Disclaimer: I don't own Oblivion or The Elder Scrolls. It all belongs to Bethesda.
Notes: This story will deal with a romance between a Breton and an Argonian. If beastfolk getting lovin' bothers you, don't read it.
Black Marsh Fever
Chapter One
It was with a heavy heart that Sophia turned down the covers and crawled into bed.
He was dead.
And she had been the one to kill him.
Resolving not to think about it any more, a small tear rolled down her cheek as she pulled the blankets to her chin and closed her eyes.
XXX
"Stop! Renald, what are you doing?"
Heavy breathing, pressure on her chest, she couldn't move!
"Renald, please! Don't do this!"
Hot, stale breath in her face, the sound of his rasping breath all she could hear, as if it were all around her.
"No, no! Please, by the Nine Renald, don't!"
A stabbing pain, and then nothing.
XXX
Sophia jerked awake with the uncomfortable feeling that she was not alone in her small house on the Waterfront. Casting a wary look around the room, she tried to shake the sensation off. Convinced that she'd simply had a strange dream, she was about to fall asleep, when…
"You sleep rather soundly, for a murderer."
Her first instinct was to retort, that no, in fact, she had not been sleeping soundly at all, but the desire for a sassy reply was overcome by deep curiosity, followed by mild concern. After all, she lived on the Waterfront. Her house wasn't exactly secure at the best of times, and drunks wandered in once and a while, still… this voice was apparently disembodied. Which was a little odd.
"Who-who's there?"
A man in black shimmered into view, and she gasped, taking in the tall figure, dark hood obscuring his face and casting it into heavy shadow.
"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 offering. An opportunity... to join our rather unique family."
Sophia stared in shock at this man. Yes, this was definitely different than the drunken ramblings that usually followed someone strange in her house in the middle of the night.
"Please continue, Mister Lachance." She said softly, replying more by instinct than anything else, mind still reeling from his introduction.
"Ah, I find your etiquette refreshing." He said, a smile in his voice. Sophia found herself distractedly thinking that it was a rather lovely voice, all things considered, before he continued speaking and she shook herself a bit mentally and tried to pay attention.
"On the Green Road to the north of Bravil lies the Inn of Ill Omen. There you will find a man named Rufio. 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."
"B-but, I'm no murderer!" she exclaimed, stunned. Well what did you think, Sophia, he was here to sell you something? She chastised herself with a wry frown.
"No? The Night Mother seems to think otherwise. Did you not kill the man Renald DuPois? Allow me to grant you a gift, in case you reconsider." His hand emerged from within the folds of his robe, and Sophia flinched as he held out shining dagger.
"It is a virgin blade, and thirsts for blood. May it serve you well. Now, I bid you farewell. I do hope we'll meet again soon."
"Wait!" she cried, throwing back the covers and moving to get up from the bed, "don't leave, I have so many questions!"
"Then ask them, child."
"I've heard of the Dark Brotherhood before, and I just don't understand… I'm not a bad person!"
"You killed a man, and the Night Mother was pleased. That is all there is to it."
She thought about that for a moment.
"I don't remember killing him." She finally admitted, "I woke up and he was just…dead."
"Ah yes," Lucien said, "sometimes the mind can block out such exciting or stimulating moments. The memory will return eventually, and with it, the glory."
Sophia frowned, silent for several minutes after that as she processed. Finally,
"And this Rufio, what is he to you?"
"Know that Rufio is old and weak, and sleeps his days away. You could kill him before he even has a chance to wake. If you so choose."
She nodded, and after a few moments, apparently he decided that enough was enough.
"Your path is clear. Send Rufio to his death, and the Dark Brotherhood will embrace you as family."
Then, just as suddenly as he had appeared, Lucien Lachance was gone, and Sophia was left staring at the place he had been, her mind a confused and muddled mess.
What have I gotten myself into this time?
XXX