A Secret Arrangement

Chapter 8: A Secret Arrangement

Noela marched back through Riften toward the hidden graveyard entrance of the Thieves Guild, three new coin purses bouncing about in the pocket of her robes.

Collecting the debts had been a cinch, and she felt quite proud of herself to say the least. She hadn't even had to use force—a bit of intimidation was all it took.

She pressed the diamond shaped button of the coffin and cringed as the loud grinding of stone on stone again met her ears, and she took the newly exposed steps down and into the hideout.

As it was now dinnertime, there were more thieves about than before. Ignoring the strange looks and narrowed eyes she was getting, she retraced her steps back to the corridor with the trick cabinet.

Re-entering the Ragged Flagon, she discovered that it too, was more crowded. Amongst the sea of heads, she spotted Astrid and Delvin sitting at the bar, and Brynjolf conversing with the Redguard she had seen earlier. She also noted that Vex was absent, no platinum hair visible among the crowd.

She decided to report back to Brynjolf, and walked over to him and his companion. They looked up as she approached.

"How did it go?" Brynjolf asked with interest.

Noela withdrew the purses from her pocket, and placed them on the table.

"Golly, lass," he said, staring at them with big eyes. "You actually pulled it off!"

His wide smile caused Noela to return one of her own.

"How did you do it?"

"Well," she began, "I didn't touch them. Just threatened to break stuff, burn stuff, made a small burn on the counter, that sort of thing," she shrugged. "Destroyed a vase, threatened to destroy a statue…"

"I'm certainly impressed, Noela. You've proven yourself yet again. Say," he said, a thoughtful look crossing his expression. "We could really use you in our outfit. I wonder… excuse me, Tonilia."

Brynjolf got up, and took the three coin purses from the table. He gestured for Noela to follow him, and she did so. They walked over to Delvin and Astrid, who were talking rather animatedly at the bar. Noela got the feeling that Astrid was a little affected by the mead, which was something she hadn't seen before.

"Ah, Noela," she said, her cheeks a little flushed. "You're back. Were you successful?"

"She was very successful," said Brynjolf.

"That's my girl," Astrid said, grabbing Noela's arm and pulling her in for a celebratory pat on the back. "I knew you wouldn't let me down. So, what about a drink to celebrate?" She pressed a new tankard that Noela presumed was Astrid's next drink, into her hand.

Brynjolf interrupted, "There's something I want to ask you, Astrid."

"What is it?"

Brynjolf scratched his head, looking a little nervous. "I, uh, wanted to ask if we could 'borrow' Noela from time to time. She's proving to be quite useful, and extremely talented, if I may say so—"

"Absolutely not," said Astrid firmly. "Noela's a member of the Dark Brotherhood, and we know we can't cross guilds. It doesn't work well for either organisation, given the distances, too."

"But—"

"I refuse, Brynjolf, that's my final word," Astrid said, ending the discussion.

"What do you think, Noela?" Brynjolf asked the mage.

She just shrugged, "I'm afraid I don't really know, sorry. I just joined the Brotherhood, and two new 'families' might be a bit too much for me to handle."

Delvin, who had been quiet for the last few minutes, spoke up. "Oh, come on Astrid. Think about us here. We're struggling with this curse, we really need all the help we can get. Do an old friend a favour, would ya? Bryn's not asking her to join up full-time, of course she wouldn't be able to handle two guilds—"

Astrid shook her head. "You find your own recruits, Delvin, Noela's an invaluable part of my family now."

"And she'll be invaluable to us too," Delvin said, continuing to reason with her. "Only when we really need the help, of course. We watch each other's backs, don't we? Haven't we done so for years?"

Noela looked over to Brynjolf, who was nodding in earnest. Astrid still didn't look convinced. "I just don't see how she'll have the time."

"We'll make it work, Astrid," said Brynjolf. "She's a good thief, you were just saying so yourself."

"I wouldn't mind helping out the Thieves now and then," Noela chipped in. "In my free time, or off-days."

Astrid looked at her like she wanted to slap her. "Really, Noela? You too? Why do you care about the Thieves Guild?" she asked in irritation.

"I don't know, but they're in a bad way down here," she shrugged. She supposed a part of her was curious about working with the Thieves, now that she had given some thought to the idea.

"Please, Astrid," Delvin begged. "You care about us, don't cha? You'd want us to help you out if you were in a spot o' trouble, right?"

Finally, Astrid sighed in exasperation. "Fine. I'll let Noela help out part-time, since she herself wants to," she glared at the mage. After a second, she softened her expression. "Noela, just know that you always put the Dark Brotherhood first, you understand? I'm only allowing this because I do care about the Thieves Guild, and some of the people here are my close friends. We've had each other's backs for years. You got that?" she glanced around at the two men. "The Dark Brotherhood and the Thieves Guild will always be allies. That doesn't change."

Brynjolf and Delvin nodded, and former dipping his head. "Thank you, Astrid, truly," he said.

Delvin grinned, "I knew you'd come over to our side, Astrid," he said. "Mercer'd really appreciate this too. Now," he said, turning to Noela. "We've just worked very hard to get you on our team, so you won't let us down, yeah?"

"Of course," replied Noela.

Brynjolf hugged her, and she resisted out of surprise. It caused Delvin and Astrid to burst out laughing though, and Noela grinned, the blonde Nord's smile making her insides swell like a balloon.

"I have one more favour to ask," said Brynjolf. "Can Noela stay an extra day to help us on a mission tomorrow? It's just near here, and she can head back tomorrow night."

"That's fine," said Astrid, taking a sip from her tankard. "I have to head back to the Sanctuary first thing in the morning though. So Noela," she addressed the mage, "I guess our travel ends here. I'll see you when you get back to Falkreath."

"O—of course," answered Noela, feeling a bit deflated that their time together was now over.

"Oi Astrid, aren't you running late for your appointment?" asked Delvin.

"That's right," the assassin replied, downing the rest of her drink and standing up. "Thanks, Delvin. Brynjolf, Noela," she nodded at them, before leaning in and speaking into Noela's ear. "Don't you dare fall in love with the work here," she whispered, half-threateningly, half-jokingly.

Noela gulped as her words tickled her ear and she nodded.

"Good."

They watched Astrid leave and then Brynjolf said to Noela, "I guess I'll show you around. Welcome to the Thieves Guild, lass."

Noela lay in bed that night, listening to the sound of twin waterfalls and the flowing water that ran beneath the raised floor of the Cistern. The sound of snores punctuated the continuous backdrop of falling water, but that was not what was keeping her awake.

It was the stink.

She had tried everything from wrinkling up her nose to stuffing blankets up against her face so she couldn't even breathe, but the smell of the sewer was pervasive. She was sure the blankets and sheets themselves had absorbed the very smell she was trying to avoid and so that didn't work.

Even the Thieves armour, a set of which she had been given by Tonilia, the Redguard woman who'd been in the Flagon, seemed to harbour the smell as well.

Turning over with a sigh, she instead intended to distract herself by reflecting on the day's events.

She was now, officially a member of both the Thieves Guild and the Dark Brotherhood. She wasn't sure exactly how it would work, and how often she'd be called to help the Thieves, but it was nonetheless a new turn in her life. From working alone just a few years ago, she was now part of likely the two most infamous criminal organisations in Skyrim. And she intended to do her best.

Her thoughts then drifted to Astrid, and she wondered where the Nord was now. Although she knew no details of it as yet, she was looking forward to the mission Brynjolf would be giving her tomorrow. At the same time, she wanted to complete it as quickly as possible so she could return home to the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary… to Astrid, as it were.

A strange sense of optimism filled her heart, and for once, she was excited about what life had in store for her.

Astrid peered up at the night sky, the moon showing from just behind a cloud.

The streets of Riften were quieter now, though not quite deserted; a straggler here and there, a couple taking an after-dinner stroll, a few citizens making their way home. And of course, the guards that constantly patrolled the streets, night and day.

She passed back through the marketplace, heading towards the northern gate, when she reached her destination. The Bee and Barb, an inn she frequented each time she visited Riften. Pushing the doors open, she let herself inside.

The inn was bright, and it took a few moments for her eyes to adjust. Sounds of laughter and chatter came from about the room, happy and well-fed people sitting or standing around with tankards in hand. No one paid her any attention though, too engrossed in their conversations or activities, and she made her way up the stairs to the second floor.

Here, she was met with a number of closed doors; it looked like all the rooms were taken for tonight. Still, she quickly scanned the gap beneath each door, searching for the signal.

It only took her a second to spot it; the pointy tip of a dagger, almost, but not quite, poking out from under the door. She strode toward the room.

Looking quickly over her shoulder, she knocked on the door.

"It's unlocked," answered a voice from inside.

Astrid opened the door, shutting it softly behind her. The room was quite dark, illuminated by nothing but a single candle that was on the dresser beside the bed.

And there on the bed, leaning against the wall, her fair hair gleaming in the candlelight, sat an Imperial woman with a padlock in one hand, and a lockpick in the other.

"You're late," stated the woman, not looking up as she continuously worked the lock in her hand.

"I'm afraid I got held up," Astrid explained. "How long have you been here?"

The woman shrugged, "I don't know, but it feels like an hour."

Astrid watched as the Imperial continued to dig her pick into the mechanism. Then, she suddenly tossed the padlock onto the bed, letting out a frustrated sigh.

The Nord sat down on the bed. "Aw, a poor lock got you beat?"

The Imperial shot her a glare. "That particular lock, is one of the hardest I've ever come across. I'll bet you wouldn't be able to open it even if you tried every day for the rest of your life."

"Wow Vex, your words cut me deep," said the Nord, feigning a look of hurt. "I could never compare with the likes of your superior lockpicking skills," she said teasingly, before returning to a more serious tone. "But what's the point of opening it?" she asked, gazing at the lock. "Do you need it for something?"

Vex shifted on the bed, eyeing the other woman. "No, it's obviously for practice."

"I see. Well…" The older woman undid the straps of her Dark Brotherhood armour, taking off the top half to reveal a light cotton shirt underneath, and placed the armour on the floor. "Ah, that's better," she said, stretching her arms over her head. "Had that on for way too long."

She looked to the Imperial, waiting for her to do the same.

After a few seconds, Astrid frowned. "I thought you were all eager to do this, Vex. At least, that's the impression I got when you spoke to me this afternoon after Noela left."

A thought seemed to suddenly occur to the Imperial. "Did she do it? How did it go?"

There was a pause before the Nord replied. "Yes, she got the debts back without harming anyone."

"Oh, well, that's good—"

"And she's a member of the Thieves Guild now."

"What?" exclaimed Vex. "How? Why?"

Astrid sighed, "Because Brynjolf and Delvin wanted her. Practically begged me to let her help out from time to time."

"Huh, that so?" Vex sank back against the wall, her expression returning to one that conveyed that she couldn't care less.

"Anyway, enough about Noela," said Astrid with a hint of impatience. "Let's get started."

The Imperial merely watched as the Nord removed her boots, then the armoured pants of her uniform.

Astrid looked around to her. "Well, come on, we haven't got all night."

Vex appeared to be lost in thought and she seemed to snap back to her senses. "What do you mean you haven't got all night—wait," she said, her eyes widening. "Are you—?" She froze.

"Am I what?" the Nord asked sharply.

"You—and that Dragonborn…" she trailed off, her eyes clearly trying to communicate the question so that she didn't have to ask it.

Astrid frowned, "What, Vex? Spit it out."

The Imperial looked like she was having an internal conflict of some kind but then she let out a hard breath. "Are you sleeping with that Dragonborn, Astrid?"

The Nord stared at her. "You've got to be kidding me. What makes you say that?"

The tension left Vex's face. "Nothing, was just wondering."

"Why," said Astrid, a smile coming to her lips. "Were you getting jealous?"

"No," said Vex with an indifferent sniff. "I was just concerned that you'd go and mess things up for yourself. I was just worried for you."

"Were you, now? Well, that's news to my ears." Astrid smirked as the Imperial gave her a glare. "Anyway, no, there's nothing happening between me and Noela—"

"But will there be?"

Astrid gazed at her in silence. "I don't know what's gotten into you, Vex. But might I remind you that my agreement with Arnbjorn was that I could only do this with you? What part of that isn't clear to you?"

Vex shook her head. "You don't play well by rules, Astrid, let's be real here."

"Are you trying to say that I'm going to cheat on my husband?" asked the Nord, anger beginning to rise.

"Well, didn't you, once? With me?"

The Nord shook her head fiercely. "Don't you dare bring that up again. It's all in the past—and Arnbjorn's forgiven it. If anything, he merely said he'd wished he'd been there."

"Ugh, disgusting pig."

"Hey, that's my husband you're talking about!" Astrid glowered at the Imperial.

A smirk crossed Vex's expression and she leaned forward, beginning to remove her own armour. "Anyway, I just thought, since you haven't been here for so long…"

"Well, what do you know, you have missed me," said the Nord, the lightheartedness returning to her voice. She reached out for the other woman, assisting her with the many more buckles and straps that were on the Thieves Guild armour.

"Yeah, well," said the Imperial. "I don't get my fill as often as you do." They got the last strap undone and Vex dropped the piece of armour to the floor.

"I don't think that's a particularly hard problem to fix," Astrid said, leaning back onto the bed as Vex got to work on her pants. "Delvin's still keen, I'm sure."

"Mention him again and I'll slap you," retorted Vex.

Astrid gazed at the woman who was now dressed in just her smallclothes. "I wouldn't mind that," she said, her eyes making their way down the Imperial's body. "And you're looking as sexy as ever."

"Ah, quit your blabbering," said Vex as she reached for the other woman's shirt, pulling it up and over her head. "There, much better," she smirked.

Hand pushing the Nord back down onto the bed, she climbed on top of her.

"Let's get this started."