A/N: This chapter has undergone minor revisions since I released the final chapter of this story. Keep in mind, revised chapters may be inconsistent with reviews and author's notes from unrevised chapters.

Mid Year 16, 4E1

(Fights-up-close):Cheydinhal Sanctuary

We were in the sanctuary once again, but its beauty was tainted somehow. The nobility I used to see in the uniforms of the Brotherhood was just slightly less. The traitor's words may have sunk in somewhat; I was starting to see the sanctuary from a different...angle. For the first time, it actually seemed possible to imagine them as an enemy. I saw something different in them now, a potential threat. The sense of comradery and welcomeness had waned, and it all seemed to give off a...cold meanness now. But was it because of Goes-in-heavy's treachery (which made all others suspect to the same act), or his reasons for treachery, which made me wonder about the sincerity of our goals? I couldn't quite say.

His death was weighing on me so heavily it suppressed most other thoughts. I noticed it had been so long since I felt true pain. I'd taken on challenges before, but this was different. It wasn't a challenge I was putting myself through to prove something only to myself, something which the importance of only existed in my head. His death wasn't something I could escape or ignore.

My time in the Dark Brotherhood had now been so horribly marred with the devastating events that had just occurred I doubted I'd ever get a chance to feel it as I should have. I guessed I'd never know for sure, though, as I'd forgotten what I'd truly expected.

If I was going to feel pain, I wished at least that I could feel anger; it could be converted into pleasure through revenge. This was sadness, and sadness was always hopeless.

We made it to Stabber's office, even as I was lost in painful thought. Cleaver was intent on announcing what had happened:

"Goes-in-heavy was indeed a traitor, but Fights-up-close has slain him." He said heartily, images of his last moments flashing before my eyes. Tienaava's words were free of compassion which, for the first time, disgusted me, and saddened me even further. I felt lonely now. I hated having him attribute the deed to me, but it was true.

"A traitor was in our ranks...that is most certainly disturbing." She said, her voice slightly dragged and mellowed in shock. But her eyes were on the floor only briefly before she briskly snapped out of it. "Well, thanks to you the traitor now lies with the worms of Bog Water! We are all forever indebted to you two!" She said it in an almost celebratory manner, despite the grimness of the event. "Fights-up-close, I think its time for an advancement. The two of us will work more closely. You will no longer receive contracts from Vincenti Valteri. Now go, get some rest. Sithis knows you've earned it. I will alert you when I have any contracts available for you."

That was her only reaction? I had been surprised by just how cold Cleaver had been on our way back. Now his sister felt nearly nothing for a lost Shadowscale too? This wasn't the same Stabber I'd known back in Gideon.

With a shadow of bitterness now cast over my world, getting some rest was the only thing that appealed to me now. Maybe my dreams were the only place I could find refuge. Doing anything else just served as a reminder that hope had been crushed. My heart had been set on sharing my Dark Brotherhood career with "Scar-tail's" friendly company; I thought everything else had just been diversion up until that point. I was wrong. Now I could only long for my days back in Argonia, despite all the excitement I'd built up for my career in the Dark Brotherhood.

Back in Argonia there were the memories of deep, humorous, thought-provoking conversations, of embracing each other's accomplishments like those of our own, and embracing our failures with a sense of humor. Even though such was still possible here, I didn't feel like I could ever indulge in the sense of comradery again. The marsh brother I was closest to was dead, and Stabber and Cleaver had...changed somehow.

"Ah, Fights-" Vincenti's words sent a jolt through my body. I had not heard him come up behind me. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

I nodded.

"Before you go, I intend to make good on an offer I made some time ago. As a vampire, I may pass my gift on to others as I see fit. You have served me well, and I choose now to extend that gift to you. Shall I use my dark powers and turn you into a vampire?"

I had completely forgotten about that. Vincenti reminded me, unfortunately, that there was still an outside world I'd still have to make decisions in, even with so much misfortune weighing down on me.

"Tell me a bit about it." I said, but even my own voice served only to further remind me of the reality I was trapped in, the blunt truth that was filling me with deep sadness again.

I knew I couldn't decide about vampirism now, but I wanted to remember whatever he told me so I could analyze it later, whenever that would be.

"Ah, yes, I certainly did not mean to rush your decision." He smiled again. It was irritating now, though. "The vampiric blood has many benefits to whoever is blessed enough to have it within their bodies. You will become physically stronger, for instance, and your eyes will more easily cope with the night. With each drop of vampiric blood flowing through your body, these effects will be amplified. However, so will vampirism's unfortunate drawbacks. The sun will be increasingly hostile to your skin, and the dark gift will become more apparent to the outside world. You must feed to avoid the full price of these draw backs while reaping its benefits." He paused briefly before continuing "You see, the vampire's blood alone can not sustain your body. You must feed off of others from time to time. During this process, you will exchange your blood with their's, removing some of your vampirism, and passing it to them. If you chose not to make the wound fatal, they will soon become like you. This is what I will do for you if you accept my offer. One drop of vampire's blood in a normal human blood stream will quickly multiply itself. Though the effects would be barely noticeable at first, you will soon find yourself wrapped in vampirism's dark embrace."

"I'll think about it." I responded. I had to eventually, it was a real decision, effecting all the life I'd ever have. Just like killing Goes-in-heavy. That memory attacked me again.

"I can understand your trepidation. For it is not everyday one is invited to join the ranks of the undead, eh? If you ever change your mind, fear not. My offer will always be open. Simply return and speak to me about the dark gift, and we can proceed."

The conversation didn't immediately exit my mind. I was fascinated by the warping powers of vampirism, and it certainly would be odd to give him permission to "feed" on me, as well as having his blood in my veins, but I hated having so much on my mind as it was.

I started heading to the Living Quarters without giving Vincenti's offer any more consideration yet. I didn't feel I was capable of much other than replaying Goes-in-heavy's words in my head.

"Think of all they've tasked you with. Was it driven by anything but greed? If not, what else? The Dark brotherhood serves anyone who pays, and the Argonian Royal Court? The Argonian Royal Court serves no one but themselves." Right now, I chose not to believe those words, yet they kept replaying in my head. It served only to remind me of the anger I'd felt at that instant and nothing more, yet I became frustrated with myself when I couldn't recall exact feeling that moment gave me, as if reliving it again would somehow enlighten me.