bopdog111: Been a few months but we had a valid excuse this time.
Ulrich362: True apologies but until recently I wasn't able to access my copy of Skyrim.
bopdog111: We won't be discussing why but it was something out of his hands but we're back onto this one.
Ulrich362: True so let's see what the Wolf Empire is up to. Enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: We don't own The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim but we own the OCs!
The night passed, and now Noel, and Potema are heading towards the mess hall to discuss there plans, and other things with there Council with there newest recruit, Cicero. After that encounter with the assassin, Noel is interested what this empire's direction would lead into now since they are securing the end of the Mede Dynasty for the Septim Dynasty to take over once again. He also has Mehrunes' Razor for him to give Cicero once he's secured his trust.
They walked in the mess hall to find everyone already seated, and deep in discussion with Cicero, and Rhiadia not in the room yet.
"About time you two show up, were you busy giving this empire its first heir?" Borkul questioned with a smirk.
"Come now Borkul, we were busy after such a long, and exhausting day." Noel should've been embarrassed but that haven't crossed his mind since he had a valid reason for that. "Fighting lots of Dwarvern Machinery, Falmer, finding the Aetherium Forge all that stuff. An heir is the least of our worries right now."
"True, so now we continue the hunt for Daedric artifacts?" Madanach inquired.
"Yes. But we're gonna need a Silver-Blood to assist us out in this one." Noel said as he, and Potema sat down together to join them. "We're gonna go for the Prince of Deceit next, the dark mistress who Logrolf devoted his loyalty too before. Boethiah."
"I see." Madanach nodded.
"So what do we do for this one?" Borkul questioned with a frown.
"Do we still have our captive Silver-Blood who were are trying to join our cause?" Noel looked over towards Silus who is the temporary warden of Cidna Mine until a better warden is decided which he nodded making Noel nod back. "Very well then he will accompany us to the Shrine of Boethiah far into the east. We need to have a sacrifice if we are to succeed in gaining her blessing."
"Oh, a sacrifice... does mother approve?" Cicero inquired curiously. "I wonder, I wonder."
They looked over seeing him entering the room.
"Ah Cicero glad you can join us." Noel smiled over towards him. "So have you made your decision to come join our cause?"
"For the time being our goals align, but I must listen to mother and make sure to find the Listener." Cicreo replied with a giddy grin.
"Very well." Noel gotten up with a smile. "Then as proof, as promised."
He takes out the Razor handing it over. "Use it well, and may any prey you make contact with let out pathetic screams within Sithis." Cicero takes the Razor before then saying over. "But to answer your question, this isn't really concerning the Night Mother, no disrespect towards her of course. We follow more then her will, we also gain the blessings of the Daedra Cicero, and right now we're gonna head for the Prince of Deceit to get her blessing next."
"Of course, but we will locate the Listener soon correct?" Cicero asked as he took the blade with childlike glee at how it felt in his hand.
"Soon." Noel isn't sure how but he was to keep Cicero's trust they do need to find out how to get a Listener in there stead since the Dragonborn won't be so willing. "Unfortunately it's not our top priority. So let us focus our matter with-"
Knock Knock Knock.
"What is it?" Noel directed over to the door.
"My lord, there's some type of coffin in the castle. We're moving it out to the cemetery, and thought you'd like to know." a guard's voice answered over which Cicero looked panicked over.
"Don't you dare touch it with your filthy hands! Mother needs to be protected and cared for. I bought mother's coffin to Skyrim myself!" he cried drawing Mehrune's Razor at the door.
"Stay your hand Cicero!" Noel ordered over getting up rubbing his head. "Oh dear, we probably should've addressed this. Guard don't do anything with that coffin just yet, we're heading over to it now."
"Yes, my lord." Nervous from the defensive cry Cicero let out the guard only said the response, and head out.
Noel turned towards his council. "Sorry we will finish this discussion at the carriages. We're gonna have the Night Mother be in a respectable spot."
They all nodded getting up to walk to the carriages to wait.
Meanwhile...
Rhiadia right now was walking to the mess hall after it took her a while to look presentable, and spending the time to manage her child with Eltrys just caressing her belly. But now she's heading to the mess room when she noticed some guards trying to move a coffin that looks really odd to her while one who came in told them to stop.
Rhiadia stared before turning to walk more.
'Hold child.'
Blinking she paused and turned to one of the guards. "Did you say something?"
The guard turned over shaking his head confused.
'In here...' the voice spoke again which Rhiadia turned over to the coffin. 'Yes, the one within the old coffin... Show me who you are...'
"I... I must be losing my mind." Rhiadia frowned. "Guard, can you... open the coffin for me?"
"Why?"
"Let's just do it, if it's important for the Emperor to not have us move it."
With that said after picking the lock they opened the coffin revealing it was an old skeletal corpse wearing a red/blue robe, and having a crown.
Rhiadia flinched seeing the corpse. "How old is this body, it has to be centuries old... possibly from before the third era."
'Indeed, yet my spirit still lingers within.' the voice spoke again as Rhiadia sees the corpse glowing as the voice spoke which only she can see. 'Yes, my old bones are discussing with you child. Poor Cicero, who tries so hard to listen to my voice cannot. Cause he is not the Listener. I will speak to you, young child, for you are the Listener of the Dark Brotherhood. Should you encounter Cicero, tell him the words he had been waiting for all these years: 'Darkness Rises When Silence Dies'.'
Rhiadia's eyes widened in shock. "I... I must be losing my mind."
Shaking her head she turned to the guard. "You can close it, is emperor Noel expecting me?"
"He'll be arriving shortly. You feeling alright, you been staring at this draugr corpse for a minute." the Guard asked her a bit worried over her staring at the corpse.
"Well I-"
"DEFILERS!"
Hearing the sudden voice they looked seeing Cicero running over with Mehrunes' Razor in hand while Noel, and Potema ran behind him over as he held it threateningly. "How dare you open my sweet mother's coffin, and expose her to the filthy world! Back away from it now!"
"Okay listen crazy guy, step away, and put that down before-"
"Do what he says." Noel ordered over to the guards.
"What, your highness he's holding a knife, he's hos-"
"I said, stand down!" Noel yelled over to make his point clear. With that the Guards lowered there weapons, and stepped away from the coffin like he had ordered before he sighed turning to Cicero. "So sorry, about that Cicero, I wished we could've done something to prevent this from happening."
Rhiadia blinked at hearing this jester is Cicero who this corpse in the coffin told her to speak too, and say the words. From the way he's holding that blade, and getting defensive around the coffin it should make sense.
"Cicero doesn't want your apology. Cicero wants his sweet mother cared for. Still I must find the Listener but alas no-one has heard the Night Mother spoke so there is no Listener." Cicero spoke over towards Noel from this.
Noel softly nodded understanding over. "Don't worry, we will do something about that."
Staring at him Rhiadia paused. "Cicero?"
"What? These defilers must pay for their treatment of mother's coffin. I…" Cicero started furiously.
"I, have a message for you." Rhiadia explained. "It was, 'Darkness Rises When Silence Dies'."
Noel perked up in shock hearing that while Cicero paused himself while the young emperor turned over towards her. "I'm sorry what? What did you say?"
"I have no idea, I must be going crazy but I was told to say that to Cicero." she explained looking at Cicero. "Does it mean something to you?"
"The... the message was that... to you? 'Darkness Rises When Silence Dies'?" Cicero asked over to her which she slowly nodded which he shakes his head holding it. "But those are the words. The Binding Words. Written in the Keeping Tomes. The signal so I would know. Mother's only way of talking to sweet Cicero..." Then slowly he grew a maniacal grin dancing around. "Then... it is true! She is back! Our Lady is back! She has chosen a Listener! She has chosen you! Ha ha ha!" He suddenly turned to Rhiadia bowing to her. "All hail the Listener!"
Rhiadia blinked before turning to Noel. "I have... no idea what he's talking about, and he's starting to frighten me."
Noel turned his eyes to her before he sighed shaking his head with a smile. "Well... this is a really unexpected turn of events. Well Rhiadia since your now involved in this, there is no harm to tell you what this just gotten into." He looked at her hearing that. "See Cicero is an envoy. An envoy from the Dark Brotherhood."
"The... the Dark Brotherhood is real?" she asked in shock.
"Oh very real. I have my reasons why I invited him over here but it's cause I believe the Dark Brotherhood's place in history can't be denied." Noel answered over towards her. "There a necessary evil to have, and I figured to have them over for the Empire to have in place of protection, and keeping the Night Mother guarded." He gestured to the coffin at the 'Night Mother'. "And the fact that she spoke to you means your now in high regard cause that means your now the Listener, the leader of the Dark Brotherhood, Rhiadia. The only person who can speak too, and can be spoke too with the Night Mother."
"So the little girl is in charge of a group of assassins, this empire is getting more interesting every day, what next you're half dragon?" Borkul chuckled.
Rhiadia is still blinking a bit from this still in shock which Noel chuckled over. "Well I suppose if nothing else, we will get to work on getting something secure for her. But Rhiadia you as Listener is a big responsibility. What did she tell you so far?"
"She... only said... only I can hear her, and to give Cicero the message."
Noel nodded over hearing that. "Very well. Not much but it's certainly huge news. Well for now we will use the former Silver-Blood Bank to place her in until we find a more secure place."
"Actually your highness, I have a location in mind." the Argonian Forsworn who accompanied Madanach against Orchendor spoke up as they turned over to him. "I noticed a Dark Brotherhood door here near at Markarth but I didn't check it out since most of the Dark Brotherhood was extinct. Maybe that can be your spot?"
"Depends. We don't know the passphrase so it wouldn't be much help." Noel shrugged over before turning to Cicero. "Well it's worth a shot. The Dawnstar Sanctuary is something to consider but as it's in a ruined state, the war going about, and with how far it is, it's not a safe place for the Night Mother, and the Falkreath one is too deep in enemy territory for us to transfer to Astrid's pretender guild. Why don't we check this out?"
"After, we speak with Boethia and obtain her artifact correct?" Madanach mentioned reminding Noel of what he said before. "It'll take time to reach this sanctuary and we should do some research in case it's in no better shape than the one in Dawnstar."
"This is important for Cicero so I like for his response before then." Noel said over towards Madanach. "Right now the Night Mother is unguarded, and getting her to safety is an important step."
"Of course." he nodded calmly.
Noel turned back to Cicero. "So Cicero should we check this Sanctuary out?"
"But of course, no better safe place then a Sanctuary. But alas, we don't know the passphrase." Cicero said over towards them. "Maybe the Night Mother knows?"
They looked to Rhiadia who blinked before turning back to the Night Mother.
'The question to the Markarth Sanctuary is 'What is life's greatest feeling?', the passphrase within is 'Indulgence, my brother'.' the Night Mother thankfully spoke up at this.
"Indulgence, my brother." She repeated.
Noel blinked over. "That's... the same passphrase I gave Cicero." He then smiled. "Oh the irony."
Then Rhiadia paused over. "Wait, won't we be attacked?"
"We're trained fighters, I'd wouldn't worry." Noel assured her. "Alright once we conclude our business at the Markarth Sanctuary, we head out for Boethiah's Shrine."
The group all nodded at that.
With that once they armed the wagon, and carriages they head out where the Argonian Forsworn (who's name was Silm-Zaw) directed them at, and very soon during the journey, they found the Brotherhood Sanctuary door.
"What were the odds of a Sanctuary being here?" Noel asked wondering how this bout of good luck came in.
"What is life's greatest feeling?" the door spoke up towards them.
Noel smiled over. "Indulgence, my brother."
"Welcome home." the door opened up allowing them access which they head in.
As they did one of the Forsworn brushed away some cobwebs. "Nobody's been here in ages, its disgusting... but it might be structurally sound."
After walking down the set of stairs down they seen a large area with training dummies, the Sithis Window, furniture, bed places, and multiple other things with a shrine as a holding spot.
"Wow talk about impressive." Noel looked around impressed by the decor. "Once we clean it up, it'll be useful." He turned over to Rhiadia, and Cicero. "So then Listener, and Keeper can this work?"
"Of course, this will be a wonderful home." Cicero grinned through Rhiadia looked unsure.
Noel turned over. "Okay then place the Night Mother over at the shrine. That should be a good spot." The guards nodded turning back as he turned to the two. "I'll get some people to clean this place, and made it livable so you don't have to worry about cobwebs, and other things in your faces."
"Should some of us stay as guards, just in case?" a Forsworn inquired.
"Of course, was that a question to ask? With how small there are, and promised protection they do need some guarding before they get on there feet with more members." Noel answered over.
They nodded as a group of five Forsworn moved to keep Cicero and Rhiadia safe.
"Now one of you send for someone who can help with the furnishing, and cleaning." Noel directed a guard who nodded heading out. "Now let's head to Boethiah's Shrine." With that they got on the carriages heading off to the East for Boethiah's Shrine.
"With all these artifacts, I'm starting to wonder if you're not planning to become a Daedric Prince yourself." Borkul told Noel.
"Oh trust me, that's not on my agenda. You know the inability to die brings about eternal suffering." Noel mentioned over to Borkul. "So even if I be a true immortal which I don't want, it'll just backfire on me in the near future."
"Still, having the artifacts of the Daedra will help our empire." Potema mentioned.
Noel nodded over smiling as they discussed over there plans while traveling over. Very soon arriving at a mountain Noel looked over to a second carriage which carries there Silver-Blood Sacrifice, "Have him stay in the carriage until we're ready for him."
A Forsworn nodded at that. They walked up at this heading up the mountain where they find some Dunmer around chatting fighting or reading. Seeing them a dunmer woman turned over walking over towards them.
"Hello." Noel greeted over to her.
"We are Lord Boethiah's faithful. Have you come to test your mettle?" the woman asked over towards them.
Noel nodded over towards her. "My heart is full of purpose, and my life is full of deeds."
"I see, then if your words are true bring someone here and offer them to lord Boethiah." the woman stated calmly.
Noel nodded turning to a guard who nodded running over before returning with the Silver-Blood captive who Noel smiled towards. "Don't worry friend. If you do this task for us, I promise the Silver-Bloods will be back to what they were before."
"What task is that?" the Silver-Blood questioned not believing Noel's words.
Though a hint of him does as before this they made sure he is able to do so for the sake of this being genuine.
"For what task it is, it's to prove ourselves." Noel stated over before gesturing them to follow him which they did so over. "Okay go stand over there please. I'll follow you." He gestured to the pillar.
Suspicious but not sure why the Silver-Blood walked over to the pillar.
Just then the pillar glowed, and pulled him where he is trapped against it as Noel walked over pulling out the Mace of Molag Bal. Grinning over towards the Silver-Blood he told him. "Thanks for falling for that easily. I knew you be desperate enough." He raised it up before slamming it down at the head of the Silver-Blood killing him instantly.
"Well, it seems your words were true after all." the woman noted. "Though, I was to give you this blade of sacrifice first."
"Well I'm sure it wouldn't matter what I use." Noel from playing the game knows that the Blade of Sacrifice is not a mandatory weapon to use for this as long as the person he brings dies in anyway that's what matters. Just then magic, and an aura built around the Silver-Blood as it slowly stood up which Noel bowed in one knee. "Lady Boethiah."
"The Wolf seeks my blessing and artifact after killing my priest for that wretched Molag Bal?" questioned an echoing feminine voice. "Then prove you deserve it. Kill everyone here."
"It will be done." Noel stood up pulling out the mace turning to the Cultists. "Sorry, nothing personal."
The Cultists seeing this readied there weapons charging in as Noel moved attacking over blocking some attacks while kicking some away while slamming the mace down on there shoulders, or legs while using spells over. Turning over to a stronger Cultist he smirked over. "YOL TOR SHUL!"
Flames breathed out burning the cultist alive who screamed jumping off the platform for a painful death while Noel kept fighting the cultists smashing, stabbing, or destroying there bodies or weapons before after knocking the woman down a knee takes the Blade of Sacrifice from her, and slit her throat as she dropped down killing everyone like how he stated. All of the Forsworn, and others are below so they didn't count on that which means there safe.
"It's done my lady." Noel bowed down to the cultist who's body moved like the Silver-Blood's.
"Very impressive, well young wolf as it stands I am in need of a new champion." Boethiah told him simply. "The old one is... not suitable any longer. Be stealthy and kill my former champion who dwells at Knifepoint Ridge. Do this, and you will be my new champion."
"Yes." Noel nodded on his knee before walking down to where the Forsworn are waiting. "We're heading to Knifepoint Ridge where Boethiah's old Champion resides. Once he's dead, we will claim her artifact."
The group nodded at that.
So they headed out for Knifepoint Ridge arriving in, and silently killing the bandits within. Noel arrived at the Entrance turning over. "Anyone that escapes you stop them. I'm going in myself." They nodded as Noel sneaked in slicing throats or assassinating the bandits over. He collects the gold or items they carry while walking more killing bandits as he goes. Soon he arrived in a large area where he sees a Dummer wearing the Ebony Mail sitting down drinking ale, and books.
Noel checked taking out a bow, and readied over aiming at the head before firing it. The arrow hit killing the Dunmer instantly. Noel grinned dropping down arriving where the Dunmer's body is, and removes the Ebony Mail alongside his gauntlets, and boots before slipping it on, in awe of the power it possesses.
"You have done well, my Champion. You have earned my respect, a feat few manage and live to tell about. I shall write your name upon the Tablet of Absolute Darkness." he heard Boethiah's voice said over in his head. "You may keep my Ebony Mail, a token of my appreciation to my new champion. Its gifts will resonate with your talents. Now go. I have strings to pull that require my full attention. You may pursue your own course wherever it leads you. Remember always this: As you will it, so it shall be."
Noel nodded over. "As you wish Lady Boethiah." He walked with the Ebony equipment on but notices a Daedric Sword, and takes it smiling walking out showing everyone he is now wearing the Ebony Mail. "Fellow comrades. The Ebony Mail is now in our hands!"
(Obatained: The Ebony Mail!)
Everyone started to cheer from this as Noel looked over himself, and turned to Potema smiling. "How do I look?"
"Very impressive." Potema smiled.
So with that they head back to the carriages to head back before suddenly they hear something making them stop as Slim-Zaw looked around. "What was that?"
Noel notices something, and widen his eyes. "Dragon! Get down!"
(Cue Battle Theme: A Fight to the Death)
Turning over they see a Dragon charged in charging a breath. "FO KRAH DIIN!" Ice was fired from it's breath down onto them.
"Why is a Dragon here?" A Forsworn cried drawing her bow and shooting an arrow.
"They roam everywhere what do you expect?" one another Forsworn asked her.
Noel grunted over. "Don't worries, don't waste your energy, I can bring it down!" He waits as the dragon flew around attacking them as they moved. Soon when the dragon moved forward to attack Noel picked his moment to attack. "JOOR ZAH FRUL!" Launching Dragonrend at the Frost Dragon to force it to land.
"What words are those!?" The Dragon roared in pain.
Finding his mind understanding mortality the dragon is unable to focus on flying forcing himself to land nearby as Noel pulls out the Daedric Sword he gotten from the Champion. "Now while he's grounded!"
The Dragon roared in pain snapping at the group and breathing fire, killing some Forsworn before eventually taking flight again.
Before he's able to fly Potema readied herself calling over. "JOOR ZAH FRUL!" The Dragonrend from her hit the dragon again forcing him to land on the spot he just flew out of as the Forsworn attacked the dragon with there magic or weapons as Borkul smashed Volendrung onto it's back talon smashing it while Madanach fired ice spikes over piercing it in several areas.
Noel charged in readying his sword. "Die dragon!" He jumped up as in it's final moment the dragon looked seeing the Emperor jumping up, and stabbing down piercing the top of his skull down at his brain as they stared at each other in the eyes. The dragon stayed in suspension in dropping down dead.
"That… we killed a dragon." one of the Forsworn whispered only for something to fly from the dragon into the distance.
"What-what's going on?" the female Forsworn asked as the scales, and flesh burned off the dragon while Noel pulled his sword out.
"The Dragon's Soul is getting absorbed." Noel figured what's going on but to who the Dragonborn, or Miraak he doesn't know.
Suddenly a Forsworn ran to him. "My emperor, a message from Rhiadia."
He turned over towards him paying attention. "What is it?"
"Something about a contract in Windhelm, a boy named Aventus Aretino?" the Forsworn answered.
Already knowing what this is about Noel grinned over nodding over. "Alright we're heading back immediately to address this."
"Dark Brotherhood, should we really get involved with them?" Borkul questioned.
"Yes of course, that even a question?" Noel asked over to him. "Despite there methods, they like the Daedra Princes aren't inherently evil, they follow Sithis' will as a necessary evil."
Borkul shrugged. "If you say so."
Ulrich362: A bit… actually very short but another artifact was collected and the Listener has been identified.
bopdog111: With a Dragon encounter at nearly over 4500 words.
Ulrich362: Oh… more than I thought. But that brings up a big question, when will the Wolf meet the Dragonborn?
bopdog111: Soon that be certain. With a diplomacy truce.
Ulrich362: Sounds like a plan. See you in the next chapter.
bopdog111: Be sure to review!