ontinue North West from here." Claire said, giving me a knapsack, "You'll hit Whiterun in about four days, tops."
"You aren't coming with me?" I asked, flinging the sack onto my back. We had reached our checkpoint, Riverwood, and apparently it was time for us to part ways.
"I have other business I need to attend to," she put a hand on my shoulder, "Its dangerous out there, so be careful," she waved and started walking, "Say hi to Farkus for me!" She turned and jogged out of the small town.
Night started to fall, and I decided that it would be better to stay at an inn.
"That'll be 10 gold." said the women at the Sleeping Giant Inn. I handed her the money, given to me by Claire, and sleepily wobbled over to my room. I shut the door behind me, slid the lock into place, then passed out cold on the bed.
My dream that night startled me. I was running away from something, something large. I wanted to keep running, but a wall of fire stopped me in my tracks. I turned around, frightened. A large dragon landed before me.
"You shall not escape Dovahkiin." he spoke, then ended the phrase with more words in a different language. I had no clue what he was saying. What was a Dovahkiin? I tried to use my ability on him, but failed, I went to draw my sword, but there was none. All I could do was cower in fear as he finished me off.
I shot straight up, my breathing heavy, my eyes wide open.
Just a dream, all just a dream. I told myself, wiping my long, sweat drenched hair from my face. It was the crack of dawn and I had already given up on the idea of going back to sleep. I don't remember taking off my armor, but I saw it was scattered all over the floor. I pulled the slightly too big boots over my feet, the chest armor over my head, and wedged my hands into the tight gauntlets.
Not wanting to disturb anyone, I sneaked out of the inn and went North west to Whiterun.
I ended up walking until midnight, snacking on the morsels found in my sack. I slept under a large, flat rock, and repeated the process for several days. My feet hurt and I was overjoyed to see the tip of the humongous castle come into view. Little did I know that the end of my walk would be the beginning of my troubles.
Dusk was breaking and night started to roll in, not wanting to wait any longer, I kept walking.
Ahooooooooooooooooo. Wolves, that's not a good sign. I put my weapon in my hand for comfort. I rubbed my ax's wood handle to keep myself calm. I paused my step, the wolf noises stopped, maybe I was just imagining it. Right as I thought I was safe and knife was to my back.
"Give me all your belongings." purred the voice of a Khajiit, keeping my body stiff, I lowered my ax to the ground. The cat woman circled around me, her knife still up, and looked at my ax.
As she bent to pick it up, I kicked her in the ribs, knocking the wind out of her.
"Ack!" she yelled holding her side. I swiped my ax from the ground. She recovered quick and attacked my arm with her dagger. A thin line of blood trickled down my arm, she went to cut me again. I slid to the side, Khajiit were quick, but I was trained to be the quickest. With several swings of my arm, I chopped her back in several places, breaking her spine and killing her. Ironically, I took her belongings and ran away from the scene.
"Happy I got out of that twist." I said to myself, counting my gold. I only had 50 or so, even with my new found money. I closed the money pouch and approached the front gate of Whiterun.
"Halt! Who goes there!" Shouted an imperial soldier from the wall.
"Just a traveler!" I yelled back, he gave me queer look.
"Proceed to the guards ahead!" He watched my as I walked up the hill to the front gate.
"Now what do we have here." said an imperial standing in front of the main gate.
"I am Victoria Scarletblood and I have been sent here by a Companion." I raised my hand to show I was friendly, even though I wasn't fond of the imperials.
"We'll have to confiscate that armor and your ax." he said, eyeing my weapon. I ended up unarmed and in a commoners' dress, but at least they let me come in. I didn't like this potato sack of an outfit, it made me feel weak and poor. They also took all of my belongings but left me my sack, 10 gold, and a sweet roll. What gentlemen. I observed the town as I followed the guard's instructions to the Companions' base. The townsfolk looked at me as I walked by. I'm not sure if they were more surprised that I was not a slave like most wood elves, or if I was just a new face. Maybe they saw my clan markings on my cheek.
"Excuse me Ms., but can you spare a gold?" a girl in tattered clothing spoke to me. I bent over to meet eyes with her.
"Of course." I said, giving her one of my ten coins. I might kill people, but I am not an awful person. She thanked me with all her heart and ran off. I felt good doing my good deed for the day.
The Companions' base was larger than I expected. I didn't know whether to knock or not, so I just let myself in. I walked in slowly and closed the door behind me. Several sets of eyes glared at me.
"Are you lost?" said a women with red hair and a bow on her back.
"Is this the Companions?" I asked, she confirmed my question.
"Claire sent me." I said, her face softened.
"Oh, I'm sorry for being so rude, I'm Aela." she introduced me to the rest and I introduced myself back. A moment later I was sitting around the table with them, telling them about Helgen.
"A real dragon!?" exclaimed Vilkas
"Yes, really." I replied, "Claire helped me escape and told me to come here."
"Well you're welcome to stay as long as you would like." said Aela. I thanked them for their hospitality.
Time went at a steady pace from then on. They gave me my own room, and a week later I was a member.
"Now that you are a member," Ria said, "You can start taking jobs from The Circle."
"What's that?" I asked her.
"The Circle are the closest and most relied on members of the Companions. Claire and Aela are part of it as well, that's why they're werewolves."
Farkus came down and talked to me not a moment later.
"Victoria, I need you to take a job in Riften. I shouldn't be too difficult for you." I gladly accepted. I've been wanting to go there ever since Claire mentioned it. The Thieves Guild was right up my ally. I had yet to prove my skills and this mission would be the perfect way to do that.
Even with the horse I was lent, the trip was still longer then the first. Near end of my traveling, I encountered an enemy, bandits. I could have completely avoided them if I hadn't taken a short cut. There I was minding my own business, when my horse fell to one knee. I tumbled off him and took off in another direction, arrows were coming at me from all angles. I dove behind a tree. I had already been seen, but made the best of the situation. I only had a simple bow and a set of arrows to protect me. The stealth armor Aela had given me provided little to no protection.
I stayed as still as a deer spotted by a saber cat. I heard wood breaking as arrows hit the tree. I set my bow and stayed low to the ground. I looked around my tree. A small base was set up next to a cave. Four bandits were stationed outside, all male. Two had bows and the other two slowly came to the tree. I whipped around and shot an archer in the knee, he fell to the ground in pain. I was about to take down the other when two hands grabbed me from behind. They bound my wrists and laughed.
"Looks like we found us a princess to do our bidding!" chuckled one. I kicked my feet and tried to trip one of the two. They laughed some more.
"Let me go!" I twisted and turned. The taller of the two threw me over his shoulder and took me into the cave.
"Looks like we found us a prize, boys!" shouted the shorter bandit to a table of men. This was going to be just great.
"Oooo she's a pretty one." said a bandit with a toothpick in his mouth.
"I might have to borrow her from you sometime." said one with white hair. They all had smug looks on their faces.
"You don't know who you're dealing with!" I yelled at them as I wiggled around.
"I think we do, princess." said the tall one, he lifted my chin up, I shook my head away from his hand.
"Don't touch me you filth!" I bit him.
"Yow! Get her to a chamber and lock her there! Maybe a day or two in the brig will make her rethink her attitude!"
A bandit without a shirt dragged me to a cell. I decided this was my golden opportunity to escape. I used my little fire magic to burn through the ropes.
"Hey!" yelled the bandit, as he tried to grab me. I easily hopped out of his way an landed a hit to his face. This got him really angry. Realizing that he was much stronger than me, I turned and ran down the hall. I ended up in the kitchen. Grabbing a frying pan, I waited for him to race after me. He sprinted through the door way and I brought the pan so hard down on his head, that it left a dent in the metal. Since I dropped my bow outside, I took his sword and ran out of the kitchen.
"Gotta find a way out." I said to myself. I ran farther down the long hallway.
"What are you doing here!?" shouted a very large bandit.
"Uh-oh!" I turned to run the other way, but he knocked me over by bashing me with his shield. I scrambled to draw my sword as he swung his mace at me. I managed to block with my blade and kick him off of me. I hopped to my feet and smacked my palm to his face.
"It burns! It burns!" he shouted as my fire toasted him. He collapsed holding his face. I ran the opposite way down the hall, right into the opening where all the other bandits were.
With no haste, they all jumped me. It took all my skill just to avoid getting hit. I shoved my sword through the chest of the short one, and back handed the one with white hair. I heard a crack as his nose broke and his eyes watered with pain. One of the archers from outside came and joined the commotion. The bandit with the toothpick kneed me in the ribs just as the archer shot my side.
"Gah!" I shouted. My magica was running low and I couldn't keep this constant healing up. I attempted to use my ability, but at that point all my concentration was on the four bandits. About to give up, voice came into my head.
Fus! The voice constantly repeated in my head.
"FUS!" I shouted. An unexplainable force came frommy lips and blew the bandits to the ground. Not taking a moment to think, I take my opportunity to get the hell out of there. I sped out of the cave and ran in no particular direction. I eventually came far enough away to take a break. I caught my breath behind a bush to the side of a gravel road. Not knowing where I was, I followed the path.
I managed to somehow get myself to Riften. I reviewed my job. I had to speak to Aerin at the Bee and Barb to retrieve a sword. The mission paper didn't give me much more information, other than to not harm Aerin or the sword.
I was disappointed to see that Stormcloak guards were stationed at the front.
"Halt, state your business." commanded the Stormcloak.
"I'm meeting with a friend" I told him, and proceed to walk in.
"Whoa, not so fast." said the guard, pushing me back, "There is a, uh, 100 gold entry fee."
My eyes widened at the price. 100 gold?! I couldn't afford that! I scrunched my nose, I had to get into the city, and I knew just how.
"Oh, you wouldn't make an exception for me? Would you?" I was disgusted at myself as I batted my eyelashes and pushed my arms together to make my chest pop out. The guard wasn't quite convinced. I leaned in real close to him and whispered, "It'll be our little secret." I put my fingers on my lips, this time he didn't stop me as I slowly walked past him. He was looking at my chest the whole time.
I shuddered once I entered the city. I hated that I was so good at persuading people. I asked around until I was directed to the Bee and Barb.
It was pretty busy when I entered. A shady looking woman stood off to the side, customers were sitting at the tables and the bar. I got many dark looks as I walked in. I went up to the bartender.
"You don't happen to know Aerin, do you. I'm looking for him."
The Argonian woman replied in her gravely voice, "Not sure.."
I placed a gold on the counter, now I was down to eight in my coin purse.
"Ya he just left," she said, taking the money, "He said something about having unsettled business in the Ratway."
I figured that she would just ask for more money if I wanted an answer to what the Ratway was, so I turned and left to find someone who would talk for free.
"Hold on a second." said a man, trotting up to me right as I was out to leave.
I stared at him, "Who are you?" I said blankly.
"Marcurio, master wizard." he bowed, "And I heard you are in need of assistance."
"Don't bother, I'm broke." I walked out and he followed me.
"I can take you to the Ratway." he said, I turned to show he peaked my interest.
"For free?"
"You can pay me back later." he said. I finally let him come with. I followed his lead down to the lower dock and through a door.
"Keep your guard up, you don't know what are in these chambers." lightning sparked around his hands. I prepared my healing hand and drew my metal sword. We swiftly made it through the confusing tunnels, encountering few skeevers along the way.
"I never did catch your name." he said as he went down yet another passage way.
"Victoria," I said, "Why did you help me?"
"Damsels in distress are my weakness." he smirked.
"I was hardly in distress, and I am certainly no damsel." I replied.
"What makes you want to go to the Ragged Flagon anyways?"
"What's that?"
"Its were I'm taking you, the Thieves Guild hangs out around there."
My face lit up. I could finally meet the Thieves Guild! I bet I would fit right in. I was a little rusty not having to steal a thing in about a month.
"Damn, the door is locked." said Marcurio, yanking the handle of a wooden door.
"Here let me try." I grabbed a thin rod off the ground and borrowed Marcurio's dagger. It took me a moment, but the lock finally broke and we were in.
"Whoa..." I said walking into the tavern. It was like a secret underground base, with a mini lake in it.
"I told you, you have two days to get the money, or it'll be trouble." A scary looking guy walked past me, the man he had been talking to was at a table with his head in his hands. I looked over at Marcurio, he nodded that it was okay for me to go in.
"Are you Aerin?" I asked, taking a seat across from him, he took a swig from his tankard.
"Who wants to know?"
"I've been sent by the Companions to retrieve a sword from you." I drummed my fingers on the table as he rubbed his hand across his chin. He brushed his hand through his hair.
"I need something, also," he said, "And it looks that you may have the skill to do it."
I leaned back in my chair and waited for him to ask me what he needed.
"I owe Delvin Mallory some coin for a favor he did for me long ago."
"I thought you were upper class, can't you afford it?"
"Yes and no. My father is the rich one, not me, and he refuses to lend me the money. There is a safe in Black-Briar manor, if you can crack it, take the money, and get it to me by tomorrow, you can have the sword."
"So you want me to steal from good people?"
He laughed, "Good people?! The Black-Briars are cold and manipulative. They can spare a little coin."
With some thought I agreed.
"There should be some coin left over, so you can keep that bit." he said to me as I got Marcurio and left.
I explained to Marcurio what the plan was as he lead me back out of the Ratway.
"Are you kidding me!?" he exclaimed, "If you get caught, they will kill you! The Black-Briars practically run Riften! All the guards will be on your trail as well!"
"I never said you had to come with me. If you could just tell me when would be the best time to break in, I'll be in and out like I was never there."
Marcurio sighed, "Victoria, there is no way I'm letting you get yourself killed. I'll help you get in and stand guard as you get the gold."
We made it out of the long, twisted caverns, and stood outside of the manor, devising a plan.
"We should probably go around back." I told Marcurio, he nodded in reply and showed me to the back gate. It was night so everyone was going inside. We checked for guards and peeked through the gate's bars.
"No guards," I whispered, "Give me a lift."
He pushed me over the fence and whispered over to me.
"Be quick, try not to get caught and be back out in 15 minutes or I'm coming in."
I nodded and went to the back door. I twisted the handle. Locked. I went through the crates and barrels until I came across a few lock picks. I only had four picks, and a really hard lock to break. I put the edge of the pick in and began to twist and turn it.
Crack!
Three picks left. I tried again and broke the second one.
Crack!
I finally was able to slowly turn the lock and break into the manor with the th ird pick. I creaked open the door and sneaked behind a barrel. I pulled my sword when voices echoed from the hall.
"I'm telling you, we really don't get paid enough for this." said a woman.
"Don't go asking for a raise, or Mavin will have your head on a stick." said a man with a throaty voice. They both shuddered. I was lucky enough to not get spotted and was able to dart down the hall. I now realized that I had no idea where the safe was. I decided to check the bedroom, if I were a safe, that's where I would be.
I lightly stepped up the creaky stairs and faster than a skeever, made it down another hallway and into the master suite.
The door was locked, and this one required a key. I got panicky and frantically looked around in barrels and tables that were out in the hallway. I tripped over a nail in the wood and landed on my butt with a thud. For a really good sneak, I sure was clumsy.
"Did you hear something?" said a woman. I heard several footsteps rush up the stairs. I ran around frantically, looking for a place to hide.
"Hey you!" yelled a man. I abruptly jerked around. Two heavily armed guards were coming at me. I darted around, them missing every hit they tried to land on me. I went to draw my sword, but the woman disarmed me immediately. I stumbled on the ground and scooted back as they backed me in a corner.
"Now you'll get what's coming to you! Petty thief!" said the woman as both she and the man swung their battle axes down on me. They both froze, my hand was out and strained in front of me.
"Witch...witchcraft!" exclaimed the man. They both struggled to break loose of my hold. I had to concentrate even harder, I had never done two at once before. I flicked my writs and both of their necks broke. They collapsed as I let my hold go on them.
I searched the woman, only a few coins and a lockpick, I searched the man. I pulled a large, copper key from his pocket. I slid it into the lock and turned it, the door creaked inward. I pushed the very heavy door until it was all the way open. I closed it behind me and started to search the drawers.
"No, no, no, ah-ha!" a small chest was set under the bed, I pulled it out. It was unusually heavy for its size so it took a little more muscle to lift it onto the bed. It too needed a key. Luckily, I found the key in the end table. The little box clicked open and a large sack of gold was inside. I stole the money and looked for a good escape route.
There was a small window above the bed. I kicked it open with my foot. I heard the stairs outside squeak as more guards came up. It was a tight fit, but I managed to wedge myself through the small opening. Holding onto the windowsill, I swung my body back and forth. If I got enough push, I would be able to make it onto the deck to my left. I kicked my legs and launched myself. I landed on the edge of the deck. Tighteneing my abs for balance, I sprung from the deck and barley made it to the low wall. I tumbled to the ground and started to run, Marcurio caught up to me.
"That was fast," he panted, "But why are we running?"
"I killed two guys, and we're next if we don't hurry."
He told me to make a right and we dove behind a building.
"Whoa, whoa, wait, you killed someone?"
"Two someones, to be exact," I held out the money, "But I got the coin."
"Lets get down to the Ragged Flagon and give it to Aerin before we get into any more trouble. They didn't happen to see your face, did they?"
I shook my head no and he gave a sigh of releif.
"They'll probably think it was just another theif."
He took me back to Aerin at the tavern.
He was at the bar still.
"Well that was quick." he said as Marcurio and I sat next to him. I tossed him the sack and he pulled 100 coin from the bag.
"And this is for your trouble." I split the cash with Marcurio and Aerin got up to leave.
"Um, the sword?" I said stopping him.
"Ah yes, come with me, its at my home. A big man came up to Aerin, I assumed that he was Delvin.
"You have my gold?"
"Of course, of course, Delvin." studdered Aerin, he gave him the money.
"How did you manage to get this?" he shuffled through the sack.
"Thats my business." replied Aerin.
"I got it for him." I spoke up, Aerin pathetically turned and left the Ragged Flaggon.
"My, my, Lass. How did you find such a steal?"
"Black-Briar Manor."
The tavern went quiet and all eyes went on me. Delvin looked especially surprised. He looked at the mark on my face.
"Well that explains it! Your a Scarlet Clan member," he laughed, "Interesting clan."
"Ex-Scarlet member." I sighed. Delvin raised an eyebrow.
"Maybe you should stop by the Thieves Guild, we could use a lass such as yourself."
A big smile came across my face and I almost jumped up and down like a child. Remembering my self image, I made my face cool and replied.
"Maybe I will." I stood up and left the bar, feeling satisfied. Marcurio followed me like a puppy. I met Aerin outside of the Bee and Barb and he gave us the sword.
"Sorry for all the trouble." he said as I weighed the glass sword in my hands, "Tell Farkus that I was going to eventually give the sword back."
Aerin left.
"What now?" said Marcurio.
"You have anywhere you need to be?"
"Nope."
"How about coming with me to Whiterun?" I looked at him as he gave it some thought. He smiled.
"Sounds like a plan."
