Chapter 5: Fresh Kills and Old Faces
A gentle breeze tickled Ava's cheek as she watched Ennodius from behind a thicket. It was a beautiful day, with the sun shining brightly over the beautiful landscape. Agna's Mill was really quite picturesque. It reminded Ava of her home back in Cyrodiil-so quaint and cozy. She smiled at the resemblance, but quickly frowned as she glanced at the poor fellow she was about to kill.
He was stirring a pot of stew outside his tent, humming happily to himself. Nazir mentioned that the man was paranoid, but he didn't seem to be from what Ava could tell. As a matter of fact, he looked to be the opposite. He had a carefree presence about him, and he seemed to be out enjoying himself and the nature that surrounded him.
She hoped he wouldn't be as much a handful as Beitild was...that woman was tough. She put up a good fight, and for once Ava was thankful that her darkness took over for her before she ended up on the wrong end of the contract. The sturdy Nord miner stood over a head taller than her, and was quite a bit bulkier. That woman's pickaxe nearly took poor Ava's head clean off her shoulders!
Ava waited for Ennodius to turn his back to her so she could make her move. Instead, the man wondered over to the river, pacing back and forth around the bank. He was mumbling to himself...something about a threat. Maybe he was paranoid after all. Suddenly the man lost his footing. He skidded down the slippery bank and crashed into the water . Instinctively, Ava ran toward him, into the open. It may not have been the smartest thing to do, but she couldn't let her target wash down the river and survive somehow!
The man took one look at her and began screaming, "OH no! No! Not you! You're here to get me! Ahhhhhh!" Something seemed to be pulling the man under...a claw-and then another! Suddenly nearly a dozen mudcrabs surrounded Ennodius, attacking him from every angle. The crabs pulled him below the surface, and the water began to stain with red. Only moments later, his lifeless corpse surfaced a few feet down from where it fell.
It wasn't easy to watch the unfortunate fellow be picked apart my mudcrabs of all things, but Ava was relieved she wasn't the offender this time. She still believed she was a slimy person for killing the other two. Especially that poor beggar...He probably begged for scraps all his days, only to be begging her for his life. At least it's over...for now...Ava could return back to the Sanctuary to rest. Maybe the other's would cut her some slack now that she successfully completed her contracts.
It was late, and Ava was tired. She entered the Sanctuary ready to to lay down for the night. Maybe she'd just tell Nazir in the morning. He was probably asleep anyway. She was wrong, however, for the Redguard crossed paths with her on her way to bed.
"Back so soon?" he questioned, looking a bit surprised.
"Uh...yeah," Ava muttered, not expecting to bump into him. "I've taken care of the three contracts you gave me..."
"Well, don't start feeling proud of yourself just yet. You may have been successful this time, but let's face it-it wouldn't exactly take a skilled assassin to do the job. You murdered a bitter old woman, a paranoid lunatic, and a pathetic beggar...Nothing to brag about there." Nazir critisized, causing Ava to frown. "Nonetheless, you did complete them, so here's your payment, " he said, reaching into the satchel that hung from his side and handing her a coin purse. She hesitated, then clutched the purse, beholding the precious item.
"...How much is this?!" Ava seemed astonished at the weight of the bag of coins.
"Two-hundred per contract, so six-hundred total...What? You look like you've never seen gold before," he remarked, noticing Ava's expression.
"Well...it's just...that I've never really had this much." Ava smiled, her eyes fixed on the contents.
"Is that so...? Well, get used to it. There will be more where that came from. That is, if you're not eliminated in the process," he remarked, stepping past her.
"So...what do I do now?" Ava inquired, stopping Nazir in his tracks.
"Are you so eager to kill again, or truly confused?" Nazir asked, taking notice of her puzzled expression, "...I guess that answers my question, then. Look, I'll speak with Astrid tomorrow, and then you can take your next orders from her. That's how it works around here. She's our leader-first in command, and that's how it will stay. She'll talk to you when she's ready. Now if I were you, I'd get some rest while I can. These contracts can pile up quick, and believe me...they can be murder."
The dark, quiet atmosphere of the Sanctuary had a sort of soothing quality to it-especially after a tiring night of feeding. Babette made her way through the winding passages feeling rejuvinated after her midnight snack. She'd wandered toward the sleeping quarters planning to pass out on the nearest bed she laid her dark eyes upon. Seeing the empty beds, she flopped down on one, letting out a long tired sigh. The vampire was just shutting her eyes, when a thin, feminine figure came quietly into the room.
Babette opened her eyes, watching as the young woman walked lightly past her. She sat on the edge of a bed on the far end of the room. "Hello there, " Babette greeted her, startling the woman.
"Oh! Huh...Sorry...did I wake you?" The raven-haired woman asked Babette. She spoke softly and had a nervous tone about her. Poor thing sounds scared to death, she thought. "I didn't realize anyone was in here," the lady said.
"Oh it's no bother. I rather enjoy the night hours. You could say, I'm a bit of a vampire," Babette grinned, flashing a set of fangs. "So you must be our new sister...It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Babette-and you are?"
"I'm Ava...I didn't realize children could be part of the Dark Brotherhood, " she stated.
Babette smiled, musing at the innocence of this woman's statement. She noticed right away that there was something off about this assassin. She'd been in the Brotherhood for nearly three hundred years, and thought she'd seen every type. Some came in arrogant and full of self-praise, while others were violent and rage-filled. Others seemed completely apathetic, lacking any sense of humanity. Every type of psycopath, deviant, or lunatic had entered the sanctuary doors at some point or another. Though, she'd never seen a killer seem so naive.
"Oh, no dear. I do look as a child would . Of course, that is where the similarities end. You see, I was transformed hundreds of years ago-preserved, if you may. Vampirism seems to have that effect. It's quite humorous really, that I am your elder!"
"Wow...I had no idea..." Ava said in quiet amazement.
Babette gleamed, "It does seem to have its advantages when it comes to my targets. They see an innocent child, not a malicious assassin. Oh how I do love to see their faces when they find out my little secret. Unfortunately, the never live to tell anyone. Hmmm...well enough about me. Astrid tells me you're the one who killed Grelod. It's quite a shame I couldn't follow through with it-One could say I was well suited for the job."
She watched Ava's sudden expression of surprise, "I...took your contract? I-I had no idea. I really had no intentions of-"
"Now now...no need to worry, " Babette threw her hands up, "I was just going to congratulate you.I heard it was quite messy! Ah...letting the old hag drown in her own blood! Couldn't have done it better myself!"
Ava smiled warmly at the vampire, " Thanks. I was a bit afraid you'd be-"
"What?" Babette interrupted again, "Angry? Mean-spirited? Listen, I've been around here long enough to know how new initiates are treated. Not that it would be any surprise though; we are a bunch of homicidal maniacs, after all. One can't expect us to have manners. As for myself, I save all the venom for my contracts. Why waste it on small talk and trivial matters? Don't fret, my dear, you will get used to the ones with less social graces."
"I sure hope so, " Ava looked down at her feet, "for my sake."
"I have to say Ava...you've proven to be quite...capable. Killing three targets so soon...I knew you had...potential..." Astrid delighted in her initiate. "Just keep up the good work."
"Did...you need me to do something?" Ava questioned her leader, who was now smiling and walking slowly toward her. Astrid put a hand on Ava's shoulder. "No...not as of yet. I will let you know when I need your...services...again. So far you've turned out quite as I expected..."
"Really...? Whew, I'm glad. Honestly, I was terrified I'd screw something up." Ava breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hmmm...I find that...interesting...How you kill so easily, so...willingly. Yet, you worry about your abilities. You're one of us now...That is your answer..." Astrid spoke slowly and with power. It was almost hypnotic to Ava. It felt so affirming to have the leader of the Dark Brotherhood's approval.
Ava's gaze went from her feet to Astrid's eyes, " Thank you, Astrid, " she smiled.
"You can go now...I'll speak with you when the time is right..."
"Wake up Ava, " her eyes shot open, staring straight into Veezara's reptilian eyes, "Our Keeper has finally arrived, and Astrid has called us all to meet with him."
Ava yawned, "Oh...I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I know what a 'Keeper' is..."
"Ah, the Keeper is the sole caretaker of the Night Mother. I, for one, believe it to be a very sacred position-one to be respected. His arrival is a promising sign for this Sanctuary," Veezara explained.
She followed Veezara to the large open cavern in the midst of the Sanctuary. All the other members were circled about someone-she couldn't make out who. Ava did, however, feel a bit ashamed to have been the only one to oversleep during such an occasion. Veezara stepped into the crowd. He turned about, motioning her to come join the rest of them.
Ava quietly...slowly...began stepping toward the crowd, hoping her late arrival wouldn't be noticed. Glancing through the others, she saw Astrid standing beside someone a bit shorter than her. She moved in closer, trying to get a better view. Then she saw him. For the first time since the road. It was the jester.
"Ah...Ava...I'm glad you decided to show up..."Astrid's voice was full of sarcasm, noting her late arrival.
Ava felt all eyes on her for a moment, making her cringe. Thank the gods it was but a moment! She tensed up for a bit, feeling the wave of embarrassment pass over her, and in a moment they all focused back to Astrid. All except for one-Cicero. She noticed his eyes were still fixed on her for a bit. His head cocked to the side but a moment, before Astrid's words grabbed his attention again.
"Let me say that...on behalf of this Sanctuary I want to welcome you...and the Night Mother...I, for one, believe this is a sign of the Brotherhood...rising once again." She spoke proudly. "I expect everyone to make our Keeper feel...welcome. And I do mean...everyone," Astrid glared at her disinterested husband, who folded his arms in a protesting stance.
"Oh...yes, YES! Cicero DOES see this as WONDERFUL news for the Brotherhood! Cicero thanks the KIND Astrid and her brothers and sisters...Cicero hopes that he can be of SERVICE! YES, to AID his brothers and sisters in following the OLD WAYS! The jester cheered, waving about flamboyantly.
Astrid's look of contentment seemed to change to one of irritation, "Haha...yes...well, while I do have the utmost respect for your position in the brotherhood...This Sanctuary is under my leadership...That means what I say...is law..." She declared, her tone of voice matching her expression. Ava noticed the various smirks and chuckles floating throughout the group.
Cicero stared at Astrid, his expression blank and hard for Ava to read. Then a large grin spread across his face-a devilish grin, "Ooohh...OF COURSE...Mistress...Heh heh...You're the BOSS!
Astrid's face softened, meeting his smile with one of her own, "Well, I'm glad to see we have an...understanding...Please, make yourself at home, Cicero."
Astrid left the jester to get settled as the group began to dissolve. Ava, too, began walking away to leave him to his business...at the same time wondering what his position with this "Night Mother" entailed. She was surprised to see him here. Ava knew he was unusual, but this took it to a new level. He'd seemed so pitiful when she'd first met him-if he was in the Brotherhood, then he must've been far less innocent than he appeared.
She glanced over her shoulder at him one more time, and seen his gaze was upon her. "WAIT!" Cicero yelled at her, his eyes wide with urgency. Ava stopped in her tracks, turning the rest of her body to face him. "YOU! Yes...Cicero needs to SPEAK with YOU!"
Ava approached the jester, figuring that he may have recognized her. "...Yes?"
"You GIRL!" He barked, pointing at a large leather bag. It looked heavy and Ava thought it must have been filled with his possessions. "Cicero needs to move his THINGS! WELL?! WHAT are you looking at?" Cicero scowled at Ava, who remained dumbfounded." For Sithis' sake, SISTER, get to packing-the KEEPER must be OBEYED!"
Ava felt bewildered at Cicero's tone. He was so happy and grateful the last time she'd seen him. Now he was being terribly hateful. Maybe it was different now...he was the Keeper after all...Whatever that was, it must have been important. Ava decided she'd better do what she was told. She looked away from his glare, and headed toward the sack of belongings feeling rather disappointed by his change in demeanor.
Cicero suddenly darted in front of Ava, holding up his hands, "NO! Cicero was not SERIOUS! Cicero jests, he JESTS! HAHAHA! Oh, that look upon your FACE!" The jester cackled and clapped his hands, causing Ava to laugh nervously at his strange antics.
"Hehe...Cicero KNOWS who you are...he never FORGETS a face! You're the kind LADY that helped poor POOR Cicero get Mother to THIS very Sanctuary, nonetheless!"
"Haha...Well I remember you as well. You're wagon wheel was broken. " Ava smiled, relieved that Cicero wasn't some awful tyrant. She'd have felt so foolish to have helped someone would have treated her like a slave!
"YES! Cicero never thought himself LUCKY enough to see YOU again...let alone as a dark SISTER! Such a KIND, HUMBLE stranger to help FOOLISH Cicero in his time of need!"
"So...is you're mother here?" Asked Ava, still not comprehending all this mother business.
"CICERO'S mother? Why, she's YOUR mother too, and she rests...over there," he pointed at a large crate-the same one Ava noticed in the wagon. "SURELY she is not in comfort there, but she shall be placed with UTMOST care into a more...BEFITTING retreat! Cicero will need help moving HER of course, but he will need the Redguard, or the Nord with the HULKING arms, perhaps." Cicero's brow furrowed, as he rubbed his chin studying the crate.
"Hmm...Well, I'd better not get in your way, then. I guess I should leave you to your business," Ava said, not wanting to be a bother to him. "It's good to see you again, Cicero, " Ava smiled politely at the jester. He returned her gesture with a big, foolish grin.
He was still the same unusual and unpredictable man Ava met in front of Loreius's farmhouse, and in some incomprehensible way she was comforted by this. She didn't understand fully what he meant by what he said about this mother, but she'd probably find out in time. She was just happy to see a familiar face.