Bloodline
After our incident with the bandits, Cicero and I- plus Yuki and Luna: the two tag-alongs I had asked to come with us to Cyrodiil in hopes of recruiting them into the brotherhood, finally made it through Pale Pass without much trouble. Thankfully the only animals we ran into were wolves… if it had been something "bigger" I- I don't really know how I would have handled it. I shook the thought of this from my mind as we crested a ridge and the White-Gold Tower appeared in the distance; we had arrived in Cyrodiil, now to head for the town of Bruma. We made our way down the steep mountain and soon arrived at the city gates of the town in question, once inside I was surprised to see that the civil war of Skyrim had not touched this city so fully influenced by its close proximity to the Northern Province. I sent Cicero, Luna, and Yuki to the inn to acquire sufficient rooms for us to stay the night, while I made a bee-line for the alchemists so I could buy something to kill the dull pain in my shoulder and something for Cicero's arm. I walked into the shop to find it smelling heavily of various ingredients, though I could only manage to name a few such as nirnroot and lavender. I walked up to the counter and waited for the shopkeeper to notice me, though it took her a moment, the kindly looking elderly Wood Elf saw that she had a customer and came walking up to me. She was short for a Bosmer, probably shorter than five feet tall with snowy hair held back in a Cyrodilic style known as a "stick-twist".
"What can Renwyn help you with today deary?" She asked in a grandmotherly tone.
"I'm looking for something to cure this ache in my shoulder, it was recently popper out of place and re-set. I also need something for my friend who has a broken arm." I asked her as I examined some of the colorful bottles displayed on the counter. Renwyn smiled and turned to the shelf behind her, needing to fetch a stepstool to reach the bottles she wanted.
"These should be what you need, the small red bottle is for your shoulder and the short but stout one is for your friends arm. Will that be all you need?" She informed me kindly, I nodded and she continued. "Let's see, that will be 140 Septims." she said, I placed the money on the counter and waved goodbye as I left. I drank my potion and immediately the pain faded away to nothing; I stopped by the Inn and gave Cicero his potion before leaving again to finish up my second errand.
I exited the Inn and did not need to go far to find the place I was looking for- as the temple was directly in front of the Inn. I enter the hallowed hall of the Divines, though this one in particular was at one time dedicated to Talos: the mortal-turned-Divine, and native son of Skyrim. This temple had been converted into a chapel to all Divines save for its original deity. With a shrine to Akatosh at the altar in the middle and the stained glass image of Talos covered by a black sheet both inside and out. I walked across the room to the shrine of my preferred patron: the goddess Kynareth. I had my reasons for worshiping her, reasons that I was certain both Sithis and the Night Mother were aware of and understood- for they never spoke of it nor did they ask me to leave my faith when I became the Listener. As I prayed, my hand went instinctively to my neck… where my Amulet of Kynareth had once been many years ago; it had been my mothers and the day she died, I somehow managed to lose it- and I have been looking for a replacement to no avail. As I stood to leave, the door to the temple opened and in walked the last person I would ever expect to see in a temple of the Divines: the one and only Cicero.
"What is the Li-" he began to say as I cast him a vicious glare, he stopped in his tracks and rephrased what he was about to say. "What are you doing here Alyce? Cicero had no idea you worshiped the Divines?" He said this time, and for a moment it took me a second to register that he was referring to me; it was so new to hear him call me that rather than "Listener" all the time.
"Only one- Kynareth. For reasons that do not concern you." I said coldly, surprising even myself as I walked past him and out the door. I returned to the Inn, and received rather ill news; the Inn only had two rooms, since I couldn't ask Yuki or Luna to sleep in the same room as a man they did not know- I would have to share a room with Cicero. Thankfully the rooms had two beds so the awkwardness of potentially sharing a bed or deciding who would sleep on the floor was avoided. I said goodnight to Yuki and Luna as I walked into my shared room, I climbed into bed and fell quickly asleep.
I awoke the next morning to find that either Cicero had never gone to bed, or he had already risen and made his bed exactly as it had been. I groggily stepped out of the room and into the hallway leading back to the main room of the Inn, I walked into the main room to find Yuki and Luna eating breakfast- but still Cicero was nowhere to be found.
"Dare I ask where Cicero has disappeared to?" I asked them as I sat down to join them. While Yuki acted as if she had not heard me, Luna simply shrugged. I sighed and ate my breakfast in relative silence. By the time we had finished breakfast, Cicero had returned- though with little explanation as to his whereabouts; "Cicero had an unexpected errand of his own to tend to." was all he had to say about it. I simply waved it off as another aspect of his dwindling sanity as we gathered our gear and set off for the Alyeid ruin of Rielle. We left Bruma behind through the North Gate and headed slightly northwest from there, seeing the remnants of Cloud Ruler Temple high on the mountain from where we walked. We deviated from the path as we came near the remnants of a small cottage with broken graves standing silent vigil; one of which seemed different from the others as it sat on the opposite side of the cottage from the rest. Little more than wolves stood in our way as we traveled the remaining distance to Rielle, and the sun was still very young in the sky.
"Let's be cautious once we are inside, besides the Alyeid traps- my ancestor was a tricky one who would probably have set traps of her own." I explained as I drew both of my daggers, ready to face anything: be it corporeal or ghostly.
Upon entering the ruin, we walked down the narrow staircase into a hallway that split into two directions. I could hear the creaking of a skeletal guard coming from the left path, so we took the right; why stumble into a fight that you could easily avoid? We continued down this hall until it split again, though one path was blocked by a locked gate… and I had absolutely no skill with a lock pick; truly a toddler would be more adept at it that I.
"Well, no going that way I suppose." I muttered as I rattled the door slightly. I turned to head the other way, but the sound of someone swiftly picking the lock caught my ears and I turned back to see Yuki standing from a crouched position as she stashed her lock pick back with the rest of her gear. "I stand corrected! Well done, you did that in the blink of an eye even though that was obviously a difficult lock; I'm impressed." I said truthfully, I had never seen this much skill at lock picking. Yuki simply ignored me and pressed on into the ruin with Luna close behind. I looked to Cicero with a shrug and followed our companions. We encountered little resistance as we delved into the Rielle Crypt, and I began to wonder if my ancestor had really placed her dagger here or if we were even in the correct ruin. We dispatched the few ghosts that roamed the burial chambers as Luna and Yuki took turns gathering up what little treasure they could find while the other assisted in the fights with what spells each knew. Though Cicero and the others did no damage to the ghosts with their ordinary weapons, my silver dagger did very nicely as it cleaved their barely corporeal forms. Yuki promptly scooping up the ectoplasm into vials, I knew the price the substance would fetch at an alchemists- but cared little for selling the remains of things I has slain. As the last ghost dissipated into ectoplasm, I stepped into what seemed to be the main burial chamber, seeing enchanted candles lit around a coffin on the far side. That coffin no doubt held the dagger, and Gods know what else. I stepped into the room and a gate closed behind me, shocked I turned to see my companions attempting to find a switch to raise the gate to no avail. I would need to find a way out on my own.
Examining the room, I began to notice flits of color scattered about the floor… rune traps. My forbear must have known a mage from Skyrim, as these traps were commonly seen there and almost never in Cyrodiil. I walked cautiously towards the coffin; certain the gate switch would be there. I had nearly reached the coffin when I stumbled into one of the traps that had been concealed far better than the others. I writhed in pain as the lightning trap sprung and sent volt after volt of electricity surging through my entire body. I crumpled in a heap on the floor, smoke lightly billowing off me as I struggled to breathe; my head swimming as I fought to remember how to cast a healing spell, as I didn't dare move without fully healing myself- one more like that and I would definitely be dead. As the light of my healing spell surrounded me I looked around once more for any traps that stood in my way, seeing none between the coffin and myself I cautiously stepped forward and finally reached my destination. I forewent opening the lid for the moment and searched for the gate switch, finding it hidden behind the coffin. With the gate now raised, Cicero, Yuki, and Luna entered the room and followed the path I had taken.
"Wait a second! This coffin has the symbol of the Dark Brotherhood on the lid." exclaimed Luna as she came closer, I turned to see that the stone coffin indeed had a blood red tapestry emblazoned with the signature Black Hand mark of the Brotherhood laying upon the lid; we were undeniably in the correct place.
"That would make sense, as we are members of that same group." I explained to them as I began to push the lid off the coffin. Inside there was no body, just a pristine set of black robes folded neatly with a simple steel dagger laid upon it inside of its sheath.
"Ooooo! The robes of a Black Hand member! Are they Lucien's? Or was the Listener's foremother also a member… wait that can't be right, she was his Silencer! Oh, Cicero is so confused!" Said Cicero as he peered into the coffin from beside me. I was confused as well, but I gathered up the articles and placed them in my knapsack regardless of the unanswered questions they had brought up.
I turned to leave and found Yuki and Luna looking at me with almost unreadable eyes; they obviously wanted answers.
"Who the hell are you two really? If you're with the Dark Brotherhood then you can tell us where to find the Listener, right?" Luna asked coldly, she obviously did not like being kept in the dark about our true motives for coming to this ruin. Cicero and I exchanged glances and he immediately started laughing, I at least tried not to laugh- though I admit I at least chuckled a little.
"We are with the Brotherhood, though may I ask why you wish to find our Listener?" I asked, not yet revealing that I was the person they had evidently been looking for. Luna grumbled and looked to Yuki, who then nodded wordlessly as usual, before giving me an answer,
"We want to join." was all she said, and at that point… I cracked. I laughed so hard I think I even scared Cicero a little bit, as I could swear I heard him jump a little. "What the hell is so Gods damned funny!?" Luna practically growled at me. I regained my composure quickly and told her exactly what I had found funny.
"It's actually very humorous that you have been looking for the Dark Brotherhood, you found us of course- saved our lives in fact. But what is downright hilarious… is that I AM the Listener." I said with a smirk, this managed to silence Luna- though to an odd effect; Yuki was the one to speak.
"If you are the Listener, then tell us what we have to do to join." She said flatly- with not even the slightest hint of emotion in her tone; not exactly monotone, more like her spirit had been broken long ago. I pretended to think about it for a moment, then gave them a simple answer.
"No." I said simply, earning me glares from both women. In a heartbeat Luna had grabbed the scruff of my clothes and was now up in my face in anger.
"WHY THE HELL NOT!?" She fumed, I sighed for a moment and looked slightly to the side to see Cicero drawing his ebony dagger; I held my hand out, telling him to stay his blade- he obeyed begrudgingly and I could swear I heard him huff in disappointment. I turned my gaze back to the infuriated Luna and gave her a lazy look,
"Because… you've already been accepted." I said as if it was the simplest thing in the world. Luna blinked a few times before letting me go. "From the moment you saved us, I was intending to ask you to join; now that I know this was your wish all along, there is no need to test you as you have proven your skill and willingness to send souls to our Dread Father Sithis." I said as I reached for the floor and picked up my fallen knapsack before tracing my steps back to the door. "Let's go home to your new family, Sisters." I said, turning to watch them and Cicero following my steps. We left the ruin behind and returned to Bruma, though we would not stay another night; since it was currently midday, it would be pointless to pay for two rooms when leaving was a better option. Heading home would be far less eventful, as it would be easy to catch a ride with a guarded caravan bound for Dawnstar.
We found a Khajiit caravan from Elsweyr that was headed for Skyrim, though they had originally planned to only go as far as Whiterun- a nice bag of gold changed their minds fairly quickly. As we set out from Bruma, I settled into the carriage- seated between Cicero and one of the Khajiit guards- and not long after we entered Pale Pass… I fell asleep.
A young girl of fourteen dances in the wildflower strewn lowlands outside of the city of Whiterun, her long red hair is pulled back into a simple braid with a few white flowers tucked into her hair. Her dark brown eyes glimmer with childish delight as she and her younger brother of twelve collect flowers for their mother who sits on a blanket not far from where they played. The little boy sees something near the base of the mountainside and asks his mother if he can investigate; she reluctantly allows it so long as he stays within sight. He dashes off and his sister laughs at his rambunctious nature as she continues her dancing about, collecting each flower that catches her eye in an attempt at a graceful swoop that usually ends in her nearly falling over. All seems at peace… then a scream echoes across the plains, drawing the attention of both mother and daughter. They rush to the location of the scream, and another tolls out as the mother finds her son no longer among the living. The sister is in shock, not knowing if she should flee or stay by her weeping mother's side. Over her mother's tears she hears the growl of a beast on the ridge above; she looks to see the Predator of The Plains, its maw dripping with her brother's blood- hungry for more. Fear over takes her and she is unable to scream, the Predator pounces on the mother who does not even try to fight; unintentionally fooling the cat into believing her to be a fresh corpse to be eaten later. The beast advances to the daughter, who finally remembers how to move and begins to run. The girl leaps over fallen, sun-bleached, trees doing what little her small legs can to gain ground against the powerful ones of her pursuer. The girl stumbles as the beast reaches its claws out to strike her back, cutting her deep- though she falls off one of the many ridges that scatter the plains, saving her from damage to her spine; her heart pounding in her chest as she waits for the beast to kill her. The Predator looms over the edge at its fallen prey. A strong wind blows and the girl is struck by the will to live and her mind darts to methods of escape. The wind blows again, this time it seems to guide the girls hand to a piece of mammoth tusk, broken off of a nearby skull, she lifts the sharp implement above herself- the point outward as the Predator leaps from the ridge.
I awakened from my slumber, sitting bolt upright in the carriage. I placed my face in my hands as I attempted to calm my breathing. 'That damned dream again' I thought, wondering if I would ever get a decent night's sleep.
"Did the Listener sleep well? Cicero hopes his shoulder served as a good pillow for her." Whispered the insane jester beside me, obviously reveling in the embarrassment I was now attempting to hide by keeping my head down and tapping my foot with impatience. If he said one more word about how my head had evidently leaned on his shoulder nearly the entire time I was asleep- I would gut him where he sat. I did not take kindly to being mocked by anyone; the last man to mock me… well let us just say his voice went up a few octaves by the time I was done teaching him a lesson. The rest of the ride was silent as we passed Whiterun, and by sunset we had finally arrived in Dawnstar. The Caravan bid us farewell and returned the way they had come, obviously returning to their original plan. Cicero and I led Luna and Yuki through the small town and up to the beach outside the cove, turning to show them the Black Door and giving them the password to enter. Cicero and I waited and watched as both of them entered separately, after being assured that the door must acknowledge them both independently or risk being locked out should the other not be present to open the door. It was an apparent failsafe we discovered several days ago after opening the sanctuaries previously hidden library. If someone enters the sanctuary without being recognized as a Brother or Sister, once they leave they are permanently locked out. Apparently, this was introduced during a time when people who followed our members and entered before the door closed were infiltrating our Sanctuaries; how a door could remember who someone was, I will probably never know… nor would I ever want to. As Luna then Yuki entered the Sanctuary, Cicero and I finally following to find that they had waited for us in the entry chamber- a smart choice since we had not informed anyone of their arrival. I took the lead and escorted Luna and Yuki to the dining hall while I ordered Cicero to gather the family for introductions.
"Are you going to insist on introducing every member you recruit?" Asked Lucien as he soundlessly walked into the room. I smiled at my ancestor,
"I'm guessing it wasn't done back in your day?" I asked him as I placed one hand on my hip. He gave me a glare that anyone could guess meant, "Would I be asking if we did? I didn't think so." I simply sighed and waved it off. I was Listener, and I would do things my way; if we were meant to be a family, then we should introduce new family members to everyone they will be living with. I introduced both Luna and Yuki, who acknowledged their new Brothers and Sisters in their respective ways. I was not allowed to pay closer attention to further introductions as Lucien motioned for me to follow him.
Lucien "ghost-walked" upstairs to stand before the Night Mother's closed coffin,
"I trust you found more than just new members?" Lucien inquired as he folded his arms impatiently. I pulled my knapsack off my shoulder and pulled out the robes and dagger. Lucien then reached out his hand as if to take the dagger, but brought his hand back to rest at his side. His eyes falling to the robes beneath the weapon. "Did you find that with the dagger?" He asked sternly, though with a hint of surprise in his voice. I nodded and he turned to face the Night Mother,
"So… you made her Listener did you? She certainly had the skill and the tenacity… but these robes are untouched by the wear of use- did she die soon after?" He asked the Night Mother, no doubt expecting her to tell me the answers to his questions. The telltale dizziness that always preceded and followed her voice seeping into my mind was enough of a confirmation.
"Indeed, I made your foremother- Lucien's love- my new Listener after the unfortunate death of my previous one. However, she soon forsook my voice and the sanctuary that had once called her family to follow a different path for the remainder of her days; I do not know what became of her after she abandoned the Brotherhood, for her soul never became one with the void." Whispered the Night Mother into my mind, though it often felt more like screaming in my ear despite the softness of her tone. I relayed her words to Lucien, his expression stoic; though if it had been me in his position I would have been a whirlwind of emotion. I didn't know what to say to him; what do you say to a man who has been dead for two-hundred years, who has just found out that no one can tell him the final fate of the woman he loved? I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but was cut off by Lucien.
"I see… that matter aside; let me teach you how this dagger works. As I told you before you left, the dagger is enchanted with a powerful bleed spell; even the smallest nick of the blade will cause the target to bleed out. Now your Foremother, was no fool; she also enchanted it specially so that it could never be used against anyone of her bloodline. Quite ingenious really, she was a master of enchanting… among other things." Lucien explained, a smirk appearing on his face as he obviously remembered something I would rather never know. Lucien tried not to let show how this news affected him, but I could tell by how he paused that he really did care. Lucien then left, while I remained standing in front of the Night Mother; I could feel another wave of dizziness.
"I have more to say to you child, your foremother blamed me for Lucien's demise… while I allowed it to happen, it was she who was the ultimate downfall of the Brotherhood; we are both at fault. While she never betrayed our secrets, leaving the Brotherhood without a Listener left them vulnerable. This was the cause of our descent into obscurity; the Brotherhood was weak to defend its self without a Listener to guide them with my words. Repairing the damage done by this mistake now falls to you, though I believe we have enough members in this Sanctuary. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the family before moving on; when you believe yourself to be ready, choose one member to take with you to the next Sanctuary and one member to become the new "Matron" of this Sanctuary- though gender of the chosen does not matter. My words have been heard, go now my child and rest." The Night Mother explained, though halfway through I had to sit on the floor because I had become so dizzy from her speaking directly into my mind; I will definitely never become accustomed to this. I attempted to stand, but found my limbs would not quite obey me and I began to fall backwards. I braced myself for the fall, but instead I fell back into someone's arms.
"Is the Listener not feeling well? Shall Cicero aid her in reaching her bed?" Asked the voice belonging to the arms, I used him to stabilize my shaking legs and could see the typical grin on his face; did he ever stop grinning like an idiot?
"No Cicero, I am fine." I said as I began to walk away, though the rest of me did not seem to agree as I my vision began to blur and the floor became considerably closer to my face as I fell forward.
Cicero's P.O.V.
"The Listener certainly doesn't look fine." Cicero grumbled as he caught the Listener, preventing her from falling. Cicero sighed as he lifted the Listener into his arms, she was surprisingly light, and began to walk to her room; though avoiding the family members, if Cicero didn't then the Listener would be very cross with him for giving them the wrong idea. Cicero entered the Listener's room and lay her down on the large bed, covering the Listener with the blankets before turning to leave. Cicero left the Listener to her dreams, whatever they might be, and returned to the silence of his own room… oh how Cicero hated the silence; though come morning the silence would give way to the bustle of breakfast, so this small thought gave Cicero hope as he too lay down for the night.