Bound By Madness: Filling The Void

Dreams And Memories

I looked around the area, bewildered at what I saw. I'd been inside, hadn't I? And even though the weather wasn't exactly warm, it hadn't been raining this badly in recent days, so where had the storm come from? Besides, this area didn't look anything like Riften or its surroundings, although it didn't help that it was dark from the heavy clouds that covered the sky. The rain pouring down and turning the road into mud did nothing to help.

It was the sound of muffled laughter that caused me to turn my head in shock, as I would never forget that particular sound no matter how long I lived for. Seeing a flash of purple and red from the corner of my eyes, I turned back the other way, seeing a familiar figure step up beside me.

"Ahh, so this is where it happened, is it? What perfectly wretched weather to meet him in," he cackled as he looked down the road to the stranded cart.

What is this? Why are we here? This has already happened, so why am I seeing it again?

"Oh, don't worry. You'll understand soon enough. Or not! Who knows how that head of yours will behave, after all!" He chuckled as he turned to walk down the road, his eyes moving to follow the movements around him even as I frowned at how the rain seemed to avoid landing on him.

Meanwhile, I was becoming more and more drenched as I began following him, my eyes flickering to see the black and gold of one jester's outfit before moving further down the road to barely make out the red and black of the man pacing beside the cart. As we got closer, I could feel my heart begin to pound, remembering how this had been the day it had truly all started for me. This had been when I had met the first person to join Ellery and Amicus as my most treasured people, as well as eventually leading me to the rest of those I would come to call treasure.

Suddenly, a shout rang through the wet air, my head jerking back as I flinched somewhat from the sound.

"Damnedest wagon wheel!" I slowed for a moment as I watched the Cicero who was not yet mine kick at the wooden wheel laying upon the ground before stomping over to lean against the wagon itself.

I knew that the three travelers were coming closer, but I couldn't take my eyes off the man in front of me, finally stopping my movement when I was only a few feet away from him. Obviously he didn't see me as he had been complaining loudly.

"Cicero is sorry about the horrible weather here, Mother. Cyrodiil is much more pleasant, but does not have any Family remaining there for us to seek. If the foul farmer Loreius would just fix Cicero's wheel, he would have you on the way Home already! But no, the man refuses to help! Cicero," he paused for a moment when he finally noticed the movement down the road, my eyes taking in all the expressions his face took before he began speaking again in a softer voice. "Cicero worries that the man will begin whispering to the guards soon, Mother. He noticed the way the man spoke last time Cicero asked for help."

It was sad to hear him speaking in that particular lilting voice he used when he was closest to breaking down, watching as his hands came up to tug at his hair before he turned to begin checking the tarp that kept Mother safe from the rain. I could see how tense he became as he waited for the me who was not me yet to come closer before he spoke.

"Does the stranger plan to keep staring at poor, drenched Cicero?" He grumbled as he tugged on one of the ropes holding the tarp down, a gust of wind pulling at the well-oiled cloth.

From there, I watched as a familiar scene played out before me, although this time I watched closely my dear Jester Assassin, taking in the looks he gave me and the way he moved. And when the past me finally wandered up to the farm to speak with Loreius, I stayed behind and listened as he spoke once more.

"Mother... Could this be? Or is Cicero imagining things again? Ahh, he must be imagining it, right Mother? After all, to see her of all people after this many years... No, it couldn't be Cicero's little thief, not here in Skyrim of all places," he mumbled, shaking his head as his hand clenched at the fabric over his chest.

"Hah! Lookit that! He remembered you, even if he denied it! Now I can see why he didn't just kill you right off the bat!" I jumped at the voice from behind me, turning to look at Sheogorath as I gasped, trying to catch my breath again.

How could he remember me? This is the first time we met! Stop talking nonsense!

"You know, if anyone else dared to speak to me like that, I would gut them and make them eat their own entrails. It's a good thing I like you, Juni! But! But," he growled before turning to me with a sharp smile, "if you speak to me like that again, I might have to think up a punishment that won't kill you. You might be my favorite toy right now, but that doesn't mean I'll let you be rude to me without some form of consequence."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I stared back at the man with wide eyes. It was far too easy to forget that this man was a Daedric Prince when he spoke and acted so casual around me.

I'm sorry. I'll behave.

"That's better. Now pay attention! The best parts are coming up! Oh, this shall be a grand viewing that our little jester has allowed us to watch!" He shouted, taking a step forward as he turned his head to look up the road toward the farm.

My own eyes followed for only a moment before turning back to focus on Cicero, watching how the man had apparently been pacing for some time now, a look of worry battling with hope as he muttered to himself softly. I could tell the moment he saw the past me coming back from dealing with Loreius, his eyes growing wide as he stopped his movement. I barely bothered glancing over to see the rain washing away the blood from Past Me's skin, my eyes returning quickly to take in the shuddering breath that ran past this Cicero's lips as he stared at the sight.

"Cicero has a lamp he can light for the interesting stranger to work with. Perhaps she can tell Cicero how she convinced Loreius to give her his tools while she works?" The wicked smile that spread across his face had Past Ellery cackling as the Jester Assassin spoke to Past Me.

Sheogorath, please, tell me why we are here. Why are we watching what already happened?

"Silly Juni! Didn't you hear me? You should get better at listening to people. Ah! Looks like it's over here," he chuckled again as the world began growing darker. "What a shame, I was looking forward to seeing that dance you told me about! But dreams always did tend to be fleeting things, and memories even more so."

I felt my eyes close, a hand gently brushing against my face.

"Sweetling, wake up. It's time to get ready. We have a meeting to attend," the words were whispered softly, echoing strangely in my head as the world suddenly dropped from around me.