I lived in Cyrodiil, working as a servant in a large manor owned by a high-ranking Imperial family. They often had guests come to stay with them - politicians and other rich people - but there were so many I could never keep track of them all.
They always arrived with an entourage of servants, chests, and gifts that they would offer to the family who would ooh and ahh over such wonderful things. Then my master would pass them to me, telling me loudly to put them in a place of great honor. Instead, I would put them in the junk room, the place where all such gifts went.
I stacked decorative plates onto shelves, dropped silver daggers into chests, piled gems in lockboxes according to type, all the while slowly drawing my fingers over the riches, my eyes shining in envy. How I longed to own such beautiful, precious things!
Over time, I realized that there was so much wealth in this room that my master would not miss anything. I began to slip small things into the folds of my skirts - a garnet here, a few coins there - and hiding them under a loose stone in my small, shabby room. At nights, when I was supposed to be asleep, I would take these things out and line them up, admiring the shiny trinkets in my possession.
As I became better and better at hiding these items on my person, I took to stealing little things from the bedrooms of our guests as well. I always took things that would easily be overlooked - a plain silver ring, a couple of coins - any item that a husband would wave a dismissive hand at if his wife ever asked him if he'd seen it.
As time went on, I became bolder and bolder. I could no longer stop myself. I stole necklaces, sapphire rings, and coin purses. I was a slave to the thief inside me, the one that craved that rush of adrenaline and longed to see if I could continue without getting caught.
And I did get caught, eventually. But not by the person I expected to.
His name was Rynjus Agareth, a large, imposing Nord. He was my master's bodyguard and well-respected by the entire house. He was all the women - and a few of the men - of the manor ever talked about - servants and ladies alike - and even I had to admit that I had never seen a man so massive, with such broad shoulders and chiseled features. He rarely ever spoke but when he did, his deep voice was soft and soothing.
All of the servants gossiped that he and the mistress of the house had a secret history, one that the master may have suspected, but had never spoken of. I did not know if this was something that Rynjus had willingly been a part of, or if he had been seduced by my mistress. Rumors of her exploits - all true - had been legendary.
Regardless, on that day, I had just finished straightening the guest room when I spied a beautiful gold necklace in a bowl on the desk. I checked the doorway. No one was there. I carefully reached in and pulled out the necklace, holding it in the candlelight. My breath caught as I studied the delicate chain and the loops and swirls engraved upon the pendant.
Then I dropped the necklace into the folds of my dress.
I heard someone clear his throat from the doorway. I froze, hoping it was not anyone of note. How quickly I would be sent away if it were!
But when I turned, I saw Rynjus, his enormous body taking up the entire doorway.
"I saw you, Eira," he said calmly.
"Saw me do what?" I asked innocently, surprised that he even knew my name. The necklace laid heavy against my thigh.
"You stole that necklace. Put it back before we both get into trouble."
I stepped toward Rynjus and met his eye. Then I told him quite clearly: "No."
He raised his eyebrows in shock. I do not believe anyone had ever stood up to him before.
"No?"
"If you do not let me pass, I shall tell the master about your affair with his mistress."
I had no idea if this bit of gossip was actually true, but I was relieved to see his body slacken slightly. It seemed like an eternity before he pressed his lips together into a firm line and stepped aside to allow me to leave with my prize.