The Blind Seer and Her Thief

Darkness. That's all she could see for hours. Maybe it was days now? She couldn't tell. She couldn't care less. The only thing she was worried about was her family. What happened to them? She looked back and remembered talking with her little sisters, mum and da. It was a normal family dinner. And then the darkness hit her, swallowing her family with it. Why can't I remember anything? she thought. She could still taste the grilled leeks as she remembered the last moments of the light. She could feel her pulse inside her head.

Though submitted deep into darkness and unaware of her surroundings, she moved her hands around to find where she was. It was hot everywhere. She felt her hands meet splintered wood, wedging pieces into her fingers. The Nord girl winced at the pain, but remained silent. Not only was she in darkness, she was in silence. She felt her hands and knees suddenly hit soil after she tried standing up. It was moist soil. Water… a river must be nearby.

The dryness of the girl's mouth and throat were excruciating and quickly swam her way to be her concentration. She desperately crawled forward in search of the water. All of her muscles released the tension building up in her when she heard the small creak nearby. Once her hand hit the water, she cupped some water and drank it until she felt sick from the vast amount of water in her stomach.

A throbbing pain suddenly shot through her body as she felt herself leave the ground, warmth engulfing her. This must be death. It's about time. She thought her countless prayers for a passing to Sovngarde had been answered and she succumbed to her exhaustion.

The cold wetness of a cloth being draped on her forehead shot her eyes open, bringing all her pain back to her. She still could see nothing. She sat up way too fast, sending her head spinning.

"Easy there, kinsman." She heard a gruff male voice say.

Feeling the large hands settle her back into the bed made her heart sink. This isn't Sovngarde. Why am I still alive? Why can't I see anything?!

"M-My eyes…" she forced out between coughs.

"Your eyes?" the man replied.

She forced herself out of the bed in search for light, just something to see.

"I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING!"

For a simple Nord, it was a normal day. Scanning potential targets, pandering to those that had some extra coin, were in a good mood, or walking around with some free time. The typical day in the Rift was mind-numbing to him. He needed to reel in someone for excitement, fast. Else Mercer would be on him faster than skeevers on fresh bread.

Maybe he ought to go looking at Goldenglow Estate. He knew Vex hardly made it out, but being chased down by some mercenaries right behind him lusting for his head on a spike sounded more fun than what he was doing right now. If Haelga came by his stall again to ask about that Falmer Elixer, he would toss her into her bunkhouse and lock her there until even Dibella was tired of her.

Suddenly, a fresh face came to view. Well, a fresh body. Her face was well hidden behind a large and thick mage hood, but he knew she wasn't a member of the college. Her arms said that she favored the weapon over magic, though she was of extremely small build. She probably wasn't much of a talker either by the way she swiftly made her way through the people and promptly sold her junk to Grelka and Balimund.

This is it. His make or break moment.

"Never done an honest day's work in your life for all that coin you're carrying, eh lass?" he approached her before she could make it halfway to the Bee and Bard.

"My wealth is none of your business." she said calmly and coolly replied.

"Oh but that's where you are wrong lass." he retorted. His attempt of slight intimidation by knowing how much coin she carried and how she got it didn't get to her. He liked the challenge.

"Get away from me," she began to walk away before he grabbed her arm.

"Easy there lass. You haven't even heard the business opportunity I have for you. You see, your wealth is my busi-"

Before he could finish, her head raised slightly as she looked around to see if people were watching or listening. He was surprised by her observation skills, but even more surprised by her eyes.

Those eyes. What happened to them? It was like she had lost them. They were there, but they weren't. He couldn't process it. Perhaps she was blind, and he was blind to her blindness. How was she able to mingle and blend like nothing was different?

"Oh, sorry lass," he quickly added, letting go of her. "Must've gotten the wrong impression."

He turned around quickly to avoid embarrassment, but he was stopped by the grip of a small hand on his shoulder and a warm, but slightly bone chilling whisper into his ear.

"You must think I'm not a good thief because of my eyes," she softly said.

"What made you-"

"I'm not stupid. I know my eyes don't work as well as yours. I may look blind, but I know where a good thief is when there is one around. You walk too quiet for a man of your size. Your fine clothes don't mask the heavy air you carry."

He grabbed her hand from his shoulder and spun around to face her, looking into the center of her eyes. They were all white, so he couldn't know where she was looking, but he felt as if she was looking him deeply in the eyes.

Her eyes… he thought to himself. They were as white as the snowy mountains on the Throat of the World, clashing with her milky porcelain skin. Her lips were tinted a reddish-pink. How could a woman look so naturally beautiful?

Taking all of her beauty in, he began to talk, "Look lass, I don't know who you are or what happened to your eyes, but you've got some skill."

"So you noticed?" her colorless eyes smiled back at him as she returned a hefty bag of coins into his hand.

"Aye. You may have been quick, but a thief knows when his money is not on him anymore." he returned her smirk. She giggled, and before he was fully aware of his thoughts, he asked her, "Seriously, who are you, lass?"

She put her thin finger to his lips. "You of all people should know that this is not the place to have this conversation." She turned her head around, actually taking time to observe their surroundings. "I'll see you at the Ragged Flagon."

She walked away and disappeared. He returned to his stall in the marketplace and leaned against one of the poles that held up the small cloth that was its roof. He sighed, looking into the direction the Nord woman had walked off to.