I woke up with no problems however I wasn't well rested. I didn't get to go to the dreamscape either, it was likely due to the belts effects. However if I took the belt off I wouldn't receive the effects of the items in the belt while in the dreamscape. Meaning I couldn't calculate exact bonuses on me. I could remember them, but I was a little lazy on that account.
I paused though as I wasn't alone in my bed. Viree laid passed out on top of my arm. I extracted my arm from underneath her. I remember her saying that she booked two rooms, but I didn't really thing about where she was going to sleep. With my arm free I got up and left the room.
With it being early morning I had to start with my business dealings. First I needed to head to the Jarl's court. I needed to discover if the Skooma dealer was dealt as they are bad for my business with the Khajiit. Even Ri'saad fully supported me taking down said skooma dealer.
Second was Anuriel, she was helping the Stormcloaks, or would be helping them soon. I wanted to snip that in the bud. Since Anuriel had dealings with Maven Black-Briar as well. I could use it as a chance to get to the Black-Briar family. Maven Black-Briar was a grandmother and she wouldn't live for ever. Hemming and Sibbi were hardly able to replace her, so offering a better means will increase the chances of her agreement.
Finally the last thing I needed to do in the court was buy some property. I wanted to buy the Orphanage, Lost Prospect Mine, and the land around Fallowstone Cave. With the right means all three would provide great resources. The orphanage did have me worried though, I had no doubt I could buy the Mine and Cave from either the Jarl or the Black-Briars. The Orphanage however, I might only be able to sponsor the kids there.
Labor laws hardly existed in Skyrim. Kids can get jobs, but most seemed not to hire them due to a very simple argument. Kids aren't as skilled as an adult, so why hire them? The thing about that is sometimes I just need to build a well. In time the kids will get to the age where they can work. It will take some time sure, but planning for future employees was important. Besides if I could educate the kids it will benefit me even further.
I had taught Viree how to read and I figured out a simple method to teach others in the future faster. Literacy was surprisingly high on Nirn, I chalked that up to something to do with magic or the gods. My thoughts cut off as I found myself at the Jarl's court. Riften like the other cities was bigger. Though it was much more vertical than I had expected.
Entering the court I was greeted by a guard. "State your business!"
With a shrug and no one in court except the guard i just explained. "I wish to speak to Anuriel the Stewardess for the Jarl. I wish to discuss buying property and extorting her for it."
The Guard glared at me, he clearly understood I wouldn't be making any donations. "I'll go get her." He left me to stand in the court, so I wandered over to the Court Mage. Wylandriah would send you on a goose chase for some random crap normally. I needed some paper though and I knew she would have some.
She stood over an alchemy table flipping through some notes. "Hello? I would like to buy some paper."
Wylandriah twitched slightly, "Huh? Who? Oh, what do you want? I am in the middle of something important."
I smiled, "I want to buy paper. I know you heard me the first time. I'll take 50 sheets for 5 gold."
She stared at me, twitched again, and turned around pulling out a stack of paper. "That's about 100 just give me 10 gold."
I dropped a coin purse in her hand and she threw it back on the table behind her. I pocketed the paper as the guard came back. He spoke gruffly, "You may follow me."
He moved quickly into the back of the building and I followed him toward a small office. It looked like it was once a broom closet. The tiny office held a desk and little to no decoration. There wasn't even any mess it was just empty.
Anuriel looked up at me, "Please explain what you want."
I took out a map and one of the sheets of paper. I highlighted a rather large area of land. However Both the Lost Prospect Mine and the Fallowstone cave both sat within it. "I wish to buy this land and wanted to know who owns it."
She raised an eyebrow, "You actually wanted to buy land?"
I nodded, "I also wanted to buy ownership of the Orphanage. That way I can freely sponsor all the children and provide education for them."
Anuriel paused her mouth open unable to make a noise. She remained calm for now though. "The guard mentioned you wish to blackmail me? How does that play into this?"
I smiled, "I'm glad you asked, I was unsure how to bring up such a conversation. I'm willing to provide my expertise as the head of the information guild within Solitude to fix your Skooma problems in the city. You see I work directly with the Caravan and Skooma dealers are bad for business."
Her expression gave away her surprise. She gave a nod though, "Fair enough I will find out who owns the land. You can also buy the orphanage as well. It was originally going to re-enter the jarl's hands after someone killed the head mistress there... However if you want to reorganize it I don't think the Jarl would mind."
My smile brightened and she caught on, "What else did you want?"
"My Guild and Services are a private business. My next offer is for your own good. As you mentioned earlier part of the blackmail. Riften is clearly within the grasp of the Stormcloaks. The legion understands this and wishes to retake the Rift before the Stormcloaks launch an invasion on Whiterun."
Anuriel's expression shifted to one filled with anxiety. Work related to the city was easy for her, things relating toward the civil war made her nervous. It was just a guess, but I was pretty good at guess work. Specially when Canary accidentally hinted toward it.
"The legion is willing to overlook your dubious citizenship if you provide the means to retake the rift. With your help, we plan on strangling trade within the Stormcloak ranks. I don't know the whole plan, however mind you. I am not the one with the means to actually blackmail you..." Her expression relaxed and she was about to lash out.
I interrupted her though, "My associate does, and I am simply offering you a better means. Collect all evidence of Stormcloak trade routes, the related documents to any hidden suppliers that you may know of. Anything relating to the war effort. Do this, and when the Jarl gets replaced, I'll make sure you either keep your job or have somewhere else you can go to. I do enjoy employing people down on their luck after all. They always make the best workers, because they are always terrified of what else they may lose!"
Anuriel's expression paled, her hand was beneath the desk. I could tell she was preparing something, I gave her a smirk though. "I don't know all the details, just enough to help you get on your feet. After all my associate is the Legion Inquisitor within the army ranks. Who knows what she will do to you."
Anuriel's face soured and she gave up. Her whole body slumped and she nodded, "I understand what you are saying. I just have one question. Is the Black-Briar family already helping the legion? Is that why you are giving me this warning?"
I had no evidence of that, I only knew Maven would pull strings to become the next Jarl. My guess is she had some legion officers in her pocket. Ale was always good for moral and she could just sell at a discount to the legion if needed. The reason she was asking this though, I assume its because Sibbi is in prison.
I shook my head, "Directly not that I know of, however I know a dozen ways she could have legion officers in her pocket. With her age climbing in number and her heir to the family being unestablished. It is only a matter of time before she replaces the current Jarl anyway. Let's be honest, does the Jarl actually have any power within the city?"
I smirked, "That's kind of why I knew you would accept my offer for investigating the Skooma dealers. What guard is going to investigate when, number one the Jarl can't pay them the extra gold. Two Skooma Dealers are good for the Thieves guild since it creates chaos. Three it benefits the Black-Briars as those that are addicted to substances are likely addicted to other things as well. Finally it benefits outsiders since, people like me can offer loans to people and if they don't pay, I'm free to crush them and replace them."
Anuriel's expression darkened, most of what I just said was in fact true. Though I threw in a little extra about me offering loans to see what she would do later with that information. It wasn't strange that the Thieves Guild might offer loans. All of this was essentially a net and Anuriel could see that. She was smart, that was good, it made her easy to catch.
Anuriel bowed her head, "Thank you for your visit. I will need to organize some documents for the rest of the day. When you handle the Skooma Dealers, tell the guards at the jailhouse I authorized your help. I'll send word to them to expect someone's arrival."
I let out a small chuckle, she was saying she expected me to handle the problem quickly. I didn't say anything about it. She needed the time to get things in order. So I left the Jarl's court and headed toward a building that I had never been to before.
Opening the door I was greeted by a smiling man. "Eh? Hello! Welcome to the Mailhouse! What would you like delivered."
I blinked, I did a double take of the man. He tilted his head, "Oh my, do you not have a letter you wish to deliver?"
I shook my head and took out some paper, "I just need to write it out." I kept the courier in my line of sight. I wrote to Ri'saad of my 'discovery of the Riften Skooma Dealers'. I would handle the ones within Riften. However they had an outpost at a place called Cragslane Cavern. A pit wolf fighting ring that had stored a large supply of Moon Sugar. I added a pouch of gold for him to grease his palms as it were.
The Courier smiled, "Are you done?"
I nodded, "How fast will it be delivered?"
He tilted his head, "How fast would you like it to be?"
Staring at the strange courier I was unsure what he actually was. "Can you do it within the day?"
He shook his head, "It's going to Solitude, correct? That is rather far it would take at least 3 days."
To travel within three days, not to mention I hadn't said the destination. I almost asked what he was, however I decided against it. The Courier looked just like a normal Nord man. So I chose not to dig deep into the mysterious Courier service.
I kept my eyes on the man though as I left the Mailhouse. With the letter sent I headed toward the docks. However I saw a man that looked just like the Courier leave the Mailhouse and began running toward Riften's gates. The mail service in skyrim was suspicious as hell. I shivered and just marched down the docks.