Chapter 4: Goldenglow Estate

"Welcome to the cozy little family." Tonillia said to me. "So you must be the new recruit."

I nodded. "Yeah I am."

Tonillia reaches one of the sack bags behind her for a moment and pulls out the light armor gear. "Here you go." She hands me over the armor and the rest of the set, gloves boots and hood. "See if that fits you, let me know if you happen to get it messed up, you can get a new one."

"Thanks." I sort of smiled.

I took the armor and placed it under my arm to keep everything together. I was thinking I should go and put this on in a place where there are no people around.

As I was walking though, I over hear Delvin the bald older looking Nord talking to Vex, the young long blonde Imperial having a conversation at the bar table. The female I heard sounded pretty pissed off about something.

"Ugh!" Vex spat. "I was so close too! And this bastard came out of nowhere with his sword, just when I was about to open up the back door."

"Damn, he got you good in the shoulder." Delvin said.

"There are a lot of mercenaries protecting that place. I bet the elf had called in more of them since I've almost got inside the bloody."

"Are you talking about Goldenglow?" I asked, and also jumped into the conversation with them.

Vex nodded. "I was just there a day ago."

"Sounds like you had a rough time sneaking in." I said raising my brow at her.

"This usually never happens, because I'm the best infiltrator in this guild." She walked up to me, close to my face with a stern expression. "And if you think you're here to replace that, you're dead wrong."

That was pretty and very welcoming. In fact, I have no interest or planning on replacing anyone's position. I stand alone, and I am myself. Vex, this woman seems like one of the stuck ups here, so far what I can tell.

"Seems like you've been here a while." I said. "Well I think you don't have to worry much about me, you can keep your little title. I think that can make you happy." I said with a sarcastic look to her.

Vex gave me another glaring look.

"Making friends already, lass?" Brynjolf stepped between us, we went silent. He nearly scared me, I thought I was in trouble for talking back.

Vex cleared her throat as we stood silent as he glared at the both of us, making sure it doesn't end up as a fight.

"She's only going to ask you how you got through there, Vex." Brynjolf said to her. "She's going to get the job done."

He really didn't need to stand up and talk for me, though I was kind of glad he did.

Vex rolled her eyes. "Well there's a sewer in the grounds there, that's how I got in half way. It should be still open."

"I guess I'll try that."


I waited until it was night to get started. Goldenglow Estate was on a small island not too far from Riften. I walked the path leading there carefully, making sure there wasn't anyone following my tracks. The front gate to the estate was sealed up good. I could pick the lock if I want to, but that would only alert the mercenaries skulking around the area.

Brynjolf told me that three of the bee hives need to be burn down. I'm thinking I should do that first. Maybe the fire will get the mercenaries' attention and they'll freaking out and try to put the fires out. While they're busying doing that, I'll quickly get to the hidden passage that Vex told me about.

I spotted one of them passing by the gate, and I quickly hid myself from his sight. Shit, he must have heard my footsteps. I waited until he was gone, and then I moved down tracing the path around the edges of the island. I sneaked slowly ever so carefully. Hopefully I don't slip and fall into the water.

It took a while until I finally found the spot where they kept the bee hives. There were about five or six of these large hives with live bees still inside them. I climbed over the fence and made it inside the estate grounds. So I have to set only three on fire without burning down everything, easy enough for a Dragonborn.

"YOL TOOR SHUL!"

The fire set at least three of the hives on fire perfectly than I expected. I quickly ran off to the side making sure I wasn't seen in the action. Then I heard one man calling out to the others that there has been a fire. More of the mercenaries came running towards the scene, as I try to make my way to the hidden passage. They're distracted by putting out the fire. I heard one of them commanded to search the area and find the culprit. I guess that's a sign that I better hurry.

I came across the hidden door that leads to the underground entrance. I lifted up the latch, it was still open as Vex said. I jumped down inside almost hurting myself with that misstep, I nearly feel on the ground into that dirty water. Oh gods, it was horrible down here, and dead skeevers lying all over the place.

Down towards the end of the tunnel was a ladder leading up to another door shaft. That must be the way into the house. I opened it just a little to take a peak if there was anyone around, until then I heard footsteps ruffling around.

"Hey!"

I heard a man's voice calling out which scared the shit out of me. Fuck, he saw me. I turned around, and he was already running towards me with his sword ready to take a swing. I took one of my daggers and throw it to his neck and got him just before he could have killed me with the blade. He fell on the back hitting the floor. I won't have to worry about getting cut out of the group for that one. Killing the mercenaries wouldn't matter. In fact I'm only trying to protect myself and get the job done.

He has to be hiding somewhere upstairs, I thought. One my way up the stairs to the second floor, I heard a few men, probably about two of them walking around. The hall way was too narrow. It looks like I'm going to have to take them out one at a time.

The first one was directly in my sight about thirty feet away standing in guard position. He still hasn't notice me yet down the hall. I reached for my bow and draw out an arrow. I took him down hitting the arrow into his upper chest where the armor wasn't protecting him. I sneaked down the hallway and made a turn to the left and took the other man down as well. I think it should be the last of them here, for now. The dead bodied might alert more mercenaries to search the place for me, but I should be out of here before that happens.

I opened up the door to the master bedroom. A Dunmer in fancy rich clothes was down on his knees as if he was hiding from danger. He startled in fear once he saw me walked in.

"What are you doing here?" Aringoth yelled. "Just leave me alone!"

"I just need the key to the safe." I said to him calmly.

"Fine, here take it." Aringoth hands me the key in my hand. "Once the new owner finds out I gave in, I'm good as dead anyway."

My eyes widen at him. "New owner? What are you talking about?" I asked.

"I've said too much. I gave you what you came for, now go! Leave me in peace!" He yelled.

I stared at him very suspiciously. Alright, maybe I should get out of here before more of the mercenaries find me here. At least Aringoth cooperated with me and gave me the key to the safe. He was lucky I didn't have to kill him. I rather leave the killing of him to someone else that finds out he fucked up.

I ran out of the room and made it downstairs. Shit, I heard more mercenaries running upstairs where Aringoth is, but they've already missed me. I picked the lock to the basement and enter through. As I manage to get to through the next small rooms, I finally found the safe I was looking for. I opened it up, taking out the bag of septims first and then I found some letter with a broken seal, which had to mean it was already read. I had to take a closer look at it.

Oh gods, he wasn't kidding. That bastard sold the business. There was also this odd symbol on the bottom of the letter. I had no idea what it means. I looked all over the letter but didn't seem to find the buyer's name.

This is serious news that I have to give back to Brynjolf and Mercer to see. I have a feeling that their reactions aren't going to be very happy about it.


I made it back to the Ragged Flagon. A couple of thieves were still awake at this time of the night. I heard Delvin, Tonillia and Vekel talking together at the bar stand. All I heard was laughing, but I really didn't know what about.

Delvin's eyes widen at me with shock. "Gods, you're back!" He laughs. "We were starting to make bets that you wouldn't make it."

I smiled a little. Ha, how funny they're already beginning to doubt my abilities.

"Where's Brynjolf?" I asked. "I need to talk to him, and tell him the job has been done."

"He's in the cistern room, in fact I think he's still waiting on your return."

I went through the hidden door to the cistern room. Brynjolf was standing around Mercer's desk looking through the same paper work that Mercer was reviewing before, except he wasn't around this time.

"Word on the street is Goldenglow has been hit." Brynjolf mentioned to me with a smile. "Good job, lass."

I smirked back at him. "I found something in the safe." I handed him the letter.

"Let me take a look what you found." He reads the letter quick and his expressions changes into a frown. I knew he wasn't going to like it. "Aringoth sold Goldenglow? What's that idiot thinking? He hissed.

I had to agree with his comment. "I was just about to ask the same thing."

"He has no idea the extent of Maven's fury when she's been cut out of the deal, but I'm certain he'll find out. If only this parchment had the buyer's name instead of this odd symbol. Any idea what that might be?"

I looked at it with him at his side, and I shook my head. "I wish I knew."

"Blast. Well, I'll check with my sources and speak to Mercer."

"What's next on the agenda?" I asked.

"I might have something for you. I'll wake you up in the morning to get ready."

I took a quick bath outside and headed back down in the cistern room. Most of the beds were taken and the thieves were deep in their sleeps, but I manage to find one bed available. I took that bed and dropped my body down on it. I'm still wondering about what's actually going on in the guild and why they're getting cut short on coin. I can already see it happening. Goldenglow has been sold and the guild lost out. Brynjolf told me to leave the worries to him, and I should do the jobs. But I can't do that. I feel something is wrong here.