I did not wake until well after sunrise. A set of leather armor with all sorts of leather buckles and braces was laid next to my bed roll and had a strange aura around it. I assumed it was enchanted. There was no one in the stone chamber, so I changed quickly and tentatively tapped open a door labeled "The Ragged Flagon." There was a wealth of people in the same armor I was wearing goofing around the bar and feasting on salmon steak or horker loaf. There was more food in one place than what I had eaten my whole entire life – combined! I attempted to stealthily grab a salmon steak and some Argonian Ale, but failed. Gallus saw me and clinked his mug full of ale down on the wooden table to get everyone's attention.
"Attention! Attention! We have a fine lass here with us today. Her skills surpass most of yours, and she hasn't even been trained. Yes, she is a Dark Elf. Don't let her gray skin or pointed ears fool you. I officially give her entitlement to have a part in the Thieves Guild!" Gallus cried with pride and confidence.
A few of the ladies, whose names I later learned to be Vex, Sapphire, and Tonilla, glared in my direction with unconcealed jealousy. Everyone else kind of stared blankly into space. "What a warm welcome…" I silently thought. I graciously smiled to Gallus, simply out of politeness rather than appreciation. After my crude initiation ceremony, I stuffed myself with an innumerable amount of salmon steaks, grilled leeks, and sweet rolls. My stealth skills failed me yet again as I tried to escape to the training room for much-needed stealth and agility practice. Gallus caught me again.
"Karliah… Right?" he inquired.
"Yes… I need to work on my stealth, I guess," I mumbled.
"You would be correct," Gallus sighed before continuing, "However, we have more… pressing matters."
"Ah…" I hesitated.
"Okay, okay. You might want to first ensure that I'm not a crazy kidnapper," Gallus chuckled as he removed his hood. I could finally see his face. He was young, probably only eighteen Nord years or so. Yes, so I was forty years older than him. But our races age differently! His dark brown hair was straight and shoulder length with assorted braids running down the sides to tie it back. Delicate features not fit for a thief filled his round, pale face with perfect proportion. Dark Elves fall in love very fast. I was no exception.
"Alright!" I agreed, with far too much eagerness in my voice. I continued, embarrassed, "Uh… But can you show me around first?"
Gallus laughed a big, appreciative laugh.
"I'm sure that could be arranged," Gallus replied with a slight chuckle. He extended his arm so I could walk with him. If Dark Elves could blush, I would've blushed. I was slightly distracted by Gallus himself the whole time, so I didn't learn much. But, I was all in it for the experience.
After mindlessly walking around my new home, I was led into a room with burlap targets and racks with wooden swords, bows, and dulled arrows. Several chests with complicated locks and buckets of lockpicks lined the stone walls.
"Now, you may train. However, I am required to watch new recruits in their first training session to assess how they could assist this organization in their endeavors," explained Gallus.
"Alright…" I weakly replied, embarrassed by being so closely watched.
"Oh… I forgot to mention that the newest members are responsible for flower collecting…" Gallus stated.
"Seriously? Why?" I inquired.
"Well… Umm… This is a complex sewer system that we live in… And sewers don't exactly have pleasant scents associated with them…" Gallus trailed off.
What? I was in a sewer? The confusion eventually wore off and I rolled my eyes as I turned away from Gallus. I decided to first start with lockpicking because I already had discovered that underlying skill.
"Start with the wooden chest," Gallus suggested.
I didn't really want to submit to him, so I chose a really shiny golden one with images of Dwemer history carved into every side. The curved surface at on the top held a small keyhole just large enough for my lock holder and lockpick. A careful pull in each direction yielded in knowledge of this lock's natural direction. A few tugs there… Now push that pin just a little… Wiggle the holder out… Twist here… Spiral there…
"Wow!" exclaimed Gallus.
I looked up and glared at him. He was interrupting my zone!
"Stop glaring at me! You already unlocked the chest. Dwemer chests have six pins, not eight. You're already done, so open it up and claim your prize!" Gallus cried.
"Oh…" I sighed in utter embarrassment.
"That's okay. You are amazing at lockpicking nonetheless. How about you try something else… You obviously need no more training with the lockpicks," Gallus suggested.
I immediately turned to the archery targets and picked up a well-worn Imperial bow. The target had dozens of iron arrows hastily shoved through the beat-up burlap cover. I placed them in a quiver on my back and caulked the bow. My first shot hit the bull's-eye. So did the second. And the third. Gallus just stood there gaping.
"We really need to go. It's pretty urgent. Grab any weapons you see here that you want to take. Oh my goodness… Where is Mercer…?" Gallus cried in a sudden panic.
Then it was my turn to gape. I slowly grabbed an enchanted iron dagger along with the Imperial bow and quiver of arrows I had been using. Then I ran out of the training room over to Gallus and Mercer.
"Just trust me on this, Mercer. Let's go!" Gallus exclaimed.
Mercer rolled his eyes in reluctance before he ripped his sword out of a weapon rack behind him.
"I still think you're insane, Gallus, but I'm willing to give your insanity its craziness fix," Mercer snickered.