A/N: This chapter has undergone minor revisions since the final chapter of this story was released. Please note, revised chapters may be inconsistent with reviews and with author's notes from unrevised chapters.
Mid Year 13 4E1
My feet were aching from my long walk over here. I was so close to making enough money to get a horse, but, as I'd been disappointed to find out, neither Cheydinhal's nor the Imperial City's stables could sell me a reasonably price horse. I'd have to strongly hope my next contract would be elsewhere. None the less, I was eager to hear Vincenti's words, having completed the contract and freed Claudius Arcadia. Besides satisfying him and myself, I was glad to know I'd earned myself a very significant amount of coin.
I rattled the door to the sanctuary, my heart swelling with its usual pride in the Dark Brotherhood's presence, proud to be part of such an intimidating and dutiful organization. Vincenti himself was the first one to open the door.
"So, you infiltrated the Imperial prison, eliminated Valen Dreth, freed Claudius Arcadia, and killed not one guard. Most excellent! Not only will I double your standard reward, but I will present you with a bonus." Vincenti said. The assassination came back to me in a moment of extreme satisfaction. The escape with Arcadia had caused some close calls, and it was frustrating to teach the old man the basics of stealth, but at least I'd succeeded. Vicenti held the door opened, signaling me to come in. After I'd stepped in, he closed it again, a feeling of safety wrapping around me. He signaled me to wait while he went to his room to get my appropriate reward. I did so, imagining the vast amount of potential in those 400 septims I would soon be delivered and reliving parts of the assignment. The use of strategy, the fluent coordination; it was paying off wonderfully in the Dark Brotherhood so far.
He returned with three bags in his hand and eagerly handed them to me. I enjoyed the feeling off all the weighted-wealth in my hands, but it was a bit hard to handle. "I've already had instructions written up for your bonus. Now, I'm afraid Ocheeva needs to see you in her office as quickly as possibly. She told me it is an urgent matter."
Ocheeva and I. That seemed to indicate some sort of business with Argonia. My heart rose; A return to Shadowscale business might mean the recovery of things I'd left that part of my life without. What if they'd finally found Goes-in-heavy? What if he made it to the sanctuary? But "urgent" had to mean something here.
I walked towards Ocheeva's office, trying to imagine what kind of surprise would be there, but no real satisfactory answer came to my head.
My assumption was further confirmed as I saw Tienaava standing in Ocheeva's office upon my entry; this definitely had to do with Argonia. His scales met with casual clothing, a sight that seemed to clash after seeing him so many times in the Dark brotherhood uniform. Though his attire was so casual, his expression was one of concern, diluting my previous optimism. Ocheeva was sitting down, her face just as serious, as soon as our eyes met she began speaking.
"Ah, Fights-up-close, I've got an important task to request of you. It is quite urgent." Her words didn't hint at the slightest amusement or optimism I was used to with family conversations. They even felt a bit forced, which irritated me slightly. It certainly made me worry "Listen, I understand you've been concerned about Goes-in-heavy. Well, Learns-fast dropped by the sanctuary today. We may have found him, but it does not look good. The Argonian Royal Court sent 3 agents to Bogwater who have not reported back." The conversation was becoming more and more uncomfortable. Out of the corner of my eyes, I thought I saw Tienaava peering at me, but I wasn't sure, and didn't bother to look. What did he think of all this? The conversation had a very grim ambience, and I had to wonder if he knew something I didn't. "I gave you and Cleaver this task because you two obviously know him better than any other family members, and should be able to identify him immediately."
I could tell this mission would have consequences we'd never forget, however it turned out.
"What do you think happened to him? I crossed through those swamps on my way to Leyawiin. It didn't seem dangerous." Learning his whereabouts was encouraging, and my mind was sharp and enthusiastic to start an investigation, but Ocheeva's grim tone was unsettling.
"Sister," She said in a tone like she was talking to a child, which irritated me slightly "we believe he himself may very well be the threat. Please, do be careful. If this is true, he must be killed without question." Killed. The words sounded harsher than ever, and the way she was talking to me felt so...distanced. She probably had to be, considering what she thought she was ordering me to do. But did she know something I didn't? It didn't sound like much evidence of treachery, especially considering who I knew "Scar-tail" to be.
"You really think..." I began, intending Ocheeva to cut me off before I could say the painful words.
"That's what you two need to find out. But please, Fights-up-close, realize how important this is." She replied. Reality seemed to shift somehow as I thought about what I was hearing. No matter what had happened, I knew my life would never be the same again.
"I suggest you arm yourselves well." Ocheeva added. Just like another mission, but this time it had serious implications, ones I couldn't escape. It gave it a new sense of purpose.
This time, out of the corner of my eye, I could clearly see Tienaava turn towards me, debunking my suspicion he'd been examining me all along. He added "This is an Argonian matter, and will have no bearing on our standing within the Dark Brotherhood." Argonian matter? Does this seem right? I thought Ocheeva said it effected both of us. Before I could check my own logic, my thoughts were whisked away, however, and replaced by more important ones; What kind of danger could lie in Bogwater? Either way, I decided to ask my previous question.
"No bearing on my standing in the Dark Brotherhood?" I asked. I wasn't quite sure if I got my questions across right.
"I'm sorry, I've kept you two long enough. Please, get any extra equipment you need, and do hurry." She responded. Tienaava immediately began walking off, and I closely followed, trying to decide whether to shun the nagging urge to stay and prod more or not. Then I realized what her words implied. Get more equipment: time to see M'raaj-Dar again. It would be interesting to see how this would play out with him outnumbered two to one, but there was something I was nervous, even a bit humiliated about. The twins seemed to think Goes-in-heavy was a traitor, and no doubt M'raaj-Dar would love every bit of that. Still, everything felt different now, even the rivalry with M'raaj-Dar. Not that I felt it didn't matter, but I felt a broader sense of duty now.
Either way, Tienaava was walking ahead of me, so he'd have to think of how to initiate the conversation, much to my relief. He seemed to be heading confidently in the direction of the Living Quarters. I wondered what he thought of all this; he'd had far longer to reflect on it than I. I had been thrown into such a dramatic situation.
After opening the doors, my fellow Shadowscale, keeping a straight stride and look, headed towards the table. I eagerly awaited his first words. "Alright, M'raaj-Dar, its time to sell us something." He demanded, his orders without a hint of normal cheer, of course. I made a point of coming into the Khajiit's field of view as well, standing my ground face to face with my enemy like a soldier.
"Two of you? Well this is an unpleasant surprise." He said as he leaned down from the table and lifted the bag of supplies, then making a point of forcing us to sort it out. Tienaava started sorting through the bag while I hovered over his shoulder, though it was a way of showing support more than helping find supplies. I watched him shuffle through all the enticing goodies, it was a shame they all had to be priced so highly and sold to me by someone like M'raaj-Dar. Now I was starting to see Ocheeva's decision to put him in charge of sales in a less approving light. It seemed vaguely selfish since we had to deal with him. Tienavaa turned to me after a bit more shuffling.
"If this mission indeed involves rescue, it would be wise to keep some healing potions in storage." Tienaava said. I enjoyed hearing such a quick tactical conclusion from an ally.
"A rescue, eh? What's wrong?" M'raaj-Dar said, no doubt savoring our dilemma "Can the agents of Argonia not watch their own back?" I filled with anger not only at the jab, but the fact M'raaj-Dar, though I hated to acknowledge it, he had been right on target. Fortunately, Tienaava was more resilient, and I was glad to have him by my side when dealing with the mage, it made it so much easier.
"We were given this contract because a Shadowscale is twice the assassin you are. If you were to handle the situation, it would be doomed to failure." Tienaava said, toneless and matter-of-factly. I was pleased to see someone else bite back at M'raaj-Dar, rather than being infuriatingly pacifist about it, and already felt like thanking Tienaava. Even if it wasn't anything really clever he said, having an advantage in numbers really seemed to boost my morale.
"A rescue, none the less...some assassins you must be." M'raaj-Dar said. I felt it was my duty to deliver the next blow.
"I'm just glad were not rescuing you." I said, though the words had been generated by disorganized impulse that hadn't fully translated into the right words. He probably didn't get exactly what I was trying to imply. Seeing how flat the insult fell, Tienaava quickly went back to focusing on the shopping aspect of our meeting. Though I was grateful, it made it slightly more embarrassing.
"Three healing potions." Tienaava said, holding up three little bottles filled with a maroon liquid "Name your price."
"Fifty for each!" He said, and the significance of the price was not lost to me. Tienaava gave me a look to see what I thought of it. I shrugged out of impulse. That sounded a bit over-priced even for healing potion, but chances are we wouldn't do any better. Tienaava sighed, and began taking the coins from his pocket. Amazing generosity to pay for all three potions. Unlike M'raaj-Dar, Tienaava was, of course, being quite a gentleman, increasing my soldier-like mentality of both comradery and hatred.
He payed M'raaj-Dar, then handed me a bottle and gestured me to come along, a far off look in his eyes. Anger was still simmering inside me, keeping me in the conversation as we walked towards the exit, both in normal citizen's clothing. An odd sight. Tienaava seemed to look so different with his hood off.
Of course, I had not forgotten where we were going, and why were going there. There was a greater feeling of purpose to this, but it was hard to take in with everything that had also transpired all at once. I was being rushed through such an extra-ordinary development, without time to take a step back and decide how I felt about the situation.