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Chapter 9: Lorena

It was tough to see her grow up.

I've watched over her from the day she was born. It was a promise I had made to my mother. A promise that I will forever keep, as long as I am alive. And even in death, when my soul finally become one with the shadow as I am promised. I will never break that promise.

But where would I draw the line of being the protective older brother or trying to control her every move? I don't want that. I want to see her grow into a fine woman, as beautiful as our mother was. But I want to see her actually live so she can see life through to an old age.

Lorena.. You will one day see that this world is not as innocent as you would like to believe it to be. Probably the same way as I have. We may have witnessed a glimpse of what loathing and oppression was, but you have yet to see true horrors. Horrors that can change you from within. But alas, there is no stopping it. You need to forge your own path in life. That is something I can't quite stress enough. Even when I learned that my destiny lay with a daedric prince, I knew that it was because of the choices I make. It was because of who I was as a person to recieve the blessing of the dawdric prince of shadow.

I brought her here to the guild because they offered a home. A family, a type of stability that Lorena and I never knew before. I went after the promise of coin, to be able to provide for my sister. And in the end it opened up a door to a whole new world for me and Lorena. I discovered what I was good at. And Lorena discovered her passion. We became thieves. Not just any ol' cutpurse who fetch for small amounts of coins, no, we were masters at our craft. And I defend my skill with all of my honour.

For Lorena, she knew what I intended to do. She knew how much I loved her. Making an earnest living was out of the question for me. I was smart, but I was no scholar. And thieving was in my heart. So in turn she let it into her heart. How could I blame her? She was my blood, so it was likely we shared the same thrills. I gave her the choice to find any other profession that this world has to offer. But the girl became a thief as I have. Was it an outside influence? Who knows. I didn't stop her. The divines gave us free will to do what ever we please. Who was I to stop her?

In this world, the best I could do was protect from afar as she created her path to her own destiny. She will follow her own light, and all I can do is fight whatever comes out of the shadows. Or give her strength to break through the obstacles that life throws at all of us.

My dearest sister. She grew up to fast and before I knew it, she was worlds ahead.


'Why exactly are we robbing the Show-Shod Manor? Aren't they protected by the guild?'

I watch Arissa slide the lockpick into the lock. I looked around to see if any guards had decided to take a detour down the back streets. 'And why are we doing this in broad daylight?'

Arissa gave the door a little shove and it swung open ever so slightly. Arissa wore a wry grin. 'Hey, you can go home if you'd like, but this is an important job.'

I sighed deeply and glanced up. 'Why the Snow-Shods?' I followed behind Arissa as we crept quietly into the house. During the day, usually these huge houses were empty, especially a powerful family like the Snow-Shods, where every member worked at the Black-Briar Meadery.

'Maven loves to remind her partners just how powerful she is, jobs like these keeps them in check.'

She grabbed a bunch of trinkets off a shelf and stuffed them into her sack. I bit my lip, and search for anything I could make a profit for myself. There wasn't much, a few coinpurses scattered in the obvious hiding places, some small metal trinkets that wouldn't sell very well.

'All done.'

Arissa threw the sack over her should and we finally snuck out the house.

She was my partner so I would accompany her on all her jobs and she would do the same. And I truly did enjoy her company. She was the first friend I made being in the guild.

There were small flurries of snow blowing from Portside. The winter months brought so much snow this year. I scanned the city, it had been blanketed by white fluffy snow just a few nights ago by a snowstorm. But even in the cold weather and the frozen winterland Riften was as busy as ever.

Brynjolf had been drawing a crowd in the marketplace. I swear, the schemes he comes up with were ingenius. One day he sold one hundred vials of a concoction he called "Mara's Voice". Telling people it could make you sing better than the brightest bard in Solitude. He even hired a real bard for the demonstration. I shook my head and smiled.

'Don't you just love Riften?' I asked Arissa

'Don't start with your melodrama, Plagarius.' She let out a tired sounding sigh. 'I just want to head back to the Flagon and relax. Manuevering through this snow is so tiring.'

'We been going back to back jobs since I got off my little probation'

'Little probation?' she shook her head laughing. 'That was six months of you not doing a damn thing. So it's my job as yournpartner to help you out'

'There was the Windhelm job.'

'And what did you do with all of that money from your payment?'

I chuckled nervously at Arissa angry look that was on her face.

'Uhh, ..I bought.. A-'

'A stupid horse.'

I was almost yelling. 'Ysmir is no stupid horse, he is the finest stallion in all of Skyrim! And what else am I to spend my coin on?'

Being a thief of the Thieves Guild I pretty much had everything before I could spend any of my coin. Most members just stockpile their gold, whilst using the guild's benefits to their advantage. Several of our contacts were apart of the many businesses across Skyrim. We have horse breeders in the Reach, blacksmiths in Solitude, farmers in Whiterun. There are hundreds of people who owe the guild. Or have pledged their services to help our cause.

'What in Oblivion am I going to do with you?' Arissa asked throwing the bag of loot to the side and dropping down on a bench.

I walked over and slumped down beside my guild sister.

'Well you could just love me' I muttered.

'What?'

'Nothing.' I answered back bleakly.

She turned towards the Portside view. I did the same looking out at the market square. Reviewing everyone who walked in and out from the area. And then I caught glimpse of something or rather someone.

A small imperial girl. She had dark hair and was clad in dark leathers like my own. But with no pockets. She dipped in and out of the crowd. To small to be noticed by the people around her. I watched as she walked behind a group of men and quickly glanced from her left to her right. And then she struck. As fast as lightning, her hands ripped a coinpurse right off an unsuspecting victim's belt. It was so clean, so fast that I barely saw her hand move.

'By Tiber Septim's shield, tell me you didn't just see your little sister do that.'

I did. I saw everything. Every move she made, every step she took. Her execution was flawless. And the way she uses her size as an advantage. She was a natural.

'No..' I grunted and put my face into my hands. 'It's too soon, too soon!'

Arissa chuckled. 'Didn't we have a conversation about this six months ago?'

I remembered six months ago I had been noticing some changes to Lorena's attitude. And over the summer it was so prevalent. I noticed new and different items being added to her chest. She also had a ton of coin. At first I thought she took from my stash, in which I was perfectly fine with. But I had noticed that my coffers haven't been touched in a very long time. Now I know for sure.

Lorena has become a thief. And a damned good one at that.

'That was so flawless, her techniques are refined.'

I shook my head. 'No, blast it, shut up.'

Arissa laughed. 'By the nine, we could definately learn something from her.'

I shot a angry glance at Arissa.

'What?' She shrugged. 'She's good you know, I just think she's ready to be a member now. She has been practicing since you two arrived here. How long has it been? A year?'

'Seven months.'

'See that's a long time to be around thieves.'

I grunted. 'I know, it's just she is growing up too fast.'

'That is what happens when you strike out on your own, Severus. You get to grow up faster than usual.' She chuckled softly and made a "tch" sound. 'If we don't grow up fast, then we are almost guaranteed to perish. You know my story, and I know yours, the things we have seen and been through isn't normal for kids our age. We're both fourteen and Lorena is eleven. There are kids in Honourhall that age who are still playing with dolls.'

I looked into my guild sister's eyes. 'I suppose you're right, but I made a vow to protect her. What if she is sent off on a dangerous job, it could be fatal-

'So what? You'll just keep her from living her life? Force her to choose a different role than what she is destined to become?'

'Arissa, that is not what I-

She broke my sentence off again. 'Just talk to her, Plagarius. You're one of the smartest people I know, so make the right choice. There's a fine line between being protective and being oppressive.'

She got up and threw her bag of loot over her shoulder. 'I'll see you in the Flagon.'

I nodded and watched her leave down.

Lorena walked over to a food stall and purchased a sweetroll. 'wise choice' I thought. That food stall had the best sweetroll in the city. She sat across the canal and ate it to herself.

I remembered a time where Mother and I would bake several treats during the days when my father was away. My favorite had been sweetrolls. She would use just the right flour and just the right icing. When Lorena was born we all would spend long afternoons in the kitchen. Mother would hum a peaceful tune, Lorena would smile and giggle. I miss those days terribly..

Mother is dead now. She was dead before she actually died.

And that laughing, giggling little baby grew up into a fine girl. And all the while I tried to keep her to stay the lauging and giggling little girl she always was. Back then, I always knew what to do to protect her. Be it either throwing myself infront of father's hits, hiding Lorena in my room whenever he would come home in a drunken rage. But now... It's different, we're older now. There's no one trying to beat us, but there are a million new dangers out here, in this world and in this profession.

I looked across the canal.

Lorena took a big piece of the sweetroll and shoved it down her throat. 'Dont eat it like that, you'll choke!' I wanted to yell out to her. For now I thought it was best to not reveal myself.

My sister got up and began wandering around again. She stopped when she noticed a poor man sitting, legs crossed and a bucket set out to recieve coins. She was moving her mouth, probably pestering the poor guy.

She took out the coinpurse- that she had just stolen- from her satchel and poured a good amount of gold into his bucket. That brought a smile to my face.

'Atleast she's kind.' I muttered to myself.

She began to look around, and I tried my best to conceal my face, so she wouldn't recognize me. Spotting Brynjolf at his stall, she was already there before I could blink.

'Lorena.. Stop bothering Brynjolf he is a very busy man.' I wanted to tell her. Instead I just watched as the two of them made conversation. I couldn't tell what was being said, but Brynjolf was laughing and smiling. Lorena's body language seemed like she was telling a very funny joke. She was usually a funny person. Only Paws wouldn't agree.

I repostioned myself over the railing, looking down at the half-frozen water in the canal.

She most certainly seems happy here. She even tells me every night how much she loves everyone. She tells me how understanding and nice they are to her. I'll forever be grateful to each and every one of my guild brothers and sisters for that.

I glanced up and noticed she was talking to a city guard now.

The guard had his arms folded, looking over the city, trying his best to ignore the little imperial girl nagging in his ear.

"How heavy is your armor?", "Do they allow you to take baths?", "Have you ever met Ulfric Stormcloak?", "Did you ever have to defend the city from a dragon?". I could imagine it. She could shoot you a thousand questions in a minute.

She was moving again, by all the divines that girl didn't stay in one place for more than a second.

She was walking down the road and I followed after her, staying a good distance in the rear. So she wouldn't notice me. She barely left any prints in the snow covered ground and the crunch under he boots were almost inaudible.

I shook my head in disbelief. This girl was more of a thief than I am. A weird little grin had been stretched across her mouth. It was noticeable to others, but I don't think she noticed it at all.

I remembered back, Arissa and a couple of other guild members making comments about how I was always smiling. I couldn't help it. I'm happy, and I smile when i'm happy. Could it be that Lorena always felt the joy that I do?

She went into the Pawned Prawn. So I waited outside by the side of the building.

I tightened my gloves and then the rest of my armor. It was getting cold. I looked out at the sun and noticed it was just about to begin to set. I sucked in some cold air and let out a deep sigh. Faint signs of aura light began to show in the sky. Out of all the marvelous and beautiful things that Skyrim had to offer. The northern lights were among my favorite.

I heard the door to the store swing open. I peeked out the side and it was Lorena, shoving something into her pocket. She looked around and began walking back towards the main street. I just watched her stroll so peacefully into the crowd of people. I followed her pretty easily. I knew the path she was taking, she was heading back to the Flagon.

We were on the backstreet which lead to the temple of Mara. I walked slowly as I stayed to the back, my sister a long ways ahead of me.

'There you are.'

I looked towards where the voice was coming from.

'Oh, boss, didn't see you there.' I turned towards Leila who was leaning against an iron gate. 'Of course you didn't, I am a thief, remember.' She was smiling and her emerald eyes sparkling.

'So what brings you out here?'

I shrugged. 'Lorena, just noticing alot of change from then till now.. How much both of our lives changed.'

'Change is good Sev, no matter how much you never want it to change, being able to look back at your old self is such a humbling experience. The younger you, knows less then the you now. And you can be proud of that growth. When I first met you, Lorena was your top priority. You risked your freedom, and you risked being an enemy of the Thieves Guild. All because you wanted to provide. It was a noble move I assure you, but Lorena is learning to be independent now. She will seek a path that you aren't allowed to follow. Because you have your own path, Severus.'

I let my mentor's words sink in.

She was right. I will always protect Lorena, but only, I should never have to deter her away from her own path to satisfy my need to protect her.

'Thank you, Leila.'

I squinted my eyes and looked at the elf. 'So what brings the guildmaster out here in the cold and away from the warmth of the Flagon?'

'I was looking for you actually.'

I gave Leila a blank stare. 'Me? Another job?'

'No, no. Nothing like that. I just came to talk.'

'Oh, well what's on your mind?' I asked politely.

'Well, this.' Leila pulled out a sword from its sheathe. 'I came to present this sword to you. But just hear me out.. Ragvir told me what went down during the Windhelm job and I will gladly present you with this sword' She pressed the blade into my hands. 'As a reward for your bravery and quick-thinking as a thief.

'I..uhh. Umm,' I choked on my words. 'I.. I-' I kept stuttering unable to process what just happened. I looked confusingly at Leila who seem to grow more annoyed.

'Just shut up and take it, Plagarius.' The guildmaster was blushing. 'I'm really bad at these things so I didn't make a big fuss over it.. You shouldn't either. So just take it.'

I looked down at the blade. My brow creased and I swallowed hard.

It was a pale-blue blade, forged from pure malachite crystal, a glass like ore as hard as diamond. The sword was of elven styling. But the blade itself wasn't what was special about it. It was it's enchantment. The cold touch of it's hilt. The tiny water crystals that formed on its blade when touched. This sword was the legendary Chillrend.

'Leila, this is Chillrend! I can't-'

'You've earned it.' She broke off my sentence. 'You're the most improved thief in the guild. So take it. It's yours.'

Leila was smiling her eyes looking into mine.

'Thank you.'

The bosmer thief walked onward towards the temple of Mara and disappeared behind the building.

I looked down at my new sword. This was it. The sword that got me here in the first place. When I over heard two thieves in Ysmir's Drink Inn in the border town of Helgen, speaking of stealing a sword for a ton of coin. I had the idea that if I could retrieve the sword for them, with the thought of making some coin to provide for Lorena.

That's how all of this began. The need to provide for my little sister.

I knew what I had to tell her.

I made my way down the street toward the temple and into the back. It was dark now and the old cementary was quiet. Shadows licked at every corner of the area. As far as I could tell, there was no one around.

'Sev?'

I spun around to see my little sister standing there with her arms folded. Folded. They're gods-damned folded. I thought with a chuckle.

'That's pretty good, Lorena, you snuck up on me.'

Which was a big accomplishment, as a thief, you need to be able to hear the slightest of sounds. It could mean life or death. A quick getaway or imprisonment.

'Where have you been, big bro? I didn't see you all day' She spat out.

I chuckled. 'I was around.'

She snorted. 'Well I miss you, goblin face.'

I laughed out loudly. 'I miss you too, troll breath.'

She smiled and it made me happy that she was happy. 'Say, Lorena, if I talk to Leila. Would you want to become a member of the Thieves Guild.'

Her face dropped all emotion. She just stared at me with her large warm brown eyes. 'Yes, I'd do anything to be able to stand by your side and protect you, Sev.'

I almost broke into tears. I hugged my little sister tightly.

'Oh! I bought you something.' She reached down into her pocket. And pulled out two silver lockets. 'Here one for you and one for me.' She pressed the locket into my hand. I eyeballed it for a moment. 'You have to open it up, silly.' She said with a small chuckle.

I pulled the two sides apart and on the inside, was a little writing that said: I am my sister's keeper.

'This is beautiful, sis. Thank you!'

She chuckled again. 'Mine says, I am my brother's keeper, instead.'

I tied the locket around my neck and hugged her even more tightly.

'Come on, let's go talk to Leila. And maybe later you can swing my new sword around.' I said grabbing her hand.

'No, I like archery instead.'

'Fine, what ever you want. Lorena.'