((4th of Frostfall/October, 4E 202))
There was no point in waiting around in the inn for another day. I saw Alessia and Bishop in the room, but they were pretty preoccupied arguing. Squashing down an amused grin, I returned to my quest.
I scanned the room for an Argonian. I figured it wouldn't be too difficult, given that most of the beastly race didn't come this far north. Their reptilian skin was poorly suited to the wind, and while Solitude was a bustling town of opportunity, the conditions of the nearby Ghost Sea drove most Argonians away.
A clearly inexperienced bard plucked at a lute and warbled away, her off-tune screeching almost painful to the ears. "We drink to our youth, to the days come and gone..." I forced myself to ignore her discordant crowing and continued to search for Gulum-Ei. While the Argonian had been absent the day before, he now sat in a small pocket near the door. It was most likely suspicion that gave an edge to his raspy voice as I approached, though his eyes wandered to my belt where my coinpouches were secured.
He looked back up at my face. "What do you want?" There was no other chair to take, so I settled for leaning against the wall.
I adopted a stiff tone, unwilling to botch the job. "We have business." Gulum-Ei simply scoffed and crossed his scaly arms.
"I'm sorry, I don't know you," he replied testily. I gritted my teeth, disliking the lizard's attitude.
"Let's cut to the chase, shall we?" I slid my sharp blade out and inspected it idly. "I know you had a hand in Goldenglow's sale."
"Goldenglow? I'm afraid I don't know anything about that... bee farm, was it?"
I ran my tongue over my sharp canines in irritation. "Drop the act, Gulum-Ei." The green Argonian's eyes widened at the use of his real name.
"Well, I... I suppose I seem to recall something, but it's not too clear." His scaly lips lifted in what I assumed was a smile as his eyes gleamed with avarice, again set on my belt. Unfortunately for him, I refused to bribe him with my (not-so-honestly) hard-earned coin.
"Identify the buyer... And we'll forget what we know, you little serpent." I glared at him menacingly, and he averted his eyes.
"Pfft. I stopped dealing with the Guild a while ago. Run back to Mercer, thief."
"Want me to flay you alive?"
"You wouldn't."
I slammed my hand down on the table, making him jump as I leaned in. "Try me, bitch." I would follow up on my threat if I needed to, and this must have been apparent to the lizard as unease twisted the Argonian's face. "Cooperate."
"Had I known the deal would have given me this much trouble, I would never have accepted," Gulum-Ei muttered crossly. "Look, a woman approached me with a bag of gold and asked me to act as a broker. I didn't care about who she was. As I'm sure you've been told, all that matters to people like me is how much gold we're given." Something in his tone made it seem like he was holding something back, however insignificant the detail might be.
I straightened back up, contemplating his words. "I think you're lying to me, lizard," I growled, drumming my fingers on the wooden wall. "You know more than that." Gulum-Ei shook his head, replying fervently,
"No, I swear!"
"Tell me what you know." I enunciated each word carefully, making sure I had his complete attention. He opened his mouth to reply, but I cut in. "All of it. Otherwise, I'll make myself a new pair of lizardskin boots."
"I already told you everything!" the Argonian insisted, obviously irked by my threat. Gulum-Ei excused himself, shoving past me in his haste to leave. "Now, leave me be." He strode out the door, tail flicking in his nervousness. I waited a few seconds before starting to shadow him, knowing that the bastard was holding something back.
There's more he's not telling me. I know it.
...
I silently trailed Gulum-Ei through Solitude, down to the docks and the East Empire Company Warehouse. I knew he had connections in the company, yet I still had to wonder why he'd chosen to come here after our conversation. Perhaps it was his shift, or maybe something more was going on. I figured it was the latter and continued to follow.
The Argonian nonchalantly looked around before inserting a key into the lock, walking into the warehouse without a problem. To my dismay, the click that followed meant he'd locked the door from the inside. Muttering a curse, I took out the flat pouch of lockpicks and started to play with the pins inside. I was at least thankful that the only guards were on the opposite end of the docks, giving me enough time to pick the lock open successfully.
While I opened the door without too much trouble, more problems were waiting for me inside. More guards- mercenaries, judging from their garb- were stationed inside, going through the various goods. The scratchy voice of Gulum-Ei echoed in the dank warehouse, showing that his position was further ahead than I'd anticipated. "Keep an eye out for anyone who doesn't belong," he said to a mercenary. I extinguished a torch and ascended a shelf, intent on locating the Argonian. "I had issues with a female Nord earlier. If she shows her face... kill her."
"Of course, Gajul-Lei. We'll let you know if she comes around."
"Good." I eyed the slimy bastard as he weaved through the path around the warehouse, wondering where he might be going. If he was asking the guards to watch for me, that meant he wouldn't be around to do it himself. Just what was Gulum-Ei up to?
I crept silently through the warehouse, putting out torches as I went to keep myself in the shadows. About halfway through, I was presented with a minor choice. In the center walkway, a path to the main room was just up ahead. I could either snoop in the East Empire Company's business and wealth or continue to follow Gulum-Ei. That lizard won't get too far, I reasoned with myself, creeping up into the room.
Just as I'd thought, there were various pieces of wealth scattered about within, and I grinned wickedly as I went through each dresser. With everything I'd snatched, I'd probably make well over five thousand septims. Something caught my eye as I turned to the exit, and although it wasn't anything shiny, it was curious enough to inspect.
Papers on the desk of an unknown superior in the East Empire Company were strewn about the tan wood, the most interesting of which was a large map denoting the various docks and caches the E.E.C. controlled. Hmm... Delvin might be able to do something with this. Rolling the parchment up, I stuck it into my pack and left the room.
From my vantage point, I could see Gulum-Ei still in the warehouse, but he didn't remain so. I watched the Argonian descend a set of stairs, then heard the sloshing of water and creaking of old hinges. His disappearance meant he'd gone into a hidden area, and my mind raced to consider where it might lead.
Sneaking past the other guards was easier than I'd thought. People rarely looked up, expecting any trespassers to come along the main path, meaning my sticking to the top shelves was the best course of action. Upon reaching the area Gulum-Ei had vanished into, I could spot a rotting door with barnacles climbing from the bottom, nearly hidden under the deck. Water pooled at the bottom of the stairs, and I suppressed a shudder as I dipped my foot into the cold sloshing liquid. Opening the door ever so slowly to avoid any creaking the hinges might give off, I slipped inside without any sign I'd been there.
Once inside, I trailed my finger along the moss-covered rock wall and realized I'd entered the infamous Brinewater Grotto. Rumors had spread around Skyrim for years about a remote area the Empire hid its most valuable goods, artificially raising the prices for said items. Their deception allowed the taxes on the goods to rise as well, and I had to admit that despite the sleazy approach, it was an excellent way to maximize profit.
The air was much colder than the warehouse behind me, and while my thick Nord skin didn't allow it to get to me, my breath still turned to vapor. I noted that a bonus to the dishonesty of the Empire was that there were more than a few bags of gold and jewelry lying about. With every chest I passed, I became several dozen septims richer, not even counting the rings, circlets, necklaces, and jewels I procured. There was no one to judge me, and this thought led me to do a giddy skip in my walk.
Further in, bandits, skeevers, and giant frostbite spiders all made their homes inside the grotto. Thanks to Niruin's teaching, I disposed of each foe with silent ease. With each muffled step, I was grateful that my time with the Guild had improved my ability to sneak without detection. Left and right, each beast and person I came across met their end at the tip of my arrows. The only living thing I didn't immediately sling a bolt into was the lone Argonian shuffling around a large chest in the back.
Gulum-Ei noticed me about as well as the bandits; his mind focused on whatever treasures laid inside the chest. My carefully aimed shot ripped through the folds of his clothes, pinning him to the wooden beam behind him. Even from beyond the room, I could spot the fear in his eyes as he ripped the arrow out and collapsed to the ground. His scaly hands covered the back of his neck as he shuddered at my approach. The terrified clattering of the Argonian's scales was the loudest thing in the cavern until I opened my mouth to speak.
"I didn't have to miss." I recalled a certain red-haired Nord saying almost the exact same thing during a brief hand-to-hand training session a few weeks back, and it took a bit of effort to push a smile away. Returning my attention to the frightened Argonian, I watched him peek up at me.
"I believe you," he growled, slowly climbing to his feet and backing away. "What are you doing here?" he demanded, reaching for a tiny knife on his belt. I drew my sword and advanced, letting the sleazy Argonian know he wouldn't get very far if he tried to attack.
"I want the truth, Gulum-Ei," I hissed, mentally rejoicing at the fear and anger in the lizard's eyes. "Give it to me, or I'll cut it out of you!" I held my blade above his head, ready to make good on my promise should he still withhold information. As I wondered what the Argonian was hiding, a voice in my head gave me pause.
Don't kill him, came the echo of Brynjolf's words. After a moment of contemplation, I stepped away from Gulum-Ei. Although I didn't sheathe my sword, I lowered it to give him a chance to respond.
His eyes darted up to meet mine. "She- her name is Karliah!" he spat. "It's Karliah!" He froze his limbs as though expecting me to explode at the reveal of the buyer's identity.
I scrunched up my nose, trying not to betray my puzzlement. "You say that name like I should know it."
Gulum-Ei glanced up in wonder. "You mean Mercer never told you about her?" he choked out incredulously. My glare was enough of an answer for him, and he opened up with an explanation. "She- she murdered the previous Guildmaster! Mercer never forgave her for that. No one did."
In a second, my blade was back up at his throat. "And you dealt with her?" I barked. The Argonian's pointed yellow teeth clattered as he spoke.
"No! I mean, yes, I did, but I didn't know it was her at first. I'd already settled the deal before I found out!"
His terror was enough to convince me he was telling the truth. However, I wasn't satisfied with the amount of info I'd received. "Why did she seek you out, Gulum-Ei? What did she tell you?" I demanded, tightening my fingers on the hilt of my sword. The Argonian's neck quivered as the steel tip brushed against his skin. "Are you still working with her?!"
"No, I'm not, I swear by the Hist!" he promised, clasping his hands. A hint of anger appeared in his eyes. "You're not like the rest of the Guild, are you?"
I narrowed my eyes. "No, I'm not. Now, answer my questions."
He didn't hesitate to answer me this time. "I don't know why she looked for me, all right? I got the gold and asked her where she was going. She looked away and said, "Where the end began." That's all I know." He patted his pockets, still keeping a reptilian eye on my sword. The Argonian quit fumbling around when he found what he'd been searching for. He withdrew two folded pages from his pockets and whipped them about frantically. "Look, here's the paper and the deed as proof." I snatched them from his scaled hands and scanned the contents. The words confirmed his story, along with the now-familiar symbol as a signature.
"I'm keeping this deed," I told him, half-wishing he'd fight me for it. I was nearly disappointed when Gulum-Ei relented without question.
"Fine, fine!" He nodded rapidly, his voice coming out as a low squeak. "If- if you let me live, I'll buy your stolen goods. I'll become a fence for you in Solitude." I considered his request. It was reasonable, plus it went along with Brynjolf's requirement to keep him alive. With a relenting sigh, I sheathed my sword.
"I accept," I said, "so long as your correspondence with Karliah ends permanently. If you ever contact her again, believe me, we'll know, and you'll wish you'd never been born. Understood?"
"Understood. I... can I go now?"
"Yeah." I eyed the papers once more. "Get out of here." Gulum-Ei immediately scampered away with his tail between his legs. "I've got a bit more business here before going back to the Guild." My eyes swept the room as I smiled to myself. "I'll have to empty those chests first."
...
((6th of Frostfall/October, 4E 202))
At first dumbfounded, then furious, the Guildmaster gave a howl that would have rivaled a werewolf's angriest snarl. "Karliah?!" Mercer roared, halting all activity in the cistern. He swept his desk clear as he raged. Inkwells shattered against the gray stones while papers flew into the dirty water. It occurred to me that insane was a goddamn understatement with this man. Everyone in the cistern gaped at the man with shock as Mercer Frey threw his desk to the ground, overturning the entire thing and sending splinters every which way. The intensity of his anger was almost frightening, and I watched him warily as he curled his hands into fists.
"That's what the lizard told me," I confirmed evenly, for once not wanting to piss the Guildmaster off further. Mercer murmured something to himself before looking back to me, fire blazing in his eyes as he shook with fury.
"Clever bitch..." he growled, eyes narrowing as though viewing Karliah through me. "That little- get out of here!" Mercer started picking up the mess he'd made, shaking sludge off his bleeding documents after fishing them out of the nasty water. "Didn't you hear me? Get out of my sight, Russet!"
Although I opened my mouth to speak, I didn't know what words would come out. To my credit, a firm hand pulled me back before I said something I'd regret. "I'll talk to her, Mercer," said the familiar voice I identified as Brynjolf. The half-crazed Breton eyed me, then Brynjolf before returning his gaze to his desk. Bryn and I took that as a dismissal, and we turned together to walk away.
"I'm guessing you heard the majority of that?" I murmured to Brynjolf as we headed for the Ragged Flagon.
"Aye, a good bit." Brynjolf's hand rested on the hidden door, though he remained motionless. I could almost see his thoughts race. "Hold on, lass. Not here." He waved me on to follow. "This way."
...
My eyes swept the walls, nervous as I realized I now sat in Brynjolf's bedroom. Skeptical about his intent, I lifted a brow. "Don't worry, lass. I'm not planning anything. It's just- I have-" The Nord fumbled with his words and scratched at his red cheeks.
"Calm down." It was apparent the mention of Karliah had affected Brynjolf as well, and I assumed his reaction wasn't something he wanted the rest of the Thieves Guild to witness. "Here." I held out a square of cloth, though he didn't take it. Biting my lip, I took it on myself to wipe his sweaty forehead. I laughed under my breath as I realized something silly.
"Something funny?" Brynjolf growled, an unfamiliar glare in his eyes nearly making me shrink back.
"No, no. I was just thinking about how you're usually the one telling me to calm down." My comment brought a small smile to his face, but it was also clear it wasn't a genuine smile. He didn't speak for a while, probably a good ten minutes, as I waited patiently. He began to pace, clutching his jaw as he thought. It then occurred to me that I was seeing an unguarded Brynjolf, unshielded by jokes and flirts. His reaction and Mercer's couldn't have been more different. Where our Guildmaster had displayed unrestrained ire, Brynjolf appeared on the verge of a depressive episode.
Eventually, the Nord slowed his steps. "Lass... do you remember what I said before we went on the Goldenglow job?" Confused by the change in subject, I shook my head and waited for him to elaborate. "I said I'd tell you how the Guild used to operate." I recalled the conversation.
"Instead of sucking up to the rich and robbing those who don't have two coins to rub together, we could use the poor as our eyes and ears to help us rob the rich blind. The rich won't notice a gold necklace or two going missing. The poor won't even have one... what?"
"Nothing, nothing. It's just- that's how the Guild used to operate."
"Oh, right. Yes, I do."
Bryn ran his fingers through his long reddish-brown hair, soaked with sweat. While he was more composed than before, his despondent expression still tugged at my heartstrings. "I promised I'd tell you about it at the end of the job, but..." Bryn looked away from me, obviously uncomfortable. "Gods, this is harder than I thought it would be. Did... did Gulum-Ei tell you about Gallus?" He almost choked on the last word, and I wasn't sure if it was with anger or sorrow. Perhaps it was a bit of both. He took a deep breath and sat on his bed. "I suppose I..." He chuckled humorlessly. "Before you left... well, I can't say I didn't enjoy it, lass, nor that I'd complain if it happened again." I saw a hint of the usual Brynjolf in his teasing, and the corner of his mouth quirked up as my cheeks grew hot. "I'd say it was quite the welcome distraction, even if it cost me a pouch full of septims."
I held up three fingers in succession. "One, I get the point. Two, play your cards right and it just might happen again. Three, didn't you have something else to tell me about?"
Brynjolf's lips pressed together tightly. "Indeed I did, though I wouldn't be against picking up that other conversation later." My pointed glare told him all he needed to know, and he closed his eyes before speaking again. "I guess I can't tell the story of Gallus without telling my own." He opened his eyes, emerald irises gleaming with unclear emotions. "I'll start at the beginning, lass... my beginning."
