CHAPTER I
"That's not my style"
A large Nord on horseback overlooked the execution that had occurred on the bridge from the darkness of the forest. He watched as the Executioner lifted up the weapon of execution, and the lieutenant ordering the archers to get rid of the body.
It was a brisk evening in the southern part of Skyrim, the sun had just set, and night had quickly crept out from the horizon and was rapidly engulfing the land in darkness. A large dark brown colored horse exhaled heavily through it's nose, reminding the owner of the cold temperatures that Skyrim had during this time of day, even in the forested Falkreath area. Casually, the Nord turned the horse around, away from the deadly scene, and began to ride South toward the town of Falkreath.
It was either he knew the area well or he was trying to avoid any attention, for the Nord rode through the forests rather than ride the roads. Both reasons were true, but not entirely the case. His destination wasn't Falkreath, or even past Falkreath. It was quite close.
Within an hour of riding the man stopped by a small pond in the middle of the woods. It was unlike any pond in Skyrim, for it's waters were pitch black, looking as if it were a door to the realm of Hermeaus Mora himself. He dismounted his horse and let it wander about. His loyal companion always seemed to know when he was needed, and because of this he wasn't confined to a stable.
The Nord looked around, searching all aspects of the area, it was clear that he didn't want anybody to be spying on him. After a complete scan of the area, he continued to casually walk about twenty feet away from the black pond, toward a large cave whose entrance was guarded by an ominous door.
"What is the music of life?" the door asked, to which the Nord responded, "Silence, my brother."
The door opened, and the massive Nord stepped into the secret lair.
The Dark Brotherhood sanctuary was a large cave network consisting of a number of rooms. The Nord's pace quickened as he passed the entrance-way that was connected to the master bedroom, he showed a slight expression of anger, and looked as if he was avoiding confrontation from a certain someone.
"How did it go?" said the voice, the voice belonging to the very person the Nord did not want to speak to. The very words caused a certain burning sensation in his head. She was standing in the small hallway in between the main entrance room and the main room. There was no getting past her.
"Terrible." he responded, in a blunt tone - it was clear he was annoyed.
"Was your mission not complete?"
"No."
"Then what was wrong?"
"I didn't do anything."
"Is that not a good thing? You were able to get a group of Stormcloaks to eliminate your target for you. It was your most professional contract yet."
"I'm not here to be professional, Astrid - I don't do this for occupation, I do this because it brings me joy, and watching somebody else kill my target is not enjoyable." he was being completely serious and incredibly blunt with his leader, yet Astrid showed no sign of wanting to continue the argument.
The Nord passed Astrid and walked down into the main room of the sanctuary. He was rushing to get to his room but yet another voice interrupted him, causing him to cease.
"Back from slaying small innocent children, Gunnbjorn?" said the voice, masculine, much deeper and full of taunt.
"Yes Arnbjorn. Actually, he was young boy. His name was Rolf. He didn't look a day past 8 years and had a bum leg. He put up an incredible fight, A werewolf as weak as yourself wouldn't have been able to handle the intensity he sweat."
"I will eat your rib-cage while you still breath, maggot!" Arnbjorn barked, his sarcasm turning to anger.
"I'll make sure I wait until you're in full form, and let you make an attempt. I've yet to find a nice fur coat in Skyrim that fits me." Gunnbjorn retorted in a much calmer state.
"Silence." another voice hissed, this time it came from an Argonian, in a meditative state not ten feet away from where the two Nord were harrassing each other by the forge.
"How did your contract go, Gunnbjorn?" he asked, drawing the attention of the two away from argument and into conversation.
"It was a contract more fit for you, Veezara." Gunnbjorn replied.
"What didn't you like about it?"
"I told a Stormcloak scout that an undercover Imperial soldier lived near the outpost in Falkreath, and he had him executed."
"Do you know why she had you do that contract?"
"So that I learn to be more discreet, so as to not give away the location of the sanctuary..." he responded, still in the deep monotone he occasionally had when he was annoyed or bored.
"Astrid doesn't need to teach Gunnbjorn a lesson." a young girl emerged from the shadows, interrupting the conversation. "I've been apart of the Brotherhood for hundreds of years, most all the members I have worked with were stealthy with their contracts."
"It's just not my style, Babbette." he interrupted.
"Yes, you're the kind who likes to take his targets out and get out - nothing more, nothing less. Astrid should just accept that your are a weapon created by Sithis, and that all weapons have flaws. Your flaw is attracting witnesses."
"I kill all my witnesses - the more the merrier."
"Bottom line - she shouldn't give you contracts close to the sanctuary, just in case there is a witness you may have missed."
"He will miss a witness! And he will give us all away as a result! Regardless of how far away he is from the Sanctuary!" yelled an Old man, he was standing at the top of the stairs that connected the Main room to the Alchemy lab.
"You're beginning to piss me off, old man." Gunnbjorn retorted.
"I will melt your skin, boy!"
"I'd like to see you try after I cut off both your arms." he responded coldly.
"Settle down, Festus." a Dunmer girl interrupted, emerging from the Alchemy lab the same way Festus had.
"No Gabriella, he needs to learn to handle his work with professionalism and discretion." Festus replied.
"We kill people for money and pleasure, there is no need for professionalism, Festus."
"Everyone shut up." Astrid had emerged from the hallway and made her way toward the center of the main room.
These types of arguments always ensued in the Sanctuary, ironically it never led to physical conflict, because at the end of it all the mockery and the threats were all in good humor.
"Gunnbjorn, you're a great assassin, the mandatory guidelines of your contract was just to try something new - I will not restrict you from going about your work any other way than the way you prefer to go about it."
Everybody now had gathered around Astrid in one big circle, in complete silence and listening intently to her words.
"Now, Nazir is out doing some important business - apparently our Sanctuary is now used for housing - either way, you are to treat our guests with respect. That is all, and Gunnbjorn - I have another contract for you."
The circle split and everyone gathered around each other to talk of their recent contracts. Gunnbjorn went over to Astrid, who was now standing alone next to the large pond inside the main hall. He took the envelope she was holding without a word, and quietly walked out the main room, through the hallway, and out into the beautiful Skyrim night.