After spending most of the previous night in my quarters, reading and drinking, I soon fell asleep. I had a dream of my real parents,
of them fading into the void that is Sithis, and soon after consuming them started after me. I didn't believe in Sithis. I used his name to
frighten my victims before I ended their life, but in this dream Sithis felt like a cold icy grip caressing my body
slowly starting from my toes and the tip of my tail, until it began to wrap around my neck. Right before the darkness enveloped me, I awoke.
It wasn't startled awake or even stressed into consciousness. My eyes opened, and I felt my body in my warm bed. I awoke slowly and comfortably.
Soon after, I heard Kiseena come to the outside of my door and knock. She did this every morning after I awoke, normally to ask me to come
converse with her, about her latest or current contract, over Moon Sugar Tea.
"Meet with me in the mess hall, Amuei," Kiseena called.
How does she always know when I wake?
"Just a moment," I called back to her.
"And put on your good armor," I heard her say faintly as she walked away.
Good armor? The one for special occasions?
Heeding her word, I adorned my rarely used, Dark Brother Shadow Armor and headed to the mess hall.
Entering the room I first noticed that it was empty aside from two figures at the far end of one of the tables, one being Kiseena, the other
a fully cloaked figure I had never met before. Though Kiseena and this shrouded figure faced me, I couldn't make out whether this other person
was a man or woman. I closed the door behind me and began to walk slowly forward. As I neared them the hooded figure pulled out the chair
at the head of the table and motioned a pale hand towards it.
"Have a seat Amuei," the cloaked figure said slowly.
The cloaked figure spoke with a smooth deep voice that could obviously only come from a man who seemed to not speak often, though he spoke
with confidence.
"Please," he asked, as if he sensed my uncertainty.
I looked to Kiseena for some answers, but her face was expressionless.
"What's this about?" I asked as I sat in the chair.
"Amuei, this Balieth Ledro, The Listener of The Dark Brotherhood, and he has asked specifically for you," Kiseena explained.
"The Listener? Wants to speak with me? And you're him?" I stammered.
I didn't doubt that this cloaked figure was indeed our listener, The Listener, more just the fact that he wanted to talk to me. After all I
didn't choose this life, it was thrown in my face since the day I was born. Granted I enjoyed the killing, thats who I was, but that was all
I was, a simple murderer who enjoyed taking life. The Dark Brotherhood has been the only place I could continue my lifestyle with sanctuary and
thats all I saw this murderous guild as, so what would The Listener of all people want with me?
"Amuei, you are young correct?" Balieth pondered aloud.
"Yes, I'm twen-" I started.
"Yes, you are so I'll be forward with you as I'm sure you patience is beginning to wear thin," Balieth interrupted.
Who does this guy think he is?
Balieth continued, "Kiseena has been trying to reach me for some time now to discuss your murderous cravings."
I looked to Kiseena as find answers in her expression again as to why she might tell him such things, but her attention was fully focused on
Balieth as he spoke.
"What about my cravings?" I asked nervously.
Balieth paused for a moment before he spoke, as if to gather his thoughts.
"Well, someone in my position could help you fulfill those urges," he paused again, this time longer than before, "And someone in my position
could also use some help."
"What are you getting at Balieth?" I said, frustrated.
I noticed Kiseena glance in my direction, but by the time I could return the look, she had composed herself back into her attentiveness on
The Listener. She knew what was to come next.
Balieth started again,"I apologize, I suppose I will have to be more blatant than I thought. Kiseena has asked me to help you satisfy your
homicidal intent and in return I will take you as my underling, a squire if you will. That is if you are willing to accept."
My mind began racing.
What would it be like to serve The Listener? Would I finally be happy? What more could I learn from him?
"You set this up, Kiseena?" I asked in disbelief.
This time she looked directly at me and smiled, "Yes, Amuei, I know you have been unsatisfied with the recent contracts I've been giving you,
but, truth is I've been giving you the best contracts this sanctuary can provide. I know you will have a better chance at being happy traveling
Tamriel and taking on higher profile contracts. I've done all I can for you, and this is my last gift to you."
I knew I had to take the opportunity. I also knew I should feel happy, or sad, or thankful, that I should feel something other than nothing.
In that moment I did the only normal thing I could think of doing. I stood slowly, walked over to Kiseena, and hugged her. She held me for what
seemed like too long and when we departed our embrace she wiped the tears from the fur around her eyes.
"I take it this means your answer is yes?" Balieth broke the silence.
"Yes," I stated coldly.
"Very good. I will be resting here in the sanctuary for the remainder of the day and we shall depart just before nightfall," Balieth said as he
began walking towards the door to the main hall.
"Go! You'd better prepare yourself to be on the road for the next few days," Kiseena said as she ushered me off excitedly.
Though I felt no happiness yet, I had hope that if I took this path, that it would soon come. As well as many more deaths by my hand.