"Recruits are so difficult to find now, like trying to find a needle in a haystack. So hard to find potential in our fine art. But before, when I was a recruit, they were as easy to acquire as that damned Lusty Argonian Maid book."
"Yes, not only are they difficult to find but difficult to keep. After one contract they either get caught or killed. No talent."
Amaeri grabbed two goblets along with a wine bottle from the cupboards along the wall. She set them on the table in the middle of her room and gestured a cup to Mateus, there was no doubt that he wouldn't refuse. No one could refuse a way to dull the problems these days, it's better to just forget and relax rather than fix the problems on the doorstep. She poured the deep, rich blood red wine into both goblets about half full. She was already running low from the amount of consumption in the past month. Her migraines and headaches were dulled until someone else could take care of this ongoing shortage of initiates.
"Maybe training is necessary when the new recruits arrive. Then we wouldn't be sending them to their doom."
"And who has time for training Mateus? Our schedules are busy enough with the low levels of assassins and we each have more than double the contracts a week!" Amaeri rubbed her temple and rested her elbow on the table. She hadn't meant to snap, but the truth is everyone is exhausted.
"I understand, we're all tired. But just consider if we took the extra time, then eventually this much work would disappear as more and more initiates take over contracts. Then we'd be able to sit back once again and let them take the easier jobs." Mateus leaned back on his chair with his hands behind his head, a mock "relaxing" position. He seemed to disregard the Speakers grumpiness and maintained his composed stature with his nonchalant grin and his gleaming brown eyes.
Amaeri grinned as well, opening her eyes to look up at him. "And that's why you're my Silencer."
They shared silence and a moment of appreciation for their strong friendship. The faint dark spots under their eyes and groggy complexions from overworking which they never expected showed the amount of work placed in to keep the sanctuary going. They had been through much sorrow and stressful events but they stuck together and reassured each other for the Family and the sake of the Dark Brotherhood. After a moment of peace, Amaeri spoke. "I hired another one last night."
Mateus looked at Amaeri's eyes but they faced the table, her head rested on her hand. He never realized the red lines that began to form in the white around the pupil. It saddened him to see the Speaker so run down. He thought for a moment then responded.
"Do you believe in...?" He searched her face for an answer.
"Her. Yes. She is loyal and she will prevail where those have failed with the help of Sithis. I do believe." Mateus stared hard at her, and no sign of lies or delay were present. Amaeri trusted this new girl firmly, whoever she was. No longer did they care for the initiates acts, but if the kills are clean and well done.
"Well then... Tell me more."
"Her name is Avis. Tanned complexion of an Imperial with brown eyes and a narrow face and full cheeks. And her hair." She chuckled. "Was a complete mess when she woke up. But she fixed it up and it was the frizziest bundle I'd seen. She's also trustworthy, she worried and thought carefully as far as I could tell. And she obeyed, but I could see a glance of anger in her. Rules are her downfall, she does not like to be pushed around. It is what drove her to murder her parents."
"Another parent- daughter trouble case. Hm, we saw how the last one played out."
"No, she is humble. She'll still do as she's told. As long as she has respect and trust in her superior, she will follow."
Mateus felt a surge of pride in Amaeri. No one was like her, so thorough in her examinations. And her judgements were keen and true, every time. He laughed and downed his glass before placing it down and standing. "And this is why you are Speaker."
