A Kiss Before Dying - Alternate Ending to Oblivion Dark Brotherhood

2: Deathwish

(banner art: Oblivion Panorama 4, Bruma by dennilfloss on deviantart)

He was glad to get some sleep, but holy shit was he tired. At least he was comfortable. Matuul tries to open his eyes but it's too difficult right now. He feels a soft fur blanket underneath him. All sides of his hurt so he lets himself fall back asleep.

Wait wait, is there someone watching me?

He opens his eyes, but they don't adjust. Where was he? What was he last doing?

I left Bravil and then... I slept in an inn... but I'm not in that inn now??!

Every muscle was sore. It took a while for him to come around. The past view hours were a haze and he felt panicked, unsure of what was happening. He realizes wherever he is its fairly noisy. He sits up a little and looks through a wooden doorway and sees a couple of tall silhouettes. He closes his eyes again in pain as one figure glances his way.

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Right-Wind crouches at the bed of the dunmer. He gets a closer look at his face. "I think I saw him waking up!" he says to his Orc companion.

Bumph pretends to be disinterested, standing in the corner with her arms crossed. But she was the one who recognized the boy and went out of her way to bring him here. She was tall, muscular, and decked in heavy armor. At first glance most people probably got the wrong impression. Of course, she tried to maintain a tough image, but Right-Wind figured she was quite scared when she found their young acquaintance seizing on the ground off the main road.

The dunmer's eyelids blink open. He squints his face quizzically and looks at the scaley red Argonian staring at him. "Hey there, uh..?" Right-Wind says and glances to the Orc.

"His name is Matuul" Bumph she informs him, slightly condescendingly.

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"Oh yeah, um, how are you feeling Matuul? What happened to you? Did you get poisoned??" Right-Wind asks with more energy than Matuul was ready for right now.

"Did... did I have another seizure?" Matuul says, not really processing their questions. There's a sense of urgency in the back of his mind. The two try to ask him more questions but he just wants to leave. "Wait.. where am I?" He inquires.

"Bruma, Fighters Guild!" Bumph answers.

Bruma... Applewatch... B'Vek! Matuul thinks. "How long was I out??" He asks frantically.

"Hmmm at least a few hours. It's just now getting dark out. It was mid afternoon when the healer was done checking you out and advised us to just let you rest." Right-Wind replies. "So what happened?" He adds.

Matuul is feeling a little frustrated but he answers "Well I wasn't poisoned or anything. I just have a medical thing. I have episodes where I lose consciousness and my muscles freak out. They happen whenever I take on too much physical stress, like overheating or something."

"So you weren't possessed?" Right-Wing asks.

"Of course not!" Bumph interjects. "Sorry about him he isn't always the brightest. When I found you on the side of the road, I thought you had been poisoned but then your breathing returned to normal and the healer said technically nothing was wrong with you."

"And then she tried to kiss you awake like you were sleeping beauty!" Right-Wind added.

"WHAT? NO. I mean I thought it was possible you were under a curse. But I did not do that. Anyways, you're lucky I found you and not an animal or bandit or who knows what. I came to your aid after recognizing your handsome face when you passed through here a few days ago looking for contracts." Her last sentence has an odd tone.

"Yeah I remember you I think... you decked the porter in the face when he made fun of me for being short" Matuul says through a weak smile. He really appreciated her act of "kindness," he'd always been the runt getting picked on.

B looks very proud of herself.

Well thank you for your help-" Matuul starts as he stands up.

"My name is Bumph but you can call me B!" Bumph interjects. "Oh and the scaley one is Right-Wind."

"Okay I thank you both but I have to be somewhere." Matuul says taking careful steps toward the doorway. B looks a little disappointed and worried. Matuul stops as he realizes he doesn't know where his shit is or his horse and walking down the stairs is about to be a real challenge.

"Um... if you want to help some more, I need help getting my things together. Did you see my horse?" The Dunmer asks awkwardly.

B eagerly answers "Yeah yeah sure! That horse was damn scary but he's at the stables. Your stuff is on the table but don't worry about it I'll carry it." She picks up his bags before he has the chance to object. Right-Wind hands him his shoes and armor, eyeing it suspiciously.

Matuul heads out the door with the Orc towards the east gate. She can't tell but he still feels weak, and he was increasingly anxious. So much time had passed! Was Lucien there yet, waiting on him like a sitting duck? Had he made it there?

"So you'll be headed straight home for some rest, yeah?" B asks looking at him.

"Uh, yeah" Matuul lies.

"And why are you so anxious to leave?" Matuul hadn't even noticed Right-Wind was with them. He's giving the elf an intense stare.

"You know, family is worried and all that." He replies doing his best to lie.

"So where do you live?" The lizard says raising an eyebrow.

"Applewatch, Its not that far so don't worry about me."

"Sure." Right-Wind replies, obviously not convinced.

They reach the stable and Matuul's muscles ache as he climbs on Shadowmere, but he doesn't let it show. With his things secured, he quickly says a final "goodbye" and "thank you" to the pair of guild members and starts down the path once again.

Right-Wind watched the dunmer speed off, arms crossed. He knew he'd probably never see that kid alive again unless someone- himself- did something about it. Bumph clearly hadn't picked up on the suspicious activity he did. The lizard let out a sigh and said "you know he's lying right? I don't think he's running from something but he's eager to get somewhere."

"Yes I guess he was awfully rushed." B replies.

"And he's obviously mixed up with the Brotherhood..." Right-Wind says as he turns to the stables instead of the city gate. "...And I have nothing better to do today, you?" he asks B.

"Oh I see... it looks like I'm free today too! You ready to dive back in?" She asks, trying to figure out what her friend was thinking.

"Not really" He replies honestly while walking two steeds by their reins. "I already knew they were active in Cyrodiil, but given what we went through and then being presented with a choice, I chose to ignore it all. Not that I put it all behind me. Just undecided." Right-Wind is up on his horse and B does the same, following his lead.

"After all this time, you still feel that bond too?" B asks.

Right-Wind smiles, white teeth flashing in the dark.

"Yeah."