A Light in the Darkness
I sat at my desk, irritably looking through notes on contracts that had yet to be fulfilled. A knock at my door shaking me from my feeble concentration, I shouted that the door was open and in walked Hadranius with a grim expression.
"Listener, we have a… situation on our hands." he said simply before walking off, leaving my door open as a sign to follow. I stood from my desk and followed Hadranius through the corridors to the training hall, an unusual scene playing out before me. Our newcomer, Nikita Contortus, fending off attacks from both Johnny and Zany.
"Ah, and here comes our beautiful Listener now." Nikita scowled, barely dodging an arrow from Johnny before laughing. "Give it up kid, your never gonna hit me- just like your never gonna get with her." Nikita taunted, nodding his head in my direction. I was about to break up the fight when Zany threw himself at Nikita with both scimitars drawn. Nikita had apparently expected this and jumped out of the way of the angered Argonian. "Bah, should have known you would get all pissy at the very mention of someone other than you getting with that red-headed bitch. We all know you want her." Nikita continued to taunt with a laugh, making Zany snarl in rage- his blades swiping wildly.
"THAT'S ENOUGH." I shouted, bringing the fighting to an abrupt halt- Zany's scimitars finally inches from their mark, poised for a perfect strike to Nikita's throat. "Zany, I have a contract for you in Windhelm. Johnny, I have one for you in Solitude; both of you meet me in my office." I said coldly, both of them sheathing their weapons and walking off without another word. "As for you Nikita, I have no doubt that you instigated this debacle- and so there will be no contracts for you until you learn not to fight with your new family; as I know how much you love killing." I said simply before walking off to return to my office and deal out the appointed contracts.
Nikita's P.O.V.:
That… that… BITCH. How dare she forbid me from killing?! Even with Xenos gone from my mind I still feel the strong urge to kill, to feel the warm slickness of blood on my hands and my prey's life slowly ebbing away; just the thought gets me riled up for the kill. I ran a hand through my shoulder length and slightly graying blonde hair, sighing as I thought about how I would get around this little 'killing embargo' the Listener had just passed on me. A grin creeping onto my lips as I came to a realization: with the town of Winterhold so close by- so isolated in the wilderness- it wouldn't be that odd for someone to… vanish without a trace. I turned around and headed for the exit, leaving the Sanctuary behind in a matter of moments. I skirted the town and headed straight for the mountainside just outside it, lying in wait for a suitable victim. As I sat on a ridge not far from the path through the mountain, I began to hear someone approaching from the wilderness in the direction of the town, curious I crept closer- keeping hidden- and as I grew near I could see that it was two young women. One was a Dunmer, her laughter raucous and carefree and I scoffed as I thought about the wolves of the region rushing in and tearing her apart for such noise. The second however… was an Imperial. Something about her unhinged me, I felt that same urge to kill her as I had our dear Listener- but for the life of me I couldn't bring myself to move. I was rooted in the spot, stunned stupid by the way the sun shone off her fair blonde hair- by her lively yet dark blue eyes. My heart quickening, I was confounded by this reaction. I wanted to know more about this Imperial woman: who was she? Why did she affect me this way? By the look of her she was a mage… was this feeling an effect of her magic? Had she placed a spell of complacency around herself to make others more at ease in her very presence? I followed the pair as far as the town, not wishing to reveal myself and their destination obviously being the college, making pursuit impossible. For three days I would travel to the town and wait in the shadows to see if she would leave the college grounds; watching her go about her business in silence when she did. I only ventured close to her once, inside the tavern. This soon becoming a mistake as a drunken fool began to harass her… and I became enraged. The idea of anyone touching her making my very blood boil in my veins, and I could not stop myself from assisting this man in seeing the error of his actions; planting my fist firmly between his eyes before leaving the tavern without a word.After that, I began to grow frustrated by the mystery that was this Imperial woman; and I steeled myself to do the unthinkable… ask the Listener for assistance.
Back To Alyce's P.O.V:
I was reading at my desk when I heard a knock at my door, getting up to answer it swiftly; though I was surprised to see Nikita on the other side.
"Have you come to betray the Night Mother's trust? Or do you actually need something?" I asked coldly, not really wanting anything to do with him.
"I… need your help." Nikita grumbled, obviously irritated with himself for even thinking about asking me this. I fought not to laugh at the idea of Nikita needing my help as I stepped aside and let the imposing 6'3" Nord into my office. He sat down and began to recount a tale I never thought possible, Nikita not only lying eyes on a woman he thought attractive and not killing her on the spot- but he also seemed to have saved her from the unwanted attention of a drunk? I shook my head in surprise .
"I see… so you wish for my opinion of the situation?" I asked him, though I already had an idea of what might be 'wrong' with him. Nikita nodded once and I sighed, "Nikita, I think you're in love." I said softly, a disbelieving look on my face as I watched him process this information.
"Is that why I can't imagine slitting her throat? Why the very thought of it… churns my stomach?" he asked bewildered, I shook my head in disdain.
"I would say so- wait you've never been in love before have you?" I asked, surprised that someone of his apparent age- around forty by my estimation- would have never known what such a strong and uncontrollable emotion would feel like. He shook his head again, and I sighed heavily- truthfully I had only been in love once, and even that hadn't gotten very far at all before it ended.
"You have to help me, I feel like I'm going mad… well, even more so than I already am." Nikita pleaded, his tone turning to sarcasm as he tried to keep his composure.
"Alright, I have a contact that will be coming to town soon. He can get me into the college to speak with her; if you want I can ask her if she would be willing to meet with you." I offered, Nikita's face brightening in a way I had not thought possible; truly blissful at the idea.
"Thank you, truly." he said with reluctant gratitude before leaving me in peace, probably to go and find a shirt that didn't have bloodstains on it for his meeting with this girl. I chuckled at the thought and tried to remember when I had last heard from my expected contact… he would be due in Winterhold within the next two days and would be staying at the inn for the following three days. I grimaced as I remembered the last time I had seen this particular contact… he had made a very unwanted suggestion and the result had been the breaking of his wrist and the warning that if he made such suggestions of me again I would break far more than that. Thinking about this I made a mental note to ensure that my contact and Johnny- and by the rumors, Zany- NEVER meet… otherwise, there would be a blood bath not even I could stop.
During the two day wait for my contact to arrive, Nikita had kept his nose curiously clean and out of trouble; even ignoring the presence of Zany and Johnny, whom I had come to understand were his favorite people to aggravate. Now, on the appointed day, Nikita sat in the main hall- no doubt eagerly awaiting the news upon my return. I nodded to him as I left the Sanctuary, raising an eyebrow when I realized he was leaning back in his chair with a curious straw hat atop his head, with the brim drawn over his eyes; a faint shimmer of magic showing the garment to be enchanted somehow. I shrugged my curiosity off and exited out into the snowy landscape, the air for once being free of the sight-limiting blizzards that were common place along the Sea of Ghosts. I left Shadowmere grazing on the island, making my way to the town on foot before heading into the tavern. Waving a greeting to the innkeeper as I approached,
"I'm looking for an Imperial man; he goes by the name of Svaki. Has he checked in yet?" I asked simply, the innkeeper sighing before a pair of arms wrapped around my waist from behind.
"Looking for me Alyce? How about we talk more in my room?" Svaki purred against my ear, his hands drawing back to my waist before I removed them myself and turned to the lecherous man I begrudgingly called a contact; if this man was not as useful as he was perverted, I would have probably killed him by now. Svaki pouted momentarily at my rejection of his advances, his light blue eyes going from disappointed to barely intrigued in a hearts beat.
"I need your assistance, I have someone who wishes to speak with a particular mage at the college- however I have no right to enter such a place and will need help either getting inside or getting the mage to come to me." I explained, Svaki grinning salaciously at the prospect of having a favor owed to him- then I reminded him that he still owed me several favors for cleaning up his conjuration experiments for him several years ago. He hung his head in defeat,
"Alright, do you have a name? Or perhaps a description of this mage?" Svaki asked, finally becoming serious about this endeavor. I recounted Nikita's description of the woman he had seen, and Svaki looked at me blankly for a moment before bursting into laughter. "That… should be the easiest favor I have ever repaid. The mage you're looking for is my little sister, the whole reason I'm even visiting this gods-forsaken town." Svaki explained, his voice teetering on the edge of another laughing fit. I sighed, if this woman was anything like her brother… Nikita would find a very interesting match. Svaki left me behind in the tavern, though I could still hear his barks of spontaneous laughter for several moments more.
I waited for what had to have been at least an hour before Svaki returned with the blonde Imperial woman in tow; however I then guided her and Svaki into his room to speak more privately. The woman smiled at me softly, her pale blonde hair indeed seemed to form almost a halo around her innocent looking face- making her look far younger than she actually was likely to be, which I guessed to be little older than twenty-four. Her dark blue eyes identical to her brother's- though with a far kinder quality to them.
"You have need of my skills as a healer?" she asked, her voice soft and calm- almost demure in comparison to Svaki boisterous nature. I rose an eyebrow in Svaki's direction, he gave me a look that said 'I had to tell her something- what was I supposed to say?' as he went palms-up.
"Actually, yes. I would like to offer you the chance to help several people on a regular basis, though before I ask- how do you feel about those who are compelled to violence?" I asked, skirting about the mention of assassins or the Brotherhood; a plan forming in my mind all the while. The woman looked down thoughtfully for a moment before looking back to me,
"I think such people have a piece of them missing, one that only killing can fill- until they find something else to fix it. It's not their fault they feel this way, so who am I to judge?" she said kindly, meaning every word as truth. I smiled, coming to the realization that this woman actually could be beneficial to the Brotherhood as more than just a way to keep Nikita calm.
"That's a good answer, Svaki has assured me that you can be trusted- so I ask you now… will you become the healer of the Dark Brotherhood's Winterhold Sanctuary?" I asked, her jaw dropping in surprise, her eyes darting from me to her brother for several moments.
"I-I… so long as I don't have to kill anyone…" she murmured. I stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder reassuringly,
"You would simply be the healer- nothing more unless you wish it." I promised her, receiving a warm smile in return as she nodded once in understanding. "Now, may I ask the name of our new healer?" I asked after a few moments, realizing I had yet to catch her name. She gaped for a second before chuckling at her mindless oversight.
"Svina Avalon." she said happily, and I immediately knew she would brighten up the Sanctuary with her cheerful demeanor from here on out.
"Very well then Svina; allow me to guide you to your new home." I said kindly, motioning towards the door and glancing to Svaki- a subtle gesture that I would ensure his sister's safety at the Brotherhood… or knowingly risk the wrath of her Necromancer older brother.
I returned to the Sanctuary with Svina in tow, chuckling softly when I heard snoring from the main hall as we entered. I knew Nikita had fallen asleep long before I saw him, still leaned back in his chair with that curious straw hat over his eyes. Svina's step seemed to falter when she glimpsed him, no doubt uncertain of actually meeting an assassin other than one that her brother trusted so readily.
"Nikita." I said loudly, making him snort in surprise as he awoke with a start. "Gather the family please." I asked him, making sure Svina stayed behind me and out of sight for the moment. Nikita grumbled as he stood and did as he was asked, returning several moments later with our Brothers in tow. I stepped aside and Svina shyly stepped forward, "This is Svina Avalon, our newest Sister and this Sanctuary's healer. Treat her kindly, lest you anger not only the Night Mother- but her older brother and myself." I said simply, paying more attention to how Nikita reacted to seeing her. His eyes had gone wide at the first sight of her, his jaw dropping slightly before he regained his composure- seeming almost eerily calm in her presence. The family soon began to depart for their own agendas, although Phoenix was one of the few who remained.
"Nightshade, Vampire dust, and… Deathbell… are you an alchemist?" he asked as he sniffed the air, slowly walking up to Svina and sniffing her.
"Yes, I am. Though I am better at Restoration." Svina chuckled, looking from Phoenix to Nikita- who still had not taken his eyes off her. "Is he always this… odd?" she asked me quietly as she glanced from Nikita, who had returned to his seat at the table, and back to Phoenix.
"No… usually he's worse." I said with a sigh, placing a hand on Phoenix's shoulder and beginning to bring him with me as I made my way out of the main hall- my intention being to leave Nikita alone with Svina… and hope she wouldn't get killed.
Nikita's P.O.V.:
The Listener had pulled through for me; there she was- the one woman who unnerved me like no other. Now she was to be a member of the Brotherhood… around the Sanctuary nearly every day. It was almost too much; I honestly had no idea how to even approach her now that she was here. As the Listener left with the nuisance of an alchemist in tow, Svina slowly walked up to the table and sat down across from me.
"Hello, you are the man from the tavern… yes?" she said softly, making me shiver at the sound; she remembered me? I nodded absently, looking off to the side as I attempted to ignore her while I tried to quell the strong conflicting urge to kill this beautiful woman. "You ran off before I could say thank you." she said with a soft chuckle, this simple sound making my heart jump. She really has no idea the effect she has… and that fact actually pissed me off. On one hand, I wanted her near me- but on the other I couldn't help but hate this involuntary reaction she invoked in me… it was like being possessed by Xenos all over again. She stood to leave, thinking I could care less if she thanked me or not- and I jumped to my feet. My hand shooting out to grab her throat, clutching angrily to her soft skin with one hand- lifting her slightly off the floor as I choked her; and yet she regarded me calmly. Her dark blue eyes held not even the slightest twinge of fear. This angered me even more, my grip tightening in my rage- Svina let out a strangled gasp before she finally began to struggle. I grinned maliciously, watching her struggle to breath- my enjoyment however was interrupted by an arrow piercing my shoulder. I scowled and released the woman, letting her drop to the floor as I whipped around to see Johnny holding his bow with a look of smug triumph.
"Gotcha." he said before nocking another arrow and preparing to fire. I would have launched myself at the little brat; but I never expected Svina to recover as quickly as she had… or to jump into the fray with her back to me- protecting me from Johnny.
"Please leave him be. I will not let you hurt him, no harm has been done." she said simply, my eyes mimicking Johnny's as both our eyes widened in surprise. Johnny shook his head and returned his arrow to its quiver and walked away with a look of reluctance. Svina waited until Johnny was gone before turning around and regarding me with a soft smile, as if I hadn't just been trying to kill her. She said nothing as she walked around to my side, bringing her hands up and gently removing the arrow before casting a healing spell on my wound.
"You are an odd one aren't you?" I mumbled, not intending for her to hear me- but she apparently did.
"You saved me once, I… had faith that you wouldn't hurt me." she explained with a bright, kind, smile. I said nothing, truly bewildered by her. As the wound on my shoulder closed and she drew her hands away, I figured she was going to leave- but she didn't. What she did do… surprised me even more; she softly kissed my cheek.
Back To Alyce's P.O.V.:
"Nice work." I whispered to Johnny as we peered around the corner at Nikita and Svina. I had informed Johnny of my plan only moments before this 'incident' and had recruited his help in bringing the two together. I had known Nikita would attack her, but I also knew he wouldn't kill her- I just needed Johnny to give the situation a little push in the right direction… in case I was wrong. Now that Nikita knew Svina felt this way about him, I was confident that he would never attack her again; and he was likely to make sure no one else did either. Frankly it was a win-win situation: Svina would be safe, so Svaki would be happy; while Nikita had someone to love, keeping him focused on her and out of my hair. I sighed contently and turned to return to my office and see if any of the assigned contracts had been fulfilled yet- that is until I heard the tell-tale sound of someone very angry entering the Sanctuary.
"GODS BE DAMNED! WHERE IN OBLIVION IS THAT MISERABLE HAGRAVEN?!" roared Zany as he returned from his contract, no doubt looking for me as he threw his fit. I could hear Svina squeak in surprise at Zany's outburst, Nikita growling in irritation as he lead her out of the room past Johnny and I as we entered the main hall to investigate what had gotten our Argonian Brother so irate.
"Who pissed in your mead?" Johnny asked with a sarcastic grin as Zany stormed up to me, his dark blue eyes ablaze with a cold anger.
"Shut it thief." Zany said bluntly, rather than his typical snide remark. "Someone stole my scimitars. A thief in Windhelm, he snatched them right out of their sheaths before I could even blink." he continued as he turned his attention back to me. I sighed heavily at this news, if it wasn't a love-sick psychopath it was an idiotic thief stealing from the wrong assassin.