"All right, princess. Remember, we're here to find Maul and get information."

"Yes, because you've only told me fifteen times since leaving Ivarstead." Bishop frowned at my snappish comment but did not reply.

The outside of Riften showed nothing of the corruption within. Red and orange leaves swirled around while the sweet scent of mead tickled my nose. Various horses were tied inside the stables while they huffed and pawed at the ground with soft whinnies. A tall man stood outside, shoveling hay next to buckets of water. Bishop was clearly impatient to keep moving, but curiosity got the better of me.

I'd only just approached the stablemaster and opened my mouth to speak when I was yanked back roughly by my hood. "Not now, princess," Bishop growled. "In case you don't remember, Karnwyr's out there. If we don't get to him in time, I'll skin your hide."

"Oh, keep talking dirty to me." I rolled my eyes and shoved him off. "Get away. And touch me like that again, I'll cut your 'favorite asset' off." Bishop's lip seemed to have a permanent downward turn as he stormed closer to the crooked city.

"Halt!" One of the two guards held out a hand. "Before I let you into Riften, you need to pay the visitor's tax."

"What's the tax for?" Bishop queried, obviously suspicious.

The guard snorted and crossed his arms. "For the privilege of entering the city," he said matter-of-factly. "What does it matter? So pay up."

"Get out of my way," the ranger snapped, shoving the guard to the side. "You and I both know damn well there isn't any tax, you greedy piece of-"

"And that's where we stop talking!" I interrupted, pushing Bishop through the doors before he could punch someone. The guard gave us both a dirty glare before returning to his post. Once the doors closed, the ranger stepped away from me. I found myself rubbing the sides of my temples while he brushed his black armor off. "Gods be damned, Bishop," I grumbled. "Of all people to piss off, why in Oblivion would you pick a guard?!"

Bishop seemed to ponder my question before leaning in. "Can't blame me for wanting a bit of fun. Speaking of fun, I wonder if Haelga is still in business..." He gave a shit-eating grin before sauntering off as though he owned the place. I chewed on the inside of my cheek for a moment before following. Weaving our way through the streets began to sour my mood, the reeking stench rising from the canals making me gag. Bishop caught my expression and opened his mouth, undoubtedly to make a snarky comment. I held up my pointer finger to his lips.

"Don't you dare," I warned. Despite that, he still had an amused spark in his golden eyes. Shaking my head, I nudged him away with my shoulder. "Ugh. I hate Riften itself. It smells like a sewer." I couldn't hide my disappointment over the city.

"That's Riften for ya, princess." I tried keeping my face blank, well aware his goal was to piss me off. Unfortunately for me, it was working.

We hadn't taken two steps when someone addressed us. "I know that look. That's the look of trouble." A black-haired man with large steel armor and dark eyes drew our attention. "I don't know you. What are you doing here?"

"Just a few adventurers passing through," I told him. "What's it to you? For that matter, whoare you?" He narrowed his eyes.

"Me? I'm Maul. I watch the streets for the Black-Briars," he responded.

I tipped my head slightly. "Who are the Black-Briars?"

Maul's jaw opened ever so slightly. "Really? Who are the Black-Briars?"

"Way to go, princess." Bishop sighed. "The Black-Briars essentially run Riften." My face turned downwards into a scowl. Now that he'd mentioned them, I recalled the name somewhat from the last time I'd been to Riften. Despite their supposed 'influence' over the city, it hadn't changed in the slightest. Or, if it had, it had become an even more immense cesspool of debauchery and immorality.

"Well, they're not doing a very good job now, are they?" Bishop didn't give me the chance to say another word and pushed me towards the bridge.

"Why don't you go to the inn and get a drink before you make some powerful enemies?" He tossed me back. I opened my mouth to spit a retort but never ended up getting so much as a sentence out. Bishop had already begun walking away with Maul. I was clearly not meant to be part of the conversation. With an annoyed snort, I headed off, deciding to walk around Riften. I had nothing better to do, after all.

My feet brought me to the end of town, nearer to the Jarl's palace. The plaque right outside read Mistveil Keep. As opposed to the rest of the dingy, dirty town of Riften, the palace looked like it was well cared for, the flags clean and stones nearly gleaming in the sun.

My attention was drawn by a muffled shout to my right. Curiosity got the better of me, and I found myself walking closer to the building. Honorhall Orphanage. I didn't remember the place, but the air around it was dark. With a shudder, I swung the door open.

"Those who shirk their duties will get an extra beating! Do I make myself clear?" As the raspy voice made the threat, my jaw dropped in shock.

"Yes, Grelod."

"Yes, Grelod."

"Yes, Grelod." Each child inside replied like clockwork, their little voices filled with misery and fear.

Grelod spoke again. ""And one more thing! I will hear no more talk of adoptions!" she snarled nastily. "None of you riff-raff is getting adopted. Nobody needs you, nobody wants you. That, my darlings, is why you're here. Why you'll always be here, until you come of age and get thrown into that wide, horrible world. Now, what do you all say?"

"We love you, Grelod. Thank you for your kindness."

"We love you, Grelod. Thank you for your kindness."

"We love you, Grelod. Thank you for your kindness."

Unbidden, tears filled my eyes, a mixture of fury and sorrow in my limbs as a memory floated to the front of my mind.

"Quit your complaining, Dian. You're not the only one whose mommy and daddy didn't love her enough to stay."

"But Miss Muriel, I wasn't-" My cheek stung as the headmistress whacked me across the face.

"Didn't I tell you not to talk back, you little wench?" I felt my lip begin to tremble, fear rushing through my icy veins. "Crying, are you? Is that how you repay me?" I prepared myself for the upcoming assault. Only nine years old, what could I do? The guards didn't listen. I had no one to talk to, no one to save me.

I continued to cry as Miss Muriel's fist came down onto my back, striking a bruise into my skin. I'll get my revenge one day, I thought as tears coursed down my cheeks. Would I? I didn't know. I'd just have to make sure I followed up.

Shaking myself back to the present, I walked purposefully into the orphanage, already scowling. "Hey, you!" I snapped, cracking my fingers. Grelod looked up, her face wrinkled from age and distaste.

"What do you want?" She looked at her assistant. "Constance, did you forget to lock the door again? Damn you!"

"I heard what you said to those kids," I growled, "and you're gonna listen to me. Either you stop that shit now, or I'll take care of it myself." To my surprise, Grelod merely laughed at my threat.

"What can you do? No one cares about these wretched children. No one ever has, and no one ever will!" I opened and closed my mouth, searching for a reply. Instead of words, the Voice of the Emperor power flowed out of me, enveloping the cruel woman. To my dismay, she showed no changes in demeanor and no desire to listen to me. "What are you standing there for, you rogue? Get out of my orphanage before I call the guards!" Swallowing my fury, I dipped my head and stormed out, feeling the wide-eyed stares of the children on my back as I left.

What could I do?

I started biting my fingernails as I thought, the gears in my head turning. "The guards," I muttered under my breath. "The guards have to do something." I scanned the area, eyeing each person ambling about. There. The shining bronze and violet cloth of the Riften guards jumped out in my sight, and I strode purposefully toward him. "Excuse me! Sir!" I flagged down the guard.

He watched me warily through the eyeholes in his helm. "Can I help you, Imperial?"

I ignored his caustic reply and continued. "The orphanage, Honorhall?"

"What about it?"

"The headmistress of it, Grelod, she was beating the children, screaming at them and making threats." I expected the guard to suddenly go up in arms, maybe even run and arrest Grelod. Shockingly, the guard only shrugged his shoulders and crossed his arms.

"Yes, and?"

I blinked, unsure of how to handle his uncaring response. "What the- can you do something about it?"

The guard shook his head woefully. "There's not a person in Riften who doesn't know what Grelod the Kind d-"

"Grelod the Kind?" I repeated in surprise, wondering who in Oblivion gave the bitch that moniker.

"It's more ironic than anything." The guard shrugged his shoulders, then replied a bit testily. "Like I was saying, Imperial, there's not a person in Riften who doesn't know what Grelod the Kind is doing. But it's not our place. At least she's taking those poor little bastards in." He paused. "Is that it?"

"What do you mean, 'is that it?' Are you crazy?"

"Watch it, Imperial. I enforce Riften's laws, and Grelod's not breaking any of them. You, on the other hand, aren't respecting my position. I could take you in for that."

I was tempted to scream at the guard for not caring, but I somehow managed to control myself. "Fine," I hissed through clenched teeth. "Have a good day, sir."

"...Imperial." The guard brushed past me, and I realized that going to the guards wouldn't achieve a thing. Who could pass judgment if not the upholders of the law?

The Jarl. The answer jumped out at me almost instantly. I stood up straight, instantly ready to present my case to Riften's ruler. I damn near ran to Mistveil Keep, intent on saving the children from the abuse they were receiving. I winced as my history again flashed through my mind, and my steps only grew more purposeful. Upon reaching the doors, I threw them open and spoke forcefully. "I need to speak to the Jarl!" It must have been the wind from the approaching thunderstorm that overturned goblets and sent the ash from the fireplace flying.

"What do you think you're doing?" demanded a female guard, striding up to me. "This is hardly appropriate." She peered at me, and her voice grew nasty. "Imperial. Figures." Soothing my rising hackles back down, I took a deep breath.

"I need to speak to the Jarl, I repeated, closing the doors behind me.

"She's busy," snapped the guard in reply. "She's speaking to Maven Black-Briar, who I am sure you realize is a much more important figure than a common citizen like yourself." I clenched my teeth, trying not to lose my temper.

"It's about the children in the orphanage," I managed to say without screaming. "Grelod-"

"-Isn't all that kind in the end. Jarl Laila knows. We all do." I stood dumbfounded at the guard.

"Wha- and you haven't done anything? Why hasn't she done anything? It's her damn job to protect the citizens, isn't it?"

"That includes Grelod. It's best to keep our nose out of it." She leaned in. "Now, why don't you get on your way, Imperial?" All I could do was stand for a few more seconds, hardly able to comprehend the fact that an entire town was heartless toward orphaned children.

I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood. "Fine," I managed to get out. I raised my voice for a final spitting comment. "Good day to you all. Even you, Jarl." I forced myself out through the doors, the smell of rain on the wind nothing but an omen.

As I stomped down the stairs, I eyed the orphanage down the street. Desperation filled my throat, desperation fueled by pity and dark memories best left untouched.

What now?

"Feel like explaining why you're staring that building down like you're about to set fire to it?" I broke my stare and turned to the left. Bishop had come up behind me without my noticing and was now standing with his arms crossed. An eyebrow was raised. If I was being honest, in my distress, I'd completely forgotten about him.

"Bishop," I began slowly, looking at the orphanage with hateful eyes, "what do you know about Honorhall?"

"Honorhall?" Confusion swirled around in his golden eyes for a moment before clearing up. "Oh, the orphanage. Not much. Why?"

I paused for a few moments, wondering what to say. "Nothing," I eventually said. "Just curious." Bishop obviously didn't believe me, but apparently decided to let it go in favor of talking about the next stage of our quest.

"Whatever. I know where the dogfights are, so let's go grab a few beds at the inn so we can leave in the morning." Mischief entered his expression. "Of course, I wouldn't complain about a single bed, either."

I gave a humorless laugh. "Oh, look at you, you're so funny." He whirled around, ready to head off to the Bee and Barb.

"Hold on." He stopped walking, and though he didn't turn to face me, I knew he was listening. "Let's go now."

"Now?" Bishop looked up at the sky. "It's going to start storming any minute now. Walking in that is going to be a bitch, not to mention it'll set the bandits on edge. They'll be harder to take down."

"They haven't met me yet," I remarked, going around Bishop and looked him in the eyes. "Coming, princess?" My mocking succeeded in annoying him, but he didn't seem bothered for long. "I need to kill something."

Bishop whistled as he took the lead. "Damn, you're unhinged, ladyship. That's hot."

...

"That's it." Bishop peered over a hill, golden eyes flashing in anger as he eyed the cave entrance. A few guards roamed around and spoke idly to each other, occasionally shouting at the barking caged wolves. "Cragslane Cavern." His voice was barely more than a growl. "Stay close to me," he ordered lowly, creeping along the pathway. An arrow was already set on his bow, ready to be fired at the slightest movement ahead. The rain was light, but there was still the occasional flash of lightning and burst of thunder.

The second a bush rustled, Bishop let the arrow go. A slight oomph was all that was heard before the bandit flopped to the ground. The ranger's aim had been true. The bone arrow stuck out of the Breton's bleeding neck. If the arrow hadn't killed him immediately, the unstoppable bleeding would have. All in all, Bishop was an impressive archer. My eyes set on something up the hill. "A sentry," I whispered to Bishop. "Probably there to investigate the noise."

"Well, no shit, princess." I frowned at his harsh demeanor before taking a breath and telling myself it was because of stress. Here he was, ready to rescue his wolf. One wrong turn would mean the death of Karnwyr. "Can you-" By the time he looked next to him, I was already gone.

Bishop's fighting style may have been based on stealth and archery, but I enjoyed face-to-face combat. My silver blades were already drawn as I advanced on the remaining two bandits. With a dip and spin, I beheaded the first. The second had already hastily pulled a lever before an arrow in his forehead stopped all movement. I didn't bother looking back. I knew who'd shot.

The newest problem was the duo of pit wolves released by the lever. I heard Bishop swear under his breath as he unsheathed his dagger, going in close to the wolf. The other was mine to handle, the pit wolf lunging with slavering jaws.

Thin gray fur and lithe body, this wolf was bred for agility. Its greatest skill is its ability to move quickly.

I couldn't outrun it. All I could do was let it run towards me. The opportune moment came when it leaped into the air. I thrust my right blade up, impaling the vicious canine in its chest. The momentum of the wolf still sent me backward, but I managed to keep on my feet.

"Ah, that felt good." Bishop stretched out, a half-smile on his face. "As for you... all right, that wasn't bad," the ranger admitted, making his way toward me. He was wiping the blood off his dagger and retrieving the unbroken arrows from the bandits.

"The ever-stoic Bishop, offering me a compliment?" I gave an overly fake gasp.

"Yeah, don't let it go to your head, ladyship. Besides, we've still got an entire cave to clear out." I took a moment to inspect him. "What do you want?"

I pointed to the top of his head. "You missed some blood." He rolled his eyes and ran his hand through his wet spiky brown hair. With the movement and the rain, the blood quickly vanished.

"Happy?"

"Very."

Bishop gave a huff. "Great. Now that we're all good on physical appearances, something that is oh-so-important in the rescue of my wolf, then let's get a move on." Sarcasm dripped from his words while he offered me a pointed glare.

"Right." I faced the cave opening and took a breath. I wasn't nervous. In fact, I was excited. It had been a while since I'd cleaned out a bandit hive. "Well, what are we waiting for?" A grin forced its way onto my face as I walked in. I had some fury I needed to get out, and taking it out on a pack of lowlifes was perfect.

A Dunmer bouncer was waiting inside, his look wary as he sized me up and down. I was doing the same to him.

"You here for the fi-" I didn't let the Dunmer finish his sentence. My blade had already cut his throat open.

Bishop gave a short laugh behind me. "Looks like the princess knows how to handle a sword or two." I snorted but didn't bother responding. He was trying to get a rise out of me, I knew it. I wasn't going to let him get to me.

"Let's go find your wolf," I said instead, darting down the dark hallway. The unpleasant reek of wet dog and blood flooded the air, making me scrunch up my nose. The smell only got stronger the further we went in.

Lady Luck at last appeared to be on our side. Bishop and I came across a single dog cage, inside of which was a strange-looking red wolf. "Karnwyr," the ranger breathed, trying to move past me in the narrow walkway.

"I've got it," I reassured him, bending down to undo the latch. When the door opened, I held out my hand and gave the wolf a smile while he sniffed my boots curiously. "You must be Karnwyr." He gave a small bark and wagged his tail excitedly as he looked between Bishop and me.

Bishop tried to shoulder past me again, this time succeeding. "Ah, there you are, you mutt!" His tone was soft. "The hell were you thinking, getting trapped and making me track you all the way to this godforsaken place?" Despite the harsh words, I could tell there was a fondness behind them. Karnwyr licked Bishop's hand happily, giving tiny whines. "There, there. What do you say we go play a little game for old time's sake? I'll shoot an arrow into one of these bandit bastard's knees and you can go rip his face off?" Karnwyr barked happily, all too willing to follow. I, on the other hand, couldn't stop a short laugh. Bishop eyed me. "What?"

I wondered whether or not to tell him. "It's just that... getting an arrow to the knee is old slang for getting married." Bishop's golden eyes darkened with annoyance as I continued to laugh. "You planning on marrying these bastards?"

"Shut up," he snapped. "Getting married? Please. I've got Karnwyr, and I'd never put a wench before him." His expression lightened when he turned to the wolf. "Let's make these sons of bitches pay!" Bishop charged into the open with a howl, his bow drawn. I still laughed inwardly but was more than happy to help him out.

Cuts, slices, hacking, beheading. I loved the exercise, the taste of victory, the release of wrath. Bishop and I swept through, though my interest was captured by the teamwork of the ranger and his wolf. Justice was dealt with swiftly and without mercy. Karnwyr would kill one and draw the attention of nearby foes, which Bishop then took down with ease. If by chance one of them failed to kill their opponent, the other would swoop in and finish the job. I brought down my own fair share, but the impossible synergy between Bishop and Karnwyr was what really got rid of the bandits.

Once the entire cavern had been cleared out of the brigands, Bishop approached me with a smile. Blood covered part of his armor, and he waved it off when I mentioned it. "It's not my blood." He appeared to think for a moment. "I'm impressed. Didn't think a woman like you had it in ya."

"Well, I have an idea, if you're up for it."

"Do tell."

"How about we lure bandits here? Lock 'em in the kennels and make them fight?" I gave an evil smirk and dropped my voice an octave. "We'll sell tickets."

BIshop held an odd expression. "I hope this look of disdain conveys exactly what I'm feeling for you right now."

I crossed my arms. "You know I'm kidding, right?"

"It's the fact that what you just said even appeared in that wicked little brain of yours." l rolled my eyes.

"Just know your place," I replied haughtily, puffing out my chest. "I'm the one on top." This time, the nature of my remark was intentional. Bishop's left eyebrow lifted along with the corner of his mouth.

"Of course, milady," he snickered. "I wouldn't have it any other way. I think I'm looking forward to that." We shared a chuckle. "Well, I've decided to join you. Who knows what kind of trouble you and I can find ourselves in along the way? Plus, I can help you with that business of yours."

"What? Instead of payment by septim, I get a bossy, cranky, irritable ranger to follow me around all day?" I cracked a smile. "Sure. I'll take it." Karnwyr gave a loud bark and wagged his tail. I knelt down and scratched the wolf's neck and chin. "But keep in mind it's just because of Karnwyr."

"Oh, most certainly." He gave an overexaggerated bow. "He and I can show thee the grand land we call Skyrim, travel to every corner of this mighty province, lay down death upon thine enemies! ...So long as we split the profits. Fifty-fifty."

"Sounds like a deal, ranger."

He grasped my outstretched hand tightly and shook. His golden eyes shone with mischief. "I think I'm looking forward to this."

...

Our return to Riften was nothing special. We had both agreed that it was time for a rest, and Riften was the closest thing to getting a good night's sleep. In a word, the walk was peaceful, if a bit dull.

Riften itself, on the other hand, was anything but peaceful.