The Wolf Queen Awakens

Chapter 17

Early morning as Brynjolf got into Riften. Not like he didn't like Sky Haven Temple, or the Reach, but it was a long way from anywhere. It was good to be back in civilisation again, with no Forsworn lurking, all the guards and indeed criminals nodding as he passed, Riften not the prettiest city in the world but still a sight for sore eyes in Brynjolf's mind.

At least until he reached the mausoleum and saw the blood trail. Leading out from the tomb that concealed their hide-out and trailing off into the grass.

What in the name of Zenithar... Brynjolf slammed the button to open the entrance as hard as he could, seeing the opening grate flung open – no, smashed to pieces, wood littering the small hideaway.

The Cistern had been compromised. Fucking Oblivion, the Cistern had been compromised – who, how?? Had Maven turned on them??

Brynjolf dropped into the Cistern, fighting back the urge to vomit as he realised it was worse than he'd feared. Cupboards ripped open, gear everywhere, Mercer's desk kicked over and worst of all, the water in the central pool a vivid shade of scarlet from the bodies everywhere. And there were bodies all right. Vipir lying near the ladder, cut down as he'd tried to run. Niruin slumped by the wall. Thrynn and Rune face down in the water. Cynric cut down in the hallway leading to the Flagon. No sign of Mercer anywhere, but plenty of signs of the bastards who'd done this. Thalmor, two justiciars in their blue robes and several footsoldiers in their gold armour.

"Fuck," Brynjolf whispered, horrified and shaking all over as he realised what this was about. Revenge for the Embassy job, that's what it was. Someone had sold them out, but who? Not Elisif, she didn't know where the Cistern was. Surely not Delphine, she'd barely left his side since the job, even if she had wanted to sell out the Guild. Which she wouldn't, not to the Thalmor anyway. Didn't leave many people who'd known a Guild man had robbed the Embassy. Maven? She'd recognised him at the party, been furious with him but had stopped at just warning him that if there were reprisals, not to come running to her. Even Maven's influence had limits.

Noise from the training room and Brynjolf nocked his bow, sneaking down the corridor. If there were any more of them...

"Etienne, ssshhh, drink your potion. It'll be all right, I promise you."

Sapphire, Sapphire was all right, and that made Brynjolf's heart leap. Ex-Dark Brotherhood, very talented cat burglar, one of Brynjolf's better protégées, Sapphire wasn't just a capable thief, she was a very skilled and ruthless fighter. Of course she'd made it.

"It won't be!" Etienne Rarnis sobbed. "I only just escaped from them, I thought I was safe! Now they came here?? Where've I got left to run to, Sapphire?"

Poor bastard. Captured by the Thalmor, rescued by Brynjolf, only to have the Thalmor raid the Cistern.

"I don't think they were after you," Sapphire said, her voice hard and fierce and really the Thalmor were in for a truly terrible time when Sapphire found them.

"They weren't," Brynjolf said, emerging into the room, putting his bow away and raising his hands. "They were after me."

"BRYN!" Sapphire cried, leaving Etienne still crouched by the wall. "Brynjolf, you're alive, thank the gods. Bryn, oh Bryn, the Thalmor, they killed everyone and they took Mercer!"

Mercer was the least of Brynjolf's worries right now but for the Thalmor to have taken him... not good.

"I saw that for myself, lass," Brynjolf said quietly, holding on to Sapphire and comforting her as best he could. "Are you both all right?"

Sapphire nodded, still looking a bit tearful, but still strong and that was his girl Sapphire all over. She wasn't into men as lovers, Brynjolf knew that and had long accepted it, but the two of them were good friends regardless.