Riften smelled of fish and filthy water from below the city. The market place was especially horrid. It was so bleak and dull and you could feel the misery of the people who lived in poverty just wrapping its hands around your shoulders. It was cold, but not as cold as it could be. The sunlight touched your skin and kept you warm, although it didn't do much for the city. It was still bleak and had a cold hue around every corner.

I had woken up early this morning and I couldn't get to sleep again. Going for a walk in the cool air of Riften wouldn't help me sleep again but it gave me something to do until everyone else in the city awoke. I assumed the twins were still in bed. I wondered how long I had been in bed before Farkas arrived in the city. It couldn't have been that long I guess.

People started to wake up and the market started to fill up, people opening up their stalls and people gathering to try and bargain for items they needed. I could hear the haggling as I sat on the wall of the market. I noticed one man standing at a stall ranting on about some elixir that could make you younger and whatnot. He was well dressed and his red hair was perfectly groomed. I wondered how he looked that well, as no one seemed to be passing any remarks on him or his stall…

'Make love like a sabre cat or crush your enemies to dust like a giant!' he exclaimed. I watched him for a few moments. A very elegant young woman with beautiful blonde locks falling down her back turned abruptly to him.

'What was that?' she asked.

'Genuine Falmer Blood Elixir!' he told her. She pondered for a moment before counting out her coins and handing over the gold to him. He handed her a large red bottle and she grinned to herself. I wondered what it was exactly. I highly doubted that he had managed to gather Falmer Blood and I doubted even more that it had any such properties. I wanted to know what it really was and what it really did. I didn't believe for one minute that it was what he was saying.

Farkas walked out of the inn and looked around the market place for a moment before spotting me on the wall and striding over to me. I watched as the red headed Nord followed Farkas with his eyes and then laid his eyes on me. I looked away quickly and smiled at Farkas.

'You were up early,' he commented. He leaned against the wall I was perched upon and folded his arms loosely across his chest.

'You need a bath,' I said with a short chuckle as I caught a scent of mead, dog and sweat.

'You're one to talk,' he retorted.

'I never said I smelled good. I'm just saying you don't smell good,' I teased.

'Why did you run off?' he asked after a few moments of silence.

'Well, were you going to bring me here?'

'That's still no excuse to run off,' he told me.

'I got the lecture off Vilkas yesterday, relax,' I told him with a small sigh.

'So what exactly are we looking for here anyway?'

'Well, she's got to do with the Thieves Guild,' I said under my breath so only Farkas could barely hear me. 'And the red head Nord over there at the stall is selling some elixir, but it sounds more like a scam to me. I think he might have something to do with her. Part of the Guild maybe?'

'How do you know?'

'Falmer Blood Elixir? I don't think it's a real thing to be honest,' I said raising my eyebrow and shaking my head. Farkas nodded once.

'Now what?'

'I have no idea. Maybe ask around and see can I get someone to tell me anything.'

'Right,' he scoffed. 'You'll be able to do that right after Vilkas has your head on a platter for thinking about doing something like that.'

'Who says Vilkas has to know?' I said, hopping down from the wall.

-x-

I sat in the Bee and Barb inn with Farkas, a vacant seat between us as we sat across from one another. There were other people around, sitting at the bar and at the surrounding tables, no one passing much remarks on the outsiders. One thing that did make me uncomfortable was the very beautiful looking woman standing near the stairs, just staring at us with narrow eyes. She was incredibly beautiful, but she made me very awkward as she stood there observing us. She wore some odd armour of some sort that I had never seen before. It didn't have any sleeves and I wondered how she could deal with the cold without any sleeves.

At first I thought maybe she was interested in Farkas, but then I realized she was glaring instead of observing much about him.

'Where should we ask first?' Farkas asked, frowning awkwardly. He was oblivious to the silent watcher in the corner.

'I'm guessing in the marketplace. Maybe here in the inn too. Definitely not the guards, I don't want to get kicked out of the city,' I said quietly, trying to keep my voice low so she couldn't hear our conversation.

'What are we gonna say?'

'I don't know, I haven't worked that part out,' I said. We paused for a few moments and then I saw Vilkas coming down the stairs. His hair was shaggy and in need of grooming and he looked like he could use a few more hours of sleep. He took a seat between us and rubbed his face with his hand.

'Are you okay?' I asked.

'Spectacular,' he said grumpily. 'So what are your brilliant plans to find this mysterious woman?' I swallowed hard.

'Well, I don't really know yet,' I said quietly.

'If you ask the wrong people you might end up in Riften jail,' he replied. He was so casual about it. So much for Vilkas not knowing about our plan to ask around. Although I wondered why he was the one to suggest it? It was very out of character.

'What do you suggest?' I inquired. Farkas looked at his brother, also awaiting a reply.

'I suggest forgetting about the whole thing and going home, but somehow I don't think you're going to accept that answer. So I would recommend observing the people for a while and finding out who might lead you to what you're looking for.'

'So just watch people?' I asked to clarify.

'Start with people who are watching you,' he said under his breath. I turned slightly to look at the woman who was still watching us.

'And then what?' I asked, turning back to him.

'Things you look for will find you,' he said, standing up from his seat. 'I'm going to the stables to see about getting the cart back to Whiterun when we're done here.' He walked out of the inn and I looked at Farkas and then glanced to the woman. She tilted her head and raised her eyebrows at me.

We stayed in the inn for most of the day, avoiding the sharp stare of the mysterious woman that stood watching us; every so often she would take a seat and then resume her place standing at the stairs. I was getting nervous and my heart raced every time I caught her eye.

'What do we know about her?' Vilkas asked, looking at me.

'I know she's got to do with the Brotherhood and the Guild,' I murmured.

'Can I get you anything?' the Argonian woman asked and I stopped talking.

'Three ales,' Vilkas answered. I heard the door opening and I looked curiously to see who it was. I saw the red headed Nord walk into the inn and prop himself against the wall near the woman. He folded his arms across his chest and began scanning the room.

'New around here?' she inquired with a raspy voice.

'Passing through,' Vilkas replied.

'Business deals?' she asked, sounding hopeful. I suspected her business wasn't doing too well and was hopeful of us bringing some to the city.

'If we can find anyone to do business with,' Vilkas said and I suddenly caught on to what he was doing.

'I'd recommend the Black-Briars for business, but just be weary of them. They're the last people you want to mess with,' she said taking up the plates in front of us.

'Why's that?' Vilkas asked.

'Bad news. Too many ties with the Guild,' she said in a hushed voice.

'Is there much trouble with the Guild here then?'

'Plenty. Rumours saying they have a new Guild master,' she scoffed.

'Really?' Vilkas asked, prompting for more.

'I'd stay clear of under the city and in the Ratway. Not good for trying to do business. Belongs to the Guild,' she said before leaving to go and fetch our order.

'What was that?' Farkas asked, completely lost.

'I assume that new Guild master would be who you're looking for,' he said leaning back in his seat and raising an eyebrow at me.

'Mithra,' I said quietly. I looked around me nervously and noticed the two standing against the wall were staring at me. I shifted uncomfortably under their stare. The woman moved beside the man and they began to exchange hushed words.

'Should we take a trip to this "Ratway" then?' Vilkas asked.

I looked nervously at the twins and then glanced back and forth to the two who were still trading words. Then the woman left the inn and disappeared into the evening and the red head took stand at the other side of the wall, leaning against it with his arms folded loosely across his chest. He stood with a smile pulling on his lips and I felt like throwing up as I wondered what was going on.

The Argonian woman brought us down our drinks and the twins began drinking. I sipped on the ale lightly. A few moments passed and there was still no sign of the mysterious woman to return and then she strode through the door and took her stand in the same spot as before. She looked at the Nord and the two traded smirks and then began watching people around the inn, every so often their gazes would fall upon us and their eyes would light up and my stomach would jump.

And then a very radiant Nord walked through the door. She wore a black hood that had a gold rim and was attached to her black dress that was fitted with a corset. I watched her from the corner of my eye. She exchanged a few words with the red head and then turned to look at the three of us. She pushed her hood back and gave a small smile as she saw us. I shifted uncomfortably again.

The new woman snatched a chair from a vacant table and dragged it across the floor and sat down beside us, placing her arms on the table she smiled at us and tilted her head slightly. She stayed silent, just smiling at us, waiting for us to react. Vilkas threw a small glance towards me and Farkas just stared at the woman in confusion.

'Don't tell me you came all this way looking for me and you don't even know what you want me for,' she said with a smile. She was very pretty with long blonde hair that slightly covered the side of her face, with a braid on one side. She had a peculiar scar along her cheek but it didn't take away from her elegant face, it did make me question her though. Her sharp green eyes were striking and I didn't know what to tell them.

'You're Mithra?' I asked.

'What can I do for the Companions?' she asked, scanning over the three of us. Farkas moved awkwardly in his chair.

'I need something and I was told you might be able to help,' I said nervously.

'I'm not exactly one for helping people,' she said with a soft smile.

'Assist me then,' I said.

'Sounds like something I can manage,' she replied.

'I need Jarrin Root,' I said. She laughed loudly for a few moments before turning back to me, still giggling slightly.

'And what makes you think I have access to something like that?' she said, slightly challenging me.

'I understand you have connections,' I said trying to let her know I was aware of her association with the Dark Brotherhood.

'Correct,' she said with a smile. 'And what would a young Breton like you want with such a thing? You certainly don't strike me as someone who should get caught up in what you're currently getting caught up in.' She raised her eyebrow at me with a devilish smirk.

'I'm working on project.'

'Odd ingredient to want for a project,' she said, leaning forward and placing her elbow on the table and then biting on her thumb nail in interest.

'It's not for me. I need it for someone else so I can get what I need,' I explained.

'Jarrin Root,' she stated. 'Expensive and rare. What would I get in return for this if I were to even consider giving you such a thing?'

I panicked. I had no money really. What could I do? What could I give her in return for this?

'Oh dear, you don't have anything of interest, do you?' she chuckled, sitting back in the chair.

'We have plenty of gold that should cover the costs,' Vilkas said.

'Oh no. I have plenty of gold. This is something much too rare to be given up for something as common as gold,' she replied. Gold was common to her? I suddenly felt the lack of weight in my pockets and felt quite embarrassed about it even though I doubt she knew.

'Then what?' Vilkas asked.

'What else can you offer me?' She was testing us.

'What do you desire?' I asked her.

'Anything I desire, I get,' she said shaking her head.

'What do you need?' Farkas asked bluntly.

'What do I need? Now that's a question,' she stated. She pondered for a few moments. I glanced around and saw the red head smiling to himself, watching us. She pondered again and her smile grew and faded a few times.

'Brynjolf?' she called, throwing her head back to look at him. The read head approached us and stood beside Mithra. 'What do we need?'

'We need people,' he said looking at her from the side of his eyes.

'None of us are joining your Guild or factions,' Vilkas said sternly.

'Don't worry darling, I wasn't asking,' she said with a sweet smile. 'Although we could do with some contacts in high places. My dear, you look like you belong in the College, yes?'

'Yes,' I said nervously.

'How would you feel about being a contact up there?' she asked.

'What would that entail?' I asked.

'You're not serious,' Vilkas scoffed. Mithra threw an angry glance at him and then turned back to me with her sweet smile.

'Nothing major. Don't worry, you wouldn't be breaking the law. I would just like to know what goes on up there. You see, the most information I'm getting is from that High Elf up there. And that information is mostly known through Maven Black-Briar, who oddly enough thinks she has this city in her pocket,' she laughed. 'Maven thinks I need this information to keep her in charge around Riften and to keep good ties with the Thalmor and the Legion. But you and I both know Maven could be living on the streets tomorrow.'

'Excuse me?' I asked, completely lost and shaking my head.

'You have no idea what's going on, do you,' she said blankly. 'That Ancano fellow, he keeps tabs on everything and everyone up in that College. Sends reports back to the Thalmor and the Thalmor have a great "friendship" with Maven. No one can really stand her because of how ignorant she is so I assume they tolerate her in order to keep control over Riften, although they might actually like her because they're about as charming as she is. Maven says she has power in Riften but the only reason she does is because of the Guild and the Brotherhood.'

'And you're both,' I said. She smiled and nodded.

'If I cut ties with Miss Maven then she has nothing left. Maven takes my advice on everything. It's quite humorous sometimes actually. Anyway, I can't stand the Thalmor and I don't believe what they're telling dearest Maven,' she explained.

'You want me to tell you what's going on in the College?' I asked, 'Like a spy?'

'I don't have any intentions on robbing your College. I would like to be informed about what happens in all corners of Skyrim though. I won't be stealing your experiments and I don't care much for what you've found under Saarthal. But I do want to keep Maven misinformed about what's going on. Interfering with official business is quite an amusing hobby of mine,' she explained with a devilish grin.

'You want to toy with the Thalmor?' Vilkas asked.

'And the Imperials and the Stormcloaks. You see, as far as all three of them are concerned I'm a very valuable friend and none of them know of my contact with the others. Makes a lot of my jobs easier when you can get away with anything under their watch,' she said.

'And how will me telling you about what we're doing in the College help with your "amusing hobby"?' I asked wearily.

'Information is key. And as long as I know the truth and everyone else thinks they know the truth, I have everything I need to keep control.'

'Why the College?' Vilkas asked.

'You mean, why the College and why not ask her to spy on the Companions? Because I don't need to worry about the Companions. You don't interfere with anything I do. Whereas I've ran into a few people who used to be in the College and they were quite a nuisance to deal with. The Thalmor are making the College their business, therefore I will make the College my business. When the Thalmor take up interest in the Companions, I will too, don't worry my dear.'

'So if I do this for you, I'll get the root?' I asked.

'It's a deal,' she said. She extended her hand to me and I looked to Farkas and Vilkas and then back to her. I took her hand and shook it and then sank into my seat.

'When will I get the root?'

'I'll have to get it first. I have business up North tomorrow and I can acquire it then. I can find you in the next three days. Where will you be?' she asked.

'I have to go to Whiterun and then to Winterhold to bring something back to the College. When I get the root I have to go to Solstheim,' I explained. Vilkas kicked me under the table and I jerked forward a little at the sudden attack. He coughed a little and I looked at him with a glare.

'By the time I'm free to get the root you'll be finished your business at the College. I assume you'll be headed to Windhelm then to get to Solstheim,' she said, 'Why don't I meet you in Windhelm? I'd love to catch up with Ulfric anyway.' She gave a wicked smile and I nodded. She stood up and Brynjolf stood behind her. 'I look forward to seeing you three again.'

She turned on her heels and walked elegantly out of the inn with Brynjolf following her like an escort. The mysterious woman who had been watching us all day waited a few moments before also disappearing out the door of the inn.

'How wonderful,' Vilkas muttered.

'Now what do we do?' Farkas asked quietly.

'Go to bed?' I suggested. I had only negotiated with someone but for some reason I felt completely drained of all my energy. I wasn't sure how I felt about Mithra, she was something for sure.

'We'll hire the carriage tomorrow and then get to Winterhold. I have work to do after that, I won't be able to go to Windhelm,' Vilkas said. 'Be careful, I don't trust her.' Vilkas stood from the table and went up the stairs to the rented room he had. Farkas and I followed shortly after.