Who in Oblivion AM I?<\/em><\/p>\n He kicked over his chair.<\/p>\n Damn it all, I don\u2019t remember!\u00a0 I need to remember! And once I find out who took those memories away from me for all this time I am going to do exactly what I saw myself doing in that vision. <\/em><\/p>\n Only slower, and more painfully.<\/em><\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t as though he didn\u2019t do horrid things every day, already. It wasn\u2019t as though he didn\u2019t purposefully let some of his feeding victims see him coming. It wasn\u2019t as though he didn\u2019t do minor assassinations for the Dark Brotherhood, and it wasn\u2019t as though he couldn\u2019t have done major ones as well.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t a person to be distressed by violence. No, it had been the particular depth of terror in that woman\u2019s eyes that unsettled him.\u00a0 That, and the sensation that he\u2019d really, truly enjoyed making her feel that way.\u00a0 And he didn\u2019t know why.<\/p>\n He picked up the pile of black, intending to go to the Cistern and return it, and looked again at the hood.<\/p>\n I could keep it. I think it\u2019s mine anyway. <\/em><\/p>\n A shudder ran up his back. He made for the door, but stopped and shook his head.\u00a0 He went to the bedroom and slipped the hood onto a shelf in the wardrobe.<\/p>\n Brynjolf wasn\u2019t in the Cistern when he got there, so he slipped quietly around to the old bed where nobody slept anymore, and slid the black leathers into the chest at its foot. Brynjolf probably wouldn\u2019t ever look for his old leathers if he hadn\u2019t missed them so far, but they were back and his promise to Roggi was fulfilled.<\/p>\n Brynjolf was in the Flagon, standing next to Vex, speaking to her in hushed tones.\u00a0 As he approached, Andante heard Brynjolf thank her, tell her soothingly that she was always the most reliable one in the Guild; and he saw Vex relaxing, her posture shifting a bit, clearly responding to Brynjolf\u2019s voice.\u00a0 He felt the same kind of twisting, burning anger that he\u2019d felt when Brynjolf had spoken of his wife.<\/p>\n Get off him.\u00a0 He\u2019s mine.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cBrynjolf.\u201d He tried to give his voice a lift at the end, make it light, and he failed.<\/p>\n The big redhead turned to him and crossed his arms. He looked relaxed and confident.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, lad. What is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you ready?\u201d\u00a0 He crossed his arms in return and stared at Vex.<\/p>\n Brynjolf frowned for a moment but then chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cYes I am.\u00a0 As always.\u201d\u00a0 He grinned, and then turned back to Vex.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be gone for a few days.\u00a0 Try to give yourself a break, alright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course,\u201d she said, nodding.<\/p>\n Brynjolf turned and walked across the room toward the exit ladder.\u00a0 Andante made ready to follow him but Vex grabbed him by the arm and stopped him.<\/p>\n \u201cHey. What is it with you two, anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n It took everything Andante had to prevent himself from dropping his illusion and baring his fangs.\u00a0 He did, however, shake her hand off his arm.<\/p>\n \u201cI have no idea what you\u2019re talking about, Vex.\u201d<\/p>\n She narrowed her eyes.\u00a0 Andante knew better than to provoke Vex, but he wasn\u2019t about to back down to her, either.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t try to give me that.\u00a0 I want to know why you\u2019re giving him orders and he\u2019s obeying them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe he just likes it, Vex,\u201d Andante sneered, enjoying himself as he watched Vex\u2019s cheeks flush. She\u2019s gorgeous, and tough, and smart, but she needs to back off.<\/em>\u00a0 \u201cAs he said, we\u2019ll be gone for a few days.\u201d<\/p>\n He turned once again to leave and she called out, \u201cDon\u2019t tell me you\u2019re walking away without taking another job? That\u2019s like leaving a fat coin purse on the table!\u201d<\/p>\n He waved, even as he walked away. \u201cThat\u2019s right!\u201d he called back in what he hoped was a playful tone.\u00a0 I don\u2019t have time right now, Vex.\u00a0 I\u2019ll do the petty burglary things later.<\/em><\/p>\n Brynjolf was waiting for him once he got outside the sarcophagus and into the graveyard.<\/p>\n \u201cNow would you like to tell me what that was all about, Andante?\u201d<\/p>\n Andante shook his head. \u201cNo, not really. We have to go clear out a skooma den, Brynjolf. Let\u2019s go do it.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to leave and this time it was Brynjolf who stopped him with a powerful grip on Andante\u2019s forearm.<\/p>\n \u201cLad,\u201d Brynjolf said, pulling him closer and giving him one of his tiny half-smiles. \u201cYou really have to stop being jealous of everything that moves.\u00a0 Vex and I go way back.\u00a0 She told me a long, long time ago that she wasn\u2019t interested and she said it in a way that left absolutely no doubt in anyone\u2019s mind about that fact.\u00a0 She just needed some reassurance and that\u2019s what I was giving her. You really need to relax about all of this.\u201d\u00a0 He leaned forward and gave Andante a quick peck of a kiss.\u00a0 \u201cAlright?\u201d<\/p>\n Yes, but you have to understand. You\u2019re all I\u2019ve got.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cAlright.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry if I sounded testy.\u00a0 I\u2019m really\u2026 anxious might be the right word? About Harkon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLord<\/em> Harkon, if you please,\u201d Brynjolf chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cI made that mistake while you were off doing whatever it was you were doing with him.\u201d He winked at Andante. \u201cI\u2019d wager, based on the look you had on your face at the time, that you weren\u2019t doing half what you\u2019d have liked, with him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBryn! How could you. You cut me to the quick.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I\u2019m right, aren\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n Andante sighed. \u201cI will go so far as to admit that I was enjoying the view, yes.\u201d\u00a0 And why? That\u2019s the question. I don\u2019t want anyone but you, so why was I even looking?<\/em><\/p>\n Brynjolf laughed. \u201cAt any rate, I was told in no uncertain terms that his title is to be used. I think I managed to contain my laughter. Let\u2019s get on our way, bad influence.\u00a0 I want to see what all this is about as much as you do.\u201d<\/p>\n They headed for the north gate.\u00a0 Andante looked at him and shook his head. What a remarkable man.\u00a0 Why would I have even looked sideways at Harkon?\u00a0 It felt like I had a voice screaming inside my head.<\/em><\/p>\n Maybe I did.\u00a0 Maybe it\u2019s\u2026 me. Whoever that is.<\/em><\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s someone in that room,\u201d Brynjolf whispered as they approached the partially-burned structure nestled in an aspen grove in the middle of the Rift.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. I\u2019m on it.\u201d He crept up behind the guard and then rose to drain the man dry.\u00a0 He dropped the corpse to the floor and nodded at the trapdoor.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t the old house with the collapsed roof that was the attraction, in this location. It was the lower level.\u00a0 For in the basement was a skooma operation of some considerable reputation in the underworld. \u00a0A person could come here to feed an addiction \u2013 or create one \u2013 and rumor had it that the special, highly-refined variant was manufactured here as well. Andante had been here once before, when he was first settling into his new life. As the cravings had gotten stronger and stronger and his need to steal, buy, or make skooma had increased, he\u2019d searched out any source he could find.\u00a0 This was one of them.<\/p>\n Andante and Brynjolf opened the trapdoor and crept down the stairs that opened into a large, mostly empty room. There was a lone guard in front of what Andante knew was an important entryway. The first time he\u2019d been here, he had heard the wracking coughs of addicts smoking a variety of Redwater Skooma rising up the stairs before he\u2019d even gotten through the door to sample some himself.\u00a0 This time it was strangely quiet, with the guard\u2019s breathing clearly audible.<\/p>\n Not for long, though<\/em>. He crept around the perimeter of the room, in the shadows, and finally close enough to rise and kill this guard just as he had the one above. He opened the door and descended a second set of stairs.\u00a0 There was nobody at the sales booth, and nobody was using any of the filthy stalls customers stayed in while they enjoyed their pastime.\u00a0 The odor of smoked skooma hung in the air, and Andante\u2019s lip curled up as he inhaled it, remembering the experience. He\u2019d spent a full day in one of those stalls, with an Imperial soldier who\u2019d been in one too many battles and seen one too many brutal endings, and the two of them had enjoyed themselves a great deal.<\/p>\n \u201cGood thing I cleaned this place out earlier.\u00a0 This skooma will set you back for a lot of money and a lot of time. It\u2019s incredibly strong.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo where is everyone?\u201d Brynjolf asked.\u00a0 \u201cAnd what are we supposed to use to fill that chalice? The skooma?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s down.\u00a0 Caverns, maybe a barrow.\u00a0 They use something you can only get here as a special ingredient of the skooma. \u2018It\u2019 is what we\u2019re supposed to get, whatever it is. I\u2019d guess they\u2019re down in the caves harvesting it, or maybe making more product. As far as where everyone else is, the customers and the barkeeper\u2026\u201d He furrowed his brow, trying to remember. \u201cI\u2019m not completely certain but I think I might have cleared the place of more than just the skooma.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t go down any farther, I\u2019m sure of that, but truthfully I don\u2019t remember it very clearly.\u201d<\/p>\n They made their way through the sub-basement and into a tunnel that emptied out into a large, cold, dark cavern.\u00a0 There were a number of gigantic brewing vats here, with hefty braziers beneath them supplying heat. Shelves held potions and ingredients. There was a pair of people, a man in Dwarven armor and a woman in ringmail, standing near one of the vats, warming their hands at the brazier.<\/p>\n Andante slipped up behind the woman and, in his usual fashion, sunk his fangs into her neck and drained her dry. The man cried out and turned, catching sight of Brynjolf and pulling a war axe. Andante thought he saw a glint of golden eyes, but wasn\u2019t certain.<\/p>\n \u201cDie!\u201d Brynjolf shouted, slashing at him.\u00a0 Andante saw the man lift his axe and aim for Brynjolf\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n No you don\u2019t.\u00a0 You shan\u2019t have him.<\/em><\/p>\n And then it seemed as though time slowed, as though someone else was moving in his body, someone else was taking control of what would happen next. He knew what was happening, but it seemed as though he was watching himself, from somewhere else, perhaps above.<\/p>\n He found himself behind the man, whipping one arm around his neck and one leg around the man\u2019s knee. He fell backward onto the floor, pulling the man down on top of his own body. Wrapping both legs around the man\u2019s thighs, he arched backward, his strength fueled by hatred, pulling, pulling, pulling, and then a quick application of extra force\u2026<\/p>\n The man\u2019s back broke with a sickening crack and he screamed, and Andante followed it up by snapping the man\u2019s neck as well.<\/p>\n He stood, calmly, and looked behind him as a steel arrow thudded into the floor beside him.\u00a0 Brynjolf was standing so as to be a clear target for the archer in the bedroom alcove behind him.\u00a0 Andante pushed him aside, snarling \u201cget down!\u201d and ran for the man, pulling out his axe as he went.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t stop running as he attacked, merely used his momentum to pivot on one foot, whirl in a circle and slice into the man\u2019s neck with everything he had.\u00a0 The head flew off into the darkness of the cavern.<\/p>\n Andante turned to face Brynjolf.<\/p>\n \u201cLad,\u201d Brynjolf breathed.<\/p>\n Andante felt his jaw muscles relaxing, slowly, and blinked several times as he looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was that?\u201d<\/p>\n Andante studied Brynjolf\u2019s face.\u00a0 He was a man not often affected by much; he was a thief, and skilled with his weapons, and hard-bitten.\u00a0 But at this moment he looked almost shaken.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean? I killed them. I do this kind of thing for a living. Or at least part of a living.\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf shook his head. \u201cYes, but you did it like a machine. You told me you could snap me in two, back then, but I thought you were just being poetic. And\u2026the look on your face while you were doing it. You looked like, well, I don\u2019t even know how to describe it.\u201d<\/p>\n Andante reached up with one hand and rubbed his jaw.\u00a0 Like someone who could have bitten through that guy\u2019s neck?\u00a0 Yeah. <\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI know, it was odd.\u201d<\/p>\n He tried to smile. It was more than odd but I don\u2019t even know how to put words to it myself. All I know is that\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThey were trying to kill you. They had to go.\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf studied him for another moment or two before nodding.\u00a0 \u201cYou really are stronger now, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n Andante grinned. \u201cYeah.\u00a0 Remind me to show you, once we have this taken care of.\u201d<\/p>\n Above them, he could see a raised drawbridge and an opening on the other side of the cavern.\u00a0 They followed a ramp up and through a smithing area, and then spent a few moments searching around to locate the lever that dropped the bridge. On the far side, a tunnel led down into what looked to Andante like an old barrow.\u00a0 The sound of a pickaxe breaking stone covered his approach through the shadows to eliminate the woman using it. \u00a0Farther along were a man and a reanimated skeleton; they went down as well.\u00a0 Their pathway dropped deeper, through a rounded tunnel, and into a chamber occupied by what Andante had been expecting: a vampire and her pet Death Hounds.<\/p>\n \u201cHere we go,\u201d Brynjolf whispered.<\/p>\n Andante circled around behind the vampire and was about to attack her when she shrieked.\u00a0 The tip of Brynjolf\u2019s sword slid out, just beneath her ribs.\u00a0 Andante stood and dealt with one of the hounds while Brynjolf took the second.\u00a0 He looked at Andante and grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re no slouch, either, loverboy,\u201d Andante murmured.<\/p>\n Beyond them, the barrow had been partially excavated.\u00a0 Around a corner, up a short flight of steps, they found a closed door.\u00a0 Brynjolf tapped Andante on the shoulder and pointed down.\u00a0 There was a puddle of reddish liquid that had clearly seeped out from under the door.\u00a0 Andante dipped one finger into it and tasted it.<\/p>\n \u201cOdd.\u00a0 It\u2019s\u2026 blood, but it\u2019s not.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know how to describe it.\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf followed suit and made a face when he tasted it.\u00a0 \u201cThat is strange.\u00a0 I\u2019d wager that\u2019s what they use to make their skooma, though. There\u2019s nothing else I\u2019ve seen so far that would make sense.\u201d<\/p>\n Through the door was a T-junction with a gated room at either end.\u00a0 Through an opening in the wall, Andante could see, but not quite reach, a chain that he felt certain would raise at least one of the gates.<\/p>\n How do I get to it?<\/em><\/p>\n A corridor to his left led down into a massive barrow chamber that had been converted to other uses. Cages along one side held more Death Hounds, and a ramp hugged a fat stone column in the center of the room.\u00a0 There were two vampires there; Andante took out the first by draining her dry, celebrating yet again that he was able to do such a thing.\u00a0 Brynjolf, meanwhile, took a massive swing at the second with his shield, a nasty, spiked Daedric item.\u00a0 The vampire dropped.\u00a0 He stood, loosening his shoulders, and grinned a sheepish grin.<\/p>\n \u201cMy,\u201d Andante grinned, licking his lips. \u201cImpressive. Keep this up and, well, I\u2019m not sure what you\u2019ll have to do to settle me down later.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHeh.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure I\u2019ll think of something.\u201d<\/p>\n Gods. This is fun.<\/em><\/p>\n Getting to the chain he\u2019d seen through the window, however, was not fun. While Brynjolf dealt with the Death hounds, he searched for what seemed like years before finally making his cautious way up the ramp and down to the end of a long corridor.\u00a0 He stood in front of the chain with his hands on his hips.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t know why it took me so long to figure that one out.\u00a0 I must be losing my touch.<\/em><\/p>\n The chain, as it turned out, opened both of the gates. The far gate led them to a well-preserved barrow through which ran a shallow stream of the bloody water, and into a huge, multi-story chamber.\u00a0 Andante saw movement roughly halfway down the cavern.<\/p>\n More vampires.\u00a0 He drew his bow.<\/p>\n The first vampire dropped after two arrows, and the hound that hurtled down the chamber toward him dropped with one.\u00a0 He looked up at the bridge across the room\u2019s center and saw another vampire running for what he presumed was a stairway or ramp.\u00a0 He moved forward, cautiously, and was practically on top of the Death Hound\u2019s corpse when it slowly rose, reanimated, to face him.\u00a0 And so did the vampire who had made her way down to attack them.<\/p>\n \u201cYou dare to interfere with me?\u201d she sneered as he fumbled with his bow and tried to draw his axe instead.\u00a0 She caught him a nasty blow in the arm with a war pick, and the hound nipped at him from behind.\u00a0 Brynjolf bashed at her with his shield, distracting her long enough for Andante to slip across the room and pull out his axe.\u00a0 He dispatched the reanimated hound, dashed forward and caught her just before she was able to attack Brynjolf.\u00a0 She fell just as Brynjolf speared a second, live Death Hound that was just about to latch onto his arm.<\/p>\n They made their way up to the catwalk where he had seen the vampire, and turned left down a hallway toward yet another gate.\u00a0 The chain to raise this one was close at hand, a fact for which he was extremely grateful.\u00a0 They made their way through the circular chamber beyond it, and into a nearly pristine section of the ancient barrow.<\/p>\n Pristine because of all these damnable traps, Andante thought as he didn\u2019t quite make it clear of a swinging spiked gate.\u00a0 He turned enough to keep from getting hit full in the face but even so, he had to stop and heal himself from a dozen painful wounds.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you alright, lad?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, but keep an eye peeled on the floor.\u00a0 It\u2019s loaded with pressure plates. At least none of the draugr are moving.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAye. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n They worked slowly through the hallways, winding their way around the pressure plate traps. At the far end of the passages, Andante\u2019s foot clipped the edge of a nearly-hidden plate and he was suddenly caught in the crosshairs of two flame spouts. While once more his armor saved him, he did smell the acrid odor of singed hair and hoped he hadn\u2019t lost too much of it.\u00a0 He opened the doors at the far end and stepped into a gigantic chamber, with staircases on either side and a generous stream of the red water running down its center.<\/p>\n And things got complicated.<\/p>\n There were several vampires, a substantial skeleton, and, as Andante and Brynjolf rushed forward, a reanimated corpse which slowly rose from atop the long table in the center of the room. One of the vampires had a powerful shock spell.\u00a0 Another attacked with ice spikes.\u00a0 And the master vampire was simply very powerful, more than enough of a challenge for either Brynjolf or Andante, striding through the room with his life drain spell burning red in his palm and his eyes glowing golden.\u00a0 Andante found himself gasping in pain after the first few moments, caught full-on by the breathtakingly strong shock spell. He ran to the far side of the chamber, healing himself as quickly as he could, and then pulled out his bow and his best arrows.<\/p>\n \u201cAh good, I could use some practice!\u201d he heard Brynjolf growl.<\/p>\n Not now Bryn. Now is not the time to joke. <\/em><\/p>\n He had a momentary vision of Brynjolf disintegrating into a pile of shimmering ash, and saw red. He shot as quickly as he could draw, three quick arrows in succession, and took down one of the vampires.\u00a0 The other two turned to rush him.<\/p>\n \u201cIIZ-SLEN!\u201d<\/p>\n They both toppled over, frozen nearly solid, buying him just enough time to stand and draw his axe and Mehrunes’ Razor while Brynjolf slashed at the nearest of them.\u00a0 The two figures disappeared around a corner.\u00a0 Andante heard the vampire\u2019s aggressive screams and ran forward to see Brynjolf backed into a corner, slashing wildly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll beg me to kill you before I\u2019m through!\u201d the vampire shouted.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, he really won\u2019t!\u201d Andante growled, laying into the vampire with a furious dual-handed flurry of axe and Razor. Brynjolf stepped back, out of the way, and caught his breath for a moment; but Andante heard the second vampire approach.\u00a0 He turned and, in his rage, tore her to pieces.\u00a0 Once it was done he stood, panting, for a moment and then knelt to drain her of her blood.<\/p>\n There was an iron door at the far end of the chamber, and Andante knelt to pick its lock.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you suppose there\u2019s a key in here somewhere, lad?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cProbably, but I\u2019m sick of this.\u00a0 I can pick it open just as easily. Can\u2019t you, Mr. Thieves Guild?\u201d he said as he broke a third lockpick.<\/p>\n \u201cFunny.\u00a0 Yes, of course I can.\u00a0 I had lessons from the best.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd who might that be?\u201d Andante asked, swearing under his breath as his fourth pick broke.<\/p>\n There was a moment of silence, while he fiddled with the fifth lock pick.<\/p>\n \u201cVex,\u201d Brynjolf said just as the lock clicked open.<\/p>\n Andante stood and pushed the door wide.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to kill you.\u201d<\/p>\n He heard a snicker behind him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou do what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n And behind the locked door was what they\u2019d come for.\u00a0 That much was obvious from the moment they saw it.<\/p>\n In the center of the chamber was a spring.\u00a0 Once it might well have had its liquid completely contained within the three concentric stone rings but it had long since overflowed and was, without question, the source of the streams of red water they had been following since entering the barrow.\u00a0 It was well-illuminated by a firepot hanging overhead and because of that shone an eerie, almost raspberry red. And it was bubbling, and hissing.\u00a0 The center of the spring was filled not only with the restless red waters but also with the remnants of several human skeletons.<\/p>\n \u201cShor\u2019s beard,\u201d Andante heard behind him.\u00a0 \u201cIt doesn\u2019t look like that\u2019s particularly safe to drink.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAt least not if you\u2019re not a vampire,\u201d Andante agreed.\u00a0 \u201cWe both tasted it, and we\u2019re fine. But if that\u2019s what they\u2019ve been using to make the skooma, no wonder it has such a kick.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs this what we\u2019re supposed to get?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I\u2019m quite sure it is,\u201d he said, leaning over to fill the chalice he\u2019d carried from Volkihar Castle almost \u2013 but not quite \u2013 to the top.\u00a0 \u201cNow we have to add to it one more thing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd what\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n Just as Brynjolf asked the question, two figures stepped out of the shadows before them.<\/p>\n Andante turned and grinned at him.\u00a0 \u201cGive it a moment.\u201d<\/p>\n He turned back and nodded to Salonia and Stalf, two of the vampires they\u2019d met at Volkihar Castle, as they approached. These two were subordinates to Orthjolf and Vingalmo, two of Harkon\u2019s highest-ranking court members, the two who had watched Garan Marethi give him the Chalice and the assignment to fill it.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s really too bad, you know,\u201d Salonia said.\u00a0 \u201cThe little accident you had here, completely unexpected \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Stalf nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, too bad.\u00a0 Lord Harkon\u2019s new favorite, dead so soon after joining the family.\u201d<\/p>\n Andante laughed, and reached for his axe and the Razor.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd to which accident do you refer, hmm? I did have several on my way through.\u00a0 The spiked gate was delightful.\u201d<\/p>\n Salonia ignored him.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re just lucky I was here to return the Chalice to Vingalmo, so he could make sure Harkon gets it ba\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Enough of this.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIIZ-SLEN!\u201d<\/p>\n Salonia fell to the ground, sideways, and Stalf attacked.\u00a0 \u201cWell, well! Another maggot to squash beneath my boot!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou think so, do you?\u201d\u00a0 Andante stepped forward, snarling, slashing with both weapons in spite of the deathly cold flames Stalf was firing at him.\u00a0 Behind him he heard Brynjolf rush forward to attack Salonia, laughing. It was a maniacal, terrifying, evil laugh of a type he\u2019d never heard before. Andante shuddered as he brought Stalf down, then turned to make sure Brynjolf was all right.<\/p>\n \u201cYou think I\u2019m afraid of you?\u201d Salonia sneered, just as Brynjolf stunned her with a shield bash.<\/p>\n Andante stepped forward, brought his axe and his dagger up to her neck, and calmly scissored her head from her body.\u00a0 He sheathed his weapons, and turned to Brynjolf, whose eyes were dancing even as he panted to catch his breath.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd this,\u201d he said, \u201cis the other thing we needed to collect.\u00a0 The blood of an ancient vampire.\u00a0 Salonia here has generously given us easy access to hers.\u201d\u00a0 He knelt and finished filling the Chalice, then stood and turned to face Brynjolf.<\/p>\n Brynjolf was standing on a stone that had him towering even more than the half-head taller than Andante he already was. Something about the look on his face had Andante feeling almost intimidated.<\/p>\n Brynjolf grasped his shoulders. There was a wild look in his eyes that Andante couldn\u2019t remember seeing before.<\/p>\n \u201cLad.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? What is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat was amazing.\u201d\u00a0 He steered Andante backward, until he was against the wall.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, but\u2026 Bryn, what?\u201d Andante stammered as Brynjolf started unfastening the top of his armor.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was\u2026\u201d he said, baring Andante\u2019s neck and pushing his head to the side, \u201camazing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not going to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh yes I am,\u201d Brynjolf said hoarsely. He kissed Andante, first, nipping at his lower lip hard enough to draw blood; when Andante cried out, Brynjolf slipped his mouth down the side of his neck and sank his fangs in.\u00a0 Andante hissed with pain and with pleasure, and closed his eyes.<\/p>\n By all the gods.<\/em><\/p>\n He had never expected such aggression, not in a million years, and he simply stood and soaked up the sensations until, after a few moments, he began to feel a bit light-headed.\u00a0 He reached up and gently pushed Brynjolf\u2019s head back.<\/p>\n \u201cEnough, my love,\u201d he whispered.\u00a0 \u201cI need some for myself.\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf pulled back, his mouth red and his fangs bloody, and blinked as though he was confused.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d\u00a0 His eyes began to regain their focus.<\/p>\n Andante chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t let you drain me completely, dearest. Harkon\u2019s expecting you to return with me, not with a pile of my ashes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m \u2026 sorry. I don\u2019t know what came over me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHunger?\u201d\u00a0 He realized that, while he had fed on several of the vampires on the way through, he hadn\u2019t seen Brynjolf feed in some time.<\/p>\n \u201cThat, and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Andante grinned.\u00a0 \u201cAnd?\u201d\u00a0 He refastened his armor and walked a few steps away from the wall.\u00a0 \u201cYou did say you\u2019d think of something to settle me down, but I think you\u2019ve outdone yourself.\u00a0 I\u2019m well and truly impressed, Brynjolf.\u00a0 That was downright masterful. By the way, I told you I\u2019d show you this, once we were done.\u00a0 Watch.\u201d<\/p>\n He focused for a moment and then transformed to his Vampire Lord form.\u00a0 Brynjolf stared.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think\u2026 that you look better in that particular shape than Harkon does.\u201d<\/p>\n He laughed, and reverted to normal.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a little close in here for me to be that large. That\u2019s why I didn\u2019t use it to fight. That, and the fact that I\u2019m not really used to it yet.\u00a0 But just the power to be able to do it, Bryn, that makes me so much stronger than I ever was before.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s rather, well, tempting. \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s something I would imagine you\u2019ll be able to do yourself shortly,\u201d Andante grinned. \u201cYou did just help yourself to my blood, after all. If you start feeling faint, do sit down right away.\u00a0 Of course, if you\u2019d like to make certain of it…\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf\u2019s eyes flashed, and a slow grin took his face. \u201cAndante.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes? Am I detecting a yes, here?\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf started unfastening his own armor.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, lad.\u00a0 Please.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAm I to be your bad influence once more?\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf swallowed, and nodded.<\/p>\n Andante laughed, and took his Vampire Lord form again.\u00a0 He stepped close. \u201cOnce this is taken care of perhaps we could think of one of those other ways to get settled, before we return to Harkon. Now. Stand still.\u201d<\/p>\n And he bared his fangs.<\/p>\n Roggi had left the mask behind along with Brynjolf\u2019s old Guild leathers.\u00a0 Andante was appalled to find it sitting on top of the pile of black leather.\u00a0 He stared at it, for a long time, his fingers creeping out toward it and then pulling back in dismay.\u00a0 That flash of a memory, the terror in … <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/3-1-19-1.png\")
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