Dracen wanted to laugh with how Cicero was acting like a mother hen. He tutted and sighed looking her over after her fight with the dragon outside of the sanctuary just moments ago. She was still healing from the arrow wound courtesy of Maro's soldier. She wanted to tell Cicero she was fine, but she knew he would worry and fret so she let him.
"Dracen should not have tried to fight that horrid beast. She opened up her wound again." His hands went to her legs to check for any wounds. She swore he was going to search every inch of her.
"Kinda couldn't help that, you know being Dragonborn and all." He tilted his head up and glared at her.
"How many?" She cocked her head to the side and gave him a questioning look. "How many of those things have you killed?" His voice was low and dead serious. She didn't see the manic gaze she was used to seeing now. This was the man she had known. Her head fell and she sighed in defeat.
"A few dozen." His grip on her thigh tightened. She winced and he relaxed his fingers. She thought he was going to blow up at her, but he suddenly wrapped his arms around her. He buried his head in the crook of her neck. "You always said I was an overachiever." She felt him chuckle a little bit against her neck.
"You will turn poor Cicero gray before his time."
"I don't mean to." He pulled back and kissed her forehead. "I know I'm going to have a lot to explain to the others." He changed her bandage and made sure the wound was not infected. Once he was satisfied he rose to his feet.
"Rest Dragon, stories can wait till later." He threw out some furs and blankets on the floor of the room she had found him in days ago. It was his turn to tend to her. He helped her take off her armor and gingerly assisted her putting on a linen shirt and soft doeskin pants. It felt good to be out of her armor. He helped her lay down on the makeshift bed and pulled the blankets over her. "The Listener wanted to talk to Cicero. Rest and he will be back before you know it." She let her eyes slip closed and snuggled deeper into the warm bedding.
"How is she?" Cicero startled a little at Serana's voice. She had been extremely quiet while she waited to check on her friend.
"She will be fine in a few days." He looked over this stranger. "You are not one of us?"
"No, but I am a friend and I owe Dracen more than I can ever repay." He nodded, feeling the exact same way. "I will keep an eye on her for you."
"Thank you." He left the room and found the Listener standing near the Night Mother's coffin. They had put her in a small nook near the entrance of the sanctuary. Gabriella was sitting in her normal cross legged style. She had her head tilted like she was listening to words that were not there. He waited patiently till she noticed his presence. She rose to her feet within minutes and motioned for him to follow her. She found a quiet room and he followed her in.
"First I want to ask if you are healing? Arnbjorn told me he was able to get a good hit on you."
"Cicero is fine dear Listener." She motioned for him to sit in one of the few unbroken chairs that were strewn around the room. He noticed his travel chest was sitting against the wall. "Cicero is thankful his things were not destroyed. Some can not be replaced."
"Cicero, I need to know where you got the things in the smaller chest?" His eyes narrowed and he shook his head. "Those journals, the chain shirt, the weapons, all were locked in a chest that no one should have been able to get to. Please tell me how you got them."
"Cicero promised, he promised not to tell." She could see him getting agitated and his hands wrung together. It reminded her of a child afraid of a parent finding out they broke the good plates. "Foolish, foolish Cicero never should have brought them with him." Gabriella sank to her knees in front of him and took his hands in hers.
"You are not in trouble. I knew who these items belonged to and I know only she could open that chest. If you can't tell me then I will ask this, where did you get the amulet that I found in there?"
"Cicero's last contract before becoming Keeper." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The jester's laughter echoed in his head for a moment. It was a kill that he took his time with. He had drawn out the kill and tortured the man. When he opened his eyes he could see Gabriella patiently waiting. He never realized her eyes were just like Dracen's. He knew it was a common trait with certain bloodlines of Dark elves. "I had killed Mede's jester and had to hide. I climbed the dragon statue in the Imperial City. I found the amulet around the dragon's neck. It was stupid, but I felt drawn to it and took it."
"Is that why you wear this?" Her fingers touched the motley. "The jester was your last kill?" He nodded sadly.
"Cicero was alone, but the jester kept him company. Cicero only had Mother, till..."
"Till?"
"A man, he spoke in riddles and told me he could help with my loneliness."
"The jester?"
"No, the man wore finery, but it was none Cicero had ever seen. He offered lonely Cicero a way to push the silence back. The Prince of Madness is what he called himself." Gabriella hissed.
"Sheogorath!" She had dealt with him before. Got pulled into his damn drama and saved the Shivering Isles from destruction. "I've had run ins with him years ago." She raised to her feet and pulled him up with her. "He is helpful, but there is always a price."
"Cicero's sanity." He sounded so sad and so defeated. It pulled on her sympathy.
"We are all mad here Keeper, you will fit right in. Just stay away from Arnbjorn for a while, and probably Nazir too, just to be safe." She went to walk out of the room, but his soft voice made her stop.
"Listener?"
"Yes?" Cicero opened the chest and took out the journals.
"What was she like? The Hero?"
"She was put into a situation that she could have fallen apart or rose to meet the challenge. She decided to fight for love and family. Some called her hero others called her a monster. Why do you ask?"
"Her daughter is just like her." Something in Gabriella snapped and she rushed at him, pinning him to the wall. Her blade at his throat. Cicero never had the chance to react. He felt the blade bite into the soft flesh at the curve of his throat. He was afraid to even swallow. One second she was there and the next she wasn't. A flash of red crossed in his vision and he heard a growl. Dracen was between him and the Listener. Her daggers bared and her eyes glowing red.
"I will not let you hurt him!" Gabriella glared at the girl.
"No one knew about her daughter! She died!" Gabriella's voice carried through the sanctuary and drew the attention of her siblings. "The Thalmor murdered her!" Dracen held her hands up and sheathed her daggers. She was tired of hiding and this was her family, they had a right to know.
"She didn't die, though they tried. She was saved and lives."
"I saw the ruins of Cloud Ruler Temple, no one could have survived that." Cicero stepped next to Dracen and their hands entwined.
"The Blades..., they covered my escape. I ran to Bruma, but didn't get far. One of the Justicar's followed me and hit me from behind...if Cicero hadn't been there that night I would be dead." Gabriella shook her head and her body quivered. It was by sure will that she didn't fall to her knees. "I joined the Brotherhood and only two people knew who I truly was. Cicero and Alisanne DuPree, neither told my secret." Babette grabbed her friend's arm and pulled her blade from her hand. She turned to Dracen and asked.
"Who are you?"
"Dracen Corvina, I was given the last name of the paternal grandmother. If I was to claim my true name..."
"Dracen Septim." Gabriella almost whispered it as tears streamed down her face. "Daughter of Martin and The Hero of Kvatch." Dracen nodded and could feel the gazes of the others burning into her. She closed her eyes and knew her life here was over. They wouldn't want her there, not after this. She gave Cicero's hand a squeeze and then let it go.
"I will go get my thing and I will leave. None of you signed up for the shit storm my destiny brings. I swear I will never give away the Brotherhood's secrets..." She rushed to get out of the room and found herself wrapped in Gabriella's arms. She tried to push the woman away, but the embrace was too tight. Cicero moved and was stopped by Babette.
"They need this." He looked confused at the secret smile that graced the small vampire's lips.
"I thought I lost you." Dracen stopped struggling and pulled back enough to look into the older woman's eyes. "The Thalmor claimed there was no survivors." Gabriella cupped her cheek and gave her a watery smile. "I lost your father and knowing you were gone too destroyed me." Realization dawned on the younger woman.
"Mom?" The Listener nodded and pulled Dracen back into a tight hug. Dracen was frozen for a moment, then she melted into her mother's embrace. She never thought she would ever meet her mother let alone be here hugging her. All the years of guessing, imagining and here she was. "It's nice to finally meet you." A tearful giggle came from Gabriella. She smiled and kissed her daughter's cheek.
"You have your father's sense of humor." Dracen smiled. Gabriella turned to Cicero and gave an apologetic look.
"Keeper please forgive me. I had no right to attack you as I did."
"Cicero is annoying, he knows. There is nothing to forgive Listener."
"You did what I could not." He gave her and inquisitive look. "You protected my daughter. I can not repay what you have done for me." Dracen wrapped her arm around Cicero's waist and leaned into him. Her mother could see the love between them and it reminded her of the past. "Take her to rest. We all need to actually. The last few days have been trying." The rest of their family dispersed and went to find places to sleep. Only Babette stayed behind. Gabriella sank into a chair and shook her head in disbelief. "She's alive."
"And saved our skins."
"Now I know why Mother wants her to be the one to kill Mede."
"Have the one who should sit on the throne take out the one who is the Thalmor puppet?"
"It would be something she and Sithis would find amusing. The Altmeri Dominion has tried to help wipe the Brotherhood off the face of Nirn. We need to let them know that won't go out quietly."
"She will need a few days heal then I know you are off to Whiterun."
"We all need rest. I feel like I haven't slept in weeks."
"We have been busy. Get some rest my friend." Babette left the room and Gabriella was left with her thoughts. She now had a chance to take stock of all that had happened the last week or so. He family nearly died, she nearly died. They were saved by her daughter. That still was sinking in. The child she left behind to protect, the one she thought she lost to the Thalmor, saved them all. She knew full well the destiny that lay in front of her. It was much like what fate had done to her. Though her daughter has both her parents' legacies to live up to. She didn't envy the girl, but she would be damned if she lost her again. On tired legs Gabriella rose and went to find a bedroll to crash in.
OoO
Whiterun
Nazir and Gabriella entered the Bannered Mare. They had got caught up in the crowd that had surrounded the famed Dragonborn. Dracen had suggested she go and be a distraction to draw any eyes away from the Listener and Speaker. While the town's folk and guards flocked to the hero they slipped quietly into the inn. The place was pretty quiet, but it was the middle of the day. Gabriella gave a short nod to Mortierre's guard and he motioned for to the door in the back of the inn. Nazir sat in one of the chairs right by the room. Gabriella knocked once and entered.
"I think you have the wrong room miss..." Gabriella smirked and pulled her cowl up before he could see her whole face. "Oh Divines...it's you. Please believe me I had nothing to do with what Maro tried to do to you."
"Oh I know. If I was here to end you I wouldn't have knocked." The man chuckled nervously. Her soft cool voice made the blood in his veins freeze. "Sithis is still owed a soul. Where is the real Emperor?"
"You still want to take the contract?" His amazement amused her.
"The Dark Brotherhood isn't the type to give up. Now where is he?"
"A ship moored outside of Solitude. The Katariah, as a bonus and an apology Maro will be on the docks overseeing the Emperor's departure in three days time. For what he did to your group I know you would like revenge."
"It will be done. I will return when it is finished." She bowed and left the room. She decided a drink was in order and she went to sit at the bar. Nazir had already finished his drink and left the inn. They had played this game before. They never left together in public. It made it safer and staying unseen made it so they could continue their calling. She made her way to the little rock nook she and Dracen had camped weeks before. It was a quiet enough place to meet up with the rest of her family.
"Well?" She found Nazir falling into step with her outside of the city.
"Solitude. We will need to hurry he leaves in three days."
"Not a lot of time to get there and have a decent plan in place." They came up on the camp and found Cicero and Arnbjorn waiting for them. The Listener had worried that leaving the two together, but both had promised to behave. The werewolf looked annoyed, but he kept his promise. Cicero was humming quietly to himself as he poked at the campfire. "All we have to do is wait for Cora then we can start to head toward Solitude." Dracen had asked her family to call her Cora out in the world, at home she didn't care which name they used. She didn't want the world to know she was connected to the Brotherhood. Not for her sake, but for theirs. She wanted to protect them above all else. Cicero noticed them walking toward the camp and bounced up to his feet. Nazir rolled his eyes and growled. "I know the Keeper is useful, but by Sithis he needs to calm down. No one should have that much energy."
"It would be nice to bottle it and sell it. I could use some." She heard the Redguard chuckle beside her. She could see a figure heading toward them from the back side of Whiterun. Arnbjorn noticed their presence and stood up. His relaxed stance told Gabriella it was her daughter who headed a different path to meet back up with them. Once they were all gathered, she went over their objectives. Gabriella had a rough map of the docks and the bay. "Cora and Cicero will take the ship and end the Emperor. Nazir I want you to be here just with a small boat in case they need back up."
"What of Maro?"
"Arnbjorn and I will be taking care of him. We owe him for what he did." Gabriella felt she owed it to Arnbjorn to let him help. Astrid's betrayal aside Maro tried to kill them all. He tried to take more than what was demanded. A death for a death balances the scales, not total annihilation. Now his soul is forfeit, Astrid's Black Sacrament saw to that. "We go in quietly, I want Tamriel to remember who we are. Our family will bring the Brotherhood back to glory." Gabriella looked into the eyes of her siblings and saw confidence. She had not wanted to take back over as the leader of the Brotherhood, but this family made it worth jumping back into the thick of it.
"When do we leave?"
"In a few hours, we will eat and head out. Which one of you wants to go catch us something to eat?" Dracen and Arnbjorn shot each other a look.
"It probably would be a good idea that I not run around as a werewolf so close to Whiterun. I don't need the Companions coming down on us." Dracen pulled her bow and some arrows from her pack.
"I will go see what I can find. I'll be back soon." She kissed Cicero and she disappeared out over the plains.
"She hunts too?" Gabriella chuckled at Nazir's surprise.
"She is amazing, isn't she?" Proud did not begin to explain how Gabriella felt about her daughter. They had not had much time to talk or get to know each other. In time Gabriella hoped to rectify that. Once this contract was complete she wanted to get to know the woman her daughter had become. It didn't take long for Dracen to return. She had a few spring hares and a leg of goat when she came back.
"Where did you get that?" She laughed and placed the leg in Arnbjorn's hands.
"I came across a few wolves with a fresh goat kill. I used one of my shouts to calm them into sharing a small part of their meal. I know werewolves like to eat." He nodded and placed the leg over the fire. Dracen cleaned the hares and Nazir helped her cook them for the rest of the group. They ate and broke camp. If they were going to make their deadline they needed to travel quickly. Dracen ran off to gather their horses from the stables. She and Cicero would be on her bay Luck. Nazir was on Gabriella's mare Pearl and Gabriella would be on Shadowmere with Arnbjorn. The took off in silence and made their way north to Solitude.
