It's true, we're all a little insane.
But it's so clear,
Now that I'm unchained.
It was the moment when my hammer met, with a resounding crack, the back of her skull that I felt the direction of my life change. It was the first life I took outside of battle. My first murder. That's not to say I had never desired to, of course, but that Orc was something special. . . and I was having a bad week, already.
Looking back, I can see now that this action was a long time coming. I suppose its fortunate things happened when they did; much might have gone very differently, in a bad way, for many people, otherwise.
The only thing I regret about killing "Sir" Mazoga, (even with the added bonus of doing it where there was no chance of witnesses) is falling out of favor with the Count of Leyawiin. The only consolation I have is the beautiful sound that resonated from the crack of the Orc's skull, like music in an amphitheater.
After cleaning myself up, I reported to the count (as I said, with an unfavorable response), and made my way into the city to rest at Three Sister's Inn. The sun was just setting, but I was more than ready to lay me to rest for the night; I had much to ponder, least of which was my very first murder. I opened the window in my room so I could feel the warm coastal breeze while I slept with the wind caressing my face.
I woke before the sun rose to find my room much colder than it should have been. A chill swept over me along with the sense that I was not alone. The weight on the bed shifted, dipping to the left, and the cold upon my face was chased away by the caress of something soft and warm upon my cheek.
My eyes shot open as my sleepy mind registered what my instinct already knew, and I was greeted by a pair of steely dark eyes set in a face shrouded by shadow. The weight shifted until the figure beside me was standing, and the cold air shifted like a sudden breeze.
I sat up, holding the bedsheets to my chest, and stared dumbly at the dark figure before me, an unspoken question apparent on my face, and wished I had a knife.
"You sleep rather soundly for a murderer," he said.
My mouth gaped open. How could he know about that?
"That's good," he added, turning slightly and shifting his weight. "You'll need a clear conscience for what I'm about to propose." He turned his head and through the shadows I could see a sly grin.
I frowned and closed my mouth, pursing my lips together. Whatever this was, I wasn't going to speak a word until I knew more. When it became apparent that I wasn't going to say anything, he continued. "You prefer silence, then?" he turned back toward me. I noticed then, with interest, that there was no sound to his movements. "As do I, my dear child. As do I."
No kidding, I observed, watching him with as keen an interest as he was watching me.
"For is silence not the symphony of death, the orchestration of Sithis himself?"
My ears perked up, feeling somehow drawn to the named entity I had only heard of in rumor. Unconsciously, I leaned toward cloaked man. "Ironic, then, that I come to you now as Speaker for the Dark Brotherhood."
Yes, that was it. The name he had spoken, Sithis, was always associated with the feared assassins of the Brotherhood. My brows lifted in surprise. If the Dark Brotherhood had taken an interest in me. . .
"My name is Lucien Lachance, and my voice is the will of the Night Mother."
I shivered as something cold touched my spirit as he invoked her name.
He came closer so that his figure was silhouetted by the window. "She's been watching you," he continued, his tone implying that he was conveying very important information. I listened. "Observing as you kill, admiring as you end life without pity or remorse." A gloved hand reached down to grip my chin and lift my face. His hand was warm, in stark contrast the coldness of his presence. The strange effect was seductive, and I had to stop myself from leaning my face further into his palm. "The Night Mother is pleased. . ." his voice trailed.
What followed was an invitation to join that dark family; and almost as soon as the offering was made, he was gone, and I was left with more questions, an unused knife, and the name Lucien Lachance. He set the knife in my hand, closing m finger around it hilt with his own. With that, he disappeared, and when he was gone, I felt the wind blow again.
I sat in my room at the Inn of Ill Omen for quite some time after dispatching the old man, Rufio, in his bed. No one had even noticed that I'd gone down there. Not that I'd wanted them to, but I thought I'd have had at least a little trouble. There was even a Legion guard present, by the Nine! I grinned, and ran my thumb over the tip of the knife's blade.
It was getting dark out; I had traveled a long way to get there, and I could feel sleep tugging at me, beckoning me to lie on the soft, warm bed. I pushed the knife under my pillow and blew my candle out. I woke not soon after falling asleep, sensing the approach of another. One hand went to the knife, and the other held the blanket to my bare chest as I sat up.
The shadowed figure before me was expected, so I let the knife rest in my lap. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and yawned, waiting for him to speak.
"So, the deed is done."
I opened my mouth to respond, to ask how he knew, but there was no need.
"How do I know this?" he asked for me, and grinned. "You will find that the Dark Brotherhood knows a great many things." He sat on the side of the bed. "For you are now part of the family."
I simply nodded, a slight smile growing on my face, an unexpected excitement growing in me. I was not sure what I should say in such a moment.
He took my left hand in his. "Now, heed these words," his shadowed eyes held mine firmly. I listened as he spoke, instructing me and giving me directions into the Sanctuary I would belong to; the Sanctuary he oversaw.
His hand squeezed mine and then released it, and he rose. "We must now take our leave of each other, you and I," he said, "for there is much work to be done." He backed away. "I'll be following. . ." his eyes slightly shifted from my face and then back, "your progress." He smiled slyly. "Welcome to the family." He turned to leave. "You are now one with the Dark Brotherhood."
I wanted to protest; I had so many questions. I grabbed my robe, hastily slipping it on and trying to follow him, but he had disappeared. I kept following anyway, for the hall was narrow. I bumped into something I couldn't see, and I heard Lucien sigh.
"Visit Ocheeva in Cheydinhal Sanctuary, and your new life will begin."
And that was that.