The smoky warmth of the Tavern made up for the bitter, cold wind outside. Jinx hated coming to Bruma: it was too cold and far too long to travel for too little gold, but Gregor was the only fence she had left. All of her contacts were either dead or in an imperial prison. She moved closer to the fire just to erase the cold that still lingered in her clothes. If it was Spring or Summer she could bare the Bruma air, but it was Winter and the winds from Skyrim covered the place in a constant snow. Gregor loved the cold, but Nords loved the cold far more than the Dark Elves. Jinx would rather sit in the fire itself then go back outside for even a moment. Lost in thought, Gregor's strong slap on her shoulder nearly floored her.
"Well, if it isn't my favorite Dark Elf!" His voice matched his stance, large and intimidating, but after years of doing business together Jinx could not be afraid of the harmless man. He would take on a legion of soldiers if he had to, but he would never hurt a fellow thief.
"Gregor, I'm the only Dark Elf you know." Jinx pushed his hand off with one finger before running her hand through her dark hair. "Should we take a seat? My bones are still tired from the traveling." She moved to a table still close to the fire and Gregor accompanied her.
"I'm sure the cold whipped through you like a fall leaf. You need more meat on your bones or you'll never be able to handle the Bruma weather." A bar wench came by to ask what they wanted. They each ordered some mead with soup and bread. Gregor gave her a wink before she shuffled away to prepare their food. She was not a pretty lass, she was most likely the homeliest girl in the tavern, but Gregor loved all Nord women. The most beautiful Breton could dance towards him naked with promises of endless mead and he would still chose that bar wench.
"Come on friend, you can do better than her, can't you?" Jinx nodded in her direction making solid eye contact with Gregor.
"She might not be the finest to look at, but the girl's got a good heart." He paused before turning, saying, "Oh I see how it is. You're starting to get feelings for me, love?" He waggled his eyebrows, making Jinx laugh before continuing, "I'm sorry, but honestly you are a business partner and I could never violate that trust. Plus the red eyes scare me a bit." The wench appeared with mead and bread, saying she needed to add some more meat to the stew before she served it to them. Jinx waited until she was gone before answering.
"You're not the only man to say that ya know! I doubt I will ever find the father of my future brats at this rate!" Her words stung with sarcasm, but she was serious. Cyrodiil was not the place for a dark elf to search for such personal relationships. Well, all elves had problems. Humans were angry at the Thalmor and saw anything with pointed ears as an enemy. Jinx shook her head, trying to clear politics out of her mind to focus on chewing the tough stale bread. "How do you tell the difference between humans? Honestly you all look the same to me. A Breton looks just like Imperial who looks just like a Nord."
Gregor shook his head. Most would be offended only because she was a dark elf and the race was known for looking down on other races, but he knew Jinx long enough to know she was not like the other dark elves. She did not consider race when she looked at people. She only saw coin. A true thief interested in personal gain instead of political struggles. In the capitol, she did not interact with people. She kept mostly to the shadows. No one could remember seeing her, she was just a shadow. What is race to a shadow but a trivial thing? Unfortunately, with the city under such pressure, he knew she could not stay a shadow forever. She would have to adapt to this new world.
"I could tell you what every human's race is in a single glance. We are just as different as the elves." He paused before asking, "Why didn't you include Redguard?"
"Obviously they are different!" Jinx said throwing her hand into the air in frustration. "They are closer in skin to me than you!" Jinx pointed at her dark blue skin just as the woman appeared with their stew. Gregor thanked her with sincerity that even made Jinx feel flushed as she ripped a piece from her bread before dunking it into her stew, savoring the large hunks of meat that clung to it. It had been too long since she had had well cooked meat.
With a full mouth, Gregor said, "You do know there are fair Redguard." Jinx looked up in surprise. He nodded, sharing her surprise. "Yes, some are born so fair you would swear they are Nordic, but it's not common, and they don't fare well in their homeland. They look like Bretons. Even I couldn't tell, to be fair." After that, the only sound exchanged was the slurping and chewing of eating. Normally, Jinx ate with grace and manners, but with Gregor it was expected to eat like an animal, and she liked it. Once they were full and Gregor gave a hearty belch, they started to get down to business. Of course, this meant moving upstairs to a loft that overlooked the tavern. This was where Gregor slept and did business. The tavern owner knew this and never cared what Gregor did, as long as he payed.
Once they were along at their normal table, Jinx removed her pack and placed it on the table, hoping Gregor would find something interesting. The products she brought to him were too conspicuous for merchants to buy, such as jewels and solid gold bars. Jinx was relieved to have the heavy thing off her back, but as Gregor sorted though it shoe could feel his disappointment. It was getting harder to steal good valuables with the soldiers preparing for the next confrontation with the Thalmor. Either there was too much security or not enough goods. She only had a few strands of pearls and rings besides the normal gold bars she lifted from the imperial supply wagons. Gregor took everything out, then went to his desk bringing back a quill and a roll of paper, where he began to do calculations. She already knew it wouldn't be a lot, but the number he handed her was near insulting.
"What the hell, Gregor? You never try to stiff me, what is this shit?!" Jinx threw the paper back at him, hoping to anger him, but he only looked sad.
"Look, times are tough. With so many soldiers moving all over the place it's hard to sell these items at a reasonable price. Shop owners are only willing to buy if they can make triple on it. I didn't even take out a cut for myself." Suddenly Jinx regretted her temper, but she could not back down now.
"What am I supposed to do with that? Buy a shack and settle down? You know I have plans!" Gregor nodded sadly
"Business is hard here. We aren't at full on war so there is no money in this. This country isn't good for dishonest citizens like ourselves." He said while he fiddled with a braid "Do you want the gold or not?"
She sat back down rubbing the bridge of her nose. "You know I do, but take your normal cut when you sell the stuff. Don't do me any favors." Gregor nodded then packed the things back into the bag to store in his room. When he disappeared into the room, Jinx headed downstairs and bought herself a pint of mead from the same server. When the girl handed her the pint, she looked about nervously.
"Are you and Gregor together?"
Jinx almost spit the mead out at such a direct question. "No, of course not. We are good friends, but that is it." Jinx still felt guilty for throwing the paper back into his face so she decided to throw him a bone. "Look, you should go spend some time with him. Tonight." Jinx let the girl put together the rest and went to sit beside the fire again. When the girl headed up to the loft, Jinx allowed herself to think. Cyrodil was crumbling under the pressure of the High elves, and the place was a sinking ship. She knew she needed to bail out or she would be taken down with it, but where would she go? Morrowind was an ashen wasteland and Skyrim was far too cold for her taste, but everywhere else was too far to travel with what little coin she did posses. She sat there until the small hours of the morning, but she was no longer thinking. Instead she just stared at the fire letting her mind wander around the problem. She didn't look up until the creak of the stairs caused her to look up to see the woman leaving the loft, scurrying to the kitchen. The girl looked disheveled but pleased. It took no imagination or wit to figure out what happened, but why waste brain power? Jinx set it in motion.
Jinx stayed in her chair until Gregor came down late morning when the tavern was already starting to fill with life. He found her staring into the fire barely even breathing.
"Whatcha doing there dear? Trying to commune with your Dedra lords?" Jinx shot him a look that screamed bloody murder, causing Gregor to throw up his hands in defense. "Whoa sorry didn't mean to strike a nerve."He took a seat next to her.
"I don't have very much else to do. Thieving is a dying art and the only one I know." She said this to the fire, not wanting to look at Gregor who was concerned for his friend.
"Come on now! I'm about to go sell your things! I'm sure once you have some coin in your pocket you'll cheer right up." He stood up and began walking towards the door when he turned around. She was still sitting in the chair. He shook his head, catching the girl he bedded the night before, "Lass, can you take care of my friend over there? Give her some mead if she starts looking to down and bill it to me." She nodded then went back to her work.
Jinx sat in the same place all day. Occasionally the girl would bring her some drink, or an apple every so often, but she paid her little attention while she took the things. When night fell she snapped out of her stupor to look at the people around her. They were all drunk at this point and she smelt gold. She scanned the crowd until she saw a man dressed in all sorts of lavish furs. He was drinking with a younger woman who was obviously there to steal his money too, but in a more respectable manner such as marriage. Jinx felt the desire to do a bit of fishing. She waited until they were both drunk and about to leave. Once they stepped out of the bar, she counted to her number before standing up, clutching her stomach, and staggering over to the door. She had enough empty mugs around her to play off drunk, but she was very sober. Her goal was set before her and she had a clear enough mind to follow it.
As soon as she was away from the bar, she crouched into the shadows and approached the couple. They walked a dangerous path free of the moons light. Every shadow they passed, they lost another valuable. Soon their pockets were empty and Jinx's were full. For a moment she considered following them back to their home to steal more belongings, but that would be foolish. Losing valuables after a night at the tavern was logical, but a break in was suspicious and she had no intention of spending the next few months in the jail. So she made her way back to the tavern to find her table cleared and Gregor sitting there with supper.
"See, you did find something to entertain yourself. Where did you head off to? Darla said you headed out the door sick and drunk, but I know you better than that." Jinx smiled as she slipped back into the familiar seat.
"I just lifted some coin from a well dressed man and his young lover."
Gregor gave a short laugh. "I know who you're talking about. He is a fool and the girl is too smart for him, but she is foolish as well." He shook his head then slurped down the rest of his supper before nodding to the loft where they both went to exchange coin. The exchange was brief but they stayed up there out of earshot.
"Gregor, I've been thinking about leaving."
"Leaving me? But I thought I was doing everything right!" Jinx laughed, not because of his words, but because she realized how much mead he must have drunk in the time she was gone to reply with such humor.
"No, I meant Cyrodil. I don't want to stay here anymore. I'm tired of being mistaken for a Thalami spy and I am tired of being poor." She took a moment to gauge his reaction. All humor was stripped from his face and he was suddenly very slammed his fist on the table, making Jinx jump back. He was never violent around her. She saw him in one bar fight and that was enough to know she needed to get back, but she looked to his face she only saw happiness and smiles.
"What are we waiting for?" He beamed, "Let's go to Skyrim!"
Jinx shook her head in disbelief. "You want to travel with me?"
"Of course I do! I am an old Nord man and I would like to see my homeland before I cross into Sovenguard!"
"Ugh, I don't want to live in snow and mud. Why there?"
Gregor looked a bit offended by her words but kept going. "Skyrim is not all mud and snow! There are regions just like any other place in the empire. I hear the capitol, Solitude, I think it's called, is where the east trading company is." That made Jinx pay attention. The largest shipping company in the empire was full of goods that fetched a high price. Any thief would be lucky to break into such a place and make off with some riches. Gregor noticed her shift in attention and smiled, "Come on, we can travel together! We just have to cross a few mountains and we will make it!" The promise of new riches and the chance to steal from such a large company made the decision for her. Sure, it would be cold, but Skyrim was the place for them.
Jinx let Gregor do all of the planning when they became serious about moving. He was able to find some maps from the local Nords who still kept in touch with their homeland. He made the plans and Jinx gathered supplies. They did not want to bother buying horses, since they would likely not be able to handle the terrain of Skyrim. Jinx made sure to collect warm furs for herself. As she spent the evening sewing fur cloaks outfitted with pockets, she already began to dread the cold. Though Gregor assured her the entire country was not a frozen wasteland, she could not believe him. Throughout the empire, Skyrim was noted for its unforgiving cold. Besides that, she only heard how uncultured and brutal the natives were. She knew the Nordic people were people of war and honor. Even Gregor stepped outside the traditional thief stereotype by carrying a great sword and wearing heavy steel armor. She could not see herself getting along with these people, let alone dealing with the conditions, but Gregor was able to calm her nerves by assuring her that if she could not deal with the land she could take a short boat ride to Morowind to deal with the ash instead of snow.
The day finally came for them to take their leave. As they headed out the door, Darla approached Gregor, handing him a ring. "I hope you remember me and find time to send a letter sometime." She was looking at the floor when she said this, but Gregor lifted her chin to kiss her forehead before slipping the ring on his small finger. He did not say a word, but he did not have to. The moment was good enough to be silent.
Once he was finished saying his goodbyes They headed out of the tavern, then out of the city towards the mountains to leave the country behind.
It took the two a little more than two weeks to get out of the mountains and finally to flat land. When they reached it, Jinx wanted to fall to her knees and run the rock free dirt through her hands, but it was covered in snow. It was the middle of Frost Fall, so that was to be expected, and even if Jinx hated the cold she was happy to be there. The sun was setting and they could not travel anymore that day, so they wordlessly began to set up camp.
That was how the entire trip had been. Silent. Gregor said very little as he lead his companion through the mountains, but Jinx did not think much of it. She knew they needed to conserve as much energy as possible so she did not try to break the silence, but as they sat around the fire she set with a bit of magic, she looked to him. He was holding the ring the girl gave him, tenderly caressing the cold silver surface. It was too small to keep on his middle finger, but it was on him at all times. Jinx knew better than to interfere with his thoughts, so instead of fishing around for the right words to say, she reached into her pack and pulled out a leather cord she had drifting about in there and threw it over to him. He looked up to her, but she was busy staring into the fire. He took the cord and looped it through the ring before tying it firmly around his neck. When he finished he looked up to see Jinx looking at him from the corner of her eyes and he handed her a bottle of mead from his pack as a sign of thanks. Both too exhausted for emotional nonsense, they crawled into their bedrolls and were asleep before the moon even rose above the treetops to caress them.
Jinx woke from a dreamless sleep as the sun was just beginning to rise. She cursed to herself wishing she could wake up in a nice warm tavern bed late in the afternoon. Instead she woke up surrounded by cold snow and a snoring Nord. She began to pack her things before balling up some snow, tossing it at Gregor. He woke with a roar of irritation, but he was not angry. Instead, he packed up and they finally exchanged words after week of silence,
"Where do we head now?" Jinx's voice cracked after not being used for such a long time and Gregor's was just as rusty.
"Well, I suggest we head to the capitol. Get a good sense of the news and the land." He paused to rub the back of his neck before pulling out a map. Jinx joined him in looking it over. "If we've stayed on course, we should not be too far from a Hold's capitol, Whiterun. It is supposedly about three days walk from these mountains but I am sure we can get there sooner if we go by night as well." As much as Jinx appreciated sleep she would rather lose some to get to civilization sooner.
"The moon is pretty full, so we should be ok to see. Or I could make some torches if you would like?" Gregor nodded and she knew they were done talking. It only took her a few moments to piece together a few torches and tie them to her bag before they began a brisk jog in the direction of whiterun.
The first day was not hard to stay awake. The cold bit at their faces, keeping them alert and focused but when the sun rose the next day they found themselves failing. They began to take more breaks and their pace slowed down. Gregor wanted to keep jogging but he slowed down for Jinx. He was built for the cold, but she was struggling. After another break she stood up from the log she plopped down onto earlier just to fall face first into the snow. Gregor lifted her up and shook her, trying to figure out what was wrong with her. He knew she could stay awake for days if necessary, so he could not understand why she was fainting now. Only when he began to pay attention to his own body did he realize why she fainted. He could not remember the last time they ate. He quickly searched through his bag trying to find some scrap of food but there was none. He checked to see if she was still alive. She was breathing such small breaths, he could barely feel them. They needed to get to a town. She was barely conscious when Gregor pulled out the map looking for the nearest town. They needed to double back a bit but a town called Helgen was very close.
"What happened? Did I fall asleep?" Gregor shook his head then lifted her, throwing her over his shoulder. He expected her to argue, but she said nothing as he jogged towards Helgen.
Jinx woke to see Gregor sitting next to her bed with a plate of food. A pain shot through her reminding her of the hunger that tore her insides apart. She snatched the loaf of bread off the plate and began to wolf it down along with soup and some wine Gregor handed her. Once all of the food was gone Gregor spoke.
"I'm sorry. I did not think about food or anything. I pushed too hard."
Jinx shook her head, not letting him continue, "I didn't say anything so how could you know? Where are we now anyways?" She looked around the dingy room. Obviously an inn, but where?
"There was a town nearby. Helgen. I thought we should stop for some rest and gather some supplies. I'll be downstairs. Meet me there when you feel up to it. There is a pretty girl with some wonderful mead downstairs. " He gave her a wink before leaving her to stand and stretch herself. She wanted to crawl back into the bed and sleep for another day, but the sun was already leaking into her room and she needed to stay focused. She stretched her body until all the tightness of sleep and travel was gone and she felt limber again. She crouched down as if she was sneaking through the shadows focusing on her feet as she moved silently across the room. When she reached the other side she stood, proud of herself for still being able to sneak. After so many days of crashing through the wilderness she needed to make sure she still had her skills. She grabbed her bag and left the room, not bothering to straighten up or even search for valuables the way she normally would.
Downstairs, Gregor was leaned against the bar, talking to a very pretty Nord woman. Together they chatted while sipping on mead. The conversation was so intent Jinx felt embarrassed to watch, but she pushed that aside and walked to the bar. They stopped talking as she reached over, taking his mug of mead and gulping some down. She furrowed her brow then looked to the girl.
"What is that odd taste?"
"Oh, I put Juniper berries in it as well. Do you like it?" Jinx nodded taking another gulp.
Gregor slapped her on the back. "Me and my partner will take a few bottles of that for the road. You stay sweet while I'm gone." The girl blushed then went to grab a few bottles which Gregor paid for before putting them in his pack.
They headed out only to see the town rushing about. "Well that's odd." Gregor looked around, "This place was silent as the grave a few moment ago."
Jinx turned to see a parade of carriages being escorted by imperial solders. Her good sense told her she should turn around and head out of town, but instead both her and Gregor followed them until they came to the center of town. They stayed far enough away that they could barely hear what the soldiers were saying unless it was a yell from a captain or some order. They lined up the carriages and began to take note of who was there. Jinx cringed when she realized what she was seeing. It was an execution. She had seen several in the Imperial City and this was no different.
Gregor leaned closer to her to whisper, "I thought we were away from the imperial army and war. What in Oblivion could this be?" Jinx did not move as they moved to the block. In the time it took him to ask that one man had already lost his head. Jinx did not look away, instead she watched as the headman's axe dripped with blood and they called forth a Nord woman next.
Gregor sighed, "Such a pretty thing to lose her head" He grabbed her arm and tried to pull her away, but just as the headman began to lift his axe a unearthly roar caused him to jump and fumble the thing. Everyone looked around in horror. A man dressed in General's attire gestured for them to continue but once again before the axe could fall on the woman's neck the roar saved her. This time, though, the beast itself swooped in.
Jinx's eyes widened in disbelief at what she was seeing. A black dragon roared to the sky, causing black clouds to roll in accompanied by falling flaming stones. The town was still for a single breath, then everyone began to run. Gregor pulled his great sword out and Jinx pulled out her bow. Thieves were supposed to run, but this was different. Jinx would run from a bandit or a guard, but the entire town was in danger and neither could stand by and watch. She pulled an arrow back, letting it loose, aiming for the dragons head, but the arrow bounced off and fell beneath. Her body went cold as she watched a cloud of arrows bounce off it's hide. Gregor did not move from his spot beside her. They would fight together. From the corner of their eyes they saw the Prisoners run into a town nearby, except for the woman whom life was saved by the dragon. She used the fallen axe to cut off her bindings then lifted the axe, ready to fight. One of her comrades grabbed her and practically drug her to the tower. Jinx then turned her attention back to the dragon. It was roasting soldiers left and right and she realized this was no place for her and Gregor. They both turned and began to run. People were fleeing the town, so some would live. They saw two horses tied to a fence. Someone's loss and their gain. They sprinted to the horses. Jinx pulled out a dagger and cut the ropes that held the horses. The horses were much larger than the horses of Cyrodiil, and she could not find a way to mount them. Gregor practically picked her up and threw her onto the horse before jumping on the others back. He grabbed her horse's reins and kicked his own so they galloped out of the city gates. Jinx was barely able to hold onto her hose and nearly fell off several times. If Gregor did not hold her horse, she was sure there was no way to control the beast. Once she felt somewhat stable, she turned her head to see the dragon leaving the town to fly over the mountains. Even though the dragon was gone, they continued to gallop.
"What are we doing?" She screamed to Gregor, hoping he could hear her over the wind and the sound of screams.
"We aren't stopping until we get the Hold's city. From there we will figure it out."
White Run was a beautiful city, but compared the imperial city everything seemed small. Since fleeing Helgen, they were able to calm down, but they were both still very shaken. Jinx wanted to hold up in a strong city with strong walls, but instead she noticed the crumbling state of their defenses. It was pitiful, but neither said anything as they dismounted their horses at the stable.
They walked up the hill, only to stop when they saw a group of Khajiit camped outside the city. Gregor raised an eyebrow at Jinx and she shrugged. The two walked over to the camp where they greeted by a well dressed Khajiit male,
"Welcome, travelers. May I interest you in our fine wares and goods?"
"No, we were just wondering why you are out here instead of inside the city?" Jinx asked as she looked the group over.
His ears pressed flat to his skull and he shook his head sadly, "Khajiit are not allowed in the city. Nords see us as pickpockets and drug dealers." Jinx sneered in disgust. She always did good business with the cat people and had a bit of fondness for them. Most she met were in fact drug dealers and pickpockets, but they were good drug dealers and pickpockets. They were usually very nice people. Gregor interrupted her thoughts,
"Is it normal for other races to not be allowed in the cities?" He nodded over to Jinx.
"No, no! Just us and the Lizard creatures have problems, but even lizards are allowed into some cities."
"I'm sorry your people are treated like that. It makes no sense. Is there anything we can do?" Jinx asked earnestly but he gestured no.
"The only thing we want is trade. If you want to help us, just trade with us when you get the chance." Jinx nodded and the two walked away. Gregor looked over his shoulder back to the camp. He hoped to do business with them sometimes.
As they approached the gate a guard stopped them. "Halt! The city is closed while the dragon is about."
The travelers looked at each other before jinx turned to the guard, "Can't you smell the smoke, man? We were at Helgen and bring news!"
The guard took a step back. "Oh I'm sorry, yes. Let me open the gate." He unlocked the door then stepped aside.
Once they were out of earshot, Gregor turned to Jinx. "You realize we have to see the Jarl or the guard will get suspicious."
"Are we really going to be here that long?"
He chuckled and shook his head. It was true, he did not plan to stay in the city long enough to even worry about the guards. Gregor looked over to Jinx and even though it was snowing, she was humming to herself smiling. "Why are you so happy?"
She flashed him a grin. "I love cities, that is all. I could never be a farm girl, that is for sure. I need stone and shops." Then she pulled out her coin purse, threw it into the air, then caught it. "Plus, we've been here for only ten minutes and I have already picked two pockets."
Gregor smiled, happy to see his partner was happy with the change of pace. They headed to another inn where he asked the innkeeper the best route to head to Solitude.
"Joining the imperial legion or something?" She asked as she whipped a mug, "Well, the best way to get there is by carriage. It cost about twenty coins each if you want to do that."
Gregor looked to Jinx, who nodded. It sounded good. They ordered some supper and ate it quickly before heading back to the stables. The carriage driver was there, so they both bought their passage, then tied their horses to the carriage.
The carriage was far faster and more comfortable than traveling by themselves would have been. The driver was silent, but he kept them moving on the safest paths and got them there in less than four days.
Upon arriving at Solitude, Gregor whistled at the size of the walls. It screamed capitol city with its strong walls and flags; Whiterun was so small and weak in comparison. Jinx wanted to run into the gates as soon as the carriage stopped, but she kept her cool as they took their horses to a stable and paid the owner to take care of their horses for them.
They walked as calm as could be up the hill and into the city. Several guards stopped them and asked them if they were there to join the army, and every time they said no. Jinx was a bit let down by the amount of imperial soldiers in Skyrim since she left Bruma to get away from the soldiers and now they were everywhere, but these soldiers were not fighting the Thalmor. Apparently there was some civil war going on, but neither of them knew what it was all about. So when they entered the city to see another execution, they were not surprised. They listened to the Captain of the guard ramble about the man on trial opening a gate for someone. Both Gregor and Jinx rolled their eyes together. During war even the most minor offence was considered high treason punishable by death. The two were beginning to bore of executions when Jinx turned her ear to the crowd. There were family members of the prisoner being harassed and other citizens booing the man when he tried to say his last words. Their hostility was a bit frightening to hear.
When the man's head began to roll, the crow disappeared, but Jinx moved forward. She saw a trinket fly from the mans neck and it was small enough that the men clearing up the body would miss. As soon as most cleared away she let her hand dart up onto the stage where she pulled a broken necklace from the gore. Gregor walked over to pull out his water sack where the water cleaned the blood off. He did not understand when the dark elf shoved the trinket in her pocket. Could she not know it was the amulet of Talos? And if she did why would she keep it? But he decided not to ask as she pushed past him and began to walk about the town. He said to her back as she walked away.
"I'll be at the inn, so find me when you're done exploring." Jinx gave a short nod but did not turn around to look at him. Instead, she walked as she watched a bird of prey fly through the sky.