"Catch the ball!" "Catch the ball!" the sing-songy voice of a child floated over the high wooden wall, quickly followed a melodious chorus of giggles.
Sikah smiled to herself as she listened to the joyous noise just on the other side of the wall. There was little to be happy about of late in the city of Riften especially in the Ratways. The city guards had stepped up their patrols making moving around hard, especially if you were currently carrying the high nobles best silver. Speaking of the city guards... Sikah's sensitive hearing had picked up the soft chink of several mail coats.
Thinking quick Sikah sprang into action, her lithe Khajiit form making short work of the wooden wall, she landed with a soft thud on the other side just as the guards were turning on to the walkway. Sikah glanced around. She was in a small courtyard, the ground stomped flat into hardened earth that was the norm of the hovels here, and the inner walls were spotted with the growing moss that was a prominent feature on the waterfront. Right in the middle of the space was the small child she had heard singing just moments before, now stunned to silence with her sudden appearance, a small bright red ball clutched protectively to her chest.
Fearing the child might alert the guards, who were now banging around on the walkway unsettling everyone with their search for her. Sikah smiled and waved at the small child, who after a moment tentatively waved back, though she still held tightly to the ball. Just as Sikah was turning to jump over the neighbouring fence, worse of the worse happened. "Who in Shor's den are you!!?" Startled, Sikah turned around and came face to face with a very angry mother. There was no time to try and explain anything, the guards were now pounding on the other side of the fence and the mother was advancing with what looked like a wickedly heavy rolling pin.
Spinning on her heel Sikah bound for the fence pulling her feet over just as the rolling pin made contact with where her ankle had been seconds before with a resounding crack, at the same time there was an enormous crash! As the guards bypassed protocol and broke down the entire fence line. Gathering her feet under her Sikah leap for the next fence line as the air filled with the guards shouts, the mother's angry bellows and the child's terrified screams. Wincing at the last one Sikah sent a hurried plea that the child would be alright.
Several alleyways and a few dubious shortcuts later found Sikah finally reaching the safety of her hideaway. Shutting the door behind her with a soft snick, dropping the bag of stolen goods at her feet, she closed her eyes and lent against the door, a soft chuckle of relief escaped as her breathing returned to normal.
"You know, one of these days those stunts of yours are going to get you killed" the soft spoken voice sounded from in front of her, but Sikah didn't change her position. "mmmm, yes I suppose they will" she replied finally opening her eyes to stare at the tall Khajiit male who stood in front of her just a hand span or two away, she gave him a cocky grin "but then, what ever shall I do for fun?" the look he gave her at that had her throwing her head back in complete merriment.
"Oh Markius, I could always rely on you for a good laugh"
"Ah Sikah you wound my heart you do" Markius replied pretending to clutch at his heart, the most pitiful wounded look on his face but amusement danced in his eyes.
Giving another slight chuckle at his theatrics, Sikah turned back to the sack, the prize she had run almost the entire Ratways to keep. Moving over to the small wooden table, she up ended it, spilling the not so modest pile of silver over the surface causing some pieces to fall to the floor. Markius gave a hearty laugh as he spied the treasures she had collected.
"By the Nine!" Markius proclaimed uttering up the pray that was rarely used in these times and always well and truly out of earshot of others. "This could keep us going for years!"
"Us?" Sikah asked teasingly, though she knew she would always share with Markius. Before Markius could reply with some cocky comeback. There was a loud banging at the door. "Open up it’s the City guard, we have come to search the premises, you have until the count of three!"
Sikah stared at Markius the shocked, stunned expression he wore was surely a mirror of her own, and then the counting began.
Part 2
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