Reflection - Fanar

Years ago, I spent some time with the Dawnguard. They would occasionally still send work my way, though I was certainly no longer a member. Today was to be one of those days. Gili and I had been in Solitude for a month or so when a letter arrived, tied to a cumbersome package. A bundle, tossed atop our rented bed with a clank and a thud. They had sent me a new set of armor and axe. The plates flecked with grey paint, the fabrics black and clean. It was a shame that Gili had already went off to the markets. She would have been thrilled to see me in such garb. It seemed that I was to act as one of them for a quick job in town. I geared up and filled my pockets with whatever supplies I could fit. The last of which was to be my pipe or an Amulet of Mara. I had been carrying this amulet as of late, being a bit more protective of it than usual. I had lost a handful of them over the last year, misplaced or lost in the midst of battles. Fannah was ever eager to hand me another amulet at every visit, but this one felt more special than the others. Gili and I had grown close these last few months. I thought that perhaps that time was growing near, though we had not spoken of it. Not yet. It was a consuming and common thought. With some contemplation, I set aside the pipe and slid the amulet into my pocket with a smile. We would both be back by sundown.

Up and down many a winding path, some cobbled, some slate, some mere dirt. To the farther reaches of town, the places where shadier dealings are the norm. I knew these parts, work had brought me here many times for a variety of tasks. No matter how many times you pile up thieves and murderers by the wagonload, it matters not. Bad people replace their kind at an alarming rate. They have a kinship with insects in that way. Some places will never be safe or free of their mark. Places forever plagued by crime. It is just the way of large cities, especially a capital. Along one of these greater alleys lay a Cathedral in disrepair. A smaller alleyway curved around it’s face. My destination. As I turned the corner, a hooded figure peered up at me. His armed crossed as he stared on. I took a step forward, provoking him.

“Nothing back here for you, elf. Move along.”

“Dawnguard business.” I responded, taking another step toward my goal.

“Ain’t nobody getting back there, especially no Dawnguard. Push off.” he sneered.

The Nord lifted his head to get a better look at me, allowing the light of the morning to have it’s first peek beneath his hood. Eyes, turquoise. A face marked by a rough life, a man of some years greater than mine. The axe relaxed in my grip.

“You’re not one of them then? Why do you do their bidding?”

He shuffled against the wall, the tension in his voice growing fainter.

“They pay me well to stand here all day. Better pay for less worry than whatever you you do for a living.”

“I live for a living.” I chuckled. He smiled but still held fast. There we stood for some time. Sizing each-other up if you will. His hand atop his pommel and mine about the handle of my axe. The alleyway grew quiet as neither would back down. It seemed no amount of goodwill would ease this encounter. I thought a more bold approach.

“There will be blood shed whether you let me pass or not. I assure you. I would rather spill it in one place than in two”

His right hand strummed along his belt, the flick of his finger setting his coinpurse to jingling. He pondered and pondered again.

“There will be none left to chase you down, friend. You can go, if you go now. Be mindful of who you work for in the future.”

His eyes darting head to toe, rigid brow to axe. Sweat dripped from beneath his hood, a drumbeat upon his leathers. At once he lifted himself from the wall and stumbled out into the greater alley with some haste. Just beyond his post lie a loosely boarded up well. Through it’s splintered boards I could see the upper rungs of a ladder, and then darkness. I would try my upmost to keep my word.

The first thing that grabbed me was the odor. Decay. Rot. An overwhelming stench pried at my senses. At the bottom, the ladder fed into a fairly wide hallway. Dimly lit, sconces on either side. In the distance, the occasional clatter of silverware, muffled voices. It echoed deeply, resounding within itself. Combined with the stench, it was a disorienting experience. I proceeded as quietly as possible, though I doubted that anyone could hear me through that noise. At the end of the hall lay a kitchen or bar of sorts. Behind that, arches, and beyond that a dining room. Remains were strewn all about the furnishings in varying stages of decay. Skulls, ribcages, arms and legs. Stained cups and goblets, some full and some empty. From here I could see the blood stained pitchers, a center piece to their dining room. I passed through the bar area and peered around the arches. At once the sounds of silverware stopped. A dreadful quiet. I froze, my left hand growing warm, my right taking grip of my axe. With a low hiss, a figure glided into view just beyond the pillar. His ruinous eyes gazed deep into mine, his lips contorting into a fanged grimace. Behind me, a footstep and then another. Without breaking eye contact I dashed to the left and down another hallway. In my wake they cackled and growled, their eyes aglow as they gave chase. My left palm ablaze I whipped around, laying a wall of flame between us. They recoiled at the sight of it, fleeing as it nipped at their clothes and seared their skin. In the heat of moment they lost me. I sank to the floor, creeping behind another set of pillars as they circled the room patting at their clothes. The male disappeared into a dark corner as the woman circled around the table in search of me. As she turned her back, I soared over my fire, axe high then low. The thud, wet and disgusting. It carried through the complex, resounding upon itself, a mockery of the clattering and distant words of moments now passed. The thud was followed by a shriek from across the room. Without turning my attention, I laid another bout of fire onto her remains, sealing her fate. I shook the sparks from my hand then turned my attention to the shriek.

Eyes, glowing brighter than any fire pierced the darkness. He stood motionless, glaring at me. A seething hatred at what I had done or a predator eyeing it’s prey? Were the ashes at my feet his mate or just another wolf? At the time, it mattered not. A violet mist poured from beneath his charred linens, lifting him. He levitated forward, slowly gaining speed. His arms aloft, a stream of draining magickas coursing from his fingertips. I took the brunt of it, making me shudder and gasp. As he closed in, I dropped a burning wall at his feet then darted down a long hall. Behind me, a sharp bend in the path, a pillar to hide behind. Holding the axe at arm’s length, I waited. Seconds passed, each shallow breath counting down to whatever was to come. The hiss grew louder, a growing shadow blocking the light of my wall just around the bend. Steady. He could sense me. He would come. At last, his form glided around the bend, mirroring our meeting. In an instant, I brought my axe down, taking a portion of his face and chest with it. Gurgling, the violet about his feet faded, leaving him stumbling and clutching at the walls. Another swing and it was done.

I hauled myself back to the bar area and leaned against the counter. My hand instinctively crept into my pocket in search of my pipe. Instead, it found the amulet. It was there, safe and unmarred by the events of the hour. I wrestled it from the pocket and held it so that I could see it. In it’s golden hues, the world danced in it’s reflection. I held it for some time, deep in thought. I looked to the amulet, then to the bonfire at my side, then to the light at the far hall where I had left the man. Again and again. Gently sliding it back into my pocket, I crossed the long hall and looked down at the man. I took the neck of his coat and began the arduous task of dragging him along the hall. Bringing him to rest beside his ally. I knelt and had a look at them. They looked a couple to me, perhaps in another life. I again took the amulet, holding it for a moment as I pondered. Eyes darting between the three, I laid it between them then incinerated what was left. It seemed the right thing to do.

Back above ground, I looked skyward, letting out a sigh as I dusted myself off. Out in the main alleyway, I spotted the rare passing guard and lead him to the well. They would handle the rest. Onward to the inn, to Gili. We spoke of the day and of days to come. Our conversation only interrupted by the clank and thud of my heavy cuirass being hoisted onto the bed. I took a rag to it’s face. Wiping away the soot and refuse of this day. Giving way to a clear figure, my reflection.