Chapter 5 — A Fool and his Mother

When everyone is done eating, Arnbjorn and Festus leave the table, stating smithing work and magical study, respectively. I remain with the rest.

Strange as it sounds, they're a lot more… friendly than the Thieves' Guild. The Guild is a business; this is a home.

After we've spent another half hour chatting and getting to know each other, a chime sounds.

"Ah, someone's at the door." Veezara says. "It's my turn to play guard today, so I'll go look."

"Always someone's turn?" I ask the others as he walks away.

"Always." Nazir answers. "But generally it's just people returning from assignments, or getting supplies. A new member like you is rare."

"Who's the newest member currently?"

"Gabriella. But another joined after her, but that boy died." He shrugged. "It's always a risk when you live with death like we do."

"You don't seem very sad."

"In the end, we all belong to Sithis. To die means to go to the Night Mother, our unholy Matron."

"The Night Mother?"

"She was the founder of the Dark Brotherhood. It's been… long ago, but she pledged herself to Sithis. Even after death, she remained her voice." He pauses a moment. "You've been in the longest among us, Babette. Perhaps a better thing for you to explain her position."

"Sure." The little vampiress answers. "The Night Mother has always led the Brotherhood, even after death. She choses a Dark Brother or Sister, who is named the Listener. When someone wants to contact the Dark Brotherhood, they would enact a ritual called the Black Sacrament. The Night Mother would see them, whisper their name and location in the ears of the Listener. The Listener would then give the names to the Speakers, of which there were four. These Speakers would then go to the supplicant, and arrange a contract, and then dispatch someone to execute that contract."

"You talk about this as if it is no longer the case."

She grimaces. "That's true. A number of years ago, the Cyrodiil branch was destroyed, the Listener slain, and no survivor knew where the Night Mother's corpse was. You see, the Listener would look after it, and she would talk to him when he was close."

She raises her hands and drops them in a gesture of powerlessness.

"So since then, we've been forced to rely on rumors to get our contracts."

"Ah, I see the problem."

At that moment, Astrid comes in.

"Ah, I see you've made it, J'samma. That's good to know. Did you have any issues on your travels here?"

"Ah… a bit? There're some vampires in Haemar's Shame that I decided I didn't want to bother too much, and I cleared a band of bandits out of Pinewatch, after one tried to rob me when I was looking for a roof over my head for the night."

I see her eyebrows climb up her forehead.

"That sounds like an exciting journey, for only a few days."

"Yeah, that seems to be a pattern in my life recently."

She chuckles. "I suppose I contributed to that when I asked you to take out Grelod."

"Perhaps, but no regrets."

That elicits a smile. "I wouldn't have expected otherwise. But know that not everyone deserves it quite that much. Then again, if you casually 'clear out' a band of bandits, then I think you can handle it."

"Thank you."

She seems in thought for a moment. "And I might have something that'll let you get to know some of us a bit better."

"Oh?"

"Yes. I think this will be appropriate for you, Babette, and Veezara. You up for a one of the simpler trips?"

"I am."

"Sure."

"Of course."

"Very well." She sits down at the table. "I suggest you could leave tomorrow morning. The thing is, I got a letter recently, from someone claiming to be the Keeper of the Dark Brotherhood."

"What's that mean?" I ask.

"The position hasn't been used for a long time. It wasn't needed. While the Night Mother would only speak to the Listener, the Keeper would take care of her body if the Listener could not. Now that there is no Listener, it seems at least one Dark Sibling recovered the corpse of the Night Mother." She sighed. "I don't even know if this Cicero is speaking the truth, but if he is, then we cannot ignore it. However, he's late. He's supposed to be on his way here from Dawnstar. So I want you three to travel the other way to see if he needs help and give it if he does."

I look around. "And you think you need all three of us for that?"

"Not really. But we're low on contracts, and this way, you get to spend time together without the problems of infiltration and cover stories to come between you."

"No problem. We can do it." Veezara says. "Why us three, and not, say, Nazir?"

"J'samma is new, so I think it's good to be doing something. Babette has worked under the old ways the longest, and you are a shadowscale, basically a symbol of the old way. I suspect that the two of you will have fewer issues getting along with him. Judging by his letters, he's… eccentric."

"That makes sense." Babette answers. "Travel by daylight?"

"If you don't mind too much."

"Nah, I'll be fine. I fed plenty recently. I can stave off the sun."

"Good. J'samma?"

"No problem."

— A Dragon's Game —

You have learned a new skill: Alchemy! Level 2.

Before we went to bed, I asked Babette to teach me, and she was happy to show me the elementary things of Alchemy.

But now we're preparing to leave the Sanctuary. I'm almost surprised to realize that I feel comfortable here, even if I've been here less than a day.

In the Guild, everything was competitive, as see by the constant mass game of pickpocket going on. But this is a Sanctuary, a safe place to rest. I think I much prefer this, even if I have to slit a throat every so often.

At least, if it's someone like Grelod who deserves to get their throat slit.

I meet up with Veezara and Babette. Veezara could pass for a hunter, but Babette is in thick robes, mostly hiding her face from the sun. She told me she can survive it, but it's uncomfortable for her.

I wear my "adventurer" gear. I also received a set of Dark Brotherhood leathers, made from the same black and red the others have. There are some enchantments on it, even, but it'd probably draw too much attention on the road.

We travel north until we hit Lake Ilinalta in the afternoon. Then we go east, heading towards Riverwood — though it's a while off. We make camp for the evening on the shores. Babette says that she'll hear anything, so we don't need to worry. We sit by a campfire for a bit, and Veezara explains some more about sneaking, much like I also had a few chats about Alchemy with Babette, and she told me to harvest the ingredients we came along.

Your Sneak skill has improved by 2! (Level 45)

Your Alchemy skill has improved by 4! (Level 6)

Your Gatherer skill has improved by 6! (level 17)

At the girls' insistence, I also eat some ingredients we gathered from plants, and instructs me on how to realize which plants have which properties.

The day after, we pass by Embershard Mine. On one hand, it still makes me feel uncomfortable. On the other, I want to head in and kill all the bandits of Arvel's band.

I do neither and instead stick with my new family. No way the bandits could hurt this one. I've seen Veezara spar with Arnbjorn, and Babette is fast. Each member is sort of terrifying in their own right.

We reach Riverwood in the evening, and rent a room in The Sleeping Giant. We draw a frown from the Innkeeper, one Delphine, but nothing happens.

The next evening, we just about reach Whiterun, but we don't enter the city, as that would take an hour extra now, and the same tomorrow. Instead, we camp right under the walls. And then we head north again.

— A Dragon's Game —

Late in the evening, we see a cart on the road in the distance.

Approaching it, we see a Jester, muttering. Veezara approaches it, and me and Babette follow. As we close, we hear what he's saying.

"Agh! Bother and befuddle! Stuck here! Stuck! My mother, my poor mother. Unmoving. At rest, but too still!"

"Is something wrong?" Veezara asks.

"Poor Cicero is stuck. Can't you see?" I can see Veezara wants to interrupt, but the Jester talks to fast for him. "I was transporting my dear, sweet mother. Well, not her. Her corpse! She's quite dead. I'm taking mother to a new home. A new crypt. But... aggh! Wagon wheel! Damnedest wagon wheel! It broke! Don't you see?"

"Your name was Cicero, you say?" Veezara asks. "Well, perhaps we can offer you sanctuary at our home in Falkreath?"

Cicero seems struck silent for a moment, but then a wide laugh breaks on his face.

"Oh, how nice! Hahaha! It's always great to meet family outside! Can you help me transport our mother?"

I speak up. "There's a farm there, I could ask for help?"

"The farm is owned by Loreius. He has tools! He can help me! But he won't! He refuses! Can my Brother convince Loreius to fix my wheel!"

"Ok, I can do that. I'll be back soon, okay?"

"Oh, Thank you, Thank you!"

The honored Keeper seems… less than sane. I walk up the slight slope to the farm, where the farmer is currently sitting near his home.

He scowls as I approach him.

"Sir, might I ask you a favor?"

"And what would that be?"

"The Jester and his car by the road, " I don't get further into my sentence as he cuts me off.

"Why? And just who in Mara's name are you, anyway? Hmm? Come here, telling me my business. And for what? To help a... a... a fool!"

"Yes, to help a fool." I keep my distance to not threaten the man.

"Why not? If he scares you, then I can be there right next to you to ensure you remain unharmed."

"What? No, I'm not afraid!"

"Then why not help a person in need, when it's at so little cost to yourself? I'll be willing to pay for anything parts he might need…"

Your Speech skill has improved by 1! (4)

"No, you're right. I'm sorry… I'll be down in a moment."

"Shall I walk with you? The fool seems vulnerable, I don't want to leave him alone in the night, so I'll wait around anyway."

"Yes, that's fine. I'll get my tools from the shed…"

I walk with him. I've sometimes watched my family repair broken carts on the road, so I somewhat know what I'm talking about.

A few minutes later, we reach the cart together, and I help him, being an extra pair of helping hands.

You have gained a new class: Craftsman!

Oh, I hadn't even thought about that… but yes, I'm building stuff. It makes sense that I'd get a skill or class related to it.

It seems to manage both Mining and Alchemy. That's good, I got a few levels in Mining already, so I'll get some levels for free, much like gaining some Apprentice levels when I first learned that class.

Veezara and Babette have been talking to Cicero, and we'll be traveling back to the Falkreath Sanctuary together.

— A Dragon's Game —

It's an… interesting few days. Cicero is surprisingly amicable, but only in small doses. Veezara seems to have the highest tolerance, so I end up spending some extra time with Babette talking about Alchemy.

Your Alchemy skill has increased by 3! (9)

I do notice that what can be learned like this about something seems to decrease fast. I should go practice sometime.

But if there's one thing I don't doubt, it's Cicero's dedication to the Night Mother, and in extension the Dark Brotherhood. Since I'm so new, he's very willing to explain everything.

From the five Tenets (Basically, be nice to Family members and obey orders), to Sithis, to the Night Mother.

Our homecoming is… different. We lead Cicero inside, and in two minutes everyone is present. Astrid politely welcomes Cicero. The Night Mother is put into a room, and there's a discussion about how things are done right away.

I only just walk into the room, when I hear Cicero, the emotion clear in his voice.

"But without a Listener, how do you know who to kill?"

"I'm telling you, we don't. We listen for rumors, find our clients that way."

"Then what is the difference between our Family and a band of common bandits? How can you call yourself the Dark Brotherhood when you're not led by the Night Mother?"

And then Astrid says something surprises me, though I should have known.

"That's why we're so happy you're here, Cicero. Because now, perhaps the Night Mother will choose a new Listener."

For the first time, the chatty man is struck with silence.

"Yes… yes, I can see that. The Silence must be broken. A Listener must be chosen."

"You said we're the only group remaining?"

"Yes. All others are with Sithis. It is just me. And your group."

"I feared so, but I don't like confirmation." Astrid looks the Keeper straight into the eye. "Are you agreed that we should find our customers by rumor until the Night Mother choses a Listener?"

"I… Yes, Cicero understands... But Cicero is not happy, not happy!"

"Nobody is happy about this."