Chapter 6

Silencer

I arrived promptly at Fort Farragut and approached Lucien, bag in hand.

"It appears that Mathieu Bellamont, another speaker, is investigating the Sanctuary. Is that normal?" I looked up at my patron.

Lucien was taken aback but didn't say much.

"Well we are not sure where the traitor hides. I suppose it's fine."

He supposed? That means it wasn't normal.

"… So what happens now then? Like with me I mean." I changed the subject.

"No longer will you receive orders directly. Instead, you will visit dead drop locations scattered throughout Cyrodiil. Your next contract can be found at the dead drop on Hero Hill, southeast of here. A hollow in the moss-covered rock contains all you need to know. When you leave here, we will not speak again, unless I deem it necessary. Ah yes, there is one last thing. I have for you a very special gift. Waiting just outside is a magnificent steed named Shadowmere. She has served me well. I present her now to you, as a token of my trust and love. Now go, and may Sithis guide you in this new stage of your life's dark journey."

"What exactly is a Silencer, I've never heard such a term?" I looked at him confused.

"The Black Hand is the Dark Brotherhood's ruling council. That hand consists of four Speakers and one Listener. Four fingers and a thumb, as it were. This you already know. What is not commonly known among our family members is that the Black Hand employs a few... additional numbers. As every hand has fingers, does not every finger have a nail? A claw? A talon? Every finger of the hand, every Speaker, has such a nail. These are the Silencers. Each Speaker employs his or her own private assassin, to extend their reach and strike forth as necessary. My previous Silencer perished while fulfilling a contract. That emptiness has now been filled by you. It is an honor without equal." He explained with quite some detail.

"I see." With that I got up I undid the wound where my wrist was to see that the wound was not quite yet fully healed but getting there. It didn't hurt much to move so I made my way to the ladder.

"Are you sure you are well enough to go on? I wouldn't want another silencer to perish fulfilling a contract." He had a small sense of worry in his voice. I smiled at this, he really did care, even just a little.

"I'll be fine." I flashed a smile at him and left the Fortress.

I started my journey to the first Dead drop with Shadowmere. Hero Hill wasn't too far from here, I had been there once before. I even knew a quick short cut, it would still take me a few hours but that was fine with me. The night sky was quite refreshing. The stars gleamed clearly through the sky. The moons were also quite breath-taking in itself.

After a few hours of riding I had came to the location of the first dead drop. It was quite easy finding the hollowed rock, upon finding it there was a letter inside sealed. I opened the letter and read what Lucien's orders were.

Silencer,

You are now reading your first dead drop note, here on Hero Hill, which proves to me you were well-appointed to the tasks that lie ahead.
Journey now to Leafrot Cave. There you will encounter an ancient Necromancer who is attempting to escape death by transforming himself into a lich. This Necromancer, Celedaen, has not yet completed his metamorphosis, but is still immensely powerful, possibly too powerful to destroy if confronted directly. Search Leafrot Cave. Necromancers are wizards after all, and wizards are prolific by nature. Celedaen surely has written records, and these records may contain evidence of some kind of weakness. Perhaps there is some other way to destroy Celedaen besides a direct confrontation. But destroy him you must!
When the Necromancer lies dead, journey to the city of Chorrol for your next dead drop. At the foot of the Great Oak, hidden in the bushes, is an old sack. Inside you will find your reward for killing the Necromancer, as well as information regarding your next contract.
Serve me well, Silencer, and there's no telling just how far you might advance.

After reading the letter I had climbed a mountain for I was disappointed by how far I had to go. Really? This guy can't just make it easier on me? How am I even supposed to let him know when I have inquired random important information?

I sighed, figures I'd have this kind of luck.