Shadow's Rose [Slow updates]

Chapter 6

Lucien's POV

The letter from a contact of mine in Skyrim's Thieves Guild sat open before me as I mulled the possibilities over. He'd gotten side information about a shipment from the Imperial City into Skyrim that could make for a rather momentous heist and he'd rather share it with me than the backstabbers in his faction. It was amusing and very tempting. An undiscovered adventure but I'd need help in pulling it off. My thoughts turned to the Sanctuary I was overseeing. 'Who would be useful in a heist of this size?' I ran a gloved hand over the slight stubble forming on my chin, mentally flicking through the list of recruits. Antoinetta, although young in experience, could sneak passed a guard looking for trouble in broad daylight. She would definitely be an asset on a mission like this but who else? Telaendril's skill in archery would give us an advantage with ranged attacks... yes, the Bosmer and Breton would be the best choices. They were also my most faithful recruits.

"Now," I uttered aloud, rolling the parchment up and shoving it into my robes, "to inform my recruits of their mission." Participating in side activities and joining other guilds wasn't strictly forbidden but it was advised against for the risk of having to assassinate a guild mate or associate. Not that that had ever bothered me. I didn't make friends in my chosen careers with the exception of this contact of mine. Admirers, well, those were a bonus I didn't want to give up but they too were expendable if necessary. "I really am cruel," I commented to Shadow as I mounted, "it's no wonder I excel at my job." Of course the horse couldn't really answer me but I knew she understood. One of the joys of having an immortal horse. As I approached Cheydinhal I found myself hoping Caia would be out on a contract. Where it had been true that I'd half gotten over my frustration with her upon figuring out her lack of participation, I'd still found her dislike of me utterly amusing. And that cruel part of me enjoyed irritating her just because I could. Yes, it was childish on my part but I did everything in my power to prove her awful accusations of me true. At least, around her I did. Eventually, as time had drawn to a year, I'd also gotten over that.

'More like learnt to control the urge,' I allowed, knowing full well no one would hear the confession. My need to annoy her was embarrassing and I'd never let anyone know I'd picked fights with her for no reason but that. In due time I let her have peace and ignored her presence as easily as she ignored mine, or at least I tried to. It was made easier because most times when I visited the Sanctuary, she was conveniently absent. So convenient that it sometimes seemed planned. Like she could sense me coming. Not many things managed to unnerve me but the idea that she could sense me coming made me uncomfortable. Enough so that I squirmed in my saddle. Suddenly I wanted to get to the Sanctuary and prove myself wrong. That she could, in fact, not tell when I was coming. 'Could she really dislike me that much?' I considered when I dismounted, leaving Shadow to graze at the back entrance to the city, 'Nah.' The thought alone was preposterous. It was coincidence and nothing more. The abandoned house loomed before me and as I approached the well I momentarily hesitated. "Stop being absurd," I chastised myself and climbed down quicker than normal. Sithis, I was becoming paranoid now and that was never a good thing. For a moment I was reminded of when I'd first met Caia and how she'd taken over my thoughts. I didn't want to go back there. Luckily I didn't have to because the second I turned, Antoinetta materialized in front of me looking as bubbly as usual.

"Lucien!" her sky blue eyes were twinkling with adoration that, like in Telaendril, had been welcome but was now just irritating. Before I could back out I offered her a small smile and presented her with the opportunity. Her face broke into a grin before I was done giving her the bare bones, reserving the details for when we finally left. "Oh goodness, yes, I'd love to come!" Antoinetta burst, her excitement almost tangible. It made even me giddy but when she uttered the next words, the feeling died instantaneously. "We have to take Caia with us!"