I wrote this because, quite frankly, Lex is a great character from the game, but I don't see many stories about him. I usually write darker stuff, but I was in the mood for something light and funny when this idea popped into my head. Hence, here is a piece that veers into traditional territory that I normally wouldn't even consider writing. I'm not totally satisfied with the results either, but I can't decide how to fix that. *sigh*
Well, anyway, so long as someone enjoys reading this, I consider my time well spent. Please leave some feedback as I muddle through editing this.


Chapter 1: She Doesn't Like Him

The thief watched the captain of the guard with interest. It wasn't that she liked him. No, that would be a slight against everything that she stood for. Members of the Thieves' Guild did not fall for guards, especially one that harassed the guild at every turn. Still, she was watching him, and maybe it was a bit of a fascination. The man looked capable and handsome in his armor, roaming the docks with a single-minded purpose as he did. His eyes were hard steel. They always were, like he never thought of anything besides work and his hunt for the Grey Fox. Little wonder that his own comrades sometimes mocked him, but Mandila found his determination curious. Most guards could be bought or avoided, but neither seemed likely with this man. She wasn't used to that.

“Hello, sir,” she greeted as he neared her. She was perched on the harbor wall, feet swinging out over the water, head half-turned to look at the captain. His Imperial features settled on her, and she inwardly cursed herself for drawing his attention. Then again, she liked playing with fire, and Hieronymus Lex was definitely fire. Just having him this close made her jittery—like the feeling that she got right before stealing something. He was legal danger personified, and even though she shouldn't, she couldn't help herself. She had to speak with him.

“I'm busy, Bosmer,” he stated, and she smiled at his clipped tone. The captain was far too easy to irritate. Don't do it, Mandila. Oh hell, when had she ever listened to reason?

“A little touchy today, Captain,” she told him, her brown eyes brimming with hidden pleasure as his narrowed. “Aren't soldiers supposed to be friendly to us good citizens?” She caught a glimpse of someone standing to the side, observing the exchange, and she immediately recognized Methredhel, her sister Bosmer in crime. The woman was shaking her head in disbelief.

“I am on duty, ma'am,” Lex said, the words polite but not his tone. “Idle chatter when there is work to be done is disgraceful.” Gosh, someone needed to take himself less seriously. He didn't even bid her goodbye as he walked away, the sunlight shining off of his armor. He's always so impeccable, Mandila noted. She wished that he would talk a little longer, but he never did; although she swore that she'd get a conversation out of him one day. Why she found him so fascinating, she couldn't say, but she followed her inclinations without much hesitancy. She knew that her thieving friend was watching her, but her eyes were only on the captain as he disappeared around a corner.

“Did you fall from a tree when you were younger?” Methredhel asked.

“Stop being a mother,” Mandila jokingly replied. “A little conversation never hurt anyone.”

“That is Lex that you're trying to talk to,” the other elf reminded. “He's our sworn enemy.”

“And if I get him to lighten up, maybe he'll stop chasing us so much.” Methredhel burst into laughter at the suggestion, and Mandila giggled along with her. The idea was rather ludicrous.

“I tell you what, sister,” the older elf whispered, stepping closer. “I'll make you an offer since you want to 'lighten up' the captain. If you can get a kiss from our dear nemesis, I'll give you twenty lockpicks for free.” Mandila's eyebrows shot upward. Twenty lockpicks? That was a good deal, but then again...

“He'd arrest me for assault,” she huffed with a pout, and Methredhel's eyes went wide.

“You...you really do like him, don't you?” she asked, amazed. “Bosmer, you listen to me: this is a bad idea.” And Mandila shook her head in instant denial. She did not like Lex. She couldn't like Lex. Hell, there was nothing to like about the man, except maybe how he looked in uniform, and that wasn't enough for a picky elf.

“I don't like him,” she protested. “He's just...oh...” She fought for the right words, and the longer she took, the more Methredhel's face contorted into a mixture of confusion and delight. “He's interesting!” Mandila finally spat. “And they say to keep your friends close and your enemies closer, right?” She had never tried to put her fixation into words before, and now that she was, it sounded ridiculous. Great, now Methredhel would be taunting her for eternity. “Besides,” Mandila pointedly said, “It's not like I spend that much time on him.”

“Really?” Oh that smile meant trouble. Methredhel knew something that she shouldn't. Mandila just knew it. “I've seen the way that you watch him, and I daresay that other guards have noticed too.” Mandila frowned and hoped that Armand hadn't heard any of the rumors that were circulating around the waterfront. There might be one or two about her mooning over the captain, but it wasn't mooning. They just couldn't understand that she found him curious.

“It's only talk,” Mandila claimed. “No meat to it at all.”

“But you don't deny that you watch him. You're lucky that he doesn't notice. He's too thickheaded to realize when a woman's interested. Poor man will be single for life.” Methredhel laughed, finding her own words hilarious, but she stopped herself when she noticed Mandila's contemplative face.

“You don't believe me at all,” she said.

“Not a bit, sister. Oh, I know it's harmless enough, and you really don't mean anything by it. Perhaps you really don't like him, but at this rate, you might find yourself liking what you don't want to. That's why we never watch a target for an extended period of time. It sometimes makes things complicated. Remember: the guild comes first.”

“Yes, sister. You haven't spoke to Armand, have you?”

“No, because I know how you are. You'll get over this fixation soon enough. I remember when that pirate was here. You spent hours secretly watching him, even looking for excuses to eat lunch near his ship. Thank goodness that's over.” Yes, it was. The man had been found dead in his cabin one day, and it was rumored that the Dark Brotherhood was responsible. Well, Mandila wasn't sad. Like she'd already said, it wasn't that she fell for these men. They just occupied her attention. Lex was like the others, or so she told herself. Besides, the man would never give her a second look. He was too...Lex.

“Still thinking about him,” Methredhel stated, jerking Mandila from her thoughts. “Ah honey, he's too old for anyway.”

“How old is he?”

“Stop. Just stop,” Methredhel said, face twisted into exaggerated disgust. “Lex is a pest. It doesn't matter how old he is.” Then she suddenly smiled and rolled her eyes. “I can't wait until you get over this one. See you later, sister. Don't waste too much time staring into space, and my offer still stands.”

“I would never wound my dignity by taking you seriously!” Mandila called after her. As if I would ever kiss Lex. She winced but then giggled. The man probably would arrest her, or else eye her warily for the rest of forever. There he was again, all justice and order, and speaking with another guard. Perhaps she could get closer and eavesdrop. That would be harmless enough, and she wanted to know if the man ever talked about anything other than business. She had yet to catch him in the act, but she was determined. Of course, she never made herself obvious. Besides staring and the occasional brush by, she didn't interact with or follow the man. In fact, she rarely saw him, and never outside of the harbor, for she refused to let her interest interfere with her normal routine.

This is unhealthy, girl, she told herself as she felt the familiar draw toward the man. As Lex glanced at her, her eyes moved to his lips, and she noticed how perfectly shaped they were. They looked soft and appealing, even if she'd never noticed that before. It was Methredhel's comment making her think these things, she decided. She smiled, but turned to go home, knowing that she had a job to do that night.

****************

“There goes your elf, sir,” the guard commented, and Lex frowned. What on earth was this man jabbering about? He turned to see that Bosmer girl walking by them. She frequented the harbor, for he saw her almost every single day, but he never paid attention to her. She seemed harmless enough, and therefore he had more important tasks to focus on.

“My elf?” he questioned, finally registering the guard's word choice.

“She has a habit of showing up when you're around,” the guard explained, trusting commonsense to elaborate the unspoken remainder of his thoughts to the captain, but he would be wrong on that account. Unlike a normal man who might recognize his appeal to a young woman, Lex was instead wondering if Mandila might be keeping an eye on him for the Grey Fox. All of these poorer folk were likely to have connections to their hidden 'hero', and suddenly Lex was paying closer attention to the woman strolling away from him. Of course, he understood what the guard was trying to imply, but this was a world where even the innocent might be dirty criminals beneath their smiles.

“Do you know anything about her?” Lex seriously asked.

“No, sir. She comes and goes—lives somewhere near Armand actually. She's pretty for a Bosmer.” Lex grunted in indifference. He would keep a closer eye on that girl for a few days. There was no telling from where his next lead might come.

A belated welcome to the forum, Nonsense. I am glad that I wandered in here. You have an engaging style in which I see both the mind of the craftsman and the heart of the entertainer. Some of your lines were wonderfully effective:

What’s not to like about this sentence? Economy, humor, and subtext mingled together seamlessly!

This paragraph made Methredhel into a three dimensional character for me. I’m not even sure why really, the wisdom of the professional thief combined with the protective instincts of friendship perhaps. As an aside I would advise you that you don’t really need the comma after the word ‘rate’.

This passage marks you as a true wordsmith:

Overall this was an absolute pleasure to read from start to finish. My only nitpick is a purely personal one that you can address or disregard as you see fit:

I notice that in your build-up to Mandila trying to illicit conversation with Lex you give the impression that this is a singular event, a dangerous game that she has entered into with the watch captain presumably out of lack of anything better to do. Yet when Lex leaves she consoles herself by swearing that ‘she’d get a conversation out of him one day’, the implication being that this is a familiar game played between the two. Lex gave no indication that he recognized her, but you account for that with your description of his single-mindedness. I just wasn’t sure if this was something that Mandila decided to do, or decided to do again. If it is the first then it gives us some insight as to the careful, deliberate nature of her personality (the fact that she would watch him from afar for so long before taking any kind of action). If it is the second then it gives us a clear indication of just how long she has carried the torch, and what her carrying that torch has meant to Lex.

Thank you for sharing this with us. I look forward to reading more.

I enjoyed the interplay between Meth and Mandil, especially their discussion of Lex.

Your presentation of Lex is so spot on! It explains so much about the character as we see him in the game. I loved his oblivious inattention to the watching Bosmer until one of the more observant guards point it out to him, and chuckled at the direction his thoughts took once he was 'enlightened!'

I do echo what Destri said. And I look forward to more.

Interesting beginning for a story. Most F (fictions) I have seen revolve around the main quests of the games, or other large events. It is refreshing to see one about the little people, the thieves of the IC. I especially like seeing Methredhel, as she is one of my favorite characters from the game. I cannot keep my hands off of her either.

“Did you fall from a tree when you were younger?” Methredhel asked.
I thought this line was priceless.

Mandila's actions are very spot on for a young woman (since she is female, shouldn't she be Womandila? Seriously, have you noticed how many ES names start with "Man-"?). There were so many points where I found myself nodding and thinking "Yep, seen that before,". It is obvious already that she is going to get herself in way over her head!

I really enjoyed it that. Hope to see more soon

Well, I'm all about character-driven stories and this certainly ranks up there. With an interesting character like this, I don't care one whit if they spend a story just sittin' on the dock of the bay. . . .

Fabulous scene between Mandila and Methie. You did a great job of showing us what Mandila was thinking - and I found her thoughts a delightfully fun swirling thing to read. You paint Mandila as a character that seems to simply belong right there on the Waterfront.

I really chuckled over this.

Thanks for the comments, everyone. It's nice to hear your thoughts, advice, etc. on the story. In general, I focus on character-driven pieces, so there will be a lot of interplay between different personalities, but there will also be some plot turns that will be familiar to you if you've played through the Thieves' Guild quests. Of course, there will also be quite a bit that isn't connected to the game's quests at all. It's not that I have anything against people who make their stories follow quests, main or otherwise, but I find it much more interesting and refreshing to dabble in 'what-if' events that are peripheral to the game. The Elderscrolls' world is so large that any number of such stories could exist right around the corner.

Here's the next chapter, and I hope that you all enjoy it!

Chapter 2:

“Afternoon,” Mandila greeted Lex. She was perched on a barrel with a mug of ale in hand, and although she was extremely tired after last night's work, she managed to sound chipper. The fatigue was well worth what she'd accomplished, for she'd gotten her hands on a rare necklace that had absolutely delighted Armand. She'd even been promoted for it, and now she got to see her favorite captain, which made the day that much better. Actually, she'd seen Lex twice today, for she'd left her target's home in the early morning hours, and he'd already been out and about. Of course, he hadn't seen her, and for that she was grateful. The man might be fun to play with, but raising his suspicions would make her life hell.

“Afternoon,” Lex replied, and his feet stopped moving. Mandila stared, mug frozen half-way to her lips. Why was he stopping? He never stopped to say more than a greeting, and sometimes not even that if he was busy. She couldn't believe her eyes.

“Can I do something for you?” she asked, and found herself looking at his mouth. His lips really did look soft. Oh hell, she shouldn't be thinking about that. Then again, if she stole that kiss, Methredhel would have the shock of her lifetime. The look on the woman's face might be worth risking jail time, but even so, Mandila knew when her impulses were best left alone. Sometimes the entertainment value simply wasn't worth the cost, but only rarely.

“I have a few questions,” Lex stated. Me too, she thought.

“I don't know how helpful someone like me can be,” she smiled, “But ask away.” His somber face didn't falter once as he talked, and rather than focusing on his words, Mandila found herself wondering if he ever laughed—not a weak, humoring laugh, but a full-blown one. She watched the way that his jaw moved when he talked, and how his blue eyes silently demanded answers. The intensity—that was it. That had to be what interested her so much, for it was a rare sight, especially when in pursuit of justice. Perhaps, if a man like him had been around when she'd been younger, her elder brother would never have been murdered.

“Do you know anything about the Grey Fox?” Lex asked. So that was what he wanted.

“Perhaps,” Mandila mischievously replied, but baiting Lex might not have been the wisest idea. Oh, how her mouth sometimes ran away from her. She momentarily wanted to slap herself, but she still smiled in amusement. There was no choice but to roll with her predicament now. “I'll answer your question, but it will cost you,” she continued, and Lex looked downright disgusted. Only he could look that revolted over such a simple comment.

“Leave it to your kind to ask for money,” he nearly spat.

“I don't want money,” she told him, and the man's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“And what, good citizen, do you want?” he demanded. “Be careful what you suggest. I could have you slapped in chains and forced to answer my questions if you won't cooperate.”

“I'm flattered that you think me worth the time,” she simply replied, and loved how his face tensed. Gods, the man would be put in an early grave by his stern disposition. It couldn't be healthy to be serious all of the time. “I want to ask you a question,” she continued. “You answer my question, and I'll answer yours.” With a long-suffering sigh, Lex slowly nodded.

“What is your question?”

“How old are you?”

“Thirty,” came the sharp response. “Now answer the question of importance.”

“I know nothing besides the rumors,” Mandila told him with an exaggerated shrug, making Lex scowl. She simply wore a mirthful and sneaky grin that apparently did nothing to improve his mood.

“Good day, citizen,” he roughly told her. “If you learn anything a bit more detailed, you know where to find me.” She surely did, and the man had no idea how predictable his location always was. He rose early, came to the harbor, worked, patrolled, stopped for lunch in the market district, worked some more, and then went back to his rooms for the night. It was clockwork, and anyone else would have found watching him boring, but not Mandila. There was an exactness to his every movement that somehow captivated her. Like now, for he was diverting his gaze to a group of people standing some yards away from them, and he managed to make even that slight shift look regal.

“If I have to tell those sailors one more time...” Lex lowly commented, and Mandila turned to see what was happening to draw his eye.

“Not again,” she muttered, her face adopting an exasperated expression not unlike the captain's. The pirates that periodically docked here were harassing Puny Ancus again, surrounding the poor, Imperial beggar so that he couldn't walk away from their taunts. The man's scruffy face was downturned, staring at the stones beneath him as his arms protectively encircled the small sack that he carried, and Mandila's spirit flared at the sight. She knew Ancus since he slept near her house, and he was one of the kindest listeners that she'd ever met. He was also weak and indecisive, which made him an easy a target for the harbor's brutes.

“Look at him!” a female pirate laughed. “He can't even form words.”

“Yeah, skinny little fetcher,” another mocked. “What's in the bag?” Mandila could tell that Lex was considering how far his involvement should go, but he seemed content to bide his time. That was exactly like him, she thought. Like most guards, he didn't get involved in petty squabbles if he could avoid it, and especially not to defend a beggar. In fact, the guards sometimes worsened the problem by laughing when a beggar was tossed into a puddle or verbally abused. Such actions had helped widen the gulf between officials and the waterfront people, who saw guard noninvolvement as another sign of justice's biased nature. Mandila often agreed with that thinking, which was why she was in the guild, but she still found herself expecting Lex to intervene. She might expect nothing from another man in uniform, but Lex was different.

“Here, let me help you,” a pirate sarcastically offered, violently shoving Ancus forward and knocking him off balance. The poor man lost his sack as he stumbled, and to his obvious horror, it hit the ground before he could grab it. Plump, red fruit scattered across the stone walkway from within its folds, some rolling into the filth that people tended to leave lying around. The pirates laughed and moved to give Ancus another shove as he frantically tried to retrieve his food, and that was the last straw for Mandila. She set her ale aside and stood to intervene, but to her surprise, someone else beat her to the task.

“You there!” Lex's voice boomed. “That's enough. If I have to tell you to mind your hands one more time, I'll fetter them.” The female pirate sneered and pinned Lex with a withering glare, but it had no effect on the man. He walked directly toward the group as if he were untouchable, Ancus cowering at his feet, and one hand ominously landing on his sword's hilt. “I won't warn you again,” he threatened. “Now take your business elsewhere.”

“Let's go,” the female pirate spat. The rowdy group then grumbled in response, but moved down the harbor toward their ship, and Mandila rushed forward to help Ancus collect his berries. She knelt beside the tensed man and began scooping the ruined morsels into his waiting hands. She wasn't sure if the beggar was acting jittery because of his encounter with the pirates or the fact that Lex's presence was looming over them.

“Those better not be stolen,” Lex warned, and Mandila looked upward. They were working in Lex's shadow, and she found herself craning her neck to get a better look at the captain's face, which was obscured by the sun's position behind his head. It seemed to her that even with the lighting against her, his blue eyes shone with purpose. He had acted as she'd hoped he would, and as she thought about that, she wondered what would possess her to be disappointed if he had merely walked away from the scene. His currently cold and accusing stare was nothing special, and even hostile, which, she decided, was what she should have expected instead of help.

“They're...they're mine, sir,” the beggar was nervously saying.

“I hope so,” Lex replied and turned to leave. Mandila felt his departure even though she was looking at the ground, and she noticed that Ancus gave a shudder in the man's wake.

“Damn pirates. Damn captain,” the beggar muttered. Mandila smiled reassuringly and laid a hand on his shoulder. The man was focused on retying his sack, but he looked at her as she gave him a light squeeze. It was obvious from the way that he scanned his surroundings that Lex scared him, but that was normal. The captain followed the letter of the law to an exactness that bordered on obsession, and he was a real stickler for punishment. It was enough to scare most out-of-luck individuals, who loathed Lex as the most meddlesome official to ever walk the docks.

“Don't you worry about the captain,” Mandila advised. “He might not have an ounce of mercy, but he doesn't have evidence either. You enjoy your meal, Ancus.” And the beggar showed her his crooked grin.

“Aye, Miss. Thanks for your help.” But it really hadn't been her help that saved the situation. I doubt that I could have done a better job than Lex. The man had ended coldly and hadn't been overly concerned for the beggar, but he had at least scared off the pirates, whereas Mandila's commands would likely have been ignored. Lex's authority was stronger than hers by a long shot.

“You need to learn to stand up for yourself, Ancus,” she warned the dirty man as she reached out a hand and helped him to his feet. “Things wouldn't be so bad if you said something.”

“To who?” he demanded. “The snotty guards? Nah, if I open my mouth, it's still bad. It's best to keep quiet and take it. That way they get bored.” It was a sad philosophy, but a realistic one, and Mandila had to concede that Ancus had point. The guards didn't care, and other poor people didn't want to get overly involved lest they become targets as well. Sometimes the harbor was a world of willful ignorance, and the Grey Fox offered protection because of that. He did something for these people, and if the authorities would do their job with the same consideration for the poor that he had, the Grey Fox wouldn't have such a strong following, but reality wasn't kind. Lex wasn't kind, but Mandila still couldn't help but think that he looked so promising in his shining armor. Heroes were suppose to look like that.

She sighed as she watched Ancus scurry away for his bed roll. She was truly sorry that Lex was not the hero that his appearance might suggest, but maybe she wouldn't like a real hero anyway. Her eyes lifted, and she found him standing there. He was watching her from a short distance, and he'd probably heard her entire conversation with Ancus. She nodded briefly in thanks for his assistance, and thought that maybe his head slightly dipped in response before he left.

She smiled at his back and knew that she wouldn't want him to be less than what he was. For one, the guards had to be bad to make the thieves good, and the opposed forces were obstinately determined to view each other as villains. Two, the fact that Lex was her enemy somehow made close interaction with him that much more engaging, and she considered him a worthy foe to poke with a stick. Part of her wished that he would grab the stick instead of always ignoring it, but like today, she wasn't sure what to do once he did give her attention. Why had he decided to talk with her today, when she'd been trying for a conversation for months? It was strange to her thinking, but she wanted it to happen again. She really, truly wanted to speak with Lex again, and feel those determined eyes on her face.

****************

Lex wound his way through the city streets and toward his rooms in the guard tower. He'd made no apparent progress today, which was borderline infuriating, especially since he knew that more could have been done if people took him seriously. What he really needed was a contact within the Thieves' Guild. Then he could plan more arrests, but the real problem was not necessarily knowing who was in the guild, but catching them red-handed. He knew of several guild members, including Armand, but he couldn't prove it to the satisfaction of his superiors, and he couldn't arrest someone without proof of wrongdoing.

He briefly greeted the other guards as he entered the barracks, and then climbed the ladder to the large loft that served as his quarters. Being a captain certainly had its perks, but while he enjoyed the peace and quiet of his private room, it was of less concern to him than making progress. Take the Grey Fox for instance. Lex would do about anything to catch that thief, for the man stood as the symbol of crime in the capital, and that someone could defy orderly society and even flaunt it was beyond aggravating. No one got away with flouting their disregard for authority, as had been drilled into Lex's head since he'd been a child. His father had been a captain, and a damned good one at that, but the man's track record had been nothing impressive. Lex actually suspected that the man had taken bribes, making his father a hypocrite, but that wasn't Lex.

Laws kept civilization from falling apart. Lex believed it not only because he'd been taught that, but because he'd watched people. When guards were taken off of particular streets, crime increased in that area. It was shameful how people would take advantage of a situation like that, and it sickened him to know that without patrols, the city would be in horrible condition. He helped maintain the order that made the empire possible, but there were so many mediocre men under his command. It wasn't that they weren't skilled or intelligent; it was that they weren't concerned with fully dedicating themselves to tracking down an organization that, for all intents and purposes, was so elusive and secretive that most denied its existence.

That brought Lex back to the Grey Fox, the man that was the leader of the pack, and taking him out would scatter lesser thieves and make them easier to pick off. One by one, they would go to prison for their crimes, and Lex anticipated that day—all the more so because he loved a challenge. Taking out easy opponents never fired his spirits like following leads into unknown territory, and that's where real satisfaction was to be had at the end of the day. It didn't help that the Grey Fox had humiliated him when he'd gone after Armand several months ago, and thanks to the resulting ridicule and frustration, he would never let that man go. He would prove the guild's existence to the world and show everyone that he was not some fervent nut touched by Sheogorath!

“Damn!” he angrily cursed as he removed his armor. He was sick of being one step behind his enemies, and it almost always felt that way. He ran a hand over his short, brown hair, and found himself thinking about that female Bosmer's words from that afternoon. For some reason, he could not get them out of his head.

He might not have an ounce of mercy, but he doesn't have evidence either.

Of course he didn't have mercy for criminals. They took what wasn't theirs instead of earning what they wanted. They had no right to expect mercy, and yet, the woman hadn't said those words with the usual bitterness that he expected from the waterfront people. She had sounded a bit disappointed when he considered the situation in retrospect. The woman was compassionate, or so it seemed, but that particular emotion had little room in his career. He didn't want to be soft. He wanted to be the one who always caught the criminal and dealt out punishment with consistency. That was fair and just, if not always to everyone's liking.

He sat down at his desk and opened the letter that was waiting for him. It was an invitation to a formal event at the palace, and yet another event that he was obligated to attend, even if he'd rather be unwinding in the quiet of his own room. He tossed the letter aside and thought about his day, the most eventful moment having been his interaction with the Bosmer.

She was slender, and had small, brown eyes with long lashes. Her hazelnut hair was always let loose around her shoulders, and she wore plain breeches and a tunic every single day. He had been thinking about her more frequently since yesterday, and had been paying closer attention when he entered the harbor this afternoon. He felt stupid for it now, but was it just him, or did she lean out a little further from the barrel to see where he was? She had smiled when she saw him, but he had never given her a reason to desire his presence. In fact, he had discouraged it with his short answers, but she always said something to him, and it was usually sarcastic. He wondered why she made the effort, and tried to remember whether anything notable had ever happened between them, but he couldn't find what he wanted.

When he had first started working, she never spoke to him, or at least, he was fairly certain of that. He'd watched her walk around, but not very often during the day, and then she'd said 'hello' one afternoon. After that, she'd said something every day, and he supposed that there was at least one encounter that stood out in his mind. It had been on a rainy afternoon, and he'd been waiting beneath a doorway for the heavy drops to stop falling. The Bosmer had suddenly come running through the rain, laughing like a madwoman with a friend hot on her heels.

Lex remembered how childish they had looked, splashing water on one another and giggling, but then she'd noticed him, and like every damned day, she had to speak. There, standing with her soaked hair plastered to her forehead, and with the tips of her pointed ears protruding from the stringy mess, she'd grinned and asked him if he was enjoying the weather.

“No, citizen,” he said. “I'm not.”

“Oh, well I guess it's difficult to play with that armor on anyway,” she teased. “Maybe some other day.”

“Not likely.” And she looked up into his eyes with a searching expression that he had not expected, as if staring into his face might tell her some secret. She looked more sober than usual, like she was puzzled and could not tear herself away from him.

“Your eyes,” she had told him. “You have the prettiest eyes, sir.” Then she seemed to snap out of her haze, and she giggled. “Good day!” Her friend grabbed her hand, and the two went off gallivanting, a pair of juvenile Bosmer being the only morons insane enough to risk getting sick for a bit of fun.

Strangely, Lex did not remember the incident with scorn as his word choice might suggest. Instead, he had almost sighed at their carefree nature, for he couldn't remember having ever felt like that in his entire life. Ever. There was something about that Bosmer that was perpetually energetic and curious, always snooping, always asking questions and making cryptic comments that tended to annoy him.

How old are you?

Please explain to him how that question had any significance. He had answered because it was simple enough, and he wanted the Grey Fox so badly that he really hadn't thought about whether or not he should answer the question. A damn strange question to be sure, but the elf was like that. At least she had a clean record. He had reprimanded her on more than one occasion for creating a scene or some such thing, but it was always minor and only a result of her brand of humor. He didn't think that he should seriously pursue her as a possible guild member, but one could never tell. He had to be prepared for anything.

The 2nd chapter was even better. I loved how you explained through thoughtprocesses and dialogues what happened in the months before.

My hat's off to you milady

Edit: corrected

Sir? Now hold on a minute. Last time I checked, I didn't have the proper equipment for that form of address.

Yours truly,
Miss Ornamental Nonsense

I agree with Remko, the second chapter was even better than the first, and the first had me stifling chuckles throughout!

I loved how well you portrayed Lex's single-mindedness, his focus on the Grey Fox even with a young Bosmer flirting in front of him!

"How old are you?" indeed!

The interactions with the pirates is delicious and highlights the anarchic bullying nature of pirates in general. Poor Puny Ancus! He is one of my favorite beggars in Oblivion.

Very well written.

You do indeed have quite a way of bringing your characters to life. This is great fun to read.

Wood elves dancing in the rain!

I agree with everyone else. This chapter was better than the first, and I really liked the first. Your portrayal of Lex is absolutely perfect (though I do admit some small disappointment that you didn’t mention the fact that he is a painter. That always struck me as hilarious). The background you gave him with the stern father who may or may not have been on the take goes a long way toward telling us where his single-mindedness comes from. And I am eager to see how he manages to find a contact within the Thieves Guild.

Another good installment. I echo the others in saying it read better than the first segment. I thought you did a good job of portraying the distrust which the poor have for the police. If you go to Detroit, you will find more people who consider the police the enemy rather than being on their side. Those are not criminals either, but regular people.

Once again I liked your portrayal of Lex. He is the stiff-necked stick in the mud that we all know and love. Mandila is a lot of fun as well. Her thought processes feel so very natural, that she comes alive on the page as a real, breathing person. As the others did, I especially liked her and Methredhel's fun in the rain!


nits:
“I know nothing besides the rumors,” Mandila told him with an exaggerated shrug, and Lex scowled, realizing that she had only been playing with him. She wore a mirthful and sneaky grin that was preferable to the open rebukes that his superiors gave him, but no less frustrating. No one took his hunt for the Grey Fox seriously, not even this slip of a woman.
I cite this because the segment it is a part of begins from Mandila's point of view. Then here we are suddenly inside Lex's head and hearing his thoughts. It is very jarring. When you want to change to the pov of another character, you need to stop the scene, put in a divider of some kind, then start it again from the other character's pov. That way we know things are shifting.


for the man stood as the symbol of crime in the capitol
That should be capital.


It was shameful how people would taken advantage of a situation like that
Looks like the Grey Fox reverse-pickpocketed an "n" into take.


or did she learn out a little further from the barrel to see where he was?
He got an "n" into lean as well.

@ SubRosa: Yeah, the police thing is quite interesting, isn't it? I always thought that Lex's inability to get results stemmed from his lack of understanding in that regard, and so, I wondered what would happen if he was forced to confront his own faults. It's been my goal to write a story where his stiffness is challenged, and where his personality could be a bit more fleshed out than in the game. Hopefully this story reaches that goal. Also, I have corrected the grammatical errors that you mentioned, and thanks for pointing them out.

@Melarg: I COMPLETELY forgot that Lex paints! Goodness gracious! Considering how long ago I originally posted this story on another site, I can't believe that no one else mentioned that. Actually, perhaps it's perfectly believable since the other site really lacked in quality reviews. I'm not saying that the reviews weren't supportive and nice to see, but it was clear that people weren't interested in providing details or pointers for improvement. This site is totally different, and I mean that in the best way possible.
That aside, I'm already planning to include this new painting bit into the story as I edit it. I can see great potential for humor in this...

@the other reviewers: I'm thrilled that you're all enjoying the story, and it's wonderful to know that you're already attached to the characters.

Chapter 3:

Ah, another beautiful day on the waterfront. Mandila stood atop the central lighthouse that dominated the docks, and watched a ship with large, white sails approach while happily striking up a soft tune. Her voice wasn't exactly melodic, so she only ever sang when alone, which basically meant never. Here, in the lighthouse at least, she was safe from scornful critics, and oh, but did she have her share of them! Methredhel was one, the sister thief having once told Mandila that there were mudcrabs with better voices.

“As if she can sing,” Mandila smiled to herself. She was supposed to be clearing her head by coming up here, but she found that the exact opposite was happening, for her favorite captain wouldn't depart from her mind. She could see him from here, marching toward one of the Legion offices, and she smiled as she thought about what she could do to engage him today. Then again, her thoughts weren't exactly all fun and games. She kept returning to the question of kissing, and she found herself more attracted to the idea than she cared to admit. It was unbecoming of her to like the man, even if she admired him.

Admired? Mandila's face crinkled in consternation, and she reprimanded herself for dwelling on this situation for such an extended period of time. Her other fascinations had each lasted about a month, but this...she counted and wanted to slap herself in the forehead. Four months! Four whole months, and now she was talking about admiring him. Well, there was something to be admired in his ironclad figure. Lex knew what he wanted, pursued it no matter what anyone else thought, and he was smart. He alone knew that the Thieves' Guild existed when most everyone else couldn't see it. So there he was, talented and determined, and he pulled it off so well. There was something to be admired in that, especially when Mandila compared him to herself, for she had no idea where her life was going.

Sure, Mandila was a thief, and she stole for the guild. That was her calling, and she had friends that looked out for her, as well as a small hut beside Armand's, but beyond that...Well, she confessed that she didn't know what she wanted beyond that, or if she should want something more, because hoping for more than the little that she had seemed pointless. She was optimistic, but not delusional, and she knew that her life would forever be on this waterfront. It was all she had since she was too poor to travel, too poor to be accepted for a decent paying job, and too curious to settle for a normal life. She couldn't imagine being a dock worker and performing the same task day after day. The monotony would kill her, and yet, no one would hire her for anything more interesting if it didn't involve stealing.

What would she do when she grew too old to do the exciting jobs? Would the guild even allow her to be an active member? She didn't want to be a beggar, and she prided herself on supporting herself, but theft would not always be easy, and she would not always be young and welcome the challenge of running from guards. Prison: was that where her life would end? She watched Lex working, and for a moment she looked on him with envy. He never had to hide, and he never had to worry about where he'd be fifteen years from now, because captains tended to retire well, and he could do his job well into old age.

But I'm freer than him, Mandila reminded herself. She'd decided weeks ago that his lifestyle wouldn't work for her, and she supposed that there were worse things than being a thief with an unknown future. She hopped down the steps of the lighthouse and out the front door, pausing on the stone walkway beyond when she noticed two guards standing nearby. They were looking at one of Lex's Grey Fox posters--those funny wanted ads that peppered the city. From what Mandila understood, Lex was solely responsible for their appearance and placement, for his superiors didn't believe in the man's infamous nemesis.

“He's been putting more of these up,” one of the guards commented, and his companion snorted.

“He's wasting his time. Look at him. He walks around like he's on a mission from the emperor,” and the man shook his helmeted head. “Can you believe it? You'd think that he'd lay off the work a little instead of chasing shadows.”

“Don't count on it,” the other stated. “I've invited him to drink with us several times, and he's always too busy. I don't think that he knows the meaning of the word 'fun'. And have you ever seen him with a woman?” They laughed, and Mandila found herself frowning. She wondered if all the guards talked about their superior this way. It'd be like her badmouthing Armand or the Grey Fox, which she never did. Okay, maybe she made a few jabs at Armand's penchant for taking speaking about guild business in public so seriously, but he was her friend, and she wasn't malicious with her comments. Perhaps Lex didn't have friends among his comrades, but that seemed an awfully lonely way to live. She'd never thought about whether or not he was lonely before, only how magnificent he looked, and how easy he was to irritate.

“Between you and me,” one of the guards was saying. “The man would run out on the most beautiful woman in the world if someone told him that the Grey Fox had been spotted, even if she was stark naked and in his bed.”

“Damn straight,” the other chuckled. “Let's get back to patrol before he shows up.”

“Yeah, but what about this poster? They're an eyesore.”

“Take it down. No one's watching,” and the guard ripped the wanted poster off of the wall, crumpled it, and tossed it onto the ground. Mandila waited until they were gone and grabbed the ball of paper, pretending not to have heard their conversation, and then strolling down the stone bridge at the harbor's center. She didn't know why it had never occurred to her that Lex was a loner because of his personality and work. She'd always pictured him hanging out in the guard tower, downing brandy with some of the other guards, and talking about any progress he'd made that day. Apparently she'd been wrong, but even she had to smile when she thought about the captain running out on a naked woman. She could easily see that happening.

The Grey Fox? Where?

Speak of a daedric prince, there he was, exiting the office with a rolled scroll in his hands. Part of Mandila warned her that even an innocent fascination should not go beyond a superficial stage, and so she should not be thinking about his personal life. It was taboo to do so, for that was not how she had ever handled these situations. Still, it was interesting, and she found that she liked seeing Lex with multiple layers. Somehow it made him more tangible, like he was flesh and bone beneath that shining armor, and not just a symbol of his station. And she had better not tell Methredhel that, or the older thief would jump all over her, and rightly so. Mandila wondered if something was wrong with her own brain since she recognized danger and ran toward it anyway.

Lex caught sight of Mandila, and she could tell by the slight hitch in his sweeping gaze. He was walking away though, and she smiled as she pursued him. After so many encounters, the man should have known better than to try and avoid her. She did not give up so easily.

"Captain?" she called. Now he couldn't ignore her without looking like a total jerk, and she forced herself to contain an outright, wicked smile as he stopped and turned to face her.

"Citizen," he acknowledged.

"I do have a name, you know," Mandila asserted. "Not all of us like to be addressed by a title."

"And how would you prefer me to address you?" Lex asked. What? He didn't know her name by now? Mandila was slightly offended by that. After all, she only talked to him every single blessed day.

"Mandila," she told him. "You can call me that, and stop this 'citizen' nonsense."

"As you wish...Mandila," he relented, and then he was walking away. She was being dismissed, but she wasn't about to give up, and so she fell in step beside the man. He glanced over at her with those baby blue eyes of his, and seemed to be assessing the situation. "Can I do something for you, ma'am? I'm very busy at the moment."

"You're always busy," Mandila pointedly replied. "You're always on the waterfront, and always going to and fro, looking for something. People might even say that you're a bit obsessed." That made Lex stop and give her his full attention. "It's obvious to everyone here that you're hellbent on completing your mission, and not everyone sees that as a good thing." She handed him the crumpled poster, and his eyes narrowed. "It wasn't me, sir," she promised. "It was someone with a sword."

"The guards should spend less time gossiping and more time working," came Lex's stiff reply. She'd obviously hit a nerve, and he brushed her aside as his walk became fiercer. That anger made Mandila lag behind a moment before she jogged back to his side, struggling to keep up with his longer strides.

"Citiz—Mandila," he corrected himself. Maybe he hoped that using her real name might placate and send her away. "Surely you have somewhere to be."

"I do," she told him, "But I want to speak with you." He cast her a doubtful expression, and she smiled with all the Bosmer charm that she could muster. "Is it so hard to believe that someone might wish to have a conversation with the infamous Captain Lex?" He ran his eyes over her, again seemingly lost in thought, and now he was forced to stop walking, for they'd reached the edge of the harbor.

"Sir," Mandila continued, her smile slipping. "I wanted to thank you for yesterday. You helped Ancus when no one else would, and I know that it would have been easier to ignore him." She met Lex's eyes, and she had the strangest urge to touch his face. No, that couldn't be right, but it didn't seem like such a terrible idea either. She found herself wanting to see him smile or least go back to his normal, solemn expression, rather than display such an irritated face. It was her fault, because she'd brought up the issue of other guards' disrespect toward him, and he didn't deserve that. It might be fun to wind him up, but right now she felt the need to tell him that someone took him seriously. She owed him thanks for what he'd done, and no one else was going to give it to him, not even other guards it seemed.

"I appreciate what you did," she said, realizing that her mouth was still moving, and wondering what nonsense she had spouted while lost in thought. Lex regarded her, and then tossed the destroyed poster onto the street. As for Mandila, she just wanted him to know that someone appreciated how different he was from other officials. Maybe he could see it in her earnest words and expression...

**********************

"I was only doing my duty," Lex told her, his face softening by a fraction. She was staring into his eyes with a searching expression again, as if nothing in the world was as important as him, and for his part, Lex wasn't entirely sure what to do about it. No one had ever looked at him with such positive intensity. And now the Bosmer was again smiling, and she coyly placed her hands behind her back as she leaned forward.

"Maybe so, but are you the only guard that has that duty? You're not like the others."

"The Imperial Legion holds high standards for all of its members," he stressed, understanding her implication, and slightly annoyed that a young, jobless girl would blatantly speak against the Legion's honor. Then again, she wasn't completely off the mark with her comment either, and it seemed that at least one person recognized that he strove to do his job better than the others. If only his superiors would see his efforts in the same light as this Bosmer. Should he be flattered by her words? He might have been if he wasn't distracted by her random jump to another topic.

"So can I hold your sword?" Mandila asked, her eyes fixed on the weapon at his waist. He inwardly sighed, but she, on the other hand, looked downright elated at having had a real conversation with him.

"No," he shortly told her, and then spun on his heel. He wasn't supposed to go back to the barracks yet, but he would if it afforded him some peace and quiet. He heard someone moving beside him, and was puzzled by this woman's tenacity in bothering him. Gods, she was still there. "Citizen," he began, stopping and turning on her yet again. "You've expressed your thanks, so why must you continue to ask inane questions?" The Bosmer laughed, and it was a pleasant, soft sound that filled the area and drew attention to them.

"Captain Lex," she said. "I happen to like your company, but have it your way. You win. Good day." She grinned and sped by him, but not before giving his face another long look. He could not for the life of him understand what drew that carefree elf to him. My elf, he sarcastically corrected himself. From what he had seen of her so far, he gathered that she liked to play games, and he was sure that he made a tempting target for an energetic tree-hugger like her. Well, if she thought that he would lay down and accept such a well-meaning explanation as "I like your company", then she was wrong. Even if she wasn't with the Grey Fox, which he hadn't discounted, she was still trying to get to him.

And if she does just like your company? Lex couldn't bring himself to think so simply when he did nothing but brush her aside, but they had talked today. Perhaps it hadn't been as torturous as he'd anticipated, and then there was the fact that she had thanked him for his services, which had seemed sincere enough. He hated to admit it, but he had enjoyed the praise, and even the suggestion that he was better than the other guards. What he wanted to know was why she had suddenly felt the need to show appreciation rather than goading him like usual. It wasn't like her to be serious with him, and although he secretly liked what she had said, he couldn't help but wonder at her motivations.

****************************

"So he's making you laugh now, is he?" Methredhel asked. Mandila rolled her eyes as she and her friend moved toward the water's edge. They found a grassy patch on the banks that tapered off from the docks, and sat in anticipation of a quick lunch without interruption. What little food they could afford was quickly spread between them, Mandila picking a small worm off of an apple.

"I laughed because I managed to irritate him," she stated while taking a bite out of said apple.

"At the end," Methredhel corrected. "Come on, sister, don't try to lie to me. I was watching the entire thing. You were actually talking to him—not poking fun, but talking, as in having a conversation. And for a while, he looked rather interested in what you were saying." Mandila grinned and winked.

"I told you that I'd get him to talk to me one day," she proudly proclaimed.

"Yes, but have you gotten a kiss yet?" Mandila tossed the apple core aside and flopped backward onto the grass. Methredhel was closely watching her reaction, and she didn't appreciate it.

"I might be working on it," she teased, "But honestly, do you think that I'd destroy my reputation for a kiss? I don't think that I'm the one who fell from a tree." But she was secretly thinking about Lex's soft lips, and she couldn't help but wonder what they felt like. Admitting her true interest to her friend would be suicide though, so she kept her inner musings to herself.

"Still in denial, I see," Methredhel commented. "Be careful that you don't get too close to him. If you start talking to him, you might start to want more than what's acceptable..."

"Please," Mandila snorted. "You said it yourself: my fascinations never last long...even if this one's been a while." She wondered if she'd get to converse with the captain again tomorrow. She hoped that he'd be up for it, but her thought was cut short, for suddenly Methredhel was laughing. "What?" Mandila demanded.

"You have that dreamy look again," she said. "Thinking about him?" Mandila frowned, having been caught red-handed. "I thought so. Look, he's handsome, but you're taking this too far. If you kiss him to prove a point to me, it's fine, right? But if you kiss him because you want to, that's a huge problem. You should ask yourself which one it is."

"It won't get out of hand," Mandila promised.

"It better not, or we'll have to hit you with rocks until you come to your senses." Mandila jokingly shoved Methredhel, who shoved her back. Soon they were giggling and stumbling back to their shacks, spotting Armand in the process. His darker skin glistened with sweat from a recent run, and the two fellow thieves waved in greeting. He smiled and nodded back, but there was something different about him today. Mandila thought that his eyes might have rested on a her a moment longer than usual, and she was brilliant at picking up subtle communication.

Armand was displeased.

"Does he know?" Mandila asked once the man was gone.

"He's heard things," Methredhel replied. "But he knows not to take it seriously. You know how he is—taking things with more weight than he should. He'll get over it." Mandila nodded and journeyed into the city to scout for possible targets, even pickpocketing a merchant while she was there. Part of her wondered if Lex had been affected by her earlier words, because she wanted him to be, even if she shouldn't.

This was pretty good! Mandila's reflection on her future is sobering. The guards' talk about Lex illustrated the Legion's attitude toward him, and really highlights his loneliness.

Are you sure her eyes aren't fixed lower? It's like the kid asking the cop "Can I hold your gun?"

I get the sense that you changed POV twice here, and doing so in the same paragraph can be quite disorienting.

I did notice a few typos in the later part of the chapter:
You seem to have lost the contractive apostrophe here.
I guess the 'r' thought it was on the firing line and ran off!
Looks like there is an extra 'a' in there.

Overall I enjoyed this chapter quite a bit, and look forward to more!

Yes, an engaging style and an endearing protagonist. What's not to love? Well done.
I pulled some lines for quote, just because I really liked them.

This chapter was so much fun to read. I loved the easy banter between Methredhel and Mandila, and their unspoken communication with Armand just underscores the sense of community that exists on the Waterfront.


Oh no! I Think I have just been slapped by Foxy’s wandering Daedric spirit, Dhertee-Inuu Endo!

A small nit:
After the first break, when we shift to Lex’s point of view (which was nicely done, by the way) you say that Mandila’s laugh was ‘a pleasant, soft sound that filled the area and drew attention to them, including Methredhel’s.’ I don’t think that you should call Methredhel by name in this case. Since we are seeing this side of the conversation from Lex’s perspective, and since he has so much trouble referring to 'Citizens' by name, he would see her as ‘that other Bosmer’, or something to that effect.

Like many of my fellow Chorrollites (Chorrolisters? Chorrolians?), I prefer character-driven stories. But beyond that, I prefer stories that have “heart.” That doesn’t necessarily mean love stories (not that there’s anything wrong with that). In this case, it means stories where I find the characters people who are worth caring about. And you certainly deliver. Mandila and Methredhel are wonderfully depicted and come to life right from the page. But so too do Lex and Puny Ancus…

Your descriptions are vivid and definitive, allowing me to “see” through the characters’ eyes.

Others have already pointed out the parts I enjoyed the most, especially the poignant musing on her possible future.

Now to put on my former English teacher sweater-

From Chapter 1- “Aren't soldiers suppose to be friendly to us good citizens.”

A pet peeve that I am surprised wise Rosa did not spot- “…supposed to…” And I would end with a question mark, as it is a question.

From Chapter 2- …and one hand threateningly landing on his sword's hilt. “I won't warn you again,” he threatened. “Now take your business elsewhere.”

We have 2 “threats” in a short space here. Consider “…and one hand resting ominously on his sword hilt.”

Wonderful writing and I look forward to seeing more.

As Trey so justly stated, your story is very vivid, making it easy to relate to the characters.
I thoroughly enjoyed that last chapter.

Mistakes and suggestions have been noted, and I touched up the chapters accordingly. Also, I take no responsibility for any questionable innuendoes. I don't know what you people were thinking!

Another fun installment! Again, you do a good job of taking your time to slowly, and realistically, show Mandila's attraction steadily grow. You do a wonderful job of showing us her thoughts and motivations, making her step off the screen as a real, live person.

Speak of a daedric prince, there he was
I loved this excellent lore-friendly phrase. Many other writers would have made the mistake of saying "devil".

Mandila wondered if something was wrong with her own brain since she recognized danger and ran toward it anyway.
And indeed there is! The "L" word, but not like on the cable show!




I believe that should be Chorrelians...



nits:
Mandila stood atop the central lighthouse that dominated the docks, just watching a ship with large, white sails approach, and happily striking up a soft tune.
You change tenses in the middle of the sentence. It begins in past tense, then goes to present tense. Perhaps something like this:
Mandila stood atop the central lighthouse that dominated the docks. She watched a ship with large, white sails approach, and happily struck up a soft tune.


too poor to support herself with a regular job
This was confusing. Usually a job pays you money, not the other way around! Perhaps you meant she had no skills to find a regular job? Or there were no regular jobs to be had for Waterfronters like herself?



“Damn straight,” the other chuckled. “Watch out. He's coming our way. We should get back to patrol.”

“Yeah, but what about this poster? They're an eyesore.”

“Take it down. No one's watching,”
There is a continuity error here. It starts with one guard saying that Lex is coming. Then two sentences later he says no one is watching. Then later Mandila finds Lex exiting the office. But if he was in the office, the guard never could have seen him coming.


It's obvious to everyone here that you're hellbent on completing your mission,
There is no hell in ES, so you might want to try another word, like Oblivionbent, or obsessed, or dead-set, etc...

I am pretty sure I heard some Oblivion NPC's mention the word hell. I think Savlian from Kvatch says hell for example. Some guards too.
And to be fair, Oblivionbent just doesn't have the same ring as hellbent does.

@haute: It's amazing how I can read a chapter several times over and still totally miss mistakes. I've noticed in other things that I've written that there's this tendency to accidently switch POV for a few sentences in seemingly random sections, and I'm much more aware of that now given everyone's helpful comments. Part of the problem probably stems from the fact that I usually don't write very many drafts. I tend to spend a lot of time writing a first draft, and then I'll read through and edit the chapter, fix some wording, add content, etc. Then I simply post it. I'm not entirely sure if it's the best policy since some grammatical things continually slip by me, but I don't like sitting on a chapter for long either.

@Acadian: I aim to please.

@Melarg: In the same vein as my response to haute, it seems that I switched to more of a narrator's perspective (in reference to the inclusion of Methredhel's name) when the rest of the paragraph was Lex's perspective. I've got to be more careful about doing that!

@Trey: I second the use of 'Chorrolians'. The other choices just don't sound as nice.

@Subrosa: I actually wrote 'speak of the devil' first, but when I reread the chapter later, I realized that it didn't make sense. The other mistakes have been fixed up, but I'm still thinking about 'hellbent'. I'd like to think up a creative alternative, but nothing has come to me yet.

@Remko: I can't say that I've noticed this, but I agree that Oblivionbent doesn't have the same ring to it as hellbent. Has anyone else noticed the use of 'hell' in the game's dialogue?

"You rescued me from Hell. I won't forget it." - Ilend Vonius if you speak to him after closing the Oblivion Gate in Kvatch.

Chapter 4:

"Sir, excuse me for interrupting, but I need to speak with you immediately," a guard announced. Lex looked up from the desk where he was finishing paperwork, and stared at the man.

"What do you need?" he absently asked, much more interested in his current task.

"There's been an incident, sir."

"An incident?" Lex questioned, his relaxed tone quickly becoming stiffer. "What kind of an incident?"

"Nothing serious, sir, but the guards can't get the women to stop." By the Nine, it was some pathetic problem. Lex just knew it, and although he hated wasting time on minor issues, he was still obligated to restore order. Then again, he had been staring at paperwork for several hours, so maybe a break was in order. Forget the tedious scribbling of notes, for there was enforcement to be done, and Lex would have been lying if he claimed that he didn't like exhorting authority over people, especially when said people were causing problems. As such, he followed the guard out of the building without much reluctance, and stepped onto the harbor walkway.

"There, sir," the guard pointed, but really, there was no need for pointing. Lex couldn't have missed the indicated commotion if he were blind. He paused, a frown creasing his face.

"Why is that woman taking off her clothing?" he asked, beginning to march toward the scene. The culprit looked like an Imperial, but it was difficult to tell since her shirt was in the process of being pulled over her head--an action which exposed ample cleavage and a leather bra to the afternoon air. The woman wasn't alone in her indecency either, for two cohorts in crime were mimicking her actions, and one was...oh, this was going to be interesting day. Lex was now amidst the scene, watching as one of his subordinates futilely tried to control the situation.

"Ladies, this is most inappropriate!" the helpless guard was shouting.

"We just want to go swimming," Methredhel laughed while tossing her shirt to the ground. A crowd was watching from a distance, and several men even shouted encouragement and made catcalls, which only served to further aggravate a certain captain. Lex could not believe that he had to deal with this. Who in their right mind would strip in the middle of the street to go swimming? Didn't these women have any propriety?

"I will be forced to act if you won't dress yourselves!" the guard continued, flustered as a shirt flew into his face amid giggles. The offending garment settled into a draped position over his iron helmet before he ripped it away, and only then did the man seem to notice Lex's silent but severe presence. "Captain, sir, I swear that I'm doing my best, but they...could you please...?"

"Captain!" Lex's head snapped from the guard to the short, stone wall that separated the street from a drop to the harbor's water. He was surprised that Mandila hadn't noticed him sooner, but she'd been preoccupied with stripping and taunting the other guard. Now her eyes were wide, as if shocked, and a shy hand reached for her discarded shirt before she stopped herself. Then she morphed back into a spirited smile, and there she stood on the wall, leather bra pushing up her chest, and a blue cloth tied around her lower regions. Her pale skin stood in sharp contrast to her dark hair, and those long lashes blinked in his direction. Although apparently joyous, the faint pink in her cheeks indicated that she was fighting back a hint of embarrassment.

"If you don't come down from that wall and get dressed this instant," Lex lowly threatened, "I will be forced to arrest you." Even though the other two woman now stood on the wall as well, his words and attention were solely directed toward Mandila--that Bosmer that never seemed capable of leaving him alone. Perhaps the elf might see reason since she seemed more uncomfortable than her friends, but feeding off of her companions' energy, the discomfort soon faded.

"Forced to arrest us?" Methredhel taunted. "Oh, please. You'd gladly do it. I daresay that your guards might not mind being forced to help detain us either." One of the guards behind Lex actually chuckled, and the captain sent a scathing glare in the man's direction. Someone here had to act like a professional.

*********************************

"We're just going for a swim," Mandila added with a sweet smile. She couldn't stop looking at Lex, and for a moment, she was sure that his eyes were running over her body. He seemed to be taking stock of her long legs, rounded hips, and curving torso, and then his eyes were traveling upward to her shoulders and face. Methredhel started speaking again, but Mandila beat her to it, for she was suddenly seized by the urge to keep Lex's attention all to herself. She didn't want him to turn his blue eyes elsewhere. She wanted him looking right at her as she dove into that water, even as she was horrified by the prospect of his hands seizing her body and even forcing her shirt back over her head. Nocturne have mercy on her, but what if she actually liked it? And to add to her dilemma, Lex was making her feel extremely self-conscious.

"Captain," she began, "You could always join us." He looked at her like she'd just sprouted wings, and Mandila and her companions nearly choked on their laughter over his outraged expression. "Okay," she conceded. "But it's your loss."

"Ready, ladies?" Methredhel asked, eyes shining with excitement.

"This is your last warning!" Lex warned. And when the woman proceeded to count down their jump, it was quite apparent that the captain had reached his limit. "Grab them!" he ordered the other guards, who rushed forward to restrain the would-be swimmers, but the effort failed.

"THREE!" And the women jumped, laughing as their bodies hit the cool water and plunged beneath its surface. Mandila held onto a rock at the bottom of the harbor, and opened her eyes, looking upward at the water's surface. Light shimmered and danced across it, and she smiled as she saw what she thought were the guards lined up against the wall, staring downward at where she'd gone under. This was going to be fun, and so she finally kicked toward the surface, breaking the water with a gasp, and laughing as the Imperial beside her splashed water in her direction.

"Ladies," Lex growled from above, and Mandila was staring at him again. His arms were braced against the wall, and unlike some of the other men, he didn't look amused. Of course, from his vantage point, he would naturally have a much better view of female cleavage by this point, and Mandila wondered if he was taking advantage of that or if he was oblivious. "Get out of the water," he ordered, as if his voice alone would make them listen.

"So that you can arrest us?" Mandila asked. "I don't think so."

"And I don't think that you're coming in after us either," Methredhel added. Surely the guards wouldn't toss aside their armor and jump into the harbor, even if the older Bosmer was giving them her best 'come hither' look. Well, okay, maybe some of them seemed really tempted.

"No," Lex bluntly answered, a slight, triumphant smile curling the edges of his lips. "But you do have to eventually come out of there, and we'll be waiting. Gather their clothing," he ordered the other guards, clearly annoyed by their ogling of criminals. Then he stood there and waited, but he would be waiting for some time, for the women were swimming about and playing, dunking each other beneath the water, and giggling like little girls. Clearly, some of the guards were enjoying the show, which was unavoidable as far as Mandila was concerned. Lex couldn't very well order grown men to not notice attractive, undressed females. He was male too, after all, and he couldn't yell at guards for something that he himself was having a difficult time ignoring, or so she assumed since he was closely watching the display of female skin. Fortunately for the captain, his annoyance at the time-consuming incident probably outweighed the soft, calling eyes of his elf.

Mandila swam and played, but she kept looking at him when her friends were busy. Her legs would tire, and she'd cling to the hull of a nearby ship, her pale legs kicking back and forth in the water, and her face half-hidden by hair as she watched him. She could tell that his eyes kept returning to her, and his accusing stare seemed to blame her as the chief culprit of this crime. She shyly smiled at him in return, and then one of the guards behind Lex nudged his neighbor to make a rude comment.

*******************************

"You're still on duty," Lex tartly reminded them, watching Mandila watch him. She looked so free and young when spinning in the water and squirting water out of her mouth like a fountain. Lex would have left right then and there if he didn't think that the pretty women would talk their way out of trouble. The other guards wouldn't be harsh with those beautiful bodies slick from a fresh swim, which meant that he had to stay if he wanted the women properly punished. He frowned, and in annoyance, asked to see the women's discarded clothing in order to search the pockets.

"Captain!" Mandila called, and he returned his attention to the water. "What will our punishment be?"

"Twenty gold pieces for exposure and disobeying an authority figure," he rattled off. "And if you can't pay, you're spending the night in chains." The women began privately conversing, and finally they seemed to reach a consensus. Lex didn't like it one bit—their quiet chatting and plotting while they treaded water. He ordered his men to be ready, just in case the females tried to pull off something slick.

"If we go to prison for the night, do we still have to pay the fine?" Methredhel asked. No, Lex thought.

"Yes," he said, wanting to scare them into never doing this again. The women frowned, and Methredhel blatantly told the Imperial next to her that Lex was lying. Oh, how he wanted to wring their necks! "Listen," he began to demand, but with nothing but a few ripples attesting to what had just transpired, the women were gone. "Damn it!" he cursed. "Fan out! Find where they surface, and catch them. Where are the smaller Bosmer's clothes?"

"Here, sir." Lex grabbed the bundle and stormed off. The Imperial and Methredhel could be left to the others, but he was going to catch Mandila and teach her a thing or two about following directions. She had taken her game too far this time.

*****************************

She would be patient and bide her time, or so Mandila decided as she pulled herself along the harbor bottom. She could hold her breath for some time, and so she had little trouble in keeping ahead of the guards. When they went in one direction, she surfaced in the other, took a deep breath, and went back under. She was now behind the waterfront, clinging to a large rock that jutted out of the water in view of the shacks that were home to the harbor's poor. She kept herself hidden behind the weathered stone, lightly treading as she watched the shoreline with its patrolling men. They would tire of their hunt by evening, but with a glance at the sun, she realized that it was only midday, meaning that she had hours before nightfall. Great, so she would be stuck here for hours, but it was so worth frustrating the watch, and she knew that for an offense as minor and amusing as hers, they wouldn't care if she escaped their equally inconsequential punishment...or rather, most of the guards wouldn't care.

Mandila watched as Methredhel tried to sneak onto the shore only to be accosted right outside of her home by one of the guards. The other elf would opt for a night in prison rather than pay, and it wasn't that bad, really. The women had sort of known that they'd get in trouble for swimming like that, but twenty coins? They hadn't expected Lex to be that harsh, but then again, it was Lex. Mandila sighed as she bobbed in the water and wondered if there was any sure way out of escaping the captain. She doubted it, but there was always a chance that she could avoid the man until tomorrow morning. Surely he wouldn't patrol for two women all day and night, and the other guards definitely wouldn't. Even if Lex wanted them to, his superiors would override and reprimand him for detaining his men for such petty business.

"Lex," she murmured, trying to spot him, but she couldn't. She could still imagine his piercing gaze on her body, even if it hadn't been leering or admiring. He'd been annoyed, like always, but at least he hadn't looked disgusted at what he saw. In fact, she would guess that he secretly approved, for he had run eyes over every inch of her. She wondered if Lex had ever looked on a woman with the yearning of an ordinary man instead of the calculation of an officer, and more importantly, she wondered if it would ever be possible for him to look at her like that.

Mandila, don't cross that line of thought! She sunk deeper into the water, irritated by her own thoughts. This was what Methredhel had warned her against. Lex was fine and dandy as an object of interest, but not as something to actually pursue or think about like...like that. But when had speculation ever hurt her? Mandila wasn't actually trying to get him to notice her as a woman. She was perfectly content with the short encounters that allowed her to bait him or perhaps learn something about his life.

Something in the water was moving near the shoreline, and Mandila's eyes shot toward the dark splotch. It looked as though the Imperial was attempting to sneak back onto the waterfront as well, and Mandila watched with dismay as the woman was apprehended. Now it was only her—alone, skin wrinkled from the water, and the constant fear of slaughterfish hounding her. For four more hours, she shivered in the water and obstinately waited. The sun finally began to set, and only then did the guards leave. The waterfront was again devoid of uniformed life, and most commoners were already locking their doors for the night. Maybe another hour, just to be safe...oh forget it! Mandila was sick of waiting, and she was fetching freezing.

With carefully controlled strokes, she advanced on the shore, and when she reached the shallows and began wading toward the grass, her teeth nearly chattered. She stood there, nearly naked and with her limbs looking even paler than usual in the moonlight, and tiptoed toward her small shack. She would have to go through Oblivion tomorrow morning, for Lex would still be waiting for her, but she could at least get a good night's sleep. And besides, she rather liked the idea of giving him a run for his gold. He thought that he was so good, but she'd show him. The poor man probably wouldn't sleep a wink tonight, because he'd be consumed by the idea that a criminal had temporarily slipped by him.

Mandila's hand reached for the door handle of her shack, and she was about to open it when...

"And what do we have here?" She froze, scared that she was about to be attacked before she realized who was talking to her. She sighed and even wearily smiled, feeling a familiar presence at her back.

"Captain," she greeted, slowly turning around and wondering where the man had been hiding. Lex's arms were crossed over his armored chest, and he moved extremely close—so close that she was looking up at him, and he down at her. If he was trying to intimidate her, he'd need to work a little harder than that, for Mandila knew that he would never physically harm her. He was too controlled and obsessed with upholding the tenets of his office for that.

"I commend your patience," Lex told her. "Four hours?" Mandila gave a forced laugh.

"I didn't think you'd put forth that much effort to get me," she admitted, and ran a hand over her wet and tangled mane, pushing it away of her face.

"You should have known better," Lex corrected her. "I don't like to be made a fool of, Bosmer, and for that alone, I would have waited eight hours to get you."

"You are persistent," Mandila agreed, rather enjoying that he was here, standing in the dark with her. This was the part where the handsome captain was supposed to open the door for the fair maiden and bid her a goodnight after returning her clothing...or not, and being alone, almost naked, and cold made Mandila even more self-conscious than before, causing her to gently wrap arms around herself.

"It's a little late for modesty," Lex commented, his eyes firmly focused on her face.

"It's cold," Mandila defended herself. "I'm going to get dressed now, if you don't mind, captain."

"Not at all, citizen," and Lex thrust out a bundle toward her. Mandila realized that it was her clothing from earlier, and that Lex had no intention of allowing her out of his sight. She dressed in front of him, and felt his eyes on her the entire time. There was no one around, and she was already in trouble, so maybe now would be a good time to steal a kiss? She straightened from pulling up her pants, and began to button her shirt. Lex watched her fingers work on each and every one, and when Mandila grinned, he scoffed.

"So what will it be?" he quickly asked her. "Twenty gold or a night in prison?"

"Neither," she smartly answered.

"If you won't make a decision, I will, and," he leaned closer, inadvertently giving Mandila a much better view of his lips. "If I make the decision, I guarantee that you won't like it." His lips looked nice, and even when pressed into a stern line, she liked them.

"You really won't let this go?" she asked him, amazed by his insistence.

*******************************

"No," he carefully enunciated. She sighed and then rolled her eyes, a gesture that Lex did not appreciate. Here he was, trying to arrest her, and she was still mocking him. It was enough to make him lock her away just for impudence.

"I'll pay the fine," she decided.

"Good."

"When I have the money." Lex's eyebrows scrunched together as he stared at the elf's completely honest expression. How could one person be so insolent? "I don't have twenty coins, but when I do, I'll pay you." His eyes hardened. "I'm poor, sir," she pointedly reminded him.

"Then it's a night in prison," he replied.

"You are unbelievable."

"You brought this upon yourself. If you'd done as I said, you wouldn't be in this situation, and we both know that you wanted to irritate me. You won't convince me that I can trust you, so there will be no extension. Come along peacefully."

"Sir," Mandila pleaded, a hand shooting out to grab his armored forearm. He paused and looked into her imploring eyes. "You see me every single day. I promise that I'll have the money tomorrow." Tomorrow? Where was she going to get gold that fast? "Do you think that just because us waterfront people are poor, that we're also liars?"

"I've seen little to indicate otherwise," he told her, and noticed that her hand was still not moving from his armor, but she seemed oblivious. She was too busy staring at him with eyes that seemed so innocent and naïve at times, but serious and even old on rare occasions. He wondered how old she really was, and how she had ever afforded even a shack in this area of the city.

"The people here might seem less open, but it's only because they don't trust you," she told him. "They have no reason to trust guards." Suddenly seeming to realize where her hand was, she snatched it back to her side, but she wasn't exactly timid. Not once did she seem uncomfortable as she made eye contact with him, which was what Lex expected from her—not that semi-shy girl that he'd witnessed right before she jumped into the harbor. He had noticed several months ago that she wasn't afraid of his rank or talking to him like an equal.

*************************

"Hold out your hands, citizen," he ordered her. Mandila frowned and didn't budge. "Now," he stressed, and so she stretched her arms outward as he removed a pair of iron bracers from his belt and snapped them around her wrists. A thin chain dangled from his hands, and on the end was the key to the bracers. He allowed her a long look before he tucked the chain into a pouch that was connected to his belt. "Goodnight, Mandila," he quietly stated with a satisfied smirk, and then he took several steps backward, leaving Mandila confused. She stood watching him with a befuddled expression while her hands remained locked together, and wondered what in the name of Oblivion was going on.

"The other two got off with a warning and a fine of five gold," Lex shared, but he didn't seem happy about the admission. Mandila was guessing that it wasn't his choice, but rather the directives of his superiors after they'd watched him waste manpower hunting for stripping women. But if the others had gotten off so lightly, Mandila couldn't understand why Lex had told her that the fine was twenty gold or prison, unless... "I expect that you'll bring the required sum to me as soon as possible, or I will arrest you."

"Captain?" Mandila half-protested, half-questioned, and he looked at her with that same, pleased smile as before. By the Nine, he was really going to leave her here with locked hands, and she'd stupidly allowed him to fetter her, thinking that she was actually going to prison. That crafty, evil, handsome...

"I trust that you have some experience," Lex stated, holding up a lockpick for her to inspect. Oh gods, but he must have found it in her clothing. She shouldn't have left it in her sleeve, stupid girl. Now he would be sure to watch her activities. "And I'll charge you for the loss if you don't return the bracers." With that, he departed, disappearing into the night.

Mandila didn't know what to think, but she suddenly found herself grinning and enjoying a light chuckle. Oblivion be damned, but Captain Lex had just played a trick on her—probably in retaliation for the slack punishment that he had to accept dealing out. She was pleased with his attention and frustrated that her hands were locked together, but she would fix that. Oh, she was going to get these off, and she was going to present them to him in public. The man probably thought that she'd need to wait for him to unlock them, but he had another thing coming. With a smile, Mandila set to work in the confines of her small home, all the while thinking about how this event was the first time that she'd felt Lex responding to her game. Dear gods, but simply watching him would never be enough after tonight. No, she wanted more interaction now that she knew how truly engaging the captain could be.

Ahh, the plot (and maybe something else?) thickens!

Yeah, Lex was ignoring Mandila's appearance? Riiight! I suppose that armor is good for hiding tents!

Ornomint! What a delightfully fun romp! I smiled all the way through.

As the others said, a ton of fun. What a stick in the mud those guards are, to accost people for swimming (perhaps Lex should have fined them for cleanliness as well?). It was a clever little trick of Lex at the end. Delightfully devious.

The whole time though, I was wondering what Armand and the other thieves were stealing while the all the watchmen on the Waterfront were staring at the girls...

I agree. Someone had better check the treasury!

This was fun from start to finish. Lex finally shows a sense of, well, not humor really. . . maybe a ‘sense of human?’ When he commends Mandila on her patience he almost sounds proud of her. And the fact that he so gleefully tells her that Methredhel and the Imperial were given a fine of five gold and a warning is a great way to tell us just how much Mandila has climbed under his skin.

Damn! Slapped by Dhertee Inuu-Endo again! Thank the Nine you didn’t say ‘eye’!

It seems Dhertee Innuen Doe is planning to make himself a Daedric Prince. Mainly of dirty innuendoes, yes?

Hello, O.N! I've seen this story before and I will say: Awesome and fun beyond words.

... Hieronymus just doesn't get the credit he deserves. I mean he's chasing Shadows! How cool, and ridiculously idiotic, is that?



I don't get it.. Eye? As far as I can see, eyes are. . . Wow. That's. . . intense. I just got pimp-slapped and kneed by D.I.D (Dhertee Innuenn Doe)

Oh, and if you look closely at the dots before and after the letter 'I'... You'll see something.

-U.

@Ureniashtram: As I've said before, I take no responsibility for any innuendoes. Seriously though, the whole 'eye' thing never even occurred to me. Some people obviously have their minds in the gutter... I'm happy that you enjoy this story though.

@Melarg: I'm glad that you said what you did, because I really tried to make this chapter show how much Mandila gets to Lex, especially now that he's aware of her attention. It's hard to believe that any man could be so oblivious to a woman's interest, but...well, that's Lex. And now, concerning this D.I.D...I'm not sure from where he hails, but someone needs to stop him before he ascends to the level of a Daedric Prince, as someone else so eloquently put it.

@SubRosa: Yeah, quite a few objects probably went missing. And of course, Mandila must have been motivated to distract Lex in order to help the guild!

@Acadian: Making you smile was my goal.

@haute: Armor has many, many useful functions.

True dat, true dat! Someone needs to stop that. . . thing or else!

... And a certain person lingers here, like an eagle keeping an eye on his prey(innuendo).. Watch your stories way around that CERTAIN PERSON because that CERTAIN PERSON is the Harbinger of D.I.D!

(glances around fearfully, before nervously chuckling)

He, he. Anyway, I'm waiting for the next update.

Chapter 5:

Lex couldn't help but anticipate his day at the waterfront, and the jingle of bracer keys at his belt only heightened his mood. Mandila had thought to escape him, but he had shown her otherwise, and today would be the completion of her lesson. There was something supremely satisfying about gaining one up on the woman, for the look on her face last night had been priceless. For once, she had been the one thrown off balance by the unforeseen—the one left to wonder about the meaning of his cryptic comments. It was Lex's firm opinion that troublemakers should enjoy a taste of their own medicine, and hopefully Mandila would pursue him with less tenacity after swallowing hers.

The captain finished fastening his armor, and climbed down the ladder that led from his quarters. He usually stopped in the common room for a glass of water and some rolls, but given his expectations, he almost decided to skip breakfast. It was only as he reached the tower's front door that he realized how foolish it was to rush his routine for a trickster of an elf. Mandila would need to wait for him to unlock her bracers no matter what time he made his appearance, and even if her hands were no longer bound, she'd find him anyway. So why change his morning habits for her? It wasn't like she was the Grey Fox or someone who he had a vested interest in catching. She was just a nosy Bosmer who might be a thief, and that wasn't something for which he'd go hungry.

"Leaving without breakfast, sir?" a guard asked, the man sitting beside the front door for security purposes. Lex suddenly realized that he was standing and staring at that door, probably looking very much like a statue. So he turned around, sat, and ate, letting the inevitable wait on him, and taking his prior indecision as a sign that the elf was getting to him--something that would not be tolerated.

After breakfast, Lex continued toward the harbor at his usual pace and in the usual manner, which meant perfectly straight posture and ever sweeping eyes. His mind periodically returned to Mandila, and although thoughts of her faded in favor of more important matters, she disrupted his focus more and more as his feet drew closer to the harbor. He could imagine her sitting on the harbor's stone wall, her hands cuffed, and her face fixed in a frustrated pout. The thought almost made him smile, but what if she had gotten out of the bracers? Lex was actually very interested in seeing whether or not she had, despite the fact that he'd given her bracers with incredibly complicated locks. Unless she possessed the utmost lockpicking skills, she would still be trapped, and if she had miraculously unlocked them, then he had to assume that she was a thief. No one with that much lockpicking skill was innocent, and so his suspicions would be confirmed. It was a winning situation for him either way, although he really did hope that she needed his assistance.

Lex was now on the familiar stone walkway that arched around the docks, but he didn't see Mandila. That was unusual, but maybe she was hiding at home out of embarrassment. That would suit him just fine, although he had given her more credit for backbone. Still...

"Good morning, captain!" Lex turned around, and to his chagrin, the woman before him looked anything but chastised.

*****************************

Mandila had seen Lex going about his normal patrol--seen how his head kept turning, as if he were looking for someone, and she had a strong inkling that she knew who that someone was. The keys to the bracers were still at his waist, so she had correctly assumed that he was expecting her to still be chained. Wouldn't he be surprised? And with that in mind, Mandila began approaching him from behind, imagining him as he had looked in the moonlight with polished armor that had seemingly glowed with the dull, pale light from above. His face had been cast in shadow, and his voice had spoken against a backdrop of crickets. Yes, the night had suited him, but so too did the daylight. In fact, Mandila couldn't think of a single occasion when the captain didn't look in top form.

She held the bracers in her hands, and hastened her steps, wondering if all prison restraints had such difficult locks. She had almost given up, and it had taken all night to successfully free herself, which explained her tired appearance. But it was worth it, she reminded herself. Lex had provided her with a challenge, and she'd risen to it, even if she'd briefly considered letting him win. After all, it would not make her look good to be so skilled with a lockpick. She already had one mark against her since he'd found a lockpick on her, and this would do nothing to ease his concerns.

Maybe it will lead to more attention, and the thought was both worrisome and exciting. As Lex's head swiveled to the side, giving her a clear view of his profile, she called out.

"Good morning, captain!" And he turned and fixed her with those icy eyes, and she smiled quite naturally at seeing him. He looked less thrilled than she did, but it might have something to do with the bracers in her hands. She walked until only several feet separated her from Lex, and then she held out her offering.

"I believe that these are yours, sir," she happily chirped, and Lex eyed the bracers like he wanted to grab and chuck them into the water.

"How very thoughtful," he allowed, reaching out and accepting them. Mandila watched him hook the restraints to his belt, and then she returned her eyes to his. He was studying her in the same manner that she might have eyed a locked door—thinking about how it worked and the easiest way to open it. An involuntary thrill shot through her, for he'd never looked at her quite like that before, even if his stern expression remained a harbinger of difficulties. She stared back, saying the most immediate thing that came to mind.

"How much would you have charged me for them?"

"Fifty gold," Lex answered, and Mandila nodded her head appreciatively.

"I figured as much. You didn't make it easy."

"I never do," and this was the point where she expected him to try and walk away. He'd clearly lost this round, and he was still on duty. When he didn't move, Mandila actually became suspicious. "So where is my twenty gold?" he asked her. "And I haven't all day, citizen."

"Mandila," she corrected him. "And I have it right here." She passed him a small bag of coins, and if Lex was annoyed, he didn't show it. He was impassive as ever, and he wordlessly eyed the money for several seconds before he leaned in closer to her face.

"And where, Mandila, did you get twenty gold when you had none last night?" he questioned. Mandila knew that she had to be careful this time around, for Lex had that fanatic officer edge to him, and that was never good.

"That's none of your concern, sir," she told him, proud of herself for not getting lost in his features. As was though, he was leaning so close that she almost did, and so her voice came out more weakly than intended.

"It might be my concern," Lex corrected her before stepping back to give her some space.

"No, it's not," Mandila stressed. "But if you really must know, I dug up a grave last night." Lex's eyes narrowed, and Mandila grinned. "Just joking. I borrowed money from a friend, so stop looking at me like I have thief written on my forehead. Are you always this suspicious?"

"Only when it comes to people who warrant it." Mandila's eyebrows shot upward in mock surprise.

"And I warrant it? What have I done to make you suspicious other than trying to be friendly? Maybe I like to cause mischief every once and while, but really, captain, you act like you're not used to female attention." Lex was about to respond when Methredhel came bounding over to Mandila and squeezed the other elf's hand in a friendly gesture.

"No time to talk, sister," Methredhel interrupted. "I need your help with something." She then tugged the younger Bosmer along with her as she moved toward the waterfront, and Mandila was left giving Lex a hasty wave. She even sent a wink in his direction.

************************

Lockpicks, hanging about with a suspected thief, breaking the law—Lex knew that he should never have overlooked Mandila as a possible link to the guild.

"Until later, captain!" the Bosmer called. He watched her go, and then moved to check how another guard's patrol was going, for he needed to get that elf—his elf—out of his mind. The guard that he approached wiped sweat from a wrinkled brow and grumbled about the weather, and Lex could sympathize given how hot armor could feel on warm days like this. Even he got sick of armor when the sun was high.

"I see that she hasn't laid off of you, sir," the guard finally joked in reference to Mandila. "I thought for sure that after the swimming incident, she'd leave you be. Guess she's as stubborn as you are, huh, sir?" Lex snorted as he looked to where Mandila had disappeared.

"I do not appreciate being compared to that elf," he stated, and the guard chuckled.

"Say what you want, sir, but there are several guards, including myself, who wouldn't mind trading places with you. She's easy on the eyes with those long lashes...sir, perhaps you ought to relax your standards a little." Lex sighed and waved the guard off.

"You're married," he reminded the man. "I doubt that your wife would appreciate those comments, and I don't want to hear another word about it. She's up to no good."

"Yes, sir." The guard left, and Lex was left wondering why everyone else looked at how the elf interacted with him and saw an infatuated girl. She was an absolute she-daedra, even if she was pretty, and she was years younger than him. He also suspected her for what others did not, and he could just imagine how a guild member would love to irritate and taunt him, acting as if she was unafraid in order to sidetrack his scrutiny. Besides that, he found it hard to believe that the elf could be as interested as other people seemed to think, and the guards loved to make smart comments about him as much as the waterfront residents did, so it was bound to be an exaggeration to target the lack of romance in his life.

Lack of romance. As Lex stood before the Bloated Float and watched two young Nords having a spitting contest from the ship's upper deck, he decided that 'lack' was a bit of an understatement.

The last woman with whom he'd been involved had disappeared from his life years ago, and the lovely, aristocratic lady had even wanted to marry him, but he'd kept postponing. Then, when he'd finally felt that he was financially prepared to please her, he'd proposed, but she was no longer interested, saying that he'd distanced himself from her to the point where she couldn't stand the thought of living with him. Absentee husband—that's what she'd claimed he would become, and so he'd watched her leave, wondering when this supposed drifting apart had happened since he'd been too preoccupied to notice.

Great. Now the two Nords were singing, and Lex didn't find sea shanties charming in the least. Maybe he would move to the other side of the harbor's horseshoe, but then again, the pirates docked on that side, and he was standing in a shady spot at the moment, where he remained as he continued to reflect on his ill-favor among women.

He hadn't bothered looking for another woman since his former lady had left, for she'd poisoned many social circles against him, and no one wanted to link themselves to someone with a reputation for being a fanatic over an imaginary criminal. He wouldn't have a wife that secretly scorned his work either, for that would be the height of unbearable. Yes, female rejection had initially stung, but he was beyond that now. He found comfort in his career, and he had no need of a woman hanging about, so that settled the matter. He'd wait until his reputation was cleared to start the family that part of him thought necessary for an upstanding man such as himself. He was a minor aristocrat, and so he was expected to bear heirs, which he'd get to in good time, but not now. He watched a man pickpocketing another, and angrily stormed toward the scene, the thought of women all but gone.

*************************

"What is it?" Mandila asked as Methredhel pulled her along. They were heading straight for Armand's shack, which was highly unusual. The man did not like discussing guild business in daylight, and he often refused to even acknowledge the other thieves unless it was midnight or later. They had a regular meeting place in a small yard near Methredhel's house, and only then would business be presented. Apparently something important and unexpected had occurred to break that routine.

"Armand's called an emergency meeting," Methredhel whispered. "Something big has come up, and if we don't move, we'll never finish the job."

"Oh," Mandila said, stunned by how massive the operation must be. She felt excitement racing through her veins as they entered Armand's house and found the man sitting on his bed, all windows bolted shut, and his dark features illuminated by a lantern.

"Lock the door," he instructed, and Mandila hurriedly did as told. Then it was the three of them in a tiny, shadowy room, and Mandila glanced at Armand with a confused expression.

"Where are the others?" she asked.

"They know what's to be done," he explained, "And I don't want to risk too large a gathering. Lex is on duty, as I'm sure you know." He fixed her with a knowing stare that made Mandila shift uncomfortably. This was her superior, after all, and his disapproval carried weight. She sat beside Methredhel at the small table near the bed, and focused on keeping a confident demeanor.

"So what's this job?" Methredhel blurted. "And why is it so sudden?"

"Remember the engraved mirror that we're supposed to steal from Handlor?" Mandila and Methredhel both nodded. "The man has decided to take an unexpected trip to see a relative, and that means that his house will be empty tonight. The problem is that it may be a trap. I've no evidence, but there might be a traitor among us, and the danger is doubled by the fact that the man lives near the northwest tower."

"That's where Lex goes at night," Mandila stated, knowing what kind of difficulties that would present.

"Yes," Armand nodded. "So we need someone to distract him—make sure that he isn't there tonight. That's why I've called both of you here. Someone needs to be a street lookout, and someone needs to keep Lex away. Take your pick." No sooner had he finished than a huge grin spread across Methredhel's face, and Mandila could guess what her sister was thinking.

"Oh, I think that Mandila will be a perfect distraction for our captain," the elder Bosmer smoothly teased. "She has more experience at it than I do." Mandila glared at her sister, and without looking, she knew that Armand was staring at her with those displeased eyes of his. She heard him sigh again as the staring match between the two Bosmer continued, and only when he clapped his hands did the two disengage.

"Just make sure that the job's done right," he said. "We can't screw this up or our asses are fried. The guild's entire reputation rests on pulling this job off, and I expect both of you to give a hundred percent. No fooling around." Mandila inwardly winced at his harsh undertone, and she stood to excuse herself from the tense atmosphere.

"Well, I better go think of a way to keep Lex busy all night." Methredhel snorted on a laugh that threatened to choke her with tears of mirth, and Mandila pinched the bridge of her nose in annoyance. "I didn't mean—oh, Methredhel, that's enough. You've got a twisted mind, Bosmer!"

"I think that we should go our separate ways before someone notices that you're both here," Armand intervened.

"Whatever you say, handsome," Methredhel said, calming herself. "Let's go, sis." Mandila made to follow her elder outside, but she didn't even reach the door.

"Mandila," Armand called. "A word." Methredhel shook her head and shut the door behind her, leaving Mandila and Armand alone to discuss what Mandila was sure she didn't want to hear.

"Yes?" she asked, rejoining Armand near the bed.

"I know about your odd behavior around the captain," he admonished. "And I don't like what I'm hearing. Ancus even said that you've been having conversations with him now."

"It's nothing bad," Mandila countered. "You know how I get sometimes, and he's fun to annoy."

"I wouldn't be worried if you were just annoying him," came the terse response. "Look, I'm in no position to tell you how to live, but these walls have ears, and when they tell me that one of my best thieves is expressing gratitude to our enemy, I get concerned. You don't want to give me gray hair, Mandila." The Bosmer tapped her toes against the floor and thought about the previous night. Armand did live next door to her.

"I guess you heard about what happened yesterday," she commented.

"Yes," and Armand smiled despite himself. "I hear that you nearly made Lex explode in frustration, but it backfired on you, didn't it? He found you, and now you've brought attention to yourself. Mandila," he stared into her eyes and passed her a new lockpick. "Remember that you can play with him, but don't do more than necessary. It's too risky for the guild, and I don't want to see him hurt you."

"He wouldn't," Mandila protested. "Come on. He's Mr. Rigid-for-rules."

"Have you ever been to prison?" Armand asked, and Mandila nodded.

"Once, when I was just learning how to pickpocket."

"And do you know what can happen to pretty girls who get sent to prison?" Mandila nodded, but more slowly this time. "It happens, and if he's the one that puts you there, he's responsible for knowing what could happen to you. He's obsessive, but he's not ignorant, and he sure as hell isn't someone who would protect you. So be careful."

"I know," Mandila weakly smiled. "I just can't believe that he'd catch me doing anything that he'd lock me away for."

"This is the same man that's planning to tax the waterfront," Armand pointed out. "He doesn't believe in leniency, and you should know that." But Mandila had seen Lex help Ancus, and he reprimanded fellow guards for abusing their power. He'd even helped a girl find her way home once. He wasn't totally heartless, and she knew it, but she couldn't tell Armand that. He'd probably flip the table in disbelief at her kind words.

"Is he really going to tax us?" she questioned. It seemed like Lex, but she hadn't heard a word of such a plan.

"It's a rumor, but I wouldn't put it past the fetcher. Keep your head down, and make sure that he's not near the target tonight." Mandila nodded and was finally given permission to leave. Great, but now Armand was upset with her, maybe even questioning if she was against Lex like the rest of them, but that was idiotic. Of course she was anti-Lex, for the man would hate her if he knew what she was. Ouch, but that stung a little. She didn't want him to hate her, even if they were opposed forces.

She checked the sun and realized that she had better get cracking on her plan. She had to keep the captain busy for an entire night, and that was a challenge if ever she'd faced one. The easiest way would be to dress as the Grey Fox and let him chase her around the city, but that would be suicide—and tiring, she quickly added. No, she needed something else, but the promise of an arrest or evidence was likely the only way to keep him distracted.

Mandila smiled as she noticed Methredhel talking to another woman. With a little help from her friend, she was going to hook the captain's interest.

You continue to entertain us with the story of Lex and Mandila! I found myself enjoying her mischievous mind and his blaring insensitivity to anything but his career, even at the cost of a potential wife. His excuses for not feeling bad about losing the lady are quite amusing, if possibly true.

"Rigid for rules!" I'm sure he was rigid in other ways yesterday, too!

This continues to be an enjoyable read. Nice to see some development of Armand here.

This was a long post. Perhaps just me, but I find sometimes that episode length and reader focus are inversely porportional. When Methie pulled Mandila away from Lex seemed a natural break point.

I am looking forward to what type of clever impishness Mandila comes up with to distract Captain Rigid.

More fun again. I really do appreciate how you are taking this odd relationship between Lex and the Thief slowly. By taking your time, it all flows gently and naturally. Her obsession with him, and his own glacially moving feelings for her. His elf. That is a nice touch, I like that he keeps thinking it.

@haute: One of the things that came to my mind upon playing the Thieves' Guild arch was that Lex was so fanatical that a wife would kill him. Seriously, the man would probably discuss work nonstop, and even neglect his family in pursuit of his career. Then I realized that Lex must be single in the game, but he doesn't look young, and thus I felt confirmed in my tangent. After all, I figure that in a more medieval society, early marriage would be quite common, especially in the pursuit of heirs. This is just based on my assumptions though, for Oblivion and Morrowind don't provide much in-game evidence one way or another. I maintain that the games ought to include children as well as adult characters. I think that seeing children run around would add something to the atmosphere of the towns/cities.

@Acadian: My chapters tend to be anywhere from 4-10 pages, although there aren't any quite so long in this story. I honestly don't know whether readers (as a general group) prefer longer or shorter posts, although I hope that my stories aren't difficult to stay interested in.

@SubRosa: I imagine that if Mandila tried to rush anything with Lex, he'd clamp irons around her wrists yet again. If stripping in public carries a hefty charge, imagine the price tag that would be attached to harassment of an officer on duty! (And isn't it strange that you can make your character walk around nearly nude without repercussions in the game?)

This paragraph perfectly sums up Lex to me. That last sentence is fantastic! I wish I had written it!

This promises to get interesting. Mandila’s obsession with the obsessive Lex is skirting dangerously close to testing her loyalty. You would think that slapping the bracers on her would have taught her a lesson, but she seems determined to leave her hand in the fire until she gets burned.

Chapter 6:

Mandila peered out from around the corner and beamed with delight.

"Here he comes," she warned while ducking back behind the wall. She and Methredhel were standing at the end of the harbor, hiding behind the last building where stone walkway gave way to a grassy slope, and trying to time their trap with the utmost perfection.

"You know his routine from top to bottom," Methredhel teased Mandila, who was too busy enjoying herself to rise to the goading.

"Shhh! He's almost there." Lex would usually stop by the edge of the harbor to watch the countryside for a few moments before returning to his office, and today was no exception. Mandila had been waiting for this, expecting him to arrive sometime before the sun was at its highest. Then he would check in at the barracks and head to the Market District for lunch, but unlike other days, he'd have something extra to distract him this evening.

His footsteps drew nearer, and Mandila nodded to Methredhel. They would begin as soon as the captain's boots stilled, for they knew that his sharp ears would easily overhear the bait that they were about to set. Sure, he didn't have elfin ears, but he seemed to pickup on more conversations than Mandila ever did. Then again, that might have something to do with their levels of concentration...oh well. The anticipation of how he would respond to this trap almost made Mandila giggle, but she didn't, for it would definitely ruin the nature of their plot.

Now, she mouthed to Methredhel, who was also forcing herself not to grin.

"Mandila," the other thief began, "You know how important this is. I told him that you'd be there." Oh, this was going to be excellent, and both of them knew it. Methredhel even gave Mandila a wicked wink.

"But isn't there another time?" Mandila asked with an adopted, consternated voice.

"No. It has to be tonight, sister. And if you don't go, you know who you'll have to answer to. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and you can't mess it up!"

"Fine," Mandila sighed. "I'll do it. I suppose I haven't been very active lately."

"Good. So you know what you have to do?" At this point Mandila had to pinch herself to keep a straight face, but she managed to do so.

"Yeah. I remember the trick that you showed me. But where am I meeting him again?"

"The Feed Bag, 10 o'clock sharp."

"Okay. I'll be there, but I wouldn't go if Armand wasn't insisting on it." Methredhel snorted and leaned in a little closer to Mandila with a conspiring smirk...

"Oh, we both know that you secretly want to be there, sister." Mandila rolled her eyes and motioned for Methredhel to leave. Thanks, she mouthed, and the older Bosmer simply shook her head as if she couldn't believe what her fellow thief was planning to do. "Enjoy your evening," she said, "but not too much."

"Have a good day," Mandila said in parting, but she didn't move. She remained in her position, listening for signs of Lex, who she gathered was still there due to the lack of noise. She counted the seconds away before the sound of metal boots reached her ears, signaling his departure. His pace was calm and even, but Mandila knew that the captain was digesting everything that he had overheard—maybe even planning how to handle it. Now it was time to wait and see if he took the challenge, which she was sure that he would. He had found a lockpick on her after all, and since he wanted to catch her red-handed, this would be an irresistible opportunity for him. Of course, there was always the chance that he'd send someone else to spy on her, but it wasn't likely. Lex liked to personally handle people who'd caused him trouble, and Mandila fell into that category with no small amount of pride.

When the footsteps faded, she popped out of hiding and lackadaisically strolled along the harbor, her hands tucked into her pockets. She tried not to look at him, but it was inevitable, and so she didn't fight the urge for long. He stood with two other guards near The Bloated Float, his mouth moving, but his eyes continually shifting towards her. She smiled, and her feet moved toward him of their own accord as her excitement about spending an entire evening with him mounted—or something like that. It wasn't like they'd actually be interacting, but he would be there, and she'd be there. Maybe she'd finally get to see him in civilian clothing, for he couldn't possibly spy in a captain's armor.

"Sir, no one that I know has ever seen this Grey Fox," one of the guards was saying. Mandila was getting closer now, and she could easily overhear the conversation from her place in the background.

"I have already gone over the evidence," Lex stated. "And we have been through this several times. If you will not respect my directions as your superior, you can either transfer to another captain or resign."

"My apologies, sir," the guard immediately answered. "I simply have a hard time believing it."

"Most of the men do," the other guard added, making Lex's eyes harden into icy pools of determination. Gods, but did the other guards always undermine his work? Mandila had suspected as much since she'd heard several laugh at the Grey Fox, but surely someone saw that Lex was actually correct in his hunches. Then again, perhaps he stood alone in his quest, and if that were true, Mandila realized that to constantly act when others mocked must be beyond frustrating. Maybe that was part of the reason that he was so harsh in dealing out punishment. His life could not be easy, even if he had more money than anyone on the waterfront.

"I don't care whether you believe it or not," Lex ground out. "But you will follow orders to the best of your abilities."

"I'm not saying that I won't, sir," one guard began. "Forgive my brashness. I..." For some unknown reason, Mandila felt annoyed by the constant questioning of Lex that she was witnessing. Everyone on the waterfront knew how dangerous and accurate the captain's obsession was, and Mandila certainly knew how dedicated Lex was to that obsession, so why did he catch so much dirt from people? He helped anyone who needed it, yet no one appreciated it. No one appreciated how unique he was. But I do. Mandila didn't even realize that she had walked into the middle of the guards until she spoke.

"How would you know if the Grey Fox exists or not?" she threw at the men, her voice tight with annoyance. "And if you lived here or bothered to open your eyes, you'd know the truth." What the hell? Mandila wanted to cover her mouth and run and hide, but there she was, standing in front of these two guards with her hands on her hips. The three men were stunned into silence, and she felt Lex staring at her from the side, probably speculating over her unexpected outburst.

This is awkward...and I'm officially dead.

"Um," Mandila said, smiling uncomfortably. "That's what you get for being thickheaded." Why, oh why did her mouth have to run away from her? This was the dumbest thing that she had ever done in the history of her life. Lex was the enemy, so she shouldn't be defending him, especially if it included confirming his mission. As a member of the Thieves' Guild, her comment would make Armand tie a stone to her ankle and toss her into the harbor. Gods, but she was so idiotic sometimes. Still, as she glanced at Lex, something about his face looked softer, kinder, and it made her happy that she had spoken.

"We'll be going, sir," a guard stated.

"Very well," Lex agreed, and the others returned to patrol, leaving Mandila and Lex alone. The captain almost looked tired, his blue eyes losing their edge, and his posture less rigid. "I don't need you to defend me, citizen," he told her.

"I know," she replied. "Good day, sir." She gave a small, forced smile, and then returned to walking. Long after she could no longer see him, she knew that he was focused on her, and she kept imagining how aged he had looked when he'd dismissed her. His face bore no lines or wrinkles, but she could see where they would form from the seriousness with which he treated life. It seemed that his drive was a burden to himself as well as the poor, and she decided that there was something about the captain worth compassion. He never seemed like a man to need such a thing, but the way that he had looked at her...Yes, Lex was human like everyone else, and the incident would stay with both the thief and the captain for hours as they awaited evening.

********************************

Mandila couldn't wait. The anticipation was almost killing her, and there was still an hour left before she departed. She spent that time brushing her hair and changing, wanting to look mildly nice since she was going out for the evening. It was rare that she bothered fixing her appearance, but she did have something tucked away for special occasions, and this definitely counted as special in her mind. With a bounce in her step, she pulled on a deep blue skirt with flowers embroidered along the hemline, and to match the feminine look, she tied a green sash around her waist. The fabric was smooth and of much higher quality than what most waterfront people could afford, for it had been the only gift that she'd ever received from her father. He had been a merchant with money, and this was all that she had left of him from the one day that she'd known him.

"Bygones are bygones," Mandila accepted, glad that the man had bothered with even the smallest of gestures. She brushed the morose topic aside as she finished her outfit with a billowing, white top that exposed an ample amount of cream-colored shoulder, and then she exited her home. She meandered into the city and down streets and alleys, killing time as she awaited the appointed hour. She would be alone tonight, but that didn't matter. The only thing that could possibly go wrong was if Lex didn't show up, because then she'd need to go looking for him. There was no guarantee that he'd come inside The Feed Bag, for he might wait outside with a plan to trail her afterwards.

Mandila frowned as she reached her destination and stepped into the warming atmosphere of the establishment. Numerous lanterns glowed about the wooden tables that dotted the floor before a countertop where the publican stood. The smell of fresh bread wafted out from the kitchen while mugs clinked together and people chatted. There was a decent crowd this evening, and Mandila briefly greeted a few people as she made her way toward a deserted table against the wall. From here she could keep a lookout on the entire room, and she liked how the stairs were at the far side of the floor, meaning that no one unexpected could join the crowd. It was a natural instinct to keep herself in a safe position, although if Methredhel had been here, she was sure that they'd end the night by dancing on the countertop. That had happened before, and the publican had allowed it since it attracted customers.

Good times, Mandila smiled. But tonight had the potential to top that event.

"Hey, Mandila!" the publican shouted with a wave. "What would you like, sweetheart?"

"Whatever's cheapest," she answered with a laugh. "Two of them!" Soon she was nursing a bottle of some dreadful, cheap ale, but she didn't care. It burned down her throat, and all she could think about was Lex. He hadn't shown up, and she was supposed to be meeting her mysterious contact in about ten minutes. Just as she was losing hope, the door swung open, and in walked a man with a red tunic and tan breeches. A cloak trailed over his back, and the hood was halfway over his face as he ordered something from the owner.

His hand lifted to exchange coins, and Mandila could only stare. Maybe it was the way that he walked, but she knew that it was Lex. His controlled movements and quick location of a lonesome bench were straight to business, and although he chose a table that did not afford Mandila an easy view of him, she thought that she caught a glint of familiar eyes when he took off the hood. If she wasn't expecting him, she probably wouldn't have noticed him in his regular garb and location across the room, where the lantern light was dimmer. He looked so damned ordinary, and he slipped right into the crowd, even as he kept his distant from it.

"Nice of you to show, captain," Mandila commented beneath her breath, leaning forward as she grabbed her second bottle of ale. She took a sip and fought back a gag. "What is this?!" she demanded, shouting across the room, which sent several men and women into fits of laughter.

"My special recipe," the publican joked.

"It's vile!" Mandila chuckled as she took another long sip. The alcohol swam in her belly, warming her, but she wasn't intoxicated. She was only settling into the environment, and she was not one for getting drunk since she hated throwing up. So she was a mild drinker, but she could still feel a light buzz affecting her body as she watched Lex drinking a deep, red liquid. It looked like wine, and she tried not to make her awareness of him obvious as he proceeded to scan the room. She looked away as his attention seemed to flicker in her direction, but it was difficult to tell where he was looking given his shadowy location.

I wonder what he thinks about my outfit.

"How about another one, Mandila?" the publican asked.

"I'd rather die," she laughed, pushing her bottles aside. Such a foul concoction had never before been seen, and she'd had enough for her tolerance. So she settled her elbows on the tabletop and pretended to be waiting for someone, looking around every once in an while, and playing with her hair. She ordered some bread, snacked a little, appeared to get impatient and loudly asked the publican if anyone had come in looking for her. The acting was exactly what was needed to keep Lex interested, and as one hour turned into two, Mandila herself was starting to tire of the game. How could Lex sit there and look so comfortable? The man had barely changed position since his arrival.

"Akatosh have mercy," she announced, wondering how she would keep herself and Lex here for another few hours. "I need another one!" Amid laughter she tackled her third drink, and it slowed her reaction time. When she next looked at Lex, he was staring directly at her, and their eyes met across the room. Now there was no denying that she knew of his presence, and considering how much she had ingested, she didn't particularly care. With a broad smile that naturally came to her upon meeting his gaze, she stood and began walking across the room, Lex's attention never leaving her as she did so. The game was up, but she still had to keep him here rather than letting him leave now that he'd been found out.

"Fancy meeting you here, captain," she greeted, setting her drink down at his table. "Would you like some company?" Before Lex could answer, she sat herself down beside him, and now she was with him in the opposite corner of the room, backs to the wall, side-by-side, watching a room from which they were detached.

"Your company never arrived," Lex stated.

"No," Mandila agreed. "But it's no sore loss. I didn't want to spend an evening with that guy anyway. And," she smirked, "You're much better company, but you never believe me." Lex snorted as he took another sip of wine, and Mandila loved how the lighting exposed his best features. Perhaps it was the atmosphere and alcohol, but he looked more relaxed here, and she could have stared at him all night. "I didn't know that you come here," she said, trying to start a conversation.

"I usually don't," came the short reply, and he finished his glass. "Be careful on the streets at night, citizen," he advised, his body beginning to rise from the bench.

No.

Mandila's hand shot out, and she laid it on his shoulder. She couldn't let him leave this early, and she didn't want him to go either. They'd barely spoken a word to one another, and she didn't think that she'd get the captain into a bar again. Ever.

"Please," she said. "Tonight has been a real disappointment, and having a drink with someone is the only way to salvage it."

"I am on duty tomorrow," Lex answered, and Mandila giggled.

"You're always on duty," she argued. "It's only one drink, and it would make me happy. Who knows? Perhaps my late company will show up before we're done. I can't leave yet, but I don't want to be bored." Lex slowly retook his seat and waved to the publican, who approached with a surprised expression at seeing him with the Bosmer.

"Yes, sir?" he asked.

"Another glass."

"And more minotaur spittle for me," Mandila added. "If I can survive this, I can survive anything," she told Lex as she took another swallow. "Would you like to try some?" Lex arched his eyebrows and took the bottle from her with a frown. He sniffed the air directly above the drink and cringed.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Afraid that the elf is trying to poison you?" Mandila teased, knowing that the alcohol was making her looser with her speech. She was less inhibited than usual, and while part of her knew how very bad that could be with Lex here, the desire to touch the lips that were currently fastened to her bottle made her eyes widen in distraction. Methredhel had dared her to kiss those lips, and tonight was well-suited for that sort of thing. Gods, but Lex was having a drink with her. Maybe he was only doing it in hopes that her nonexistent contact would arrive, but still, could life get any better than this?

"It's dreadful," Lex complained, setting the bottle down while he cleared his throat. "I can't believe that you're drinking that."

"There's an upside," Mandila countered.

"Oh?"

"It's dirt cheap." Lex smiled, and Mandila's jaw nearly dropped off of her face. Now she had seen everything, and never had she wanted to attack his lips like she wanted to now. With her intense staring, Lex must have noticed her expression, and he rolled his shoulder in a gesture that should not have been as fascinating as it was.

"You never saw a thing," Lex said with a dry sense of humor.

"Of course not," and Mandila smiled back at him. "I won't tell a soul that Captain Serious smiled." She thought that his eased features might again indulge in a smile when his face returned to its usual, sober nature as the publican arrived with a glass of wine and another bottle of cheap ale.

"Take that back," Lex said, motioning to the bottle in the man's hand. "And bring her a glass of Tamika's." The publican did as told, and Mandila found herself sipping on a very rich and filling red wine. "It's the best that they have here," Lex explained while Mandila ran a tongue over her lips to savor every little drop. "You've never had wine before, have you?" he asked, sounding amused.

"I have, but nothing like this. Cheap wine is about as good as cheap ale, if you know what I mean. Thank you." Lex continued drinking, and Mandila tilted her head to get a better view of his face. He was so handsome, and was she actually leaning in closer to him, or was it her imagination? She admitted that she had now definitely drank more than intended, for social convention wasn't preventing her from openly staring at him in the least. In fact, she was certain that her features were set in that fascinated, contemplative expression that betrayed her interest to everyone on the harbor—everyone except Lex. But then again, she could tell that he was carefully examining her as he drank his wine. Unlike her, he was far from being affected by his drinking.

"Why are you watching me drink?" he asked.

"I like watching you," Mandila conceded to the horror of her rational self.

"And the way that I hold my glass is interesting?" he challenged. "I hardly think that's worth your time."

"You're always worth the time," and with that, Mandila lapsed into a serious expression, her hands itching to touch his face. "You don't have any idea...the way you walk and talk, how nothing can touch you...you never give up. You..." She seemed to catch herself, and shook her head as if that would help clear her thoughts. "I'm sorry if I bothered you today. I didn't mean to stick my nose in your business."

"Yes, you did," Lex corrected her. Damn. Well, she did make it obvious, didn't she?

*********

Lex's head was still ringing with the shock of her words. It had to be the alcohol in her that was talking, for there was no way that this elf that targeted him at every turn was so genuinely adoring of him. But the way that she was gazing at him made it seem like he was the most important thing in her world—as if he were the most interesting person alive. "You've had too much to drink," he told her, but maybe that could work to his advantage.

"Yes," she agreed. "So ignore me—not that I want you to."

"You should drink less next time."

"I know...and you should wear clothing like this more often. The armor is nice, but you look so formal in armor—not like now." She reached out to touch his tunic, and Lex caught her hand, feeling the smoothness of her palm and the way that she seemed to willfully slip it into his grasp.

"Who were you waiting for?" he questioned, and her eyes shifted to the tabletop.

"You," she replied, and Lex's eyes narrowed.

"You had no idea that I would be here," he reasoned. "So who were you really waiting for?"

"I was hoping that you'd come," Mandila smiled. "So the other person doesn't matter. He was...well, Methredhel wanted me to meet him. She thinks that I need to get out more—romantically that is—and she has this cousin who she thinks would be perfect...oh, it doesn't matter! He's not here, and I wanted to meet you, not him." The more she spoke, the more Lex suspected that something was going on, but he couldn't prove it, and Mandila was being very careful to watch her words, even in her tipsy state. "You can let go," she told him, and Lex released her hand. She kept staring at it with a frown once the limb was returned to her lap.

"Why did you defend me today?" Lex asked, knowing that he wouldn't discover what she was hiding by putting pressure on her.

"You don't deserve to be laughed at," Mandila sighed. "The Grey Fox does exist." Lex's investigative instincts kicked into overdrive as he leaned closer to Mandila, speaking into her ear so that others couldn't hear. The girl looked nervous now, and well she should.

*****

Lex's breath sent goosebumps across her skin, and his lips were so close now that Mandila could almost hear Methredhel taunting her from the back of her mind.

"How do you know he exists?" Lex asked. "Have you seen him?"

"I can't tell you that, captain," she replied. She turned her head so that she was facing him, their noses barely separated by six inches, and she was looking right into his piercing eyes.

"You can tell me," he promised. "I'm an officer of the law. I'm bound to do what's right."

"Only in your own eyes," she told him. "I..." Mandila couldn't resist any longer, and before she knew it, her lips were on his. She felt him stiffen in surprise as she leaned against his hard chest, hands resting on the bench and one of his thighs to support herself as she nearly fell into him. His lips were as soft as she had imagined, and as she worked her mouth against his, she realized how very wrong this was. People could be watching. Someone would tell Armand.

Armand can go to Oblivion. Her mouth moved some more, even as Lex's lips were fixed into a straight line.

"Sorry," she said as two strong arms gripped her shoulders and pushed her back. Lex stared at her with an unreadable expression as he supported her still leaning body. She would have noticed how serious he had grown except that she was too busy staring at his lips and wanting to touch them again. Against her will a blush rose to her cheeks, and she pulled away from him. "I should go home," she stated, rising from her seat so quickly that she almost lost her balance.

"This discussion isn't over," Lex told her. "I'll find you once you're sober."

"I'm sure you will," she said, and then, with more uncertainty: "Sir, I didn't mean..."

"It's all right, Mandila," he told her, and his face again softened. "You're obviously not thinking properly right now. Go home."

"Thank you, sir." With that, Mandila left The Feed Bag and made her way down the darkened streets, wondering why she had dared to hope that Lex would respond to her kiss. Of course he wouldn't. He was Lex! Still, she was disappointed, and the comments that she had let slip were bothering her. Alcohol plus her deadened mood were a bad combination, and the more she thought about it, the more she wished that she could go back there and demand that Lex give her a decent kiss. His lips had been so smooth, and if he'd only given it a chance...

"Goodnight, captain," she said into the night as she reached her front door. Tomorrow she would feel better, and then she'd laugh about this. She had won her bet after all, and that was worth something. Too bad she hadn't gotten what she wanted most, and the fact that she wanted it most confused her inebriated mind. She fell asleep, thinking of kisses and blue eyes, not knowing that someone had followed her home, both to make sure that she didn't land herself in trouble, and to see if she exposed any evidence against the Thieves' Guild. When she didn't, the captain left her be, a shadow among the night that would have done a thief proud.

Let's get the obligatory nit-picking out of the way:

It should read 'his distance', or drop the 'his' altogether - 'he kept distant from it.'

And you've switched POV again:

and again:



Now on to the fun stuff:

I laughed at the girls setting the bait for Lex in the beginning. Fortunately Lex wasn't around to hear me!

And is that Mandila a load of hormones or what? So that's what one glass of bad ale does to her (minotaur spittle, indeed! ), let alone three. And a glass of wine on top of that? Girl, didn't anyone ever tell you to never mix your drinks! I really enjoyed Mandila letting go of her inhibitions and nearly giving the game away. And she finally gets her kiss! Too bad it wasn't quite what she imagined.

I meant to split the section to show Lex's POV, but forgot to break the paragraphs and put markers. All fixed now, or so I hope. I'm not sure if it still disrupts the flow of the story or not...

I'm with Rider. Hormones + booze = Oh my!

My opinion of Lex just skyrocketed. The man obviously has fine taste in wine. Yes, Tamika's is the best in Cyrodiil. I also see that he knows how a gentlemen handles a lady who has had just a touch too much to drink. I'm beginning to see why Mandilla likes him.

A fun read.

You know, it just occurred to me that the movie version should have Ellen Page (of Juno and Whip It), playing Mandila. I'm not sure about Lex yet though.

I love Mandila's little trap. More so though, I love how she could not help but to butt into Lex's conversation with the two Watchmen (Nite Owl and Rorsarch?).

This is awkward...and I'm officially dead.
Well put!

Yes, Lex was human like everyone else
I think the elves might disagree on the 'everyone else' part! But yes, Mandila is quite right. He is, and you have done a wonderful job of demonstrating just that. You give him a depth that he is sorely lacking in the game.

Finally, your description of liquid panty remover on Mandila was wonderful! Teresa is going to have to start plying women with the same stuff!

So her job is to keep Lex distracted while the Thieves Guild goes about the business of being thieves, and she chooses to do so by confirming the existence of the Grey Fox? She probably could have gone another way with that!

What a captivating chapter this was! I fell into it from Mandila and Methredhel’s initial conversation and didn’t resurface until Mandila retired to her house and her (presumably) impending hangover. Nice work.

@ Melarg: Mandila isn't always the most thoughtful person. She'll pay for more than just the drinking when reason kicks back in.

@ SubRosa: Just so long as Teresa doesn't try drinking the stuff! And I too can see Ellen Page playing Mandila. I haven't the foggiest idea concerning Lex though. When I think of amazing blue eyes, I think of Paul Newman, but I don't know if I can picture him as Lex (and I'm referring to a young Newman, of course).

@Acadian: of course there are things to like about Lex. I'm glad that I've successfully made him more human and likable in your eyes.

I am enjoying this writing tremendously!!! (In spite of the fact that I know Lex is bisexual in the game). You have a real knack for building characters!

Chapter 7:

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Make it stop," Mandila grumbled into her pillow. Her face was firmly planted in the soft ball of fabric beneath her, and even the feather that was poking her in the cheek couldn't make her stir. Her head was killing her, and whoever was knocking at her door had better stop before she gave them a piece of her mind. "I am trying to sleep!" she yelled when the noise persisted, and then Mandila heard the soft click of someone tinkering with the door's lock. The nerve of some people!

"Mandila, come on!" she heard Methredhel complain. "It's already mid-morning." With a groan, Mandila sat up just as her front door swung open. Of course the lock was no match for her friend, but still, was breaking and entering really necessary? She sighed as she watched Methredhel flounce into the room with a wide grin, and the older thief's delighted expression just begged for an update.

"You look terrible." Thanks. Light falling through the roof's shoddily fitted planks, Mandila winced as she shifted into a shadier spot on the bed, her head still pounding.

"I drank a little too much last night," she explained. Then she grabbed a brush from beneath her bed and began the process of untangling her hair as Methredhel made herself at home. The older thief plopped down on the only chair in the small abode, and it was a rather rickety one at that. One day someone was going to sit down and break the flimsy construct.

"Someone got dressed up for the evening," Methredhel noted, and Mandila looked down to see that she had slept in her skirt, blouse, and sash, all of which were now wrinkled. At least she hadn't thrown up on them. In fact, she was quite proud of herself on that account. "So how did it go?"

"Good right up until the last drink that I forced down," Mandila managed to smile. "I like Tamika's, but I shouldn't have had a full glass after the ale--if you can call what I drank ale."

"Tamika's?" Methredhel questioned. "You usually don't spend so much on drinking."

"I didn't," Mandila replied with a teasing grin.

"Oh, you had a man last night then."

"Lex bought me some." The sudden lapse of silence that followed Mandila's statement could only be attributed to shock, for there sat Methredhel, her eyes as large as iron shields, and her mouth hanging open. The expression was as priceless as Mandila had hoped, and so she decided to bask in the glory of her comment while waiting for the older thief to recompose herself.

"You drank with Lex?" Methredhel gasped. "And he treated you to a drink? How did that happen?" Mandila crossed arms over her chest and gave her friend a devious smile.

"When my company didn't arrive, I joined him, and we had a nice little time sitting by our lonesome selves. I think that we both enjoyed it." There was no need to bring up her slip about the Grey Fox, for some things were going to remain private for her own wellbeing.

"Ooooh," Methredhel cooed, her eyes eager for juicy tidbits. "I don't suppose that you got the kiss that I proposed, did you?" The comment was meant as a joke, and Mandila knew as much, for Methredhel probably didn't believe that she'd actually shared an evening with the captain, but here came the truth. Mandila smirked. "You did! You actually got Lex to pucker up?!"

"Not so loud! And, well, he didn't kiss back," Mandila clarified. "But he didn't stop me right away either. How's that for getting the captain to loosen up?"

"I can't believe this," Methredhel marveled, rubbing her temples. "I need some proof before I believe this. No lockpicks until you have proof."

"Under one condition," Mandila added. "Armand hears nothing about this, okay? He's already unhappy with me talking to Lex. If he finds out that I kissed him, he won't understand that it was just a joke between the two of us."

"And it was just a joke, right?" Methredhel challenged. Mandila frowned and stood up much faster than she should have, for the sudden movement made her reach for the bed post to steady herself.

"Of course it was only a joke." Sort of. Not really. Gods, I'd love to kiss him again. "Come on," she continued. "I'll get you your proof." She led the way to the harbor with Methredhel at her side, both looking for Captain Lex. He was as easy to find as ever, and as Mandila approached him, Methredhel lagged behind. For his part, Lex was eyeing Mandila like he wanted to speak with her but was not particularly pleased about it. He even looked ready to ignore her, but Mandila would have none of that.

"Good morning," she greeted him, determined to prevent him from acting as if last night had never happened. And he did seem rather intent on that as he turned his blank face on her. Then again, perhaps it wasn't acting. Perhaps it had meant nothing to him. "I had a good time last night," Mandila beamed.

"You remember everything?" Lex asked, and she nodded. "Then let's get several things straight." He stepped closer with a stern face that was anything but comforting, but Mandila didn't budge at this unexpected, harsh tone. "We have a conversation to finish, and if you don't visit my office, I will find a convenient time to visit you at home." Mandila was fixated by the possibility of him seeking her out, but then she scolded herself. Why did these ridiculous thoughts need to plague her anyway? If she was honest with herself, she understood very well that she was falling for this man, but she didn't want that to happen. There were unseen rules defining their lives, and what was the point of falling for someone who wouldn't fall back?

"I wouldn't mind discussing it over another drink," Mandila offered. "I won't drink too much this time. I usually stop at two glasses, you know. Last night I wasn't thinking straight." You seem to have that effect on me. She remembered the kiss and fought the blush that she felt rising in her cheeks. She wondered what Lex thought about her bold actions.

"I wasn't in uniform last night," Lex stated, his face as cold as his tone. "But I am on duty now, and I can arrest you for making unwanted advances. You will not make a public display." Unwanted. The word slapped Mandila across the face, and her expression fell. Oh, the hurt that her face was probably broadcasting could not be good. She didn't want this man to know the extent of the hold that he had over her, but she couldn't help it. The gleam vanished from her eyes, and she felt her dancing spirit retracting in upon itself.

"I won't bother you with displays again then, sir," she apologized, and her mind whispered that a handsome captain like Lex probably had access to very beautiful and wealthy women. She was just a poor, possible thief in his eyes anyway, so she couldn't expect more than dismissal.

"Citizen," Lex began, his tone softer than before, but still distant. "I have work to do, but if you ever need assistance, you know where to find me. Do you know where my office is?"

"Yes, sir."

"I'll expect you within the next several days then." He walked off, and Methredhel bounced over to give her sister a hug and concede that Mandila had won the bet. Twenty lockpicks landed in her hand, and Mandila accepted them, but all she could think about was how she was just a bit of mud on the captain's boots. That's how he had just treated her, and after she'd thought that maybe their friendly streak had meant...it meant nothing. She could keep teasing him, but that's all it would ever be: two people who baited one another. And how stupid she'd been to create tension between herself and Armand for that man! To stretch her boundaries for a delusion!

Mandila selected a lockpick and moved toward the tunnel that led into the Imperial City from the harbor. She had a job tonight, and she wanted to scope out the neighborhood ahead of time. This was the kind of thing that should have been occupying her time and energy, not some guard! She would reaffirm her loyalty to the guild tonight, before Armand had another chance to question her.

*********************

He was following her. She could tell by the way that his back always seemed turned toward her—how he always seemed to be going in the opposite direction but was there every time that she scanned her surroundings. Mandila frowned from where she stood by a cart in the market district, the cart's fruits stacked in tempting piles, and her body hidden by the ever-shouting merchant who was selling them. The guard several stalls down was talking to someone, but she knew that he was after her, and she also knew that Lex had probably set him on her. Standing amid the loud chatter and bright awnings of the weekly farmer's market, she watched him from the corner of her eyes, her view constantly obstructed by shoppers of all shapes and sizes.

What had suddenly made Lex suspicious enough to have her followed? Last night's slip about the Grey Fox might have done it, but then again, he'd know about the massive theft that had occurred while he'd been with her by now. Of course that would make her look bad, but she had played her part well, and he hadn't accused her of anything today. Gods, but she wanted to see him smile again, and at her, no one else. She shook her head and pocketed an apple when no one was looking. Not only was she forced to admit that she liked Lex, but that she would feel jealous if she saw him with another woman as well. She had no idea when her fascination had progressed this far, but she blamed it on him for having started to talk back to her, and for playing that trick on her after the swimming incident. If he had just ignored her attentions like he always had, everything would be fine right now.

It was early afternoon now, and Lex would soon arrive for lunch. She didn't want to see him, but she couldn't bring herself to move fast enough to avoid him either. She didn't leave until she saw him marching down the street in her direction, and she didn't miss the quick nod that passed between him and the guard that was following her. Well, if Lex wanted to give her a hard time, she'd show him how difficult it was to catch a thief of her caliber.

"Oh the games we play," she murmured to herself as she gave him one last glance. Perhaps she couldn't be angry with him for speaking with or challenging her. No, that would be unfair, and she wouldn't want to lose what little she had shared with him either. Did she sound like a bleeding heart? She hoped not, but she couldn't help but feel that her life would be a little more boring without the captain, as if the obstacles that he presented added to her routine and had even become incorporated into it. He helped make her day, but she'd rather dunk her head in sewer water than say such a sappy comment aloud.

Now it was time to lose her friend back there.

Mandila took a sharp turn around the row of houses leading toward the Arena. Once out of sight, she sprinted, rounded the next corner, and jogged toward Green Emperor Way where she could access any part of the city. She knew that the guard would be close behind her by now, and so she located a large tombstone and crouched behind it, waiting for him to pass her. It didn't take long for him to show, the man panting from running in armor on such a warm afternoon, and Mandila bit back a chuckle as he started to curse. With a little precaution, she would give him the slip for the rest of the day, and that's exactly what she did.

The day disappeared, and night was well underway as Mandila perched on a stonewall not far from her destination. The poor guard had given up after several fruitless hours of searching for her, and she loved how she'd only ever been a matter of feet from him. It gave her great satisfaction to know that he was no match for her, but she supposed that sneaking around in armor was difficult. Now she was posed to strike, for in a few minutes, the owner of a nearby house would leave for her evening stroll. That left Mandila about an hour long window to plunder, and plunder she would, but there was only one object that she was interested in: a dagger.

According to rumor, it would look ordinary enough, but it was enchanted to kill with a single stroke. Now that would be worth money, and Mandila needed the gold to buy herself some clothing. Her current shoes were cracking, and besides one or two decent outfits, she was beginning to look as poor as she felt, and she didn't want to look like a beggar. That was the last thing that she wanted to be, for the homeless were treated with disdain for the most part, and to feel like a beggar meant degradation, which Mandila would never allow herself to wallow in. Even a lowly thief had her pride, and after witnessing her mother's decline, she never wanted to return to such a lifestyle. She had finally found a way to support herself in the Thieves' Guild, and for that she would be forever grateful.

Here we go. The lady, who was a Dunmer, had just locked the door behind her and was walking toward the gardens. Now it was time to act.

Mandila checked her surroundings and saw that, as expected, no guards were afoot. They'd be changing the watch right about now, and most patrols had been stopped for the night. With a smile, she crept toward her target's home and began fiddling with the lock. It was a complicated one, but the click of success had never been sweeter to her ears or more timely, for she could hear the guards approaching as the last pin was pushed into place. By the time that the armored men were within eyesight, Mandila was safely inside of the house, the door shut behind her.

The building was blanketed in pure darkness, and Mandila had to pause and give her eyes time to adjust as she crouched by what she assumed to be a table. The room began to take shape as her elfin eyes dilated to a degree that a human's couldn't, and objects obtained dim outlines, making it clear enough that the house's floor plan matched the generic spread of a lower-class, Imperial home. The main floor had one large room designed for entertaining and food preparation, which was divided by furniture placement. At the rear sat a staircase that led down into the cellar, and running parallel above that were the steps that led upward toward the bedroom.

Mandila imagined that the knife was upstairs in the lady's room, and so she tiptoed in that direction. She climbed the steps with her back against the cool, stone wall, and soon a second lock was picked, which allowed her to enter the master bedroom. Like downstairs, the place was devoid of light and sound, but she paused and took her time anyway. One foot entered the room, and she could have sworn that a cool rush of air swept across the nape of her neck, but her mind was probably just playing tricks on her. After all, sometimes she got a bit jittery during thefts.

The chest. And she proceeded to sneak toward a large, wooden trunk and test the lock. To her disappointment, it only held clothing, as did the closet, and the box beside the bed was filled with worthless trinkets. Getting annoyed, and running out of time, Mandila was about to settle for taking a few necklaces when a glint of purple from a nearby shelf caught her eye. She wanted to hit herself for having not looked in such an obvious place before, for there lay the dagger, slender and elegant in its Elven design, and its surface pulsing with magic. Any thief would have been elated at such a find, but for a fleeting second, cold breath blew down the neck of Mandila's shirt.

What in the name of Nocturne...?

Mandila spun as the cold air left a trail of goosebumps down her back, and with a sick jump of her stomach, she scanned the room to confirm that she was alone. There was probably just a draft somewhere, for nothing in this place moved except for her, which meant that her imagination was getting the best of her. She stayed alert as her hand reached for the dagger, but her senses kept tripping with a concern that ate at her mind. Something didn't feel right, as if someone was spying on her shadowy movements. It was the same sensation that she felt whenever a guard passed behind her back.

Fingers wrapped around the dagger's handle, and she gently lifted it from its resting place. It was light in her hands, and cool to the touch, but she didn't feel the familiar sense of triumph as she held it. The air seemed to thicken around her, and now she definitely knew that something wasn't right. Gods, but her skin was prickling in fright, and something was moving in the shadows, coming closer, its breath disturbing the otherwise total silence of the bedroom.

Mandila did what her instincts dictated, and that was throwing the dagger at whatever was coming after her. When the weapon sailed through thin air to harmlessly glance off of the opposite wall, she really knew that she was in trouble.

It's a spirit. And she was horrified by the supernatural. Perhaps the dagger had been placed under a protective enchantment, and as she saw a blue ball of light forming before her, her feet ran for the door. There was a crackling sound, and a bright flash of light that chased her out of the room and onto the landing outside. She nearly fell down the stairs in her hurry to avoid whatever spell was being hurled at her, and as the wrath chased her, the faint light of is ethereal form cast taunting shadows across the main room.

Damned dark elves and their ancestral spirits!

Mandila skidded toward the front door, no longer caring if a guard saw her exiting the premises, and gripped the handle with shaking hands. Some things were worse than trespassing fees, and she could think of a few as another beam of light flared into being. She knew that a ball of energy was flying at her back as her hands began pulling on the door, for the spell's brightness cast her shadow against the wall with increasing sharpness, and heat began flowing over her.

Faster.

The door began swinging inward, but the thief wasn't fast enough. Searing pain fanned across her back, causing her to gasp as she stumbled outside. It was as though embers were being pounded into her skin, and she was sure that she was bleeding, even if her numbed mind didn't yet realize it. She slammed the door shut and never looked back as she ran on pure adrenaline, and even then, the pain begged her body to collapse. She was unaccustomed to heavy injuries, and as she ran, she realized that her head was growing lighter, which scared her with the possibility of passing out and bleeding to death on the street. Sure, she'd been lucky that no one had seen her attempted theft, but dying in a gutter didn't seem much better.

Her vision began to blacken, and in a desperate attempt to remain upright, she reached out a hand for the wall beside her. Her legs buckled, and she slid to the ground where she gasped and coughed up blood as she lost all sense of her bearings.

Footsteps.

Someone was coming, but at a slow pace. Metal boots. Torchlight. A guard then. Damn.

Mandila slowly rose to her feet and continued walking, all the while trying to stay ahead of the torchlight as she fumbled her away along the wall. She had to get back to the waterfront, and then Armand could patch her up. He would watch over her while she healed, and so she tried to move faster as the light behind her drew closer. Where was she now? Oh, the Temple District.

"Citizen," someone hailed her, and she almost died from panic when she realized that it was Lex. Of all the people to find her, why did it have to be him? The torchlight was getting closer by the second, drawing even with her as she paused from exhaustion. "Drunk again?" the captain began to mock. "You're lucky that..." His words trailed off, and although Mandila didn't look up, she assumed that he was examining her injured back. She hid behind her hair, the brown locks hanging about her pained face as she stood half-hunched, for she didn't want the captain to see the thin trickle of blood that was running down her chin and filling her mouth with copper.

"What happened?" Lex demanded. "These are serious wounds." His voice was stern, but no longer annoyed, and he was stepping closer.

"I had an accident," Mandila lied as she spat blood onto the street. "Got a little too close to a fire. You know me. I don't look before I leap." Oh, but talking through the pain and dizziness was difficult.

"Come with me," Lex ordered, his tone dropping to a gentler level. "I'll escort you to the Temple." Where you'll ask a million questions about my accident, Mandila thought. And then my injury will be reported, and the lady might connect me to the theft.

"I'll be fine," Mandila said. "I just need to get home. I'm sure that you have other things to do..." A strong hand gripped her chin and turned her face upward so that Mandila found herself staring into the captain's face. Torchlight fell across her features, exposing a bloody trail along her mouth, and she was surprised when Lex ran his thumb across the rivulet to wipe it from her face. He looked as he always did, but there was a touch of concern there also.

"No smart comments. No attempts to annoy me," he mused. "You're not fine, and I have never let anyone die on my watch." Mandila tried to smile, but the action was cut short by a grimace of pain. She doubled over, but Lex caught her falling form, and supported her much lighter body. She leaned against his breastplate, unable to stand on her own, and felt his hands on her arms as he righted her. For a single moment she felt his forehead brush against hers, and it was strange how such a detail stood out when she felt like crumbling to the pavement to never rise again.

"I'm not going to the Temple," she reiterated. "Take me home."

"Citizen, I'm honor-bound to protect your well-being, and you are going to the Temple. Then we are going to file a report, because there is no way in Oblivion that these wounds were caused by a mere accident." Of course he was going to be stubborn, and Mandila really wasn't in the mood to argue with him right now. Perhaps...

"I have a healing potion at home," she lied. "I'd rather do that than the Temple." She wanted to stay leaning against Lex, but if she looked that weak, he'd never let her go directly home. He cares, she thought, the idea warming her, even if he was only doing his job. She straightened with his hands still gripping her shoulders, and wanted to think that perhaps there was more to this than just his job. Maybe he was fond of her, if nothing else.

"I'm ready to go," she said, and they started out, one of her hands gliding against the wall, and the other around Lex's broad shoulders. One of his arms was wrapped around her waist, and it felt so strange to have him this close that she didn't know what to say or do. For the most part, they walked in silence, and she was content to pretend that he was merely a kind man doing his best to help her.

"Why am I always running into you, elf?" Lex commented, and Mandila started to laugh before she realized how much pain it put her in.

"You're just lucky, I guess," she teased. Lex 'humphed' and tightened his grip on her when she began slipping downward, but the action made her to sharply inhale in pain as his arm grazed her wound. "My apologies," he said.

"It's not your fault."

"So if I am to believe that this was an accident, how did it happen?" he pressed. "If it was someone else's negligence, I'll see that he or she is dealt with properly." He sounded so official that Mandila wanted to poke him in the side and tell him to stop being so stingy, but he was apparently still on duty, and she was too weak to bother. Even when off duty, he didn't seem that different.

"This injury is my own fault, captain," Mandila stated. "And let's leave it at that. I don't think that I can handle any questions right now. I want to rest."

"I will not bother you until tomorrow then," Lex offered, and no doubt he thought that such a step was very sympathetic, but Mandila had other ideas.

"Sir, even if I was doing something wrong—which I'm not saying that I was—don't you think that I've learned my lesson?" Her head tilted sideways, and she found herself getting lost in his blue eyes. They were intense, as if he was trying to solve a riddle, and she could only offer him the sincere longing for compassion that marked her face. She believed him capable of being gentle when no one else did, and she prayed that he could decipher the implicit trust that accompanied her stare.

"Don't forget your lesson, citizen."

"Mandila," she smiled. "Stop calling me 'citizen'."

"Very well. Here we are at your home, Mandila," and she thought that she detected a smile in his tone. He held onto her as she unlocked her door and pushed it open.

"Thank you," she said, and moved to close the door, but it wouldn't shut the whole way. Lex's hand had shot out to keep it open, and his face looked sculpted from marble as he stared at her.

"Take the potion," he ordered.

"What? Are you going to stand there and make sure that I do?" Mandila asked at wit's end.

"Yes." He did care. She didn't know if she wanted to punch or hug him, so she settled for putting more pressure on the door.

"I would be crazy not to take the potion," she countered. "Now go away or I'll file a complaint against you for trespassing." Lex's eyebrows rose, and he leaned forward with a dark undercurrent to his voice.

"You wouldn't dare," he breathed. "Now take that potion." He turned and left her to her own healing, apparently sure that she'd do as ordered, and Mandila quietly indulged in the idea of him having saved her. It was a comforting feeling, like his arm around her waist, helping her stand, and for the first time in her life, Mandila was glad that he was so strict in doing his duty. No one had ever helped her like that before, and she'd never forget it.

Oooh boy o boy o boy!

Just when Mandila talks herself into not playing the 'game' anymore with Lex, he shows up just when she is at her weakest! Not only does he restrain himself from questioning her about her injury (I honestly felt he let her off easy), but he escorts her home and insists she takes that healing potion that she may or may not have in her shack! Now how in Oblivion is a woman supposed to resist that?