PIECES OF THE PAST

The Listener

I thought the last few weeks would be peaceful, putting aside the fact that the Night Mother is trying to take over Skyrim. At least she wasn't in my head anymore. But that is not so. Ever since making my way to Riften and reuniting with my family, it's been a nonstop wild goose chase all over Skyrim to get all the Daedric Artifacts before Oblivion breaks loose. Or, shall I say, is locked up.

That's why my boots are getting soaked and the whole gang is dog tired. I don't blame them. Hay found a place to sleep with Gabriel laying on him. Bryn looked as exhausted as I am and Vex and Delvin have been on edge.

Yep, here we are, at the third shrine to a Daedra in the past two weeks. First, it was Meridia for her beacon, excuse me, Dawnbreaker. The, it was Boethiah for her Ebony Mail armor. Both those Artifacts are locked up nice and tight in a chest at my home. Now, it's this guy.

Mehrunes Dagon. Turns out he's just as evil as Molag Bal and tried to take over Tamriel a long time ago. Nice guy, might have a thing or two in common with the Night Mother. But last I heard she hasn't had a giant statue of her carved out on the side of the mountain. Even though he seems terrifying with his four arms and grimacing face, he still looks pretty badass.

"He was locked away from Tamriel, he cannot set foot on here." Nocturnal says from beside me.

"So, he can't talk to me or show up like all of you?" I wave to the rest of the crew, Sheogorath and Sanguine drinking a bottle of ale or two during a card game, Barbas at my side with his tail wagging, and Molag Bal who's eyes are only for the statue above. He has the cruelest smirk on his face.

"No. He cannot, step foot on this plane, but he can speak with you." The Prince of Darkness peers up from under her hood at the statue.

"Are you ready?" The guy in red looks back at me. Forgot he can't see all the Daedra here, they don't want to reveal themselves just yet.

This guy was an odd one. Talked about joining a cult like so many others have, the clothing was strange, made it look like the wearers head was the sun. But who am I to judge? I'm still rocking the Nightingale Armor and I have no intention of changing that.

Nocturnal's beautiful lips curl up in a smile. "Remember what we told you to forge."

Right. The Daedric Armor. I've needed to do that this past week but haven't had the time since there's no forge in a carriage. "When we get home." I reply smoothly.

"Suit yourself, it will be helpful." Is all she says. We both watch sundial guy here fall to his knees and bow to the broken dagger.

"Mehrunes Dagon, the Lord of Change, we have brought your Razor to you. We beg you, please bring the blade's full glory to Tamriel again!" He pleads.

Everyone, now even Gabriel, is holding their breath. I think most expect the statue to start moving off the cliff, but nothing happens. "It's not working!" Hair flies wildly around his face when he turns to look at me. "Why don't you give it a try? Just put your hands on the altar."

I give a look to Nocturnal. The ethereal woman is draped in a cascading cloak to keep one warm in these frigid mountains and is adorned with ravens the size of my head. They cock their heads this way and that to keep their eyes on me. She only holds her hand to the altar. "Go, he can't bite you from the Shivering Isles."

"He's still there?" I joke, trying to get the jitters out before I call on the dark lord.

"Yes, most of us are if we aren't with you, it's closer to the minds of the people in Tamriel. So, we have a foot in the door so to speak."

"Sorry for the inconvenience." I mutter when I put my hands down next to the dagger. I can feel everyone's tension, I know Bryn is itching to pick me up and run me down the mountain to get as far away from here as possible. Since I came back, he hasn't wanted me to leave his sight. I don't blame him, but I don't think he understands if we don't do anything then we're as good as Dark Brotherhood meat.

"You. Immortal. You are worthy of speaking to. You have claimed the pieces of my Razor. It has been an amusing game to witness." A booming voice sounds from above. I glance at my companions and see they are shaken. Sounds like everyone can hear him.

Nocturnal sets a hand on my shoulder, "He is arguably more theatrical than Sheogorath at times. He didn't get his way during the Oblivion Crisis, so he tends to act out."

He laughs, "Sister you have no idea of what you speak. This vampire has caused so much trouble for us and I'm the bad guy?"

I keep my eyes on the statue, just in case it starts to move, he could definitely squish us. "He can't show up here." Nocturnal sighs, "The dagger, Mehrunes."

He chuckles, I spy Gabriel cupping his ears and Delvin searching for an escape down the mountainside. Vex and Bryn stand as cold statues, waiting.

"But Dagon does not declare a winner while there is a pawn on the board. Kill Silus. He and his family have served their purpose." The voice booms.

Silus, that was the cult guy's name. On cue, the guy gives me a fearful look. I glance over his face to glower at the statue towering over us. "What did he do? All he did was help me get the dagger to you." I shoot back.

"Kill him. Take your rightful place as my champion or I will crush you." His gleeful voice booms again. I take another look at that stone foot. It seems unstable.

Silo backs away from the crowd. I want to tell him he's safe and we won't kill him…but he did give us moldy bread for breakfast. "We won't kill you. There has to be another way." I look back to the grimacing stone face of the Daedra we speak to. Snow dusts the planes and hollows of his carved visage. I can only imagine how heated his eyes would be if he were here physically.

"There is no other way! Do as I say or the dagger remains in pieces!" He snarls. I notice Hay is now finally waking up and Gabriel is trembling like a leaf, holding his amulet and praying to the divines.

I give the statue a simmering stare, "As of a few very short weeks ago I was done with the Dark Brotherhood schtick. So, if you want that done you can go perform a little Black Sacrament on a dead body to get him killed. I'm not in that business anymore but your rival still is!"

Nocturnal winces at my outburst but the other Princes burst into laughter. Barbas wags his tail further and cuddles up to me. Neediest dog ever.

"Really getting taken to the cleaners Dagon! Make a better deal!" Clavicus Vile yells from the sidelines. These past few days have been the first I've seen of him. He has snow white hair with little goat horns. Otherwise he has a normal human appearance save for the extravagant robes of gold and green. Barbas said he got a little carried away on the Shivering Isles.

"My siblings! Do not listen to them!" The statue hisses.

"Wait, don't kill me, there has to be another way." Silo holds his hands up in defense. He keeps looking to the staircase. "I-I can take the pieces back to my museum. Seal them in a display case. You get a generous amount of gold. I get to complete my collection, and nobody has to die." He crosses his arms to keep away the shivering cold. Or maybe his fear.

Molag Bal growls and steps forwards. His towering appearance is intimidating, if I were to compare him to something, it would be the largest gargoyle I have ever seen. When he moves, I know everyone else can see him. Gabriel and Delvin scream, Vex falls to the ground praying, Bryn only keeps his eyes on me.

"Enough of this! You know this isn't and never was about your little museum. You have to know what's at stake here." He snarls at the quivering man.

"Yes. Yes. But Mehrunes Dagon, he is the one who can bring the dagger back." The man stumbles over his words.

I know where this is going. I get up, ready to defend the man from the worst of the Daedric Princes when Molag Bal runs a talon straight through his stomach and up his torso, ending at his neck. Blood spills from the cut, very enticing, I haven't had blood in days. But I avert my eyes. He didn't deserve that.

"There you go, Mehrunes. I give you the soul of the coward! No make good on your promise." Molag Bal's glassy eyes find mine before he shuffles back to the line of Daedric Princes. From my time with him, I know him to be unpredictable at best. He seems jovial and hardheaded, but he can be just as cruel and mad as Cicero or Sheogorath.

Speaking of, the Prince of Madness bursts into laughter, "What a shift in the wind! Is that all topsy turvy for you now Mehrunes? The shakeup you wanted? He's right! The man lays dead so make good on your promise you greedy creature." He cackles.

I can tell no one else notices this exchange but Bryn and Vex, I clued them in to what's really going on here. How I can see all of the Princes but they can't.

The silence stays for some time before the voice responds, "I would call that cheating, but I am still pleased. Nightingale, take my Razor. Use it to wreak havoc on Tamriel and the Night Mother."

I look away from the bleeding corpse to the statue, "Thank you Dagon." I say stiffly.

He chuckles, "You have been a worthy tool. Place your hands on the altar one last time, and you will witness the power of Mehrunes Dagon yourself!"

"No more tricks?" Nocturnal asks him.

"Of course, not…" He drawls.

I set my hands on either side of the dagger and lean away when it rises into the air. A glowing light appears in the center, binding it together as a full entity once more. I take the weapon now sheathed, as if plucking a feather from the air, and place it on my belt. I have to keep my mind focused. There is great power in that weapon. If the Night Mother were with me, who knew what she would do with it?

"…but I have another challenge." The booming voice laughs. I jump up, ready to fight. Looks like I missed something big.

No sooner than he speaks, do two very strong Daedra come barreling out of the building behind the altar. Hay, the great bear, moves to protect Gabriel. My other friends join in the fray to fight. The Daedric Princes only watch, however, Barbas gets a lick in or two.

Lazy masters! They don't want to help cuz they think you need to do it yourself. But don't worry, Eve! I'm here to help! I won't abandon you!

"Barbas! What are you doing! Stupid pup, that isn't a place for a dog!" Clavicus Vile yells from the sidelines.

I use my famous Ebony Blade to decapitate one Daedra and from the sound of it, the other three defeated the last one. When they fall dead to the ground and mingle with the blood of the cult member does Mehrunes speak.

He laughs, didn't know someone locked up in a glorified prison could be so seemingly chipper. I met very few people with such a demeanor in my time in jail, "Good. That was well done. It sounds like my siblings aren't fools after all. You are a worthy Champion. Do me a favor and use the dagger to pierce that witch's heart."

I can't say I would, and he doesn't ask for an answer, it's just me and the crowd now.

"That was more work than I anticipated." Nocturnal gingerly steps over the body of the decapitated Daedra. "Now we shall be on our way."

I glance at my mortal friends. They look as weary as I feel. "We need to go back to Riften."

She nods, sending her dark hair cascading down her face. A raven lands in her upheld arm and she begins to stroke his feathers. "Malacath's artifact is near there, in the north."

"No." I say, frustration growing, "No more Daedric Artifacts right now. We need to go home and get some rest."

She tilts her head, "But the Night Mother doesn't rest. You know she just took Winterhold a fortnight ago?"

I had heard, and I had screamed when I heard it. But that's not the point. "My friends need a break." I tell her sternly.

"You don't have to bring them with you." She argues.

I don't, she's right on that, but I fear if I leave them at home, they'll be truly undefended. The Daedric Princes will only go where I go anyways. Well, aside from Barbas, he's offered to stay but I don't think a small dog is enough to defend against the Dark Brotherhood. Now that they have new recruits.

"Two days. Give us a two-day breather back in Riften, then we can get back to it." I bargain.

Nocturnal purses her lips, the bird begins to wiggle under her fingers. "Not a bad deal." Clavicus Vile says from the back. "Maybe we can kick our feet up some too."

"Lazy, this is why you never felt the heights of greatness." Molag Bal sneers, his eyes still have that terrifying glassy look although I can tell he's trying to hide it.

"Home then." Nocturnal smiles, "As long as you pay a visit to the Twilight Sepulcher again soon."

As if I wouldn't. I round all the mortals together and we begin the long journey down the thousand freaking steps it took to get up here. The carriage is waiting at the end.

Everyone slept the whole way home, aside from Molag Bal and Nocturnal. She tends to her ravens while Molag Bal watches the distance. Bryn is also awake. He rubs my hand. "I don't like that, what happened up there." He whispers, as if that will stop them from hearing.

"I know. We don't have much choice." I say. But I know the fear in his voice, Mehrunes could have easily asked me to sacrifice Gabriel or Delvin, any of them, and Molag Bal would have done it.

"That was the worst I've seen from them." He whispers.

"They are as desperate as everyone else." I lean my head onto his shoulder. The carriage should be jostling more with the extra weight from the Princes but it's almost like they're thin air. Maybe they are.

"This just feels so risky. We should be able to defeat her without all these Artifacts." Bryn murmurs.

She hears him. I feel him jolt when Nocturnal reveals herself. "Contrary to what you believe, Nightingale, these Artifacts may be the only weapons we can use against her."

I smile when I see Bryn's look of shock. "Didn't believe me, did you?"

"No, no." He moves me so he's sitting upright, "Nocturnal, it's a pleasure."

"To you as well." She nuzzles one of the ravens on her shoulders, "I see you have been treating my prize possession with the utmost honor."

He nods. But I take offense at that. "I'm not anyone's play toy, not anymore."

"Of course not! I am only here to guide you." She smiles, showing her teeth. For the first time in awhile I feel that tingling feeling on the back of my neck. We can't forget who we are bargaining with.

"Nocturnal, when this is all said and done, we can go our separate ways? I get to live a normal life?" I have to ask.

She shrugs, the raven on her shoulder caws at the motion. "We shall see how things turn out first, right little Nightingale?"

I sink back into Bryn once again. She is right. We still have the storm to worry about.

When the moon was high, I decided to work at the forge. The blacksmith, Baldmund was helping me. He said he would do whatever it takes to fight the Night Mother. So, I'm happy for his help. This is more complicated than I thought.

First, we had to bring all the pieces together, then there was a complex method of burning the metal so it melted down just right. And finally, you had to mold it but beating it in with a hammer. That's what I was doing now. Beating the breast plate in and imagining it was Mehrunes Dagon's head.

"Girl." I turn to see Gabriel just rolling out of the Bee and Barb. I sigh, I need to start cutting him off, it was getting so bad he was starting to ask Bryn and I for money for alcohol. I dismissed it for a while because I figured we all needed a way to cool off. But based on his swaying he keeps taking it too far. "Need a word with you." He tells me.

"I think this is all we can do for the night." Baldman looks up from the embers in the forge, they made his tanned skin glow. "Best be getting some rest."

"He's right. I think we all need a little snooze." Clavicus wanders off from our little group. I almost forgot I was surrounded. They've been so quiet now that Sheogorath went home for the night. Nocturnal sits at the edge of the forge, petting her ravens, Barbas has constantly been at my feet, and Molag Bal is walking through the fires barefoot.

"Anyone else going to show up?" I grumble.

"Eventually," Nocturnal looks up from her pet.

I turn back to the man who can't see any of them. Or maybe he can now. Gabriel is looking off to where Molag Bal is walking in circles. "Let's go back home." I supply.

I lead my carriage driver and good friend through the dwindling streets. The fog was rolling in heavy tonight so good thing I was a vampire. Or else we both would be lost. When we get to Honeyside, our new home, I take us through to get to the porch.

"Hello, Thane, is there any way I can assist you?" Iona the Housecarl looks up from her new cookbook. Don't know what she does still, even after having this house for weeks. All I know is she was part of the package deal. At least she can help defend it when necessary. "We're good, thank you." I tell her.

Gabriel is swaying so I get him through the house and on the porch as quickly as possible. I have to turn him to keep him from hitting his head on the various hanging fish and herbs. Iona insisted on setting them up. Just made the room smell funny. On the way, I pass a sleeping Bryn and hear Vex and Delvin downstairs, along with a loudly snoring Hay. I thought they'd go back to the Ragged Flaggon but after the day we had, I don't blame them for wanting to be close.

I prop Gabriel up at the sole table and chairs around the corner. This was the best part of the house in my opinion, get a good view of the lake, fish for days, and it was even furnished with bright green rugs.

Another dog joins Barbas. "Hi Penny," I pet him while Barbas looks on in jealousy.

Where's my pets?

"Right here," I say and scratch him good behind the ears. His tail goes a mile a minute.

I turn my attention away from the two pups and to Gabriel, "Was Sanguine with you?" Sometimes he takes on his mortal form to revel with the people at whatever bar we're near.

"As always." Gabriel belches. After my stay in Solitude, he was left with Sanguine's Rose, I'm grateful that Prince was watching out for him…in a way. Who knows what could have happened?

"Here, miss, I suggest you drink it while it's still warm." Penny my butler says. I told him he can go wherever he wants now that the Night Mother is invading, but all he wanted to do was stick with me and Bryn to keep us well fed.

"Thank you." I take the two steaming mugs of mint tea and set one near Gabriel. The house is a lot smaller than Proudspire Manor in Solitude. I wanted to go back there and have that be our base, but after Elisif closed the province, Bryn thought it would be safter to stay here. Well, him and all the other Daedric Princes whispering advice in my ears.

"Try it. I know you'll like it." I take a sip of my own tea and it was…divine. Fresh mint from out in the garden. Gabriel gives it a simmering look, something tells me this guy only drinks alcohol and water when necessary. Something we need to fix. Images from that mine we scavenged for Boethiah come to mind. Mainly my friend here, propped up on a table and about to be gutted. And her, the Daedric Prince of Deceit, trying to annihilate us in our weakened state.

"What did you want to talk about?" I broach, if I can get him talking, he might not notice the mug is full of tea.

"Well, girl, you know how I'm the religious sort." He leans back in his chair after a long night of eating and drinking, a feast fit for the kings was served in the Bee and Barb. I think Keevara was happy for a new large group of warriors to be in town. Wish I wasn't a vampire so I could indulge more than I did. If I get too much human food, I'll just throw it all up.

"I do." I say, and I see it in all the tokens he wears.

"Well, I'm worried for ya."

"Why?" I ask, he never said anything about me being a vampire, so I just assumed it didn't bug him.

"Ya see, I thought all those fancy weapons and things we were hunting were just fables. Stories people told each other, the Daedric Princes I mean. I thought they were made by Nords! But then today! The large statue was talking such evil, then that monster came out and slashed that guy straight through the stomach. Girl, I have no idea what you got yourself into, but Daedra were the last thing on my mind." He gives me a sorrowful glance. The man is usually jovial and lighthearted. Even in a drunken state. He really is worried.

I am thankful no Daedric Prince is showing up right now, they're giving us time. Talk about an awkward conversation. "Well. I don't know what to say other than they're helping us."

"Helping us? That guy was killed in cold blood! It could have been any of us!" He explodes.

I wince at the reminder. "I know, but they know who is important to me, and they will keep them safe." At least I am hoping, I'm starting to think it's a lie.

"I just can't believe it…what makes you turn to them and not the divines?"

I had pondered over this question the past few weeks. If the Daedra were so freaked out, then why weren't the great divine gods? "I'm not sure, I think the Daedric Princes have more to lose, frankly. The Night Mother wants to close Oblivion."

"And what of Aetherius? She wants to close that too?" He glances at me over his mug. His graying mustache is at the edge. He's so close to drinking it. I just hope he doesn't notice it's all herbs and water.

I'm sure she does want to shut off the Immortal Plane, land of the divines, but I never thought so far ahead. "I'm sure that will happen also."

"Then where are all the divines floating around? Why haven't they asked you for help?" He sits up and stares me down.

"Not my fault." I remind him, "I don't know, it could be because the Daedric Princes are their arch enemies and they don't want to associate with them. Or, maybe I have to seek them out. I don't know. But trust me on this Gabriel, if you knew what the Night Mother is like, then any Daedric Prince would be seen as a priest. They are more benevolent than her." I'm sure he hears my trauma in my voice. He sinks in his chair and takes his mug again.

"Sorry, girl. I forgot all about that." He takes a sip of the tea and screws his face up, "Whatevers in this? You have an odd choice of drink."

I smile, "It's good for you."

"Maybe, but can you do something for me? The Temple of Mara is here, and the Hall of the Dead always has a shrine to Arkay. Maybe go talk with the priests and see what they have to say about all this?"

I consider, "I will, if you promise me something, stop drinking so much. Please. It's not good for you or us. I kind of need you to be more alert when bad things go down." I see he hears the memories in my tone. He doesn't have to ask the experiences I'm alluding to.

His eyes are pained, I see that. And I know the addiction is just that, it's not something he can control consciously. At least at first, he'll need our help. "I'll try girl. I'll try, maybe some of these drinks will help." He holds up the mug, "Just needs more sugar."

I grin and pat him on the shoulder before going to find him said sugar. I'm just in the kitchen right next to Iona when there's a knock at the door. "Coming!" I call around a mouthful of leftover cake.

After that divine vanilla one served at the wedding in Solitude, I just needed more and thought my birthday was as good an excuse as any. It was probably a waste of time and money but last week I had a cake order shipped in from Solitude, same creamy frosting and fluffy perfection. Don't know how they dealt with the shipment considering Solitude is locked down.

And my birthday? 13th of Mid Year? Nothing too special this year. Just rolling around in a carriage hell bent on getting away from bandits and wolves. That night Bryn gave me a small silver ring with elaborate engravings. I joked that he had a Daedric Artifact under his nose the whole time, but he just gave me a kiss or two and told me it was a promise ring. A very beautiful one.

The cherry on top that night was that I could let loose. Even while under the prodding eye of all the Princes. It was probably one of the last nights I'll get hammered drunk. We holed up at the Bannered Mare and drank to our hearts content. Sanguine was more than happy to provide whatever drink I wanted, and Gabriel sang many songs for me. Even if he couldn't pronounce half of what he said. So, overall a good way to ring in your twenty-seventh year. As good as it could be with the dark clouds above.

I finally swallow all I stuffed in my mouth and bring the jar of sugar with me. It's a big pot of it so I can only open the door by toeing it with my foot. I didn't need to though, because she opens it for me. On the other side is a familiar face I haven't seen in a long, long time.

"Oh, hey Mjoll." I take in her scent, "You get a dog sometime recently?"

Cicero's Journal Entry

25th of Mid Year, 4E 202

Mother is so powerful. More dragons dead than Cicero can count! But the black one, the big dark scary one that everyone fears is still on the loose! Mother needs to find out more about him…he is harmful to the cause. The first great villain for Mother to smite! All hail Sithis and the Night Mother!