A/N: Okay, so this story is sort of a spin-off of what happens after the Thieves Guild questline. My original purpose was just writing a story for my character (Aera) and my friends (Lynne), but it turned out alright, so I decided to start posting it for what ever reason.
The story follows my OC's, and there is NO SLASH - They are just friends. There may be hints of "player romance" later on, and Lynne IS married, so there is that aspect... but this was written to be more of an adventure story. A dark adventure story, but an adventure nonetheless.
After completing the "main plot" I may move on to other "mini-adventures" but they will all relate to the original storyline. Also note, I have about 10 chapters written down, I am just in the process of typing them up, so that is where any delay is coming from.
I am also simultaneously working on another OC-based story following a different character, which should be up once I get enough written.
This is my first fanfiction, but not my first story, or my first time writing, so let me know how it goes, and if you spot any grammatical errors or bullshit like that. :) I appreciate your feedback!
She shut the door to Breezehome gently, blocking out the chill from outside. Aera was drained. She had been out exploring earlier that day and found a prize elk which she had chased nearly all the way to Rorikstead. She had returned just as the sun was setting behind Dragonsreach.
"Lydia!" She called out. "I'm back!" A Nord woman wearing iron armor with long dark hair stepped out from the enchanting room in the back. "Good to see you again, my Thane," She said with a smile. "Can I get you anything?"
"Just some mead is fine." Aera replied, careful not to sit on her grey-and-white-striped tail as she took a seat at the table resting her head on her arms.
"Here you are, my Thane." Lydia said, setting down a bottle of Honningbrew Mead on the wooden table.
"I told you to stop calling me that. You don't have to point out that I am your Thane every time you see me." Aera said bluntly, raising her head to look at the Nord.
"Yes, my Thane."
Aera groaned inwardly and slammed her head back on the table. Lydia may be nice, she thought. But she is as oblivious as a horker on skooma. She downed the bottle and stood up from the table. "I'm going to bed now, so Lydia," The Nord looked up. "Stay in your room tonight. I have to get up early to ride to Riften."
"As you wish, my Thane." Lydia responded in her usual tone. Aera headed up to her room, shut and locked the door, and collapsed on the thick pile of furs on her bed. She was asleep instantly.
Aera woke with the sun the next day, for it was just peaking over the Jerall Mountains when she mounted her dapple grey mare outside of Whiterun. She had a long way to go if she was to reach Riften by tomorrow evening. She clicked her horse onward and set off east. Aera had gotten a letter from Brynjolf telling her about a new recruit he had picked up. Apparently she was very skilled in their business, and Aera figured it was her right as guild master to come and meet her in person.
Finally she arrived at Riften's wooden gates. After stabling her horse, she headed inside. The weather here in the Rift was warmer than in the permafrost of Whiterun Hold. Trash and beggars littered every corner, and people talked in hushed tones. The people here were as shrouded in shadow and secrets as the ratway. Riften was a dangerous place, but it was home to her.
The Bee and Barb was busy tonight, and when she passed it, she heard the cheerful songs and chants of the drunken city-folk echoing out through an open window. The warm glow of light that spilled out onto the street was beckoning, but none of that concerned her at the moment. She kept to her path and headed straight for the Thieves Guild's secret entrance. The graves leered at her as she pressed the button engraved into the casket, and waited for the stone slab to slide back, revealing the rickety ladder to the Cistern.
Ever since she had taken over after Mercer's demise, the guild had been better than ever. More and more people were recruiting and their name was becoming more and more known – and feared. "Just like the glory days," Karliah had told her one day when she came to visit. She didn't show up often, but was still a strong friend and ally. However the Cistern was becoming more crowded and people were often surprised when the found out they took their orders from a Khajiit.
The cistern was busy tonight with thieves going about their business; some getting ready for bed, others packing up for an evening of robbery. She looked around for Brynjolf, but not sensing his boisterous personality, she assumed he must be in the Flagon. He must be hanging around with Delvin, and that man was harder to hide than a Mammoth with all the noise he made.
When Aera entered the Ragged Flagon, she was assaulted by a large, furry, copper object. Looking down, she was met with bright golden eyes to rival her ice-blue ones. "'Ello Aera!" Chirped the young Khajiit with a smile.
"Hello Kashira," Aera said ruffling the cats' fur. Kashira's mother had died when she was young, and without a known father, she wandered around for a while because the orphanage wouldn't take her. Eventually she turned to stealing, and that's when the Guild found her and took her in. Upon meeting another Khajiit, the two became instant friends. Aera gave her a quick hug before Kashira scampered off. From the other side of the pub, she heard a deep throaty laugh. Her eyes found Brynjolf and Delvin holding each other up from fear of falling over due to their laughter and inebriation. Aera made her way through the crowd and approached the two men.
"…And he said, 'That's not a horker, that's my wife!'" Brynjolf said as she walked up. Delvin burst into another bought of laugher, his over flowing mug threatening to spill onto a nearby Vex at any moment. She scowled at the men and scooted her bar stool further away from them. Aera cleared her throat and Brynjolf looked up. "Oi lass!" He slurred. "Care to join me for a pint?" He waved a Vekel for another round. She sighed.
"Not this time Brynjolf, I'm her on account of this new recruit you've told me so much about?" Next to him, Delvin let out a loud, obtrusive belch. Brynjolf looked at her confused for a moment. "Oh, you must mean Lynne! She's a fire that one! She's over there, if you seek a chat with 'er."
Aera thanked him, as much as you can thank a drunk for anything, and headed in the direction he pointed. Most of the people here she knew, but it had been such a long time since her last visit, that there were quite a few unfamiliar faces. It took her awhile, but after asking around, she approached a table in the back. There were only two occupants; a Woodelf She knew to be Feyleen, and this supposed "Lynne".
She tapped the shoulder of the red-headed Breton woman who turned to smirk at her, emerald eyes gleaming. Clearly this woman had drunk a pint too many.
"Hey there," She said with an evil grin. "You lost or something?"
Feyleen looked up with a start and whispered quickly to her friend who she was walking to. Lynne waved her off with a scoff. "Guildmaster?! This mangy cat? There's no way!"
Aera's ears flattened against her head and a low growl escaped her throat. "Feyleen, could you leave us for a moment?" The elf woman gave her friend a quick concerned glance before departing, leaving the two alone. Lynne stood from her chair, wobbled a little, and looked Aera right in the eye.
"I'm assuming you're Lynne?" Aera asked. The Breton smirked.
"The one and only!"
"Brynjolf told me you were a prodigy – I'm not feeling it." Aera said. Being a Khajiit, she was of shorter stature, but Bretons were only just as tall, so she was able to glare into Lynne's eyes as she spoke; something she took great pleasure in.
"In fact," Aera continued. "He even wrote a letter to me – two whole sheets of parchment – saying I should come down to meet you in person."
Lynne thought about that for a moment. "Why would he do that?" she asked.
"Because I am the Guildmaster and it is my –"Aera didn't get to finish her sentence before Lynne started laughing.
"You really think you're the Guildmaster, don't you?" She doubled over with laughter.
Aera was on her last nerve with this woman. She took a deep breath and calmed down. The last thing she wanted to do was look unprofessional. Aera straightened up and spoke, calm and clear.
"I don't think I'm the Guildmaster, I know I'm the Guildmaster. And you should too by now. You're obviously drunk. I'm hoping by morning you'll come around, otherwise you're out."
Lynne had stopped laughing.
"I don't tolerate idiots in my guild." Aera sent a sharp look at Brynjolf and Delvin, still chortling on the other side of the room. She paused, then marched out of the Flagon, fuming, leaving silence in her wake. Almost immediately after she shut the door, the noise level went right back up. She sank down on the nearest bed and buried her face in the pillow. She was furious with this new-comer, and had absolutely no idea how someone like that could get into the Guild, let alone how to deal with her. Aera sighed and rolled over on the heard bed. She shut her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.