Darkness Falls - A Darkbrotherhood Story

by Forlornsage

The dragons return. Skyrim is razed by war. The Dark Brotherhood lies in shambles. Lead by the new Listener, can the family claw their way back from the ashes?

4. Chapter 4

Skyrim and Oblivion and all its characters, places, events, etcetera are property of Bethesda Softworks.

•••••••••••••••

Three months later

The months following the twin's first contract were very eventful. We had a small ceremony and feast to commemorate Babette and Nazir being officially announced as Speakers.

I decided that the position of Keeper would not be brought into the Black Hand after all.

Babette officially accepted the title with quiet grace. Nazir fussed the whole time about the entire thing.

He claimed it was just me shoving some of my responsibilities onto him and Babette. Though he complained, I could tell he was proud of the promotion.

Cicero was surprisingly calm through the whole announcement. He wasn't at all disappointed and didn't dance or make a single joke. When we finished, he calmly congratulated Nazir and Babette on their promotions and me for restoring the Black Hand, if only partially.

The week following our celebration I announced that the Keeper, from that day forward, had just as much authority as a Speaker.

Naturally we had another smaller ceremony just for Cicero. This time he did dance, joke, sing and even shed a few tears.

He thanked me for my faith in him more times than I could count. I responded each time by simply telling him it was high time he was rewarded for his long faithful service.

•••••••••••••••

Both Ardoneth and Gileanna were surprised when they received the blood price for the Riften contract. Apparently they were under the impression that the contract was a failure so they wouldn't be getting paid.

I explained that while the contract might have gone south, the marks were killed therefore the blood price was theirs though I did reprimanded Ardoneth for disobeying Babette.

Babette was the senior sister, whether Ardoneth liked it or not. Any order from her should have been followed. I explained that the Tenants would be enforced from now on so to disobey an order from any superior would most likely result in death if not severe punishment. Both sisters looked troubled but assured me that they would not be a problem.

Gileanna was happy for herself and her sister but couldn't help crying when I told her she would not be allowed to leave the sanctuary or train until the wounds on her back had fully healed.

Everyone including Babette and I tried to reassure her that her next contract would go much better and that it wasn't her fault. The poor girl was having none of it. She was adamant that if she was better Ra'faer's interference wouldn't have made a difference.

Eventually she asked to be left alone. We all acquiesced, though Cicero would still occasionally sit beside her and hum a quiet tune or tell her stories about his time in the Brotherhood before becoming the Nightmother's keeper. She seemed to enjoy the fool's company.

The next day the Nightmother called me forth. I expected to be scolded. Instead I was pleasantly surprised when she congratulated me on starting the restoration of her Black Hand before she whispered the names and locations of six souls who had prayed to her in my absence.

I quickly informed Nazir and Babette and we split the contacts evenly. We would go forth and arrange the contracts then carry them out. Babette would meet with the two contacts closest to Markarth. Nazir would travel to and meet the contact in Whiterun then the one in Falkreath. I would travel to Winterhold and speak to the contact there before traveling to Solitude.

Before we left I sat down with Cicero and asked him to watch over the twins and gave him instructions on how and when to change Gileanna's bandages. He assured me that he would care for them with just as much attention as he showed for our dear mother.

It eased my worries, if only a little. At least Gileanna seemed to enjoy Cicero's company. Poor Ardoneth would have to suffer until our return.

••••••••••••••••••••

I returned in the evening to Dawnstar with the contracts I had set out to receive completed. It had been two weeks since I had departed the sanctuary.

I stopped at the Windpeak Inn for food and drink. Thoring, the owner, didn't particularly like me because his daughter, Karita, and I often flirted. He still hasn't caught on that we did it only because it bothered him.

I did really enjoy the girl's company. She had such an open minded view of the world. I had more than once thought about telling her exactly who I was and offering her a chance at joining the Brotherhood. I always decided against it. I felt that the girl was far too sweet to walk a path soaked in blood.

As soon as I entered, Karita bounded over to me smiling and calling out the name I used in public. "Welcome Myalos. Are those new robes? How fancy. Would you like to make a request?"

I shook my head and returned her smile before handing her a small purse full of coins. "No thank you. Just a little Mead with honey and whatever food you have available if it's not too much trouble."

Another patron suddenly called out. "Course it's no trouble traveler! Go on sweetie pour him a drink."

Karita's expression soured. "Mind your own business Stig. Be happy your crew are still allowed in here."

I looked over and saw the local group of pirates laughing, drinking and all around making fools of themselves. I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

While I hated nearly everything to some extent, I had a particular disdain for pirates.

Karita excused herself to get my requested food while I sat down at a small table in the rear corner of the inn, as far from the drunken antics of the pirates as I could.

The scent of horker meat and vegetables entered my nose as Karita came back from the kitchen with a steaming bowl and a tankard.

"Thank you." I said as she set my food in front of me. She muttered a quiet "It's no trouble." Before sliding into the seat beside mine.

"I assume those….gentlemen are as troublesome as they are loud?" I asked as I sipped my sweet Mead.

She sighed and nodded. "I wouldn't call them gentlemen. Unfortunately they're some of the few regulars we have so father is hesitant to ban them. Besides, their money is good and they tip very well so I will continue to hold my tongue."

I chuckled. "If its coin you and father need I actually might have a…. favor you could perform. I'd pay handsomely."

I realized almost as soon as the words left my lips exactly how she would interpret them. Her expression went from friendly to completely enraged. I threw my hands up in the universal sign of surrender.

"Hold on before you say anything I did not mean that the way it just sounded. I legitimately wish to ask a favor of you."

She narrowed her eyes at me and glared for a moment. "What favor exactly?"

I exhaled and slowly lowered my arms. "I was hoping you would be willing to simply be an extra ear so to speak."

"What do you mean? I won't agree to anything unless you're completely upfront with me Myalos."

I swallowed another bite of food then washed it down with more Mead. "I only want you to keep your ears open for any rumors. Simple no?"

"What kind of rumors?" she pressed.

"For your own safety it's better if you didn't ask too many questions okay." I said glancing around to ensure no one was listening in on our conversation. "Would you be willing to do that for me? As I said you'll be well compensated."

Karita took a moment before slowly nodding her head. I could tell she was still unsure. I offered a quiet thank you before subtly sliding a large coin purse into her pocket as I stood up.

"Every now and then, someone will come here. You'll know it's them when they show you this." I showed her my Pendant of Sithis. "Tell them about anything you hear. Anything at all okay."

I offered her a smile which seemed to ease her worries, if only a little, before I stood to take my leave. She walked me to the door. As we passed the pirates, Stig leaned back and swatted at Karita's shapely rear.

I caught his wrist in my hand before he made contact.

"That's enough." I hissed. "Leave her alone."

Stig growled and ripped his hand out of mine before turning back to his crew. I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the smile pulling at my lips. Stig obviously hadn't felt the hair thin needle I now had hidden back in my robes. I turned and pulled Karita to the door.

The poison flowing through Stig would have him dead by morning. Shame I only had the chance to poison him and not the rest of his crew as well. Perhaps I would visit them in the night. Karita and I walked out the door and into the snow.

"Thank you for that. He's a pig, but he pays well."

I shrugged. "A pig with money is still a pig. I've no patience for that kind of behavior. The noise gives me a headache. He won't ever bother you again."

She nodded, my true meaning going over her head. "So this thing you need from me is just to listen for rumors then? Nothing specific? I find it hard to believe you just want gossip when you could get that for free just by asking."

She had a point. Damn her for being intelligent. "Very well. What I really need information on is anything involving the Dark Brotherhood."

Karita's expression became a mixture of interest and fear. The mixture filled me with some pride. It seemed that the Brotherhood's reputation was beginning to return to what it once was.

"The Dark Brotherhood? Why do you want to know about them Myalos?"

"As I said earlier, it's safer for you if you don't ask questions. I just need you to keep your ears open. That's all. Can you do that for me?"

She nodded but still looked unsure. That was good enough for me. I'm sure she would grow accustomed to it over time. Besides, it wasn't that hard to just listen to rumors.

I walked into the falling snow towards the sanctuary. It would be nice to be home again. I wondered if the Night Mother might have anything new to tell me.

••••••••••••••••

I entered the Sanctuary and quickly made my way towards my room. I ran into the twins in the training room. Gileanna was sitting on a padded mat while watching her sister practice. Both sisters smiled and gave me a quick hug when I walked in.

"How was your trip Listener?" Gileanna asked.

I sighed and shrugged. "Easy enough. Nothing really worth mentioning. I only had two straight forward assassinations. I'm very tired though. I'm turning into an old man."

Both sisters giggled. I left them and walked to my room. I opened the door and was met with black. The only light inside the room was the light spilling in from the hallway. All the candles that normally kept the room lit were out. I'd have to light them later. For now I needed a nap.

I closed the door behind me, shrouding me in darkness before I dropped my pack onto the stone floor. I quickly took off my robes and armor before I hung them on their respective displays, leaving me in only my under clothes.

I sighed before throwing myself into my bed and almost instantly falling into a deep sleep.

•••••••••••••••

I woke up just before sunrise feeling more refreshed than I had in a long time. My muscles weren't completely in knots and my bones didn't ache. Already it seemed that sharing the work load with Babette and Nazir was having a positive effect on my health.

I took a deep breath, the cold air sending chills up my back and fully waking me, before sliding out of bed.

I cast an apprentice level fire spell to light the many candles in the room before beginning my morning stretches. As I stretched I looked around my room. It was still nearly the same as it had been since I moved in. Same old king size bed with Crimson silk sheets and extra thick blankets. Same small dining table in the corner of the room. Same two armor displays where my Black Hand robes and Crimson Scar armor now hung from. Same old empty weapon display racks along the walls.

Nazir often told me I needed to expand my collection of weapons. Something along the lines of variety being the "spice of life" or some other such nonsense. I personally felt that Crimson Eviserator and the Blade of Woe I claimed from Astrid back when I took my place as leader of the brotherhood were more than enough variety for me.

I did miss using a sword though. Even though I claimed I was a master of the blade, such a statement wasn't entirely true. I was talented with blades of all kinds yes, but when it came to swords in particular, even my grandfather could not deny I was truly gifted. From the very beginning of my training I could pick up any sword and master it in what seemed to my grandfather no time at all.

Perhaps I would follow Nazir's advice and find myself a sword. By no means would it be my go-to tool for assassinations, but it would allow me far more versatility and protection when in open combat, which in recent times was far more often than I should ever allow.

A few knocks at my door brought me out of my reminiscing and thoughts of long bladed tools of death. I heard Cicero's voice muffled by the door.

"Pardon me Listener. Cicero thought it best to check on you and perhaps, if the Listener wished, report on his assigned duties."

At least he remembered to knock this time. Thinking about the last time the fool barged into my room made my cheeks go warm.

"Come in Cicero." I called out. The door opened and Cicero entered the room holding a small roll of parchment. "Hello dear Listener. It is good to have you home. If Cicero may, how were those contracts? Nothing too difficult for the Listener, talented as he is. And favored by our dear Mother no less. No, dear Cicero bets the Listener had no trouble at all."

I ceased my stretches and took a seat at my table. Cicero followed suit. "The contracts were standard. Nothing truly worth noting. It's a shame you're bound here with our mother Cicero. I feel perhaps you might have enjoyed the one I received in Solitude."

Cicero's lit up with curiosity and he leaned forward excited to hear my story. "Ooooh do tell."

"It was a simple assassination. Get in, kill the target then leave. Nothing special there. But when I arrived to the target's home, the poor wretch was throwing a party. Apparently it was his birthday."

Cicero began laughing. "What a lovely surprise! Happy birthday! Now I stab you in the eye!"

I couldn't help but chuckle before nodding. "Exactly. It would have been perfect for you Cicero. You could have walked in singing and dancing and no one would have suspected a thing until you slit the birthday boy's neck. Hell perhaps not even then."

Cicero began clapping. "Ooooh Listener you ARE wicked. This contract would indeed have been perfect for Cicero. Perhaps Mother will allow Cicero to have the next birthday contract."

I nodded. "Perhaps. Truthfully Cicero, I feel that you don't get out enough."

Cicero sighed, his smile slipping just a bit. "Oh Listener, Cicero appreciates the thought but his place is with Mother, no matter how much he wishes he could serve by slicing necks and stabbing eye balls. Cicero is content to be Mother's humble Keeper."

I had nothing to say to that so I changed the subject. "You said you wished to report?"

Cicero's mood instantly jumped back into giddy. "Ah! Yes Cicero did. Cicero is happy to report to the dear Listener that Cicero followed his instructions perfectly. Cicero changed poor Gileanna's bandages every day, twice, and made sure she took a healing potion left by Speaker Babette everyday just after sunset. Poor Gileanna has nearly made a full recovery in your absence. Her many back wounds have closed and healed nicely, though the poor poor girl will forever be scared. Cicero has kept her from training, Cicero felt it best for the Listener to allow her to train once more, and it was the Listener that grounded poor Gileanna after all."

I was glad everything had gone smoothly in my absence. I had worried about Gileanna. The Brotherhood was already extremely low in number without our newest additions being accidentally killed off by our resident mad jester.

"Is there anything you need of Cicero dear Listener?" I shook my head. "Then Cicero shall go back to tending Mother."

I expected a song or some silly joke that made no sense but instead Cicero stood and left without another word. This new Cicero didn't quite sit well with me. Perhaps I had just become far too accustomed to his insane rambling and other ridiculous habits. Either way I would keep an eye on Cicero until my paranoia was proved baseless or accurate.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts and began getting dressed.

•••••

I entered the dining hall to find Nazir sharpening his ever present scimitar and grumbling something about stupid orcs. I sat across from him.

"Well hello Listener. I hope your hunts were better than mine."

I shrugged. "My hunt went as well as expected. Nothing worth note. Just more people with a grudge and enough gold to get us to do something about it."

Nazir nodded. "If there's only one truth in this life it's that as long as there are two people in the world, someone will want someone dead."

I chuckled. "Truly more accurate words have never been spoken. How about your hunts? Something about it is bothering you. I assume it isn't something you can shove a knife in otherwise you already would have done so."

Nazir sighed and nodded. "My hunt went well. Gold was paid and in turn blood was spilt."

"But?" I pressed.

"Unfortunately for me, my target was an Orc chieftain."

"Ha! Please tell me you didn't underestimate him and face him up front." Nazir rolled his eyes. I had hit the metaphorical nail on the head it seems. "Oh my and here I thought Cicero was our resident fool. Are you trying to take his place?"

Nazir growled. "No I was caught sneaking in. They dragged me before him and I had no choice but to fight him for my freedom or die on the spot."

"So no choice at all really." I responded. "Okay I understand that. But that isn't what's bothering you, is it?"

Nazir shook his head. "Well it's embarrassing that I was caught but no that's not it. As you can see I won the fight. It was tough. As cliché as it sounds, he was faster than you would guess from his size. I ended it by cutting his legs from his body before crushing his boney head beneath my boot."

I was impressed. Orsimer were known for having bones far more resilient than any of the other races. "So what, is your foot sore? Is that what's got you in such a grumpy mood?"

Nazir slammed his palm onto the table. "Are you going to let me finish or not!?"

I chuckled. Nazir was so easy to tease. I waved a hand at him urging him to continue.

"After I killed him one of their tribe elders announced me the new chieftain. What's bothering me is that in the past month alone I've been dumped with the responsibilities of being a Speaker and now I just inherited an entire village of blasted Orcs!"

I couldn't help myself. I burst into laughter. Yes I felt bad for my Redguard friend but this was just too funny. Nazir sat there glaring at me.

The twins entered the room, both seemed slightly surprised to see me laughing.

"Speaker Nazir did you poison the Listener?" Ardoneth asked.

Nazir rolled his eyes and went back to sharpening his blade. I fell out of my seat and onto the floor. My sides began to ache. Gileanna tried helping me off the floor but, still recovering as she was, all she could do was roll me over. She began laughing with me.

After the laughter died down I resumed my seat in front of Nazir with both twins taking a seat beside me.

"So you're an Orc chieftain now hmm?"

Nazir sighed. "So it would seem. Worst part was that they didn't even bat an eye that I'm not an Orc."

Gileanna giggled. "Are you sure Speaker? You have the temper of one."

Nazir smiled and laughed. "Oh she has jokes now does she?"

"Far better making jokes than moping like she has been." Ardoneth said.

"Should I perhaps come back at some other time?"

We all looked to the entrance of the sanctuary. There covered in fresh snow was Babette.

"Welcome home sister. Would you please tell these three," Nazir pointed at me and the twins. "That accidentally becoming an Orc chieftain is no laughing matter."

Babette paused and looked almost confused. Her very dark nearly black eyes glanced from Nazir to me. I could see the question there.

Perfect.

An explanation was in order. "Come down Babette and congratulate our dear brother Nazir. It seems that he has inherited an entire tribe of orcs because he killed their former chief in honorable combat."

Babette gently slid Gileanna just a bit to the side and took a seat beside me. Gileanna gave the small draculina a quick hug and whispered "It's good to have you back Speaker."

I gave Babette an affectionate nudge. She smiled but I could see it in her eyes that she had something important to discuss.

We were joined by Cicero and the rest of the morning was spent simply talking about our contracts and how we went about completing them. It reminded me of when I first joined the Brotherhood. I had walked in on Babette sharing a story of a contract with the rest of the family gathered round.

I truly missed some of them. Gabriella and Festus, while never really what I would call friends, shared my passion for the arcane and always had insight or perspective to share. Veezara was always a quiet one but very worldly. Conversations with him were always pleasant. As for Arnbjorn and Astrid, though I never saw eye to eye with either of them, they were family and I hated watching them die, or in Astrid's case, ending her life.

After a while the twins excused themselves and left. Cicero followed shortly after claiming he needed to check up on Mother.

That left just the Black Hand.

Babette cleared her throat. "I assume you know we need to speak?"

Both Nazir and I nodded. "What's on your mind witch? Hungry? I'm sure the Listener would be willing to accommodate you."

I sighed when Nazir chuckled then winked at me. I wasn't bothered in the least but it was interesting to see Babette blush. The red in her cheeks really brought out her dark eyes.

"No you idiot! Earlier when I was trying to hunt near Falkreath I was attacked. They called themselves the Dawnguard. They wore armor adorned with a strange sun symbol and spoke about bringing an end to vampires everywhere. They were very well informed. They knew about every trick or power I had and how to counter it. I was lucky enough to stick one with my knife. I managed to swipe this from his neck," she showed us an amulet of Stendarr. "Before finding a hiding place."

I shuttered at the thought. Babette was not by any means a fighter. To imagine her going against full size trained vampire slayers made my blood run cold.

"Something is going on in Skyrim and it involves my kind. If this 'Dawnguard' as they call themselves is truly establishing themselves throughout the land then I will be next to useless."

This didn't sit well with me. I had just barely managed to establish the Black Hand. I refused to have one of its members be put in such danger.

"Okay so the question here is what do we do about it? What do we know about them?"

Nazir raised his scimitar and grunted. "What say we take the simple route and just go find and kill them?"

Babette smiled, her elongated fangs glistening. "I'm with Nazir. I would love to get my teeth into a few of them." Both looked to me. It was easy to see they wanted me to give my blessing and ride forth with them spreading death to these vampire hunters.

I very much wanted to say yes. I had been a vampire for the majority of my life. To hear about a faction dedicated to the destruction of all vampires left a bad taste in my mouth. Unfortunately we couldn't just go on a hunt. We didn't have the numbers for that.

Their faces fell when I shook my head. "I'm sorry. We don't have the numbers or resources for something like this. For now we learn all we can about this 'Dawnguard'. When we know exactly what we're dealing with I'll decide how we proceed. I'm sorry but I can't take such a risk with either of you. You're too important to the Brotherhood."

And to me. I thought. I had lost enough family. I would not allow any more to come to harm if I could prevent it.

Babette nodded in understanding. Nazir sighed. "I need to hit something. If you need me I'll be in the training room."

Babette and I watched him walk out. I pinched the bridge of my nose. I could already feel a headache coming on.

"Why is it when I first get back home that these things happen? It's as if fate doesn't want me to have a moment to relax." I thought.

I would be leaving again first thing tomorrow. If there was any information to be found on the Dawnguard then I knew exactly who to ask and conveniently enough they were right here in Skyrim.

"You're leaving again?"

I looked over to Babette. Her gaze was piercing and all my previous energy was gone so I simply nodded to confirm her statement.

"Yes. Tomorrow I'm going into town to see if anyone has any information on the Dawnguard. If anyone in Skyrim knows something about them it will most likely be the thieves' guild so I might be forced to go back to Riften."

I glanced up at her. She seemed deep in thought.

"You're okay right? They didn't injure you did they?"

She shook her head. "No I'm fine. I am tired though. And very thirsty. They ruined my hunt. Don't change the subject though."

"I wasn't changing anything. I answered your question. You can drink from me. I don't mind." Babette nodded, her cheeks going pink. I stood and waved for Babette to follow. I began walking through the Sanctuary with Babette in tow. "You should know, Karita from Dawnstar is unofficially an informant for us. She'll be listening for any rumors involving us and pass them on to me, you or Nazir. She is to be paid one hundred septims whenever someone stops by. Just show her any visage of Sithis."

Babette nodded.

I continued. "She doesn't know who we are or the location of the Sanctuary so it should be safe enough for now." We ended up in front of my room. I opened the door and waved Babette in. "Let's get you fed."

Babette's cheeks went fully red as she slipped into the room. "Yes please" she said quietly as she passed me.

She hopped up into my bed as I sat down on its edge. I waited for her to begin. She ran her hands across my shoulders before I felt her mouth seal over my neck. As usual a second later I felt her fangs cut into my skin. I tensed up for a moment until the pain faded into the normal cold tingling sensation.

I sat there and allowed her to feed. I couldn't help but chuckle when she began to coo and moan. It reminded me of the one time I had watched Arnbjorn eat half of an entire cow. He had made similar noises though he made an unequivocal mess.

'I wonder if she even knows she's doing it.' I thought to myself.

"I'm not interrupting anything am I?"

I looked to see Ardoneth standing at the door holding a few books and a sword. "I had a few questions and was hoping you might help but if your busy…"

"Not at all Ardoneth. Please come in." I said.

Ardoneth looked very nervous. I chuckled and motioned to Babette. "Don't mind her. She's just hungry and I offered. What do you need help with?"

Ardoneth pulled a chair from my table up beside where I was sitting and showed me the books she had brought in with her. They were all on theories of sword combat.

"I was hoping to ask if you would watch me go through a few of the forms from these books and tell me if I'm doing them correctly."

I quickly flipped through the pages of the first book and nodded. "I don't see why not. Babette will be feeding for a while longer yet so I won't be going anywhere. What exactly are you having trouble with?"

Ardoneth lifted the sword and got herself into the first stance. "Nothing yet I don't think. I love Gileanna but she isn't the best critic. I will never understand how she is better with a sword than I am?"

I immediately saw a few problems with her stance and the way she gripped the sword. She was trying too hard to be perfect and it showed in how tense she was.

"Relax. When you use a sword you need to be fluid not rigid."

Ardoneth nodded. She took a deep breath and visibly relaxed. She began going through the stances one by one. I made the occasional comment and correction but for the most part remained silent. Ardoneth repeated the stances and began to actually flow throw them, though her concentration broke every time Babette moaned. She would blush then continue going through the stances.

Babette released her hold on my neck releasing a content sigh. "It's soooooo good."

Ardoneth actually began coughing violently at the comment. Both Babette and I jumped up to help, but as soon as I stood up straight, the head rush and blood loss took its toll. Vertigo hit me like a dwarven Warhammer and I collapsed to my knees, my vision swimming.

Babette turned and moved to help me but I shook my head, groaning. "Ugh help Ardoneth."

Babette nodded and began patting Ardoneth's back until her coughing subsided. "Thank you Speaker." Ardoneth muttered. "A bit of spit went down the wrong pipe."

Babette chuckled as she proceeded to check on me. I gave her a weak smile then groaned again. My head was pounding.

Odd.

Normally when Babette fed I felt weak but I had never had a headache. Perhaps it was the rush of blood when I stood up.

Babette managed to sit me up and just as fast as it had come the vertigo and headache began to fade.

"I'm okay. Next time I'll have to be careful about quick movements just after you feed from me." I said before chuckling nervously. Babette slapped my arm.

"Don't worry me like that. You scared me."

I stood up slowly to avoid any more issues. I managed to stand and move around without any problem. I sat back down on my bed and looked to Ardoneth. "Ardoneth, be a dear and go fetch me some water would you?"

Ardoneth bowed. "Of course Listener, right away." She turned and jogged out of the room.

Babette sighed. "Perhaps I should hold off on feeding from you for a while Morthos. Just until we're sure you're not getting ill. I don't want to weaken you if a sickness is coming on." She said as she sat down beside me.

I actually laughed out loud at that. I was half wood elf and half Breton. The Bosmer race was blessed with incredibly high resistance to disease. Me getting sick was like snow in the deserts of Hammerfell. It rarely, if ever, happened.

Ardoneth ran back in holding an engorged water skin. "Here you are Listener."

I thanked Ardoneth and waved her towards a chair before sipping some water. She sat down and both waited for me to finish. I took another sip of water and sighed, all my previous symptoms seeming to vanish.

"Very strange" I muttered. "Ardoneth I'm sorry but I'll have to cut my evaluation of your forms short. You're doing well, the biggest issue I see is that you are trying too hard to emulate the book. Just do the stance in a way that's comfortable for your body type."

Ardoneth nodded and stood. She pushed the chair back to my table and said, "I thank you for your time Listener."

I shook my head at her. "Anytime. Part of being your leader is to teach you. Enjoy the rest of your day."

Ardoneth picked up the books she had brought with her and left. Babette and I sat in silence for a while. Eventually it began to bug me so I cleared me throats and slowly stood up. Babette stood with me as if afraid I'd collapse again. I chuckled. "Relax silly girl. I'm sure that I'm fine now. I just stood up too fast."

Babette still looked unsure but gave me a bit of space.

"Small one is still so protective of you assassin."

I froze. I knew that voice. It instantly set ablaze my rage and my paranoia. Babette and I moved in almost perfect synchronization to look at the door. Standing there in his leather armor and grinning fangs was Ra'faer.

"How in oblivion did you get in here!?" Babette yelled causing Ra'faer to chuckle as he walked into my room and sat down at my table.

"You are too loud night child. Ra'faer is here as favor to Delvin Malory."

This got my attention. I gently nudged Babette as I stepped past her.

I walked to my Crimson Scar Armor and drew the Blade of Woe from its sheath before pulling up a chair and sitting in front of Ra'faer, blade in hand. Babette stood beside me glaring. "How you got in is irrelevant. Tell me why I shouldn't kill you."

"Relax my friends, have you forgotten who built you this place? This one has things you must hear. It's for the safety of your family. Delvin Malory told Ra'faer the location, how this one got in though, a secret for another time. Delvin also told Ra'faer to take these with him." He held up two folded pieces of parchment. Both were sealed with wax with one looking much older than the other.

"Friend Delvin said that it was very important that you receive them." Ra'faer said as he set the letters on the table.

I lifted the older looking one and examined it. On one side was a strange symbol that I didn't recognize and on the other was my name written in elegant script. The symbol was completely foreign to me but the writing seemed strangely familiar. I held up the letter to Babette.

"Have you ever seen this symbol?"

She shook her head. "No. I don't think I have."

I lifted the other letter and saw my name once more, this time written in a much more rigid print. I glanced at Ra'faer who was staring at my armor hanging of its stand. I cleared my throat to get his attention.

"I don't see how a letter is cause to reveal the location of the Brotherhood to you so this thing you need to speak to me about better be world altering."

Ra'faer motioned toward the letter and shrugged. "Ra'faer knows nothing of what might be in those letters. Ra'faer has come to speak of things happening in the land." He said.

" What does that even mean? Are you here to gossip?!" She growled.

Ra'faer continued as if she hadn't said a word. "Ra'faer has come to warn you. The dragons have returned and vampire hunters now prowl the land."

Babette crossed her arms and snorted.

"Dragons? You must be hitting the skooma. As for the Dawnguard. Yes, I… encountered them outside Falkreath."

"Ra'faer denies tiny assassin's claims. The dragons have returned. One attacked and destroyed Helgen. That is Ra'faer's next task, to go and find more information regarding the dragons. You say you met with Dawnguard?" He said pointing at Babette.

"Then tiny assassin knows just how dangerous they are. Ra'faer thought it important to warn you. It seems he is too late."

"Far too late thief. To be honest I'm more concerned with the motives you have for delivering this warning. What, did you expect to be paid?" I asked.

Ra'faer chuckled. "No. If Ra'faer wished for money he would have said so. Ra'faer simply thought it a nice gesture."

I found that hard to believe. In my experience, those like Ra'faer always had some hidden motive.

"So what exactly do you know about them? You might just be able to save me from going out and searching for information on my own."

Ra'faer leaned in. "Ra'faer does not know much yet. As he said, he shall go out to find more information after he leaves here. Be warned, this one has… joined the ranks of the Dawnguard."

Babette hissed. I held up my hand to silence her before waving for Ra'faer to continue.

"Ra'faer knows who their leader is and will keep Brynjolf informed of their movements. You can expect to be kept informed as well."

I took a second to soak in his words. Ra'faer was acting as a spy for the thieves' guild. More than that, he was apparently also going to be sharing intelligence with us.

I was now very suspicious. What reason could Brynjolf possibly have for just giving us information when he could ask money or favors from us?

"So you expect us to believe that you'll just share information for free?" Babette asked. Seems she was just as suspicious as I was.

Ra'faer slammed his clawed hands down on the table and snarled. "Take it as you wish assassins, Ra'faer has no need to explain. This one is following orders. Nothing more. Even that Ra'faer does simply because he wishes to."

Babette hissed and raised her dagger in response. My Magicka surged and surrounded my free hand with electricity. "Remember where you sit thief. This is my domain. One more move like that and there won't be enough of you left to bury."

I allowed my Magicka to disperse. Babette stayed tense and ready to spring. With nothing else, I carefully broke the wax seal on the first letter. I instantly recognized Delvin's scratchy hand writing. Delvin apologized for revealing the sanctuary's location and promised me that Ra'faer would take the information to his grave.

I felt no relief from Delvin's promise. I trusted Delvin, to an extent. I did not trust Ra'faer.

I may have my doubts about the Khajiit thief but I could respect his skill and that he had the stones to stand up to me. Not many could say that about themselves. That would have to be enough for now. He fought me and survived after all. His actions made absolutely no sense to me though. He had to be hiding something.

"What did friend Delvin say?"

I looked at Ra'faer and spoke slowly. "He has given me his word that you'll keep this place secret."

Ra'faer nodded. "But of course. This one knows the value of a secret."

My eyes narrowed at him. "I trust that you do but it wouldn't matter either way. If you told anyone about my home you would find yourself dead along with anyone you told."

Ra'faer didn't respond. Perhaps Ra'faer could tell I was serious.

If so, Good.

I was deathly serious.

Without another word I lifted the second letter and broke the wax seal.

My eyes grew as wide as saucers as I read the first lines.

Ra'faer leaned forward and Babette tried to look over my shoulder.

"What is it?" she asked.

When I could finally tear my eyes away from the elegant somewhat faded scrip on the parchment, it took me a moment to find my voice.

"It's a letter from my Mother."

•••••••••••••••

And there we are. Another chapter done! I apologize for the delay I got hit more than a few times with writer's block.

A massive thank you to TheBoredBoot without whom this chapter would not be even half done by now.

As always I truly appreciate your support and any reviews or suggestions you're willing to send my way. Please never hesitate to message me, though I do ask that you sign in first so I can reply and answer any questions you might have for me. Or at the very least send a quick thank you for the review.

Walk always dear family,

The Forlorn Sage