Vald

Vald is a Nord and an associate of the Thieves Guild in Riften.

Vald previously did jobs for Maven Black-Briar but, during a job in which he was transporting the Quill of Germination across Lake Honrich, he crashed the boat and lost the quill. Since then, he's been in debt to Maven, and worked as a guard, watching over Riftweald Manor, owned by Mercer Frey.

During the quest The Pursuit, the Dragonborn must infiltrate Mercer Frey's house. In doing so, Vald will become hostile and must be killed. However, if the Dragonborn speaks to Maven Black-Briar and asks to have his debt erased, then she will ask the Dragonborn to find the lost Quill of Germination. The quill is locked in a strongbox in the wreckage of Vald's ship in Lake Honrich. Upon returning the quill, Maven will erase Vald's debt. Telling Vald will result in him happily allowing the Dragonborn into Mercer's house before leaving Riften.