The ride to Riften was long, and boring. At least I had a horse this time.

When we arrived, Archer looked at the guards with mild annoyance. "This'll be interesting," he muttered.

Our little group dismounted and started for the large wooden gate. The guards didn't move as we walked up to the doors.

Shay stepped forward. "Let us through," he ordered.

The guard on the left shook his head. "No. You'll have to pay a fee." His helmet turned to Archer. "And he comes with us."

Rapier growled and pushed past Shay. "By order of the Stormcloak Army, open the blasted door!"

The two guards stared at Rapier in shock and quickly opened the gate. Rapier didn't give them a second look as she marched through.

After a moment of stunned silence we all followed her.

"What... how..." Archer struggled to find the right question to ask as we walked into a narrow space between two buildings.

I shook my head. "Rapier is confusing at the best of times."

Shay nodded. "Uh... I had almost noticed."

Rapier didn't slow down until we reached the small stone house in a graveyard that was the entrance to the Thieves Guild. She knelt in front of the stone box.

Archer frowned. "Why are we here?"

Rapier flicked her tail at him in annoyance. I sighed. "It's the entrance to the Thieves Guild. Wait and see."

Rapier pressed the circle inside a diamond that was in the center of the stone box. It popped out as the box made a loud grinding sound and slid back.

Shay started down the stairs before the box had even slid back all the way.

I tipped my head at him. He had clearly done that before. He leaned casually against the wall next to the chain that would close the entrance again.

Rapier went next, followed by me, then Archer.

Shay pulled the chain down and the box ground back into place again.

"Kharjo, I'll let you go ahead and make sure we're still welcome to pass through," Rapier said.

I smiled and hit her with my tail as I passed. "I'm sure we are. But I'll check anyway."

I opened the door and descended the ladder into the Thieves Guild Cistern. Rune was in his usual place at the table a short way from the ladder. He took another sip from the orange bottle he was holding before he gave me a large smile.

"Ah, Kharjo! Good to see you my friend!" he said, raising his bottle and taking another swig. "Where's your charming companion?"

I flicked my tail. "She is on her way."

Rune set down his bottle and grinned again. "You're welcome here any time! Brynjolf wanted me to let you know the next time I saw you."

I nodded. "It is good to be welcomed."

I looked across the Cistern to see a Nord man watching me intently. He wore the Thieves Guild armor, his hair was hidden by the helmet. Green war paint started at a point in the center of his forehead down his nose. I could just see the white line of a scar from his left eyebrow to about half way down his cheek.

I heard the trapdoor open behind me, but didn't turn. I was too focused on the man watching me. He must have noticed my gaze, because he started walking toward me, around the edge of the Cistern.

"Yes, Rune, hello," I heard Rapier say behind me.

"Ah, and there's the Black Devil!" Rune exclaimed loudly.

I turned around, a little confused. Black Devil?

Rune had his hand on Shay's shoulder. "How have the roads been treating you old friend?"

Shay smiled. "Not to badly Rune. My brother's been annoying as ever, but the team we joined-" he gestured to us. "-is a good one." His eyes lingered a little longer on Rapier before looking back at Rune.

Rune laughed merrily and continued talking about random things.

"Excuse me."

I turned and saw the Nord man I'd been watching standing behind me. "Can I help you?" I asked.

"I am Calian. I was wondering if, perhaps, I could join your team?" Calian looked at me inquiringly.

"I am not the one to answer that. You must ask Rapier, the black Khajiit."

I wasn't entirely certain why he wanted to join our group. None of us knew him that I was aware of. Perhaps he simply wanted to get away from the Thieves Guild, I understood the feeling, but I couldn't help being a little suspicious.

Calian nodded and walked around me to Rapier.

Rapier hissed and lashed her tail as he approached, but listened carefully as he spoke. "I'll consider it. I'll let you know on our way out," she said.

Calian nodded and walked away again.

Archer raised an eyebrow. "Just you wait. Soon enough we'll have a team bigger than we can handle."

Rapier snorted. "I think I'll manage. I've lead an army. Believe me, our group of four is a thousand times easier."