CHAPTER TWO
She woke up to the smell of freshly baked sweet rolls drifting up from the kitchen. Aside from the mistake she made at the gate last night everything had gone without a hitch. Getting up slowly, she quickly made for the wash basin on the other side of the room and pouring fresh water from a gilded jug, washed her hands and face before walking over to the wardrobe.
Most of today was going to be devoted to amassing information about Riften and its inhabitants while getting into character. If she was to successfully complete Kodlak's mission, she had to look the part; had to be the part. Picking out a deep blue dress, a pair of soft black boots and a brown leather belt she sat herself in front of the mirror and set about developing her 'look'. Though the preliminary character had been created on the journey, today was the day of first impressions- and they had to be the right ones. She set to work using an array of brushes and jars to sculpt, define, exaggerate and hide. As her hands did the work, she let her mind focus on the imminent task: charm; gain trust; infiltrate; acquire; return home. Since joining the Companions she had grown to rely on the simple honesty of armed combat- you lived and died based on your skill and on the people watching your back. In this game, there were no lookouts. No warnings. No protection. In this game, you lived or died based on your ability to lie well and run fast. Carefully placing everything back into her travel bag, she headed down the stairs for breakfast.
"What can I get you?" Kareeva grunted as she approached.
"Something to eat would be good."She offered the Argonian a tentative smile that was met with a frown. Practice, she thought, practice.
Tearing a bit of the sweet-roll the bartender had placed in front of her she re-examined the layout of the pub, noting the height and width of the beams; the shape of the door-frame; the arrangement of the floor boards. Noticing the Nord couple she had spotted last night, she smiled as the woman waved her to approach them.
"You are a stranger here too, eh? I'm Mjoll- and this is Aerin..." she smiled fondly "The man who saved my life. Why don't you join us?"
"I'm Eija" she said offering her hand to both in turn. "I arrived in Riften yesterday."
Mjoll eyed her curiously. "What brought you here?"
Eija smiled, choosing her next words carefully. "Curiosity?"
"Nothing curious about Riften" Aerin spat. "It's draining the life out of Mjoll! Riften gets to her noble spirit, its rot seeping in deeper every day."
"I'm not a baby Aerin! But he is right- I have been trying to...make a difference..."
They spent the rest of the morning discussing the city and its chief problems- Maven Black Briar; The Thieves Guild and the seemingly endless supply of skooma.
Leaving the pub shortly after lunch, Eija headed to the market, reflecting on what had just happened. The beauty of a disguise lay in the certainty of the one that wore it. A great pretender had to blend in, had to forget themselves. Characters could be worn like garments, people played like pawns while emotions lay closed away in a safe place. Otherwise, things had a knack of unravelling too quickly, too dangerously.
She wandered around the stands taking notice of the guard's rotation, the distance between the neighbouring roofs and the disposition of the vendors themselves. She had to tread carefully if she was to return to Riften after this was done.
"Land-strider! I trust your stay at the inn was pleasant?"
She grinned. "Better than sleeping in a bed roll! See you later, Madesi!"
"Eija!" he called out after her "Will you be at the Bee and Bard tonight?"
"Depends" she grinned and walked away.
"That was cruel lass!" a soft voice whispered behind her.
She turned around slowly finding herself eye to eye with a well dressed, red haired Nord. His blue eyes sparkled with amusement as he beckoned her to join him on one of numerous benches surrounding the market place.
"You must be new to Riften! I would never forget such a face."
She blushed, and giggling, waving the comment away. "You flatter me."
He grinned. "Never done an honest day's work in your life, have you lass?"
"Define an honest day's work." she laughed.
"Ah my dear, I am afraid that is beyond me." He leaned back, enjoying the rare winter rays of sunshine.
Lowering her eyes, her brain working furiously. This had to be it. His clothes were fine but well worn and had been taken in recently; his smile warm but worn- his eyes too well meaning. This was the charisma one reached through careful honing and a string of ill luck.
"How would you like to make some coin?" he asked and she noted the smallest hint of desperation trying to break through the upbeat tone before it was caught and mercilessly crushed.
"What did you have in mind?"
"It is a simple reverse pick pocket task. You need to acquire a silver ring from Madesi's strong box, situated underneath his stand, then slip it into Band Shei's pocket." He nodded towards the dark elf. "You look like you have the experience ten times over."
He was playing her. And he was good at it. She eyed him curiously before lowering her eyes again. "And what makes you think I would do it?"
"Because it is in your blood, lass. Wait until I cause a distraction, then show me what you've got."
Her secret of going unnoticed in a crowd was to be noticed by the individuals within it. As the blue eyed Nord began his play, she flashed a smile at a passing guard before letting out a small scream and throwing herself on the ground.
"What's wrong miss?" said a concerned voice behind her.
"I dropped my mistresses garnet ring and she will never forgive me! Please, will you help me?" He bent down and began scouring the ground.
"Where did you drop it miss?"
"Around here somewhere...I was walking and..." Her eyes began to water.
"Why don't you go and sit by that stand miss? I will find it for you."
"Thank you!" She brushed away a tear and smiled weakly. "Divines bless your kind heart."
With the guard preoccupied and the crowd distracted she slipped behind Madesi's stall and picking open the strong box, took out the silver ring just in time for the return of the now triumphant guard.
"I found it miss! It was hiding just underneath Grelka's stall."
Fondly touching his arm and firmly clutching the ring she smiled her thanks, noting the light shiver going up his back. Back in the crowd, she slipped the ring into Band-Shei's pocket while the elf was distractedly slating the concoction her Nord was soulfully promoting.
"A job well done lass." She could sense the sense of relief emanating from him now. "Walk with me."
They set off past the river until they reached a pleasant looking garden. Leaning against the wall he pulled out a hefty purse.
"Here is your cut. If you are interested in joining my...outfit... you can find me in the Ragged Flaggon. Ask for Brinjolf." He flashed her a smile as he walked away. "I will see you around lass."
