บท 259: Not So Blessed

Elsewhere :

"Boss!" Ace D. Venturedge exclaims as he shuffles into the room, a pleading look on his face as he approaches a man sifting through paperwork.

"Ace. What is it?" the stranger asks, his tone dour as if speaking to this idiot was the last thing he wanted to do.

"I-... Some guy jumped us! Beat me and my boys as we were trying to work!"

...

"One guy beat you and your men... And you come to me for help?"

Ace nods and holds is hands up placatingly, "Trust me boss! If I thought anyone else could fight him I would've gone to them! That guy's not normal! It won't be long before he starts taking our territory!"

...

"Tell me more about this 'guy' then. Then I'll see about dealing with him."

Ace nods, "I knew you had my back, Fang!"

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The ceremony lasts around thirty minutes, all of which Charlotte and Maramal had their heads lowered and eyes closed... Maria, of course, couldn't keep still for so long, so she'd occasionally look up and around, a bored expression on her usually vacant face.

It ends soon enough however, Maramal raising his head with an apologetic expression, "I'm sorry... This has never happened before..." he mutters, clearly surprised by the lack of response they'd gotten. At the worst, he'd have felt Her gaze wash over them, yet he'd felt nothing here, as if this girl and her mother weren't even worth Her benevolence's attention.

Charlotte just looks up and over at her mother with a frown, her hand balling into fists. She lets out a sigh and relaxes her body however, not letting her emotions get the better of her. She grabs Maria's hand and ignores Maramal, walking over to Michael.

"Nothing?"

"Nothing." she confirms.

"Well, that's one down, two to go." he adds, you guys head back to Medresi's place, I'll go arrange a meeting with the Court Wizard."

They nod and exit, leaving Michael alone in the temple. He'd about to leave too when Maramal speaks up, "Sir, I'm truly sorry for this. I'm ashamed to say that the workings of the Divine are a mystery to us all, even one as devoted as myself. I truly believed that Mara would bless that young lady's mother with renewed health... Perhaps she's going through a test...?" he questions, more to himself than anything.

Michael frowns, "A test? You think having your mind ruined for attempting to save your daughters life is a test?"

Maramal holds up his hands, "No, I did not mean it like that. I meant, perhaps the test is for the young lady? Trials are never so simple as receiving a blessing, which is why Her Benevolence did not react. This may all be part of a grand plan."

Michael snorts in distaste, "Grand plan? You cooky priests don't change no matter where you go. If Mara or any Divine 'planned' Maria's fate, then they are crueller than the worst Daedra." he says, obviously knowing that no one in this world had a hand in Maria's fate... Why the Goddess didn't heal her is another matter entirely though.

Maramal of course reels back in horror at his words, clearly offended by such heretical words. He looks as if he's about to start ranting, but calms himself and shakes his head, "I-... I believe that is our business concluded. I do truly hope you will find the truth soon, the blind can only walk alone for so long."

"Yeah? Well? You can lick my asshole, douche bag." he sarcastically retorts as he exits, leaving the priest of Mara standing there with a face filled with shock and incredulity.

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Outside, Michale was already on the street and making his way towards Mistveil Keep... But pauses when a Nord brushes past him and casually walks away. "Yeah, that's not happening." Michael announces as he turns and grabs the back of the man's collar. "You think I'm stupid or something? If you wanna pickpocket something, go to any other city that isn't the 'thievery capital of Skyrim'." he grouses.

The man chuckles, holding his hand up in mock surrender, "I guess you got me then lad, you're quicker than you look."

Michael sniffs and holds his hand out, "And you're not as slick as you think."

The Nord shrugs, "Yeah, I get that a lot... Hm? Looks like we've got company." he says, nodding his head in the direction behind Michael.

Michael shakes his head and continues to hold his hand out, "I'm not falling for that, now give me my gold back." he growls, but pauses when he feels his gold pouch still on his hip where he'd left it...

"Guards! This man is robbing me!" the Nord suddenly shouts, and Michael finds himself surrounded by three armoured men with their weapons drawn. "Put your hands up and come quietly, or else."

...?

"This is just a misunderstanding." Michael starts but pauses when he looks back and spots the smug grin on the Nord's face. "Misunderstanding? Explain how my ring got into your pocket then!"

Michael reaches and does indeed find something that wasn't supposed to be there. A gold ring with a big blue gem...

One of the guards nod, "That's Brynjolf's ring alright, see him wearing it and the Bee and Barb."

"Brynjolf?" Michael parrots, quickly realising what was happening here. Brynjolf was a Thieves Guild member, one who recruits you in the game and eventually becomes a Nightingale. He was being set up...

The question now was, what should he do about it? Go with the guards and find out what they want, or escape and have the guards and guild looking for him.

Michael flicks the ring back to Brynjolf with his thumb, "Fine, you want me attention, you got it." he says, letting the guards bind his wrists together with rope.

"See? I told you he was smart." Brynjolf chuckles and pats one of the guards on the shoulder. Quickly departing afterwards.