GRAVE RETURN

Hawks fly even at night. They circled lazily above the teeming city of Solitude. I can always see them from my balcony, usually flying in from the nearby mountain. Some brave ones flew out towards the ocean. Why? I'm not sure. Maybe for food. Or to get the hell away from here.

That's what I wanted to do. I wanted to be anywhere but here. To leap from the carriage and dive right into the ocean until I lost all sight of land. But she won't let me.

No, the reason we are here is very important. It's for the crown, the object of the Night Mother's desire. I don't know why. All I know is I damn near almost got myself killed while exploring Skyrim for it. Went through so much pain, killed and chased Mercer to the ends of Nirn, and got my friend killed for it.

Now, it sits in a safe right next to my bed in Proudspire Manor. All I can hope for is everyone is out looking for me, maybe a giant search party far away from here. That way they won't get in her way and get hurt.

I barely got a promise from her as I walked through the city gates. The only warning that she will strike out through me is her mood, and right now she was very excited.

My tower lay before me. I run my hand through the little fern stuck in the wall next to the staircase. Sometimes, I get lost when all the buildings look the same. That fern saved me a time or two. I reach the door and on second thought, lean my ear against it.

"She was in Dawnstar. Guards contacted me, a few were dead. Allegedly, she murdered someone and there's no damn way she'd kill someone without good reason!" Bryn. He was arguing with someone.

"I know Brynjolf, just keep your head about you. That girl, she's smart, for all the crap I gave her she still knows how to get out of a tough situation." Delvin.

"I just feel bad that I was there. I could've stopped them…if I wasn't drinking." Gabriel, he sounded remorseful.

"You can't even find out where you are when you're drunk you good for nothing carriage driver!" Bryn explodes. I want to burst right in there and shut him up. It wasn't Gabriel's fault the Dark Brotherhood was watching. "Are you sure she was kidnapped? There's no way she would have gone off on her own?"

Gabriel sniffles, "Yes, I went into her room and found the bed turned over, the bartender didn't know anything about anyone coming in. But the chef did see a body shaped bag over someone's shoulder. The poor girl…"

Bryn and Delvin swear in unison. "Did you get a good look at the figure?" Delvin asks.

"I asked all around the town… but I, I can't remember." Gabriel sobs, I can just see his head in his hands, he was one of those people who preferred not to show his tears.

"We best go to Windhelm, Brynjolf. That's going to be our best bet, I haven't seen or heard of anything here." Delvin sounds closer, nearing the door.

I back away. Tears threaten to choke me, and I know if I open the door, say I'm okay, there's no way I'd leave here on my own. It would be me, Voice, and four or five body bags.

The door is just opening when I leap. I pull myself up on the roof right above the door. I don't spare a glance, because I know he'll see me. Instead, I fling myself another story up and land right at my bedroom window. I peer in.

The room is disheveled slightly, almost like Bryn was looking around. My heart pounds. What if he has the crown? Go inside. Voice sounds panicky.

I slowly move the window and hear the latch break. Might want to get some industrial level locks if I want to make sure no one gets in from now on. I slip inside. The glow from the lights in the upstairs kitchen keep the room slightly lit. I crouch by the safe and move the knob for the code.

When it clicks, I open it, faster than I should and nearly hit Oliver. The little Irish Wolfhound whines but soon comes over and begins to lick my face, "I know, I love you too." I whisper.

The crown. It's still in there, wrapped in a velvet blanket for safekeeping. I pull it out and stuff it in my bag. On second thought, I also grab some papers and a pen.

"Oliver? Are you here good boy?" Penny asks, I hear the door squeak and I flatten myself below the bed. I crawl so there's no way the old butler can see me. Oliver whines with my retreat.

"Go." I whisper. Voice is coiled and ready to strike. "Please." I whisper as his nose skirts the edge. It's right next to my face.

"Oliver! Did you bring in another rabbit?"

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding when Oliver turns to run to Penny. When the door shuts, I write a quick note.

Bryn, Penny, Delvin, Gabriel, and Oliver. Plus, whoever else is reading. I am safe. I'm okay. I'm being told what to do.

I want to write not against my will. But that wouldn't be honest.

Don't come looking for me. I will send a letter soon. I'm going to get out of this and get rid of her, I'm just waiting for the right opportunity.

I don't know what else to write. It's not like I can tell them about the Dark Brotherhood or their Sanctuary. Or Voice's tyranny.

Instead I write, I love you all. You will hear from me soon.

I crease the note and leave it in the open safe. Bryn is clever. He'll know why I was here and why I have to do it covertly.

The wind is cold when I leave, but not as cold as the chill in my heart. I take one last look at Proudspire. The windows ooze with a warm light, all except for my bedroom but my eyesight is impeccable. I'm not completely sure, but I think I spy Oliver peeking out my bedroom window. I give a two-finger salute. "I'll be back good boy. Keep them safe."

For some reason I thought Hay was in the main room with everyone else. I was wrong. He's at the base of the tree he chased me up. I forgot it was good code to let him hunt at night, the only time when the reincarnated bear could come and go from Solitude safely. He whines.

"I know, Hay. I can't come back right now. Go back to Gabriel." I creep out on a smaller branch.

He whines again.

"Please, I'll be back, I promise." I want to climb down there and give the resurrected bear a big kiss, but I can't.

He whines one more time. He just won't leave me alone.

A very bad, but very good thought enters my mind. Voice approves, Do it.

I take in a deep breath. If this goes well, then I'm free, if it doesn't then it's only one casualty tonight. That's what I tell myself to keep the guilt from seeping in.

I hold my left palm out, just like I did when I resurrected him after his death from the bandits. I call on a power I seldom use. Vampiric Drain. It depletes someone's health and kills them instantly if they're not careful. Painless and quick.

Hay moans then falls to the ground in a heap. I hold back tears. Please work, please work, please work. I drop down next to the now dead bear and hug him. There's a lot of bear and a lot of fur to go around. I give him a great big kiss on the top of the head then creep down the edge of the mountain.

If this doesn't work, I feel like Vorstag's ghost will come back to haunt me, considering he was the one who wanted Hay to be safe. I hold out the same hand and call on my necromancy power. For a new vampire I shouldn't be this strong but go figure.

Purple light flashes and I hear the steady beat of his heart, the rise and fall of his chest. I let out that breath I was holding.

Everyone is safe. Go home.

I don't argue, just get to the carriage and request Falkreath. I can't believe I got in and out without anyone dying. I just hope my luck stays.

"What is the music of life?" The bloody door asks. I mean that literally. It almost looks like a fresh bloody handprint was just smacked on it. And by the personal scent on it, I won't like who's behind that door.

I grind my teeth, "Silence, my brother."

The door creaks open. I take another moment to myself, for peace.

There will be peace again, Eve. Her voice is louder.

I ignore it all, pull up my big girl panties, and head in. Everyone is in the main cavern, all surrounding someone. Astrid turns to glance at me, approval in her gaze. She also seems incredibly annoyed.

"But the Night Mother is all! It is her voice we follow! Her will! Would you dare risk disobedience? And surely…punishment?" The mangy, bewildered, jester, known as Cicero, is standing right before the box filled with the Night Mother's coffin. It seems even taller when standing upright. A sense of peace settles over me with the annoyance of his appearance.

"Keep talking little man, and we'll see who gets 'punished'" A manly, annoyed voice chimes. I like this guy.

"Oh, be quiet, you great lumbering lapdog. The man has had a long journey. You can at least be civil." An older man says. "Mister Cicero, I for one am delighted you and the Night Mother have arrived. Your presence here signals a welcome return to tradition."

Cicero sighs longingly, "Oh, what a kind and wise wizard you are. Sure to earn our Lady's favor." His gaze barely grazes me, but I know it's because I still have the Nightingale hood on. It was cold on the way here.

"You and the Night Mother are of course welcome here, Cicero. And you will be afforded the respect deserving of your position as Keeper. Understood…husband?" Astrid eyes the man who looks like he might wolf out any minute. I sniff. Oh, it's because he is a werewolf. He just crosses his arms.

Cicero starts dancing, "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you Astrid!"

She continues, "But make no mistake. I am the leader of this Sanctuary. My word is law. Are we clear on that point?"

"Oh, yes mistress! Perfectly! You're the boss." Cicero sings before he turns back to the coffin. He begins to clean it.

Astrid turns to me, "Ah, there you are. Good, I was done speaking with that muttering fool anyway. We've got some business to discuss."

I keep watch of Cicero out of the corner of my eye. Him and the coffin. "The contract?"

"Yes," She says, pleased, "You must go to the city of Markarth and speak with the apothecary's assistant. You'll probably find her in The Hag's Cure, when the shop is open. The girl's been running her mouth, wants an ex-lover killed. She's apparently performed the Black Sacrament. Her name is Muiri. I need you to talk to her, set up the contract, and carry it out."

The boss is completely oblivious to the fact that Cicero keeps glaring at her with a very murderous gleam in his eyes. "Got it. Anything else?"

"Just do whatever the contact wishes. Be professional, represent us well, and get the job done. Since it's your first contract, I'll let you keep whatever Muiri pays. She'll be generous, I'm sure. They always are." She smiles. I don't want to leave her alone with the freak next to the coffin.

"Got it. Thanks. I'll get it done…if you don't mind me?" I nod to the jester.

"Not at all." She grins and saunters off.

I rip off the mask. Cicero gasps, his face is lit up like he was given the most precious of presents. "Traveler! Oh, I knew we would be together in this moment! It was only a matter of time! Oh, Sithis has blessed us well!" He jumps around, "Mother is oh so happy. I've felt her the past day, she could not wait to be here, even with Astrid. She was so, so worried, but Mother's been wanting to see you…" He looks at me with excitement and a certain sense of hollowness.

I ache to grab his throat, lift him up, yell at him. Instead, I stay controlled. "It sounds like I'm here for a reason. I don't know what for and I don't need you thinking you're better than anyone here."

His face falls, "But the Keeper is very important."

"Yeah, but most people here think the Night Mother is glorified worm food."

He smiles, "Oh, but you and me both know that is not the case. Mother is the lifeblood of the Dark Brotherhood! Without her there would be no Dark Brotherhood!" His eyes are wild.

I backtrack, "I know, trust me, I know." I tap my head, but he doesn't understand.

"When the Listener is here…they will respect her then."

That word. That's what he thought Keira was before he killed her. It's why I never said anything. "What is the Listener?"

"The only person the Night Mother speaks to, is the highest honor obtainable, but the Dark Brotherhood. Our Lady is Dead so she cannot talk with words since her lips are…rotted. But I hear in the Listener's head it is quite…intimate."

If only he knew.

"There has not been a Listener in years! Our Mother hasn't chosen, Cicero…or Astrid…or anyone. But…someday." He looks longingly at the coffin.

I'm puzzled. "But I thought you heard her? With everything you say."

"AHAHAHA, you jest! Cicero does listen but it's only in the extreme silence, can Cicero hear. Oh, but if I were the Listener...I could hear, even in the loudest of places."

Voice laughs. Our dear Cicero wishes so that he could be the Listener.

For some reason, it never sank in until that moment. I'm the Listener. And that holds weight here, but I don't know how. "Why didn't you?"

"Oh, I wish I could! It must have been the ride here! It was so rough!" Cicero squeals.

Voice answers the question. As you can see, he is unstable.

"But I'm weak." I mock her saying. Softly so he won't hear.

Weakness means you can be strong. I cannot fix him to carry out my wishes.

But she was. She had him drive her damn near across the whole continent to get here. It's no use arguing with the dead. Or the insane. I'm about to go to Nazir when I remember. "Cicero."

He turns on his heel, his smile a little too wide. "Yes, Traveler?"

"I saw how you look at Astrid. Do anything to her, or to anyone else here, and I'll end you."

He squeals, "You are so much fun after coming out of the Void! Cicero positively loves it! Keep it up Traveler, and we'll be fast friends." He winks.

It's no use. So, I leave.

Nazir is down in the dining room. The candles bathe the full banquet in a soft light. Nazir looks up from writing in a journal and grins. "My, my, getting into trouble, are we?"

I feel the blood on my face from my last feeding. It had to be quick, "They're dead."

He laughs, deep and throaty, "Good. Beggars and squatters wiped off the face of Nirn. Here's your payment." He hands over a bag of coin.

I can't help myself. Would be good to know who will be friend and foe here. "What's your thoughts on the corpse and the crypt keeper?"

He pauses, deep in thought, "I don't like mimes, minstrels, thespians, acrobats, and I particularly hate jesters. As a rule, I'm also not crazy about the corpses of old women. For the Night Mother, I'll make an exception. But Astrid is the only mistress I serve." He turns back to his writing.

I take that as a cue. "Yeah, not too wild about her either."

"Hm, then we shall see how this turns out. I think Astrid is beginning to regret letting him in."

I laugh, "He knocked?"

"Yes, no one heard for quite a while. He told us he found a stray deer and decapitated it, used the blood to paint the door, he thought that would bypass the password. He was wrong. Obviously. Festus was entering the Sanctuary just this morning when he saw the trader with his throat slit… So, none of us buy the stray deer angle. Moral of the story, keep your eyes and ears open, he's more unpredictable than any of us thought."

"I'll keep that in mind." I mutter. Cicero was a top that was going to explode eventually. I'm just glad some people were on the same page.

I'm just leaving the Sanctuary when he corners me again. "Traveler, good luck on your contract and please make Mother proud this time." He grins at me from his position by the upright box. I want to wipe the smirk right off his face. All I have to do is say 'I'm the Listener'…and he'll gut me and throw me in the pond. Instead, I ignore him.

"Good luck." Astrid murmurs as I pass her by the staircase.

I don't hear what she says next, because Voice has some words.

A contract, given by her. This will be interesting. Take from it what you will, get the job done and make sure you return quickly. Don't worry about dear Cicero…he has his own quest to partake in.

I gulp. None of this sounds good, yet, I have no choice. All I can do is enjoy my time traveling and see what little else Skyrim has to offer.

Cicero's Journal Entry

15th of Evening Star, 4E 201

Home, home at last! It wasn't what Cicero thought it would be. Some of the Brotherhood members welcomed us with fake smiles…the rest I had to argue with. Why would they think that of you? Feel that the old ways aren't the only ways? Such puzzles of the mind! But we are here, and that's all we can hope for. Must begin my search…Astrid hides things…she will probably try to turn the tide on us…keep the others from embracing you, Mother. Good thing Traveler is here, she will be helpful…