Chapter Four
"Where did you leave your horse?" Lucien asks, stroking Shadowmere's neck affectionately. It is a question of genuine interest. He could not detect any sign of another horse while Arabella followed him around all that time.
"I do not need a horse," she says, pride apparent in her voice. "I can turn myself into a bird, if necessary."
Lucien nods his understanding. He begins to see why the Night Mother showed so much interest in Arabella. She will be a valuable asset to him, and to the Brotherhood as long as he serves the guild.
"How long can you do that without tiring yourself out?"
"Same with the invisibility spell. Three to four hours at a time. After that, I like to have a bit of rest." Her tone slightly falters towards the end. She wonders whether he would ever look at her the same way she looks at him.
Lucien is impressed. Even as his magicka is superior to that of any in the Brotherhood, he can only achieve invisibility for half an hour. Even then, it renders him weak. Arabella's magical ability is far superior to his own. But this is not the time to admire her talent and strength. He needs to assess her power accurately; he has to know its limits. He mounts Shadowmere and stretches out his hand to her.
"Ride with me," he says, looking down at her confused face. "I need to drop by my sanctuary. It is not a long way for you. Nevertheless, time is short, and I need you to be near me."
She doesn't need his hand to mount the mare, but takes it. Any lingering sense of apprehension she feels towards her hopeless situation is quite forgotten. As Shadowmere quickens her pace, Arabella wraps her arms tightly around Lucien's torso, perhaps tighter than necessary. He notices it, but does not tell her to loosen the grip. Even though he will not admit it, there is a growing need inside him to feel comfort and warmth from another.
During Arabella's revelation, he has seen a disturbing image of himself meeting a traitor's death. Just how close he was heading towards that direction has shaken him. He feels quite alone. He has somehow learned to live with that feeling, even found satisfaction in it at times. However, this loneliness is more troublesome than anything he felt before. It disturbs him to think that the Unholy Matron told the then Listener to recruit Bellamont. It pains him to remember that the Lady refused Ungolim's request to identify the traitor. Despite all his devotion and hard work, he realises, he means very little to either Sithis or the Night Mother.
"Can you throw any other spell while you are invisible or your shape is changed?" Lucien breaks the comfortable silence.
"I wish I could," she replies, without raising her head from his shoulder. She does not want to lose the feel of contentment. "I need to change back into my usual form before making use of a different spell. Are you disappointed?"
"I didn't think you could. I just wanted to make sure there wouldn't be any major surprises left. You have already impressed me more than you could imagine."
She smiles to his back. She has his approval, and that thought pleases her.
"Can you do any Destruction magic?"
"I can only cast four spells in that area. Damage Strength, Damage Fatigue, Damage Magicka, and Disintegrate Weapon. But what I do, I can do well." Arabella bites her lip nervously, waiting for his verdict.
Lucien is silent for a while, contemplating her abilities. She may be a powerful mage, but will make a pretty incompetent assassin. It seems obvious that her magical abilities were best suited to defense rather than attack. She's probably never killed before. On the other hand, she could render his enemies powerless, thereby giving him an opportunity to fight and defeat a large number of them at the same time. When staying together, they will make a formidable team.
"What must I do to please you?" she asks, afraid to detect any disappointment in his reply.
"I will tell you during the second part of our journey," he says, the warmth in his voice relaxing her once again. Lucien senses the change and smiles. She is his to command; he has her exclusive loyalty.
"You want me to take Antoinetta for this mission?" Vicente asks, somewhat appalled by the prospect of having her constant company. Although she won't be able to poison him through her cooking, her chatty nature will certainly give him a headache. He tries to comfort himself with the fact that she is a capable assassin.
"It makes a sense to the Black Hand," Lucien replies reflectively. "The oldest and the newest member conducting the research. I cannot name Bellamont as a traitor till I have firm evidence. There are a few members that he wrapped around his little finger."
Vicente closes his eyes for a brief moment to digest the information Lucien has given. He does not and needs not ask whether the source is reliable; he trusts enough the Imperial's intelligence and instincts. Besides, they do not have much to go on, except that they should genuinely carry out background check for all current and previous sanctuary members. That course of action is always available if the search of Bellamont's hideout turns out to be futile. A faint smile appears on his lips and spreads to his pale cheeks. It makes to him a perfect sense that the Anvil Speaker is in fact the traitor. Every piece of the puzzle finally falls into one complete picture.
"I guess Ocheeva will have to take over the training. She hasn't got much administration work to do at the moment, anyway. She should be pleased with some extra responsibilities," Vicente says, making a mental note that he needs to sharpen his blade before leaving the sanctuary. "How much have you told Antoinetta about the task?"
"Only things she needs to know at this point. She has been informed that she is helping you to obtain some vital information for the Brotherhood. Even the meager amount of knowledge she obtained with a promise that concerns your sensitive dietary needs," Lucien replies with a sparkle of laughter in his eyes. The happenings in his sanctuary often distract him in a good way.
Vicente nods gratefully. "I believe you want us to travel tonight?"
"As early as you can," Lucien confirms. He smiles at the thought that even the conniving Bellamont cannot be in two places at the same time. It is most likely that he will avoid heading to Anvil straight after the Black Hand meeting, trying his best to lure some of the members deeper into his web of deceit. His wretched home will be free from him at the time of Vicente's visit. "One more thing. I have instructed Ocheeva and others to vacate this sanctuary and move to the abandoned house outside the western wall till further notice."
"You suppose Bellamont will seek the help of the Imperial Legion?"
"Bellamont will be forced to act after the Hand meeting. It is best to be prepared for any move he may attempt in desperation. I will be expecting you at the West Weald Inn. You remember the place in Skingrad?"
"That is a fine inn with good food," the vampire comments favorably. "Antoinetta will certainly appreciate your choice."
"I believe we will have a cause to celebrate," Lucien says, pulling the hood over his head. "May Sithis be with you."
"What if I come across our mutual friend on the way to Skingrad?" Vicente asks, watching Lucien's figure dissolve into darkness.
A low laughter breaks out before a meditative whisper answers back. "Spare his life if you can. He owes me a word or two."
