How to Pickpocket a Pickpocket

Chapter 33

The road to Riften went by smoothly as it could go – since Artis was back to her full strength, Brynjolf's injury healed overnight and a huge weight was lifted off Karliah's shoulders. The three engaged in lighthearted conversation as they travelled, laughed at the silly things Brynjolf would say and do and make Artis blush when they told her about all the romances that had happened in the Guild before its luck ran dry.

Some of those stories were really disturbing for her ears to hear, causing her cheeks to flush – especially the embarrassing tale of Vex stumbling upon Delvin in the vault once, while his pants were around his ankles as he took care of himself while moaning out her name. Artis swore she would never live down that kind of humiliation if it was to happen to her. No wonder Delvin had no luck when it came to flirting with Vex. Poor man.

They reached the gates of Riften before noon and immediately bolted for the secret entrance. Artis' heart hammered in her chest as they descended the ladder, feeling the coolness of the Cistern seep through her clothes. They were still wearing what Aeri had given them to keep their Nightingale titles a secret.

The smell of leather, ale and damp stone infiltrated her nostrils when they entered the cistern. Both Artis and Brynjolf smiled fondly at the few thieves around, minding their own business and staying busy. Rune was reading a book at the foot of his bed, Niruin was practicing his archery – as if he wasn't the best already, Vipir tried interfering with his practicing by throwing knives at the target, Sapphire was cleaning a steel dagger while lying on her bed, Vex was pacing inside the empty vault and Delvin was following her around, his lips moving but they couldn't hear what he was saying. The rest of the Guild must be in the Flagon, then.

Artis beamed when the familiar feeling of home returned to her and she called out in a loud voice, "What is it with all this lazing about? We have heists to plan, houses to break into, nobles to rob!"

Like one man the members of the Thieves Guild's heads jerked up to see the three thieves standing at the secret entrance. And like one man they all dropped whatever they were doing and rushed to them, yelling out their names in joy and relief. Artis squealed as she was hugged by various people at once and from all sides while Brynjolf and Karliah received pats on the backs. Before she could stop them, Vipir and Rune lifted her up on Niruin's shoulders, who spun around crazily and causing her stomach to turn.

"Put me down, Niruin!" she exclaimed, earning only a burst of laughter from the bystanders.

When he eventually lowered her, she barely had time to collect herself before Sapphire threw her arms around her shoulders, "You're back! Do you have any idea how worried everyone was?"

"Everyone or you?" Artis smirked.

"Don't I count as everyone?" the Nord thief smiled as she pulled back, "No really, I honestly thought the Guild lost its only member with some common sense and balls after waiting three days!"

"Hey, killing our Guild Master isn't as easy as it sounds." Artis joked.

After Sapphire Delvin took his turn and surprised Artis with quite a warm and welcoming hug, "Glad you made it back safe, girl. Don't tell anyone I said it, but the Guild would be lost without you."

"You're not getting rid of me that easily, Del." She smiled warmly back at him.

"Did you do it?" he asked with furrowed brows, "Kill Mercer?"

She nodded, "It's done, and I think it's safe to say that after tomorrow, the curse over the Guild will be broken. You were right, Del, we really were cursed thanks to Mercer."

"That will be the biggest 'I told you so' I'll ever give Vex. The first, too, actually." He chuckled.

Then Artis remembered something. She rushed to the chest at the foot of her bed and took out the Bust of the Grey Fox, marching back to Delvin and giving it to him, "Just another relic I found. I forgot to give it to you earlier. I think it'll look great on the Guild Master's desk."