Joining the Thieves Guild I

Once downstairs we eat our fill of bar food and prepare to head out before a lone man makes me an offer, "My skill in battle is unmatched. Fortunately for you, that skill can be bought." Marcurio calls out while resting in the corner.

"Oh? And why should I hire you?" I ask pausing to question him.

"Why hire a common soldier to protect you when you can have a master of the arcane?" Marcurio retorts.

"Hmmm, it is true that my company is lacking a dedicated mage…" I say silently weighing the septims in my pocket realizing that hiring him would wipe out most of my coin… Fuck it, money is meant to be spent and I could use another set of hands at the outpost.

"Alright, you're hired. Welcome to the Dragon's Maw Mercenary Company." I say handing over the coin as Marcurio falls in line with this ever-expanding group.

Heading outside I move over to Grelka's shop to try and seize an opportunity.

"You gonna stare all day or buy some armor?" Grelka asks.

"You seem pretty desperate for coin. Having trouble selling your goods?" I ask leaning on her stall.

"Are you serious? I've moved all over Skyrim selling these bits of junk and I'm barely scraping by." Grelka proudly touts.

"Seems fairly dangerous for a merchant to be traveling the roads, especially with the war going on," I say.

"Well, let's all raise a flagon to Ulfric; future King of Skyrim and bringer of poverty to the working class!" Grelka jeers while shouting toward one of the hold guards before turning back towards me, "Say, you look like you could handle yourself. Maybe you can help me, if you're looking for work?"

"I could be persuaded, what do you need help with?" I say standing up straight.

"I need someone to pick up supplies from Niranye, living in Windhelm," Grelka explains.

"I'll help… But I have a business proposition for you in exchange." I reply leaving Grelka slightly taken aback.

"And what can you offer me?" Grelka asks.

"Instead of payment, how about you move out of this crime-riddled den of Stormcloak sympathizers and move to my mercenary company outpost which I have begun building up as no small trade outpost either." I propose to her.

"Hmmm… Sounds too good to be true, what'll this cost me?" Grelka says eyeing me closely.

"You're right, I'd want you to go immediately and in exchange, you'll receive an escort straight to the outpost. How does that sound?" I say revealing my conditions, causing Grelka to pause in consideration for a moment.

"Alright, but I'll need a couple of hours to pack my things." Grelka agrees.

"No problem, Jenassa, Marcurio, you two will lead Grelka to the company headquarters, before taking your orders from Lokir. Sophia, take Miss Pinder around town while me, M'rissi, and Inigo assist our new friend." I order as Jenassa and Marcurio nod silently.

"Aw, do I have to watch Blondie? Wait, I know! Follow me, we're going to Haelga's Bunkhouse!" Sophia says with a little too much enthusiasm as she drags a bewildered Kasia away from the market as I turn to M'rissi and Inigo.

"Alright, we're about to audition for the Thieves Guild so I'm going to need to you two to watch my back while I speak to Byrnjolf and begin our task." I inform the two.

"Do not worry Fluffy, you can count on her! Unlike a certain stray." M'rissi says while mumbling the latter part of her response.

"Do not worry my friend, I and Mr. Dragonfly have your back." Inigo nods.

"Glad I can count on the two of you," I say patting their shoulders before moving on to Brynjolf who is hocking some miracle Falmer blood elixir.

"Don't miss out! Purchase a bottle of my genuine Falmerblood Elixir! Only 20 septims each!" Brynjolf begins to hawk to the market, before turning and whispering to me, "Okay lad, ready to make some coin?"

"I'm all set, let's do this," I respond.

"Good. Wait until I start the distraction, then show me what your group is made of." Brynjolf says shaking my hand and waving me off with an empty bottle.

"Everyone! Everyone! Gather 'round! I have something amazing to show you that demands your attention! This way everyone! Over here!" Brynjolf calls out to the market, drawing them to his stall.

"Come on, Brynjolf… What is it this time?" Brand-Shei complains as I move over towards Madesi's strong box waiting for my companions' signals that the coast is clear.

"Patience, Brand-Shei. This is a rare opportunity, and I wouldn't want you to get left out." Brynjolf replies.

"That's what you said about the Wisp Essence and it turned out to be crushed nirnroot mixed with water!" Madesi shouts out.

"Well, that was a simple misunderstanding, but this item is the real thing. Lads and lasses I give you, Falmerblood Elixir!" Brynjolf exclaims as I break into Madesi's strongbox.

"Oh come one, are you talking about the Snow Elves?" Brand-Shei scoffs as I pull out the ring and begin to make my way toward the crate he is resting on.

"The one and only. Mystical beings who live in legends and were masters of great magic. Imagine the power that coursed through their veins!" Brynjolf exclaims.

"How did you get that, then? No one's seen them in years!" Madesi accuses drawing even more attention from the crowd.

"My sources must remain a secret for their own protection, but I can promise that the contents are genuine." Brynjolf says as I begin to slip the ring into Brand-Shei's pocket, "One sip of the elixir and your wishes will be granted. Great wealth, everlasting life or perhaps limitless power could be yours! Oh, look at that, my time is up. Come back tomorrow if you wish to buy."

"Looks like I chose the right man for the job," Brynjolf says while packing up his goods, "And here you go… Your payment, just as I promised. The way things have been going around here, it's a relief that our plan went off without a hitch." He says while handing me a bag of 100 septims.

"What's been going on?" I ask tucking the bag away.