It was quiet at first.

Three cloaked men in supple black leather stomped into The Winking Skeever, their equipment wet from rain. The man in the middle made a motion with his hand, and the two men beside him dispersed into other rooms. The man who was once in the middle continued to walk towards Corpulus Vinius, the bartender. He stopped as he reached the bar.

"Hello, and welcome to The Winking Skeever! How may I help-" Corpulus started.

"Save the talk, bartender." The cloaked man growled. "We're looking for a woman, and we're certain she is in this very building."

"Er... yes... who, might I ask, are you looking for?" Corpulus inquired, shaking off the fear that welled inside him.

"Dalyas Alvethan. Dark Elf, short hair, speckled face, gray-blue eyes, black robe, black boots. Wanted for thievery, murder, and Daedric worship." The cloaked man explained as the two other men returned to his sides.

"I think she has come by here today," Corpulus hesitated. "she may be staying upstairs, in the first room."

A pouch of gold was dropped onto the table by the middle man. He nodded his head, turning and going for the stairs with his men. The stairs creaked under him. He stopped at the door that, supposedly, held the Dark Elf.

"Be ready. On my signal." The middle man whispered to his comrades, watching them get into a fighting stance.

He turned to the door, knocking on it. A grunt was heard from the other end, followed by soft footsteps. The man's mouth curved into a smile as the door opened to reveal the Dark Elf he was searching for.

Dalyas' eyes widened. She was about to scream, but was silenced when one of the other men swept up behind her and put a dagger to her neck, holding her arms behind her back.

"Do not kill her," The middle man warned. "she's supposed to be brought back alive. Just ..." He paused. "Keep her hands behind her back and remove the dagger from her throat. We need no more suspicious looks or guards halting us."

Dalyas sighed as the dagger was removed from her throat. She shot a glare at the middle man. "Never thought I'd see you again, Faferth." She growled.

"Save your breath before I take it from you." He shot a glare right back. "Although the bounty offers a higher reward for you being alive, the 'dead' price is not too different." Faferth began walking downstairs, with the men keeping Dalyas under control behind him. They got a few odd looks before they stomped out the door, back to the rain that came down heavily.

It was quiet at last.