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Two months since Daud was offered the role of Royal Spymaster. Two months of a boring but content life.   

The first month mostly consisted of him and the Lord Protector, now title clean and restored, dancing on the line of avoiding each other and starting an outright brawl. The Lord Protector would enter his office to dump a list containing names of certain suspicious nobles and that he needed a report in a few days' time, never truly gracing Daud conversation outside work. Not that it matter to Daud, he was fine so long as  Corvo stayed out of his way. Besides that, Corvo normally settled for glaring across the table during dinner or when they happen to bump into each other in hallways. Silent and unnerving, it was a wonder how Corvo still hadn't found a reason to throw him out or have him mysteriously disappeared, but that had Emily to thank for.  

The Empress had grown, for lack of better words. Still a child, yet played the part of someone aged and wise and seen some of the worst in men. Guilt gnawed his bones and whispered in dark wisps to him, but a small hope always made  Daud hesitate from running by ship or sometimes by a blade to the throat.  

"I forgive you," Emily said quietly one day when they were in the garden, having a tea party she insisted in hosting to enjoy an hour that was not spent on history lessons or listen to nobles argue. The whalers on watch-duty, sitting down far enough to not hear her soft words and somewhat distracted by the cakes and sweets placed on the table. Most of  Daud's men stopped wearing the iconic masks, reasoning that they were no longer assassins, some of them jokingly dubbing themselves Emily's 'secret police force'. Corvo stood further away, half turned away to speak to a guard but his eyes would flicker over to them once in a while.  

"I'll admit, your Majesty, I'm shocked." Daud glanced at her, words gruff to hide the surprise.  

She sighed, pale freckles dotting her cheeks shifting as she smiled. "I know, but I think Mother would had. Eventually." the deertaur paused and Daud looked away, not wishing to see the smile soften with sadness. "Anyway, Corvo taught me to."  

"He taught you to forgive?"  

"Yep," Emily laughed and took a sip of her tea, before her smile turned grim for a moment, watching her Royal Spymaster from the corner of her eyes as if daring him to say otherwise. "But also to never forget."  

Daud nodded, gaze flicking to his gloved hands and then in the direction of the gazebo in the distance. Silence settled for a few minutes, Emily humming softly and taking another piece of strawberry shortcake while  Daud  simply watched the area. He took a moment to note the distance  Corvo  placed, knowing it was not made out of trust that Daud and his men would not harm his Empress. No, if he wanted to, the harpy could close the distance in a blink of an eye and willingly rip  Daud's  heart out with his bare hands should they act to hurt.  

He had seen Corvo's clawed fingers nearly blind a man with a simple, accidental swipe while sparring, and heard the story of a sick bastard wanting to humiliate the winged man during the six months in Coldridge outside what was allowed. The guard died with his insides spilling, frantically trying to hold them while the harpy lowered a bloodied talon-like foot. They had extra chains for  Corvo's  legs and made sure nobody tried anything like that again.  

"He isn't doing too well himself, though."  

Emily made a confused noise, turning to  Daud  with a mouth stuffed full with cake. She swallowed and sheepishly smile, lips covered in whip cream and Daud sighed before passing her a napkin. "Thank you, and well, it's complicating. Just because he hasn't now, doesn't mean he won't later." She blinked and pursed her lips, floppy deer ears twitching in deep thought. "Or maybe he never will," the  deertaur  shrugged and picked up a chocolate truffle, holding it out to  Daud . "I believe he will, just give him time."  

Things were not that simple, he wanted to tell her as he carefully took the pastry, that some things could never heal and that Royal Protectors do not forgive a man for killing Empresses in front of them while ripping away their child. In cold blood for coin. Before he could however, Emily perked up and called out to Thomas, who stood a few feet behind Daud. "Hey Thomas! Think you and Fergus could teach me to play Nancy later?"   

"My lady-" Daud watched his second-in-command fumbled for a response, glancing quickly at him and the Empress and then over to  Corvo , who finished speaking to the guard and was now also staring at him, having heard Emily's request. While the other whalers had taken off their mask, there were a few who kept it, feeling more comfortable with the familiar weight of plastic and being able to hide their features. Thomas was one of them and Daud could tell he was more than thankful for the mask, even if it didn't hide his somewhat flustered voice. "We can, but that might get in the way of your classes."  

Emily's bright grin fell into a small, depressed look as she set down her cup. "Oh. Yeah, I know."  

"Perhaps afterwards." Thomas mumbled in an attempt to cheer her up before his and the other whaler's stances straightened when Corvo returned.  

"Already?" the deertaur crocked her head, ears drooping and Corvo gave her a small smile of apology while offering a hand to help her up. With a sigh, the Empress took it and gracefully got up, turning to Daud and his men. "Thanks for joining me. I know we've all been really busy lately, so really, thank you."  

"It was our pleasure, your Majesty." Daud ignored the heated glared of the Lord Protector as he bowed slightly, the whalers dutifully following.  

"Right. Well, time to be an Empress." Emily joked and her hooves tapped the floor lightly, turning away to leave. They watched as the harpy subtly brushed the off-white fur of her back with a large broad wing, the faun leaning closer to him to listen to Corvo say something. A heartbeat past and Emily visibly brightened up, practically prancing and did a small fist pump as they went inside the Tower.  

"Thomas." Said man stood to attention and  Daud  waited for a moment longer in case the Royal Protector would step back out again, "Tell Fergus that he's switching night shifts with Rowan. The Empress should be free after dinner, but Attano won't appreciate if you three play for too long." A whaler raised a hand and  Daud  shot him a look before he could speak, "No, Rinaldo. I know it was you who has been teaching the younger ones to gamble."  

Unfortunately, they never got to teach her that night. A tutor insisted that Emily stayed back for an hour more to finish up a last chapter and new tip regarding a conspiracy brewing amongst the aristocrats came up. The investigations took a few days, the suspects pinned on the Alders house and one of them in particular had requested audience with the Empress.  

"Lord Riley Alders, second heir to family wealth and known for being selfish but smart bastard. He says it's a matter regarding their family banking business stationed in Gristol and Tyvia. The plague killed off most of his workers and rats made their homes in his buildings, most of them in the Flooded District." Thomas reported as he followed behind  Daud , the older man scowling at the news. "We took a job from him before to remove a mistress."  

"Didn't Attano read the report we gave earlier?"

"Lord Corvo tried to discourage it, but her advisers felt it was a chance to ensure another supporter outside Dunwall. She says that while she may be Empress, it doesn't mean the rest of the Isles see so."  

Daud growled in slight annoyance before stopping outside their destination, the meeting room. Two guards outside, another two inside and  Corvo behind her. It should be safe enough, but he couldn't help the bad feeling in his gut as they stepped in. Emily sat at the end of the table, her sofa-like seat specially suited for equine-folk while Corvo stood on her right as a silent watching shadow.  

To be honest, Daud didn't need to be present. His job was more to investigate and protect the Empress from the background, but they found that people tended to behave more when both the Lord Protector and him were there. For that, Daud would try to attend the meetings. Even so he was starting to dislike this room more and more, only seeing it used for nobles looking for 'help' and the Empress's advisers's verbal wars. The Royal Spymaster and his men did their best to weed out the worse of her advisers, back-stabbers and two faced snakes interested in their own fortune.  

Ironically, there were no nagas in her court and there was an ongoing joke that their forked tongues would speak more truth than some of them. Good, honest people were hard to find and they were thankful that those like Geoff Currow, now in charge of the military, lived. Although the current High Overseer could be replaced.  

Boots soundless on plush carpet, they gave Emily a swift bow before splitting up, Daud stopped behind her left while Thomas stood by the side of the room. Emily smiled tiredly at him, faint dark bags under her eyes and he wondered if Callista had extended her lessons again. "Didn't sleep well, your Majesty?"

"Bad dreams," Emily mumbled back quietly. Standing a few feet away from Corvo, Daud gave him a nod in greeting and earned a look of aversion before a nod back. A guard announced the visiting noble's name and the doors swung open, the Royal Spymaster steeled himself to stand for awhile as a middle-aged nobleman bowed deeply before them.

Surprisingly it lasted less than an hour, Lord Alders's straightforward request for manpower and resources to recover his business. All smiles and the arrangement went smoothly, too well that Daud could not help but frown. He was right to feel so, when Lord Alders thanked her and pulled out a small pistol. 

The first bullet hit Corvo in the wing, forcing the harpy back a step as he flared the other wing to cover Emily. The second bullet chipped the Empress's seat and the third never came as Daud abruptly found himself in front of noble. He snagged the man by the neck, throwing him to the floor and pinning him, not noticing the loud bang under him as he ripped the smoking pistol away.

In seconds the guards were surrounding them and Daud pulled away, watching the struggling aristocrat shout insults targeted at the Empress. He blinked in confusion as Emily suddenly rushed up to him with a panicked expression. Her words were strangely muffled, as if underwater and there was a dull whispering of the Void at the back of his head. Daud brushed his abdomen and his hand came back covered in red and warmth and sighed. Scowling, he let the deertaur guide him to sit down and pressed down on the wound. 

I'm too old for this shit, Daud grumbled inwardly and flinched when a dark wing speckled with odd blue dust akin to whale oil settled on him like a blanket.

He glanced over to see Corvo sit beside him, the harpy's injured wing limp and trembling as Emily pressed up against him, nearly in tears. The next few minutes were hazy as Daud ignored the growing fire of his wound, not wanting a random guard to carry him as Sokolov rushed into the room. A bottle was shoved into his face and Daud grit his teeth, before complying and drinking the bitter liquid. A wave of drowsiness washed over him and he couldn't help but sigh with regret when the blanket of wings shifted away, before settling for a glare on the doctor until he blacked out.

-

Daud woke up feeling numb and disorientated, briefly opening his eyes to see the blurry ceiling of his room. He was tempted to sleep more, but opted for simply laying in bed, unwilling to make the tiring effort to move until he was more awake. Listening to the quiet random creaks of wood and the curtain gently shifting from a breeze from an open window, instinct called for Daud to raise his head enough to glare at the corner of the darkened room. "Attano." 

"Daud." Corvo stared back and silently got up from his chair, stepping toward the Spymaster. 

The older man ignored the sense of vulnerability, of being wounded before a monster as Corvo stopped at the foot of his bed. The moonlight from the window was bright enough to see the harpy, his right wing bandaged and slumped uselessly. Seeing the other's wound, Daud tugged the covers away to glare down at his own bandaged waist. 

"Explosive bullets." The other stated as he crocked his head at Daud, long hair shadowing most of his features.

"How long was I out?" He was somewhat thankful that the Outsider hadn't dragged him to the Void, probably to listen to his whining or some shit. 

"Awhile." Daud watched the younger male turned to leave and dropped his head back into the pillows with the intention to rest. He listened for the quiet click of the door opening and waited for it to close, glancing over when it didn't come. "What. Is the door jammed, Attano?"

Corvo stood with his back to him, a hand on the knob and the door cracked open to let in a thin slit of light. "I don't like you."

"I don't blame you." Daud sighed and shifted onto his side to face away from the other. 

The harpy narrowed his eyes and his working wing flared open slightly in irritation, before his dark expression softened slightly. Corvo's hand reached up to rest over his coat, above where his heart should be and Daud felt a shiver crawl up his spine. The last time he saw Corvo do that was to pull out an eerie human heart, clicking and pumping with gears working inside, pointed at him. Was he still carrying it around?

"But thank you, for saving Emily." With that Corvo left and the door clicked shut. Daud silently cursed, now unable to sleep easy and half tempted to use a sleep dart himself when sleep finally came after a long wait. Morning came too soon, bringing visitors along. 

"How do you feel? Does it still hurt?" Emily awkwardly clambered onto his bed, her legs unused to the human's resting place. 

"Fine, thank you and no." The Royal Spymaster slowly sat up with a grunt. Thomas had came in earlier, giving a short report of the aftermath. Lord Alders was in Coldridge, his custom made gun confiscated and awaiting trial. Along with that, they had found the rest of the plans that involved a handful of people from other houses both in and outside Dunwall.

He was also out for three fucking days. The Lord Protector's definition of 'awhile' needed help.

Emily fell quiet, her upset gaze shifted away as her ears flattened down against her heard. Daud leaned back. He couldn't remember the last time he had to talk to someone on thin ice, much less on how to comfort another. That job was usually left for the older whalers. The relief that followed when someone opened the doors was almost overwhelming as Corvo stepped in. The harpy frowned deeply as he made his way over to Emily, shooting Daud an accusingly look while nudging the deertaur with his good wing.

"Oh," the Empress murmured and smiled weakly when Corvo handed her a folder, turning to Daud. "Yeah, I forgot. I made some drawings for you."

The contents were a mess of pictures, some doodles in crayons of a grumpy man piggybacking Emily and a man with the words Thomas above him playing Nancy with her. Behind those were charcoal sketches, more realistic drawings of a wolfhound and a vague one of Corvo fallen asleep on a desk. Her skills had improved Daud noted, glancing up from the papers to Emily's expectant, hopeful look and then over to her Protector's darkening glare. "I like them." 

"Really? That's great, which one do you like best?"

Shit. "Did Thomas really teach to play?"

"Yep." 

"I see." He should say more, to assure her or change the subject. A long moment past and Emily frowned slightly, ears twitching as she tilted her head.

Too late. "You don't like it?"

"They're good, thank you Emily." Daud managed a smile and glared when Corvo snorted lightly, amused at his awkward suffering.

Turning away, Corvo breathed out a soft sound, something like a chirp so quiet that the human almost thought he imagined it as Emily perked to attention. She glanced at him, then over to the clock on Daud's desk before grinning sheepishly. "Sorry, we should let you rest now. I'll come back later, alright? Bye." 

Daud gave a small wave back as the two exited the room, now with nothing to do but rest.

He soon learnt to hate being bedridden and regretted being careless enough to get hurt. Being bedridden meant people could always find him, people like Sokolov. Daud lost count how many times the Tyvian bearman came in to talk about the Outsider and how many times Piero dragged him out. The paperwork slowly piled up and by the next day, Daud had escaped the bed for his desk instead, easily ignoring the throbbing in his abdomen with years of experience. Emily had to order him back and the sight of the cursed thing was enough to have him thinking whether he could just sleep on his desk after burning it. 

At some point, Daud remarked that Corvo was also injured and not given special treatment. Emily just blinked at him and simply answered with while he was a master assassin, he was also still human.

Perhaps it was the fact that the Royal Spymaster was trapped in one place, or that the idea of it meant he was weak that brought the visitors. Even the High Overseer sent over two bouquets, a note apologizing for not being able to personally visit. Daud's went into the fireplace, together with the many get-well-soon letters from random aristocrats and didn't care of Corvo did with his.

Despite Daud's intense dislike and existing want to burn the bed, there were good things that came out from it. Emily constantly visited, bringing armful of books each time. She would either talk or do her homework or sometimes hide from the teachers there and Corvo would be there for most visits, watching her for an hour or two before ushering her out.

One day the harpy came in later than usual, finding Emily dozing with her upper half resting on the side of Daud's bed and legs folded neatly under her. Daud froze, halfway in the motion of putting pillows around the deertaur out of worry she would fall over.

"I...she fell asleep."

Corvo didn't reply, staring at the other for what felt like a long time before walking over to the bed. The older man evaded his gaze to the book he had been previously reading as Corvo gently gathered Emily in his arms. From his fixed vision, Daud could make out Corvo's form seemly drift past his bed like a phantom and paused. His voice was low, forcing Daud to strain to listen and the light brush of feathers against his shoulder nearly made him jump.

A full minute went by after Corvo left, before Daud finally looked up. The very quiet 'thank you' could had been imagined, but he was certain the light nudge of the harpy's wing was real. He had never willingly made physical contact with Daud, unless they were sparring and even then, go gently done.

A fact buried resurfaced from memory of researching on monsters and how to kill them, when he was young and still in the business of blood for coin. Harpies would softly brush another with their wings in a show of affection, usually to welcome a young member in a flock or newly hatched kin. 

Daud often saw Corvo doing it to Emily, sometimes Callista and the boatman Samuel when he came to visit; and for the last time, Jessamine at the gazebo before handing her the letter.

Guilt settled heavily in his chest, akin to a metal coffin sinking into a body of water as he snapped the book shut, putting it aside.

Sleep did not come easy that night and when it did, it was not kind.

“To something like you, that’s not a surprise.” Daud snarled back and resisted a shiver as the Void grew cold and the god smiled with pale lips of the drowned.  Of course he would find no peace in restless sleep, even if the Outsider had not dragged him here since Delilah.

“Do you really think so?” questioned the Outsider as Daud turned to Blink away, grateful for the ability to move unlike the usual frozen state that came with most of the Outsider’s talks. The former assassin dropped down onto a ledge made out of rotting wooden broads, the familiar scent of river water around and he glanced over his shoulder. The black-eyed deity was no further than he was before moving, and Daud cursed.   

“What the fuck do you want.”  

“What a shame it would be if that fire that made you the being you are now, burnt out.” It was not a threat on the Outsider’s tone, the statement merely a distant observation; and a promise of it. To simply smile and have Daud lose himself, to become nothing more than a shadow of a man who stood in ruin. Gritting his teeth, the human forced his tongue still and mouth shut, not wanting to urge the god on or give the monster the pleasure of witnessing him worry. Those dark eyes seemed to twinkle with glee, like a curious child slowly tearing the wings of a butterfly just to watch it crawl, and the Outsider mused. “Even more fascinating, is the fact that Corvo has forgiven you.”   

Unable to stop himself, want for an answer that plagued him before sleep came. “You should ask him yourself then.”  

“I did,” replied the god and Daud waited for him to continue, to explain what the Royal Protector said that interested him so much and why he could spare the heart to forgive someone like Daud and the Outsider’s long pause was somehow painful.   

“He didn’t answer me.”  

Daud stared, taking a moment to take in the other’s words.  

“Disappointing, I know. Even I do not understand him, but that makes it more pleasant.” A light smile danced on the Outsider’s lips at the thought of the other Mark bearer before it twisted into something darker and aimed at Daud. “Unlike you.”  

“What do you want, bastard?” He just wanted to get this done and over with. If anything, he will most likely wake up feeling like he had forgone rest for the past week after this visit so dreamless sleep would be welcomed. To think Corvo dealt with this daily.  

“It’s getting boring, dull, and uneventful.” the Outsider started with a vague wave of the hand, the Void shifting from the Flooded District to part of Dunwall Tower’s gardens. Instead of the usual odd blue akin to whale oil of the Void, the blue was darker, like looking out to a starless evening sky.  

“Then go bother Attano.” interrupted Daud, but the deity smoothly continued.  

“And y ou  are the cause of it, old friend.”  

The Mark on his hand began to burn and itch, his body freezing up as the Outsider appeared in front of him. “Ever since you accepted the role as Spymaster, things have slowly became predictable.” The god leaned forward, arms crossed and features blank and bored. “This is a great show, and the grand finale is not here yet but I do not enjoy the wait. Lord Alders’s attempt had potential, as you know, however even that was plain.”  

“Of course you knew.”  

“I know everything that’s to come, be it interesting or not. There are so many paths to take and many a time, those like Corvo constantly surprise me; a reason why I’m having difficulty in not having a favorite.” Smirking, the Outsider moved away and gestured to Daud. “This predicament is your fault, therefore I expect you fix it. Entertain me, Daud.”  

He found himself standing in an unfamiliar room, the only light source was a small fire in the fireplace and he immediately fell into ready stance, grasping for a sword he did not carry. Void Gaze activated, but he still took too long for his liking to register his surroundings; Daud realized he was in Emily’s bedroom, the child Empress sleeping in her bed barely a feet away.  

He stumbled back slightly, trying to understand how and why he was here. Never did a visit to the Void leave Daud experiencing any kind of sleep-walking, nor had he been in this room for more than a handful of times. Glancing around, the man blinked away the sight as his gaze paused at Emily. He made his way to the door as quickly as he could without making noise.   

“Corvo?” a quiet voice slurred behind him, heavy with sleep and Daud froze in place with his hand inches away from the door handle. Part of him wanted to just bend time and leave, but knowing that it would only serve to scare the Empress enough to scream and bring in a very angry Lord Protector along with squads of guards made Daud stop.   

“It’s just me, Emily.”  

“D-Daud?” The deertaur  sat up and flicked on a lamp by her bedside, rubbing her eyes and squinting at its brightness. The worry and hint of fear in her voice was expected, considering that only Corvo would check up on her during the night, but it still made Daud’s chest tighten with guilt. “What are you doing here?”  

The Royal Spymaster struggled for a reasonable reply, something that would not have her frightened or think he was insane or worse, attempting to murder her, but nothing came to him. By the second, Emily sat up straighter, looking more alert and worried, about to get up or maybe call out for a maid.   

A heartbeat, and  Daud  settled for what felt like the stupidest answer: honesty. “…I had a bad dream and got worried.”  

Emily stared at him for a felt like an eternity before a smile broke her blank expression, speaking kindly as she settled back against the pillows. “It’s okay, Corvo has them too. Sometimes he just sits by and watch me after a really bad one. I gave him one of my plushies, I can lend you one if you like.”  

“Thank you, Your Majesty, but I’m fine.” Daud politely declined and frowned at the pitiful pout Emily presented him. “You should go back to sleep.”  

“Since I'm Empress," she started slowly, watching him with a gleam in her eyes. "If I order you to take her, you'd have to do it, won't you?"   

Daud couldn't help but wonder if she was always this determined, and manipulative. Emily went on with an expectant look,  "Miss Candy helps with my nightmares, but Corvo found Mrs. Pilsen so I don’t mind  letting you borrow her.” the Empress said with a firm nod, holding out the white and black cat plush toy to him. Daud stared at her, then at the offered plushie and back to her. “Go on .”  

Slowly, he who was known as the great Knife of Dunwall, walked over to the girl and carefully took the toy with both hands. The cat’s beady black eyes gazed up at him impassively, the faint sweet smell of candy as Daud looked back up to the Empress. “Thank you?”  

“You’re welcome." Emily laughed softly and the man was unsure whether the tone of cheery or gleeful as she rolled over to switch off the lamp and threw the covers over her head. When he turned away to the door, the young deertaur spoke up again, solemn and quiet.  "She has a zip on her belly where I used to hide sweets mother and Corvo would sneak to me after dinner. It was okay at first but then a maid found her when it got sticky and washed it as much as she could. The scent still clung, so hence her name.”     

“Interesting tale,” he murmured, guilt digging its claws into him at her words but the idea that she trusted him to do this was heartwarming. "I'll take good care of her."   

"Of course you will," the Empress replied back, a smile coloring her voice and Daud reached for the doorknob wearing a ghost of one as well.   

He didn't need to though, as the knob pulled away from him and he automatically dropping the small smile for a neutral look.    

Corvo stood outside, looking tired with his clothes and feathers ruffled as if in a rush but the royal blue coat still on. The human ignored the fact that the soft toy was still in his arms, feeling something he haven’t experienced since he was younger, stubborn, rash and doing stupid things. His checks were not red, Daud inwardly reminded himself and Corvo's unimpressed expression meant nothing to him. “I can explain.”  

The Lord Protector dropped his gaze to the plushie and then looked over Daud at Emily. From the corner of his eyes, Daud could see Emily giving a wave and Corvo's shoulders relaxed slightly but a hand still remain over the handle of his sword. Crossing his arms, Corvo stood his ground and nodded for Daud to continue, the look on his face informing the Royal Spymaster he won't be moving anytime soon.  

"I..." Dreamt of the Outsider being the bastard he is, woke up standing over your princess and she guilt-tripped me into taking her doll. Nothing happened. Well Daud certainly couldn't say that, unless he wanted to be put in the newly opened hospital along Draper's Ward.   

"He had a nightmare and came to check on me," Emily spoke up from inside and the harpy shot Daud a distrustful look, not that the older male would blame him, before turning his attention to her. "So I'm lending him Miss Candy. You're okay with that, right Corvo?"  

Corvo glared at Daud for a little longer, and much to Daud's shock, let out a snort of amusement. Stunned, the human could do nothing but watch as the harpy walked past him to Emily, the same brush of a wing against his shoulder as he quietly murmured. "She still has a piece inside, mind you.”  

Daud left and closed the door behind, body on autopilot heading for his own room as the shock started to wear off. There was an overwhelming urge to shove the plushie something out of sight, but he was only dressed in a simple dress shirt and pants. The idea of hiding the toy in his shirt was…unnecessary, so the man settled for bending time and transversing back to his room to avoid encountering a soul.  

Before he reached his door however, Daud's steps slowed in the corridor. The moonlight streaming in through the windows, pale and gentle, and he found himself looking out through glass abruptly .  

Large and in perfect bloom, the full moon was somehow different than all the other nights of seeing it. Calling, seeking, like a gentle but insistent tug in Daud, something he had never felt before in his life and all previous emotions, embarrassment,  worried confusion and guilt dissipated like wisp of smoke. He felt oddly calm, yet anxious for something and how long he stood there staring at the moon was unknown to him until the start of dawn peeking out from the horizon woke him up.  

Blinking a couple of times, feeling shaken and foreign in his own body, Daud slowly went back to bed before anyone approached him.   

-  

It started with a book, sitting innocently on top of a half finished report.

Daud ignored it, tired from a long day and it didn't help that the morning's sparring left him hurt. Again.

Tomorrow ,  Daud decided when he snatched the book from the desk and changed out of his clothes, settling in bed with only a new pair of pants.  T he dull throbbing of the stitched up wound by his jaw  and bruises on his side were barely noticed, something he earned from sparring for being too slow and  grabbing a fist ful  of Corvo's feathers by accident.  The Royal Protector did apologize , somewhat flustered at  his overreaction of nearly breaking Daud's jaw while frantically flaring his wings to break away. He  waved it off, appreciating that Corvo warmed up to him enough to show concern and  knowing that harpies  were instinctively protective over  their wings .  Thankfully there wasn't too much damage and only  a few feathers were lost

Nothing happened for the first week since that night. No more surprise visits from the Outsider, no sleepwalking adventures, so the incident was pushed to the back of Daud's mind in favor of doing his job. Neither Corvo nor Emily mentioned it and Miss Candy stayed by his desk, slumped on a small stack of books as he worked. The whalers noticed the plush toy, but most didn't question it at the death glare from their leader. He tiredly noted that the room felt colder than usual, a book placed on his reports and that Miss Candy was facing a different angle. Daud brushed it off as Emily's doing, probably left a window open while dropping in to take something. Still, it was odd considering she only came in when he was in but the human was too tired to ponder about it.     

With a stiffed yawn and a single lit lamp, Daud flipped the book open and briefly scanned the first few lines, assuming it was a finished report. Instead of a date and number of the case, it was the elaborate design of a Once Upon A Time and he frowned. He checked the book cover, only to find the title rubbed away and huffed.  

"Probably Emily's," the man mumbled to himself and paused, before flipping all the way to the end of the pages in bemusement. Unfortunately, the last page had been torn out, leaving only a black and white  illustration of a woman reaching out to a furry bear-like paw from a creature hiding in the shadows.  

Daud narrowed his eyes at the ripped remains of the page. While it probably was one of the Empress's story books, she wasn't the kind to tear pages out even if she disliked the book, namely homework. Putting it aside, he switched off the light and dropped his head onto the pillows.  

What felt like only a couple of minutes went by before Daud was startled awake from something. Mind reeling and forcing an eye open, he glanced at the still dark window and sighed into the pillow. It wasn't even dawn yet but he knew he wouldn't be able to go back to sleep. He had a nightmare of sort, panic in the air and being part of a chase but couldn't remember if he was truly the hunter or the hunted. One thing Daud was certain was the taste of blood in his mouth, having bitten his tongue at some point in his sleep.   

Doing a swift once over of the room, the man settled for getting ready for the morning. A plan to freshen up, get some coffee from the kitchen and finish any paperwork that still needed checking, Daud paused at the sight of the book from yesterday while wearing his coat.   

More awake now, he browsed through it again. Skipping here and there, he summarized it to be some story about a man who got turned into a savage beast, wrecking havoc to the town before his lover changed him back with a kiss. Daud snorted and closed it with a loud snap, putting the book in his coat pocket. "Right."  

While he saw no problems with Emily still reading those kind of books, regardless that she was the Empress and growing up, the idea of such a delightful tale was too cheesy for his taste.  

His thoughts then focused on the said child. A child indeed, but an intelligent and sneaky one she was. No doubt her more selfish advisors would do their damnest to subtlety  match their Empress  up with a human noble when she came to age, in hopes of her birthing a 'normal' human heir. Corvo would sink the whole city into the deeps of the sea before that would happen, Daud knew and was thankful for it. Should it had gone another way, had the Lord Protector failed at some point, Emily would be suffering

And it was you who started it,  a voice reminded him and  Daud  shoved it away.  It  was too early for that  shit.  

Small things followed the fairytale book over the days. A note in unfamiliar handwriting regarding a  Tvyian event in a few weeks time, something about the moon and  star s '  movement. A book about wolves hidden under the papers of  his desk,  pages on myths related to them dog -ea red.  Neither Emily, the deertaur had thanked him for the book though, nor the whalers confessed being the joker of those things when questioned so  Daud  chalked it up to the Outsider's doing.

The Outsider's 'subtle' hints were -how should Daud phrase it-  ridiculous and very misleading. He was obvious hinting about werewolves, but they don't exist alongside vampires. It was not confirmed but most believe the idea came from two monsters who decided to prank their human friends long before he was born. It was a few years after a treaty between them and the two decided what would scare humans more than actually being turned into one of them by a simple bite or scratch. The thought was not all bad, but during then majority of humans still feared monsters so the prank backfired. Vampires hid amongst in the noble class while werewolves lurked in forests around towns and villages, the humans pulled the rumors into tales and legends. 

It was really stupid now that they thought about it, but damage was done. Corpses that appeared alive were burnt while actual wolf people, similar to their bearfolk neighbors in Tyvia, were hunted to extinction. Furthermore, there were still some people who believe the stories and half of them were in Dunwall. Xenophobic bastards.

"Entertain me he said," muttered darkly the Royal Spymaster as he tossed another note into the fireplace, this time about how cursed beings craved for blood of virgins. "What does he want, everyone dancing in the hallways drunk during Fugue Feast? ]"  

"Perhaps."  

Daud whipped around and found Corvo standing by the door, the younger male wearing an skeptical look with a folder in hand. "Knowing him, he'd want you to do a solo."  

"Over my dead body." Daud shot back, before narrowing his eyes. "Did you even knock?"  

"Twice, you didn't answer. And he will wait." Setting the folder on Daud's desk, Corvo paused and gave the other a look. "You've been distracted lately."  

"Worried?" he absentmindedly replied as he got up from his crouch in front of the fireplace .  

"For the Empress's safety." the harpy shot back and  Daud realized he had a point.  

As much as he didn't want to admit, the little hints the Outsider left here and there had started to unnerve him slowly. It didn't help that the nightmares had gotten worse, majority of them involved a chase and a kill at the end but some was just of him staring at his reflection in on a large surface of water. The thing that worried him the most, was that nothing was actually happening. Only random notes and books and nightmares and nothing else. The black-eyed deity did not appear to him in his sleep or at any shrines to taunt or jeer, something Daud was grateful for but distrustful at the same time. "Has the Outsider been speaking to you?"  

"Why?" Corvo frowned at him and turned to face the other fully, dark wings twitching lightly.    

"He came to me and gave some vague order and someone has been leaving things..." he trailed off and stopped himself from finishing. It was stupid and probably just him being paranoid, it would cause more trouble for them both if anything. "Forget it."  

The Lord Protector crossed his arms and leaned against the desk, waiting. A quiet sigh left Daud  as he resigned to the awkward explanation,  grateful that Corvo stay silent through out. " ...But besides the nightmares, that's it."  

A long moment past, one of them in deep thought and another shifting his attention to the folder, inwardly berating his foolish thinking of sharing his concerns. Daud kept his eyes on the file's contents, reading intently and almost jerking away when the slowly familiar brush on his shoulder came.   

"I'll ask him about it," the harpy quietly said, making his way for the door and glancing back as his hand rested on the handle. "Don't think too deep, the games he sets are sometimes better left alone." Corvo straightened up, wings fanni ng slightly in a stretch. "Anyway,  I expect you'll be coming for the party?"  

Daud looked up from the folder. "Excuse me?"   

"Second day of Month of Rain," Corvo's glare grew and the human racked his brain for anything significant of that particular day. "Next week." 

The Empress's hopeful look, more excited and cheery than usual floated above memories fuzzed by routine and paranoia of the past few days. No, he couldn't have been that distracted.  

"The main stairs, six 'o clock sharp. Don't forget her present." Corvo went on with a deadpan glare. Daud could hear muttering as the Lord Protector left; "A guard could stroll into the room to leave those notes with you being that cloud headed."  

Well, shit.  

The only good thing that came out from that was the troubling question of  what  an Empress would want, which shoved the slowly growing paranoia of the Outsider's words aside.  Most of his whalers had already gotten something for her, Daud discovered . Trinkets and odd things, some handmade while others cheap but convenient and all with the cover of 'made with love'. At least they were better than nothing.   

Only seven days to find something to give a girl who could have anything the Empire dug its claws into. Emily was growing into the type of person who would smile and thank you kindly for the gift, no matter if she liked it or even knew what it was, there was a watchful audience waiting for hiccups from their ruler. Whether it was to fuel gossip or thorn-covered jabs at Her Majesty's ungratefulness, the fawn would only show it in privacy of her room and Daud did not like the idea of her disappointed look directed at him. It took him almost the whole week before he finally found the gift. While it was not perfect and paled in comparison to others, there wasn't enough time to search for another. Daud promised to punch the first person who dared inquire the simple gift-wrapped box carefully placed on the nearby shelf, leaning back in his seat and rubbing  tired eyes.   

The strange books and notes had stopped after the talk with Corvo, but the nightmares turned for the worse. The chase became vivid and clearer.  

He was the hunter, patiently stalking in the dark. The surroundings were growing more familiar, sometimes damp wood of the Flooded District and polished  floors covered in carpet of the Tower. The prey would be unaware of his presence until he was so close, then they turned to face him as if confused and call out instead of fleeing immediately. They would get no response and start to back away slowly, before going into a run. The dream-Daud  would follow at  his own pace, pursuing and drinking in the scent of fear. Into a room the prey went, and the doors locked behind. Bangs akin to thunder sounded as the doors shook violently, each slam threatened to tear them off their hinges but then it would stop.     

Painfully controlled breathing and clothes shifting in slow movement. They would attempt to calm down and call out to someone when the doors crashed open. Wails for help as large jaws snapped at them, rust-red painting the floors while legs kicked out wildly. She struggled and lashed, knowing that a well-aimed kick would break her attacker's neck but each time her chance came, she would hesitate. A scream for him to stop and cries for a name in panicked pain when one of her legs get trapped and ripped by many dagger-fangs, ribbons of flesh and red pouring. Snarling as a kick connected  with his eye and then chest, he would let go and rear back before snagging her by the neck.     

The hunter lifted her up and the scream cut off with a sickening snap, her thrashing slowed and ended abruptly. Only then, would Daud release Emily.  

Sometimes it was a random Serkonan girl, others was a maid but more often did the girl wear the face of the current Empress. 

He normally woke up after that. Sleep came harder along with the nightmares that Daud started to avoid it unconsciously, rechecking checked papers and patrolling the Tower inside out to delay sleep. Unfortunately, he realized it too late as the anxiety and worry lingering at the back of his mind returned in full force.  Sloppy, the man chuckled humorlessly to himself.  Billie would had killed him if she was here. Figuratively and literality. Even the continuous dreams of  Corvo killing him back then did not result in this much stress.  

Tonight, a small voice shouted at him, it's going to happen tonight and Daud was unsure whether it was referring to Emily's party or something entirely different.   

A knock brought his thoughts back to reality but he didn't look up, letting the person go on a few more times before sighing. "Come in."  

"Master." Thomas stepped in and did his usual salute, dressed in what seemed to be his nicest uniform and hair combed back neatly. He looked out of place without the whaler mask, nervousness visible on his harden face.  The Royal Spymaster raised a brow at the bits of pink and blue glitter on the other 's clothes and gloves .   

"What's the situation downstairs?"   

"Smooth enough. Some of the guests  have arrived, all on the list and went through security checks alongside their  gifts without any incidents." Right,  the new arc pylon in the main hall.  If he wasn't wrong, someone covered it in decorations yesterday.  There was a minor disagreement when a nobleman didn't like the way a maid hung his coat but that's it." Thomas paused. "The Empress asked to check on you. "  

"Tell her," Daud started slowly, weighing the pros and cons of hours spent on smiling politely at aristocrats and on better things; such as sleep, for instance. "I'll do best to attend but do not wait for me. I'm...not feeling well."   

"Understood." Thomas nodded and looked over at the shelf. " Would you like me to pass that to her?"  

Daud frowned deeply before giving a small nod. Taking the present,  his second-in-command gave a bow and vanished with the sound of strong wind, leaving him alone to dwell in his thoughts. The clock nearby told him he had at least an hour before he had to head down. It was more than enough time to rest and collect his thoughts, right?  

She would be disappointed, he knew, but it was better than him collapsing in front of her or something similar. He glanced to the drawers of his desk, gazing shifting from the lowest draw and settling on the table.  Daud stared tiredly at the small pouch and poisonous green stared back from the half opened zip.