Chapter Four: Introduce Yourself
Ava stood wringing her hands, facing the Black Door. Her eyes traced the figures etched in the dark stone. There was a giant skull carved into the upper half, whose hollowed eyes seemed to glare into her very being.
"What...is the music...of life?" A sinister voice emanated from the door, causing the hairs on back of her neck to rise.
"...Silence...my brother..." Ava forced out, barely above a whisper. The heavy door began to quake, making low rumbling noises. The entrance was open-the entrance to her new home.
She nervously forced a few steps, her feet feeling heavy like steel. She cautiously followed the dark stone staircase, unsure of what to expect. She couldn't help but feel uneasy, even if she was invited-she was walking into a den of assassins after all.
Ava inched her way down to a room where she caught sight of Astrid, who stood over a table studying a document. Noticing a figure in the doorway, Astrid turned her head. Her fierce eyes met with Ava's, which were filled with uncertainty.
"Hmmmm...smart girl...I see you've come to your senses...Welcome..." That familiar smirk crawled across Astrid's lips again. "Come...our family awaits...and they'll be dying to meet you..." she said, approaching Ava. "Oh...silly me...I almost forgot...I didn't catch your...name, sister..."
"...A-Ava...My name's Ava..."she answered, hesitantly.
"Hmmm...Ava...I like it..." Astrid said, leading her down a dark passageway that gave way to a large cavern with a dark beautiful waterfall pooling up in the middle of it. A bulky, silver-haired Nord sat at a grindstone, sharpening a steel battleaxe. A male Argonian stood beside him, arms folded. They seemed to be carrying on a conversation of sorts.
"Ah...here are a couple of our brothers now...First and foremost, this my husband Arnbjorn..." Astrid spoke, giving the Nord a sly smile. "And this is Veezara...Brothers, this is Ava...our new sister..."
Arnbjorn glanced up at Ava, never ceasing from his work. "Hmph," he snorted, seeming completely disinterested at her arrival. Ava didn't know how to react, seeing as she already was a bundle of nerves. Feeling embarrassed she looked back to Astrid, as if for some sort of reassurance.
"...Haha...don't take it personally, " Astrid remarked, shifting her focus back to Ava. "Let's just say he's not a...people person, but he has the utmost loyalty to myself...and to the Brotherhood. You need to have that same devotion... I'll let Veezara show you around our humble...abode. Meanwhile, I have some...business to tend to."
The muscular reptilian approached Ava, "Welcome sister. It's good to see that our family is beginning to grow again. I haven't seen a new face since I came here from my homeland in Black Marsh. You see, I was born under the sign of the Shadowsale, and thus I was trained to be the assassin I am today. I serve this sanctuary with honor and dignity-with my life. I hope you will learn to do the same, " he explained, showing her through various hallways and passages. He stopped in a room containing a some beds, "Here is one of our sleeping quarters. You can take whichever bed you like. As for the rest of the Sanctuary, there's not much else to tell. I'll leave you to yourself now...Let me know if you need anything.
Ava sat on the edge of one of the beds watching the Argonian disappear through the passageway. She watched a candle flicker in the corner, the dim light pushing back all the shadows that filled the room-shadows filled the whole Sanctuary for that matter. She studied the mossy stone walls, while the cool musty air filled her lungs. She began to experience the ache of fatigue climbing up her body. She'd been on edge for so long running on adrenaline and intense emotions, and had eaten next to nothing. She laid on her back, exhausted, staring at the dancing shadows from the flame. Everything faded out as she fell into slumber.
Arnbjorn looked with satisfaction at his razor sharp weapon, running his thumb up the blade. He hung the battleaxe on a nearby rack and went to satisfy the appetite he'd worked up.
Grabbing a hunk of venison, the sturdy Nord sat down at a table to join an elderly Breton mage and a female Dunmer. "Looks like our fresh meat came dragging herself in today," he grunted, taking a bite.
"Oh, really? Well it's about damn time! How long did she think Astrid was gonna give her? The nerve, showing up at the last minute! In my day one would've been burned to a crisp for such loligagging!" The old mage grumbled.
"I know Festus, but Astrid seen something in her. I'll stand by my wife, but the girl looks like a weak little pup to me, " Arnbjorn said, taking a swig of mead. He honestly couldn't see how his wife thought this pitiful little girl could be a capable assassin. The cowardly thing was too afraid to even speak. If first impressions rang true, she'd be dead in a couple of days. Arnbjorn glanced at the mer, who was wearing an arrogant smile under her shrouded hood. "Alright, Gabriella, what's with the look?"
The mer gave a haughty laugh. "Ah...well let us hope she's more adequate than the last unfortunate to grace this sanctuary...You know, the gifted mage that Festus trained with the highest of standards..."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah...You don't have to rub it in! I tried every way in Nirn to teach that boy not to run out in the open torching people with fire all willy-nilly! By Sithis, I couldn't help he was a damned fool!" Festus barked at the mer, who appeared very satisfied in provoking him.
"Yeah, well not every new initiate is that stupid. She don't look like much, but Astrid did say the little scrap was capable. I'll just have to trust her on this. Besides, Veezara came after that meat-headed mage and he's doing alright." Arnbjorn tried to reason with himself.
"Ah, yes. Only time will tell us if she is suited for our line of work. It's a pity the only other option is a morbid death." Gabriella sneered.
Ava opened her eye's, which met the same dancing shadows she'd fallen asleep to. She didn't know how long she'd been asleep. It was hard to tell time underground, after all. As she propped herself up on the bed she heard her stomach growl, feeling the pang of hunger. She didn't want to leave the comfort of being alone, but she knew she had to if she wanted to eat.
She made her way down the dark hallway to where Veezara said the dining area would be. She scanned the room, relieved to find it empty. A large bowl with a few loaves of stale bread sat in the center of the table surrounded by half-empty bottles of mead. She hastily seated herself and began scarfing down a loaf, greedily grabbing the closest bottle to drink. She felt as if she'd been starved for months-she nearly swallowed the food whole.
"Well, well, well...Festus, looked who has graced us with their presence!" A sarcastic voice taunted from behind her.
Ava froze, then turned around to meet eyes with the Dark Elf, who was standing behind her alongside an old man. "Hello..." she mumbled, her mouth still stuffed with bread. She quickly washed it down with a drink, feeling suddenly ashamed of how stupid she must have looked with bread dangling from her lips.
"Ava, is it? Astrid told Festus and I so much about you...in theory, it all sounds simply magnificent. Of course, theory and application are two entirely different things, aren't they? I'll leave to my own judgement how well you perform as an assassin. By the way, I'm Gabriella...Astrid did want me to introduce myself, after all..." The mer scoffed, making Ava feel uncomfortable.
"You almost out-waited you're welcome young lady! If I were you, I damned sure wouldn't drag my feet next time Astrid tells me to do something!" Festus scolded, "Oh, yeah...Nice to meet you, blah, blah, blah...and all that," he remarked in a cranky tone while the two of them began walking away.
Ava was at a loss for words. She could only watch silently as the two left the room, laughing and making snide remarks among themselves. She didn't know what to think of the two, but she sure didn't feel good about herself after that little introduction. She hoped they didn't remain that hostile-she had little self-esteem as it was.
She let out a pitiful sigh, and stuffed down a couple more loaves. It was the first time she felt full in ages. At least she had food here, and a warm bed. She didn't have to beg for work or steal to aquire those things. But she would have to murder for it, and on a regular basis. She grabbed another bottle of mead and chugged a bit more to numb the terrible feeling she had about the whole thing.
Ava was walking back to the sleeping quarters. She'd been lurking about, trying to learn the Sanctuary and steer clear of those who were less than welcoming to her. She now crept through the large open room that Astrid first brought her to. She tried stepping quietly by Arnbjorn, who now had his back to her swinging his battleaxe at one of the many targets that stood about him.
"Ava...I need to talk to you..." Astrid's silky smooth voice chimed in behind her, causing Arnbjorn to stop his training.
"Yes?!" Ava yelped, whipping around. She suddenly wished she wasn't so jumpy.
"Nazir has just returned from a contract...I know you haven't met him yet...But it is late and he will be resting. You are to meet with him tomorrow...he will give you you're first three contracts...They are part of your initiation.Think of them as a ...'welcome home' present."
"Hmph, Astrid, don't you think that's overkill? I'm not so sure the little twig could handle one, let alone three, " Arnbjorn huffed.
Astrid said nothing at first. She simple stood there studying Ava, as if in deep thought. She then flashed a confident smile, facing her husband, "...Arnbjorn...have a little faith in the girl...Let's just say I'm...breaking her in..."
"If you say so, " he remarked, preparing to swing the large weapon again.
Astrid showed no reaction to his doubtful attitude. She merely cast her gaze back to the fidgeting Ava, who'd been waiting to see if Astrid was done with her. "Hmmm...you can take your leave now. Just remember to do as he tells you..."
The next morning Ava peeked through the doorway to view a middle-aged Redguard sitting to himself at the dining table, dressed in red and black Hammerfell garb. This must be Nazir...Ava cautiously stepped up to the man.
"...Nazir? Hey...I'm Ava. Nice to meet you," She politely introduced herself, hoping not to be met with the harsh treatment most of the other assassins showed her.
"You can save the manners for your next dinner party-I know who you are. Astrid tells me you need three contracts, and I have them ready and waiting at your disposal. Since I have no idea if you will last for three contracts or three minutes, we'll skip the getting to know each other part." Nazir said sternly, folding his arms. "Pay attention, because I'm only telling you once. There's a mine boss in Dawnstar named Beitild, a crazy beggar in Ivarstead named Narfi, and a paranoid recluse near Agna's Mill named Ennodius Papius. These three individuals are to be murdered, understand? I don't care what order you kill them in-just kill them, and preferrably do so in secret. Otherwise, you'll have a nice bounty on your head, maybe followed by a nice death at the hands of the guards. If you make it back alive, then we'll talk."
"Okay then.." Ava whispered, trying to memorize the names, " Beitild...Narfi..Enno-"
"Well, what are you standing there mumbling about? You'd best get to it! Nazir interrupted her thoughts, rushing her on her way.
Ava nodded and started back out from where she came. She made her way past the sparkling waterfall and up the steps making her way to the outside world. Just before she exited, Astrid's silky voice caught her ear.
"Surely you aren't leaving dressed like that...We need to get you into something more...appealing..." said Astrid, eyeing Ava's worn red dress with a look of distate. She disappeared into her bedroom, coming out shortly after. She stood holding some armor. It was black and red, with intricate designs across it's sleek exterior. "Go in my room and change...Trust me, this will be much more...fitting..."
Ava did as she was told. She stood beholding the old dress she held in her hands...maybe it was a good thing to get rid of it. It was ragged and dingy from wear-she figured she needed a new one anyway. She sat on the edge of Astrid and Arnbjorn's sizable bed, pulling up her shrouded boots. As she tugged on them, she took notice of her reflection in a shield laid against the stone wall. The armor made her look mysterious and dangerous-a way she never thought of herself. Pushing her silky black hair out of her face, she stared into her deep blue eyes...into the woman she no longer recognized. Sadness flowed back into her consciousness, making her shut her eyes and inhale deeply-breathing out, as if trying to release the despair that festered inside. Deciding not to face herself any longer, she sprung up off the bed and left the room.
"Now that's much better..." Astrid grinned slyly, taking in the sight of her newest assassin. "Well, sister...I'm glad to see you're...eager...I'll let you be on your way...I certainly won't keep you..."
Ava nodded, heading up to the entrance. The Black Door quaked, letting the sunlight from the outside world fill here eyes once again. There were three misfortunate souls in Skyrim just waiting to be slaughtered. Whether she liked it or not, she was going to be the one to end them.