Fate's Games

(A/N: Second up today.)

My Speaker, My Silencer, My Listener

"You stand now upon the precipice of the Void. I am reminded of another Listener, I knew once. Long ago… so long ago," the spirit breathed into the back of her neck, and they and they alone knew what he meant.

"Master, I stand before you still. Speaker, still you know and possess me. Minion, time has not changed me so much," she replied softly.

ES

The first time he'd come to her she had been fast asleep upon a bed of straw. So still, so delicate, so beautiful, that one would almost think she was a corpse… The moonlight shone off of her skin and that image was forever burned into his mind. She'd sense a presence and opened her eyes in confusion. Eyes so pale they rivalled the moon and stars. When she'd seen him she hadn't moved, had hardly even breathed. Her hand, though, had slowly begun to twist a dagger, glittering and deadly.

"You sleep rather soundly for a murderer. That's good. You'll need a clear conscience for what I am about to propose." She said nothing in return, simply blinked and waited for him to continue. He was amused. "I am Lucien Lachance, a Speaker for the Dark Brotherhood. And you… you are a killer. A taker of life. A harvester of souls. Your work, your deathcraft, pleases the Night Mother. And so, I come to you with an offering. An opportunity… To join our rather unique family."

Once more she said nothing, her expression unreadable. He thought a moment that he saw anger, guilt, but it could just as easily have been a trick of the light. She was waiting, and he was feeling more and more intrigued. He shivered as she cocked her head slightly and he caught a wave of perfume, a light and exotic scent. Deathbell with a hint of Nightshade… How fitting. "Listen carefully. 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."

Once more she remained quiet, but she allowed her eyes to harden. Most would have thought she was hardening her heart, resolved to carry out his bidding. No… They hardened because she wanted to refuse, to tell him she was no murderer. For a moment he feared she would pounce with an unearthly cry, that of some unobtainable and otherworldly creature, and tear him to pieces. She didn't move, though. "Now please, accept this token from the Dark Brotherhood. It is a virgin blade and thirsts for blood. May it serve your endeavors well. Now, I bid you farewell. I do hope we'll meet again soon."

There were those who would wonder why he give her such a prize, such a blade, when she had said nothing to either confirm or deny that she would go through with it; but something about her called out to him like a forbidden fruit, and who was he to ignore such a sensation? It was foreign, new, and he found he liked it very much, yet at the same time feared it. "Your path is clear," he said to her. "Send Rufio to his death, and the Dark Brotherhood will embrace you as family.

ES

She didn't disappoint. To be honest, he hadn't known if she would go through with it or not, yet here he was standing before her once more and gazing into her pale eyes and pale skin. Her hands were behind her back as boldly she faced him, proud and cold, eyes like icicles. She wasn't happy with him, with what she'd done, but still she'd gone through with it. "So, the deed is done. How do I know this? You will find that the Dark Brotherhood knows a great many things. For you are now part of the family." Yet again she said nothing, but oh how he longed to hear her voice, and he didn't know why. "The slaying of Rufio was the signing of a covenant, the manner of execution your signature, Rufio's blood, the ink."

He didn't know why such disappointment fell upon his heart when she still refused to speak, but he continued, "As a Speaker of the Black Hand, I directly oversee a group of family members. You will join that group and fulfil any contracts given. You must now go to the city of Cheydinhal, to the abandoned house near the Eastern Wall. Enter the basement and attempt to open the Black Door. You will be asked a question. Answer thusly." She shivered at his whispered words and he softly smiled. "'Sanguine, my brother.' You will gain entrance to the sanctuary. Once inside, speak with Ocheeva."

To this day what happened next remained burned into his mind, and still he shivered at the memory. "We must now take our leave of each other, you and I, for there is much work to be done," he declared. "I'll be following… your progress. Welcome to the family." She had gazed up at him, head tilted slightly, curiously, then all at once she knelt before him, dress pooling around her feet, and took his hands in hers. She bowed her head modestly, submissively, and softly kissed them with her cold, cold red lips. He swore his heart skipped a beat, then pounded all the harder. He shivered.

Her eyes turned up to him once more and she rose. He realized his lips were still parted in awe. Quickly he closed them and glanced away, continuing, "You are now one with the Dark Brotherhood. Visit Ocheeva at the Cheydinhal Sanctuary and your new life will begin."

ES

It was some time before he saw her again. She entered his hideaway at his summons, appearing like some apparition. He himself had very nearly thought that a ghost was just what she was. "I have been waiting for you assassin. We have not spoken in some time, but I am well aware of your accomplishments within the Dark Brotherhood. That is why I have sent for you. I'm afraid there is a… situation. The time has come to test both your skill and your loyalty to Sithis. The Black Hand has learned that the Dark Brotherhood has been infiltrated. By whom, and for what purpose, we do not yet know. What we do know is that there is some link between the traitor and the Cheydinhal Sanctuary. The traitor has tainted that place beyond repair. It was learned that the traitor has been active for quite some time. Since before you joined the Brotherhood. That absolves you of any suspicion."

It was then that she spoke. Spoke for the first time he had ever heard, and her voice… Her voice sent shivers up and down his spine. "I will serve you to time immemorial," she declared. Oh gods, he felt as if he were in another world.

"And that, dear child, is why the Black Hand has chosen you to perform the ancient rite known as Purification. Everyone inside the sanctuary must die," he stated.

He heard her catch her breath, her eyes filling with fear and sadness, and oh immortals, her tears… The tears glittering in her eyes made him want to draw her close and swear to her that everything would be all right. But it wouldn't… Somehow he knew it would never be all right again. But he never wanted to see another look of anguish in her eyes or expression. He didn't want to continue, he truly didn't, but it must be made known to her. "You must break one of the tenets you have sworn to uphold. I know this is an unexpected turn of events, but drastic measures must be taken. Ocheeva, Vincente Valtieri, Antoinetta Marie, Gogron gro-Bolmog, Telaendril, M'raaj Dar, and Teinaava. All of these family members must die…"

He'd never thought any words could cut so deeply, hurt so badly, as those had… And her… Her misery made it all the more painful; so betrayed, so hurt, so miserable, and he wished in that moment that he could die, for if she came to hate him… He closed his eyes tightly at the thought, and he knew. If she had attacked him then, he would not have fought back, if she had killed him there it would have been a blessing, for if she let him live her hatred would end him so much more painfully than anything he could imagine.

"From this point forward you are no longer bound by the five tenets. Sithis will forgive any murder, any theft, so long as you serve the Black Hand. When the rite of Purification has been completed, return to me here at Fort Farragut, and we will discuss your future," he said; and for a moment there was hatred. For a moment he knew she wanted to kill him, but then understanding came to her eyes and she bowed her head low. Oh to turn his back so he would no longer have to watch… "Now take these special gifts. They will help you greatly. One is a poisoned apple, the other a unique scroll of summoning. Good luck… Silencer."

She looked up at him slowly, lips parted in awe, tears in her eyes. He cringed, and this time it was he who looked down. She knelt before him and answered, "Thank you, Speaker."

"Make haste. The sanctuary must be purified if this treachery is to be undone," he quickly ordered, wanting her gone. She rose and left without a word.

ES

She returned to him in tears, he remembered, anguish so set upon her that she never even looked up. He watched silently. Finally he said, "The ritual of purification is complete. Well done. Sithis has been appeased and the time has come to acknowledge and reward your unwavering loyalty."

Then the last thing he expected happened. She burst into tears and fled into his arms. Shocked, he'd held her tightly as she sobbed mournfully into his chest, shaking her head in denial. He didn't know what to do, what to say. He swallowed and felt tears burning his own eyes. When was the last time he'd wept? He forced them back and continued, "The Black Hand is most pleased with your progress. You have been invited to share in secrets that few within the Dark Brotherhood even know exist. Your life in the sanctuary is over. Those contracts are behind you. Now, you will serve the Black Hand. You will serve me." She shivered in his embrace. "From this moment forward you will walk the shadows as my Silencer. You will receive contracts only from me. Your new life has begun."

"But… but what must I do now?" she questioned fearfully, and he felt her fear and confusion. Everything torn from her in a single night, all she'd come to know and love gone; and she was vulnerable. So, so vulnerable.

"No longer will you receive your orders directly. Instead, you will visit secret dead drops. Your next contract can be found at the dead drop on Hero Hill, southeast of here. A hollow in the moss covered rock contains all you need to know," he told her gently. "When you leave here, we will not speak again unless I deem it necessary. Ah yes, there is one last thing. I have for you a very special gift. Waiting just outside is a magnificent steed named, Shaodowmere. She has served me well. I present her now to you, as a token of my trust… and love…"

ES

She looked up at him slowly, eyes meeting his, lips parted ever so slightly; and how he wanted to place his own upon them and never let her go. He didn't have to. She was the one who advanced. Before he could ready himself her lips were against his softly, gently, lovingly… She stole his breath away, and he softly cupped her cheek and kissed her desperately back. Sithis only knew for how long he'd wanted to feel her lips upon his, her cold skin against his own flesh. After a moment she pulled away and said, "Must you be so wan and cold, fond master?"

"Cold?" he wondered, hardly in a whisper as he still fought to catch his breath.

"Am I truly never to speak to you again?" she asked softly, a tear trickling down her cheek. Suddenly afraid he took her face softly and gently brushed it away. He never wanted to see her tears again.

Nuzzling her softly, he breathed, "My Silencer…"

"My Speaker," she answered, and he was shivering now, unable to stop as they nestled their foreheads.

He closed his eyes tightly. No more promises, no more explanations, please no. But it was a battle he wouldn't win. "You will see me again," he vowed to her. She sobbed and kissed him once more. As they gently parted he breathed, "Now go, and may Sithis guide you in this new stage of your life's dark journey. Go now, child of Sithis. Walk in the shadow of the Void."

ES

He felt her move next to him as she slept, every breath she took full. Proof of life in a world filled with death and darkness. He rose quietly onto an arm and gazed down at her sleeping form, her black hair cascading over the pillows. Softly he caressed her cheek then bent, sealing her lips with a kiss. He nuzzled her so adoringly… He'd long forgotten he could feel such things as this. Gods, to never have to leave this embrace; to never let her out of his sight again. If only the world would fade away and die around them so nothing would ever interfere with this moment.

She sighed softly in sleep and breathed in as she began to wake up. Her eyes flickered open and met his. She grinned softly, lovingly, and reached up, cupping his cheek. He took her hand and kissed her palm. Softly, lazily, he let his lips find their way to her stomach and softly drop a kiss, then upon her chest, her neck. She giggled, a sound like a goddess, and beamed, wrapping her arms around his neck and taking his lips. He rose from her reluctantly and wrapped himself swiftly. They had work to do now.

ES

"No. No! I thought I could get here in time, thought I could stop you! By Sithis, what have you done? What madness has claimed you? You have betrayed me. You have betrayed the Dark Brotherhood! Why?!" he demanded of her, and his tone held such hurt, such confusion, such anger and hatred that she felt like dying.

"What do you mean?" she breathed fearfully, backing away from him as he advanced like a predator. "Minion, how have I betrayed you?!" she begged. He raised his hand as if to strike her. She gasped and turned away, waiting for the blow. It never came. He couldn't bring himself to hit her, even now.

She sank down against the wall of a building and curled against it. Voice quaking in fury and hatred he declared, "I am here to end your miserable life. To…" He trailed off, however, and looked down at her, seeming to catch up with his emotions. He turned his head curiously, reading her, summing her up, just as he had so often before. In that moment of silence she'd wanted burst into tears and beg his forgiveness, though for what she was unsure as of yet. It seemed forever until he spoke again, saying. "But… I can see the confusion in your eyes. You… you have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?"

He saw that she was terrified, gazing at him in hurt and fear as she cowered against the wall, and for a dreadful moment he feared she would say nothing in response. He feared she would burst into tears or flee. But she didn't. "No," she simply breathed in response.

"Your first dead drop contract. You carried that out, killed Celedaen. After that you eliminated the Draconis family, as ordered. Then, betrayal. Your dead drops went unvisited, your targets ignored. Instead you have been systematically killing off all the members of the Black Hand. J'Ghaasta, Shaleez, Alval Uvani, Havilstein Hoar-Blood. Speakers and Silencers all. And Ungolim. The Listener himself!"

She suddenly appeared sick. "Oh gods!" she exclaimed, covering her mouth and sobbing, shaking her head in denial. What had she done? What had she done? He watched silently, for a long moment saying nothing, and in that pause she wished he had struck her dead, but no… He knelt down and took her arms, pulling her to her feet and placing his forehead against hers. She sensed his guilt and leaned into his neck, nuzzling him. Then he said the words that would continue to haunt her darkest nightmares for the rest of eternity…

ES

"The surviving members of the Black Hand know that you're innocent, know you were only following orders. They believe I am the traitor," he admitted.

She looked up at him, worry overtaking her features. "No…" she breathed. He looked distant, sad. "Lucien," she breathed, cupping his cheek. He turned to her curiously.

Gently he kissed her palm, her forehead, and breathed, "Forgive me."

"I am yours to command, Speaker," she replied, and his heart leapt within him.

"The traitor somehow switched your orders and has been sending you to the wrong dead drops! You and I have been deceived. We must find out who is behind this betrayal. We haven't much time… I am hunted day and night by the Black Hand. They want me dead." She looked down, feeling her heart twisting. This couldn't be happening… "Here is what you must do. Go now to your next dead drop. Lie in wait and confront whomever drops off the false contract. Uncover the true traitor's identity and then come see me. I'll be in hiding. Fort Farragut is no longer secure. It's under watch by the Black Hand. I'll wait for you at Applewatch, the farm where you killed the old Draconis woman. It should be empty and safe. Now go! And may Sithis help us all."

It was then he walked passed her. She looked down at the ground, tightly closing her eyes and willing back tears. She would never see him again… If he left her sight, she would never see him again. She sobbed, covering her mouth, then turned and raced after him. He looked back, curious, and all at once she was in his arms kissing him so, so passionately… Kissing him as if it would be the last kiss they ever shared.

Finally they drew apart. "My Speaker, do not leave me," she pled.

He closed his eyes tightly as a tear fell from his eyes. Breathing in he looked up at her and answered, "If only I could make that promise." She sobbed, shaking her head in denial. He kissed her once more then pulled away, vanishing before her eyes as she fell to her knees and sobbed for all she knew, she sensed, she was going to lose.

ES

She stood overlooking Skyrim, tears in her eyes. His ghostly arms were wrapped around her, his skin once so warm now so, so cold… He kissed the back of her neck softly and she leaned into it. "Do not leave me," she pled as she had once long ago.

"We are bonded now, you and I, joined by the powers of the Void," he answered. "I will never leave you again." She sobbed and turned, kissing his lips, but as the twilight became dusk, his image faded away, and once again she was left cold and empty.

"Until I summon you once more," she whispered as a goodbye.