A/N: Written because a) I got bored and b) there aren't enough Thieves Guild stories out there for my liking. Every other guild seems to have had the main quest rehashed in writing about a million times, so why not this one?

Chapter One: The Garden of Dareloth

-*-

Oooh, my head! What on Nirn had I been doing to get such a thrice-damned headache? It felt like there were war drums pounding in my head, sending any vaguely intelligent thought that came into my head fleeing out the window. By Sithis, if those pair of Khajiits next door didn't stop their petty arguing in the cell next door very soon, there would be a fireball headed their way.

Or there would be, if the manacles grating against my wrists didn't have a Silence spell woven into the metal. Maybe I could send my Ancestor Guardian after them instead; that wasn't technically magic, so it still might work.

"If you say that one more time, I swear I'll rip the ears from your head!"

"I'd like to see you try, mangy housecat!"

I sighed, tempted to bang my head against the wall in frustration, trying my best to ignore the flurry of slurs and insults next to me. Even if I couldn't understand precisely what they meant, I knew that they weren't pleasant.

I couldn't even remember what I was in here for, and I just hoped it wasn't for long, because I had a guild to run, even if all it involved was going to a statue and listening to what it had to say, and then passing the information on. Sometimes I wished for a more productive career, but the pay was good and the job easy. Who was I to complain? The only trouble was the travel, not that I minded the road itself. More the city I had to visit once a week. Bravil was one of the most dank, rotted, vile places I had ever visited, and it practically served as my second home.

Why, oh why, did Ungolim have to die? Why was I such an idiot as to not realise Bellamont was switching the dead drops? Why didn't Arquen get named Listener? She deserved it, the miserable rat of an Altmer. Let her have her promotion; I would have much preferred seeking out those that had performed the Black Sacrament and arranging things on our end, even if it did involve a lot more paperwork.

You know what? Sithis be damned, the Night Mother be damn, I wanted to live my own life for a while! Have a little adventure, make some enemies, perhaps even join another guild. Start out anew, just a simple rookie being given all the mind-numbingly boring jobs and working my way up in an organisation once more. What was there to do once you had clawed your way to the top? Not much, I can tell you that.

The door clanged against the wall, interrupting my thoughts. I heard a scraping of metal boots on the stone floor as a guard shuffled into the jail, looking angry and frustrated.

"Hey!" I called out from my perch on the scratchy blanket in my dank cell, arms crossed and brow furrowed, leaning against the wall and trying my best to look threatening.

"I don't talk to prisoners," the jailor growled, shoving a tray through a flap in the bottom of the door. Whatever it was that was on there certainly didn't look edible, and my stomach gave a horrible squirm at the thought of eating it.

"Can't you at least tell me what I'm in here for?" I asked, yelling as the Imperial moved down the corridor.

"Drunk and disorderly conduct," the guard muttered as he passed my cell. I grinned, flopping back down onto the hard and lumpy bed, inwardly wincing as one of said lumps ground into my spine Drunk and disorderly, huh? Well then, I'd be out of here in a few days, and then I'd be back to my horribly boring job, wishing for some adventure once more. I almost wished I could make like Alval Uvani and make a living as a "travelling merchant." Then I could simply pass through Bravil once a week, picking up the contracts and heading to Cheydinhal on "business". That way I'd get to see more of Cyrodiil, hopefully coming across some adventure on the way, or at least highwaymen and bandits. That'd be fun, and I could try out that new shock spell I'd just bought...

I'd have to mention the idea to Arquen once I got back to the Sanctuary, though I doubt she'd let me. That woman was damnably protective after what happened with the Traitor, and she barely even let me out of her sight when I was at home.

Ah, what am I talking about? I woman isn't my keep, and I'm her superior! I can just order her to do what I want!

-*-

"Take this. It's from a friend."

That was the first thing I heard when I stepped out of the Imperial Legion Compound in the Prison District. The first thing I saw was the most bitter and angry face I had ever seen, and a wrinkled blue hand proffering a note. I looked at her, then at the note suspiciously.

"What is it?" I asked, not wanting to take anything when I had no idea what it was. The Dunmer sighed, holding it out further.

"I don't know, I just deliver them! Take the damn thing already, I have things to do," she muttered angrily, practically forcing the piece of paper into my hand. Then the woman marched off, disappearing through the gates and onto the bridge of the city isle.

I sighed, unfolding the crumpled paper in my hand, smoothing it out and taking a look.

-------

I can offer you greater rewards and less time in prison. If you are interested, come to the Garden of Dareloth in the Imperial City's Waterfront district at midnight. Present this note and all shall be made clear.

The Gray Fox

-------

The Garden of Dareloth, huh? I may just have to take a look. I never could stand leaving a mystery unsolved, even the slightest abnormality had to be investigated, though it normally lead to a dead end.

To the Garden of Dareloth it was.

-*-

Now whatever could the mysterious Thieves Guild want with little old me? I was hardly anyone important – in their eyes, of course – just a Dunmer arrested for being drunk and disorderly, not that I remembered that little fact...

I strolled down the tunnel leading to the Waterfront District, whistling tunelessly. Hopefully, there would be a little more time before Arquen would come looking for me, fetching Altmer, I hope she gets killed one of these days. She's young, and if she doesn't die an unnatural death, I have centuries of working with her to look forward to.

Sithis strike me dead where I stand. I would prefer that over putting up with her.

It was nearing midnight, the sky cloudless and full of stars as I approached the Garden, lending what little light they provided to the world below. Up ahead, I could see a soft circle of golden torchlight and, knowing that must be the place, headed towards it. Squinting, I could see a male Redguard standing in the middle of the group, an Argonian and Bosmer standing to either side. I sighed, pressing a palm to my forehead in frustration. No one had said there would be competition.

Seeing me approach, the Redguard looked up, glaring at me, before asking rather rudely, "Do I know you?" I scowled at him, inwardly rolling my eyes at the impertinence of youth. I merely held out the note in response, and he took a quick glance before opening his mouth once more.

"Ah, yes. Another scoundrel who served time in an Imperial jail. The Gray Fox is offering you a chance to join the Thieves Guild," he said condescendingly, as if he had so much more important things to do than be shepherding potential members around. Well, if he didn't want to, he didn't have to. It was fine by me. The minute that s'wit had opened his mouth I had taken a dislike to him.

"Everyone is here. Let's begin," he began, addressing the three of us waving his hands around importantly. "Each of you is seeking membership in the Thieves Guild."

Hold on a second! Did I say that? Did you head me say that, you fetcher? I was merely here because curiosity had brought me this far, nothing more!

Oh, but it was tempting. To once again be out there, sneaking through the dark, doing something for a change...

No killing, but it was as close as I could get without merely tracking some undeserving victim down and slaying them instead. I certainly didn't want to do that, as you never know when someone might have some vital information needed. Besides, Arquen was loathe to let me out on my own.

"The Thieves Guild is not a myth." Oh, so he was continuing, was he? Some great exposition detailing the entire history of the Guild, how far back it went, how prestigious is was? I yawned, partially from fatigue, but mostly from boredom.

"We are followers of the Gray Fox, and I am his Doyen. Merely by finding me, you have passed the first test."

What test? All I did was get arrested for making a public spectacle of myself. And here I thought they were picky.

"It's unusual for us to have three potential recruits at the same time. Rather than the normal test of skill, I'm going to make this a contest."

Oh, great, a race for the finish line, huh? Why am I even bothering? This will get me nowhere, and the Sanctuary at least has minions to boss around. I'd almost rather be there with Arquen.

Almost. But my curiosity had been piqued, and there was no stopping it. I was going to find out exactly where this guild could take me.

"That's not fair!" The Argonian exclaimed, and I snorted. Dearie, hasn't anyone ever told you life isn't fair?

"Methredel, you know the rules. However, for Amusei and the newcomer, let me state them clearly. Whoever brings me the diary of Amantius Allectus, without killing him, will be invited into the guild."

"Ha! I'll have it before sunrise!" The Bosmer – Methredel – exclaimed, punching her fist into the air. Oh would you now? Not if I could help it, sweetie.

"Its somewhere in the Imperial City," Armand continued. "The beggars will help you locate it, for a price. I can sell you lockpicks if you need them. One more thing. You cannot kill each other during this trial. We may be thieves, but we're not murderers."

Oh aren't we now? I certainly know of one exception to this.

Well, it looks like I'm off to find a diary.