Riften is a fishing town built essentially over murky almost dark green water. Knowing that however, does not prepare you for the smell. Decaying fish, sickly mold, and, rotting wood combined with a heavy scent of B.O was a lot to choke down. In fact, I almost didn't as bile rose up in my throat and it took every thing I had to swallow it down. I was ushered forward past a bulky brooding man leaning against a pole I didn't get a good at. What I did see was that we were being quickly approached by an amazingly tall and very stern looking woman.

"I'm glad you've returned," she said in such a heavily accented voice I couldn't dissertain any emotion in it. "Things have turned dire in Riften since your last visit. The Thieves Guild is planning something my friend, and I fear for the people of Riften." A nervous looking young man shifted uncomfortably behind her and refused to look up at either myself or my companion. I was going to say something to him when Tall, Dark, and, Brooding decided to walk past us in such a manner that half his body ran into me and nearly toppled me over and he didn't even bother to turn to look back afterwords.

"You better keep walkin', you stupid milk drinkin' bitch!" As to why this reply is what decided to jump out of my mouth, I will never know. Regardless, it caused Mr. Douche Bag to turn on his heels and tower over me in less time it took for me to blink. In the same second A firm hand jerked me backwards and standing in my place were both Ri'Akari and the woman in front of her, with her hand on the mans chest.

"Back off, Maul. You know full well how easily I can beat you in a fight." I watched Jaw muscles clench and teeth grind. Maul seemed to carefully think over answer.

"The Thieves Guild will be watching Mjoll. If I were you, I'd either get out of town or just hand over your friend. The choice is yours."

"Thats not happening Maul. Now get out of here, I'm tired of looking at your face." He grunted and backed off slowly but now without a final glance in my direction. I saw my death dancing in his eyes. After he left, Mjoll ground out some sort of broken laugh and reached around Ri'Akari to throw her arm over my shoulders and haul me along at her side. I glanced back at her and she simply shrugged but followed us close behind.

"Any one who can threaten Maul has my respect. Also being friends with Ri'Akari means I owe you a drink. Come, we can speak in the Inn." Several minutes of her poking fun at my expense and two mugs of mead in her that I couldn't even fit my hand around and Ri'Akari shared a look with Mjoll and they both quieted.

"What are you going to do about the The Theives Guild?" Mjoll asked as softly as she could manage in her thick voice.

"They have to be dealt with... More like gotten rid off."

"What about Maven?" I couldn't help but ask. "If you deal with the Theives Guild, you will have to either subdue her or kill her." Both Ri'Akari and Mjoll snorted in amusement.

"We'll kill her of course", Mjoll stated in a way that made it seem like it should have been obvious. "Maven has too much blood on her hands and many of those people were my friends. How to draw her out though is the question. She won't act unless her... Investments are in danger."

"Then put them in danger," I murmured so softly I wasn't sure any one would have heard it. When I glanced to the side though, I noted Ri'Akari was staring me down with an intense gaze.

"How do you suggest we do that?"A little huff escaped my lips as I thought. It took me a minute to think of anything. I hated Riften in game, and in person it was even worse but what did I hate the most? What was the one thing that always, always bugged me the most? It struck me like a smack to the face and I laughed a little too loudly.

"Brand-Shei!"

"What about him? He's in jail because of the Theives Guild, probably unjustly so."

"Exactly and I want to break him out. I can only assume they went through a lot of trouble to put him there, right? There is no way they wouldn't know who got him out."

"No," Ri'Akari said in a firm way that left almost no room for arguement. Almost.

"Why not?"

"They would kill him, and come for us faster than he would get out of here safely." That had me come up short and left me thinking again. I put my elbows on the table and folded my chin under my hands. I thought Brand-Shei in game and thought about him realisticly rotting away in a Riften cell in a more realistic manner with little food and possibly no water just because of the Theives Guild. My head turned to the side and look Ri'Akari sqaure in the eyes.

"Can I trust you?" She weighted her answer before giving it to me.

"Yes."

"Can I trust you not to let me die?"

"Yes."

"Then I trust you... And I know exactly what to do." Her eyes intensified as I motioned for both her and Mjoll to lean towards me and told them exactly what we needed to do. It was a fool hardy plan riffled with stupidity but it was my plan and I laid it out on the table in front of them in hushed tones and bated breath.

Authors Note : Song: Icon For Hire - Make a Move