21st of Mid-Year, 4E1

It was six months ago that I finished and submitted my account of the Oblivion Crisis to the Elder Council. Typically I do not allow that much time between journal entries, as writing has always been my way of finding some sense of contentment at the end of each grueling day, but I have kept myself busy at the Imperial Arena as a combatant since the end of the Third Era (marked by the noble sacrifice of Martin Septim and the end of the Crisis).

This evening I left for the ruins of Vilverin, to not just remove myself from the arena's dank and uninspiring environment, but to clear my mind of a burdensome weight.

For last night I killed the Grey Prince.

Up until now he was the Arena's Grand Champion; an exceptional warrior with characteristics that I've come to learn are hard to find in a person here in Cyrodiil. Alas- Rare gems like him, having no place in this great big spit-bucket of a world, are taken out of it sooner than desired or expected.

Before his life was extinguished in one quick twist of the neck, I saw that death had already claimed his spirit. His pride was utterly crushed by the revelation of his true parentage. He couldn't live the rest of his life knowing that he was part vampire, and I couldn't talk him out of his desperate wish to die.

When he said that he feared his father's blood would eventually consume and fashion him into a terror of the night, I found myself unable to argue with him further. Fear and uncertainty is a weakness of the mind that feeds the monster within- he was losing the battle already.

I didn't know Agronak well enough to mourn him, but I felt an itch of pity for the helpless situation his father's irresponsible love-romps put him in, and anger towards the people in town passing around tactless comments about him. Have they no respect for the dead or for the memory of an honorable man?

No. I should've known better than to expect it.

So here I am, downing my third helping of mead while writing this journal entry in the light of a roaring campfire, getting lost between jots in the starry sky of a moonless night.

As if I wasn't troubled enough, there is a steadily growing fear that has been keeping me up four hours past the normal time I turn in for the night.

For the very moment that Agronak's soul left his body a strange sensation I had never felt before crawled into me. I shook it off as paranoia instilled by a rather powerful roar of disapproval from Arena attendees for killing their Champion and taking his place. I know what happens when you earn too much animosity from people- they will likely turn to a certain guild of cutthroats and make arrangements for a surprise visit.

Considering how the general public values combatants, you wouldn't think someone would go that far for revenge against the one who killed their money ticket. I laughed off the notion, but now I have a good reason to be suspicious.

I am being followed.

My keen elven hearing picked up a protruding sound amid that of wildlife scurrying about; footsteps of a humanoid, keeping a cautious distance as he followed me everywhere I went since I left The Merchant's Inn seven hours ago. I can tell you the gender and approximate size of a person just by hearing them walk; large feet, long strides, and tight friction between the ground and the soles of the boots tell me it is a fairly tall and heavy male.

I don't feel intimidated in the least bit. Within the time it takes to blink I have effortlessly killed a lot of nasty beasties bigger than him.

I've been waiting with anticipation since I got here for him to appear before me and strike, pretending to be completely oblivious so that I might catch him off guard and execute a successful counterattack.

But after all this time he hasn't budged from (I am guessing) his spot on a high point upon the littered stone of the ruin.

Aha- perhaps the coward plans to attack me in my sleep!

Fine. I will play your game, assassin. I'll lie back, close my eyes, and listen attentively for your approach. When you're at the right spot I will knock you on your ass!

22nd of Mid-Year, 4E1

I waited for what must have been another hour, almost drifting into actual sleep. I began to wonder if this person knew I was still awake, and if so how on Nirn could he?

I was just on the rift of consciousness when I heard him coming finally. His footsteps, he assumed were undetected, came a fair distance from the north and stopped at the foot of my bedroll.

"HYAA!" I roared as I tripped him onto his back. He landed with a heavy thud and audible grunt.

I then charged forward and wrapped my hands around his throat before he seized the chance to get up. I would like to believe I had him pinned under the weight of my body, but because he was considerably larger than me I will have to humbly admit that the only thing keeping him on the ground was his choice to remain there; he didn't even squirm or grab frantically at my wrists to pry my hands from his neck. A gesture of either 'no contest' or 'I'm not afraid to die', I think.

"You sleep rather soundly for a murderer." He purred with the most chillingly pleasant voice I'd ever heard, and an unexpected calmness in the face of danger. As he spoke I was able to make out a few details of his face; light stubble, fair skin, and a distinguishing beaky nose. Everything else was difficult to see- the black shadow under his hood kept the upper half of his face concealed. "That's good. You'll need a clear conscience for what I'm about to propose."

"Alright! First things first-!" I growled. "You need to tell me what the hell you're doing here and why you're stalking me! Then, if I am convinced that you are not here to kill me, I will listen to your proposal instead of bashing your skull in! That's not an idle threat- I can and I will if you give me a good reason to!"

"In due time, my dear Child... in due time..." He replied and paused for a hard swallow he tried to quiet. He maintained a calm exterior, but my trained senses noted his tight breathing, racing heart, and scent of tension. "I am Lucien LaChance, a Speaker for the Dark Brotherhood, and you-"

"Dark Brotherhood! I knew it! I knew one of you goons would pay me a visit sooner or later, but... I expected you to come for my head."

"Rest assured, my dear, I was not sent out to kill you. I came to only speak with you... but I prefer to carry on this conversation without your hands around my throat or your awkward position on my hips."

"Right. Well, I'll let you go, but I will be keeping my eye on you, assassin." I warned, standing up and backing away from him, maintaining a defensive stance. "So go on... say what you have to say."

"We've learned many things about you, Grand Champion." He began after gracefully rising to a straight posture and folding his hands over his chest in a sort of priest-like manner. "You are a killer, taker of life, harvester of souls. The Night Mother has observed your work and is most pleased. That is why I am here tonight. I come to you with an offering- an opportunity to join our rather unique Family."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing! My old and fearsome adversaries want me to join their ranks? They really must be getting desperate for numbers.

"Pffftahahahaha! Oh sweet irony!" I blasted into the sky with several loud snorts. The way it echoed about made it sound like the very ruins had joined in on the laughter.

"Irony?" He asked with a slight tilt of his head.

"Of all people you could choose to recruit..." I began. But before I finished the sentence it occurred to me that Lucien may have only known about Arena affairs and nothing of the life I lived prior to the Oblivion Crisis. Thinking it was better that he did not know, I attempted to recover. "Last year I was given the task of assisting Cyrodiil with the Oblivion crap, now I am being asked by The Dark Brotherhood to potentially kill the people I helped save."

"Haven't you been doing that already?"

He made a good point, but I remained in stubborn denial. I shook my head and I plopped onto a chair next to the fire.

"Surely, Mr. LaChance, being a combatant doesn't make me a murderer!" I laughed again before opening another bottle of mead and taking in a couple hefty gulps.

"The Night Mother seems to think otherwise."

"Hmf... The Night Mother. Y'know the timing of her piqued interest is intriguing. Why tonight? Why not decades ago when I killed a man for the first time?"

"I can't answer that for you, Child. I can only say that her timing, while often puzzling, is always perfect."

"Of course." I said with an eye roll. All the priests say that about the Aedra when we question the curious lack of divine intervention.

"It is up to you alone to decide whether you want this life or not." He continued, walking in a slow and smooth pace around of the campfire, maintaining just enough distance to avoid complete consumption of light. "But before you make that decision you should ask yourself this: 'What do I have to look forward to in the one I have right now? Should I take the chance to be a part of something truly special, or continue on with this hollow routine?' It's certainly worth giving a lot of consideration."

He completed a full circle as he inched over to me and knelt down to a humble level at my feet, as if to propose marriage. I am convinced that this was deliberate- Speakers, I gathered during my previous career, are notorious for using their irresistible charm and good looks to recruit new members.

'Charming' is an understatement to describe this particular Speaker, and I must say that what I could see finally in proper light was the full glory of a very handsome man. He wasn't terribly young, but the subtle hints of an approaching middle age actually flattered the overall structure of his strong profile. His brown eyes, enriched by the light of the fire, stared softly up into mine as he continued to use the power of velvet words and movements to soothe out my inhibitions more efficiently than a Stout of Dibella.

"I have a good feeling about you. I am certain that you will arrive at the realization that this is your destiny; when you do, you will take the first step of this journey by going to the Inn of Ill Omen, traveling south on the green road. There you will find a man named Rufio. Kill him, and your initiation into the Dark Brotherhood will be complete." He brought out from an inner pouch of his robe a beautiful ebony dagger, smelling fresh from the fire used to forge it, and held it out delicately in his gloved hands. "Perhaps with this token from the Dark Brotherhood. It is a virgin blade and thirsts for blood."

"It is indeed." I replied, so dumbfounded by a generosity I originally believed was almost nonexistent that I wasn't sure if I should take it. Usually I would have to do someone a favor before receiving such an item. After he insisted with a light motion of his hands, I finally took the dagger and examined its fine details. My primary weapon of choice are my own two hands, but I do like to keep a blade with me as backup- until then all I had was a rusty iron dagger, so this was as welcoming as a Winter Solstice morning.

"Why does Rufio have to die?" I asked.

"If you must know, he is wanted for the murder and rape of a young woman in Bravil. Her parents grew desperate for justice, and after their Count failed them they called upon the one true power that will ensure that wretch does not evade bloodprice."

To this I just nodded, letting this information and inspired outrage seep in.

"Do this," he continued, "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."

Throughout the entire time we chatted up I was overcome by a strange power that weakened my stubborn resistance to his dark will. I hate that I loved what he was doing to me, and that it caused an itch of inclination to do as he asked simply because I found his company and overall being alluring enough to kill for.

I'm not that kind of woman! I will not be swayed by a pretty face! I told myself as I tried to shake off the charm.

"Maybe if I'm bored enough." I said with a shrug.

"Heh. Yes, well... that is one of my favorite ways of dealing with boredom." He replied with an airy chuckle. "Now... as much as I love the refreshingly pleasant avenue our conversation has turned into, I'm afraid I must take my leave. There are important matters that I must tend to, and you should try to get some rest."

"Well I do appreciate the offer and the lovely gift, Mr. LaChance. As a token my appreciation-" I walked over to the large bag made of repurposed sack cloth near my bedroll to fetch a purse of chocolate candy and returned with it held up to him. "-take this for the road. It's not much, I know, but it's the only luxury I've been able to afford lately. It's not enough to thank you for the dagger, but perhaps for being the first individual I've had the pleasure of talking to in a long time."

"Uh..." The Speaker froze and stared at the purse with the most peculiar look on his face I never would've expected someone to give a simple cluster of sweets. He then looked up from the purse and into my eyes with what looked like quiet suspicion before taking the gift and chuckling under his breath. "On the contrary, my dear... you have given more than you know."

What does he mean by this? I wondered.

He didn't explain, and I didn't bother to ask, because my want for sleep grew stronger than my curiosity.

"Thank you, Ms. Ale'Zandre." He said with a warm smile while clutching the purse tightly. "I bid you farewell and safe travels, and I do hope that we meet again soon."

Using an invisibility spell, he vanished from sight, leaving me with a head filled to the brim with contemplation over what I considered a fateful decision. I couldn't help feeling like I was teetering on the edge of the straight and narrow, about to alter my alignment completely, even though I knew better than to think of it that way.

I am currently at the Faregyl Inn, jotting everything down at the desk of the room I rented. I've traveled south on the green road, as instructed, minutes away from my destination. Yet I am still not sure if I am going to go through with this. It'll mean that I have sealed my alliance with the Dark Brotherhood.

THE DARK BROTHERHOOD!

No more than fourteen months ago I didn't even dare to dream of giving this a second of thought.

What exactly do I hope to find within this guild? Maybe what I've never found among 'honest' ones. Maybe I want to see if they are truly like a family. Maybe I am in dire need of a new horizon or a purpose beyond killing for entertainment. Most likely all of the above and then some.

Another long day of traveling and weighing options has exhausted me. Time to turn in for the night.

(End of P1)