51.

As Maven Black-Briar's last child died, Riften went crazy. Hemming was found in the corridors of the Ratway. His eyeballs were eaten by the skeevers. He was killed by a single, poisoned ebony arrow that was aimed straight at his heart. He didn't stand a chance. Brynjolf knew but kept quiet. He was still considering and weighing his options. And at the same time, he silently began to dig the past. Mercer's past. The search for the killer went on for days and ended weeks later without any results.

Maven threatened everyone. With the Imperials, with the Thieves Guild, even with the Dark Brotherhood. She held Riften in her iron grip and squeezed tighter every day. As Lydia entered the city a few days later, she knew everyone was watching her. She was trying her best to look normal and not draw any attention to herself but despite that, the city guards called her in for questioning. J'Ziir had warned her that it would happen and he had provided her with answers. Lydia memorized them all. And as the guards asked their questions she didn't slip even once. Eventually, she was released and considered to be a harmless sellsword looking for potential job opportunities. Exactly as J'Ziir had predicted.

As she walked towards the Bee and the Barb, she noticed the Nord J'Ziir mentioned. A big brute of a man, wearing a steel armor and looking at her menacingly. Not exactly the friendliest of people, Lydia gathered but flashed a radiant smile towards him. She knew the time wasn't right but that didn't stop her from softening her prey. It might be easier later on if she began right away. She didn't stop to see if Maul reacted in any way but that was part of her strategy. Push and pull. A little hint there and a seductive smile here. This was the first time she tried to be confident and attractive to someone and she was having a surprisingly good time.

She booked a room from the Inn and settled down. J'Ziir told her to stay within the city for at least a week so that people would get accustomed to her presence. So when Maven would disappear, she wouldn't be the first suspect. She took her armor off and put on a comfortable cotton dress. Then she brushed her hair and walked downstairs to have some dinner. When she sat down she noticed Maul on the other side of the room. And this time he wasn't glaring at her but watching her. Lydia recognized that look as any woman would. It was a stare of a man who showed interest.

She ignored him and ordered some food. J'Ziir had given her plenty of gold so spending some wasn't a problem. So far she was having a good time and she kept smiling. After three bottles of ale, the Argonian Innkeeper placed a small note in front of her. At first, she thought it was from Maul and was happy that she was making progress so fast.

"Stop drinking so much. You're attracting unwanted attention!"

J'Ziir had written the note quickly and she was barely able to read his handwriting. She glanced around but knew she couldn't spot him. Her Thane was master at disguising himself. Lydia tossed the note to the fireplace, paid for her food and walked back upstairs. She wasn't exactly sure how to proceed.

No one disturbed her during the night. The following days passed by calmly. She knew the exact time when she was supposed to "distract" Maul but she was still considering the perfect method. Going in too strong would cause suspicion. But watching from the sidelines wouldn't help either. And she certainly didn't want to excite the man too much, that would cause troubles and they might get caught. She didn't know how J'Ziir planned to grab Maven and get out of the city with her unconscious body but the Khajiit was cunning. Lydia knew he had a plan and if she played her part, everything should go smoothly. He would probably succeed even if she failed miserably. He never placed his eggs in just one basket.

She met Brynjolf on the Market a couple of days before the trap was about to go off. He was standing there in fine clothes and selling some strange liquid. He noticed her but didn't greet her. Lydia understood the reasons. The guards were looking for anything suspicious. And if she and Brynjolf suddenly began to chat away like old friends, that wouldn't remain unnoticed. She joined the small crowd that was listening to him and suddenly she felt a big hand press against her back. She didn't turn but saw from the corner of her eye that it was indeed the Nord that she was meant to distract. Relax, she told herself even when heavy hand traveled up her back and then down again. She almost swung around and slapped him in his face. But that would have ruined everything so she remained calm. When Brynjolf finished his speech, Lydia was finally faced to face with her target. She felt disgusted but forced a smile on her face.

They began an awkward conversation and Lydia did her best to pretend that she was interested. She tried to listen to what he said and paid special attention to his eyes. Where they wandered. Her "assets" were thoroughly inspected and she kept her composure. Cold shivers ran down her spine. She was already having a bad feeling about this. Seducing this man momentarily wouldn't be that easy. If she wasn't careful, she might end up in a very bad situation. And if that would ruin J'Ziir's plan...no! She thought. I will go through this like we agreed. And I will make sure that he doesn't touch where he is not allowed to touch.

She was able to get rid of Maul before the night closed in. When she walked back to her room, Brynjolf was sitting on the edge of the small table. He told her to close the door and listen to him.

"I don't know about his plan, but don't go along with it," Brynjolf whispered.

"Shouldn't you be on his side?" Lydia hissed back at him. "You two are family."

"I am on his side," Brynjolf continued. "And I'm trying my best to prevent a disaster. Maven knows. She's prepared. She is sending her men outside of Riften and plans to use Raji and that man of hers as hostages."

"How do you know this?" Lydia asked.

"Doesn't matter," Brynjolf said. "If you can contact J'Ziir, just tell him to back off and keep Raji safe. And that ridiculous seduce act against Maul isn't going to work. He is not that stupid."

"I don't know where J'Ziir is," Lydia panicked.

"Well, lass," Brynjolf walked to the door. "I tried my best. I can't do more than this."

"And if he doesn't back off, are you going to interfere?" Lydia demanded to know.

"I need to think of my family," Brynjolf replied. He left the room as silently as he arrived. Lydia didn't know which family he meant. But she was beginning to worry more and more. She paced back and forth inside her small room and then her patience ran out. She walked out of the door and was determined to find J'Ziir. The Argonian Innkeeper stopped her at the stairs and handed a note to her.

"Brynjolf is right. Maven sent people. It was to be expected. But Raji is safe with the wolf. We stick to the plan! Tomorrow."

His words calmed her down. She burned the note and walked back to her room. She knew that above everything else J'Ziir wanted to keep Sura safe. And apparently, he thought about everything. She trusted him and knew that Maven Black-Briar wouldn't be able to get her hands on Sura and Vilkas. But if she knows everything, Lydia thought. Doesn't she also know that I'm J'Ziir's housecarl? He didn't mention it in the note. Maybe all wasn't lost just yet.

Lydia didn't really sleep that night. She tossed and turned in her bed and waited. She was sure that she was exposed. That at any moment a bunch of guards would burst through the door and drag her to the prison. But as the morning came, she was eating breakfast at the Inn and no one bothered her. She did her best to hide her nervousness but her stomach was filled with butterflies and her hands were trembling. The day passed incredibly slowly. She walked to the Market and Brynjolf was there again. This time he didn't even look at her and Lydia passed him without a glance. She walked away from the Market and stopped at the Temple of Mara. Divines, she whispered. Please, help me. Keep him safe.

When the sun finally began to set, Lydia's heart was beating way too fast. But like they agreed, she walked back to the Inn and up to her room. There she removed her armor, wore a revealing dress that showed a little too much of her cleavage and tied her hair up so that the beautiful curve of her neck was exposed. She pinched her cheek and washed her face. Then she took a deep breath and left her room. If everything went according to their plan, she would be back here in less than half an hour. Then she would have time to change her clothes, grab her things and leave the city. At midnight she would meet J'Ziir at the ruins of the old house.

She walked downstairs and felt the eyes of every man rest upon her curves. She didn't care. None of these men was her target. As she left the Inn, Riften was covered in darkness. Only a few dim lights were lit and a thick fog drifted from the lake. The mist fit the plan perfectly. But it was so sudden, she had never seen anything like it before. She straightened her back and was ready to begin. A few guards walked by her when she headed towards the Black-Briar Manor. Despite the mist, she immediately recognized Maul's massive figure. He was standing in front of the main door and when he saw her, a cruel smile rose upon his face.

"You're finally here," he said. "And dressed for the occasion as well. I didn't think you'd be this brave, but the cat told me you'd play your part."

His words confused Lydia. The cat? Was he talking about J'Ziir? And if so, how did he know about their plan? The brute in front of her smiled and Lydia didn't know was she relieved or horrified to know that this man apparently wasn't her target. But if it wasn't him...then who was it?

"Oh, he forgot to mention a few details, didn't he?" Maul cackled. "I'm just playing along like you are."

Lydia heard a metallic creak behind her. A small, iron gate opened and J'Ziir's familiar figure appeared from the fog. His steps were silent but he moved fast. He didn't seem nervous at all. He even had time to stop and admire her, flash her a quick, cocky smile and then he turned to Maul. This is a game to him, Lydia's anger began to rise. That bastard had Maul in his pocket already.

"What is going on?" Lydia tucked his sleeve. "Why didn't you tell me...?"

"We'll talk later," J'Ziir pressed his finger on her lips. "Good job playing your part, housecarl."

"You should have told me," Lydia gritted her teeth.

"Yes, you were trying so hard to seduce me the whole week," Maul grinned. "I almost thought it was genuine. And it was kind of flattering."

"Let's get this over with," Lydia cursed. "Who's the man I need to "distract"?"

"It's still me," Maul grinned. "But instead of a roll in the hay, we can just pretend with did it. Make sure you remember all the juicy details when the guards ask you about them later. How big I was, how thick I was, how long I lasted, how many times I made you climax..."

"Ew!" Lydia cringed.

"J'Ziir!" Brynjolf suddenly appeared from the fog. J'Ziir mapped out his plans meticulously. Brynjolf was late only for a few seconds. "Mercer is back at the Guild," Brynjolf explained. "I called him out there, said there was an emergency. He won't be fooled for long. You only have little time, lad. Make the most of it."

"I'm surprised, Brynjolf," J'Ziir looked at him. "I was expecting a dagger in the back, not this willing cooperation."

"Just don't make me regret this!" Brynjolf hissed at him.

J'Ziir nodded. Then he turned to Lydia. "Go with Brynjolf. He will take you to Raji."

"What about you?" Lydia grabbed his hand.

"I need to take care of this," J'Ziir said and before he disappeared into the darkness, he turned to her. "Just go, Lydia. Wait for me at the ruins. At midnight."