Broken Memories (Skyrim One-Shot)

Broken Memories

Brynjolf kept his eyes forward scanning the faces of the people walking past, most of these faces were known to him, as they should be. Standing in the town square in Rifton he leant against the stone barrier, in his head and said the name of each man, woman and child that walked past him, Mjoll the lioness, Aeri, Svanna, Maul.... Brynjolf grimaced, he had quite the disliking for Maven Black-Briar's lapdog, but the Thieves Guild was not as powerful as it was once and Maven was a valuable ally. So he had no choice but to smile and be pleasant to anyone that was involved with Maven or suffer her wrath resulting in the end of him and his precious guild. Crossing his arms, Brynjolf stood upright as Maul walked past him, grunting as he did so.

"Was there something you wanted to say, lad?" He asked. Maul looked over his shoulder at him, glaring dangerously at him,

"Brynjolf." He spat, "Crawling up from the sewers I see?"

Brynjolf grinned at him, running his fingers through his shoulder length, messy red hair. Not so long ago, before the Guild began to decline, Maul was a member alongside him but left when things started to get rough, just like the coward he was and naturally Maven picked him up right away. She would be foolish not to, just looking at Maul it was obvious why she kept him around; he was a beast of a man, but in saying that, he was slow and easy to beat once you wore him down. Something Brynjolf had been wanting to do since he lost... no, that was a long time ago, it was about time he moved on and anyway, he had a job to do.

"I happen to be busy, Maul. We'll speak another time, huh?" Maul once again grunted before walking off.

Brynjolf's eyes followed him before he turned his attention back to the passing people. He had to figure out how he could steal Medesi's ring and plant it on Brand-Shei all without being caught. Well, of course he could do it, he was second in the Thieves Guild only to Mercer Frey, and that meant a lot; he also had quite the reputation, so screwing this up wouldn't be ideal for the already crumbling Guild. But then again, if he simply found a strong, or even sneaky lad or lass to agree to help him, things would be different, he may even be able to begin to reform the Guild to its former glory. But who in their right minds would join all the while knowing of the Guild's decline to power and fear.

Even now, citizens were beginning to cross them. Haelga, Keerava and Bersi Honey-Hand all owed Brynjolf money and refused to pay, but the Guild had no way of forcing them to, most of them had their own jobs to complete and hadn't the time to worry. Just like he did, but Brynjolf hated the idea of just letting it be. Which was why they needed a new recruit, someone that could solve these 'issues'.

Looking around once again, his eyes fell onto a hooded woman who walked cautiously, keeping her hood low as to be sure that no one could see her face. Brynjolf kept his eyes locked onto her, she was a stranger, but yet, he felt as though he knew her, well not exactly, he knew all too well that he didn't. She was just familiar and judging from the bow that was slung over her shoulder and the steel sword that was sheathed against her hip, she knew how to handle herself and would quite possibly make reasonable ally.

Brynjolf shifted from where he stood, moving closer to her, she looked to be Nord, judging from her fair skin, but then again, he could be wrong, for all Brynjolf knew she could be a Breton. As the woman continued to walk absentmindedly towards him, Brynjolf narrowed his eyes as she was caught up by Maul, who lent against one of the wooden posts, his arms crossed over his chest and wearing his scariest dog-like expression. The woman removed her hood, revealing to Brynjolf a head of black hair, yet, he still couldn't see what she looked like. Then just like that, he saw her as she turned away from Maul- pale face and red lips. Her skin was near flawless except for a small scar that ran across her right cheek. There was beauty in front of him and looking at the amulet she wore (An Amulet of Mara) she was looking for a husband. But was he interested in her? No. It had been a long time since a woman had ever caused Brynjolf's heart to skip a beat. Those eyes, those blue eyes. I have seen those before. Looking away from the woman he felt his chest begin to tighten- it was her eyes that caused his pain. Every night it was those blue eyes that haunted his dreams and even his waking moments and there was no one else to blame but himself...