Are you sure it will be okay? Does Mother really want this? But who will care for her if not him? We might be gone for weeks searching for her... Not that I do not want him to come with us! Of course, I am very happy that he can come, but who will tend to Mother, oiling her and bringing her flowers so she knows she is still cared for?

I peered up at our Bastian as my Cicero danced gleefully behind him.

"Mother says not to worry, she will be taken care of while he is away. Let him have his time with you, outside where he can see the sun and moons again after having spent so much time away from their light over the years he tended to her," he said before pausing, a blush appearing on his face as he glanced toward Mother's coffin. "Ahem, she says he deserves to see this world's sights reflected in your eyes before it is eventually replaced with the darkness of the Void reflected instead."

The darkness of the Void? You mean, someday I will be allowed to stand beside my Cicero there? We will be able to remain together, even after we have left this world behind? Does this mean... my dearest Cicero will be allowed to be my forever if he wants it?

"It is up to him to decide that, but if he wants it... then yes, you will be allowed to remain together in the Void, so long as you do not stray from Mother's arms. And the farther you extend her reach, the farther you will be able to travel in her name," Bastian spoke softly, his eyes wandering from me to Mother and on to focus on my Jester Assassin who was finally making his way over to us after completing his dance.

"Cicero will always want to be beside his sweet Faith, no matter where she goes or what she calls herself. Cicero would think he had made that clear the other day. But if he hasn't, then maybe this will do the trick?" My Jester Assassin said as he skipped over to my side before growing still and looking into my eyes. "Cicero will never want to be apart from his Faith. Cicero... I love you, forever and always."

I couldn't even blink as I lost myself in his gaze, the smile on my face growing as I felt him gently grasp my hand. I didn't even realize what he was doing until I felt something cold against my skin, breaking away as I looked down to see a band of gold settled on my finger. A single ruby sat perched between two pieces of onyx, the sight blurring as I continued to stare at the ring.

"So sweet Faith will never forget her Cicero, no matter how far she might have to travel from him someday."

--------

I could almost feel the glare that Arnbjorn was sending at Cicero, even though the Nord was behind us as we rode ahead of him down the path and thus far had been completely silent. Certainly, he should be over his dislike of my Cicero by now. I'd even taken the time to talk to him about it, using up so much of the paper I had collected in the process as I wrote out line after line of carefully formed sentences trying to both learn his side of what happened and explain Cicero and I's side of things in turn.

Turning around to look behind us, I saw Arn turn his head to the side and stare at the snow-covered trees we were passing, his breath visible in the cold air. With a sigh, I turned again and got the attention of my Cicero, asking him to pass a message along to our Brother.

"Brother, dearest Faith wishes you to know that she is concerned for you and wonders if there is anything she or her Cicero can do to make you feel more... comfortable in this situation?" He sang the words out, a forced smile on his face, but I placed my hand gratefully on his where it rested over his stitches.

It would not be easy to get these two to play nice together, but it would be worth the effort if I could make it happen. After all, it wasn't like we had a lot of people to rely on right now and I'm sure Mother would smile if her remaining children got along better. Smiling back at our Brother, I held my hand out toward him, motioning for him to come closer. The moment he was in reach, I leaned down and grabbed his hand, fishing around in my pouch for a moment before closing his fingers around what I had pulled out.

I watched with a smile as he opened his hand to stare down at the smallest of trinkets, a simple wooden bead carved and then enchanted in hopes that I would never have to see him so hurt again. I'd left similar gifts behind for the other Siblings to find, each one carved specifically to match the Sibling it was left for. Seeing our Brother gently hold the wolf-head shaped bead in his hand, I wrapped my arms around my lover's waist and held him tight, pressing my lips against his neck near the wooden crow as I spoke the words to him.

Thank you, my Cicero, for helping me make something special for each of my treasures.

He really was talented with a blade.

--------

We had searched through Solitude with no sign of our Lost Sister, spoken with what contacts Nazir had been able to tell us of, as well as a few Arnbjorn had recalled hearing Astrid speaking of in the past. We had even tried searching the Guards Quarters, scouring through piles of paperwork and checking books for hidden notes, all with no success. It was only the passing comment by a merchant that had us heading to Dragon Bridge next, having mentioned the reduced orders from the Outpost there what with the drastically reduced number of Penitus Oculatus stationed there.

It wasn't until we had turned over every piece of furniture and opened every chest at Dragon Bridge, having let Arnbjorn release his pent up rage on the Penitus Oculatus guards within their outpost, that we finally found a single clue to her potential whereabouts. Although we still had no clue as to if she lived or not, at least we had someplace to start. If only the barely mentioned name of a Blackbriar in Riften hadn't brought such a look of rage to our Brother's face as he snarled, barely restraining himself from changing into his wolf's skin.

"Riften. Cicero likes Riften. Cheats and ruffians and cutthroats abound. Finally, some fun." My Jester Assassin spoke with a grin, beginning to dance about as he grabbed my hands and pulled me into a spin. "Perhaps sweet Faith can help us find a new member for our Family while we are there in search of our Lost Sibling."

Once we have found our Sister, then we can focus on finding new members of our Family, my dear Cicero. Until then, finding our Brother's heart must come first. Just as I hope he would help you to find me if I was lost, it is our duty to help him to find his Astrid. But yes, with Mother's blessing, perhaps we will be able to find someone else to bring home alongside our Sister.

Once our dance had finished, I ran up to our Brother and pulled him into a quick hug before leaning back to tug at the lock of hair he'd braided the wooden bead into. It really did suit him quite nicely.

Brother, we will find this Blackbrier and learn what they did with our Sister. If they have harmed her, I promise that their suffering shall be at your hands, my Brother. And afterward, we will still bring her Home to rest with our other Siblings who were lost. Our Family shall not leave her behind. I promise.

I could feel Amicus' hand rest on my shoulder as he whispered softly into my ear, "Didn't your Bastian's red-head mention a Blackbriar while he was trying to flirt with your brother? Perhaps we should pay the Thieves' Guild a visit, sweet Faith."

I could feel my heart skip a beat as I froze in place, my face losing its smile.

Bastian's red-head? Bryn? From the Thieves' Guild? Surely they didn't have anything to do with this, did they? Don't make me have to break my brother's heart to mend my Brother's heart...

Closing my eyes for a moment, I turned and met my Cicero's eyes as soon as mine opened.

Cicero, how do you feel about visiting some thieves?

"Will Cicero be allowed to stab any of them?" He asked, his eyes wide in excitement even as he brought his hands up to grab my shoulders and gently press his forehead against mine, a soothing warmth spreading through me at the action I had missed so much in the hurried days we had spent traveling.

Sighing gently, I pulled back just enough for him to see my lips as I smiled at him before speaking.

Only if they have betrayed our Family's trust. I'm hoping that will not be the case, but I also realize that hope does not make something true. At the very least, I pray to Mother that our Bastian's Bryn is not among those who meet their end at your blade.

Leaning my forehead against his again, I barely heard his softly whispered 'oh' as I wrapped my arms around him, drawing strength from his warmth to meet the days still ahead of us.

This is not the end of the story, only the end of book one. Please look forward to book two. Once it has begun, I will post a note at the end of this book to let you know, as well as tell you the name of the second book. Thank you very much for reading this book of mine! I hope you will join Faith in her future adventures!