Chapter Three

Blood of A Black Rose

The more I examined the more it lead to my Sanctuary. Even this letter, it had been completely altered.. It seems the traitor has a connection to it... I must no longer trust my messenger... Although that would lead to more frequent visits. With the search for the traitor I'm not sure I will even have the time to do so... I suppose I must, no matter how inconvenient it is.

For now I should go back to investigate a bit more. I must talk to each individual to see what they know.. Although I suppose it could wait till tomorrow. For now I need to finish my personal business..

I walked over to the small wooden table within my base. I picked up a small vile of poison I had made, I needed to finish the antidote to it. This poison was rather unique. It was a clear liquid, it had some tacky properties to it, but was highly reactant to water and blood. It would turn the blood from it's normal vibrant red to black. It's quite the unique. Although finding the antidote was proving to be difficult. I had found plenty of temporary antidotes, but each specimen had died from fits and muscle spasms. The only ones that seem to survive are Argonians. Although I suppose it's because this antidote has a base of Argonian blood and Withering Moon... Perhaps...

I began to mix a different array of ingredients, Hunger Tongue, Imp gall, Milk Thistle Seeds, and a few other ingredients along with a drop off the poison itself. I mixed the all in an Alembic.

I took a clean knife and made a small incision the flesh of my arm and let the blood fall onto a plate. I placed a drop into the small pool of blood upon the plate and waited for the reaction. The poison turned it black almost immediately. I waited a bit before trying the new antidote I had just made. This new antidote didn't seem to have much of an effect.

I sighed and wrote everything in my journal.

Antidote 7bl-5

1 Hunger Tongue
3 Imp gall
5 Milk Thistle Seeds
1 Root Pulp
Poison 7bl
Argonian Blood

Made the black blood less tacky, added what seems to be a water-soluble property to it.
All in all, antidote failed.

Perhaps this antidote just needs some time...

In the time I had waited for the antidote to wok I had made three others.

The first one seemed to have only help clear up some of the black, but didn't completely get rid of it.

The second only changed the color to a dark purple.

The third and fourth seemed promising... They both cleared up the black and the blood seemed back to normal. Although I'd have to test it... I smiled in satisfaction. It had been weeks but I finally had some good looking results.

Perhaps I shall go into town tomorrow and catch myself a specimen. I smiled at the idea, I went to my bed and got ready for a nights rest. This would be my first time home in weeks, I should enjoy my time here while I can.

The next day when I awoke I carefully poured each into a separate vile and was off with them. As I entered town I noticed Tealendril leaving.

"Back so early?" She inquired.

"No actually, I'm looking for test subjects."

"Good luck here, ever since that incident with the Mages Guild people have been distrustful towards anyone, you could always wait f you so wish."

This was disappointing news. I suppose the next closest city was Imperial City. I suppose a measly beggar wouldn't be missed.

"Then I suppose The Imperial City is my best bet."

"Well you won't have to travel alone, Ocheeva forgot to give the new recruit their set of Shrouded Armor and wanted me to bring it to her."

Company, with her? She'll neve stop talking about Grogon... "I'll just brig them to her. It's on my way anyway." I offered.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

She handed me the Shrouded Armor and I took my leave. I called for my horse, quickly she came and we were off to the Imperial City.

The blue-violet sky was clouded over with gray. The silver rays of the full moon above peaked through and reflected off the water that had been falling from the heavens above. Up ahead was the Imperial City, I would have to be careful here. The infamous Adamus Phillida would be here, he may cause problems if I am caught here.

After a bit I had found a specimen. I made sure to re-lock the door behind me just incase they decided to run. I swiftly make my way to their bed and wounded them with a dagger I had poisoned. Not severely enough to kill them right away I would need a bit of time to wait before I could add the antidote.

The first one seemed to have worked like a charm.. Although afterwards the side-effects killed him.

Antidote 7bl-6

Side effect: Causes severe hemorrhaging around the face, blood shot eyes, and partial blindness.

Interesting... Seems to cure the blood but reacts with the body quite violently. I left the place and decided to find an Inn to stay at. Tomorrow he could find another specimen to test the next antidote on.

I stayed the night at the Bloated Float. I suppose it was a decent stay. I didn't like the swaying of the boat, it made it almost impossible to sleep peacfully without hearing the creaks on the floor. The next day I left around midday to the waterfront to find myself the second specimen. Although, interesting enough I had run into Roselia again. She was wounded at the shoulder and right arm. I decided to give her the Shrouded Armor Ocheeva had forgotten to give her. As I got closer I realized she was unconscious, I checked her pulse, it seemed fine and her breathing seemed normal enough.

I began to lightly nudge her awake. As soon as she realized I was here she tensed up and quickly sat up, hurting herself in the process.

I handed her the armor, she seemed confused.

"It seems Ocheeva failed to give you one of these." She took the armor gratefully. "This armor will help you in your next contracts."

I tucked away the stray hairs on the right side of Roselia's face behind her ear. I'll admit I really couldn't help myself, it seems like it would be habit doing that. As she look into my eyes I felt that odd feeling again, although this time instead of throwing it aside I welcomed it and smiled at her.

"Thank you Speaker." She smiled.

I decided to give her some more bandages from the few I had left on me and the apple I took from the Inn before leaving. She would need the energy to get back to the sanctuary.

As I tried to go back to looking for another test subject I had run into Belisarius.

"Ungolim has sent you this letter. He believes to have a lead on the traitor but needs you to verify a few things." Belisarius was off quickly after giving me the letter. I opened it and read it's contents.

Lucien,

There have been a few questionable things about your Sanctuary in Cheydinhal. A few contracts had been added and some of them are aimed at fellow members. I want you to investigate your Sanctuary and report back to me as soon as possible. Also your Silencer's death has not gone unnoticed. Appoint yourself a new Silencer soon, your contracts will not be excused if they are ignored. Even at a time like this.

The Listener

I made my way back to Fort Farragut. I would have to delay testing this antidote for now...