"The news is everywhere!" Astrid giggled delightfully. "Victtoria Vici, the Emperor's cousin, butchered at her own wedding. Well done." I remained silent, as did Cicero which was a first. The knowledge of a successful contract would usually have the fool bouncing off the walls. But not today. Today, his face remained tired and somber. Today, he was not Cicero. Astrid didn't seem to mind as she continued her praise. "With Vici's murder, you've started us down a path the Dark Brotherhood hasn't traveled in centuries. The assassination of an Emperor. Now then, time to proceed to the next stage of the plan. Go and speak with Gabriella. She's been helping me arrange your next contract."

When Astrid parted, I followed Cicero down the stairs and into his room. He began to peel off his bloodied clothes, seemingly unaware that I was even in the room. I coughed slightly to grab his attention.

"Oh, Innocence is still here," he said melodramatically without turning. He had known. He just didn't care.

"I know you're angry at me for being so reckless, but we both know that you have some things to tell me."

"Cicero has nothing to tell you. Cicero has nothing to tell anyone. Cicero is an open book."

"Cicero, stop that." I crossed my arms and dug my nails into my sides. "This is important. How did he know you couldn't kill anyone? What was he saying about my parents? Have you and Sanguine-"

"Don't say his name!" Cicero barked, finally turning to me. His eyes were brimmed and overflowing with tears. "What you fail to see, Innocence, is that it isn't important. What you fail to see, Innocence, is that sometimes the past needs to be left where it is. What you fail, and have always failed to see, Innocence, is that this isn't all about you!"

"Stop saying my name like that!"

"Like what?!"

"Like I'm some child! Like I'm some belonging! Like I belong to him!"

"Because you do belong to him Innocence! You always have!" Silent tension floated on top of the air like oil and water. "I want to tell you. I want you to know everything about yourself. But I can't. It isn't my place to do so."

"But you can Cicero..."

"All I can tell you is yes. I have known Sanguine in a place before this and you in a time before now. And even though you have grown and matured, I recognized you instantly from the moment I laid eyes on you on that broken little road by Whiterun."

"But how? I've never met you before."

"But, you have. You were young, perhaps only four when we parted ways. I never thought I'd see you again." A small smile spread across his sad features. "But the Night Mother has many ways of bringing people back together again. Through Sithis's will, she has brought back the light in my life that I had once lost."

"What do you mean 'parted ways?'"

"A story for another time perhaps. Right now, you have larger things to attend to. When the matter of the Emperor's death is moved aside, the matter of your past is brought to attention. I promise, you will know everything soon enough, just maybe not as soon as you wish it to be."

...

I dragged my heavy feet along the musky floors of the sanctuary. Walking alone was something an assassin should be used to feeling, but not this assassin. This assassin was accustomed to a light-stepping pair of red and black poulaines by her side, craved it even. Solitude felt difficult and heavy. But it must be done.

Though I needed to stay focused on my mission, my mind couldn't help but drift to yesterday. Dialogue replayed itself over and over in my head. Sanguine's deep voice ground into my eardrums while Cicero's high vocals pierced them. Over the cacophony, a faint chanting was clear.

'A dragon- a dragon didn't kill your parents. Cicero! He-'

What would he have said, had the potion not pulled him out of consciousness? What did Cicero do? Kill my parents? I refused to believe that he would, let alone could, do that. He had killed people before he became Keeper, yes? Although that had been over twenty years ago. But he had been in Cyrodiil and I'd been living in Skyrim all my life. Right?

A slithery, reptilian voice pulled me from my thoughts.

"Ah, you're back. It was good to fight alongside you. I'm sure people won't be forgetting that wedding anytime soon, hmm?" the Argonian hissed. Although his voice was chilling, it had a hint of comfort to it. Like an old friend that you hadn't met yet.

"Oh, hi. Veezara, right?"

"Veezara indeed." He smiled, showing two rows of perfectly pointed teeth. "Nice to finally meet you."

"What do you mean fight alongside you? You were in Solitude?"

"You didn't think we only had one set of Imperial armor, did you? Well... actually we did only have one. But now we have more. A lot more." He scratched the back of his neck and laughed like he was embarrassed. It was honestly somewhat endearing.

"Well, thank you for helping. I really couldn't have done it without everyone here. You all are so amazing at what you do."

"Us? Look at you! Taking on contracts before you're even a member, speaking to the Night Mother, killing the Emperor of Tamriel. You're the amazing one."

"I haven't killed the Emperor-"

"Yet," Veezara smiled. His eyes flickered with admiration. Reptilian hands took mine and squeezed lightly. Scales against flesh. His skin was like his voice, surprisingly comforting. "But you're going to do great things Innocence. I can feel it!"

"Yes, we all can. And to make sure that these great things go as planned, Innocence mustn't cohort around while there are targets still breathing." Cicero's voice was cool and collected now. Veezara turned to face an impatient looking Cicero. Instead of becoming frustrated, he only sighed.

"But of course. I wish you the best of luck on your next mission, Innocence." He smiled and went on his way.

"Well, that was rude." I said to Cicero.

"Rude doesn't exist when time is ticking, and it sure is ticking. It's time to put your incriminating evidence implantation to the test."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Cicero smiled.

"You're going to kill and frame Gaius Maro of course."