The Cure for Madness The Cure for Madness is a quest available in . Walkthrough . The Dragonborn is met by Gabriella upon arrival in the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary . She redirects the Dragonborn to speak with Astrid immediately . Astrid states that Cicero went crazy and attempted to kill everyone before fleeing . She recommends searching Cicero ' s room for clues . In his room , on an end table next to his bed is the final volume of Cicero ' s Journal . All the previous volumes can be found on nearby elevated surfaces . When reading the final volume , it will provide details of the password and location for an older and unused Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary near Dawnstar . After letting Astrid know of the findings , the Dragonborn is instructed to kill Cicero . She provides the horse , Shadowmere , as a means of getting to him . Despite the fact that Shadowmere is unique in appearance , choosing to obtain him is not essential to completing the quest . While in the Sanctuary , talking with Nazir can also provide additional available side contracts . Tracking Cicero . Outside the Sanctuary is a black pool that resolves itself into Shadowmere . He can be ridden to Dawnstar or else the Dragonborn can fast travel there . Once there , Arnbjorn is sitting injured on the ground just outside of the Dawnstar Sanctuary . He tells of his injuries , saying they were from a fight with Cicero , but that he injured Cicero equally as seriously , so the Dragonborn should just " follow the blood " to find him . After suggesting that he return to the home Sanctuary , Dawnstar Sanctuary should be entered . Once inside , Cicero can be heard asking whether the Listener has come , and then saying that Astrid has sent her best . There is a full set of the Jester ' s Outfit on a table to the left as you enter the first room . As the Dragonborn continues , you will come to a bridge with a spear trap . As the trap is triggered , Cicero taunts the Dragonborn . It is possible to lure the Sanctuary Guardian to the other side of the bridge into the spike trap . Continuing on , at the bottom of a circular set of stairs is a table with the Archery skill book " The Marksmanship Lesson " and the one - handed skill book " Fire and Darkness " , as well as a set of Worn Shrouded Armor on a cupboard to the right . In the very next room , along with the Sanctuary Guardian s , is a fire trap . Cicero continues his commentary as the Dragonborn proceeds . The next room contains a set of steps in the southwest corner leading up to a gate of metal poles that can be opened by pulling a chain near the bottom of the stairs . This opens a large round opening in the northeast wall , and a door in the southeast corner . The stairs lead back to an earlier part of the path , so they should be ignored for now . The southeast door is barred from the other side . The round opening leads to an ice cave ( which Cicero calls a " forced addition " ) . Deeper into the cave you will find the unique troll Udefrykte , along with numerous dead animals and bear traps . There is a ledge on the left side with a ramp leading to a chest containing a meager amount of coins . Continuing on through the bottom level of the cave , you will come to a room with a wooden door that leads to a retracting pole gate ( the chain to open it is on the wall to the right ) . At the bottom of the stairs is a hallway with coffins on either side . The coffins are mostly empty - a few have bloody rags or skulls , though some may have Bone Meal . There is a master - locked chest in a dead end passageway to the left ( south ) with leveled loot . At the end , another set of stairs leads up to the right ( north ) to another retracting pole gate opened by a chain to the right . At the end of this hall is the barred door to the left ( that can now be opened ) and another door to the right that leads to Cicero . As the Dragonborn approaches , they sheath their weapon . Confronting Cicero . Cicero is found lying on the ground injured . He asks that his life be spared and that the Dragonborn lie to Astrid about killing him . Should the Dragonborn decide to let him live , there is no effect on the outcome of the quest nor the attitudes of the other Brotherhood members . It should be noted that if Cicero is spared in this quest he will become an available follower for the Dragonborn . If he is killed , his body can be looted for his outfit ( the Jester ' s Outfit on the table at the entrance is less powerful ) , some gold and a leveled dagger . If he is attacked , he will get up and fight back , revealing that he isn ' t actually injured . Completing the Quest . Return to Astrid and inform ( or lie to ) her about Cicero ' s death . She will then thank the Dragonborn and suggest they hold on to Shadowmere " a while longer , " in addition to starting the next quest , " Recipe for Disaster . "