Child Of Darkness
(A/N: Some time has passed. Mathieu is now somewhere in the area of 10 or 12.)
First Contract
Some years passed. Mathieu skillfully danced around, facing off with Ungolim in a mini-battle. Ungolim was highly impressed, Mathieu saw. He smiled proudly. Good. "Child, Lucien has taught you well!" Ungolim exclaimed as Mathieu got in another hit. The victory finally went to the Listener, but marginally. Panting, Ungolim sat. Mathieu sat across from him grinning excitedly. "Your father must be so proud." Mathieu's smile slightly fell, but quickly it appeared again. That last time Lucien had come he seemed that way. But last time Lucien hadn't even talked to him, just watched him fight with Shaleez. Fight and win… He'd seen pride in Lucien's eyes, and a smile, but before Mathieu could go to him Lucien had left the room. He'd never even gotten to even talk to him that visit. Granted it was the first time ever, but that didn't make it less painful.
"His father is very proud," a voice said, and Mathieu gasped, looking hopefully over. Lucien stood there smiling at him.
"Papa, you're back!" Mathieu exclaimed, leaping up and running to him. Lucien grinned and bent. Mathieu leapt up into his arms. Lucien caught him and stood, spinning him around. Mathieu shrieked with laughter.
Lucien smiled and said, nuzzling him, "Look at you. What happened to the small child I once held? You've gotten so big. When did you begin to grow so quickly? Soon I won't be able to carry you anymore."
Mathieu laughed and held him tightly, all anger and bitterness forgotten. Lucien chuckled. "I missed you," Mathieu said, frowning once more. "You were gone so long."
"I know, and I am sorry son. I'll make it up to you, I promise," Lucien replied. "I have something special planned for you." Mathieu grinned excitedly.
ES
"It's been some time, Speaker," Arquen greeted her friend.
"It has," Lucien agreed. "The boy has become a fine fighter."
"He takes the contracts almost all by himself whenever he goes out with one of us," Banus added, grinning as they watched Mathieu reading a book. He'd become a very avid reader and writer. He wrote mostly poetry, and what he shared was usually very good. But Mathieu had some poems he never let anyone see. That was alright, though, because many writers kept at least some of their works to themselves.
"In fact, we want to speak to you about something regarding his talent," Arquen said.
"I listen," Lucien replied.
"Lucien, I've been thinking… perhaps it is time to let Mathieu go out on his own contract, alone. I know he is still quite young, younger than anyone else has ever been, but he is ambitious and skilled. I believe he can handle it," Arquen remarked.
"There's no doubt about it," Banus said. "That boy could do it easily."
Lucien smiled and said, "I was about to propose the idea myself, actually." He looked uncertain, but then didn't all parents who were about to send their child out to do something by themselves? "I will speak to him about it and see to it he is given one."
"Vicente has taken the liberty of selecting one, actually," Banus said. "It promises to be fairly simple, not too much for him to handle but not so simple as to offend his pride."
"I will inform him," Lucien said.
ES
"Mathieu?" Lucien said, entering the boy's bedroom.
Mathieu looked curiously up. "Yes sir?" he asked. Lucien smirked sadly. The boy was falling away from using the terms daddy and papa. It pained him to realize it. Perhaps he wasn't around as much as he could be.
"How would you like to do a contract?" Lucien asked.
"With you?" Mathieu asked curiously. He always went on contracts with Lucien almost every time he was here except for last time. Why was this different?
"No. Alone," Lucien answered.
Mathieu's eyes widened. "Alone?" he exclaimed excitedly, leaping up.
"All by yourself," Lucien confirmed.
"Yes! Yes, Lucien, yes!" Mathieu cheered. Laughing he hugged his father figure briefly then darted out. They were about to hand out the contracts, and he would get one! It was perfect! It meant that now… now they were beginning to give him freedom and trust. He continued running until he was at the table.
ES
Mathieu waited eagerly, eyes sparkling as he sat on Lucien's lap. "Let me see," Vicente said. "Ah, here is one. Hmm, an old pirate captain who lives alone on his ship. He takes it out once every night, so whoever does this must be sure to be done the deed before then. Now who shall I give it to?" Mathieu gasped and looked excitedly up at Lucien, beaming. Lucien smirked and ruffled his hair. "I know. Mathieu, how would you like to kill a pirate?"
"Yeah!" Mathieu exclaimed, leaping up. Lucien frowned and pulled him down before he jumped onto the table and crawled across it. Mathieu shot him an annoyed look but accepted the correction.
Vicente laughed and handed it over, saying, "There you are. This is your first one ever. Are you excited?"
"Yes, yes, yes!" Mathieu exclaimed, holding it proudly. "Papa, papa, when can I go?" he asked Lucien, eyes bright and wide.
"Wait until we're done here, Mathieu," Lucien said, grinning. Mathieu could hardly contain himself for the rest of the meeting.
ES
Mathieu raced into his room and brought out his dagger as Lucien watched and waited. Mathieu looked it over with a smile. It was the present Lucien had given him so long ago. Well, what seemed like so long ago to him, at least. To Lucien it was as if it had been only yesterday that he had held the small and frail child in his arms, hardly beyond a toddler. Now here he was… It was bittersweet, Lucien realized. He didn't like the feeling yet at the same time knew it was only natural.
Mathieu fingered the ebony dagger. It had an ivy handle and a golden and silver design on the blade. And it was enchanted with a health draining spell. It was like the Blade of Woe, but nowhere near as powerful and unique. The Blade of Woe was Lucien's prize. Lachance had never let anyone use it before, Lucien hadn't even used it, and it would stay that way until Lachance decided otherwise. Mathieu stuck the dagger in its case as Lucien waited. Mathieu frowned, trying to determine what to wear and what the weather would be like.
"I have something for you," Lucien said.
Mathieu gasped, startled. He'd almost forgotten the man was there. "Really? What is it?" Mathieu eagerly questioned. Lucien pulled out a black cloak with a hood, and Mathieu's eyes lit up excitedly. "Yay! Thank you daddy!" Mathieu exclaimed, running to it. Lucien helped him put it on.
"There you go. Does it fit all right? Can you see?" Lucien asked, adjusting it.
"Yes," Mathieu replied.
"Good. Come now, child, do you wish for me to accompany you to the dock, or will you go alone?" Lucien asked, holding the boy's hand.
"I wanna go alone," Mathieu replied. Lucien was hesitant, but it was the boy's first contract. Besides, it was only natural to worry about the little one. Well, not so little anymore, but still only a child.
ES
Mathieu stood at the door of the city. Lucien knelt in front of him fussing over him. Mathieu didn't know why, but he guessed it was because Lucien was worried and trying to keep his mind occupied. "Now remember, I want you home by nine. It will be getting dark then and I don't want you to stay around longer than is necessary. Is it warm enough for you?"
"Yes," Mathieu replied.
"Do you remember what time the captain sails his ship?" Lucien asked.
Mathieu thought a moment then answered, "Eight-thirty."
"Good. I want you off of there before he casts off. The last thing I need is to have you lost at sea," Lucien firmly said.
"I won't get lost!" Mathieu protested, eyes angry.
"Mathieu…" Lucien warned.
"Yes sir," Mathieu muttered, looking down.
"Good. Here's some food in case you get hungry, and some water if you get thirsty. Don't take unnecessary risks. We don't need you getting yourself killed. Last but not least, a poisoned apple, in case you can't find an opening to stab him. Do not eat it. When you were little I could forgive your almost poisoning yourself with that apple you stole from me; children put things in their mouths, children challenge parents. You know better now, though," Lucien warned.
"I'm not a baby!" Mathieu protested. "I wouldn't eat it!"
"I didn't say you were a baby," Lucien replied. He paused uncertainly, finally out of things to say to delay the child's departure. "Be careful," he finally added. Softly he kissed the child's forehead. "Goodbye Mathieu. Walk always in the shadow of the Void. I love you. Kill well and kill often, child of Sithis." Mathieu's eyes hardened like daggers at the last sentence, but he was looking down at the ground so Lucien didn't see. Hiding the gaze he looked up, smiling and nodding. He hugged Lucien then ran off.
ES
Mathieu reached the ship and looked around for a way on. He could climb the ropes holding it to the dock, he supposed. There was no gangplank. Checking and rejecting his other options—some outright ridiculous, like pole vaulting onto it—he went to the ropes and clambered onboard. Stealthily he snuck along the deck. The Pirate was probably below deck. Mathieu stealthily slipped through the door and went down.
"Almost time for my nightly sail," he heard the old pirate mutter. He heard footsteps and hid in the shadows. The man was getting up. But it was too early! Mathieu shifted nervously. He'd have to move quickly. The pirate walked passed his hiding spot. Mathieu slunk out and followed cautiously.
The pirate went on deck and began to untie his ship. Now was the time to move. Mathieu raised his dagger, ready to end the man, but suddenly a voice cried out, "Captain, what's a little boy doing on this ship?" Mathieu froze and paled. Quickly he hid the dagger away and spun. There was another person on board! But why? Vicente had said only the Captain was ever on this ship. He cursed his luck. Of course a perfect kill would be ruined by some unforeseen variable.
"A what now?" the pirate asked, turning. He spotted Mathieu and started. Mathieu swallowed and turned, eyes wide and frightened. Cuteness would be his saving grace here, hopefully, or it would end him. Uh oh. Lucien wouldn't be happy he went sailing.
ES
The pirate's eyes hardened. "Little rapscallion, what are you doing on my ship?"
"I-I got kidnapped and stolen away from mommy and daddy. They dragged me to the docks and tried to take me far away so I could be sold as a slave! I escaped, though, and I had nowhere to go so I-I hid here," Mathieu replied.
"What makes you think we won't do the same?" the other questioned.
"I-I don't know," Mathieu replied, though really he wouldn't be surprised if they tried to do just that. He thanked Lucien a million times for the poisoned apple.
"You've had dealings in the slave market. How much are little boys going for?" the pirate captain asked his friend.
"For a child this pretty, we would get quite a fair price," the other answered. Mathieu frowned. They'd never see the money.
"Tie him up and bring him below deck," the captain ordered.
"Oh, because I can so easily jump from here to the dock!" Mathieu sarcastically snipped, dropping the innocent act. It wouldn't get him anywhere, he'd deduced.
"Watch your mouth, boy!" the pirate barked, slapping him. Mathieu hissed in pain then scowled.
"He doesn't need to be bound. He can't get anywhere once we're out in the water. He'd drown before he got far, or get shot by an arrow," the other said.
"Take him below deck anyway. He doesn't set foot up here until we've reached our destination. Lock him in a cell," the pirate captain ordered.
"Gladly," the other replied, grabbing his arm.
"Let go! I can walk myself!" Mathieu shot, pulling free and clenching his fists as he stomped down below deck. He wasn't too worried. It wasn't a cakewalk anymore, but he could handle it… he hoped.
ES
Mathieu scowled at the man from behind the bars in the dingy little cell. He smirked icily to himself, though, as the man went rummaging through his belongings. The pirate captain's friend had taken all of his food and money and water, including the poisoned apple. At least Mathieu still had his concealed dagger and some lock picks. How ironic that it was Lucien's training that would save him. Putting on a miserable and terrified expression, Mathieu begged, "Please, please, I need food, I need water!"
The man shot an annoyed look at him then smirked cruelly. He took the food and knelt in front of the cell, eating it in front of Mathieu's eyes. He then poured the water onto the ground and said, "Go on, you little dog. Lap it up." Laughing coldly the man threw the apple core into the cell. Mathieu inwardly laughed. It would only be a matter of seconds now. The man stood, still laughing, but all at once he found he couldn't breathe! "I-I can't breathe, I can't breathe! Help…" he was begging. He fell to the ground the next moment, dead.
Mathieu smirked cruelly then set to work picking the lock. Soon enough he was out. Now to finish off the captain; and hope they weren't too far from land. He didn't know how to steer a boat, but that was a whole other issue he couldn't address right now. Mathieu crept up onto the deck and made his way through the shadows to the helm. Silently he moved behind the old man. He observed his surroundings. Far behind them he saw land, probably Cyrodil. He could steer the ship that way, couldn't he? He cringed. He had no idea how to captain a ship except through what he'd read. It wasn't easy, but once you got the hang of it you were usually fine.
The captain was completely unaware. All at once Mathieu lunged without a sound and stabbed! The man gave a strangled cry, but the knife had pierced at the base of his skull. In a heartbeat he was gone, and Mathieu was worriedly trying to control the ship and praying the wind and currents didn't turn on him.
ES
"Where is he? It's been too long," Lucien murmured, pacing restlessly at the cities gate.
"Calm yourself Lachance, the boy will be fine," Vicente assured.
"Fine? I told him specifically to be back at nine. It is now ten. I thought you said this contract wasn't too much for him to handle," Lucien growled.
"Lucien, have faith in the boy. All he knows he learned from you and you alone. He is your protégé. Has he let you down yet?" Banus asked.
Lucien looked back and forth from his two friends. "Perhaps, but I need to check the docks. If the captain pulled out early, Mathieu could be in more danger than he realizes."
"We shall accompany you," Vicente said. He wouldn't lie. He was worried for the boy. Something wasn't right here. That contract was a walk in the park, but if someone else had been with the captain… That could be another story.
"Right. I'll ask some smuggler contacts I have down there what the prices for little boys on the market are…" Banus began. He caught his breath and shut up instantly when Vicente made slashing motions across his neck, trying to quiet him. Too late. Lucien had spun, eyes wide and burning.
"Market? The black market?" Lucien asked, voice quaking with anger.
"I'm sure it's nothing," Banus quickly covered. Lucien turned and bolted. Vicente and Banus cringed and exchanged looks. Swiftly they followed.
ES
The three men slid to a stop with gasps. "But-but this is where the man always docked, I swear it," Vicente insisted.
"Oh no…" Banus breathed.
Lucien looked suddenly pale and afraid. Instantly he began to scan the ocean for any sign of a ship. He squinted. A shape was coming near them, a boat. The other two spotted it too. "You don't think…" Vicente began.
"By Sithis…" Lucien breathed, mouth dropping.
"Night Mother preserve us!" Banus exclaimed. The ship was coming at an alarming rate. "Can he even sail a boat?"
"He's read about it," Lucien numbly replied as the trio backed away from the dock; which, if the boat kept coming at this speed, wouldn't be there in a moment.
ES
Mathieu frowned, looking at the anchor. He knew he was supposed to drop it, but there was no way he could move that thing! He swallowed. Oh they were in for a big crash. Wait! He could make this all look like an accident if he steered the boat onto some rocks! It would go down and so would the two bodies! He could swim to shore… Fear came to his eyes. But what if he couldn't make it? He raced up to the helm and looked ahead. There were three figures on the dock. He squinted. Was that… His eyes widened. Lucien, Vicente, and Banus!" He felt relief. If he couldn't make it they would find a way to save him.
He grabbed the helm and turned sharply. He gasped, almost losing his footing, as the boat cut like a dream. A pity it would be smashed. It was a very, very good ship. He set his eyes on some rocks and ground his teeth. They were nearing. He tightened his grip and prepared for the jarring impact.
They hit and Mathieu cried out in alarm and pain, almost losing his hold and plummeting overboard. The ship made a sickening grinding sound. It was going down. It was slipping back from off of the rocks. It would sink. It hadn't run aground. He had to get to the rocks before the whirlpool this boat would create as it went under could take him down beneath the waves! He raced to the front of the ship and clambered up onto the post from which the figurehead hung. He dove off and into the water. Quickly he swam for the land and climbed on. He turned back and watched as the ship disappeared into the depths.
ES
"No…" Banus breathed.
"What was he thinking?" Vicente asked. Immediately the three raced along the shore, trying to get as close to the rock mass on land as possible.
"Mathieu!" Lucien called, sliding to a stop and looking across at the distant rocks. "Mathieu, answer me!" The ship was sinking under. It was almost gone. Then there was no trace, and the three men could only stare, pale and in shock.
"He-he can't be gone…" Vicente breathed. "He can't be."
"No…" Banus murmured.
Lucien was standing as still as a statue. One would almost think he wasn't breathing. His eyes were scanning the rock mass for a sign of some life. "Lucien… I'm… I'm sorry. I thought… by Sithis… brother, please… forgive me," Vicente pled, tears threatening his eyes.
"Get out of here, before he snaps," Banus warned quietly.
Vicente looked down. After a moment he softly replied, "No… Mathieu is gone because of me." Looking at Lucien's turned back, he added, "If I am to pay with my life in vengeance for his, I will pay it."
"Vicente…" Banus began.
"Be silent," Lucien warned them both in a hiss. "I hear something."
ES
"Lucien, Lucien!" a voice was calling.
The other two gasped and looked towards the rocks again. They saw something moving. Their eyes widened. "Mathieu!" they exclaimed together.
"He'll never be able to swim this distance," Lucien said.
"Nor will you," Banus replied sharply, catching the tone.
"Oh no? Watch me," Lucien answered, offended at the lack of confidence. He dove easily into the water and began swimming.
"If only there were a boat around here," Banus said, helplessly looking around the docks and inwardly laughing at the irony of it all. A dock without boats? It was sad, really.
ES
Mathieu waited worriedly. All at once Lucien was there, clambering up onto the rocks. Mathieu grinned and excitedly babbled, "I did it, Lucien, see! It was easy! I poisoned the one who was guarding me then I killed the captain after I lock picked out of the cell they were holding me in. They wanted to sell me on the Black Market, but they never got a chance. And did you see me sailing the boat! I crashed it, I know, but I couldn't lift the anchor and there was no other way to stop it and make it look like an accident. Now no one will ever know what happened, ever!"
Lucien gaped in shock at the boy. He would have drawn him close, if Mathieu had given him a chance, but the boy had been acting out the motions as he spoke. He'd pretty much raced around the whole rock expressing his excitement. He should be mad at the boy, furious, in fact, but all he felt was relief. He sighed deeply, willing his frustrations to leave. "Excellent, child, good for you. Are you all right?" Lucien asked.
"Yeah, but I'm going to have a bruise because the captain slapped me once, and I don't know how to get back to shore because I'm not an adult yet and can't swim as well as you can even though you taught me and saved me from drowning all the time," he stopped to breathe and was about to go off on another long spiel, but Lucien was more interested in getting back to shore. He was angry on hearing the captain had struck the child, but it was all water under the bridge now. They had more important things to focus on.
"I'll swim with you back. When you get tired, hold onto me," Lucien directed.
"Okay, but it's really cold," Mathieu replied, shivering. Lucien smiled softly and chuckled.
Gently he nuzzled the boy and said, "I'm so proud of you." Mathieu blinked then beamed. The two slipped into the water and began to swim back to shore.
