Dragonborn Rising

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.

We only left Riften for the day, returning to my place again for the evening. I cooked dinner for Haelga, earning plenty of compliments for my cooking as we enjoyed some fresh mammoth steak, potatoes and vegetables. As we sat together on the balcony watching the sun go down, she cuddled into me as the wind picked up slightly, providing a chill to the air.

"Can I be honest, Ragnar?"

"Of course."

"I really missed this while you were gone."

"I know it was difficult for you. But I gave her my word. I couldn't break it."

"I know how much you loved her, and how much she meant to you. But were you ever tempted?"

"Once or twice, whenever I saw you walking around town, and I could see you were sad, as I knew what would put a smile on your face. And I'll be honest myself, I don't think Muiri would have minded if I had. But then I remember what caused me to leave Cyrodiil..."

"I'm sorry she's no longer here, Ragnar. And I mean that with all my heart."

"I know, Haelga. And thank you. I'm glad you were so ready to accept me back in your life."

"I still loved you, Ragnar. I would have taken you back in an instant."

"I love you too."

She was quiet for a little while. "I love hearing you tell me that again. And I know you never really stopped loving me, deep down in your heart," she said quietly, "Can you say that again as we make love in a minute?"

I did just that. There was no Dibella room that night. There was only myself, Haelga, and the bed. Kissing, caressing, lovemaking, a lot of sweating, panting, moaning, compliments, whispered confessions of love, a few climaxes, and Haelga in my arms, spooning against me as she drifted off to sleep. I whispered again before she did that I loved her. My feelings for her were the same I felt for Astrid. I'm not sure about others, but I could easily love two or more women at once. Maybe I was just a greedy bastard. Maybe I didn't quite know what love was, though I'm fairly sure I did, considering I'd married and given up nearly everything for her...

She knew I would have to return to Falkreath the next morning, though that didn't make our parting any easier. It was a little harder each time to leave her, as I thoroughly enjoyed her company, and not just the sex. Sure, I loved the fact that we made love or fucked every night we were together, but I would have happily just slept beside her... Though I'd have given into temptation eventually. She walked with me to the stables outside the city walls, only asking as always for me to be careful. And I promised her, as I had started to do, that I would return to her once whatever job I was doing was complete.

It was dark by the time I made it to the Sanctuary, joining everyone as they were sat down for dinner. I took a seat near Astrid, a glance between us the only thing required to let her know I had the news she wanted. As for everyone else, they figured I'd either been on a job or had returned home for a day. They didn't ask too many questions. If I wanted to share a story, I would if I chose to.

Joining Astrid in her bedroom later, she made sure we had complete privacy before I told her everything. "So, what did Delvin say?"

I handed her the letter first. She whistled and showed it to me too, assuming that he had bought the amulet. "Fifteen thousand septims? Fuck me!" I exclaimed.

"Later," she said with a laugh, "What about the amulet?"

"Let's say it's specially made for members of the Elder Council."

"The Elder Council! Oh, now that explains quite a bit. Motierre, you naughty, naughty boy. Hiring the Dark Brotherhood to help you rise beyond your station. Delicious."

"So if we kill the Emperor, he, what, has a chance at the crown?"

"Unlikely, but no doubt he believes he'll have influence over whoever does take the throne next." She opened up the letter from Motierre, reading that alongside the small booklet I'd also been given. "Well, well, well, he certainly has plenty of plans for us."

"What sort of plans?"

She looked at me with a grin. The sort of grin that suggested she was finding all of this rather amusing. "I hope you have something nice to wear, Ragnar, because you're going to a wedding."

"Good thing I don't mind them. When, where and who is the target?"

She leaned across to kiss my cheek. "Oh, my newest recruit knows the right questions. No point asking why, though I guess it's easy to figure out, right?"

I kissed her back, and we forgot about everything for a couple of minutes, particularly once one of my hands wandered under the band of the trousers. She moaned into my mouth before breaking the kiss. "Anyone would think you have a one track mind, Ragnar."

"Maybe I find the idea of killing for you exciting. Can you explain what you want with my fingers inside you?"

She took a deep breath and smiled. "I'll try my best. So, you have to kill the bride at her wedding, or at least at the reception afterwards. The target is..." She had to stop as she needed to moan, her body starting to gyrate at what I was doing. "The target is..." She trailed off again, "Oh, Ragnar," she breathed.

"Tell me what I need to do, Astrid," I breathed into her ear.

She didn't tell me at first, her mouth desperate for mine. She finally broke away to continue. "Vittoria Vici. She oversees the East Empire Company's business holdings in Solitude. The wedding is being held in that city, at the Temple of the Divines." She had to stop and take a deep breath. "Ragnar, you need to..."

"Continue, Astrid. Only when you're done will you get what we both want."

"Tease," she moaned, though she smiled, "Her death will cause an uproar, which is exactly what we want." She trailed off again as she finally needed to lie down. I wasn't doing anything other than gently sliding a couple of fingers into her, but there's no doubt she found the whole idea exciting too. "Ragnar, once I'm done explaining, we'll do everything, right?"

"Just tell me," I said quietly.

"Vici is likely to address her guests frequently, as is the wedding custom. Kill her when she does that, and I promise you a significant bonus."

"Oh, what sort of bonus? The only thing I want is you, Astrid."

"Oh god," she cried quietly, her body now gently bucking against my fingers. I still kept the pace gentle, though I was now hard as a rock. "Ragnar, please..." she pleaded.

"Not until you tell me everything."

"A public kill is required. How you do that is up to you. Your choice, so long as it's loud and messy. Because of the current political climate, people are going to assume the murder is related to the bad blood between the Legion and Stormcloaks. In any event, when Vici dies, it's going to be complete pandemonium."

I removed her boots and trousers, exposing her glistening pussy to the candle light. She was soaking wet by now, and I returned my fingers to her sex, teasing her relentlessly. "What else?" I breathed in to her ear.

"I need your mouth there," she cried, kissing me desperately.

"Not until you've told me. Why Vici? What makes her important?"

"Vittoria Vici is the first cousin to our dear Emperor, Titus Mede II. Vici has obvious Imperial connections. Her husband has ties to the Stormcloaks. Their union is a step toward reconciliation. So if there's a murder at the wedding... Not only will it stall the peace process -- it will send shockwaves throughout the entire Empire. The Emperor's hand will be forced. He'll have to travel to Skyrim to deal with the aftermath. And that's when he'll find the Dark Brotherhood waiting."

She cried out after that, and I knew she was close to climax.

"When do I go?"

"The day after tomorrow. You'll have enough time to make plans. Now, please, Ragnar, I need..."

I kissed her hard before I whispered, "I kill for you, Astrid."

I didn't even have to lower my mouth to make her climax as she shuddered, turning towards me to hold on as she climaxed. The kiss we shared near enough made me shoot a load in my underwear, and I know why it was a kiss of such intensity. Resting her head against my chest, she finally murmured, "You did that on purpose."

"Who would have thought discussing murder would be such a turn on?"

We ended up completely naked quite quickly, and we made love, mixing that with discussion about what I would do. I wanted her to come with me so we could work together, and while I think the idea thrilled her, she said more organisation was required for the other targets. Knowing I would be gone for a while, we made love for as long as possible until I was simply incapable of getting hard again.

Astrid announced what I would be doing the next day, and I had offers of help from Veezara and Gabriella, both offering to join me in Solitude to assist. I was grateful for the offer, and we agreed to travel alone but meet in Solitude to make plans. Astrid and I had not been public with our affection, though everyone was more than aware of our relationship, so I was pleased when she stopped caring about what they all thought by kissing me hard just before I mounted my horse. "Come back to me, Ragnar," she said, resting her head against me as I hugged her.

"There is only one other woman I promise, Astrid. I will promise you too."

"Haelga?"

"Yes."

"She's a lucky woman. Just like me."

It was a two-day ride to Solitude, stopping for the night in Rorikstead instead of Whiterun, as staying there would have meant doubling back on myself. It was still light by the time I was on the road heading up the long hill towards the capital of Skyrim. There were signs that something important was happening, as there were more troops on patrol, and after stabling my horse, there were more checks on those entering the city than usual.

Despite that, there was an air of excitement once inside the city walls. The market had tripled in size since my last visit, the crowds were enormous, most no doubt ready to watch the wedding or at least be present at the reception. Veezara and Gabriella met me at the designated point where we agreed on the plan I'd thought of on the ride. Babette had given me advice on a loose statue hanging above where the wedding party would convene. She suggested a good shove with my shoulder would lead to a very public death. Veezara and Gabriella agreed to the idea. Veezara would cover my exit, Gabriella would be the back-up with a poisoned arrow if the statue missed its mark.

We slept in different places over the next two nights, though I doubt anyone gave us a second glance. We weren't stupid enough to wear Brotherhood armour openly. I wore casual clothing, hoping to simply melt into the crowds. My colleagues would stand out a little more, simply due to be non-Nords in the Nordic capital, but there were enough Dunmer and Argonians around to not draw too much attention.

The morning of the wedding, the air of excitement in the city was enormous. Elisif herself would be attending. I was sure I'd seen her before, but as I tracked her walking towards the temple for the wedding ceremony, I found myself having rather nice thoughts about her. She was utterly gorgeous.

While the wedding ceremony took place, I got into position. I was surprised at the complete lack of security once inside the city, with very few guards patrolling around the temple. Good news for me, at least. Gabriella had stated she would signal once Vici and her husband would appear on the balcony below, and it would be then, while giving her speech, that I would ensure a bloody end to the wedding.

Did I feel any guilt about what I was about to do? No. I was doing it for Astrid, as much as Alain and Nilsine were killed for my wife. I'd proven to myself time and again by now that I cared little for the lives of others, unless they were friends or lovers. I'm sure they had fancy terms to describe people like that.

Waiting was rather boring, though I kept watch on Gabriella across the other side. When she signalled, I could hear excitement rise again before applause erupted, and I knew the bride and groom had made their appearance below me. I got into position, my shoulder resting against the statue, and I could feel how easy it was going to give way.

I knew Vici was in the right position when he started her speech. "Good people of Solitude. My husband Aesgir and I thank you for coming to our reception. We thank you for sharing the love we have for each other. You have all helped make this a truly extraordinary wedding. All of my dreams..."

Her sentence was cut off as I'd pushed the statue with everything I had, feeling stone rub against stone before it fell. There were screams and shouts from below as the statue no doubt crashed into the head of Vici below, killing her instantly. With the confusion and consternation below, I kept low and made for the exit point, knowing Veezara and Gabriella would be doing the same thing.

We headed for a separate exit from the city, that would take us out just down the road from the docks. Gabriella had organised for our horses to be waiting for us, and we wasted no time mounting up and riding off. We probably looked completely suspicious, but we didn't care. All we wanted was distance between us and the city.