I met with Byrnjolf just a couple hours after dawn. He wasn't wearing his black armor, and was now donning a smart set of fine blue clothes. And I found that he was even more handsome when his hair wasn't soaked with rainwater.

After I woke up this morning, I found a simple red dress waiting for me on a dresser. While I had been eager to put it on, get out of my other, ratty clothes, I had no idea who'd gotten it for me. Part of me hoped it wasn't the redhead standing in front of me.

But only part of me.

"Sleep well, lass?" he asked, his lilting voice chipper even in the early hour.

"I have a name," I said with a small grin. "And yes, I did sleep well. Thanks to you."

He returned my grin with one of his own. "Well, ready to go to work?"

"I suppose. Even if I didn't want to, I owe you for saving my life. Stealing—I mean, 'moving' a ring is the least I can do."

He nodded, pointing to the Argonian across the way. "That's Madesi."

"His stall is the one I'm breaking into, yes?"

"Aye. And over there," He shifted, gesturing to the Dark Elf selling general goods, "is Brand-Shei. The one you're framing."

"Any reason why we're framing him?"

"A client wants him out of business, and has enlisted our help. We don't work like the Dark Brotherhood, so no killing. Even if you get caught."

I swallowed. Getting caught hadn't even crossed my mind. Guards had a tendency to kill those who they caught stealing. Even if it was just a little apple or carrot. "What happens if I get caught?"

"Don't worry. My name still has some weight. They won't hurt you."

That was a relief. "I'll need a few lock picks."

Discreetly, Bryn passed me a small, rolled-up cloth. I unrolled it and found five lock picks inside. Should be more than enough.

"Just let me know when you're ready," Bryn said as I slipped four of the lock picks into a pouch on my belt. The last one I slipped under my sleeve, so I would have easy access to it.

"I'm ready whenever you are."

He have me a wink, then sauntered over to the only empty stall in the marketplace. He raised his voice and called, "Everyone, gather 'round! I have something to show you!"

The Dunmer merchant, Brand-Shei, sat on a couple crates next to his stand, arms crossed and gray face twisted into a scowl. "What is it this time, Brynjolf?"

So Bryn had a reputation? Why wasn't I surprised?

As Brynjolf advertised his product, some placebo cure-all called "Falmer Blood Elixir," I sashayed my way over to Madesi's abandoned stall, watching for guards as I knelt down to open the door. It was locked, but not for much longer.

I carefully inserted my first lock pick, watching over my shoulders as I twisted and turned the pick inside the lock. I waited for that familiar and satisfying click before I turned the lock. It opened without a problem, and I pushed the door open.

The strong box under the stand was also locked, and I managed to break three of my five lock picks trying to get it open. But I got it open, and I swiped the ring. I left the septims and jewels inside. Bryn didn't tell me to take them, and I didn't want to get in anymore trouble should I get caught.

I kicked the sliding door shut and ambled over to where Brand-Shei sat. I caught a glance from Brynjolf as I sidled up behind the Dark Elf. It wasn't easy, but I knelt down and flipped open the pouch at his side. I dropped the ring into the pouch, biting my tongue as the ring fell into place. Once it left my palm, I stood up and walked away as casually as possible, giving Bryn a subtle thumbs-up on my way past.

"That's all for today, folks!" he announced, stepping away from his stall. As the crowd dispersed, he whispered something to a nearby guard, pointing at Brand-Shei. The guard nodded and began to walk towards the Dunmer's stall.

"Nicely done, lass," Brynjolf said as we watched the guard force Brand-Shei to empty his pockets. I tried not to smile as the guard pulled out his sword and led the elf towards the keep, where he would be spending many days clapped in irons.

"Well, I try," I said, smile growing. But there was still part of me that knew stealing was wrong. "Did we do the right thing?"

"What's right, lass? Your right and my right may differ, but who's to say that one of us is wrong? I wouldn't think too much about it." He held up a fat coin purse. "Especially when there's this much coin involved." He dropped it into my waiting hands.

"Thanks." I put it in the pouch at my side. That was more money than I had ever held in my life.

"There's more where that came from. If you're interested."

"Oh, I'm interested. What do I have to do?"

"Head through the Ratway, underneath the city. You'll find my organization runs out of a tavern called the Ragged Flagon. Make it there, and you're in." He started to walk away, towards the Temple of Mara. "Oh, and by the way, the Ratway is filled with lowlifes. Best watch your back."

"And my front."

He chuckled and kept walking.

-------

I had no weapons, so going through the Ratway would be that much more dangerous. Maybe I could snatch one from the blacksmith or the weapons stall in the market. I just got the money in my pocket, and I didn't want to spend it so soon.

In the end, I went to the blacksmith's and purchased a steel dagger. I had to barter with him for almost ten minutes before he finally agreed to my price. I thanked him for my weapon and left for the Ratway.

I found it right where Bryn said: under the city, just above the stagnant canal that ran the length of Riften. I pushed open the barred door, then entered the sewers.

By the gods, it stank. I covered my nose and tried not to cough. I had to hope the Ragged Flagon didn't smell as badly as this, because I knew I would never be able to work in an environment that smelled like a horde of skeevers died in it.

As I crept down the dim tunnel, two voices caught my attention. Both male, both rough, and both raised like they were arguing. Because of their loud tones, they didn't hear me sneak up to them before it was too late.

I pressed my dagger to one's throat, my lips close to his ear as I whispered, "Drop your weapons and tell your friend to to the same."

"Or what?"

I slipped the dagger across his throat, with just enough force to draw blood. "Or I drop your corpse."

They dropped their weapons, and I took my dagger off his neck. With a grin, I picked up a bow and quiver of iron arrows.

"Hey!" the former owner of the bow shouted. "You can't—"

"I can, and I did. Ta-ta!"

With a grin of a madwoman, I took off running like a bat out of Oblivion. The two men chased after me, their shouts echoing through the tunnels. As I ran, I slung the bow and quiver onto my back, freeing my hands.

I glanced over my shoulder, seeing the two still in hot pursuit. I splashed into an ankle-deep puddle of dirty water, staining the hem of my dress. I grunted in frustration. And that was exactly why I couldn't have nice things: I ruined them almost instantaneously after getting them.

After ducking down dank tunnels and hiding in corridors, I finally lost the bandits who'd been pursuing me. From my dark hiding place, I grinned as they groaned in anger, one even punching the wall. Being part Bosmeri had its advantages. My lithe build made it easy for me to run in tight places. And I knew how to hide.

Once the bandits left, I came out of my corner and kept heading deeper into the sewers. It was amazing that I hadn't gotten turned around while I was being chased. This place was so confusing. I hoped I wouldn't have to come down this way every time I needed to head back to the surface.

After what felt like forever, I wandered into a well-lit room with a table full of plates and tankards, as well as a bedroll in one corner, like someone had been squatting here for some time. I walked past the table and towards a door with a strange symbol etched into the stone next to it. This must've been the place. I pushed the door open and headed inside.

First thing I noticed was the smell. While it still stank like sewage, it wasn't as strong as it was in the Ratway. It was mixed with the aroma of mead and food, which meant that a tavern was close by.

I walked along the edge of a round cistern, following the path towards a wooden bridge leading to a closed-off area. As I crossed the bridge, I passed a sign that read "The Ragged Flagon." I had made it.

In the middle of the Flagon were several people, two of which I recognized. Brynjolf and Vex, along with several others, were arguing about something.

"Give it up, Brynjolf..." one, the only one not wearing some form of armor, said. "Those days are over."

Bryn shook his head. "I'm telling you, this one is different..."

A man in standard leather armor said, "We've all heard that one before, Bryn! Quit kidding yourself."

The first one spoke again. "It's time to face the truth, old friend. You, Vex, Mercer... you're all part of a dying breed. Things are changing!"

"Dying breed, eh?" He then turned, catching my gaze with his. A slight twinkle gleamed in his beautiful green eyes. "Well what do you call that, then?!" He swung his arm wide, gesturing to me.

I stepped into the light, where everyone's gaze fell on me. I raised an eyebrow and returned their sneers of disapproval with my own.

"Well, well..." Bryn said, taking me away from the others. "Color me impressed, lass. Didn't think I'd ever see you again."

"Getting here was easy enough," I said with a chuckle. Just remembering how I made those two bandits chase after me was enough to send me into a fit.

"Reliable and headstrong? You're turning out to be quite the prize!"

That made me blush. Handsome man like him telling me I was a prize? For a Bosmeri-Nord mutt like me, that meant a great deal.

"But now, to business," he said, making the blush fade from my cheeks. I hoped he hadn't seen it. "You up for handling a few deadbeats for me? They owe our organization some serious coin, and they've decided not to pay. I want you to explain to them the error of their ways."

"Deadbeats? Who are they?"

"Keerava, Bersi Honey-Hand, and Haelga. Do this right, and I can promise you a permanent place in our organization."

I already knew where Keerava worked. She was the barkeep at the inn. Haelga had a reputation throughout the entire province, and it wasn't a good one. I would have no trouble finding her. As for the last, Bersi, I had no clue where to find him.

"Bersi runs the Pawned Prawn, just outside the market, and Haelga has a bunkhouse for the working class," Bryn said before I could open my mouth. "They all have weaknesses, and I'll tell you how to exploit them." His emerald eyes shone with a mischievous spark, making me smile. This was going to be fun.

"Listen carefully, lass," he said, taking me back towards the entrance to the Flagon. He kept his hand on my shoulder as we ambled back. "Here's what you have to do..."