[center][h3]A Skald's Last Stanza[/h3][/center]
[i]Mr. Frizzle, Turdman, and I did the do.[/i]
[hr]
[I]Dawnstar, half an hour after the encounter at the Tower of Dawn…[/I]

Time was of the essence. With the hideout discovered and already a man down, Valyne had made quick time back into the town for what was likely to be her final time. Under the cover of darkness and using the foliage of the hardy trees that somehow thrived this far North as concealment, the Dunmer assassin knew she had to make haste and eliminate her mark and leave Dawnstar vulnerable to her allies’ fleets. The Jarl’s residence, The White Hall, was as conspicuous as any building of its statue could be, especially alongside the number of single-story residences that made of the majority of the hold, lifted upon stilts to keep out moisture and preserve the heat. She’d become rather accustomed to the streets the past several days, lurking about unnoticed as her and her team plotted about how best to destabilize Dawnstar and what chords needed to be severed to make the townsfolk play the Dunmers’ tune. Piece by piece, it came together, but just as soon, it started to unravel. It became apparent to the guards that the Argonians weren’t responsible for the string of murders, and word got around it might be Dunmer. The pressure made them rash, not nearly as sure footed, and now instead of a methodical elimination of the Jarl, Valyne and her team had laid their lives down in one final desperate attempt to complete their mission. Though she likely would die, she would succeed at any cost, the Dunmer decided. She would bring honour to her Ancestors and to the Tribunal, any other outcome with inconceivable.

The two guards standing watch outside the front doors of the White Hall weren’t attentive to the shadow that had creeped out of sight and were quickly set upon by the assassin as she leapt past the first guard, dragging her blade across his throat as she grabbed the mouth of the second, her hand becoming entombed in ash as she forced the Nord to the ground, filling his lungs with hardening ash and preventing him from screaming as he suffocated. Both men died without making a peep. The Dunmer waited and listened for any sign she was noticed. [I]Azura smiles upon me this night.[/I] she thought with a grim smile, flicking blood off of her blade as she stood, straightening out her tunic before opening the heavy wooden door and slinking inside.

Outside, just down the road from the White Hall, boots thudded against the cobblestone as the Speculatus siblings strolled along. They had reported their findings from the mine, and were currently stumped as to how they would continue their investigation. Sagax heard whispers throughout the streets, but nothing conclusive, while Piper had little luck with her shakedowns of citizens deemed "suspicious". 

"Not a damn thing since the mines...these fuckers must drink invisibility potions like mead for all the traces they've left behind." Piper said, punting a stone down the hill bordering the road. "The others better have found something too, or we're shit out of luck."

"I'm sure everyone's found at least something. Apart, they may not amount to much, but when we convene and put everything together, I think the pieces will paint a clear picture." At least, he hoped so. Sagax knew how unlikely it was that they'd find the killers, but they still needed to try. It was better than to put in an effort and find nothing, than to sit idle while evidence could be hiding right under their noses. "We just need to...keep...looking...?" Voice trailing off, the Imperial's eyes were fixed on the doors of the Jarl's longhouse. It didn't take long for Sagax to notice the two dead guardsmen. "Piper...!" he whispered, trying to direct his sister's attention to the scene.

"Motherfucker...!" was the only word to leave her mouth before Piper ran to the scene. "What the hell happened here!?" She yelled aloud in exasperation, desperately trying to find a single trace of the killer.

Alim crouched, his hand inching toward his sword hilt on instinct, even if he somehow doubted he'd need to use it at this time. There was something about the scene that didn't fit right with him when the two figures appeared before the bodies. If they wanted him to think they didn't commit these murders by acting it, they had really good eyesight to see him in the dark, and for some reason felt it was necessary to kill guards but not him, and instead convince him. Not likely, so for the moment he assumed they were being earnest in their sudden exclamation of surprise. 

Still, they spoke as if they knew something that was going on, and unfortunately for Alim, he was often too curious for his own good. He crept closer, padded feet silent over the snowy earth as he came up the rise. He began to get a better view of the two who were gauging the state of the (assuredly) fresh corpses. A thin Imperial, a thief if Alim had ever seen one. And he ought to know, after all. Next to him was a somewhat plain but attractively shapely Imperial woman. 

They didn't look apart of the Thane's retinue, and nor did they look like murderers to his eyes from their appearance, even if he had deduced this wasn't their doing already. Sighing, he decided against silently following them. He didn't want suspicion on him either. He decided to announce himself. 

Standing up, he began to move toward them, letting the now audible footfalls of his approach announce himself for him. The Redguard hybrid unlaced his veil, and called. "Well met. If I may ask, what by the Nine is going on?"

The commotion was drawing, and Khazki took quick notice after Bucket's exclamation pierced the winds. She was walking towards the tavern with Wylendriel when the Imperial's voice caught the Khajiit's notice. Feeling that danger was afoot, she looked at the Bosmer, grabbing her by the arm. "Go find the commander, or whoever, and bring them back here." as if to cut off any further protest, she concluded, "I don't give a shit if you think you're good in a fight, you're more useful to more people if you don't get caught up in a fight that's over your head. The Argonians trust you and you're a healer, that makes you uniquely valuable to this town. Go!" With a shove, Khazki took off towards the door, sword in hand and her heart pounding, anticipating a fight.

It wasn't long until she came across Bucket and some Redguard that she didn't recognize, along with two dead guards. Given the baffled expressions on both humans' faces, they weren't the ones responsible. Crouching beside one of the bodies, the build up of ash around the mouth told her all she needed to know. "Damn it all, did I not tell people what to look for?" She snarled, looking up at the two milling about. "Why in Oblivion are you both gawking here? The Jarl's in danger!" 

Standing suddenly and brushing past the gathered pair, Khazki flung open the heavy door, heading inside. She'd never been inside the hall before, as most had not, she suspected, and the smell of blood lingered in her sensitive nose. Listening carefully, she took off to the left when she thought she heard some form of footfall, hoping she'd be on the right track.

"What-hey! Wait for us, furball!" 

Piper wasted no time. Sprinting through the door after Khazki, she made a hard left after seeing the cat-woman's tail flick past the corner. Piper had only ever been in the main hall when signing her Investigator's Contract, so she had to rely on Khazki's lead. Sagax, having been left behind in confusion, was the last to enter the White Hall. The Imperial kept going straight, hoping in vain that he would catch up to the others and find the killer.

Alim was struck speechless for once in his life, the finger he held up fell, just around the same time his open mouth closed. "Yeah, I'm not missing this." He said aloud, skeptical but far too intrigued at why these two not only expected something like this would happen, but ran into the great hall without announcing themselves. His light footed trot caught him up to them relatively quickly, his sword now drawn, though he made no move against them. 

"I take it one of you knows what is going on?"

Khazki didn't bother slowing or to look at the man. "Yeah. Some bastard's about to kill our payroll. Find the Jarl and shut it; this person is one of the ones that's been behind the string of murders the past few days and obviously doesn't care who gets in the way."

A body of one of the servants was laid carelessly out in the front foyer, his throat slit in a single crimson gash, and a shout from the right caught her attention. Khazki followed the sound, skipping over the legs of another felled guard until she found an open chamber, the Jarl pinned in the corner, sword held with both hands in front of him, while a Dunmer with a wicked looking dagger stood in the middle of the room. Khazki stood in the door frame, noting the assassin's dagger was dripping with blood. 

"Move and you're dead." She stated bluntly, sword held at the ready. Khazki was not about to take chances on the assassin. 

Valyne glanced back from the cowering Nord to see a Khajiit of all people standing in the door frame, who was joined by a Redguard and an Imperial moments later. [I]So I'm out of time. So be it.[/I] so thought, weighing her options. She could kill the Jarl and complete her mission before the intruders caught her, but they'd be on her in an instant; death was assured. However, if she turned and fought, she still risked a fatal duel without completing her mission. Her life would be spent in vain, as would Hlavora's, Bovis, Malur... they all gave their lives to the cause when they were ordered by the Tribunal. Even the most trusty dagger could break with use, and she wasn't about to let that noble sacrifice be for nothing. 

Without a word, things happened in an instant.

Valyne darted across the room, diving across the Jarl's bed to tackle the man, her blade immediately sinking into his heart. Skald's eyes went wide and his mouth hung agape, uncomprehending what had just happened to him. Knowing she'd never free the dagger in time, she grabbed the sword the Jarl had tried feebly to defend himself with, the man likely having not swung the thing with intent in decades. The wound would be fatal, if not from the puncture, then from the potent poison it was coated with; a final gift of Hlavora's. The Khajiit was upon her then, the massive greatsword too large and clumsy to be used to its true capacity in a confined room like this, and with the flat surface of the blade, the Dunmer parried the strike and closed in the range from her assailant. 

Khazki tried her best to maneuver in such close quarters, but the assassin was exceptionally skilled, quickly having turned her exposed position with an unfamiliar weapon into an increasing offensive where soon Khazki found herself entirely blocking and back peddling, not able to get room to bring her spells into play, or free the dagger on her hip. [I]Stupid. You know your sword is inadequate for this fighting.[/I] she thought bitterly, teeth grit in determination as she looked for an opening, anything to put her back on the attack.

Suddenly, a hand broke through her defenses and a violent electrical shock coursed through Khazki's body, which immediately went rigid to the point she couldn't even scream. Somehow managing to keep on her feet, the Dunmer then thrust the sword forward, the Khajiit's limbs too inflamed and tense to react in time and the point buried into the shoulder under her armoured plate. Without the electricity, Khazki screamed out, but retained enough of her wits to grab the sword's cross guard to prevent the assassin from pulling the blade free easily, something that would prove to be fatal if the Dunmer had the opportunity to strike again. It was an opening for Alim and Piper, who now faced an unarmed opponent. 

Heart pumping from the adrenaline pulsing through her body, the knightess lashed out with a scream as soon as she had a chance. Her aim, though, was unsteady, and her blade was sent across the thigh of the assassin. She would have preferred for something more lethal, but Piper simply couldn't calm her body. She had always envisioned her first real fight against a living, breathing person to be a simple affair, with her the clear victor after a decisive and fatal strike. What was wrong with her? She was perfectly willing to kill, it didn't matter if her foe was anything from an assassin to a common bandit. 

Body still shaking, Piper quickly stepped back and raised her shield with a wavering confidence. Keeping a hyperactive watch on the Dunmer, she anticipated attacks that never came, twitching in response to her own imaginings.

While Piper threw her dagger, Alim waited a split second to see if the wound would be fatal. But it seemed the Knight's nerves had gotten to her. Willing himself forward while simultaneously questioning why he was even here, Alim's sword sang as it was pulled from his scabbard. Aggressively, he charged as the assassin fumbled for her sword. She managed to get a grip on the blade, and yanked it out of Khazki painfully. The cry from the Khajit only brought back bad memories of his time in Elsweyr, and his sword swiped at the assassin's hips. Valyne managed to swing her blade around, but Alim twisted his blade and momentum, driving it upwards out of her block, to slice across the lightly armored woman's collarbone, biting into her throat. 

Her eyes widened, and she desperately tried to fumble for her sword as she felt the wet, warm lifeblood seep out of her. Alim stood back, lowering his sword as he watched her begin to panic, her own sword slipping from her weakened fingers. The Redguard hadn't exactly been the best at aiming the cut, but as it happened, Valyne's throat was not completely slit. Her breathing came it gasps, but it came. Alim winced, never enjoying having to hurt a woman, even an assassin like this one. Still, he had the frame of mind to kick her blade from her and point his at her chest.

The Khajiit's vision was unfocused with the bursting of star-like spots from the acute pain, and for a moment she feared she might have been poisoned. Realizing the pain wasn't getting any better or worse and she wasn't getting drowsy, Khazki nevertheless found that her left arm screamed in agony to move, a tendon or muscle was likely severed. Her right hand began to glow in a soft yellow-white light, a startling contrast to her slapping the hand against the wound and gritting her teeth as she tapped into her limited magicka reserves to mend the damaged tissues. As the pain lessened, she looked at the subdued assassin, gripping her own slit neck; she wasn't likely to have had her windpipe severed, but there was a chance that the blade that stopped her nicked the artery. The three stared down at the Dunmer, and the Jarl's fresh corpse didn't exactly make anyone feel particularly triumphant for stopping the assassin's escape. "Ashav will want to talk to the bitch." Khazki stated, stepping over to Valyne, crouching before her and locking eyes with the crimson-visage of the one who cut her. "Bad luck, hm?" she stated, looking at the blood seeping between grey fingers. Khazki clucked her tongue. "You probably want to die, don't you? Unlucky for you, I want something to show for a dead Jarl and my fucked-up shoulder." She said, a menacing tone under her raspy voice.

The assassin didn't respond, but her eyes widened when Khazki pulled away the woman's hand and shoved a pair of fingers into the open wound in the neck. Quickly, a hard grey-brown substance began to build out of the wound and spread across the Dunmer's neck. Khazki stopped when the spread was just starting to creep across Valyne's chin. "Don't look surprised; this is how I knew it was you, scuttlehead." Looking to the others, Khazki asked, "You two brought her down and probably saved my life, so care to do the honours?"  

Alim glanced at Piper, and then at Khazki. After a moment, he sheathed his sword and bent down to unceremoniously haul the weakened and drowsy assassin over his shoulder. He knew fell well she wasn't completely asleep, so he did well to keep her limp arms away from his sword hilt. The redguard straightened his back, glad he had stretched earlier. "So you work for Ashav?" Alim asked them casually. "What's he like? Think we'll get hazard pay out of this?"

"If you like drunks, he's your guy. If you want to be properly compensated for risking life and limb, don't expect much." Khazki replied, picking up her sword and returning to healing her shoulder.  She took in the carnage of the Jarl's hall, shaking her head. "I'm pretty sure our contract just died."


[hr]

[hider=Rolls!]
Detection rolls, Requires 8 to 10:
Piper: 5
Sagax: 6
Leif: 5
Tsleeixth: 5
Khazki: 7
Allen: 6
Interpretation: None of the remaining investigators notice Valyne enter The White Hall, giving her an advantage in her hunt for Jarl Skald; she will dispatch the guards and the investigation team will have no assistance in fighting her and a -1 penalty in the search rolls. All characters will notice the dead guards outside of the White Hall or hear the commotion and try to intercept.

Search rolls, Requires 8-10:

Piper: 9 (-1)= 8
Sagax: 4 (-1)= 3
Leif: 6 (-1)= 5
Tsleeixth: 3 (-1)= 2
Khazki: 10 (-1)= 9
Allen: 10 (-1)= 9

 Interpretation: Allen, Piper and Khazki manage to pick up the trail and intercept Valyne as she enters the Jarl’s bedchamber. They prepare to fight, and Valyne makes a choice, to sacrifice herself to kill Jarl Skald or to deal with the intruders before turning on the Jarl. 
Valyne’s choices: 1 Kill Jarl Skald but leave herself exposed, 2-4 Engage Khazki, Allen and Piper

Valyne: 1
Interpretation: Valyne assassinates the Jarl and leaves herself open to attack; Piper, Allen and Khazki have a chance to prevent her escape. 5-10 from either character will wound Valyne, preventing her escape and initiating combat.
Piper: 7
Khazki: 5
Allen:  7
Interpretation: Well, she’s not going anywhere; all three characters managed to prevent her escape and inflict a wound each. Typical combat roll numbers will apply; 1-2 incapacitated, 3-6 mutual wound, 7-10 victory. Each character will have +3 to your rolls due to the wounds inflicted already, which effectively puts the good guys out of incapacitation range. As a bonus, any roll higher than 10 will be the only way to defeat Valyne without killing her, if you so choose.

Piper: 10 (+3)= 13

Khazki: 3 (+3)= 6

Allen:  10 (+3)= 13

Interpretation: Khazki takes a dagger between her plates, which effectively disarms Valyne and leaves her at the mercy of the Piper and Allen. The Jarl may be dead, but you guys now have a valuable prisoner if you aren’t too angry at her to outright kill her.
[/hider]