A Thief's Destiny - Arc 1, Chapter 1

• Posted by Lyall January 4, 2016 - 968 views

  "So, a rich noble spends the night in Riften? He's a fool," I muttered out loud, staring at my next target.

  As I looked, I saw two guards move into view, before walking away from the window. "Not as much of a fool as I thought, he has at least two guards, possible more." I mused out loud. The noble walked back into the window's gaze.

  "HAH!" I snorted out, seeing his disgruntled face. "Expecting more luxury, eh?"

  The inn would be an easy target, but I didn't want to break any windows. I only steal from the rich, and I may as well steal from anyone if I go around vandalizing their stuff. Besides, the innkeepers were definitely not rich. Well, the window should slide open easy enough.

  I ghost in, take his coin purse and any jewels or jewelry laying around, and I ghost out before anyone wakes up. Easy enough, for someone of my skill. If they wake up, do I run or kill? I thought. "Standard response, run, don't kill because they are doing their job." I muttered to myself. I've killed before, and I have no problem with it, but I prefer not to. When I do though, I can always feel their souls slipping away to a better place, a different place for each race.

  "You should become a priest next," I chuckled, "A priest of what though? Death?"
  My mood instantly soured.

  I shook those thoughts away, before reapplying my mind to the task at hand. It would help if I had an extra set of hands. "I did though, before he got caught." I sighed. "Don't get caught up in old memories, focus," I chided myself.

  Besides, it's not like I could have changed anything. He suggested cutting through the alley. He got stabbed in the back by the  Thieves' Guild. "No, no no," I muttered angrily, "Don't get distracted, focus-"

  Suddenly, footsteps pounded by my rooftop position.
  Shit! I thought, I knew that hill was too close for comfort. I rolled around on the side of the roof, positioning myself out of sight  to anyone walking by the hill close to the building. I heard footsteps fade away as whoever it was passed. I breathed a sigh of relief.

  "That was close. Better move, before anyone else comes. Besides, I saw all I can."

  I slid down the vacant house's roof, and straightened up, brushing dust off my clothes. Hour after midnight, I'll be back.

  Good, both guards are asleep, along with the noble. They thought locking their door was enough to keep out any thief. They would face their mistake when they wake.

  I glided from rooftop to rooftop, hardly making any noise. I climbed up onto the side of the roof, facing the window. It was unlocked, made hardly any noise. On the other side of the room, I spied a table, on which sat several fat coin purses and some  gems.

  I ghosted across the room. Halfway across, I heard a shout. "Hey you! Thief! Stay where you are!" I froze, then my gaze followed the source of the voice.

  Stupid!

  I saw two guards, but there are three, and one is awake. I measured the distance to the table,
  mentally calculating how fast I could get there and out. I saw the noble and other guards stir. I won't make it, I thought, I need to run.

  I dashed out the window, jamming it shut with a paperweight I took on my speedy flight out. Sprinting desperately, I ran to the river.

  Stopping in the shadow of a large building, I quickly shuffled through my pack. There! My final potion of water breathing. I hid next to the river, potion at the ready. If anyone came nearby, I would drink the potion and jump into the river for the six minutes the potion lasted.

  
  It was far from the perfect plan, but it was a plan. It was a long night, but luck was on my side, as no one came close to finding me.

  
  Few people actually tried either, as I was well known and liked in Riften. My habit of only stealing from the rich and sharing any extra wealth I gained with the beggars and merchants made me a popular figure in the lower classes.

  Suddenly, I flinched, seeing the rosy pale dawn glow invade the plant in which I was hiding. After another two hours, I came out.

  Slinking to the nearest merchant, Madesi, I asked "Did the noble and his guards leave?". He replied confirming this, totally at ease.

  While with most shop keepers I was always welcome after a few days, he sold expensive merchandise, so it took a while for me to gain his trust. Now, however, I am always welcomed by him, a thing I am forever grateful for. I sighed, mentally preparing for a day of no food.

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