Chapter two - Guild Meeting
Tirdas, Sun's Dawn 10, 4E 0 - After Midnight
"Place it against the staircase wall." I said, speaking to my workers as they set up tables for the new Guild bar.
Last week, I had a meeting with my Doyen's discussing the future plans. Over the week, a few recruits joined but failed the admission test with their arrest, so now we're at a solid 41. Today is the day I place my plans in action, to change the Guild. With counters pressed tight together against the opposite wall from the staircase, I have hired a new bartender who is ready to start serving drinks at dusk today. All alcohol products and wines have already been stocked, and tankards ready to be used. Now I just have single tables with two chairs being placed in random areas of the room.
I have placed several single beds in the basement, ridding of the bedrolls, bringing in a total of 5 to conserve space and walk-through. Now a few more beggars would be able to sleep in the basement, in what I now call it the 'guest quarters'. The small closet-sized room in the basement that contained a table with several extra lockpicks had been taken out and replaced with a bedroll, a bed wouldn't fit.
"Everything is set. Today at dusk, our new bartender of the Thieve's Guild, an Orc named Burg Gro-Kaash, will be here to service the new bar. Be aware that Burg takes his job seriously, has been a bartender for many years, and will not hesitate to throw out any troublemakers who stay to drink too much. Does everyone understand?" I asked my audience as I had requested all members in the Imperial City tonight to meet in the Guild Hall.
This included the 12 original members in the city before my time as Guildmaster; Ancus Afranius, Carwen, Armand Christophe, S'Krivva, Dynari Amnis, Hillod the Outlaw, Isleif the Open-Handed, Amusei, Methredhel, Othrelos, Mandil, and J'Baana, as I had to have him bailed out of prison, or his excuse, just visiting. All 12 thieves had nodded and gave yes for their understanding.
On the table beside me, I had 9 parchments together placed upon each other, picking them up, I looked to my audience.
"I will need 7 volunteers, to travel by horse to a given town to invite a fellow thief member to the Guild Meeting that will take place in a couple nights from tonight. Doyen's, remain still." I said as they all stood still, then one by one, Amusei, Methredhel, Othrelos, Mandil, Carwen, Ancus Afranius, and Dynari Amnis had all stepped forward.
"Now. Who knows Goblim Jim, and where he stays?" I asked. Silence remained throughout the room, until Ancus had raised his hand.
"Good. Seek to give him this invitation, and have him follow you by horse back. If he doesn't own a horse, have him ride with you or steal his own horse. Off you go." I told him as he nodded and I handed him the invitation, then departed the room.
"Amusei," I said as he brought up his eyes from the floor to meet my face, "I want you to travel to Bravil, seek out the City-Swimmer, Argonian, and Dro'Shanji, a Khajiit. City-Swimmer will be easy to locate, and if you have trouble finding Dro'Shanji, he usually spends time in the gardens of Castle Bravil. Give both their invitation then bring them back by horse. Please make sure no one gets caught stealing a horse." I told him.
"Yes, master. Right away." Amusei confirmed. I handed him two parchments then he left. Looking at a personal record on one of my thieves, I thought for a moment.
"Othrelos?" I called out.
"Yes, sir?" He responded.
"I understand that you travel to Skingrad often, to spend time at the West Weald Inn?" To his surprise, his eyes widen. Must have not known I know what he does, as I have eyes and ears in every town.
"T-that is c-correct, sir." He stuttered out.
"Well. I understand you pass the vineyards a lot going through? Seek out an Imperial man named Reman Broder, a fellow thief member that works for the Surilie Brothers Vineyards. You may find him outside Grateful Pass Stables while he works. Take a horse for him from the stables, bring him back." I handed him an invitation and he left.
"Mandil. I understand that you live with Othrelos?"
"Yes, Mr. Fox." she agreed.
"Good, well I'll send you to the nearest town where Othrelos is going, you can ride alongside him. Seek out a female Dunmer named Glistel, and a male Redguard named Malintus Ancrus, both living together in Chorrol." I handed her two copies, she nodded then departed.
"Methredhel, seek out a Khajiit named Ra'qanar, monk and servent in Castle Cheydinhal." I told her as a smile brightened her face.
"Yes, guildmaster! I shall have him back before sunrise!" She said enthusiastically.
"Capital! Make me proud, Methredhel. Off you go, now." I handed her a copy, then she quickly hurried out the door in a rush. She was good to get things done quick. Carwen and Dynari remained, waiting.
"Carwen, put on an extra pair of clothing because I want you to bring Helvius Cecia in Bruma back, he's an Imperial. And Dynari, bring back a Khajiit named Ahdarji living in Leyawiin." Handing both their copy, giving a 'yes sir' in response and leaving, I look to the remaining members waiting for directions.
My Doyen's, Armand Christophe and S'Krivva, had both already picked their favorite seats they will primarily sit during the nights to come. Hillow the Outlaw, Isleif the Open-Handed, and J'Baana had all been sitting patiently also in their own seats.
"I have stationed all 17 newest recruits of the past month here in the Imperial City, before the night of guild meeting, I want the 5 of you to seek out the individuals and inform all 17 to meet 2 hours after midnight at the beach beside your house, Armand." He nodded and the rest seemed to have understood.
"Now. To bring this meeting to an end, I will give you all the identities of the 17 recruits, I want you all to work together and discuss with each other who will seek out who. It is after midnight right now, you all have 48 hours to bring them all to meet beside Armand's house. I will now return to my quarters, Methredhel should e back before sunrise, make sure every invited member waits in the City until the hour of the guild meeting. We wouldn't want the Watch to become suspicious of the populated Waterfront." I said to my audience.
"Very well, guildmaster." S'Krivva spoke first. Then the rest had nodded and stood up, the group had started speaking to each other as I went upstairs into my room.
Closing the door behind me, I pulled off my cowl and noticed first the big king-sized bed calling for me.
Without intention, my feet were already taking it's steps to the bed until I flopped down onto it.
My intention was to give myself a couple minutes to rest then get up, but the inevitable had come, and next thing I knew, I was dreaming.
Turdas, Sun's Dawn 12, 4E 0 - After Midnight
Knocks on the door had disturbed me as I jumped up being startled, the door had cracked open slightly.
"Master? It is time. Everyone is waiting." The rusty voice of Amusei spoke through the cracked open door.
"Okay, be right out." I called back.
Staring down at my desk, I have had written in long planning, a speech. Now that the time has come to read it aloud, I feel I would not need it. I believe I have memorized the key points, so instead, I should improvise a bit.
I stood up and exited my room, followed the steps leading downstairs, and met with Burg Gro-Kaash. He stood waiting behind the bar, I've given him my welcome to the Guild just yesterday, but perhaps it is time for him to be formally welcomed by the Guild.
"Come with me, Burg. I will give you a proper welcome to the Guild, and give you some business flowing."
"That will be my pleasure, sir." He responded back as he followed me outside.
The air had been very cool, winter was still flowing through the lands of Cyrodiil. In Bruma, it would be snowing all day long. In Skyrim, well, that is a much more frozen story.
I walked Burg past the Garden of Dareloth, down the alley to the stairs and took a left, following the path that led to Armand Christophe's house.
Behind it, I can see a lot of dark figures and some holding torches to illuminate the darkness.
Approaching, many races of men and women stand chatting among themselves as I reveal myself before the crowd, then all eyes stared on me.
Many whispers and murmurs were being made throughout the crowd. I stare them all back, into every one's eyes.
"Greetings, members of the Thieves Guild. I am the Gray Fox, your leader, your Guildmaster, and in my name, the founder of the Thieve's Guild." The crowd gave applause and cheer in response.
"Not everyone believes I exist, not everyone believes the Thieve's Guild exists! They believe we are just a myth, a fairy tale!" Laughter uprose from the audience.
"Now, I hope no one here believes we are, too." More laughter continued.
"We are not a myth, not a fairy tale, otherwise we would not be standing here today. For too long, we've all stood with the shadows, hiding and afraid of our own names to be known. For too long, this Guild has been kept secret! Most believe we are just a myth! But tonight forward, we shall not hide no longer!" The crowd cheered and clapped.
I noticed S'Krivva and Armand Christophe among the crowd, then I waved them both over to my side. I also realized Burg stood beside me, silent and waiting.
"I would like to introduce to all newest recruits, Armand Christophe and S'Krivva." Everyone clapped their hands as Armand and S'Krivva gave their waves to the welcoming crowd.
"Armand and S'Krivva are our Guild doyen, you are given tasks and jobs from these two members. They can clear your bounty for whatever crimes for whatever crimes you've committed, for half the price of the total bounty. You may also purchase extra lockpicks from both. Everyone also must report to the doyen for whatever questions you may have, or guidance you seek, do not come looking for me. The doyen's are our Guild lieutenant." Everyone stood quiet, listening.
"There are also fences within the Guild. Fences are members of the Thieve's Guild that will buy your stolen items from you at a good price. Before being promoted to a new rank, you must have sold a certain amount of fenced items to the fences, then you will be moved on to the next fence at a different location that will buy from you at a higher price. You are assigned to a specific fence, the first fence every new recruit must sell to first, is Ongar the World-Weary, a Nord, located in the town of Bruma. If you have any more questions, the doyen will be glad to answer any time." Many of the audience stood silent and standing, listening, while some murmured upon each other in small voices.
Burg stood quite impatient, ready to go back to work, as I had forgotten about him once again.
"Everyone please welcome, Burg Gro-Kaash, our Guild bartender. Alcoholic beverages and wines will be sold from him, at a price. He and the doyen will remain in the Guild Hall, right in front of the Garden of Dareloth, from dusk to dawn every night." Loud cheering rose, so loud that our ear drums were ringing.
"Now, brothers and sisters of the Thieve's Guild, go and start your lifelong career as thieves, spread the influence that our Thieve's Guild exists! We shall hide no longer in the shadows, go and take what you want, because it is yours!" Loud cheering, clapping, and whistling were at full volume as Burg, the doyen's, and I, led our audience back to the Guild Hall.
I was first inside and off to my room to continue plans. Minutes later, plenty of voices downstairs were rising.
A knock on the door, then it cracks open.
"Master? Everyone would like you to come down and join for a drink, a toast for the future of the Thieve's Guild." Amusei had said.
I thought about it for awhile, 'maybe a drink or two wouldn't be too bad,' I thought.
"Alright, be down in a few." I called out, then the door had shut.