A Thieve's Life (Jin's Saga)

Dragon And Friends

Author's Note: OK, guys I'm digging up my computer and manage to find this chapter. Can't really say if its the orginal one or not... oh well. Enjoy!

Chapter 4

Two days later, we were well on our way to Riften, and the town's buildings were visible in the distance. As we rode on our horses side by side on the long journey, and Dom trotted along side, there was nothing else to do apart from make conversation. Over the past two days, I'd grown to like Elesis a lot more and her sarcastic humor and wit which almost rivaled my own. Now we were having a long discussion about where the best place to live was in Cyrodiil.

"I'll admit, Bruma is nice place but I prefer Cheydinhal. I think the black and white buildings there are much nicer than Bruma's small houses," I continued, and Elesis nodded.

"I know what you mean. But have you seen the statues in Bruma? I don't think I've ever seen statues so well made," Elesis smiled, sounding a little home sick.

"Why did you move to Skyrim?" I asked after a few moments of silence.

"When I left Cyrodill when I was 3, it was nearly in ruins after the war. Everything and everyone I'd loved were gone, except Uncle Merlin. We couldn't stay in a dying province, and Skyrim was the obvious place to go," She explained sadly.

I thought about that, and sighed.

"How do you know so much about Cyrodiil?" Elesis asked quietly, watching my face.

"I used to live there, but only for two years for training" I murmured, defeated.

"Really?"

"Yes. I came back to Skyrim two years ago from Cheydinhal. Me, Lloyd, Erik, and the two other Greybeards left because of the wars," I explained, looking at her.

As our eyes met, I realized we had more in common then I had thought, and she seemed to realize that too as her green eyes widened slightly. We stayed silent for a moment before she started to say something.

"Jin ..." She stopped and looked down, embarrassed.

"What?" I said quietly, leaning in towards her.

She looked back at and leaned in closer too, but before she could say anything, our horses stopped in unison, and neighed loudly. Dom barked and ran forward before I could do anything. My horse, a black stallion, reared up, sending me flying backwards. I fell heavily on the hard ground, and rolled to the side quickly to avoid lethal hooves as my horse backed away.

"Jin!" Elesis called, jumping down and drawing her sword.

I jumped up and unsheathed my sword too.

"Dom" I called, rushing forward with Elesis on my heels.

Just ahead was Dom, fighting a couple of wolves. Relief coursed through me as we finished them off, and I turned to Elesis happily.

"Thank Akatosh. Just wolves. At least it wasn't a-" A piercing roar halted my words, and there was loud, ground shaking thud from behind me.

"Dragon!" I finished, wheeling around and putting my duel-wield CoDex as a shield to my face as a stream of fire was pointed at me. (The CoDex is a magical weapon created by the Talos, himself. The weapon had the ability to form a kind of weapon that I wish desirable.)

When the fire died, I looked up into the snake-like eyes of a blood dragon. As I entered Dragon's Wraith, I heard Elesis and Dom rush forward, and I told them to get back in my cold voice. I put my CoDex back to its duel-wield sword mode and I started to use my shout to knock it out of balance and began to stab and swing with my swords, trying to cut through its diamond hard green scales. The smell of burning wood invaded my nose as the dragon let loose more fire.

I turned my CoDex back to its shield mode and swung it at its head, stopping the flames as it roared angrily. Taking advantage, I turned the Codex back to duel sword mode and dug my swords in its eyes and climbed on top of its head. I clung on as it swung its head side to side, snapping. I grab the CoDex and put it to single sword mode and with a great swing of my sword at the beast's head, the dragon collapsed, dead. I jumped off lightly, and waited a second before the corpse began to burn before our eyes, its soul being absorbed by me. White light filled my vision and faint wind whistled in my ears. After a moment, all that was left was the dragon's skeleton.

I glanced smugly at Elesis, who was watching me with an awed expression, and said, "And that's why I'm the best."

She laughed, and we walked back to find our horses, but they were long gone. Reluctantly, we began to walk the final distance, with Dom walking at my heels protectively.

"Great, it’s going to take at least two days for us to reach Riften." Elesis said.

I collapsed on the floor from the side effects of Dragon's Wrath.

"Jin!" Elesis shouted.

"I'm fine. It’s just a little tired."

I stood back up and we began to walk the rest of the way.

"So, uh, what were you going to say? Before the interruption?" I asked curiously, looking at the floor with warm cheeks.

"I don't remember," Elesis said slowly, and when I glanced up at her, something in her eyes made me think that she did remember, but I let it go and changed the subject.

"Do you know that the Count of Skingrad's supposedly been in charge for over a thousand years?" I said quickly.

"Count Hassildor? How could he be a live that long?" Elesis said disbelievingly, and I smiled with relief.

"Apparently he's a vampire," I grinned, and we carried on discussing vampires, werewolfs, and somehow turned to Crimson Ninroot until we reached the town gates.

We entered Riften, and I took in the familiar streets and faces. I sighed happily as I looked around, smiling. After a moment, I lead Elesis and Dom around the back of the houses until we reached the Thieves Guild secret entrance. Before I pressed the revealing button, I turned back to Elesis with a serious expression.

"You can't tell anyone about this place," I said sternly.

"I swear on my life that I won't tell a soul," Elesis said, equally serious.

I nodded, and then turned to Dom.

"Make sure she doesn't move a muscle. If she tries to run, bark as loud as you can and chase her," I told Dom, as he barked in agreement.

"Do you really think I'd try to run away?" Elesis asked as I stood up again, with a trace of hurt in her voice.

"I can't take any chances. Lisa's already going to have my head on a spike, and if you run off and join the Imperials ... I dread to think about the consequences," I said, shivering.

She smiled slightly, and then I pressed the button that revealed the stairs down to the trapdoor.

Pulling the trapdoor open, I clambered down the ladders, hearing the door shut above me.

I dropped down lightly, and turned to look at the Cistern.