Day 21 – Fantasy
A/N: Well, this one was a bit of a conundrum, since Dragon Age is a fantasy universe anyway but, as you all know by now, I love crossovers, so I sent Megan, Nate and Carver over to Skyrim (or Riften, to be precise) ;).
She would never voluntarily have stepped through a portal in the normal course of events. Megan wasn't stupid. Those things never meant anything but trouble, no matter whether they led to the Fade or to another place entirely. But Carver had slipped on the mossy floor of the cave and stumbled right through the swirling purple surface. Megan had followed him without a moment's hesitation, and, of course, Nathaniel had jumped in right behind her.
On second thought, it might have been better if at least one of them had stayed behind. She cursed under her breath. At least Anders was still there and could examine the portal more closely. He could also tell the others they were gone, provided he made it back to Vigil's Keep in one piece. Megan cursed again, more violently this time, even though she knew it was useless. All they could do was find out where they had ended up.
Carver and Nathaniel still seemed numb with shock, so she decided to have a quick look around while they recovered.
They were in some sort of underground tunnel, sparsely lit through a grille above them, but built from solid flagstones, with vaulted roofs and cobbled floors. The walls were damp and it smelled mouldy, so she guessed there was water nearby. A little way along the nearest wall, she could make out a ladder, its rusty rungs leading upward.
"Our way out." She nodded toward the ladder. "Come on. No sense in hanging around down here."
"Are you sure that's wise?" Nathaniel shook himself like a wet dog. "Shouldn't we stay near the portal?"
"It's closed on our side." She shrugged. Of course, there was no telling whether or not it would open again later, but it was just as likely they would have to find a different way back. "And I'd rather get moving. We won't learn anything about this place by hiding away."
"We also probably won't run into any trouble down here," Carver pointed out.
"And when has that ever stopped us?" Megan grinned at the two of them. "You know, this is actually quite exciting. A real change from our routine patrols."
"That's one way of looking at it." Nathaniel threw her a dark glance but, when she set out toward the ladder, he followed without further complaints, and so did Carver.
There was another grille in the wall near the top of the ladder, but its hinges were well-oiled and it swung back easily when she pushed. Outside, they found themselves on a wooden walkway, much like a pier, smack in the middle of a town. There were a number of people around, but no one seemed overly concerned to see them emerging from the ground. The residents had an air of single-minded activity about them. Fortunately, they were dressed in a similar enough way that Megan and her two companions fit right in.
They followed the walkway, drifting with the crowds, until they reached a small square with a central fountain surrounded by several stalls – obviously the town's marketplace; not a particularly well-appointed market, though some of the items on display looked interesting enough. There was a blacksmith too, but, on the whole, the place appeared shabby and run-down, with its weathered wooden buildings and the stink of the canals pervading the whole town.
"Hey, you!" A shady character leaning against a wooden column sized Megan up with a suspicious glare. "I don't know you. You in Riften looking for trouble?"
Riften. Megan frowned. She'd never come across a place of that name and couldn't recall ever seeing it on a map of Thedas. Not good.
"Just passing through," she replied nonchalantly, ignoring the man's ominous muttering as she walked on.
He took a look at Nathaniel and Carver, close on her heels, and obviously decided that the odds were stacked against him. But she hadn't walked more than a few paces before another stranger stepped in her way. This one was different: a handsome guy, with reddish hair and a beard, dressed reasonably well.
When he opened his mouth, his deep, smooth voice made her shiver pleasantly. "Running a little light in the pockets, lass?" He had a curious accent. Not unattractive, though, not by any means.
"I beg your pardon?" He was tall too. Megan looked up at him with big round eyes, doing her best to exude an air of wounded innocence. "You'll have to forgive me. I'm a stranger around these parts. Maybe you could help me out a little?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Expecting free information, eh? Help me deal with business first, then we'll see how I can help you."
Of course. I knew he'd ask me to do a job for him first. Just like everyone else she had encountered in her travels. Megan just barely resisted the urge to roll her eyes skyward. Some things seemed to be universal.
He leaned back, crossing his arms, his eyes roving up and down her body with obvious interest. "Besides, you look like you could use some coin, am I right?"
"How could you possibly know that?" Megan shook her head. "Ah, forget it. Go on. I'm interested."
"Meg!" Nathaniel stepped up beside her, glancing sharply at the stranger. "You don't even know his name. This could be dangerous."
Carver kept silent but he, too, took a step forward, one hand on the hilt of his sword.
The stranger smiled and her heart beat faster. "I'm Brynjolf. Don't worry, lass. I'm not asking you to kill a dragon."
Megan shrugged. "I'm not afraid of dragons. We've killed a few."
"Killed dragons?" Brynjolf seemed impressed. "You're not Dragonborn, by any chance?"
"Certainly not." Megan shook her head. What an odd expression! "So, what kind of job do you have in mind?"
His smile was back in place. "Don't worry. All I need is an extra pair of hands. It's just a small errand, and you'll be well paid."
"What do I have to do?" Next to her, Nathaniel sighed in frustration. Oh, come on, Nate. Megan felt a reckless smile rise to her lips. What's the worst that can happen?