Chapter 8: Till Death
The Ratway was a foul place to be- -dark, moldy, and the stench of the sewers burned Ava's nostrils through her masked cowl. She studied the serpentine corridor that lay before her - -the flame of her torch lighting the darkness along the way. She'd made her way to a place called The Ragged Flagon- -a den of theives. Astrid had sent her to search for one thief in particular- -Delvin Mallory- -a fence with whom she had ties. Ava carried in her satchel a letter from Astrid and a necklace- -a very valuable necklace from a wealthy Breton named Amaund Motierre.
Much to Ava's surprise, Astrid had seemed to have a change of heart about her direction from the Night Mother. While she wasn't exactly wild about the idea, she had decided it could be beneficial to the Brotherhood to find out what Motierre was asking. It turned out to be quite the request. He desired the death of Emperor Titus Mede II- -the very Emperor of Tamriel, and Ava was the chosen one. She would end his reign, or be killed in the process. The glimmering necklace she held was to be appraised by Mallory, and Motierre said the coin would be enough for her expenses.
By this point, Ava had grown numb to her circumstances. It seemed like just the other day she was travelling the roads of skyrim barely scraping by- -living like a vagrant. Now she was in a murderous family of death plotting to kill the Emperor. Deep within she wanted to scream until her lungs collapsed, but that would be of no benefit to her now. She'd been in over her head long ago, so it was best for her to just try and fulfill her duties. She had obligations, after all...
She approached an old wooden door- -this had to be it. Upon entering, she noticed the tavern she'd found herself in was in a cistern of some sort. Shady characters of all sorts lined the place- -some giving her leery glances, while others were bickering amongst themselves. She spotted a bald Breton man in dark armor sitting at a table by himself. He was in the farthest corner, counting some coin. He certainly fit Astrid's description.
"...Are you...Delvin Mallory?" Ava asked, cautiously approaching the man.
"Aye...What's it to ya?" The man's voice came out low and coarse.
"Astrid sent me...she wanted you to appraise an item for her. Here, this is for you..." Ava gave him the letter, while digging in her satchel for the item.
The wary look on Delvin's face seemed to change upon eyeing the letter. "Ah...I see...I thought your armor looked familiar. 'Ere...'ave a seat, why don'tcha?" He motioned to an empty chair on the other side of the table. "So you're one of them, eh? How's Astrid? Haha...me an' her, we go back a long way..." A sly look covered his face, "She still with that husband ah hers? That werewolf fellow?"
"Um...do you mean Arnbjorn?" Ava asked in a puzzled tone.
"Yeah...that'd be 'im..." Delvin looked dissatisfied with the information. "So Astrid mentions a certain valuable she wants me to 'ave a look at." He said, eyeing the necklace that Ava was holding.
"Yes...she needed to sell it, if you're willing." Ava handed it over, watching him dangle the necklace, studying it for the longest time.
"Oh this is quite superb, if I do say so meself!" His grinned, eyes fixed on the precious jewelery. "This is special...this very necklace comes from the Elder Council. Only the elite members get one o' these babies! ...It'd be a but a thousand wonders how Astrid got her hands on it...Yeah...I'll 'ave it. Jus' give me a moment, eh?" Delvin took the necklace into a back room, coming out moments later with a large coin purse and a note. " 'Ere ya go...I included a letter of credit, as per our standard agreement. Tell Astrid ole' Delvin was askin' 'bout her, eh?" He said with a wink.
Ava stared in awe at the large sack of coins, feeling how heavy it was. This was going to be a big job, so she figured it required some hefty funding. "Thank you, Delvin. I'll let Astrid know."
"Ah, Delvin...you naughty, naughty boy..." Astrid smiled, speaking in a suggestive manner, while beholding the large sack of gold. "If what Delvin spoke of is true...if that necklace was from the Elder Council...then we may have the highest profile target in all of Tamriel on our hands...Think about it...We murder the Emperor...We strike fear in the hearts off all the lands once more...Business will be...booming...The Dark Brotherhood will be on the rise!"
"So...is that my next task- - to murder him?" Ava wondered aloud.
"Ava, Ava, Ava..." Astrid said, patronizing her. "You seem to have this...shall we say...naive way about you. It's rather...fascinating, really...You see, you there are certain...steps to take in murdering someone in high official standing...call them precautions, if you will...we must create the perfect...climate...for the assassination to occur. When one kills a person of noble status, they delve in to certain...political arenas. We must murder others to get to our prize target...understand?" She looked sharply into Ava's eyes, as if to show her dominance.
"Oh, now that you mention it...It would be foolish to think of him as a normal target..." Ava gave a nervous laugh, feeling dense for her lack of consideration, "I guess I wasn't thinking..."
"That's why I'm your superior... Amaund wrote a detailed plan to set in motion...Your first target is a young woman named Vittoria Vicci...She is the cousin of Titus Mede II, and she's getting married in Solitude at the Temple of Divines. The wedding is only a couple of days from now, so you will have to act fast...You will be killing her...during her wedding...This should draw the emperor to Skyrim to deal with the aftermath...You'd best pack your things tonight and head off first thing in the morning...Give that bride a...short-lived union..."Astrid smiled wickedly.
Ava crouched overlooking the balcony, watching the jovial activities that took place beneath her. Various nobles and family members were fluttering about, making happy conversation with one another and drinking lots of mead. All except the groom's father, of course, who kept to himself out of his distaste for his son Asgeir marrying someone like Vittoria. She'd overheard him belittling the young woman to another family member earlier in the day. Ava had been to weddings as a child back in Cyrodiil, and this was the first one she'd attended in ages. It was too bad it would probably be her last as well. She had quite a time sneaking past the guards the night before, and now the place was booming with people. She had little hope of getting out alive.
She watched carefully as the bride glided from person to person, chatting merrily about her happy future with her fiance. Ava frowned, thinking of the bride's happiness at this very moment. She would be the very person to end all the beautiful young girl's hopes and dreams. She'd never further her status at the East Empire Trading Company, never have children, and never grow old with her husband like Ava heard her speak about. Ava knew what it felt like to lose everything in an instant, and now she was going to take everything from Vittoria, her fiance, and her loved ones. She shook her head trying to push back her thoughts, hoping to go numb again.
Her mind trailed off to her memories as a little girl back in Cyrodiil. She remembered her mother helping her get ready for her aunt's wedding when Ava was very young. She could see her mother sitting in her room, running a comb through Ava's hair.
"You're going to look so pretty! Auntie Sidra will be so pleased to see her little niece there! You are her favorite after all. " She could remember her mothers deep green eyes, her flowing black locks. She was the most beautiful woman Ava had ever seen. She remembered her soft, gentle voice...her unending patience.
"Do you think I'll get married someday, like Auntie Sidra?!" She asked, while squirming about in her seat.
"Of course! When you're much older, that is...Someday you'll find someone who will love you and you will love them back...You'll get married and have children...like me and your papa! Well, maybe you'll luck up and he won't be as crazy as your father...Ha ha! Either way...you'll be happy...my child..."
She then thought of her final days with her mother. She remembered the wedding garments her mother passed down to her. She could see her mothers face looking into her own, a mixture of both sadness and joy in her eyes, "Ava...I wanted to give this to you...I know you're almost grown now...and, well...it's only a matter of time before my little girl will find somebody special..." She spoke gently, handing the garments to Ava.
"But, Mama...I don't plan on marrying anyone so soon! " Ava blushed, "Besides, I want to travel all of Tamriel! I can be a travelling merchant...I can expand our business! There's just so much to see out there- -places to go- -High Rock, Hammerfell, Elsweyr...I can get married later..."
"Haha...You've always had such big dreams, my girl...You're so much like your father, " she smiled, brushing a strand of hair away from Ava's face. "Well...you'll have it just in case."
Ava could see her wedding garments in her mind...she never got a chance to wear the white dress- -to do anything she wanted in life. Looking at Vittoria, she could see the similarities in her attire...she imagined what it would be like to have experienced what Vittoria had- - falling in love. She'd probably never get that...who'd love a person like her? With each kill she made, she felt herself sink to a new low. Today would be her lowest point thus far. Ava felt her lip tremble, and her eyes began to fill with tears. She didn't want to kill Vittoria, but she had to and the girl stood right beneath her ready for the taking.
She could feel darkness blotting out the bright sunny daylight...around her very body...her very being. She could feel the icy chill of cold air caressing her body...She was being consumed by the dark within. The girl must die. She examined the ancient gargoyle statue that was currently providing cover for her. She could see the deep crack across it's lower half, making it incredibly loose and unstable. It was time for her to take away Vittoria's dreams.
"I...I'm...so sorry..." She whispered, mustering the last bit of her conscience before she fell silent to the urges within. Her body stiffened, and her eyes glazed over as if in a trance, and with a mighty heave she pushed the crumbling gargoyle. With a loud crash of rock and the crushing of bones, Vittoria was gone along with the future she had wished for.
Screams of terror came from the horrified audience below as Ava jolted back to the present. Feeling the eminent threat of the situation, she began to flee, trying to search for a way out. She felt intense panic when a guard spotted her, yelling for reinforcements. She fled down some steps, trying to escape, but ended up among another group of angry patrons. She quickly unsheathed her dagger, knowing she'd have to fight her way through.
"AVA! Over hear!" A familiar voice shouted down from her. It was Veezara, who had been clearing a path among the guards. "Follow me!" He yelled, stabbing an unlucky guard through the neck. He began to flee toward the entrance of Solitude.
Ava dodged and fought her way through, catching up to the Argonian. "Veezara! I'm coming!" She followed his lead, as they were close to losing their bitter pusuers. She felt a sudden sharp sting in her side, causing her to stumble to the ground.
Veezara turned sharply, helping her to her feet. She'd been shot, a long arrow sticking out from her right side. "Look , you need to get out of here- -you're injured. I can handle things here, just meet me in the forest outside the city! Now, go!" Veezara hurried her off, drawing out a second sword and readying himself for more.
Night had fallen on Skyrim, and Ava sat by the campfire rubbing the bandaged wound where she'd been shot and wincing from the pain. "Thanks for doctoring me up...and for helping me out back there. I don't think I'd have come out of it alive if it weren't for you," She said to Veezara, her voice full of gratitude.
"It was nothing, Ava. I was merely helping a dark sister in need. Astrid had sent me for backup, and I noticed you were in distress. It is my honor to fight beside a fellow family member." Veezara bowed his head.
"Astrid sent you? I didn't realize that, " Ava said, feeling surprised at the news.
"Of course. Astrid watches out for all of us, and she wanted to do the same for you. She knew it would be next to impossible for you to escape, so she sent me along."
"Then I need to thank her as well...I haven't had anyone to rely on in years. Not since my mother and father died. You know, I never would have thought that over a decade later I'd be killing the cousin of the Emperor as a member of the Brotherhood. I guess it's funny how life works out. The way things happened for me...it's like I never really had a choice, " Ava said, staring into the dancing flames.
"Yes. I believe it is not in our hands. I was born to be who I am...the last remaining Shadowscale. I grew up knowing I'd never have a traditional life...I was bred to be an assassin, and I had little room for much else," he spoke, reflecting on his life.
"Did you ever wish it was different? That you could live the life you wanted, not the one forced upon you?" Ava asked him, wondering if he ever felt as she did.
"Truthfully...maybe in my adolescent days. I could be rebellious at times, but as I grew older I accepted my fate. I came to realize that I could fight it as much as I wanted, but I would only be standing in my own way...The Black Hand chose my birthright for a reason. I knew I had to live with what I was given, and not with what I had desired. Once I did that, everything fell into place, and I've been happier for it, " Veezara spoke with much wisdom- -he seemed wise beyond his years.
"I suppose you are right..."Ava knew he made sense. She just wasn't able to get her emotions to catch up with her intellect. She still felt sadness and grieving for the trail of death that she left wherever she went. Fortunately, she also felt a growing feeling of comfort among her family...it was nice to have their protection, nonetheless.
Ava sat on a moss-covered log outside the Sanctuary looking up at the starry skies. She couldn't sleep again as her nightmares had grown more intense. She dreamed of her parents, then of murdering Vittoria...she felt haunted by the young woman who's life she'd taken.
She was in better spirits earlier that day. She and Veezara had arrived at the Sanctuary that morning to tell Astrid of the good news, which made their leader very pleased. She rewarded Ava with a powerful spell to summon Lucien Lachance, a spectral assassin and former Speaker for the Black Hand. Of course, she rarely used spells of any kind, so she figured she'd just mess things up if she tried. Veezara told Astrid of Ava's wound, so in turn she'd been given a few days to rest before her next plan was to be put into action.
Ava was relieved that she had some time to herself, but even though her body could rest, her mind never ceased to trouble her. The night air was cold, and she was wearing nothing but a thin dress, so she decided she'd have to go inside. She spent enough nights out in the elements when she lived like a beggar, so she wasn't going back to that. Cicero wasn't anywhere to be found, so she decided she'd keep to herself by staying in his room while he was out. Nobody else wanted to go in there, so she'd get some peace.
She made her way to the jester's room, and seated herself at his table. She noticed a couple of bottles of Ale sat in front of her, so she grabbed one in hopes of drowning her sorrows. She took a couple of large gulps from the bottle, then glanced over at the Sarcophagus. She was the Listener...it still hadn't really sank in for her. She didn't feel very special. As a matter of fact, everyone else practically ignored this "Listener" business, save for Cicero. She shrugged, taking another swig.
She thought of Vittoria again as she downed the bottle...then of her own life...her murderous ways...her self-hatred...Why couldn't she shake this terrible depression? Her head now buzzing from the now-empty bottle of Ale, she tossed it aside and grabbed the other out of frustration. She'd get relief one way or another...even if she had to pass out in a drunken stupor to get it! Guzzling down another bottle only made it worse. Not able to hold back her emotions, she began to sob quietly with her head down on the table.
"LISTENER?! What ever is the matter? Why is the Listener crying?" Cicero's voice rang through the room, causing Ava to jump. He came through the entrance holding various satchels full of things.
She stood up, quickly wiping her eyes. She felt ashamed to be caught in such a pathetic state. "I-I'm ssssorry Cicero...I'll l-leave. I-I didn't know y-you'd...be back sssso soooon," Ava slurred. She tried taking a couple of wobbly steps, but failed miserably, collapsing on the floor.
Cicero noticed the empty bottles that lay on the floor. "WOAH, Listener! What did you DO? Is the Listener...INTOXICATED?" Dropping his items, he bounded over to Ava, trying to help her up. Finally managing to get her up on her feet, he helped her over to his bed. "Now tell Cicero what is the matter, Listener...Cicero has never seen you like this..." A genuine look of concern fell over the jester's face, as he looked at Ava.
She began to sob again, clutching her injured side, "I-I'll beee okaaay...I j-just don't feel soooo well."
"Is the Listener HURT?" He asked, eyeing the side she was holding.
"I-I got shot the other daaaay...w-when I was assassinating V-V-Vittor-" She couldn't even finish the girl's name, as she began to wail at the thought of it.
"WHAT? Can Cicero help? Does Listener need a healing potion, perhaps? Cicero can get you one of HIS!"
"N-nooo...t-that's not it...I-I just feel soooo terrible- -so ALONE!" Ava sobbed, then looked up pitifully at Cicero, "H-have yooou ever f-felt that way?" She just wanted someone to relate to- -so she wouldn't have to feel so trapped inside her own pain.
Cicero stared at Ava as if in thought, then began speaking in a low, hushed tone, "Oh Listener...Cicero has felt alone. Yes, alone for many many years. Cicero witnessed terrible things. He spent so long in the silence, the DEAFENING silence...It is what made Cicero what he is now..."
Ava began to calm down in hearing the jester's troubles. "W-What do you mean?" She started to forget her own problems for a moment.
"Cicero USED to be an assassin like Listener...but he was made the Keeper. He wanted so badly to HEAR Mother's voice. His dark brothers and sisters perished, one by one, and he was left all alone...He could not HEAR our Mother's voice...Oh, Cicero wanted to, but only SILENCE. Then came the LAUGHTER...OH how it FILLED him up...filled up the SILENCE. He was no longer Cicero the man...No, no...He was Cicero, FOOL OF HEARTS! But POOR Cicero was still ALL ALONE..."
"...D-Do yooou still feel that w-way?" Ava asked curiously, still stumbling her words from intoxication.
The jester met eyes with Ava, and smiled softly, "Ah...Cicero was feeling VERY alone as of late. POOR Cicero was STRANDED with no one to help! Then a KIND lady helped poor Cicero...The kind stranger turned out to be a DARK SISTER! Then the KIND sister turned out to be Cicero's LISTENER! Cicero is NOT ALONE anymore! NO!"
Ava shook her head, "...I'm not that s-special...I'm actually not that great at all...I'm a really screwed up p-person..."
Cicero scowled, "Now DON'T talk like that, Listener! Ah...But you ARE special...Cicero KNOWS you are! There is no HIGHER honor than to be called upon by the Mother HERSELF!"
"Y-yes, but sheeee did that...I'm not t-talking about being the Listener...I'm talking about m-me. Listener or not, I'm not that great...believe meeee." Ava sighed, looking down at her feet.
"Ah...but Listener! Cicero thought highly of you from the first MOMENT he met you! You're the KIND, HUMBLE stranger that helped poor, FOOLISH Cicero! Not a SOUL bothers to help Cicero, but YOU did! Cicero is GLAD to have met YOU!" The jester beamed.
Ava looked at Cicero, who was still smiling that big dopey grin at her. It felt comforting to speak with him- -she didn't feel quite so lonely as before. She thought back to how happy she'd made him when she convinced Lorieus to help him, and how happy that made her. Maybe he was right...she felt pretty terrible about herself, but she wasn't all bad. She had some good in her as well. Either way, she was beginning to feel as grateful to have met Cicero as he was to have met her.
"...Thanks Cicero...I appreciate that. Look, I didn't m-mean to trouble yoooou. I should probably leave you a-alone..." Ava said apologetically- -she wasn't used to showing those kind of emotions around others. She stood, attempting to leave his room, but ended up losing her balance. Luckily, Cicero was there to steady her.
"It's quite ALRIGHT, Listener! Cicero doesn't MIND! But, Cicero thinks Listener needs to rest..." He said, guiding her back to his bed.
"Yeah, you're probably riiiiiight..." Ava said, realizing she was too enebriated to do much walking. "...Where were yoooou, anyway?" She wondered, laying back on the raggedy bed.
Cicero frowned, "Astrid forced POOR Cicero to go after supplies- -said he was HARRASSING his brothers and sisters! She sent poor Cicero ASTRAY to get him out of the WAY! They may be rid of Cicero for a day, but not FOREVER! No, never, EVER!" He chimed in a sing-songy voice.
"You knoooow...I reeeeeally hope Astrid warms up to you. I think she'd be surprised to f-find that you're a good person to have on our siiiide, " Ava said. She felt compelled to let him know that she thought highly of him as well.
"Hmmm...Listener is such a KIND and TRUSTING lady! AH, but while Cicero THANKS the Listener for her kindness, he doesn't think ASTRID will change her thoughts on poor Cicero...on the OLD WAYS...Astrid wants to RULE the Brotherhood! Cicero thinks that position is already filled by our Mother through YOU! Cicero's LISTENER should be leader- -not ASTRID!" He muttered, his face showing his distate for their current leader.
"Meeeee? Leading the Dark Brotherhood?! Noooooo...I couldn't- -Astrid is our leader. I-I wouldn't go against her w-wishes." Ava remarked, surprised that Cicero would imply such a thing.
"Hehehe..." Cicero gave a dark laugh, "As Cicero said, Listener is so VERY sweet and TRUSTING- -so LOYAL and unwavering...Tell Cicero- -why DOES Listener obey Astrid, when it should be quite the OPPOSITE, hm? Why, Astrid did not BELIEVE poor Ava was LISTENER! Had to be CONVINCED, she did! Hehe! It is FUNNY, OH so FUNNY- -she does not TRUST you in quite the same way!"
Ava looked at Cicero, furrowing her brow. What was he trying to get at? "Looooook...I know it took her a whiiiiile to come around, but what I toooold her was p-pretty unbelievable."
Cicero grinned, waving a finger at Ava, "AH, AH, AH my Listener! It would NOT be so unbelievable to a TRUE follower of the TENETS- -the OLD WAYS! A TRUE child of darkness would believe once the BINDING words are SPOKEN! Any doubts afterword would make Cicero QUESTION a dark sibling's MOTIVES!"
"C-Cicero...I knoooow you don't agree with her, b-but Astrid was the one who gave me a new hoooome. She welcomed me to the Brotherhood w-when I had nothing else. She may not be p-perfect, but I am grateful for what she's done for meeee...I can't d-disrespect her authority. B-Besides...I don't think I'm cut out to beeee any kind of leader! I don't even liiiike the thought of it...I'm moooore comfortable following orders..." She explained to a frowning Cicero.
"Very well...As you WISH, Listener..." Cicero said in a droll tone, looking less than amused. "Cicero is but your humble SERVANT, after all...Cicero will leave you be..." He sat up off the bed and walked over to the various leather bags. "Listener needs her rest...needs to sleep off all of CICERO'S Ale! Perhaps next time Listener will be able to SPEAK properly..." He spoke sharply, carrying the satchels out of the room.
The comfort Cicero had originally provided her seemed to be short-lived. Now she was left feeling torn between two people at war with each other. This was the one thing Ava did not miss about having a family- -the squabbles. She hoped the two could work out their differences, but it seemed doubtful.