Chapter 8: The Dark Brotherhood, Part 2
When they got back after dealing with Maro, they could tell something was up, Bal himself sitting up and taking notice as they went deeper into the sanctuary. There was Veezara, half-laying on the floor with Babette tending to him. "What...happened?" Ven asked, trying to control her temper. "Who needs to die?"
That stopped them dead, staring up at her. "Cicero," Astrid said, taking her arm and soothing her slightly. "Arnbjorn went into a fury and we don't need another one. I want you to take my horse-find my husband and send the jester to the Void."
Kai watched his love walk out and followed, staring in shock as the horse appeared before getting on behind her. "Look," he said. "You're angry and rightfully so. But you aren't thinking properly. If I can counter that, I will."
The Dunmer relaxed before heading off, Oracle following them happily, glad to have something to chase, as it were. They reached Dawnstar, following the path around and finding Arnbjorn, sending him home before going inside after answering 'innocence, my brother'. The sanctuary was dusty, Cicero saying many things but one stood with her: 'you kill the Keeper or I kill the Listener'. That made her think, coming to where the jester was and looking at him before tending to his wounds. "Astrid isn't going to like this," the half-dragon mused.
"If she finds out." Ven replied. "At this point Cicero makes more sense, oddly enough." She deftly avoided his hug. "There. Now Cicero, stay up in the area-don't let Astrid catch wind of you. Something isn't right but I have to see it through."
"The Listener is humble." Cicero said. "Find truths. See what Cicero sees."
He laid back on the stone, Ven covering him with her old cloak before leaving, Kai nodding. "You are calmer now?" he asked as they mounted.
"Yes. I'll lie to Astrid and try to figure this out." Came the reply as they rode back, Shadowmere and Oracle having fun on who could win. They got back and went inside, Astrid meeting them. "Arnbjorn is safe." She said. "What of Cicero?"
"What's left is a smear on the floor." Was the reply. "I was beyond angry."
"I know and had no idea you'd lose it. Anyway it's done. And hang onto Shadowmere for a while-she hasn't been ridden like she really should. Go see Festus-he's working on the next part."
They headed toward where Festus was, Arnbjorn stopping them. "There you are." He said. "Look I...wanted to thank you. I found out from Astrid you had a fury that at least rivaled mine. Thanks for coming to help me in Dawnstar-I know my kind and yours don't always get along."
"You are welcome Arnbjorn." Came the reply, feeling shy before moving off and listening to Festus, heading out the door soon after.
"Pathetic." Kai said after they were out. "What was that?"
"Vampires and lycans have a bit of animosity between them as most vampires view lycans as 'lesser' due to their limited lifespan, among other things. Arnbjorn put that aside when he thanked me as he was under the impression I would never do that, when in fact I would."
"There is so much to learn," he mused as they headed out with Oracle. "You are a contradiction Ven, you know that?"
"I know Kai. But this is my job as it were-helping you 'grow up' into a proper vampire and explaining what you need to know."
They rode to Markarth after getting him his own horse, a stallion named Shadestar and who got along with Shadowmere well, knowing she was independent. They went inside and up to Understone Keep, heading inside. There was the Breton who was berating the help, the male slapping him before the Dunmer grabbed him, nodding once to them. "You know," the male said. "I have some place I need to be," the woman agreeing with him as they walked off.
"Get back here!" the Breton said, opening his mouth to scream, the half-dragon stopping him before asking questions, Ven ending his life after getting the Gourmet's location. "Don't worry," she said. "They won't remember us."
"Smart," came the reply as they headed out, getting their horses and rode off. They slowed near a mine, miners and forsworn working together, waving to them as they passed, the Dunmer chuckling. "They understand," she said as they moved on, taking their time, coming to Nightgate Inn and heading inside. Ven moved her hands, the innkeeper's eyes going blank before they went downstairs. "I'll wait here until you need me." Kai said, Ven slipping back to the Orc's room and dripped one of her poisons into his mouth, the Orc waking up and trying to strangle her. The half-dragon came over, pulling him off her as he gave in to the poison, the pair dragging him to a barrel and putting him inside. The Dunmer felt her neck, groaning. "Damn it-I wasn't careful." She growled.
"Drem nunon gein." The half-dragon crooned softly, calming her. "We just have one more thing to take out the Emperor. So, Ulfric or Dar'Mora?"
The Dunmer had been gargling liquid to help her throat and now coughed. "Did you honestly just ask that?" she asked between coughs, both climbing out onto the snow. "Well, Dar'Mora strikes me as a wanderer with Inigo. Ulfric is my guess."
The pair bantered on the way back with high spirits, getting the final thing. They rode to Solitude, Ven going inside while Kai waited. Finally he saw her come out only to be stopped by Penitus Oculatus, hearing that they were betrayed before he saw red and ran up the steps with the wolf, the Dunmer frozen. "Ven," he said. "Say something to me."
There was a rumble, her eyes turning dark red as her dark glory came out. "They will pay for trying to kill me and my family," she said, oddly calm. "And the one who betrayed us will die." She looked at him. "I am many in one, Kai Long. We fight this menace together."
He nodded, the two streaking out and getting on their horses, riding off.
As he rode, Kai looked at her, noticing small horns on her head. 'I really do hope Ven shifts back when this is over,' he thought, Ven answering him.
"I will Kai," she said in answer. "Just know that once there, Lord Bal will be out-he's already near the surface that it won't take much." She gave the Daedric Lord her apologies, hearing him in her mind.
'In this case there will be death.' He growled. 'Sithis and I; we will split the bodies equally Ven. I cannot tell you who is alive-we will have to see.'
They moved quickly, jumping down and rushing forward. The Dunmer cast heal on Festus, the old man flaming the fools. "Ven," he said. "Your orders?"
"Heal any Brotherhood members and flame anyone else." She replied, telling Oracle to stay with him before going in. The place was in flames, two of the fools being struck down by the half-dragon's axe. Ven entered the main room, spotting Arnbjorn and lost it, cleaving the men apart. "Easy Arnbjorn." She said softly. "Go see Festus outside all right?"
The werewolf nodded, giving her a nudge on the head before doing so as Kai led them up, healing Gabriella and sending her out. "There is one more member left." She said. "Nazir. Kai, I want you out of here." She looked at him. "I'll be all right love but from what I know you must go to be safe."
Her heart broke as he nodded, heading off before she headed forward, her dark glory coming out as she lunged at the fool, taking him down before looking at Nazir. "So you are alive!" he coughed. "Where's your shadow?"
"Kai left at her request Nazir. I am Lord Bal and you have nothing to fear."
"I wondered what would happen if she lost it. Now I know." The Redguard mused, running through the halls with her. "Damnit. We're trapped!"
"Listener," she heard. "I am your only salvation. Come, embrace me."
The Dunmer jumped at the coffin, the doors shutting, feeling the Redguard push her through before falling unconscious, coming to with Kai holding her. "Easy," he said, helping her into a sitting position.
"Astrid," she said, getting up and weaving slightly before heading off. Arnbjorn took her hand as she got to the top of the stairs. "She's in there," he said, watching her go in and through the hidden door. There was Astrid, severely burned. "Alive..." she said weakly. "You're alive. Thank Sithis."
Ven looked at her coldly. "You sent me to die Astrid." She said. "Why?"
"Wanted you dead." Was the reply. "Wanted things as it was before. Aravenu, I want you to kill me. Please."
The Dunmer lifted up the blade and knelt down. "Cicero's not dead." She whispered before cutting her down and turning, walking out. The half-dragon walked over to Arnbjorn, touching his shoulder. "I...am sorry." He said, the werewolf looking back before taking his arm. "I will find love again Kai," came the reply. "Look to your own mate my brother. Hold her close."
Ven came in. "Kai, we're still on." She said. "Whiterun is our destination." She looked at the others. "Head to Dawnstar-to the old Sanctuary. 'Innocence, my brother' is the passphrase." She headed out, stopping a moment and going downstairs and taking one last look, Festus coming to her. "Quite a mess." He said.
"But you know, with you we have a chance to take out the Emperor. And Maro."
She hissed at the name. "For what Maro did, I swear he will pay Festus." She said.
"Also, I'm interested in you Ven. I know of what I saw outside and..."
The Dunmer laughed. "I owe everyone an explanation." She mused. "and I'll give it once the deal with the emperor is over." She hugged the old man before heading out, getting on Shadowmere.
"Are you all right shi'koray?" Kai asked from astride Shadestar.
"Actually yes." Came the reply. "After I passed out I went back to normal." They rode along the river, enjoying themselves before she saw an old campsite. "That's mine," he said. "Last place I was at before coming to you."
Ven nodded, leaving it for the next person that needed it as a gift, splashing through the water and up by the Guardian Stones, taking the road to Whiterun. They got off their mounts and walked up the street, waving hi to Lyllith before going into the Bannered Mare, walking to a door. The half-dragon stood by the door as she went into the room without a sound, Amaund gasping.
"You...you're alive." He breathed. "Please, you mustn't think I was part of it!"
"Where is the true Emperor?" The Dunmer asked.
"Even after all that? He's on his ship, the Katariah. He's heading back home."
"What of Maro?"
"Ah yes, that score. Solitude docks."
She walked out, her love following as they left and took the carriage to Solitude. Kai watched her, slightly worried. "What is it?" he asked.
"I am actually scared." Came the reply. "So much can happen."
They got to the city and stepped out, heading down to the docks. There was Maro, telling men what to do. She tapped him, the Imperial lunging and making it seem he had lost it, letting Ven take him down, shaking. "What happened?" a soldier asked, running over.
"I...I don't know," she said, the men chalking it up to losing his son. The two of them walked off, spotting the Katariah and swam for it, getting on. They moved quietly, using shadows to move. It was the half-dragon who figured out a new thing, actually making shadows for them to use. They stopped outside a door, the Dunmer picking the lock to the master bedroom. The pair went in, staring at the old man that was the Emperor. "And once more I prove Commander Maro the fool." He said. "You can't stop the Dark Brotherhood-never could. Come now, we have a date with destiny, as it were. But I wonder, would you suffer an old man a few words so that he may speak?
Ven eyed Emperor Titus Mede II, seeing that he was ill. "I will," she said.
"I thank you," was the reply. "You will kill me-that much is true. But I sense a certain...ambition. So I ask of you a favor-an old man's dying wish. While there are many who would see me dead, there is one to set it all in motion. This person, whomever they may be, must be punished. Once you've been rewarded, kill them."
"I'll...consider your request." She mused, drawing her half-blade and sliced his neck, exhaling. "He was dying." She said, groaning before sipping from her vial. Kai helped her up, going onto the back balcony and jumping off, swimming to the mainland. "We did it." He said. "Now for Amaund."
"Yes," came the reply as their horses came over and they mounted, heading back through Dragon Bridge and up towards Labyrinthian, taking the shortcut. The Dunmer looked at her vials, taking two and putting them up. They dismounted at the stables before heading inside, walking to the Bannered Mare and going in. Ven ordered Rexus some ale, lacing it with one vial before taking it over. "Here you go." She said, smiling sweetly.
"Well I'll be." He said. "Heard you were dead. Motierre is in the back." He chugged the ale as the pair went into the back. "The Emperor is dead." She said.
"I know, I know!" Amaund was ecstatic. "You've fulfilled your end of the bargain. Your payment is in a dead drop where we met."
"That's all I need." Ven said, grabbing him and draining him dry, dropping his body. The half-dragon peered out. "He's dead too." His mate grinned as she came out, the pair heading out and got onto their horses, riding up to Volunruud. They got the money, staring at the amount as they put it into bags. "My gods," the Dunmer said. "20,000 Septims?"
He put them in her bag. "Yes. But you made the Emperor a promise."
"Well it was his dying wish." She put on her bag. "Besides, Amaund was complicit in the attack on my family in a way."
"Very true." Kai growled slightly at that. Nazir and Arnbjorn were good friends of his for different reasons, the thought of a hunt with the werewolf coming to him as they left the barrow and got on their horses, heading North toward Dawnstar. They headed down the path that went to Dimhollow, stopping at the base and staring at the shell of the Hall of the Vigilant. "Those vampires really did a number." Ven said. "There isn't much left."
"This isn't Dar'Mora's work?" he asked.
"I can feel her energy here but no." Came the reply. "This was Harkon's doing; it's why we had the Dawnguard come after us."
They moved off, reaching Dawnstar and skirting around the town, leaving their horses and going inside. It had been cleaned up somewhat, the mates going downstairs to where the others were. The Dunmer sighed. "First I need to explain." She said. "The vampire who turned me tried to make me the sacrifice for endless night. Instead, by using the blood of the First Blood-Maiden, he nearly turned me into the Vessel for Lord Bal. It's why I nearly lost it the first time and why I lost it the second." She hung her head. "Sithis and the Night Mother understand this."
"I knew you were special," Babette mused. "You saved this family and will continue to do so."
"You saved me sister," Arnbjorn said. "Even if I mate I will follow you."
"This is...not what I thought," Festus said. "We'll have great talks."
She looked at Veezara and Gabriella, seeing them smiling at her. Nazir came over. "What's the news?" he asked.
"The Emperor lies dead-by my hand." She said.
"Truly? Could you have brought more wonderous news? This is a happy day. Now how much did the guy pay us?
"20,000 Septims."
"Remarkable." The Redguard grinned, "See Delvin Mallory in Riften."
She headed out, the half-dragon following only to stop at the sight of Cicero. "Yes my friend, it's done. If you go in, apologize to Arnbjorn."
"The Listener is wise." Came the reply. "Not Arnbjorn's fault."
He went inside before they climbed on and rode to Riften, reaching it after several hours and getting off their steaming mounts. Ven walked in with Kai, stopping at the market and noticing Brand-Shei's trinkets. "Do you have netch leather?" she asked. "I would like to buy some if you have it."
The male eyed her before getting her 12 pieces. "Sorry," he said. "It's a little strange with everything going on. Anything else? Got some Dragon's Breath."
Kai laughed. "That's something I haven't heard of in a while." He took a bottle, paying for it before starting in. The Dunmer paid for her leather, smiling. "Thank you good sir," she said, putting it in her bag.
"Hello Ven," a voice said, Dar'Mora coming over after helping a beggar, Inigo following. They went into the Ratway. "You need help again." She said.
"We have a new home Dar'," came the reply. "We could use some help."
They entered the Ragged Flagon. "Delvin!" The Khajiit yelled, pointing to her friend, causing the Breton to sag.
"What more do they need?" he grumbled.
"You're an expert on finding things," Ven said. "I need some help with that."
"I am going to gag," Vex groaned. "They're so cutesy."
"At least she knows quality when she sees it," Delvin retorted, glaring at the Imperial as Brynjolf came in, watching them. "This is your doing Lass?" He asked Dar', who was in hysterics at the moment.
"Nope," came the reply. "It's all Ven. Her nature is a hoot."
The Breton worked with the Dunmer, touching her hand only to get lifted by Kai and growled at. "Ms. Ven?" The Nord said gently. "As much as Delvin deserves whatever your mate is going to do, please don't."
She touched his arm, watching him unceremoniously drop him, causing Vex to start laughing. "Oh I like her!" she said, Brynjolf groaning.
"If I have to start saying Vex and Ven..."
"Don't worry Brynjolf," Ven said. "I have a...different calling." She got up, bowing to him before leaving with her mate.
~Timeskip~
They had gotten back and just got in when Arnbjorn came up to them. "What in Sithis' name is Cicero doing here?" he asked. "He actually apologized."
"It was something he said that made me spare his life Arnbjorn," Ven said. "I had him hide out up here while Astrid was alive. Told him he needed to make it up."
"It worked," came the reply. "He's down below. They did a lot and did well."
"Would you mind if the two of us went hunting?" Kai asked.
The Dunmer nodded. "Have fun." She said, going down. She moved around, waving to Festus gardening, noticing a nook housing Lis, the family's pet spider that seemed oddly friendly toward her. "What's up girl?" she asked, petting the spider and falling over as she crawled up, gaining a laugh. "Well I hope you get along with Oracle," she said. "A wolf and a spider."
"She should," a voice said, Gabriella coming over and hugging her. "In fact she's happy to be here. Went right into what I made."
"Is she mad at me Gabriella? I know I didn't bring the fools in, but..."
The younger Dunmer laughed. "No Ven." She said. "Lis isn't like that. She places blame solely on Astrid for what happened, not on you for helping us."
Ven grinned, spotting the wolf wander in and freeze, eyeing the spider. "Um, if she charges I'm not sure I can restrain her." She said, watching Oracle move closer to Lis, sniffing at her before sitting back in utter confusion. The spider, however, was more playful, nuzzling her in her own way. "Oracle," she said. "If I'm not here you listen to Gabriella ok? Gabby likes Liz and doesn't want her hurt."
The wolf looked at them before letting out a woof, understanding in her own way. The spider had twice the legs in her mind but was fuzzy, going back and licking her happily.
"Well, that looks promising." Gabriella mused. "Such a sweet wolf."
(A.N.: And now Ven is The Listener. I loosely based the one scene on PrinceShroob's Save the Dark Brotherhood-wanted them alive.)