Bound By Madness

37. Perfectly Broken

"Oh, let me guess! They can't get the door open because it doesn't acknowledge people who aren't real," the Fake Leader laughed as she spoke, leaning against the tall male Nord who stood beside her.

"She says the door doesn't work for her either, Astrid. It's not asking her the question any more than it asked the other two. That hasn't happened before," the vampire's voice brought silence to those who had begun to whisper to each other, eyes swiveling to stare at me in shock.

Cicero came forward and moved to stand before the door, placing his hand on it before stepping back and looking at me curiously.

"The Door whispers to Cicero still, so it is not the Door. At least, not just the Door? Confused Cicero is not sure why it wouldn't speak to sweet Faith. Let him think for a moment since he has never heard of such a thing happening either," the Jester Assassin stood there, tapping his gloved finger against his chin as he looked me over, his eyes glancing over toward the door from time to time.

Slowly beginning to walk in a circle around me, I could hear him mumble quietly to himself in a worried voice, Ellery moving to the side to avoid being run into by the man.

"Perhaps... Cicero wonders if... Yes, that might work. It is worth a try, yes? Yes! Will sweet Faith do as Cicero asks her to and not question him about why?" My dear Jester Assassin stopped in front of me and looked into my eyes as he spoke, his own honey-brown depths almost trapping me as I stared into them quietly before giving a nod.

Of course, my Jester Assassin. Just tell me what you want us to do and we shall all be happy to give it a try! Right Amicus, Ellery?

"Of course, Faith. Cicero is one of us now and it would be rude not to at least hear him out," Amicus whispered softly into my ear, his hands resting gently on my shoulders as he turned to Ellery. "And you, Ellery? You agree also, do you not?"

"If it will make that Faker stop gloating, I'd be willing to try just about anything," Ellery snarled, his eyes burning as he stared at the female Nord who was still whispering to the man she leaned against.

Leaning in close at Cicero's gesture, I waited to hear him tell me his idea. The feel of his warm breath flow against my ear had me blushing, but I listened to the quiet instructions he whispered to me before he pulled back with a toothy grin, patting me on the head before he turned to walk back to his place across from the rest of the Family. I doubt anyone missed the way his grin grew sharp as he saw Astrid's smirk, regardless of how dark it was becoming.

Are we ready?

Hearing my companions replies, I slowly raised my hand and placed it back on the door, right over the handprint on the skull's forehead. Closing my eyes, I felt Amicus' warm hand brush against mine before coming to rest beside it. Moments later, I felt another hand resting beside mine on the other side and then a chill ran down my spine as something touched my mind.

What... is the music... of life?

I felt myself begin to tremble as I heard Ellery whisper something beside me, the door giving a small pulse before it responded.

Welcome home.

I collapsed to the ground when the door suddenly moved, opening before us. Opening my eyes, I saw the entry leading into the Sanctuary, a faint light within guiding those who would enter. And behind me, only the wild laughter of Cicero as he danced about the area before making his way over to me.

"Cicero was right! He had a feeling Faith would need all three for the Door to work. Cicero thinks that, although Faith is a little broken, it is not in a way that will stop her from doing what she puts her mind to. It just might sometimes require doing things in a way that is unique to only sweet Faith and her friends. Being broken does not mean being incapable or unworthy. Cicero thinks that Faith is fine just the way she is and wouldn't have her be anything or anyone other than who and what she is, Cicero's wonderous friend Faith. Sweet Faith, who shall someday make all of Tamriel tremble with what she can do. Cicero has faith in Faith," his whispered the words softly as he crouched down beside me before pulling me up from the ground and into a gentle hug, one hand wiping the tears from my eyes as I smiled up at him.

If Tamriel trembles, then let it tremble before the Night Mother and Sithis. May it be the things we do in their name that causes people to fear what awaits them in the darkness. And when the Listener is found, may it be Mother's great and terrible words that guide our blades once more.

I ignored the sudden whispers as the Family began moving again, instead turning to pull Cicero along as we moved toward the open Door and walked inside. I wanted to tell Mother the news of how everyone in the Family would need to acknowledge Ellery and Amicus.

Thank you, Cicero, for telling us how to make the Door work.

"Oh, Cicero just had a feeling. After all, one cannot expect the Door to respond if only a part of you is asking for entry. Entry into our Sanctuary is like entry into the Brotherhood. Either all of you enters or you don't enter at all," the man tapped my nose before dancing down the stairs before me, leaving me puzzling over his confusing words.

What a strange man our Cicero is.