JoS/Henriette/15th Journal - Dirty Work

Midyear, 7th, 4E 202

I decided to ride through Morthal on my way to Dawnstar when I remembered that one part of Mehrunes' Razor might be located there. It was a rather good opportunity for me to stop by in that little cottage. I'm sure that the owner won't miss it.

After delivering it to the museum, I decided to visit the Sanctuary too. They had done a good job at taking care of the contracts given to me by the Night Mother, par for one. One of the initiates sent to take care of her target had never returned.

It's quite similar to my first real contract in the sense that it's located in some Dwemer ruin buried under the snow. I was planning on heading home from here, but since it's not actually too far from here, I suggested in going to look for her and perhaps even take out the contract myself. After all, as a Listener, I feel like I have a duty to look over the members of my family.

It's getting a little late for me to leave though. Sun is rising and I had a long ride. I'll get to that the following night. Judging from my personal experience, it's not like those bandits are going to kill her… I hope…

Midyear, 8th, 4E 202

I suspect that those guys could've actually been connected to the same group of Bandits I dealt with when I was on that contract for Muiri. There's just too many similarities with these two groups to be a mere coincidence. I never really had a chance to learn about what these guys are all about in the past, apart from that one guy who raped me. What's sure is that this large organization of bandits is one some rich scumbag's payroll, and that they're really, really interested in these ruins. It's almost as if they're looking for something specific, but what? Could be something in Blackreach for all I know. That place is huge after all and I wouldn't be surprised if one of these ruins worked as an alternative entrance. I don't care to find out though.

Well anyway, these bandits themselves are some kinds of smugglers and traffickers. They mostly deal with Skooma as apparent by the fact that they have a lot of it. None of them seemed intoxicated either, which also is a dead giveaway since the drug dealers rarely use the drugs themselves. They just use them as a leverage over their victims. I also think they might be involved in slave trade as well.

When I came here, the Initiate was still alive. She didn't recognize me at first, she probably thought I was with the Bandits, but when I said that I'm with the family, she understood. She figured out that I must be the Listener, that one girl who isn't around all that often. She was honored, but at the same time ashamed to have me come for her. I said that it's fine, I won't think less of her, I've faced a fair share of embarrassing defeats myself. She said that she's still up to complete her contract, so together we decided to delve deeper to face her target. I was more than happy to let her have the glory. I would feel bad stealing a kill from our fresh Initiate.

She did a good job. Snuck up to that bandit chief like a professional and killed him.

After that, we returned straight to the Sanctuary. Since I have relied the next set of contracts forward, I have no reason to stay here any longer. I have more business to attend to.

Midyear, 10th, 4E 202

So, I stopped by in Rorikstead yesterday. I had some unfinished business there if you know what I mean. It took me a little more than I anticipated to return there, but it's all fine now.

Sissel said that she had waited for me to come back for a long time, and of course I apologized. She said that she has had enough with her father abusing her and practically begged me to get rid of him as I promised I would. Even if I didn't end up adopting her, she would much rather live in an orphanage.

Well, say no more, my dear Sissel…

I waited until night to extract my plan. I had something in my mind… A kind of artistic vision I wanted to express. I haven't gotten around actually murdering people like this in a while, so it'll be an exciting change of pace from killing criminals.

He was working late that night, later than two of his laborers. It made him a very easy target. I could've killed him there and then, but it wasn't enough. I had to send a proper message, so I enchanted his mind instead, bent his will to my own, and I told him to come meet me behind his own farmhouse after midnight. There, I waited for him. I probably wouldn't have even had to use magic on him… This horny old dog has lost his wife, the love of his life, and nowadays only unleashes his sexual urges on his daughter. He's obviously a pedophile, so seducing him to meet me even without my Vampiric powers would've probably been easy.

I told him to hold still and I took an Imperial sword I had stolen from the local blacksmith. He must've snapped from my magic at that point, but it was already too late for him. I cut his head off clean, letting out a light giggle as it hit the ground with a heavy thud. It was hard to resist, but I didn't want to leave bite marks, I couldn't… It was so, so very hard not to bite into his flesh… I bet it would've been delicious…

Anyway, I stripped him naked, laid his back against the wall, kind of like setting him in a sitting position. I wanted to leave my murder weapon here, but I wasn't really sure how to present it… How to make this masterpiece look more aesthetic, I thought. Should I drive it through his heart, or perhaps down his throat, maybe even stick it up his ass? So many choices… I ended up walking few yards away from him, threw it at him and watched where it would land. It wasn't the cleanest hit, throwing swords isn't my specialty, but whatever.

As for his arms and his head, I had a special plan… I twisted and turned them, kind of positioning them like he was holding something. Now, what of what should he be holding? Why, his own head of course. I was so proud of my creation. It was surprisingly fun!

I would love to stay to hear the aftermath, but I'm sure Sissel will tell me all about it. So, that's why I decided to leave Rorikstead. I kind of already know where his kids will be going from here, and even in the case of me being wrong… Well, I'll find her, and I'll adopt her.

As for Britte, her bitch of a sister? Well, she can stay in that orphanage for all I care. Maybe she'll get adopted into a proper family and get someone decent to parent and raise her, a parent that can maybe teach her some respect and not to be a bully.

Next stop, Riverwood. I'm going to hear Delphine out on what she really needs help with. I still don't like her, but maybe we can at least get on better terms.

Midyear, 11th, 4E 202

When I got into the inn, Delphine said that she was glad I was back, and that we may have started on the wrong foot. I reminded her that I have nothing to prove to her, and that she summoned me because she needs my help, not the other way around.

She then said it. "Yes", the simple answer I was looking for. She finally agrees with me.

She said that the reason she's contacting me now is that more and more dragons seem to be coming back every day, day by day, and that something or somebody is bringing them back to life. It's not just one or two sighting in a week anymore. Dragons are being sighted daily in all parts of Skyrim. Some have probably been even flying outside the borders and into neighboring provinces! She also said that she knows where the next one will be and that we should head there to figure out what this something is. I asked, why not do it alone? She said that she doesn't exactly have the tools to take out a dragon. If I truly am a Dragonborn, it should be in my interest to see what I'm up against. After all, I'm the one who can devour their souls…

So, we'll be heading towards Kynesgrove, a small village just south of Windhelm. I asked her if it's fine for us to travel separately, that I would probably want to ask for my companions to come along. If we're fighting a dragon, extra hands won't hurt. After thinking about it for a while, she reluctantly said fine. I think she knows who I'm talking about, and she knows that girl can be trusted even though she's a little crazy in the head.

So, that's the plan. I'll update you later, my dearest diary.

Midyear, 12th, 4E 202

Sofia and Serana both expressed worry because my travels lasted way longer than they anticipated. I assured them that I didn't get into trouble though… I didn't tell the whole truth, and they probably realized I was hiding something. Neither of them didn't push me further. I might reveal the truth later.

Well anyway, I told them to pack their things so we can get on the move. No time to explain. I'm so glad that they was ready to put on their armor at moment's notice. From there, we rode to Kynesgrove.

On the way there, I told about some of the things I've been up to, mostly regarding the Bard's College and Wolfskull Cave.

When we made it to Kynesgrove, Deplhine was already there, and so was that thing raising Dragons from the dead. Villagers were already running away in fear, telling us to get away too, but I simply told them that we're here to hunt some Dragons, not free them. They thought we were mad!

So anyway, I learned two important things here.

First, the thing that is rising Dragons from the dead, from these Dragon mounds, is actually a Dragon himself. I assume it's a he, since he sounds like a he, but who am I to tell what a lady Dragon sounds like? They probably roar all the same. Anyway, he's a bigger than the others and his scales were as black as night… And he talked to me too, recognizing me as the Dragonborn. He was mocking me for taking the name of a Dovah despite not even being fluent in their tongue. We were left to fight the Dragon it had raised and compared to many other Dragons we have faced recently… Well, it was a weakling. I could've killed it alone. I barely needed help. Even Sofia joked about it, saying that why did she need to fetch me if I was going to do all the work anyway? To flex at her and Serana?

Second thing I learned was that Delphine is with the Blades, or what remains of them. She was mighty impressed with me, and now she had no choice but to believe that I really am a real deal. If only you saw it from the start, you silly woman…

The Blades were wiped out after the great war by the Thalmor, she said. In the past they used to be aligned with the Emperor as his private elite guard, but even before that they used to serve the Dragonborn. Well, the Emperors themselves possessed the dragon blood, but I digress. They obviously haven't had a meaning for over two hundred years, but with my appearance and with the return of the dragons she thinks they finally have a meaning and a reason to rebuild, reorganize and return.

She doesn't actually know about that black Dragon, what or who it is, or who he's aligned with. I suggested asking the Greybeards, but she wasn't too hot on the idea… I think there's some bad blood between them, or perhaps just philosophical disagreements… The truth probably lies somewhere between. She said that she'll figure something out and that I should meet her in Riverwood in few days.

I get to visit Riften now. Those thieves in the Ratway did have something in store for me, after all.

Midyear, 13th, 4E 202

Dear oh dear, it looks like Mercer is a little mad at me. He insists on giving a certain job to me, saying that I better succeed with it, or else he's going to kick me out from the guild. In his eyes, I've been nothing but a leech on them and I waste too much time doing everything else except actually help the guild. I guess he's forgetting the part where I brought lots and lots of coin to the guild by actually using their services? I've also provided them with goods and loot from my adventures!

Then he said that if I kill or even harm anyone, I will be fired as well. In fact, if that happens, getting kicked out from this guild might not be the worst thing to happen.

Anyway, the mission is to go steal some papers from a Goldenglow Estate. There have been some… Things going on behind the scenes in the Rift. The client is called Maven Black-Briar and she's supposedly a really powerful and important figure, and she is NOT happy. As for the Estate, it's some bee farm. They make honey for mead… I think they make honey for the wrong meadery or something, I don't know, I don't really care either. Honningbrew, Black-Briar and whatever other brands there are, they all taste the same to me. Don't let the Nords hear me say that though, because they would ally to tear me a second butthole regardless of what their own favorite brand is.

Other senior members here seem to be way more sympathetic and forgiving of my absence and Brynjolf says that Mercer may be a little out of line here, but that following his orders should be my priority number one. Mercer doesn't really like me, and he wants to get rid of me. Pissing Maven off further would be a bad move as well because whatever anger Mercer feels towards me would pale in comparison to Maven's rage. Brynjolf doesn't feel that way, which is why he's willing to offer me any help and information I need, but the kicker is that I have to do this alone.

And, yeah, that's when I had to turn towards Sofia and Serana and deeply apologize for going my own way again. They were both clearly saddened by it, but at the same time, they understood fully. I promised that we'd be going on an adventure together soon though.

I also talked with other members of the Guild. Delvin says that there's also a little something in there that he's been looking to get his hands on and promised me a good pay if I bring it to me. Vex, on the other hand, talked about her experiences on that island. Apparently she tried this mission herself, but failed, but Mercer can't just get rid of her, not considering that she's an important cog in this wheel. Vex said that the best way to get into the island is through sewers. I have to figure out the rest.

That's when I remembered something, a little gift I got from the Jarl of Solitude. I showed Vex the gem I got, asking if it's worth anything. Well, apparently it is, but not alone really. I would need the whole collection… There's like twenty of them or something. She's not expecting to collect them, which is good, because no way in Oblivion I would waste my precious time hunting some hard to find collectables that are barely worth anything.

Anyway, I need to get some sleep before I go on to infiltrate that little farm. I hope to report you of my success soon, my dearest diary.

Midyear, 14th, 4E 202

I followed the instructions given to me down to the slightest details, but I might've messed up regardless… Oops!

I was told to burn down the beehives for extra reward, so I did. I actually burned them all down. Mercer was so pissed, but Brynjolf testified to the fact that I really was just following instructions, so Mercer couldn't really get rid of me. That being said, there was still a price for me to pay.

First, I didn't receive any pay, which sucked. Second, the client recognizes my talent but also insists that I must pay back for what I did and complete another job for her. Third wasn't really a punishment even though Mercer insisted that it was one, as I quite enjoyed it!

Mercer turned towards Brynjolf and told him, "rape this stupid cunt, show her some respect so maybe she doesn't botch the next job". I mean, I didn't botch it, but okay! Brynjolf was reluctant, he's not a kind of guy who enjoys non-consensual sexual acts, but he did it anyway.

He "punished" me by giving me a rough shagging. That's actually what it takes to get laid with that handsome stud? Get Mercer angry and he makes his sexy hunk mock rape me in retaliation? Heck yeah! His dick was every bit as good as I suspected it would be, and I enjoyed getting "punished" by him greatly. I think he kind of saw it on my face when I smiled gleefully at him when we were done, and if not… Well, I left no doubts in my mind when I kissed him… I mean, wasn't wrapping my legs around his hip while he was pounding me not enough? Was not moaning his name not enough?

Well, he's glad that I enjoyed it, made him feel a little better about having to do someone else's dirty work. He didn't think I deserve a punishment… He couldn't really explain why Mercier didn't want to do it himself… I'm not sure I want to ask him why either. I'm just glad the old man didn't.

But wait, I'm getting ahead of myself. What else did I do besides making love to Brynjolf and burning some beehives? Well, for starters, I did everything I was instructed to do. I infiltrated the island using the sewer, I stole what I was sent to stole, and I even swiped the statue Delvin has been looking for. Best of all, I didn't get caught or even have to kill anyone! I might've used some blood magic to seduce my victims to get around them, and also to turn invisible, but it's not like anyone will know!

As for my client, the great Maven Black-Briar herself? Well, she wants me to go do a job in Whiterun for her, something about sabotaging Honningbrew meadery, her biggest competition in all of Skyrim. Some guy called Sabjorn runs it, and I'm supposed to get rid of him, not by killing though. If she wanted that, she would be in contact with the Dark Brotherhood. I don't think she knows I'm the Listener, or that she would even believe me if I told that… So anyway, this really is a follow up job to what I just did. Turns out that the Goldenglow estate has been sold to someone who doesn't want to do business with Maven, so in turn Maven wants to do some damage to her competitor's business. I'm not even going to pretend that I remember or even care about all of the details. All this business shite about some mead, forget about it, I'm only in this to get paid.

She also said that while she's furious, her anger is mostly directed at Mercer who didn't do a good enough job at explaining all the details to me. She says that under his leadership the guild has gone to the gutter and that she has little to no trust in the guild. She also said that she wouldn't find it surprising if Mercer neglected to tell me all the details, like the fact that I wasn't supposed to kill ALL the bees! Maven knows that Mercer doesn't like me despite the fact that he obviously recognizes my talent.

Well, that's great I suppose.

Then, I had one final business to attend to and visited the Honorhall Orphanage. I talked with Constante about how I'm so saddened and mortified about how my poor friend Sissel's father was murdered. She's a good friend of mine, I just want to comfort her, I want to offer her a new home! My feigned tears worked well on her, and she said that she'll tell Sissel once she settles in. It'll be few more days before she and her sister actually get here though.