Vex isn't in the Flagon like she normally is. Delvin says it's because she wants as much time away from the Ratway as possible. Unlike Diamond, she can't bear the sight of the place that holds so many memories of her and Libby.
Diamond awoke the next morning and immediately brought herself to the Flagon to show Delvin the amulet.
There still is no sign of Brynjolf, and even if he was around, Diamond wouldn't know what to say. She's still trying to rationalize about Libby, and they both probably wouldn't talk much. So, she keeps to herself and finds Delvin at the bar.
When she walks up, he instantly speaks. "Never knew how valuable Libby was to this rat hole until she's gone. Feel free to make yourself at home here, Diamond. And if you need anything from me, just ask."
"Actually I do. I originally came here on Dark Brotherhood business." She says.
"Oh. Oh I see. How is Astrid doin' these days? Tell her to stop by some time. We can have a drink. Catch up. Ah, but we can discuss that later, yeah? What does the Brotherhood need?" Delvin says.
"What can you tell me about this?" Diamond hands Delvin the amulet.
"Let's see . . ." His eyes widen. "Where oh where did you get this? Don't answer – I don't want to know. This is an amulet of the Emperor's Elder Council. Specially crafted for each member. Worth a small fortune. Ain't somethin' you'd give up lightly."
He looks to it with concern, and possibly fear. Diamond tends to forget how some of her missions compare to that of the Guild. All the more reason why she hates being called a kid.
Devin frowns. "Look, it ain't my business to tell the Dark Brotherhood its business, but if you killed a member of the Elder Council, you'd better belie -"
"Will you but it?" Diamond cuts him off.
"Buy it? This? An Elder Council amulet?" She watches as a flicker of the old Delvin, under the layer of grief, sparks to life. "Oh yes. Oh yes, indeed. Wait just a moment . . ."
He hands Diamond a letter.
"Here. It's a letter of credit. Usable only by Astrid only, for any service or item I can provide. As per out standard arrangement." Delvin says. "You bring that back to your lovely mistress. With my regards."
Diamond nods and heads into the Cistern. She realized straight away that it's movement, not stillness, that helps keep the grief at bay, so she turns her focus onto the Dark Brotherhood mission. Despite Cynric saying she shouldn't bury her emotions, Diamond still pushes her grief away to keep it from devouring her. She exits the Ratway and makes her way through Riften. As she passes, she tugs her cloak close to her body. As she crosses the bridges and passes through the Sqaure, she overhears citizens and guards alike mumbling about the Faceless.
"Did you hear the news? Been a murder over in Windhelm. The court wizard of Jarl Ulfric. Those Faceless women are incredibly dangerous. The killing rate seems to have increased over night." One guard tells the other.
"I overheard that they're eliminating the Dark Brotherhood. I never thought I'd hear about assassins competing against each other I thought they all work together." The other guard speaks.
"No, these women are too good for the Dark Brotherhood. If you ask me, let them kill each other. Make things easier for us."
Diamond snarls as she passes the guards. She sidesteps a couple gossiping around the produce cart.
"I'm telling you, I saw one. A Faceless assassin. It looked like she was made from the shadows themselves." A man says to his wife.
"Aren, I think you've had too much mead." She replies.
"No Mijoll! I swear. She just stepped from the shadows, and all I could see was a white cloth over her face. I've never been so scared in my life."
Diamond growls as she quickens her pace to the front gate.
"Honestly, I'm hoping the Faceless Women don't come here. They seem to know everything when it comes to battle. It's like they can predict your moves before you can."
"I don't really believe in these Faceless Women. Their bodies made of shadow and how blood slides off their cloaks. Sounds like someone made this up after consuming too much skooma."
Diamond bursts through the gates with a vicious snarl on her face as she strides towards the carriage and off to Falkreath. She returns down into the Sanctuary where Astrid is haunched over her table.
"Good, you're back. Well, what did Mallory have to say? Is the amulet authentic?" Astrid asks.
"Yeah, and specially made for members of the Elder Council." Diamond says. She tosses Astrid the necklace and plops down into the throne chair on the other side of the table.
"The Elder Council?" Astrid breathes in disbelief. "Oh, now that explains quite a bit. Motierre, you naughty, naughty boy. Hiring the Dark Brotherhood to help your rise beyond your station. Delicious." Diamond shudders at the grimly smile on Astrid's lips. "Was Mallory willing to buy the amulet?"
"He was. Here's a letter of credit." Diamond hands her the letter.
"Splendid. Then we're ready to begin. Or, more specifically, you're ready to begin. After all, you're the one the Night Mother spoke to."
Diamond has a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. She knew Astrid would use the whole Listener thing against Diamond in some way. And this is it.
"Now then. I hope you have something nice to where. Because you're going to a wedding." Astrid says.
Diamond leans forward, elbows to her knees and raises an eyebrow in curiosity. "A wedding?"
"Well, more like the public reception. It should be a lovely affair. You'll mingle with the guests, eat some cake . . . stab the bride." Astrid grimaces.
Diamond's eyes widen in disbelief. "I'll . . . what?"
"Oh yes. You need to kill the bride. At her wedding." Astrid confirms. "And they say romance is dead." Astrid laughs.
"W-wait, I thought we were going after the Emperor." Diamond clarifies.
"The target's name is Vittoria Vicci. She oversees the East Empire Company's business holdings in Solitude." Astrid says. "That's where the wedding will be held, at the Temple of Divines. Her death will cause an uproar, which is exactly what we want."
"But why target her? What's her connection to the Emperor?" Diamond repeats.
"She's the Emperor's cousin." Astrid answers. "She's an Imperial, and her husband's a Nord. Their marriage could lead to one step closer to creating a peace between the two tribes. But we need to make sure that doesn't happen."
Diamond leans back into the throne chair, crossing her arms "So, I'm guessing the Emerpor is coming to the party to? Is that where I kill him?"
"No. The Emperor was supposed to be there, but canceled last minute." Astrid sneers. "How convenient. By murdering his cousin, he'll then have no choice but to make an appearance."
"Ah."
"Remembers, we want people to notice. Kill Vici while she's addressing her guests, as is custom, and I can promise a bonus." Astrid smiles. "The wedding's tomorrow. So I recommend getting some sleep. Gabriella have an outfits for you in the morning."
Diamond nods and rises from the throne seat and heads down the hall into the bed chambers. She tries her best to avoid Cicero since the whole, Listener thing. She doesn't know what it is, but something about him is just so irritating to her. Everything he does she just wants to slice his throat. His stupid dancing, his mumbling to self. If it weren't for Astrid's orders, Diamond would've killed him the minute she fell out of the coffin.
Diamond makes it to her bed when she suddenly stops. If she sleeps. If she sits still, the grief will bubble up and envelop her; but she needs to be at top strength if she is to kill the bride tomorrow. And as of right now, killing the bride is more important. Diamond forces herself to sit on the edge of the bed and tugs out the rubberband securing her hair. She ruffles her follicles and sighs. She nestles into the pelts of Sabre cats and conjures up ideas on how she wants to execute this maneuver. A knife to the belly, arrow to the throat.
Despite her distractive thinking, she still hears the anguished wailing of the girl inside.
The next morning, Diamond wakes up facing the wall. She blinks and pushes to a sitting position. She stretches and yawns, her back muscles popping. She gazes around and finds small rays of sunlight piercing through crevices in the stone. Gabriella comes up the steps and smiles.
"Oh good, you're up." she approaches Diamond with a paper-wrapped package. "I've got your clothes. Just take a bath and we'll get dressed."
Diamond nods and slinks out of bed, sauntering into the bath chamber. Diamond ignites the pitch-coated logs beneath the water pump, and strips out of her garments. The pump whistles softly to tell her the water is warm enough, and she releases the handle to drain its contents into the carved stone tub.
To Dia's expectation, it starts out cold first, as steam rose, more of the hot water banishes the rest of its chill. Allowing herself a moment of luxury, Diamond sinks beneath its skin. Its' quiet here, the outside noise muffled and distorted by the water around her. Diamond pretends she's in a cocoon, asleep, the world passing her by, and when she wakes, all of this will have been a very bad dream.
The water's cooling by the time she decides to wash her hair and attack her skin with soap. By the time she steps out, she water is hazy, and Diamond pumps more water to pour over herself before stepping out of the tub.
She walks into the bed chamber again to find Gabriella had posted blankets up to block any unwanted eyes. Diamond shudders and gags at the thought of Festus trying to peek at her while she's nude.
"Don't worry, I've told them not to peek on us or else." Gabriella smiles.
Diamond half smiles back and walks over to her bed where she finds a blue dress of fine material. She towels off, wrenches out her hair and allows Gabriella to fling the dress over her head. The laces across the back seem old-fashioned and overly elaborate, but Gabriella navigated them with ease.
"Suck in your breath more," Gabriella orders.
Diamond obeys. The laces slide tighter. Diamond's chest heaves upward, looking twice its original size. When she looks down at her body, the cleavage seemed obscene. Diamond's eyes widen and she looks to Gabriella, annoyed.
"Bear through." She says, recognizing the look. "A man thinks with his nether regions. The sight of you will stir them, as long as a man's stirred, he's stupid."
"What if he's stupid before?"
Gabriella laughs. "Men may be stupid, but women talk, and all around you will be ears."
Diamond follows Gabriella to the ritual chamber where the Night Mother's coffin stands at the head of the alter. Before she sits down, she walks up and slams the doors shut.
"Be careful." Gabriella says. "We don't want Cicero to go on a rampage."
Diamond sneers. She then sits on the one of the benches and let's Gabriella dab her with perfume, comb her hair, and drape a multitude of necklaces across her neck and chest. When she's finished, Diamond glances into an offered looking glass, hardly recognizing the woman in the reflection.
The deep blue of the dress brings out the blue in her eyes, and the diamonds sewn into the bodice sparkle in the light. The skirt she wore has several layers. Gabriela separated them, making sure Diamond watches. The innermost is thin, white, and silky. Her hair is curled, and pinned back by sparkling burettes and her pink tips were arranged to that when they twist back, they fade from pink to her blonde sandy color. Diamond slides her skirt up to strap her knife sheath to her thigh.
"How am I supposed to reach for this in a fight?" she asks.
"Make a slit in the skirt and the layers. You can hide the slit with your arm while you're mingling with the guests, but you'll be able to reach your weapon if you need it."
Diamond makes the silt and slides her knife in and riffles the skirt to obscure the hole. She then adjusts and fidgets with the skirt and dress until she's comfortable, enough.
"Well, time to face the rest of the Brotherhood. If you can get past them, you can easily get past the guards." Gabriella smiles.
Diamond sighs nervously as she follows Gabriella out into the main chamber. Veezara and Festus are by the armory hearth while Nazir stands over by the fire. They all look up in unison, and Diamond feels a bud of confidence bloom in her chest as their eyes widen, and Veezara nearly drops his sword on Festus's foot. Diamond portrays an innocent smile and bats her eyes.
"Oh my, Diamond. You look beautiful!" Babette compliments. Diamond smiles as she sees Babette's genuine.
"Breathtaking." Veezara adds, and Diamond giggles as she sees a tint of red burn through his green scaly cheeks.
Astrid comes down the steps, eyes Diamond and smiles ear to ear. It should have given Diamond a hint of happiness, but really Astrid only smiles because Diamond will only fit in well at the party, not because she's beautiful.
If only Libby could see her. She would shower Diamond with compliments and giggles and funny jokes about men that would make Diamond snort from laughter. Diamond shakes her head as if to get the dust out and sighs.
"You look perfect. I'm sure you'll be the last person anyone will think of to blame once the bride is dead." Astrid compliments.
"Thank you Astrid." Diamond says, bowing her head.
Gabriella guides to the epicenter of the chamber. "I've set up a bag and some extra weapons for you in a veranda opposite the balcony."
"Thanks."
"Now go. Off to Solitude with you. And give the bride a special kiss, from me." Astrid slyly says.
As Diamond makes her way to the hall, Veezara takes it upon himself to escort her up the steps and out of the Sanctuary. Outside, Diamond finds Astrid's horse, Shadowmere waiting by the pool.
"Astrid said you could take him to the party. I'm sure the stables will hold him." Veezara says.
"Alright."
Veezara helps her up onto the ebony stallion, his hands a bit too friendly around her waist as he did. Diamond was so glad to relax her feet from her pinching shoes that she let it slide. She snaps the reins and Shadowmere trots the whole way to the city. Dropping him off at the farm down the hill of the hold, Diamond walks all the way up to the gates where she exchanges a shy smile as the guard opens the gates.
Diamond doesn't need to act self-conscious as she passes guards and the men of the hold. She truly does feel the need to cover herself because the dress is giving her so much attention. How is she supposed to slip out with all the eyes of the men on her? As Diamond mounts the ramp leading to Castle Dour, she gratefully accepts the help of guards and takes their hands as they lead her to the ceremony courtyard.
It was quite the event with guards posted at each entrance and exit. A large plush rug running down the middle aisle created by rows of benches with exquisite designs and architectural carvings. On the ends of the front row benches are potted snowberries and flowers and a bard plays "Age of Aggresion" over in the corner. At the forefront of the courtyard, Vittoria and her husband are dressed in elegant clothing, Vittoria with a flower crown about her head, and the most genuine smile on her face. They sit under a white pavilion with wines of nightshade crawling up them to frame them with color and elegance.
Buffet tables are overflowing with foods and covered with an elaborate feasts. A whole roasted pig, with an apple stuck in its mouth. A standing rib roast with little paper puffs on the top of each rib, sat next to a mangled-looking goose covered with chestnuts. A crown roast filet tied with rosemary, and exotic dishes she's never seen. Large birds stuffed with dressings and pears, resting on peacock feathers arranged to resemble a live bird's open tail. There are bowls of gravies and sauces and creams, rolls and breads, collard and beets and spreads Diamond can't name. Then sparkling candies shaped like different types of fish.
Diamond glances around and takes notes of all the guests. There are at least three priests at the party, at least a handful of Imperials, and twice as many Nords. If Diamond were to be discovered, and the crowd jumps in, she most likely wouldn't stand a chance. Diamond scopes out the veranda Gabriella mentioned and makes a movement to go, when she's stopped by a man stepping in front of her.
"Well, aren't you a likely looking filly. Even if you are an Imperial." He speaks.
Diamond looks up and sees that it's the Thane of Solitude, Erikur. Diamond remembers him. He's very powerful, and tends to use that to his advantage.
"What's your mane, dear?" he asks, his smile all too predatory. Diamond mentally curses Gabriella for making her wear this dress.
"Um, I'm . . ."
Don't use your real name.
"I'm, Sapphire." Diamond lies.
Nice cover. Very creative. She then mentally slaps herself.
"Ah, I see. Are you enjoying the party?" he asks, stepping closer.
"I am. Though not to deprive the bride and groom, it would seem the real attraction is the food. I've never seen such exquisite foods." Diamond daintily giggles and folds her hands in front of her, squishing her chest tight. This catches Erikur's attention. "You want a drink, something to eat?" Diamond asks.
"No, no that's not what I'm interested in right now." His eyes trail up and down Diamond's body, resting on her chest though he lamely tries to cover it. "I just wanted to get a better look at you. I like what I see, my dear."
Clearly. Still Diamond innocently smiles and bats her eyes.
"And believe me, I don't say that to everyone. I'm very discriminating when it comes to the female form." Erikur waggles an eyebrow and it takes everything Diamond has not to look disgusted.
She giggles. "Why thank you sir. Would you mind if I get myself a drink?"
"Oh . . . of course, help yourself. Don't go far." He winks.
"Yes sir." Diamond smiles.
As he walks away her smile fades instantly and she spits into the flowerpot next to her, and shudders. For the next hour Diamond mingles with guests and tries to avoid Erikur's gaze. Though the man in persistent. He once sat next to Diamond and placed his hand on her knee. She couldn't shake him off since he's known to have a short temper. Finally, as Vittoria makes her way to the balcony with her husband, Diamond excuses herself and makes her way to the tower.
Once she reaches the veranda, she finds a satchel and an elven bow with four arrows from Gabriella. Diamond eagerly changes out of the dress and lets down her hair. She kicks off the heels with half a mind to save them because of the cute bow on the toe. She changes into her Brotherhood armor and ties her hair back in her comfortable ponytail. She ducks low and pulls the cowl up over the lower half of her face.
Vittoria appears on the balcony. Diamond loads an arrow into the bow and remembers Libby's training.
"Keep both eyes open, and make sure to focus on your target." She hears her say.
"Honored guests, Are you all enjoying yourselves? Please, eat, drink, and make merry on this most happy of days." Vittoria starts.
Diamond pulls back the arrow and takes a deep breath. She holds her breath and aims for a nightshade flower strapped to Vittoria's dress; just over her heart.
Diamond lets the arrow fly but it doesn't hit her in the stomach. Instead, it pierces through Vittoria's throat. Diamond watches as she collapses and blood instantly begins to pool under her neck. It smears into the dress as her husband kneels down and holds her in his arms.
"Vittoria, no!" he wails.
Diamond sheaths the bow and umps. She flips and her hands catch the top of the wall and flips her over, whirling and spinning until she lands with one leg outstretched and one bent in front of the crowd.
The crowd explodes. Furious shouts coupled with heartbroken wails. "Please, someone do something!" "The bride has been murdered! Please, somebody help!" Diamond leaps into the air, flipping and spinning her dagger out. She lands and instantly windmill kicks one guard and flips another one over her back. When a guard grabs her from behind, Diamond elbows him in the gut and slams the heel of her foot down. He releases her, and Diamond runs. Some give chase. It wasn't long before she nearly crashes into Veezara.
"Veezara?"
"Astrid ordered me to keep an eye on you. Figured you could use a hand when the chaos erupted." He smiles. He raises his sword and Diamond bends back. The blade plunges deep into the chest of the guard behind her. The man makes a wet gurgling noise in the back of his throat and reaches for the blade embedded in his chest.
Diamond whirls out from under the blade and kicks the man in the head. Veezara orders her to go, and Diamond obeys. She sprints down the ramps and through the town as more and more guards concentrate on Veezara. She barrels through the gates and continues to sprint down the hill. The two guards who spotted didn't have time to draw their swords as she flings to daggers that each land in their throats.
Diamond mounts Shadowmere and they thunder down the roads. Shadowmere isn't an ordinary stallion. For the entire ride back to the sanctuary, he runs at a full out sprint even after they've cleared danger. The time cut when they arrive astounds Diamond. She dismounts and heads inside. When she finds Astrid, Astrid bursts into a maniacal laughter.
"The news is everywhere! Vittoria Vici, the Emperor's cousin, butchered at her own wedding! Well done!" Astrid congratulates. "Let's see his eminence try to ignore this!"
"The blushing bride now serves Sithis in the Void."
"And still not a word of the whereabouts on The Faceless. I wonder if they're too stunned to do something." Astrid smiles.
"You think they're impressed?" Diamond snots.
"Well, I haven't heard news of them killing an emperor."
Diamond's nerves fizzle. "Oh no, what if everyone thinks it's them? What if they think that the Faceless did this -!"
"Diamond, Diamond. Calm down. Everyone knows we're the ones responsible." Astrid assures. "With Vici's murder, you've started us down a path the Dark Brotherhood hasn't traveled in centuries. The assassination of an emperor." Astrid stretches out the words as if to take in their true meaning and realize the power they wield. "And now, you're reward. A unique spell to summon a legend of the Dark Brotherhood. His soul now serves us now in death, as his body once did in life."
Diamond takes the scroll, and eyes it before looking to Astrid.
"Ah, and of course, a bonus, for killing Vici while she addressed her guests, as instructed. Gold . . . simple and pure. Spend it as you will." Astrid hands Diamond a large coin purse, and Diamond takes it with careful hands. "Now then. Time to proceed to the next stage of the plan. Go and speak with Gabriella. She's been helping me arrange your next contract."
"Okay." Diamond nods and proceeds to her room, where she stores the gold in the trunk near her bed.
As she looks up, she finds a strange gem on her nightstand. It's a pretty pink gem that floats above a purple plush cushion inside a gold metal box. The gem rotates in place while simply hovering place. Diamond peers closer at the gem as it floats. She remembers Libby finding a gem just like it. For some reason, Diamond turns it over, and scratched on the bottom of the box, is the Guild logo. Diamond feels a small chill tingle its way up her spine. The last Diamond remembers the gem being was, on Libby's nightstand in the Guild.
How did it wind up here . . .?
Diamond looks all around and keeps note on the suspicious feeling dwelling in the back of her mind. Tucking the gem away, Diamond heads down the steps and proceeds to the exit of the Sanctuary, vaguely telling Astrid she has some Guild business to attend to.
Taking Shadowmere, the heads to Riften.