Skyrim: Lore Accurate Necromancer #63

Erik sat back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the door of the Bee and the Barb as Karliah and Brynjolf slipped into the Riften night. His expression was one of quiet satisfaction, the faintest trace of a smile curling his lips. The deal was struck, and he had secured the promises he’d hoped for.

To Erik, the prospect of eliminating Mercer Frey was nothing more than a whim—a bit of entertainment to pass the time. Replacing him with Brynjolf? That was a calculated move, a way to ensure his influence over the Thieves Guild would rival, no, surpass, Maven Black-Briar's.

But at the heart of it all was Nocturnal’s Skeleton Key. That relic was the real prize, Nocturnal’s cherished artifact. Erik had no intention of letting such an opportunity slip through his fingers. Bargaining with a Daedric Prince wasn’t for the faint of heart, but Erik wasn’t one to back down from a challenge.

After all, whims were fleeting, but the power to extort a Daedric Prince? That was a rare and delicious opportunity, one he would savor.

He swirled the last of his drink, his mind spinning through his options. Returning the Skeleton Key to Nocturnal’s Twilight Sepulcher would grant him a powerful bargaining chip. The Daedric Prince of night and darkness might be an enigma, but even she would have to acknowledge his audacity—and even reward it.

His contemplations were cut short as Karliah and Brynjolf disappeared into the shadows outside. Erik’s faint smile faded, replaced by a cold, calculating expression. He set the empty mug down with deliberate precision before calling out, his voice low and sharp.

“Nazir.”

From the shadows near a wooden pillar, a hooded figure stirred. Nazir stepped forward, his steps hesitant but measured. His hood obscured his face until he was close enough for the dim light of the inn to reveal the nervous lines etched into his features. With a resigned sigh, he pulled back the hood, revealing his furrowed brow.

“What are your orders, Lord Erik?” Nazir asked, his voice steady but edged with unease.

Erik fixed him with a hard stare, his eyes like shards of ice. “Bring me Veezara’s head.”

Nazir winced as if the words themselves had struck him. He opened his mouth to respond, then hesitated, weighing his words carefully. “Is this about—”

“Of course it is,” Erik snapped, cutting him off mid-sentence. His voice was sharp enough to draw curious glances from the few remaining patrons, but they quickly returned to their own business, unwilling to get involved. Erik leaned forward, his tone dropping to a dangerous calm.

“You heard Brynjolf, didn’t you? I was mocked because one of yours couldn’t keep his mouth shut.”

Nazir’s gaze faltered, and he shifted uncomfortably. “But—”

“But what?” Erik interrupted, his voice rising slightly before he caught himself. He took a deep breath, reigning in his anger, though his expression remained tight with suppressed fury. “I told Brynjolf that the Brotherhood leaked the information on my orders, but that was a lie to save face. Do you understand the position that puts me in?”

Nazir nodded slowly, his face pale. “Yes, my lord.”

“I intended to release that information eventually,” Erik continued, his tone colder now, “but on my terms, at a time that suited me. Not because some trifling underling couldn’t control his tongue.” His hand clenched around the edge of the table, the wood groaning faintly under the pressure.

Nazir swallowed hard, the unnatural glow of his vampiric eyes betraying his nervousness. His voice wavered as he asked, “But why Veezara...? This could’ve been anyone.”

Erik leaned back in his chair, his expression twisting into a mocking smirk. “And what of it?” he scoffed, his tone dripping with cold indifference. “I’ve neither the time nor the patience to sift through the mess to find the true culprit. Someone has to answer for this, and Veezara is the perfect target.”

Nazir’s jaw tightened, his mouth opening as if to protest, but no words came. He glanced away, his thoughts racing. Veezara was the most vocal dissenter of Erik’s leadership, his displeasure barely veiled since the moment Erik seized control of the Dark Brotherhood. And Nazir knew full well that Erik wasn’t ignorant of this lingering resentment.

For a fleeting moment, Nazir had even wondered why Erik had allowed Veezara to live when he’d been so swift and merciless in disposing of Astrid and Arnbjorn. Now the reason was clear—Erik had been saving him as a future lesson, a pawn to be sacrificed when the time was right.

But there was more to this than vengeance.

Nazir could see the cold logic behind Erik’s decision, no matter how cruel. Though the Dark Brotherhood was a congregation of killers and psychopaths, it had always possessed a twisted camaraderie. Bonds forged in blood and shadow, abhorrent though they were, gave the Brotherhood its strength.

And Erik knew he had to shatter those bonds to truly control. What better way to do so than by forcing the Brotherhood's assassins to kill one another?

As for why Erik wanted Nazir to do it himself, it was because the Redgaurd assassin was the least pleased of Erik taking the reigns right after Veezara. It was a way to force Nazir to show his loyalty and to squash any notions the others might have of cooperating with the Redguard to stage a rebellion.

What guarantee would they have that Nazir wouldn't kill them as he did to Veezara? Such thoughts would linger in their minds, and clever as he was, even Nazir couldn't see that far.

Erik’s piercing gaze never left Nazir, who felt the weight of his lord’s expectations bearing down on him. When he spoke again, his voice was calm, yet it carried a sharp edge that left no room for debate.

“Do it quickly,” Erik said, his words slow and deliberate, “and make sure everyone knows why. If it wasn’t Veezara who leaked this information, then I want the real culprit to understand the blood on their hands. Let them live with the knowledge that their carelessness cost someone else their life.”

Again, this was another way to sow distrust between the assassins. If it was Veezara who leaked the information, then all is well. If not, then the truth would appear sooner or later, and it would sow even more discord and suspicion between the Brotherhood's members as they begin to blame each other.

Nazir’s shoulders slumped slightly, resignation etched across his face. “It will be done,” he said, his tone flat, devoid of his usual sardonic charm.

Erik gave a curt nod. “Good.”

Nazir took that as his cue to leave, but just as he turned to go, Erik’s voice rang out again, stopping him in his tracks. “Wait.”

Nazir turned back, his brow furrowing as he watched Erik reach down to his pack on the floor. From it, Erik drew a katana, its lacquered sheath catching the faint light of the room.

“I’d intended to deliver this to Kaiden,” Erik said, holding the weapon aloft. “He’s camped in the wilderness outside the city. But it slipped my mind.” His sharp eyes met Nazir’s. “Once you’re finished with Veezara, take this to him.”

Nazir hesitated briefly before stepping forward and accepting the blade. He studied it for a moment, then gave a stiff nod. “As you command.”

Erik waved a hand dismissively. “Go.”

Nazir slipped out the door without another word, the katana held tightly in his grip. Erik waited until the door closed behind him before letting out a slow, measured sigh. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming against the table.

“I'm doing so much that I'm starting to forget things... but this is fine too...” he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible over the crackle of the fire. “Mistakes are a reminder that I'm still human... that being human isn't good enough...”

A soft bark broke through his thoughts, and Erik glanced down to see Geri, his ever-loyal corgi, staring up at him with wide, expectant eyes. The dog’s tail wagged furiously as he nudged the remnants of venison on the table.

Erik’s lips curved into a faint smile. He reached down and scooped Geri up, holding the small dog in his arms as he rose to his feet. “Let’s call it a night, shall we?” he said, his voice softer now.

Geri let out another bark, his tail wagging even harder. Erik chuckled quietly, his earlier rage and frustration momentarily forgotten as he carried the corgi toward the inn’s staircase.

Whatever trials tomorrow would bring, he would face them with the same ruthless determination that had carried him this far. But for tonight, the storm inside him was at rest.