Issana slammed her tankard back onto the Ragged Flagon's bar. "Who does she think she is? Sending me all the way to Whiterun for a job she won't even tell me about. It's ridiculous!"

"At least she's paying you," said Vekel, refilling the mug. "She could have just told you to go."

Issana sighed. "Well, yes. There is that. But still! Whiterun! That's a whole other hold of Skyrim!"

"Oh, I didn't say I envied you," said Vekel. "I was just making a point."

"You're not helping." She drained the tankard and thrust it at him. "Fill 'er up."

"Don't you have preparations to make?"

"I'm not leaving until the end of the week."

Vekel shrugged. "Suit yourself. The more you drink the more I earn."

"Shut up."

Brynjolf dropped into the seat beside her and motioned for Vekel to fill a cup for him. "So, Whiterun, eh? Moving up in the world."

"Right, because a two week journey is a real privilege."

"Maven asked for you by name. That's a good thing, lass. For all of us."

"Forgive me if I'm not exactly excited about the whole thing."

Brynjolf took a drink. "Lass, Maven's impressed. That's something I haven't seen in years. You pulled off the Goldenglow job without a hitch. Keep this up and you'll make us all rich."

"Ugh, I know, I know." She frowned into her empty tankard. "What am I supposed to do for two weeks? Think? I'll be so pent up that when I get to Whiterun I'll break into every single house in the city!"

"Just make sure you get Maven's job done first, lass. She won't be too happy if you get yourself locked up because of some foolish stunt."

Issana slouched forwards so her chin was resting in her palm. She sighed loudly. "I guess I should probably start thinking about supplies. Does anybody have a map?"

"Mercer does," Brynjolf said. "You can probably borrow it if you ask nicely."

"Oooh, good, being nice. That sounds like so much fun right now."

"You could try just taking it. I'm curious what he'd do." Cynric had appeared out of nowhere, a huge, mock scowl plastered across his face. "How dare you steal from the Guild Master? I'll see you dumped in the canals! Dirge! Deal with this insubordinate wench!"

"What does Mercer do around here, anyway?" said Issana as she tipped her mug back.

"Good question," said Mercer's voice behind her. Issana choked and sprayed the ale back into her tankard.

"What do I do?" Mercer continued. "Maybe nothing. Maybe I just stand around and take a cut of the profits. Or maybe I'm the one that keeps this whole damn Guild running smoothly. I make sure your jobs don't collide. I keep Maven from breathing down your necks. But most of all, I buy off the right people to ensure the guards aren't about to storm the Ratway and butcher every last one of you."

Issana set her mug down carefully. "Well… I think that's my cue to, uh, go."

"I think it is," said Mercer.

There was silence in the Flagon as Issana slunk away. She passed Niruin on her way to the cistern. "Oh, dear," said the elf. "What have you done this time?"

"I'm sure you'll hear about it," she said as she walked past.

She reached the door to the cistern and opened it. Rune looked up from a chair as she entered. "Problem?"

She shook her head. "Not really, just opened my mouth without thinking. Mercer's not happy. Though in my defence, everyone was thinking it."

"What did you say?" Rune said as he rose from his seat.

"I wondered what Mercer really does around here."

Rune hid his laughter with a cough. "Sorry. Had something in my throat. He's angry?"

"No more than usual. I'm heading topside to pick up some supplies while he cools off."

Rune fell into step beside her. "That's right, I heard! Whiterun. Big trip."

"I'm aware of that."

"Could be good for you. Clear your head a bit. I don't know about you, but there's only so much of Riften I can stomach at a time."

"Mmm, right, because nothing sounds more exciting to me than wandering in the wilderness for two weeks."

"I'll come with you."

Issana stopped and faced him. "Why on earth would you want to go to Whiterun?"

"It's one of the biggest trade centres in Skyrim," said Rune. "There are always merchants bound for every hold. I need to find someone who can take a letter and some money back to my father in Solitude."

Issana started walking again. "You're such a baby."

"Just because you're a heartless bitch doesn't mean the rest of us are," laughed Rune. "Let me come with you."

"Fine," Issana said. She whirled around and pointed a finger at him. "But only because I'll go crazy without someone to talk to for two weeks."

"Hah, you need my help anyway."

"I do, do I?"

Rune snorted. "I've seen you try to start a fire. But no, if you'd rather freeze in the rain, go ahead."

"You're a nuisance, you know that? A big nuisance."

"So you've said. Let's go grab some supplies."