Okay guys, I figured I've got to give you amazing fans something - especially for the 20th chapter. The infamous Nord girl. I've recieved a lot of feedback in PMs, and am now ready to present you with a very special someone.

Shout-outs to:

holton

snowboarder292011

Imazio77

TheIceCreamNinja

Jakekitchin

Welcome to the club guys!

Reviews...

Panther Hardraad - Can you recommend any in Skyrim?

SirAC - That's very true, but I've decided what I'm going to do - don't worry, the Thief theme will remain... Also, thank you for the compliments! It is a filler, I know, but this one isn't! There's an important point to each and every chapter - remember these wise words... there might be hints to what happens in the future!

OliverMoss - Thank you! That's very helpful - I've sort of decided how to end the story already.

TheIceCreamNinja - Well, we'll see what happens... but I'll just say, that there could be something bigger happening than just Mercer and Tenebraeus... or maybe I'm just trying to sound mysterious and enigmatic. Also,does this chapter answer your message? There will be a bit more on Hunter though, don't worry!

Chapter Twenty

I sat on the docks, legs dangling down over the wooden planks with the shimmering water reflecting my face; it was now riddled with bruises and scars from my training sessions with Karliah. My hair had also grown longer and thicker than it had been when I had first arrived at the guild - it was now a messy array of knots and clumps of strands that hung beside my eyes.

Cupping my hands in the water below, I let the water fall over my hair and face, brushing the hair back past my ears and pulling the longer strands of my hair into a small bun behind my head.

I unbuckled my belt and left it on the docks, my sword in its scabbard. I felt ambivalent about leaving my sword unattended at any time - I knew better than most what a thieving city Riften was, even under Imperial rule.

It'd been years since the defeat of the Stormcloaks at the hand of the infamous Dragonborn. In my travels, I'd only heard snippets of him - the defeat of Alduin, the killing of Ulfric Stormcloak - some even whispered rumours of murmurs that he was involved with the Dark Brotherhood. Others would look over their shoulders in dimly-lit taverns of how the Dragonborn possessed the ability to transform at night into a beast - like a bear, but quicker. Like a wolf, but bigger. Like a dragon, but darker, but just as deadly.

I'd dismissed these notions very quickly - undoubtedly, half of it was just Nordic superstition. I wasn't focused on the so-called saviour of Skyrim anyway - what I hunted didn't stalk it's prey on all fours, but was still a beast nonetheless.

I could see Mercer's eyes in my mind - those dark pebbles that seemed to enlarge his eye sockets, the mad, untamed hair that swept down beside his eyes, adrip with sweat and grease. His skin was patchy - dark and muddied around his eyes, but completely pale under the stubble that laced his chin.

I slowly dipped myself into the water below, allowing the water to clamp onto every nerve of my body, gnawing at the heat I would exert. I inhaled sharply, trying to use every ounce of shock or pain and control it - my emotions were the key to my magic. Negative energy fueled my attacks. It was only imaginging the unleashing of all feelings of distraught and rage - vast or miniscule - that helped my control myself. It was this hatred of Mercer that united me fully - there was no doubt, no uncertainty, and no conflict within me. Just hatred. And a lust for vengeance.

I rubbed my body, cleansing it of any dirt, sweat and blood - the last of which I would stare at for a time, wondering - hoping - when I could see Mercer die. When I could see his blood scatter amongst the rocks as it fled his body.

I suddenly felt my hands tense into half-closed fists. I looked down to see fire burning hard inside each one like a furnace that was overfed lumber. I quickly shot my hands into the water, letting them be submerged and extinguished. This always worked when I needed to stop my abilities quickly. It was not a doubt of my control, just my speed.

Finishing bathing, I pulled myself up from the water, and buckled my belt back on, then lay in the sun for a time, letting the heat dry my body.

"Enjoying yourself down there?" I looked up to see the familiar, antagonistic sight: Astius Doronia. The boy was without a doubt the most arrogant and incapable thief I'd met. And in Riften, that was saying something. He still wore his glass armour over his white shirt, which was now undone down to his chest, revealing a lack of battle wounds... and chest hair.

"I suppose what's really important is whether you've enjoyed watching me bathe." I said, keeping my voice evenly tempered. Astius gave an arrogant, self-absorbed smirk and walked down the stairs to the dock.

"Delvin was looking for you." I rolled my eyes.

"I haven't found anything valuable for him - tell him to ask someone else."

"You know, I thought being a thief involved stealing valuable things." He said sarcastically.

"Then you're clearly not a good thief." I commented quickly. I began to pull on my shirt and boiled leather.

"So, are you going to see Delvin?"

"No." I said, picking up my belt with my scabbard and tying it around my waist.

"He seemed pretty insistent-"

"You can tell Delvin to find some other lackey to do his dirty work - I'm busy." I snapped angrily at Doronia, and proceeded to walk away from the docks, on onto the road away from Riften.

I had very rarely travelled outside of Riften - only for certain jobs Delvin had picked me to work for him. Special jobs that meant special rewards, and new contacts for our Guild. I felt... under-appreciated. Everyone knew I was one of the most talented thieves in Riften, if not Skyrim, and yet, I was still 'in training' with Karliah. I often walked in on her talks with Brynjolf, Delvin and Vex, and they would all fall silent until I left.

I had sacrificed the most for the Guild, save Karliah. I had been training since I was just a boy. Now, I had nothing to show for it. Save my magic - the only thing that set me apart from the rest of the Guild.

I came to a long narrow road in the woods, which looked out amongst the bay and over onto the city walls of Riften. It looked so quiet from here - no bustling marketplaces or tavern brawls. Just... peaceful.

Oh, how I longed for peace. I wished I could just leave Riften - leave everything and just start a new life. I could do it - I had enough money. Maybe I could travel to somewhere like High Rock - pursue my study of magic. Or maybe Hammerfell, and study the combat of the Redguards.

But not yet. Not until Mercer Frey was dead. If I could only kill him, it would solve everything - it would re-finance the Guild, as well as myself, and then I could leave. The Guild would be fine without me - I guess joining was only ever temporary for me - a stepping stone to finding my new life.

I stopped walking, listening abruptly. I could hear something... something... angry. I looked up at the woods and searched for any figures - I couldn't see anyone. I waited for a moment, then concentrated - I had to find someone. They could be in trouble.

I saw a small pink tinge through the trees - it began to separate into three small mists, then disappeared in a second. I stealthily ran through the trees until I came to the road again. There, I saw three figures standing in front of a carriage, one with a bow notched and the other two pointing their swords towards the driver.

"Now, how's about we look inside this..." The tallest bandit moved towards the carriage. "Oh, hello." He grinned a toothy grin, scratching his shaved head. I narrowed my eyes, intrigued by what the contents of the carriage were. I crept up to the band with the bow notched, my fingers tingling from the anticipation. I wrapped an arm around his neck, then reached out my other hand, holding the arrow telekinetically before it could be loosed. As I felt the bandit drop unconscious in my arms. I then moved towards the other bandit, sweeping a telekinetic throw into his chest, and sending him into the tree bark, slamming his head against it with a crack.

The third bandit snapped his head around at the noise and ran towards me, sword aloft in the air. As the blade was brought down I caught the side of it, a mist of ice exiting my hand and freezing the blade. A second later I pulled the blade even further down, the bandit following.

As the bandit's face connected with the muddied road, I threw a fist down, slamming it into the back of his neck with another crack. I then began to make my way towards the carriage, eager to see what lay inside - chests of Gold? Jewels?

Well, it was a jewel that was inside - of a certain, rarer type. A darker jewel, with jet black locks hanging down as a frame. An Imperial jewel, definitely. But why so far from home? And why in such fine fittings?

"Are they still there?"

I stared blankly at the woman - stunned. She wasn't a chest of gold... Eventually I found my voice in my throat and coughed in an attempt to speak.

"No... No." I looked back at the bodies that slowly rocked from side to side in pain. "You're welcome." I said, trying to hear her speak again.

"I'm waiting to see if you are going to attempt to rob me." I scratched the back of my hair awkwardly.

"Hold-ups aren't really my taste." I muttered.

"Well, I am glad to hear it - they aren't mine either." She said with a warm, re-assuring smile.

"Of course, as you are so clearly a thief." I grinned. Her smile instantly disappeared, followed by mine - I had literally put my foot in my mouth. "Sorry... I didn't mean to cause offense..." I stammered.

"None was taken." She said politely. I looked back to the bodies, which were still moving.

"If you don't mind my asking, where are you heading?" I said, waiting to hear her musical tone again.

"I'm taking a carriage from Riften." She even made the dirtiest city in Skyrim sound like a flower.

"May I accompany you?" I asked, feeling emboldened by something - something strange.

Well, you've already proved that you are capable of heroically defending me." She said with a smile once again - an angelic sight.

I nodded to the driver, who proceeded to pull at the reigns and drive the carriage once again as I stepped into the carriage and sat opposite the woman. After a few moments silence, she spoke again.

"I wish I was a thief, now you mention it." I grinned to myself at the irony of her statement.

"Really? Why?" I asked, trying to hide my grin.

"Have you tried embroidery?"

"Point taken..."

"I just wish there was something... uncertain in life. Something more exciting."

"I thought most Ladies preferred stability."

"Most, yes. So, why are you going to Riften?" I had to think for a few seconds.

"I'm... lodging there."

"At an inn?"

"I'd sooner call it a tavern rather than an inn." I scoffed.

"You're not a commoner are you?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Definitely not a commoner."

Not soon after, we arrived at the gates of Riften. As the doors began to open, I peeked out at the Imperial guards. They were never too fond of my 'type'.

"I'm afraid I'll have to leave you here - the guards are more than capable of protecting you in the town." She smiled as a token of thank you. "Safe travels to you..."

"Lady Altino." I smiled and bowed my head before leaving the carriage and slinking back to the Ratway, where I would skulk amongst the other thieves and lie in bed, thinking about what I had encountered today.

"Where have you been?" I glanced over towards Delvin.

"About."

"Yes, I know you've been about. There's already talk in Whiterun about the Pyromancer Thief." I rolled my eyes.

"So?"

"So, it means people know about you - including Mercer Frey."

"Your point?" I asked, getting off my bed and walking past Delvin.

"My point is that he knows you'll be hunting him."

"Good, let him know I'm coming." I said, picking up my scabbard and buckling it around my waist. Delvin grabbed me as I went to move past him, and began speaking in an angry, hushed tone.

"You don't get it do you? If he finds out we're still chasing him, he could choose to hide and we'll never find him again. This isn't about you - if we don't find him, this entire Guild collapses, not just your personal vendetta. You need to stop and think before you act."

"I don't need a lecture." I said to Delvin, moving his arm from me. "Why'd you want to see me?"

"Brynjolf is looking for you."

"Why?"

"Tonight's the night. Apparently there's a special visitor staying with Maven Black-Briar, and he's carrying a considerable sum of money." I grinned to myself.

"Mercer's there with our gold." I smiled. "So, we kill him?"

"Not yet lad." Brynjolf stood in the doorway, leaning against the stonework. "First, we interrogate him into telling us where more of the gold is." He gestured for me to follow him with his head. "Gear up lad. It's time for the heist."

Longest chapter yet since I haven't updated in a while. I figured I had to throw you guys something for being great followers.

p.s. I'm back.s