Author's Note: Well, here's my latest chapter. Much thanks to all who read! Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 9: Decisions, Decisions
"Ah, yes! Our brilliant plan!" Gabriella smiled proudly, releasing her arrow and watching it hit dead center on the target. She turned to Ava, who stood awaiting her direction. "Astrid and I have devised a distraction for our beloved Commander Maro- -protector of the Emperor himself! I believe it is sure to make a lasting impression, really."
"Oh...what do you need me to do?" Ava wondered aloud.
"Why, commit murder of course! What else would you be doing?" She replied sarcastically. Gabriella examined the young woman who stood before her, wondering why on Nirn she would be chosen as Listener by the Night Mother. Gabriella both disliked and envied the young woman, believing that she herself would have been much better suited for Ava's position. To her, Ava seemed weak and submissive, whereas Gabriella saw herself as strong and cunning. Where this girl was merely competent, Gabriella flourished as both an intellectual and elegant assassin. She cringed at the very thought of Ava receiving such high-profile targets over herself.
"Ok..." Ava mumbled.
"Commander Maro's son- -Gaius Maro- -will be your target. The Commander will be in charge of providing security for Titus Mede II upon his arrival. He and his Penitus Occulatus Agents are hoping to guard the Emperor so that his visit goes swimmingly. It won't, of course, if you follow through on his son's extermination. You will track down Gaius Maro, kill him, and plant this incriminating letter on his person..." The elf pulled it out, handing it over to Ava. "When he is found in his unpleasant condition, whoever finds him will find the letter. It tells of Gaius's intentions, which are to murder Titus Mede. Of course this isn't true per se, but it will allude the Emperor- -give him a false sense of security in assuming his pursuer is no more. As a bonus, Commander Maro will be distracted. This will weaken their defences and take us one step closer to ridding ourselves of Titus Mede II." Gabriella explained.
"So...where will I go to find Gaius?" Ava asked.
"He could be at a number of locations, actually. He's travelling through the major cities in Skyrim. You will have to track him down like a sabre cat stalking it's prey. Surely you're adequate enough to do such a thing, seeing as though you are the Listener and all, hmm?" Gabriella scoffed.
Ava sighed, "Yeah...I believe I can do that. I guess I should be on my way..."
"Very well, then," Gabriella huffed. She watched Ava walk away in quiet frustration. How she wished the girl had never set foot through the Sanctuary doors. Sure, Ava would probably stab the insolent fool to death, but Gabriella would've performed a cleaner, more precise assassination. She would have ended him from afar-one arrow placed skillfully through his throat, and the people of Skyrim would never see it coming. She turned back to the target, pulling back the string of her bow and readying for another perfect shot. It was such a pity that she'd never get to use her talents to their full potential.
Cicero seated himself among the others in the dining area. They had all been laughing, singing, and boasting merrily to one another of their murderous exploits- -without poor lonely Cicero. His dark brothers and sisters never included Cicero in any of their affairs- -treated him like a writhing sack of maggots, they did! With a dull expression on his face, he grabbed a carrot from a plate and sat quietly crunching it.
"Well, well, well! It looks as if the fool has come out of his hole to entertain us for the evening. Tell me Cicero, are we to hear another song of snapping bird necks? Burning bards, perhaps?" Gabrielle laughed, taunting the jester, who returned a glare at the Dark Elf.
"Now don't get him started," Nazir remarked, "I nearly had to threaten murder to get him to stop following me with that blasted singing..."
"SINGING? DANCING?! OH...Cicero woudn't DREAM of spoiling the festivities..." Cicero placed a big fake smile upon his face. Stupid Cicero wouldn't get in the way anymore...No, no...He would BEHAVE himself. Oh, how he would love to SLICE and DICE his way through the Sanctuary- -hearing the BEAUTIFUL music of death ringing in his ears! Watching his dark family DIE one by one in PAINFUL agony! Of course, Mother wouldn't approve...
"I must say...I'm rather surprised! The jester has learned to keep his mouth closed. Cicero has completely exceeded my expectations! Now, if we can just teach him to quit preaching endlessly about these Old Ways, I'll be quite proud of the little twit!" Gabriella said, mocking the jester.
"Damnit, Gabriella! Why don't you just leave the man alone about it! You love to stir the pot, don't ya?! Back in my day we respected our elders, whether we liked it or not!" Festus scolded the mer.
"Now now...no need to fight...But I will agree that Gabriella has a...rather valid point. These worn out customs are a thing of the past...wouldn't you agree, Cicero?" Astrid spoke from the head of the table, smiling arrogantly.
"Cicero would certainly NOT agree..." The jester narrowed his eyes, "Of course ASTRID would want the Old Ways dead...out of her HAIR...so she can REIGN SUPREME..."
Astrid scowled, "You can stop pretending you know how this Sanctuary is to be run..."
"Hahahaha! AH...silly Astrid...Cicero is not the one who is PRETENDING..." Cicero sneered.
"Watch it clown," Arnbjorn snarled at him. "If you disprespect my wife, we'll have a problem. If you wanna keep that head on your puny shoulders, I'd suggest you quit running your mouth."
"That won't be necessary my husband...Our Keeper shouldn't be provoked...He's unhinged enough as it is...perhaps he shoudn't be taken seriously...I mean...look at him...the man speaks to a rotted old corpse...if you ask me, such obsolete things should be...removed from this Sanctuary...Maybe the Mother, like your tired old traditions...has expired...and what does one do with junk? Why...they throw it out..."Astrid smiled deviously at the jester, trying her best to provoke him.
Cicero's face distorted into a bitter, angry expression as he fell silent. Glaring at Astrid, he spoke in a low growl, "Do not speak that way of Mother...Cicero thinks it unwise..." He could feel his muscles grow tense, his hands curling into balled fists. Oh, Mother- -sweet, SWEET Mother! How you've given Cicero his chance...Finally the Pretender has opened her vile lips and DEFILED you...just like Cicero EXPECTED she would...He could feel his lips twisting into a wicked smile...He could feel the laughter boiling within...He glanced at a bottle of Alto Wine on the table, then back at the jeering couple.
Astrid leaned back, folding her arms and laughing. "Tell me Cicero, What is she going to do...kill me?" She smirked at Cicero, who was now beginning to laugh darkly.
"What are you laughing about, you little twerp?" Arnbjorn suspiciously eyed Cicero, who remained unphased by his question. The jester continued to stare at the two, laughing until they became uneasy. The whole table looked to one another in confusion.
Sweet Mother, Cicero will make you PROUD! He will PUNISH her- -OH how he will make her SCREAM! In one lightning fast motion, Cicero grabbed the heavy bottle and launched it at Arnbjorn, hitting him square in the face. It smashed into a thousand pieces, and toppled him over in his seat. Wine and blood sprayed about, while Cicero jumped atop the table swiftly pulling out both his ebony daggers.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh MOTHER won't KILL you, but CICERO WILL!" The jester screamed, now whirling about, slicing anyone who dare to attack him.
"Someone get that fool!" Astrid yelled, struggling to help Arnbjorn off the floor.
Now was Cicero's chance, "OH, but you will have to CATCH Cicero FIRST!" He sprang off the table, hoping to splay the harlot's flesh in two.
"No! Stop!" Veezara quickly drew his sword, darting in front of Astrid. Cicero came crashing into the Argonian, dagger first, knocking them all to the floor.
Cicero snarled, scrambling to his feet. A blast of fire and heat welled up behind him, as he turned to see the old mage with both hands raised and ready to fire again. He quickly dodged as a well-aimed arrow shot past his ear. The jester was outnumbered and overpowered by these dark assassins. He had to flee or be chopped in two!
"HAHAHAHA! FINE, YOU WIN FOR NOW! AH, but SITHIS will have his SAY in the END!" The jester screamed frantically, while bolting away from the chaos. He tumbled and dodged as two more arrows whirred past, barely missing him, and he was out of sight.
"By Sithis! What's all the commotion?!" Babette came darting into the room, gasping at the scene before her.
"That crazy clown tried to kill Astrid, then he made a run for it!" Said Nazir, sheathing his scimitar.
"Quick! Babette, get some of your healing potions...Veezara's injured pretty badly..." Astrid knealed beside Veezara who was now struggling and bleeding from the deep gash across his abdomen.
"Sure, I'll be right back." The small vampire scurried off to her alchemy lab.
Arnbjorn growled, wiping the blood from his brow, "Nobody attacks my family- -my wife, and gets away with it! Especially that little son of a bitch! I'm going after him, Astrid!" His voice became more animalistic, more primal. The fierce Nord began to transform into his canine form, both feral and cunning.
"Arnbjorn! Be careful..." Astrid warned, as the raging werewolf took off in a violent sprint.
Festus threw up his hands in concern, "Arnbjorn should've took one of us before he bolted off like a damn fool!"
Astrid gave a frustrated sigh, "There's no getting through to my hard-headed husband once he has his mind made up. I just hope that little jester doesn't have another trick up his sleeve..."
Nazir shook his head in disbelief, "That clown is far more dangerous than I ever gave him credit for. Before I could so much as take a swing at the fool, he'd knocked me to the floor!"
Gabriella stood in awe, "I believe I underestimated him as well...I've never seen a soul alive who could out-maneuver my deadly aim."
"Cicero may be quick on his feet, but my Arnbjorn is just as deadly. Especially when someone...ticks him off..." Astrid had a scorned look, "I hope he tears that wretched fool to pieces..."
Cicero's tired legs burned from the running- -endless, CEASELESS running! All day he had fled and now a cold, starry sky spread before him as he headed for Dawnstar- -his old home sweet home! The hulking sheepdog had fallen behind after he'd given him a nice slash or two with his blade, and now Cicero bounded ever forward toward his retreat.
The once green landscape had turned to the snow-covered expanse before him, as he traveled closer to his Sanctuary. Ah yes, the Dawnstar Sanctuary- -it was where he made a temporary home for himself before he travled to Falkreath. He'd been corresponding with Astrid for quite some time, until she invited him to stay. Cicero knew something was wrong about her methods- -she seemed quite hungry for power, but he'd hoped to convert the Sanctuary before it was too late. Alas, she was the pretender he thought her to be, and the Sanctuary would surely face the Wrath of Sithis for her blatant disrespect to the Mother.
It was such a shame too, for he had found his long-awaited Listener...Oh, how he'd miss her! She was kind to poor Cicero, but he reckoned her loyalty to the Pretender had turned her into his enemy as well. Cicero hoped he wouldn't see her again, as he'd hate to have to slit her pretty little throat!
Cicero mustered all of his remaining energy to walk to the Sanctuary door that stood ominously before him. His weak legs trembled taking the final steps, as he felt he could faint any moment from the severe fatigue that flooded his body.
"Ahhh...Cicero's home...His SANCTUARY! Haha...STUPID SHEEPDOG! He won't get to Cicero in here...He can stay outside and FREEZE in a puddle of his own BLOOD!Hahahaha!" The jester laughed, musing over his successful escape.
That familiar, devious voice came forth from the ancient door, "What...is life's...greatest...illusion?"
Cicero grinned wickedly...he was home.
Ava walked down the winding steps into the Falkreath Sanctuary. It had taken her quite a while, but she'd finally succeeded in killing Gaius and planting the false evidence. She hoped Astrid and Gabriella wouldn't be too angry with her for taking so long- -it was just so hard to find the Commander's son! She stopped at the sight of Gabriella approaching her from down below. Ava braced herself, preparing for the disparaging remarks Gabriella usually made toward her.
"I killed Gaius Maro- -I even planted the letter." Ava told the Dunmer, hoping her good news would lessen Gabriella's usually harsh criticism.
"Well, I figured as much, but as of now we have a larger issue at hand." Gabriella said in a serious manner, "Astrid is downstairs- -just speak with her on the matter."
Ava met up with Astrid, who wore a distressed look on her face. "...Ah, I see you've returned to us...I guess it's safe to say that Gaius is...no more?"
Ava nodded, "Yes. I did as you asked me to. Gabriella said you needed to speak with me...Is something wrong?"
"I'm afraid so...it's Cicero. He went completely mad on us! He tried to attack me, but Veezara intercepted his deadly blow..."
Ava looked down on the ground where Veezara sat humped over, holding his wound. "Yes, if it were not for me throwing him off, he may very well have killed Astrid. He may be small and foolish, but he is not to be underestimated. What lies underneath is a highly skilled assassin- -clever, cunning, and quite strong. If it weren't for Babette's powerful healing mixtures, I'm not so sure I'd have survived."
"You mean...Cicero did all this?" Ava looked around her in disbelief. The room was trashed- -it looked as if a war had taken place there. She didn't understand why Cicero would lash out like this.
Astrid spoke, her voice full of concern. "Yes. He attacked Arnbjorn as well, so he went after Cicero. But...he has been gone a while...I just hope he's okay..."
"Why did he do this?" Ava asked, wondering what set this man off. What was so terrible that he had to try to kill Astrid?
"Well...we were just speaking about the Tenets again...let's just say we don't agree on the matter...and he became enraged!" Astrid explained.
It didn't make sense to Ava. Cicero did clash with Astrid about these things, but he wouldn't up and murder her without good reason- -at least if he stuck by his beliefs. "...Are you sure there wasn't something else that set him off?" Ava inquired, trying to make sense of it all.
Astrid's tone changed, becoming increasingly irritated, "What are you saying, Ava? Well...I guess, now that you mention it...I wasn't exactly... respectful... to the Night Mother...It's just- -that jester had been grating on my nerves! He was relentless about those defunct old traditions of his...Let's just say I may have...said some things..."She admitted. "Look...either way, what I said did not warrant an attack on this Sanctuary! I'm going to need you to find my husband, and make sure he's okay- -and make sure that jester is good and dead."
Ava couldn't believe what she was hearing...Cicero was now an enemy of the Sanctuary- -her enemy. She felt sick inside, knowing that he may already be dead at the hands of Arnbjorn. Like it or not, she had to obey. "Okay...well, where were they headed?" She inquired.
"Well, Babette found an open journal in his room...It was fairly recent. He mentioned a Sanctuary at Dawnstar...the passphrase is Innocence, My Brother...It's all we have to go on. If that's the case, then they are at the other end of Skyrim by now. You'll need to take my horse, Shadowmere." Astrid explained.
"H-Horse?!" Ava asked in surprise, "I didn't know you had a horse..." Ava grew worried...she wasn't exactly fond of horses.
"Yes. You may not have seen him before. He's not your...typical stallion...He's one of us. Just stand by that dark pool out front. Take him to Dawnstar, and find out what's going on! Hurry!" Astrid said urgently, hurrying her off.
Ava grabbed a few supplies and quickly headed out of the Sanctuary. She studied the dark pool of water to her left. She'd walked past it time after time, never really paying any attention to it. She had no idea it was home to a ghastly steed of some sort. She cautiously stepped up to the black, bubbling waters. She was not looking forward to this...she'd been injured by a horse as a child, and she had feared them ever since. She figured now was as good a time as any to get over it, seeing as though she had no choice.
"Sh-Shadowmere?" Ava called, not sure of how to summon the animal. The bubbling waters began to rise, spewing straight forth like a great fountain. Before her eyes a dark, foreboding stallion began to form amongst a cloud of dark smoke. He was huge, and his form was as shadowy as the darkest abyss. His eyes glowed like two red-hot cinders. It was a sight that made Ava's skin crawl. This had to be the single most terrifying horse she'd ever seen, and she had to ride the thing!
"H-hey...Nice Shadowmere...Good horse..." Ava whimpered as she edged toward the beast, who stood calmly nickering. She hesitantly touched the side of the creature and began to pet him, hoping that he wouldn't attack. To her surprise, he was very gentle. "Haha...Whew...Okay..." Ava breathed a sigh of relief. She mounted the steed and gently nudged him onward. What began as a gentle trot, had now progressed to break-neck speeds, as Shadowmere bounded toward Dawnstar.
Ava hopped off of the saddle and into the thick snow that surrounded the Dawnstar Sanctuary. She ran over to Arnbjorn, who was now sitting wearily on the ground surrounded in his own blood. Cicero must've injured him pretty badly.
"Arnbjorn? What happened? Where's Cicero?" Ava asked the Nord, who was now coughing and stuggling to speak.
"Astrid sent a little runt like you? What was she thinking? I chased that lunatic all the way out here. We fought for a bit, but he managed to give me a couple of licks with that butterknife of his. I hate to say it but that little twerp is tougher than I thought...I think he went inside the Sanctuary."
She looked at the door, "I have the passphrase...I can get in..."
Arnbjorn gave her a look, "What? You shouldn't go in there by yourself, pipsqueak. If he did this to me, they'll be nothing left of you! You need some backup."
Ava looked at the Nord in confusion, "Yeah, but you aren't in any shape to help..."
"I know that! I meant Lucien...Astrid granted you the power. Summon him- -unless you want to end up as chopped liver!" Arnbjorn remarked.
"Summon Lucien?! I-I don't know if I can...I'm not so good with that kind of thing..." Ava hesitated.
"Yeah you can! Even I've done it before! Look, just focus and quit worryin' about messing it up! It's the only way you'll have a chance." He scolded.
"Okay then...I'll give it a try..." Ava took a deep breath, and held her hands up, focusing on the purple ball of light now forming between them.
"Hold it...hold it..." Arnbjorn instructed, watching the orb grow larger and larger, "Okay, now summon him!"
Ava released the violet light, watching it whirl around like a spinning vortex. A pale blue spectral form came out from the middle of the spinning light. "Ahhhhh...Listener...I am Lucien Lachance...So good to finally meet you..." The spirit spoke as Ava returned a smile of relief.
"Nice to meet you, Lucien, " Ava greeted the ghostly assassin, then turned to Arnbjorn, "Thanks..."
"Yeah, yeah...just don't get yourself killed, alright? I'm gonna get out of here while I still can..." Arnbjorn stood up and began to limp off.
"Wait! Take Shadowmere..." Ava suggested, seeing the poor condition the Nord was in.
"Good idea, " he mounted the steed and headed toward Falkreath.
"Listener...I am ready to fight by your side...my blade thirsts for blood..." The glowing form smiled deviously at her.
"Okay, I guess this is it, " Ava braced herself, walking up to the Black Door.
"What...is life's...greatest...illusion?" The eerie voice rang out.
Ava took a deep breath, "Innocence, my brother."
The Sanctuary was ancient, and the walls were covered with thick layer of moss from years of neglect. A thick, musty smell filled Ava's nostrils upon entering, causing her to cough from years of mold and dust lingering in the air. Tired weapons lay about in corners, and tattered banners drooped from above.
"Ahhhh...Sanctuary...It reminds me of my days with the living...of my former duty as Speaker for the Black Hand..." Lucien reminisced.
"Look..." Ava noticed a dark smear of blood on the ground. It seemed to trail off, so she began to follow it. Was it Cicero's blood? She felt a sinking feeling in thinking of what she was ordered to do. Astrid was the boss, and she did help Ava in her own way, but she couldn't help feeling wrong about killing the poor jester. He was provoked, after all.
"HAHAHAHAHA! Listener? Is that YOU? Did Astrid send you after POOR Cicero? To END him ONCE and FOR ALL?!" She could hear his frenzied laughter bouncing through the halls that lay ahead.
"Cicero!?" Ava yelped. He sounded very close, as if he were just a few paces ahead of her lurking in the shadows- -watching her every move.
Suddenly pale forms began to appear within the Sanctuary, yelling and cursing as they began to attack Ava and Lucien. Her vision began to darken, as she felt that familiar strength begin filling her up...the darkness inside. She fought alongside her ghostly companion, hacking and slashing- -feeling the icy rush in her veins.
"Haha...My Listener is quite powerful..." Lucien admired her skill, as they moved past the room full of defeated foes.
As they traveled through the Sanctuary, wiping out the hoards of enemies that dwelled within, Ava felt a tightness grow in her chest. She could feel intense dread at confronting the jester- -both cunning and deadly. If she could, she would bolt out the door and never look back. She didn't want to kill him, but Astrid and her family thought otherwise. How could she go against their wishes, when they were all she had?
She ran across a room that tapered off into an icy cave of some sort. She could hear Cicero's voice on the other side screeching at her- -taunting her. "Forced edition?! What is he talking about?" Ava turned to Lucien, just catching the last part of Cicero's words.
"Hmmm...I think he means that..." Lucien pointed to a gigantic Frost Troll that stood with its back to them at the other end of the cave.
"Oh..." Ava's jaw dropped at the sight of the fierce creature. "Well, I guess we have no choice but to kill it..." She sighed, readying her blade.
"Listener...about that jester you are chasing..." Lucien grabbed her attention.
"Yes?"
"I fear I must tell you this...he is the Keeper...It is a Sacred position...It is not the Will of Sithis that he should perish...Killing him will cause a disturbance in the Void, my Listener...If it is your wish, I will aid you in his murder...but I must advise you against it..." Lucien spoke somberly.
Ava froze. What was she to do now? She was torn between obeying her dark family or Sithis himself. She had to admit to herself- -her own feelings aligned with Sithis on this one. Still, if she were to let Cicero live and Astrid found out, she had a feeling the consequences would be severe. Ava tried to make a decision, but came no closer to the answer she seeked.
"Listener?" Lucien noticed her worried look.
"I...will take that into consideration..." She said, heading toward the cave as Lucien trailed behind.
The Frost Troll was a force to be reckoned with. The both of them fought it with all their might, until Lucien could take no more. With one fell swipe of it's enormous hand, he vanished in a cloud of dust. Ava was left to defeat the monster alone. Luckily, she felt that dark force guiding her, helping her along the way. With a final blow from her dagger, the Troll fell to the icy floor. Ava breathed hard, stumbling to the ground with fatigue. She could hear echoes of Cicero's jeering voice once more.
"Listener? You're still ALIVE?! Cicero didn't expect you to last this LONG! Heh heh...Maybe we should forget all about this, hm? Pretend it never happened! Cicero won't tell, he PROMISES! Hehehe!"
She said not a word, but Ava felt the same way...she wished she could forget about it. She pushed herself up from the floor, and pressed onward. She found herself along a shadowy corridor. The light was so dim that she could barely see her hand in front of her face. The only light source was the torch- -lit wall at the far end of the hallway.
Ava stepped carefully toward the light, attempting to avoid any traps that may lay about. Unfortunately, she tripped on an unknown object, causing her to step directly into one.
"AAAHHHHHH!" She screamed out in pain, falling back on her bottom. She grabbed the object, which was clamped tightly on the calf of her leg. Feeling around the sharp mouth of the object, she realized she had landed in a bear trap. She dug her fingers in the opening, prying the trap off of her and flinging it to the side.
She struggled to her feet, limping forward and trying not to place pressure on the injured leg. Moving about carefully in the dark she noticed a shadow against the dimly lit wall at the end of the corridor. It was Cicero...He must have been watching, waiting for his next move.
"Listener? Are you still ALIVE in there? Cicero heard the loud CLANK of metal crushing upon FLESH!" The shadowy figure spoke.
She stayed silent in trying not to provoke the unpredictable jester. Of course, walking was proving to be quite a difficult task, and one she could not do so quietly.
"Hmmmm...Cicero can HEAR you moving about in the dark...Tell me, Listener...do you REALLY want to kill your Keeper? To go against the very FOUNDATION of the Dark Brotherhood, hmm? Does the Listener really want to go up against CICERO?! HAHA! Astrid's STUPID lapdog was FOOLISH enough to take such a risk...will YOU do the same?" The jester laughed. His shadow disappeared, as if to lead her ever closer to a possible demise.
Ava pressed onward, feeling more tense with every twist and turn she made through the ancient crypt. Limping past a crypt full of dusty coffins made her feel queasy, as if they were an omen to her impending doom. She knew Cicero was powerful, and it was becoming apparent that she stood little chance against the cunning Keeper. She imagined if she took him on, she may very well end up in one of those tombs.
She came to another set of winding stairs, noticing the blood splattered on each step leading up to an old stone door. Mustering all her strength, she trudged up the stairway. Standing before the door, she heard Cicero's voice howling on the other side.
"AHHHH Listener, I see you've made it to the END of our little play...HEHE! HERE it is, FOLKS! THE GRAND FINALE!"
Breathing in, Ava pressed an ear against the door. She heard nothing...There was no telling what Cicero had planned for her. It was of no matter, for she had come this far and she had little choice but to face him.
Cicero lay curled up on the stone floor with his arm stretched across his abdomen, feigning an injury. Oh, clever Cicero knew how to be convincing- -a few vials of red liquid and Cicero's clever tongue would do the trick! Little would the Listener know that secretly his hand gripped the hilt of his trusty black blade. If Listener chose to do battle, she'd be in for QUITE the surprise! Oh, but Cicero hoped it wouldn't have come to this! He didn't want to slice his kind Listener in two, but he would if he had to! Mother could always choose another!
He heard the heavy stone door creak as it slowly opened. Cicero laid his head back down, and pretended to cough violently. Ava's small figure carefully limped into view. Aha! She was injured, just as Cicero had thought. Maybe his Listener would be less likely to attack now- -unless it had angered her further! Surely Cicero could talk her out of fighting him!
"Ahhhh...Listener...I see you have made it all this way...So POWERFUL, such TALENTS to make it past the perils that lie within...Tell me Listener, do you really want to listen to that lying HARLOT, Astrid, hmm? You know, Cicero didn't mean to cut Veezara, but the STUPID lizard jumped in his way! Cicero wouldn't have went after that STRUMPET if not for her blatant DISRESPECT to my Mother- - to YOUR Mother!" The jester wailed, trying wear a pitiful expression.
He carefully watched the girl, not daring to take his eyes off of her, lest she try to kill him. Ava said nothing, but Cicero could see her expression. It was full of sadness, worry, and pain. Maybe it was working!
"Uuuuughhh..." The jester moaned, pretending to writhe in agony. "Cicero was only doing his DUTIES! He was trying to do the will of our DREAD FATHER! Would you kill a POOR fool for that?! Surely the KIND Listener will let Cicero live to see another day! PLEASE Listener! Cicero BEGS of you! What do you say, hmmm?"
His Listener did not reply, she merely stood there. Cicero could see the wheels turning in that pretty little head. Hoping to change her mind, he made a final plea.
"Ah, Cicero sees! You don't speak because YOU Listen! AHAHAHA! Cicero get's it! You JEST poor Cicero...HEHEHE! Cicero always said he LOVES a good JOKE! Go back to that lying HARLOT Astrid! Tell her you MURDERED unlucky Cicero- -STABBED him, STRANGLED him! Tell her you CHISLED off his head and THREW it in the SEA! Hehe! Just an EENSY-WEENSY little lie..."
He watched as the young woman, who'd been frozen in place, began to move. He narrowed his eyes, watching her lower her arm and extend it toward her other side. What was the Listener doing? Cicero tightened his grip on the ebony blade...watching...waiting to pounce if she made the wrong move. He nearly leaped up, until realized that her hand was not upon her dagger, but was instead rummaging through her knapsack.
His Listener seemed to be searching for something, but was unable to find it. Finally, the young woman pulled the knapsack off, and knelt down, dumping its contents on the floor. Various items fell out, and she sifted through them, grabbing one in particular- -a healing potion. It seemed to be the only one she had in her satchel. She set it to the side, while putting her other necessities back in.
Cicero watched her wobble forward, setting the potion within his reach. Was she giving it to Cicero? Unlike deceptive Cicero, the kind, humble Listener was actually wounded. She must have thought he needed it more...Cicero was good at lying, after all. He lay completely still as Ava headed toward the door. She looked at Cicero one final time, her striking blue eyes meeting with his. She had a look on her face- -a weak little smile. That smile...Cicero loved to see that smile.
The large stone door closed behind her, and Cicero was left alone in the cold depths of the Sanctuary. He listened to her footsteps fade out, then hopped up on his feet. He felt relieved knowing he wouldn't have to dice his Listener into a thousand pieces- -and he still had a Listener! His wonderful, thoughtful Listener!
Oh, but Cicero may never see her again- -or the Mother, for that matter! He felt so lonely, so lost without them...He certainly couldn't go back to Falkreath! That STUPID Pretender was still there...Cicero picked up the potion with a devious smile...At least he still had his Listener...even if she would be far away from poor Cicero...
Gazing at two moons hanging among dancing blue auroras, Ava let out a breath of relief. She'd set up camp in the woods halfway between Dawnstar and Falkreath. It had been a long, weary day and her leg throbbed from the wound she had previously aquired. She pulled up the leg of her armor to reveal several teeth-like gashes across her flesh. She winced in pain, stretching the injured limb. It was going to be a long trip home.
Ava knew that she'd have to lie to Astrid when she returned. She wasn't proud of it, but she'd rather deceive her leader than kill her friend. Yes, he was a friend to her- -he'd really grown on her over time. Only now did she realize how much she would miss his presence. When she felt alone, Cicero was there- -comforting and encouraging her. He was quite easily her favorite person in the Sanctuary. Only there was one problem- -he would no longer be there.
She thought of how pitiful the jester appeared as he lay on the floor in the Sanctuary. She hoped that he had recovered enough from her potion to be okay. He had to be alive...Ava wondered if she'd ever see his laughing face again...Ava edged closer to the fire and laid on the cold ground. Overcome by exhaustion, her heavy eyelids closed and she began to doze off.
...
Sometime later Ava awakened to something rustling in the forest. She propped up, scanning the area for wild beasts or bandits. After nothing appeared, she figured maybe it had been her imagination. Ava shrugged, throwing a few pieces of timber into the dying flame. Just as she was preparing to sleep once again, an object caught her eye. It laid across from her on the other side of the campfire- -it was a potion - -a healing potion. It was her potion from earlier...
"Cicero?!" Ava called out. It had to be him- -he was the only person who knew she needed it. There was no reply, no movement. She was all alone. Or maybe she wasn't so alone after all...Someone was watching out for her.