The plan to kill the Emperor was a failure. Aerelin's eyes darted from one guard to the next as Maro bragged over the turning of one of her own. She knew she would worry about the traitor later; for now, there were three guards advancing on her with a murderous gleam in their eyes. Taking a few steps back, she did her best to get them standing somewhat near each other, taking a deep breath.

"FUS RO DAH!" With a chorus of screams, the men flew through the air, slamming with bone crushing force against the stones. As soon as their feet left the ground she was running, sprinting towards the side of the bridge. In one leap, she was on the railing; her next propelled her far from the edge, hurtling towards the water below. With another deep breath, knowing it would drain her mentally and physically, she Shouted again, feeling the power of the Thu'um fill her. "FEIM ZII GRON!" She never actually felt herself hit the water, and she was quick to begin her run back to Falkreath. She smelled smoke long before she made it back to the Sanctuary, and was already creeping through the bushes by the time she spotted the first royal guards. Killing as she slipped through the Sanctuary, she was grateful for the cowl over her nose and mouth that filtered most of the smoke. She found Nazir, easily killing the guard he was battling, and leading him away.

"Embrace me..." The voice of the Night Mother filled her mind, drowning out the roar of the fire or the sounds of battle. Aerelin wove her way to the coffin, only briefly hesitating before climbing inside and shutting the door. The floral scent wrapped around her, a bittersweet reminder of the friend she'd likely never see again, and she passed out. Not too long after, Nazir and Babette released her to finish her search for the traitor. She wasn't as surprised as the others to find it was Astrid, and it wasn't hard to fulfill the older woman's request for death.

"By Sithis, what a mess." Nazir's voice was rough from the smoke as they stood outside the smoldering Sanctuary, covered in soot. "I guess this is the end."

"Not exactly. The Night Mother has spoken to me again." Already Aerelin was tugging her hood on, looking around for any sign of Shadowmere. Both Nazir and Babette gave her a shocked look.

"What? Well - what did she say?"

"I must speak with Amaund Motierre."

"Amaund Motierre? But that would mean…"

"The contract is still on." Aerelin looked up, gaze trained on the older assassin. "The true Emperor must be assassinated." They both nodded, and Aerelin hung around long enough to plan to meet her dwindling Family in Dawnstar before finding Shadowmere and riding for Whiterun, having a fairly good idea where to find Motierre.

Titus Mede had been a surprisingly willing victim. One by one,, Aerelin had taken out the guards on the ship, before finding herself conversing civilly with the Emperor of Tamriel regarding his death. All he had asked was that she repaid the "kindness" to whomever had paid for the hit, and she was more than happy to oblige. After finishing the contract completely, she shuffled her way back to the new Sanctuary, bone tired but satisfied with a job well done. Only Delvin at the Guild would believe all of this, and honestly she couldn't wait to tell him. When Nazir suggested she ask Delvin to outfit the new place with the payment, she was excited to get going, only sleeping for a couple of hours before heading out again. She gave a bow of her head to the Night Mother as she passed, a pang in her chest at the memory of her friend. She'd only made it two steps out the door when a familiar voice brought her out of her thoughts.

"Ah, Listener!" Her gaze snapped up to see Cicero standing in front of her, a smirk on his face. She began to smile, happy to see her friend was alive and well.

"Cicero!" She halted in her tracks at the dangerous glint in his eyes, noting his hand falling to his dagger sheath.

"Oh yes, it is Cicero! You were a fool to spare me." Her heart sank and her smile fell at his words, fear solidifying her stomach to a stone. "What, did you think I would be grateful? Cicero should be Listener, not you." Her hand twitched as she prepared to have to kill her friend, her lips pressing together tightly. "Now you will die!" There was a couple moments of silence before he began to laugh, letting go of his dagger and laughing. "Ahhh….gotcha!" She blinked, relaxing just a touch. "Oh, Listener, you should see the look on your face!" He continued to laugh, and she could swear he was nearly in tears over the twisted joke. Slowly, the humor began to infect her, and she gave a chuckle as she relaxed completely. "Oh, Cicero has returned! Not to kill the kind Listener, but to serve, until one of us dies horribly in service to our Mother. Best friends forever." Aerelin couldn't hold back any longer, reaching her jester in two strides and pulling him into a tight hug. He seemed shocked at first before returning the gesture just as tightly, his face buried in her hair. There was silence as they greeted each other before Cicero finally pulled away to look down at her with a soft smile. "I'll make myself at home in the Sanctuary. I'm sure Mother needs...tending." With that, he released her fully and made his way inside, leaving her to look after him and smile at the idea that her Family was back together now. Turning, she mounted Shadowmere and left for Riften, intent to get their home finished and move on with their lives past their tragedy.