The Silence Has Been Broken The Silence Has Been Broken is a quest available in . Walkthrough . This quest begins once the Dark Brotherhood quest " Whispers In The Dark " and the two side contracts have all been completed ( although it may be offered if only one of the two offered side contracts has been completed ) , and after speaking with Astrid . The next time the Dragonborn visits the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary , Astrid stops them to talk . Although she is unsure what is happening with the voices inside the Dragonborn ' s head , she feels it would be beneficial to complete the liaison with the contact the Night Mother mentioned . She tells the Dragonborn to go to Volunruud , a crypt to the northeast . Afterward , Nazir should be spoken with to conclude the side contracts before pursuing this quest . Note that he has no additional contracts to offer at this time . It is possible to talk to the Brotherhood members about this quest before leaving the Sanctuary . The quest continues at a stone cairn with the entrance northwest of a set of three Nordic stone columns . Down the steps inside the cairn is the entrance to Volunruud proper . Although there are many rooms and tunnels throughout this complex , this quest only requires reaching the bottom of the first set of stairs , turning left , and walking southwest to a small antechamber with draugr corpses among the ferns . Note that there may be several high - level draugr deathlords , with ebony weapons on their bodies . Through the wooden door , in the room beyond is Amaund Motierre and his bodyguard , Rexus . Motierre ’ s revelations are astonishing ; he wishes to hire the Dark Brotherhood to remove several people , culminating with an assassination of the Emperor of Tamriel . He ends his diatribe by motioning to Rexus , who strides forward to hand over the following items : Motierre explains the Amulet can be used for purchasing necessities for the forthcoming contracts , and the Sealed Letter is an agreement with the Dark Brotherhood ; both are for Astrid . Both characters are essential to the game ; if the Dragonborn is fighting for the Empire in the Civil War , it is impossible to kill both Amaund and Rexus . After finishing in Volunruud , the quest continues by returning to Astrid . She is understandably incredulous , but showing her the items causes her to begin to believe . " Surely the Night Mother wouldn ' t misdirect the Brotherhood . . . " For the moment , Astrid will take the letter . In the meantime , the journey continues in Riften with a fence friend of the Brotherhood called Delvin Mallory , who should be able to appraise the Amulet . He is a trusted ally and is holed up in the underbelly of the town , The Ratway . On the fence . The quest now continues in Riften ' s Ratway . If the Dragonborn is a member of the Thieves Guild , then the Ragged Flagon - Cistern entrance can be used . Otherwise , the Ratway entrance is by the water ’ s edge underneath The Scorched Hammer . Proceeding through the maze of sewer tunnels will eventually lead to the door into the Ragged Flagon , home of the Thieves Guild . Delvin Mallory is here . He should be told that the Dark Brotherhood requires his services . He asks how Astrid is , and will take the jeweled amulet during the conversation . Mallory inspects the Amulet and identifies it as belonging to the Emperor ’ s Elder Council . Although worried about who the Brotherhood had to murder to obtain it , when asked to purchase it , he eagerly hands over a letter of credit to cover any expenses Astrid requires . Quest rewards . Back in the Sanctuary , once the letter of credit from Delvin Mallory is revealed , the only reward from Astrid is the beginnings of Amaund Motierre ’ s most devious of plans , which are now being put into action . She hopes the Dragonborn has something fancy to wear when she says , " you ’ re going to a wedding . . . " Post - quest activities . Dark Brotherhood quest : " Bound Until Death " begins immediately . In addition , more side contracts are now available from Nazir .