AN: Hello all. I'm hoping to try posting a new chapter every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. For some, that might mean a day later since I have readers all the way in New Zealand according to traffic stats. I know there's story alerts and notifications, but this is more for myself so I can have an established schedule and for anyone who doesn't have a account.
I am currently beginning to write chapter 7. If I get too far ahead, I'll post chapters early so you're not behind on the excitement.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is property of Bethesda Softworks. I own nothing but Roseleigha. Thank you for allowing my words to have the privilege of your time.
Recap:
"What the hell is going on out here?!" A new male voice said. Everyone became silent as a new and heavy presence filled the room. Roseleigha didn't recognize the voice, but judging by the sudden and extreme shift in the air, she knew exactly who it was.
"Mercer Frey," she whispered.
The Seer and Her Thief, Chapter 3
Brynjolf felt the girl behind him whisper the Guild Master's name under her breath as he walked into the room. We're all going to have hell to pay, he thought.
The sneer on Mercer's face and the angry look in his eyes said it all. He was not in a good mood. "Do I have to get someone to babysit you all?" he said, making no attempt to hide the anger in his voice. "If you managed to somehow forget, we've got business to do."
Before anyone could speak, Brynjolf answered. "We got it, boss. I'll keep an eye on the kids."
"I heard you shout too, Brynjolf." Mercer turned his heel and headed back to the cistern. Everyone started to relax until the boss's voice echoed back into the room, "Oh, and send me this 'blind thief' to me. Now."
Brynjolf felt his heart drop slightly at that. How am I going to handle this? I mean, the lass isn't actually blind, right? He turned around the look at the girl who just revealed her name to him. He found her blank eyes looking right back at his.
Good job, Bryn. How are you going to get yourself out of this?
He made an attempt to grab Roseleigha's hand, but before their fingers touched she stepped back from him.
"I can walk on my own," she simply said and lead the way to the cistern.
"Wait a moment lass," he said, but she didn't turn around or stop walking. "You don't know where we're headed."
"Of course I do. I heard where Mercer went."
He was amused and amazed at her remarks. At least she's got wit.
The cistern was going about its way just like any other day. His fellow members were talking, training, resting, or out on missions as usual. The two approached the Guild Master's desk.
"So," Mercer began, "how does a young blind woman find herself to be joining the Thieves Guild?"
"I'm not blind," Roseleigha stated. She didn't seem rattled by Mercer at all.
"Is that so?" He looked up from his books and took a long look at her eyes.
"Staring at my eyes won't change how I see," she snapped.
Mercer chuckled, but Brynjolf could tell she was getting on his nerves. "And how exactly do you see?"
Roseleigha stayed silent for a moment. "I don't," she finally said.
"Oh? And how do you expect to work for us if you can't see?"
"Every thief has their way, Mercer. You of all people should be aware of that, am I correct?"
Brynjolf saw the instant upset and irritated look on Mercer's face. He couldn't show it on his face, but he was enjoying the lass' courage and stupidity in talking to Mercer like that.
"Come on Mercer," Brynjolf interjected. "Give her a shot. She's got real skill I haven't seen in years."
Mercer thought for a moment. "Very well. Since Brynjolf assures me that you will be nothing but a good asset to our organization, welcome to the Thieves Guild." Brynjolf's shoulders relaxed and he felt himself releasing the breath he may have been holding since they entered the cistern.
"Thank you," she said with no change in her expression or tone. Neither one of the master thieves could tell what was going through her mind.
"Now then," Mercer began once more, "to prove that my second-in-command isn't dead wrong, I'm going to be putting your skills to the test."
"Hold on now, Mercer," Brynjolf said. "You're not talking about the Goldenglow job, are you? Even our little Vex couldn't get in there."
"No, I'm not talking about Goldenglow. If you would let me finish, I can tell her what she's going to be doing." Brynjolf took a step back in shame, listening to his boss continue. "I'm trying to settle some of the final details, so I can't say anything for now. I'll have something for you in a few days." Roseleigha nodded.
Brynjolf and Roseleigha took their leave from the Guild Master's desk and went into the training room. Brynjolf was relieved to see that no one was there. This was his chance to finally talk to her. They sat down on some straw bales next to the training dummies. They sat in silence for a while before he spoke up.
"So, what happened to your eyes?" he began with.
She scoffed. "That's the first thing you want to know? Nothing about how I manage to find my way about, how I read people, or how I'm able to be a thief?"
He chuckled back at her. "I figured that'd come after the how, lass."
"I see you're not going to give up until I tell you," she closed her eyes, as if that was her way to tune out the world despite being blind. She took a deep breath, readying herself for the long and painful journey that she had experienced. "You must be so shallow if you think I'd tell you that." She got up and leaned her back against the wall on the opposite side of the room.
Brynjolf felt embarrassed and disappointed. I already know charm isn't going to work on her; I'm not going to get myself pinned down with a knife at my neck like Vex did. He shook his head to rid the thoughts of being scared by such a small and young woman.
He took a moment to look her over as she stood across the room. She probably had not seen her 24th winter yet. She was able to hide the rest of her body well; the hood still over her face, some hair falling over her eyes and spilling out beyond her shoulders. It was hard to tell what she was focusing her gaze on, if she even had one. What does she see? Brynjolf thought to himself. Is she really blind, or have her eyes been that off since she was born? He took the opportunity to gaze at some of her finer features: her lips, jaw, waist, hips, collarbone, and most importantly, her-
"Brynjolf," her sudden demanding tone snapped him out of his thoughts. "My eyes are up here."
"Aye. Sorry lass," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck to try masking his shame. "Can't help myself when a beautiful woman is around." He smirked at her, but she didn't seem to notice. Or maybe she did, but wouldn't respond to it. She slid down the wall and hugged her knees and resting her head in her arms, seeming to be tired.
"Getting sleepy there, lass?" he asked. She nodded and groaned in a tired but cute way. "Let me show you where you'll be sleeping."
He reached his hand out to pull her up, and she took it. Her body seemed like a feather but he knew she wasn't the right girl to mess with. They walked back into the open cistern and stopped in front of a bed.
"I'm sleeping here?" she asked, seeming concerned.
"What's wrong? You didn't expect a big bed with nice quality sheets and covers, did you lass?"
"I just… I don't like sleeping around so many people." For the first time, she seemed flustered and lost on what to do.
He smiled and didn't miss the opportunity to tease her. He walked up from behind her and grabbed her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder and whispered, "You can always come sleep in my room, lass."
She seemed to consider it for a moment before she shot down his offer with "In your dreams, Brynjolf."
He gave a low chuckle that seemed to make her shudder a little. "Are you sure about that? There won't be anybody but me in that room."
"I would rather sleep in a large room with ten strangers for three weeks than sleep in the same room as you for one night." She jerked away from him and sat down on her the chair next to her bed.
"Alright, alright. I got it, lass. I'll get more strangers in here so you don't have a choice." He walked back into the Flagon where his room was, giggling, imagining what kind of face she made at him behind his back.
Before he returned to his room, he grabbed a few bottles of mead from Vekel and sat down in his chair, relishing in the sweet taste and smooth texture of the Black-Briar mead. His thoughts were locked to the new member of the guild. After a few moments, questions about the odd woman came flooding back in his head. What happened to her? She seems so vacant and possesses no feelings. I can't read what she's thinking. She's so cold and distant, it's like no one can touch her without getting a slap on the wrist. Scratch that, no one can touch her without walking away with all their fingers still on their hand. His thoughts halted and his heart jumped a little bit.
Wait, why did she let me hold her like that before she went to bed?
