The Dark Brotherhood

3: Vengeance

This is foolish.
The words flickered softly in Daniah's mind, forcing her to her feet. She shook her head, wiping her streaming eyes with a firm hand. She turned to Nazir, addressing him clearly.
"Alright, Nazir, let's finish that contract." Nazir's eyes widened.
"The... contract to kill the emperor?"
"Of course," Daniah said, "Who else could I possibly mean?"
"So... we'll still finish it?" Daniah nodded.
"Yes, and the Night Mother told me where to find our informant."
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A shadow stepped into the warm atmosphere of the Bannered Mare inn behind the walls of Whiterun. It seemed like only yesterday the town was overrun by Imperials. But no longer.
The shadow glided through the main room, silently picking her way about in search of Amaund Motierre. At last, she spotted him, sitting alone in the bedroom at the back of the inn. She snaked her way inside, surprising the man as she closed the door and drew close to him.
"Who- who are you?" he questioned, a slight panic launching into his voice.
"It's only me, you imbecile!" Daniah hissed, throwing back her hood.
"The Dark Brotherhood assassin?" Motierre seemed relieved. "I heard about your sanctuary... I assumed the worst. So, what are you doing here?"
"I believe you have information concerning the current location of the emperor?"
"The emperor... so, it's still on?" he asked, as though inside leaping for joy, "This is- this is wonderful! Simply perfect! And, in fact, I know just where he is. A ship on the waters in Solitude, the Katariah, is set to deliver the emperor to some undisclosed location. If you hurry, you can kill him on his own ship!" Daniah needed no more. She turned, without a word, and left, exiting the inn and disappearing into the night.
She rode immediately for Solitude. She would catch the emperor in his tracks, like a lion pouncing for its prey- or, she amended, perhaps a snake.
When she finally reached the city on the cliff, she spotted the enormous vessel, flags flying, already on the water. A dark smirk crossed the assassin's features. Not only would the emperor be there, but perhaps the one she longed most to kill. The man she had vowed to take revenge on- Maro. He would die by her blade, and hers alone.
Daniah pulled Shadowmere to a halt and let him roam about while she went on with her work. She knew he'd be right where she left him, waiting for her, when she returned.
She snuck into the docks below the city, carefully avoiding the swarm of Pennitus Occulatus there. Well, most of them. She could just make out her first target. He stood at the edge of a pier, ordering his soldiers this way and that. The assassin grinned. There he was.
She snaked past the guards, taking satisfaction in her work as none of them noticed her. Then, as she was right behind Maro, she plunged forward, taking him off the pier and into the chilly waters. He struggled under the waves as she pushed him downward into the depths, but he was wearing heavy armor and in that the girl had the advantage. She wrapped a thick piece of cloth around his neck (an Imperial flag she'd ripped off of a flag post), and wrapped the other end around a heavy stone. When she was done, she floated upwards to survey her handywork. Maro was staring at her in terror, not even possessing the strength to struggle any longer. And at last, he stopped moving altogether.
Daniah floated above the water, resurfacing on the opposite side of the bank. Across from her, on the docks, a group of people had amassed and were looking into the murky depths. No one would go after him, though. And so, the body of Maro was left to the slaughterfish.
No one had noticed the dark shape climbing out of the water on the opposite bank. No one- that is- but a single soldier. A lieutenant. The young man stared at the form across the river, which had regained its footing, and was sprinting off toward the emperor's ship. He realized all to late where she was headed.
Daniah dove back into the cold waters of Solitude's river. She swam, carefully avoiding the reeds where the slaughterfish dwelled, and finally reached the ship. She grabbed onto one of the anchor ropes, hoisting herself up into the lower deck through one of the side cargo doors. She crouched once inside, drawing a dagger with each hand and creeping forward through the storage rooms.
It wasn't long before she encountered some of the crew members in the decks below. A small group of three men sat around a blacksmithing fire, talking and joking, all the while their flagons becoming lighter, and their tongues looser.
Daniah stood from her crouching position, giving her a haunting effect that looked rather like she was rising out of the floorboards. She sunk her dagger into the first man's back, throwing the other dagger into another man's chest. The other two she fired arrows toward, and they hit the ground with two ominous thuds.
The assassin continued up the stairs, silently disposing of any men in her way. She reached the deck, only to be caught in the midst of several sailors who recognized her as a threat. She dodged most of their sword strokes, flicking her daggers in and out in smooth motions, and looking rather like a flame.
When the sailors on the deck were disposed of, the shadow snaked her way into the door to the emperor's quarters. She avoided most of the men, in hopes that the body would be found quicker when the deed was done.
At last, she came upon a tall, thick door of the finest wood, with a silver latch and locks. She pushed gently on the smooth, glossy surface of the expensive wood, and stalked inside the room.
It was a warm, sweet-smelling place with high ceilings and book shelves everywhere. Several volumes of books about history and mystery lay strewn about across a vast desk of dark cherry wood. Several sets of wall sconces and candelabras were lit, giving the room a cheerful appearance in the midst of the darkness outside the windows. Behind the desk stood a man, facing away from the assassin. He was tall, but not as tall as a nord. He was bald, but she could just make out the outlines of a long, thick beard of the purest white. He was dressed in a flowing robe of red, gold and black, which had a thick fur collar at the base of his neck to keep warmth in. His hands, which were behind his back, were encrusted in rings of all shapes, sizes and colors.
"I was wondering when you'd come for me," he said. His voice was wise, and sort of grandfather-like. His tone indicated no anger, no sarcasm. He was simply stating a fact. "I told Maro the Dark Brotherhood wouldn't just die."
Daniah remained silent. She stood, drawing herself to her full height. The emperor turned to look at her, and she saw now that he had eyes of a green-gray, and that his face was lined with age.
"So, you've come to kill me," he said, addressing the young woman before him directly, "Don't worry, I won't contradict you. And yes, I know you must kill me. It's for a good that neither of us can yet see. But, before you do kill me, allow me to ask something of you. Surely you won't deny a new contract, eh?" Daniah stiffened a bit. He wanted to give her a contract?
"When you return to whoever sent you, I ask that you slay him after you receive your prize. In return, I'll show you where the hidden key to my safe is. Fair enough?"
The assassin hesitated. Kill Motierre? After all he'd done? She creased her brows in thought. What had he done for her? Nothing. What had he given her? Nothing. She had no reason to refuse this contract. So she nodded slightly, accepting what the old man asked of her. He smiled gently, indicating an old box to the side.
"The key's in there. Thank you, assassin. Now," he said, holding out his arms, "Get on with it."
Almost guiltily, Daniah plunged her dagger into his heart. He was a kind old man, and he hadn't called for help or tried to hurt her. In fact, he'd only offered her something.
But it was done now, and there was no going back. Daniah took the key, emptying the safe of its various gold, jewels and potions, and opened a side door, jumping off the ship once more in escape.
No one had seen her...
Or so she thought.