The Call of Thieves
Maven Black-Briar, who was overly stressed, was now outright confused. Last week she heard that the final few members of the Dark Brotherhood were found, hunted, and burned alive like cornered skeevers. And now, not five minutes ago, she heard the Emperor was murdered in his ship returning home.
So what was the truth?
She tried to contact Astrid on several different occasions, sending letters to the usual dead-drops. But no one took the letters or the pre-paid payment.
Maybe someone else had enough backbone to finish the job . . . but who else would it be?
A nighttime chill indicated it was time to go in. She rented a room (for free, of course) in the inn in Riften. Too much needed her valuable attention, and besides, she had a Thalmor Party to prepare for.
She hurried inside with her usual expression — one that said back off, or I will end your life in one manner or another. Prison, death, debt . . . it didn't really matter.
She went upstairs and opened her door to find an unfamiliar face.
"Who do you think you are?" Maven hissed.
"Come, now, is that anyway to greet a friend?" a feminine figure dressed in black armor with a shrouded cowl said.
"I won't ask again. Who are you or I call the guards and haul you to the Riften Prison." The figure pulled off the mask, reveling a pale women with shoulder-length silver hair.
"Fine, fine. Down to business, then. Nazir mentioned you were one of Astrid's main employers."
"Astrid?" Maven regained her composure and shut the door, "You mean—"
"Oh yes, our dark sister of, well, an interesting business, let us say, hmm?"
"Where is she?" Maven demanded, "Why has she sent . . . you."
"I think we're at a misunderstanding. You see, our mutual friend Astrid is no longer with us. Fire killed her, her husband, and her brothers. Unfortunate, really, she sends you her regards from the void."
"Go on." She growled.
"So, it falls to me to make sure everything is rebuilt, redone. And if you employed her, it must have been for good purpose."
"Why you? I've never even heard of you."
"Oh, I'm sure you have. My name is lost to history, but my deed will be forever known."
"What are you talking about?"
"You can just call me Listener. Everyone else does."
"Listener?" Now things were beginning to make more sense, "You're the one who . . . nevermind. How can I help you?"
"Well, I'm sure that's already crossed your mind. I've been told you send things to a dead-drop, am I right?"
"Yes."
"Here," She handed a folded up paper, "Look it over and memorize these two locations. Do you think you can remember that?"
"Do you think me a fool?"
"Contract those claws Miss Black-Briar, I mean no offense. I just wanted to know if you can keep those memorized."
"Of course I can."
"Then burn it. I need to keep our tracks covered. We may have come out of this alive and with a name again, but we still have fresh wounds . . . I have a lot of mess to clean up, thanks to Astrid."
"What do you mean?"
"Ahh, nothing. Wouldn't do much good to harp on the deeds of the dead and deceased."
Maven glanced at her with suspicion, then dropped the note in the fire, "Well, Listener, it seems that you and I have an understanding now. I'll let you know if I require your services. It does me good to know that I haven't lost a weapon. Gods know I'm losing another one."
"What do you mean?" The mysterious Listener asked, her own interest peaking.
"It really doesn't concern — wait a moment. You — you still have strong ties with the Thieves Guild, correct?"
"Ah, yes, the rats living in the sewers. I've met their acquaintance a couple of times. Nice bunch, that outfit. What about it?"
"They're slowly starting to rot away to nothing. First, the clients stopped contacting, then the skilled left Skyrim to pursue bigger and better opportunities, and now their name is losing their menace. What good's a guild to me if they don't hold power and fear over the citizens of Skyrim?"
"I sympathize with your plight, but what do you think I could do about that? My hands are tied as it is and besides, I've already spent plenty of time in Riften. I need to get back to my station."
"Yes, I'm well aware of that now. Do as you please, I suppose, and I'll contact you if I need any dirty work done."
"Haha, oh the Thieves Guild. To think, had my choices been different, I could've ended up as one of them. I'm glad I chose this route instead. A lot more money and respect, at least. You know what? I changed my mind. I'll give that redhead a visit. What was his name again . . .?"
"Brynjolf."
"Ah, right. I'll give him a nice little chat before heading out. Good doing business with you, Miss Maven."
"Right. You too. Now, get out of my room." The Listener smiled, then headed toward the ratway again.
XXX
Spacing
As always, the stench pierced her nose and the Listener cursed at the filth. She already activated the drawbridge lever on her last visit, and made it into that large open space where a lowlife called home. She killed him. He attacked her, what choice did she have?
She went down the stairs and opened the door that lead into the Ragged Flagon.
Dirge stood guard like a good little soldier while the familiar faces drank their mead. She walked passed him and he said his usual line of 'don't make any trouble or blah blah blah'. He was too dense to remember who she was.
"I'll try to keep my hands clean," She laughed. Dirge twitched, then said, "You have a lot of nerve, coming down here and acting like you own —"
"Please, shut-up. I'm not here to speak with you and I'm not here to cause trouble — well, at first I wasn't, but now I'm not sure if I can pass up the opportunity to piss off a bunch of hotheads."
"The last person who made trouble for Dirge ended up taking a nose-dive into the sewer's cistern," An irritated woman's voice called, "Are you sure you want to keep talking?"
"Oh please. You think Dirge is the first meathead I've come across? Empty threats don't scare me."
"They should if you want to live."
"Wait a moment. I know that voice," Devin Mallory said, "Ah, if it isn't the Dark Brotherhood. Here on more official business?"
"Brotherhood?" Tonilia said, "What's she doing here?"
"Dunno. Guess we're gonna find out. How's Astrid doing?"
"Heh, guess you guys don't paying attention to town gossip much, do you? She's dead. Burnt to a crisp and heart slashed with her own dagger. Beautiful way to die, isn't it?"
"She's dead?" He repeated in shock.
"That's what I just said, yes. Anyway, that's not why I came here. Had an interesting chat with Maven Black-Briar. Word on the street is you're outfit isn't doing so hot."
"That's not any of your business," Vex said, approaching the lone figure, "What gives you the right to come meddling in our affairs? Just because you're some pain in the ass assassin who's overstepped her boundaries? You are so dead."
"Now, now, if we kill each other, Maven wouldn't be impressed. We can handle this like adults, can't we?" The Listener said.
"Tch, bitch, Maven doesn't care about your life or ours." Vex said.
"No, but she cares about power. I made an agreement — rather, just reinforced an already established one — and now we're bff's who never have to look each other in the face again. Now, she wouldn't appreciate it if I carve you down to your bones and leave your eyeballs for the skeevers to devour, would she?"
The Thieves Guild members stared at this unwanted visitor. The Listener added, "I heard there was a crazy chef in the barrens who actually does eat human flesh. Oh! Babette needs more alchemy ingredients. I'm sure she can use the meat. Sorry, did I flip my lid? Loose the last shred of sanity I had left? No, no, I'm just a little crazy and a little high. So high, haven't come back down yet. Not since killing the Emperor. That was fun."
She glanced between the members, obviously silencing them. She was good at that, making hard asses speechless.
"What's going on here?" A man with a heavy accent, somewhat similar to Devin's, asked. He obviously felt the tension in this small sewer room.
"A member of the Dark Brotherhood," Vex said sarcastically, "She's gracing us with an unexpected appearance."
"Dark Brotherhood?" The man said in astonishment, "What do you need, lass?" It was Brynjolf.
"Ah, just the man I was looking for. How's it going, Brynjolf?"
"Who are you?" The Listener play frowned, exposed more of her face and looked hurt.
"You don't remember me? That crushes a lady's heart, you realize." Brynjolf gave her a once over, unable to determine what she was getting at. Rolling her eyes, she completely took off the cowl.
Instantly he remembered. It was months ago, but nevertheless he couldn't forget a girl as pale as snow with silver hair. It was just so uncommon.
"I asked you to do a task for me," Brynjolf said, "but you said —"
"'Are you crazy? Break the law?' Yes, I think I know what I said, Bryn."
"So what are you doing here? You sure seem to have a knack at law-breaking, so have you decided to join us after all? Or is killing way too much fun for you? How many people have you killed anyway?"
"Hm," She put her hand under her chin and pretended to ponder his questions, "Let's see here . . . too many to count. You know, life has taken me all over. Born in Solitude, life ruined in Markarth, rebuilt in Windhelm . . . Ah yes, that little orphan boy told me a sad story about the tragic and sudden death of his mother. Illness can be quite a bitch. He mistook me for an assassin — yes, at the time I was just a girl making a living by killing off bandits. Then I gutted the matron. What was her name? Grelod the Kind? Anyway, that doesn't matter. You were trying to get me to do something . . . illegal, and I needed to make sure no one linked me to that murder."
"I don't understand what you're talking about."
"I just needed to vent. I need to write a book or something."
"If you have no business here, then you need to leave lass." She sighed, "All right, don't get your granny panties in a bunch. Maven and I talked, as I said to your partners, associates, brothers . . . whatever. It seems that you guys are struggling some."
"We can take care of our own, thank you. We don't need some assassin telling us we need anything," Tonilia replied.
"Funny, because no one here seemed to know that my family was allegedly all dead and that our plot to kill the Emperor died with the rest of us. Not so. I found him and killed him. And even did a favor for the old man. His final request."
"And?"
"And you're behind on current events. Everyone in Riften is talking about it, and yet you haven't caught wind of it? My, my, keep held up like rats in the sewer, unseen by the rest of mankind."
"That's enough," Brynjolf ordered.
"Hey," She held up her hands, "I'm just trying for a good time and you're making this way too easy for me. You should try to relax, maybe take some yoga classes, hm?" Brynjolf glared at the dark figure.
"When is the last time you've come up for air, anyway?" Brynjolf remained silent and Vex was about to say something nasty to her, when Devin said, "All right everybody. Let's all take a deep breath, okay?"
"So, the clients have dried up like a lake in hot sun and you fishies are frying with the puddles. I get it. I totally get it. Hell, we just dug ourselves out of a spot like that, too. All you need is a flooded rain and you'll be drinking coin in for a long time. Gods, I'm sick of this metaphor. Somehow, we need to get you guys some clientèle. How do we go about that?"
"These are questions for Mercer Frey," Brynjolf interjected, "and for myself. If you truly wish to help, though, you might want to speak with him. I'll talk to him, you wait here."
"Hmm, y'know, I have important, uh, people to meet with. It's to die for, really, so I'll meet you in the morning. How's that? I'll be back later. Kay? Ciao." Mercer Frey. That man gave her chills, which was surprising. He just had that overall creeper vibe. She walked out, leaving Brynjolf to shake his head and unlock the cistern. Might as well talk to Mercer about all of this.
XXX
Scene Change
Spacing issues really suck..
Audalyn finally had enough. She had played servant-girl to these bandits long enough. She lost her family to them and she wasn't about to lose the last shred of herself she had left.
She feared the bandits and cursed them for killing straggling adventurers for their money purses, jewels, and weapons.
She lost count of the years she spent cleaning up after them — everything from fixing beds to fixing dinner, cleaning pots to washing blood off of septims.
And now, she was a woman stuck in the midst of a bandit hold filled with sex-starved men. When she was younger, they ignored her. As she aged, she gained unwanted attention.
The bandit leader came into the room, drunk off of mead and held a purse full of stolen gold. He stumbled into the wall and kicked the door shut. She backed up instinctively, knowing that mead and bandits didn't cross over very well.
Not for her it didn't.
Audalyn noticed the way he stared at her and a shiver ran down her spine.
He found his way to her and grabbed her shoulders. While he was fixed on her, Audalyn eyed a dagger hooked around his belt.
The door was shut. No one would notice. Not yet, anyway.
She slipped from his grasp with the dagger in hand and he fell onto the bed he tried pushing Audalyn onto.
She ran up to him, grabbed the back of his hair and pulled, exposing his neck.
She slit his drunk throat and heard him choke on his own blood. Glad that he made no loud noises in dying, she opened the door to see if the others were outside his chambers. Luckily, no one was around at this hour of the night.
At the foot of his bed was a chest. She opened it and found better equipment and put that on over the rags they dressed her in, then eyed the bandit leader one last time.
She knew of his mead habits — so she spiked his drink with an immobilizing toxin she made after her last escape from the Foresworn.
Little did she know that dumb luck would spring her right into another trap — another bandit hold, the same story with different people.
Even though they took the poison from her, she was astonishingly good at sneaking around and taking items when everyone else was focused on something else.
She swapped the poison bottle with an ale bottle and held onto it until she had the perfect opportunity to strike back . . .
And when he asked her to brew a batch of mead . . . she knew that she would escape tonight unscathed.
Well, that was still to be determined. She still had to get passed the rest of the bandits and, even though she left the rest of the brew for grabs, she wasn't sure if everyone managed to drink her little creation.
So Audalyn stuck to the shadows, keeping her head down, but eyes up and searching. She prayed to Lady Luck and hoped she was on her side tonight.
She snatched a bow from a wall and found only three spare arrows on the table beside it. She pocketed the knife, put the arrows into a quiver and placed that on her back.
If she found more arrows, this would go over easy.
Quietly, she opened the next door, expecting to be some lone watchdog on duty. He sipped on her special brew and looked as if he was about to doze off.
She waited patiently, knowing that the effects would put him to sleep and she didn't want to waste an arrow knocking him out of the picture — not when ten others were around here somewhere.
She saw him shake to wake himself back up and knew that she was safe to move.
Avoiding the torchlights, she stayed behind pillars and shambled debris. He stood up, making her stop dead in her tracks and positioned her body behind the pillar to hide.
He stretched, walked around some, and looked in the doorway Audalyn was trying to escape out.
"Thought I heard something . . ." He mumbled before sitting down and drinking the rest of the mead, "Damn, the boss's gonna kill me'f I pass out," he yawned, "get Rem to do night watch tomorrow."
After he stopped talking to himself, Audalyn watched him carefully and tip-toed softly off the debris. She kept herself glued to the wall and did not take her eyes off him until she made it to the door and safely left.
This old fortress had several floors and stairs, though, so making it passed one was not a real accomplishment.
She went down a flight of stairs to the main levels and saw that several of them were gambling with the gold they robbed.
"Damn it," she whispered.
She could potentially kill one of them with her bow, but that left the three others and the wounded one if he lived.
She looked around and found a cubby hole of sorts in the corner that would be perfect for her to hide in.
She practically crawled to her destination and stalked her prey. Carefully knocking the arrow into place, she picked the man closest to her and aimed for his neck. A perfect sensitive spot . . .
She let the arrow fly and it hit her mark. The man fell over holding his neck.
"Who's there?" One growled as they all jumped from their seats and took their arms.
Audalyn moved further in the shadows, lowering the bow and drawing the dagger in the process.
One went to the door, the other two came up the steps toward Audalyn's cove. She held her breath and watched the men nervously.
One split toward the leader's chambers and the other looked around the landing.
Damn, they're going to get the watchdog. I should have eliminated him as well, Audalyn realized.
"The arrow came from up here . . ." he said, following the trajectory line. Son of a bitch, he's going to find me.
He approached apprehensively, signaling to the others, "Over here. I see her."
So much for that strategy. Audalyn leapt at the man with her dagger aimed for a soft spot between the neck and shoulder.
She drove it into his neck and pulled the axe around his belt. She swung that axe across his chest and pushed the deadweight into the man rushing up the steps.
He tumbled over and Audalyn ran after him with the axe raised.
She thrust the axe at the limp man, cutting his torso. Out of time to properly finish him off, she went back up to finish the other two before the whole fortress was alerted.
She glanced over at the table. There were four tankards of mead. So why weren't they affected? She wondered.
A split second later her focus was back at the man rushing her. Smarter than the average bandit, he actually put on a helmet and armor while she was distracted with the other two.
He swung at her and his sword collided with her axe, staggering her down. She went ahead and jumped down the stairs to nullify his uphill advantage.
He hurried after her and swung again. She threw the dagger, hitting his wrists and making him yell in pain. She quickly attacked and hit his armor. He retaliated with a swing of his own, which Audalyn blocked with the handle.
He came after her as they exchanged blows, the blades never making skin contact.
"What's going on?" A few more came in, fully armed and weapons raised.
"Where have you been?" The man Audalyn fought spat, "This bitch killed the Chief." Audalyn punched the man and ran back upstairs.
She was cornered and needed to find a new escape. Killing them all would probably be out of the question.
The man she fought and the three new men crowded around the stairs and sneered at her.
"You're quite the feisty one, aren't you? Come on down and maybe we'll forgive you."
"Not a damn chance," Audalyn replied. She was dead either way. She could try running and escaping, but no matter what she did now, her chances did not look good.
She was going to die here.
XXX
XXX
The Listener followed the road back to Windhelm and passed a fortress. Bandits. Typical for this type of scenery. Out of the way, far from civilization, and, ironically, protected by beasts that normally attacked travelers.
Perfect.
She decided to slip in and pay these 'friends' a visit. A good chance to practice her stealth and plunder their stolen goods.
Under the protection of the night, she was undectable. But that wasn't the only advantage she had, as the Listener soon noticed.
Half the men on watch were knocked out, and the rest were dumbed. A poison, perhaps? A mass amount, if she guessed correctly.
Someone already struck this bandit hold. But who would have enough guts to do so?
Curiously, the Listener opened the locked door into the stronghold of this bandit home. She wanted to see the culprit responsible for taking the fun out of this hunt.
After sneaking and planting her blade in the necks of her foes, she found a cornered woman being attacked by bandits.
Quicker than the men could tell, the Listener drove her Blazing Dagger and her Blade of Woe into two men, which left one last bandit left standing.
She drew a dull knife and thrust it into the bandits esophagus.
"And who might you be — wait," The Listener gave the dark haired girl a once-over, "Audalyn . . ."
"And who are you?" The woman's face was garbed in a black cowl, but she instantly recognized her eyes, "Querida?" She smiled.
"My sister, how long has it been? Come, I will take you to safety." She retrieved her daggers and told Audalyn to loot the bodies for gold before heading out the bandit's fortress.
"You've been looking for me?" Audalyn asked, "How long have you been free?" She took off the headdress and smiled, "A long time, thanks to some Stormcloak soldiers who found and rescued me. Ever since then, I've sworn undying loyalty to Ulfric and his cause. You should, too, if you think you can fight a war."
"You're a Stormcloak?" Audalyn asked.
"The Empire can barely hold its own anymore. Why do you think our parents died? Because they were too weak to save us from the Forsworn, so trust me when I say that Ulfric is the only one who can save this land from both those damned elves and the Forsworn who ruined our lives."
They escaped into the night air, "Refreshing, isn't it? Congrats, Audalyn, you are free now, too." Querida approached a black horse with red eyes and Audalyn could only stare at the strange animal.
"His name is Shadowmere. He's a good horse, loyal and strong. Ride him, you must be exhausted."
"Why are his eyes —" She looked at the strange glowing eyes, "Why are they so devilish?" Querida smiled, "If only you knew where I acquired him from. It doesn't matter, just know as long as I don't perceive you as a threat than neither will he."
XXX
XXX-
"And this is Riften," Querida announced as the round wooden gates came into view. The guard approached and was about to say something, then recognized the black horse and the woman riding it.
Rumors of the Dark Brotherhood's newest and strongest member reached Riften not long after the Emperor was murdered. She fit the description.
"Ah, welcome to Riften," He mumbled, afraid to meet her eyes.
"What's the matter?" She played, sensing his fear.
"Enjoy your stay . . ." Then he looked at the other girl. Bloody, in rags, dirty, "Her on the other hand . . ." Querida glanced at her sister, then spat, "What?"
"Trash like her doesn't belong in our —" Querida pushed a dagger against his throat, "Watch your tongue, or I will cut it off. That's my sister your speaking to, maggot. I know you know who I am and you know that I can and will get away with disposing of you. So I suggest you watch your back, lest you want a target on your head." She withdrew and ordered, "Open that damn door for us, will you?"
"Yes ma'am."
"What was that about?" Querida asked.
"Shh. Don't ask stupid questions until we're safe. I'll explain everything later." Querida glanced at the guard and followed his eyes. They were set on her horse.
"I wouldn't," She laughed, "Shadowmere will eat you for breakfast if you try anything with him. A girl needs a well-trained horse, agreed?" She stepped inside.
"Welcome to Riften where the guards are petty and the town is run by thieves." Querida looked around. The city was built around a lake with a market place built over houses and businesses below.
"Thieves?" Querida asked, "Like Bandits?" She laughed.
"No, not quite. They are amusing people, really. Ah, look right there," She pointed to a woman harassing someone for money, "That woman is a member of the guild. The guild has run into a dry spot and are running low on supplies, resources, members, clients, and the most important — gold."
She walked passed Sapphire and entered the building first in view.
"This is the inn. Stay here a moment," She went to rent a room. Audalyn looked around and noticed people were trying not to watch her, but her appearance almost called for it.
Querida came back and said, "All right, you need a bath and a change of clothes, my darling."
XXX
XXX
"What did you take from those bandits? Any armor or weapons?"
"Just gold," Audalyn put on a dress she found stored away and felt genuinely good.
"Don't you look adorable, my sister?" Querida laughed, "Do you want me to braid your hair?"
"Stop it, Querida."
"Can't help it. It just gives you that appearances of a normal town girl with normal circumstances."
"Maybe that's what I want." Querida sighed, "You and I never had the chance for normal circumstances. We are meant to be warriors, driving our enemies to their deaths. You can't ignore that."
"Querida, I don't want to fight anymore. I'm free, that's the last thing in the world I want to do." She nodded.
"I guess I understand. I just was hoping you'd come with me, that's all. I mean, what are you going to do? Run a shop? Work for some sleazebag? Farming? Fishing? You'd be good at alchemy."
"I don't know yet," She admitted, "But I — what time is it?" Querida rolled her eyes inward — a habit their mother did when she was thinking.
"Hm . . . Almost four. We should get some rest and we can talk later."
"Oh no, I want to know everything that's been going on."
"Audie, I think it's best that we get our rest before — "
"I'm serious. You threatened that guard. You threatened to kill him, Querida. What's going on?" She sighed.
"I was hoping to get passed all of that, but if you really insist on knowing the horrible truth, then here it is. A while ago, in Windhelm, I met a young boy who told me a story about how his mother died of sickness and how he was sent here, in Riften, to an orphanage. It was run by a crow of a woman, who beat and worked the children to the bones. He mistook me for an assassin and asked me to carry out her death.
"At first, I wasn't going to do it, but I decided to check it out and hopefully talk to this woman. When I walked in, she was scolded them, telling them that she would double their work and beat any of them for intolerance. It was something along those lines. Then, I spoke with her.
"She was really awful, so I did the only rational thing. I killed her, and the children watched — and rejoiced. I did them a favor."
"Querida — "
"Soon after, I was recruited by a woman named Astrid, and I became an official assassin. There, you wanted to know." Audalyn was taken aback.
"Why?"
"The pay's good and it puts my skills to proper use."
"What skills, Querida? Murdering people for money?"
"Precisely. I have a knack for this line of work, and maybe so do you."
"You wanted to recruit me to become some killer? No thanks, Querida, you can handle that by yourself. I don't want anything to do with that." Querida smiled.
"I know how you must think of me. Perhaps you're right, but there's no turning back for me. This is for life now, and I can't turn my back on the others. Not after everything I've done." She shook her head, "I still don't understand why." Querida sat down in a chair and folded her legs.
"It presented me an opportunity I couldn't pass up. The Emperor of Skyrim is dead, leaving the Imperials flustered and weakened. Ulfric Stormcloak is going to win this war now, and it's only a matter of time before he attacks Whiterun to advance on Solitude. Whiterun is the means to the end, located right dab in the center of Skyrim."
"You did this for the war?"
"They call me the Stormcloak Assassin now, and that makes Ulfric all that more powerful. He's going to win and become the High King Skyrim deserves. With the Assassins backing him up, there isn't anyone foolish enough to stand up against us. Audie, don't think of me as a monster. This world needs change. Everything is centered around death in this era, and maybe that will change in the future, but now, Skyrim is clouded in death and fear."
"Fine, whatever, just don't drag me in. I think I'm ready to go to bed." Querida nodded, "Of course."
XXX
XXX
In the morning, Querida told Audalyn she had something she needed to take care of. That left her alone in Riften. She assured Audalyn that the thieves only had enough nerve to come out of hiding during the night and she would be fine.
"Here you go," She said, handing her a purse full of money and a bag full of merchandise.
"Use the armor, sell it for profit, I really don't care. Shop and spend whatever you want for whatever you need. I have to go, so please be careful. If you require assistance, go seek Maven Black-Briar and tell her that I am your sister. If she doesn't believe you, show her this," She handed a crafted dagger that glowed red. The handle was oddly shaped and a blackish gray.
"It's called the Blade of Woe, and it's one of my more common weapons. Use it if you need it. Don't worry, if you go to jail for murder, I'll clear your name."
"But —"
"Kay, I'll see you later Audie."
She wandered around the market and examined different stalls. Querida really was pushing proper armor and weapons, she noticed, and decided maybe she wasn't all that wrong after all.
XXX
XXX
"What did Frey say?" Querida asked Brynjolf unpleasantly.
"He says we can handle our own and we don't need any outside help." She nodded, "I see. Well, in that case I'll pass the news to Maven and see what she thinks of his claim. I hope the best for you, Bryn." She walked out the cistern back into the rathole.
Brynjolf disappeared into the cistern and made his way to the market by a secret means.
Audalyn wandered, absently staring at wares, unsure what she should buy and what she didn't actually need.
The sounds of a busy market was new to her, so she already felt out of place. Then she noticed a redhaired man in fine clothes approaching an unmanned stable and started spewing a spiel about miracle potions.
She shook her head and ignored it, a gut feeling telling her that this man was full of bullshit.
She went to a forge, and browsed the daggers and swords. She figured that would be easiest for her, but she hesitated on actually purchasing anything without Querida's assistance.
"Are you here to buy or window shop?" A man asked, sounding more grisly than necessary.
"I have no idea. My sister says I need better equipment, but I have no idea what I'm looking for."
"Well, what suits you?" She eyed the daggers and a thin sword.
"Obviously, a woman of your size would go for a smaller blade — quick and accurate. Perhaps you should start there." He suggested, noticing her eye movements. She nodded.
"How much?"
As Querida made her way back to the market, she thought it would be best to avoid killing her marked for now. Just until she could get Audie on her side.
She saw Audalyn browsing wares and snuck up on her.
"Clueless, aren't you?" Querida asked once she was directly behind her. She jumped and Querida laughed, "You need to be more alert, Audie. I could have pick-pocketed you for all your worth."
"Stop it."
"Sorry. Touchy." She giggled, "Anyway, what are you looking at anyway?" She shook her head.
"I don't even know."
"Well, that dress isn't gonna protect you from anything. I suggest armor, maybe? And that blade can save you, but what happens if you're disarmed?"
"You want me to get better equipment, I know," she glanced back at the forge and noticed the man went back to weapon smithing.
"Of course I do. You want to end up dead on the side of a street after being robbed? I don't think so." She lectured, then noticed Brynjolf, "How long's he been there?" She turned to see him trying to sell phony potions.
"A few minutes. Why?"
"Son of a bitch."
"What?"
"Nothing. He's a friend of mine who always makes it back here before I do. How the hell does he do it? No, nevermind, it's not important. Get shopping done and we'll leave Riften."
"We're leaving already?" She asked.
"Yeah? Why not?" Querida asked, not sure where that response came from.
"Where do you live? How long are we traveling for?" Her sister sighed, then said, "Audie, I'm always traveling. What were you expecting, a stay in some random little city and a joyous life for me? If you want to stay, be my guest." Audie looked around. She wasn't sure that she liked this place, and at the same time she didn't want to leave. She was safe, why would Querida try and take that away from her?
"But - " Querida sighed.
"One more day, Audie. That's it. I have life to attend to, which oddly enough means taking such away from another." Audalyn glared at her sister, "Fine. I'm sorry for being so cynical. What do you want from me, though? A sudden change of heart and personality? I'm giving us another day, aren't you happy yet?" Querida looked at the forged weapons and armor.
"Light or Heavy?" She asked out loud, "Wait, what am I asking? Light, of course. I'd love to see you hike around in heavy armor."
"I'd like to try," Audalyn replied.
"Trust me, no you don't. It's clunky and weighs you down," She picked up some elven armor, but it was an incomplete set, "Can you make elven gear?" She asked the forger.
"Every once in a while, yes. When I have moonstone around. Lately, though, I haven't had much luck with traders." Querida nodded, "I can probably get the materials for you, then you can make a full set for my sister here."
"That sounds reasonable." He nodded. She smiled at him, "Okay, it's a done deal. I'll speak with you later. Hey Audie, do me a favor. Make friends at the Bee and Barb while I'm gone. Don't worry, I'm just going to send a message to some of my subordinates. We'll get you some nice armor and you won't have to worry about bandits."
"How are you going to send a message?"
"There's a nice little thing called a," she whispered in Audie's ear, "dead-drop." she smiled again, then nodded to the man at the forge, "Don't look so glum. Chances are we'll be in Riften longer since we need the supplies. I imagine we are going to be stuck here for a good week, so cheer up! You got your wish, we are now stuck in this town." she dashed out of the market without another word, leaving Audalyn alone again.
She walked away from the forge and made no eye contact with the red-haired dealer. Instead, she passed a stall with a woman in full armor standing behind a stall with a frustrated look on her face.
"Are you going to buy something or just stand there all day?" She hissed.
"Wow," Audalyn replied, "Do you always greet customers like that?"
"Look here," She started to say, "I'm not here to make friends. I just want to make enough gold to get out of Skyrim."
"Mannerisms get you customers, and customers get you gold," Audalyn said flatly.
"Whatever. I don't care enough. So, are you going to buy something? Or are you here for training? If not, get lost." Audie shook her head, then left.
She'd sooner buy equipment at the forge than at her stall.
Audalyn made her way back to the Bee and Barb when suddenly she was stopped by the bogus 'miracle potion' redhaired man, "Never done an honest day's work in your life for all that coin you're carrying, eh lass?"
"I'm sorry? What?" she asked instantly.
"I'm saying you've got the coin, but you didn't earn a septim of it honestly. I can tell."
Technically speaking, he was correct. Most of it she stole from the dead bandits, and the other majority of it she got from Querida. And, as far as Audalyn could tell, Querida got her gold from killing her marks.
"My wealth is none of your business." She stated defensively.
"Oh, but that's where you're wrong, lass. Wealth is my business. Maybe you'd like a taste?" He offered, trying to get her to take the bait.
"What did you have in mind?" She asked cautiously.
"I've got a bit of an errand to perform, but I need an extra pair of hands. And in my line of work, extra hands are well-paid." He replied, still baiting her.
"What do I have to do?"
"Simple. I'm going to cause a distraction and you're going to steal Madesi's silver ring from a strongbox under his stand. Once you have it, I want you to place it in Brand-Shei's pocket without him noticing." the plan puzzled her.
"Why plant the ring on Brand-Shei?"
"There's someone that wants to see him put out of business permanently. That's all you need to know. Now, you tell me when you're ready and we'll get started." She looked around the market.
"Who's who?" She asked quietly. She saw the sign above the stalls and figured out who was Madesi from there. Finding Brand-Shei, Audalyn now had an angle to go off from.
"I'm ready. Let's get started." She said, finding the ordeal to be a little fun. Break in, steal, and plant while not being noticed by the guards sounded like a way to test everything her life put her through.
Great, I'm starting to think like Querida. She shook her head. Oh well, I already agreed to it. Time to get started.
