An illustrated Skyrim story beyond the fall of the Dark Brotherhood~
After a surreal event, Cicero is inexplicably thrown back into a clear state of mind and his memories from his life prior to his madness return. We begin to learn who he really is...
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I was ripped from my sleep to the painfully familiar sounds of Mother crying and pleading. The monster was back. I didn't remember it returning so soon after a previous visit. I could hear its roaring voice this time. It sounded very upset repeating, "I don't care! Get rid of it!" over and over...
I pulled the ratty wool blanket over my head and covered my ears. I began humming to myself and trying to focus on the melody. A traveling bard came down my street once and sang a song for me in passing. It was so happy and carefree. I don't remember the words, but the tune still lingered. It helped but only until I heard a door slam. Silence. There was no more yelling, no more crying, no more crashing or breaking sounds...
I lowered my hands from my ears and opened my eyes as I listened. Nothing. Several minutes passed before I found the courage to pull the blanket down and peek toward my bedroom door. It felt like something was wrong. I knew I needed to check on Mother. I knew she needed me, but I was frozen with the fear of the unknown. I was small... but I needed to be strong.
I quietly slipped from the bed and made my way to the door. I took a deep breath before pulling it open and peeking out. Mother was sitting in her rocking chair while staring at a cold fireplace. Her hands were placed on her stomach and she was talking but no one was there.
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"He will be okay," she said in a low tone, "Give him time. He's better than that. You can't see it but I can. I always know what they are thinking..."
Mother talked to herself sometimes. Usually when she was very upset. One time, one of the ladies who lived a few houses down accused Mother of doing something naughty with her husband. They got into a fight and the guards had to break it up. Mother got taken to jail for two whole nights. It was really scary to be alone. I didn't like it at all. The walls creaked and the shadows danced. I don't like the silence. I don't like the loneliness.
When she came back a few days later, she paced around arguing with herself. She couldn't seem to agree with anything she said and it was very difficult to watch but I was just happy to have her home again.
