DESTINY UNRAVELED
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
5th of Second Seed, 4E 202
It had been three months since the Key has been returned to its rightful resting place.
As promised, Nocturnal gave us our boon and luck seeped into the world in waterfalls, bringing us gold, trinkets, influence and respect. The Flagon worked like never before. The empty alcoves around the pool were finally inhabited by a blacksmith, an alchemist, a fletcher and a jack-of-all-trades. Money flowed through the Cistern all day, every day and no thief bothered to complain about low wages.
Speaking of Cistern, some new decoration had been brought in. The Guild had its own banners placed on the walls. Apart from that, we had our own kitchen area and some new beds. The training room was upgraded with the new gear and the water-pipes were unclogged, thus we had a dozen of our own waterfalls.
Since the identity of Nightingales was no longer a secret, a statue of Nocturnal was placed under one of those waterfalls, honoring us with her presence.
We nicknamed it Lady Luck, per Delvin's request.
As for the Guild members themselves, all was going good. Etienne and I became an official team and always went together on raids, bringing more coin than any other thief in the Guild. Rune, Asson and Sapphire were closest to my age so I hung out with them more often than with others. Cynric taught me some new tricks about picking locks while Niruin, a dashing Bosmer we all know and love, liked to tell me stories of Valenwood and their culture. Thrynn and Vipir were always up for a spar and the training helped me build up some muscle. As for the new guys, Garthar and Ravyn, they were still learning the ropes but with time, I believed, they'd rise to the top.
As for the current top of the Guild, Vex and Delvin were the seniors and still handled most of the jobs. Brynjolf reminded me of the promise I had made - to think about assuming leadership over the Guild. It was a topic I avoided for a while, finding the whole matter a bit distasteful, but when no one else was willing to step up, I - albeit reluctantly - became the Guild Master.
Even got a fancy amulet, too.
Outside the Guild, things were normal, to say the least. Brynjolf and I moved into Honeyside where I had my own room, books and enchanting table. The table was one of the must-haves I forced Brynjolf to buy since I really wanted to learn enchanting. Aside from my occasional fits and demands, life with Brynjolf was good.
Karliah, on the other hand, remained at the Nightingale Hall. I tried to convince her to come and live with me and Brynjolf but she declined politely, saying that someone needs to take care of the Hall.
Honestly, I think she just wanted to remain close to the only place that connected her to Gallus.
She did, however, join me on every heist and tomb raiding I went and boy, we had so much fun.
As for my other friends, I tried to remain in touch with them.
Soon after I got back to Riften, I first wrote to Sybil and Kaani. Apparently, Kaani had become a teacher at the Collage, while also keeping a close eye on Sybil who liked to shirk her duties more often than not. Sybil and Enthir were also getting married but the wedding was constantly postponed due to Sybil having cold feet.
Kaani admitted in one of her letters that she nearly enthralled the Arch-Mage and made her get done with it.
All in all, my mage friends were doing great and we were setting up a meeting in close future.
Though I didn't try to keep in touch with her per se, Elvaynu sent me a letter some weeks earlier, asking about my health. I've heard rumors of Dark Brotherhood gaining a strong foothold in Falkreath so I didn't venture there intentionally. I knew that the Dunmer would catch whiff of me before I could even enter the Hold. Nevertheless, I kept her updated, on a minimum, and she didn't shy from admitting whom she had...gotten rid off. In fact, her letters were littered with endless descriptions of her murders.
Needless to say, I often times found myself somewhat disgusted by her narratives.
On a lighter note, I received a letter from Shasha as well. She was grateful for my willingness to approach Ulfric on her behalf and however, she never missed a chance to reprimand me for remaining passive, saying that I ought to confront my destiny - words that oddly reminded me of something Odahviing had said. Despite it all, should I need her help, she said that she was at my disposal and I was very thankful for that.
I haven't heard much of Nyx and Veilheim, though from what I could tell, they hadn't had much luck with finding Elvaynu. The last time they wrote to me was in Sun's Dawn, saying they were back on Solstheim and that their teacher was furious. They also asked me to come and visit them, if I managed some time.
Despite finding it odd and uncomfortable, I formed a weird relationship with Tarhrin, the Bosmer Thane I encountered in Helgen. He came to Riften some time ago with his housecarl, supposedly on a tour around the province. We've spent a night at the Bee and Barb's, alongside the loud Sheogorath.
It was a surprisingly delightful night, I have to admit.
On topic of Bee and Barb, my relationship with Keerava and Talen-Jei improved significantly. They again started inviting me over for a supper and had given me coupons from time to time. They were even warming up to Brynjolf, after he had apologized for robbing them blind and scamming them prior to my arrival almost a year ago.
But they weren't the only ones with whom I reconciled.
Loro Yagg, despite nearly killing me back in Markarth, proposed a truce and after a sparring session - which I've won, mind you - we called it even since then. Not long after, I visited him in Whiterun and he gave me an exclusive tour around the Jorrvaskr, much to Vilkas' dismay. I also met some of the other Companions such as Farkas, Vilkas' twin and Aela, Loro's teacher. They seemed like a fun bunch and were quite friendly towards me.
All in all, I'd have to say that life after Mercer's demise was a good life.
As we were sitting in the Flagon one day, Etienne, Brynjolf, Karliah, Delvin and I played some cards while waiting for Vekel to cook us some supper. This kind of hanging out became a sort of tradition for us - we'd get food, drinks and card and throw a bet here and there, all in the name of fun. However, our fun was cut short when someone barged into the tavern rather loudly. Turning towards the rude intruders, Delvin and Karliah rose from their seats and reached for the pommels of their daggers. Brynjolf remained sitting on his chair, keeping an eye on the situation while I shuffled the cards. The tension grew in the Flagon, that much I was aware of. Curious as to what was going on, I too glanced at the visitors.
And then, I saw them, dressed in their intricate robes and the gleaming golden weapons that were dangling from their belts. The Thalmor were powerful and wealthy and they did not spare on their appearance to prove as much. However, I did not pay attention to the soldiers and hooded Justiciars. I paid attention at the Altmer who lead them.
He and I, let's just say, go way back.
The group of elves stopped as they reached our table. The Altmer I mentioned glared down upon me and though he could recognize me straight away, his stoic face soon turned into an ominous smirk.
"Hello, Ziiah" he greeted smoothly.
"Kaelan Aedus" I laughed. "You Altmer don't age at all."
"Elven longevity" he sighed obnoxiously. "It is a gift of the gods."
"You don't say" I responded evenly.
He took no offense though, saying, "How's mum? Well I presume?"
I bit the inside of my cheek, reminding myself of who or rather what he was, "She rests under ground, so I guess it can't get better than that."
He nodded. "You're right. It's more than she deserved, honestly."
Brynjolf was about to take a swing at the man but I stopped him in his tracks by putting my arm between the two men. He said nothing as he took few steps back. Kaelan was seemingly impressed by my demonstration of authority.
Seemingly, I repeat.
"So it's true" he mused. "You've become a leader of a rugged company of misfits and nobodies. Good for you."
I mused back, saying, "I at least reached the top. From what I hear, Elenwen still didn't give you that promotion you so much boasted about back in Sentinel."
He lost a bit of his composure. "I will get it when I am due."
I scoffed. "Keep telling yourself that."
He then summoned a sword in his hand and placed it under my chin. "You've changed, little dragon. I can't see even a flicker of that little girl who choked on her own tears when I cut her wicked mother's throat."
Reacting fast, Karliah, Brynjolf and the rest of the Guild present in the Flagon drew their weapons and pointed them at Kaelan.
"Mind you manners, elf" Vex hissed. "You're messing with one of our own."
Unfazed, Kaelan kept his sword at my neck. "I couldn't care less."
Realizing that his visit was intentional, I decided to learn what his intention was.
"Talk, Kaelan" I said. "You wouldn't seek me out without reason."
"You're right" he admitted. "I wouldn't."
I waited for him to say the words I, unfortunately, already knew.
"I came here to do what I failed to do in Sentinel" he confessed. "I came here to kill you."