The light from the twin moons of Nirn guided my way; it was my only source of comfort in the dark. I heard a wolf howl in the distance and soft pitter-patter of creature's feet scattering around me as I ran in the too familiar landscape of Skyrim. I had travelled this rout so many times I knew every bump in the road. The scent of lavender filled my nose and even in the dark I knew I was close to Whiterun, the main trading route and city of Skyrim. Whiterun's dungeons felt like home to me; I had spent so many nights in their cells that I now longed for the comfort of its steel arms around my hard mat on its cold floors. It was the closest thing to a home I had ever had.
I was a dark elf, being Elvin brought an unearned hate from most races in Skyrim. I had no family or friends, I had only ever known distain and bitterness from people all over Skyrim, no wonder I had no ties or loyalties, it made it easier for my trade, I was a natural born thief, picking locks and sneaking around came naturally to me. However just because I loved thievery didn't make me successful, at the moment I was currently running over thorns with no shoes and sore, bleeding feet, a very empty belly and an arrow sticking out of my back, the damn thing was in a spot I couldn't reach, with all this I still had a huge, proud smile on my face, I had escaped the last city with a huge coin purse on my side that was jingling with every step I took, it made my spirit soar and kept my stamina up.
Not after long I saw the city's silhouette in the distance. A sigh of relief filled my body. I slowed my pace to a fast walk and noticed my surroundings, I picked some lavender and thistle bush on my way, later I could sneak into an alchemy lab and make myself a good drink later. Tiredness overwhelmed me as I approached the city, a band of travellers had made a camp close to the city's entrance, and it was a band of Kajiit, half feline, half human. I had a small obsession with this race.
"You approach as eef you know us, strangerr. Who are you and what do you want?"Asked the leader of the band, he had a foreign accent and rolled his rs, making him sound as if he was purring.
"A warm meal and a good trade." I said leaving my coin purse in plain sight.
He regarded me with intelligent eyes, searching me to see if I was a waste of time.
"Of course, seet down" He said not missing an opportunity. "Any travellerr is welcome." This was a magnificent Kajiit, his fur was long and smooth, you could tell he was wealthy. It made me twitch with excitement looking at his wooden chests, wondering what treasures were inside.
"What do you have for sale?" I asked.
"Take a look." He offered showing me to his items laid over a beautifully handmade carpet. Just looking at the items I knew I couldn't afford them. They were weapons from all over Skyrim, most shone with enchantments. There were shields and horned helmets; my eyes grew as I looked over all the items, I knew I only had one hundred gold coins in my newly attained coin purse and I needed to spend it wisely, I couldn't get into too much trouble in Whiterun as I was starting to get a reputation in other cities and was becoming unwelcomed just about everywhere, I was beginning to forget which cities I had a bounty in. My eyes were drawn back towards a one handed blade that looked like it had some kind of fire enchantment on it; it was beautifully crafted orcish steel. It had a price of four hundred and forty five gold coins, my heart ached. The Kaatjii handed me a bowl of fish stew,
"Come acrross anything eenterresting in yourr trravels frriend?" He asked me. I smiled at the 'friend' reference, I felt comfortable with lycanthropes, half human half animals as they were also outcasts in Skyrim, suffering from the same racial abuse.
"Just a lot of rumours." I took my attention away from the Kaajtji's items, to the right of his tent his companions were seated around a fire warming up, the Kajiit didn't seem too interested in a trade, and he must have sized me up as a small fish. "Everyone is saying the dragons are back, there have been a couple sightings up near Solitude." The Kajiit nodded, sitting down on the rug with crossed legs, I sat down next to him eating my stew between words, I couldn't remember the last time I had a good solid meal, I had eaten the last of my old goat's cheese two days ago.
"Yes, I have hearrd these rroumorrs too." I couldn't sense the least bit of fear in his voice, when most people spoke about the rumoured dragons appearing there was usually fear streaked across their faces or they would start preying to Stendarr the god of Mercy and justice.
"You are not afraid of dragons?" I asked him, he was stuffing a pipe with fresh tobacco, he shrugged.
"Where most see dangerr, I just see opporrtunity." He lit his pipe and a great cloud of smoke bellowed around him. "Some tabac?" He offered his pipe to me. I smiled and took it, to me this was a sign of familiarity, and I didn't want to decline his offer of comradeship. I inhaled, warm smoke filling my lungs, I coughed out the rest. The Kajiit chuckled, his smile reaching his eyes,
"My name is Ri'saad friend." I smiled passing Ri'saad's pipe.
"My name is Sarafine." I said to him.
"You don't seem too afrraid of the dragons rreturn yourrself." Ri'saad leaned over and pulled out the arrow that was still sticking out of my back. "You seem like one that enjoys dangerr."
I smiled. "The more people are looking up at the sky, the less they will be looking down at their purses." I said instantly regretting my loss of control, I was not watching what I was saying, I started to wonder to Ri'saads aim was to offer me a false sense of friendship to get more information from me and I didn't want him to refuse selling to me if he knew I was a thief. He didn't seem to lose any trust or interest in me after my remark.
"Aaah." He chuckled. "I knew I liked something in you. We are of the same, finding opportunity in all things." He chuckled louder, even though nothing was funny, his joy was infectious and our chuckles filled the night's air.
I awoke to strange words burning me ears. It was an ancient language; it felt as if it was filling me up with power. My eyes shot open, I was inside Ri'saad's tent, and he was lying curled up next to me, purring contently in his sleep. I stood up, this strange feeling had nothing to do with the tabac I had last night, however it filled me with the same euphoria. I stumbled out the tent, my vision was bubble and my brain was fuzzy, I felt as if I could understand the strange words but I just couldn't make them out, the words were power. I looked around, there was no one around, I looked at my hands, they felt stronger, my skin prickled as if I had scales forming. The voice echoed in my ears bringing me to my knees, whoever or whatever it was, it was close.
The feeling passed and I breathed in the early morning icy fresh air. The moon was setting over Skyrim and dew covered the shrubbery. I felt renewed and energetic, ready for the warm embrace of my favourite city. But I couldn't resist the nagging thought at the back of my mind. Even after Ri'saad opened his hearth up for me and shared a meal, the thought of that enchanted blade wouldn't leave me alone, I had no use for it of course, a lowly pickpocket like me would only be tied down with a huge blade to lug around, but to own something that magnificent teased me. I made up my mind.
I snuck back into Ri'saads tent, his comrades were fast asleep by the fire place outside, the female Kajiit I had seen last night in armour, obviously a guard of sorts must be out hunting, I saw my opportunity and took it, how could Ri'saad be upset with me if it was something he had admired about me last night? besides, I had lived by one rule and one rule only, not to form any bonds or loyalties.
The wooden chest I saw they put the sword in was not far from the entrance, I took out my lock picks, if there was one skill I was proud of it was my lock picking ability. In no time at all the chest was open and the sword glowed, filling my heart with excitement. I grabbed it; it was heavier than I thought. I tip toed out of the tent and slowly started to make my way to the city, so casual with what I had done I was in no panic to get away.