Begin Again

Prologue

 
        Rya returned to the rundown town she called home, one of the only available houses she could afford. Someday she hoped to be able to go to Windhelm and buy the home for sale there. It'd be much better than Honeyside, the two story house with the basement she had just bought and furnished.

        She pushed open the city gate, the guards staring after her. They had given Rya a shakedown the first time she had entered, and they'd left her alone since. That was one of the key reasons the Rift had such a bad reputation.

        Rya began to walk along the cobblestone pathway, boots tapping softly on the ground. The stray stones crunched underneath her leather boots,  running  a hand through her light brown hair. She wanted to go home. Badly. She had had enough of the outside world, carrying loads of supplies for alchemy reasons, or the constant wolf attacks.

        A man with black hair and a beard stopped her, crossing his arms over his steel plated chest. His eyes scanned Rya carefully, his lip forming a threatening half frown. "I don't know you. You in Riften looking for trouble?"

        She quickly returned his snobby look, crossing her arms over her chest. "Just passing through, not that that matters to you."

        "Don't say something like that," the man warned as his unamused look remained. "The last thing the Black-Briars need is some loudmouth tryin' to meddle in their affairs."

        "Who are the Black-Briars?" She asked.

        "The Black-Briars have Riften in their pocket and the Thieves Guild watchin' their back, so keep your nose out of their business," the stranger answered simply. "Me? I'm Maul. I watch the streets for them. If you need dirt on anything, I'm your guy . . . but it'll cost you."

        Rya smirked. "Dirt, huh? I'm not exactly clean myself. . ." It was a lame persuasion line and after it came out of her mouth, she regretted saying it.

        "Then you're stupider than you look. You better watch your back." Maul growled and pushed himself off the pillar he was leaning on. He nodded his head to another person and began to speed walk. "Hey! I need to talk to you!"

        Rya decided to take her leave, beginning to walk away. She stopped in her tracks as she noticed a man in fine clothes staring at her, a smirk playing at the edge of his lips. His redish hair waved around in the breeze as he stepped out of his shaded area and he began to walk toward her.

        She kept walking, head down when she noticed his smile. It was charming. A little amusing. He was definitely pleased with something. Rya stopped when she bumped into something and she apologetically looked up, seeing the man who was smirking at her right in front of her.

        She inhaled sharply, eyes widening as she realized she had ran face-first into him. "Oh, sorry."

        "It's alright. Running a little light in the pockets, lass?" He spoke, a thick accent present.

        "I'm sorry, what?" Rya replied, unsure of what he had meant.

        "Your pockets. . . they're low on coin. I can tell." He was smiling.

        "How can you possibly know that?"

        "It's all about sizing up your mark, lass. The way they walk, what they're wearing. It's a dead giveaway."

"My wealth is none of your business." Rya snapped.

        "Calm. That's where you're wrong, lass. Wealth is my business. Maybe you'd like a taste?"