Chapter 5

"The owner of Honningbrew Meadery has been arrested for attempting to poison the commander of the guards," Maven Black-Briar said when Karianna returned to the Bee and the Barb the net evening. "Good job."

"I found this in Sabjorn's office, by the way," Karianna replied handing over the note.

"Sabjorn,

Within the enclosed crate, you'll find the final payment. As we discussed, Honningbrew Meadery should now begin brewing mead at full production. In regards to your concerns about interference from Maven Black-Briar, I can assure you that I'll do everything in my power to keep her assets and her cronies at bay. This is the beginning of a long and successful future for both of us," Maven read out loud. "So… it seems that whoever was behind the selling of Goldenglow Estate was also trying to buy Honningbrew Meadery. If only they would sign their letters instead of using this odd little symbol."

"Is there anything we can do to find out who they are?" Karianna asked.

"Actually, Mercer Frey is working on that. Take this note you found to him, it might just help him."

Karianna left without another word for the Thieves Guild headquarters. There, she found Mercer Frey at his usual post behind the desk.

"Ah, there you are, Karianna. Good job on the Honningbrew job," he said when she approached him. "Here's your cut of the spoils." He handed her a large coin purse before turning back to the documents he was studying.

"Maven Black-Briar suggesting that I showed you this note I found in Sabjorn's office."

"I see, so that settles it, then. I've determined that the person behind Goldenglow's sale and the almost selling of Honningbrew has a contact here in the Guild. An old informant by the name of Gulum-Ei. Find him in Solitude and squeeze him for information," Mercer explained. Just then, Brynjolf came down the ladder from the Thieves Guild's secret entrance. "Ah! Good timing Brynjolf! Tell Karianna more about Gulum-Ei, for me. I have some business to take care of."

Karianna looked over to Brynjolf briefly before tearing her eyes away. Why did she feel so embarrassed? She couldn't tell, nor would she admit to anyone that she still had the strip of cloth he had used to mend the burn on her arm. All she knew was that something felt different when she looked at him.

"So, Mercer is sending you off to question Gulum-Ei, then…," Brynjolf stated when he reached her. there was something in her voice she couldn't quite identify. Was is sadness? "Well… I'm sure he's already told you that Gulum is an informant for the Thieves Guild living in the city of Solitude. It's a pretty far ride from here, as you know, so I want you to be careful."

Karianna felt taken aback at his concern but she cleared her throat and ignored the burning in her face. "Um… where am I supposed to find Gulum-Ei in solitude?"

"He works for the East Empire Trading Company, but you won't be able to get to him while he's working. Go instead to the Winking Skeever; he can usually be found there on his breaks or days off. Fair warning: Do not kill him. He's a very valuable asset to us even if he is a traitor to the Guild. We need him. Simply talk to him, persuade him to give up the name of our adversary even if you have to pay him off."

"Right, then… I'll just… I'll just go get my gear together and book a carriage out of town, then," she replied feeling a little bit awkward.

"Good luck and, once again, be careful," Brynjolf said before she walked away.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot divulge the name of my informant, miss," the Argonian said arrogantly as he sipped a glass of Firebrand Wine.

Karianna seethed and glared at Gulum-Ei from across the table. She had been trying to get the info from him for nearly an hour but no amount of gold or persuading seemed to be working. Not even after she stole a whole case of the very Firebrand Wine for him from the Blue Palace would he talk. Finally she relented and decided to give up, even though she realized that she couldn't return to Riften without any information.

"Before you leave, though," Gulum-Ei said suddenly when she stood, "The woman you're looking for has a grudge against Mercer Frey himself."

"What do you mean?"

"Sorry but, I can't say," he replied and took a sip of wine.

The Dragonborn clenched her fists and stomped out of the Winking Skeever to come up with another plan. A few hours later, Gulum-Ei came staggering out of the tavern with the half empty case of Firebrand Wine under his arm and singing a tune of sorts under his breath. Now dawning her Thieves Guild armor for stealth, Karianna followed him out of the city and down to the docks where he entered a door which apparently lead to the East Empire Trading Company. After some quick lockpicking and a quick dodge into the shadows, Karianna found Gulum-Ei talking to one of the thugs guarding the Company's warehouse. The guards seemed to be problem for they were all over the place. They all carried torches in the darkness of the warehouse and were seemingly able to keep their eyes on every corner of the warehouse… except for maybe the topmost shelves. If she was able to climb the shelves and keep to the shadows on the very top amongst the goods there, she just might be able to stay hidden from the guards and keep an eye on Gulum-Ei at the same time.

Towards the end of the warehouse, however, Karianna ran into a problem. From her perch atop the shelves, she watched Gulum descend some stairs that lead down closer to the water level before going back up another set of stairs and behind the shelves she was on top of. From there, he seemingly disappeared through the wall. She furrowed her brow and thought for a second. Obviously he went somewhere, but she wouldn't be able to find out where or how from her position. She'd have to drop down and try to avoid the guards as she investigated the wall. Once the last guard passed by with his torch held high, Karianna climbed down silently from the top shelf to the area behind the shelf.

Here she was to see why it seemed as if Gulum-Ei had disappeared into thin air. Hidden in the shadows was a door which lead into a cavern. Judging from where she had entered the warehouse, she guessed that she was somewhere under Solitude towards the edge of the city. She was surprised to find the cavern to be full of bandits who were all carrying cargo to and fro or sitting around fires eating and drinking. Luckily, there was a small but deep underground river that seemed to run through the cavern. Karianna found that she was able to use this to slip past the bandits and still track Gulum-Ei and he continued to make his way through the cavern. Finally, when she reached the end, she was able to sit quietly in the shadows directly below where Gulum-Ei was talking to the apparent leader of the bandits.

"So, you were able to finally shake that little Guild rat, eh?" the leader asked.

"Wasn't difficult," Gulum said with a shrug. "After years of working for the Company, keeping quiet has become a sort of talent of mine, you could say."

"Well, you know that won't be the last of her," the leaser pointed out. "I wouldn't be surprised if-." The bandit leader cut off with a strangled cry and looked down at the Dwarven Dagger pointing from the center of his chest. When he fell away to the ground, he revealed his killer, Karianna herself dripping wet and angrier than a dragon.

"Karianna! Wait! Please don't kill me!" he begged.

"You have ten seconds to explain before I start cutting pieces off," she hissed and grabbed the Argonian's collar.

"Alright, alright! The woman you're after, the woman who's trying to ruin the Thieves Guild… it's Karliah. She's after Mercer Frey. Wants to kill him the way she killed Gallus. I was only in it for the coin, I swear!"

"If you're lying to me-."

"I'm not lying, I swear by the Eight. Tell Mercer that she's headed where the end began. He'll know what I'm talking about."

"Alright, I'll give you this one chance, then. Just know I'll be back for you if you're lying. Asset or not," she promised. But before he could begin his thanks, she cut him off. "First, though, I want you to help me hide this body and then you're going to lead me out of this cavern. Away from the bandits."

"Alright, I'll do it. Also, here, as proof, take the deed to Goldenglow Estate," he begged as he handed over a folded sheet of paper. There in plain ink was the same symbol as on the note from Sabjorn's office and the bill of sale from Goldenglow Estate. And right below the symbol was a name scrawled in curling letters. Karliah.