Over the months, the letters continued, even as she moved and made her way across Skyrim. The Blades and others were always quick to remind her of her destiny, even if they didn't mean it to be pressuring. The idea that the entirety of Nirn rested on her shoulders made her sick to her stomach, but she found that taking things one contract or favor at a time made everything more manageable. Cicero's letters kept her grounded, with their looping letters and manic topics. When the child in Windhelm had asked her help with a notorious woman at the Honorhall Orphanage, she hadn't thought twice about fulfilling his request. A part of her had wanted to talk him out of his request, but when she saw how Grelod had treated the children, the contract had been only too easy. Aerelin had made a mental note to come back and see what she could do to make their lives easier. A courier caught her as she entered Windhelm, and any excitement she felt was quickly tempered by the ominous message on the parchment. A single handprint and the words "WE KNOW" comprised the missive, and she was quick to stuff it in her bag. The very next morning, she woke with a headache in a strange shack with none other than a Dark Brotherhood assassin. A life for a life; it was how she found herself a part of a whole new family.
"So, you're the newest member of our dwindling, dysfunctional little Family. I've heard quite a bit about you." The Redguard Nazir smiled down at her, and she felt instantly welcome. If nothing else, it would be nice to have someone to turn to; her dealings with the Guild as of late had been sparse at best.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Aerelin offered a hand, though he didn't take it. Instead, he shook his head, crossing his arms across his chest.
"Save the niceties for now." She dropped her hand, her smile fading just a bit. "I have no intention of getting invested in someone who may be dead tomorrow. If you're still breathing in a few weeks, I'm sure we'll be the best of friends." His tone seemed so light she nearly thought he was joking, until she saw the truth of his words in his eyes. It was clear that not many passed through initiation in their Family, but she did not intend to leave this world quite so quickly.
"Astrid said you'd have some work for me." Perhaps if she kept things focused on business for now, Nazir would warm up to her. It had certainly worked for Vex and Tonila at the Flagon. Her own hands moved to her hips out of instinctively as he raised a brow.
"Did she, now? Well, as it turns out, there are a few lingering contracts we haven't had the chance to complete just yet." Aerelin briefly wondered just how many contracts this faction tended to take on. "And more, dribbling in from time to time. I'll assign them to you as they become available. To be completed at your leisure." That certainly caught her by surprise. She had assumed there would be strict time limits or specific locations to commit the crimes.
"Sounds simple enough." And in truth, they had been. He'd been right to tell her they wouldn't be glamourous; these weren't nobles, but simple folk who'd crossed the wrong person. It certainly said a lot about the people of Skyrim when it came to how they viewed others. The third one didn't even have anything, was just a poor beggar holed up in a ruined house. That was the only one that made her feel any remorse, and she made sure his was quick and painless. Upon her return to the Sanctuary, she heard an all too familiar voice, causing her steps to quicken.
"Oh, what a kind and wise wizard you are. Sure to earn our Lady's favor." Cicero stood with what appeared to be a coffin, surrounded by the other members of the Family. Her eyes stayed trained on her friend, realizing that she hadn't sent or received a letter in a couple of weeks. Was that due to his travel from Dawnstar? It was an awfully long journey; if he'd let her know, she would have happily accompanied him. Then again, she wasn't sure she would have told him about her induction into a group of assassins.
"You and the Night Mother are, of course, welcome here, Cicero. And you will be afforded the respect deserving of your position as Keeper. Understood…husband?" The man in question grumbled his assent to the order, even as Aerelin tried to determine what a Keeper was or who the Night Mother was.
"Oh, yes yes yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"But," Astrid held up a hand, a warning in her tone and in her eyes, "make no mistake. I am the leader of this Sanctuary. My word is law. Are we clear on that point?" Cicero gave an eager nod.
"Oh yes, mistress. Perfectly! You're the boss." His tone seemed almost mocking, though it wasn't so different from his usual manic tone. It may have all been her imagination, however, as no one else seemed to think anything of it. The Family began to disperse and Astrid approached her.
"Ah, there you are. Good, I was done speaking with that muttering fool anyway." If Astrid expected Aerelin to agree with her, she had another thing coming. It was clear he wasn't just a visitor; Festus hadn't said one word to Aerelin, but had nothing but deferential respect. "We've got some business to discuss." As Astrid led her away to discuss the contract, Aerelin couldn't help but look back to her friend. The sooner she finished this, the sooner she could come back to speak with her pen pal.
