'' I dunno, Drahff. They'd skin us alive if they knew we were doin' this.''
'' Why are you always acting like such a big baby? I've gotten us this far!''
'' This far?''The bandit scoffed, crossing his arms while frowning at his partner. '' Drahff, we're livin' in a sewer. You said we'd have a house as big as the Black-Briars' by now!''
'' You worry about bashing people's heads in, Hewnon, I'll worry about the Guild. Okay?'' the other bandit said, and Hewnon rolled his eyes.
'' Okay.''
'' Good.'' Drahff took his bow in his hands, slowly turning around.'' I'm going to check the entrance to the Ratway. Be right back.''
Hewnon nodded and headed towards their bedrolls, still not pleased. True, the sewers were big, but not even close to the Black-Briars' lodge. What were they even thinking? Even the caves were better than this.
His thoughts were interrupted when he heard a blunt sound of a bowstring, someone choking and then suddenly it all stopped.
'' Drahff?'' He asked in a low voice, silently gripping his iron mace while stepping towards the hall leading to the entrance. '' Are you still there?'' He whispered, pinning to the wall just by the hall entrance.
Before he could even swing his mace, he was lying on the ground with his throat slit open, while a tall blonde Breton was standing over him, a bloody steel dagger in her right and sparks ready in her left hand. Seeing that she got rid of her two obstacles, she dispelled sparks and sheathed her dagger, looking around for anything useful.
Her blue eyes fell upon a not so small campfire made on the left side of the room, on which she felt her heart slowly trying to escape as her chest tightened. The loot suddenly became unimportant, and she simply turned around and marched away, avoiding the placed torches. She had to deal with it one day, but not yet.
She stopped when she realized the drawbridge to the other side has been risen, and that the floor of the lower level was a bit low to jump to without getting injured.
Damn. She thought, inspecting if she could get down without hurting herself.
Jumping was out of question. The way around didn't exist as far as she could tell, and the drawbridge couldn't be lowered from her side.
Then she facepalmed, completely forgotten on one thing that changed her life upside down. How, she really couldn't tell, but before doing it, she decided to check something, careful not to draw attention of anyone (or anything) dwelling in the moist, cold tunnels.
'' Laas…Yah!''
Her whisper sent an invisible, unfelt wave throughout the close area, revealing several, but a bit distant life forms down the tunnels. Should be far enough to let her do this without getting their attention.
'' Feim!''
The same moment she Shouted the word, she jumped down, barely feeling the stone floor in her spectral, almost ghostly form. Seconds after, she became flesh and blood again, crouching and hiding in the shadows to check the living on her path again.
Seeing that they stayed on their positions undisturbed, she began her search for the Ragged Flagon in the tunnels of the Ratway, sneaking through the moist, slippy sewers and avoiding as many of her foes as she could.
The Cistern was pretty empty at the moment, most of the thieves either resting in the Flagon or doing their jobs. Few have stayed, though, such as Niruin (doing his daily routine by shooting the targets until he ran out of arrows), Thrynn (stirring his lunch in the cooking pot), Rune (who was forced to stay due to his hand injury) and one other, who was watching them all.
Mercer sighed, looking back at the numbers in the business ledger. Noticing a slight mistake he made, he tipped the quill in the inkpot and corrected the said, a smirk appearing on his face.
The Guild was in a bad state. Extremely bad state. Most of it was because of the lack of contracts and the bad luck old Delvin was talking about, but he couldn't deny that he was guilty as well.
His smirk disappeared the same moment he remembered that day, that moment. The day Gallus confronted him, the day he was ready to end it just to stay with them…
The day the Guild died with Gallus.
He recalled that day with sadness, knowing that his friend, his brother even, wanted nothing more but him to return what he took without any right to do so. Though ready, fate didn't favor Gallus, and the betrayal of his closest friends brought him to his death.
Mercer couldn't deny he regretted his departure. Gallus was a natural leader, philosopher and thief, but all that was blinded by his trust. They were truly like brothers, sharing everything from memories to loot, even taking the Oath together with the third, very cunning thief.
His eyes narrowed as they stared at the ledger, remembering her; the stubborn Dunmer with eyes ever-watching, like a tempting amethyst for any thief, and skin grey as steel, with a true heart of a thief.
Gallus was doomed the day he let her in. Not just in the Guild, or the Trinity, but his heart.
And Mercer, he was doomed in another way. The girl was bringing in more coin in a week than some thieves could in a year, clearly showing her talent, but her attitude was worrying.
Before she joined their Trinity, she was just a naïve girl, following the orders of her Guildmaster (Gallus) and his second-in-command (Mercer) without question. After taking the Oath, she started showing her fanatical side, which brought Gallus (and almost Mercer) to his end.
Shaking his head to get rid of the memories, the ruling Guildmaster straightened, his back protesting from the time spent looming over that stupid ledger and desk in the Cistern.
The smirk on his face crept up again, when he remembered of a certain item in his pocket, and several caves in Skyrim only he knew off.
Soon it will be over. He thought. Soon, I will be free.
'' What was that?'' A blonde Nord lowlife drew out her dagger, looking towards the stairs which led to a small dining room, where she shared the room with some bandits. She walked away from her table and headed there after hearing quite a bit of rumble down there.
Unbeknown to her, Illie quickly casted an invisibility spell, cursing in her mind after accidentally tripping over a basket and fell on the floor, causing the one full with various tools to tumble its contents across the room.
The lowlife scanned the room, finding nothing but the fallen tools, which she decided to leave to the bandits – their tools, their worry.
'' Must have been nothing. Or a skeever.'' She mumbled to herself, sheathing the dagger and heading up, back to her table and books.
Illie was visible again soon after, but her feet were still muffled. Deciding not to cause such rumble again, she carefully sneaked over the saws, brooms and axes, reaching the stairs without a sound.
But when she reached the top of them, before she could even check the lowlife, the said person was staring in her face while pinning her to the wall without a chance to defend.
'' Well, look who's here!'' The lowlife mocked her, and Illie, no matter she was already pinned to the wall, tried to get away from her and her awful breath. '' Got a wrong turn, haven't we, thief?'' She asked, earning a kick in the shin by the Breton.
She growled, but with a swift move of her dagger, she managed to scar her cheek and knock her down with her free hand clenched into a fist, chuckling over the blonde mage.
'' What'll you do no-'' Her attempt to stab her was interrupted when Illie raised her hand in reflux, sending an ice spike through her chest and her soul to Aetherius, hopefully.
Standing up, she brushed her robes, wincing in pain from the lowlife's fist and her own fall, which caused the bow to press against her back rather uncomfortably.
Turning around, she smiled when she noticed the same drawbridge that blocked her way here – with a lever to lower it on the wall next to it.
After lowering it in case she'd have to go through here again, she looked around, her smile dropping and her heartbeat increasing at the sight of another door, before she pulled herself together and entered it, finding herself in a large round room with a smaller round pool in the middle, and a sign on the right walkway showing two daggers behind a mug full of ale, while voices were bickering about something in the inn across. A small smile appeared on her face as she slowly made her way towards it.
She found the Ragged Flagon.
'' Give it up, Brynjolf... those days are over.'' The Nord barkeeper said, wiping the tankards clean.
'' I'm telling you, this one is different!''
'' We've all heard that one before, Bryn! Quit kidding yourself!'' The other, bulky Nord with an odd beard growing in two directions growled, reassuring his red-haired friend, who sighed at their skeptical comments about the girl he invited.
'' It's time to face the truth, old friend.'' The barkeeper added, not noticing that Brynjolf was carefully watching the shadows, smiling at the approaching silhouette. '' You, Vex, Mercer... you're all part of a dying breed. Things are changing!''
'' Dying breed, eh?'' Brynjolf stood up, his smile widening. '' Well what do you call that then!''
The eyes of his present company suddenly landed on Illie, who put all effort not to look scared.
She stopped when Brynjolf approached her, watching her proudly with a smile.
'' Well, well… color me impressed, lass! I wasn't certain I'd ever see you again!" He chuckled, and she smiled faintly. '' I see that you've changed your mind?''
'' I have.'' She nodded. '' Getting here wasn't so hard.'' In comparison to other things. She kept that thought to herself.
Brynjolf's brows shot up in surprise. '' Reliable and headstrong? You're turning out to be quite the prize!''
'' Yeah, we'll see about that.'' A blonde Imperial leaned on the crates nearby snorted. '' Send her on a job and then we'll see if she's worth anything.''
'' Now, now, Vex.'' Illie turned her gaze from the woman and looked at the table on her right, by which she noticed and older Breton smirking. '' She doesn't look so bad! Look at 'er, small and cunning, perfect for those little jobs you give away.''
Ending his talk, he winked at Illie, causing her to smile shyly, but also bringing out another snort from Vex.
'' Whatever you say, Del.'' She spat out sarcastically.
'' So…'' Brynjolf started, drawing her attention. '' Now that I've whetted your appetite with our little scheme at the market, how about handling a few deadbeats for me?''
'' Deadbeats?'' She frowned, not sure about the way it sounded. '' What'd they do?''
'' They owe our organization some serious coin, but decided not to pay us back. I want you to explain them the error of their ways.'' Brynjolf turned serious, while Illie carefully listened to him; last thing she needed is another group chasing her across Skyrim, though she doubted it would happen for few unsuccessful talks.
'' Who are they?'' She asked.
'' Keerava, Bersi Honey-Hand and Haelga.'' He said, but though he noticed her frown, he decided to let her find her own way of identifying them. '' Do this right, and I can promise you a permanent place in our organization.''
'' Oh great, we're lowering the standards now.''
'' Stop it, Vex.'' Brynjolf warned her, though with a calm voice, but the Imperial didn't even care.
'' How did you want me to handle it?''
'' The debt is secondary here, though still important to get back.'' Brynjolf said with a certain warning in his voice. '' What's more important is that you get the message across that we aren't to be ignored.'' Straightening, he added, '' A word of warning, though… I don't want any of them killed. Bad for business, and worse for you.''
Illie took a deep breath; this was her last chance to back off if she wanted.
'' Consider it done.''
On those words, Brynjolf smiled, having a good feeling about his new protégé.
'' Good. If you need any details on our marks, I'll be here. Now get going.'' He winked at her, and she nodded, hurrying to get the job done by the end of the day.
'' She better be good, Bryn.'' Vex said, flipping the lockpick in the air and catching it repeatedly. '' I have a bad feeling about her.''
'' What's ya' problem about 'er? The lass's just fine!'' Delvin asked, causing the Imperial to scowl at him.
'' I didn't tell you anything.'' She said, pushing herself of the crates. '' But you… Mark my words.'' She told Brynjolf, pointing at him with her lockpick, before heading to the practice room to reset the chest locks again.
'' Keerava, Bersi, Haelga.'' Illie repeated, standing in front of the Ratway entrance.
'' And find out where's the sculptor.'' She told herself, before walking up the stairs and returning to the streets.
Questioning the Argonian she robbed yesterday (and finding out his name is Madesi), she headed towards her first target; Haelga, the blonde Nord owning the Bunkhouse he wasn't very comfortable of being in, was a follower of Dibella. Though Madesi was wondering why her niece was so disgusted with her aunt, Illie knew exactly what it's about; after her run-in with a certain Sam, she caught a word or two about some fanatic followers of hers.
But that made her job instantly easier; a fanatic will either kill you for their belief, or let you use their weakness against them.
Upon entering the Bunkhouse, she was immediately welcomed by her target.
'' If you're looking for a room, try the Bee and Barb. This place is for the working man." Haelga said, but Illie ignored her, approaching the counter with a determined look.
'' I'm not looking for a room.'' She said, leaning on the counter while staring at her. '' I have a message from Brynjolf.''
Haelga was visibly annoyed. '' What does he want now? I've already explained to him that you can't get blood from a stone.''
'' This isn't about the money anymore.'' Illie pushed herself off the counter, the negotiator coming up from inside. Haelga, on the other side, was getting nervous.
'' Look, I can't make the coin appear out of thin air! Please, be reasonable, I'll… I'll pay you next month.''
'' We've run out of patience.'' Illie raised her voice slightly, crossing her arms.
Haelga dropped her act and showed her anger. ''And so have I. What's the point of paying you anyway? Your outfit can't even fend for herself.'' She threw back venomously, making Illie frown at her. '' I could do better tossing the gold into the sewer. You can't scare me with your tough talk. I'm not paying you a single coin. Now get out!''
Haelga turned around to take something from her room, giving Illie time to search for something to confirm her suspicion about her, and when she came back, she had something to see; the Breton was holding her golden statue of Dibella – pretty loosely.
'' So, should this statue end up in a sewer with your gold then?'' She raised her eyebrows.
'' Not Lady Dibella! No!'' Haelga nearly screamed in despair. '' I can't lose her!''
'' Really?'' Illie let the statue nearly fall, but caught her before it did, much on Haelga's relief.
'' I get the message! Here, take your gold!'' She said, throwing the coin purse at her feet. '' I hope you choke on it!''
Putting down the statue, Illie took the gold, feeling guilty after seeing the tears that dwelled in the Nord's eyes. Turning around and shaking away the thought, she started thinking if it was a good idea after all.
What's done is done. Finish the job, find the sculptor and then get out of here.
If only that was enough to wash out the guilt. But she had two other debts to collect; there was no time to ponder over her each act.
And after she finally did stop pondering over it, she made her way to the Pawned Prawn to collect the second debt; the one of Bersi Honey-Hand.
Mercer went through the whole ledger once more, making sure no mistake was made.
He could afford it, not now, when he was so close. So close to getting away.
'' Mercer?''
He looked up with his usual annoyed frown, only to find Brynjolf staring at him.
'' Do you have a moment?''
'' Not really.'' He growled, but put down the ledger nonetheless. '' What is it?''
Brynjolf took a deep breath. '' You know we've been hitting a rough patch lately.''
Mercer snorted. '' You don't say.''
'' And you know that there are not many that could help us get back to the glory days.'' Brynjolf went on, causing the Guildmaster to frown. '' But I may have found someone who could.''
'' What exactly are you talking about?'' A suspicion crept inside him, and worry; could Brynjolf ruin it now? No, he wouldn't let him.
'' I've found a new member of the guild.''
Mercer let out an annoyed sigh. '' I've already heard about your special protégés.'' He growled. '' And they always end up either lying dead on the street or floating in the canal on their first heist.''
'' But this one is different, I assure you!''
'' Brynjolf…'' Mercer sighed again, shaking his head as he looked at the Nord. '' Every one of them was different. And every one of them failed.''
'' I admit, they were not very skilled or prepared, but-''
'' Stop.'' Mercer shook his head, his voice sounding surprisingly friendly. '' You've been recruiting useless youngsters with their heads stuck in clouds! If you already try to recruit someone, at least make sure they show some skill.''
'' And I have.'' He said proudly, and Mercer's jaw clenched; he wasn't giving up.'' Not just that; she helped me get rid of Brand-Shei. And when she comes back from the job I've sent her on –don't worry, nothing out of town…'' He added immediately, seeing the sudden reaction from Mercer. '' You'll see she'll be worth it.''
Mercer straightened, thinking about it.
'' This is your last one. For now.'' He stated, and Brynjolf nodded, merely showing a hint of his relief by smiling. '' But if she fails, you won't recruit anyone. Ever. Again.'' He threatened. '' Understood?''
'' Understood.''
'' And…'' He added, making Brynjolf wait before he left. '' She'll have to do a job I give her before she's in the books.''
Brynjolf's smile disappeared, and Mercer already hoped he wouldn't have to deal with another useless recruit. There were enough such that were killed on a regular basis by the guards.
'' Alright.'' Brynjolf nodded, and Mercer went back to his work, checking the new contracts that arrived. '' She can take it.'' He said, before walking away with a big smile on his face.
'' We'll see about that.'' Mercer mumbled as a smirk appeared on his face, the job already waiting for the recruit to be done.
'' Oh, look who's back!'' The older Breton she remembered as Delvin smiled at the sight of the mage. '' Pull up a seat, have a drink!'' He said, and seeing that Brynjolf wasn't around, found no harm in accepting the offer of the only other friendly person around.
'' So...Brynjolf, huh?'' He huffed, and Illie got slightly confused with the sudden change in his behaviour. '' Lemme guess. He plucked you off the street and dropped you into the thick of things without tellin' you which way is up. Am I right?''
Illie frowned. '' He's been doing it before?'
His chuckle answered her. '' Oh yes. Poor ol' Mercer started losing his head over their uselessness.''
'' Mercer?'' Illie frowned even more.
'' Aye. Don't you worry, you'll meet him when Bryn gets you in. Word of advice –don't get on his bad side.''
'' Who is Mercer?'' She asked.
'' I've told you, you'll find out. 'Till then, why don't you tell me who you are?'' He asked, then huffed.
'' Ah, where are my manners.'' Shaking his head, he held out his hand across the table.
'' Delvin Mallory, Master of Sneak.'' He sain proudly, with a friendly smirk on his face.
She smiled at him, glad that at least someone there cared that she was there.
'' Illie.'' She shook his hand, before reluctantly adding. '' Master of Conjuration.''
'' Ah, a mage.'' Delvin nodded with surprise. '' Just what we need. Got any Illusion skills?''
'' Reached the Expert level.'' She responded, surprising the thief even more. '' And yes, I can be invisible.''
'' Yeah, that'll come in handy.'' He said. '' Now, do you have any experience in this kind of business?''
That question made her think it through.
'' Uhm… Well, I…'' Never stole from living people and won't stay here for long.
'' I could use some advice.'' She admitted.
''See, that kind of attitude comes from someone who wants to get rich and stay alive long enough to enjoy it. We're goin' to get along nicely.''
'' I see you're already making friends around here.''
Looking up, she saw Brynjolf watching her from the entrance to what she thought was wine storage.
She looked at Delvin, who nodded, letting her end her job with Brynjolf.
''Come back later and I may have some work for you." He added, and she smiled, before handling the gold to Brynjolf.
'' Here's what they owed us.'' She said.
'' Any problems encountered?'' He asked.
'' Only smashing an ugly urn and threatening to do the same with a statue of Dibella. Considering the weight of the thing, I almost did smash it.'' Brynjolf chuckled at her words. '' And Keerava is saying sorry for telling you to jump off the pier.''
This time Brynjolf couldn't help but to let out a real laugh. '' When you see her, tell her it's okay. It's good you didn't get on her bad side; sometimes it's better to stay in the inn if Mercer's in a foul mood.'' He said, before giving the gold to Delvin to count.
'' So, the job's done and you brought the gold. Best of all, you did it clean. I like that.'' He confessed.
'' Well done. And it would seem I owe you something in return.''
He handled her few small bottles of different colours.
'' A poison and the Light Feet potion. I think you'll find them quite useful.''
'' Thank you.'' She put them in her satchel, hoping they won't break. '' What's next, then?''
'' Judging from how well you handled those shopkeepers, I'd say you've done more than simply prove yourself. We need people like you in our outfit.'' He stated. '' That is, if you want it.''
'' If there's more gold where that came from, count me in.'' She said. Until I'll have to leave, though.
'' That's the spirit! Larceny's in your blood... the telltale sign of a practiced thief. I think you'll do more than just fit in around here." He smiled, and so did she, feeling quite comfortable in his company.
'' Before we go, I have to ask…'' She started, and he frowned even so slightly. '' Word is your outfit isn't doing well.'' His expression visibly dropped at her question. '' True?''
'' We've run into a rough patch lately, but it's nothing to be concerned about.'' He waved it off as nothing. '' Tell you what; you keep making us coin and I'll worry about everything else. Fair enough?"
'' Fair enough.'' Sounded her reply.
'' Good. Now if there are no more questions, how about following me and I'll show you what we're all about.''
'' Only one.'' He stopped in his tracks, looking at her expectantly. '' Who's Mercer?''
He chuckled, smirking at the curious Breton. '' Follow me.''
Mercer was standing in the middle of the Cistern, waiting for Brynjolf and his new (and hopefully last) protégé. Almost a minute after he managed to convince him in giving him another chance for choosing the new initiates, he returned with a question whether he wanted to officially get his recruit in the Guild.
Soon you'll have only one person to care about. He comforted himself. Soon, but not yet. Not yet.
Meanwhile, Illie was following Brynjolf through the fake cabinet in the wine storage room, keeping her distance from the torches that burned brightly, much closer to one that they were in the dim Flagon. Brynjolf didn't notice a thing, fortunately, and she made her way by the flames, hoping that she'll be able to keep it a secret a bit longer.
'' Mercer!''
Her gaze snapped on the man standing in front of them on Brynjolf's call. Clearly, he was waiting for them, and judging by his posture, he seemed like the one in charge of the guild.
'' This is the one I was talking about. Our new recruit.''
Illie could only stand there paralyzed as Mercer's stormy green eyes pierced into hers, making her feel small in comparison. He wore the same armor as Brynjolf and Delvin, but was armed with a long dwarven sword and an iron dagger. He was a Breton as well, though taller than her, and quite strong-looking, but something about him made her feel… uneasy.
Mercer, however, didn't seem even slightly impressed by her.
'' This better not be another waste of the Guild's resources, Brynjolf.'' He emphasized, before returning his gaze to her.
'' Before we continue, I want to make one thing perfectly clear.'' He stated. '' If you play by the rules, you walk away rich. You break the rules, and you lose your share. No debates, no discussions.'' He warned her sternly, all that while she was trying to stay focused, the unease increasing the longer she was near him. '' You do what we say, when we say. Do I make myself clear?''
His last words were both a warning and a stern question. She nodded right away, his authority sending shivers down her spine. '' Yes, I understand.'' She replied.
'' Good. Then I think it's time we put your expertise to the test.''
Only now Brynjolf realized what Mercer was thinking by that job she would get.
'' Wait a moment… You're not talking about Goldenglow, are you?'' He frowned, visibly worried. '' Even our little Vex couldn't get in!''
'' You claim this recruit possesses an aptitude for our line of work. If so, let her prove it.''
He looked back into her blue eyes, continuing his talk while Illie frowned at Brynjolf's reaction. ''Goldenglow Estate is critically important to one of our largest clients. However, the owner has suddenly decided to take matters into his own hands and shut us out, so needs to be taught a lesson. Brynjolf will provide you with the details.'' Mercer was already about to leave, when Brynjolf reminded him of something.
'' Mercer, aren't you forgetting something?'' He asked with a smirk.
'' Hmm?'' He frowned, looking at him and then back on her, before remembering.
'' Oh, yes. Since Brynjolf assures me you'll be nothing but a benefit to us, then you're in.'' She straightened, looking at her mentor with a small hint of a smile, before looking back at the Guildmaster, who eyed her carefully once more; this one might even be useful for a change.
'' Welcome to the Thieves Guild." He said, knowing that the Goldenglow will show her true value.
Hi!
Sorry for a slight delay in updating. I have some more exams to do in this month, but only for another two weeks before I'm free.
Thank you, Shannon and Judy, for leaving a review and showing an interest to the story.
A very important thing about Illie; she's not a hero. Well, as a Dragonborn, she is considered a hero, but she doesn't see herself as one. That's a part of the reason why she acts slightly more scared than you'd expect from her (the fire thing is another pair of shoes, it will be explained later), but still brave enough not to back away from a challenge.
And about what she's up to, and who she is… Have any ideas already? :)
Hopefully, the update is coming somewhere in the next two-three weeks. I hope I'll manage to write it down after all my exams are done.
See you soon!