The Listener

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Arthur Braxseth, Listener to the Dark Brotherhood, gathering his belongings before heading off to carry out his contract.

After waiting for a day, Astrid was finally ready to give Arthur the first contract. She called for him and they met at her office chamber.
"We are ready to begin, or should I say you are." "Since you're the one the Night Mother spoke to."
said Astrid. "I hope you have something nice to wear, because you going to a wedding."
"A wedding?" asked Arthur curious to know more.
"Well, more like a public reception. It should be a lovely affair! You'll mingle with the guests, eat some cake...." replied Astrid. And with a sinister smile continued, "Murder the bride."
Arthur was shocked to hear this, but he gave a sly smile.
"Oh yes, you have to kill the bride. At her own wedding." laughed Astrid.
"And they say romance is dead." she laughed.
"Whose the lucky lady then?" asked Arthur with a smile.
"The target is Victoria Vici, she oversees the East Empire Company's holdings in Skyrim." she replied.
"The wedding will be held in the city, outside the temple of the devines." stated Astrid. "Her death will cause an uproar. Which is just what we want..." she continued.
"Anything else?" asked Arthur before heading off.
"Yes, there is one thing. Vici is like to address her guests quiet often, If you kill her then, I will give a bonus." replied Astrid.

"A messy scene then?" laughed Arthur.
"Oh yes, just how we like it." smiled Astrid. "Because of the current Political climate, people are going to assume the murder is part of the bad blood between the Empire and Stormcloaks.
"How so?" Arthur wondered. "How is Vici connected to the emperor?"
"Ah, an excellent question!" exclaimed Astrid. "Victoria Vici is the first cousin of our dear Emperor Titus Mede II. So she obviously has imperial connections, while her husband has ties with the Stormcloaks. Their union is a step towards reconciliation." explained Astrid.
Arthur remained quiet, intrigued by the information.
"If there was a murder at the wedding, not only will it slow the peace process, but will send out shock waves throughout the empire." continued Astrid. "The emperor's hand will be forced, and he will have to come here to clean up the mess."
"Where the Dark Brotherhood will be waiting..." said Arthur with a sinister smile.
"Exactly brother, don't forget to give my best to the bride." laughed Astrid. "Time to give him the motivation to visit Skyrim."

Arthur went to the bed chambers, he decided to take a more undercover approach as Astrid had advised, and so wanted to wear a more casual attire. No doubt, wearing his Dark Brotherhood armor might have brought.... unwanted attention. When he opened the chest, after rummaging through some valuables he found his old clothes.... wrapping something he had almost forgotten, like a past life,.... the sword forged by his love, Isobel.

( Hope you like this image-story! The continued will be coming later! I decided to split them since this one is almost too long to continue the next! Which will be a bit exciting since who doesn't love a good red wedding? )