Chapter 7: The Color of the Night

Lythiana pressed on towards Cheydinhall in the brink of the night with the footpads of Avalon echoing around her. Her surroundings were darkened yet with the help of a few potions and spells they appeared to her in a light bluish hue. She was disoriented for most of the journey but she did not want to stop, for a strange feeling of nostalgia and excitement filled her veins.

Turning a curve downwards she soon saw the gates of Cheydinhall with the dark clouds looming not far behind. All she could hear at that moment was the pounding of her heart against her chest and all she could remember were the bittersweet memories of her childhood. She was born here you see, she had lived here until her parents took her away to their estate.

Coming closer to Cheydinhall she dismounted her horse and whispered to it "Do not wander off Avalon, I need you close by" it neighed in understanding and seemed to have no problem with the command. The Bosmer girl smiled fondly at her companion and with a nod of her head they parted ways

ooOoo

The sound of the gates creaking close behind her sent shrills of uneasiness through her. Lythiana tried to calm herself by looking around and all she could say was that things had changed. The flowers that bloomed randomly about had now withered away; the strong walls that used to protect now seemed to confine; and the clear waters that parted Cheydinhall were now brownish in color. Even the people changed…

She sighed. Of course everything would change, she expected just as much but that did not mean that she had hoped for things to turn out this way. Shrugging the thought off, she walked about, reliving her childhood. She passed by an awful lot of familiar people and things that caused her heart to beat faster and faster. She was overwhelmed by it all. She felt something grip her heart as one feels when looking back at what could've been, what should've been. The feeling of eagerness had all but gone and all she wanted to do now was get away from it all. But how could she?

Steadying herself on shaky legs she continued to walk about. She recalled her parents and their house far off from the east gate. She missed them, she missed them so much. Her parents were not there often but when they were, well what more could be said. The urge to see her birthplace was a strong one yet she feared it all the same. But her fears did not matter, for it did not take long for her legs to start moving on their own accord.

ooOoo

Eager was not the right word to describe how Ocheeva felt. Neither was anxiety nor apprehension apparent on her face. She was distant from the world as of this moment, cut off from all reality. She stared through those around her, those that surrounded her and asked her endless questions.

She saw her brother, her biological brother that is. Teinaava was deep in thought and he paced about while fiddling with his armor. This was a sign that he was thinking of something of great importance; a sign that Ocheeva often saw.

She then turned her gaze to the vampire who sat comfortably by the corner. He had in his hand a cup of wine or perhaps blood; Ocheeva was not sure. He seemed unperturbed by this all yet the female Argonian knew that Vicente had mastered the skill of deceit a long time ago. She caught glimpses of a frown gracing the immortal man's face and eyes that would hold a deep raging fire within them. He was certainly not as calm as he seemed.

Then there were Antoinetta Marie, Gogron and Telaendril, arguing with one another and asking her questions that were merely reiterated again and again. How and what was she to answer them; especially since they would not give her time to answer.

Sighing, Ocheeva opened her mouth to speak yet she felt a sudden chill about her. It was obvious that she was not the only one to feel such a disturbance. About her, her brothers and sisters were silent yet Vicente seemed to relax. Abruptly, the door opened and Lucien came in.

"Ocheeva, Vicente I must speak to both of you privately" he said and the others left without another word. Antoinetta Marie was the last to leave and she looked longingly at the speaker before closing the door behind her.

ooOoo

Lythiana's breath hitched as she reached her home. It had remained the same as it seemed. She wanted to enter but there was something keeping her from doing so. She closed her eyes and the past was so clear to her. One memory kept her focus. It was of that man that took care of her, that man who played with her often when her parents were away, that man that had taught her how to use a bow and wield a sword, that man whom she often called her second father.

It was strange how he had escaped her all this time yet now he was the main focus of all her recollections. He had long dark hair, bloodshot eyes, pale skin, and fangs, and was only present at night. It did not take a scholar to conclude that he was a vampire. Yet despite his disease or so, she was comforted rather than frightened by him.

The Bosmer girl hoped that he was still alive to such an extent that she would put off her mission to find him. He was like family to her, no… he was the only family she had left. He used to give her sweet trolls and sweet cakes. He was also the one who protected her and who comforted her when the lonely nights seemed too difficult for her to bear.

She closed her eyes in concentration as she tried to go back to those days; to those days when she was but an innocent child. The memories were so foreign to her that she wondered if they were truly her own. She wanted to believe that there was a time before all of this, a time when she was truly happy yet she could not convince herself in any way. How she wished to relive those days. How she wished to be able to simply erase all the crimes that she had committed and the feelings of hatred, indifference and agony, those of which were the only feelings she was capable of. How she wished the Dark Brotherhood never existed.

She smiled acridly and said "Sanguine my brother"

The words were so painful for her to say. She understood well enough that night was at times in the color of blood; for a person of her profession, she had spent most of her days in a bloody haze. What she did not understand was how it was possible for the nighttime to hold cheerfulness, optimism even. There were moments when she thought that after all this bloodshed, after her mission, she would be free and blissful yet there were doubts, so many deep, unsettling doubts. However, what did she care for her future? Especially since she had lived her past in an obscure void. What worry would she have in living the future in shadows?

With a deep sigh and a deadly glare directed to no one in particular, she turned away from a past that was no longer her own, an vague, uncertain future and moved on to the present.

*A/N: Hey guys, sorry for the late update XD I've been busy doing nothing ^^ (I got this from my friend) Actually, I had one heck of a writer's block so that's about it.

So anywho, what do you guys think about this chapter? Did you like it, did you hate it, any comments and suggestions? I know that this chapter isn't "action-y" But it will pick up in future chapters ^^

By the way, this is a double update :D just for the heck of it

RnR