#baenlin

[oblivion-confessions]

"When I first played Oblivion years ago, I thought that you could just kill any guy and claim his house. Funny enough, the guy I killed was Baenlin, who you already had to kill for the Dark Brotherhood If you joined."

Oblivion confessions

[getinmypantslachance]

Chapter Seven: Accidents Happen [Part 2]

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“Hey, you!” Baenlin greeted, throwing his arms around me in a friendly embrace.

“Hey,” I smiled weakly, returning the hug. We were heading out for dinner after school, Gromm was to accompany us, but Antoinette saw to it that he couldn’t make it. They were in the same art class and the teacher owed her a favour. “Where are we going?”

“Ah, there’s a lovely little restaurant at the Jerall View Inn. Gromm and I eat there all the time, I’d love to share it with you!” he took me by the arm with a grin. “Booking’s not til 7, so we can hang out at my place for a bit, if you like.”

“Yea... That’d be great...” We headed to his car, arm in arm. I felt sick to my stomach. He was such a nice person and I was playing him. For what? To please a bunch of manipulative psychopaths? I actually enjoyed Baenlin’s company when I momentarily forgot why I was in it.

Baenlin was not quite 20, yet he lived in his own house along with his cousin, Caenlin. I wasn’t sure what he did for a living, but by the state of his house, I assumed he was quite well off.

“Your house is lovely!” I remarked, taking in the sight.

“Oh, thanks,” he smiled, “my cousin and I live here, but our parents pay for it.”

“Is your cousin home?” I said through a dry mouth. He turned to me slowly, his expression one of confusion, or maybe it was intrigue.

“No, he’s working. Why do you ask?”

“N-No reason...” I blushed, avoiding his gaze.

“You’re cute, you know,” the smile he gave me was sweet and warm and made me blush even more.

“Baenlin...” I whispered, but before I could say another word his lips were upon mine. I was in shock, not just because he kissed me, but because I was kissing back! I had no idea what it meant. Was I doing this because I wanted to, or was it the influence of the Dark Brotherhood pushing me into it? Whatever the answer was, it made me feel sick but didn’t deter. The kiss grew passionate and Baenlin’s arms were all over me, groping and caressing, but all I could think of was Gromm as my nausea rose. I had to break the kiss.

“What’s wrong?” Baenlin breathed in a panic.

“I can’t... You’re with Gromm... It-it’s not right!” I pushed him away, fighting for the right words.

“He doesn’t have to know!” I wanted him bad, but I refused to give in, refused to let the Dark Brotherhood destroy this man’s life.

“I can’t do this, Baenlin... I-I have to go...” I stumbled back towards the front door and swung it open. “I’m sorry!” I felt like I was going to puke and I had no idea how I’d be getting home, but I run from his house as fast and as far as my legs would allow.

---

“The happy couple are no more. Well done! Gromm had no idea it was you. You have more than earned your reward and bonus,” Vicente greeted the following day during lunch.

“Wait, what?!” I spat, almost choking on my drink. “They broke up?”

“You didn’t hear?” Vicente cocked his head in confusion, whether he was mocking me or not I didn’t know.

“I didn’t...” I was lost for words, mouth open.

“Whatever happened between Baenlin and yourself lead to the end of his relationship, and without blame on your part!” Vicente smiled, sickeningly sweet.

“Excuse me...” I stepped away from the group and pulled out my phone, dialling Baenlin’s number with shaky fingers.

“Hello,” his voice echoed through the phone, calm and cheerful, not what you’d expect of someone whose relationship had recently ended.

“Baenlin,” I was trembling, “Wh-why did you...” a lump had formed in my throat, making it hard to speak. I tried swallowing it before continuing, “You and Gromm... What happened?”

He sighed as if the answer was obvious. “You said you couldn’t be with me while I was with him.” My jaw dropped and any words I might string together dried up in my mouth.

“I-I... I didn’t mean... By the Divines! What have I done?” Tears welled up in my eyes and I could hardly hold the phone still against my ear.

“This was my choice, I won’t let you blame yourself,” he almost ordered, but it didn’t do much to make me feel any better. “Look, we can talk about this later. I’ve gotta go.” He hung up before I could even stammer what sounds like a farewell. I stood there in shock, at least I wasn’t trembling anymore.

“What seems to be the matter?” Lucien’s voice sent shivers down my spine, I hadn’t even heard him approaching. But when I turned to greet him, I was surprised by the look on his face. He wasn’t smiling or smirking. His face held nothing but concern.

“Uh... Nothing...” I couldn’t bring myself to tell him what had happened, unsure if it was because I had screwed up another contract or because I didn’t want him to know Baenlin had feelings for me.

“Maybe I could help,” was he being genuine, or was this another game?

“If I tell you, you’d probably kick me out of the Dark Brotherhood,” I sighed, it wasn’t the worst thing that could happen.

“I doubt that, but do go on.”

“I... I couldn’t go through with the contract...”

“Oh? Vicente tells me otherwise,” Lucien folded his arms over his chest, stepping slightly closer. His eyes were cold, yet attentive. He kept them glaring at me as I struggled to find words.

“Baenlin kissed me...” this peaked his interest, the ice in his eyes melted away and his glare became bitter. “I stopped it before he could take it further... I just couldn’t get between him and Gromm. But now he's gone and broke off the relationship anyway...” by the time I finished he seemed to have calmed down.

“Then your contract has been fulfilled,” he uncrossed his arms and gave a smug grin. “What’s the problem?”

“You don’t get it! I didn’t want to break them up!” his feigned ignorance was infuriating. “Baenlin left Gromm to be with me...” I trailed off, “I-I didn’t want this to happen. I don’t know what the fuck I’m meant to do about it!”

“I’ll deal with it,” he said flatly, his once expressive face left blank.

“What?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll sort it out for you.”

“Lucien, no!” but before I could stop him, he had walked off. “Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck!” I hissed through clenched teeth. I didn’t have the energy to deal with him right now, let alone to chase after him.

---

It had been almost two weeks since I last spoke to Baenlin. All texts and calls I left him were never returned and when I questioned Lucien about it, he brushed me off. I was sick with worry and guilt and anxiety. I hardly ate because nothing would stay down. I had to see him, I had to see that he was okay, I wasn’t sure how much longer I could last if I didn’t.

It was a long bus ride, but I made it to Bruma by midday. It was hot and my body ached, I would have been starving if anxiety didn’t fill my stomach. Luckily, Baenlin’s house wasn’t far from the bus station and I was able to make the hike without passing out.

I stood outside his front door for a few moments, figuring out what I’d say to him and preparing myself for the worst. I knocked.

The door opened and where I expected to see Baenlin’s smiling face stood another, similar to him in appearance, but unfamiliar.

“Can I help you?” he queried, confused by my presence.

“Uh... Is Baenlin here?” I choked.

“Who’s asking...?” the boy eyed me up and down, suspicious for reasons unknown to me.

“I’m... I’m a friend of his... I’ve tried calling and texting, but he hasn’t got back to me in a while.” I could feel beads of sweat forming on my forehead as I nervously explained myself. “I just want to see if he’s okay...”

“Oh... I know who you are.” His voice was filled with such vitriol, it startled me. “You need to leave. Now!”

“Wh-what?!”

“You and your friend have done enough to my cousin. Fuck off!” he spat, slamming the door in my face. Shock took over and I found myself rooted to the spot. I was growing accustomed to this sensation. Lucien was a dead man.

[tamrieldiaries-blog]

Observations..

Days past.

Again, and again.

Same routine.

It shouldn't be long now.

[tamrieldiaries-blog]

Thieves, murderers, and crawlspaces.

Beside the bed was a small door that slid to the side.  I moved it slightly to see what was behind it - it led to a crawlspace in the roof of the mansion.  From here, I could possibly find where that minotaur head is nailed to.

Laying my weapons at the entrance of the crawlspace, I closed the little door over, and began my way through it.  I could hear their footsteps below..

Thump.  Thump.  Thump.

Despite being a thief, and an assassin, I was scared for my life

Thump.  Thump.

Gromm had to have been one of the biggest Nord barbarians I had ever seen.  It was frightening just to be in radius of that beast of a man.  The footstep thumps take a piece of my sanity with them every time one happens.   I am in way over my head here..  I steal, I cheat, I bargain.  I don't kill people for money.. 

I've talked about this before, but I always, always have my doubts.  Gromm is a man who could end me in a second.  Once Baenlin is dead, he will be on full alert, and I have no way of leaving the house unnoticed, minus the cellar.

THUMP.  THUMP.

The footsteps became louder..  I tried to make my way through the crawlspace, mentally picturing that the farther I am from Gromm in the house itself, the safer I am.

and you know what..? It worked.

Not long after he took a seat, the thumping stopped, and my heart could slow down a few paces. 

I came across two planks of wood, with rope tied around it, and a small peep-hole.  I looked through it to see I was exactly where I wanted to be - the minotaur head.  I stayed, and observed..

[tamrieldiaries-blog]

Slowly tapping the door open from the cellar up to the main floor wasn't easy.  Baenlin, being a retired pilgrim has nothing to do but spend his days at home.  Gromm, his bodyguard seems to be here night and day as well.  A mansion is large, but if there's people in it, the space seems so small..

I crept across the ground, and got up the stairs without a sound.  I can see Baenlin and Gromm standing on the main floor, talking to each other about some mundane thing such as bread being expensive this morning at the bakery.

Making haste, I use my time wisely to find where I can stay, where Baenlin would be, and what I can do to make this all look like an accident.  I can't kill Gromm either, it'd be too obvious, so he must remain unharmed. 

Skulking about the upstairs of the mansion, I found the floorboards under the bed where decrepit and old.  But the chances of a bed falling through the floor, AND Baenlin dying are highly unlikely.. There seemed to be a large minotaur head above a fanciful arm chair.  Perhaps it could fall on him, in a random act, crushing him as he sat in the chair? 

Brilliant.

I tried to find a way to loosen the minotaur head, but from what I could tell, it was bolted to the wall.  If I could possibly make it around to where the other side of that wall is, this could work.

[tamrieldiaries-blog]

Onward, to Bruma.

So after a few days of travelling, myself, and the other members of the blue arena team finally make it to the town of Bruma.  I salute the guards, and make my way back to Olav's Tap and Tack.  The owner of the inn greets me with a hearty welcome as I take a seat with my companions.  Even though we're supposed to be discreet with our dealings while being a part of the Brotherhood, I slip the bartender a few coins, and ask him where I can find the man named Baenlin. 

"This much coin for just a location?" he smirked.  "For this, I'll tell you his life story, hah."

The bartender laughed, and sat me down at a table away from the rest of the warriors of the arena.  The way he was doing this, I could tell he knew exactly what was going on.  He told me alternate ways in to Baenlin's home, and how he has a Nord guard named Gromm - an old barbarian from the past.  He warned me not to see him in combat, or I will surely lose.  I took that to heart.

He told me an easy way in to the house was through the cellar.  From there, I'll need to find a way to make the death look like an accident.