THE GUILD
When I joined the Thieves Guild, it was a dark time for me. I was down to my bottom Septim. The streets were dark and the wind was cold. The docks of Riften creaked under my every weary step. A silence ensued as I crept up to the Temple of Mara. I was about to do something I never had wanted to do. I think back on this moment a lot these days, wondering what would have happened to me had I not craftily shuffled the pins around in the temple's lock. What would have happened had I walked away, and let the Nine Divines guide me in a more positive direction? I might never find out.
The ornate carvings of the goddess Mara in the wooden doors seemed to glare at me in disapproval as the doors to the temple spun open. I hastily shuffled inside and dampened the slam of the door as it closed. Darkness provided me the cover I needed from unknown dangers, and my crudely constructed hide boots padded silently along the ancient wooden floors. "A few steps this way… Then crouch. Next move that way… Shoot! Don't step on the donation bowls…" I thought to myself. It felt like a long way to the valuable stone statue that I was going to… "Oh… let's not put it that way…" I argued to myself. I sure didn't want to classify my activity at that moment as trespassing and certainly not as stealing.
The end was near. I could feel the statue radiating power and love as I padded closer in the most perfect form of a "stealth crouch." My ashen hands rose in an anticipatory grasp until a voice startled me.
"Oh! What perfect form you have, for a Dunmer at that!" the voice exclaimed with giddiness. I had the worst feeling that we were going to get discovered. I must have cringed, because the mystery voice noticed and silently removed themselves from the shadows. This man was an Imperial by his short and slim stature, although his face was completely shrouded by a jet black hood and his body had the clothes to match. The designs traced into the enchanted leather seemed to be pulling me towards them with a dangerous force.
"Oh yes… You must be so oblivious to the world around you. That being said, you do look like quite the prospect for my… um… organization."
My eyes widened at this gentleman's words. "I must be oblivious…" I had thought at his derogatory comments. We were going to wake up the priest and priestesses!
"Don't fret, my little pet," he cooed, "Nocturnal has those religious folk in her grasp… For now. But we must hurry, dear. There is little time."
"I need some explaining… Before I am to go with the likes of you!" I explained with what I thought was defiance. The man just chuckled.
"Oh goodness! Your little elf ears quiver when you are agitated! What a piece of work you are! Ha ha! Oh my… Ooh!"
I hated being a Dark Elf. "Dunmer! You are not wanted here!" "Dunmer! Get lost!" "Stay out of trouble, Dark Elf," were all commonly used by the guards who had no respect to the legacy of my race. Dunmer. Dark Elf. No other race had to suffer the entire name calling! I was no fan of anyone that called me that.
"No. Mysterious man, I refuse to leave with you. You have little respect for my abilities. I have little respect for you. So we shall be done," I cried with a sudden spurt of confidence. I swiped the statue and began to sprint down the halls of the temple.
"Hey! That's why I was here too!" the man shouted as he drew an ornate bow resembling that of his cuirass and hood and shot a lovely black arrow that struck the center of my chest. My grip began to loosen and the rows of pews slowly merged into a sheet of pure black. I fought to stay awake, I really did. I even caught a few words the man said. But who was he talking to?
"I think you'll like her," he muttered.