Kyra turned, his blade grazing her cheek. The small wound stung but it was something she could easily push past. She had been doing well until the smoke from the fires had drawn attention. By the time she had gotten to the last hut they were on her tail. She turned and let her shout escape her lips. The attackers staggered just enough for her to turn and slip away without any more harm done. She dove into the water and began to swim away as fast as she could. She didn't dare come up until her lungs were screaming bloody murder. Quickly, she swam towards the bank. All her energy was sucked from her, it felt as if her arms weren't even moving.
A rough cough rasped from her as Kyra laid gasping for breath. In her vision she saw all the men look around mindlessly for her. Oh thank the lords she lost them.
She laid her head down on the ground and closed her eyes. Slowly her heart began to slow down and her breaths started to go back to normal. She began to question whether or not she would even survive being in the guild. The thought of quitting flashed in her mind when instead emerald eyes flooded past.
The look Brynjolf gave her when he had asked her to join seemed so helpless. Whether it was an act or not was another question, but it was there. She had seen it. When Mercer had mention the GoldenGlow job she wasn't so sure if she would be able to do it considering even one of their own couldn't. Then he looked at her and told her not to let him down and suddenly her whole outlook on everything change. That hopeless look was long gone and replaced by one filled with encouragement. It was the only the that managed her to push herself where she was at today.
" God damn Nord." She grumbled as she slowly made her way to her feet. At that moment she hated him and liked him all at the same time and that's what was annoying.
Brynjolf was sitting at the bar talking to Delvin when the door opened and closed. He turned and saw Kyra walk in. She pulled back her hood of her new uniform and showed her slightly messy hair. Her cheeks were slightly red from running in the heat. She had left early this morning in hope to do it before everyone had woken up but she didn't count on herself get lost along the way.
" Hey Delvin, I got that statue for you." She spoke as she laid the Queen Bee statue on the table in front of them. Delvin looked down at the statue and picked it. He looked at it at every angel as if he had to make sure it was real.
" And the huts are burned, here's what I got from the safe."
" The idiot sold GoldenGlow." Brynjolf grumbled. " Maven isn't going to be happy when she finds out she is going to be cut out of the deal."
Kyra cocked her head in question. "Maven? If it's another job then can we wait a while. I'm lucky I got away with that one. I need some training."
" Of course lass. Go clean up and rest. You deserve it."
She gave a happy smile from his approval. Even her eyes beamed along with happiness. But even past the happiness the dark circles under her eyes were visible. It had been a long, stressful day.
Brynjolf spotted the cut on her cheek. It was small but he managed to notice. There had been some fighting going on. Vex had been close, Kyra made it out just by a graze. If she thought he wouldn't notice then she was wrong.
She turned and began to make her way back to the Cistern. The two men looked at each other. Brynjolf stood there with a smug look on his face as if he was saying 'I told you so'.
" So that is your little prestige? I have to admit she didn't look like much at first but I was wrong. It looks like we are going to get along quite nicely." He spoke as he held the statue up so he could take in the detail. Brynjolf store at it mindlessly. It didn't look so beautiful at first, then the light hit it. The gold shined so brightly it nearly took his breath away.
" Looks can be deceiving."
Brynjolf threw a punch which Kyra caught before raising her foot to kick. He snapped his other hand out before pushing it away. She stumbled a little, giving him the opportunity to sneak up behind her and wrap his arm around her neck. Kyra struggled before raising her arm and colliding her elbow with his stomach. Brynjolf hunched over but quickly drew his dagger while she stepped away. Her eyes widened as she jumped and rolled out of his swing's distance.
" That's cheating Brynjolf." She growled.
" And you assume your enemies are going to play by the rules too?" He smirked as he stepped forward. Kyra dodged again and tried to think of a way to overpower him. All her weapons were in her chest, if she were to step out of the "arena" (which was just the center of the cistern since no one was around) then she would loose. The thought of shouting crossed her mind but she quickly decided it was too much nor was it the time for him to know she was dragonborn.
He came down and swung at her when she snatched his wrist. Quickly, she turned and pushed his arm against his own back.
" Not bad lass."
Kyra was just about to give him a smart ass comment when he began to walk back. Her guard was thrown off guard and she began to trip over her own two feet. The ground underneath her began to disappear as she began her descent into the water. She slammed her eyes shut when she was suddenly pulled back up. She twirled gracefully and warmth enveloped her entire back.
" You still have some learning to do I see."
She looked back and saw Brynjolf peering down at her. A blush flushed her face and she quickly looked away.
" This is a fight, not a dance." She mumbled.
" As you saying I can't dance with a young lass like yourself?"
" Brynjolf you aren't even that much older than me." She continued on in embarrassment. Brynjolf sheathed his dagger and gave her another spin. Kyra spun graciously before being stopped again. Brynjolf's hand found her hip and the other laced with her own hand. She didn't even have a chance to recover before he began to pull her around.
" There isn't even any music. What if someone catches us?" Kyra started as she looked up at him. Brynjolf gave a shrug.
" Let them. I don't know about you but I'm enjoying myself at the moment."
Kyra felt her cheeks heat even more but this time she didn't look away. Instead the corners of her lips began to curl and her eyes stayed locked on his.
They began to twirl and step to the invisible music that played in their minds. Kyra relaxed and allowed herself to be led. She felt so graceful, as if she wasn't even touching the ground. Even Brynjolf too found himself unable to stop smiling and looking at her. It seemed like a perfect moment.
Then a crazy idea struck Kyra's mind. She stepped out and gave another spin and when she came back in she secretly reached for his dagger. She stepped behind him and held it to his neck, feeling him freeze.
" That's for you being an asshole to me the first day we met." She snickered.
" Alright, that seems fair." He admitted, his voice rich with a smile. " But at least follow through with it."
Kyra cursed at herself as he ripped it from her hand and swung. She stepped and missed it but her hair hadn't. The blade snagged on the leather strip that held her locks back in its braid but she didn't notice. Once she was out of its range she turned and pushed into him with all her might.
Both fell to the floor and Brynjolf's dagger skidded across the stone floor, out of both of their reaches. Brynjolf laid there on his back with his hands pinned above his head. Kyra was sitting down on his abdomen, giving him a smug look.
" I win." She teased. Brynjolf couldn't find himself able to say anything. Her hair had fallen free from its braid and her short locks hung in front of her face, taking on the waves from drying in its fashion. Her piercing eyes looked down at him and he felt as if he was chained down from head to toe. She didn't even need to pin his hands back, he felt as if he couldn't move.
" That you did lass."
Kyra was taken back from the sudden change in his voice. His accent peeked through stronger than usual, which she had learnt that it normally meant he was flirting. Now if he was doing it on purpose, she highly doubted.
Her heart began to flutter. It seemed to be pounding right in her ears, that's how loud it was. If he could hear it then she would die from embarrassment. She was clueless on what to do so she just sat there unable to say a word. A moment ago they were fighting, then dancing, now they laid on the floor with her pinning him down. Just what was she to do?
The sound of one of the doors opening made them both scramble to their feet. The last thing they needed was rumors to start spreading about them in the guild.
Rune walked in and looked at them with a blank confused stare.
" My sister and brother in crime, is everything ok?"
Brynjolf looked down at Kyra out of the corner of his eye. " Oh everything is just fine lad. Thanks for asking."
