It was morning in the city of Riften, with few to no people walking down the streets. Unless they were working their stands or standing guard, no one was out. It was still too early for anyone to be ready to trade away what money they had for jewels, or in Brynjolf's case, fake miracle potions. Yes, it was too early indeed.

This was why the sight of a stranger had claimed his attention for a long time now; for the reason of the early hour and the fact that they didn't get very many visitors here in Riften. Sure, they got the average trader here and there, but this kind of stranger didn't wander into town.

It was a lass, he could tell that much by the way the light leather armor clung to her body. Sure, he'd noticed it because he was a charmer, but at least it was giving him a hint as to who this woman could be. She was of average height, maybe half a foot shorter than Brynjolf if he had to guess, with a small chest and a slender waist. He'd taken the time to admire her body.

However, he couldn't see her face for two reasons. One, because she had a hood pulled over her head and a mask across her mouth, and two, because she was keeping her thin form tight to the shadows. He almost hadn't spotted her, but he had very sharp eyes, being a part of the Thieves' Guild and all, however if it had been night, he might have missed her completely.

So as he waited for the very gullible citizens, he watched the unknown woman with fascination. Her walk was almost like that of a saber cat, the way she was stalking around and watching the few people go by. If he hadn't seen the bow on her back, he would have thought her to be an assassin. Assassins just didn't go around in plain sight to kill someone with a bow.

Before Bryn had time to questions again what she was doing in Riften, said woman slid up next to him. She was standing in his personal area, right by his side, and not in front of him. No one would know she was talking to him unless they heard her speaking.

"You've been watching me for some time now," she said lowly. Her voice was a little rough, which was surprising because he was suspecting a touch of honey from her throat.

"We don't get many strangers here lass, I'm sorry if you pulled my interest."

There was a slight uplift in the woman's mask and Brynjolf could only guess she was smirking at him. He gave her a charming side smile to show her that he wasn't a threat.

"I'll take your apology if you'll give me some information."

Brynjolf barked out a laugh that caught the attention of the traders and the people that were starting to come out of their homes. Breaking the illusion that they didn't know each other, the red haired Nord turned to face the smaller woman. Looking into her shadowed eyes, he saw that they were a very deep blue.

"Information, huh? I'm sorry lass, but I don't give out information for free. However, if you do a little job for me, I'd be inclined to tell you anything you want to know."

"A job, huh? As long as it's simple, I think I can do it for you."

Brynjolf grinned at her with his handsome smile. "Great, because I really need that other pair of hands. I'm going to distract the crowd with my new miracle potion. What I need you to do is steal the ring out of that man's strong box," he explained, pointing to an Argonian man's stall, "and plant the ring on that elf over there."

"That's it?" the mysterious woman questioned, her eyebrows cocked in questioned. Brynjolf stopped the grin that wanted to break out on his face.

"That's all, if you think you can pull it off lass."

"You just start weaving those magic words and I'll do as you ask," she said before turning to walk away. He watched her hips sway for a moment before he cleared his throat to call everyone's attention.

"Great people of Riften, would you all grant me your attention for a few moments?"

"What 'miracle potion' do you have for the people this time Bryn? More sewer water and wheat?" Madesi sighed, though it came out as a hiss. Brynjolf just gave him his infamous smile and waved him over.

"Come here and I'll tell you exactly what it does!"

He soon had the attention of every possible threat to the woman, even the few guards that were walking around the merchandise stalls. His eyes flicked over to Madesi's stall, which was empty, but if he looked close enough he could tell there was an unwanted shadow added to that of the cart. He smirked and kept talking. He didn't know how long she needed, so he described the bogus potion in very detailed manner.

He was just getting into the effects of the potion and how much it cost when he saw the woman weaving through the crowd then leave it. To the people that had watched her, it was almost like she had taken the difficult path through them all for no reason. However, Brand-Shei was in the middle of that group.

The red haired Nord finished his speech as quickly as he could, collecting a good amount of gold from the desperate and gullible people of Riften, then searched around for his little partner in crime. He felt something behind him and turned to see her walking up, her hands folded in front of her like she was an innocent little girl.

"I do hope the job was completed," he questioned, turning his head to the side. She scoffed and rolled her dark blue eyes.

"Just watch."

They both stood to watch as the Riften guards were called by Madesi and sent over to Brand-Shei. He was completely oblivious to how the ring had ended up in his pocket, but the guards were having none of it. The elf was taken to the jail cell still kicking and protesting.

"You did it lass! And quite amazingly, I might add. You deserve your half of the coin."

The woman caught the coin purse that he threw with one hand, putting it into one of the pockets she had in her leather armor while the handsome man continued on.

"If I do say so myself, you'd be good material for a guild of mine. One I'm sure you've heard of—"

"The Thieves Guild," she said shortly, cutting him off. He smirked; so she had heard of him.

"That it is lass. Tell you what, if you can make it to the Ragged Flagon tonight, I'll grant you a spot with us."

"If I can make it?" she asked curiously.

"There are some pretty rotten things to fight off to get there; I say 'if' so you know how dangerous it is."

"I accept your challenge," the woman said.

"Excellent! Then I will hopefully see you there…"

"Maeva," the dark clad woman replied.

"Then I will see you in the Ragged Flagon Maeva. Now, what information did you need from me?"

The large man could almost feel her smirk against his skin as she started to back up slowly. "You've already given me everything I needed, Brynjolf. I'll see you and your kin in the Ragged Flagon."

Brynjolf watched her walk away, feeling flabbergasted. The lass had known who he was the entire time? And if so, did that mean she knew who he had belonged to previously? That little devil. The Nord chuckled to himself, shaking his head and went back to his stall to sell more potions.