Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-3293219-20140217201750/@comment-3293219-20140307171952

(This took ages. XD)

==The Dark Pact==

Nepth sat at her campfire, as it was the only source of light in her place of refuge.

The Dark Elf was fortunate enough to stumble upon a cave, just a few feet away from the road, where she subdued the unknown assailant. In an amazing stroke of luck, she had managed to find a cave, that had been completely deserted. She had expected to find monsters or worse inside but to her surprise and relief, the place was completely devoid of life.

Her luck didn’t stop there as someone had been living there before her. There were several bits of furniture, inside the cave, a cauldron, old dining chairs, a table and bed rolls…

After her search for the inhabitants turned up empty, the dunmer assumed that they had moved on, some time ago, by the looks of it. Perhaps they belonged to those men that the Imperial attacked, in which case, they no longer needed it as two of them were dead and the third had fled, into the wilderness, to get away from the Imperial who attacked him. It was pointless dwelling on it. Nepht, throughout her life, had learned to count her blessings and never question them.

The Dunmer sighed as she threw on a dress, it was far more comfortable and warmer than her armour and it was far more relaxing and easier to walk around in.



Lucian had been tied up in a chair, his wrists and feet were bound and his elbows were tied to the chair’s back. Every now and then, he’d stir in his sleep and Nepht would reach for her frying pan. The Vampire hadn’t woken up yet but he’d been out for several hours and Nepht knew that it was only a matter of time.

She sighed, again and went back to her pot, she had managed to make some decent vegetable soup.

Well at least it smelled decent…

She sat back and looked around at her new abode. It was nothing like home; dark, cold, dank and hollow… Completely devoid of life as the only sound that could be heard, was the occasional water droplet, that fell from the ceiling.

She loved it.

-

Lucian opened his eyes, looking down at his knees. The throbbing from the back of his head had gone but he was still dazed and confused. His vision blurred as his eyes adjusted to the dark cave, even as a vampire, it took a few moments for him to get used to the dark. It was one of the few things that reminded him of his humanity.

“Where?” Lucian glanced around, he was surrounded by stone, his hands were bound and he could detect human life ahead.

<p class="MsoNormal">“One human did this?” Lucian thought to himself in amazement as he glanced around once more, in an effort to detect more life. To his surprise, the human, elf or beast in the next room was the only one holding him captive. Whoever they were, they must be prepared as they definitely knew how to subdue or kill a vampire. Perhaps they were Vigilants   of Stendarr or Order of the Virtuous Blood. Maybe they are former Thalmor or Penitous Oculatus or maybe they’re…

<p class="MsoNormal">“D-Don’t try anything…!” A weak voice stammered, breaking his trail of thought.

<p class="MsoNormal">An idiot…

<p class="MsoNormal">Lucian looked up to see a Dunmer girl, who was barely an adult. She was clutching a frying pan and holding it up, defensively, ready to defend herself if he was to, somehow, spontaneously escape.

<p class="MsoNormal">Lucian glanced up at her, a look of confusion in his eyes, it was obvious that she was scared of him… A few   years ago, he could have used this to his advantage.

<p class="MsoNormal">But he wasn’t that man anymore…

<p class="MsoNormal">“I fear that I don’t have many options...

<p class="MsoNormal">Though, I meant you no harm to begin with.” He replied, he sounded almost as nervous as she was and in truth, he was, for the exact same reason.

<p class="MsoNormal">Nepht blinked, confused by the response. No threats? No demands? Not even a question? She stopped, in front of him, just out of his reach.

<p class="MsoNormal">Now what do I say? She snapped out of it, to see that her ‘guest’ was just sat there, patiently.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">“S-So…” Nepht bumbled, “who are you?”

<p class="MsoNormal">The stranger tilted his head, he didn’t seem surprised that she had asked him this but there were other questions and usually a couple of empty threats, which often came first.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I am Lucian… Lucian Locke… And you are?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Nepht froze, so well spoken and well mannered.

<p class="MsoNormal">“N-Nepht…”The girl stammered, earning her a puzzled look from Lucian.

<p class="MsoNormal">“No… surname?”

<p class="MsoNormal">The Dunmer looked away, her family rarely used their surname and that was only when Tabith signed royal documents.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Delressi…” She admitted, not thinking about the consequences of telling him her name. “Nepht Delressi.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Ah!” Lucian butted in, “I take it that you’re new to this game?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“G-Game?” Nepht mumbled, unable to hide her confusion.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Well, young, budding adventurers, like yourself, usually invent a ‘pretend’ surname to go by. Like a pseudonym…

<p class="MsoNormal">It makes you harder to track, if you happen to come across thieves or have a nasty run in with the law.” He explained, almost instantly, getting into the flow of the conversation as she lowered her frying pan. “It would also protect your family and anyone close to you.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Nepht, eventually processed this and nodded, feeling incredibly nervous.

<p class="MsoNormal">“So… your name isn’t ‘Locke’ then?” She deduced.

<p class="MsoNormal">Lucian’s natural smile dropped as he found himself impressed, he’d been rumbled.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Actually, it is.” Lucian sighed, “I no longer have a family to protect, so I’m free to go by my proper name.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The Dunmer suddenly felt sorry for him, she couldn’t imagine a life, without a family…

<p class="MsoNormal">“I’m sorry…”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Don’t be, they all lived to a ripe old age and died cen- years ago. I was just explaining that I was exempt from the rule.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Nepht continued to stare at the imperial, incredibly confused by his odd behaviour…

<p class="MsoNormal">“W-Why did you attack that man?”

<p class="MsoNormal">The Vampire paused as he thought about his answer, the shift in tone made things awkward for him…

<p class="MsoNormal">“I… Didn’t, he attacked me.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Nepht continued to stare, pacing around her prisoner with the same, confused, look on her face. Lucian followed her, with his eyes, for as long as he was able. He looked forward, after he had stepped out of his range of vision.

<p class="MsoNormal">“But, you killed his friends!”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I did…” Lucian nodded, “But it was in self defence and I gave them every chance to walk away, before they attacked me.

<p class="MsoNormal">They drew first…

<p class="MsoNormal">They struck first…

<p class="MsoNormal">They forced my hand…”

<p class="MsoNormal">He paused and looked over his shoulder at her; it took a great deal of effort to do so but it was worth it, to make eye contact.

<p class="MsoNormal">“My conscience is clear…”

<p class="MsoNormal">As he finished speaking, he paused, to gave her the chance to respond. All the while, he tried to think of where she was from.

<p class="MsoNormal">Windhelm? No she came from behind him on the road from…

<p class="MsoNormal">Cheydhinhal…

<p class="MsoNormal">“I don’t believe you; they had no reason to attack you.” Nepht snapped, feeling like her aunt on duty, with a prisoner to interrogate.

<p class="MsoNormal">Lucian sighed and raised his hands, if he wasn’t bound to a chair he would be tempted to get up and…

<p class="MsoNormal">He let his hands down and took a deep breath; she was just a silly girl, who wanted to play ‘guard.’ He’d let her have her fun and then she’ll probably let him go.

<p class="MsoNormal">“They were robbers, highwaymen, thieves, bandits. Wasn’t that obvious? Do they not have them in Cheydinhal?!”

<p class="MsoNormal">Nepht gasped and stepped back, how did he know? What did he know?

<p class="MsoNormal">She turned a shade of red as she, suddenly, realised that her reaction had given the game away. He could have been guessing, for all she knew and now he knew that she knew.

<p class="MsoNormal">Lucian sighed as he awaited for her inevitable breakdown… the one that most teenagers erupt into, when they get responsibility for the first time and screw it up. He kept quite as he was still aware of his situation.

<p class="MsoNormal">He had been tied to a chair and she looked eager to get her frying pan acquainted with his face.

<p class="MsoNormal">“So…” Nepht began, through gritted teeth. “What are you?”

<p class="MsoNormal">It was Lucian’s turn to freeze on the spot, his spine shot up as he was put on the spot.

<p class="MsoNormal">He thought about his answer, carefully, it was rare that he was identified as a vampire. “What gave me away?” Lucian asked, nervously.

<p class="MsoNormal">“The frilly shirt, gentlemanly attitude, even if you are a bit shy…” Nepht’s list sounded like she was ready with the ultimate ‘gotcha’ question.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I know a highwayman, when I see one.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Lucian sighed with relief, letting out a faint, nervous, chuckle.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I fear that you are mistaken I’m not a-“ He then paused for a second, a highwayman was better than a Vampire or and Assassin… In realisation of this, he threw his head forward and pretended to laugh, nervously. “Alright, you got me.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Nepht tried to hide her joy as she got a confession, it obviously showed as he smiled back to her but he looked incredibly uncomfortable doing it.

<p class="MsoNormal">“So…” She began, trying not to look like she was staring at him. She couldn’t help it though, he was the only thing in the room but at this rate, it looked like she was attracted to him. Upon realising this, she looked away as this definitely wasn’t true.

<p class="MsoNormal">“If you’re this ‘great highwayman,’ then why were you robbing those guys on the road?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Lucian sighed and rolled his eyes, hoping to get it into her thick skull…

<p class="MsoNormal">“They attacked me.” He grumbled, through gritted teeth.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Why?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I don’t know, I didn’t stop to ask…” Lucian glanced around the room again, desperate to find a way out of this nightmare. Nepht turned away, feeling kind of stupid for not knowing what to ask. How dangerous could he be?

<p class="MsoNormal">“W-Were you going to kill that man?” She asked, nervously.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yes.” His answer was blunt, remorseless.

<p class="MsoNormal">“W-Why?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Because, he would have killed me, if I had given him the chance.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“You don’t know that!”

<p class="MsoNormal">“You’re right but it’s not worth the risk.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Nepht fell silent.

<p class="MsoNormal">''At least he’s… honest. ''She thought to herself, with a concerned look, growing on her face.

<p class="MsoNormal">Lucian laughed at her ignorance and innocence, causing her to frown and take a tighter grip of her frying pan.

<p class="MsoNormal">“What? You think that murdering people is funny?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Lucian looked up and smiled.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You really aren’t aware of how evil people can be, are you? Did you think that man was just going to slap me on the wrist with his rusty mace and send me on my merry way?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Nepht fell silent and looked away, she knew alright…

<p class="MsoNormal">She knew better than anyone…

<p class="MsoNormal">Even if this ‘Lucian’ was a cold blooded killer, he was no Edgar.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I…”   She wanted to tell him about Edgar, about Larius, Dunlammus, Kaizen…

<p class="MsoNormal">“Know enough…”

<p class="MsoNormal">The Vampire recognised the pain in her voice and decided not to inquire further, he might upset her or worse, get her talking about it.

<p class="MsoNormal">“So…” He began, hoping that he was in her good graces now.

<p class="MsoNormal">“How about letting me go now?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Nepht went from surprised to angry, within the space of a second.

<p class="MsoNormal">“No! You’ve just admitted that you’re an outlaw and a killer!”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Exactly! I’m must be trustworthy, on some level, if I admitted all of that to you!”

<p class="MsoNormal">The Dunmer sighed and glanced away, not even knowing what to think anymore.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Look…” The Highwayman began, keeping his eyes fixed on her frying pan. “It’s pretty obvious, that we have, clearly, gotten off on the wrong foot. I’ve been pleasant enough, haven’t I?”

<p class="MsoNormal">He was right… he had been civil but that could all be an act, a mask that he could throw away as soon as she untied him.

<p class="MsoNormal">“O-Ok…” Nepht concluded, “But I want you to promise me something…”

<p class="MsoNormal">Lucian sat waiting, intrigued, “Sure…”

<p class="MsoNormal">“If you want to leave? I won’t stop you, you’re free to do so but just don’t hurt me or try to attack me.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The Imperial was surprised at the ‘please don’t hurt me’ attitude, surely as a teenager, she would threaten to ‘beat him back to Cyrodiil’ or something… Perhaps she was smarter than she looked.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I promise.” Lucian stated, making it very clear that he didn’t intend to harm her.

<p class="MsoNormal">Nepht sighed, not knowing if she could trust the word of this outlaw, she danced around releasing him for a few moments before throwing caution to the wind and stepping closer to him. It was no use anyway, she’d have to tie him eventually and if he was planning to hurt or even kill her now, imagine how bad it would be if she made him wait a week?

<p class="MsoNormal">The Dark Elf stepped around, behind the Imperial’s bonds to untie them. Lucian smiled as the robes were unfastened and slid off of his wrists. He could feel the ropes digging into the skin and he was glad to be rid of them. Whoever this girl was, she knew how to tie bonds… he began to worry about what she did in her free time.

<p class="MsoNormal">Nepht backed away from him, nervously. This was so stupid, right now, he was probably thinking of ways to kill her. Why did she let him go? The Dunmer raised her frying pan, ready to strike him, if he tried anything.

<p class="MsoNormal">To her surprise, his pleasant ‘façade’ hadn’t dropped. He stood up, rubbing his wrists and smiling at her. “Your st-stuff is over there.” The girl uttered, pointing to his satchel.

<p class="MsoNormal">The Vampire felt somewhat thankful that she hadn’t rummaged through his things; it was a rare bit of consideration that he believed to be extinct in this barbaric era. He walked over and gathered his things together, after retrieving his letters he took his sword and sheathed it before turning back to Nepht with a smile.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I suppose I should thank you, for not routing around through my things.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The Dunmer felt like smiling back but she managed to restrain herself. The satchel wasn’t hers, she had no reason to touch any of its contents.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I didn’t want to look, there might be private stuff in there…”

<p class="MsoNormal">Lucian just smiled in response, he was beginning to like Nepht but he’d never admit it.

<p class="MsoNormal">Nepht suddenly grew curious about the bag; it couldn’t hurt to ask… unless he plunged his sword into her belly in retaliation for her meddling, still her curiosity got the better of her.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I saw some paper… letters…”

<p class="MsoNormal">Lucian glanced over to her, looking somewhat worried.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I-I didn’t read them, I just put them back in your bag! I was… just wondering, what they were about.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Did you read them?” Lucian seethed, the first sign of aggression.

<p class="MsoNormal">“No, I would never.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The Vampire glared at her for several seconds before eventually accepting it, she didn’t look like she had read them. She couldn’t have read them or she’d know that he was an assassin and would have quizzed him about that instead.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I… thank you for respecting my privacy but I can’t tell you anything about the content of those letters.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Why?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Because, if I did tell you?” He glanced over, a dark look in his eye. “I’d have to kill you…”

<p class="MsoNormal">Nepht stared at him, wondering if he was being serious. The Dunmer eventually laughed, nervously as she didn’t know how else to respond.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Okay… I don’t think it’s worth it.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Lucian ignored her, sniffing in the air as a new scent found its way to him…

<p class="MsoNormal">Cooking?

<p class="MsoNormal">It smelt like vegetables, possibly a soup or a stew.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Something smells good…” Lucian commented, glancing around the room, in case soup was somehow being cooked, under one of the stones.

<p class="MsoNormal">Nepht’s back shot up as she remembered; she’d left the soup on in the next room! The Dunmer pushed past Lucian and ran to her cauldron, tending to the food before it was overcooked and ruined.

<p class="MsoNormal">She knelt down, beside the cauldron and scooped up a portion, using her ladle. She grabbed one of the wooden bowls and poured the soup into it, getting a good whiff as the steam elevated, through her nostrils. She closed her eye and smiled as she took it in, it truly did smell good.

<p class="MsoNormal">Lucian stopped at the doorway, leaning against a wall as he watched Nepht take the first sip and smiled at the joy it gave her. From the looks of it, she had been looking forward to getting today’s meal. To his surprise, she turned around, she knew that he was there as she didn’t seem surprised to see him stood there and simply smiled at him. “Want some?”

<p class="MsoNormal">The Imperial looked confused as he stepped in, was she inviting him to dinner?

<p class="MsoNormal">“C’mon! Get a bowl! Nepht ordered him, playfully. “It’s obvious that you don’t plan to leave yet and I can’t manage all of this on my own.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The Vampire shrugged and joined her at the campfire; he grabbed one of the wooden bowls and helped himself. The Dunmer smiled as the soup hit the base of Lucian’s bowl, he scooped some of it up and began to sip it, elegantly, managing not to slurp like she and her peasant family did. She continued to eat as he did, happy that she had a guest.