Joining the Thieves Guild II

"Bah, my organization's been having a run of bad luck, but I suppose that's just how it goes. But never mind that, you did the job and you did it well. Best of all, there's more where that came from… If you think you can handle it?" Brynjolf asks.

"Hmph, thought you'd never ask." I say with a smirk as the guards arrive to arrest Brand-Shei.

"All right, then, let's get started. The group I represent has its home in the Ratway beneath Riften... A tavern called the Ragged Flagon. Get there in one piece and we'll see if you've really got what it takes."

"See you there for lunch, Brynjolf." I wave as I head towards the Ratway.

"You are one cocky little shit, I'll have a stew waiting don't let it get cold," Brynjolf says with a laugh before heading off to the secret entrance in the back of the cemetery to beat me to the underground tavern.

"Better make it a hearty tomato soup," I laugh back before turning to M'rissi and Inigo.

"Did we do it Fluffy?" M'rissi asks, followed shortly by Inigo who says, "Are we in my friend?"

"We did it, just got to get through the Ratway and we're in. Let's head down there quick before Sophia returns with Ms. Pindor. I think we can get through it in a few minutes depending how loud we want to go. Suggestions?"

"Hmmm, she thinks it would be best to go through quiet, no?" M'rissi suggests.

"I agree with the annoying kitten, we should be quiet my friend." Inigo snarkily replies while snickering at M'rissi.

"You do not get to call her kitten!" M'rissi snarls before leaping at the snickering Inigo with her claws extended.

"Easy there, kitten." I say, plucking her from the air by the nap of her neck causing her to go limp.

"Mreow?" M'rissi turns to me with pleading in her eyes before mumbling, "Please put her down… She is sorry."

I put her down gently before apologizing, "Me too… I didn't think that would actually work… So… Yeah…" I turn away in silence.

"I think we should kill some rats to kill this awkward atmosphere." Inigo says making me chuckle.

"Yeah, ta hell with silence!" I shout before charging towards the Ratway, with Inigo and M'rissi following quickly behind.

We charge into the bowels of Riften, where we stumble through into a couple of squatters who immediately draw their weapons, making us draw ours in kind, with M'rissi and Inigo letting loose their arrows as I send a torrent of flame charring them in place.

We loot a few coins and intact pieces of armor, before making our way to the drawn bridge, leaping down and cutting down the lowlife blocking our path, before carrying on deeper into the rat way.

I clear the trap on the doorway allowing us to enter a room filled with oil and a hanging, lit clay lamp. I lured the skeevers and another resident of the rat way, who went by the name Gain the First. Once in the room of oil, I signal Inigo, who sends an arrow into the hanging lamp showering those in the oil in flame and beginning a small inferno quickly dispatching out foes.

We wait a few minutes for the flames to die down, before going on and seeing a surreal sight. A beautiful ray of light coming down into the sewers. Showering a headsman's axe lodged in a stump being fluttered around by a pale blue butterfly.

"This is... Very pretty... No?" M'rissi asks staring at the butterfly.

"I agree with the mean one for once. What do you think Mr. Dragonfly?" Inigo asks, as the big bug buzzes around causing Inigo to nod sagely.

"Yeah... Makes me think of the guy about to behead me after waking up in Skyrim... I'll take this." I pull the axe from the wood block before carrying on into the final room with the bridge control and the entrance into the Ragged Flagon.

One final lowlife stood in our way, and they were taken down in as quick a fashion as the rest, leaving just a solitary door between us and a number of our goals.

Pushing in I hear Vekel the Man berating Brynjolf, "Give it up, Brynjolf... Those days are over."

"I'm telling you, this one is different..." Brynjolf argues.

"We've all heard that one before, Bryn! Quit kidding yourself." Dirge laments.

"It's time to face the truth, old friend. You, Vex, Mercer... You're all part of a dying breed. Things are changing!" Vekel exclaims.

Brynjolf, smirks as wide as I am as I swagger up to their table before saying, "Dying breed, eh? Well what do you call that then!"

"There you are, old man! My soup better be hot! I worked up quite the appetite breezing through your little test." I say clapping him on the back with a broad smile.

"Well, well... Color me impressed you little shit. I had a hunch I'd see you again, here's your tomato soup." Brynjolf says, handing me a wooden bowl which I down quickly.

"You know it old man!" I say back, wiping my mouth.

"Reliable and headstrong? You're turning out to be quite the prize! So... Now that I've whetted your appetite with our little scheme at the market, how about handling a few deadbeats for me?" Brynjolf asks.

"Deadbeats? Sure thing." I say, backing away and taking a seat at one of the tables.

"Thanks lad, they owe our organization some serious coin and they've decided not to pay. I want you to explain to them the error of their ways." Brynjolf explains.

"Sounds good to me. Who is it I need to give this friendly little reminder to?" I ask leaning back in my chair.

"Keerava, Bersi Honey-Hand, and Haelga. Do this right, and I can promise you and your little friends a permanent place in our organization." Brynjolf promises.

"Alright, how do you want me to handle it?" I ask leaning forward.