Chapter 1
Brynjolf – Second Seed, 4E 202
It was a lovely spring day in the city of Riften. The flowers were in bloom, bees buzzing and the civil war had finally come to an end. Skyrim was united under the High King Ulfric Stormcloak and his queen the Dragonborn. The air was warm and sweet like honey and with that the women of the Rift wore less. The market was as busy as usual. Nothing out of the ordinary thought Brynjolf until he saw her; a young and beautiful dunmer lass. She had long wavy crimson hair, eyes like flawless amethysts with an ashy complexion, and she reminded him of a woman from his past, Karliah also a dunmer. He was a young lad of twelve when he last saw her. But there was something about this dunmer he needed to figure out. He had to speak to her.
"Never done an honest day's work in your life for all that coin you're carrying. Eh, lass? What's your name lass?", said Brynjolf.
"It's Gem and how would you know?", said the young dunmer.
"I'm sizing up your mark, lass. It's the way you carry yourself, how you walk and what you're wearing... I like it.", said Brynjolf with a smile.
"And who might you be?", asked Gem.
"The name's Brynjolf, lass...", replied Brynjolf.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say you were flirting...", proclaimed Gem.
"Aye, but I swear. It's strictly business.", said Brynjolf.
"And what kind of business did you have in mind, Brynjolf?", asked Gem.
"I've got a bit of an errand to perform, but I need an extra pair of hands. And in my line of work, extra hands are well-paid.", continued Brynjolf .
"What do you need me to do?", asked Gem with a sparkle in her eye.
"Simple... I'm going to cause a distraction and you're going to steal Madesi's silver ring from a strongbox under his stand. Once you have it, I want you to place it in Brand-Shei's pocket without him noticing.", exclaimed Brynjolf.
"Why plant the ring on Brand-Shei?", inquired Gem. "There's someone that wants to see him put out of business permanently. That's all you need to know. Now, you tell me when you're ready, and we'll get started.", replied Brynjolf.
"Consider it done.", said Gem winking at Brynjolf.
Brynjolf watched Gem sneak over to Madesi's stand and suddenly she disappears. Apparently this one knows a bit of magic, Brynjolf thought to himself.
"Everyone, everyone gather round. I have something amazing to show you that demands your attention. You need to hear this! This is a rare opportunity and I wouldn't want you to feel left out. This is the real thing. Lads and lasses I present you this Falmarblood elixir.", preformed Brynjolf. "You mean them snow-elves?", asked one in the crowd. "Aye, the one and only. Mystical beings that live in legends and masters of great magic. Imagine the power the coursed through their veins.", continued Brynjolf. "How did you get that then? No ones seen them in ages?", asked another member of the audience. "My sources must remain a secret for their own protection. Surely you understand that. But I promise you the contents are genuine. One sip of the elixir and your wishes will be granted. Wealth, everlasting life or perhaps limitless power could all be yours." proclaimed Brynjolf. "How much does it cost?", asked the crowd. "Only 20 Gold Septins. Hurry before my supply is gone. Well I see that my time is up. Come back tomorrow if you wish to buy.", concluded Brynjolf while he saw Gem crouch behind Brand-Shei. Brynjolf sees Gem walk up to him and says, "Looks like I chose the right person for the job. Here's your pay and lass, you did well."
"Is there anything else you may require of me?", inquired Gem.
"My organization's been having a run of bad luck, but I suppose that's just how it goes. But never mind that, you did the job and you did it well. Best of all, there's more where that came from... if you think you can handle it.", replied Brynjolf.
"Oh, I can handle it.", said Gem while winking at Brynjolf.
"All right, then. Let's put that to the test. The group I represent has its home in the Ratway beneath Riften... a tavern called the Ragged Flagon. Meet me there in one piece, and we'll see if you've really got what it takes.", said Brynjolf.
Later that evening Brynjolf was enjoying some mead and reading the Rifton Times in the Ragged Flagon. He looks up and sees Gem. "Well, well... color me impressed, lass. I wasn't certain I'd ever see you again." said Brynjolf with a smile on his face.
"Getting here was a cake walk.", said Gem.
"Reliable and headstrong? You're turning out to be quite the prize! So... now that I've whetted your appetite with our little scheme at the market, how about handling a few deadbeats for me?", said Brynjolf.
"What did they do and who are these deadbeats?", asked Gem.
"They owe our organization some serious coin, and they've decided not to pay. I want you to explain to them the error of their ways. Keerava, Bersi Honey-Hand and Haelga. Do this right, and I can promise you a permanent place in our organization. Honestly, the debt is secondary here. What's more important is that you get the message across that we aren't to be ignored. A word of warning though... I don't want any of them killed. Bad for business.", explained Brynjolf.
"Give me a couple of hours and consider it a done deal.", said Gem while making her departure.
Two hours later Brynjolf looks up sees Gem smiling at him. "Spit it out lass, what do you have to say?", asked Brynjolf.
"Here's what they owed us.", said Gem presenting her finds.
"Well done, lass. We need people like you in our Outfit. Maybe you can help us rebuild. There is more where that came from.", said Brynjolf.
"What can I do?", asked Gem.
"Tomorrow, I need you to speak to Mercer. He'll have a job for you. If you need a place to sleep , you may sleep here. We have plenty of beds.", he said showing her to the Cistern.
The next morning he walks over to Gem. She is still asleep. She looks like an angel thought Brynjolf. "Wake up, lass. Mercer is getting impatient.", said Brynjolf.
"I'm up... I'm up...", said Gem.
Brynjolf and Gem walk over to Mercer. "This is the one you told me about...", said Mercer looking Gem up and down. "We need you to send a message to Goldenglow. Your objectives are to burn three of the beehives, empty the safe and return to us." explained Mercer.
"I'm on it." said Gem leaving the Cistern but not before lightly brushing her fingers against Brynjolf's hand and making him blush.
"You don't know this woman. How do you know we can trust her?", asked Mercer.
"I don't know... I just have a feeling about the lass.", said Brynjolf..
"Are you sure it just isn't your trouser snake talking?", pressed Mercer.
"She's good at what she does and could really benefit the guild.", stated Brynjolf.
"She's your responsibility. If she screws up, it's on you.", said Mercer.
"Mercer, doesn't she remind you of someone?", asked Brynjolf.
"I don't know who should she remind me of?", replied Mercer.
"Karliah...", proclaimed Brynjolf.
"Now that you mention it. I do see the similarity. But Karliah is dead.", said Mercer. "I know, she was like an older sister to you. She was good to you when you first arrived. Always getting you a sweetroll. But she is never returning Brynjolf.", said Mercer seeming sure of himself.