bosmersurprise's Birthday Fic
Happy birthday to Casey (even tho her birthday was in May, whoops sry for being so slack)!
I hope you like it, I tried to make it flow well but I'm not too happy with it. I did say I'd post it now tho, so this will have to do and maybe when I'm feeling creative I'll revisit it and fix it up for you. :D
“The Dark Brotherhood?” the look on Casieny’s face made Delvin chuckled.
“Yes, the Dark Brotherhood. They aren’t as sinister as you may think.” He assured, handing over a sealed envelope.
“Are you sure?” Casieny took the envelope but remained cautious.
“The Guild has had many dealings with the Brotherhood, they need us as much as we need them.” Delvin clasped his hands on the young breton’s shoulders. “Don’t worry.”
“If you say so, Mallory…” Casieny felt uneasy about the situation, but dared not disobey an order.
She arrived in Falkreath in the early hours of the morning, long before the sun had a chance to rise. Casieny had barely entered the city gates when she was greeted by an elderly man and whom she assumed was his granddaughter. The pair were shrouded in black robes and spoke with a strange familiarity, as if they were old friends.
“A lovely city, is it not?” the child chimed, sounding well beyond her years.
“Uh, quite…” Casieny responded, wary of the strangers, “Are you-“
“Follow us” the hooded figures lead her through the city. The streets were desolate and dark, without so much as a guard in sight. Although the sun had yet to rise, the torches which would usually illuminate the roads had been extinguished. All that could be heard was the ambience of nature and the padding of her boots against the cobble path. It was then she noticed the footsteps of the old man and child were unnaturally silent. This was not the thief’s first visit to Falkreath, but the peace she usually found within the hold had been replaced with a growing sense of unease deep in the pit of her stomach. Usually quite loud and jovial, Casieny felt these people were not the kind who took pleasure in silly jokes and witty sarcasm.
As the group continued through the city, Casieny could do nothing to ease her mind but take in the cool, crisp early morning air and follow closely behind her escorts. As they headed toward the western gate, Casieny grew even more anxious. They’re taking me to their lair. Surely an inn would suffice as a meeting place. She didn’t even want to think about what kind of dark, dingy hide out a group of murderers would inhabit, if the Ratway was home to thieves. Once beyond the city gates, the assassins led her along the main road for a while longer before venturing off into light forest. There were no paths to guide them, but the child and the old man seemed to know where they were heading, even in the darkness. They arrived at a small clearing. At first glance nothing seemed particularly out of place until the hooded pair showed Casieny to a hidden door built into the side of a rock formation. A large skull decorated the door and it seemed to be emitting a deep crimson glow. The child whispered something to the door and it swung open in an instant.
The breton’s nerves worsened as she entered the dank sanctuary. It was uncomfortably cold and reeked of decay. The Ragged Flagon seemed a palace in comparison. She was taken down a set of stairs and into a well lit room. At a large, stone table sat a slender nord woman, dressed in tight armour which appeared to be made from leather.
“Welcome to our cosy, little sanctuary” her smile was inviting but her voice cold and empty. “I’m Astrid, the mother of this Dark family.”
“I’m Casieny” she extended an anxious hand.
“Oh, I know who you are” the nord smirked, cooly shaking Casieny’s hand. “Delvin has told me much about you. Maven too.”
“All good, I hope” the thief chuckled nervously.
“Mostly.” Astrid responded before nodding to the young girl, who had been standing so silently Casieny had forgotten she was there. Astrid left the room while Casieny was ushered through a different door and down yet another set of stairs. She found herself in a large opening with dirt flooring and a small waterfall in the corner. They live in a cave?
“Astrid will get back to you shortly. Perhaps you should get to know your new associates while you wait. My name is Babette, and in case you’re wondering, yes I am a vampire” the child smiled, baring two pearly fangs. “Feel free to explore the sanctuary” she added before leaving the breton alone.
Casieny wandered around the large opening for a few minutes before another member of the Dark family presented themself. A fellow breton approached her, hair jet black and skin quite dark. She was missing an eye and her face was scarred, yet she couldn’t be older than Casieny herself.
“You must be Casieny. My name is Almyra Mon” she smiled sweetly. Casieny was surprised by her accent, it was not that of a High Rock inhabitant, instead it sounded Hammerfellian.
“Why is it everyone in the Dark Brotherhood knows me, yet I haven’t even got a clue what I’m doing here” she queried with a chuckle. The other smiled at her laugh before responding.
“Oh no, Astrid keeps most of us in the dark, but Nazir keeps me informed.”
“Am I meant to know that name?” Casieny joked.
“He is, I suppose, second in charge…” the assassin frowned.
“That doesn’t seem very organised. I thought the Dark Brotherhood were meant to be on top of things.”
“Casieny” a deep voice caused the breton to jump from her skin. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but Astrid is ready for you” the redguard who stood behind her seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.
“By the Eight! Are you all so quiet?”
“Well, we are assassins…” the other breton smiled. Casieny laughed before following whom she assumed was Nazir back into the initial room.
Astrid was seated in the same place as before when Casieny entered.
“Give this straight to Delvin” the nord ordered, handing over a sealed scroll and a heavy coin pouch.
“Yes, yes. I know.” Casieny scoffed.
“Nazir. Fetch Babette and Festus to see our friend out…” Astrid demanded, keeping her stare fixated on the young thief.
“Yes, my mistress” the redguard obliged, heading back down the stairs.
Casieny was led the through light forest until they reached the main road. The child and the old man nodded farewell from beneath their hoods and Casieny nodded back, heading towards the city of Falkreath. All the way trying to comprehend exactly what she had just experienced. Delvin was not paying her enough for this.
