(Not a youtube spoiler)

 

Hello there.  You probably don't know me.  And infact, you may never get to.  I want to say that I know you, but there are so many out there probably reading this, and those yet to come.  See, my name is Fortuna.  I am known as many things.  Time, it seems, is a shifting river.  I look at most people, especially the personages of great power, like Oddvar and Kintyra.  Sinidar.  They seem to swim with time's current with the ease that comes from being a 'normal' being.  I only just met them, but I feel like we're old friends.  I've seen their pasts.  And their futures.  At least, possible ones.  As I sit here and meditate, I can look cleanly into the past of why they came here.  Why?  Maybe mighty Alkosh wants me to see.  Sorry, you may know him as Akatosh or Auri-El.  Names mean very little to gods.

 

 

The day this all started... It was a day like any other in Riften.  I believe, it was just last month.  The last month of 419.

 

 

A thief, running from the guards.  She sticks out like a sore thumb.  She's a rookie, bad at this.  But she wasn't trying to prevent being noticed by the guards when she started.  She was trying to escape her mother and father.

 

She bumped into a man on the street.  An annoyed look from her and a rogue smile and a wave from him, then she was caught by the guards.

 

"Stop right there, criminal scum!  Hand over your stolen goods and serve your sentence!" The guard shouted.

Eyes full of despair, the girl reached for her purse to find...

"But... where's my..." 

"Where's the gold?" The guard looked her over.

The other one met eyes with the first guard, then looked her up and down, "You know how these vagrant types always have a hidden arsenal.  Probably a secret hidden dimensional pocket she's hiding all that gold in."

 

"Boys, boys," a voice called from the corner they'd just passed by.

One of the Riften guards put his hand on his sword, "Don't need any of your type around here.  Not looking for trouble."

The other one whispered harshly, "Is that the guildmaster?  Thought he was abroad or something."

"Gentlemen, the rumors of my travel were exaggerated.  As you can see, I'm right here, in the flesh," Brynjolf shrugged.

 

"This doesn't concern you, sir.  Not guild business.  Jarl Black-Brier gave us explicit instructions."

Brynjolf casually stepped over to her, "Well you'd better check again, lads.  Look at these shoulderpads.  This is a Shadowsign.  It means, 'Protected." 

He winked at her as he walked back over to the guards, "Besides, she doesn't have any of those special bags.  Look at her.  She's the greenest newbie ever.  Couldn't pilfer a pepper from a blind khajiit."

 

The guards seemed to accept this, shrugged at each other and turned to walk away.  One of them said to the other, "Might want to get your eyes checked before we start chasing a random citizen."

 

 

Brynjolf waited for them to vacate, then his face melted from charming to slightly annoyed, "Pretty ballsy stunt you pulled back there, lass.  And what's more, you're all thumbs."

"What d'you know about it?" She grumbled.

The huge sack of coins fell on the ground at her feet and she looked up at him.  It was only about half full.  He said, "Might know a thing or two about thievin, lass."

Then one of the guard's daggers clanked at her feet.  

"Go on.  Ye don't even got a decent weapon.  This one's on me.  If you want to learn more, figure out where the Guild Headquarters are.  What's your name, lass?" He asked.

"Kin... uh," she thought for a second.  Giving away her real name would certainly draw attention to her.

"Nice to meet ye, Kinna," he shook her hand, then he bowed, "I'm Brynjolf, guildmaster of the most illustrious and infamous band of robbers this side of the Velothi Mountains."

 

Taken aback, charmed, elated, confused at his words, she didn't see him vanish into the shadows.  But also, she noticed, "He STOLE my necklace!!!"

 

Somewhere in the sewers, Brynjolf laughed.  Kintyra wasn't out of this game though.  She'd been put to sleep as a little kid by grandma's stories - Destana - and those stories included the hidden grate by the stables that put you right in the Ragged Flagon.  As Brynjolf walked into the Flagon, cock of the walk, Kintyra was sitting at the bar, waiting for him.

 

He blinked, "Girl.  You have quite the pair, don't you?"

"This one said she knew you.  Called you out by name," Vekel the Man said, "You're getting careless in your old age."

They laughed.

Delvin kicked his feet onto the table, "Better I didn't spill this one's guts when she walked in.  One dagger'd rip right through that paper-thin leather."

Brynjolf, all smiles, commented, "Sorry, lass.  That skimpy armor is reserved for superhumans who can take a punch.  Our old one-time guildmaster, for example."

"You mean gr~... I mean, Destana?  The dragonborn?" Kintyra asked.

 

 

"Quite the astute thief pupil, this bird is, ain't she?" Delvin chuckled, "I wager you got all our trading cards too, love."

Partially true... she could name every one of them from her grandmother's stories.  She shrugged, silently.

 

The men laughed, and Vekel commented from behind the bar, "Little thing's blushing."

A female voice, [finally, a voice of reason!] said from behind the divider, "Don't let these boys mess with you.  They're all bark."

"Tonnie!" Brynjolf said, pouring a pile of gold, jewels and equipment from his 'dimensional pack' onto the table, "I got quite the haul to fence today."

"Beats me why the guildmaster still pickpockets so frequently, but who am I to question your methods?" Tonilia shrugged.

"Gotta keep sharp.  Always said I didn't want this job," Brynjolf shrugged.

 

"Hey!" Kintyra snatched back her necklace from the loot.

"Oi, lass," Delvin tossed a dagger into the table, sticking it next to the pile, "Finder's keepers."

"S'alright," Brynjolf said.  He looked at the girl, then snatched the necklace back right out of her hand, "This's precious to you?  Relax lass, I'll give it back.  Just wanted to have a look-see.  Looks like an Imperial symbol.  Old, of excellent make."

 

He eyed her, judging her reaction.  Clearly wanting to conceal something but still finding things from her past valuable and worth remembering.

He handed it back, "Never seen the like.  Custom."

 

I hadn't even met the girl at this point, and I was only about 100 yards away.  Some months before, her mother gave her that necklace.  It was an heirloom.  The last time Valiana Direnni visited Medora Direnni in Bravil before she left for Direnni Tower, she'd given her some of Calaxes' old things.  This was just one of those Valiana'd immediately given to Runa (not having any sense of sentimentality herself).  And Runa'd thought it would look good on her daughter, who was growing up so fast. 

 

Unnaturally fast.  To all you out there who've been following along, we four, we youths, had only been doused with the Life Waters three years ago.  For the rest of them, who had parents, it was quite the ride.  You see, the life waters seem to extend life and capture youth.  But infact, each dose brings the individual closer to the perfect, divine form instilled in us by our forebears - the Aedra.  You could say the Elves were closest to the essence of the divine and they stayed in their adult form the longest.  I'm getting off track.  What I'm saying here is that the Life Waters and the Tear of Auriel brings us closer to our perfect form, if even for a period of time, but not lasting forever.  And so, taken by children, yes, it will extend their lifespan, but it actually brings them to adulthood much, much faster.  Three years have passed, we all grew as if 12 had.  I've often wondered if we were robbed of our chance to develop and grow through exposure to our elders in that short span.  I believe as they say, 'time will tell.'  While I am the youngest, at 13 and a half, the others... Sinidar at 15, and the Half-Twins Kintyra and Oddvar at 14, we all share the same experience.  

 

We're merely a few years old each but our chronological age means nothing now.  And in the case of Princess Runa, it seems she wasn't prepared for two teenagers.  They discussed it at the Imperial Palace.

 

 

"All I'm saying is, it's unnatural," Runa said.

"You've seen your fair share of time distortion," Damien said.

"Can't the college do anything about it?  I mean, Sinidar must be driving you crazy.

"Look," Jura folded his arms, "What's done is done.  We have no idea what reversing it would do."

"Could cause more damage than help..." Destana said sleepishly.

Runa shot her an angry glance, as if wanting to say, 'You've done enough here.'

 

 

But her shaking, unyielding rage... yielded.

"I'm sorry, mom.  I'm scared," Runa said, tears in her eyes.

"I know, honey," Destana replied.

 

"Our kids are the only ones who've been doused with Life Waters.  We're going to extend the warnings to cover this," Damien scratched his chin, "But then... if people knew this would happen..."

Jura and Calleius looked at each other.  Tyroni said, "I can imagine an unhinged warlord in an orphanage trying to form an army quickly could do some crimes against humanity really quickly."

"For now," Damien sighed, "Keep an eye on them.  Monitor their growth.  It seems like the worst of the 'growth spurt' is over.  They may continue to develop naturally from here on out."

"Gods, let's hope, or they're going to be older than us soon!" Rigmor said from the corner, Runa finally cracking a smile.

 

Oddvar sighed, looking at his sister.  

Kintyra looked back, "Why're you staring at me, Oddvar?"

"No reason," he said stoically.  That was mainly how they talked - she thought she understood him, but he never let anyone truly know him.  It was hard growing like this in the blink of an eye.

He didn't entirely disagree with the thoughts she shared with him.  Their parents didn't get them - nobody did.  But she was chosen of two lines of Cyrodillic Emperors, and he was, well, not.  So while they could just view her as a larger than life figure like Tiber Septim, doing a couple miracles before breakfast every day, most people looked at him and saw a silent freak.  Not that he couldn't talk, he just didn't want to.  People never shut up.  Oddvar could listen to the silence.  And Oddvar was only descended from one legendary figure, not two.  Also, odd to boot.

 

"I think we should do it," he said after the vast gulf of silence since Kintyra's last meaningful statement.

 

"Do... what?" She asked.

"You said we should hop a boat.  Let's do it," Oddvar said.

Kintyra raised an eyebrow, "You're... serious?"

She smiled, but his face was like a statue, cold and strong as ever.

Her smile melted, and his stern magnanimity won out, as it often did.

"Where would we go?" She asked finally.

 

"Grandma went from a simple boatwoman to a queen in Skyrim.  Let's start there.  Which stories were your favorite?" Oddvar asked.

Kintyra instantly said, "Thieves' Guild.  Gotta be the Thieves Guild."

"I figured."

"You?" She asked.

"Not sure.  I think I'm more of an explorer than anything.  I want to go where none of them has been," Oddvar pointed to the next room, where their parents were meeting.

"Think we should tell Sini?" Kintyra asked.

"No," Oddvar said flatly, "He'd just rat us out to his dad."

Kintyra tilted her head, long blond hair falling over her face before she swept it out of the way, "I think he'd want to come."

"Bah, he's been to Riften.  Skyrim is old hat for him.  He'd tell us we're fools, which, we probably are," Oddvar replied.

"No, I don't think you're fools," a voice crept out of the shadows.

 

Oddvar slapped his forehead audibly, "Gods."

"Yeah, I was listening," Sinidar smirked.

 

 

"But you'll need to be smart about it.  Wait until they've all gone home and aren't really keeping an eye out for you," Sini said.

Kintyra nodded, "We leave the city at night, go book travel on one of the cargo boats.  Might need to pass through Anvil, but we can get to Riften."

 

It took four months for things to line up.  The kids kept growing, hitting their main teenage growth spurt to nearly their adult height.  And they seemed to develop mentally too.

Runa could remember just a couple years ago she was breastfeeding, and now Oddvar was learning to cook from the palace chef (he enjoyed cooking).

 

Runa'd gotten the cabin fever.  Now that her kids were a bit more self sufficient, she went out adventuring in Cyrodiil again.  

They waited for Princess Rigmor to be visiting her mother in Bruma, Princess Runa to be on a cave crawl, and General Calleius to be on a campaign tour.  

 

They hopped on a boat with a young captain, paid a mint in Septims, and were off.  He looked reputable.  Not like some of the rough men around - looked like pirates.

They were able to get to Riften in only about two days, Kintyra getting in with the Thieves' Guild the next day.

 

Only a couple minor hiccups - a young warlock attacked a one of the guards at the gate when Kintyra'd just walked in but Oddvar was still outside. 

 

 

They had to talk over the wall for an hour before the lockdown ended.  But finally, he was allowed inside.  Maul gave them the standard 'I'm watching you,' speech like he does with everybody.

 

 

"It feels pretty freeing to be traveling with only the clothes on your back and what's in your pack," Kintyra said.

"I think I'm going to buy some cheap iron armor," Oddvar said flatly.

"With what money?" She smiled.

"At the very least, lodgings," he said back.

 

The Bee and Barb was easy to find.  They sat down and sampled the extremely cheap water, it being late afternoon now.

"I thought when Sinidar gave us this plan, he was also saying he would join us, for atleast one meeting at the Bee and Barb," Oddvar commented.

"Be patient.  He said he'd show, but it would take a couple days to get here," Kintyra replied.  She looked at her coinpurse.  It felt like a lot in her hands, but Brynjolf hadn't actually left her a lot.  She'd taken his advice and upgraded their equipment, but now they barely had enough for a night at the Inn.  But it was pouring outside.  They had to stay somewhere.  And the Thieves' Guild wasn't an option for her yet, or Oddvar probably ever.

 

As she sat down to a table, a missive appeared in her hand.

She rolled it out.  

"Where are you?" It read.

Taking out a quill she started to scribble, but Oddvar slapped his hand on the table.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

He unrolled it the rest of the way, "This doesn't have a name on it."

"I assumed it was Sinidar," Kintyra replied.

"You know what they say about making yourself an ass," Oddvar replied stoically, "Bet it's mom."

 

"Damn, you're probably right," Kintyra said.

"You know you'd never make it out here without me," Oddvar said, face still like a statue.  As far as she knew, he wasn't afraid of anything.  But then, they'd heard the stories from grandma and greatgrandpap about what was out there.  Giants, dragons, goblins, bandits, and all manner of things not even they had seen before.  The dimensional walls were as thin as ever.

 

Anyway, they scraped together their coin and had a meager meal, then scooted off to bed.  

 

In the morning, it was still raining.  

"Want to go do some oddjobs, Oddvar?" Kintyra asked.

"We could find a bandit camp or something.  I'm sure the Jarl needs something done.  Damn, I'm hungry," Oddvar replied.

 

They picked themselves up and walked into the South Riften Extension.  And as luck would have it - the guards were tusseling with some goblins and a couple bandits.  Oddvar rushed in with Battleaxe swinging.  Kintyra was left behind with a few of the littler guys and a couple guards.  They were taken care of soundly.

 

 

When they were done, Kintyra caught up with Oddvar, who'd fought off a few of the buggers and taken a few scrapes.

She looked down, "Oh."

"What - oh wow they actually managed to kill one of the guards.  Think his friends are gonna come back for him when they finish chasing the bigger gobbos down?" Oddvar asked.

Kintyra looked up, looked at Oddvar, then back at the body, then started to rifle through his pockets, saying nothing.

"What are you-" He started.

 

 

"Shhh!" Kin shushed.  She slipped his armor off him.

"What... what are you doing?  We're going to get thrown in jail!" Oddvar was yelling in whispers.

"Waste not want not," Kintyra replied.

"You can't do that though!" Oddvar said back.

She tossed the armor to him, "Here.  Now you're an accomplice."

 

Oddvar sighed, "Fine."

They ran into the nearby Workhouse, her wiping the blood off herself, "Aren't you gonna put it on?" 

"Maybe not yet," he said, "But check this out.  I found it on one of the bandits."

 

 

He slipped an iron horned helmet onto his head to match the iron armor he'd already slipped on.

"Gods you are such a nerd," Kin said, "You wanna be the next dragonborn?"

"Dovahkiin Dovahkiiiiin~" He sang, "Well, maybe I could learn to shout.  Mom can."

 

They laughed.  It was starting to rain again and they decided they'd head back to the safety inside the city walls for lunch with their spoils.

 

The sounds of rain intensified as the door swung open.  A young, petite and attractive young thing stepped through the door under a cloak.  Most likely... what am I saying, I know what happened.  Most definitely nobody present knew what she was.  A khajiit?  I look somewhat human or elven... but with khajiit features.

 

And this, dear reader, is where I enter the tale.

 

I walked over to them, my cloak dripping.  They couldn't keep their eyes from staring - they'd never seen my like.  And I sat across from them.

"Can we... help you?" Kintyra said, politely.  At least being an Imperial Princess had taught her some things.

"I think it is I who can help you," I replied.

"Who are you, strange one?" Oddvar asked, bluntly.  He had no compunctions against saying what he thought of me.

"Do we know you?" Kintyra asked, leaning over the table.

"I am called Fortuna," I said, "We share a common experience."

Kintyra tilted her head, "What.. do you mean?"

Oddvar unaggressively put his hand on the axe at his side, "We don't want any trouble, Fortuna.  But I suggest you leave us alone."

"No fighting please," Keerava said from behind the bar.

 

"I think you're going to want to hear what I have to say," I said.

"Well, go ahead then," Oddvar said.

"I know your mother and uncle are in Whiterun right now.  I know they're walking through each city to try and find you," I replied.

Kintyra blinked, "So, Fortuna... however you learned this, do you know how long we have until they get to Riften?"

"It was the farthest, so, probably about a week.  I dunno.  Soothsaying is not an exact science.  Except when it is," I replied.

 

Oddvar's brow furrowed, "You're joking.  How do you know so much about us?  What do you want from us, anyway?"

"I told you, we share a common bond.  I have a set of skills that could benefit you greatly.  And I have a vested interest in you continuing on the next leg of your journey," I said.

"So, how are you going to help us?" Oddvar pressed his lips together, "At no benefit to yourself, I take it?"

"Well," I said, "I see that we take a journey beyond this, but we are four."

"Four?" 

"You know - the other one - with the red hair," I replied.  I'd never met the boy, fuzzy on the details.

 

"Do you mean Darryl?" Oddvar asked.

I raised an eyebrow, "I'm almost certain it started with an 'S'."

Kintyra shook her head, "Sinidar."

"I was just testing you," Oddvar folded his arms as the wench laid down their cheap soups, "I don't actually know or trust you.  Or your intuition, yet."

 

We sat in silence and ate for a few minutes.  We looked up, Keerava standing at our table, "I haven't seen you kids around."

"Well, uh.." Oddvar started.

But then Fortuna said, "These are my friends from Cyrodiil, Keerava.  Penpals.  Their parents are merchants from Anvil visiting on business."

Keerava smiled, "Oh, well I'm glad you're making friends, dear.  It can be hard for orphans.  But better now that that old witch Grelka is gone."

She stacked up the bowls, just an excuse to talk with the kids, then returned behind the bar.

 

Fortuna smirked and whispered to Oddvar, "You should really work on your cover story."

Oddvar rolled his eyes, "Still don't trust you."

Kintyra smiled, "If you can put Oddvar in his place like that, I think I, for one, would welcome you as a traveling companion."

The girls laughed.  

 

When they were done, Fortuna and Kintyra walked down to the Ragged Flagon, Oddvar saying he was going to check the Notice Board for any easy jobs to get their feet wet.

 

"So you're welcome down here?" Kintyra asked.

"Of course.  Orphans and beggars are the eyes and ears of the guild.  And, I hear, the Dark Brotherhood near their sanctuaries."

Kintyra's lip curled in thought at that.  She hadn't thought that maybe her mother's spies might be closing in on the group.

 

"Ah, lass," Brynjolf turned, "Color me impressed.  Wasn't certain if I'd ever see you again."

"I can take any job you've got," Kintyra said, like a mouse playing the part of a wolf.

 

 

"Reliable and headstrong.  You're looking to be quite the prize," Brynjolf smirked, then nodded to me, "Fortuna."

"Sir," I bowed slightly.

"Think you're gonna join the guild soon too?  Could always use a thief of your caliber."

"Perhaps, sir," I replied, then pointed at Kintyra, "I do believe I am destined to help this one."

"So be it," Brynjolf said, "How'd you like to handle a deadbeat for me?"

 

"What'd they do?" Kintyra asked.

"Just taking out loans and not paying," Bryn replied, "Ever heard of Haelga's Bunkhouse?  I want you to explain to her the error of her ways."

"Any guidelines on how to handle it?" Kintyra asked.

"Honestly, the debt is secondary here.  What's more important is that you get the message across that we aren't to be ignored.  Word of warning:  I don't want her killed.  Bad for business.  We're not the brotherhood."

I nodded, "I'll show her the way.  We'll get it done."

"Excellent," Brynjolf said.

 

As we walked around the docks, looking at all the many different rogues and cutthroats, an Altmer called out to Kintyra.

 

 

As we stepped up, she said, "I suppose I can work with your face.  After all, the sculptor cannot always choose the finest clay."

Kintyra blinked, looked at me and said, "I think that woman just called me ugly."

I giggled.

"No, no, I apologize.  My name's Galathil.  I am a face sculptor.  As such, I'm excellent at reading people," she said, "You don't seem to be a transient or orphan.  You have excellent bone structure.  Perhaps nobility or royalty."

Kintyra blinked and looked at me, flustered.

"You're only confirming it," I sighed.

"Don't worry," Galathil continued, "Your secret's safe with me.  Of course, someone of your stature is probably running from something.  If I were to wager a guess - courtly intrigue of some kind meant you needed to hide out here.  Perhaps a count's daughter or something, got assassinated, and you're the only heir that's going to come back someday and take revenge?  No?  Doesn't matter the details.  But, I could be of service to one who wanted never to be found."

Kintyra blinked again, "I uh... I don't think I'm willing to part with my looks."

"Suit yourself," Galathil replied, "Perhaps a simple haircut?"

 

Kintyra pursed her lips, "Now, I will think about that."

We walked out of the Flagon and back into the city for now.

"So where's Haelga's Bunkhouse?" She asked.

 

I pointed it out and we walked inside.

We milled about, finding the woman behind the counter but playing it cool for now.  She bellowed orders to her niece like she was an invalid and the girl took it, because she'd been orphaned by some cruel happenstance.  I could tell Kin was starting to get angry and I put my hand on her shoulder, "You know, there's a lot of injustice in this world.  I see it every day.  You should keep your cool."

 

The girl smirked, "Since when has telling someone to stay calm actually worked?"

She walked over to Svana and casually said, "That woman is just the worst.  Are you related to her?"

 

 

With a pained look in her eyes, she nodded, quietly explaining that her parents had died.  

"You know what?  I'd help you if you wanted me to take her down a notch," Kintyra said.

"Hmm," the woman twirled her hair, "I think I have an idea.  The way the woman sleeps with every man in town is shameful.  She gives them Marks of Dibella.  If you could collect three, then you could embarrass her.  That'd show her."

Kintyra shrugged slowly, "Sure."

Sleeping with a lot of men?  I don't have access to a person's deep past, but I do know Destana is widely known as a womanizer-man-izer(?) and I bet that'd pass onto her descendants.

 

As I was thinking on this, Kintyra walked over to the counter.

"Hey," she said kurtly.

"Uhh... hey.  Do you need something, little girl?" Haelga asked, "Maybe a sweetroll?"

Her brow furrowed, "Brynjolf says you'd better pay up."

"Ha!" Haelga chuckled, "So he sends a little baby whore like you to shake me down?  I thought the guild was doing really well!  Obviously I was wrong!" 

On instinct, Kintyra reached over the counter and slapped Haelga across the face.  

 

She turned her head, popped her neck.

"I'm going to enjoy this," Haelga said.

She leapt over the bar and put her hands up, as did Kintyra.  

 

 

About this time, Oddvar stepped into the bunkhouse, axe draped over his shoulder.  He'd been following our trail (since we'd been gone for a while).

I immediately slipped from the shadows and grabbed the back of his collar to stop him from reacting, "Let her handle this."

 

Right off the bat, Haelga threw a quick, feinting jab, then clocked Kintyra in the face.  But the girl wasn't out yet.  She weaved and struck the lady with three body blows.  

 

 

"Oof!" Haelga said, "You thought I was just a pretty face, eh?"

She threw her weight into a haymaker, but Kintyra dodged, throwing the woman off balance.  

Kin kicked her in the shin and clobbered her in the back of the head.  

Haelga was tough and quick enough that she recovered.  They got back into their neutral fighting poses, staring each other down.

 

But this time, as they both went for a blow to their opponent's face with their right hand, Haelga's connected first (longer arms), throwing the girl's neck back with the impact. 

 

 

She crashed to the ground on her face as her body caught up with her neck.

"Not done!" Kintyra got up and pummeled Haelga with body blows until the woman reared back and snap kicked Kintyra in the chin, sending her on her back.

 

As the woman started to walk away, Kintyra's dizzyness faded quickly.  She stood, gritting her teeth, and clobbered Haelga in the back of the head, knocking her out like a light.

 

 

She stood, triumphantly over the woman, "That'll show ya... don't mess with... the Thieves..."

As she wobbled, Oddvar caught her.

"C'mon," he said, throwing her over his shoulder.

We walked back to the Flagon, Oddvar demanding I show him the way.

He laid Kintyra on a bench next to Brynjolf.

"Geez, lad, what the hell happened to her?" He asked.

"Haelga picked a fight with her when she asked her to pay," Oddvar replied, scowling.

 

"Did I win?" Kintyra asked, in and out of consciousness.

Oddvar cracked a small smile, "Yeah, you did.  Haelga's on the floor.  Did it all by herself."
I hoisted a sack of coins, "I collected."

Brynjolf nodded, "Good work.  I'd say we have room in our organization for you too, but..."

Oddvar scowled harder, "I don't think she's ready for this."

 

"Fair enough, lad."

"Wait a blessed moment," Delvin said, "I know what you're thinkin'.  But this is risky work.  Most my days I come out clean.  But on the bad days you need to know how to throw hands.  But livin in a city, collecting cash from rubes - beats going out and fighting bandits.  And you three seem like you're not the type to settle down and go into farming.  You'll be back when you realize what we're offering ya."

"We'll see about that," Oddvar growled, then he held up a scrap of paper, "We're going to Treva's Watch.  We're going to clear it of bandits.  We're going to be rich."

 

All ears were on them at this point, and most of them laughed.

"Treva's Watch?  You're serious?" Vekel the Man chimed in from behind the bar, "What do you want your tombstone to say?"

I stayed silent.

"You'll see!  We're going to take care of those guys and protect the hold from people like you," Oddvar said.

Tonilia chuckled, "Notice Brynjolf specifically told your friend not to kill anybody.  Bandits are nothing like the guild."

She stepped closer, "It doesn't matter that you're children.  They will not hesitate to kill you.  I'm saying this because I'd rather a few headstrong idiots not get themselves killed doing something hopeless."

Oddvar sneered, "Whatever.  We don't need your charity."

 

The three of us left to the Bee and Barb again.  I healed Kintyra, but it took a couple hours for her to recover from the dizziness.  A slow drizzle turned into a full-blown storm.

"Where'd you learn to heal?" She asked me, sipping a strong coffee.

"From Dinya Balu at the church," I replied, "I can teach you a few spells."

I could feel my body twitch.

"What is it?" Kintyra asked.

 

"Your mother is going to walk into this bar in a matter of minutes.  She's wearing a green raincloak, walking down the docks right now.  Beside her is your Uncle, Damien."

Kintyra slapped the tabletop, "What??"

 

"Follow me," I stood and ran up the stairs.  They followed.  I pulled open the door to the room with a window - the one Maven used to use for... no, no time for postcognitions.

"Well hello there," a voice spoke from the bed.

I blinked, "Wha..."

"Sinidar?" Kintyra asked.

I stammered, looking at the red-haired youth.

Oddvar commented, "I think you broke our stalker."

"Interesting," Sinidar said, "What's wrong?"

I replied, "I did not see you coming.  That's kind of a big deal for me."

"Anyway, I bought you some time," Sinidar said, locking the door.

"What's going on?" Kintyra asked, "I just wanted to go out on my own for a while.  Now this girl's saying we're destined to go... somewhere... do something."

"Destined?" Sini asked, "Not sure about that.  My dad brought me along for the ride, and I feigned disinterest, going to the Inn to have a little snack.  Using my brain I figured you'd be here.  Of course, they're  going to figure it out in a minute too."

"So what's the plan?" Oddvar asked, "You gonna teleport us... or something?"

 

Sinidar blinked, "Teleport?  Who do you think I am?  I can barely cast Flames and Healing.  Maybe a couple others.  No, I figured you guys would just go out the window, jump into the canal, then get away on a ship?"

 

"We can slip into the Ragged Flagon until we can find a ship," Kintyra said.  Then she turned to the other two, "You coming with?"

"Of course," I said.

"Why not," Sinidar replied, "I was bored anyway."

Oddvar insisted on going first, opening the window.  It was a torrential downpour at this point.  Good.  No visibility at all.  Odd jumped to the next roof, and we all followed.  I knew I'd make it, Sinidar was in high spirits, Oddvar was stoic as always, but Kintyra seemed genuinely afraid.  Whether of being caught or going splat on the stone below, I wasn't sure.  Either way, I grabbed her hand and squeezed. 

 

I met eyes with her, "We're going to make it.  We'll be fine."

She smiled back at me and we made our last hop - into the canal and slipped, drenched, into the sewer tunnels.  The two highwayman who used to frequent these parts had already moved up to bigger and better things now, and we were free to plan our next move.  We sat there, dripping wet and cold for a few minutes, and Kin started to shake.  We all huddled together for warmth, until she finally broke the silence, "Why are we even doing this?" 

 

Oddvar looked at her puzzled, nothing to say.  Sinidar shrugged, "I honestly have no reason.  I'm just tagging along for fun."

Finally I looked at her and said, "Akatosh speaks to me.  He told me we would make this journey."

"To.... where?" Oddvar asked.

 

"Looks like there aren't any boats leaving anytime soon," Sinidar peered out over the docks, "Get your cloaks.  We can travel overland.  Lots of towns between here and the next major city.  We can fade away."

 

"Wait," Kintyra said, "There's one more thing I think I want to do before we go."

She walked over to Galathil, "Hey, mind giving me that haircut?"

"No problem.  Really, I mean, face changing is hard.  This is easy."

"Do you do color changes?" Kin asked.

"Like, all of your skin color?  Because I can do that."

"Just the hair please."

"What color?" Galathil asked.

"I'm thinking... a Lavender."

Oddvar raised an eyebrow, "Won't that make you stand out more?" 

"Not anymore than the bright red guy here," Kintyra said.

Sinidar just smirked, not responding otherwise.

 

After a few minutes, she asked, "How do I look?"

I pulled out a hat and put it on her head, "Perfect."

 

 

Oddvar grimaced.  He finally said, "What if..."

"I know what you're going to say, Odd," Kin said.

Oddvar shook his head slowly, "I should go tell mom.  We should definitely go home."

"You're probably right," Kintyra sighed.

Odd looked at the entrance, then looked at her, "But you'd be gone before I got back, wouldn't you?"

Kintyra's lip curled into a half-smile, "Probably."

She paused for a minute, then stood up too, "This might sound crazy.  I don't know if I'm trembling from fear or excitement, but I think I need to go.  I feel the call to adventure and I need to answer."

Oddvar folded his arms, "Godsdammit.  I guess I'm in too."

"In what, though?" Sinidar threw up his arms, smiling just a little, "Are we making a pact?"

 

Brynjolf, who'd been watching us, folded his arms, "You kids take care of yourselves.  Take my advice and if you get in over your heads, run away.  Live to fight another day."

 

 

Kintyra, still smirking said, "I think I'm going to have to take a rain-check on that invitation to the thieves guild.  Need to get out of Riften."

"Seems like whoever you were running from found you, huh?" He asked.

Kintyra nodded.

"Take a set of guild armor from Ton.  You might need it," he said.

Tonilia already had a set ready and tossed one to Kin, one to me.  She swapped gloves and boots, but the rest (and my whole suit) went into our packs.  I'm petite.  It'll be a while before that stuff fits me.  Oddvar took the opportunity, now that we were leaving Riften, to put on the guard armor.  

 

 

With that we slipped out the canal under cover of rain and darkness and slipped out the gate.  

 

We traveled that evening and all night through wilderness (staying off the roads).  By morning, the rain had stopped.  I started teaching Kintyra a little bit about magic (and Sinidar too!) and she really took a liking to Bound Weapons.  Really saves on arrows.

 

 

When we stumbled upon a cougar cave and the animal immediately became hostile at our presence, Kintyra reacted quickly with a bound bowshot, and Sinidar with a fireball.  He couldn't cast fireball, mind you, he had a staff from his father's extensive collection.

 

 

Another night and we were near Iverstead.

"Why'd you lead us here, Odd?" Kintyra asked, but I already knew.

"There's a massive bandit camp here," Sinidar cut in, then he turned to Oddvar, "I saw the quest sheet.  Do you seriously think we can take these guys?"

Uncharacteristically, Oddvar said, "Well, it's going to be a struggle.  And this is going to be a stealth mission."

Sinidar said, "You guys were training to be professional thieves, right?  I guess here's your chance to prove yourselves."

 

 

 

And two bonus pictures because I don't think Kin and Fortuna got enough pictures of their faces: