Riften

"Are we going to talk about what happened?" Kathryn asked.

"There's nothing to talk about." Aila replied.

"You killed a dragon, Aila. I'd say that's something to talk about."

"It... I didn't do anything, really."

Kathryn looked at her in wonder. "Why do you keep refusing to acknowledge how strong you really are?"

"Because I'm not," Aila said. "I'm not some great warrior, or mage. I'm no one special. I'm just some orphan girl."

"Aila..." Kathryn held her hand up to Aila's cheek. "You're special to me."

Aila leaned forward and rested her forehead on Kathryn's. "Kat?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

Aila saw her smile. "I love you too."

That made her feel a bit better. She needed hear that. She had been feeling very insecure about herself lately. Ever since she killed the dragon she felt like something was different. She just didn't know what. She refused to talk about the actual killing of the dragon, despite Kathryn's inquisitions. She didn't have much recollection of doing it. It was as if she had acted entirely on impulse, which is exactly what happened.

They had reached Riften the night before, after four long days of walking. The only things they were able to salvage from the dragon attack was Aila's bow, and Kathryn's sword, though they had to pry it out of the dragon's skull. Everything else had burned. They walked into the city tired and hungry, but they had no money to pay for food or a bed, so they slept outside with empty bellies. It wasn't so bad for Aila; she was used to being hungry. Kathryn took it rather hard, though. She wasn't used to not having any way to get food.

The next day, they wandered around the city, trying to figure out what to do. Originally, they had come to kill a frost troll, but it didn't look like that was possible now. They looked for other jobs they could do, but no one had the gold to hire them even if they wanted to. Eventually, after a few hours of looking, they stopped and rested by a shrine of Talos. Kathryn had decided to try and ask Aila what she did to kill the dragon again. She had only seen part of it.

Now they were simply resting. Aila was quietly laying on Kathryn's shoulder with her eyes closed. She must have drifted off to sleep, because she was suddenly woken by a voice.

"Running a light in the pockets, eh lass?"

Aila lifted her head and yawned. She rubbed her eyes and saw someone standing in front of them. A tall Nord man, with brown hair and a thin beard.

"Our wealth is none of your business," Kathryn said.

"Oh, but that's were you're wrong. Wealth is my business. Maybe you'd like a taste?" He had a very strange accent.

"What do you mean?"

"You see, my names Brynjolf. I have a bit of an errand to preform, and I need some extra hands. And in my line of work, extra hands are well paid."

"What do you want us to do?" Kathryn asked.

"Well, that depends. Do either of you know how to use a lockpick?"

"What? A lockpick? No, of course not, we're not thieves."

"Oh. Well then, never mind. I'll just..."

"Um, actually," Aila interjected, "I do."

Kathryn stared at her. "You know how to lockpick?" Aila nodded "Where did you learn that?"

"It's... a long story. I'll tell you later." She turned to Brynjolf. "What was it you wanted?"

"It's quite simple, really. I'm going to cause a distraction, and you're going to steal the Argonian Madesi's silver ring from a strongbox under his stand. Once you have it, you're going to plant it on the Dark Elf Brand-Shei. Think you can handle it?"

"Wait, we're not actually going to do this are we?" Kathryn asked. "We're not thieves."

"We do need gold," Aila stated.

"Aye," Brynjolf said, "and there'll be plenty of it, if you do this."

"I don't know..." Kathryn said.

"Well, I'll be in the market all day, so meet me there if you make up your mind." Brynjolf turned and walked away.

That was when Kathryn turned on her. "Okay, so tell me where you learned to lockpick."

Aila shrugged. "I've known how since I was a child."

"Who taught you?"

"I taught myself."

"Why?"

"Well... That's a bit... How much do you know about my past?" Aila asked.

Kathryn thought for a moment. "Not much actually."

"There isn't a lot to tell, and I don't really like talking about it... You know I've been to The Imperial City?"

"Yes."

"Well, that's where I grew up. My very first memories were of living on the streets."

"You didn't have a home or anything?" Kathryn asked.

Aila shook her head. "No. I've lived my entire life on the homeless. I didn't know who I was, where I was, or anything. I didn't have any gold, and I would beg for food or gold, but most people just ignored me There was scarcely a time when I wasn't hungry." The memory made her sad. "Sometimes, when I was especially hungry, I would steal food." Kathryn was listening intently. "Some food vendors would keep their food in glass cases to help keep it fresh. They usually had the best food. Lockpicks were surprisingly easy to find, and I taught myself to open locks, so I could get it. That's really all there is to my past."

"How did you end up in Skyrim?" Kathryn asked.

"I got caught. I thought the guards would just throw me in jail. I didn't think that would be too bad, I mean they do feed you every day, but they put me in a carriage and shipped me off to Skyrim. I don't know why. After long days of riding, I ended up in... Helgen."

"And then you escaped, and you made it to Riverwood." Kathryn said. "And to me."

Aila nodded. "My life didn't really begin until I met you."

"I guess it's a good thing you got caught." Kathryn said, smiling.

"Yeah, I guess it is." Aila smiled back.

"Wait," Kathryn said, "Who gave you your name?"

Aila's smile grew. "I picked it out myself. Do you like it?"

Kathryn leaned in close, so that their lips were nearly touching. "I love it."

"Thank you."

"Anytime." She locked her lips with Aila's, and gave her a long kiss.

They broke apart at the sound of a rumbling stomach. Whose, they could not say, it may have been both of theirs. "Let's do the job, Kat," Aila said, holding her belly.

Kathryn was holding her own. "I don't know, we'd be breaking the law."

"We really need the gold. We could finally get something to eat. Besides, you wouldn't really have to do anything. I'd be the one who does the lockpicking."

She was silent for a long while. Finally she sighed. "Alright."

Aila stood, pulling Kathryn up with her. They walked to the market in the middle of the city, where they found Brynjolf waiting for them. When they approached, he said, "Ready to make some coin?"

"Ready as we'll ever be," Kathryn said.

"Good. Here are some lockpicks. Wait until I start the distraction, and then show me what you're made of."

Aila held the lockpicks and moved back a bit as Brynjolf started the distraction. "Everyone! Everyone! Gather 'round," he said. "I have something amazing to show you that demands your attention!"

People stopped to hear what he had to say. Aila saw an Argonian who must be Madesi leave his stall.

"Gather 'round all!"

"Come on," Aila whispered to Kathryn. She walked to Madesi's stall and knelt behind it. "Make sure no one is watching."

Aila heard a Dark Elf say, "Come on Brynjolf... what is it this time?"

She tried to slide open the door on the stall, but it was locked. She slipped a lockpick into the lock. "I haven't done this in forever."

"Just hurry up." Kathryn said

"Patience Brand-Shei. This is a rare opportunity, and I wouldn't want you to get left out."

Aila turned the lock slowly, so as not to break the lockpick. When she felt pressure on it, she let loose a bit, moved the pick slightly, and tried again. It clicked open. Aila made a silent cheer as she slid open the door.

The Argonian spoke. "That's what you said about the wisp essence, and it turned out to be crushed nirnroot mixed with water!"

Aila tried to open the strongbox within, but that was locked as well.

"A simple misunderstanding." Brynjolf said. "This item is the real thing. Lads and lasses, I give you Falmerblood elixir!"

She put in the lockpick, positioned it, and turned. She had almost unlocked when the pick suddenly snapped in half. "Damn it," she muttered.

"Hurry." Kathryn said.

"I know, I know."

She grabbed another pick and tried again.

"Oh come on, are you talking about the Snow Elves?"

"The one and only."

"Got it," Aila said as the lock opened. She looked inside and saw a number of valuables. There was gold, and an amethyst, as well as a silver ring. Aila took the ring and left the rest. She closed the strongbox and the sliding door and stood. She walk over to the crowd that gathered to listen to Brynjolf.

"Mystical being that live in legends and were masters of great magic. Imagine the power that coursed through their veins!"

Aila looked for the Dark Elf. There were three of them. Which one was it?

The Argonian spoke again. "How did you get that, then? No one has seen them in years!"

"My sources must remain a secret for their own protection, but I promise you the contents are genuine."

Which one? She should've asked before she started.

"One sip of the elixir and your wishes will be granted. Great wealth, everlasting life, or perhaps limitless power could be yours!"

"How much does it cost?" a Dark Elf asked.

"Only twenty septims! Easily affordable for one such as yourself, Brand-Shei."

Brand-Shei! So that was the one. And he was in the perfect place too. He was towards the back of the crowd, sitting on a pile of boxes. One could easily walk up behind him without anyone noticing. One such as Aila.

"Hurry now, before my supply is gone!"

"Don't listen to him, he's making this up!" the Argonian said.

Brand-Shei seemed to think differently. "I could get rich and stop selling trinkets," he muttered to himself. Aila slowly walked up behind him. His pocket was wide open. She held the ring out. All she had to do was drop it in. "I can't really afford it, but can I afford not to?" She let go. It fell straight into his pocket. He didn't even flinch. Aila looked over to Brynjolf and gave him a small nod.

"Well, I see my time is up. Come back tomorrow if you wish to buy."

The crowd dissipated with murmurs of both disappointment and annoyance. "What a waste of time." the Argonian said.

"Damn. I should have bought one while I had the chance." Brand-Shei said.

One every one had gone, Brynjolf came up to them. "Looks like I chose the right people for the job. And here you go..." He handed Aila a bloated coinpurse. "Your payment, just as I promised. The way things have been going around here, it's a relief that our plan went off without a hitch."

"What's been going on?" Aila asked.

"Bah. My organization's been having a run of bad luck. But, I suppose that's just how it goes. But never mind that, you did the job, and you did it well. Best of all, there's more were that came from... If you think you can handle it."

"More thieving?" Kathryn asked.

"Among other things. The group I represent makes its home in the Ratway beneath Riften. A tavern called The Ragged Flagon. Head there if you'd like to make some more coin. Oh by the way, I didn't catch your names."

"I'm Kathryn, and this is Aila."

He nodded and took his leave.

"You know I just realized something," Kathryn said.

"What?"

"You haven't stuttered at all since we've been here."

"Hey, you're right." Aila smiled. "This is turning out to be a good day." She threw the coinpurse to Kathryn. "Now let's go eat."

"So? Did she kill it?" He asked.

"Oh yes," the woman answered, "She most certainly did."

The man smiled. "Pruzah."

"There's more."

"Fos?"

"She knows of you. Komidrot was thinking of you when he died."

"How much does she know?"

"Not much. She knows what you look like, but that's about it."

"Hmm... She must not know who I am until she is strong enough. This will make it more difficult to keep an eye on her."

"What about Damon?" the woman asked.

"Zu'u vis dreh nid zuk. We will simply have to wait for the right moment to give it to him. Just as we will for Aila."

"The moment may not come for a long while."

"Drem. I have waited for tens of thousands of years to defeat Alduin. I can wait a bit longer."

"I will wait with you, Karsten. As ever."

"And I shall always be grateful, lokali."