Dear reader,
We left this story at the point where the Dragonborn, Cathryne, had been identified as a useful addition to the Thieves Guild by Brynjolf, a dubious merchant and member of the infamous guild.
I hope you will continue to enjoy this story as it unfolds…
Stolen Heart
By: Anonymous
- Chapter 2: Thick as Thieves -
Months had passed since Cathryne and Brynjolf met.
Whilst Cathryne worked hard to earn her place in the guild and forge bonds between herself and the rest of her comrades, there was a notable bond forming between herself and Brynjolf. A flirtatious closeness that one would not associate with ruthless thieves, the two would frequently exchange winks, glances and whispered words..
One evening, after completing yet another job for Vex, Cathryne returned to the Ragged Flagon and dropped a coin purse, the size of a human skull, on the table where Brynjolf, Vex and Delvin were sitting.
The coin purse opened and several gleaming diamonds spilled out on to the rotting wood surface.
Everyone at the table sat up to attention.
"By the Gods, lass." Brynjolf exclaimed "What is this?"
"The rewards of a little tomb raiding." She replied, with a grin "On my way back from a burglary job I found a crypt and decided to explore… Sometimes it's nice to do something a little less illegal…"
Brynjolf laughed loudly "Aye lass, it seems to be a profitable little hobby too."
"Geez. That's a lot of sparkle." Delvin muttered, rolling his gnarled fingers over the glittering stones. "I know someone who would sell us his mother and then some to get glitter like this, and he's a real mama's boy!"
Brynjolf picked up one of the stones and held it up to the light of a candle "Hmmm, flawless like a certain lass who is out to impress…"
Suddenly a hand lashed out and scooped up the coin purse. It was Mercer, the leader of the Guild. "I'll take these and put them in the vault."
"Spoil sport…" Delvin muttered, folding his arms.
"At least our latest stash will be safe in the vault." Brynjolf replied with a chuckle. "A job well done, lass, That haul should help us weather a bit of this bad storm we've been having lately."
Cathryne knew that the guild had fallen on hard times, many of her comrades spoke of the "old days" and how good they had been. She was disappointed that she had not had the chance to see the guild in all its splendour, but everyone was certain that the glory days could be restored if they continued to complete jobs and bring in gold.
She smiled happily "Glad to have helped! I think I'll go and have a bath, the smell of the undead isn't really that becoming."
Vex slid something her way "Here. A bit of scented oil… you've earned it after that stash."
She smiled at Vex "Thanks." Taking the oil she walked off to bathe.
That evening, after her bath in the near by river surrounding Riften, Cathryne returned to the guild via the hidden graveyard entrance. Her hair was still damp, so she vigorously rubbed it with a towel as she walked down the dingy Ratway corridors.
"Ah! My sister in crime!" A familiar voice caught her attention, it was Rune, a fellow guild member with an unusual name. He told her that he acquired it from the man who salvaged him from a shipwreck.
"Rune…" She smiled "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine. How are you doing?" It was no secret that Rune had a particular fondness for Cathryne.
"I'm very well, thank you."
"I hear you got quite the stash for us! A bag of diamonds as big as a man's skull! That's a very impressive feat!" He was beaming happily.
"Well, if it helps the guild."
"Oh I'm sure it will. Mercer actually looked pleased, for once…" Rune smiled sheepishly "Um well… I just wanted to say well done!"
"Thanks." Cathryne smiled back and walked away. She sat down on her bed with an unceremonious flop and sighed out.
Her whole body tensed as silent hands curled around her shoulders from behind. Moments later, she was relaxing under one of Brynjolf's famed massages – the man was good with his hands as one might expect from a thief.
"My my lass. You are tense tonight aren't you?" Brynjolf murmured, close to her ear.
She closed her eyes and allowed him to continue kneading her back "I suppose I am. Not that I had even noticed."
"Aye… Sometimes the constant flow of jobs can do that."
"Yes. It's been a while since I just went off in to the wilderness and let the land guide me towards somewhere or something. Lately I've been putting a lot of energy in to helping the guild." She hesitated slightly – the guild paid her well for her work. It wasn't an act of kindness.
He chuckled deeply "Ah. Feeling guilty for complaining about your lot, eh? Well don't be. We're entitled to complain when things get too samey."
"I suppose so." She said, before sighing "Thank you, Bryn. I feel much better now."
"Old Bryn's hands worked a little more of their magic, eh?" he grinned.
"Not only that. I mean for listening to me, too." Cathryne shifted on the bed and turned to look at him.
He shook his head "The pleasure is all mine, lass. I'll gladly listen to you all day."
"I appreciate that."
"You know… Our earlier conversation, got me to thinking." Brynjolf said, with arms folded.
"Thinking? Of what?"
"How about you and me go on a little adventure, a little tomb raiding eh? It seemed like you really enjoyed the chance to go somewhere with less guards and more sparkly treasures, right?"
She looked at him, surprised at first then with a big smile across her lips "You really want to go in to a dangerous Nordic crypt with me?"
"Sure. Why not? It sounds like it could even be fun." he winked at her and stood up "Let me know when the fancy takes you and we'll sneak away."
"Alright!"
She climbed in to bed as the moon spilled in to the Cistern through the holes in the ceiling, and pondered about Brynjolf's offer…
~End of Chapter 2~
Whilst waiting for the 2 day ban on posting stories, I ended up writing the first few chapters... So the same as last time, I look forward to feedback but I'm still highly flammable so no flames please! ^^;