Private The Missing Crown

[Wolfie]

Labrys gave Archilles a tiny smile. "Labrys," she said in way of introduction. She frowned at the sound outside, the clinking of mail faint to her ears, and tensed.

 

[Nightingale Khajiit]

Dar’arjo smiled as he watched the Imperial guards surround Proudspire Manor, with Captain Aldis in charge of the dozen or so men that General Tullius had sent to bring down the thieves guild. As Dar’arjo watched the guards cover both entrances to the house, preparing to barge in, he noticed the Argonian know as Hides exit through the basement door, dragging along the unconscious Syndus. One of Hides servants, who he called his Knives, held up a note to the nearest guard, who for some reason let them pass without question. “It doesn’t matter.” Thought Dar’arjo, as he watched Hides carry the body of Syndus towards Angeline’s Aromatics, with the Knives member Cleaver following close behind him. “I don’t care how many of the thieves Aldis manages to arrest’s, that wasn’t the point of my plan anyways. “ As the guards prepared to break down the door and enter the manor, Dar’arjo slipped away from them, heading down the road towards the Blue Palace. With most of the guards in the city distracted, he would be able to do what the rest of these so called thieves hadn’t, steal the jagged crown from Jarl Elisif and claim the reward all for himself.

 

[Seanu Reaves]

"So if what you say is true..." Hides let that hang in the air.
"Yes. Yes. Jacoby." Syndus was a pulp at best, exscretment of meat at worse.
"Who else is he working with?" Jacoby wasn't that much of a suprise, for Hides had read the notes.
"No one I swear." A scream of pain as Scalpel shot lightning through his spine.
"Tell me of this khajiit." Hides was growing tired of this.
"I know nothing!" This man was insistant, and Hides was done.
"Scalpel, gag him I will be back shortly." Hides turned and proceeded up out of the basement, his normal black robes where replaced with Thalmor robes. His shrouded armor completely covered, but not loose for Hides had to appear as unnerving as possible. Stilletto was waiting by the door, one nodd and they preceded outside, Stilletto wearing a fine dress over her shrouded armor. Tonight, business was of a quieter sort, so Razor and Cleaver stayed protecting thier temperary home base.

 

[Wolfie]

"Guys," Labrys said softly, lifting her hands. A pale blue light began to flicker in her palms. Her eyes were narrowed at the door, and she could feel the hair on her arms underneath her Thieves Guild armor beginning to prick up. There was definitely something, or somebody outside. She looked at Vincent and Jacoby, the color in her palms beginning to harden into a Conjuration spell, but she kept it close to her chest, her indifferent expression giving off a frozen look as she tries to hide the fear that began to gnaw at her. Good goodness sakes, I'm an assassin! I'm not going to freak out now. Get a hold of yourself, Endowen, she thought to herself harshly.

 

[JBar2531]

" I dont know you guys, but i think we need to get out of here... like now." said Achilles trying not to panic. Achilles tried to look on the bright side At least if I get arrested i wont need to worry about food anymore. he thought to himself.

 

[Snoball]

With the swift pounding at the door, Jacoby instinctively knew the Imperials had snuffed out there base of operations. At first he didn't quite know what to do, panicking whilst thinking of a means of escaping from the home. To improvise, he grabbed a nearby broom and stuck it in between the door's lock and handle to buy them enough time.

Just arriving into town, Maven and her posse were being escorted to the Blue Palace by a few guards. On their way there, the group realized Proudspire Manor was moments from being infiltrated. She summoned a imperial guard to speak with Aldis and his men; she also gave him an official-looking letter as well. The "guard" advanced toward Capt. Aldis who was just mere moments away from breaking into the home. After bantering between the two and Aldis disclaiming that Tullius had given new orders, he was handed the false letter:

To Solitude's most able men and women,​

​

We've just received word from the Penitus Oculatus outpost positioned at Dragon Bridge that the Forsworn have rallied north of Markarth. The forces there fought valiantly but have been overwhelmed. As a result I'm ordering the immediate dispatch of soldiers south to border Dragon's Bridge and ensure Haafingar's safety until further notice.​

​

- General Tullius​

​

Though still reluctant, Capt. Aldis called off the assault on Proudspire Manor and deployed his men and women from the city. Maven continued on toward the Jarl's Palace, ready to dine with Elisif and Solitude's nobles as her plan began to unfold. ​

​

Jacoby heard the troops leave, knowing well his boss must have pulled the strings for him just this once, from here, they were on their own. "They should be gone now, but I'm not gonna take any more chances. But this did provide us with well needed information. They were tipped off of our location, and the only ones who knew the guild was here were guild members. It's obvious, I know who the traitor is! Not knowing Dar'arjo had been the one to tip off the imperials, Jacoby quickly pointed the finger at Hides, who was currently tracking the traitor himself. "He sold us out, why else would he stray so far from the mission at hand? First we claim that crown, and second, I say we make him pay for double-crossing us!"​

​

On the rooftop of a nearby building, Brynjolf had been perched, watching the imperials leave the house and Dar'arjo swiftly approaching the Palace. "Clever devil..."​

 

[Wolfie]

"Jacoby, we can't point fingers at people without valid reason," Labrys scowled at the man, her jaw squaring and her expression changing to that of first relief and then hidden anger. "Better to snare the trap than set an ambush, aye," she muttered, one of her enigmatic phrases that hardly made sense to more basic people. "It doesn't matter entirely who played traitor; we can kill him later, but anger won't hold our bonds long. We've been discovered, and it's only a matter of time before we have the entire Imperial Legion knocking at our door. We either make a move here and risk everything, or we run away and save ourselves." She didn't seem to like either option, but tried to make her point clear. The conjuration spell hardened in her hand, glowing a harsh blue and relying on her emotions to strengthen it's bond.

 

[JBar2531]

Achilles was releived and surprised to hear the Imperials leaving but was just as surprised when Jacoby said "guild members." "Wait, you said guild members as in the Theives Guild? And whos Hides?" Achilles mind flooded with questions. "And why did the soldiers outfront just up and leave? Theres no way they would pass up a chance to capture members of th Theives Guild!" Achilles wasnt sure if he should run or stay.

 

[Wolfie]

Labrys grumbled softly and, resting a hand on the map table, turned her burning grey eyes onto Archilles. "You really wanna know?" She sighed and the spell in her hand flickered and died, fading into non-existence. She lowered her hands. "Aye, let me keep this simple; we are a Guild, we are not going to kill you or do anything distressful to you unless you seek to betray us, and those men were not good news. Not for you, not for me." She shifted slightly. "I'm a part of the Legion, but General Tullius, of course, doesn't know that I'm here. No reason he should, no reason he should ever know, unless anyone in here wants a death sentence." She sat down in a chair.

 

[Snoball]

"But he... but I..." Jacoby couldn't come up with the words to say. He always hated being corrected, but he knew Labrys was correct when it came to not jumping to conclusions. Like a mother calming her irate child, she was able to get him to simmer down his temper, but he was far from over with this grudge. Jacoby truly believed he was the one to sell them out, but she was right, taking any longer wouldn't be helpful to anyone, especially with a bunch of nosy imperials breathing down the group's neck. "Alright, we'd best head out. The guard I spoke of should be awaiting us near the Radiant Raiment with Solitude guard outfits, which we'll put over our current armor of course. Once inside, we can ditch the clunky gear and sneak our way into it's pedestal room. No need to worry what happens beyond then, I have the perfect distraction planned so we could snag it as the guards are "busy"." He also thought to himself. "Rebel imperial, huh? Heh, Tullius can't even keep his own in line."

"Oh yeah, I forgot to mention we happen to be the Thieve's Guild, didn't I? Huh, must have slipped my mind. Haha." After his slight chuckle, he went straight back to the 'traitor' topic. "Hides, a.k.a. the man that almost had us locked up. I'm just certai... Gahh, nevermind. He stopped himself before going off on another fit. "Why they left, I'm not sure. The fact is, we have to get moving. And fast." Jacoby put on whatever he could find in the dressers over his Thieve's Guild armor to remain unnoticed. "And I'm afraid your in a liiiiittle too deep to turn back, buddy."

 

[JBar2531]

He knew what Jacoby said would be the answer. "So what do you want me to do then? I can sneak, but im better at killing."

 

[Seanu Reaves]

Hides moved through the streets, him and Stilletto moved with purpose. Hides heard a great carriage, and turned to see the symbol of the Black-Briars. Oh what fun, Hides thought, looks like Dee-Jamba lives again. Hides saw the carriage stop outside the Blue Palace, and saw Maven herself step out.

"Well M'lady what a welcome... Coincedence." Hides bowed and Stilletto curtsied.

"Who are you?" Maven waved for her bodyguards not to attack, yet.

"You don't remeber. We met in Riften a little while ago. I am the healer Dee-Jamba."

"Ah, yes."

Obviously she doesn't recall, Hides giggled and had his inhuman smile on his lips. Rumors were Dar' arjo was seen in the palace. Time to pay this fool back for wasting his time.

"Shall we Mistress Black-Brair?"

 

[Snoball]

"Hmm... an assassin... Alright. Getting inside shouldn't be much of an issue. Once we're in there, sources tell me Elisif has guards walking up and down the halls leading to the crown. If you can back up your words with actions, than I'm certain it should be a walk in the park. If anyone begins to suspect anything, it's best we get rid of them silently and away from the rest." Jacoby finished putting his clothing on and made his last point clear. "Oh, and whatever you do, do not affiliate yourself with anyone outside this house right now. It's more than likely our little backstabber is arriving to this party as well. And it'll be our pleasure to rain on his parade."

Now getting down from the building, Brynjolf spotted Hides re-acquainting himself with Maven and the rest. Unnoticed, he climbed up through an open window inside the Palace. He began thinking to himself. "This seems interesting. It's a shame your fighting for the wrong guild, lad."

 

[Wolfie]

"As am I," Labrys said, looking at Archilles, the anger in her eyes diminished. "I can help out as well, by keeping the General busy. He knows who I am and trust me enough ... aye, I may be a thief but It's not my sneaking ability that got me here." Her eyes glittered. "So, I won't be accompanying you on the mission, but I'll keep the real guards occupied, teach them how to properly clean equipment or something." She seemed to challenge anyone who thought her unworthy to be in the Thieves Guild, looking at the others with a sharp spark in her eyes.

 

[JBar2531]

"Jacoby in case you havent noticed, my clothes are not fit for the Blue Palace, and i have no coin to buy any." As he said this he looked down at his dirty and torn tunic. " And Labrys if General Tullius and any legionarres havent noticed your activitys you must be somewhat good at sneaking around."

 

[Snoball]

He took a quick look at both Achilles and Labrys and realized they too weren't properly dressed. "Hmm, well certainly this could be fixed. Just look around, there's bound to be some clothing in these drawers. Hell, there always is. And this isn't permanent, we just need to get across town in one piece. So yeah, GET FANCEH!!!" Jacoby loved mocking nobles and lords, so being in the nice outfit was way too enjoyable. He then stopped to ponder about Achille's last comment. "Oh yeah, how in the world did those egg-heads not even notice a thief in their ranks? Must be quite the talent, then. And as I stated, there should be a beautiful amount of guards surveying for both your assassination pleasures, hehe."

 

[Seanu Reaves]

Mistress Maven Black-Brair was a bore, Hides thought, and she keeps trying to brush against me. Stilletto was fratternizing with Maven's guards. Where oh oh has the little crown gone, Hides hummed. They made it to the court, and took thier positions around the room. Maven had her hand on Hides' thigh, and Hides shuttered.

Wish this wasn't a thievery job, Hides thought, I feel the need to kill something. Hides nodded to Stilletto, and when Elisef was done Stilletto walked out of the room. She would find the crown and watch for familiar faces, hidden of course for Hides wanted information.

 

[Wolfie]

"I have the tongue of a snake and the wile of a weasel," she growled softly in reply. "I haven't been assigned any missions lately, either, so given my league of absence and the fact that the General believes me to be a mere mercenary in Whiterun ought to be enough. I'll tell him that I have work needed to do here in Solitude. Anything else?" she added, looking sharply at Archilles as if daring him further.

 

[JBar2531]

"Hahaha, kind enough in the Theives Guild?! I heard it was just business." Achilles couldnt stop laughing at that remark, and was still laughing as he went upstairs to look for a change of clothes. "Ah this will do" he said to himself. The fine clothes and boots were a little dusty put he put them on any way. As he made his way back downstairs he realized that laughing was rude considering she offered him to lend him coin. "Labrys I truly am sorry for laughing, and thank you for your genorous offer, but i do not take anything unless i know I can pay it back. Jacoby is this good enough?"

 

[Wolfie]

Labrys, looking a slight ruffled, suddenly chuckled, the room ringing with the light, deep, ringing sound. "Welcome to the Thieves Guild, ruckus," she told Archilles, a smile befitting her face in a surprising manner, as she barely ever displayed emotion. 'Ruckus' was a name she had chosen meaning 'newbie' in a humorous way, given way to Labrys's odd way of humor. "It's good that you're thinking that way; some of us would snap if you'd take everything and leave nothing. But aye, it is business, but we're a family also. If you're part of the family, I suppose that that just gives me another excuse to pick on you," she said in a joking way, chuckling softly once more before she let the sound waver and die.