Seranni walked silently into the Garden of Dareloth, seeing Aramande standing there with the Argonian and the Bosmer. He smiled at the sight of her, his torch lighting up his face in the darkness of the night.

"Ah. Our new recruit." he said, making the others look at her.
"Her?" the Argonian asked, looking slightly irritated.
"Yes. Her." Armande said, shaking Seranni's hand. "Welcome."
"Thank you." she replied, glancing at the others.
"What is your name?" the Bosmer asked.
"Lanaya."
"I am Methredel." she smiled. "It's nice to meet a fellow thief."
"I am Amusei." the Argonian said, sounding more relaxed after Methredel had introduced herself.
"These are also new recruits." Armande said. "You will be learning together, although not working together. There are a few rules that you have to follow in the guild though, so listen."

Seranni found humor in this, but did not argue.

"First, never steal from another member of the guild. Second, never kill anyone on the job. This isn't the Dark Brotherhood." he said, looking at Seranni for but a moment's time. She saw the look in his eyes as he said this, knowing he suspected her at that point in time. "Animals and monsters may be slain if necessary. Third, never steal from the poor. The peasants and beggars are under the personal protection of the Gray Fox, particularly here on the Waterfront. They are simple rules, if broken, you will be in trouble."

They all agreed on this, understanding the terms of the Guild.

"I will need to assign you jobs." he continued, looking to Amusei and giving him a task. Methredel and Seranni looked at each other, smiling in their silence. They looked back to Armande as he addressed Methredel. Afterwards, he looked to Seranni. "As for you… I will need to speak with you alone. Come to me when you two have your jobs completed. Shadow hide you."

Amusei and Methredel both repeated the phrase, leaving the garden. Seranni looked up at Armande.

"I did some digging." he told her. "I know who you are."
"I do not know what you-"
"I know who your father is."
"Please." Seranni said. "I promise it won't effect my services for this Guild."
"Have you ever met him?"
"Yes… But I have not seen him in some time."
"Are you allowed in that guild?"
"I haven't been offered a place yet…"
"Yet?"
"I figure it's a matter of time… That's beside the point. I swear I will not break the rules you have given me…"
"Good." he said, nodding. "Your task is to steal the tax records for the Waterfront residents. I am under the impression that Heironymus Lex has taxed them unfairly for being complicit in assisting the Gray Fox. I wish to see the records. They are in his desk. Bring them to me."

Seranni nodded.

"I will." she agreed.
"Shadow hide you."
"Shadow hide you." she replied, walking away, leaving him alone in the Garden of Dareloth.

She scorned herself for not covering her tracks. How could she have been so stupid? She knew she was not a part of the Dark Brotherhood, but she still felt obligated to protect their secret existence. She had known of them since she was a child, knowing that her father was the Speaker of the Black Hand, although she did not know what that meant. She knew it was important though. He was known among the people who both believed and feared the Dark Brotherhood, but she was not. She had kept her parentage to herself, never telling anyone where she came from or where her allegiances lied.

She sighed, knowing he was most likely going to tell the other guild doyens, if he hadn't already. It was for their own good that they were prepared for her to break the rules, but she wanted a chance to prove herself before they just turned her down due to her father. She had never killed anyone before, and she had not planned to just because her father was Lucien Lachance. It never effected her before, and she didn't plan on it now.

Lanaya heard the soft click as the lock opened for her, letting her into Heironymus Lex's office. She looked around, spotting the desk and walking over to it. She opened the drawer, grabbing the paper and checking it, seeing records of taxes of the Waterfront District. She grabbed the sack of money, putting both of the items in her pocket. She quickly walkied out of the office, shutting the door behind her. It was quite a simple task, the guards down the hall not even caring that she was in there. She smiled to herself, liking her accomplishment. As she walked back to the Waterfront after leaving the building, she saw Methredel walking from the Bloated Float Inn. She walked up next to her, happy to now have companions in her life.

"Hello." Methredel said happily.
"Hi." Lanaya replied, wondering if she would speak of the Thieves Guild in broad daylight. "Are you going back home?"
"Yes. Would you like to join me?"
"No. I'm ok, I have to get back to Armande." Methredel seemed to silently agree with this. "Will you be at the garden tonight?"
"Yes." Methredel whispered. "Do not speak of this in public."
"Sorry." Lanaya said, making the excitement of the situation die down inside of her. "I will see you later then."
"Shadow hide you." Methredel said, walking away from her.