Two elves entered through a hidden passage into a small room. One elf was tall, bald and dressed in very expensive clothes, the other elf had long blonde hair, of average height and his clothes looked like hand-me-downs. The bald elf gestured towards a chair in the room, next to a bucket, the other one sat in the chair. The bald elf sat down on the work bench and leaned back closing his eyes. The one sitting in the chair just stared at him, waiting. Time passed and the bald elf said nothing, actually seemed to be asleep. The blonde started to open his mouth to say something, but was startled when the other's eyes flicked open and held his with an icy stare.

"Dont...just listen, and wait. Everything you want to know will come to you in time. Though you were patient for much longer than I had guessed you would be." he leaned forward on the bench and stared at the blonde elf.

"When around others of our guild, the silent one will learn more than those who constantly run thier mouths. I know you, and I know its hard for you to keep yer mouth shut. Just remember, your mouth can get you remembered, and thats not always a good thing." as he leaned back it seemed as if a dagger had appeared in his hand, and he started cleaning his fingernails with the tip.

"Remember a few things and you may live to see a new day." Holding up one finger "Dont get greedy, you steal from a mark and move on. Dont matter what you get, cause at least you will get practice. Keep going in his pockets and ya might end up with a blade in yer chest."

He raised a second finger "If you cant resist the temptation and keep going and get caught, drop his coin back in his hands and make for the shadows or a crowded street and lose yourself."

raising a third finger "Dont mess with anyone in the guild, they are your brethren, you may not be able to trust them with your coin outside these walls, but they are the only ones who understand our way of life, and they are better friends than enemies. Also, train hard, combat and defences, cause ya never know when some punk is gonna call ya out, thinking yer an easy mark. We are bretheren, but its survival of the fittest, and you better be fit, or invisible."

He held up a fourth finger "What we do, what we know and where we are...they are all secrets...open yer mouth and you will find a blade in yer back. No warning, this will be the only one you get. Secrecy is how we stay alive, dont act all rogueish out in the streets, dont be someone people will remember as some to watch their pockets around. Dont show anyone how to get into the guild, if they dont know how, or cant find it, they dont belong. Dont use the skills and abilities you are taught in a crowded place, thats what dark alleys and back rooms are for, or deserted stretches of road."

Smiling knowingly "Finally, know your enemy. Dont pretend like yer a barbarian, look for your enemy's weaknesses and exploit them. Pick your fights carefully and when all the cards are in your hands. Silent, quick, like the wind. Dont waste time bragging over his dead body or the guards will catch ya, and dont hang around if ya didnt kill him on the first hit, run, hide, bide your time, and catch him later when he is unaware. And you may live long enough to say "I can put my name in the register...but I wont..." he chuckles "now get out of here and act like someone is watching you at all times, because they probably are."

With that he seemed to disappear, but the blonde elf felt a tugging at his purse strings. A voice from the shadows said "Oh yeah, never bring anything into the guild that ya dont mind losing...cause here yer fair game, thieves testing thier skills against other thieves...thanks for the plat."

Act like someone is watching....they probably are.