The Dark Brotherhood [ON HOLD]

The Return

When Rhila came through the entrance to the Penitus Halls that evening she was exhausted, hungry and her clothes dirty. When Commander Maro caught sight of her he exclaimed "Where have you been? And what happened to you?" She watched him with tired eyes and said "There was some complications. I'll go have a meal and get some sleep then I'll see you in the morning." He didn't answer, he just watched her as she walked slowly down the hall to her bedroom.

Her always-so-enthusiastic roommate Sam was in an excellent mood. He asked question after question. She was too tired to answer she just said "I'll explain tomorrow."

The next morning Sam woke her up. "Isn't it funny? We were the same all along and we didn't know about it." She sat up and asked "What do you mean?" Sam smiled and said "Hmm, I'll need to see if you are who I think you are... Sister, what is the music of life?" Rhila realized she wasn't the only Brotherhood member in the Penitus, but how did he know? She answered "Silence, my brother" he almost jumped with joy. "How long have you been a Dark Sister?" he asked. She explained what had happened and he nodded and told her that is the way the Brotherhood recruits people.

They had talked for a long time when she remembered that she had to work.

Commander Maro was already in his office when she came. "Sit down and explain what happened in Whiterun and why you're late." He didn't look away from the message in front of him. She sat down in the chair in front of the desk.

"General Tullius complained about our effectivity again. I was on the way back when some bandits attacked me. I fought them off but afterwards I couldn't continue traveling so I had to camp. I later lost my way and some hours later I finally found the way." She lied. Maro looked up from his papers to look her in the eyes, it was like he was trying to decide whether to believe the story or not. Her gaze was steady and calm, why hadn't she discovered this talent of lying earlier?

Maro sighed and gave her a pile of papers. Contracts and messages. Her favourite. She felt so different but Maro didn't seem to notice.

Assignment after assignment was handed to her.
She got annoyed at the constant increase in tasks and assignments she was supposed to do.
Her new membership in the Brotherhood had put an invisible spell on her, making her thirsty for blood and full of temper.

She was no longer as effective as she'd been and when Maro had made a tower of paper on her desk he stopped to ask "You're slow today. Is there a problem?" She was annoyed by the question but answered with a neutral voice "No, I'm just having a hard time focusing."

She worked all day but did never reach her former speed. A few days later Maro started to notice the big difference.

He eyed the large pile of tasks on her desk. "I'll take a few of those files but we need to be more effective." Rhila looked him in the eyes and said "Yes, but we are doing our best. We need help if we're going to keep up this speed. "

Commander Maro looked tired but didn't reject the suggestion. "Give Sam a few files to begin with. When he's done, send him to my office." Rhila was happy with his decision and immediately went to fetch Sam.

"Hey Brother! I've got some work for you." She said walking into the bedroom. Sam was gone, but there was a note on Rhila's bed. It said 'Once you have read this, burn it. The Brotherhood will meet outside Solitude tonight, at Katla's farm. See you then, sister. ' She was surprised, but had suspected that he was somewhere else. The note was burned the minute she'd read it.

Hmm.. She would need an alibi. What was Sam's?

She turned back to Maro's office with a fast pace. Maro sat in his chair and rolled his thumbs. Something was wrong. She stood at the doorframe and leaned against the wall. Slowly she observed Maro's concerned expression and then said "Sam wasn't in his room, he's probably out on a mission. You look concerned, what is it?"

Maro startled a little, he had been abruptly woken from his thoughts. He sighed and answered "There has been reports on unpleasant activity outside the city." He turned to look at the Brotherhood uniform, proudly hanging on the wall.

The office was rather small. A desk, a drawer and three chairs was the only furniture in the room. Trophies and paintings covered the walls. The messages was majorly made of paper but a few scrolls and linen messages was piled on the desk.

Rhila frowned "The Dark Brotherhood is back?" Maro nodded and said "They were never gone, only careful not to get caught"

"What are we going to do?" Rhila asked. Maro sighed and said "That's the problem, I don't know." Rhila thought Maro will have no chance against them with me on their side, or wait, our side. "I will have my eyes and ears open for anything suspicious. And about the paperwork, should I ask another agent?" Rhila said. Maro frowned and answered "Why wouldn't Sam do it?" Rhila stated Sam's absence once again. "Yeah, sure. Ask any agent available."

With no more questions she went back into the Penitus Halls, smiling at Maro's confusion. She didn't know why she found his confusion amusing or why she was so different, but it felt good. She hadn't felt this alive in a long time.

An agent off duty volunteered to help her with the paperwork. She handed him most of her assignments and quickly finished the tasks she had left.

When she was done she quickly went into her room and packed her uniform and – just in case – some weapons. While doing so, she made up an excuse why she would leave the office.

Commander Maro had expected that Rhila would be leaving the office early. "The other agent insisted on taking the assignments. I thought that I would go to the inn outside Solitude and listen to their complaints. Meanwhile I could search for anything suspicious." Maro's eyes were soft and tired. "Good. Could you take this letter to the courier's office on the way?" he said, thinking he understood her reasons. "Sure, to whom are you sending the letter?" she asked. He frowned and shook his head "To General Tullius, we need his help to defeat the Brotherhood."

Rhila took the letter and nodded then said "Should we consider sending an agent undercover, to the Brotherhood?" Maro raised his bushy brows and looked at her with wide eyes. "We could try but what agent would possibly want to go on such a dangerous mission?" Rhila shook her head "Well, we could at least ask around. I know Sam is always looking for an adventure. However, I should get going. Bye"

Maro answered "Good bye" but Rhila was already long gone.