Turdas, 8:12 AM, 4th of Sun's Dawn, 4E 202
It's been an eventful two mouths for me. I became the champion of most of the Deadric gods, surprisingly. It was not an easy task. I wasn't even aware it was a task. One led to the other and now I'm being fought over in Oblivion. Sanguine, Hircine, Prince of the Hunt, and Sheo are the only Deadric Princes that aren't either trying to seduce me, use me as some kind of slave or anything in between. Azura, Prince of Dusk and Dawn, wants to seduce me after I helped her get rid of a crazy wizard that resided in one of her artifacts. Boethiah, Prince of deceit, secrecy, and conspiracy, etc, dislikes me because I didn't kill her previous champion and now I have her artifact. Claricus Vile, Prince of deals, just doesn't care. I gave him his talking dog back. So that's something. Hermaes Mora, Prince of knowledge, wants me as a slave. I helped a crazy guy who helped me recover an Elder Scroll. He's dead now. Malacath, Prince of who knows what, doesn't care. I helped a pack of Orcs lift a curse. Mahrunes Dagon, Prince of domination, wants to control me. Likely to get to Akatosh. I was attacked by the guy I was helping trying to put together Dagon's Razor. Mephala, Prince of plots, just wants to flat out take me for herself. Got a cool sword though. Maridia, Prince of life, she wants to seduce. I helped her cleanse her temple from a dark sorcerer. Molog Bal, a fucking prick, sorry, Prince of domination, well I ignored him. I even helped a Priest of Boethiah desecrate his shrine. He wants to kill me. Paryite, Prince of pestilence, he doesn't care really. I helped him with a worshiper problem and that was it. Vermina, Prince of dreams, all I will say is that I enjoyed stopping her. I really, really hate her. Then there was a priest in Marcarth that needed my help with eaten corpses. Turns out a follower of Namire, the Prince of the "ancient darkness" was responsible. I killed her and was done with that.
And then there were the dragons, trying to win my favor with random acts of kindness or helping others. I mean, yeah sure it's nice to have back-up but they're trying too hard. Then there are the dragons who are still trying to kill me and everyone else. But there are few of those, mostly the reminisce of Alduin's lieutenants. Deeja went to go and start her own little vigilante group. And the recruits are coming in like crazy. Inigo went to go and explore Skyrim some more, and I've been relaxing here in Solitude for the past two days. Sadly the day before, I was almost assassinated by a member of the Dark Brotherhood again. If it wasn't for the dragon that's been paroling the town, I would have been hurt. But not killed. Ever since Alduin's opposed death, all the dragons have been in turmoil. So now I guess that I'm their new Thuri? Ha! Me, the leader of the Dov. In a way it's kinda ironic.
A light knock interrupted my internal journal taking. I groaned as I lazily got up from my bed and went downstairs to see who it was. "Jordis! Who is it?" I asked my Housecarl as I descended the steps to the living room.
"I'm not sure?" She closed the door and looked at me as I approached the door. "She is in some serious gear so I am guessing she is a member of that fort you have." Jordis is a Female Nord who is well... my Housecarl. Once I reached the door, I nodded and opened it. I was greeted by a fully armored Argonian. At least I thought she was. I've never seen the armor before. She has brown scales and a small cut under her right eye. But her eyes, those haunting golden eyes. Surely it can't be him. But what caught me off guard was the Elder Counsel pendant she was wearing around her chest plate.
"Can I... help you miss?" I asked her. She said nothing. She walked right in passed me and Jordis, who tried to stop her but to know avail. "Uh? Hello? Hi?" I raised my voice just a bit. "This is my house you are in so... would you mind explaining why you came in here without my permission?" She sat down on a nearby chair and scoffed.
"Mortal law's. I can't believe I am doing this humiliating task." She mumbled. I walked over and sat down across from her.
"Okay..." Raising a brow I asked. "Who are you, what do you want, why are you here, and where did you get that necklace?" I sat patiently, waiting for her to say anything. She seemed to stare at me with immense hatred for some reason. It made me rather uneasy. I just assumed that she may have had a rough journey from Cyrodiil.
"So..." I clapped my hand together and got up. "Are you hungry?" I asked her with a nervous smile. But all I got was the same hateful stare. "Right..." I shuffled away to the kitchen and got ready to cook some steak and maybe a few sweet rolls. Looking over to my uninvited guest, I couldn't stand her looking at me like that so I tried a different approach. "Eh, Where you from?" I asked, not looking away from the stove. Still nothing. I waited a while to see where this was going but nothing happened. "Okay? Uh... How about your name?" I asked, looking at her from the corner of my eye. And I finally got a reaction, it was a small twitch but I got one. She mumbled something then looked away. "Huh? I didn't catch that." She looked back.
"My name is... Kasrava." I nodded with another smile.
"Alright Kasrava, tell me how a beautiful young Argonian such as yourself join the Elder Council?" She didn't move, not even an inch. But she did reply.
"Inherits." I nodded and checked the meat and made sure it was doing alright.
"Alright. What do you want then?" I got another reaction as she shuffled in her seat.
"Your help." I nodded with a small laugh.
"Yeah, that's what everyone wants." My smile faltered. After that it was quiet for the remainder of the time before a knock was heard from my door.
"Jordis! Can you watch the stove please?" I called out. I smiled as I ran to the door. I opened it with a smile at the occupants on the other side of the door.
"Hello, sweetheart." A small tear fell from my face as I hugged them both.
"Hello mother, father!" I quickly beckoned them in. "Sorry, I uh, got an unexpected company. Says she needs my help." My mother looked at the girl sitting on the chair as Jordis served her her food. Keerava smiled and walked over and gave a hand.
"Hello dear, we're Diinmaar's parents. I'm Keerava, and this is my husband Talen-Jei, Emperor of the Empire. And I see you have an Elder Council amulet. Oh. Here I am rambling again. You must be here on business?" Kasrava looked at my mother inquisitively who looked back at her with mild uncertainty and hesitantly nodded. Ha! Leave it to my mother's stare to break someone's ego.
My father came up to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "So son... What has the great Dragonborn done so far?" I chuckled and shook my head.
"Well, a lot." My mother walked over and sat on the nearby bench.
"Like?" She asked. I sighed. Too much is what I felt like saying, but what do you expect when you're supposed to save the world.
"I have my own cult now." They both raised a brow. "Yeah, the Dragon Cult. We have a settlement where I "defeated" Alduin. Believe it or not." My mother squealed with joy. But stopped as she looked at my father. I ignored it. "I gained the favor of some of the Deadric gods, but only two of them are actually my friends. Uncle Sheo and Sanguine." My father laughed.
"How is the Mad God anyway?" He asked with curiosity about his old friend. I chuckled. "Well... he's mad." I said as we all shared a laugh. "Uh, let's see. Oh! I Joined this group called the Companions, believe it or not, they're Werewolves! I even found the cure to Lycanthropy." My mother looked shocked, but my father looked down right worried. Like if I was dead or something.
"Werewolf's?" He asked in a hushed tone.
"Yes, Werewolf's. They are nice people. They help those in need. Like me." They seemed to calm down a bit. "Oh, by Akatosh, this next one is a laugh. So after I defeated Alduin, I became Thuri of the dragons. And now I'm being followed by dragons who want me as some sort of trophy. Trying to get on my good side. That's why you'll see dragons helping the holds. Ha! And get this. A legendary dragon was courting me! Haha! So I told her that another female is already doing so and let's just say we won't be seeing her for a while. She's probably already on her way back!" My mother looked at my father, then back at me. Talen-Jei just shrugged, but my mother was not a happy mother. Thankfully, she let it go... thankfully. "That reminds me, Gandr also confessed her love to me, surprising I know. But I knew that like the other dragon that she was in heat. Luckily, Paarth got me out in time." My father looked surprised.
"Jormungandr said that to you? I'll have to talk to her then." I nodded.
"The next thing is that these other Dragon Cultists, and the Dark Brotherhood are after me." My father growled at the name.
"I remember when the Dark Brotherhood used to be an actual Brotherhood."
I stood up and got myself some steak. "Also, I met some new friends. Father, can you tell me where Lyg is?" My father choked and looked at me almost mortified.
"Did you say Lyg?" I nodded. "Son, all I can say is be careful." He got up rather abruptly and went for the door.
"Your mother and I need to go. We'll be in Riften." And with that my father rushed outside without a word, my mother close behind. "Uh, so no goodbye?" I stood there with a plate in my hand. Kasrava walked over and took my untouched steak.
"I will say this, you are good at making decent food." She said in the monotone voice that is actually starting to get annoying. I groaned and set the plate down and walked to the door. "Where are you going?" She asked. I didn't answer. I just left her with my Housecarl. I breathed in the morning air as I shut the door.
"Oh-h-h-h! It's you, it's you, it's you! Oh, I knew Mother chose right." I heard a very energetic voice say from behind me. I turned around to see who talked. My eyes grew wide at seeing that jester that had the broken cart.
"Oh? Uh, hi there. What can I do for you... Cicero? Right?" I had trouble remembering his name.
He laughed and danced around. "Oh? Well you can do so many things, things that others cannot. And we need you, Dragonborn." I bit my cheek as he paused to hand me a slip. "Someone has done the Black Sacrament, and someone in Windhelm is the target. Now now, normally we would do something like this, but my poor sweet Mother told me that you are the one! Ooh yes, the one to bring us back." I nodded and worked my way down the steps.
"And... who is your mother? Isn't she dead?" He nodded vigorously as we both walked down the street on our way to the carriage.
"Why, the Night Mother of course." I sighed in regret. Of course it's a Deadric Prince. "Fine. But tell me this..." He looked at me with that wacky face of his.
"Anything, anything. Tell me and I shall serve." I looked ahead as we neared the gates of Solitude.
"Why is the Dark Brotherhood trying to kill me?" At this he stopped. And for once I saw him look perplexed.
"Kill you?" I nodded.
"Yes, someone by the name of Astrid is trying to kill me."
He gasped and dragged me to a dark corner. "Are you sure? She is our leader, our salvation. Our..." I gave him one of the contracts that I grabbed off of one of the assassins. "Oh my. Oh dear this will not do." He handed me back the note and stood silent for a moment. "I will make this right with our Mother, when you complete the contract, one of us will find you." I was about to say something when he ran away. I sighed to myself and put the note away. I guess I am a member of the Dark Brotherhood now. Or something like that. Well, time to do this contract. Hopefully I can get these guys to leave me alone.
About eight hours later and I was in the heart of enemy territory. Windhelm, the City that is home to the racist Nord Stormcloaks. It was cold, snowing hard, almost like a blizzard. And everyone that isn't a Nord looks miserable. "Hey, maybe the reason these gray-skins don't help in the war is because they're Imperial spies!" I looked at some Nords who were ganging up on a Dark Elf.
"Imperial spies? You can't be serious!" The Nord chuckled with his lackeys.
"Maybe we'll pay you a visit tonight, little spy. We got ways to finding out what you really are." She sighed and walked away. That's when she accidentally bumped into me. She scoffed.
"Do you hate the Dark Elves? Are you here to bully us and tell us to leave?" I actually took that as an offense.
"No, and I never will. The Empire isn't racist like these damned Stormcloaks." She sighed and relaxed a bit.
"You've come to the wrong city, then. Windhelm's a haven of prejudice and narrow thinking, unworthy of one such as you." She stiffened as I put a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry. Soon all of Skyrim and Tamriel will be under the Empire's rule and things like this will be no more. And don't worry about those two, leave here and go to Whiterun. Ask the Jarl about my settlement. He will tell you more." All I can say is that it felt good when she collapsed with joy around me. She got off quickly and thanked me and ran off.
Looking around, I noticed that this place is mostly empty. And I just wanted to get out of here. I took a left towards the Grey Quarter, where the Elves live, then took a right to reach my destination. This entire place was a wreck. Broken down walls and abandoned houses. Up ahead I saw a woman and a young boy talking outside my contractors houses. "Then it's true, what is everyone saying? That Aventus Aretino is doing the Black Sacrament? Trying to summon the Dark Brotherhood?" I didn't bother listening as I entered the house. Inside I heard the chant to summon the Brotherhood. I walked up the stairs and turned the corner. I was met with a boy surrounded with bones and gore. He stopped and turned around in one swift motion.
"You've come at last! I knew you would!"
"I did the Black Sacrament, over and over. With the body, and the... the things. And then you came! An assassin from the Dark Brotherhood!" I remained silent, still slightly mortified by what I am seeing. Luckily I am wearing a Dragon Priests mask I took from one of their dead. "It took so long. So very long. But now you're here, you can accept my contract." He looked down in sadness. "My mother, she... she died. I... I'm all alone now. So they sent me to that terrible orphanage in Riften. Honorhall. The head mistress is an evil, cruel woman. They call her Grelod the Kind. But she's not kind. She's terrible. To all of us. So I ran away, and came home. And performed the Black sacrament. Now you're here! And you can kill Grelod the Kind!" I left without a word. I better see this Grelod myself.
I arrived in Riften late at night. I avoided detection by swimming into the canal that goes through the city. I found the orphanage and quietly went inside. "Those who shirk their duties get a beating. Do I make myself clear?" That must be her. All the kids replied. They all sounded depressed. I got into position on the beams above with a bow. Taking aim, with her head in my sights, I let the arrow fly. A sickening sound of flesh was heard as she screamed and fell. I dropped down in front of the corpse as the kids cheered. I guess that old wench got what's coming to her. I walked back out and left Riften without being seen. Now I must inform Aventus.
I cannot believe that this was my best plan. I am Alduin, not some helpless hatching. Yet, a part of me felt... at peace. Not being shot at or having mortals run from me. It reminds me of when we helped each other. And I look back at the Dovahkiin and I realize that he only wants to be like any other. I met his mother and "father". She was a kind woman, And I now see why Akatosh chose her as a mate. Just thinking about it makes me want one of my own. I sighed as I sat alone in the Dovahkiin's bed. Curse my thoughts! I lied down on his bed to try and get some sleep. But I couldn't. I smelled some sort of strong scent in the air. It smelled of pine trees, sweet rolls, fresh water and... dov? I hesitantly turned my head and sniffed one of the pillows on the bed, and it smelled just the same. I took a longer whiff just to make sure. It didn't change. I went over to a closet and held one of his robes and took in a deep inhale of the scent. It was him. I closed my eyes and smiled as a warm feeling rushed throughout my body that made me quiver. I quickly shot my eyes open and put the robe back. Backing away to sit on the bed again. "I am attracted to the Dovahkiin?" I questioned quietly to myself. Dragons can find a mate sure, but when a female and a male attract through their scent, only one outcome can happen. And when a female finds a male, there is only that male. My eyes widened in disbelief at this new development. I am stuck in this form, and I need to speak with him in this form if I want to change back. But the more I breath in his scent the more it will drive me into insanity! I've seen females go insane because of males who rejected them. Half of those were my fault. Eventually the female resorts to doing unthinkable things, things that I or any sane dov would never dream of! "I need to find the Dovahkiin, now!" I grabbed one of the pillows and sniffed it one last time because I couldn't help myself. And started my journey to find Diinmaar. He will either fix me, or I will kill him. And I will not care what Akatosh thinks!
It was very early in the morning when I arrived back in Solitude. My eyes were groggy and I was tired. I did as told and now the Brotherhood will leave me alone. I just want some sleep. "I've been looking for you. Got something I'm supposed to deliver, your hands only!" An Argonian couturier yelled as he ran up to me. He stopped and looked in his bag full of letters. "Let's see here... Yeah, got this note." He handed it to me.
"Who from?" I asked. My voice was indolent due to my tiredness.
"Don't know. Creepy fella, black robe. Couldn't see his face. Paid me a pretty sum to get that into your hands, though. Looks like that's it. Got to go." And with that he ran off to find his next delivery. I can't help but feel bad for that guy. Running around Skyrim all day and night.
I sighed and opened the letter. I groaned at what I saw. On the letter was a print of a hand in black ink. Below the hand it read; We Know. I crumpled up the paper and stuck it in my pocket. The rest of the walk was quiet and before I knew it I was in my house and walking up the stairs. I opened my bedroom door and shut it, making sure it was locked. When I turned around I noticed two things. One, my bed was messed up. And two, my closet door was open. I went to the closet first and looked inside. One of my Imperial royal robes was not where it was supposed to be. I move it back and shut the door. Dragging my feet on the floor as I landed on my bed with a thud, I didn't even bother taking off my armor. And right then and there I passed out.
I can tell that today is going to be a good day. That was, until I realized that I was not in my room. I slowly got up and looked around. I was in a cabin of sorts. It was bare except for the three people who were bound and had hoods over their faces. I was about to help them when a voice stopped me. "Sleep well." A woman said in a seductive tone. I turned around to see a woman in Brotherhood robes, sitting on an empty bookshelf. I gritted my teeth.
"Do you know who I am?" I yelled at her.
"Does it matter? You're warm, dry... and still very much alive. That's more than can be said for old Garlod. Hmm?" I scoffed.
"I only did it to get you off my back! My father has agents shadowing me everywhere I go. If you lay one hand on me you will not be leaving here alive..." I smirked. "And did I mention that you will have an army of dragons and two of the Deadric princes on your ass." She laughed like it was no threat.
"Oh I know. Most of Skyrim knows. Things like that tend to get around. Oh, but don't you go misunderstand me. I'm not criticizing. And you saved a group of urchins, to boot. Ah, but there is a slight... problem." My smirk fell. "You see, that little Aretino boy was looking for the Dark Brotherhood. For me, and my associates. Grelod the Kind was, by all rights, a Dark Brotherhood contract. A kill... that you stole. A kill you must repay." I rolled my eyes.
"Please lady, you can't make me do nothing. I can kill you and your brotherhood in minutes. Let me guess..." I pointed a thumb behind me to the three captors.
"Well now, you see, there's a contract out on one of them, and that person can't leave here alive. But... which one? Go on, see if you can figure it out."
I turned around and walked over to the tree. The first one is a Nord, and he looked like a bandit. I'll question him first. "Who are you?" I asked calmly. "What? Oh gods, I don't want to die..." I already know it wasn't him just by hearing his voice. Panicked, stuttering, and sounding like he was about to cry.
"Relax, you're not the contract." I moved to the next person. She was yelling and fighting against her restraints. Next. And then there was the Khajiit.
"Would someone pay to have you killed?" I asked calmly.
"Me? Ha! Are you serious? He he he he he he he. The real question is, "Would someone pay to have me killed... again." A day goes by without trying to gut me in the street, I get disappointed." Alright then.
I walked back a few paces and readied a shout. One meant for someone like him. "Sil Maar! (Soul Terror!)" As the shout hit him nothing happened. But I walked up to him and pulled the hood off his head. He gritted his teeth but as soon as he saw me that look turned into pure terror when the shout took effect.
"No!" He started to kick and thrash about, trying to escape. I looked back at the women.
"How about you do it." I turned and gave her a clear opening.
"Oh. No, no, no. I order you to kill someone, and you obey." I sighed as I got ready to Shout again. When did my life become so messed up? "KriI Lun! (Kill Leech!)" Soon his screaming of terror became silent as his body just lay there. Motionless, dead. "So... can I go now?" I asked, not really caring about an answer.
"Of course. And you've..." I didn't want to hear it so I walked over to the door and kicked it down. I huffed as I walked outside. I looked around, I was in a marsh. I realized something important today. Today, or any day, is not a good day.
When I got home again, In front of my door was a letter. I ripped it off and read it as I went inside. In the southwest reaches of Skyrim, in the Pine Forest, you'll find the entrance to our sanctuary. It's just beneath the road, hidden from view. When questioned by the Black Door, answer with the correct passphrase: "Silence, my brother." Then you're in. And your new life begins. I ripped up the letter and burned it in my hand. "Akatosh preserve me." I flopped down on my bed and went to sleep. All I ask is for one day of peace. Just one.
I woke to a knock on my bedroom door. How could someone get in here? Without being spotted by Jordis? I got out of bed and walked over to the door. Opening it, I was greeted by Inigo. "Hello friend. Come with me." I shrugged and followed Him down the stairs. When I reached the bottom I was blinded by a set of hands, followed by a soft chuckle. I was turned around, and my eyes were unveiled to be met with Keerava.
"Mother?" She giggled and turned me around. My eyes grew wide at how many people were here. I saw Inigo, my mother and father, Lily, Deeja, Ky'ren, Uncle Sheo, Lydia and Balgruuf? I laughed out of surprise. "What are you all doing here? No wait, Jarl Balgruuf? What are you doing here?" The man laughed.
"Well, when the Emperor invites you to his son's birthday party, you don't refuse. Also I really needed to leave that place and see the world." I shrugged with a confused smile. I paused at the realization of what day today is.
"I'm an idiot! Ha Ha!" Everyone laughed.
"No boy, you're mad, like me. Ha Ha He!" Sheo exclaimed. My father came up to me and wrapped me in a bear hug. Which I returned.
"There are still people waiting for you outside." He said as he led me to the door. Outside, there was a big crowd, almost like the entirety of Skyrim was here. Mostly people from Cyrodiil though. Long time friends of my parents. The ghost of Martin Septim is here! THE Martin Septim! He waved as he chatted with the rest of the crowd. But the two people that I was interested in were on the sidelines. Some of the crowd were talking with them, and some tried to stay away. Some even tried to attack them, but the city guards stopped them.
"Paarth, Gandr!" The two dragons looked up and smiled.
"Diinmaar. It is good to have tinvaak with you again." Paarth said. Gandr smiled and sat up on her hunches as I maneuvered around the crowd of people.
"Hey Gandr." I waved.
"Diinmaar, I just wanted to say I am sorry for how I acted." I laughed it off.
"You were in heat. It wasn't your fault. Enjoy the party!" She giggled and wrapped one of her wings around me.
"Thank you, Diinmaar." I heard her whisper. After we parted I decided to go see the other participants. Maybe Sanguine is here somewhere?
It's the middle of the day and by this everyone has left to go back to their homes. All that were left were Inigo, Lily, an Argonian who calls herself "Turbo", that weird Argonian from a few days ago, and my dad. We were all sitting on the patio of my house. "...is Inigo." We are telling each other who our secret lover is. Talen-Jei is married so he's out. Turbo said hers is an Argonian Imperial soldier. They met in battle as foes, but left as best friends. Lily just said hers was someone she met some time ago. "What about you Dare?" Lily asked with a grin. I thought for a moment, but my mind came up blank.
"I got nothing." I shrugged. Inigo managed to breathe again and laughed.
"There has to be someone? Tell us." I shrugged again.
"I'm sorry but... I'm just not finding anyone who I find attractive and loving I guess. Besides, I need to help run an Empire here so..." Inigo sighed, going back to his drink.
"How about you, Kasrava?" Talen-Jei asked. She was leaning on a wall a few feet away and watching us. She looked up from a book she was reading.
"Hmm?" She closed the book.
"I said, who is your secret admirer?" For the first time she actually lost that stoic look and sputtered.
"M-My... I don't have one." With that she left rather quickly. We all shared a laugh at the scene.
"That just showed that she does. Ha! We'll find out eventually." Talen-Jei said with a grin. He was looking at me with a cheeky smile.
"What?" I asked. He looked away.
"Oh nothing."
I woke up early in the morning to take a carriage to Falkreath. Walking the trail away from the town and to the area that was on the note, I found the hidden door. It was very ominous looking, skeletons and a giant skull with a glowing red hand print. I went up to it and knocked. Soon a very loud voice whispered in my ear. "What is the music of life?" It asked. I swallowed a lump in my throat as I answered. "Silence, my brother." Not even a moment past when the door opened.
"Welcome home." I hope I never need to hear that again. When I entered, a long hallway that led deeper underground was all there was. So I followed it. Soon I came across the woman from before leaning on a wall, only this time she didn't have a mask on.
"Ah, at last! I hope you found the place all right." I grunted as I walked past her. She followed. "Down to business. I'm arranging a job for you. But in the meantime, go meet your brothers and sisters." I nodded as we entered a big cave. "Ah, but one last thing. A welcome home present. The armor of the Dark Brotherhood. May it serve you well." I grabbed the armor and left. Walking in, I came across a band of people huddled around a... child?
"Ha ha ha ha ha! Again! Again! Do the part where he tries to buy you some candy." I walked past them, I saw something else that peaked my interest. A Word Wall in the far corner.
I walked up to it to read the engravings. And I studied them. "Aus." I said quietly. This is the finale word for the Marked for Death shout. That's what I called it anyway.
"What are you doing to this useless piece of rock?" I turned around and was met with an Argonian. He has green scales, green eyes, and had scratches under them. "The name's Veezara. I am a Shadowscale, you see. Born under the sign of the Shadow. I am the last of my kind, my order is extinct." A Shadowscale huh? Oh boy did I have a surprise for him.
"Hello, Veezara. I can tell we will get along just fine." I looked back at the wall. "And here's what I'm doing." I faced my full body to the wall and prepared myself. "Krii Lun Aus! (Kill Leech Suffer!" Nothing happened, but that's because the shout only works on the living.
"Whoa, you're Dragonborn!" I turned my head and nodded.
"Yep, and I'm a Shadowscale as well. I have a training facility in Black Marsh called Archon. I don't follow Sithis personally but... while I was training to become the Dragonborn, I also trained as an assassin for the King of Argonia." His whole face seemed to brighten up as he started to laugh.
I heard someone walking up from behind me. "So you're the newest member of our dwindling, dysfunctional little family. I've had quite a bit about you." A Redguard man said as he walked up.
"Nazir, you won't believe this, he says that the Shadowscales are back." Veezara laughed even harder. The one know as Nazir didn't find it funny.
"That's because they ARE back, Veezara." Like if on queue, he stopped laughing all together as he looked at him with shock.
"You knew?" Nazir only nodded.
"Why did you not tell me?" He yelled. Nazir merely shrugged.
"I thought you already knew." Nazir looked at me with his arms crossed. "I give you three days before you screw up and someone runs a knife across your throat. But who knows? I've been proven wrong before." I glared at him as he left. I felt a hand slap my back.
"You were right. We are going to get along." He said as he left as well. I looked around the place for a moment. I guess I better get started.
Yesterday I completed some jobs for Nazir. And today, Astrid said she had something for me. I slept in the bed provided to me, so I didn't have to go from Solitude to here. Veezara nearly stayed up all night asking me questions like: How did you bring the Shadowscales back? Or How does it feel to breath fire? Things like that. Eventually he got tired and went to bed. I'm now walking up to Astrid to get my new contract. "But the Night Mother is mother to us all! It is her voice we follow! Her will! Would you dare risk disobedience? And surly... punishment?" I smiled at that voice.
"Cicero!" I waved from across the room as I went into the commons area where Nazir usually hangs out. He was eating an apple when I came in.
"Haven't you talked to Astrid? She's by the pool, greeting the Night Mother and her little jester. She has a contract for you."
I shrugged and left the room to join the others. "You and the Night Mother are of course welcome here, Cicero. And you will be afforded the respect deserving of your position as Keeper. Understood... husband?" Astrid glared at the old wizard known as Arnbjorn. He growled then left.
"Oh, yes yes yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Cicero cheered with glee.
"But make no mistake. I am the leader of this Sanctuary. My word is law. Are we clear on that point?" Wait, no it's not!
"Actually you are wrong, Astrid." Everyone in the room looked at me in complete silence. I took that as my queue.
"There are five Tenets, like there are five fingers. Tenet One: Never dishonor the Night Mother. Two: Never betray the Dark Brotherhood or it's secrets. Three: Never disobey or refuse to carry out an order from a Dark Brotherhood superior. Four: Never steal the possessions of a Dark Brotherhood superior. And Five: Never kill a Dark Brother or Sister." She looked like she was about to say something when I interrupted her. "And as far as I can tell, Cicero here has the highest rank. No offense, Astrid." Nobody said anything. Nobody moved. Until Astrid scoffed.
"I was done speaking with that muttering fool anyway. We've got some business to discuss." I remained silent. "Take this." She handed me a note. I nodded and left Sanctuary without a word. Way to piss everyone off, me.