Nightingale Whispers
By Jackie Almasy
People like us
Know how to survive
There's no point in living
If you can't feel alive
-Garbage, "The World Is Not Enough"
Chapter 2
Yet One Regret
Brynjolf frowned heavily as he stared at the map unfolded on the Guild Master's desk before him. The small flame on the large white candlestick next to him flickered back and forth on the wick casting the dim light across the table. Trailing his finger along the possible routes from Whiterun to Solitude, the Nightingale felt his free hand twitching in pent up anxiety.
Reaching to his belt, Brynjolf pulled out a large dagger and skillfully began twirling it between his fingers. Hoping to act as a distraction from his growing worries, Brynjolf looked over the map with his concerned brown eyes.
It had been almost three weeks since Aia's departure for Solitude. Normally by now if Aia were to be longer on an assignment than usual, word would have been sent to continue manning the fort back in Riften until her return. No such word had been sent yet and the nagging feeling deep in Brynjolf's gut was now growing stronger by the day.
Aia was gifted at horseback riding. She was no stranger to it but even the slowest horses in Skyrim would not have taken a full week to travel down from the misty sea cliffs of Solitude to the mountainous regions of Riften. The breeds of Skyrim were built for long distance and strong endurance for the treacherous weather patterns that could show up without warning.
His finger stopped tracing the road at Whiterun.
"She could be there," He thought to himself as he looked at the surrounding areas for settlements with a tavern or store with ties to the Thieves Guild. "Or perhaps Riverwood. She spoke of a debt to a blacksmith and his family to rescued her from starvation and exposure. She could have detoured there."
However, again the nagging feeling in the back of his mind would not go away. His skills and gut were telling him something was wrong and he did not like it one bit.
"Brynjolf!"
Standing upright and looking over his shoulder, the second in command watched as Vex approached him. Her tone was just as sharp as ever but something about the look on her face caused him to frown in worry.
Her white hair swayed behind her shoulders as she walked to Brynjolf with a determination that made even the Nightingale wondering what was wrong. Stopping at the opposite end of the table across from him, Vex reached into her pocket and dropped seven opened letters.
"Seven."
Point eluding him, Brynjolf lifted an eyebrow at his fellow thief.
"Seven what Vex? You need to more specific. I am a bit preoccupied at the moment."
Leaning foreword, Vex spread out the letters so he could see the seals of the appointed contacts in five cities and two settlements.
"You and I both know that something is amiss Brynjolf," Vex started. Her fiercely calm reputation for being able to take anything was oddly gone. "She hasn't contacted any of our appointed people in these places!"
Grabbing the one on the far right, the letter she lifted nearly caused Brynjolf's heart to rise in his throat.
"Even Solitude." Vex whispered softly as to not alert any other members nearby.
Snatching the letter from her hand, Brynjolf brought the letter to the nearby candlestick and read the sloppy but legible words on the parchment.
Delvin,
Your contact has failed to meet me at our appointed agreement.
No one strange has entered Solitude in the past two weeks. The Guards haven't seen anyone matching your horse description riding in either.
This is highly unlike the Guild. I hope this hiccup does not falter our newly rebuilt relationship. I would hate to let such a prosperous opportunity go to waste.
Erikur
Looking down to the wax seal by the signature, Brynjolf confirmed the ring insignia the businessman of Solitude uses. This was no fake.
"When did you get this?" Brynjolf asked quickly, barely managing to control his volume. Coming around the table, he began speed walking towards the Ragged Flagon. Vex was quick to follow as she cast mindful gazes to their left and right. None of the other guild members had noticed the sudden change in their second in command's demeanor.
Not yet anyways.
"Just this morning. Extra coin was paid for quick passage. The letter must not be more than two to three days old."
Pushing the old wooden door open, the two skilled warriors weaved their way into the open bar and sitting area. The smell of metal and wood filled the air. Hard at work across the small body of water, Brynjolf could hear the blacksmith singing loudly as he worked at the anvil.
"Delvin!" Brynjolf announced as he approached.
Turning his attention from his mead cup, Delvin immediately recognized the urgency in his approaching friends. Motioning quickly to chairs opposite of his current position at a table, Brynjolf dropped the letter in front of him before sitting. Vex took the chair on the left of Delvin, spinning it so she could lean against the back.
"When were you going to tell me about this Delvin?" Brynjolf demanded in a lowered tone. His wide brown eyes were anything but calm. The only thing holding him together was the thought of what Aia would do to him if the Guild discovered she was missing.
"I had no backings for my suspicions Brynjolf!" Delvin began as the older thief ran his shaking hand along his bald head.
"Normally the Guild Master is no longer than ten days on jobs to Solitude. But she's been held up by rain and snow before boss so I merely thought to give her a couple days."
Delvin looked into his spiced mead with a heavy heart. He should have never questioned his gut instincts.
"Aia's never been this late with anything. Hell even after attacked by Mercer she was back in five days time."
"You should have told us you old man!" Vex hissed in a whispers to Delvin. "Now we have to send someone or a small team out to find her!"
"Tell you what Vex? That I had a bad feeling about something?" Delvin demanded as he stared at the older woman. Frowning, he shook his head. "Aia would have hit me upside the head had I come to her with nothing but a feeling of dread! She needs facts and numbers to run this place! Not a bunch of hocus pocus fearing idiots."
"Hush both of you!" Brynjolf suddenly interjected.
Looking to their friend, Vex and Delvin shot each other glares before going silent.
"The fact is now we have a missing leader! From what she told me on the morning she left, Rune discovered a map of a supposed Dwemer ruin." Brynjolf began reasoning out loud. Running his gruff hands through his brown hair, he took in a deep breath before continuing.
"It was supposedly a day's walk north of Solitude somewhere along the northern coast."
Delvin raised an eyebrow in suspicion.
"There's nothing up there but nasty horkers and large icebergs! Plus you've got highway men, pirates, and slave traders!"
"She must have gotten ambushed or something." Vex voiced as she looked at the two. "She's a natural sneaky type if I ever saw one! If anyone knows her way around a bow and arrow, it's that blasted Nord."
"Then we need to act fast!" Brynjolf moved to stand up but watched as Vex suddenly grabbed the man's armored wrist.
"And do what? Send out a scout party on a wild goose chase?"
Yanking his hand out of her grasp, Brynjolf shook his head.
"No. I will go and set out for Solitude in one hour's time! I need you two to stay here and keep the Guild busy. If anyone asks, say the Guild Master merely sent for help carrying back the loot."
"You want us to risk loosing our second in command to raiders as well? I don't think so!" Delvin exclaimed as he pointed a finger to Brynjolf.
"Besides, what makes you think you can find her?"
"I trained her didn't I?" Brynjolf asked with a glare. He hoped the stern look would be enough to hide his dread and fear for his loved one. "Who better to find her than someone who was with her from day one in this guild?"
Remaining quiet, Delvin bit the side of mouth from saying anything more and nodded.
"Alright. We'll run the joint. But will you be sure to send word of your arrival?"
"I will do the best I can." Brynjolf reassured his friends. "Take care of the ol' girl. I'll be back as soon as I am able to."
Less than an hour later, Brynjolf had packed his Nightingale armor, weapons, and supplies. Emerging from the secret entrance, Brynjolf looked up to see Karliah approaching with a serious look on her face.
"Karliah! I need your assistance!"
"I know of Aia's missing status." Karliah declared, stopping a few feet from him. Shaking her head to keep him from carrying on, she spoke with a heavy tone.
"We must go to the Twilight Sepulcher!"
"Are you mad?" Brynjolf nearly yelled. His calm demeanor was quickly fading. "Aia could be anywhere and you want to go in the opposite direction of where she could be?"
"Will you listen to me you blind fool!" Karliah snapped. Her violet eyes stared directly into his brown ones. She quickly continued despite his cold glare.
"I am just as worried about her as you are! But I have come to you not to speculate but to deliver a message. Our Lady Nocturnal demands an audience with us. She knows about Aia!"
I apologize for the delay. Life has not been kind in terms of free time to write. But as my birthday gift to you guys, I present chapter two.
Chapter three is under way.
Till next time,
Jackie Almasy
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is copyrighted by Bethesda Softworks and Bethesda Game Studios. I own nothing.
