Just a Skyrim fanfic: Extended cut

Interrogations

Mercer: Ah. There you are. I've consulted my contacts regarding the information you recovered from goldenglow estate, but no one can identify that symbol

Leonidas: I found the same symbol at honningbrew meadery

Mercer: It would seem our adversary is attempting to take is apart indirectly by angering Maven Black-Briar. Very clever

Leonidas: Clever or not, they need to die before they can cause any real damage

Mercer: Don't dismiss our adversary so easily. They're well funded, patient, and have been able to avoid identification for years. However, don't mistake my admiration for complacency. Our nemesis is going to pay dearly

Leonidas: How so?

Mercer: Because even after all of their posturing and planning, they've made a mistake. The parchment you recovered mentions a "Gajul-Lei". According to my sources, that's an old alias used by one of our contacts. His real name is Gulum-Ei. A slimy bastard

Leonidas: Where do I begin?

Mercer: Gulum-Ei is our inside man at the east empire company in solitude. I'm betting he acted as a go-between for the sale of the goldenglow estate and that he can finger our buyer. Get out there, shake him down, and see what you can come up with. Talk to Brynjolf before you leave if you have any questions

Brynjolf: I can't believe Gulum-Ei's mixed up in all this. That argonian couldn't find his tail with both hands. Don't get me wrong, he could scam a beggar out of his last septim, but he's no mastermind

Leonidas: Do you think he'll be a lot of trouble?

Brynjolf: Trouble? Hah! He's one of the most stubborn lizards I've ever met. You have your work cut out for you

Leonidas: What would you say is the best way to get him to talk?

Brynjolf: You're going to have to buy him off. It's the only way to get his attention. If that fails, follow him and see what he's up to. If I know Gulum-Ei, he's in way over his head, and you'll be able to use that as leverage

Leonidas: He's going to owe us for his betrayal

Brynjolf: I'm glad to see you're embracing our methods. It would be a waste to lose a contact at the east empire company before we had the entire story. Just keep on Gulum-Ei's tail, and he's bound to step into something he can't scrape off his boot. Good luck in Solitude. Keep Gulum-Ei alive, but remind him who we are

(In Solitude, Leonidas walks into a building to find an argonian)

Gulum-Ei: So, what do we have here? Hmm. Let me guess. By your scent, I'd say you were from the guild. But that can't be true, because I told Mercer I wouldn't deal with them anymore

Leonidas: Actually, I'm here about to goldenglow estate

Gulum-Ei: I don't deal in land or property. But if you're looking for goods, you've come to the right person

Leonidas: You can drop the act... Gajul-Lei

(Gulum-Ei gets a scared look on his face and chuckles nervously)

Gulum-Ei: Oh wait... Did you say the goldenglow estate? My apologies. I'm sorry to say I know very little about that... bee farm, was it?

Leonidas: You acted as a broker for it's new partner

Gulum-Ei: Maybe I did, and maybe I didn't. I can't be expected to remember every deal I handle

Leonidas: No? Then maybe this will jog your memory