The Brotherhood armour in my story is based upon the mod "Masters of Death".
I like my Skyrim heavily modded.
"We've heard of another potential contract."
Kedi looked up and spotted Astrid emerging from the shadows of the reading nook. She closed her book with one hand over the spine and set it on the table in front of her as she reclined back into the seat.
"Where?"
"Windhelm. A madman is offing young elven women, and some of the townspeople are finally getting tired of the guards doing nothing about it, it seems."
"Any leads, or am I to patrol at night with the Kingslayer's men?"
Astrid sighed heavily and seated herself opposite the redheaded Breton woman. Her blonde hair was pulled back tightly, her face a blank but exhausted slate. As always, she wore the uniform of her Brotherhood; black leggings and a hooded long-sleeved tunic that hung in block strips below the waist, cinched in at the waist with a wide crimson sash which covered her midriff and would remain visible once she donned the leather breastplate. The black was symbolic of Astrid's position as leader of the Dark Brotherhood, whereas everyone else wore dark grey.
"I know you dislike the Rebel King's methods, but this is still business, sister. We've caught word of the Black Sacrament being performed by dozens of grieving parents, and we must answer."
"When do I leave?"
"Tonight, so say your goodbyes soon. You'll be going alone."
"I thought as much. Does Veezara have a contract?"
Astrid rested her elbow on the table and raised a hand to her forehead. "No. You know we haven't been getting as many contracts as we used to, do not test me! I'm losing enough- we're losing enough, without losing our members, too. I refuse to endanger them by sending them out when it isn't necessary. It's an easy enough mission; you will do it alone. Do not question me again, Kedi." She rose to her feet and stalked out of the room.
Kedi sighed and reached forward to grab her book.
"She can't make me stay."
The young woman couldn't help but smile as she heard the raspy voice of her Argonian partner. "Yes, she can, Veezara. You know how unstable she's been lately; who knows what she'd do if you disobeyed her."
"Well… Technically, she hasn't ordered me to stay, yet." He sat in the chair Astrid had vacated, and placed his softly scaled hand on Kedi's. Argonians were the reptilian people of Tamriel, hailing from the tropical and deadly country of Black Marsh. Inter-species relationships were never practical with Argonians, but Kedi had always had a connection with Veezara, if not a physical one.
"She probably knew you were listening in. She's the most skilled out of all of us, even Babette, and she's a vampire."
"Really? I would've said Festus was better, with his invisibility spells and everything…"
Kedi laughed. "That's not the point. And you know he likes his fireballs and frenzy spells better, anyway."
"That's true… The old man is crazy." Veezara eyed his Breton lover as they fell into comfortable silence, while she contemplated the trip ahead.
He watched Kedi, in deep thought, rub the long scars that marred her right cheek. They were from an animal attack when she was younger, she claimed, which would explain why they had healed so badly. Her right eye had also been damaged in the attack, which meant she had to cover it while in brighter places. Usually, she wore a strip of black linen that she tied at the back – and it surprisingly seemed to improve her aim – but the Sanctuary of their Brotherhood was dim enough that she could see well enough out of both eyes and didn't have to blindfold herself. For far away targets, Kedi had managed to build a scouter out of old Dwarven parts, which considerably improved her sight when she wore it in place of her blindfold.
Her yellow eyes flicked to Veezara's face as she came back to the present. "It'll be an easy contract, you'll see. I'll be back before you know it! … Right?"
He choked out a laugh and nodded. "Maybe Astrid will let you take Shadowmere… You'd be back by tomorrow night, with that demon horse."
Kedi smiled. "I'd best get ready… If I think my return will be delayed, I'll send a raven." With a sigh, the Breton grabbed her book and kissed Veezara's scaled brow. "Tell Gabriella and the others… Well, just say goodbye for me."
"You aren't going to speak to them before you leave?"
"No time, Veezara. No time." She waved as she stalked from the room.
