Contract


'They're late,' Lydia said as she paced in circles before Darion, who sat on a rock, a half-eaten apple in his hand. 'I don't like it, assassins are supposed to be punctual, why are they so late?' The two of them sat, or Lydia's case paced, within the depths of a cavern within the middle of the forest. Though like most places in the world, there was more to it than meets the eye. Though door that had once guarded it lay broken and in pieces outside, one who had travelled the world or had at least sit down to hear a travellers tales would know that it was a Black Door, an enchanted door created to guard the entrances to the sanctuaries of the Dark Brotherhood. The two of them had resided within the sanctuary for two days after performing the black sacrament. They had mostly spent their time waiting in the sanctuary's main chamber, eating the food that they had brought along and drinking from the small pool that sat just to the side of the main path through the chamber.

In that time Darion had a chance to explore the remains of the Sanctuary, and come to see the carnage that had been wrought upon it. From what he had heard the Sanctuary was attacked, and the rumours had been that the Dark Brotherhood had been wiped out for good. Any yet barely a few months later many cases of unexplained and unprovoked murder sprang up across Skyrim. Though Darion truly had no idea whether anyone was listening when he performed the sacrament, he had a feeling that somewhere out there the Dark Brotherhood was lurking in the shadows, awaiting their next contract. Though they would be in a surprise when it came time for his.

'Will you calm down already?' Darion asked Lydia as he took another bite. 'Being the most feared and organised sect of cutthroats is sure to make them very busy. And if they don't show up we'll just perform the sacrament again and wait some more.'

'And what dead body will we use this time?' Lydia asked, stopping and turning to Darion. When they had first used the sacrament they had used one of the many bodies that had been left behind after the battle of Whiterun. They had done their best to disguise the fact that they travelled with a dead body, and twice they had to explain to passing merchants and sell-swords that the body was that of their fallen sibling, and that they were returning him home to be buried in Falkreath. No one would questioned a burial in Falkreath, the city was infamous for holding the largest graveyard in Skyrim. Though it wasn't the perfect cover, and Darion felt the eyes of suspicion upon them. Their travelling cloaks were enough to hide their identity, and the jagged forms of their armour beneath the cloaks were enough to drive away even the most curious of travellers.

'One that I'm sure will have no use to anyone else,' Darion said, his voice becoming slightly agitated, though Lydia ignored it. Ever since she had become a thane she had become much more forward about her disapproval of his actions. Admittedly he had been the one to suggest her appointment to Jarl Balgruuf, yet he did not expect his former Housecarl to be so candid and rude in her speech, at least as a Housecarl she respected him for the sake of tradition.

'Well that's at least comforting to-' Lydia's words fell short as the sound of crunching soil under boots approached them. The two looked up towards the entry way to see three figures, almost silhouetted in the darkness. Had they not made a noise, they would have gone by unnoticed. One of them, a man, wore the black and red armour associated with the Dark Brotherhood, another a set of matching coloured robes. The third however wore an attire like that of the Alik'r of Hammerfell and a scimitar at his hip. Though unlike traditional Hammerfell clothing, his robes were dyed red and dark brown, colours unlike the desert warriors Darion had met during his earliest days in Skyrim. It was only as they approached further that Darion noted that another figure walked beside the Redguard, almost hiding behind the man. At first glance she looked like a child, but even in the dim light of late evening Darion could see her sharp features and glowing eyes.

Vampire, he thought to himself, turning and giving a nod to Lydia, who noticed it to. Darion knew it already to be true but now he knew it for certain. The Dark Brotherhood really did take in all types. As the figures approached, Darion's eyes locked with that of the one in the robes, a woman judging by their size. Her face was concealed under a crimson mask whilst her eyes remained hidden under the shadow of her hood. The other three figures remained behind as the robed one, made her way further.

It was only as she drew closer that Darion suddenly noticed just how short this rider was, a Breton if he had to guess. As she walked towards the two of them, Lydia's hand slowly went for her sword, but when Darion noticed the other assassins doing the same he raised his hand slightly, ordering her to calm herself. Though the robed figure was short in stature, and carried only a simple, though menacingly jagged dagger, Darion could tell nothing of what she was capable of. It was people like that that he was cautious of.

'Good evening,' Darion greeted politely nodding his head slightly to the woman, who stopped a few feet away from him. 'I'm glad you came, my friend here was starting to worry that you would come at all,' he said as he threw his apple into the pool.

'The Night Mother hears the calls of all who perform the sacrament,' she replied. 'Even those of Dragon's blood.'

'So you know who I am?' Darion asked, surprised that she was already aware of his identity.

'I knew it was you the moment the Night Mother spoke to me,' she continued. 'She was quite clear that a man with the blood of dragons was calling to us, though she could not elaborate further on why.'

'So I take it you are the Listener?' Darion asked. 'As legends go you are the only one in the world who may commune with the Unholy Matron. I must say, I imagined you to be a little… well… taller.'

A small giggle escaped the Listener, almost sounding childlike. 'Yes, I've been told that a lot. Though do not let my size fool you,' she continued. 'I could still kill you with ease.'

'I'd like to see you try,' Lydia said as her hand moved back to rest on the pommel of her sword.

The Listener only scoffed at woman's threats before turning her attention back to Darion. 'As much as I would love to banter with your Housecarl all day long Dragonborn, I would much like to know why you have called me and my brethren out here, this is not exactly one of my favourite places in Skyrim.'

'She's a Thane now actually,' Darion noted with a smile. 'And I knew that this place may not have been one of the most desirable of meeting places, but I believed that this certainly would have gotten your attention. As for your being here, well, to put it simply, I wish to make a contract with the Dark Brotherhood.'

'I had assumed this much,' the Listener said, 'though I did hold out some hope for the possibility you wished to simply make small talk over a picnic basket.'

'You're smarter than the average assassin then,' Lydia muttered under her breath, though she almost felt herself flinch as the eyes of the Listener glared at her before returning to Darion.

'What I offer you is no simple contract,' Darion continued. 'What I'm going to ask of you will not only be the most difficult assignment you've been given, it will also be the most beneficial.'

'We have already killed an Emperor, Dragonborn, if we you were to ask us to slay Emperor Trajan Mede, then we would just be begging for the Empire's attention.'

'I never said anything about killing anyone,' Darion said, as smirk appearing on his face. 'Not at the moment anyway.'

The Listener looked between Darion and Lydia, noting the Nord woman's own confusion at the Dragonborn's words. 'If you're not here to discuss a contract on someone's life, then I'm afraid our business is concluded,' she said as she turned to leave.

'You're not even the least bit curious about what I actually want from you?' Darion asked. 'Don't you want to know why the Dragonborn, a mortal with the blood and soul of a dragon, wanted to meet with the Dark Brotherhood?' He continued to smirk as the Listener stopped, turning back to him, her curiosity clearly getting the better of her. 'What I want from you, and from your brothers and sisters, is your loyalty.'

His words hung in the air for a moment, before the sound of the Listener's laughter, and that of her associates began to fill the clearing. 'You must be joking,' the Listener asked. 'The Dark Brotherhood is loyal only to itself, the Night Mother and Sithis. We will not submit or bend the knee to someone just because he can breathe fire.'

'I do not ask you to bend the knee,' Darion continued. 'I merely desire that the Dark Brotherhood remain my allies. I have plans you see,' he said as he strode towards the Listener, ignoring the hands of the other assassins that darted for their weapons. 'Plans that involve all of Tamriel. Fight with me, kill for me, and I promise you that I will ensure that the Dark Brotherhood lasts for another thousand years.' He said as he stood directly in front of her now, looking down her. He could now see her simple yet beautiful brown eyes.

The Listener held her ground as the Dragonborn approached, never backing down even as she was forced to look up at him, the murder in her eyes was truly present now. 'And if we refuse?' she asked.

'Then I will leave the Brotherhood in peace, no hard feelings.' He said simply. 'I would still call on you for your services when they are required.'

'And if we were to work against you? If we were to make an attempt on your life? Something tells me you would not let us go unpunished,' she stated.

'As I said, there would be no hard feelings,' Darion continued, his unbearably calm smile remaining. 'In the end your Brotherhood runs a business. Your work, for the most part as I'm lead to believe, is nothing personal. If you were to send an assassin after me I would feel no ill will towards you or your family.'

The Listener tilted her head at him slightly. 'You're that confident in your abilities?' she asked. 'You're certain that if an assassin was sent after you, you would be able to survive?'

'I'm merely speaking of hypotheticals, Listener. I honestly have no notion of what would happen if a member of your family were to try and take my life.' He went silent, and with him all who stood in the ruined sanctuary.

'You're a brave man, Darion Octavias,' the Listener said. 'Coming into the ruins of my family's sanctuary, offending my order and despite your transgressions you would still offer us coin like a group of lowly cut throats one hires in an alleyway.'

'Forgive me Listener,' Darion spoke, 'but how have I offended you?'

'We are not the crass fools who murdered Vitoria Vici at her own wedding, with an arrow piercing her heart,' she said as she took a step towards him forcing Darion to move back. 'We are not the hired killers who brought down the Empire's elite agents. I am not the same woman, a Breton girl with nothing to her name, who struck down Emperor Titus Mede the second. We are not the same Dark Brotherhood that were but a whisper and a fairy tale for many years. We are very real, and when we receive a contract, it is fulfilled.' She stopped after having caused Darion to retreat a few feet. 'I could have you killed right now in front of me, and I wouldn't even have to blink.'

Darion's smile was still there, though he truly did find this amusing. 'Your order is nothing to scoff at, and I meant you no disrespect. However,' he paused for a moment. 'I doubt you're capable of that.'

Even though she wore a mask, Darion could tell that the Listener was now smiling too. 'I never said I would be the one to kill you. It doesn't matter who strikes you down, regardless, you're outnumbered. The power of your voice is well known, but take away the thu'um and you're no more mortal than the rest of us.'

'You have two extra pairs of hands with you and a vampire,' Darion noted, his anger starting to rise at the mention of his mortality. 'Somehow I doubt even that is enough to stop me.'

'I was not referring to them,' was all she said before the sounds of a bow string tightening to Darion's left met his ears.

He stepped forward, hand reaching to his sword that was sheathed on his back but he was too late. He felt the cool point of an arrow head against his temple. He dared not move his head to look, and it was only out of the corner of his eyes that he saw a figure emerge from what he assumed was an invisibility spell. They were at least as tall as he was, garbed in a dark green hood and cloak, a black mask obscuring the lower half of his face.

'Don't take another step,' the cloaked man said as he stepped around to stand beside the Listener, his bow still aimed directly at Darion's head. As his eyes followed the assassin, he was able to note that he and Lydia were truly outnumbered. Dozens of masked men and women surrounded them, as if they had appeared out of nowhere. The stairs leading further into the sanctuary were lined with assassins, each of them wearing the black and red armour that were known to be an omen of death. From out of the pool that Darion had thrown his apple into in mere minutes ago came four Argonians, snarling at him, each of them armed literally to the teeth. One of them took a bite of his apple. From behind pillars stepped more assassins wielding bows, all of them aimed at the Dragonborn. Dozens more assassins ran into the Sanctuary through the corridor that lead to the main entrance, each one either aiming bows at him or drawing their weapons and forming a circle around him, completely surrounding him. Lydia was roughly forced to her knees by a pair of Orcs, one of them tearing her sword away from her. She tried to push them off but the grips of the pariah-folk were like a pair of vices, their strength challenging a giants.

For the first time in a long time, Darion was afraid of mortals. He had been taken by surprise, a weakness that he himself had exploited on many occasions, but it was not often that someone caught him off guard, especially to this degree. Though he and Lydia had been surrounded by bandits and thugs many times, none were this unified, this disciplined or this capable. He and Lydia had been waiting in the sanctuary for two days since they performed the sacrament, and yet it seemed as if the assassins had been laying in wait for months. Not since the headsman's block in Helgen had his death felt so close, so close that it could fall upon him with the mere nod of someone's head.

'So, Dragonborn,' the Listener spoke again, her smile ever present. 'Do you now have a notion as to what would happen if a member of my family were to be ordered to take your life?'

Darion's blood within him boiled at her words. The dragon within him laughed at the thought of tearing the woman's lips from her face, of pulling her teeth out one by one with his bare hands before letting her burn alive. Despite having the blood and soul of a dragon, he was still a mortal man, and it was that mortality, the fragility of his human body, that had stayed his hand many a time. Instead of acting on his anger, all he could do was breathe a sigh of defeat, and smile.

'Truly,' he said, 'you have proven the strength and ability of your family. Strength and ability that I would greatly appreciate to have on my side, if you were so willing to listen to what I have to say.'

The Listener giggled to herself, happy that she had gotten her point across, before raising a hand to order the assassins to lower their weapons, which they complied to. Though none of them put their weapons away either. The archer who stood beside Darion lowered his bow, but he kept an arrow at the ready, not taking any chances.

'I'm listening,' the Listener said.

Darion looked around at the hundreds of eyes that stared at him from beneath hoods and behind masks. 'I was hoping we could discuss this in private. Not that I don't trust your family but I would prefer to discuss the business side of things with you.'

The Listener shrugged her shoulders, before walking past him and up the stairs that went further into the sanctuary. The assassins parted for her, each bowing their heads slightly as she passed, though none took their eyes off the Dragonborn who began following after her, the archer following close behind, Darion could hear the tension on his bow string even then. This one wanted his blood. As the three of them exited the central chamber of the sanctuary, Darion cast a look at Lydia, whose eyes burned with anger yet also with worry. He gave her a smile and a nod to assure her before disappearing into the depths of what remained of the crypt like sanctuary.

The Listener propped her feet up on the desk, the furniture creaking a groaning under the weight. Though most of the sanctuary had been destroyed and burned, miraculously the desk, as well as two chairs survived. Though Darion had his suspicions that somehow the brotherhood had moved them into the sanctuary for the specific purpose of negotiations, especially since there was a jug and two cups on the desk, and the smell of freshly opened wine was present.

'Please sit,' the Listener motioned to the other chairs as she reached up to take one of the cups and the jug from the desk before pouring. She handed the first cup to Darion, who took it happily, before she reached back to the second and poured herself a cup. 'Did you want any, Silencer?' she asked, and Darion turned to see that the archer was still with them, leaning against the wall, his bow slung over his shoulder and his hand on the pommel of his sword.

'No,' he said simply.

'I believe that I asked for us to negotiate in private.' Darion noted.

'We are in private. You did not specify as to who you would discuss it with.' She said as she took a sip from her cup. 'I trust my Silencer with my life, and it is he who much of the family look up to. If you can convince him of your plans, then I guarantee I will be much more inclined to begin discussing terms.'

Darion nodded. 'Very well,' he said as he took a drink from his own cup.

'Now Dragonborn, let us get down to business. What is it that you want from us, specifically?'

'As I stated before, Listener, I wish to purchase the services as well as the loyalty of the Dark Brotherhood. You will be paid handsome fee on a basis we will discuss, as well as extra for any special targets I assign you.'

'So, what? You would simply pay us on a basis to leave you alone?' She giggled to herself again. 'Forgive me Dragonborn if I find that rather odd.'

'Oh you would not just be refusing to kill me,' he said as he took another sip of wine. 'I would have you act as my spies and agents throughout Skyrim, and beyond if particular circumstances bear fruit.' He smiled as he looked down into his cup. 'This is good wine, may it not be said that the Dark Brotherhood appreciates nothing but death.'

'What kind of circumstances do you speak of?' the Silencer asked. 'And if you want spies, go and pay off the beggars and guards, some of the greatest spies you'll ever have.'

Darion sighed, standing from his seat to pace around the room. 'If I wanted people who could simply keep their ears open I would not have called you here.' He turned back to the archer. 'I need people like you, Silencer. I need agents who are capable of appearing out of thin air, and are just as quick when it comes to disappearing. I need agents who are loyal, ones who will not betray me just because someone offers them a slightly heavier coin purse.' He strode towards the archer, who silently watched him approach. 'If there is one thing I know for certain about the Dark Brotherhood, it's that despite being a group of well organised murderers, you have honour. You do not kill in excess, you kill only those you were assigned to kill, anything else, from what I believe, is a last resort.'

'What would you know of honour?' The Silencer asked. 'You, who abandoned a city you swore to protect to go running around Solstheim looking for an enemy who may not have even existed to begin with.'

Darion's eyes darkened at that and locked with those of the assassin, though the Silencer did not back down. He knew, this mere archer knew something that not even Lydia was privy to knowing. This either proved they Dark Brotherhood would make amazing spies, and that they had had their eye on him even then.

'Do not speak on things you know nothing about,' Darion said calmly, though anyone could tell it was a threat.

'You didn't answer my question,' The Silencer continued. 'What circumstances do you speak of?' The two continued to glare at one another, the tension in the air was almost unbearable. Soon however Darion smirked, and turned from the Silencer, looking back to the Listener, who still had her feet propped up on the desk.

'I intend to rule Tamriel,' he said calmly. 'If I were to conquer it the same way that the honourable Tiber Septim did I would be an old man by the time the continent was under my banner. Which is why I need the Dark Brotherhood.'

The Listener watched the Dragonborn as he stood there, openly admitting his plans for conquest. It was as he stood there that she saw a fire in his eyes, the kind of which she had only seen once before. It had been on a contract, well before the fall of the Falkreath sanctuary, before she became the Listener. A mere merchant, out on the western plains of Whiterun, who had performed the sacrament. Their desire was to see the death of the one who had burned his family and livelihood to ash. He had not given them a name, only a location, and said that their target would be hard to miss. It had just been her Silencer, her husband, and herself. For a brief moment during that encounter she had a rare chance to stare into the Dragon's eyes, and see the unbridled power and unquenchable thirst for power that dwelled within it. She saw that fire burning now within Darion's eyes, a look she had hoped never to see again.

'What would you have us do,' she asked, causing Darion to smile whilst the Silencer stared at his Listener in surprise.

'Kill those I wish to die, learn what I wish to know, and do not bear a single blade against me. Do this for me until I take my place as the undisputed ruler of the continent, and I will ensure that the Dark Brotherhood will always have a place in the history of Tamriel.'

The Listener fell silent, she looked into her cup, as if to find her answer there, possibilities and opportunities flooding her mind. The possibility to improve business, and at the same time continue to strike fear into the hearts of men, elves and beasts. Darion noted her pondering with a smile before turning back to the Silencer.

'And what do you think of this, Silencer?' he asked. 'Would you kill in my name? Would you help me build a new Tamriel?'

The Silencer looked between the Dragonborn and to the Listener, who still sat there in thought, before looking to the Dragonborn once again. There was so many ways he could strike at him now, armed or otherwise. He could attack his pressure points, rendering him immobilised. He could break his legs by delivering a kick to the knees forcing him to the ground. From there he could break his neck, his jaw, pull out his tongue or slit his throat. Any of those methods could render his thu'um useless. From there it would be a simple matter of exacting his revenge. The Dragonborn did not know it, but he was looking death right in the eye, though even death would not act without orders from his Listener.

As the Silencer remained quiet, the Listener stood from her seat, her eyes meeting those of the Dragonborn. 'If I were to agree to this,' she said. 'I would need to have some form of contract, with a list of conditions that we may negotiate.'

'Listener,' the Silencer spoke, stepping past the Dragonborn to stand by her. 'Are you sure this is what your desire? You do not wish to-'

'There will come a day for that,' she cut off. 'For now we must look away from the past and look to the future of our Brotherhood. I believe this to be the right course of action to ensure our existence.'

The Silencer started at her a moment before sighing and nodding. 'By your word, Listener.' He moved past her to stand behind her, keeping his eye on the Dragonborn, who was grinning.

'I have such a thing,' he said, reaching into his armour before pulling out a small scroll bound by a red ribbon and handing it to the Listener. She took it in hand, opening it before her hidden eyes began darting across its pages. Darion watched with satisfaction as her mouth fell open slightly at the words that were inscribed on the scroll. He also watched as the Silencer leaned in to read the scroll himself, at which he had to suppress a chuckle. The Listener looked up at the Dragonborn, her mouth still open after having read the terms of their deal.

'You have that much coin to your name?' She asked.

'Not as of yet,' he replied. 'Though very soon. Worry not Listener, you will be paid generously for your contribution to by rule.'

The Listener tried to speak yet nothing came out. The terms of the contract… they had been far more liberal than she had expected. Though the brotherhood were not permitted to take jobs that could undermine the Dragonborn's efforts, they would be permitted to take on the usual contracts that were sent their way. And the amount that the Dragonborn offered was, true to his word, quite generous.

'You say you do not have this coin,' the Silencer said. 'Yet you would call upon us all the same?'

'I am currently working on that,' Darion responded. 'By the time I call you I will have-'

'So you have no gold,' the Silencer cut him off, 'no army, no allies, no siege weapons, no supplies and no encampment to call your own?' The assassins shook his head and turned back to the Listener. 'I know how war works, this fool does not. He thinks only that because he is Dragonborn he will have everything he needs. We are wasting our time here.'

'I will have all the gold I require in a month,' Darion said, catching the attention of both assassins again. 'At least enough to begin my plans. Though for now want I wish for the Dark Brotherhood to do now is to wait patiently for my word.' He reached into his armour once more, pulling out a small piece of folded parchment. 'This however is quite a simple contract. Merely fulfil it by the date and time I have written, and you shall be paid a reasonable fee.'

The Listener took this second parchment, unfolded it and read. This time it was only confusion that crossed her face as she looked back up to the Dragonborn. 'You would have us do this…this simple knife-work?' she asked. 'He is barely anyone of significance, let alone worth this much gold.'

'It matters not who I want you to kill,' Darion replied. 'What matters is that you kill him, and if possible, leave no trace it was you.'

The Silencer's eyes darkened at that. Already the Dragonborn sounded as if he was giving orders to the Brotherhood. Though it felt as if Sithis himself was urging him to lash out, he remained in check, waiting for this Listener's urging only. The Listener on the other hand simply smiled, stepping towards Darion.

'As anxious as I am about what the future may hold for us should we go down this path,' she said. 'I also find myself excited as to what would happen should we play this game of plots and intrigue of yours.' She then did what none had expected. She reached up, pulled down her mask and pulled back her hood, her crimson hair falling down her back. The Silencer's eyes widened in shock at this, whilst the Dragonborn was pleasantly surprised, now he had a chance to see the true Listener for himself. 'If we are to play this game, we might as well introduce the players, don't you think? She asked with a giggle, before extending a hand to Darion. 'I am Alyce Lachance, Listener of the Dark Brotherhood. I look forward to playing with you,' she said with a smirk.

Darion smiled, taking the woman's hand and raising it to his lips. 'Charmed,' he said before planting a soft kiss on it, taking pleasure in how the Silencer glared at him. He lowered her hand before looking back to the Silencer. 'Am I not to know your face as well, friend?' he asked.

The Silencer continued only to glare at him, before looking to Alyce as if for confirmation. She gave him a slight nod. He was hesitant, reluctant even, at first. All the same he reached up and removed his hood and pulled down his mask, revealing an Imperial man, almost of the same age as Darion, if not a few years his senior.

'Arren Black-Arrow,' he greeted. 'And I am not your friend.'

'Well that wasn't so bad, was it?' Darion asked as he took a sip from his cup before placing it back down on the table. He sat across from Lydia now, at a table that resided in the back corner of one of the inns in Falkreath. The place, despite the overall mood of the town, was filled with drunken laughter and cheering, as one man chugged an almost an entire barrels worth of mead. 'I trust those common ruffians weren't too hard on you, Thane Lydia?'

'I still don't see why we need them,' Lydia asked she poked at her own cup. 'We need soldiers, true warriors, they are what will win you the throne, not those cutthroats.'

'Contrary to what most Nords thinks, wars are hardly ever won on a muddy field alone. The shadows are but another battlefield where men combat one another in their mad scramble for power. If I were to besiege a castle for instance, let's say the commander of it refused to surrender, but I have learned that his second in command is more than willing to accept my terms.' He reached into his pockets, pulling out a single gold coin. 'I would rather pay someone like that Silencer a small fortune to kill the castle's commander than send hundreds of my men to their deaths.'

'It's dishonourable,' Lydia retorted. 'A true battle should be fought between to men on equal ground. Anything less and it would be an insult to the warrior class.'

'That may be so Lydia, but in the game that I intend to play you cannot hope to win by following the rules,' he said as he took another sip of his wine.

'I understand Darion, I just don't like it is all. I suppose I'm just glad we're done with these thieves and assassins,' she replied as she took a large swig of her own drink.

'I wouldn't get too excited if I were you,' Darion said with a smirk. 'We've only dealt with the assassins.'

Lydia scoffed slightly before realising exactly what he had said. 'Darion, don't tell me-'

'Okay, I won't,' he chuckled as a young woman approached their table, their food in hand. Darion pulled out more coins, counting them out in his hand for the woman to see before handing them over to her. The woman nodded with a smile before walking away. It was only when she was out of site that Darion held up a single coin between his fingers, one that Lydia had been sure she had seen being handed over to the woman. Lydia was about to protest when Darion beat her too it. 'The Dark Brotherhood will be a weapon, ready to strike down those who oppose me. Though some weapons don't have to kill.' He picked up his cup once more. 'It's a dishonourable thing, I know Lydia, but if I want to win this game, I want to make sure that when it comes to playing in the shadows, I hold all the cards.'


Finally! I've been waiting for ages to get this one out, though I feel as if I may have rushed it slightly in order to get it out tonight since I'm fed up with simply staring me in the face screaming 'FINISH ME!' But hey, it's done, and I'm happy to finally move onto the next part. As Darion said, assassins aren't the only ones who work in the shadows. Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, leave a review, positive I care not, and I will see you all in the next chapter.

Au revoir !