(Bruma, Cyrodill) And since we got no place to go. (Closed)

The wind howling outside was causing the sign of the Weary Horse, a fitting name for an inn, to creak rather loudly, even as the other patrons had gone off to bed, Except for one Argonian who was content to sample the tavern's stock of ale.

Inside her room, Amelin counted herself fortunate she had found a place to stay before the storm hit, not even in Skyrim did she find a more fierce winter as she quietly read her book. It was an old tale from the Second Era about Tiber Septim's conquests told from the perspective of a common legionnaire that the Bosmer bought from Whiterun during her travel south. Amelin often preferred these more grittier soldier tales compared to the more eloquent and verbose literary classics.

Her mind wandered towards Asren as she read, hoping her friend was doing alright with her current job. Guarding caravan's though wasn't exactly her thing. In the meantime, she had her fill of Skyrim, and with some Septims to spare, thought she could perhaps have the chance to see the Imperial City, and perhaps find some work there.

Suddenly, Amelin stopped reading, for some reason, she felt that someone was watching, stalking her, in this inn. Until she quickly brushed it aside, just her usual paranoia getting the better of her.

She blamed the storm for that.

Just outside the Weary Horse, six Vigilants of Stendarr stood out in the storm, watching the door silently. Another ledger holder had come into their sight, and they had little incentive to let this one go. Three of them filed into the inn, and the owner glanced up at them. He tried to sell them a room, but a single look from the Vigilants suggested he go about his business.

While the rest remained outside, the three climbed up the steps to the rooms. They calmly knocked on the doors, checking each one for their prey. One by one, they got closer to Amelin's door, looking nothing more than pious Vigilants.

Again, Amelin was struck with a sense of dread, for no reason other than she felt that someone was hunting her. Then she remembered, something about the Vigilants hunting down anyone that were in possession of the ledgers, if what that Dunmer was saying was true. But certainly, they couldn't have already tracked her down here.

Right?

Nevertheless, Amelin quickly grabbed her belongings, drawing her short sword and dagger. Expecting the worst, though hoping it would not come to that.

The door to Amelin's room was rapped. The three vigilants waited. They had their weapons on them, but not drawn just yet. They needed to see their prey first.

Outside, the other three waited for a sign to start the operation.

Well, that answers that question.

Amelin made her way towards the side wall opposite of the door frame, quietly as possible. If those were the Vigilants knocking on the door, there were likely more than one of them, waiting for her to step outside then strike at once.

She wasn't going to give them the opportunity.

The Vigilants waited quietly outside the door, listening for an answer. They knocked a second, then a third time. When hey received no answer, one gestured for the other two to make walking sounds, as if they were leaving.

Then they continued to wait, silently pulling out their weapons.

Amelin heard the sound of walking feet, normally to an untrained ear, that would fool her. But years of hunting wild game clued her in on the subtleties, the lack of alteration in the sound for one.

Nevertheless, she knew she the Vigilants still had the upper hand, she was most definitely outnumbered, and knowing them, would probably burn the inn down just to draw her out. That left her with pretty limited options. One of which she was about to try.

Quietly, and still in her position, she unlocked the door.

With the sounds of the door unlocking, the Vigilants became alert. One reached out to the handle, pushing the door open while he kept his sword up, ready to fight, but they did not dare charge in just yet.

Amelin remained silent as she held her breath, a well-learned hunter's tactics to keep prey unaware of their presence, or in this case, a predator.

She just needed at least one of them to enter the room to deal with, if this didn't work...Well, she'd know soon enough.

Still nothing. Were it not for the fact that the door became unlocked, they wouldn't have thought much of this room. But they knew someone was hiding from them. Someone who was warned of their presence here.

"Volik, send a fire into the room." One whispered softly. Volik nodded and in the hand not carrying a short sword, a fireball formed, which was launched into the room.

...Okay, I could have thought this better.

Amelin silently cursed to herself as the fire began consuming the furniture, before long it would engulf the entire room.

...Oh well

Out of options, Amelin charged out of the door, her left hand held the dagger as she lunged it towards the neck of the nearest Vigilant, while her right hand held her sword to parry any attacks.

The vigilants were ready for Amelin when she charged out. The one that she targeted parried her blow, and the other two prepared strikes of their own. One swung a hand axe at her while the other prepared flames in his hands.

Outside, the Vigilants in the snow could hear the sounds of conflict. They prepared themselves for when the fight would spill out.

That didn't work either...

Amelin realized by now that rushing out with three armed Vigilants, all of whom were more experienced at combat than here, probably wasn't such a good idea.

Nevertheless, she moved her sword hand to block the axe strike while dodging the fireball.

The three vigilants surrounded Amelin, though the way they stood meant that at least two of them were squished against the walls. The mage moved back to prepare another spell, while the two warriors swung sword and axe.

"Bring her alive!" The mage called as he let loose a flame. "She might have information."

Alive...well, this could work in her favor.

Amelin drew her attention to the mage, and threw her dagger at him. Upon which, she ran down the hallway towards the front door to the inn.

The mage was forced to dispel his flame to dodge the blow, and he let out a colourful curse as his two companions ran after Amelin.

The three outside though, had already prepared their own spells, weapons in their free hands. They prepared to strike at whoever came out of that door first.