Legends of Skyrim: The Sapphire Smuggler (BOOK THREE)

V - Scoundrel's Folly

Almost three weeks had passed since the Honningbrew Job, and there was still no word on who this mysterious figure was, or why they were out to destroy the Guild. Ji'ssa, though plagued by this issue, had her own to deal with. Maven paid her handsomely for five bottles of Skooma a week, and she would also pick up a pretty price from Delvin and Vex for their own little jobs. However, to avoid prying eyes and encourage another betrayal, she had spoken to the barkeep of the Flagon, Vekel the Man, and rented out her own hideaway, Shadowfoot Sanctum. After entering from the Rataway, the house opened up into a well-lit dining area and reading room resembling a typical Riften basement. It cointained a Shrine of Akatosh and a unique painting, one she stole from a house in Markarth. Within one of the wardrobes, a false back panel had been installed leading to a trophy room with a mannequin against the back wall, a chest overflowing with gold, a well-stocked alchemy lab, and two weapon racks above the mannequin. Ji'ssa spent most of her time in here, occasionally entertaining guests, but keeping the trophy room a secret to most. As far as she knew, only Brynjolf, Vekel, and Sapphire knew of its existence. She also assumed Mercer did, but she thought it best to avoid him if convenient. She had the feeling that he didn't want her here, but because of the coin she was pulling in through jobs and Maven's patronage, there wasn't a lot he could do. After crushing enough sapphires to make two bottles, which would complete her quota, she lifted them over a small stove to melt. They would take almost a full day to complete, so she stretched and opened the back panel. She jumped a little as she saw Mercer, reading one of her books, Confessions of a Dunmer Skooma Eater. "Ah, there you are." he put the book down.
She felt uncomfortable with him in her home. She closed and locked the panel, but didn't fail to catch Mercer's eyes wandering behind her.

"I've consulted my contacts regarding the information you recovered from Goldenglow Estate," he explained, standing from the reading chair, "But no one can identify that symbol. It would seem our adversary is attempting to take us apart indirectly by angering Maven Black-Briar. Very clever."
"You sound like you admire them." Ji'ssa walked past Mercer and took a sweetroll from her table.
"Partly, in truth," Mercer admitted, "They're well-funded, patient, and have been able to avoid identification for years. But don't mistake my admiration for complacency, cat; our nemesis is going to pay dearly."
Taking a bite, nibbling around the edges slowly, Ji'ssa looked closely at the Guild Master. "How can we make them pay?" she asked.
"Because, even after all their posturing and planning," he took a step forward, "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, the slimy bastard."
"You think he acted as a go-between for the sale of Goldenglow?" Ji'ssa followed.
"Exactly," he smiled, for the first time in her presence, "I also think that he could finger our buyer. Get to Solitude, shake him down and see what you can come up with. Talk to Brynjolf before you leave if you have any questions."
Before leaving Mercer in Shadowfoot, she felt the key in her pocket still. Vekel had given that room an "unpickable" lock, but she was still nervous. Something about that Breton rubbed her the wrong way. Walking back out to the Cistern, she saw Brynjolf, hunched over Mercer's writing desk, a solemn look on his face. As she approached, he looked up. "I can't believe Gulum-Ei's mixed up in all of this," he spoke slowly, "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..." he defended, "But he's no mastermind."
"Think he'll give me trouble?" Ji'ssa asked.
"Trouble?" Brynjolf scoffed, "He's one of the most stubborn lizards I've ever met! You have your work cut out for you."
"So I'll have to bribe him then?" she figured.
"It's the only way to get his attention," Brynjolf began walking Ji'ssa towards the secret exit, "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 it as leverage."
Solitude, even with a hired caravan, was a four-day journey. It was the capital city of both Haafingar Hold, and the province of Skyrim. Currently ruled by Jarl Elisif the Fair, widow of the late High King Torygg, it was the headquarters of the Imperial Legion stationed in Skyrim. Set upon a great stone arch that towered above the mouth of the Karth River, the city was surrounded by the soaring peaks of the nearby mountains. Solitude was both a reinforced and breathtaking stronghold. It was also protected from attacks from the west by the still-largely intact Fort Hraggstad, overlooking the Sea of Ghosts. The city was also a major shipping port and important Imperial supply line. It sat on a natural arch, giving its port much needed shelter from the strong winds of the Sea of Ghosts. Most of the shipping was run by the Imperial-financed East Empire Company, who had a large storage warehouse built into the rock beneath Solitude. Ji'ssa walked through the cobbled streets to an inn where Gulum-Ei reportedly frequented, the Winking Skeever. Inside was a large common room where part of it had a vaulted ceiling, while the centre was double height with a wooden balcony above. Directly in front of Ji'ssa was the counter. To her right was an alcove, where Gulum-Ei sat, slurping down some Black-Briar mead.