Chapter 2: A Silver Ring

It has been two days. I haven't seen the red haired thief trying to sneak up on me since that one night. That was the second time someone has made an attempt to steal my mother's necklace from me. He probably learned his lesson that it was a bad idea to try to steal from me, and I guess he'll back off for a while knowing that I'm actually the Dragonborn. I wonder if he does believe that I am.

There were a few rumors going around about the Thieves Guild. It seems like something was going on within the guild itself. I heard someone mention in a conversation the other day that members were going from shop to shop in Riften, asking for payments they actually owe. They said it's been changing in sort of a bad way. I don't know how or why.

I came across this house that was located at the corner of Riften. It even had a gardening area, but there were no crops growing. Though, it seems there wasn't anyone living there. I guess no one has yet to buy the place. It seems like a good place for me to stay for as long I'm not totally bothered or worst, to be found out.

"It's a nice house." That Nord again, his voice is very unforgettable. "I took a tour inside a few days ago, after the family moved out."

He walks close to me to my right and I looked up at him. I'm guessing what he meant by tour he probably broke inside the house and did the tour himself.

"The Jarl of Riften is willing to sell it to someone, unless she gets to know them very well first."

"Why are you bothering me again?" I asked.

"I was thinking of something I can do for you. It took me two days to think hard about it, ever since that night."

I laughed a little. "What are you on about? You must be really upset that I caught you a second time."

"If I were upset, I would have wanted to slit your throat that day. But that's not the way I work in my organization."

"Then what is it you're trying to offer me?"

"It's seems like you're getting short on coin, are you?" He asked me.

"I don't think my wealth is any of your business," I snapped.

He got closer to me. "Oh that's where you're wrong. Wealth is my business. Maybe you should work with me."

"Work with you?" I laughed, gods is he joking with me? "No, you're mistaken. I'm not a thief."

"Of course you are."

Maybe I should be honest. "Well, I have done some sneaky things here and there before, but that's not what I'm all about, you know."

"Are you sure about that, lass?"

I rolled my eyes and avoided contact with his. I could feel him taunting me with this.

"I'll tell you that I'm certainly sure that the Dragonborn is a thief. The Thalmor Embassy, does that ring something to you?"

My jaw drop and I stared back at him. That was about over six months ago. I was smuggled in the Thalmor Embassy when they were hosting a party. I was only doing it for Delphine because she had a theory that the Thalmor knew something about the dragon crisis. Turns out, they weren't involved. I went through Elenwen's office and found out they were looking for another Blades member named Esburn. That's how I found and saved him by getting him out of Riften.

I actually didn't come out of the building empty handed though. I've stolen a few valuables in the safe and other useful things lying around, and I've also killed.

"You've been digging up info on me."

"That's very impressive how you got into that place. A few thieves have tried before, but sadly they didn't make it out alive. The only thing I should let slide was that you've killed a few Thalmor guards, but they needed to be rid from Skyrim anyway."

"I was only trying to protect myself." I said.

"If you join me, you will have more protection, more septims, and even a place to stay."

I paused before I could say anything. I don't think I should really take this offer. It's not that I don't believe him. I actually do, I just don't trust him.

"That's a nice offer, but I rather be on my own."

I read the disappointment expression on the thief's face. "Come on lass, you're trying my patience!"

"That's too bad."

"I'll give you until the day you leave. If you're still interested, come find me in the market. If not, you can go on and leave."

"Why should I trust a man, that is a thief, I recently met?" I asked.

"You'll find out why, if you accept my offer." The thief finally goes off and walks to the market.

3 Days Later…

I don't know why, but I kept thinking about the conversation over and over. The red haired thief had to be serious about the offer he presented me. He gave me until this day to decide.

It was time for me to leave. Alright, maybe it was a bad idea to put down more coins to stay this long, and I also need three meals a day. I'm very low now. I thought maybe there was a chance a bandit could try to attack me on the road, and I can slay him—take his armor and weapons to sell. Or maybe not. I should try something new.

I've finished packing up everything and went outside. I remembered from our last conversation, he told me to meet him in the market place. I wondered through the market place and manage to find a stand that seemed to be no one occupying at the moment. There were four large pink bottles displayed at the side, which made me wonder what kind of healing potions they were. I glared at the description on one of the bottles.

Falmer Blood Elixir. I laughed. This was some kind of joke.

"Glad to see you finally came to your senses." He noticed me behind him right away. Gods, he's clever than I thought. "Ready to make some coin?"

"I'll play your game." I said to him.

I watch the red haired thief's face grew into a smile and this twinkle in his green eyes. I had a smile of my own coming on, but I forced myself to hold it back. Why was that happening?

"I never got your name."

"It's Brynjolf. And yours, lass?"

"Saiyuri." I thought maybe he would stop calling me lass. "So where to start?"

"I have a client that wants someone here to be put out of business permanently." Brynjolf said to me.

"And how are we going to do that?" I asked.

"Simple. I'm going cause a distraction at my stand. You are going to steal a ring from the Argonian, Madesi. He's the one who sells jewelry in his stand. Once you have the ring, planted in the Dunmer, Brand-Shei's pocket. His stand is across from mine."

"We're putting the Dunmer out of business by setting him up?"

"Exactly." Brynjolf smiled. "And one other thing, make sure you're not caught."

"That sounds easy enough." But really, it doesn't seem hard at all. I really didn't care much doing it for the money. I just want to get my foot in the door of this organization and see what it's all about. Maybe even use it to hide from the world a bit longer.

"I'm ready you are, just give the word."

I nodded. "I'm ready."

"Good. Wait until I start the distraction, and then show me what you're made of."

I wondered away from Brynjolf's stand, keeping my distance only to make sure I can see him clearly when I know he's going to begin his distraction.

"I have something amazing to show you that demands your attention!" Brynjolf's voice caught a few people's attention in the market. Their conversations ended and their heads turned to him. "You need to hear this."

I watch the people walk over to him with mixed expressions of frowning and annoyance. It seems like this wasn't the only time he's done a scam, and these people were probably familiar with him very well. Madesi left his stand as he caught the attention. Perfect.

"Come on Brynjolf, what is it this time?" Brand-Shei asked. He sat down on one of the wooden boxes next to his stand.

"Patience, Brand-Shei. This is a rare opportunity , and I wouldn't want you to get left out."

"That's what you said about the Wisp Essence and it turned out to be crushed nirnroot mixed with water," Madesi said.

"That was a simple misunderstanding, but this item is the real thing." Brynjolf picks up one of those pink bottles and held it up to show the people. "Lads and lasses, I give you Falmer Blood Elixir!"

I made sure the guards weren't around first and sneak myself down at Madesi's stand. Good, no one was watching. I took out one picklock of mind and started to work on the small door that was on the bottom.

"Oh come on! Are you talking about the Snow Elves?" Brand-Shei asked.

"The one and only. Mystical beings who lived in legends and were masters of great magic. Imagine the power that coursed through their veins."

I finally got the door open, and the strong box was inside. I worked the lock quickly and manage to open it and took out the silver ring. Brand-Shei was still sitting down where he is, and Madesi was unaware of me. I moved myself over in the back of the crowd, remaining unknown and unseen as I make my way to Brand-Shei's stand and hid behind it. I just need to get a little close to him.

"How did you get that then? No one's seen them in years!" Madesi was probably not following through Brynjolf's so called elixir.

"My sources must remain secret for their own protection but I can promise the contents are genuine."

Genuine huh? I thought.

"One sip of the elixir and your wishes will be granted. Great wealth, everlasting life, or perhaps limitless power could be yours!"

"How much does it cost?" Brand-Shei asked.

"Only twenty spetims each! Hurry before my supply is gone."

I dropped the ring into one of Brand-Shei's pockets. That was just perfect how everything went. I made my way in between the crowd and gave Brynjolf a sign that it's been done. He looked at me with a twinkle in his eyes again.

"Well, I see that my time is up. Come back tomorrow if you wish to buy." Brynjolf called.

During that little time he had, I saw him only sell three of those elixirs. Gods, people really buy shit from him? I can't believe it, he is such a con artist.