The Dark Brotherhood: A Listener's Tale, The tale of what it takes to become the merciless Listener of the Dark Options

[allshallfade]

This is a fanfiction that I started over a year ago as of last month, and it is something that I am still working on today. It's basically the storyline of the Dark Brotherhood, told from the point of view of a cold-hearted woman who enjoys nothing more then to kill. I know that the plot is not original, but I feel that the character's thoughts and emotions, along with her interaction with other character's, sets it apart from the blandness of the plot. Anyways, I know it's long, but please, just bare with me!

If you read and review, I can't thank you enough- it really means the world to me. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter One: The Old Woman and the Cottage

I killed the old woman. I don’t know what made me do it; I still can’t understand it to this day. I suppose that this is where my tale starts; where my life gets interesting. Oh boy, does it get interesting. And I don’t generally mean that in a good way. You’ll see. I had been hunting down up North, by the Nordic-fashioned city of Bruma, when I felt a presence nearby. I guess you could call it a sixth sense. I crouched down, bow in hand, and slowly crept over a small hill. When I reached the top, I saw a little cottage nestled in the mountains, with a patch of flat land serving as a single person farm. An old woman was there, working in the farm, raking down new rows for what looked like fresh potato plants.

How could I know then that this house would be the location of so much pain and misery in my future? Looking back, I wished that I had simply turned around and never glanced back. However, my instinctual curiosity, useful in so many aspects of my life, was my downfall here. I sat to watch the woman, mystified, as I hadn’t seen a human, elf, or beast race for nearly a week. I had become a rather solitary being, making my living off of the land, sleeping where I felt it was safe enough, whether it be cave or slab of rock.

Squinting against the setting sun, I saw the woman’s graying hair and wrinkling face, her movements obviously displaying the aching and grinding of her old bones. After a moment of her work, she straightened, shielding her eyes from the sun with a callused hand. She must have decided that it was enough for the day, as she collected her supplies and headed toward her thatched-roof cottage in the slow, shuffling, achy pace of the elderly.

I don’t know what came over me at that moment, but I suddenly had the overwhelming desire to kill the woman, to drive my dagger into her flesh. I felt a sudden…rage at her, such inexplicable anger that I needed to act upon. I’m not sure if my fury was against her, or against the world. But at that moment, all the feeling I had in me was focused on her. I have had such urges before, to strike, to kill, but always in public, surrounded by many. My impulses had always been controlled by necessity. Now, however, I was in the middle of nowhere. I guess that’s the reason I couldn’t stop myself.

And before I knew what was happening, everything around me became silent. Time seemed to slow as my senses were heightened. Her breathing was a slow, rhythmic rasping in my ears, and an eternity seemed to take place in the dull thudding of two of her footsteps. I started to feel faint as I tried to control the desire to stop the noise of her footsteps, to eternally end the sound of her breath. I was fighting a loosing battle. After what seemed an eternity, but was in reality were seconds, I had put my bow on my back and was reaching for my dagger.

The sound of my dagger sliding out of its sheath was intoxicating; it made my lust for the kill even stronger. I started to creep toward her, my worn leather boots padded against the ground as I silently trod upon leaves and twigs. As I grew closer to the woman, my pace increased, until I was nearly sprinting at her on bent legs. My heartbeat was like a war drum, pounding out a fast steady beat, making my head felt like it was going to explode any second. It was overwhelming; I had to end it. When I was within yards of the old woman, I stood straight, getting into a full-out sprint at her.

She didn’t hear me until I plunged my dagger into her back. With a choking gasp, she spun about to face me, her eyes meeting mine. I saw them fill with a fleeting look of surprise, before quickly turning to one of intense pain and fear. However, her pain did not last long, as I leaned behind her and yanked my dagger out of her back, and slitting her throat in one smooth motion.

She crumbled to the floor on her very own doorstep, breathed her last gasping, gurgling breath, and became eternally still. I stood over the dead body for a moment, panting slightly. Once my heart rate had started to slow, and my senses seemed to return to normal, the reality of what I had just done crashed into me, physically staggering me.

My eyes widened, and I slumped against the side of the cottage. I still held my dagger, glistening in the fading light. It was smeared with a line of blood, dripping noiselessly to the ground, joining the pool of red liquid forming steadily at my feet. Staring at her motionless body, I felt a strong mix of emotions. First, I felt disgust in myself, but I also felt an almost disturbing sense of pride, and…fulfillment. My desire for blood had been filled; the desire I had held back for so long. I had killed livestock and beast for food, but this was different. This was…murder. However, as quickly as it had come, the disgust started to ebb away, and a small smile formed on my face as I stood up straight again.

At that moment, I felt a prickling sensation on the back of my neck; a feeling that someone was watching me, that someone had seen what I had done. I whipped around, dagger at the ready, but saw nothing. The sun was nearly lost behind the mountains to the West, but there was still enough light for me to see the landscape around me in detail. I shuffled in full circle, but could pick out no one in the surrounding forest. Even so, I still could not loose the feeling of being watched, so I kept my dagger and bow at easy access.

Casting one last suspicious look into the immediate area, I turned back toward the body. As I looked at her corpse again, I felt another overwhelming feeling of disgust, but this time not at what I had done- now at the fact that I didn’t feel any remorse for my actions; no pity for the defenseless old woman. I wanted to- I genuinely wanted to feel bad, to feel guilty. But I didn’t. I…couldn’t. Sighing, pushing the unsettling thoughts out of my mind, I squatted down and started to search her for valuables.

I found about 4 gold, which was quite a sum to me at that time, and a letter to some gift-giving service listing the locations of all of her kids. I pocketed the list, not really sure why. I also found the key to her cottage. I looked back up at the sky, finding that the sun had almost disappeared, so I decided to spend the night in her house. I dragged her body into the tall grass surrounding the home before slipping the key into the lock and opening the cottage door.

Upon entering, I found that the old woman (Perennia Draconis, according to the letter) had a dog when it started barking incessantly, but it seemed as ancient as she had been. I tossed it some old boar meat from my pack, and he eagerly started gnawing at it, completely forgetting my presence. I quickly scanned the interior, looking for valuables, but not finding much. According to the sign over the mantle, the place was called “Applewatch”.

My stomach growled, so I looked into my pack and pulled out some venison and various vegetables I had stored for my trip. I cooked them in the fire place, petting the content dog while stoking the fire. Looking back, I didn’t even feel uneasy spending such a pleasant time in the home of the woman I had just mercilessly slain. My thoughts at the time were only of the food I was cooking. After my meal, I felt a wave of fatigue sweep over me, so I stripped out of my leather greaves, boots and cuirass and pulled on a long coarse shirt to sleep in. I slipped my dagger under my pillow, placed my quiver and bow on the bedside table, and slid into the warm recesses of the covers. It was extremely comfortable, compared to my recent sleeping arrangements, which had consisted of rock slabs and leaf piles. I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

I was woken not four hours later when my blood seemed to turn to ice, the air still and silent. In one fluid movement I had sat bolt upright and pulled my dagger out from under my pillow, holding it menacingly out into the dark room. I sat there, panting for second, trying to peer through the complete darkness, when a deep, sinister voice spoke to my right.

“You sleep rather soundly for murderer. That’s good. You’ll need a clear conscience for what I’m about to propose.”

I leapt to the left, pulling the covers off the bed as I swung my dagger wildly into midair, attempting to defend myself. I pressed my back against the wall, letting my eyes adjust to the darkness. Across the bed I saw a man, clothed and hooded in the darkest black. His deep brown eyes were studying, assessing every move I made, always calculating. He seemed to be almost…amused at my reaction. His lips were curled up ever so slightly at the corners, and his intense eyes were gleaming with laughter.

“Who-who are you?” I demanded, mentally assessing my options. Listen to him talk, charge and attack, or run. Talking seemed to be the most favorable of my options; he looked quite skilled with a blade, and his athletic form could be seen even through his robes and the way he moved; he could probably outrun me. Besides, I wanted to see what he had to say. He was…intriguing.

“I am Lucien Lachance, a speaker for the Dark Brotherhood. And you, you are a killer. A taker of life. A harvester of souls. Your work, your deathcraft, pleases the Night Mother. And so, I come to you with an offer. An opportunity to join our rather…unique family.”

I had no idea what to say. How did he know I had murdered the woman? And how had he known so quickly? Could he have been the presence I sensed after her death? But how had he known I was going to kill her? And what- My internal bombarding of questions was cut off as he continued, looking at me in a way that seemed to convey that he knew exactly what my thoughts were.

“So, I have your rapt attention. Splendid. Now listen closely. On the Green Road to the North of Bravil lies the Inn of Ill Omen. There you will find a man named Rufio. He is an old man, his body frail, and he sleeps his days away. You could kill him before he woke, if you so chose. In whatever way you choose, kill him, and your initiation into the Dark Brotherhood will be complete. Do this, and the next time you sleep in a location I deem secure, I will reveal myself once more, bearing the love of your new family.”

I thought about his last statement, and some of the possible implications one could interpret from it, and was suddenly extremely aware of the shortness of my shirt, and how much my legs were showing. I colored slightly, embarrassed at my own thoughts, which were most likely completely unfounded. He continued on, seemingly undeterred by my silence.

“Please accept this token from the Dark Brotherhood. It is a virgin blade, and thirsts for blood. May it serve you well, as does your silence,” he said with his slight smile, handing me a gold-decorated dagger.

‘The Blade of Woe’ was inscribed on its gold and black hilt. I stood digesting this

for a moment, before I looked him in the eye and said questioningly:

“The Dark Brotherhood?”

“Have you not heard of the Dark Brotherhood? Of the remorseless guild of paid assassins and homicidal cutthroats? Join us, and you’ll find the Dark Brotherhood to be all that, and so much more. We are, more than anything, a union of like-minded individuals. We kill for profit, for enjoyment, and for the glory of the Dread Father Sithis. We are a family, with bonds forged in blood… and death.”

Deep in the recesses of my mind I found a distant memory; of my early teen years, working at the linen shop with my aunt. The daily routine involved scrubbing fabric clean in the back room, while gossiping with the fellow workers. I remember my aunt leaning conspiratively over her scrub board, eyes wide and her voice fearful:

“They say that when you murder someone, the Dark Brotherhood visits you in your sleep. It’s how they recruit new members.”

The understanding must have shown on my face, for he nodded briskly and said:

“Now, I bid you farewell. I do hope we’ll meet again soon.” And with one last lingering look, in which he took in my scantly dressed form with a slightly raised eyebrow and an amused gleam in his eye, Lucien Lachance vanished. Literally. The door to the cottage opened and closed, seemingly on its own accord, and a cold draft sweeping into the room. The sounds of night filled the room, embracing me.

I stood for a moment, perhaps more, rigid in astonishment. I realized now that I had often heard of the Dark Brotherhood, but these were always tales of evil and heartless murder. And I had just been asked to join them. To ‘join their family’, as Lachance had put it. Did that make me evil? Was I evil? I thought of the body lying cold outside in the tall grass, and still didn’t feel a pang of shame or guilt. I realized that I was just that; a cold, heartless murderer. Maybe not evil, but I was a cold-blooded murderer. I wasn’t ready to admit myself as evil. Not yet.

When Lachance had spoken of them, he made the Brotherhood sound like they were…close. A family. A loving family of cold-blooded assassins. The idea seemed so preposterous that I almost laughed out loud. My first inclination was to forget the whole prospect- to never even go near the Inn of Ill Omen. Best to disregard the whole thing. But as I lowered myself back onto the bed, picking up the comforter and pulling it over my body, I couldn’t stop replaying Lucien’s words in my thoughts.

For my whole life I had felt almost overpowering urges to kill, to murder. But I had always resisted, always controlled myself. At sometimes I had barely contained myself, but I had never given in. Until now. Since my desires did not seem to be shared by any I knew, I had always considered myself a freak of nature, a one of a kind outcast. I felt that my only option was to just conform to fit in with society. But now it seemed that there were others like me; those who embraced their gifts for murder. And these people wanted to accept me as one of their own.

And what about this ‘Speaker’, this Lucien Lachance? The way he spoke of murder- he seemed to feel the same way that I had felt about killing the old woman. It was…intoxicating. I had not even accepted his offer, yet he was already treating me as family. No one had ever treated me like that, not since my aunt died when I was young. Part of me wanted to see this “Lucien Lachance” again…in the short time I had met him he had made an impression.

Maybe I would just go and check out the Inn, to see what was there. Just to see where the man lived, I thought to myself. The rest of the night continued in the same fashion, with internal arguments and self-objections. Finally, after a sleepless and thought filled night, I set out at dawn for the Inn, fill of determination and purpose. I was going to kill that man. I was going to join the Dark Brotherhood.

[allshallfade]

Wow... I think this is the longest I have ever gone without an update- and I've gone pretty long in the past. I just want to apologize profousely to those who have waited so long for the next update, and especially to those who have sent me messages of encouragement. They really mean a lot! Things have been crazy lately, and as much as I want to work on this story all the time, real life seems to always get in the way.

Well, this chapter was supposed to include much more content, but it was getting ridiculously long and I figured I had a fairly good place to stop and I could finally post a chapter for all of the loyal readers out there! I hope you guys enjoy, and I can't wait to hear what you think of it. I think it may be a bit dull, but I promise the next chapter will have a lot more action! And now, without further ado, I present to you....


Chapter 20: A Flair for the Dramatic

I did not realize that my gift from Lucien was no ordinary horse until about a week after I left Fort Farragut. Finding the lair of the Necormancer I'd been assigned to kill in my first Dead Drop had been much harder then anticipated, so the going had been slow and I hadn't let the horse really get into a free gallop until after disposing of the target. But when I finally let her loose on the road towards Chorral, to say that I fell from my seat in astonishment would be no exaggeration... but it certainly would be an embarrassment. Shadowmere ran faster than any other creature I had ever encountered, so much that I would not be surprised if she could outrun even the deadly mountain lion. But once I became acquainted with the drastic speed changes and playful but dangerous buckings and prancings, riding Shadowmere was a thrill rivaled by few.

And I was experiencing this thrill as the horse and I barelled down the Black Road towards Chorrol, the morning sun orange above the mountain peaks and the night fog creeping back into the dark recesses of the forest around us. We came up over the crest of a hill and I could feel myself becoming more intuitive with the horse as I merely thought of slowing and Shadowmere immediately responded, her gait dropping to a steady trot. I reined her into the fenced area, dismounting and giving her an affectionate pat on the heavily muscled stomach before turning and closing the gate behind me.

No one was about in the early morning, so I felt safe simply dropping down in the grass next to the corral and stretching out, loosening my stiff muscles. I had not slept in over a day, and it was starting to catch up with me. I was not fond of Chorrol, but I really needed the rest- so I decided to get my reward money and next set of orders, and then to procure a room at the inn and sleep until nightfall, when I would proceed to set out to wherever Lucien had sent me next.

My eyes turned to Shadowmere as I thought of Lucien, and his words as he had given her to me- a token of his trust... of his love. I smiled, watching Shadowmere as she walked up to another grazing black mare and sneered viciously at her, eyes gleaming red. The mare responded with a whinney of alarm, dancing away on fearful legs as Shadowmere gave a snort of triumph and leaned down to claim the newly vacated patch of grass as a prize.

I was thinking pleasant thoughts- of my contract, the blood I had recently spilt (and would, with luck, soon be spilling), my new horse, of Lucien- and was finding myself starting to drift off to sleep...

But suddenly a sound in the distance awoke me. A horse was approaching, and quickly. Relaxation over, I awoke reluctantly and stood up wearily, gazing out over the hill, A man with black hair astride a white horse was approaching quickly- when he saw me, however, he slowed to a near stop, eyes wide. I felt a sharp stab of a recognizition from him, and also in myself, but the man bowed his head and the flash was gone. I was a bit alarmed, but I tried to act natural as I made my way into the city gates, not daring to turn back in the fear that he had identified me. It was something I had to be more wary of in my growing infamy...

The strange incident was thrown from my mind completely, however, once I stepped into the city. Chorrol was a rich place, of that there was no doubt- for it was evident, from the buildings to the people, that everything and everyone was wealthy- and not afraid to show it. I despised the people who devoted their lives to earning as much money as possible, and then doing nothing useful with it except to show it off with the latest fashions and most expensive accessories. They based their worth in life off of materialistic, useless things, and it disgusted me.

Face set in a permanent scowl, I made my way to the town center where the Great Oak lay- for Lucien's last letter had said my next dead drop would be located in a small satchel by the tree. The city was starting to wake up, and when I arrived at the Oak the hustle and bustle of a new day was just beginning. Shopkeepers had opened their doors, the Guildhalls were experiencing traffic in and out, and street vendors and beggars were setting up their corners.

The area around the Great Oak was popular, for locals and for travelers, and so the area was clogged with people by the time I reached it. I could feel my scowl deepen and my eyes narrow even further as I neared the stone circle where the tree lay. I looked into the dirt and shrubberies surrounding it, searching for the sack that held my reward, and further word from Lucien. I circled the tree while trying to look as inconspicuous as possible, finally finding what I was searching for on the far side. I stopped dead, one eyebrow arched.

The sack was deep within the circle, right up against the base of the great tree. And that was quite far from the outer rim. To reach it I would probably have to put my entire body up on the stone and reach towards it- hardly a normal action, and certainly something that would draw attention to myself, and that was the last thing I needed- the Legion was very much still on the lookout for Adamus Phillida's killer. What had Lucien been thinking when he had put it there?

I glared at the sack again, grinding my teeth in irritation, and then turned about, hoping to find a time or angle at which no one would notice my recovery it- but it was in vain, for there was a constant tide of people, and directly across from where I stood there was a large manor, and at the door a constant guard stood posted.

He was a small man, a Breton by the looks of it- and he looked quite awkward in the heavy iron armor he was trying to sport. I knew he would not move from his post until nightfall most likely, and so I knew I would not be getting my new orders until then as well. The last thing I needed was someone involved in the law noticing odd behavior from a woman with black hair and icy blue eyes...

The guard seemed to have felt someone watching him, and his eyes found mine inquisitively- I put all the frustration and hatred I had in me at that moment into my returning stare, and his eyes widened slightly before he dropped his gaze and shifted uncomfortably, trying to ignore my murderous glare. Giving a snort of derision at his weakness, I too looked away, turning this time to glower at the little satchel- it was so close, yet so far from my grasp...

And with infinite frustration, I put my back to the Great Oak and walked down the cobbled street, kicking loose stones with destructive pleasure as I made my way to the Oak and Crossier Inn.

* * *

I slept soundly after grudgingly paying for my (obscenely expensive) room, my dreams filled with the symphany of frantic pleas for mercy and tortured screams, of the strike of a dagger and the spilling of blood; the beautiful and unparalleled notes of the orchestration of death. When these pleasurable notes had fully echoed out of my mind, and the comparably dull sounds of waking life had completely returned, I found that the view from my window was dark and the streets were empty. I threw open the shutters fully to behold the quiet city, taking in a deep breath of the crisp night air.

I would kill tonight. I could smell the scent of blood in the air already, my nostrils flaring with pleasure at the thought. I smiled, closing my eyes and fully soaking in the pre-kill anticipation for a moment before slowly closing the shutters and stepping back from the window. It was time.

I changed into a flax tunic and slipped into my tight black pants, pulling on my leather boots. In a matter of moments I had packed my saddlebags, tying the unique and complex knots that kept them securely closed with speed and precision. I made my way out of the inn and up the cobbled street without encountering a soul- everyone had found a bed and was sleeping soundly, it seemed. It was perfect. The silence, the stillness, the dark- my elation was only growing as I drew closer to the Great Oak.

When I came up the hill and walked into the circle, the difference from my last visit was instantly noticeable- and appreciated. The area was quiet and desesrted, the only sound a soft breeze rustling the expansive branches of the Great Oak. However, I did not waste anymore time feeling grateful for the welcome change for I was far too eager to read my next letter from Lucien. I jumped lightly up onto the circle surrounding the tree and bent down, scooping the heavy satchel into a cradling hand. I smiled at the soft sound of clinking gold it made, weighing the hefty bag in my palm. It took all my self control not to open it on the spot, but I realized that it would make more sense to get out of the city first.

And so I made my way out of the citygates and to the horse corral, brimming with anticipation. My thoughts were entirely focused on the cloth sack in my hand, and the letter I knew lay within. The gold was inconsequential. I stopped underneath the lantern at the horsekeepers cottage and leaned against the wall, sliding my back down against it until I was comfortably seated beneath the soft glow of flickering light. Shadowmere, who had been lounging at the far end of the corral, stood up and trotted over towards my spot. A white horse that had been grazing near me pranced away in fear as Shadowmere approached, and the black mare snorted almost derisively. As she drew in close she leaned over the edge of the fence and nudged my face with hers, whinnying softly. I patted her affectionately before untying the cloth satchel, peering into its contents eagerly.

My reward was there (the customary 500 septims), along with a sealed letter. I carefully slipped it open, Lucien's familiar wax seal design remaining intact. I smiled slightly when I saw its considerable length, and began to read the elegant script with a breath of excitement.


My Dearest Silencer,
The Necromancer Celedaen is dead, and you are not. That is quite an accomplishment. But your work as my Silencer has just begun.
Your next assignment requires you to eliminate not just one target, but several- an entire family, in fact. These unlucky siblings are Matthias Draconis, Andreas Draconis, Sibylla Draconis and Caelia Draconis...

I paused a moment, looking up at Shadowmere's scarlet eyes with an expression of perplexion and slight alarm. Could it be? Draconis? My free hand shot to a pocket on my saddlebag, where I could feel the slight imprint of a folded up piece of parchment. I kept reading, my eyes widening at the next lines.

...Sound familiar? It should, my dear, it should- for they are the children of one Perennia Draconis, an old woman who in life resided on a small farm to the North, near Bruma. That farm's name was Applewatch- the cottage where we first met, as you may recall...

I looked away from the letter again, a dull throbbing echoing throughout my mind as my eyes looked at something far away... and long since past... My first meeting with Lucien. I had been so naiive, so young, so... well, maybe not quite innocent, I chided myself with a roguish grin- but far more innocent then I was now. Yet my smile quickly faded as I thought further back- I had not known pain, I had not known suffering, I had not known loss. So much had happened since that first meeting; Lucien had been my first acquaintance within the Brotherhood, and now he was my only one left. I had Shadowmere, and for that I was most grateful; but he was my only human companion. He was the only one I had left...

That thought echoed throughout my mind for a moment, and I suddenly felt numb. The only one. Lucien Lachance was my only acquaintance, the only person left with whom I even had conversation- and yet that was still all Dark Brotherhood related. He was such a dark figure, so cold; I remembered the fear I felt when I first met him. But, at the same time, how eager I had been to please him, to earn his respect and love. And I was still this way, I realized. I had devoted my life to the Brotherhood, and had given it everything- and everyone, it now seemed- that I had ever loved. Just as Scartail had predicted... but he was wrong. I still had the Black Hand. I still had the Night Mother and the Dread Father Sithis. I still had Shadowmere... and I still had Lucien.

With a slight shake of the head to clear my thoughts, I looked back at the letter. I had to understand why he was asking me to kill the family of my virgin murder, and what I must do to perform my duty with all the honor and precision possible...

Now you may be wondering why you have been asked to do this, because of your connection in the past. The reasoning is thus: the name Caelia Draconis may or may not be familiar to you, but it has become far too familiar to the Brotherhood. Since the rise of Adamus Phillida this woman's efforts to bring about the downfall of the Dark Brotherhood, the Thieves Guild, and other less substantial organizations of the same nature have been a significant cause of worry. She is quite well connected, and uses her powers of manipulation and coercion to easily obtain any information she may require. There is talk of her gaining a new and powerful position within the Legion; one that is specifically designed to root out nefarious groups and cults. It has also been rumored of a romantic connection between herself and Imperial Legion commander Giovanni Civello, the newly appointed replacement to Phillida.

And so this brings us back to your assignment- once again, we intend on sending a message of defiance and resilience to these Imperialist pigs. And this message, as is our way, will be in the form of murder. Kill each of Caelia's siblings, inform her of her great and profound loss, and then take her life as well. The locations of most of the family members are unknown at this time to the Brotherhood, but I'm quite certain that this will not be an issue for you...

My eyes widened at these words- he couldn't know, could he? My hand once again shot to the imprint on my saddlebag, this time slipping inside and pulling out the worn piece of parchment. I didn't open it, but rather stroked its faded side softly. How could Lucien know about this? I had carried it with me ever since that day where I had killed the old woman, but there was certainly not a time when Lucien could have seen it- I went over every interaction with him that I could recall, and was thoroughly confused- until suddenly everything made sense. He must have seen it during an interaction that I could not recall...

I now knew without a doubt that Lucien had been the one to whisk me out from under the law's nose during the Adamus Phillida contract. He had most likely saved my life; but why did he wish to keep it a secret? And what had he been doing there in the first place? How had he known to ready to help me? Had he been... watching me? I thought of his sudden change of attitude during our last meeting, and I wondered what it could possibly mean- for it certainly couldn't be where my thoughts first strayed...

Shaking my head once again, for I was thinking ridiculous thoughts, I turned back to the letter.


This act will make it clear to any who questioned our strength that we will not put up with their pathetic, meddlesome schemes any longer, and that we have the power to harm them greatly if necessary. We will eliminate an immediate threat and, in doing so, splash the ripples of uncertainty and pain into the waters of the law. Think of it as our belated coronation gift to the newly instated Giovanni Civello...

Once you have completed this task for me, for I have doubt that you will do so with honor and elegance, journey to the city of Skingrad. In the castle courtyard you will find a well, and inside of it a satchel containing your reward- but this time it shall not be in the customary form of gold. Instead it shall be a letter; and this letter will contain instructions leading to a certain location at a certain time, for I have deemed it necessary that we cross paths once again. We shall speak of your next contract, and any other matters that you may desire to discuss.

I am sure that you will complete this task for me with precision and poise, as is your way; and that you will not waste precious time before doing so, for I do look forward to our next meeting...

Walk always in the shadow of Sithis, guided by the tender hand of our loving Night Mother,

Lucien Lachance

I read the letter through a second time before the hand gripping it fell to my side, my body otherwise very still. There was so much to take in at once, I thought numbly. Lucien had indeed saved me from Phillida, and didn't want me to know about it. I would be killing the entire surviving family of my first kill, and I would be the one to deliver an important message of fear to the Imperial Legion- Lucien had chosen me for a most honorable contract once again.

And this last bit... a meeting? Just over a week ago he had been going on about how we would not meet unless it was “necessary”- but now this? What could make it “necessary” that we speak face to face? Was it something important involving the Brotherhood? Or... was it something else? Something very, very different...

But no- I couldn't think about that. What if I was simply comletely crazy, and misinterpreting the entire situation? But you know what you felt at your last meeting, a voice in the back of my head said. And there's no use denying it- you know he felt it too. You could see it in his eyes...

“It doesn't matter!” I exclaimed to myself, hitting the ground in frustration. Shadowmere whinnied in alarm at my sudden outburst, shaking her head in worry. I stroked her neck, touching her forehead to mine with closed eyes. I breathed deep, made sure I was in control of myself, my body and my emotions- and leaned back, picking up the two pieces of parchment again. I had work to do- I could worry about what came later after it was done.

I firmly pushed all stray thought into a deep recess of my mind, and forced myself to focus on the task at hand. Even though I knew it's contents by heart, I found myself unfolding the second piece of parchment- the one I had kept for so long.

Dear courier,
I would like to thank you again for agreeing to assist me. I was so delighted when a friend recommended you, and will certainly employ your services again in the future if everything goes well with this round of purchases. You can imagine how difficult it is for an old woman such as myself to get around. My children, darlings that they are, deserve the best, and I'm afraid I haven't been able to properly show my love and appreciation for them in quite a few years. But all that is behind me now! Here is the list of gifts I think my family would most enjoy, as well each child's current place of residence, which should be used to for delivery.
Matthias -- Talos Plaza District, Imperial City (he has a home there): Matthias always was a rough and tumble lad. The last I'd heard, he'd fallen in with some pretty tough characters there in the Imperial City working the night-shift as a guard for an Ayleid ruin dealer. I'd feel so much better if I knew he was well protected, so I'd like for you to find him a nice cuirass. Nothing too light -- iron or steel should be fine. And, if possible, I'd like it engraved with "To my Dear Matty, I'll always be here to protect you, love Mum."

Andreas -- The Drunken Dragon Inn on the Yellow Road to Leyawiin(he owns the place and lives there as well): Andy has been brewing his own beer and spirits since he was six years old. The opening of that inn was the happiest day of his life. I'd like for you to get him some new tavern glasses. I'm sure there are craftsmen in the Imperial City who could make a fancy set from frosted ebony or Altmeri crystal.

Sibylla -- Muck Valley Cavern. Yes, my daughter lives in a cave, and no, I'm not very happy about it. Sibby has always loved animals (almost as much as Andy loves beer) and a couple of years ago she apparently thought it a good idea to abandon the Empire and live as a savage with the rest of the animals. In that time, I'm afraid Sibby has kind of... cracked. She's basically as wild as the beasts she lives with. What can I do? I'm Sibby's mother and I'll always love her. She obviously doesn't want or need anything from civilized society, so what I'd like you to do is find a tanner and secure the largest fur blankets you can possibly find. The last time I saw Sibby she was nearly naked, and I can't imagine there's much in that cave to keep her warm. When you do bring them to Muck Valley Cavern, be careful! The wild animals are bad enough, but Sibby herself will probably attack anyone on sight.

Caelia -- Castle Leyawiin (you'll find her in the barracks): My beautiful Cae! My dearest daughter broke so many hearts when she was younger. But now that she's an officer in the Imperial Legion I'm afraid she's let herself go a bit. Not gotten fat! By Mephala, not that! But she's settled into a more... practical kind of look. Even a bit boyish, I guess you could say. So what I'd like you to do is get my Cae as much pretty "girl" stuff as you can. Flowers, perfume, Nord chocolate, that sort of thing.

You've already received half your fee in advance, and will receive the remainder after the gifts have been purchased and delivered, as we originally agreed. Thank you again for providing such a valuable service.

Sincerely,
Perennia Draconis

I marked the locations of each sibling on my worn map, trying to figure out the most logical route to reach all of them in the least amount of time. I had a lot of travelling ahead of me, I discerned with a certain grimness- the four very different siblings were all spread out across Cyrodiil, and I could only hope that none of their living arrangments had changed in the months since their mother's death, and my finding of the letter.

I looked up at the night sky- the moons had already past their highest point in the sky, and were starting their descent. If I road quickly, I could make my way to the Imperial City and catch Mattias before he got off of work, in the Talos Plaza district. I rose quickly, gathering up my parchment and saddlebags with a distant air- my thoughts were far ahead, already planning and anticipating my kills. The thrill of the hunt, a wave of lustful foreboding, was starting to consume my body and my mind was completely focused on my one immediate goal- to kill.

And so I readied Shadowmere for travel and leapt gracefully onto her back, reining her out of the corral and onto the road in a hasty gallop.

* * *

I arrived at the Imperial City just long before I had reckoned on- not even the first shimmer of the dawn light was on the horizon, and as I dismounted Shadowmere and made my way to the city gates I could hear the echo of four grand bell tolls from within. I smiled- it was still the night. I had known I was going to kill this night...

I knew the Talos Plaza District well- I had spent a good amount of my late teens pickpocketing and making petty thefts within its rich walls. I was fairly certain that I could figure out which house belonged to Matthias- but, more importantly, I was already sure of where he worked. The list said he was a bodyguard for an Ayleid ruin collector, and the only one of note in this district was an Altmer by the name of Umbacano.

His collections were vast and prolific, and worth an uncalculable sum- and therefore guarded by only the best money could buy. I had never dared step near his home boundary, and I doubt many others (who were interested in self-preservation, at least) had either. As far as I knew, however, the human guards were all either outside his doors or within the first level of his house- rumors went that far greater and dark creatures guarded his secret stores. I was hoping to find Matthias there, and kill him at his work, for it would be far less suspicious if he died while guarding expensive merchandise then if he died in his own home.

I ducked into an alleyway as I sighted the soft light of a torch, which regularly indicated a guard was approaching, and took a short-cut up into the plaza. I waited a moment before I poked my head out, chancing someone spotting me in the lamplight overhead- but I was relieved to find that there was no one about on the south side, and the guard I had just seen was making his way into the Temple District. I looked to the North side and smiled darkly- a lone Imperial stood at the heavy doors, donning a heavy cuirass and official air. I couldn't be sure, not yet; but this could be my man. I leaned back into the alleyway for a second, pressing my head against the cold stone.

My first inclination had been, of course, to kill him now where he stood, with a lovingly aimed arrow to the skull. I worked hard to constrain that instinct, however, and forced myself think rationally. This could be any old guard- I had no idea if it was the man I was looking for or not. But what could I do to be sure it was him? I could wait for him to return to his home... but I really wasn't in the waiting mood, I realized. My patience was worn thin from holding too many strong emotions and desires in, and I need to act on them- and soon.

Suddenly, a plan occurred to me. With a raise of an eyebrow, I pushed off of the wall and poked my head out quickly once again. Nothing had changed- the man still stood there and not another soul was about. And so I rubbed my hands vigorously through my hair and pulled my tunic askew, dropped my quiver and bow into a dark corner of the alley, hid my dagger in my boots- and let out a shrill, piercing scream.

I let it echo for a second before I kicked the stone around a bit, shoving against the wall to make as much noise as possible. I then let out another scream and stumbled out into the light, pretending to fall over in my haste to escape the alley. I let out a sob and forced my eyes to water, scrambling to stand up again. I looked up and saw that Matthias had drawn his sword and was eyeing me with suspicion. I started to stagger towards, letting out hiccuping sobs.

“Please!” I said, my voice cracking and tears cascading from my eyes. “Please, good sir, help me! I'm so- so scared...” I was mere feet from him now, and the suspicion had almost completely let his eyes and he had lowered his sword. I took that oppurtunity to throw myself into his arms, shaking and shivering for good measure.

“Shh, shh, it's alright now, you're safe- tell me, what happened miss?” he asked, patting the back of my head with one hand while his other still grasped his sword. His eyes were scanning the darkness where I had come from, evidently trying to sense if there was still a threat.

“A man... he-he-he... attacked me!” I sobbed.

He pulled back from the embrace and gripped my shoulders, looking me in the eye.

“A man? What did he look like? Where did he go?” he asked urgently, his body tense. I gave a show of looking alarmed before shakily responding.

“I... I couldn't see his face! It was too dark, and it all happened too fast! But I don't know where he went- when I ran away into the Plaza he disappeared!”

Matthias seemed to instantly relax, his shoulders slacking and his face softening.

“Well, he's most likely gone by now...” he said softly, more to himself then me. He looked me in the eye. “Did he take anything from you, or hurt you in anyway?”

“No... he tried to-to hurt me, but I had a dagger beneath my skirt and I pushed him away with it. I don't think I did much harm... but it was enough for me to escape,” I invented wildly. Matthias nodded solemnly.

“Damn these petty thieves... they're getting bolder and bolder everyday... but you were very brave,” he said reassuringly, and I smiled gratefully through my watered eyes. I had found it easy to cry, and for some reason I was now finding it rather hard to stop...

“I think... I think he saw you, and got scared,” I said, my voice full of admiration. He puffed out his chest slightly at my words.

“Yes'm, well...” he responded sheepishly. Inwardly I rolled my eyes- most people were just so pathetic... I was starting to get impatient with this, so I decided to push things along. He was about to speak, but I cut in quickly.

“So what is the name of my savior?” I smiled broadly, looking up at him expectantly. He looked flustered for a moment, but replied gruffly.

“Matthias, m'am. Matthias Draconis.” A fire inside my soul ignited when I heard his words, and I felt my hand make an involuntary jerk towards my hidden dagger, but I concealed it by pretending to smooth out my skirt. I needed to wait to get him back to Umbacano's home...

“Well thank you, Matthias. I am in your debt- but... do you think you do something else for me?” I looked hopefully at him with wide eyes.

“It would be an honor,” he replied, looking a bit taken aback.

“Do you think- do you think that I could get a cup of tea? It always calms me down, and I'm quite shaken up...”

“I suppose that could done, my lady,” he responded slowly. After another moment of consideration his face brightened. “The master has some of the best teas and brews in Tamriel!” he continued, turning toward the manor and gesturing for me to follow. “I'm sure that he won't mind, considering the circumstances... but better yet, he won't even know!” he gave me a smile. “It will be our little secret!”

I gave a little giggle while inwardly I was vomiting. He was so disgusting, so predictable, so repulsive! All I wanted was to take his life, to extinguish the flame of his soul with one great breath... I wanted to kill...

It was close now, so close... all I could think of was the searing of skin, the flowing of blood at my fingertips... I had to wait until we got inside...

We were almost at the steps of the huge home when something in me broke. I'm not quite sure what happened, but all I know is that I completely lost control. I'd focused every emotion of confusion, of hatred, of despair, of loneliness- and I had put it towards my lust for the kill. And it suddenly overwhelmed me, so much so that I could feel a fire burn throughout my veins- so hot that it needed to be released immediately or it could sear through my skin. He was on the third step, reaching for the thick iron handle on the door when suddenly he stopped, his eyes wide.

Before I had been able to put the slightest effort to stop myself, my hand had once again gone for my dagger- but this time drawing it and striking upwards, embedding itself in the flesh of his lower back with a crunch. I yanked to the side, splitting further. I had severed a section of his spine.

His body crumpled as I pulled my dagger back out, blood flowing freely from the laceration it left. He was conscious still, and looked up at me with confused, betrayed eyes. I was breathing hard, my mind just beginning to catch up with my body's actions. But when I finally realized what I had done, that I had just killed... I looked from my bloody dagger to his pained face and I began to shake silently with a mirthful laughter, lifting my head up to the light and closing my eyes, soaking in the scene. It was so beautiful, the blood, the pain, the coming rush of death...

My laughter escalated as I opened my eyes again and I looked down at Matthias groaning pathetically at my feet. A wonderful idea had just occurred to me... it would be so dark, so perfect...

I kneeled down beside him, my face close to his.

“The Night Mother is expecting you...” I whispered lovingly. I leaned over, placing my quivering hands on the leather straps that held his heavy cuirass in place. The excitement was making my very body shiver with anticipation. I started to slowly unbuckle the straps, watching his eyes widen in alarm. But he could do nothing- he seemed paralyzed, he could not move a muscle. He could only watch.

I removed the shoulder restraints and lifted the heavy plate of iron up, pulling it off of his body and letting it slide noisily down the stairs. I gave him one final smile before I drew up my dagger, letting it glisten in the moonlight. My eyes glowing an icy blue, I slowly lowered my blade to his chest, just beside his faintly beating heart. With a great intake of breath and a surge of ecstacy I pressed down, pushing the weapon deep past his ribcage.

He gave a guttural shout of pain as blood spurted from his breast, membrane and tissue spilling down his chest. He wheezed, breath becoming impossible, his eyes dimming. I could feel the death swiftly approaching, I could smell it in the air... and with a soft sound, much like a candle being extinguished, Matthias Draconis's life was snuffed out.

“But she'll be taking you without your heart, I'm afraid...” I said softly
.
The thrill still remained draining from my veins as I drew my dagger out and pressed it in on the other side of his heart, this time sawing slightly in a circular shape through the arteries and veins. After a moment of careful manipulation I had removed the section of rib cage and pried his heart free from its chamber. I lifted it up in my hand, its warmth fascinating and wonderful. Our life was kept running by this mysterious organ; it never stopped pumping, not until the moment where we die. It just kept pressing on, no matter what we subjected it to...

Suddenly I heard something that made my blood run still. A sound, in the dark- far off, but approaching nonetheless. I listened harder, standing swiftly. Footsteps- someone was drawing nearer, and by the sounds of the heavy boots they wore, that someone was most likely a guard. I turned back the scene I had created and was abruptly aware of how rash I had been... there was blood everywhere, all over the ground, the body, the door- and all over my clothes. I had planned to wait until getting inside the house to strike; why couldn't I have waited just a few more seconds!

Adrenaline coarsing through my body, I picked up my dagger and shoved it back in its sheath. I quickly scanned the scene, making sure I had left nothing incriminating, before opening the flap of my incredients bag and shoved the slippery heart inside, not having the time for a more convenient or less messy way to store it. As I turned quickly and started to run silently into the night, however, I did not notice as a single, solitary blossom of nightshade fell from the outer pocket of my bag and landed softly in the pool of blood.

* * *

There was a lot more to Lucien Lachance then met the eye. On the surface there were the cunning eyes, strong jaw and well-defined nose; all of which indicated a clever and strong man. His athletic body was capable of wielding the silver longsword at his waist with precision, while nimble and steady fingers revealed the fine alchemist that he was. But beneath his black robes was where most of his power was hidden.

Inside of his right sleeve there was a hidden sheath with a thin, deadly sharp dagger that could be slipped out with a flick of his fingers. His left sleeve was the home to an array of little vials containing only the deadliest and most treacherous of poisons. He had lined the torso of his Black Hand robes with a thin sheen of the most well-crafted mithril there was. Each of his boots were home to several arrows, skillfully placed as to not impede with his movement or comfort. Lining the underside of his belt were two dozen darts, each tipped with a paralyzing poison rivaled by none. And so on.

Because the careful placement of all of these instruments of death was a precise and slightly dangerous endeavor, it took Lucien a considerable amount of time in the morning to prepare for the day. And this morning was no different. He had awoken to the great bells chiming merrily in the nearby Temple District, for he was unaccustomed to such sounds. It was rare that Lucien stayed in towns or cities- but sometimes bad conditions during travel warranted a stay in a comfortable inn for the night. And that was what had happened last night- after bringing the dead drop letter to Chorrol, Lucien had been making his way to Skingrad to wait when the notion to take care of some business in the Imperial City had occurred to him. A certain trader owed him a bit of money...

After the transaction had been completed, he realized it was too late to begin travel to Skingrad- and besides, he'd found himself feeling very tired. It had been a long day, and so he had gotten himself a nice room at the Tiber Septim and dined in luxury for the night. It had been odd- for it was the first time in quite awhile that he had not donned his Black Hand robes, instead opting for a disguise as a noblemen in the most fashionable garb (stolen from a certain trader, actually...)- but the food had been exquisite and the bed divine, so Lucien had awoken at the chime of five bells comfortable and well-rested.

However, the bells were tolling half past when he finally closed his room door silently behind him and slipped on a ring- which caused him to vanish completely from sight. He made his way down the stairs, his thoughts drifting aimlessly as he opened the front door silently. It was drizzling, the soft-falling rain barely making a sound as it fell upon the cobbled stone. His meandering thoughts were immediately interrupted, however, when he stepped out into the plaza. A swarm of guards were surrounding a doorstep, their shadows magnified across the stone by the streetlamp overhead.

Lucien instantly slowed his step, dodging alongside the wall- they wouldn't be able to see him, but that didn't mean his footsteps couldn't be heard. Several voices echoed the otherwise empty streets, but he could not discern what they were saying. With infinite care, he moved closer, his eyes intent upon the scene. As he drew near, he tried to peer between the guards and catch a sight of what they were surounding- but it was no use, for they were too closely knit a group. With a sigh the Speaker found his way to the stoop neighboring the manor and ducked down, listening hard.

“We've sent for him already...”

“There's nothing else in there, no bodies, and it seems nothing was stolen...”

“... but his heart is gone, I tell you! Cut clean out!”

“...spine's snapped as well...”

A murder? Lucien's ears perked up at this. A snapped spine and cut-out heart? And not for the intent of robbery, it seemed... he should most certainly seek out whoever had commited this beautiful act, for they seemed to be a very likely candidate for the Brotherhood; but for now he had business to attend to. He had risen from the stoop he'd been crouched at and was turning towards the alley when he heard something that made him stop dead in his tracks.

“...ones of Umbacano's dogs- by the name of 'Matthias Draconis'...”

It couldn't be... he swiveled back about, this time taking a closer look at the group. Matthias Draconis? There were four guards, all of whom were holding torches and expressions of barely concealed horror. Matthias Draconis? He had just dropped of the dead drop the previous morning! Could Adrienne have already... of course she could have! he almost exclaimed outloud. He had given her the fastest horse in Cyrodiil, for Sithis's sake! And she always was eager to please... it seemed she had taken his invitation for haste very seriously indeed...

Lucien nearly laughed in earnest at the irony of him running into this scene. She had made quick work of him, it seemed- and so she had taken his heart? Interesting, very interesting... he was very much looking forward to seeing how the rest of this rather complex contract turned out. He had been wondering how she would take the premise of killing the family of her first murder- it was a rather odd request- but as soon as the Black Hand had mentioned their trouble with locating the family members to him, he'd known that Adrienne had to be the one to do this contract; after he had seen that she carried the list around, of course. He had hinted in his letter that he knew she would be able to find them with ease, and had done so intentionally to make her marvel at the knowledge he and the Black Hand possessed. He rather enjoyed her reverence of him...

Suddenly a voice rang out, and Lucien was drawn from his thoughts.

“Commander Civello, sir!” exclaimed four voices.

Another man had arrived, this one donning an exquisite set of ivory armor and equipped with a fine ebony claymore. Lucien nearly snarled, glaring at the Imperial Legion lapdog with disgust. If all of these guards were not present, he would have most certainly taken the oppurtunity to stain that sparkling white armor with scarlet...

“Have you found anything that could aid with our investigation?” Civello asked, his tone hard. “Any sort of evidence or sightings?”

“There was nothing left at the scene, sir- except for this.” The guard who had been speaking handed Ciovello something, something small- Lucien looked on eagerly, trying to get a glimpse- but it was too small and he was too far away to identify the object.

“What is this?” Ciovello asked irritably. It seemed that even close up it was hard to recognize.

“That's a flower, sir.” One man replied timidly, while Lucien raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, I can see that! What type of flower is what I meant...” the other man cowered at the ferocity in Civello's voice.

“It's nightshade, sir. That there'd be a blossom of nightshade, without a doubt,” another soldier replied hurriedly.

And to that Lucien's lips upturned slightly in the corners, for that was his favorite flower; and it was the one that Adrienne always smelt of when one stood close enough to catch her scent. She had most certainly taken the task to heart, and was performing the assassinations with a sadistic beauty that evidently came naturally to her. It was rare to see such talent in creating the level of elegance Adrienne achieved in her kills- Lucien recalled a story he had heard about a certain old woman who had attended a party and ended up stuck to a door with a silver dagger in head- and her flair for the dramatic was quite clear. He was very much looking forward to seeing how she finished this contract... maybe they could discuss her technique in their meeting, once the contract was taken care of; they could speak of their mutual passion for the art of death...

After a moment he rose from his crouching position and pulled his hood further over his face, having heard enough, and started to retreat into the darkness. The rain was starting to increase as he made his way towards the city gates, the words of Ciovello echoing over his shoulder for a moment before they were lost in the sounds of the storm.

“Dispatch two riders after noontime today to inform Lady Caelia of the news...”

* * *

Author's Note: I really have no excuse for the line about what power lies beneath Lucien's robes... just me being a total fangirl! Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter, and I can't wait to hear what you think about it.