanting to get involved.

<p class="MsoNormal">“It’s more people to trust, I don’t like that... We’re vulnerable as it is. Maybe Valus might get offered something better than we could ever offer him.” The Gray Fox suggested, heading back towards the wall and leaning against it.

<p class="MsoNormal">“He grew up quite privileged, he might be willing to betray us and go back to that.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Pfft.... You know that he barely spent any time at the manor house and only used his Father’s influence once or twice, travelling across Tamriel. He’s a black sheep, hell, you could say the same about Sam and given that Valus is seemingly a man of principles, a man who loves his Brother a lot more than his Father, I’d say he’d be of great help.

<p class="MsoNormal">Look, I know you don’t like this but what choice do you have? I’m not as young as I used to be and we don’t even know if we can trust the Nightingale... Or if he can trust us, given how easily ambushed he can be.

<p class="MsoNormal">We need all the help we can get...”

<p class="MsoNormal">The Gray Fox eventually nodded, in truth, she couldn’t say anything other than ‘gut feeling’ as to her reasoning for not trusting Valus. She couldn’t argue anymore without looking unreasonable.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I think I’ll get some air.” She sighed, stepping over to the door and putting her leather armour on.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Use the medallion if you need me.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Javid nodded, pinching it in his hands.

<p class="MsoNormal">''Shadow hide you, Rayne. ''His voice echoed inside her head, causing her to smile. <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0cm;mso-padding-alt:0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm">And you, my friend. She whispered back, telepathically before leaving the lair behind... <p class="MsoNormal">“Three...

<p class="MsoNormal">Two...

<p class="MsoNormal">One...

<p class="MsoNormal">Ready or not, here I come!”

<p class="MsoNormal">Sofie pried her hands from her eyes as she stepped out from behind cover, feeling somewhat too old to be doing this still but Valus insisted... for some reason or another. She began to look around, seeing a large forest before her eyes, at the base of a downward slope, the last four years or so she’d been constantly playing on with her Sister.

<p class="MsoNormal">Lakeview Manor, amazing to think that it was once nothing but flatland, her adoptive Father had spent months hand crafting a house on top of it. It was in such a prime, nearly safe location and it was surprisingly warm on some days...

<p class="MsoNormal">The Imperial Girl found herself looking around, somewhat curious as to where her opponent was hiding. She quickly wandered over to the nearby chicken coop, peering inside...

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hmm... Nope, nobody there but chickens.” She sighed, stepping away from it before looking up at the balcony.

<p class="MsoNormal">Maybe I’ll get a better view from up there. She thought to herself as she marched around it and ran up the steps, two at a time until she reached the top. Upon reaching it, she looked around, curious as to where the Young Imperial man could be hiding... He called this a training exercise and she could see why, you played a lot of hide and seek in the army, though you usually ended up killing people when you found them.

<p class="MsoNormal">She wouldn’t kill Valus of course, she’d rather have him at her mercy, a rather enticing thought. She of course had a thing for her roguish teacher, she wasn’t exactly too subtle about it either. Why would she be? He was often vulgar, tough and skilled, he was pretty good looking, had lovely blue eyes and a tongue as sharp as a dagger. Being a child   though, she was quite easily impressed, unlike her sister, who dismissed him as an uncouth ruffian for hire. Not that she   disliked him but she wasn’t infatuated like Sofie was...

<p class="MsoNormal">She trailed off, too caught up in her own thoughts to notice the man-sized shadow swoop across her before there was a heavy thud, behind. She swiftly spun around, gasping as a taller man in chittin armour stood over her, staring at her through the eyepieces on his helmet.

<p class="MsoNormal">“It would seem that the hunter has become the hunted.” He said, his voice somewhat muffled by his helmet as he grabbed hold of her and shoved her against the railings.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Now, you die!” He added before grabbing at her stomach and rubbing at it with his fingers, prompting Sofie to burst into a fit of giggles.

<p class="MsoNormal">“No!” She gasped as she curled up into a ball on the floor, cackling wildly as her assailant furiously tickling her, ignoring his pleas to stop as mercilessly continued.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Dammit, you...” She stopped to burst out laughing again, now being pulled in by his wiggling fingers, cackling even more as he pinched her knees.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Valus, shtop!” She cried out.

<p class="MsoNormal">“No one can stop the tickling assassin!” He said, keeping up his musky voice and prompting Sofie to laugh some more. Eventually, the tickling assassin grew tired of tormenting his pupil and let her go, letting her catch her breath.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Another fair maiden, dies with a smile on her face.” He said, pulling his helmet off, revealing himself to be a blonde haired imperial man with bright blue eyes. His face was rather smooth for someone so experienced, though the stubble helped him seem a little more manly.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Grr... Valus!” She growled, with a grin, rising to a sitting position and poking his chittin armour.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You were supposed to hide and I seek you!”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yeah, I know but just ‘cause I’m the prey, don’t mean I can’t be a predator as well.” Valus shrugged, rising to his feet.

<p class="MsoNormal">“That was the point of the exercise, afterall. To find me and get me before I got you, sadly you failed.” Valus pouted, getting Sofie to roll her eyes.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Only ‘cause you cheated...”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Did not!” Valus insisted, pulling his tongue out at her.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I followed the assassin’s code of honour fair and square I did. I gave you a chance to defend yourself. It’s not my fault you buggered it up.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Sofie scoffed, with an amused look of shock as she playfully hit out at him.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You’re such and arse! Still, at least I know not to trust you anymore.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yay!” Valus cheered, mockingly.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You don’t trust your opponents anymore, the very people who benefit from betraying you! Well done!” He grinned as the door behind him swung open and a rather muscular, well built Khajiit man stepped up behind him, with a strange ebony blade hanging off of his hip.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Valus?” He asked, cutting through their conversation rather quickly, with his harsh tone.

<p class="MsoNormal">“A word.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Ooooh, you’re in trouble!” Sofie giggled, getting Valus to shake his head as he turned around and looked back at the Khajiit.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Ketojan, what’s up?” The Imperial asked, with a smirk, Ketojan took a lot of things seriously, so he didn’t think much of it until he held a note up, with a torn seal.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Oooh, a letter for me!?” He gasped, with a grin as he took it.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Probably another noble, begging me to wed his daughter. Such a hard life being so handsome, y’know...” Valus shrugged, getting Sofie to grin as she stared at him, seeming somewhat entranced as he took a look at the broken seal. His mirthful smirk quickly vanished, however, upon seeing that it was the Wax Seal of House Hermious.

<p class="MsoNormal">There was an awkward silence as the situation fell as serious as Ketojan, Sofie was quick to pick up on his solemn expression and stepped forward.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Val... Is something wrong?” She asked, prompting Valus to hide the letter behind his back.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Nah, things are... look, Sofie, maybe you should help your Ma or something, she might need your help... Skinning the carrots.” He murmured, looking back to the envelope again as Sofie gave him a bemused smirk.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You don’t ‘skin’ carrots, you goof!” She grinned, though Ketojan quickly interjected.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Please, Sofie, leave us for a moment... This is a serious matter, that doesn’t concern you.” The Khajiit informed her, cutting through the tension and getting straight to the point. This prompted Sofie to sigh heavily, though he could’ve been more delicate about it, Ketojan had a point that she clearly wasn’t wanted.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Right, I’ll... See what I can do.” She murmured, stepping inside as Valus unfolded the letter.

<p class="MsoNormal">“How’d he find me?” Valus asked, getting Ketojan to glance down to the paper as he unfolded it.

<p class="MsoNormal">“He didn’t, they did that to get your attention.” He informed him, as he scanned the page...

<p class="MsoNormal">Valus

<p class="MsoNormal">''Your Father is in the Imperial City, looking for Gray Fox. Looking for his son.''

<p class="MsoNormal">We need you.

<p class="MsoNormal">Jivad

<p class="MsoNormal">Valus folded the paper over, giving Ketojan a quick nod as he sighed, folding the paper over.

<p class="MsoNormal">“It’s my Brother and his girlfriend. They... Need my help.” He admitted, rather hesitantly.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Though I don’t know what I can do on my own... Mate I, I’m not sure if I’ve asked you for anythin’ before but... I might need your help.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Ketojan paused, nodding, with a heavy sigh.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You’ve asked me for money and to be your ‘wingman’ at the Drunken Huntsmer but aside from that, no, you’ve been a loyal friend. You’re a poor creditor but money isn’t exactly and object for me.” Ketojan shrugged, getting Valus to grin, with a faint laugh.

<p class="MsoNormal">“How much do I owe you?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Two hundred and fifty gold, not that it matters... Ysolda makes that in an hour.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Well, do you think I can borrow your carriage?” Valus asked, stepping over to him, he seemed rather hesitant to ask.

<p class="MsoNormal">“And you as well...

<p class="MsoNormal">I mean, I don’t like asking for stuff. Really, I don’t but... I’m kinda out of my depth here.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I know, your Father is a wealthy psychopath, I don’t blame you for not wanting to take him on alone.” Ketojan replied, almost assuredly as if his fear was justified, since his father was a powerful enemy.

<p class="MsoNormal">“We’ll take the carriage immediately, hopefully we can get there in a few days at most.” He concluded, turning around and heading straight over to his dining hall again, deciding it would be best to eat before leaving, at least out of respect for his life.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I’ll have to say my goodbyes.”