KaNack laughed along with Veezara as the Black Door opened, and they entered the sanctuary that was truly a home. The two talked excitedly amongst themselves about how they should team on future contracts since they had worked so well together in Riften. As they started down the stairwell, a piercing voice cried out.

"But the Night Mother is mother to us all! Surely you wouldn't risk punishment by offending her!"

"Keep talking, little man, we'll see who gets punished!" Arnbjorn's voice growled out.

"Who was that?" the Shadowscale muttered as he turned to look at the mage. KaNack shrugged his shoulders, and the two continued down into the sanctuary. KaNack's jaw dropped at the sight before him. There was an enormous crate standing upright in the center of the sanctuary. All the assassins had gathered around it, but standing before them, to the Argonian's disbelief, was the funny little man whose wagon had been broken down in Whiterun.

"Oh, calm down, you insufferable lap dog!" Festus barked as he smacked the large Nord harshly in the back of the head. "Hasn't the man gone through enough strife in his journey? He has traveled across oceans to bring the Night Mother to us, show some respect!"

"Oh, how polite and kind you are, wizard!" Cicero chirped as he smiled at the elder mage. The jester placed a gloved hand on the large crate and gleamed at it. "Surely you will earn our Lady's favor."

"We're all just grateful that you managed to get the Night Mother here safely," Astrid explained as she approached the merry man. "We had grown concerned when so much time had passed after your last letter to us. I was afraid that something might have happened to the Night Mother during your passage through Skyrim."

"Oh, it was hard," the fool whimpered. "Very, very hard. Cicero tried to get here quickly, but…" The jester released a loud cry of frustration. "Bothersome dragon!" he cried out. "The beast swooped down and gobbled up Poor Cicero's horse!" The fool threw his arms into the air. "Why Cicero's horse? Does he not know there is a war on? There are soldiers spread out across Skyrim. The brute could have easily eaten a Stormcloak or an Imperial!" The Fool of Hearts then paused as he thought about his previous statement.

"Not THIS Imperial of course," he chuckled; he then shook his head sadly. "Oh, too long, too LONG Cicero was stranded! Cicero had the worst of luck in Skyrim with his wagon! I couldn't leave Mother's side! I had to wait on the road until another kindly stranger appeared and lent me his horse!"

"Someone actually let you have their horse?" Babette piped up, surprised that anyone would willingly give the peculiar man their steed.

"Well, Cicero did have to do some coaxing," he tittered. The fool then got a dark look as he glanced to the side, "and some burying," he muttered darkly under his breath. Cicero perked up again quickly and bore an ear to ear grin. "However, as you can see, both Mother and I have arrived, safe and sound! Loyal Cicero never allowed any harm to come upon our Mother! Never! We are tardy but present now! Cicero and the Night Mother! Home in the security of sanctuary!"

"I don't believe it!" KaNack exclaimed as he made his way over to the group with Veezara following close behind. Cicero turned to the Argonians and his face lit up with delight.

"You! YOU! Cicero knows you!" the fool laughed as he hurried over to greet the mage. "Cicero never forgets a face!"

"You two have met?" Nazir asked as he stared at the two with a raised eyebrow.

"Cicero's wagon broke down! Stranded I was!" the jester cried as he turned to look back at the Dark Brotherhood assassins. "No one would help me! No one but him!" He pointed a finger at KaNack and the gloved appendage bopped the reptile on the tip of his snout. "He helped Cicero and got the lazy farmer to fix my wagon! Cicero would not have gotten far without the Argonian's help!"

The jester turned back to KaNack still grinning madly. The Argonian could only smile back, the fool was crazy, but really, wasn't everyone a little crazy? Cicero had an expressive personality that could even lift the mage's dark spirits.

"I thought you were heading to Dawnstar though," KaNack stated as he folded his arms. "Why are you in Falkreath?"

This made the jester frown and he took off his cap and wrung it as he looked at the Argonian sadly.

"Oh, Cicero is sorry for fibbing! It was only an itty bitty little lie! I had to be careful you see. There are those who would wish harm upon the Night Mother, Faithful Cicero could not risk being pursued by offenders."

The jester then laughed loudly and pulled the mage into a tight embrace. "Here you are too though! Oh, Sithis surely must want the two of us to be the very best of friends!"

Arnbjorn snorted as he glared over at the two. "Oh, please. If you want to hang out with the clown, that's your decision," the Nord growled. "I think you can do better though."

"Clown?!" Jester snarled as he broke the embrace to glare at the large assassin. "Make no mistake, Cicero is no clown! Cicero is a jester, now and forever! Please get the title right! You wouldn't want Cicero calling you a sheepdog, would you?"

"What?!" the Nord snarled, his annoyance with the fool was starting to grow rapidly. Astrid placed a hand on her husband's chest and pushed him back a few steps.

"Would you please control that temper of yours?" She released an exhausted sigh and then looked back to the jester. "Cicero, you and the Night Mother are welcomed here in our sanctuary. As such we will abide and respect your position as Keeper, right dear?"

When Arnbjorn merely grumbled, the Dark Brotherhood leader poked him hard in his ribs.

"Right?"

"Yeah," the frustrated assassin growled out.

"Oh! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Cicero laughed as he began to dance merrily.

"But I am in charge of this Sanctuary. My word is law, are we clear on that?" she snapped, getting slightly frustrated herself with the antics of the Fool of Hearts.

"Oh, of course mistress! Certainly! You are the boss!" he chirped as he bowed to the woman.

Astrid turned her attention back to KaNack and smile once again formed on her face.

"Ah, the Argonian assassins have returned! You two come here, I've very excited to hear how it went in Riften."

Veezara nodded his head and followed Astrid over towards where the dining area was.

"Oh, yes madam," Cicero suddenly growled under his breath. "You're in charge…for now." The jester spun back to look at the young mage and beamed a loving smile to him. "Well, I have to get Mother settled here in the sanctuary. I do hope that we can catch up with each other later though! Cicero has such stories to tell you of his adventures on the road!"

"Yeah, Falkreath shouldn't have taken you this long to get here. I'll be interested to find out what happened."

"Farewell! Farewell, friend!"

The young Argonian hurried off to catch up with Veezara and Astrid. If he made a good impression on the Dark Brotherhood's leader, it most likely wouldn't be much longer until he was given a contract to handle on his own.

The mage found Astrid and his cousin seated at the large dining table already talking quietly to themselves. The leader's head picked up as she saw the apprentice approach and she gestured to a chair next to her.

"KaNack, Veezara was just telling me that you managed to become acquainted with one Maven Black-Briar."

"That woman is terrifying," KaNack shuddered as he took his seat. "I seem to be having a very hard time getting along with Nords." His eyes then widened and he made a frantic gesture with his hands. "No offense, Astrid."

"Calm down," she laughed. "Us Nords are known for being rather strong headed and hard to get along with. I would take it as an offense if you were not intimidated by us." She folded her hands together and rested her chin on the locked fists as she turned her attention back to Veezara."

"Share your report with me, Veezara. Did our little brother handle himself professionally in Riften?"

"He's a little jumpy," the Shadowscale started, "but he's very good when it comes time to actually get the job done. Truth is, I botched up the job and this little hothead actually prevented the contract from falling to pieces."

"You don't say," Astrid mused to herself . Her gaze returned to KaNack as she mentally evaluated the eager young assassin.

"He's quick on his feet and can follow orders when instructed properly. He's promising, Astrid. Very promising."

"Look at you," the Nord purred as she rested her arms back on the table. "Getting that kind of praise from Veezara is no easy feat. You keep showing promise like this and you just might be ready handle one of our contracts on your own. In the meantime, I'd like you to focus once again on your training with Festus."

Hearing this made the Argonian's heart drop. "I don't understand. I thought I did well in Riften."

"You did, my dear! You are a mage though, and if you want to improve your craft, you have to focus on mastering your magicka. You can't make progress if you are out handling contracts on a regular basis."

Veezara placed a sympathetic hand on his young cousin's shoulder.

"I feel for you, brother. I really do."

"Don't be sad, little brother," Astrid insisted as she got up from the table. "You've more than proven yourself to me as a promising assassin. You just need a little more work with Festus, that's all." She then gestured for him to leave. "Run along now, you've earned a little relaxation after your success in Riften."

The Argonian got up from his chair and started back out to the main chamber. By the time he returned, Cicero and the large crate were gone.

"What are you doing?! That is not some children's toy! Stop shaking it!" the jester's voice snapped in the distance. It was coming from one of the upper chambers where a large stained glass window was installed. Babette was sitting the stairs and grinned at KaNack as the Argonian started to make his way up them in curiosity.

"I'd be careful if I was you," she chimed. "Everyone is in a mood up there."

"Thanks for the warning."

The Argonian followed the sounds of straining and growling to a small chamber hidden in the heart of the sanctuary. Nazir and Arnbjorn were struggling to lift the large crate onto the small platform that was before the stained window. It appeared to be some kind of chamber for worship, complete with pews and a podium for preaching.

"Nazir, I swear I'm going to kill him if he doesn't shut up!" the large Nord snarled.

"Get in line!" the Redguard snapped back just as angrily.

"That is our Mother! She has come very far! She must be handled with care!" the fool barked as he crossed his arms and scowled at the two.

With one final heave, the two assassins managed to get the large crate settled on the peak of the platform. It looked like it had been no easy feat.

"Thank Sithis," Nazir grumbled as he dropped onto one of the benches in exhaustion. He glared over at Cicero, who was now next to the crate with a long, but strong looking bar of metal, and began to very carefully ease the boards open. He tsked to himself as he shook his head.

"Astrid told you to be careful! You were anything but! Pray to Sithis that Mother is still in one piece."

"That will be more than can be said of you, if you don't stop yapping!" Arnbjorn snarled viciously as he joined Nazir on the bench.

"So rude! So disrespectful!" Cicero hissed as he turned to scowl at them. The jester's eyes then fell on KaNack who had been watching quietly in the entrance way. "Ah! Finally! Someone who might understand! Come in! Come in! You are most welcome!"

The two assassins turned their heads to look at the Argonian as the mage entered the chamber and took a seat near the front.

"Look at this kind Argonian! He was so polite and accommodating even before he knew poor Cicero was Keeper to the Night Mother!" The jester motioned for the apprentice to join him on the platform. "Come! Come and see! You shall be the first to have the honor of being in the presence of Sweet Night Mother."

"What?! We're the ones who nearly broke our backs trying to lift the damn thing!" the Nord barked angrily.

"Be respectful!" Cicero snarled as he pointed the metal bar at the two assassins. "Tsk! Tsk!" he uttered in frustration. "Does no one here respect the Tenets?!" The jester rolled his eyes as he replaced the tool back on the crate and with one powerful strain, the nails dislodged themselves and the wooden lid fell to the floor.

KaNack's eyes widened as the mystery of the box was revealed. It was an imposing iron tomb that had a frightening and grotesque head figure on the top of it. Waves of patterns crossed along the locked coffin before him. He was frightened, but also intrigued. The Argonian stepped closer as his eyes explored every inch of the sacred tomb before him.

He had spent enough time talking with Festus that he knew whom the Night Mother was. The elder had told him that supposedly the Dread Father's unholy bride could speak from beyond the grave, but it had been some time since she had done so.

Cicero wrung his hands together as he saw the mage in pure awe of the spectacle before him.

"Cicero had a feeling you would appreciate her," he said softly. "Not like these two, you are pure. New and untainted by the outrageous abandonment of the Dark Brotherhood's traditions."

"You really need to let that go, meatsack," the Nord grumbled as he got up from his seat to get a better look at what Astrid had forced him and Nazir to carry up a flight of stairs. "So, is this just decoration, or is her body really in there?" he asked as he reached forward to touch the coffin.

"NO!" The Nord's hand flew back and just missed being struck by the metal bar in Cicero's hands. KaNack sprung from the platform and stood beside the other assassins, shocked and slightly terrified at Cicero's vicious attempt to strike Arnbjorn.

"Are you insane?!" the Nord snarled at him.

"Nobody touches the Night Mother or her crypt!" the jester growled angrily as he stood in front of the coffin protectively, grasping the tool like a weapon. "Your hands are unclean and must not come in contact with her crypt! For shame! Filthy! Filthy!"

"This is ridiculous," Nazir snapped as he pointed at Cicero. "You are obviously crazy!"

"Am I?" Cicero hissed. "AM I?!" The fool lowered the weapon as he glared at the group before him and shook his head slowly. "Maybe Cicero is a little crazy, but you would be too if you had to endure the strife of Cyrodiil. Cicero has endured much and traveled far! Astrid may have abandoned the Old Ways, but Cicero will enforce them if it means protecting the Night Mother."

"I'm done," Nazir muttered as he turned around to leave. "Have fun playing housekeeper, madman."

"Lunatic," the Nord grumbled. "I'd eat you, but I'd hate to get infected with whatever you have."

The two then left, leaving only Cicero and the Argonian alone in the shrine. The jester sighed and let the bar fall from his hands and it made a loud clang throughout the chamber. He looked tired all of a sudden and took a seat on the platform before the Night Mother.

"The Old Ways are the right ways," he muttered to himself. "I will not stray from the path, Mother."

The fool lifted his head up and saw that KaNack was still there.

"Isn't the Argonian going to join his friends?"

"They're not my friends," KaNack answered as he once again took a seat one of the front pews. "Not yet at least."

This made the fool smile. "You are a smart one. You don't follow the rest of the sheep in this sanctuary. You make your own decisions."

"It's how I've always lived," KaNack answered with a shrug. He leaned forward as he peered at the jester. Clearly there had been more to Cicero that he had assumed. This was no mere jester; he was something vital to the Dark Brotherhood. He must have been if he was the caretaker of the Night Mother.

"You said something earlier about Tenets?"

Hearing this perked up the Fool of Hearts and he stared at the mage in astonishment. He had expected that someone as young as the Argonian wouldn't be interested or even paying attention about something like the Tenets.

"I remember Festus mentioning them once or twice when he was telling me about the Night Mother."

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Cicero exclaimed with a smile. "You, the wizard and Cicero are the only ones here who truly understand!" The Keeper shook his head as he thought back to a time when the Old Ways were embraced by all the sanctuaries in Tamriel. "The Tenets are ancient rules created by the Dark Brotherhood to retain order in the faction. They are simple, but very important."

"What are they?"

The jester got up from the platform and took a seat next to the mage, resting his hands on his lap.

"The First and most vital one is to not disrespect the Night Mother," he answered simply. "That was what that hulking hound almost did by trying to touch our beloved Mother. The Second is to never reveal or betray the secrets of the Dark Brotherhood."

"Seems pretty straightforward so far."

"The Third Tenet is to never disobey or refuse an order given by your superior. The Forth is to never steal a brother or sister's possessions." Cicero head lifted up and he turned to look KaNack in the eyes. "The Fifth and final Tenet, never kill a fellow member of the Dark Brotherhood."

"What?" This rule surprised and slightly disturbed KaNack. "Why would anyone kill another assassin in the Brotherhood? Aren't we supposed to be a close family?"

"You'd be surprised," the jester muttered. "Even Faithful Cicero has broken a Tenet once or twice in the past."

"Really? Which ones did you break?"

"Cicero would rather not say," the fool answered quietly, and looked down at the floor shamefully.

The two sat in silence as they both gazed at the Night Mother's coffin. Even if KaNack couldn't see the actual body, he could sense Her presence. He wondered if all the Dark Brotherhood members got this sensation simply by being in the same room as Her.

"Cicero!"

The two turned around and saw Astrid standing in the doorway, looking very irritated. "What is this I hear about you trying to break my husband's arm?"

KaNack was shocked when Cicero responded by simply giggling.

"Oh, what a little tattletale," he tittered as he grinned back at Astrid. "Goes crying like a disciplined puppy to his master. I find that very funny."

"There is nothing funny about this!" she growled as she stormed into the chamber and stood before the two. "I will not tolerate you assaulting my men, Cicero! The Tenets are not in effect here and as such our brothers and sisters will not be punished for breaking basic ones that don't threaten our livelihood."

"What's that?!" Cicero suddenly spoke up furiously. "Desecrating the Night Mother's tomb is not something to be taken lightly! Cicero is Her Keeper and will not hesitate to protect Mother from filthy hands!"

"It's an iron tomb!" Astrid snapped back at the jester pointing a finger in his face. "She's perfectly protected from any outside elements! This will not be happening again, are we clear?"

Cicero's eyes went to the side and then he looked back at Astrid and tilted his head with a small whimper.

"Pardon? Cicero wasn't listening."

"I'll just take that as a yes," she grumbled. The assassin looked over at KaNack. "Did he try to attack you as well?"

"Cicero would never harm someone who respects the Night Mother!" the jester angrily insisted. "Simply leave Cicero to his duties, and we'll all get along splendidly," he remarked in a threatening yet sing-song tone.

"I'm fine," the Argonian answered simply. Astrid nodded her head, but gave the jester a fierce look.

"I remind you once again, Cicero. I," she emphasized the 'I' part," am in charge here."

"Humble Cicero lives to serve," the fool muttered not even bothering to look the Nord in the eyes.

Astrid turned around and stormed out of the chamber. As soon as she was gone, the jester blew a loud and rude raspberry in her direction, then crossed his arms and scowled ahead at nothing in particular. "Sanctuary leader indeed," he snorted. "Abandoning the Tenets, not caring about the Night Mother's well being, and disrespecting the Keeper as well."

Cicero placed an arm around KaNack's shoulder as he stared ahead at the Night Mother. "There is something off about her. She's almost pretending to be an efficient commander of a sanctuary." The jester turned his head to look at KaNack. "You keep an eye on her, friend. Cicero doesn't trust her."

"I'll be careful," the Argonian replied as he gave the jester a reassuring pat on his hand.

"Cicero likes you indeed," the Keeper replied, turning his loving gaze back to the iron tomb. "Unlike Astrid, I sense sincerity in you." The fool sighed sadly and lowered his head. "But you still think Cicero is crazy, don't you?"

This made KaNack snort as his eyes rolled up towards the ceiling.

"Aren't we all crazy?" the mage stated bitterly. "I become unpredictably violent if I go more than two weeks without killing someone. At least you had a rational explanation for your outburst."

This made Cicero laugh and slap the Argonian's back hard.

"How wonderful! Cicero is so jubilant and happy! Yes, let's be crazy together, friend!" The jester giggled madly as he grinned at the mage. "If we must be crazy, then at least we can do so together." The jester then lost his smile and he frowned again. "Solitude is a terrible thing, friend," he stated softly and solemnly. "If you must take one thing from Foolish Cicero, let it be this." He stared up at the Argonian. "There is no challenge you cannot face, so long as you are with a friend."

KaNack remained silent as he took the jester's words to heart.

"For someone who's pretends to be a fool, you sure seem to make a lot of sense."

"A fool making sense," Cicero snickered. "Now that IS crazy."