Bound By Madness: Filling The Void

Shadowy Meetings

I watched quietly as Arnbjorn argued loudly with the men sitting at the table with him, Bastian's red-haired Bryn insisting that they knew nothing about the whereabouts of our Lost Sister. As inclined as I was to believe him, I couldn't take the chance that someone else in their group was hiding information from him. Although, I was relieved that at least he didn't know anything that would cost him his life.

Looking to the side, I watched as my Cicero fingered his dagger, eyes narrowed as he flicked his gaze from one thief to the next. As eager as he was to use his blade again, I couldn't help but hope that there was no betrayer amidst this broken family of thieves. I would rather he wet his blade with blood that wouldn't bring pain to my brother.

"Where is Mercer?" I heard our Brother snarl, his hands slamming down on the table before him as he stood, the scrape of his chair filling the chamber as I flinched from the sound.

"He's been dealing with some difficulties. Things haven't been so great around here, in case you haven't noticed," Bryn sighed, his fingers combing through his hair as he got to his feet. "Maven has gotten a bit... upset over some of the goings-on in the past few weeks and hasn't been hiring our services like she used to. Mercer has been visiting her in hopes of working out a new arrangement, but she doesn't hold much faith in our... capabilities these days."

Maven? Isn't that the name from the note we found? Maven Blackbriar?

"What note are you speaking of? What exactly is going on that brought you all here? All I have heard lately is that the Brotherhood was destroyed and yet also that it was the Brotherhood that killed the Emperor," the bald Imperial said, his eyes watching me closely as they had been since we arrived.

The room grew quiet as everyone slowly turned to look between the Imperial and myself, Arnbjorn and Cicero moving to stand beside me with sharp grins on their faces.

"Indeed, Cicero got to enjoy himself before the Listener completed the contract by giving the final blow! What fun it was for Cicero to get to have! And it was all because his sweet Faith allowed it, saying that Cicero deserved to have some... justice. Kind Faith, who let her Cicero wet his blade, but still remembering that he is not allowed to kill the contract, no no! So she made sure that the Listener did the deed and had her Cicero help her collect the trinkets she wanted to bring home," my Jester Assassin said cheerfully, his lips twisting up even higher as he brought a hand to rest on my hip before pulling me against his side.

There was an attack on our Family before the Emperor's assassination was completed. We have recently been searching for signs of our Lost Sister, Arn's wife, who vanished before the attack happened. We are hopeful that she still lives, but even if she does not, we would see our Sister returned home with us. A note that we found suggested a Maven Blackbriar might know something about her whereabouts. I remembered that Bastian's Bryn had mentioned Blackbriar when we were here last time.

"Who is Bastian?" A woman asked loudly, confusion filling their voice.

"Bastian is her brother, also known as Destin," Cicero said cheerfully, one hand waving about as if he was directing a song, beginning to hum softly as soon as he was done speaking.

"Ahah! So, Destin finally admitted he likes Bryn, huh? About time. Now we just need Bryn to admit the same thing," the bald man said with a grin.

"I already told you, the lad doesn't like me like that! We're just friends," the Red-haired male said, his cheeks growing pink even as I turned to look at him.

Bastian would be sad to hear that. He seems to think you are more observant than this. As for me, I am sad to hear you only think of him as a friend, since I could have sworn his feelings were returned after seeing you flirt so much with him last time. If you are not interested in my Bastian, please do not lead him on the next time you see him.

"Don't worry, Bryn likes him. He's just stubborn and would rather wear his heart on his sleeve than hand it over to the one he likes!" The Imperial said, soon laughing at the red-head as the man's face grew even redder than before.

"What did she say?" Bryn asked, his voice rumbling in his chest as he crossed his arms.

"Just that hearing you say you don't like him would make Destin sad and if you aren't interested in him, then you should stop flirting so much," the man said, turning to me with a quick wink before looking back to Brynjolf. "Cause if you don't, she'll have to punish you for leading the boy on. Seems he's rather got his hopes up about you."

"Ahem, I know you're having fun with this but can we get back to business. Have you heard anything about Astrid? Anything at all? Or do you have a way to get us a meeting with Maven? I would like to get my... my wife back. One way or another... I just want her back with me, safe in my arms again. Please," my Brother said, his voice the quietest I had ever heard it as he stood with his head bowed down in grief.

Walking over to him, I slowly wrapped my arms around him from behind.

We'll get her back, my Brother. I promise. Even if we have to kill every last person who tries to stand between us and her, we will bring her home again.