How to Pickpocket a Pickpocket

Chapter 2

Artis arrived in Riften after three days of traveling. She brought Bandit to a slow halt upon arriving at the two large, wooden gates. What would she find beyond those gates?

"State your business, woman." The Riften guard ordered sternly.

"I traveled here from Riverwood." Artis answered honestly, "I was sent here to retrieve a few ingredients for my mother."

The guard accepted her explanation and let her enter the city, just after he told her to leave her horse at the stables where she would be taken care of. She followed his instructions and left Bandit in the hands of Sigaar, a Nord who claimed to be a carriage driver. After that she returned and entered through the giant wooden gates. Artis' eyes widened at the strange layout of the city and the buildings. Everything was built on top of wooden structures with the water and canal right underneath her feet. She was almost too scared to step onto the plank decks in fear of falling through. She inhaled slowly and decided that leaving Bandit outside was a good thing, since the horse's weight might have caused the decks to break.

She took her time to stroll through the streets, or should she call it decks, of Riften. Who knew if she would ever return here again? Everything was so different from Whiterun and Falkreath. Everything was made out of wood, some stone here and there, but most of all wood. The people all seemed relaxed and chilled out, chatting in the streets or making their way towards wherever they needed to go with lazy paces. However, as she passed a few houses, a Nord the size of a bear stopped her.

"I don't know you." He said from where he was leaning against a wall, arms crossed stubbornly over his armored chest, "You in Riften lookin' for trouble?"

Artis let her wrist hang tensely next to her sword, just in case he might attack her, "I'm just passing through."

"Yeah, well, I got news for you; there's nothing to see here." He scoffed and eyed her sharply, "Last thing the Black Briars need is some stranger stickin' their noses where they don't belong. Now, why are you really here?"

Artis rolled her eyes and met his gaze with annoyance, "Well, if you really must know what a young woman such as me is doing here in Riften, I simple travelled all the shitting way from Riverwood just to buy my poor mother, who's sight is failing, a freaking nirnroot so she could create a new potion to make some freaking money. Now what's it to you, uh?"

The Nord blinked at her sharp yet honest answer but refused to let the scowl fall from his face, "Don't say something you'll regret. Last thing the Black Briars need is some loudmouth tryin' to meddle in their affairs!"

"I'm not scared of you."

"That's the wrong answer. Last thing the Black Briars need is some troublemaker tryin' to steal a piece of the action."

"Sounds to me that you should rather be worrying about the Black Briars instead over me then." Artis replied, loving the blank look he suddenly had on his face, "You talk too much for someone who seems all tough and brooding. Who are the Black Briars anyway?"

He stared at her for a few seconds before shaking his head and replying more calmly, "The Black Briars have Riften in their pocket and the Thieves Guild watchin' their back, so keep your nose out of their business. Me? I'm Maul. I watch the streets for 'em. If you need dirt on anythin', I'm your guy. But it'll cost you."

"Dirt, huh?" Artis wondered out loud, "I'm not exactly clean myself."

"Then we're speaking the same language. What do you want to know?"

"Nothing much now, but maybe our paths will cross in the future and you can tell me everything when I seek the knowledge." She flashed him a smile and found it funny how his cheeks turned red for a second, "You could help me find the store selling potions and ingredients though."