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Of Two Heroes	By : Haunter_Rayne Category: +A through F > Elder Scrolls - Skyrim Views: 6579 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Elder Scrolls or any of its settings, items or content. This is a parody fanfiction for entertain purposes, not for profit.

Chapter List
- 3
- 4
- 5
**Author's Note** So there will be some in game religious references made in this chapter. A lot of them actually. Readers who never played through Morrowind may not understand the gravity of these references. For clarity sake the main character in Morrowind was known as the Nerevarine, the main character of Oblivion was the Champion of Cyrodiil, just as the main character of Skyrim is known as the Dragonborn. My Argonian is both the Nerevarine who later in his life went on to be the Champion of Cyrodiil. But more importantly, the Nerevarine is more of a deeply religious savior to Dark Elves native to Morrowind, not merely a hero of old.

Of Two Heroes
By Haunter Rayne
Chapter 4 - The Piety of Faith

Without even giving Nazir a second glance, Rayne proceeded up a nearby staircase to the second story of the sanctuary. Here he found what looked to be the sleeping quarters for the group. With no one else around he swiftly searched through their belongings. “Where are they?” He asked himself. He checked the cupboards and looked within chests. “Where are they?!” He hissed aggressively. He opened the wardrobe and searched their end tables. “Where are the Tenets?!” Abandoning the sleeping quarters he proceeded through yet another doorway but quickly came across an upstairs wall plaque which was in better condition than below. However as Rayne glanced over the five numerals, he saw each line clearly drawn without so much as a letter remaining from where words had once been. “They… erased them…”

Quickly he scoured forward, finding forgotten and unused rooms. “Empty… sacrilegious… unmanaged… this is no sanctuary.” He sighed heavily as his eyes filled with blood lust. “There is no glory to Sithis in these halls… Oh Night Mother forgive us all, how many years has it been since a purge has been sanctified?” He asked, resigning himself to his decided fate for all who dared call this tomb their home.

However just then he noticed movement from behind him, not having been forewarned from his Detect Life enchantment being a part of his iron mask. “New brother. May I offer our most sincere welcome into our family.” It was the Dunmer girl. She had followed him, seeming to greet him herself however, Rayne sensed that there might be more to it. He wasn't hiding but he knew enough about stealth to be aware that his face was in shadow. “You certainly have a strange energy about you.” She looked as if she wanted to say more but stopped when he suddenly stepped toward her.

“Where are the Tenets?” He asked her in a low, threatening voice.

“W-what?!” She said, taken off guard by his tone. But suddenly she got a look at the death glare in his eyes, now that he was closer. Looking him over now she saw the two very large swords that were equipped to him underneath his robe. “You, you're not just a lowly murderer…” But then her eyes caught sight on the markings on his robe which were an exact match for the tapestries that hung about the sanctuary. “You aren't a new initiate at all… You are already a member of the Dark Brotherhood. You're from a different Sanctuary… you've been observing us!” Realizing that her life was in danger she turned to run. However she had not taken a single step before the Argonian had cleared the distance between them and pinned her to the wall. She gasped as the air was crushed from her lungs. She gazed at him wide eyed, “Your speed… that is Morro- Morrowind magic… old magic.... how…?” But then she was forced to claw at where he held her throat as suffocation began to take hold. He dropped her to the ground where she coughed and struggled to breath. She looked around for help but they were far from the others and she now could no longer scream.

“WHERE ARE THE Tenets!” The Argonian hissed with murderous intent. He reached into his cloak drawing both of his swords. One shined with a fiery gleam while the other sparkled with electric current. She looked at them seeing a painful death at their ends.

“They are gone!” She choked out, fighting for her life to answer his questions. “Astrid did away with them nearly ten years ago! She doesn't teach them to the newer members!” She then keeled forward, choking on her sore throat until she was finally able to restore her breath. She could see the growing hate that was now seeping off of the Black Hand member before her. She knelt at his feet knowing that she could neither outrun nor overpower this man. The light of his weapons flickered in her eyes as he decided what to do with her. However just as he rose his blades to strike he watched her eyes follow his left hand and she whispered, “Hopesfire?”

Suddenly Rayne froze as his two blades were held in the air above the kneeling Dunmer. “What did you just say?”

Now she stared wide eyed as her youthful face distorted in disbelief. “That! That is the holy sword Hopesfire! That is the blade of the goddess Almalexia! A previous ruler of my homeland!”

Now Rayne chuckled. “Yes I know. I was there.” The shock in her eyes made him grin so he continued. “In case you are unaware, this other sword in my right hand is the fire blade Eltonbrand. It is what I used to drive into Almalexia’s heart before I took Hopesfire from her over two hundred years ago.”

Now Gabriella’s face scrunched up as if her mouth were suddenly filled with curdled milk. “YOU LIE!” She choked out, feeling disgusted by what she just heard. “You can't! How could you…” But with a simple turn of his left wrist her eyes fell upon something that made her freeze as her entire body seemed to go numb. “... By the Moon and Star…” She gasped as she looked up to him with tears now streaming across her cheeks. “I know of you!” She softly cried. “I am Morrowind born, my parents raised me on your tales my entire life.” Quickly she threw herself into a prostrating pose before him and began kissing his boots.

“You know me?” He asked as he watched this curious display.

She nodded without removing her lips, speaking now in heavy breaths, “What he puts his hands to, that shall be done.
On a certain day to uncertain parents Incarnate moon and star reborn.” She transitioned now from one of his boots to the other. “Neither blight nor age can harm him.” She paused now considering that he had just mentioned two hundred years but then she continued, “The Curse-of-Flesh before him flies.
In caverns dark Azura’s eye sees.”

But then the Argonian reached down and pulled her up by the arm to a kneeling position. “And makes to shine the moon and star. Yes, yes, I am quite aware of my legend. I had to hear it repeatedly from every tribe master and recite it myself to the three houses.” He said with thin patience.

She smiled to him now and feebly tried to wipe the tears from her eyes. “You are the one! You saved my people and the world! You slew Dagoth…” But she stopped again halfway through as Rayne pulled his demonic iron mask out from his cloak and placed it back over his face.

“I slew Dagoth Ur and took from him his face.” He chuckled proudly.

Gabrielle stared at him. “You wear the Daedric Face of God… you wield Hopesfire… you wear the Moon-and-Star ring of Azura. No other could do all these things so it must be true. You are the Nerevarine!” She said as if speaking to the second coming of her holy savior. “How can I serve? I will do, anything, you ask of me!”

Rayne narrowed his eyes at the Dark Elf girl but then stood believing that she was sincere. “I want what I want, dear sister.” He said cryptically to her.

Slowly and nervously she also stood before him. “I will give you anything my Nerevarine. My gold is yours. My body I offer to you. Tell me what you desire and I shall make it my life's purpose to provide it for you.” She pleaded and hung on his silence as if awaiting doctrine from a prophet.

“Your gold I have no use for. I have riches to last me several lifetimes over. Your body I might take in time, you are very beautiful.” He said, observing her face closely now and she flushed at having the most important individual of her history and culture praise her. But she focused as he continued saying, “But what I desire is the restoration of this sanctuary and it's rightful faith in Sithis. The Divines be praised and the Daedra be worshipped... but they both will fall if enough power is brought against them. I personally slew the Daedric Prince Dagoth Ur and since that time have also become the new Madgod of the Shivering Isles. But Sithis my dear sister… Sithis is the Void. The Dread Father is forever.” He watched in her eyes as she soaked up his every word. “It is through the Night Mother and the Five Tenets that we worship him. However this sanctuary seems to have forgotten that.”

When she spoke to him it was with reverence to his greatness. “Forgive me, my Nerevarine. I do not know how to make that happen for you. But your words I take to heart. Your faith in the Dread Father becomes my faith, your respect for the Night Mother becomes my respect.”

Rayne nodded and looked around with his Detect Life enchantment to make sure they had no eavesdroppers. “Your Nerevarine would bestow wisdom upon you, knowledge that for now I would have you keep secret until I announce as otherwise.” She nodded in silence, not daring to interrupt. Seeing this Rayne was pleased. Remembering the words of a personal hero to him, Rayne quoted, “You prefer silence, then? As do I, my dear child. As do I. For is silence not the symphony of death, the orchestration of Sithis himself?” He reached down and stroked her cheek affectionately. Then pulling away he told her, “The Listener to the Dark Brotherhood was not lost during the Cyrodiil & Thalmor War. The Listener stands before you now, Listener and Nerevarine one and the same. I forsook Cyrodiil when they did not accept the aid of Sithis to defend them against the Thalmor invasion.” He paused allowing this Tamriel shattering information to process through the stunned Dark Elf.

After a moment he continued. “Now that the truth of my identity has been established, I have a task for you. At the entrance to this sanctuary is an eccentric man dressed as a jester. Tell him that the Listener is ready for him. But mention none of this to the other members. Now go.” He said simply, then watched as Gabrielle nodded and silently obeyed.

- Down in the Dragonsreach Dungeon -

“Greetings Thane, how can I help you today?” Asked the prison guard as he saw the familiar dark elf woman approaching.

She smiled cordially to him before saying, “I am looking for a Redguard who was arrested recently. He is a foreigner. I just want to ask him a few questions.”

The guard nodded and gestured his arm down towards the cells. “No harm in that, go right ahead. He's right down that way.”

She nodded thankfully and then proceeded on to the cells. It didn't take her long to find the lone prisoner sitting in his cell. She didn't want to have to deal with anymore uncivilized banter so she decided to cut right to the chase. “I need to find Kematu, where is he hiding?” She asked demandingly.

“You have a death wish, then?” The man called out with surprise. Rising to his feet he stepped closer to the bars while saying, “If you know that name you must know that to meet him would be to meet your end. But it seems we both have needs, friend. Perhaps we can help each other out.”

“Let me guess. You want me to bail you out of here and in exchange the information on Kematu?” The prisoner grinned and nodded. Valyne slapped a hand to her forehead and groaned with annoyance. “How much is your fine?”

“One hundred gold would secure my release. You can afford that, can't you? Get the money into the hands of one of these guards, and I'll tell you what you want to know.”

Valyne paused for a moment after hearing the amount. The man stared at her through the bars feeling confused by her silence. This had left him unprepared for her following outburst, almost resulting in him falling over as a result. “What the fuck did you do to have a fine of a HUNDRED gold?! I can kill a guard and not get a bounty that high!” Valyne stammered in disbelief.

Almost immediately afterward she looked to her side nervously. “Hmm?” An absent minded guard grunted to her.

“Nothing!” She chimed nervously. Stepping over to him she cleared her throat and told him, “I want to pay for that prisoner's fine.”

The guard didn't even respond to her statement. He only lazily outstretched his hand. Feeling annoyed but deciding best not to cause trouble, she decided to ignore it and just count out the gold. “Done. Convince him to stay out of the city while you're at it.” He finally said but made no immediately attempt to move.

Storming away from the guard before his attitude caused her to do something she'd regret, she rattled the bars of the cell and yelled out, “Your fine’s been paid. Now tell me about Kematu!”

“Very well. Kematu is west of Whiterun. It's an unassuming little cave called Swindler’s Den.” Now that she had her information she turned toward the door. She could no longer tell if the prisoner or the prison guards were irritating her more. She had only half caught the following cries from the prisoner as she made her way out the door. “Guard! My fine’s been paid, now set me free!”

“Sorry, my ears ain't so good. You say something?” The guard replied after a leisurely stroll over to the cell after the Dark Elf girl had left.

“I said my fine has been paid! Now let me out!" Declared the prisoner as he rattled the bars.

The guard seemed unmoved though as he smiled while saying, “Right, right... oh look at that. I seem to have lost my keys. It might take me awhile to find them. You just sit tight. I'll get around to it eventually.” Then without another second thought the guard turned from the cell and began walking away.

“Curse you!” Cried the angry prisoner.

The guard just snickered as he headed back towards the entrance to the dungeon. That was until he bumped into an angry looking Dark Elf standing with her arms crossed in the walkway. “Um, excuse me.” Valyne glared at the guard. “Do you make a habit of stealing gold from the Jarl's dungeon?”

“What are, no! What?!” The guard stammered.

“I am Thane of Whiterun and I gave you gold to release that prisoner. And I just watched you not release him with my own eyes. I'm sure the Jarl would be interested to know that there is a guard stationed down here who couldn't even keep track of the keys to the prison cells. Boy would that make you look incompetent.” She said mockingly.

“Wait, wait just a minute!” He pleaded as she just continued on and on.

“So which is it? Do you have your keys and you are stealing from Dragonsreach for your own gain? Or have you lost your keys proving your incompetence?” She really had him backed into a corner now.

After clearing his throat the guard made a show of patting himself around. “Oh, I just simply checked in the wrong pocket is all. I've got the keys right here. Just a simple mistake.” Then he walked straight back to the Alik'r Prisoner's cell to open it.

As soon as the door had flung open the Red Guard cheered and walked up to Valyne. “Than-ghk!” He suddenly choked as she grabbed him and thrust him back against the wall.

“Listen to me. You leave this town and don't come back. Go tell your friends too. If you ever return to Whiterun I'll kill you. Now get!” She ordered before throwing him forward towards the door.

- Back at the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary -

A bare hand clad in scales reached towards the empty placard that was engraved into the wall. Red eyes gleamed with anger as a claw tip gleamed with a fiery light. “These sacred tenets shall never be removed from this sanctuary again.” The Argonian hissed as his claw slid through the stone like a heated knife though soft butter. “Tenet One…”

Some time later, Rayne came through the doorway atop the staircase leading back to the main chamber. All members of the sanctuary had gathered once more to meet the jester who was now causing a fuss. He stood beside a small mound of rubble which had been used to prop the Night Mother's coffin up with. Cicero waved his hand in dramatic fashion proclaiming, “But the Night Mother is mother to all! It is her voice we follow! Her will! Would you dare risk disobedience? And surely... punishment?"

Rayne remained silent as the werewolf was eager to take hold of the large weapon he wore strapped to his back. "Keep talking, little man, and we'll see who gets ‘punished.’" He almost snarled at the end of his threat.

The warrior's bravado was short lived though as the old wizard quickly raised his hand to calm his compatriot. "Oh, be quiet you great lumbering lapdog. The man has had a long journey. You can at least be civil. Mister Cicero, I for one am delighted you and the Night Mother have arrived. Your presence here signals a welcome return to tradition."

Rayne could not resist a smile seeing the old timer give respect to the ideals that he held dear. The others had not seemed to take notice of his presence yet, no doubt distracted by Cicero clapping his hands together and rejoicing. "Oh what a kind and wise wizard you are, sure to earn our Lady's favor."

It was about this time that Astrid's patience had seemed to run out. In a commanding voice she announced, "You and the Night Mother are of course welcome here, Cicero. And you will be afforded the respect deserving of your position as Keeper. Understood... husband?"

"Hmph." Came the short response from Arnbjorn.

“Oh, yes yes yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Cicero began to dance in place.

Although his merriment was cut short by a follow up remark from Astrid. "But make no mistake. I am the leader of this Sanctuary. My word is law. Are we clear on that point?"

He paused to look toward his robed master observing silently from the wings. But after seeing no response from him, Cicero preceded by saying, "Oh yes, mistress. Perfectly! You're the boss."

“Yes, about that…” Rayne said pointedly, startling several of the other members in the process. He then began to walk down the steps toward the group. Immediately Gabrielle moved away from the group toward him but he bade her to stop with his hand.

Astrid quickly approached with an authoritative tone. “Ah, there you are. Good, I was done speaking to that muttering fool anyway. We’ve got some business to discuss.” She said coldly, having no hesitation in besmirching Cicero right in front of him.

“Before that,” Rayne stated, making no signs of following her, “I wondered if I may be permitted to ask a few questions. Seeing as we are all gathered together, it seems as appropriate a time as any.” She crossed her arms looking insulted by how he brandished his authority over her in front of the others and simply waited for him to continue. “Astrid, as the Keeper of this Sanctuary what can you tell me of the rules in which the members of the Dark Brotherhood are to follow?” All members of the sanctuary seemed to notice the disrespectful tone in which he questioned her without taking a single step to follow her lead.

The nord woman chuckled saying, “Used to be that the Dark Brotherhood was bound by the Five Tenets, but we stopped following those years ago. All those rules, all that discipline and look where the Dark Brotherhood ended up. We’re the last of our kind, in Skyrim anyway, and we live the way we see fit. Bottom line - respect the family. Do that, and everything else will fall into place.” She ended her rant with a bit of moxy in her voice. She smiled as if she had just gave a great declaration to be proud of. But then she grimaced seeing the eyes through the Argonian's mask looking anything but pleased.

Rayne kept his cool, relying on his master skill of speechcraft to keep him from reacting violently. “And what will change, now that the Night Mother is here?”

Astrid seemed more that happy to answer him, as if to throw her words back in his face. "Very little. You have my word on that. The Night Mother represents a chapter in the Dark Brotherhood's history that has long since been closed. Today we live by our own rules. We're the last Sanctuary in all of Skyrim, and only by forgoing the old ways have we survived for so long.” She felt no shame in completely ignoring the horrified expression on Cicero's face.

Scrambling forward he tried desperately to explain. “The Night Mother’s crypt in Bravil was… desecrated. The Imperial Province is ravaged by strife. Nowhere there is safe, at present. So Cicero brought our Lady to her new home. Here! This is the only Sanctuary in all of Skyrim you see. Such was my… honor. As Keeper.” Despite his best efforts, his defence fell upon deaf ears as Astrid simply turned away from him.

Rayne now addressed the members asking, “And is this how each of you feel as well?”

There was a short pause before Veezara spoke up first. “Truthfully? I’m not entirely sure. It’s not that I don’t have the utmost respect for Sithis, and the Night Mother, and the ancient ways. I do. But I’ve never been much for religion. I kill because it’s what I’ve been trained to do. It’s all I know. So as long as Astrid is happy, I’m happy.”

Babette spoke next, not even needing to be prompted. “Two hundred years ago, I would have lain down my life for the Unholy Matron. But that is an age long since passed. Astrid is my matron now.”

Rayne now looked around to the rest. Nazir nodded before saying, “I don’t like mimes, minstrels, thespians, acrobats, jugglers, troubadours or tumblers. Flutists give me a headache. I particularly hate jesters. As a rule, I’m also not crazy about the corpses of old women. For the Night Mother, I’ll make an exception. But Astrid is the only mistress I service.”

“You're all fools!” Came another quick response. Festus Krex spoke loud and proud as he declared, “Their arrival is the best thing that’s happened to this Sanctuary in years. Astrid is an effective leader, but we’ve been rudderless for too long. Scrounging for contracts, abandoning the Tenets. The Dark Brotherhood has been reduced to a group of common cutthroats. Frankly, it’s embarrassing.”

Now Gabrielle's voice spoke softly but with a deepness to show she was sincere. “Without the Night Mother, there is no Dark Brotherhood. The Matron deserves our unwavering support and respect.” Although as she looked away from Rayne her tone dropped a bit. “Though, I admit. I find her Keeper a bit too exuberant for my liking.”

Now most had spoken and the opinions seemed almost evenly split. Rayne looked the the last member and impatiently bade, “And you?”

Arnbjorn glared before simply stating, “The witless fool and his pet corpse? Take a guess.”

Suddenly Babette and Nazir looked nervous seeing Cicero slowly back away. Rayne showed little twitches of suppressed rage that only Cicero could pick up from his years with the Listener. Everyone in the room was started by the change in tone that the robed stranger suddenly had as he spoke again. “And what of my words to you upstairs Astrid? What of my tellings to you that the Dark Brotherhood stands strong outside of Skyrim?”

Several members looked to their leader with either curiousity or surprise. “Oh yeah? And that's supposed to mean WHAT to us here?” Now several members of the Brotherhood gasped at her response. Sensing trouble Arnbjorn stepped beside his wife and drew his weapon but kept it low to the ground for now.

Ignoring this completely the Argonian bore his teeth so that they would shine in the light. “And what right do you have to incite such blasphemy?!” His voice was vicious, cutting at the air as he spoke.

“Hey, now. Let's settle down.” Fetus called out.

Nazir placed a hand on the handle of his blade. “Now you listen to me newcomer. I don't know what romanticized tales you might have heard about our organization but you don't get to join us and then question our ways on the very first day. Doing so would be a grave mistake.”

To the Redguard’s surprise it was Babette who spoke next in telling him, “Nazir, don't be a fool.” All eyes turned to her questioningly. “Look at his robes, look at the marking they carry. Now look at our tapestries up on the wall. Notice anything?” She spoke in a mocking tone that was generally reserved for young children who had not yet learned to respect others. “Not even your robes carry that mark Nazir. This stranger is no newcomer to the Dark Brotherhood.”

“But…” Veezara began, “We are the last of the Dark Brotherhood, aren't we?” He looked around to the others for answers.

“Apparently not.” Astrid admitted to them as she placed a hand on Nazir’s and Arnbjorn’s shoulders. “What Babette said is true. He is from Cyrodiil, not Skyrim. More so, he is a member of the Black Hand.”

There was a tense silence as the others gazed onward but nearly everyone faltered when Arnbjorn asked, “The black what?”

Many members of the room growled in annoyance and Astrid had to cover her face from embarrassment. “Darling, please tell me you're joking.”

Fetus yelled out, “You dog brain! Please can't you at least try not to be as stupid as we all tease you to be?”

Babette spoke quickly with both of her small fists clenched in anger. “The Black Hand are the five sovereign leaders to the Dark Brotherhood. While Keepers such as Astrid maintain the sanctuaries, the Black Hand governs the Keepers. Traditionally, they are the ones who relay the direct orders from the Night Mother herself to the different providence's across Tamriel.”

Fetus spoke again explaining, “Now pay attention doggie, there are five members for the five points on a hand. Four fingers who are Speakers and one thumb who is the Listener. Are you with me so far? Surely you can count to five, can't you?”

“Yeah, yeah! I get it, alright!” He barked. Shouldering his weapon he then looked up and asked, “So what is a Dark Brotherhood leader doing here then?”

Veezara chimed in first excitedly, “Maybe there is a high profile contract in Skyrim?”

“Why, it's an inspection of course.” Fetus said, attempting to correct his clan mate.

Gabrielle spoke up for the first time in awhile, “He's here to guide us.” Babette nodded, thinking that sounded pleasing to her.

But they all fell silent when Astrid mumbled bitterly. “It's to judge us…”

Rayne simply stood there, finding no need to partake in their squabbling. After they seemed to have stopped it was Cicero who spoke up next. “Oh, ho, ho! So close! You are all partially right he he! Or, well, except for you Argonian. You seem to be getting ahead of yourself.” He paused but no one seemed inclined to interrupt him so he proceeded to explain. “The Black Hand is looking to extend its reach further into Skyrim! One solitary sanctuary, barely dwindling on, is not a sufficient new home for our dearest Night Mother. So the Black Hand is here! Here to survey as we establish a new base of operations.”

Arnbjorn grunted distastefully. “Huh, sounds like you're saying you're taking over.”

“Listen…” Astrid said coldly as she stared into Rayne's eyes. “This sanctuary has been my entire life since I was a young woman. That is when I discovered my, shall we call it ‘aptitude’ for elimination. I had an uncle, you see. Who made certain... unwanted advances… so I killed him. And liked it. Then I killed again. And liked it even more. And so on. I was recruited by the Dark Brotherhood, and have been here ever since. I met my husband Arnbjorn, rose to leadership, and now here we are.” She seemed to be suffering a cold sweat after recanting that personal tale. “And that is all I need to know about the Dark Brotherhood! I don't know what kind of outdated Mysticism it is you serve but we don't need any of it here!”

Now Cicero could not contain his contempt for her behavior. “How, HOW DARE YOU speak to your superior with such disrespect?! If he wishes to command you, change your leadership, or condemn this entire sanctuary then you should obey his wishes without hesitation!” The jester was yelling so frantically that he spit several times as he ranted.

“Cicero…” Rayne said calmly as he stretched an open hand toward him. “Thank you but you should hush now. It seems that the Night Mother herself has decided their fates.”

Instantly the sanctuary members began to look amongst themselves nervously. Cicero though began to clap and dance in place excitedly. “Oh, ho, he! Excellent, excellent! It's time, time to hear sweet mother's words. Yes, yes!” He then proceeded to open the lid to the heavy stone coffin which housed the withered female corpse.

Several of the others pulled back in disgust while a few revered the unholy remains with awe. Rayne stepped closer and removed his mask in the face of his deific patron. Leaning close he placed his ear beside the lips of the dead woman, where he indeed heard words being whispered for him. “Have patience with them my Listener for it has been long since this sanctuary has held Sithis’ influence. I feel your desire to punish their transgressions with blood but it is not the desire of our Dread Father to have this sanctuary purged. Remember, Sithis has already decreed that judgement is his. Do not allow your pride to cause you to forsake the tenets yourself. Teach them… and help the Dread Father's influence grow.”

“Yes, Night Mother.” Rayne said with eyes closed and head bowed. He then stepped away from the coffin but was interrupted before he could speak.

“I don't understand, what is happening?” Arnbjorn asked allowed. “I didn't hear anything and I'm a werewolf.”

Babette spoke next as her vampiric eyes shined in the light. “Being a fleabag has nothing to do with it. You didn't hear anything because nothing was said to be heard.”

“He he.” Cicero giggled. “What little you know!” He squeaked as his excitement overwhelmed him. “Our beautiful Night Mother has spoken but you heard nothing because, just like poor Cicero, you are unworthy. Only, hehe, only the Listener can hear the Night Mother's precious words.” He stated while pointing to Rayne who was redawning his Daedric mask.

“WHAT?!” Nearly all members of the sanctuary shouted in disbelief.

“There hasn't been a Listener in years, not since Cyrodiil was overrun in the war with the Thalmor.” Astrid proclaimed while seething in rage.

The corners of Rayne's lips curled in sinister delight as he finally spoke again to the group. “What lies and false rumors you have heard. The Listener was never lost, it could not be so. For the same Listener who existed then is the same Listener who exists now.” Most listened in with awe but Astrid could feel the blood draining from her face as he continued. “The Dark Brotherhood abandoned Cyrodiil during the war with the Thalmor for not showing the proper respect to the Night Mother and our Dread Father. I was granted audience to the Imperial Council for my contributions to the Empire over the last several centuries. They sought the assistance of the Champion of Cyrodiil to aid them in the war. But I bade them a request that in exchange for my services… that murder remain illegal in Cyrodiil except for when a member of the Dark Brotherhood is involved. Naturally you can assume what their answer was. So in turn, I walked away allowing the Empire to succumb to its fate.”

Now there was a monumental silence from the group after hearing Rayne's words. They contemplated what they were told but it was Fetus and Arnbjorn who broke the silence with their immense laughed. “Hahaha, what a load of horse shit!” The old mage proclaimed.

Arnbjorn quickly added, “What nonsense. We are supposed to believe that you are the Listener AND the Champion of Cyrodiil? You don't look so tough.” However Veezara and Gabrielle looked at Arnbjorn like he was an idiot.

Babette had a more reserved sense of doubt as she stated, “While your membership of the Black Hand is unquestionable, your other claims do seem unlikely. Unless you were to have some sort of proof of course.”

Again Cicero felt compelled to defend Rayne's honor. “The impertinence! The Listener need not prove himself to you! It is all of you who should be swearing your allegiance to him!” And again, Rayne lifted a hand to steady his friend.

“Astrid…” Rayne called as he reached into his cloak and then revealed a golden gauntlet from within. “This here is from my armor set as the Champion of Cyrodiil. You will see the royal engraving on the inside there.”

“Let me see that!” She shouted doubtfully before looking the item over. “This… this is legitimate.” She gasped after inspecting it for a moment.

“It can't be!” Veezara muttered. “You pulled that from your cloak. If you had armor like that in your possession then you'd be wearing it all the time!”

Rayne chuckled as he looked to his scale cousin. “While it is impressive, I don't wear it because the armor I already have on beneath these robes is better.”

“Ahem!” Babette cleared her throat trying to redirect the conversation which had digressed. “And your proof of being the Listener, sir Black Hand?” She tried to sound proud and annoyed by the situation but for the first time since his arrival Rayne could now hear fear in the other vampire's voice.

“Oh, that is the most simple matter of all.” Rayne said as a mouthful of grinning teeth shined through his mask. “This sanctuary has blasphemed against the Night Mother and you all have been found guilty of abandoning the sacred Tenets of the Dread Father. As such, in a matter of moments, I decree that you all shall face the Wrath of Sithis for your judgement.” His voice was as cold as the ice that now ran through each of their veins.

**Author's Ending Note** This chapter was a little heavy on Rayne instead of Valyne. This is mainly due to her traveling from place to place while Rayne is having ongoing interactions. The story will switch back and forth between the two depending on what they are up to. Speaking of which, Valyne will be distracted for a bit going off on her hunting trip. Meanwhile Rayne will enact a large scene in the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary in the next chapter.
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Of Two Heroes