Chapter 21 -- Murder Inc.
*****
I went over everything Motierre told me as I rode back to the Sanctuary. The book of notes he also provided, if handed to the authorities, would have brought him and any of his associates down if I'd chosen to do so. The amulet he'd given as payment I didn't recognise, but it looked exquisite, wondering just who the man I'd met exactly was. But the prospect of killing the Emperor himself? I was no Stormcloak supporter, but I wasn't exactly a supporter of the current Imperial line either. I hadn't been alive when the Septims had been alive, but it was when their line was extinguished that everything had begun to crumble. So killing the Emperor didn't exactly bother me, if I was the one chosen to perform that operation.
Astrid was happy to see me upon my return, though more eager to hear what I had to report. We sat down at her table and I showed her everything I'd been given. To say she was excited would be an understatement, though the amulet intrigued her. She knew of only one person who might know what it was. "I'm sure you know Delvin, considering you're the Guild Master."
"Yes, he's suggested before that he knows who you are."
"He's carried affection for me a long time now. I'll admit I might have used that to my advantage once or twice over the years."
I couldn't help chuckle. "And he knows too."
"Can you take the amulet to Riften for me and let me know what he thinks? If it's what I think it could be, then we have quite the little mischief maker on our hands."
I left for Riften immediately. It necessitated an overnight stop under the stars, but Astrid was keen to know just what we had on our hands, so I didn't mind and a night in camp gave me plenty of time to think about things, including my relationships with Astrid and Haelga. After stabling my horse, I headed straight for the Flagon, though part of me did want to see Haelga first, though I'd go see her afterwards. As always, everyone was happy to see me appear, receiving plenty of questions as to what I was up to. Most were aware that I was working for the Brotherhood, though I also had one or two insinuations about my relationship with Astrid. I didn't bother denying it, much to the amusement of Delvin.
Sitting down with him, we enjoyed a tankard together first as he asked after Astrid. He also had information about Arnbjorn. "He's still in Skyrim, that much I know."
"Exact location?"
Delvin nodded, not needing to ask why I wanted to know. "I'm not sure, boss. You want to know?" I nodded in return. "I'll find out what I can. We have enough friends around Skyrim to help us out nowadays." A smirk formed as he asked, "So you really like her?"
"I do, Delvin. And I will do whatever is necessary to protect her from threats inside or outside the Brotherhood."
He leaned forward, resting a hand on my shoulder. "Good to see you back on your feet, boss. It's been a long time."
"Thank, Delvin. Now, the amulet."
He pulled back the cloth and whistled. "Where oh where did you get this?" He looked at me, shook his head. "Don't answer. I don't want to know."
"So, what is it exactly?"
"This is an amulet of the Emperor's Elder Council. One of these is specially crafted for each member. Worth a small fortune. Ain't somethin' you'd give up lightly. Look, it ain't my business to tell the Dark Brotherhood its business, but if you killed a member of the Elder Council, you'd better belie..."
"We haven't killed anyone yet. What Astrid wants to know is what it's worth and will you buy it?"
"Buy it? This? An Elder Council amulet? Oh yes. Oh yes, indeed," he stated excitedly, "Wait just one moment..." he added as he got to his feet and disappeared. Returning a couple of minutes later, he handed over a sealed letter, which I wouldn't open when I returned to Astrid. "It's a letter of credit. Usable, by Astrid only, for any service or item I can provide. As per our standard arrangement. You bring that back to your lovely mistress. With my regards."
"Mistress?"
"I can call her your lover to be more accurate."
"You wouldn't be wrong."
I stayed in the Flagon for a few hours, enjoying a couple of tankards with everyone. I even flirted with Vex for a little bit. She knew what I was doing, and returned the flirting, leading to plenty of laughter from both of us, and jokes from everyone else. I think there was still a desire somewhere buried inside both of us to perhaps make that leap, but she knew of my relationships otherwise, and I had a feeling she didn't just want to be another notch. I respected that, so I would endeavour to remain professional with her.
The Bunkhouse did eventually call, heading upstairs at sunset. Haelga was busy at work when I entered, wrapping my arms around her and burying my face in her neck. She jumped slightly before realising it was me, dropping the broom and turning to embrace me. "Dinner at the Bee and Barb?" I asked.
"Then we'll go home to yours?"
"Of course."
"I'll be there in an hour."
"I'll wait here. I'll watch you work."
Ever just sat and watched a woman clean up? I'm not sure what it was, perhaps Haelga was making it seem... hell, I'd say even more erotic, but I found watching her work rather exciting. And she seemed to notice, as she eventually sat on my lap so we could make out for a little while. "Knew it would work," she admitted a little later. I could only laugh as she stood up, reached under her dress and handed me her panties. No surprise they were wet, and I took a deep sniff of her scent. That just made me hard and she had to kick me out, otherwise she wouldn't finish her work.
After dinner at the Bee and Barb, where we enjoyed a roast dinner and a bottle of wine, we spent time chatting and flirting before we finally gave into temptation and headed back to my place. I was thinking she would just be interested in some lovemaking in the bedroom, but no. She wanted the Dibella room, though only to start with. Once satisfied in there, she admitted to wanting something a little more tender and loving afterwards.
I didn't hurry back to the Sanctuary, choosing to spend a day with Haelga. Leaving Svana to look after the Bunkhouse, I took her south of Lake Honrich, where we enjoyed a picnic on the shores of the lake before some rather public lovemaking in sunlight. There was something very exciting about having Haelga completely naked either under or on top of me during daylight hours, in such an exposed region, as we were barely a few metres away from the main road. If anyone passed by, we certainly didn't know.