Sumi Alexandra's Story

Zane was tired from his battle earlier that day, Zane is a gladiator and a warrior, today he had to decapitate a man in battle Zane recalled this and thought to himself If I didn't he would have killed me Thought Zane. Zane both loved and hated his work, he loved battle and the fortune it brought, but hated the misery it could cause. Zane was walking through a crowd of people through the food part of the fair, Zane participated in the Jarls midsummer fair Champions tournament every year, and gained a fair amount of wealth at it, Zane was startled when he was clasped on the shoulder he turned to see but a peasant "Hail warrior!" the man said as he reached out his hand for Zane to shake, Zane took the mans hand and shook it firmly, one victory and I have already gained a reputation thought Zane as the peasant walked away with a grin on his face.

Zane went to the tavern set up in a tent for the week long fair, he got a tankard of ale and a bowl of stew. Now let's see Zane thought as he looked over each of his shoulder scoping out his competition in the Tournament, he saw a couple strong looking warriors, not as bad as last year he thought remembering getting almost all his ribs broken by a warhammer smashed into his chest, the Jarl had spared him, said he showed mercy, but Zane knew what he meant, 'He is too good a warrior to get rid of, he will bring me much wealth in this Tournament' Zane disliked the Jarl, all he cared about was his money and self. "Hey! You!" Zane yelled at the waitress "More ale!" Zane yelled while knocking his tankard on the table. Auhhh a warriors life thought Zane admiring himself.

Sumi jumped when the warrior shouted for more Ale. "Y-Yes sir!" She muttered, running off and getting a tankard of ale for him, then running back. "Is everything okay, Sir? Do you need anything else?" She said hurriedly, genuine fear in her eyes. "I'll get you anything - Just please.. Don't scare me like that.." Sumi said, her eyes watering. She was scared he might get angry and bawl at her, or worse - Attack her.

She was stressed out especially today, she killed someone for the Jarls enjoyment - So unlike her. So she thought working the tavern would be easier. She really wished she hadn't.

"Oh, sorry miss. And no I'm fine with the ale." Zane handed the waitress the tankard, I'm already drunk Thought Zane as he watched the woman swagger away to the barrel and filled the tankard with more juniper berry ale. "You there." the waitress looked at him "What is your name?" Zane inquired, she didn't answer, "It's okay I won't bite, a beautiful girl such as yourself must have a name?" Zane asked. Drunk, now let's see if I can enjoy it Zane thought as he smirked at the waitress.

Sumi relaxed slightly. "M-My name? Oh.. My name is Sumi.. And no need to tell me yours.. I watched the fight. G-Good job in cutting his head off, Mr. Zane..." She said, practically whispering. "I fought too.. Earlier. I don't know what came over me.. I just.. slit his throat."

She smiled slightly at Zane. He had a smirk. She found it amusing.

"Oh yes, I think I remember you, you did well, and please don't tell me good job I don't enjoy my work." Zane said frowning. Zane really did hated his work, killing, but it brought fortune to him. "So how'd you get wound up in this mess? this horrible killing for money?" Zane asked, interested in Sumi, Zane sensed strength from her though she looked afraid and shy. There's something about her? Zane silently said to himself.

"I needed money so that i could feed myself and find somewhere to stay... I don't like the killing either, it's just wrong.." Sumi muttered, her voice getting a tad louder. "Someone should stand up to the Jarl, and either teach him a lesson in pain - Or i will." She grunted. Her eyes showing anger and despair. She was sick of watching people - Mere pawns to the Jarl - go head to head and slaughter eachother.

"Well meet me in my tent latter, it's at the end of the row, its orange and red, it has a phoenix on the door flap." Zane said "We'll discuss our plan then." Zane said winking at Sumi, Zane got up and handed Sumi the money for the meal and a substantial tip. Zane looked around to make sure no one had heard their conversation, then he looked back to ensure Sumi understood, she nodded.

Zane had just arrived to his temporary tent home, he cleaned a little knowing that a beautiful woman like Sumi was coming over, Zane liked Sumi, he could tell she was a natural tactician, not one for battle though. After Zane was done cleaning, he took a bath, then changed out of his armor into some clothes. Zane then started prepping for his visitor, though they were making an assassination plan he still wanted to woo her. Zane poured some wine in glasses and placed one on the table by a chair for Sumi, then took a seat across from the table, waiting for Sumi.

"I was thinking about what you said. I want to assassinate the Jarl." Zane Said, he sipped his wine. Sumi had a happy look on her face. I was expecting a more surprised look Zane said to himself. "I was thinking poison." Zane said as if asking Sumi what she thought. Sumi smiled at him, with a hard look on her face, the face of thinking, as Zane's uncle had called it. Zane couldn't help but smile back at her, she seemed to light up the entire room.

"That looks like a good idea. But first, how do we poison him? I'm good at disguises. You could be a Guard - I could be the chef... And once he's poisoned we leave?" Sumi said, sipping her wine too. She liked Zanes smile when it appeared. It showed courage, but not boastful. Sumi moved her hand over and took Zanes. "But no matter what plan we choose - We're a team now. We'll kill the Jarl.. Together." She said, her sutter coming back.

Zane liked how Sumi held his hand, he imagined how a mother would hold her child's, then a tear crept down Zane's cheek, his mother had dyed birthing him, and his father had dyed before his mother knew she was pregnant. Zane wished he knew his parents This isn't the time Zane said to himself as his eyes began to water. Sumi looked at Zane confused "It's nothing." Zane said as he forced himself to toughen up. "I think that's a good idea." Zane said. "but I don't know if it's a low enough profile." Zane inquired. Sumi looked still confused by his tears, she held his hand firmer now to comfort him.

"Y-Yeah.. Sure.. Low Profile, eh? We could perform the Sacrament and summon the Assasins. They'd have it done ASAP." She muttered, moving another hand up to Zanes face and wiped away the tears. "Why do you weep? I would think a Warrior wouldn't soften up for a Paladin." She whispered, staring into Zanes blue eyes.

"My mother dyed birthing him, and my father dyed before my mother knew she was pregnant, the only thing I from them is a name." Zane said, this time he didn't cry though, he had told many people about his parents before. "Something jogged my memory." Zane said. "I don't think we should contact the dark brotherhood, too expensive." Zane said. "We'll have to do it ourselves." Zane said with a menacing smirk on his face. Sumi smiled at this, then Zane saw a look much the same on Sumi Surprise surprise? Zane thought.

"Well then. How should we do it? Poison? Stealth? Traps? Mercenary?" Sumi listed for about two minutes, all the possibilities just to kill someone!

I'm liking this girl more and more Zane thought as Sumi named off almost all the known ways to kill a man, or any other beast. "I actually have an idea." Zane said, looking at his wine, Sumi looked at him probing for answers "We poison the wine!" Zane said with the manacle look on his face again, Zane sipped his wine and waited for Sumi's response, he could tell she liked the idea. "It's stealthy, they will think the person who brought the wine had poisoned it. It's cheap all we need to do is buy some rat poison and put it in a barrel." Zane said excitedly. I'm way too into this Zane thought as he also thought of the Jarl grabbing at his throught, and clawing at his stomach. Zane smiled at this and immediately thought of why they were killing the Jarl, one life for many, then Zane frowned on himself for enjoying someone else's agony.

Sumi raised her head and smiled. "It's murderous and wrong.. But it must be done." She said, standing up and her eyes showed anger, and joy. "The Jarl will be punished!" She cried, raising her hand in triumph. She was part of a plan.

Zane grabbed Sumi's hand and looked into her eyes, he felt something he had never felt before, like it wasn't him versus the world. "May the divines give us glory or banish us to oblivion, we will stand together." Zane said as he stared into Sumi's eyes. Sumi looked happy that they had created a positive relationship, Zane felt closer to her than anyone else at that point. "My lady." Zane said as he kissed Sumi's ring finger on the hand he had clasped, Sumi blushed. I feel so... alive Zane thoght.

Zane sudenly zoned out, he saw him and Sumi sitting together in a house of their own, as a small boy around the age of eight ran around, the boy ran to Sumi and kissed her on the cheek He said "I love you mother." then the boy came to Zane and hugged him he said "I love you father."..... Zane sudenly broke out of his trance and still saw Sumi staring back at him.

"O-Oh.. Look... You're cute and all.. And strong.. But i would appreciate you ont kissing my finger." She whispered, pulling her hand back and staring at him stupidly. "What's up? You seem distracted by something.." She whispered again, her hands on her hips. "So, when should we kill him? I won't rest until he is dead and this place is free."

Sumi thought he was cute, impressive and strong - But so long as evil reigned, she had no time for love or for fun. She had to stop him.

"Just an act of kindness M'lady" Zane said slightly bowing to her. "I believe another load of wine is coming in tomorrow, how about the?" Zane asked. she's right, this is no time for love Zane thought sadly maybe I can court her when our crime is committed Zane thought hopefully. "Go get your rest, tomorrow we meet by the fork of the river, three hours after dawn." Zane said as he took a final sip of his wine, and began to prepare his bedding.

"Alright. I shall meet you there later. Farewell." She said, walking out and into the night. It was colder than usual, but it didn't bother her.

After a while, she bumped into someone, who thought it would be smart to try and mug her. Sumi screamed, but it was muffled by his hand. All that came through was a very loud "Zane! Zaaaane!" before she was shoved up against a wall with a blade to her throat. In fear, she frantically tried to pull out her own blade, with no avail.

Zane heard Sumi scream Damned thieves Zane thought, he grabbed his dagger and a throwing knife, and as usual he had his longsword strapped to his side. Zane ran out of his tent, he turned to his horse, Shadow, Shadow had been Zane's companion since he was a young boy of eight and Shadow himself was just a pony. "Shadow guard." Zane whispered to the large black stallion, Shadow grunted in reply and then moved and stood in front of the tent. Zane began to pursue the scream for help he had heard, he saw a man with Sumi up against a wall "Hey over here Grogtrammler!" Zane yelled at the man to avert his attention from Sumi. Zane hurled the throwing knife at the man, Zane was really no use with a throwing knife, he really just threw it as a distraction. The man averted all his attention to the small blade as Zane rushed him, the man produced a dagger from his belt and lunged at Zane, Zane parried the weapon. Getting closer into the man Zane drew his own dagger, the man lunged again and caught some of Zane's shoulder as he dodged the blade, crimson blood flowed down Zane's arm "You're screwed now." Zane snarled at the man, the man lunged a third time Zane entirely dodged that strike by jumping to the right, Zane wrapped the man around his waist with his left arm "Forgive me mother." Zane thought aloud as he stabbed the man in the back with the blade, the man now lay there limp as a leaf.