The Dark Brotherhood

My Dearest Kiya,

I am still reeling from our long vacation a few days ago. I did not want it to end, frankly, but unfortunately we had to take care of our own things. Enclosed in this letter are the illuminations we took of our days together, as well as some I took on my quest against the Dark Brotherhood. You remember Alesan, don't you? Gods, I liked this Redguard kid when I saw him playing by himself in Dawnstar. He recognized me as "the one who almost got his head ice-spiked by that drunken woman in thick armor". I chuckled when I heard that--I had forgotten a lot of people were there when you almost killed me out of jealousy. Hah. I started chatting him up, and when he told me his story--he was an orphan, like me--I became determined to let him live with me in Windstad. But I guess he's been too alone for a while now, he's forgotten what it's like to have parents. Here's a shot of him complaining when I told him to go outside and play so we can have some privacy.

Two days in this house and you're throwing a tantrum already??

It took me a while to convince him he needed to go outside and play. Do not worry, I do not think his stubbornness meant he did not trust you inside our house, his first house in a long while. In fact, I think he likes you given that he told me he thought you were amazing just for casting that ice spike, and maybe one day he'll gladly accept you as his mother. He went outside soon enough, and we had the whole house to ourselves...

I found this fur armor and I wanted to show it to you...

It was just the first night of our week-long vacation, yet I was wondering if we could make it last forever. I knew it wouldn't, so I took the chance to show you around the house before we went on our quests and forget about it. Here were some of the illuminations I took.

Thinking of what dish to cook tonight?

Everything here is beautiful.

I had designed the house with you in my mind. It brought joy to my heart when you saw the archery range on the second floor of the house and asked if you could try it out for yourself. I was a bit relieved you did not use Auriel's bow on my simple wood-and-straw archery target and blew it out to Oblivion.

I don't think my target can handle very hardy arrows.

And there is the enchanting tower, with a very nice view. I knew you'd like it. It felt very different to spend very peaceful nights at the top of the tower with someone you love, without worrying about anything in the world. I know there were a lot of things still wrong in Skyrim, but in that moment with you, it all felt so inconsequential. 

Winter is coming. I guess.

Chicken soup, mmmm!

We had such a wonderful time, didn't we? I wish we had more time, but on one peculiar evening you received a letter from the courier. I asked what it said, and all you said was, "My friends need some help, I better go." I started insisting on going myself too (to which you responded with, "You lack some... necessary skills, my dear." What skills am I lacking?), when the courier knocked on the door again, looking a bit flustered and scared. He handed me a letter with shaking hands, and ran as quickly as he could. When I closed the door you told me you'll be leaving tonight, and I should probably go to sleep and not worry about you. I quietly agreed, seeing  I won't be able to do anything to convince you to let me go with you.

We kissed lovingly by the door as you were about to leave. I went to bed directly after closing the door, and I remembered the letter I received earlier. I opened it, and to my horror, it contained this:

You know about the time I killed a rabbit? Oh gods! 

It was a letter from the Dark Brotherhood. I had fulfilled the wishes of a child wanting to talk to the Dark Brotherhood--he wanted the "mother" of an orphanage killed. I went to the orphanage and found that even if that kid did not wish for her death, I would have killed her anyway, for she was corrupt, evil, and bad to the children. No wonder. Now the assassins are after me. I decided it would be better for me to sleep it all off first.

When I woke up, I found myself in a very small shack in the middle of gods-know-where. I look, and see a woman wearing assassin armor:

I'll make my kill, all right.

She looked like she was not interested in killing me yet. Instead, she made me look around the room. I saw three tied people with bags around their heads. This woman called Astrid told me one of them was to be killed for a contract, and I was given the chance to kill the right one, if I can determine which one that is. 

Straight out of a horror story.

I listened to what she said very carefully, but I've already made up my mind: She was not going to leave this place alive. With one swift motion, I turn around as I unsheathe my sword and swung it at her. She did not even get the chance to defend herself. 

You don't seem to be in too much pain...

One by one, I set the prisoners free. I led them out of the shack, and found that we were close to Solitude. I escorted them towards the city in the middle of the night. I could see that all of them were afraid it might happen again. I had to assure them we're safe, convincing them that they wouldn't be walking towards safety if I was not capable enough to kill their tormentor. We arrive at the city, and reported what happened to a guard, who told me I should report to a certain Commander Maro in Dragon Bridge.

Of course I'm serious! I don't think anyone would claim that if it weren't true!

It only took me a few hours to reach Dragon Bridge. I ran all the way there, as this was of utmost priority. I had just killed the leader of the infamous Dark Brotherhood, word might have reached them, and if it did they will be on my trail now. I reached the bridge without any problems, fortunately, and I was able to tell Commander Maro all that had happened. He told me I had to get to the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary in Falkreath as fast as I could. It made me wonder how they knew exactly where they were.

Why do people always think I'm kidding around?

After several days of travel, I managed to arrive at Falkreath. I decided to rest for a while at the inn there, for I know facing the Dark Brotherhood by myself (unfortunately, the Commander knew of this mission and sent no one else but me) will be a very daunting task. I couldn't be too sure of my safety, facing all those assassins.

That is some weird door.

I tried entering as quietly as I could, but the sound of the door opening seemed to alert everyone inside the Sanctuary. Fortunately, it was a pretty big place and it seemed like all of them were in different rooms at once, so I was able to confront them one by one. I managed to take some illuminations just before their untimely deaths:

You found me, and look where it got you!

It pains me to kill one of my kin, but you kill innocent people.

I reported back to Commander Maro, and he could not believe that I was able to defeat them all! The nerve. Did he really think I just lucked out in killing Astrid? He probably would go even crazier if he knew you could take the Brotherhood out inside the Sanctuary all at once! He proceeded to tell me that all of the assassination attempts on everyone's lives were perpetrated by the Brotherhood, so we could all sleep a little bit safer now.

What part of "I killed the Dark Brotherhood" did you not understand?

Now I wonder how you're doing right now. Who are these friends of yours, and why have I not heard of them before? All I wish is to join you, to ensure you're safe. Please promise me you will be.

Love, 

Kousei