50 septims. 50 lousy, septims to clear out a bandit camp and kill a traitorous ex-lover. Mordelia was very disappointed as she dropped the coin into one of the leather pouches strapped to her hip. Well, as least Astrid said she could keep all she earned.
Mordelia took her time returning to the Sanctuary, she wanted to enjoy the fresh air after being in Raldbthar. She had a love-hate relationship with Dwarven ruins. She loved how unique and expansive each ruin was, yet she loathed finding that any Falmer or Chaurus had set up residence. The worst thing about Dwarven ruins, however, were if they were still active; Mordelia had some nasty burn scars from an encounter with a Dwarven Centurion.
At last, Mordelia made it back to the Sanctuary. She found Astrid waiting expectantly for her.
"There you are. I was wondering what was taking you so long." Astrid greeted her, none too friendly. Something seemed to be irritating her. "Did you get the job done?"
"Yes. The job went smoothly." Mordelia replied. She gave Astrid a curious look. "Is everything alright here?" She asked.
Astrid stared at Mordelia for a moment, judging her. I suppose I can trust her. "I have a 'personal' matter I think you'd be perfect to deal with."
"Oh?" Mordelia seemed a bit taken aback. When did Astrid start confiding in me? Is this part of the Family aspect or something? "What is it you want me to do?"
"It's that jester, Cicero." Astrid leaned closer. "I think he's up to something."
"What makes you say that?" Mordelia had her doubts about the trustworthiness of Cicero, he didn't seem the most stable person.
"I've been hearing hushed voices coming from the Night Mother's chamber. I need to know who he's talking to. What is he planning to do? I need you to eavesdrop on Cicero." Astrid explained.
"Eavesdrop on him? How am I supposed to do that? There aren't many places to hide in the Night Mother's chamber." Mordelia wondered. The Night Mother's chamber was the stone room above the Grotto's pool. All that was in it were some benches and a few wall hangings, and now the Night Mother's coffin of course; nowhere good to hide.
"Yes, you're right. Just hiding in the shadows won't be good enough. You should hide in the Night Mother's coffin." Astrid leaned back to watch Mordelia's reaction.
Mordelia gasped in shock. Hide in the Night Mother's coffin! She must be crazy! "Wouldn't that be a bit ... disrespectful?" Mordelia tried to come up with an excuse not to have to hide in the stone coffin.
"I suppose so. But it's what the circumstances require. We want to make sure Cicero isn't trying to bring down the Dark Brotherhood or take my place."
Mordelia escaped into her mind to think. If Cicero caught me, he'd definitely try to kill me. But, as Astrid said, he could be planning to kill us all or take over the Dark Brotherhood. "Alright. I'll do it." Mordelia said reluctantly.
"Good. I knew I could count on you." Astrid smiled thinly. "Report back to me when you've found anything out. Good luck, Sister."
Mordelia walked into the Grotto; before she tried eavesdropping on Cicero, she would see what the other Dark Brotherhood members had to say about him. The first member she saw was Arnbjorn, working away at the forge as usual. No use trying to talk to him. He's Astrid's husband, so he probably shares her same thought.
Mordelia move on to the room off the Grotto. She found Babette and Gabriella, the former making potions and the latter playing with Lis, her pet Frostbite spider.
"Hello, Sister." Babette said, looking up from her potion making. Mordelia still hadn't gotten used to the fact that this ten year old girl was actually a 200 year old vampire. She did find Babette to be a good companion however, they both loved alchemy.
"Hello." Mordelia replied, smiling. "What are you working on?"
"I'm trying to make a new poison," Babette frowned. "but I'm almost out of Silverside Perch and Deathbell."
"I'll see if I can pick some up for you next time I'm out." Mordelia offered.
"Oh, that would be splendid!" Babette's glowing yellow eyes smiled up at Mordelia. "Now what did you really come to talk about? I can tell you need to say something."
"Well, I'm not sure how to put this, but ... Have you noticed anything unusual about Cicero lately?"
Babette laughed. "Anything unusual? Why that man is the definition of unusual! But if you mean anything strange or suspicious, then no, I haven't." Babette turned around to ask Gabriella, "What about you, Gabriella? Have you noticed anything suspicious with our little jester?"
Gabriella stood up from playing with Lis, they had been playing tug-of-war with a severed limb. "I can't say that I have. Although he does spend quite a lot of time alone, either with the Night Mother or in his room." Lis distracted Gabriella by whacking her in the leg with a leg. "Yes, yes. You attention hog. Well, I hope you figure out whatever it is you're trying to do, Sister."
"Yes." Babette agreed.
"Thanks for your help, anyways." Mordelia left and went into the next room, which happened to be the Night Mother's chamber. Fortunately, Cicero was nowhere to be found. Mordelia's nerves began to show themselves. Am I really going to do this? Am I really going to get into the Night Mother's coffin? She looked over at the coffin, tall and imposing, in front of the stained glass window that looked down over the Grotto. A sickly sweet odor hung in the air surrounding the coffin.
Mordelia heard footsteps in the distance. Uh, oh. What if that's Cicero? Before she could second guess herself, Mordelia unlocked the coffin, stepped inside and closed the door, careful not to look inside the coffin as she did so. She still wasn't sure she wanted to know what was inside. No light was let into the coffin, which meant no fresh air either. The smell of dead flesh mixed with scented oils clogged Mordelia's nostrils, almost making her gag.
Mordelia shut her eyes, even thought the coffin was pitch black inside, and listened. She heard footsteps enter the chamber and someone locking the door behind them.
Then she heard an unmistakable voice say, "Are we alone, Mother?"