That's Madness (a Skyrim fanfiction)

Chapter Twelve - The Cure for Madness

Shadowmere is an incredible horse. He's midnight black, has glowing red eyes and he rides faster than any other horse I've ever ridden before. He even makes the rough terrain of Skyrim feel smooth and riding him felt almost like riding through clouds. His stamina never faltered either and we galloped north for several hours, making it to Dawnstar in record time. When I saw the town in the distance, I slowed Shadowmere down to a trot so we wouldn't rouse suspicion. It was late in the afternoon and evening and the sky was streaked with pink clouds. It would have been beautiful, but the thought of ending Cicero's life weighted on me. 

I weave through the town on Shadowmere, slightly worried his appearance will create a scene but nobody gives him a second glance. I feel something guiding me out of the town and along the icy beach so I follow it and I eventually come across a figure hunched by a cave and then I realise it's Arnbjorn. Gasping, I dismount from Shadowmere and sprint towards him. Shadowmere follows me and I notice Arnbjorn's sitting in a pool of blood and I tug at the saddle bags and pull out a healing potion. 

"Should've figured Astrid would send you," Arnbjorn looks up. 

"You're hurt," I hand him a healing potion. 

"What gave it away?" he says bitterly. "Got to admit that little jester is good with that butter knife. But don't worry, I gave as good as I got,"

"Where's Cicero?" I ask him and I hand him a piece of bread for him to eat. 

"In there, through the door. Some old Sanctuary by the look of it. I would've followed him but I don't know the phrase," Arnbjorn points at a Black Door with the same pattern on it as the one back in Falkreath. 

"I know the phrase," I tell him. "I'll get Cicero - you go home,"

"All right, you convinced me," Arnbjorn gets to his feet slowly. "Doubt I'd be much good to you anyway. The little fop cut me deep,"

Another reason why Cicero should pay for his crimes. He hurt a second family member. 

"Do you need another potion?" I frown. 

"I'll be fine," Arnbjorn assures me gruffly. "I slashed him good, pretty sure I severed an artery. Don't know what you're going to find in there...you can just follow the blood,"

"Do you need Shadowmere to get home?" I ask. 

"No," Arnbjorn shakes his head. "I don't like horses. Good luck sister. I'll see you back at the Sanctuary,"

I bid Arnbjorn goodbye and then I approach the Black Door. "What is life's greatest illusion?" 

"Innocence, my brother," I reply. 

"Welcome home,"

***

The Dawnstar Sanctuary is freezing. I can see my breath when I breathe out and I slip on the Dark Brotherhood gloves for some extra warmth. There's something wrong in the air and I pull my bow of my back and slide an arrow into it. Then I creep forward, trying to be as silent as I can. 

"Listener! Is that you? Oh, I knew you'd come. Send the best to defeat the best. Astrid knew her stupid wolf couldn't slay sly Cicero," Cicero's voice echoes through the Sanctuary and I jump.  "Oh, but this isn't at all what Mother would want. You kill the Keeper or I kill the Listener? Now that's...madness,"

"I'm coming to get you," I mutter under my breath, trying not to feel too creeped out by Cicero. 

I sneak forward and I notice a ghost standing in a stony corridor. I release my bow and the ghost is vanquished. Suddenly, three more ghosts appear and they swarm on me. They're freezing to touch and difficult to dispatch. They must be old, dead Sanctuary guardians. Then I have an idea on how to get past this.