So, it's been a while since I've updated, huh? Sorry! I've been busy with a lot of things. Anyways, please, enjoy this chapter! I know it's short, but it's Thanksgiving and I wanted to give you guys something, no matter how much it sucks. Besides, it will be easier to get Chapter Ten out if I end Chapter Nine here. Anyways, enjoy! And Happy Thanksgiving!

I watched as Eorlund leaned back, crossing his big, muscular arms over his chest as he took in everything I'd said.

"So, the Thieves' Guild is on your back now?"

"Aye, with the Dark Brotherhood at my back." I nodded as I turned to look behind me. Cicero was leaning over the smelting area as if he were being so attracted to it. It looked a little weird.

"Where exactly did you say you were staying?"

"I'm staying out near the Falkreath woods. Why?"

He nodded slowly, "Just curious, is all... Do you really think you're safe out there?"

"She is, she is!" Cicero jumped in to the conversation. His attention turned away from the smelting area as he pranced over to my side. "Your friend, dearest is safe with us; assassins will cover up her and her stuff! We'll protect her; an eye for an eye! Those who seek to harm her; oh, they'll die!" He jumped back and forth, from one leg to another, clapping, with a merry, yet creepy, kind of smile on his face.

Eorlund raised an eyebrow slowly, then gave me a concerned look, "You want to stay in a place with him?"

I laughed softly and shrugged my shoulders, "Aye, I can't say it's my best decision, but it's the only place safe I've got to stay in. Why? Do you think I'm not as safe there as I could be?"

His shoulders slightly raised as his head tilted back and forth, thinking through what he would next say. "I just think you'd be safe if you stayed here with the Companions..."

I couldn't help but hark a laugh. "You realize I'm in the grasps of murderers now, right? You- Companions, and what not, are people who have good in their heart. I doubt they'll want me around, ole' friend."

"You may wear the cloak of a killer; you may do deeds as they ask; but, my friend, you're not dark in your heart."

I laughed softly. As a joke, I asked, "You sure about that?"

He smiled. "Aye. Never been more sure." He leaned forward and tapped my nose gently with his index finger.

I returned his warm smile and then a thought popped into my mind. "Hey, would you mind giving me some advice?"

"Aye?" He gave me a curious look.

"I don't know about the details yet, but I have a case in Riften to do soon."

"Riften? But didn't you say you're not supposed to go back in there?" He gave me an exasperated look, sort of saying I sounded crazy.

"Aye, I did. The Thieves' Guild could possibly be all over me."

"Why do you go back, then?" His hands raised in a questioning gesture as his eyes held the same sense of confusion.

"Well, it's a mission I am assigned on. I have to do it." I shrugged my shoulders as a slight breeze slithered down my back.

"So, you don't have a choice, then?"

"Nay," I told him.

"Are they sending somebody with you?"

"Aye, I think so." With all the trouble they've went through, I assumed they'd send somebody with me although I wasn't completely sure who. Nazir was my first thought, but maybe Omazirr or Cicero would end up accompanying me.

Eorlund sat there, shaking his head. You could see he wasn't too thrilled to hear my news. "What's your question, friend?"

"How can I get into Riften without being spotted by a guard?"

Eorlund laughed a little but he stopped short. "I'd be more concerned about the Thieves' Guild, but if you want to get in unnoticed, there's a small entrance behind the wall. It's covered by a small rock, but you should be strong enough to push it open. It will lead you down into the ground and into the sewers. You'll come to two paths. The one on the right is the Ratway. It will lead you right in to the Thieves' Guild territory. The left path will lead you to a ladder with a small hole in the middle. Only leave that hole when it's nighttime so the guards don't see you, alright?"

I didn't reply for a minute. I waited to let this new information sink in so I wouldn't forget it.

"Got it," I said. A big smile spread across my lips and I leaned forward to hug Eorlund.

"Go, go!" Cicero started to say. "We've got to go if we want to get home!

I rolled my eyes but I did agree. "Aye, we'll have to leave now if we want to get to the inn before midnight." I rose to my feet, as did Eorlund. "Well, I'll see you around, then? I'll come back in foour days to see if you're done my locket."

He nodded, "Stay safe, Ajivha."

I smiled, "I always do, Eorlund."