Walks-Softly

"Didn't realize there were two of you. Next time the Iron Wheel springs a trap, I'll bring another uniform."

Who are you? What's going on? "I'm Walks-Softly, and we're currently fleeing the Iron Wheel. We can talk about the details once we've actually fled. Oh. What are your thoughts on spiders?"

Spiders? What do you mean? "When I was posing as one of the manor's guards, one of the actual guards mentioned these old catacombs. Said they were a "basket full of spiders." Unless that's an obscure Nord expression, I'm guessing he meant actual spiders."

You said you were from the Thieves Guild. What is that? "Nothing we should discuss right here. But I promise, as soon as we've escaped the Iron Wheel, I'll answer your questions."

"Could've lived my entire life without running through a spider pit. But we made it though. You'll make a real impression in Abah's Landing."

What's in Abah's Landing? "The Thieves Guild. And any guildmaster, who can explain why the Iron Wheel thinks you deserve the same fate they've inflicted upon us. It's an unpleasant fate. It involves branding irons."

What if I don't want to go to Abah's Landing? "You are your own master. Bu the Iron Wheel is relentless, and they know your face. They know your partner's face, too. So tell me where we're all headed. I suggest Abah's Landing, as soon as you're able."

All right. Take us to Abah's Landing.

Maybe later. For now, we go back where we came from.

"Always a pleasant journey to Abah's Landing. Head to our Thieves Den—the guildmaster awaits. Your partner and I will be along when she's less expulsive."

Where is the Thieves Den? "Hidden within an old cistern that's long forgotten by the city's merchant lords. A new home for us, after the Iron Wheel tore apart the old one. It's a bit damp. You get used to it."

"You're right on time. What did our esteemed guildmaster tell you?"

Zeira said she sent you ahead to do some groundwork. "Good, because I found something. The captain of the Dreamsnake was always interested in making fast coin. She's sloppy, even for a pirate, which makes her a perfect target for Cosh. She and I have … unpleasant history. Best I keep away from her."

All right. What do you need me to do? "She's meeting a contact nearby. She's prone to boast—why not find a quiet place to hear what she has to say? But the captain is a creature of habit. She used to keep documents secured in the Dreamsnake. Try there, if you don't care to eavesdrop."

I'll see what I can find out. "Find what you can. After that, meet Quen near the harbor. She has her own task and will no doubt need your assistance."

You mentioned an unpleasant history with the captain of the Dreamsnake? "I once told the captain I was a wealthy Argonian prince seeking a fast ship to transport my riches. She let me inspect the smuggling compartments—and then I robbed her blind. She just has one eye patch, so … half-blind. I left her the eye patch."

What are you holding? "Harpy egg. They're sickening—I'd never actually eat one. But they're garish enough to draw attention from me. People see the "Argonian with disgusting harpy eggs," not the "Argonian with amazing fashion sense.""

"Ready to help me with that personal matter? This is the family mansion of my old friend, Anais Velmont. Just as big and opulent as the last time I was here."

Tell me more about this old friend of yours. "Anais … where do I begin? I was taken in by Anais and her family when I first arrived in Abah's Landing. I owe her and the Velmonts so much. My mannerisms. My pattern of speech. My fashion sense."

But you haven't seen her for a long time? "Time passes, things change. When the family packed up for an extended trip to Black Marsh, I decided to stay here. They went to deal with business interests and I wandered the streets of Abah's Landing. Eventually, the guild found me and took me in."

So this is where you grew up? "I was brought here when I was very young. My first memories are of Anais and the Velmont Mansion. Anais and I grew up side by side. We were the best of friends! Until the family left for Black Marsh, we were always together. We were that close!"

What happened to your Argonian family? "You know, I never thought to ask about that. Anais told me that her father saved me from some horrible fate, but she never provided any details. The Velmonts were very good to me. Outside of the guild, they're the closest thing I have to a family."

So it's been a while since you've seen your friend? "I was barely in my teens when the family left. She wanted me to go with her, but I couldn't leave the only home I ever knew. I slipped away in the night and I haven't seen them since. Now Anais has returned to take control of the family mansion."

What do you need me to do? "I understand that since Anais has returned, she's been making inquiries about me. It's clear that her memories of our time together won't let her put the past behind her. We need to steal those memories—preferably without getting caught."

You want to steal something from your childhood friend? "The past can be a vise that holds us back. I've seen it. I want to teach Anais to let go of her memories, forget about me, and get on with her life. After we steal the items—items that once belonged to me, by the way—she'll stop looking for me."

What items are we looking for? "Keepsakes. Jewelry that Anais had made from my hatching shell and scales I lost during moulting. You know, now that I say the words out loud, it sounds kind of strange for someone to have kept my discarded body parts. Is that a common practice?"

Any idea where she might keep such items? "The Velmont Mansion is a large place. Why don't you check the kitchens and courtyard while I search the family suites? Meet me there when you're done and we'll get out of here together."

All right, I'm ready. Let's do this. "Like shadows, my friend. We need to get in and out of the mansion without causing too much mayhem and without being seen. Agreed?"

"Our meeting with Anais didn't go anything like I had imagined. She has changed. Or perhaps I'm the one who changed. Learning your own truth can be so confusing."

I thought you said she was your friend? "She was my friend. Once. I'm almost certain of that. We were always together. Laughing, playing, exploring the mansion. Perhaps when I ran away, deserted her … did that turn her into this unfamiliar creature?"

I think you were her slave. "I was a slave? No, I don't think either of us knew what that meant. Not back then, when we were just children. I suppose, deep down, I knew it all along. Why I ran away instead of going with Anais to Black Marsh."

Did we really accomplish anything by stealing those keepsakes? "Of course! We took those memories away from Anais and recovered the keepsakes of my youth. Plus, we discovered how far my friend has fallen. I just need to figure out how to help her find the person she used to be—unless she finds me first."

You think Anais will make good on her threat to track you down? "Now that she knows I'm around? I expect her to double her efforts and use every advantage her family's gold can buy. It's what I'd do. Thanks for assisting me with this, by the way. Once I decide on my next course of action, I'll let you know."

"Have I mentioned how much I enjoy a good wedding? Even a bad one can be fun."

Do you want to be my date to the wedding? "Perhaps. Why do you ask?"

You're the best choice for mingling at a wedding. [?]

You're important to me, Walks-Softly. "I am many things to many people. How do you know I'm not catering myself to your expectations, to ensure you think me important? Is it because you want me to be, or because I encouraged you to believe it? But I'm probably joking about all that."

Never mind. I'll ask someone else. "Suit yourself. I wouldn't want to terribly outclass you in fashionable attire. I don't know how I could ever respect you."

I think you'll be fun to have around at a wedding. [?]

"Your date made it back before you. Informed us of what happened at the wedding. Don't blame yourself. Zeira told you to leave."

Does everyone know what happened at the wedding? "Yes, Zeira's capture was an unfortunate turn of events. But Nicolas is the Iron Wheel's prisoner as well. A small reason to celebrate."

What about Zeira? "Magnifica Falorah has her dowry and Nicolas is behind bars. The Iron Wheel won't be here for much longer. We'll have a chance at freeing Zeira in the chaos of their departure—whenever that is. But that's more your call, isn't it?"

What do you mean? "Zeira said you were in charge until she returned to the Den. That makes you the acting guildmaster. Boss."

"Just so we're clear, an "acting guildmaster" has no real power. But it makes you sound important, so we may as well call you that. Also, you get the blame if anything goes wrong. You know how it is."

What can we do about Zeira? "For now? Nothing. Until we learn where they've taken her, there is little we can do. But we will learn, I'm certain of that."

"It took some time, but I finally figured out the best way to teach Anais a lesson. I promise this will make perfect sense to you shortly, my friend."

What are we doing here, Walks-Softly? And is that Anais tied up back there? "Trust me. Stay calm a moment longer and all will become clear."

All right, I'm listening.

"Thanks for your patience with all of that. I hope I sounded convincing!"

Want to explain to me what we're doing here now? "Anais needs to see the errors of her ways. People aren't property. They aren't supposed to be sold and traded, and they certainly shouldn't be turned into slaves."

So you kidnapped her and demanded a ransom? "There was no request for a ransom. I made that all up to scare her. No one even knows she's missing yet and I'd like to keep it that way."

Then what are you planning to do with her? "Take these letters. I don't want her family's agents to come looking for her yet, so I forged them to explain her absence. Just plant them in the Velmont Mansion and that will give me all the time I need."

Time? Time to do what? "Time for Anais to consider her situation, to see if being trapped and powerless changes her outlook on keeping pets and slaves. When she's learned her lesson, I'll set her free. Meet me at the Thieves Den after you plant the letters."

All right, I'll plant these letters in the Velmont Mansion.

"Glad you decided to join me. These pirates are definitely of the unfriendly persuasion."

I got your note. Where's Anais? "I tracked Anais to that building behind us, but the lock on the door has thwarted all of my attempts to pick it. One of these pirates must have a key. Maybe you'll have better luck finding it than I did."

I found this key on a pirate. (If theVestige already has the key) "You did? Excellent! I'll let you have the pleasure of seeing if that key will unlock the door. After you."

"On the one hand, I'm grateful that Anais doesn't appear any worse for the wear. On the other hand, I hoped to see some evidence by now that she had learned her lesson."

I thought we were here to rescue Anais from the pirates? "Yes, yes, rescue her … yes. I never wanted to become a slave merchant. But if we set her free, won't she just continue with her awful ways? I hate to admit it, but I'm at a loss as to how to proceed."

We have to make things right. We need to get her out of here and set her free. "Yes, I suppose I should. But does that mean I abandon my goal to teach Anais a lesson? How will I live with myself if she continues to treat people as things? I could set her free, but what's the profit in that?"

What would Anais do if she was in your position? "What does that matter? Should I determine my actions based on the inclinations of a slave-keeping, self-centered aristocrat? What should I do? I just want to return to the Den … put this awful business behind us."

Leave her here and teach her a lesson.

You have to set her free and make this right.

"I escorted Anais out of the pirate lair and back to her mansion, where she's safe and sound and no doubt planning how to flay me alive at the first opportunity."

So you actually rescued Anais from the pirates? "Of course, just as you suggested. And the forged letters worked perfectly. Pimsy's days of slavery are over—his new life starts today."

"If we're going to No Shira Citadel, I can help. The Iron Wheel can always spot imposters. It's not the uniform, it's the mannerisms and protocol they follow. It's all part of their training."

What do you mean? "They cycle their soldiers between locations, every few months. Keeps them from forming attachments with the locals. They see new faces all the time, so they're trained to spot certain mannerisms. Ones I've learned to spot as well. And impersonate."

You can impersonate an Iron Wheel soldier? "I just need a uniform. They change those, too … small details here and there. We need one that can accommodate my tail. Oh, and bring the journal we used in al-Danobia Tomb. I have an idea, but until we know our entry point, I don't want to share."

I'll bring the journal. We'll find you an Iron Wheel uniform when we get there.

"Do you see the sentry? He keeps looking through the gate, rubbing his lips. Waiting for one of his mates to come by with a drink. Let's relieve him of his thirst. Then his uniform."

What's your plan? "We walk up. I present myself as a drunk, dapper Argonian. He challenges us, tells us to move along … then sees the bottle in my hand. I offer him a taste. He takes a long pull from one of Velsa's sleeping potions. We take his uniform."

All right. Let's go. "Try to look … non-threatening. If at all possible."

Okay.

"Here we part ways. Once I'm in uniform, I'll see how well I blend in. If I may suggest a course of action? The journal you brought contains the entire dowry heist as planned by Nicolas. I think we can use it to our advantage."

How would we do that? "Chief Inspector Rhanbiq has an office in the ruins where he entertains guests. If you were to leave the journal for him to find, there is little chance Nicolas could weasel out of the trial he faces in Taneth. Oh, and you could find out where they're holding Zeira."

Locate Zeira and make life harder for Nicolas? I'll do it. "Good luck. Don't get caught. If you do, we'll have to spring two guildmasters. Shameful times for the Thieves Guild."

"Nicolas in a cell. Somehow, it feels right."

What are your thoughts? Should I give him a lockpick? "Nicolas could never pick a lock. Unless he learned since the dowry heist, a lockpick would be nothing more than a thin sliver of hope. Which you could deny him. Is his hopelessness worth Zeira's potential imprisonment? That's up to you."

"Of the two of us, I'd say you're looking ... Sharper. Hmm, Velsa was right. Speaking a pun aloud has diminished me as a person."

You seem comfortable in your role in the Thieves Guild. "Thanks for noticing. I do like to put my best foot forward in everything I do. But a lot of credit goes to Zeira and the rest of our crew. A single lizard isn't enough to form a guild—even one as dapper and dashing as me!"

What do you think about Quen? "Have you seen the way Quen moves? She can get up and over a wall faster than I can fold a perfect pocket square! I have a nose for talent and Quen is the real deal. As we go about rebuilding the crew, we'd do worse that to find a few more like her."

What do you think about Zeira? "What's to think? She's our guildmaster! And she's a good friend. She stepped forward in our darkest hour and pulled the guild back from the brink of extinction. Under her leadership, I don't think there's anything we can't accomplish. I don't think."

What about Velsa? She doesn't seem to be a team player. "I never say anything hurtful about the people I know. That's just not couth. However, I would be remiss not to warn you. Try not to get on Velsa's bad side. She has a terrible temper. You really don't want to constantly check your food for poison."