The forest floor was a chaotic swirl of motion and sound. The moonlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting eerie shadows over the clearing. Belrand, the seasoned spellsword, was on the ground, struggling under the weight of his assailant—a petite Breton woman. Her appearance was almost angelic, with delicate features and an ethereal glow that belied the danger she posed. Her wide, doe-like green eyes were filled with an innocent panic, a stark contrast to the cruel reality unfolding before them.
"Hold it right there!" Jayson, our Thane, commanded, his voice carrying the weight of authority. His sword was pointed directly at the Breton woman, his expression a mask of stern resolve.
The Breton woman froze, her eyes wide as she slowly raised her hands in surrender. She turned to face us, her trembling fingers clutching her cloak tightly. Her voice was quivering as she spoke. "P-please, he was assaulting me! He—he was forcing me to remove my clothes, and…" With a slight swirl in our Thane's hands. He casted the spell detect life, I think he is making sure that Belrand is alive or not.
The words of the breton woman struck like a blow, making my blood boil with indignation. "Is that so?" Jayson's voice was icy as he took a step closer, his eyes never leaving the woman's face.
The sound of metal slicing through air was sudden and sharp. "Shing!" The Breton woman's head flew through the night, her body collapsing in a lifeless heap. The scene was so swift and brutal that it left me dumbfounded. "My Thane, why?!" I gasped, unable to comprehend the violence that had just unfolded.
Jayson's gaze was unyielding, his sword still dripping with the Breton woman's blood. "I know Belrand better than you think," he said, his voice hard and unwavering. "He may be a drunkard and an ass at times, but he would never commit such an atrocity. Search her body!"
Aldis, his face a mix of shock and determination, knelt beside the corpse. His hands moved with practiced precision, searching for any hidden items. "Y-yes, my Thane!" he stammered.
Confusion gnawed at me. "I-I'm sorry, my Thane, but I don't quite understand. Are we really searching her body?" I was troubled by the thought of looting the seemingly innocent girl's belongings. My concerns were abruptly silenced as Aldis called out.
"My Thane, there are notes here!"
Jayson's sharp eyes met mine with a piercing glare. "Read it aloud!"
Aldis took a deep breath, unfolding the first note with trembling hands. His voice rang out in the night, each word carrying the weight of sinister secrets.
"Targets: 1 Belrand - Solitude, 2 Aldis - Solitude, 3 Titus - Solitude, 4 Jordis - Solitude, 5 Oscar - Solitude, 6 Francis - Solitude, 7 Nica - Solitude, 8 Pyeath Shadowthorn - Solitude, 9 Nikolai - Solitude, 10 Jayson - Solitude."
"To the Dark Brotherhood,
By the shadows of Sithis, I write to you under the veil of secrecy, my request borne not from personal vendetta but from a necessity for the greater good. This matter must remain in the deepest confidence, for the consequences of exposure would be dire.
There are people who have become a thorn to us. They pose a significant threat to our operations in Skyrim. These people working together with Thane of Solitude sooner or later, will make them a dangerous opponent to our cause. More than once, he has thwarted our plans, either by direct interference or by lending his strength to those who oppose us.
The time has come to remove this obstacle. Belrand must be silenced, permanently.
I leave the method of execution to the discretion of the Dark Brotherhood, as I trust in your expertise. However, it is imperative that his death appears as a result of a common altercation or accident. We cannot afford to be linked to this assassination. Let his death be a message to those who would dare stand against us, yet let that message be whispered only in the shadows.
Enclosed with this letter, you will find a satchel of gold as payment for your services. Upon confirmation of each target's demise, another payment will be delivered to a location of your choosing.
Do this, and you will have our favor.
May the Night Mother hear my plea, and may the shadows guide your blade.
- E"
The letter was a revelation, and the anger in Jayson's eyes flared. "Do not forget what I've taught you all," he snapped. "Trust your instincts, gather proof swiftly, and strike before the enemy does!"
"The best defense is a good offense," he muttered, his frustration palpable. With a violent thrust, he drove his sword into the ground, the impact sending a shiver through the earth. He stalked toward the bushes, his anger manifesting in each determined step. A flick of his wrist summoned a paralysis spell, and the spell struck with precision, freezing a figure hidden among the foliage.
"Oh shit!" Our Thane exclaimed, his voice tinged with both relief and urgency. He carried the now-paralyzed figure into the open, his expression a mix of regret and determination. "Don't you dare say a word to anyone about this!" he growled, his tone edged with a stern command. The paralyzed figure revealed itself to be Vivienne Onis, the niece of Angeline Morrard, Solitude's renowned alchemist.
"J-Jayson," Belrand muttered groggily from where he lay, his voice thick with pain. "I never touched that girl. It was the Dark Brotherhood bitch, she poisoned me."
My Thane's face twisted in worry and panic. His eyes darted around, calculating the time it would take to reach Solitude. The urgency in his demeanor was palpable.
Vivienne, now released from the paralysis, rubbed her limbs and looked up at Jayson with a mix of confusion and irritation. "Ughh… what did you do that for?" she demanded.
"Vivienne, I have a lot of explaining to do," Jayson said, his voice filled with desperation. "I'll make amends for my actions. But please, I beg you, can you create a potion to cure the poison in Belrand's body?"
Vivienne hesitated, her voice shaky. "B-but I just learned…"
"Please," Our Thane pleaded, his eyes locked onto hers with a fierce intensity. "I'll give anything. I'll do anything."
Vivienne's resolve wavered. "I-I'll try, but I'll need some ingredients."
Our Thane's face softened with relief. He nodded, his voice steady. "We'll get you what you need. Thank you, Vivienne."
As the night air settled and the sounds of the forest resumed their quiet rhythm, the group's tension remained palpable. Jayson's leadership and determination had saved Belrand, and despite the chaos, his actions revealed the depth of his commitment to his comrades. In the darkness, where shadows and truths intermingled, the path forward was uncertain, but one thing was clear: loyalty and trust were the guiding stars in their perilous journey.