An unfamiliar smell hung on the air. It was a warm, homely smell – like a stew boiling over a fire. The elf shifted in her sleep. Her face was contorted into a look of agony, but then it gradually faded. Her eyes fluttered open.
She lay in an unfamiliar room. The scent of wood reminded her strongly of Valenwood...but then her thoughts trailed back to her nightmare and she trembled. All of a sudden, she sat up. Where in Oblivion was she? She looked down at herself and saw she was still heavily clad in her tight leather. Her hood was still pulled far over her head, shrouding her face. Good.
Her limbs ached. How long had she been running? She didn't like to think...but then, thinking wasn't something she could do at that moment. Her mind pounded with questions...but there was no one to ask.
The sound of raucous laughter meandered through her ears. Was she in a tavern? The strong odour of mead which followed on the air confirmed that.
Her slight body slid off the bed and stared into the mirror. Yet, it was for nothing; the girl that stared back, hardly visible beneath the hood, was a stranger.
Cautiously, she crept out her room and down the stairs. Even though they were old and worn, she made no noise. Silently, she slid between the crowds that were gathered downstairs, most of whom were shouting rowdily and waving around flagons of ale. She slumped into a seat in front of the bar, where an Argonian female stood wiping a glass, chatting to a customer.
The elf barely contained her gasp. She suddenly knew where she was – Riften! And this...this was the Bee and Barb! Yes! Looking around, she could see familiar faces flash out at her – Mjoll, Aerin, Talen-Jei...
But then she realised that all they saw was a stranger. Just as she did.
"You're awake! I thought I'd have to charge for another night!" The innkeeper, Keerava, exclaimed. The elf blinked slightly, confused.
"How did I get here?" She stammered, glancing over her shoulder nervously.
"I'm...not supposed to say."
The elf could barely suppress a snort. Since when did Keerava, who never failed to stick her scaly nose into everything, not wish to spread gossip? "You mean to say, I was brought here by a complete stranger? Who would do that?"
"Evidently, someone extremely kind and, if I may say, exceedingly handsome." The voice that murmured in her ear was a husky baritone. She nearly leapt out her seat, her heart hammering furiously.
The elf spun round, her eyes settling on a finely-dressed Nord with fiery auburn hair. He gave a small chuckle. "Did I frighten you, lass?"
She exhaled heavily, her pulse steadying. Her gaze locked with his. "You!" She remembered the bright lights that hung over her before all went black...they were his eyes! "Who are you?"
"Actually, lass, I'm more interested in who you are. And why you were practically dead in a forest?"
She evaded his question, shifting in her seat. "How did you find me? Why did you bring me here?"
The man chuckled. "This could go on forever."
"Unless one of us gives in." She gave a sly smirk.
"Not me, lass."
"Lass, again."
"Well, I don't know your real name." The Nord grinned.
"Rie." It wasn't the truth, but it wasn't exactly a lie.
"Rie? What kind of elf is called Rie?"
Rie stretched out her long, thin fingers and traced the dark ring of mead coated on the scrubbed wooden bar, left by a tankard some time before. "You asked me my name."
The Nord laughed. "I'm Brynjolf. It's nice to meet you...Rie."
"Well, Brynjolf...I have to be going." Rie slid off the seat (Brynjolf noticed, with a small smile, that her feet hadn't actually been touching the floor.)
"Actually, lass," He got to his feet and made to grab her arm, but stopped himself and lowered it slowly back to his side "I have a bit of a favour to ask of you..."
Rie gave no reply, but she stood still.
"See, I have a job that needs doing, but I need another pair of hands..."
Rie raised an eyebrow, clearing her throat. Brynjolf's eyes widened. "Not in that way!" He laughed heartily. "No, this is strictly business." He looked her up and down, wondering whether he did mean it another way. But that awful armour and hood hid her real appearance. He didn't really have a thing for elves, though.
Her cheeks flushed fiercely as she noticed his gaze, and she was thankful he couldn't see her face. Slowly and uncertainly, she nodded at him to continue.
"Well...I have a, er, certain score to settle with another merchant."
"You're a merchant?" She interrupted.
"Is that really important?" He noticed her body tense slightly. Clearly, it was to her. "Yes, I am...of a sort. Anyway, he's..." Brynjolf cast a glance around to see whether Keerava was nearby then leant towards Rie "a Dunmer. Goes by the name Brand-Shei."
Again, he got no answer, but he took the silence to indicate she was still listening. He hurried on. "In his stand at the market, an Argonian named Madesi keeps a very valuable ring. I want you to get that ring and then, er...give it to Brand-Shei."
Rie's eyes narrowed. "Anything more that you've conveniently forgotten to tell me?" Her tone was icy.
Brynjolf swallowed hard. "Well...I suppose it would be good just to clarify that the guards may not be too happy about you breaking into Madesi's stall and then slipping a ring into an innocent man's pocket..."
"Oh, no, really? I thought they went around waving banners saying: 'Go ahead and steal, we don't give a skeever's ass!'" She relished slightly in seeing the Nord do a double-take, before composing himself again.
"Well, yes. Listen, it's only a bit of unfriendly competition. You have to do something to get ahead around here. Else you'll end up living in the Warrens. Besides: corruption, lies and deceit is the blood that keeps Riften running. Anyway, you owe me, lass."
Rie drew herself up to her full height, which still only came up to Brynjolf's chin. However, she stepped close enough for him to see her eyes beneath her hood. They blazed and he felt himself recoiling as she seemingly towered over him. "I don't owe you anything. I never asked for you to help me."
She gave him one last, long look of loathing and then stormed off, her head bowed towards the floor. The man stared after her, his eyes huge with shock. What on earth had just happened? One minute, she had been perfectly fine – oddly mute, but still calm. Then, all off a sudden, she had flared up. After a while, a small smile played at the edges of his mouth. She would be a prize for the guild, he was certain. But not a prize for him. He liked her fiery nature, but she was hardly buxom and beautiful, like the women he...invited to his room.