It wasn't every day that had the High King of Skyrim wanting to go to Riften, the proverbial cesspool of Skyrim. But he wanted to... no, had to...no, needed to go there. The man was all out of options except for this one.
Dark forest eyes peer around the small partially walled in city, and the man could understand why most people were put off by what they saw. To outsiders, it was rundown, dank and old; but for the people who lived here, it was home to good fishing waters, good drink and good people...for the most part.
"You better not be here in Riften looking for trouble. This isn't Windhelm, Your Majesty- we don't need nor want your drama."
Ulfric looks to his left and sees a dark haired Nord in steel armor leaning against a support beam. "I'm not here to cause trouble. I've been looking for-"
"We know," Maul says to the blonde, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Nothing happens in Skyrim without Riften knowing about it, you of all people should know this by now. My question is why anyone here should care about the High King's problems? Problems that seemingly revolves around his inability to think before he opens his mouth?" The man pinches the bridge of his nose, then sighs. "Fine. Go to the Bee and Barb, someone will eventually get to you. A fair warning though- you might be waiting awhile. Not everyone is going to drop what their doing just because the almighty and self-sacrificing Ulfric Stormcloak wants an audience."
The Jarl-turned-rebellion-leader-turned-High-King knew a dismissal when he heard one, Talos only knew how many of those he's given since the end of the Civil War. He was a warrior, not a politician- subtlety and tact were not arts the Nord were good at- that was her job, his conscience said simply to him. Ulfric gives the other man a slight nod of thanks, then goes to explore this place before heading to where he was instructed to go.
"So the Bear of Markarth finally woke up and made his way down here. It certainly took him long enough," a voice goes from behind Maul. "I'm surprised you weren't your usual colorful self when greeting the less-than-welcome people to our little hole of Skyrim."
"Personally I might not like the man for what he did, but he is the High King and I have to attempt to be polite. If you ask me, I think I did rather well, considering I wanted to bash his head in then turn him over to Ingun to test her new experimental potions on...The question is, Mallory, is it too little too late?"
A leather-clad Breton steps up to the Nord's side, contemplative topazes watching the man in question walk in the direction of the docks. "Honestly, I don't know. For both their sakes I hope not, but we always take care of our own. I'm sure there's more than enough women out there to heal his wounded heart if she rejects him outright and stays with who she's with now." The Guild and their connections across Skyrim already had done so, tightening their ranks around the woman who had not only for all of them saved their livelihood, but for some of them their very lives. "Chances are he checked the other Holds first, as well as spoke to the Companions in Jorrvaskr- I'm sure the Stormcloak was...warmly welcomed by that lot, and by warmly, I mean being threatened with a dunking in Grey-Mane's Skyforge."
"And which of your lot is going to be stuck dealing with the blonde haired idiot?"
A sadistic smile crosses the Sneak Trainer's face and Maven's right hand knew that he would be in for a rather interesting tale. "We had been prepared for the idiot's arrival since his coronation three years ago, knowing it would just be a matter of time before he'd need our...services, so to speak. After all, who better to track down a thief but another thief?
"Originally we had wanted to draw lots as to who would be the one that would get to deal with the Stormcloak, but when everyone associated with the Guild wanted that honor..."
"Everyone?"
"Oh yes. I know that both Ravyn and Vanryth traveled to Raven Rock and left offerings at the Shrine to Mephala. Vex and Sapphire were working with Herluin in his little niche in the Flagon. Niranye was willing to get whatever was needed safely within Windhelm's walls without the guards ever noticing. Even Glover was willing to return to Skyrim to lend a hand in showing the High King the error of his ways."
"I never would have thought your brother would consider coming back here."
"Our Guild Master is certainly something, isn't she- her dedication, her loyalty, even the times she's a mothering hen...it means something to all of us, makes us want to do our best, to make her proud. Mercer never inspired the Guild that way, and from what Karliah mentioned in passing, Gallus did, but never to this extent."
"If you have need of me, all you have to do is ask Mallory."
"And risk Maven's wrath? I think not."
"You'd be surprised. While Maven may not have lasted long as Jarl with the turning over of the Rift to the Imperials during the ceasefire of the Civil War so both sides could focus on Alduin, she remembers all too well that it was the Guild Master that allowed her to get Goldenglow under her thumb again and also removed the competition that was Honningbrew. Her allowing me to assist in this would be only a start in her repaying Inkeri for what she's done for the Black-Briars..." Maul pauses for a moment, then goes "You still haven't told me which one of you gets to deal with the High King."
"After much discussion, there was really only one person who loves Inkeri enough to make sure that the proper justice be served."
Black eyebrows lift slightly, then the thief-turned-bodyguard just laughs. "Talos help the High King then."