Just realized - I haven't said I don't own any of the Elder Scrolls stuff - otherwise I wouldn't be writing a fanfic... anyway, I own Tenebraeus.
Now - this is where I need you guys to help do your part: I'm unsure of whether to skip ahead to Tenebraeus being older, or whether to focus more on him being twelve. Say what you think in the reviews please, as it helps structure the story. I'm happy to add in these chapters of him when he's twelve, but I don't want to do it if it'd be boring for you guys - plus you'd just be spammed with notifications. So, remember to do that when you get a moment.
Also, I just wanted to make clear, Tenebraeus is NOT the Dragonborn. I realized I haven't said that yet - he is definitely not and will not have any of the Shouts or anything like that in the story. Sorry if some of you thought that. Although, I will give you a clue to who the Dragonborn is - he appears in Chapter two... the first one to get it right gets brownie points!
Reviews...
Guest - Haha, thank you! Yeah, I'm sorry for leaving that in - I was writing it late in the morning and clearly didn't proof-read it enough. Hope you enjoy another one!
PantherHardraag- Thank you! I hope you enjoy this chapter! I just realized how similar our stories are - great job by the way - expect a follow from me soon... Thanks for reviewing - I appreciate a great writer saying that :)
Chapter Four
The Ragged Flaggon was a pub in the Ratway - what I soon discovered to be the sewers of Riften. Many of the thugs had taken to the Ratway, fighting and stealing from each other to maintain their survival, but my navigator led me through the maze of tunnels, showing me the way, as well as small tips on how not to be seen - pointing out various pressure plates that caused rams to launch into you at full speed or blades to jut out of walls and impale you. I began to warm up to him - especially since he had saved me not only from death on the streets, but also to the various traps.
The Ragged Flaggon matched it's area - it was obvious that the large, circular chamber was part of the sewers. Instantly, I shuddered as I saw the rats scamper past my feet. Rats? Really? Even on the streets, I had never come across rats! The sewer-pub was lit dimly, small lights hanging above the tables and chairs on the other side of the chamber, but the light did little better than allowing one to see.
I was standing cautiously by the crates, trying not to eavesdrop on the conversation between the three men.
"Give it a rest Brynjolf - those days are over."
"I'm telling you, this one is different."
"We've all heard that one before Bryn - Quit kidding yourself."
"It's time to face the truth old friend. You, Vex, Mercer. You're all part of a dying breed." A third man agreed.
"Dying breed eh? What do you call that then?" The closest thing to a friend I had turned around, beaming. I couldn't resist smiling back - it was like he was telling me it was alright - I was going to be alright. The two other men examined me - one was no doubt a giant - looming over me with rippling muscles showing through his leather armour, which fit him snugly. The other was fairly gangly, standing there gawking at me as if I was something mythical. "What do you think Lad?" asked.
"It's a bit of a mess..." I murmured. A couple of the women laughed with Brynjolf.
"If you were expecting a palace, then maybe you're not cut out for this line of work. Our methods involve secrecy and distraction. Now, if you're done bellyaching like a child, Mercer wants to see you."
"Mercer?"
"The boss." I gulped. He even sounded intimidating. "Don't be scared lad - no harm will come to you. We need people like you in our outfit. And I think you'll do more than fit in around here."
"Before we go, I have to ask..."
"What's on your mind?"
"Word is your outfit isn't doing so well. Is it true?"
"We run into a rough patch lately but it's nothing to be worried about. Tell you what, make us some coin, and I'll worry about everything else eh?" He gave me a light slap on the arm and gestured for me to follow him.
He led me through me through the long circular tunnel, another heavy door at the end. However, we stopped before we reached the door, at a cupboard. I furrowed my brow, scrunching up my face in confusion. He grinned, and put a key into the cupboard, opening it up, but then he hit a hand into the heavy back of the cupboard, causing it to stir, dust falling from it's sides, and opened out to reveal a small passage, leading towards another door. I dropped my mouth in awe. He shook his head, and then led me through the storage cupboard to the other door.
Behind it was the cistern: four stone paths met at an intersection in the middle, like bridges over the clear water below, like a small, fairly shallow, pond. It was a large circular chamber, much like the one we entered into for the pub. At every yard of the wall, there was a small, narrow bed. Of course, it was nothing compared to the one I grew up sleeping in, but given three weeks of sleeping in the crooks of rocks, covering up my mouth for fear of spiders climbing in - it was paradise - there weren't even any rats in here, much to my pleasure.
I followed him up path to the intersection, where the moonlight shone through, dropping onto a figure, standing at the centre. He was clad in a similar attire to the rest of the bodies moving about - dark leather brackets, as well as some stitched belts across his torso, hosting some small buckled bags, only his attire was darker than most - so as to assert his dominance I supposed. As we got closer, I began to examine his features more closely - he had cold, unreserving eyes, matched by his discoloured light hair, a thick presence of stubble around his mouth. The cold, piercing moonlight only heightening my immediate fear of the man. This was undoubtedly Mercer.
"Mercer, this is the one I have been telling you about... our new recruit." He looked at me, smiling proudly.
"This better not be another waste of time for the Guilds resources Brynjolf." Mercer's voice was rough, and harsh, without a sense of kindness and a tone of malice to it - much like his face. He turned to me, making my head go completely blank. "Before we continue, I want to make one thing clear: If you play by the rules, you walk away rich. You break the rules and you lose your share - no debates, no discussions. You do what we say, when we say. Do I make myself clear?" I searched for words - utterly terrified.
"I'm... I'm not sure-"
"If you're not sure, maybe you don't belong here. I'll ask again - are we clear?" I paused, looking to a curious Brynjolf as to my answer. His mischevious grin told me what to say.
"We're thieves. Aren't we meant to break rules?" Mercer did a double-take at me - thrown off by my answer. Immediately, he scowled, his distaste causing me to lose all of the bravery Brynjolf had just bestowed on me.
"I'll let that go because you're new here. Ask things out of turn again, and we have a problem. Now, are we clear?"
"Yes, I understand." I answered immediately.
"Good then I think it's time we put your expertise to use." Mercer grinned smugly. Brynjolf's face immediately transitioned to one of worry.
"Wait, you're not talking about Goldenglow are you? Even our little Vex couldn't get in!"
"You claimed that this 'recruit' possess aptitude for our line of work. If so, let him prove it." Brynjolf stayed quiet - it was obvious who was charge here - I had been to court, therefore I knew how to observe people's authority - there was no doubt about Mercer - he was in charge of everything. He turned to me, once again, making me unable to satisfy the urge to shrink away, only because I was frozen with fear. "Goldenglow Estate is critically important to one of our larger clients. However, the owner has suddenly decided to take matters into his own hands and shut us out. He needs to be taught a lesson." He didn't blink or move his eyes at all from mine, as he stared me down. He smiled smugly once more as I dropped my gaze to the floor. "Brynjolf will provide you with the details. That is, if he's not too busy being your wet nurse." He went to walk away.
"Mercer!" The other thief called him back. "Aren't you forgetting something?" Mercer scratched his head.
"Oh, yes." He turned back to me. "Since your friend Brynjolf has convinced me you're nothing but a benefit to us. You're in. Welcome to the Thieves Guild."
I grinned to myself as I watched Mercer walk away, each ounce of my fear leaving with him. As I breathed many sighs of relief, I turned to the other thief, who was beaming proudly at me.
"Welcome to the family lad, I"m expecting you to make us a lot of coin - don't disappoint me." He winked. "Anything you want to know?"
"How do I get my money?"
"Simple do as you're told and keep your blade clean. We don't turn a profit by killing." I nodded. "Listen lad, I'm going to talk to Mercer for you okay? You're too young to do this job." Instantaneously, I felt unfairly judged - just because I was young and small, it didn't mean I was incapable! He may have been right, but it still didn't mean the assumption didn't hurt. "In the very least, I'll make sure someone takes you. Maybe Vex, or Rune - another Imperial." I opened my mouth to ask how he knew, but he began to answer why already. "Come on lad, I know an Imperial when I see one. Fine clothes like that, the hair, the face, the voice - it's obvious. Sizing up your mark remember?" I rubbed my elbow. "So, why are you in Skyrim?" He asked, leading me to the various beds. "Runaway?"
"Sort of."
"Well, who was your father?"
"A general. In the Imperial army."
"Fancy that... you'll give Thrynn a run for his money!"
"I'm not good at fighting..." I muttered.
"You better learn lad, being a thief means getting into a few scraps." He grinned. "So, why aren't you in some posh house in Cyrodiil?"
"I came here with my father... he wanted to make peace with the rebels." I explained. "We were attacked on our way here."
"You don't mean that armed escort that got ambush about a month ago?" I nodded. "You've been on your own three weeks?" I nodded again. "Blimey, you have got survival instincts."
"You don't know anything about what happened do you?"
"Only that mostly Imperials died there. I don't know if anyone made it out." I felt a pit in my stomach. My father was most likely dead. I was now an orphan. I guess I had known it for a long time, but I couldn't have given up on hope. But now he was gone - I didn't even have my brother now. Something told me he wouldn't feel anything at this loss - he seemed too distant, too in-the-moment to understand what we had just lost. What I had just lost. I had no reason to return to Cyrodiil now - everyone must've thought I was dead. But here, with people like the Guild helping me and recognizing my achievements - albeit the people being terrifying and the accomplishments being thievery - I could have a new life. One without the expectations and pressures of a court life. I smiled to myself at the aspect. "What did you say your name was lad?"
"Tenebraeus." I answered. "Tenebraeus Magnus." He smiled, and extended a hand for me to shake.
"Greetings Tenebraeus Magnus." He smiled. "I'm Bynjolf.
