Chapter 29

Over the next few weeks, Aria and Vicente basked in their growing relationship. They spent nearly all of their time together, whether it was training or talking or simply reading together by the fireplace. Aria thought back to her conversation with Antionetta. She still wasn't sure about becoming a vampire, but the idea of marrying Vicente was starting to seem more and more appealing. She couldn't imagine her life without him.

Before she could truly sort out her thoughts about it, Ocheeva called her to her quarters. When she got there, Aria noticed that Ocheeva looked excited. She quickly waved Aria to a seat. "Do you like parties?" She asked.

Aria paused at the unexpected question. "Isn't it a little late to ask that? You already hosted a birthday party for me."

Ocheeva shook her head, smiling. "No, this is for a contract. You'll be attending a party, but the other guests will be your targets. What do you think?"

"That sounds interesting. Tell me more."

"Gladly. You'll need to travel to the city of Skingrad, to the large house known as Summitmist Manor. There, you will meet up with five very unlucky guests. In order to receive your bonus, you must kill each guest separately, one by one. If anyone sees you committing murder, the bonus is forfeit. The guests believe that there is a chest of gold hidden in the house and have agreed to be locked inside until one of them finds it. In fact, the guests believe the key to the manor is inside the chest, and only by satisfying their greed will they be allowed to leave. Poor fools. There is, of course, no chest of gold. The guests will find no key. After you arrive, the doors will be locked behind you, as everyone expects. When all the guests lie dead, you will be free to leave. Any questions?"

Aria nodded. "Why so many targets?"

"Each guest, at some point in the past, wronged their mysterious host. Now he's hired us to exact his revenge," Ocheeva answered.

Someone's holding a grudge, Aria thought. Out loud, she said, "I'll do it."

"Splendid," Ocheeva replied. "Now, the party is tomorrow night. If you leave in the morning, you'll be there with enough time to make any preparations you need." She paused. "I must admit, I'm envious. This contract sounds like it will be a great deal of fun. You'll have to tell me all about it when you return."

Aria nodded and left the room. She couldn't wait to tell Antionetta and Vicente about this contract. A few minutes later, the three of them were sitting by the fire.

"Well, that's interesting," Vicente said when Aria finished speaking. "I think the key to successfully completing this contract is effectively blending in with the other guests. Since it's a dinner party, they'll likely be dressed up. It would be a good occasion for your new dress."

Antionetta groaned. "Oh, I'm so jealous! You get to dress up in fancy clothes and go to a party and kill people! My last contract was just a stall-owner." She leaned forward. "We should figure out how to do your hair! And I've got a necklace that would go so well-"

Aria held up a hand. "Slow down, Netta. I don't need to get that dressed up. I need to be able to move around well enough to complete the contract." She looked at Vicente. "I was already planning on wearing the dress, though."

Vicente looked pleased, but before he could say anything, Antionetta said, remember, you must make them like you. Make them trust you. Then bathe in their blood!" She laughed at her joke.

"How do I make them trust me?" Aria asked. "I don't think there's a spell for that."

Antionetta shrugged. "I don't know Tell a joke. Or a sad story. People always go for sad stories."

"And, remember, the dress has a Speechcraft spell, so I'm sure you'll do just fine, dear one," Vicente reassured, kissing her hair.

The next morning, Aria packed as soon as she had finished breakfast. Her contract had been the main topic at the table, and everyone wished her luck.

She packed her dress and some other clothes in a satchel, then checked the condition of her Blade of Woe. According to Telaendril, a proper lady wouldn't be seen with anything bigger than a fancy dagger. Beyond that, her magic would have to suffice. As she buckled the blade on, Mraaj-Dar approached her.

Ever since their first encounter outside Ocheeva's quarters, Aria had tread lightly around the Khajit. He'd not been openly hostile toward her since then, but he hadn't been friendly, either. But lately, he'd been almost civil towards her, sometimes even to the point of giving full, polite sentences instead of insults. Aria hoped to win him over eventually.

He shoved a bag into her hands and muttered, "For your contract..."

Puzzled, Aria opened the bag and looked inside. "Apples?"

"Poisoned apples. For your victims. So don't eat them," he said gruffly before walking away.

Aria watched him walk away in stunned silence. Poisoned apples were Mraaj-Dar's specialty. For him to give them away, to her of all people, was unheard of.

"Well, well. Miracles do happen," Vicente said, suddenly appearing beside her.

"Is he starting to trust me?"

"I told you he would, given a year or two." Vicente took her in his arms. "I know this seems like an easy contract, but be careful out there, dear one. I've waited three hundred and twenty-five years for you. I don't want to lose you."

"You won't," Aria assured him. "I'll be back in a few days. A week, at most, if I really take my time." She leaned in and whispered "I love you" before kissing him.

"I love you."

Aria pulled away and grabbed her satchel. There wasn't time for long goodbyes. It was time to work.