Fredas, 3:11 PM, 8th of Sun's Dawn, 4E 202
All I really needed to do was kill some bandit for this lady. Got it done, got paid, and now I'm going back to Astrid. "Ah, you're back. So, how was your first real contract? A bit more exciting than what Nazir's been offering, I'd wager." I remained silent. "Now, I need your assistance with a matter of a more... personal nature." I didn't like the way she said that. "It's Cicero. Ever sense he's arrived, his behavior's been... well, erratic would be an understatement. I do believe he is truly mad." I laughed.
"Reminds me of my uncle." She ignored my thoughts.
"But it's worse than that. He's taken to locking himself in the Night Mother's chamber, and talking. To someone. In hushed, but frantic tones." Yeah, the Night Mother. I felt like yelling.
"Astrid, you're being a bit... paranoid." I said as I crossed my arms.
"Maybe so, but healthy paranoia has saved this Sanctuary before, and my gut's telling me that demented little fool is up to something." I rolled my eyes.
"Let me guess, eavesdrop?" She nodded. "Fine. But how?" She thought for a moment.
"Like... inside the Night Mother's coffin." She said.
"But that seems so... disrespectful. I would be breaking one of the rules. But I suppose I would be either way so... fine."
I walked down into the main chamber. And I saw Veezara. Good. I walked over to him as he was attacking a straw dummy. "Hey, Veezara. Can you do me a favor?" He stabbed his sword into the ground and looked at me, panting.
"Yes, brother. What is it?" I sighed.
"It's personal." He laughed.
"Shadowscale forever, remember?" I laughed at the little pact we made last night. It's a "Shadowscales before Brotherhood" type of pact.
"I need you to keep an eye on Astrid. She's acting weird. Saying that Cicero is up to something." He smiled and nodded.
"That's it? Consider it done, brother." He held out his hand and we did our secret handshake.
Time to spy on the jester. Even though I doubt anything's really happening. I mean, the guy is crazy but he is the Keeper of the Night Mother. Making my way across the room and up the stairs, I ended up in the room where the Night Mother's coffin was located. Quickly running to it and opening it. I stepped in and closed the lid. Luckily, I can stand in it. It was dark, so I couldn't see anything. But I heard the sound of his humming as he came closer. "Are we alone?" He asked himself. "Yes... yes... alone. Sweet solitude. No one will hear us, disturb us. Everything is going according to plan." So he is planning something! Astrid was right. "The others... I've spoken to them. And they're coming around, I know it." Coming around for what? "What about you... have you spoken to anyone? No... No, of course not. I do the talking, the stalking, the seeing and saying! And what do you do? Nothing! Not... not that I'm angry. No, never. Cicero understands. Heh. Cicero always understands. And obeys. You will talk when you're ready wont you? Won't you... sweet Night Mother."
Now I feel bad for the little guy. He's just lonely. Suddenly the coffin lit up a hair. "Poor Cicero. Dear Cicero. Such a humble servant. But he will never hear my voice. For he is not the Listener." It was the Night Mother!
"Oh, but how can I defend you? How can I exert your will? If you will not speak? To anyone!" I heard Cicero beg outside.
"Oh, but I do speak. I will speak to you. For you are the one. Yes, you. You, who shares my iron tomb, who warms my ancient bones. I give you this task. Journey to Volunruun. Speak with Amaund Motierre." She faded once more into the shadows.
"Poor Cicero has failed you. Poor Cicero is sorry, sweet mother. I've tried, so very hard. But I just can't find the Listener." The Night Mother appeared again. "Tell Cicero the time has come. Tell him the words he has been waiting for, all these years: "Darkness rises when silence dies." Suddenly the lids of the coffin flew open and I was met with an enraged jester.
"What? What treachery! Defi-" I held up a hand to quiet him. Which he did.
"Darkness rises when silence dies." He didn't move for a moment, then he looked directly in my eyes with a cold gaze.
"She... she said that? She said those words... to you? "Darkness rises when silence dies"?" I nodded. For one he looked serious. His face slowly turned into one of joy after though. "But those are the words. The Binding Words. Written in the Keeping Tomes. The signal so I would know. Mother's only way of talking to sweet Cicero..." Suddenly he started to dance. "Then... it's true! She is back! Our Lady is back! She has chosen you a Listener! She has chosen you! Ha ha ha! All hail the Listener!" He laughed with joy. Suddenly the doors burst open with Astrid barging in.
"By Sithis this ends now! Ba-" She stopped as she looked between me and Cicero.
"She spoke to him! To the Listener!" Astrid looked at a loss in the situation.
"What? The Listener? What are you going on about? What is this lunacy?" I scoffed as she turned to me.
"I'm the Listener. I was chosen by the Night Mother herself... And I have a task." She sighed.
"When I heard Cicero screaming, I knew you'd been discovered. I feared the worst. Are you all right?" I nodded. "So Cicero wasn't talking to anyone else. Just... the Night Mother's body?" Again, I nodded. "And the Night Mother, who according to everything we know, will only speak to the person chosen as Listener... just spoke. Right now... to you?" She sounded almost mad.
"Yes." I shook off some dirt that got on my armor.
"What did she say?"
After all that happened, Cicero announced to everyone that I am Listener. I guess I am now the Leader of the Dark Brotherhood. Cool. "Ha! I knew you were special!" Looking behind me, I saw Veezara clapping as he walked my way. "Finally, we can get back on our feet. How does it feel to be the leader of the Dark Brotherhood?" I shrugged.
"Not sure yet." He nodded.
"Well, only time will tell us then." We both laughed. Everyone else was in the commons. So it was just me and Veezara.
For the rest of the day, Veezara and I did some contracts to get some extra gold. And now we were both relaxing in our beds. In was a long and interesting day. We were both have ideal chit chat when Astrid came in. Sitting up in bed, I waited for what she had to say. "Look. Something is happening here. I'm not sure entirely what that something is, but... Well, we need to find out." I nodded. "If the Night Mother really did give you an order to talk to a contact, we'd be mad to ignore it. And I think we'd both agree, Cicero's brought quite enough madness to this Sanctuary." I heard Veezara chuckle beside me. "So go. Go to Volunruud. It's a crypt, pretty far to the northeast. Talk to this Amaund Motierre. And let's see where all this leads. Hmm?" Veezara and I shared glanced as Astrid left us.
"So... ready for some dungeon diving?" I asked him. He just stood up and beckoned me to follow.
It was a long walk to Volunruud. We passed Whiterun on the way, but didn't go in because I don't think people would like to see two Shadowscales in Dark Brotherhood clothing waltz right into a peaceful city. Now we are just outside of the crypt. It is dark out, but I doubt that will do much because we will be inside. With our weapons at the ready, we walked in. Going down the stairs that led us deeper into the crypt, we were faced with the undead. Skeletons, raised to defend their final resting place. We dispatched them with ease. Taking a sharp left, we were met with a wooden door. This is where our contact should be. Grabbing the handle and taking a deep breath, I opened it. On the other side, I was met with a Breton. But not just any Breton, he is part of the Elder Counsel! A Chancellor! For someone like that so close to my father to call the Dark Brotherhood? It raises questions.
"By the almighty Divines. You've come. You've actually come. This dreadful Black Sacrament thing... it worked." I quirked a brow.
"Why would a Council member contact someone like us?" I asked.
"Oh, I know. I know. But I'm so glad you're here. Please, allow me to state my business. Surely your time is as valuable as my own. I would like to arrange a contract. Several, actually. I daresay. The most important work your organization has had in, well... centuries." I crossed my arms.
"Go on." I said. Veezara was looking around the place, minding his own.
"As said, I want you to kill several people. You'll find the targets, as well as their manners of elimination, quite varied. I'm sure someone of your disposition will probably even find it enjoyable. But you should know that these killings are but to an end. For they pave the way to the most important target." By this time, Veezara was standing by my side and listening intensively. But also watching the Imperial guard behind the man.
"The real reason I'm speaking with a cutthroat in the bowels of this detestable crypt. For I seek the assassination of..." He paused.
"Go on." I rolled my eyes. I don't know why people like to make things dramatic. Just get to the point.
"...the Emperor." Upon hearing that title, my jaw literally hung open. My father? Someone wants to kill my father? I couldn't wrap my mind about it.
"You want us to kill... the Emperor. Of Tamriel?" Veezara asked, stunned beyond belief.
"That is correct. What I ask is no small thing, of course. But you represent the Dark Brotherhood. This is... what you do? No? You must understand. So much has led to this day. So much planning, and maneuvering. Now, it's as if the very stars have finally aligned." My mind was blank. All I could hear was ringing as my vision started to go red. "But I digress. Here, take these. They need to be delivered to your, um... superior. Rexus." He clapped. "The items." The soldier came up to me and handed me an Amulet of the Elder Counsel. And a letter. They both hung loosely from my shaking hand as my jaw was still hanging open. "The sealed letter will explain everything that needs to be done. The amulet is quite valuable- you can use it to pay for any and all expenses." I finally closed my mouth and looked at the necklaces. I'm supposed to get one for my next Birthday. It was gold with a few purple gems on it. I clutched it in my hand.
When I could actually find some words, I was smoldering with hatred for this man. With one swift leap, I drew Keening and lunged towards him.
"Whoa! Diinmaar? What in Oblivion!" I didn't answer as I cornered the man against the wall. His guard drew his sword, Veezara did the same. My eyes turned to slits, my knife pressed against his throat. The man cowered.
"You..." I seethed through gritted teeth. "You want to kill Talen-Jei?" My anger was getting the best of me at this point. I felt a hand on my shoulder and I turned sharply to who did it. It was Veezara who had a very worried expression. But when he saw my eyes... he backed away in fear. Looking back at the traitor, my expression cold, he gulped with his hands up begging for mercy.
"Wa- Wait! Talen-Jei, he ordered-" I drew my fist back and slammed it on the wall inches away from his face.
"YOU WANT TO KILL MY FATHER!" With Keening in my other hand, I quickly jabbed it into his gut. His eyes grew wide as I continued to empty his insides like a fish. I tore his body to shreds. And when the man was nothing more than a string of meat and cloth, I could only look at Veezara and huff. I began to lose my adrenaline. And soon I passed out from the blood rage.
Veezara didn't know what to make of the scene. That part where Diinmaar went mad and killed the contract, saying that the Emperor was his father. Or the fact that the contract WAS the Emperor. The Imperial lay dead on the ground, my sword through his back. Astrid will have my head for this. I looked down at the unconscious body of my best friend, deciding on what to do. Take him back and watch him get killed for disobeying the Night Mother? Or run away in hopes of surviving together? Where would we go? To Black Marsh? To Cyrodiil? We made a promise. To always have each other's backs. I sighed as I knew there was only one way out of this.
I carried Diinmaar on my shoulder as I entered the Sanctuary. I used to feel safe here, but now? I don't know. Astrid was waiting for us ahead. "You're back. Good. All right, so? Did you meet this Motierre? What did he want?" I looked at her grimly as she finally realized who I was carrying. "Is that..." I nodded as I walked passed. She followed as I made my way to the beds.
"Here. He wants us to kill... the Emperor." My voice was low and quiet.
"You're joking." I shook my head. She opened the letter and read it as we walked across the main chamber. "By Sithis you're not joking. To kill the Emperor of Tamriel... The Dark Brotherhood hasn't done such a thing since the assassination of Pelagius. As a matter of fact, no one has dared assassinate an Emperor of Tamriel since the murder of Uriel Sepim, and that was two hundred years ago..." We reached our room and I laid Diinmaar down.
"Surly the Night Mother wouldn't misdirect us..." I said as I faced her.
"No, she certainly wouldn't. And... for whatever reason, she chose to relay Motierre's information to him. I don't know exactly what's going on here, if he's the Listener, or is some fluke, or what. But what we now have before us..." I looked at Diinmaar before I thought of something.
"I think he should speak with her. Just to keep safe." She nodded as she left us to our fate. I sat down next to my friend and let out a puff of air. "What are we going to do, Diinmaar?" I asked his sleeping body. I got up and went to my bed to rest. Oblivion knows I need it.
"Diinmaar!" It was dark, and I could not see. But I heard the voice. A faint, muffled call of my name. Soon more sounds started to register. Sounds of people screaming in anger. Swords clashing. What's happening? I slowly opened my eyes to see that I'm in Sanctuary. I tried to move but my body was numb. Where's Veezara? How did I get here? And why do I hear fighting? No matter. I need to go find Veezara, he can tell me what happened.
"Veezara." I tried to yell. But sadly it only came out a raspy whimper. I tried to move, but my body was non responsive. I could barely move my head as it is! My whole body was numb. I tried again and again... and again. And again. But each time was met with the same results. Nothing. So I gave up trying to move and settled on getting more rest. Closing my eyes I quickly found slumber.
I don't know how much time has passed but I feel a lot better. I slowly sat in my bed, looking around. Nothing seems out of the ordinary here. I decided to test my legs. Sure enough, they were no longer numb. Now wide awake, I got out of bed. Heading to the main chamber, I noticed that it was rather empty. But when I reached my destination, everyone was there. All huddled around someone. And there was blood. "Just try to relax, Veezara. You'll feel better, shortly." I heard the vampire child say. I think her name is Babette or something?
"Achh... Thank you, dear. You are most kind. The jester's cut feels as bad as it looks, I'm afraid." Veezara was surrounded by his own blood, laying on the ground.
"Veezara!" I quickly ran as fast as I could to him, practically sprinting. The audience moved as I plowed through. Kneeling down next to him, I looked at him in sorrow as he coughed up some blood. There's no way any traditional magic could cure this. Whoever did this had a magic weapon. I need a shard. "Hold on egg brother." I stood up and backed away. "Everyone get away from him!" I yelled. Hesitantly, they all did as asked. My best friend is on the brink of death, and it looks like any form of healing will not help. But I know who can. But will he come for only one soul? A soul that serves the Night Mother? There's only one way to find out. First I had to concentrate. Concentrate on nothing, yet everything. And so I closed my eyes. And once I did that, only then can I reach whom I look for. But even then, it could still fail. I can only hope. I took a deep breath, and began the spell. "Great Akatosh! Dragon God of Time!" My voice became ethereal and it echoed throughout Sanctuary. I could feel the gazes of the other occupants in the room on me as my body glowed a bright blue. "I require your strength! Shard of Aetherius, fall upon us now and anoint us with your blessing!" I waited. All became quiet as we all looked around. But nothing happened. "I don't understand." I whispered to myself. I looked up to Veezara only to see his head fall still. I stood there for a second. Looking at his corpse. I didn't even notice that I was on my knees next to him until I held my head against his as I cried. Veezara is dead. He was the only reason why I stayed in this place. He was a good friend.
"Where am I?" I asked out loud. My voice echoed through the strange plain. The last thing I remember was getting stabbed. I am laying on the floor of whatever this place is. I looked up at the "sky" as I stood up. It has a brilliant array of colors ranging from green mixing together with green and orange. There were some stars but none that I recognized. I looked around to see a grand temple in the distance. Large mountains surround this whole place. There were rivers and lakes all around. 'Am I dead?' I heard a deep chuckle from behind be.
"Yes, you are dead." I quickly swerved my head around and my eyes widened at what I saw. A great golden dragon stood proud and strong as he smiled warmly at me.
"Who are you?" I asked.
"Why, I am Akatosh- and this..." He moved past me and sat down on a ledge that overlooked this place. "... this is Aetherius. Sea of light, the Immortal Plane, the origin of magic. But you are wondering why I brought you here instead of letting you join The Hist, correct?" I didn't respond. I am too shocked to do anything. This is Akatosh? I am looking at the God of Time himself?
"Yes." I huffed.
"Can you please stop reading my mind." He only chuckled.
"Alright. Straight to the point then? What do you know about Diinmaar?" He asked as I sat cross legged next to him.
"Diinmaar? Uh... Well he is my friend. Born under the Sign of the Shadow like me, and he says his father was Emperor Talen-Jei. Is that correct?" The great Akatosh only nodded as he looked up to the stars.
"And do you know who Talen-Jei is?" He asked. What kind of question is that?
"Yes... he's the Emperor of Tamriel. He competed with Titus Mede II. He was the first Argonian who somehow had the Septim bloodline in him. And is responsible for many, many good deeds. Why? Am I missing something?" I asked as I lay on my back to stare at the sky.
I waited for a while and I got no reply. "Akatosh?" I started to worry as I got lost, looking into the sky. "Hello?" I sat up looking around for the big dragon that suddenly disappeared.
"I'm right here." I jumped up at the new voice. Turning around I was face to face with... Talen-Jei!
"E-Emperor Talen-Jei!" I immediately bolted up and bowed to him. How did he get here? Is this a trick?
"Is it not obvious, Veezara?" He asked. Looking at the robed Argonian, I didn't notice anything wrong. But no one else was here so... I looked at him over one more time. Royal robes with a gold trim and a purple gem in it. He seemed to glow with a kind of divinity. He had dark green scales, and yellowish hair. But his eyes. I've never seen an Argonian have them before. Gold eyes that seemed to glow with eminence power as they bore into mine. We seemed to stare at each other for a long time. I know who he is now, but it's still hard to believe.
"Thuri. Who is this mortal?" I jumped at the sound of a new voice. I am usually not scared of things like this, but this is all new to me. Being dead and all. Above us was a brown dragon watching us. He was sitting on his hunches on a nearby rock formation.
"He is Veezara from the Dark Brotherhood. He is the one that helped my son in his adventures. A fine Shadowscale. And someone who I am expecting to have a brighter future."
The brown dragon got up and stomped over to me. His face was unreadable, probably because I've never seen dragons until today. He stopped and lowered his snout to sniff me. I stood stiff as he did. For once I am actually afraid of what is to come.
"You reek of death and wear the armor of murderers..." He murmured. He moved his great head to look at the god. "...and thieves." He growled that last part.
"Jaree-Ra!" Akatosh snapped. Making the dragon step back with a bow. "Do not insult our guest." The brown dragon nodded then looked at me.
"Forgive me for my arrogance, hatchling." He bowed and sat back down.
"Thanks to you and my son's efforts, I now know who the mole in my council is. Because of your help, you are welcome here, anytime. I believe it is time he knows. Tell my son I love him." I was about to ask what he meant but the world around me just flashed away to blackness. This only raises more questions for me to ask. So Akatosh and the Emperor are the same?
I failed. I failed the pact. I failed at being a good friend and helping defend Sanctuary. That's two people now. First Siigon and now Veezara. Am I cursed or is this just bad luck? "Damn it, this never should have happened! We knew better, and still we let our guards down. Agh!" Astrid yelled as she paced around.
"Look out!" My head snapped up as I had to dodge... something.
"Babette, what is it?" Astrid asked. She didn't answer as she just stood there, looking at Veezara's corpse. I followed her gaze and I was awestruck. It did work! A smile slowly made its way to my face.
"Veezara!" I immediately looked him over and sure enough the slash marks were gone.
"It only hurts when I laugh. He he he. Owww..." I can't believe it! Veezara's alive! I Shook my head and held out a hand for him. He grunted as I hoisted him to his feet.
"How did this happen? You were dead!" Festus Krex said. He is the old wizard of the group.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Ha. Ow." Krex only shook his head.
"Well, you know the old saying. When life gives you lemons..."
Astrid turned to me as she fumed. "The fool went absolutely berserk! He almost killed Veezara, tried to kill me, and then he fled. I knew that lunatic couldn't be trusted." I heard Krex chuckle as he walked up to us.
"It's true, I'm afraid. Cicero was a little whirlwind, slashing this way and that. It would have been funny, if he weren't trying to murder us all." Nazir finally walked from the sidelines.
"Don't forget the ranting and raving. About the Night Mother, how she was the true leader of the Dark Brotherhood, and Astrid was just a "pretender"." Astrid scoffed at the word. But Cicero is right, she has been saying that she is a leader, when in reality, I am.
"Look, we've got to deal with this situation. You've got to deal with this situation." I remained silent. "I want you to find that miserable little fool and end his life! But first... find my husband. Make sure he's alright. After the attack, Arnbjorn flew into a rampage. When Cicero left... Arnbjorn went after him. They disappeared into the wild. Search Cicero's room. Maybe there's something there that sheds some light on where he might have gone."
Veezara was leaning on my shoulder as we went to Cicero's room. Once there I sat him down on a chair. "Diinmaar." He looked up at me.
"Uh huh?" I was across the room, looking through Cicero's nightstand. There was a pause. "Ah ha! Found you." I held a leather back journal. I opened it and began reading.
"While I was dead... I..." I flipped through to the next page, trying to find Cicero's location, or a hind on where he's going. "...to Aetherius..." In the journal was some rather disturbing things. Like how without a Listener, the Brotherhood cannot function. "...and I..." I continued to read the journal. It tells of how Cicero was confused on why Astrid and his family had abandoned the old ways. How it is wrong. "...turned to the..." Then I finally found it. Tomorrow he is going to leave Skyrim. He is in the old Sanctuary near Dawnstar. "...loves you." We better hurry. We don't have much time. Closing the book I turned to Veezara.
"I found it. Cicero it in the Dawnstar Sanctuary." He sighed as I helped him up again.
"Were you even listening?" He groaned.
"Listening?" I asked. Was he saying something?
"Yes, listening to my time in Aetherius." I stopped dead as I heard the name. I leaned him against a wall of the small corridor.
"You were in Aetherius? How? Why?" I made sure I kept a hushed voice. We could get in trouble if anyone finds out. I know I didn't send him there. And he's an Argonian like I. But he should have gone to join with The Hist Tree, not ascend to the Great Divines!
"When I died I woke up on some kind of mountain range. I saw a big building, like a temple or mansion in the distance. Then I met Akatosh!" He tried to keep his voice down as well but I could tell it was proving quite difficult. "An- And he asked me things about you and the Emperor- and then he WAS the Emperor- and then another dragon came and- and- the God of Time is your father!" He was out of breath as he finished. His breathing was loud and it sounded like he ran miles. "And..." He gulped. Trying to get some air into his lungs. "And he loves you... He told me to tell you that."
He loves me? The world suddenly came to a stand-still. Alduin was right? This is... is horrible! My whole life is a lie! Talen-Jei and Akatosh are the same? Did I come from him? I've been praying to my own father? And what of my mother? Is Keevara even my mother, or is she in on this lie as well? All my memories... all the times I failed in my training on the Throat and Akatosh would tell me what would my father think. Who is my real father? Where is he? What of my mother? Are they dead? Did he kill them? Am I just a pawn? A tool? A... means to an end... A scaly hand waving in front of my face. "Diinmaar? You don't look so good." Veezara broke me out of my mind of turmoil as I collapsed, holding my head. "Diinmaar!" He gasped as he reached out to catch me. "Diinmaar are you okay?" His expression was worrisome as he somehow gained the strength to lift me up. "Are you okay?" He repeated. His voice was barely above a whisper. I tried to speak, to tell him. But I couldn't. I was scared for my life. Alduin said it, and Veezara confirmed it. I felt Veezara walk as I walked with him. I wasn't even aware I was until Astrid spoke.
"Have you found something?" Veezara took the journal from my limp hand and read it.
"Yes. He is headed to an abandoned Sanctuary in Dawnstar. I have the passphrase." Astrid looked at me, but then focused her attention back to Veezara.
"The Dawnstar Sanctuary? Whatever for? Never mind, it doesn't matter. You need to leave. Now. Every moment counts, so I want you to take my horse. His name is Shadowmere. You'll find him outside, by the pool. Let's just say he's... one of us. Find Arnbjorn. Make sure my husband's all right. And then, send that jester's twisted little soul to the Void, in as many pieces as possible." Her words were laced with malice. I finally regained my senses as I made my way outside. Veezara tried to catch up to me but I told him to stay.
"You shouldn't move with that injury. You'll make it worse." I said flatly. Outside, the sun's rays made me go momentarily blind as my eyes adjusted. I hand to block it out with my hand. Ahead, the pool looked different than before. The small patch of water was bubbling and it was pitch black. Smoke was rising from it as well, and in that smoke was a horse. A pitch black, red eyed, evil looking horse. The saddle was also black. It walked up to me and bowed its head. I stood there for a moment. Thinking of the past events. The contract to kill a liar. Not only will the Dark brotherhood gain infamy from this, I will get to have some answers before I berry a blade in his heart! I shook my head and mounted the horse. Time to find myself a jester.