Chapter 57: Olette

[13th – 14th of Sun's Height 4E 202]

After we had finally arrived in Riften, I had ventured into the local prison to see if there was a chance that Inigo was here. Mia had mentioned him, but inside the cell which should be his was empty. I had found him, though, on cleaning duty on the lower level, and after some talk about our previous encounter, when he had, according to his claim, sent me to death by clubbing me and stating I had collaborated with the Stormcloaks, I had been able to convince him to join me and repent by protecting me and fighting at my side. We had bought armor for him and strolled out to the city's fishery, and after eating some fish at the fish market, two kids had been running on the docks, followed by an adult calling them thieves. One of the kids had slipped while turning a corner and fallen into the water, not far from us, and the other one, a boy maybe ten years old, had shouted "Olette! Help! She can't swim!".

He seemed to think about jumping as well, but the man he had likely stolen from was almost there, and the boy ran off again. At that time I stopped paying attention to those two characters, as the girl in the water indeed looked like she could not swim or at least not swim well, and although this might be a trick, I dropped my outer coat and prepared to help, but Inigo was faster and had already jumped. Within seconds he was there, grabbed the child and managed to pull her to a lower dock section, where I got first the girl and then him out; with my size and strength, that was an easy feat, and even for Inigo I only needed one of my hands and arms. For a moment I felt like Jaws pulling James Bond out of a pool in the Moonraker movie. Inigo showed a smile on his face, and the girl, likely an Imperial and barely ten years old, shuddered. An Argonian from the fishery brought a couple of blankets, and both Inigo and the girl got one.

The child looked at me and then at Inigo, and she actually managed to get a "Thank you" out. Inigo smiled at her; after giving her some time to calm down he asked:

"So, your name is Olette, right?"

"Yeah, that's me, Cap'n".

"My name is Inigo; the big Khajiit over there is my friend B'lushona, and the lady is his housecarl Jordis."

"What's a housecarl?"

"She works for him and protects him, Olette."

"Like from us stealing?"

"That's included, kid, and much more" Jordis chimed in. "If you want to steal from us, you've got to improve your technique, as your friend had to find out earlier."

"Yeah, but noisy people get stuck before sound passes their lips. And the thing that sticks ya? It slips right back inta the gutter unseen."

"You're quite forward, but I would not be so sure about that, Olette" I told her. "But anyway, where are your parents?"

She looked down and admitted:

"Pa was a sailor with a kid in every port from Seyda Neen to Stros M'Kai. One of them ports is Windhelm, and one of them kids is me. Ma's a skooma fiend. She likes to go where the skooma is. One day she went off into the Ratways to get her some more and never came back. Probably murdered for the clink she had on her. Or maybe it was the skooma that done her in. Don't matter all that much to me. If she showed up here tomorrow right as rain I'd spit right in her face and tell her to go kiss a deadroth. I take care of myself."

I did not know what to say. Was this all the truth or was she lying to get our guard down? She couldn't be much more than ten or eleven years old, and she already talked like that? Somehow this was sad; Inigo also looked like he was touched by the girl's story, and he suggested:

"So, if your parents are no longer there, why not live at the orphanage?"

The response from Olette was cold and clear:

"I heard the lady that runs it is a Hagraven who gobbles up stupid children. 'Sides, no-one would want to adopt a dirty guttersnipe with broken teeth and blood under her nails. Not with the likes of cute, sweet Runa around."

Based on what I knew about the city's orphanage from the game she was likely right about the woman running it, and I could not blame her for having that view. However, to live like that was likely not easy, and I also asked:

"So, where do you sleep?"

"I got me a bedroll right by the fire in Beggars Row. Would be aces if Edda didn't snore."

"And how do you manage to keep fed?

"You jokin'? There'll always be that stinker of a fool ready to pat my head and lose their purse. Or a fellow sneaky type wantin' the freshest news that's trickled down inta the gutter. And when fools is short, there's always skeevers to eat. Cook up nice with a touch of pilfered garlic or a dab of lifted lavender. Lotsa skeevers in the Warrens. I don't like it down there, though. Full of crazies and some mage type who sets my spine a-tingling."

I felt pity for her, and I suspected that she might not be the only child having to cope on her own in this city. On the other hand, it could all be a ruse to make people feel sad for her and give her some coins. Jordis clearly had an opinion and voiced it:

"If it weren't for thieving scum like you Riften might be a beautiful city."

"I don't know about that, lady housecarl; the thieving scum would be gone, but the regular scum would still be there."

She had a good point here. Even without 'official' thieves, there was still Maven Black-Briar, and I wasn't even sure if the local Jarl wasn't at least partially corrupt. Jordis encountered:

"Yeah, you'd think at least the nobles would know better than to live here."

"Yeah, and I mostly steal from the richies. Stupid merchants or lovers swaggerin' by with fat purses ripe for the picking."

Some Robin Hood like idea? No, probably just practical. Out of curiosity I asked her:

"Olette, what's the most expensive thing you've ever stolen?"

"I don't much do big jobs. I take what I need and most people here don't have much o value 'cept to themselves, anyway. But this one time…some big time merchant came marchin' into the city, fat as anything, and behind him was a caravan full of all sorts of treasures. I managed to pinch the biggest ruby you've ever seen from him while he was slobberin' all over the meats in the market and on Haelga's backside."

"What did you do with the gem?"

"Woulda been made for life but one of the bigger boys knocked me into next Middas and took the gem. Big as a scrib it were, too… Still, the guards lopped off his head on the way out of the city so I don't feel too sore about it.

"Sounds like the boy got what he deserved, right?"

"Pretty much, Cap'n. If you're dumb enough to get caught, you deserve whatever comes next."

"So, Olette, I assume you know a lot about what's happening around here?"

"Sure do, Cap'n, but information doesn't come for free."

"I understand. What about an invitation to the Bee and Barb and you can eat as much as you want?"

"As much as I want, really? Fair trade Cap'n. Fer a decent meal I'll sing like a sparrow."

I had not idea why she addressed both Inigo and me as 'Cap'n', but I wanted to give her something at least, and I thought that food was more appropriate than money. Thus, we got into the city again and entered the large inn. Keerava, the Argonian proprietor, was reluctant to allow Olette to sit at one of the tables with us, but we were able to change her mind by promising that we'd make sure she'd behave. I ordered a variety of food, and after an encouraging look the girl started to eat. Only once most of the food was gone, I started to prompt her:

"Now, why don't you tell us something about the city and the people who live here."

"There is Mjoll; she caught me pinching her pockets once. I thought I were in fer it, but she give me a gold piece and told me to get some food. Just like that. Talk to her if yer needin' a strong arm."

"Is that so?"

" 'tis, Cap'n. And that Mara priestess, Jade? Well, she isn't as behaved as a priestess oughta be. Picked more than a few pockets in her time."

"Wow, really?

"Yeah, but that was a long time ago, me thinks. By the way, if you want a laugh, go see Dirassi at Mistveil Keep and tell her you got Brain Rot."

"Okay, maybe we should try that."

Olette almost laughed, and she stuck a more food into her tiny mouth. When she was done swallowing, she continued:

"Sapphire don't talk much about her past, but I know all about it and it's not for me to tell."

"Sounds fair."

She nodded and had more to tell:

"The beggars say that Wylandriah is a strange one. Don't know why, though; guards don't let me into the Keep. And, there's some mad Khajiit running about the place called Maiq. He wanted to know if I had any calipers. What's calipers?"

"Calipers are kind of tools, but it appears that they are not used much in Skyrim. So, that's about it?"

"Yeah, guess so."

So, while Olette did not have any real breathtaking information to share, if was still interesting, even though it included some details I did not need to know and maybe did not even want to know. Anyway, I had mainly asked for the information so that Olette could feel like we had had a deal, with benefits for both sides, rather than paying a meal for her our of mercy and pity. We had made a friend, and the girl ran off when she was stuffed in a quite happy mood; likely she had not eaten like this for a long time.


For the rest of the day we wandered around in the city some more, and over supper, on the porch of Honeyside, we made plans for the next days.

"I'd like to see if I can find Fort Dawnguard" I suggested.

"Hey, that's where the vampire hunters are, right?" Fiona asked.

When I nodded, she replied: "Sure, me too. Do you know the way?"

"I believe that I do, yes. I don't think that they have a word wall for you anywhere in and around their location, though. What do you think, Inigo?"

"I will go wherever I will go, my friend. And anyway, vampire hunters sounds interesting. I would like to find out how much damage my ebony arrows can do to one of those vile creatures. Ah, the vampires, not the hunters, of course."

"So, what about heading there tomorrow?" I suggested.

"Ah, no, this will have to wait for the day after tomorrow" Fiona replied. "Tomorrow noon Jarl Laila Law-Giver wants to see me and has asked me to join her for lunch."

"Just you?"

"Well, yes, indeed. I guess that she wants to see me again."

"Ah, that's the Dragonborn's fame" Inigo suggested. "Actually, I wouldn't mind at all to have another day in Riften. I have been here for months, but always in the jail only."

He had a point, and I added:

"So, let's head out and find Fort Dawnguard on the day after tomorrow."


On the next day, almost everybody slept in. Fiona did not have any specific plans for the time before her lunch with the Jarl, but I decided to go for walk outside, with Hanni and Nanni of course. Inigo, for whom we had found a corner and a cot, was ready to join me, and we kept quiet as we passed the sleeping Dragonborn; the porch exit was from her room. Just when we had left the stairs and were on solid ground again, Jordis came running and claimed:

"You can't just leave without me, my Thane! This is Riften – anything can happen here!"

"That argument can be pulled everywhere, Jordis."

"Well, yes, but this city has the Thieves Guild."

"It has, true, and I'd like to learn more about it, eventually."

"You'd want to join them, my friend?" Inigo chimed in.

"No, I don't think so, but I'd like to learn more about them and how they work, who's a member, whom do they steal from, and such."

"Ah, learn about your enemy."

"You got it, Inigo."

"Smart, yes. I guess that we are both smart blue cats, you and me."

Smart blue cats? Sure, I could live with that. And indeed, I had no ambition to join the Thieves Guild. This was not the game, where you could easily join all guilds and groups and become their leader via a predefined path a.k.a. quest line; a real person would be expected to spend most of their time with the group. I was already stretching it with the Companions, and without Kodlak agreeing to my 'part time employment', this wouldn't do. Also, I would not want to start stealing and such just to impress the leadership; I was not that great in sneaking, a total failure in lockpicking and probably also in pickpocketing, and I did not really have an ambition to learn. No, that was not for me.

We had walked along the shore, past Merryfair Farm, and found a nice and quiet spot right at the waterfront. Seeing that the sun was rising and the temperature was pleasant, I used the opportunity to strip down to my loin cloth and go swimming in the lake. Inigo and Jordis refused to join me, but my two saber cats were in the water quickly as well. Fortunately, at some distance to the city on the northeastern shore, the water was reasonably clear and clean, or so it seemed to me. I had already liked swimming in my first life, and I liked it here, in Skyrim with my Khajiit body. The water was a little bit colder than what I preferred, but swimming and diving quickly for some time helped to warm the muscles. At least, it was summer time; I certainly would not want to get into the water in winter.

Hanni, Nanni and I spent sometime frolicking around, and I felt happy about that; playing with them was always filling my heart with joy and allow me to feel like a child, at least somewhat. I really enjoyed it when they both approached me with their muzzles partly open and their teeth showing, pretending to attack me; when they worked in a team, they already managed to push me under water now, which resulted in me 'retaliating' and trying to push them down, too. Exercising like that also help to stay warm. When we were finally done and stepped ashore, there was another person standing with Inigo and Jordis, a tall female Nord with long blond hair; a battle axe was on her back. When Hanni and Nanni were done shaking water from their furs and we came closer, that woman said:

"When I came here, I was ready for a fight, as it looked like you were attacked by two saber cats in the water."

Indeed, that may have looked like a serious fight; fortunately, Jordis at least knew about the real situation, and Inigo had quickly learned. I replied:

"Oh, we were just playing."

"Yes, that's what I was told by Jordis and Inigo here. It certainly did not look like that, though."

"I understand that, yes. But, Hanni and Nanni are my best friends."

The Nord still looked uneasy, but she continued:

"So, you are B'lushona, right?"

"Yes, that's me."

"I have heard about you, even before your two companions mentioned your name. I am Mjoll, and I live in Riften."

Ah, that was Mjoll. Wasn't she supposed to be in the city all of the time?

"You've heard about me?"

"Yes, when the Lady Dragonborn was here with some people earlier in the year, she mentioned you, and there aren't that many Khajiit around with your size.

"Ah, I see. Yes, she mentioned you as well, and how much you helped her with what she had to do."

"Well, it was something to work around the Thieves Guild, and I was very happy to help."

"You don't like the guild, right?"

"Who does, really? To even call it a guild is ridiculous. How can people who would betray one another over a gold coin be considered part of an association? They're the worst kind. Even the Dark Brotherhood abides by a strict set of rules and tradition. These thieves are just rabble."

"You have a point, Mjoll, although I would expect that they do have a set of rules they follow."

"Why would you think that?"

"If they didn't, there would be too much competition between them and too little coordination. I assume that they have their rules, but maybe their leadership isn't that great."

"It doesn't have to be great, really, as there is Maven Black-Briar. She represents everything that's wrong with this city. She's bribed countless officials, has friends back in the Imperial City and freely associates with the Thieves Guild. I've tried everything I can to protect Riften's citizens from her family, but to no avail."

"Hm, that bad?"

"Even worse, believe me."

Mjoll snorted and looked away, facing Inigo. All of a sudden she asked him, pointing at the glass jar he had with him:

"And who is this? One of your comrades?"

"In the jar? Oh, that is Mr Dragonfly. He is a big fan of yours."

"Are you joking?"

"No; he is a vital part of the team."

Mjoll laughed, and I also smiled. At some time, I would want to learn more about that; I vaguely recalled that the Inigo in the game had also had 'Mr Dragonfly' with him, but I did not remember for what the jar and the inhabitant were good for. Meanwhile, Inigo explained further:

"Why are you laughing? You are acting crazy, Mjoll. Do not worry, Mr Dragonfly will not hold it against you."

"By the Divines, you are serious."

"Of course I am."

"But I am not part of your team at all!"

"You could be if you wanted. I believe that you fit in well with us."

"Are you serious? Joining your group?"

"I am, Mjoll."

"You don't even know me properly, and I don't really know you. Besides, I need to stay in the city. I've taken the burdens of this city's problems upon myself and I keep running into impossible obstacles. Corruption, lies and deceit are the order of the day here. If it wasn't for Aerin, the young man who saved my life, I think I'd already have given up long ago."

"Your choice, Mjoll; I understand."

The Nord woman turned, as if she was going to leave again, but she had a final word for me:

"When I met Janina, the Redguard, she also mentioned you, and she said that she was missing you a lot."

Of course, Janina had been with the group who had looked for Esbern. Now Mjoll had my undivided attention, and I asked:

"She did, really?"

Mjoll looked at me and asked back:

"She means a lot to you, doesn't she?"

"I guess that she does, but we didn't have enough time to find out more."

The Nord nodded, and I also asked:

"Did she mention anything about her further plans?"

"Not much, but she wanted to get to Markarth and Solitude. She seemed to be honoring Mara and Dibella in particular."

"Yes, that's what she did."

We looked at each other for a few more seconds, and then Mjoll did leave, saying:

"Safe travels, my friends!"

I watched her leaving and slowly walking back towards the city, and eventually Jordis suggested:

"My Thane, don't you think it's about time to don your armor again?"

I turned around, looked at her and myself, and realized that I had had this conversation with Mjoll dripping wet and just in my loin cloth and nothing else. That was not how I usually talked to people, but I had totally forgotten about it. Trying to hide my embarrassment, I nodded, cast the low level flames spell on myself to get my fur dry, and slowly started to put on my armor again. Inigo used the opportunity to comfort me:

"Do not worry, my friend. I also like looking good, and sometimes that means being naked. You have to work best with what you have."

Really, Inigo?

[Author's Notes: The expression 'smart blue cats' honors the creator of the Inigo mod – 'smartbluecat'. Olette is a character from the mod 'Interesting NPCs', and her dialogue is quite unique.]