"And then I arrived back here. Not much to it, really."

Athene shrugged and put on her most radiant I don't give a shit smile.

Judging by the expressions on Nazir's and Babette's faces, they weren't buying it.

"I'm impressed you went back to Morthal," Babette said eventually, when she and Nazir had shared a look and the Redguard poured them each an enormous mug of ale.

"Yes, well." Athene waved a hand.

"Truly impressive," Nazir said. "Out-witting vampires, starting wars, being thrown in jail. In fact the only thing you didn't manage to do was kill Ulfric Stormcloak. Wasn't that what you set out to do in the first place? Did I miss something?"

"Don't be hard on her," Babette said. "She's been through a lot."

"A lot that could have been avoided by using her blade a bit more."

The vampire rolled her eyes. "Rush in and stab the High King. What could go wrong?"

"She might end up in jail. Oh wait, she did that anyway!"

"Nazir!"

"I get it," Athene said. "He's right. I have messed around a little and I can't defend it. But now things have changed."

"I believe you." Babette leaned back in her chair and wrinkled her face. She looked like a kid pretending to be her mother. "There's something odd about you today."

A few days ago Athene had been in jail. As soon as she was released she hadn't gone to Markath, as instructed, but here to the Dawnstar sanctuary to see how her family fared. The Night Mother was set up on the highest level of the ruin, and the tunnels where Athene had chased Cicero were closed off and sealed. With extra beds, banners, an indoor garden, and a cheery fire, it was actually nicer than the Falkreath sanctuary, and the perfect reminder after her trial with the Stormcloaks.

Not long after she'd sauntered in, shocking everyone, Nazir had pointed out that the Brotherhood had fallen back into doing jobs the way Astrid had done them, collecting by word of mouth. So Athene had approached the Night Mother and Listened to weeks worth of prayers from desperate souls throughout Skyrim that wanted justice–or something else–from Sithis. She passed on the targets to assassins she'd only just met, surprised by how many new recruits the others had found, and sat down to share her whole story with the two she knew well.

So, today? If there was something odd about her, Athene embraced it. She'd always loved that this family was irrevocably odd.

When she shared her plan with her friends she waited for their reactions, savouring the shift of emotions on each face.

Babette frowned. "Bold," she said.

"Positively arrogant," Nazir agreed. "Yet…"

"Inspired." Babette's eyes glittered.

"Absolutely." Nazir grinned.

"No more putting it off," Athene said. "I'll be in Windhelm in a few days. Nazir, you need to be in Markarth before that, so rumours have time to trickle in. Babette, you know the abandoned house on the road south of Windhelm?"

"Heard of it, seen it, lived there for a decade."

"It's home again. You know what to do."

The three discussed details until Athene's head began to spin, and she excused herself to get some air. Their new sanctuary was right on the beach and the view was spectacular. Locals from town knew to stay away, and when the light was right it was impossible to tell there was civilization nearby. It was all sand, sea, and biting wind.

Athene sat in the sand and took a deep breath. The sky was huge above her and she loved it more than ever before.

"Listener!"

She was on her feet, dagger out, before she saw the figure. Before she recognized the jester's hat and the lopsided smile.

"Ohhh, Listener!"

"Cicero! You're back!"

"Oh yes. You were a fool to spare me. Did you think I would be grateful? When I should be Listener?"

His grin stretched ear to ear and his eyes were as mad as ever–but no more.

Athene squinted. "Cicero? What are you on about?"

"Muahahahahahaha! Ohh, you should see your face! A joke, a joke! I am here for the Night Mother, yes, to serve her for ever and ever, just like you! Best friends forever!"

"Gods' sake, Cicero. I was going to slit your throat."

His smile quirked even wider. "Not if I got there first."

"Cicero."

"Joking."

"Of course. Look, Nazir and Babette are still with me, and they think you're dead. Let me tell them what happened before you go in there so you don't… So they don't… Just let me tell them."

"Of course."

A few steps closer to the black door she had an idea.

"Cicero?"

"Yesss, Listener?"

"What do you think of the Stormcloaks?"