Disclaimer: I own nothing except Kalina and this story.
"So you're the one Brynjolf has been talking about," commented Mercer. He looked her over and Kalina had to stop herself from shuddering. Her instincts were telling her to gut this man here and now, but her head was saying she was imaging things. It didn't matter whether her head or her instincts were right. He was the Guild Master and she had to obey him, just as she would have if it had been Kodlak. "Well you don't look like much. You better not be a waste of resources."
"Mercer," protested Brynjolf.
Mercer waved off Brynjolf's protests. "Enough, Brynjolf. Very well, we'll give you a chance. First things first though. You play by the rules, you walk away rich. You break the rules and you lose your share. No debates, no discussions... you do what we say, when we say. Understood?"
"Understood," came the reply.
"Good now that we have that out of the way let's see just how good you really are," commented Mercer. "We have a job that needs done involving Goldenglow Estates."
"Goldenglow?" Brynjolf broke in. "Not even our little Vex could get in and you're sending our newest recruit somewhere that our best sneak couldn't get into?"
Mercer pegged his second with an irritated look, "If she's as good as you say than she should have no problem getting into Goldenglow."
Kalina glanced at Brynjolf and saw his jaw set hard. He didn't like whatever it was Mercer was planning on sending her to do, but he couldn't nay say his Guild Master. Mercer pulled her attention back to him "Brynjolf can fill you in on the details, all I can say is don't fail. This is an important job and you better not screw it up." With that he turned to walk away only to have Brynjolf stop him.
"Mercer, aren't you forgetting something?"
He turned around, "Oh yeah. Welcome to the Thieves Guild." Once again he turned and walked away. This time no one stopped him.
Kalina turned towards Brynjolf. "Alright, Bryn, you had better tell me everything you know about Goldenglow.
Mercer leaned over his desk his thoughts on the new recruit. He'd felt a shift of sorts in the wind when he met her. He knew that she had felt it too. Some day one of them would die by the other's hand. Looking up he noticed her talking with Brynjolf and his eyes narrowed. They seemed a little too close. Perhaps it would turn into another Gallus and Karliah.
He had deliberately chosen to send her on the Goldenglow hoping that since Vex barely made out alive perhaps this new recruit wouldn't make it out at all. Mercer had known his Second had a good point when he basically stated it was suicide to send the new recruit. That was precisely why he was sending her. Try and solve this problem before it became an actual problem.
The Guild Master's eyes wandered over to the doors that led to the vaults. He'd been skimming for years from it, but he figured fairly soon he'd have to do a full haul on the vault and disappear forever. With as much as he'd been stealing from the Guild he wouldn't have to worry about running out of money before he died.
Kalina was a might pissed off. After talking to Brynjolf than getting some information from Vex, the blonde Imperial woman in the Flagon, she was certain that Mercer planned this for her as a suicide mission. It was going to be tough getting through there but so long she was careful she would be able to get in and out with the prize. Forget getting through it unscathed though, she'd crossed that off her list the instant Vex had told her the place was crawling with mercenaries.
Exiting the Cistern through the secret entrance the Dragonborn stopped at the Bee and Barb for a room. She needed to change into her new Thieves Guild armor that she'd picked up from the Guild fence Tonilia, and have a place to keep her pack and her regular glass armor until she got back from Goldenglow.
Glancing out the window Kalina noticed it was getting darker by the minute. She removed her glass armor, put it in her pack and the pack in the chest in her rented room. Unfolding her new Thieves Guild armor she fingered the material appreciatively. It was leather but however they treated it, plus the enchantments on it, made it just as good as her regular armor. Not to mention all the pockets everywhere were going to come in handy. Dressing quickly in the new armor she made sure to tuck the potions she'd left out from her pack before tucking it away into the various pockets as well as all the lock picks she had. Kalina crossed things off her mental checklist making sure she had everything she would need before heading to Goldenglow.
Satisfied she had everything the Imperial glanced around her room one more time before buckling on her sword and throwing over her shoulder her bow and arrows. Turning she left the room and descended the steps that led to the main floor. Turning the corner she stopped surprised. There leaning against the wall as if he had all the time in the world was Brynjolf.
"Now, I know I left you down in the Cistern. What are you doing up here?" she questioned him.
The red-headed Nord smiled down at her. "Waiting for you of course, lass."
"Of course," she said dryly eliciting a wider smile from the man in front of her.
"Truth be told, lass, wanted to see you before you left." Brynjolf motioned to the door leading out to city, saying without words that this conversation should take place away from the prying ears of those in the inn.
Taking his cue Kalina pushed open the door that led out, Brynjolf following her. "So, why did you want to see me? Unless there's something you forgot to tell me?"
"Aye, lass, there is. Be careful in there. I don't know why Mercer is sending you there, it's suicide." The concern in his voice was obvious.
A smile formed on her lips and laughter in her eyes. If he thought going there was suicide she wondered what he would say of her going after dragons. It would be dangerous there was no doubt about it, but when one went against dragons it was hard to see anything else as 'suicidal'. "I'll be fine, Brynjolf. I appreciate the concern I do." She glanced towards the sky. Luck seemed to be on her side tonight, it was a moonless night. That would work in her favor when going to go light those damn beehives on fire. She turned back to Brynjolf. "I've got to get going if I'm going to get this job done before daybreak." On impulse she rose up on her toes placing on hand lightly on Brynjolf's chest and placed her lips against his cheek in a light kiss. "Thanks for worrying, though." With that she turned and headed towards the gates.
Brynjolf watched the Guild's newest recruit saunter through the gates. His fingers brushed his cheek. She was certainly a wild card. There was more to her than met the eye. He'd bet anything that the kiss she'd given him had been an impulse. It was regretful that there couldn't be more to it. When she got back from Goldenglow he would have to make an oblique comment about how romantic relationships in the Guild with other members never worked.
Turning he walked back towards the cemetery and the entrance to the Cistern. The lass had promise, more so than he originally thought. Though the smile and laughter in her eyes when he mentioned it being a suicide mission caught him off guard - as if she was laughing at her own private joke. He'd give a lot to figure out what she found so funny. Shaking his head he cleared his thoughts and pushed the button on the sarcophagus. He'd seen the lass soon enough and maybe he would see if he could find out what she had found so funny.
Kalina pulled herself out of the water next to the sewer grate. A perfect way to get onto the island without being noticed. Pulling the grate off she climbed over the edge onto the ladder. Reaching over she pulled the grate back on and jumped down into the sewers. She sniffed and immediately wrinkled her nose. Underneath the usual smells of the sewer was that of skeevers. Skeevers, she hated skeevers. Almost as much as those damnable Frostbite spiders. Sniffing again trying to separate the smells there was also a faint smell of oil underneath everything. The Imperial frowned. Oil? There must be an oil slick nearby.
Clearing her thoughts she pulled her bow off her shoulder and grabbed an arrow and nocked it loosely. Crouching she snuck forward slowly. Kalina stopped every couple steps to listen for any unusual sounds. Making her way down the passage slowly she came to a largish circular room. With two skeevers. They hadn't spotted her yet, so she drew the arrow tighter in her bow taking a deep breath and focusing on the nearest skeever. Releasing the arrow she watched it fly and hit the skeever directly in the middle of it's side. The other skeever jerked at the sudden sound of the arrow hitting it's companion as well it's death. Turning it spotted Kalina just inside the passageway. Quickly she grabbed another arrow from her quiver, nocked it in her bow and loosed it. The arrow hit it's mark just before the skeever reached her.
Blowing out a breath she crept forward ignoring the bodies of the skeevers. She could smell the oil getting stronger with ever step. Another step forward and she heard the 'twang' of a rope trigger breaking.
"Shit!" Kalina swore as she heard the dropping of a lantern. She'd triggered the oil slick trap. She took a dive to right where there was a small nook. Grunting she slammed into the wall from the force of her throwing herself out of the way of the flames and gasped as the flames licked her leg. The Dragonborn leaned against the wall listening to the squeals of skeevers that were burned to death before the flames snuffed out. "Damn fire traps", she muttered before moving out of her little nook.
Grimacing a little at her leg the Imperial woman decided against using a healing potion just in case she'd need it for the rest of the property. She came to another room with yet more skeevers. She took them out quickly not wasting anytime. Pausing Kalina noticed another trip rope. Reaching out with an arrow she broke the rope and jumped back as a mace came swinging down.
"Well, that would have felt good." Continuing on she bypassed the locked gate leading into yet another room wanting to conserve her lock picks for the house and safe.
Finally she came to a ladder leading upwards. Eager to get out the sewers, she was going to be spending enough time in them thank you very much, she bolted up the ladder and sucked in the fresh air after opening the grate. She'd come out to the back of the house. Tempting as it was to break in right now her instincts told her that she'd best go after the beehives first. The flames would draw most of the guards from the house leaving it unguarded.
Sneaking around the edge of the house she winced as she kicked a stone. Backpedaling towards the shadows she knelt down holding her breath as a guard came around the corner looking for whatever had made the nose. After only a couple minutes the guard shrugged and went back to his post. Letting out the breath she'd been holding Kalina snuck forward again.
"Laas," she whispered. Than cursed when dozens of life forms popped up before her eyes. She'd hoped to sneak through and not have to use her invisibility potion that she'd bought from Tonilia. There was nothing for it though. She didn't want to have to fight all of the bloody guards off.
Reaching into one of her pouches she pulled out the white bottle of her Brief Invisibility Potion. It would only last about 20 seconds but that would be long enough for her to get across the bridge, past the guards and to the hives. Uncorking the bottle she swallowed the potion down and threw the bottle to the opposite corner of the house, hearing it crash she smiled when the guards went to investigate.
Staying crouched down she moved as swiftly as she could past the house and towards the bridge that led to the other island which the hives were located on. She'd just made it to the other side of the bridge when her potion ran out. Freezing in place Kalina waited until she could pin point the guards rounds. After a few minutes of staying still in the same place and listening to the guards walks she pinpointed the routes they used and figured her best way to the bee hives would be to go the right, it led her closest to the guard house but also closest to the hives. If she was quiet enough and stayed out of the light she figured she'd be ok.
Creeping forward the Dragonborn headed towards the pathway that led up to the upper level of the island and the beehives. Barely daring to breath she crept past the guard post. With some relief she noticed the weeds and grass were higher on the upper part of the island, hiding her more effectively from the guards.
Kalina saw the hives straight in front of her and had to stop herself from jumping for joy at the job being almost half done. She shook her head at herself, 'Key words there, Kalina. Almost and half. Don't get ahead of yourself, girl.' As she reached the hives the Imperial reached deep inside of her for the magic that had been hers to command since she had reached puberty. While she hadn't trained much in it, she did know how to control it - and it was easier conjuring up flames in one's hand than carrying a torch around.
The flames flickered to life in her hand. Turning her hand so her palm was facing outwards towards the hives Kalina shot the flames at the bee hives. One down. Two Down. Three Down. She released the magic, letting the fires burn out in her hand and took a look at her handy work. Three hives were burning and only three hives. The job was officially half done.
The sounds of the guards yelling and running towards the hives pulled her out of her reverie. Glancing around she saw she had two choices - she could try and make it back across the island to the other island that held the house, or she could dive into the water and go through the sewers again. Doing it the former way would be harder but take less time, the latter easier but more time. The latter it was.
Turning she ran, no longer trying to hide, towards the edge of island. "Wuld!" she shouted, propelling herself off the island into the water. With a splash the Dragonborn landed in the water, safe from the mercenaries who would be busy trying to put out the flames. Job was half done. Now all she had to do was enter the house and grab the things from the safe. Easy right?
Climbing out of the sewer for the second time that night, this was going to be a habit she saw, Kalina snuck over to the back door. It took a few tries and more than a few broken lock picks but she managed to get the door open and snuck into the house. The first thing that availed her senses was the absolute quiet. She'd been right in thinking that the fires would draw most of the guards from the house.
Remembering the layout of the house given to her verbally by Bryn the Dragonborn moved forward stealthily down the hall than took the last left turn. Pausing she saw straight ahead one merc sitting down at a table. There would be no getting around him if she went straight, however on the left was a room that would hopefully take her past him.
Creeping forward so as not to alert him she opened the door and saw a bedroom, with fortunately no guards currently sleeping. Closing the doors behind her she moved towards the other set on the opposite side of the room placed on the right hand wall. Opening those doors she saw to her left the stairs that led up to the second floor and on her right the gate that led to the basement.
Hearing footsteps Kalina flattened herself against the wall. Luck was on her side though, the guard didn't come as far as the hallway. She tsked to herself. Sloppy work, though it did favor her. Turning to her left she took the stairs that led to the second floor and therefore to Aringoth.
Following the passageway Kalina saw a mercenary standing guard at the corner of the hallway. She frowned. Well there'd be no going straight. Glancing around she saw a room on the left. Hoping her luck held the new thief entered the room sighing silently in relief to find that it too was empty. Cutting through the room brought her out to the area that led to Aringoth's room.
Finding a mercenary sitting with his back to the door she crept forward as silent as could be to open the door to the Altmer's room. Closing the door behind her the Imperial let her eyes skim through the room and sniffed subtly. Though she didn't see him currently the elf was in the room, she could smell him. Than her eyes lit upon the Queen Bee Statue. It looked to be pure gold and would certainly fetch quite a price!
First things first though was getting the keys she needed from Aringoth. Walking up to the High Elf she leaned against the cupboard looking at him. "You realize this will go a lot smoother should you just hand over the keys to me."
Aringoth glared up at the human woman, "Worthless mercenaries. I didn't think Maven or Mercer would allow me to get away with this, but I had little choice." He glanced away, "Either way it doesn't matter, I can't give you the keys. They'd kill me if they found out."
Raising an eyebrow Kalina cajoled, "Aringoth, surely you're smart enough to know that since you quit sending the guild their money and Maven her honey that they would like nothing more than to see you dead?"
The Altmer frowned, "I don't believe you, that's not your way."
"Not ours perhaps, but it is the Dark Brotherhood's." True Kalina had taken out the Dark Brotherhood, but he didn't need to know that.
The situation finally seemed to settle in on the Elf and fear lit his eyes. "You don't really think Mercer would -"
She cut him off, "Mercer? Probably not. Maven? Most definitely. It's your choice, Aringoth. Give me the keys to what I need or else." Kalina held out her hand for the keys she was certain would be forthcoming. And indeed they were as Aringoth pulled the requested items from his pouch and placed them in her hand.
"Fine. Take it! Once the new owner finds out I gave in, I'm as good as dead anyway."
Giving a little bow a wry smile twisted Kalina's lips. "Thank you, Aringoth." With that she strode over and picked up Queen Bee Statue. Grabbing the pillowcase from the pillow she put the statue in it and tied it to her belt before sneaking out of the room and retracing her steps through the second floor and to the door let down to the first floor and therefore the gate leading to the basement.
Pausing at the bottom of the stairs Kalina waited until the mercenary doing his round in the hall turned and had his back to the door to the basement. Moving as swiftly and silently as possible she grabbed one of the keys Aringoth had gave her unlocking the gate and moving into the room shutting the gate behind her before the mercenary had completed his round. This was going a lot easier than the outside part of the job had, now if only it would keep it up.
Heading down into the basement she immediately spied two guards to her right up near the front of the room. That was fine, she'd just go through the doors straight ahead. Mentally shaking her head Kalina wondered who in the name of Oblivion thought up this house and recommended these mercenaries? The house was a thief's playground, namely hers, and the mercs were a joke to be had. Inside and outside. If it had been her Estate she would have hired twice the amount of guards. In hindsight it was probably a good thing he hadn't hired that many guards.
Heading through the doors she saw the corridor leading to the right and the left. According to Brynjolf's directions she should go right, but curiosity got the better of her and Kalina snuck over to the left and promptly confiscated the coin pouch on the table and poked her head into the room. There were some trophy's and pelts. Well the pelts would come in handy so she bundled them up and put them in her makeshift pack with the statue.
Leaving the room the Imperial thief headed to the right, sneaking down the corridor as quietly as possible. Rounding the corner she saw an oil slick on the floor and a guard sitting straight ahead facing the stairs she needed to go down. This time there was no way around him. Unsheathing her sword with her right hand and calling up her flames in her left she stood and took a step forward, deliberately making noise to attract the mercenary.
"You there, stop!" the guard snapped as he leapt up from his chair grabbing his sword.
Taking a step back Kalina shook her head. "I don't think so." She kept walking backwards until she saw for certain the merc was on the oil slick. Quickly she shot her flames at the oil lighting it up. Cringing at the guard's screams she shoved her Skyforge steel blade through his heart, ending it quickly and mercifully. "You're just a boy," she murmured looking at his young face and shaking her head. Skyrim was a rough country that was sure.
"Laas," she whispered to see if there were anymore life forms. Gods be praised there were none. Moving quickly she walked past the body of the dead mercenary and down the stairs through yet another gate. There was her prize. The safe and chest. Using the keys to unlock it she grabbed the coin and papers she saw as well anything else that caught her eye.
Looking through the papers one caught her. "Goldenglow bill of sale?" , she whispered stunned. "Aringoth sold Goldenglow? What in the of Talos was he thinking?" Mercer and Maven were going to be furious to put it mildly. Stuffing the coin and papers into one of her pouches she turned to her left and took the trap door to the Goldenglow sewers. Climbing back out she dove into the water swimming back towards Riften and the Thieves Guild. She didn't want to know what Mercer's reaction was going to be to finding out that Aringoth had sold Goldenglow but she had a feeling she was going to find out. And soon.
A/N: So this is the longest chapter to date. I'd considered chopping it into two pieces but figured it would just be fine the way it was just a little lengthier. I actually had to go back to Goldenglow to retrace my steps for this chapter. Read and Review please :)
Thank you for all the reviews so far!
