I don't like how this chapter came out. Rather boring and to me, somewhat poorly written. However, it is only a filler chapter. Mainly to allow me time to figure out what I want to do for later chapters. To begin something hopefully more interesting. Sorry people, this will hopefully not happen often lol. I will again, try to make the chapters longer as well, but not agonizingly so.
Thank you for reading!
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The Speaker and the Assassin moved swiftly and smoothly through the city of Cheydinhal. The Speaker's cold gaze constantly shifted around them, searching. Kai knew what he was searching for, and remained close behind him. They moved mainly behind the buildings, trying to stay off the streets. However, even then they received a few glances, Kai having almost forgotten about her cut arm, the blood dried and stained upon her cloak.
They approached the well ignored boarded up and run down building, looking almost like it were going to collapse one day. Lucien stepped behind the building and to a well. He glanced around again, his narrowing as he stood still. After a moment he opened the grate and gestured Kai to enter first. She did so without a word and stepped into the opening and climbed down the ladder below. Lucien followed directly behind, closing and locking the grate securely behind him.
Once the bottom was reached not far below, Kai stepped through the opening in the wall and stepped aside. She glanced behind her as Lucien stepped down and moved into the Sanctuary. Kai noticed right away that the Sanctuary was fairly busy, not empty like the day she left on her mission. Ocheeva and Vicente sat at a table in conversation beside the doors that led to the living quarters. A large Nord man, Ceriq Dotan, a Slayer and a member of the Brotherhood for not quite a year, was wandering to the training room. She spotted Teinaava sitting at a different table, as usual, enthralled within a text of some sort.
Lucien stepped directly to Vicente and Ocheeva's seated positions. Ceriq glanced to the Speaker and instantly glanced to Kai afterwards. He stopped in mid step, a frown casting across his features. Kai blinked, and knew she wouldn't get away without notice from the Nord. Ever since he had joined, he befriended Kai, and became like a big brother to her. He watched over her, and protected her. But only like a brother would. He was only three years older than herself.
He opened his mouth to say something, but then his gaze moved to her bloodied arm and she really knew she couldn't hide from this one, "Kai! Your arm!" He said loudly.
Kai cringed and wished she would hide now. The wound was nothing more than a small cut, nothing she would have worried about. Perhaps a bit of a cleaning and bandaging and it would be fine. But not according to Ceriq. Despite her skills as an assassin, knowing she would full well look after herself, he still felt the need to overlook everything.
Ceriq's loud, and rather booming voice, instantly got all who were within the main chamber of the Sanctuary to look in Kai's direction. Vicente rose from his seat and Ceriq quickly moved over to her. Kai only sighed and dropped her head in defeat. This time she wished she knew how to cast invisibility spells and disappear.
As the large man approached, Kai rolled her eyes, "Ceriq it's only a small cut. Relax already."
Ceriq grabbed ahold of her arm and pushed the cloak aside to inspect the wound. His look indicated he was not impressed, and only snorted. Ocheeva cleared her throat as she stood, "Let us move to my office."
She indicated towards all except her brother, Teinaava. The male Argonian hardly seemed to notice, being so concentrated upon the text within his claws. Everyone moved down the hall towards Ocheeva's chambers. Kai guessed the Argonian wanted them there not only for privacy, but she knew Ocheeva had a fairly well stocked medicine chest in her chambers as well.
Once the entered the fair sized room, although somewhat small for the five people that now stood within. Ocheeva closed the heavy doors behind her. Kai sat down at the small table to the left of entering the door. Vicente moved instantly to the medicine chest and removed a roll of bandages, a couple of cloths, some liquid and some salve. He placed them on the table beside Kai, waving the large Nord away. Despite that Vicente was indeed a vampire, Kai felt no concern with him treating her bloody wound. She knew he could control himself quite easily and not let something as insignificant as a small amount of blood turn him over.
As Kai removed her cloak and dumped her saddlebags to the side to allow Vicente to fully treat what she believed was only a small wound, nothing to fuss over as they were, she glanced over and noticed Lucien watching, his dark gaze clear through his covered facial features. Ocheeva turned and glanced to the Speaker after she took a seat on a crate by her bed.
"What happened?" She asked.
Lucien removed his gaze from the Assassin and looked to the Argonian. He had the full authority within the Sanctuary, but he wouldn't let the question go unanswered just for that reason, "We were attacked within the woods. Kai was keeping watch and found the white clad people wandering. I knew then they were hunting us." His eyes narrowed and the rage could be seen within.
"Damnit! They hid themselves ridiculously well. I could not find them as we fled." He snarled.
Kai's gaze moved from Ocheeva to Lucien, whom was now beginning to pace back and forth. His mind began reeling again, going through the events only a few hours ago. Kai could see the fury in his gaze.
"I don't understand. These people have something against the Brotherhood, this is clear. But how they know of us or who all the members are just doesn't make sense." Ocheeva answered calmly.
Lucien stopped his pacing, "I must go and speak what just passed with the other members of the Black Hand. Perhaps they could piece things together." Kai could see the doubt in his eyes quite clearly.
Ocheeva nodded, "Yes, they will want to know what happened."
Lucien nodded to the Argonian and Vicente and stepped forward to leave. As he moved to the doors his gaze caught those of Kai's and were locked for only a brief moment. She could see something in his gaze, but was unsure what. He broke the contact and opened the doors, exiting back into the Sanctuary and then back out into Cheydinhal. Kai blinked, confusion written over her features.
Vicente's voice suddenly startled her, "I understand you completed the mission without a problem?"
Kai shifted her gaze to the smiling vampire, wondering briefly if he could read the confusion that lurked in her eyes a second ago, "Yes, Rayus was rather simple to dispose of."
He nodded in approval, "I assumed as much. Your skill far exceeds his own, so removing him from this world should have been a simple task. I have your payment in my chambers."
"Kai, did you perchance see the faces of the men?" Asked Ocheeva.
Kai shook her head, "No, unfortunately I did not. They moved so quickly. I don't know if they already knew of our position or if they saw me rise but it was only for the briefest of moments. I woke Lucien and when I glanced back they were gone. It was only within at least ten minutes before they just attacked us. An arrow only just grazed my arm, another almost catching Lucien as well." She explained with a frown.
"They must have spies then. Somewhere in the city perhaps." Said Ceriq, speaking for the first time.
Vicente finished wrapping Kai's wound and began to clean up the dirty cloths. He looked to the Nord, "It is a possibility. How they know of us is very strange indeed. Although I know not if any of the other Sanctuaries know of this."
"Even If they don't, with Lucien informing them of the most recent attack, the other Speakers will inform their Sanctuaries throughout Cyrodiil." Answered Ocheeva.
Kai rose from her seat, "I'm going to head to bed for a few hours. Thank you Vicente for treating my tiny scratch." She smirked.
Vicente chuckled, "You are welcome child. Get some rest."
Kai nodded to Ocheeva and smiled to Ceriq, seeing the concerned look on the man's face. She exited out of the Argonian's chambers and made her way over to the door leading to the living quarters. She glanced to Teinaava's position to see him still reading the text. He rose his gaze from the text and smiled to the woman before returning his gaze to the text. Kai chuckled and moved into the living quarters.
The quarters were quiet, the only other form being Anya's and the young woman was sleeping soundly on one of the beds nearest the door. Not as soundly as Kai would have wanted though. For a woman, Anya snored quite loudly, to Kai's annoyance. She sighed and wanted ever so to hold close the girl's nose, but then again if she did that then the girl would never shut up and allow the Assassin her sleep. She approached her bed and dumped the saddlebags on the floor by her chest, not even bothering to unpack them. A wave of exhaustion washed over her and she flopped herself down upon her bed. She didn't even realize she had fallen alseep, still fully clothed.
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At one point Kai swore she heard someone shuffling around close to her but never bothered to open her eyes, rather her body refusing her to. After what was probably a couple of hours more she finally forced herself to open her eyes. She lay still, listening all around her. She heard nothing, a nice change. Kai allowed her eyes to adjust before she sat up. She yawned and stretched, throwing back the covers rather lazily and swung her legs over.
Kai sat for a few minutes, staring at her belongings on the floor with a tired expression. Something seemed different. Her senses were instantly awake and she frowned. She remembered dropping her saddlebags on the ground, but never unpacked them. They weren't opened, but they had been moved. They were moved just barely an inch from the chest. Kai reached over and flung open the lid to her chest. Her eyes searched the contents within and a sudden fury swept over her.
Kai leapt to her feet and walked swiftly down the hall towards the main chambers, fury was clearly pulsing from her body. She stormed into the main chambers, her mind focused only on her mission ahead. Gogron was sitting with Ceriq and both glanced up at her.
"Hey Kai!" Said Gogron in his deep, booming voice.
But Kai didn't answer or acknowledge the large Orc. The two large men exchanged confused looks, watching her move with frightening purpose down the hall towards Ocheeva and Vicente's rooms. She stormed passed Ocheeva's room, receiving a strange look from the Argonian, and jumped down the stairs towards the vampire's chambers. She flew around the corner, her rage filled eyes falling upon her target.
Kai rose an accusing finger and pointed it directly at the Khajiit sitting in conversation with Vicente, "You!" Her voice was low but filled with a deadly ring.
Vicente knew the look in the woman's eyes and made to rise. M'raaj-Dar merely looked unabashed by her accusation, "Kai what...." Vicente began with confusion.
"Him! He stole from my alchemical herb collection again!" She snapped, her voice rising.
The Khajiit rose a brow, "All alchemical ingredients in this Sanctuary are for all to share Sister."
"No! Those were my personal ones! Ones I bought with my own money! You can use your own damned money to buy yours! I make special orders for mine or find them on my own!" Kai was shouting now.
"Kai you must calm yourself." Vicente attempted gently.
"I've had enough of this!" Kai shouted again, and turned on her heel, storming back out.
Vicente sighed and gave M'raaj-Dar a stern look. He quickly went after the enraged woman, "Kai hold on for a moment!" He called.
It wasn't until he was down in the living quarters before he caught up to her. She was rummaging around in her chest. He approached her apprehensively, "Don't go and be irrational now."
Kai whirled around, but not aggressively, not to him, "Irrational? Vicente that's the third time now! I have asked him nicely up until now, and he won't listen! I worked hard to obtain the ingredients that are so difficult to find and he just goes and picks through them like they're for all to share!" Her arms waved about.
"I know. You know how stubborn he is. I don't think he does it to irritate you Kai."
Kai barked a laugh, "Not to irritate me! Yeah right. That is exactly what he does. He damn well knows that they are mine and mine only. Maybe, just maybe if he asked me I would share. But instead he just goes and helps himself. I Can't take it anymore Vicente."
He smiled, "I understand child." But his expression changed, "You're not..."
"Yes I am." She knew exactly what he was thinking, "I'm not exactly leaving forever sort of thing. I am going to look for a place of my own here in Cheydinhal. I need the privacy. Perhaps then I will be able to focus better on my contracts and Alchemy studies. It's not like I would never be here, I would check in every day to see if there are any new contracts and to visit of course."
Kai thought he was going to object from the frown on his features. But then he smiled, "I will not stop you Kai. In fact I don't think I could if I tried."
Kai smiled now, "Thank you. If I do find a place I will have a few keys cut and only a certain few will have them."
"All right, well I guess I can forgive you then." The vampire teased, "But make sure you inform Ocheeva as well."
"I will." She replied, fully relieved that he wasn't angry or objective with her decision.
Vicente turned and headed back upstairs towards his own chambers once more. Kai hoped he would scold the damned Khajiit, but it mattered little. She knew M'raaj-Dar wouldn't care either way, so she would find a place regardless. Kai quickly changed into her street clothes and using the water basin at the corner of the living quarters, quickly washed her face and put her hair up neatly.
She buckled her swordbelt around her waist, and tied her coin purse to it on the opposite side of her sword. She wasn't concerned of the guards, as many people carried swords nowadays anyways. Without further hesitation Kai turned and stepped out of the living quarters and to the main room. Closing the door behind her she glanced to her left and wandered over to where Gogron and Ceriq still sat. They looked up to her with raised brows.
"Sorry Gogron, that I didn't greet you." Kai said rather sheepishly.
The Orc grinned, "We heard the shouting. The cat stealing from your collection again eh?"
"Yes." She answered darkly, "You know, if he just wouldn't do that then I would have no problems with him."
"Ah, you know how he is." Ceriq said.
Kai shrugged, "Anyways, I'm off. I've got some things I need to do around town." Her eyes sparkled at her words.
Ceriq knew right away she was up to something but didn't ask questions now. He just nodded and watched her leave. The two men returned to their conversation.
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Kai didn't even bother to use the ladder and jumped down the wells entrance, landing rather gracefully below. She quickly rose and stepped out into the main room. Her eyes scanned quickly before seeing Vicente's form sitting at a table in the right corner. She ran over excitedly, "Vicente I..."
Kai stopped quickly in her tracks as her eyes met those of the Speaker's, Lucien. Ocheeva sat with them as well, all clearly in a conversation from the looks she received, but not a private one or else they wouldn't be sitting within the main chamber. Lucien leaned back in his chair and rose a brow, a sly smirk on his lips.
"Er...." Kai felt her face flush in embarrassment from interrupting their conversation.
Lucien held out his hand to her palm up, getting a confused look from the Assassin. Kai blinked at his outstretched hand, "What?"
"Well, where's mine?" He asked smoothly, the smirk still on his lips.
It took a moment before she knew what he was talking about, but her brows furrowed and her eyes cast directly to the still silent vampire who seemed to be purposely ignoring her, "Vicente!"
Vicente turned to look to her, the obvious guilt look on his features, "I'm sorry Kai."
Both the Argonian and the Vampire immediately thought the two Imperials were going to break out in another of their regular arguments from the look of Kai's face as she returned her gaze to the Speaker. To their rather shock, Kai sighed in defeat and reached into a pouch, removing from it four keys. She grabbed a key and held it for a moment before placing it in Lucien's still outstretched hand.
He closed his hand around the key and placed it in one of the several pouches around his waist, "Thank you Aldiri." The smirk still remained.
Her face still burned, to her rather annoyance, but her voice still held strong. She pointed a finger at him, "You will knock before you enter. Just because I give you a key doesn't mean you can just wander on in."
He held up his hands, "Relax, I won't."
Kai searched his eyes, looking for the mischievous look, but saw nothing. But he always did hide them well. She turned her gaze to the now two rather confused looking Executioners. She handed them both a key, "I was going for something smaller but all they had was this larger house just down the road from here."
"I hope it was not too expensive." Asked Ocheeva.
Kai shrugged, "Not really. Besides I have been saving my contract money for some time now, unsure what to do with it other than purchase more ingredients, have my weapons repaired, or purchase rent and other stuff for Aidan. Now at least it has gone to something worth while. Besides, it can be used as a Safe House if it ever needs to. No one would ever suspect it to be inhabited by Dark Brotherhood members."
"That is very generous of you Kai, it will be remembered." Smiled the vampire, "When are you moving in?"
"I was hoping this evening. I'm going to find Ceriq to help me." Answered the Assassin.
"I see. Well then, I guess we will need to pay a visit after you have moved in comfortably."
Kai smiled, "Yes, that would be nice. Anyways, it's time I took my leave." She nodded to Ocheeva, Vicente and Lucien.
Kai wandered down to the living quarters and searched the room. She found her friend talking with Gogron again, and Teinaava. She approached them and smiled to the other two. She looked to Ceriq, "Ceriq may I request your assistance?"
The large Nord tilted his head curiously, "Of course, what is it?"
"Well, you see...I need you to help move my belongings."
"Move your belongings?"
Kai nodded, "Yes. I have purchased my own home, a little ways down the street from here."
The three looked shocked, especially Ceriq. She answered quickly, "I had to. I am tired of that Khajiit looting through my stuff. I need more privacy with my studies is all."
Kai expected an objection, but to her relief, none came. Instead the Nord and the Argonian smiled, but as per usual, the Orc grinned, "Good for you Kai! I'll have to stop by and visit one day!" Said the Orc.
Kai chuckled, "Everyone is welcome to, except the cat of course."
M'raaj-Dar was not present so she did not care. Ceriq rose, "I take it you wish to do it now?"
"If that isn't a problem. I don't have much, it should only be one trip."
Ceriq chuckled, "That isn't a problem."
"Thank you."
Gogron suddenly rose and swept Kai literally off of her feet in a huge Orc hug, "They grow up so fast."
Kai felt her breath leave her lungs from the crushing hug. She thought her eyes were going to pop right out of their sockets. Ceriq noticed her dilemma, "Er...Gogron, you might want to let her breathe."
Gogron quickly released Kai and placed her back on her feet. Kai allowed herself to breathe. The Orc barked a laugh, "Sorry about that Kai, I just don't know my own strength."
"It's okay Gogron." She answered, feeling the color come back to her face.
Kai turned and wandered to her sleeping area and began to gather all of her belongings. She placed all onto her bed, what little there was anyways, and began to pile all of her stuff into the saddlebags and her backpack. Ceriq grabbed his own bag and piled whatever else there was leftover into his bag. Any weapons, such as daggers or throwing knives she either put on herself and the rest in a bag. Ceriq effortlessly carried both his own bag and the bulging saddlebags. Kai felt rather guilty but the Nord was completely unaffected by the weight. Kai carried her own bag and whatever weapons she put on herself. Kai, with Ceriq in her tow, waved to the others and moved out into the main chambers again.
"Good luck child." Said the vampire as the two passed them.
"May the Night Mother be with you." Said also Ocheeva.
Kai laughed, "Geez, you guys make it sound like I'm leaving forever! I'll probably be here tomorrow."
Kai and Ceriq exited through the wells entrance, the Nord having no problem climbing with the heavy load. The sun was beginning to set as they exited the well, closing the grate and making sure it was securely locked behind them. They moved down the street quietly, ignoring the stares from the couple of guards that wandered passed. The approached the house only a couple of minutes later. Ceriq rose his brows in surprise. The place was much larger than he thought.
Kai reached into a pouch and removed a key, unlocked the door, opened it, and stepped inside. Ceriq followed and his eyes widened. The place was much bigger than he thought. The main room was quite large, a fireplace directly in the middle. To the left was a small table a chairs directly beside a staircase that led up to the second floor. The room was quite empty minus the few pieces of furniture on the floor. Another set of table and chairs was set infront of the fireplace.
"You can leave everything here if you want." Said Kai as she plopped her own bag down by the table by the fireplace.
Ceriq placed the things down rather carefully, still in awe of the large house, "Wow Kai, I didn't honestly think it would be this big."
Kai chuckled, "Neither did I to be honest. It's nice, I can expand my collections this way."
"What about the firewood?" He asked, looking to the fireplace.
Kai crossed her arms and looked to the large man, a brow raised, "What, you don't think I can haul firewood by myself?"
"That's not what I meant."
Kai rolled her eyes sarcastically, "Uh huh."
Ceriq looked to her with concern, "Are you sure you can do this alone?"
Kai sighed in exasperation, "Ceriq I am not a child. I know how to look after myself. If I didn't, then how the hell am I with the Dark Brotherhood."
He knew she was right, but his big brother instinct didn't want to believe it. He sighed, "I know."
Kai smiled, "Don't worry about me Ceriq. Like I told the others, it's not like I won't be down often."
She wandered to him and held out a key, "This is for you. You can come by whenever you like. Ocheeva, Vicente, and Lucien all have one too."
Ceriq rose his brows, "Lucien has one? You mean you two are getting along now?"
"In a sense, yes. Let's just say he rather made it clear that I was being childish and stupid. It brought me around, so now I wish to change my ways. Buying this house is the first step I think."
The large Nord smiled, "I'm glad to hear that."
Kai smiled in return, "I am too. Now, unlike Lucien, you don't need to knock before you enter. Don't worry I won't be wandering around my home naked. Even if alone in my own home I still find that strange."
Ceriq laughed loudly, "Good to know."
Ceriq unloaded Kai's contents onto the table and floor, emptying his bag so he could leave, "Well I will leave you to unpacking. When I stop by again, hopefully this place will look a little less empty." He teased with a grin.
Kai chuckled, "I will make sure of it. Thank you brother."
Ceriq, even with his large size unlike Gogron, hugged Kai gently, in a brotherly embrace. He ruffled her hair with a chuckle before he turned and left. Kai watched her good friend leave, and locked the door behind him. She stood for several moments, her gaze glancing about the room. With a sigh, she began work unpacking and organizing the house. Making things easier for herself she had purchased a few extra shelvings for both upstairs and downstairs, as well as storage space. Her first priority was building a fire, and then setting work setting up her Alchemy station.
