Delsin just smiled at what Shadow had to say, unsure if she meant actual hugging. Which is what he legitimately meant, but at her insinuation Abbie might not approve he was unsure. Although this may have just been a tease at Delsin and Abbie being close. Delsin was not good at these things.
Delsin watched happily as the family fought, and then discovered Shadow and the masked man were old friends. Delsin went and chose a contract, and read it to discover his target was out near Riften. He would have gladly swapped with the man, had he not left so soon.
The masked man had removed his mask and was talking with Shadow, "So she did just mean hugging... Good." He thought, as she appeared to have strong feelings for this man. He approached them. "Well, nearly everyone has left." He said, regretting it instantly. This man seemed the kind of guy who wouldn't like Delsin's kind. He looked to the man confidently, and reached his hand out for a handshake. "Delsin." He said, waiting to hear the mans name.
Then turned to Shadow, "Not sure if I should shake your hand." He said plainly, as she had been reluctant to hug him before. "My contract is out near Riften, guess I won't be able to join you." He said to both of them. "I look forward to getting to know you both." He said with a warm smile, meaning every word. "Me too." Abbie said, approaching from behind him. "I really do, it's nice to have a new family after the old was.. Killed..." She said, the mood shifting drastically. "No but all in all, I'm glad we have such.. Unique members in our brotherhood." Delsin was silent, smiled, then walked out. Abbie caught up with him, asked to join him, and they proceeded to leave.
They traveled for a few hours, just talking, laughing and joking around until Abbie finally asked who the target was. "Some bitch of the black-briars, should be easy enough." Delsin said, continuing on his trek to Riften. "Won't that make some enemies?" Abbie inquired, "Working for the Black-Briars." Abbie thought a moment, "But you're guaranteed good money and protection."
Delsin let out a slight chuckle, "Not from the brotherhood."
Just under a day passes, and they finally make it to Riften. Delsin walked through the gates, and scoped the place out. Wasn't much of a city, thieves guild was likely present, it smelt awful. Delsin spent half an hour looking around the city, mapping his escape routes in case things went sour. It was night, so Delsin decided now would be the best time to find his target. Abbie soaked up information in the bee and barb, while Delsin was on the hunt.
His target was Jason Borus, an imperial working for the Black-Briars. Delsin snooped around the manor in which the Black-Briars lived, all was quiet. He was considering breaking in as he was walking away from the building, until he overheard a conversation.
"You alright, Jason? That last job.. Burning that farm down."
"Yeah mate, I'm good, gonna go grab a drink then head to Whiterun."
"On business for the Black-Briars then?"
"Aye, see ya later."
"Bye."
Delsin tailed the man into the Inn, but waited at the door and signaled Abbie, who had seated herself conveniently facing the door. She came over to him, and he defined the target to her. "The Nord wearing the leather armour, shoulder length brown hair." His features were that of a warrior, aged face and a ragged scar going across his right cheek down to the bottom of his chin. Wonder if he got that working for the Black-Briars Delsin thought. The man spent only half an hour at the bar before hopping on board a carriage.
Delsin and Abbie boarded the same carriage, paying their fees, and kept to themselves acting as two strangers. It wouldn't be suspicious if anyone found out they knew each other, but it wasn't something anyone would assume. After exiting the carriage, Abbie made her way to the stables while Delsin tailed the target. He was making his way to the companions mead hall, to which Delsin wasn't quite fond of. He disliked the smell, the people, and how the roof looked like an upside down boat. Jason went inside the building and after forty minutes of the man not coming out, afraid he will miss him, Delsin went inside.
The blaring fire in the middle of the hall immediately caused Delsin to shield his eyes for a moment, before he was used to the heat and intensity. The room was crowded and loud, everyone was drinking and cheering about something. He scanned the room before deciding to head right and go down to the living quarters. He was unafraid of being caught, he knew he wouldn't be in trouble and knew two or three of the members here. The building layout wasn't too familiar to him as it had been in a time of distraught in pain, not long after his family had been murdered.
The door straight in front of him was closed, so he turned right and began walking that way. It was eerily quiet, it was like near everyone was above. He kept heading that way until he heard a familiar voice, one that belonged to Jason, Delsin peeked his head around the corner to notice two doors and a table with food and chairs. Jason was on a chair, and was talking to another Nord.
Delsin couldn't make out what they were saying, as right after a man approached Delsin from behind. "What are you doing, Nord?" A bulky man in steel armour asked. "Ah, I'm checking out your hall." Delsin lied. "You want to join?" The man asked. "No, I am ill prepared. I may consider it in the future though." Delsin said, trying to sound like someone this man would be bored with, it succeeded. "Right. I'm going now." The man said, grunting and walking left to where Jason and his companion was. Immediately their conversations stopped, and Jason got up. The moment Jason rounded the corner and saw Delsin he drew his sword.
"Why are you following me!?" He shouted, drawing attention. Delsin drew his own sword, "You killed my wife and daughter, and I'm here to make you pay!" Delsin shouted, "Lets do this. Honorably. Something you couldn't give my family when you burned our house down!" A glint of recognition appeared in Jason's eyes, and it almost looked as if he felt bad. "I- I didn't know anyone was home. I knocked on the door, I only heard the cattle." He said, stammering. "You- I will kill you." Delsin having real anger and emotion in his eyes, so angry you could see his eyes swell up. So angry soon he'd have angry tears, but he kept them in. He was conveying the emotions from his family's death into this situation. He was acting. "Okay, we do this honorably. With an audience." Delsin nodded. They made their way upstairs, with the Nord from earlier following them. The Nord explained that they would fight to the death, and they proceeded into the courtyard.
This went against everything Delsin was suppose to stand for. Honor, really? He was suppose to do this stealthily, or when his target was defenseless. As the opponent drew his sword, Delsin could see dried blood, and timed seemed to go in slow motion and Delsin drew his own. Delsins skill as a warrior had rarely been tested. His mind flashed back to the little girl who killed herself after his last contract, and he filled with rage at the guilt he felt.
The two clashed blades, the pushed against each other, a test of strength. Delsin knew he wouldn't win this. He ducked and maneuvered himself out of the way, swinging at the mans hip as he did so. It cut him deep, but not deep enough. He turned around quickly and made a swing down on Delsin. It was blocked, and as the man staggered back Delsin gave him a boot the chest. The powerful kick sent him a few steps back, and Delsin brought his sword up and swung it around, decapitating the mans head clean off.
-
Abbie sat at the stables for what seemed like two hours, having purchased a horse. She was a rich girl, very rich, she was smart enough to not have her funds at the sanctuary or even her last sanctuary. She had sent a letter to the imperial city for someone to bring her money to her, and her money wasn't even in the city. She was very protective of the money she spent carelessly. She finally saw Delsin, a little blood on his armour walking over toward her. They greeted in kiss, but it wasn't long before they were professional again. They had a strange relationship, it was never romantic, just physical. But she knew she had feelings for him, but did he? He had to.
"How was it?" Abbie asked.
"Everyone knows I did it, and it was honorable." Almost a hint of pride in his voice.
"That's...Different. I bought us a horse, you can ride."
Delsin mounted the black steed, and Abbie went on the back. They rode out, heading toward their new home.
