~Chapter 1~

"Last chance to turn around, big guy." Vex half smiled, eying me, as if daring me to actually turn tail and run. As if I would be so easily discouraged after already coming this far a distance. I could have changed my mind long ago. The guild was the talk of Skyrim these days. Nothing but whisperings of their return to power and striking fear into people's hearts once again.

I answered her with only an amused grin, "As if you'd let me run away now." I couldn't help but flirt with her, she truly was a deadly beauty, and it's the deadly part of her that made her all the more alluring. What can I say, I love the dangerous ones.

"Damn straight." A sly, amused smile slid into the corners of her lips. "Right this way Garthar." Her fingers pressed on the center of the, what I had thought was an ordinary stone casket. As she released the button the stone floor beneath me shook and rumbled and moved to life. I glanced at her sideways, catching yet another grin escape her before she looked up at me; an eyebrow raising in question. "Your feet stuck to the ground or somethin'?"

I bowed my head and took a step backwards, gesturing for her to lead, "Ladies first." She narrowed her pale eyes into almost cat like slits. I stiffed a shudder. "I insist."

Vex hesitated for a moment, her ice-blue eyes piercing into me, analyzing me. I only answered her harshness with a grin as I have always done. She broke her gaze from me and brushed forward and down the descending flight of hidden stone stairs. "Watch your head..."

I ducked my head underneath the withdrawn false bottom floor of the stone casket. Vex pushed aside several dark, dampened planks of wood that revealed a dark hole leading farther down into a world that I have yet to know. I could already hear the feint trickle of running water from the short distance down. Vex dropped down the hole and into a darkness marred only by the dull glow of a torch light. I gave one last look up to the fading evening sun and descended into the next chapter of my life...

The weeks passed in pairs it seemed. Time moved quickly these days; the foreignness of my new world made sure of that. I spent more of my time wandering around the Ragged Flagon and Cistern, earning my keep by running menial, low-pay jobs for Delvin that others didn't want to bother with; I didn't mind the lesser work. Brynjolf, whenever he's not up to his ears in managing the guilds inner workings, was almost like a mentor to me. He would find me from time to time to ask about my current jobs and if anyone was giving me trouble. From what little I could gather, he was a close range fighter like me, judging by the callouses lining the palms of his hands; surely from the constant rubbing against the hilt of a blade. I liked to think of myself as a natural at all of this, as it seemed Brynjolf did as well.

Although I strayed from asking questions, there was one I allowed myself to ask.

"So," I began, looking up from my plate of scavenged food to Vex who'd since then paid me no attention. " just how did the guild manage to climb its way back up the food chain?"

Vex's eyes lingered on her food for a moment before they lifted to fall on me. I'd grown accustomed to her looks and gazes as well as their meanings. This one was slightly amused, with a tinge of something I couldn't place. "Why you askin'?" She was avoiding the question, playfully of course.

"Simply curious, as one might be. The guild disappears off the map for how many years then pops up again after all this time..." There was a slight hesitation in her eyes before they broke from mine back to her food.

"Nothing to tell. We had shitty management for a while but now we're back." she shot a quick, final glare at me, "We never left." Her voice held finality, but my interest had been piqued.

"Shitty management eh?"

"Yes, now if you're gonna bother someone with pointless questions, talk to someone else. You're making my food taste bad."

With that she shooed me away with a flick of her wrist and returned to ignoring me. Just who was in charge around here? I wondered curiously. Or better yet, who's in charge now? My eyes floated around the Cistern, lingering on the faces of my new comrades until they found their destination; Brynjolf. He stood leaning with his palms against the desk across the brackish water. His wearied features gazed down at the business ledger's ink-filed pages. He jotted several scribbles here and there as he flipped back and forth between several pages before releasing a content sigh and let the cover fall closed.

"Hmm..." I mumbled to myself, Can't say I'm surprised, though he doesn't quite strike me as the leader type. I let my thoughts trail off behind me and didn't let them linger. I'd come to find out soon enough. All in good time.

Days passed more slowly as winter came; the nights creeping in sooner and sooner with each setting sun. I accompanied Vex on a mission for two that required an extra set of hands. Regardless of the cut she promised me I would have followed her anywhere. Anything to see that woman in action. We returned late one night, the chill of Frostfall clinging to the night time air.

"You would have been gutted." Vex remarked, smiling as she strutted past me into the Flagon.

"I beg to differ, Milady. I was in perfect control of that situation."

"You keep telling yourself that. Those Forsworn were surrounding you. I saved your ass." Vex stabbed a finger at me, sneering playfully as she does.

"Surrounded? I didn't realize your sight was going on you, Vex. There were two, three tops. All of which I could have handled just find." Her eyebrows went up at that,

"I know damn well what I saw, you-"

"Vex," A familiar voice interjected Vex's recoil. We each looked up from our quarrel to find Delvin motioning for Vex to join him in the Cistern. With a small scoff she turned to follow him, not sparing me a glace as she brushed my shoulder while she passed. I watched as they disappeared down the hall away from the Flagon.

"Hmm. Wonder what Delvin wants..." I spoke aloud without thinking.

"One of her employers stopped by personally with a complaint earlier." I turned to see Brynjolf coming up the steps into the Flagon from the Ratway. He let out a scoff; I couldn't tell if it was one of humor or contempt. "Something about making it too obvious he hired us for the job. Nothing of major significance."

I greeted him with a nod of my head. "How'd the meeting go with Maven? All is in order I hope."

Brynjolf let out a deep breath, rubbing the back of his neck then running a quick hand through his amber locks. "As well as things can be with that woman. No amount of success will ever sate that massive ego of hers." His tone was tired but still held it's casualness.

I couldn't help but chuckle, "The old broad wouldn't know a good thing if it bit her in the ass, right?"

"Unless it were plated in gold." He added, his teeth exposing through his new smile.

"And bled rubies." Tonellia added, raising a dark sarcastic eyebrow. Suddenly the Flagon was filled with light-hearted laughter and smiles that erupted from everyone's faces, even Dirge let out a deep-throated chuckle. Maven Black-briar may be head honcho, but that doesn't mean we have to like her.

We went on with casual conversation after the laughter died down. Tonellia and I ended up in a debate over the best weapon to use against frost trolls at some point. Delvin ambled back into the Flagon to inform me of another job for tomorrow then said his good nights to the rest of us. With a yawning stretch of my back I took my cue to get some sleep of my own. The Cistern greeted me with its familiar sound of running water as well late night chatter. Sapphire was threatening Vipir for flirting, as he usually does. Cynric was off firing his arrows at the hay-stitched targets, Rune sat at the foot of his bed polishing a small blade with a piece of linen cloth; his usual smile painting his face. Overly friendly bastard.

I found my bed and fell into it with a comfortable groan. I laid there for a while until there was a loud rumbling in my stomach. I peeled my eyes open at the sound,

"Alright. A quick snack, then sleep." I groaned, sitting up from the soft pillow. I rummaged around my nightstand in hopes for something I may have stored for such an occasion; there was nothing. I sighed. The conversations of everyone was beginning to die down the later it got, so it was pretty quiet for the most part now. I lumbered over towards the food area and stole a loaf of bread from the probably dusty shelf and leaned myself casually against the book shelf. Rune walked over and began prepping the fire below the cooking pot. I glanced at him sideways.

"Little late for cooking ain't it?

Rune looked up at me, then smiled. "Never too late to prepare for another day. Besides, the smell of cooking helps me sleep."

I pondered it for a moment then shrugged. Whatever floats your boat I suppose. My ears twitched at the sound of rumbling from above me. Someone was using the secret entrance. I looked around the room counting heads. Everyone seemed to be accounted for. Who could it be? Maven Black-briar? Surely not this late. The rumbling faded into silence after the shifting of the wooden boards that led to the ladder. I remained still, curious as to who the guest may be. I waited for footsteps but none came until a tall dark figure walked up from behind me, completely and utterly silent. It took a second for my eyes to register the person was even there, standing in front of me, halting just beside Rune who hadn't seemed to notice yet. The figure suddenly turned towards me, staring directly in my direction. It wore dark black gear covered in intricate markings and designs. A long black cloak draped around its shoulders to its ankles; hovering over the ground, shifting only against the figures sudden movement. What struck me the most was the black mask which hid the persons face completely, leaving only a shadow of a face behind it. Before I could open my mouth, the figure spoke.

"You. Who are you." The voice was quick, demanding more than asking. It was a feminine voice.

"I uh, don't believe we've met." I began.

"No. We haven't." There was a small pause after her words before she continued. "Sorry." her posture almost relaxed, and she took a step backwards. "It's been a... long day. I didn't mean to be so aggressive."

Being as I couldn't see her face it was hard to truly validate her sincerity, but the weariness in her voice was genuine enough for me to release the tension in my shoulders; however, my guard remained up.

She spoke again. "What's your name?"

I crossed my arms across my chest, "Name's Garthar. Remember it, because you're going to hear a lot about me." She seemed amused by that,

"Is that so? Good things I hope. I'd hate to have to dispose of you."

There was a lingering of something darker in those last few words, and I felt a shiver run its way down my spine and my skin prickle.

"Brynjolf says I'm a natural, so I get the feeling I'll be here a while."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Elweyn!" Rune exclaimed, finally looking up from his cooking pot. You've returned! So glad to see you again."

Elweyn turned from me to face Rune, "Always refreshing to return home, Rune. Thank you." She moved to lay a gloved hand on his shoulder.

"Have you returned with great spoils once again?" Rune asked curiously, though as if he already knew the answer.

"Would I ever return empty handed? You wound me, Rune." She proceeded to reach into the small leather pouch that was belted along her waist, pulling from it a tattered off-white envelope with papers and other letters protruding from its edges. Elweyn's head lifted at the sound of footsteps. Brynjolf approached the circle of us, a relieved smile on his lips.

"Elweyn."

Elweyn bowed her masked face respectfully, "Brynjolf."

"Come, we have much to talk about." He said in a tone more formal from his usual casualness, and turned to walk back to his desk. Elweyn simply nodded and followed.

"Of course. Excuse me, we'll have to become better acquainted another time." Her words were directed towards me that time. I responded with a nod and she took her leave, moving silently and gracefully. I waited until they were a good deal away until I spoke again.

"Who is that?"

Rune shot me a confused look before it turned to understanding. "Oh! You haven't met her yet have you? She's been gone since a few days before you returned with Vex as I recall." he doused out the flames underneath the cooking pot then continued. "Quite a story that one."

My eyebrows twitched with interest. "What kind of story?"

"A long one. You'll learn it one day along with the rest of us."

"You don't even know much about her?" I gawked, my brows knitting together. Rune was unfazed.

"I know enough. She's a mysterious woman; has been since the day she showed up here with Brynjolf. Like you did with Vex. She works best alone and keeps to herself most of the time. She's loyal to the guild beyond anything, and its people even more so. Elweyn wouldn't think twice about lying her life down for any one of us. I admire her for that."

My mine clicked several clues together, trying to find answered to my questions piece by piece. "She wouldn't have anything to do with the Guild's return to power would it?" I asked. Rune let out a small laugh before he responded.

"Elweyn is everything to do with it. She's the reason we are prosperous once again. That is why she's the Guild Master."

A wave of surprise washed over my features, my eyes gawking at him widely. "She's the Guild Master! What does that make Brynjolf?"

"Brynjolf is only in charge when she's not here. He manages the guild while she's away on jobs for sometimes months at a time. She always returns with news of new fences and receipts with promise of great coin as she has just now."

"Brynjolf handles the business." I finished.

"Precisely."

"Hmph, who woulda thought it'd be a woman to restore this place..." The words left my lips before I had processed them.

"Elweyn is amazing at what she does." Rune said confidently, leaving no room for question. "I've never seen someone with so much talent. You'd do best to respect her. She's earned it."

I glanced over towards where Elweyn still stood with Brynjolf, "I'll be the judge of that." Rune seemed indifferent.

"Well like it or not, you'll have to anyway. She's our boss after all." And with that he turned his back to me and proceeded towards his bed. My sights lingered on him for a moment before turning back to Elweyn. She almost looked like a mirage; a shade of a figure who wasn't really there. Just who was she exactly? Talking to her had stricken me with unease; a type I hadn't quite experienced before. There was an ineffable aura to her, surround her. I itched to see what lay hidden behind it, and I never was good at restraining myself.