Skyrim's Saviors

45: Emeaen Nightshade

When I reach the Keep, I pull Anuriel aside. "The Jarl is dead.  And somehow, Brynjolf from the Thieves Guild knew it would happen. I honestly don't know what happened, but before she died, Law-Giver said to arrest Maven."

Anuriel pales. "Wh-what can I do to help?"

"Keep your gods-damned mouth shut. Do not write to anyone. And if you're going to help, tell me now. If not, stay out of my way."

"Maven is at the Bee and Barb," she says. "I suggest to take the rest of the Guard with you, otherwise she most likely won't listen."

"Alright," I say. "Anything else?"

"Be careful. Maven is dangerous. Very dangerous."

I nod. "I know."

——————————

We corner Maven in the Bee and Barb. We lead her out without much of a fight, shockingly enough. She follows us to an opulent cell, not unlike the one Sibbi Black-Briar is in currently, and since I am the one who Jarl Laila told to talk to Maven, I get the "honors" of interrogating her.

"Well, this is certainly an odd turn of events. Why, exactly, am I here?" Maven asks, her voice dripping with venom. She glares at me fiercely.

"No one is above the law," I say. "Sooner or later, you're gonna get caught for something. So, tell me why Jarl Laila Law-Giver's last words were "arrest Maven Black-Briar"?"

Maven laughs. "That's what this is about? You fool. You know nothing. And neither did that brat you idiots called your Jarl."

"Tell me what you're talking about. Or I will make sure you rot in here, Miss Black-Briar."

She narrows her eyes. The act makes her look more and more like a skeever. That thought alone makes me want to laugh, but I refrain. Maven stares at me, her expression dark and malicious.

"You really think you can keep me in here? Threaten me? Who are you? You're nothing but a lowly worm for me to crush under my boot."

"That must irk you so," I say. "How the so-called lowly worm is out of your reach as you sit alone in a cell, and trust me, I know you have no faith in anyone, but I know some people who desperately wish to keep you alive. Therefore, you are under our protection. For your safety, you're being kept here, where only a handful of people know where you are. You have the most to gain from the Jarl's death. Especially when the Imperials wish to put you on the throne of Riften. But trust me that that's not going to happen if you killed Jarl Laila."

"Why would I kill her?"

"Maybe because you're slated to become the next Jarl, but we have gotten news that if that comes to pass, an attempt will be made on your life that may succeed. So, we are going to be keeping you here, both for your protection, as well as to figure out who killed Jarl Law-Giver."

Maven leans forward. "You .... you loved her, didn't you? A simple guard loves the Jarl? Haha, how rich! I bet that is the true reason I am here, not for any attempt on my life, but because you think I killed Jarl Law-Giver, you, a corrupt guard, decided to arrest me under false protection claims. I demand you release me at once."

"You totally have it all wrong. My job is to love my Jarl.  My job was to keep her happy, safe. Alive —"

"And what a splendid job you did of that."

"Why did she say to arrest you, then, if you're so gods-damned convinced it's somehow my fault that she's now dead?! Why would she waste her last breath telling me about you, a disgusting waste of a woman, who thinks she owns the world and is the next Tiber Septim?! Jarl Laila may have trusted you to some extent, but I do not  — none of the guards do. Not after what Jarl Laila's dying words were."

"Perhaps you made them up. I suggest shutting your mouth before I rip out your tongue and feed it to my dogs!"

"Is that a threat? I highly doubt you'd stoop to that level, Maven. We all know your bastard Maul would do that for you. And I'm not scared of him."

"Then you're a foolish little girl."

I bristle. "Watch it. Or I can make your stay here very uncomfortable."

She laughs. "Do your worst."

"Fine. I'll just put you in the same cell as those you've wronged and sent here. See how long you and your threats last in there."

"You won't. You need me alive, for whatever reason."

"I will. Under strict orders not to kill you, but they can torture you in ways I am sure you're familiar with."

I pull my dagger from my boot and twirl it around. "There are other ways to break a person.  As you'll soon find out personally."

"And when the Dark Brotherhood and the Thieves Guild find out about this?" Maven asks.

"You ever prayed before, Maven? Nah, you do not strike me as the pious type. Well, before this drags on too long, remember this... you're not the only Black-Briar in here. And maybe I will help Louis Letruch with his plans."

She pales ever so slightly.

"And if that doesn't work, I might just release Honningbrew Meadery's owner from his prison. After all, I highly doubt the Guild girl and Mallus Maccius had nothing to do with that poisoning incident at all," I say.

"You cannot possibly know all that!" she barks.

"I didn't. I guessed, you just confirmed it. I can't kill you, Maven Black-Briar. But I can make your life a living hell."