A Fool's Blade

Chapter 45 - Darkness Incarnate

Where am I?

"Hurry guys! I'm telling you, she's in there!"

Babette. Was this all just a dream?

"We're going...as fast...as we can, you stupid she-devil."

Nazir. Please tell me this is just a nightmare.

"I don't see you...helping..."

Aventus. Are we all that's left?

"I'm not exactly built for manual labor. Now come on, you've almost got it.

Nazir grunted "One more...pull...there."

"Now we just need to get Ma out of there."

"Can you get it open?"

"I think so. Just hold on a moment."

"You must speak with Astrid. Here, in the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary." The Night Mother's raspy voice broke her thoughts.

Light was shed into the tomb, and Jade whirled around to see everyone. Nazir caught her as she stumbled out.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down. It's alright. You've been through a lot. Maybe you should just sit down for a bit..."

"Astrid...Astrid's here...in the Sanctuary. We need to talk to her!"

"She's here? By Sithis, I thought we'd lost her. Let's go!"

The Sanctuary was dark now. Charred remains were scattered about, and the whole place smelt of burnt flesh. Jade leaned against the wall as she trailed along the hall to Astrid's room. There was a small section lit with candles, a burned body in the center, nightshade and an iron dagger by the hand. Suddenly the body began to talk.

"Alive...you're alive...Thank Sithis..."

"Astrid..." She was burnt almost beyond recognition.

"Ssshhh...Please. There is much...I have to say. And...not much time...I'm sorry. So very sorry. The Penitus Oculatus...Maro...He said that by giving you to them, he would leave the Dark Brotherhood alone. Forever. By Sithis, I was such a fool. All of this...it's all my fault. You are the best of us, and I nearly killed you...as I've killed everyone else..."

"You will be judged by Sithis in the Void. I pity you."

"No! Don't pity me. I deserve whatever fate the Dread Lord has in store. I betrayed you...and now Maro has betrayed me. Fitting...I just wanted things... to stay the way they were. Before Cicero, before the Night Mother. Before... you. I thought I could save us. I was wrong. But you're alive! So there's still a chance. A chance to start over, rebuild. That's why I did... this. Don't you see? I prayed to the Night Mother! I am the Black Sacrament." 

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying you were right. The Night Mother was right. The old ways... they guided the Dark Brotherhood for centuries. I was a fool to oppose them, And to prove my... sincerity, I have prayed for a contract. You lead this Family now. I give you the Blade of Woe, so that you can see it through. You must kill... me."

Jade pressed her lips together as she grabbed her bow and drew an arrow. She looked away closing her eyes as it flew.

"...Thank you..."

"Astrid is dead. It is as it should be. May she find redemption in the Void. But while you live, the Dark Brotherhood lives. We must fulfill our contract. Emperor Titus Mede II must be eliminated. Speak with Amaund Motierre at the Bannered Mare in Whiterun. He will know the true Emperor's location."