*This chapter contains some graphic content, be advised.*
Mercer had his suspicions about who had been trying to mess with the Guild's contacts and income. It had been 25 years, to the day, that Gallus died. Mercer had always had a sharp tongue and convincing the Guild of Karliah's betrayal was a child's play. Mercer had counted on Karliah's return, for her to seek revenge for her dead lover. At first, Mercer's envious nature had driven him to do away with Gallus, as he had also fallen in love with Karliah. Now, with the passing of time, he no longer felt any more than a physical attraction to her. After all, she was the granddaughter of one of the most beautiful Dunmer women to have ever lived. How could Mercer pass up a chance to seduce her? Though they had spent a few nights together, Karliah's heart and loyalty became Gallus', and Mercer never felt like an equal amongst his Nightingale allies.
With time, Mercer's second-in-command, Brynjolf, proved to be his greatest asset. As the years went by, they developed feelings for each other and eventually became physical. They both knew that if their fellow Guild members found out about their relationship, their reputations could be tarnished. Not because they were both men, but because the hierarchy could be seen as favoritism and some Guild members could grow resentful. Delvin Mallory was the only one who knew about them, but he specialized in minding his own business and keeping his mouth shut. Brynjolf knows nothing about Mercer's long-term plans, but trusted that Mercer would always do the right thing for the Guild.
That evening, Mercer went to the Bee and Barb to get a drink and a bite to eat. Wujeeta, an Argonian woman, who could usually be seen soliciting sex for a few septims to fund her skooma habit, was sitting quietly by herself at a table. Mercer noticed her immediately as he walked through the doors and smirked to himself.
"Wujeeta, my lusty Argonian maid!" He announced jovially, pulling up a chair across the table from her. "What? No 8 o'clock specials? No cleaning services this evening?" Mercer questioned with mocking laughter.
"Leave me alone, Mercer. I'm not in the mood to talk to anyone tonight." Wujeeta spoke quietly as she took another bite of bread.
"Bolli's finally had enough of you, eh?" Mercer frowned. He took a sip from a mug of mead that was placed on his table. "You know, my offer still stands."
"I'm not interested, Mercer. A kindly Nord stranger gave me a healing potion today. I'm trying to give up my old ways. When I'm better, I want to return home to Blackmarsh."
"Another do-gooder here to give alms to the poor and make this place right, huh." He shook his head and rolled his eyes sarcastically. "What did they look like? Name?" Mercer inquired. Wujeeta perfectly described the new Thieves Guild recruit and Mercer shook his head as he listened to her story. "Take my advice and don't accept candy from strangers." Mercer sneered and chugged down the remainder of his mead. He reached into his pocket and pulled out enough septims to pay for both meals and left without saying another word.
Brynjolf arrived at Riftweald Manor late in the evening. Upon entering the manor through the back entrance, Brynjolf looked around the storage room entrance, noting it was silent. As he passed through the doorway to the second story living space, he heard footsteps ascending the creaking wooden staircase.
"It's late, enough. I was sure you forgot." Mercer's unmistakable gravelly voice called out, followed by a playful laugh.
"Aye," Brynjolf smiled, seeing Mercer appear shirtless at the top of the stairs. "I'm here to collect my payment?" he joked, stripping off his coat.
"Right…and formally dressed, as well." Mercer stopped to admire the man in front of him. He playfully snapped his teeth and took Brynjolf's coat in one hand and guided him to the large room on the right with the double bed. "What do you feel up to tonight, Bryn?"
"Up to?" Brynjolf raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Well, I told you that you'd be rewarded appropriately. It's your night." Mercer shrugged.
"Aye, uhm…" Brynjolf thought a moment, "something simple?"
"Right." Mercer loosened up his shoulders stretched his jaw playfully. "Let me get warmed up." He gently pushed Brynjolf onto the bed and their lips slowly met. Mercer reached up to feel Brynjolf's coarse, red hair. With ignited passion, Mercer moved his head to kiss Brynjolf's neck roughly all over. Their breathing sped up and became more audible with every kiss. Brynjolf craned his neck up to watch Mercer make his way down his chest. "You always smell so good." Mercer growled lowly and gently bit the skin on Brynjolf's chest.
"And you're always such a good tease." Brynjolf sighed contently and laid back to enjoy the sensual feelings.
"Straight to business?" He could feel how hard Brynjolf was already through his pants and wasted no time ridding him of them. Mercer grabbed Brynjolf's member with both hands and thoughtfully licked around all sides, frequently taking the head into his mouth to lick and suck on it. Brynjolf moaned quietly, enjoying ever second of it. Mercer could feel himself growing aroused and scooted up to rub against the low framed bed through is pants.
Taking Brynjolf deeper into his mouth, he moved his head up and down the shaft slowly, twirling his tongue every time it met the head of the member in his mouth. Brynjolf sat up on his elbows again to watch.
"Gods, I love you Mercer Frey." Brynjolf grimaced, feeling that he was about to release into Mercer's mouth. Sweat rolled down the sides of his red cheeks and his chest began to heave deeply. Every muscle in his body tensed up and his body forced him to look up and he let out a loud sigh. Mercer didn't skip a beat and continued to suck and swallow everything Brynjolf gave him. Finally finished, Brynjolf collapsed back into the bed, breathing heavily to recover.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it." Mercer said in a teasing and lofty tone.
"Would you like some of that too, Mercer?"
"I don't think so," he replied sharply. "I've had too much to drink this evening and don't think it would go anywhere. Besides, it's your night, Bryn."
"Aye…Come lay with me awhile?"
"Why not the for the night?" Mercer smiled and they both crawled under the blankets.
They laid quietly side by side for a while holding each other's hand, both lost in thought. The fire crackled and enunciated the silence of the otherwise dark room.
"Do you think the newbie will be able to pull it off?" Brynjolf asked calmly. "Vex barley made it out without being caught. Maybe there really is a supernatural force working against us."
"Don't be ridiculous." Mercer sneered. "You'd be wise to rid that perfect little head of yours of those fairytales of daedric overlords. Even if they did exist, they wouldn't give a skeever's ass about any of us."
"Aye, Mercer. You're probably right."
"But I have a feeling about that new recruit of yours. Not sure what it is, but he might be the one this Guild has been looking for all these years. We'll see how he pulls off this Goldenglow job. I've got bigger plans for him if he doesn't fuck it up. Now, Let's get some sleep. I've got a feeling we are going to have a long day tomorrow."
They looked into each other's eyes and smiled before ending their night with a gentle kiss. Mercer stayed awake, thinking to himself in the dark room. Could it finally be Karliah? All of these years and the end to this chapter in Mercer's life could finally be approaching.
It was mid-day when the new recruit returned to the Thieves Guild cistern with news of his success at the Goldenglow Estate.
Mercer took the note from Brynjolf and went to his desk to read it. He shook his head in disbelief, "I don't fucking believe it." He began to read the note from Aringoth's safe aloud, "This document acknowledges the sale of Goldenglow Estate and all property…Guild is far more bark than bite…Good luck and may this be the start of a long and lucrative partnership…" Mercer scowled.
"Who do you think is responsible?" Brynjolf asked quietly.
Mercer slouched over his desk for a moment and looked off into the distance. "I'm not sure…but I think I know how to find out. Leave it to me, Bryn. Make sure that new recruit stays in line. I'm going out of town for a few days and I don't want any fuck ups while I'm away."
"I'm on it, Mercer. I can handle the business while you're out."
