Chapter 9 – Aventus
The sky over Windhelm was a dreary canvas of dark, threatening clouds; a perfect reflection of Hunfen's current mood. The morning air, even colder than when he had arrived, made him bitterly regret the warm bed he had left behind at Candlehearth Hall. Ralof had made an early appearance, offering a solemn farewell before leaving the city once more to rejoin a Stormcloak camp. The necessities of war prevented him from revealing its location, leaving Hunfen with a bitter mix of worry and abandonment. The young Nord couldn't help but wonder where Hadvar might be at this very moment. Was he also in an Imperial camp, hidden somewhere, preparing for a battle?
After Ralof's departure, Lydia resumed her role as a bodyguard, staying close to Hunfen and guiding him towards the upscale part of the city, in search of the Aretino residence. The boy didn't know why, but his guardian—could he call her that now?—had ruled out any idea of going and see Jarl Ulfric, and was determined to leave Windhelm as soon as they found Aventus. Moreover, she had admonished him to apologize humbly to Constance Michel the next time he would see her for all the trouble he had caused. According to Lydia, the kind Constance, now in charge of running Honorhall Orphanage, had been devastated by Hunfen's escape and was extremely worried about him. The young Nord found Lydia's reproaches a bit exaggerated, convinced he had no other choice but to flee. However, a tinge of guilt emerged within him, recognizing Constance's kindness and sincerely regretting the worries he had caused her.
Guided by Lydia, Hunfen headed towards the affluent quarters of Windhelm. He looked in awe at the sumptuous houses standing around him, each detail imprinted in his memory. His young adventurer's eyes roamed from one building to another, observing the sturdy façades, the pointed roofs covered with snow, and the chimneys emitting smoke gently rising into the air. The houses were entirely built of stone, ensuring remarkable solidity and resistance to the harsh local climate. The massive dark wooden doors were often adorned with detailed carvings, each seeming to tell a different story. The windows, although small to conserve heat, were often decorated with colorful stained glass, adding a touch of cheerfulness to the stone and ice landscape.
As they advanced, Hunfen also noticed that the streets here were wider and better maintained, neatly paved and lined with hanging lanterns. Their soft lights cast dancing shadows on the house walls, bringing life to the stone architecture. Everything here exuded prosperity and tranquility, a striking contrast to the other parts of the city he had visited. The opulence of the district was both intimidating and enchanting, leaving the boy both amazed and slightly uneasy. But the reassuring presence of Lydia by his side, with her calm and determined demeanor, gave him the courage to move forward. Thus, they continued their way through the cobblestone streets, searching for young Aventus Aretino.
Lydia and Hunfen had barely turned into a new cobblestone street when they heard the commotion of a conversation nearby. Ahead of them, a brown-haired boy was talking with a stern-looking Dunmer woman. The boy, who was no older than Hunfen, was dressed neatly, highlighting his family's wealth and contrasting with the simplicity of the dark elf's attire: her dress was made of plain, functional dark fabric, probably his governess.
"So, it's true, what everyone is saying?" asked the boy with boundless curiosity. "Aventus Aretino is performing the Black Sacrament? He's trying to summon the Dark Brotherhood?"
Hunfen pricked up his ears at the mention of Aventus's name. Could these two know where to find him?
"Oh, Grimvar... always with these silly stories!" replied the woman with a firmness belied by the uncertainty in her eyes. "No, no, of course not! Those are just tales..."
"Good!" retorted Grimvar with childlike bravado. "Then I'll invite him to play; he lives right there! I'll knock on his door..."
The governess interrupted the boy by grabbing his arm and exclaimed, her voice tinged with fear, "No, child! Wait! That boy, that house—they're cursed!"
"Ha! So, I was right!" the boy triumphed. "I knew it! He's trying to get someone killed!"
The Dunmer looked defeated, her stern façade slightly crumbling. "Fine. I can't deny it, child. What you've heard is true. But Aventus Aretino is following a dark path. His actions can only lead to his ruin. Now, enough! We'll speak no more of this. I am the only friend you need."
The governess's tone brooked no argument, and they quickly moved away, Grimvar still wearing a smile, savoring his success. Hunfen turned to Lydia, his stomach knotted. Their search was finally over, but what Runa had said at the orphanage was confirmed. The Dark Brotherhood, the very idea that Aventus was trying to have someone assassinated, all of it was terrifying. He felt Lydia's reassuring hand on his shoulder, grounding him in reality. Hunfen glanced at the huscarl and walked silently towards the door Grimvar had pointed out.
oOo
As he crossed the threshold of Aventus's house, a shiver ran down Hunfen's spine, more overwhelming than anything the cold Windhelm weather could cause. He took a few steps inside, leaving the door open behind him, inviting some daylight to penetrate the oppressive darkness of the house. A voice echoed through the walls, reciting a litany, each word seeming to seep into the air like a curse. Slowly, he moved towards the source of the voice, his feet seeming to sink into the wooden floor with each step. The candlelight danced on the walls, casting monstrous shadows that seemed to come to life with each heartbeat.
When he finally reached the room where the voice originated, he stopped short. In the center of the room stood a grotesque effigy, made of bones and flesh. Candles burned all around, casting flickering light on the macabre scene. The skull and heart at the center of the effigy appeared to be from a real human being. Kneeling before it was a boy only slightly older than Hunfen, his back hunched, his thin body trembling with each syllable he uttered: "Sweet mother, sweet mother, send your child unto me, for the sins of the unworthy must be baptized in blood and fear." His voice was torn with exhaustion and despair, each word seeming to strip away a part of his innocence.
Breathless, Hunfen watched the boy repeatedly strike the effigy with a dagger, timing his blows with his litany. The blade, coated in a purple substance, made a dull thud with each impact. The shifting candlelight occasionally made it seem as though it were drenched in blood. Hunfen felt his legs waver, his stomach knot up, and his hands start to shake. A terror unlike any he had ever known seeped into every corner of his mind, turning what could have been a simple room into a living nightmare. And at the heart of this terror was a child, like him.
With monumental effort, Hunfen managed to collect himself. "A-Aventus?" he called out. His voice trembled, barely audible over the litany. The other boy looked up at him, his eyes void of any joy or innocence. He said nothing, just stared at him with a vacant expression.
Hunfen took a step back, his back hitting the door behind him. He opened his mouth to call for help, but no sound came out. He forced himself to catch his breath, then screamed as loud as he could: "Lydia!"
oOo
Lydia jumped at Hunfen's cry. Abandoning her lookout position outside, she rushed into the house, sword in hand. Her training had perfectly prepared her to deal with any enemy, but not for the situation she discovered upon crossing the threshold. A child with a waxen complexion and emaciated body was there, holding a dagger coated in a suspicious substance. He was kneeling before an effigy made of human bones, surrounded by candles that cast a sinister glow. The Black Sacrament, whose description was Tamriel's worst-kept secret, was laid out in the room, executed meticulously.
"Hunfen!" she called, heading towards her charge who was backed against the wall, eyes wide with terror. The young Nord turned to her, but before he could say anything, the other boy spoke, a strange mix of fear and relief in his eyes.
"It's you!" he cried. "I knew you would come! I performed the Black Sacrament, over and over. With the body and... all those things. And now you're here! An assassin from the Dark Brotherhood!"
Lydia frowned, completely bewildered. What was this boy talking about?
"I'm sorry, child," she said after a moment. "I'm not who you think I am."
"Of course, you are!" the boy replied joyfully, standing up and abandoning his dagger. "I prayed, and you came! And now you can accept my contract!"
Lydia glanced at Hunfen, who watched the scene open-mouthed. All the terror seemed to have left him since the other boy had abandoned the ritual. She then turned back to who was almost certainly young Aventus. "Listen, whatever, we'll talk about this later," she said calmly, kneeling to his level. Clearly, the child needed food and sleep. "Are you hungry? You should eat something."
Aventus said nothing, but his stomach answered for him with a loud growl. Lydia smiled slightly, trying to ignore the persistent chill after witnessing the strange ritual. "I'll make you something. Come, sit down," she said, rising and heading to the small kitchen area of the house. She found some slightly wilted vegetables, which would still make a decent soup. The child had clearly managed to procure food, but the ritual had likely consumed his mind so much that he had forgotten to eat. She pulled out a pot and began chopping the vegetables, glancing occasionally towards Aventus and Hunfen, who had seated themselves at the table in the main room.
The sound of their voices reached her ears as she placed the pot over the fire. She heard Hunfen recount the story of his arrival at Honorhall Orphanage, his meeting with the other orphans. He continued with the episode of Grelod's death, describing his strange shout, a word he had dreamt of some time ago, and now dared not utter again. Thus, Balgruuf had been right: the young Nord was indeed Dragonborn, and she would need to take him to the Greybeards soon. Nevertheless, they now also had to escort young Aventus back to Honorhall. The latter had fallen silent upon hearing the story.
Suddenly, an unusual sound broke out. Lydia turned to see Aventus, shoulders trembling, eyes brimming with unrestrained tears. He reached out and grabbed Hunfen in a tight embrace. The other boy, surprised by the gesture, didn't resist and awkwardly hugged him back, trying to comfort him. Aventus was now crying uncontrollably. It was over. Grelod was dead. He was free.
After a moment, he came to his senses and broke the hug, a sheepish expression on his face. Hunfen, for his part, tried to suppress an amused smile. Aventus wiped his tears and turned to Lydia, his expression unreadable.
"So, you're really not from the Dark Brotherhood," he stated coldly. "I...I did all this for days, and it was for nothing. Grelod... she could still be hurting us at the orphanage, and they didn't even come. Maybe they don't even exist!"
He seemed lost, distraught, but also angry. Lydia approached the table and placed the soup pot on it. Then, she stopped in front of him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Aventus," she said gently, "you need to rest. And eat. We'll leave tomorrow morning. You'll come back with us to Honorhall; there's nothing to fear there anymore, I promise."
Aventus looked back and forth between Lydia and Hunfen. He seemed exhausted, but he finally nodded, accepting Lydia's proposal. They were staying. They wouldn't leave without him. Hunfen gave him a shy smile, and for the first time since his escape, Aventus felt like he had found friends again.
Night fell over Windhelm, but in Aventus Aretino's house, there was warmth again, food, and a promise of a better future. Tomorrow, they would leave. But for now, they were here, together, under the same roof. And that was enough.
oOo
Lydia woke at dawn, the first light of day beginning to pierce through the shutters. She had had a restless night, haunted by the images of the Black Sacrament ritual. Hunfen was still asleep in the makeshift bedding she had prepared the night before. Taking care not to wake him, she got up silently and went to check if the other boy was still sleeping well. She found the bed empty.
"Aventus?" she called, looking around. She searched the house, but the boy was nowhere to be found. Returning to the bed, she noticed a scroll that hadn't been there the previous night. A chill of horror ran through her when she saw the black handprint on it—the symbol of the Dark Brotherhood. She grabbed the scroll and clutched it in her hand, her thoughts swirling. Was the assassin still here? She had to protect Hunfen. Where was Aventus and in what state? Probably kidnapped. If they had killed him, his body would have been left as a signature. No matter. They had to leave, quickly.
Hunfen, drawn by the noise, emerged from the adjacent room. Seeing her, he took on a worried expression. "Lydia, what's going on? Where's Aventus?"
Lydia pulled herself together; there wasn't a second to lose. Turning to him, she spoke in a harsh voice: "He's been taken by the Dark Brotherhood. We have to leave, now."
"What?" the boy cried. "But we can't leave him in their hands! We have to find him!"
"No, Hunfen," Lydia interrupted. "Our priority is to get you to safety. We must leave here. Immediately!"
"I won't leave without Aventus!" declared the young Nord sharply. "He needs us!"
"And you need to stay alive!" Lydia snapped back, taking a step towards him. "You are more important than Aventus, do you understand?"
The statement took Hunfen aback, but Lydia didn't give him time to think. She quickly gathered their belongings, then grabbed him by the arm and led him to the exit. They traversed Windhelm at a brisk pace, avoiding as many early morning passersby as possible. Lydia's determined expression contrasted with Hunfen's defiant look as he kept glancing back towards Aventus's house. Reaching the city gate, Lydia paused their frantic pace and turned to the boy.
"Hunfen, listen to me," she said in a tone that brooked no argument. "We can't save Aventus, not now. But I can get you to safety. We're going to the Greybeards at High Hrothgar."
Hunfen's gaze hardened further, and his jaw clenched. "And you're going to abandon me there, just like you're abandoning Aventus?"
The question hit her as hard as a dagger. Her jaw tightened, and she felt her hands tremble with anger. The slap came before she even realized what she was doing. The sound echoed in the morning air, and the ensuing silence seemed to last an eternity.
"I haven't abandoned him, nor you!" she said in a rough voice, her face hard as stone. "I swore to protect you, Hunfen. It's my duty as your huscarl. It's my oath, and I will uphold it to my last breath."
Hunfen looked at her, eyes wide with surprise, his hand on his stinging cheek. He opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. His face was a canvas of confusion and disbelief.
Lydia shook her head to clear the emotions assaulting her, then turned and marched towards the carts departing the city. "Come, Hunfen. We have no time to waste. I'll explain everything on the way."
Hunfen followed her, still silent, his gaze lost in the void. As they boarded the cart and Windhelm began to disappear behind them, Lydia couldn't help but look back towards the house where she had left Aventus Aretino, silently promising to find a way to save the boy. But for now, she had to focus on Hunfen. She had made a promise, and she intended to keep it, no matter the cost.