Chapter 3

The next morning, in spite of having gotten little rest, Aria packed up and started the long walk toward Bravil. It took her all day to reach the Inn of Ill Omen, and when she finally found it early that evening, she wasn't impressed. The inn was a run-down wreck of a building. A creepy-looking sign bearing the inn's name hung next to the door.

The inside didn't look any better. Dirty chairs and tables stood on a dirty floor and a huge, filthy Nord stood behind the counter. "Well, I'll be a spotted snow bear! A customer!" he exclaimed as soon as she walked in.

Aria walked up to the counter and set her sack down. "Is this the Inn of Ill Omen?" she asked tentatively.

The innkeeper nodded eagerly. "This is it. I know, I know, horrible name for an inn, but I couldn't bring myself to change it. Plus, I like the sign. The name is Manheim Maulhand. What can I do for you?"

Aria thought quickly. "I'm...looking for my grandfather. His name is Rufio, and I was told that he'd been seen around here."

"Rufio? Yeah, he's here. He lives downstairs in the private quarters." Maulhand jerked his thumb toward a trapdoor in the corner, then looked closely at her. "You look a bit pale. Something wrong?"

Aria shook her head. "I'm fine. I'm just not used to traveling by myself. It's...much more frightening than I thought. And I'm tired, too, and I haven't eaten in a while since I was so busy trying to find my grandfather..."

"I bet you are tired. It ain't right for young ladies to be traveling alone, I'll tell you what. With the wolves and bears and trolls out there, not to mention the bandits. At least you'll have your grandfather with you on your way back to...where'd you say you were from?"

"Anvil. My grandfather and I will be traveling there as soon as I find him."

"Kinda late to be on the roads tonight. Tell you what, you go down and see your grandfather, since I'm sure he'll be happy to see you, and when you come back up, we can get you a room for the night."

Aria nodded and gave him a grateful smile before shouldering her sack again. She made her way to the trapdoor Maulhand had pointed out. Once the door was securely closed above her, she set her sack down next to the ladder and removed her dagger. Then she began her search for Rufio.

There were only two rooms in the basement. The first one, closest to the ladder, was empty, so Aria quietly opened the door of the further room. The lamps in this room were burning dimly, casting just enough light to see. Aria crept into the room and silently shut the door behind her. An elderly Breton man lay sleeping in the bed. Aria didn't make a sound as she stepped over to the bed. For a moment, she simply stood there with her blade poised in her right hand.

She could stop now. She could lower her blade and walk out now and no one would ever know. She could get away from here, away from the Dark Brotherhood. She could go to Anvil and follow her original plan. She could run away from here and throw away the offer of food and money and family. She could...but she didn't.

Almost before she realized it, her left hand reached over to cover his mouth. Rufio's eyes opened in fear and locked with Aria's just seconds before she drew her blade across his throat.

A strange, cold thrill ran through her as she watched her victim die. His blood quickly soaked the sheets and dripped from the end of her dagger. Mechanically, she wiped the blade on the sheets, then rolled Rufio's body onto it's side and covered it with a blanket. With luck, anyone who came in would think he was asleep, giving her time to get away.

She made sure there were no traces of blood on her clothes or hands, then headed for the door. A small stack of gold pieces on the dresser caught her eye, and she snatched them before leaving the room. She slipped the Blade of Woe and the gold into her sack and made her way up the ladder.

"Did you find him?" Maulhand asked as soon as she came into view.

Aria nodded. "Yes, but he was already sleeping, and I didn't want to bother him. You mentioned getting a room earlier?"

The innkeeper grinned eagerly. "Of course. I've got a room available for ten gold. Will that be okay?"

Aria made a show of pulling out her money sack. Life as a beggar had taught her many tricks for saving her money. They were especially useful against pushovers like Maulhand. She pasted an upset look on her face.

At her downcast expression, Maulhand inquired, "Something wrong?"

Aria looked up with fake tears in her eyes as she skillfully slid most of her money out of sight. "I only have four gold pieces," she whispered. She knew how pathetic she looked and could see the innkeeper's face soften. She smiled inwardly. Success.

"Well," he said, "you look like you've come a long way just to find your grandfather, so...your stay tonight is on the house. But just for tonight, mind you. I'll even let you stay in the room next to Rufio."

Aria put her coins away and said gratefully, "Thank you so much, sir." Her stomach growled loud enough for Maulhand to hear.

He laughed. "I'll throw some dinner in there, too. Why don't you have a seat at one of those tables? I'll have some food ready in just a couple of minutes."

Aria thanked him again and sat down at the table. True to his word, Maulhand served her a large helping of cold mutton and sweet rolls and a large mug of ale. When he wasn't looking, she slipped a few of the sweet rolls and slabs of meat into her sack. Maulhand kept up a steady stream of conversation through the entire meal. When she was done eating, she said goodnight to Maulhand and climbed back through the trapdoor. Once in the room, she sat on the bed and breathed a sigh of relief, then smiled at the stupidity of the innkeeper. She wrapped the food in one of her blankets, then sat back and read her book for the next several hours, waiting for the right moment to escape.

Very early in the morning, she gathered up her things and left the room. A careful peek through the trapdoor told her that everything was quiet. She could hear Maulhand's loud snoring from the second floor. With as little noise as possible, she climbed into the room and crept out the front door. Lifting her sack to her shoulder, she started off into the darkness.

It was nearly sunrise when she finally stopped, exhausted. She made camp, forcing herself to eat some mutton before practically falling onto her blankets. It didn't take long for her to fall into a deep, sound sleep.