I gave one last swing of my sword and sliced through the man's chest. He fell to the floor into a lump, leaving me standing with my chest heaving. I had thought maybe there would be only one or two guys and a few skeevers not this much. It wasn't the fact I couldn't do it, it just got exhausting fighting this many men back to back while trying to find your way through the ratways. When Brynjolf had showed up last night the idea of some stability in my life seemed wonderful. I had gone around from village to village, helping the Jarl's without a second guess. Not to mention the citizens. I always helped them out of the kindness of my heart. I did it because I wanted to but it never truly any promises. I still had yet to gain enough gold to buy breezehome in Whiterun. It wasn't even that long ago I managed to escape Helgen. All my time was sucked up with training for defeating Alduin I wasn't able to get a job or anything.

By the time I pushed through the door I had grown quite irritable. Brynjolf hadn't mentioned it would be this much of a hassle. Then again I suppose it was my fault for assuming this would be easy since he was considering this a 'test'.

I strode across to the bar with the musky air brushing past me. I only spotted a handful of people roaming around, three of those people huddling at the bar. My ears pricked at the conversation as their words bounced off the walls. By the time I got to him I'd be ready to shout at him. Maybe I'd give him a head start. Maybe.
" Bryn just give it up. Accept that you, Mercer and Vex are apart of a dying bread."

" No, this one is different."
I cleared my voice as I walked up to them to let them know I was there. Not that it matter since I heard the whole thing from across the room.
" Well, well, color me impressed lass. I was questioning on if I'd ever see you again." Byrnjolf started as he faced me.

" Getting here was pretty easy." I say as I shot a glare towards him, careful not to let anyone else see.

" Reliable, headstrong and beautiful. You're turning out to be quite the prize."

My shoulders fell and my anger to swept from me. I didn't know where it went but it seemed as if it just dissolved into thin air and I hated it. I was suppose to be angry, not taken back by his words.

" You're turning out to be quite a lass. So . . . now that I've whetted your appetite with our little scheme at the market, how about handling a few deadbeats for me?"

My eyes darted past him for a brief moment and caught the two men look at me curiously.

" Deadbeats? What did they do?" I asked as I looked back at him.

" They own our organization some serious coin and decided not to pay. Explain to them the error of their ways. In all honesty the debt comes second, just get the message across that we aren't to be messed with."

" Who are they?"
Suddenly my working mask was slapped on. My concentration narrowed down the Brynjolf as I took mental notes of everything he told me including who they were and their weakness. I was relieved when he told me not to kill them. I really didn't want to kill anyone who didn't attack me or was innocent. So I turned and walked back out to Riften, thankful I had knocked the draw bridge down on my way up.


" Look, just give me the money. I don't want any harm." I whisper to Keerava. She frowned and continued wiping the counter down.
" No. Tell Brynjolf to get lost."
I sighed. He had told me that she was stubborn, even the guy she was with told me she had become dangerously bold. I had expected something like the other two I had managed to collect from but this was just out of this world.

" Look, we are all are trying to make a living. It's not easy, I know that trust me." I started. She paused and looked at me in curiosity at what I had to say." I really don't want to have to threaten you but it doesn't mean I won't. So please just give me your payment."

She let out a low growl then finally threw a coin bag at me.
" Only because you aren't like the others. I get your message loud and clear, now get out of here."

I didn't waste any time sticking around. I turned and quickly ushered my way out of the tavern and back out onto the streets. When I made my way back through the ratways it was much easier and shorter than the last. I had only been gone for a few hours so luckily Brynjolf was still out where I could find him. It was easy to spot him out of the small crowd with his red hair.

" There's your money." I say as I place the bags down in front of him. He peered up at me then gave me a lopsided grin.

" The job's done and you brought the gold. Best of all, you did it clean. It seems I owe you something in return."
He turned and handed me a few potions. I didn't have the time to look at them, so instead I put them away and decided I'd look at them later. Potions were always helpful so I had no complaints. But if I did have to go through another test I was going to go insane.
" I'd say you've proven yourself. After seeing how you handle your situations we need people in your outfit."
He knew I was already agreeing to join by doing all of this. So either he was rubbing it in my face or trying to hide the fact he came to me nearly begging to join. Ok, he didn't beg, but he did admit he needed me.
" As long as there is money and a good place to sleep, I'm in." I say.
" Good. Follow me and I'll show you how we work, you can ask questions afterwards. I think you'll do more than just fit in around here."

He stood and I followed behind him. In general I was a tall girl but I only came up to his nose. I could only imagine how tall he was. He pushed past some of the doors that led the illusion of only having a storage room behind it. Instead I found another door that led to something I'd never expect. We walked into another room constructed from stone. Walkways met in the center, forming a platform to stand on just above the water and around it beds and chests sat. There were entry ways that led to more rooms, training areas sprinkled about the room. I looked around in awe. The men stopped that were sprawled about only stopped for a moment before continuing on with what they were doing.

" Mercer, this is the one I've been talking about. "
I turned and he met my eyes. Just looking at him made a shiver go down my spine. I should have turned back while I had the chance, I could tell he was trouble just by looking at him. But before I knew it he welcomed me to the guild before turning and disappearing.