A.N. Finally, we are approaching the conclusion of this fic. There will be only two or three chapters left after this one. Many thanks to everyone who have been reading and reviewing!
Also a big hug to L'Ankou. I would have never attempted to start this fic without your encouragement and help. And your fic 'The Dark Ages II: Out of Elsweyr' has given me so much smile and laughter. ^_^ Hope it's going to continue long after 'Lucien's Shadow' is complete.
Chapter Twenty
The patience of Bellamont is severely tested once again as he finds Arquen's chamber in her summerhouse empty. Time seems to work against his master plan, and Bellamont contemplates an easier way of bringing down his enemies to their knees for one tempting moment. The cool air of the cave, though somewhat damp, however, helps him to keep his nerve. After what seems like eternity, faint footsteps approach him, and for the first time in his life he is truly glad to see the sight of Arquen.
"You have been waiting for me, dear Brother? What is wrong? You look rather pale."
The chill spell is working just fine. Bellamont laughs inwardly, careful not to betray his sentiment.
"Dear Sister, it is truly a sad day. The Brotherhood lost its Listener," says Bellamont grimly. A flash of delight appears in Arquen's cold eyes, despite her best efforts to look shocked and saddened at the news. Bellamont is not the only one celebrating Ungolim's demise in secret.
"If only Ungolim had the wisdom to see through Lachance's sham loyalty!" she exclaims, her mind racing through plans to organise a comprehensive search party for the traitor. "We must act swiftly to prevent the Black Hand from taking any more casualties. We must find J'Ghasta and Uvani before they too fall a victim."
"I believe it is essential that we act quickly," says Bellamont, pointing to the blank parchment and a quill at the nearby desk. "First, tell me the whereabouts of our Silencers. I will go and fetch them while you enlighten Uvani as to the treachery committed by Lachance. I believe only you can open the eyes of our unsuspecting Dunmer Brother. All I will need is your letter to Shaleez, informing her of the gravity of the situation."
Bellamont cannot believe how easy it is to manipulate Arquen. She hasn't even asked for the detailed account of Ungolim's death, which he has prepared just in case. After telling him all that he needs to find out, Arquen hastily writes a note to her Silencer, the contents of which Bellamont practically dictates through subtle hints and seemingly helpful suggestions. She does not suspect that the signing of the letter at hand will signal the beginning of her own end.
Her frown at suddenly finding Bellamont's glove on her arm freezes permanently as he yanks her head up and then forcefully brings it down to the edge of the desk. He smiles with satisfaction at the bloodied face, unsheathing his dagger.
"There are rumours," the Breton says, eyes glassy with lust for pain. He will not repeat the same mistake he made with Ungolim; he will not grant her an opportunity to recover from his spell. He says his brief words of farewell to her, before sinking his blade deep into her side. "They say you rather enjoy human entrails. Believe me when I tell you I so wanted to help you feast on Lachance. Unfortunately for both of us, that is not going to happen now. But I can still watch you swallow your favourite snack, the only thing fit for your pretty mouth."
"Where do you believe we are heading?" enquires J'Ghasta, his voice uncharacteristically loud as he desperately tries to be heard and overcome the yet-again-increased distance between himself and the other two ahead of him. Shadowmere can be irritatingly fast and has little regard for other horses. But he blames Lucien mostly for his plight. He is not paying enough attention to the fact that Vicente is not the only company he keeps for the night.
"It seems we are approaching Bravil," Lucien answers with a slightly apologetic tone – though J'Ghasta doubts its sincerity - after glancing over the sky as the Bruma Speaker's pitiable looking horse manages to catch up with Shadowmere. They have been travelling through the wilderness for hours, foregoing the relatively easy ride through the road to take a short cut to their unknown destination. A distant purple light leads the way; Vicente's Tracking spell has transformed the severed head into a thing of beauty and practicality.
"Just as we predicted," J'Ghasta comments contentedly. "Where do you think Antoinetta is, Lucien?"
"Probably sleeping inside the Bravil Chapel Undercroft or a deserted farm house if you are concerned about whether she managed to find a place for the night. She can be rather resourceful. It is, however, very good of you to show interest in the welfare of your Sister, J'Ghasta," replies the Imperial, feigning ignorance as to what was going through the Khajiit's mind.
"Don't make out that you are not interested in learning whether she is sleeping before or after finding Uvani," growls J'Ghasta. "It helps to know in advance exactly how many of the Hand members we have to face."
"Between Vicente and me, I am reasonably certain that we can manage to keep you alive and well." Lucien counters pleasantly, earning a killing glare that burns the right side of his face. "However, Shadowmere could do with fresh water and feed. If we happen to pass Bravil and find Vicente's horse in the stable, you are welcome to use that time to obtain the information that will put your mind at ease."
"Our mind," the Bruma Speaker corrects. "I hope you have been paying your family well, Lucien. She is not desperate enough to try the Undercroft, is she?"
"I believe she carries enough blankets with her to make herself comfortable anywhere," Vicente joins the conversation from above, with bemusement. He has a sneaky feeling that they may just find her in the Chapel Undercroft. "It is the safest place for her if Bellamont still happens to be in Bravil."
The vision of Antoinetta trying to slay the Chapel resident ghosts while casting a Soul Trap spell she has managed to learn only recently provides the vampire with a pleasing diversion from his uneasiness with the inevitability of having to deal with some of the Black Hand members. It is not likely that they will have a pleasant conversation with those who were caught by the web Bellamont spins so craftily.
"How long before we reach Bravil?" J'Ghasta asks, though it shouldn't be too long, as the state of his overworked horse gives him a fairly good indication. He doesn't want to appear frail by suggesting that they should take a rest.
"At most half an hour," Vicente assures the Khajiit, smiling at his former pupil's futile efforts to hide his discomfort. "Then, Brother, you and I will take a pleasant stroll in the deserted streets of Bravil."
The leisurely walk has done wonders for J'Ghasta's mood, along with the knowledge that the worst scenario faced is an open war against four Black Hand members; Uvani turned out to be wiser than what he gave the Dunmer credit for. Now that they even have Antoinetta back in the group, things seemed to have definitely improved. Except … the sunrise is only a couple of hours away, and they will be forced to find somewhere to shelter the vampire from the damaging effects of the sun. The tracking spell will not work during the day, in any case. It is not ideal since the likelihood of Bellamont finding out Ulrich's death and seeking the help of the Imperial Region will only increase as time goes by.
The same concern is what drives Lucien into a relentless ride, with little or no concern for his companions. He does not want to spend another day pondering over what Bellamont has done or is planning to do. The practical side of him, however, is well aware of the human and Khajiit shortcomings in the mastery of their physical needs as well as the danger of exposing Vicente to the sunlight. If they cannot catch up with Bellamont within an hour, they should make efforts to find a place for a decent rest.
"Do you remember Francois Motierre?" Vicente asks, after looking over his shoulder and seeing J'Ghasta and Antoinetta some distance behind.
"How can I forget? I've never seen anyone so desperate to be alive."
"Antoinetta confessed later that she so wanted to strangle Motierre. The contract or rather the reward did a wonderful job in teaching her the value of discipline. More importantly, however, that contract taught us the value of Languorwine."
Lucien smiles in appreciative understanding. The vampire must have poisoned a dagger with it in case he came across Bellamont before he joined Lucien.
"The situation is rather different now," continues Vicente, looking at his former pupil's face intently. "I wish to know for whom you may want it to be reserved."
"Shaleez," Lucien replies without a moment's hesitation. Shaleez's skills are a valuable asset to the Brotherhood, and Sithis will be better pleased with her continuing services than a satisfactory ending of Bellamont's life. "Silencers tend to develop a strong emotional bond with their Speakers. Fortunately, she doesn't have much love or respect for Arquen. She will be easier to rehabilitate than Belisarius."
Stupid high elf. The meagre amount of respect that Shaleez has kept for Arquen evaporates away with each line of the letter, swallowed like a bitter pill. What kind of Speaker would place her Silencer under someone else's command till the next time they meet? And for what? The letter seems to have been written in a hurry, and apart from a mere assertion that their honourable Listener has been murdered by Speaker Lachance, no solid evidence has been offered as a justification for hunting down and slaying a Black Hand member. And by the look on the faces of those who have barged into her private shelter, the death they are planning isn't going to be a pleasant one.
"Well?" Bellamont demands Shaleez's response, irritated by the time taken in contemplating the contents of the order that came from her direct superior.
Shaleez does not immediately look up in fear of showing her apprehension with the Breton. She feels no love for Bellamont; something about the Anvil Speaker she cannot quite put her finger on makes her sense an acidic vibration around him. She has never liked the close liaison between Arquen and Bellamont and wonders whether it is in fact Bellamont who is using Arquen to rise to the very top. The whole affair stings, and she cannot help but question what is behind Arquen's seemingly naïve trust of Bellamont. The word Greed comes to mind, and she hopes dearly that particular trait of Arquen will be the end of her.
In the meantime, however, it is not her place to question Arquen's motive or that of Bellamont who takes a temporary charge on her course of action. She is not keen on ending the life of a Speaker who she believes represents the Night Mother better than her own Speaker. But conscience is not a welcoming asset for a Silencer, and disobeying an order from her immediate superior regrettably goes against the Tenets. The only thing she can do for Lucien Lachance is to give him a quick, clean death. Her enchanted sword should take well care of that.
"You have my service for now, as my Speaker made her intentions clear." All traces of regret are gone from her expression when she finally meets the impatient stare of Bellamont.