It was only now that I realized the self-immolation I was preforming. Once we arrived Riften I felt almost stress free. The voice in the back of my mind was still screaming to prepare for the worst outcome. However I could simply ignore my paranoid mind.
I would need it again in time, after all paranoia and planning went together like wine and cheese. Though I don't think I have ever had wine with my cheese. I didn't really drink wine, but thinking about it. It was a money making avenue I hadn't though about.
Viree interrupted my thoughts, "What's your new idea?"
She was getting even better at reading my expressions than actual reading. "Wine production, you see wine changes flavor depending on a few factors. A mineral rich farm is usually one of them. It just so happens I know two locations that would be perfect for the long term investment."
She raised an eyebrow, "Wine? Isn't that heavy monopolized by the east empire trading company?"
I shrugged, "Actually the largest producer of wine is Morrowind. Its mostly due to the crumbly, mineral rich soil. Which in turn was due to the eruption of Red Mountian. The only place as good as Morrowind is Elsweyr which is where the East Empire Trading Company bottles wine."
She made a noise of acknowledgement before shaking her head, "Meh, just not really a fan of wine."
I smirked, "Neither am I really, but it makes good money."
She rolled her eyes, "I'm going to the bee and barb to gather information."
I laughed, "You mean drink."
She smiled, "isn't that one and the same?"
I shrugged, "I got a few errands."
She saluted and wandered forward, she actually did gather information while she was drinking. Which was why it was a hole in my pocket. I slipped down into Riften's understreets and headed toward Elgrim's Elixers.
As soon as I walked in Ingun Black-Briar greeted me. "Vek! Tell me how the poison worked!"
She was behind the counter, "Where's Elgrim?"
She blinked, "Oh, he's on a date with his wife. So It's just me in the shop tonight. That's not important though! The poison! How did it work?"
I smiled, "It worked well, one of the giant's resisted it. However the others were quickly weakened and killed."
Ingun bounced in glee, "and what about the their corpses? Did you see it change shade? Their veins turn black perhaps?"
I shook my head, "Nothing that extreme, giants have thick skin so only the wounds inflicted with the poison were symptomatic."
She frowned, "That's disappointing..."
This was the chance to direct the conversation to where I wanted. "Can't you just send some mercenaries to acquire the body?"
She blinked, "Why would I do that?"
I tilted my head, "So you could dissect the body and see the exact spread of the poison. Was that not clear?"
Her eyes widened like she had an epiphany, "That's brilliant! Normally only necromancers dissect corpses that large though..."
"Who cares? You are a black-briar, compared to your brother, why does it matter if you dissect some corpses? You could just make the excuse of medical studies and studying ailments." She nodded along with my words.
She still held hesitation, "What's up?"
She sighed, "Your idea is smart, and would certainly allow me more freedom. Except the matriarch would never allow that."
I acted confused, "Why?"
Ingun explained, "I'm not the heir, ordering the family mercenaries around isn't something I can do. If I hire my own, grandmother may stop me."
I let out a sigh of relief, she made the next step easy. "Couldn't you just become the heir? Why wouldn't you in the first place? I mean, it just seems the family business and your interests align pretty well. After all alchemy and brewing ale have several similarities."
She blinked, "How so?"
"Well, Alcohol is a toxin, one people buy freely and slowly poison themselves with. The creation of different versions, brews, and flavors are all steps to make people buy more. Combine that with the addictive nature of alcohol..."
She nodded, "You may have a point."
I smiled, "I'm a pretty innovated guy." I still needed one more nail in the head. "Anyway, I just wanted to tell you about the poison. I'm glad we became acquaintances..."
She paused and snapped her attention to me, "Wh-What do you mean? You sound like you aren't going to ever talk to me again?"
I feigned innocence, "Well, I, uh... I mean I live in solitude. My adventures have me journey across skyrim. It's just I don't think..." I let my words trailed off again, letting her reach the conclusion.
"No, I get what you mean. Elgrim's Elixir is in an inconvenient place and if you have business in Riften it would be hard to meet up as friends."
I gave her a smile, "I'll try to keep in touch, after all poisons are just too effective in adventuring. Discussion of discoveries within the field would help me develop my own alchemy skills."
I left out the front door, but as I left I could hear the low whisper of Ingun. "Perhaps I should talk to grandmother after all. This is the third friend I've lost sin-"
Her words were cut off by the door closing. Everything should fall into place, my deal with Maven should be completed within the next day or so. The only time my speechcraft failed me was when someone believed in something greater than the idea I was persuading them on. Subtle persuasion was harder than direct persuasion too.
I sighed, and stretched slightly. It was time to gather up the minions and bring them all to lost prospect mine. When I entered the Bee and Barb I was greeted by a party. Viree waved to me and I walked over. "What's going on?"
She tilted her head to the center of the Inn. "Talen-Jei proposed to Keerava."
That explained them dancing together. All the tables had been moved around and the couple was dancing in the center of the Inn. Several people were smiling or drinking. "Let me guess, free bar?"
She laughed, "Pretty much."
Scanning the Inn I looked for the minions. Illia was talking to Marcurio, it seemed they were talking magic. I flicked my eyes around and I spotted Hajvarr and Ulfr drinking and playing cards with Derkeethus. Too my surprise actually Deepest-Fathoms was with them. Though it didn't look like she was playing.
I frowned though as one person was missing. I opened my quest log and checked the quest relating to Canary. No update, so her missing status wasn't a problem. The last objective was still wait for the legion to act.
I didn't even do much, I didn't like quests like that. I looked at Viree and pointed, "Pass me an Ale."
The Mines could wait a day, I'll be able to confirm my deal with Maven before we leave if I wait a day anyway.
----I'll be missing for a week, so no updates during that time.----