A/N Here's the next chappy. Thanks to my reviewers chausettes et chauseurs and melliemellie. You guys keep me going. =)
Chapter 2
I stood in darkness, blade in my hand. I saw a lake near me, but as I moved closer, I realised that the lake was filled with blood. Hooded figures lay all around, their blood spilling into said lake.
Then, I was running; what was chasing me, I don't know. The only thing I was conscious of was the presence besides me, as we ran.
We mounted our horses and continued onwards to an unknown location.
I found myself kneeling in a farmhouse, despairing over the body strung from the ceiling.
~{::}~
I awoke, and was about to move when I sensed a presence near me.
I feigned a dream to turn myself over, in order to see who was watching me. I opened my eyes just a crack, revealing a hooded, robed figure moving towards my 'sleeping' figure. As he lent over me, I removed my dagger from where I hid it underneath the pillow and pinned the figure to the wall, my blade at his throat.
"You ruined my introduction," he said, amusement in his voice.
"Who are you?" I hissed as I increased the pressure of the blade against his neck.
"I am Lucien Lachance, Speaker of this Sanctuary. And you, you are a killer. A taker of life. A harvester of souls. Your work, you death craft, pleases the Night Mother. And so I have come here with an offer. An opportunity to join our most... unique family. Now if you will sheath your blade so that we can be more civilized, I will tell you more."
I did as he said, but when my blade, Heart's Woe, slid into its cover, I felt him move ever so slightly.
He then pushed me to the floor, attempting to get the vantage point, but I was ready for him. I quickly slipped around and again pressed Heart's Woe into his neck again. At first, surprise showed in his eyes, but it soon turned to humour.
He laughed.
"Well done! You will make a fine addition to our family."
I allowed him to stand and followed Lachance to the table in the common room.
"Sit, and I will tell you what you must do.," he said in a businesslike tone. I did as he asked "You must first perform a task. Along the Green Road, north of Bravil, lies the Inn of Ill Omen. There, you will find a man by the name of Rufio. He is an old man, his body frail, and he sleeps his days away. You could kill him before he woke, if you so chose. In whatever way you wish, kill him, and your initiation into the 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. Please accept this token from the Dark Brotherhood. It is a virgin blade, and thirsts for blood. May it serve you well, as does your silence," he smiled and handed me a gold decorated dagger.
"I would suggest you leave immediately, before Gogron returns from his contract. Otherwise, you may find yourself with a few broken ribs."
After he left, I sat there, wondering how I would get to the Inn.
When did I agree to do this?
I fingered the blade, turning it in the light. I examined the inscription. It read: 'Blade of Woe.'
I tied the blade's sheath to my belt and turned to leave.
"I see our Speaker has presented you with a task," Teinaava was walking towards me from the Training Room.
"Yes, I'm to kill a man named Rufio."
Why do I trust these people? For all I know, they will murder me because I killed their Brother.
"Do not worry, child, they will not attack you. I have told you this already, and yet you still mistrust," my Spirit sounded amused.
"Have fun!" his face lit up with his toothy Argonian grin. "Oh, I just remembered. The items you had left in the Newlands Lodge are now in the chest below your bed.
"Thanks," I smiled back. I was still wary, despite the friendliness they have shown me so far, and the advice my Spirit gave me. I could not shake my dream, and the armour Teinaava wore looked a lot like that of the bodies in my vision.
Could it be another warning?
~{::}~
It took me a few days, but I eventually arrived at the inn.
It was a cloudless midnight, icy and shrouded in shadow.
And it now decides to be clear skies. Why couldn't you be like this while I was travelling, you stupid weather. Why must you always rain when I'm on the road?
Darkness cloaked me as I entered, my leather armour making no sound as I crept to the trapdoor leading to the long-term guest rooms, where I assumed Rufio would be.
Upon entering, I cast a detect life spell, and soon discovered where he was sleeping.
I unsheathed the Blade of Woe as I stole into his room. I hesitated not when I sliced the dagger across his neck.
His eyes opened and looked at me fearfully. I laughed softly.
"The Night Mother awaits you," I whispered.
Why was I not feeling remorse? I only felt pride.
And pleasure? No, it can't be, can it?
I snapped out of my thoughts with the realization that morning would be coming soon, and who knows what will happen to me if they find me here.
As silently as I came, I left, running down the road to the nearest inn.
By that time, the sun had pushed the darkness away and was sitting on the horizon, shining lazily on the sign stating that this was Faregyl Inn.
I bought a room for ten gold, and upon entering, I almost immediately collapsed on the bed.
This time, I didn't react so aggressively towards him when he appeared at the foot of my bed. I simply stood and waited for him to speak.
"So, the deed is done. How do I know this? You will find that the Dark Brotherhood knows a great many things, for you are now part of the family," Lucien Lachance said, eyes gleaming. "Now, heed these words. The slaying of Rufio was the signing of a covenant; the manner of execution, your signature; Rufio's blood, the ink. As a Speaker for the Black Hand, I directly oversee a particular group of family members. You will join that group, and fulfil any contracts given. You must now go to the city of Cheydinhal, to the abandoned house near the eastern wall. Enter the basement, and attempt to open the black door. You will be asked a question. Answer thusly: 'Sanguine, my Brother'. You will gain entrance to the Sanctuary. Once inside, speak with Ocheeva. You are now one with the Dark Brotherhood. Visit Ocheeva and your new life will begin."
"What exactly is the Dark Brotherhood?" I asked, hungering for more information.
"Have you not heard of the Dark Brotherhood? Of the remorseless guild of paid assassins and homicidal cutthroats? Join us and you'll find the Dark Brotherhood all that and so much more. We are, more than anything, a union of like-minded individuals. We kill for profit, for enjoyment, and for the glory of the Dread Father Sithis. We are a family, with bonds forged in blood... and death," his voice had a slight growl to it, one that I could listen to for hours on end.
"Who is Sithis?" I had thought I was versed in all the gods outside of the Nine, but I had never heard of him.
"How best to describe our Dread Father?" he was silent for a moment. Then he continued in a low voice:
"Imagine a perfect, cloudless midnight, cold as winter ice and shrouded in shadow. That is Sithis."
I gasped slightly. He described the night of the murder perfectly.
Was Sithis watching me, helping me, as I took a life for him?
"I'm afraid that we must now take our leave of each other, you and I, for there is much work to be done. I'll be following your... progress. Welcome to the family." He met my gaze, his deep brown eyes staring seemingly into my soul. My heart skipped a beat. He suddenly disappeared into thin air, his slight smile, being the last thing I saw, was burned into my mind, to be forever remembered.
I cast my Detect Life spell, and briefly caught a glimpse of a purple life force moving toward the door before it disappeared into the night.
~{::}~
I finally reached Cheydinhal, but this time it was only a two day travel, as I stole the guard's horse from the Inn of Ill Omen.
I made sure to check for the watch before I crept into the abandoned house. I briefly explored the place, observing the broken pillars of wood, strewn on the floor, the collapsed chests, the shattered chairs and tables, before sneaking to the cellar.
"What is the colour of night?" the door asked me when confronted by it.
"Sanguine, my Brother," I replied smoothly.
"Welcome home," it said as it swung open, revealing a red-lit hallway leading to the Sanctuary.
"Welcome back, Sister," Ocheeva greeted me as I entered. "I hope you will think of this Sanctuary as your home, a place of comfort and security whenever the need arises. Meet with Vicente when you're ready for your first contract. But before you go, please accept this gift from your new family. A unique set of armour, lighter than normal leather and as black as the void," she handed me a folded set of black armour. I could see the slight glow of enchantment pulsating off it.
I smiled as I accepted the armour.
"Eveandril, it is good to see you!" Talaendril came towards me, arms outstretched. I soon found myself in a sisterly embrace. "You have come in good time. All the Family is here, even Gogron, whom we didn't expect until next week. Speak of Dagon, here he comes."
I saw a massive Orc in daedric armour blundered around the corner.
"So this must be the new Sister Ocheeva was talking about!"
I felt my ribs strain as he caught me in a huge bear-hug.
"Gogron! Let her go! We don't want her injured before she's even started!" Talaendril laughed.
As soon as he let go, I breathed deeply, only to have to cough it out as he pummelled me in the back with his head-sized hands.
"I'm Gogron gro-Bolmog. You must be Eveandril," he said in a deep, booming voice that all Orcs have.
"Pleased to meet you," I said, slightly breathless.
"Is this the one that killed ol' Kim? Good on ya! He needed someone to put him in his place."
"I thought everyone would be furious at his death," I had finally asked the question that was plaguing me all this time.
"We dislike losing a Brother or Sister, but in his case, he would have been killed eventually, by either a contract, or by breaking the Tenets for the last time. He was a scourge in our Sanctuary, always revealing secrets of the Brotherhood while on Skooma or drunk on ale," Talaendril told me.
"Well, how's about we give you the run-down on this place? I'm sure you haven't met us all already!" Gogron laughed.
"Lead on," I followed Gogron and Talaendril into the door on the right.
The Training Room, as Gogron needlessly pointed out, had many wooden practice dummies, two hay targets for archery, and a target on wood for spell practice.
Ah good! I will be able to practice my lacking magic and hand to hand skills.
There was a Khajiit in the corner, reading a book about destruction spells. He looked up and scowled at me.
"If it isn't the newest member of the family. Let's get one thing straight: the Tenets prevent me from killing you. But I don't have to like you. I'll sell you equipment, but only because Ocheeva is making me. This family doesn't need any…outsiders," the Khajiit spat at me before standing and striding out of the room.
"What's his problem?" I asked Gogron when we left the Training Room.
"Ah, he's just a sour puss!" Gogron laughed heartily," Ya' get it? Sour puss!"
"He's always been funny with new comers," Talaendril punched Gogron affectionately in the arm.
I followed them further, towards the corridor at the end of the Common Room.
"That's Ocheeva's room and down there's Vee's domain," Gogron said with a big sweep of the arm.
While walking back to the dorms, a golden-haired Breton came through the door.
She squealed with delight and smothered me in an affectionate hug.
"It is so good to have another Sister! I'm Antoinetta Marie," she let go of me, but was still smiling excitedly.
"Okay, Antoinetta, I think our new Sister needs some rest. Can you keep your excitement down for a few hours?" Talaendril just managed to maintain a straight face, but I could see a smile threatening to break out.
A/N Thanks for reading! OMG! SKYRIM COMES OUT ON FRIDAY! =D =D
