Soul Mark - Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim AU
Pairing: Mercer Frey x Reader x Cicero
Warnings: Stabbing
Author’s Note: So I started playing Skyrim again, and for the life of me, I could not get this out of my head… also oh look, my version of soul mates. Whooooops!
You couldn't help but feel fury and rage at the man before you, Sithis knew that he felt it to. Though, a part of him couldn't really give a damn, but the other did - the one that did heed the carefully hidden mask you donned. He knew better than to test his luck
“Is this really the path you wish to walk? Trapped under the thumb of gods who view us no more than mere ants?" he unsheathed his blade. " I refuse to be a mere puppet at the behest of their games."
"Brynolf!" Karliah shoved you aside as the tip of his blade caught the back of your arm. You stumble, falling into the water as Mercer came after you. Just barely were you able to dodge the swipe of his dwarven sword. Drawing your axes, you steeled yourself against your Soul.
He wasn't intending to kill you- that much you knew. However, that didn't stop him from trying to incapacitate you. Like Karliah, he favored paralytics. You did well to dodge and parry his attacks. Of course, it did help that you could anticipate his thoughts. Then again, this connection of your’s went both ways.
"Lass, you have to go!" Brynolf said through gritted teeth.
Cicero once called you naïve, ironic coming from a court jester, but it was true. Despite the nature of your occupation, you always held the best in people. You hope that you wouldn't be proven wrong here.
Mercer had planned to release Brynolf from his spell once he made his escape from these ruins. With you paralyzed, that would have kept them occupied long enough for him to leave and create a greater distance from the Guild. What he did not anticipate was the feeling of cold steel burning into his stomach.
You purposefully missed deflecting his blade. Stomach wounds, while excruciating, can be treated within hours of occurrence.
Though to be quite honest, this plan wasn't thought through as well as she thought it was.
A ragged breath escapes your lips.
You could feel your Shadow tense as the blade withdrew. The knee jerk reaction caused your body to falter.
He couldn't catch you as you plummeted into the frigid water. Both your bodies cried out in pain as you bashed the platform below before being submerged once more. Not one person in that room will ever forget the sickening thud.
Mercer collapsed, feeling every inch of pain you felt. Remorse coursed through him then panic. Crawling towards the edges he could see you just above the water's surface. That fall knocked you out cold. A blessing considering the water was now reaching your nose. Drowning was a cruel death.
"No, don't!" Karliah said, stopping the now spell-broken Brynolf. They watched as Mercer dove into to retrieve you. “They’re Mark’d.”
“Karliah, she’ll die.”
“Exactly- if she dies, then he does as well.”
"Gallus wouldn't want this."
"Gallus is dead because of him! What's one life in turn for his?”
Mercer dragged you out, panicking as he could feel the cold creeping in. "Y/N…”
The satchel that was on his person had long since fallen since their battle began. Shattered glass bore into his skin as he dug through it. Potions he brought to support his journey were crushed underneath the wretched Eyes of Falmer.
“Jester,” he grunted as he lifted you in his arms, “if there ever be a time for you to show, then it would be now."
Brynolf only stared at his mentor, a man so cold that he once left Vex to the guards when she was trying to break into Goldenglow. It was uncharacteristic to be as panicked as he was.
You had met Mercer when Brynolf recruited you. You weren't in the business of thieving until circumstances forced you to mascarade as a guild member. Of course, circumstances pushed you to delve deeper into the guild. After that, you were in it just to see what adventure they would bring next.
A high profile job brought you to Solitude. Par for the course, someone had requested someone to obtain a casket's worth of gold and gems. A hefty prize that was to be gifted to the widowed queen. And if taken, then a great deal of fortune for the Guild.
Mercer had gone with you to make sure nothing went wrong. While the Thieves Guild had their contacts, the Dark Brotherhood had a far more extensive network.
Everything had almost come to plan if he hadn't been foolish enough to try for more. Cicero had made for an excellent distraction but a renegade guard had stumbled upon your operation.
Karliah had long since fled when you and Mercer reached the cave. Brynolf, bound by honor, stayed to aid you. He felt no feelings towards the man he once called friend.
“Listener," Cicero whispered, the remnants of health potion dribbling from the corners of his mouth, "Cicero would be most displeased if Mother was no longer heard. Are you listening, Listener?”
Brynolf couldn't help but feel like an intruder in their makeshift camp. Cicero had met them at the cave entrance. He had never felt such a dark presence before, especially from an individual wearing such a jovial outfit. The smile he wore was menacing, to say the least.
"Go, Brynolf," Mercer ordered, pressing more cloth to your stomach as Cicero took another swig of the health potion, "you are no longer needed."
The jester-dressed assassin paid neither men any attention as he firmly pressed his lips to yours forcing the red liquid to dribble into your throat. Once he finishes, he raises his head, looking pointedly at the man, "the thief wishes to stay for listener. Cicero wishes for neither of them to stay.”
“Jester-“
“Guild Master,” his tone cut deep, "Babette will not allow you in the sanctum. Stay if you must but only in the town of Dawnstar. As for you, thief, tell your guild to stay away. Cicero has allowed these shenanigans to go on for long enough. The Listener must return to Mother. Otherwise, Mother will not be pleased with dear, dear Cicero."
