A/N: Hey everyone! If you're new here, welcome! Just to let you know this story takes place after six others in the series, making this number seven, but it's not required to read them beforehand. It just might be a little less confusing. Garnag, our guy from my oneshot, The Ebony Warrior, also plays a large part here!

If you've read my other work, I'm sure you're reading the title of this story and thinking "Didn't that series end?". And it did. I was done when I finished Storm of Skyrim: Dragonborn. But I had this nagging feeling that I had to go back. I had to see what everyone was up to. And, I didn't have a Halloween inspired fic. I've always wanted to do one, and there's no time like the present. So, here we are!

Here are the basics: I'll be posting at least once a week up to Halloween. I'm expecting it to round out at six 7k word chapters. Expect witches, zombies, vampires, etc. There's going to be a fair number of familiar faces and OC's since we're entering territory not explored in Skyrim. A large portion of this fic will be inspired by the lore in the Witches Festival (from ESO) that I've found online, and I'll be throwing my own ideas in just for fun.

This is meant to be a fun fic and a continuation of Eve and company's story! I'm really excited to post it, it's been so fun writing it, like hanging out with old friends. I hope everyone enjoys! I painted the artwork for this in Procreate! It's art nouveau inspired and very Halloween oriented! Edit 10/02/22: the site is having some problems when I try to upload the photo so hopefully it will be showing up soon!

Also note: I'm still working on my other fic Frostbitten! I'll post in here when I add updates to that one. Here's the tentative schedule: Sunday: Frostbitten. Monday: Storm of Skyrim: The 13th Season. Enjoy!

SEASON OF THE WITCH

Nighttime in the autumn months is usually peaceful. Just calm and cool enough to curl up by the fireplace with a good book, a hot cocoa, your dogs, and maybe your husband can come along too. Once settled, it's easy to lounge for hours and live in another imaginary world until your eyes crust over. But it's harder to enjoy the presence of a cozy fire when work gets in the way.

He was tall. Large enough to eat an elephant. Face as sharp and fierce as a dragon. The beautiful ebony armor he wore wasn't just impressive: it downright almost made me wet myself when I opened our front door to find this Orc knocking. His meaty hand was large enough to engulf my face if he gave me a high five to the forehead.

But I won't muse on that. He wouldn't do anything to hurt me because I'm his boss. And I made sure to let him know it. "Who's here now?" I asked then, showing my sharp fangs and feeling the simmering power of the Vampire Lord underneath the surface. Turns out I still had that power after everything that went down, and it's been quite useful with the bandits in these woods.

"Brotherhood business." Is all he said in a low voice, still in the shadow of the doorway. So, I had no choice but to let him in. Now, we all sit around the fireplace, Bryn and me with our four dogs huddled around us on the couch.

Who's the big scary guy again? Barbas asks me.

I blink. We all had one couch to ourselves, and the new guy had the whole other couch on the other side of our coffee table. Even with all the armor still on, which he refused to take off, he still took up at least eighty percent of the couch. I hope it doesn't break.

"Sorry, I'm forgetful." I start off, "Let's go over introductions again now that my everyone is here. I'm Eve, this is Brynjolf my husband, and Penny, our butler, is just warming up some apple cider for us as we speak. And you are?"

He at least took off the scary helmet. I couldn't see his eyes right when I opened the door, only the lifeless void between the shapes in the black face armor. He now watches us with a weary gaze. "Garnag. Part of the Dark Brotherhood. Nazir sent me."

The roaring fireplace fills the awkward silence as Penny re-emerges with steaming giant mugs of apple cider for us. "I hope you enjoy. I added some caramel and cinnamon for a fall feel." He gives me a wry grin and passes out the mugs. I don't dare tell him the two men here won't give a lick about that. But I do. "Thanks, if there's anything I miss about my childhood home it was all the festivities in the fall." I take a long sip, taste the sweet apple tang with the caramel right underneath. Talk about comfort food in a stressful time.

"And what business does he want?" Bryn asks before Penny and I can continue our conversation. I can hear the tension in his voice and feel it wrapping around his body like a band of steel. I lean into him a little more and almost put my head on his shoulder. But I have to remain professional, can't get all lovey dovey now.

I know why he's nervous. Last time we dealt with the Dark Brotherhood was when we set the Night Mother free. Now she's gods knows where and I'm dealing with the Brotherhood from afar. But since I'm so disconnected, I made sure Nazir and Babette only contact me with any big issues. Since the Brotherhood is back to killing lowlifes for a small amount of change, no one came to talk to me.

I had a long time to just relax. And that's just what we needed after the almost takeover of Tamriel from the Night Mother. Our peace was largely well-deserved. I could savor the little moments. They seemed so much clearer, so much sweeter, after almost being kept as a slave to the Dragonborn.

Now as we both watch Garnag I know what Bryn is thinking. "Is the Night Mother back?"

Garnag shifts his jaw, the only signal that he knew how evil she was and how badly we didn't want her back in Skyrim. "No. She's gone across the sea as far as we know. I came here because we decided it was time to resurrect the Black Hand."

I nearly spit out some of the silky cider. Instead, I swallow hard. "Why? We don't have a Listener anymore so the Black Hand can't operate as it did before."

The Orc clutches his mug a little tighter and grits his teeth. His eyes are boring into me. "We were going to bring it back without the Listener, somehow. But the past few days have been interesting in Dawnstar. Babette thinks she found the new one."

My heart nearly stops. Yes, as a vampire I still have a heartbeat. And no, I don't really need oxygen as much as the human population. But I can still be scared shitless. "Who? Are you sure? What are they saying?" Please don't let them be gullible. I pray to the gods.

If they were, and they truly heard Mother from afar, who knew what they might do? Garnag sets his mug down as gently as he can and leans his forearms on his knees. "I don't know, I'm not from around here. I just know they're some prominent figure in the province. I'm supposed to go fetch them in Riften. Thought I'd come by here first to get your input." His wild eyes are hooded. Looks like this guy is a man of little word and even less information.

I cross my arms, "So, what's the issue? Are you guys needing someone to vouch that they're the true Listener?" I would know. I used to be that very person in that very unlucky situation. I don't envy them at all.

"You're right on the mark. I need you to come with me and make sure this person isn't screwing with us." He growls. I still see the tension in his shoulders.

I only nod. "I can. I can't be gone for long though. We have a birthday celebration coming up." As I say that I curl my fingers around Bryn's. Come the end of next week, he's going to be nice and ripe at the age of thirty-five. And I know he wasn't fond on elaborate celebrations, but I went all out. Go hard or go home, I'd say.

It was going to be right by the lake, but it would have beautiful fireworks and dragon flame, large cakes and good friends. At least, that was the hope. I still had to put the finishing touches on it, then it would be damn near perfect.

"Understood. I hope it doesn't take that long." Garfield, excuse me, Garnag sighs and rises. "How much do you need to take?"

I blink up at him and take another sip of caramel apple goodness. "Now? I'm not leaving now. We'll go in the morning."

His brow furrows. "Why? You're a vampire you shouldn't be scared of the dark."

"You'd think," I smirk, "But the past few weeks we've had some trouble in these woods. Rogue necromancers have been hiding out and performing their weird ass ceremonies. We've been trying to keep them off our property, but they keep testing our boundaries."

The Orc sighs loudly and picks up his helmet. "And your husband here can't fend them off by himself?"

"Oh, he can, but he doesn't have the power to scare their ghosts right out of them." As I say that, I call on it. That long dormant power that I received in Lord Harkon's horrid home. It comes to me easily. Like whistling for a dog nearby in the bushes. The beast always breathed under me like a second skin. One moment, I was Eve, normal vampire and Dark Brotherhood punching bag. Next, I was a six-foot, gargoyle looking creature. With dripping fangs and long, slender wings.

The blood was just dripping down my body before absorbing into my skin. Penny gave me a cheeky grin. Bryn barely looked up, he never really liked to see me in this form. It brought back too many memories of fighting the Night Mother.

But I wasn't doing this to convince him. Garnag, beast of a man but still a good few inches below me, nearly drops his helmet. His jaw is slack for once. "That's impressive."

"Sure is, lad. And it's the only thing keeping those necromancers from entering our home and causing whatever havoc they want. So, how about you two stay here for the night then go hunting tomorrow?" Bryn asks coolly.

Hunting. That's what we were doing. Although I didn't know if I wanted to find our prey. I'd rather let it be, no Listener, no problem for anyone. But Nazir and Babette seemed to be adamant we retrieve this person. There must be a reason.

Garnag clenches his helmet in his hands. I can see the glimmer in his eyes. He doesn't like to be questioned. Poked, prodded, whatever you'd say. But finally, after a long staring contest with my husband, he relents. "We leave at dawn, sharp." He commands.

Penny is absolutely glowing. "Perfect! I'll get your room ready with fresh towels and sheets at once."

Garfield barely notices him. He keeps watching me and has to take a seat. I slowly sink back into my once mortal form. "See? They can't compete against a beast like that." I give a wide smile and take another sip of my cooling cider.

Garnag swallows. "They can't, not unless they're resurrecting something powerful. I can't believe the Night Mother had the balls to fight you…she must have been more powerful than I thought."

I drink the rest of the cider. It goes down sweetly. Maybe next time I'll add something strange to it. Some vodka or whiskey. Wouldn't hurt, especially after a conversation like this. "She was. She had a few good tricks up her sleeve. But those were ultimately her undoing."

He nods sternly. "I wasn't around until after she left. But Nazir and Babette talk about her. They say she's better off in her coffin with this…Listener helping out from afar."

Bingo. "Her job now is to tell us about the people we need to kill. Where they'll be, how they look, their name, maybe what they're wearing if we're lucky. I don't want to hear about anymore world domination."

Garnag snorts, "I doubt we'll be getting that from this new contact. She's ambitious from what I hear, but she's adamantly against what the Night Mother was doing. She said she'll help, as long as she's paid nicely."

Of course, "Won't be a problem. What's her name?"

The Orc pauses, he scratches the back of his head. "Can't remember. They didn't want me taking any documents with her name on it. Confidentiality or something. I'll be getting a letter from Nazir in Riften to direct us with what to do next."

"Ah, it's never that easy." I joke, but silently I thank Nazir. I'm glad they're taking the utmost of precautions. "Looks like we have a little scavenger hunt when we get there."

"Miss." Penny's fearful voice drifts back to us from the front door. I knew with how nosy he sometimes was, he was eavesdropping. But when I shift my posture to see where he's at, he's staring out the window. "They're back."

I rise, Bryn right behind me, our dogs fan out behind us. "Barbas, get the others up to the master bedroom. They'll be safest there."

Will do. Give them hell! He tells me. I grin, never knew having a daedric dog with mind reading abilities would be so inspiring.

"Need some help?" Garnag gets up to follow us.

"Sure," I say, curtly. For a second, I consider going upstairs to get the Ebony Blade, that sacred weapon that has been with me through so much. But I don't want to show them what kind of powerful weapons I keep. "I'll shift and fight them as the beast. If you need another weapon, there's a rack over there." I jerk my head to the rack on the right. It's filled with various swords, axes, maces, and bows and arrows which Penny was just going to grab. I taught him a few weeks ago how to use them. Hopefully he remembers his archery training tonight.

"I'll head to the tower." He pats my shoulder. I notice he still has his usual tuxedo on. Completely clean, no stains, no wrinkles. Might get some blood stains and dirt tonight.

"Watch out for their fire and frost spells." I remind him as he passes me. For some reason, a lot of these necromancers weren't fond of spark spells. I was glad about that after the unbridled electricity that used to run through me. As an extension of the Night Mother's power, I didn't really want to meet it again so soon.

We reach our front door. Out here at Lakeview manor, I didn't think we'd get so much activity. But these past few weeks have been relentless. Right outside the small window nearby, I see them. A circle of seven robed necromancers. All chanting as one. But I notice something odd. With each incantation, they keep moving closer and closer to the perimeter of my home. All without raising their faces to see where they're going. It was like whatever magic they were using was pushing them towards the house.

That's way too close. A few more chants and they'll be right through the front door. "Garnag, how about you follow Bryn's lead? I'm going to go beast mode. It will be better if you're not close to me."

I glance back to see him with his helmet back on. And damn…the Nightingale Armor I have on now didn't really hold a candle to that shining ebony armor. Might want to ask where he got it from. Maybe they have extras. "I will."

Bryn nods to me and that's all the sign I need. We've been doing this routine for the past week. Night after night. We had it down to an art form now. I shove the door open with one forearm, out into the fray.

Their voices are a symphony. Man, woman, and almost children based on their gangly limbs were all nearly singing by my front lawn. They don't look up when the door slams open. But here's where the magic happens: I step over the threshold and shift.

My skin rips off, in the most horrifying way possible. I hear a squeal as blood and skin goes splattering around the area. With fresh limbs, I feel the new nerve endings spring up. My skin is now raw but healing quickly. My sight is sharper. My sense of smell…I scent seven here with two more hiding in the woods.

Good. That's not as many people tonight. Last Tuesday we had about twenty scrounging around our property. I hope there aren't more behind them. I sink down to a crouch and let out a vicious snarl. I know my face is contorting into the most horrible expression. I hold out my arms to my sides, showing just how sharp my talons are, my wings flare out to balance me. I am the perfect picture of a vicious monster about to rip some sorry suckers to shreds.

But they don't seem to take it that way. They don't even look up, just keep chanting over and over. Bryn clears his throat behind me, "Witches, necromancers, and potentially warlocks. Would you all do us a favor and get off our property? You've awoken the beast."

A few eyes turn my way. I open my mouth to show row after row of dripping fangs. Ready for their blood. "Leave." I try to snarl but only a guttural sound comes out. That draws more eyes.

No one stops. They keep on chanting and moving ever closer to our little circle. I let out another snarl. Something to rattle the trees nearby but that doesn't make them stop. Hell, first time I saw Harkon as a Vampire Lord I almost fainted. I don't know why they aren't that scared.

That is…unless they had something far scarier nearby.

"Get back." I say, never mind it doesn't come out the way that I want it to. But the way I stand and back up with my wings down, Bryn gets the idea.

"What the hell is that?" Garnag questions.

Bryn grabs for arm but it's too late. I push back to shield them with my body but the things come out with lighting speed. Two literal gargoyles, looking just like me but more animalistic, come prowling out of the woods. Behind them, are draugrs and skeletons. Even further back, I see the moon reflecting off some silvery armor. When the creature finally emerges from the shadowy woods my heart pounds even faster. A Dremora Lord. The guy has a red face with black streaks on it. His eyes are filled with hatred.

Looks like tonight was going to be a long night.

Before I can make a move, I see an arrow go flying into one of the gargoyle's necks. I look up to see Penny staring down at the chaos with a look of determination. I knew if things got really, really bad, Bryn would yell to Penny to go inside. We weren't there yet.

I can't think further. One of the gargoyles comes barreling into me. I go flying off my feet and back into the foundation of the house. Feeling a slight crack in the wall. I snarl something evil at that. These things would not destroy the house I built with my bare hands.

I feel it biting at my neck and clawing at me, but I'm stronger. I throw it off like it was nothing, nevermind it's about my size. I square off. Hearing the carnage and yelling around me, I knew Garnag and Bryn had the others. I hold out a hand to use that lovely vampire drain spell. Red and deep crimson light swirl in the palm of my ghastly looking hand to seep towards the gargoyle.

It was like hitting a brick wall. The power should pull on his life force. But I guess the thing was dead and resurrected so it wouldn't do much. It screams at me and charges. Okay, guess we won't rely on my power that much then.

He comes shooting towards me and in the split second before he hits me, I explode. My body is stable one moment the next, I'm fragmented into a hundred bats, all swirling back to one another on the other side of the gargoyle. I hiss back at him and grab him by the head to smash him into the ground. I pound it over and over again, hearing every disgusting crack and crunch with each hit.

Before I can survey my handiwork, something flings into me. I go rolling with it, feeling the claws raking at me. Right, there were two gargoyles. I don't have the patience for this one so…I fling my head forwards and sink my fangs into its neck.

There's no blood, or very little of it, what I get is the equivalent of a mouthful of chalk. I nearly choke with it, but I can't lose my focus. I tear its throat clean out.

It falls to dust all over me. Covering my strange vampire clothing and long white hair. Another body flies over me so I leap up to fight it. The sword comes down clean. I scream when it impales my shoulder.

"Failure! You should have never come here!" The Dremora Lord spits into my face. Up close his is a little more crooked. Nose too far off to the right. Imperfect. Things were not what they seemed.

"Too bad. I bought this. I own this plot of land. Now get off it." I hiss through my teeth. I fell back into my old human-like form so the sword could slice out of my skin. Talk about double the pain.

He doesn't have a second to register the shock of what just happened. I lunge for him too and tackle him to the ground. I call ice spikes to my hand but instead of throwing it through his face, I let it wrap around my fists as I pummel him. One, two. One, two. His head snaps back into the dirty ground with each hit. Blood flowing out of his nose. I can smell it now and it sure as hell wasn't daedric blood.

"Get that shit off your face and tell me who you really are." I snarl at him and hold down his head. It was odd, like pulling on another power but not enough for my hands to engulf in flames. Just enough for the ice to melt and fall on the Dremora Lord's face.

I was right. The paint came off cleanly. Underneath is a very pissed off and very beaten-up Nord man. Nothing more. Nothing supernatural about him. I throw my head up to see the bodies of draugr already decomposing. Garnag and Bryn stand over them panting, both holding their weapons out to the necromancers.

Now, instead of in a circle, they stand in a line with their hands up. As it should be. I wipe the blood off my mouth, probably from the guy spurting it everywhere. At least it tasted sweet. "Let's go." I pull him up with me, ignoring each cry of pain he gives. He wasn't that bad off.

I drag him by the front of his armor, right below his neck. His arms are nearly immobile from the ass whooping I gave. He only winces. I jerk him forwards, in front of me on the dirt. "If you don't tell me everything, right now, I drink him dry right here." I snarl into the crowd.

Would I actually do it? Probably not. But I wanted to know what was happening and based on the fearful looks of everyone, I had them wrapped around my fingers.

One of the younger Nord women comes forwards. I try not to look at her rounded face for too long. Looked too much like Mother's when she was human. Instead, I train my eyes on the tree right behind her. "Don't hurt him…" She holds up her hands. Even using my peripheral vision, I can see she's trembling.

"I won't if you tell me everything. What's with the circus? Why come all the way out here to play necromancer? Based on this." I shake the guy around by the neck. He winces. "You aren't the real deal."

"We resurrected countless draugr." One of the men to the right snaps.

I smirk, "Yeah? That's a mere parlor trick to a true necromancer. Rookie skills. What is going on with this?" I shake the guy again, "And the gargoyles."

"They came with us willingly from the north." The older Brenton woman sneers, her voice is gravelly and cold. "They wanted to kill you for what you did to Lord Harkon."

Oh, but of course. Everyone has a grudge against me. "That was their mistake." I kick the dirt on the ground, no doubt kicking around some leftover gargoyle. "But you came here, making us think you were more powerful than you were. Why? Why even come to our home and try to…what were you going to do? Kill us?"

They stand silently. All with faces of stone. I throw up my free hand and motion to them. "Fine. You were going to kill us. Why?"

"For Yrsaa Curse-Bringer." One of the men to the left hisses.

"Okay. Who's that?" I ask.

I notice them starting to fidget. I can feel power simmering in the air. If we took too long, one of them was going to fling some nasty spell at us and it was on. I shove the guy to the ground, on his knees in front of me and sink closer to him. "He smells decadent. Where'd you find him? How much are you paying him?" I smile next to that throbbing vein in his neck. It would be so easy to sink my fangs in and pull from his life force.

I look up under my eyelashes. Bingo. They bought it. One of the younger women sputters, "A witch! The witch queen. She's the Witchmother of lower Cyrodiil."

Ooh scary. "What's that mean?" I growl, opening my mouth and putting my fangs right next to the guy. I can hear his heart beat faster.

"Witches have a long and mysterious history in these parts. They're more common in other provinces. Basically, they're mages and necromancers, they have the same powers, but they have a strong connection to the moons. The phases, and the seasons. This season is the 13th Season of Yrsaa Curse-Bringer's rule."

I knot my hand through the man's long black hair. Wonder if they dyed it too. I rise. "Alright. So. Why aren't you in Cyrodiil?"

I hear a long sigh. Garnag runs a hand down his helmet, almost like he wishes to wipe his face off. "Don't you get it? They're here to impress her and enter the ranks. I heard about this down south. Yrsaa and her people came into Skyrim for her season. Whatever that means. They should be around here, or somewhere south by now."

"For the 13th of Frostfall…" One of the women whispers. But I can hear her just fine, "Two moons will collide. The eclipse and the blood moon coincide, and clash as one. The magic of the land will rise. And once was lost will re-awaken." She finishes.

I throw the guy forwards. He falls to his hands and knees and crawls quickly through the dust and dirt to the line of necromancer-witch wannabees. "Okay, I heard enough. Get off my lawn." I tell them.

They bristle. Garnag holds out his sword, high above him. I know Bryn is holding his own and Penny is up above with an arrow loaded. I bare my fangs at them. Let them see the monster underneath through my glowing eyes. "Unless you want to end up like them." I kick the dirt again.

That does it. They all turn and run into the thick forest. I can hear their heavy footsteps. The few who trip and fall. Heavy breathing and hearts pounding. Good. "Well, that was productive." I turn to the others. Poor Bryn has dirt all over his face and his reddish hair is all mussed up.

I go to him and run my hand through it, just to get it back as it was. He grabs my hand as it slides down his face and he kisses my palm. "Mighty brave of you, lass. You showed them not to come back here. I'd be surprised if they do."

"Or they're just getting ready for round two." I look up into his golden vampiric eyes that had softened. They used to be forest green before I changed him over into the undead lifestyle. I thought I'd miss them, but I didn't know I'd be falling into pools of gold every time I looked at him. Light and sunlight were held in those eyes. Something we shouldn't touch unless we wanted to get nice and crispy.

He smiles down at me, knowing how my crazy thoughts spiral. He leans down and kisses me. His lips are still soft, still open. I run my tongue along his fangs and sink into him further. His arms envelop me.

"Ahem, nice to see the love isn't lost. But…" Garnag stops us from tearing each other's clothes off here and now. Even after all these months together, that urge was still strong. I reluctantly pull away and mouth, "Later."

Bryn just laughs and ruffles my hair, still messy despite the tight braid I always pull it into. "What's up? Did they wound you badly? Penny has a first-aid kit upstairs." I tell him.

Garnag rips his helmet off. "No. I'm fine. I just don't like how that went down." He nearly yells. Anger in his face and eyes.

I bristle, "What? You wanted me to sugar coat it a bit? Make it so I didn't hurt their precious feelings? Not to mention they sent freaking gargoyles at us."

He looks like he's about to chuck his helmet to the ground in rage. Another piece to the puzzle of this new Brotherhood member. "No. I was from Cyrodill. Lived there for years before showing up here. The witches were a big deal. You don't cross them." He stares at me hard.

I shrug. "So? I just did. They have to deal with it."

"It's just…you don't know who you're pissing off." He reminds me.

"Come on. We should see how the cows and chickens are." I grab Bryn's hand. Last month, Penny wanted a little makeshift farm. I guess he was getting bored, so we got him some chickens and a cow to feed and love. He's been out there day and night to make sure they're well fed and taken care of. He even gives them a blanket in the evenings.

"You don't know how witches operate." Garnag reminds me as he follows me.

"What? You fight necromancers, kill people for a living, but…you're scared of a witch?" I snap. We round the corner to see the fluffy cow out eating in the pen. I hear the chickens clucking in their little coop. It was cute and squat, perfect for the three of them.

I feel his presence before I see him. I look up into Garnag's harsh face. He's stepped up to me and no matter how much my instincts say to step back, I hold strong. "What?" I ask him in a low voice.

Bryn's hand is rigid in mine. I know he's fighting his instincts to pull me back as much as I'm fighting mine. But he knows this is business. My business. And I have to manage it. "Spit it out." I command.

"I heard you like to run headfirst into danger and ask all the questions later." He growls so close to my face.

"You're concerned about my well being now? After we've known each other for a good ninety minutes? I'd say I'm flattered…but…" I trail off. Letting a slow smile on my face. Letting him know he won't cow me.

"If you die, the Dark Brotherhood dies." He says those words like slap.

I nearly recoil but I stay standing. "Why's that? Are Babette and Nazir really that incompetent?" I sneer.

He's breathing heavily. The hulking man, nearly a foot over me and covered in armor that makes him even bulkier. He stares me down. You could cut the tension with a butter knife, it was that thick. "You were the last to hear her. Babette said there's something about you. Even this far out, you're still a glue to the Brotherhood."

"So? Maybe it would be good if they went under." I let the words slip before I can think, still too fired up.

He bares his teeth. "Not on my watch. I came from another Brotherhood long ago. I won't let this one go slipping away. Not when I can do something about it."

"Well good for you." I pull away, letting him know the conversation is over. "We apparently have to get up early, so go upstairs and clean up. You can play bodyguard all day tomorrow if you want." I pull Bryn behind me to enter the house. We might want to clean up ourselves.

I glance back, just once, to see Garnag standing there in the bright moonlight, with a sword in one hand and helmet in the other. I thought he'd be royally pissed off still. But one look in his light hazel eyes shows nothing but pure pain. Not from what I said, but some old, often forgotten wound being ripped right open. I should feel bad, but instead of making amends, I open the door to my makeshift palace.

I giggle as he nuzzles his nose into my neck further. I feel his bare arms wrap around me. Feel him right next to my skin. Bryn and I sit in our large bathtub, filled with endless bubbles. I lay in his lap and pull him closer.

"Don't, that tickles." I laugh. I reach for my flute of champagne. Yeah, we shouldn't be drinking since I'll be out of here in the next few hours, but tonight was stressful.

"This?" He leans into me and kisses me all the way from my neck up to my face and finally, my lips. I flail away, and he calls my bluff. He runs his hands all up my bare torso, pausing at my waist, my hips, and my chest, before resting on my neck.

He slowly brings my face to his. I kiss him, letting his soft lips find mine and run my tongue on his. I go again but he pulls away. He laughs against me and speaks on my lips. "What was that tonight, lass? You seemed mighty pent up."

Wow, talk about a turn of events. I pause, feeling the warm water around us and his warming body below me. "I don't know. I guess I was antsy. I didn't know they were sending Garnag here."

"How long do you think it will take to find this Listener?" He asks, pulling away to gaze at my face.

I shrug. "No clue. Hopefully by tomorrow and I'll send them on their way."

Bryn nods, his brow furrows. "Just don't get roped into anything you don't want to. We have all the peace we need and we deserve it after everything."

He echoes my sentiments. Although, I always have that nagging feeling. If we were to take down the worst Tamriel were to offer, then sit on our lazy butt for centuries with that kind of grit and determination…were we selfish for not helping those in need?

I blink the haze away. Feeling the alcohol's strong grip on me. Yep. I had way more than champagne, the evidence was in the mugs in the corner, and it was affecting my thoughts. "I don't want to think about tomorrow." I wrap my arms around his neck and lean my head on his shoulder. "I just want what's happening now."

He laughs and while I'm thinking we're about to have another deep conversation, he does something unexpected and pulls me under the water. I break free, giggling like an idiot. But he pulls me under again. We don't need air, so we can stay down here forever. I find his lips, run my hands all over him with the same fervor he does me. And we continue in this bubble of bliss, until it's time to come up for air.

"Is everything okay? Are you sure you're not hurt?" I lean against Penny's doorframe, my body still wet but now in a long pink robe. Before bed, we thought it would be best to check in on the other people using this house.

"I'm perfectly fine. Great, actually." Penny looks up from his book. I notice his room is far cleaner than mine, and his blue pajamas are…way too fancy for a good night's sleep. But even with his nightcap on, he looks immaculate and put together. He pushes his black framed glasses up and smiles. "I had fun. I didn't know fights could be so exhilarating."

I rattle off all I know. He is my apprentice after all. "They are, that's just the adrenaline. It's why if you get injured, you won't notice it until after the fight. You had really good aim tonight. It's just next time, you should take a blade with you. Just in case one of those weirdos crawled up that tower and went for your head."

He puts a bookmark in and slowly lays it on his lap. "Is that so? I thought you had it under control."

"Yeah, but you never know. One of those necromancers could have sprouted wings…" I trail off knowing the fruitlessness of this. "Nevermind. I'm glad you were able to fight and stay safe. I don't know what I'd do…" I trail off again, not being able to voice my concern. From the moment I was born, Penny was with me. After my parents' death, we split up until last year. And from then on, he's been stuck to me like glue. Or maybe it's me stuck to him.

"I'm fine. I had fun," He smiles, "I think you should get some sleep. You have a big day ahead of you tomorrow."

Boy was he right. I stand up straight. "Let me know if you need anything."

"I'm perfectly fine, I got your bags ready with all the blood and goods you might want. Food, alcohol."

I nearly blush, he shouldn't have to do all that. "Thank you, Penny. You do so much."

He laughs softly, "You do as well, you keep a roof over my head. I get my own dogs." He motions to Oliver and Barbas at the foot of the bed. Both their tails are wagging with the attention. "And don't forget all the books I can read and chickens and cows I get to feed."

I nod, "You're right. You're absolutely spoiled."

"Oh, come now. Not as much as my little raven girl." He calls me by my old pet name. It runs through me like a blade. They used to call me that as a kid because of my black hair and liking of climbing high trees all to flap my wings and try to fly. I was a dense one at times. But now when I hear it, I think of the mother I left behind.

"Right again." I compose myself. Keep from thinking of her beautiful face framed with a cloak and ravens littering her person. "Goodnight, Penny. I'll see you bright and early."

After bidding him goodnight and getting back to our large bedroom, I collapse on the bed. Thinking over everything I need to take. I wasn't really wanting to take the Ebony Blade. I might just take some short swords downstairs and maybe an axe.

Bryn comes in right at the lick of time. Before my thoughts can tumble, or, before I fall asleep. I smile, one of those slow, seductive smiles and rise. My robe falls just so, the edge of my shoulder peeks out. The v-neck dips so low it's hard to imagine what's underneath the soft fabric. I saunter forwards, expecting to see the same desire in his eyes as before.

But it's like a rough iron door slamming. I falter a bit, my footing now uneven and stand before him. "What?" I ask.

He was downstairs talking to Garnag before he came up here. Last I heard, he was fine, but maybe the bed was too hard…or too soft. Guy like that? He probably prefers to sleep on rocks.

Bryn stares down at me and rests his hands on my shoulders. "I talked with him about the Listener. He didn't know her name, but he knew how she looked. Nazir told him."

"And?" My heart was pounding out of my chest.

He swallows hard. "Short black hair. A Nord woman in her middle age. Prominent figure. Runs a meadery. She might be involved in criminal affairs…" He trails off.

No. No way in Oblivion. No way in fucki-

"Maven. It's Maven Black-Briar." He says for me.

I shake my head and fall back to the bed. "He has to be wrong."

"Don't think so, lass. If he's right, then…"

We're in for a treat. I look to the wooden case resting on the desk right across from the bed. It's got many locks and many bolts to it. When the sun hits mid-day it usually rests on it, alerting people that there's some precious trophy within. I rise and go to it now. Unlocking all the little locks with ease.

"What are you doing?" Bryn asks behind me.

"Getting it ready. I thought I didn't need it but now…I might want to shine her up a bit before tomorrow." I slowly lift the wooden lid to reveal what's inside. The Ebony Blade, a black sword from the deepest reaches of Oblivion. A sword that people would kill for, would turn against their own flesh and blood to get the chance to hold. It's beautiful, even now, even as it pulses with power. Of the promise of the blood that will be spilled. It's ready, and so am I.

Cicero's Journal Entry

1st of Frostfall, 4E 203

Round and round in circles we go! Cicero writes this entry from and empty belly of the beast. The ship has been vacated. The coffin remains in the bowels with Cicero. Angel left us. With nothing more than a parting nod. Cicero tried to stop him, begged him, on his hands and knees, Mother! Cicero groveled for that man to stay with us. To not abandon us like Leader did. But he did. He left us here to rot in the mildew infested carcass. Cicero doesn't know where we're going. But he hopes…oh, he prays it will be good. The best place for Mother to be.

But it's taken so long. Maybe our ship will sink before we reach shore. Maybe, that is where you were meant to be buried Mother. In the depths of the sea! And now as a newly minted vampire, Cicero can follow you and guard you from close by in the forests of the kelp. Oh! How mad! How absurd! Insane! But there's always stranger things that happen….