Thanks to everyone who has gotten this far! Our favourite Jester makes his appearance finally! Please leave a review, I would love to hear your thoughts.
Mordelia's first contract was Narfi; a beggar in Ivarstead with some unpaid debts. She simply waited until nightfall, then snuck into the abandoned house where he lived and slit his throat. Clean and simple.
Mordelia returned to the Sanctuary a few days later to collect her payment from Nazir. When she got to the Sanctuary, Mordelia noticed Astrid wasn't leaning against the wall in her usual place, or bending over the map on the table. Odd. I wonder where she is. Mordelia then heard Astrid's voice echoing up the steps leading to the Grotto.
Mordelia walked down the stone steps into the Grotto. The first thing her eyes fell upon were a large coffin standing upright at the edge of the pool. It was huge, taller than even the Nord, Arnbjorn, and made of chiseled grey stone. Astrid stood next to the coffin, arguing to someone Mordelia couldn't see.
"You and the Night Mother may stay. But I rule here and my word is law. Is that understood?" Astrid said icily. Whoever this other person was, Astrid obviously didn't like them.
"Yes, of course. The Night Mother thanks you." The unknown person replied. It sounded like a male with an abnormally high-pitched and comical voice.
"Good." Astrid caught sight of Mordelia watching and left the unknown person to talk with her, thus allowing Mordelia her first glimpse of the Fool of Hearts, Cicero. Mordelia found him quite strange looking. He was a good head shorter than her and dressed in a tattered and blood-stained jester's suit. There was an ebony dagger strapped to his belt, which glinted wickedly in the red-hued light as he turned his attention to the coffin. His overall effect was quite charming and amusing to Mordelia, but she sensed there was more to him than met the eye.
"I have a contract for you." Astrid's silky voice broke Mordelia's thoughts. "Talk with me when you're ready." Astrid started to walk off but was stopped by Mordelia's hand grabbing her arm.
"Who is that?" Mordelia asked quietly. She pointed to the strange man next to the coffin.
"Oh, him." A hint of disgust crept into Astrid's tone. "That's Cicero, Keeper of the Night Mother. Annoying little thing if you ask me. But we may as well get used to him, he'll be staying with us for a while." Seeing she had answered Mordelia's question, Astrid freed her arm and strode off.
Mordelia continued to stare at this strange man in confusion. She had never seen someone quite like him before. Her eyes shifted to the stone coffin beside him. That must be the Night Mother. I wonder what's inside. She shivered. I don't think I want to find out.
Cicero suddenly turned and caught Mordelia staring at him. He gave her a quizzical look, tilting his head to one side and studying her intently.
"You must be a new member of the Family." Cicero said, approaching Mordelia with a carefree step. "Cicero hasn't seen you before."
"Yes." Mordelia said, a bit unnerved talking to him. She quickly glanced down at his dagger. Did that cause all those blood-stains on his clothes? "I am Mordelia. I just joined the Dark Brotherhood a few days ago."
"Oh, splendid!" Cicero said excitedly. "It's always nice to meet a new Brother or Sister!"
Mordelia couldn't help but smile at his child-like attitude. In an attempt to find out more about Cicero she asked, "Who is the Night Mother?"
Cicero's smile instantly disappeared from his lips and he looked directly into Mordelia's eyes. "You're joking." He said in a serious whisper. "Surely you must know that the Night Mother is the patron of the Dark Brotherhood? That she had the children of Sithis..." A dark gleam of amusement lit up Cicero's eyes. "and killed them. Just to please him! You must be joking!"
"Oh..." How gruesome. Mordelia hesitated. "Yes, of course. It was just a joke." She shifted, unsure whether trying to get to know Cicero was such a good idea after all.
Cicero laughed, his child-like demeanor returning. "Good joke!" He became serious once more. "Now Cicero is busy and must tend to the Night Mother. We will meet again soon! Cicero likes you, you're a funny one!" He turned to the coffin behind him and began to prepare it for whatever he had planned.
Mordelia went to find Astrid, her mind buzzing with Cicero's strange and erratic words.
"Are you alright?" Astrid asked Mordelia.
"Yes, I'm fine." Mordelia answered. She still felt overwhelmed by Cicero's strange behaviour, but was trying to shake it off. "You said you have a contract for me?" She asked.
"Yes, I do. Muiri in Markarth has performed the Black Sacrament. Your job is to go to Markarth and do whatever it is she asks of you. You'll find her at the Silverblood Inn. Since this is your first contract, I'll let you keep whatever coin you make." Astrid explained. "You may ask the others for advice if you like, just return to me when the job is done."
Markarth. More chaotic than Riften's Ratway.
Mordelia remember the first time she had visited the stone town; a lady was murdered in the middle of the street, then as she was walking down the street a Vigilant of Stendarr had stopped her and asked her if she knew anything about a certain house being haunted. Not to mention the multiple times she had been stopped by guards who warned her not to meddle in Forsworn business, or else. Fun memories.
This time, thankfully, no one was being stabbed as Mordelia walked through the gate and headed to the Silverblood Inn. She found Muiri sitting at a secluded table in the corner.
"The Dark Brotherhood has heard you." Mordelia said quietly as she sat down across from Muiri. She was inwardly thankful her new hood had a face mask. Mordelia didn't think she'd want her true appearance to be known to the public.
Muiri looked at Mordelia with wide, almost scared looking eyes. "I have a contract for you." She began in a small voice.
Mordelia remained silent, waiting for the details.
Muiri glanced around the room. There were only a few occupants, none within earshot. Muiri lowered her voice. "I need you to kill Alain Dufont. We were engaged once, but then I found out he was the leader of a band of cutthroats." Muiri dropped her eyes for a moment before continuing. "If you kill him I'll make it worth your time. I don't care what you do with the others."
Others? Great, more to worry about. "I accept your contract." Mordelia said.
"Great." Muiri seemed relieved. She told Mordelia the location of the target.
Mordelia set off to do the dirty work.