A/N: Hello everyone, here's chapter 14! Thanks to all who read/follow/fav/review! I appreciate it all! Have a good weekend and hope you enjoy!
Chapter 14: Hopeful
Astrid sat at the kitchen table, chewing on a leathery piece of dried beef and taking a drink of the strongest mead in the house. She figured she needed the alchohol, given her circumstances. A few days had passed with no sign of her uncle, and it was much to her satisfaction. Maybe Reiner had gotten into a drunken skirmish and someone had finally gutted him. If so, good riddance, Astrid mused with a smirk.
A sudden, forceful banging on the front door caused Astrid to release her drink, coughing and gagging from inhaling a good bit of it in her sudden panic. She quickly picked up the bottle off the floor, not daring to further spill its contents. Her hands trembled, as she neared the inevitable. Of course that vile son of a bitch would come back. Just as she'd reminded herself before, she couldn't be so lucky.
She shielded herself behind the door, hesitantly opening it just a fraction.
"Astrid?!" a worried, familiar voice called out from the other side.
"...Delvin?" Astrid gasped, flinging the door open.
There he stood - her thief, her rescuer. Better late than never, she reasoned, feeling both joyous and relieved. Delvin's eyes were wide and his expression wild. "By the love of Mara, what did that bloody bastard do to you?!" His gaze scanned over the fading bruises on her arms and neck, before reaching the battered state of her face.
Astrid folded her arms, glaring off into the distance. "He made me cater to a bunch of thugs. While I was playing maid to them, they found one of my gold stashes. Needless to say, dear uncle wasn't very pleased with me. Some people argue or lecture in such cases, but one as refined as Reiner likes to use other methods of retaliation..." she spat, her voice thick with bitter hatred for the man.
"Damn it..." Delvin growled. "If I knew that filthy asshole would go and do this, I'd have never let ya outta' my sight..."
Suddenly, the joy and relief inside of Astrid began to fade away with Delvin's words. Perhaps if Delvin handled things in a different, more forceful manner, this wouldn't have happened in the first place. Astrid began to grow angry with Delvin against her will. All she could think of was the fact that a bolder man would have Reiner's head on a stick by now. Astrid shook her head, prying away the unwanted thought. "No, it's alright...I know we have to play by the rules until I'm in the guild. I had to come back here. It's for our own good..." she forced the words out, hoping she'd eventually believe them herself.
"Astrid..." Delvin's voice fell hushed, as he gently caressed her cheek. "Forgive me, luv. This is all my fault. I should have moved things along a bit quicker on my end. I had a bad feelin' about that bloke, given what I'd heard about him. I should have listened to my gut. I'll make sure this is taken care of, luv..."
Internally, Astrid perked up hearing his reassuring words. She raised an interested brow. "What are you going to do to him?" Certainly something very violent and wrong, she hoped.
"He's gone for now, Astrid. We need to worry about you, luv. Come back with me, will ya? Talk with Mercer - he's the Guild Master. If you pass the initiation - and I know ya will - you'll have our protection under the city. Whaddya say?" he asked in a pleading tone, pulling her into his arms.
He did care for her best interests, though Astrid had to admit, she didn't necessarily agree with his methods. Delvin was acting on the defensive, whereas Astrid felt he should've been on the offensive, ready to strike at any moment. However, she pushed this aside, realizing that their differences didn't completely wipe away the fact that he wanted to help her - to save her. She had to hold on to that.
"Let me get my things." she answered, getting right to the business at hand. If there was a way to permanently leave that bastard uncle of hers, she couldn't let trivial matters get in the way. She needed an escape, and Delvin was providing one for her. She wasn't about to let that go.
The Ratway was a dark, snaking series of moldy tunnels and filthy passageways. Shady occupants of various races seemed to line every wall. The heavy, foul-smelling air was simply nausea-inducing, and Astrid found herself holding her breath on more than one occasion.
After traveling for what seemed like an eternity, Delvin stopped in front of her, his torch illuminating a rickety wooden door. He turned, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Stay close to me, luv. This place is brimmin' with scoundrels. And not all of 'em are my people, either. We get all kinds of strange folk passin' though the Flagon." he warned, gently squeezing her shoulder.
"Alright. Lead on, then. I might as well see what I'm getting into." Astrid smirked, coaxing a grin out of Delvin's wary features.
Delvin pushed open the door, as Astrid cautiously followed behind him, taking in the dim, gritty atmosphere. The small, twisted tunnel opened up into a large, circular cistern. To their immediate right, an old, dingy sign read: "The Ragged Flagon". There appeared to be a dirty old tavern settled in the midst of the place, filled with suspicious-looking criminals.
"This way, luv." Delvin motioned, as Astrid followed him though another set of winding corridors, leading off into various rooms.
"Delvin! I see you've brought our potential member, eh?" A smooth voice with a thick accent called from behind Astrid. Delvin turned around, his torch lighting up the features of a handsome, ginger-haired young Nord.
"Aye, she's with me, Brynjolf. Where's Mercer? We need to meet with him." Delvin spoke to the man in a darker, business-like manner that he'd never once used with Astrid. As a matter of fact, his whole personality seemed to shift as he'd entered his dark home.
"I'm afraid he's busy with some personal matters. He's uh...Let's say he's taking care of that 'problem' he mentioned to us..." the man stated in a leery manner, then turned to Astrid.
"Good to meet you, Astrid. Delvin's told us a lot of good things about you, lass." He flashed a charming smile, holding out his hand.
"Likewise..." Astrid replied slowly, cautiously shaking the man's large, calloused hand. She watched as his eyes briefly grazed over the damage on her face, causing her to feel strangely self-conscious and scrutinized. He then gave Delvin a sharp, strange look. "Delvin, I need to speak with you a moment, lad. Would you kindly escort Astrid back to the Flagon to wait for us?"
Astrid watched as Delvin glared into Brynjolf's eyes, appearing bitter, before turning back to her. "Aye. Astrid, luv, I'll take ya back outta here until we're done with business. It'll only be a moment, eh?"
Astrid gave Delvin a wary look, folding her arms before hesitantly nodding in agreement. What was going on that had to remain so private? She was standing among the guild, and yet she still felt oblivious to the inner-workings of the organization. Perhaps she'd be let in on their secrets, once she joined their ranks. Their secrecy was likely just a formality, she reasoned.
A few quick twists and turns and she was back into the cistern, with Delvin briefly rubbing her shoulder to comfort her uneasy disposition. "I won't be long, luv. Just business, that's all." he stated before disappearing back into the dark passageway.
"Sorry, friend." Brynjolf spoke apologetically. "I couldn't let her around Mercer's quarters without his permission. Not sure what he's up to, but he said he's in negotiations with a very secretive entity. Has he told you anything else?"
"Nah. The bloke is as hushed up as ever. Not sure what that little "problem" is, but believe me, I won't disturb him. He gave you the okay anyway, didn't he?" Delvin asked, feeling hopeful that everything should run smoothly concerning Astrid's initiating mission.
"Yeah. I can officially give Astrid her first job. Of course, there is one thing, Delvin..." Brynjolf added, his voice trailing off into uncertainty.
"Alright, out with it." Delvin spat, feeling suddenly irritated. Just like Brynjolf to be prodding around in his business.
"What happened to her, lad? She looks like she's had the livin' daylights beaten out of her. It's a good thing I'm the one meeting with her instead of Mercer. He'd be wary of her." Brynjolf admitted, giving Delvin a concerned look.
"Yeah, what does he know? Mercer's wary of everyone! That guy's as paranoid as they come, I'd wager. She didn't get caught thievin' or anything, if that's what you're gettin' at. The girl lives with her uncle, who happens to be a slimy prick! The son of a bitch laid his hands on her! That's why we need to get her in here now, before he kills her next time!" Delvin huffed, feeling angry and more than ready to defend Astrid.
"Very well, Delvin. Just as long as she isn't a liability, she's welcome to join us. This uncle won't be a potential threat, will he? You know how Mercer is about-"
"Yeah, I know how he is!" Delvin snapped, cutting him off. Of course her uncle was a threat, but he wasn't going to sit back and let Astrid get murdered. He'd just have to keep the details about Reiner to himself. If Mercer found out she was connected to a man who once had bad dealings with the guild, he wouldn't give her a second glance. Delvin sighed, feeling frustrated with the whole situation.
Mercer had been their leader for nearly five years now, and Delvin tried his best to respect the crass, suspicion-steeped man, but he was no Gallus. Their former leader seemed to be much more level-headed and considerate to his guild members. Mercer had served adequately, but since Gallus' death and the banishment of a certain female member who'd been charged with the crime, Mercer had viewed everyone as a potential enemy. Apparently, he must have feared the same fate to befall him someday.
"Alright, friend. I will trust your judgement and withold mine." Brynjolf nodded, as a loud stream of fearful screams and raging growls burst through the passageway. As quickly as the commotion began, it seemed to end.
Delvin could feel himself freeze in the darkness.
A large, dark figure entered the passageway. He was a young, muscular, silver-maned Nord. The man donned a set of armor that Delvin was all-too familiar with. He was an assassin - a member of none other than the notorious Dark Brotherhood. The large, ominous man stepped between the two of them.
"I need to have a word with your Guild Master. You two would be wise to not interfere." he stated coldly, his voice deep and rough like gravel. The large Nord walked slowly past them, appearing to be well-aware of his intimidating presence.
Brynjolf sent Delvin a sick, worried look before the two decided to heed the dangerous man's word. Even a guild as shadow-bound as the Thieves' Guild knew better than to mess with the Dark Brotherhood. The two promptly decided it would be best to leave the area for a bit.
...
As Delvin walked beside his comrade, he saw Astrid standing where he'd left her. She had an unusual expression painted on her features. It was as if she was in some strange daze or trance.
"What happened out here?" Brynjolf quickly questioned her, after apparently noticing that the crowded cistern was full of deathly silent, fearful people.
"That man...The one with the silver hair...It was him. I heard someone scream from the door behind the bar. Then he came out of it...I think he may have killed someone back there..." she said in a low, calm tone that seemed as if she'd been hypnotized by the event. "I heard someone say it was a new member..."
"What?" Delvin asked, dumbfounded. The only rookie he knew was some young fellow who'd proved to be a bit weak and undependable. He'd made quite a few slip-ups, causing the guild's name to be muttered and brought up in ways that carried unwanted attention to them.
"Why in Oblivion was he going to see Mercer?" Brynjolf looked to Delvin, his features appearing worried and uneasy.
"I asked him where he was going when I saw him headed your way. I was worried he might try something. He just told me he was just going to collect a debt..." she replied, causing Delvin's stomach to churn.
"Oh, gods...Did Mercer...?" Brynjolf mumbled to himself, abruptly stopping before he said too much.
"I dunno..." Delvin sighed, for lack of anything better to rectify the shady situation. "I don't suppose we'll find out, either."
"Right..." Brynjolf muttered, attempting to regain his composure. "Well, Astrid...Are you ready for your first mission?"
Delvin noticed that Astrid's eyes fixated on him for a brief moment, as if questioning what all of this was about. Delvin wasn't so sure he wanted to know the truth himself. Of course, he wouldn't put it past Mercer to do something terrible. The man seemed more than a little unhinged at times, as it was. Feeling too uncomfortable with his own unsettling thoughts, he simply chose not to ponder anymore on the matter.
"Yes, I'm ready." Astrid nodded, calmly crossing her arms. At least one person among the three of them didn't seem too rattled. He studied Astrid a moment, noting just how calm she seemed - unnervingly calm. A man had potentially slaughtered another man just out of her reach, and yet, she stayed so very...calm. He quickly changed his train of thought, realizing that it was yet another subject that was too unsettling to think about.
