Disclaimer: I do not own anything having to do with The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

Written by Holly Mitchell (Zhar The Mad)

Co-written by Bruce Mitchell

Chapter 3: Torn Between

"I seek a man named Jauffre, it's extremely urgent." Reign told a local priest.

"Jauffre can be found at the Weynon House, in the upper floor." the man informed.

She entered the Weynon House, several priest stopped and stared. Reign ascended the stairs, watching the motionless priests whisper amongst each other.

A man sat by the window, he was an older man with thinning gray hair. "Are you Jauffre?" she asked.

The man looked up from his book "Yes, I am. What can I do for you?"

"I was entrusted with the task of bringing you the Amulet of Kings." she held out the amulet.

"What?" Jauffre stood to his feet "How did you end up with the Amulet?"

"The emperor was assassinated. Before he died he -"

"How do you know about the emperor's death?" Jauffre interrupted "Were you involved somehow?"

"I was there when it happened."

"Murderer! I shall have your head!" he sneered.

"Wait, I didn't harm him! He asked me to help him, he knew there was nothing to change the inevitably of his death! He said to find you to and close shut the jaws of Oblivion!"

Jauffre froze. Not sure whether or not to believe the girl or not "Very well, I shall keep the amulet safe for now. I need you to go to Kavotch and find a priest by the name of Martin. Bring him back here to me."

Reign handed him the amulet "Why is this priest important?"

"I cannot tell you yet. I cannot tell anyone."

Reign nodded and exited the building 'So many priests…It sounded important…' she glanced at the Blade of Woe "I don't know though.

She sighed and headed in the direction of the Inn of Ill Omen.

She used the last of her gold to rent a room to have easier access to Rufio. She waited until everything fell quiet and exited her room. She unlocked the only other room in the 'hole in a wall' establishment. No good, it wasn't him. Reign crept downstairs, after a half-hour of searching, she spotted a discreet basement door on the floor. She silently moved through the long hall and found a shady-looking man sleeping on an old bed. She drew her dagger and slit his throat. Reign felt strangely comfortable with herself as she wiped the blade off on the bed covers. She found herself pleased, she knew she should've been horrified at the sight of the man's dead body. However, she felt nothing. She tiptoed upstairs and fell asleep.

"I see you've completed your task. Very good." Lucien said to the half-wake girl.

"Hm, yeah, it was fun. What now?" she rubbed her eyes.

"Go to Cheydinhal. There, you will find an abandoned house.. Enter and go to the basement. At the entrance to the sanctuary, you will be asked a question, answer 'Sanguine, my brother.' talk to an Argonian woman by the name of Ocheeva. You will be given further instructions once you're there."

Reign stood up "When will I see you again?"

He turned around and said "When need be."

He disappeared again. "Damn, I already hate it when he does that." she frowned.

She decided to cut through Imperial City to repair her bow, purchase arrows, and any other supplies she might need. She spotted a poster reading "Arena: The Training Hall For Some Of Cyrodill's Best Warriors. Will You Become One Of Them? Sign Up Now."

"Hmm, interesting…" she walked through the entrance. She descended the stairs, entering the Arena bloodworks.

"I'm here to sign up for the Arena."

A Redguard turned around and glimpsed at her. He burst out into laugher "You know, the point of the Arena is not to die. Do your parents even know you're here?"

For a second time since she could remember being conscious, the room darkened again. She could see a vision of a male Dark Elf and a female Breton staring over her. The were smiling and laughing. They looked so utterly happy. The vision began to dissolve again. Like the last time, though unlike the last time, she didn't want it to leave. She wanted to keep watching. Then it was completely gone.

"I'm an adult." she told him, a little doubtful herself.

He looked her up and down "Well…Okay, but don't change your story if you get hurt."

The man turned to a long piece of paper "Name?"

"R-e-i-g-n."

He took the quill pen from her "Weapon of choice?"

"Bow."

"Hm, interesting taste in weapons, but whatever works for you. Next, choose a raiment. Light or heavy."

"Light."

"Really? I figured you'd choose the heavy armor.. So you can hide behind it. Now get ready. You're up next." he handed Reign her new armor.

Someone called from another area "Owyn, we need you in here!"

The Redguard grumbled. "Gotta go. Oh, and congratulations, you're our new Pit Dog."

After Owyn left the room, Reign changed into the raiment she had been given and braided her long black hair. "Real classy name they gave to me. I can't believe the nerve of that man."

"Don't worry about Owyn, he treats everyone that way. It seems that you and I signed up at the time, making us both Pitt Dogs." a dark-haired man appeared beside her. "Even though you should have a title like Pit Kitty, if you don't mind my saying so."

"Oh," Reign placed a hand over her chest, startled "You scared me, how long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough," he said, tilting his head, desperately trying not to laugh "my name is Hrothmund Viles, by the way."

"Reign."

"Short name." he commented on the fact she only said her given name, observing her bow.

"It's the only name I remember at the moment."

"Next up is Blue Team's new female Pit Dog!" they heard the announcer outside say.

"Well, it was nice to meet you, Mr. Piles. I must take my leave." she hurried outside, not caring what else he had to say. She rolled her eyes and made her way to the Arena pit. She was amazed how massive it was, it appeared to be able to hold hundreds of people.

Her gate opened, she exited.

The Yellow Team's gate opened and a Wood Elf emerged, also wielding a bow. She advanced, hiding behind a column, trying to remember how to use the bow properly.

"Damn." she cursed, behind the wave of boo-ing spectators, she heard the footsteps of the Wood Elf closing in on her.

She closed her eyes and concentrated on the sound of the footsteps, pinpointing them, she emerged from the column. An arrow flew from the enemy at close-range, piercing Reign in the arm. "Argh-" she painfully shrilled.

The crowed roared with excitement.

An anger, much like the one she had felt when Uriel was slain, erupted inside of her. She grabbed the arrow, snapping it at the base where it had buried itself in her arm.

The Wood Elf, frightened, began to ready another arrow. Reign did as well, and sloppily fired before her opponent finished loading his arrow. It was a low shot, her opponent merely jumped out of it's line-of-fire.

He concentrated so hard on dodging her arrow, he didn't notice that she began to charge him. By the time he realized what was going on, she was inches from him.

It was too late. That was the last image the Wood Elf would ever see, she had stabbed him in his temple.

The crowed roared even louder this time. Some even rose out of their seats to applaud.

She watched as her opponent fell to the ground, relishing in his defeat.

Once inside, she sat onto a bench and pulled the arrowhead out of her forearm. Pain poured throughout her body. She gritted her teeth, wrapping her hand around the wound as tight as she could.

Hrothmund laid an Elven Bow beside Reign, "I thought you'd be able to wield it more efficiently than I would."

"No thanks. My old bow suits me fine." she rolled her eyes.

"I'm sorry if I offended you earlier. It would mean a great deal to me if you'd except it."

She tied off her bandage and sighed "Thank you."

They heard the announcer again "If you liked that last battle, then we know you'll love what we have next for you; Hrothmund Viles, a native to Skingrad."

"I hope it serves you well." Hrothmund left.

Reign tucked her knees against her chest, observing the bandages on her arm.

"The arena is too much for ya', huh? I thought so." Owyn reappeared, back to harass her, she assumed.

"Not at all, it's just boring in here. I feel sorry for you, having to miss all the action." she cocked her head.

"Don't be too anxious to get back out there, just less breathes for you." he crossed his arms across his chest.

"Give me the best fighter's the Yellow Team has. I'll blow through them all."

Owyn snorted "Big talk for such a tiny little…thing."

Reign stood to her feet, ready to swing.

Hrothmund grabbed her by her arm "Enough, Owyn. Remember what happened the last time you tried to pick a fight with another contender."

Owyn snarled and stomped off.

Reign threw Hrothmund's hand off of her "I can take care of myself." she hissed.

"Making enemies is not important right now, Reign. And besides, in the state the world is in now, friends are an asset."

(announcer) "And here she is again, for the Blue Team…Reign!"

Without saying another word, she left for her next battle. Anxious to show everyone how wrong they were about her.

The battles waved on and on, each new one different from the last. Finally, she was at the final battle, ready to fight the current Grand Champion, the Grey Prince.

"You know, I have never, in my entire life, seen anyone wield a bow as well as you do." Hrothmund patted her on the back.

She smiled "Where's that belligerent fool Owyn?"

"I doubt you'll be seeing much of him, he's a little worried that you've made it this far."

"Why is that?" she quirked an eyebrow.

"Well, he didn't think you'd be able to make it this far. Needless to say, I assume he's scared of you at this point." Hrothmund chuckled.

Reign giggled slightly "Now why on earth would he be afraid of a tiny 'thing' like me?"

"I can't imagine." Hrothmund had to pinch his lips together to prevent himself from bursting out in laughter.

She decided to change the subject, to more serious matters "Thank you so much for being so kind to me. I don't quite understand why you do it in the first place. But thank you."

"No need to thank me. It was more like your aura pulled me towards you. Like we were destined to become friends." he felt somewhat awkward putting it that way.

Reign smiled "Well, either way, thank you." she nervously played with her fingers "If I lose this battle, will you do me a favor?"

"You'll breeze through the Grey Prince like everyone one else you've decimated. Don't worry."

"Just in case I don't…I want you to take this and place it over my grave." she handed him the Blade of Woe.

"What does it mean to you?"

"A great deal. It is very important that everyone knows that I was slain." on the inside she wanted to say Lucien Lechance.

Hrothmund swallowed hard "You have my word, friend."

She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Goodbye."

Reign walked to the fighting area, seriously wondering if this would be the place she would die.

She could see the Yellow Team's gate already opening, followed by the cheer of the crowed as the Grey Prince emerged.

Her gate opened and she felt a pit well up in her stomach. Reign took a deep breath and ran to the middle of the ring. She fired an arrow before he got close to her. He easily dodged it. 'Damn, this is no good. How can I fight him if my weapon is no good? And I gave the Blade of Woe to Hrothmund…' she narrowly dodged his attack, but she ended up losing her footing and fell to the ground. The Grey Prince raised his sword above his head and swung straight down as hard as he has able to. She rolled to dodge it; the crowed went wild. He raised the blade again, she fired another arrow, but his armor deflected it. Reign grabbed another arrow from her quiver and rolled around to get to her feet. He swung the blade upward, breaking the quiver into two, cutting her back. She let out a piercing scream, falling to all fours.

The crowed went crazy with excitement.

The Grey Prince swiftly changed the position of his hands into a stabbing stance. Reign let go of her bow and grabbed one of the broken arrows. She drove the arrowhead into his ankle. He sent a bellowing cry that filled the entire arena.

The crowed grew silent. Then cheered again.

She grabbed her bow and scurried away as fast as she could, trying to putting more distance between them. She readied her bow, searching for a falter point in his thick armor. He limped forward, now using his sword as a crutch.. Closer and closer. She was pinned and running out of time.

Reign tried to remain as calm as possible, she had to concentrate. "There it is." she spoke aloud and sent her last arrow hurtling toward him. It landed in a small space between his neck and shoulder. The Grey Prince fell to the ground. He had been defeated. She was the new Arena Grand Champion.

The crowed grew silent again as she walked to the body. Reign cautiously kicked at the body. The arrow had snapped in two when he hit the ground.

The Grey Prince swept her feet right out from under her. She fell to the ground and he wrapped his arm around her neck, choking her as hard as he could. 'This isn't the end!' she grabbed the arrow and shoved it further into his neck, he went into a brief spasm and fell limp.

Everyone in the stands stood to there feet, applauded and cheered her on.

An older woman entered the pit "Our new Grand Champion!" she helped Reign to her feet, "What would you like your Arena title to be?"

Reign paused for a moment, grapping her bow. "The Dark Arrow." she proclaimed.

"Wonderful," the woman applauded "For the Blue Team. Our new Grand Champion; is the Dark Arrow!"

As soon as she left the pit, she was practically tackled by the ever-so optimistic Hrothmund "I told you that you that you could do it!" he picked her up and spun her around like a rag doll. "Congratulations!"

She let out a quiet "Thank you." and squinted her eyes from the pain of the wound.

Hrothmund sat her on a bench and sprinted off to find bandages. He ended up bringing the woman from the pit with him. She cleaned Reign's wound and bandaged her up. "It's good that you were able to hold onto your limbs." Hrothmund joked. Reign just grinned.

After a few days of resting, Reign felt well enough to head out to Cheydinhal. She gathered her belongings and sported a brand new
raiment. Made especially for her.

"Can I join you on your journey? I'm headed north of Cheydinhal." Hrothmund asked.

"Of course. I could use the company." and the two were off.

Once she was in Cheydinhal, she waited for the cover of night to enter the abandoned house.

"Basement, basement.. Where's the basement?" she crept through the building.

She found a door and entered, surprisingly, there was another door. It had a disturbing portrait on it of a ghoulish woman guarding what looked like a child from a group of people. She also notice a black handprint "A Black Hand." she muttered to herself, and unconsciously placed her hand over it. Suddenly, it felt like the entire door shook. She stepped back away from it.

"What is the color of night?" The door said in a deep chilling voice.

'Lucien didn't say the door would talk to me!' then hesitantly answered "Sanguine, my brother."

The door opened itself "Welcome."

Reign entered the Sanctuary, an aloof skeleton walked right by her; she clasped her hands over her mouth so she wouldn't shriek. She snuck by it and spotted an Argonian woman sitting at the far-end of the main room.

"Ah, you must be Reign." the Argonian said and closed her book. Lucien has told me so much about you. And of course he's never short about his descriptions, you really are quite dazzling."

"Lucien used the word dazzling?" she quirked her eyebrow, not sure if she should be flattered or not.

"Oh, yes. He loves beautiful women, I suppose you could say. Not the romantic type I hear. It's astounding that you've made it to us in one piece." Ocheeva darkly humored.

Reign was clueless "The road here wasn't treacherous-"

Ocheeva burst out into a raspy laugh "You didn't understand what I meant?"

She innocently shook her head.

"Hm, well then put it this way… Lucien only has one love; the Dark Brotherhood. And that leaves no room for…release. With that said, you're in one piece. If you wore one less article of clothing, I doubt Lucien would have been able to control himself."

The girl shrugged "Actually, I don't think it would've mattered if I was wearing anything. I was covered in blood, my hair was all matted, and when I did have clothes on they clung to my body, it was quite uncomfortable… and that's why I took them off before I went to bed…" she mumbled to herself.

Ocheeva's eyes became round "No clothes at all? Blood? Lucien has impressed me greatly." she shook her head.

"You mean to say Lucien finds that attractive?" Reign's face contorted slightly.

"You've heard the saying about some men having a passion for wine & riches? Well, Lucien has a passion for blood and carnage."

Reign gulped "Well, he told me that he didn't want to hurt me because I have potential talent for what I can do."

"That is probably what helped him to contain himself. That, or maybe he really likes you. But enough about him, we need to get you comfortable here. The beds in the living quarters are for anyone in the faction to use. Go around and meet your new Dark Sisters and Brothers. Report to Vincente when you're ready for your first assignment. Oh and this is for you." Ocheeva handed her Shrouded Armor.

"Um, Ocheeva?"

"Yes, dear?"

"Where is Lucien?"

Ocheeva grinned "He is not here much, stops in and out occasionally." She could see a hint of disappointment in Reign's expression.

She nodded "Thank you for everything, Ocheeva."

"Oh, hello, it's so nice to see another woman joins us, it has been just Ocheeva and I here for so long, it was becoming dull. My name is Antoinetta Marie. I have a feeling that we will become the best of friends."

"I'm Reign, it's nice to meet you. I certainly hope we will. So, is Lucien the reason you're here too?"

"Yes actually, he found me living on the streets practically starving to death. I owe him my life."

"Well…It sounds like you revere him greatly." She faked a smile 'Wrong person to talk to about him.'

A towering Orc approached her, breaking up her current conversation "Hi, I'd hug you, but Ocheeva told me not to." he pouted.

"Um hello, everyone here seems so friendly here…"

"You're our newest Sister -oh, I'm Gogron gro-Bolmog. I forgot you didn't know my name yet." he grinned dopily.

"Oh, right. Sorry. I'm Reign."

"It's alright. Lucien has already told us a lot about you, so you don't really need to introduce yourself."

'At first it was flattering, now it is beginning to get a tad annoying.' she thought to herself. "…How sweet…"

"I don't think I've ever heard him talk so much about someone." he tapped his temple.

"Gogron!" Antoinetta interrupted "It's rude to cut into someone's conversation!" she shooed him away. She turned to Reign "I'm terribly sorry about him. He's quite possibly the most harmless Orc in all of Cyrodill; however he's about as intelligent as a rock."

"Oh no, its alright. He means well and I do appreciate the warm welcome."

"Marvelous! I am glad you are getting along. Anyway, what Lucien was talking about is true. I hear he's bragging about you almost as much as he bragged about me when I joined."

"Mm, that must've been a lot." she feigned interest 'Boy, she sure is full of herself.'

"Yes, in fact, I think soon he'll be having me take Ocheeva's place. Lucien really knows talent when he sees it."

'Pretentious little bi-' "I'm sure he does." 'I'm sure he'd think a lot of a brown nosing tramp…oh, wait, they say he thinks a lot of me as well. Damn.'

"Well, I must be going now. It was nice talking to you dear." Antoinetta grinned 'Lucien is mine, child. You won't take him from me.'

Reign rolled her eyes and walked to the living quarters. She was so deep in thought, she accidentally bumped into a passing Khajit. "I'm so sorry-"

He hissed at her "Stay away from me, you stinking thing."

Reign stomped her foot "You're not very polite."

"Ocheeva told me I can't kill you. But I don't have to like you. Whatever she says." he treaded off.

'Hmm, I guess not everyone is that nice, after all.' She set her things down on a bed. She suddenly shrieked "Ahh, a rat!" jumping on the bed.

"That's Schemer, he's our pet." a male Argonian said, seated at a table across from the beds. "Oh, and don't mind Mraaj-dar, he's cold to newcomers."

"Cold? That's an understatement." she crossed her arms.

Teinaava put his Mead down "Even though we're a family of assassins. Some won't getting along well with others. It's the same as in the outside world. In most cases, most will like you, some won't. And then there are beings that will hate you for no reason. That's the way it is."

"You sure are optimistic." she laid down.

He shrugged "I would like to be. But with the world the way it is, its difficult."

'That really isn't fair…' she thought to herself 'he had to go and make me sad like that..' slowly starting to drift to sleep.