Chapter 1: Into the Ratway

Riften was bustling with activity as Raene walked towards the marketplace at the Grand Plaza. In truth, Riften's a grubby little town with little of interest to a passing traveler. Raene herself had regarded the town with distaste when she first arrived. Taxes were high and crime was rampant in Riften due to the dark presence of the Thieves Guild that lurked in the sewers. However, much has changed in the last few months. The Redguard Dragonborn had decided to end the reign of the Theives Guild by heading down into the Ratway Vaults only to find a broken organization under the unstable leadership of Mercer Frey. Sensing an opportunity to utilize the group of highly-trained pickpockets and lock pickers, Raene joined the Guild and worked her way up to that of Guild Master.

Since then, she had sent her men to regions out of the Rift on major heist and burglary missions where the plunder was more profitable. The Guild was back to its former glory and the people of Riften were starting to forget about their presence due to the lack of break-ins and thievery.

As she crossed a bridge that led to the Plaza, her path met with that of a well-known Nord vigilante. Mjoll the Lioness' war-painted face cracked into a welcoming smile for the Dragonborn. The tall and almost brutish-looking woman was tasked with the protection of Riften and had her hands full with the Thieves Guild when the Dragonborn first arrived in Riften. Now, she eyed the new Guild Master with grudging gratitude for lessening the crime rate in Riften despite being the leader of organization she hated. Mjoll held out her hand and Raene clasped her forearm in a warrior's greeting.

"Hail, Dragonborn. What brings you to Riften?"

"Just a short drop-in with the Guild," Raene smiled at Mjoll's sour reaction at the word. "Making sure everything is operating fine down there."

"If it weren't for what you did for Riften, I would have you dragged to the prison with my own bare hands." Mjoll glared at the other woman only half-meaning her words.

"And you just can't wait to get your hands on me, can you?" Raene winked at the taller woman. Mjoll spluttered and her face flushed. Raene laughed softly and reached out a hand to soothe the woman. "Be at ease, Mjoll. The Guild operates out of Riften. I'll maintain the peace here for your sake and no one else." Another wink and Mjoll flush turned a shade darker.

Raene had a certain effect on men and women and it was not only because of her charm but her strong yet feminine looks. Her skin was of a dark olive hue, fairer then the average Redguard; a trait she got from her mother's side, and her eyes were a light brown; sharp, yet warm and inviting at the same time. She was taller than average and the years spent adventuring had given her the built and grace of a seasoned warrior. She wore her jet black hair slightly past her shoulder with a small braid to one side ending in an ornamental silver casing.

"Mjoll, I got us some venison for-" A young man stopped by Mjoll's side with a wrapped bundle in his hands "Oh..."

Raene nodded her head at Aerin in acknowledgement as the man glanced nervously at his Nord companion. Everyone knows of Aerin's crush on Mjoll as much of his lack of courage to confess his feelings for her despite her living under the same roof as him. Aerin was also aware of Mjoll's interest in the Redguard and was helpless to do nothing more than look and hope that it was just a passing fancy.

"Venison eh, Aerin?" Raene smirked "Mind if I join your two for dinner?"

"Well….uh….we were planning for it to be just…" Aerin looked again at Mjoll for help but the woman just looked back expectantly at him. "We were-" he began again.

Raene laughed and clapped him none too gently on the shoulder, causing the younger man stumble with his bundle. "I kid, young one. I'll find my food and bed at The Bee and Barb and I'll be off tomorrow morning."

"So soon?" Mjoll's surprise and hint of disappointment broke through her stoic demeanor. Raene smiled to herself. Love her or hate her, the warrior enjoyed the presence of the Dragonborn as much as Raene enjoyed hers. "I'm heading back to Whiterun at first light. Duty calls for the Dragonborn. Maybe next time we can relax over some mulled wine and trade warrior tales."

"I'd like that very much." Mjoll said as Raene stepped around the pair and resumed her walk, unaware of Mjoll's eyes following her.

The marketplace was teaming with people both known and unknown to Raene. She drew her hood over her head as she walked. Her status as Guild Master was only known to a select few in Riften and she chose to keep it that way and not everyone knew that she was the fabled Dragonborn. It helps to not draw further attention to herself. She had shed her favored Guild Master armor for a dark cloak over a white cotton shirt and black leggings. Anything that saved her nothing more than a passing glance from the people.

The shopkeepers had their hands full with customers crowding around their wares, smiling indulgently and flourishing their arms to present their best and pricier items to their patrons. Well, everyone except Grelka, a grumpy Nord weapon monger, who scowled at what Raene presumed to be a bargaining customer.

"Look, my good man," the leather-garbed woman began impatiently as Raene drew nearer "I can offer you four hundred septims and nothing lesser than that. The iron to make this armor does not come cheap."

"Three hundred and eighty septims then," the stubborn customer continued without noticing the dangerous glint in the weapon monger's eye.

"Four hundred septims and if you try to bring that price down any lower, I'll pitch you into the canals, you little sod." Grelka said in a dangerously low voice. The Dunmer looked at her in alarm before turning on his heel as if to stalk away. Almost immediately, he turned back and dumped a coin purse onto the wooden table.

"Here, take it," he said, the corner of his lips pulled down "That was two months' worth of pay"

"And it will be put to good use at the tavern," Grelka stowed the purse and tossed the light armor unceremoniously at the Dunmer. "Make sure you oil it once a week."

Grasping his prize, the Dunmer walked off in a huff. Raene took his place as Grelka bent over a drawer in her stall to stow her coins. She straightened up and her face dawned with recognition at the Redguard. "Well, well. The mysterious Redguard returns to this hopeless ramble of a town. Are you going to just stand there or are you going to buy something? I haven't got all day, you know."

"It's more like I have something to sell to you," Raene took out a small satchel and emptied its content onto the table "Ebony ingots." She proclaimed proudly.

Grelka's eyes widen in disbelief as a studied the metal closely, the luster from the two midnight-black ingots emitted a low whistle from the Nord. "How did you come by this?"

"I was poking around an old Dwemer ruin a month back when I came upon these black beauties," Raene ran a long finger along the smooth polished surface of the prized metal. "Someone just left them there, ripe for the taking."

"Why are you selling this to me?" Grelka's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Why not to Balimund? He makes a fortune at that armory of his. I'm just a poor weapon monger…and I don't think I can even afford one of these." She sighed regretfully.

Raene leaned against the counter. "Maybe I felt like you deserve it more than him," she smiled. "Eight hundred septims for them both."

"Just eight...eight hundred? – just you wait a bit," she ducked behind her counter and produced a large purse of gold coins. "Are you Divine-sent, Redguard? Cause you just made my day...No, my entire life!" She laughed loudly but stopped hastily when she drew curious glances from the passersby.

"Stow that carefully now," Raene warned the Nord. "Keep it under your pillow if it's possible. That's some quality material you got there and eyes wander and search at times."

"Don't you worry about me, woman," The Nord clasped her flexed bicep. "I have my ways of dealing with straying hands."

I almost pity anyone who crosses path with that one. Her chin looks strong enough to hammer iron, never mind her fists, Raene thought to herself. She was about to head towards to Guild when her sharp eyes caught a familiar shrouded figure walking among the crowd. Her frowned slightly. What is Vipir up to, now? She followed the master pickpocket from a distance as he passed among people and her frown deepened as she saw Vipir's hand darting into pockets and emerging with coin purses and various other valuables.

Gritting her teeth in anger but to avoid drawing attention to her rebellious Guild member, she tailed Vipir as he headed in the direction of the Guild, his arms hidden under his cloak to hide the assorted jumble of valuables he had relieved from unsuspecting victims. Raene waited until they were in Riften's cemetery when she closed the gap behind Vipir and twisted him arm behind him viciously.

"Vipir the Fleet," she hissed angrily into his pained face "I am of a mind to snap your pesky fingers for disobeying a direct order from me."

"Boss, I…" Vipir scrunched up his face at Raene's grip on his hand "I can't help it, boss. We don't get paid-" he gasped in pain as the Guild Master twisted his hand painfully.

"You get paid bloody well and you know that, you greedy little snake. Now get in there," she growled and pushed Vipir roughly towards the hidden entrance of the Cistern. "I'll deal with you in a bit and don't you bloody well think of leaving till I'm done with you."

Rubbing his sore shoulder and looking miserable, Vipir headed down the stairs and Raene followed after him, her mood fouled.

The chatter in the cistern died down as Vipir emerged, grimacing, still rubbing his arm and shoulder and the Guild Master following close behind, frowning like thunder. Brynjolf –her second in command- noticed her and straightened up from the papers he was studying that were arranged neatly on a desk. Seeing her old friend, Raene cracked a smile. Brynjolf was a middle-aged man but was still in his prime. He's well respected in the Guild for his knowledge and years of experience and is also one of Raene's close confidants to matters regarding the Guild. Karliah was beside him and she smiled warmly at the return of her friend.

Raene crossed the Cistern towards her two friends, giving and receiving greetings from her fellow Guild members. Sapphire -from where she sat with her feet dangling over the murky pool water in the middle of the room- gave a cheeky salute to the Dragonborn and Raene returned the gesture, her mood already warming to the hospitable aura of the Guild.

"Well aren't you a sight for sore eyes, lass" Brynjolf clapped Raene on her back as Karliah shook hands with her. "You've been missed here."

"I just had to drop by to make sure I've not been usurped as Guild Master," Raene took a seat behind the desk. "How have you two been faring? And the Guild?"

The older Nord man glanced at the tiny Dunmer for a brief second and Raene detected a hint of animosity from the latter. "The Guild has been doing well. Money flows in so much that we had to get extra chests just to store 'em all."

Raene nodded appreciatively. The Guild was finally back on its' feet. In fact, they were doing so well financially that Raene was considering an important and possibly risky move. She gestured for her friends to sit down. Vekel, the steward of the Guild, brought over mugs of ale for the leaders and scurried back to his chores.

"This matter has been eating away at me for a bit," she begins, leaning forward and lacing her fingers together. "I'm considering cutting ties with Maven."

She looked expectantly at the two, expecting nothing more than vehement disapproval. Maven had been a valuable patron to the guild for years, after all. However, she was surprised by the thoughtful expressions her two second-in commands showed. Maven had been using her influence over them to carry out her dirty jobs in exchange for protection and gold. The Thieves Guild however are way past depending on her and Raene wanted nothing more than to sever all ties with the bitter and cold woman who's only aim in life was to utilize people to her own benefit.

"She was always a thorn in my side, that Black-Briar." Brynjolf stated.

"She is not as valuable as she presumes she is," Karliah rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "And I've despised that woman from the very first time I set eyes on her."

"You and me both, sister," I nodded at the Dunmer. "So it's settled then. She's out."

My friends nodded in silent agreement. That matter now off her mind, the Guild members turned their talk to a much lighter topic.

"So…" Raene glanced over the rim of her mug at the two seated opposite her. "What's going on between you two?"

Brynjolf choked on his ale and doubled over coughing. Karliah's demure seated posture did not shift, yet spots of red appeared on her cheeks. Raene grinned to herself. Just two lovebirds blundering uncertainly around each other. Karliah eyed the bent over figure with a curl in her lips and turned back to Raene. "We're doing well," she placed her wrapped hands over her knee "If only Brynjolf will start talking less about Guild matters to me when we're in private."

"Lass-" Brynjolf begin.

"And if he'll stop addressing me as a child," Karliah continued as if the Nord had not spoken. "I'm almost as old as he is"

"He calls everyone that –" Raene started until Karliah snapped her eyes on her and she immediately backtracked, turning her attention on Brynjolf. "I mean...you should know better, old man. Be more creative with names, will you? She's the best you will ever get down here."

Brynjolf gave her a strained smile and a deep chuckle. "I'll try my best."

"I'm heading up to The Bee and Barb," Raene got to her feet and drew her cloak around her. "Care to join me?"

"I'm coming with you, lass." Brynjolf all but darted to Raene's side. No doubt to gain more insight on how a woman's mind works and to avoid the awkward situation of being left with Karliah after that particular conversation. Well, trust me old friend, I'm a woman and I've yet to figure them out myself, Raene thought ruefully.

"I'll stay behind," Karliah rose smoothly. "Taverns just don't agree with me. All those debauchery and revelry…"

"Your loss, sister," Raene winked at the disapproving Dunmer and headed out with her arm draped companionably around Brynjolf's shoulder. Vipir the Fleet was sitting on the foot of his bed fiddling his thumbs and eyeing the leaders nervously and as they drew nearer, he sat still as if trying to blend in with the wall behind him. The Dragonborn stopped in front of him and crossed her arms.

"You pull off something like that again and I'll make sure the guards get you this time," she smiled coldly. "You know what the Jarl does to thieves, don't you?"

Vipir the Fleet paled and nodded profusely. "My humblest apologies, boss. Will never happen again, boss."

Raene nodded grimly and headed up to the stairs, Brynjolf following with a questioning look in his eyes. "Anything I should know of, lass?"

"Nahh…nothing worth your time, friend," she patted his shoulder. "Come on, let's try one of Talen-Jei's concoctions. I'm in the mood for something exotic."

Her work here was done for now and it was time for some relaxation. Maybe a barmaid or two to cuddle with tonight after a good conversation with her friend. As far as the Dovahkiin was concerned, life was going smoothly for her and by the Divines, she never intend for it to change.


So that's it people! My first chapter from the Tales of Skyrim. Tune in next week to catch up on Raene the Redguard and what she'll be up to next. Romances and potential love interests coming up, maybe in the next chapter or the following. And please review! It'll make my day, peeps!

~Ayden