User blog:ThatDirtyShisno/The Thief Stole The Dragon's Heart.

Chapter One.

Ysra walked along the pebbly road to Riften. She had been there before, but that was only for minor jobs that had to be done. She had heard whispers of a mysterious Thieves Guild that resided there, and knowing her records, she had made a brilliant thief. Whether it's stealing some gold out of a Jarl's pocket or planting some stolen goods in a house, she always managed to get it done unnoticed.

Ysra saw the gates to the city in the distance. Smiling to herself, she walked towards the wooden gates. She spotted a guard standing next to them. She had heard rumors of them, and how they tried to get newcomers to pay a tax. As if they would charge me, she thought.

"Hold there!" The guard ordered, and Ysra skidded to a halt, and sighed. "Before I let you into Riften, you need to pay the visitor's tax." the guard continued, oblivious to Ysra's murmur.

"What is the tax for?" Ysra asked curiously.

"For the privilege of entering the city. What does it matter?" Ysra raised her eyebrows at the guard. ''Pay to enter a city? Riften was known for its crime. This had to be some sort of trick.''

"This is obviously a shakedown." She replied. She froze for a second, waiting for the guard to react.

The guard glanced around wearily. "...Alright, keep your voice down... You want everyone to hear you?" Ysra looked at the guard, not knowing what to do. "I'll let you in, just let me unlock the gate." Without waiting for her to react, the guard turned his back on Ysra and unlocked the gate. "It's unlocked. You can head on inside when you're ready."

"Thank you." Ysra said before heading on into the city.

If first impressions counted, Ysra would walk straight back out of the gates and into the wilds without a second chance. The cobblestone road was worn, and the wooden pillars that held up the buildings were rotten. The air smelt of sewage. Ysra wrinkled her nose in disgust. Well, I'd better start making some friends... She thought gloomily to herself. Slowly, she walked down the stony road, near to the center of the city.

"Hey, you there." A gruff voice sounded behind the Nord. Ysra turned round to see a man, taller than she was, leaning against a wooden post. His steel armor glinted in the pale sunshine, and Ysra could see his hand lightly resting on the hilt of his dagger that was strapped to his belt. "I don't know you. You in Riften looking for trouble?"

Ysra glared at the black haired man "I'm just passing through." Came her curt reply.

The man glared back. "Yeah? Well, I got news for you; there's nothing to see here." He lifted his chin, and stared at Ysra, his voice dropping ominously low. "Last thing the Black-Briars need is some stranger stickin' their nose in where it doesn't belong."

A spark of curiousity flared inside her mind. "Who are the Black-Briars?"

The man lifted an eyebrow. "The Black-Briars have Riften in their pocket, and the Thieves Guild watchin' their back, so keep your nose out of their business." His voice changed to a lighter, more friendlier tone. "Me? I'm Maul. I watch the streets for 'em. I'll see you around. I'll be at the docks most days, though." Maul left without another word. Ysra smiled at the man and continued walking down the street.

She came across a small bridge. Placing her hands on the smooth wood, she looked over the edge. Underneath, was a large canal. Well, that's where the smell comes from, she concluded. The canal stuck. "I bet the whole population used it as their toilet..." She grumbled. Walking across the bridge, Ysra found herself in a small market. As she wandered around the stalls, she came across a friendly-looking Argonian with beautiful jewelry for sale. Looking in the display case, she saw a ring with three emeralds incased in the silver. "Wow..." She breathed.

The Argonian looked at her. "Like what you see? These are all hand-crafted by me." He added proudly.

"That's amazing. How do you make such fine jewels?" Ysra asked.

"I'm one of the few Saxhleel Jewelers that remain in Tamriel; it's becoming a lost art..." The Argonian looked at Ysra, his eyes full of tears.

"I-I'm sorry..." Ysra mumbled. She cleared her throat self consciously. "I might come back later and buy that ring," she pointed to the silver ring. "It's very pretty, you know." She smiled. With a quick goodbye, Ysra walked around the market once more.

Ysra passed a small stall with some weapons. As she walked past, she gazed at the blades, not really looking where she was going. Suddenly, she bumped into something- no someone, and it sent her tumbling to the ground with a "humph!" Her cheeks burned with embarrassment, as everyone in the market stopped and stared. Ysra glared accusingly at the man who had just knocked her to the ground. "Hey! What the heck was that for?!" She huffed, and tried to lift herself off the ground.

"Sorry, lass, I didn't see you there." A voice, with a sweet accent that filled her ears. The man reached a large hand down, and Ysra reluctantly grabbed it, as he helped her to her feet. She looked up to have another go at the man for his clumsiness, until her eyes met his.

His eyes were bright green, more so than the emeralds on the ring she was thinking of buying. Short wavy red hair fell on the man's face, and a short unkempt stubble rested on his chin. He smiled slightly, and laughed. "Are you okay lass?" He still had his hand on her shoulder, as Ysra stared into his lush green eyes.

"Yes..." she breathed. "What's your name?" She whispered.

The man let go of her shoulder, and started to walk down the street. He turned to look at her one last time. It's Brynjolf."