The patrons of the Winking Skeever were all abuzz, gossiping about the events that happened in Solitude the past four days. The first was Vittoria Vici, the cousin of Emperor Titus Mede II and overseer of the East Empire Company's interests in Haafingar, "accidentally" killed giving her wedding speech by a loose gargoyle falling from its perch. Then, the Gourmet, his body found in the pond outside of the Nightgate Inn- quite a shock that was for people, finding out that the elusive chef was, in fact, an Orc. Next, the unlucky man who was chosen to be the Emperor's decoy, poisoned by the one who murdered then took on the Gourmet's identity. Lastly, the Emperor himself- the assassin not resting until his or her task was completed. Carnage had been left in the unknown person's wake on the Kateriah, every member of the crew and the dead ruler's guard obliterated. Now they were wondering if the killer was still within the city walls, or did they go back to whence they came.

For Mercer Frey, Guild Master of Skyrim's Thieves Guild, the chaos in Solitude was just what he needed to break into the Blue Palace and steal the dead High King's signet ring. It was, up until that point, in the possession of his widow, but now that the Breton claimed the piece as his, he was already thinking of ways to put it to good use... well, good use for him anyways. The visit was not entirely for pleasure, as the thief had once again tried to strong arm Gulum-Ei into telling him the truth of the comings and goings of the East Empire Trading Company. The Argonian had proven to still be stubbornly defiant, emphatically telling the dour Guild Master that there was nothing he could do with the slowing of business then promptly throwing him out.

It wasn't a total loss, the man thinks as he turns the ill-gotten ring around in his pocket. Not even bothering to thank Corpulus Vinius for his drink, Mercer turns around and tries to find a place of solitude in the noisy tavern- the only empty seat seeming to be across from a woman whose features seemed to be veiled by the shadowy corner she drank in. Perhaps she preferred silence to the loud cacophony of the city's residents as well? Instead of leaving her alone, however, the sandy haired male makes his way through the groups of gossiping people until he reaches the rather quiet niche in the room. When the Nord gives no sign of noticing him, he coughs softly, then goes "Do you mind if I sit? It seems that this is the quietest place in the establishment."

A pair of stone colored orbs gaze up from the rim of the tankard, an ungloved hand gesturing to the chair across the table after a few moments of thought. "Messy business, kingslaying. Though not the first assassination of an Emperor, I do believe it's the first in recent memory that's been attributed to the Dark Brotherhood. Six murders in as many days, all revolving around the comings and goings of this city. They are right to be concerned."

"Six? I only heard whisperings of four." Mercer sinks into the offered seat, his gaze never leaving the blonde woman's face. Taking a sip of his own drink, he asks her "And are you?"

"Am I what?"

"Concerned? As you said, there is a killer on the loose. Much like the one that was running around Eastmarch a few months back." The thief notices just the hint of a smile gracing her face and he could not help but wonder what exactly this mere slip of a girl was hiding.

"I do not think the residents of the City of Kings nor here have anything to worry about. From what I heard regarding Windhelm, it seems one of the residents wanted to bring his sister back from the dead and was harvesting the necessary body parts from the young women who called the city home. As for Solitude... well, time will tell." She pauses to take a drink then, as she sits back, adds "Why the questions? Are you scared, Breton? Do you have reason to fear the wrath of Sithis?"

Hazel eyes narrow slightly at the insult. "I fear nothing, wench. I am in control of my fate, not gods or daedra, or even the Void."

"We all eventually die-"

"And I'll do that on my terms, no one else's."

The flaxen haired female says nothing for a few minutes, her gaze not moving from a point just behind him as she finishes her mead. Before Mercer could turn to see what stole her attention, she puts the empty tankard down and gives him a wry smile. "What's your name, Breton?"

"What does it matter?"

Another smile, this one just a bit wider. "You interest me. Few seldom do."

"Out of all these..." The thief would have said idiots- or something worse- but he manages to hold his tongue.

"These...people...for lack of a better word," she goes, gesturing with her hand around the room, "are sheep. Easily distracted, easily manipulated, easily scared. Most beings of Nirn are and not worth giving serious thought to... But there's something different about you. What it is, I'm not sure, but something tells me that you're going to turn the entire province on it's collective head and I certainly hope to be there for it."

This one is dangerous, my Listener. He smells of blood and death, of shadow and deceit. It is no wonder the Dread Father and his Matron wish for him to enter their service. However...

What concerns you, my Speaker? For you to question both Sithis and the Night Mother, you must truly be concerned.

The spectral assassin sighs inwardly, but nods in agreement. It was true- Lucien LaChance never in his time with the Dark Brotherhood questioned anything that came from the Void, openly or not. This time, however, he could not help but wonder what the plan for this thief was and why it had to involve the woman before him. Though I am bonded to you through the powers of the Void, even I do not fully understand the whims of our Father. This person was put into your path for a reason.

For what purpose, Lucien? Have I angered Mother in some way that she hopes to replace me? Though she was being trained properly by Lucien and Cicero in the old ways, Fia could not help but think that she was lacking in some way, that she would make a mistake that could destroy her diminished family for good. Her fears were temporarily lessened when a wave of warmth washed over her.

You have done everything Mother has asked of you, Sister. But you also must remember, our Family must rebuild from your predecessor's treachery- perhaps he is being put into your path simply to add to our numbers.

The blonde says nothing to the spirit, just puts her tankard down and gives the confused man a crooked grin. "What's your name, Breton?"

Green eyes blink once, then twice. Obviously not a question he was expecting. "What does it matter?"

Her smile becomes slightly more open and honest. "You interest me. Few seldom do."

"Out of all of these..."

Her empty hand gestures around the room at the congregating groups, all who pay their intimate conversation no heed. "These...people... for lack of a better word, are sheep. Easily distracted, easily manipulated, easily scared. Most beings of Nirn are and not worth giving serious thought." Fia pauses, choosing her next words carefully. The last thing she needed was to add fuel to the raging fires in Solitude with another dead body. "But there's something different about you. What it is, I'm not sure, but something tells me that you're going to turn the entire province on it's collective head and I certainly hope to be there for it."

The quiet man sits there for a few moments, a pensive expression on his face as he takes a long sip of his mead. "Mercer Frey."

Fia could feel the shock through her bond with Lucien and it nearly had her jumping from her seat. What is it?

The dead assassin knew he couldn't tell his Listener what he knew about the man sitting across from her, having been forced to silence on the subject by Sithis. He had known the two were to eventually meet, but so soon? Do you remember Delvin Mallory- the Breton in Riften your predecessor sent you to in order to have Motierre's amulet appraised? This is his Guild Master.

I thought the armor looked familiar... A cousin of sorts then. I suppose he doesn't know who I am? The affirmative gesture was all the assassin needed to figure out her next move. "I'm Fia." Well, if he is wanted by Sithis and his Bride, I suppose starting now is the prudent thing to do. "Tell me Mercer Frey, would you like to continue this conversation elsewhere? I feel the patrons have become a bit too rambunctious for my liking."

And it was true- debates and drinking did not always end well, and at least two different fights broke out in the main room of the tavern. Any more brawls meant that the guards would eventually be called, which could lead to more problems for both parties involved- not that Mercer knew that of the woman sitting across from him. "Shadows yes," he breathes out, barely audible over the noise. The Breton practically leaps from his chair, causing Fia to laugh. "What destination did you have in mind?"