Brynjolf

My first thought in the morning was of her. The way she fit perfectly against my body—as if we were made for each other—the way her hair fanned on the pillow beneath her head, the way her fingers interlaced with mine as she slept, invaded every waking moment.

I sat up a little and kissed her cheek. She smiled in her sleep and nestled deeper under the warm covers. I brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, savoring the look of peace on her face. She never looked this peaceful when she was awake.

It was for that reason that I did not wake her when I crawled out of bed. I let her sleep as I got dressed in my Guild armor. We had been in Solitude for three days now, and we had hardly done anything. That is, until I had caught wind of a certain official who needed a job done. A job which required the skills of a thief. Since Femke and I were here, I decided to take the job rather than let someone else from the Guild take it.

Besides, I thought to myself as I strapped on my boots, Femke and I have the rest of today and tomorrow to spend with one another. I'll be back before she even wakes up.

But, just because I was cautious at heart, I wrote a quick letter and left it on the nightstand beside her, explaining that I had left to take care of a short bit of business and would be back soon.

I secured my bandolier across my chest and walked back to the bed, where my wife had yet to even stir. I smirked down at her, leaning forward and pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek.

"Sleep well, lass," I whispered. "I'll be back soon."

She still did not move. I suppressed a snort and walked towards the door. Nocturnal bless her. Poor thing would wind up getting herself killed because she could sleep through anything.

The inn downstairs was quiet when I came down the stairs. A couple of rich-looking patrons ate breakfast near the fire. The bartender polished pewter mugs. The bard sat at a corner table, warming up her voice for later. No one paid me any mind as I left, which I liked. Made things easier.

The sun had risen, but still could not be seen over the walls. Dew still sparkled on the small patches of grass within the walls. A few citizens milled about, but all had sleepy looks on their faces. Perhaps the people of Solitude were used to sleeping later than those of us from Riften.

I ignored the funny looks and whispers as I passed through the square. I headed straight for the Blue Palace. I had heard that Erikur, one of the Thanes, had a home right next to the Palace itself, and I could find him in one of those two places. I would stop by his home first. I doubted that the guards outside the Blue Palace would take too kindly to a thief like me just waltzing inside like I owned the place.

Luckily, I found Erikur just leaving his home. He seemed startled by me; he jerked backwards, hand over his chest. After he realized I meant him no harm, he relaxed and straightened his fine robes, hands running all over the expensive cloth and fur. As if his clothes had been mussed by the little twitch he gave when he saw me.

I scoffed. Gods, nobles are insufferable.

"I assume you're the one your Guild sent?" he asked, a suspicious look on his face.

"Aye, I am. Best they could send."

"Save the bragging for later, if you do a good job for me."

"You can expect nothing less of me, sir. Shall we get down to business?"

"Well, you're at least professional." He clasped his hands in front of him. "Nothing raises my ire more than having an agreement broken. It's bad for business and it wastes time. Captain Volf of the Dainty Sload has decided to test my patience on this matter by neglecting to honor a trade agreement we had established."

I leaned against the stone wall beside me, acting as if I were interested in a spot of moss just above Erikur's head. "And where do I come in?"

"You need to frame Volf by planting something rather... incriminating on his ship."

"Just how incriminating?"

"Balmora Blue."

I had to fight to keep my face blank. Balmora Blue was one of the most addictive substances in Tamriel, not to mention that it was illegal to own in Skyrim. The stuff came from Morrowind, and was made with moon sugar and other potent ingredients. I had seen what it could do to someone, how it could easily ruin their life. It was not something anyone would want to be caught with.

"Is there someone I'm supposed to speak to about acquiring this Balmora Blue?"

"There's a woman named Sabine Nyette down by the docks. She's the first mate on another ship, the Red Wave."

I gave a nod, pushing myself off the wall. "I'll head down there right away."

"You'd better do all you say you're going to do, thief. If you get caught, I've never heard of you."

"Don't worry." I could not help but grin. "I won't get caught."

Before he could make some sarcastic retort, I jogged back the way I came, through the square and past the inn towards the gates. The guards standing beside it opened them for me, both watching me as I left the city. I shook off the stares and picked up my pace.

Finding the Red Wave was no trouble once I got down to the docks. It was the only ship there. It also appeared to be totally deserted. I frowned, walking up the gangplank leading to the deck.

The moment the boards on deck creaked, the door leading into the cabin swung open, and a broad, tough-looking Breton woman in steel-plate armor came out. Her face screwed up in the sunlight. She must not have been outside very much today.

"Are you Sabine Nyette?" I asked as she continued to approach me, steps almost predatory.

"Do I owe you money?" she asked. Her voice was laced with an odd accent. She spoke almost like a Dunmeri woman.

"No, you don't."

She stopped prowling and relaxed a little. "Then yes, I am Sabine. What can I do for you?"

"I was told that you could provide someone with illegal contraband. Stuff like... Balmora Blue?"

She seemed a little surprised. "Well then, you're talking to the right person. I'm the only one left in Tamriel that can get my hands on it. It's damn near impossible to find anymore. You want to buy it off of me?"

"Buy it? How much?"

"Fifteen-hundred septims, all up front."

I could not help the gasp that left me. It was as if I had been punched in the gut. How could anyone expect that much coin for something like that? "Fifteen-hundred? Are you insane?"

Her expression tightened, like she had just eaten something sour. "I'm sorry you feel my illegal contraband is overpriced. Perhaps you should bring it up at the next merchant guild meeting." She planted her fists to her hips. "Look, you want it, I got it. You know the price, so talk to me when you want to cough up the gold."

Perhaps it was time to turn on the charm. I gave Sabine my winningest smile and crossed my arms loosely over my chest. "Is there anything I can do to... persuade you to drop the price?"

Sabine's face tightened even more, if that was even possible. "I'm afraid not. How else can a poor, overworked sailor like myself expect to earn a living?"

I dropped the smile. How could she expect me to pay something so steep? I just got married! I had spent most of my earnings on rings and other finer things. I did not come to Solitude expecting to have to buy something so expensive, especially something I would not get to keep. "I don't have that kind of gold on me. Is there some sort of deal we can work out?"

She shook her head, her gaze flitting from me to the docks below us. "Sorry, guess it's too rich for your blood. Come back when you find the coin."

I huffed, shooting a quick glance around. No one could see us. We were practically alone. Good.

As Sabine made her way back towards the cabin, I unsheathed my Dwarven dagger and pounced. I pinned her to the outside wall of the cabin, my blade sitting right against her jugular. She yelped and struggled against me, but stood no chance. Even if she was tall for a Breton, I was still a Nord. I had all the advantages.

"Now, I tried to be nice, Sabine," I said as she struggled. I locked my free hand around her arm, forcing her to stay still. "But I'm on something of a schedule, and I can't be tarrying around with difficult contacts. Tell me where I can find your supply of Balmora Blue."

"And why would I do that?" She spat in my face. "You're not going to kill me."

"You sure about that? I know that dropping bodies can get expensive, but it's less expensive when no one's around to witness it." I pressed my dagger harder into her throat, causing just a little blood to seep from her skin. "I'm only going to ask once more, Sabine. Where is the—"

"In a footlocker under the docks!" She gasped for air, her throat trembling with her quick pulse. "I have the key in my belt pocket."

I released her arm. "Hand it over."

She reached into the pouch at her waist and handed me the key. "Hope you're satisfied. How do you know I won't go running off to the guards?"

"And tell them what?" I laughed and loosened my hold on her. "That a man asked you about your illegal possession of Balmora Blue, and when you wouldn't hand it over, he threatened you?"

By the way her defiant expression crumpled, I knew I had her. "I won't forget this, thief. If I ever see you again, I will make your life miserable."

She stalked back into the cabin, slamming the door behind her. I gave her a mock-salute and gripped the key a little tighter. "And a good day to you, Sabine." I looked over my shoulder, down at the docks. "Now let's go find that footlocker."