Author's Note: Hey guys, here's the next two chapters. I hope you enjoy, and as always, thank you all!
Chapter 21: The Winds of Change
...TWO YEARS LATER...
Ava stood propped against a bookshelf sipping from a tankard and listening to yet another round of Ragnar the Red. She shook her head, smiling to herself while watching a young and eager assassin attempt to strum the lute, screeching drunkenly at the top of his lungs. She watched in amusement as her Keeper danced about foolishly among a crowd of drunken young hopefuls.
Cicero glanced in her direction, winking at her as he pranced about until the song finished. The jester then approached her, smiling wickedly. "Is Listener SURE she doesn't want to dance with poor Cicero?" He pouted, beginning to tug at her sleeve. "It IS the Listener's day of birth after all. Why, the day Listener came SLIDING out of her mother's womb is a day to be celebrated! Don't you think, hmmm?"
"Haha...While I appreciate the offer, I think I'll pass on this one, friend." Ava politely declined, noting the sour look forming on Cicero's face.
"Awww...Listener, why not dance with your faithful Keeper for once? Hmmm? It will be like when Listener danced with Cicero in Riften! Oh, what FUN we did have! REMEMBER, Listener? Back when Cicero didn't have to MARCH his TIRED, ACHING feet all the way to Falkreath to see his dear friend?!" The jester whined, pouting exaggeratively.
"I thought you took a carriage with the others." Ava smirked playfully.
"Never MIND that, Listener!" Cicero grinned, waving his hand as if brushing her comment away. "He still doesn't LIKE it - - having his Listener so FAR away!"
"Yes, I know..." Ava placed a hand on his shoulder, attempting to comfort him in some way. "But you know I had to. It was far too risky for me to stay in Dawnstar after Maro sent his Agents after me. We narrowly escaped that one." Ava explained, remembering the day a swarm of guards infiltrated the Dawnstar Sanctuary. The Brotherhood had grown enough by that time to properly defend themselves, but things could have gone much worse. That was when the rebuilding of Falkreath had begun. The Brotherhood certainly had connections, and with enough coin and a quick meeting with Delvin Mallory, the old Sanctuary was up and running in no time.
"Cicero understands this...he does...he just misses his Listener..." The jester's brow curled up in a true expression of sadness. "Is Listener SURE he can't bring Mother here to live, so that Cicero won't have to leave?!"
"I wish you could, Cicero, but you know as well as I do that it's too dangerous for that. We'll surely draw attention to ourselves, and we need as little of that as possible as of now." Ava said, reminding the jester of what he already was aware of.
"Cicero KNOWS, but he thought it was worth a TRY..." Cicero sighed, gazing at the den of rowdy assassins joyfully celebrating among one another.
"I'm sorry..." Ava replied sympathetically. "Cicero, you know you're welcome here anytime...I could use the company, to be honest."
"Oh, OF COURSE Listener! Cicero will visit EVERY chance he gets! If it weren't for the MOTHER, Cicero would reside with you..." The jester smiled sadly at Ava.
"Now, now you two...break it up." Babette approached the two, drink in hand. "I see you're survivng down here anyway. It's a pity you have to be stuck with Nazir and that snarky mage. I really don't know how you do it." The tiny Vampire grinned.
"Heh heh...I get by. I'm used to it now..." Ava smiled weakly, attempting to appear more comfortable in Falkreath than she actually felt. Nazir was one thing, but the mage was another story altogether. Lielle was her name - - and from the moment the girl became an initiate back in Dawnstar, she seemed to have it out for Ava. She didn't understand why the young woman was so hell-bent on making her miserable. Perhaps it was a personality clash, an alterior motive, or just plain dislike for her. Either way, Lielle always felt the need to start trouble with Ava. What made matters worse, was the fact that the Breton girl was both a talented mage and assassin. She'd managed to quickly work her way up to Speaker, along with Nazir, Babette, and Vottur. Ava wasn't fond of the woman, but she figured that she'd put her feelings aside for the sake of Sithis and the Black Hand. They had needed a fourth Speaker after all, and Lielle did meet the requirements.
"Well, I for one am glad to see you again. It is simply dreadful to try and have a conversation with Vottur and Cicero. On one hand, Vottur doesn't like to conversate. Then you have Cicero." Babette vented, shaking her head.
"Cicero is right HERE, Un-child! He can HEAR you!" The jester scowled, folding his arms.
"Oh, come now, Cicero. I was only teasing." Babette scolded the huffy jester. "Besides, I'm sure our Listener is thrilled to see her Keeper again - - and on her day of birth, nonetheless." Babette said, trying to comfort a pouty Cicero, who stood looking at Ava for reassurance.
"Of course I'm happy to see you, Cicero." She smiled, "I'm glad you came." Ava could see his spirits lift as he hang onto her every word.
"Well, how old are you now Listener?" Babette inquired, rubbing her chin as if she were secretly trying to guess.
"I'm thirty..." Ava answered. It was hard to believe that over two years had passed since she'd become the leader of the Dark Brotherhood. It seemed funny to her how time had a way of speeding by right under her nose.
"Oh, Listener...You make Cicero feel so OLD..." Cicero winced.
"If it makes you feel any better, you're still young compared to me." Babette smiled devilishly at the Keeper.
"Wicked little IMPS of the Night do not COUNT...Unlike you, Cicero AGES..." The jester frowned, placing his hands firmly on his hips as if to protest growing older.
"There you are!" A familiar voice rang out, as Nazir made his way through the crowded Sanctuary and approached Babette. "How are you doing, you old She-Devil? Are you still holding the place together?"
"I'd be careful who I called a She-Devil, considering you sleep at night and I don't." Babette smirked at the Redguard, "But yes. The Sanctuary is doing quite well, if I do say so myself."
"Have you been receiving your fill of contracts? We've made sure to send half of them your way." Nazir inquired.
"Oh, YES! Cicero snoops around Dawnstar everyday to look for the Courier. He makes DOUBLY sure the assassins receive their souls for SLAUGHTER!" Cicero piped in proudly.
"I see you've brought the clown..." Nazir huffed, "Wait, the Courier only visits Dawnstar once a week by my knowledge. Why in the Void are you looking around Dawnstar every day?" Nazir eyed the jester suspiciously, swishing the Mead around in his tankard.
The jester's lips curled into a sinister grin. "Perhaps Cicero enjoys SNEAKING about...WATCHING...LURKING...Hehe!" He cackled darkly.
"I see you haven't changed any...You're still just as insane and creepy as I remember." Nazir shook his head.
"Maybe the Redguard should keep silent and enjoy his Listener's CELEBRATION!" The jester barked irritably.
"You do realize the festivities have nothing to do with Ava being born, don't you? We have a large number of young assassins dwelling here. It's like this every night." Nazir remarked to the jester, raising an eyebrow.
"Well it does to Cicero!" He said, scowling at the Redguard. Ava could feel a smile crawl across her face ivoluntarily, as she watched Cicero defend her. She never seemed to grow tired of the jester's overzealousness, as it amused her to no end.
"Where's Vottur?" Ava pulled Babette to the side, while Cicero and Nazir were distracted with bickering amongst each other. "I haven't seen him all night."
"He stayed behind to keep watch over the Sanctuary. He told me to send you his regards." Babette replied. "Just don't let Cicero catch you asking about him...I hate dealing with that fool in one of his jealous moods. He can be quite a pain, really." Babette rolled her eyes.
"Well, I can assure you he has nothing to worry about. Vottur and I are just friends." Ava explained, feeling a bit guilty to come off that way to Cicero. She'd never intentionally cause the poor fellow any grief or worry. It may have been over two years since he'd admitted his feelings toward her, but she could never forget the hurt look on his face when she'd turned him down. Things had eventually smoothed over, and the two now acted as if nothing had ever happened. Of course, Ava could sense that somehow his feelings hadn't changed, and she had no desire to hurt him further.
"Yeah, well try and tell him that..." Babette moaned. "I really do wish we could move him in with you...The Dawnstar Sanctuary would be more tolerable, anyway..."
"Haha...Maybe he'll calm down some since he's been away from Dawnstar." Ava replied, trying to raise Babette's hopes.
"I can only hope as much. We're leaving tomorrow night, so he'd better get his fill while he can. We probably won't make another trip to Falkreath for a bit...You know...Considering how things are now." Babette said.
"I really am glad to see you two here again. I miss you both..." Ava smiled sadly. "I truly wish it didn't have to be this way."
Ava seated herself at a small desk in her sleeping quarters, placing a quill and a roll of parchment in front of herself. Despite the fact that the Night Mother's remains were still located back in Dawnstar, Ava could still hear her commands. At this time the contract numbers were as great as their now-large family, so she took it upon herself to record them all to divide between the two Sanctuaries. So far her plan had been working quite well, resulting in very little travel between Dawnstar and Falkreath. Knowing that her companions would be leaving the next night, Ava decided to conveniently send the list home with them.
Ava herself hadn't been on a contract in roughly a year - - since the invasion. Since Maro discovered she was indeed alive and had been the very assassin to murder the Emperor, he'd placed a very high bounty on her head as well. She realized it would be unwise to be outside of her Sanctuary any more than necessary. The whole Brotherhood, for that matter, was at an all-time high risk of attack.
In a way, Ava didn't mind being cooped up - - she could stay inside and keep to herself. She would hand out contracts to the speakers, who would, in turn, handle it from there. She figured the bright side of it all was that she didn't have to kill anyone herself. It was a feeling she never could bring herself to grow hardened to - - taking a life. She kept that to herself, of course, considering the Dark Brotherhood was truly on the rise, and they had a certain reputation to uphold.
After scribbling down the various contracts the Night Mother had relayed to her, she rolled up the list and tied it with a strip of leather while her mind wondered off for a bit. Ava thought of her poor, lonely Keeper having to live away from her. She knew poor Cicero hated to be in Dawnstar. She quite honestly hated it, too. She missed the jester, and hoped to find the right timing to move him in. She ran her fingers through her long black tendrils, while tapping her boot on the ground impatiently, as if to rush time ahead of itself. While she may have decided to stay alone due to personal afflictions, she was still as fond of the jester, if not more, than ever. She didn't let him know that, however, for fear of messing things up between them again.
Ava had never seen the jester depressed before the incident two years ago - - she never even thought it possible, due to his over-the-top jubilance. However, she found that it was indeed possible, and she felt completely responsible. The poor fellow sulked for the longest time, pretending to be cheerful, but Ava had seen through his façade to the heartbreak that dwelled beneath. Slimy was an understatement of how Ava felt for causing him to feel that way. Thank Sithis, things straightened out and he eventually became his old self again.
Ava sighed, finding herself thinking of Cicero once more. She felt that it had become an awful habit, especially since she rarely saw his face now. Ava would catch herself missing him, or remembering some of his crazy antics. Sometimes she'd even ponder on other things. She'd think of how he'd rescued her, and the moment when she kissed him. She'd remember how her heart raced, how his arms felt wrapped around her. Sometimes she even wondered what it would be like to be with him...Certainly interesting, no doubt.
Ava shook her head, mentally scolding herself for such inappropriate thoughts. She stood up from her desk, stretching her arms, when her thoughts were interrupted by the Mother's voice.
"AVA, MY CHILD...IT IS TIME...THE PROPHECY...CONTINUES...COME TO DAWNSTAR...EMBRACE YOUR MOTHER ONCE MORE..."
Nazir whipped around, his wooden sword clacking against that of a young assassin, flinging it clear out of the young man's grasp. The young man stood, eyes wide, as if in awe at how quickly the Redguard had won the challenge.
"Nice try." Nazir smirked, throwing the sword in a nearby bucket and casually stepping away. He loved to dominate the new bloods in the Sanctuary - - the looks on their faces were invaluable when they realized what a skilled fighter he was. Times like these reminded him of the old days when he was but a young rowdy assassin, just getting his hands wet.
"Nazir...Can I have a word with you?" A voice caught the Redguard's attention, as he turned to see Ava standing on the steps overlooking the training area.
"What it is, Ava?" Nazir asked, watching her walk to the pooling waters, while motioning him to follow behind her.
"I need to make a trip to Dawnstar..." Ava spoke to him in a hushed tone.
"Why on Nirn would you need to go back there Ava? Don't tell me it's that blasted jester." Nazir huffed. Surely it wasn't the clown, of all people. The Listener didn't need to go risking her life just to go back with the fool...
"No, it's not Cicero." Ava replied, her tone very sober. "It's the Night Mother - - she spoke to me last night. She wants me to go to Dawnstar...She spoke very vaguely, but I just know it's important."
"Oh," Nazir said, relieved she wasn't leaving for some frivolous reason. At least this was business. "I suppose that's different. Babette and that buffoon are leaving tonight, so I guess there's your chance."
"I'll write to you when I find out what this is all about." Ava told Nazir, as he sensed the worry in her voice.
It was typical of his Listener to grow tense and anxious over every uncertainty that came her way, and he'd grown to expect it by now. Nazir had to admit, she grown into her position a bit over the past couple of years. She wasn't quite so timid and fearful as she had been in the beginning, much to his surprise. He never thought she'd stop being such a weak doormat, but that changed in time. That being said, she was still far more of a worrier than Nazir had been in his entire life. Much quieter too...He still didn't think she spoke her mind quite enough, but he figured some improvement was better than nothing at all.
"Very well, then. Just try not to get yourself killed." Nazir warned.
Ava pulled the hood of her robe up over her head, hiding her face from view as she stood between Babette and Cicero while they readied themselves for the trek back to Dawnstar.
"HERE Listener!" Cicero beamed, grabbing her knapsack off an endtable and bringing it to her. Ava could see a wide grin painted across his face - - he looked as if he'd split in two if he'd smiled any harder.
"Really Cicero? You've started with the fetching already? We've not even made it to Dawnstar yet." Babette smirked at the jester, who wasn't amused by her remark.
"Cicero was just being COURTEOUS to his Listener..." The jester whined, frowning.
"I wonder what the Night Mother has up her sleeve this time?" Babette pondered, placing a couple of healing potions in her knapsack. "She certainly knew what she was talking about when she said the Dark Brotherhood would prosper."
"I'm not sure...I'm a little nervous to be honest..." Ava admitted. She remembered the last time the Night Mother had mentioned the prophecy. Though it had been quite a while back, Ava could still distinctly remember the word destruction. That was a word Ava never enjoyed hearing.
"Ah, to have the Listener AND the Mother in the Sanctuary once more. It will be as OLD TIMES! Hoohoo!" The jester waved about excitedly.
"Mind if I tag along?" A voice inquired from behind them - - a voice that made Ava cringe as it fell upon her ears.
She turned around to see the curvy blonde Breton standing behind her, hand casually on her hip. Lielle stood with a smirk on her face, as if she knew it would irritate Ava to come along. Ava sighed gently to herself in frustration.
"I don't think it's up to me..." Ava remarked, looking to Babette. If it was up to her, however, she'd surely say no to the trouble maker.
"...I suppose - - just stay out of the way." Babette answered sternly, appearing visibly annoyed at her presence.
"Now, who said I would get in the way?" Lielle grinned slyly. "I'll pack my things. You're not the only one who's tired of being cooped up in this gods-forsaken Sanctuary, Ava." The mage remarked, slinking away into another room.
"Hehehehe! Ah, the STRUMPET mage is coming as well!" Cicero laughed, dancing about. "The more the MERRIER, perhaps?! Is the Un-child HAPPY with our extra COMPANY?"
"Can it, Cicero. You know I'm not fond of her. She's vile..." Babette scolded. "But she does serve as extra protection, so I'm letting her come along." The tiny Vampire looked up to Ava apologetically, "I'm sorry..."
"It's okay...I understand. The way things are, we need all the help we can get." Ava shrugged, trying to force herself to see the bright side. She had a feeling this was going to be a very unpleasant trip with Lielle along, but she tried to repress that thought for the time being. The important thing was hearing the Night Mother.
"Cicero thinks the harlot will come in QUITE handy! Why, she can provide certain SERVICES to our young assassins to BOOST their morale! Teehee!" He provoked. "Cicero doesn't mind..."
"Of course you wouldn't. The only woman you've touched is a dead corpse. You'd like anything at this point." Babette grinned at the fool.
"Now wait a minute, Un-child! 'Tis NOT true..Not true at ALL..." Cicero pouted, glancing at Ava, who quickly diverted her eyes to avoid any awkward contact between the two. She hoped he wouldn't say anything about them, and she secretly hoped that he wouldn't say there was someone else either.
"Alright, are we ready to go or what?" Lielle approached the group once more, her satchel packed and ready.
"Don't tell me you're still going to wear that ridiculous tavern dress out there. We do need to be discreet. You know, not draw any unwanted attention." Babette huffed at Lielle, her hands on her hips.
"What's wrong with this?" Lielle asked defensively, studying her skimpy attire.
"I wonder." Babette retorted sarcastically.
"Cicero doesn't see anything WRONG with it..." The jester stood rubbing his chin, while raising an eyebrow suggestively. The Breton girl smiled devilishly at him in response. Ava couldn't help but feel the sting of their flirty interaction.
"Change or don't go at all, dear." Babette demanded.
"Fine..." Lielle sneered, pattering off into a passageway, and coming out a moment later in a black mage robe.
The four of them now ready, Ava began the journey back to Dawnstar - - for the first time in a long while she'd be seeing her old home.