VII

The Telvanni guard captain looked around the room at his men, all standing at attention in his presence. He walked to each man, looking him up and down, making sure every little detail was correct. The captain had a flawless record. No one had ever successfully broken into the wizard's tower on his watch, and it was going to stay that way as long as he had anything to say about it. The captain had the only keys to the doors and there were no fewer than four guards on every level. The tower was sealed up tight, and he wanted to make sure tonight's security was the same way.

He turned his back to the wall to address his men, "All right, soldiers. You know how I want things done around here. No one has ever broken into this tower on my watch, and I intend to keep it that way. It's the lash for any man caught idle. To your posts, now." The guards saluted and those that weren't posted in this room turned to leave. The captain nodded assuredly to himself. No one was getting in here on his watch.

Through all the activity, no one noticed a shadow upon shadow moving in the dark corners of the room. No one noticed when the shadow slipped around behind the captain and cut the keys from his belt, silently replacing them with a ring of jingling metal that sounded like keys. Arken looked back at the guards before leaving the room. The captain would never know his pocket had been picked until he tried to unlock a door in the tower, which didn't give him a lot of time. He quickly and quietly made his way through the tower halls and up the stairs as he proceeded to the highest chamber. Arken shook his head. He never could figure out why wizards had a fascination for tall buildings and towers. He rounded a corner to find himself no fewer than four feet from a guard's back. As he started to turn around, Arken looked around the hallway and made the only move he could.

The guard turned around and walked down the hall, completely oblivious to the intruder in the tower. Arken looked down at him from above, suspending himself from the ceiling by pressing his hands and feet against the walls. He dropped down, landing quiet as a cat, and proceeded down the hall and further up the tower.

Arken finally came to what he was sure was the last door. It was the largest and most ornately decorated in the tower, so this had to be it. He unlocked it with the key and pushed it open, nodding to himself as he slipped through and closed it behind him. Leave it to Telvanni wizards to be paranoid. They'd never let the guards into the inner chambers where they stored all their magical trinkets. Arken scanned the shelves as he walked through the room, pocketing some of the more valuable items and leaving rest. He finally came to the end of the room where he found what he came all this way for. On a podium at the back of the room was a large, thick book, an ancient tome containing some of the greatest secrets of the school of Mysticism. Arken didn't care what it contained. All he knew was that it was worth a small fortune to the Thieves Guild fences. Arken allowed himself a self-satisfied smirk. He'd been planning this heist for almost a month, and it was all about to pay off. He closed the book and carefully slipped it into the carry bag he'd made for it.

With the payday secured, now Arken needed to get out with it. He cinched the bag and secured it to his back before going to the window and taking the rope from his belt. He fastened it tightly to one of the pillars in the room before throwing the rest of the length out the window. Arken made sure his belt and the carry bag were secure before he grabbed the rope and turned to position himself for the long climb down. Before starting, he looked out at the horizon. The sun was rising faster than he cared for, meaning he didn't have much time. If he was still climbing down by day break, he'd be at enormous risk of being caught. He secured the rope in his feet before sliding down and beginning a hand-over-hand descent. At this point, nothing could go wrong. It was almost four hundred feet down and the slightest mistake would result in a long plummet to the ground below. He continued down, not stopping to look or even to take a break. He just kept the rhythm going, one hand over the other. It was sooner than he expected when Arken felt his feet hit dirt. He released the rope after steadying himself firmly on solid ground before looking up at the climb he'd just taken. The tower's height was a lot more dizzying from the ground than from inside. With his prize in tow, Arken looked around to see if his descent had attracted attention before heading to the inn for the rest of the morning. The inn keeper still thought he was in his room, and he needed to make good on that.

Arken climbed the ivy on the outside of the inn to get to his room and slid through the window. After quickly hiding his prize and gearing down out of his leather thief's armor, he caught a few hours of sleep before the town started to come alive for the morning. Dunmer physiology was very resilient, allowing the Dark Elves to go for several days before needing a full night's rest, and Arken made full use of that fact. The mages at the local guild hall suspected nothing when he paid for transport back to Balmora.

As Arken walked away from the South Wall Corner club, several thousand drakes richer for the book's price, he stopped and looked back at the club for a moment. He couldn't be sure, but he could almost swear that he'd just felt the most fleeting pang of guilt over stealing that book. Arken had been stealing all his life, so that book was only one of several dozen he'd stolen in his days. No, this guilt was for something else. He kept walking back toward his home, but stopped over a puddle in the street, looking down at his reflection. For some reason, he was disgusted looking at himself. This guilt Arken felt was only added to a growing reproach he'd been feeling for almost two weeks now, and he knew exactly what it was all about.

Merrenda. Arken's guilt was because Merrenda still didn't know that he was a thief. They'd been seeing each other fairly regularly for almost a year now, not always with her father's consent, but Arken still kept his secret hidden from her. He felt guilty about it because Merrenda had always been very forthcoming with him, but he still kept this part of himself from her. It was eating at him. He couldn't escape it.

Arken blew through the door of his home, tossed the sack of money on the table, and sat down heavily in his arm chair, his new glass armor clacking loudly as he landed. He flexed his right hand in and out of a fist several times, the glass gauntlet clicking quietly with each movement. After being exposed a year ago, Krayven had fled so quickly that he didn't even collect his goods from his quarters. As a reward for exposing him, Arken had been given everything in Krayven's chest, meaning the old chitin armor had been replaced with a suit of much more resilient and nicer looking glass armor. He sat there in his chair, staring straight ahead, stroking his chin, and thinking. There was something deeper to this then just feeling bad about not telling Merrenda that he was a thief. There was something else, but he didn't know what, and that was what he wanted to brainstorm out right here and now. Arken had lied to people before, many people, and never really felt bad about it. Why was it so different with Merrenda? He'd hidden things from numerous people in his lifetime and hadn't had an inkling of guilt before. Again, why was it so different with Merrenda? Arken sighed. He felt so guilty because he didn't want to hurt her feelings because…

Ra'Jharra came down the stairs and started preparing the table for dinner, "I see you've returned. I assume your trip was successful?"

Arken ignored him as his eyes widened and his head came up suddenly. That was it! That was the reason for all the guilt! He stood from his chair and practically ran out the door, heading for the Mages Guild hall.

Ra'Jharra watched him run out and shrugged in confusion, "What's wrong? Hey!" He leaned out the door, watching the Dunmer run across the river, "What was that all about?"

Arken hurried to the Mages Guild and paid for transport to Ald'Ruhn. He rushed through the local guild hall and ran down the road to the Skar hall. He had to tell Merrenda now or it was going to drive him insane. He burst through the door into Skar and only slowed down when he came to the Redoran Hall. He searched high and low in the hall for the better part of twenty minutes before he finally found Merrenda in the library. He took a deep breath to collect himself before approaching her. This time, the truth was going to come out, and it was a scary feeling wondering what would happen when it did.

Merrenda turned and noticed Arken, smiling brightly at him, "Hello, Arken."

Arken nodded to her, "Hello, Merrenda." He took a breath before continuing, "Do you have a moment?"

Merrenda shrugged, "For you, of course. What do you need?"

Arken motioned to some nearby chairs, "You might want to sit down first."

Merrenda's smile disappeared as she followed Arken to sit in one of the chairs, "That bad, is it?"

Arken pulled the other chair around to sit across from her. He took yet another deep breath to calm himself before looking her in the eye, "Merrenda, there's something I have to tell you. It'll probably drive me crazy if I don't." He paused for a moment before continuing, "When I joined the House eleven years ago, officially I came in as a guardsman and messenger." He paused and sighed, "That's not how I joined. I joined as a…" He trailed off, forcing himself to say it, "…I joined as a thief."

Merrenda's eyes widened and her mouth dropped open, "What? A thief? In House Redoran?"

Arken nodded, "I came to the house seeking protection for my activities, and your father was more than willing to take me. He limited my stealing only to the other great houses." Arken hung his head and let out a harsh breath before looking at Merrenda again, "I'm telling you this because you have a right to know. You've been very forthcoming with me, and it's only fair that I do the same with you. And because I don't want to hurt you. I care about you too much to let that happen."

Merrenda blinked several times and nodded slowly, "Arken, I know that you care, but…"

Arken shook his head, "No. It's more than that. It's something I've never said to anyone in my life." He took her hand in his and looked her in the eye, "I love you, Merrenda."

Merrenda looked at Arken's hands holding her own and looked up at him, "Arken, I…I understand that, but…but you're a thief that…" She trailed off, the confusion on her face changing to anger. She looked at the door out of the room briefly before looking back at Arken, "Wait here. I'll return soon."

Arken released her hand as she stood and stormed out of the room, "Merrenda, I…" He let his words trail off as he watched the only woman he ever cared about storm out in a huff. After all he'd gone through, all he'd hoped for…he'd lost her.

Merrenda practically stomped through the hall as she made her way to her father's chambers. It appeared that Arken wasn't the only one keeping things from her. She rushed by the domo outside the chamber, who hurried after her, trying to tell her to stay out of the room. It didn't work, and she flung the door open, breaking her father's concentration on what was on his desk and bringing his attention to her.

The domo followed her in, an almost begging quality in his voice, "Milady, please, the lord said he was not to be disturbed."

Merrenda held up a hand to silence him before turning her attention to her father, "When were you planning on telling me?"

Lord Redoran furrowed his brow, "Tell you about what, dear?"

"About Arken."

Lord Redoran's face became stern as he looked at the domo, "Leave us. Now." The domo hurried out of the chamber and closed the door behind him.

Lord Redoran stood up and started walking around his desk, "This is about Master Dralkes' occupation with the house, isn't it?"

Merrenda nodded as she walked closer to him, "You know full well it is, father. You could have told me that he was a thief. A thief, by the by, that you hired." She stopped with some distance between them and crossed her arms, "Is there anything else you're keeping from me?"

Lord Redoran shook his head piously, "I didn't think you had any reason to know. I made the decision to explore opportunities to strike at the other great houses." He leaned back on his desk, "And truth be told, Merrenda, I was hoping you'd find out on your own. You're a clever girl, and I knew this sort of thing wouldn't escape you for very long."

Merrenda shook her head, "But why keep it from me at all, father?"

"I had thought that perhaps this knowledge would make him…less attractive to you."

"Less attractive?" Merrenda's eyes widened and she looked at him flabbergasted, "You're still trying to control who I marry, aren't you?"

Lord Redoran stood up straight, "It's what's best for the house, Merrenda."

Merrenda's jaw fell slack for a moment, "Best for the house? Father, I am your daughter; your own flesh and blood. What about what's best for me?" She put her hands on her hips, "What ever happened to wanting me to have the best you can give me as my father?"

Lord Redoran's face hardened and his hands dropped to his sides, "That's not fair, Merrenda."

"Is it?" She walked up to him, "You're trying to manipulate me behind my back and you complain when I do the same to you. This is wrong, father. I am your daughter; I am the last person you should be manipulating with protocol and house politics." Tears started to well up in her eyes, "How can I take pride in my family name when I know that my father does this to his own child?" She turned away from him to regain control of herself.

As Merrenda wiped the tears from her eyes, she heard her father whisper behind her, "What have I done?" She turned around to find him sitting in his chair, holding back sobs with his hands over his face.

She moved closer, "What?"

Lord Redoran looked around the room, looking everywhere but at Merrenda, "I've done this to myself. I thought by trying to control you I could…" He trailed off as he fought back more tears, "I thought that I could keep you from Arken. I thought that I could keep you here, where you belong." He finally looked at her, "I don't want to lose you, my dear Merrenda." He hung his head, "But it seems in trying not to lose you, I've only pushed you further away. I've been such a fool."

Merrenda walked around the desk and knelt down next to the chair to hug her father. He put an arm around her and held her close.

Merrenda picked her head up from his shoulder and turned his face to meet her gaze, "Papa, no matter what happens, no matter what family I marry into, or whatever else may be, you'll always have me. You're my father, and come what may, we're always family."

Lord Redoran broke her gaze, a tear glistening in his eye, "'Papa'. You used to call me that when you were little."

Merrenda nodded, "I know you'll probably never agree with my seeing Arken, father, but I ask you, please, do not interfere. This is my choice, and I'm not letting the politics and protocol make it for me."

Lord Redoran nodded as he looked at his daughter again, "You know I'll never agree with it." He smiled as he brushed a lock of her black hair behind her ear, "But you're a grown woman now, and a fine young woman that I couldn't be more proud of. Your choices are yours, my dear."

Merrenda smiled brightly as she hugged her father close, "Thank you, so much, papa." She kissed his cheek before standing and hurrying out of the room.

Arken stood leaning with his arms crossed next to one of the doors of the library, staring absently at the floor. He chose a place to wait that was near one of the room's exits. In spite of how much he loved her, if Merrenda came back with a contingent of guards on her heels, Arken wasn't about to give up his freedom without a healthy chase. As far as he was concerned, he didn't have anything left to lose, so what was a few hundred more drakes' worth of bounty on his head at this point. Arken sighed and shook his head. If it would get him Merrenda back, he just might give himself up.

Arken tensed and preparing for the worst when he saw the door at the far end of the room open and Merrenda walk through. He was pleasantly surprised when no guards followed her in as she crossed the room to get to him. Arken breathed a deep sigh. Might as well face her now and be done with it rather then let it hang over his head any longer.

Merrenda stopped less than a two feet in front of Arken as he kept staring at the floor, "I'm surprised you came back."

Merrenda shook her head, "I couldn't just leave you standing here, or worse, let the guards find you." She gave him a little smile, "I care about you too much to let that happen."

Arken's attention instantly came off the floor when he heard what she said, "What'd you say?"

Merrenda stepped forward and took his hand in her own, "I love you, Arken Dralkes."

Arken looked silently at his hand in Merrenda's grasp for a moment before looking at her, confusion covering his face, "But…but you know now. I'm a thief; how could you ever love someone like that?"

Merrenda smiled brightly as she shook her head, "I haven't fallen in love with a thief, Arken. I've fallen in love with a strong young man beneath the thief." She touched her finger to his chest, "You may not see it, Arken, but the thief is not who you are. The thief is simply what you are. Who you are is a good man who, unfortunately, has had to make some hard choices in life. I look at you, and I don't see a thief. I see Arken Dralkes, the man you really are." She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest, "And I like what I see."

Arken put his arms around Merrenda and held her tight, savoring this knew feeling he now felt. With no parents and no friends to speak of when he was younger, Arken never really knew what it was like to be loved. But now, for the first time in his life, he truly understood. He now understood what it was like for someone to love him for who he was. It was a feeling that he cherished right along with the woman in his arms.

Arken leaned his head down beside Merrenda's and mustered the soft whisper that was his voice through the emotions, "Thank you."

Standing there holding Merrenda, Arken finally had the answer to his question. He didn't know what the case was for other thieves, but this thief had found love. As Fynix had said, Arken had stolen her heart the same way Merrenda had stolen his. There was now a brighter and more hopeful future for Arken. Another mold broken, and a better life to live. The horizon was bright, and the dawn was breaking for a new chapter in Arken's life.

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Arken walked into the Razor Hole to find the shop empty save for Thorck, who was busily hammering away on somebody's weapon. Even the Hlaalu guard who normally watched the shop was absent, which Arken didn't mind in the slightest. He casually strolled over to Thorck, who noticed him between hammer blows.

Thorck set his hammer down and wiped sweat from his brow, "Afternoon, Dralkes. How's that repair to your bow holding up?"

Arken nodded to him, "Just fine, Thorck. I expect nothing less from you." He picked up a silver-headed arrow and looked it over for a moment before continuing, "I have a question for you, if you have some time."

The Nord shrugged, "I can spare a moment. Speak your mind."

Arken nodded, working the arrow around in his hands, "I don't expect you to answer right away. In fact, I'd like you to think about it before answering." He paused for a moment and turned to Thorck, "Have you ever considered selling your business?"

Thorck's head jerked back in a surprised motion, "Sell the Hole? Why would I want to do that? I'm not ready to retire."

Arken shook his head, "No, I don't mean sell your business and retire. I mean sell your business to someone and let them handle the management duties, leaving you free to fill more customer orders."

Thorck shrugged, "Well, I never really thought about it." He thought for a moment before he eyed Arken suspiciously, "This 'someone' you're referring to wouldn't happen to be you, would it?"

Arken smiled and nodded appreciatively, "You're very quick, Thorck. Yes, I am proposing to buy the Razor Hole. I'd run the management while you fill customer orders." Arken started pacing slowly, rubbing the silver arrowhead with his thumb, "It's like this. I'm working on starting an island-wide smithing company: the Coalition of Vardenfell Smiths. I've already bought a blacksmith in Vivec and one in Sadrith Mora, and I want to get something here in Balmora, too."

Thorck nodded, "And you chose my shop."

Arken shrugged, "You're the best in town, Thorck, and I don't believe in making second-rate efforts."

Thorck thought for a moment before he shook his head, "I'm not sure that's such a good idea. If you owned my business, then I'd have to pay you a percentage of my revenues. That means I'd have to drive my prices up to compensate."

Arken shook his head, "Just hear me out, Thorck. I think I can change your mind." He continued pacing, gesturing with the arrow as he spoke, "The Coalition would work like a team. I've even negotiated special deals with the Mages Guild guides to make this work. If memory serves, you're not the best at repairing spears, am I right?"

Thorck nodded, "They're not my forte. It takes me a while to fix them, and it's not always the best job."

Arken nodded, "As I thought. Now, my smithy in Sadrith Mora can repair spears like no other. On the other hand, he couldn't fix or forge an axe to save his life. And, if I'm not mistaken, axes are one of your specialties, correct?"

Thorck shrugged, "I'm a Nord. What do you think?"

Arken nodded again, "Exactly." He stopped in front of Thorck and leaned against the far wall, still gesturing with the silver arrow like it was a pointer, "Now consider a hypothetical situation. Let's say you get a job from the local Hlaalu garrison to fix up some spears, which aren't your specialty. Similarly, my guy in Sadrith Mora gets a customer who needs some hewing axes repaired, again not his specialty. Now normally, you'd have to fend for yourself, but as part of the Coalition you could have a messenger switch the spears for the axes in Sadrith Mora. You repair the axes, he repairs the spears, and then you switch them back again so the right customer gets the right order. You get paid top drake for a good job on those spears, and he gets top drake for those axes. You both win in the end without having to depart from your specialties."

Thorck's eyes darted back and forth in thought for a moment before he spoke up again, "What kind of demands would you put on me?"

Arken opened his hands defensively, "I'm a reasonable Dunmer, Thorck. I wouldn't ask anything of you if I didn't know it was well within your capabilities. And in regards to a percentage, I want to make sure the Coalition isn't going to flop miserably before I start increasing income. I wouldn't ask more than five percent of your revenues for the first year, nonnegotiable. You bump up your prices by only a few drakes, and everybody's happy. You get your income, and I get my percentage. And in addition, since I'd be handling the management duties, you now have more time to fill more customer orders, meaning more money in both our pockets. It's a win-win thing all around."

Thorck stood silent for a while, his eyes darting back and forth and his jaw working around as he thought. After a long moment, he finally looked up at Arken.

"It's an attractive proposition, but let me sleep on it for a night. Come back tomorrow and you'll have my answer."

Arken nodded understandingly as he set the silver arrow down where he found it, "I completely understand, Thorck. I don't want to rush you into this decision. I'll be back tomorrow, same time, for your answer. Until then, good day to you." Arken turned and left the shop, setting out down the road at a good pace. He had a good feeling that Thorck would take him up on the offer.

He'd been batting around this idea for starting his own business for a while now, but only with recent events did he decide to start putting it into action. He knew that Merrenda was uncomfortable with his being a thief, but at the same time, ceasing his thieving would cut his income back by a significant margin. To compensate, Arken decided to use the considerable fortune he'd amassed over the years to start the Coalition of Vardenfell Smiths. If this company prospered as well as he hoped it would, it could be even more profitable than the thievery was.

Arken made his way across the river and past his home to the South Wall Corner Club, the local Thieves Guild headquarters. He still had to inform his doyen that he was backing out of the thieving industry. He entered the club and descended the stairs into the darkened lower room. He looked around, but didn't find who he was looking for.

Arken leaned on the bar to talk to the barkeep, "Hey, have you seen Valnir around?"

The barkeep set a glass he was cleaning down and pointed at one of the back rooms, "He's in his office, packing his things."

Arken furrowed his brow as he looked at the office door, "Packing his things? Hmm." He walked over to the door and pushed it open quietly. Sure enough, the office was littered with bags and boxes all being loaded with various items from around the room. Inside, Valnir Rivaelon, master thief and Thieves Guild doyen, was emptying his desk of parchments and books.

Arken leaned into the room, "Valnir?"

The older Dunmer looked up from what he was doing and smiled, "Ah, if it isn't the Lockbreaker. Come in, Arken, come in. I apologize for the mess."

Arken walked in and looked around, "Valnir, what's going on?"

Valnir shrugged as he put some books into a sack, "Haven't you heard? I'm retiring."

Arken cocked an eyebrow, "Retiring? You're what, two hundred, two ten, and you're already retiring?"

Valnir nodded, "Two hundred and fourteen, to be precise. And I'm just retiring from the guild. I'm switching jobs; something easier, less involved."

Arken shrugged, "Well, what about your guild duties?"

Valnir waved it off as he rolled up some parchments and placed them in a sack, "I've already distributed my duties to a few very qualified people." He looked at Arken briefly, "One of which would have been you, had you been around more often lately."

Arken chuckled under his breath, "Well, I'm flattered by the attention, but I'm not going to be around much longer myself."

Valnir's head came up and he stopped what he was doing, "You're not?"

Arken shook his head, "I'm backing out. Taking it easy for a while."

Valnir placed his hands on his desk and leaned forward, "You haven't lost your nerve, have you?"

Arken scoffed loudly, "Not in your wildest dreams, Valnir. No, I'm just taking a nice long break for a while."

"Hmm." Valnir shrugged, "I'll pass it along. Good luck in whatever venture you may be embarking on."

Arken nodded, "Thanks. And speaking of which, what were you planning on doing?"

Valnir shrugged as he cinched a sack and placed it with several others, "I was planning on sticking around on the island for a little while, ten or twelve years or so. Then I was thinking about heading to Cyrodill. Are you familiar with the city of Cheydinhal?"

"Cheydinhal? Yeah, it's northeast of the Imperial City, directly opposite from my home town, Skingrad."

Valnir nodded, "I have some connections out there. I was thinking of setting up shop there, keep my ear to the ground so I can sell any leads or information I come across. I may even reconnect with the local Thieves Guild out there. I hear this 'Gray Fox' is quite the legend."

Arken nodded, "Well, good luck to you, Valnir. Shadow hide you."

Valnir nodded in return as Arken turned to leave, "Shadow hide you."

Arken left the South Wall and looked toward the sun. He still had a few hours left; plenty of time to get ready for tonight. He had a date with Merrenda tonight, but this was not going to be any normal date. Tonight was going to be special. Arken turned down the road toward his home to start getting ready for tonight's life changing event.