A/N: Extra long chapter for an extra long wait? I'm sorry. I was traveling through Central America for a while and just..lost track of everything. Back for good now though, and with school starting again I'll be on a more stable schedule. Please see the note at the end of the chapter for an important question I have for you all!
Chapter 5: Stolen by Shadows
Sasuke walked with purpose among the remaining warriors, holding his head high despite spiraling thoughts. The sensation that came over him after they had killed the dragon was unlike anything he had ever experienced. The peaceful serenity had mostly dispersed, but left a trickle to beat along with his heart from deep in his chest. His pulse was still thready, his nerves rattled.
Sasuke scanned the crowd of grim faces around him, fighting to keep his exterior cool against the chaos that raced through his mind. He didn't know where he was, how he got here, nor did he have a plan of action for once they were finished with Whiterun. Things were getting more and more out of control, what little footing he had felt shaken. Sasuke felt a pull from his gut, a different one than he felt when he looked into Naruto's eyes from across the battlefield; it was uncertainty. A call, desire to know what had happened to his brother. He had to know, he had to find out what-
Sasuke took a breath.
Just because he was in a strange place for a strange reason did not mean he was out of control. He took another breath, doubling down on his pace towards Whiterun.
When the gates to the city allowed them entry, they were swarmed immediately. The people of Whiterun demanded to know if they were still in danger, what happened to the dragon.
Irileth had nodded to Najada, permitting her to share the good news.
She raised her helmet once more, as she did on the battlefield, shouting to the masses with a flushed face. "We defeated the dragon!"
A deafening round of cheers erupted, and they enveloped the remaining soldiers. Each were clapped and kissed and praised, even Naruto and himself, which created a discomfort so profound the remaining spark of whatever magic had hit him on the battlefield died.
Irileth waited with agitation until the crowd began to die down. She called Najada over, instructing her and her team to disperse through the city. "Get me a list of all who died and prepare for the ceremony honoring their bravery. Replenish your weapons, fix your armor. See to it that everyone is healed."
Najada nodded curtly, and began shouting orders of her own. There were not many things that could shake a town full of Nords, Sasuke knew that much. Joy and relief played out across the many faces that passed him as the crowd raised cheers to the fallen soldiers, and to those who remained.
They followed behind the remaining procession up to Dragon's Keep, who dropped off in the center of town to presumably celebrate well into the evening.
The rest of Whiterun was empty, but not silent; the thrum of drums and the sound of song was carried on the chilly wind that wound between drained warriors as they trooped through the streets. Irileth's face was pinched in consternation, as though the festivities were personally offensive.
Again, they made their way up the tall steps to the Keep, for a fate yet to be determined by Balgruuf. Surely, for having saved the city, they would be released? Or would their successful servitude mark them as ideal soldiers for his pathetic militia?
Sasuke was jarred out of his thoughts by a cry so mighty the very earth shook. For a panicked moment, he thought the dragon had returned, but the sound was far too deep, lasting far too long. It came from all around them, pulsing with energy. Sasuke whipped around in search of the source, only to find that where the tremble failed to catch him off guard, it had succeeded with his companion. Sasuke watched with split second irritation as Naruto teetered on the edge of the steps before pitching off the side. Sasuke lunged and caught his wrist before the idiot could fall to his death, and was about to say something just as snide when he felt it. The clap of their skin against skin sent a jolt of electricity through him so intense he felt all of his muscles tighten. His back arched with the spasm and jerked Naruto towards him, away from the edge. He couldn't let go of Naruto's forearm, his hand cramping with the sensation. He couldn't speak, to demand what sort of trick this was, although from Naruto's intense, startled eyes it would not have done much good.
Sasuke was finally able to jerk his arm away and tear his eyes from Naruto's; people were staring at them.
"What was that?" Naruto breathed out, his voice still rattled.
Sasuke did not know if he was asking about the sound, or what had just happened between them. He did not answer.
"The Graybeards."
Sasuke turned to face Irileth. Her voice was firm, but her eyes were wide with shock. "You really are dragonborn."
Sasuke was left standing beside Naruto and the rest of the silent guards as Irileth turned quickly and shoved open the doors to Dragonsreach. They swung wide, revealing Jarl Balgruuf on his feet, stomping toward them.
"By the Gods, Irileth. The Graybeards?! Just what the hell is going on!" He shouted to her.
Irileth did not back down, but unflinchingly continued her path towards him. "Calm down, sir. The situation is under control."
"Under control?! There is a damned dragon in my realm, the Greybeards are calling, I have half a mind to-"
Irileth cut him off, short and stiff. "The dragon is dead."
This halted the Jarl's fury, relief flashing across his features. His eyes flicked from Irileth's stony ones, to the hardened expressions of the travelers. He seemed to lose steam, straightening the fur he wore across his chest.
"Well, you had better explain to me what happened. Come, so we may talk like civilized men."
Irileth inclined her head to Balgruuf, accepting his implied apology. Then she, the travelers, and the rest of the guard followed their Jarl into the great hall.
As they walked, the Jarl was briefed.
"The dragon was fought at the rubble of the Western Watchtower."
Their boots clacked against the stone floors in short, curt bursts that reverberated around the high ceiling.
"These two," Irileth jerked her pointed chin towards the two travelers, "Are responsible for its defeat. They fought with skill, admirable skill."
Balgruuf arrived at his seat, eyeing them wearily as he sat with knees spread wide. He remained quiet.
"Warriors indeed, for such praise to be coming from you. How did it end?"
"After killing many of our troops, the dragon was caught with arrow in the cheek by that one." She gestured to Sasuke, then to Naruto, "Then this one mounted the dragon and thrust a sword through its skull."
Sasuke found he admired the clinical detachment with which Irileth succinctly informed Balgruuf of their work.
"By Gods!" The Jarl looked as though he was about to leap to his feet. "Surely no one could be so foolish!"
"If anyone were to be so foolish, it would be my companion. Do not let it surprise you." Sasuke told him dryly. He was pleased with the steady, commanding timbre of his voice.
The Jarl laid his eyes on him, searching for answers he would never find. "Who...who are…"
"My lord."
To Sasuke's surprise, it was Ireleth who spoke up. She took a step towards her Jarl.
"My lord, I do not think we should inquire into the history of these two men."
Balgruuf turned sharply to her. "Why not? You do not give flippant flattery! If they are such fit warriors as you say, they would serve best alongside you in my personal defense and I must know their history. Do you not want the best for our realm?" He snapped.
She looked at Sasuke and his companion, an expression on her face that he found unreadable. She stared into Sasuke's face. "I think we should let them go."
Instead of feeling relief, Sasuke's stomach dropped.
"These are warriors like our keep has never seen!" At his words, Ireleth flinched minutely, as if slapped. If he noticed, he didn't react. "I demand to know where such men were taught!"
Irileth took another step towards Balgruuf and lowered her voice even more. "My lord. Our men and women fight valiantly for you, with loyalty and honor. There is a reason we have never seen warriors like these before... They are not crafted in the light."
Sasuke felt his companion tense beside him, and he felt a prickle of anxiety down the back of his neck. This is exactly what he had been worried for, worried she would see through them. But why would she speak in their defense? How much did she know?
"Those who fight with bravery in their hearts will go far. Those who use the aid of dark magic will go farther. They have helped us today, but their allegiance lies not with us. If they stay, the truth about them will be exposed and you will be thrown out of this keep. I stand with you my lord, but I advise you with all of my knowledge. Let them go."
Balgruuf leaned back into his throne, a weary expression on his face. He finally raised his head to look at the two warriors who were very nearly his. "You were not just passing through Helgen that day."
It was not a question. Neither man answered.
"If these men belong to the name you will not speak, why should I not finish what began in Helgen? Someone there must know their crimes."
"Because if you execute the only travelers that have brought good news since the war began, Whiterun may not recover." Irileth glanced at Naruto, specifically. "Did anyone else survive?"
"No." Naruto answered her.
It was a lie. He didn't care.
Irileth nodded,her voice quiet once again. "We must be strong. The dragon attacked, it was defeated by heroes. Let this be the way our history is written."
The Jarl sunk his head into his hands in an unusual display of exhaustion. The great hall waited in silence for his decision, Sasuke thinking as far ahead as he could in as many different angles without losing his mind.
Balgruuf finally lifted his head again. His eyes were dark and tired. His words carried the weight that Whiterun wrought on his heart.
"I leave you to what you must do. You may stay until you have the provisions you need to continue. When you are gone, it will be said the brave travelers have sought wisdom from the Graybeards." The Jarl hesitated. "I thank you, for protecting my people. My steward will give you the reward you deserve."
Sasuke glanced to Naruto, who bowed to the Jarl. Sasuke followed suit, before turning swiftly to find their gold. The sooner they escaped, the better.
The steward was a small, balding rail of a man who waited for them by the gates. He had not heard their exchange, and seemed to be confused with their haste. Naruto smiled at him, grasping his hand in a friendly shake that melted the distaste off the man's face. They accepted the two weighty sacks and left the keep.
Sasuke could not describe the relief he felt. They had been exposed, but they had gotten away. His chest was light, heart beating erratically. It was too good to be true.
Beside him, Naruto let out a heavy breath and stretched his arms over his head. "Well Sasuke, I think that might have been the first break we have gotten in over a hundred years."
Sasuke very nearly tripped on his own foot.
Naruto laughed.
Sasuke shoved him, but it didn't elicit the irritation he had hoped for. Naruto laughed at him again, and Sasuke didn't feel annoyed.
They made their way down the many steps from the keep, into the market district where a celebration reigned. Many of the stands were emptied, abandoned in favor of levity.
"Let's hurry, before the shops close."
Naruto nodded, and they ducked into the nearest trader. The Breton's wares were fair, despite his bizarre manner, and they managed to fill a satchel with food and a few well needed potions without putting too much of a dent in their earnings.
They were heading to catch the War Maiden, when a young man in plainclothes stopped them.
"Hello, I believe I have a letter for you."
Sasuke immediately felt on edge, but Naruto hardly paused in his stride. He clapped the courier on his shoulder. "Nah, my friend. I think you mean that for someone else."
The confused courier stumbled after them. "Hey, wait! But you're the travelers, right?"
Naruto stopped and Sasuke felt his concern blossom into something close to panic. He knew they had gotten off too easily with the Jarl. The next ball was about to drop.
"What?" Naruto turned around to talk with the man. "You are sure?"
"Absolutely. Here, I've got a lot to do today. If you are the travelers from Riverrun, please take this letter."
Naruto accepted it and the young courier hastily left them.
"If it was sent to us as the travelers from Riverrun, it could be from Tsunade."
Sasuke set his mouth in a thin line, but he didn't respond.
Naruto broke the seal of blue-black wax and froze when he unfurled the note.
The letter was nothing more than a black palm print, looking stark and haunted against the pale paper. Below it were written two words;
We know.
Sasuke felt his blood run cold. He was off like a bullet after the courier, weaving and ducking through the drunken crowd as fast as his legs could carry him. He finally reached the courier, seizing his arm roughly and pulling him into an alley between the nearest buildings. Sasuke was about to threaten a sudden, excruciating death should his next question not be answered, but Naruto appeared beside him. Deftly he stepped between them, taking Sasuke's hand from where it lay on the man and replacing it with his own. He was speaking before Sasuke could even react to having been shoved aside.
"Hey," Naruto's voice was honey; sweet and soothing. "Sorry to grab you like this, we simply have a question for you. We mean you no harm."
With the last of his words, Naruto's hand moved up and down the courier's bicep in a reassuring motion. The other man stared at Naruto, while Sasuke could only watch as the eyes of their captive became somewhat glassy, and his lips parted gently. The fear and confusion slid from his face to be replaced with a soft smile.
"Oh," He said, eyebrows raising. He sounded surprised and hazy, but not the least unwelcoming. "Oh, of course. What..what can I do for you?"
Naruto spared Sasuke a look, a quick, superior, look.
Sasuke snarled at him, his fury at Naruto's interference overriding any pleasure that the tactic had worked. It beat hot in his cheeks despite the cold air, adrenaline still pulsing through his body.
Naruto kept his hand on the courier's arm, but his tone was stern. "We need to know who gave you that letter, the one you have to us."
"I..I do not know who she was."
"She? A woman gave you this?" Naruto held the letter up to the courier's view, careful to keep it closed.
The other man frowned. "Well, I think it was a woman. I couldn't really tell, she was in a dark black robe. Wasn't anyone I recognized. She sound familiar to you?"
Again, Naruto looked to Sasuke. He recognized how much attention they were drawing to a dangerous situation, a thought that gave no solace to his rage. He glanced at the courier, manipulating his appearance to seem neutral. He took a slight step back to lean casually against the wall. "Not in the slightest. Whoever it was, they sound nefarious. Are you sure she wanted his for us?'
There was no doubt in his own mind, but they needed to cover their tracks as much as they could from this point on.
He nodded. "They said, 'the two travelers', the ones with Najada and Ireleth. I know all the other guards in this town, I'm pretty sure it was meant for you."
Naruto laughed a loud, disarming laugh. "Well friend," He said to Sasuke, "Someone is just tryin' to scare us outta their town. We're on our way out anyway, I am sure we won't cause a bit of trouble."
The stranger smiled at them, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Ah, sometimes that happens. I am sorry, I wouldn't have passed it along if I knew."
Naruto clapped him on the shoulder. "'Course not. You seem a better lad than that. Can I buy you a drink?"
Sasuke shot a frigid glare at Naruto, but to his relief the courier shook his head.
"No, thank you, but I've got a few more letters to deliver. Safe travels." He said, leaving the alley.
When Naruto turned back to Sasuke, his face was grim. He held up the letter again. "I have a very bad feeling about this."
Sasuke kicked away from the wall. "I do, too. Why do you think we were targeted?"
Naruto ran a frustrated hand through his rough, blond locks. "I have no idea. I have no idea about any of this. The only thing I can think to do is go to the Graybeards and ask them. Maybe they have answers."
Sasuke felt his stomach in knots from the stress, but he nodded determinedly anyway.
They left the alley, entering back into the bustle of the streets and picking up their pace. Sasuke needed to get them out of the city, where anyone who may be following them could be quickly and cleanly disposed of. Being out in the open and so well known was farther from his comfort zone than he had ever been.
Tenten was working her forge diligently when they arrived, wasting no time in aiding them.
"Celebration is not for the workers," She told them as she sweat over the bellows. "It is my job to replenish what was lost today."
She quickly tuned their armor and upgraded their weapons, wishing them luck on their journey to the Graybeards.
They paid her well and beat it from the city. Sasuke's boots pounded along the dusty trail, and he waited with each step for his anxiety to ease.
To his misfortune, the sinking feeling in his gut, the one that had saved him so many times, was not being alleviated by the distance from the town. Just as they when they rounded an enormous rock that would finally take the city out of sight, they were met with a terrible sight.
Waiting for them was an overturned carriage. A horse was nowhere to be found, but blood was leaking out from under the side. The sight sent him on edge, and he felt his heart pound. This wasn't right.
"What's that? Oh, shit!" Naruto made to bolt to the carriage but Sasuke grabbed him just in time. Naruto's reaction solidified his worries, this was obviously a trap.
"What the fuck, Naruto!"
Naruto tried to jerk his arm away but Sasuke held it firm. "What the fuck to YOU, Sasuke, someone is hurt!"
Naruto pointed to the blood, but Sasuke didn't let up. He felt half crazed between his panic and fury. "Gods! What are you, a fucking hero? Did I miss the bard belching your praises into a broken loot? This is OBVIOUSLY a trap!"
Naruto finally broke free of his arm, but he didn't run. He got into Sasuke's face and snarled, "It's a goddamn carriage you lunatic! What the hell makes you think it's a trap?"
"Maybe the goddamn murder-hand, Naruto!" Sasuke was shouting. He couldn't remember a time that he felt like he had so little control of himself.
Naruto opened his mouth to yell back at him, but before he could there came the soft cry of a child from the over-turned carriage.
"Please...help me…"
Sasuke felt his blood turn to ice. Naruto's face contorted in horror before running from Sasuke. He sprinted to the carriage and leapt over the wheel, ducking out of Sasuke's sight.
"Are you alri-"
Silence followed Naruto's broken sentence.
It took two heartbeats for Sasuke to realize his fears were officially confirmed. He drew his weapon and crept silently around the other side of the carriage. He rounded the side to see a figure in a black robe standing over a crumpled Naruto. Sasuke moved to hurl his knife into the stranger's back, but before he could let it loose there was a stabbing pain in the back of his leg. It was so intense he stumbled, and within seconds his vision was blurring. He lost consciousness.
When Sasuke opened his eyes, his world was black. He breathed in, drawing the burlap sack over his head towards his mouth. He pushed it back out just as fast, fighting to contain his panic.
"Ahh, you're awake."
A woman's voice called from somewhere to his left. Sasuke felt his hands tied together behind his back, but his feet were free. He was laying on his side against hard, cold ground. Leveraging off his shoulder, Sasuke got his feet beneath him so he could rest on his knees. Doing so caused only minor aches from his muscles, and he reasoned he couldn't have been out for very long.
As soon as he did this, Sasuke heard footsteps moving towards him. They slowed and came to rest before him.
"It is a fine trick, that poison, wouldn't you say?" She trailed the knife along his neck, running it along one side and down to the other across the sack he wore over his head. "Enough to drug you into sleep, so we may take our time with your unconscious form, yet not enough to kill you."
On her last words, she sliced upwards, her knife flying through the rough material as though it were silk. Expertly missing the soft flesh of his face, she freed Sasuke's vision as the sack fell helplessly to the side. He blinked the sweat from his eyes and tried to take in the room as fast as he could without looking panicked. Three more people stood behind the woman before him; an enormous Nord, an Argonian and a wood elf. She was tall and slim with cruelty betrayed by the smile on her lips. They all wore blood red leather armor, packed with pouches of weapons and vials.
Naruto was beside him, kneeled similarly. He was looking at Sasuke with a grim expression, his jaw tense. They had been brought alive, which meant torture, though to what end he couldn't say. To escape he would have to spill blood, and unless he was careful it would be their own.
The woman in front of him clicked her tongue in dismay. "They don't even look scared, Jugo. What do you think of that?"
"Kill them." Said the Argonian, his voice bored.
"I didn't ask you, Sui." She spat viciously, never taking her eyes off of Sasuke. She crouched down to get her face close to his, her eyes glinting with unholy mirth. "Tell me, little boy, what do you think we do to those who dare besmirch our name?"
Sasuke took her stare with a stony expression, betraying nothing as his mind worked. They had only been in this realm for days, he wracked his brain for whom they could have pissed off enough to kidnap them. He doubted it had been the Stormcloacks, they seemed to be on their good side. Perhaps then, the Imperials? Though the cloak, dagger and torture didn't seem likely tools of the law. Most likely, they had disrupted some local group between Riverwood and Whiterun. But who, and how?
Not getting the reaction she desired, the woman stood and quickly cleared the disappointment from her face. When she spoke again her voice had returned to the sultry timbre from before. "Although I have to say, boys, I was...impressed with your work."
She stalked around them like a saber cat toying with it's food. "It's not easy work to dismember four necromancers, let alone to murder two more."
Sasuke's body tensed.
Her piercing eyes didn't miss it. "Ahh, so you are guilty. You know the crime of which I speak. So tell me, boys...why did you have to impersonate the realm's most deadly guild, hmm? Why did you credit us with such devious, if amature crimes?"
Naruto spoke to her, his voice firm. "We never impersonated anyone."
Her eyes flashed, and Sasuke felt as though that had been a mistake. In a second, she was towering over Naruto. "But you were willing to die under our name? You refused to take responsibility for your work, you would have let us suffer the weight of your glory? Why!" She was shouting down at him by the end of her tirade.
"We did not-"
Sasuke was slapped hard across the face, the sting much worse than it should have been. He panicked at the thought of poison in her gloves.
"SILENCE! We spare no mercy to those who kill in place of the Dark Brotherhood!"
Their captor raised her blade to strike, but was stopped by a shout from the wood elf girl.
"Anko, NO!"
But it was too late; before she could react, the woman was caught in the chest by Naruto's full body. He had launched himself at her with enough force to knock her to the ground. Sasuke dropped to his side to kick at her wrist, which broke with a sickening crunch and sent the knife flying across the room.
Anko's scream was more rage than pain.
Sasuke got to his knees once more, ready to fight off their next attacker, only to see none. The enormous Nord that had been called Jugo had fallen to the ground where he convulsed violently. The Argonian and the wood elf were kneeled by his body, completely unconcerned by what was happening behind them.
Anko punched Naruto hard in his stomach, causing him to fall away from her. She jumped to her feet, barking at her comrades. "What's going on?"
The Argonian turned away from the seizing Nord, his face somber. "Our Mother screams."
Thank you for reading! I do have a serious question for you all though! I have been getting amazing feedback on this fanfiction in particular and I'd like your help with my next decision. I've been torn between writing these two ways;
Writing them as fast as I can, with few edits and posting quickly, OR
Taking my time, writing with inspiration as I feel it, with much thought and heavy editing.
I know I am my own worst critic, and I know this is only fanfiction, but I care a lot about the fanfiction community and quality of the stories. You can private message me your thoughts or review to cast a vote!
