As a thief, I am completely incompetent.

As a video game player, I am equally incompetent for not having the foresight to create multiple save slots in the event that something like this happens.

So I get caught in the Imperial Palace while attempting to steal something for the Gray Fox. The game tells me to get the hell outta there, so I do.

I then follow my map, assuming that it is leading me to an alternate method of completing my quest. The fact that it is leading me almost exactly back the way I came in not tipping me off in any way that something was up.

It leads me to Othrelos's front door, wherein the Gray Fox is waiting for his scroll, which I don't have. I enter. Now my map is pointing me outside again! I exit the house. NOW IT'S TELLING ME TO GO BACK INSIDE, UPON DOING WHICH IT THEN POINTS ME BACK OUT THE DOOR.

Despite knowing I was screwed, I still proceeded to do this for about 5 minutes.

Either the game is glitched, or that Gray Fox is one evil bastard.

IT COULD AT LEAST TELL ME I FUCKED UP THE QUEST, CAN'T FINISH IT NOW, AND REMOVE IT FROM MY ACTIVE QUESTS INSTEAD OF TAUNTING ME WITH THE FACT THAT I COMPLETELY FAIL AT OBLIVION.