It was not until two month after the little visit Sorilkad Malur had paid him, that Lucien was finally able to visit Cheydinhal Sanctuary. And though the thought of a traitor in his family plagued him on a daily basis, he had more pressing matters to attend to. Contracts seemed to flow in in a steady stream. Sometimes Lucien suspected, Ungolim only flooded him with contracts purely out of spite.
Night had already fallen and he walked through the silent streets. Out of habit he stayed in the shadows, his soft leather boots barely made any noise on the stone pavement. He had pulled the hood of his garments deep into his face. Partly to keep the damp cold night air out, partly because he wanted to remain undisturbed by eventual passers by. As he finally reached the abandoned house, he took a careful look around. On the far end of the little plaza in front of the chapel stood a lone guard. Lucien was aware of the ridiculously high fines the new captain of the guard had established. Lucien was sure that Ulrich Leland's name would sooner or later appear on a contract. The guard on duty however was far from attentive and leaned against the wall, ready to doze of. Cheydinhal had always been a quiet town. Lucien smiled at the irony of this. Another careful look around. Even if there were guards around with more watchful eyes, they would not have been able to see him. Out of habit he had cloaked himself in an invisibility spell. Silently he pushed the door open far enough to squeeze through and made his way straight to basement. He was looking forward to meet with Vicente Valtieri. He was sure the old vampire would be able to help him with his current problem. He always trusted the wisdom of his friend. Besides he hoped to get some contracts off his back. Silent as the night itself he entered the tunnel, as he got aware of the soft footfalls echoing through the ominously red lit corridor. Lucien slowed down and let go of his cloaking spell. It was not his intention to startle any family member, leaving the Sanctuary. Ghost, the young Dunmer, Lucien had recently recruited stopped as he got aware of his superior blocking the small passage. He had changed greatly from the last time he had seen the elf, mostly because now he was wearing a dark leather armour, with a matching hood and facemask. Lucien could see the dark elf melt into shadows perfectly, only the unsettling almost white eyes stood out like shining gems.
"Out to spill some blood?"
The imperial asked his brother. The elf nodded.
"Yes, Mr. Lachance."
The answer made the man smile, as he remembered the young elf being a bit more snarky in his remarks.
"Ah. So you've got some manners after all. I find your etiquette quite... refreshing."
The posture of the young man slumped a bit as he reached up with one hand and scratched his head.
"Sorry about that. I'm just not a morning person."
A deep chuckle burst from the Imperial's chest.
"Well then, I'll make sure to meet with you in the noon. Is that your first contract?"
Again the young mer nodded, fidgeting with his hands almost nervously.
"Yes, Sir. I'm to kill a pirate captain."
Lucien Lachance nodded, as he remembered the contract. Should be an easy kill. With a slight bow of his head, he stepped to the side.
"Walk with darkness, child of Sithis."
Lucien finally dismissed the murderer. Ghost gave him a short nod, before he hurried upstairs to the basement door, getting out of the chill aura that surrounded the Speaker. Lucien Lachance chuckled as he was reminded of himself as a young man. He had been so eager to please the Night Mother. Well he still was. With a sigh, he straightened his robes out before he opened the black door, yet stepped not out of the shadows. He liked to observe first. He was met with laughter. It was always a mystery to him how a sanctuary full of murderers and cutthroats was bustling with life, like any tavern would. He spied his Silencer together with Vicente and Ocheeva, happily chatting away. A scowl appeared briefly on his face, as he watched his Silencer. She seemed in a good mood, yet he knew that could change rapidly. She had been acting quite strangely recently, often having almost irrational moodswings. He braced himself, before he made his way over to the trio. It was Vicente, who spied him first and their conversation died down upon his approach. For a very brief moment Lucien's step faltered. Once he had been amongst them, laughing, joking and socializing. But ever since he was promoted Speaker, he only very rarely came to the sanctuary. It was like he was isolated from his family, the lower ranking members would just not treat him with the same ease as Vicente did. The old vampire had been his mentor and would always be his friend, one that always welcomed him with open arms.
His Silencer, Boudicca however, flashed him a very bright smile as he stepped up the group and turned towards him.
"Well that's a surprise. You look good today, did you do something with your robes?"
the Imperial woman greeted him, running her gaze up and down his body.
Oh here we go again...
Lucien groaned inwardly, but tried to keep a straight face, as he greeted his Silencer. He had absolutely no idea, what was wrong with that woman and just hoped they would be able to talk reasonably this time.
"Boudicca, a well met coincidence indeed. I was looking for you."
The woman's smile grew even wider, as she closed their distance. He drew a deep breath, he was not very fond of people entering his personal space without being invited to do so. He shifted his weight uncomfortably but she did not seem to notice. Or didn't want to notice.
"You know I'm always here for you, Lucien."
Her voice suggestive. She tilted her head sideways, again looking him over with her blue eyes.
"Now look at all the muscles on you. I'm sure you are training very hard."
Boudicca softly ran her hands over his chest, feeling his solid body beneath his layers of robes, but missing his eyes darkening in suppressed anger. Lucien however did notice the look Ocheeva shot Vicente, a mixture between amusement and embarrassment. Lucien frowned deeply as he took a step back from the woman in front of him and evaded her groping hands.
"Take your hands off of me."
he growled deeply through clenched teeth. He really should teach her a lesson for this kind of insubordination. Boudicca didn't seem impressed though, as she followed him, running her indexfinger along his arm, giving him a small pout.
"But Lucien, I was only admiring your robes and physics."
She looked up at him, giving him her sweetest look she could muster.
"Maybe we could... train together..."
She suggested her voice low and rich. Lucien's frown only deepened, as he reached into the folds of his robes and produced a random scroll.
"Here."
He grumbled, shoving the scroll into her hand.
"If you desire training so much, here's a contract for you."
Her gaze turned cold as she opened the scroll, while Lucien side stepped her.
"Vicente..."
He started but was cut short, as Boudicca grabbed his arm and pulled him around, almost shoving the scroll into his face.
"What is this!"
She snapped.
"A contract that needs fulfilment. You need training, so I suggest you be on your way."
"That's a joke, isn't it? That's work worthy for a lowly murderer! Send the new one!"
Lucien Lachance closed his eyes briefly, forcing himself to keep calm.
"Our new brother is already on his way to claim a life. As should you be, but if you are not fit to do your duty, just say it. I don't have time for this nonsense."
The woman's grip of the scroll tightened so much that her knuckles whitened.
"Lo and behold our mighty Speaker! If you're too busy to engage in conversation why don't you go hide in your little lair!"
"Shut it, Boudicca, my patience is running thin..."
"Pffff. If only your ego was as thin as you patience. Again! This is no contract for me! I'm beginning to think you want to replace me!"
"If you continue to act this way, I indeed consider to do so! And send you to another sanctuary, demoted of course!"
At this her blue eyes grew wide and her face paled.
"You..."
"You get out of here now, before I forget myself!"
She stared at him for a couple of heartbeats, her face turning from pale to angry red. Without another word she turned around and headed out of the sanctuary, not even glancing back once.
Again, Lucien took a deep calming breath, as he watched her retreating form wondering what was wrong with that woman. Behind him, the Breton vampire cleared his throat.
"I believe you wanted to talk to me?"
Lachance turned with a thankful smile.
"Yes. I would like to have a word with you privately."
The vampire inclined his head and lead Lucien into his private quarters, closing the heavy wooden door behind them and locking it. As he turned he found Lucien sitting at his desk with the probably most sour face he had ever seen in his entire unlife. Vicente couldn't help but chuckle at his friend's expression, which only caused Lucien's scowl to deepen.
"Looking at you face, I could swear you are part Dunmer."
The vampire teased with a light chuckle. Lucien only glared at the Breton yet remained silent. Vicente's smile only widened as he pulled a chair up to his desk and took his seat.
"Oh? You prefer silence then?"
He asked the Imperial, who rolled his eyes.
"Don't mock me, Vicente. I'm still your superior."
At this Vicente's smile finally died away and with a sigh he replied.
"But you are my friend as well. A friend, that seems in need of a good advice. So, what troubles you?"
Lachance leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes for a moment, trying to get his thoughts in order. He had hoped he could get some inside of how the Brotherhood had dealt with traitors before. Sure there had been brothers killing each other, but this seemed to be on another scale. But now his recent run in with his Silencer had him worried as well. Finally he cracked his eyes open and was met with Valtieri's stern, but patient gaze.
"Actually there are a two things, you might help me with."
The vampire inclined his head, a sign that he was listening.
"I understand, that Boudicca is very fond of this Sanctuary, despite her position. But I noticed that she has changed greatly every since the last few month. Do you know what is wrong with her? I just not able to have a perfectly normal conversation with her, without her getting all upset."
Again Lucien's dark eyes met the pale red once of his friend, but the Imperial was surprised to see them sparkle with a benign smile. A smile that lit up the whole of Vicente's face. Lucien raised an eyebrow.
"What? Am I missing something?"
At this the vampire laughed heartily.
"Yes! Indeed you do!"
He leaned forward a bit and in an almost fatherly tone he said.
"Lucien, can't you see? She has fallen for you!"
Lucien was taken aback.
"What? No..."
"She has only eyes for you as soon as you enter a room. She craves your attention so badly it almost hurts watching. Yet you deny it to her. No wonder she reacts like she just did."
Lucien shook his head, while his gaze dropped down to his hands. He had indeed not seen that coming.
"Oh that can't be good. I cannot give her what she wants, I've only chosen her because she is good at what she does..."
He stopped for a moment, digesting the new input he just had received. Maybe giving her to another sanctuary wasn't a bad idea after all. He had enough on his mind as to be involved with a love stricken Silencer. He sighed deeply.
"Besides, as it is, I'm practically married..."
"...to Ungolim."
Vicente finished Lucien's sentence, causing him to look up.
"I've noticed. That little Bosmer has you running all over Tamriel."
The Imperial huffed.
"If he keeps you that busy, your Silencer will shoot him one day."
Again there was that mischievous tone in the Breton's voice.
"That's not funny, Vicente. He is our..."
He was cut though, as Vicente leant back in his chair, on arm draped over the backrest and continued.
"And then you and Boudicca would be free to ride off into the sunset."
"Vicente, stop it!"
"You'll have plenty of children, though I hope they do inherit her mother's traits..."
Vicente Valtieri was stopped by the fist that slammed down on his desk.
"ENOUGH!"
Lucien Lachance had jumped up from his chair and fixed smaller male with a glare that promised pain, if he dared to continue. Immediately the older man got serious again.
"By Sithis, Lucien! It was just a little joke."
Slowly the Imperial relaxed, sitting down into his chair again. With a tired gesture, he ran his hand over his face and then through his hair, throwing his hood back in the process. He took several deep breath, before he regained his selfcontrol back.
"I'm sorry, Vicente."
He vampire flashed him a smile in acknowledgement.
"So what is it, you are really hear to talk about. Does the Black Hand trouble you?"
Lucien Lachance shook his head.
"No. It's more like the Black Hand IS in trouble. Surely you've heared about the deaths in our family?"
Again Vicente Valtieri nodded, his expression grim.
"Yes. Rumours start spreading. Has there been another one?"
"No. Not yet. It worries me non the less. And there is something that keeps plaguing my mind. What if there is a traitor amongst us?"
The old vampire stared at his superior for a while, digesting what he just had heard. It made sense though. The first couple of deaths could have been accidents, unfortunate mishaps in the line of their work. But the latest victims bore the handwriting of a person experienced as a killer. Finally Vicente folded his arms across the chest.
"I have to admit that something struck me as familiar with our latest loss."
At this Lucien's head snapped up and his eyes narrowed on Vicente.
"You have seen the victim?"
"Unfortunately yes, though it was through mere coincidence."
A raised eyebrow prompted the Breton to elaborate further.
"You remember the contract in the Imperial City? I was hiding out in the Sideways Cave after it's fulfilment. On my way back I looked for someone to feed upon. That was when I stumbled over our poor sister. She had her neck slashed almost from ear to ear, almost decapitating her. Something was odd though. She was experienced, she would not let anybody just sneak up on her like that, still her body showed no signs of defence. It was like she had known her killer."
For a long moment Lucien was silent, before he asked in a calm yet flat voice.
"Why haven't you told me of that?"
Vicente shrugged.
"I couldn't. You've been out running business somewhere. And I couldn't investigate her body either, there was an Imperial Legion soldier coming. He was the one who found the body right after I did."
At this Lucien nodded. If the Legion had caught Vicente he would be dead now as well. Still those news only deepened his fears.
"So, you too think, she was slain by a member."
Lucien concluded finally. Vicente heaved a heavy sigh.
"It would appear so. The way she was cut...It looked familiar."
The vampire stopped, considering Lucien with an odd look that lasted only a heartbeat.
"I could swear I have seen this before. And the lack of defensive wounds. It leads to the conclusion that she was killed by one of us."
He finished, his voice low. Slowly Lucien stood up and began pacing around the room, while his friend only watched the brooding Imperial. Finally Lucien stopped in his pacing and turned towards the vampire.
"Do you know what that means?"
For a moment the vampire fixed his gaze on the floor, before he whispered.
"Purification."
Lucien nodded.
"Yes. Purification, the eradication of every Brother and Sister in a Sanctuary."
Lucien started pacing again, head bowed in thought. He did not notice that Vicente had stood up and started to mirror his speakers actions.
"When I was a still a new member, I witnessed the Purification of the Crimson Scars. I was lucky to be spared, because I only recently joined the Brotherhood. It was a massacre, but at least the Black Hand knew who the culprit was. What about now? Does the Black Hand have any clue as to whom the traitor might be?"
Both men stopped their pacing only to stare at each other for a long moment of silence. Finally Lucien shook his head with a sigh.
"No. Not the slightest. I just had the suspicion that it might be a member, but with what you've witnessed the Black Hand should be informed."
The vampire only nodded, not breaking his silence, while Lucien turned towards to door. Before he unlocked it how ever he turned back to his old friend.
"No word to anyone about finding the body. The Black Hand might come to a wrong conclusion."
He unlocked the door, yet hesitated to open it.
"You survived the one Purification, Vicente, only because you've been the newest addition to the family, right?"
"Yes. I was beyond all doubt."
Lucien nodded, his gaze fixed to the vampire's red eyes.
"I want you to lay low for a while. If our new member should receive a letter from me, wait until he left the sanctuary. Then flee. And take our family with you."
Vicente's eyes widened for a moment.
"Do you know what you are saying?"
He received no answer.
"Lucien, what you are implying is treachery. You could have yourself killed if they found out that you gave these orders..."
"I know Vicente. I know. Yet I vouch for everyone here. This is my family. The only one I have. I will see to it, that the traitor is stopped!"
Again their gazes met, a deep understanding between them, that didn't need any words. Taking a deep breath, the Speaker of the Dark Brotherhood pulled his hood up again, and left the Sanctuary as silently as he had come in. Leaving behind a deeply troubled Vicente.
Ten minutes later he still stood frozen to the spot, as a soft knock came from his door. Seconds later it opened to reveal Ocheeva, worry clearly written all over her face.
"Vicente? Is everything all right?"
The old Breton forced himself to smile as he turned towards the Argonian.
"Yes. Yes, everything is fine."
His fellow assassin cocked her head to the side.
"And why do I not believe you?"
Vicente Valtieri averted his gaze to the floor. This was a matter, he was not willing to speak about, besides, he knew that Lucien came to him for personal advise. Ocheeva sighed.
"Come on, Vicente. I saw Lachance leave. I haven't seen such a grim face in a long time. And then you didn't join us for dinner, I figured he gave you a good mouth full. What have you done to anger him?"
Vicente gave Ocheeva a truly relieved smile. Unbeknownest to her, she had given him a way out of his dilemma.
"I did not have much to anger him, he was in a bad mood already. He is not happy about the way Boudicca behaves and I think I made a little too much fun about it."
"Aw now Vicente. Not the brightest idea of yours. At your age, you really should know better."
The Argonian grinned, closing their distance and putting on arm around the slender man's shoulder and gently leading him out of his room. Vicente chuckled lightly.
"Can you believe, he had no idea what Boudicca's problem was."
They shared and amused look, before both laughing heartily.
"Though one of us should really talk to her. It will not end well otherwise."
Beside him Ocheeva nodded.
"I'll talk to her as soon as she returns. I do not wish for her to be send away."
They joined the evening with the others in idle chat and though Vicente found comfort in the company of his fellow Brothers and Sisters, he could not stop thinking about the impending doom the Sanctuary might in.