Libby's sense awaken before her open. She takes notice of her position, one arm flopped next to her head, the other across her stomach. Her one leg was stretched straight out, the other is bent, the heel tingling with pins and needles. She stares into the blackness of her eyes before blinking them open.
The smell of tomato soup wafts to her nose and her stomach beckons. She pushes herself up to a sitting position and stretches her arms yawning. Ruffling her hair, she inhales deeply, and glances around the home.
She spots Brynjolf at the hearth stirring the stew. He taps the spoon on the side and looks to Libby.
"Morning lass." He smiles.
"That smells good." Libby grins. She's about to move when a hard poke on her side prickles her ribcage. Her body aches so badly it hurts to breathe.
"Easy lass, don't move so fast." Brynjolf says as he walks over to the bed with a bowl of the broth.
Libby accepts it and clasps the bowl between her hands. Brynjolf sits at the edge of the bed.
"I meant to tell you, word on the street it that poor Sabjorn has found himself in Whiterun's prison. How unfortunate for him." Brynjolf says with phony sympathy.
"Yet very fortunate for Maven." Libby replies.
"Exactly." Brynjolf says with a soft tap to Libby's chin. Libby takes another sip of soup and then a drink of water. "How are you feeling?"
"Better. Though I'm sure I'm speckled with bruises." Libby says as she finishes her water. That bastard in the skeeverhole had some magic to him.
"Well, I'm glad you're better." Brynjolf places a hand on her shoulder, and Libby grunts in pain. "Well, mostly."
Libby looks around and finds her Guild armor draped over a chair next to her wardrobe. It's battered and torn with scorched marks across the leather.
"Tonilia said she'd give you some new armor. Also, Maven sent word that you discovered something else while you were out there. Something important to the Guild." Brynjolf says.
"Mmm!" Libby nods as she finishes a spoonful of soup. "Yeah, I did."
She gets up out of bed, despite her aching muscles and goes over to her armor. She trifles through it until she finds the letter. She then plops back onto her bed and hands it to Brynjolf. Libby pulls her robe over her thighs and folds her legs. She points to the symbol.
"The same symbol from Goldenglow was involved." She says.
"Then this is beyond coincidence." Brynjolf states. "First Aringoth, now Sabjorn."
"What are you thinking?" Libby asks.
"Someone's trying to take us down by driving a wedge between Maven and the Guild." Brynjolf says.
"Is there anything we can do?" Libby asks.
"Mercer thinks he knows a way to identify this new thorn in our side. He wants to meet with you away." Brynjolf says.
"Now?"
"How about we let you rest for at least, an hour, then we'll go to the Guild."
"Sounds nice." Libby smiles. "Wait, where's Diamond?"
"She was already gone when I came this morning. She probably went back to the Sanctuary." Brynjolf suggests.
"Is she okay? I thought she would leave a note or something."
"I'm sure she's fine Libby. Right now, we need to focus on getting you better." says Brynjolf.
"I think I have some books on the shelf in the basement." Libby says. "Look for the one that says "Healing."
Brynjolf leaves to get the book. While he's gone, Libby eases her way out of bed, suppressing a groan, and over to her tattered uniform. Well, Tonilia always said to try and put it to good use. Libby starts to undress, looking at herself in the mirror behind the door to her wardrobe.
She had only opened her robe to find her entire chest patched by the ugly blemish of bruises. For a second the colors mesmerize her, bright green, and deep blue and brown. Taking a deep inhale, her chest didn't fully expand when her breath hitched and she had to exhale. Libby frowns at herself as she pokes at the bruises, wincing slightly as the soreness intensifies. Lifting up her sleeve to her left arm and finds the blisters of the burns nearly healed.
She looks to her reflection in the mirror and sees a stranger. She is a brunette like Libby, with a narrow face like Libby, but that's where the similarities end. Libby doesn't have a black eye, and a split lip, and a bruised jaw. They can't possibly be the same person, but they move in unison.
Brynjolf returns and Libby clasps her robe shut. Brynjolf catches her looking at the mirror and gives her a smile. "Quite the battle wounds, eh lass. Show them you're tough."
Libby faintly smiles. He hands her a golden yellow tome book and Libby goes to sit at the edge of her bed. She opens the book, and within reading halfway through the book, she notices the pages turning orange-brown around the edges. By the time she's finished, the book erupts in flames, but she feels no burning. The book shrivels into a small flame before evaporating into the thin air.
Libby flicks her fingers and within the palm of her hand, a soft golden gleam radiates. She closes her eyes and concentrates on the pain in her arm. She follows it down to her hand and imagines the pain fueling the magic. Slowly a light ringing chimes in her ears, and she can feel the pain receding, just as the potion did. She opens her eyes and watches as the blisters on her forearm shrink and flatten into her skin. Once she feels herself drained, the pain in her body has entirely reduced to a dull throb; but she knows better than to think she's completely fine.
She's still far from healed. Magic and potions only speed up the process. The real remedy, is time.
Looking in the mirror, a dark patch still forms around her eye, though now it looks like she hasn't slept for some time; which could be true and she wonders for a moment if it is just baggy eyes or a bruise. Her lip is sealed, but by a small scar, and her jaw is nearly smooth.
"Are you sure you can move, lass?" Brynjolf asks, taking a seat at the kitchen table. "You shouldn't push yourself."
"I can deal with this. It's that pain where, if I don't focus on it, it's not bothersome." Libby says. "At least now I can move better."
Brynjolf sighs and keeps his back to her as she dresses into her uniform. Libby changes as fast as she can and lets her hair hand loose because she can't hold her arms up long enough to tie it back.
"Be careful, and make sure you watch your wording around Mercer." Brynjolf advises. "I've never seen him this angry."
"Always a great thing to wake up to in the morning." Libby pesters.
Brynjolf smiles and gets up. "I'll meet you back in the Guild later. I've got to run a job, but I should be back soon."
"Okay. Be careful." Libby is only half joking.
"I will, and if I were you, I'd hurry."
Libby nods and shoves her feet into her boots. She packs her weapons as well and heads out the door. Once the cold air sweeps her face does she feel truly awake. Libby runs, wincing, on her way to the graveyard. A drop of sweat rolls down the back of her neck as she runs through the town Square, pushing past citizens and guards on her way in. she wonders how many frantic, running members they see on a weekly basis.
Ducking into the mausoleum, she jumps through the sewer hole and climbs down the ladder. Some members of the Guild are awake, but the majority are still sleeping. Mercer is one of the few who are awake. He leans over his desk pondering over a book with papers scattered. Libby spots Rune awake and wandering across the bridges, and spares him a small smile. He smiles in return as she passes when he realizes her destination.
As Libby approaches, she smoothes down her hair and tugs at her uniform; of which she still needs to replace. Mercer lifts his head as if he sensed her presence and stares her dead in the eye. His icy green eyes making Libby's bones chill.
"Ah, there you are." He says. His voice stretched the words long and he had a hint of, seduction. "I've consulted my contacts regarding the information you recovered from Goldenglow Estate, but no one can identify that symbol."
"I found the same marking at Honningbrew Meadery." Libby says.
"It would seem out adversary is attempting to take us apart indirectly by angering Maven Black-Briar. Very clever." Mercer nearly compliments.
"Do you, admire them?" Libby asks. She steps closer to the desk, placing her pointer finger on the edge.
"I'm not one to dismiss our adversary so easily. They're well-funded, patient and have been able to avoid identification for years. However don't mistake my admiration for complacency; our nemesis is going to pay dearly." says Mercer.
"How do we make them pay?" Libby asks. She closes the space more by placing both her hands on the table, nearly mimicking Mercer's stance.
This is by far the longest conversation Libby has had with Mercer in all her nineteen years in the Guild. She wasn't about to ruin it by invading his "space"; which would consist of the desk and two bookshelves on either side. Mercer seems to notice, but doesn't tell her to step back. Libby could even swear she saw the corner of his mouth twitch into a smile.
"Because, even after all their posturing and planning, they've made a mistake."
To Libby's surprise, Mercer pushes away and walks around to the other side, next to Libby with the parchment paper. Libby can feel her cheeks warm as Mercer stands next to her and leans against the desk. The b lade of his Dwarven sword winking in the sunlight.
Out of the corner of her eye, she can see Brynjolf walk in and look in their direction Libby can see his eyebrows furrow, but she keeps her attention to Mercer. He shows her the paper, despite her already seeing it.
"The parchment you recovered mentions a "Gajul-Lei." According to my sources, that's an old alias used by one of our contacts." Mercer explains. "His real name is Gulum-Ei. Slimy bastard." Mercer mumbles.
"Where do I begin?" Libby asks.
"Gulum-Ei is our inside man at the East Empire Company in Solitude. I'm betting he acted as a go-between for the sale of Goldenglow Estate and that he can finger our buyer." Mercer says. "Get out there, shake him down, and see what you come up with. Talk to Brynjolf before you leave if you have any questions."
Then just like that he pushes off and without a word dismisses Libby. She nods and takes a breath before stepping away. As she walks over to the cooking pot where Bryn was, she glances over her shoulder and finds Mercer looking back. She fiddles with her hair like she had something and approaches Brynjolf.
He doesn't say anything about what he saw, which fills Libby with relief. "I can't believe Gulum-Ei's mixed up in all this; that Argonian couldn't find his tail with both hands." He says. "Don't get me wrong, he could scam a beggar out of his last septim . . . but he's no mastermind."
"Think he'll give me trouble?" Libby asks, crossing her arms.
"Trouble?" Brynjolf snickers. "He's one of the most stubborn lizards I've ever met! You have your work cut out for you."
"So how do I get him to talk?"
"You're going to have to buy him off; it's the only way to get his attention. If that fails, follow him and see what he's up to. If I know Gulum-Ei, he's in way over his head and you'll be able to use it as leverage."
"Betrayal or not, I let him live." Libby says with an annoyed tone. It's the one thing Brynjolf always repeats to her.
"Glad to see our methods have branded themselves into your brain, lass. It would be a waste to lose a contact at the East Empire Company before we had the entire story." says Brynjolf. "Just keep on Gulum-Ei's tail and he's bound to step into something eh can't scrape off his boot."
Libby nods and is about to turn, until Brynjolf gives her parting words. "Good luck in Solitude. Keep Gulum-Ei alive, but remind him who we are."
Libby nods and before she leaves goes over to the one of four waterfalls that pours through the Cistern. She kneels down and looks to her reflection in the water. She combs her fingers through her hair and splits it into three sections. Then with her gentle fingers threads them into her normal braid. When she secures it with a rubberband, she gets up and leaves the Cistern.
Treading through the Square of Riften, Libby makes sure to stretch her arm and her leg muscles as she passes through the gate. Ignoring the looks of guards, she jogs over to the carriage parked outside the stables. She stops just as she's about to ask the carriage driver for a ride to Solitude.
If she keeps spending her money on rides, she might not have enough to spare in the future. True they're only twenty coin per ride, fifty for the bigger holds, but for one payment of a thousand, she could buy her own ride without the need to rely on more.
She finds the stable manager just leaving the house and runs up to him. "Could I buy a horse?" Libby asks.
The man looks to her with surprise before he processes her questions. "Of course." He smiles. "But that depends on your price range."
"I have a thousand. Is it enough?" Libby states.
"Sure." He says and takes her coin. "Got one steed all saddled up and ready."
Libby smiles and thanks him as she walks up to the stable and finds a painted stallion fitted with saddle and all. Libby approaches and pats its snout as it snorts. She giggles and pats its neck before she takes the reins and leads it out of the stable.
"You know how to ride?" the man asks.
"Uh, a little." Libby admits.
After the man shows her how to snap the reins and the different signals that could initiate different behaviors, Libby mounts and snaps the reins. The horse trots down the road and Libby pulls out her map as she navigates the route to Solitude.
When she arrives, she begins to wonder if the purchase was a mistake; as her legs feel like swamp mush and she needs a minute to walk around and regain the feeling. The stables that are down the road at a nearby farm were happy to take Libby's horse while she enters the city. From the farm up to the gate, Libby's legs soon get blood flowing again and she can walks with steady feet again.
Pushing through the gates, Libby immediately walks into chaos; or rather calm chaos. A crowd has gathered around a stage off to the immediate right upon entering the gate. A man in rags has his hands bound and is being led by the Captain of the guard of Solitude. Two more guards mount the stage and a headsman has his axe ready.
Everyone in the crowd stands a few feet away from each other, allowing Libby to maneuver her way up to the front. The sight of the blood on the headman's axe makes her throat constrict, and Libby can't hear, nor does she want to hear what it is he did. All she could gather was that he had helped Ulfric Stormcloak escape the city. By opening a bridge.
Are they serious? Just form opening a bridge he gets executed? The man talks about how there was no murder, that Ulfric defeated the High King in fair battle. But the crowd merely boos in disagreement.
Libby has half the instinct to stop it, but that would mean melding in the affairs of politics, and since she's no good with them, she stays rooted in her spot. She watches as the Captain of the Guard pushes the man to his knees, then down to the block.
Bile rises at the back of Libby's throat and she averts her gaze as she hears the man say, "Today, I go to Sovngarde."
Then the headsman raises his axe.
Libby shuts her eyes.
Blood is a strange color. It's darker than you expect it to be. She looks down to her hands and still finds them a faint pink. Libby is still convinced the blood stains her deeper, has seeped into her skin so that she will never forget what she had done.
She shakes her head as if to get the dust out of it.
This isn't about her. It's about Gulum-Ei. Libby takes a deep breath and swallows as she enters the Winking Skeever. Walking in the man behind the bar encourages her to make herself at home. Libby goes deeper in and gazes around. Only a few costumers, along with a bard are present. Then Libby looks to her left and finds an Argonian sitting in seclusion. Libby approaches him.
"So, what do we have here?" he starts. "Hmm. Let me guess."
Libby's fingers twitch as the lizard stares drifts his eyes over her body. His gaze a little too stalled around her chest.
"By your scent, I'd say you were from the Guild. But that can't be true, because I told Mercer I wouldn't deal with them anymore." Gulum-Ei says.
"I'm here about Goldenglow Estate." Libby snips.
"I don't deal in land or property. Now, if you're looking for goods, you've come to the right person." He continues.
Libby snarls and folds her arms. "You can drop the act now . . . Gajul-Lei."
Gulum-Ei tenses and Libby smirks. "Oh wait . . . did you say Goldenglow Estate? My apologies. I'm sorry to say that I know very little about that . . . bee farm. Was it?"
"You acted as a broker for its new owner." Libby says.
"Maybe I did, maybe I didn't. I can't be expected to remember every deal I make."
"Identify the buyer, and we'll forget what we know." Libby persuades.
"I don't care what you promise me. If I tell you the buyer's name and word gets out, it could ruin me." Gulum-Ei retorts.
Libby huffs in annoyance and reaches for her dagger. He would be better as a pair of boots for her instead. But Brynjolf's words ring in her ears.
"What would it take to identify the buyer?" Libby asks.
Gulum-Ei's eyes widen in interest. "Well, now that you mention it, there is something I've been trying to get my hands on. I have a buyer looking for a case of Firebrand Wine. There just so happens to be a single case in the Blue Palace. Bring it to me, and we'll talk about Goldenglow."
Libby sighs and makes sure to glare at Gulum-Ei as she turns and exit the Winking Skeever. With the broad daylight this would be tricky, so as Libby approaches the hill with the Blue Palace, she notices one guard posted outside. If the security is anything like Whiterun, Libby will need to think of an excuse. Or hopefully she can just buy them off.
None is needed as a distraction seems to have created itself. The guard leaves his post and Libby pretends to be filing her nails as he passes by her. He must be changing shifts with another. She'll have less than a minute, but that's all she needs.
Libby slips inside the palace and two more guards inside. One stands by an archway while another is posted at the base of the grand staircase leading up to the second level. They don't seem alarmed by her presence, probably because Libby looks no different than a staff member.
Libby has made visits to the palace before, and that was back when she was a young thing looking for work. She would approach the steward, he would have his doubts and a snicker too. But when Libby once brought the head of a bandit chief on a pike, and tossed it at the feet of the High Queen Elisif, he never taunted her again. Also gave her an added bonus for some reason, probably because he feared her. Either way, she should be recognizable, and that is a bittersweet thing.
She slinks close to the wall and ducks into a small hallway behind the staircase. She finds the brand of wine on a table and snatches it with a silent whisper and sneaks out through the back door by the cook's quarters.
Returning to the Winking Skeever, Libby drops the crate onto the table, caring about the sound rattling bottles and the attention it draws. Gulum-Ei examines the crate for any glasses that could be cracked, and when he finds none, sighs.
"Can't have the buyer getting impatient and looking elsewhere for this, can we?" he takes the wine and tucks it behind his chair. "Here, take this. I certainly can't use it, but I suppose I need to pay you something for the goods."
"You're trying to bribe me now?" Libby asks quirking an eyebrow.
"Not at all. I consider it an investment in prolonging my life." Gulum-Ei says. "As far as Goldenglow, Estate goes, I'll tell you what I know."
Taking the two pretty soul gems, she packs them away into her pocket. Libby pulls up a chair and takes a seat, leaning forward with her elbows to her knees, hands folded in between.
"In was approached by a woman who wanted me to act as a broker for something big." Gulum-Ei starts. "She flashed a bag of coin in my face and said all I had to do was pay Aringoth for the estate. I brought him the coin and walked away with her copy of the deed."
"Did she say why she was doing this?" Libby asks.
"Not at all. I tend not to ask too many questions when I'm on the job. I'm sure you understand." Gulum-Ei says. "However I did notice she was quite angry and it was directed at Mercer Frey."
"That's it? No name or anything?" Libby presses, narrowing her eyebrows.
"In this business, we rarely deal with names; our identity comes from how much coin we carry." says Gulum-Ei.
"I think you're lying to me." Libby snarls. She reaches for her dagger.
"Look, that's all I know. I never promised you I'd have all the answers." Gulum-Ei assures. "Now, since our transactions is done, I'll be on my way."
Gulum-Ei gets up from his seat and Libby mimics him, letting him out first. As he nears the door, she walks over to the other side of the inn, where the main tables and the bard mingle with what little customers they have this time of night. Only one other customer still sits with a full plate of food. Libby feels Gulum-Ei's gaze before she hears the shutting of the door.
Libby takes a seat with the only remaining customer and glances around as the bard takes a seat near the bar. Luckily Libby had sent a message to a courier as she was leaving Riften, counting on Gulum-Ei being a stubborn Argonian.
"So, what did you think?" Libby asks.
Diamond wasn't the quietest thief, and unlike many others in her line of work, she did not take to the shadows as fish took to water. Her fingers lacked the dexterity for caressing locks into opening. But her ears were always listening, and her eyes sharp. Diamond adjusts her hair as she removes a ragged cap she had for disguise. "I think he would make better use a pair of new boots!" she exclaims and Libby quiets her down. "Seriously, I'm like sitting over here, my hand is on my dagger, and I'm just getting ready to throw it at him!"
"We can't kill him, Diamond. Unfortunately. By killing him, our only contact to the East Empire Company vanishes. That's not smart for business." Libby reminds. "Come on, Brynjolf said we need to shadow him and find out where he goes."
Diamond nods and snatches a sweetroll from the table before they leave the Winking Skeever. As they just got outside, they see the gates close. The girls trot after him, making sure to exchange with the guards some friendly banter before departing.
Libby can't help but smile at how giddy Diamond is to be back on a mission together. They shadow Gulum-Ei all the way until they reach the East Empire Company warehouse. This storage facility is located in Haafingar Hold, at the foot of the city of Solitude. It is run by the East Empire Company. Inside are several ships and average loot. There are also several guards, known infamously as East Empire Wardens, who patrol the docks inside the warehouse.
The girls follow him past the guards and ducking into a small shack that holds shipments of spiced wine. They wait two minutes after Gulum-Ei enters to follow. While Libby picks the lock, Diamond watches for guards.
Once the tumbler clicks, they slip inside silent as ghosts.
Gulum-Ei was far enough ahead that the girls could worry more about the mercenaries inside. Diamond readies her dagger, but Libby stops her hand. She points silently to the shelving of endless goods and furniture and clothing and weapons. Diamond squints her eyes and sees that a small pathway has been made above. Logs were left with one end of the floor and leading up to the shelving. Then there were small wooden planks to connect them for the mercenaries. Diamond nods and follow Libby as she takes the lead.
They stalk up the log and onto the shelving, where they shadowed Gulum-Ei as he passes through a maze of goods. A couple guards nod to him in recognition, and move along. Libby toggles her way around a basket of swords, and as Diamond follows, she feel her ankle nick a dagger. It flops and clatters to the floor.
"What was that?" the mercenary says, drawing an iron axe.
Diamond's hand slipped into her belt, where a dozen of slender daggers were clipped tight. She draws three and throws. The wickedly sharp point pierced the side of his neck. Libby instantly jumps down and first kicks the man hard in the stomach before punching him left and right, then bringing his head down and ramming her knee into his forehead. He collapses, unable to cry out to the others. Sheathing her second dagger Diamond had grabbed in case she missed, she helps hoist Libby up after looting the body, and they continue on Gulum-Ei's tail.
As they follow, Libby helps herself to the many chests and dressers available in the warehouse, while Diamond snatches a few more daggers and swords. They were near a boat parked by the docks, with one guard aboard. Libby draws her bow and readies an arrow. The double-pronged head giving Diamond a shudder. She watches as Libby applies some of the Frostbite Venom she acquired and lets the arrow fly. Within seconds of hitting the guard, she collapses with tight, rigid cords of sickly green veins webbed across the girl's body and limbs, like ropes under her skin.
Her fall catches the attention of another one, and Libby loads a clean arrow this time, Diamond readying her dagger. Libby lets the arrow go, and Diamond jumps down. Just as it pierces the guard's up right thigh, Diamond springs into action. The man notices her, and as he swings his greatsword, Diamond ducks below it, ramming her head upwards, nailing the man in the chin. Then she grabs him by the ears and scruffs of hair and drives her knee to his nose. Then grabbing him about the neck by her arm, they swing around and he crashes into the shelving, then Diamond kicks him in the stomach, rattling the contents and having him fall unconscious.
Diamond gives Libby a thumbs up and the girls continue onward, Diamond sticking to the lower level. They follow him to a stairway that leads down under the decks when three more guards show up. Libby holds Diamond back, and Diamond stays crouched as Libby jumps down and she launches in a round-off.
Back flipping twice, when she lands, she punches on man in the chin snapping his head back, instantly out. Libby dances between the two men, her dagger a blur of steel. Both men are bleeding, and one in particular was soaked with blood from a gash underneath his arm. Diamond watches as Libby ducks a sideways slash, spins on her heels, and then lunges to the side of a thrust. The sword pierces the air inches from Libby's face, but she seems to not care how close she comes to death. Libby's dagger punches underneath the breastplate, slicing open the flesh and spilling intestines to the splintered wood of the docks.
The girls nod and follow Gulum-Ei further to a small hidden passageway behind some containers leading to a place called Brinewater Grotto. Once inside, the girls ready their weapons.
"Jeez, never seen anything quite like this." Diamond whispers.
"The cave is part of a much larger cave system, but the rest of the area is blocked off by a hidden stone door." Libby says.
"But if it's hidden, how do you know about it?" Diamond asks.
"I just notice these things." Libby winks.
Taking a few steps in, Libby stops them and activates a tripwire that sends a mace swinging to their heads.
"Slimy bastard." Dia curses.
They exits the tunnel way and come to a small section of shelving with a small pier, and two bandits talking amongst one another.
"Should've known she was lying . . . said she'd wait for me . . . but they never wait." he says.
Libby looks to Diamond. Diamond signals Libby to go around back while she slinks close to the shelving. Libby nods and draws an arrow. She creeps around another set of shelves so that she's behind on of the bandits. This one only had on fur armor, so when Libby's arrow flies, it pierces through his chest and he falls. The other is an Orc. He readies his axe and jogs around near Libby's hiding spot.
Diamond sprints forward and pushes off her feet, flipping in midair. She lands with her feet on the shoulders of the Orc, and following her momentum, dives forward and ducks through his legs, flipping him over and into the shelves. He catches himself and rolls coming up on one knee, but Diamond is already at his face, forcefully leading her knee into the side of his head, then kicking with her other foot before taking him by his ponytail and ramming his head against the stone. He slumps to the ground.
"Cool moves." Libby compliments.
"Gabriella taught me that one." Dia smiles.
As they progress deeper, two more are ahead. Libby loads her how and takes out both with a deadly headshot. Further still, they encounter more and leave a trail of bodies lying in a bloody path that ends at a small cave area where most of the expensive goods remain. Four more marauders are there, yet still unaware of the intruders. But these ones seem to be quite the challenge.
"No doubt Gulum-Ei's there." Libby whispers. "Saved the big boys for last."
"So, how should we do this?" Diamond asks. "Please tell me we get to make an entrance. My thighs are starting to tingle."
Libby smiles and loads an arrow. Judging from the small pouch and lighter, it was a homemade explosive. When arrow flies, it's aimed at the fore. Upon impact, the entire cave erupts in smoke.
"Now!" Libby yells.
"Aw yeah!" Diamond hollers.
Both girls leap into the shadows as Gulum-Ei and the bandits shout in the smoke.
Libby spots two in the haze and charges forward. She jumps and flips in the air before slamming down onto one, driving his face into the dirt. As the second one prepares his sword, Libby kicks his feet out from under him, then whirls out of the way as an arrow flies by her head. She chucks two daggers at the archer, knocking her out. Then when the other two arrive, Diamond swings in and stabs one in the side with her dagger, then punching the other left then right, and vaulting her over her back.
The bandit Libby crashed on rises up and readies his Warhammer. Diamond snatches an old bar from the loot and uses it to pole-vault herself over Libby and slams her foot into the man's chest, then flipping it around, she whacks him in the head. But he grabs Diamond by the ankle and throws her halfway across the cave. Libby dodges his first two punches, but he grabs Libby by the braid and Libby feels herself hauled off her feet and thrown in the air. Her back slams against the shelving and she falls to the ground a few feet from Diamond.
The smoke soon clears, and Gulum-Ei is hiding in the crevice of two shelves.
The other two bandits rise behind Libby and Libby spins out of the ay of their oncoming feet and pushes to stand. As she blocks one's punches with her forearm, she keeps her back to the other, but elbows him in the face when he draws a mace. Quickly pulling out a dagger, Libby jabs it in his stomach. She then kicks at the bandit in front of her in the stomach with one knee, and kicks her back with the other. As the archer rises to shoot another arrow, Libby sends three daggers flying at her, two of which sticking in both her arms. She yelps and Diamond comes flipping in for the final kick that makes her go limp.
The last bandit stands with a battleaxe. Diamond jumps down with Libby and cracks her knuckles. "You're an embarrassment to your own kind!" Diamond provokes.
The bandit snarls, "I'll paint the floor with your blood!"
He charges forward and Diamond flips back while Libby pulls out a sword and dagger. She meets the bandit, crossing her weapons so that it blocks the blow of the axe. Libby then head-butts him, making him stagger. She then spins the blade of her dagger and slashes at the man's upper thigh. He grunts and grits his teeth. Libby knees him in the head, and then crouches to let Diamond roll over her back and kick the man in the face. He falls, his weapon clattering to the floor.
Libby looks to Gulum-Ei who rises to his feet as the chaos deflates. "Now, there's no need to do anything rash . . . This isn't as bad as it seems." He says.
Libby keeps her weapons out and twirls her dagger between her fingers. Her face blank, but eyes filled with murderous intent.
"I was going to tell Mercer about everything, honestly! Please . . . he'll have me killed!" Gulum-Ei pleads.
Libby narrows her eyes. "Mercer isn't your concern right now."
As Gulum-Ei opens his mouth, a dagger presses to his neck. Diamond stands behind him, a bloody sword about her waist, and pinning Gulum-Ei's one arm behind his back.
"Tell us now, or we kill you where you stand!" Libby says.
The dagger scrapes against Gulum-Ei's neck. A drop of blood runs down his neck.
"No please! There's no need for that! I'll tell you everything." Gulum-Ei says. "It's Karliah . . . her name is Karliah."
Diamond's dagger shifts against his skin, and from the brief pause, he figured they were confused.
"You say that name like I should know it." Libby says.
"Mercer never told you about her? Karliah is the thief responsible for murmuring the previous Guild Master, Gallus. Now she's after Mercer." He explains.
"And you're helping her?" Libby seethes, approaching closer.
"Help . . . ? No, no! Look I didn't even know it was her until after she contacted me. Please, you have to believe me."
"Where is Karliah now?" Libby asks.
"I don't know. When I asked her where she was going, she just muttered "Where the end began."
"You had better not be lying, Gulum-Ei." Libby intimidates. "False tongues are often split."
Diamond digs the tip of the dagger into the soft skin of the Argonian's neck.
"No, no! Here, take the Goldenglow Estate deed as proof." He says. Libby snatches the parchment, and diamond removes her dagger from Gulum-Ei's neck. "And when you speak to Mercer, tell him I'm worth more to him alive."
Libby gives Diamond the order to let him go. "Go on ahead, I need to have a moment's word."
"Don't take too long." Diamond warns. "Oh, by the way, you have quite the mess to clean up." She winks then heads back through the grotto.
Libby leans in close. "Sorry about your, workers." She whispers.
"Eh, they were gold diggers anyway. Mooched more coin off me than they deserved. So you think she bought it?" Gulum-Ei asks.
"Every word." Libby assures. "But I still don't feel comfortable about this."
"You wanted it to be believable, Libby. This is what it takes." Gulum-Ei reminds.
Libby nods and turns to leave. She catches up to Diamond and jogs up behind her.
"I don't think that could've gone any better." Diamond chirps.
Libby chuckles. "Thanks so much for coming. I probably wouldn't have made it without your help."
"Awwww! No problem, I got you girl." Diamond smiles. "It was getting boring staying cooped up in the Guild. Sometimes I think you take the jobs just to get the hell out of there."
"At least our "timeout" is almost up, and since we didn't travel together, Mercer can't get upset. He said we couldn't be seen together, he never said we couldn't work together."
"I love loopholes." Diamond smiles.
They trudge back through the warehouse this time avoiding the mercenaries they may have missed. Slipping back outside, they both take a deep breath of fresh air.
"Never knew it was so stuffy in there." Diamond speaks as she stretches.
"Come on, we need to get this back to the Guild." Libby instructs. "You have enough money for a ride?"
"Yeah I'll meet you there. Better yet, I'll beat you there!" Diamond giggles.
"Diamond!"
The two girls race up the docks and Libby fetches her horse while Diamond checks with the carriage driver. Yet rather than challenge one another, Libby walks behind the carriage and the girls keep conversation all the way through the ride. Diamond swiftly changes into a belted tunic, tucking her Brotherhood armor away. The veils of muted colors of dusk fall along the sky as the girls talk and laugh through the terrain. When they arrive at the gates of Riften, Libby steer her horse into the stables. Libby stalls by petting her horse as Diamond enters first. Then she counts in her head before following.
Libby jogs her way through the town, the shops just closing up for the night. Then she sneaks through the archways under the Temple of Mara where she finds Dia waiting at the mausoleum.
Libby pushes the button of the Guild inward as Diamond keeps watch of guards. Stepping down, Libby motions Diamond and then pulls the chain when they're both under. Libby waits for Diamond to change before they enter the Cistern.
Members are scattered about and Brynjolf must be in the Flagon since Libby doesn't see him around the Cistern. Mercer is hovered over his desk, and the girls watch as he crumples a piece of paper and swear profusely. He spots the girls approaching and narrows his eyebrows. There's suspicion in his eyes, but he doesn't say anything. Diamond hangs back watching Thrynn shoot some arrows while listening to their conversation.
"Did Gulum-Ei give up any information on our buyer?" he asks in an annoyed tone.
"He said it was purchased by a "Karliah." Libby says.
Mercer's eyes narrow and his lip contorts into a snarl. "No, it . . . it can't be." Mercer growls through grit teeth. "I haven't heard that name in decades. This is grave new indeed, she's someone I hoped to never cross paths with again."
"Gulum-Ei also told me she was a murderer." Libby adds.
"Karliah destroyed everything this Guild stood for." Mercer snaps. "She murdered my predecessor in cold blood and betrayed the Guild. After we discovered what she'd done, we spent months trying to track her down, but she just vanished."
"Why has she returned?" Libby asks.
"Karliah and I were like partners. I went on her every heist. We watched each other's backs." Mercer explains. "I know her techniques, her skills. If she kills me, there will be no one left who could possibly catch her. If only we knew where she was . . ."
"Gulum-Ei told me she said, "Where the end began." Libby says.
"There's only one place that could be. The place where she murdered Gallus . . . a ruin called Snow Veil Sanctum." Mercer says. "We have to get out there before she disappears again."
Libby and Diamond tense in unison. "We?" Libby clarifies.
"Yes I'm going with you, and together we're going to kill her." Mercer states. "Here's your payment for Solitude."
Diamond saunters over, with her hands behind her back. "Uh, maybe I should go with you guys. I mean, if it's an ancient burial crypt there's bound to be a lot of draugr. A lot. You'll probably need my help." Diamond persuades.
Mercer glares at her, and Libby quickly interjects. "Can she come, Mercer? Out two week time is almost up. It could make things easier. Please . . . ?"
Mercer looks to Libby, and dread pools in her stomach. "I'm going to give this to you straight, Libby. Diamond isn't good enough to join us."
Libby's heart triples in speed while Diamond's sinks into her stomach.
"She inexperienced, and isn't exactly the best at "keeping to the shadows. The last thing I need is some kid, blundering around the tomb and awakening every draugr we come across. Not to mention she'll alert Karliah long before we even reach her. She stays here."
"You know Mercer," Diamond snaps. "I don't ever recall asking for your approval of what I do. You do your thing, and I do mine. I've got plenty of your flaws I could list for you."
Mercer snarls like an animal and Libby glares to Diamond to shut up.
"Mercer please. Diamond, she can be great at stealth. It's what she does so she doesn't get caught murdering people." Libby argues.
Mercer folds his arms. "When was the last stealth mission that you had, that was a success when you brought Diamond along?"
Libby flicks her eyes away from his dark gaze to think. "This one! The East Empire one."
"One out of the how many I've assigned you." Mercer counters. "She's nothing but a risk."
"She, is right here!" Diamond interjects.
"And here is where you'll stay!" Mercer finalizes. He turns to Libby. "Prepare yourself, Libby and meet me at the ruins as soon as you can. We can't let Karliah slip through our fingers."
"But Mercer -!" Libby starts.
"Enough, Libby. My answer is final." Mercer sneers, then turns away back towards his desk. She managed to snatch Libby's map and updates to where the ruin is. He hands it back to her. "Now go and see Tonilia to replace your armor."
Libby huffs and takes her cue to leaves. Diamond is about to say something when Libby grabs her arm and guides her away. When they're in the entryway of the Flagon, they walk three steps before Libby makes an immediate left into a small room with two beds, a trunk, and a cupboard. This must be where Dirge and Vekel sleep.
Libby approaches her carefully, as if she's waiting for Diamond to explode. "Diamond, listen . . ."
"You don't need to say anything for apologize. This isn't your fault." Diamond cuts her off.
"Are you okay? I mean that was rude of him to call you . . . inexperienced. And a . . ."
"I know, I'll be fine." Diamond claims.
Libby doesn't like this. She expected Diamond to cuss Mercer out, maybe even try and claw his eyes out, but she just let Libby guide her away, and that is worse. If she had exploded, her anger would have been spent quickly, after a swear word or two. Letting Libby drag her away means that she's letting Mercer's words penetrate that thick impenetrable skull of hers. Well, previously impenetrable.
"Diamond, don't you let him get to you." Libby orders.
"I'm not, I'm just . . . pissed at his attitude. I don't know, I'm just done." she says taking a seat.
"No, no, no. Don't be done. Yell, scream, kick a chair, do something!" Libby says. "Just don't be like this."
"Like what?"
"Like all, calm angry. It's a very confusing oxymoron and it's just not you." Libby says.
"Libby, I'll be fine. If I whack a few dummies will it make you feel better?" Diamond smiles gently.
"Maybe you should just decapitate one." Libby smiles back.
The two girls hug and Libby kisses the crown of Dia's head; making Diamond giggle.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Libby asks as they draw back.
"Yes!" Diamond squeaks. "Now go, go get some potions, ready your bow. Go. I need to get back to the sanctuary anyway."
"Okay. Come with me to get my armor at least?" Libby asks.
Diamond chuckles and nods, ushering Libby out. The two girls walk into the Flagon and approach Tonilia at the forefront of the Flagon.
"Well, you seem to be making things brighter around here." She says. "I'm supposed to allow you to trade in one of your pieces of Guild armor, so what will it be?"
"Anything different about it?" Diamond asks.
"Of course, otherwise it wouldn't be much of reward, now would it?" Tonilia snaps. "Your new piece will enhance your skill beyond that of the original. Trust me."
"I'll trade my cuirass." Libby says.
"Are you sure? Once I exchange it for you, I'm not taking it back . . . unless you want to sell it at a discount of course."
"Yeah, I'm sure."
"Okay, there you go."
Libby exchanges her old torn armor for a new one, and the difference is noticeable. The leather is new and slick, and added more pockets and belts for weapons. Libby shrugs it on, Unphased by the other members of the Flagon and adjusts the straps.
"Thanks Tonilia."
"Until next time." She gives with a ghost of a smile.
Diamond follows Libby back into the Cistern and up to the mausoleum entrance. They follow together not talking as they approach the gates. Sometimes the silence is more comfort than actual words.
As Libby munts her horse, and Diamond climbs into the carriage, Libby turns and waves back. Diamond gives her a salute before the driver snaps the reins. They follow Libby for five minutes before Libby turns left and Diamond turns right.
The whole time, Diamond's stomach must've shrunk down to the size of a walnut; because the tight feeling inside it won't go away. And that's never a good thing.