WORDS IN WINDHELM

Solitude is always busy and today is no exception. Kids running everywhere, people shopping, bartering, drinking, working, you name it, it's all here. Not that any of that is unusual in Skyrim's largest city. What is unusual is the Orc carriage driver, most are Nord.

"I'll make sure he gets to the Rift in one piece." He growls then bites one of the five coin I gave him. He nods in satisfaction.

Instead of pointing out he was calling my bluff, I let it go. Bryn grabs my arm. I squeal and try to squirm away but I let him pull me where he wants us to go. Instead of taking me back to the city he drags me down to one of the cliff sides overlooking the sea. He pulls me down to sit next to him and his warm arms envelop me.

"Heard you wanted to talk." He kisses the top of my head. I hope it smells good, with the new bath installed I can now bathe regularly.

"Yep." I pause, there's no good way to start this. "I know you and the others are going back to Riften tomorrow. And I know you want me to come with you. But I can't, not yet at least."

Bryn pulls back, "Whyever not? I thought we planned on you coming home."

I gulp then look straight into his forest green eyes, "You planned on it. I didn't. I never said yes. For a thief you're not so good at reading between the lines." I smirk but his face doesn't move. All serious and drab.

"Okay, I'm sorry about that and you can't change my mind-" I begin before he cuts me off.

"I'm not leaving you with those assassins following you. I'll send my men to deal with them."

I grab his hands. Hold them steady. "I have to go talk to them. I don't think there's any coincidence that they're contacting a Nightingale, looking for me, the only one they know is in Solitude. And that they were involved in my parents murder somehow." I let that last sentence slip out fast because I know the reaction.

Bryn closes his eyes and shakes his head slowly. "No. No, lass. I'm not having this conversation again." It was the conversation we had days ago when he asked why I bought Proudspire Manor. I said it was so I could have a place detached from the Guild in case anyone came for me. Because I was going after the man who murdered my parents. He wasn't happy. We fought for a while, even had a few dishes flying but eventually we calmed down. It also helped the giant bath was nearby, after a few kisses the conversation was all but forgotten.

Until now.

"I don't think it's a good idea to go on this long wild goose chase, I don't care what any voice says to you."

I told him about Voice awhile ago. I forgot he knew. "It's not because of her. It's me. My parents keep me up at night." At least they did in prison, now Vorstag, Keira, a former thief, Cicero, and the deities take the brunt of my nightmares.

Bryn seems to see the resolve in my eyes. "I'll let Vex and Delvin go. I stay with you while we get this mess sorted out. I'm not leaving you again." His hand caresses my cheek. A soft, languid touch.

"I won't leave," I whisper. I see the resolve in his eyes too. There is no convincing him of getting on the Orc driven carriage tomorrow at dawn.

"Promise?"

I smile, "I promise, but if you stay with me, we have to investigate this thoroughly. As in, I want to go to Windhelm."

Bryn scratches his growing stubble. "Windhelm, hm? You've never been there before, have you?"

"Nope," My ebony colored braids brush his shoulder when I move closer. They nearly blend into my dark gray and black Nightingale armor.

He laughs, "You're in for a surprise then. Only thing I'm worried of lass is that they're targeting Nightingales. I don't want us to end up dead because we got careless."

I scoff, "Bryn, you're a highly trained thief and highly skilled in combat. I'm a vampire. They don't stand a chance."

"Yes, but lass, they're assassins. They kill for a living."

Damn. He got me there. "Listen, we go. We ask around, we only go out during the day and in public places. How's that sound?"

He laughs and shakes his head. "Ah, I forgot the high bargains you drive. That's better, but not good enough. How about this? You never leave my side and I call Karliah to help."

Karliah, the other Nightingale. "You sure? I thought she was guarding the Sepulcher." I give him a questioning look.

"Even she needs a break occasionally. How about I ask her, see what she says, and we plan to leave the day after tomorrow?" He quirks an eyebrow. At least he's willing to compromise.

"Deal." I say. That was easy, almost too easy. Bryn just tips my head back for a searing kiss. This time more tongue action. "Man, I missed that." I blurt out. His shoulders shake from his laughter and soon, we fall into a comfortable silence while watching the ships go by.

Dawn came and went without a hitch. I slept in late with Bryn, maybe around eight am, we were distracted, but then I remembered we needed to send Vex and Delvin off. We searched high and low in Proudspire before Penny told us they were having one last round at the Winking Skeever. Delvin must have some balls to get stabbed, survive, and go back to said location all for another ale.

"Was definitely worth it, love." Delvin gives me a drunken kiss on the forehead, Bryn a man-hug then hops on the carriage. Vex shows no such affection. "Get back in time." She says to the both of us then follows Delvin.

Gabriel was sad to see his drinking buddies leave. But his spirits rose when I told him about our adventure to Windhelm. He sighs, dreamily, "I remember the Candlehearth Hall. Haven't been there in ages…how long are we staying again?"

Bryn just laughs and claps him on the shoulders. Truth is, we have no idea. Hopefully, a few days tops but it could stretch into as long as a week.

"Are you sure your accommodations will be adequate miss?" Penny was hovering over me all night. I can tell he's still shaken up by the last note we got. One of those hawks that fly around up above was dead and pinned to the door with two knives and the same note we've been getting. This time all written in blood. If anything, it showed to Bryn that we needed to get to Windhelm and figure this out.

"I'll be good, we're staying at the Inn there and decided to just have one room. Hay, Bryn, Gabriel and I will be shacking up together. So, to speak. You sure you'll be okay?"

Penny smiles, his older face is barely weathered by the years. He's in his late sixties last I checked, but his choice of black-rimmed glasses keeps him looking younger. Also helps to have very little wrinkles for his age. "As long as there's no dead animals around the property or harm to me or Oliver, I will be fine. Any more snacks you want for the trip?"

"Nah, Bryn might want another sweetroll but I have all the blood I can ask for." I grin at him.

Blood as in, all the bandits crowding the way there. Windhelm is smack dab in the middle of Skyrim a little to the east of Whiterun. Solitude is way the hell to the west. I was sad to see it go. Penny fussed over tea for the morning. I had two cups to please him. Then he fussed over the luggage we were taking, surely it wasn't enough, but I finally calmed him down by telling him he could have whoever he wanted over. As long as the place wasn't destroyed in a raging party. He said it will be even more pristine when we return.

Bryn was neutral. Holding my hand the whole way except for when we had to fight and I had to take blood. Gabriel was chipper, sounds like this Inn is a good one. Hay was tired, too many fish from the Winking Skeever the past week. I could've left him at home, but if Oliver is protecting Penny, I figured Hay could protect Gabriel.

I even told Gabriel he could take the Rose from Sanguine, it's a staff that can summon daedra. Gabriel used it for his most recent adventure while I was fighting Potema. I still haven't gotten the full story but I'm hoping tonight at the Inn I can pull it out of him. Everyone's so curious, Vex and Delvin requested a letter in detail over the events that took place. Bryn just laughed it off.

Days later Windhelm was in view. Now I understood why Bryn was so reluctant to come. This place was the dump of a dump. If I thought Riften was rotten, this place is barely keeping it together. The towering door wasn't gleaming or pretty like in Whiterun and Solitude. The place was crumbling around us and the walls felt like they were holding us in. Out of all the cities in Skyrim, this is the only one that actually felt like a prison.

And to make matters worse right through the front doors guards were harassing a Dunmer woman. Bryn went over to deal with it while I scoped out the area. I didn't know if anyone was watching. Gabriel kept staring at the large, church-like building in front of us. Strange that the Inn is smack dab in the middle of the town, but I won't complain.

Bryn grabs my arm. "They were questioning her. I dealt with it. Forgot the prejudice the Nords have here." He glances at me, "Shall we get the room first, or begin to ask around?"

"Room, I want a hiding place in case we get ambushed." Even though I said it with a straight face I knew he detected the sarcasm.

Candlehearth Hall wasn't much, there's a basic bar right when we walk in, a hallway that leads to rooms and a kitchen. Upstairs was the main event, a sitting area around a large fireplace with a bard. We bought one room and were told where to find it. Hospitality gets one point off, usually I'm at least shown to my room.

Bryn requested more beds so a gruff looking older man, who said he was the cook, helped us move everything. Once it all was nice and situated, Hay came in through the back and stretched out on the largest bed.

"Ready to ask around?" Bryn pulls my full braids back from my shoulders. I would let my hair free, but I find it stays at least a little bit cleaner this way.

"Dusk is upon us, why not ask around the bar?" Gabriel suggests, I can see it doesn't matter what we say, that's still his destination. He's almost halfway out the door.

"Let's do what he says." I smile. Nothing like a good Inn to keep one entertained.

Turns out not many people were here yet. The chef kept walking around saying he was going to cook something. So, Bryn ordered a bunch of food for him and Gabriel and soon we were sitting around the fireplace upstairs with a table between us. Completely piled high with sweetrolls, potatoes, and meat for days. Oh, and mead.

I tear into a sweetroll, the frosting covered my fingers in sugary goodness. Even though I'm a vamp and don't have use for solid food anymore, I can still enjoy the taste. "So, Gabriel." He's three or four drinks down so I figure now is a good time to ask. "What exactly happened while I was gone?"

Bryn gives me a knowing smile and pats our carriage driver on the back. Gabriel suppresses a belch then takes another sip. I give him time. The fireplace before us is massive. Actually, Bryn said at night it's so dark out you could see this thing for miles. If only the seventy-foot wall wasn't in the way.

"I stayed at the Bannered Mare for a while." Gabriel begins, "I thought you were coming back. When some guards came in and said a prisoner was being transferred to Markarth I got a bad feeling. Ah, girl, if it's anyone who would give me a headache it's you. I know I've told you once or twice before you keep me on my toes, and this was no different. Something told me to, so I grabbed that Rose staff you had laying next to me and ran out of there. I didn't think they'd be happy to find me as an accomplice.

"Hay was near the carriage, so we made up good time. I didn't know where we were headed, I just took the paths the voice told me to. There were so many enemies." He takes a long drink, "I took you for granted, girl. I didn't know how much you kept away from the carriage. But the voice told me to use the Rose and when I did…poof!" He flings his hands in the air, almost spilling his drink. "A daedra was in the carriage with me! I almost lost all my marbles then, Eve! After that jester and the coffin, I didn't know it would get much scarier."

I nod in sympathy, "What happened? Where did the voice take you?" For all I knew Sanguine was creating another elaborate prank. But there was always a chance…

"I can't even remember much of it." Gabriel rubs his forehead, "I do remember we were looking for some book…some artifact. Ah, this mead is one of the best. I need more!" He slams his mug down on the table. Bryn raises his brows and gets up to find the bartender. But I'm so close. "Gabriel. I need you to tell me. Try to remember. What were you looking for and why? Did the voice say anything?"

I'm leaning towards him. So, I barely register the shadow falling over the fire across from us. Gabriel is the first to jump. I turn, ready for another bar brawl when a courier drops a note in my lap.

"For you." He salutes and runs off to the other side of the room to deliver a note to the bard. She was almost done with the Age of Aggression but seems even more aggressive when the courier bugs her.

I lift up the note. Gabriel gives it a worried glance and tips his mug to get the last drop of mead. Bryn arrives a few seconds after I open it.

"Here's your drink big guy." He hands a mug to Gabriel and reaches out to move my bangs back from my eyes. "What's this? Another one?"

"I think. I think we may have found our contact." I turn the page to Bryn. His eyes widen as he takes in the contents.

The top reads, "We Know". The black handprint is the same. But the words at the bottom are different. They read, "Aventus Aretino requests your services."

Gabriel and Hay were snoring in synch. I snuggle further into Bryn's chest, as if that will stop the horrid noise. He just strokes my hair, completely unfazed by the events that took place. We asked around the fireplace. The bard didn't want to speak to us, the cook told us he was busy cooking, and a pirate guy, or captain, said he just got to Windhelm and knew as much as the rest of us.

So, we went down to the bar and I found this bartender was useful for once. She studied the note and chirped on about the boy. Sounds like he's about ten years old, give or take. He came from an orphanage down in Riften. Apparently, he was abused by Grelod the Kind. Once that name slipped, Bryn stiffened. His posture was completely rigid, and he took over the questioning. Bartender said she knew Aventus Aretino was asking for the Dark Brotherhood, but everyone just dismissed his pleas as unresolved trauma. I asked where this kid lived but Bryn shut me down.

"She's right. Grelod was a horrible, horrible caretaker." It took me a moment to remember Bryn was raised by her too. She's prolly a walking crypt at this point. "I didn't know she was still alive and running the place." Bryn says, echoing my thoughts, "It sounds like all of this is an elaborate prank. Or the boy needs some help. If I found him, I could set him up, but it sounds like the people here have it taken care of."

"Oh no." I start, "I'm not tucking tail and running at this instant. If he's the one sending these letters, then it means he needs help and he's sure as hell not getting it here. Plus, if assassins are involved, how would you feel if a kid died on our watch and we did nothing to stop it?"

"I don't think that would be the case, lass." He shakes his head. "I think it's best we leave it alone."

Guilt nabs at me. It wasn't like Bryn to turn away from someone in need. After Gabriel fell straight asleep at the bar, we carried him to the room and stayed silent. Argument averted for now, we tried to fall asleep in each other's arms.

"I need to return to Riften soon. I heard from Karliah and she won't be able to meet us. I have three days at most here before I need to get back to the Guild. And you're coming with me." Bryn blurts out. But it's that tone that says he won't take no for an answer.

I growl, "I'm not leaving until we talk to this kid."

His arms wrap around me like steel, "You've been in enough trouble. I don't want more of it for you. If anything, we could just tell the guards of this mess and have them speak to him."

"And what? What if he's a Dunmer or something, and they take it out on him with their prejudice?" Worse things have happened.

He strokes my hair, "I wouldn't allow it."

We sit in near silence for two more minutes, barring the snoring on the other side of the room. "Tell me about her. Grelod." I whisper.

He hears, "She told us we would never get adopted no matter how much we wished. There were weekly beatings and food was restricted. If anything, I think she saw us as slaves in the making."

I cringe, "No one stopped her? Was anyone severely hurt?"

He doesn't talk for a few minutes, "One girl. She was beaten so badly the other kids began to pick on her. Last I heard, at the age of fourteen she threw herself into the canal and never came out."

"You got this information from where?"

"Grelod herself. I visited her when I was nineteen to show her what I'd become. All she said was that I was as good as the sewers and she was happy I never forgot it. That girl. Lisa, I believe that was her name, Grelod told me she wanted her as her own personal maid. Tried to break her down to keep her loyal. But it didn't work. Now she picks on even younger kids."

I purse my lips. "So, this Valentino kid has a point…"

He laughs, "Certainly, but it's nothing we can't deal with on our own. I'm telling you, Eve. With all these notes I would not be surprised if Aventus is nothing more than bait. He's either fake, doing this for attention, people are lying about his intentions, or he's being watched while the Dark Brotherhood waits for you to meet him. We aren't going. That's final, and now all we need to do is sleep. We'll ask around tomorrow then will go back to Riften when we've found all we can."

I know he can feel my hackles raised. But if I push, I won't get anywhere. Bryn is bendable, to a point. I'll just have to take the problem up myself.

In the dead of night, when I've usually been sleeping, thanks to my reversed sleeping schedule, I slip out of Bryn's relaxed arms. He fell asleep an hour ago. Now was as good a chance as any. I dressed in my full Nightingale armor, complete with the hood and Ebony Blade, and set out to the bar. Bartender is falling asleep on her broom when I arrive. She squeals and flings it out like a weapon when she sees my shadowy form approach.

"Relax," I drawl, "Just wondering where the Agustus kid lives."

Her shoulders relax, slightly, "Oh, him. Here." She pulls out a map of the place. First one I've seen in all the towns I've been in. Well, aside from Riften but I knew that place like the back of my hand now.

"Here." She points to a little "house" next to Candlehearth. "You have to go through the ruins and along the wall. You'll see the door off to the side. This is his residence…" She glances at my masked face, "I don't think he's living with anyone so don't scare him."

I take the map and study it. "Don't worry, I think he's been dealing with far scarier things these past few weeks."

Cicero's Journal Entry

4th of Evening Star, 4E 201

So close. So close, Mother! Traveler has heeded our wishes and is here! In Windhelm as I write! I've stayed out with you and your carriage, let it rest with the stable man, if he dares touch you he knows what will happen… Ulfric wouldn't allow a coffin in the walls of his precious crumbling city…and it would be too much weight for Cicero to bear…

But nevermind! What a season for change! The silence of the first breath of winter is upon us. I bask in its glory as I wait. She is just dressing…ready to go find Aventus Aretino and take the most precious thing from Astrid. Her contract. All she wants is a functioning Brotherhood, but you and I know better, Mother.