Chapter 33: Before the Auction

Kraz and Jin'da didn't stop talking the whole time as we advanced and continued talking about the Slave Trade and the recent fall of the Dark Brotherhood in the past few years.

Because of that, Kraz had let slip that it has caused some problems.

I can already guess what that might be.

Amaund Motierre must be hesitating now on if he should go through with his plans to hire the Dark Brotherhood to kill the Emperor.

Cicero shouldn't be crazy yet, but that is actually worse. The sane Cicero is far more dangerous and less approachable than the crazy Cicero. That doesn't mean their skills are different, it's only their mindset.

I could convince Crazy Cicero I am his ally, but the Sane Cicero would gut me the second he gets the chance to unless a Listener can confirm I am a member of the Dark Brotherhood by communing with the Night Mother.

But the Listener died in Bravil, only the Dovahkiin will be the new one in 4E 201st, less than a decade away.

The duo eventually fell silent as they didnt wnat others to evasdrop on them. Thus, Kraz continued to lead the us through the building.

Going past many hallways or numerous doors, each with something going on behind but the sound proofing and locked doors made it difficult to discern.

We came to a secret passageway that led further underground. This was for security as no one except certain individuals know how to access this room, and a handful of employees would help to escort the goods from various individuals through this passageway that are meant to be auctioned off soon.

Of course, we were blind folded and I had to take my mask off to allow them to put their own ones on.

Members that don't want to reveal their Identity and prefer to keep it secret would need to go through a different process, but for us that is irrelevant.

The only face they will remeber is Na'shi since she has no disguise for her real appearance unlike I do.

That didn't matter since she is to be my "Shadow" my agent so yo speak similar to a Nightgale is, an Agent of the Shadows, a loyal servant to Nocturnal (except Mercer Frey that is).

Speaking of which...

Karliah is the granddaughter of Queen Barenziah. As far as I'm aware, she should have become the Lady of Mournhold in Morrowind for the last few hundred years, or was it thousand?

I can't remember, my Grimoire should have the accurate events of her life.

Getting Barenziah as an ally or potential connection is invaluable. She's been alive since Tiber Septim's rise to power and has accumulated wealth like no other, yet she still chose to return to her Mournhold.

This is perfect, I planned on going to Morrowind soon before I travel to Skyrim. I've one matter that needs to be taken cared of first before I can confront Vyrthur at the Chantry of Auriel and begin my plans for the future.

After we were led far enough, Kraz and a few guards removed out blindfolds, and we continued on our own.

Descending down the staircase brought us to a series of underground rooms before allowing the us inside the actual areas that would feature the auctions.

After we went through a few old doors, the sound of countless conversations reached our ears, and a series of crowds appeared in their vision.

A large underground structure as big as a large Orc Stronghold was revealed to us.

"Larger than than the last time" I said aloud only to be met by the laughter of Kraz who belonged us to still follow.

We walked past many stalls and minor shops off to the sides.

We continued onwards and at the center is a large structure, this is where the real auction is.

Over 800 years worth of preparations to create a place like this. If I had to give it a size comparison, it would be the size of Bravil but placed underground.

In other words, the Imperial City is on the surface.

The sewers beneath that.

One Bravil beneath the Sewers as the 1st layer underground. This was where we just were previously when we started our venture.

Then a second Bravil underneath is the 2nd layer. This is where we are currently and right now we are at the structure in the middle where the bidding takes place.

I did not come to an ordinary auction, i came to one where hundreds of thousands of Septims will be spent.

To put it into perspective.

Whiterun before the Civil War is the richest city in the Lore of Skyrim due to it being the hub of all merchants and trade in all of Skyrim to all the other holds.

Right now by it can be estimated that Balgruuf has approximately:

11 Million G/Y on both taxes and profit made from all the merchants and trade that happens in his hold alone.

Solitude is barely 4.4 million G/Y because it is the capital city and the High King will naturally have taxes flowing throughout his domain, trade, and the Support & Aid from the Empire.

Markarth is just above Windhelm thanks to its monopoly on the various mines throughout the region, especially the silver mines. They produce about 4.5 million G/Y.

However, Whiterun will be hit hard and will suffer from the Civil War and its semi-neutral stance in the conflict causing Whiterun to plummet below Windhelm and on par with Riften in terms of wealth.

Of course what I said is just the estimated value of income made from various variables.

I never gave a amount about the treasury. Balgruuf probably has 20 million Gold stashed in Dragonsreach's treasury.

This might seem alot, but bare in mind that Nirn is bigger than Earth and Tamriel's entire continet rivals the size of Russia, Germany and the entirety of Europe and some parts of Asia. And that is only Tamriel, Akavir, Atmora and Yokoda were not even mentioned.

If I want my kingdom to emerge, i need to be generating at least 800,000 G/Y to do better than Falkreath at least which is self sufficient but still has about 650,000 G/Y based on the bague details my Grimoire can reveal.

The problem is, how would a Falmer Prince such as myself be able to generate any kind of income if no one will trade with me out of fear of betrayal.

That is where merchants like the Khajiit merchants, my secret alliance with Elsweyr, Jin'da, and best of all of them my soon-to-be ally Amaund Motierre and Victoria Vici.

People looked our way when we entered the Auction house, but by then I already put on my mask and gave Na'shi a little something to cover hers too.

I don't want the major players of noble society to remember her face and find her easily. What if she meets them one day in the future? Everyone else that saw her are small fries, but not here.

Calixto Corrium and his sister Lucilla Corrium were both here as well. I'm not suprised since they were said to be filthy sticking rich from their parents inheritance to be travelling around Tamriel and acquiring various rare articles.

Jin'da, Na'shi and I were guided to exquisitely designed door.

The Corrium siblings were also guided to a door of their own. I memorised the distance and numver of doors away from us they are so ill know if they are the ones bidding once inside.

Kraz gave Jin'da a magical key of sorts. He used it to open the door and we were presented an large room that featured a few couches and a table filled with food and drink.

Na'shi, forgetting the situation was about to pounce of the food but I grabbed her tail and squeezed hard.

Did I forget to mention, I had actually used my Dwemer arm to grasp her tail.

Ouch!

Na'shi wanted to scream but she knew that I'll only punish her more if she showed any kind of reaction.

This was meant to be a mimicry of the special spartan training for cat monks in Elsweyr.

"Now then, when the auction begins, the pannel here will be raised but the glass is black tinted to prevent others from seeing you. Press that hand sized red gem and a signal will be sent informing us that you have bidded. The other different hand sized Gems allow you to set a Price. Know that it will increase by hundreds at first but soon will be every 500 then 1,000. Once it exceeds 100,000 total then it will increase by every 5,000 until a winner is decided in the bid. Also, Many of the hundreds of participants on the level below will be able to take part in the purchases of lower and mid valued items. However, they are only spectators for the high valued items, that is why these special rooms on the upper levels are prepared for you all and the others in the nearby rooms. I must take my leave now. It was a pleasure to meet you Mr. Jin'da, abd you too Sir Rekum and Miss Na'shi. Well meet again in the future, I'm certain of it."

I quickly jabbed Jin'da's ribs to get his attention and I indicated to Kraz for him to speak up.

Jin'da looked at me in annoyance before remembering something important and calling out to Kraz in a hurry.

"Ah, a moment Mr Kraz!"

He turned around to face us and asked "Yes, what seems to be the matter?"

"Jin'da just remembered, this one would like to arrange a meeting with Amaund Motierre sometime soon if that would be possible?"

"Business or personal?" Kraz's eyes had sharpened and the guards were nearby and ready should the order br given.

"A bit of both...in a mutually beneficial way of course, haha." Jin'da laughed to disperse the tension and it seemed to work.

"Of course, I believe you. I must apologise but as a member of the High Council he does get a lot of attention from many undesirables. I was simply carrying out one of my duties."

"Of course, Jin'da completely understands. Thank you for hearing this one's request."

Kraz was in thought for a moment before deciding to give an answer.

"It's quite alright, I'll see when a meeting can be arranged. I'm sure this would be interesting for him anyway. Farewell."

With that, he left the room, the locking mechanism triggered by itself, now only the key holder can enter the room, and anyone inside can easily get out by opening the door without the need if the key.

As soon as the door was closed I could heat the sound of rummaging and coughing.

I don't need to be an expert to know it was Na'shi.

Turning around, I saw her tail and one tip of her ears covered in some kind of dark substance...wait a second...

S: "MY CHOCOLATE CAKE! GIVE IT TO ME! I HAVNT HAD IT IN 8 YEARS!"

N: "NOOO~ MASTER~ ITS MIIIIINNNEEE PLEASE DONT TAAAAKE IIIIIT!!!!"

S: "YOU STRAY CAT! GET YOUR PAWS OFF MY STAWBERRY SUNDAY! IM THE ONE WHO MADE THE RECIPE! SO ITS MINE!"

N: "I HAD IT FIRST!?¿ AND WHO CARES IF YOU MADE IT!"

J: "Uh, you two?"

S: "ILL LOWER YOUR SALARY!"

N: "YOU DONT EVEN PAY ME!"

J: "This one either, but no one asks if Jin'da is doing fine, not even Papa or Mama."

S: "ILL TAKE AWAY THE MOON SUGAR YOU HIDE IN THE ATTIC!"

N: *le gasp*

N: "Y-yOu k-K-KnEw aBoUT tHAt?!"

S: "Of course, why else do you think it moves from the Arttic to the wardrobe downstairs? Rael needs to eat too you know?"

N: "THAT'S WHY THERE'S ALWAYS SOME MISSING EVERY WEEK!"