Chapter 174: The Wind of Rift City

If the de facto ruler of Rift City, Marwen. The one thing that bothered Black Thorn these days was that one of her finest horses had been stolen by some daring thief, and that the thieves' guild had nothing to do with them—she believed it, because these creatures had survived here on her snort, poor rats. In a subsequent investigation, she discovers that the person who bypassed the manor guards turned out to be her own son. This stupid creature simply didn't deserve the surname Black Thorn, and as punishment for his offense, she threw her son into the dungeons of Rift Valley. He had no shortage of food and clothing inside, and he lived very comfortably, and she wanted her son to reflect on it. Not because of what he did, but because of his stupidity.

There was one more thing that didn't quite pleasant to her, and that was the lord of Rift City, Leila the "Buffalo". This old woman is trying to restore the glory of the law in the most vicious and obscene city in all of Skyrim Province - poor man, she knows that she is facing the most powerful Black Thorn family in all of Skyrim Province and still desperately trying to do it.

As the number one citizen of Rift Valley, Marwen. Black Thorns actually hold the lifeblood of the city. As long as she wanted, with her good relations with the Thieves' Guild and the Dark Brotherhood, the one who sat in the lord's seat now would die violently at any moment, and another, more obedient person, would take the chairman's position. Fortunately, so far, Leila has been gentle and has not confronted her head-on.

The third thing is about her daughter Ingan. Black Thorns. The girl seemed to dislike the family business—that is, the traditional business: the mutual exploitation of money and politics, the bribing of thieves and killers to her own ends...... She's ...... Idealism. This makes Marwen. It is difficult for Black Thorn to trust her to run the family business. This troublesome young girl was obsessed with alchemy and was so gifted in the use of herbs that she even went to work as an apprentice in an old apothecary...... Although Ma Wen. Blackthorn had to admit that his daughter might have a genius talent in this area. Especially when it comes to concocting poisons, but how does a pharmacist become the leader of the most powerful Black Thorn family in Skyrim?

The fourth thing is the recent news. Some legendary dragons are said to have reappeared in Skyrim. She wasn't sure if these monsters would have an impact on her industry. But about an hour ago, she received the message. Mosal was destroyed by the dragon. This naturally also includes the Black Thorn Family's alchemy herb supply and marketing network over there. Even more worrying, she didn't know what the dragons' next target would be.

"Ms. Marwen, we have a guest. A messenger from Stormhelm. The butler's voice came from the door.

"Tell them I'm resting." The first citizen said impatiently.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Marwen. Looks like I had to force my way in. ”

A strange man kicked open Marwen's door directly. The man was tall and thin in a huge snowbear fur coat, his eyes shimmering like two coals of fire, and at first glance he suddenly looked like a demon.

"How dare you!" Offended Marwen. Black Thorn screamed.

"Introduce yourself." The man swept his fingers across the sawdust stained on his coat, "Tom the Bloodless of Storm Cloak. Sue. MA Wen. Lady Blackthorn, you have been accused of colluding with the Empire in private. Sell the intelligence and supplies of the Skyrim Province. So, I'd like to ask you to come with me. ”

"It's ridiculous!" First Citizen's eyes widened with anger, "I am the leader of the Black Thorn Clan, and even Ufrik must be respectful to me. What are you?! Young boy, who may not have an intuitive idea of my influence, I can tell you that without the permission of the Black Thorn family, all the storm cloaks will not be able to eat a fresh loaf of bread from tomorrow. Drink less than a drop of mead. All your supplies will be cut off by us, and by the time we fully surrender to the Empire, the Stormcloak will be destroyed within a week! So, now. I suggest you leave the Black Thorn House at once, and then think about how to explain it to your immediate superiors! ”

The man had been standing quietly in the doorway, listening to her words in their entirety. Then a strange ...... appeared on his face Grin.

"Thank you for your criticism of our work. Lady Black Thorn. He bowed gracefully, "I never thought of that before. Such a classic plot will happen to me...... Have you heard of ...... Uh, a slap in the face? It's a dramatic plot structure that gives the reader a sense of comfort. It usually occurs when the protagonist of the work is confronted by an arrogant and impertinent person in a high position...... I used to think that for a wise man like you, discerning humility was a necessary skill. It's a pity, it seems that your mind has been dulled by the years of life as a superior......"

With all this nonsense, the man walked into the room and took Marwen step by step. The Black Thorn was cornered.

"Don't be afraid. For an old woman like you, who is over forty years old, I am safe and harmless. ”

MA Wen. Black Thorn's face turned blue from the humiliation, but she also realized that the other party didn't care about her threat at all. For an aging woman, this tall young man from a storm cloak is undoubtedly dangerous. He had so rudely barged into his bedroom, and the guards were nowhere to be seen, that he should have smelled danger a long time ago......

"First of all, Lady Black Thorn. I have a basic respect for the Blackthorns, and of course, for your money. But we are also clear about the deals you make with the Empire in private. Speculation on both sides is indeed a never-losing deal, and I understand that very well. But understanding is one thing, and the position we are in is another. Tom Sue, wrapped in a snow bear skin, pulled over a chair and sat down, his steel-wrapped boots pointing at Marwen. With a black thorny nose, he speaks slowly and logically, not at all like a man who has lost his mind. But it was this that tightened the hearts of the first citizens of Rift, and there was no doubt that a sane opponent was more terrifying than a crazy man.

"Tell us your terms. Emissary of Stormhelm City. First Citizen found a chair and sat down, trying to bring the negotiators back to an equal position through this veiled body language.

"You won't take it." Tom. Su smiled. "We're going to take the Black Thorns family under full control. With the support of the Black Thorn Family, we can take control of the Thieves Guild. and half of Skyrim's economy. So, Ms. Marwen, you may have realized that your presence is an obstacle for us. So you have to die. ”

"It can't be." Ma Wen who has calmed down. Black Thorn's eyebrows didn't move, the woman who had gone through all kinds of struggles was indifferent to the imminent threat of death, "Without me, you wouldn't have been able to control the Black Thorn family. The right thing to do is to convince me that throwing myself into the Storm Cloak will do me more good, and I will not hesitate to turn to you. And not an empire that is already dying. ”

"You're not the only one in the Black Thorn Family, Lady Marwen. And you are too strong, a much weaker Black Thorn is better for us to control. Su Jing smiled, he snapped his fingers, and a girl still wearing an alchemist's robe walked in.

"Ingan......" Ms. Marwen looked at her daughter and took a deep breath.

"Mother, just give me a chance, and I'll prove it to you. The Black Thorn Family will glow with an even stronger light than before...... Deception and betrayal, this is the way you have always taught me to behave in the world. Isn't it? ”

Young and beautiful Ingan. Black Thorn said with a smile.

"Compared to your two sons, this Miss Ingan is more in line with my heart. To be precise, it's more pleasing to the eye. Su Jing kept spinning a black ring on the ring finger of his right hand, and the woman opposite had no way out. Even in the power of the Skyrim Province, it is nothing more than this in the face of absolute violence.

“…… Even if I'm dead. Ingan also has the blood of the Black Thorn family. She's no worse than me. The First Citizen of Rift City realized that her end had come, and she rolled her eyes in confusion as she thought about how she could summon the guards. So how likely is it that she escapes, the answer makes her desperate.

The uncrowned king of Rift City has realized. His life, full of intrigue and money, is likely to come to an abrupt end today.

"Ingan...... Don't forget that you are a black thorn. ”

After saying this. Ms. Marven pulled out a dagger that glowed green from her bosom and stabbed it into her stomach. She immediately stopped breathing and collapsed on the carpet.

"Respectable." Su Jing looked at the human body on the ground and sighed.

"Maybe not respectable." Ingan. Black Thorn picked up the dagger on the ground, picked out a little of the medicine on it with his extremely long nails, and sniffed slightly, "Mr. Tom, if you don't mind, can you cut off her head?" Or maybe I've got some poison here to pour her into. ”

As soon as these words came out, even Su Jing had to look sideways at this seemingly innocent girl.

"It's not poison, it's just a fake death drug." Miss Ingan spread her palms, "So, based on this concentration, she will wake up again in four hours." I don't think she expected me to teach myself this in an alchemy course. ”

“…… For what? Su Jing raised her eyebrows.

“…… What is a for? "Ingam. Black Thorn tilted her head, "If she wakes up, she will most likely secretly sabotage our alliance and shake my control over the Black Thorn family's estate. Rather than let her continue to be duplicitous, I would like to show my loyalty to the Stormcloak with her life. A two-sided bet may not lose, but it can't be the biggest winner either. Unlike her steady, my style is probably a little more aggressive. ”

"That's not what I'm asking...... I mean...... She is your mother. ”

“………………”

This time, the other party was silent for a long time, and then the new head of the Black Thorn family sighed.

"She made me remember that I was a black thorn, and I just did. Also, please settle my two brothers for me. If they don't die, I still won't be able to manipulate the real power of the family in a short period of time. Take responsibility, Stormcloak Bringer, I have shown you my sincerity, and now is the time for you to do so. ”

About an hour later, it may be the gathering place of all the underground societies in Skyrim Province, the "Broken Keg" bar located in the underground of Rift City. Blinkhov, one of the senior leaders of the Thieves' Guild, sat at a wine table in a corner, and across from him was another giant of the Thieves' Guild, holding a bottle. Knowledgeable appraiser Delvin.

"I probably made the wrong choice this time." Blinkhov said with a sad face, and the mustache picked up the wine glass on the table and drank it down.

"What's wrong. Brychenchev. Who are you messing with? Except for Marwen. Black Thorn, who else can help you? "Delvin is a little old man who is nearly half a hundred years old. Speaks with a thick nasal voice, like there has been a problem with the nose. Blinkev knew that it was interrupted by their colleague Wesker.

"I'm not the only one who is unlucky, this time, the entire guild may be in big trouble. MA Wen. Black Thorn is likely to ...... He's dead. The mustache lowered his voice and said as quietly as he could.

The old man on the other side squirted out the wine with a pop.

"I ...... Do you remember the last time I mentioned to you, the weirdo who came to buy information? It was the one who took out a gang of bandits and snatched the helmet of Wintercastle. ”

“…… A little impressed. ”

"I'll cut it short. This morning, he entered the Mist Tower with a group of newly researched steel soldiers from that Storm Cloak, and talked to the Lord of Leila for about half an hour. Then he entered the territory of the Black Thorns. Since then. None of them came out. ”

"There's no way he's going to kill everyone inside. He's only brought a few people......"

"I wasn't at ease, so I let Quickleg slip through the underground waterways into the Black Thorn Territory to check it out. He overheard some ...... Not very good news. There is a saying that it is...... Ingan. Black Thorn staged an internal coup d'état with the support of outsiders and became the new head of the Black Thorn family...... And Marwen has ...... Committed suicide. ”

The atmosphere at the table fell silent.

“…… Wait, that's kind of weird. Delvin frowned suddenly, "How did that outsider come into contact with Ingan. Black Thorns? Her whereabouts are unremarkable, and that's when we learn that she was an apprentice at the alchemy pharmacy. An outsider, when did he set up an intelligence network to find Miss Ingan right under our noses? ”

"I told him." Brychenchev's face turned pale, "That's why I said that I may have made the wrong choice." He somehow found me. Then he forced me to spit out the information. I thought...... I thought ......"

Dalvin let out a long sigh.

There was another period of silence.

"Forget it, after Marwen's death, we may have a difficult time for a while. But on the plus side, maybe it's easier to do things under the new Black Thorn Family. After all, it's hard for someone as strong as Ma Wen to get along with......"

We're only halfway there. A commotion came from the quiet bar door. From the filthy entrance came the sound of weapons clashing against each other, and the footsteps of heavy boots.

"What's that? Where's our sentry?! Are they all dead?! Dalvin screamed. Everyone in the bar was nervous, and basically none of the people here were clean. At all entrances and exits as far as the eye could see, heavily armed city guards appeared. Among them are a few strange heavy armor warriors standing at the forefront. These new armors were no stranger to these leaders, the new equipment of the Storm Cloak.

“………… I'm mentally prepared for what's next. Blinkev drank his wine in one gulp. I knew there would be this day, but I didn't expect it to come so soon. ”

"Calm down. Gentlemen. A man wrapped in a snow bear fur coat bent over and came out of the alleyway, "It smells bad here, doesn't it?" ”

“…… Tom. Sue? Brychenchev recognized it at a glance.

"Yes, Blinkchev, meet again, it's a pleasure to meet you." Su Jing beckoned kindly, "Next, we can sit down together and have a glass of wine, and then have a good talk." ”

"What are you talking about?"

"First, I'm going to hang one of your gang's liars named Mercer. Then we can talk about projects that make money, as well as friendly partnerships...... In the name of the Storm Cloak. (To be continued......)

PS: I've been in a bad state lately, and what I wrote doesn't feel right...... Then I realized something wrong with the pacing and plot...... The Elder Scrolls doesn't seem to have a very good response, whether it's because of the speed of updates, or because the plot is not set up properly, or because of the rhythm, or because of the subject matter, or because of the characters...... Forget it, readers, please don't worry, I often talk to myself. It is possible that the volts of the first and middle stages of this volume are a little longer, and only the most lucrative ones can erupt...... And it is difficult to control this kind of Great World Realm...... Oh my God, the more I talk about it, the more I want to die...... Lack of passion. Want to die.