A FALSE FRONT

The Harbinger

"Mjoll, Mjoll, it's okay now." Vilkas brushes some stray hair from my face. I try to open my eyes, but they can only open so far. They are still swollen and puffy from the beating I took. They don't feel as bad as my skin though. To have it torn from me in such a manner, to feel that blistering pain that very little else could compare to… I am surprised I didn't pass out sooner.

"Mjoll, it's okay. I'm here now." Vilkas says again, soothingly. The calm inside this storm of pain I feel. I try to keep my focus on him but it's hard with the encroaching agony. I fall back into another sleep.

When I wake once again, I find I am in my own bed. Vilkas lays next to me, keeps stroking my hair. I feel much better, there's not as much pain, just soreness all around. "What day is it?" I ask him.

He jolts with the sound of my voice. "By the gods, you're awake." He hugs me closer. "Weeks. Two weeks, Mjoll. We thought we lost you."

"What happened?" I don't mean the incident. I remember clearly as she sliced my skin, piece by piece to retrieve each and every Artifact. "Where is she?" I add quickly so he doesn't go over that.

"Gone, Mjoll. She's gone. The day she did this to you, bound up the other wolves, she disappeared. Ulfric can't find her."

I lean my head against his. Relief never washed over me so potently before. I felt this way after Aerin was brought back to life. But to have her away from us, where she cannot hurt me or the others anymore, I never knew I'd have that in my dreams. I only wanted her dead. Maybe I got my wish.

"The others? Aerin?" I ask after a few deep breaths.

"Safe and sound, downstairs eating right now if I'm hearing things right." He chuckles into my hair. "Are you hungry?"

I would say no. I still feel like I've been dragged miles by a horse and hit each rock on the way. Instead, my stomach roils with the thought of fresh bread, meat, and slow cooked vegetables.

"Yes. As long as there are sweetrolls."

"There always are." He murmurs into my hair and pulls me from the bed.

It was hard to get dressed. I was very slow to change into a modest dress with a corset. Vilkas helped as much as he could. All I saw once I was upright were the new baseboards. It felt like ice was blooming in my stomach with the thought. When I was chained in the dungeons I could hear, all the way up the halls, to this very room when she tore through each and every board.

My hands then begin to shake as I button my shoes. Vilkas moves to hold them. "Mjoll." I look to him, it's like I'm seeing through him. All I see is her face, written in glee as she was carving my skin.

"Mjoll." He says again. Now I see him with perfect clarity. The sun shining what little light it could through the window helped. It lit up his hair in strands of gold and deep brown. His eyes remain locked on me. Such deep depths in those eyes… I remember one time on my younger adventures, I found a deep blue well in a cave. I should not have gone in, even after feeling the warmth from the underground spring. But I did anyways. After diving, I did find many treasures but no way out for some time. An underground cavern can sometimes stretch out for miles. Tunnels will tangle under the earth and snake out to make it so one would get trapped easily. It's how I felt now.

"Mjoll." He shakes me a bit.

"Yes?"

"Gods, it's like I'm talking to someone who doesn't know my language. You listen but you aren't understanding. Is your head okay?" He moves an ungloved hand to feel my forehead.

I pull away, feeling slight embarrassment burning in my heart. "I'm fine. I just got distracted. Are you ready for food?"

"Yes." He watches me. "Let me know if anything else is the matter. We might want to get more healing potions for you…"

I just smirk at him. If only I told him I was distracted by his gaze. But we've had enough time in that bed already, I don't want to illicit another few hours there without food. "Come on. I'll be fine. I feel well enough. Let's go see what the witch has wrought now. I hope the banquet table at least remained standing."

I see them, sitting and eating as politely as possible. It's an odd image. In the halls of Jorrvaskr they were always ravenous. They would sometimes sit and eat like civilized humans but every other time they just picked at the food strewn about the table when they would pass it. Stuff whatever food in their mouth they could and continue on with their day. The first few times I saw it, I thought it repulsive.

When I emerge, they all stand.

"Mjoll!" Aerin is the first to find me. I wrap him in my arms, smell his scent, hear his beating heart. He isn't hurt. "You're okay." I whisper.

"I am! Next time you go flying off on a dragon I'm coming with you." He chuckles as he pulls away.

No, he certainly would not. I have no doubt none of my friends would have survived that ordeal in Sovngarde. I would not have, if not for the armor that coated me. Aerin grins down at me before his smile slowly fades.

I can't ponder on that further, another bear of a man slams into me. He raises me up to curl me into a giant hug. "Mjoll! I missed you, feels like forever since I've seen you." Farkas says in my ear. I can smell the meat he was feasting on. It smells like roast duck.

He drops me and I turn just in time for Aela to push past the men. She pulls me into a softer hug. I can smell the forest still clinging to her. I would not be surprised if she has snuck out of this city periodically to go hunting. "You've been busy." I tell her.

She laughs, "Not even the end of the world will stop my hunting, and how do you feel sister?" She pulls away and just like Aerin, her smile falters.

"What?" I ask. I feel my face, thinking my skin is still peeled away but nothing is there. Just smooth, albeit very dry, skin.

"The wolf lingers inside you. It's with you now. I can see it in your eyes." She tells me.

The eyes. I wondered if they would change but they haven't yet. "It comes and goes. It's because Hircine is not walking this world."

She bows her head. "I know. Skor used to hear him in his dreams you know. It's why he felt so strongly to change you when you were so new to us." Her eyes find mine and I see a certain sort of sadness in them, "You think he is able to take care of his realm with this? The Hunting Grounds?"

I caress her shoulder. "Skor is safe. I know Hircine is capable. Just be happy he is not with Sheogorath."

This brings a smile from her. Aerin snaps his fingers. "That guy! I forgot his name. He promised me a malt shake…"

I begin a quick remark, telling him its not wise to accept gifts from the daedra, but someone stops me.

"I see you've finally awoken from your long slumber." We all turn from our little crowd to see the end of the banquet hall. Jarl Ulfric was just standing so patiently, with Galmar at his side. I long to rest and converse with my friends but I need to take care of my new ones as well.

I walk down the long hall and sit right next to him. "If you do not mind, I am starving. We can have this conversation with food?"

The Jarl sits with a small smile on his face, "I suppose so."

The others crowd around me. They've already eaten more than enough, surely. But once servants return, I notice each and every wolf is digging in once again. Some people believe our metabolism is a gift, granting us very low body fat. But I find it annoying. Having to feast all the time, whether I want to or not, is time consuming.

I dig into roasted chicken. A full one sits nice and seasoned on my plate. Fresh from the fires. "Mjoll, I'm sure you have not been brought up to date on recent events." Ulfric starts.

I glance over at them. Galmar is smiling at me, happy that I'm upright no doubt, and Ulfric is watching me with a kind but weary eye. "I have not been." I say around my chicken before tearing into another piece.

He nods, "You remember what happened to you."

I almost wince at the thought but that would keep me from swallowing. I need to eat as much as possible right now. It feels like my stomach is consuming itself. "Somewhat." I say before another bite.

The man leans into the table, staring me down with an intense expression, "I swear on my father's life, on my legion, on the fate of the High King that I didn't know she was planning that." He tells me honestly.

I move to grab another plate. Whatever is on it, I don't care, I just need more food. "I forgive you. I saw you the day Galmar, Vilkas, and I came into the Palace. You were drugged and unaware of your surroundings. And I have had many dealings with her. I know the kind of person she is." I take another bite. Potatoes laced with cream and very potent spices. They burn as they go down my throat, but I have that plate finished quickly.

Ulfric clears his throat, "Galmar told me. He told me everything. I feel a fool not to recognize what was going on. She even asked for some of my men to join the Dark Brotherhood."

I glance at him, "You obliged?"

"At first." He smiles, "But the problem has solved itself. She is gone. The Night Mother disappeared before my eyes."

I stop chewing. Swallow quickly, "Say again?"

"Vanished into thin air! Like a mage!" Galmar explodes from the other side of Ulfric. "Wolf, excuse me, Mjoll, you should have heard of it! The woman was here one moment and gone the next, who says Talos doesn't grant miracles?"

I raise a brow to Ulfric. He chuckles at my expression. "We don't know where she is or what happened. I was wondering if you would know."

I puzzle over this as I dig into some roasted carrots. This sounds beyond our realm. I would not be surprised if it was the daedra or the gods who did this. "I am not sure, but I know if it is the work of a deity, then they no doubt have a good reason for it."

"Are you certain you haven't seen her? Haven't heard anything?" Ulfric pries.

"For the gods sake! She was skinned alive and left to die in a hole! I doubt she'd want anything to do with her! Furthermore, she's starving and thirsty, let her eat." Galmar comes to my defense.

I send Galmar a grateful look and continue to feast. Ulfric lays back in his chair. "Very well, I am sorry for the intrusion, but I need to know where she is. After what Galmar told me of her plans and the mage downstairs, she would be a problem for our cause. Something that needs to be rooted out."

The mage. I remember her, she was cruel, holding everyone hostage with nothing but their minds. "What happened to Ria?" I say her name.

"Dead. Ulfric sliced her up nice and good when he found us." Galmar smiles proudly at the man.

Ulfric only rests his head on his hand. "She won't be a bother anymore. Now that the Night Mother is nothing more than a bad memory, we need to set our eyes on Solitude."

I hear the others stop eating to watch Ulfric. I have not asked them what their stance on the war is, or if they would want to go through with it. But they certainly wish to hear what he says. "Did Galmar tell you our idea?" I ask.

He nods sharply. "To set the Imperials against the Dark Brotherhood? That is what we wish to do. And whoever is left will be the enemy we fight when we walk into that city."

"But first, we need talk of strategy. Two more Forts need to be taken and another push back against the Imperials. We need them good and riled up in that northern Hold." Galmar adds.

Ulfric sighs, "Yes. That is what I need you to do if you are feeling up to it, wolf. We've driven the Imperials out of Whiterun. This is good because we now control the center. One I aim to keep. And now that the Empire has been driven from the Reach, we can put a stop to the raping of her silver mines. The silver belongs in Skyrim." He looks over the table, meeting each and every wolf's gaze, "Multitudes of our enemies are buried in an avalanche of pain and retribution delivered by your hands."

He turns to me. "You show great passion for battle, and compassion for those we fight for. You are becoming indispensable to our cause. I want to thank you for what you did. Without your actions I would have been murdered in my sleep." He gives me a small smile. I see it still pains him to have such a betrayal from the woman he bedded.

"You're welcome." I am finally finished with my food. "Now, what do we do next?"

Galmar addresses me, "You need to deliver some false orders to the Imperial Legate in Morthal. But first we need to get our hands on some Imperial orders to make the forgeries. The inns at Dragonbridge and Rorikstead are frequent stops for the Imperial runners. I'm sure the innkeepers would be willing to share some information. You will need to get the documents one way or another."

I nod to this and in the next moments of silence I open my mind to the others.

Does everyone agree and wish to help our efforts? I care little for who runs this land, although I believe Ulfric is best suited. If we can turn the Imperials against the Brotherhood she will have nothing to come back to if she ever does come back.

I'm in. I'm always going to be where you are, Mjoll. Aerin is the first to reply.

Of course, Harbinger, I won't say I necessarily agree with his politics, but whatever strikes the Brotherhood where they are weak. Aela tells me.

What does my brother want to do? Farkas asks. I see him watching me with such an intensity that his blue eyes startle me. They are so like Vilkas's.

Vilkas gives a slight nod then he smiles, showing his teeth. He won't abandon me.

He's with us. I tell the brother.

Good. Count me in then.

"Should we go as a pack or split up?" I ask the two men at the helm of this operation. It is the last thing I wish to do after such a perilous time away from everyone, but I know the most strategic way about this might be to separate temporarily.

"Have two go to the first Inn and the others to the second, you and I can stay on the main road, waiting." Galmar says.

I have nothing left to say. I stand, now on refreshed legs and with my body fully energized and nourished. "Let us not waste any time then."

It is cold for this time of year, then again, Skyrim is always cold. There must be another reason I feel the harsh bite only the deepening of winter can bring in such a warmer month. I sit on horseback with Galmar on a horse to my side. The snow falls softly, not enough to blind us of our path but enough to get our fur and armor damp.

"You hear anything?" He asks me.

I listen. "No. Not yet. They must still be making their way there." I had Vilkas go with Aerin, I knew he was best protected that way. And Aela and Farkas as their own team, no doubt Aela will know how to handle the Innkeepers.

The man looks up to the sky. I raise a brow when I think I see his mouth opening. "Trying to catch snowflakes on your tongue?" I ask.

"No. Just enjoying the relief. It's too damn hot in the Palace anyways." He sits and I feel the cool breeze come rushing in. My horse steps forwards a bit with the force of it.

"Ah, I can't wait to have a nice bed in the Blue Palace, wherever Ulfric wants me." Galmar murmurs. "And no more witch to deal with. You happy with that?"

I give him a look. He coughs awkwardly. "Sorry, of course you would be. You think she'll be back?"

"I'm sure she will be." I say, "It is too convenient for her to leave in such a way." I sit for a moment as the opportunity slowly unfolds itself. "Galmar."

"Hm? You hear them?"

"No. I have an idea. When is Solitude to be infiltrated?"

He rubs his growing stubble. "Not sure, wolf, probably in a few weeks if we are lucky. A week if we are even luckier."

"We need to get in there as soon as we can." I pull my horse around, so I am facing the man now. "The moondial, it is what keeps the Daedric Princes from finding us. If we bring them back in and destroy it, they'll be able to protect us."

Galmar has a look on his face as if his brain had just melted. "Hah, you think we should toil with those hellraisers?"

I bristle, "They aided us in our time of need. If I did not strike the witch in the heart when I did we would no doubt be dealing with worse things."

He just waves me off, "In due time, wolf, once we take that city you can do what you wish. But I will not waste resources when we are so close to the heart of it."

"You don't understand. If we free them, they can help us, even with taking Solitude." I broach.

"And how would you get in there? How would you get to that island and in the heavily guarded Castle? Get out without more than a nick on you? No. I'm not sending my best warrior in to turn into wolf meat."

He has a point. It would be strenuous and so dangerous after our first time there. They would know my tricks in escape. They would know how to bind me up and would certainly torture me. I would be useless then.

Mjoll, we have something. Vilkas tells me. The courier for the Imperials ran off about twenty minutes ago. He should be close to where you two are.

"Galmar." I say as softly as I can. He follows my gaze and moves so our horses are covered by the trees.

"Here?" He asks.

"Vilkas told me. You want me off horseback?"

He shrugs, "It's easier at this height. I don't want a long drawn-out fight, I want it finished."

We wait. It seems like minutes have passed, long but short at the same time, soon I hear the footsteps. Galmar would not. I hold out a hand. He draws his sword.

The man comes racing up the path, throwing dirt and snow by his frantic feet, he scrambles up our way. No doubt in much hurry. Galmar rears his horse, bringing it out to raise on its hind legs in front of the man.

"Stormcloaks!" He yells and that is the last thing he says, Galmar has his head rolling in the next few moments.

I look away from the carnage. "Is that the best way to do it?" I ask him.

He slowly gets down from his horse to go search the now bleeding man, "You have a better plan? More Daedric tricks of yours?"

I keep good hold of my tongue. He pulls the parchment out of its canister to scour it quickly. "They know more of our plans than I thought…not good." A pause, then he laughs harshly, "Fort Snowhawk is in need of reinforcements. We'll make sure they won't be getting those. Corral the other wolves up, I need to make some changes of my own to these things."

While he draws on it on the saddle of his horse I call to the others, they agree to meet us here as soon as possible. I hear the horses before they round the corner. Two of them. There weren't anymore horses so some of the wolves had to share. Based on Vilkas's expression, he was tiring of having to ride in front of his brother. Aerin just gave me a wide smile. He was on his own horse, a beautiful snowy white one. He told me he used to have dreams of owning one of his own. It looks like that might be coming true.

The sound of a fast-beating heart and breath comes to me. Behind the horses I see Aela in her lithe wolf form. She's panting from the long run, I told her she could ride on horseback with me, but she never really preferred these beasts.

"May I?" Vilkas slides down from his horse, stretches, then comes over to mine.

I just grin and hold out a hand to help him up. When he's good an settled behind me, and Farkas looks happy as ever, Galmar turns to us with an appraising eye.

"Hah, this will be something to see. Wolves, you decide who does what, it doesn't matter to me. We need to get these forged documents to the Legate in Morthal. They should give them the wrong idea, and us the advantage." He gives us a conspiring grin.

I look to the others, I'm about to offer myself up, before Aerin, but Farkas just drawls, "Sure. I'll do it. As long they have food there."

Galmar blinks slowly, "I'm certain they will, just don't waste two hours eating the whole damn place, we need to get this done and fast. I want to get to Fort Snowhawk as soon as possible."

I raise a brown, "You wish to go there before going back to the Palace of the Kings? What if Ulfric has other orders for us?"

The older man just pats my knee, "Not to worry, I spoke with him." When he looks up at me, his eyes are positively blazing for a fight. It makes me wonder what kind of wolf he would be. And I nearly shudder at the thought, "We need those bastards good and buried in the dirt before the next snowfall. I hate having to dig in the frozen ground."

I nod and kick our horse to get going. "Mjoll!" Galmar yells after me. He is just mounting his own horse.

"Yes?" I glance back over Vilkas's shoulder.

"He wants this done fast. After Fort Snowhawk we have one more Hold to liberate, then we march for Solitude."

My heart begins to beat a little faster. I take the reigns from Vilkas's gloved hands and pull our horse so I can face Galmar. "Why so quickly? Shouldn't we take more time, see what they do?"

I can see the heat of his gaze from here, "If you want any wish that the Dark Brotherhood is gutted before we finish taking the position of High King, we need to get this done now. When the Imperials are agitated and forced into their corner, they will fight. We wait a few days, then go pick off who's left in that godsforsaken city."

I just nod and turn our horse around to lead the pack. The rest of the words remain unspoken. Possibly as not to scare the other wolves. We need this done quickly and efficiently. We never know when the Night Mother might be back.

I'm nearly dozing on our horse. Vilkas keeps good hold of me. I lay my head back on his warm chest. If his armor were not in the way, he would certainly be much warmer. He chuckles and shakes me a little.

"Aela seems to want a word." He whispers.

I turn my head away from the bar we are near. Most of the soldiers were retiring there for the night in Morthal, there wasn't much else to do here in these marshes anyways. Farkas has been in there for nearly an hour and Galmar is grinding his teeth at the time.

I ignore him and focus on my sister. She's still in wolf form, still ready for a fight, she just turns her large head and motions with one hand to her forehead.

You want to speak? I ask her, What is the matter?

Sister, are you sure this is the way? Kodlak wasn't one for storming in before finding out the truth. You believe the Stormcloaks are the best to side with?

I stare her down. She lowers her head slightly, no doubt because of how bright my own eyes are. We have no choice. The enemy of our enemy is our friend. Do you not want Ulfric as High King?

She seems to bark out a laugh, I care little for that. I just want to know that we won't be killed in the process.

We've made good on our promise. Most of the Holds are already taken by the Stormcloaks. I remind her, wondering how such a woman would be so hesitant for this offence. Aela is clever, clearheaded, and uncanny with strategy. But for her to question this? Was there something I was missing?

I worry for Solitude. If Galmar is right, if all the Imperials and the Dark Brotherhood will be there, who is to say that they won't join forces as well?

This logic renders me speechless. I feel it won't happen based on the Night Mother's dealings with the Imperials but one would never know.

If they think the Night Mother is still working against them, then I highly doubt they would ally with the Dark Brotherhood. I pause, There are things that might help us. Secret weapons.

Her eyes gleam mischievously. I will find them.

The door slams and soon Farkas comes out striding with a bounce in his step.

"Well? What took so damn long? Did you eat them right out of sweetrolls?" Galmar demands from his horse. I notice how tightly he is holding the reigns. I feel Farkas is lucky that he is.

My brother just gives him the most satisfied of grins. "That, and I got distracted by one of the barmaids, might have had a kiss or two when no one was looking."

Galmar just sighs, "Listen wolf, there will be no fraternizing or any of this foolishness while we are on the job, are we clear?"

Farkas blinks dreamily, "You should have seen her..."

"I don't care, you fool, you seem drunk! Anyone is gorgeous under those circumstances." Galmar grumbles.

The door sounds again. I am ready to pull the reigns. It is foolish to be so close when there are so many Imperials ready to descend on us.

"Here. You forgot this." An Orsimer man tells Farkas. He's holding a lute in one hand and has another plate of sweetrolls in the other. Farkas just takes the plate, gives a wink, and lets the other man wander off back to the bar in peace.

"That was her?" Vilkas asks behind me in astonishment.

"No! Someone else. That was the bard. Here. I got you all one for the trouble."

There's more grumbling from Galmar and it was quite hard to get the sweetroll in Aela's mouth, but after a few brief moments we are back on the road.

Our horse is almost at a gallop, leading the pack. I'm still sleepy so I lean my head back against Vilkas. I feel the distinct vibrations of quite laughter through his armor.

Something funny to you? I ask him.

My brother. It looks like Galmar has found someone who is hard to police, for once.

I look over his shoulder to see Farkas and Galmar sparring over the best dessert in the province. That looks accurate.

He laughs again, Let's just hope Galmar gets whatever it is out of his system. He's been antsy the past few days.

I watch the trees move by us. Feel the crisp mountain air. We'll be at Fort Snowhawk soon. Our march on Solitude is on the horizon. He has a reason to be anxious.

I feel his arms tighten a little around me. His posture straightens. That he does, you think this will actually work? The Brotherhood will be taken out along with all the Imperials?

It feels like the air is getting colder. But I suppose it could just be my imagination. It has to work. Without it, we have very little options. The Brotherhood will need to be destroyed. Or else she will have a home to come back to. And I have no doubt she will be back. One person such as her doesn't just vanish into thin air.

Hours later I was experiencing something I haven't seen in a long time. We were fighting the Imperials back, we had almost won. Aerin was making good with covering us with his magic. The rest of the wolves and I were slashing through throngs of men and women pouring out of the fort. Galmar was at the helm of the Stormcloak assault.

I had just decapitated a man, slashed another, and was nearing my third when I felt it. A sudden pressure to the head. It felt almost like I would explode. My knees buckled. I fell face first on the damp cobblestone ground. I heard panic in my mind from my brothers and sisters, but I was just…gone.

I emerged as a human on two legs from a pristine forest. One untouched by the winter conditions. One thriving in the heat of a summer night, where the colors seemed to melt with vibrancy, the smell in the air is fresh. Pine, water, underbrush and something else. When I reached the edge, where the trees parted to show a clearing. In the center I see the great rock, it juts up in the clearing, a proud and stubborn part of this land. The stars above were shining, bright as ever. I should have felt comforted here. But I only feel dread. I glance at the sky. No man is there to greet me.

My instincts say to keep cover in the forest. Let the trees and shadows hide me. Instead, I push forwards. The coolness of the great rock meets my bare feet. At the top of the rock, were I usually see Hircine up in the lights, I am met with a slight breeze.

"Is anyone here?" I ask.

The howling of the wind is the only sound I hear. It rustles the trees, nearly parting them with the sudden force of it. I sink to my knees to keep steady. With such great strength that wind could knock me off my feet up here.

My hands curl around the edge of the rock to keep me steady. But I should have been more focused. Something white floats through the air along with various green leaves. I snatch it before it can drift past me.

A note. I read the contents quickly. It was written hastily, with a shaking hand. Someone was terrified when they did this.

My heart sinks with it. I shouldn't be scared. I should be elated. I am getting a second chance to right my wrongs.

Another wind comes through the clearing. I hold tight again, wondering if there is another sign I should be waiting for. The wind dies down bringing on a sudden calmness. I watch the trees, something, a slight buzzing is coming from inside them.

I steady myself. I fight back my own instincts to run. They want me in the forest with the cover of the trees at my back. But I hold on. There must be another message.

The buzzing grows louder, and too soon, far too soon, I see it. A swarm of insects, so many it looks like a black cloud, rains from the trees. There are so many there has to be over a million, I duck again, thinking they will just go over my head.

Instead, they fly directly to me, swarm around my person. I yell when they begin to bite. It's a sickening crawling feeling up my skin. I screech and fall to try to roll to get them off me. I only fall the long way off the rock. When I hit the ground, I know I have broken bones but it's nothing compared to this pain. They're eating me alive, entering my skin. Piercing into me. I am consumed whole.

I wake up gasping and panting. Vilkas is at one side of me, Aerin on the other. We are still on the floor of Fort Snowhawk. The air hasn't cleared of death yet, bodies surround me. "She alright?" Galmar yells from some faraway place.

Vilkas looks down at me again but with potent fear in his eyes. "Mjoll, your eyes, they've changed…"

"Holy…Mjoll can you even see me?" Aerin asks. I look to him and see the same fear written on his face.

"Yes." I gasp. I can barely still catch my breath after the locusts swarmed me. That feeling of having them all over my skin. Biting into me. It is something I won't soon forget. I just don't understand why the land of Hircine was tainted with them.

"Your eyes are pitch black, Mjoll." Vilkas tells me, "What happened?"

That though is by far the least of my worries. I look to him. "Tell Galmar." My voice is grating, like something has burrowed inside me with those insects and wants to come out.

We are with you. Someone whispers.

It's us. Another voice laughs.

Don't fuck this up again. A growl.

Those thoughts are not my own. They are the Princes thoughts. They are with me. My mind is burdened by everything that has happened. It is too overwhelming. All I can do is focus on what was written in that note. "Tell Galmar when we ride to Solitude she will be there waiting. The Night Mother will return."

Cicero's Journal Entry

Listener in so close, Cicero is certain she feels his breath on her. We are following her closely. Mother said to keep quiet about our…plans. And Cicero is, but every time he looks to Listener he feels…maybe he should warn her. She is the one who got us here. She's the one who made sure Mother is safe.

But she is also the one who wants to kill Mother, to take out that bright and burning flame in the world. Mother is right. Listener's demise would happen sooner or later. Cicero will just wait for Mother's signal.