*I know a lot of people don't like her but Maven is one of my top 15 favorite character's because she's a no nonsense business woman, even though she's corrupt. I like her a lot more than the lot of the Silver-Bloods. She has a powerful influence on others but I do think Maven is delusional about how much power than she actually has. Anyways I hope you enjoy and criticize my work.*
It took a little over half the day to travel from Whiterun to Riften on horseback getting there as the sun was setting. Brynjolf while traveling had told him that Mercer had been caught by the city guards trying to skim Black-Briar out of her 10% cut. She let it slide once before but the second time around the jail was her answer to the treachery. Ja'red admitted that he knew nothing of it since he was out fighting in the war, and hoped that Maven didn't have a grudge on him. Brynjolf said she offered him the position to be leader but he turned it down, responsibility wasn't really his thing and he believed he was more suited as a second than a first. Maven wasn't an actual member of the guild to have a say in its leadership but her advice was necessary to keep their arrangement strong. They both thought that Dirge would be next for the offer since his brother was her bodyguard, and rumor had it that Delvin was once in the dark brotherhood a long time ago making him a potential candidate. Once he and Brynjolf separated, Ja'red nervously walked to Mistveil Keep where the Jarl resided. Maven had made a few changes to decor since he had last been here. Her personal bodyguard Maul was now appointed her housecarl a job that probably paid more anyway. Maul greeted him as he walked towards the throne of the Jarl who was not present.
"Maven, I mean Jarl Black-Briar," he corrected himself " has been waiting for you".
"Where is she?" Ja'red inquired looking around.
"She's in the Jarl's quarters" Maul gruffly stated.
"Oh, okay I'll just wait here then" Ja'red said taking a seat
"She wanted to speak with you privately away from her court".
Swallowing his spit, "Why?" he asked.
"She didn't say, so it must confidential" Maul replied.
"Ugh, I suppose I don't have much of a choice do I" remarked the Redguard
"No, no you don't," said the housecarl " and what ever Maven, I mean Jarl Maven tells you to do, you better do it. If she says jump you better say how high or how far. If she wants you to steal, then you better steal the fuck out of what she wants. If she wants you to kill, then you better join the dark brotherhood and murder the shit out of who she wants dead" he said laughing on the last one.
"Um, okay...So where is the Jarl's quarters?"
"Go through this hallway right here, make a left, go up the stairs, open the door, and proceed through straight the biggest door".
"Thanks Maul, but you really have no idea at all about what she wants?"
"Not a clue, but don't keep her waiting any longer she expected you back yesterday not today. So she might be pissed".
On that note he followed Maul's directions, stopping before opening the massive door to the Jarl's room. Maven was the type that could smell fear and weakness and he had to pump himself up with a self talk, "Maven just wants to congratulate me on my promotion to Tribune and for helping her get even more power. Yea that's all she wants. I didn't help Mercer, hell I didn't even like Mercer" he finally said before opening the door.
Honeyed fumes bombarded him, Maven wearing a long burgundy robe was standing in front of the mirror applying a honey scrub to her face. It explained how the 56 year old managed to look much younger than her 40 year old son Hemming but still she was definitely not her granddaughter Ingun, that much was certain.
"You should have knocked first. It's rude to open a door without knocking, especially my door. I could have been naked for all you know".
Realizing his mistake Ja'red apologized.
"Its alright. I got dressed while you were outside talking to yourself. Were you having fun or were you just nervous because of little ol' me" she said looking at him through the mirror already knowing the answer.
"Nervous, ha why would I be nervous" Ja'red bluffed hoping it would work wondering just how loud he was talking earlier.
"You know very well the connections I have. Even the Emperor himself, would think twice before speaking to me" she asserted.
Ja'red couldn't tell if she bluffing like he was. However he did manage to see that she wasn't any upper cloth under the robe as his eyes slid to exposed cleavage glimmering as she applied the honey scrub there as well.
"See something you like Redguard?" the Jarl expressed showing just a slight bit more.
"No ma'am," he lied, realizing he may have offended her "I mean, yes Ma'am," realizing that either could have been wrong or right, "I mean, uh, whatever you want Jarl Black-Briar" Obviously nervous now. His nervousness pleased her, she liked watching people squirm in her presence.
"Jarl Maven will suffice. Now have a seat" she said pointing to the chair opposite of the bed while putting the scrub away in her drawer. Ja'red sat down in the chair she pointed at, taking a deep breath he still pondered over why she requested him here. Maven took a seat on her bed next to the chair he was in reached into her nightstand and pulled out a file with his name on it.
"Now to business, Ja'red," She said mispronouncing the j in his name like many other Nords who read it on paper.
"It's J like justice not J as in Jarl" he interrupted.
Her eyes darted up from the paper glaring at him in a strange manner.
She continued still in the Nord style, "Jared do Alik'r no shira" she paused to skim through the the rest of the first page.
Ja'red was puzzled that she knew his birth name. He thought no one outside of Hammerfell knew him by that. Apparently Black-Briar had done her research on the Redguard warrior she even knew about his banishment and his brother's suicide.
"What a waste," she noted "you got banished so he could live yet he took his own life anyway. How does that make you feel?" she said tilting her head towards him.
Ja'red remained silent looking at his boots.
"I asked you a question, Ja'red. I expect an answer" Maven demanded.
He looked up Maven noticed something was different about his grey eyes and made her feel the slightest bit of fear.
"People die all the time," Jared said firmly " suicide is not the way for a warrior to die. I guess my brother wasn't that much a warrior". He chose not to remark on how she continued to butcher his name.
"Well, I'm sorry for your loss" placing a hand on his knee for a moment. Ja'red felt like it was almost sincere.
With the moment over she went back to the papers, flipping through them. She stopped and then said "How would you like to be guild master?"
"I'm not sure about that" he replied.
"Oh, I did phrase that like a question didn't I? I meant to say congratulations you're now the guild master"
Confused Ja'red said "Isn't Delven the highest rank thief after Brynjolf."
"Yes he is but he is also the oldest I chose you because with your age you can bring a new era to the guild. Delvon will die of old age in a few years"
He thought to question her about her own age, but he thought the smarter choice would be to leave it alone.
"What about Vex, If you put me in charge my first act as guild master would be to make her guild master"
"Vex lacks leadership drive, whereas you commanded a small army to take back the Rift"
"No, that was Legate Rikke not me. I was only acting under her command"
"You may have been under her command but you had your own squad of soldiers to manage. Think of it like this, I'll be in charge of you like she was, and you'll be in charge of the guild like the legionnaires under you. Okay, Agreed" she said before waiting for his reply.
"Wait," he objected "I'm not meant to be a guild master I don't have time for this I'm a legionnaire. And no offense Maven but aren't you overstepping your boundaries. I thought you don't want to be directly involved in guild operation"
"Well, that was until your leader began stealing from the hand that feeds him. When you're not out fighting you can manage the guild, you can move your wife and children to Honeyside"
"How do you know about my family?" he stood up questioning.
"I have a file for anyone who works for me I like to keep my friends close and my potential enemies closer," she said standing up closer to him illustrating her point "and my enemies dead" she added in a whisper even though it was only the two in the room. She smelled of lavender and honey an intoxicating combination that peaked the Redguards interest. Nords were typically taller than most other races, Maven was no exception reaching up to his nose in height She was taller than Ysolda who stood to his chin.
"You, think I'm an enemy to you?" he asked
" You may, or may not be. I haven't decided yet"
"Rest assured Maven, I would never betray you. I was the one who suggested that you be appointed Jarl in the first place."
"I'm aware but loyalties can always change if the coin is enough, but if there's one thing I've learned with dealing with Redguards over the years it's they they have more honor than any of the other races in Skyrim. If you are loyal to me then swear upon your honor that you, work for me".
"We Redguards swear our loyalty to our family, battle companions, and close friends"
"Are we not friends Ja'red?" pronouncing his name correctly this time.
"You're the one that is unsure my Jarl," he retorted, "I'm not someone you can just bend to will Maven. If we're truly friends, then upon my honor that you have my loyalty Jarl. Just know if I wanted to betray you, I would've killed you a long time ago. Most people may not like you, Maven but I do for some weird reason. I guess I like women with power, it's kind of sexy" he admitted with a sly grin.
"Good," she said sitting back down smiling ever so slightly "now to the next matter".
"I've just proved my sincerity what else is there" Ja'red asked annoyed.
"No! What you did was say a sentence, a quite flattering sentence indeed, but it did not prove anything. Anyways I'm aware that you helped Ingun get ingredients for her silly alchemy projects"
"Yea, well what about it?"
"Well It seems that my daughter has developed an infatuation with you"
"Infatuation? Are you serious!?...and don't you mean granddaughter? he blurted.
Maven's expression changed, reminded of her age.
"I'm sorry Maven, did I strike a nerve" he asked grinning noticing her eyes squinting in rage.
It actually made her look cute instead of bitchy.
"You did strike a nerve actually" Maven surprisingly admitted with a sigh
"Oh, sorry. Well what did your granddaughter want with me?"
"She wants you, my dear boy, ever since you helped her. You're all she talks about Ja'red this, Ja'red that. And since she's a Black-Briar she gets what she wants" Maven said in a commanding tone.
"Woah, I'm married Maven, happily married you know that. Besides all I did was go and gather ingredients from all over Skyrim. I don't think that should warrant an affection like that".
" Yes, well she doesn't care. And neither do I, I'm sure your wife wouldn't mind. She does owe me her life, the least she could do is let me have her husband as a personal toy".
Ja'red looked puzzled by the statement, "How does my wife owe you her life? You can't just go around manipulating people," then he paused contemplating on what Maven said " wait I thought Ingun wanted me, not you" he added.
"She does want you... but as do I and I'd rather give her my leftovers, then have it the other way around," she winked, "As for your wife, go and ask her yourself. I have a meeting an hour passed sunrise tomorrow so I need some sleep. I can schedule you in for just before dusk so don't be late, I've given you more than enough leisure time between now and then. Oh, and don't wear this clunky armor I know you're a businessman, so wear some finer clothes. Dismissed". She stood and waved an open palm towards the door.
"Maven, you're old enough to be my grandmoth-".
She undid her robe stopping the Redguard mid sentence. He liked what he saw, it was definitely not the body of an average grandma. He went to touch but she slapped his hand down, " Tomorrow Redguard, tomorrow " she said with a hint of anxiousness herself. Maven had gotten under her bedsheets then turned to face the other way. "Good night" she said before Ja'red walked out.
Ja'red left Mistveil keep with an array of thoughts. He wanted know how Ysolda owed her life to Maven. He wanted to know just how much Maven knew about him. He wondered if she knew she had no right at assign the title of guildmaster. He wanted to know why Ingun was "infatuated" with him like Maven had said. Lost in his thoughts he heard a voice call out, "Papa! Papa!".
He looked up to see his adopted daughters Lucia and Sofie rushing towards him.
"Hey girls! What are you doing here in RIften".
"Momma got a letter from a courier and said that it was important" Sofie said.
"Hulda gave me the next few days off so I could come with mommy. I only brought a few septims because I remembered what Brynjolf told us about Riften" Lucia said right after.
"Oh, Okay. Where is your mother at".
"She's at the Pawned Prawn" Lucia said
"No I'm right here silly," Ysolda cheered bending the corner. "Hello my love" she added after kissing him.
"What are you doing here this late at night, its almost 2 in the morning?" Ja'red asked pointing at Masser and Secunda the two moons of Nirn while walking towards his Riften home, Honeyside.
"Well, Maven sent me letter so I rushed to see her. If it's urgent then whatever she needs she can have".
"Whatever?" he inquired opening the door for his family.
"Anything. Well, almost anything." she said back.
"Even me?"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Ja'red told her about what happened in Maven's room. From her knowing his past, to her trying to make him guild master, to Ingun and even that Maven had scheduled an appointment to fuck Ja'red after sunset the next day. While talking Ja'red had learned that during her younger days Maven knew Ysolda's father back when she was living in Riften.
Maven at the time, had gotten Ysolda out of a death sentence when the Jarl of time had a strict no skooma policy. Ysolda was working with khajiit merchants sneaking it into the city and selling it to the distributors at an extra charge to earn more money for herself. When she was caught, she was to be executed 2 days later. Maven who knew her mother and saw potential in the girl asked the Jarl to spare her. He refused Maven's request for the young girl's life because it would promote criminals from all over to seek refuge in The Rift. This was around the time the thieves guild began to fall apart so the Jarl of the time thought it was his tough stance on crime (in reality it was a curse from Nocturnal, daedric prince of luck). She offered the guild financial assistance in exchange for fealty to her and 20% of whatever loot they receive. She got Mercer to sneak into Jarl's room and spike his drink with a large enough dose of skooma to become addicted. Since he didn't know he was addicted to, or why he had the shakes, or why he had sudden bursts of rage. He died of withdrawal the day Ysolda was to be executed, Then Maven managed to convince the new Jarl Laila Law-Giver to release her on good faith. She then introduced Ysolda to legal and more profitable Sleeping Tree-Sap trade.
After telling this story to her husband Ja'red, she kissed him and told him that Maven could take him for whatever sexual desires she needed to be fulfilled and encouraged Ja'red to "Fuck her like mad Dibellan sex slave" handing him a sack of stamina potions. He was afraid Maven would make him a sex slave, a part of him might have hoped for it as well.