INNOCENCE LOST
Snow was just blanketing the ground when I stepped out of Candlehearth. Guards wandered about, only visible by the torches they carried. If memory served, all I had to do was make a left onto the wall separating the city. I do just that, my footsteps one of the only sounds in this hellhole. With the snow this place actually looked kind of pretty.
Aventus Aretino's residence was just up ahead. I palm one of the many lockpicks left in my pocket. This should be an easy break in. I sit back in the shadows of the little awning while two guards pass me. Once their snow crunching recedes, I go to work.
One twist, usually it's two or three, have to wait to hear the click. But one turn and I'm in. It's almost like the kid didn't lock his doors. The wooden monstrosity swings open and a red glow meets me. I let out a frozen breath and enter.
Vamps, as stories told, can't enter a residence without being invited. It's all bogus, but even if it was true, I think the past few notes serve as a good invitation. Why am I blabbing nonsense? Well, it's because I'm a little freaked out. And with no Voice to speak to me I'm all alone for once.
"Sweet Mother, sweet Mother, send your child unto me, for the sins of the unworthy must be baptized in blood and fear." A boy's voice repeats.
I take each step gingerly, looking around for anyone hiding in the shadows. After a good check I find this house is just filled with me, Aventus, and the incantation he keeps reciting.
"Sweet Mother, sweet Mother, send your child unto me…" He keeps repeating. I creep around the red room and find him in a small little alcove lit with candles. The smell of blood is more prominent in that direction, and to my dismay I find a skeleton with a bloody heart, and various tools left in the circle.
Looks like the kid is harmless so far. Unless he's a necromancer. I'm nearing him when it hits me. A wall of…something. I can't describe it. It feels like power.
"What's with the makeshift murder site?" I pull off my mask so he can see my face.
The boy turns, quick as a dime, in the middle of his fifth incantation. His dirty face lights up like his birthday gift just came early. "It's you! I knew you'd come! I just knew it!" He leaps up, knife still in hand and stares in awe.
"A vampire?" I raise a brow. "Doesn't look like much blood left for me."
"I did the Black Sacrament, over and over. With the body, and the…the things. And then you come! An assassin from the Dark Brotherhood!" He jumps up and down on the balls of his feet.
"Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm not one of them. I'm trying to talk to them actually…" I watch his hands, maybe he's the one trying to assassinate me.
He laughs, "Of course you are!" He says like I'm stupid, "I prayed, and you came, and now you'll accept my contract!"
I hold up a palm to ward off his words, "Contract?"
"My mother, she…died… I'm all alone now. So, they sent me to that terrible orphanage in Riften. Honorhall." His little shoulders fall, "The headmistress is an evil, cruel woman. They call her Grelod the Kind. But she's not kind. She's terrible. To all of us."
I wiggle my nose, "I've heard the rumors."
It's like he doesn't hear me, "So I ran a way, and came home. And performed the Black Sacrament. Now you're here! And you can kill Grelod the Kind!"
"Wait, what? You want her dead?"
He nods, his eyes brimming with excitement. "It's all I've wanted for so long."
I take stock of the room. Skeleton, candles, a book, ingredients. A lost little kid with murder in his eyes. Almost forgot I'm here on a mission.
"I need help, first," I pull out the last of the notes, "Know anything about this?"
He studies it…and shakes his head, "Nope. If I knew I could just send you a note I would've done it instead though!"
I pull out whatever coin I've got in my pocket. "Here, ah, get yourself a sweetroll or something. I'll look into this."
He just smiles, in a creepy way, I can't place it. But anyone alright with the murder of innocents seems creepy in my book. Scratch that, Grelod doesn't seem like an angel in any form. Aventus takes the coin, kisses my hand, and runs off to find whatever a murderous boy would want. I take a moment to look at the floor. Blood, a heart, a skeleton.
Pulsing magic flows through me. If Voice were here, she might tell me what's going on. Instead, I'm left to my own devices. I pick up the book, might be good to look through sometime. Fifteen minutes later, I'm stripped to more appropriate sleeping clothing and curling into bed with Bryn again. It's almost like I never left and met with a future serial killer.
"You're sure he didn't know anything?" Bryn watches my face. Gabriel, Bryn, and I sit around one of the tables above the fireplace. Breakfast was pretty good today. Lots of sweetrolls and fruit. I take another bite. "Yep." The crunchy, gooey, vanilla goodness goes down harshly. I had blood this morning right at daybreak But, sometimes my body still rejects solid food, no matter how much blood I've had.
"He was adamant we kill her. Said if he knew he could send letters he would've done that in the first place."
Bryns face is a carefully composed mask of fury, "No one followed you?"
"Nope. I checked. Unless one of the guards is in on it then I'm safe."
He opens his mouth to argue when Gabriel chimes in. He's just digging into one of the gourds given to us and enjoying a surprisingly good mimosa. "Why don't the two of you just ask her? Go to this Grelod and see if she knows anything? It's better than arguing about it day and night."
I cringe, maybe he did hear more than I thought last night. "That is a good point."
Bryn crosses his arms over his chest, "If we talk to her, and she knows nothing, will you drop it, lass?"
I pick at another piece of my sweetroll. "Depends. Might want to visit Aventus again to let him know."
"We'll cross that bridge when we get there. Let's finish up and be on our way. If we make good time, we should be at Riften by morning."
Gabriel takes another leisurely sip of his drink, "After another drink." He gives Bryn an equally stern look before the head of the Thieves Guild can object, "You two are the ones making me drive you back and forth for some elaborate prank being played on you. At least let me enjoy this."
Bryn's mouth quirks up, "Fine. I'll take Eve and we'll start packing." He watches me pull at another sweetroll, "Now." He commands.
The city I thought I'd never see again was framed in perpetual autumn. Golden trees lined our path like a beacon home. I leaned against the back of the carriage and onto Bryn's shoulder. I can't believe I was so scared I wouldn't be here again. Of course, I would come back. Looks like the fears that Voice had something bad planned for me haven't come to fruition. Maybe that's why she's sulking.
Bryn rubs my arm languidly while the horse tugs the carriage along. Gabriel was sober enough to drive so we left him up front. Hay was warming our feet.
"Has he been helpful?" Bryn nods to the grizzly.
"Yes, I mean, would be nice if I brought him along to fight enemies but he's doing good so far. Better than the torture those bandits were putting him through." I shudder. That day runs through my mind periodically, only when I have the time for stray thoughts. I'm grateful Vortag knew how to bring a creature back to life. If I could give Hay a second chance, even a leisurely spoiled chance up in my tower, I was willing to risk bringing something back from the dead.
Stable man was ready for us. Gabriel gave over the reigns and the horse and carriage were accommodated for. I let Hay roam the hillside, usually better than bringing him into the corrupt city of Riften. A guard might get the wrong idea and stab him. If that happened, I'd land in jail for the eighteenth time in the last four years.
Bryn squeezes my hand. The door stands before us and the guards give a polite nod, letting us go without trying to scam us like they did the first time I entered. As I pass one smirks at me and I am oh so tempted to throw my money weight around to show them who runs the place, but thoughts of Grelod keep hold. If we both talk to her will she say anything useful? Or, will Bryn be a distraction, considering she tortured him as a kid?
Thoughts of prison come to mind, what happened to me there and more importantly, what happened to others who had no means of defending themselves. Kind of like that girl who took a dive off the side of the canal after a horrible childhood.
Gabriel smacks me lightly on the arm, "I'm off to the Bee and Barb if you need me."
"Keep out of trouble," Bryn mumbles, I glace at him and find him lost in his own thoughts. I know he has a meeting with Maven Black-Briar today and I know Grelod is probably haunting him still.
"I can go by myself." I whisper, not that anyone would hear. "You can go prepare with the others for your meeting with Maven."
He shakes his head, "No, lass. I'm not letting you go alone."
There's no fighting him. But if we stay in Riften for a while…no one said that Grelod could only be paid one visit. I pull him along then on second thought, let him lead. He'll know the path to the orphanage like the back of his hand.
Turns out it was a straight shot down the docks. We then entered into a room of screaming daedra- I mean, children. I wanted to cover my ears but Bryn but took charge. Surprisingly, they listened to him.
"What did I say about a racket! Never scream or you get two beatings tonight!" A woman looking old as death itself creeps out of the shadows from the other side of the room. Her wrinkled face looks more prominent with the frown she's giving. "And what is this? What are you two doing here? Brynjolf, you're not ten years old anymore so I have no use for you! Get back to the sewer like a good skeever." She sneers in a mocking tone. I think.
I step up, "Listen bitch, if you want a good, healthy conversation, you'll just have to be nice for once and listen. How about you try that instead of taunting us adults?" I watch her eyes, usually these kinds of people had some sort of fear in the depths. Based on how she averted her gaze, I was right.
"You came at a bad time. It's story time and bath time for the little ones." She croons.
"Oh, you mean flay and flogging time? Or is it burn and behead hours? I don't know the schedule around here." I shoot back.
Her thin lips become even more invisible. "Get out of here, children! I'm having a meeting!" Her voice is like the screech of a dying hawk. I'd know, because I heard that a few days ago with the note on my door.
The dead men walking get up and crowd the other side of the room before they're let outside by a sweet looking maid. Hope she's not getting the whip either.
"How dare you enter my house and insult me?! Do you know what I do around here?!" She moves forwards, I don't budge.
"Back up." I say, "We're here for a simple reason. What do you know about this?" I hold up the freshly inked note we got this morning. No word of Octavius kid on it. Instead, it's just the usual fare. The old woman pulls it from my hands and nearly rips it when I hold fast.
"I've never seen this before." She lies. "Get this out of here. I'm not standing for some prank pulled on me by thirty-year olds."
"Twenties." I rebut. Actually, Bryn is in his thirties, but the meaning holds the same. "It's not a prank, these have been delivered to my house and to me by couriers for the past two weeks. What's up with it? I know you've seen this before. So don't lie to me." I bite out that last part.
She pauses, then goes to bitch me out again, "I know nothing of this! Get out or I call the guards."
"You could, but a pretty penny will have them looking the other way." I consider, maybe it's a good idea. "You know, at the flick of a wrist I could have Maven Black-Briar shutting this place down once and for all."
Her eyes widen slightly, face turning a lovely red. "Fine. Follow me." She fumes.
I look back to see a very impressed Bryn with a shit eating grin on his face. He signals me to go ahead, "After you, lass."
Back a few rooms we find the bedroom of Grelod the Kind. It's plain, save for a dresser decked out in random trinkets and a book called The Pig Children. Wonder who wrote that. She directs my attention to the other side of the room and pulls back one of the gods awful paintings on her wall. Some painting about food but it looks like the artist had a shaky hand and might have been colorblind. Behind the picture sits a black handprint. Just like what's been on the letters.
"Happened days ago. I want it gone. I've had my maids scrub but nothing good came of it." She snaps, then crosses her arms. Has the audacity to tap her foot.
The wood is cool to the touch, the paint barely covering the surface. It was paint alright, but why it won't come off, I don't know. "Hm. Weird. Know anything about a kid named Aventus Aretino?"
Her face pales, "He was here a few months ago but was inadequate. I don't like this questioning. Get out." She snarls.
"Why so defensive?" I push back.
"Excuse me?" A girl, maybe six years old, pops up from a hole somewhere. Big ass bruise covering the right side of her face. "I need a bandage." She pouts. Then I see the cut on her arm. Bryn moves immediately to perform a healing spell.
All I can do is watch in horror as Grelod beats him to her and slaps her clear across the unscathed cheek. The girl screams. Bryn shoves his way in and grabs the girl before more harm can be done.
"What the hell was that Grelod?" I growl. Ebony Blade is now searing red in my hands. It wants certain death.
The girl cries, "I know I wasn't allowed to leave the chamber. But it's so cold there!" Her teeth are chattering. Bryn performs the healing spell.
"Wow, sounds like child protective services is gonna have a field day. Care to show me the chamber, Grelod the Kind?" I snarl before she can bitch one of us out. At least I can take it.
She sneers at me, "In your dreams. I have no such thing. You know how children are. Running their imagination." She spies the note on the bed. The one that fluttered out of my armor.
It tears clean in two in her hands. She then brushes her palms together as if cleaning off all the dirt she's accumulated. "Get out of here and never talk to me again." She spits.
I don't think. I act. Maybe I should have given her another chance, but I felt like her tyranny has run it's course. In one fell swoop I swing the Ebony Blade and slash it clear across her chest. She lets out a startled, and melodramatic yell before falling dead on the ground.
The girl laughs but Bryn just watches me in horror. Soon, other children burst into the room and surround their former keeper. "Wow, I can't believe it!" One exclaims. The others say something, but I just walk away. Bryn sets the girl down and follows me.
I walk straight through the doors and out onto the docks. Mist is bringing a slight rain into Riften early, I let it coat my face as if it could wash away what I just did. I lean against the railing to try and see the canal below.
Bryn brushes his hand over my shoulders, "You did what was best."
"Was she innocent?" I whisper.
He shrugs, "No, but she like to act like she was."
I feel the Ebony Blade pulsing at my back, the fresh kill of an innocent speaks the same language as I do now. I can feel it. I start shaking.
"It's not like you haven't killed before." Bryn says, as if that will help.
"Sounds like she had a torture chamber."
He nods, "She does, I remember it now. All the equipment was rusty and transported from an old bandit hideout. She never used it on us, but it sounds like she started to with the new batch. She definitely lost some movement and agility. I'm not surprised she was resorting to other means."
I swallow, remembering the girl with the bruise on her face, what Bryn told me of his time with her, the girl who jumped into the canal, and Aventus.
"Gotcha. I'll be fine." I say. He kisses my forehead.
"I need to go. Maven is waiting."
"I'll find Gabriel." Bryn holds my hand the whole way to the Bee and Barb. With one last kiss, he caresses my cheek. "Be safe." He whispers. "I'll find you in an hour or two. Don't go anywhere."
I smile, "Wouldn't dream of it."
Five drinks deep and the Argonian woman looks the same. I thought she'd be blurry by now. I just wanted her to get off my ass about another tithe from Bryn. "I said, I don't know if he wants it or when he wants it. Ask him when he gets here."
That seems to do it. She huffs then turns to bother someone else. Gabriel guffaws next to me. I think a drinking game is in order. Should we play I Spy? Or something more fun? Twenty questions? Pin the tail on the Argonian?
A hand lands on my shoulder. "Friend. I thought you were gone for good. How have your travels been?"
I turn to see a face I thought I wouldn't see again. She's got honey colored hair, a green paint mark down the side of her cheek, and a look of complete determination. Shit.
Behind her Igor creeps along. I forgot she had a henchman. What was her name? Oh right, the Lioness. The both of them live here after she had a near-death experience and she's not too happy I joined the Thieves Guild.
"Fine." I lie.
"Your eyes are worried friend, and what is all this?" She looks over at the pile of empty mugs Gabriel and I have going.
"Nothing." I shrink back.
"It's something, Eve. I wish to help. You can confide in me if you want." She falls into the seat next to me. Right as another mug filled to the brim with mead slams in front of me.
"Thank you, Talon Jam." I say.
The Argonian man gives me a sly, but also disapproving look before turning away. Forgive me, I forget names easily. At least I can get as close as possible to the right ones. I move to take a sip, but the Lioness just grabs my hand.
I sigh, I told Gabriel. Kind of. He was too out of it to understand…but maybe the Lioness wouldn't be judgmental. Maybe I could talk to her. "I killed someone today." I whisper, so only she can hear. "And I don't know if she was innocent or not."
Lioness has the good grace to keep her face neutral. She sits back. "Was this person attacking you?"
"No, but she was attacking children… I think."
Lioness smiles, barely, "Grelod the Kind?"
"How'd you know?!" I cry, then finally take a swig of alcohol.
"Word travels fast in Riften. I heard she died this morning. After they discovered her body a chamber of sorts was found below the orphanage. Children came out with accounts of beatings and psychological torment. I would say you paid Riften a favor." She pats me on the back.
Grelod wasn't innocent? Why did the Ebony Blade light up? I sit and ponder. Lioness requests two mugs of mead, one for her and the other for her henchman…I can't even remember his name. All I can think about now is Aventus. If I could talk to him again and tell him what happened. Maybe he could pass that information on to the Brotherhood and the notes would stop. Yeah… that sounds like a good idea.
"We have to go." I stand, all the mugs go flying and the Argonian woman shrieks. "My floorboards!"
"Here." I slam a shit ton of coins down and grab Gabriel by the arm. I wobble a little, but I don't think my head is spinning. Much. Lioness stands with a stern look on her face. "No, Eve, I won't let you leave in this state."
If I don't get to Aventus soon, he might forget. They might keep sending notes. They might get into Proudspire and kill Penny and Oliver. If I don't get to him soon Voice might come back.
I pull the warrior woman into a strong hug. "I'll be fine. We have to go."
Once through the gates and after some force of dragging my driver, we get into the carriage and set off. I watch the hazy trees slide by. There was a reason I had to stay at the Bee and Barb. I can't remember why. All I know is I have to get to Aventus Aretino in time.
Cicero's Journal Entry
6th of Evening Star, 4E 201
It is done…Grelod the Kind is dead by Traveler's own hand! Cicero knew it would work! He just needed someone as desperate as Aventus Aretino to bring her out of her shell! Ah! Good job, Mother! The handprint in the orphanage…all the letters and blood. It worked like a charm! Now…to wait…and see if she arrives. Ohh I know in our heart that Astrid won't take lightly to this offense. No, no, she'll be the one to punish Traveler! Not any of the lowly scum she calls family.