Middas 14 First Seed 208 4E 8:00 PM

I should have been having the time of my life. The Brotherhood had arrived in Markarth with no further mishaps late last night. The Wayrest Sanctuary was already waiting for us at the Silver-Blood inn. Between the two Sanctuaries, we rented all of the rooms which caused grumpy old Kerah, the matron of the establishment, to grin happily for the first time I had ever seen. Kleppr, her down-trodden husband, was kept busy serving drinks and cleaning up after the rambunctious Brotherhood. Coin and wine flowed freely.

Of the initiates I remembered, only Elbent and Eiruki made it to the reunion. The others had died in various failed contracts over the years. I was surprised. I shouldn't have been, but I was. I had been so careful to keep my close family safe that it never occurred to me that we would lose other family members. Assassins died all the time, maybe even more often than adventurers since we tend to work alone instead of in groups. The news did put a small damper on the activities, but that wasn't what was causing my anxiety.

I was having second thoughts about my plan to give Cicero his ring. Maybe I should wait until we got back to Sanctuary and just hand it to him before the Night Mother. Surely the Keeper would prefer that instead of what I was going to do instead.

At some point tonight, I was going to tell Cicero to wait for me at Vlindrel Hall, a private residence I had purchased a while back but never had a chance to use. Markarth was too far west for me to need to visit often and Forsworn activity didn't make it viable to visit casually. I was going to have the Dibella priestesses help me with makeup and clothes before meeting my Keeper for a private rendezvous.

It had seemed like a good idea to plan a romantic evening together, but I really had no talent for such plots. What if I messed it up somehow? I feared I had messed things up by not being more forthright with Cicero about the purpose of the trip. Maybe if I had told him I had a surprise, he wouldn't have caused the giant attack on the camp. But I had feared if Cicero wasn't distracted with the brothel visit he would find out about the ring beforehand. And it would be nice for just once for me to be the one who pulled the strings and had the Keeper dancing to my tune for a change. Just once.

What if Cicero laughed at me? Not in his usual teasing way, but honest mockery for me trying to play the romantic? I hated romantic gestures and had never once tried anything like this. Worse, what if Cicero got mad at me? What if he hated me for tricking him? It's the fool's role to taunt and tease, not his master's and I knew how possessive Cicero could be about what he considered his responsibilities.

The dress had been the worst part of this whole ordeal. I had agonized on over what to wear. Should I wear something completely seductive or something modest? Leathers or cloth? My jester motley? I had even taken a trip to Solitude and agreed to try an experimental article of clothing for Taarie. It was a new type of smallclothes called panties which fit much more closely to the skin and made of satin instead of rough wool.

"Honestly, I have no idea how you people survived this long without better clothes," the High Elf had sniffed disdainfully. I had been holding the small strip of cloth between gingerly between two fingers afraid I would somehow manage to stain the material with my hands.

When I had finally settled on a dress, Taarie had tried to talk me out of it and to use one of her new styles. I insisted on the style I requested though. It had significant meaning and I refused to let Taarie, to her horror, make any Altmer modifications. After confirming my measurements, I told the Raiment to send the dress to the Dibella shrine in Markarth.

Currently I was relaxing in one of the smaller hot tubs enjoying the swirl of hot water easing the aches of travel from my bones. Off to the side was an indoor waterfall that pleasantly churned a much larger communal pool. Some family members had opted to try the pools naked at the behest of the priestesses, but I was wearing my normal underclothes. Cicero, also in his smallclothes, was sitting on the edge of the pool grumbling to himself.

The Brotherhood had shown up at the temple around noon and enjoyed nonstop food and drink as well as the priestesses fulfilling requests for song and dance. Some dances involved the patrons to sit very still while the priestess ground against him. Nazir seemed to enjoy this particular type of dancing very much.

"I honestly didn't think it would be necessary to say, but you do realize no one is going to make you do anything you don't want to, right?" I said cracking one eye open to look at the redhead. "I figured that would be obvious after I had to take your dagger away earlier."

I had been enjoying one of the special dances from a very enthusiastic priestess. Apparently they didn't get many female patrons and they loved to praise how soft I felt and how nice I smelled while brushing against me. I was reveling in the free range flesh since it had been years since I had indulged in the company of a woman. I had to agree that women were much softer in all the right places than men.

One priestess had made the mistake of approaching Cicero. The Keeper had responded by pulling his ebony dagger and chasing the shrieking priestess around the temple while yelling threats at her. Thankfully I had warned the matron of such a possible occurrence and coin was exchanged to soothe ruffled feathers. The priestess had been given a reprimand to stay away from Cicero who lost his blade and was shuttled off to Frand who was more than eager to take the burden of comforting the poor, topless girl.

Siltal's cry of "Payout!" did not help matters in my opinion.

"For what it's worth, Listener, Cicero doesn't know about the bets regarding him," Siltal reassured me. "He only knew about the ones for you specifically." It wasn't comforting really, but at least I didn't have to worry if he was going to intentionally wreak havoc.

"Why can't you just have fun? Afraid I'll find comfort with another tonight?" I teased.

Cicero sniffed, "Cicero doesn't care." He glanced at me. "Hecate really doesn't expect for Cicero to spend the night with a priestess?"

"Of course not. Have I ever managed to make you do anything you didn't want to do?" I asked. I patted the water next to me indicating Cicero should sit next to me. He slid into the water and leaned against me smiling again. "Look, even Nazir is having fun."

The Redguard was dancing with three priestesses who were wearing nothing but their bottom smallclothes. "I can worship with as many as I want?" he called over to me.

"Take all you want, but use all that you take," I said, holding up a wine glass. The Redguard laughed heartily before leaving with the three women. I laughed at his enthusiasm.

"Cicero is on duty," Cicero said lowly. "Cicero is always on duty."

"Not always," I reminded him. I offered him my half full cup of wine. "You've taken breaks before."

Cicero took the cup and fiddled with it. I could see the conflict warring on his face as he thought. Finally, he sighed and handed the cup back to me. "Cicero is on duty," he said simply.

"That sort of sentiment doesn't help a girl's self-esteem," I jokingly reprimanded. "How am I supposed to feel knowing every time you lay with me is just your job?"

"You know that's not true!" Cicero insisted. "You know how I feel!"

"You cannot have it both ways, my dear," I said twirling the silver and amethyst ring he had given me. "You cannot be only Keeper and jester and treat me as a man does a woman."

"Why not?" Cicero whined. "Cicero Keeps his Listener happy just like he does Mother." I gave him a look of disgust. "Well, not the same way, but Cicero does Keep!"

"It doesn't make me happy to be thought of as just a duty," I said slowly. I felt flushed as I spoke whether from the wine, hot water, or frustration I'm not sure. "I want you to want me as if I was just a woman."

Cicero glared darkly at me before sinking low enough in the water only the top part of his face was not submerged much like a crocodile. He despised whenever I brought up any topic that would be construed as him abandoning his duties to the Night Mother. I never saw my suggestions that way; I felt what I wanted and what he wanted were not mutually exclusive. The problem was Cicero needed to be the Keeper like most people needed to breathe and anything that changed his role to his beloved Mother was unacceptable.

I sighed and closed my eyes as I leaned back against the side of the pool to try to relax again. Maybe I should forget about tonight altogether. It had been a stupid idea anyway. Before I could continue that train of thought, I felt a stream of water hit me in the face.

I opened my eyes to see that Cicero had cupped his hands along the surface of the water and by squeezing them quickly he was squirting me in the face. "That is so childish," I sneered.

"Says the Listener," Cicero grinned wickedly as he casually slapped my wine glass out of my hand so it fell into the pool, "when she cannot even hold her liquor. Ha, ha, ha!"

"At least," I responded as I picked up the glass and slung the water it had collected into Cicero's face, "I'm not wet behind the ears!"

"Let me applaud your efforts!" Cicero retorted as he slapped the surface of the water with both of his palms flattened so a wave splashed me in the face.

"I'd rather hand it to you!" I yelled as I cupped my own hands and threw water back at him.

"Please! All the glory should go to the great and powerful Listener!" Cicero said as he gestured. A bench flipped up from his telekinesis spell and was held under the waterfall. It caused the water to flow over me instead of its normal pattern. I was completely drenched and almost drowned from the force of the water. As I sputtered, Cicero laughed madly.

"Not if I have anything to say about it," I countered when I could. I took a deep breath and ducked under the surface of the water. Once submerged, I Shouted, "FUS RO DAH!" causing the water in the pool to fly everywhere. When I stood again, the level of the pool was only knee high. I was cackling almost as madly as the Keeper as I straightened.

Dripping with water, Cicero closed the distance between us and hugged me tightly with his hands firmly on the middle of my back. "You are so much trouble," he growled playfully, "but I do love you. As a man loves a woman if that is any consolation." He kissed me passionately making my knees weak.

"I know who I want to spend the night with," I whispered breathlessly.

"Who? The bubbly blonde? The ditzy redhead?" Cicero teased as his hands played across my back.

"No, I want to spend the night with you," I said. "Although I suppose that might qualify as the ditzy redhead." Cicero snorted in amusement against my ear. "Will you go back to Vlindrel Hall and wait for me? You can make it as romantic as you want with flowers and candles."

"Hm, Cicero supposes he'll find some way to keep his hands full," the jester laughed as he backed away from me. I felt a sudden breeze across my chest before I realized that he was dangling my bra band in his hands. That bastard had untied it while kissing me!

I shrieked in embarrassment as I hurriedly crossed my arms to try to hide my immodesty. I could hear a splash of water and looked over to see Aventus floating face down in the larger pool. Apparently he had seen me and passed out from the shock.

I started to yell at Cicero and stopped when I saw Eiruki creeping behind him. The Nord placed one finger over her lips and winked at me. I smirked as Cicero didn't notice her deft fingers loosen his small clothes until it was too late.

"I got them!" the normally quiet Nord shrieked as she held Cicero's underwear above her head. The jester squawked in surprise as Eiruki tore away with the last of his dignity. I couldn't help but laugh at the sight. It was never dull with the Keeper around.

Several siblings looked at Siltal expectantly. The High Elf shook her head, "No payout. Doesn't count."

Middas 14 First Seed 208 4E 11:30 PM

My breath puffed out before me as I ascended to Vlindrel Hall. My heart was thudding heavily in my chest and my face felt warm from nervousness, but the rest of me was freezing from the bitter cold. Spring wouldn't be here for another two weeks and we were high up in the mountains of the Reach. The thin sandals I was wearing offered almost no protection against the cold or hard stone path, but I didn't want to ruin the lovely painting the priestesses had done on my nails.

I felt really good. The last two hours had been spent with some of the Dibella priestesses pampering me by washing and curling my hair before decorating it with dozens of red mountain roses, Cicero's favorite flower other than the nightshade he left for Mother's shrine. They had rubbed various oils into my hands, feet, and skin leaving it as soft as a baby's skin, something that was sure to make Cicero jealous that he had not been able to perform that duty. The soft satin and silk of my special dress whispered against my clean skin in a very sensual way. Around my neck hung a thin gold necklace with Cicero's ring as a pendant. I had no pockets and didn't want to risk losing the item after so much trouble. I was draped in a priestess' robe to give a little protection against the cold; my dress was much too thin to wear by itself.

I frowned in frustration when I pulled on the door of Vlindrel Hall and the handle didn't move. I know I told Cicero to be sure to leave it unlocked for me. He must have automatically locked it behind him. I knocked on the door hoping he would hear me. The house was longer than wide which was completely impractical for most residences, but was common on the mountain side of Markarth. I thought it was quaint and had a certain charm.

Thankfully, Cicero answered the door a few moments later. I was hoping from foot to foot shivering. The jester, back in his trademark motley, smirked and blocked the door by leaning with one arm on the doorway instead of letting me in. "Oh, what do we have here? A Dibella priestess for Cicero? Loyal Cicero was assured that he would have nothing to do with the holy whores."

"Please, let me in," I chattered. I tried to push past, but Cicero halted me.

"What are you up to?" he asked, his voice deep. Gods, that always sent a shiver down my spine.

"Why do you think I'm up to something?" I asked carefully. I wanted to wait until midnight to reveal my surprise and that was only minutes away. If I could just delay the jester for a few more minutes!

"Insisting on Cicero coming on this trip when I didn't want to isn't really your style," Cicero ticked the points off each finger. "You haven't yelled at me nearly as much as you normally do when I act out and you decided you wanted to spend the night with me instead of the very eager priestesses dying for your coin after coming all the way here? It's off and Cicero doesn't like when things are off and it's not his doing."

"You're switching tense a lot," I noted.

"You're changing the subject a lot," he countered.

"Please let me in!" I begged. "I cannot feel my toes." I wiggled them for emphasis. I swear they looked blue.

Cicero looked down and took in the satin ties running up my legs holding the sandals on my feet. He knew that I prefer heavy leather steel enforced boots and even wore them when I used my motley instead of the curly toed velvet boots. "Oh, ho, ho, ho!" he laughed. "Cicero understands now!"

The jester grabbed me by the arm and dragged me into the house. He practically flew up the walk into the house as I trailed behind him. "Hecate hiding her form with a dowdy robe but has pretty, pretty sandals on. Clearly she has gotten a sexy outfit from the priestesses and wishes to seduce poor, horny Cicero with her naughty, naughty body."

"No! It's not like that!" I protested as we passed the main sitting area and into the kitchen. I was blushing profusely because I had actually considered that course of action. "What are you doing?"

"Cicero is just speeding things along," he laughed as he rounded into the bedroom. Cicero twisted so I spun and fell onto the bed. "Hecate doesn't like romance so Cicero will help her by unwrapping his gift." With a flick of his wrist, Cicero pulled out his ebony dagger and sliced away the robes I was wearing. The Keeper paused, his mouth and eyes wide open in surprise, "Oh."

"Why do you have to ruin everything?" I yelled sprawled on the bed. Part of me wanted to cross my arms to cover my body, but it was too late. Cicero had already seen the dress I had been saving for this occasion.

The dress was pure white with one shoulder strap over my left side. The top was bunched into a modest bodice with silver cords tightened around the top and bottom of my bust. The skirt flared loose but hung around my hips and flowed down to a little below my knees. In short, it was a Cyrodillic wedding dress intended to be worn on hot summer days in Cyrodiil and not frigid winter nights in Skyrim.

"A bride for Cicero," the Keeper sighed happily. He gently traced one hand down the side of the skirt almost hesitant to touch it.

"Yes," I answered although it hadn't really been a question. In the distance, a tower bell tolled the midnight hour. At least Cicero hadn't forced the surprise too early. There was still more to do. I swallowed nervously.

It was time.

Turdas 15 First Seed 208 4E 12:00 AM

"Cicero, there is something I want you to do," I said; my voice barely more than a whisper.

"Does it involve sneaking and stabbing? Oh please say yes!" Cicero teased with his usual response to my requests. His attention was completely on my gown as he fondled the material gently.

"Actually, it sort of does," I admitted. "Do you know what day it is?"

"Um, Turdas," Cicero answered absentmindedly as his hands continued to trail over the soft fabric of my dress.

"It's the fifteenth of First Seed and three years since you gave me my ring," I said as I pulled the golden chain to reveal the ring I had made for Cicero. His eyes lit up as he saw the gold band with the flawless ruby set into it. "I forged the ring myself."

It didn't usually come up, but I am an amazing blacksmith. It had been necessary to be able to carefully link all the fine dragon scales together for my trademark Dragonborn armor. When I was in the Imperial army, I was a blacksmith's apprentice and would help with simple repairs. Over time soldiers would bring in small bits of jewelry that needed repair like chain links or broken bands. Those little pieces of jewelry were all they had to remind them of loved ones waiting for them to come home alive.

The design was painfully simple allowing the viewer's eye to be drawn to the blood red ruby set in the middle. It was an exquisite piece for that alone, but Babette had enchanted the ring to enhance the wearer's stealth and swordplay. Most importantly of all was the inscription. I must have smelted the ring almost half a dozen times to get it done correctly.

I don't have fancy handwriting. At best it could be described at legible instead of elegant or even feminine. It was important to get the writing just right and I had agonized over how the inscription looked for weeks.

"What does it say?" Cicero asked as he gently took the ring from me to see the text better.

"It's my birth name," I said quietly as I fiddled with my hands. "You're the only person in all of Skyrim who knows it." I blushed furiously. It had been over twenty years since anyone called me by that name and it felt foreign even to me now. I was Hecate the Listener, not that girl from Cyrodiil running away from home.

"A ring and a secret!" Cicero chuckled, his eyes twinkling with merriment. The Fool of Hearts softly said the name as if to taste it. He twirled the ring so it reflected the candle light. "Oh, Listener, you do spoil sweet Cicero so!"

I reached out and took Cicero's left hand. I gently removed his glove before retrieving the ring. "Will you promise to wear this always?" I asked shyly.

"Until the day I die," Cicero swore.

"Not always?" I teased.

"No, you'll want it when I pass. I'm just giving you the ability to take it," Cicero said seriously. His amber eyes locked onto mine. "Something of poor Cicero's to keep close." Cicero kissed me, his cheeks feeling surprisingly cool against my flushed face.

"I….," I licked my lips nervously. This was going to be the hardest part, but if I was going to say the Binding Words, it would be now. "I….you."

"What was that, my Listener?" Cicero laughed. He wrapped his arms around me drawing me into a tight embrace.

"I" –cough-" you," I muttered.

"Still cannot say it?"

"I…," my face felt so hot I thought I would pass out, "… you!"

"I love you," Cicero provided for me.

"Ditto," I mumbled feeling relieved.

"Good enough, I suppose," Cicero laughed. "The real question is does this count? You were so insistent that it didn't before."

"Do you want it to count?" I asked. Cicero shrugged laughing at my discomfort. "If you do, I'll let you do whatever you want with me the rest of the night." I swallowed nervously at the thought I had just put myself completely at Cicero's mercy.

"Oh, Hecate," Cicero's grin was predatory, "Cicero is going to have soooo much fun!"

Turdas 15 First Seed 208 4E 6:00 AM

I awoke feeling sore all over. I had thought I had been prepared for any unknown strange kinks Cicero may have liked and had actually expected a few of them. The thing with the sweetroll had just been strange and I had been completely unprepared. I ran one finger over my inner thigh and licked the icing residue off.

The other side of the bed was empty. Where could Cicero have gone? The bell tower tolled six times indicating I had only slept about an hour and it was still dark outside. I slipped out of the bed wearing only a sleeping fur draped around my body to go look in the kitchen to find it empty. He wouldn't have gone down to the market this early, would he?

I was still so sleepy that it took me several moments to realize someone was knocking on the front door. I padded quietly to the front of the house on bare feet. The cold stone floor sent small shocks of cold up my heels as I opened the front door.

Outside, Cicero was standing with his back to me. The Fool was wearing only his loincloth and boots. He was staring out over the ledge of the mountain to the beautiful view of Markarth below. I could hear him muttering angrily under his breath.

"What's wrong?" I asked as I closed the door behind me.

"Listener, don't! Dammit!" Cicero cursed as he turned around and tried to grab the door handle. I watched as he rattled the handle but it didn't move.

"It's unlocked," I said slowly. "I made sure to check before I came out."

"The door automatically locks," Cicero explained, "Cicero didn't know either when he came outside for some fresh air."

"What are we going to do?" I asked as I hopped from foot to foot. The heat of the day was long gone and only the cold remained seeped into the stones.

"Do you have anything on you?" Cicero asked. I flashed open my fur blanket to reveal I had absolutely nothing on underneath. "Hm, nice, but not very useful." He plucked a hair clip that had been holding one of my roses from my hair. "Maybe this will do. Not likely."

"Gods, hurry. I'm freezing," I cried.

Just as Cicero knelt to try his luck at the lock, I saw the flicker of torch light. A Reach guard on patrol stopped and stared at the two of us in a very compromising position. Before I could explain what had happened, the guard yelled, "Halt! You're under arrest for your crimes against Skyrim! One account of lock picking and two accounts of public indecency!"

"I am not going to Cidhna Mine!" I said. "IISS SLEN NUS!" The ice form shout immediately froze the guard into place. I grabbed Cicero's hand and ran pulling the Fool along with me. As we fled, Cicero quickly pulled ahead since I couldn't run as fast on my bare feet.

The jester noticed that I was lagging and scooped me up into his arms. I flung my arms around Cicero's neck as he bolted down the steep stone steps. I prayed that he didn't have any missteps and send the two of us tumbling to our doom below.

Guards were appearing from hearing the first guard's shout before I froze him. Cicero took a hard left to avoid the group, but quickly ran into another squad. With the two groups of guards, we were trapped!

"Hold on!" I yelled. I leapt out of Cicero's arms and grabbed his hand tight. The two of us ran towards the edge of the cliff and as we jumped I Shouted, "WULD NAH KEST!" the whirlwind Shout. The extra force from my Shout gave us enough momentum to cross the chasm to the other side far away from the guards.

I turned to give a rude gesture and laugh at their impotence when I noticed my fur blanket fluttering to the chasm ground below. It had torn free during our leap. I looked down and saw that I was completely naked. I shrieked in embarrassment and tried to cover myself, but it was too late. Guards were openly ogling me and a few gave appreciative catcalls.

Cicero grabbed me up again and took off running towards the gates. "Honestly, Listener, there is a time and place for such things!" he scolded with a laugh.

Turdas 15 First Seed 208 4E 6:30 AM

Cicero and I were crouched down in a bed of hay in the Markarth dog stables. A few hounds and come over to sniff curiously at us, but after I used a few well- placed Kyne's peace Shouts at them, they left us alone. At least the stable and hay were giving a little bit of warmth because I was still completely bare. Even with Cicero's added warmth pressed against me, I was freezing.

The sky was starting to lighten to predawn gray. Soon it would be proper dawn and I wasn't sure how we were going to get out of this without being arrested. I hoped if we could wait a few minutes longer, the guards would give up and we could figure out a way to sneak to the temple of Dibella. Once there I should be able to get my copy of the key to Vlindrel Hall and there should be extra clothes we could borrow. In the meantime, the waiting would be the worst part.

"What are you doing?" I asked Cicero who was nuzzling my neck amorously.

"Listener did say Cicero could do whatever he wanted to her," the jester reminded me as his hands ran over my body. "Besides, it's a great way to stay warm."

"The dogs are watching us," I said nervously looking at the hounds who were sitting there with their tongues almost lecherously hanging out.

"Let them," Cicero said as he kissed me. He chuckled, "What do you think the odds were we would have to run naked through Markarth to avoid being arrested for the Mines?"

"Pretty good," I laughed as I accepted Cicero's advances. As I laid back in the hay, I whispered, "Payout!"

A/N: I apologize for this last bit taking so long. I knew what I wanted to do, but the words just wouldn't come. Plus real life actually kept me too busy and fuzzy brained to write. I'm really excited (and a little nervous) for this chapter to be done. I originally had planned for there to be more detailed sex in this chapter, but after making the list of bets, I realized I *had* to include Cicero fulfilling most or all of the ones listed. This was just too hilarious to pass up and the end result is what we have hear.

The "I...you" part was inspired by the movie - Tales From the Crypt Demon Knight. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it!

Running hot water inspired by Metrophor. Go check her out!