Sanguine My Sister - [Private - KingKivuli and Shadowfax]

[KingKivuli]

Nazir breathed a heavy sigh of relief and gently pulled Silver to sitting position Take it easy now, your had took a good smack when the sanctuary was falling Babette came over with a damp cloth and started to tend to the gash on Silvers head. Nazir's eyes filled with grief I'm sorry to say Silver but... no one else is left not that we can find anyway, the Brotherhood is crippled hard, but I can say this at least. You pick you friends well He point over to Rahks who was laying on the ground also passed out That crazy cat, jumped in here and risked his life for you. I don't know what you two have gone through or said to each other but he is one hard headed individual, glad he is on our side

[Shadowfax]

Silver fell to her knees as Nazir helped her out the coffin. She was exhausted, her head was spinning and Nazir's words went right through her to begin with until he told her that there were no others left. Silvers eyes widened with horror and grief, until her attention turned to Rahks. She saw his unconscious form and made her way over to him on her hands and knees because for now, walking was too much. So she crawled over to her friend, collapsing on her side next to him. Stands of Silver's hair was clinging to her face, her cheeks were covered in ash and she looked exhausted as she lie there.

However it was in that moment that Silver realized just how close the two of them had become. All they had been through, how they had hated eachother to begin with and here was Rahks lying unconscious because he had just saved her life. Slowly, Silver sat up and looked down on the injured khajit.

"Rahks... You are such an idiot. Risking your life to come and get me like that, what were you thinking?! And you go on about us nords being stubborn" Silver's throat was so dry that her words were raspy, but she had care in her voice still. "You better wake up Rahks. You've been the one who's kept me going these past few months and if you die... I won't forgive myself... I can't lose you too" She said, the tears finally releasing.

She folded her arms and rest them on Rahks chest. She then placed her forehead on her arms as she began to sob. The tears were falling uncontrollably and the shaking refusing to stop. Silver didn't even care that Babette and Nazir were watching her and Astrid wasn't even on her mind in that moment.

[KingKivuli]

Rahks lay still on the floor as the commotion went on around him, voices muffled that slowly started to become clear, yet he could not respond. His body ached and his head was throbbing, unable to move or even open his eyes. He felt a presence beside him that moved to his chest. The voice became clear to him, and her sobs willed him to move, not wanting to let her down. He forced his eyes open, slowly but surely, and began to move his arm. He slid it out from under her and managed to clasp her shoulder, speaking in a rough voice Crying...over me....not so becoming.. of a Nord and Companion now...is it...you damn dog

[Shadowfax]

"Rahks!!!" Silver said, raising her head so suddenly it made her feel dizzy.

But at his words she smirked to begin with, but soon gave him a slight punch in the arm and her expression turned to one of anger and upset.

"Idiot!!!!!!!! You had me worried sick! Don't you ever do anything like that again!!!"

For a moment Silver looked at him sternly, but seeing the bewildered look on his face and just seeing him awake she smiled and laughed slightly out of relief. She sat down next to him and coughed as the ash was still stuck in her throat. The smoke was starting to disperse, but the odd ember was still glowing in the morning sun.

[KingKivuli]

Rahks snarled as she punched his arm, and he slowly got up. He looked down at himself. He was covered in blood and ash, and his armor was crack and broken all over. He slowly pulled it off himself bit my bit throwing them on the floor. They were no use to him broken. As he sat in his rags, he shuffled over to Silver and wrapped his arms around her, giving her a hug I wont do that again, if you don't get caught in a fire. Your my best friend Silver, that means I will pull you out of any danger no matter what. I always have your back, and that is a promise

[Shadowfax]

Silver smiled and welcomed the hug. She looked up at the sky and laughed.

"Agreed" She said as the breeze hit her face, blowing her hair back.

Then something hit her like a tonne of bricks and she suddenly leapt to her feet, ignoring all the pain she was in. Her expression was manic and she began to search around frantically. A root caught her foot and she fell to the ground once again. But she was determined as she was stubborn and was soon on her feet again. Silver turned on Nazir and clasped his shoulders.

"WHERE IS ASTRID?!?!" She pretty much yelled in his face.

[KingKivuli]

Nazir looked slightly horrified as Silver clasped onto her. He calmly too her hand and lowered it Silver.. I am sorry but we do not know. We have not found her body, her last location was her own office but its blocked by some fallen wood, we might be able to move it but there is no certainty she is in there By this point Rahks and made his way to his feet and stumbled over. He had attached his carry sack to his side Chance or not we need to find her.. now!

[Shadowfax]

Silver snatched her hand away from Nazir.

"Fools! You should have saved her! She is your leader, she should have been your first priority!!!" Silver yelled, storming off unsteadily towards the remains of the sanctuary.

She came to the doors only to see it had been blocked by a fallen log. She began to pull at it, despite knowing by herself it was futile.

"Astrid... Don't worry... I'll rescue you....." She said, but as she pushed the tree, the branch she was pushing with snapped and she fell backwards.

"DAMN IT ALL!!!!!!!!" She yelled, getting to her feet and re-attempting.

[KingKivuli]

Rahks and Nazir followed behind and started working their way at the rubble, quickly managing to clear it. What they found behind took them by surprise By Sithis...what... It was Astrid laying on the floor, her body totally burnt and laying in a circle of candles. Rahks face filled with shock Thats....a black sacrement....on herself... He grabbed Nazir and pulled him out the room, giving the sisters space

[Shadowfax]

As Silver entered the room she was the first to catch sight of the burnt form of Astrid on the floor. At first she thought she was imagining things, but then the corpse turned it's head and Silver felt her eyes watering. This was her sister. Slowly and like in a trance, Silver made her way over to Astrids side and collapsed next to her and was so grateful when Rahks left them alone.

"S...Silver..Eye... Please... Forgive me.... I.. Betrayed you... I betrayed everyone.. And k-killed them" Astrid rasped, her talking causing her pain.

"Astrid, please don't... I wasn't here... I should have protected you like I always promised I would" Silver said, her head hanging low so she was looking at the floor next to Astrids arm.

"I.. Ratted you out to the empire... Y-you and..Ra.. Rahks... I thought.. If I gave them you.. They would.. Leave the dark brotherhood alone... I just... Wanted things to go back to how they were.... Before Cicero.. .Before the Nightmother... And before you...."

That caused Silver to look up at her sister. Confusion and sadness in her eyes.

"I know you... N..Never wanted to come here.... I knew.. You had a life... And I stripped that from you... I know... Because of me.. You left your husband... And your daughter..... My niece... I don't even know.. Her... Name...." Astrid rasped.

"Her name is Astrid. We... Named her after you.. When.. .When I thought you were dead" Silver said, not able to keep the tears in now.

Even in her burnt form, Silver could see a gently smile on her younger sisters face when she told her this. Despite the pain she was in, that gave Astrid something to be happy about.

"That.. Is nice.... But.. I know you never wanted to be here. I guilt tripped you into it.. But.. You are so skilled at killing and have... Done so much for....for the dark brotherhood. SilverEye.... I am so sorry... For everything.. For... Ruining your life... For.. betraying you.. Ratting you and Rahks out...For always being... so harsh with you here.... I know.. I know... You gave everything for me... I just...."

Silver took hold of her sisters hand. It was horrible feeling her burnt hand against her own, but if gave Astrid some comfort.

"Don't say that. That is why I came to be with you at the Brotherhood. Because I failed you and that is why you walked this path. What I did... I did for you and you did what you thought was best for the Brotherhood, just like you always have. You're my little sister Astrid and have always been the one i've cared about the most. I would do anything for you. Anything." Silver said, tears shining in her eyes.

"Im glad... Because there is something I want you to do for me right now..." Astrid rasped, her voice quietening with every word.

Silver looked down at her. Astrid then indicated her head towards her blade of woe which was lying on the floor next to her. Clueless, Silver picked it up and examined the blade her sister kept on her at all times. It was a beautiful sword and gleamed crimson as she turned it in her hands.

"SilverEye. Our family.. Looks to you now. You must kill the Emperor. Get back at them for killing our family. You are to be the new leader of the Brotherhood" Astrid coughed.

Silver looked up, but seeing her sister like this she couldn't argue. In reality she wanted to scream. Tell her she didn't want that title, but Astrid was so weak and frail Silver couldn't find the words so stupidly she nodded.

"And one more thing..... I know you always wanted to save me, but... This time.. You can't. You have to let me go and end my torment" Astrid said, closing her eyes.

"YOU CAN'T ASK ME TO DO THAT!" Silver yelled, tears returning.

"Please... Don't pity me. I deserve it. I will be judged in the void and will take any punishment they see fit to give me. Please SilverEye... you have to let me go" Astrid said softly, her own eyes watering now.

Silver looked up at her sister and they locked eyes for a moment. Flashes of the past came to her then and never did Silver imagine herself being the one to end her sisters life. The time they had camped out in the plains of Skyrim with their parents. Silver teaching Astrid to ride a horse. Playing tricks on their horrid aunt. Silver saying farewell to Astrid on the day of the companions. But here she was.. Enduring so much pain.

"Astrid.... We will be together again one day... Next time... We'll be happy and... And i'll be with you soon, okay? I love you sister" Silver said, raising the blade to her neck.

Silver's hands were shaking uncontrollably, but Astrid smiled at her gently as she ran the blade across her throat.

"Thank.. You" Astrid managed to say as the life left her.

The blade of woe zapped something out of Astrid as she did this. It was as if it absorbed her very soul. For a few seconds Silver sat in silence looking down at Astrid as blood began to leak down her side and onto Silver's armor. And then the most horrific and emotional yell filled the entire room.