I was certainly not with desired company. They had allowed my entry with caution—one wrong move on my part was all the incentive needed for the slitting of my throat. In hindsight, it wasn't at all worth the gold. If only I'd had some foresight.
It wasn't too difficult to see the justice behind the Brotherhood's cause; want someone dead, have someone kill them. But this wasn't my place. I wasn't being welcomed as family; I was given admission for the sole purpose of avoiding a swift death. The bastard elf from the College was the one person whose death by my hand would in no way nag at my conscience, and words could not describe my anxiousness to do so.
Still, I'd made it so far unscathed. Not Astrid nor any of the other members suspected anything, not yet. For all they knew, Norn was dead. In all honesty, I couldn't help but think, even if for but a moment, that he might've been more trouble than he was worth. If I'd simply grown a backbone and killed him as instructed, I could have avoided the necessity to cover it up.
But at the same time… something made me believe I'd done the right thing. Maybe it was stupidity, maybe it was something greater—he was a nice enough fellow, if a little bit naïve. Besides, I understand myself well enough to know that I couldn't kill someone for no good reason. That led me to think, however; he had made a surprisingly good point before, about why he was the target. Was it true that he had angered someone so much as to invoke the Brotherhood?
I didn't know, but I supposed I was about to find out. I approached the door for the third time. A skeletal figure laid on its foundation, the telltale symbol of the Brotherhood. Again the voice behind asked its question.
"Silence, my brother."
And again it bid me welcome.
All seemed as empty for a few moments. No sound anywhere except for the faintest of breezes from outside.
Even when I realized a presence to my right, even when I noticed that the silence was purposeful, there was no sound, not even from me.
"Welcome back."
I stayed silent as Astrid approached, swaying her hips ever so slightly. If she was talking to me, it would have purpose. And if it had a purpose, I wanted her to say it as quickly as possible.
"Pulling the quiet card again, I see. Fine, I don't think there's much to say." She drew a hand underneath my chin as she continued.
"You didn't do as instructed."
My heart seemed to trip over its own pace and then continued running at breakneck speeds.
"Neck Nettles. Very clever, cat. I wouldn't have expected you to be so… keen." I swallowed hard and hoped she didn't notice, lest she catch onto my fear.
"My apologies." I said guiltily. She only chuckled knowingly.
"It is not you I'm upset with. It's that fool elf… Darenvir," she said with a hiss.
"He should know better than to be so open to strangers. To give invitation to the Brotherhood and reveal our location over a petty sack of coins? Idiocy.
"Anyhow. It's not surprising that someone like you didn't so readily opt to killing. I don't blame you. Though in spite of that, you remained faithful. I find that impressive." At this my muscles loosened up. She was getting at something important.
"And you aren't going to kill me?" There was a moment of pause as Astrid tilted her head left and then right, as though considering my question.
"Ah… I suppose not. I thought it obvious that I'd be glad you didn't rat us out the first chance you got. Better, you tried harder than any old newcomer would to succeed at your task—and just between you and me, you almost had me fooled. That's worthy of my respect."
"…Thank you." I tried to sound as sincere as possible, though it was a little hard to be flattered by earning the respect of a murdering guild's leader.
"As for your debt… consider it repaid. You've all but proven yourself in my eyes, and it wasn't exactly my intention to get you wrapped up with us in the first place. However…" she paused for a moment and drew close, forcing me back a few steps.
"I assume I can trust you with the location of our headquarters?" It took me a bit to register her words as I bit my lip, then I nodded vigorously.
"Yes, of course. I'm no fool."
"Watch the tongue, cat. But yes, good. You know what happens when you break our little promise. You may go." I held a hand out as she began to turn, and she paused.
"Something else?"
"Norn. Who wanted him dead?" I asked quickly. Astrid let out a small laugh that emitted an odd wave of condescendence.
"I wouldn't be the one to ask. It's not your place to know. That would be under normal circumstances, of course.
"I suppose it was only a matter of time until the question came up. Don't you get it, though? Maybe he's innocent, maybe he's a criminal. I wouldn't know. But as long as one gets the job done, whoever dies doesn't really matter." Astrid brushed her fingers through her dirty hair and crossed her arms, smiling again.
"I've said too much already. This is your home no longer; off with you." I couldn't help feeling at least a little less uncomfortable around her now.
"My thanks. Perhaps one day we'll meet again. Preferably under more friendly circumstances." I turned and began to walk to the door. However, it was her turn to stop my leave.
"If you'd wish to join the family, you've already proven your mettle. Come back when you decide."
I stopped for but a moment, thinking thoughts one should probably not think, and left without another word.
