Warning: sexual intimacy and violence!
Chapter 14
27th of Last Seed, 4E 203
The sun had risen in the city of Rifton and Harvest's End had rolled around again. It was a lovely summer's morning. The morning air was warm and humid. More so since they lived right at the docks. The windows were open and the sticky morning breeze flew in. Gem was about five months pregnant, starting to show and her morning sickness had subsided. Brynjolf couldn't believe how happy they were. He laid awake admiring the roundness of Gem's growing belly. She laid there half asleep until Bryn decided to put his hands on her belly and whisper to their unborn child.
"Hey little one. You're going strong every day. I love you.", he said in a soft tone.
Gem opened her eyes and smiled at Brynjolf. "This one is strong, my love. You're strong." she confirmed.
"Gem, you look more and more beautiful every day. You remind me of the goddess Dibella.", he said with a lustful grin on his face. He leaned over a placed his lips against hers while running his fingers down her body. She returned his kiss and pulled him closer to her warm body.
"I love you, Bryn and always will." she whispered in his ear while unbuttoning her night shirt.
"I love you too, Gem. You are mine, and I am yours.", he said lightly placing kisses on her breasts making her give out a slight moan to his touch. She lifted his t-shirt over his head and ran her fingernails lightly against his abdomen. "Don't tease me, love.", he proclaimed.
"Oh, honey. I'm not teasing. I'm dead serious. I want you.. now...", she whispered in his ear in a sultry voice.
"I need you, Gem.", he replied with a devilish smirk. He got up out of bed to lay behind her, to spoon her. He placed a trail of kisses along her neck and clavicle. He took his left hand and ran it along her belly and then used his fingers to see if she was ready for him. He pressed his firmness against her leg making her gasp. He removed his shorts and lifted her leg slightly. Then he circled his fingers around her opening before entering her with his firmness. Their breath became labored. He held her close as he rocked in and out of her. She placed her hand on his and called out his name in passion. He returned his focus to the curve of her neck and lightly ran his tongue from the lobe of her ear down her neck making her shiver in delight. She met his movements and allowing her hips flow with his. They found their climax simultaneously. He held her close to himself until their breathing returned to normal.
Bryn tried to get out of bed but Gem grabbed his hand and said, "Wait Bryn. You've got the feel this." She placed his hand on her belly.
"Shor's beard! He's kicking!", he said.
"I know, but what makes you think it's a boy?", asked Gem.
"I don't know. But this is amazing. You're amazing.", he proclaimed.
Gem rolled over to meet his eyes. "This is our baby.", she said with a tear in her eye.
"Don't cry love. There is nothing be sad about.", he said.
"I'm not sad. I'm just incredibly happy. I can't believe we are doing this.", she said.
"This is meant to be. It's gotta be.", he said.
"I believe it is.", she replied.
They dressed for the day in casual clothing instead of the usual guild uniforms. They had giving the guild the day off in order to celebrate Harvest's End. Gem put on the fire in the kitchen to heat up a pot of water for their morning coffee. She took two sweetrolls and put them on a plate and placed them on the table out on the patio out by the docks. "Breakfast by the docks sounds like a lovely idea. Get yourself comfortable and I will join you once I finish making the coffee.", said Bryn. He finished making the coffee and brought it out the patio to meet his wife. He poured them each a cup.
She took hers to her nose to take in its aroma and looked over to him. "Bryn, why don't you tell me how you met my father? I don't really know much about him and I have no idea what kind of father he would have been. I don't even know what kind of man he was. My mother was only able to tell me so much...", insisted Gem.
"That's a long story and it isn't pretty, love." he responded.
"I know but I want to hear it from you." she pleaded.
"You know I grew up here in Rifton and was an orphan under the care of Grelod the Kind.", he started. Brynjolf began to speak and was taken back to the memory of twenty-eight years ago. When he was nearly ten.
Brynjolf - Sun's Dusk, 4E 174
It was a crisp autumn day in Rifton. Grelod the Kind was as wicked as ever. Today, she wouldn't be able to chain young Brynjolf to the wall. That would go to some other poor child. Today, Brynjolf was determined to run away from the orphanage. He couldn't stand the beatings or going to bed hungry for having a smart mouth. He snuck out of the orphanage before the headmistress was awake.
Little Bryn went outside and found himself in the cemetery next to a small helpless rabbit. He crouched close to the ground and with his little dagger he stole, he slit the neck of the rabbit; letting it bleed out. Then he started breaking its legs before trying to skin it. He did all of this with an anger in his eyes. Suddenly an imperial man with tanned skin, blue eyes and dark auburn hair walked up to him and asked, "Lad, what did the creature do to you?" Brynjolf ignored him and continued working on his kill. "Do you at least plan on eating it? Otherwise, its death would have been senseless, lad.", pressed the man.
"No, I'm playing with it.", stated Brynjolf.
"Lad, I don't think that rabbit appreciates it. Let's lay him to rest. My name is Gallus, by the way.", said Gallus. He dug a small hole and put the rabbit in there and covered it with dirt. "You look hungry. Have you eaten?", inquired Gallus.
"No not today and nor yesterday.", stated Bryn.
"Who takes care of you?", inquired Gallus.
"I'm an orphan. But I'm running away. I can't stay with that hag any longer. She doesn't care about us. Nobody wants me.", said Bryn.
"I can't imagine that nobody would want a handsome lad, like yourself. What's your name?", asked Gallus.
"Brynjolf... My father didn't want me. He just left me here as a baby.", replied Bryn.
"Okay, maybe he had his reasons. I don't know the man. Brynjolf, follow me I should be able to find you something to eat.", said Gallus pressing the shadowmark of the mausoleum. The coffin rolled back revealing a sealed entrance. "Come lad, just down the trap door. I won't harm you.", stated Gallus in a calm voice. Brynjolf followed him into the sewer. Thinking he had nothing to lose. They entered a round room in the sewer with a circular platform in the middle. Along the sides were beds and chests and other rooms to the distance."This is the cistern of the Thieves' Guild, my organization. Everyone down here answers to me.", said the Guildmaster.
"Wow, so you sleep with the rats?", stated Bryn pointing at one of the beds.
"Yes, there are rats down here but I don't sleep with them.", replied Gallus.
An argonian man approaches them. "Gallus, who is this boy?", inquired Gulum-Ei.
"Wow, you are a big lizard-man.", proclaimed Bryn.
"This is Brynjolf. He is hungry. I thought I would get him something to eat.", replied the Guildmaster.
"The name's Gulum-Ei, little man. Nice to meet you, Brynjolf.", said Gulum-Ei.
"Bryn, come wash your hands first and I'll take you to the Flaggon. Vekkel, our barkeep will have something tasty for you.", said Gallus guiding Brynjolf to the center of the cistern. He knelt down and pointed to the water. Brynjolf pulled up his sleeves and proceeded to wash his hands. Gallus notices bruises covering Bryn's wrists as well as scars going up his arms. Gallus took Bryn's hand and said, "What are these marks, lad? Who did this to you?", inquired Gallus with a stern look on his face. Bryn pulled away and said nothing. Gallus paced his hand on Bryn's back and guided him to the Ragged Flaggon. They walked trough a small storage area and sat down at a table. A dunmer woman with golden-brown hair and violet eyes walked over to Gallus and placed a kiss on his lips.
"Karliah, darling. This is Brynjolf. He plans on running away from Grelod the Kind. I think he might make a great addition to our outfit.", stated Gallus.
Karliah handed Bryn a sweetroll with a smile on her face. "I hope you enjoy sweet things. This is for you.", she said.
Vekkel the Man walked over to them. "I have rabbit stew prepared for the day and an ale for the boy?", said Vekkel with a chuckle.
"Oh yes, I'll have an ale.", said Bryn with a smile.
"Just the rabbit stew for now. He's too young for ale.", chuckled Gallus.
"It'll be right up.", said Vekkel.
"But I wanted to try some ale!", shouted Bryn.
"Maybe I'll give you a sip later but only a sip.", said Gallus with a soft smile on his face.
Vekkel came back with a bowl of rabbit stew and a piece of bread. "Enjoy, little man.", said Vekkel.
Bryn tore off some bread and dipped it in the stew. Gallus watched Bryn inhale the stew and bread. It seemed to Gallus that the lad hadn't had a proper meal in a long time. He noticed that Bryn was on the thin side and his small hands and fingers. That could prove useful for the guild. Bryn finished his warm meal Gallus looked over to him. "Do you know how to pick a lock?", inquired Gallus.
"No, but I've seen it done.", replied Bryn.
"Come with me, lad. Let me show you something.", said Gallus showing Bryn to the practice room within the cistern. He handed him a few lock picks and pointed to a simple chest. "Try your luck on this one.", said Gallus.
Bryn hastily turned the pick within the lock. It broke. "I broke it.", said Bryn with a sigh.
"That is because you were too rough with it. You need to work slowly. Let the lock speak to you.", said the experienced thief. Gallus placed another pick in the lock and guided Bryn's fingers on the lock. "Softly, like this. You feel a bit of tension once you've in the wrong spot. The lock will sing once you hit her weak spot. Listen. Here it is.", instructed Gallus. The chest popped open revealing ten gold septins. "That's for you, lad. You earned it.", said Gallus. After a few hours of picking practice locks Gallus looked down a Bryn and asked, "How about you join the Guild? We are a family here. We take care of one another. You will always have a bed and a meal here."
"I think I would like that, Gallus.", said Bryn.
"Good, you can either sleep here or stay with me in my house out by the docks. When the weather is warm enough you can swim in the water.", said Gallus.
"Would I have my own room?", asked Bryn with his bight green eyes.
"Do you want your own room?" inquired Gallus seeing that he made the lad's day.
"I've never had my own room.", stated Bryn.
"Then it's settled. There is a small bedroom below the main floor of my home. You may have that room for yourself. I will take you there now. Afterwards we can have a late lunch.", stated Gallus. The two of them walked through Rifton to Gallus' Honeyside home. Gallus unlocked the door and the entered the kitchen area adjacent to the bedroom. Separating the two room was a small staircase going down to the lower level of the house. "This house has two exits. One on the Rifton side and one to the docks. Sometimes you may need a quick escape and the docks are your best option. Downstairs I have a few rooms, mostly storage and one small guestroom that can be yours.", said Gallus going down the wooden stairs.
"Do you live here alone?", questioned Bryn.
"Mostly yes, but Karliah spends most nights here.", said Gallus.
"Is she your wife?", asked Bryn.
"No, but my partner.", stated Gallus.
"Do you have children?", pressed Bryn.
"None that I know of. That is enough with the questions for now, lad. Here is your room. There is a small bed and a dresser for your things. I will clean it out later for you.", said Gallus.
Bryn ran up to Gallus and put his arms around Gallus' legs and buried his head in his stomach. "It's perfect.", said Bryn.
"I'm glad you like it. Let's go back upstairs, and we can have some lunch. I believe I have some dried venison and some carrots in the kitchen", said Gallus going back up the stairs. He took out two plates from the cupboard and placed the dried meat and a few carrots on the table along with the plates. Bryn began to eat as if he hadn't eaten in weeks. Gallus slowly ate his lunch. "You seem very hungry. How much does Grelod feed you?", asked Gallus.
"She feeds us once a day. It's usually some questionable stew and bread.", said Bryn.
"That doesn't sound like much. I take it she also beats you lads and lasses.", proclaimed Gallus.
Bryn froze. "She does more than just beat us. She has a special room for those who need extra discipline.", said Bryn.
"What kind of room?", inquired Gallus.
"She chains us to the wall.", said Bryn feeling relieved he could say something.
"That sound dreadful. No one is going to harm you here and if they do, just send them to me and I'll handle it.", said Gallus.
"Okay.", said Bryn with a bright smile across his boyish face.
Gallus have him a hug and a kiss on the forehead. "Bryn, we should get going. Lunch is over and I'm expected in the cistern.", said Gallus leaving his Honeyside home with Brynjolf. They walked back across the city of Rifton. Grelod was standing outside the orphanage yelling at a guard.
"Look, there's the little daedra now. You deserve an extra beating today. No more running away. No one is going to put up with your shit.", said Grelod the Kind.
"There will be no such thing.", stated Gallus.
"Do you know who this boy is? Do you know how important his father is?", said Grelod.
"All I know is that he's called Brynjolf and you beat him and the other lads and lasses.", proclaimed Gallus while keeping Bryn behind him.
"He's a fancy boy. His father has a fancy title, but didn't want the little shit so now I'm stuck with him till he becomes of age. Then he is on the street.", stated Grelod.
"Well, that doesn't sound all the promising. I'm claiming the lad. He'll stay with me.", stated Gallus.
"He isn't up for adoption... None of those urchins are.", replied.
"I don't care. I'm still claiming him.", said Gallus walking away from Grelod holding Bryn's hand.
"He'll only cause you problems.", called Grelod out to them.
"Then they'll be my problems.", replied Gallus.
Once they were a good distance away from the old hag and close to the secret entrance of the guild, asked Bryn, "How were you able to talk to her like that?".
"Oh, that was just my speech-craft. You'll need to train that and a few other skills if you're to be a good thief. Just follow my lead, I'll teach you everything you need to know.", said Gallus.
"You would do that for me?", asked Bryn.
"You have great potential, lad. We just need to tap into it.", said Gallus with a smile. They entered the cistern for the afternoon. "I need to check the ledger. Please see that big lizard-man, Gulum-Ei, so he can start your training.", chuckled Gallus.
Bryn walked over to Gulum-Ei sitting on one of the beds reading a book. "Hey lizard-man, Gallus said you are to train me.", said Bryn.
Gulum-Ei looked up from his book and said, "Only if you stop calling me 'lizard-man'". The pair walked to the training room of the guild. "Here take this wooden sword.", said Gulum-Ei handing him the sword. Gulum-Ei drew his wooden sword. "This is a one-handed weapon. Your footing is very important. Don't put too much weight on your back foot. I just needs to glide with the rest of your body. That's it. You got it.", instructed Gulum-Ei. Gulum-Ei gave him a lesson until Gallus came by.
"I think we should call it a day. Let's go to the Flagon and meet Karliah for supper.", said Gallus holding out his hand to Bryn. Brynjolf gladly followed this new father figure. "How are you making out? Do you think you would like it here?", asked Gallus.
"I think so. I have a lot to learn.", said Bryn.
"Yes, but you will be learning from the best of the best. We are good at what we do but the most important rule is that we don't take lives. We aren't the Dark Brotherhood. We have other talents.", stated Gallus. They entered the Flagon were Karliah was already seated. Gallus gave her a kiss and asked, "Were you able to run that errand for me, love?"
"Yes, Gallus everything is at home.", she said with a smile.
"Good, let's eat.", said Gallus waving Vekkel over to the table.
"What will you be having? Some more rabbit stew?", inquired Vekkel the Man.
"Yes, we'll all have the stew. Tea for the lad and two ales for us.", said Gallus. A few moments later Vekkel the Man served them their order. They all began to eat the stew. "Bryn, lad you wanted a taste of my ale. Well here's your chance. Just one sip.", said Gallus. Bryn took the tankard and took a sip and realized he didn't like it. "Too bitter, aye?", stated Gallus.
"Yeah, I don't like it.", said Bryn.
"It will grow on you. You just need a couple more years on you.", stated Gallus. They finished their meal and Karliah suggested they should go home. The three of them got up, exited the guild and walked down to Honeyside. They entered the home. "Bryn, go to your room. We have a surprise for you.", stated Gallus. Bryn went downstairs to his room and found two new tunics one in blue and one in green.
Brynjolf went back up to the main level of the home. "Thank you for the tunics.", he said.
"It looked like you need some new clothes. We'll get you a set of thieves guild armor but you will need to be fitted. We don't have one in your size. You are our youngest member. Usually the young ones are at least 14 or 15 when they join the guild so sizing isn't really an issue." stated Gallus.
"Will my armor look like yours?", asked Bryn.
"I will be similar.", replied Karliah. "Tomorrow I will take your measurements and Tonilia and I will start working on it."
"Ok Bryn, it's time for bed. You can sleep in this t-shirt of mine. Do you need one of us to tuck you in once you are ready for bed?", asked Gallus.
"I think I'll be fine.", said Bryn going down the stairs.
Gallus and Karliah dressed for bed, and they heard Bryn call out for Gallus. Gallus went down wearing shorts and a t-shirt. "Did you change your mind about being tucked in?", asked Gallus.
"Yes.", said Bryn blushing.
"It's okay. There is nothing to be embarrassed about.", said Gallus pulling the covers over Bryn and tucking the sides in. "Good night, lad." said Gallus giving him a kiss on the forehead. Bryn fell asleep instantly.