**Updated** thanks to Agent 94 and Jack Trader for your honest reviews. I have added extra content to this chapter to elaborate more on the surroundings.
It had been 10 years since her family home had been attacked. She and Elya had escaped to Riften. The elderly maid was able to barter her mothers amulet for a room and food at the inn. Beth couldn't part with the ring and never took it off. She looked down at it, the diamond sparkled in the sunlight.
Shortly after Elya passed away from a debilitating case of Rockjoint, Beth was evicted from her lodging at the inn. Keerava, the Argonian caretaker told her that the last of Beth's credit was used up. "I'm sorry my dear" the scaled woman said "but I have paying customers who need the accommodation."
She had taken to the streets hanging around the market, partaking in any little job she could find to afford food and a bed for the night. As the jobs became scarce, she stole bits to eat from the vendors and barrels that lined the wooden structured homes when no one was looking. She used the barrels to sleep between, to hide away from prying eyes. She lost her softness from her former noble life, causing her clothes to hang off her.
She had many queries about her ring, but this time was met with the sharpness of a knife.
She had just sat down to nibble on a piece of stolen bread when an aged, grubby faced Imperial in ragged clothing waved his dagger at her. "Hand over the ring little girl" he growled, his breath rancid from his rotting teeth.
Beth gagged as she turned her head away, drooping her meal and cradling her hands to her chest. "No, please" she begged. Fear seized her as acidic bile rose into her throat.
Out of the corner of her eye she watched as a man materialized out of a shadow. He stood just over six feet tall. His own auburn wavy hair hanging just past his shoulders, and a large menacing scar slashed down his cheek. He wore soft brown leather armor, his boots stepping soundlessly towards them. Green eyes greeted her as he smiled gently, extending his own dagger towards her assailant.
"The girl said no" he had rasped, gently applying pressure with the sharp blade to the back of the grubby mans neck. The would be robber choked on his own spittle in surprise, dropping his own dagger into Beth's lap.
"I suggest you move along before I drive this into your spine" her taller man growled, adding enough pressure to lightly pierce the Imperials skin. The robber scrambled away, giving up on the hopeful prize as he nearly tripped over his own feet in escape.
Her rescuer bent down to give her a hand up "Are you okay?" He asked, friendly concern in his voice.
Shaken, Beth allowed the man to pull her to her feet. "Yes, thank you."
"My people have been watching you" he said sheathing his dagger. The words sent uneasy chills down her spine.
"You are to rescue me, only to send me to an early grave?" She asked, dread pooled into the pit of her stomach.
The man laughed, shaking his head. "No! My goodness no!" he said mirthfully. He extended his hand "The names Brynjolf." He stepped back, giving her a thorough examination with his eyes. "Have you ever heard of the Thieves Guild?"
One year later
"Get up girl!" Brynjolf said knocking the bottom of Beth's foot with his boot.
"Ugh! Brynolf, can't a girl get some beauty sleep around here?" Beth moaned as she rolled over pulling the blankets over her head. She was tired. Her body sore from the long journey on horseback from Whiterun, just returning from a job a few hours prior.
"Fat chance sweetie" Sapphire said sitting up on the cot across from to her, rubbing the sleep from her own azure colored eyes. Her long, dark blonde hair was messed from slumber.
Sapphire and Beth had become fast friends, surprising the family of thieves. She was usually known as quiet, forever brooding over something and keeping to herself. When Beth first shown up at the Ragged Flagon with Brynjolf, Sapphire had surprised everyone by taking the girl under her wing.
The sounds of the cistern grew louder as Beth's ears became more aware of her surroundings as she woke. The gentle lapping of the water, filling the majority of the cistern. Soft flickering lights throwing dancing shadows from the candles hanging on the wall.
Beth felt the warmth of her blanket being pulled from her. She looked up to see Brynjolf standing at her side, clutching her cover with a serious look on his face. "Not today darlin. Delvin asked to see you."
Beth groaned as she sat up, blinking her eyes to make them cooperate. She pulled a robe from the post of her bed, and wrapped it around her shoulders - the coolness waking her more. She groaned as leaned over to pull on her boots.
"He's in the tavern. As usual" Brynjolf smiled, nodded to Sapphire and walked away.
Gods her muscles ached. The training since she started with the Thieves Guild had taken it's toll, but she was stronger than she ever could have imagined. It still didn't make it any less painful each morning, after tossing and turning night after night; struggling to sleep between her nightmares.
Within the year that she had joined the guild, she gained healthy weight back from the needed nutrition she received from the delicious cooked meals Vekel, the cook and bartender made. Lean muscle hardened her body. She could sneak undetected in and out of any castle with a bag full of loot. Pickpocket anyone of their valuables while in plain sight, and pick the most difficult of locks with ease.
With the help of her newfound family, she also perfected the art of both archery and swordplay. Her short temper was well known, but benefited in her lessons. She became a respected and often feared challenger. With her small five foot frame, she was lightning quick, shocking the unsuspecting bandits that she came across while traveling between jobs.
Sapphire stood up with Beth, standing a few inches taller than her. "Let's see if Vekel has anything for breakfast". The pair made their way across the stone path that bridged across the dark pool in the center of the circular room and into a dimly lit hallway. Turning left at the end, they exited a wardrobe with a false back that had been left open.
A defensive cover, in the case of their hideout being infiltrated by enemies. A door to the left of the false wardrobe, at the end of the hall from the tavern opened into the Warrens. Another section of the Ratways that snaked under the City of Riften. If the guild was to be attacked, the enemies would be drawn to the door without a second glance at a closed wardrobe.
Beth spotted Delvin at a table and sat down across from him. The Breton man had a shaved head, and sparse patchy beard lining his chin. He was in his early fifties and was known as the guilds drunk.
The Tavern was slowly filling with men and women of the thieving family seeking sustenance for their own rumbling bellies.
"Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in." Delvin said, his voice raspy with a clipped accent. "You look like hell"
"Gods I feel it too." Beth sighed taking a sip of hot tea from a mug that Vekel handed her. The bartender was a thin, quiet spoken Nord with sparkling blue eyes. Brown hair touched his shoulders and a mustache lined his top lip. He was a handsome man, always friendly and making sure the members of the guild had plenty to eat and drink.
She sliced a piece of cheese on a plate in the center of the table. Spearing it, she ate with her dagger. Her maid Elya would have had a fit it she was still alive to see her now.
"You know... " Delvin leered. "We could find a nice quiet area. I'll rub down that tight little body of yours - and maybe get to know each other better... Iffn ya know what I mean". His breath sour from the ale he always seemed to be drinking.
"Ugh! No... Thanks but no" Beth interrupted recoiling, her stomach churning at the thought.
"Delvin you old dog, leave the poor girl alone" Vex called from across the room, causing snickers and elbow jabs between the other thieves. The blonde, brown eyed imperial woman was the first to teach Beth about breaking into homes. Which locks were worth picking and which ones to skip. With her slim build, she was able to move fast, squeezing into small dark spaces. She winked at Beth as she took a bite of her breakfast.
Delvin cleared his throat, gaining back her attention. "Look, let's cut to the chase. I have something important of a personal nature that I need handled." Beth looked at Delvin warily as he took a long swallow of Ale, wiping a dribble with the back of his hand.
"I need you to travel to a town called Raven Rock in Solstheim. My brother Glover is the smithy there and is in need of some supplies."
"So what, I'm the errand girl now?" Bethany grumbled getting annoyed.
"Naw, now don't get like that. I'm actually doing you a favor." Delvin leaned forward winking.
Brynjolf sat at the table between them. "Settle down Sweetheart. What Delvin is trying to say is that you need a break."
Delvin nodded. "Get yourself out of town. Get some rest, you've proven yourself to be one of our best members." He took another long draught of Ale. He set his cup down and looked her in the eyes. "You work too hard. We don't want to see one of our most valued thieves dropping dead of exhaustion".
"Okay, so I'm making a delivery - that's it?" She queried slightly put off, but the idea of a rest starting to hold some appeal.
"Well, during your stay I'm hoping you may do some... exploring." He grinned. "I always hear you and Sapphire talking about wanting to get out and experience the world". He leaned back. "So I'm giving you your chance. And...If you come across any rare items, bring them back to me and I'll give you a fair price."
Beth laughed "Of course". The idea of exploring someplace new piqued her interest.
Brynjolf looked at her taking a deep breath, knowing his next bit of advise would be met with resistance. "I know you have done well keeping your own neck safe, but this is another world filled with new dangers. I recommend you hire a mercenary to travel with you after you arrive".
Beth's cheeks slowly turned red with anger. "But you guys just said I'm one of best you have! I know how to defend myself!" She crossed her arms defiantly, staring daggers at the two men.
"Of course! But Solstheim is different than Skyrim." Brynjolf sighed rubbing his head. "We're funding this expedition. If you don't agree to hiring a mercenary protector, we'll just have to find someone else who will."
Beth checked her temper. She couldn't let her pride get in the way of the opportunity being handed to her. "Okay" she nodded.
Delvin nodded to Brynjolf and grinned, surprised they didn't have to argue any longer. "Good! Well that's that. If you leave on this mornings carriage, you should make it to Windhelm by tomorrow evening." he sat back, tilting his cup to his lips draining the last drops of his ale. "Go to the docks and ask for Captain Gjalund Salt-Sage with The Northern Maiden. He will take you on his ship with his supply run. I've already arranged for the passage."
Vekel bent over the table replacing Delvins' empty mug with a fresh ale. "If you're heading to Raven Rock you best be bringing me back some Sujamma, or these heathens will never forgive you," he winked "Talk to Geldis at the Retching Netch, he'll have a room for you".
Beth smiled. "Alright, well I guess I'll go pack". She flipped a coin onto the table, grabbed a hunk of bread and walked out of the tavern biting a piece off.