Promises to Keep

Black-Briar Entanglements

If you’re ever resting your weary bones in the Bee and Barb public house in the township of Riften, you may wish to strike up a conversation with one of the patrons, Louis Letrush. He usually beckons you over for a quiet talk. He needs someone to deliver a message to Sibbi Black-Briar. He explains that he recently purchased a fine Thoroughbred horse named Frost and paid Sibbi half of the cost up front. Unfortunately for Louis, Maven (Sibbi’s mother) had him placed in the jail for other crimes (that Louis has no idea of), and the Black-Briars believe this debt to be nullified. You’re to speak to Sibbi, then bring Frost and the lineage papers back to Letrush.

Head out of the Bee and Barb, across to Mistveil Keep, and to the door to one side, which leads to the jail directly underneath the Keep. At this point, a guard stops you. You can:

• (Persuade) Request that you’re let in to see Sibbi.
• (Bribe) Offer a little coin for the guard to look the other way as you enter the jail.
• Or descend the steps and open the door (Hard) that leads to the jail’s upper floor. You risk the guard raising the alarm, increasing your Crime.

Move along to the cells on the upper level, where Sibbi is being held. Speak to the lad, and it becomes increasingly clear that Sibbi didn’t own the horse in the first place: In fact, the horse belongs to the family, and it is staying at the Black-Briar Lodge, as far as Maven is concerned. However, as far as Sibbi is concerned, he’ll pay you the other half of Letrush’s payment if you’ll steal the horse and return it to Letrush. You can:

• Agree to this.
• (Persuade) Tell Sibbi that Maven would likely pay even more for the information he just revealed.
• Or tell Sibbi that Letrush already agreed to a payment (which isn’t an optimal plan—you want to gain as much coin as possible from these two!).

If your Persuasion works, Sibbi tells you of a hidden stash inside the lodge that could be yours if you can find it. He gives you the Stash Key to open it.

• Sibbi’s Stash Key

Stealing the Stallion

Journey to Black-Briar Lodge and scout the perimeter. It has obviously been constructed with defense in mind. It is all but inaccessible from the north, so approach from the south or western sides. There are three structures in this compound: a tower, the main building, and the stables where Frost is waiting. Expect one or two Black-Briar Mercenaries to be guarding either side of the main building. Utilize your sneaking talents or your combat prowess to navigate past these enemies who attack unwanted visitors on sight. Loot or pickpocket a key to the Black-Briar lodge from any guard, or pick an entrance to open:

• (Lockpick [Novice]) The door on the lodge’s northern side can be picked.
• (Lockpick [Adept]) As can the (more difficult) door on the southern side, one floor below.
• (Lockpick [Expert]) Or you can enter via the side door in the western wall, which is expertly sealed.
• Key to Black-Briar Lodge

Prepare to sneak or pummel your way through the lodge premises, as there are at least six Black-Briar Mercenaries on guard in this structure. Your infiltration leads to two separate locations, usually via the large central great room with a banquet table and a large fireplace. However, if you entered via the southern door, you appear in the cellar area, where you find both the Lineage Papers (hidden inside an end table) and the Lodge Stash (hidden inside the strongbox, which is otherwise extremely difficult [Master] to unlock).

• Frost’s Lineage Papers
• Gold pieces (Leveled)

Quest Conclusion

Now for a spot of horse rustling! Simply exit the lodge (via any of the exits, assuming you can pick the locks), and search for the stallion close to the stables on the lodge’s south side. Mount Frost and ride him (usually northwest) into the forest where Louis Letrush is waiting. If you somehow lose Frost (but the horse is still alive), return to the stables where you’ll find him again (and more mercenaries). When you greet Letrush, you have the following options:

• You can request your payment.
• (Persuade) You can mention you’ll go to Maven unless you leave here with the horse, too.
• (Intimidate) You can inform him that if he were dead, you could keep the horse.
• You can kill him, taking the money from his corpse, although he’s a tough man to bring down.
• Or you can simply ride off with the horse.
• Frost
• Gold pieces (Leveled)

Postquest Activities

If you’ve ridden off on Frost without speaking to Letrush, the quest doesn’t close, and the horse heads back to the lodge after you dismount. Frost can’t be sold. If you persuade Letrush and take the horse, expect a thug to be sent to rough you up (this happens as a World Encounter). Finally, if you inform Maven now, the quest is over and if Letrush is still alive, you may find him on the road shortly afterward (this happens as a World Encounter), killed by one of Maven’s men.