The first to speak was Naniena as a wide grin came across her lips. The Redguard stepped forward opening her arms and gathering Leola into a bear hug.
"Leola! It's so good to meet you! Aventus wouldn't stop talking about you the last time he was here," she exclaimed, her voice deep and rich and tinted with an accent unfamiliar to the blonde.
"He wouldn't stop talking, yet he could never quite seem to say enough," said another voice, and Leola looked over Naniena's shoulder to see the beautiful Minot's lips moving. Damn her for having such a sultry, smooth voice. Leola suddenly understood Aventus's comment over breakfast – Minot would eat her alive.
"My name's Naniena, but everyone just calls me Nani," said the Redguard, grinning down at Leola. She was taller than the Nord had realized at a first glance, at least until she was hugging her.
"It's nice to meet you, Nani," Leola said softly, smiling up at her as she took a few steps back to let the others have a turn. Cassius stepped forward next, offering only a hand.
"It's a pleasure, Leola," he said, his voice low and serious. Leola smiled warmly at him and shook his hand, echoing the sentiment before he immediately stepped back.
Aventus moved forward and wrapped an arm around Leola's shoulders before Minot or Ana could approach, and he smiled. "We need to get to work. Ana, did you scout the tower?"
"Nightcaller Temple is empty," answered the woman with the short blonde hair. Her voice was rather dry and almost emotionless, yet still somehow filled with attitude. Something about her made Leola uncomfortable. "There's a shrine to Mara at the entrance. Lots of dusty old skeletons inside – some are Orsimer. The center of the tower has almost a pedestal where something should be – presumably the artifact." Ana gave a nod in Aventus's direction, as he had strapped Vaermina's staff across his back to carry it with them. "And a dead priest of Mara – well, a skeleton, but I can tell by the dusty old robes – right beside there. I'm guessing whoever claimed the staff had to sacrifice the priest to get it."
Leola bit her lip slightly as Ana looked pointedly at her. Aventus squeezed her shoulders slightly, comfortingly.
"What matters is that we get in there, get the staff returned, and get what we need from Vaermina," he said. "I appreciate you all helping us."
"Anything for you, Aventus," Nani said with a bright grin. She had an incredibly warm and affectionate air about her, and of the group, Leola was certain that Nani was the one with whom she was the most comfortable – so, as they began to walk, she took care to position herself between Aventus and Nani.
The morning was still young – birds sang and the sun was hanging low in the sky, though Leola could barely feel its warmth in the blustery cold of Skyrim. Every now and then, an icy breeze would whip past, and Leola would shiver under her furs.
Aventus, Nani and Minot all chatted freely between themselves. As she listened, Leola began to learn about the group – Nani had two sons, little twin boys called Trayvond and Shamar. They lived in Morthal with a Bosmer nanny called Larethia, and their mother visited them whenever she could. Minot, meanwhile, had a younger brother called Mathieu living in Dragon Bridge, and all of the gold that she made from contracts went towards keeping him fed and clothed.
The tower wasn't far from Dawnstar at all, it was simply a little ways up a small mountain. They reached the entrance and Cassius held the door for them all to enter. They came into a small main hall with a shrine to Mara, dusty and covered in cobwebs, set up just as Ana had described. Aventus suddenly unsheathed his dagger, and the others all followed suit. Leola nervously pulled out the dagger that Ulfric had given her, and Ana shot her a somewhat amused look as she saw the other blonde holding her weapon.
"Do you hear something?" Cassius asked in a soft voice, his question directed towards Aventus. The Nord was silent, holding up a hand for the others to stay quiet. After several long moments of uncomfortable silence, however, he straightened up and began to walk forward.
"Nothing," said Aventus, and Ana let out a frustrated sigh.
Proceeding forward from the main hall, the group entered the central part of the tower, which was surrounded by a spiraling staircase. Just as Ana had said, the ground was littered with bones and skeletons, as well as dropped weapons and rusting armour. It was difficult to navigate, but the six of them carefully made their way down the staircase.
Once Leola stood before the shrine, where she could see a clear space for the staff, she found herself shaking. She had been apprehensive about this before, but now that she was actually there, clutching the staff in her hands, ready to return it and ask the Daedric prince what she had to do to get the soul gem fragment…
"Leola, the Dragonborn's child…"
Leola jumped. If there was one thing she had come to hate, it was mysterious voices that seemed to echo all around, but were really all in her head – and that's exactly what she was hearing at this moment in time. She cringed, biting her lip nervously. Could she just think her words, or did she have to speak aloud?
"There's no need to speak the words that you don't want your companions to hear. I will hear you just fine, my child."
Leola sighed weakly, focusing her thoughts on thinking only what she wanted Vaermina to hear. "My name is Leola and I'm the Dragonborn's daughter. I brought you back your staff, and I was hoping to ask something of you."
Echoing around her mind, she heard a laugh – a female laugh, musical and enchanting. She bit her lip, her grip on the staff tightening.
"I know what you seek, Leola – and I have it. The question is, what are you willing to give in order to get it?"
Leola sighed softly, hanging her head. "I suspected there would be a catch," she responded. "I brought your staff back to you – what more do you want?"
"Who said I wanted my staff back?" Vaermina asked, laughing again. "My staff should be out in the world, feeding on the dreams of unsuspecting slumbering souls…but you are no mage, and I fear you too innocent a soul to use my weapon of corruption."
"You're probably right," Leola said firmly. "I don't want anything to do with your weapon, I just want to help my mother."
"Now, child, that hurts," cooed the Daedra. "I can help you, but there will be a cost. I do not know if you will be able to bring me what I desire, however."
"I'll bring you anything," Leola said, cringing inwardly. Was she going to regret that statement?
"In Dawnstar, there is a child – a child born of nightmares and darkness. She is called Mette and I wish to have her here, serving me, as she should be – she is my creation, though Molag will call her his. This girl is the only thing I desire from you, Leola, and she is the only one who can get you what you desire from me."
Leola went silent. She could feel the Daedric prince's presence fading away, leaving only a cold draft that sent chills down her spine. She opened her eyes and lifted her gaze back to the unholy pedestal before rising to her feet.
"Well?" asked Aventus from the doorway, and she turned to face the group. Aventus immediately came forward when she turned, wrapping both arms around her in a gentle embrace.
"I don't look that bad, do I?" Leola asked with a humourless giggle, hugging him back.
"You look like you've seen a ghost, Leola. What happened? Did you talk to Vaermina?" he asked, pulling back and gazing down at her.
"I did," she said. "She's willing to give us her piece, but she wants something in return."
"What is it?" Aventus asked.
"A girl from town – a girl named Mette?"
Immediately, over Aventus's shoulder, Leola could see the members of the Dark Brotherhood exchanging glances, and a murmur passed from Cassius to Minot.
"Vaermina wants Mette?" Aventus asked, and Leola nodded.
"Yes – she says that Mette is her creation, and she wants Mette to serve her."
"So she doesn't want Mette dead?" asked Nani's voice from the doorway, and Leola shook her head.
"No," she replied.
"Good," said Ana firmly, "because Mette is my sister's best friend, and you're not hurting her for some Daedric prince."