Chapter Two

Crumbling Ties

Ocheeva,

I have recruited a new member to the family, she seems to have potential. She also seems a bit... Off. Somewhat like Mathieu, only she seems to still have a sliver of sanity. I'm not quite sure where her loyalties lies yet. I want you to observe her closely. I will be arriving at the Sanctuary soon after you receive this letter with the next contract.

When I finished writing my letter to Ocheeva I sent it to her with a trusted messenger boy. Although lately he's been a bit... Off. I wasn't sure if he was being very trust worthy anymore so I would have to make more frequent stops to the Sanctuary on my own to drop off the ordered contracts.

I had traveled from Bruma to Cheydinhal with out a break, but even Shadowmere had her limits. Once at Cheydinhal I let Shadowmere go free and go to where she willed. She always made her way back to Fort Farragut. I entered Cheydinhal, it was always so beautiful. The elven city had quite the view, but the abandoned house, a hardly noticed building, was hidden under the shadows of the Chapel most of the time. The sunlight had rarely touched the little house. I went to the well and made my way down to the sanctuary. I found it much easier this way, Ocheeva was always locked up in her room when I informed her of my arrival. But then there was also...

"Oh hello there Lucien, Ocheeva's been expecting you." Antoinetta, always the first to greet me. She also always tried to manipulate her words to make them seem... Sweet I supposed. I never see it as so, simply just annoyance.

"I assume Ocheeva is in her quarters waiting for me?" I watched as Antoinetta gave a smile, twirling her hair around her fingers.

"Yes, she has been awaiting your arrival." She repeated. I simply walked around her but I stopped to give her a casual smirk.

"Then I will be seeing you." She gave her usual reaction of a sheepish little smile and a giggle. This was simply my way off... Avoiding her following. It always seemed to work, but it seems to have made her completely obsessed as well... I suppose it's a small sacrifice for the greater good.

I made my way to Ocheeva's Quarters, strange, she wasssn't here? I went around looking for her and came by the Living Quarters of the other Dark Brotherhood Murderers and saw Roselia peacefully sleeping in her bed. I slowly walked over to her, I wasn't quite sure why. But seeing her like this, it was heart warming I suppose.

I reached to tuck stray hairs behind her ear, this feeling I had. What was it? Perhaps... No... No, I am not that weak! this is merely an act to cope with all this stress of a traitor amoungst us. It's merely weakened my senses.

"I can't believe myself..." I muttered. I noticed from the corner of my eye Antoinetta was spying on me. I should keep this to myself, I quickly calmed myself and ignored what I had just done. Continuing my search for Ocheeva.

I found her in the training room with Teinaava.

"Ocheeva."

Ocheeva seemed to have been training and quickly came over to me.

"Lucien, I am sorry, I thought you said you were coming tomorrow."

Tomorrow? I specifically said today?

"That's fine. Anyhow, I have some matters to discuss with you. Let us go to your private quarters."

Ocheeva nodded and led the way to her room. Once we were secure inside, I noticed the letter was still open on her desk. There seemed to be much more writing then what I had remembered sending. I suppose there may be a purification needed to be in order. Perhaps Arquen was correct after all...

Lucien,

I have been having finds that there is indeed a traitor among us. It was Sundas, that I saw one of our own over Blanchard's corpse. Another Silencer has been murdered! A purification may be in order. Not even our messengers can be trusted. Watch yourself dear Brother.

Arquen

I shook the memory of her letter out of my head. If anything has been happening here Ocheeva would be the one to know.

"Before we go on about the contracts I have some... Things I need to ask you about."

"What is it?"

"I… I've heard some talk. This past year, some of the family members have been found… Murdered! Could there be an assassin among assassins?" Ocheeva said with much worry. So, the rumors have spread too.. I suppose these murders haven't gone unnoticed even to the lower ranks.

"Unfortunately that is true, The Black Hand has been trying to root out who the traitor is. So far there has been no success. Purification on one of the sanctuaries might be in order; Arquen believes it may be necessary."

As much as I'd hate to say it but I agree with her.

"How has this Sanctuary been fairing, anything odd?"

"Well I suppose everything has been fine, I haven't seen any suspicious acts."

"Anything you've seen?"

"None."

I expected as much...

"I see, well for precautions I want you to give me all the letters I have given you recently. I'll need to investigate too see if there have been any tamperings with them."

"You've been telling me to dispose of them? I only have one, and that's today's."

Dispose of them? ... Seems the traitor has been tampering with things here... How unfortunate.

"That will due. I'm sorry, I had almost forgotten about disposing of them..."

Ocheeva seemed to notice the small lie but said nothing about it.

"Here is the list of contracts."

She looked over them but some seemed to have worried her, I quickly explained which ones I wanted Roselia to have, specifically. I told her I needed to test her skill. Something not very usual for myself but I explained to Ocheeva her potential interests me and has caught a bit of my... curiosity.

Once she got everything I took my leave. I noticed from the corner of my eye that Roselia had hid behind a barrel. I took no heed and simply continued, she seemed to have followed, very loudly.

I would think being a thief one would be quiet when sneaking. I suppose it wasn't the case for her.

I turned around to see her panic a bit and try to stand there casual. How quaint.

"You should work on your stealth, you're much too loud." I smirked at her expression of surprise, she was also quite flustered. I will admit, she had some charm to her flaws.

"Well..." She looked for words to say. "I don't know what your talking about, I've been standing here for quite some time." She turned her face away in embarrassment. It was amusing, I went over to her.

"Dearest child of Sithis, lying may not be part of the tenets, but it would be preferred if you were honest. Your skills will progress quickly if you focus more on them instead of stories of deceit." I tapped her on the cheek with my left hand. She gave a pout as I did this.

For some odd reason this small gesture gave me a simple happiness. Perhaps Sithis does have a sense of humor.

"I'm not that good anyway, I'll probably be dead in a few months because of how clumsy I am." She had such doubt and insecurity. It was surprising, she didn't seem like the type to care. Especially the way she presented herself in her kills. At least from what I've seen. She looked more hesitant in what she was doing, questioning herself if it is right or not.

"The Night Mother see's much in you, do not fret about the present, simply better yourself, a great future awaits you." I watched as she looked back up into my eyes. I couldn't stay with the way she was looking at me. For some reason I had suddenly froze up a bit. Quickly I composed myself, "I must leave now." I turned away from her, something about her was alluring.

"I have much to attend to." Why am I giving her excuses? I am her Speaker, I have no need for such things!

As I was leaving I ran into Antoinetta again, I had ignored her this time. I had no time for this. I needed to find the traitor and stop these deaths.

"Lucien, what's the hurry my love." Ugh, she had gotten more bold. I sent a glare her way.

"I am your Speaker, do not call me Lucien or anything else." I snapped. I left through the abandoned house. Making my way back to Fort Farragut.