I slowly open my eyes my head is pounding and the ground is hard on my back. My eyes look at a hand maid roof of a shack. When did I get here? Am I still in the Rift? My nose becomes bombarded with the smell of blood, finally my ears ring in with the sounds of moans and grunts. I slowly start standing up the shack around me looked to be abandoned, the furniture was broken and the place was unkept. My eyes slowly linger around the room taking cautious note of where I am. My eyes suddenly dart to a bookshelf, on top of the book shelf sat a women her stature was far more dangerous then anyones I have ever seen. Dressed in pitch black and crimson red she stat her green eyes pierced against her cowl.
"Sleep well?" A raspy voice starts
"Where am I? Who are you?" I begin grabbing my daedric sword out of the sheath, pointing the tip towards the women sitting atop of the book shelf. She replies with a soft chuckle.
"Does it matter? You're warm. dry… and still very much alive. That's more than can be said for old Grelod. Hmm?" she pauses almost as if it was for dramatic affect before she continues.
"Half of Skyrim knows. Old hag gets butchered in her own orphanage? Things like that tend to get around. Oh, but don't misunderstand. I'm not criticizing. It was a good kill. Old crone had it coming. And you saved a group of urchins, to boot. Ah, but there is a slight… problem. You see, that little Aretino boy was looking for the Dark Brotherhood. For me, and my associates. Grelod the kind was, by all rights, a Dark Brotherhood contract. A kill… that you stole. A kill you must repay." She pauses she motions with her eyes that it is now my turn to speak.
"Look, I never went back to collect the award if you want it go ahead and take it. I just hope you would spare the life of that kid. He's kinda grown on me." I reply she looks at me her eyes saying that what I am offering is something she doesn't want.
"Alright, clearly you must not be worried about the payment, Is there something you would like?" I ask waiting for her answer
"Well now. Funny you should ask. If you turn around, you'll notice my guests. I've 'collected' them from… well, that's not really important. The here and now. That's what matters you see there's a contract out on one of them, and that person can't eace this room alive. But… which one? Go on, see if you can figure it out. Make your choice. Make your kill. I just want to observe… and admire." She coos slowly moving her arm to point towards the other side of the shack. I slowly turn around the grip on my sword tighten. Bound and blindfolded sat three 'Victums' one a smothering old man who was crying like a baby. Rare for a nord especially one of his apparent strength they are generally men of great strength. A women was bound beside him constantly muttering threats towards the unknown villain. The way she spoke and the ungraceful tone of her voice I could easily imagine why someone wanted her dead. The final one was a Khajiit by the look of his dress he was considered high class. His fur was nice and clean and by the look of it his claws were kept. I take out my sword and decapitate the cat his blood splattering against the floor. I followed the same pattern with the women and the Nord.
Once finished I turn towards the women who was now standing behind me rather then being perched on top go the shelf.
"Well… Aren't we an over achiever… I've got to ask… Why all three?" She says staring at the bodies on the floor.
"I know how this works if I didn't kill them you would have. Figured I would save you the trouble and the next time I steal one of your kills we wont have to meet in such a… less then favourable encounter." I smirk
"Actually I quiet enjoyed our first encounter" I stair at her blankly until she removed her mask. The women in Riften who met me when I was only in a towel.
"You're one of the maids at the Bee and Barb… Wait a minute did you poison me just so you could get me here… or was that Vex because it is something she would do if she was pissed at me… " Learnt that lesson very well…
"No, that was me… You're quiet smart to figure out how it went down so quickly. I prefer to go by Astrid and my apology's for interfering on you and your girlfriend." She gloated extending her hand.
"No girlfriend, quiet single actually… it's a complicated relationship between her and me. I go by Daedra however most of the Nords refer to me as Dovakiin or Dragonborn…I don't care how you call me, I answer to almost anything." I reply
"Obedient aren't we?" She asks her voice ripping through to my heart.
"I can be dominant but I could never say no to a pretty face." I go to touch her when she backs off.
"Well,… I have a family you would be quiet interested in… In Falkreath hold… just below prying eyes lies my sanctuary. I think you would be a great addition to our little family." She leans close with our lips just inches away.
"I'll see you at home." She says in a sultry voice before slipping out the door. During the time it took me to get out of the shack she was no where in sight.
