Marelle, Tobias, Elarie and Teldryn sat around the small table, a little bleary eyed but alert. Marelle had been pleased to hear of Elarie's recovery. She was very curious about the mixed race mage, whose parents had kept her close, unlike her own.
The assassin was a little nervous meeting the Dragonborn's trusted and tight knit group, but Elarie was open and accepting, and the mercenary was content to follow his companions' lead. Tobias had reassured her that the Dunmer mercenary's tense attitude was simply a sign of his concern for the mage. She'd been truly surprised at having been caught by him, and she looked forward to getting to know her love's closest friends more.
"The Dark Brotherhood did receive a contract for Elarie's death," Marelle started. She saw the mage and mercenary give each other a glance. Ah, Tobias had been correct there, she smiled inwardly. They were a match, like he predicted.
"Apparently the client, who remains anonymous, summoned one of the senior leaders to complain. Jarrin root," she said, " is the most powerful poison in its arsenal and they cannot afford to have it analyzed by top alchemists."
She looked at the diminutive mage and smiled. "You've caused quite a fuss. Not only within the Order, but there are rumors of the Aldmeri Dominion taking notice. They prefer to ignore half-breeds, but one just became the only person to ever recover from jarrin root poisoning.
"What does that mean for Elarie?" Teldryn asked. "Is she still a target?"
"Yes." Marelle answered. "The contract has been given to Teris."
Tobias' face grew grave. "He's their number one assassin. No one knows who he is, what race he is, any clue other than gender. When I handled Brotherhood business, we counted ourselves lucky that we'd even discovered he existed."
Marelle nodded. "Teris is a big reason why I've been unable to bring the Brotherhood down yet. He could easily restart the order unless he's brought down as well. He's just as much a mystery to the order, except for Astrid and Arnbjorn, the current leaders, who are able to contact him.
"However, Teris is eccentric, but not like the jester from Cyrodiil. He's actually my role model, for accepting contracts. From what I've gathered so far, he takes only those contracts that he wants. He's turned down many. I've taken cues from him as much as I can. The leaders have a short temper with him as less experienced assassins who have volunteered for contracts have failed where he would have succeeded. But he's so good that they respect his terms. The rumor is he even turned down a contract for the Emperor because he couldn't be bothered going to the Imperial City. It's not doubted because he did handle a previous contract in the Imperial Palace itself – cutting the throat of a retainer who turned out to be a necromancer."
Teldryn snorted. "Sounds like an upstanding assassin," he drawled. "If he's so picky about contracts, why would he accept Elarie's? She's not in the same category as the ones you've mentioned."
Marelle nodded. "It's rumored that the client paid much more than the original contract to get Teris onto it," she said. "Too much for the Order to refuse. If he succeeds, the Dark Brotherhood would become legendary – by killing one of the Dragonborn's closest friends and allies under his nose. The recruits would come begging to be let into the order, and there'd be no doubt of supremacy over other associations like the Morag Tong." She shook her head. "I don't think he's going to have a choice with this one. But if he refuses, it might lead to an all out war for control of the Order."
The Dragonborn looked concerned. "How can we deal with him?"
I'm tracking him," Marelle replied. She looked at Elarie. "I would've done so sooner or later, to keep my promise to Tobias."
The mage frowned. "I can take care of myself." At Teldryn's stern look, she amended her statement. "With only a little help."
"We'll have to work it out," Tobias said. "But thanks to Marelle, we're warned and can take precautions. Whatever happens, we'll have to keep things as normal as possible."
"A pity we can't convince him to refuse," the mercenary said. "It would solve much of our problems."
"In the meantime," Tobias continued, "the safest place for Ellie is Raven Rock." He looked at the mage. "The old man here said you have citizenship and property there. With everyone arriving by boat, it'll be a lot easier to keep track of visitors, not to mention the Redoran Guard will be there to help. Veleth's a good man."
The mercenary snorted again at hearing Veleth's name, but kept quiet. It was a good plan, and he preferred to be on his own turf to protect the little Altmer. Conversation then turned to the defeat of Alduin and the visit to Sovngarde before they retired for what was left of the night.
Elarie had accompanied Marelle to get some fresh air when a courier arrived with a letter for the mercenary. It was from Geldis, and the mercenary frowned while reading it, then went in search of Tobias.
"I'm needed back on Solstheim immediately," Sero told his friend. "Elarie's not well enough to travel all that way yet, but send her on the Northern Maiden when she's able to, and I'll make sure shes met at Raven Rock." Tobias nodded, no explanations needed. "I wish you both the best," he told the Dunmer.
His friend nodded. "Elarie's still with Marelle, but I can't waste any time. Tell her I'll see her soon."
The Dragonborn agreed to do so, and watched his friend grab his belongings, hop into the waiting wagon, and set off for the Windhelm docks.