Heartless

Chapter 10 - Part 15

Shadow, Age 28

If I was spotted up here, I would be shot down for sure. I couldn't help it, Riften was beautiful in the moonlight, it's dark alleyways twisting and turning through the sleeping city, the sound of quiet water from the canals, the quiet hissing from the last embers of Balimund's forge... it was all so peaceful.

Peaceful. What a word.

For the last year, I'd been on the run. Never sleeping unless I absolutely needed to, preparing my own food, trusting nobody and bringing in carriageloads of coin. As part of the Firebrand College's most wanted (Firebrand College is where she trained with the Orc), I had to run and make a living. Lucky for me, the tax carriages were loaded with chests full of gold, which meant they were slow. First goes the soldiers, next goes anyone else in the surrounding area. No witnesses, that was my rule. After that I'd hide the bodies near wolf territory and take the cart to one of my four marked caves around Skyrim. There I would offload the cart and then burn it, removing the horse's saddle and letting it free into the wilderness. If I was desperate, I'd be eating horse for dinner.

Now I was sticking to Riften. The College wouldn't dare trifle with the Thieves Guild, which made me wonder...

Sighing and shaking my head, I slithered from the rooftop and disappeared into the Ratway.

—

The Next Morning

I stretched luxuriously, digging my long claws into wooden planks near my hands. Rolling over onto my back, I picked up the parchment I had written my to-do list on.

1. Murder cruel Lady for Maul
2. Get some new jewellery for the Solitude summer ball
3. Plan another heist
4. Gather more locations of loot
5. Check security of mausoleum
6. Potato

Great. First thing was murder. Last thing was Potato. At this point I'd learned not to question myself.
Rising from my pile of furs, I donned my usual leather thief armour and slipped out of the ratway, my headache only setting in fully when the dim sunlight reflected off the canal. Groaning quietly, I ascended the steps to the surface and disappeared around the back of the orphanage. Here there was a small hole in the roof that allowed me to drop through and assassinate Grelod.

'And those who shirk their duties will get an extra beating! Do I make myself clear?' Barked Grelod.

'Yes Grelod.' Chorused the little kids.

Lucky for me, everyone was busy with something and nobody saw me sneak over to where Grelod's room must be. I eased the door open before slipping inside to see a sleeping Grelod. And it was only nine in the morning. Shaking my head, I clamped my hand over her eyes and force fed Grelod some deadly poison I had made. The old crone didn't shriek or anything, just grunted and tried to go back to sleep, forgetting about me.

Gods she was stupid.