It was a night at the town that was built around the Heartwood Mill. Some screams echoed in the night. The edge of the town was on fire. * Sniff Sniff Grunt * There was movement at the rooftops, a figure that was not human. It moved with inhuman speed until it spotted three guards near the exit. * Grunt Sniff * The guards were frightened and were shouting at each other ‘’ What the hell was that thing ‘’ ‘’ Why do you ask me, how am I supposed to know ‘’ there was a lot of tension. * Grunt Snap Snap * ‘’ Wait, I think I heard something ‘’ the third guard whispered and turned ‘’ fl*ff you man, don’t scare me like that ‘’ the first shouted. The figure moved itself again so that it could see them again * Grunt… Sniff * ‘’ GRAAAAAAARRGHHHH ‘’ and that terrifying roar echoed all over the area. ‘’ SHOOT IT DOWN ‘’ and immediately the guards released their arrows. The figure dodged them and then seemed to stop ‘’ What is it doing? ‘’ ‘’ I got no idea, quick nock another arrow! ‘’ but then they turned at horror when they saw that the figure started glowing red. ‘’ RUN ‘’ the second shouted before a torrent of flames enveloped them. ‘’ Damn… it ‘’ the last guard crawled to a nearby fence and tried to stand. The figure walked out of the flames holding something at its mouth ‘’ What are you… HOLLY pl*ps ‘’ It was an arm, and the figure swallowed it. ‘’ M… Monster ‘’ It moved closer ‘’ Stay away from me! ‘’ he shouted and shot his last arrow. It caught it between its jaws and broke it ‘’ No… ‘’ the guard lisped. The figure was now over him. As it opened his mouth, the guard shouted ‘’ No please, NO… NOOOOAAAAARRRGHHHH ‘’. A nearby house fell to the flames that devoured hungrily the wood.
The sun has risen revealing a beautiful morning. Ace woke up and yawned. Before he could do anything more, he lost his balance and fell from the tree headfirst on the snow. ‘’ Owww, at least I fell somewhere soft ‘’ but then he paused. ‘’ DAMN, IT IS COLD ‘’ he shouted and surrounded himself in flames melting the snow. ‘’ Why was I up there, wasn’t I sleeping in the inn of Heartwood Town? ‘’ he wondered. Then he noticed blood in his arms. ‘’ … OCTAVIAN!! ‘’ he shouted ‘’ Morning partner, had a nice sleep? ‘’ that irritated Ace more ‘’ First, why is there blood on my arms and ‘’ he spat ‘’ in my mouth, second, why was I on a tree and last and most important, why am I surrounded by snow? ‘’ the dragon was in silence. After a few minutes he replied ‘’ I was hungry ‘’ like that explained it all, well it pretty much did to Ace, they shared the same body after all. ‘’ Pfff, where are we now and why is there snow ? ‘’ ‘’ I passed Snow Shod Farm on my way here, then I stopped. As for the snow, I know how much you like it, partner ‘’ ‘’ At least you stayed on course ‘’ Ace sighed ‘’ How much longer is Riften from here? ‘’ the dragon remained silent again, but after some seconds, there was a weird sound, like puffing ‘’ Don’t go sleeping on me when I ask you questions you little winged fire- breathing lizard ‘’ that seemed to shock the dragon ‘’ Don’t address me like that mortal, I am Octavian, the gold dragon, I am… ‘’ ‘’ A kid, by dragon standards at least, so could you please shut it and answer my question? ‘’ ‘’ For you? You should be there by afternoon ‘’ ‘’ Ok, have a good sleep ‘’ ‘’ Yeah, talk to you later, see ya ‘’ and with that, the dragon’s presence vanished from his mind. Ace straightened his clothes ‘’ That little brat ‘’ he smiled and started running. As he ran, he thought of the reason he wanted to go to Riften in the first place. ‘’ Information on the Shadow Lord ‘’ . It was early afternoon when he arrived at Riften, just like Octavian predicted. He walked by the streets of the city ears open of anything suspicious. ‘’ So then, from when should we start ‘’ he immediately felt the pressure of the dragon’s mind inside his head ‘’ How about getting yourself ready for battle, we are being followed ‘’ Ace stopped in a store and bought a potion. ‘’ I just saw them, one behind me and one on the rooftops ‘’ ‘’Turn in there, if you are to engage battle then you should not do it in plain sight ‘’ ‘’ Don’t go off giving me orders ‘’ Ace turned at the corner and entered a deep alley. At the end, there was a dead end where he stopped. ‘’ I know you are there ‘’ he turned and saw a man that was standing in front of him. Then another figure fell from the rooftop, it was a woman. ‘’ We do not want to hurt you ‘’ the man told him ‘’ You are outnumbered, give us your belongings, we have a mission ‘’ and drew a bow. Before anything happened, the woman charged at him with two daggers at hand. He quickly dodged and summoned his staff and held it at his left hand. She slashed again at him and blocked her dagger with his staff. He then snapped the fingers of his right hand and a burst of flames hit the wall behind the woman. She barely dodged it. Ace then ducked avoiding an arrow that hit the wall next to him. He then saw the woman who attacked him with one dagger. He blocked it again but then she aimed her other dagger at him. He smiled and spinned his staff knocking her other dagger off her hand. He looked at her, and she smiled anticipating such a trick. She had a dagger in her mouth and she whispered ‘’ I got you now, all calculated ‘’ but then he smiled as well. That was when the fire from his earlier attack reached a bottle of oil and exploded, intercepting the woman’s attack. She looked at him, her face full of surprise ‘’ That attack before was…? ‘’ at that instant Ace looked at her eyes ‘’ All calculated ‘’ he whispered to her and slammed his staff on her back. The enchanted weapon released a small shockwave as it hit her and she fell unconscious on the ground. ‘’ Ria ‘’ the man shouted and released another arrow at Ace. Ace countered it with his fire. But then his attacker shot three arrows at once. Ace burned the one that was aiming for his head, but the two others pinned his arms against the wall. ‘’ Damn you old man, don’t go making my clothes look like a strainer ‘’ he said angrily. The man walked in front of him with a victorious expression on his face. ‘’ Now you cant move or use magic, give me your belongings, you are defenceless ‘’ he said arrogantly. That was enough to enrage Ace. His body temperature rose. He took a deep breath and released a torrent of flames from his mouth. He was careful enough to not inflict a fatal wound but it was enough to leave the man unconscious and with a few burns. Ace then burned the arrows breaking free, he brushed his clothes and turned at his attackers. ‘’ Are you working for the Shadow Lord ? ‘’ Ace wondered. ‘’ No we do not ‘’ Ria replied, she had regained consciousness. ‘’ Who are you working for? Who sent you? ‘’ Ace demanded answers. ‘’ I cannot tell you, but I can swear you that, we do not work for the Shadow Lord ‘’ she replied with determination. Ace could tell that she was being truthful. ‘’ Ok ‘’ he walked next to her and healed her ‘’ Can you walk? ‘’ ‘’ Yeah, I think so, why are you helping me? ‘’ ‘’ Hmm… cuz in order to carry your partner you need to have full use of your legs ‘’ Ace looked at the street ‘’ Also, I got an idea of where you came from ‘’ Ace smiled ‘’ What? ‘’ ‘’ The mausoleum, I recognize that smell ‘’ Ria seemed scared ‘’ No don’t ‘’ But Ace had already left. When he arrived at the mausoleum Ace followed the smell. It went down, the problem was that there was no sign that there was a route beneath him. ‘’ It should be somewhere here, where is it? ‘’ ‘’ You did well, also what are you looking for? ‘’ Octavian said ‘’ Something that would move this piece of rock, the smell comes from down there… oh here it is ‘’ he exclaimed and pressed a round button. The floor opened revealing a stairway. ‘’ Imma going in ‘’ ‘’ Try not to fall of the stairs, will ya? ‘’ Ace laughed and run down the stairs. At the end there was a trapdoor. ‘’ What do you think is in the other side? ‘’ ‘’ A lot of people, that much I can tell from smell ‘’ Ace pushed the door revealing a big room. About 20 people turned at him full of surprise. Ace cleared his throat ‘’ Yoeveryone, how’s it goin? ‘’ ‘’ Genius ‘’ Octavian said in his mind. The members sat up and readied themselves ‘’ Hey, hey wait, I just came here to speak with the big bad boss ‘’ ‘’ That would be me lad ‘’ Ace turned to see a muscular man dressed in black armor standing right behind him. ‘’ Hey, name is Ace. May I ask what is this place and why two of your members tried to rob me? ‘’ a few of the guild members laughed, but then there was complete silence. ‘’ This is the Ragged Flagon’s Cistern home of the Thieves Guild. Now that you mentioned those new members, lad, where are they, eh? ‘’ Ace leaned on the wall ‘’ They are most likely on their way back here, don’t worry, they are not dead. The girl only has a few bruises and the man some burns, but they are not fatal ‘’ ‘’ Aright ‘’ he said ‘’ But if they are seriously injured, I will have your head ‘’ he said pointing a dagger at Ace’s throat. Ace smiled completely unaffected ‘’ Yeah, but the problem is… will your dagger cut my throat? Or will it break on my hard skin ‘’ Ace replied. There was a moment of silence as the two of them looked in each other’s eyes measuring their strength. Then the man laughed and lowered his dagger ‘’ The name is Brynjolf, lad. I like your style. Have a seat, seems like you want to talk ‘’. The two of them sat on a table and started to talk. ‘’ You, the thieves, know a lot of things. I was told that there was a guild here, at Riften, that had information on the Shadow Lord. Seems to me it is yours. I don’t know whether you will share that information with me but I need it. ‘’ Brynjolf sat there silently listening to him. When Ace finished he replied ‘’ I have a good feeling about you lad, I also owe you for not killing my new members, but we don’t know much about him. What will you give me in order to tell you what I know? ‘’ Ace was about to reply but then Octavian kicked in ‘’ You want money? How about I pay you in punches and kicks instead? ‘’ Ace, then got the control again ‘’ Shut it, lizard ‘’ but Octavian has started it again ‘’ Who do you think you are talking to big guy, I am the gold dragon, Octavian. Don’t go thinking you are better than me. I am… ‘’ ‘’ Stupid ‘’ Ace got the control again ‘’ Now stay silent, we have an important conversation here ‘’ then he turned at Brynjolf who seemed confused ‘’ Sorry about that, it is a long story. How much money do you want? ‘’ ‘’ Are you strong? ‘’ Brynjolf asked out of a sudden. Ace was surprised ‘’ I believe I am, I believe we are… ‘’ ‘’ You got that right ‘’ Brynjolf smiled ‘’ At Shor’s Stone there is big house in the center of the town. The one who lives there is allied with the Shadow Lord, but I don’t want to send my comrades there. They know us and they despise us. If you go, bring back any information you could take. ‘’ Ace laughed ‘’ Accepted ‘’ he sat up and prepared to leave ‘’ Oh, one more question ‘’ ‘’ What is it? ‘’ ‘’ I am not a member of the guild, your rules do not apply on me, or do they? ‘’ ‘’ No, they don’t but… why do you ask, lad ? ‘’ Ace’s smile widened ‘’ I got my reasons ‘’
