A/N: Hey everyone, here's chapter 29. Once again, sorry for it being a little late. Thanks to all my readers out there and all who follow/fav/review! It means a lot to me :) Have a good week.
Chapter 29: Doubtful
Traces of daylight had barely begun to spill over the horizon, as Astrid followed Arnbjorn up to the Black Door. Her head was currently pounding from a mixture of exhaustion on top of a little too much alchohol. However, she'd had a wonderful time basking in Arnbjorn's company. If anything, her strong feelings had only flourished in his presence.
"Ugh...I shouldn't have had that last drink." Astrid muttered, placing a hand on her throbbing forehead as she stood on wobbly legs.
"I thought a tough girl like you would be able to hold her drink." Arnbjorn teased, before gently grabbing hold of her arm to steady her. Instantly, upon his contact, Astrid felt as if someone had lit a fire inside of her. She had the deep urge to passionately kiss him right then and there, but even in her inebriated state, she willfully resisted. She'd had acted on her urges with Delvin before, and that hadn't ended well. Even more, a faint current of shame began to trickle in as she began to feel such impulses. In her delighted state, she had forgotten that she had once been terribly damaged. Further more, Arnbjorn didn't know about just how she'd become that way. She quickly cleared her thoughts away, overcome by the disturbing memories that had emerged.
"Yeah, well...I didn't realize that tavern served ale that could down a mammoth." Astrid replied, causing Arnbjorn to chuckle from genuine amusement.
Arnbjorn replied to the question of the Black Door, before turning to her. "C'mon, let's get you to bed before you hurt yourself."
Astrid wobbled along beside him, feeling unbelievably safe in his presence. As large and ominous as the man was, he could be extremely gentle with her, which was quite surprising, given his attitude.
Of course, as they stepped down the stairs and winding tunnels and out into the wide, open cavern, Astrid was stopped in her tracks by the smooth tone of Zirath's voice as it echoed from the stone walls.
Her eyes wearily followed his voice until she saw him standing among the others. Apparently, he was speaking of something important, given the expressions of those surrounding him. Zirath then turned to them, a menacing smile painting itself across his lips.
"Ah...So glad you could join us..." he remarked, gesturing for them to join the others. "As I am to be leaving for a few days, and I need all of your assistance considering a decision."
Astrid could hear Arnbjorn sigh from beside of her, as he assisted her to the group. She couldn't help but to feel a bit foolish about her state of intoxication. However, she tried to push that feeling aside and simply listen to what Zirath had to say.
"Dar'Sien has informed me of a potential group of people in need of our assistance. A noble family in Solitude with great wealth obtained from an underground Skooma ring. Fortunately for us, with such wealth and power, they also have a steady flow of enemies in their midst. That could mean possible contracts for us. Dar'Sien has arranged for me to meet with them in person. First order of business: I am in need of assistance." he explained, his silky voice enough to hold Astrid's attention despite her current state. She noticed that he'd briefly glanced at her from time to time, before staring a hole through Arnbjorn.
"Arnbjorn, friend, brother...I need you to accompany me tonight during my travels. If we should come across any dangers, I will be in need of your bestial abilities." Zirath spoke, as he slightly bowed his head with a devilish grin on his features.
"Very well." Arnbjorn stated flatly, as Astrid began to sense a strange tension between the two assassins. She also noted how Zirath's piercing gaze lingered on the Nord for just a fraction more than a mere glance. Perhaps he knew of Arnbjorn's dislike for him. Or perhaps it was something else entirely. Astrid wasn't so sure.
"Splendid...We will leave at nightfall. Onto the next topic. While Arnbjorn and myself are away, I regret to inform you that I only have two contracts available at the moment. All are welcome to share and split profits, minus the half needed for our sanctuary, if need be. Now comes our decision, friends. Who will take them?" he questioned, calmly placing his hands on his hips and waiting patiently.
"I'm feeling up to roasting a few heads! I'll gladly take one, even if I have to share." Festus chimed in, seeming more than ready to go.
"I'll take one, but I'd rather not have any company this time - especially raving lunatics who ramble incessantly about bastards at the College of Winterhold all night long." Nazir remarked, shooting Festus a glare.
"Careful boy. I've set giants ablaze before. Torching you would be like lighting a twig." Festus replied, scowling.
"I'll go with Festus, if he doesn't mind. I haven't witnessed a good death in a while. I'll even help, if he'd like." Babette smiled sweetly, revealing her fangs.
"Sure. At least strategic poisoning has some thought put into it. Better than watching Nazir mindlessly stab someone to death with the sharp end of a pointy object!" Festus agreed, causing the young Redguard to roll his eyes.
"It is settled, then. I will assign your contracts before I leave tonight. That will be all, dear brothers and sisters." He waved them off, before stepping up to Arnbjorn, his smooth demeanor somehow fading as the others left the area. He briefly looked to Astrid before glaring into Arnbjorn's eyes. "You'd best get her off to bed. She'll need to sleep off her intoxication. Just remember, she's a new part of our family. You wouldn't want to introduce her to such bad habits so early on. She needs to stay alert. Insobriety is quite sloppy for an assassin." he warned, before stepping away.
"What about the cat? Is he coming with us?" Arnbjorn asked, with a bit of irritation in his voice.
Zirath paused, before slinking up to them again. "I'm afraid our companion won't be joining us this time."
"He used to come along all the time. I don't see why this is any different." Arnbjorn continued, in what seemed like an attempt to provoke their leader.
However, Zirath remained as calm and collected as ever, simply smiling. "Ah, that is true, dear brother. However, things change. Astrid," he turned his attention to her, causing her to straighten as best she could, given her state.
"Yes?" Astrid inquired, trying her best to appear halfway sober.
"Get some rest, sister." He gave a lop-sided grin as he gently brushed her cheek with his long, thin fingers.
She simply nodded, glancing to Arnbjorn to see a deep scowl on his features toward their leader. It was certainly an awkward and confusing situation, to say the least.
Astrid flopped onto her bed, eagerly pulling her fur blankets over her slightly chilled body. She turned to Arnbjorn, who was now standing bedside, appearing rather irritated.
"What was that all about?" she questioned him, still unable to reach any conclusion about he and Zirath's situation.
"Nothing. It's late. We both need sleep." he dismissed her, before turning away.
"Technically, it's early." Astrid remarked, as he glanced back at her, smirking.
"You just have to have the last word, don't you?" Arnbjorn teased, before disappearing into the shadows.
"Yes." Astrid smirked, hearing his footsteps echo in the darkness. She decided to give up her inquiry for now, for she was far too exhausted to continue. For the first time in a while, sleep gently welcomed her.
Astrid awakened a few hours later, amazed by the fact that she had not been tormented by a single nightmare. Perhaps she should drink herself to sleep more often, she reasoned. She slipped out of bed, changing from a peasant dress to some comfortable black robes before the sharp pang of hunger ate at her insides.
Upon traveling to the dining area, she realized that the sanctuary seemed to be completely empty. She called out a few times, before confirming this fact after hearing no answers. Apparently, the others had eagerly left to complete their contracts.
She meandered up to the dining table, hungrily eyeing a half-eaten block of cheese, before a low, purring voice startled her.
"And how is Astrid enjoying the company of her dark brethren?" Dar'Sien spoke slyly, slinking out from the shadows. The large scar on his maw made him seem quite ominous in the dim lighting of the sanctuary.
Astrid grabbed the piece of cheese anyway, seating herself. "It's nice, actually." she admitted, biting into the wedge.
"Dar'Sien knew you would fit in nicely. The dark blood of death flows in your veins. It is only appropriate that you should put it to good use." he spoke, seating himself across from her.
Her hunger slowly being sated by the hard block of food, she then realized that she could also sate her inquiring mind as well. It would be a perfect opportunity, she reasoned. "I do have a question, however..." she began, watching Dar'Sien's ears prick up.
"Ah, you are curious about something, no? Do ask." he urged on, seeming intrigued.
"Is Zirath cheating us somehow? I spoke to Arnbjorn, and -" she began, only to be interrupted by the Khajiit.
"Is your distrustfulness at work again? Do you sense that something is not right with us?" he fired back questions, only causing more confusion for Astrid.
"I don't know. Arnbjorn told me Zirath isn't giving us as many contracts as he should. He said Zirath used to allow you to come to his business dealings. I just want to know if there is any truth to all of this." she admitted, now growing frustrated with the whole ordeal.
"So you do not trust, then? I see..." he mused, rubbing his whiskers. "Tell Dar'Sien, do you fear you will be lied to again? Do you fear being betrayed by the souls you should rely upon?"
Astrid knew that Dar'Sien was clever, and that he could easily read her doubts. She simply replied, "Yes."
"Then you remain very sharp. Dar'Sien has told you he distrusts as well. Those who walk with the dagger are bound to plunge it in one's back sooner or later, no?" he asked, licking his teeth.
"So, it is true?" Astrid furrowed her brow, growing tense. The last thing she needed was to be betrayed in the only place she'd found some sort of solace.
"You want truths, then? Very well. Dar'Sien believes something is amiss. What, he has not fully discovered. If Dar'Sien held the complete seeds of knowledge, he would plant them and watch the great tree of death prosper from them. This time, he must wait...and he must watch. He has formed ideas, but this one is not aiming to share so quickly with assassins. This one is sure the foul odor of betrayal will fill this sanctuary eventually. It will eat and consume like decay on a corpse. As for now, this one has no seeds for you, Astrid. For now, this one simply waits...and watches..." he spoke cryptically, leaving Astrid to realize that she'd eventually have to use her own judgment on the matter.
For now, the only choice she seemed to have was to follow in Dar'Sien's footsteps. She would watch and she would wait.
