A DAEDRA'S BEST FRIEND
So far, so good. I did walk around in circles for a bit. Eventually gave up and paced down the length of the entrance to the Dark Brotherhood. Until I got bored. Then, I turned around and stomped the whole way to the entrance of Falkreath. Guards there were a little strange, asking me about a dog, so I kept my distance.
When I hit the edge of the forest, I felt it. A hum in the air from a strange power. I slowly removed the Ebony Blade from its sheath. A heartbeat was slow and steady. Right in front of me. As my bad luck would have it, the wind kept the scent from me. Anything could be behind these trees. A draugr, assassin, hell, even a dragon. If they could get that small.
Voice is tense. This must be the bad thing I had a feeling about. The leaves shake in the light breeze. With that noise, I make my move. If I can get the upper hand, then maybe I can keep Oblivion from unleashing.
I leap up the tree and land on a branch not ten feet above the ground. Whatever the thing was, it was smaller than the branch. And it was now gone. I hear the sound of quick feet racing away from me. It's blood scent permeates the air. My fangs extend and before I can consciously think, my instincts take over.
I race, give chase to this creature. He or she is smarter, and zigs and zags around trees and bushes. Just out of sight. I raise my free hand and zap a tree ahead with electric power. It sways and downs in a loud crash. Good. I get to another tree and another. If I can get the right one, then maybe I can stop them…
Hello friend!
I trip and smash nearly face first into the nearest oak. I spin, keeping the Blade raised and ready… to decapitate a dog.
He's pretty cute and as fate would have it, he looks just like Oliver. He wags his tail before eyeing my weapon. A whine sounds from his throat when he backs away.
I am sorry. I didn't mean to scare you…you're exactly what I'm looking for! I've heard a bit about you, your name is Eve, and I was hoping I'd meet you someday!
He raises his ears and wags his tail again. Excited. This thing looks like a dog. Acts like a dog… but sure doesn't sound like one. His voice was in my head like so many others have been.
"What are you playing at?" I growl.
Play along. She directs.
Me? Oh, nothing! I just wanted to find you. His voice is odd, kind of what I would think of a mob boss having.
"Why?" I put the Blade away then pull my mask off. Even if this dog got hostile, I think electricity will be enough to end him. All he does is bark when he sees my face.
I knew it was you! Yes, yes, I knew right! I think you'll be just what I need. You see, my name is Barbas. And I have a problem I think you could help sort out.
That slow, sinking feeling returns to my stomach. I've had an encounter similar to this one maybe back in Solitude. Only that was a man and not a thing covered in fur. I wrote him off as the city maniac until I met Sheogorath…
"What's a dog need? You lost your bone?"
Nah. Ate that ages ago. My master and I had a falling out. We got into an argument and it got rather…heated.
Bingo. Knew it. I'd bet all my hard-earned coin this is another Daedric Prince.
He's kicked me out until I find someone who can settle our disagreement. That's where you come in.
"Huh, you've been kicked out of your home too?" He tilts his head at the question, but I just shake mine. "Never mind. What do I have to do?" If this is in fact a Daedric Prince, then maybe he can tell me how much progress the other Princes have made.
Careful. She whispers.
Thank you! The dog, Barnaby, hops around in joy. Now, since he banished me, Vile's been rather weak. He can't manifest very far from one of his shrines. I know there's a cult that worships him at Haemar's Shame. We should be able to talk to him there.
Vile…I don't recognize that name.
IF this works out, I'll make sure you're rewarded. Just don't trust any offer he makes you…okay?
Fair trade. "Fine. I'll help you. Who is this Vile anyways?"
The dog seems to bark out a laugh. That's funny, you haven't met him before? Well, I guess he has been confined to his shrines recently. My master is the Daedric Prince of wishes, Clavicus Vile! His ears perk up.
If a dog could look smug then this one sure was. "Okay. Wishes. Sounds interesting. Where's this Hammer Falls?"
He barks again. This way! Follow me, this is the way to meet my master!
Night fell, then when the sun was finally peeking around the corner of the horizon, we found the entrance to the cave. Right when we got in, I was pleased to find a horde of vampires. Good punching bags to take my frustration out on. First time I got involved in vamps I got changed over. To say that I have a bit of a grudge against them is an understatement.
I use the Ebony Blade with ease and precision. One vamp goes for my throat, I just slide the Blade right through his chest, turn and decapitate the other right behind me. I shoot electricity at the third and right when he downs, I hear Barbas whine.
I turn just in time to see a vamp with him in her clutches, her fangs inches from his face. Quick as I can I fling two ice spikes right through her heart. Her ruby eyes lock with mine. "Traitor." She whispers. Then falls flat on the dirt.
Barnabas whines and snuggles up to my leg. Thanks for that! What's up with the vampires and you? They don't like you much? I heard you were a little odd.
I give him the side eye. "And what else have you heard? Is there some gossip mill going on with the daedra?"
He gives me some doe eyes. I can't help it. I get all curious.
I shrug, "Lead the way and I'll spell my life out for you." Not like there was much else to do until the Brotherhood lets me back in. Barbas jumps in joy and trots next to me the whole way through.
I go over most of it. How I turned into a vampire, why I was turned, how I hunted down Mercer. I don't talk about her. I actually, just for once, forgot about her. Even if it was just for a moment. A peaceful moment that was soon shattered.
GET DOWN. She commands.
Right as I duck an ice spike flies over my head. Barbados barks and runs off to the get the vamps at the edge of the crowd. I look up just in time to see seven vampires converging on us. They're dead in minutes. I use the Ebony Blade to cut through them with ease. One by one they fall. The last watches me in despair.
"Traitor…betrayer." He moans. I pull the Blade from his chest and cut off the head.
My, my so good at this! Barbas leaps back over to cuddle next to my leg. Good thing you have the witch with you, or else we wouldn't have seen that. Must have been too wrapped up in your story!
I try to catch my breath. Those vamps were easy, but it was still taxing taking on so many at once. "What witch?"
Barbas sits. The Witch. The coffin lady. I think master calls her Lady Death.
"Yeah. The Night Mother. She talks to me. Guess you heard all about that."
Oh yes, I have! Causing a lot of trouble for everyone! But just now I heard her too, didn't know she was so quiet.
I stop and skid on the ice for a foot or two. "You heard her?"
Sure did! I heard her just now and back when we met in Falkreath. Doesn't seem so bad to me.
My throat suddenly seems dry. How in Oblivion could a talking dog hear Voice? "Did she talk to you, or to me?"
To you. I don't think she can get in my head, but I'm a dog. So, I'm pretty perceptive of my owner's emotional states. I could hear her, but she can't talk to me independently. I think.
"Okay. Spill. What are you? Are you another Prince?"
Nah. I'm a companion, the best friend of a Daedra. Kind of like you.
"Like me?" I pick up the pace. This is definitely odd and usually something really bad is about to go down with encounters like these. The sooner I get this dog dropped off, the sooner I can wear a hole outside the Sanctuary door.
Yep! You are the Daedra's best friend! I heard you met many. Nocturnal likes you the best. So do Sanguine and Sheogorath. Molag Bal not so much. But everyone talks about you. And The Witch.
This is the first I've heard of them since the contract in Dawnstar. "Where are they? Are they alright?"
His ears flop down. Well. I don't know. I haven't heard anything in a month or two. That's when I got separated from my master.
Vat of information this one is. The cavern opens and Barbas tenses. So do I. Right over the edge is a large golden shrine of a man. The Vile Daedric Prince, I'd assume. He's holding up some sort of head.
I'm taken in by the beauty of the gleaming, golden statue so, I don't see them at first. When I do, I see all the glowing eyes centered on us both. Ten vamps. "Get around the corner and pick off the stragglers!" I yell to the dog. He runs off and I let it all loose. Thankfully, she is graceful for this moment. Electric power slides down my body, encasing it in a minefield of sparks.
Vampires charge me. I fling electricity in orbs at each one and soon I'm surrounded in piles of ash. "Traitor!" One screams from below. "Keep this up and he will kill you! The Master will have your head, traitor!"
He opens those thin, scaly lips once again to fling more gibberish as insults at me. I get him with an ice spike to the eye. Barnabas barks. Looks like he got the rest of them. I creep over the pile of ashes, not trying to get any on my boots. Too hard to wash off.
Just like the Shrine of Talos, the shrine of this Vile soars over my head at ground level. "Got something you were missing!" I yell up to him.
Laughter sounds in my head, rings across the room and echoes off each of the walls. Of all the people who could come in here and view my shrine… I was not expecting YOU. He laughs again, And there you go. Helped me grant one final wish to my last worshippers. They were like you. Suffering from vampirism and begging me for a cure. But, as you saw, the best cure is death to end their misery! I could not have planned it better myself! Bravo, Nightstalker! His voice has a strange accent. I can't see any live Daedra, so I have to assume it's from the statue.
So, what's your heart's desire? What kind of deal can we strike?
"Just here to bring Barbas back. And I wanted to know what's happened to Nocturnal." I couldn't help but ask.
Forget the whore. Voice growls. Barbas whimpers by my feet.
Ugh. That insufferable pup? Forget it. Request denied. No deal. I'm glad to be rid of him. Even if it does mean I'm stuck in this pitiful shrine, in the back end of…nowhere. Speaking of, I have heard of you. More than I've wanted to know. But I've been here for a long time and haven't heard from dear sister in so long…Well…perhaps there is a way Barbas could earn his place back at my side. Maybe. But no promises.
"What'd he do to you?"
Eh, eternity with one creature…arguments…never mind it. I have an offer.
"Go on." I lean against the rock at the edge of the room. This might take awhile.
There's an axe. An incredibly powerful axe. An axe powerful enough for me to have quite a bit of fun, indeed.
Voice tenses at the mention of the axe. Alarm bells sound in my head. She has been privy to sending me treasure hunting for extremely powerful weapons before. The Ebony Blade seems to burn into my back.
If you bring it to me, I'll grant you my boon. No strings attached. No messy surprises. At least, not for you. As I recall, it's resting in Rimerock Burrow. Barbas and lead you right to it. The little mutt might even earn his place back at my side. He laughs again and his voice fades. Looks like a Daedric Prince didn't want to sit around and pester me for once.
With more than two seconds of silence I look down at the dog that was now waiting. "What's the story behind this axe?"
One of Clavicus's little jests. A wizard named Sebastian Lort had a daughter who worshiped Hircine. When the daughter became a werewolf, it drove Sebastian over the edge. He couldn't stand to see his little girl take on such a bestial form.
I think back on what little I know about werewolves. As bad as being a vampire can be, at least I don't randomly mutate into a giant dog. Could always be worse.
The wizard wished for the ability to end his daughter's curse. Clavicus gave him an axe.
The story doesn't suggest the axe holds any power, but if it's from a Daedric Prince, then it's probably very dangerous. "Alright, I guess we don't have a choice…"
Why the hesitation? I can get us to Rimerock in a split…just have to follow me.
"I've had some bad times when it comes to weapons of power." I point at my forehead. Maybe she won't notice. The dog just bows his head. Don't worry, Clavicus has had his eye on this axe for ages. He won't let anything happen to it.
I find a chain and pull, the door to the cave opens at the other end. Barbas runs ahead to take us to this new frontier. Voice coils. She doesn't like the dog. I can feel it. She hasn't said anything yet… and that makes me more nervous than anything.
Rimerock Burrow is nothing more than a cave infested with squatters. Take your pick of what baddy is inside, they probably were. So far, I saw a bunch of mages. A flame atronanch greets us at the entrance. To her fireball I fling some ice power. Frostbite as I read it.
It explodes in a ball of flame after being slayed, it's the only dead thing I usually stay ten feet back from. That and the undead. A mage screams.
These people are crazy. Barbas mutters.
I laugh. Dog has been useful. He ran up the platform and found the axe in no time. Leaving me to deal with this Sebastian guy.
"You killed her!" He cries out. Sparks center around him. He flings one at me. I almost laugh as it licks my skin, far less painful than what Voice puts me through.
"That's what happens when you make minions, crab boy. Should have come up with a different power." I throw my own electricity that he quickly deflects with a shield. But Voice's power is strong. He screams when it finally pierces his mystic armor.
I get closer since his power is fading. Too close and I get an uppercut square in the jaw. I fly back onto the table only to feel the crunch of some freshly boiled crab legs. Looks like I got the name right.
"How dare you enter my premise!" He charges. I leap up, turn, and in one swift motion pull the Ebony Blade to swipe at him. He dodges. I circle the campfire on the ground with him on the other side.
"You won't get away with this." He snarls.
"Yeah? Give me a coin every time you bitch about something I do, and I might have a pocketful of gold by the time I get out of here!" I fling back.
He yells, another form of sparks flies and zaps my hands. I nearly drop the Blade but hold tight. He flings the power again and there goes my weapon flying across the room. I grit my teeth. I can go for the electricity, or he can deflect each spell I throw at him.
Barbas barks and lunges for Crab Boy's leg. Power thrums through the air. It feels like the first time I felt the Ebony Blade. I turn and expect to see it glowing red on the ground. Instead, I find an axe.
Good enough. I pick up the two-hander and swing with all my might. It's slow…but damn. Is it powerful. One hit to the chest and Sebastian falls dead as a doornail. Barbas barks with joy, he wags his tail and sits right at my feet, his expression only falling when he sees the axe.
The thing…it's glorious. I want to drop it. To keep from falling under it's spell. But nothing horrible is happening. It's not forcing me to go kill anything in sight. Clavicus isn't swooping in with a play by play for what this thing does. It's just powerful.
I slip it on the belt of my hip and retrieve the Ebony Blade. It's power remains, even though it feels dimmer than the axe.
You ready to go back, Eve? I think my master might want me now. Barbas's tail wags with the thought.
Voice prowls. Her attention only on the power at my hip. I signal for the dog to lead the way, "Yeah, let's go and get you home."
The ashes are still on the ground, just like in the Ratway. I walk through them without a care as I did before. The shrine comes into view, towering over our heads. Barbas runs to him and sits like a good dog at the Daedric Prince's feet. I'm slower. Only because Voice is whispering.
Watch what they say. This power is yours and yours alone. Listen to none of them…
Barbas tilts his head, I figure he heard that.
Aha, you've come back, and you got the axe! And my dog. Splendid. The statue praises.
"All in one piece. What about that bargain?" I scrape my boot on the ground to get some of the ashes off. Then look up at the statue to wait for the Prince's response.
Excellent work. A hero and his faithful companion, retrieving the ancient artifact for the Prince. It's almost…storybook.
I pull the axe off the band on my waist. It seems to glow in my palms.
Ah, but it almost seems a shame to give a weapon like that away, doesn't it? I suppose I could be persuaded to let you keep it…
It's ours. Voice demands.
No one but me and Barbas seem to hear her. The power of this thing is magnificent enough, I'm tempted to follow her orders. It would certainly be helpful with the rest of my time with the Brotherhood. I'm about to say yes, it's on the tip of my tongue, when I choke it back at Vile's next words.
But only if you use the axe to kill Barbas. Simple as that. His voice fills with malice.
Barbas turns his head to look at me. His saucer eyes plead with mine. I brought him home. I don't have to do anything else.
Kill him. We need this power. Voice commands.
I stand frozen. "No." I whisper. "I don't want to- "
My voice is cut off when she takes control of me. The axe is cool and calm in my hands. Barbas tucks his tail, backs away when I approach. Vile laughs.
Is it really going to happen? Do you really want this?
I tug. I pull. I try to fall to the ground like when I hunted Lurbuk. I can't. My feet are sure and steady as I back the dog into a corner. He's shaking and whimpering.
Clavicus has a mask! He'll give you that if you give him the axe, Eve!
I raise the weapon, slightly. I'm so close and the power feels oh so good.
Eve! I know she's controlling you. I know it's not you, but wake up, please!
He tries to run but my right foot kicks out and lands on his hind legs. He falls. Clavicus waits with bated breath. I raise the axe. One swing and it's all over.
Eve, please! Barbas pleads, I thought we were best friends.
I can't live with myself if this happens. I can't do this again. I scream. The axe flies and hits the rock right above him. Barbas rolls and gets right out from that corner to run around me. The electricity flies from my body. Staking me once again with power. Lashing at my skin. I fall to the ground. The axe is pinned under me and is now scalding my stomach.
You cannot disobey me! You are mine! Kill the dog and be done with it! I feel the vice latching onto my mind again. With Potema it felt like seconds. I was gone and my conscious was hers. The same thing is happening here, and I only have moments.
"I don't want it!" I scream to him. "Take the axe. I want Barbas to live!"
Power explodes around me. I think I black out for a second. Or two. Or maybe it's a few minutes. When I open my eyes Barbas is licking my face.
That was quite a show. Grumbles Clavicus Vile. You're fun…but not as fun as Molag Bal said you were. Guess I'll have to make my own fun elsewhere. And with the pup back, I'll be restored to my full power. There's a whole world just waiting for me!
Barbas lays next to my slowly healing body. I knew I could trust you!
Yeah, yeah, dog gets master, master gets cosmic axe, everyone's happy. Just get over here, mutt.
A wet nose pushes my hand. Don't worry, I'll make sure he sees the light. I trusted you, now you trust me.
I turn my face to see it all happen. A purple orb surrounds the dog that looked so much like Oliver. I can't do anything about it as it engulfs him. The other side of the statue is surrounded by the same power and soon an equally impressive statue of Barbas is standing next to Clavicus.
Ah, that feels so much better! You forget how nice supreme power feels until you've been stuck in a cave for a few years. Now as for your wish…power was it?
I can finally sit up. My muscles still ache but they feel a lot better. Voice is sulking as usual.
You can be a part of this tremendous power- all you have to do is let your soul be absorbed by this axe. I never said it would be your power…
"Honestly, that sounds about good right now." I say in a raw voice. It's like knives were shoved down my throat.
Barbas whines.
Oh, fine! Have my boon and be done with it. I've got more interesting deals to make anyways.
I don't see it. More like feel it. A mask like the one Clavicus's statue is holding materializes in my hands. It's not powerful like the axe. It doesn't incite me to kill anyone near me and it doesn't interest Voice.
"Thanks." I grumble.
The Witch. Barbas's voice says, She controlled her, Clavicus. It was so bad. I heard her direct Eve to kill me. It wasn't Eve's will!
Is that so? Clavicus asks, Well, then that is troublesome. I thought it would be more fun, it was fun watching, but is that creature the one who has my sibling panties in a bunch? Really?
Yes, yes! I heard all about her. About the horrible things!
Interesting. I'll have to ask Molag Bal. Let's go find our brother, shall we? It was fun playing with you Nightstalker. Hopefully, Lady Death won't make life much harder for you.
I just glare at the statue. I'm growing tired and need blood soon.
Eve, thank you for saving me! I will repay you. We will see you again! Good luck and stay strong! Barbas yells to me.
It's like the wind shifts. They're both gone, their souls or whatever. Off to find their siblings and leaving me with dead bodies and a mask.
Failure. She scolds. I stand on weak legs and use the cave rocks to aid my departure.
"Screw off. I'm not killing animals for you." I say.
You weren't opposed to killing the Nord. She taunts.
I punch the wall in frustration. Small pieces of rocks tumble down and land next to where I stand. I'm ready to rip her a new one but before I can say anything she interrupts. Go home. She says. Astrid needs you.
Fear pins my stomach again. I don't like her tone. I'm limping slightly, on the leg I had broken in the Ratway. But I ignore it and run. If I can get some blood, I can be at the Sanctuary before nightfall.
Cicero's Journal Entry
5th of Morning Star, 4E 202
What anguishes you so?! What is the matter, Mother? Is something not being done? Is she not respecting your will? Cicero will repay you! He will give you everything Listener can't! Astrid is close…so are a group of bandits…what's that you want? A trail of blood as a sacrifice? Oh, Mother…going back to the Old Ways I see! Back to the very beginning…