Dawnstar, the Pale Hold
Skyrim, Nirn
The 12th of Frostfall, 4E201

The Dark Brotherhood had been destroyed. Sieghard had seen to that, as far as Nathiel knew. But the Sanctuaries still stood. The one out by Dawnstar was in shambles and infested with the souls of the former inhabitants and particularly large troll. Then there was the fool and the Night Mother herself. And the fool was far from foolish. There were traps. If Nathiel planned to use this location to his advantage, then he was going to need help. She wasn't easy to find. Planeswalkers seldom were. But when he found her, she was reluctant to help. So he paid her in gold and silver ingots, gems, and jewels.

Her dark eyes had widened and she grinned. She was an assassin, like him, but the living was not exactly her expertise. She was unique. Of course, all Planeswalkers are. She could become one with the spirit world and had weapons that, while physical, could harm spirits. That's why he needed her. To get rid of the pesky undead assassins. She looked at Nathiel and asked, "This all up-front or is it half-now, half-finish the job?" Nathiel grinned evilly.

"Greedy? I like that. This is half-now," he replied. "The spirits you're going up against were assassins in life. Their spirits now haunt their home. Well, more like guard it. Tell me, have you ever been to Nirn?"

"A few times," the young woman answered.

"Well, Kaya, have you heard of the Dark Brotherhood?"

The young woman, Kaya, shook her head.

"They're an order of assassins…Well, were," Nathiel pointed out. "What remained of them were wiped out this past year. But a few of their sanctuaries still exist. There's one in Dawnstar on Nirn that I plan on making use of. The problem is the ghosts of dead assassins who linger there guarding. I need someone with your expertise to help deal with them. Other things in there include traps, a large troll, and a fool."

"A fool?" Kaya asked, raising her unpierced brow.

"A lunatic," Nathiel answered. "The man is completely deranged and out of his mind. He's not the Listener of the Dark Brotherhood. If I am correct in my readings, he's the Keeper, an attendant for the Night Mother's corpse, meant to protect her until a suitable Listener comes. He's undoubtedly the one who set the traps. Pathetic ones at best." He wasn't lying or sugarcoating anything for this young Planeswalker. "So, are you in?" he asked.

Kaya looked like she was considering it. "With the pay you're offering…" she answered after a moment. "…Deal."

They shook hands on it and she followed him to Nirn. They arrived…On a sheet of ice just north of Dawnstar. The problem was, they were at least a mile north of the shoreline. Kaya let out a yell, slipping onto her arse. She tried to remain still while Nathiel slipped onto his hands and knees. Cold water sloshed onto the ice, freezing his fingers. He looked to the shore.

"At least we landed close to our destination," he huffed irritably. "Now we have to get there without dying."

"Okay, got any bright ideas?" Kaya asked.

"We summon something with wings to pull or carry us to shore," Nathiel answered. "I have a few creatures that will do."

"Then by all means, summon them," Kaya suggested.

"It's a far reach to the nearest source of useable mana," Nathiel pointed out. "And I fear I left my converter at the nearby inn."

Kaya glowered at him. "Of course it is! Now we'll have to Planeswalk out and back in at a different point!"

Nathiel groaned. Planeswalking was never easy. He's 'walked into all kinds of situations: Walls, floors, piles of dung. One time, he actually Planeswalked right into a tree and became stuck there. It took him months to work himself out of the tree. When he did, he found he was mortal. And weaker. And couldn't do have the things he used to. Something had changed in the Multiverse. After hitting up his old contacts, he found half of them were dead, vanished, or were no longer Planeswalkers. They told him what had happened, why he was weaker. And he cursed Amanisa for being right. Like always. She had an eye for irritating details like this.

He subconsciously had reached into his pocket and pulled out a couple small, glass bottles with short necks. He looked at them. Potions to stave off the cold for at least two hours. Plenty of time to swim to shore, run to Dawnstar, and warm up at the inn before the effects wore off and they died. He turned to Kaya and handed a bottle to her. She gave him a look, brow raised, as she held the bottle.

"It's a potion meant to keep us warm," he informed her. "It will only last two hours, so we'll have to be fast between here and the inn." He uncorked his.

She did the same and they stood. They down it in all in a single gulp and dove into the Sea of Ghosts. They swam hard and fast, feeling pressure. The water became shallow half a mile to shore and they trudged to shore. One there, they were panting and with an hour remaining before the potion wore off. Nathiel took a matte green glass bottle out and took a swig from it. He stopped panting and handed the bottle to Kaya. "Stamina potion," he informed her. She nodded and finished it off. Then they ran all the way to the inn. Once safely inside, he rented her a room and they each went to their own rooms.

The next day, after they and their clothes were dry, they stepped out into a snowstorm and had to trek their way through wind and ice to the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary that Nathiel wished to utilize. At the door, a voice asked, "What is life's greatest illusion?"

Kaya's eyes widened.

"Innocence, my brother," Nathiel answered.

"Welcome…Home…" the voice responded, and the door opened.

Riverwood, Whiterun Hold
Skyrim, Nirn
The 17th of Frostfall, 4E201

The trip back was as long and cold and slow. And Belinda's elbows started getting really dry. She applied lotion to them daily. Karliah had been kind enough to provide some before Belinda, Sieghard, Dione, Lucien, and Esbern left Riften. After staying in town for a lovely dinner and having some delicious, clean, smoked salmon. And Lucien was more than a happy, purring cat. He lay on his back in the wagon, tail swishing as he slept and dreamt of the smoked salmon, sprinkled with a little bit of catnip and a bowl of good red wine. He started purring, and Belinda rubbed his tummy. Lucien batted at the air, looking utterly undignified.

"Is he still drunk?" Dione asked, grinning in amusement.

"Oh, shove off," Lucien murmured. "Let me be a cat."

"Really? Because you look more like a dog," Sieghard pointed out.

"I grew up around a lot of different animals," Lucien defended. "Amanisa's home was full of them. Stray cats, beaten dogs, birds with broken wings, bears, snakes, rabbits, turtles. She had purchased a nice home in Bree-Land with a big front yard full of lavender and roses with a garden that always seemed to have some exotic fruit. We had lake for a backyard, and she made sure to fill it with water lilies and reeds for our more aquatic guests and residents. Inside, there were habitats for others and books. So. Many. Books. It was enough to make your head spin. It was always home. Sometimes, we hosted a few students or her daughter. Eventually, she took a husband again and they had four children. I sometimes wonder what became of them. They were half-elf and half-Dunedain. I have no doubt they were quite long lived. Amanisa and I did not remain to witness their final fates. Instead, we sought the wonders of the Multiverse. All I know is she sent them to the far corners of Middle Earth to watch."

"For what?" Sieghard asked.

"The enemy," Lucien answered plainly.

"Is it an enemy we have to worry about?" Dione asked.

"No. It is Planesbound and Amanisa ensured I would remain even if I didn't to answer the call no matter where I was," Lucien replied. He sighed. "She was always the cautious one." He was silent a moment. "Okay, enough of the tummy rub. I'm feeling tired."

Belinda listened and Lucien curled up into a ball, now ignoring the world.

"That was very fascinating," Esbern commented. "I knew other worlds existed, but to hear about it from actual Planeswalkers…"

"I still find it confusing," Sieghard pointed out.

"Well, not all Planesbound can comprehend secrets like these," Esbern said. "Remember: You've been allowed to know great secrets and you're managing to stay sane about it. It's an honor!"

"Ha! I'm already insane, and the moons call to me. I'll see you all tomorrow or the day after…"

Sieghard jumped out the back of the wagon and ran off. He had left Wuuthrad behind.

"What just happened?" Esbern asked.

"Just a Companions thing," Dione answered.

They arrived in Riverwood two days later. Sieghard met up with them there, having arrived a few hours before them and noon. He looked ragged and tired, yet pleased with himself. He had clearly had a good hunt. The others got off the wagon, waking Lucien and aiding Esbern down. They then paid the driver and he continued to Whiterun. Belinda put Lucien's bags on his back and helped him with his blue, velvet cloak, even easing his ears through the slits on the head. They went inside, seeing Delphine nervously waiting, leaning on the bar and chewing on her right thumb nail. She looked up from her ruined nails to the door. The inn was empty save her and Orgnar, and her eyes filled with tears when she saw Esbern walk inside and past the group.

The two embraced, glad to see each, and alive at that. Memories of day long past came to the forefront, forcing them to cry a bit. Twenty-five years had passed since they parted.

"It's been too long, Delphine," Esbern said.

"It has," Delphine agreed, voice cracking. "Just too long…" They pulled away and she wiped her eyes. "Well, you're here now and safe, and that's what matters most."

"Is there someplace private we can talk?" Esbern asked.

"Yes; this way," Delphine answered. She led Esbern and the others to her secret room behind the wardrobe. Belinda made sure to shut it behind them. Sieghard went and sat down, finally looking exhausted. Esbern and Delphine stood on opposite sides of the table, Belinda beside her, and Dione and Lucien were at one of the table.

"Now, I assume you know about…" Delphine began.

Esbern looked to Belinda. "I do, yes," he answered. "Told me all about it when we left Riften. A bit of a messy departure due to that Khajiit…"

The Kahjiit that Lucien claimed was following them had ambushed the group on their way out of the Ratways. She came at Belinda with a dagger of High Elven make. She barely cut through Belinda's armor, so the Dragonborn got off lucky. Then Belinda used her fire Shout to kill the Kahjiit. The Khajiit's fur and clothes burned, and she screamed as she rolled around on the floor to put out the flames. Dione drew her boot knife and silenced her, stabbing the head fast. The fur kept burning, giving off a rancid odor that almost made the group move fast. However, Belinda stopped and reached into the surviving satchel. There was a note with orders from an "E," though everyone knew it was Elenwen. Brynjolf and Karliah had seen them off after dinner that night at Dione's house and went off to dispose of the body.

"I still can't get the smell out of my nose," Lucien groaned.

"Yucky," Belinda agreed.

"Well, on to more important matters," Esbern began. He set his bag on the table and ruffled through it. "Where is it? I know I packed it…"

"Esbern, what…?" Delphine began to ask.

"Ah-ha! Here it is!" Esbern exclaimed, pulling out a rather large book with the crest of the Blades on the cover. He opened it and unfolded a map of Skyrim with the Reach Hold outlined. In the middle of the hold was, once again, the Blades' crest. "Sky Haven Temple, the home of Alduin's Wall! Lost to time, but I found it!" He looked pleased with himself, though the others looked between one another, confused.

"What's Alduin's Wall?" Delphine asked.

Esbern looked around at everyone. "You mean, you haven't heard of Alduin's Wall?" He looked around at the group again. "Any of you?"

"I have," Lucien responded. "I was there when it was made."

"Then you know its importance," Esbern said.

"Yes; a second era Akaviri relief sculpture that tells the tale of how Alduin was defeated and how he may be defeated again," Lucien explained.

"That's…Brilliant," Delphine exclaimed. She looked at the map. "I know this area of the Reach. The problem we'll be facing is a lot of Foresworn."

"Fan-fucking-tastic," Sieghard groaned.

"I hate Foresworn," Dione grumbled.

"A break would be so nice," Belinda sighed.

Whiterun, Whiterun Hold
Skyrim, Nirn
The 18th of Frostfall, 4E201

Aela the Huntress embraced Sieghard the second he walked through the doors of Jorrvaskr. He hugged back, holding her close and smelling her hair. It smelt of pine and the hunt. She was not usually the affectionate one. Neither was Sieghard. But sometimes, you just needed the warmth of someone you love. It had been almost a month since they had seen each other. Sieghard had either not stayed in Whiterun long enough to see her or she had been gone when he was there. Well, he and the group were going to rest a few days before heading out into the Reach and Sieghard chose to see his wife. Dione was resting at the inn and Belinda and Lucien were staying in Jorrvaskr until her house was finished. Which would hopefully be tomorrow, but she was wise enough not to hold her breath.

"I missed you," Aela groaned.

"Likewise, love," Sieghard rumbled.

Aela pulled away and looked at Belinda. "And whose this?" she asked.

"The Dragonborn," Sieghard answered. "I've invited her to stay a couple nights until either her house is finished or we leave for the Reach. Whichever comes first." He saw the look on Aela's face. Concern. "She knows all about it. Figured it out herself."

"Lovely," Aela mumbled, not liking the fact an outsider knows the Companions's secrets.

"Just be nice to her," Sieghard sighed. "This Dragonborn business she's involved in has been keeping her away from home and she's kind of missing her family. Let's treat her as such."

Aela sighed and nodded. "And the roads into the other provinces are practically impassable right now, so she's stuck here in Skyrim."

"Yeah," Sieghard lied. Let's go with that, he thought. "Anyway, to make up for some lost time, how about we have some fun tonight?" he asked.

Aela raised a brow, grinning. "Are you asking for rough, wild sex under the moonlight?"

Sieghard chuckled. "Absolutely." He kissed Aela's lips softly before turning to the twins, Vilkas and Farkas. "Hey, Vilkas!" he called.

"What?" Vilkas demanded. He was the smaller of the twins, with shorter hair too.

"Hey, it's the short kid who helped me," Farkas commented.

"Good to see you up and about," Belinda replied. Then she realized that Farkas had called her a short kid. "OI!" she snapped, feigning offense. "I'm five feet and six inches! That's not short!"

Farkas laughed.

Vilkas took a good look at Belinda. She was beautiful with her long, black hair and dazzling violet eyes. She was certainly no older than 18 and couldn't be younger than 16. Seventeen perhaps? Definitely old enough to drink and wed in Skyrim and still pretty enough. But what about skill and intellect?

"Would you please take Miss Scale here to Aela's old room?" Sieghard asked.

"Sure; should I ask Tilma to fetch fresh linens while I'm at it?" Vilkas responded.

"I'm already heading to the linens closet," Tilma pointed out, heading downstairs.

"Never mind then," Vilkas mumbled. He looked to Belinda. "Follow me." He led her downstairs to the Companions' living quarters. Across the hall from where they entered were the barracks where the lesser members of the Companions slept. Down the hall was where the Circle resided. If Belinda remembered correctly, the last time she was here, she took a right and then a left to Farkas's room. This time Vilkas led her left and then left again to what was Aela's old room.

Since marrying Sieghard, Aela had moved into the Harbinger's Quarters with him. So the room was pretty bare save for the bedframe and mattress, a rug, and a nightstand. That was pretty much it and Belinda didn't need much else except for linens. Tilma brought those and Belinda thanked her and took the linens, pillow, and fur blanket.

"I'll be back with a lantern and candles for you, dear," Tilma said, hurrying off.

"Again, thank you," Belinda replied. She made the bed herself. "These linens are soft," she commented to no one in particular.

"Tilma says she washes them right," Vilkas pointed out. He didn't know why, but he really wanted to talk to her.

"I'll say." Belinda bent over knee on the bed to tuck the fitted sheet.

Vilkas stared at her backside and felt his mouth water.

Belinda then put on the blanket and the fur blanket before fluffing the two pillows. She yawned and stretched. "I think I'll take a quick nap before anything else."

"I'll, uh, leave you to that," Vilkas muttered, taking his leave hurriedly. He went down the hall and to the right into his room. There, he grabbed a pillow and groaned into it. Oh gods, what was wrong with him?! He was in his 30's and that girl was a mere child, half his age! He heard a knock on the door and turned to his larger twin Farkas. "What?" he snapped.

"You're blushing," Farkas teased.

"Oh, bite me," Vilkas snapped.

"That short-stuff got you?" Farkas asked, and got a pillow to the face.

"I said shut up, ice brain!" Vilkas plopped into a chair. "Gods, she's a kid."

"Cradle robber," Farkas teased.

"Knock it off before I actually hit you."

"Why? It's funny!" Aela said. "We've never actually seen you all flustered and awkward before. It's quite a sight to see."

"Fuck off, both of you," Vilkas growled.

The Dawnstar Sanctuary, the Pale
Skyrim, Nirn
The 18th of Frostfall, 4E201

Nathiel wasn't sure why he let the fool live.

His name was Cicero, a real bouncing nutter. Nathiel had stolen glances into the man's journals and pitied him. He knew what it was like to not be favored. However, as soon as he went up to the Night Mother's corpse in what was once a torture chamber, she spoke to him, told him what to tell Cicero. The little Cyrodiilic in jester's attire had been displeased that she spoke to him, but was soon dancing with joy that the Dark Brotherhood had a new Listener and would survive. Then the fool went on and on about rebuilding, recruiting, and nonsense. Nathiel just needed a base of operations, a safe place to grow his plants and store his potions, salves, and poisons; and access to the nearby alchemy shop. He hadn't intended to become Listener of the Dark Brotherhood. But apparently, it happened.

Perhaps I can make use of the fool and his Night Mother, Nathiel thought, watching Cicero attend to the Night Mother's corpse. An order of assassins at my command and disposal…I think I like the idea. It would give him a means to find someone that could be useful, help him dispose of Amanisa. No, that wasn't her name this time. Belinda. It had taken him some time, but he made the connection. The little brown-haired girl he'd nearly killed a decade ago was this Belinda. But she still had Amanisa's soul. So close enough. He went up to some roses he planted. Between his magic and his devotion, he could see they were thriving even in a dark and cold environment.

They were all the colors of dawn, cultivated by Amanisa. The cores were a bright red-orange with yellow edges, surrounded by petals of vibrant pinks, soft blues, and dark violets. He remembered the first day he had seen them. They climbed the spires of Amanisa's Crystal Palace and how they smelt so wonderful. It was always the first thing he smelt in the morning and last thing he smelt before sleep took him at night. And the dew that came off them was sweet and had magical properties that made him go out of his way to capture a little every morning. Now he raised his own. Along with other plants. Some pleasant, others dangerous. But none more so of both than Athelas. When used right, and there are so few who know how, Athelas made a terrible poison…