Zane was sighing in the inside as he was standing in front of the very woman he wished he could just avoid: Maven Black-Briar. The Umbreon wasn't very fond of the Nord woman who pretty much controls the entire town thanks to her connection to the thieves guild and the Dark Brotherhood... and wondered if the reason why nobody oft he Brotherhood tried to kill her is due that connection or so sheer lucky that literally, nobody did the black sacrament?
Right now it doesn't matter anyway, as she was glaring at him, her fingers tapping on the chair she is sitting on. ''So... let me recap it so that I am understanding what you are saying`` she began ''You are telling me, despite your best efforts, the Honeybrew Meadery isn't taken over by Mallus because of what? Because got you the wrong poison and then shouted out about that mistake WHILE the poison took effect?``
''Exactly`` stated Zane with his hands behind his back ''Most oft hem were rat poison but the last bottle was for some reason a paralyzing poison. And as I have trusted their words on that end, I didn?t suspect anything." And then he added, ''And even if we got lucky that I used the rat poison instead of the paralyze poison on the meat, the plans would have been delayed due to a new plague of Skeevers and Ratattas.``
Maven took a deep breath ''I will see that this idiot isn't going to be happy for a long time, even after his release from prison.`` And then glared at Zane ''But how could you not have noticed it?``
''No label on the bottle and I am not an alchemy expert. For that, I use my contacts to get potions mixed.`` State Zane in a deadpan. ''And the only way I could have known otherwise is to taste that stuff.``
''Not recommendable.`` Agreed Maven and got ''Good! I let you and the thieves guild of the hock. For now! But by the next failure, I will cut my ties with you! Tell that to Mercer!``
''I will`` stated Zane and began to leave. Returning to the guild. Once there, Mercer Fey was already waiting for him ''Took you long enough. How was that meeting with Maven?``
''Could have been worse`` admits the Umbreon ''She will let go of this one but our ties are now depending on the next job we do for her.`` And shakes his head ''To be honest, the only way I could have prevented that if I had any knowledge of alchemy.``
''Something you didn't bother learning. Which is understandable given that we are not murderers`` stated Mercer and looks at Zane ''Did you learn at least anything?``
''Yeah. I found a letter and according to this, Sabjorn was backed up by the same person who did the deals that troubled Maven.`` Explained Zane but then shrugs ''Thought to be honest that?s all.``
To which Mercer crossed his arms ''Don't worry about that Zane. I know exactly how we can ensure where we learn more about it. Do you remember our old contact in Solitude?``
''Him?`` asks Zane and rose an eyebrow, ''I thought you are not going to trust him anymore after what happened last time``
''Only so far as I could throw a Gyrados at anybody.`` Admits Mercer and that caused Zane to raise an eyebrow. Of all Pokemons he could have chosen for the throwing term he chose a Gyrados? A near-constant pissed nature of destruction? Each his own figured the purple dark type.
''Fine by me`` gave Zane in ''I will look if I could dig up something. But I will be honest: I have not much of faith here it will be anything useful.``
''Duly noted`` stated Mercer and watches the Umbreon leave.
Zane and the Argonian
''Dangit`` muttered Zane as he checked his stuff and figured that this job isn?t to be pleased... not to mention he got low of funds for not being paid off the Honeybrew job. ''I thought I never had to face that lizard again...`` and rubbed his chin, wondering who he could ask for taking him along. Or who he could quickly steal from before leaving to the capital of Skyrim.
With his current supplies and cash, he could reach Windhelm and get a room for one or two nights. Then he could steal a few things for supplies and something he could sell in Solitude or Morthal. Though he prefers to try his luck in Solitude. Chances for selling are better there. And perhaps he runs into a few opportunities that give him a better standing of reaching.
His problem wouldn't be here as he got a few things to sell to his fellow Guild Members as they like such things but his problem lies elsewhere: Said members aren't in the guild. They are busy elsewhere and he cannot afford to wait for them.
''Sometimes I hate my life here...`` muttered Zane and wondered if it is too late to change his profession. So instead he opted to store his stolen values to his hiding place and gather what he could. Once he was sure he had everything, he could gather, he went and hit the road north.
As he wandered he was so lucky to not run into wolves, bears or worse Frost Spiders but he did run into some strange folk... wearing reddish robes and a white weird mask. As they approached him they asked him ``DO you know where to find the so-called Dragonborn?''
So-called? That caught the Umbreons attention a little. With a description like that, it normally means they doubt the legitimation of said Dragonborn. While he knows that stories can be blown out of proportions, he honestly thinks that at least there is a big grain of salt in it. Especially as Saphire was on a front seat of the Dragonborn?s appearance as the Dragonborn killed a dragon for the first time and discovered the gift of Ankatosh.
Regarding the question of thought... "I am sorry. But I am not aware where the Dragonborn might be. Never had an encounter and it is difficult to pinpoint somebody without proper of the last whereabouts. The last story I heard of is that the Dragonborn supposedly went for the Mage Collage.''
To which those men looked at each other started a quiet discussion... well... not as quiet as it would be necessary to keep Zane from listening in. They are talking about how reliable they could take the dark types word and how they more or less lost valued time for chasing down the wrong direction if that tale turns out true.
IN the end, they decide to give the benefit of a doubt and turned around to head north. Reluctantly accepting that Zane was "tagging" along as he were with them on the same way. In Windhelm however, they were all stopped by the guards and searched throughout to discover if they are spies. It seems that somebody of the Empire tried to sneak in to wreak havoc within the Stormcloaks headquarters and that caused a rise of alertness.
It didn?t bother Zane as all he had were bought or stolen from places where the chances of being recognized as stolen were slim. Once the search was done, they were allowed to split paths... and Zane immediately went to sell the gems he just ``acquired'' and the money he equally ``acquired'' just earlier from those weird guys and their plans to kill the Dragonborn to get the supplies to reach Solitude.
"Idiots" mused Zane himself as he was paying for the supplies and prepared to leave ``They should be more attentive to their stuff... and I doubt they need it anymore anyway thanks to the fact that they plan to attack the DRAGONBORN of all people. And if said Dragonborn was really in the magic school, the best thing they can hope to be afterwards is a pile of ashes and hopefully not their souls being stuck in Black Soulgems.
Shaking his head he left the city and head towards Solitude, planning to have his nights rest at Morthal. He cannot afford to have those guys show up again in search for him because they realized he stole from them.
And he made a note to use the alternate way back to Riften, no matter how much more dangerous it was.
``Perhaps I spend a night or two with Saphire on the way back'' mused Zane with a smile and gave a murr on the prospect to be with his love again. This time NOT involved in any Thieves Guild MIssion tied to Whiterun.
Anyway, he has his mission now and thus he continued his way. Luckily he reached Morthal without much an issue and left without an issue, even a few coins richer as he had... liberated said coins from the bard in the inn.
How come nobody called the Dark Brotherhood to kill that guy yet? It is a crime to the music itself what this guy is doing. Heck, it would be one of the few times he kills with the pure intention to kill and not self-preservation.
Anyway, he was having Solitude insight as he mused "No troubles at all to reach that place... which means the reason WHY I am in Solitude is going to be troublesome.'' and took a deep breath and rubbed his neck ``Some trouble on the path would have been much more welcome.'' but decides to go along with that for now and preys to Nocturnal that he is wrong with his assumption.
Not even an hour later he entered the city of Solitude and stopped as he heard something and turns... and saw that execution was running. Rubbing his neck in the thought of how easy it could happen to him if he steals from the wrong guy here.
Thought curious about why the guy here was about to be beheaded, he asked a nearby spectator "Hey, can I ask about the reason for this execution?"
The one he asked, looked at the Umbreon and answered: "That guy tried to steal from our Jarl in the Blue Palace and got caught and instead of killing him on the spot or throw him forever in prison, it is decided a public execution is in order.''
That for good reason admits Zane in his mind. If somebody tries to steal from the blue palace or any home of a Jarl, they at least have a solid plan on how to escape. No matter if they manage to bring something along or not. Looking at the chopping block he recognized the thief in question and he refused to groan.
It was an Atlmer that the thieves guild has refused to let in as he were too flashy with his heists and even so far to kill if getting caught. Something the guild wasn't keen to be associated with.
Well... at least the guild had one worry less as this Mer was the reason they didn't do many jobs in Solitude anymore. Now they just have to wait for the grass to grow and everybody would have forgotten about his crimes.
Shrugging to that, he turns around, just as the Mer lost his head, and went to the Twinkig Skeever to find the Argonian he wished doesn't have to find: Gulum-Ei.
The Thieves Guild had only once a deal with that lizard but it went bad... in fact, the Guild Members send to him for a job never returned.
After giving the barman a few coins and asking where he finds Gulum, he moves over and sat down on by the table he sat by. Looking at the Umbreon the lizard mused "I never thought they would ever send anybody to me again after those guys ran off and you accused me that I have cheated you."
``What happened back then isn't of importance... it is rather some recent transaction of yours. For example... Goldenglow.'' stated Zane and folds his hands ``Some... people would like to know who is involved there''
The Argonian looked at him and wondered ``And why should I tell you that? How do you know that I might even know something?''
``Your sign on a letter we retrieved.'' stated Zane ``And for the other question... a certain woman in Riften is not pleased about the failure of getting control of Honeybrew and is looking for excessing steam. Sure she cannot directly influence anybody here. But by that women's contact...''
``Alright, alright'' stopped him Gulum-Ei ``If I had known that I would get that kind of trouble, I wouldn't have agreed to that. Listen. I don't know the name of the one behind it. She only approached me, handed me Gold and instructions of what to do. She had quite the anger towards the Guild, especially Mercer Fey.''
"And there is nothing else you could tell me?" asks Zane with a raised eyebrow.
``Not the slightest'' countered the Argonian and waved Simon off ``And now leave! Our business is done now!''
Zane did stand up... resultantly as he had a deep feeling that he wasn?t telling the full proof but without anything to work with, he is forced to go for now.
That and even his little sister could lie better than that slimy bastard. Not that he would tell that to the face. So he went outside the Skeever and placed himself in a position that allows him to spot him the second he would leave the Skeever as the Umbreon knew he needs something solid to get more information out.
It took a couple of hours before Gulum-Ei finally decided to show up and heads his way. Which Zane took as his sign to follow the lizard.
To no surprise for the Umbreon, was Gulum-Ei nervous about potential stalkers and keeps looking behind him which made Zane to hide... something he is already used to. And no further surprise that he is heading to the East Empire Trading Company. That no guard was guarding the entrance was something the dark type could only shake his head. Anyway, inside he was more careful about how he moves as he had to pay attention to the guards. While being a dark type protected him from the scans of physic types, he never knew if a Lucario is among them that might pick his aura up.
Luckily for him, it doesn?t seem to be the case, though he had no clue why he was smiled so much from Nocturnal but decides that is a matter he thinks about it later. As he kept following that nervous Argonian he wondered where he is guiding him... until he suddenly turned around and heads back. Right back at Zane!
Cursing himself for thinking so early being lucky and biting his butt now he looks frantically around and spotted an empty barrel. Quickly he jumped in and hides as the Argonian passed by... and moves into the water. Looking out of the barrel Zane groaned ``Of course... Of course, I have to swim in Ice cold water..."
And mumbled that the only thing worse than this would be being forced to face bandits.
He should have NOT mumbled that.
Following Gulum-Ei revealed a hidden cave which he followed in. And look what we have there: Bandits as guards!
Sighing loudly, Zane shakes his head and draws his dagger. As much he dislikes killing like any good member of the thieves guild, he is glad that any bandit is fair game at least or things would be utterly complicated. So he sneaks close and the first bandit got his throat slit and the other was his dagger thrown at the throat before being recovered.
``Two down... unknown amount more to go.'' and keeps following Gulum-Ei. And dealing with any Bandit he meets, thinking that sooner or later the Dark Brotherhood is trying to invite him to their guild. As Gulum-Ei finally stopped, was Zane sure he has him now.
With a grin, he waits until the Argonian was busy with something And then he moves in ``Look what we have here... if I don't know it better are those goods stolen from the Trading Company... all that without Mercer?s knowledge."
Gulum-Ei turned around in surprise ``What the? How did you get here? GUARDS!''
``Those bandits?'' asks Zane ``No longer alive. Now... what are you thinking?"
``He-Hey. No reason to rush right? I... I was planning to tell Mercer. I swear.'' told the Argonian while raising his hands in nervosity. And gulped.
``Then I think I won't tell Mercer and of course Maven.'' Zane grinned and moves forward ``When you tell me what I want to know...''
``Of course! Of Course!'' he stated ``Karliah. It was Karliah''
``Her of all people?'' asks Zane in surprise and blinked and then narrowed his eyes ``How are you involved in this?''
``I am only involved by getting the money for her business deal and handled the transaction of Goldenglow Estate. I even still have it!'' and fished the Deed for said Estate out of a pocket and gave it to Zane.
Scanning the document it looked valid in his eyes and nodded before putting it into his bag "Are you sure you don?t know anything else?''
Gulum-Ei blinked and thought for a moment. ``She did mention something... she wants to lure somebody to where the end began.''
``Where the end began?'' asks Zane and rubs his chin ``That means... that must be where she killed the previous Guild Leader'' and looks at Gulum-Ei ``I do you one favour and convince Mercer that you are alive more worth.'' and then points at him ``But if you make trouble again, I either come for your skin myself... or if I am too busy I ask a friend of mine. And she is part of the Dark Brotherhood!''
``I understand'' gulped the Argonian ``Well... if you ever need somebody to trade goods with, just let me know.''
``I will'' stated Zane with a nod and began to leave and groaned internally ``Just right now things are going complicated...'' and shakes his head and scratches his head. ``Now I know why that mission went so well... so my next one will be with Mercer properly. I am going to hate that.''
