Lucien: I'm so sorry sir! Please forgive me!
Lucien has spent nearly the rest of our trip to Riften bowing his head to the floor of the cart. His forehead practically glowed red with how often he slammed against the floor of the cart.
Lucien: I was ignorant! Foolish! Witless! Imprudent! Thoughtless!
He kept finding more and more words that essentially all meant how idiotic he was, some of which I never even heard of. I would've been almost impressed up until his 45th word a half an hour ago.
Alexander: Lucien I told you it's fine! You have no reason to feel as guilty as you do!
Lucien: B-but sir!
Lucien starts building up tears in his eyes and has snot dripping down his nose.
Lucien: If it wasn't for my hair brained idea then Redbelly Mine wouldn't have been completely decimated!!
Alexander:(sighs) But because of your idea, the mines was able to expand, and they wouldn't have been able to find multiple gold and silver ore deposits! They'll be living like kings! So why on Nirn are you so damn guilty!?
Lucien: Because I should've been more careful! The damages couldn't caused the mines to collapse in on themselves! Redcap would've died! The miners would've lost so much progress in their work! I could've cause more ruin then good! If I was more careful! If I was more mindful! But I was too caught up in my plan!
I get it now, Lucien recognized the flaws in his plans, he recognized the potential mistakes he could've made knowing that all that happened was nothing short of luck. I was so caught up in the good that I completely overlooked the bad, but Lucien must've felt tortured as he kept thinking about this, and I should've thought the same as his leader.
Alexander:(sighs) Yes, you're right. You should've been more mindful of your decision. You were lucky this time but in any other situation you could've caused far more problems for the miners at Shor's stone. But…it didn't happen Lucien. You don't have to beat yourself up about it. If you truly feel terrible, learn from this, a failure is simply a lesson learned. Got it?
Lucien raises his head up towards me with a surprised look, the anguish completely gone from his face.
Lucien: A failure is simply a lesson learned? I-I kinda like that.
Lucien chuckles while wiping away his tears with his sleeves. Then he grabs hold of a notepad from his bag, writing intensely into it.
Lucien: I'll make sure to keep note of that piece of wisdom sir! As well as the experience I had during this mission!
In just the span of a minute this grown man went through grief and sadness, to blissful joy, to a fiery look of determination. Lucien manages to impress me more and more whenever I'm around him.
Alexander: Sure…uh…knock yourself out.
Redcap: Friend?
I turn my head to Redcap, who is currently sitting looking very sad in the corner of the cart.
Redcap: Can. Me. Turn. Now?
Alexander: I said you'll sit there until the end of the ride Redcap, we haven't reached Riften yet.
Because of what happened in the mine I decided to introduce Redcap the concept of a timeout corner, seeing as how between the two, he was less sorry for what he did. This was the only other punishment I could think of besides a cage, and obviously I wasn't going to do that to the poor fella. Luckily the corner seems to have a worthwhile affect towards him cause every ten minutes he would be antsy and start to move and shake just to scratch the itch to want to do something. I feel you buddy, the corner changes people.
Lucien: Don't worry Redcap! I'll sit in the corner with you!
Lucien crawl next to the depressed yellow Riekling, still with a book and pencil on hand, writing up a storm.
I rub my temple witnessing this idiotic but wholesome moment.
Alexander: I get the sentiment Lucien, but you continuously writing in that notebook defeats the purpose of what makes sitting in the corner a proper punishment.
Lucien: Huh? It does? But this was always how my parents punished me when I was a child. Sit in a corner and do my homework.
Alexander: Hard to believe considering how clearly happy you look.
Lucien looks at his notebook and shrugs, then hands the notebook and pencil.
Lucien: Fair enough.
Afterwards he starts humming Ragnar the Red, this goes on for 30 minutes before Redcap joins in to, forming a humming duet.
I start to groan.
Alexander: When I found myself in Skyrim I was expecting adventure, not babysitting and a humming concert.
***********
Days go by, I slept as comfortably as I could in the cart as we continued to move forward, soon enough I started to hear some rather concerning crunchy, and when I woke up I was met with the beautiful sight of trees, countless of them with the color of orange, yellows, and reds, all in hues. The sight was like that of a permanent sunset all around me. I turn to see Lucien who also was mesmerized by this seasonal beauty.
Alexander: Heh, I'm sure I don't need to say this, but boys, we're close to Riften.
Redcap: Oh? Redcap. Get. Out. Of. Corner. Now?
Redcap jumps up giddily while staring at the wall of the cart.
Alexander: Alright Redcap, seeing as how you seemed to have learned your lesson you can get out of the corner now.
Redcap: YAY! Ooooooh.
Redcap joyfully removes himself from the corner with glee, and then his gleeful expression turned to bewildered fascination to the sight Lucien and I shared. There he stood staring one second at a corner, now staring up at the trees.
Lucien: So now that we're getting closer to Riften, what exactly are we going to do there?
Alexander: Many things actually, first off, word is that there's a man there should be a couple of worthwhile recruits there, as well as skooma dealers disturbing the peace of the city, one that we can take advantage of dismantling, an action like that could win us favor with the Jarl. But the main thing as well is the Thieves Guild.
Lucien looks a little concerned.
Lucien: Yes I heard many tales of the Thieves Guild. Bunch of rather unsavory types that use the sewer system to hide and make a living. It wouldn't be such a bad plan if it were both disgusting and didn't involve stealing from others.
Alexander: stealing isn't a good thing yes. However, it can be a necessity, as well as beneficial. And not only are thieves good for stealing within the shadows, they're good at collecting and selling information. Something we could use.
Lucien: I…see. So you plan to form a partnership with the Thieves Guild?
Alexander: Close, but no. A partnership for them would make sense, however rumor has it they've been in a rut as of late. So for now I'll have to make myself aquanted with the lot to further investigate.
Lucien: You don't mean-
Alexander: Oh yes, I plan to join them among their ranks, and eventually become the master of their guild.
Lucien widens his eyes in shock.
Lucien: Surely you must be joking.
I smile in response.
Alexander: This look like the face of a man whose joking? Nay, this is the face of a man with a thousand different plans!
Lucien: What pray tell have I gotten myself into?
Redcap: Huh?
***********
Finally we make it to Riften. We say our goodbyes to Bjorlam before walking up to the gate, to which the guard at the front approaches us.
Guard: Halt!
Alexander: Right on cue.
Guard: Before you can enter Riften, you're required to pay an entry fee, that's 2 men and…
He looks down at Redcap.
Guard:…Pet?
Redcap: Pet?!
Alexander: He's family you dolt! And he'll be considered as such! I would never view him as something as insulting as a pet!
Guard: Uh…right. My mistake. Then 3 men, that'll be 300 gold then.
Lucien: 300?! Well I have heard that Riften goes through some hard times. Hold on I think I should have that much-
Alexander: Hold it Lucien.
I place my arm around the soldier with a slight smirk on my face.
Alexander: So not only you insult Redcap, but you also claim there's an entry fee? Something smells off wouldn't you say?
I start waving my hands towards my nose, taking a deep exaggerated breath in.
Guard: W-what are you doing?
Alexander: Taking a whiff, I thought it was just horseshit but it seems something else was mixed in? What is that scent?
*sniff*
Is that? Pig?
*sniff*
No…cow?
*sniff*
Ah I see! It's a steaming pile of bullshit!
I tighten my arm around the scared guard who tries getting out of my grasp.
Guard: Ok, ok! Keep it down! I'm just trying to get some extra gold! I'll let you into the city!
I loosen my arm around the guard who immediately runs towards the gate to open it.
Guard: There! Go on now!
As we walk inside Lucien walks closer to me with an amazed look on his face.
Lucien: Sir that was incredible! How did you know he was lying about the fee?
Alexander: Bah! I've seen it before more times then I can count. And besides, cities have no reason to charge entry fee's. Here's a lesson for you Lucien, someone with authority like a guard "claims" there's an entry fee, always challenge it. If you usually bring the Jarl into it that always helps. But you can also tell by the look in their eye.
Lucien pulls open his journal without me even noticing, writing rapidly into it.
Lucien: I see! Such unique and incredible information to learn! I shall take it to heart Alexander!
We cross the gate, and finally I was met with Riften. While the city did appear bigger then how it was portrayed in the game, it unfortunately didn't get the same treatment. The city looked rundown, gray, and cold. There was a strong fish smell within the city mixed along with sewage. The buildings all looked old and covered in mold and rot, and everywhere I looked I could see the townsfolk either giving us a dirty look or just blatantly staring at our pockets.
Lucien: Anyone else feeling a little uncomfortable?
Redcap: Me. Don't. Like. Here.
Alexander: I don't blame you. The denizens of Riften tend to always want a little extra gold. That guard at the front was an example of that. Best to stick by me and don't leave your pockets exposed.
Redcap: Pockets?
Alexander: Eh…in your case, just keep an eye on your belongings and stay really close to me Redcap.
Redcap: Ok.
We walk inside the Bee and Barb, where the priest of Mara, Maramel is seen doing one of his Sermon's before Talen walks up to him requesting to stop. We ignore the scene, walking up to Keerava the argonian tavern keeper, who appeared very annoyed.
Keerava: What'll it be Strangers? Ale? Food? Or a bed?
Before I could speak Redcap jumps on top of the table with joy.
Redcap: DIZZY DRINK!
I grab him by the waste and place him back down on the floor, laughing nervously as Keerava glares daggers at me. I cough a couple of time, clearing my throat.
Alexander: Unfortunately not today. We're looking for some information. I'm looking to recruit some capable people.
Keerava: Heh! And you came to Riften? We've got Marcurio over there and Mjoll outside, but the rest may as well be bottom of the barrel.
Alexander: Yes, we'll. A mercenary is quite what I'm looking for. Though Mjoll can be taken under consideration. Do you by chance at least know of anything else?
I slip a couple of gold coins to Keerava. She smirks and grabs the coins.
Keerava: Well we have this guy claiming to be apart of house Telvanni running around doing gods know what through the ratway. Said something about find some alchemical ingredients. And in the jail there's this crazy prisoner insisting on staying in his cell.
A member of House Telvanni and a Prisoner? A smile creeped up on my face.
Alexander: Is the guy from Telvanni an Argonian and the prisoner a Khajit?
Keerava: Haven't seen either of them. I've only just heard through the shit covered grape vine.
Even so, the information is too convenient! It must be Xelzaz and Inigo! I knew it was worth going to Riften! Didn't expect Xelzaz to already be in Riften and not the southern Morrowwind gate but at least he's close! And Inigo is still inside his cell! He shouldn't move anytime so we'll pick up Xelzaz first and make our way to Inigo after!
Alexander: Thank you for your help. You hear that boys? Let's head to the Ratway! It'll be dangerous so stick by me! Then we'll head to the Riften jail to grab the other guy!
Lucien: I'm not comfortable going through a sewer and grabbing a man who insists on staying in jail, but so be it.
Redcap: New. Friends!
Before we could walk out Keerava clears her throat.
Keerava: Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I heard somewhere that the crazy prisoner is scheduled to be executed soon.
Lucien: Oh?
Redcap: Bah?
Alexander: Eeeeehhhhhh?!