Chapter One

Blood Scented Rose

Days had passed since Ungolim had sent off the Speakers of The Black Hand to find the traitor and here I was under the night sky, the only light was that of the stars, there was no moon tonight. Arquen had told me she had personal things to attend to so I must be the one to tell Mathieu of his promotion and send him off to Ungolim in Bravil. I made my way into the Cheydinhal Sactuary and found Ocheeva. I gave her the new contracts that were needed and I went on my way to Find Mathieu Bellamont... Bellamont... Where else have I heard that name?

"Mathieu Bellamont." I called, quickly he came, his expression unreadable. "The Black Hand is in need of your services."

His face seemed to have lit up immensely with excitement. "Whatever do you need?"

"Go to Bravil and talk to Ungolim, the Listener, he has much to tell you dear Brother." With that I gave him a sealed letter from Ungolim and left.

Now that I have told Mathieu of his new position it was time for me to find my Silencer. I had last sent him to Chorrol... Perhaps he is there somewhere. I call out for my loyal steed Shadowmere and continue my way to find my Silencer.

As the days had gone by and I was closer to my destination the air became more and more humid. This hot humid air made it almost impossible to breathe. I was close to my destination, Chorrol was in my sights but just before, I find a body in black leather armor. I slow my horse Shadowmere to a trot before stopping. By the looks of things he has faced the same fate as Arquen's Silencer. I dismounted Shadowmere and went over to the lifeless corpse, moving him to lay on his back to see what the damage was.

His eyes were ripped out of their sockets and there were many cuts and bruises all over the face. Blonde hair stained with a dark crimson, his body mangled with ribs and organs protruding from the wounds upon his chest and abdomen. This had been my third Silencer already. What a shame.

I took his enchanted ring I had given him and the ebony blade along with other useful items, how disappointing, this Blade of Woe I had given him for this contract hadn't been used... I pocket the blade and leave the mangled body behind. I suppose I should find a new Silencer, one that will not die easily.

I made my way to Chorrol, I had quickly came across a house with the door wide open. Curious I enter the house quietly. I scowled at myself when I realized I had given in to curiosity. When had I began to be so weak willed?

I set my thoughts aside and began to take my leave, until I heard an interesting gurgling sound and a small giggle. Maybe this time curiosity was a good thing, I smiled.

The laughing continued as I ascended the stairs, quickly I casted a spell of chameleon to conceal myself. As I surveyed the scene I notice there was a young woman standing over the corpse of another woman. By the looks of it she was a Dunmer.

She was covered in the blood of her prey, her once white dress was now a beautiful crimson color. She quickly cleaned off the blade and went to look through this old woman's belongings. She took a bag of jewelry and some extra clothes and made her way to the bath. Once she was in the wash room I examined the scene. This old woman seemed to have been stabbed several times and slit at the sides of her neck and arms. Quite the brutal mess. I notice a note beside her, a letter to her victim it seems.

I understand you are in much debt, I have a solution to help clear your debts and live freely as you please. There is only one catch but I shall explain that to you on arrival. Please meet me by the well tonight at midnight. Please refrain from being late.

-Rosey

How clever. This girl lead her victim into a trap... Although if this is her house, how did they get here? Perhaps I shall observe this girl a bit more. She seems... Interesting.

I left the house with a feeling of satisfaction. Today's tragic find may be just a small martyr for something greater.

I waited for my new found candidate outside, it surprised me how promptly she came out. Here appearance was quite interesting. I had never seen anyone so pale. Perhaps she was a vampire? Although her face seemed to full of life to be a vampire and her eyes weren't bloodshot like them.

Her face had a delicate oval figure to it with long ebony locks, vibrant crimson eyes, arched eyebrows, a small dainty nose, and small claret lips. She no longer wore the white dress, instead a green shirt with black leather laced pants with a pair of boots. She had come out with a large bag of things, I wasn't sure what it all was but neither was that important. She was quickly off, leaving through the northern gate. Swiftly I followed in silence.

I had appointed myself to what seemed to be a perfect candidate. She was quite the runner, it had been at least half an hour before she slowed to a walk exhausted from her jog to what seemed to be Bruma. It was impressive, it had only taken her 30 minutes to get halfway there.

After about three more hours of walking with a bit of jogging in between she had made it to Bruma. She went straight to Olav's Tap and Tack.

The next day she had spent her day sleeping and eating, not once leaving the inn. Once nightfall had arrived she left and went to another house. She picked the lock and entered the house, closing the door behind her. I decided to enter through the basement door to follow her. I discovered she was quite the thief.

I wonder...

I went upstairs unnoticed and went into the room of whoever inhabited this house.

"Lets see how well she does under pressure." I thought.

I roughly pushed the owner of the house out of bed and quickly disappeared in a chameleon spell and remained hidden. It was a Altmer woman, the fall seemed to have confused her but as soon as she heard a crash downstairs she went to investigate. I followed the high elf close behind but did not go downstairs. Instead I watched the scene unravel itself.

The woman gasped, "THIEF!" She went to attack the Dunmer intruder who had been caught by surprise. She however was no match for this Dunmer maiden. She had grabbed a mirror and bashed it onto the high elf's face, then followed with a punch to the abdomen. The Dunmer quickly and swiftly pulled out a silver dagger and ended her life.

This one was quite the oddball, after silencing her prey she seemed to pause in horror at what she had done. She had a look of fear in her eyes as she stared at herself in the mirror, but soon after it was replaced by a look of satisfaction. She looked around with such a maniacal smile upon her face, perhaps she wasn't quite sane. I will admit though, she's quite the beauty. She quickly continued to take what she pleased, only now she was enjoying her time much more. No longer was she tense. She was laughing softly to herself. The same laughter from yesterday night in Chorrol.

"It is quite nice of you to leave me all these things," She picked up the lifeless corpse by the hair. "You really shouldn't have. Your too kind my dear." She laughed and was quickly off. I followed to see her steal a horse from the stable. I called for Shadowmere and followed.

I had lost her at first but with a bit of luck I had found her again. Although she had fallen fast asleep. I dismounted my horse and went to wake her. It was quite difficult, she wouldn't respond to anything. After about an hour I tried again, this time a bit more successful. She opened her eyes and looked at me. I smirked.

"You sleep rather soundly for a murderer... That's-"

She rolled over and went back to sleep in response. I scowled at this and began to shake her again. She simply grabbed my arm and brought it towards her chest and began to cuddle it. I sighed inwardly. This was proving to be a difficult task.

"Five more minutes please." her voice crackled with drowsiness. I began to calm myself, I suppose I could wait. We weren't anywhere really, simply in the middle of a forest. No paths nearby, the worst that could happen is a measly animal attack. Nothing to severe, just an annoyance.

She got up on her own soon after I had paused. She tried to look at my face but I made sure my features were well hidden in the shadows.

"Who are you?" she asked curiously. How rather interesting, perhaps this is not chance at all that I had found her.

"I am Lucien Lachance, a Speaker for the Dark Brotherhood. And you, you are a killer. A taker of life. A harvester of souls. Your work, your deathcraft, pleases the Night Mother. And so, I come to you with an offering. An opportunity... To join our rather unique family."

She seemed to be intrigued and interested.

"Please continue." She was attentive.

"Ah, I find your etiquette refreshing." I smiled briefly, and began to take out a small map that I had taken from my previous Silencer's corpse and began to mark it as I spoke. "On the Green Road to the north of Bravil lies the Inn of Ill Omen. There you will find a man named Rufio. Kill him, and your initiation into the Dark Brotherhood will be complete. Do this, and the next time you sleep in a location I deem secure, I will reveal myself once more, bearing the love of your new family."

I watched as her expression changed from interest to conflicted. Perhaps a gift would change her mind. I quickly took out the Blade of Woe and handed it to her.

"Please accept this token from the Dark Brotherhood." She took the blade with interest and looked at me once more.

"What do I need to know about Rufio?" She asked timidly.

Ah, now that's more like it.

"Know that Rufio is old and weak, and sleeps his days away. You could kill him before he even has a chance to wake. If you so choose."

"I won't let you down" She had much determination, and seemed like she'd be quite the loyal one. This made me smile, perhaps I shall make her my new Silencer in the near future if she is strong enough.

"Then your path is clear. Send Rufio to his death, and the Dark Brotherhood will embrace you as family." I stood up and turned to take my leave, when suddenly she called out to me.

"By the way my name's Roselia."I turned to look at her. I smiled, it seems this Roselia is catching more than just an interest to my offer. I turned away and walked off, casting a chameleon spell. I'm not sure if her interest will get in the way or motivate her to succeed. I suppose only time will tell.

I noticed that she quickly set off on her journey without a second thought. I set off to the Inn of Ill Omen with Shadowmere and quickly set off to meet her there. She would make a great addition to my Cheydinhal Sanctuary.

I was the first to arrive. I quickly went inside and rented a room for two nights. It would take her awhile to get here, even with her horse, no steed could beat my dearest Shadowmere. My steed was no ordinary horse, this demonic horse was both fast and immortal. I took this time to think to myself. I had been following a murderer to recruit but have done nothing to find this traitor. I tried to think back, who is this traitor? They must be someone with great skill... But who?

Only a few came to mind... All the members of the Black Hand, Mathieu Bellamont, and Antoinetta Marie... Although... Bellamont... Why does that name sound familiar, I'm sure I've heard it elsewhere... I should investigate my Sanctuary a bit more after this.

As I laid down onto my bed I slowly started to drift off to sleep. Perhaps tonight I would get a well needed rest, I hadn't been sleeping very well lately.

"Do you know someone by the name of Rufio?" That voice? How did she get here so quickly?

"Rufio? He's an old codger. Been living here for a couple of weeks now. If you ask me, he's hiding from something. But what do I care? He pays his tab."

This clerk was quite loud, or perhaps theses walls were quite thin.

"I'd like to rent a room for the night. How much will it be?"

"It'll be 10 septims." I could here money being exchanged. That's when I realized I had been asleep for quite some time. Not only had I slept the whole day before but it was almost dust today. My head was in pain, hunger always seemed to bother most, not because of my stomach being upset, but because of the pain it caused my head. I decided to go downstairs to get something to eat.

I made my way down and quietly asked for a meal.

"Of course, your meal will be ready in no time." He said cheerfully, I was thankful that he didn't yell out, for plenty of reasons. I waited patiently as he prepared a basket of fruit with sweetrolls and roasted venision. He handed me the basket and I took it gratefully and began to eat an apple as I made my way upstairs again. Once I had my fill I had gone to sleep once again, this time I was a bit more mindful of waking up.

I had awakened a few hours later, I also noticed that Roselia had woken up to as she loudly made her way to the basement. I followed silently and watched from the shadows.

She took the blade that I had given her but stopped midway. I was puzzled by this, why had she stopped? I kept watching and I noticed her face, she was conflicted, fear filled her eyes. She stayed like that for awhile before suddenly her exprression changed to a raging glare and she smiled maliciously.

She slit Rufio's throat and when he awakened in a startled wreck she did not let him leave his bed. She pinned him down using both the dagger I gave her and her own. She stood back and watched his miserable life end as he choked on his own blood.

I did not stay long and left to my room upstairs and waited for her to do the same.

I smiled to myself, she was quite the pick.

"Roselia... Roselia." I softly shook her awake whispering.

She slowly began to wake and looked at me confused.

"So, the deed is done." I smiled.

"How would you know?" She was surprised.

"How do I know this? You will find that the Dark Brotherhood knows a great many things."

"That… Nice I guess?" She gave me an odd look before continuing. "Now what's going to happen? Now that the old guy Rufio is dead..."

"For you are now part of the family." I whispered, gently tucking away some stray hairs behind her ears. When I realized what I had done I had inwardly scolded myself in annoyance.

She looked up at me, seemingly welcoming the gesture.

"Now heed these words." I quickly got to the point. "The slaying of Rufio was the signing of a covenant. The manner of execution, your signature. Rufio's blood, the ink. As a Speaker of the Black Hand, I directly oversee a particular group of family members. You will join that group, and fulfill any contracts given. You must now go to the city of Cheydinhal, to the abandoned house near the eastern wall. Enter the basement, and attempt to open the black door. You will be asked a question. Answer thusly: "Sanguine, my Brother." You will gain entrance to the Sanctuary. Once inside, speak with Ocheeva. We must now take our leave of each other, you and I, for there is much work to be done. I'll be following... your progress. Welcome to the family."

The sun the peaked through the window, gently caressing my face. I had continued explaining more but this girl didn't seem to be as attentive anymore. She had been staring at me with admiration in her eyes. It reminded me of how Antoinetta was around me. Perhaps this one will turn out to be the same as well. I inwardly frowned, Antoinetta had such potential but that was quickly ruined by her feelings. I needed an assassin, not a love struck woman.

"Will I be seeing you again?" She asked in a low whisper. I looked over at her and see that she tried to hide what she said and seem a bit more, sophisticated. Perhaps she wouldn't turn out like Antoinetta, she seems to be trying to control herself.

"Perhaps you shall." I smirked. "Questions dear child?" I studied Roselia as I awaited her answer.

She meekly shook her head. Once she answered I began to leave.

"May the Night Mother watch over you."