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"Dragon shouts"

"Normal speech"

"Thoughts/whispers/written speech/ pretty much anything that isn't the above"

•••••••••••••••

"Hello Morthos, my dear child.

I imagine you're surprised to receive this. I must apologize to you; I have failed, both as your mother and teacher. Currently I am being sheltered in the imperial city by a friend of a friend.

Have you ever heard of the legendary thief, the Grey Fox?

He is real my boy. I've yet to meet a man as cunning, your grandfather being the obvious exception and maybe his little protégé Vincente or that handsome devil Lucien.

The Grey Fox has agreed to have and hold this letter and deliver it to you for me.

My dear child I can never take back my actions. Leaving you with my father was never what I imagined when I thought of what your future might hold. I rationalized my choice by telling myself you would be better off and that the path Greywyn has set you on was far better than any I could lead you to. It seems I was right. My dabbling in the darkened corners of the arcane was discovered by the guild master himself. The man has his head so far up in the clouds I'm surprised he notices anything at all. I cannot believe I was so careless.

Upon discovering me, that ignorant worm, Hannibal Travis, set his dogs on me. I currently have a small lead on them but it is only a matter of time before they catch up with me. Those blasted fools simply don't understand my work. None of them do. It sickens me to know a fellow Breton would be so narrow-minded. But I digress, this letter is not for him after all.

I miss you my son. It seems all those city bred cows are right when they describe what it is to be a mother. Every day since I left you, I wake and feel your absence like a tear in my heart. It eats away at me. I miss being able to simply hold you in my arms.

In this case it seems I made the correct decision. Had I kept you with me, we both would be hunted right now. That is no life for a child. While I hate that I let you go, I cannot deny that you are better off.

You shouldn't live hunted like an animal. Like I do. As I write this, you should be entering the summer of your tenth year; enjoying the sunlight, practicing the sword you love so much, chasing fireflies, and perhaps even the skirts of a little lady. You're so handsome, just like your father, I wouldn't be surprised if perhaps you already stole one of their hearts.

You're most likely too young to understand but remember my words son: the heart of a woman is fragile. When you begin courting, remember that your woman is your queen. Her wellbeing should come before all. Make sure to treat her as such. The Mark of a true man is being able to sacrifice everything for those he loves. Your father lived this lesson to his last breath.

I miss him terribly you know. I see so much of him in you that it makes my heart ache. Your drive and passion for the sword. Your love of the outdoors. Your desperate need for freedom. Your devotion for those you hold dear.

Enjoy this time while you can Morthos. Live and love and be free. Above all that is my hope for you. I regret that I will never be able to see you grown, but I know that, wherever you go in this life your father and I shall be proud of you.

I must be off soon. Tomorrow I head for my sanctum. We wouldn't want to makes this chase too easy for those ignorant mage guild fools now would we? Before I go you should know that your father and I have left you a gift, an inheritance of sorts. When you're old enough, strong enough, I hope you will forgive your foolish mother and claim it.

Southeast of Lady Nocturnal's shrine you shall find an ancient ruin unlike any others found in Cyrodiil. This is my sanctum. You'll know it by the symbol on the door. Our final gifts lie waiting for you.

Only you my dear child shall be able to open the door. Remember: Dust to dust, ashes to ashes. Blood begets blood, for those of our family who's magic runs strong.

Inside you shall find your gifts as well as my life's work. I hope you'll put them to good use.

I must end this now. Know that I love you Morthos with all my heart."

Your mother,

Lady Cillvalyth

•••••••••••••••

I sighed as both Babette and Ra'faer trudged in from the secret entrance carrying an overstuffed knapsack. I had hoped he would finally chose to return to Riften. I was tired of the Khajiit's company. Nine days was far too long.

"Ah assassin! You are awake. We return bearing food and drink!" Ra'faer called out to me, his fangs bared in the usual khajiit smile. I grimaced but made my way over to them.

"Hello you two. May I help you Babette?"

"No thank you Listener." She said without even looking at me.

The small vampire pushed past me to dump her pack on the table before going up the stairs and out of sight.

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. "She is still mad I see."

Ra'faer chuckled as he began unpacking the supplies they had brought. "I imagine you would be as well assassin. Tiny one has much feeling for you; your words and actions have cut her deeper than any blade could. Perhaps you should swallow your pride and apologize. Ra'faer sees no reason tiny one shouldn't travel with you. Cyrodiil is most likely safer than our dear Skyrim for her."

As he finished speaking Gileanna walked in. "Hello Listener. Welcome back Ra'faer. You will be helping me again today."

Ra'faer laughed. "Ah but of course! You are quick learner. This one still cannot believe you are willing to learn from him."

Gileanna rolled her eyes and waved him along. "You owe me for ruining my contract. Nothing more, nothing less."

Yet another surprise. Gileanna had finally had enough sitting around and begged me to allow her to at least train. I agreed to allow her back onto full duty under the condition she take it slow and allow herself to readjust to the strain. It wouldn't do for her to injure herself again.

Almost immediately after I cleared her, she all but physically forced Ra'faer into helping her train claiming the entire time that he owed her. I felt it was actually less that Ra'faer owed her and more that she admired his ability despite him being the direct cause of her injuries. I couldn't blame her for that.

While I didn't particularly care who Gileanna trained with in her free time, her choice did make sense. Ra'faer was by far one of the most naturally skilled stealth practitioners I had ever seen. He made little to no sound when he moved and was virtually undetectable when he wanted to be. He was on par with Cicero and myself.

I watched them walk out of the dining hall and towards the training room. After they left all was silent. I sat down and poured myself a tankard of Mead from the small hogshead on the table. The sweet alcohol tasted bitter to me. My thoughts. quickly returned to Babette. I was at the point of doing as Ra'faer had advised: swallowing my pride and asking Babette to forgive me as well as accompany me to Cyrodiil. I hated the fact that Ra'faer might be right. Babette only wanted to support me; I had no right to lash out the way I did.

•••••••••••••••

Flash back

"What do you mean I'm not going?! Like hell I'm not going!" Babette's yelled out. Her voice echoed through the sanctuary.

I growled at her belligerence before shouting back at her. "You're not going to Cyrodiil and that's final! I need you here."

She hissed at me and bared her fangs.

"For what? To babysit the sanctuary?" she shouted out. "With the Dawnguard running around you already forbid me from going on contracts because you think it's too dangerous. So why shouldn't I go with you? If you're going to go search for your inheritance then you should at least take someone with you and I'm the only one who can't contribute here."

I growled and resisted the urge to start tossing fire balls. I began shouting again, "Because I said so damn it! That should be reason enough! Now drop it Speaker!"

Babette seemed to puff up in anger when I said that. This was the first time I had ever pulled rank on her. Even worse, this was the first time I had ever yelled at her. I could tell just from the look in her eyes that's he was absolutely furious. She jumped up onto the center table so she now stood a few inches taller than me.

"Fine then Listener! Have it your way you s'wit! I hope you fall in a hole!" she screamed in my face. Angry tears rolled down from her crimson eyes as she jumped down off the table and ran out of the room.

•••••••••••••••

Two days later.

Babette hadn't really spoken to me since. She still greeted me and responded when I addressed her, but she never said any more than she absolutely had to and she always addressed me as Listener. She had even gone back to feeding from Nazir, Cicero and the twins. Nazir had given me hell about it after Babette had apparently almost taken a sizable bite out of him.

I hated to admit it but if she was trying to make me feel guilty, it was working spectacularly.

Ra'faer became almost a welcome distraction from the guilt weighing down on me. I decided to inform him as well as the rest of the family about Karita in Dawnstar. I told them that if anyone was going to leave any messages to the Sanctuary to leave them with her. I handed Ra'faer and the twins a small visage of Sithis so that Karita would know to trust them with information. Babette, Nazir and Cicero already had one for themselves. I also told everyone that any information from Karita must be made known to me. Ra'faer thanked me and agreed to leave any new information or messages to the Brotherhood with her.

This was good. I was nervous that Ra'faer would insist that he deliver messages directly here to the sanctuary. I may respect him, if only a little, but giving him unrestricted access to our home didn't sit right with me. He wasn't Dark Brotherhood so in my eyes he really had no reason to be within the Sanctuary more than absolutely necessary.

Luckily for me, he had finally decided to leave the sanctuary. The twins and Cicero were sad to see him go. He shook hands with our resident lunatic jester, patted the twins' heads and promised he would be around. Babette gave him a few potions for the journey and even Nazir wished him safe travels. I elected to remain silent. He thanked me for my hospitality and left out into the snow.

I was glad to see him gone; I was becoming far too accustomed to his presence within my home. Unfortunately for me I left the comfort of the sanctuary very shortly after the khajiit thief. The Nightmother had called me forth and whispered a task she had for me as well as four names and locations. Four more souls who had prayed to her.

I gave Cicero and Nazir the contacts farthest from Dawnstar. Cicero was excited to work and Nazir grumbled.

The final two, I tasked to the twins. It was clear on Gileanna's face that she was nervous. Most likely fearing a repeat of her first contract.

Babette wished everyone luck before returning to the inner parts of the sanctuary. My guilt was renewed when Babette turned and wished me a safe trip as well.

Flash back end

•••••••••••••••

"Pardon me mister. We're ready for your… h-horse."

I grunted before gently running my hands across Shadowmere's mane. I leaned in and whispered in her ear. "Behave yourself. Try not to kill anyone."

She huffed as though to say "I make no promises."

I chuckled before handing off her.

The stable hand nervously led Shadowmere into her own separated section of the stables. I had to make sure he didn't keep Shadowmere near the other horses or she would end up killing them.

Shadowmere was very…. Picky when it came to the company she would tolerate.

I left and made my way to the Bannered Mare. My business was done. The stable owner had supplied me with everything I would need to get me to Cyrodiil and should have everything packed into her saddle by the morning.

Most the patrons sat around enjoying their drinks. I sat in an empty chair beside the fire and offered a quick prayer to the Nightmother, thankful that the tavern was nearly empty beside the usual customers that almost never left, the bard, and the bartender. Two did strike me as strange though. A man with a strange staff and a female Nord stumbling around laughing.

I turned my attention to the fire, my thoughts lingering on Babette and whether or not I was justified in hurting her the way I had. After all, it was for her own good that I wanted her to stay in the sanctuary. The Dawnguard presented far too large a risk to allow her to continue taking on contracts.

Going by my memories, Cyrodiil was also a dangerous place for her to travel. The imperial legion might have been weak here in Skyrim. But that is only here; in their home lands the legion was well equipped and very well trained to recognize and handle almost anything that might be a threat, vampires included. Various imperial soldiers had almost run me through with their swords on multiple occasions. I had a few scars on my back from the arrows of more than a few imperial archers. It was still a mystery to me how I survived so long.

On the other hand, Babette had made it perfectly clear that she wished to join me. Her reasoning being that she couldn't be useful if she stayed behind in the Sanctuary and that she would be just as safe if not more so going with me to Cyrodiil and twice as useful.

If I was honest with myself, I would like nothing more than for Babette to join me. I had become so accustomed to her presence that it actually felt more strange NOT to have her traveling with me.

But no matter how I looked at it, the safest plan of action was to keep Babette in the Dawnstar sanctuary until I returned and the Dawnguard was dealt with. It didn't matter that I wanted her to go with me or that she wanted to go. I had to keep her safe.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. I could feel a headache coming on. All this debating with myself was raising my blood pressure. It was times like this that I missed my life of relative solitude in Deepscorn hollow.

I was brought out of my thoughts by a hand touching my shoulder. I tensed and gripped the small dagger I had hidden in my sleeve. I looked up into the hazy eyes of the drunken Nord woman with a large steel warhammer strapped to her back.

She had the classic features of a Nord woman: blond hair, blue eyes, strong facial features, and of course, carrying a weapon nearly as large as she was. Even sitting down I could tell she was taller than me, not that it would make a difference in a fight, especially with her being completely inebriated.

"You okay there stranger? You look very distracted." She slurred. She sipped from the tankard in her hand and giggled. Even slurred her voice was thick with the Nordic accent.

I nodded my head but didn't say a word. She smiled then plopped down beside me

"That's good. Taverns are for merrymaking not moping around." She turned to me and lifted her tankard. "To new friends, what say you stranger?"

How strange. It had been a while since someone had raised a toast in my honor, the assassination of Emperor Titus Mead II to be exact.

It was then that another patron walked up and pushed an oversized tankard into my hands. Before I could voice my displeasure followed by a threat of bodily harm the newcomer shouted out. "Come on good man, the lady is offering a toast. Let us drink as though tonight is our last!"

The woman cheered. I sighed. Seems I would have to suffer through a few drinks with this drunken duo. It might be just what I need to put Babette out of my mind. I raised my tankard and spoke.

"To friends both new and old."

My two new "friends" whooped then began chugging their drinks. I followed suit and downed the bittersweet mixture, grimacing when the aftertaste hit me. Almost immediately I began to feel light headed. I was by no means a light weight but this mixture was strong.

The man laughed and literally slapped his knee. "Ah I see my personal mixture isn't to your liking friend. My apologies. By the way, Sam Guevenne, pleased to meet you."

The man, Sam, snatched up my free hand and shook it. The woman was next to introduce herself as Sam made his way over to the bar, most likely to get another round of drinks. The woman leaned into me, the cold alcohol in her tankard spilling across my lap. I tensed up but for some reason couldn't find it in me to be angry. Instead I took another swig of my drink.

"I am Helga Aleatra Honeymoon but everyone calls me Aleatra." She slurred. I was a bit surprised. If she had been drinking what I was, then I was amazed she was still standing let alone speaking somewhat coherently. What an interesting pair these two.

Sam returned with three more tankards. "Come on now friends! The night is still young!"

Aleatra giggled as she took another tankard in hand. What possessed me to do the same is a mystery. I felt light as a feather and couldn't help the goofy smile slowly spreading across my lips.

"To an unforgettable night!" Aleatra cheered.

•••••••••••••••

I woke up to a headache straight from Oblivion. My head was pounding and the light from the evening sun pouring through the window and straight into my face did nothing to help.

I sat up groaning in pain and looked around. I was clearly in a cell. My entire body ached. My robes and equipment was gone, replaced by the rags prisoners wore.

I don't know what I had done but it was obvious I had landed myself in prison. I tried thinking back. Everything was a blur. My last clear memory was Aleatra challenging Sam to a drinking contest to see who could finish their drinks faster. I was dragged into the competition by Sam.

Without really realizing it, I found myself chugging yet another round of Sam's overly strong drinks as fast as possible trying to beat Aleatra and Sam. I finished mine second and the very last thing I remember seeing was Sam grinning ear to ear, his eyes glowing red.

"Oh fuck me sideways." I said aloud.

"Sorry but even drunk I'm not that easy. I appreciate the offer though."

I looked to the cell door. Aleatra stood on the other side of the cell door smiling. She was dressed in steel plate armor and had her very large steel Warhammer strapped to her back. She looked nothing like she had the night before.

"You look terrible. Perhaps next time you'll take it easy on the drink."

Now my headache was giving way to my building rage. Had she drugged me? Or maybe it was that Sam fellow. Either way I felt the need to slit someone's throat.

"Let me out of this cell woman." My voice came out low and promising immediate violence.

Her smile vanished and she took a step closer to my cell door. She shook her head and steeled her nerves. "No. Not until I explain and get an answer for last night. Guards say we caused a few problems."

"I don't remember last night girl. Besides if we did anything worth the time and effort your using to question me then you would be in a cell too. Now unless you have a true reason to hold me here you will release me."

She frowned. "You don't remember anything? ANYTHING?"

I slammed my hand against the cell door and began to let my Magicka surge. Aleatra immediately turned away from the cell and called in the guards.

"Guards! He's a mage! Restrain him!"

I grinned in anticipation for the inevitable skirmish I had just instigated. The guards arrived just as my spell blasted opened my cell door, peppering them with bits of metal cell door.

I made my move.

Fast as a striking snake, I jumped at both guards and sent an overcharged lightning spell coursing through their bodies.

It wasn't my White Dragon's Rage spell but it did the job. It felt strangely nice to feel the two guards convulsing beneath my bare hands. I waited until I was sure they were dead before releasing them and allowing the two fresh corpses to drop to the floor. I watched Aleatra back away from the cell door and draw her hammer.

My eyes narrowed and I smashed her against the wall with my strongest telekinesis spell.

"You've really made a mistake girl. I do not appreciate being locked in a cell." I hissed at her.

She whimpered as I upped the pressure of my spell then smirked at me.

"Nice try asshole. You'll find I'm not so easily contained either."

I took a step back. Her eyes changed colors from blue to amber and her pupils shifted into slits, almost like an argonians.

"FUS!"

I was thrown back against the wall back inside my cell. I groaned but pushed through the pain and struggled to focus. Everything appeared foggy but I could tell that Aleatra had been released from my spell and had her hammer ready to turn me into red paste.

"The hell kind of magic was that?!"

Aleatra dove forward and swung her hammer in an overhead ark. If it hit me I'd be dead at worst or crippled at best.

I drove to the side, nearly crashing against the side wall of the cell and cringing when the stone I had just been kneeling on was crushed.

"Holy fucking shit. Not crippled, definitely dead." Ithought to myself as I ducked under a sideways swing from Aleatra.

"Focus you fool!" I mentally yelled at myself.

I needed to get inside her guard. Her hammer was deadly if it hit but in this confined space I had the advantage. The issue was that if she could wield such a heavy weapon and heavy armor then it's safe to assume she was very very physically powerful.

I punched her in the side, wincing as my unarmored hand met her unyielding steel plate armor. She turned and swung her hammer straight towards my head again. Seems her goal was to literally knock my head of my shoulders.

I stepped into the blow and caught the upper end of the hammer's handle in one hand, looped my other arm underneath her arm. I shifted my body into her, pulling her off balance then threw her over my shoulder and straight into the floor.

She groaned as she sat up. I took advantage of her new position and threw my arm around her throat and gripped it with my other hand in a chokehold. Just before I applied pressure, she tucked her chin down and gripped my forearm with both hands. I was hard-pressed to hold her in place as she struggled.

"Damn it woman! Just let me leave! I don't need to kill you!" I shouted.

This turned out to be the wrong thing to say. My words only seemed to renew her struggling. With a strong pull she finally managed to break my grip and pulled me down into the back of her head. I fell back against the cell wall hissing in pain.

The back of her skull felt like a stone wall.

I felt as though my teeth were vibrating from the blow and the warmth flowing down over my lips could only be blood from my nose. When I could finally see, I found Aleatra panting and grimacing while holding a steel dagger to my throat. I groaned.

"Fuck."

Aleatra chuckled darkly. "You offered already. You fight well elf. Now please stop. You're only making things worse."

I couldn't help but scoff at her. I woke up already IN jail.

Best case scenario: I did something stupid while drunk last night and got thrown in prison for it.

Worst case scenario: they knew I was the Listener, leader assassin of the Dark Brotherhood. This would most likely end with me being executed.

Either way, I couldn't afford to risk being identified and I didn't have time to just sit around while the Jarl decided what to do with me, I had a Brotherhood to lead.

"Sorry girl, I don't have time for this."

I threw my arm up to knock away the blade from my throat and kicked her away from me. I succeeded in gaining some room to maneuver but cut my arm on the blade's edge. I winced as I quickly jumped up and stumbled out of the cell. I was still slightly dazed but managed to get halfway to the prison's exit before I heard the tell-tale sound of someone running in steel armor.

"Oh by Sithis I wonder who the fuck that could be!" I thought sarcastically to myself.

I looked back and groaned. She was hot on my tail, much closer than I originally thought, blade raised to strike. I rolled to avoid being stabbed then tackled her. The armor she wore constantly grinding into me as we fought was beginning to really piss me off. We struggled until I just barely managed to pin her arms above her head.

"Enough!" I shouted. Perhaps she was surprised or perhaps she simply knew I had won. Either way her struggles stopped for a second. I took advantage and forced my strongest Drain Stamina and weakest shock spell into my hands. My shock spell caused her to immediately begin convulsing while my drain spell took hold. It took a few seconds until she finally lay beneath me unconscious.

I sighed in relief. I could finally retrieve my personal effects, collect Shadowmere and leave.

I froze as Mother's bone chilling whispers filled me. "My child. This one is special. Her fate is tied to that of this world. Bring her to me."

I gasped as her presence left me feeling cold and almost hollow. I looked down at the sleeping Aleatra.

"Damn it. Your going to be a massive pain in my ass aren't you?"

•••••••••••••••

As soon as I had finally managed to get my equipment and patch myself up with a few draughts of restore health, I was forced to drag Aleatra's unconscious form all over. To my irritation, as we made it to the stables, it began to rain. Shadowmere complained in her own way as I pulled her from the stables, whinnying and huffing, especially when I climbed on to her stuffed saddles with Aleatra.

We traveled the entire way to Dawnstar through the pouring rain and howling winds. It was as though the very spirit of Skyrim itself was against me.

Every few hours I had to drain away Aleatra's Stamina again. She had a far above average recovery rate. Halfway back to the Sanctuary we were stopped by a highway man and his merry band of morons. I was told "Leave your valuables and the woman and we might not kill you."

Needless to say they all suffered terribly. The STILL pouring rain only made me all the more angry.

After slowly killing each would-be bandit, all with magic from my seat, I finally lost my composure and had to climb out of the saddle, almost dropping my unconscious charge in the process, to vent my rage. I spent the next hour blasting a few trees with high level destruction magic, swinging my daggers at nothing and screaming defiance to the skies.

Over all I looked like a total fool.

Shadowmere whinnied softly as a returned as if asking if my tantrum was concluded.

"Oh shut up. Sorry we can't all be so aloof."

Shadowmere nipped at me softly. I heard a groan and had to suppress one of own. Aleatra was waking up. Again.

I quickly touched my hand to her and siphoned away her stamina and strength once more forcing her back into a deep sleep.

Shadowmere trotted in place and nipped at my hood. When I looked to her she whipped her head to the north towards home. It was very clear she wanted to get a move on.

"Right. I'm sorry for the delay." I muttered.

Shadowmere whinnied them playfully pushed her face into mine. I chuckled then jumped back up into her saddle. Shadowmere had a way of always cheering me up. She was a beautiful horse. I was very lucky to have her.

With me seated on her back, Shadowmere continued trotting through the pouring rain towards Dawnstar.

Towards home.

•••••••••••••••

"Who the fuck is that!?"

I winced as Nazir's voice boomed and echoed through the Sanctuary.

Great. My terrible luck was holding strong.

I shifted Aleatra higher onto my shoulders and made my way down the stairs to the central room of the Sanctuary. Nazir, Cicero and the twins all stood gawking, their eyes wide with disbelief.

"It's good to be home." I muttered to myself as I carried Aleatra's unconscious form past the central room into the dungeon. She moaned as I shackled her but didn't otherwise stir.

I sighed, thankful that at least I wouldn't have to deal with her again for a while. I walked back into the main area and ignored my family, opting instead to fetch myself something to eat.

Cicero, of course, was the first to actually approach me as I removed my soaked robes leaving me in my Crimson Scar armor.

"Dear sweet Listener, would you perhaps be willing to explain who your guest is?"

I shrugged and handed him my soaking robes. "I'll get to it eventually. Please hang this in my room to dry. Cicero is all this food we have laid out fresh?"

"Yes Listener, sweet Cicero lives to obey. The food is fresh yes it is dear Listener. It was all prepared only a few hours ago by Speaker Nazir. There is also fresh cheese beside the cooking pot on the cutting board."

I nodded as I pulled an assortment of meats, cheese and a few other things onto a plate before sitting back down to eat. I hadn't had anything to eat the entire trip back and I was starving.

I noted that Babette was no where in sight. More than likely she was sitting by her alchemy corner still avoiding me. I made an active effort to ignore everyone's stares as I ate. I just really didn't feel like explaining. I was wet, cold, hungry and so far past pissed off I'd come full circle back to calm. I motioned for everyone to sit down. The twins sat at my sides while Nazir sat in front of me. When Cicero returned he stayed on his feet nervously shifting his weight from foot to foot.

"Evening everyone." I muttered through a mouthful of food. I was offered quiet greetings and nothing more. I suppose I would have to explain before I got any sense of normalcy. Too bad for me because I didn't plan on explaining myself. Not until I got some sleep anyway.

Ardoneth, bless her soul, finally broke the awkwardness. She coughed into her hand then pulled out a folded piece of parchment. "Listener this was left with your informant girl a few days ago. You should read it. I believe it's from Ra'faer."

I took the parchment and began reading.

"To my friends.

This one was told to inform you of a few key events that have happened. The first is that this one has confirmed the Imperial stronghold of Helgen has been destroyed as well as a guard tower just outside Whiterun.

The important thing is that it is rumored that a dragon is to blame.

There are also rumors going around that say that the Dragonborn of legend has appeared. They are said to have been at Helgen and assisted in killing the dragon that attacked Whiterun.

This one did not believe it until he saw with his own eyes the ruins of Helgen.

Be careful my friends. Skyrim is becoming more and more dangerous a place."

The letter didn't have a signature but rather it had the shadow mark for "safe place" on it. Ardoneth was right, this letter had to be from Ra'faer.

"Thank you Ardoneth. Did whoever retrieved this pay Karita well? A deal is a deal after all, and we pride ourselves on upholding our end of a bargain."

Nazir nodded. "As a matter of fact I did. Surprised the hell out of her when I walked up to her and flashed my visage of Sithis. She didn't have any important news besides that letter. Once she handed it over to me I gave her about two hundred septims. I thought it a more fair amount."

I nodded in agreement. "Good. Let's make two hundred septims the usual rate then. Oh and if per chance you happen to encounter any pirates or other overly obnoxious fools bothering Karita or damaging her tavern I won't discourage you from…. Making them disappear. Please make it subtle though."

Cicero grinned evilly.

Good. Hopefully soon there would be one less group of stupid pirates sucking up good air. The thought of Cicero sadistically killing those pirates from the other night brought my mood up.

I stood up and dropped my plate in the small basin we used to clean dishes.

"I'm tired. I'm going to bed. Goodnight everyone."

I left without another word.

•••••••••••••••

Later that night.

Babette sat staring at a ground up bowl of mint leaves on her alchemy table. She had already heard from Nazir that the Listener had returned. While she was glad he had returned safely, she was still mad at him.

He had never before thrown his rank in her face before and it really bothered her. She only wanted to help and he was just so stubborn.

"Morthos, why won't you just let me help you?" the small vampire thought to herself.

"Speaker Babette? May I have a word?"

Babette looked up to see Ardoneth and her death hound. She nodded and waved them over. "Of course. What's on your mind Ardoneth?"

Ardoneth stepped forward and kneeled before her, the death hound sitting beside her. "Speaker I am… concerned about you and the Listener. You both have been acting differently since your argument. Speaking not as your underling, but rather as a sister concerned for her family, you both need to get over it and make up."

Babette sighed. "I know we do. I understand why he's being the way he is. He just wants to keep me safe." her eyes began to fill with tears.

Ardoneth looked up into Babette's tear filled eyes and took her hand. "Is that not worth a little extra caution on his part?"

"I was just so mad!" she cried out, her voice breaking. "I didn't mean what I said, I just want to protect him too! He's more important to the family than I am anyway. I'm just a Speaker while he is the LISTENER; the one who hears the words of the unholy matron. Without him we're lost."

"Babatte you forget, he loves us. We are a family and I don't think the Listener can bear the thought of losing us anymore than we can the thought of losing him."

Babette hick-upped. "It isn't fair though. I can't just let him face things alone. The last time he did, the entire family was nearly destroyed. Damn those Dawnguard fools straight to the deepest pits of Oblivion. I hate that they've made me so useless."

Ardoneth wrapped her arms around the Babette. Babette held her tight and allowed her bottled up emotions drain away in the shape of angry tears.

"Ardoneth? What should I do?"

"I believe that you should forgive him. What he has done has come from a place of concern, not anger. Haven't you noticed how upset he has been since that day?"

Babette nodded. "I know. I feel like such a bitch for hurting him the way I have. He has responsibilities to Valenwood and back and yet here I am making things infinitely more difficult."

Ardoneth hushed Babette. "So wouldn't it be best for you to forgive him and move forward? I'm sure you giving him your support would make all the difference in the world."

Babette took a deep breath. Her tears had finally run dry. After letting it all out she felt much better. She leaned back and looked Ardoneth in the face.

"Thank you sister. I really needed this. I think it's time I spoke to Morthos again."

Ardoneth smiled.

"I agree and I'm sure the Listener will be just as thrilled as I am to have my favorite vampire back in high spirits." She said. Her death hound barked his agreement.

•••••••••••••••

I woke up the next morning to find a familiar pair of dark red eyes looking in to mine.

"Hello." Babette said quietly.

••••••••••••••••••••

Another chapter finished. I'm very excited for the next few chapters. I'll finally be progressing the main storyline.

I'm just going to take a second to point out a few things to ensure clarity and understanding to the plot.

Morthos and Babette were both born around the same era. Their true ages are actually only a few years apart. (My story my rules guys and this is how I'm doing it.)

The sanctuary IS accessible by anyone through the secret exit/entrance. To those about to hop on their dragons and come burn my house down: I feel you. I understand this is a HUGE gap in the Sanctuary's defenses. I have a plan in place for this.

(Going off 2) as of now the only people who know about the secret entrance to the sanctuary aside from the members of the Brotherhood are Delvin Malory and Ra'faer.

Morthos and Babette will NOT be indulging in one another while Babette is a little girl. In short: THERE WILL NOT BE LOLI LEMONS.

Yes there will be times where they share an intimate moment but it will not be sexual. Even though she's give or take 300 years old she still has the body of a child. So that's not just a No but a "Fuuuuck no."

Just wanted that last one to be perfectly clear. Yes I have tossed the idea back and forth but I have yet to find an argument good enough to convince me to give it a try. There will be a lemon or two in this story but they aren't my focus so don't expect them every chapter or even for quiet a few chapters yet.

As always, a big shout out to the man the myth, the legendary veteran of the Alaskan penguin war: TheBoredBoot.

Please check out his stories, you won't regret it.

I truly appreciate your support and any reviews or suggestions you're willing to send my way. Please never hesitate to message me, though I do ask that you sign in first so I can reply and answer any questions you might have for me. Or at the very least send a quick thank you for the review.

Until next time

Walk always dear family.

TheForlornSage