Disclaimer: I do not own anything having to do with The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

Written by Holly Mitchell (Zhar The Mad)

Co-written by Bruce Mitchell

Chapter 4: The Prelude to Bloodshed

"Ready for your first contract, little one?" a man asked Reign, he wasn't fully visible.

She didn't remember ever meeting him "Vincente?"

He emerged from his corner. She recoiled slightly, noting to herself that his facial features were disturbing.

The vampire picked up on her defensiveness "Don't be alarmed by my appearance. My needs for thirst come second to the loyalty I hold for my Brothers and Sisters. Even if you do smell delectable."

"That doesn't make me feel any better, you know." she grimaced "So. You were saying something about me and a contract?"

"Yes," he seemed to feel awkward "the one should be fairly easy for the Grand Champion of the Arena." he handed her a small piece of paper.

"How did you know about that?" she eyed him cautiously, taking the paper.

"I am an information gatherer of sorts." he grinned.

She casually studied the paper "Imperial City's Waterfront… Assassinate Pirate Captain Gaston Tussaud…Ship's name is Marie Elena... East of the docks of the Waterfront district… Sounds easy enough."

Reign arrived at the Waterfront just after sunset. There crew members guarding every inch of the ship. "Well damn. How am I supposed to get inside without them noticing me?" then she remembered skimming over a part in the note that said something about them loading large crates onto the ship at night. She moved stealthily under the shadows of the dock and found an opened crate. She got inside the crate and loosely closed the lid.

A few hours later, she heard whispers around her. Their words weren't clear enough for her to discern what they were saying. It sounded like they were moving the crates near her.

"This one hasn't been shut yet." She heard one of them say. The voice sounded as if it was right above her. She was afraid they were going to open the crate and find her. Instead, the crate was lifted off the ground and she was carried away. Keeping balance inside the crate was much harder than she initially thought. She had to slowly shift her weight to keep them from realizing someone was inside it. The most difficult part was distributing the right amount of weight to all sides while they put the crate on the ground.

"We'll just nail it shut once we finish loading everything else." another one said.

Reign drew a sigh of relief. She waited almost half an hour before emerging from her hiding place. She moved swiftly from storage room to the captain's deck. 'Good, he's asleep.' She thought to herself as she unsheathed her dagger. She slit his throat and made her leave. She silently moved passed two crew members on the deck then two more once she set foot on solid ground. 'Wow, this is easy! 'she felt exhilarated. To her, it was almost fun.

Upon returning, Vincente congratulated her for a swift return. "Here is your cut of the pay, Little one. I have another contract for you. Let me know when you want to take it."

"Actually, I'd like to take a break for right now."

"Do as you please." Vincente said.

Reign walked around aimlessly in Cheydinhal until nightfall. She still had the adrenalin from earlier pumping through her veins, she couldn't figure out a way to release it. So, she decided the best way to kill the pain would be to over dose on it. She climbed a nearby tree and waited for her prey. A short wait later, she spotted a Breton beggar. She readied her bow and checked around one last time for any witnesses. Reign released the string and the arrow soared through the thick night air, piercing straight through the heart of its target. She jumped down from her hiding spot and destroying any evidence that could be tracked back to her.

Someone roughly grabbed her by the arm, spinning her around. "Reign, what do you think you're doing?!"

"Lucien-" She began.

"Shit," he pulled her behind a building, as soon as they crouched, a guard passed by dangerously close to them. He spotted the beggar that Reign had just slain. Lucien took her hand and pulled her with him. They ran out into the open towards the East gate.

"Lucien! Don't you think we should be a tad discrete? I mean, I just killed somebody and we're out in public now?!"

The only form of retort Lucien showed was gripping her hand tighter and tighter.

"Okay, okay! I'll shut up! Ow, that hurts!"

He took her back to his humble –and I mean humble- abode; Fort Farragut. Lucien practically collapsed on his bed, rubbing his temples.

"You're mean." She crossed her arms, standing over him.

"And you're an imbecile!" He yelled at the top of his lungs, standing to his feet.

She recoiled "What did I do?"

"The way of the Dark Brotherhood is not to kill innocent people!" he explained.

"He wasn't 'innocent'; he was a worthless beggar!" she argued.

He turned around; grabbing his hair "I'm dealing a dimwit!"

"Explain to me what I've done wrong!" she grabbed his shirt.

He exhaled deeply "Okay… Do you understand the difference between right and wrong?"

"No… You know I've lost most of my memory."

"In our eyes (the Brotherhood), it is wrong to kill people that aren't proven malevolent in some way."

"But isn't it evil to kill people in general?" she tilted her head.

"Yes, in most cases. But we are assassins. We are paid to kill beings that have wronged others."

"What if-"

He covered her mouth "Sh, you're quite possibly the first person that has given me a headache. What did I tell you about antagonizing me? Now, get some rest. You can stay here for the night."

She yawned "I am quite tired. But where will I sleep?"

"I have work to do. You may sleep in my bed." He sat in his chair and began on his experiments.

Reign stretched then fell back on the bed "It's not the most comfortable, but it will do." She mumbled to herself.

"Remember where you've slept before and be thankful. Also, at the Sanctuary everyone shares their beds. So if there are 20 people living there, then at least 20 people have slept in any given bed."

"That's kinda gross. How many people have slept in this bed?" she tactfully chose her words.

He smirked "Yes, you're special. You are the only person I've even let sleep in my bed."

"Really?" her eyes got all big like she was five years old again.

"You can't go back to town for a few days because of your little… excursion."

"Oh. I wish I could remember how to feel things other than hatred and pain..." She pouted, her thoughts wandered as she gave in to tiredness "I wish I could remember how it feels to be loved and to love…" she yawned as her eyelids started feeling heavier "It'll come to me eventually, I suppose. Good night, Lucien. If you go to sleep I hope you have pleasant dreams." her eyelids began to flutter shut.

Lucien leaned over his desk, leaning his head on his fist 'She may be naïve, but she is quite possibly the most adorable and kindhearted person I have ever met.' He shook his head, he refused to believe those words just came from his mind.