Chapter 2: Almost Sorry
She awoke to lying in front of a metal sarcophagus. Her eyes flicked across it carefully taking in all the details, her nose caught the aroma of nightshade and lavender. A sweet melodic voice came from the inside.
"Wh..whos there?" she couldn't help herself from quivering at the sound.
Come to me my child. Embrace your mother…
The pale woman stood up carefully making her way to silver casket. Placing her fingers in between the edges, she pride it open. What stood before her is something she would have never believed, a beautiful dark elf stood before her. The eyes of the woman in front of her brought her to her knees as their gazes locked into a battle of emotions.
You have disappointed me Krosis. Why would you do this?
Her eyes widened in awe, this strange woman knew her name; no one ever knew her name. The tight feeling of air trapped in her throat, she desperately wanted to answer this woman. She mocked this woman in spite of the Jester, her skin bristled at the thought of punishment.
It is okay my little one, you will talk when you want to. For now suffer, for you have not gained my affection…
With a faint wave of her hand over the dragonborns face she was back to the black abyss of nothing again. As she floated through the nothing a sharp shriek came from somewhere in the distance. Like any sane person she followed the sound hearing it get louder and louder before the light broke through.
Her eyes fluttered open to see the Jester feet prancing back and forth singing to himself. The pain came flooding back. Her head started to pound as she tried to look up from the ground, dried blood cracked against her skin as she turned her head side to side. The pain in her shoulders screamed in protest as she tried to rotate them; her muscles stiff.
"Is the pretty Dragonborn finally awake, Cicero has been at this for almost four days now. Do you give up yet?" his sing-song voice rang in her ears.
"Poor Cicero had a hell of a time with you, hmm with your shouting nonsense! So Cicero fixed it." Krosis looked back down her eyes resting on the pool of dried blood at her feet. Her eyes widened in horror at the amount that gathered at her feet.
"The Throat is a very messy place to cut, hehe- but don't worry my pretty Dragonborn Cicero made sure you didn't bleed too much. Well not before you died at least." His laugh was playful but terrifying, he stepped into view of her tilting her head up with a finger.
"My, my, such a mess you made, but don't worry Cicero made sure that the cut wouldn't leave a mark. Thanks to the un-child at least." She could feel the dagger pressed against her throat once more. Cicero spliced the dagger across her throat again, blood splattering on the wall. With every move he made slashes all over her, gorging out part of her stomach. Her screams were muffled by the leather mouth piece strapped to her face. When did that get there?
Burning tears built up in her eyes that she could no longer hold back.
"Can the Dragonborn feel her life slipping away? Un-child! Cicero needs you once more!" Krosis could feel her body start to give out, her legs protested against her. A violent shattering sound pierced her eyes. Both her wrist snapped under her weight, breathing became harder as blood started to fill her lungs. The warm liquid filled her leather mask, she tried screaming but her cries for pain were subdued by a hand against her mask.
"Shh be still Dragonborn. Shes coming." As the black started to take a hold of her the sound of chains clashing against the wall kept her from slipping away. Her face connected with the floor and an apathetic 'oops' came from Cicero.
"Get her on her back quickly before she dies this time." A surge of energy swept over her body. The un-child stood above her as she casted the healing spell.
"Cicero you need to reset her wrists so I can heal them." Within seconds he had them snapped back into place, her fingers desperately trying to grab at something to hold on to. The feeling of skin mending back together forcing out an inaudible cry. The Jester knelt down next to her taking her face in both his hands as they locked eyes.
"This can all stop if the sweet Dragonborn just apologizes to mother." His face going dark as his voice was harsh. All she could do was nod, not just for her the sake of the Jester but for the pain to just go away. Out of all the years of training to be the mighty Dragonborn has she never felt this much pain. The mask finally came off, her blood dripping on to her face as he held it there.
"What was that? Cicero can't hear you!" the wicked grin spread across his face once more.
"Z… Zu'u krosis… I'm sorry." Sleep over took her sending her back to the black void.