A/N: Hello everyone! Here's chapter 21, hope you enjoy! As per usual, a big thanks to all who read/review/fav/follow! See you guys next week!
Chapter 21: Appalled
Traveling the final stretch of the dirt path to the farmhouse had been a whirling, agonizing experience for Astrid. She felt shaky, terrified, and completely out of her own body. Reiner had seemed to take over her insides - her very being. Not only had Astrid despised not being in control of her actions, but she had become extremely frightened as well. Though she hadn't killed the harmless man, she had deeply experienced the urge to do so. She likened the sensation to that of a fearful animal - full of impulse, high from adrenaline, and ready to strike at any moment. She had only desired to kill Reiner, not every man that crossed her path.
Astrid inhaled, her breath shaky and her heart pounding. She stopped the carriage when she reached her destination, loosening the mare from its restraints with trembling hands. She led the horse into its stable, exhaling a long breath and patting its muzzle as she stared blankly into the distance. She had to get a grip on herself, she decided.
She stood a moment, mentally attempting to become grounded again, before going back to unload her items.
Upon returning to the wagon, Astrid grabbed various satchels full of poisons, deciding she'd come back for the much heavier ingots thereafter. As she walked by the side of the carriage, a slight breeze blew, tussling her hair about, while she heard a strange noise provoked by the gale. It sounded much like a piece of parchment flapping wildly in the wind. It also sounded as if it was directly behind her.
Astrid turned to face the side of the wagon, pausing when she noticed that it was, indeed, a piece of parchment that had been nailed to its side. She immediately placed the satchels on the ground and tore the piece of parchment from its spot.
The wind and darkness were working against her advantage, as she held the mysterious note tightly and allowed her eyes to focus. Of course, what she saw on it caused her muscles to tighten and her skin to crawl.
The black imprint of a large hand was blotted on the paper, with the words "We Know" scribbled underneath it. Who knew? Did someone figure out that she'd killed her uncle? What would they do to her?
Fear and panic traveled up Astrid's spine, as she hastily grabbed her things and entered the farmhouse.
...
The fierce wind beat against the old house, causing random tree branches to thud and bang against its exterior. The sound echoed ominously throughout the shadow-laden, lifeless rooms.
Astrid seated herself at the kitchen table by the weak flame of a small lamp, as she eyed the mysterious note. She racked her brain trying to figure out who would know such a thing about her. Perhaps the Thieves' Guild may have realized it, but this wasn't their style at all. Perhaps a group of Reiner's clients had smelled the horrific odor from the well and figured it out. Maybe they were angry with her for cutting their business relationship with her uncle prematurely. Anyone who dealt with Reiner was obviously a dangerous person, and Astrid had no desire to be stuffed down the well next.
She grabbed a small bottle of ale from the pantry to calm her nerves, before walking over to the fireplace to light the tinder within.
As she watched the small flame begin to grow, she heard a slow, deliberate knock on the front door, causing her hair to stand on end.
She crept silently to peer out the window. When she caught sight of who stood there, she didn't know whether to grow more fearful or feel relieved. It was the Khajiit from before - the one that had informed her about her uncle's true motivations. She narrowed her eyes, as he stood, patiently waiting, before opening his mouth to speak.
"This one knows you dwell inside. Dar'Sien has not come to harm you..." he spoke loudly, while Astrid scanned his appearance to make sure he wasn't holding a weapon of any sort.
For what reason she wasn't sure, but Astrid believed that the Khajiit was telling the truth, for he'd never harmed her before. She stayed alert however, for there could be a first time for anything.
She slowly unlocked the front door, creaking it open.
A telling, feral grin spread across the Khajiit's maw. "Dar'Sien wishes to congratulate you. He also thinks your uncle is far too busy rotting in the well to join our celebration. Dar'Sien is happy to see Reiner meet such a deserving end."
"H-how do you know?" Astrid asked warily, narrowing her eyes.
"Clever Dar'Sien figured it out for himself..." he grinned, licking his sharp teeth. "He caught wind of the Thieves' Guild raiding your uncle's house and wounding his body. He heard rumors that you were going to poison Reiner and finish him off. Alas, Dar'Sien sees that the rumor traveled too slowly, for Reiner's smell is already rising from the depths..." he purred, his feline eyes gazing at the well in the distance.
"Yeah, the poison was to keep the Skeevers from dragging him out again." Astrid spoke, her voice trembling from memories of the horrific scene.
"Very good...Reiner is not fit for vermin to consume. It would be committing a terrible disservice to the Skeevers..." Dar'Sien mused, causing a faint smirk to fall on Astrid's lips.
"Would you like to come in?" Astrid asked, feeling a bit safer with the Khajiit around. Perhaps he would know what the threatening letter meant.
"Ah, Dar'Sien would love to." he answered, his voice smooth like velvet.
Astrid invited him to sit at the table, as he happily accepted her offer. He then calmly pulled out a bottle of Skooma and popped the cork, before taking a gingerly sip.
"Dar'Sien would love to know how Reiner met his demise. Would you oblige him?" he asked, offering her a drink.
"No thanks. I have my own." Astrid shot him a wary glance for his gesture, and he simply smiled.
"Dar'Sien understands. You do not trust easily. You understand the serpents of the world. You see their existence - how they wrap around a soul and squeeze the life out of it, before devouring it whole. Reiner was one of those serpents, was he not?" Dar'Sien asked, his eyes sharp and cunning.
"He was. I slit his throat one night while he was outside, staggering about intoxicated and out of his mind. He harmed me...in a very bad way..." Astrid admitted, her eyes averting from the Khajiit's interested gaze.
"Yes, he has harmed many women in various ways. Dar'Sien is not surprised by his actions. He is glad that you used Dar'Sien's information against Reiner. You are cunning to use the guild for your purposes. If there was anything Reiner loved as much as himself, it would be his prized possessions. You were wise to strip him of his belongings before doing away with him. It gives one much more pleasure to witness the suffering of the soul before the body dies, eh?" Dar'Sien remarked. Astrid had to admit, she felt much the same way.
She slowly nodded in agreement. "You could say that. Have you ever murdered anyone?" she asked, now curious about just who Dar'Sien really was.
"This one has done many things. Murder happens from time to time, when circumstances become too inconvenient for Dar'Sien to use alternative methods. Though, he does not lust for blood like some do..." he remarked, his fierce eyes honing in on her. "Not that lusting for death is a negative trait. Killing has its place. Tamriel needs murderers to ensure that the living appreciate the time they are gifted. It can be cut short very quickly, can it not?"
"If need be." Astrid answered casually, suddenly feeling as if she'd known Dar'Sien for a lifetime. Perhaps they could grow to become quite close friends - if he could be trusted, of course. Instantly, she became reminded of the ominous note she'd received. "Hey, can I ask you about something?" she inquired, hearing the concern in her own voice.
"Dar'Sien is all ears..." he purred, slowly tapping his long claws on the table.
Astrid pulled the crinkled parchment from a small satchel on her belt. "This was nailed to my wagon. Do you have any idea what this means?"
The Khajiit took the paper, eyeing it with a look that seemed very close to disinterest. "Dar'Sien does not know. He has never seen such a symbol. Do you have any enemies?" he asked, smirking.
"I don't think so, now that Reiner's dead." she shrugged, not sure of who could be doing this.
"Hmmm..." the Khajiit hummed, while stroking his whiskers. "Perhaps Dar'Sien could be of service to you in some way. Would you like for him to keep watch tonight? He could do away with any attackers, if need be."
Astrid ran the thought over and over in her mind. Perhaps it would be a bit wise to have some extra eyes and ears around the property, just in case. Of course, there was a possibility that he could be an enemy in hiding. If that was the case, however, she'd be able to slit his throat as well. She'd always heard that a person should keep their friends close and their enemies closer. Perhaps she'd take that advice tonight. It would be better than turning him down, only for him to come back and kill her while she slept. Tonight she wouldn't be able to sleep, anyway.
Astrid shrugged, deliberately not showing any signs of concern."Sure. How much do I owe you?" There was also a possibility that he'd taken the opportunity to earn a profit, so she promptly tested said possibility.
The Khajiit grinned wickedly. "Consider this a gift, much like the gift you've given Dar'Sien..."
"What do you mean?" her brows furrowed, as Astrid found herself suddenly thrown off by his answer. If this wasn't about money, it could only be the other two scenarios - one of which included seeking vengeance for cutting off his dealings with Reiner. All that talk about hating her uncle could simply have been a ruse.
"You have been such fertile soil for Dar'Sien to plant his black seeds of doubt. Alas, they have grown into a large forest from which the wicked fruit of death landed firmly on Reiner's head. This one is grateful to see his demise..." he answered.
"But why? I know Reiner was a monster, but he did have a working relationship with you. What did he do to provoke you so much?" Astrid questioned him, hoping to get to the bottom of the Khajiit's true motivations.
"Let us say that Dar'Sien has been shorted quite a few coins over the years. This one took the short end of many bargains, simply because your uncle knew he held a weapon or valuable that Dar'Sien could find nowhere else. He took advantage of this one, but little did he know that lying to Dar'Sien usually comes with a price..." he said, taking much satisfaction in the fact that he had somehow aided in Reiner's death.
Astrid paused a moment, thinking it over. His story seemed plausible enough, but she'd keep a dagger under her pillow just in case. If someone was indeed after her, she would need Dar'Sien's services. However, if the enemy sat before her, then he'd meet the end of her blade very soon.
"I see...Very well. Just stay here by the front door, then. If anybody comes searching for me, take care of it." she declared, as a satisfied grin crept over his maw. She stood, heading for the staircase. "Don't come up here. Understand?" she spat, making sure he got the point.
He nodded slowly. "This one will honor your distrust." he purred, his tail flicking about playfully.
Astrid laid in her bed, clutching her uncle's old dagger tightly in her grip. She'd been laying for hours, pretending to be asleep and listening for the slighest of movements. However, silence filled the farmhouse in such a way that it seemed to make her regret her choice concerning the Khajiit. Hopefully, she hadn't underestimated his feline abilities. Could he possibly sneak up on her in a far less detectable manner than a man or mer? She certainly hoped not.
A loud thumping noise downstairs alerted her to jump out of bed and onto her feet, holding her dagger at the ready. She instantly bolted out of her room and looked over the railing to see Dar'Sien splayed out on the floor, appearing unconscious.
Astrid gasped, glancing about herself wildy and gripping the dagger even tighter than before. Suddenly, as she stepped down the stairs, she heard footsteps from every direction possible. Then, before she could focus her attention on just how many people were in the farmhouse, someone had pulled a tight, binding hood over her head, instantly blocking her vision.
She began to flail and stab wildly like a caged beast, feeling large, calloused hands grip her arms. She managed to forcefully stab the assailant with all her might, before the person forced her weapon from her grasp. A raspy, hushed hiss fell from the attacker's lips, causing Astrid to fight even harder. Another set of hands forced something foul smelling against her nose and mouth, causing her to choke and gag until she lost herself to the dark abyss of lost consciousness.
The thick fog of early morning still hung heavy in the air, as Delvin inhaled deeply, preparing himself to face Astrid for what could be the very last time. His hands were trembling, his heart felt torn apart, and his mind was a complete wreck.
He forced himself to walk up the dirt path, only to stop dead in his tracks as the foul odor of decay hit his senses. A deeply troubled look twisted on his face, as he nervously eyed the old well in the distance, where a pack of Skeevers fought amongst each other, feasting ravenously. Delvin quickly turned his head away, feeling the deep sensations of nausea and horror overcoming him.
Still, he had to see her one more time, despite everything. Brynjolf had been right - Astrid truly was making Delvin a bit crazy. He'd never in a thousand years dreamed he'd be visiting a dangerous, unhinged killer just to say he loved her and he'd always be around. Of course, before falling victim to his own self-deprecating thoughts, he reminded himself of how that very thing was exactly why he couldn't be with her. Sure, he was a bit twisted himself, but not like that. He'd simply have to love her from a distance. Permenantly.
He approached the door, his eyes growing wide when he noticed that it wasn't completely closed.
"Astrid?! You in there?" he called. Only silence answered him. Becoming fearful, he barged into the house, frantically searching the place over. It had been cleaned up nicely since the raid, but there were still signs of chaos and struggle within. Namely, a crimson-stained dagger and a small pool of blood on the staircase. "What in Nocturnal's name?" he gasped to himself.
"ASTRID! ASTRID!" he yelled, running outside in a panic. Still, there was no trace of her. "Oh, gods...What happened?" he whimpered, before turning back inside for a final look.
...
He retraced his every step, only to find no sign of her. He stepped back into the kitchen, heading toward the front door, when a crumpled piece of parchment caught his eye. He hunkered down, snatching it up from under the table. Delvin quickly unraveled it, only to find his heart plummeting to Oblivion. From the telling symbol of the Black Hand, to the cryptic message beneath it, he realized just how deeply Astrid was plunging.
"No..." he gasped, fearful tears forming in his eyes. He was far too late.
