A/N: So... here it is! I believe that THIS is the real chapter eight.
Chapter Eight
About a week later, Kara and I arrived in Skingrad. I asked one of the town guards if he knew where Ki'ra would be, surprised when he actually escorted me to her house.
"Uh, thank you." I said to the man.
"Of course my lady. She's been waiting for you."
I waited for the guard to leave before I cautiously approached the door. I paused.
"Well? Are you going to knock, or what?"
I glared at Kara before taking a deep breath and knocked on the front door.
"Who is it?" I heard from inside.
"My name is Kalowen," I said through the door.
The door opened immediately.
"Kalowen! I've been expecting you!" I was stunned by what she looked like compared to her voice and the way she talked. She was definitely a Khajiit, but she definitely did not sound like it. Her voice lacked the trademark rasp of Khajiits, and she lacked many of the mannerisms that Khajiits used when speaking.
"And who is this?" Ki'ra asked, looking at Kara.
"I'm Kara."
"You can see her?" I asked.
"Of course, why wouldn't I? Nice to meet you too, Kara."
"Oh, I don't know," I said, laughing nervously.
"Well, do come in." Ki'ra replied.
"Thank you," I said.
As I walked in, I couldn't help but notice that Ki'ra's house was bare, save for some furniture.
"How long have you lived here?" I asked.
"Oh, for quite some time," Ki'ra told me. "I've packed up my belongings; I've got a lot to do. I assume that is why you are here?"
"I believe so." I said. "Before the Emperor died, he gave me this," I continued, handing her the amulet. "He told me to take this to you, and that you would know what to do with it."
She took the amulet from my outstretched hand and examined it closely. She looked puzzled by it, then her eyes widened suddenly in what I hoped to be realization.
"Um… so do you know what to do?" I asked timidly.
"I do; and I will leave right after we eat. I can make a good stew in no time."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course! We'll all need our strength for our journeys ahead. So, you two just make yourselves at home, and I'll go start the stew."
Not long after, we were all seated at a table and eating a delicious stew.
"So, I see that my old armor fits." Ki'ra stated.
"Oh, very well," I started. "It's so dark and very well made. Where did you get it?"
"I don't know if I should tell you this—but you'll know soon enough—but I used to do some work for the Dark Brotherhood back in the day."
"The Dark Brotherhood?" I asked.
"It's a collection of assassins and killers." Kara said.
"Your friend is right, though they are killers, they take good care of their own, like family."
"Then why did you leave?" I asked.
"They are the ones who told me that I had a greater destiny than killing for gold and let me leave to prepare myself."
"Wow," I said in awe. The fact that the Dark Brotherhood just let her go because she had some sort of "greater destiny" fascinated me.
"Anyway, the past is the past," she said, gathering up our dishes. "And I think that we all have places to go, hmm?"
"Yes." I said.
"You can stay the night here. I have some extra beds upstairs. You'll want to be rested for the journey ahead. I think I'm going to leave now, I don't want to waste any time getting this to where it needs to go," she finished, holding up the amulet.
"Thank you," I said again. "And good-bye."
"Good-bye, and good luck."
Once she left, I crawled up the stairs to a random bed and collapsed on top of it, thankful for an actual bed to sleep in.
Despite the recent events, I found it quite easy to relax, and I soon fell into a peaceful sleep.
Something in my room caused me to wake up suddenly. I looked around and spotted a cloaked figure at the foot of my bed.
"You sleep rather soundly for a murderer. That's good. You'll nee a clear conscious for what I'm about to propose."
I was so startled by his sudden appearance that I remained silent.
"You prefer silence, then? As do I, my dear child. As do I. For is silence not the symphony of death, the orchestration of Sithis himself? Ironic, then, that I come to you now as Speaker for the Dark Brotherhood. My name is Lucien Lachance, and my voice is the will of the Night Mother. She's been watching you. Observing as you kill, admiring as you end life without pity or remorse. The Night Mother is most pleased… That is why I stand here before you. I bear an offering. An opportunity… to join our rather unique family…"
"Uh, I think that Kara would be better suited to this." I said. A moment later, she had appeared next to the bed, causing me to jump.
Jumpy, aren't you?
"Shut up." I said. Kara geared up for what looked like what was going to be a nasty retort, but was interrupted.
"Ah, I see. You are one of them. What a wonderful turn of events."
"Wait, you can see her too?" He nodded. "What the hell, Kara! I thought you were supposed to be invisible or something!"
There was something in one of Ki'ra's books that said people of great power could see things like me. He must be of great power. Same with Ki'ra. I just don't think that she knows.
"Well then, she would be the perfect assassin; no one would be able to see or hear her!" I exclaimed, pointing to Kara.
"But it is you that I seek. For she is a part of you, meaning that you would be a perfect assassin." He continued. "Not to mention, beings like her cannot physically interact with the world."
"Oh." I said. Then I thought of Ki'ra. "What about Ki'ra? I hear that she was with you."
"As much as I would like to bring Ki'ra back to the Dark Brotherhood, she has a different destiny. You have her old armor, do you not?"
"Yes."
"Then she wants you to do this. She has a way of seeing people that most others cannot hope to achieve."
"Oh."
"Now, heed my words, for I will not repeat them. On the Green Road to the north of Bravil lies the Inn of Ill Omen. There you will find a man named Rufio. Kill him, and your initiation into the Dark Brotherhood will be complete. Do this, and the next time you sleep in a location I deem secure, I will reveal myself once more, bearing the love of your new family."
Not sure how to reply, I didn't respond.
"Please accept this token from the Dark Brotherhood," he said, handing me a small blade. "It is a virgin blade, and thirsts for blood. May it serve you well, as does your silence. Now, I bid you farewell. I do hope we'll meet again soon." He suddenly became almost invisible. "Your path is clear. Send Rufio to his death, and the Dark Brotherhood will embrace you as family." Then he left.
I looked up at Kara. She had a certain look on her face; one that I already knew too well. "What do you say about paying a visit to this Rufio?"
A/N: So, how was it? I'm really sorry that it took this long to update! I guess it could be worse though, right? Anyway, hoped you liked it! Oh, and yay for Lucien!
