Written by NotTheListener, Edited and Beta-read by NotTheListener’s spouse iinosins
CHAPTER FOUR
(Nazir's journal)
25th of Sun’s Dusk, 4E 201
It's been a week and a half since Rijaan-Djo said the contract was still on. I don't understand why he’s waiting. It's like after he said the Emperor’s name, he clammed up again, and now even Cicero can't get him to talk. I'd hate to rush the Listener after everything that's happened, but all this waiting is bad for my blood pressure.
(Cicero’s journal, untitled entry, accompanied by several pencil sketches allegedly depicting Dark Brotherhood Listener Rijaan-Djo, herein referred to as “Exhibit B1, B2, B3a, and B3b”.)
Just today! While combing through dear Rijaan-Djo’s lovely fur!
Something! Happened!
Cicero was only doing what he always does! Slowly. Gently. The only way he lets me.
Rijaan-Djo leaned into Cicero's hand again, like he did the first time, like when he finally came back. I took my opportunity, and leaned in. Leaned in and put humble Cicero’s lips near the lengthy ear of the Listener. Then asked, so sweetly, what Cicero could do to help him.
To help assassinate the Emperor.
And then-
Rijaan-Djo looked into Cicero’s soul.
Yellow! Yellow! Burning yellow! Through Cicero, into Cicero! It was hard to look but harder to look away! And he said… something. Something about… “making messes”. And then he was talking about the Emperor, I think?
And then he stood!
I can still feel the Listener's hands grabbing my cowl.
Poor Cicero was sitting but found himself picked up! Put on his feet! And still, the hands clutching. Yellow, yellow, yellow eyes! Wide and angry, looking at Cicero! Through him, in him, at his face. Cicero had never felt so… on stage.
Then Rijaan-Djo started yelling!
He said:
…
I don't remember.
All I remember are those yellow eyes. The hands in my cowl. The breath on my face.
Sweetrolls.
(Nazir's journal)
28th of Sun's Dusk, 4E 201
Whelp. We finally figured out what the problem was. I genuinely can't believe Rijaan-Djo's been holding this in for so long, though I figure that's why he's been so quiet.
I was reading a book I'd recently purchased on Red Eagle (while not the biggest inquirer of Northern folklore, I do enjoy it sometimes as a diversion), when I heard voices down the hall. It was Rijaan-Djo and Cicero.
I believe I have the conversation committed to memory, but I may have missed a few things. This is what I remember hearing:
“Rijaan-Djo made a mess of things last time. Went against Astrid. Killed the cook. Killed the party. Didn't use the poison. Sliced the fake emperor's neck.”
Then I heard something get knocked over, and Rijaan-Djo raised his voice.
“Rijaan-Djo made a mess!” He growled, “The Thieves Guild told him. Astrid told him. Commander Maro told him! The Commander said it was his fault! That Rijaan-Djo made a mess and led his soldiers straight to Astrid, forced Astrid to make a decision. That he made a mess of the fake emperor and changed Maro’s mind, made Maro attack the sanctuary. It is Rijaan-Djo’s fault his family is dead!”
I ran down the hallway once I realized what was happening. I saw Rijaan-Djo let go of Cicero’s collar, then brush past me to get to the sanctuary door. Cicero looked rattled, and lowered himself to the floor. I asked if he was hurt, and he said no. I asked if he knew anything about what Rijaan-Djo was saying. He shook his head rapidly.
“Cicero didn't hear a word he said!”
Damn.
Rijaan-Djo must've got him good.
I guess it makes more sense now. Commander Maro really knew how to twist the knife in, huh? The way Astrid told it, she was the one who betrayed Rijaan-Djo, not the other way around. Sure, his methods were pretty messy, but to pin all the blame on him… No wonder he shut down. I'll talk with Babette tonight, and possibly Cicero. Maybe if we can come up with a solid enough plan, Rijaan-Djo will feel confident enough to attack. Until then, I need to check on the jester.
And see if he knows how to fix… all that.
(Babette's journal)
4E 201
After all this time, I still don't understand men. And I'm stuck with three of them.
Nazir told me what Rijaan-Djo said. Not that he needed to; I heard it all from my room. He thinks he beefed the emperor job when, really, we all did. Astrid wouldn't have had to make a deal with Commander Maro if we had a more intimidating presence. It was Astrid’s choice to stick to the “new old ways”. And sure, it kept the Brotherhood tight-knit, but it also kept it brittle. And we went along with it.
Festus and Gabriella saw it, and they said something about it. But nothing ever changed, everybody else was too loyal. I guess I'm part of that, too. I just liked having something constant in my life, it made me feel less lonely. This is as much my fault as it is Rijaan-Djo's, or Nazir's, or even Cicero’s for that matter.
We made a plan for Rijaan-Djo, all of us. It was quite special, really. Together we mapped out the entire ship our target would be on, thanks to Nazir's “extensive” library of “late-age maritime advancements” or whatever. And they were lucky to have me there, since I was able to find the route that stuck to the shadows and made sure Rijaan-Djo could sneak through, and make as much or as little of a mess as he wanted.
But what I don't get is why Rijaan-Djo’s still taking Cicero with him. I thought they had an argument or something? I wondered if he even remembered agreeing to Cicero's offer, considering how out of it he was. So I gave him his choice, Cicero or me. It's not like I'm busy. It was kind of funny, the way he pointed at Cicero like a child.
I still don't get it though, maybe it's less a guy thing and more a mortal thing. Either way I'm stuck here. With Nazir and his new pet skeever.
(Cicero’s journal)
1st of Evening Star
On the road, on the road, Cicero is on the road again!
The Keeper and the Listener, on the hunt!
Yes, the road is tiresome and… uncomfortable, but Cicero is just happy to be moving. Rijaan-Djo, ever quiet. Moving lots! But talking little. He looks stressed, and that little wrinkle on his neck is cropping up again. Perhaps the listener needs another conditioning. Surely he couldn't assassinate an emperor with a pinch in his back!
I mean… He could!
And he will!
But if Cicero gets his way, the Listener will kill the Emperor with freshly conditioned fur.
(Cicero’s journal, untitled entry, possibly a continuation from previous entry.)
The Listener is sleeping.
The Listener… is sleeping!
We set up camp. In the pretty, pretty plains around Whiterun. The streams, the mountains…
The mountain flowers.
Cicero, ever faithful, ever attentive, asked the Listener if he would let me detangle his fur. He didn't answer. No, of course not, he never does. But he turned away and sat down. Sat down right next to some of the flowers. So, Cicero brushed. Gently, slowly, Cicero detangled and conditioned the Listener's hair. And at some point…
I got distracted.
Cicero slowed down, lost track of time. Realized his mistake, and wondered if Rijaan-Djo had too. But he hadn't. The Listener was still patient, still waiting. Cicero worked even slower. Rijaan-Djo did nothing. He went back over parts he'd already done! Still, nothing! Daring Cicero even brought his hands from the back of the head to the sides, where the fur is much shorter.
And Rijaan-Djo pushed into my hand.
By Sithis I just couldn't think. I ran my nails across where fur met skin. I cooed, and combed, and coddled. And Rijaan-Djo let me. And then- Cicero heard it. A soft little snore. The Listener was asleep, finally. After all this time. Cicero felt such a wave of relief he nearly fell asleep too, but the Listener stirred, and up he went. Up to his tent.
To sleep.
To sleep!
(Rijaan-Djo’s journal, untitled entry)
Rijaan-Djo told Amaund Motierre that he would be fulfilling the contract. This one will not be letting him live when this is all over.
(Exhibit E: One leather-bound journal, enchanted with a level 10 fear spell, allegedly purchased and used by Rijaan-Djo while visiting Amaund Motierre in Whiterun, herein referred to as “Rijaan-Djo’s enchanted journal”. It should be noted to the reader that this journal was allegedly used by Rijaan-Djo in conjecture with Exhibit A, one “Rijaan-Djo's journal”, NOT in replacement. Therefore it has been argued that “Rijaan-Djo’s enchanted journal” should be considered, if not a more reliable source, a more confidential one.)
(Rijaan-Djo's enchanted journal, untitled entry)
You will be a family again.
A corpse does not understand the living. Only death. Rebirth. Rijaan-Djo does not want to be reborn. He is not dead yet. What is left of his family made sure of that. This one disappeared, but they waited for him. Rijaan-Djo is not sure if they will wait forever.
Since we have been traveling, the jester has started again. The dancing, clapping, singing, doting. It is all irritating to Rijaan-Djo. This one has bitten his tongue many times in the past few days. Rijaan-Djo would like to make the jester stop, but he remembers. He may have disappeared, but he could still see, still hear.
He watched the jester come into his bedroom in the morning, watched him leave in the evening. Heard his voice every day. Cooing. Promising. This one felt his fingers as they worked through Rijaan-Djo’s fur. The little Keeper, he waited. Was quiet for Rijaan-Djo. Sat instead of dancing. Listened for him. Rarely heard.
But he still makes it difficult for Rijaan-Djo to remain kind. Perhaps this one’s voice is a kindness enough.
The brushing is not as bad as this one thought, though Rijaan-Djo wishes the Keeper would be quieter when he does it. The humming is less than relaxing, and all the promising is very unnerving. This one does not need promises of protection and comfort, especially when he can not be sure of their truthfulness. Still, Rijaan-Djo has not had anyone speak to him like this since he was very, very young.
Rijaan-Djo is ready to get his trip over with, and make his atonement to his family.
(Cicero’s journal)
3rd of Evening Star, 4E 201
The Listener has become more… anxious. And so distant! Cicero wondered if Rijaan-Djo needed another comb - it was too soon for another condition - but he said no! Oh, he’s so worried about the assassination! Even now, now in the inn, he paces the halls of the Winking Skeever. Hehe, a winking skeever! Always the strangest names. And they call me crazy…
We went over, and over… and over the plan. Scrubbed it until it was squeaky clean! And boring…
But that's okay! It’s cautious.
It's… safe.
I don't want to take Rijaan-Djo's contract, but if Cicero has to, then Cicero will. Either way, the Emperor dies tonight!
(Cicero’s journal, a note scrawled in the margins)
