Libby dumps a golden candelabrum with a bejeweled shaft, a silver horn with encrusted sapphires, and a silver dragonfly with diamond wings. The items lay scattered across the table with Vex inspecting each one for its validity. Libby takes the seat across from her, leaning back and crossing her arms.
"Not bad. Isn't it amazing what people just leave lying around for us to take?" Vex sarcastically asks. She tucks everything away, and when she looks to Libby, her smile vanishes and she folds her hands, resting her chin on her fingers. "Alright, out with it. What's up?"
Libby looks to her and heavily exhales. "It's, nothing."
"Bullshit it's nothing." Vex overlaps Libby just as she finishes. "What's the matter?"
Vex is an Imperial thief and is the Master Lockpick trainer and one of the Guild's best infiltrators. She is known as "our little Vex" by Delvin and Brynjolf, hinting at a softness for her. She is quite arrogant and sure of her abilities as she told Libby not even to think of replacing her and to follow whatever she says. And after completing a few jobs, the two soon became inseparable.
"I got the job done, so what does it matter. That's all anyone ever says. All that matters is how much gold I make the Guild." Libby snaps, springing up form he seat.
"Hold it!" Vex snaps, and Libby can feel Vex grip her arm. She wrenches Libby to face her. "What's the matter with you?! Jeez, I try to be a friend and you hiss at me like a Hagraven."
Libby sighs and relaxes her shoulders. With this Vex release her arm. "I'm sorry." Libby wipes her eyes with the heel of her hands before tears spill over. "It's just . . . something with Diamond."
"Oh, I get it." Vex says. "She muck something up again?" Vex crosses her arms.
"Yeah, and with my minimal days of sleep, and that dragon attack in Helgen, I just cracked and . . ."
"Hey, you don't have to go on. I get it. Sorry to hear that." Vex says.
"Thanks." Libby replies. "Um, I'll be, in my bed."
Libby then leaves the Flagon and enters the Cistern. After her initial screaming match with Diamond in Whiterun, the two were quiet the entire carriage ride. Libby had intentionally pulled her hood up so she wouldn't have to speak to Dia, despite that she apologized for her scene in the marketplace. And Libby has yet to apologize for her unreasonable shouting at Dia. She was upset, and will minimal days of sleep, something inside her snaps. She's surprised she didn't punch Dia.
Since the ride back to Riften, Dia jumped off and barely said goodbye before she paid the carriage man again to take her back to Falkreath. From there she can easily walk to the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary. Libby felt a twinge of guilt as she was walking away, and a part of her wanted to stop her to apologize, but knowing Dia, she wouldn't really accept it; at least not yet. They both just needed time to cool off and sort everything out. Then if they ever decided to meet up again, they'd talk. Until then, Libby retreats into the Guild, doing jobs to keep herself busy.
The heart of the Guild is located in an underground headquarters called the Ragged Flagon – Cistern. It's a circular shaped room with a high domed ceiling and crossing bridges around its perimeter. Stretching across the diameter of the circle are stone crosswalks that connect to a circle at the center with the Guild logo. Each walkway takes you to different rooms of the Cistern. One leads to a side room with multiple chests used for lockpicking practice, the other to the main vault, another to the Ragged Flagon and one to the hidden entry under a small tomb next to the chapel.
Libby could not walk this Ratway Vaults the day of her initiation into the Guild. She remembers how she walked it then, her footsteps unsteady, searching for light. She walks it surefooted now. She doesn't need light anymore.
As she passes through the archway, she takes notice of the banner hanging on the wall with the Guild's symbol sewed into its material. A diamond with a circle inside it. A symbol that has saved her life many times over. A sign that makes her feel safe.
Throughout the Cistern, members practice their marksman training, eat some food, and sharpen their weapons. The Guild itself is an organized group of thieves that provides mutual support for the endeavors of its members. Members of the Thieves Guild are known for causing trouble in Riften. Their reputation has diminished, and the holds barely remember their name. Members of the guild specialize in stealing objects of varying value or loaning septims. Most citizens view them unfavorably, however, the Thieves Guild is known to recruit those gifted in the art of stealth. As the time continued, the Guild slipped further and further into obscurity and the members and regular clients began to leave.
Then when Brynjolf had adopted Libby into the family, the gold seemed to be easing its way back in. Brynjolf is currently the second-in-command at the Thieves Guild, below only Mercer Frey, the current Guildmaster.
Mercer is fairly pessimistic, irritable and always has this tone in his voice that makes you think you're annoying him merely by breathing. Despite his personality, he is Guild Master because of his skill. He is very sly and Libby believes he could sneak up an assassin. He wasn't too keen on Libby's joining, but she easily proved herself to him.
As she passes through, she brushes past another member and her favorite archery training partner, Niruin.
Niruin is a Bosmer thief. He is a highly skilled trainer of Archery. He's originally from Valenwood, where he worked at his father's winery. He was wealthy, had many friends, and was betrothed to a beautiful woman. However, he says the life was so dull. He secretly fell in with a gang called the Silver Crescents, but his father found out and gave him an ultimatum; leave Valenwood or go to jail. Niruin, who had made contact with Delvin Mallory asked to join the Guild and moved to Skyrim. He taught Libby everything she knows about marksmanship, along with several books she stole from the library at the Collage of Winterhold. If it weren't for him, Libby would despise the High Elves as much as the next ord. He grasps Libby's elbow as he passes. He leans in close.
"Left you a little surprise on your bed. Something to cheer you up." He whispers. Libby's face warms as she looks to him. "And remember, if you ever need more practice with the bow, just grab me." He smiles and leaves to go over by the grindstone to sharpen a dagger.
Libby can't fight the smile on her lips; due more to the thought of the surprise rather than Niruin's gesture. She tries to ignore the urge to rush to her bed, and instead walks across the stone bridge to Rune.
As a child, Rune washed up on shore after a shipwreck near Solitude, and was found by a local fisherman. He recall his past, but the fisherman found a rock with strange writing on it. The fisherman named him Rune and raised him, but he later left to discover his past. He admitted to Libby that most of the coin he makes working for the Guild has been spent in vain trying to uncover his past.
He's also the one who told Libby that if she ever needed to talk, she could come to him. Brynjolf is her first choice, as normal, but he was busy and promised they'd speak another time.
Libby twiddles with the end of her braid as she approaches. "Rune." She says.
"Ah, my sister in crime." Rune smiles. "Something I can help with, or do you just want to talk?"
"A little bit of both." Libby nervously smiles. When Rune gives her a confused look, she motions over to the training room. Rune nods and follows.
When they enter, Libby goes to take a seat on one of the hay stacks uplifting one of the standard targets for archery training. Rune takes a seat on one of the chests set by Vipir for lockpicking practice he folds his arms and waits for Libby to say something.
Libby can only fidget with her fingers as she tries to figure out how to start. The while Guild knows the gist of the story; about the dragon attack on Helgen – thankfully the news had already spread to Riften by the time Libby and Diamond arrived back. Brynjolf was surprisingly grateful that they had survived; especially Libby. Apart from Vex, they don't know about the argument between the two, but Libby was assured they at least had their suspicions.
So Libby decides to start after they arrived in Whiterun. About how she let Diamond run loose while she delivered the new of Riverwood needing the jarl's help. Rune nods and Libby has to fight back a smile as he's giving her his full attention.
"So then I come out, and there are at least three guards hauling her to the dungeon. She climbed the Gildergreen tree at the center of the Cloud District. Now okay she's new to the city, so it's an honest mistake." Libby folds her legs and rests her elbows on her knees. "But then she refused to listen to the guards after they told her to get down, and that it's sacred to Kynareth!"
Rune chuckles and covers his mouth to try and hide his smile.
"So I run over to the guards and, thankfully managed to talk them into letting her go."
"Was there a bounty?" Rune asks. Libby nods. "How much?"
"Just five gold, and the guard said he'd let her off in the future for ten. So I ended up paying 650 gold to clear any crimes she commits in the future. Except for murder." Libby explains.
"You really think Diamond could get into that much trouble?" Rune asks. Libby quirks an eyebrow at Rune. "I heard it." He says, realizing the obvious answer to his question. "So what then?"
"So apologize, but I was so mad, I guess I didn't except it. We were silent the whole carriage ride." Libby says.
"Wow."
"So now what should I do?" Libby asks. "I mean, I know it was wrong of me to yell at her, but at the same time, I guess she just deserved it." Libby explains.
"How so?" Rune asks.
"Because she did the exact same thing several times before." Libby answers. "And not just the holds, sometimes the towns as well. And every time, I had to bail her stubborn butt out of it. Sometimes I feel like she does it just because she knows I'll bail her out."
"Libby, Diamond is sixteen. You are nineteen." Rune says softly. "She's still young."
"She's old enough to ride a horse, Rune." Libby counters, crossing her arms. "She should at least try to act her age."
Rune sighs and stares at the floor for a moment; as if contemplating what to say next. "Libby, how old were you when you first became part of the Guild?" he suddenly asks.
Libby looks to him bewildered by the sudden off-guard question. "Um, I was nine, but didn't start until I was . . . sixteen." She pauses, and then quickly recovers. "But I still got the gist. We don't even have valid rules and I'm still more mature than her."
"Exactly." Rune says. "You're more mature. You were indoctrinated into thieving at the age of nine. You grew up in an adult-world. And not that Diamond didn't with the Brotherhood, but I feel like you forced yourself to mature."
"What's that mean?"
"The Guild is pretty tough. As shown by Sapphire, Vex and Tonilia. Yet they have every reason to be. They've earned their spots and respect. Plus, apart from you, they're the only women in the Guild."
"What's the point?"
"They needed to act tough so that Delvin and the others wouldn't treat them like they needed help with everything, and just being treated like they were weaker. Also to earn respect. And I think you unknowingly proclaimed them as role models and inherited that kind of behavior." Run explains.
Libby goes quiet and bites the inside of her lip. What Rune is saying does make sense. After Libby's father were killed, she wandered the wilds armed with only a hunting bow and dagger she stole from the Khajiit Caravans. She could only hunt small mammals and fish, but on a bright side it helped to master her marksmanship. Then she wandered into Riften, she met Brynjolf, and that was that. If it weren't for Brynjolf or even Rune showing some softness, Libby would probably be as bitchy as Vex or Tonilia; maybe even more.
Libby sighs. "So what do I do?"
"I think you should apologize. You two have been through so much. This argument shouldn't make much of a difference. You two do fight a lot."
"Is that healthy?" Libby questions.
"Friends that fight are said to be more trusting. So I've heard." Rune answers.
Libby sighs and rubs her eyes with the heels of her hands. "So how do get her to come? I doubt she'll want to go another job with me."
"Maybe Vex could loan a job to you both. Two separate jobs, but in the same city." Rune suggests. "Or, you could take the chance and ask her. If you contact her, then no doubt she'll assume you're apologizing."
"I guess. I mean, I guess I'm just worried she won't accept it." Libby says.
"I'm sure she will. If you look at it from each other's perspective." Says Rune.
"I'll have to think about it." Libby finalizes.
They leave the training room and nearly half the Guild is asleep except for Mercer and Brynjolf talking at Mercer's desk. They talk back and forth and Libby walks by with her head down, not wanting to eavesdrop. She makes her way to her bed and is surprised to see a rectangular case sprawls across it. Her heart pounds rapidly and her hands shake as she examines a tall rectangular case. Judging from the heaviness, it had to be expensive. Probably straight from the Empire's best armory. Libby can't help or stop the wide smile on her face as she undoes the latches along one side.
The top opens on silent hinges. Inside, the case, on a bed of crushed maroon velvet, lies a stunning black and red bow. Libby gasps in admiration. She lifts it carefully into the air to admire the exquisite balance, the elegant design, and the curve of the limbs. It had the Recurve design in which the tips curve away from the archer when the bow is strung. True to its predecessors from the Daedra, the bow's design is demonic in appearance with several spikes protruding from various parts of the body. Delicate lines of red strive along the limbs, the color matching that of crimson blood.
Libby is astonished to be holding such a beautiful and deadly weapon in her hands. They even begin to shake, and she only grips it tighter. There's something else. Libby has to hold very still to make sure she's not imagining it. No, the bow is alive in her hands. She presses it against her cheek and feels the slight hum travel through the bones of her face.
She sets the bow on the ground close to her as she crouches and examines the case further. Surely enough, under the velvet, there's a small note, along with three sets of twenty –four arrows. Libby pulls out the arrows and sets the note briefly aside. These arrows, much like other bow, are black with red vein-like protrusions. Though these arrow seem to be made of some sort of ebony steel and have a double-pronged arrow head.
Libby keeps the two propped against her headboard and settles on the soft pelts; the hay crunching underneath her weight. She knows within five seconds of shutting her eyes that she can't sleep.
Her mind constantly buzzes with ways to apologize, each one sounding more stupid than the last. Libby sits up and crosses her legs.
She pulls open the drawer to her end table and takes out a book titled: The Shadowmarks. It's a detailed book written by Delvin to give the Guild members hints on what place is worth stealing, when there's danger and even how to escape jail. Libby learned a few of the important ones, but rereads the book to occupy her mind. After thirty minutes, she tosses the book aside and shoves her feet into her boots. Snatching her bow, she heads into the training room.
Libby then spends the next three hours picking locks, fighting dummies and shooting arrows at targets. Beads of sweat materialize on her forehead and stream down into her eyebrows. Her hands burn and her left forearm is beginning to blister. Only after Libby shoots the last of her arrows does she feel a pain in her arm, like someone stabbed it.
Rolling up her sleeve, she hisses through her teeth, and her arm reveals red, blistered skin; some of the blisters bleeding. Her arm radiates heat like a flame and burns when it's the same arm that got scarred from Helgen. The slightest touch sends her skin prickling and pain stings her every fibers.
"Need some help with that, lass?" a voice says.
Libby looks in the doorway and finds Brynjolf leaning against the wall. She gives him an awkward smile as he treks through the field of broken lockpicks, hay guts, and snapped arrows.
"Little intense training there, eh lass?" he says.
"I couldn't sleep. Helps me think." Libby retorts.
Brynjolf leads her to the table set near the back of the room. Libby sits in one chair while he trifles through the cupboard for a salve to treat her burns. He comes back with a small flat, silver container. Twisting the top off, inside is a pale green cream. Brynjolf dips his fingers in and scoops up a decent amount, then lathers it along Libby's forearm.
After hissing from its sting, Libby sighs as the cream begins to soothe her skin and reduces the pain to a dull throb. It then leaves behind a cooling sensation. Brynjolf then finishes by wrapping fresh gauze around her forearm and tugs her sleeve back down.
"Thanks." Libby mumbles.
"So, why are you up so late?" Brynjolf asks.
"I was about to go to bed, but Niruin got me a Daedric bow. I wanted to try it out." Libby lies.
"That would be believable if you had looked me in the eye lass." Says Brynjolf. Libby then realizes that she's staring at the floor. "Plus, I've known about the bow, and I imagined you'd be bouncing off the walls of the Guild at the sight of it."
"I am excited! I love it really." Libby defends.
"Now that I believe. And, now that it's later, perhaps we can talk now?"
Libby smiles as Brynjolf pulls up a chair next to her and leans back in a comfortable position. She exhales deeply, and retells the story as she told Rune. Same as before, Brynjolf nods and gives her his full attention. His eyebrows raise and he strokes his chin as Libby finishes to where she and Diamond didn't speak on the carriage ride.
"Wow, sounds like she finally cracked you." Brynjolf concludes. Libby looks to him and then back down at the floor. She braises her fingers over her forearm and pokes at it. Brynjolf smacks her arm away. "Stop that."
"So what do I do?" Libby asks.
"Well I do think you need to apologize, simply for the fact that you were wrong to yell at her." He concludes.
"That's fair." Libby agrees. "But what if she doesn't accept it?"
"She will, Libby. Don't be so paranoid. You two survived Helgen together. There's no way she's going to let you go now."
"Plus, she's far too valuable to the Guild politically as she Guild is for the Brotherhood." Libby adds. She's about to get up, when Brynjolf sighs and takes her elbow.
"Libby, you need to stop that." He says pulling her back down.
"What?"
"Look, I know you've been in the Guild your whole life, and you haven't been around the most, loose of people. But Diamond, she's your friend. Not just a business partner."
"I know that."
"No you don't. While it wasn't intentional, you've picked up that weird habit of associating everything with the Guild." Brynjolf explains.
"Well if the Guild is struggling, then that should be my focus." Libby counters.
"It can be a priority, yes, but it doesn't have to be your only priority." Brynjolf says. "The Guild can rebuild over time. You can't simply reverse our situation within a week. It takes time. And I don't want you to burden yourself with the weight all by yourself. This is a group effort. Do you understand, lass?"
Libby swallows and nods. A strange feeling in her chest catches her attention, and after Brynjolf leaves and she's pried her arrows from the targets, does it clarify as relief. The Guild has been struggling for years, and she really can't fix it in a week, not even a month. Now it seems everything makes sense as to what Rune was saying.
Everything Libby would do, all the people she'd talk to and all the situations she's in, she always finds the means to associate it with the Guild's success. She'd look for ways to benefit the Guild, ignoring every other conceivable method and feeling of others. Including Diamond. But perhaps now that Brynjolf has somewhat lifted the burden, she could focus on mending her bond with Diamond.
West from Falkreath and just southeast is a small, underground settlement. Outside is a mysterious door displaying a carving of a skull, with a bloody handprint signifying The Dark Brotherhood emblazoned on it. Most of the actual sanctuary is an Ancient Nordic Ruin, but also consists part of a cave network with multiple rooms.
The Dark Brotherhood is an organization of highly trained assassins who carry out assassination contracts. The Dark Brotherhood is called upon by those who wish to utilize their deadly services through a ritual called "The Black Sacrament". They say the only way to join the Brotherhood is to be contacted directly, and the group of shadowy assassins is very selective in its recruiting. They used to follow a set of rules called The Five Tenets, which set the ground rules for the Brotherhood, but those tenets have long since been abandoned.
Now, in the only sanctuary Diamond's ever known, she lays on her bed, facing the blank ceiling. Rocks with moss and vines dangling above her, threatening to drop on her. She always used to hate sleeping underground, always afraid the cave would collapse, but if it withheld all those other years, what difference would it be now?
After her argument with Libby, she barely waved goodbye as Libby hopped off the carriage and enter Riften. Libby barely turned around. The rest of the ride, Diamond occupied herself by speaking with the driver and sharpening her blades. Upon entering Falkreath, she waved off to the driver and continued the path to the Sanctuary. She told the members her story, and instead of laughing, they only confirmed it when they talk about a dragon attacking Falkreath. Diamond then escaped to her room - since Nazir didn't have any available contracts – and flopped onto her bed, riddled with exhaustion. Even after a three hour sleep, her mind is still troubled.
Sauntering off her bed, she walks out to the Lis's nest. Lis is the Brotherhood's pet Frostbite Spider. She is owned by Gabriella. In her lair is the skeleton of Gaston Bellefort, who, according to his journal, was spying on the Dark Brotherhood and thought himself unnoticed.
Diamond's so distracted, that she didn't notice the signs. Nobody was around, and disembodied voices come from the room ahead. Diamond walks down the steps and into the main chamber where the other members are gathered around a jester and a tall wooden box.
"But the Night Mother is mother to all! It is her voice we follow! Her will!" the jester speaks. "Would you dare risk disobedience? And surely . . . punishment?"
Diamond is about to speak to Astrid, but she's busy speaking with the jester.
Arnbjorn, Astrid's stubborn husband as well, as a werewolf, says. "Keep talking, little man, and we'll see who gets punished."
He is an ex-member of the Companions. He was asked to leave because his "unorthodox" methods were offensive to other members. It is unclear what these methods were or how they were offensive. He joined The Circle and became a werewolf prior to his banishment.
Festus Krex, the elder of the Brotherhood, interjects. "Oh, be quiet you great lumbering lapdog. The man has had a long journey. You can at least be civil." He snaps. "Mister Cicero, I for one am delighted you and the Night Mother have arrived. Your presence here signals a welcome return to tradition."
Festis' weapon of choice for contracts is magic, stating that "there is a spell for every circumstance." He is the self-described "cranky old uncle who nobody talks to" of the Dark Brotherhood. When asked about himself, he says he was a child prodigy. He went on to teach at the College of Winterhold for two years, but left due to none of the mages there "truly appreciating the Destruction school." This led him to join the Dark Brotherhood.
When Diamond asked for help about a contract from Nazir, he says that methods used today are overrated.
"Oh what a kind and wise wizard you are. Sure to earn our lady's favor." Cicero says.
Cicero.
Astrid told Diamond about him when she first entered the Brotherhood.
Cicero, one of two remaining Dark Brotherhood assassins outside of Skyrim, took the Night Mother's corpse to the last remaining Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary.
Cicero is an annoying jester and the keeper of the Night Mother's coffin. Widely regarded as bothersome, obnoxious, strange, and mad, Cicero sports flamboyant attire and speaks with a high-pitched voice. Because he seemingly speaks to he is considered insane. As Keeper of the Night Mother, Cicero takes his vocation very seriously, willing to wound and kill anyone who questions or ignores the Night Mother's authority, although he was not always like this.
"You and the Night Mother are of course welcome here, Cicero. And you will be afforded the respect deserving of your position as Keeper." Astrid says. "Understood . . . husband?"
"Hmph."
"Oh, yes, yes, yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Cicero says.
"But make no mistake. I am the leader of this Sanctuary. My word is law. Are we clear on that point?" Astrid states.
"Oh, yes mistress. Perfectly! You're the boss."
Once the members disperse, Dia approaches Astrid. "Hey, Astrid?"
"Ah, there you are Diamond. Good, I was done speaking with that muttering fool anyway. How was Riften?" Astrid asks.
"I didn't go in." Diamond says.
"Oh? Why not? I figured your stall time was because you were visiting Libby." Astrid says.
"We got into an argument. I'd rather not talk about it." Diamond disclaims.
"Very well, but I need you to come close, I have some . . . important news to deliver." Astrid cryptically says. "Members! Gather around."
Diamond slinks next to Gabriella as the other members file in while Cicero moves the wooden box.
"I've been going over some current events, and well . . . I'm afraid I have some, disturbing news." Astrid announces. She pauses and makes sure to make eye contact with each member. "It seems that there's another group out there, taking up our clients and slandering out name."
Diamond feels her heart jar in her chest and a flash of heat travels through her body, when passing leaves her body crawling with goosebumps.
"Wh-what do you mean, "New group?" Diamond asks.
"I mean that they've recently settled in Skyrim and are already stealing more contracts." Astrid answers. "They call themselves "The Faceless. They're an organization of, as far as I know, only women. And apparently, they're very good at what they're doing."
"Do you believe they could be a potential threat?" Nazir asks.
"I'm still debating on that." Astrid says.
Arnbjorn growls. "I say we find out where they are, and destroy their sanctuary. Show them that Skyrim is our territory."
"Now hold on Arnbjorn," Gabriella speaks. "We don't want to make potential enemies if we don't have the whole story."
"What more is there? They're an assassination group stealing our clients and making Skyrim who we are. That's more than enemy territory to me." He snarls.
"But what if we attack, and they retaliate? If they're as good as everyone says, we could possibly be in over our heads." Gabriella says.
"So you're saying we don't stand a chance?" he challenges.
"I'm merely suggest we try a more, indirect app -"
"Silence!" Astrid chimes. "Arnbjorn, I understand Gabriella's point. We don't want to barge in there attacking if we don't have full detail about our new . . . competition. We need to find out more about them and see if they're willing to make an alliance; maybe even conjoin our organizations."
"What we know about our enemy is dangerous to him, what we think we know is dangerous to us." Frex quotes.
"You wish for us to, ally with them?" Arnbjorn questions.
"Only if we feel we'd be better with them. If we can join our organizations, the fear that would travel would be, incredible. They will fear us more than before.
"And what if they don't?" Veezara asks, the Argonian member of the Brotherhood.
"Well, then we simply find out all we can, and take them down. Make them regret breaking a deal with us." Astrid answers with a cocky smile. "Until then, make friends, if not, show them how merciless we can be. Dismissed."
The other members scatter around the sanctuary and Diamond about to go back to her bed when Astrid calls.
"Diamond, come here."
"Oh! This close to being through the door and in bed with my cookie." She murmurs as she approaches Astrid.
"I've got something to take your mind off your troubles. Or at least busy it." Astrid says.
"Do you have a contract for me?"
"I do indeed." Astrid answers. "You must go to the city of Markarth, and speak with an apothecary's assistant. You'll find her at the Hag's Cure, when the stop is open."
"Okay."
"The girl's been running her mouth, wants an ex-lover killed. She's apparently performed the Black Sacrament." Astrid explains. "Her name is Muiri. I need you to talk to her, set up the contact, and carry it out."
"Anything else?" Diamond asks.
"Just do whatever the contact wishes. Be professional, represent us well, as you always do, and get the job done."
"She'll be generous, I'm sure?" Dia smiles.
"They always are. And just in case you're still bothered, I'll let you keep whatever Muiri pays. Treat yourself to something nice." Astrid winks then walks away to her office.
Markarth. The city of stone. Diamond was only there once, and barely remembers how to get there. And all it's history she somehow managed to remember from a trip she and Libby took to the College of Winterhold.
While Diamond has traveled to smaller towns on her own, she usually goes with Libby to the major holds since Libby has been all over. And with their recent fight, Diamond doubts Libby would want to come along. The thought of going alone both excites and frightens her. Libby usually can weasel her way out of things, and without her there, Diamond will have to watch what she says and acts. Her excuse of being new to the city can't last forever.
From what Libby has told Diamond in the past, the city is located in the far west of Skyrim, in the mountains of The Reach, west of the Karth River. As a result the city has a good natural defense, even from the skies. Being a long distance from any other major city and with both main roads cutting through mountains, valleys and rugged terrain, traveling to and from Markarth is one of the most treacherous trips for travelers.
Diamond sighs and gathers her weapons, and after checking the information Astrid gave her, she heads out of the Sanctuary.
"She's headed for Markarth!" Vex calls as she enters the Cistern.
Libby was talking to Cynric as Vex enters with a sheet of paper. "What?" Libby says.
"Diamond. She just got a contract to head to Markarth. She's headed there now. Supposedly by carriage ride." Vex explains.
"Oh jeez." Libby hisses. "She's never been there before. And that place is not friendly to outsiders. One wrong word from her and her blood will be flowing with the river and silver."
"Or maybe because you're fighting she'll actually behave." Cynric says.
"Let's not get crazy here Cynric. I need you to focus." Libby retorts.
Before joining the Guild, Cynric was a jailbreaker. In other words, he would be hired by a client to get arrested, and would either break the target prisoner out of jail or kill them. Unfortunately, during one such job, Cynric was caught, and spent three years in a High Rock prison before he was released. He promised himself that he would never do hard time again, and thus joined the Guild.
"I've got to get out there." Libby says.
"We've still got a toe left of the foothold we had before. They should recognize you, but you'll need to pay off the guards." Vex informs.
"What else is new." Libby mumbles. "Alright. I'm heading out."
"Be careful." Cynric says as Libby slings her quiver on her back. "The Forsworn have been attacking the city. Stay sharp."
Libby smiles and nods before she slings her bow over her back and exits the Guild.